DTN-30-3-19 by Dailytimes

I’ve no case against Ihedioha’s victory, SNP gov’ship candidate Deposes affidavit to disown party over litigation By our correspondent The governorship candidate of the Sustainable National Party (SNP) in the 2019 governorship election in Imo State,

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Mr. Ikechukwu Obinna Munaonye, has declared support for Governor-elect, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, saying he wholeheartedly accepts his victory and therefore has no reason to challenge it Continued on page 3

SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 2019

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Why I pray at Villa Mosque on Fridays Says Nigeria will be better than he met it in 2015

Mathew Dadiya, Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has said that his decision to observe Juma’at prayers at the Presidential Villa, and not the National Mosque in Abuja, was to prevent the constraints and inconveniences presidential movements may cause to the people. The President was responding to a request by a delegation of Imams and Senior Islamic Scholars from all States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory led by Prof. Shehu Ahmad Galadanci, the Murshid, National Mosque who visited him on Friday, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He said: ‘‘Regarding your request for me to be attending Juma’at prayers in the National Mosque, I implore you to note that I personally started observing Juma’at prayers in the State House in order to reduce hardships which people may pass through. ‘‘As you all know, Presidential movements

Innoson Motors gets court order against GTBank over debt g 16 How Fayose’s aide siphoned N1.2bn cash, witness tells g3 court

require roadblocks and other attendant restrictions which could subject worshippers and other people to a lot of difficulties,’’ the President told the Islamic scholars who were at State House to congratulate him on his overwhelming victory at the February 23 presidential election. Buhari welcomed the counsel of the Islamic scholars on the teachings of the Prophet about the obligations of leaders towards their subjects, and vice-versa. The President thanked them for their prayers and support for his administration, assuring that the administration will leave no stone unturned in addressing the security challenges facing the country. Congratulating the President on his re-election, Prof. Galadanci noted that the victory demonstrates the desire of the majority of Nigerians to ensure the continuity of the administration to the Next Level. He prayed that Almighty Allah would grant the President the ability to continue with the ‘‘excellent CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

Non-declaration of assets: Onnoghen has case to answer, g5 says CCT

TB: Survivors of recount ordeal, urge FG to end g 5 Why nude role is no go area g11 spread of disease for me - Mercy Johnson Okojie

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, March 30, 2019

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Body of benchers key to nation’s Short News Rivers APC lambasts Wike over democracy, says Saraki Tunde Opalana, Abuja

Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki, yesterday said that the Body of Benchers have a great role to play in instilling confidence in the nation’s democracy. Saraki, who made the assertion while delivering a goodwill message at the Body of Benchers Award Night in Abuja, added that the judiciary is also key to ensuring sustainable economic development of the country. In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sanni Onogu, he stated that there must be a concerted drive towards consolidation of democracy, liberalization of the economy and ensuring the rule of law. Saraki said: “No two ways around this. In the next few decades, the population of Nigeria and the continent, including the youth demographic is set to increase exponentially.

“The challenge ahead is to see how we can reduce poverty and create jobs for the youth whose numbers will treble in the coming years. “They are not a generation that will sit idly by and watch their aspirations fade. Without inclusive government that creates jobs and opportunities, we are sitting on a time-bomb. “We must act fast, and the judiciary has an important role to play in ensuring sustainable economic success that is predicated upon a more democratic environment. “The job creation stimulus we are seeking requires investment and this depends on democratic stability. It follows, therefore, that the types of government that emerge must be through a democratic process that builds on the confidence of the people. “Our ability to produce effective solutions has never been more in demand. From the threats and opportunities of information development, sharing,

management, manipulations aided by technology to the changing dynamics of terrorism, we must remake a judicial process that is integrity assured and delivers in good time. “This requires the legislature and the judiciary to engage more and share ideas, more than is currently the case. We must have a society where truth and justice are seen to prevail, where men and women will believe that the system will always stand by the truth. “Politicians and business people must know that power and money cannot trump truth and justice, and that the law bends for no one. It must be clear that the corruption of money will always lose out. “Benchers are key to instilling that confidence. Inconsistency will only create problems further down the line. Fear of man cannot be the driving imperative of what we do. “It must be the Constitution. In any case, history has shown us that power is transient. Posterity is the goal,” he stated.

ban on protests, rallies

The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has lambasted Governor Nyesome Wike’s ban on peaceful protests in the state, describing it as the height of absurdity by a government. The state Information and Communication Commissioner, Mr. Emma Okah, had in a statement released in Port Harcourt, the state capital on Thursday announced the ban, warning that the full weight of the law would be brought to bear on defaulters. But the APC, in its reaction said that the state governor cannot be unaware that it is the inalienable rights of Nigerians to protest peacefully anywhere in the country. In a release issued on Friday, the state APC Publicity Secretary loyal to Amaechi’s faction of the party, Chris Finebone said: “We believe that Gov. Nyesom Wike who authorised the ban is unaware that Rivers people and indeed Nigerians have inalienable right to peaceful protest. “Perhaps the governor should be reminded that Honourable Justice Adekeye J.S.C. (rtd) once stated that, a rally or placard carrying demonstration has become a form of expression of views on current issues affecting government and the governed in a sovereign state,” pointing out that it is a practice recognized and deeply entrenched in civilized climes. Finebone said in the statement that the APC is wondering why Gov. Wike would fritter good chunk of the commonwealth of Rivers people on frivolous protests and in less than 24 hours, after the last of those protests, pronounce a ban on protests, saying that the reason can only be that those protesting on the opposite side are now providing Rivers people and Nigerians better perspectives on the happenings in Rivers State. According to him, another reason for the ineffectual ban is to scuttle further exposure of the ills and atrocities of the Rivers State Government under Gov. Nyesom Wike who believes that pensioners, civil servants, workers of RSSDA and Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority and others may soon protest their abandonment and suffering by the governor. “It is necessary at this point to inform Gov. Wike that his ban on protest is simply waste of time and space. Nigeria Police cannot enforce an illegal ban except the governor intends to deploy his usual gun-toting hoodlums. He should remember that this is not 2015; this is 2019. If the governor tries it, he will not like the outcome and he knows it,” he stated.

Ishaku swears-in 2, 000 corps members in Taraba Okerafor Athanatius, Jalingo

President Muhammadu Buhari in a handshake with the President of CAN, Rev Dr. Supo Ayokunle; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo SAN (middle). Others are The Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, Dr Samuel Uche; Barri Joseph Bade Daramola; Rev Dr. Benebo Fubura-Manuel; Bishop Anthony Anyiador; Bishop Adegbite; Barr Samuel Kwaamakur; Elder Sanyaola, during a congratulatory visit by the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria for President Muhammadu Buhari reelection, held at the Council Chambers, State House, Abuja...on Friday.

PDP uncovers plots by APC to scuttle collation of Rivers guber result Tunde Opalana, Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said it has uncovered plots by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to cause confusion in Rivers state and scuttle the scheduled collation of the remaining results of the March 9 governorship election in the state, which was won by the PDP and its candidate, Gov. Nyesom Wike. The party alerted that the APC plans to orchestrate violent disagreements and crisis at the stakeholders meeting scheduled by INEC ahead of the

collation billed for April 2-5, 2019, so as to scuttle the exercise and stall the announcement of Wike, as the winner of the election. It alleged that in order to achieve this ignoble plot, the APC has conspired with certain compromised security agents to be bandying phantom security reports in Rivers state, as a decoy for the execution of their ugly plan. According to its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party is not unaware of pressures being put on certain security heads particularly, the Department of State

Services (DSS) by the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, asking that collation of results be stopped. The party said “the APC should note that their plot has been exposed and that Rivers people will never allow them to have their way. Any person pushing such heinous machination in Rivers state will have him or herself to blame,” the PDP added. The party therefore, cautioned the APC to desist from any act aimed at scuttling the scheduled collation of results, which figures confirming Gov. Wike’s victory are known to all.

Taraba state Governor, Darius Ishaku has sworn-in about 2, 000 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed to the state for their one -year compulsory national service. Speaking at the official swearing-in ceremony of the 2019 batch ‘A’ corps members held Friday at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Sibre, Ardo Kola Local Government Area of the state, Gov. Ishaku urged the corps members to take seriously all the activities on camp. The governor represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Pastor Gambo Nde Ndafo further emphasized that the skills acquisition training scheme targeted at making corps members self-reliant and employers of labour must not be under-estimated. “By using the knowledge acquired from your various institutions to foster peace and unity, which this nation dearly needs especially at this critical moment of our national development, I therefore, charge you to be good ambassadors of your respective states” said Gov. Ishaku. While thanking the chairman, governing board members, NYSC management and all collaborating agencies, the governor added that all hands must be on deck towards achieving the aims and objectives of the NYSC scheme. State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs. Florence Yaakugh, congratulated Governor Ishaku on his victory at the just concluded gubernatorial poll. Mrs. Yaakugh, who described discipline as the watchword of the NYSC, revealed that the corps members will be confined to a regimental life, aimed at molding them to become better and responsible citizens. The state coordinator who called on the corps members to respect constituted authority and laid down rules and regulations governing the orientation course, however, warned that anyone that violates the laid down procedures would not escape the NYSC bye-laws.

FG tasked to be committed to cleaner environmental Tunde Opalana, Abuja The Senate Committee on Environment has urged federal government to show more seriousness towards environmental clean -up and protection. The demand was made during the interaction between committee members and the Minister of Environment, Hassan Suleiman at the 2019 budget defence session. According to the senators, the ministry’s commitment towards handling environmental issues has not been encouraging in spite of the huge budgetary allocations over the years. They further expressed hope that the sum of $170 million deposited into the Ogoni clean up trust fund will be judiciously utilized, even as the ministry is requesting for increased funding. Meanwhile, as reactions continue to trail the selection of principal officers of the 9th Senate, the senator representing Kaduna South, Suleiman Hunkuyi has called for the adoption of a truly democratic process as prescribed in the Senate rules and standing order. He further urged senators who will be gracing the 9th Senate to uphold the sanctity of the hallowed chamber by electing the very best individuals as leaders.

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, March 30, 2019

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Delta PDP cautions Utomi over unguarded statements Nosa Akenzua, Asaba The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Delta State Chapter, has cautioned Professor Pat Utomi over his monotonous penchant for uttering unguarded and unsubstantiated comment concerning the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and advised him to instead concentrate his energies on extricating himself from the political quagmire which he and his co-travellers in the APC are endlessly embroiled. This admonition was contained in a terse press statement issued by the PDP and signed by the State Publicity Secretary, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, while reacting to comments credited to Prof. Utomi, where he made several misleading, obviously ignorant and unsubstantiated observations on the efforts of the Delta State Government to reposition the basic and secondary education sector, following the recent incident involving Okotie Eboh Primary School, Sapele. The PDP statement averred that the content of Pat Utomi’s publication portrayed him, not only as an absentee Deltan, who is completely out of touch with the realities on the ground

in educational development of the State, but indeed as a paper tiger who would rather spew forth uncultured vituperations that belie the stereotyped intellect and status often associated with him. Setting the records straight, the PDP statement stated categorically that the contract for the first phase of the renovation of OkotieEboh Primary School 11, Sapele, had already been awarded by the State Government on November, 29, 2018 and work has since commenced and is ongoing; a fact which Prof. Utomi could have effortlessly confirmed if he had subjected his seeming high intellect to a little investigative enquiry before playing to the gallery with his mudslinging misinformation. The statement then went further to dismiss Prof. Utomi’s performance rant by listing some of the excellent and verifiable accomplishments of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa administration in the Education sector to include, but not limited to the following: construction of 1,113 classrooms by the state Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, (MOBSE) and 862 by State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB); renovation of 1,783 classrooms by MOBSE and 860 by SUBEB;

provision of 97,816 students’ furniture by MOBSE and 44,982 by SEBEB and provision of 15,394 teachers’ furniture by MOBSE and 7,354 by SUBEB among others. Furthermore, the statement noted that the performance analysis in West African Examination Council examinations by students from Delta State has risen progressively from: 39.1% in 2014; 62.22% in 2015; 62.22% in 2016 and 64.57% in 2017, even as the analysis for 2018, which is expected to cross the 65% threshold is being awaited from the Chief Examiner’s Report to further consolidate the steady increase in the performance indices of Delta State Education success. According to the statement, with 1,125 public primary schools and 465 public secondary schools in the State, the Delta State Government is presently constructing a Teachers’ Professional Development Centre (TPDC) in the State, to enhance the retraining and development of teachers, in addition to the regular promotion of teachers as well as the introduction of the annual Teachers Award Incentive, where the sum of N7.5 million will be won by 12 teachers/school heads in four categories, every year.

Short News Navy rescues 2-month -old baby, 11 others from drowning

The navy has rescued a two-month-old baby and 11 others from drowning in Ngo waterways in Port Harcourt, Rivers state. Lt. Ernest Jim, Base Information Officer, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Port Harcourt, who made the disclosure on Friday, said that the troops on routine patrol of the waterways sighted a capsized boat and immediately intervened to rescue the 12 passengers. He said that “the boat mishap happened at about 13.30 hours on Thursday, March 28 around Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) map Jetty in Ngo, Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers. “It is gratifying to state that all 11 passengers and the baby were rescued with no casualty recorded.’’ He added that the rescued passengers were later taken to a nearby NLNG medical facility for checkup. The navy spokesman said that preliminary investigation showed that the boat was loaded above capacity, advising operators against taking passengers beyond the capacity of their boats.

Court remands police sergeant in prison for murder

An Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate Court in Lagos state on Friday ordered that a former police Sergeant, Emmanuel Mudi, accused of gunning down a teenager, be remanded in prison custody. Magistrate O.R Williams-Isichie ordered that Mudi be remanded in Ikoyi Prison, pending receipt of legal advice from the state director of public prosecutions. Earlier, the Prosecutor, Inspector Maria Dauda, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on March 18 at 5.30p.m. at Adamo Area of Ikorodu. She alleged that Mudi was drunk while on duty and fatally shot 17-yearold Adijat Sakiru on the neck in a cross fire between the police and some cult members. Sakiru was an SS1 pupil in Adamo Community in Ikorodu. The offence, the prosecutor said, contravened the provisions of Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos state, 2015. The Section 223 stipulates a death sentence for offenders. Williams-Isichie adjourned the case till April 29 for receipt of legal advice.

NCC spokesman, Nwokike, 11 others retire from service Joseph Inokotong, Abuja

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

Tension as irate policemen kill NURTW chairman in A’Ibom Isaac Job, Uyo Tension is thick in the air in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital following the gruesome murder of the Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Comrade Ubong Udo Udofia by angry policemen. Margareth Udofia, the distressed wife while narrating how the incident happened explained that her husband met his untimely death following a minor argument that resulted to a full blown brawl with a policeman. Speaking amid tears, Mrs. Udofia said that the policeman had parked his car to pick passengers near the Itam Motor Park, when members of the task force working for her husband accosted him and directed that he should enter the park as it is the rule.

“I was just returning from the market when I was called suddenly to witness what happened to my husband. When I got to the place, my husband was already gasping for breath until he gave up in my presence. “A policeman had parked his car and was loading passengers near the Itam Motor Park, when members of the task force working for my husband accosted him and directed that he should enter the park and load so others would not join. “But the policeman, who was on mufti resisted and the task force members demanded for the car key and he refused,” she added. The car it was gathered, was subsequently, pushed into the park on the orders of the deceased to adjudicate on the matter. “My husband was inside another vehicle waiting for the car owner, not knowing he has called four of his colleagues, who arrived

and immediately opened fire, but when the bullets could not get at him, they resorted to using gun butts to club him till he became unconscious. “Several other policemen attached to a construction firm, Julius Berger, were called for more reinforcement and more sporadic shooting followed leading to people scampering for safety, including the task force officers,” she explained. She called on the inspector general of police, the state police command and the government of Gov. Udom Emmanuel, to ensure justice was done in the case. “We have nine children to take care of and the eldest is just 15 and none has entered the university yet. So, my appeal is that my husband should not die in vain because all the evidence point to deliberate and premeditated murder because my husband and the task force members did not beat the Policeman.

The Director, Public Affairs, Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), Nnamdi Nwokike and 11 other senior staff have retired from the commission effective from April 1, 2019. It would be recalled that Nwokike took over from Tony Ojobo less than six months ago as the director of public affairs at the commission. The commission made the announcement at the special valedictory executive management session held to herald their send forth and to usher in another senior management meeting. Speaking at the valedictory session, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, executive vice chairman and chief executive of NCC said “this afternoon, we began the send forth process for 12 amazing and wonderful management staff who will exit the commission effective from April 1 when they will commence their terminal leave of absence.” He noted the staff “will be leaving a vacuum difficult to fill,” advising that whether in service or not, they should find ways to contribute to their various communities. Nwokike, who responded on behalf of his fellow retirees, said that “we are leaving the work in capable hands who will do better than how we met and left it.”

Court slams 12- year -jail term on man for kidnapping Doosuur Iwambe, Abuja Justice Cornelius Akintayo of a High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti has sentenced an unemployed man, Olumide Ogunrinde to 12 years in prison for kidnapping. Justice Akintayo sentenced the convict after the Prosecutor; Idowu Adelusi presented five witnesses that testified against Ogunrinde. Delivering his judgement on Friday, the judge held the prosecutor was able to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt. The court, however, dismissed the convict of murder and armed robbery. Ogunrinde was arraigned before the court on 11 - count of conspiracy, murder, kidnapping and armed robbery. He however, pleaded not guilty to all the 11 counts. According to the charge sheet, the convict committed the offence of kidnapping between May 3, 2015, and May 15, 2015, at Epere Ekiti, Ido Ekiti, Ipere Ekiti, Ado Ekiti and Eyio Ekiti. The victims who testified in court alleged that they were kidnapped on Ido-Ilogbo Ekiti Road and taken to an unknown place.

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Secondus lauds Gov. Udom, PDP for keeping stronghold in N’Delta Isaac Job, Uyo National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus has applauded Governor Udom Emmanuel and Akwa Ibom people for their resilience in ensuring victory for the party in the face of military intimidation during the just concluded general elections. Secondus said the vision of PDP for Nigeria would manifest at the fullness of time and nobody would be able to stop it. Addressing party supporters at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Friday, during the Thanksgiving Service organized by Akwa Ibom state government to mark the victory of Gov. Emmanuel and PDP in the last elections, Secondus recalled that the entire Niger Delta region was flooded with soldiers just to intimidate the people. “The entire Niger Delta was taken over

by the military during the elections, but God stood by us and delivered all the Niger Delta states, the entire south- south and other states in the country to PDP,” he asserted. He assured Akwa Ibom people that Nigerians were waiting for PDP visions which would materialize, charging them to remain faithful as nobody was capable to stop the party. “Today, Akwa Ibom people are ably represented by Governor Udom Emmanuel, who has touched the heart of Go,” he stated. Gov. Emmanuel accompanied by the state working committee m embers of the PDP, members of the state executive council, senators -elect and House of Assembly members- elect to thank God for his victory at the poll said “this thanksgiving is all about the Almighty God for the victory he granted us. “The battle was 100 per cent spiritual as we were not fighting against flesh and blood, but with powers, principalities and spiritual

wickedness in high places.” The governor said God used the elections to manifest that His redemption on the cross was not in vain as God also, used the elections to defend the church. He appreciated those who assisted him in prayers in villages, especially the units’ defenders, noting that they felt overwhelmed by the opposition in the middle of the campaigns. Gov. Emmanuel said the battle has redeemed the soul of the state for a new beginning as no man can stop what God has done. Senator Bassey Albert said the victory of Gov. Emmanuel has redeemed Akwa Ibom from captivity, declaring that “who would have thought that Chris Ekpenyong can bring down the giant? Akpabio has been challenging me that I would never return to the Senate, but today, I am the only senator from Akwa Ibom returning to the Senate. God punish the devil.”

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Short News Appeal Court dismisses OmoAgege’s ex-parte motion Titus Akhigbe, Benin The Court of Appeal sitting in Benin, the Edo state capital, has dismissed an ex parte motion filled by Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege seeking a leave of court to appeal the Federal High Court judgement which sacked the Prophet Jones Erue-led faction of the Delta state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC). It also dismissed a suit filed by the House of Representatives-elect member for Ughelli, Rev Francis Ejiroghene Waive. Justice Philomena Mbua Ekpe in her ruling dismissed both applications for lacking in merit and fined them N300, 000 each respectively. The court held that the plaintiffs could not claim to be unaware of the case, thus could not seek to be joined or challenge the judgement at this moment. Sen. Omo-Agege and Waive, whose candidature had earlier been annulled by the Federal High Court, Asaba, have to wait for the party at the national level who are party to the case to appeal the judgement.

NYSC unveils medical facility, new hostel in FCT Ukpono Ukpong, Abuja

L-R: National Commissioner in Charge of Lagos, Ondo and Ogun State, Dr. Adekunle Ogunmola; Lagos State Deputy Governor-elect, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; his wife Oluremi; Wife of Governor-elect, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Governor-elect, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Resident Electoral Commissioner, INEC Lagos State, Mr. Sam Olumekun, after the collection of Certificate of return to the Lagos State governor-elect and his deputy, in Lagos…on Friday. Photo: Olawale Rotimi

Report any official selling pre-paid meters, AEDC tells Abuja residents Insist meters not for sale

Ukpono Ukpong, Abuja Disturbed by the growing agitation against what Abuja residents described as the deliberate attempt by some officials of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) to frustrate their efforts at getting pre-paid meters, the company has appealed to its consumers not to pay for the meters as they are free. In an exclusive chat with Daily Times, the General Manager, Corporate Communications at AEDC, Oyebode Fadipe, called on Abuja residents to report any official of the distribution company compelling customers to buy pre-paid meters, adding that stiff punishments, including outright sack awaits any staff found wanting. Fadipe, disclosed that the company had in the past dealt with some of its staff found guilty of engaging in such unwholesome practices, adding that the offenders have been punished depending on the level of their involvement. Frowning at the insinuations that officials, including top AEDC management staff use some juniors staff as middlemen to sell pre-paid meters

to customers, Fadipe said no staff no matter how highly placed would escape the wrath of the electricity distribution firm if found wanting. Although, he agreed to AEDC’s inability to provide pre-paid meters to all its customers due to some challenges, he appealed for patience from customers as the power distribution company is doing its best to ensure all its customers are metered. Reacting to the issue of estimated billing, he expressed regrets that the customers has to endure with the company for the meantime explaining that the procedure will only be totally rid-off when not less than 90 per cent of the customers are metered. “I would not want to push all the blame to the manufacturers, I would rather think they also have some challenges in the supply of meters. Of course, I know that some of the requirements to make the meter will have some offshore components such as financing of the project. “For instance, we have a contract with a company called Merron and that contract is N10 billion. That contract is supposed to give us over 200, 000 pieces of meters and of course, if they

don’t have a manufacturing company in Nigeria, they will have to interact with their partners outside. And what we do is that, we push out the meters as we receive them. “It’s unfortunate, that we are not able to run at a speed the customers expect us to run. You should also understand that the process of metering has its challenge of logistics. It’s not something you can do with the big banks, but by the grace of God the government is trying to solve that problem with the newly introduced policy known as Meter Asset Provider (MAP),” Fadipe added. He noted that the implementation of the policy will bring about the liberalization of metering, declaring that “it will open the market for those that have money to invest to start producing the meters for customers and the customers will be expected to pay for it and the customer will get the meter within 10 days.” The corporate communications manager explained further that after the installations, the DISCOS, in this instance the AEDC, will have to refund the customer the money used in purchasing the meter by allowing such a customer to use energy over a period of time.

In a bid to alleviate the plight of corps members as well as cater for their medical needs during the compulsory three-week orientation period, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in collaboration with the National Hospital, yesterday unveiled a befitting clinic at its permanent orientation camp in Kubwa, Abuja. While receiving the keys to the well-furnished clinic from the Chief Medical Director of National Hospital, Abuja, Dr. Jafaru Momoh, the Director General of NYSC, Maj. Gen. Sulieman Kazaure, expressed appreciation to the hospital for the kind gesture and pledged the scheme’s commitment to ensure that the facility is well managed to serve its purpose. The NYSC boss said further that the scheme will work with relevant agencies to ensure that the clinic not only serves the camp, but also be extended to cover its environs even as he disclosed of plans to upgrade clinic to a health centre. Addressing the corps members, Maj. Gen. Kazaure urged them to see the service year as an opportunity to serve their fatherland and at all times strive to ensure that the unity and development of Nigeria is not compromised. On his part, Dr. Jafaru Momoh, revealed that the camp clinic was an initiative of a corps member, Dr. Ijeoma Nwaejike, who on her quest to see that corps members receive the best medical services while in camp embarked on the project before the National Hospital came in with financial and manpower support to make the dream come true. In a related development, no fewer than 3, 022 corps members were yesterday, sworn-in to mark the official opening of the 2019 batch ‘A’ orientation camp in Abuja. In his welcome speech, the FCT Coordinator, Mr. Bello Ballama, while describing the corps members as level headed and cooperative, noted that all collaborative agencies are fully on ground, relatively focused with synergy to ensure a successful exercise.

Lalong tasks corps members to step up HIV/AIDS campaign Kingsley Chukwuka, Jos Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau state on Friday, tasked the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to step up the campaign against the killer HIV/AIDS disease and other deadly diseases. He said the virus is fast becoming rampant among youth who are the leaders of tomorrow, saying that if urgent steps are not taking to curb the menace, the future looks bleak. Lalong stated this in Jos, at the swearing-in ceremony of the 2019 batch “A” corps members at the NYSC permanent orientation camp. Represented by the Commissioner for Physical Planning, Urban Development, Bulus Bot, Lalong said: “Get yourselves involved in national assignments such as the conduct of national elections, the effective nationwide campaign against HIV/AIDS and other diseases. “The core role of the scheme as a vehicle for national integration and sustainable development is borne out of the noteworthy contributions of corps members of which the scheme has over the years grown to be an effective platform of inculcating the youth positively in citizenship and leadership values, inculcating the ideals of committed service, constructive engagement and patriotism.” Earlier in his remarks, the Plateau state NYSC Coordinator, Mr. Abdulsalam Alhassan, said the 2019 batch “A” corps members which have a record of 2, 002, registered participants in camp, will be well guided to execute their mandate. Alhassan said the scheme has over the years provided a platform on which lasting bonds have been forged amongst educated youth. He assured the corps members of adequate security throughout their stay in camp and as they embark on their primary assignment. “Let me assure you that the government and good people of Plateau state have always placed your safety, welfare and well-being as utmost priority, so all necessary measures are already adequately outlined for a hitch-free orientation course and service year ahead,” he said.

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FG, Netherland collaborate on improved seedlings Tom Okpe, Abuja Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh has disclosed that the federal government is ready to collaborate with the Netherlands on the production of improved seeds and seedlings in order to boost agricultural production in the country. The minister made this disclosure while playing host to a delegation of private investors led by the Netherlands Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Marion Kappeyne in Abuja. Ogbeh commended the government of Netherlands for supporting the country in developing its agricultural sector, adding that Nigeria looks forward to high level engagements with Netherlands, especially on improved

seeds. The minister explained that aside the need for improved seeds, Nigeria further requires the support of the Netherlands in areas of research, cattle breeding, aquaculture, adding that Nigeria spends $60 million annually on fish imports. He said that “we have collaborated with the ministry of interior to set up agro-rangers squad to provide security for Nigerian farmers as part of government’s commitment to create an enabling environment for both the public and private investors in the nation’s agriculture sector. “We will continue to partner with the Netherlands government to develop Nigeria’s agriculture sector.” In his remarks, the Minister of state for Agriculture, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, said the focus of the present administration was to achieve self

-sufficiency in food production which can only be achieved through an extensive research, calling on the Netherlands government to support Nigeria in the area of research development. Earlier in her address, the Netherlands Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Marion Kappeyne, said the delegation was at the ministry to explore areas of collaboration between the two countries for the development of the agriculture sector. The delegation stated that areas of collaboration would include, improved seeds, horticulture, aquaculture, poultry and nutrition among others, expressing the Netherlands government’s willingness to support Nigeria in her agriculture revolution to change the country from a food importer to a food exporter.

Short News Court jails Gombe councilor for vote-buying Andrew Orolua, Abuja

Justice Sa’ad Mohammed of the Gombe state High Court has convicted the Councillor of Bolari East Local Government Area of the state, Ishiyaku Garba for bribery. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Gombe Zonal Office secured the conviction of Garba when he pleaded guilty to three count charge preferred against him. Acting on intelligence report, the EFCC had arrested the councilor at Bolari polling unit 0077 during the Presidential and National Assembly elections, where he was caught inducing voters with money. According to the prosecution, Garba and Joel Jagaba (now at large) used money to bribe voters on election day, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 124 (5) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) and punishable under Section 124 (1) (c) of the same Act. Prosecuting counsel, S.E. Okemini, apart from calling a witness, Hillary Obetta to testify against the accused persons, also tendered exhibits before the court. Defence counsel, S.A. Mustapha, appealed to the court for leniency, since his client has admitted his guilt. However, the trial judge, convicted the councilor on the three counts and sentenced him to one month in prison with an option of N100, 000 fine for count one; one month in prison on count two, with an option of N50, 000 fine and one month in prison on count three, with an option of N20, 000 fine. The prison terms are to run consecutively. The court further ordered that the sum of N295, 000 recovered from councilor be forfeited to the federal government.

Police arraign driver for allegedly stabbing man Doosuur Iwambe, Abuja

R-L; President Muhammadu Buhari, SGF, Mr. Boss Mustapha, Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari, Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Interior, Lt Gen Abdulrahman Dambazzau Rtd, SSAP Mallam Garba Shehu, SSAP Domestic and Social Event Mallam Abba Sariki, Perm Sec State House, Alhaji Jalla Arabi during congratulatory visit by the people of the Borgu Kingdom led by the Emirs of Borgu, Kaiama, Ilesha, Gwanara Yashinkira and the Okuta Emirates in Niger and Kwara State for the re-election of the President for 2nd term at the State House in Abuja.

Ogun police arrest 2 pastors for killing brother in-law Chioma Joseph, Lagos For allegedly killing their brother in-law in the Ibafo area of Ogun state, two self -proclaimed pastors, Chukwuka Stephen (43) and Ejim Stephen (39) have been arrested by the police. The suspects who were arrested by men of the state police command claimed they killed the deceased, Peter Chukwuyem because he suddenly stopped them from using his house for their church activities. Findings have it that the deceased who was married to the elder sister of the suspects brought, brought Chukwuka and Ejim from their village in Delta state to live with him at Papa Ibafo in Ogun state. While they were living with the couple, they were using the front of the deceased’s house for their church activities. The deceased however, discontinued them the use of the space when their conducts became suspicious.

Speaking on the development, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the suspects started nursing animosity against their benefactor after they were sent packing. Oyeyemi said they however, ambushed Chukwuyem while he was going to his farm and machete him to death on February 5. “The deceased went to his farm with two of his teenage daughters in the morning and met the two suspects at the farm. Because of the presence of the two girls, they were unable to do anything to him for fear of been exposed. “In the evening of the same day, the deceased went back to the farm alone and the suspects who have been waiting for him at the farm accosted him and machete him to death. “It was when the deceased didn’t return on time that his wife traced him to the farm and met his dead body. She subsequently, went to Ibafo Police Station

where she lodged a complaint,” he said. According to the police spokesman, the two brothers were later arrested by the police at Ibafo based on accounts of the deceased two daughters who informed the police that they saw the two men earlier in their father’s farm. “On interrogation, the two suspects denied killing their brother in-law, but when they were confronted by the two daughters of the deceased, they confessed killing the deceased in his farm because he deprived them of the continued usage of his frontage for their church activities,” Oyeyemi stated. He revealed that the corpse of the deceased has been deposited at the mortuary for post -mortem examination, adding that the suspects have been transferred to the homicide section of the State Criminal Investigation and intelligence Department (SCID) for proper investigation and prosecution.

The Lagos state Police Command has arraigned a 27-year-old driver, Obinna Orji, before a Yaba Chief Magistrate Court for allegedly stabbing a man in the left eye with a sword. He was arraigned before the court on two charges bordering on conspiracy and grievous harm. Orji, a resident of Iwaya area of Lagos state, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges. The prosecutor, Sgt. Modupe Olaluwoye told the court that the defendant committed the offence at 2am on March 25 at No. 3, Apollo Rd., Makoko, Yaba area of Lagos state. Olaluwoye said that the complainant, Mr. Segun Ajigboye, had confronted the defendant and his friends who were smoking and selling Indian hemp around his area. She said that they refused to stop dealing in the drug and proceeded to follow Ajigboye to his house and beat him up for confronting them. Olaluwoye told the court that they injured him on the head with broken bottles, while Orji used a sword to pierce his left eye. “My lord, the defendant and his group of touts ran off before the police could arrive, but the complainant was able to identify the defendant when he was arrested,” she said. The case was adjourned until June 26 for mention.

Alumni association honours Ademuyiwa in Lagos Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo, Lagos Members of 1980-1982 set of the Apostolic Church Grammar School Old Students Association (TACGSOSA) recently rolled out the drums to celebrate one of its members, Adeyemi Ademuyiwa, representing Abeokuta South 11 in the Ogun state House of Assembly. Ademuyiwa, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was conferred with double awards by the association at a meeting held at the Lagos State Public Service Club, Ikeja GRA, Lagos. Presenting the first award to Ademuyiwa, the 1980-1982 Coordinator of TACGSOSA, Adesona Adekunle said that the lawmaker is a very humble fellow, stressing that the association is very proud to identify with him. According to Adesona, the lawmaker, has continued to identify with the association, a clear indication that he loves his alma-mater. “This recognition of accomplishment was presented to Ademuyiwa to celebrate with him and commemorate his election into the Ogun state House of Assembly, Abeokuta South State Constituency 11,” the coordinator announced. In the second award presentation, National President of the association, Mr. Ademola Gbosibo applauded the assembly member for making the association proud. Gbosibo said “I hereby present this distinguished old student award to Adeyemi Ademuyiwa in recognition of his exemplary leadership qualities and to acknowledge his uncommon contributions to the accomplishment of the corporate goals and objectives of TACGSOSA.” Responding, an elated Ademuyiwa expressed joy for being found worthy of the awards from his fellow old students, adding that “I feel very much thankful. I feel really humbled for these awards that has been given to me by my old students’ association. “I thank the body for deeming it fit to present me these awards. I am not the best person to be given this award, but I thank God that they considered me by giving me this award”.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, March 30, 2019

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Why nude role is no go area for me - Mercy Johnson Okojie For Mercy Johnson-Okojie, joggling acting and been a mother and wife can be tedious but for the better understanding of her husband and her ability to set priority makes life worth-living. In this chat with MUTIAT ALLI, she talks more about her TV Show, why nude role is a no go area for her, and joy of motherhood amongst others. How do you put yourself together to play different characters in different movies? Every character I play in any movie is challenging. But I try as much as possible to be new character and any point in time. I try to get better. I also play a lot and draw inspirations from people around me. For example, if I am asked to play a journalist, I’ll quickly adjust myself to the way you are seated, grab the mic and all these similar questions you have been asking me. I learn from everyone around me; environment, nature and happening. In terms of movie making, what’s next for you? I have my TV show the cooking show coming up pretty soon. Its different kind of Talk Show. While cooking, we talk about marriage and it struggles. The spices of marriage and all that surrounds it. It’s not just for celebrities, but for people from different works of life. Even divorced and single parents can come around, to share their experiences, so others can learn. It has a slogan of ‘You won’t be honest about it, then don’t talk about it’. Married ones, can come and tell us how they spice up their home. How do you spice up your own marriage, as we see more of you and your husband on Instagram? Well, I don’t want to talk about my husband. But everybody knows my husband is very cute. Don’t let him take the shine off the Interview (laughs). How do you cope as a mother and actress? I have kids, they always see me like the role model they

have. So every day I try to do better to cover up the mistakes I had in the past. I try to make better diaries for them to avoid embarrassment, the internet never forget. I wouldn’t want them to grow up to see any embarrassing thing about me on the internet. One day I asked my daughter what she wants to become when she grows older, she looked me in the eyes and said: ‘Mummy to want to be exactly like you. Are you happy with what you have achieved so far as an actress? Yes, extremely. I can still do better. We are never satisfied. I have goals to accomplish. Some are fulfilled some I’m working very hard to accomplish. As long as you are alive you always try to do better. What kind of role won’t you play at this level? I think now nudity. Any form of nudity I won’t play irrespective of whatever price tag it has on it. It does not speak well of our culture and remember I am a mother and a wife; how will my family members feel when they see such. Any form of nudity is no for me. What if your husband allows you? He will never give me that consent. My husband is an Ishan man. Yes he wouldn’t like that kind of thing. But I have to be very careful with everything I do now because I have kids. I have to live right for them. Do everything within my comfort zone to maintain a clean slate. Now, I have stopped doing romance roles, I do more of comedy. I think I have enough and lots of romance movies.

Mercy Johnson

Gist 12

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, March 30, 2019

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YouTube celebrates rise of Afrobeats with launch of Burna Boy Spotlight Story

Kemi

Kehinde Bankole, Deyemi Okanlawon, others star in ‘Lavender’ …As Kemi Lala makes directorial debut Following the success of her one-woman show ’NAKED’, which premiered at the Lagos Theatre last year, daring starlet Kemi Lala Akindoju will be making her directorial debut at the same festival this year with ’Lavender’. Lavender a stage play presented by The Make It Happen Productions, which is owned and run by Kemi Lala Akindoju. The play stars Kehinde

Bankole, Deyemi Okanlawon, Oludara Egerton-Shyngle & Rita Edward. Considering the talented cast and TMIHP’s dedication to telling the African story in relatable ways, we’re eager to see the show they have put together. In the past, Kemi Lala Akindoju has produced brilliant plays such as ’The V Monologues’ and her critically

acclaimed one-woman show ‘Naked’. The award-winning producer also has credits as associate producer on Ndani TV’s ‘Gidi Up’, co-producer on Akin Omotoso’s ‘The Ghost and The House Of Truth’ & Ishaya Bako’s soon to be released ‘4th Republic’ The Lagos Theatre holds from the 8th to 14th of April, 2019. ’Lavender’ will show three times during the festival:

Sunkanmi preaches hope in new song, ‘Never Finish’ Stories Mutiat Alli Known for her distinctive style of music, Olasunkanmi Rehanat Alonge better known by the stage name ‘Sunkanmi’ is sure not resting on her onion as she officially releases her first single for the year 2019 titled ‘ Never Finish’. Produced by Calis the Karpenta and Mixed&Mastered by Maccai; Sunkanmi in this new music preaches hope to her fellow female gender in the competitive entertainment industry to never give up at no point in their career musically. Her new music ‘Never Finish’ is however influenced by Afro beat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti and is currently enjoying massive airplay at the moment on radio stations across the states. In her words Sunkanmi disclosed that with ‘Never

Finish’ she urges females in the entertainment industry to stand their ground, keep their head up high and never think of giving up at any point. Sunkanmi is a multi-award winning afropop artiste who has featured big acts in the Nigerian music industry that includes YBNL Olamide in ‘For Body’, CDQ in ‘ Marry Joana’. Not relenting, the talented songstress followed up with more singles that includes ‘ Follow you go’, everywhere and You amongst others. Sunkanmi is however a graduate of Geophysics from Olabisi Onabanjo University and draws her musical inspiration from happenings around her and music legends both home and abroad. As part of her 2019 aim, Sunkanmi is currently working on putting out positive songs and more collaboration.

Sunkanmi

YouTube yesterday 26 march 2019 launched its Spotlight Story documentary on Nigerian Afro-fusion singer and songwriter Burna Boy. Having catapulted to fame with the 2012 release of his single “Like to Party”, Burna Boy has become one of the leading musical voices on the African continent and an international YouTube sensation. The 18-minute documentary, which can be viewed online was launched at an exclusive watch party and tells the story of the rise of Afrobeats and the role YouTube has played, through Burna Boy’s eyes. Additionally, the video sees Burna Boy and his manager, Bose Ogulu (who just happens to be his mum), sharing some of his coming-of-age stories. This is not the first time YouTube has built a story around Burna Boy. In October 2018, he got an ‘Artist on the Rise’ feature on the YouTube for Artists web page The video streaming service has played a major role in supporting African musicians and artists in sharing their voice, art and culture with the world. Not only does YouTube’s global reach help break artists, and bring African music to the world, its audience makes fan content that helps amplify the reach of African voices. Additionally, YouTube’s technology allows music producers to be inspired and to collaborate like never before. “Cultural movements grow and build on YouTube,” says Addy Awofisayo, YouTube Content Partnerships Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa. “African music is the most recent example. For years now, YouTube has played an essential role in the discovery and development of African sound, exporting African music to listener’s worldwide, enabling collaborations within the global and regional music industry,

Burna Boy and accelerating the transition to digital for fans on the continent.” A large share of YouTube views for top African artists come from outside the continent, with international artists such as Kanye West, Beyonce, and Childish Gambino integrating African elements into their music, choreography, and visual style. “Ten years ago, African producers and artists had no easy way to hear, be inspired by, and influence sounds and artistry from around the world,” says Awofisayo. “YouTube technology changed that.” “It will continue to do so too,” she adds. “With the launch of products such as YouTube Go in 2018, more African artists will be able to share their work with an increasingly large audience, fully cementing their place on the global map.”

Industry Nite hosts Timaya Following the release of his 7th studio project ‘Chill Vibes’, veteran Nigerian artiste - Timaya was hosted at Industry Nite for a listening party of the new album. The Hard Rock Cafe, Lagos, was packed to the rafters on Thursday March 28th, as people turned out en mass to celebrate and support the artiste. Timaya got the crowd warmed up by performing some of his greatest hits, and had everyone singing along. The artiste then followed this with his traditional praise session, before being joined on stage by Harry Song to perform ‘Samankwe’. Timaya then performed songs from the ‘Chulo Vibes’ album, instantly filling the room with good energy and excitement.

Timaya

Since its release on the 8th of February, 2019, Chulo Vibes has been widely received and enjoyed considerable airplay. Most favored on the album are the hit tracks ‘Balance’ and ‘Stoopid’; this much was evident as the crowd lit up when Timaya performed the songs. To close the show, Peruzzi performed the his single ‘Amaka’. This was Timaya’s third outing at Industry Nite, and he continues to perform above and beyond expectations. Among the audience were celebrities like Harry Song, Ycee, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Peruzzi, Korede Bello, Dprince, Dapo Taburna, King Perry, and Good girl LA who all came out in support of Timaya.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, March 30, 2019

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Society Gist

Celebrity lawyer, Kayode Ajulo celebrates mum Isaac Oguntoye Anyone who is close to popular lawyer, Kayode Ajulo will confirm the love the celebrated dude has for his mother can’t be compared to anything as he holds her in a very high esteem. The illustrious woman recently added another year to turn 84. Her beloved son, Kayode took his time to pen down his expression all to celebrate and appreciate his dear mama. Ajulo, in the message expressed why he’s convinced no one can love him deeply like his mother does. “My mother, Mrs. (Princess) Christiana Monisola O. Ajulo (nee Adedeji) is 84 years old and I cannot but to celebrate her on the occasion of her glorious and purposeful 84th birthday.” “Over the years, she has come to win the love and adulation of all, who adore her. Beyond her sound sense of elevated style, which is evidently observed in her choice of modesty; give it to Maami, she is an embodiment of humility, decency, grace and warmth.” “Despite that she is half educated she ensured that all her offspring acquire best education in different fields of endeavours/ professions. We the biological children are eight in number with several others passed through her tutelage, today to the glory of God, we are all better educated and resourceful.” “Despite her limited educational background, my mother remains the best educationist I ever passed through; my first and best teacher ever. I am a lawyer and I dare say that Maami is my first Law teacher, she taught me rules of life, ethics, values and what it meant to be an ”Omoluabi”, a philosophical and cultural concept that describes a man to be of excellent and enviable character.” “Maami never spared the rod and as I write this I still feel with nostalgia and

trepidation, her occasional squeezing of my long ears. Maami is a great disciplinarian, a slave driver. I can vividly recall my first alphabets with her in this interesting mould, she taught me valour, trust, magnanimity, benevolence, integrity, respect for others, boldness, and the virtue of being candid and fearless at all times.” He elougises her, saying: “She was trained as a seamstress what today is known as Tailor/Fashion Designer, she taught me how to sow which made me to design all my cloths till this day. Later she became a textile merchant and subsequently digressed into books and stationery business. Maami owned the famous TI OLUWA NI

ILE BOOKSHOP (NIG) LTD (TONIB) with branches in some cities and towns in the West of Nigeria, namely; Ibadan, Ilesha, Ondo, Akure, Osu, Ikare, Awe and Oke -Imesi respectively.” Right from her youthful years and now as octogenarian, her life has been a source of love, strength and blessings to her loved ones and all those around her. I celebrate you today at 84 and I pray that the Lord grants you many more years of peace, joy, good health, prosperity, resounding victories and abiding fulfillment. Happy birthday to you Maami, this is a milestone worth celebrating. Congratulations

Chris

Dr. Chris Okafor warns Gov el-Rufai

Kayode Ajulo Mother

I’ll use my prize to organise talent hunt for youths - GLOIN60SECONDS grand prize winner The grand prize winner in Globacom’s online talent hunt contest, Simon Inass Ejembi, an actor and musician from Benue State, stole the heart of guests when he turned up at the Mike Adenuga Towers on Tuesday, to collect his N1 million, prize money. Overwhelmed with joy and gratitude, he thanked Globacom for providing the platform for him to win some cash with his musical skit titled “Grandmaster”. He expressed gratitude to God, friends and his family. “I will go on tour to promote talents in my area and also take relief materials to an orphanage. I will pay tithe and use part of the money to promote my radio and television shows. I am very grateful to God and to Glo,” he enthused. Five others carted away consolation prizes of N200,000 each at the excitement–filled event attended by journalists, family members and friends of the winners. Those who won consolation prizes are Nwogwugwu Brainie, a Law graduate of Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka; Doyin Hafeezah Salau, a 400-Level female Law student of the University of Lagos; Emeh Emmanuel Okwun, a 23-year-old Biochemistry graduate of Michael Okpara University

of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State; Ehimare Aaleeyah Shaka, the 17-yearold, aspiring music star from Edo State and John Sunday Peter, a graduate of Apa College of Education, Benue State. The winners were voted for by the online public, from among thousands of Glo subscribers that participated in the eight-week contest. Like Ejemba, another of the winners who also expressed similar altruistic and charitable spirit was Ehimare Aaleeyah. She said she would use her winnings to pay the school fees of her siblings. “I feel blessed to be so recognised. I will use the money to pay my siblings’ tuition fees,” she declared. Another consolation winner Doyin Salau, while receiving her prize, said she would buy her work equipment with her prize money. “I have saved the N50,000 which I won during the weekly shows and will add it to this N200,000 to buy video recording camera for my skit productions. Glo has really helped me and I am very happy that my career is taking shape,” she stated. In the build–up to the grand finale, Globacom had presented cash prizes of N50, 000 each to 52 other lucky winners, right from week one to week eight in different cities across the country. Salau

was one of the 52 winners who had earlier won N50,000. John Peter said on his part said: “I will use the prize money to get accommodation in Lakowe, in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos where I stay and promote my music career. I have been sourcing for funds and Glo has provided it at the right time.” “I am very happy, very excited. I feel indebted to Glo. I am a lawyer and a politician. I am the Imo State Chairman, National Interest Party. I will use my money to organise a talent hunt programme for youths in my community.” Nwogwugwu Brainie said. Welcoming all guests to the presentation ceremony, Globacom’s Regional Manager, Lagos and Ogun, Mr. Olufolahan Faseyitan said, GLOIN60SECONDS competition was one of the company’s numerous customer appreciation offers conceived to engage and showcase budding talents as well as reward young creative people in Nigeria’s social media space. According to him, Globacom will continue to introduce more valueadding and life-enhancing products and services designed to enrich the lifestyle of its subscribers and their experience on the network.

The Generational Prophet of God and the Senior Pastor Greater Liberation City worldwide, Dr. Chris Okafor, has sent a serious warning to the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Governor Nasir el-Rufai as a matter of urgency to reverse the promulgated religion law that banned any religious programme in Kaduna State either Christians or Muslim of staging any kind of crusade/ evangelism or using microphone after 8 pm in the state. The law also forbids playing of religious music inside the car except such person gets a permission through certified government agent (permit certificate) before he or she can be allowed to fellowship/worship God in the state. The Oracle of God as Okafor is fondly called said the law is specifically targeted at the Christians and God in heaven will not sit down and allow his mandate diminished. He warned the Kaduna State Governor that if he insists not to reverse the law within 7 days, he will see God’s wrath. He said within two years after his re-election God will visit him, so it is better he listens to advice from above before it’s too late. Dr. Chris Okafor lamented that the law can never stand because

nobody can stop God’s work and the Holy Spirit movement to win more souls out of the kingdom to darkness to the kingdom of light. The man of God challenged Christians to rise up to the occasion by praying against any war raised against the body of Christ because with this law, no evangelism. “Mind you the God we serve is not a dead God, he is alive, and alive to fight for himself. if el-rufai refuses to reverse or change the law, let him start to prepare for the wrath of God, Dr. Chris Okafor warns In another prophesy given at the Sunday glorious service at Greater Liberation city on the 24th March 2019 at the international headquarters of the church, the Senior Pastor and the Generational Prophet of God Dr. Chris Okafor said earlier in the day that God revealed to him in a vision. He said he saw a famous former president of a country in Africa waving hand to his families and loved ones. He said God reveals to redeem, but with proper prayer this calamity can be overturned, but he maintained that if the death of this former president will bring peace into that country, it is better for such leader to die.

Fuji star, Alao Malaika attacked Two men were killed and musical instruments belonging to a popular Fuji musician, Sule Alao aka Malaika were set ablaze as violence marred a community festival on Wednesday night in Lagos. It was learnt that Malaika, who was also injured in the fracas, was playing at the festival called Pako Day at the Dopemu end of Alimosho Local Government Area, in Lagos, when fight

broke out between two groups and a man called Scorpion beheaded a rival identified as Laja Shittu, who resides at Iwajowa Street in the community. According to eyewitnesses, another unidentified man was also killed at the event. Police authorities in Lagos are yet to confirm claims that Scorpion, who was accused of starting the fight, has been arrested.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, March 30, 2019

Gist

How the StarTimes Satellite TV Programme help our peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s personal development - HRH Dimas Daniel When Chinese President Xi Jinping announce on December 4th, 2015, at the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation that China would implement satellite TV programs for 10 thousand African villages and Nigeria would get 1,000 of the allocation, it was a news well received by the Nigerian Government. In 2017, StarTimes, the contractor executing the project commissioned the pilot phase of the project in Hulumi Village, a suburb of the FCT having installed 20 Satellite TV Dish, Solar Powered Projector TV for a communal viewing center and some TV sets all maintenance free for one year. In this follow-up interview with the HRH Dimas Daniel, the District Head of Hulumi Village, MUTIAT ALLI examines the impact of the gift to the members of Hulumi Community more than one year after the installation. What has changed in the community since the installation of the satellite TV? A lot of things have changed among our people. First of all we thank StarTimes and the Chinese Government for this project. The people of this community are more informed that they were many years before the installation was done. In the area of personal development, language speaking, home improvement, cooking, sports activities, farming and even how we dress sometimes. People are generally happy each time there is electricity and they have the chance to watch TV. I can say that this project has changed the life of our people positively more than we even expected when the project was launched in 2017. Everybody is pleased with it, including children, women, men and even myself. What do your people love watching the most? It is the foreign channels most especially. You know because many of them are now beginning to see foreigners on TV more than ever before. They now have access to learn how things are being done in the other countries thereby adding to the knowledge they already have. When I interact with my people, I know that they enjoy watching the foreign channels; it makes them very happy and knowledgeable. The information they get from this foreign channels is so much that it helps them improve in their education. Now when they are being taught some things in school, it is not strange to them because they may have seen

it on TV before the class. We have noticed this among our children, it is helping them in their education and all the parents are very happy to see their child doing better. Are there any areas that require improvements? Well yes. Sometimes when it rains heavily with so much wind, the satellite dish may shift and the signal will be lost. What we do in this situation is that we have to call somebody in the StarTimes office to assist us in making it work. Apart from this, there is nothing else. How often does the community viewing center operate? Between one to two times a week. We normally use the viewing center as a means of bringing our people together to enjoy some of these movies and TV shows both the foreign ones and Nigerian ones. Before we watch any show, we let the people know that the viewing center will be open on a particular day so that these who are interested can come and watch. We also have different things showing so that people who are interested in various topics can watch. For example, we had the opportunity to watch all the news and see things live during the election from all parts of the country. As you know whatever is enjoyable can also be a way of distraction, so we try to control how much we use the viewing center so that the children in the community remains focused on their education. We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want a situation where the adults are watching and the children are not allowed to watch what they want so

Hulumi District Head, Dimas Daniel

the best way is to regulate how we open the viewing center to everyone. What other comments do you have for the Chinese Government for this initiative? I want to thank them for remembering our community. It is important for me as the community leader to express our

thanks. If this project was not initiated I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think our people will be enjoying what they have now. This 1,000 African Villages project in Nigeria is one of the best things that has happened to the rural communities, and I am sure that other district heads just like me can confirm how important it is to their people and how it has made them better.

But I also I want to ask for more support in terms of helping our communities with jobs and other things to improve the health of our people and the living conditions. If we get better health care, better structure in our primary school where the children are learning and better electricity in this community things would be better.

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ADVAN supports call for brands to hold platforms to account Godwin Anyebe Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) echoed very strongly the World Federation of Advertisers (WFA) call on all brands globally to hold social media platforms to account in light of recent failures to block dangerous and hateful content. In supporting the position WFA Regional Vice President for Africa, Folake Ani-Mumuney reiterated that while companies must decide their own approaches, WFA is calling on its members and brands worldwide – in their capacity as the founders of the online advertising system – to put pressure on platforms to do more to prevent their services and algorithms from being hijacked by those with malicious intent. The call comes after multiple incidents on some of the world’s biggest digital platforms, including paedophile comments being left in comments below videos of children on YouTube, the glorification of self-harm and suicide content on Instagram and, most recently, the live-streaming of the terrorist attack in Christchurch, New Zealand on Facebook. All these platforms are funded by advertisers and as such those that make them profitable have a moral responsibility to consider more than just the effectiveness and efficiency they provide for brand messages. ADVAN together with the WFA is standing alongside its member association and colleagues at the Association of New Zealand Advertisers (ANZA), which has issued a call asking for members to think carefully about where they place advertising and challenging platform owners to do more. “This is not an issue of brand safety, this is a moral question to hold social media platforms to account – in the same way, we do for traditional media,” says ANZA Chief Executive, Lindsay Mouat. WFA’s call to action reflects the fact that these are not challenges that can be addressed by one country alone but need global action. Improving the online ecosystem is a top priority for WFA members. 47 per cent of respondents to a WFA member barometer conducted this month of more than 200 senior marketers from over 100 brands representing $125bn in ad spend cited improving the online advertising ecosystem as the single biggest issue the marketing industry needed to address in 2019. “Marketers must reflect on the extent and terms on which they fund these platforms. Conversely, the platforms must do more to assuage the growing number of advertiser concerns. WFA is committed to working with the platforms in a constructive manner in order to find solutions to these grave problems. For our shared goal must be to build an ecosystem that is sustainable and doesn’t undermine people, communities and society at large,” said Stephan Loerke, CEO of the WFA. “The influence of online platforms in shaping cultures and mobilizing communities around the world is already significant and growing ever more so. This means brands and platforms must assume a higher level of responsibility to ensure these online environments are forces for good, not conflict or violence. That begins with acknowledging flaws and quickly investing in lasting solutions. To drive the change we need less debate and more action,” said Raja Rajamannar, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Mastercard and WFA President. This commitment to urge African member brands to hold all platforms accountable was made by the President of ADVAN, Mrs Folake Ani-Mumuney, In her capacity as Regional Vice President For Africa of WFA at the opening of the WFA Global Marketer Conference in Lisbon, an event which brings together more than 800 industry leaders, 80% of whom are brand owners.

L-R: The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, MNDA, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani, NDDC Acting Executive Director Finance and Administration, Mr. Chris Amadi, the NDDC Acting Managing Director, Prof. Nelson Brambaifa and Permanent Secretary, MNDA, Alhaji Aminu Aliyu-Bisalla, during the Minister’s working visit to the NDDC headquarters in Port-Harcourt.

Tax holiday: Appeal court orders NLNG to continue paying maritime levies Dismisses gas flaring firm’s case against NIMASA

Temitope Adebayo The Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, yesterday set aside the judgment of the Federal High Court, which had exempted the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) from levies payable to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) under the NIMASA Act, Cabotage Act, Marine Environment (Sea Protection Levy) Regulations, and other laws of the federation. The appeal court based its ruling on the fact that NIMASA, the country’s Maritime Regulatory Agency, was not given a fair hearing at the lower court. Honourable Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, who delivered the judgment, ordered the return of the case to the Federal High

Court for fresh trial under a different judge. Today’s ruling restores the status quo, reaffirming NIMASA’s powers to continue to collect the levies. According to lead counsel of NIMASA, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the effect of today’s ruling is that the Federal High Court is ordered to revert to the fundamental issue of fair hearing while NLNG continues to pay the statutory levies, pending another ruling by the lower court on the matter. It would be recalled that the dispute between NLNG and NIMASA is based on the refusal by NLNG to pay 3 per cent of the gross freight on all international outbound and inbound cargo carried by ships chartered by NLNG and its whollyowned subsidiary company as contained in the NIMASA Act 2007; the refusal by NLNG to pay the 2per cent surcharge on cabotage

trade undertaken by its vessels within 200 nautical miles of the baselines and Nigerian coastal and inland waters as contained in the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003; and the refusal by NLNG to comply with the Marine Environment (Sea Protection Levy) Regulations of 2012 and the Merchant Shipping (Ship Generated Marine Waste Reception Facilities) Regulations 2012. NIMASA had in 2010 commenced an action against NLNG, wherein it sought for an interpretation of relevant provisions of the Nigerian LNG (Fiscal Incentives, Guarantees and Assurances) Act, CAP N87, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990, and the NIMASA Act of 2007. In January 2013, the action by NIMASA was withdrawn in a bid to amicably settle the dispute out of court. Following the continued disregard of the

provisions of the NIMASA Act and other relevant laws by the NLNG, in May 2013, NIMASA sought to enforce the provisions of the NIMASA Act and Cabotage Act as empowered under the Act, by demanding payment of the respective 3% and 2% charges due from the NLNG, consequent upon which NLNG vessels were detained for non-compliance. Upon intervention by the Federal Government, through the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), an agreement in principle was adopted, with NLNG undertaking to pay up all outstanding levies and comply with the requirements of the NIMASA Act 2007, the Cabotage Act 2003 and other relevant Regulations at the time. NLNG made a payment of $20,000,000.00 (Twenty Million Dollars) and the blockade was lifted.

Vox launches unlimited email service to protect data Ladesope Ladelokun An integrated Information and Communications Technology provider, Vox, has launched a new unlimited email archiving solution which provides a way for companies to protect email data. This offering integrates

into any email platform empowering businesses, especially Small and Mediumsized Enterprises(SMEs), with archiving features that are typically quite expensive. Executive Head of Cloud and Managed Services at Vox, Craig Freer, says it has become common place for companies to lose email.

He explained that owing to a limited amount of storage, users resort to deleting old emails on a regular basis. “Through our unlimited archiving solution, we are offering companies of all sizes an affordable plug-and-play solution that enables them to retain 10 years’ email irrespective of how much data is.

“In the digital world, it is easy to have data corrupted, getting a laptop stolen or suffering another disaster typically associated with being always connected. And because it is plug-and-play, once it is installed, the user does not have to do any administration or even think about the archiving process”, Freer added.

GSK Nigeria reports 3.2% increase in PBT to N1.16bn, proposes N0.50 dividend GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc (GSK) has reported 3.2 per cent in Profit Before Tax (PBT) for the financial year ended December 31, 2018. The pharmaceutical company in its report to Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Thursday said PBT hits N1.16 billion in 2018 financial year as against N1.12 billion reported in 2017. The growth in PBT was driven by a 12.6

per cent increase in revenue and a drop in the cost of sales amidst an increase in total operating expenses. On the heels of growth in profit, the board of GSK recommended a dividend of N0.50 kobo, representing 50kobo per ordinary share subject to shareholders’ approval. The international pharmaceutical company reported a 12.6 per cent increase in revenue to N18.1 billion as against N16.1

billion reported in 2017. Also, the cost of sales dropped by 28 per cent to N11.6 billion in the year under review from N16.1 billion reported in prior year performance. Findings by our correspondent revealed that total operating expenses rose by 18 per cent to N5.34 billion in 2018 from N4.5 billion reported in 2017. The breakdown of total operating

expenses revealed that selling and distribution cost rose by 13 per cent to N3.1 billion from N2.73 billion in 2017 while administrative expenses increased by 26 per cent to N2.25 billion in 2018 from N1.79 billion reported in 2017. Interestingly, the company in its results reported a drop of about 68per cent in investment income to N380.5 million as against N1.2 billion reported in 2017.

Further findings by Nigerian NewsDirect revealed that the company unclaimed dividend in its book as at December 31, 2018 was N1.5 billion. The company explained that “We were in respect payments 31 to 42 of the shareholders of GSK Nigeria and its legacy companies. The company continues to take steps in conjunction with registrars, to ensure the shareholders receive their dividend.”

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Innoson Motors gets court order against GTBank over debt Temitope Adebayo Innoson Nigeria Limited on Friday said it has obtained a writ of Fifa from the Federal High Court in Awka, Anambra State, against Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) to implement the judgment given by Nigerian courts over the lingering crisis between it and the bank. The car manufacturing company, in a statement on Friday, claimed that the court order allows it to take control of the lender. The statement, which was signed by its spokesperson, Cornel Osigwe, said a judgment given by the Federal High Court in Ibadan was upheld by the Supreme Court of Nigeria. A Writ of Fieri Facias (or Writ of Fi Fa) is a document issued by the court for the purpose of effecting court judgment on a debtor’s property. It is also the legal instrument by which the assets of a judgment debtor may be seized.

Innoson and GTB have for long been locked in legal tussles following disagreements over a business deal. On Friday, Innoson claimed its Chairman, Innocent Chukwuma, has been mandated to “take over” GTB after the Supreme Court dismissed GTB’s appeal against the judgment of the appeal court in Ibadan. “The Chairman of Innoson Group, Chief Dr Innocent Chukwuma, has through a Writ of FiFa taken over Guaranty Trust Bank PLC for and on behalf of Innoson Nigeria Ltd as a result of the bank’s indebtedness to Innoson Nigeria Ltd,” the statement said. “In a landmark decision on February 27th 2019, the Supreme Court of Nigeria dismissed GTB’s appeal — SC. 694/2014 — against the judgment of Court of Appeal, Ibadan Division. “The Court of Appeal, Ibadan division had in its decision of 6th February 2014 dismissed GTB’s appeal against the Federal High Court, Ibadan Division. “Thus, the Court of Appeal affirmed the

judgment of the Federal High Court, Ibadan Division which ordered GTB by way of Garnishee order absolute — to pay N2.4billion to Innoson with a 22 per cent interest, per annum, on the judgment sum until the final liquidation of the judgment debt. Rather than obey the judgment of the Court of Appeal, GTB approached the Supreme Court to challenge the Court of Appeal’s decision,” the auto firm said. The company in its statement said a ruling delivered by Supreme Court Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour dismissed GTB’s appeal and thus affirmed the concurrent judgment of both the Court of Appeal and the Federal High Court, Ibadan Division. The ruling, it said, ordered GTB by to pay N2.4 billion to Innoson with a 22 per cent interest, per annum, on the judgment until the final liquidation of the judgment. “The Judgment debt of N2.4bn has an accrued interest as at today of about N6,717,909,849.96 which results to about N8.8 billion,” the statement said.

“Based on the Supreme Court’s decision of 27th February 2019 the counsel to Innoson, Prof McCarthy Mbadugha ESQ, had approached the Federal High Court, Awka Division for leave to enforce the judgment having obtained certificates of Judgment from the Ibadan Division of the Federal High Court.” Mr Chukwuma, the founder of Innoson Motors, dragged GTBank to court in 2011, alleging arbitrary charges levelled against him and a string of bank accounts he held at the bank. But GTBank later counter-sued, saying it was Mr Chukwuma who allegedly falsified bank and shipping documents to obtain tax waivers from the Nigerian government. The bank subsequently referred the matter to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The anti-graft office filed criminal charges against Mr Chukwuma at a Lagos court. Last month, he was declared wanted for failing to appear for arraignment in the matter, which is still proceeding separately from the N14 billion arbitrary charges lawsuit currently at appellate levels.

Do more for Niger Delta, Minister charges NDDC Amaka Agbu, Port Harcourt The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani, has charged the new management of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to do more for the development of the Niger Delta region. The Minister was speaking at the NDDC headquarters in Port-Harcourt when he paid a working visit to the new management team of the Commission. He was accompanied by his Minister of State, Prof. Claudius Daramola, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Aminu Aliyu-Bisalla and other directors of the supervising ministry. Pastor Usani stated that the current NDDC management, being an interim one, was expected to do more for the people of the Niger Delta than a regular board. “We expect every functionary and staff of the commission to appreciate this fact and put up the very best efforts in the performance of their duties,” he

said. The Minister noted: “Brief as this management may be, we are charging you to put in your best. There is a lot that can be achieved, especially as the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari continues for the next four years.” Pastor Usani emphasised that the policy of the Buhari administration was that there would be nothing like abandoned projects. “That is why you can see many of the projects started 20-30 years ago, especially infrastructure are still being reviewed and executed,” he said. He urged the NDDC management and staff to recognise the important and special place they occupied in the development of Niger Delta and in the bigger economic picture of Nigeria. The Minister said: “It may be too early to assess the performance of the new management team. But it is essential for us to know that the task for the management is a greater burden than it would have been if it

has a longer time to stay.” He said that his ministry would continue to supervise the Commission to ensure that it performed maximally “because the performance of NDDC goes a long way to determine the forms of agitation we get from the different segments of members of Niger Delta society.” He added: “I will be pleased to have a peaceful environment for the period you will be in charge of affairs in the Commission.” Earlier in his remarks the NDDC Acting Managing Director, Prof. Nelson Brambaifa, said that in the absence of the Commission’s board of directors, the minister took over as the supervising authority, stating: “It is only fair and wise that he comes once in a while to see how we are faring and to see whether we are following laid down procedures.” According to him, the new management of the commission was working tirelessly to deliver on its mandate within the shortest possible time. Prof. Brambaifa said that henceforth,

payment to contractors would be made promptly without unnecessary bureaucratic bottlenecks, noting that the Commission had fine-tuned its processes and had started using a more efficient procedure in paying for projects and meeting its financial obligations. In his own remarks, the NDDC Acting Executive Director Finance and Administration, Mr Chris Amadi, said the Commission was very much aware of the need to fast-track the development of the Niger Delta region and was appropriately taking directives from its supervising ministry. He declared: “We took up payments of contractors who have been owed for years. We made sure that those who fell under 10 million got their payments even in their homes. We are now compiling payments for 20-30million. We have also paid for the water hyacinths and some of the palliatives and interventions which the Commission set out to address the challenges of youth restiveness to ensure peace in the region.”

Folake Ani-Mumuney and Ediri Ose Ediale; respectively President and Executive Secretary of the Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) at the World Federation of Advertisers conference in Lisbon, Portugal

CSR and global best practices in Nigeria Godwin Anyebe The issue of genuine corporate social responsibility in Nigeria has continued to be a subject of debate among stakeholders. While some corporations are considered as being sincere with their commitment to CSR others are seen as unethical when it comes to issuing of CSR. According to Business for Social Responsibility, CSR simply means achieving commercial success in ways that honour ethical values and respect people, communities and the natural environment. This ranges from the respect for local labour laws, for example, to international human rights norms such as the UN Guiding Principles (GP). In other parts of the world, there are legislations in place to check the activities of businesses as well as protect businesses from abuse either from the host community or even the government. What this means is that a business should have defined standards of operation – minimum wage, avoid child labour, respect the environment, ensure a safe working environment, among others. However, this seems not to be the case in Nigeria, there are instances where companies indulge in social marketing and call it CSR. As a matter of fact, the most annoying aspect of it analysts said is the abuse of labour by multinational in Nigeria. For them, what most organisations in this part of the world term as CSR is simply “Corporate Philanthropy” where they return a share of their profit to the society irrespective of the way they conduct their business. Speaking on this issue, Mr. Eustace Onuegbu , the President of International Network for Corporate Social Responsibility (INCSR) and the CEO of De Bernards Consulting Ltd said; “I often get amazed when in the process of research or otherwise, I come across company websites that involve in what I term as “Image Laundering.” According to him, “I have often challenged the merits for such awards. One can only conclude that this is another image laundering approach being deployed by some organisations which are made possible due to lack of good governance. “Organisations are required to conduct annual CSR audits in most parts of the world to ascertain both existing and potential risks that the organisation may be facing and with the help of a qualified usually external CSR auditor(s), design an intervention CSR strategy to mitigate against such risks.” Also speaking, an expert in CSR, Pwano Maxwell disclosed to Daily Times that, “for clarity, it may be good to apply another definition by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, which defines CSR as, “the continuing commitment by business to behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families as well as of the local community and society at large.

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Removal of Onnoghen was part of a script to rig 2019 elections - Adebanjo Chief Ayo Adebanjo, an elder statesman is a leader of Afenifere, the Pan Yoruba social political organisation and Southern Middle-Belt Forum. In this interview in Lagos, Adebanjo expressed fears for the future of the country, which he said is bleak if urgent steps are not taken to restructure it. He also assessed the 2019 general elections, among other sundry issues in the polity. PATRICK OKOHUE reports. How do you react to the emergence of Ayo Fasanmi led faction of Afenifere? They are people with questionable characters; they are rebels. We have said it before and they could not refute it. What they are doing is because; we had this Southern and Middle-belt leaders gathering and they see that we are succeeding and they went and gather themselves together to support Buhari. All the time we have been releasing press releases and talking about issues where have they been? They called a rally in Ibadan, what is the outcome? Because we said we supported Atiku; but why did they lose Oyo State which is the seat of the Yoruba land. They also lost the governorship position; even the governor of the state lost his Senatorial election bid. These people are being sponsored by Tinubu. They lost Oyo State, it is an indication of their rejection, we went to Oyo and told our people not to vote for them and you can see that they failed. They lost in Osun, Oyo State, all these areas they were commanding before, how far did they perform now? But they have always been winning elections. They only won elections when they were with us, Tinubu himself and others , won election under my chairmanship; they broke away after then and were now saying that because they won election we should be bowing down to them. But when issues concerning the Yorubas came he could not talk because Buhari would not be happy with him and then you are going about making statements that you are Afenifere because you have money, we don’t dispute it with you, the Yourbas know their leaders. That is what they have done

Nobody want to tell me such election would be recognise by the courts, we would not go for violence, let the court ignore the evidence that would be put before them. Are you surprised that gubernatorial elections were declared inconclusive in some states? That is part of the irregularity; it is in all the states they know PDP would win. Even in Lagos State they were snatching ballot papers, intimidating the voters from voting, they harass the Igbos who they know would vote for restructuring of the country, they scare the Igboswith the military, all these should tell what is happening, if you are popular why sending military to help you rig elections? All this is what we call an election?

Adebanjo

in these elections. Because you have money and you have been buying votes in the past and you cannot do it this time. They like to confuse people, sometimes they would say; Afenifere does not represent anybody, if that is the case why don’t you organise your own, don’t call it Afenifere. They would say we are Afenifere renewal, you are in government you can’t set up your own and call it another name and lets see what the Yoruba’s would say. What is your perception of the general elections? The elections was a farce, I don’t regard Buhari as president, Buhari is INEC declared president; when we get to court we would know who is the real president. How can you call Buhari president with the way the presidential election was conducted, in a 21st century

Nigeria? Look at the elections, it was completely militarised, corps members were openly kidnapped to rig the elections.

What is your assessment of the performance of INEC and its chairman? He has performed below expectation, this election is one of the worst elections in the country’s history. The misrepresentation of Atiku at the collation centres, the cancelled votes and other irregularities. In so many states

This election is one of the worst elections in the country’s history. The misrepresentation of Atiku at the collation centres, the cancelled votes and other irregularities. In so many states there were irregularities, if you look at it well, Atiku won by more than 3 million votes in the election which Buhari claim to have won. We will go and place all our facts in the judiciary and we know they would deliver. I am not one of those people who would say don’t go to court, why would I say that? Atiku would get justice there

there were irregularities, if you look at it well, Atiku won by more than 3 million votes in the election which Buhari claim to have won. We will go and place all our facts in the judiciary and we know they would deliver. I am not one of those people who would say don’t go to court, why would I say that? Atiku would get justice there, if he does not get justice, he would get justice in the view of the people; the people know the truth. I am telling the judiciary to disgrace themselves, ignore the fact. Were you surprised the way allegations against Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen was handled by President Buhari? The removal of Onnoghen was part of a script that Buhari has got ready, he wanted to harass the Judiciary because he believed he would lose the presidential election and now appoints a CJN who would appoint judges to head the election tribunal. But I still believe that the judges there not disgrace themselves and they say we are not accepting it we know the script, but I believe in court there would an Oputa, Kayode Eso, that would say no. You were part of the Southern and Middle-Belt Forum leaders who held a meeting with Atiku last week, what did the forum tell him? We give him courage and told him that we are solidly behind him, go to court, inspite of what some people are saying. How can you ask the man who was cheated to go and congratulate the man who cheated him, that is bad. That is condoning fraud. I am condemning those who said that. They should have encouraged him to go to the tribunal and seek justice, anybody including the members of the peace

Continued on page 18

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Dickson inaugurates Bayelsa Commission of Inquiry on Environmental Degradation Patrick Okohue Worried about the level of environmental degradation in his state, Governor Henry Seriake Dickson of has inaugurated the Bayelsa State Commission of Inquiry on Environmental Degradation. The 10-member commission is chaired by the Archbishop of York, Dr. John Sentamu. Governor Dickson said the commission, which is comprised of Nigerian and foreign scholars and experts in various fields, had a nine-point terms of reference, which include to investigate the environmental, health, socioeconomic, cultural and human damage caused by operations of both local and multinational oil companies. He also charged the commission to analyse the legislations governing the operations of multinational oil companies in Bayelsa State and in Nigeria as well as establish a set of recommendations that would lead to the development of a new legal framework that ensures accountability. A press release by his Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as saying that Bayelsa had suffered vast environmental and human damage despite her contribution to the socioeconomic growth of the country. Governor Dickson noted that the state accounts for 40 per cent of Nigeria’s oil wealth and hosts the operations of all the major multinational oil companies. According to him, oil companies operating in the state have for decades acted with impunity and with little regard for the environment and people, causing multiple oil spills leading to environmental degradation and loss of lives. He said that the primary aim of setting up the commission was to prevail on oil companies to adopt best practices in the conduct of their operations in Bayelsa as they would in Norway, Scotland or the United

States. On the dangers posed by oil spills, the governor cited the 2011 United Nations Environment Programme report, which indicated that life expectancy in the Niger Delta was about 10 years lower than that of the national average. He also recalled that a United Nations survey showed that crude oil spill over the years had resulted in the death of about 16,000 infants within their first month in the Niger Delta. He noted that the region had recorded not less than 40 million litres of oil spill annually as compared with 4 million litres annually in the United States. The commission, which is to hold public and private hearings, is expected to submit its report and findings within nine months. Responding, the chairman, Dr. John Sentamu, said the commission would spare no effort in shedding light on the impact of oil spillage in the Niger Delta. Dr. Sentamu, who described the effects of oil pollution as shocking, urged the international community to join forces in the protection of the environment, which he noted is a common heritage of mankind. He assured that the commission would ensure that international standards were observed in the exploration and exploitation of crude oil activities. The Commissioner for the Environment, Hon. Ebipatei Apaingolo, in his remarks, expressed regret that people of the Niger Delta now consume crops with traces of carcinogenic hydrocarbons. Former President of Ghana, Dr. John Kufour, Baroness Valerie Amos, Prof. Engobo Emeseh and Dr. Anna Zalik are members, while Dr. Kathryn Nwajiaku-Dahou is secretary to the commission. Other members are Prof. Roland Hodler and Prof. Michael Watts, while the state former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Kemasuode Wodu, will serve as Legal Counsel.

Yakasai warns APC against supporting Lawan as Saraki’s successor Elder statesman and political adviser in the second Republic, Tanko Yakasai, has warned the All Progressives Congress (APC) against insisting on Senator Ahmed Lawan to replace Bukola Saraki as Senate President. Lawan, who is the Senate Majority Leader, has been given the blessings of the APC to become the leader of the red chamber in the ninth Senate. Yakasai, said he expected the ruling party to have learnt from its mistakes. “Well, they have been touting this idea for a long time. Remember when the current Senate was convened after the 2015 election, they wanted Ahmad Lawan to be

the Senate president. “It was the rupture in the party that led a chunk of party senators to team up with PDP senators to get Bukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu as president and deputy president of the Senate. “What I am surprised about, I thought what happened to them in the last dispensation would have been a lesson for them to allow legislators to decide who should be their leaders. “I worked with National Assembly for four years. I know the mindset of members of the National Assembly. They believe that they have their own mandate separate from the mandate of the President,” Yakasai said.

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Removal of Onnoghen was part of a script to rig 2019 elections - Adebanjo Continued from page 17 committee discouraging Atiku not to go to court is aiding fraud. How is your assessment of the peace committee? They have not demonstrated peace retention enough, they should have said; lets maintain peace and no violence, but Atiku go to court. You also met with the newly elected governor of Oyo State last week, what was the discussion about? No, he came to visit me; we were in Oyo State before the election and told our people to vote for him. He also went to Ruben Fasonranti, realising how important our messages have been. I told him to continue the fight because we know Buhari would not restructure the country and if Buhari does not do it; it means he does not want Nigeria to remain as one and that is what Clark was telling you. The only thing to keep this country together is to have a federal structure; where every unit would be autonomous and develop at its own pace. But to do that you have to restructure, that is what it means, restructuring is not a magic thing it is just for us to stay together as one country, let us agree on constitution that would bind us together by the time you restructure, the separatist group in the east would calm down, the avengers would stop their agitation. These issues would be solved and the crisis and killings would stop. The killings in Southern Kaduna would stop because the people would be given their state and autonomy. There is crisis there because the people ruling them are oppressing them and it has to stop. They turned a blind eye as if they don’t know what is happening; how can a government be doing that? People are being killed and you are pretending as if you don’t know, the killing is still going on and nothing has been done. There can be no remedy because those opposing you are the ones in control, I told Makinde until we agree on restructuring that any government under this constitution is a lameduck government that lacks authority. That is what is also happening in Benue State where they are killing them and they are turning blind eyes, as if they don’t know what is happening.

Adebanjo

But President Buhari said restructuring is not the way forward for the country, you don’t accept? Buhari does not understand what he is talking about; we have been talking about restructuring before he came in, before the first election was held. But even the Vice president who is from your region does not seem convinced about the restructuring clamour? The Vice President is a dishonest intellectual, Tinubu and Osibanjo came to office on the basis of restructuring; and it was on the basis of restructuring that Osibanjo took Obasanjo to court when, during his time as President Obasanjo did not release local government funds when he was the Attorney General in Lagos state. They know about that, and as an intellectual is that not dishonesty? They are just turning blind eyes to it, I know him, he is my son, intellectually, academically he is a first class, but he is a disgrace. Somebody who was born into restructuring is saying he does not know what restructuring is all about; his father and I were the key followers of Awolowo. The VP was also recently involved in sharing of Tradermoni, how do you react to that? My anti-government is not about that, it is a disgrace for Osibanjo to be doing that; why can’t the Minister of Trade and Investment be sent. You turned the VP to a marketing officer

and the man does not even recognise him. The Yorubas there are just senseless. Which government control s Lagos? We have problem of tankers, Vice President came, no solution, but when Buhari came the tankers disappeared. When the general elections came they disappeared again; how can anybody tell me we are equal partners in this government, what they did to the Igbos in Lagos, it is not because they are Igbos, it is because they joined forces with the Southern Leaders Forum to advocate for restructuring of the country. I am not a PDP man, Afenifere is not PDP, but all the Southern leaders have agreed that any party that agreed to restructure the country is the party we are going to vote for; because that is the party that would solve the problems of Nigerians. But PDP was in power for 16 years, the ruling party said they put us in this mess? No, it is because of what they want to do that is why we are supporting them. To show that we have been consistent in Afenifere we have supported Buhari before. In 2007 Afenifere supported Buhari’s presidential ambition, when he agreed to do a sovereign national conference, he has not denied it, he bought uniform we wore it in Adamasigba stadium in Ibadan. We supported him then because of what he wanted to do for the country, we won’t let anybody come and say we hate anybody.

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, March 30, 2019

Zone House speaker to N’Central, ex-APC Reps demand Tom Okpe, Abuja Former members of the House of Representatives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum have advised the leadership of the ruling party to zone the position of Speaker of the House to the North Central geo-political zone. The forum made this known on Friday in press conference attended by its Interim Chairman, Adeh Lumumba, Idris Yahuza Yakubu, Hon. Peter Biye Gumtha, Hassan Tonga, and Bello Shugaba in Abuja. Yakubu in his address to journalists on behalf of the forum, said that the APC could not afford to make the same mistake again by leaving the choice of those to assume leadership positions in the National Assembly to chance. He explained reasons why the party needed to act tactfully over the leadership of the 9th Assembly, pointing that the party must step forward to provide political direction to its elected members at the National Assembly by zoning all the leadership positions to a specific zone and where possible, states. The forum further asserted that since the senate presidency had been zoned to the north east, the party should consider same action in respect of all other leadership

positions, especially the presiding officers of the two chambers. “Our considered opinion is that the Deputy Senate presidency be zoned to the South East or South South, the speaker to the North Central and the Deputy Speakership to the South South or South West. “This zoning, we believe will douse the unnecessary tension being generated in the bid by individual members from the different geo-political divides of the country to aspire to those positions and avoid further digging of trenches which the party cannot afford to get along with at this stage. “It is time the party takes a decision on this to make its stand known to the members of the party on time so as to prevent a repeat of the 2015 scenario where it was unable to stop vested interests who had gone too far in their campaigns by the time the party decided to step in. “If the varied interests are not streamlined on time and individuals are allowed to take hard line positions it will be difficult for the party to make them reverse without causing further frictions”, the Forum said. Recall that in 2015, the APC made the mistake of not paying enough attention in the election of the leadership of the National Assembly and the party nearly paid dearly for it by having to constantly battle with a hostile legislature since its leaders were not

products of the party’s internal democratic arrangement. “As a way of guiding the party to toe the line of equity and fairness, we suggest consideration be given to cognate experience, party loyalty and acceptability among colleagues. But most importantly, consideration should be given to zones where the party performed well and where it is strategically important for the growth of the party. “In taking a decision, the party must also take note that the Northwest and the Southwest already have the president and the vice president respectively and they need to give the other zones a sense of belonging to deepen its faith and commitment to the party. “Members-elect must be ready to see the intervention of the party as necessary whether it agrees with their aspirations or not because at the end of the day it is the party platform that matters. “Major stakeholders in the party should also be prepared to guide their people on the principle of party supremacy and on the fine points about internal party democracy. This way, the APC would succeed in laying the foundation for a better Nigeria through the instrument of a well-structured party that has the interest of its people at heart”, it added.

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Short News EFCC nabs 8 suspected internet fraudsters Andrew Orolua, Abuja The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibadan zonal office has arrested eight suspected internet fraudsters at Olopomewa, Eleyele, Ajadi and Ologuneru areas of Ibadan, the Oyo state capital. EFCC operatives picked-up the suspects following several months of discreet intelligence follow-ups and rigorous investigations into the suspects’ alleged clandestine and fraudulent activities of obtaining money from their victims through false pretenses. The suspects who are between 19 and 36 years of age are Olawale Jamal Ajao, Ominiyi Babatunde, Oluwasanmi Oluwaseun, Akinyemi Toheeb, Olawale Joel, Tayo Yusuf, Yusuf Babatunde and Okolaba Emmanuel. Several phones, laptops and other incriminating documents were recovered from the suspects. Head of Operations at EFCC zonal office, Friday Ebelo, said the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

NDA suffered N1.3bn budget shortfall in 2018 - Commandant Tunde Opalana, Abuja The Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA) suffered a drastic reduction of N1.3 billion from its 2018 budget releases, its Commandant, Major -General Adeniyi Oyebade has said. Maj. –Gen. Oyebade, who made this disclosure when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Defence to defend the academy’s 2019 budget, said the shortfall had handicapped the institution from paying non -regular allowances to its personnel. He said the N1.3billion shortfall in 2018 budget releases, affected hazard, responsible and excess workload allowances. “Aside the N1.3billion shortfall, out of the N8.9billion capital votes appropriated for the academy in the 2018 fiscal year, only N4.1billion has been released so far, making the implementation performance within the capital component to be 47 per cent as at this month, “ he said. The commandant added that N9.0billion capital expenditure budget proposal made by the academy for 2019 fiscal year was reduced to N8billion by the Ministry of Budget and National Planning. Some of the capital projects to be carried out by the academy in the 2019 capital expenditure component of the proposed budget, he said, include, counter terrorism and counter insurgency village, NDA sports complex and the construction of an earth dam. However, the committee chaired by Senator Abubakar Kyari (APC/Borno North), observed that while personnel cost component of the academy’s budgetary allocations for 2018 was N8.146billion, the proposed estimates for 2019 is N8.072billion, wondering whether the academy suffered any depletion in its staff strength.

Fintiri’s election births new dawn for Adamawa -Atiku Tunde Opalana, Abuja L-R: Senator Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya; APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; Alhaji Murtala Garo; APC National Treasurer, Adamu Pamda; and Senator Barau Jibrin during visit of Kano State Governor to APC National in Abuja... on Friday.

FERMA engages 14, 000 youth on right of way road maintenance Andrew Orolua, Abuja

The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has engaged 14, 000 youth under its on-going nationwide project, tagged: “Right of Way Maintenance Intervention Programme (ROWMIP).” The initiative was born out of the need to tackle some of the black/bad spots on the nation’s highways that has afforded hoodlums opportunity to operate unfazed and caused several mishaps to road users. The right of way is 40 meters from the center line. It includes the carriageway, road shoulders and verges. Deputy Director/Head (Comm./PR) FERMA, Mrs. Maryam Sanusi, stated in a statement that the initiative which has elicited positive

feedbacks from stakeholders, is in consonance with the agency’s mandate and the federal government’s drive to gainfully occupy the nation’s teaming youth. The intervention centers on vegetation control, cutting of over- hanging tree branches to aid vehicular visibility, de-silting of silted/ blocked drains and carriageways as well as carting away of refuse dumped on road shoulders. It (programme) has garnered momentum and cuts across every state of the nation. “Being in its first phase, a maximum of 14, 000 youth living around the road corridors identified for the intervention have been engaged. Thus, making it a singular government’s project that is taking these number of participants in its wake. “The participants are viewed as partners with FERMA in ensuring the accomplishment of an

aspect of the agency’s mandate,” the statement said. She explained that the difference between this particular programme and others, “is its implementation strategy, because ROWMIP is labour intensive, designed with a target to provide a sort of safety net for the youth. “It is more economical than the usual practice of contracting these sort of jobs. The programme has also encouraged some level of heightened economic activities in and around the areas where jobs are on-going. Beneficiaries get paid through their personal bank accounts thereby imbibing the banking culture. “At the successful completion of the first phase of the intervention programme, it is the goal of the agency to embark on a second phase. Though, this will depend largely on availability of funds,” she added.

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar says the election of Ahmadu Fintiri as governor –elect of Adamawa state is the dawn of a glorious new era for the state. The former Vice President said that he is particularly delighted that the PDP came out victorious in the governorship election in his home state and that the decision of the vast majority of Nigerians to vote for the PDP signifies that the party is truly a party of the people. “My home state of Adamawa has chosen the PDP to lead them. I am truly proud of this and let me assure you that you have chosen a leader with the zeal and determination to put Adamawa on the best path. “You have chosen a leader who appreciates Adamawa’s diversity and who will run an inclusive government for the betterment of all,” Atiku stated. Atiku therefore congratulated the governor-elect for his resounding success at the polls, in spite of the various antics of the ruling party to frustrate the wishes of the people in the state. “Our people have stood with Governor-elect Fintiri in the course of this election with an abiding commitment never to allow the power that be to rob them of their votes. “I congratulate you on your election, while I also hail our people for making the right decision to choose you as leader at this point in time. I am confident that the hope reposed in you is well placed and that your tenure will launch our state to greater heights,” he added.

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, March 30, 2019

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THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY INFORMED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANY AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1) OBIJURU KENNETH CHIDOZIE - CHAIRMAN. 2) OBIJURU ATHAN OGBONNA - MEMBER. 3) FIKAYO ARE ELIZABETH - SECRETARY.

TRUSTEES 1.FARINDE BOPO EZEKIEL 2.FARINDE FLORENCE FUNMILAYO. 3.OLAKUNLE JESUTOBI PEACE. 4.OLAKUNLE OLAWALE ASIMIYU. 5.ONI OLAOLUWATOMI BUKAYO.

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Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, March 30, 2019

INTERVIEW

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, March 30, 2019

Why I’m investing in tourism – Ned Nwoko Hon Ned Nwoko, former member of the House of Representatives, in this interview with select journalists at his resort centre in Idumuje Ugboko, Aniocha North, Delta State, speaks on why he ventured into philanthropy, the idea behind his Sports University, impact of his foundation, and tourism amongst other issues. Why are you building a tourist centre in a remote village? I want to make Delta State a world tourist centre. I am a billionaire, but my billions are useless if I cannot use it to affect people’s lives and change my environment. That is why I am building a tourist centre in Idumujen-Ugboko. My town will soon be known all over the world because the whole world will soon be visiting for tourism. I have built a monumental edifice that is showcasing our cultural inheritance such as artifacts, and you can see culture being preserved. I want to preserve our culture and show the world that we have rich cultural values. People see our cultural inheritance as fetish but that is a lie. Other countries of the world are preserving their cultures, while we are in cultural dilemma, throwing away what God has endowed us with. I want to change the narrative. You can see for yourself what I am building. I have preserved lives. In this resort, we have a zoo where we preserve animals. I have contracted a company to bring in bigger animals, especially those that are going into extinction. I have a poultry farm and other things. This resort centre is to make the world appreciate our rich culture. This place will soon host the world. You have seen the Star University. It is also called Sports University. It is the first of its kind in the Sub-Saharan Africa. Students are going to study Sports Science there. We would teach 13 different types of sports though we will add some

conventional courses -such as Accountancy, Law, Business Administration and so on. But we are going to focus more on sports. After study, our students will compete and blend with the international community. Why are you investing in tourism? Tourism empowers a country economically. People asked why I am “wasting” billions in a remote town such as Idumuje-Ugboko? And I smile. After developing my resort centre to a level, my town will become a city. People do not know that tourism develops and empowers a country economically. There are countries that do not have mineral resources but they are run with money made from tourism. Right now, I have over 300 staff working in my resort centre. It is a way of empowering my people. After building the University of Sports and developing my tourist centre, there is no way we won’t have more than 1,000 staff. Nigerian government and individuals should start investing in tourism. Tourism is a moneyspinning business that can take care of our annual budget. Our natural resources may finish, but tourism is forever. We need to more tourist centers in Nigeria. I have many artifacts and many monuments in my resort centre. It is a research centre, where many things have been preserved for our children’s children to learn from. What motive

is behind

the your

Ned Nwoko

philanthropic gesture? A philanthropist is someone who blesses people with what he or she has. To be a philanthropist is to empower people. When people call me a philanthropist, they make me laugh. You can see over 500 people eating free of charge in my centre. They are not eating because they are lazy but because they are not opportune. That is why I have opened a foundation to empower them. I give jobs and scholarships to many of them. There are over 1,000 students that my foundation is sponsoring and I have assisted over 10,000 students worldwide. This year, I have earmarked N50 billion for scholarships. It has been established that we have intelligent people who are wasting away because they do not have rich parents to pay their school fees. I am using my Godgiven wealth to bless

them. I give to people without expecting anything in returns. It is not because of politics. A genuine philanthropist should give without expecting something in return. My joy in life is bringing hope to the hopeless. I am not celebrating anything. Once I’m around, they come here. I am happy when a person who cannot boast of a square meal eats and becomes happy. I am happy when a sick person who has no money for hospital comes and I give him or her money for the medical bills. What is in this world when you have surplus while another person is suffering lack. I will remain a friend to all. I remain committed to enhancing the fortunes of the needy through selfless humanitarian service and human capital development. There is a scholarship scheme for all categories of students and empowerment

scheme for market women, artisans and others in the informal sector. All these are taken care by my foundation. Tell us about your foundation? Prince Ned Nwoko Foundation is meant primarily to bring down poverty to a reasonable level. Outside of poverty eradication, it is interested in culture, tourism, sports and socio-economic development of people, especially the Anioma people, home and abroad. Concerning technical development of artisans in all trades, we are also focusing in catching our children young. I want young people to be interested in education and sports. Those who cannot pay school fees, junior and senior secondary school, I have made provision for those who have no money for the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board examination. Ordinarily, JAMB form should not be more than N7,000, but I earmarked N30,000 for each student so that he or she can pay for lesson. Over 900 students have applied, but we are making provision for 1,000 students. I have told my foundation to create avenue for 100 more people. Are you frequenting home for politics? I’m always home with my family. I;m a wealthy man, you might say, but a rich man whose family members are away from home is not a happy man.

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I’m happy that I am always at home with my family. It is not because of politics. My children can afford all the good things in the world but I bring them home to see what I am doing. They have seen that I rear animals. They have seen my poultry farm, they have seen the cows, goats and other things that we produce in my farm. They now know that they have to do certain things even though they were born in affluence. They have seen the less privileged and how I treat them. So, they will continue from where I stop. They feel home and dream home. They have seen my stands on nature and culture. They are indigenes of Delta State so they should feel it and they should mix up with their people. Your advice to people world over? People should show love to their fellow human beings. There is no need for rancour. We should preserve life and think of posterity in whatever we do. He who has should give to those who have naught. We should use whatever we have to help people without expecting something in returns. There are people who are looking for money to pay school fees, give a helping hand. There are people facing one challenge or the other, I give them encouragement. Help the needy and do not oppress the weak and the poor. People should be their brothers’ keepers.

Tourism empowers a country economically. People asked why I am “wasting” billions in a remote town such as Idumuje-Ugboko? And I smile. After developing my resort centre to a level, my town will become a city. People do not know that tourism develops and empowers a country economically

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SPORTS TIMES Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, March 30, 2019

Azeri weightlifter Valentin IOC Hristov was stripped of his 2012 Olympics 56 kg bronze medal on sanctions Friday after he was named among three athletes to test positive for substances. 3 athletes banned The athletes were found positive re-tests conducted by the from London inInternational Olympic Committee 2012 Games (IOC). The IOC said Hristov’s London Games sample tested positive for doping for a prohibited anabolic steroid (oralturinabol) when it was reanalysed. Anis Ananenka of Belarus, who finished 43rd in the men’s 800m,