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African Women’s Player Award: Lagos celebrates Oshoala P.29

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2018 VOL. 3. NO. 544

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Bridging housing deficit through technology P.6

Ï ‘We must address 25 per cent ownership rate in Nigeria”

FG not planning to increase fuel price B5

- Petroleum Ministry

Danbazzau meets Wike, says FG’ll partner with Rivers on P.6 security Court stops Emeka Offor from selling firm belonging to Joy Chukwureh, P.7 children

Shakeup as FRSC redeploys 109 personnel P.5 L-R: Minister of Interior, Lt-Gen. Abdulrahman Danbazzau (rtd) and Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, during the visit of the minister to the governor at the Government House in Port Harcourt... on Friday.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 6, 2018

5 News

South-South leaders mock PDP over plans to win 2019 election

Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

ÏÏÏNotable leaders in the

R-L: Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Rev. Prof. Christopher A. Dime; Edmund Tiemo and Rev. Dr. Col. J. G Jibor, during the courtesy visit by elders and leaders of thought from the five Ijaw clans in Edo State under the aegis of the Ijaw National Congress, Edo State, at the Government House in Benin City, on Friday.

Shakeup as FRSC redeploys 109 personnel

Myke Uzendu, Abuja

ÏÏÏThe Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) has redeployed 109 personnel as part of efforts to enhance its operational efficiency. The Corps Public Education Officer, Mr Bisi Kazeem, disclosed this in Abuja on Friday. A statement by Kazeem also quoted the Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, as saying that the shakeup was aimed at actualising the 2018 stategic goals of the FRSC in the National Headquarters. The redeployment exercise is coming barely five days after the promotion of 1,925 officers and marshals of the Corps, some of whom are affected in the shakeup. According to Kazeem , Deputy Corps Marshal Abubakar Ringim, who was recently promoted

from the rank of Assistant Corps Marshal who was the Zonal Commanding Officer of Zone RS3HQ, Yola is now in charge of Special Duties and Partnership at the National Headquarters. He said Assistant Corps Marshal Victor Nwokolo, formerly Head of Section, Special Marshals, is now the Head of Section, Command and Strategy Administration (CAS). Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM) Kayode Olagunju, who was the Head, Policy Research and Statistics, will now proceed on course at the Nigerian Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos. The FRSC’s spokesman also said that Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM) Stephen Maitizumahs, formerly in charge of Administration and Training, is now the Zonal Command-

ing Officer, Zone 3, Yola. Assistant Corps Marshal Kayode Fanola, who has concluded his courses at NIPSS, takes over from Olagunju as Head of Policy, Research and Statistics at the headquarters. The FRSC spokesman further said, “Assistant Corps Marshal Godwin Ogagaoghene, former ACM Personnel at the headquarters, is now the Zonal Commanding Officer (ZCO), Abuja. “Assistant Corps Marshal Shehu Zaki, former Zonal Commanding Officer, Lagos is now the Zonal Commanding Officer, Bauchi; Assistant Corps Marshal Jonas Agwu, formerly in charge of Zone RS4 Jos, is now Assistant Corps Marshal Motor Vehicle Administration in the National headquarters. “Assistant Corps Marshal John Meheux, former Zonal Commanding Offi-

cer, Ilorin, now Zonal Commanding Officer Zone RS2 Lagos while Assistant Corps Marshal Amauche Nwaka, former Assistant Corps Marshal in charge of Manpower Development (MPD) now Zonal Commanding Officer , Zone 8, Ilorin. “Former Head of Federal Operations, Assistant Corps Marshal Aliyu Gunmi is to take over as the Assistant Corps Marshal in charge of Manpower Development in Training Department at the headquarters,” Kazeem said. He added that Assistant Corps Marshal Olu-Mike Olagunju, formerly Head of Section, Command and Strategy, will now take over as the Commanding Officer of Zone 11, Oshogbo while Corps Commander John Babalola takes over Federal Operations from Zonal Head of Operations, Lagos

ing one dead with two others injured and currently receiving treatment. Addressing his men at the Command’s Headquarter in Kano, the National Chairman of the agency Col. Mustapha Abdallah (rtd) gave the slain officers’ name as Tanko Ampani with ASNII rank. Describing the lost as an unfortunate one to his

family, the command and nation in general. Mustapha assured his men that a comprehensive report would be submitted to the Federal Government to request for immediate provision of operational kits which he said the slain officer would have survived if he was fully kitted. “There is the need for

the government to urgently provide the agency with necessary equipments to put an end to cases of officers losing their lives in line of duty unnecessarily or due to lack of proper equipments” The chairman during the condolence visit, gave room to his men who poured out their hearts over various issues both-

South- South geo-political zone on Friday ridiculed the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over plans to return the party to the Presidential villa in 2019, saying it is cloud cuckoo land for anyone to believe that could be done’. “The All Progressives Congress (APC) has broken the back of PDP in Nigeria. Anyone who thinks the PDP is going to run the federal government in 2019 is living in cloud-cuckoo land” the leaders said. They described the PDP as “a party of the past.” “PDP is not a party with a future. In 16 years, the party failed to act as broker of ideas. It could not articulate the desires of the people” At a high level meeting in Benin, capital of Edo State, the leaders praised Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi for his decision to quit the former ruling party. “The 2019 general election is going to be difficult for PDP governors in the South-South zone” the leaders said. They urged Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, Benedict Ayade and Ezenwo Nyeson Wike to join the ruling party. In a statement by the chairman, South-South Front (SSF), Chief John Harry, the leaders praised the national chairman of the ruling party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun for creating a good image for the party, tolerating views different from his own and leading the party by the strength of ideas. They also eulogized the national chairman for thinking out the best interests of the members and the means to achieve them,

Gun men attack drug enforcement officers in Kano Yakubu Salisu, Kano ÏÏÏOfficers of the Nigerian Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA were attacked in Kano while returning from an operation. The sad incidence occurred at Rano town of the state where unknown gun men shot sporadically at the agents’ vehicle leav-

ering them in their various fields which he promised to forward to the appropriate authorities concerned. The Kano State Commander Hamza Umar, mni who spoke to news men in a sad tone described the loss of his men as a terrible one that he has since be buried according to Islamic rights.

presenting them in a simple, intelligent and interesting form and reshaping them in the light of altered circumstances. Listing intelligence, self control and conscience as qualities that helped Oyegun in the effective management of the ruling party, the leaders scolded critics of the Edo State exgovernor for their smear campaign aimed at making the national leadership of the party appear helpless to manage the party, damage the reputation of the national chairman and force him into a corner. The leaders who condemned Timi Frank, Kola Amzat, Felix Anirah and others for losing touch with reality commended Oyegun for not perverting public power to private interest. They urged critics of the national chairman to rise from the bondage of half-truths to objective appraisal. “What do you expect from a moody, erratic character? What do you expect from an unblushing liar and a grumpy fellow? Timi Frank, a thin, almost emaciated fellow, is childish, reckless and out of control. He is a public relations disaster and enemy of the South-South people”. In an audacious move, the leaders urged APC members nationwide to support a second term for the charismatic, calm strategist and humble Edo chief. “Chief John Odigie-Oyegun is inducing in Mr. President, ministers, governors and others the strength and confidence necessary to plan and implement short and long term policies” They also urged Founder and General Overseer of God’s Anointed and Blessed Church International, Pastor Toye Ebijomore to continue to pray for the ruling party.

“We lost Tanko and two other officers are currently receiving treatment. It is sad that one of us had to die that way but that wouldn’t stop us from our duties. They went for an operation, succeeded in getting the suspect, it was while on their way back that some persons ambushed them” Hamza said.

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 6, 2018

Bridging housing deficit through technology Ladesope Ladelokun ÏÏÏFor many Nigerians, especially urban dwellers, having a roof over their heads and that of their families is a nightmare they pray fervently will pass over them. However, one sure way to tackle this nightmare is in the deployment of technology. This was the high point of the recommendations of the second summit of the Nigerian Real Estate summit held in Lagoos recently. Inspired by the need to chart a new path, provide solution to housing deficit question and restore gravitas in the real estate sector, stakeholders met for what has been described as one of the most important events in the Nigerian real estate calendar. With support from over 50 leading Nigerian companies and counterpart firms from the UK, Ghana, South Africa and UAE, the summit was for many, a marketplace of ideas for policy makers, investors and professionals in the real estate sector to transform the housing landscape. The head of the summit’s organising committee, Steve Ike, did not mince words about what the organisers of the summit and Expo with the theme: “Collaborating, Innovating and growing to achieve adequate and affordable housing delivery in Nigeria’’ intended to achieve. His words: “To address the impact of the geopolitical, economic and societal challenges facing the real estate industry and create new sources of growth, stakeholders need to adapt and rethink their strategies by collaborating with fellow players and creating new forms of philosophies. The NIRESE summit is designed to offer insights, inspiration and solution-oriented tools to turn these philosophies into actions.’’ Speaking at the event, Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, opined that partnership of government and private

Fashola

sector will reduce housing deficit in Nigeria. Ambode traced persistent increase in rent to housing deficit, adding that Lagos, with over 22 million people has a housing deficit of three million units. Represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Housing, Mr. Foluso Dipe, the Lagos governor said the rent-to-own policy was part of the measures by the Lagos state government to address housing deficit. But with 17 million housing deficit in Nigeria, according to experts, UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in 2015 identified the real estate sector as having the potential of becoming one of the fastest growing industries in Nigeria. How technology can reduce housing deficit Delivering her keynote address, the CEO of Afriland Properties , Uzo Oshogwe, urged stakeholders, governments at all levels and Nigerians to embrace new technology to reduce construction cost to make more house owners. According to Oshogwe, Nigeria has 17 million housing deficit with 25% ownership rate, while Kenya, Benin Republic and America have 73%, 63% and 72% respectively. Oshogwe said, “Everaging technology is one of the ways to solve housing deficit in Nigeria. There is need to reduce cost of construction. Building technique is a significant area where technology has the potential to radically reduce cost, whether it’s new design or materials. Looking beyond bricks and mortars For Uzo Oshogwe, there is need for Nigerians to embrace alternatives to bricks if housing deficit must be tackled. “We have empty homes in Lagos, but the fact is people have built houses that are not affordable. We need to go back to the drawing board to find a way out. Majority of houses in

the US are prefab homes. Relying on bricks will not cut it. You don’t need need bricks to own a home. I think we must start within ourselves, what kind of home do we want? Let’s start by accepting that Americans do not live in houses made of bricks and they have beautiful houses. We need to rethink our system.’’ The Mud Architecture Debate The cost of construction can be reduced by 15% or 20% if a mud house is built when compared to the cost of cement con-

struction, says Oshogwe. According Oshogwe, cement or bricks are not needed to have a decent house, stating that, one can get a decent house with the assistance of technology. Baring his mind on the matter, first Vice President of Nigerian Institute Building, NIB, Mr Ken Nduka, said, “Construction is delivered on three tripods: quality, cost and time of delivery. If you don’t engage a professional, you are on the speed lane of disaster. On the appropriateness of

building mud house in the city, he said, “Technology can be applied to give you what you want. “Any material that is insured against the penetration of moisture is okay, but you must engage a professional”. However, former Lagos State Commissioner for Housing and the current second Vice President of Nigerian Institute of Town Planners,Toyin Ayinde, has said that mud houses are not good for urban areas due to the unregulated system operated in this clime.

Caption: Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and 30 Abia shoemakers during their meeting with the governor at the Government House, Umuahia, before departing for China to learn automated shoe making...on Friday

Danbazzau meets Wike, says FG’ll partner with Rivers on security

t Violence in Rivers orchestratedto make state unsafe, Wike tells Minister Amaka Agbu, Port Harcourt

ÏÏÏThe Minister of

Interior, LtGen Abdulrahman Danbazzau (rtd) has said that the Federal Government will partner with the Rivers State Government to fight insecurity in the state. Danbazzau stated this during a visit to Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike at the Government House, Port Harcourt, on Friday. The minister added that he was in Rivers State at the instance of President Muhammadu Buhari to assess the security situation of the state. Speaking on behalf of the President, Danbazzau further condoled with the government and people of Rivers State over the killings at Omoku on New Year Day. He said: “Rivers State is important to the country, particularly when it comes to the issue of the economy. It is very important that the Federal Government partners with the state to see how any security gaps can be closed for adequate protection of lives and property in the state.” Responding, Governor Wike told the minister that there was

an orchestrated plot to create the impression of insecurity through the promotion of targeted cult killings. Wike added that the enemies of the state were at work, alleging that security agencies knew the cult kingpins terrorising flashpoints in the state. The governor said “The security agencies have the profiles of all cult kingpins in different parts of the state and they know their locations. There is no wisdom in the politicisation of security. Insecurity can affect anybody. You can never know the next victim of insecurity.” The governor urged the security agencies and the Federal Government to deploy personnel to cult flashpoints in the state to forestall repeated attacks by cultists. He said, “In every system, the security agencies know the flashpoints. Here we requested for the strengthening of security around these flashpoints, especially areas with high prevalence of cultists. I expected that security would be beefed up in these places. “I ask this question: Is there an orchestrated plan to tag Rivers State as unsafe? Is the situa-

tion above the security agencies despite the information we have made available to them?” He also blamed oil multinationals for the explosion of cultism in some communities, pointing out that the multinationals awarded surveillance contracts to cultists, adding that equipped with funds from multinationals, cultists procured sophisticated weapons with which they terrorised communities and law-abiding persons. The governor said that the Rivers State Government had made several requests to the Inspector General of Police, IGP, for the deployment of special squads to tackle cultism and kidnapping. He alleged that they had failed to deploy the special squads to the state, despite the requests. He continued: “The peculiar nature of Rivers State requires peculiar intervention. Before now, I have been shouting that we need support to fight crimes. I have made this complaint severally.” The governor further berated politicians whom he alleged wanted to use the cult-related killings to play politics and make false allegations against the state.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 6, 2018

News 7

Court stops Emeka Offor from selling firm belonging to Chukwureh, children

Peter Fowoyo

ÏÏÏA Federal High Court in

Lagos on Friday granted an order of interim injunction restraining the Inspector General of Police and Emeka Chuka Offor from alienating, disposing, dissipating any tangible and intangible property belonging to the Centre Point Network Limited (the plaintiff) offices including No1, Tigris Close, Opposite Shell Estate, off Medeira Street, Maitama, Abuja. The court further restrained the IGP and Emeka Offor from further interfering or taking over the management, affairs and operations of the Centre Point Network pending determination of the applicant’s motion on notice for interlocutory injunction. The Centre Point Network belongs to the late Joy Ukachi Chukwureh and her children. Justice Hadiza Shagari also

restrained the FCT Police Command and all other officers and men under the IGP’s control and their agents from dissipating the property, pending the determination of the applicant’s motion on notice for interlocutory injunction. Centre Point Network Limited (the plaintiff) had dragged the IGP, Emeka Offor and the Corporate Affairs Commission before the court, asking it to declare that the IGP and officer and men under his command has no right without an order of court to act or take any steps whatsoever at the instance of Emeka Offor and his agents to takeover or assist Offor in taking over the affairs and assets of Centre Point Network. Specifically, the plaintiff sought the court for an order declaring that Offor, not being a director or shareholder of the plaintiff, has no right to interfere and/or take over the day to day

management, operations, sell, alienate, transfer or dispose the plaintiff ’s properties whether tangible or intangible. Besides, the plaintiff asked the court for an order declaring that the sealing and/or planned sealing of Centre Point Network by Offor whether by himself or his agents and aided by the officers of the IGP without a court order is illegal, reprehensible and malicious. The plaintiff is also seeking for the following prayers: * An order restraining Offor not being a director or shareholder of the Centre Point Network from interfering in the management, operations and assets of the plaintiff whether tangible or intangible. * An order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants whether by themselves and their agents from interfering with the affairs, operations and properties of the plaintiff.

* An order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants and their agents from selling, alienating, transferring or disposing Centre Point Network’s properties whether tangible or intangible. * An order directing the IGP to provide police security to the Directors and premises of Centre Point Network to ensure unfettered access to their facilities and properties of the plaintiff and to protect lives of its workers. *An order directing the IGP to prevent Offor and his agents from interfering in the management, operations and assets of the plaintiff whether tangible or intangible. * An order restraining the CAC from giving effect to any resolution or action taken or filed at the instance of Offor or his agents to alter the structure of the company or documents in the Companies file without inde-

pendently confirming that such a resolution was authorized by the directors of the company. The plaintiff also asked the court to determine whether having regards to Section 4 of the Police Act, the IGP and Police officers and men under his control can be engaged or utilised by Offor for the purpose of intimidating and harassing the Plaintiff and its directors or shutting down the office and assets of the Plaintiff ? Whether having regard to Section 37, 63, 244 and 279 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (LFN 2004), Offor not being a director of the Plaintiff has no right to interfere in, take over the affairs of day to day management, operations, sell or alienate Plaintiff ’s assets? Meanwhile, Justice Shagari has adjourned the matter to January 19, for hearing and for notice to be served on all the defendants.

PDP warns FG, APC against purported fuel price hike ÏÏÏThe

Accident scene at Garrison, Aba Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State…on Thursday.

Clamp down on BUA: Edo wants law abiding, not lawless investors – Obaseki’s Aide ÏÏÏThe

Edo State Government has restated her desire for law abiding investors that will partner with the Godwin Obaseki-led administration in its commitment to turn the state into an industrial hub, but maintains that lawless investors have no place in the state. Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr Crusoe Osagie, told journalists in Benin City on Friday, that the hostile behaviour of the management of BUA-Obu Cement towards the state government officials and elected representatives of the people was reprehensible and unbecoming of a corporate citizen with stakes in the state. He explained that Obaseki’s efforts at managing the lawlessness

of BUA in the state is to prevent the mindless killings in places like Benue and elsewhere, where state governors or the appropriate authorities failed to adopt proactive measures in forestalling crises. Osagie’s statement is coming on the heels of attacks on the convoy of Governor Godwin of Obaseki and the member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Johnson Oghuma, representing Etsako Federal Constituency. Narrating his ordeal in the hands of the suspected BUAsponsored militias, Hon. Johnson Oghuma, said that he heard that the governor was in town and he was on his way to see the governor after he got wind that the governor was at the Okuokphellagbe’s Palace. On his way, he said he

observed that the atmosphere was tensed and there was a barricade that obstructed his convoy, which he avoided, but some members of his convoy were not so lucky as they were attacked by irate youths, suspected to be funded by a cement company in the area. According to the Osagie: “It is disheartening to see a corporate citizen of Edo State treating officials of the state government, particularly the Governor of Edo State, with so much disdain. BUA claims that the Edo State government has no right to regulate the operational environment where it does business. The company has raised militias with which it is carrying out attacks on government officials and inciting a section of the Okpella community against the state government.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday warned the APC Federal Government to perish the thoughts of hiking the per litre price of fuel from the already exorbitant N145 per litre, saying such would not only be criminal but inhuman and completely unacceptable. The party said investigations have shown that the Federal Government has been lying to Nigerians on oil-related issues while using the NNPC to bandy figures with intentions to arrive at APC’s predetermined agenda to increase the price of fuel. The PDP further stated that the lingering fuel crisis and its attendant black-market costs were only a ploy by the APC to justify their intended hike of petroleum prices. PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, in a statement on Friday said the APC Government has completely become numbed to the sufferings of Nigerians to the extent that it no longer cares in imposing more hardship on our people. The party said instead of putting more burdens on the people, the APC Government should come out clear on sleazes in the oil sector under its watch, particularly the shady oil subsidy payouts and illegal lifting of N1.1 trillion worth of crude using unregistered companies. Recalling that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had in Decem-

ber informed Nigerians that the NNPC has been paying subsidy on fuel, the PDP said the Federal Government has refused to tell Nigerians who the beneficiaries are, the amount involved and who authorised the payment, because of the inherent corruption in the deal. “Any increase in fuel pump price would be an indirect tax on Nigerians to fund APC interests and considering the pains Nigerians have suffered under this inept and unfeeling government, this intended hike will be callous. “It is now clear to all that this APC- controlled government will never act in the interest of Nigerians. All the actions and policies of APC, in their close to three years in office, have been targeted against Nigerians and there are no signals that they will change. “We, therefore, urge Nigerians to reject this plot to raise the prices of petroleum products even as they gear towards using the next election to end the misrule of the APC.

Buhari

News 8

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 6, 2017

Court remands 6 herdsmen over Benue killings Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

ÏÏÏThe

Benue State Police on Friday arraigned six Fulani herdsmen allegedly involved in the killing of 19 farmers in Akor village of Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, even as President Muhammadu Buhari met with the Inspector General of Police over the mayhem and other killings in the country. The suspects were arraigned at a Chief Magistrate Court 1 sitting in Makurdi the state capital, before the Chief Magistrate, Isaac Ajim.

The incident which occurred on January 2, 2018, had a pregnant woman killed and five others in a fresh attack in the state. The death toll later increased to 20, the governor of the state, Samuel Ortom confirmed the number of casualties shortly after the state Security Council meeting was held. After visiting those receiving treatment from gunshot injuries at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, it was confirmed that the hospital had received 11 bodies and nine injured victims out of which three died while being treated.

In a similar development, another Fulani herdsman who allegedly violated the Open Grazing Prohibition Law was also arraigned before the same magistrate. Meanwhile, his accomplice Hassam Musa fled the scene. The police arrested the suspect, Ibrahim Adamu, on December 28, 2017, while grazing openly with about 70 cows along Naka road in Makurdi. According to First Information Report, FIR six (6) of the Fulani herdsmen were accused of killing over 16 persons and injuring several others as

well as destroying houses, crops and burning down many houses that are yet to be valued in monetary terms. “On 2nd January, 2017 at about 05.00 hours, one Mganda came to police station in Garibaldi, Guma Local government area and reported that on the same day, a group of herdsmen who were rearing their cows in Akor village, attacked the area shooting sporadically and in the process killed over 16 persons”, the FIR stated. When the case was mentioned, no plea was taken for want of jurisdiction, just the prosecution coun-

sel ASP Edward Imoh asked for adjournment to another date for further investigation to be carried out. Counsel to the defendants, Al Mustapha Elegu did not oppose the application. Ajim who told the accused that the offense committed by them was grievous, ordered that they be remanded at the Federal Medium Prisons and adjourned the case to 5th March, 2018 For Hearing mention. Reacting shortly after the court proceeding, counsel to the accused, Barr. Almustapha Elegu said he did not raise any objection to the proceeding because there was no basis for it at the moment noting that at the appropriate time, the case would be

moved to the High Court. President Muhammadu Buhari, as part of efforts to finding a lasting solution to the menace met with the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Ibrahim Idris, amid rising tensions following the recent killings in the State and other parts of the country. The President held the discussion with the police boss on Friday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, Mr Idris maintained that the Nigeria Police is working hard to address the issues. He also attributed the crises to communal misunderstanding in the affected communities and called on Nigerians to learn to live in peace with one another.

I borrowed N1bn to offset salary arrears –Bello ÏÏÏGovernor Yahaya Bello

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello (middle) briefing State House Correspondents after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday.

NHRC to FG: Apprehend all killers now Myke Uzendu, Abuja

ÏÏÏThe National Human

Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on the Federal Government to apprehend and prosecute all those fingered in serial killings across the country including criminal gangs and herdsmen operating under various guises, in order to avert further breakdown of law and order. The human rights watchdog in a statement signed by

Fatima Mohammed Agwai, the Acting Executive Secretary, the commissions head of Media Mrs. Oti Ovrawah described the recent killings across the country as a destruction of what binds the citizens together as human beings and called on security agencies to as a matter of urgency and in the overall interest of peace, unearth all the perpetrators of the killings which have left many families without their loved ones. Mrs. Ovrawah said these killings have no place in

the society and that government has a duty to guarantee the right to life of every person in Nigeria. She added that government must put in place effective measures to prevent attacks on innocent people by criminal gangs and other non-state actors across the country. She added that the killing of defenceless citizens across the country was horrifying as it is capable of generating mutual distrust among the various groups in Nigeria.

She cited the incident in Benue state where hundreds of youths took to the streets to protest the killings that took place in various parts of the State hence urged the security services to firm up their strategies with new dynamics on tackling these challenges. She advised the Federal and the relevant State Governments to ensure that the perpetrators were arrested and brought to justice to serve as a deterrent to others.

of Kogi State has declared his administration free of any salary arrears, saying that he borrowed the sum of N1billion to settle outstanding staff salaries. Speaking to State House correspondents after observing Juma’at prayers at the State House Mosque, he commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his release of another tranche of the Paris Club refund to states. He said: “In Kogi State today, we are up to date as far as salary is concerned. In the month of December, Mr. President magnanimously assisted us with another tranche of Paris Club Refund, our own figure was N1.2 billion and some other change on top. “We didn’t just stop at that, we borrowed up to N10 billion and we added November/December allocations to our figures and we were able to clear four months at a stretch before Christmas and some leftover were cleared before this January in Kogi State. “As you all know, the salary was very bogus and according to the figures we had, we were able to distribute it among these months. So, glory to God as far as Kogi State is concerned.” The governor said his administration has activated “clock-in” device to confirm

the presence of workers at work before they are paid their salaries. According to him: “Moving forward from this January, we have decided that we are going to make use of our clock-in device for every civil servant in Kogi State both at local and state levels. “So, that as you come to work and clock-in, that is exactly how your salary will end generated. “It is online, it is automated. So, nobody is going to cheat anybody. That is how we are going to go in the state. So, Kogi state civil servants, pensioners are all happy with this administration. Thanks to God and Mr. President for this magnanimity.” On kidnapping in Kogi, he affirmed that the state has become very safe as it had not recorded serious crimes in recent times. He stated: “In Kogi state today, we have done tremendous work as far as security generally is concerned. “In the months of November, December and this January, there has not been any single case of armed robbery, kidnapping even mere stealing. “One attempt was made. As I speak, the DSS in collaboration with Army and Police have apprehended a particular gang that attempted to snatch a vehicle from a citizen.

Politics

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 6, 2018

‘I’m going to Reps to give my people meaningful representation’ -P10&11

INEC insists Anambra Central rerun must hold as scheduled–P.12

Ezekwesili reveals plan against APC, PDP ahead of 2019 elections Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has said that she plans to ensure that neither the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) nor the All Progressives Congress (APC) wins the 2019 election. Insisting that Nigerians were tired of both political parties, the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) co-convener in a series of tweets wrote: “My Political Agenda is simple. I shall actively campaign against APC and PDP in the 2019 Elections, except in rare cases where they field new minds with strong record of Public Interest. “It is that neither APC nor its twin brother (yes, how does six differ from half a dozen?) PDP should win the 2019 State and Federal legislative and executive Elections. “I am totally committed to this Agenda. I am committed to this Politi-

EZEKWESILI

cal Agenda because we must disrupt and end the political and governance stagnation and retrogression that our cyclical low equilibrium political Russian Roulette has cost our country and people. “Enough is Really Enough. I tweet-

ed at the end of 2017 that one will commit significant part of my 2018 to building the political consciousness of citizens to end the reign of the status quo decadent political class. This for me is the #YearOfTheOfficeOfTheCitizen when all citizens lift their Red Card. My political agenda is simple. “I shall actively campaign for the best parties candidates of all other parties in the elections. “My individual effort to campaign against APC and PDP in the 2019 Elections may not amount to much, but it is at least a definite expression of my personal conviction. My conviction is that it is time to end the tyranny of rulership of a wicked minority political elite class. “Whether many other citizens feel the way one feels about our political status quo does not matter, standing

up for what I believe is what one was raised to epitomise. It is sickening to watch the repetition of similar pattern of bad behaviour by our political class. “Enough of all days that APC and its stalwarts could assault our sensibilities with announcement of launch of 2019 re-election bid for President Buhari, they chose yesterday. Same day that citizens were traumatized by the images of butchered bodies of our fellow citizens? “I hope that my political agenda for 2018 is clear enough to the twin parties of APC and PDP and their allies. “It is the Agenda of an ordinary citizen of this country. “Mock it. Attack it. Disdain it. Do whatever. Yet it shall prevail. “Why? The universe is tired of you. We can do better than APC and PDP,” she said

Oyo Speaker, Niger- Delta groups congratulate Adams on new title Stories by Patrick Okohue Leaders and representatives of prominent groups in the Niger Delta region have paid a courtesy visit to the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Otunba (Dr.) Gani Adams, at his Lagos resident to felicitate with him of his conferment with the new title. The groups comprising the Niger Delta Peoples Forum [NDPF], Ijaw Community Leadership Forum [ICLF] and Ijaw Youth Development Association [IYDA], said they were visiting Adams to identify with him over the new title because of the role he has played in unifying the various nationalities of the country over the years. Speaking further on the visit, Grand Patron and Leader of the group, Comrade Joseph Evah, said there are over a hundred groups in the Niger Delta, and all the groups are across the South West. He added that the visit became necessary as a result of the accommodating spirit of the Yoruba, as championed over the years by the Aare Onakakanfo Comrade Evah noted further that there had been a strong and lasting relationship between Aare Adams and the Niger Delta people. The relationship, he said, dates back to the struggle and days of the Late Ken Saro Wiwa, adding that Aare Adams also played a very important role by supporting, former President Goodluck Jonathan. ‘’We are here to congratulate our brother on his appointment as the Onakakanfo of Yorubaland and to identify with you as our friend and brother, over the years , you have stood by us at critical times of our struggle and we are happy that God has crowned your ef-

EVAH

ADAMS

forts with this prestigious title,’’ he said Meanwhile, Aare Adams expressed appreciation to the Ijaw people on the visit, saying the visit was spiritual as it afforded the group the opportunity that

signify the unity of all races in Nigeria. “You have come not to honor me alone, but to honor the entire Yoruba race. By my new status, I am going to be a bridge-builder and extend my network

to all regions, more importantly, I urge all the tribes in the nation to brace-up to build a nation that we can be proud of,” he said. In the same vein, Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Michael Adesina Adeyemo, has also congratulated Aare Adams on his appointment as the Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land. In a letter sent through a delegation that visited Aare Adams yesterday, the Speaker said; “By any parameter, you deserve this highly exalted position in Yoruba land, because your life is dedicated to the course of Yoruba nation and you have been continually using your life to protect the life of others. “I am not unmindful of the enormous responsibilities that come with your new status as the generalissimo of Yoruba land now that there are rising security threats and challenges, I therefore, charge you to be more diligent, bold and strong in discharging this huge responsibility. The spirit of Yoruba deity will be with you and see you through,” he said.

Igbo group accuses Buhari of treating herdsmen with kid gloves A Diaspora Igbo group under the platform of the Igbo Ekunie Initiative has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of treating killer Fulani herdsmen with kid gloves. The group’s declaration followed the killings of about 50 persons in fresh attacks on Benue communities by suspected Fulani herdsmen on New Year Day. The Igbo group described as an irony for the Federal Government to proscribe the Indigenous People of Biafra that was innocuous while patting herdsmen

who had inflicted pains and agony on Nigerians on the back. While saying that the proscription of IPOB was presumptuous and unacceptable, it asked Buhari to reconsider the ban. Speaking at a press conference in Awka, the Anambra State capital, the President of Igbo Ekunie, Mr. Tochukwu Ezeoke, asked Buhari to negotiate with IPOB before the 2019 general elections or the Igbo would have no other option but to review their stand with

the government of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Ezeoke insisted that IPOB was not a terrorist organisation, adding that the purported proscription of the group would continue to be resisted until the right thing was done. He said, “2019 is around the corner. It’s a time to take decision. Herdsmen cannot be killing our people and somebody will look the other way, but had to proscribe IPOB that is innocuous. It is disingenuous to allow that; it’s unacceptable.”

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 6, 2018

‘I’m going to Reps to give my people meaningful representation’

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo is the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of New Planet Projects Limited. He is an accomplished businessman, who hails from Ondo State and currently eyes mainstream politics. Tunji-Ojo spoke with ‘TOSIN AJUWON in Akure on his plans to contest for the National Assembly seat to represent Akoko North and East Federal Constituency of the state.

You’re an accomplished businessman who has made track a record mostly in the Information Technological sector, what led you into politics? I’m not just an Information Technology expert but also consultant in management, because I sit as the Managing Director of multiple companies and as a Managing Director of Matrix Information Technology. I have qualifications in Information and Communication Technology. My first degree is in Electronics Communication Engineering and my Masters degree is in Digital Communication. I will say politically, politics is a way of giving back to the society. Politics to a large extent should be for accomplished minds, people that have conquered personal pride and ego. Professionally, God has been so kind to us. I will ascribe all the success to him, because I am nothing but a product of grace. I’m just a pencil in the hands of God and he has decided to use me as a tool to write happiness on the hearts of people. I think that the numerous challenges we have, infrastructural challenges, of effective representation and also the laudable voice of the people in the National Assembly is a major motivating thing. You‘ll be taking a shot at the National Assembly by 2019, what’s motivating you considering your success in the business world? In Nigeria, we run on three tiers political system, which are the federal government, state government and the local government administration. So, we must have a scenario whereby all representatives at the federal level of government will be able to complement this effort to really make life better for our people, we want to be able to influence viable projects to our constituency. Thinking about the level of poverty and deprivation, misrepresentation in our state at the national level, we know that people before us have tried their best but we have to use their own strengths as a motivating factor for us to be able to develop further, you know it’s the dream of every father to see his son come out better than him. I know our mentors, our incumbent, those that have been before us; it will also be their dreams for us to build a castle on the foundation. I’m desirous to be able to influence life positively and to be able to create a greater future for my generation because my generation is a

new generation and we must be able to create the future for generations coming after us just like the one before us in the likes of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and the party Chairman. What would you say about those who have represented the state at various national levels, are you satisfied with their level of representation? They have done well by bringing our generation to the forefront, so we too have a responsibility to the generation coming after us to be able to mentor them. This is a major reason why politics is the key. Politics is a game of leadership and no matter who you are, you are subjected to the rules and laws of the game and if the intelligent and God fearing people stay behind and allow the wrong ones to rule, then, they will end up being subjected to them. So, we must be able to take advantage of that to create a better future for the people to give them a voice and be able to give them a good representation at the highest level. We have to do our best to support the administration of Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu in Ondo State and also support President Muhammadu Buhari and we have to put in our best in terms of representation in respect to 2019 election. At the end of the day, we will turn around things for better in Ondo State and ensure there is also effective and adequate Federal Government presence in our dear state for the sun always shine. But what has really influenced your interest to represent Akoko North and Akoko East in the House of Representatives? I didn’t just wake up to say I want to contest. I could remember I contested in 2011, but God said it was not time yet because I am a firm believer in God and I believe in God’s appointed time for me. But you know in Nigeria’s democratic settings, you are a loser if you come second or third in an election. We believe that we can offer representation effectively and the little experience that we have been able to put together in the private sector can be translated into the public sector and make life more meaningful, more beautiful and worth living for our people. But how prepared are you to run? Well, we will do our best in life. Generally I have always believed in the

TUNJI-OJO efficacy of God and I believe so much in God. If you look at my life you will know I am a product of grace. I am a man that lost his father when I was in primary four and the only child of my parents. I could remember the days I used to hawk tomatoes and pepper at Oja-Oba market in Akure. I could remember that I was unable to pay for my final year examination, if not for Dr. Ayo Val. He is one of the key men of God that played a major role in my life. He runs Ayo Val Hospital in Akure. For someone like me that have gone through a lot in life, I think politics is a key way that I can give back to my people. Am not who I am in life because I am the smartest or the best, but because of the grace of God. I am motivated and I leave everything in the hands of God. We are ready and prepared to give it our best. I am assuring my people that once given the opportunity I will do my best and will never disappoint them. I will do my best to be able to give them effective representation and to be able to collaborate and be able to support and complement efforts of his Excellency, Rotimi Akeredolu towards giving a better life to our people as he has been trying to do over the years.

our people. We belong to the same age group, and then we know what they are going through. I really know where the pain is in their shoes and we know what they really want out of life and politics. We believe that we can then link their points of aggregations and feelings.

Being a young-man, how do you intend to carry the youths along in order to realise your political ambition? I believe that you do not need to be a Methuselah to be able to achieve anything. I also believe that politics should not be how old or how young you are, but rather what you are capable of achieving. I am only running for the House of Representatives, not for the presidency or governorship and I think that as a young person, I can feel the problems of

Some major roads in the Akoko mostly the one linking the Akungba Akoko to Abuja has been a nightmare, what is your take? That road is an eye sore, but I have to put the record straight and I think our people will understand. That road is not a state road but a federal road; this is part of the reasons why we need effective representation. We have seen how one of the Senators from Kogi was able to influence a project from Kabba to

How will you go about getting the support of your people in Akoko North and East Areas ahead of the general election? About getting the support of the people, I do not think that should be a problem in Akoko North and Akoko East. I think to the glory of God, they know that we have always stood by them over the years that my people are aware that for them to be able to know what I can do for them our people must apparently take a look at the past and see the influence that we have been able to make in their lives. Then, they definitely appreciated us when I ran an election in 2011 and I could remember I had 17,000 votes. It was a massive vote by Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and I can say in the entire Ondo State I was the only person that came second on the platform and others came third, which showed a level of popularity amongst my people.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 6, 2018

11 Politics

Ugwuanyi gets thumbs up for 2018 Budget Proposal The Enugu State governor, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has been commended for presenting a “realistic budget proposal” to the State House of Assembly for approval for the 2018 financial year. Giving the commendation, Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma expressed optimism that Ugwuanyi will implement to the letter the budget, which stood below N100 billion when passed into law. He noted that while other states budgeted above N100 billion, Enugu State in consideration of the nation’s economic realities, presented a modest budget proposal that it could implement with the lean resources at its disposal. The clergy who spoke at the New Year prayer session held at the Government House, Enugu, to formally usher in the commencement of work, applauded the governor for his people-oriented and inclusive leadership that has touched lives and earned him support and praises from leaders of opposition political parties in the state. He also reinstated his position on the governor’s re-election bid in 2019, saying: “Anybody who says you’re not going for second term will fail”. According to him, “I am happy that APC chieftains acknowledge that you are doing well. So anybody who comes to challenge you will fail. Enugu is peaceful, no report of any upheaval, unlike other states where there were killings and pandemonium. “Enugu State is in the hands of God. I was listening to the budget proposal of Enugu State. Other states budgeted above N100 billion each, but Enugu State budget proposal is N98.5 billion. Ugwuanyi is realistic and will implement the budget.” While thanking the governor for the passage of Child Rights Act into law, the Archbishop also commended him for the massive road projects in the rural areas to improve on the living standard of the people, especially the rural dwellers. He also charged civil servants in the state to display honesty and dedication and continue to support the good works of the governor. Ugwuanyi in his prayer message expressed gratitude to “the Almighty God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob and awesome God of David, for the blessings and favours He bestowed on us last year and for the Grace we hope to receive this New Year”. The governor thanked Chukwuma, the officiating Priests and all the participants for

UGWUANYI

their presence at the prayer session and also appreciated the stakeholders of the state, the civil servants, the organised labour, the clergy, market men and women and indeed the entire people of Enugu State, whom he described as the true heroes of democracy, for the prayers, support, solidarity and cooperation that they have continued to accord his administration.

He said that “the New Year offers us another chance to sustain the tempo of peace and good governance in the state and to rededicate ourselves to the building of a secure and viable society for the benefit of all and sundry.” “We want to assure you all that all that we were able to accomplish last year, represents the minimum that we can give to our people

as we are poised to do even much more this year. “A few days ago, I presented the 2018 Budget estimates tagged, “Budget of Sustainable Economic Growth” with which we intend to consolidate the foundation that we have already laid in creating an enabling environment for the full development of our human and natural resources, revitalisation of our social services as well as building vital infrastructure for sustainable and inclusive development. “I pledge that by the Grace of God, we will ensure the full implementation of the budget as passed by the State House of Assembly, for the benefit of our people,” the governor said, while calling on the people of the state to remain unrelenting in their prayers and to continue to work towards the peace and progress of Enugu State. “Enugu State is truly in the hands of God and I assure you that with Him as our guide and all of us working together, Enugu State shall continue to prosper,” the governor prayed while wishing everyone a very Happy and blissful 2018, adding: “It shall be well with us and it shall be well with Enugu State in Jesus Name. Amen”. Also at the event were, the state’s Deputy Governor, Hon. Mrs. Cecelia Ezeilo; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi; Chief Judge of the State, Hon. Justice Ngozi Emehelu and other Judges in the state; Chairman, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Godwin Madu; Chaplain, Government House, Enugu, Rev. Fr. Chinedu Ozoude; other clergy and top government functionaries; staff of the Government House, among others.

APC chairman defects to PDP in Rivers, gives reasons Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Musa Elekwa has defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Elekwa, who was once a member of the PDP said he was returning to the party because PDP has done well through project delivery. The former Chairman announced his defection, in a letter dated January 3, 2018, and addressed to the APC Chairman in the state, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya. According to Elekwa, “I have decided

willingly to renounce my membership of APC and relinquish my office as LGA party chairman and go back to my parent party, the PDP as a prodigal son. “The PDP in Rivers State has kept faith with the people and kept its campaign promises, considering the colossal failure of the APC to keep to its promises and persistent battle with conscience for betraying the people of Rivers State, I am compelled to make this decision and set my conscience free. I cannot again mislead the people of Etche and indeed the people of Rivers State.” WIKE

‘I’m going to Reps to give my people meaningful representation’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

Illorin. We have seen similar things too and so many other states doing the same thing. Our own representatives too should draw serious attention of the government as well. In as much as Governor Rotimi Akeredolu would like to help, the simple truth is that it is a federal road. The question goes beyond the Ondo State government, but the question goes to the federal government representatives. They need to also try to draw the attention of the government. Use your office to declare the place a matter of emergency. Now we are scared of the bad road and we are also scared of being kidnapped on the road, a journey that was supposed to take 5 hours is now taking 10 hours. I could remember in 2006 to 2007, we used to make it on that road for 5hours, but now it is something else. It then

means that once you go through that road you have wasted your entire day. So productivity wise, it is making us to be less productive. What is your opinion on the two and half years of the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration in the country? I will be very objective. I will say the two years have been great and tough. I’m an expert in change management, being a key aspect of my profession. It is one of the most difficult thing in life and any administration. President Muhammadu Buhari may not have made our economy high because he came in at a point of recession. He came in when our source of income, crude oil was nose-diving, so money was not available and you know that our population keeps increasing. The demand keeps increasing and at

that, we know that there was enormous debt on ground, therefore, the President had used the first year in clearing the mess so that he can have a fertile ground. The President spent time making sure all relevant stakeholders, bothering on the masses, civil servant, public servants and all agency of government keyed into his vision. Now after achieving that, he will successfully take us to the next level and we know that we are actually growing as a country. As a country, we need a leader that has international reputation, a leader that other countries can take for his words and that is what Buhari has provided. We must not lose sight of our past for us to appreciate where we are. If we look at 2015, where we were on the issue of Boko Haram and where are we today? President Buhari has also been kind enough to open up the space and

you can see there is relative stability in our foreign exchange. So economically, he has done well; it is too early to judge any administration in two and a half years especially when you came in from outside. Is there any hope and what would be your advice? Let me use this medium to appeal to Nigerians to be patient with this current administration and I can assure that the intention of President Buhari in terms of delivery of good governance which is a social contract he signed with Nigeria on May 29th, 2015 is good. We must not forget that gold is not gold until it passes through the fire. So we as Nigerians, it is our own period of sacrifice and I can assure that with President Buhari getting a second term, we would get a secured future in Nigeria by the grace of Almighty God.

Politics 12

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 6, 2018

INEC insists Anambra Central rerun must hold as scheduled Stories by Patrick Okohue The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that the Anambra Central Senatorial rerun election must hold as scheduled on January 13, irrespective of court ruling. The Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Dr Nkwachkwu Orji who spoke with journalists said the commission had commenced training of adhoc personnel in that respect. Recall that an Abuja division of Federal High Court had ordered the issuance of a certificate of return to one Dr Obiora Okonkwo, insisting that he was the rightful candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which had won the 2015 election for the zone. But INEC while replying to the judgement said it was still studying the judgement and would react to it in due time. Speaking on matter, the Anambra REC said its legal department had studied the judgements and asked it to go ahead with the election as ordered by the Court of Appeal as against Tsoho’s Federal High Court judgement. The REC said, “We are going ahead with the election as scheduled. We have started training adhoc personnel in that respect. “Our legal department has asked us to go ahead and obey the Court of Appeal order against the Federal High court

YAKUBU judgement. So, we are going ahead to conduct the election on January 13,” the REC stated. Anambra Central Senatorial District had been without a senator since 2015 when a Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, sacked the occupant of the position, Mrs Uche Ekwunife. The Court asked INEC to conduct rerun in the district within 90 days while disqualifying Ekwunife and her political party, the Peoples Democratic Party from

OBIANO participating in the rerun. The PDP had to challenge its exclusion in the rerun at the Federal High Court, Abuja which the court granted judgement in its favour. On appeal, by the candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh and APGA contended that PDP would not field a candidate in the rerun since it was on its instance that the election was nullified on December 7, 2015.

DPP National Chairman urges FG to address killings nationwide The National Chairman, Democratic People’s Party (DPP), Mr Gershom Benson, has challenged the Federal Government to take immediate action to address incessant killings of Nigerians across the country. Benson in an interview with the Newsmen in Abuja, said it was high time government took urgent measures to address the killings, that has become “a very serious security challenge.’’ The party chairman, who condemned the recent killings in Rivers, Kaduna and Benue states and other parts of the country, said it was the responsibility of government to ensure the protection of lives and property. He also called on the security agencies to step up their surveillance activities and ensure that those responsible for the killings were arrested and brought to justice. “The killings are becoming too much; we have the Army, Air force, Navy, Police, the Nigeria Civil Defence and Security Corps (NSCDC). I believe our security agencies still have all it takes to stop that wanton breakdown of law and order, killing of innocent souls. “Take for example, the killings that happened at Omoku, Rivers State, the area has been bedrock of cultism. The security operatives in Rivers State cannot say that they do not know the kingpin of these killings in Omoku.

“How come they have not destroyed Agip Oil facilities in the area, which is the major operational base of the company? “There is protection for the company, but there is no protection for the defenseless Nigerians that gathered to worship their God and were coming out of the church.’’ He added that the killings in Benue State had also become a source of worry, as it was becoming frequent incidence. “In Kaduna, they just walked into a chief ’s palace, killed him and walked away. Nobody is arrested, no traces and all that.” Benson said that attention should not just be focused on Boko Haram insurgency alone; adding that other cases of insecurity across the country should be looked into. He said that the citizens were now living in fears addBUHARI ing that, “nearly everybody is internally displaced except those who run to Abuja. Our highways, homes and villages are not secured.” While adding that the unnecessary killings could be stopped with the presence of security agencies’ formations across the country, Benson said that, “there is no state in Nigeria where we

do not have police formation, military formation. “Just like in Benue, the Police are there, Air force is there, and there is also Army formation there. So what is happening? Also in Rivers we have about two major military barracks, what is happening?” he asked.

Cleric foresees turbulent year for APC, PDP for contest

A cleric and founder and General Overseer of God’s Anointed and Blessed Church International, Ondo State, Pastor Toye Ebijomore, has said that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), would encounter problems in 2018, while also ruling out the possibility of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar winning the 2019 election. Unveiling his 2018 prophesies, Ebijomore said he saw the APC chairman, John OdigieOyegun driving a “fully air-conditioned bus, loaded with notable people, but they were all sweating profusely.” He said Oyegun’s driving caused an “annoying hold up until another person took the driving from him.” In his prophecy for the year, the clergy man said APC will need to “change some of its officers.” He also said Uche Secondus, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), will encounter issues with members of the party. Ebijomore said he also saw a lot of quarreling around Secondus and they were “trading blames,” adding that the PDP Chairman will be disappointed with the attitudes of the party members. The prophet stated that the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello will welcome a son with lamentations written on both hands. According to him, “I inquired from the Lord of what the year 2018 will be for us in Nigeria. He made me saw thin people having fats on their body and short people becoming very tall and everyone look glossy in the skin. But, some later became thinner and shorter and very dry in the skin. Then, I heard that year 2018 shall be a year of Restoration and Greatness for us. But everyone that forsake the way of the Lord after the blessing shall become scornful objects in the public. “I saw the Lord sitting on a throne and his ministers came round him on Nigeria issues. I said, O Lord, glory to your name for all you told me last year came to pass. President Buhari was rushed out of the country as you said through me. In the month of November, Atiku Abubakar left APC for PDP and I guessed that fulfilled the prophecy you made me said that somebody will rise against President Buhari and prevail in the month of November. Does that mean Atiku will be the next President? I heard, ‘no. He is not among them that will be President of Nigeria. “Then, I asked will Buhari be re-elected? I was told to see and I saw smokes in the heavens from the earth and a candle light in the midst of winds. The Lord said, the smokes are the sacrifices of my Servants on the earth which they made to me for his consideration, the candle light is the President and the winds are the troubles he (the Lord) will permit to take him away at anytime that my Servants cries to withdraws their sacrifices. “I saw the PDP Chairman, Secondus, quarreling with everyone around him and they were all trading blames. He will be disappointed with the attitudes of his members. “I saw Odigie Oyegun as a driver of a fully air-conditioning bus loaded with notable people, but they were all sweating profusely and his driving caused an annoying hold up until another person took the driving from him. APC will meet needs to change some of its officers. “I saw that sudden sadness towards the general election that caused for an emergency meeting of the political parties in Nigeria. We must pray to avert it and the merciful God will surely hear us. “The governor of Kogi State will have a son born with a scroll on his hand written on both sides with lamentations. Fervent prayer against sad occurrences must be urgently organised for the Kogi State politicians,” he said.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 6, 2018

13 News

El-rufai reshuffles cabinet, appoints two new commissioners from the MinisÏÏÏJGovernor Nasir El- Mahmud try of Works, Housing and

L-R: Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday.

FG establishes reception centre in Port Harcourt for Libya returnees ÏÏÏForeign

Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, on Friday said a reception centre has been established in Port Harcourt for 5,037 Nigerians being evacuated from Libya. Onyeama said on his Twitter handle @geoffreyonyeama that the returnees would be formally received and profiled at the centre before being transported to their various states of origin. He added that the Nigerian mission in Libya was coordinat-

ing the identification of Nigerian migrants being evacuated from that country. He explained that the mission was working with a technical team for the evacuation exercises made up of representatives of relevant agencies. Onyeama said two indigenous airlines were engaged for the evacuation of the stranded Nigerians in Libya. The New Agency of Nigeria reports that Onyeama had been in

Libya on a fact finding mission with a mandate to secure the release of Nigerian migrants stranded in that country. He was accompanied on the trip by the Director-General of National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Julie Okah-Donli; and the Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service, Muhammad Babandede. Also on the trip was the Senior Spe-

Women leaders laud NEPAD initiatives on women development

Samiat Oduwole, Abuja

ÏÏÏWomen

Leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from the South East Geo-Political Zone of the country have lauded the efforts of the New Partnership for African Development, NEPAD Nigeria CEO, Princess Gloria Akobundu, at ensuring the overall development of women across the country. The women leaders also urged her not to rest on her noble ideal until every woman in the farthest nook and cranny of the country is impacted. The Women leaders stated this in Owerri the Imo State capital during a condolence visit to Akobundu over the death of her father and to thank her for what they called “her special focus on empowering women by

building their capacity.” Leader of the group and APC Zonal Woman Leader of the Southeast, Rev.Dr.Sally WilliamsChinebu, said it was only fitting and proper to identify with one of their own in her period of sorrow. She described Princess Akobundu as a true daughter of her father, who in every way inherited her father’s quest for a better society where everyone would be empowered for selfsustenance. While recalling the recent trip to South Africa, which was facilitated by the NEPAD Nigeria CEO where women from across the country were selected to undergo a trainthe-trainer conference on Agriculture and Entre preneurship, Williams-Chinebu said Akobundu had shown that if she had the

opportunity of a higher office she would excel. The Zonal Woman Leader used the occasion to pledge the support and prayers of the entire women of the Southeast Zone for the NEPAD Nigeria CEO, while urging her not to despair on the loss of her father, who,she observed, did not live in vain. Responding, an elated Akobundu described the visit as a touching one saying that it was part of the mandate of NEPAD to ensure the development of women and youths, given the strategic roles the two groups play in society. She said there were more plans to do more for women and called on them to continue to support the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, who she observed, had so much in stock for Nigerian women.

cial Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa. The move came after the repatriation of hundreds of Nigerians from Libya by Federal Government in December 2017, in conjunction with the International Office for Migration.

Rufai of Kaduna state has reshuffled his cabinet and appointed two new commissioners into the State Executive Council. This was contained in a statement issued and signed by the governor’s media aide, Samuel Aruwan on Friday. The statement disclosed that the new commissioners were, Mrs. Ruth Geoffrey Alkali, appointed to oversee the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, while Ibrahim Hamza, would take charge of the Ministry of Water Resources. The statement affirmed that the following commissioners were redeployed, Manzo Maigari from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Tourism to the Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry, Professor Kabir Mato from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry to the Ministry for Local Government. Others were Ja’afaru Sani from the Ministry for Local Government to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Balaraba AliyuInuwa, from the Ministry of Rural and Community Development to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport, Hassan Usman

Transport to the Ministry of Rural and Community Development. The following Commissioners according to the statement retained their portfolios and these were Umma Hikima, Ministry of Justice, Suleiman Abdu Kwari, Ministry of Finance, Paul Dogo, Ministry of Health and Human Services, Muhammed Sani Abdullahi, Planning and Budget Commission, Amina Dyeris Sijuwade, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Daniel Amuze Dan Auta, Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and Hafsat Mohammed Baba, Ministry of Women Affairs & Social Development Alhaji Shehu Balarabe, Commissioner for Stakeholder Relations in the Governor’s Office, is reassigned as a Commissioner in the Fiscal Responsibility Commission. ‘Malam Nasir El-Rufai has conveyed appreciation for the service rendered to the state by Engineer Suleiman Aliyu Lere, former Commissioner of Water Resources, and wished him well in his future endeavours. the statement concluded.

Agency to ensure citizens’ own roadmap to end conflict in Plateau Kingsley Chukwuka, Jos

ÏÏÏThe

Plateau Peace Building Agency (PPBA), which has come up with a five –year strategic plan, aimed at addressing the issues of conflicts in Plateau State, has taken yet another step to expand its consultation with stakeholders, with the view to ensure that citizens own the final document that will hitherto address the issues of farmer/herders, religious and other societal conflicts in the State. Speaking recently at an expanded fora with stakeholders, tagged “High Level Technical Session”, to review the strategic plan that will further finetune the final document, the Director General PPBA, Mr. Joseph Lengmang, said the Agency with its core values of fairness, equality and justice, believes that the task of sustainable peace building and conflict prevention can only thrive in an atmosphere of inclusiveness.

Lengmang said, “We uphold the principle of wider consultation and popular participation of relevant stakeholders to deliver on our goals and target, by also upholding and promoting the ideas of impartiality and objectivity by believing in the sanctity of human dignity that all human beings are equal and deserves to be respected as such irrespective of their race, ethnicity, religion, ideology and party affiliation”, he said. However, the head of facilitator at the fora, Mr. Chris Kwaja, who was also the immediate past Director General Research and Planning Plateau State governor’s office, during the past administration, said he represents the United States Institute For Peace Senior Working Group in Nigeria, and has the mandate to work with governors within northern Nigeria to ensure governors are provided with the needed technical support in terms of how

they respond to issues of conflict management and peace building. Kwaja said the PPBA continuous meeting with stakeholders at providing a document that will address the issue of peace in the State is imperative for the organisation he represents for two major reasons because his allied seek ways to support government on how to manage conflicts and to ensure that government invests more on peace rather than security. “The drivers of peace must be developed, nurtured and maintained which includes being proactive, rather than investing so much on security which only seeks to manage the already escalated tension”, Kwaja said. Our correspondent however reports that the recent concluded stakeholders meeting marks the end of fine-tuning the document, which will be ready for launch by the State Governor, Bar. Simon Lalong in the coming

News14

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 6, 2018

Dickson approves N5.6bn for salary arrears in Bayelsa

Chris Eze, Yenagoa

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Head of ECOWAS Liaison office to African Union, Raheemat Momodu (middle); representative of the Head of the European Union delegation in Nigeria and to ECOWAS, Stefania Marrone (5th left) and others, during the African Union Mission in Somalia /ECOWAS Standby Force Experience workshop in Abuja.

30 Abia shoemakers leave for China with N65m Sunday Nwakanma, Umuahia

ÏÏÏThe

first batch of 30 Abia shoemakers Friday, departed for China to learn automated shoe making. Speaking during a departure ceremony put together by the state government for the first batch of nominees for the Abia/ China Automated Shoe Training programme at the Government House, Umuahia, the Abia state Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu said his government is spending N65million to send the first batch of 30 Abia youths out of the proposed 100 to China to learn automated shoe making, stating that capacity building and human capital development are essential elements of development. He charged the trainees to remember that the foundation and essence of their trip to China is God and urged them not to disappoint the state and their families. According to him, they should focus squarely on

the purpose of their trip to China pay close attention to the machines and everything that would be taught them, assuring that government would be ordering automated shoe equipment end-to-end on their return from China. “I am sending you to China with a lot of confidence. This is my wish to you that you go to China and conquer for us”, Ikpeazu said pointing out that what is lacking in this part of the world is the management and use of science and technology. Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Social Investment, Mr Chinenye Nwogu and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Communication, Mr. Sam Hart explained that though Aba is renowned in shoe making, the town lacks automated shoe making machines, and this they said prompted the Governor during his trip to China last April to decide to send Abia youths to learn modern shoe making. They revealed that those

travelling to China are actual shoemakers, adding that their selection was transparent while their training will be in three layers: artisan, design and management. In an exhortation, the Archbishop of the Methodist Archdiocese of Umuahia, Most Rev Raphael Opoko advised the beneficiaries not to deviate from the purpose of the trip but should ensure commitment, hard work, punctuality and ability to yield themselves to learning as well as to be good ambassadors of the state. Responding on behalf of the others, the team leader of the shoemakers, Mr. Ihueze Uchechukwu expressed gratitude to the Governor for the opportunity given them and promised that they will make Abia proud while in China. Earlier at Amizi Oloko Ikwuano LGA when he paid a visit to Dr Nwabunka earlier in the week, Governor Ikpeazu had disclosed that the group will form the nucleus to work on the proposed

Abia shoe factory to be set up before the end of the year. He stated that the shoe factory will create employment for youths as there are a number of opportunities from the value chain, pointing out that his government is paying for the tickets, feeding, accommodation and stipend of the trainees. He called on Abia youths to find avenues of getting themselves gainfully employed through skills rather than folding their arms, maintaining that the economy of the world today is driven by those with skills. The Governor described Dr Nwabunka as one of Abians brightest who has been a source of support to his administration. In his speech, Dr. Nwabunka thanked the Governor for the visit and assured him of the support of Amizi Oloko people. The Governor later inspected a skills training centre and town hall built by Dr Nwabunka for his people.

Scores injured as APC, PDP members clash in Ondo ‘Tosin Ajuwon, Akure .

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free for all between supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo state, on Thursday, left scores injured. The clash which occurred at Isalu area of the town started around 8.30 am as the members of the two political parties were getting set to celebrate the festival. A source who spoke to

Daily Times said there was tension among residents of the town as the youths engaged each other in a faceoff. The source explained that the Chairman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Idanre, Mr. Bola Ogundolu, was injured during the clash. The source who pleaded anonymity said Ogundolu was immediately rushed to a private hospital following the injuries he sustained from the fracas. According to the

source, the supporters of the two political parties were all granted permissions by the police to hold their event same day but at different venue in the town. “Unfortunately, some APC thugs went to the house of the PDP chairman where people were preparing the food for their own ceremony and attacked everybody in the house. “In fact, the hoodlums took away all the foods that had been prepared and also beat up those found in the house.

“The Chairman went to report the case at the police station and the thugs also traced him there before he was attacked. Earlier, a source had accused some of the commercial motorcyclists who are also apologists of both parties of being cause of the crisis. Daily Times learnt that the members of the PDP had also written to the police in the town before they were granted the permission to hold the New Year ceremony. Reacting, Ade Adetimehin, the Acting Chairman

Bayelsa State Government has approved the release of N5.6 billion from the Paris Club Debt refunds received in the state in December to pay one and half months salary arrears owed workers during the peak of the economic recession in the country in 2016. In a statement issued on Friday by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, he stated that the state government received a total of N14.8 billion from the Federal Government. He said the breakdown showed the state received N13.5 billion while the local government councils received N1.37 billion. The statement explained further that the outstanding salaries arrears were a balance of half salaries paid to workers for seven months during the recession in 2016. The statement said the governor appreciated the work force for displaying understanding during the trying period of the recession in 2016 which affected the resources of the state in an adverse way. According to him, while most of the older states in the country have lower wage bills, Bayelsa State’s Wage Bill was over N6 billion (State and LGAs) because of the detrimental activities of some fraudulent characters. The Governor lamented that the wage bill in the state had remained high in

of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) denied any clash in the town that involves the members of the party. “I am not aware of the incident and if my members are fighting anywhere, I will have been informed by now. “Right now, I am in Idanre and nothing of such has been reported to me” he said. When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the state command, Femi Joseph, confirmed the incident but said normalcy has since returned to the town.

spite of its low Internally Generated Revenue base which he put at N500,000 million per month on the average. He added further that the recurrent burden on the state had become too high as the individual Bayelsa civil servants earns almost twice the income of their counterparts in other states of the Federation. He explained that the government was making sustained efforts to also clean up the payroll mess to reduce the abominable wage bill. The governor said that he had always taken the issue of payment of salaries as a priority as shown by the fact that the state under his leadership did not owe workers throughout his first tenure. The Governor also warned that he would not tolerate any complaint of inability of the councils to pay salaries in the councils as from January, 2018. He stressed that the state had not deducted any money from local government funds as they had enjoyed financial autonomy from the inception of his administration. Dickson who said that he would not fund the councils with monies from the state government urged the leadership of the councils to have a workforce which they have the capacity to train manage and maintain.According to him, the state could only come in to aid the primary school education system. “This January, I will not hear that any Council Chairman is not able to pay salaries. I will not also augment your salaries with state money. You are also at liberty to fire those that are not working. You employ them; you are the ones that can fire them. “The blackmail of blaming the state over local government inability to pay salaries should stop. “The councils should live within their income. We have to be clear about these things. Councils should be encouraged to retain the staff they can comfortably train, maintain and pay”, the statement quoted the governor to have insisted.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 6, 2017

News

NYSC member caught pants down with housewife Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

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L-R: One of the leaders of the Authentic Mogajis, Chief Abas Oloko; Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; Leader and Spokesperson of the Authentic Mogajis, Chief Olawale Oladoja; President, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Chief Yemi Soladoye; representative of retired military personnel, Gen. Raji Rasaki; and representative of Ibadan Elders, Chief Lere Adigun, during a meeting of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee on the Ibadan chieftaincy dispute with the governor, at the Governor’s Office, Ibadan... on Friday.

Atiku faults Unongo, says he does not finance Miyetti Allah Myke Uzendu, Abuja

ÏÏÏFormer

Vice President Atiku Abubakar has denied allegations level against him by Chief Paul Unongo that he is the major financier of Miyetti Allah cattle breeders association which has empowered them to wreck havoc across the country. Atiku in a statement of Friday, signed by Mazi Paul Ibeh, the Media adviser to the former Vice President, said that it is very disheartening that in this period of intense grief in Benue State, Chief Paul Unongo would choose to level these sad and false allegations on his person by “erroneously described as the chief financier of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria.” The media aide acknowledged that Atiku like any other Fulani man is a cattle breeder but also a detribalized Nigerian who has always identified with each ethnic groups during their

moments of challenges but never a member of the Miyetti Allah. The statement said, “Yes, Waziri Atiku Abubakar is a Fulani and proud to be one and has never hidden that fact. However, the Waziri is a thoroughly detribalized Nigerian that would never favour one ethnic group over another. “Last year during the massive flood in Benue State which affected over 100,000 families, Waziri Atiku Abubakar, who holds the Tiv traditional title of Zege Mule U Tiv, donated cash to the Benue State Government for the care of the victims. ‘This is fitting for a man whose Tiv traditional title means ‘the biggest shade of the Tiv people’” Ibe stressed. He further expressed worry that Chief Paul Unongo chose to neglect that act of love and care Atiku had over the years extended to the people of Benue. “Not only did the Zege Mule U Tiv make a finan-

cial donation, he also called on the Federal Government to do more to assist the flood ravaged communities. “Let it be known that though Waziri Adamawa is a Fulani, he is not a member of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria nor has he ever been a member. He has also never discussed about that group with Chief Paul Unongo”. The Waziri Adamawa called for full investigations into the causes of the protracted Benue state mayhem. “His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar enjoins that a thorough investigation be made into the killings in Benue, and that anyone found culpable be made to bear the full weight of the law.” Atiku noted that Unongo is presently enjoying an appointment from the present government and may be making such unguarded utterances to satisfy his pay master.

“It has not escaped our notice that Chief Paul Unongo is the Chairman, Governing Board of Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), a position he was appointed to in April of last year. “Understandably, Chief Unongo would be very grateful to those who gave him such a position and may feel it is his duty to attack and sully those in their bad books. “If that is the case, it would be a very sad day when a supposed elder chooses to make mileage of the sufferings of the people of Benue State who have had to endure the impunity of these killings for far too long” Atiku emphasised. Atiku however prayed for the souls of the departed and as a traditional title holder of Tiv land, assured the entire people of Benue (including the Idoma and Igede) that he would do everything in his power to bring justice, relief and compensation their way.

Teenage boy drowns in Osun river Tom Garba, Yola

ÏÏÏThe

Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Osun command, on Thursday discovered the body of a teenage boy who drowned in a river in Osogbo. The spokesman of the command, Mr. Babawale

Afolabi, told newsmen in Osogbo that the body was discovered by a farmer on his way to his farm. He said the farmer reported the incident at about 1p.m. to the NSCDC unit within the area where the body was discovered and that the corps’ crisis management unit has retrieved

it. Afolabi said the body, which was floating in the middle of the river, was moved to the bank of the river by the command’s personnel and efforts were ongoing to identify the deceased. “The teenager must have been dead for at least two or three days

before his body floated on water. “He should be of between the age of 14 and 15 years. “We have contacted community leaders to help us to locate the parents of the deceased as well as arrange for his burial,” the spokesman said.

serving National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) member in Obiaruku community, Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State was in the early hours of yesterday caught pants down while allegedly having sex with a housewife. It was gathered that the corps member (name withheld), resident of Ghana Street in Obiaruku community was alleged to tiptoed into the housewife’s room who also is a neighbour with the husband after he had pretended to have gone to work, a stone thrown from the house. Expectedly, the corps member, who teaches in a secondary school, had been rumoured to have been having an illicit affair with the housewife before the bubble burst. Unknown to him the woman’s husband was working on a tip-off. Sources said the Corps member unsuspectingly hurriedly dressed, and moved out almost the same time with the man, but hid himself close to the house where he allegedly was monitoring the man’s movement. Luck however ran out of him thirty minutes after he “assumed” the man had gone to his work, and had fully settled to do his work when he tip-toed into the room where he allegedly met the woman who was also waiting undressed. In no time they went to work and were allegedly locked in the web of sexual intercourse when suddenly the husband surfaced. Our informed sources said the housewife; a mother of two children had recently been allegedly fac-

ing untold difficulties with the husband during sexual intercourse, a secret that was let out to the ‘younger Romeo’, who reportedly assured her of regular services. But the husband, identified as Onyeoluwa told journalists on telephone: “I met my wife and the corps member on my bed doing something, I called for help and he was arrested by the police”. At Obiaruku Police Division, police officers who confirmed the incident on condition of anonymity, said, “the suspect upon interrogation, confessed to the crime, and we are investigating the act”. It was further learnt that the suspect was beaten up by angry mob that thronged the scene during which the husband of the woman shouted for help. Meanwhile, a Pentecostal pastor, (name withheld) has reportedly died during an alleged sex romp with a 19-year old girl (name withheld) in a hotel in Kwale, Ndokwa West Local Government Area of the State. Mr. Andrew Aniamaka, Police Image Maker in the State confirmed to journalist Friday in Asaba that the victim died in a hotel room in Kwale, adding that the hotel workers alerted on the incident after the girl raised the alarm for help when she noticed the pastor was gasping for breath. The incident which he said occurred on Monday had raised serious dust in Kwale community, and its environs. It was gathered that while they were in the hotel room, the girl raised the alarm which attracted workers in the hotel to the room, and found the pastor dead.

No sacrifice too big for Benue –Ortom ÏÏÏGovernor Samuel Or-

tom of Benue state has said that no sacrifice is too big in the struggle to end the senseless killings of Benue people. Ortom who recalled several threats being made on his life as a result of the promulgation of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law in the state said that no amount of such threat would stop him from pro-

tecting lives of his people. The governor declared this on Friday while receiving in audience leaders of Makurdi branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA at Govt House Makurdi. The Governor said that the law was enacted with good fate and prayed that God would not allow anyone to stop the ongoing implementation of the ranching law of the state.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 6, 2018

For the Record

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 6, 2018

A handshake across the Niger By FEMI ADESINA

‘

Also, the title was offered by a kingdom that recognizes the good job President Buhari is doing for the country. I was honoured because I am deemed to be serving him well. It would have been both impudent and imprudent to have said no. And finally, the title was unsolicited. I never met Igwe Nevobasi, till he visited my office. And the fact that such a prominent figure came personally to inform me of the nomination, was humbling and remarkable.

’

n December 5, 2017, three wise men came from the East. They had come to see me at the State House, Abuja. Who were they, and what message did they bear? Surely, not gold, frankincense and myrrh. Those are gifts for Divinity. The three men were Igwe Cyprian Madu Nevobasi, Igwe Omeluenyi of Aguneese, Ezeani 111 of Mmaku Kingdom, in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Chief Emmanuel Okeke, and Hon U.S.A Igwesi, a former member of the House of Representatives. Of the three people, Hon Igwesi was the only person I’d known, right from his days as a Federal lawmaker. Soon, the Igwe unfolded the reason for the visit. He would be celebrating the 14th anniversary of his coronation with a grand Ofala Festival on January 2, 2018, during which some people would be conferred with chieftaincy titles. One of them would be my principal, President Muhammadu Buhari, and the other would be myself. Shock is a very mild word to describe what I felt. Chief. Who, me? We all have dreams, desires and aspirations in life. But for me, being a Chief is not part of it. Not at all. Chief. Who, me? It was incredulous. The Igwe handed me two official letters of invitation. One for the President, and one for me. He said I could always represent the President, since state matters may not permit the country’s number one citizen to attend personally. Why me? As the question was running through my mind, the Igwe explained: “My traditional cabinet nominated you, because we have been watching how you serve the country, and our President with passion. President Buhari is God-sent, to bring enduring change to our country. And from the way you serve him, we believe you are deserving of a title from Mmaku Kingdom.” My visitors left, and my dilemma began. Chief. Who, me? I am a church person, and may play greater roles in the Lord’s vineyard in the future, as God gives the grace. Can you combine that with chieftaincy? But the Igwe had told me it was purely a ceremonial affair, with nothing ritualistic involved. And before he left my office, he had even prayed. It was a Christian, and not a traditional prayer. Encouraging. And then I remembered! On June 1, 2015, when I resumed as Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, I’d met President Buhari at Defence House, which was then his temporary abode, before he moved to the Presidential Villa. How did he welcome me? Jocularly, he had said: “Chief Adesina, welcome to Sambisa House.” We both laughed. Chief ? Well, just some fun. That was what I thought. Then, in October 2015, we had travelled to India. And as he does in most of his official trips, the President found time to meet with the Nigerian community in that country. As he recognized members of his entourage, the President called me “Chief Adesina,” and we all laughed. He was to repeat the same thing a couple of times in the next two years, all lightheartedly. Now, come has come to become. Didn’t know President Buhari was also a prophet. I began consulting. The first person I expected to baulk was my wife. An Akure princess herself (she is nee Adesida), I expected her to say a resounding no, based on Christian convictions. If she rejected it, ‘who born me’ to accept the title? Our women are often our bosses. But curiously, she only raised one or two qustions, and seemed satisfied with my answers. The Igwe’s prayers had worked! Next, the Adesinas, both at home, and in the Diaspora. No dissenting voice. And next, my local church

pastor, at the Foursquare Gospel Church. He was very practical about it: “Whether we like it or not, you have become a political figure in the country, and you may not be able to avoid things like this. As long as there are no rituals, and it is purely a ceremonial title, you may take it.” The final consultation was with the President. The visit of the three wise men from the East and the chieftaincy nomination had been widely published, and the President, an avid newspaper reader, was well aware, before I met him. The glow in his eyes when I told him about the event gave him away. He gave his blessings. He also gave me another blessing, which I won’t disclose here, lest some people ask for their share. Lol. Every Christmas, the President encourages all Christians round him to take time off, and be with their families. He bade me goodbye, saying till after the New Year holiday, since the event was billed for January 2. On New Year day, I prepared to leave Lagos on an afternoon flight, with my prospective Lolo (that’s the title for wives of chiefs), her younger brother, Dr Niyi Adesida, and my childhood friend, Tayo Oladapo. Others were to come on morning flights the next day, from Lagos and Abuja, respectively. And then, a spanner was almost thrown into the works. When we checked in for Enugu, the airline officials had shaken their heads. Flights had not gone to that city for about a week, they said, because the weather had been consistently bad. My son, an airline pilot, had also hinted me about it the previous day. But we hoped the weather could have a change of heart, seeing it was the first day of a New Year. Two hours after the scheduled time, the flight to Enugu was eventually cancelled, due to poor weather. Every airline did the same. The next alternative was to go through Owerri, and do three hours journey by land. But all Owerri flights had left for the day. The potential Chief was about to be stranded in Lagos. My Secretary at the State House, Rosemary Ezeugoh, had gone ahead to Enugu on December 30. I phoned her, and she contacted the ADC to Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, an old friend, who had also promised that he would be fully involved in the ceremony, and be my host. The ADC, Nnadozie Peter, who turned out to be a very decent and cultured police officer, encouraged us to proceed to Port Harcourt, and that he would meet us with a security convoy. We changed our tickets to Port Harcourt, landing by 4.10 p.m. Journey to Enugu would normally be about five hours, but with the outriders and escorts, we made it in three hours, and ten minutes. Of course, you know where our hearts were throughout the journey. In our mouths! But God was gracious and faithful. Gov Ugwuanyi (fantastic man, I must add), hosted us to dinner. Don’t mind that he is a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governor, he also invited Mr Osita Okechukwu, a core Buharist and Director General of Voice of Nigeria, who came with his wife. Perfect display of politics without bitterness. D-Day. January 2. Mmaku is about one hour drive from Enugu. The governor insisted that myself and my entourage must ride in his convoy, as he would attend the ceremony. It was a God-ordained decision from the governor, as all those who were to have accompanied me had been stranded in Lagos and Abuja. Delegation from my former office, The Sun Newspapers, made of Steve Nwosu, the deputy managing director, Abdulfatah Oladeinde, editor of the Sunday paper, Femi Babafemi, editor of the Saturday paper, as well as my old friend, Shola Oshunkeye, waited hours on end, till their flight was cancelled. The same happened at Abuja end, with many would-be guests go-

Adesina ing back home in disappointment. The only guest who made it from Abuja was my friend, Mohammed Akwu, who had driven all the way with two others. Can’t we have what aviators call Instrument Landing Systems at Enugu Airport, in which case planes could land in the most severe weather? Something to discuss with Senator Hadi Sirika, Minister of State in charge of Aviation. Nigeria must keep pace with the rest of the world. Mmaku was agog. The Igwe was resplendent in his traditional regalia and accoutrements. I had also dressed in Igbo attire. I didn’t look bad in it, or what do you think? Many movers and shakers of society were at the Ofala ground. A red letter day for Mmaku, if ever there was one. First to receive us earlier in the day was His Royal Highness, Eze Barrister Igwesi Obi Igwesi, Chinwaeze 11 of Obuoffia and Omuoha 1 of Omuoha, in his own palace. He and his traditional cabinet treated us to an impressive reception, during which he applauded President Muhammadu Buhari, and the change he is bringing to the country. His words: “Before now, we Igbos were suspicious of President Buhari, but we have now seen his programmes, and have no choice but to embrace him. I urge other Nigerians to support him beyond 2019, if he intends to seek another term.” Beautiful! I tell you, wise men still come from the East. All the way from Osun, my state, was the Alaagba of Agba Kingdom, Oba Rufus Ogunwole, who added his royal touch to every place where I was received. He came with his chiefs. May the Oba reign for long. Amen. Installation time. President Buhari was given Isi Mmiri Mmaku, which, freely translated, means, Fountain of Support. I received the insignia of the title on his behalf. Then, my wife, Adenike, was made Lolo, and shortly after, entered the Nwanne Di Namba (A Brother from Another Land). And that was your’s truly. It still sounded like a dream. I thank all my friends from the East who came to honour me. Deputy Senate President, Dr Ike Ekweremadu, Elder Ekeoma E. Ekeoma and his wife, Ngozi, who came with three other friends, Ezinne Ojukwu, who represented her father, Chief Ojukwu of Ekesons Motors, Rev Austin Epunam, who represented Chief Innocent Chukwuma of Innoson Motors, Dr Kelechi Nwagwu, Ichie Tony Onyima, former manag-

ing director of The Sun Newspapers, Ismail Omipidan, Chidi Nnadi, Uche Nnamani, Marcel Alozie, Bethel Obioma, all of The Sun, (Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, Publisher of Sun and New Telegraph had given me two full pages of congratulatory adverts), Chooks Oko, Oge Nnenne Edoh, Ifeoma Ogukwe, and many others I can’t mention for space constraints. I appreciate you all. About a month ago, the thought of ever being a Chief never crossed my mind. So, why am I one today? Because it is good for our country. The fact that the offer came from outside my Yoruba ethnic stock was very significant. It is good for national unity and cohesion. Nigeria will remain one country, where in the words of our National Anthem, peace and justice shall reign. Again, though tribes and tongues may differ, in brotherhood we shall stand. Also, the title was offered by a kingdom that recognizes the good job President Buhari is doing for the country. I was honoured because I am deemed to be serving him well. It would have been both impudent and imprudent to have said no. And finally, the title was unsolicited. I never met Igwe Nevobasi, till he visited my office. And the fact that such a prominent figure came personally to inform me of the nomination, was humbling and remarkable. My final words. Be careful what people call you. It may as well come to pass. President Buhari had always called me Chief. It has become prophetic. Also, I worked at The Sun Newspapers for 13 years, starting as founding editor, and rising to become Managing Director/ Editor-in-Chief. I had always written to defend the cause of the Igbos in Nigeria. When they seemed to be making political mistakes, I had also pointed out the danger. It got to a time that a number of newspaper readers from the East began to address me as Nwanne Di Namba. And what title have I got today? The same. I had opened my mouth in amazement when the title was eventually unfolded by the Igwe. Mind what people call you. The biblical Nabal was foolish, because his name meant foolish. Simon meant a reed, an inconstant, untrustworthy fellow, tossed about by the wind. Jesus changed the name to Peter, which means The Rock. He became a pillar of the early Church. Mind what you are called. It may well come to pass. -

Foreign News

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 6, 2018

Istanbul New Year’s Eve terror attack victim predicted own death Bonny Amadi agency report

with

ÎÎÎ

Rita Chami, a student who died in the arms of her fiancé in the Istanbul New Year’s Eve terror attack predicted her own death in a chilling Facebook post days earlier. Chami wrote on her facebook page, of fears she could “die in a blast”

Istanbul

before flying to Turkey with Elias Wardini, who was also killed after a gunman stormed a nightclub packed with revelers. According to agency report, Rita Chami, the terrorist, armed with an AK-47, killed 39 people when he opened fire at the upmarket Reina nightspot on the banks of the Bosphorus. Rita and her boyfriend

Rita-Chami-and-Elias-Wardini

Elias, both 26-year-old students at American University of Science and Technology in Lebanon, had posted cheerful pictures from their travels on social media in the days before they died. Rita, who lost her mother to cancer four months ago, is also reported to have written an eerie post on Facebook in which she predicted the couple could die in a terror attack. According to news.com. au, she said: “Hopefully we will have fun [in Turkey], worst case scenario is that I will die in a blast and follow my mum.” Friends said Rita died in her fiancé’s arms after they were gunned down in the nightclub at about 1.30am local time. Refuting reports Elias had died in the Bosphorus waterway after fleeing the attack, Jason Orfali wrote online: “Elias Wardini did not run away from the shooting (he was unfortunate not to escape). “Elias Wardini stayed behind because his fiance was shot twice he went back to help her and was shot 3 times and died in her arms, he loved her to the extent that he stayed behind to help her and it cost him his life.

Female passengers: Emirates to resume Tunis flights ÎÎÎ The

United Arab Emirates (UAE) said on Thursday it would resume flights to Tunisia after an exchange of security information, resolving a row over a ban on female Tunisian passengers. The UAE angered Tunisia by banning Tunisian women from its passenger flights in December. December 26th 2017, The Tunisia suspended UAE flight to the country, the transport ministry then

said that the suspension would remain in effect until the airline “finds a suitable solution to operate its flights in accordance with laws and international agreements.” Tunisian state media reported that a task force had been set up in Tunisia’s consulate in Dubai and the UAE’s Northern Emirates to monitor the situation of Tunisian expatriates seeking to depart from Dubai airport.

UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash, had first suggested on Sunday that the airline’s initial decision to temporarily ban female passengers from boarding Emirates flights was a security measure. He wrote on Twitter that “security information” had led to “limited and circumstantial measures” that were communicated to the Tunisian government.

Liberia’s Weah invites Wenger to inauguration

Liberian Weah and Wenger

ÎÎÎ

Liberia’s new president elect George Weah has revealed to the BBC that he has invited Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger to his inauguration 22nd January. Wenger was Weah’s manager at French side Monaco between 1988 and 1992, however, Wenger is not sure he will able to attend. “I have been invited by George to come to the day where he will be the President,” he said. I have been invited by George to come to the day where he will be the President While Wenger be-

lieves he will be busy, there is a chance he could still make it for the January 22 inauguration ceremony in Monrovia. “I believe I will be busy but if I am suspended (for his comments on referees) I will have time to go.” Wenger is facing a Football Association disciplinary hearing for various comments he made about referees in recent weeks. Wenger says he could never have imagined the young player would go on to become president of Liberia.

Weah was elected president last month, winning more than 60% of the vote in the second-round run-off. “The life of this guy is a real film. It is unbelievable. It can make a fantastic film,” an excited Wenger told the BBC. “I remember when I saw him the first time at Monaco, coming in a bit lost, not knowing anybody, not being rated by anybody as a player and becoming the best player in the world in 1995 – and today becoming the president of his country. It’s an unbelievable story.”

One tourist killed, 12 injured in air balloon crash in Egypt ÎÎÎ

A tourist was killed and 12 other people were injured in a hot air balloon crash near Luxor in Egypt on Friday, staterun news agency MENA reported. According to agency report, the balloon, with tourists from different nationalities and Egyptians onboard, crashed to the west of the city of Luxor, MENA said. The health ministry said a woman was killed and 12 people injured but gave no other details. The

French President Emmanuel Macron security services in the city of Luxor reportedly received a signal of the incident while the balloon

toured in an area west of the famous archaeological city near the new desert road.

Over 1000 cars burned in France on New Year’s Eve ÎÎÎ More than a thousand

cars were burned across France on New Year’s Eve, a ritual for youths living in deprived high-rise suburbs. This was coming as the French government has vowed a crackdown on urban violence Tuesday after shocking video footage emerged of a policewoman being beaten on New Year’s Eve.

According to agency report, a total of 1,031 cars were torched across France as the country welcomed the New Year -- up from 935 a year ago -- while arrests rose from 456 to 510, according to the interior ministry. Interior Minister Gerard Collomb was reported to have said that reforms were needed to improve

lives in “pauperised, ghettoised” French suburbs, which have long suffered a reputation for violence and poverty. “These are neighbourhoods that must change,” Collomb said, ahead of new pilot schemes in local policing set to begin next month following a large-scale consultation with security forces.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 6, 2018

Daily Times Nigeria d ƐƑƏƗ ƕè C Ƒ Əƕ Õè ƾƠơƤ

21 News/Change of Names

Clamp down on BUA: Edo wants law abiding investors – Obaseki’s Aide Ï `Ɔƍ ƌƆƌƄƆƏ ƐƐ ƅƊƆƗ Ƅƕ n ƌƈƋƈƐƈ ƏƆƅ Ƒ Ɛ ƏƗƆ Ƌ ÎÎÎ The Edo State Gov-

ernment has restated her desire for law abiding investors that will partner with the Godwin Obasekiled administration in its commitment to turn the state into an industrial hub, but maintains that lawless investors have no place in the state. Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr Crusoe Osagie, told journalists in Benin City on Friday, that the hostile behaviour of the management of BUAObu Cement towards the state government officials and elected representatives of the people was reprehensible and unbecoming of a corporate citizen with stakes in the state. He explained that Obaseki’s efforts at managing the lawlessness of BUA in the state is to prevent the mindless killings in places

like Benue and elsewhere, where state governors or the appropriate authorities failed to adopt proactive measures in forestalling crises. Osagie’s statement is coming on the heels of attacks on the convoy of Governor Godwin of Obaseki and the member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Johnson Oghuma, representing Etsako Federal Constituency. Narrating his ordeal in the hands of the suspected BUA-sponsored militias, Hon. Johnson Oghuma, said that he heard that the governor was in town and he was on his way to see the governor after he got wind that the governor was at the Okuokphellagbe’s Palace. On his way, he said he observed that the atmosphere was tensed and there was a barricade that obstructed his convoy, which he avoided,

DIKE CHISOM PRECIOUS

GABRIEL SUNDAY THOMAS

9è Ƈ ƏƌƆƏƋƕ Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ #9E& 69dRLè Ɠ Ɠƈ Ɛ ƄƆ Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ #9E& 69dRL ^`& 9Rndê ƋƋ 0 ƏƌƆƏ Ɨ ƅƑƌƆ Ɛ ƏƆƌ ƈ ƒ ƋƈƗê MEd Ɨ 1Ɔ ƆƏ Ƌ ƍƑƄƋƈƅ Ɛ ƊƆ ƐƆê

REGINA ODEY AFECHI

but some members of his convoy were not so lucky as they were attacked by irate youths, suspected to be funded by a cement company in the area. According to the Osagie: “It is disheartening to see a corporate citizen of Edo State treating officials of the state government, particularly the Governor of Edo State, with so much disdain. BUA claims that the Edo State government has no right to regulate the operational environment where it does business. The company has raised militias with which it is carrying out attacks on government officials and inciting a section of the Okpella community against the state government. “The attack on the governor’s convoy and Hon. Johnson Oghuma, the House of Representatives member representing Etsako Federal Constituency,

is reprehensible. “BUA has crossed the line and the appropriate government officials are doing the needful. Edo people are peace-loving people and the route BUA has chosen to take may not guarantee the continued extension of the Edo people’s goodwill. Hon. Oghuma further said: “I wanted to refuel at the DANCO Filling Station at Okpella. The youths came around and I asked them what was happening and they told me that the governor was in town. They said he was at the Royal Highness’s Palace. The ward chairman and other party men were in the school, waiting for me. “As I was going towards the Palace, I saw a barricade on the road with fire made with wood and tyres. I asked them about the governor and they said he was at the Palace. I had

JAIN OSAWEMWENZE AIFUWA

AGBO JOHN

to navigate a village path and came out from another end. When I got to the Palace, the governor was coming out; we exchanged pleasantries and I briefed him that I came to inspect some of my zonal intervention projects. “I went into my car while he returned to his. When I was returning, the road was still blocked. I took the path I followed before and it was still blocked. The governor’s convoy could not do that because they could not take the route I followed.” He added that his orderlies were attacked when a fracas broke out after a boy removed the barricade to join him at a site, where he was inspecting a project he was executing for his people. He said a police officer attached to his team was injured. He said, “When I was at

IDONGESIT NTAKWA UDO

the site, a Toyota Corolla car drove in and a man inside was calling a boy, who was said to have removed the barricade blocking the governor’s convoy. He asked his brother to enter the car that some people were coming to kill him. Meanwhile, I am sure the elder brother got the wind that those that erected the barricade saw that it was his younger brother that removed the barricade. The younger was in the school I was inspecting. “The boy jumped into the Corolla car and left. No sooner had he left, I saw a pickup load of thugs armed with cutlasses and dangerous weapons. They came into the arena. The first one threw the cutlass and I dived. I had to quickly run for safety. As I was running, I saw a pick up from the divisional police headquarters.

DUPE AJIBOLA IDOWU

9 0 ƏƌƆƏƋƕ Ɗ Ɠ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ 1 R 0`9# ^ nGè Ɠ Ɠƈ Ɛ ƄƆ Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ 1 R CR6Mê 0 ƏƌƆƏ Ɨ ƅƑƌƆ Ɛ ƏƆƌ ƈ ƒ ƋƈƗ Ɨ Ɔ ƆƏ Ƌ ƍƑƄƋƈƅ ƍƋƆ Ɔ Ɛ ƊƆ ƐƆ

9 Ƈ ƏƌƆƏƋƕ Ɗ Ɠ d9LRM n#R &LL Mn&G Ɠƈ Ɛ ƄƆ Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ 9#RM1&d9j Mj Ez n#Rê ƋƋ Ƈ ƏƌƆƏ Ɨ ƅƑƌƆ Ɛ ƏƆƌ ƈ ƒ ƋƈƗè Ɔ ƆƏ Ƌ ƍƑƄƋƈƅ ƍƋƆ Ɔ Ɛ ƊƆ ƐƆê

9 Ƈ ƏƌƆƏƋƕ Ɗ Ɠ C L&d RGRG #& 9#Rzn Ɠƈ Ɛ ƄƆ Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ #n^& C9 RG 9#Rznê ƋƋ Ƈ ƏƌƆƏ Ɨ ƅƑƌƆ Ɛ ƏƆƌ ƈ ƒ ƋƈƗè Ɔ ƆƏ Ƌ ƍƑƄƋƈƅ ƍƋƆ Ɔ Ɛ ƊƆ ƐƆê

SUNDAY PATIENCE

CHINYERE OYINNA ASIMOLE

SADIPE OLUGBENGA OLATUNJI

MRS ADEYEMI OMOBOLA DEBORAH

9 Ƈ ƏƌƆƏƋƕ Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ #&d M #RjnM #&ER Ɠ 9 Ɠƈ Ɛ ƄƆ Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ #&d M #& R #RjnMê ƋƋ Ƈ ƏƌƆƏ Ɨ ƅƑƌƆ Ɛ ƏƆƌ ƈ ƒ ƋƈƗê 1Ɔ ƆƏ Ƌ ƍƑƄƋƈƅ Ɛ ƍƋƆ Ɔ Ɛ ƊƆ ƐƆê

9 Ƈ ƏƌƆƏƋƕ Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ G& 6&Mn ^ j9&M & G #9 Ɠ 9 Ɠƈ Ɛ ƄƆ Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ dnM# ^ j9&M & ê ƋƋ Ƈ ƏƌƆƏ Ɨ ƅƑƌƆ Ɛ ƏƆƌ ƈ ƒ ƋƈƗê 1Ɔ ƆƏ Ƌ ƍƑƄƋƈƅ Ɛ ƍƋƆ Ɔ Ɛ ƊƆ ƐƆê

ê 9 Ƈ ƏƌƆƏƋƕ Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ L # 69M &`& C M& d9LRG& Ɠ 9 Ɠƈ Ɛ ƄƆ Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ 69M &`& R 9MM d9LRG& ê ƋƋ Ƈ ƏƌƆƏ Ɨ ƅƑƌƆ Ɛ ƏƆƌ ƈ ƒ ƋƈƗê 1Ɔ ƆƏ Ƌ ƍƑƄƋƈƅ Ɛ ƍƋƆ Ɔ Ɛ ƊƆ ƐƆê

ê 9 Ƈ ƏƌƆƏƋƕ Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ d #9^& RGn1 &M1 RG 9ME Ɠ 9 Ɠƈ Ɛ ƄƆ Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ d #9^& RGn1 &M1 RG jnMC9 ê ƋƋ Ƈ ƏƌƆƏ Ɨ ƅƑƌƆ Ɛ ƏƆƌ ƈ ƒ ƋƈƗê 1Ɔ ƆƏ Ƌ ƍƑƄƋƈƅ Ɛ ƍƋƆ Ɔ Ɛ ƊƆ ƐƆê

9 Ƈ ƏƌƆƏƋƕ Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ RLRz L9 RLR RG #& R` 6 Ɠ 9 Ɠƈ Ɛ ƄƆ Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ L`d #& &L9 RLR RG #& R` 6 ê ƋƋ Ƈ ƏƌƆƏ Ɨ ƅƑƌƆ Ɛ ƏƆƌ ƈ ƒ ƋƈƗê 1Ɔ ƆƏ Ƌ ƍƑƄƋƈƅ Ɛ ƍƋƆ Ɔ Ɛ ƊƆ ƐƆê

MRS OMOLOLA ZARIAT AKINNAWO

ORIABURE BLESSING OMONIGHO

OBIOMA LILIAN EZEKOBE ORJI.

9 Ƈ ƏƌƆƏƋƕ Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ 1 M9 j j&L9jR^& d6RG ME& Ɠ Ɠƈ Ɛ ƄƆ Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ j&L9jR^& 1 M9 j RG C9#&ê ƋƋ Ƈ ƏƌƆƏ Ɨ ƅƑƌƆ Ɛ ƏƆƌ ƈ ƒ ƋƈƗè Ɔ ƆƏ Ƌ ƍƑƄƋƈƅ Ɛ ƊƆ ƐƆê

9 Ƈ ƏƌƆƏƋƕ Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ Lƈ Rƌ Ƌ Ƌ Əƈ Ɛ RƗƑ ƈ Ɠ Ɠƈ Ɛ ƄƆ Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ LƏ Rƌ Ƌ Ƌ Əƈ Ɛ Ɗƈ Ɠ è ƋƋ Ƈ ƏƌƆƏ Ɨ ƅƑƌƆ Ɛ ƏƆƌ ƈ ƒ ƋƈƗè Ɔ ƆƏ Ƌ ƍƑƄƋƈƅ Ɛ ƊƆ ƐƆê

9è Ƈ ƏƌƆƏƋƕ Ɗ Ɠ &91 & G&dd9M1 RLRM916R è Ɠ Ɠƈ Ɛ ƄƆ Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ R`9 n`& G&dd9M1 RLRM916Rê 0 ƏƌƆƏ Ɨ ƅƑƌƆ Ɛ ƏƆƌ ƈ ƒ ƋƈƗê 1Ɔ ƆƏ Ƌ ƍƑƄƋƈƅ ƍƋƆ Ɔ Ɛ ƊƆ ƐƆ

9è Ƈ ƏƌƆƏƋƕ Ɗ Ɠ RƄƈ ƌ GƈƋƈ &ƖƆƊ ƄƆè Ɠ Ɠƈ Ɛ ƄƆ Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ R 9RL G9G9 M & &ER & R`C9ê 0 ƏƌƆƏ Ɨ ƅƑƌƆ Ɛ ƏƆƌ ƈ ƒ ƋƈƗê 1Ɔ ƆƏ Ƌ ƍƑƄƋƈƅ ƍƋƆ Ɔ Ɛ ƊƆ ƐƆê

MRS LIZZY BRIGHT LEBARI 9 Ƈ ƏƌƆƏƋƕ Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ Lƈ ƈƆƄƈƆƐ dƑ Ɨ ƕ nƗ 9Ɨ è Ɠ Ɠƈ Ɛ ƄƆ Ɗ Ɠ LƏ GƈƖƖƕ Əƈ Ɛ GƆƄ Əƈê ƋƋ Ƈ ƏƌƆƏ Ɨ ƅƑƌƆ Ɛ ƏƆƌ ƈ ƒ ƋƈƗê n Ƅ Ɗ ` Ɨè nƕ Ə ƅ Ɨ Ɔ ƆƏ Ƌ ƍƑƄƋƈƅ Ɛ ƊƆ ƐƆ

MRS HELEN ONYINYE ONYEBUCHI (NEE ENEKWE) &M&Ez&ë 9 Ƈ ƏƌƆƏƋƕ Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ L9dd 6&G&M RM 9M & &M&Ez& Ɠ Ɠƈ Ɛ ƄƆ Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ L`d 6&G&M RM 9M & RM & n 69 æMƆƆ & ƆƊƓƆçê ƋƋ Ƈ ƏƌƆƏ Ɨ ƅƑƌƆ Ɛ ƏƆƌ ƈ ƒ ƋƈƗê 1Ɔ ƆƏ Ƌ ƍƑƄƋƈƅ ƑƋƗ ƍƋƆ Ɔ Ɛ ƊƆ ƐƆê

MRS ALOBELE NWAMAKA CONSTANCE

MRS UCHECHI ROSE OJI

MRS IKENTA ROSETA ADAKU

OSES TIMOTHY

9 Ƈ ƏƌƆƏƋƕ Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ L9dd M9j&6 Mz L E RMdj M & Ɠ Ɠƈ Ɛ ƄƆ Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ L`d GR &G& Mz L E RMdj M &ê ƋƋ Ƈ ƏƌƆƏ Ɨ ƅƑƌƆ Ɛ ƏƆƌ ƈ ƒ ƋƈƗê 1Ɔ ƆƏ Ƌ ƍƑƄƋƈƅ ƑƋƗ ƍƋƆ Ɔ Ɛ ƊƆ ƐƆê

9 Ƈ ƏƌƆƏƋƕ Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ L9dd n 6& 6nEzn `Rd& REznRGn Ɠ Ɠƈ Ɛ ƄƆ Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ L`d n 6& 69 `Rd& RC9ê ƋƋ Ƈ ƏƌƆƏ Ɨ ƅƑƌƆ Ɛ ƏƆƌ ƈ ƒ ƋƈƗê 1Ɔ ƆƏ Ƌ ƍƑƄƋƈƅ ƑƋƗ ƍƋƆ Ɔ Ɛ ƊƆ ƐƆê

ë 9 Ƈ ƏƌƆƏƋƕ Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ L9dd n#& 9 `Rd&j # En Ɠ Ɠƈ Ɛ ƄƆ Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ L`d 9E&Mj `Rd&j # Enê ƋƋ Ƈ ƏƌƆƏ Ɨ ƅƑƌƆ Ɛ ƏƆƌ ƈ ƒ ƋƈƗê 1Ɔ ƆƏ Ƌ ƍƑƄƋƈƅ ƑƋƗ ƍƋƆ Ɔ Ɛ ƊƆ ƐƆê

9 Ƈ ƏƌƆƏƋƕ Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ RERGR &C9E& j9LRj6 Ɠ Ɠƈ Ɛ ƄƆ Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ LRd&d j9LRj6 ê ƋƋ Ƈ ƏƌƆƏ Ɨ ƅƑƌƆ Ɛ ƏƆƌ ƈ ƒ ƋƈƗê Ɗ Ɨ 1Ɔ ƆƏ Ƌ ƍƑƄƋƈƅ ƑƋƗ ƍƋƆ Ɔ Ɛ ƊƆ ƐƆê

ADDITION OF NAME

DECLARATION OF NAME

MRS SUNDAY ETIM JOY

j Ɛ 9 Ɠ Ƈ ƏƌƆƏƋƕ Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ R1z 1&MjG& ^`9M & Ɛ Ɛ 9 Ɠ Ɠƈ Ɛ ƗƗ 6nEzn&L&E& Ɛ ƌƕ Ƈ ƏƌƆƏ ƌƆ Ɛ Ɛ 9 Ɠ Ɠƈ Ɛ ƄƆ Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ R1z 1&MjG&^`9M & 6nEzn&L&E&ê Lƕ ƅ ƏƏƆƅƐ Ɨ ƐƆ Ƈ ƄƈƏƐ ƈ ơƤƐ ƍƏƈƋè ơÖƤÕê ƋƋ Ƈ ƏƌƆƏ Ɨ ƅƑƌƆ Ɛ ƏƆƌ ƈ ƒ ƋƈƗê Ɗ Ɨ 1Ɔ ƆƏ Ƌ ƍƑƄƋƈƅ ƑƋƗ ƍƋƆ Ɔ Ɛ ƊƆ ƐƆ ê

9 ƆƏƆƄƕ ƗƆƅƋ ƏƆ Ɛ Ɛ 9 ƌ RL 9 R`C9 & 9MM& 1` &è Ɨ R`C9 & 9MM& 1` & ƏƆ Ɛ Ɔ ƌƆ ƍƆƏ ê ƋƋ Ɨ ƅƑƌƆ Ɛ ƄƆ Əƈ ƌƕ ƌƆ ƏƆƌ ƈ ƒ ƋƈƗê 1Ɔ ƆƏ Ƌ ƍƑƄƋƈƅ ƑƋƗ ƍƋƆ Ɔ Ɛ ƊƆ ƐƆê

9è Ƈ ƏƌƆƏƋƕ Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ 1 `9&G 6 dd Mè M Ɠ Ɠƈ Ɛ ƄƆ Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ 1 `9&G dnM# j6RL dê ƋƋ Ƈ ƏƌƆƏ Ɨ ƅƑƌƆ Ɛ ƏƆƌ ƈ ƒ ƋƈƗê 1Ɔ ƆƏ Ƌ ƍƑƄƋƈƅƃ ƑƐ ƏƈƐƈƆ ƅ ƅƆƏ ƆƗ ƑƋƗ Ɛ ƊƆ ƐƆê

ơê 9è Ƈ ƏƌƆƏƋƕ Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ C 9M Rd z&Lz&M & 9 Lnè M Ɠ Ɠƈ Ɛ ƄƆ Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ C 9M Rd z&Lz&M & 90nz ê ƋƋ Ƈ ƏƌƆƏ Ɨ ƅƑƌƆ Ɛ ƏƆƌ ƈ ƒ ƋƈƗê 1Ɔ ƆƏ Ƌ ƍƑƄƋƈƅƃ ƑƐ ƏƈƐƈƆ ƅ ƅƆƏ ƆƗ ƑƋƗ Ɛ ƊƆ ƐƆê

ADESANYA ADEBAYO DOTUN

9 Ƈ ƏƌƆƏƋƕ Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ 0 9j6 L R Ɠ 9 Ɠƈ Ɛ ƄƆ Ɗ Ɠ Ɨ ƗƗƏƆ ƆƗ `&19M R#& 0& 69 ê ƋƋ Ƈ ƏƌƆƏ Ɨ ƅƑƌƆ Ɛ ƏƆƌ ƈ ƒ ƋƈƗê 1Ɔ ƆƏ Ƌ ƍƑƄƋƈƅ Ɛ ƍƋƆ Ɔ Ɛ ƊƆ ƐƆê TEMITOPE GANIYAT OLAJIDE

MRS OKWOR GERALDINE IFUNANYA

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MRS LUCIA SILAS IKOT

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 6 , 2018

Akpabio gives Gov Emmanuel conditions for second term ÎÎÎ A former Governor

of Akwa Ibom State Godswill Akpabio, has given conditions for him to support the incumbent, Udom Emmanuel, for a second term. Akpabio, now a senator, gave the conditions at the annual get-together organized by the Deputy Governor, Chief Moses Ekpo, to fete the people of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, which he represents. Akpabio said Emmanuel must correct the perceived current marginalization of his senatorial district if he hopes to get his support. He said Emmanuel’s policies and programmes are discriminatory against the Ikot Ekpene geopoliti-

cal zone. He equally said some of the projects embarked upon by his (Akpabio’s) administration, including the multi-million naira Four Points By Sheraton Hotel at Ikot Ekpene and the dualisation of the Uyo-Ikot Ekpene Road, had been abandoned by Emmanuel. He said the completion of the projects would form part of the recommendations for Emmanuel’s reelection in 2019. Akpabio said: “2018 is less than one year to election. “All is not well. “Don’t allow anybody to deceive you that all is well. “If the hotel in Ikot

Ekpene rots after so much money had been expended on the project, would that be a good thing? “That road from Uyo to Ikot Ekpene is still the way it was. “In the 2018 budget, what is the percentage for Ikot Ekpene senatorial district? “My job is to say the truth because if at this level I cannot say the truth, then I am not doing well. “So please I want us to start the hotel because when the Commissioner for Works addressed the youths in August, he assured them that the hotel would be opened in December. “Please let us check the budget to know what has

been earmarked for that place. “I am not interested in what I did and what I did not do, I am only interested in what I am going to do. “The truth is that Godswill Akpabio expects us to set our path straight so that we can take one route. “Even when you are going for communion, you must be in a state of grace. “So let us have something from the senatorial district to use in talking about election, to use in convincing the people to stand by us. “We are in opposition, we don’t have government, we don’t have police, we don’t have Independent National Electoral Commission.”

22 News

Rampaging herdsmen: Match words with action, PFN tells FG By Titus Akhigbe,Benin

ÎÎÎ The Pentecostal Fel-

lowship of Nigeria (PFN) has decried the incessant killings of innocent Nigerians by marauding herdsmen across Nigeria. A case in point is the continuous massacre of innocent Nigerians in Benue and Kaduna States. PFN national president, Rev. Dr. Felix Omobude in a press statement in Benin City, expressed worry over the way and manner these herdsmen continue to kill innocent Nigerians with ease and precision and escape justice. The PFN calls on the federal government to wake up to her responsibility and treat these herdsmen as terrorist and fight them in the same zeal they fought Boko Haram and bring them to justice immediately. The PFN is deeply concerned at the lacklustre approach of our security agencies in bringing this mayhem to an end. Dr. Omobude stated that the PFN is greatly disturbed by the constant killing of Nigerians by the rampaging herdsmen and urged the fed-

eral government to tackle the nagging problem decisively by bringing the perpetrators of these dastardly acts to justice. “PFN believes it’s time our security forces perform their primary duty of protecting the lives and property of Nigerians. Government at various levels should stop paying lip service to tackling the atrocities committed by these herdsmen, suspected to be of Fulani extraction, nationwide. This decimation of Communities with destruction of lives and properties must stop. It must be stated now and clear that it is in our collective interest to maintain peace as no group has a monopoly of violence. The PFN calls on the federal government to act and act fast in stopping the perpetuators of these crimes across the country and bring them to book. “PFN however calls on all well-meaning Nigerians to continue to exercise restraint even in the face of provocative and unwholesome activities of armed herdsmen and keep praying for peace and unity of Nigeria.

We should not forget our fallen heroes - Bindow By Tom Garba, Yola

L-R: Deputy National Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Customs Service, Abubakar Dalhadu; National Public Relations Officer, Joseph Attah and the Zonal Commander in the Comptroller-General of Customs’ compliance team, Tafida Yusuf, during a press conference on the 2017 Customs Seizure Management, in Lagos on Thursday.

Shakeup as FRSC reshuffles 109 personnel Myke Uzendu, Abuja

ÎÎÎThe

Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) has redeployed 109 personnel as part of efforts to enhance its operational efficiency, according to the Corps Public Education Officer, Mr Bisi Kazeem. In a statement on Friday, Kazeem quoted the Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, as saying the shakeup was aimed at actualising the 2018 strategic goals of the FRSC in the National Headquarters. The redeployment exercise is coming barely five days after the promotion

of 1,925 officers and marshals of the Corps, some of whom are affected in the shakeup. According to him, Deputy Corps Marshal Abubakar Ringim, who was recently promoted from the rank of Assistant Corps Marshal who was the Zonal Commanding Officer of Zone RS3HQ, Yola is now in charge of Special Duties and Partnership at the National Headquarters. He said Assistant Corps Marshal Victor Nwokolo, formerly Head of Section, Special Marshals, is now the Head of Section, Command and Strategy Admin-

istration (CAS). Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM) Kayode Olagunju, who was the Head, Policy Research and Statistics, will now proceed on course at the Nigerian Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos. The PRO said Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM) Stephen Maitizumahs, formerly in charge of Administration and Training, is now the Zonal Commanding Officer, Zone 3, Yola. Assistant Corps Marshal Kayode Fanola, who has concluded his courses at NIPSS, takes over from Olagunju as Head of Policy,

Research and Statistics at the Headquarters. The FRSC spokesman said: “Assistant Corps Marshal Godwin Ogagaoghene, former ACM Personnel at the headquarters, is now the Zonal Commanding Officer (ZCO), Abuja. “Assistant Corps Marshal Shehu Zaki, former Zonal Commanding Officer, Lagos is now the Zonal Commanding Officer, Bauchi; Assistant Corps Marshal Jonas Agwu, formerly in charge of Zone RS4 Jos, is now Assistant Corps Marshal Motor Vehicle Administration in the National headquarters.

ÎÎÎ

Over N10million was realised at the emblem launch to commemorate this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Adamawa State. Speaking at the Council Chamber, Government House in Yola, on Friday, Governor of Adamawa state, Sen Jibrilla Bindow, expressed displeasure over the spectre of non remittance of pledges. The Governor said: “Our fallen heroes have paid the supreme price of protecting the nation; we should not fail them by not immortalizing and honouring them”. He called for continuous support to the families of the fallen heroes. Sen Bindow pledged the sum of N5 million on behalf of the state government and his personal pledge of five hundred thousand naira. Deputy Governor, Martins Babale, stressed that other ways of expressing

appreciation to families of the fallen heroes is to continue to offer hand of friendship and show support to families of the fallen heroes. He pledged the sum of N1 million on behalf of all the commissioners and his personal donation of the sum of N200, 000. Setting the pace for the commencement of the launch, Head of Service, Dr Louis Solomon Mandama, said the event is a weeklong affair which began with a press briefing and would culminate in the laying of wreath at the Mahmud Ribadu Square in Yola. In a short remark, State Chairman of Nigeria Legion, Master Warrant Officer Bashir Babayola, appreciated those who had redeemed their pledges and gave assurance that the monies realised had been dedicated to addressing the plight of widows and orphans left behind by the fallen heroes.

Daily Times Nigeria d ƐƑƏƗ ƕè C Ƒ Əƕ Õè ƾƠơƤ

23 News

Ibadan Obaship tussles to be settled out of court ÏÏÏThe apex socio-cultur- Ï 99 ƋƆ Ɨ ƑƐ Ɔ Ɛƈƅ ƌ Ɖƈ è j` Ɛ ƌƆƆƐ ƓƈƐ Ɖƈƌ Ƅƈ al organization in Ibadanland, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, is confident that the lingering chieftaincy dispute triggered by the installation of 21 new obas by the Oyo State government will soon be settled out of court judging by the ‘cooperation and enthusiasm’ of the contenders in its reconciliation efforts. The President of the CCII, Chief Yemi Soladoye, expressed the confidence in an interview with journalists shortly after leading a Truth and Reconciliation Committee to a meeting with the Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, at the Governor’s Of-

fice, Ibadan, on Friday. He was upbeat that an amicable resolution, which, he said, would produce no victor no vanquished, was in the offing in the avowed determination of the CCII and respected elders of the land to end the impasse. The CCII president said that the TRC would round off its troubleshooting efforts by the end of January and make recommendations, which he said would be satisfactory to the parties concerned. He said that member ship of the TRC, which is being coordinated by the CCII, included representatives of

the elders of the land, religious bodies, retired military officers, recognized mogajis, authentic mogajis and a former Senator Rashidi Ladoja. The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, had instituted a court action against the state government following the installation of the 21 Obas by the governor; an action, which, he said, did not follow the due process and tradition. At the Friday’s meeting with the governor were the leaders of the authentic mogajis, Chiefs Olawale Oladoja and Abass Oloko,

who have been the arrowheads of the opposition against the installation of the new obas and have been speaking in support of the Olubadan. Also in attendance were the representatives of Ibadan Elders and retired military personnel on the TRC, Chief Lere Adigun and Gen. Raji Rasaki, respectively. Soladoye said, “We are happy that all the stakeholders in the matter have seen the need to embrace peace. Judging by the progress we have made so far in the TRC, I can assure you that the matter will soon be

settled out of court judging by the cooperation and enthusiasm of the parties. “We have extracted a firm promise from those concerned on the need to withdraw all the court cases in the overall interest of Ibadanland. We are doing everything possible not to jeopardise the reconciliation process, hence all the stakeholders have been included in the TRC. “We have advised the contenders to stop issuing inflammatory statements capable of dragging back the hand of the clock. You will recall that there had been threats and counter-threats by the 21 obas and the authentic mogajis in recent times.

Lawyer accuses Fayose of masterminding Olukere’s prosecution ‘Tosin Ajuwon, Akure.

ÏÏÏAn

Some people salvaging their belongings at the scene of demolished building in Abuja…on Friday.

Eyiboh sets agenda for transformation of Cross River Basin Authority Bassey Willie, Uyo

ÏÏÏThe newly appoint-

ed Chairman of Cross River Basin Development Authority, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, says the call on him to serve by President Muhammadu Buhari, was an invitation to trigger new innovations and jump-start reforms that will reposition the basin authority and make it play the expected role in Nigeria’s economic growth. Speaking with newsmen in Uyo Friday, Eyiboh whose appointment, alongside others was announced last

week by President Buhari appreciated the president for finding him fit for the appointment. He said, “President Muhammadu Buhari has graciously invested on me the public trust to trigger innovations and jump-start reforms in Cross River Basin Development Authority through the oversight of its core mandate and supervision of public policy implementation.” Eyiboh, who once served as spokesperson of the House of Representatives during the 7th assembly prom-

“We have no doubt that the issue will soon become history. In the end there will not be no victor nor vanquished. We are meeting with all the stakeholders and we deemed it appropriate to meet with the governor first. We are happy that he is keen on seeing the matter resolved amicably.” The CCII said that the attendance of the authentic mogajis at the meeting with the governor should send a positive signal to the people that the TRC was making appreciable progress that would soon bear fruits. He was upbeat that none of the stakeholders would be dissatisfied or still feel embittered at the end of the reconciliation efforts.

ised to open to what he termed “treasured advisory” from stakeholders and organizations in the agency. He also promised to work and instil ethical integrity and the requirements for effective and transparent corporate governance and attendant core values in the authority. He insisted that “Our national institutions need leadership that replicates the integrity demonstrated by President Buhari so as to get the nation on the right path of wholesome development and progress.”

According to Eyiboh, “I shall be guided by our collective respect for self discipline, responsible and accountable leadership. I promise to assume this responsibility with my name and end my tour of duty with commendations and honour.” He sued for prayers and support from people of goodwill to enable him succeed in his new assignment and charged Nigerians, from all walks of life, to continue supporting the Buhari administration so as to make Nigeria great again.

Akure based human rights lawyer and activist, Morakinyo Ogele, has accused the Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose of masterminding the prosecution of the Olukere of Ikere, Oba Obasoyin Ganiyu. Barrister Ogele who spoke at his office chamber in Akure said that the ongoing prosecution of the Ikere traditional ruler would create a lot of political crisis in the state. An Ado Ekiti Chief Magistrate Court had last Wednesday ordered that the Olukere Oba Obasoyin be remanded in the prison custody with five others over allegations bordering on conspiracy, and murder. Last week, police arrested the traditional ruler and arraigned him in connection with a violence that erupted shortly after he formally opened his hotel located at Gbemisola area of the town on Friday. Addressing newsmen in his Akure Office, Ogele noted that the continued detention of the monarch was politically motivated by the State Governor, Ayodele Fayose. He alleged that Oba Obasoyin was been persecuted for his refusal to support an aspirant from Ikere town being front by Mr. Fayose to succeed him after tenure. According to Ogele, the detention of the Ikere monarch could cause an unending crisis in the town and the state at large if the traditional institutions are being drag into the muddy

waters of politics. The human rights lawyer also appealed with the traditional rulers in the state to as matter of urgency prevail on Governor Fayose to exercise caution and sheathe his sword over the ongoing case. “While opening his multi-million naira hotel, Oba Obasanyin Ganiyu said in his speech that ‘Ikere people had not endorsed any indigene of the town as their preferred candidate in the next governorship election in the state’. “Three days after the event, thugs invaded the hotel and destroyed the property. The police chased the hoodlums and killed one of them. “But to our dismay, the story was changed and the monarch was charged to court on suspicion that he was involved in the killing. “It is curious that after Oba Obasanyin had been remanded in prison, the police came out to say the boy was killed by them and that he was an armed robber. “Even if the monarch is not supporting Eleka, an indigene of the town and candidate of Governor Fayose, I don’t think he has done anything wrong”. Barrister Ogele added that the case was not a ‘murder case but political case that is laid on a criminal matter’ to frame up the Ikere monarch who is a critic of the state governor. He, however, alleged that the Judiciary and the Governor have perfected a plan to frame up himself and others who are keenly interested in the case.

Society circle 24 Ajibade Alabi

Oba Adeyemi Alani set for double celebration The whole Yewa North in Ogun State will go agog as the town is set to host dignities and important celebrities for the 60th birthday celebration and 15 years on the throne of the king of Jogaland, Alayeluwa, Oba Adeyemi Alani Olanrewaju Adekeye, the Abepa of Jogaland.

The week long celebration which is expected to kick off on Wednsday, January 15, 2018, will have King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (K1) as the artiste of the event that is already a talk of town in the sleepy town.

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, January 6, 2017

When Dele Momodu celebrated wife @50

Warri Billionaire, Ayiri celebrates 6 years of marriage

The Ayiris

Warri, Delta State billionaire, High Chief Ayiri Emami, is a happy man. The Ologbotsere of Itsekiri Kingdom and his beautiful wife, Empress, celebrated their 8thwedding anniversary on Boxing Day, December 26, 2017, with soiree in Warri, which attracted guests from all around the world. The ceremony had

the best supply of sumptuous meals and drinks, as the philanthropist spared no cost to make the event an experience to remember for those who attended. The Warri big boy thereafter took to his instagram and posted a picture of his wife to further express his happiness.

Dele Momodu & wife

Sunday, December 24, 2017 will forever remain ever green in the mind of Ovation publisher, Dele Momodu. It was a day he threw a lavish party to celebrate his beautiful wife, Mrs. Mobolaji Abiodun Momodu who clocked the golden age on the said date. The party which was held at the prestigious Civic Centre in Victoria Island Lagos was graced

by many eminent personalities led by the Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun. The highlights of the birthday celebration was the cutting of the birthday cake by the celebrant Amosun coordinating the session with the support of APC chieftains, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Chief Alex Duduyemi, Dr. Doyin Abiola and others.

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, January 6, 2017

Society circle 25

Ajibade Alabi

Lagos socialite, Bisket, celebrates life at 60 Lagos business woman and popular socialite, Bisket recently celebrated her 60th birthday in a classy way at her place of residence in Lekki, Lagos. Even though she celebrated her 60th birthday but she nevertheless look younger than her age as she looks like a sweet 16 who is just gaining an admission into higher institution. And if there is anything guests who were at to differentiate between the celebrant and the daughter of the celebrant, no thanks to their stark similarity. And the former wife of Alhaji Dan Musa was grateful to God for let her clock the privileged age of 60. Speaking during the celebration, she alluded that her looking ravishingly beautiful even at 60 is not new to her.

Obesere storms Excellence Hotel for sexy actress, Olaide Alade’s premiere

Olaide & Obesere

It will be gathering of entertainment and celebrities come this Sunday (7th of January, 2018) at the Excellence Hotel Ogba, Lagos as Abass Akande Obesere launching of Olaide Alade, a.k.a Tafeani, a fast rising actress whose lates tmovBisket

“I have always been a shy person because even when I was growing up I observed that even ladies in their 20s would stop me and say “wow! Do you know you are pretty?” but I was always shy because I was a local girl,“ she said.

Wole Arisekola becomes toast of high society

launch. The beautiful actress, who will tell whoever cares to listen that she is beautiful and sexy, disclosed to The Daily her third one.

movie was titled “Eyin Oju Mi” though I out the title since it is not yet concluded“. On the expected guests, Olaide, who said she has been in the business of make believe for over a decade, said: “I am expecting many important personalities, also marketers will be there, like Toymax and my marketer, Corporate. Also, my colleagues like Owolabi Ibrahim, Murphy Afolabi, Kamoru Kambo Abeni Agbon will all be present”.

Funmilayo Odeneye toeing her husband’s lane Behind every successful husband acceding to the popular saying there must be a woman. So it was not a surprise to see the rising of one of

Wole

The name Aare Bowale Wole Arisekola might not ring a bell in the larger society like that of a music star but his stoutly-built , light complexioned dude is fast becoming the toast among the movers and shakers of society. Arisekola, an ally of former vice president, Atiku Abubakar is equally known to share

cordial relationship with top personalities in the political world, business and government. One thing that has endeared him to many is the fact that he never forgets to lift others as he makes progression in the journey of life by assisting the

needy society. Arisekola, whose political clout is gathering momentum due to his cordial relationship with top politician, recently delved into the world of sports said to be aiming for a political post in the coming year.

has many award in his shelve, Hon Kehinde Odeneye (member, Federal House of Representatives. Ijebu – Ode/ Odogbolu/Ijebu North-East Federal Constituency) wife, Olufunmilayo taking after her husband goodies. Recently, the beautiful wife of the legislator gave out food items to people in Ijebu Ode, Odogbolu and ijebu north east local government areas of Ogun State in her own little way base people and artisans were not also left out. It was an unprecedented large crowd that was ever witnessed in the constituency as people of different walks of life came to receive their own share of Christmas and New Year gifts from the wife of the man

Funmilayo Odeneye

GOOD”. Ijebu Praise Concert and we believe “It is just my own little way of contributing to the society and to also people of our constituency and its enhelp my husband. You can recall that virons happy. All the same I give God

Gist 26

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, January 6, 2017

Mutiat Alli

Koffi Tha Guru out with 13th studio album Known for his unique style and message driven musical composition, lovers of good music in Nigeria and beyond are in for a mind-

After 10 years, Solidstar announces exit from label

releases his much anticipated 13th studio alSpeaking to newsmen, the comedian, ac-

featured acts adding their own shade of awe-

Solidstar album begins with the legendary Disc Jockey, DJ Jimmy Jatt taking the intro, Asa doing the

Nigerian singer, Solidstar has announced via his social media platform

only song he has ever done that, Alibaba sing-

all paid music platforms and boasts massive collaborations with other top entertainers such as Sir Dollars doing Gospel, Small Doctor and Q-dot -

During his time at the record label,

of the many pleasant surprises this album is of-

that Achievas Entertainment has ended its contract agreement with musician, mutual decision to end the contract af-

collaborative effort by any entertainer in Africa,

All previous recording audios, music videos, albums of the singer remains

thank my former label Achievas Ent for

Guinness makes Plateau fun at Yuletide, promotes local artistes Kingsley Chukwuka, Jos

#BAAD2017: Africa Magic set to air exclusive behind the scenes videos from Banky-W and Adesuaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wedding

smiles on the faces of the teeming youths in

of its kind in the city of Jos embarked by the company aimed at rewarding youths, professionals, ladies and men who have all these years remained brand loyal to

some of the participants at the event

â&#x20AC;&#x153;All that is required of 23 days began on the us is to get into the venue for free, purchase any to last till today, Janubrand of Guinness prodconnect and engage its you win mouth watering target consumers by celebrating friendship and Prices won so far as however observed that the venue is thronged rice, 1 live cow, two plasby an encouraging and appreciable crowd of of cooking oil, and still young people who on daily basis access the -

ning is thrilled with top local artistes, DJs and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Plateau entertainment indu to thrill consumers with the best of music, games ties are also targeted at bringing to live the values of the brand and deepening the bond that

seat to relive the best kept wedding secret of clusively bring behind the scenes of moments -

undoubtedly the wedding of the year with their wedding ceremonies shutting down La-

reveal of their engagement, to the wedding -

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, January 6, 2017

Mutiat Alli

When your relationship goes brutal, walk away Sometimes we are so reluctant on deciding when to walk away from people who have proved that they are not meant for us. We ignore the signs, we waste much of our time in that relationship thinking that things will change for the better or work out, we fight big and hard battles, we miss out on chances of good people and we waste too much of our energy. Sometimes we are abused physically but still cling unto the relationship. If you find yourself in a relationship that makes you sheds tears or in relationship that you are been abused physically and you are already seeing the signs that you of your time and energy on such relationship. No matter how painful it maybe, please gather up all the courage and walk away for your dear life and fragile heart. You were not meant to be in pain and unhappy for all your entire life. You were not caged

meant to be and move on. want your friends to laugh at you, you will only endanger your life in the process. If you make the mistake of getting married to such a man then my dear you in for a bigger trouble. are the only one that tries to please our man; both parties should try and please each other. Courtship leads to marriage, so during the period of courtship, if you see any sign that you think will not be favorable to you, please my dear, flee from a relationship where a guy abused his girlfriend physically and the girl nearly lost her life in the process. brutal relationship? Here are some of the signs to

is a natural in relationships. But if you guys are constantly bickering and arguing or, more

thing, and you should be able to get through them like respectful adults who care about each other have to take a walk. There is no relationship without challenges, but inspired to be a better you and feeling inadequate in that relationship, and that can be hard to spot at first. But if the guy is making you feel insecure and irrelevant, get out now. started off with your partner, you both had a blossom relationship but now he sees you as a threat in his life, he does everything possible to

time to move out from such relationship. seen as a helper to a man and not as a punching

his lady. So my dear, if a guy beats you up at the slightest provocation, please run away from him. Do not stay thinking he will change as time goes on, because he will never change. The attitude he displays during your courtship is what he will take into marriage.

Home Affairs 28

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, January 6, 2017

Folarin Leonard

Factors to consider when transforming your sitting room How would you like to discover various ways to transform your living room to somewhere you never feel happy to leave? These tips include that which even works for a tiny budget. To all dĂŠcor lovers,

Available space You must consider your available space before minimum effort. Sometimes the simplest changes can have a dramatic effect on the appearance of a

location. Your items should be kept in designated areas. Curtains You may have formerly used heavy curtains that prevent rays of light. You may want to consider simpler be amazed how much larger a room will appear and

Color Have you maintained a particular color? You may want to Change the color scheme at this point. This Plan your scheme carefully before you so as to keep you on-track both with the balance of color and pattern in the room and also the budget. For busy homes that receive visitors often, a hard-wearing paint is essential. Wallpapers To achieve a sophisticated look without overspending, a single panel of wallpaper within a large architrave frame can be as impressive as a whole feature wall.

use of cable concealers. Play zone Create a Play Zone

where there might be

Lightening Other steps include; adding warm and proper lightening and if you use a carpet, replace with a rog

you have a lot of small, Have your books and

clean, fresh feel. Tiles are recommended for solid

the room.

sofa and a couple of chairs, consider a scaled-down

Wall spacing You should also leave space between the walls

Your Houseplants in cute plant stand or several decorative pots. The type of houseplants you

single couch, small sectionals make perfect sense for a cramped space by offering as much seating as a separate sofa and chairs but in a smaller footprint.

against a wall, the room can seem cold and unwelcoming. Pull the furniture inward on at least two or three sides to create a more intimate area. You can replace some furniture with glass or less

use glass-item tables either at the center or forward center of the room. Keep Flat Surfaces Clutter-free. Papers, books,

doors, or open doorways make a room more spacious. Furniture with thinner bodies on raised legs reveal more space to the eye.

surfaces all around the house, and the sitting room is no different. You will need a household information center where you can access entertainment like that. The tangle of wires in the house can be really annoying. Fortunately, there are several options for taming cords in the sitting room. You should make

Center attraction You should have a center of attraction. The most common focal points are up against one large windows. Place seating arrangement along the other three sides of the room, at right angles or angled slightly toward the focal point.

Saturday, January 6, 2018

EXTRATIME

Charles Onyekwere, Abakaliki

football fan known as Obinna Igwe has been shot dead while two others sustained bullet wounds following fracas involving some policemen and a football team at a match in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. DailyTimes reports that two police of-

Football match turns bloody in Ebonyi as police kill, injure fans

ficers were also injured during the incident. The football match which was between Ndufu Alike and Ndufu Echara teams was the final of a Unity Cup competition organised by the Chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area, Elder John Nnabo at Urban Secondary School Ndufu Echara. Eyewitness told DailyTimes in Abakaliki that trouble ensued when the Centre Referee issued a red card to an Ndufu Alike

player which eventually resulted in his team conceding a goal in the second half. According to the eyewitness,the development did not go down well with the dismissed player as he returned to the pitch and launched attack on the centre Referee along with other players on the bench. The eyewitness alleged that the incident resulted in a rampage by some youths of Ikwo who almost had a show-

down with the police if not for the intervention of some public office holders in the area. One of the stakeholders, Mr Onyekachi Nwoba condemned the use of live ammunition by the police pointing out that their action was not in line with rules of engagement. When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer(PPRO) of Ebonyi

State Police Command,Mrs Loveth Odah alleged that the fan was killed when the rampaging youths attempted to snatch a rifle from one of the policemen. Mrs Odah explained that normalcy had returned to the area as the Commissioner of Police in the state,Mr Titus Lamorde, had deployed more policemen to the area to prevent further breakdown of law and order. DailyTimes further gathered that the remains of the dead fan has been deposited in a mortuary while those injured are receiving treatment at hospitals.

2017 review:

Da long scores Nigeria sports high

he Sports Minister, Solomon Dalong on Thursday said Nigeria has achieved a lot in the area of sports over the last two years ago. Dalong told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Thursday that the country was able to democratise access to leadership of the various sports federations leading to greater successes in the various sports. “I assumed office in November 2015 with the mandate to supervise the formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes on youth and sports development. “Towards wealth creation, youth empowerment, physical fitness and wellbeing; achieving excellence in sports, national unity and sustainable development,’’ he said. Dalong said that the ministry is working to provide sustainable policies and programmes in conjunction with other stakeholders to promote and enhance sports development. “Appointment into the board of the sporting federations was fully democratised. This singular action informed the emergence of credible leadership for the federations. “ The immediate dividend of which has been the manifest improvement in the performance of the federations in various continental and international tournaments,’’ the minister said. He said that democratisation of the sports federation led to the country winning eight gold, two silver and one bronze medal in African Wrestling Championship in Marrakesh, Morocco. “The country also won one silver medal at the World Championship in Paris, France. “Nigeria’s foremost female wrestler, Odunayo Adeokoroye was elected as an Athletes Representative to the United World Wrestling Federation. “Daneil Igali, the President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation was also elected a member of the United World Wrestling Federation Technical Committee,’’ Dalong said.

African Women’s Player Award: Lagos celebrates Oshoala Asisat Oshoala flanked by Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Governor Ambode and Amaju Pinnick, President Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)

Asisat with the cup

ormer President, Olusegun Obasanjo, Lagos state Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, Senate Deputy President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, President, NFF, Amaju Pinnick and other top dignitaries at far away Accra, Ghana, venue of the 2017 Confederation Africa Award celebrates with Super Falcons’ Asisat Oshoala who emerged African Women’s Player of the Year Award. The 23-year-old Oshoala was adjudged Women’s Player of the Year for the third time, after winning in 2014 and 2016. She deafeated Cameroonian Gabrielle Aboudi Onguene and Chrestina Kgatlana of South Africa to the top prize. However, Kgatlana took consolation in Banyana Banyana being named Women’s National Team of the Year. Patson Daka ensured Zambia was represented on the podium with the Young Player of the Year award. It came 10 years after compatriot Clifford Mulenga was decorated Most Promising Talent of the Year. Egypt Argentine-born coach, Hector Cuper, also emerged as the Coach of the Year. African club champions Wydad Athletic

Club (WAC) of Morocco went home with the Club of the Year award. Former Ghana player Ibrahim Sunday, who was a member of the Asante Kotoko squad which won the African Cup of Champion Clubs in 1970, received the CAF Legend award. CAF Executive Committee member, Ahmed Yahya, who is president of the Mauritania Football Federation, was named Football Leader of the Year. There were two Platinum Awards, one to Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo and the other to global football icon George Weah, now President-elect of Liberia. The ceremony which was beamed live to millions across the world had Ghana President Akufo-Addo and Fatma Samoura, the FIFA General Secretary, amongst some of the high-profile attendees. There were also musical performances from Togo’s Toofan, DR Congo’s Fally Ipupa, Ghanaian duo of Shatta Wale and Kidi, and Nigeria’s Patoranking, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Runtown, Olamide, Phyno and Flavour.

Saturday, January 6, 2018

EXTRATIME

Mike Tyson set to open 40-acre marijuana farm

Wenger banned for 3 matches, fined £40,000 Wenger went to confront Dean in his dressing room after the penalty cost them two points

rsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been given a three-match touchline ban and fined £40,000 for his behaviour in the referee’s changing room after Sunday’s game against West Brom. A Football Association statement said the Frenchman admitted “his language and behaviour was abusive, improper and questioned the integrity of the match referee”. Wenger was angered by referee Mike Dean after his side’s 1-1 draw at The Hawthorns, where Calum Chambers conceded a late penalty for handball. He will start the punishment in the FA Cup third-round tie at Nottingham Forest on Sunday and it will take in two other away games, in the first leg of the Carabao Cup

semi-final at Chelsea and against Bournemouth in the Premier League. In a separate case, Wenger has been asked to respond to the FA about views he expressed on officiating before and after Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Chelsea in the league. At a news conference earlier on Friday, the Arsenal boss said he served football with “honesty and integrity”. “From what I’ve heard and seen in tunnels and dressing rooms down the years, I’m surprised and shocked to be charged,” he said. Wenger was frustrated after Wednesday’s draw with Chelsea at Emirates Stadium, where he called decisions made against Arsenal a “concerning coincidence”.

Emre Can to join Juventus

iverpool’s Emre Can has reached an agreement in principle to sign for Serie A giants Juventus in the summer, according to reports in Italy. The 23-year-old’s contract at Liverpool expires in the summer and after entering the final six months of his deal, the midfielder has been free to seal a precontract agreement with a foreign side. And according to an Italian Press, the midfielder has reached a deal to join Juventus following advanced talks on Thursday. The Turin-based club tried to sign the midfielder last summer but Liverpool refused to sell as it was hoped he could be convinced to sign a new contract at Anfield. However, this dream died and Can appears on the brink of completing his move to the reigning Serie A champions. The 23-year-old has featured 17 times in the Premier League this season for Jurgen Klopp’s Champions League-chasing side. Can has scored once and provided three assists this season, helping Liverpool to fourth place in the English top flight after 22 matches. Meanwhile, Liverpool take on neighbours Everton in the third round of the FA Cup on Friday night at Anfield.

Part of his anger stemmed from a penalty the away side won when Eden Hazard was deemed to have been fouled by Hector Bellerin by referee Anthony Taylor – a decision branded “farcical”. The FA wants his explanation of these comments by 18:00 GMT on Tuesday 9 January. “Yes I have been asked [to respond] and I maintain what I said in the press conference, 100%,” Wenger added. “Overall, basically nothing has changed. I try to serve this game with honesty and integrity and when I have something to say, I say it. “I respect everyone’s opinion. I feel it was a yellow card for Hazard. I have the right to have an opinion.”

ormer boxing champion Mike Tyson has broken new ground as he is set to open a marijuana ranch in southern California. The U.S state legalized the sale of non-medical marijuana on the first day of 2018. According to The Blast, a U.S. media outlet focusing on celebrities and entertainment news, the former boxer broke ground in California City, about 96 km southwest of Death Valley National Park, for the “Tyson Ranch.” While half of the 40-acre (about 16.2-hectare) ranch is dedicated to producing high-quality marijuana, the rest of the resort will have a supply store, an extraction facility, an edible factory, a cultivation school to train growers and even smoker-friendly campgrounds and cabins. Tyson established a company, Tyson Holistic, to manage the operation of the ranch and facilities, which reportedly involve many veterans. The opening date of the ranch is yet to be known. The former boxing champion didn’t say relevant words on his Twitter or Facebook accounts, whose latest posts are dated Dec. 27, 2017. California City Mayor Jennifer Wood attended the groundbreaking ceremony, according to photos released by The Blast on Jan. 3, 2018. The legalisation of the recreational use of weeds in California took effect on Jan. 1, 2018, which is expected to increase the revenue of the U.S. most populous state by several billion U.S. dollars each year. At present, a total of 29 U.S. states have adopted medical marijuana laws and seven states have adopted the most expansive laws legalising marijuana for recreational use

Saturday, January 6, 2018

EXTRATIME

‘I’ve been shaking in bed for two days’: UFC fighter Conor McGregor has been struck down by deadly Australian flu over the festive period

McGregor struck down by deadly Australian flu U

FC fighter Conor McGregor has been struck down by deadly Australian flu, which could be the worst bout Britain has seen in 50 years. The millionaire sportsman, 29, shared a candid Instagram snap of him relaxing in bed with his baby boy Conor Jr, revealing he and ‘half his family’ had contracted the virus, which has resulted in fatalities both Down Under and in Ireland. He wrote: ‘Well that was a wild New Year’s Eve. Half the family hit with the Australian flu virus and some even left in hospital with it. I’ve never even been to Australia wtf.’(sic) The MMA fighter and boxer said that he had been left shaken by the illness, which has affected people across Ireland over the festive period.

He said: ‘Big New Year’s Eve party cancelled at the last minute and I am left shaking in bed the past two days. ‘I’ll leave that with the rest of the bad behind me in 2017 and take with me the many great experiences I’ve had this year! ‘None greater than the birth of my son Conor Jr and the continued support of my family, my friends and my dedicated staff through thick and thin.’ Conor has been with partner Dee Devlin for over nine years and the couple welcomed their first child together, Conor Jack McGregor Jr., in May. The MMA fighter memorably took on boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr in a hotly-anticipated face off at Las Vegas’ T Mobile Arena on August 26 last year, which the Irishman lost. The deadly ‘Aussie flu’ current-

Family man: The 29-year-old wrote: ‘Well that was a wild New Year’s Eve. Half the family hit with the Australian flu virus and some even left in hospital with it. I’ve never even been to Australia wtf.’(sic) (pictured with partner Dee Devlin and son Conor Jr) ly sweeping Britain has already claimed lives in Ireland. Doctors in the UK have warned that it could be the worst outbreak of the bug in 50 years, as official figures revealed cases more than doubled in just one week. Government statistics show 1,111 people were struck down with flu as temperatures dropped last week - a 156 per cent jump

on the previous seven days. Although the number of flurelated deaths recorded in Ireland so far is under 10, 73 people have been hospitalised and the Irish Health Service Executive is urging people to get vaccinated. Meanwhile, figures released by Public Health England show a sharp rise in cases, triggered by a surge in two aggressive subtypes attacking the population simulta-

Strong: The millionaire sportsman shared a candid Instagram snap of him relaxing in bed with his baby boy Conor Jr, while revealing that he and ‘half his family’ had contracted the virus, which has resulted in fatalities both Down Under and in Ireland neously. One includes the so-called ‘Aussie flu’, a strain of influenza A which wreaked havoc on hospitals in Australia during the country’s winter. The H3N2 subtype triggered two and a half times the normal

number of cases in Australia. Britain’s flu season tends to mirror what has happened there. Experts fear the virulent flu strain, which has now reached the UK, could prove as deadly as the Hong Kong flu in 1968, which killed one million people.

Published by FOLIO COMMUNICATIONS LTD, Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja. email: info@dailytimes.ng Tel: 08038099089. Editor Daily: TONY AMOKEODO

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2018

VOL. 3. NO. 544

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Daily Times 2017 Award Winners

Daily Times Nigeria d ƐƑƏƗ ƕè C Ƒ Əƕ Õè ƾƠơƤ

CEO of the Year - Nnamdi Okonkwo Ï j Ɔ Ƅ Ɗƈ ƓƈƖ ƏƗ Ɛ 0ƈƗƆƋƈƐƕ Ɗ

ÏÏÏ hen the history of

Nigeria’s highly competitive banking industry is written, one bank whose place in history cannot be glossed over is Fidelity Bank Plc. The entry of Fidelity as it is popularly called by its numerous customers both in Nigeria and elsewhere across the world, though gradual, has grown like the oak tree, stamping its unique authority and statement on the Nigerian, business (banking) terrain. With a chain of branch networks spread across the country, Fidelity has today emerged as one of investors’ brides- emerging to its ecstatic stakeholders and an envy of its peers. Indeed, the human factor played a key role in its recent growth. The emergence of the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, who, with a strong finance background combined this potential to effectively manage the bank’s human and material resources together, attest to this giant stride. Okonkwo is being assisted by equally highly cerebral and professional top shot, like Muhammed Balarade, Deputy Managing Director, among others. Today, the young man, in spite of the vicissitude of life he had faced in the course of this tasking job, is popularly described as a banking wizard. Okonkwo is not one to be carried away by his long list of achievements. He remained committed to growing the bank, its customer base, bouquet of products offering and its customer base. He knows he is in a race to win when he was appointed as the helmsman of the bank. As an uncommon go-getter, today, observers can say confidently that he has redefined Nigerian banking industry. Yet, he remained undaunted. A peep into Fidelity Bank’s inroad into the Nigerian banking sector will suffice here. Fidelity Bank, also known as Fidelity Bank Plc., is a commercial bank in Nigeria. It is licensed as a commercial bank by the Central Bank of Nigeria, and national banking regulator. In 2011, the bank was ranked the 7th most capitalized bank in Nigeria, the 25th most capitalized bank on the African continent. As of December 2013, Fidelity Bank Plc. was a large financial services pro-

vider in Nigeria with total assets estimated at over US$6.318billion (NGN:1+ trillion), and shareholders’ equity in excess of US$1 billion (NGN:158 billion). This has since increased. At that time, the bank served 2.3 million customers at about 239 business offices nationally. The bank currently has over 400,000 diverse shareholders. It was listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in May 2005 and has consistently paid dividends annually since its listing. As of June 2016, according to BGL Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc had a market capitalisation of NGN:37,072,109,685.76. Fidelity Bank of Nigeria was incorporated in the year 1987; and began its operations in 1988. It initially started with a Merchant Banking licence, with the objective of positively impacting on the Nigerian economy through participation and contribution to the growth of the Nigerian economy with the provision of quality and timely financial services. The bank converted to a commercial bank in the year 1999 in an attempt to grow, as a private limited company and became a Public Limited Company also in August, 1999. It rebranded to Fidelity Bank Plc that year. It secured its Universal Banking License in February 2001 and also obtained its International Banking Licence in the year 2011. Fidelity Bank of Nigeria has grown to a stable banking institution. During the 2005 Nigeria Banking consolidation, Fidelity Bank acquired FSB International Bank Plc (FSB) and Manny Bank Plc to become one of the top financially stabled banks in Nigeria. Fidelity Bank currently has presence in all the states and major cities in Nigeria. Over the years, the bank has been reputed for its financial stability. Fidelity continues to rank among Nigeria’s most capitalized banks, with tier-one capital of nearly USD1 billion (One Billion US Dollars). The bank maintains a large network of interconnected branches in all Nigerian states and major cities in Nigeria. It has a wholly owned bank subsidiary in Ghana. Fidelity Bank actively has imbibed its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as a core function of its banking services. It established the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme, where

RƊ ƊƓ its area of focus is education, the environment and the health and social welfare. It has over the years actively engaged and supported through its CSR, activities aimed at improving its area of focus through the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme. The bank is today ranked amongst the top 10 in the Nigerian banking industry, with presence in the major cities and commercial centres of Nigeria. Over the years, the bank has been reputed for integrity and professionalism. It is also respected for the quality and stability of its management. Fidelity staff are also respected in the Nigerian banking industry for the quality of training they receive on the job, as well as in good business schools both in Nigeria and Overseas. The Management is particular about the quality of people that join the system. To qualify as a member of Team Fidelity, a candidate is expected to possess three vital statistics, with the acronym TAC: Talent (an innate mental aptitude), Ambition (a desire to succeed); Character (a total quality of integrity which will guide the talent and ambition to productive ends). The Management is focused on building and maintaining a virile and

well-respected brand that caters to the needs of its growing corporate, commercial and consumer banking clientele. For this purpose, the bank is leveraging its pedigree in investment banking (Fidelity was a merchant bank for 11 years) and its structures and service offerings for a retail populace. Fidelity Bank also enjoys the respect and partnership of a network of off-shore institutions with which it has correspondent banking, confirmation lines, credit and other relationships. These include, ANZ London, Afreximbank, Cairo, Egypt, ABSA South Africa, Commerce Bank, Frankfurt, Citibank, N.A. London and New York, FBN Bank, UK Ltd, SCB, London, US Exim Bank, USAID, etc. The bank’s core vision is, “To be number one in every market we serve and for every branded product we offer.; while its core mission is, “To make financial services easy and accessible to our customers”. Only recently, Okonkwo’s Midas touch in Fidelity saw it being honoured at the nation’s capital market Foe example, in November last year, Fidelity Bank Plc emerged the best performing stock in percentage terms on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

In fact data sourced from the NSE for the period under review showed that the stock increased by 35.53 per cent to close at N2.06 per share in contrast with the month’s opening price of N1.52. As part of its robust strategy to remain competitive, the bank’s bouquet of promos came to its rescue. For example, as part of deliberate efforts to change the face of service and create total customer experience in the financial services industry, Fidelity Bank has deployed a groundbreaking and innovative solution for the collection of internally generated revenue (IGR) in Lagos State. Working in conjunction with the Lagos State Government, Fidelity Bank developed the tax collection/ payment solution via its Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) channel (*770#). The solution, which is first of its kind in the industry, is in response to some of the challenges faced in making tax payments and remittances to Lagos State Government. Fidelity Bank has, over the years, positioned itself as a key player in the Nigeria’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) across Federal and State mandates. The Bank successfully deployed easy and conve-

nient payment solutions in Anambra, Abia, Imo, Kano and Sokoto states through Point of Sale (PoS) Terminal Tax Collections, Automated Electronic Motor Vehicle Licence, Land Registry Automation Processes and web payment platforms. Again , through its well known promo, Get Alert in Millions reloaded, the bank has continued to soar in operations and performance. Fidelity Bank Plc splashed N19million to 13 of its customers in the second monthly draw of “Get Alert in Million Reloaded” promo in various regions of the country. Okonkwo, the bank’s managing director, speaking at the promo draw in Lagos, said the initiative was the seventh in the series of promos organised by the bank to reward customers for their unflinching loyalty and patronage. Okonkwo said the promo tagged ‘Get Alert In Millions Promo Reloaded’ was in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) financial inclusion policy. He said the promotion was introduced to raise requisite awareness on the need for Nigerians to imbibe savings culture. The bank also has a collection of awards to its credit. Fidelity is a full-fledged commercial bank operating in Nigeria with over 3.8 million customers who are serviced across its 240 offices and various digital banking channels. The bank is focused on select niche corporate banking sectors, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and is rapidly implementing a digital based retail banking strategy which has resulted in the following over the last three and half years; a 93 per cent growth in savings deposits, 50 percent customer enrollment on debit cards and 30 percent of its customers now using its flagship mobile/internet banking products. Fidelity Bank recently released its Audited H1 2017 results, which showed a remarkable improvement on all indices with Gross Earnings increasing by 22 percent to N86billion, Expenses declining by 2 per cent to N31 billion and Profit Before Tax (PBT) increasing by 67 percent to N10bn. All these are the result of disciplined execution of the bank’s mid-term strategy. No doubt, for Fidelity Bank, the sky is the beginning of its continuous record performance.

Daily Times 2017 Award Winners

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 6, 2018

Life Impact Award

Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar

Ï The dynamic royal father with distinction ÏÏÏ Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar

III is the 20th Sultan of Sokoto, the titular ruler of Sokoto in northern Nigeria, head of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (Society for the Support of Islam - JNI), and presidentgeneral of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).As Sultan of Sokoto, he is considered the spiritual leader of Nigeria’s seventy-million Muslims, roughly 50 percent of the nation’s population. Sa’ad Abubakar succeeded his brother, Muhammadu Maccido, who died on ADC Airlines Flight 53, the flight crashed shortly after takeoff from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and had been destined for Sokoto. Sa’ad Abubakar is a younger son of the 17th Sultan, Siddiq Abu Bakar dan Usuman, who held the Sultanate for over 50 years. Abubakar is the fifth heir to the two century-old throne founded by his ancestor, Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio (1754-1817), leader of the Maliki school of Islam and the Qadiri branch of Sufism. The royal father attended the prestigious Barewa College, Zaria and proceeded to the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1975 where he was a member of the 18th Regular Course. Abubakar was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1977 and served in the elite Armoured Corps. Abubakar holds important administrative influence in Nigerian religious life. He is the titular ruler of Sokoto in northern Nigeria and is also the head of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs. Leadership of this council means that the Sultan of Sokoto remains the only figure that can legitimately claim to speak on behalf of all Nigerian Muslims. This role has become increasingly influential over the years with a rise in interreligious tensions in the country. Sultan Abubakar is one northern leader highly referred for patriotism and oneness of Nigeria devoid of ethnic, tribal or religious colouration. To him, religious tolerance among Nigerians remain the key

Sa’ad Abubakar role of the sultanate because in doing so, other issues like ethnicity and politics will steadily addressed. Former American Secretary of States, John Kerry, during a visit to the Caliphate on August 22, 2016 commended the Sultan for not only preaching religious tolerance but demonstrating it among his followers. He said that the US Government would always be ready to give its support to the Sultan in his various moves to ensure reli-

gious tolerance in the country. Kerry said that the Sultanate Council was building a community of tolerance for peace progress and political stability in Nigeria. According to him, the United States would work with the sultanate to strengthen religious harmony and knowledge. To him, the Nigerian military has done well in subduing terrorism, adding that , “US will continue to identify with the role played by the sultan.”

Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar promised that he would not relent in promoting religious tolerance to ensure that the county is politically and economically stable. The Sultan totally condemned terrorism and insurgency as anathema to the teachings and practice of Islam. He said that those who shout, “Allah” while killing people will end up on hell. The monarch said anybody who killed in the name of Islam was not a true Muslim because the religion frowns at such act. He said: “We cannot restore the dignity of man by killing innocent people. The herdsmen killing people are criminals and not Fulani herdsmen. Anybody who kills people while shouting Allah, is a terrorist and not a true Muslim and will go to hell. Allah hates people who kill and says they will go to hell.”He sees education as a veritable tool for human development as it promotes unity, peace and economy. He said: “A country that takes education serious tends to develop healthier and happier. Education is light and means to restore dignity of man while ignorance is darkness. Education will continue to be a veritable tool for human and societal development.” The royal father headed a presidential security unit of the Armoured Corps that guarded the then military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, in the late 1980s. Abubakar also commanded a battalion of African peacekeepers in Chad during the early 1980s as part of the Organisation of African Unity’s force and was military liaison officer for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in the mid-1990s. He was appointed Commanding Officer 241 Recce Battalion, Kaduna in 1993. From 1995 to 1999, he was ECOWAS military liaison officer and commanding officer, 231 Tank Battalion (ECOMOG Operations) in Sierra Leone from 1999 to 2000. From 2003 to 2006, he served as Defence Attaché to Pakistan (also accredited for Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Afghanistan). He later retired as a Brigadier General.

Life Impact Award

Chief Olu Jacobs

Ï Redefining Nollywood for global acceptance ÏÏÏ Actor and the Africa

Movie Academy Awards winner, Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, aka Olu Jacobs, was born in Abeokuta, Ogun State,to parents from Egba Alake, on July 11, 1942. He spent his early childhood in Kano and he attended Holy Trinity School where he was a member of the debating and drama societies. He was inspired to take a chance with acting when he attended one of Hubert Ogunde’s annual concert party at Colonial Hotel in Kano. Afterwards, he secured a visa and traveled to England to study acting.

In England, he trained at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London. He then starred in various British television shows and series in the 1970s (e.g. The Goodies, Till Death Do Us Part, Barlow at Large, The Venturers, Angels, 1990, The Tomorrow People, The Professionals). In 1978, he played the role of President Mageeba in Michael Codron’s presentation of Tom Stoppard’s play Night and Day. In the 1980s, Jacobs starred in several international films some of which include John Irvin’s war film- The Dogs of War, Ro-

man Polanski’s adventurecomedy Pirates (1986) and the family-adventure film Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend (1985). On television, he was a cast in TVS’s The Witches and the Grinnygog (1983 series). Jacobs has starred in over 120 Nollywood films and is considered one of the top Nigerian Nollywood actors. Jacobs is married to Nollywood actress, Joke Silva, since 1989. They have children. Asked why his wife still bears her maiden name, Jacobs answered: “ She is her own individual. When I met her, she was

an actress known as Joke Silva so why should marrying me now deny her and her audience her name. She is Miss Joke Silva who is Mrs. Joke Jacobs. It is as simple as that. People now begin to say what they like. They have even written that we are separated and all sort of stuffs. When she is working, she is Joke Silva but she is Mrs. Joke Jacobs at home.” Olu Jacobs was honoured with the Industry Merit Award for outstanding achievements in acting at the 2013 Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards He has starred in several

Jacobs British television series and international films. In 2007, he won the African Movie Academy Award

for Best Actor in a Leading Role in March 2007, in Bayelsa State, Nigeria, March 2007.

Daily Times 2017 Award Winners

Times Heroes Award

Chief Olusegun Osoba

ÏÏÏ Chief

Olusegun Osoba, the Akinrogun of Egbaland and Aremo Awujale of Ijebuland was born to Pa and Madam Jonathan Babatunde Osoba. Chief Olusegun Osoba attended a series of professional courses after high school graduation from Methodist Boys High School Lagos. He obtained a diploma in journalism at the University of Lagos and went for one-year course in the United Kingdom on the scholarship of the Commonwealth Press Union in 1967. In 1969, he was studying in Bloomington, USA at the Indiana University’s department of journal-

ism. In 1974 he won the Nieman Fellowship Award for journalism for year’s postgraduate study at Harvard University Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. He is the first Nigerian to have won this prestigious Nieman Fellowship for Journalism. Osoba started his career in journalism in 1964 working with the Daily Times as a trainee reporter covering crime stories and by 1966, he was the diplomatic correspondent of the Times. He became news editor in 1968, deputy editor of the Sunday Times in 1971 and deputy editor of the Times in 1972. In August 1975, he became

Daily Times Nigeria d ƐƑƏƗ ƕè C Ƒ Əƕ Õè ƾƠơƤ

the Editor of the Daily Times of Nigeria, then left the firm in November 1975 to take up the task of General Manager of the Ilorin based Nigerian Herald. He returned to the Times in 1984 as the managing director. Internationally, he worked as stringer or local correspondent for the following organisations: The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC),The Times of London ,Newsweek Magazine, U.S.A, United Press International News Agency (UPI). He was the chairman of the Governing Board of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism and Member of the Executive Board of the International Press Institute representing Black-Africa from 1984-1992. He was a

member of the Nigerian Constituent Assembly in 1988. He is also member of the Commonwealth Press Union, London and the Nigerian union of Journalist (NUJ). Osoba was elected at two different occasions as Governor of Ogun State first from January 1992 until November 1993 with the Social Democratic Party (SDP). He was removed from office by Sani Abacha’s administration on 17 November 1993. In 1999, he was elected again as governor with the Alliance for Democracy Party (AD), holding office between May 1999 and May 2003. He holds the National Honours of the Commander of the Order of the Niger CON. He is a member

Osoba of the National Conference 2014. He got married to Beere Aderinsola and is the fa-

ther of four children, two boys and two girls: Kemi, Olumide, Oluyinka and Tobi.

Times Heroes Award

Sam Amuka-Pemu ÏÏÏ Prince Sam Amuka Pemu (born 13 June

1935) is a Nigerian journalist, columnist and founder of the Vanguard, Nigeria’s leading newspaper. He co-founded The Punch, the most widely read newspaper in Nigeria. Sam Amuka Pemu was born in Sapele, a city in Delta State, Southern Nigeria into the family of the late Pa Amuka-Pemu and Madam Teshoma AmukaPemu, who died in May 2014. He was formerly a Daily Times of Nigeria editor and the first editor of the Sunday Punch before he established The Punch with his friend, the late Olu Aboderin, in 1971. He later established Vanguard Newspaper in 1983 with three other Nigerian columnists. Amuka was described as a “Gentleman of the Press” by PresiAmuka-Pemu

Times Heroes Award

Prince Henry Odukomaiya ÏÏÏ While celebrating his 80th birthday

with a thanksgiving service at the Arch Bishop Vinning Memorial Cathedral, Ikeja, Lagos recently, Prince Henry Odukomaiya is generally seen as one of the brains behind the birth of Concord Newspaper. He was also the former Managing Director of Champion Newspapers and a former Deputy Chief Editor of the Daily Times. Prominent Nigerians who attended the

event included former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, Ogun State Commissioner for Commerce, Bimbo Ashiru, Chairman Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, Publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, Sam AmukaPemu, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi. The celebrant also launched a book: Henry Odukomaiya @ 80: In the Eyes Of Associates, which was reviewed by the former Managing Director of Daily Times, Dr Yemi Ogunbiyi. Odukomaiya

dent Muhammadu Buhari on his 80th birthday. He was described as an icon and a leading light in Nigerian journalism by Nduka Obaigbena, President of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria. Amuka-Pemu is the oldest practising media professional in Nigeria today who had been cited by peers. A book entitled From 1939 to the Vanguard of Modern Journalism written by Kola Muslim Animasaun, who also trained under him, acknowledged his immense contributions to journalism in Nigeria. Uncle Sam, as he is fondly called, as the publisher of Vanguard, is a great team player. Always leaves a lasting impression on his audience, as he llistens to everybody’s opinion and the justification for such opinion.

Daily Times 2017 Award Winners

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 6, 2018

Times Heroes Award

Prince Tony Momoh

ÏÏÏ

He was born 27th April, 1939 is a Nigerian journalist and politician who was Nigerian Minister of Information and Culture (1986–1990) during the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida Momoh was born in Auchi, Edo State, of Edo origin. He was the 165th child of King Momoh I of Auchi. He attended Government School, Auchi (1949–1954) and Anglican School Okpe, 1954. Momoh was Pupil Teacher at the Anglican School, Auchi (January– December 1955) and Headmaster at the Anglican School, Ubuneke, Ivbiaro, Owan Local Government (January 1958 – December 1959). He went to the Provincial Teachers Training College, Abudu, Edo State and Government Teachers College, Abraka in Western Region(1960–1961). Later, while working at the Daily Times or on sabbatical, he attended the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (September 1964 – October 1966) where he earned a degree in Mass communication, and then the University of Lagos where he studied Law. He attended the Nigerian Law School, Lagos (October 1974 – May

1975), and was called to the Bar in June 1975. Momoh started his journalism career as a sub-editor at the Daily Times in October 1962, rising steadily through the ranks to become Editor and deputy general manager (June 1976 – May 1980). In June 1979, during the lead-up to the transition from military to civilian rule at the start of the Second Nigerian Republic, Momoh said of the five presidential candidates: “They are all the same ... It’s going to turn into a personality contest”. In 1981 the Senate led by Joseph Wayas summoned Momoh for contempt. This caused a major legal battle in which Momoh successfully argued that as a journalist he was empowered by the Constitution to hold government accountable at all times. In Tony Momoh v. Speaker, House of Representatives (1982) it was held that a person had the right to refuse to disclose his source of information. However, in Senate v. Tony Momoh (1983) the Court of Appeal held that the press is not a fourth arm of government. A newspaper publisher has no special immunity and the press can

be ordered to disclose its sources in some cases. Momoh was general manager of the Times from June 1984 to Sept 1986. Momoh was appointed Minister of Information and Culture by General Ibrahim Babangida, holding this position from September 1986 until 1990. He was Chairman of the African Conference of Information Ministers from 1988 to 1990. In 1983 the editor of Newswatch, Dele Giwa, was detained for a week by police for publishing what they called “classified material”. On 17 October 1986 Giwa was accused by Colonel A.K. Togun of the State Security Services (SSS) of anti-government activities including attempting to import arms to forment insurrection. On 19 October 1986 Giwa was killed by a parcel bomb. At first, Momoh pledged that there would be a government probe of the incident. He soon backed down, saying “a special probe would serve no useful purpose”. Speaking at a seminar in Lagos in 1987, Momoh said that radio, television and newspapers should be seen as tools “for the promotion of national unity and integration”. In 1988 Momoh announced that the government was trying to find

radio sets that could only receive approved broadcasts from the federal and state radio stations. This was “as a means of ensuring that information about the country was adequately disseminated” In a February 1990 interview published in Ebony magazine Momoh talked about the rich and diverse Nigerian culture. He stated that British-style parliamentary democracy and the American-style presidential system had both failed in Nigeria because they were not compatible with these local cultures. He said that Nigeria was now establishing a system of grassroots democracy in a twoparty system. In May 1990 party elections were held for local ward positions using an “open ballot”, where voters showed their preference by standing in front of a photograph of the candidate. Party elections were then scheduled for the state and national elections. Momoh said the government would not interfere in the inner workings of parties. Soon after, all the National Republican Convention candidates for national offices were disqualified on the grounds that there were irregularities in their application forms. Babangida followed a

Times Hereos Award

Chief Onyema Ugochukwu

ÏÏÏ Chief Onyema Ugochukwu was born in November 9,

1944 in Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria. He graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, with a BSc in Economics. He is married with four children. A highly revered Nigerian economist, journalist, and politician, Ugochukwu served as the senior Special Adviser on Communication to former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the first Executive Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). On February 25, 2008, an Abia State elections tribunal declared Ugochukwu the winner of the 2007 gubernatorial election and Governor-elect of Abia State. However, on February 11, 2009 an Appeal Court in Port Harcourt, the River State capital, overturned the ruling, declaring that Chief Theodore Orji of the PPA had in fact won the election. Upon graduation from college, Ugochukwu was hired as an Economic Research Assistant by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). He remained with CBN for two years before he abandoned a promising career in economics to pursue his true passion, journalism. Ugochukwu joined the Business Times group as an Economic Analyst and a pioneer staff of what would later become the most influential financial newspaper in Nigeria. He rose in the ranks to become the Editor of the Business Times Newspaper (1977 to 1982). In 1983, Ugochukwu became Editor-in-Chief of the London-based West Africa magazine, where he wrote extensively on development issues, to provide a better understanding of the African debt crisis. He eventually returned to Nigeria to become the Editorin-Chief of the Daily Times of Nigeria and he was subsequently appointed to its board as the Executive Director of

Ugochukwu Manpower and Development. He retired from newspaper journalism in 1994 as the Executive Director of Publications. Ugochukwu remained active as a media consultant for the Dow Jones Financial News Service. Throughout his distinguished career as a journalist, Ugochukwu met and interviewed numerous Heads of States – including then Minister Margaret Thatcher, former South African President Nelson Mandela, Jamaican Prime Minister P. J. Patterson, French President Jacques Chirac, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, Cuban President, Fidel Castro, Nigerian presidents Ibrahim Babangi-

Momoh policy of donating money, vehicles, offices and so on to local governments, political parties and others on the basis that this would keep them free of influence by the rich and powerful. As Minister for Information Momoh justified the practice, saying of Democracy “is not as expensive as people are thinking in relation to the alternative. The alternative is allowing one man to dictate to the whole Nigeria because you don’t want it to be expensive. If money is not spent on democracy and a one-man dictatorship emerges ... it is

the same Nigerians who are talking of expensiveness now that will shout that one man is a dictator”. Babangida was tough on the press at times, but tried to avoid open conflict. When the press began calling for Momoh’s dismissal he was slow to respond, since Momoh was intelligent and reflective, and had experience from his own days as a newspaper editor. However, he finally dismissed Momoh and replaced him with Alex Akinyele, who had previously been in the customs services and had been a director at Newswatch.

da, Muhammadu Buhari, Sani Abacha, and Abdusalami Abubakar – and presented papers on African economic and political development at various fora including Oxford University, England, and Uppsala University. With Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1998, Ugochukwu became the Director of Publicity at the Obasanjo for President Campaign Organisation, and contributed immensely to the election of Olusegun Obasanjo as the President of Nigeria. He was appointed as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Orientation and Public Affairs. He spearheaded a National Rebirth campaign aimed at instilling patriotic virtues into a national psyche ravaged by years of political instability and corruption. It was on this platform that Ugochukwu launched “The Nigerian Declaration of Human Responsibilities”, which declares in part: “This Character on Human Responsibilities… Seeks to bring freedom and responsibility into a better balance, to highlight and increase awareness of the obligation which we owe each other and to our nation.” To soothe the political unrest in the oil-rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria, President Obasanjo signed the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Act of 2000 into law. He was appointed as the pioneer chairman of the newly created commission, charged with developing the nine oil producing states of the country, with excess oil revenues. Ugochukwu helped to articulate the president’s vision of sustainable development in the Niger Delta region, and developed a policy which encouraged partnership amongst its stakeholders—Niger-delta communities and their traditional rulers, youths, oil companies and their executives, the Nigerian government, and Non-Governmental Organisations, and international organisations like the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank. During Ugochukwu’s tenure, the NDDC focused mainly on economic revival and prosperity, environmental rehabilitation, and the development of social and physical infrastructure.

Business Times

Daily Times Nigeria

Nigeria airlines must abide by rules to succeed Nigeria’s first pilot Page B6

Post-capitalist entrepreneurship: New business relationships beckoning Page B7

Saturday, January 6, 2018

Calabar Carnival will end menace of migration in Africa —Ayade Page B8

NNPC lost 148,533000m litres of fuel to diversion

Alhaji Muhammad Durumin-Iya (R), Commandant of Jigawa Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC); the spokesman of the command, Adamu Shehu (L); and an official of Matrix filling station , inspecting the expiry date of a fire extinguisher, during an inspection tour of filling stations to enforce safety measures at Dutse in Jigawa on Friday

FG not planning to increase petrol price -Petroleum Ministry

Stories by Simon Ugwu

The Ministry of Petroleum Resources has denied alleged plans to increase the price of petrol pump price. This was made known in a statement signed by Director, Press Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Idang Alibi, urging the general public and indeed stakeholders in the Oil and Gas sector to disregard any such report of a price increase.

“The attention of the office of the Honorable Minister of State, Petroleum Resources has been drawn to some certain publications making the rounds on both traditional and social media alleging that the Honorable Minister of State, Petroleum Resources Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu dropped a hint of an impending fuel price increase during the Joint Senate and House of Representatives Committee hearing on

fuel scarcity in Nigeria”, he said. “The Ministry of Petroleum Resources would like to categorically state that the Honorable Minister of State, Petroleum Resources all through his presentations at the hearing never mentioned nor insinuated the need or plans by the Federal Government to increase the current pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS)” , he added. He stated that it would be expedient to note that that the Presidency has

set up a special committee to identify the immediate and remote causes of the fuel scarcity with a view to finding both immediate and long lasting solutions to the challenge. The Director, further stated that the Committee has been in rounds of deliberations in the past few days and these discussions are still ongoing. The final decisions and recommendations from the Committee would be passed on to the President and Commander-In-Chief for approval.

The Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Maikanti Baru, on Thursday disclosed that the nation lost about 148,533000 million litres of fuel to diversion during the December fuel crisis in Nigeria. Speaking at an investigative public hearing by a Joint Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Petroleum Downstream, at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, Baru disclosed that during the period, NNPC could not track the movement of 4,501 trucks representing the quantity of the disappeared products. “Due to massive diversion, hoarding, panic buying and smuggling, coupled with the information that three Direct Sales Direct Purchase Consortia had rejected October cargoes, there was insinuation of a supply gap,” he said Making a presentation to the joint committee investigating the fuel crisis in the country, the NNPC boss revealed that during the period under review, the Coorporation was unable to track through its Aquilla tracking scheme the whereabouts of the affected trucks thus concluding that the products were diverted. Baru listed some of the key factors which were responsible for the crisis to include insufficient reserve, clearance speed, supply gap, diversion, hoarding, panic buying and smuggling. He noted that prior to the crises, NNPC had 1.9 billion litres strategic reserve of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), which would have lasted for 53 days but that due to panic buying, diversion and hoarding, the Coorporation was unable to cope with the daily nation consumption of 37 million litres of PMS, which led to the presence of long queues at petrol stations across the country.

TCN’s moves to restore Odukpani Ministry of Power to execute eight Power Station to National Grid Power Plant Projects 2018

TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, said contractors had

BUSINESS TIMES Business Editor Ganiyu Obaaro Asst. Business Editor Simon Ugwu Capital Market Editor Bonny Amadi Money Market Correspondent Motolani Oseni

been engaged to restore the grid and rebuild the affected segment of the Western Gas Pipeline (WGP), to enable a restoration of gas supply to Omotosho, Egbin and Olorunsogo I and II. It explained that with the support of the ministries of power, works, housing, and finance, it has embarked on the implementation of Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme (TREP) that seeks to expand, rehabilitate and stabilise the national grid. Mbah, who appealed to electricity consumers in the affected area to be patient, said investigations are ongoing to unravel the cause of the problem.

Ganiyu Obaaro with Agency report

The Federal Ministry of Power, Works, and Housing headed by the Minister Babatunde Fashola has listed eight power plant projects it will embark upon, come 2018. The in a statement ministry listed the projects as Azura (450 MW), Katsina Wind Farm (10 MW), Gbarain (115 MW), Kashimbilla (40 MW), Afam III (240 MW), Gurara (30 MW), Dadin Kowa (29 MW), and Kaduna (215 MW). Already, Nigeria has 29 power plants: Kanji, Jebba, Shiroro, Egbin ST2-5, Sapele, Delta, Afam IV-V, Geregu NIPP, Gberegu Gas, Omotosho Gas, Olorunsogo Gas, Sapele NIPP, Alaoji NIPP, Olorunsogo

NIPP, Omotosho NIPP, Odukpani NIPP, Ihovbor NIPP, Okpan, Afam VI, Ibom Power, Asco, A.E.S, Omoku, Trans Amadi, Rivers IPP, Egbin ST6, Paras Energy, AzuraEdo IPP, and Gbarain NIPP. Out of the 29, three: Kanji, Jebba, Shiroro are hydro plants, two: Egbin ST2-5, Sapele are steam, while the remaining 24: Delta, Afam IV-V, Geregu NIPP, Gberegu Gas, Omotosho Gas, Olorunsogo Gas, Sapele NIPP, Alaoji NIPP, Olorunsogo NIPP, Omotosho NIPP, Odukpani NIPP, Ihovbor NIPP, Okpan, Afam VI, Ibom Power, Asco, A.E.S, Omoku, Trans Amadi, Rivers IPP, Egbin ST6, Paras Energy, Azura-Edo IPP, and Gbarain NIPP, are gas plants.

Interview B6

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 6, 2018

Nigeria airlines must abide by rules to succeed - Nigeria’s first pilot The first Nigerian pilot and the country’s first captain, Captain Robert Emmanuel Hayes, was recently honoured as the recipient of 2017 KARIS Award organised by the Household of God Church in Lagos. In this interview with CHUKWUEMEKE IWELUNMO, Hayes bares his mind on the state of Nigeria aviation. Q: How do you feel about the KARIS 2017 Award by Household of God? I am truly excited. When the organisers mentioned the idea of nominating me for the award, I was extremely excited. I have attended other event of similar nature but on this occasion, I think, as I said that evening that it was a unique occasion. I felt extremely and highly honoured by the KARIS Award.

and invest in one airline as an investment venture. And I think that way, it will make a lot of sense and it would be more profitable or stronger, technically and commercially. Fly Nigeria Airlines, how will you encourage Nigerians? Nigeria airlines need to abide by the rules of the game, not only within the country but also across the routes in Africa, Europe and all over the world. It is an expensive investment and I think that is where the question of getting all the airlines together and form a strong unit; I believe if well organized, it will be more profitable. As far as I know, I don’t see any effort being made in that respect. The airlines themselves just want to operate with their own identity. But given the opportunity of common carrier concept, I think they will do better, if they can come together, set up a strong airline with them participating as investors. Nigerians obviously will have confidence in that respect, because they (the airlines) would have technical background, the number of required aircraft, that will be able increase that confidence of Nigerians flying their own airlines.

How do you mean when you said Nigeria is fertile land for Air traffic growth? The question of traffic growth is entirely an individual choice of people who want to travel. Government only facilitate by providing the facilities for safe navigation in that respect. But by and large, I observed that Nigerians love travelling a lot, especially by air. And I think that has brought into question the number of airlines who are now establishing in the country and, growing the foreign airlines. The traffic growth is phenomenon and the potentials appear good, that is why many of them are coming here. I would want to say that the growth is not only at any specific time of the year, it is all the year round. People are just moving around, especially to Europe and America. Are you bothered about the lifespan of domestic airlines in Nigeria? No airline has surpassed the record of Nigeria Airways which you were part of. None of them has crossed 10-15 years before they collapsed. I am not really bothered about that because it depends on the strength or the reason why they set out to form an airline, especially the domestic ones. Nigeria Airways was an established national carrier on its own and it was heavily subsidised by the government. But the local airlines have to fund their own operations. That way, they pick and choose the route they want to fly which is. But Nigeria Airways was catering for the whole country and covered the geographical spread of the country, providing not only commercial movement but essential air service to remote part of the country. The government of the day wants to bring back National Carrier. What is your take on this because Nigeria Airways had the support of the Federal Government? Yes, probably they have realised that we have had many airlines that have been floated and had

Hayes Nigeria airlines need to abide by the rules of the game, not only within the country but also across the routes in Africa, Europe and all over the world. It is an expensive investment and I think that is where the question of getting all the airlines together and form a strong unit come into the aviation sector and have not been able to make it on their own. A lot of them have fallen by the way side because there might be a lot of other reasons but, I believe the funding is very important in running an operation of an airline. If you are not able to sustain enough fund, you cannot support that airline commercially, because private ones go out there for the profit. For Nigeria Airways or Air Nigeria for whatever name it is going to be given to it, will have to support the country. What I really want to impress is that whether we like it or not, those social services that

have been cut back, will now obviously come back to stream. And the country would have to support those service utilities. I hope that the question of the government interest in the airline will be a good thing because apart from the commercial advantage that will accrue from profitable operation. Nigeria Airways or company of that nature, can afford to have proper training facility, engineering structures in place, to be able to expand the airline and make it worthwhile, and do it to become a very successful airline. I think the potentials are there. A lot of the smaller airlines now only cater for their own do-

mestic needs while the concept of Nigeria Airways would attract the training of more Nigerians technically in operations, in maintenance and in expansion all over the world. The domestic airlines have all together have 40 aircraft or more. Can’t they work together to form stronger airline? Well, it depends on the individual investors. On that score, I believe most of these people want to operate on their own without someone bridling down their neck. I think in my view that, it would have been better if a lot of these airlines can come together

What is your pain on how Nigeria Airways was liquidated? I think government must have had its reasons why they wanted to scuttle the airline at the time they did. I may not have all the facts on why they decided they wanted to stop the operation of the airline. They (government) were the sole investor of the airline. They felt the airline was not making enough profit or not meeting the demands of Nigerians. Obviously, they must have had the reasons why they did not want to continue with the operations of the airline. Nigeria Airways pension? The airline has been liquidated I think in the last 13 years and up to date, the staff of the airline or those who were retrenched or thrown out of the airline have not been paid their pension. It is a very sad story and why government is reluctant to do this is a big question. I really feel that maybe they do not believe that the pensioners are suffering. The pensioners are not adequately being compensated for the work they have done in the past. A lot of them are suffering and dying out of old age and infirmities. Some of them would have still have some useful lives. Efforts are being made to see if someone will salvage the situation.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 6, 2018

B7 Enterprenuership

Post-capitalist entrepreneurship: New business relationships beckoning By Nwaodu Lawrence Chukwuemeka

The Occupy Movement perhaps first raised global awareness of the growing dissatisfaction with marketbased capitalist economy. Banks too big to fail, government bailouts, and rising income inequality drew the ire of millions around the globe. Since then, the calls for a rethink of our economic paradigm have grown louder. One potential framing, which has gained followers is Postcapitalism, popularized by Paul Mason in a book of the same name. Postcapitalism is not a return to Marxism, but instead, driven by the understanding that a third way that is not focused on heavy handed government control, nor on proprietary, venture-capital backed and publicly traded Goliath. Instead a post-capitalist economy would be driven more by collective, cooperative or even autonomous organizations, frequently leveraging nongovernment backed (fiat) currencies as well. To date, however, there has been insufficient discussion about the role of entrepreneurship in a post-capitalist economy. While it may seem like an oxymoron to discuss entrepreneurship in a post-capitalist economy, I argue that is only because we have a narrow view of what entrepreneurship is. In Post-Capitalist Entrepreneurship (PCE) I highlight several emergent entrepreneurial forms including commons-based peer production, platform cooperatives, alternative currencies and initial coin offerings (ICOs) and blockchain-enabled distributed autonomous organizations, among others. Towards a new, local, but globally interconnected, digital, collaborative, urban economic model of shared prosperity Local governments and post-capitalism In order for PCE to thrive at a local level, we will need local governments to create the enabling conditions. Local governments will need to rethink economic development policy, welfare policy, and citizen engagement strategies. I believe we will see cities increasingly shift away from entrepreneurship policies focused on encouraging job creation and tax rev-

enues toward encouraging civic and PCE focused more on supporting higher velocity local transactions within the community. Fab cities Key members of the Fab Lab community recognize the real power of the Fab Lab model as a more holistic resource for local productive systems that has ignited a new movement within the Fab Labs community: Fab Cities. The audacious goal of cities who sign up to be part of the Fab Cities movement is to produce at least 50% of everything consumed in the city within the city by 2054, reducing dependence on importing products from foreign lands. Sixteen cities have signed up for this commitment, including Amsterdam, Barcelona, Boston, Detroit, Santiago, and Shenzhen. Aside from potentially ushering in a wave of circular cities capable of virtually eliminating waste, fab cities could provide alternatives to disappearing employment opportunities in traditional industries. Furthermore, the vision for Fab cities goes beyond what can be printed in a fab lab, but instead, turns our attention to local production of everything consumed in a city including food and energy. Local basic income Basic income in some form will almost certainly be part of national policy

in dozens if not all countries in the future. But also, I believe local governments may become active developers of basic income programs. In the United States, devolution of national powers to state and local powers has been a topic since Ronald Reagan’s time in the Oval Office. For many reasons, there is a growing focus on local governments and their ability to solve complex problems, such as climate change and inequality. While some basic income regulations have been explored at a national level (e.g., the 2015 referendum in Switzerland), the numerous basic income experiments are mostly happening at a local level. The 2-year minimum income experiment starting in October in Barcelona suggests one direction for such a local model to basic income. In the Barcelona experiment, 1,000 low-income families will be given a fixed income over a 24-month period. Some recipients will receive the income unconditionally while others will have conditions, such as going through workerretraining programs, in an effort to see how basicincome recipients behave under different program designs. But perhaps one of the most interesting components to the experiment in Barcelona is the development of a local digital, social currency which will represent a portion

of the basic income payments for between 250 and 500 families. One of the ways we may be able to address a national government’s perceived inability to finance a UBI program is to have some of the payments be made via local digital currency. Instead of paying US$1,000 per month to every citizen over the age of 18 at a federal level (the proposal by Andy Stern in Raising the Floor), perhaps $600 is paid from the national government and $400 is paid in alternative local currencies managed by city governments. Interestingly, in the Barcelona experiment, the city aims to put conditions on the local currency including the requirement to apply some or all of the local currency toward the creation of selfemployment or social enterprise, and to work with local retailers and small businesses to accept the currency for items related to allowing the recipients to become self-employed.

the city governments. Paris, for example, made headlines in 2016 when they announced their intention to develop a local currency, Siene, to “encourage consumers and entrepreneurs to use local businesses and services, aiming to boost local employment and reduce environmental damage by transport.” Alternative currencies can be a source of stimulation of PCE, and of course the local nature of the currencies in many cases suggests that local currencies could form part of a transition toward a post-capitalist economy at a local level. Alternative currencies, not just digital currencies, but also timebanks, for example, facilitate a high velocity of transactions between local citizens and local producers. Local currencies, as is the case in the Barcelona experiment, could even be used as part of a universal basic income (UBI) or guaranteed minimum income (GMI).

Local currency While Colu, an Israeli startup supporting local digital currency initiatives has often decided to initiate local currency projects without waiting for government support, other cities have been initiating their own local currency movements. There are more than 5,000 local currencies operating in communities around the world, many of which have direct support of

Blockchain cities We are in the very early days of what blockchain can mean for cities. Obviously, the smart cities movement with a strong focus on the Internet of Things (IoTs), big and open data, and sensor technology will likely benefit from the growth of blockchain solutions. But perhaps more interesting is to reflect on how blockchain could be used to support social inclu-

sion and a post-capitalist economy. Aside from its potentially transformative potential in local cryptocurrencies, blockchain may also support many other important changes to life and government in cities. The blockchain may support alternative forms of sharing economy that challenge platform capitalism. Take Arcade City as an example. Arcade City is a blockchain-enabled (with ethereum) organization aimed at taking on Uber first, and other platform capitalists later. It is a peer-to-peer app, founded in Austin, Texas, in 2016, which aids people seeking a ride with drivers of passenger vehicles. Unlike in Uber’s model, Arcadian drivers are able to charge their own fees and process transactions directly with their passengers. Since its launch, rides have been facilitated in other cities in the United States, Europe, and Africa. Arcade City has launched their own initial coin offering in 2016, to create Arcade Tokens which can be used for payments with the app. Conclusion In the future I hope to see, we will witness cities embracing everything from local digital currencies, three-tiered maker communities (in the home, in the neighborhoods via fab labs, and city-level flexible manufacturing production), some form of basic income (perhaps tied to civic contributions), hopefully affordable housing for all through community land trusts and other housing innovations (e.g., Vancouver’s in-fill housing), blockchain-enabled distributed sharing platforms that compete with, or maybe even replace, platform capitalists, entrepreneurial and maker education in all schools and accessible to adult residents, and significant amount of civic crowdfunded projects. What I am certain of is that new forms of commons-based, open entrepreneurship, enabled by technology, and grounded in interconnected local communities is here to stay and will transform our cities and our lives. For further details call on me for in-depth discussions, busness advisory services and training send a message via WhatsApp or SMS.. -

TourismB8

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 6, 2018

Calabar Carnival will end menace of migration in Africa —Ayade

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Ganiyu Obaaro

Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade, has said this year’s Carnival Calabar, with the theme: ‘Migration’, will tell a very powerful story about Africa and ultimately end the menace migration has brought to Africa. The governor, who spoke while flagging off the recently concluded 13th edition of Africa’s biggest street party, Calabar Carnival 2017, at the Millennium Park in Calabar, said: “We are gathered here to tell the African story ourselves and we have to put an end to migration. We are calling on the entire world gathered here to celebrate with us that Africa is so blessed and rich. Why should Africans go through such perilous routes and then end up being used as slaves and sub-humans in Libya and other parts of the world, just because they are looking for greener pastures?

We must put an end to that. “Today, our young men take risks and pass through perilous routes to seek greener pastures in Europe and America. This year’s carnival is to tell everybody that Africa is the richest continent and the future belongs to her. Africa is so blessed and there is no reason for the young men in Africa to struggle to leave the continent. We have to tell the story that the best place you can even be is in Africa. “The festival is not just about dancing and celebrations but telling a very powerful story that ends in hope. Today, we are going to tell the story in the form of a dance procession and tell the story of migration which is the problem of Africa. America and Europe are the past today and Africa is the future. The future is Africa because it is the last continent to be discovered”, the governor said. This year’s carnival procession has five competing

1 ƒê Ɔ ƕ ƗƆ

bands and also a number of other bands which are non – competing including a 1,500 man delegation from Imo State, which is led by the deputy speaker of the state house of assembly. The delegation from Imo State participated as part of the Memorandum of Understanding, which was recently signed between the governments of Cross River and Imo State. He said Carnival Calabar might have presented the best ever carnival this year. “I know we would all say that they started and ended late, crowd control was poor; and there was confusion everywhere but let’s face it, this was a carnival like no other. “Everybody had fun! Let’s say the truth, with all the visible and maybe stupid errors made by organisers, everybody found a way

dƅƆ Ɔ ƇƏ ƌ Ƌ Ƅ Ə ƅ Ə ƈƒ Ƌ

to have fun and that’s why I give this Carnival an A. “For the first time, Carnival Calabar lived up to her purpose; Africa’s Biggest Street Party. Yes, for the very first time, the carnival was less of a show and more of a party. For the first time, it was not all about the carnival performances and floats, it was more of friends coming out to have fun, meeting old and new friends and just taking advantage of the platform carnival gave them to be themselves, to dress like they wanted and not feel weird. Even I had my best hair braids on. “The speakers along Marian added so much value to the event. There was music everywhere else too. Area boys did their one corner in every corner. Cool dudes

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ƍƋ ƕ9Ɛ ƈ ƇƐƆ ƌ ƗƆ ƈ Ɛ Ɔ ƐƏ ƗƈƐƈ Ƌ 1 ƈ Ɨ Mƈ ƆƏƈ Ɠ ƕ æC ƒ ç

danced around with their wine glasses. Boys met sexy girls. It was indeed a big party. “I see a turnaround in what Carnival Calabar is all about. Nobody cares about the performances. When they turn up in the streets, they come with their own fun. Whether the carnival starts early or not, nobody cares, the party already started where we chilling. Whether the trucks play our song or not, no one cares, we came with our own music. “The people have given up. They can no more wait for the government to make Carnival Calabar great again. Carnival Calabar has officially been hijacked by those that matter most: the people”. Some must eat African dishes Nigeria and all other African countries are well known for delicious dishes. These foods, apart from being highly nutritious and alluring for Africans across the continent, they are also highly attractive to foreign tourists as well. 24/7 Live - Subscribe to the Pulse Newsletter! Indeed, Africa is filled with a wide array of amazing cuisine. There are plenty of options: from spicy to sweet and meat-filled dishes. But African food is still woefully under-represented on the world culinary scene. This article focuses on dishes that you might enjoy in some popular destinations. 1. Jollof Rice Jollof rice is one of the most adored western African dishes. Like many popular foods, there is no one way to make it and that leads to a huge debate as to who or even what region makes the best jollof rice. Typically it’s made with rice, tomatoes, tomato paste, and numerous meats, spices, and vegetables. Jollof rice is usually reserved for festive celebrations, but since it’s so unan-

imously delicious, there’s no limit to when it can be made. Nigerians, Ghanaians, and so many other countries stand firmly by their variations and would fight anything different. 2. Fufu/foo-foofoufou, or foutou This dish is popular across western and central Africa. In eastern Africa, a similar dish is ugali and southern Africa’s take on it is known as sadza. It is often made in the traditional Ghanaian and Nigerian method by mixing and pounding separate equal portions of cassava and green plantain flour thoroughly with water. 3. Bobotie The national dish of South Africa, bobotie is a sweet and spicy dish that consists of curried minced meat and is baked with fruit (like raisins) and a creamy, egg-based topping. 4. Piri Piri chicken Originating from Mozambique, this cuisine is a sweet blend of African, Portuguese, oriental and Arab flavours. It is often made with fragrant spices, hot piri piri and creamy coconut sauces, with hints of cashews and peanuts. 4. Pilau Rice Pilau rice is the fragrantly amazing East African rice with Indian influence through the spices. Through centuries of trade with the East, pilau has become a traditional Tanzanian and Zanzibari dish of choice. In some cases, the rice may attain its brown or golden colour by first being sauteed lightly in oil before the addition of broth. 5. Cassava Leaves Popular in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea, the cassava leaves are pounded and cooked with meats, fish, water (or coconut milk), and other ingredients depending on the region and recipe.

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Man of the Year: Ibe Kachikwu Ï j Ɗƈ ƈƋ ÷ ƆƅƐ Ə Ɛ ƆƔƐ ƋƆƒƆƋ ÏÏÏ Given

his track record as an accomplished technocrat with enviable professional and academic track record in the industry in which he has had over 30 years of cognate experience locally and internationally, Kachikwu’s appointment as the Group Managing Director of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to many industry watchers was a ‘round peg in a round hole’ and kudos was given to President Muhammadu Buhari who made sanitisation of the oil sector a cardinal plank of his presidency. It was argued that President Buhari couldn’t have looked for a better upright manager of the nation’s oil resources than Kachikwu especially at a time when there was a record breaking mind boggling malfeasance in the management of the NNPC and Nigeria in desperate need of more oil sales revenue to support government budgets, protect foreign reserves and help stop the ongoing devaluation of the national currency. At his assumption of office, these formed the essential part of the challenges that Dr. Kachikwu confronted “as he tried to halt selling of crude oil to politically-connected, ”carpetbaggers” that lack the capacity to perform, establish and adhere to strong internal policies for vetting and choosing buyers of oil, and for apportioning cargoes of oil among buyers, publicly account for earnings from sales of crude from NPDC and its oil trading subsidiaries, and cease unconstitutional withholding of federal revenue”. As the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, said that the NNPC was to be unbundled into 30 profit-making companies with separate Managing Directors as part of the ongoing transformation of the national oil company. Under his supervision, the NNPC moved from a loss position of N160 billion to some N3 billion by

January 2016, adding that by year end the Corporation should start making some profit. “For the first time, we are unbundling the subset of the NNPC to 30 independent companies with their own Managing Directors. Titles like Group Executive Directors are going to disappear and in their place you are going to have Chief Executive Officers and they are going to take responsibilities for their titles. At the end of the day, the CEO of an upstream company must deliver an upstream result,” Dr. Kachikwu stated. The Minister noted that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration is focusing on developing the nation’s gas resources in order to boost revenue as part of the diversification policy of the Federal Government. Dr. Kachikwu said the petroleum sector, under his watch, would rapidly review the contracting cycle of projects from two years to six months in the upstream, stressing that efforts are in top gear to review the existing Production Sharing Contracts which is long overdue. In what could be described as a face-off between Kachikwu, and his successor at NNPC, Maikanti Baru, the Minister of State was compelled to accuse Baru of “completely eroding” some of the reforms he introduced as head of the oil firm. Buhari had appointed Kachikwu as NNPC GMD in August 2015 but replaced him with Baru in July 2016. In the letter written to President Buhari, Kachikwu alleged that Baru had been sidelining the NNPC board. “Like the previous reorganisations and repostings done since Mr. Baru resumed as GMD, I was never given the opportunity before the announcements to discuss these appointments. This is so despite being the minister of state petroleum and chairman, NNPC board,” the letter read. “The open administration I introduced with your support in our year of pushing reforms, has been completely eroded.

NNPC staff are afraid of contacting me for the fear of being punished, sidelined in appointments and targeted”. His reformation drive was endorsed by the United States Government which pledged its readiness to work with the Management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in achieving the Federal Government’s reform agenda in the oil and gas industry. The then USA Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador James Entwistle assured Dr. Kachikwu of United States willingness to provide all necessary support to the NNPC Management to realize its set goals and objectives. Amb. Entwistle noted that though the job of the GMD of NNPC is about the most challenging job in Nigeria, the USA is convinced that Dr. Kachikwu has the skills, training and requisite experience to lead the oil and gas industry in Nigeria towards the path of growth and sustainable development. Commending the USA for the pledge of support, Dr. Kachikwu reiterated the determination of the new NNPC Management to implement the spirit and letter of President Muhammadu Buhari’s reform agenda in the petroleum industry. The GMD stated that the new NNPC would be driven by a deep sense of commitment to service delivery anchored on the principle of transparency, efficiency, people, purpose and profit. ``My mission is to redirect and re-energize the work force for greater value addition and I believe that the NNPC, given the right leadership has what it takes to achieve this objective,’’ he said. His intervention in the face-off between NigerDelta activists and the government led to a restart of the amnesty payments pro tem and discuss investment initiatives that will boost the regional economy and its social services. His argument is that the government’s plans for capital investment there – more roads, more power stations, better wa-

Kachikwu ter and sanitation with big investment in schools and clinics – will benefit the Delta more than ad hoc payments to militant gangs, past or present. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu steered the much-delayed Petroleum Industry Bill to restructure the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation through the Senate (AC Vol 56 No 20. It sets out clearer rules for investors and the NNPC would be quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange and compelled to issue timely financial statements. With a great input from Kachikwu, the government put an end to fuel subsidy, a policy designed ostensibly to help the poorest people but which in reality became a statefinanced welfare scheme for fuel importers, most of them multi-millionaires. As Group Managing Director of NNPC and as Minister, he has fought many battles with oil marketers in his bid to stem acute fuel scarcity,

increase revenue accrue to government’s purse and in stabilising the industry. He has said it repeatedly that current fuel scarcity which has become a national embarrassment was not caused by government, but rather blamed it on profit-minded marketers who were alleged to have hoarded fuel in anticipation of an increase in pump price of petroleum products. Dr. Kachikwu was an active player in the private sector where best business practices and corporate good governance are sine qua non. He was the former Executive Vice Chairman of ExxonMobil (Africa Operations). He wrote legal books. His bestseller is “Legislation and Policy on Foreign Investment in Nigeria”. The man also authored about twenty different publications. Ibe Kachikwu was appointed as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Chief Executive in August 2015. The first thing he did when he entered the new

position was to reduce the number of directors. There were 8 of them. Kachikwu removed four of them. He was born on December 18, 1956 to late Justice Francis Kachikwu and Maria Kachikwu. He attended St. Peter’s Primary School Ogwashi-Uku before gaining admission into St. Pius Grammar School Onicha-Ugbo, which he left in 1968 with top level performance. His Edo College from 1973 to 1974 was equally with spectacular performance. He studied Law at the University of Nigeria 1978, where he made a first class result and the best graduating student At the 1979 set of Nigerian Law School, he emerged with another First Class and best graduate winning 7 of available 9 prizes. At his LLM programme at Harvard University in 1980, it was another First Class performance. His Doctorate degree programme did not come with lesser performance.

Daily Times 2017 Award Winners

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 6, 2018

Woman of the Year: Mrs. Aisha Buhari

Ï An uncommon First Lady with passion ÏÏÏ For exhibiting unprec-

edented courage and coupled with the fact that she usually speaks to power in a government in which her husband is the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari is an unusual First Lady. “A woman is a full circle; within her is the power to create, nurture and transform.” The above quote by Diana Marriechild aptly described our Woman of the Year, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, the First Lady and wife of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria. In the annals of Nigeria’s political history, she has within the last 30 months earned for herself a place in history among women in the ‘inner seclusion’ of the corridors of power. She has debunked the postulation that ‘women are to be seen and not to be heard’ as she has effectively lent her voice to national issues even criticising her husband’s administration on issues of national interest; she has conscientiously displayed her love for humanity especially concerned with transforming the fortune of women, girls and children. Aisha Buhari called for a probe of the State House Medical Clini over poor health facilities in the hospital despite the huge budgetary allocation to it. She condemned the “lack of facilities” at the clinic during a programme in Abuja and equally lamented the total or dearth of some necessary hospital facilities such as syringe, drugs and equipment needed for saving lives. Mrs. Buhari, who spoke at the opening of a two-day stakeholders meeting on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health and Nutrition organised by her pet project, Future Assured in Abuja, said the ongoing renovations at the clinic was baseless because the hospital lacked the equipment to save lives. “If somebody like Mr. President can spend several months outside Nigeria, then you wonder what will happen to a common man on the street in Nigeria. Few weeks ago, I was sick as well, they advised me to take the first flight out to London, I refused to go. I said I must be treated in Nigeria because there is a budget for an assigned clinic to take care of us. If the budget is N100 million, we need to know how the budget is spent. Along the line, I insisted they call Aso

Clinic to find out if the Xray machine is working, they said it is not working. They didn’t know I am the one that was supposed to be in that hospital at that very time. I had to go to a hospital that was established by foreigners in and out 100 percent. What does that mean? So, I think is high time for us to do the right thing. If something like this can happen to me, no need for me to ask the governors’ wives what is happening in their states. This is Abuja and this is the highest seat of government, and this is Presidential Villa. The wife of the president calls on the government, civil society and private sector to address social norms that permit women and girls to be treated as lesser breed than men and boys – she called on government at all levels to give priority to education and empowerment of women and children. Aisha made this call in Abuja at the International Sheroes Forum with the theme: “Advancing women’s roles in business leadership and governance.” The United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in 2012 released a report which said that “Nigeria has one of the highest rates of infant mortality in the world. One in seven children dies before her or his fifth birthday.” It noted further that in Nigeria, clean water was hard to come by in northern Nigeria and singled out the General Hospital, Katsina as one health facility among several others in northern Nigeria where ‘half a dozen infants were being treated for severe malnutrition problems.” Aware of these challenges and to let every citizen feel the impact of government, the wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari is determined to give everyone a sense of belonging, beyond the channeling of attention to women and children only. This is evident in the christening of her pet project- Future Assured and its offshoot, Get Involved – names that are by no means suggestive of asymmetry but inclusive in form and nature. As the future is assured for women, so it is for men through the various action plans that Mrs. Buhari is rolling out for the upliftment of families and society. To her, needless to empower a woman only, when the man also needs empowerment to cater and support the woman and child. The man, after all, is also a cru-

cial component of the family unit. It is based on this understanding that the wife of the President recently launched Get Involved- a quick interventionist programme to halt yearly deaths of malnourished children in the country on the strength that every child is entitled to a meal every day. She believes that when children are fed regularly and in the required proportions, their parents save money for medications and are free from mental and financial stresses. And with the commitments Mrs. Buhari is showing in promoting girls education and other issues concerning the girl-child, Nigeria is likely to benefit from the grant and other grants that have been set aside by development partners in implementing policies aimed at guaranteeing quality food, health, education, sanitation and safe drinking water for every Nigerian. She has commenced these intervention measures at Bama and Maiduguri camps for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) where she donated four tonnes of ready to use products (Soy Kunu for adults/ pregnant and lactating mothers and Soyalac for children) to fight malnutrition prevalent among inmates in the camps. These inmates are not only women and children but also adolescent boys, fathers and grandfathers. A donation of about N60 million was presented to the Future Assured project by the Chinese government. The Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Lin Jin, said Future Assured has made tremendous impact in promoting the health and well-being of women, children and the vulnerable, and succeeded in making a difference in the lives of these people. She is known for her nonflamboyant life-style. Mrs. Buhari had in her twitter handle denied receiving SUV vehicles from the Nigerian Police for personal use, saying “I am still using my personal cars.’’ Politically conscious Aisha Buhari, the wife of the President, had in the wake of a sickness that had kept her husband out of the country for over two months, given an insight into the power play at the Nigerian seat of power. In a Facebook post, she alluded to some elements around her ailing husband as “the hyenas” and “the jackals,” hoping that they

Mrs. Aisha Buhari would soon be sent out of the “Kingdom”. She responded to a post by Senator Shehu Sani who said “Prayer for the absent Lion King has waned; until he’s back then they will fall over each other to be on the front row of the palace temple. Now the hyenas and the jackals are scheming and talking to each other in whispered; still doubting whether the Lion King will be back or not… “It is the wish of the Hyenas and the Jackals that the Lion King never wakes up or come back so that they can be kings. It is the prayers of the weak animals that the Lion King comes back to save the kingdom from the Hyenas, the wolves and other predators” She wittingly responded to Mr. Sani’s comment by saying: “God has answered the prayers of the weaker Animals. The Hyenas and the jackals will soon be sent out of the kingdom. We strongly believe in the prayers and support of the weaker animals”. Mrs. Aisha’s comment attracted some comments from her followers on Facebook, wishing her husband quick recovery. A critic of her Husband’s Government The First Lady warned her husband that she may not back him at the next election unless he shakes up his government. In a BBC interview, Aisha Buhari suggested his government had been hijacked by only a “few people”, who were behind presidential appointments. She said the president

did not know most of the officials he had appointed. President Buhari, who is on a visit to Germany, had responded by saying his wife belonged in his kitchen. Standing alongside German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, at a news conference, the president laughed off his wife’s accusations. “I don’t know which party my wife belongs to, but she belongs to my kitchen and my living room and the other room,” he said. Mrs. Buhari on an interview with a BBC Hausa service programme, was quoted to have said: “The president does not know 45 out of 50 of the people he appointed and I don’t know them either, despite being his wife of 27 years.” She said people who did not share the vision of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were now appointed to top posts because of the influence a “few people” wield. “Some people are sitting down in their homes folding their arms only for them to be called to come and head an agency or a ministerial position,” she said. Mrs. Buhari was prompted to speak out in an effort to end those practices so that party loyalists who contributed to his election victory could benefit. Aisha Buhari campaigned vigorously for her husband in the 2015 general election, organising town hall meetings with women’s groups and youth organisations across the country. However, she kept a low profile at the start of the administration and was

barely seen or heard. She was restricted to her work on the empowerment of women and helping victims of the Boko Haram conflict in the north-east of the country where she is from. Aisha (née Halilu) Buhari is the second and current wife of President Muhammadu Buhari. She was born in Adamawa State in the family of the first Minister of Defence, Mohammadu Ribadu. She was raised in the best traditions of Fulani culture. Aisha graduated from the Ahmadu Bello University where she earned a Bachelor degree in Public Administration. She also has a post-graduate diploma of the Academy Esthetique Beauty Institute of France in Cosmetology and Beauty. Moreover, she is an alumnus of the famous Carlton Institute of London. Mrs. Buhari is reportedly engaged in a private enterprise where she has become an employer of labour, a mentor to all aspiring cosmetologists and a consultant to the KRCP/ NNPC on skills acquisition. She is also a member of the United Kingdom Vocational Training and Charitable Trust (VTCT), The International Health and Beauty Council (HBC). She also helps women politicians to raise funds for campaigns. She speaks English and Arabic fluently. In December 1989, Muhammadu Buhari married Aisha Halilu. Together they have five children, a boy and four girls. They are Aisha, Halima, Yusuf, Zarah and Amina.

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Politician of the Year- Gov Willie Obiano

Ï 9ƌƍ ƅƐƈ ƍ ƈƐƈƒƆ ƋƈƒƆ MƗƈé ƌƄƏ ÏÏÏ Anambra State Gov-

ernor Willie Obiano has introduced dynamic programmes that have touched the lives of the people in the state. He also brought drastic improvement in the security of lives and property of the citizens and residents of Anambra State . From 1970 to date, after the civil war, security in Onitsha and environs and indeed the entire Anambra State has been a very intractable issue as criminals from time to time had hijacked the state, compelling the people to live in permanent fear. At a time, the crime became too rampant that people had to resort to sleeping in churches. Even during the military, violent crime was almost the order of the day, hence the setting up of Armed Robbery and Fire Arms Tribunals which tried and executed those found guilty of robbery cases. But that could not solve the problem of crimes in the state. At a time in Anambra State, a gang of robbers were accosting luxurious buses plying from any part of East to Lagos. Immediately they stepped into Anambra State from any other part of the East, these organised robbers unleashed bullets on the bus from every side, which led to loss of several innocent souls of passengers during that period . Banks, fillings stations and individuals were back again to their cherished ones. In fact, at a time an attempt was made on the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, which failed. . But Governor Obiano has changed this infamous action immediately he assumed office, adopting innovative strategic measures. Nobody knew the secret employed by this accountant and banker turmed politician but Obiano employed civilsed method, using the police and installing of street lights at strategic places in the state especially from Onitsha Bridgehead

Obiano to Borromeo Hospital Round About through old road to Amawbia in Awka. Today, Anambra can be said to have the best security network. Prominent Anambrarians who have relocated to Lagos, Abuja, Enugu and other cities in the country and now conduct marriages of their children outside the state started returning back. And business started booming again. Night life returned to the Onistha, Awka and other major cities of the state. The presence of security expectedly has multiplier effect on the socioeconomic development of any place as it engenders confidence among the people, business community and investors. The improved security situation has increased the

number of hours of doing business in the state as well as brought back night life which has died in the state. This development has not affected other areas of the state, hence the huge investment on agriculture and industry in the administration of Willie Obiano to the tune of $1.2billion and $3.2 billion respectively, hence the increased production of rice in Anambra State. There have been major investment in rice production like Coscharis farm in Ayamelum as well as poultry in Igbariam and others in various parts of the state. These investment in agriculture has resulted in the exportation of vegetables from Anambra State to European countries and yam to United States.

As a boost to agriculture, the state has provided to the farmers 291 hectares of land, seedlings, fertilizers and herbicides to encourage mechanised agriculture in the state. Governor Obiano has not fared any less in the area of trade and commerce. The traders in Anambra State are happy that his administration has impacted on them in one way or the other. Obiano took the bull by the horn by setting up N10 million projects in all the markets in the state. In the choose yourself N10million project, every market in the state is entitled to N10million worth of project. Some of the markets used the opportunity to build office complexes, halls, access roads, motor park complex, electricity,

water boreholes and overhead tank among other projects. These no doubt has added value to the markets and the traders themselves. Fire fighting vehicles were also bought and distributed to strategic markets in case of any fire outbreak. One of the fire fighting vehicles is situated at Building Materials Market Ogidi to cover that area and the environs. The governor has also extended the kind gesture to all the communities in Anambra State by asking them to choose N20million projects. He went further to challenge the communities which finished their first projects in time to choose another tranche of N20m project, which some communities have already benefited. The good news is that virtually all the communities have completed all their projects, while some which finished on time have been given another N20million for second projects. These projects are dotted all over the communities as town halls, skill acquisition centres, roads rehabilitation, boreholes, among others. Obiano has done more than excellent in the construction of roads and bridges since he became governor. Apart from constructing three world class bridges in Awka at the popular Aroma junction in Awka, Kwata and Amawbia junction, in the state capital, Obiano has also done a bridge across Mamu River at Amansea – Ndiukwuenu-AwaUfuma. He has also constructed about 180 km of roads through the state as well as rehabilitated the existing roads through the State Road maintenance Agency’s zero pothole programme. Obiano also constructed the Iyiora Bridge believed to be the longest bridge in the State, which connects Anambra West, part of the food basket basin of the state to the rest of the world. There are other ongoing roads construction in different parts of the state, one of them be-

ing the construction of bridge across Nteje – Umanya bye – pass along the Onitsha- Enugu Expressway. On education, Governor Obiano has disbursed at least over N700milion to mission schools, constructed over 2,500 classrooms-blocks for primary and secondary schools in the state, installed 30KVA generating sets and provided transformers to the schools too. Obiano’s administration also awarded scholarships to about 200 students of Anambra State of origin to the tune of about N120m as a source of encouragement to academic excellence among Anambra children. The State also recruited 70 contract teachers for the 11 technical colleges in the state to boost their staff strength. The welfare of teachers is critical to Obiano’s administration. Consequently, he has increased the salary of 1,634 teachers of core subjects in the state school system as well as the salary of 2, 732 teachers in rural areas of the state by 20 percent to motivate them and provide more access to quality education to the children in riverine and agrarian areas of the state. Acording to the State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kate Omungha, the number of candidates who passed external examinations at five credits with English and Mathematics such as West African School Certificate and National Examination Council (NECO), at five credits with English and Mathematics have increased to 70 percent. A teacher from Anambra State recently won the best teacher in the country and was given a brand new car. And all these attest to the quality of education under Obiano. Little wonder, the outstanding achievements of Governor Obiano enabled him to record a landslide victory during his re-election in the state as he defeated other candidates in all the local government areas of the state.

Daily Times 2017 Award Winners

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 6, 2018

Governor of the Year: Gov Nyesom Wike

Ï Redefining Rivers landscape through massive reconstruction ÏÏÏ

Born on December 13, 1967, Governor Nyesom Wike, an outstanding administrator, lawyer and politician is referred to as the Golden Governor. He just turned 50 and had the singular fortune of taking Rivers State to its glorious Golden Jubilee anniversary in May, this year. Barrister Nyesom Wike was born to the family of Reverend and Mrs. Nlemanya Wike of Rumuepirikom community, Obio/Akpor in Rivers State. He spent most of his academic life in Rivers State, hence, he once proudly declared himself a local champion. A holder of several traditional chieftaincy titles, Barrister Nyesom Wike is happily married to Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike, a High Court Judge with the Rivers State Judiciary. The union is blessed with three children. He holds degrees in Political and Administrative Studies as well as in Law. However, after a brief stint with the private legal practice, Barrister Wike was elected twice as the Executive Chairman of Obio/ Akpor Local Government Area and served out two tenures from 1999 to 2007. A one-time Deputy President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Governor Nyesom Wike was later elected as the substantive President of the Association. From the position of the Chairman of Obio/Akpor, he moved on to serve as the Chief of Staff, Government House, between October 26, 2007 and May 28, 2011 under the administration of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, governor of Rivers State then. From there, Barrister Nyesom Wike was appointed the Director-General of Governor Amaechi’s reelection Campaign Organisation. He was reputed for being the brain behind the success of Rt. Hon. Amaechi second race to the Brick House after which he became the most powerful Chief of Staff in the state. On July 14, 2011, Barrister Wike was subsequently appointed and sworn-in as the Minister of State for Education. This feat is widely attributed to the recommendation of the then governor of the state, Rt. Hon. Amaechi. Subsequently, following a cabinet shake-

Wike up, Barrister Wike emerged the Supervising Minister of Education of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. At the end of fierce political and legal battles between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the April 11, 2015, gubernatorial election in Rivers State, Wike emerged as the sixth governor of the State and has, since his swearing in on May 29, 2015, recorded numerous achievements, some of which prompted the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo to dub him ‘Mr. Projects.’ But his most remarkable achievements dated back to his tenure as the Minister of State for Education and subsequently the Supervising Minister of Education. He made enviable impacts in the basic education subsector, spear-heading a nationwide reform of the nation’s education system. It is worthy to note that as Minister of State for Ed-

ucation, he created access to quality education for 9 million Almajiri children in the Northern part of Nigeria through the construction of appropriate schools in affected states. He was also the driving force behind the construction of basic education vocational training schools for out-ofschool children in Southern Nigeria and Special Girl-Education Schools for less privileged girls in 16 states of the federation. He also superintended over the distribution of over 60 million text books and library resource materials to various schools in the country, among other achievements. Determined to leave his footsteps in the sands of time, Governor Wike swung into action as soon as he was sworn-in as the governor of the state. The newly sworn-in governor said: “Never again will we allow projects meant for the people to be abandoned just because we did not award

it. I will never do any project that will be abandoned. No part of the state will be neglected in the infrastructure renewal programme of my administration.” Less than 24 hours after taking his oath of office, Governor Wike announced the return to work of the judiciary and the re-opening of courts in the state which were shut down during the tenure of Rt. Hon. Amaechi, now the Minister of Transportation. He also ended the controversy surrounding the appointment of the Chief Judge of the state as he swiftly appointed Justice Daisy Okocha (now retired) in acting capacity to fill the gap. The opening of the courts brought financial relief to practicing lawyers in the state who had also suffered professional setbacks throughout the period the courts were shut down. Governor Nyesom Wike deeply delved into what he termed ‘Operation Zero Potholes’ on roads round

the state, particularly in Port Harcourt, capital city of the state. As at May 2017, the governor had reworked roads totaling over 33 kilometers under its Operation Zero Pothole scheme. In his 100 Days in office celebration, Governor Wike showcased numerous projects which included 50 medium-income flats at Iriebe, Iloabuchi-Eagle Island Link Road, Abonnema-Obonoma Link Road and the NBA Port Harcourt Law Office. Also to the credit of the governor were the reconstruction of roads from Borokiri Road in Old Port Harcourt Township to Rumuwoji (Mile 1) Market Phase 2 ground breaking, Mile 1 Flyover Park, Abonnema Wharf Road, Woji-Elelenwo Road, WojiTrans Amadi Road, Onne Seaport Access Road and Abuloma-Woji Road. Others were the Kpopie-Bodo Road in Gokana LGA, Second Nkpogu Bridge in Trans Amadi, SakpenwaBori Road, Igwuruta-Etche Road and Ogoni-AndoniOpobo Unity Road. Spreading infrastructural development across the state, Governor Wike also completed the N150 million ATC Jetty at Okrika and the Bonny/Bille Jetty on Creek Road as part of measures to boost marine transportation in the state. Just before the celebration of the Golden Jubilee anniversary in the state, a number of projects were initiated while others were commissioned. These included the flag-off of Bakana land reclamation in Degema LGA; flag-off of Oyigbo-Mbano CampIriebe Road reconstruction; commissioning of rehabilitated Brick House building in Government House; commissioning of Port Harcourt Pleasure Park which now yields revenue for the state, and the Ecumenical Centre on Abonnema Wharf Road. Governor Nyesom Wike Wike has within less than three years of his administration made inroads in the development of other sectors of the economy such as education. Some notable accomplishments in the education sector included the rehabilitation of select schools across the state, such as the Birabi Memorial Grammar School, Bori, Nyemoni Grammar School, Abonnema, and Government Girls Secondary School, Rumuokwuta, just

to mention a few. Hospitals and health institutions were not left out in the development strides by Governor Nyesom Wike. Some of those rehabilitated and upgraded to provide better services to the people included the Elele-Alimini General Hospital and the School of Nursing in Port Harcourt, among other health institutions. Governor Wike has invested tremendously in the area of security. A few months into his administration in 2015, Governor Nyesom Wike received the then Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase and donated 64 patrol vans to the Rivers state police command and other security agencies to help combat crime in the state. During the presentation of the vans, the governor stated: “The most important role of any responsible Government is the security of lives and property.” The governor had said on different occasions that he had zero tolerance for crime and criminality. This, then, explains why he took huge steps to lure cultists, kidnappers, and robbers out of criminality by granting them amnesty. The gesture yielded some fruitful results as many youths surrendered their weapons and genuinely embraced the amnesty programme. Today, Governor Wike ranks among governors in Nigeria who are not in arrears of payment of salaries and pensions. Speaking while flagging off the construction of Isiokpo Town, an ancient city of Ikwerre land, Wike said: “The Paris Refund Club they paid us will be used to execute meaningful projects in the state. For us, we have passed the stage of payments of salaries and pensions. We have cleared all those and our focus now is to roll out projects for the benefit of our people.” The efforts of Governor Nyesom Wike have been recognised by stakeholders within and beyond the shores of this country. Some of such awards were conferred on the governor by The Daily Times Newspaper. Others included the SUN, the Leadership, and the Nigerian Pilot Newspapers as well as the United Nations-backed platform, Sustainable Cities and Human Settlement Awards, SCAHSA, in London, earlier last year.

Daily Times 2017 Award Winners

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 6, 2018

Good Governance Award - Gov Ibikunle Amosun Ï Transforming Ogun for maximum impact

ÏÏÏ Having

realised that the Education sector is one area where Ogun State for ages, has comparative advantages over other states in Nigeria, Governor Ibikunle Amosun has invested heavily in rebuilding of infrastructure, training, retraining and motivation of personnel, encouraging students and pupils to excel and also sanitised the entire sector for effective delivery. These achievements can be summarised as follows: -Free Education in all public Pre-Primary and Secondary Schools with abolition of tuition fees and all forms of levies -Construction of 15 Model Schools with boarding facilities out of the proposed 28 each designed to accommodate 1,000 students and over 200 teaching and nonteaching staff -Introduction and underwriting of Unified Termly Examination for all Public Primary and Secondary Schools and Government Science and Technical Colleges Students across the State with a total sum of N754,076,670.00 expended in the Secondary sector alone -22-23% of annual budget devoted to Education almost in line with the UNESCO recommendation of 26% -A sum of N1.8billion was expended on the purchase of free textbooks distributed to all Primary and Secondary School pupils and students in all public schools -Payment of Bursary Awards to 16,277 indigenous Ogun State Students in all tertiary Institutions in the country between 2011 and 2015 Teaching Service Commission -Between the Financial years 2011 and 2015, a sum of N13, 820,000.00 was given to the Commission as revenue to be generated. Thus, the Commission recorded a sum of N14, 703,852.18 representing 106.40% of the targeted Revenue Generation. -Recruitment of 445 teaching and non-teaching staff, especially in core subjects (314 teaching and 131 non-teaching staff), increasing the staff complement in the Commission to a total of 15,006 as at March, comprising a total of 12,921 teaching and 2,005 nonteaching. -Payment of Peculiar Allowance at the rate of 15% and 10% of Basic Salary respectively to Teaching and Non-Teaching staff with effect from July 2013 -Appointment of 208 principals, 506 vice-principals and 23 zonal secretaries as

administrators in Public Secondary Schools from 2011 till date -Approval of Career Progression Adjustment for 1,345 NCE + Degree stagnated teachers Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board -Promotion of 14,115 teaching and non-teaching staff for 2011 and 2012 while a total of 6,988 teaching and non-teaching staff benefitted from the 2013 and 2014 promotion -Payment of government contributions towards teachers’ pensions to the Bureau of Pensions for onward submission to the various Pension Fund Accounts -Re-charting of teachers career progression (that led to the discovery that some teachers who had overstayed on the job) -Payment of N1.6billion for 2008/2009 UBE counterpart fund -Payment of N1, 495,309,272.34 for 2010/2011 UBE counterpart fund. Bureau of Tertiary Institutions of N13, 574,669.58 from HUCAP beneficiaries that failed to return to serve the mandatory 3-years bond with Ogun State Government. July, 2011 till date in resolving the Industrial Conflicts between the management and Unions of Institutes of Technology, Itori and Igbesa on 21st June, 2011 and 22nd July, 2011. Health mary Health Care a. In 2011, 47 Primary Health Care Centers were rehabilitated. Equipment, boreholes, backup power supply and Corps Medical Personnel were also provided to make the facilities functional. b. In 2014, the Ministry effectively responded to the Ebola scare in the country by investigating all rumoured cases and sensitizing communities within the state for effective surveillance and prevention. c. In the bid to improve the quality of service delivery in all the State’s primary and secondary health facilities, the ministry in partnership with Support for National Malaria Programme (SUNMAP) introduced the integrated Support Supervision/On the Job Capacity Building (ISS/ OJCB) programme. -Ogun State Ambulance and Emergency Service (OGSAS) d.In 2012, four modern Advanced Life-Support ambulances were procured and six abandoned vehicles

Amosun were refurbished to Basic Life Support standard as the first step in the ongoing programme to revive the Ogun State Ambulance Services. (OGSAS). -Schools of Nursing and Midwifery e.In 2012, a total of 99 health personnel were recruited for the Ministry of Health. This number includes 30 B.NSc. Graduate nurses which were employed as tutors for the School of Nursing and Midwifery f.Hospital Services g.Starting form 2013, the Computerization of record of private medical facilities in the State was done to provide for easy monitoring, data analysis and improve internally generated revenue within the State Management Board h.Procurement of affordable drugs/consumables from reputable companies and suppliers through a competitive bidding and at valued prices – 2011 till date i.Renovation of the Central Medical Store – 2011 till date Health Care Development Board j.Commencement of Community Based Health Insurance Scheme (ARAYA) in Ogun State which has now been adopted naturally as a best practice. k.Sustenance of wild polio free state. No case of wind virus has been recorded since 2011 till date. Agriculture riculture land allocated to Investors fromMay2011 to date State Government own Feed Depot project produced 4,000 metric tonnes of various classes of feed between May, 2011 and

April 2015 to back up various Livestock Projects. Estate: 8000 point of cage pullets were raised and supplied to Owowo Farm Estate. ogy Dissemination Centre with green Houses, Fish Tanks, Poultry Houses and crop Production established in Abeokuta (Ogun Central), Ijebu –Ife (Ogun East and Ilaro (Ogun West) at a total cost of 15,000,000.00. effectively in National Farmer Registration, were 197,699 farmers were registered in the State as at 2013. Commerce Naira counterpart funding credit facility between Ogun State Government and Bank of Industry (50% equity each) to empower indigenous MSMEs. new factories were commissioned between 2011 and May, 2015 thus bringing the total number of factories in the State to 371. Six (6) more are to be commissioned before the end of June, 2015. More than 100 companies made requests for land, while over 30 are at various stages of construction. ated Revenue by the Ogun State Market Development Board rose from N14,470,720.00 in June, 2010 – May, 2011 to N23,831,750 in June, 2013-May, 2014 the restructuring and upgrading of facilities at Abeokuta. seke, Abeokuta. national Market. Market.

1.5km access road leading to the Industrial Service Centre and Technology Incubation Centre, Abeokuta. 700 meters were duly completed On 29 May, 2011, Senator Amosun was sworn-in as the fourth elected Governor of Ogun State, having won the election held in April 2011. He contested on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). This party merged with other parties to form the All Progressives Congress (APC) in February 2013. He was re-elected for a second term in office on 11 April 2015 and duly sworn- in on 29 May 2015. Upon assumption of office as Governor of Ogun State, he outlined the Mission to Rebuild Agenda of his administration which is anchored on a 5 point – Cardinal Programme: tive Education

ernor of The Year (FRCN, Ibadan Zonal Station) – March 2017 Works Road reconstructed or rehabilitated during the Amosun administration include

Delivery

road Ijebu-Ode.

tion and Industrialization

Urban Renewal

al Development / Employment Generation The programme is aimed at the Welfare, Prosperity and Security of the Citizenry and the State. His administration has since recorded significant achievements in various critical sectors such as Free Education, stimulation of the Investment Environment, Agriculture, Women Empowerment, Security, massive Infrastructural Development and Urban Renewal. Laurels and Awards: His leadership qualities and outstanding achievements have earned him recognition nationally and internationally, some of these include: State Governor in West Africa” by Security Watch Africa. In Accra, Ghana – October 2012 ment Icon Award for 2013 by African Leadership magazine in New York – September 2013 Award: Governor of the Fastest Growing State Economy by Businessday Newspaper in Lagos – November 2013 Award: Commander of the Order of the Niger (C.O.N) by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan – September 2014 Man of The Year – April 2016 The Year – February 2017

Road

wal Stadium Garage, Ijebu-Ode

balufon Junction, Ijebu-Ode kolobo junction-OGBC Road, Abeokuta Girls College, Idi Aba IdiAba Elite Road Ewang Estate Road Abeokuta box culvert Saje Abeokuta

works Abeokuta Road, Olisa, Igbeba road, Ijebu-Ode.

Street Ijebu-Ode Street Ijebu-Ode Ososa road Ijebu-Ode Owo/Ereko/Bonojo/Awokoya Street, Ijebu-Ode age on Abeokuta Road/Molipa junction, Ijebu-Ode Garage-Epe Garage, IjebuOde Garage-Balogun Street Ijebu-Ode jale Street Ijebu-Ode

Kuku -

Garage/Itele-Sagamu/Benin Express road, Ijebu-Ode Street Ijebu-Ode Bypass Ijebu-Ode

kuta road-Araromi/Osinubi Street, Ijebu-Ode road/Folagbade Lagos Garage, Ijebu-Ode at Isale Abese, Ijaye Abeokuta. ba-Lagos Garage Ijebu-Ode. Personal Data: Born in Abeokuta on Saturday, 25 January, 1958, he attended the following institutions of learning:.African Church Primary School, Abeokuta (1965 – 1970) .African Church Grammar School, Abeokuta (1971 – 1977) .Ogun State Polytechnic (now Moshood Abiola Polytechnic), Abeokuta (H.N.D, 1979 – 1983) .University of Westminster, London (M.A. in International Finance, 2000)

Daily Times 2017 Award Winners

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 6, 2018

Good Governance Award - Gov Aminu Tambuwal Ï Delivering dividends of democracy in Sokoto for positive change

ÏÏÏ

Since becoming the chief executive of Sokoto State, Governor Aminu Tambuwal has left no one in doubt that he was and is really prepared for leadership and is at home with the needs and demands of the people of the Seat of the Caliphate. His profound achievements in the last two years are what informed the honour and recognition accorded him. As governor, Tambuwal has raised the ante of purposeful leadership and good governance. He has transformed Sokoto State and has imprinted indelible marks in the sand of history in the state. His achievements traversed all sectors of human endeavour, which space and time would not allow us to enumerate here. Aware that education is the bedrock of human capital and enduring societal development, Tambuwal upon becoming governor declared a state of emergency on education and has accorded priority attention to girl-child education in the state. In 2016, the governor made history by laying the foundation for the construction of a new secondary school in Balle, Gudu local government area, the only local government area without a senior secondary school in the whole country. Determined to make the necessary impact, he allocated more funds to education in the state’s budgets in 2016 and 2017 than any other sector. Importantly, the allocations were more than the UNICEF recommended 26 percent. Last year, Sokoto became the first state in Nigeria to pass the Right to Education law which makes education compulsory and free for all children between the ages of five and 18. It also criminalises refusal to send children to school, and parents will be liable to criminal prosecution if they stop their children from attending schools. So far, over 22 Doctors and Engineers sponsored for medical and engineering studies in foreign universities under the Higher Education Scheme Programme. Over 8,000 Sokoto students have benefitted from Government’s free JAMB forms for the joint admissions and matriculations board unified tertiary institutions admission examinations. Over 500 new teachers recruited by government to boost manpower in secondary schools. More than N3bn has been expended in the payment of tuition/living expenses to students studying in various disciplines across the globe. Presently, Sokoto has over 342 foreign students under full sponsorship by the State Government with

over 17,000 students studying various courses in institutions of higher learning, within the country. in the area of pupil enrollment, significant improvement has been recorded with 1,193,760 enrolled in the Basic Education Schools for the 2015/2016 academic session alone. The results of the interventions became apparent when UNICEF announced few days ago that the number of out of school children in Sokoto has dropped from 67% in 2015, to 31% in 2017. This presents one of the highest drops in the history of Nigeria. The administration has made significant progress in improving the health condition of the people of the state through provision of standard health care facilities and making access to healthcare easier. Hence infant and maternal mortality rate as well as incidences of VVF has drastically reduced. There has been a massive upgrade of premier health facilities in various parts of the state. Some of these projects include repairs and total renovations of 19 General Hospitals in the state, repairs of the Maternity Unit of State Specialist Hospital, Sokoto, completion of the second phase of the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, comprising of 47 staff houses, two wards and landscaping. The Government has converted the Amanawa Leprosarium into Infectious Diseases Hospital and the conversion MMSH into a Renal and Cardiac Centre. The government also introduced the Community Contributory Healthcare Scheme with the Governor setting aside N100m as seed fund for the take off. About three million residents, more than half of the state’s population, will benefit from the scheme. The government has released N874.9m as counterpart funding for intervention in health along with Dangote Foundation and Bill/Melinda Gates Foundation. At least over 25 International Development Partners have been attracted to Sokoto to work in the health sector. 213 Doctors and Health Professionals engaged to develop Sokoto State Strategic Health Plan for 2016-2020 in collaboration with RTI/LEAD/USAID. 583 NOMA patients have so far received free plastic surgeries at the state Noma Children Hospital. Over 6,500 epilepsy and psychiatric patients have received free medication from government; and they were drawn from 65 wards in the 23 local government areas of the state. Most im-

Tambuwal portantly, N10 million is being expended monthly to provide free drugs to patients in hospitals and other health facilities in Sokoto. Of course, housing is one of the primary needs of man and Governor Tambuwal is not oblivious of this hence since 2015, 300 Civil Servants have benefitted from Home renovation loan guaranteed by the government, and expended through the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN). Already, Government has completed work at the 500 housing unit Kalambaina Estate. There is another 500 housing unit Kalambaina Estate completed; with another 500 Units of houses at Gidan Man Ada inherited from the previous administration and funds provided for their completion. In an era, where majority of the states are unable to pay workers’ salaries, it is gratifying to note that Tambuwal has created not less than 1000 new millionaires in Sokoto after the payment of retirement benefits to 1907 pensioners. His administration is up to date in the payment of salaries and pensions. Governor Tambuwal has created wealth and empowered youths and women in the state. When some states are downsizing their workforce, Sokoto state has employed 500 new junior and mid-cadre staff into the state civil service. They include drivers, messengers, mechanics and other clerical/administrative officers. In 2016 alone, 19,000 job opportunities were created by the government. They include jobs in the civil service, agricultural sector, mining sector and the introduction of the new Primary Healthcare UnderOne-Roof policy. All health workers in ministries and agencies working in the local gov-

ernment areas have been absorbed into the state Primary healthcare Development Agency. N40,000 is paid to each of the 575 extremely poor beneficiaries under the conditional cash transfer scheme in Illela LGA. N33 million is expended every month by the Zakat and Endowment Committee for the payment of N6,500 monthly stipends to under-privileged members of the society as part of government’s initiative to tackle extreme poverty. N2 billion is set aside by the Government and the Bank of Industry (BoI) as intervention funds for the development of micro, small and medium scale enterprises in the state. In line with this administration’s diversification policy, Sokoto state under Governor Tambuwal is a reference point as in his first year in office, 9,000 tons of fertilizer were bought and sold to farmers at subsidized rate for the 2015 farming season at the cost of N1.2 billion and this has continued up till today. Already, a new Organic Fertiliser Company has been established in Sokoto and production has continued since it was unveiled in earlier this year. For two years running, Sokoto allocated more funds to the agric sector than any state in the country. $250m has been voted for the establishment of a Tomato Processing Factory by Erisco Foods Limited in Sokoto. An MoU has already been signed while land for the project has been handed over to the company by the Government. N1,660 billion has been expended in the provision of water pumps, seedlings, drilling tube wells and other agricultural machineries for farmers. AnotherN1,690 billion for the procurement of 1000

units of Tiller Machines for farmers in the state. The Government has not rested in the war against corruption and as at today, N1.5 billion redundant funds has been recovered by Government from 100 previously unknown accounts in various commercial banks after the introduction of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) payment system. In short, Governor Tambuwal has demystified governance. Described by those who know him closely as a kind hearted and passionate individual, Tambuwal is a committed professional who excels in any given task. In the political stratosphere of today, he has remained his true self. Besides his apparent willingness not to be encumbered by the political exigencies of double-speak, his utterances and actions have been guided by the need to do what is right, and what is in the best interest of the country. The Man, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, lawyer, parliamentarian, administrator, was born on January 10, 1966 in Tambuwal, Sokoto State. He had his early education at the Tambuwal Primary School from 1972 -1979 and Government Teachers College Dogon-Daji where he obtained his Teachers Grade 11 Certificate in 1984. Determined to become a lawyer, young Aminu proceeded to read Law at the Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, graduating in 1991 with an LL.B (Hons). In 1992, after successfully completing his one year mandatory studies at the Nigeria Law School Lagos, he was called to the Nigerian Bar. His charm and vibrant pursuit of an egalitarian society was soon noticed by his colleagues who persuaded him to run for office and he was elected the Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Bar Association, Sokoto in 1997. Subsequently, he was to serve variously as the association’s Assistant National Financial Secretary, 1st National Secretary, and Secretary of the Human Rights Committee, between the years 1998 - 2002. Political Career After working as the Personal Assistant to the then Senate Leader, Senator Abdullahi Wali, Tambuwal ran for the House of Representatives seat for Kebbe/ Tambuwal federal constituency of Sokoto State in 2003 on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and won. In 2004, he became the Minority Leader of the House. His knowledge, charisma and erudition, made him a very efficient leader of the opposition.

Determined to continue rendering qualitative representation to his constituents, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal again contested the National Assembly elections in 2007. Following wide ranging consultations, orchestrated and spearheaded by his Leader Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, Tambuwal recontested, this time on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. He won the seat to represent his constituency from 2007-2011. No longer in the opposition, he was promptly elected the Deputy Chief Whip of the House, bringing his varied legislative experience, vast array of friends in different parties and sound judgment, to bear on the leadership of the House. In 2011, when Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal again stood for and won election to the House of Representatives, he had become one of the most experienced and most regarded members of that hallowed chamber. His integrity, knowledge of procedure and people, and his charming intelligence made him a very popular ranking member of the House. When the time came to elect a Speaker for the House therefore, it was inevitable that he would become the top contender. His nationalistic vision, his leadership by consensus, and his popularity with people across party, religion and ethnic lines, earned him the trust and ultimately the vote of his colleagues to become Speaker of the 7th Assembly of the House of Representatives. Against almost insurmountable odds, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal emerged Speaker in 2011 and ran a clean House, devoid of the controversies, corrupt charges and jostles for power that seemed to have characterised the tenure of his predecessors. Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal is a man of many parts who has been able to distinguish himself in all of them. Some of his other achievements include: Leader of the Nigerian Delegation to African, Caribbean, Pacific and European Union Joint Parliamentary Assembly; Leader of the Federal Government team to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding the controversial denial of visas to Nigerian female pilgrims; Member, International Bar Association, Member, Nigerian bar Association; Member, National Executive Committee Nigerian Bar Association; he has attended courses in Kennedy School of Government, Harvard, USA; Oxford University; Stanford Graduate School of Business, and Tulane University, both in the USA.

Daily Times 2017 Award Winners

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 6, 2018

Life Achievement Award: Bola Tinubu Ï A colossus politician of repute ÏÏÏ Nigeria

is a country where heroes are scarce and visionary leadership is even more rare. However, Nigeria can still take pride in one leader who has demonstrated rare courage and commitment to justice. One who has made personal sacrifices to advance the common good, and who remains unrelenting in the search for good and responsible governance. That leader is Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, a two-term former Lagos State Governor and the national leader of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Tinubu is that rare leader who combines practical political acumen, strategic vision and moral principles. When the history of the first score years of the 21st century in Nigeria is written, it will state that Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s rare courage and foresight in guiding his party abolished the determined efforts of the then ruling party to turn Nigeria into a one party state. More than any person since the return of civilian rule in 1999, Tinubu’s actions in maintaining his political party and helped salvage multiparty electoral democracy in Nigeria. With this contribution alone, he has helped his nation keep to the path leading toward good governance, human rights and prosperity for all. While Nigeria still has far to go to reach these objectives, it would have turned toward a less just and democratic without Bola Tinubu. In a political culture where most members of the political class gravitate towards the ruling party to ease the path towards fulfilment of personal ambition or for pecuniary reward, Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s resilience and steadfastness in giving inspirational leadership to the APC is remarkable. It is a testimony to the depth of the convictions that have motivated and sustained him in politics over the last two and a half decades. One of Nigeria’s leading national newspapers in a published piece described him as Nigeria’s Political Samurai. “…By his focus and determination, Senator Bola Tinubu, has over the years carved out a distinctive personage for himself in politics. With a towering political stature, former Lagos State Governor and one of the national leaders of the former Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), now the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) party, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, isn’t just a household name; he is an authority in the artery of the nation’s

Tinubu body politics. He may have attained his enviable status through consistent ideological standing; it is certainly a journey of many years of struggle and the grit for change”. As each day passes by, Tinubu thinks new strategy, options and style in both politics and governance. He envisions and muses with deep reflection, the Nigerian problems as well as the best approach possible. He knows politics much as he understands the game of power…” Indeed, Tinubu’s democratic footprints go beyond Nigeria; it spawns the continent, especially in the immediate West Africa Sub-Region where he has helped sustain democracy and popular participation. The virtues of courage, determination, commitment, vision, focus and strong sense of purpose that have characterised Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s politics drove his emergence as one of the country’s most successful governors after Nigeria’s return to democratic governance 13 years ago. His stewardship of Lagos State for 8 years remains a reference for good governance in Nigeria and across the region. A first class financial strategist, Bola Tinubu, overhauled and reformed government and revenue collection in the state, tak-

ing Lagos from a yearly Internally Generated Revenue of N14.64 billion in 1999 to N60.31 billion in 2006. By March 2007, the state had achieved monthly Internally Generated Revenue of N8.2 billion. His innovations laid the groundwork necessary for Lagos to have the revenue to improve the state and modernize living conditions of all of its inhabitants. An irrepressible fighter for democracy and protection of civil liberties, Bola Tinubu endured political persecution, including numerous arrests and detentions, harassment, constant threats to his life and years in political exile. Despite the wrongs done to him he never has sought retribution. He has forgiven those who did injustice to him. Instead he has chosen to focus on the future by building a democratic and peaceful nation. Leadership newspapers, one of Nigeria’s national dailies, said it best when it conferred on its “Person of the Year” on him in 2011: “Out of the socio-economic and political fog that 2010 represented, at least three great themes emerged: the struggle between the search for democratic legitimacy and subsisting electoral injustices; the tenacious resolve of courageous characters who dared hypocritical

authority to prove points of principle; and a pervasive sense of self-doubt as the nation marked its 50th anniversary of independence.” “Within this context, the year spawned a welter of heroes and villains from various arenas of human endeavour. But while some forces remained apostles of socio-political stagnation and retrogression, others represented untiring catalysts for progressive change. It is from this puzzling canvass that we must make our choices as to which personality impacted Nigeria most, for good or bad, in recent times. As it were, justice still remains the country’s most powerful idea, but the struggle is far from over. After almost 12 years of unbroken democracy, impunity at various levels of governance remains a defining feature of our national life. The successful reversal of some of the subsisting injustices, within the period of this assessment, through the influence of some courageous individuals, in the face of dangers to life and limb, sets Bola Ahmed Tinubu apart as a leader of note. Through his tenacity and uncommon focus in guiding the reversal of electoral impunity across a wide swath of the nation’s political landscape, he reaffirmed the enduring fact

that, indeed, justice is the first condition of democracy.” Tinubu remains Nigeria’s most relentless fighter for democracy, justice and the rule of law. No history of modern Nigeria can be complete without giving due regard to his contributions to safeguarding the democratic aspersions of an entire nation and its people, regardless of creed and ethnic background, at a time when those aspirations were deeply threatened. Today, he remains the most vociferous voice in the call for Nigeria to return to the path of true federalism and for him, the star prize is the enthronement of fiscal federalism that will give governors and Chairmen fully funded mandates and accelerate grassroots development. One of Nigeria’s leading daily newspapers, ThisDay, in 2013 selected Bola Tinubu as its “Man of The Year”. The paper described him as the man who rebuilt Nigerian Opposition. In the words of the Newspaper, Tinubu “from the scratch he built the Action Congress of Nigeria to a formidable political party that within a short time became the major opposition party in Nigeria. He deployed his resources, energy, and political acumen to give the ruling party a fight in the political space”. The altering of Nigeria’s political landscape and balance of power that occurred in November 2013 had Tinubu’s imprimatur all over it. The political merger that produced the All Progressives Congress is Nigeria’s first and Tinubu was its chief architect. Thanks to Bola Tinubu’s untiring political maneuvers and nationalistic approach to politics, Nigeria is now a 2-party state presenting Nigerians with clear choices. This is in tandem with his tradition of selfless sacrifice, political foresight and unequalled commitment to progressive and people oriented politics. Bola Tinubu has served the cause of humanity and expanded the frontiers of freedom and democracy in Nigeria and the African Continent. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is one of Nigeria’s foremost nationalists and champions of federalism. He is one of the few leaders and champions of democracy with the potential and experience to take Nigeria to the next level. Tinubu was not in Lagos on March 29, 1952. He is married to Senator Oluremi Tinubu while the couple are blessed with children.

Graduated 1979 Sumna cum laude (with First Class Honours) in Business Administration (Accounting and Management) with cumulative weighted average point of 3.54 out of a maximum 4 points) from Chicago State University, Illinois, USA. Chicago State University Dean’s List (throughout his stay at the university). He received Outstanding Student’s Award and Certificate of Merit in Accounting and Finance He was the President, Chicago State University Accounting Society, in his final year in 1979. He worked with Arthur Anderson, Delliotte, Haskins and Sells (now Delliotte and Touche). He also worked at Mobil Producing Nigeria as Senior Auditor and Company Treasurer. He joined politics in 1989 and elected as Senator on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in 1992. He later joined the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) in opposition to the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, which SDP candidate, the late Basorun Moshood Abiola won. He was elected as Lagos State Governor in 1999, and served two terms till 2007. As Lagos State governor, Tinubu carried out educational reforms, under which mission schools were returned to their original owners, after decades of government takeover. The Christian mission schools handed back were CMS Grammar School, Bariga, Lagos, St. Finbarr’s College, Akoka, Yaba, Igbobi College, Yaba, Aunty Ayo Girls High School, Keffi, Ikoyi, Lagos, Maryland Comprehensive High School, Ikeja, Lagos, Howells Memorial Grammar School, Lagos, Methodist Boys High School, Lagos, Methodist Girls High School, Yaba, Lagos, Our Lady of Apostles Girls School (Primary and Secondary), Yaba, Reagan Memorial Baptist Girls Secondary School, Yaba, Baptist Academy, Shepherd Hill, Obanikoro, Lagos, St. Gregory’s College, Obalende, Lagos, Holy Child College, Obalende, Lagos, Agbowa Ikosi Baptist Grammar School, Agbowa-Ikosi, African Church College, Ifako, Lagos, Aladura Comprehensive High School, Lagos, Apostolic Church Grammar School, Orisigun, Ketu, Lagos, African Church Grammar School, Lagos, Eva Adelaja School, Gbagada, Lagos.

Daily Times 2017 Award Winners

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, January 6, 2018

Lifetime Achievement Award

Aliko Dangote

Ï A business mogul with passion for jobs creation

ÏÏÏ

Alhaji Aliko Dangote, a northerner, precisely from Kano State, was born on April 10, 1957 into a wealthy Muslim family. Aliko Dangote is the founder and president/chief executive of the Dangote Group, the largest conglomerate in West Africa. His eyes for business started right from when he was young as he recalled: “I can remember when I was in primary school, I would go and buy cartons of sweets (sugar boxes) and I would start selling them just to make money. I was so interested in business, even at that time.” He studied business from the Al Azhar University, Cairo in Egypt and thereafter returned to Nigeria to work with his uncle, Sanusi Abdulkadir Dantata. His uncle later provided him a loan of 500,000 when he was just 21 years old to start a business. The Dangote Group, which started as a small trading firm, was established in 1977. Today, it is a multi-trillion naira conglomerate with many of its operations in Benin, Ghana, Nigeria, and Togo. At present, Dangote has enlarged his line of businesses to also cover food processing, cement manufacturing and freight. The Dangote Group also dominates the sugar market in Nigeria and is a major sugar supplier to the country’s soft drink companies, breweries, and confection-

Dangote ers. The Dangote Group has also moved from being a trading company to being the largest industrial group in Nigeria and these include: Dangote Sugar Refinery, Dangote Cement, and Dangote Flour just to mention but a few.

In July 2012, Dangote approached the Nigerian Ports Authority with the idea of leasing an abandoned piece of land at the Apapa Port, which was welcomed and approved. He later went to build facilities for his flour company there. So also in the 90’s,

he approached the Central Bank of Nigeria with the idea that it would be cheaper for the bank to allow his transport company to manage their fleet of staff buses which was also approved. In Nigeria as of today, Dangote Group with its dominance in the sugar market and Sugar Refinery is the main supplier (70% of the market) to the country’s soft drinks companies, breweries and confectioners. It is indeed, the largest refinery in Africa and the third largest in the world producing 800,000 tonnes of sugar annually. Apart from these, Dangote Group owns salt factories and flour mills and also being a major importer of rice, fish, pasta, cement and fertilizer. It is instructive to note that Dangote Group currently has presence in 17 African countries and is a market leader in cement on the continent. One of the Group’s subsidiaries, Dangote Cement Plc, is the largest listed company in West Africa and the first Nigerian company to join the Forbes Global 2000 Companies list. The Group has diversified into other sectors of the Nigerian economy including agriculture and is currently constructing the largest petroleum refinery, petrochemical plant and fertiliser complex in Africa. Internationally, Dangote sits on

the board of the Corporate Council on Africa, and is a member of the Steering Committee of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Global Education First Initiative, the Clinton Global Initiative, the McKinsey Advisory Council, and the International Business Council of the World Economic Forum. He was named Co-chair of the US-Africa Business Centre in September 2016 by the US Chamber of Commerce. In April 2017, he joined the Board of Directors of the Clinton Health Access Initiative, which is helping countries build the systems necessary to provide health services to their people. A dedicated philanthropist, Dangote made an initial endowment of $1.25billion to the Dangote Foundation in March 2014, enabling it to scale up its work in health, education and economic empowerment. In addition, he is collaborating with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to fight polio. He is also on the Board of ONE, the anti-poverty group, co-founded by Bono. In 2013, Forbes listed him as the ‘Most Powerful Man in Africa.’ In April 2014, TIME Magazine listed him among its 100 ‘Most Influential People in the World.’ He also made the list of CNBC’s ‘Top 25 Business men in the World’ that changed and shaped the century.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Leo Stan Ekeh

Ï A computer guru with a difference ÏÏÏ

Whenever anyone talks of technology in Nigeria, the name Chief Leo Stan Ekeh must be mentioned. Born on February 22, 1956 in Ubomiri, Mbaitoli in Imo State, Ekeh is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the wellknown indigenous firm, Zinox Technologies Limited, makers of personal computers. The technology guru surprisingly does not have a technology background as he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Panjan University in India and a postgraduate degree in Risk Management from Nottingham University in England. Ekeh began his journey in the technology business when he set up Task Systems Limited which was a pioneer in desktop publishing and computer graphics

in Nigeria. The company was so successful that it is to his credit the computerisation of a high percentage of print media in Nigeria. The astute businessman also founded other companies including ITEC Solutions Limited and Technology Distribution Limited. He then set up Zinox Technologies Limited in October 2001 to produce locally made computers. Always pioneering, his computers were the first Nigerian made computers certified internationally. Zinox was the first computer manufacturer in West Africa to attain the WHQL certification and the ISO 9001: 2000 certification. In October 2013, Zinox Technologies unveiled their first tablet computer called Zipad produced locally at a media conference at the company’s headquarters in Lagos. The company is the

leading computer manufacturing company in Nigeria and is patronised heavily by the Nigerian government especially during elections. Ekeh through his company, Zinox Technologies, has given back to the society in several ways. One of which is the Computerize Nigeria Project which was launched on August 5, 2000. The goal of the project was to sensitise and encourage development in the use of computers by Nigerians. Another such project is the CANi Scheme which was set up to provide quality desktop and laptop computers to the Nigerian populace at below normal market prices with the option of bank financing and a 24 month repayment period. The testimonial of Ekeh’s business genius can be seen in the numerous awards won by both him and his company. They include but are not limited to: Zinox computers as ICT Company

of the Year at the Thisday Awards for Excellence in 2007, Computer Brand of the Year in 2006 at the Nigerian Information Technology and Telecom Awards, 4 doctorate degrees from reputable universities, etc. Ekeh was conferred with the honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) of Nigeria by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2004 and is also a board member of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group. Ekeh also serves as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Zinox Technologies Ltd and Buyright Africa Dotcom Limited. He founded TaskDirect Limited in 1987. Chief Leo Stan Ekeh as a first rate Indian trained economist and risk Manager, was honoured as an ICON of Hope by President Olusegun Obasanjo October 1, 2002 for his sustained pioneering effort in the area of information

Ekeh technology and also as a pride to modern Nigeria. He attended Holy Ghost College, Owerri in Imo State for his secondary education. As a young man, he wanted to own the biggest transport company in Nigeria. He later went to India for his university education, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Punjab

University. Ekeh believes that studying in India was “a great turning point in my life because I found the economy of India a realistic economy”. After his university education in India, Ekeh opted to study at the Cork City University, Ireland, and later transferred to Nottingham University, United Kingdom, earning a degree in Risk Management.