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SATURDAY, AUGUST 5, 2017 VOL. 3. NO. 417

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Buildings collapse:

A sad story of sorrow, tears and blood

Babajide Okeowo, Lagos

ÏÏÏ Incidents of buildings collapse in

Nigeria are two a dime and when they occur, they leave in their wake sorrow, tears, and blood.

Despite repeated calls by victims, stakeholders and many other Nigeri-

ans, there seem to be no end in sight to the collapses.

Rather, it has been accusations and counter accusations between the public, government, and building contractors. While the government blames contractors for shoddy jobs and incompetence, they fail most times to wield

Archbishop of Canterbury visits Buhari again, says healing testimony of God’s power 7

NFIU: FG constitutes 5 9-member adhoc committee

the big stick on erring parties.

A chequered history of collapses The country has had quite an unfortunate high number of building collapses, and by the time the rubbles were cleared, many have been left Continued on page 6

Genital organs disappear over N3,000 wrapped in 7 Books of Moses 15

Bonang Matheba :

You don’t have to show up for L2 every war

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 5, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 5, 2017

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 5, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 5, 2017

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News

Teachers should update themselves professionally –Anwukah Esther Taiwo

ÎÎÎ

Minister of State for Education, Prof Anthony Anwukah has advised teachers across the country to update themselves professionally in order to meet the technological demands of the 21st century.

Anwukah gave this advice on Thursday while commissioning a state-of-the-art Internet of Things at the Federal Science and Technical College (FSTC) Yaba, where he said for Nigeria to run a viable responsive education system, there is need to agree with what is hapL-R: Corps Marshal and Chief Executive, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi; Minister of Budget and National Planning, pening across the world addSenator Udoma Udo Udoma and Minister, State for Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, during the inauguration of Technical ing that technology is the key.

The Minister also laid emWorking Group (TWG) of the Nigeria Road Safety Strategy in Abuja ...on Thursday. phasis on Technical and Vocational Education (TVET) saying the reality is staring in everybody’s face that for education system to be responsive, Nigerians must align with the happenings across the Globe so as not to be left out.

“If we must survive in the Some of the Party Ex- of Police, Asuquo Amba “ Nobody should come to world of technology, we must Akam James, Yenagoa ecutive loyal to the Former and the State Director of the the secretariat until the Na- align ourselves to global best DSS,Mr. Gideon Agbaje also tional Working Committee practices. Most of the techniArmed security per- State Governor, Hon. Tivisited the Party secretariat issue a letter to whoever is cians we have in this country mipre Sylva and led by the sonnel made up of Policemet with the Secretary of going to act until a new con- are trained outside the time Chairman, Joseph Fafi, the men and men of the Dethe Party, Alabo Martins gress is held to elect a sub- zone of our present students partment of State Security Youth Leader, and the Youth said they were at the sece- stantive Chairman. Every- in terms of technological ad(DSS) Friday took over the leader, Edison Sorgwe were tariat to ascertain that the body should go home and let Bayelsa State Secretariat seen present. area is calm and that there us not make the secretariat The presence of the loyalof the All Progressive Conis no breach of peace. ists of Chief Timipre Sylva a crisis venue. As they have gress (APC) following the The Member of the State pronounced the suspension loyalists however attracted suspension of the ChairAndrew Orolua, Abuja an angry outburst from an House of Assembly elected of the Chairman and othman of the Party, Chief on the platform of the APC, ers, the letter from NWC Tiwei Orunimighe and two ex-militant leader and loyalThe federal government Hon. Isreal Sunny Igoli, who will make whoever to take ist of the suspended Chairothers. has constituted a nine memarrived at the Party secrecharge and the person will ber ad-hoc committee to repoThe National Working man, Africa Ukpariasia also tariat met with the mem- give copy of the letter to the sition the Nigerian Financial Committee (NWC) of the known as General Africa.

General Africa,who ar- bers of the security team security agent.”

Intelligence unit, (NFIU) to APC had on Thursday everived at the barricaded party and addressed the Party “And the person will call restore its membership on the ning announced the suspensupporters,asked everyone for meetings and preside EGMONT group to prepare sion of the Chairman of the secetariat at about 12.45 was to remain calm and not al- over the affairs of the Party for the Financial Action Task prevented from driving into Party, Chief Tiwei Orunlow the supporters of the until a congress to elect new Force, (FATF) mutual self the premises in his black coimighe, the Vice Chairman, suspended members throw Chairman. There should be visit to Nigeria. loured jeep.

Africa, who was Hon. Eddy Julius and the The EGMONT Group of the party into crisis. no crisis .My appeal to evVice Chairman, Marlin visibly angry threatened to According to him,” the eryone is that there should Financial Intelligence Units chase the Sylva loyalists out Danlin over alleged antiis an informal network of 154 party has concluded the be peace. Appeal commitparty activities and gross of the secretariat, saying” national FIUs which provides we will know who owns the non-elective congress and tee have done their work. a platform for the secure misconduct. the process is at appeal There is no reason to quar- exchange of expertise and At the Party Secretariat, Party.” stage. And the key stake- rel. One faction of the party financial intelligence to comBut most of the Sylva loylocated along the Mbiama/ holders have met and af- can not inside while others bat money laundering, the alists shunned him and kept Yenagoa Road area of the firm the authenticity of the be outside.Because of the financing of terrorism, and their cool while security opYenagoa State capital, decision of the party at the resistance and agitations by other related offences. eratives asked the angry exarmed Policemen and DSS The NFIU helps tackle monstate level. Now, everybody those suspended, we need to militant leader to vacate the personnel numbering over should go home and allow leave and not make the place ey laundering and monitor fisecetariat. fifteen were seen mounting nancial flows, a task eased by The State Commissioner security agents to be here.” a crisis zone.” vigilance. its membership of the Group

Police, DSS takes over Bayelsa APC secretariat over suspension of Chairman,two others ÎÎÎ

vancement, our teachers need to go through updating in their training”, he said.

He said the present administration is making deliberate investments into the area of Science and Technological development through education, it is note to state here that no effort is enough and thus, collaborative efforts are welcome so as to achieve remarkable gains in this area”, he said.

Principal of the College, Rev Chris Ugorji said the event is remarkable for the school because UNITes CISCO has opened an innovation centre in the College and it is remarkable because the College is the first in sub-Saharan Africa to have an ‘Internet of Things’ Centre.

His words: “Therefore our teachers and students will not only be global community of problem solvers but will also be IoT creators”.

Explaining how the IoT operates, Head of Academics, CISCO, Mr Toyin Olatayo said the objectives include to create technology solutions to unlock opportunities at a speed of rapid prototyping , to showcase what is possible with digital transformation and IoT and to serve as a centre for research and development to profound solutions to developmental problems.

EGMONT: FG names 9-man committee to restore Nigeria’s membership ÎÎÎ

whose members share intelligence relating to illicit flow and international finance.

The members of the nineman committee are: Senator Chukwuka Utazi- Chairman, Hon. Kayode Oladele, member, Dr. Abdulahi Y. Shrug, member, a representative of the Federal Ministry of Justice as member, a representative of the Federal Ministry of Finance.

Other members of the adhoc committee are: A representative of the Ministry of Interior as member, the Executive Secretary of the presidential advisory committee against corruption as member, a representative of the Independent Corrupt Pratices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and a Representative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Amaechi, Abe cannot reconcile, declares Rivers PDP Chairman Amaka Agbu, Port Harcourt

ÎÎÎ

The political rift between the former Rivers State governor and Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and the Senator representing Rivers South East Senatorial District, Magnus Abe, is irreconcilable.

This was declared by the Chairman of the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Felix Obuah, who said he observed that the fight between the two political gladiators

was deepening on a daily basis.

The PDP Chairman in a statement issued in Port Harcourt said although he shared political differences with the warring APC chieftains, he has not relented in seeking ways of brokering peace between the duo whom he said were dear to him as subjects.

Chief Felix Obuah who did not disclose why he took it upon himself to reconcile his political foes said that one of such efforts geared towards brokering peace between the warring factions of the state

All Progressives Congress (APC) has resulted in convening of a meeting with supporters of Amaechi and Abe which he said would hold at his Palace in Port Harcourt on Saturday, August 19, 2017.

The Chairman said he extracted the agreement to convene the meeting when representatives of the two political leaders (Abe and Amaechi) met with him in his Palace over the week, and expressed confidence that the outcome of his meeting with the APC supporters would be fruitful.

The PDP recalled that the state PDP Chairman, had in the wake of the quarrel between Senator Abe and former Governor Amaechi elected to make peace between the duo despite the political differences between his party and the APC. Chief Obuah said that he volunteered to reconcile them (Amaechi and Abe) whose pride and strongheadedness are tearing the APC apart in Rivers State.

The State PDP boss regretted that “his two subjects have started

exhibiting same ego that pitched them against other progressive politicians in the state,” stressing that as aging leaders in the State, they should learn to conduct themselves in any group they found themselves, in a manner that would not threaten the peace and security of Rivers State.

“It is becoming too embarrassing for the two uncompromising APC leaders to be insulting themselves both on air and in print and by extension, the Rivers people,” the PDP Chairman said.

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 5, 2017

Buildings collapse: A sad story of sorrow, tears and blood Continued from page 1 dead, or maimed for life.

The worst building collapse so far in the history of the country occurred in the Ikotun area of Lagos on September 12, 2014.

On that fateful day, a crowded six-storey guest house belonging to the Synagogue Church of All Nations, collapsed, trapping about 300 people.

By the time rescue operations were concluded, the death toll stood at 116 with over 100 others injured. Most of those killed in the collapse (85) were South Africans. It almost resulted in a diplomatic row between the two countries.

Then on Tuesday, March 8, 2016, tragedy struck again when another building collapsed in the Lekki area of Lagos.

The five-storey building under construction at Lekki Gardens Horizon 1, in the Lekki Phase 1 area of Lagos went down in rubbles after a heavy downpour, killing no fewer than 30 persons and injuring several others.

Most of those who lost their lives in the tragedy were workers.

The sad event claimed the lives of a woman, her six-month-old baby, and her husband. The woman had reportedly gone to the site to collect money from her husband when the building collapsed.

What would have perhaps been the highest profile case happened at Reigners Bible Ministry, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital when the church building collapsed during a service with the number one citizen of the state, Governor Udom Emmanuel, escaping death by the whiskers. Scores of worshippers who thronged the venue were not that lucky. Conflicting accounts put the death toll at between 50 and 200.

A few days ago, precisely on July 22, 2017, a mother, 30, and her two-year-old baby lost their lives when an uncompleted storey building collapsed at Meiran area of Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.

The building collapsed during a heavy downpour in the area. The building, which was still under construction, was in decking position when it collapsed. The list is endless while the trend continues unabated.

Victims speak: It was like a scene out of a horror movie For those who were lucky to escape the tragedy of collapsed buildings, it is a sad and scary event they would live with for the rest of their lives and most will carry the scar to their graves.

For Ramota Oduwole, her husband and eight-year-old daughter, the trauma of the building collapse she and her family narrowly escaped will forever remain indelible in her mind.

She recounted the experience with nostalgia. “I was in the

apartment with my husband and children when we heard a deafening sound. Before we knew what was happening, it was followed by a loud bang, and that was all I could remember. I woke up to find myself, my husband and our eight-year-old daughters here”.

“Apart from the clothes we have on, we lost everything in the collapsed building, but I thank God for sparing our lives. I only sustained injuries on my legs and lower back”.

The family is still fighting to find their feet.

Mrs. Christiana Coker, a 68-year-old widow, was a resident of a two-storey building located in Low-Cost Housing estate otherwise called Jakande estate in Oke-Afa Isolo area of Lagos which collapsed a few years back.

She survived the ordeal with few bruises at her back, right hand, and knees. Her two daughters were not that lucky as they both died in the collapsed building.

“I cannot tell what happened. I just met myself in the hospital. I slept overnight, only to wake up next day to see myself in the hospital with bruises. I was shocked at first. I looked around and thought I was dreaming because I slept on my bed the previous night. In fact, it was just like a dream,” she recalled.

Experts’ reaction: All hands must be on deck But what may have led to the recurrent collapse of buildings in the country? Building engineers are of the view that quackery, the inability of the engineer to carry out proper site investigation, calculate design loads accurately, use of substandard building materials as some causes of the recurrent building collapse in the country.

The experts also highlighted that the incessant cases of building collapse in Nigeria can be minimised if not curbed through adherence to some measures.

According to Mr. Kunle Awobodu, past chairman of the Lagos branch of Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) who is also the president of Building Collapse Prevention Group (BCPG), he lamented the incidences of building collapses in the country and blamed it on the doorstep of quackery in the industry.

“There must be the use of competent professionals in building process because a competent professional must be able to calculate the load of all the cross beams, the pillars, the maximum number of persons the building can accommodate which a non-professional cannot achieve before embarking on a building or any construction,” he pointed out.

To this effect, Awobodu advised that Soil test, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and structural analysis needs to be made mandatory and must be submitted along with the building plans

to planning authorities by all the developers or building approval seekers/applicants, especially for all institutional, commercial and industrial buildings.

“All plans for approval must be made to pass through all the professionals associated with building industry working in every State/Local Government Development Control Boards before its final approval”.

Speaking further, he advised that “all the professional bodies associated with the building industry in Nigeria should jointly embark on enlightenment campaign for the public to be aware of the evils behind quacks involvement in building construction activities and the use of low-quality materials, untested building materials, and local construction methods should be abolished”.

On his part, Architect Ladipo Lewis, immediate past Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Lagos State chapter, pointed out that Building collapse is often a man-made occurrence that can be avoided if all hands are put on deck to get rid of the menace.

“The Ministry of Physical

Planning and Urban Development needs to outsource relevant professionals to assist at checking building plans before approval and site inspections or monitoring. This will facilitate the process of building plan approval and reduce bureaucratic bottle necks and contraventions. Devolution of powers or decentralisation of building plan approval authorities will go a long way at quickening the process, but should not be abused,” he said.

A tribunal of inquiry set up by Lagos State government in 2013 identified weak implementation, as well as deliberate flouting of regulations and gross corruption across the board as factors hindering the effectiveness of construction and building laws in the country.

The experts also called for the strengthening of regulatory agencies in the built industry to be able to carry out the mandate of ridding the country of recurrent cases of building collapse.

The role of government in combating building collapse Few weeks ago, professionals from the seven built-industry organisations-The Nigerian In-

stitute of Architects (NIA); The Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB); The Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS); The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP); The Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors & Valuers (NIESV); The Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS); and The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) congregated in Lagos to discuss ‘Building Collapse: Challenges and Way Forward’.

According to the professionals, there is a need for government to rise up to its responsibilities.

“Must we continue this trend of visiting sites of collapsed buildings to make statements that time would soon be consigned to mere rhetoric and exhibitionism as words could not be matched with action? The fact that building collapse has become a recurring decimal in this part of the world draws skepticism from promises of government officials at the instance of a collapse,” they said.

Thus, they said it was pertinent to draw the attention of Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, to the “The over 1,000 Continued on page 7

President Muhammadu Buhari (right), in a handshake with Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, during a courtesy visit to Buhari at the Nigeria House, London...on Friday.

N30trn revenue leakages: Senate orders arrest of 30 CEOs ÏÏÏ The Senate has ordered the

arrest of the chief executive officers of 30 firms for allegedly failing to appear before it, the News Agency of Nigeria reported on Friday.

The companies are alleged to have been involved in the N30 trillion-revenue believed to have been lost by the country in its maritime sector.

The firm include Crown Flour Mills, British American Tobacco, CCECC, Dana Group, Olam Int. Ltd., Hong Xing Steel Co. Ltd., Visafone, African Wire, Star Comments and Allied Ltd. and Aarti Steel Nig. Ltd. Others are Abyem-Diva Int.

Ltd., Gagasel Int., Friesland Campina, Etco Nig., Edic Chemicals and Allied Distributors, De United Foods makers of popular Indomie noodles, Don Climax Group, Skill G Nig. Ltd., Premium Seafood and La Rauf Nig. Ltd. Also involved are Standard Metallurgical Co. Ltd., Kam Industries, Globacom, IBG Investment Ltd., Orazulike Trading Co. Ltd., Popular Foods Ltd., A-Kelnal Integrated & Logistics Services, African Industries, African Tiles & Ceramics and ZTE Nigeria.

The Senate Joint Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariff and Marine Transport, handling the investigation had invited 63

firms accused of complicity in the scam, but only 33 honoured the invitation.

The order to arrest the companies’ officials was announced by the chairman of the committee, Senator Hope Uzodinma, at the committee’s meeting on Friday in Abuja.

He said the refusal of the officials to honour the invitation in spite of several reminders was disrespect for the National Assembly.

Uzodinma warned that the 8th Senate would not tolerate such behaviour from anybody or instiContinued on page 7

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 5, 2017

Buildings collapse: A sad story of sorrow, tears and blood Continued from page 6 buildings that failed integrity tests on the Lagos Island and left unattended to for years should be demolished as soon as possible; a systematic approach at conducting extensive integrity tests on buildings across Lagos State should be adopted.

“The staff strength of Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) when juxtaposed with the Lagos mega city status is grossly inadequate. LASBCA is of 253 staff. If all the staff, including the general manager, could go on-site inspection, it means an average of 4 LASBCA officials would cover each of the 57 LGAs and LCDAs. This is a mission difficult to accomplish.

“Inspection or monitoring of sites should be executed by relevant professionals, who have knowledge, experience, and competence to identify substandard building production process and also possess the ability to discern conflicts between the approved building plan and building being constructed on site. Please, let us have round pegs in round holes, not otherwise,” they added.

It is hoped that those saddled with the responsibilities of ensuring the quality of buildings live up to their responsibility to forestall further loss of innocent lives through building collapse in the country.

7

News

orders Archbishop of Canterbury visits Buhari again, Senate arrest of 30 CEOs Continued from page 6 says healing testimony of God’s power Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

ÏÏÏ

The Archbishop of Canterbury, United kindom, Justin Welby, Friday, said that the rapid recovery President Buhari has made from his health challenges “is a testimony to the healing powers of God. Welby stated this when he paid a personal visit to Buhari at the Abuja House, London.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina in a statement on Friday, said that the “Archbishop and President Buhari are friends, who share deep respect for each

other.”

According to Adesina, Archbishop Welby was delighted to see the rapid recovery President Buhari has made from his health challenges, noting that it was a testimony to the healing powers of God, and answer to prayers of millions of people round the world.

The cleric pledged to continue praying for both President Buhari and Nigeria.

In his response, the Nigerian President thanked Archbishop Welby, whom he noted had always stood by him at critical times, and wished him God’s continued grace in his spiritual duty of lead-

ing the Anglican Communion worldwide.

The Daily Times recalls that when former British Prime Minister, David Cameron described Nigeria as a “fantastically corrupt” country ahead of an anticorruption summit in London in 2016, Archbishop Welby had retorted: “But this particular President (Buhari) is actually not corrupt.”

The Archbishop later personally received the Nigerian President at Lambeth Palace, London, and had also paid a goodwill visit to President Buhari in March this year, during his medical vacation.

L-R: Executive Director, Personal and Business Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Mr. Babatunde Macaulay; Country Director, DQS Certification Management Systems, Mr. Lawrence Ogudu; Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Dr. Demola Sogunle; Non-Executive Director, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mrs. Ngozi Edozien and Executive Director, Operations, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Mr. Wole Adeniyi, during the presentation of ISO 9001:2015 Certification to Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc in Lagos… on Friday.

tution, particularly in the present situation that involved Federal Government funds.

According to him, investigations carried out by the joint committee showed several forms of infractions that have cost the country huge amount of money in revenue loss.

He said such development in a country currently in recession was a disservice to it.

“It is no longer going to be business as usual.

“We have directed the Nigeria Police to arrest the heads of the firms and bring them before us.

“If we can suspend our recess as lawmakers to see to the end of this investigation, I see no reason why the firms that have been indicted will not come to defend themselves,” he said.

The chairman asked the firms that honoured the invitation to go through the documents given to them and return next week for defence.

The Senate had mandated the joint committee to carry out extensive investigation into alleged N30 trillion revenue leakages in the import and export value chain between 2006 and 2017.

The committee had already interfaced with commercial banks indicted in the matter as well as relevant government agencies.

The committee had on Wednesday threatened to issue the arrest warrants, but on Thursday, it said it was extending the appearance till next week.

Osinbajo to military elite: Embrace technology, battle has changed ÏÏÏ Acting President Yemi Osin-

bajo has called on the military elite to be on the cutting edge of technology to defeat cyber hackers and terrorists and create a better future for the citizenry.

Osinbajo stated this in his address on Friday during the Silver Jubilee and graduation of 133 military and para-military participants of the Course 25 of the National Defence College, Abuja.

The acting president, whose message was titled: “The Battle has changed,” noted that the nation was today facing new challenges and character in warfare, terror and all manners of insurgency.

According to him, terror groups and cyber criminals had used modern technologies to spread useless ideologies and defraud the people and the country cannot afford not to use the same strategies to respond to insurgency.

“I challenge the elite of our armed forces that if militants, terrorist groups and internet hackers are constantly re-inventing themselves taking advantage of emerging technologies, you have no reason whatsoever not to be at

the cutting edge of technological warfare.

“You must consistently redefine your role in national security architecture,” he said.

The acting president re-emphasised that the role of the military was as critical as ever not just in the traditional areas of terrorist threats and protecting lives and property.

He said that the military of the 21st century must realise that it had a role to play in supplying re-enforcement in the ideas that today define the world.

He noted that the military should realise that in the fight against religious extremism “it is much easier to win the war than to win the peace; it is easier to neutralise the extremists than to neutralise extremist ideologies.

“That is the critical challenge for us in the North East and the critical challenge for many countries that had to do with extremist ideologies and the insurgencies they had.

He asked that having won the physical battle against terror, how would the military position itself to win the hearts and minds of

the people and win them over.

Osinbajo stated that one of the priorities of government was the comprehensive rebuilding of the North East.

He added that it was also part of the strategy to win the minds of the people by directly investing and restoring schools and hospitals and government institutions and so on.

According to him, the stratagem was to send the message that government wanted to create a better life and a future for them.

“The lesson then is that in the future we must not wait until things are fallen apart before we show as a government and elite that we care for our people.’’

He said that going forward the military must prepare for the future before it unfolded and be able to anticipate and tackle embedded threats.

Osinbajo also noted the threats to electoral processes caused by fraudulent internet users and said that as Nigeria approaches the 2019 elections those were the kinds of threats the nation would contend with.

He said that even in daily lives,

the people had to contend with fake news, adding that a website operated from Ukraine had swayed the minds of the Nigerian youth even as it was neither based in Nigeria nor owned by a Nigerian.

Osinbajo said he was delighted to be at the graduation of the training institution for the highranking members of the military.

He described the graduating set as a special one having presented to him a priceless research paper on fighting terrorism and national security.

He said it was gratifying to note that the course played host to Nigerian and foreign nationals which showed the spirit of collaboration among nations.

He told the graduands that having achieved the academic feat they must explore further professional horizon.

He noted that it was better to learn from history in order not to repeat the mistakes of the past.

He noted that the armed forces represented a crucial component of the country’s intellectual population.

The acting president called on the Nigerian military to provide

a strategic plan for the country to enter a post-oil era due to the dwindling oil revenue and the deadlines placed by developing countries to stop use of petrol vehicles.

“The future calls for our revisiting our dependence on oil,’’ he stated adding that it informed the diversification programme being midwifed by the President Buhari administration.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the acting President presented certificates and conferred fellowships to the 133 graduates.

Course 25 of the NDC was inaugurated on September 2, 2016 with participants from 15 military and para-military formations in the country as well as 10 nationals from Ghana, Mali, Zimbabwe, Cameroun, DR Congo, India, Cote D’Ivoire, Togo, Brazil and Tanzania.

By the 2017 ceremony, the college had graduated 2,134 professionals, among them 190 foreigners.

The event was also used to launch the college’s anniversary brooch and journal.

8 News

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 5, 2017

Businessman threatens legal action over disputed property ÏÏÏHe has also threatened to report Barrister Bolarinwa Lawal to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, Abuja, for unprofessional conduct and abuse of profession.

Speaking with journalists, Davies’ lawyer, Barrister Olawumi, said the warning is as a result of seven days quit notice arbitrarily issued by Bolarinwa Lawal (Esq) from Olajumoke Chambers on July 28, 2017 to all the occupants including Mr. Dapo Davies, at a disputed property, located at No. 1, Lebanon Street, Dugbe Alawo, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

It would be recalled that on August 15, 2006, Pastor Peter Asha, owner of King Zion Ventures, allegedly sought the assistance of the late strongman of Ibadan politics, Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu, to forcefully eject the occupants of the said property in dispute.

It was also alleged that Pastor Asha, Sola OyinAdejobi and Mojeed Alabi, a.k.a Yellow, led thugs to the shop of Dapo Davies on the instruction of Late Adedibu where they assaulted Dapo Davies and Shola Ladipo.

Several invitation letters were sent to the Late Adedibu then by Oyo State Commissioner of Police over the said alleged attack.

Until Adedibu’s demise on June 1, 2008, Pastor Asha, Sola Oyin-Adejobi, Mojeed Alabi, a.k.a Yellow, who is personal body guard of late Adedibu were facing attempted murder, illegal destruction and robbery on Dapo Davies and others.

Following the fresh resuscitation of the dispute, Olawumi in a letter dated August 1, 2017 and addressed to Bolarinwa Lawal (Esq), stated that “it is on record that our client is a Sub-Lessee of Pelumi Foluwasho Ojo who derived his interest on the property via subsisting lease from Ibadan North West Local Government, Ibadan, Oyo State.

And our client has never been a tenant to your so called King Zion Ventures & company even for a day in the said property.

Nigeria pilgrims to spend 667,000 and N887,000 respectively-NCPC Idu Jude Abuja

ÏÏÏ

L-R: Governors Rauf Aregbesola (Osun) and Abdul Fatai Ahmed (Kwara), during a condolence visit to Aregbesola on the demise of his mother, at the Government House, Osogbo, Osun State… on Friday.

UITH orders workers back to work or face ‘No Work, No Pay’ sanctions Kehinde Akinpelu Ilorin

ÏÏÏ

The management of University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) Ilorin has said that the members of the hospital’s chapter of Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) for negating the rules of Industrial Relations over their on going five days warning strike, which today entered its second day.

Besides, the management threatened prompt invocation of ‘No Work No Pay’ extant directives of the Federal Ministry of Health on the striking doctors if they failed to call off the strike.

According to the management after its emergency meeting yesterday following the commencement of the strike, the doctors in their letter dated August 1st 2017 had

premised the declaration of the strike on the decision reached at its emergency meeting of 31st July 2017, thereby depriving the management of adequate statutory period required in serving notices before the declaration of any form of Industrial Disputes.

The UITH management said the commencement of the strike on August the 2nd, barely 24 hours after serving the notice, remained a malicious action and a deliberate step aimed at shunning duties.

For the management therefore , it wishes to “register its displeasure of the short notice of this current strike which gave no window of engagement and to remind the association of the ‘No Work No Pay’ directive of the Federal Ministry of Health.

“Management however

remains open to negotiations aimed at stopping the present strike and preventing a recurrence of same. “ The local ARD through its Chairman Dr Kolawole Ige strongest reason for the declaration of the strike, non payment of certain emoluments of his members without tangible reasons by the management.

But according to the Head Corporate Affairs Unit of Olufunmilayo Omojasola, “management of UITH has always paid all resident doctors in its employment complete salaries as at when due except on a few occasions when funds were remitted late. Management did not renege on any promise as alleged as there was no reason for that.

“Management has continued to pay a palliative

al previous negotiations with the association concerning allowances just as the management is open to discussion concerning payment of pension deductions to PFAs in line with extant rules and regulations “ The hospital’s management while disclosing on going discussions with the union on entry level of House Officers, said it was committed to the implementation of adjustments “after a proper directive from Salary and Wages Commission.”

However investigations have showed that despite the on going industrial disharmony, normal activities remained unabated at the hospital as consultants have firmly taken over the duties of the striking doctors attending directly to all the patients.

It’s wrong to discredit creative industry summit – Okoroji

Tom Okpe,Abuja

The national president copyright Association of Nigeria, Chief Tony Okoroji has expressed dissatisfaction over the attempt to discredit the creative Industry summit held in Expo hotels in Lagos by bringing the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed to disrepute.

Okoroji said in a press statement on Thursday that, “I am shocked by

the efforts being made by some of my colleagues and friends in the name of PMAN to discredit the historic Creative Industry Summit and to drag the Minister’s name into the mud. I have written extensively on Intellectual Property and have lectured on the subject in respected international forums across the world. I am therefore embarrassed that someone would in the name of PMAN accuse the minister of ‘plagiarizing’ an idea for a conference”.

The copyright president also said the basic tenet of copyright is the maxim and that there is no copyright in an idea.

“One of the basic tenets of copyright is the maxim: there is no copyright in ideas. Proposing an idea for a conference does not mean that other people cannot propose ideas for similar conferences.

Less than two years ago at the same Expo Hall of Eko Hotel, I organized the Nigerian Digital Music Summit that brought distinguished speakers from

across the world to Nigeria. I look forward to a lot more conferences on the creative industry so that we can tap into the ideas of as many people as possible for the development of our nation.

“Those who know me well will vouch that I have never been afraid of a fight when the rights of my colleagues have been infringed. I have fought pirates, governments, government officials, banks, the hotel industry, the broadcast industry and the telecoms industry.

The Executive Secretary Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev. Tor Uja has disclosed the cost of this year’s pilgrimage to Israel, Greece and Rome.

According to a release from the NCPC, the Executive Secretary made the disclosure in Abuja while playing host to the Chairmen Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) from all the States of the Federation, including FCT. In the words of the NCPC boss, “because of the CBN exchange rate the cost of pilgrimage for this year’s OctoberDecember pilgrimage to Israel is N667,000 while Israel – Greece or Israel – Rome is N887,000.

He stated that the Commission had decided to redesign many things about pilgrimage and had segmented them into various contiguous groups. Thus he informed that the Commission intends to run pilgrimage for church leaders next year. According to Rev. Uja, “I believe that the church of Christ is strong enough to run pilgrimage”.

He stated that PFN is a major stakeholder for the pilgrimage the Commission has designed.

Rev. Uja therefore invited them to set up pilgrimage Committees in their various churches to activate members to embrace the opportunities Christian pilgrimage provides.

He further affirmed; “we have chosen that pilgrimage must do something different for Nigeria”. He explained that pilgrimage should be able to open a door for leadership and development and also give an opportunity to impact on the host nation among other benefits.

Rev. Uja further stated that “Nigeria has the biggest army of spiritual leaders and they are all men of global consequence”. To this end, he stressed, “I believe God is opening a window for the Nigerian church to take back the lost ones”. He stated that under God all forces that stood against Nigeria would be defeated.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 5, 2017

Politics Amaka Agbu, Port Harcourt Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Rivers State on Thursday told the party’s National Appeal Committee which visited the state to ascertain the authenticity of the local government congress in the 23 local governments on Saturday, July 29, to cancel the entire exercise or be prepared to lose Rivers State to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2019.

Stating their positions on the congress which generated controversy, many stalwarts of the party and group representatives took turns to brief the committee in a meeting held at the party secretariat, Port Harcourt.

The Deputy Chairman of the APC in the state, Chief Peter Dike, and the Legal Adviser of the party, Chieme Chinweikpe, said that there was no congress as the faction supporting the Minister of Transport, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, completely shut out those loyal to Senator Magnus Abe. Chief Dike declared that no election took place in any of the 23 local government areas of the state, pointing out that his position in the party put him in an advantaged position to state what actually transpired on the fateful day and declare it illegal.

He said: “The purported congress never held in any of the 23 local government areas.

There was no time the state working committee of the party held a formal meeting to discuss the holding of local government congress in the state. The flagrant imposition of delegates has severely divided the party. We in the APC left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in protest against impunity and lack of internal democracy. There was nothing to show that election took place in any local government in Rivers State.”

In his presentation, Barrister Chinweikpe stated that there was “no time that the state working committee met to deliberate on the purported congress.

He insisted: “As the Legal Adviser of the party in Rivers State, I can affirm that no local government congress took place in Rivers State. So, the names of those being released to the media are fake, designed to give credence to an election that never took place. From a legal point of view, all due processes for conducting a credible congress were thrown to the winds.”

Former Commissioner for Labour in the last administration, Dr. Ipalibo Harry, in his own contribution said that the local government congress did not hold because the Minister

s

9

Labour party accuses APC of abandoning campaign promises–P12

Why militancy can’t return to Niger Delta – Erekosima–P10&11

APC stakeholders seek cancellation of July 29 congress

AMAECHI

of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaech, wanted to hijack the party.

He declared: “The cause of the crisis in the party is because the Minister of Transportation does not want Senator Magnus Abe to be governor of Rivers State. Let me say it now that representatives of the

SEN. ABE

National leadership are here; any attempt to deprive Senator Abe from contesting for the party’s ticket for the 2019 governorship election will decimate the party in Rivers State.”

Also speaking, the former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice during the Amaechi-led administra-

tion in the state, Worgu Boms, said “something must be wrong with the party leadership if in my capacity I don’t know anything about local government congress in the state.

“Some people came from Abuja and checked into a hotel for two days. I was informed by a reliable source that all the voting materials were locked up at Amaechi’s residence in Abuja.

If the electoral materials were locked up at Amaechi’s residence at Abuja, then, what materials did they use to conduct the pur-

ported election?” He queried.

Dr. Barinedin Mpigi, a member of the House of Representatives, told the Appeal Committee delegated by the National leadership of the party in Abuja, that no federal legislator was informed of the purported local government

congress.

“The problem is because Senator Abe wants to be governor of Rivers State under the umbrella of the APC; Amaechi says Abe cannot be governor in APC. Why then, is Amaechi unprepared to place the contest on who is most preferable by the people to a free, fair and credible electoral contest? He asked.

Two lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Friday Oke-he, representing Khana State Constituency, and Matthew Dike, representing Tai State Constituency, revealed that the leader of the party in the state, Rt. Hon. Amaechi, had not met with them since their election.APC stakeholders seeks cancellation of July 29 congress or risk losing Rivers in 2019 “APC members in the House board cabs to sittings in the Rivers State House of Assembly. We are not members of any committee. Our leader, Amaechi, is not bothered. We call on the national leadership of the party to quickly intervene to save the party from disintegration.”

The three-man appeal committee is made of Kola Umonitukpan, Ibrahim Mohammed, and Rtd Col. Abdul Aziz Musa Yar’Adua.

2019: My son not interested in Kwara governorship – Saraki President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, has ruled out the possibility of his son participating in the governorship race in Kwara State in 2019.

He said at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja that it was untrue that his son was being groomed as the next governor of the state.

According to Saraki, the boy is not interested in politics.

That is not in the offing at all; I am sure he doesn’t even want to hear politics at all.

“You know it is not easy for children who are born to politicians, especially in this time, to embrace politics.

“When I was much younger, we were insulated from some of the political issues, and because we didn’t read the newspapers, we didn’t know what was happening.

“I reluctantly went into politics, you can go and check.

Once or twice, I was given the form to run for House of Representatives, and I remember I just travelled and disappeared for months.

“After seeing what my father

had been through I thought to myself that this is not for me” he said.

Saraki, however, said that the most important thing for him in the state was the legacy which had been left and the continuity and good relationship between former and the serving governor.

He said that his successor had also done a good job in transforming the state by creating an environment for entrepreneurship.

“In the agricultural sector, we have done a lot of things that drive commercial activities which is not in the blueprint of the country.

“Even in the universal health coverage which we are now talking about at the national level, I started that when I was governor, and now my governor has continued and built on that.

“This shows the importance of continuity and stability and today, we thank God that we are one of those states where there is a very good relationship between former governor and current governor.” he said.

He denied insinuation that pensioners in the state were still being owed arrears dating back to when he was governor.

“Majority of the amounts still being owed are at the local government level, most of the state level pensions are not outstanding.

“There might be issues with pensions here and there but I don’t know the details. I know that the arrears and liability are at local government level, not at state government level,”

SARAKI, SENATE PRESIDENT

Adamawa APC endorses Bindow for second term Tom Garba, Yola

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State on Thursday endorsed Gov Mohammed Bindow for another term of four years in the forth coming 2019 governorship election in the state.

Alhaji Ibrahim Bilal, Chairman of the ruling party in the state made the declaration during a solidarity visit on Bindow by the people of Adamawa North Senatorial District in

Yoga.

Bilal said that the performance of the governor has qualified him to be re-elected as the governor of the state in 2019 election.

He also said that the candidature of the incumbent governor would lessen the job of the party to carry out another vigorous camping.

“Governor Bindow has performed excellently and this performance will in the state will reduce stress of going about campaigning.

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 5, 2017

Why militancy can’t return to Niger Delta– Erekosima

Onengia Erekosima is the president, Foundation for Peace and Non-Violence in Nigeria, a body that promotes peace and harmony in Nigeria. In this interview with CHUKWUEMEKE IWELUNMO, the former reintegration officer in Presidential Amnesty office says leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) should adopt the nonviolent approach in the course of his agitation for Biafra. Erekosima also speaks on how he brought peace to the Niger Delta through lasting reconciliation of all the warring groups in the Region, the Arewa Youths’ order and the evils of the National Assembly.

What is your position on restructuring of the country?

I am the president, Foundation for Peace and Non-Violence in Nigeria. When you talk about restructuring, I see it as when they talk about rebranding. But I ask a question; how can you restructure a thing that don’t even have a structure. My opinion is that there must be a foundation for that restructuring, there must be structure and a change of mind for any restructuring to take place. We cannot restructure without changing our mindset and with the same kind of people and system. That word restructuring does not go down well with me; we should not take the place of God. It is either there is a change of mind from the leadership or the people demand for change. To demand for change, the people must begin to realise that they have the strength, the power and the will to vote out people or to vote in people. We must put in place a way that our people must have power to make practical change. It is not when you impose leaders on people and you say you want to do restructuring; it is controversial. The only restructuring I think we can do is to get our people to know that they have power to vote in people and vote out too.

Recently, the Arewa youths gave Igbo people quit notice from the Northern part of the country. What are your views on such call, even though steps are being taken to discuss on the resolution?

That is the mindset of our people. When you don’t have laws on ground, these are the things that would happen. I am sure we are yet to see things; I am sounding like this because I have experienced a change that happened and the whole world is celebrating that change. I am talking about the Umaru Yar’Adua’s amnesty programme. I practically worked the amnesty and I took the amnesty proposal to Yar’Adua.

I reconciled all the warring lords in the Niger Delta. I reconciled the Ateke Tom, Soboma George, Fara and Boy Loaf. I practically went and reconciled them. Is the Boko Haram worse than these people? These people were worse than Boko Haram. Let me tell you why. Somebody who knows another person; I will take my group, come to your house, your people will know that it is me who kill their person. I will kill your person and kidnap your person.

They were not hiding their face in the Niger Delta. They were killing themselves and a lot of cult groups came up. I was able to reconcile such fearful people. They were all feared and I was able to reconcile them. On the other hand, Boko Haram has no issues; so it would be much easier to solve but our people keep going round the bush because nobody wants to go back to us that are experienced to know how we got peace in Niger Delta which was very impossible to get. I am saying that Nigeria will see more of those Arewa statements because our country is ungrateful and we don’t appreciate good people. Right now militants are celebrated, but if you are a peace maker you must not be recognised. That is the problem we have and until we begin to change our mindset, and do what is proper, the problems would not be solved. If Nigeria will not listen and find out the truth about what happened in the Niger Delta and how we brokered peace, there will still be problems because the war is coming back. As long as I live, militancy cannot return to Niger Delta. However, cultism, criminality will increase because the government did not appreciate how militancy ended. Militan-

cy cannot come uprooted root. I amnesty geria about ing.

back because we it from the tap talked about when Niwas talking rebrandThe

strength we have is our ability to make peace. In Niger Delta today, most especially in Rivers State, nothing less than three persons are kid-

napped daily. My friends, colleagues and those who know me call me every day to make enquiry if I could help them because their people are kidnapped. I told Lagos State that putting death penalty on kidnapping, they are making the situation worse, Since they put that price on the crime, kidnapping has not reduced. To the kidnapers, they see it as an expensive crime and they feel that it is either they die or succeed. Once you put death penalty on kidnapping, you have risked the peoples’ lives. Life is supposed to be free, but when you put price on it, it becomes more interesting for the kidnappers. These are the issues that we must tackle.

If the government listens to me and follows my strategy, there would be peace in this country in less than one year and there would be space for investors to come in. Niger Delta amnesty programme was not implemented properly. People are just eating money through the programme. The amnesty is supposed to be taking care of 30, 000 people, but if you go to their office, the programme cannot give you 15,000 people. Somebody somewhere is eating the money and growing fat.

The proposal for amnesty can heal Nigeria if it is properly implemented. What Yar’Adua did was not weakness; it was strength, Again people don’t know how amnesty came. We demanded amnesty for only three persons. Amnesty came because of three persons and they are: Ateke Tom, Soboma George and Fara Dagogo. Before these three people were declared wanted by Amaechi, no militant in the Niger Delta was looked for.

They were all there and people were afraid.

When Amaechi declared the three wanted I met the

EREKOSIMA

three and I said look, these things must be solved. Then they were hiding and killing people and they can’t even come out. I met them and I was able to reconcile their differences so that there would be peace. I went to the governor and appealed to him to pardon these people, governor said no, that I will not. I brought David Mark to Port Harcourt to meet with Ateke Tom, and he came to Rivers State because I met him and we agreed that he would not come with security. When David Mark came and saw the governor; the governor went and planted guns in Okoshiri when Ateke Tom had left. They pursued Ateke Tom there and now told David Mark that they discovered guns with Ateke Tom, and that if the then Senate President insisted in seeing Ateke Tom, his safety would not be guaranteed.

They would have killed him and say Ateke boys killed him. That is how government fought this battle until I got to Yar’Adua. After explaining to Yar Adua, the late President told me that if this is true, we will CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 5, 2017

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

do what you have said. That was how the Presidential Amnesty programme came about. Now, why was it a blanket amnesty; it was because the struggle at that time was being hijacked by all manner of people. Whatever that happens, they would say it was Niger Delta militants. Some would set up their own kidnapping and say it was Niger Delta militants. Some policemen would kidnap and say it was Niger Delta militants. I have evidence and I will practically show you how police were kidnapping. So it became very impossible to know who was kidnapping and those who were destroying the oil pipelines and so on. That was how Yar’Adua gave a blanket amnesty. I am now saying that with the experience I had and with my group, the problem Nigeria is having is too small to solve. We will just tell the government what to do and no militant will have the option, not to accept. That is where we are. Sometimes I get scared that if I die, Nigeria may never get its salvation. There is a way forward for us in this country.

Nnamdi Kanu was released on bail recently with certain conditions.

With the way it is, it seems the IPOB leader has flaunted some of the conditions given to him. What can you say about that?

When Nnamdi Kanu accepted bail, I just knew that the whole thing was over.

Nobody should be bigger than his family, community, town and state. When Nnandi accepted bail, I knew that Nigeria has got him where they wanted. He has provoked Nigeria with all these things he is doing now. You will be surprised what will happen and nobody will cough and they will kill people. The non-violent approach he is using is superb but he would not have taken the bail conditions for release and now come out and start saying, I am no more taking the conditions. A non-violent approach to solving some of these problems is still the best. What he has done now is violence against Nigerian constitution. To start with, he is not supposed to have accepted the conditions at all. So he is already guilty. I love what he is doing in a nonviolent way, but I cannot take a bail and say I wouldn’t do certain things and I now do it. This is the law we have. When the law is ready to deal with you; so I am afraid for him. I was Asari’s spokesman when he was in prison and I know what I stood for and I never took to violence.

I discouraged others from violence and 70 per cent of Asari boys are non-violent today. I have converted them because they have seen the gains of non-violence.

So we cannot continue to make mistakes, we want something and we are demanding for something; yes but there are ways to go about it. Martin Luther King and Mandela and all those people fought all these things and we saw it. Let’s go back about reading about Mandela and Martin Luther King, you will find out that instead of accepting some conditions, they refused to come out. That is how they get it, so we should not be doing something and supporting our brother that is doing something to prove a point.

You think the masses are with but the masses cannot face the Nigerian Army.

Let’s not follow sentiments because people would die. But, must people die foolishly for something that you would have taken a step to say at the beginning?

That I would not agree. Nnamdi would have been released whether there is condition or no condition. They cannot lock him there forever. Now they know there is nothing to hold him down and they now brought in stringent conditions and you now accept. Why didn’t you say

11 Politics

‘Cultism, criminality may increase in N’Delta‘

EREKOSIMA

As long as I live, militancy cannot return to Niger Delta. However, cultism, criminality will increase because the government did not appreciate how militancy ended. Militancy cannot come back because we uprooted it from the tap root. I talked about amnesty when Nigeria was talking about rebranding.

The strength we have is our ability to make peace.

In Niger Delta today, most especially in Rivers State, nothing less than three persons are kidnapped daily. that you will not accept the condition because you are not guilty? You accepted the conditions and signed documents and the whole world was watching you.

If they attack Nnamdi now, nobody will attack you for attacking him because they will tell you that he has failed the constitution of the land.

There are laws of the land whether it is pretense or whether we are keeping it or not. I could have pleaded with that young man that if he wants to go back to prison and say I don’t want anything; go back there let them lock you. Say don’t give me condition am coming out. Or work out the conditions to be struck out.

You cannot be asking for freedom and you are oppressing the people. You are oppressing the constitution right now for asking for freedom that they have not given you and at the same time, disobeying the constitution that is already exist-

ing with you.

Are you saying that Biafra will not be realistic?

Biafra cannot be realised the way it is going. We should learn that foundation is important. If we get it right in the foundation, it will go the first way. We only kill ourselves because we prefer to kill people; Biafra will be realistic if they take the non-violent approach. There is time for everything and the world is now smaller than it used to be then. If you go through all the means of discussing and nobody listens to you, the whole world will say this man has tried to discuss with you and you are not responding, then anything can happen from there.

There is a way you can push a man to the wall and he will react. Nigeria has not pushed Nnamdi Kanu to the wall, so why accept something with Nigeria and you are breaking it. It was a gentleman’s thing to go on bail. You can go on bail because you are sick or because you are not well but now, you are doing all these things and it means you are well now.

Let me tell you something; though I hate to say it, do you know that Asari is on bail till tomorrow? So there are certain things Asari should not do because if Nigeria remembers you, you will come back. Asari’s case has not been struck off, but he has not made anything that would make you remember that he is no more sick. We use wisdom to do all these things. The wisdom is not to punish that man whatsoever but to make peace and go our ways. For now, if you think you want to take Biafra by force, it will not work. Many of us may not live to see it.

So I am pleading that we should all go back to track.

Let us look at the National Assembly. Do you think they are really there to represent the people?

We are saying the same thing. When the same system and corruption have put you there, that is not the peoples’

power, how things work and that is what we have to restructure. I never voted for Goodluck Jonathan during the last election because I know Goodluck. Yes he is my friend. Not because he is a bad man but because he did not listen to me.

I will stay in this my office and Goodluck will call me as Vice President to ask me what was happening. When I started this amnesty programme people purposely removed my umber from Goodluck Jonathan’s phone. I called him on this programme and somebody picked the phone and told me that it was not the Vice President. That was the last time I spoke with Goodluck. That was why I took amnesty to Yar’Adua, if not I would have taken it to my brother. But our people don’t love ourselves. The greatest battle I had in getting amnesty was with my people. They would say militants are not criminals and that amnesty is for condemned criminals. All the Niger Delta governors were ready to give Yar’Adua conditions never to accept amnesty. Some will come out today and say they know about amnesty and that it was their idea because they are governors. I took these things to them after reconciling all the militants practically. So, when this government is talking about change, I just wonder when we have an amnesty office there eating billions of Naira for very few persons. Can you imagine what will happen if 30,000 people from this part of the nation are empowered. Why wouldn’t this people go back to cultism and criminality?

You have pointed out that one of our problems is the ability of the people to understand the strength they have with the power to vote in and vote out. How do you think then that government would make the electoral process credible?

President Jonathan tried in that line and if that step had been taken, it would have been the best thing that would have happened to this country. Those are the change we needed but we are now back to zero. It is only the strong head that would survive; if they like you, they take you but if they don’t like you, you are nowhere. We don’t have the structure to empower the people. Till tomorrow, Presidency will still continue to choose the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) boss. These are some of the things that are wrong.

Some people are of the view that the Federal Government should replicate the attention they gave to Kaduna airport to that of Port Harcourt, considering that the airport is dilapidated. What do you think about that?

It is still because of the bad system, once you get there, you get it all and you don’t care for others. The decay is not only PHIA. It is all over. It is corruption that has eaten up everything. They are powers that are there. We call it cabal.

That is why we cannot be able to restructure until we are able to empower the people. For example, I told Yar’Adua to give us one year for amnesty and no one would see a single gun in Niger Delta, but they gave us only 6 months. That is why we were unable to achieve some of our targets and lots of things happened.

They also purposeful schemed me out of the amnesty programme so that I will not say the truth while they continue to eat the money. If we can solve the issue of Niger Delta, Boko Haram is a child’s play.

12 Politics

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 5. 2017

Ex-Ogun gov, Daniel, others train 120 youths on active participation in leadership Motolani Oseni Former Ogun State governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, will be leading other discussants at this year’s Future Project Leadership boot camp, with the first phase of its youth leadership and civic engagement project in Oyo, Lagos and Ogun states.

The 5-day intensive development program which was designed to promote active participation of young people in leadership at local and national level is organised to enable young leaders play a leading role in agitating for greater accountability within their respective local governments.

A total number of 120 applicants with exceptional leadership profiles as well as ability to impact their communities were shortlisted to attend the training after a comprehensive review process.

The training also featured top-notch facilitators from varying background to share insights. The facilitators include Otunba Daniel, Hon. Victor Fasanya, Member House of Assembly, Abeokuta

DANIEL

South Constituency; and Professor Segun Awonusi, Vice Chancellor, Tai Solarin University of Education.

Others are Barr. Kayode Akinsola, Lead Partner, Queens Attorney; Ayomide Faleye, Data Analyst, BudgIT; Mr. Clement Olusegun, S.A to the Governor of Ogun State on Youths; and Demola Olanrenwaju, a Political Strategist

amongst others.

Speaking on the impact of the boot camp, Akinkunade Dare an attendee of the Ogun boot camp described it as an interactive and motivating seminar.

“Today was a productive day for me and I’m glad to have learned things about the ways in which youth can get involved in government. I am excited to see that youths have interest in the process of running the country, especially at the lower level such as local governments.

“I’m encouraged to meet like-minded youths with passion and enthusiasm to see that things are done in the right way. Many thanks to The Future Project for making this event to be possible,” Akinkunde added.

Ademo Oluwaseyi who attended the Oyo boot camp expressed joy for being selected to attend the event.

“Sincerely, this is one of the best programs I have attended. Thanks you for impacting me,” Ademo stated.

The leadership boot camp was supported by Ford Foundation.

PDP LG aspirant promises to replicate Ugwuanyi’s performance in development Moses Oyediran, Enugu Less than 48 hours after the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC), released electoral timetable for the November 4, council poll in the state a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Chief Aniebonam Ezeugwu has declared his intention to contest the chairmanship position for Nsukka Local Government

Area.

Ezeugwu while declaring his intention before the party executive promised to abide by the decisions of the party.

“As a loyal party member, I am in the party secretariat to tell the executives that I have the intension to contest the chairmanship primary in the forthcoming LGA council elections in the state.

“PDP members in my ward have given me their support that is why they left

Group endorses Isa Yuguda for 2019 presidential race Samuel Luka, Bauchi A socio-political group, the Association for a Better One Nigeria (ABON) has endorsed the presidential ambition of a former Bauchi State governor, Malam Isa Yuguda for the upcoming 2019 presidential election.

The group made the endorsement in a text which was read by itsnational president, Comrade Danjuma Mohammed in Bauchi.

The president of the association said they arrived at the decision after thorough consultation with stakeholders across the country, saying, “following our objective and dispassionate assessment of all the presidential candidates who have so far indicate their interest for the seat of the President ahead of 2019 presidential election which include the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Bauchi State governor Dr Isa Yuguda, former Jigawa State governor Alh. Sule Lamido and others.

“And after our broad based consultations with relevant stakeholders across the country and after a close watch to their interesting antecedents and monumental contributions to their respective states in particular and nation at large which can be gleaned from fact and dexterity with which they served their father land.”

He added “we the above name association, with exceeding joy and gladness in our hearts, unreservedly pass a vote of confidence on the former governor of Bauchi State, Mal. (Dr) Isa Yuguda and unanimously without reservations endorse him as our sole candidate ahead of 2019 presidential election.”

Comrade Mohammed said the decision to endorse Yuguda’s candidature became imperative considering his intellectual capability, unparalleled commitment and vast knowledge in politics, believing that Yuguda is a detribalised Nigerian who doesn’t attach sentiments or ethnicity while dealing with any citizen and has both national and international acceptance.

all their engagements to accompany me to the party office today.

“I am ready to abide by the party’s decision,” he said.

Aniebonam who led thousands of party supporters from his ward to the PDP party secretariat said he was in the race to replicate Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s performance at Nsukka Local Government Area.

“Past Nsukka council chairmen have done well, my mission is to replicate Governor Ugwuanyi’s performances in development at the state level in Nsukka Local Government Area.

“I will implement developmental projects in line with the vision of our amiable governor.

“I am not desperate in my pursuit to become Nsukka LG chairman, but pledge to render selfless service to my people,” he said.

While responding, the Chairman of the PDP in Nsukka LGA, Mr. Fabian Onah said the party would give all aspirants equal level playing ground before and during the party primary.

“PDP is one family and will give all aspirants same level playing ground to realise their ambitions.

“The crowd of people here today especially from your ward is a manifestation that you are a loyal party member; I wish you the best in your intention to become next chairman of Nsukka LGA. “The primary will determine who will be the party candidate,” he said.

It would be recalled that the chairman of ENSIEC, Dr. Mike Ajogwu (SAN) had during the stakeholders meeting in Enugu on Tuesday released the Local Government council poll timetable in which councillorship and chairmanship election is fixed for Nov 4.

Labour party accuses APC of abandoning campaign promises Iniobong Iwok The chairman of the Labour Party (LP)in Lagos State, Femi Enofe has accused the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC)of abandoning its campaign promises to Nigerians, noting that the party seem bereft of ideas while the suffering of Nigerians has increased since the Muhammadu Buhari administration assumed office.

Enofe who was speaking in an interview with the Daily Times, noted that the current recession and the anti people policies of the Buhari led administration was a setback for the country.

The party Chairman berated the APC for abandoning its campaign promises of restructuring the country and guaranteeing true federalism, adding that the ongoing constitution review by the National Assembly was a betrayal of the hope of Nigerians.

Speaking further, the Labour leader condemned the recent council election in Lagos State, noting that the refusal of the state electoral commission to use electronic voting and announced the results in the polling units shows that the result was already predetermined.

He disagreed with the recent constitution amendment which empowers the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to de- register any political party in the country that do not win any elective position, adding that the Supreme Court had ruled against such.

He said:” This government seem bereft of ideas on how to move this county forward, that can be seen in the manner the country is being governed, look at its polices.

“The constitution amendment was a betrayal of the hope of the Nigerian people apart from the age adjustment for contesting, the denial of the affirmative action for gender participation it took Nigerians several years back, the APC promised restructuring.

“The council election in Lagos was a reflection of political absurdity deriving for the flawed process, critical thing such as card reader was not used while counting was not done in the pooling unit which is deliberate to achieve set objective.

“There is an existing legal pronouncement on removing the power to deregister parties by INEC, any attempt to de-register any party would be transgression of such authority,” Enofe added.

He chided the administration for it lopsided anti corruption fight, adding that the administration had lost the will to fight corruption

ENOFE

Page Thirteen

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 5, 2017

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Editorial

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PHOTO TIMES

Alarming killings for rituals

T

he rate at which persons are killed for rituals in Nigeria is becoming something of a national embarrassment. Hardly any week passes without the gory news of people being murdered in most gruesome manner for ritual purpose.

Recently, there was outcry over activities of a cult group, Badoo, operating in Ikorodu area of Lagos, who kill for ritual. After killing their victim, members of the cult group allegedly use handkerchiefs to wipe the blood of their victims and sale same to people who want to make quick money among others.

This and other countless incidences are symptomatic of what takes place daily in many parts of the country, whereby some blood thirsty Nigerians go about snuffing the life out of their fellow citizens in order to use their body parts for money making rituals. Every year, hundreds of Nigerians lose their lives to ritual murderers, who go in search of human parts-head, breast, tongue, sexual organs-at the behest of witch-doctors, juju priests, and traditional medicine men who require them for some sacrifices or for the preparation of assorted magical potions.

Incidentally, Nigeria is a society where most beliefs are still informed by unreasonable dogmas, myth making, and magical thinking. Therefore, many still believe that magical potions prepared with human parts can enhance one’s political and financial fortunes. Moreover, they are of the view that juju, charms and amulets can protect individuals against business failures, sickness and diseases, accidents, and spiritual attacks. In fact, ritual making is perceived as an act of spiritual fortification. Therefore,

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due to ignorance, poverty, desperation, gullibility, and irrationalism, Nigerians murder fellow citizens for rituals. Virtually every week, many police stations nationwide are inundated with reports of missing persons.

Available records show that less than 10 percent of such persons ever returned home. A scary 90 percent of them were not found and the bodies of a negligible number that were eventually seen, dumped either on the roadsides, bush paths or inside gutters, mutilated and their vital organs removed. Killing of human beings for rituals dates back to the ancient times when people used to appease the gods of the land with human blood and for winning wars.

One would have expected that such pseudoscience should rather be imagined than witnessed in Nigeria in this 21st century, when other countries of the world are experimenting and advancing in technology. More baffling is that some Nigerians still indulge in such superstitious process of ritual killings in spite of the escalation of religious groups across the country as well as the exposure of majority of the populace to education and Western culture.

What is, however, very clear is that this is a law and order failure.

Indeed, the increasing cases of ritual killings is a poignant reminder that the police and the other security agencies have not sent a forceful message on what awaits the perpetrators of such a most heinous crime. One or two prosecutions and executions of herbalists that are caught asking for and using body parts will send a clear cut message to all of them that government is out to put a stop to this most barbaric of practice in this modern times.

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L-R: AuditorGeneral for the Federation, Mr. Anthony Mkpe Ayine and Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti K. Baru, during a courtesy visit to Maikanti K. Baru in Abuja… on Thursday.

Monsignor Livinus Ukah

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L-R: Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Heritage Bank Plc, Ifie Sekibo and Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, at the launching of the N50bn Healthcare Endowment Fund for restoration and transformation of Government Hospitals in Oyo State… on Thursday.

Words On Marble :

– Fidelis Anosike Group Head Finance/ Administration Tobi Oyeniyi 07060528139

L-R: Mr. Wale Ariyibi, Chief Financial Officer, FBN Holdings Plc; Mr. John Muoyo and Mrs. Oluwande Muoyo, Non-Executive Director at FBN Holdings; UK Eke, MFR; GMD FBN Holdings Plc and Tijjani Borodo, Company Secretary, FBN Holdings Plc, at the burial ceremony of Mrs. Muoyo’s mother in Ikorodu, Lagos… on Thursday.

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Being rich is no longer fashionable if it cannot be used for human development.

STATEMENTS BY THOSE WHO MATTER

Pastor Tunde Bakare

Pope John Paul II

What God purposed and did before time cannot be destroyed by time, because once upon a time, there was no time at all.

Christianity is called to offer a genuine ‘DNA’ for a universal humanity; a Trinitarian vision and life that can animate a civilisation of love.

News 14

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 5, 2017

C’ River still in darkness as TCN yet to restores power Edem Edem, Calabar

ÎÎÎPort Harcourt Electric-

ity Distribution Company (PHED) of Nigeria is yet to restore electricity power in Cross River State. Already economic, social and political activities in the State have been brought to standstill as the state witnessed power outage for over a week now.

The company (PHED) with held power in the State since last week and Calabar, the Cross River State capital, has been thrown into darkness with crimes rates increasing grammatically.

Confirming the none restoration of electricity power in the state on phone on Friday, the Business Manager of PHED John Onyi said that the transmission company of Nigeria was yet to complete the maintenance work. “They have not finished, the maintenance is still on, and until that two weeks expired, that is what the transmission company of Nigeria gave us, and the maintenance work from Transmission Company of Nigeria is ongoing at Ikot Ekpene/Calabar head line 330 kg lines”.

“It’s only in Calabar that is affected, so to speak, but Cross River State, that is what I put in my announcement on Radio” he stated.

Parading suspected criminals on Wednesday, the Cross River State Commissioner of Police Hafiz Inuwa lamented the increase in criminal activities in the state.

From investigations, most of the crimes are committed in the dark as electricity light is not at site.

However, investigations conducted by our correspondent revealed that cult and cult related activities including armed robbery and kidnapping strives in the state as a result of darkness and the people are leaving in fear of being victim of such attack or robbery.

The power outage has crippled the economic, social and political activities in the state. Social gathering such as football, parties, and vigil can no longer take place. The business men and women that make their leaving from selling of foodstuff, restaurant operators, beer parlours closed down as they complaint of no money to buy fuel to power their generator for those that have.

Peace Corps, best thing democracy has produced in Nigeria’ Kehinde Akinpelu, Ilorin

ÎÎÎ

The Kwara state command of the Nigerian Peace Corps has called on the present federal government to assent to the Bill creating the Corps as passed by the National Assembly in fulfillment of its electoral promises on job creation.

Speaking with journalists in Ilorin on Friday, during a peaceful procession by members of the corps in celebration of adoption of bill creating the corps by the National Assembly in Abuja on Tuesday, the state commandant of the corps, Lukman Adelowo Yekini, said thatcreation of the corps would be one of the best things democracy had produced in the country for Nigerian youth.

Yekini, who said that members of the corps had waited for about 19 years to get recognition of the federal government, added that Nigerian youth were happy to see their dream and vision of national creativity, peace, and development being fulfilled.

While commending the eighth National Assembly for doing justice to the plight of Nigerian youth by creating jobs for them through adoption of the bill, the commandant said that there would be employment for the unem-

ployed youth when it became operational.

“We are going to inculcate discipline in schools and youth. We are aware that some of the challenges in our schools now include examination malpractices among other juvenile misconducts, cultism, and drug abuse. We’ll make our impact felt in curbing these misconduct. We’ll make some other aspects of our programmes known to members of the public when we’re operational.

“There’s victory at last.

The adoption of the bill by the national assembly. That’s what we are celebrating. For 19 years we’ve been trying to get attention of the federal government. After all odds, we’re grateful that the eighth national assembly did justice to our plight.

“It’s a nationwide celebration. Nigerian youth are happy and that the present government is ready to listen and put succour to one of the greatest national problem which is the issue of youth unemployment.

“So, we urge the federal government to put assent to the Bill. We are sure the FG will assent to the Bill. Moreso, job creation is part of their manifesto. And they are ready to do that. This is the avenue to fulfill their electoral promises.

A cross-section of Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Teachers, at the ongoing workshop on enhancing the teaching of STEM, organised by Working to Advance STEM Education in African Women (WAAW) Foundation in Abuja… recently.

Lagos takes Felabration to London

Charles Okogene

ÎÎÎThis

year, Nigerians in the Diaspora, especially those in London, will have the opportunity to take part in the annual Felabration – a musical concert that celebrates the life and times of the originator of Afrobeat musical genre, Fela Anikulapo – Kuti.

Felabration, which is celebrated in Lagos, Nigeria every October, will be featuring in the popular Nothing Hill Carnival in the United Kingdom courtesy of Lagos State government.

This much was disclosed by the Chairman of Felabration Organising Committee,

Mr. Theo Lawson, at a press conference held on Wednesday, August 2 2017 to mark the 20th anniversary of Fela’s transition to the world beyond and also unveil some of the programmes/activities lined up for this year’s edition.

Trace TV is also coming in for the first time as a partner to raise the profile of Felabration on its channels in 160 countries within and outside Africa; it will also produce a new documentary on Felabration.

“Fela is the single most important foundation for Nigeria and Africa music and social movement. His life, music and message have

paved the way for creativity over the last five decades and it is our honour to partner to celebrate and remember the legacy and The Prophecy,” Sam Onyemelukwe, the managing director of Trace TV Nigeria said.

With “The Prophecy” and “Pansa Pansa” as its theme and official theme song, Mr. Lawson said that for this year, “we expect to entertain and engage over 250,000 people with over 30 events.

Aside taking Felabration to Nothing Hill Carnival, other programmes lined up to make this year’s edition unique are tourist package that will help Fela’s fans across the globe travel to La-

gos for Felabration just as plans are also on to celebrate Felabration in Abuja and Lagos Island.

“We have licenced Felabration events and they are been planned in Europe, the U.S, Asia and other parts of Africa,” Lawson said.

While Felabeation regulars like schools debate with the topic “African History: Curriculum Necessity or Not” are still on the card, new programmes like Felabration Artwork Competition which will draw artists from as far as Japan and France, Felabration Afrobics Dance Competition, Dress Like Fela Day have been added.

Nigeria school curriculum tailored towards white-collar job as Abia graduates 472 E4E

Sunday Nwakanma, Umuahia

ÎÎÎ

Worried that Nigeria is now faced with hard times occasioned by recession, there is the need for the country to harness the various skills abound in its youth.

The Minister for Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige stated this in Umuahia on the occasion of the graduation of 472 people under the state’s Education for Employment pilot project as well as the launching of its Job portal.

According to Sen. Ngige, the nation’s curriculum is tailored towards whitecollar jobs, stating “Today in Nigeria, nobody needs to tell us that we are in hard times. We went into recess because nobody planned for tomorrow especially with the kind of training we give

o our children”.

He said Nigeria now produce children who go through the university and the university did not go through them, hence producing graduates who cannot work with their certificates, stating also “we are going for white pan because of white-collar job, while skilled people make money while on duty”.

What happened in Abia, he said is a beginning of new down, expressing his happiness that the skills and the opportunities are there.

“We must start thinking because things are no longer well for our children”, he said noting that the state has the highest arable land that is lying waste and which is ready to be cultivated. Agriculture has died in the south east and we are

“only seeing white pans.

Where are the palm plantations of old, the rubber plantations and others?”

He posited that the states in the country should be given the opportunity to be on their own “so that there will be competition amongst them”, hence the need for power devolution in the country which he noted some people are afraid of.

“People are afraid of devolution and confuse it with resource control, but it is developing yourself.

Nigeria does not need idle hands as such insurgents which are as a result of idleness”, he said stating that the country must give its graduates adequate skill and equip them.

“Nigeria is ready such that after the skill acquisition, we will equip them”,

he said disclosing that the federal government has conclude plans to matchmake skills with employment opportunities, adding that the federal government will partner with the state “double barrel”.

He used the opportunity to advise the state governor, Okezie Ikpeazu to tap into such federal government programmes as NDE and M-Power, regretting that in the past phase of the Mpower, the state recorded poor participation as only 16000 registered, while Bauchi recorded about 44000.

He urged the state to do more.

In his speech, the state Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu said the education agenda was captured in his five pillars of development and is also an enabler.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 5, 2017

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News

Genital organs allegedly disappear in Delta over N3, 000 wrapped in 7 Books of Moses Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

ÎÎÎ

Six operatives of the taskforce on illegal packing, among others in Asaba, Delta State were yesterday hit by strange disappearance of their genital organs after they allegedly picked a wrapped paper in 7-books of Moses containing the sum of N3, 000.

It was reliably gathered that the men of the taskforce along the Asaba Onitsha Express way around Okwe in Asaba, stumbled on the wrapped paper, and unknown to them it contained

N3, 000. Sources said that the six taskforce men who were clad in blue strife blue uniform and identified as the state government’s taskforce men, allegedly engaged in heated quarrels over sharing formula after picking the money from the ground when the bubble burst and they noticed there was sudden disappearance of their genital organs from their bodies.

Eye witness who claimed to Mama Juliet, said the victims in what appeared to be home movie, screened aloud that attracted passers-by to

the scene in the early hours.

They were said to have been taken to a nearby Pentecostal church (name withheld) where the pastor in charge unraveled the mystery in the sudden disappearance of their genital organs.

The victims who spoke to our reporter on condition of anonymity said: “we picked the money in a wrapped paper that we were later told was 7-books of Moses, while we were arguing on the sharing formula, we discovered our genital organs disappeared in shock, and a woman took us to the church

while we were crying”.

But residents of the area who also spoke to our reporter on condition of anonymity, said the money was wrapped in the 7-books of Moses by some unidentified armed robbers who allegedly operated in area a night before the day.

In a swift reaction, the pastor of the church, Pastor Ruben Ogor who claimed to have delivered the victims said: “I prayed on the 7-book of Moses for God to have mercies on the victims, and they were released, and got their genital organs bulk”.

The incident which rattled residents of the area spreads like wildfire as many who were not at the scene described it as rumour making the rounds.

Meanwhile, a middle aged woman (names withheld) was yesterday caught allegedly stealing cassava tubers from a neighbour’s farm in Oyede community, Isoko South Local Government

2 suspected kidnappers of Hit FM radio MD arrested in C’ River Edem Edem, Calabar

ÎÎÎ

Two suspected kidnappers of the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Hit 95.9 FM radio, Cross River Mr. Patrick Ugbe have been arrested by the State Police Command in Calabar.

Mr. Ugbe who was the Chief Press Secretary to Senator Liyel Imoke when he was the Governor of the State and Commissioner for Information and Orientation as well as Youth and Sports Development Commissioner under the Imoke’s administration was kidnapped at the burial of his wife’s younger brother (Fidelis) at Ikot Ansa, in Calabar Municipality on January 1st, 2017.

He was released 2 days

L-R: Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Interim Managing Director, Transmission Company of Nigeria, Engr. Usman Mohammed and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, Engr. Edozien Louis, during the governor’s visit to the Ministry in Abuja... on Friday.

Photo: TEMITOPE BALOGUN.

Airtel offers customers x8 bonus on every recharge Tony Nwakaegho

ÎÎÎ Airtel Nigeria, is offer-

ing 100 per cent value of a customer’s recharge as extra data in addition to the 8 times instant bonus customers get on every recharge.

With the new SmartConnect package, Airtel customers will receive bonus data that is commensurate to the total value of their recharge at the end of a calendar month and also get eight times the value of every recharge, instantly, any time they recharge their lines.

Airtel’s SmartConnect, which is nicknamed ‘Ova-

jara x8’, is the default prepaid plan specifically designed for new customers on the network.

According to Airtel, the newly revamped SmartConnect package is conceived to empower more telecoms consumers to stay connected with friends, family members and business associates, also offering them an amazing mobile Internet experience as they engage the larger world.

Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Ahmad Mokhles, said Airtel is committed to creating value offerings that will enrich and transform the lives of Nige-

rians, noting that the SmartConnect value offering is practical and relevant just as it is designed to suit the lifestyle of telecoms consumers.

“With the revamped SmartConnect package, Airtel is putting power in the hands of telecoms consumers so that they can do much more, achieve much more and actualize their dreams,” Mokhles said.

With SmartConnect 4.0, when a customer buys a new SIM, registers and inserts it in a device, he/she begins to enjoy the ‘Ovajara’ 8 times bonus and in addition gets the total value of his recharge as data bonus by end

of the month.

The airtime in the main account will remain valid until exhausted while all bonuses have a 7-day validity. Customers can roll over all bonuses as long as they recharge within 7 days else all unused bonuses will be lost.

Subscribers only get the data bonus for the first three months, while the ‘Ovajara’ 8 times bonus continues. Any recharge less than N200 on SmartConnect 4.0 does not attract data bonus, which is given at the end of the month as total value of recharge, but enjoys only the ‘Ovajara’ 8 time bonus.

area of the state.

The suspect was said to have caught by the owner of the farm during the early morning rains, and unknown to her the owner was watching her uprooted the cassava.

Confirming the incident, the community leader, Chief Addeh Godwin said the suspect was fined and set free.

after (January 3, 2017), specifically after pressure was mounted by the general public that said, the entrepreneur has impacted a lot to Cross Riverians and deserved his freedom. Many had held prayer sessions for his release which later paid off.

Consequently, there was no information whether any ransom was demanded or paid but an eyewitness alleged that the man was dragged by four able gunmen into a vehicle and zoomed off.

But, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Hafiz Inuwa said the two suspected kidnappers who abducted the MD were among 25 other criminals that were arrested and will be charge to court soon.

Family seeks police protection over threat to life ÎÎÎ The family of

late industrialist, Chief Ezeife Amadi has appealed to the police for protection over persistent threat to life on members of the family.

According to one of the sons of Chief Amadi, Chinedu said his family has been living in fear of the unknown in the past two years following several threats on the lives. “ Some people are after our lives and we are appealing to the police to come to our aide before it is too late,” he said.

Chinedu noted that the threats started back in 2015 when an attempt to kill his younger brother, Joseph Amadi by some unknown assailant failed.

He stated that though the incident was reported then to the police, his brother Joseph and another member of his family has been on the run for their lives.

Chinedu further noted that recently, those threatening his family members have renewed their antics by sending threatening messages to them.

“We are compelled to raise this alarm because we believe it is the right thing to do in the present circumstance.

In the last three months, two members of our family have received threats messages on their lives. We have again written to the police on this matter and we hope that a thorough investigation will be conducted to unmask those behind these threats.”

“We are not politicians, neither are we in any known conflict with anybody. We are peace loving people and have tried to live at peace with people within our community. We are seriously using this medium to appeal to the police to look into this matter, he said.

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 5, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 5, 2017

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 5 2017

FEATURES

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I want to teach in any university, and be a household name in politics - NIJ’s blind graduate

A cursory look at her will not betray the daunting challenge she daily lives with as she walks with a spring in her steps, boisterous, full of life and witty. But lo, Grace Atukpa is Nigerian Institute of Journalism’s fresh blind graduate set to take on the world. BABAJIDE OKEOWO reports for your weekend treat.

Grace Atukpa is a pretty lady with a sound fashion sense, highly intelligent and with high hopes and aspirations. A victim of circumstances, Grace recently graduated from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, where she did very well despite her challenges.

An indigene of Ogoja in Cross River North Local Government Area of Cross Rivers State wasn’t born blind: fate played a crude one on her at the tender age of 14.

Grace had just finished her senior secondary school examination, written the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board examination which she passed with flying colours, secured admission into the prestigious University of Calabar to study Accounting and was waiting for school to resume when her world came crashing, irretrievably; like a pack of badly arranged cards, Grace became stone blind.

“I was always complaining of headaches some years back, but my step mum always thought would say it was a ploy to avoid house chores. She would say, ‘Grace doesn’t want to work, she is lazy, she is a drama queen’ and was always quick to rain all sorts of invectives on me,” Grace told The Daily Times.

When it became obvious that she wasn’t pretending, Grace was taken to see a doctor who diagnosed her of being short sighted and prescribed some drugs with the assurance that all would soon be well.

Instead of getting better, Grace’s health deteriorated further and she had to pay the doctor another visit. After series of tests, the doctor changed the story and said she was suffering from Cataracts, and that she needed to undergo a surgery that would cost some N30,000. That was a huge sum for her family over a decade ago, yet after spending this sum on the operation, the situation still did not improve.

At this point, it became obvious that something serious was happening to Grace. Her godmother, Dr. Sandra Achums, who also doubled as a big sister to Grace’s mother, stepped in and went looking for solution.

The quest eventually took Grace to an eye specialist who diagnosed her of advanced level Glaucoma; (a degenerative eye condition), and that all the wrong treatment and surgery had made her case irreversible.

Thus began young Grace’s journey into perpetual darkness.

Few years after she became blind, her mother who had hitherto been her pillar of support passed on, leaving Grace alone, heartbroken in a cold world.

Her father who should also have been there for her too, in the course of her challenge, lost faith in her and took to his heels, leaving the poor little girl alone. As if that wasn’t enough, Grace and her younger brother were chased out of the house her mother left behind. For Grace, it was double jeopardy.

“I practically cried for death. I couldn’t eat, I couldn’t drink water. It was a dark period in my life.

The will to live was not there anymore” she told The Daily Times.

Just then, divine intervention knocked on her door.

“One day, my brother came to meet me in the balcony of Dr. Sandra Achum’s house because that was where we were living immediately after my mother

Grace: Looking forward to the future with hope

died and her family chased us out of our mother’s house. He cried and hugged me, and said, ‘look, we have lost our mum, I can’t afford to lose you as well; you are the only one I have left in this world.”

That brotherly love jolted her back to life and gave her reasons to continue living. Then she heard about Pacelli School for the Blind. Initially, she wasn’t aware of the availability of any special school for the blind.

If she and her parents, particularly her mother while alive, had been aware of the existence of such a school, she might not have stayed that long at home without any formal education.

“Prior to that, I didn’t even know about the existence of such a school despite the fact that it had been there for ages, even the likes of Cobhams Asuquo, the renowned Nigerian musician, attended this school. So, when I heard about it, we went to make inquiries and I was told that since I already had my secondary school certificate, I only needed to undergo one-year rehabilitation programme where I learned how to use the Braille.

“When I got to Pacelli, I began to “see” things differently as I met students who had been blind all their lives due to one complication or the other and I began to thank God. Some of them would come to me and ask me to describe certain things to them.

They motivated me to become stronger,” she explained.

She recalls the times she stayed at home doing nothing before she discovered Pacelli. According to her, it was a tough and very dark period in her life.

“Believe me, it was tough. I stayed home for about seven years doing nothing. It was tougher on days when my mates were taking the Joint Admission Matriculation Examinations, JAMB, I would lock

myself up in my room and just cry and cry and cry.

“I have always believed in education and the world is going to a stage where even a Bachelor’s degree will not suffice.

So, whenever I have the opportunity of speaking to younger ones, particularly the female, I always make them realise that there is a limit to what they can achieve without education,” she said.

It was this burning desire for education that propelled Grace into enrolling at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, NIJ, despite her state.

“Initially, I had wanted to be an Accountant but due to my challenges, I had to change over from Accounting to study Mass Communication, I enrolled for a fresh WAEC, took JAMB and ended up at the NIJ. I will be going for my mandatory one year National Youth Service, NYSC this November.” Talk about the strength of the human spirit!

She explained the various challenges she has faced and how she had been able to manage the rigours of academic life.

“The sad realisation of how the Nigerian public reacts to blind people is quite unfortunate. When they come across us on the street, they are always full of pity and this gets me angry. Everyone in life has one form of challenge or the other. If this is what God has destined to be my challenge, I’ve taken it in good faith; I want to be empathised with, not pitied; because when you do that, you kill the morale of the blind person and make them feel low about themselves.”

A major challenge she has is with the funding of her education.

“The cost of the instruments we use in reading and writing is prohibitive. Governments in other countries subsidise learning aid for their physically challenged. Sadly in Nigeria, you are largely on your own. Take the speech software that I use for my laptop, it is sold for about N130,000. How many people can afford that? This is beside the Braille materials.

“Then there is the issue of sponsorship. The welfare departments of churches are doing the little they can, but they are limited. The onus is on the government to come to our aid,” she lamented.

“I attend classes, studied hard and I am graduating amongst the best in the whole of the school. I help out with other student’s assignment. My course mates are most times baffled with the way I handle

CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

19 Features

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 5, 2017

When the moon and sun stood still for Oba Ewuare II in Esan land Titus Akhigbe,Benin It is no longer news that the Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin Kingdom, has concluded his state-wide post coronation thank you tour, with a visit to the people of Esan land in Ekpoma. What is now news is the remarkable event that took place during the visit.

The playground of Eguare Primary School in Ekpoma was filled to capacity with traditional rulers from Esan land, politicians, business moguls of Esan extraction as well as prominent sons and daughters of Esan land, including members of the Benin Community, Igbo Community and Arewa Community living in Esan land.

Different traditional dances and masquerades were on ground to display the rich cultural heritage of the people as well as add colour and glamour to the event.

The array of Palace Chiefs, members of the Benin Royal family and other dignitaries that accompanied the Oba of Benin on the visit added splendour to the ceremony which was organised to honour Oba Ewuare II, the Ogidigan of our time.

The occasion provided opportunity for Esan people to present their requests to the Oba of Benin who is father to all, and has the capacity to solve any problem confronting his people.

The Benin monarch having listened carefully to their various requests promised to liaise with the Federal Government to address the deplorable state of the Benin-Ekpoma-Auchi

Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II

highway which has become nightmare to motorists and commuters.

His Royal Majesty apparently disturbed by reports of the criminal and dastard activities of cattle herdsmen in Edo State called on the relevant authorities to check the activities of herdsmen before it gets out of hand.

The Oba of Benin equally assured the people that something urgent and drastic would be done to involve all stakeholders in order to tackle the menace of herdsmen in the state.

The highpoint of Oba Ewuare II address to the people of Esan land was his resolve to intervene in the case of

the deposed Onojie of Uromi by Edo State Government.

However, there was a remarkable and significant event that happened during Oba Ewuare II visit to Esan land, which signifies the presence of a great king. It was the appearance of the Moon and Sun in the sky, and as soon as the Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Chief D.U. Edebiri started praying, the two celestial bodies appeared conspicuously in the sky and it attracted everyone including journalists who were on ground to cover the event.

Explaining the significance of the appearance of the Moon and Sun to

guests present, the Esogban of Benin Kingdom said it shows that a great king was in their midst, pointing out that great kings are revealed by great signs such as the appearance of Moon and Sun. He told the people that Oba Ewuare II, Ogidigan was actually a great Oba who should be revered by all. The Esogban reminded the people that it was the appearance of three Stars in the sky that announce the birth of Jesus Christ to the three Wise Men. Therefore, it must be accepted that the visit of Oba Ewuare II to Esan land ushered in blessings for the people and it is a sign of better things to come for Esan people and indeed all Edos.

That explains why the Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, must be revered and accorded the highest respect. Importantly, the Oba of Benin must be supported in the onerous task of fulfilling his vision and mission for the people, Edebiri said.

For instance, the Oba of Benin must be supported in his campaign to make Gelegele an Export Free Zone by the Federal Government. The benefit of such project if realised would be the boosting of the state economy and creation of jobs and employment for our people.

The ban on the activities of Community Development Association in the state must be encouraged to subsist, while efforts must be made by all to encourage the speaking, teaching and learning of our indigenous languages.

The state government can do well by directing that it should be included in the curriculum of Primary and Junior Secondary schools in Edo State.

‘I want to teach in any university, and be a household name’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18 academic affairs and they will say, ‘Grace, are you sure you are blind like us? You must be deceiving us!’ and we will laugh over it,” she recalled.

When questioned on how she manages on her own, she replied in a manner that belies the challenges she is living with.

“Remember that I wasn’t born blind, and coupled with the fact that I stayed with my stepmother for a while, I have been used to doing things for myself since my early age. Presently, I don’t have challenges taking care of myself, I pick my dress myself, I cook well,” she gave a throaty laughter.

Grace is a big dreamer and she shared some of her dreams and aspirations with The Daily Times.

Her dreams and aspirations are as lofty as always.

She shared some of them with our correspondent. “I would love to be a household name in Nigeria politically. I am also passionate about teaching and hope to pin down a teaching position in a tertiary institution” she quipped.

Like every human being, she yearns for love and a man to call her own but, it has been a Herculean task finding her knight in shining armor. She put it

thus.

“It has not been easy. In fact, it has been very tough. My present relationship is going through a torrid time because my boyfriend is Muslim and his mother is against our relationship, telling him you cannot marry a blind girl, the union will only be over her dead body, so it has been hectic.”

The courageous Grace has this piece of advice for anyone going through any form of challenge.

“Being physically challenged is not enough reason for you to hit the streets and become a beggar. I have heard about visually impaired people who have gone on to make a success of their lives. There are so many opportunities out there; all you need do is to upgrade yourself and build a standard for yourself ” she advised.”

All said, responding on how she manages on her own, Grace replied in a manner that belies the challenges she is living with.

She, however, calls for the support of government and public spirited people to intervene in cases of people living with any form of disability by providing the enabling environments for them to thrive.

She also made this passionate appeal for help.

“Grace still wants to go far in life. I want to further my education, go for my Master’s and Doctorate degrees, so I need sponsorship. If any non-governmental organisation, Government, or public spirited individuals can come to my aid, I would be eternally grateful.” ß learnt that Grace has been able to come this far because some people have blind faith in her; one of such is Dr. Sandra Achums, to whom Grace is full of gratitude.

“Dr. Achums has always been a family friend even before I was born. She has been a big sister to my mum and has always been there for my mother even when my mum became separated from my father.

She was the one who encouraged my mother to go back to school and get trained as a journalist, so she has always been a constant figure in my life. When my mother died and her family chased us out of the house and confiscated it, she took it upon herself to become responsible for our well-being.

Grace is looking forward to the future with faith, optimism and dedication. It is sure that with the blind faith she has towards life, the sky is definitely her starting point.

20

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 5, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 5, 2017

Sokoto executive council approves N1.5b road, water projects ÏÏÏ The Sokoto State

Executives Council has approved road projects worth N1.4 billion in selected locations across the state.

Briefing reporters at the end of the meeting which was presided over

by Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, the state commissioner for lands and housing, Muhammad Bello Abubakar, said three major roads within Mabera area of the state capital will gulp approximately N1.2 billion.

“The Mabera roads include Wali Bako HospitalTsohon Gida-Eastern Bypass road awarded to Habib Engineering Ltd at the cost of N319 million.

“The others are Kantin Sani-Tsohon Gida junction road awarded to Mothercat Ltd at the cost of over N262 million with a completion period of 12 months and Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital-Sabon Gida road leading to FGC awarded at the cost of just over N322 million,” he disclosed.

The commissioner said other road projects approved by the Council include Pepsi Cola to NTA junction along Garba Muhammad road awarded at the cost of over N127 million, Interchange road from CBN to Union Bank roundabout awarded to Roads Nigeria Ltd. at the cost of N59 million and construction of link road from Bodinga road behind Teaching Hospital to Argungu road at the cost of N86 million.

The rest include reconstruction of Agaie road from Kaduna road to Garba Duba road in Sokoto town (N96m) and the construction of 18km Goronyo main road-Illela-Gadon Mata road in Goronyo LGA at the cost of over N290 million.

Also speaking, the state Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Muhammad Jabbi Kilgori, said the council approved the rehabilitation and expansion of Government Day Secondary School in Tambuwal LGA and Government Day Secondary School, Kofar Rini, at a combined cost of N309 million.

On water intervention, the Council approved the rehabilitation of water tanks with a capacity for two million gallons at Old Market Area of Sokoto town at the cost of N78.1 million.

Similarly the Council approved the drilling of 12 solar boreholes in schools across the state. Four boreholes are to be constructed in each of the three senatorial zones.

News 21

Orji Kalu has one leg in PDP, APC chieftain alleges Tom Okpe, Abuja

ÏÏÏ

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the governorship candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in 2011, Prince Paul Ikonne, has revealed that the former governor of Abia state, Orji Uzor Kalu has been romancing with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to obtain favor for his brothers.

Ikonne recalled the concerns he raised when Chief Kalu defected to the APC, saying everything predicted about him are now coming to fulfillment.

Addressing a Press Conference in Abuja on Friday, Prince Ikonne said by now the former governor

ought to know that he has lost ground in the politics of Abia state, adding that Orji Kalu should never repeat what he allegedly did as governor of the state which “gave him bad image and put Abia state backward”, he said.

“Abia APC is getting bigger, people will come to join the party, remember, when some people said they have come join the party, I raised serious concern because of the antecedent of such individual especially the former governor of Abia state chief Orji Uzor Kalu. The things I predicted have started playing out and we will not take it.

“It has come to our notice that he is plotting and hobnobbing with Dr Ikpeazu the governor of

Abia state in the deed to fetch his brother, who is a PDP person to run with the governor as his running mate in 2019 while another of his brothers will run for the Federal House in Aba Federal constituency; this is total evil plan against Abia state.

“It is devilish and an act I know Abia will resist.

This action is capable of tearing the APC apart.

Right now, we are building our party because APC is getting stronger in the state, more people are joining the party; more sincere and focus people are joining the party.

So, for Chief Orji Uzor Kalu to have started this again is too bad and I condemned it in all totality.

“Kalu cannot be in APC and at the same time hob-

nobbing with the sitting governor in bid for his brother to run as the deputy governor to the sitting governor in 2019. My question is, under what platform is the arrangement going to take place as the governor has not yet joined APC; is he one leg in APC and the other one in PDP? “These are questions that are begging for answers and I know Abia state can’t take this kind of thing again. I think he should concentrate all his effort in the Abia State North Zone and try and win his Senatorial sit instead of trying to plant his brothers to run as a Federal House member from Abia constituency and one to run as a deputy governor with the serving governor.

Police Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood (2nd), displaying weapons recovered from suspected kidnappers and armed robbers, at Rijanah, Kaduna State… on Thursday. Photo: TEMITOPE BALOGUN

FIIRO partners German firms, GIZ, BOSCH on cassava processing

ÏÏÏ

As part of fulfilling its mandate of rapid industrial acceleration through research and development, the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO), Lagos has entered into an agreement with two German companies, GIZ and BOSCH. GIZ, is a green innovation centre for agriculture and food sector while BOSCH is a specialist in the fabrication of power tools, machineries and household equipment.

The agreement will enable FIIRO to the upscale the development of innovative cassava processing technologies to improve income for Nigerian micro, small and medium sized cassava processors and to create additional employment.

Prof. (Mrs.) Gloria Elemo, DG, FIIRO, who played host to the German firms in FIIRO, Lagos recently, commended GIZ and BOSCH for the partnership.

Elemo noted that FIIRO has developed over 25 commercilisable products from cassava, adding that the institute has also worked virtually on all agro-commodities available in Nigeria and has developed processing technologies to convert them to shelf stable products thereby reducing post-harvest losses in Nigeria.

In his presentation, Harwig Michaelsen, Project Manager, GIZ, stated that the project concept is to develop simple mobile and stationary cassava processing units for both small and medium sized cassava processors, adding that small sized units will comprise of a tricycle with a trailer carrying the basic cassava equipment, mainly the hammer mill, hydraulic press and source of power.

Breastmilk, key to child growth and development- minister Ibeneme Ebelechukwu,Abuja

ÏÏÏ

The Minster of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole has reiterated the need for parents especially the nursing mothers to breastfeed their babies with breastmilk only within the 6 months of their birth to ensure their optimal growth and development.

In his key note address during the World Breastfeeding week with the theme “Sustaining Breastfeeding together” in Abuja the Minster noted, “breastfeeding has been proven to save lives, ensure good health, growth and development

of a child. “ The benefits of unrestricted exclusive breastfeeding practice as initiated within an hour from birth result in ample milk production to sustain the infants and leads to preventable deaths in infants younger than 6 months. It also reduces infant mortality associated with common childhood illness like diarrhoea or pnuemonia and ensure quicker recovery from illness. The mother also benefits maximally in child spacing, reduction of ovarian and breast cancer, and ensuring rapid maternal weight loss after birth.’

The Minster further

added, the habit of not giving infants only with breats milk in the first six months of life with no other liquids, drinks, semi- food or solid as advocated by the National Policy on Infant and Young Child Feeding has resulted in increasing number of death recorded among children in the country.

He further lamented “The exclusive breastfeeding rate as at today as shown only marginal increase from the very low rate of 2% in 1990 to 17% in 2013, and the current rate is 25% as reported in the 2014 National policy on Infant and Young Child

Feeding.

“Today we join the rest of the word to retierate the need for optimal infant and Young Child Feeding practice to ensure preventable developmental milestones in the first 1,000 days of life and in accordance with the 1990 Innocenti Declaration, which affirms that breastfeeding protection, promotion and support is the cost effective method of feeding infants and young children. it is one of the effective proven strategies to combat malnutrition and other related conditions that contribute to infant and Young child morbidity and mortality.,”

Further findings revealed that breastfeeding also contribute to the health and well being of mothers,it help to space children, reduces the risk of ovarian cancer and breast cancer above all, increases bond between mother and child health, promote close relationship between mother and child while helping in intellectual capacity development.

Dailytimes further research revealed that apart from the health benefits of exclusive breastfeeding, it’s economic benefits on human capital development and health system cannot over-emphasised.

22

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 5, 2017

Health

s

Investment in exclusive breastfeeding reduces child malnutrition-Experts Stories by Angela Onwuzoo As Nigeria joins the global community to celebrate this year’s world breastfeeding week which kicked off on August 1, mothers have been urged to exclusively breastfeed their babies to reduce child malnutrition and poverty.

According to experts, breastfeeding is the best way to provide infants with the nutrients they need as it gives babies the healthiest start in life and also contributes to the economic development of a nation.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), says breast milk provides antibodies and healthy growth and the development required by children; hence governments at all levels are enjoined to invest in interventions that promote and improve breastfeeding practices in Nigeria and to also enforce an international code to prevent misleading marketing of formula milk.

The theme of this year’s celebration is “Sustaining breastfeeding together’’ According to a new report released on Tuesday by UNICEF and the World Health Organization (in collaboration with the Global Breastfeeding Collective,

A mother breastfeeding her baby

a new initiative to increase global breastfeeding rates), no country in the world - including Nigeria has fully met recommended standards for breastfeeding.

The report revealed that babies and mothers worldwide have been failed due to lack of investment in breastfeeding even as new analysis showed that an investment of US$4.70 per newborn could generate US$300 billion in economic gains by 2025 The Global Breastfeeding

Scorecard, which evaluated 194 nations, found that only 40 per cent of children younger than six months are breastfed exclusively (given nothing but breast milk) and only 23 countries have exclusive breastfeeding rates above 60 per cent.

Evidence shows that breastfeeding has cognitive and health benefits for both infants and their mothers and that it is especially critical during the first six months of life as it helps prevent

diarrhea and pneumonia, two major causes of death in infants.

Experts say mothers who breastfeed have a reduced risk of ovarian and breast cancer, two leading causes of death among women.

“Breastfeeding gives babies the best possible start in life,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO. “Breast milk works like a baby’s first vaccine, protecting infants from potentially deadly diseases and giving them all the nourishment they need to survive and thrive”, he noted.

The scorecard was released at the start of World Breastfeeding Week alongside a new analysis demonstrating that an annual investment of only US$4.70 per newborn is required to increase the global rate of exclusive breastfeeding among children under six months to 50 per cent by 2025.

The report entitled, “Nurturing the Health and Wealth of Nations: The Investment Case for Breastfeeding”, suggested that meeting this target could save the lives of 520,000 children under the age of five and potentially generate US$300 billion in economic gains over 10 years, as a result of reduced illness and health care costs and increased productivity.

Investment case shows that in

five of the world’s largest emerging economies — China, India, Indonesia, Mexico and Nigeria, lack of investment in breastfeeding results in an estimated 236,000 child deaths per year and US$119 billion in economic losses.

The report further revealed that globally, investment in breastfeeding is far too low. And that each year, governments in lower and middle-income countries spend approximately US$250 million on breastfeeding programs, while donors provide only an additional US$85 million.

The Global Breastfeeding Collective is therefore calling on countries to do the following: breastfeeding rates from birth through two years. national Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and relevant World Health Assembly resolutions through strong legal measures that are enforced and independently monitored by organizations free from conflicts of interest. workplace breastfeeding policies, building on the International Labour Organization’s maternity protection guidelines as a minimum requirement, including provisions for the informal sector.

Withdraw banned medicines, foods from circulation, NAFDAC warns importers In its efforts to rid the country of substandard medicines and unwholesome food products, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has warned all importers, distributors and marketers in the country still stocking banned food and drug products contained in the Import Prohibition List to immediately withdraw them from circulation.

The regulatory agency said it is leaving no stone unturned to arrest and prosecute violators of this extant policy as the Federal Government’s ban on these commodities was is still in force.

Director-General of NAFDAC, Mrs. Yetunde Oni, who gave the warning at a press briefing in Lagos on Tuesday, said NAFDAC is working in collaboration with Nigeria Customs Service and other agencies of government to combat the influx of substandard and unwholesome regulated prod-

ucts through illegal routes into the country.

“NAFDAC is determined to enforce the ban through intensified surveillance, monitoring and enforcement activities.

We will continue to do our best to ensure Nigeria is not a dumping ground for cheap, adulterated and substandard regulated products”, Oni said.

According to the D-G, some of the banned items include: refined vegetable oils and fats – H.S Code 1507.1000.00-1516.2000.29, Spaghetti/Noodles – H.S. Codes 1902.1100-1902.30.0000.

Others are Fruit Juice in retail packs – H. S. Codes 2009.11.00122009.11.0013-2009.900.99 and waters, including mineral waters and aerated waters containing added sugar or sweetening matter or favoured.

Oni revealed that medicaments under headings 3003 and 3004 such as Paracaetamol Tablets and Syrups, Cotrimoxazole Tablets and Syrups, Metrinidazole Tablets and Syrups, Chloroquine Tablets and Syrups were

also on the banned list.

She also listed Heamatinic formulations; Ferrous Sulphate and Ferrous Gluconate Tablets, Folic Acid Tablets, Vitamin B Complex Tablet (except modified released formulation), Mosquito Repellant Coils – H. S. Code 3808.91.10.91 (Mosquito Coil) to be among them.

Others were multivitamin tablets, capsules and syrups (except special formulation), Aspirin Tablets (except modified released formulation and soluble aspirin), Magnesium Trisilicate Tablets and suspensions, among others.

Apart from arresting and prosecuting one Mrs Chika Nwaemeka Nwoye and Mr Ebuka Ojeani Nelson for their involvement in faking, sale and distribution of fake Archilin with Codeine Cough Syrup, the NAFDAC boss said the agency was also investigating one Mr. Udoka Offor of No. 24, Vital Akekwu Street, Nneochi LGA, Abia State for illegal production, distribution and sale of suspected counterfeiting of COF ‘N’COLD

L-R: Director, Drug Evaluation and Research, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control(NAFDAC), Dr. Monica Emunjeze; Director Ports Inspection Directorate,Mrs.Maureen Ebigbeyi and Acting Director General, Mrs. Yetunde Oni during the press briefing in Lagos ...recently.

with Codeine Syrup.

Oni also said the agency recently intercepted several cartons of fake pharmaceutical products and packaging materials in a 1 x 40ft consignment declared as agricultural parts at the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Lagos. The consignment was imported with the name Amara Duben Global Ventures.

The fake products included 15

cartons of Laclox capsules, 19 cartons of Augmentin 625mg tablets, Eight cartons of secondary paper packs for Augmentin and 12 cartons of aluminum foil for Augmentin 625mg.”

She noted that the products which were neatly concealed behind vehicle spare parts have been evacuated and that investigation was ongoing to apprehend the cartel.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 5, 2017

23 Health

Pharmacists embrace technology to boost profession, service delivery Angela Onwuzoo

As part of efforts to boost the pharmacy profession and pharmaceutical services to patients, pharmacists in the country under the aegis of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), have keyed into various opportunities and platforms provided by today’s world of Information Technology(IT) to enhance their practice.

Reeling out the potency of technology in every facet of life, especially its efficiency in doing business, the pharmacists revealed that when effectively deployed into their practice and service delivery to patients, it would significantly impact in the drug distribution chain.

The pharmacists who spoke at a one day workshop in Lagos recently with the theme, “Convergence of technology and the impact on pharmaceutical practice”, organised by the PSN Education Committee, concluded that they would leverage on technology to create a better practice and training for all practitioners.

Declaring the workshop open, President of PSN, Pharm.

Ahmed Yakasai said, “In our

President of PSN. Yakasai digital age, technology is shaping our world in a big way and its impact in any profession can never be underestimated.”

Yakasai pointed out that technology is taking people and organisations from the lowest depth of frustration to the highest pinnacle of achievement, stressing that the pharmaceutical sector must not be left out.

His words: “It is a known fact that most professions, busi-

FG set to relocate wholesalers of drugs in Lagos Ibeneme Ebelechukwu, Abuja The federal government, in a bid to safeguard the lives of Nigerians against fake drugs sellers, has finalized plans to relocate wholesalers of drugs and medicines from all over Lagos to a central location where their activities can be coordinated, regulated and closely monitored.

Health Minister, Isaac Adewole disclosed this at the palace of the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu during his advocacy visit to the traditional ruler as part of his working visit to Lagos state for the implementation of the National Drug Distribution Guidelines.

“We will not want a situation where anybody can bring drugs and keep it in the house, in the store, in the farm and distribute and we thought that we should implement a decision where we will bring the drugs to a central location where everybody will know what is happening there.”

Adewole added, “We can monitor quality and government can also tax them.”

The Minister disclosed that his visit was to solicit the support of the traditional ruler in his bid to fast-track implementation. Adewole hailed the Coordinated Warehouse Centers policy, which he inherited from his predecessor as a fantastic one which he is committed to implement.

He disclosed that the policy is also taking off in Aba, Onitsha

Health Minister, Prof. Adewole and Kano and hinted at the possibility of adding more cities in the future.

“If we do not extend the deadline by tomorrow anybody not selling drugs at that central location should be arrested.” Adewole remarked.

This administration has a “human face” and will refrain from inflicting pains on Nigerians in its bid to get things right. Hence, we will work with the Lagos state Government to resolve all issues delaying the take off of the project and ensure we have a workable date, the minister said.

Adewole earlier visited the Deputy Governor of Lagos state, Mrs. Oluranti Adebule and also met with the Oba of Ojora, Lagos who is the traditional ruler of the host community where the warehouse centers would be located.

nesses, organisations and indeed government globally have started to incorporate digital technologies in their strategies, hence the need for pharmacy profession to be alert and in tune with the current trends in order not to be caught napping.”

He went on: “No doubt that we need to harness the power of digital technologies and data transformation to create value

Angela Onwuzoo To reduce the high rate of maternal mortality in the country, husbands have been urged to support their wives in the use of family planning and should do away with the notion that family planning promotes promiscuity among women.

Director of Family Health & Nutrition, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Folashade Oludara, who made the appeal, said husbands who prevent their wives from accessing family planning services for the fear of infidelity should desist from such attitude, stressing that family planning is a tool for safe motherhood and not for promiscuity.

Oludare explained: “Family Planning is one of the major components and pillars of SafeMotherhood. It is a method that assists individuals in deciding the number of children to have and when to have them. This will ultimately improve the economy of individuals, families and the nation as a whole.”

Oludare, who spoke at the annual media forum organised by Development Communications Network, (Devcoms) recently, maintained that family planning and child spacing is one of the most effective ways of reducing maternal deaths arising from preventable causes.

Speaking on the topic titled, “Family Planning, Child Spacing: Empowering People, Building Nations,” she said: “Family planning brings life to mother as a person, it also creates healthy environment for the nation, and it allows our woman to reach old age and attain their full potential because so many

and offer better services to the public.”

According to him, the workshop seeks to create a platform to streamline the drug distribution chain in Nigeria and to develop an application that would provide manufacturers with robust information so as to manufacture quality pharmaceutical products in Nigeria.

“Let’s develop something that will readily give information to patients, physicians and manufacturers for better service delivery,” Yakasai said.

In his remarks, Chairman, Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN), Dr. Okey Akpa, said the workshop was relevant and timely because the impact of technology is far reaching in everything that we do today.

Akpa, who is the Managing Director, SKG Pharma, explained that an important profession as pharmacy should not be left behind in the use of technology because it is a very positive thing. “It creates opportunity in the way we do things.

“Nigeria should be responsive to how we use technology and then develop a new model

of training for our upcoming pharmacists and retraining of practicing pharmacists on how to use technology that is relevant to our environment.”

According him, technology promotes the quality of medicine produced as well as the level of information and feedback that patients get from pharmacists.

“Technology will boost patients-pharmacists interaction, quality control and efficiency in manufacturing which reduces cost”, he added.

Also, Prof. Cecilia Igwilo from Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos and Chairman, PSN Education Committee, said there was need for information technology platform that would encompass all areas of pharmacy practice. She urged pharmacists to use and update themselves on technology for quality service delivery.

“Many Nigerians are knowledgeable in information technology, with their phones; they do online banking, twitting, reading newspapers online etc, and so pharmacists should develop a platform for engaging and interacting with patients for better health outcomes,” she said.

Family planning not tool for promiscuity, expert warns

Dr Folashade Oludara demonstrating the use of male condom as Ms Joke Kujenya watches women’s destinies are being cut short because of unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion.”

Lamenting the low patronage of modern contraceptives in Nigeria despite their numerous benefits, Oludare however said the 2013 National Demographic Survey reported contraceptive prevalence rate of 48 percent for all methods in Lagos State.

Findings showed that the country’s Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) is as low as 15.1 per cent which is far from the 36 percent target by 2020.

According to a new study published by the Guttmacher Institute, contraceptive services and maternal and newborn health (MNH) services fall far short of needs in developing regions like Nigeria.

To improve uptake of family planning in the state, Oludara said the Ministry of Health has been making giants strides to ensure that a wide range of modern FP methods are available and accessible to the target populace.

“This includes provision of free FP commodities and services at all Public health facilities and private facilities with trained providers, establishment of efficient system of supply and distribution of FP commodities to all providers, and public enlightenment on FP. She revealed that the uptake of family planning by 600,000 women in less than six months, helped the state in averting 46,000 unsafe abortions, 143,000 unintended pregnancies and 800 maternal deaths.

a

Nwogu inaugurates committee for Gov. Obiano’s Unity Cup

U

ju Nwogu, the Anambra Commissioner for Sports and Youth Entrepreneurship, on Friday inaugurated the Main Organising Committee (MOC) for Gov. Obiano’s Unity Cup football tour-

nament.

Nwogu named Jude Obikwelu, Vice-Chairman of the Anambra State Football Association (ASFA) as committee’s head, adding that the competition’s kick-off date would be released

later.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee comprised of six sub-committees — marketing, ceremonial and entertainment, security, venues, discipline and publicity and medical.

The commissioner said that the competition was aimed at fostering unity in the state through sports.

She, however, said that as much as the state governor had accepted to sponsor the competition, the participating teams

would pay N1,000 as registration fee.

Nwogu said that the 21 local government areas of the state were expected to feature in the male and female categories.

“Teams from tertiary institutions, Police, Army,

Page 31

Navy, Immigration, Prison and other security agencies in the state will also participate.

“We want everybody to participate in the competition aimed at fostering unity in the state,’’ the commissioner said.

24

She said that winners in the male and female categories would receive N1 million each, runnersup N500,000, third place N300, 000 and fourth place N200, 000 respectively.

Saturday, August 5, 2017

EAGLES will land in Russia, says Mikel ANDREW EKEJIUBA WITH AGENCY REPORT

N

igeria national team skipper John Obi Mikel is confident they will successfully reach the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

The Super Eagles midfielder says they must win their upcoming Group B match against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon

Rangers plead for release of CHAN players

R

angers International of Enugu has pleaded for the release of its players in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) Eagles camp for their forthcoming matches in the ongoing Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that Rangers will engage Wikki Tourists in the Match Day 33 in Bauchi on Aug. 6.

Foster Chime, the club’s spokesman said in a statement on Friday in Enugu that the four Rangers’ players currently in the CHAN Eagles camp were vital to the club renaming six matches.

He said the club needed their services, especially now that they were fighting to beat the relegation which would be the first in its 47 years history.

“Rangers recognise that national assignment comes first before the club, but it is clear that as things are, the club may face more problems with four of our first team players currently in CHAN camp.

“Eight of our first eleven are all nursing various degrees of injuries, which they sustained during our last two league matches.

“And according to medical advice, some of them may be ruled out of the season.

“It is therefore, necessary to reason with us why the players will have to honour our remaining six matches of the season,’’ the statement said.

He listed the injured players as Nana Bonsu, Etim Mathew, Chidiebere Okolie, Papic Ousmane, Adun Osamudian and Nnamdi Anyasodo.

to boost their chances.

Speaking to reporters, the Tianjin Teda midfielder remains upbeat about their chances to make it to the biggest football tournament in the world.

Gernot Rohr’s men are already four points clear of second-placed Cameroon and five ahead of Zambia and Algeria, heading to the third round of qualifying at the end of this

month.

The former Chelsea star whose wife is Russian, revealed that there is pressure from his family friends to qualify for the global showpiece.

“We are in a very good position in our group,” Mikel said.

“We have two wins from two games, and in our last game we beat Algeria at home.

We have a very good young team and the

players play good football.

“If we can win our next match (at home to Cameroon on August 31) it will edge us closer to qualification. I think we can go through.

“They (friends and wife) are all expecting Nigeria to qualify for the next World Cup. I think they will kill me if I fail them.”

Bolt eyes Olympic winning repeat U

sain Bolt says he needs to produce a time similar to the one that earned him gold at the Rio 2016 Games, to win today’s 100m final at the World Athletics Championships in London.

The 30-year-old is competing in his seventh and final World Championships, and recently clocked a season’s-best time of 9.95 seconds in a Diamond League meeting in Monaco.

He told Reuters he is “not at my best but where I want to be” and has predicted he will have to set a new season’s best to win and add another gold medal to his collection at the London Stadium.

The Jamaican great won Olympic gold in 2012.

“I think it will have to be 9.8 low, perhaps the same time it took me to win at the (Rio) Olympics.

“I think it will take the same time to win here or close to that,” said Bolt, who clocked 9.81 seconds to clinch gold in Rio.

“I’m feeling good, I’m feeling better after every race. Everything is going good.”

One of Bolt’s biggest rivals for gold in London, Canada’s Andre de Grasse, was ruled out of the championship after having a Grade 2 hamstring tear in his final training session.

De Grasse said the prospect of missing out on what he called “the focus of my season” was “unimaginable”.

But Bolt said it was vital for his future career prospects that de Grasse took a realistic approach to his injury.

“It’s always about listening to your coach and taking the doctor’s advice and taking your time to recuperate while working as hard as possible to get over the injury,” said Bolt.

“Sometimes when you rush, it only makes things worse. I hope that he takes heed, takes his time to heal and hopefully everything goes smoothly so that he can get back on track next season.”

BRIEFS Saturday, August 5, 2017

EXTRATIME

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Iheanacho joins Leicester on 5-yr deal

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eicester City have announced that Nigeria international Kelechi Iheanacho has joined the club on a five-year deal from Manchester City.

The 20-year-old striker will wear the squad no.8 and he joins fellow Nigeria internationals Wilfred Ndidi and Ahmed Musa at the English Premier League (EPL) outfit.

The promising striker spoke to reporters after signing a longterm deal with the 2015/16 EPL champions.

“It feels good and I’m happy to

be part of this team. I know the ambition of the team and speaking with the manager, he let me know what I need to do – to help the team achieve what they want.

I was convinced and I’m happy to be here,” he said.

“I was happy speaking with the manager, knowing what the team wants. It gives me more confidence that I will fit in this team and hopefully I’ll achieve a lot.”

City manager Craig Shakespeare backed Iheanacho, who impressively netted 12 goals in 12 league starts for the Citizens

during his three-year stint with the club.

“It’s a great signing for us. Kelechi is an enormously talented player that has shown a huge amount of promise at every level in which he’s played,” Shakespeare said.

“We’ve tracked his progress for some time, so we know how much quality he’ll bring to the squad. He’s young, he’s hungry, he’s ready for the next stage of his development and I’m delighted that will be with Leicester City.”

Nigerian players abroad

Akwa Utd star Ebiye signs for Lillestrom

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illestrøm Sportsklubb have confirmed that promising Nigerian striker Moses Ebiye has signed a four-year contract with the Norwegian Tippeligaen club.

The 20-year-old impressed manager Arne Erlandsen who recommended that he should be offered a contract at the end of trials.

Ebiye told officials that, ‘’Lillestrøm is a good club. There have been very good workouts’’.

Sporting Director Torgeir Bjarmann added: ‘’Moses will have plenty of time to develop with us. ‘’What he has shown on the training so far is very good and we strongly believe he will turn out to be a very good player for LSK.’’ Ebiye joins Lillestrom from Nigeria Professional Football League outfit Akwa United.

Stories by ANDREW EKEJIUBA

Community Shield: Moses set to battle Gunners

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helsea manager Antonio Conte had reconfirmed that Victor Moses is eligible to be fielded for the Community Shield clash with Arsenal at the National Stadium, London on Sunday, August 6.

The Italian gaffer even went as far as saying that the Nigeria international will start against the Gunners as his right wing-back options are slim. ‘’I think it is right to go game by game. On Sunday he will play

against Arsenal, I am glad I can count on him,’’ Conte said at Friday’s press conference. ‘’Against Burnley I will have 6 days to find the right solution. At the moment we don’t have a replacement for Moses.’’

Moses picked up a red card in the Blues last competitive match of the 2016-2017 campaign, but will serve his suspension against Burnely in the first round of the Premier League.

Iheanacho

Victor Moses

Spurs loan out Onomah!

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ottenham Hotspur have confirmed that they have loaned out highly-rated Nigerian midfielder Josh Onomah to Aston Villa for the entirety of the 20172018 season.

And before Onomah traveled to Birmingham, he penned a new four-year deal, tying him to Spurs until June 30, 2021.

The 20-year-old made his competitive debut for The Lilywhites against Burnley in January, 2015, and has 32 first-team appearances under his belt in the last two seasons.

The Nigeria Football Federation target was a very important mem-

ber of the England squad that won the Fifa U-20 World Cup in South Korea this summer.

Josh Onomah has started training with his new teammates at Aston Villa and could make his official debut against Ola Aina’s Hull City on Saturday.

Barkley

Four teams scramble for Barkley T

Onomah

he scramble for the signature of English-born Nigerian, Ross Barkley, is heating up, with Newcastle United the latest club linked with a move for the Everton midfielder.

According to the reports, the Magpies are hoping to beat their rivals to the services of Barkley, but the stumbling block is that they may not be able to meet the financial requirements to strike a deal with the player and Everton.

Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Arsenal are interested in signing Ross Barkley, and it is believed that Manchester City and West Ham are also in the frame.

The 23-year-old has decided to move onto pastures new after spending the last twelve years of his career at The Toffees.

Barkley is currently recovering from a groin injury and has not featured for Everton in pre-season games.

Saturday, August 5, 2017

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SPECIAL FEATURE

26

Indomitable Lions of Cameroon line up before a match.

Why Indomitable Lions must be crushed in Uyo!

Segun Odegbami

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hese are not the best of times for Nigerian football and for those in the business in Nigeria.

Since the end of the last World Cup in Brazil the football industry has been in famine. The reason is simple – the fledgling Nigerian sports industry is driven by the success of the Super Eagles, Nigeria’s most successful international brand.

Everything was fine and promising until the team lost disastrously at home to South Africa a few weeks ago and the future has turned uncertain.

Nigeria cannot afford to not be at both the African Cup of Nations in 2019 and the World Cup in 2018.

Every time the Super Eagles qualify for either championship, the Nigerian economy receives a boost of financial stimulant from the unprecedented followership and patronage of the two events.

It is still unclear what the financial losses from not going to a World Cup or an African Cup of Nations in a particular year are, but a conservative estimate to the Nigerian economy is between 4 to 5 Billion Naira, for an industry that is still in its infancy. It is simply mindboggling.

That’s why, for Nigerians, the two next matches within the space of one week, against Cameroon, are a matter of do-or-die, putting at risk the survival of an entire industry that sustains millions among the largest number and concentration of black people on earth, across the

spectra of hospitality, travel, media, endorsements, marketing, advertising, television, sponsorships and more.

“Nigeria cannot afford to not be at both the African Cup of Nations in 2019 and the World Cup in 2018. Every time the Super Eagles qualify for either championship, the Nigerian economy receives a boost of financial stimulant from the unprecedented followership and patronage of the two events…That’s why, for Nigerians, the two next matches within the space of one week, against Cameroon, are a matter of do-or-die, putting at risk the survival of an entire industry that sustains millions among the largest number and concentration of black people on earth, across the spectra of hospitality, travel, media, endorsements, marketing, advertising, television, sponsorship and more.”

You can start to imagine, therefore, what not qualifying for the next African Cup of Nations and the World Cup would mean.

That’s why everyone can understand the ‘silence’ that has enveloped preparations for the two critical matches against the Indomitable Lions. There is apprehension in the air.

Discussions on the matches have been muted… by fear.

That totally unexpected defeat of the Super Eagles by South Africa is a humbler. The news of Carl Ikeme’s unavailability due to health reasons is another heartbreaker. The uncertainty about the spirit and physical condition of most of the players, including the team’s more experienced and ageing players that are not getting enough

match time in the countries and clubs them. Nigeria has won their last where they are playing, is worrisome. three meetings. That is what is giving The Nigerian national team has Nigerians some faint hope. never been this vulnerable, physically Ï ƑƋƋƆƗ ƇƏ ƌ ƑƍƆƏ ƍ ƏƐêƅ ƌ and psychologically.

For the first time in a long while, “Nigeria needs the Nigerians are not so sure what to make, oxygen of a victory or expect, of their national team when over Cameroon.

The they line up against the Indomitable good news is that in Lions in a few weeks’ time. The two matches follow each other in quick the recent past, the succession and that is bad news for Super Eagles appear either team that fails at the first hurdle to have found the code in Uyo. Nigeria needs the oxygen of a to unlock the Indomivictory over Cameroon. table Lions. Check the The good news is that in the recent past, the Super Eagles appear to result of the last few have found the code to unlock the matches between Indomitable Lions. Check the result them. Nigeria has won of the last few matches between

Surprise champs! Indomitable Lions celebrate after lifting the 2017 AFCON in Gabon.

their last three meetings. That is what is giving Nigerians some faint hope.”

Saturday, August 5, 2017

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27

ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP… ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP… ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP…

Reds battle Hoffenheim in UCL play-off

Liverpool suffer Lallana injury blow

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iverpool will face German side Hoffenheim for a place in the Champions League group stage.

Jurgen Klopp’s side will be away for the first leg on either August 15 or 16, with the return leg to be played at Anfield on August 22 or 23.

Scottish champions Celtic meet Kazakh counterparts Astana in their play-off tie, with the home leg first.

Everton host Croatia’s Hajduk Split in the Europa League playoff first leg on August 17 with the return on August 24.

The Toffees qualified by securing a 2-0 aggregate win over MFK Ruzomberok on Thursday.

The 10 winners from the Champions League play-off stage will join the 22 teams who have already qualified for the group stage.

Defeated teams at the playoff round enter the Europa League group stage.

Liverpool qualified for the Champions League play-off stage by finishing fourth in last year’s Premier League, with Hoffenheim taking the same position in the Bundesliga.

Premier League champions Chelsea, runners-up Tottenham and third-placed Manchester City qualified directly for the group stage, along with Manchester United, who won last year’s Europa League.

The 22 winners of the Europa League play-off round ties will qualify for the group stages.

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Lallana

dam Lallana is set for up to two months on the sidelines after suffering a thigh injury, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed.

The England midfielder, who missed part of the back end of last season with a hip problem, will be absent for the start of the Reds’ Premier League campaign after sustaining this latest blow in Wednesday’s Audi Cup final loss to Atletico Madrid.

He will also miss out on their bid to reach the Champions League group stages, having been drawn to face Hoffenheim in the play-offs on Friday.

“This is certainly not news we would have wanted,” Klopp said with a tinge of regret.

“Unfortunately, the damage is such that it will likely mean Adam is out for a couple of months not weeks, so I think we can pretty much rule him out of August and September. “Beyond that we will monitor and wait and see. He is a boy with a world-class attitude to everything professionally and he has always come back in good time from injury setbacks since I have been here, so we will see.” According to Klopp’s timescale on Lallana’s recovery, he would miss at least six top-flight matches, including against Arsenal and Manchester City.

Liverpool begin their domestic season at Watford on August 12, while they travel to Hoffenheim three days later and host the Bundesliga club the following Wednesday.

Costa’s agent slammed Conte quizzed on Matic’s departure over claims

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helsea insist the notion that Diego Costa was informed he has no future at the club by text message is “nonsense”, following a scathing attack by the Spain striker’s lawyer.

Costa’s relationship with Blues boss Antonio Conte broke down following a row in January over a potential move to Chinese Super League club Tianjin Quanjian.

Last month, Conte indicated the incident had made up his mind over the future of Costa – who has been linked with Atletico Madrid and AC Milan – and the arrival of Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid has bolstered Chelsea’s options up front.

However, Chelsea have been left perplexed by claims made by Costa’s representative Ricardo

Cardoso, who threatened to take legal action against the club having “dismissed” him by text message.

Conte, who was asked about the rumours when addressing the media ahead of Chelsea’s Com-

Conte

munity Shield clash with Arsenal, is reported to have told Costa’s agent Jorge Mendes in January that the he was free to leave during the close-season.

Chelsea’s director of communications Steve Atkins interjected the questions to say “the premise the lawyer has put forward is wrong”, labelling the suggestions as “just nonsense”.

And Conte is adamant the situation has not changed, saying: “For me it’s very simple the situation, and I repeat what I said in the past, maybe 10 days ago.

“The player, his agent and the club knew very well the position of the player in the summer.

“I don’t understand why the lawyer gets involved. I don’t understand this, but the situation is very clear and always the same.

“For me this is the past.”

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ntonio Conte’s body language said more than his words when he was quizzed on the decision to sell Nemanja Matic to Manchester United.

Matic swapped Premier League champions Chelsea for the opportunity to reunite with Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford in a move reported to be worth £40million on Monday.

It was put to Conte ahead of Sunday’s Community Shield match with Arsenal that the transfer had helped to strengthen a potential title rival.

After a brief pause, the stony-faced Italian replied: “You have to ask to the club about this.”

The response hinted at the possibility that Conte was not in agreement with the call and he will certainly hope there are no more unwanted departures in the transfer window.

With Neymar’s move to Paris Saint-Germain completed on Thursday, Barcelona’s war chest has been

boosted to the tune of around £198m and Chelsea star Eden Hazard – who will miss this weekend’s match at Wembley with an ankle injury – has been linked.

However, Conte is determined not only to keep hold of his top players, but also to bolster what he feels is a small squad. “We are trying to buy the players, not to sell,” he said. “Otherwise the number is always less and we are in trouble. I think these are rumours and Eden is very happy to stay with us, to play with Chelsea and to recover from his injury and to start the season with us.

“It’s important for me that the club knows my opinions about the number that we need. I think it’s not right to tell this through the press.

“The most important thing is the club knows my opinions and they are trying to do the best for our team, for our squad. Now we have to wait.

We must have patience and then to try to improve our team, our squad.”

Conte confirmed Tiemoue

Bakayoko (knee) would join Hazard on the sidelines this weekend for a game that will afford Chelsea the chance to avenge May’s FA Cup final defeat to the Gunners.

“For sure it was a pity to lose the game, to lose the FA Cup final against Arsenal after a really great season for us,” he added.

“Now there is another game and we know very well that Arsenal are a strong team and we are expecting a very difficult game. We want to try to start the season with a win, but it’s the same for Arsenal.

“Friendly games are ended for us, this is an official game, this is the first trophy of the season.

For sure we want to play a really good game with a good intensity and also to prepare for the start of the season.”

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Pereira desperate for ‘Hazard going Red Devils chance nowhere’

Stories by ANDREW EKEJIUBA WITH AGENCY REPORTS

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ndreas Pereira is desperate for a chance to shine at Manchester United after cutting his teeth on loan at Granada last season.

The Belgium-born Brazil Under-23 international spent last season with relegated Granada in LaLiga, but has now returned to the Red Devils and impressed during pre-season.

Pereira has struggled to force his way into the firstteam picture since making his senior debut for United in the 2014-15 season and, after scoring five goals in 35 LaLiga appearances last term, the midfielder is keen to prove his worth to manager Jose Mourinho.

“I just want to make sure that I can show everyone at the training ground and inside the stadium what I can

do,” he said. “I want to continue my development and find a way into the team.

“I got experience in Spain.

Experience at a club which was very different to United, where things didn’t go well and there was a different type of pressure, where the fans and media were not happy with the league position.

“I experienced a new culture, language and country.

Pereira

Mata vows to donate 1% of wages to charity

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anchester United attacking midfielder Juan Mata vowed on Friday to donate one percent of his salary to charity and called on other professional footballers to follow suit.

The Spain international, 29, has signed up to a scheme called Common Goal created by streetfootballworld, a group of 120 charities from 80 countries.

“What we’re trying to do is define a shared social agenda for football. Common Goal goes beyond individual brands and egos to deliver a greater impact,” Mata said.

“By making the pledge, we can form a lasting connection between football as a business and football

Mata

as a tool for social change.”

Common Goal is aiming to assemble a ‘starting XI’ of players prepared to commit one percent of their earnings, with the ultimate aim of securing one percent of revenue from the entire football industry.

“One of the first lessons I learned in football is that it takes a team to win a game,” Mata added in an article.

“I urge my fellow players to get involved.”

Granada is a beautiful city and I visited the Alhambra Palace. The food was good, I liked the paella and I stayed in touch with my teammates at United.

“I went there to get more minutes on the pitch and I did that. I wanted and needed that rhythm of playing every week at a high level, then it was my intention to go back stronger.

“I did that. I started regularly, I played a more technical, tactical and skill focussed style of football, one which was less physical than the Premier League.

“I played against some of the greatest teams in the world. Which player would not improve from that?”

Pereira is joined at Old Trafford by Belgium international Romelu Lukaku, who moved to Manchester United in a £75million deal from Everton.

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helsea manager Antonio Conte has told Barcelona there is no chance he will allow Eden Hazard to join the Spanish club as a replacement for Neymar.

Neymar completed his world record transfer to Paris Saint-Germain on Thursday, when the Brazil striker signed a five-year deal with the French club after paying €222 million to release himself from his contract at Barcelona.

Neymar’s exit leaves a vacancy in the Barca attack that reports have suggested they would like to fill with Chelsea forward Hazard.

Asked on Friday how he would respond to a big-money offer for Hazard, Conte told reporters: “We are trying to buy the players, not to sell them.

Otherwise the number is always less and we are in trouble.

“These are rumours.

Eden is very happy to stay with us and to start the new season.”

Hazard is currently sidelined while he recovers from ankle surgery and the Belgian, who was injured on international duty at the end of last season, will miss the start of Chelsea’s Premier League title defence.

Hazard’s absence and Diego Costa’s exile after

his fall out with Conte leaves the Italian short of attacking options ahead of Sunday’s Community Shield clash with Arsenal.

Quizzed on whether he had expressed an interest in Neymar before PSG swooped, Conte said: “No, not true.

“It’s an impressive amount of money, £200 million. If PSG is able to do this why not?

“For a normal player now you must be ready to spend £40 million, £50 million. If you want to buy a top player, you must be ready to spend this money.”

While Conte was never in the hunt for Neymar, he has been keen to add several

Salah eyes good EPL start with Reds E gypt and new Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah says they are doing well in their pre-season ahead of the new 2017/18 English Premier League (EPL) campaign.

In the wake of their win over German Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, Salah revealed his satisfaction with the Reds’ pre-season form.

The former Chelsea and AS Roma winger switched to Anfield Stadium for a club-record €42 million and has settled in nicely since his arrival.

He has netted four goals in their pre-season so far and has received rave reviews from manager Jurgen Klopp.

The 24-year-old Pharaohs international said he cannot choose Klopp or former Roma coach Luciano Spalletti’s style, but enjoys winning games.

“Thank God, we are playing good and we are clearly improving every game, which is the most important thing for the pre-season friendlies to get us ready for the Premier League which is kicking off very soon,” Salah said.

“Everybody on the field is doing his best job, we are all following a certain style of play and thank God we are all working well as a team.

“Every coach has a different style of play, I cannot choose a preference, all what I can do is adapt.

Salah

new signings ahead of a twin assault on the Premier League and Champions League.

Having won the English title while absent from European football last season, Conte knows the demands on his squad will be much greater this term.

So far, he has landed former Real Madrid forward Alvaro Morata, midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko from Monaco and defender Antonio Rudiger from Roma.

But Conte has also sold Nemanja Matic to Manchester United, while Bakayoko will miss the start of the season with a knee injury.

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EURO… EURO… EURO… EURO… EURO… EURO… EURO… EURO… EURO… EURO… EURO…

Neymar denies money motivated PSG move

Stories by BEN NWACHUKWU WITH AGENCY REPORTS

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eymar, the world’s most expensive footballer, said on Friday that money was never the motivating factor in his record 222 million-euro transfer from Barcelona to Paris St Germain.

The Brazilian forward told a news conference on his arrival in the French capital that he was motivated by desire for a new challenge and said he wanted to make his debut today.

“I wanted a bigger challenge, and my heart made this decision and I followed my heart,” he told reporters at the Parc des Princes stadium.

“Money was never my motivation,” said the player who is reportedly being paid 45 million euros ($53 million) a year.

“I want to be happy, and I want my family to be happy. I’m really sad to hear that people think this way.

“If it was just about money, I could have gone somewhere else.

“Being the most expensive player in the world is not a burden. I weigh 69 kg.

I don’t have a burden on me.”

Neymar denied that he had tired of playing second-fiddle to Lionel Messi at Barcelona.

“It’s not that I wanted to be the big star at Barcelona,” he said “That’s not what I’m looking for here.

I’m looking for a new challenge, new trophies, and this is what motivates me.”

Club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, who introduced the player as “an idol for the whole world”, backed up Neymar’s assertion that he could have gone elsewhere for more money.

PSG fans may only have to wait a few days to see if their new superstar player is worth the money.

“I can play today against Amiens.

Why not? I’ll speak to the staff, but I really want to play. I haven’t discussed where I will play. I will play where the coach wants me to.

“I only stopped playing in the last three days and I’m hungry to play football.”

Ancelotti not worried by Bayern’s pre-season woes

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arlo Ancelotti is not unduly worried by Bayern Munich’s disappointing pre-season results and recalled a similar situation while in charge at Real Madrid, who then went on to enjoy a 22-match winning streak.

Bundesliga champions Bayern have been busy in the transfer window with James Rodriguez, Corentin Tolisso, Niklas Sule and Sebastian Rudy making the switch to the Allianz Arena.

However, Bayern have been beaten by AC Milan, Inter, Liverpool and Napoli during their preparations for the new campaign, leading to fears about their readiness for the coming season.

Ancelotti, though, pointed to Madrid’s warm-up matches for the 2014-15 campaign where they lost to Roma, Manchester United and Fiorentina but went on a recordbreaking winning streak and won the Champions League.

“Our performance was not good against Milan and Liverpool, otherwise it was fine,” he told a news conference ahead of the DFL-Supercup against Borussia Dortmund today.

“We are not yet in the best shape, but we have a lot of quality and we still have two weeks to be ready for their first Bundesliga match against Bayer Leverkusen.

“In Madrid it was similar, but then we did not lose 22 games and won the Champions League in the end.”

Ancelotti - who confirmed, as expected, that David Alaba (knock), Arjen Robben (calf) and Jerome Boateng (thigh) will join James (thigh), Thiago Alcantara (abdominal), Manuel Neuer (foot) and Juan

Ancelotti

Bernat (ankle) in missing the Dortmund curtain-raiser – says he is not feeling any new pressure from Bayern’s pre-season woes and expects an open game against Peter Bosz’s men.

“We had already some injuries in pre-season,” he added. “Many look

only at the results, but such problems may occur during pre-season. That is why I feel positive pressure.

“It’s an interesting game against Dortmund. Dortmund have a new coach and perhaps sets a new philosophy.”

Targett signs new Southampton deal

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outhampton have announced the re-signing of academy product Matt Targett on a new five-year contract through to 2022.

The left-back has represented England at Under-19, U20 and U21 level and is viewed as a long-term prospect at St Mary’s.

After starting the first three matches of last season, Targett was restricted to five Premier League appearances by a troublesome hamstring injury.

However, the defender has returned from surgery to start two games in pre-season as he looks to challenge Ryan Bertrand for a starting berth.

“I’m really happy to sign. I’ve been at the club since I was eight so to extend my time here is only a good thing,” Targett said.

“I think the injury has only helped me improve physically and mentally. I think I feel the best I’ve ever felt.

“I’ve come back from it all and got my fitness back, I am feeling fitter and stronger so it’s all posi-

tive at the moment.”

Targett will hope to be involved when Southampton open their Premier League campaign at home to Swansea City on August 12.

Mauricio Pellegrino’s side have one final friendly scheduled before that match as they host Sevilla on Saturday.

Badstuber returns to Stuttgart roots

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olger Badstuber has signed a one-year deal with Bundesliga newcomers Stuttgart after calling time on his long association with Bayern Munich.

The 31-cap Germany defender left Stuttgart as a youngster to join Bayern in 2002 and won five top-flight

titles and the Champions League with the German giants.

He has been blighted by injuries in recent seasons and spent part of last term on loan at Schalke, before his contract at the Allianz Arena expired in June.

The 28-year-old was delighted to come back to a club that holds a spe-

cial place in his heart.

“Nobody should forget their roots and I never did,” he told reporters.

“The VfB was and is something special for me and has filled me with emotion again immediately.”

Stuttgart won the 2. Bundesliga last season with Hannes Wolf at the helm.

Targett

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Joshua ordered to defend title against Ortiz B

ritish heavyweight Anthony Joshua has been ordered by the WBA to defend his title against Cuba’s Luis Ortiz.

The 27-year-old had been due to face Wladimir Klitschko in a rematch, before the Ukrainian retired on Thursday.

The WBA says Joshua and Ortiz have 30 days from August 3 to agree the fight.

Joshua, who beat Klitschko at Wembley in April, has also been told he must face IBF mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev before December 2 or risk being stripped of his belt.

There had been plans for Joshua to fight Klitschko in Las Vegas on November 11 and Ortiz’s manager, Jay Jimenez, has said his fighter could fill the void.

Jimenez said: “We are next. We have no problem fighting on that date of November 11th in Las Vegas.

Our mandatory takes precedent over Pulev’s and they know that.”

Ortiz, 38, has 23 knockouts from 27 wins, while Pulev, 36, has one defeat in his 26 fights, with 13 stoppages.

Joshua holds two of the four major belts, with New Zealand’s Joseph Parker the WBO champion, while American Deontay Wilder has the WBC belt.

Joshua

Khan splits with wife amid Joshua Twitter row

Amir Khan (left) ends marriage with wife Faryal.

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mir Khan has announced on social media that he and his wife Faryal are “to split”.

He also seemingly accuses her of cheating on him with fellow boxer Anthony Joshua.

His wife has responded accusing Amir Khan of cheating: “I think he just needs some attention because boxing hasn’t been going well.”

Anthony Joshua has denied any relationship, saying he has “never even met” Faryal Makhdoom Khan.

The 31-year-old British boxer married Pakistani-American Faryal Makhdoom in an elaborate ceremony in 2013.

Faryal, who has a make-up business, has had a difficult relationship with her in-laws in the past, saying they called her “very fake”.

The couple have a three-year-old daughter, Lamaisah, who was born in 2014.

She’s now deleted most of her tweets about Amir Khan.

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S Open champion Stan Wawrinka will not defend his title in New York later this month because of a knee injury.

The 32-year-old announced on Facebook he has had surgery on the problem and will return to action in 2018.

Last month, the Swiss struggled and needed ice on his knee as he was knocked out in the first round of Wimbledon by Russia’s Daniil Medvedev. “I love this sport and I will work hard to get back to my top level and play many more years,” said Wawrinka.

This season, the three-time Grand Slam champion reached the final of the French Open and the semi-finals of the Australia Open.

He added: “After talking with my team and doctor I had to make a difficult decision to undergo a medical intervention on my knee.

This was the only solution to make sure I will be able to compete at the top level for many more years.

“This is obviously extremely disappointing, but I am already looking ahead and planning my recovery. I love this sport and I will work hard to get back to my top level and play many more years.

Curry

Curry opens with 74 on pro golf debut

B

asketball player Stephen Curry shot a four-over-par 74 as he made his debut in a professional golf tournament. The Golden State Warrior, 29, was given a sponsor’s invite to compete in the Ellie Mae Classic on the Web.com Tour.

His opening shot landed in a golf cart, and he bogeyed three of the first five holes in Hayward, California.

“If you’d told me I was going to

shoot 74 going into the round, I’d take that all day, every day,” said the two-time NBA Most Valuable Player.

Frank Lickliter, a two-time PGA Tour winner, is among the players below Curry on the leaderboard, which is headed by Nicholas Thompson on seven under par.

The Web.com Tour is one rung below the top-level PGA Tour.

Injured Wawrinka to miss rest of year

Wawrinka

“I also want to take this opportunity to thank my fans for sending plenty of messages of support during the last couple of days. I

will see you all in 2018.”

Former world number one Novak Djokovic will also miss the US Open because of an elbow injury.

Cricket: England kept in check by South Africa

B

en Stokes was dismissed late on the first day as England were kept in check by some disciplined South Africa bowling in the final Test.

Stokes was bowled by Kagiso Rabada for 58 in the penultimate over as England closed on 260-6 at Old Trafford.

Joe Root made 52 and Alastair

Cook 46, while under-pressure opener Keaton Jennings only managed 17.

The South Africa attack, without Vernon Philander, impressed, with Kagiso Rabada picking up 2-52.

He helped fill the hole left by Philander who, along with Chris Morris, missed out because of a back injury.

On an even-paced surface offering both seam movement and some

turn, England may feel they missed the chance to cash in under the Manchester sunshine.

But they could have been in a worse position - a Root edge was missed by wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock when the captain was on 44 and Jonny Bairstow needed the third umpire to reprieve him when on only four.

England lead the series 2-1 and are

looking for a first home victory over the Proteas since 1998.

Not only are England chasing a first series win in four, they are also aiming to end an awful streak of losing eight of their past nine final matches in a series.

Here they failed to capitalise when they seemed to be moving into a position of strength, mainly through

some loose strokes.

Cook was again in good touch for his 46, only for a drive at left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj to end in the gloves of De Kock.

Root played some classy drives through the off side, but he played across the line to Duanne Olivier to be lbw.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 5, 2017

31 Foreign

US attorney general says four charged West Virginia Governor dumps Democratic Party to Republican in crackdown on leaks ÏÏÏUS

Attorney General, Jeff Sessions, has announced that four people have been charged over leaks as he launched a crackdown on disclosure of classified material.

He said the suspects stood accused of unlawfully divulging classified information or concealing contacts with foreign intelligence officers.

America’s top prosecutor said the administration has tripled the number of active leak probes since January.

President Donald Trump has criticised Mr. Sessions as “very weak” on leaks.

At Friday’s news conference, Mr. Sessions said no government could be effective when its leaders could not talk freely in confidence with foreign leaders.

“I strongly agree with the president and condemn in the strongest terms the staggering number of leaks undermining the ability of our government to protect this country,” he told reporters.

He said there had been a “dramatic” increase in recent months of unauthorised discloMRS. EKWEMALOR AWELE CYNTHIA

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ESENWA AWELE CYNTHIA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. EKWEMALOR AWELE CYNTHIA due to change in my marital status. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

sures to the media and even foreign adversaries.

The attorney general also said he wanted to review policies on media subpoenas - compelling journalists to testify in court - to balance the role of the press with protecting national security.

Jeff Sessions spoke about the Justice Department’s efforts to crack down on national security leaks before television cameras and reporters, but his intended audience was almost certainly the man in the Oval Office.

Last week the president lambasted his attorney general for not doing enough to stifle a torrent of leaks over the past six months. On Friday morning Mr. Sessions essentially replied: “See? I am doing something!”

What’s more, the attorney general served his anti-leak entree with a generous helping of media-bashing, warning that while he respected freedom of the press, he was reviewing when prosecutors could force journalists to reveal their sources - or face criminal sanction.

That’s a dish specially crafted

ADEBAYO ABIOLA OMOWUMI

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

OJO JOSEPH TITILAYO

OBAJULAYE TEMITOPE

I, formerly known, called and addressed as AKINSANYA TITILAYO, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OJO JOSEPH TITILAYO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly known, called and addressed as OSUNUSI OLADIPUPO PHILIP, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OBAJULAYE TEMITOPE. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

IKHARO OBEHI PRISCA

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

I, formerly known, called and addressed as EMOLIMHE OBEHI PRISCA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as IKHARO OBEHI PRISCA . All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

MRS. KAMA CHIKA UCHENNA (NEE NWOKORO)

for the president’s tastes.

Earlier this week, newly minted chief of staff John Kelly reportedly called Mr. Sessions and told him that, despite the president’s recent swipes, his job was safe. Perhaps Friday’s event is part of a larger effort at fence-mending between the commander-in-chief and his former political confidant.

The attorney general will have to deliver results, however. If he can’t stop the leaks, it is doubtful the president will be satisfied. And if there’s one truth in Washington, it’s that the leaks never really stop.

The move is likely to send a chill through US newsrooms that have been breaking almost daily scoops attributed to unnamed sources, which have embarrassed the White House.

Mr Sessions was joined by Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, who issued a stark warning to leakers.

“Anyone who engages in these criminal acts is betraying the intelligence community and the American people,” he said.

Myke Uzendu

ÏÏÏDespite several controver-

Governor Justice reflecting the conservative values of our Party and platform.”

He stressed that “The rumours about Justice switching parties had been percolating since the legislative session.

This wasn’t a new rumour for us at all.”

Before the flag-off of the rally, President Trump had teased of a “big announcement” at the event in Huntington, West Virginia.

He praised the achievements of governor, describing him as “Big Jim” for “show(ing) the country our agenda rises above left or right.”

With this move, the Democrats will now hold 15 state houses across the country.

That’s a dish specially crafted for the president’s tastes.

Earlier this week, newly minted chief of staff John Kelly reportedly called Mr. Sessions and told him that, despite the president’s recent swipes, his job was safe. Perhaps Friday’s event is part of a larger effort at fence-mending between the commander-in-chief and his former political confidant.

The attorney general will have to deliver results, however. If he can’t stop the leaks, it is doubtful the president will be satisfied. And if there’s one truth in Washington, it’s that the leaks never really stop.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ADENIRAN BASIRAT AYOBAMI, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. MUYIDEEN BASIRAT AYOBAMI due to marital status. That I was born on the 12th day of April, 1987. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

sies which has punctuated the election of President Donald Trump and and orgy of unprecedented resignation that is threatening the Republican party, an incumbent Governor of West Virginia has dumped the Democratic Party to the Republican.

Governor Jim Justice announced his exit from the Democratic Party, Thursday evening at an image cleansing rally organized by President Trump.

Announcing his membership of the new party, Justice said, “Today, I tell you as West Virginians, I can’t help you anymore being a Democrat governor. So, tomorrow, I will be changing my registration to Republican.”

Prior to his declaration, the news of his exit was first reported by The New York Times to the surprise of all Republicans and Democrats alike in West Virginia. The West Virginia GOP even published an ill-timed tweet attacking Justice for being “lowenergy.”

BALOGUN LATIFAT ARINOLA However, in a stateI, formerly known and addressed ment obtained by as ALABI LATIFAT ARINOLA, now ABC News earlier on wish to be known, called and addressed as BALOGUN LATIFAT Friday, the West VirARINOLA. All former documents ginia GOP Chairman, remain valid. General public and Conrad Lucas, said, Authorities Concerned should “We look forward to please take note.

MRS. NKECHI MARIE EZEH

MRS. SHOKOYA OLASUNBO BOSEDE

I, formerly known, called and addressed as MISS NKECHI MARIE EKERE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. NKECHI MARIE EZEH due to marriage status.

All former documents remain valid.

General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

I, formerly known, called and addressed as ONATOLA OLASUNBO BOSEDE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. SHOKOYA OLASUNBO BOSEDE due to marriage status. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OKINO NKIRUKA ABIGAIL, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ANIDIOBI NKIRUKA ABIGAIL. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

MRS UCHENNA-OGBUEHI MARYJECINTA OGOCHUKWU

OLUBIYI VICTORIA OLUWATOYIN

AGHEDE GRACE I, formerly known, called and addressed as JOEL AGHEDE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as AGHEDE GRACE. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

MRS. MUYIDEEN BASIRAT AYOBAMI

SALAKO TIMOTHY OLORUNWA

ANIDIOBI NKIRUKA ABIGAIL

That, ALHAJI AMAO ABIOYE (DECEASED) was the lawful owner of the property of 3/Bedrooms Flat at Ilasan Housing Estate, Block 71, Flat 3, Lekki-Epe Express Way, Lagos, Lagos State. That the Allocation paper of the said property got lost in transit. All efforts to trace the said document proved abortive. If found please call No. 08023278190. General public take note.

I, formerly known, called and addressed as SALAKO TIMOTHY MAUTIN, now wish to be known, called and addressed as SALAKO TIMOTHY OLORUNWA. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ILOBI MARYJECINTA OGOCHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS UCHENNA-OGBUEHI MARYJECINTA OGOCHUKWU, All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known, called and addressed as AKINOLA VICTORIA OLUWATOYIN, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OLUBIYI VICTORIA OLUWATOYIN. All former documents remain valid.

General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

MRS. OKEKE DIANA OBIANUJU PRECIOUS

LAWRENCE AKPAN UDOFIA

MRS. COMFORT CHIDINMA UHIARA

EKWELEM EILEEN ONYEKA

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS COMFORT CHIDINMA ONYEMACHI NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. COMFORT CHIDINMA UHIARA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. BANKS AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

I, formerly known and addressed as OKEKE SOPHY now wish to be known and addressed as EKWELEM EILEEN ONYEKA, All former documents remain valid.

Banks and the general public should please take note.

I, Formerly known and addressed as MISS NWOKORO CHIKA UCHENNA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. KAMA CHIKA UCHENNA (Nee Nwokoro).

All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKAFOR DIANA OBIANUJU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OKEKE DIANA OBIANUJU PRECIOUS. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as IBANICHUKA VICTOR, now wish to be known and addressed as LAWRENCE AKPAN UDOFIA. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

OKAFOR PASCAL UGOCHUKWU I, formerly known and addressed as, OKAFOR PASCAL, now wish to be known and addressed as, OKAFOR PASCAL UGOCHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

MR. SOTOWOU ARISTIDE GABRIEL

MRS. AGBROKO JOY OREROGHENE

UKANWA ONYEBUCHI SUNDAY

MRS. EMEKA CHIDINMA REGINA

I, formerly known and addressed as, MR. ARISTIDE SOTOWOU, now wish to be known and addressed as, MR. SOTOWOU ARISTIDE GABRIEL. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. UMUKORO JOY OREROGHENE, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. AGBROKO JOY OREROGHENE. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as, GEORGE TOCHUKWU OGUAMA, now wish to be known and addressed as, UKANWA ONYEBUCHI SUNDAY. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISSOKOJO CHIDI REGINA NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. EMEKA CHIDINMA REGINA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. NIGERIAN PRISONS SERVICE AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE. WALTER RICHARD CHINONSO

CORRECTION OF NAME/DATE OF BIRTH

MRS. TEMLONG CHRISTIE

CORRECTION OF NAME

MORUFU OLABANJI LIASU

I, NTIEDO EFFIONG NNAH, wish to correct my name which was wrongly written as, NNAH NTIEDO EVANO, instead of, NTIEDO EFFIONG NNAH. I now wish to be known and addressed as, NTIEDO EFFIONG NNAH. My correct date of birth is 25th May, 1980, not 31st December, 1980. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note

I formerly known, called and addressed as MISS PIWUNA CHRISTIE now wish to be known called and addressed as MRS. TEMLONG CHRISTIE. All former documents remain valid.

General public, please take note.

My name was wrongly spelt in some of my documents as AKODU WAKIL OLUWAKEMI instead of AKODU WAKILU OLUWAKEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public, please take note.

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MORUFU OLABANJI LIASU. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MORUF KEHINDE IGE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENT REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I, formerly known and addressed as, WALTER JOSHUA CHINOMSO, now wish to be known and addressed as, WALTER RICHARD CHINONSO. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

MAKINDE KIKELOMO

I, formerly known, called and addressed as BAMISAYE KIKELOMO DEBORAH, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MAKINDE KIKELOMO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OKECHUKWU JUSTIN

I, formerly known and addressed as OKECHUKWU BRIGHT C., now wish to be known and addressed as OKECHUKWU JUSTIN, All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

GLORY EMMANUEL OKON

I, formerly known and addressed as UduakUtibeEdem, now wish to be known as Glory Emmanuel Okon. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

MRS. BLESSING EKEH

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. NDIDI ODUANYANWU, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. BLESSING EKEH. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 5, 2017

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Business & Economy Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 5, 2017

Tourism, not CBN has over reached monetary about wealth alone – Adeboye policies – Ezun Page B3 Page B7

NIMASA introduces new cabotage policy Azubike Nnadozie with Agency report

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) said it had introduced new Cabotage Compliance Strategy (NCCS) for a successful coastal and inland trade regime.

The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Dakuku Peterside, made this known in a statement signed by Mr Isichei Osamgbi, the agency’s Head, Corporate Communications, in Lagos on Friday.

Peterside said that NIMASA came up with the facility to secure jobs for qualified Nigerians in the maritime sector.

He said that with the NCCS regime, NIMASA would no longer consider applications for grant of waiver on manning for prescribed categories of officers in vessels engaged in cabotage trade.

“The era of foreigners taking over jobs that Nigerians are qualified for in the maritime sector is over.

“The NCCS will point a new direction to our cabotage regime as the agency will no longer consider application for grant of waiver on manning requirements for vessels engaged in coastal trade.

“This is with regards to 2nd officer, 2nd engineer, 2nd mate, down to able seamen, ratings and stewards,” he said.

The director-general stated that special applications for captains, chief engineers, chief officers, and 1st mate, in the absence of qualified Nigerians, would be considered on merit.

“It is on the condition that such an organisation will plan to train a Nigerian and make a transition plan to ensure that the Nigerian takes over the job within one year,” he said.

BUSINESS TIMES Business Editor Ganiyu Obaaro

Deputy Business Editor Azubike Nnadozie Asst. Business Editor Simon Ugwu Capital Market Editor Bonny Amadi

What to know about the stock market

Page B8

Nigeria to extend gas pipeline to Cote d’ Ivoire Simon Ugwu The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has said the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) would be extended from Ghana to Cote d’ Ivoire as part of the Federal Government West African energy integration policy.

The Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, made this disclosure on Wednesday while receiving a delegation from Cote d’Ivoire at the NNPC Towers in Abuja.

Represented by the Chief Op-

erating Officer, Gas and Power, Engr. Saidu Mohammed, the GMD stated that the extension of WAGP to Cote d’Ivoire would facilitate easy transmission of gas within the West African subregion.

He noted that the visit would afford the NNPC and Cote d’Ivoire the opportunity to open a new vista for further bilateral discussion which would lead to the growth and development of the oil and gas sector.

The GMD said Nigeria and indeed the NNPC has being into the business of oil and gas explora-

tion and production for over fifty years, stressing that the interface would enable the NNPC to share its vast experiences in the sector with the delegation.

“Petroleum exploration and production dates back to over fifty years in Nigeria and a lot of experiences in technology and personnel management have been acquired. We are ready to share our experiences with you so as to help you to avoid the mistakes we made in the past,” Dr. Baru observed.

He expressed the readiness of the NNPC to develop the capacity

of the delegation, adding that the NNPC was aware of the long history of refining in Cote d’ Ivoire.

Earlier, leader of the Ivoirian delegation and Deputy Director, Production, of Ministry of Petroleum, Cote d’ Ivoire, Mr. Patrick Marshal, said the visit was to learn from Nigeria some of its best practices in personnel management, exploration and production in the oil and gas industry.

Highpoint of the visit was a technical session on the mode of operations of the NNPC in the petroleum sector.

L-R: Ifie Sekibo, MD/CEO of Heritage Bank Plc; Dr. Pual Apolo, Chief Launcher to the Fund and Governor of Oyo State, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, at the launching of the N50bn Healthcare Endowment Fund for restoration and transformation of Government Hospitals abd Health Centres in Oyo State on Thursday...

Imo Air partners ELREEDA foundation on CSR Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

Imo Air, operated by Dana Air, has announced that it will partner the House of FREEDA on the unveiling of ELFREEDA Foundation, scheduled to hold on August 11, 2017 at the Imo Trade and Investment Centre, Owerri Imo state.

ELFREEDA Foundation is a non- profit organization aimed at providing a stabilizing base for homeless women and children to rebuild their lives as they transit back to the society.

The nongovernmental orga-

nization aims to provide the basic needs for desperate and vulnerable homeless women and children, helping them build more stable and productive lives, while addressing the causes and consequences of homelessness in Nigeria.

According to the Communications Manager of Imo Air, Kingsley Ezenwa, “providing the basic necessities of life is the best thing any organization or individual can do to the underprivileged in our society.

Considering the present economic situation in the country, we believe supporting a founda-

tion like this will not only lessen the burden on our already overburdened government, but will take away the ‘destitute’ from the streets, rehabilitate them and give them a reason to smile again.”

“Just as Elizabeth Andrew said ‘volunteers don’t necessarily have the time; they have the heart. We are proud to partner the ELFREEDA Foundation and commend the founder, Mrs. Uloma Nwosu, for this massive humanitarian effort. And as a responsible corporate citizen committed to giving back to the society, we assure her of our

constant support”, he said.

Only recently, the airline introduced a buy two, get one free promo for its Lagos-Owerri-Lagos route as part of its existing partnership with the Imo state government, while assuring its guests of more customer-centric and rewarding initiatives.

Imo Air is a product of an airline partnership between the Imo state government and Dana Air, as part of efforts by the state government to diversify the economy of the state, increase commercial activities, create employment and boost tourism in the state.

Business Interview B2

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 5, 2017

AIB now relies on 5% PSC for survival – Olateru Akin Olateru is Commissioner, Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB). He is a multitalented, resourceful aviation industry professional with vast airline and business aviation management expertise. In this interview with CHUKWUEMEKE IWELUNMO , he speaks on the concession of 5 per cent from Passenger Service Charge (PSC) revenue allocation to the agency, which seems to have unsettled a handful of stakeholders. He also speaks on his plans to revamp the agency and turn its accident investigation laboratory to a research institution. Excerpts…

There is so much controversy over concession of five per cent revenue to AIB from FAAN’s Passenger Service Charge (PSC).

Why are some people kicking against it?

We need to be clear on charges.

There are two types of charges that passengers pay either directly or indirectly. They are Tickets Sales Charge (TSC)/Cargo Sales Charge.

Let us take them one after the other to really understand them.

Tickets Sales Charge/Cargo Sales Charge The TSC is in accordance with Civil Aviation Act of 2006. It is a parliamentary issue. In the same document, it further explained how to distribute the five per cent. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) gets 58 per cent; AIB three per cent; Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) gets 9 per cent; Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) gets 23 per cent and the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) gets 7 per cent which makes it 100 per cent.

Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) gets zero per cent.

The TSC is shared among five government agencies under aviation. To set the record straight, the executive arm of government has no power to alter the allocation. It is only the National Assembly that has power to vary distribution. If anybody is not happy, he needs to go back to the National Assembly.

That is the position since 2006 till date.

Passenger Service Charge You have another charge called Passenger Service Charge (PSC).

PSC came through by executive fiat. It was not an Act issue. It was a former Minister that approved the payment of PSC to FAAN. As it is today, every domestic operator pays N1000 to FAAN. On the international side, it is $50. It is only FAAN among the six agencies of aviation that earns and spends that money.

This is PSC and not TSC. The same minister in his wisdom now approved for FAAN to be paying AIB 5 per cent of the PSC. By implication, AIB earns 5 per cent of the PSC. The justification for that is, AIB is the only agency among the six government parastatals under aviation that does not charge for her services. Even though, NCAA takes 58 per cent of the TSC, they still charge for all the services they render to the airlines and to the public. NCAA calls theirs cost recovery. NAMA, NCAT, NIMET, they all charge for all their services despite their earnings from the TSC. FAAN charge for everything and every service they render to the public and airlines in general and also on non-aeronautical charges

Akin Olateru i.e adverts, access toll gates, car park and all other concessions; yet, with the current dispensation, they are to keep 95 per cent of the PSC. AIB does not charge for her services because all we do in AIB falls under ICAO Annex 13 which Nigeria is a signatory. Under United Nations charter, we cannot charge for our services. All we rely on to survive and to be efficient as an agency of government is three per cent from the TSC and now five per cent of the PSC. Now tell me, from this detailed analysis, I am sure you will agree with me that anybody that disagrees with this, is not well informed or wicked. As I speak to you, we have staff that retired from AIB some years ago have not received their severance benefits.

We have over 30 accident investigation reports still pending, critical training are not being executed and these trainings are so important and vital to our existence, our performance and sustainability. We have several projects that would enhance our performance that are still on-going for years. This five per cent is so little compared to the overall earnings of FAAN. We are all agencies of government and the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika has a responsibility to ensure that all agencies under his watch perform optimally. We have over 30 accident investigation awaiting final reports. For us to deliver on our mandates, we have to fulfil several obligations. The main reason for accident reports is to come up with safety recommenda-

tions, to prevent future occurrence.

This is why it is absolutely necessary for AIB to come up with final reports on all these accidents; also safety recommendations so that there would not be a repeat. I will give you example why timely reports are important.

You spoke about resuscitating the $5.8 million accident investigation laboratories that are lying comatose. How do you intend to do that?

We have two laboratories. A lot of people get confused over it. One is the Flight Safety Laboratory.

This is where we do a lot of downloads of Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR). This is where we analyse them including creating animation of the flight. This is very important laboratory to any reputable accident investigation agency anywhere in the world. It forms integral part of what we do. We have what we call material science laboratory is where we examine metal called metallurgy. This is advanced stage of accident investigation where you want to determine the state and condition of the material. Some material failures can be examined in this laboratory to ascertain the failure of the metal; was it before the accident or by the impact of the accident. This is one that is yet to be functional. The contract was executed about four years ago. Due to financial constraints, the funding of the project has been very slow. We still have the equipment in cartons. Some have been

installed. As a responsible management, do we sit down, fold our arms and look or ensuring we get the best out of the present situation?

What we have done is to identify some universities within Nigeria where AIB could partner with for research purposes.

What about the flight safety laboratory?

When I came in January, the laboratory was not functioning and it has been down for almost two years. We mobilised our in-house team including the IT department to ensure this laboratory works.

They all brainstormed with our engineers. After a week of trouble shooting, the laboratory started working again. Now we have a laboratory is best in West Africa. There are two other critical components for us to get maximum benefits from this laboratory which are the human capital; that is, the expertise to run the laboratory effectively and also to get maximum benefits.

We are evaluating the maintenance programmes, systems, processes and procedures we need to put these in place for the effective utilisation of the laboratory. There must be training manuals in place; standards operating procedure in place and every other process to ensure smooth running of the laboratory. These are the reasons why we invited the Singaporean aviation officials. This is based on the fact that they operate same flight safety laboratory. As you are aware, training is a continuous programme.

They have offered to accept some of our investigators to come over to Singapore for on the job training. This will enhance our capacity programme. ICAO through the Banjul Accord Accident Investigation Agency (BAGAIA) wants us to lead West Africa. This is under ICAO. It is an ICAO programme for developing the region for accident investigation. They are very much interested in ensuring that we get it right. They are giving us all the maximum support in ensuring we lead the region.

AIB and University of Ilorin just signed MoU on the Metallurgical Science Laboratory.

What does it entail?

The MoU we signed today is the first of its kind in the history of aviation in Nigeria. This is the first time any government agency will partner with a higher institution of learning on research programmes.

Basically, it is about adding value to the institution. The Federal Government of Nigeria owns AIB; Federal Government owns University of Ilorin and some other Federal institutions in Nigeria. At the end of the day, you look at it, why can’t Federal Government institutions collaborate to the benefit of the nation? So, this is why we had to think outside the box and see how we can create a synergy in a way that Nigeria and Nigerians are the main beneficiary. The material science laboratory which contract was awarded about three, four years ago; some equipment were bought but unfortunately, most of them are still in cartons. Some form of training was given to the people but I will tell you there were not enough. You

need more than one week to train somebody to be an expert on this equipment. Invariably, I will tell you the fact, that equipment is just there with zero value added to AIB as I speak today. What am trying to do is to turn around and see the opportunity that that laboratory presents. Signing today with University of Ilorin was very good. We have been on this for few months going back and forth with discussion, inspection, collaboration and we came out with an agreement and finally signed today. The ViceChancellor of University of Ilorin would have been here but engaged in one issue and decided to send the Dean of Faculty of Engineering to sign on behalf of the University. It is a landmark achievement as far as I am concerned. Till today, most material science students go abroad for their research programmes because there is no adequate laboratory to use here in Nigeria. What we have done is to open this up for the university to be able to send in their students for research programmes for using our laboratory. We are not keeping this just for University of Ilorin, we are continuing talks with University of Lagos and some other higher institutions in Nigeria. At the end of the day, AIB is trying to raise its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and ensure that our staff are well trained because if you use the same equipment over and over, that is how to build expertise. That is basically another thing we will be getting from this. You don’t pray to be having accident every day, so it may not be used for it every day but we need to engage, find a way where it is going to be using this laboratory on a daily basis and this is why we are looking in this direction. Our thanks go to the Minister of State Aviation that gave that approval. He is very happy with what we are doing. The other thing to benefit is to save the nation, capital flight. When these students go abroad for their research programmes, sometimes they spend three to four months depending on the duration and they have to stay in a hotel somewhere, leaving their families here and children back at home, they want to rush back because they could be out of money. At the end of the day, it may affect the quality of their work but if the laboratory is here, he is not looking for any dollar or pounds.

He can actually see his family over the weekend wherever and go back and forth and if incase he forgets anything that tends to do with his research, he can go back, play it all over again. It is a huge saving for the nation and I am looking to more collaboration between government agencies. In this age when government is struggling with funds, we just need to do a lot of more collaboration.

Gone are the days where everybody is standing alone; we should come together and work together for the benefit of Nigeria as a country and Nigerians. My dream is to take this laboratory to the highest level whereby we can compete with the world. My dream is to see South African students; companies come to Nigeria to use our laboratory.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 5, 2017

B3 Tourism

Tourism, not about wealth alone – Adeboye Mr. Monsuru Adeyemi Adeboye is the Chief Executive Officer of Mashy Guest House and Sport Bar located in Papa Ajao, Lagos. In this interview with EBERE CHIBUZOR, the hotelier emphasizes that one does not need to be a millionaire before engaging in recreational activities, adding that the government needs to develop the tourism industry so that all its citizen would benefit from the tourism potentials in the country. Excerpts What is the state of tourism sector in Nigeria. Is the industry pretty good?

There are lots of issues that evolve around tourism; geographical, historical, cultural sites & events, which need to be preserved for assessment, security of the environment, coupled with good hotel hospitality and trained tourism guide to mention a few.

The government’s ministry of tourism need to solicit for the help of individuals who are in field of hospitality business and have been a tourist to various notable tourist nations organizing seminars, whereby opinion on constructive way forward could be achieved thus building a solid tourism board to make the country attractive to tourist and generate income for the economy.

How would you compare the Nigeria hospitality industry to what we have in the western world?

Nigeria’s hospitality industry is still below standard, but the tourism as a whole, is a huge market in this country. Perhaps, the people in the ministry have not found the right approach on how to boost tourism.

For example, take a look at a place like Calabar in Cross River State, which is really trying in the areas of encouraging tourism. The government created an avenue for people to come once into Calabar and see. They created well organized carnival and recreational events. The ministry as a government agency in Nigeria is lagging behind. It is difficult to compare tourism in Nigeria with that of the Western World.

How do you think that Nigeria would be able to harness other aspects of tourism?

The Ministry of Tourism needs to go and check areas such as communal

Adeboye development, communal recreational centre, and community market centre.

In religious tourism, some of them go to TB Joshua but if you see the surrounding of that Synagogue Church now, one will realized that we are not organized. Our tourism board is failing; our ministry of planning also is failing. There is need for all the parastatals to work hand in hand.

What if the individual decides to do it on their own?

Individuals cannot do it without the government. They need government’s supports because, security is paramount and government is not encouraging it. More so, government has to secure a large expanse where they can build something like malls and sell to the public. If the government does this, somebody like me will come there and I will apply for one or two shops.

But you cannot centre all these things to one individual, because when you put it in an individual to handle, it would not be organized. The security would not be sufficient.

But if it is a big mall, government will provide guards; police post, police checking point, telephone

at an affordable place.

That was why I decided and tried as much as possible to provide the best as equivalent to these top hotels. I travelled to Abuja; and I found out that there are hotels and few guesthouses that are affordable.

For instance, if somebody is going to Abuja for site-seeing as a tourist; that person does not need to be excessively rich. Tourism has nothing to do with wealth. It is a matter of holidaying, enjoying, getting to know places and you don’t have to be a multi-millionaire to be a tourist.

You can decide to go to Ile Ife from Lagos for holiday to see some historical places. So, when you get to Ile Ife, you will now discover that the kind of hotel you would stay costs about twenty thousand Naira (N20, 000:00).

Before one can have a reasonable room that has bed, television, cable network with air-conditioner. If somebody decides to go to Ile Ife, for example, for two weeks and to pay N20, 000 naira or more, just for a night, then how much is that person’s sal-

and the necessary facilities would be provided.

How does the ministry of tourism benefit from such arrangement?

When you create such services, it will create employment in the nation and credibility to the tourism managers.

However, the problem is that the tourism board is failing; the government needs to beautify and change the dynamics of his community.

How did you enter into the hospitality and tourism industry?

Everybody cannot afford to lodge in a five star hotel; and not everybody can afford Marriot Hotel, Oriental hotel and others. I saw there is need for us in this country Luxury bed at Mashy Guest House to provide accommodation for the people

ary.

This is the reason why we decided to provide hospitality services and recreation at a reasonable price. It may not be the same with Sheraton and Oriental Hotels, but we try to provide the basic amenities such as cable network, good sleeping bed, air conditioned room, good water, bar, reception, bar, club house and other services that would make somebody to feel at home at reasonable and affordable rate.

The tourism industry itself is still lagging behind; there are not enough hotels and guest houses in this country. I think it only centers on the way the Ministry of Tourism is doing their home work.

What are the challenges in running hospitality business in Nigeria?

Well, maybe, one day we would have the sense of restructuring and planning. These are the two major problems the industry is facing. Tourism is a multi-million dollar business and there are people making millions out of it. Somebody

is claiming ownership of Oniru Beach and Elegushi Beach and the tourism is in this country. If individual has claims to the ownership to a place and the place is more of the government interest, that individual would be paid even on commission but now they run the show and do whatever they like. If I tell you the amount of money the Oniru and Elegushi Beaches are making by people who are running them, you cannot believe and they are not even running the place in a proper way so that it would attract tourists.

Had it been it is the ministry of tourism that is running it, they would now franchise it out to a company and you will see a different approach.

Look at the national theatre, it is so funny now.

It is part of tourism. It is like a ghetto, bear palour.

Another big challenge is electricity.

Is the business lucrative?

I told you before that tourism is a multi-million dollar industry. There are several countries in this world that make their entire revenue only on tourism. It is not a kind of a business you want to do with double mind.

You have to recreate, rebrand, reconstruct and repackage. I have been in Barbados, Caribbean, Thailand; they were organized.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 5, 2017

B4 Tourism Personality

Tourism: How musical videos, films, enhance sector –Artist Stories By Ebere Chibuzor For Nigeria to tap extensively from the huge tourism potentials in the country, there is need to explore every aspect of tourism including musical

...Harps on employment benefits

love just as music promotes peace and unity to a great extent in conno human who knows what tomorrow will bring and knowing that when we are going, we are

This observation was made by the dance hall Night Life artist, Clement Ojong, otherwise known Government

point being greed, self centered

have neglected the

used to be tourists delight, as a Ojong has also urged government to make rebranding of the tourism industry a top priority, especially at this period that income in oil has drastically fallen, without a doubt, tourism remains the best While enumerating achievements, the artist, who said he has been in the musical industry much earlier, identifying his fourth album tracks as most outstanding, said, “I have been in the music industry fourth album and it’s really doing ing towards the video shoot of this the new released album, which include Ukereje, Yorkiyeb, as well as, In addition, emphasizing since he was a child, he had always de-

solo I started playing together with Ibro Zulu Zu as group un-

Music is appealing and expresNarrating the high patronage of Nigerians music abroad, he stressed that “I am one the artists which music are being patronisAfrica countries and I found out that my music was making waves more than here, while I am strug-

including, sponsorship, support

Describing entertainment industry as pretty well, “Before now -

have organized a lot of shows that attracted artist from all over the Commenting on the uniqueness

with my market that we had to

In the nearest future, I see myself touring around the world, advising to the upcoming artists to shun all distractions and believe in God for a better future, the artist

Therefore, Ojong spoke, “On my own I have been able to come out with three audio album and one video album, thereby features Ojong equally decried the netional theatre, adding that Nigeria lack maintenance culture and be kept alive for exhibition of arts

from three or four big clubs in Ogo-

said he had equally played with

cian also appealed that Nigerians should embrace peace, unity, and

melody will drive you along espe-

On the challenges most artists face in the industry, he pointed out that sponsorship, support as well as, promotion are the major chal-

good jobs that are out there because I am not under any record label to coordinates the produc-

Ojong

of his genre of music, he said, “I

Expressing optimism, he stated, the national theatre that attracted people from home and abroad, is

beaches in Nigeria

Yankari game reserve

Apparently, Nigeria is endowed with rich natural inhabitants. There are dozens of breathtaking stretches of golden sand around the country to be enjoyed at any time of the year – although June to August can be a little wet. Nigeria’s best beaches. So, whether you are looking for a serene environment for a solo stroll, a place for a beach party or a wedding, an all-rounder to please the whole family, or just a cool spot to lay your towel. Get a thrill out

Elegushi beach

If you are in search of solitude, this beach should not be your first choice – but if you like your beach trips to come with a little adventure, a spot of culture and plenty of partying, this is the place to be. Positioned around the Ikate area of Lekki, Lagos,Elegushi Beach is possibly the most popular beach on the peninsula. There is only one thing standing in the way, however, as one of the most exclusive beach destinations in the country, you will need to have deep wallets if you want to a get good time here.

Patigi Beach

Patigi Beach is located along River Niger. It is not your classic poster beach with silky soft sand and a palm-fringed backdrop; rather, its appeal lies in the drama of its landscape and

activities that you can engage in while on the beach. Fishermen and fishing enthusiasts also love this place, as flathead, bream, whiting and many other popular species are just a bait away.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 5, 2017

B5 Tourism

Green Legacy Resorts: Tourism site to behold

Tour guide chopper (facility) at Green Legacy Resorts

Stories By Ebere Chibuzor Green Legacy Resorts, has taken Abeokuta by storm. The Resort is fast attempting to up the ante of leisure in Ogun state. It is a tourim potential that could transcend generation. Call it a legacy or monument, it is a delight to behold.

In fact, former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has indeed scored a rare feat through his viWith the choice of situating the GreenLegacy Resorts in Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital, by him, the state’s tourism potential has once again received a big boost.

Besides, Olumo Rock, which has for ages, dominated the tourism landscape of the gateway state, Green Legacy Resorts has also proven itself as a tourism potential with the capacity to drive tourists to the state.

From the gate leading to what is popularly referred to as the Obasanjo Presidential Library, vel at the aesthetics, architecture

and thoroughness employed by Obasanjo, in the assemblage of various structures within the enclave. One of the beautiful works of nature was put on display through the heart melting rock of ly earmarked to cater for the needs of couples and other fun-seekers.

Meanwhile, because of the expansive size of the resorts, chopper rides are provided by the management to freely convey guests to the various leisure spots around the destination. The mangrove vegetation that dots the landscape

with almost 100 per cent local materials for its construction, was conceived to add sustainable value to the society. It is a venture established to fund the Presidential Library.

Due to the alluring beauty of the resort, leisure seekers notice by our correspondence, submitted to the pristine beauty of the resort,

relishing the beautiful nature crafted around the resorts. However, from the reception, the cheerful attendants employed all necessary skills to make you see the resort as an adventure that awaits you on arrival.

Truly, it is. It has very distinguishing features. Set on over a million square meter land within a 5kilometer stretch, the resort is truly an adventure that awaits leisure connoisseurs. It parades 75 stylishly, yet tastefully, furnished exclusive suites and room. Depending on the taste of the guests, they are presented with option of choosing from the exclusive rooms closer to the Spa, Gym and the swimming pool. The rooms come in four broad categories, ambassadorial suite, superior double suite, executive double suite and studio executive room.

With rates between N25,000 and leisure with the Bamboo grove bar that can sit over 200 guests, there are mouth watery Suya, Barbeque and Asun with chilled drinks all available at cheaper rates for guests. ity sporting events for guests from the tastefully furnished gym with

Treadmill, Multi-stations, Taekwondo centre, Volley ball court and two swimming pools each for adults and children. There is also a capacity multipurpose hall and conference centres for all manner of occasions. The unique features of the resorts is that all the furniture aroundthe landscape including the beddings and furniture, window frames and doors,glass sand for ceramic tiles are built with 100 per cent local content based on the directive of the former president.The resorts also serve intercontinental rates. But apart from the ingenuity of local skills and products on display, one of the interest features of the resort is the zoo, which contains hyena, monkeys, donkeys, wolves, alligators and ostriches.

Also strategically located close to the zoo is the Rock of Inspiration. There is also an amusement park specially built for children, it contains a roller coaster, bouncing castle and other exciting fun packs for both children and kids.

Interestingly too is that, the peaceful setting of the resort is commendable, as it is located within a friendly community rich in culture and history of the Egbaland.

world of therapeutic experience. its-kind on the tranquil landscape situated close to the new state government secretariat.

It is managed by the Olusegun Obasanjo Legacy Foundation, a United Kingdom charity organization established with the vision of advancing human security in Africa.

According to the manager, the resort, which captures the essence of nature, culture and tradition

Side view, Olumo Rock

Finima Beach Set in the small town of Finima in Bonny Island, Rivers State, this beach is surrounded by long stretches of beaches stemming from the Atlantic Ocean. There is all-day free parking that makes getting a decent spot without having to pay through the nose a viable option – if you arrive early enough. Once you don your swimming gear, it is a possible to spend an entire day in the area as there are plenty of activities to keep you busy. The beach is patronized by expatriates working in Nigeria NLNG plant and locals for picnic, relaxation and refreshment.

Asaba beach Delta state has its fair share of beaches, but the Asaba beach is one of its best; thanks to the wonderful scenery. The setting is fascinating, as you are surrounded by coconut and palm trees, creeks, rock formations and clean beach sand. It is the perfect place to relax on a picnic, go surfing, play volleyball, sun-bathe or enjoy a beautiful sunset at the beach while gorging on local grilled fish in the evening.

Ibeno Beach Ibeno beach is an eye-catching sea coast, which stretches to James Town on the Atlantic, in Akwa Ibom State. The place is perfect for recreational activities, as there are facilities for water sports.

However the growing number of visitors recorded at this time of the year puts a damper on its charm as a quiet getaway.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 5, 2017

Nigeria pays lip service to diversification from oil to Tourism An investor in the tourism industry, Mr Yomi Fadugba, says the Nigerian government has yet to show enough commitment to diversification from oil to other sectors of the economy.

Fadugba, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MOYDAK Construction Ltd., Lagos, made the assertion on Wednesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on how the tourism sector has fared.

Fadugba, a hospitality business investor, told NAN that making tourism an investment destination was more than political speeches but rather a money spinner waiting to be tapped.

He ascribed the low income from the tourism sector to government’s insincerity in funding it adequately.

“Tourism is a segment of the economy with huge potential to generate enough foreign earnings for the country. Everybody knows that, government inclusive but it fails to act accordingly.

“We talk of Dubai tourism potential only when we have lectures and seminars but when it comes to practical, we shy away.

Government must wake up because African countries are leaving us behind.

“When this government

Fadugba came to power, they promised to diversify at least into tourism, but when the budget was prepared, nothing suggests what they had earlier promised.

“It is true that tourism contributed 4.8 per cent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2016, it can be improved upon with right investment if government gets its acts together,’’ he said.

Fadugba said that the 2017 budget should have reflected what the government promised on the improved funding to tourism.

“For the purpose of comparison, United Arab Emirate (UAE), the toast of our politicians invested 7.46 billion dollars in the UAE’s travel and tourism sector in 2015, a significant 7.3 per cent of its total in-

vestment.

“The return on investment was massive as they reap 14.81 billion dollars in the year 2016 with a projection of eight per cent investment in the year 2023.

“For Nigeria, we only appropriate a paltry N1.3 billion for the whole tourism sector under the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), in the present budget. This includes the overhead cost and others.

“The 2017 appropriation is grossly inadequate if we are serious with diversification form oil to tourism.

We can’t expect to reap where we did not sow,’’ he told NAN. Fadugba said that Nigeria needed world class airports and favourable Foreign Exchange (Forex)

regime to mitigate the challenges hospitality and tourism industry were facing.

“Having world class airports will ease travelling into the country. If what the investors meet on entry to the country is nothing to write about, do we expect them to come back?

“The airport in Abuja and Lagos which we pride in as world class cannot be compared with local airports in South Africa; even those two are grossly inadequate.

“Nigeria with a population of about 170 million needs airports that can take 30,000 people at most, but do we have that? Airports sell us more and more importantly a National Carrier,’’ he told NAN. “I honestly don’t know what the government is talking about in developing tourism when there are no standard airports in the eastern part of the country to open up the area.

“Go to the east, no good roads, no rail and no international standard airport; so, how do you want to transport the tourists to that place? It can’t work that way, Nigeria should be connected with effective transportation.

“Another issue is about the Forex, I have yet to see a country in any part of the world that shut its Forex window to tourism but Nigeria did that in 2016, it’s

B6 Tourism

Zimbabwe tourism players demand bridge across River Limpopo to South Africa VILLAGERS from Maramani in the Shashi area of Beitbridge are asking authorities to reconsider building a bridge linking Zimbabwe and South Africa in their area 100km west of Beitbridge town.

The villagers were convinced the bridge would help thousands of people from their area and beyond whose traditional links with people in South Africa date back centuries ago.

“We have relatives across the river (Limpopo) in South Africa and having to travel 100km to Beitbridge for immigration and other formalities and the same distance on the other side to visit someone just across is wrong,” headman Lemohang Mahopolo said.

“Prior to this boundary being in place, our area was just one known as Mapungubwe stretching across the river and our ancestors walked to and from across the river without restriction,” he said in an interview.

Mapungubwe is an ancient city of Munhumutapa known to have been built before Great Zimbabwe located in South Africa just about 5km across the Limpopo River south of Maramani in Zimbabwe.

The ancient city, recently discovered by archaeologists, was the trade capital of the em-

pire that later moved its headquarters to Great Zimbabwe, according to the discoveries that include the chevron pattern synonymous with Great Zimbabwe.

A proposal for a bridge at the point was first mooted in the late 1990s after South Africa attained independence when it was felt the freedom should bring easier movement between people living on the borderline.

The establishment of the Transfrontier Park shared by Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa brightened hopes for such a bridge as it was expected to boost tourist arrivals.Tourism players from both countries pressed for the bridge when most visitors expressed displeasure about delays at Beitbridge Border Post.

A source in the Immigration Department said plans for the bridge reached peak stages that saw an immigration office built at the point in Maramani.

“We thought things were moving and our dream was becoming a reality,” headman Mahopolo said.

A series of meetings were held and the bridge was viewed as one that would ease the pressure at Beitbridge, which handles thousands of people travelling between South Africa and Zimbabwe day.

Tourism destinations in Middle-Belt Nasarawa State – ‘So close to the heart’ Among the six states created in 1996 by the military regime of late General Sani Abacha, Nasarawa was one of them. The state was carved out of the old Plateau State and ever since it was created, the state has grown to become one of the top tourist states with its natural inhabitants.

Nasarawa state has a population of a little less than 2 million very hospitable and culturally rich people with diverse range of ethnic

groups, include Afo, Alago, Baribari, Bassa, Egbira, Fulani, Gade, Gwandara, Hausa as well as Jukun, Kanuri, Mada, Ninzom Tiv and others.

Situated in north-central geopolitical zone of Nigeria with 13 local governments including Awe, Akwanga, Doma, Karu, Keana, Keffi, Lafia, Nasarawa, Nasarawa-Eggon, Obi amongst other and farming is the main occupation of the people.

Kogi State - “Confluence State”

Benue state – “Food basket of the nation” With a land mass of 32,518sqkm, Benue State lies within the lower river Benue in the middle belt region of Nigeria.

Located in north-central geopolitical zone of Nigeria, Benue State was created out of the old BenuePlateau State in 1976 with its headquarter is Makur-

di. The state is divided into twenty three local government areas which include Ado, Agatu, Apa, Buruku, Gboko, Guma, Gwer-East, Gwer-West, Katsina-Ala, Konshisha, Kwande, Logo, Makurdi, Obi, Ogbadibo, Ohimini, Oju, Okpokwu, Otukpo, Tarka, Ukum, Ushongo Vandeikya.

Historically, Kogi state was formed in 1991 from parts of Kwara State and Benue State. At present, the state has 21 LGA’s with three major ethnic groups including Igala, Ebira and Okun Yoruba, as well as, other minor groups such as Bassa Komo, Kupa, Ogori-Magongo, Nupe, Bassa Komo, Gwari among others.

It is situated in the middle-belt region of Nigeria with its capital, Lokoja,

the confluence of River Benue and River Niger made the state popular though.

There are three dominant languages in the state which include Igala, Nupe and Yoruba but they mainly farmers.

Kogi State is bounded to the east by Nassarawa State, to the south by Enugu, Anambra and Edo States, to the west by Ondo, Ekiti and Kwara States and to the north by Niger.

Business Review B7 In recent times, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been actively engaging in implementing policies that will ease economic pressures and tame cost of living for the ordinary man, how will you rate the Apex Bank’s efforts so far?

The Central Bank of Nigeria has done a lot in trying to target inflation and bring it back within the anchor rate of 6-9 percent. However, what the CBN is doing now, may not have major impact because the CBN has over reached its monetary policies. A lot of the problems we have today, that are filtering into the CPI calculation are more of structural and that’s why we need the fiscal side to complement what the CBN is doing with monetary policies.

The problem we have today is about infrastructural input into the production of goods and services, in terms of good roads and power. A lot of companies and industries that produce goods that are priced on the streets will tell you that they spent a lot on power and even on transportation to get those good into the city.

So, a lot of the issues that will help reflect and bring down inflation rate are more structural than monetary, so whatever CBN is doing, is to help put the exchange rate in check, so that there are no loose naira for speculation in the FX market.

But major input that will bring down inflation rate are more structural and these are not within the CBN purview.

Well, analysts have been clamoring for the harmonization of fiscal and monetary policies to help speed up economic activities. Notwithstanding this, the CBN has been steadily intervening in the Forex Market. In your own view, how long can the CBN carry on with these interventions without getting the fiscal support it needs?

For the Central Bank, there are major mandates required to enjoy price stability.

Price stability entails three prices: Interest rate, Inflation rate and Exchange rate.

Over time, they have actually focused on exchange rate because people believe that if Exchange rate is stable, (because it is a major input into the calculation of the CPI) then we can begin to

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 5, 2017

CBN has over reached monetary policies – Ezun Kunle Ezun is a Research Economist at Ecobank Nigeria Limited, with a vast experience in research and market development spanning over 10 years. In this interview, he speaks on the state of the economy, efforts by the Central Bank of Nigeria towards revamping economic activities, fiscal authority interventions among other issues. AFOLABI ADESOLA reports.

EZUN see a gradual reflection for a reduction in the inflation rate.

If you can remember vividly, a major reason why we had the inflation rate climbing so quickly last year was when we had the issue with exchange rate but now the exchange rate is more stable around 350/$ - 360/$ this has helped to stabilise the naira against the dollar in the market and has helped reduce the inflation rate.

But on how more can the CBN do to tame the inflation rate, I think the CBN will continue to try because recently the CBN was at the national assembly and the

argument was to see how soon we could achieve a single digit exchange rate that will enhance on lending to the real sector. The CBN government did say that as far as they are concerned they will only be disposed to reducing the interest rate if inflation rate gets to 10 or 11 percent.

But how can soon can we begin to see inflation rate around 10 or 11 percent? My take is that before year end 2017 or perhaps by Q1 2018, we will begin to see inflation rate around ten percent or single digit.

Before then, we need the interventions from the fiscal authori-

ed a negative growth but the rate of change was lower than what we witnessed in Q4’16.

So if things work like we all planned, and we continue to see the kind of support we are seeing from the CBN in terms of access to FX liquidity, because my take is that for us to quickly move out of recession we need to keep supporting the SME’s.

Most Economies that have jumpstarted their economy out of recession have done that through the support of their SME’s, and that is what the CBN has done by providing FX of USD$20,000 every quarter to eligible SME’s.

So if we continue to see this supply, this access to FX, then we can begin to see traction and activities that will enhance production.

Majorly what we need to do is support consumer expectation, once individuals are able to enhance their consumption, this is where the budget kicks in.

We’ve seen a budget of N7.4 trillion and we expect that if the budget is judiciously implemented in line with the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan of the Government, then we should be glad and be looking forward to exiting the recession by Q4 2017 and in a worst case scenario in Q1 2018. Because we need to record a positive growth of two consecutive quarters to be able to say we have successfully exited recession. I think with what government is doing, and with every sector moving in one direction, that is how to jump start the economy out of recession.

ties to provide an enabling environment in support of what the CBN is doing. We need to see how much improvement can be achieved in infrastructural development, especially in power supply, that will help reduce the cost of production.

I want to see an efficient transportation system in the country that will help enhance the movement of goods and services from the rural to the urban center, because all of this filter into the calculation for inflation rate, once we are able to have a complementary effort from the fiscal side, to the monetary side.

All of this working together with the Central Bank will be able to highlight a more predictable fiduciary outlook that will help stabilise inflation rate around single digit before the year end 2017.

What positives can we expect in terms of exiting recession by Q3 or year end?

Actually I am one of the economists that believed that by Q3/ Q4 we should conveniently exit recession.

So far, the economy has thrived as the CBN has single handedly supported the economy and we are gradually pulling out of recession.

But looking at the records released sometime in April we could see that yes we record-

My take is that before year end 2017 or by Q1 2018, we will begin to see inflation rate around ten percent or single digit. Before then, we need the interventions from the fiscal authorities to provide an enabling environment in support of what the CBN is doing

v

B8 Personal Bonny Amadi Understanding the stock market and how to make money form the market takes time and commitment, it is not what is achievable on a short time basis.

Before learning how to use the stock market, one need to first understand, what stock market really is?

What is stock market?

A stock market could also be called equity market or share market, is the aggregation of buyers and sellers of stocks also called shares, which represent ownership claims on business entities.

These ownership rights may include ownership of securities listed on a public stock exchange, like the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) as well as those not listed or traded over the counter (OTC) or traded privately.

Stock exchanges list shares of common equity as well as other security types, e.g. federal government bonds, Exchange traded funds (ETF), derivatives, corporate bonds, convertible bonds, features, options.

While shares, government bonds, corporate bonds derivatives are currently traded on the Nigerian Stock exchange, features and options are yet to be introduced by the exchange.

Getting Stock market information Market information could be accessed through the TV news, newspapers, the internet, radio or directly from professional stock brokers Market terms like, “The NSE ASI closed high.

“The Dow Jones closed at record highs”; “The S&P 500 is trading down twotenths of one percent”; “The stock market is reacting to news from Washington: The stock market is reacting to news from Abuja” The stock market seems to be everywhere in our daily lives, but what exactly is the stock market?

And, what are stocks that are bought and sold on this market? What does it mean for you, for your employer, or for the country’s economy when the stock market had “a good day”?

Your rights as a share-

Finance

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 5, 2017

What to know about the stock market holder’s According to Investopedia, getting answers to market questions are not always obvious once one begins to think about what stocks are. For example, you may have heard that owning stock means that you become an owner of that company. But what does that mean? As an “owner” can you rightfully walk into one of its offices and take home a chair or a desk?

Can you hire and fire people?

As a shareholder, Voting Power on Major Issues, Ownership in a Portion of the Company, The Right to Transfer Ownership, An Entitlement to Dividends, Opportunity to Inspect Corporate Books and Records, The Right to Sue for Wrongful Acts and insisting compliance with Corporate Governance.

Top Nigerian companies listed on the stock Exchange The stock market is known as an institution that grows wealth or for savings. It has never been a casino, but a medium for savings through buying of shares in listed companies and expecting to benefit form their profit sharing.

However, when listed companies make loss, the shareholders also benefit from the loss by not receiving dividend hence loss making companies don’t pay dividend.

Some of the top companies listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) that provide ample opportunities for people to buy their shares and expect good returns are , NESTLE Nigeria Plc, Zenith Bank, FBN Holdings, GTBank, Dangote Cement , UBA,Lafarge Africa amongst others.

Majority and minority shareholder Of course, if you only own a small number of shares, you only “own” a small percentage of the company, but what if you own a majority of the shares, could you then take home a chair or fire workers?

Once you’ve come to grasp these concepts and understand what makes

Shareholders at AGM the stock market tick, the hope is that you’ll become a smarter, more informed, and savvy investor. Even if you don’t have a brokerage account of your own and invest with your own money, you may very well be exposed to stocks via your retirement account, pension plan, college savings plans, health savings plans, or insurance policies.

Stock market, once a tool for the rich Once a tool for the rich, the stock market has now turned into the vehicle of choice for growing wealth for many segments of the population. Advances in trading technology and low-cost brokerage services on the internet have opened up stock markets so that today nearly anybody can own stocks with the click of a mouse.

Considerations for stock purchase That means you have a reason to believe the factory needs to be expanded, or that you understand broadly the type of research being done and what the payoff might be, or that you understand and believe in the business plan of the new venture. In other words, investing is a rational decision made with an eye to the future. When you invest, your money is intended to be put to work increasing value.

Need for stockbroker The dealing member of the Nigerian Stock exchange, or stockbroker is licensed to trade on the platforms of the NSE and render financial advisory services, however there are also unlicensed brokers who are not reliable and could be dubious, so caution must be taken in choosing a stock broker.

The stock broker’s job is to manage the financial portfolio of your client; so this could be an individual or a company. On the advice of investment analysts, the stockbroker stands a as the investor’s agent and charges commission for his services depending on the volume of transaction or counselling services rendered.

The stock broker discusses with you as the client which shares to buy or sell in order to get the best returns on the transaction.

Before proceeding However, it is important to distinguish between two common uses of the stock market: investing and speculation.

Investing is when you hand over your money so that it is put to use for productive projects such as growth or expansion.

It is worthy to know that investing in a factory, in research and development, in a new business idea – these are all done

with the expectation that in the future, the factory, the research, or the startup will be worth more than the original investment.

Speculation Speculative share purchase or investing, on the other hand, is akin to gambling. Speculators purchase something with the hope that they can soon sell it at a higher price, but without necessarily understanding, or even caring about why the price should go up.

Sometimes, speculators have an intuitive feeling, or are trading on rumor, but ultimately they do not concern themselves with the factory, the R&D, or the business plan. Speculation should not always be viewed as a bad thing, however; speculators add liquidity to markets, and many have done very well for themselves.

Losing or gaining via speculation At the same time, many smart investors have lost their fortunes in the stock market through speculation. The important distinction between investors and speculators is not a normative one, but rather that investors are generally more interested in the processes underlying prices; they are in it for the long haul, while speculators are more interested in the price itself,

and with shorter time horizons for making money.

Dividend payment Dividends are now paid electronically against the previous tradition when dividend cheques are issued and in most cases they get stale and needed revalidation.

Now, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC0 has enabled easy market operations through electronic dividend or e-dividend.

Electronic payment network such as the Nigerian Interbank Settlement Systems (NIBSS) and the registrar facilitate the processing and payment of shareholders dividends and interest on Bonds, Shares and other investment through the Automated Clearing House.

Benefits of e-Dividend It is expected that the e-dividend would: Eliminate/minimize cases of unclaimed dividends through direct credit of dividends into shareholders accounts.

Minimize zero tolerance of dividends loss in transit, Eliminate the forfeiture of dividends in the future.

E-DIVIDEND also avoid incidence of unclaimed dividend and to enhance ability of shareholders to immediately access and utilize the proceeds of their investments.

Life&

TIMES Saturday, August 5, 2017

Nigerian entertainment industry should encourage more female artistes –Bonang MathebaL P

2&3

Interview L2

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, August 5, 2017

Social media has played key role in my popularity –Bonang Matheba

13 years and going strong!

No, because as an Executive Producer What has the experience been like and will you do of the show I get to decide what I want to it all over again given the same opportunity? is such a privilege and I do not take it for for understanding this and allowing me to have carte blanche on this one.

As part of the One Global Campaign that is aimed at educating the many thousands of African girls who do not have access to education, I want to be the force that has taken it upon myself to educate at least 100 of those girls because I believe in the power of giving back through education I feel like I am at a great place in my life where I can afford to share parts about my life I would not have otherwise done before with my fans. I think it also comes with being grounded with where I am and being at a point in my life where I want to pay it forward.

Because I am in the public space, media has always taken a stance I told my story through their lens and I have allowed it. But 13 years later, I realize and feel content enough to allow people in my world and share the secrets behind a successful brand in the true Bonang fashion.

Life&

Foundation we have initiated a process where we are educating and funding 10 girls this year with full scholarships. In the years to come we hope to extend this to more than just these group of amazing young and talented girls. It is my mission to achieve this and it will be done.

(Laughs)One session is more than enough, thank you very much darling.

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, August 5, 2017

Interview L3

Why I’m passionate about girl-child education –Bonang Matheba over the past 13 years has been the cornerstone of where and how I built my career and brand.

Through my book, From A to B, I have been able to capture all these moments in their realest and purest form. Heartache, heartbreak, good moments, bad moments love and affection. You name it, it is so well documented in my book and it is my pleasure to be able to share my story in

What inspired you to tow this career path?

It all started with me watching all the awesome talent SABC 1 had to offer with Jam Alley and the way in my realizing that I could have a talent for this TV thing and I went for it without hesitation.

We all are inspired by someone and have had started. Humble but sweet beginnings I tell you.

As a popular celeb in South Africa, would you say the use of social media played a key role in your rise to fame?

Absolutely! Social media has played a major role in my popularity and impact over the past two years in the different markets I have found momentum in. We cannot ignore the power boundaries and I am truly grateful and aware of that.

How would you compare the South African and Nigerian entertainment industries?

The truth is, I never try compare the two as they are two completely different markets. However, if you had to ask me to highlight some of the stark differences I would have to say Nigeria is way much bigger in population size. They almost have three times the population size we have is SA. In terms of their entertainment industry, I would have to give it to them in delivering a stunning Red-carpet experience and their ability to elevate the status of their artists. When it comes to my beloved home country, SA I would have to say, our industry is far much kinder to our female counterparts and the industry genuinely celebrates them and allows them to shine. This is more progressive and probably where I feel Nigeria can do a bit more in terms of dialing this up. An example, Tiwa Savage is the only popular female voice in Nigeria that is greatly celebrated whilst the rest of the country honours and recognizes more men. This is an area from observation that can be more elevated.

Have you ever tasted Nigerian Jollof rice?

Of course! I have had everything that you can possibly think of in Nigeria (laughs). I know all

never go wrong there.

You recently celebrated your 30th birthday with a lavish party and you have achieved so much already. What next big thing should we

expect from Bonang?

In my world, there is always a lot happening. thrill. My supporters should keep a lookout for my new app that promises to shakeup and disrupt the market, my make-up range/collection with Revlon and of course my book tour coming at an Exclusive Books near you!

How do you handle the fame, scandals and cyber-bullying? have to show up for every war. The truth about negativity is that it is such a small part of the bigger pool. I always apply the 80 – 20 rule that focuses intentionally on the bigger and better. The positive that will ensure you get to where you need to.

When you are not working, how do you unwind?

I travel the world and I shop!

Any message for young women who aspire to be like you?

In whatever you do, whatever choices you make, whatever husband you choose to marry, whatever you choose baby girl, just make sure you are doing of your body you are happy.

Society Gist L4

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, August 5, 2017

Ajibade Alabi

Island youngest big boy set to paint Ipokia red

Damsel back with ‘Rainbow’ Truly she is Nigeria Most Sought industry for some time but went abroad to pursue her business line. We are talking about EJOH UGOCHI VIVIAN popularly known by her stage name DAMSEL a. k.

If there is anything like “youngest biggest boy” in Island one name that will come to people conscious will be no other one than Bankole Nurudeen Adebiyi aka Banky Nero. He is well known in Islander among the socialites and celebrities despite her young age. But the gist here is not about his popularity but how this young man in his 30s has planned to paint the town of Ipokia, Ogun State come August 12th for the burial of his grandmother, Mrs. Gbadamosi by dragging his business pals and friends to the sleepy town of Ipokia in Ogun State -

Owerri in Imo State, Eastern Part of Nigeria is a talented artiste to watch out for She is a zealous and passionate female performing act who takes ( Raggae Pop/Dancehall ) as music genre is back with a sweet song titled ( RAINBOW). Rainbow was produced by one of the top CelebWithin 6 days of release, Rainbow

icon, KWAM 1 on the stage “it is not my way to make noise but I

Damsel

something is happening” when he was confronted as been the biggest boy in IsBankole Nurudeen Adebiyi

was all he could altered

Aminu Tambuwal’s son joins group of degree graduates

countries like Ghana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Malawi, Kenya, Namibia & Nigeria attached with daily & regular airplay in radio stations, No doubt Rainbow is a hit.

In an interaction with her manager, Ambassador Oluwatosin

been zealous and humble Damsel is highly talented and always stand to be corrected.

he stressed further that apart from

to the song RAINBOW,

my instinct said this song going to be a hit so we started pressing necessary buttons. Very soon

Maryam Abacha in happy mood

The Abachas

Aminu Tambuwal and son during his graduation

past speaker of House Representahigher institutions across the world of powerful Nigerians if feelers emanating from the United Kingdom (UK) are anything to go by -

one of the higher institution in UK Other Nigeria eminent whose kids has graduated recently from different institution in Queens land are Senator Bukola Saraki, , Emir of

see Maryam Abacha widow of the late military dictator General Sanni Abach is smiling as if her account has been credited with billions of naira. Before you will start wondering why is this woman whose husband died at the corridor power in 1998 is smiling again, let quickly tell you that the reason is not far-

Hamama, wife of her fourth son Mahmud, was recently de-

and now feelers Daily Times Soci-

Hamama who became Abacha in law in 2013 is in happy mood now as her dream of motherhood has finally been materiof celebration in the house hold of Abacha. Apart this there has also been a lot of gift that has been bestowed on the mother of the new born baby who it was she was under pressure to add to the population of Abachas.

So for now it is good news to the Abacha and Maryam who

of Aminu Tambuwal the immediate

ers

four years of marital life We can also tell you here that

grandchild to her family name

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, August 5, 2017

Society Gist L5

Ajibade Alabi

Opeyemi Bamidele gears up for Ekiti 2018 election

Though he clocked the age of 54 recently but we can tell you that Opeyemi

29th of July, 2017 “Bamidele still has his

brilliant Iyin-Ekiti born and former Lagos State Commissioner for Sports

he want to thread with caution and employ tact this time around”

is already gearing up for the coming election in Ekiti state.

Though after his failure house in Ekiti state not much has been heard from this graduate of Obafemi

Daily Times The tenure of the incumbent ends next year so there would be 2018

decamped from APC to Labour Part to pursue his gubernatorial ambition but

When Christian Queen gathers in Lagos

his friends and colleagues for his birthday bash gist

The second edition of Christian Queen Nigeria

the birthday celebration to

Hotel, Ogba is an annual pageantry organized by AFV on the platform of Esther Beauty Pageant.

The Esther beauty pageant, according to

ambition the birthday party was done in his Iyin Ekiti hometown in Ekiti state, last week Saturday

Beauty and intelligence, as well as Cat walking

decency, morality, discipline, intelligence and

The maiden edition of the pageant held last year produced Queen Joy Ayozie as winner.

According to the President of Asher Fleet Ventures, organizers of the pageant, Emmanuel Chukwuji, research has shown that nudity, sexual harassment, intimidation and indecency

age bracket 18 to 28 years.

The beauty pageant completely outlaws the use of bikini dresses and nudity is prohibited. Auditions were held in six states, Lagos, Edo, Delta, Imo,

especially in pageantry. Nigerians and especially young girls are angry at organizers of beauty pageant for glamorizing nudity and many of them feel self-conscious about going nude as a result of

Opeyemi Bamidele

What Socialite, Akeem Anifowoshe, Abdulhameed Salau Share in Common

winners will be chosen based on performances in their knowledge of the Bible, especially the book of Esther and Ruth. They will also be tasked on

part of any beauty pageant.

Organizers say a good number of Christian and they cut across all denominations.

Son of first NTA Newscaster, Wale Kuforiji ties the knot Akeem

Salau

It is no news that the business tycoon and Icon, Akeem Anifowoshe is one of the great and well known philanthropist in our society. but his friend, Abdulhameed Salau is a strong politician. It will interest you to know that; Duller emerged the winner in the just concluded chairmanship election Lagos.

The duo has been tagged “The winning Team” by ments they both shared. The relationship between Akeem and Abdulhameed is mutuality as they created a niche where family and friends wine and dine.

According to Akeem “I met Duller through a friend called Akeem Alao now based in Canada, since then he took me as his blood and that made me become closed to his family home and abroad till date”. of the supports bestowed on him by his family and Friends home and abroad who participated immensely throughout the electioneering process.

To those who do not know Akeem Anifowoshe, he

It was a celebration last week Friday and gathering of who is who is who in society circle and media personalities stormed Chapel of Christ The Light Hall, Alausa, Secretariat Ikeja Lagos to witnessed the glamorous and solemnizations of Diekolola Oluwakemi Amosu and Onawale the NTA Channel 7, Lagos, Bashorun Jide Kuforiji It was a day that Bashorun Kuforiji

mind that soon I will be a grandfather” for intense and purposes Bashorun to read news on the then newly established NTA Channel 7, and it was with nostalgia when he relayed it back during the wedding of her son Onawale while he was talking to Daily Times. “I still remember the day as if it

The wedding train which started at the ministry of interior federal marriage registry ikoyi Lagos and then culminated Christ the Light Hall Alausa where there was a lot to eat and drink. At the august groom parents who were all in happy mood for the success of the wedding.

a well-known socialites are some of the socialites among the one from UK that made the occasion one to remember for the new couple Speaking after the wedding on behalf of himself and his newly wife Onawale stated that this is new dawn in his life “I think I am going into a new life with the

but for now I am basking in euphoria of

the rest of my life. I thank all those who took their time to come and celebrate with us both from Nigeria here and abroad, to them all I say thank you,

special day for me”

daughter to marry”

Buzzbyte L4

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, August 5, 2017

Mutiat Alli

Kcee declares intention for Anambra Governorship Election

Mara Models Agency debuts with free workshop for aspiring models

Just like actor Yul Edochie, Five star music act, Kcee has declares his intention to participate in the forthcoming Anambra state Kcee made the announcement when he posted a photo of himself with Peace and enjoyment for Yetunde Babaeko

to provide a free workshop for aspiring mod-

of the agency to established photographers as a major advantage as their models would be able to gain experience leading to regular

Launched in January 2017, the MMA team features a dynamic team drawn from the world of photography and advertising

shared legal tips and pitfalls to avoid when

town, Mara Models Agency teamed up with

session allowed for the models present to

He said “he has the intention to run and he has why the music star decided to run against Yul Edochie, he said, “Anybody can run,

actor Yul Edochie revealed he would be gunning for the

Kcee

litical photo post of The actor took to social himself, “My name is media on Friday, July 14, He wrote alongside a po-

Biola Alabi’s Banana Island Ghost movie gets special Coldstone flavour

view of making it in the cutthroat industry of

Agency introduced the company to the elling agencies, MMA stood out because it had the state-of-the-art facilities and skilled manpower to groom and prepare their mod-

participants on their modelling in particular plemented with another hands-on session led by ace photographer, Yetunde Ayeni Babaeko who showed the models how to work the camera paying attention to facial expres-

Tope Oshin, Ramsey Noah to hold acting masterclass this month -

-

sweet from the banana, spicy from a touch of cinnamon and to end this scrumptious delight

walk into any of their branches, you feel enter-

The unveiling was done at a mini ice-cream

-

announced that talented actor cum 76

-

for its debut Acting Masterclass billed to hold this month The event will create opportunities for

According to Biola Alabi, the essence of getting into partnership in the cause of the movie production, we were in search of a company that aligns with what we were do-

Makida Moka and the Executive Producer of

fans on its website and has matched several of its talents in creative job roles across the entertainment industry including acting, modelling, ushering, and

stores are entertainment centers, which is are very excited about this partnership and

With several experiences in the movie industry, Ramsey will share his experience and journey as an actor with partic-

The Masterclass will hold on August 5, 2017, and will see aspiring talents learn -

to fall in love and she will do anything to save -

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, July 29, 2017

4

Gist L7

Nwaokocha Daniel

signs your husband is losing interest

We live in the days where most women claim their husband suddenly started losing interest and walked away a while after. The truth is that they have seen the signs for a while but have just chosen to live in denial. Most women may have been blinded and would not have noticed it. Most marriages tend to end earlier than expected because of things like this. So today, we took it upon ourselves to highlight some points to let you know signs you should watch out for losing interest. It is important to recognize these signs and to confront them as soon as you can.

1.

His behavior is not consistent Women, when you discover that your husband is exhibiting erratic behavior, it may be a pointer to the fact that he has begun losing interest. If he constantly every time, it may be a sign of trouble. Chances are that he is just biding his time and is not really into you anymore. If he does not take out time to resolve

woman builds her home.

2.

He blames you When a man is interested in a relationship, he recognizes that he should play his part and shoulder responsibility where it matters. When he begins to withdraw from playing his role, it is a sign that he all the blame on you and claim you are behind all the issues in the marriage. This shows that all he is doing away. When you notice that he begins to lazy around, begins to blame you when things go south for both

sign. If your birthday and other anniversaries go by without any notice from your husband, it is an indication that there are problems plaguing your relationship that need to be addressed. He you prepared, for the children you carried for him, compliment you.

3.

He stops trying While it is true that it is hard to change a man, any man who is committed to his marriage will constantly take steps to evolve. This is because, in marriage

Ladies, I do hope that this would open your eyes to the reality of things in your marriage. If you have any further questions, feel free to hit us up on our twitter handle @danylcaesar and be sure

personalities. If you are the one that always has to sign that he is simply not interested in putting in work anymore. He is the man and he should be the

like we have just said, girl, its time for you to act.

give gifts This is a very obvious sign. Love is not silent; it is expressive and always looking to give. If your husband does not compliment you or notice the effort you are putting in, it may be a very telling

L8

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, August 5, 2017

Mutiat Alli

The ages of limitations are definitely gone” -CNN Africa Editor Stephanie Busari at NMCLagos2017 Over a hundred techies and digital media enthusiasts gathered at Four Points by Sheraton, Victoria Island, Lagos recently for the 3rd edition of the New Media Conference.

The conference, which was put together by Tosin Ajibade founder of Olorisupergal.com, also saw in attendance as Larry Madowo, Chude Jideonwo, Stephanie Busari, Tewa Onasanya, OlajumokeOkikiolu, ChiamakaObueke, EfosaAiyevbomwan, AdesumboAdeoye, Tosyn Bucknor, ChiamakaObueke and many others.

Kenyan media personality Larry Madowo dwell more on what the future holds for new media in Africa and he said, “Let me give you all a candid advice, go learn how to code and write computer languages, it is the future of internet technologies. About a decade ago, being an ordinary computer literate puts you ahead of others but in coming years, knowing how to code is what will set you apart from the crowd”.

The most intriguing discussion of the conference was the 3rd panel consisting of CNN Africa editor Stephanie Busari, PR Expert, founder of Exquisite Magazine Tewa Onasanya, CEO Esob Ventures AdesumboAdeoye and Deputy Chief

Chiamaka Obueke, Ikechi Uko, Wonuola Olatunde-Lamidi

Larry Madowo, Tosin Ajibade, Timilehin Bello

Tosin Ajibade, Chude J

Stephanie Busari

with award-winning journalist Lamide Akintobi as the moderator.

The aforementioned panel touched various aspects of the digital age especially the challenges being faced by women in new media. Each panelist gave mind-stimulating opinions on how new media is shaping women of today and how it Stephanie Busari encouraged.

Photos: Sammy Okposo, Ifeanyi Adefarasin others attend Onos Ariyo’s album launch

TIM GODFREY

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Onos ariyo during her performance