DTN-6-4-19

Looted funds: Malami canvasses 2.5 per cent commission for recoveries Says all recoveries of stolen assets deposited at FG treasury

Andrew Orolua, Abuja The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) has made a passionate

Presidency, NJC, S’Court keep mum over Onnoghen’s resignation https://plus.google.com/+DailytimesNgr/posts

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appeal to the House of Representatives Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to approve 2.5 per cent for the Ministry as requisite commission from recoveries arising Continued on page 3

SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 2019

VOL. 3

NO. 916

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Suspended CJN’s lawyer, Awomolo confirms resignation Finally, Buhari has been vindicated – APC

Andrew Orolua, Doosuur Iwambe, Tom Okpe, Abuja The Presidency, National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Supreme Court where the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, (CJN) is the head on Friday kept silence over the resignation of Justice Walter Onnoghen from his position as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and Justice of the apex court.

However, Onnoghen’s lawyer, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), confirmed that he spoke with Onnoghen and he personally confirmed to him that he resigned on Thursday.

However, some very senior lawyers

on Friday welcomed Justice Onnoghen’s resignation, describing it as a relief for the Nigerian Judiciary that has been without a substantive head in the last four months amidst controversies of corrupt practices.

Onnoghen resignation is in compliance with the recommendation and report of the National Judicial Council (NJC) which on Wednesday forwarded its recommendations and findings on the petition written by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Justice Onnoghen to the President.

Although, the recommendation has not been officially made public, The Daily CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

National Security: IGP launches ‘Operation Puff g 5 Adder’

Drug abuse: Lagos tops list followed by Ogun, Kano g 5

Fidelity Bank creates 60 g 15 millionaires in savings promo

NAPTIP arrests 7 human trafficking Why I kept my relationship off suspects g 9 social media - Grace Amah g11

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, April 6, 2019

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, April 6, 2019

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Presidency, NJC, S’Court keep mum...

Continued from page 1

Times gathered that NJC had recommended the compulsory retirement of the Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Walter Onnoghen, based on “incontrovertible” findings on him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

It asked President Muhammadu Buhari to give effect to the recommendation immediately.

But the NJC urged the President to allow Justice Onnoghen retain his seat as a former CJN in the Council of State.

The council also said the CJN should be retired with full benefits.

Source closed to the meeting said: “The NJC has been able to navigate the most challenging moment for the nation’s judiciary by recommending compulsory retirement of Onnoghen with full benefits.

“The NJC specifically demanded that the CJN be allowed to take his eminent position in the Council of State like his predecessors.

“If these recommendations are accepted, the Executive may be on the same page with the Judiciary by staying action on the ongoing trial and other pending trials of the CJN.” The NJC may have adopted a “win-win approach” to ensure that the Executive and the Judiciary are on the same page.”

Another source familiar with how the NJC arrived at its decision said the “EFCC’s report on Justice Onnoghen was damning and incontrovertible”.

The anti-graft agency accused the CJN of “being in possession of funds which are fairly not attributable to his known, provable and legitimate source of income”.

The opening of a dollar account in Standard Chartered Bank for the CJN by a lawyer, Joe Agi, with $30,000 was said to be unhealthy.

The EFCC had accused Justice Onnoghen of being unable to account for curious deposits in his accounts.

The anti-graft commission alleged that deposits had accumulated

to $1,716, 000.

The amounts in the said account were deposited as follows: $74,200 (2009); $291,800 (2010); $340,000 (2011); $625,000 (2012); $298,000 (2013); $40,000 (2015) and $47,000 (2016).

The total was $1,716,000.

The agency also accused Justice Onnoghen of depositing $1,716,000 in a United States dollar account operated with the Standard Chartered Bank in 2009, marked as exhibit P4 C, between 2009 and 2016.

The petition said: “From the evidence on record, it is clear that the Respondent failed to declare all the accounts and funds in exhibit P4P4D when he declared his 2014 asset in November 2016.

Your lordship will observe that the Respondent only declared his salary account with the Union Bank exhibit P3 and failed to declare P4-P4D, which are the accounts that warehoused funds that are far above the Respondent’s known and provable lawful income.

“The evidence shows that my lord earned a monthly salary in the sum of N750, 819.87, which is about N9, 000,000.00 per annum. My lords, as shown in exhibit P10A page 14 paragraph XXVI, the Respondent only earned the sum of N91, 962,362.49 as salary between September 2005 and October 2016”.

The presidency has yet to confirm the receipt of a letter of resignation by the suspended Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Walter Onnoghen.

But Federal Government owned News Agency reliably gathered that Onnoghen’s resignation letter was submitted to the Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari, by some Justices of the apex court.

The Justices, who submitted the letter, arrived at the Presidential Villa a few minutes after President Muhammadu Buhari had left Abuja for Jordan to participate in the World Economic Forum on Thursday.

President Buhari had, before his departure, received the National Judicial Council’s recommendations on the petition written against Onnoghen and the acting CJN, Justice Tanko

Muhammad.

The report was submitted to the president by his Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari, who was accompanied by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, at about 2:20 p.m.

Meanwhile, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), the lead lawyer to the embattled Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, has confirmed the resignation of his client.

Onnoghen’s resignation is coming less than four months after he was charged with nondeclaration of assets which some government critics said was politically motivated.

Confirming the development on Friday, Awomolo said: “Yes, he resigned yesterday. I have just spoken with him.

He confirmed to me that he resigned voluntarily yesterday (Thursday)’’.

The senior advocate however added that he did not have Onnoghen’s authorisation to speak on the issue.

In the meantime, reactions are already trailing the resignation of the embattled Onnoghen.

Reacting to the development to our correspondent, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ahmed Raji said it is a welcome development that will not only save the image of the judiciary but of the country as a whole. ‘’While I commend the former CJN for the bold decision, I most sincerely plead with the President to accept the resignation in the interest of all.

My humble appeal also goes to the amiable Vice President in this regard being highest political office holder with a sound legal mind. All pending cases before any court or Tribunal in connection with the ex-CJN should abate as well’’, he said.

On his part, an Abuja based lawyer, Barrister Enyi Chukwu, said that his resignation was long overdue.

According to him, the evidence against Onnoghen were too overwhelming and that he would have honourably resigned rather than allow the development to get out of control.

Continued on page 6

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PHOTO TIMES

President Buhari arrives Amman., Jordan to take Part in the Annual Middle East and North Africa Conference (World Economic Conference #Mena19).

L-R: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, during a courtesy visit to Osinbajo in Aso Rock...on Friday.

L-R: Managing Director of Spring Fountain Limited, Mr. Tunde Fagbemi; Director General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Muhtar Shaibu Usman and Group’s Chief Executive, Aviation Training and Consulting Outfit, Engr. Babatunde Obadofin, during the 2019 Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) Stakeholders forum in Lagos...on Friday.

Photo: Bolaji Olasunkanmi

L-R: Sister of N1 million winner, Blessing Onyekachi Cyril; Head, Strategy & Business Transformation, Fidelity Bank Plc, Adetunji Mustapha; Account Officer to N1 million winner & Fidelity Bank Staff, Alice Eremosele; N1 million winner, Chima Esther Chinyere; Divisional Head, Retail Banking, Fidelity Bank Plc, Richard Madiebo at the 5th Monthly Prize Presentation ceremony of the Get Alert In Millions Season 3 (GAIM Season 3) held at the Bank’s Computer Village Branch in Ikeja, Lagos ...on Wednesday.

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, April 6, 2019

Andrew Orolua, Abuja

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National Security: IGP launches ‘Operation Puff Adder’ Re-assures citizens of safety

Doosuur Iwambe, Abuja As part of measures aimed at curbing the excesses of criminal elements hell-bent on threatening internal security across the country; the Acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has launched a robust security action plan tagged: “Operation Puff Adder”.

In a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba and made available to The Daily Times on Friday, the IGP stated that the operation will be carried out in collaboration with the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Department of State Services (DSS).

According to the statement, the exercise is tailored towards ridding the country, especially the Kaduna – Abuja Expressway, Kogi, Katsina, Niger and Zamfara states of all forms of crimes and criminality.

During the launching which took place at Katari Bishin District, Abuja – Kaduna Expressway, the IGP declared that no police agency anywhere in the world, no matter how well-trained, equipped or motivated can solely achieve its community security and safety mandate without the support from

IGP Adamu

the community.

Adamu called for the full support and cooperation of the civil populace, particularly, traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth associations, market bodies, cultural associations and professionals among others in the fight against criminals especially kidnappers, armed robbers, cattle rustlers amongst others.

The police boss also made a special appeal to drivers, commuters and

indeed, all citizens that may come in contact with police officers deployed for the operation to cooperate with them and show understanding in the interest of public safety.

He further sounded a note of warning to persons who engage in criminal activities, especially along the Abuja – Kaduna Expressway to give-up their nefarious activities and embrace other legitimate means of livelihood or be prepared to face the full consequences of their actions.

Drug abuse: Lagos tops list followed by Ogun, Kano Ukpono Ukpong, Abuja Lagos State has been named as the leader on the list of states with high rate of drug abuse.

The Commander, National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kano State made the disclosure on Friday when the Presidential Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Drug Abuse (PACEDA) paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman of Fagge Local Government Area, Alhaji Shehi Abdullahi.

He revealed that Lagos State has now taken over as the number one followed by Ogun, then Kano State.

While noting that the rate of drug abuse has been reduced in Kano from three per cent to one per cent according to a recent report, he noted that the success was recorded in the last few months after his resumption as the new Commander of the agency in the state.

“Since I resumed office, we inaugurated a special operation team tagged ‘Operation Sharar Miyagu’

aimed at checking drug abuse in Kano State.

“With this effort, we have realised that the drug peddlers are the suppliers of fake drugs, which we are also doing everything possible to tackle it.

“We have arrested so many fake drug dealers in Sabon Gari area of the metropolis,’’ Abdul said.

Abdul explained that the cases of drug abuse and the supply of such drugs have reduced following the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari in the fight against the menace in Kano and other parts of the country.

In his remark, the Committee Chairman, retired Brig-Gen Buba Marwa said the fight against drug abuse is a great challenge to President Buhari, adding that this gave him the courage to set up the committee.

According to him, the responsibilities of the advisory committee is to find the major causes of drug abuse from the grassroots and also suggest for solutions to the problems.

Marwa expressed confidence that the President would take

serious actions on the report and its suggestions, adding that the committee will tell the President the suggestions of the public.

“One of our targets is to ensure the drastic reduction of the drugs supply into the country, which I believe this will contribute to the end of its abuse.

“We are ready to suggest for a serious punishment to the drug dealers and suppliers if found guilty, therefore, we need the support of the Religious, Community, and Traditional Leaders,’’ he stated.

Marwa added that the provision of more rehabilitation centres where the drug users would be rehabilitated and trained on skill acquisition programme will help in reducing the illicit drugs use.

He said one of the major challenges in fight against drug abuse is the issue of arrest by the NDLEA and release by the court.

He called for the amendment of law that established the agency to enable them arrest and prosecute the criminals without any hitches in judicial processes.

5 News

Armed bandits kill 50 civilian JTF, others in Zamfara Doosuur Iwambe, Abuja At least 50 people including members of Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) have been reportedly killed by bandits in Zamfara State.

Confirming the development during a condolence visit to Kaura Namoda emirate, the Speaker of the Zamfara State House Assembly, Alhaji Sanusi Rikiji, attributed the incidence to CJTF confrontation with bandits in a community in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of the state.

The Speaker, who led the state government delegation on the visit, decried the worsening security situation in the state.

“We were told that the members of Civilian JTF had mobilised people from Sakajiki community in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area and confronted the bandits in the forest which led to the killing of over 50 persons including members of CJTF,” he said.

Rikiji, who is the Chairman of the State Government Relief and Damage Assessment Committee, described the act of the CJTF as unprofessional, saying “confronting the bandits is not the duty of CJTF members.

“Their duty is to support security personnel to carryout operations not to lead operations; only security

agents have the right to organise operation to confront bandits,” he added.

He urged traditional rulers in the state to caution CJTF members in their respective domain to avoid taking laws into their hands.

“This is the directive from Governor Abdul’aziz Yari that CJTF members should not confront bandits again; let them cooperate with the security personnel.

“We have already received the list of the number of the deceased and other affected victims from the local government Chairman aimed at assisting them.

“The state government would provide assistance to the families of the deceased and other victims of the incident very soon,” he added.

In his response, the Emir of Kaura Namoda, Alhaji Muhammad Asha, thanked the state government for the gesture and assured of his palace’s continued support and cooperation with government to address the problem.

He said the emirate had embarked on special prayers to seek Allah’s intervention over the security challenges in the state.

“We have already mobilised our Imams of Jumu’at Mosque and Ulamas to offer special prayers in this regard during Jumu’at prayers,” the emir said.

Delta APC crises: Another Asaba Court again annuls Omo-Agege, Ogboru, others candidacies Nosa Akenzua, Asaba Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State, on Thursday, in a landmark judgement, again nullified the candidature of Great Ogboru as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and reaffirmed the earlier judgment of Justice Toyin Adegoke of Federal High Court Asaba which nullified the candidacy of the embattled APC Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and other candidates from the sacked Jone Erue factional executive.

Justice Dimgba while delivering his judgement in a suit marked FHC/ ABJ/CS/1085/ 2018, filed by Barrister Victor Ochei, former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, and APC governorship aspirant, nullified the party’s governorship primaries held on September 30, 2018 over acts of illegality.

Ochei, had through his counsel, Ahmed Rahi (SAN), prayed the court to declare that the APC governorship primary election that held on September 30, 2018, was illegal on the grounds that unknown delegates were used for the exercise.

Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Dimgba ordered the cancellation of the APC governorship primaries that produced Chief Great Ogboru, and granted four of the five reliefs sought by the plaintiff.

He said four of the five reliefs sought by the plaintiff succeed while relief 4 was not granted due to the effusion of time.

He said: “All the reliefs sought in this suit are similar with those for

which Justice Adegoke pronounced judgement on, so reliefs 1,2,3,5 hereby granted. However, relief 4 is refused because the governorship election is over and the relief is spent.”

In arriving at the judgement, Justice Dimgba said the Federal High Court has one jurisdiction and as such cannot be seen giving discordant judgement, adding that “having considered the decisions reached by the Federal High Court in the case of Cyril Ogodo, which has similar reliefs, and the fact that some of the defendants in this suit are the same, the court has decided to follow the decisions arrived at in the Ogodo case”.

Recall that Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Warri while striking out a suit filed by Olorogun O’tega Emerhor and Ima Niboro which sought to declare them as the APC candidates for the Delta Central Senatorial and Ughelli/ Udu federal constituency election, also referred to Justice Adogoke’s judgement on issue of the rightful candidate of the party, preferring to take lead from the earlier judgment of an Asaba Federal High Court.

Giving a legal Interpretation of the Warri judgement, the counsel to Emerhor, George Igbokwe (SAN), said the judge’s decision simply meant that the earlier judgment by the Federal High Court in Asaba, which decided the matter of the authenticity of the executives of the party in the state and already upheld the candidacies of Emerhor and others, was sufficient and override the need for the reliefs being sought

by Emerhor and Niboro in the Warri suit.

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Adamawa to set up Special Court to try rape cases The Adamawa State Government is to set up a Special Court to handle the growing cases of rape and sexual assault in the state.

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Bala Sanga, made this known Friday in Gombi town while inaugurating Gombi High Court Complex.

The complex was rehabilitated under the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) programme, funded by European Union (EU) through British Council.

Sanga said the court, coming up few weeks’ time, became necessary to address the disturbing raising rape incidents in the state.

The commissioner said there was a Sexual Assault Referral Centre in the state, set up with support from EU and British Council, to attend to victims of rape.

The Attorney-General said the victims would be given necessary support, including gathering evidence to prosecute suspected rapists.

He said report from the centre was disturbing and expressed concern old women, children and even men had become victims of rapists.

“Statistics coming out are

mind boggling; old women of 70 to 80 years were being raped!

“Babies of two to three years, and even men are being raped and the figures are staggering and unbelievable!

“It is, therefore, necessary that we take whatever remedial action to contain it,” Sanga said.

The attorney-general, who observed that there must be an underlying social problem, particularly drug abuse that promoted such bestial behaviour, said government was also committed to look into that.

According to him, more courts will be established as the need arises, to ensure speedy dispensation of Justice.

The commissioner lauded EU and British Council for their support to the reforms in the judicial sector in the state and assured them of sustained support and cooperation from the state government.

Sanga also lauded the state Chief Judge, Ishaya Banu, for his commitment and support to the ongoing reforms in the judiciary.

The Coordinator of RoLAC in the state, Hapsatu Abdullahi, said the RoLAC

Gov Bindow programme in the state had four components, comprising implementation of Nigerian Criminal Justice Reform agenda.

Others, she said, were: access to justice for women, children and persons with disabilities and strengthening the fight against corruption.

According to her, the component also include enhancement of citizens’ civic and public engagement in criminal justice sector reforms and the fight against corruption.

Banu also lauded the management of RoLAC programme and urged them

to sustain the good work in boosting the capacity of the personnel of the judiciary in the state.

He commended Governor Muhammadu Bindowled administration for its support to the judiciary, adding that in spite of its lean purse, the administration had been addressing the demands of the judicial sector.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that another highpoint of the occasion was the formal introduction of the wouldbe president of the proposed court, Justice Fatima Tafida, by the Chief Judge.

Presidency, NJC, S’Court keep mum...

Continued from page 1

“The image of the Judiciary is very bad and is the likes of people like Onnoghen that made is bad. This is the same person that passed a verdict during Bukola Saraki assets declaration trial that it is only the CCT that has power to prosecute assets declaration cases. When it was his turn, he was running from pillar to post.

In as much as I commend his decision to bow to pressure by tendering his resignation, mechanism should be put in place to fish out the remaining bad eggs in our Justice system’’, he added.

For the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mallam Issah Onilu, President Muhammadu Buhari has been vindicated of whatever insinuation that has generated over Justice Onnoghen saga.

Reacting to the development at the party secretariat on Friday, Mallam Onilu said: “The

issue we have in this country is that people; especially those who have been part of the impunity of the past are struggling badly to adjust to the reality of rule of law.

“We know from the beginning that what the immediate past CJN Onnoghen did, that is if his resignation letter is accepted; were too serious and we know that the President does not act on frivolities, he must have done his background checks, he must have gotten good information to have taken the action he took and not just taking that action, that there was basis for the action that can be legally proven and those lawyers, socalled Senior Advocate of Nigeria who had over the years dipped their hands along with some of these judicial officers, in disdain of this country, continued to lampoon the President, lampoon the APC, blaming this government of doing its best to right several wrongs that we have been

used to”.

The party spokesman pointed that politicians were actually killing democracy and the APC rose in defence of the President because the party is aware of the fact that the President meant well for the country.

“Now, events have proven the President right. Events have proven the party, APC right.

Events have proven those Nigerians who believe Nigeria first and any other thing after; have been proven right.

“We all can only be hiding behind one finger, otherwise we know Nigerians, reasonable Nigerians know from the beginning that those allegations were not cooked up and if they were real, the next thing for the CJN to have done was to have stepped aside and the question of, he wouldn’t be the only one, why him; there is nowhere in the world where judgment is passed on every sinner at once.

“It is not every armed robber you can catch the same day. And even some you know, the law of justice may not catch up with them immediately but we must continue to see evidence that we are moving towards that sanity and that we are making progressive efforts, sending strong signals to people who think this country must continue as long as they are comfortable and the rest of Nigerians are suffering. We must send that signal to them. It is not going to be business as usual.

“You have seen the Senate President in the dock, the CJN and one day, we might see a President that misbehaves in the same dock which now shows that nobody is above the law of this country. We are all equal before the law. So, anybody who finds himself in any position should begin to look closely at his own actions knowing that today may protect him but tomorrow may expose him”, he said.

...Malami canvasses 2.5 per cent commission for recoveries Continued from page 1

from stolen assets stashed abroad.

Malami made the call during the Budget Defence before the House of Representatives Committee at National Assembly on Thursday.

He said the ministry is proposing “that 2.5% should be earmarked as requisite commission from recoveries arising from stolen assets stashed abroad.”

“Most times, we have had to use our lean resources to fund these recoveries without requisite commission. I would like to affirm that so far, all recoveries of stolen assets were promptly deposited at Federal Government Treasury,” he stated.

The Minister also presented the 2019 budget proposal of the sum of N7,431,288,232 only, to the Committee which he said would cover a broad spectrum of expenditure items ranging from personnel cost, overhead, legal services and capital for 2019 fiscal year.

Referring to the 2018 budget, Malami explained that the ministry kept faith with all the expenditure items as appropriated with vehemence, and promised to do even more so in 2019 if the Committee grants the request.

Furthermore, the AGF disclosed that the rule of law is the major pillar of democratic enterprise as well as an economic enabler, adding that the quest for economic resurgence, and industrialisation can only be spurred by unhindered administration of justice, equity and fair play. ‘’The challenge of bridging funding gaps keeps resonating in our operations.

This is as dangerous as it is disturbing because you cannot compromise the rule of law in whatever guise because of funding inadequacy,” he emphasised.

The minister explained that Nigeria is obligated to several international protocols, treaties and conventions which most times funding them are tasking, and there is the need to reverse the trend if the country

Malami

is to live up to its purposes.

He emphasised that in 2017, the sum of N10 billion was released for payments of judgement debt as appropriated and in 2018 there was no appropriation in this regard, and judgement debt keep mounting and beneficiaries of these debt are getting agitated.

The Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Dayo Apata, in his response to the committee, explained that the money mapped out for monitoring and evaluation would enable the ministry carry out periodic checks in the nine zonal offices across the country so as to ensure that the policy is being taken care of in the proper perspective.

Speaking on judgment debt, one of the committee members, Rep. Ayorinde Olabode noted the importance of the ministry and advised Malami to forward the complaints to the Federal Ministry of Budget and Planning so as to include, a certain amount, like ten billion naira for instance to be part of the budget proposal.

He opined that “the rule of law will not be complete if there is judgment of court not to be obeyed by the ministry, what is the rule of law then? So if there is a judgment of court and the ministry has no money to carry out the judgment, then the rule of law is not complete.

“So, I will think that if this budget before us is completed, the ministry should work with budget office and something specific should be provided in the budget, rather than asking the committee to take them from you, otherwise it will amount to budget padding and we will not like to be accused of padding budget again.”

He also commended the ministry for generating over N32 million far above other revenue generating agencies.

On her part, Onyemaechi Mrakpor representing Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency of Delta state advised that budget proposal should be self-explanatory especially when it comes under monitoring and evaluation.

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Alleged N197bn fraud: Court to rule Short News Foundation graduates 35 fellows on on Akingbola’s objection April 18 Onaiyekan inter-religious dialogue, mediation A Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday adjourned until April 18, a ruling in the N179 billion fraud trial of a former Managing Director of the defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc, Dr. Erastus Akingbola.

Counsel to Akingbola, Mr. Wole Olanipekun (SAN) had at the resumed trial, opposed the prosecution’s intention to substitute one of its witnesses.

He also contended the admissibility of certain documents from Access Bank sought to be tendered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) through the said witness.

Akingbola was re-arraigned by the EFCC in March on an amended 22-count charge bordering on money laundering and was accused of using N179 billion belonging to the defunct Intercontinental Bank for fictitious transactions.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun.

On Friday, EFCC called its third witness, Mr. Uyoyou Ewhe, an Access Bank official. It sought to tender through him, statements of certain accounts opened in Access Bank.

EFCC counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), told the court that he settled for Ewhe to

tender the documents because the intended witness had left the bank and was no longer in the country.

Citing the case of Enahoro and the Queen, 1965, Olanipekun objected to the substitution, stating that the prosecution could not within the law, substitute a witness.

“You cannot substitute a witness in a criminal proceeding; substituting a witness amounts to sourcing for evidence; this is contrary to the decision of the Supreme Court in the celebrated case of Enahoro against the Queen, 1965.

“If you don’t have your witnesses, you don’t have your witnesses; you cannot substitute witnesses,” he said.

Olanipekun, further objected to the admissibility of the documents by the witness, arguing that they were freshly sourced. He added that contrary to the law, before a criminal case would be filed in court, all investigations must have been concluded.

“The prosecution was sourcing for evidence two days ago in a trial that started 10 years ago,” Olanipekun said.

He also urged the court not to admit the documents on the basis that they had emanated from Access Bank, which he said was an interested party in Akingbola’s trial.

“Section 83 of the Evidence Act prohibits admissibility of these type of documents, we have addressed your lordship on the interest of Access Bank in this matter, which is undisguised.

“This witness, the maker of these documents, is an official of Access Bank. Put succinctly, this documents are Access Bank document, and I daresay the documents were made as a result of evidence already given,” the counsel added.

Responding, Jacobs said that the question of substituting a witness did not arise.

According to him, even if it arose, the prosecution was not limited to the list of witnesses in the proof of evidence it originally filed.

He argued that in the case of Enahoro, which Olanipekun cited, the Supreme Court did not decide that witnesses could not be changed, asserting that by virtue of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, the prosecution was at liberty to file additional evidence any time before judgment.

“These documents are old statements of accounts of 1990. It is just the letter covering the documents and the certificate showing compliance that are new; It is a new bottle with the old wine,” Jacobs said.

No fewer than 35 fellows have graduated from the 2018/2019 Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace (COFP) fellowship programme on “Interreligious dialogue and mediation.”

Executive Director, COFP, Rev. Sister Agatha Chikelue, disclosed this at the graduation ceremony of the fellows in Abuja on Friday.

Sis. Chikelue said the purpose of the fellowship programme was to effectively empower religious men, women and youth with skills to dialogue, negotiate and mediate on issues.

She said that the fellowship programme which started in July 2018, had been able to provide informative, interactive, educational and networking opportunities for the participants drawn from different backgrounds in Nigeria.

“The advancing of peace efforts, through this process, will build the capacities of grassroots community leaders as critical actors and peace agents in conflict transformation, building and enhancing social cohesion, integration and peace in our communities.

“Building lasting peace requires committed leaders and actors like them who would share more openly, lessons learnt and jointly work for peace in their various communities.

“The time has come to translate dialogue into practical actions and that is what it means to be a COFP fellow.”

She said the fellows comprised of 18 Christians and 17 Muslims drawn from the sixgeopolitical zones, adding that they include 22 males and 13 females from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds in Nigeria.

She said the fellowship programme sponsored by GHR Foundation, based in the US was divided into three modules, adding that each fellow carried out pet projects in their various communities.

Court remands man for allegedly defiling 12-year-old girl

An Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court on Friday, held that a 32-yearold security guard, Dennis Nba, who allegedly defiled a 12-year-old girl be remanded in prison, pending legal advice from the Lagos state Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Magistrate Olufunke Sule-Amzat, who declined to take the defendants’ plea owing to lack of jurisdiction, ordered that the defendant be remanded in Kirikiri Prison and directed the police to forward a duplicate of their case file to the DPP. The magistrate adjourned the case until June 24 for mention.

Nba, who resides in Ikoba Street in Monkey Village, Maza-Maza, Lagos, is charged with defilement.

Earlier, the prosecutor, ASP Benson Emuerhi, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on March 17 at his residence, alleging that the defendant, who works as a security guard in the victim’s house defiled the girl.

He said that the case was reported at the Satellite Police Division by the victim’s father and was later transferred to the gender section of the Lagos state Police Command, Ikeja, for further investigation.

He noted that the offence contravenes the provisions of Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos state.

‘Follow The Money’ makes top 3 for SDG action awards Ukpono Ukpong, Abuja L-R: Lagos State Deputy Governor-elect, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; National Leader, All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor-elect, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, after the collection of Certificate of return to the Lagos State governor-elect and his deputy, in Lagos.

Senate, House task Niger Delta ministry on budget implementation The Senate and House of Representatives Committees on the Niger Delta has emphasized the need for effective implementation of budgetary allocations to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.

They expressed this in a statement signed by Mr. Stephen Kilebi, deputy director, press/public relations of the ministry on Friday in Abuja.

Chairmen of the committees, Sen. Peter Nwaoboshi and Rep. Essien Ayi, disclosed this during the 2018 budget defence and presentation of the 2019 draft budget by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Usani.

Nwaoboshi said: “if we discover that you do not deserve the money allocated to you, we will ensure that such money is given to others that need it.

“But, if we also discover that the money allocated to you is smaller than what you require, we will source for other areas of raising funds for you,” adding that the

ministry should ensure timely completion of projects that are beneficial to the people of the region.

He said that findings of the Senate and House committees during oversight visits would be the major deciding factors for the consideration of the ministry’s 2019 appropriation.

Earlier, Rep. Ayi said the House committee was interested in the completion of ongoing capital projects in the region, saying that the committee witnessed a number of uncompleted projects during its visits to the region.

He however, advised that completed housing schemes in the region by the ministry should be handed over to the beneficiaries to address their housing needs.

The minister while presenting a draft budget of N41, 600, 274, 568 covering capital, overhead and personnel appropriation for 2019, said that about 80 per cent projects in

the region were completed.

He listed the projects to include roads, water, electricity, housing, blocks of classroom, food and cassava processing plants, health care centres and empowerment programmes.

Others are sensitization on peace and security, medical outreaches, land reclamation and erosion control, among others, According to him, all these were completed within the 2018 budget year across the nine states of the Niger Delta region.

Usani said that the implementation of the 2018 capital budget was still on-going, adding that more capital projects would still be completed before June.

He said that the ministry was guided by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s determination to move the country to the next level, in preparing the budget.

‘Follow The Money,’ an initiative of Connected Development aimed at tracking national governments’ and foreign assistance spending to empower citizens, including marginalized communities to hold governments to account for their commitments has been shortlisted as a finalist for the 2019 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) action awards.

This announcement was made by the SDG Action Awards Global Project Leader, Laura Hildebrandt, who revealed that this year’s selection process was harder than ever with more than 2000 excellent applications from 142 countries.

“Three finalists have been selected for each of the seven categories representing initiatives based in all regions of the world; Arab states, Lebanon; Africa, Malawi, Nigeria and South Africa; the Americas (Peru, Brazil, Haiti and USA); Asia (India, Malaysia and the Philippines) and Europe (Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland).

‘Follow The Money’ was one of the three initiatives in the finalist category of mobilisers. Other categories are storytellers, campaigners, connectors, visualizers, includers and creatives. The finalists in each category will present their achievements at the UN SDG Global Festival of Action,” she said Founder of ‘Follow The Money’ and Chief Executive of Connected Development, Hamzat Lawal, said he was very delighted to have been nominated among the top 21 initiatives showing how innovation, creativity and commitment lead to impactful SDG Actions from over 2000 entries of amazing organizations and initiatives around the globe.

“We are honoured that our social mobilization efforts are being recognised by the United Nations and are committed to ensuring that the sustainable global goals are achieved in Nigeria, other African countries and beyond,” he said Lawal added that finalists are now being reviewed by a panel of over 20 experts that will select the top initiative in each category.

“Everyone has the chance to act by supporting their favourite entry for the people’s choice award. We urge our fellow colleagues in the development space and Nigerians to help bring this award home by liking and retweeting ‘Follow The Money’ mentions on SDG action awards social media accounts.

“We will join other world leaders in Bonn, Germany in May where the winners will be announced,” he stated.

News 8

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, April 6, 2019

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Enugu East: Chimaroke Nnamani Short News UAE says it has not stopped issuance floors Senator Nnaji in court of 3 months’ visa to Nigerians Moses Oyediran, Enugu The Federal High Court, in Enugu on Friday struck out Senator Gilbert Nnaji’s bid to upturn the ticket given to former Enugu state Governor, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Nnaji, who is representing Enugu East Senatorial District had in October last year approached an Abuja Federal High Court asking that his name be submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the PDP candidate for the senatorial district.

It would be recalled that Nnaji came fourth at the PDP primary.

He however, went to court where he claimed through his counsel, Onyinye Mbanefo, that Nnamani was not present during the screening of PDP aspirants and as such was not qualified to stand for the primary.

He further claimed that he came second in the election and was the rightful candidate.

The case was later transferred to the Enugu on the orders of the chief cudge of the Federal High Court.

Counsel to Nnamani, C Anyigbo, in his defence, among other things, told the court that the suit was statute barred, arguing that the course of action should have arisen after the PDP screening which the plaintiff (Nnaji) claimed Sen. Nnamani did not attend.

There was also drama midway into the suit as another aspirant, Mr. Chinedu Nneji indicated interest to be joined in the matter.

Nneji, who came second prayed the court that in the event of Nnamani’s disqualification, he should be declared the rightful candidate of the party.

Delivering judgement, Justice Buba Mohammed said Nnaji appeared in person to give testimony where he claimed to have come second in the PDP primary.

He however, held that having failed to institute the action within the period as provided by the law, the matter was dead.

While agreeing that the issue of jurisdiction

was clearly raised by the defendant, the court held that the suit was statute barred and should be dismissed.

“Head or tail, night or day, the case of the plaintiff is statute barred; in that case, the only thing the court could do is that of dismissal.

“The plaintiff cannot cry wolf where there was none, this is a plaintiff who chose to file his case in Abuja, he started on a wrong footing, this court will not on the altar of speed, sacrifice justice.

“This court is of the firm view that the plaintiff is a speculator, sleep-walking. From every assessment, the plaintiff cannot prove his case Issue resolved against the plaintiff, lacked merit, speculative and is hereby dismissed,” the court further ordered,” the court stated.

On the counter claims by the 5th defendant, Nneji, the judge described him as “a habitual late comer, more or less a scavenger waiting for the spoils of war.”

He accordingly dismissed his counter claims for also being statute barred.

Joseph Inokotong, Abuja The embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Nigeria has denied either suspending or stopping the issuance of three months’ visa to Nigerians travelling to the country as a result of a robbery allegedly involving five Nigerians in Dubai.

The embassy in its Twitter handle @UAEEmbassyNGR said: “In the light of the press report published this morning (Thursday 4/4/2019) alleging that the United Arab Emirates has suspended issuing tourist visas to Nigerian nationals, the United Arab Emirates embassy in Abuja, would like to announce this news are inaccurate and stresses the importance of sourcing news from its official channel.”

Meanwhile, the mission in Abuja on Friday, that “there were no changes in the visa policy at all.”

In a statement, the embassy said that “in the light of the press reports published this morning and alleging that the United Arab Emirates has suspended issuing tourist visas to Nigerian nationals, the United Arab Emirates embassy in Abuja would like to announce this news are inaccurate, and stresses the importance of getting the news from its official channels.”

Thousands of Christian women celebrate Wike’s re-election Amaka Agbu, Port Harcourt Thousands of Christian women in Rivers state have taken to the streets of Port Harcourt to celebrate the victory of Governor, Nyesom Wike, declaring that his victory was an “act of God.” Celebrating under the aegis of “Rivers Women Prayer Network,” the women converged on Aggrey Road in Port Harcourt Township where they offered praises to God for delivering the state from what they described as the evil machinations of anti-Rivers politicians.

The women knelt down on the streets of Port Harcourt to offer thanks to God for the victory of Governor Wike after weeks of violent political attacks in the state.

The street celebration by the Rivers Women Prayer Network was flavoured with the rendition of different Christian praise songs.

They marched from Aggrey Road through to Government House, Port Harcourt, before they ended at the Rivers state Ecumenical Centre, where they prayed for the protection of Governor Wike. They also prayed for the peace and development of the state.

Leader of the Rivers Women Prayer Network, Mrs. Help-Mate Ene Secondus said Rivers women asked God for the re-election of Governor Wike and he answered their prayers.

‘I was threatened with death over refusal to be chief priest’ Titus Akhigbe, Benin

L-R: Group Human Resources Director, Chanrai Summit Group, Mr. Victor Adebayo; Lagos State Governor-elect, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Founder/ Convener, 2019 HREA summit, Mrs. Erefa Coker, during the 2019 summit on HR Expo Art of Employees Engagement, in Lagos...on Friday .

A’Ibom varsity suspends lecturer for raping female student Isaac Job, Uyo The Akwa Ibom state University (AKSU) has suspended one of its lecturers for allegedly raping a female undergraduate of the institution while the matter has been reported to the police for immediate action.

Addressing students and guardians at 9th matriculation ceremony at the university main campus in Ikot Akpaden, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom state, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Eno Ibanga said the university has instituted cash prize award of N100, 000 as reward for any member of the university’s community who would report a verifiable and established case of social vices within the institution.

“We have introduced whistle blowing policy in the university where anyone, staff or student that can help the university to curb social vices and

when proved will be paid a token of N100, 000,” he said.

Prof. Ibanga mentioned these vices to include rape cases, payment for marks, cultism, impersonation and sex for marks prevalent in Nigerian universities.

He said out of 36, 500 candidates who sought admission into the university, 2, 305 were offered provisional admission while only 2, 173 were cleared for matriculation.

Prof.

Ibanga announced the university’s decision to split the faculty of natural and management sciences to autonomous faculties of social and management sciences respectively.

He said the matriculation ceremony was the climax of all induction activities lined up for the new students after other orientation exercises to introduce them to the university community.

“Our students therefore, have

no reason not to perform well in the midst of these provisions. This administration is committed to the development of the university to be ranked as one of the best globally, so that our products can hold their heads high wherever they go with their certificates,” the vice-chancellor stated.

He further warned the matriculating students to imbibe the culture of excellence to project the institution to higher pedestal of academic recognition, warning that “remember this is the only university, solely owned by Akwa Ibom state and you are a part of this noble achievement if you tread on the right path during your academic sojourn here.”

Prof Ibanga assured the students that government was working hard to improve and maintain existing facilities in the institution and charged them to compliment the good intention of government throughout their stay.

Family members of Mr. Lucky Brown Abusomwan of a sleepy community in Urhonigbe, Orhionwon Local Government Area of Edo state, who reportedly fled the country for safety, have raised an alarm of threats on his life for refusing to take over as chief priest from his grandfather, Chief Ogiemwonyi Ekomwaredo, who died in 2016.

It was reliably gathered that seven days after the burial of Chief Ekomwaredo, Mr. Brown, the grand child was summoned to return home from the city for the rites of take-over as the new chief priest.

It was learnt that Mrs. Beauty Abusomwan, the mother of Brown, the next in line to fill the vacant position of chief priest, personally brought her son to the village for the performance of the necessary rites.

However, trouble started when Brown declined to take over as the new chief priest as a result of alleged strange conditions and sacrifice he was supposed to carry out before enthronement. It was learnt that he (Brown) was told in clear terms that the consequence of not taking over as new chief priest is death.

Based on the alleged death threats, Brown reportedly escaped into the bush, from where he found his way back to the city.

Brown said: “I am in a dilemma. I can no longer enter my village just because I declined to be chief priest. I declined because I cannot be involved in the kind of sacrifices I was asked to carry out in 2016 when my grandfather, the chief priest of my community died.

“I cannot cope with the conditions I was given, so I had to run into the bush, from where a Good Samaritan helped me find my way back to the city. The sacrifices I was asked to do is strange and despicable.

“The good Samaritan who helped me when I ran into the bush advised me never to return to the community, that the consequence of my refusal to be chief priest is death. I have been declared wanted by the community since 2016. I had to run for my life when I was threatened with death.”

Mr. Lucky Brown Abusomwan

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, April 6, 2019

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Another Nigerian arrested for Cocaine peddling in Jedda – Dabiri Tom Okpe, Abuja Another Nigeria, Saheed Ayinde Sobade was allegedly arrested with about 1, 183 grams of cocaine in Jedda on Thursday, a fortnight after a Nigerian, Kudirat Afolabi was executed in Saudi Arabia on drug related offences.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa made this revelation while speaking on Arise Television on Friday.

She said: “I have bad news for you.

Just yesterday (Thursday), in the midst of the cacophony of 20 to be killed, eight have been killed, another Nigerian was caught with cocaine in

Jeddah.

“He was caught with 1, 183 grams of cocaine powder. As he was arrested, the mission was informed and his name is Saheed Ayinde Sobade. So, do not let us tribalise crime, no matter what.”

The federal government had condemned on Thursday, the execution of Afolabi, a widow and mother of two who was executed on April 1, saying that the Saudi authorities did not inform the Nigerian mission in the country of the arrest and prosecution of the deceased Nigerian.

Abike further stated that the Saudi authorities have never spared any country when it comes to drugs, pointing out that Nigeria only

advocated for a fair trial.

“It’s a sad commentary that at this point in our lives we are tribalising crime. Crime is crime. We should not debase the green passport. We should not allow a few bad eggs to spoil the bond. The Dubai thing was all over the place. We saw the faces releases to the public; only the eyes were covered and also the names.

“So, there’s no reason why it will not be mentioned. However, for the Saudi incident, the woman that was executed, we have to tell the family first before making an announcement.

So after informing the family, the minister of foreign affairs issued a statement stating her name, Kudirat Adesola Afolabi, a lady and a mother of two,” the presidential aide stated.

9 News

Short News Nigeria imported 5.32bn litres of petrol in Q4 – NBS Joseph Inokotong, Abuja The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Friday, said in its petroleum products imports and consumption (truck out) statistics for the fourth quarter 2018 posted on its website that 5.32 billion litres of petrol was imported into the country in the fourth quarter of 2018.

It also reported that 1.3 billion litres of diesel, 114.19 million litres of kerosene and 267.80 million litres of aviation fuel were imported during the period.

In addition, the report indicated that 50.73 million litres of base oil, 42.38 million litres of bitumen and 10.63 million litres of low pour fuel oil were imported. The NBS said that 331.78 million litres of domestic gas was imported into the country in the quarter under review.

The bureau said that statewide distribution or truck-out volume for fourth quarter showed that 5.17 billion litres of petrol were distributed nationwide.

It said that 1.16 billion litres of diesel, 81.12 million litres of household kerosene, 256.73 million litres of aviation fuel and 137.53 million litres of domestic gas were distributed nationwide during the period under review.

Data for the report were provided by the Petroleum Products and Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) and verified as well as validated by the NBS.

NAPTIP arrests 7 human trafficking suspects The Benin Zonal Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), says it arrested seven suspected human traffickers in the zone between January and March.

The Zonal Commander, Mr. Nduka Nwanwenne, comprising Edo and Delta states disclosed this on Friday. Hesaid the arrest of the suspects was in connection with 27 cases of human trafficking reported to the zone.

He also said that the zone within the period under review, received about 20 victims of human trafficking, adding that zonal command headquarters was repositioned to enable it embark on mass awareness campaign on issues of human trafficking.

He said that there were still 33 pending cases on human trafficking in courts. Also, he stated that the agency in the zone was building as well as strengthening the synergy and collaboration with stakeholders.

He added that within the period under review, the agency, in conjunction with the Delta state government, inaugurated the state task force on human trafficking.

Nwanwenne noted that with the task force now in place, the two states under the zone were better positioned to adopt best practices in tackling human trafficking and other related vices.

Boeing updating software on 737 Max aircraft – CEO

L-R: Olu of Ijoko Lemode, HRH. Oba Solomon Sokunbi; Agbedeyi of Orile Agege, HRH. Oba Akeem Ambali; Baale of Mulero Land, High Chief Olaitan Opeifa and the Jagunmolu of Mulero, High Chief Samuel Fakeye during the installation of the High Chief’s in Mulero Land in Lagos...on Friday.

Photo: Olawale Rotimi

9mobile says sale not voided, calls for calm Joseph Inokotong, Abuja

The management of Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Limited (EMTS) – 9mobile – has clarified that the widely reported court judgment centers on the transfer of license and not the sale of the company.

The media has been flooded by reports which suggest that Binta Nyako, a judge at the Abuja High Court, voided all moves taken with respect to the exchange of ownership of Etisalat.

The judge was reported to have ruled that “any action that has been taken concerning the rest of this litigation from the 25th day of April, which is earlier in time, should revert to the position, as of the res, to its 25th day of April, 2018.”

However, 9mobile Secretary and Legal Adviser, Ore Olajide in a statement, said the court did not nullify the sale of EMTS. The statement explained that “the court on 1st April, 2019 made an order for parties to maintain status quo as of April 25, 2018. As at the said

date, EMTS (9mobile) was not a party to the suit before the court.

“The action before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court is not about the sale of EMTS (9mobile), but rather, the transfer of the license even without locus standi.

“The sale of 9mobile to Teleology Nigeria Limited has not been nullified.

The court made an order to maintain status quo as at April 25, 2018, when EMTS was not a party to the suit and we have appealed the ruling as well as sought an injunction pending appeal at the Court of Appeal.”

Chairman, President and CEO, Boeing Company, Mr. Dennis Muilenburg, has said that the company will complete the software update of the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) in the 737 Max aircraft.

Muilenburg disclosed this in a statement on Friday, in response to the preliminary report on its crashed flight 302, released by the Ethiopian Accident Investigation Bureau on Thursday.

He said that the full details of what happened in both Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines accidents would be issued by the government authorities in the final reports.

Boeing president added with the release of the preliminary report of the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 accident investigation, it was apparent that in both flights, the MCAS was activated in response to erroneous angle of attack information.

According to him, the history of our industry shows most accidents are caused by a chain of events.

He said that it was the similar case in the recent two accidents, adding that pilots had stated that erroneous activation of the MCAS function could add to what was already a high workload environment.

According to Muilenburg, “it is our responsibility to eliminate this risk; we own it and we know how to do it. From the days immediately following the Lion Air accident, we have had teams of our top engineers and technical experts working tirelessly in collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration and our customers to finalize and implement a software update that will ensure accidents like that of Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 never happen again.

“We are taking a comprehensive, disciplined approach, and taking the time, to get the software update right. We’re nearing completion and anticipate its certification and implementation on the 737 MAX fleet worldwide in the weeks ahead.

News 10

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Taraba varsity lecturers embark on strike over poor funding Okerafor Athanatius, Jalingo

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Taraba state University (TSU) branch has embarked on an indefinite strike action.

It could also be recalled that ASUU last year embarked on a strike action which was later suspended when the federal government promised to meet its demands.

ASUU, through a statement, signed by its branch Chairman, Dr. Samuel Shikaa and the Secretary, Dr. Atando Agbu respectively, shortly after its executive council meeting with national officials of the union in Jalingo, accused state government of abandoning the law establishing the university.

The statement further specified lack of funding for the university by the state government as the major factor that led the strike action.

“Law no 4 of 2008 specified that five per cent of the state allocation, five per cent of the local government allocation and two per cent of all contracts would be used in funding the university, but all of these have been neglected.

“The ASUU executive council of the Taraba

state University has resumed the strike action over issues of funding which led to nonpayment of earned academic allowances from 2014 till date, non-provision of required infrastructure to enhance teaching and learning.

“If you go round the university, you will discover that apart from the library and Senate building which are still under construction, other buildings you will see are constructed and furnished by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund.

“If you refer to this university as TETFund university, you will not be wrong because the few infrastructures here are provided by the fund so the strike is therefore, total, comprehensive and indefinite,” the statement said.

However, the current strike action sources said has not go down well with the students.

“The most striking question that demands urgent answer is; the fate of the students, who are the immediate beneficiaries. These students are supposed to be in their classrooms, but they are left to be wandering along the streets,” a concerned parent said.

In its reaction, the President, National Association of Nigerian Students (NASS),

Taraba state University chapter, Mr. Ande Boyi, appealed to Gov. Darius Ishaku to quickly meet ASUU’s demands to enable students continue with their studies.

Boyi said the students voted for the governor both in 2015 and 2019 and should not be allowed to stay at home when they should be in school.

“Now that the strike has been declared, the student body appeals to Gov. Ishaku to immediately meet the demands of ASUU to ensure that students don’t stay at home for long,” he said.

The student union leader lamented that students had just resumed from the nationwide strike by ASUU, only to be confronted by another set of strike.

“Now that the striking lecturers have vowed not to return to the classrooms until their demands are met, it is expedient of the state government to as a matter of urgency, dialogue with ASUU leadership with a view to meeting their demands.

“Funds can be released in bits while the rest can be paid in tranches, this will enable the students go back to the classrooms,” he added.

Short News Buhari extols Adams Oshiomhole at 67 Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole on his 67th birthday, applauding him for providing purposeful, courageous and tenacious leadership for the party.

Buhari affirmed that, Oshiomhole, after many years of serving as a labour leader, brought a new dynamism into the collective effort to make democracy and development more inclusive in the country, recognizing his vibrant relationship with Nigerian workers and ordinary people.

As the chairman of APC, the President believes the strides recorded in the last elections across the country clearly testify to Oshiomhole’s visionary and vibrant leadership, commending his efforts at building a strong and unified party that is focused on strengthening internal democracy and developing the country.

While rejoicing with family members, friends and political associates of the APC national chairman on the milestone, Buhari describes him as a man of conviction, who stands resolutely by whatever he believes in.

The President prayed that the almighty God would grant the party chairman longer life, good health and wisdom in serving the country and its citizens.

Former President Jonathan appoints Nwankpo as personal envoy Joseph Inokotong, Abuja Former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has appointed his former aide, Nze Sullivan Akachukwu Nwankpo as his personal envoy.

In announcing the appointment, the former President described Nze Nwankpo as “a friend and trusted aide.”

In a statement, the Media Adviser to Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, Ikechukwu Eze said by this appointment, Nze Nwankpo is returning to familiar ground as he had been in the service of the former President since his days as deputy governor of Bayelsa state.

He was appointed the desk o fficer on Niger Delta and Senior Special Assistant Special Duties to the President by late President Shehu Musa Yar’ Adua.

Nze nwankpo later became Senior Special Assistant Special Projects, and Special Adviser Technical Matters to President Goodluck Jonathan.

Subsequently, he was appointed secretary of the Presidential Taskforce on Power and Secretary SURE-P, from which position he resigned to contest the 2013 gubernatorial election in Anambra state, under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

A’ Ibom plans to revoke non-performing contracts Isaac Job, Uyo

The representative of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Director Human Resources Management, Ajibola Ibrahim, delivering a keynote address during a-2 day Zonal Sensitization Workshop on Resolving Trade Disputes and Seeking Redress for Labour Injustice in Nigeria at Maraba, Nasarawa State.

FG taps into creative industry for job creation Joseph Inokotong, Abuja The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment has said that the creative industry will be its focus for interventions, investments and partnerships for job creation for Nigerians.

The Minister, Mrs. Aisha Abubakar, said this at the Creative Entrepreneurs Summit with the theme: “Cashing in on your creativity.”

Abubakar, represented by the Director of Administration in the ministry, Dr. Adewale Bakare, said part of the plans of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration was to drive the nation’s creative industry.

She said that government plans to support and create an enabling environment through partnership with the private sector and the global community to attain its full potential.

“The Nigerian creative industry has the fastest growth rate in the world and has seen a period of rapid growth spurred by emerging digital technology, which support content creation, distribution and consumption.

“According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Nollywood is the second biggest employer in Nigeria engaging over a million persons. The significance of the Nigerian film

and television industry came into focus after the rebasing of the national economy in 2013.

“The film sector was seen to contribute 1.42 per cent to the economy and by 2016, the film industry sector contributed 2.3 per cent (N239 billion) of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“As a result of the industry’s financial potential and job creation capacity, the industry became a focus for interventions, investments, and partnerships which we are looking into,” the minister said.

Abubakar urged Nigerians to take advantage of the abundant opportunities in the creative industry for profitability and sustainable economic development of the nation.

Besides, the minister said business advisory services would be provided for SMEs within the sector.

“These services will include, structuring of business plans to increase access to funding and foreign direct investment and establishing an equipment-leasing outfits.

“In addition, providing training and capacity building for industry actors and improving the use of technology platforms (e.g. Iroko, Netflix) to enhance distribution,” she said.

In addressing the music industry, the minister said that the cultural wealth of Nigeria’s entertainment industry remained dominant in spite of westernization and urbanization.

“Musicians in the industry intertwine African cultural themes by infusing traditional styles into modern music creation and production. This has generated a unique profile for the industry and fueled its popularity, giving the Nigerian music world-wide recognition.

“The lucrativeness of the industry, as well as the enabling environment it provides for all genres to thrive, is noteworthy,” she stated.

Speaking on the Nigerian Information Technology (IT) industry, she said that Nigeria had continued to grow exponentially in digital an adaptation and technology use.

“UNICON Industry Fact Sheet estimates the global market for video games, e-sports, animation, and VFX as falling between $150 and $254 billion depending on market segmentation.

“With a mobile penetration rate of 84%, the Nigerian tech market is yet to be fully exploited,” the minister said.

The Akwa Ibom state government has concluded plans to terminate uncompleted contracts even as it threatened to revoke non -performing ones, especially those whose contractors have absconded from site.

Commissioner for Works, Mr. Ephraim Inyangeyen, dropped the bombshell yesterday while on inspection of work at the ongoing construction of Uyo-Ikot Ekpene Road executed by Julius Berger now at the last strip of less than 1km leading to the Four Point Sheraton Hotel in Ikot Ekpene.

Though the commissioner did not mention the name of any nonperforming contractor, he commended others for their good works and emphasized that Gov. Udom Emmanuel is accountable to the people and has abundantly proven to be a man of quality and integrity.

He said the era of playing pranks with government contracts or absconding and abandoning projects for which funds had been collected were over.

“The Uyo-Ikot Ekpene Road is of paramount interest to government because it was the road that brought all sort of controversies and false stories. But today, see where we are.

NCC tracking criminals using pre-registered SIM Cards to Kidnap Joseph Inokotong, Abuja Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta has revealed that kidnappers use unregistered SIM cards to commit crimes.

Danbatta however, assured that the commission is tracking those criminals using such unregistered SIM cards. He spoke at the banks special day at the ongoing 40th Kaduna International Trade Fair.

He disclosed that the commission has set up a task force to effectively tackle the situation.

Represented by the Head, Internal Policy Review Unit, NCC, Mr. Okechukwu Aninweke, the NCC boss however, advised consumers not to open unfamiliar e-mails in view of the rising cases of cybercrime and e-fraud using telecommunications platforms.

He enlightened consumers that banks will not request personal information over the internet.

Danbatta said that “you know one thing with these criminals is that they are always one step ahead of you and even if every SIM card is properly registered, there will still be crime.

“The commission is doing everything possible to track these elements and has even set up a task force to that effect.”

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, April 6, 2019

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11

Why I kept my relationship off social media - Grace Amah Having returned back with a bang, Grace Amah is not stopping at becoming more relevant in the moive industry. Grace Amah is one of the old generation of Nollywood actors whose impact and acting prowess is second to none. In this chat with MUTIAT ALLI, Grace spoke on motherhood, relationship, and advice to young talents coming into Nollywood among others. Enjoy…

What was it like coming back into the industry after a long break?

Coming back into the industry wasn’t easy, but the good thing is that we are playing different roles and interpreting roles differently. My fans were excited to have me back. That is a good one and a plus for me.

It’s a good thing we have new acts, I was also a new act at the time I came into the industry .I had senior colleagues; I still have senior colleagues so it’s a good thing. I am back for good and coming back again with something huge.

that puts my life on social media.

We are now in the age and time where everything you do has to be on social media to be able to either get endorsements or followers. It’s a good thing to put your work out there, but for me putting my relationship on social media is a no-no. My work can be on social media, but not my private life.

Does that mean if you hadn’t become a mother, you will still be stereotyped?

I don’t know like I said nothing has changed in my height and size. Except that I have added weight a little bit. The role I am playing in ‘It’s a crazy world’ is a different role entirely. That is why I am finding it exciting to play it.

Being a single parent what has it made you discover about yourself?

I have always been strong, but it made me a stronger person, it made me see life from a different point of view. Years back I can throw caution to the wind, but today, I cannot do that. There are times I want to take some decisions, but when I think of the fact that I am now a mother now and I have someone who is looking up to me, I tend to have a rethink on it. It has taught me a lot, It is still teaching me, I am still learning and putting in my best to be a better person.

Juggling acting and motherhood, how has it been?

Is he always with you on set?

Coincidentally, my son joined me some weeks back on set because they are on mid-term break. I have a house help and my mum is also available. He stays with them when I am on set.

Have you given up on love?

Why should I give up on love? You don’t particularly rule out things just because a particular step you took wasn’t the right one or didn’t favour you. I love to love and whatever has happened hasn’t taken love away from me. It has not, to be honest with you.

What would you say about celebrities who put their personal lives on social media?

Funny enough, it’s their choice. Everybody is entitled to whatever he or she wants to do and especially my female folks really. I am not just the person

How long did it take you to come to this realisation that you won’t allow the experience you had hurt you?

Don’t let me go into details because whatever happened wasn’t like things went bad, the only thing is that we didn’t go

Grace Amah

to the altar. At the right time, what will play out will play out in terms of marriage.

What advice do you have for young talents coming into Nollywood?

I will say established Nollywood stars make fans desperate. I don’t want to mention names; they only follow what they see. The industry I looked forward to coming into was an industry of potentials. When I got into the industry my vision was to be a role model to the younger ones.

I also got into the industry because I want to fend for myself and for my family. Fast forward to this moment,

there is a whole lot of competition within my colleagues, especially the females in the industry , you want to outshine yourselves, you want to outshine others, you want them to feel ‘I am the best, this is me’.

I attended auditions when I came into the industry. Sometimes I wake up as early as 6am, go back home, go do my house chores and then go back for the auditions proper. After 20 auditions, you don’t get to see your name. When you look back at those days knowing God has smiled on you today, you don’t want to throw those years away. Some of us got into the industry on a platter of gold, may be you were just walking

on the road side and someone puts you on a movie. Lo and behold, the movies sell well and you become a star. When they see that their senior colleagues are doing these things, they tend to want to go nude or do things in a bid that will outshine others. The competition is so high and we need to cut it down because we are not encouraging our younger ones at all. We are making them not to see life as it should be, step by step, taking it one step a time. They just want to come in and become stars overnight. That is what I can say about it. We need to help our up and coming ones; we are also guilty of it.

Gist 12

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, April 6, 2019

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Subscribers get bouquet upgrade in StarTimes Easter promo

Blinky Bill

DJ Cuppy

GIDIFEST 2019: Kenya’s Blinky Bill, DJ Cuppy, Sir Shina Peters join line-up Gidi Culture Festival has announced more names to join the forward thinking line-up for the 2019 edition in Lagos this Easter - including the first returning show for Nigerianborn UK based artist Ray BLK, Kenya’s Blinky Bill, Ghana’s Joey B, DJ Cuppy, and Afro-Juju maestro SIR Shina Peters.

Ray BLK is a British singer, songwriter, and rapper. She selfreleased her EP, Durt without any help from a label won the BBC’s Sound of 2017, becoming the first unsigned artist to do so. The R&B singer already has a Stormzy collaboration, played a set at Glastonbury Festival and a whirlwind tour of America under her belt. Having just sold out her biggest London headline show, Gidi Fest is excited to bring her back to her birthplace in Lagos for a significant show at Landmark Beachfront, Victoria Island.

Speaking on her return to Lagos, Ray BLK says: “I’m very excited to be coming back to my hometown to perform. It will be my first ever live performance in Nigeria.”

Blinky Bill is a trailblazer on the

Kenyan urban scene, with his debut album Everyone’s Just Winging It and Other Fly Tales standing as one of the most progressive albums off the continent in 2018. The DJ and producer who is the backbone of the collective “Just an Band” toured in France and the UK. He has also played at The Cape Town Jazz Festival, Littlegig in Stellenbosch, the TED Conference in Vancouver and has been included in the 2018 Yerba Buena Centre of the Arts YBCA100 - a list of 100 people shifting culture and creating change. His music is a mix of electronic music, futuristic African beats, funk, and hip-hop Joey B, is a Ghanaian Hip-Hop recording artist well known for his single “Tonga”. Joey B has collaborated with artists such as Sarkodie, EL, Fuse ODG, Edem and many others. The rapper’s music has been influenced by several artists, such as Kanye West and Kid Cudi.

DJ Cuppy also joins the bill this year. Representing a new generation of African women with truly global. She launched her music career in 2014 as

New Music Alert: Kcee drops first single off the Eastern Conference album, ‘Doh Doh Doh’

the resident DJ for MTV Africa Music Awards and has since made a name for herself in the scene.

Nigeria’s Afro-juju legend, SIR Shina Peters, would be delivering a nostalgic performance with some of his classic hits like “Afro-juju”, “Ijo Shina” and “ACE” to name a few. His style of music offers a powerful fusion of juju, Afro-Beat, and intense Fuji-style percussion, leaving fans in ecstasy after every performance.

We are proud to have an array of internationally recognized talent at the festival to deliver an unforgettable experience. Blinky Bill, Joey B, and Ray BLK, and SIR Shina Peters join Patoranking, Wande Coal, Niniola, Teni the Entertainer, Moonchild Sanelly, DJ Obi, DJ Neptune, with Zlatan and LAX headlining the Next Gen Stage, amongst many other nextgen talents.

This also shows that Gidi Fest is a leader of the urban youth movement and a globally recognized platform by connecting international acts, through the festival.

In the spirit of the coming Easter celebration, pay TV Company, StarTimes is offering an upgrade on all its bouquets for subscribers starting from April 1 to May 15.

The promo gives customers the opportunity to pay for subscription package on Nova, Basic, Smart and Classic bouquets and get an instant upgrade to view a higher bouquet within hours of activation.

According to the company, the essence of the promo is to allow its subscribers enjoy the Easter holiday with access to an array of channels on a higher bouquet than they normally watch and unlimited entertainment at a very little cost.

Explaining further, the company’s Public Relations Manager, Kunmi Balogun said “When you pay N1,800 for two months on Nova bouquet you get to enjoy all Basic bouquet channels for 2 months.

Subscribers who pay N2,600 for

Aramide thrills fans to Night of Music and Conversation at the 2019 ‘Songversation with Aramide’ Afro- soul singer, Aramide thrilled her fans to a night of conversation and music at the 2019 ‘Songversation with Aramide’ which took place recently at Terra Kulture.

The event which was in commemoration of the international women’s day, celebrated women who have done exploit in their different professional fields and have in one way or the other given back to society.

Aramide took fans and music lovers on a journey of live music while performing many of her hit songs such as ‘Fall on them’, ‘Funmi Lowo’, ‘Bolaji’, ‘Bose’, ’why

Stories Mutiat Alli Five Star Music general, Kcee has just dropped the first song off his much anticipated 3rd studio album titled, ‘Eastern Conference’.

The song titled, ‘Doh Doh Doh’ is a feel good High-life tune produced by Blaq Jerzee that’ll surely get you on your feet.

The album, Eastern Conference’ dropped on Friday, April 5, 2019.

Kcee

two months on the Basic bouquet will enjoy all Classic bouquet channels for 2 months and customers who pay N2,850 for one month and half on the Classic bouquet would enjoy 2months subscription.”

According to him, “Subscribers who use the dish platform would pay just N2,850 to watch the Smart bouquet for 2 months while paying for one and half months on the Super bouquet gives you 2 extra weeks at no cost” He enjoined subscribers to take advantage of the promo, noting that this was an opportunity to watch more channels on a higher bouquet for less of what it would originally cost.

StarTimes is the leading digital TV operator in Africa, serving nearly 22 million users with a signal covering the whole continent and a massive distribution network of 200 brand halls, 10,000 convenience stores and 15,000 distributors in 30 countries.

Aramide

so serious’ and many more.

Other artists who performed at the event include, Praiz, Ric Hassani, Sir Dauda, GoodGirlLa, Banke, Temmie Ovwasa, Temilayo and made more.

Celebrities such as Adekunle Gold, Falzthebahdguy, Bez Idakula, Niniola, Sika Osei, Kenny Saint Best, Essence and many more also graced the event.

The event was also sponsored by Wema Bank and top brands such as Mouka Foam, LIRS, MTV Base and many more. During her performance, Aramide thanked excited fans and music lovers who came out to enjoy good music as well as support her.

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, April 6, 2019

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Society Gist

S B live signs international deal with Treida Entertainment USA Isaac Oguntoye Live band musician, Seun Bankole, band leader of the popular band, S.B Live has signed an international deal with one of the top music promoters in the United States of America, Treidak Entertainment.

S B Live revealed that the new promotional company, headed by Afolabi Akanji will be in charge of his bookings as far as international promotions are concerned in U S A and Canada.

“We have been together for almost five years before we agree to do business.

Treidak Promotions has built good working relationship with my company, S B Live.

So when the proposal came, I easily signed the Memorandum of Understanding,” S B added.

“Treidak Promotions will be in charge of our international tour this year in United States of America and Canada respectively.

This development came as a result of S B Live brand to move to the next level in our career.”

More so, the versatile contemporary musician, S B has also signed with Shetade Images, a media management in Nigeria to elevate his images and brand in order for his brand to cut across.

Shetade Images, headed by Adegbola Shehu Tijani has prolific records in branding images. The media management company is at the helms of affairs with 9ice, Oritsefemi, K S 1 Malaika image branding and added S B Live into the portfolio.

Seun Bankole has performed at lots of international concerts in Nigeria and out of our shores with many awards on his profile.

Pastor Oladiyun and wife cutting cake

CLAM rolls out red carpet to mark Pastor Wole Oladiyun’s 60th birthday Few days ago, Senior Pastor of the Christ Living Spring Apostolic Ministry (CLAM), Pastor Wole Oladiyun, was serenaded by family and friends as he marked his 60th birthday in grand style.

Many of the church worshippers jostled to attend the event. Oladiyun is one of the Lagos based Pastors that

SB LIVE

Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu’s bold steps Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu, former Director of Partnerships and Evaluation, Tony Elumelu Foundation, has assumed her new role as the Foundation’s CEO on April 1. She becomes the third CEO and the first African to become the Chief Executive Officer of the Tony Elumelu Foundation.

In December 2018, the Foundation, the leading African philanthropy committed to empowering African entrepreneurs, announced Mrs. Ugochukwu’s new appointment as CEO and the transition of her predecessor, Parminder Vir, OBE to the Advisory Board of the Foundation.

In her role, Mrs. Ugochukwu will focus on scaling the impact of the 10-year $100million Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme and strengthening relationships between the African and the global entrepreneurship ecosystem, to empower African entrepreneurs with the result of creating jobs and wealth on the continent.

She will also take responsibility for positioning TEFConnect - the digital networking platform for African entrepreneurs - as the go-to hub for forging business relationships, sharing experiences and distributing knowledge across Africa.

Mrs. Ugochukwu brings almost two decades of corporate experience, including her most recent role as the Director of Partnerships and Evaluation, to her new position. She is a proven leader with business vision, emotional intelligence and the ability to bring

people together. Her ability to shape how the Foundation should position, partner and engage with the wider, development ecosystem is what the Foundation needs as it enters its next stage of scale, expanded impact, monitoring and evaluation, and intelligent mining of its proprietary data on African entrepreneurship.

Speaking on behalf of the Board of Trustees, Tony O. Elumelu, CON, Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation said: “We are confident that Ifeyinwa is the right person to launch the Foundation into its new g r o w t h phase. Her

Ifeyinwa

appointment as CEO strengthens our resolve to scale the impact of our commitment and unlock opportunities in the entrepreneurship ecosystem across the continent. I have always said that no one but us will develop the African continent, and this is a further demonstration of this resolve,” he said.

commands a cult-like followership and the popular roads that leads to his church usually experiences traffic congestion on his church service days. It was a memorable event that will linger on in the mind of the entire member of his congregation and other well wisher that graced the occasion.

Between Bolanle Ambode and Abijoke Sanwo-Olu The Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials, COWLSO, on Tuesday, donated 32 neo-natal incubators to 13 government hospitals, and six birthing suites to Lagos Island Maternity, Amuwo Maternal and Child Centre, as well as Epe General Hospital.

Chairman of COWLSO and wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode accompanied by wife of the Lagos State Governorelect, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, led the Committee’s project team on inspection and handing-over of the items, said that their vision for pregnant women in the State was for them to have access to world class delivery facilities in public hospitals.

She said further that, ideal child birth was that which ensured the best outcome for the mother and baby, in a safe environment that guaranteed quick recovery from birthing process, and allowed early and optimum bonding of the baby with its mother.

According to her, “My vision and that of COWLSO, is that in Lagos State, any pregnant woman, regardless of origin, economic status and location, will have access to quality and safe child delivery experience that is in line with international best practice, in any of our public hospitals, at a minimal cost’.

“Childbirth has always been one of the life-changing experiences that women go through. Different women go into labour having different emotions and expectations about the process and outcome. There is hardly a woman who had been in labour that

would not remember that experience, many years after”.

She stressed that the committee envisioned that the model would be replicated in other government health facilities in future.

Birthing suites are stand-alone delivery units, where all three stages of a woman’s labour and delivery take place. They have their own private conveniences for patient privacy and fitted with automated birthing beds, ultra-modern vital signs monitors for mother and baby; as well as specialized machines for monitoring the heartbeat of mother and baby and post delivery care.

The incubators would regulate the body temperature of preterm babies and avail them the right environment to be nurtured, till they are fit to go home, thereby reducing infant mortality in the State.

Responding on behalf of the benefitting hospitals, medical director of Lagos Island Maternity Hospital, Dr. Ademuyiwa Eniayewun, expressed appreciation for yet another enviable intervention and laudable achievement of COWLSO. He thanked the Committee for their consistent support and effort at reducing infant and child mortality in the state, and for donating the ultramodern facility where babies could be delivered and nurtured till they are sound in health to go home.

He assured the Committee that the hospitals would put the facilities to good use, hoping that the gesture would be replicated in other government hospitals.

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Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, April 6, 2019

Mixed Grill Adeboye’s secretary, Pastor Olorunnimbe passes on Stories by Mutiat Alli Pastor Adetokunbo Abayomi Olorunnimbe, the Chief-of-Staff and Chief Private Secretary to the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 30, 2019, aged 60 years.

His death was confirmed in Lagos

by Olaolu Olorunnimbe, son of the deceased who also revealed that burial arrangements will be announced soon.

Tokunbo Olorunnimbe was born on May 26th, 1958 in the United Kingdom to Ishola Adekunle Olorunnimbe and late Simisola Adetoun Olorunnimbe. He got married to the “love of his life” Modupe Olorunnimbe nee Botu in April 1987. Tokunbo and Modupe are parents to Folasayo and Olaolu. They wove their life around their family, the church, and community.

Theirs was a life and home filled with love, laughter, music, friendship, and faith. Tokunbo Olorunnimbe was a man who daily practiced gracious

hospitality.

The eldest son of Hon. Justice I. A. Olorunnimbe, he was known affectionately by his siblings as “Broda Adey.” As a man of faith, Tokunbo was deeply devoted to the life of the church. He served in many ways at the Redeemed Christian Church of God: He served as the pastor of several parishes and was pastor of RCCG City of Palms.

As Private Secretary to the General Overseer, he was a highly trusted and respected member of the church. He never wanted praise for any of his labour of love, but always saw his service to the church, to the community, and to his family as a way of sharing his love for God. A fierce intellectual, Tokunbo was trained as a lawyer in the University of Lagos and Cambridge University.

He was stimulated by cerebral debates and was a man who was always up for the adventure of life.

But no matter what he was doing, he enjoyed his time with his family – including his church family – more than anything.

Tokunbo Olorunnimbe is survived by his wife Dr Modupe Olorunnimbe,

Hymnodia: Hymntestants perform Hymns in Pidgin for Stanza 9 show This week’s Stanza 9 of the Hymnodia reality TV show took a different dimension when the remaining nine Hymntestants (contestants) had popular hymns translated and rendered in Pidgin English as the race for the ASAPH gets hotter at the Hymnstitute.

The novelty of hearing hymns in pidgin performed with such consistent dexterity elicited ovation from the audience as each Hymntestants came and went from the magnificent stage.

The combination of tones and ranges had further a sensational twist with the hymntestants showcasing their talents by adding additional twists of jazz, afrobeat and indigenous music styles to their musical arrangements. The stanza also witnessed the first Faculty Day of Hymnodia season one, and the pidgin bug of the hymntestants, also the judges who expressed their delight in the same language.

This week’s (Stanza 9) episode of the show had hymns rendered in Pidgin English. Hymns performed included Na Me Be Bread of Life, Shawa of Blessings Go Full Ground, Ten Tauzand Angels, Jesus Must Hear Me, and Hail My Jesus. Others were E dey Alive, Dis Na My Yarn o, No waka Pass Me, and Who E be.

Abigael Nnadi and Olumide Dada were adjudged the top two performers for Stanza 9 in what the judges described as a very tight contest. The hymntestants on probation for the stanza are Blessing Agu, Mobolanle Oladimeji,

Uduakobong Akpan and Juliet Nwabia. Elimination on Hymnodia is by public votes and the process is audited by the reputable firm of Gbenga Badejo & Co. Other Hymntestants still remaining in the hunt for the ASAPH are Kenneth Ekhuemelo, Jemine Edukugho and Rachael Darley.

The reality TV show, which will climax on April 24, 2019, will reward the winner with the Asaph (a specially designed award named after David’s chief musician), a brand-new car and N5 million.

Hymnodia commenced airing in February 3 as a one-hour programme on Lagos Television (Channel 256 on DSTV, Channel 90 on GOtv and Channel 118 on Startimes) with a magazine show on same channels on Thursday evening. It is also streamed live online via the LTV App available on the app store and on the dedicated YouTube channel, Hymnodiahq.

According to Kufre Ekanem, Managing Director of Philosoville Limited, initiators of Hymnodia, “we are pleased to announce that, Hymnodia will now show on eight additional stations around the country. They are GITV, Kaduna; Anambra Broadcasting Service, Onitsha; Ondo State Radio/TV, Akure; ITV, Abuja; Cross River TV, Calabar; Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation (AKBC); Kwara TV, Ilorin and Plateau Radio TV, Jos. All the stations will show Hymnodia on the same days (Sunday and Thursday) but at different times”.

their children: Folasayo Williams, Laolu Olorunnimbe and son in law Bode Williams. His legacy of love and life lives on in his surviving grandchildren: Olasheni and Oluwateniola Williams.

Tokunbo Olorunnimbe is also survived by his father Hon. Justice I. A. Olorunnimbe, OON, brothers, sisters, aunties, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Today, Pastor Olorunnimbe holds God’s hand and walks in God’s glory.

His legacy and spirit of love, caring, hospitality, service, and joy for life lives on in all those whose lives were touched by this remarkable man of faith and love.

Late Pastor Olorunnimbe

Neo Phlames, Labosky return with ‘My Hood Live’ Concert 2.0 Establishment Lounge located at Gowon Estate, Egbeda, Lagos, will host the second edition of ‘My Hood Live’ concert which is organised by fast rising artistes - Neo Phlames and Labosky, on Easter Sunday, April 21 2019.

The event which had its maiden edition last year Easter at the same venue boasts more of a bigger and better come back this year with both artistes promising electrifying performances.

The headliners however said that there would be special appearances by some A-list artistes in the industry.

“This year, we are bringing something bigger and better, actually, the goal is to grow bigger. Last year was the maiden edition and we put in our best into it which reflected during the show. Our fans should come out enmass to support and watch us on Easter Sunday. It’s going to be a lifelong experience as we have surprise guest appearances by top stars in both the music industry and the comedy world” said Neo

Phlames.

“We came up with idea to bring something different to our neighbourhood, yes there had been shows here in this hood, but we are taking it a notch higher by performing with a live band.”

My Hood Live Concert 2.0 will feature the artistes perform with their 9-man band called the Skye band, which consists of a drummer, lead guitarist, keyboardist, Bass Guitarist, talking drummer, and three backup singers.

“We are certain of a great turn out and we are positive about what we intend to deliver to the fans. It’s going to be fun as we also have surprise packages.”

The CEO Establishment Lounge, Mr. Kelvin, said he is supporting the artistes because he believes in them and in what they can achieve.

“I’ve seen what these guys have done last year Easter, the whole lounge was full and with the preparation thus far. I’m certain this year will be exceptional.

“Moreover, we at Establishment Lounge always supports fresh talents and we are proud to be hosting this two”.

So far, the artistes have been able to secure sponsorship from Rich Life Commercials and Logistics, Trendy Gold wears, Fiton Apparel, Amazing grace events and Vic and Dom clothing.

Neo Phlames & Labosky

CEOs of Landwey Investment, FilmHouse Cinemas, BPI Advisory train entrepreneurs on clarity, productivity, outperformance Nigeria’s leading business consulting firm, BPI Advisory, held her business Growth Workshop Series tagged “Outperform”: A Strategy Execution Masterclass for CEOs and Directors at ILX center, Providence hub, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos on Saturday, March 23rd, 2018.

The Growth Workshop which was well attended by prestigious leaders from various industries centered on the importance of clarity and focus as the key elements of organizational alignment and strategy execution.

Lead Principal of BPI Advisory, Deji Agboade while speaking during the first session said, “Everything in an organization rises and falls on leadership. The Key role of the CEO is to keep everyone aligned with the goals and most important priorities of the organization. One of the principles for superior results is to get clarity. There’s nothing as bad as doing efficiently what should not be done at all. Therefore, goals must be narrowed down to what must be

achieved in business per time and communicated in an exact manner to the organization.”

The workshop then progressed into a more interactive session with Olawale Ayilara, CEO LandWey Investments Limited and Kene Okwuosa, Group managing director of Filmhouse Cinema and FilmOne distribution.

Ayilara, who shared his story and experience in the real estate business spoke about staying hungry for results and productivity.

“Nobody wins by energy because everyone has energy; the key is making sure every energy deployedamounts to productivity.”

Kene Okwuosa gave practical experiences of business highs and lows. He spoke about the need for a disciplined work ethic in organizations which is instrumental to business growth. He said, “A lot has changed over the years and people, especially millennials are not willing to put in the shift

required for organizational success.

CEOs should design a system that accommodates the workforce available today and creates an inclusive culture that makes everyone feel incorporated. This would drive increased productivity and outperformance.”

In addition to sharing experiences, a question and answer session was held; an especially budding question on dealing with market disruption was answered brilliantly: “Every business owner must understand who the competition is, be aware of potential disruption and prepare for it. Sometimes, everything doesn’t have to come with a competitive approach but opportunities for strategic partnerships should be sought with the supposed competition.”

The growth workshop is an initiative of BPI Advisory to help entrepreneurs and business leaders grow and scale tremendously in today’s fierce and competitive market.

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CBN injects $247.8m, CNY 34.8m into Retail SMIS forex market Mathew Dadiya The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Friday, made an intervention of $247.8million in the retail Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS) and CNY 34.8million in the spot and short tenored forwards segment of the interbank foreign market.

This was disclosed by the Director, Corporate Communications Department, Isaac Okorafor, who revealed that the intervention was for requests in the agricultural and raw materials sectors. The Chinese Yuan, on the other hand, was for Renminbidenominated Letters of Credit.

Mr Okorafor further expressed satisfaction over the continued stability of the foreign exchange which, according to him, was largely due to sustained intervention by the Bank.

He assured that the apex Bank Management would remain committed to ensuring that all the sectors of the forex market continue to enjoy access to the needed foreign exchange.

Meanwhile, $1 exchanged for N360 at the Bureau de Change (BDC) segment of the foreign exchange market, while CNY1 exchanged at N53.

StarTimes recruits graduate trainees to enhance youth employability in Nigeria Joy Obakeye Desirous of enhancing youth employability in Nigeria, Leading Digital pay-TV service provider, StarTimes has disclosed that it is closely working with the SOS Children’s Villages to recruit 10 graduate Trainees at its Lagos and Abuja StarTimes and SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will see the two organizations partner towards supporting vulnerable families, with an emphasis on the empowerment of young adults, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

Speaking on this engagement, The Public Relations Manager of StarTimes, Kunmi Balogun noted that “The country’s population is fast increasing, with a projection of 411 million by 2050 and so is the pressure of job creation. StarTimes Group has a commitment advanced towards empowering and imparting knowledge and skills to the next generation while creating meaningful jobs.”

According to Kunmi, “One of the interns we recruited last year have been given permanent employment in Lagos. Since we commenced providing affordable digital Pay-Tv in Nigeria, we have invested heavily in the development of youths and children in the country. Partnering with SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria gives us a better opportunity to drive our CSR effort towards making Nigerian youths more competitive globally in their chosen career by affording them a quality learning ground.”

L-R: CEO, Youth for Technology Foundation/3D Africa, Mrs. Njideka Harry; Belgium Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Daniel Dargent; Director, Communications & Public Affairs, GE Africa, Ms. Patricia Obozuwa, and Belgium’s Minister of Digital Agenda, Mr. Philippe De Backer at a workshop for Nigerian youth-led tech start-ups and entrepreneurs held at the GE Lagos Garage

Union Bank records 33% increase in PBT to N18.5bn Motolani Oseni Union Bank of Nigeria (UBN) has reported a 33 per cent increase in Profit Before Tax (PBT)) to N18.5billion in the financial year ended December 31, 2018, as against N13.9billion declared in 2017.

The lender, in its result and accounts submitted to The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), reported 11 per cent decline in earnings to N145billion from N168billion in 2017 due to eight per cent drop in loan book.

The lender thus reported a 16 per cent increase in Net Revenue After Impairments to N93.5billion compared to N80.64billion in 2017.

From the balance sheet position, UBN’s Customer Deposits rose by seven per cent to N857.6billion as against N802.4billion as at December 2017.

Meanwhile, UBN’s Non-Performing Loan Ratio (Bank): down to 8.1per cent from 20.8per cent as of December 2017.

Speaking on the Group’s results for the year, the MD/CEO Emeka Emuwa said, “Our priorities in 2018 were three-pronged; enhancing our productivity across board; tightening up our loan portfolio (especially resolving key large exposures which drove NPLs up significantly at the end of 2017), and

optimizing the Bank’s capital and funding base.

“I am pleased to report that we made significant strides in each focus area.

Notwithstanding a depressed economic environment and a challenging operating landscape, our efforts to optimise productivity delivered results.

“Union Bank’s Group Profit Before Tax (PBT) is up 33per cent to N18.5 billion in 2018 from N13.9 billion in 2017. As consumer confidence in the brand continues to grow, customer deposits also continue to grow, up 7.3per cent to N857.6 billion in 2018 from N802.4 billion in 2017.

“Our Net Revenues After Impairments are also up 16per cent to N93.5billion compared to N80.6bn in 2017 with significant contribution from growth in retail transaction volumes across our channels.

“Through an aggressive focus on recoveries and recognising fully provisioned loans on our books, we successfully reduced the Bank’s NPL ratio, which is now down to 8.1per cent in 2018 from 20.8per cent at the end of 2017, in line with guidance provided at the start of the year. In 2019, we will continue to maintain focus on recoveries while prudently rebuilding our loan book and maintaining a conservative risk profile.

“On the funding side, we successfully

initiated the first tranche of our oversubscribed local currency bond programme to raise N13.5 billion. We are encouraged by the market and investor community response to the bond issue and subsequent listing on the FMDQ platform as we continue our drive to optimize the Bank’s capital and funding structure.

“In 2019, we will double-down on our productivity efforts to deliver our financial targets.

“We are harnessing synergies across our business segments to ensure we maximize opportunities across entire value chains while centralising key business and operational functions for better efficiency, and prioritizing customer experience across all our touch points.

“We are also pleased to be introducing our women-focused initiative, αlpHer, which will provide a portfolio of financial and nonfinancial services to women across customer segments in Nigeria.

“Lastly, we have commenced the LongTerm Efficiency Acceleration Programme (LEAP), a comprehensive transformation effort to embed cost discipline across the Bank. We believe LEAP will deliver significant cost savings in 2019 and entrench a culture of efficiency across all areas of the Bank.”

The Chief Financial Officer, Joe Mbulu, commenting further on the 2018 results said, “Gross revenues declined by 11per cent to N145.5 billion in 2018 from N163.8 billion in the previous year as a direct consequence of the loan book clean-up and resolution of key exposures.

“Notwithstanding significant investments to execute our strategy including expanding our agency banking footprint and aligning compensation with market for our entry to mid-level employees(which increased operating expenses by 12per cent from N66.7billion in 2017 to N75.0billion as at December 2018), we are pleased that our core business delivered a 33per cent growth to our topline PBT. Through LEAP, we will ensure that operating expenses in 2019 remain within the Bank’s targets.

“Our Return on Tangible Equity (ROTE) improved to 9.6per cent from 6.2per cent in 2017 demonstrating long-term shareholder value enhancement.

“In addition to our successful fundraising activities during the year, we will further support future growth and creation of highquality risk assets in 2019 through a Tier II capital raise. This will boost our Capital Adequacy Ratio, which is currently at 16.4per cent and remains above the regulatory limit.”

Fidelity Bank creates 60 millionaires in savings promo Temitope Adebayo Fidelity Bank Plc says it has produced 60 millionaires under the Get Alert in Millions Savings (GAIM) Season 3 promo.

The bank’s Executive Director, Shared Services and Product, Mrs Chijioke Ugochukwu, stated this at the fifth monthly prize presentation in Lagos.

Ugochukwu said that the bank would produce 17 more millionaires before the promo closes in the middle of the year.

She said that the bank had given out N79

million to lucky customers in GAIM 3 and still have outstanding N31 million to dole out before the closure of the promo, which included a grand prize of N10 million.

Ugochukwu said that the promo was initiated to boost financial inclusion and savings culture.

She, however, called on existing and new customers to embrace the initiative aimed at rewarding loyal customers.

Ugochukwu said that the bank had earmarked a total of N110 million to be won by customers for the GAIM season three initiative.

She said that the savings promo allowed the bank to go into nooks and crannies of the country to enlighten people on financial inclusion.

Ugochukwu noted that the initiative was in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s directives for financial inclusion.

The bank’s Divisional Head, Retail Banking, Mr Richard Madiebo, said that the bank had made banking easy through the promotion.

Madiebo called on Nigerians to take advantage of the initiative to open an account with Fidelity Bank, noting that

customers stand the chance of winning N1 million, N2 million or even more.

Also speaking, the Promo Manager, Mrs Janet Nnabuko, said that the promo was for both old and new customers and consists of monthly draws, bi-monthly draws and bi-monthly “To be eligible participate in the monthly draws, you should have an existing savings account and top it up with N10,000 every month and for the bi-monthly draws, you have to maintain a minimum of N50, 000 every month to participate.

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David Malpass becomes 13th President of World Bank Group Motolani Oseni The Executive Directors of the World Bank have unanimously selected David R. Malpass as 13th President of the World Bank Group for a five-year term beginning on Tuesday, April 9, 2019.

The Board expressed its deep gratitude to Interim President Kristalina Georgievafor her dedication and leadership in recent months.

According to a statement issued by the multilateral financial institution “The Executive Directors followed the selection process agreed in 2011.

The process included an open, transparent nomination where any national of the Bank’s membership could be proposed by any Executive Director or Governor through an Executive Director.

“This was then followed by thorough

due diligence and a comprehensive interview of Mr Malpass by the Executive Directors. The Board looks forward to working with Mr Malpass on the implementation of the Forward Look and the capital package agreement as articulated in the Sustainable Financing for Sustainable Development Paper”.

Mr Malpass World Bank said previously served as Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs for the United States.

As Under Secretary, Mr Malpass represented the United States in international settings, including the G-7 and G-20 Deputy Finance Ministerial, World Bank-IMF Spring and Annual Meetings, and meetings of the Financial Stability Board, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation.

In his role as Under Secretary, Mr. Malpass played a crucial role in several

major World Bank Group reforms and initiatives, including the recent capital increase for IBRD and IFC. He was also instrumental in advancing the Debt Transparency Initiative, adopted by the World Bank and IMF, to increase public disclosure of debt and thereby reduce the frequency and severity of debt crises.

Prior to becoming Under Secretary, Mr. Malpass was an international economist and founder of a macroeconomics research firm based in New York City.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Malpass served as the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Developing Nations and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Latin American Economic Affairs. In these roles, he focused on an array of economic, budget, and foreign policy issues, such as the United States’ involvement in multilateral institutions, including the World Bank.

Mr. Malpass has served on the boards

of the Council of the Americas, Economic Club of New York, and the National Committee on US–China Relations. Mr. Malpass earned his bachelor’s degree from Colorado College and his MBA from the University of Denver.

He undertook advanced graduate work in international economics at the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University.

The World Bank President is Chair of the Boards of Directors of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA).

The President is also ex officio Chair of the Boards of Directors of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and the Administrative Council of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).

Athens is a nice place for tourism – Expert Godwin Anyebe A travel and tourism expert, Ameh Inalegwu, who just returned from Athens says that Athens is a suitable destination for tourism.

Inalegwu stated this while sharing his tourism experience with select Journalists recently in Lagos.

According to him, Athens is one

of the largest cities in the world with many beautiful and famous places.

“In Athens, you will discover the incredible, ancient, and historical nature of the Greek Empire thanks to two-level opened top buses. On this trip, you will have the opportunity to visit Piraeus and admire the best places in the capital of Greece.”

He explained further that Athens is an exciting destination for discoveries.

Several parts of the city played a role in establishing what we now know as Athens, such as the cult of the capital of Greece, its legendary democracy, the world famous Acropolis and the ancient Agora, the tourist opportunities in Athens are numerous.

The Athens Circle has fourteen stops where tourists can hop-on and hop-off at any of the approved stations while they host the Acropolis Museum and

other major attractions of the city.

There are several Athens bus tours to choose from.

On a tourist route with views and descents in Athens, you can follow the history and culture of Athens from antiquity to the present day thanks to a cabriolet with free stations. You can also access some affordable tourist itinerary.

Travel, tourism can boost Nigerian economy – Travel Expert Godwin Anyebe Travel and tourism has been described as a sector that can generate more revenue to the government and promote the country in a positive light.

According to a travel and tourism expert, Ameh Inalegwu, there are fascinating areas

in Nigeria which if properly harnessed will help in boosting the nation’s economyc as it is done in other climes.

Inalegwu, who just returned from Prado Museum, said that Spain is a suitable destination for tourists urging the Nigerian government to learn from them.

The travel and tourism expert said this while sharing his tourism experience with select Journalists in Lagos.

According to him, the Museo Nacional del Prado, also known as El Prado or the Prado, is Spain’s most significant national art museum.

He said: “Mentioned in the same breath as the Louvre in Paris and the Met in New York City, the Prado attracts more than 2.8 million visitors per year.

“The Prado is home to some of the world’s most valuable and important

Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces.

Primarily collected by the Spanish monarchs of the 16th and 17th century, the Prado’s features celebrated painters, Francisco Goya, Hieronymus Bosch, Titan, El Greco, Peter Paul Rubens, and Diego Velazquez are all represented at the peak of their talent. Arguably, the Prado’s most famous painting is Diego Velazquez’s Las Meninas.”

L-R: Chairman, Mosque Management Committee, Lagos State Secretariat Mosque, Dr. Tajudeen Abiodun Afolabi; Head of Service, Lagos State Civil Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola; Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwon Akiolu; Chief Executive Officer, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan and his wife at the Ju’mat service held to celebrate the 125 anniversary of FirstBank recently.

Ecobank drives financial inclusion in South East with EcobankPay Zone Temitope Adebayo As part of efforts to further enhance financial inclusion in the country, Ecobank Nigeria, has launched the Ecobankpay zone in the southeastern part of the country.

The Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Patrick Akinwuntan, who launched the Ecobankpay zone at the Ariaria Market, Aba, assured business owners of better ease in receiving their payments.

The Ecobank boss said it will facilitate easy, secure and convenient transactions for merchants within Ariaria and other surrounding markets.

The EcobankPay Zone is a digital payment hub enabling businesses within a location adopt Ecobank’s wide range of digital products for ease of payments for goods and services.

“It is our determination to create ease of payment and boost economic activities most especially in a town like Aba, renowned for indigenous production of shoes and textiles. Our digital offering will be an opportunity for both buyers and sellers to increase their sales in an enhanced and secured way and without fear. The EcobankPay digital hub makes it easy for the seller to be paid instantly and buyers pay with ease and also have rest of mind associated with doing business without carrying cash around. Our Xpress point is also around for you to transact with ease, in as much as you have your phone you can bank with Ecobank”.

“The initiative of the Ecobankpay zone is to deepen financial inclusion in the communities and specifically aid business transactions between merchants and clients. EcobankPay’s unique offering is that anyone from any bank in Nigeria can pay with MasterPass, mVISA and mCASH with any phone by scanning QR code or using USSD”. “if the person that wishes to buy goods from you is coming from a bank that has mVisa and wishes to pay, the same QRcode would accept a mVisa payment and vice versa.

That creates synergy between us and the other banks and convenience for the merchants. And as you know, the QRcode is much cheaper than having a point of sale (PoS).”

Mr Akinwuntan made an example of how the EcobankPay works by buying a pair of shoes from one of the Aba traders and make payment through QR scan and the seller received alert instantly.

EcobankPay is a fresh innovative payment solution that enhances transactions between merchants and their customers by eliminating the risk of payment rejection and also delivers same day value and sales transparency for merchants. This is unlike the traditional ways that payments are made using cards on PoS where the merchant, the small business person, the trader, the supermarket owner, the distributor that is holding a POS needs to wait for at least one day to get the value of the payment. EcobankPay enables the merchant to receive credit instantly. This is very important for working capital, particularly for small businesses.

Ecobankpay enables easy tracking of customers business profiling for quick access to credit, save faster, reduces the risk of a security in terms of exposure to cash or exposure to pilfering of merchant’s credentials. The beauty of the Ecobankpay is in the cost of setting up as the shop owner simply print the QR code on a paper and can stick it anywhere and do not run any risks”.

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, April 6, 2019

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Bauchi 2019 polls: INEC, politicians and matters arising Samuel Luka, Bauchi The 2019 general elections have come and gone with candidates of various political parties emerging victorious from the Presidency, National to state assemblies.

In Bauchi State, the contest was between 31 governorship candidates, but the game was largely tilted towards the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the strongest opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The Incumbent Governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar who contested under the platform of the APC had Senator Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir of the Peoples Democratic Party as his major challenger who eventually emerged the winner.

The PDP candidate Mohammed who was a Senator and FCT minister under Goodluck Jonathan, had the full backing of the people of Bauchi State and some prominent personalities like the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara who is representing Dass, Bogoro and Tafawabalewa LGAs. Others include, Elder statesman, Alhaji Bello Kirfi, former Senate Leader Abdul Ningi, Senator Hamma Misau, Senator Nazif Gamawa, amongst others.

Although other candidates of the PRP, Professor Ali Pate, and NNPP’s Ambassador Ahmad Shuaibu glittered during electioneering campaigns, but were not given much consideration during the voting period by the electorates.

On the other hand, Governor Abubakar had the power of incumbency at his disposal with former Governor Isa Yuguda,

the former PDP Deputy National Chairman, Senator Babayo Garba Gamawa, former Deputy Governor, Abdulmalik Mahmud and many other personalities behind him.

The exercise with all the rigours involved most especially with the desperation by some politicians to clinch positions of their interest by crook or hook, the Electoral umpire in Bauchi State under Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi stood its ground to ensure strict adherence to the Electoral laws.

In such a tensed political environment, pundits believed that only a man with a lion heart who is ready to do justice at all cost to deliver a successful election can withstand such pressures.

Under the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, a peaceful election was conducted which produced elected Governor, Senators Houses Of Representatives and Assembly from different political platforms, an indication that the will of the electorates were guaranteed.

During the elections, specifically gubernatorial, series of allegations were leveled against Abdullahi by politicians across the state alleging connivance with the ruling All Progressives Congress ( APC) to rig election in their favour.

The REC had maintained severally that he will do justice to all parties, but some politicians who felt he should do their bidding instead of discharging his constitutional responsibility could not realise that Alhaji Abdullahi was only there to supervise the entire exercise and not to determine who wins or lose in the contest.

Alhaji Abdullahi had at different fora, called on politicians not to see

Mohammed Abdullahi

election as a do or die affair and at the same time reminding them that power belongs to Almighty God who choose to bestow such to whom he wishes at any given time.

At the heat of the contest, some politicians even went to the extent of calling for the redeployment of the REC at the expense of the strong strategic plans he has put in place to ensure transparent and credible election as seen at the end of the exercise where the opposition won against the incumbent.

Because of his doggedness for justice for all, some politicians vying for various elective positions under different political parties in the state assumed that the Resident

INEC replaces APC Enugu East senatorial candidate The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has replaced Lawrence Ezeh, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Enugu East Senatorial candidate with Adaku Ogbu-Aguocha.

The replacement comes after a Federal High Court sitting in Enugu nullified Ezeh’s candidature stating that he was not properly nominated by the party.

Ezeh defected to APC from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after he failed to clinch the party’s senatorial ticket during its primary in October

2018.

Following his defection, the nominated candidate during the ruling party’s primary Uchenna Ezemba stepped down for Ezeh which gave room for him to appear on the ballot paper during the senatorial poll in March.

Ogbu-Aguocha who came second during the primary challenged the decision of the party to field Ezeh in court stating that he was not a member of the party as of the time the primary election was held.

She asked the court to declare

her the duly elected candidate of the APC since Ezemba, who emerged winner of the primary, had withdrawn from the contest.

The presiding judge, Ibrahim Buba ruled that the plaintiff, OgbuAguocha, who came second in the APC senatorial primary election, was the rightful candidate since Ezemba, voluntarily stepped down.

The electoral body, however, replaced Ezeh’s name with that of Ogbu-Aguocha in its final senatorial candidate list published on its website on Thursday.

Electoral Commissioner, Ibrahim Abdullahi was working for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Abdullahi had in his quest to conduct a transparent, free, fair and credible election in Bauchi ensured that INEC under his supervision held series of meetings with stakeholders such as security agents, leaders of political parties, religious leaders, Civil Society Organisations, the media and some European election observers.

He had also appealed to political parties who have fielded candidates for various positions to comply with section 45 of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.

According to him, the section provides that, “each political party must notify the electoral officer of the local government in writing to appoint a polling agent for each polling unit and Collation centre in the local government for which it has a candidate.”

“The notice must state the name and address of the polling agents which will be given to the electoral body at least seven days before the date fixed for the election.”

The REC while supervising the sorting out of election materials said, “we are sorting out the materials to be on a safer side to be sure of what we have. We are doing that based on the 20 local government areas in Bauchi State.”

“Each electoral officer is at the CBN with the number of registered eligible voters in his area and will get the required number of ballot papers for the elections based on that,” Abdullahi assured.

He said while sorting out that, “all the sensitive materials will first be shared to the local government areas that are the farthest so that they can get to those areas in good time.

“We are here with all the electoral officers and political parties and what we are doing here is that we are sorting out the sensitive materials based on the local government areas.

What we have are the sensitive materials including the ballot papers and the result sheets. All the materials are intact,” Abdullahi had said during the commencement of distribution of voting materials.

For conducting what it described as a credible elections, a coalition of Domestic Observers deployed to Bauchi State to observe the 2019 general elections‎ passed a vote of confidence on the Bauchi State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) led

by Alhaji Abdullahi.

As reported in some National Dailies, the commendation was contained in a communiqué signed and issued to Journalists in Bauchi after the main election in the state by the Coalition’s Coordinator, Muhammad Abubakar and the Secretary, DK Isaac Idoma respectively.

The communiqué said, “We commend INEC for its efficient and transparent manner in which materials were distributed to all the 20 local government areas.”

According to the communiqué, “The team’s preliminary assessment revealed that the Commission mobilised all necessary logistics and human resources towards a successful conduct of the 2019 general elections in Bauchi State.”

The governor elect, Senator Bala had shortly after being presented with his certificate of Return commended INEC for their doggedness in respecting the wishes and aspirations of the people of Bauchi State despite the fact that there were some behind the scene tactics to perpetrate malpractice by some selfish politicians.

Mr John Habila Murai, a Journalist with the state owned Television Station (BATV) who reports from other local governments areas in the state confirmed that the exercise was generally peaceful.

Mr John who attributed the peacefulness of the election in the state to selfless and sincerity of purpose exhibited by the REC and his officials enjoined the Electoral umpire to improve upon in the areas of timely arrival of electoral materials, cases of inconclusive elections and the workings of the card reader machines in future elections.

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Lagos REC to lawmakers-elect:

Prioritise laws to improve quality of lives of ordinary residents

Secondus

PDP tells members with court cases against party to withdraw it or face sanctions Stories by Patrick Okohue The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has directed all its members who instituted cases against the party in various courts to withdraw them.

The party said members who fail to do so will face sanctions.

This decision was made known by the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Prince Diran Odeyemi, in a press statement.

PDP said the party considered myriad of cases instituted against it by members as inimical to the string of successes it had achieved in the last few years.

Odeyemi said any member of the party with a genuine interest in the party must not allow themselves to be used by elements that wanted to slow down its progress through needless litigations.

He said, “We consider it inimical to our progress as a vibrant political party, the myriad of cases instituted against PDP by members who are expected to be part of the concerted efforts towards being the ruling party in Nigeria.

“We can’t continue to struggle under the yoke of needless litigations when we intend to return to power both at federal level and in other states that are out of control of PDP at the moment.

“We are monitoring situations in Osun, Ekiti, Oyo, Lagos and other states across the country regarding court matters instituted by our members.”

The party assured aggrieved party members that they would get justice by using the party’s internal mechanism and not through the court.

It warned that any member that failed to comply with the directive would be sanctioned.

Election: Tribunal receives 11 petitions in Niger The election petition tribunal in Niger State has received 11 petitions in respect of the Senate, House of Assembly and Governorship elections held on Feb. 23 and March 9.

Copies of the petitions, obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday, showed that three of the petitions are in respect of the Governorship election.

The petitions were filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Action Peoples Party (APP) and Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) and their candidates against Gov. Abubakar Bello, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and

INEC. NAN reports that two of the petitions were in respect of the Niger East Senatorial election filed by the PDP and the All Grassroots Alliance and their candidates.

Six others are in respect of the State House of Assembly elections in Agaie, Mashegu, Agwarra, Kontagora 1, Lapai and Chanchaga constituencies.

The tribunal’s secretary, Muazu Bagudu, who confirmed the receipt of the petitions to NAN, said that no date had been fixed for commencement of the tribunal’s proceedings.

The Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr Sam Olumekun, has challenged returning and newly elected lawmakers of the Lagos State House of Assembly to prioritise on laws and regulations that would further improve the quality of lives of ordinary residents of the state.

Speaking during the issuance of Certificates of Return to the 40 members-elect of the Lagos Assembly at the commission’s office in Sabo-Yaba, Lagos with several politicians in attendance, Olumekun commended all stakeholders that contributed to the success of elections in the state, saying that the election that saw the lawmakers through was considered free, fair and credible.

The REC who said that there was the need to celebrate 20 years of uninterrupted democracy as well as increasing citizens participation in electoral process in the country, however said that there are about 16 petitions filed in the election tribunal and the commission is ready to defend its conduct during the elections wherever such is necessary at the tribunal.

He said that the commission had cooperated with groups and individuals who requested for one thing or the other.

Olumekun said: “Distinguished members, we want to urge, the principal task ahead of you is the improvement of the lives of Lagosians.

“Please endeavor to enact very vibrant laws that will improve the life of lagosians. Of course your past record is here, you have the tradition and you have been doing very well in the past. Lagos has always been excellent.”

Olumekun drew the attention of leaders of political parties in the state to the issue of low voter turnout, which he described as “very disturbing”.

“I want to urge you to mobilise not only your members, but even the entire electorate to come out and participate during the conduct of elections,” the INEC boss added.

Speaking after collecting his Certificate of Return, the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, who was elected for record fifth term and other 39 state lawmakerselect, Obasa, commended INEC and other critical stakeholders, saying that the parliament would continue to do its best to ensure orderly society and improved condition of living.

“This is my fifth time of coming to this place to collect certificate of return. We have listened to what you have said, we have heard

Mudashiru Obasa

that we should represent our constituency adequately, and to show leadership.

“We are going to serve our people and the interest of our people. And we are going to represent them adequately.

“We are particularly concerned about the people and we are not going to forget that in everything we do.

“We have the interest of our people and that is the purpose we are going to the Parliament to represent their interest,” the Speaker said.

He said the assembly had done tremendously well, and that the ninth assembly will not be different as the ear and mouth of the people.

On the cost of executing elections, Obasa said that the nation had to be more prudent by looking for a more convenient and less expensive process that would be acceptable and credible.

“I agree with you that we have done well in our last election, we must improve on what have done.

“Everyone is important no matter what the status is. So, we must learn from this election to improve on incoming elections,” he said.

Obasa said that the Nigeria economic system demanded prudence, saying that the amount of money committed to the election was huge while other sectors were begging for attention.

He called for a more acceptable, convenient, prudent, truthful and protective was of handling elections, calling on the National Assembly to embark on necessary amendment that will be

beneficial to the people.

He commended the National Leader of the APC, Sen. Bola Tinubu, Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) members and other stakeholders who contributed to ensuring that the 40 seats were won by candidates of the APC. Also speaking with NAN, Hon. Setonji David, a second term members-elect for Badagry Constituency II, said that he was excited and feel fulfilled to be given the second chance to represent his people.

David, who noted that INEC tried its best during the elections, said that people must also show interest in electoral processes to increase participation and deepen democracy.

Hon. Tunde Braimoh, a second term member-elect for Kosofe Constituency II told NAN that there was the need for INEC to improve on its conduct of elections.

Braimoh, who could not hide his joy for his re-election, thanked the leadership of the APC and his constituents for the opportunity, saying to whom much is given, from him much is expected”.

It will be recalled that the 40 seats in the Lagos Assembly were won by candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the March 9 governorship and house of assembly elections.

INEC had on March 29 presented Certificates of Return to the Lagos State Governor-elect, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat at the commission’s office in Sabo, Yaba.

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Algerians rally to demand post-Bouteflika political overhaul

Forces allied to the Tripoli-based government check the vehicles which were confiscated from Haftar’s troops in Zawiya

‘Deeply concerned’ UN chief leaves Libya as fears of new war loom The United Nations chief, Antonio Guterres, says he is leaving Libya with “heavy heart and deep concern”, after holding a meeting with renegade General Khalifa Haftar who has ordered his troops to march to the capital.

Fierce clashes took place on Friday near Tripoli as eastern forces loyal to Haftar continued their advance towards the city, home to the country’s UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA).

“I still hope it is possible to avoid a bloody confrontation in and around Tripoli,” Guterres wrote on Twitter, as he wrapped up his visit to the North African country that saw him making a diplomatic dash to Libya’s rival centres of powers.

Guterres had travelled to Libya this week to help organise a national reconciliation conference planned for later this month and aimed at drawing a plan for delayed elections.

But in a surprise move on Thursday, Haftar ordered his selfstyled Libyan National Army (LNA) to advance towards the capital.

Amid mounting fears of a renewed civil war, Guterres on Thursday met GNA head Fayez al-Serraj in Tripoli, before heading on Friday to the eastern city of Benghazi, Haftar’s stronghold.

“The UN is committed to facilitating a political solution and, whatever happens, the UN is committed to supporting the Libyan people,” Guterres said.

According to Al-Arabiya TV, Haftar told Guterres that his operation towards Tripoli will continue until “terrorism” has been defeated.

The UN Security Council scheduled an emergency closeddoor meeting on Friday afternoon at the United Kingdom’s request to discuss the unfolding developments.

Since the NATO-backed removal of long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has been split between rival governments in the west and east - the GNA in Tripoli and the House of Representatives in

Tobruk, respectively - and an array of militias fighting over power and oil fields.

Haftar’s LNA troops on Thursday captured the town of Gharyan, about 100km south of Tripoli, without a fight, putting them closer than ever before to militias allied to the GNA. The renegade general then ordered his forces to march on the capital, saying in an audio recording posted online: “We are coming Tripoli, we are coming.”

He also urged his forces to enter the city peacefully and only raise their weapons “in the face of those who seek injustice and prefer confrontation and fighting”.

Haftar’s spokesman Ahmed alMesmari later said that the army’s next stop would be the town of al-Aziziya, considered the gate of Tripoli.

But LNA forces failed to take a checkpoint about 30km west of the capital. They were pushed back by pro-GNA militiamen from the coastal town of Zawiya after a “short exchange of fire”, AFP news agency reported, citing an unnamed security source.

Traffic was flowing normally past the so-called Gate 27, which lies astride the coastal road to Tunisia, on Friday morning, an AFP correspondent reported.

In another setback, forces allied to the GNA took 145 LNA fighters prisoner in Zawiya, west of Tripoli, a western commander, Mohamed Alhudairi, told Reuters news agency.

An LNA source confirmed 128 had been captured.

Sixty vehicles had also been seized, Alhudairi said.

Later on Friday, a spokesman for the LNA said Haftar’s forces had seized the former Tripoli International Airport on the southern outskirts of the capital.

Ahmed Mismari also told reporters the eastern forces were in control of Tarhouna and Aziziya, two towns near Tripoli. Mismari said five LNA troops had been killed.

This came after militias in western

Libya vowed to confront Haftar’s attempt to seize Tripoli.

Al Jazeera’s Mahmoud Abdelwahed, reporting from the capital, said that forces from Misrata are also believed to have joined Tripoli-allied troops to the south of the capital and are advancing southwest towards Gharyan, which Haftar’s forces took over on Thursday.

Also on Friday, a militia known as the Joint Tripoli Protection Force based in the area and smaller towns around the Libyan capital announced it would also deploy to repel Haftar’s offensive.

“There are reports of confrontations between Haftar’s forces and UN-backed government forces on the outskirts of Gharyan,” Abdelwahed said.

Several governments and organisations have urged deescalation, including those known to be Haftar’s key backers such as France and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The two countries, along with the UK, Italy and the United States, said in a joint statement on Friday that “military posturing and threats of unilateral action only risk propelling Libya back toward chaos”.

Maja Kocijancic, a spokeswoman for the European Commission, said the bloc is “deeply concerned by the military build-up that is underway in Libya and the escalatory rhetoric which seriously risks leading to an uncontrollable confrontation”.

Matteo Salvini, Italy’s interior minister, warned that the stability along the southern rim of the Mediterranean Sea was in danger, with Algeria also in turmoil following the uprising against its longtime ailing president.

Russia, which has thrown its support behind Haftar in the past, distanced itself from the offensive.

Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for President Vladimir Putin, denied any support for Haftar and emphasised the need “to avoid actions that would lead to the resumption of bloodshed”.

Algerians have once again taken to the streets to demand an overhaul of the political system after their pro-democracy movement forced President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to resign earlier this week after 20 years in power.

Tens of thousands of people massed in the capital, Algiers, and marched towards the central post office, a symbol of the peaceful widespread protests that began on February 22 in response to 82-year-old Bouteflika’s bid to seek a fifth term in now-cancelled elections, earlier scheduled for April 18.

Security was higher than usual, with roadblocks preventing buses of protesters from entering the city. One group of demonstrators from the Kabylie region east of Algiers walked 20km after its bus was stopped at a roadblock.

It was the seventh straight Friday of protests against a leadership the demonstrators perceive as corrupt and repressive but the first since the ailing Bouteflika resigned on Tuesday under pressure from protesters and the powerful army.

The demonstrators now want the departure of key allies of Bouteflika, including the men who head Algeria’s three branches of power: the prime minister, chief of the upper house of parliament and the president of the constitutional court.

“The people want them all to leave,” protesters chanted. Some brandished signs calling for the exit of “the three Bs”Prime Minister Noureddine Bedoui, Constitutional Council President Tayeb Belaiz, and upper house of parliament President Abdelkader Bensalah.

On Wednesday, the Constitutional Council confirmed that the post of president was vacant, paving the way for a three-month transition period.

Under Algeria’s constitution, that confirmation allows the country to organise elections within that 90-day transition period. The process foresees both houses of parliament convening

and Bensalah being named an interim leader.

Bensalah, however, does not have the support of Algeria’s opposition and thousands of protesters who led the anti-Bouteflika movement.

One of the leading voices of the protest movement, lawyer Mustapha Bouchachi, has called for the demonstrations to continue “until they have all gone”.

“Our victory is partial,” he said in a video posted online.

“Algerians will not accept that symbols of the regime ... lead the interim period and organise the next elections.”

Peaceful protests were also held in the northeastern province of Annaba and in Bejaia in the north, according to local media reports.

Meanwhile, Algerian media reported that Athmane Tartag, the country’s director of the intelligence service, has left his post amid conflicting reports about whether he resigned or was dismissed.

The local al-Khabar paper reported that the intelligence chief, also known as Bachir Tartag, handed in his resignation hours before Bouteflika stepped down.

However, Algeria’s private Ennahar satellite channel reported that Tartag was sacked on Friday.

The 69-year-old was appointed as the head of the intelligence service in 2015.

Algerian news reports said the intelligence service, DSS, will now report to the defence ministry instead of the president’s office.

George Joffe from the School of Oriental and African Studies told Al Jazeera that “certain grudge scores are now being settled”.

“The result is now Tartag is out of office, and that begins to remove some of the infrastructure of the Bouteflika regime,” he said, speaking from London.

“Whether it implies a change in the institutions of the state of law … that I doubt very much.”

Russia wins landmark WTO ‘national security’ case against Ukraine

Russia has won a dispute about “national security” at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in a ruling that may lend support to global car tariffs that could be imposed by the United States.

The WTO panel ruling on Friday the first ever on the right to a national security exemption from global trade rules - awarded Russia a legal victory in the Ukrainian transit dispute.

The panel also confirmed the WTO’s right to assess national security claims, denting US arguments that national security was not subject to review by the global trade body.

Any such claim should be “objectively” true and relating to weapons, war, fissionable materials or an “emergency in international relations”, it said.

Kiev went to the Geneva-based trade body in 2016, complaining of a huge reduction in trade with Asia and the Caucasus region after Russian President Vladimir Putin banned road and rail transport from Ukraine unless the route also went through neighbouring Belarus.

Russia argued that the diversion was necessary to protect its national security following a conflict with Ukraine over the annexation of Crimea in 2014.

The panel said there “existed a situation in Russia’s relations with Ukraine that constitutes an emergency in international relations”, which meant Russia had “met the requirements” for invoking national security.

Russia’s Economy Minister Maxim

Oreshkin said the ruling, which can be appealed by either side within 60 days, had recognised Ukraine’s arguments to be unfounded and said the issue was of “systemic importance” for the WTO. Friday’s decisions could have ramifications for a number of WTO cases hinging on claims of national security threats, including US President Donald Trump’s tariffs for steel, aluminium and potentially cars.

Canada, the European Union and several other US trading partners have asked the WTO to determine if the tariffs are indeed necessary to protect the US’s national security.

Invoking national security was taboo at the WTO for decades after it was founded in 1995, with diplomats referring to the issue as a “Pandora’s box”, which could never be closed once it was opened and would undermine the discipline of the WTO’s widelyaccepted rules.

The body’s General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade includes a clause allowing countries to take steps to protect their “essential security interests”. However, the WTO panel determined in Friday’s ruling that the agency has the “jurisdiction” to rule in cases where national security concerns are invoked.

In the past three years, however, Russia has cited national security in the dispute with Ukraine, Trump has used it to justify tariffs and Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have cited it in a diplomatic spat with Qatar.

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GREAT MUSIC ENTERTAINERS ASSOCIATION OF NIG.

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, April 6, 2019

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

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ABBA NDUBUISI FRIDAY - CHAIRMAN 2. ANIGBO TOOCHUKWU - VICE CHAIRMAN 3.ANI OSONDU 4. OGBONNA EMMANUEL TREASURE 5. NWOBODO PROMISE 6. ANI SAMPSON UGOCHUKWU 7. NWATU NNAMDI SECRETARY

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AIMS & OBJECTIVES 1) TO PREACHING THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD TO THE WORLD 2) TO PROPAGATE THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST 3) TO EDUCATION ENDOWMENT

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

PRESIDENT

SECRETARY

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

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Vat

Sizes

Colour

Rates

Vat

F/PAGE H/PAGE Q/PAGE 14”X5 14”X4 14”X2 FPS 6”X3 FPS 6”X2 BPS 6”X3 BPS 6”X2 ROP2”X6 FPS 2”X6 BPS 2”X6 13”X5

585,000.00 303,439.60 163,431.45 516,379.50 266,617.34 296,551.80 873,388.02 582,267.81 861,432.81 565,621.87 198,096.61 582,257.82 565,621.87 479,495.25

29,250.00 15.171.97 8,171.57 25,818.97 13,426.86 10,327.59 43,669.40 29,122.89 43,071.64 28,281.09 9,904.84 29,131.09 28,281.09 23,974.76

10”X5 10”X5 10”X4 10”X3 10”X2 9”X6 9”X5 9”X4 9”X3 8”X6 8”X5 8”X4 8”X3 8”X2

506,732,50 324,252.34 421,528.04 337,222.43 131,839.81 455,159.25 379,375.23 303,500.18 210,126.15 404,568.92 337,222.43 259,777.95 186,801.63 124,522.05

25,286.62 13,780/72 21,076.40 19,861,12 6,591.99 22,767.96 18,968.76 15,176.00 10,056,30 20,233.34 16,861.12 13,488,89 9,340.08 8,226.10

13”X2 11”X5 11”X4 11”X2

164,774.84 463,680.84 370,424.87 139,424.87

8,238.74 23,184.04 18,521.24 6,971.24

7”X5 7”X4 7”X2 6”X4

295,059.63 206,551.80 88,724.91 156,001.52

14,753.48 10,327.59 4,406.24 9,340.08

Sizes

6”X3 6”X2 5”X5 5:X4 5”X3 5”X2 4”X2 3”X3 3”X2 2”X2 1”X2 1”X1 BPS 2”X2

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114974.85 76,049.94 168,437.36 131M839.81 86,062.36 63,374,94 50,699.95 43,874.94 20,240.98 19,499.98 9,749.99 4,876.00 349,354.69

Vat

5,703.74 3,802.74 7,921.86 6,591.99 4,763.11 3,168.74 2,534.99 1,864.68 1,243.12 828.75 828.75 207.19 17,467.73

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18,299.53 74,861.71 66,543.76 33,210.97

Black & White S/N 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

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VAT 22,120.31 11,473.80 6,244.75 19,526.63 15,620.48 7,899.79 18,130.88 6,230.07 17,532.37 14,090.90 5,272.00 19,123.01 16,003.39 12,752.09 9,583.34

S/N 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

SIZES 10”X2 9”X6 9”X5 8”X4 9”X3 8”X6 8”X5 8”X 4 8”X3 8”X2 7”X5 7”X4 7”X2 6”X4 6”X3

RATES 124,611,09 343,369.19 286,789.47 229,536.51 155,328.58 306,019.70 204,020.39 204,032.45 141,263.20 76,631.55 223,003.40 167,994.09 51,614.05 173,871.36 66,360.90

VAT 6,230.55 17,168.45 14,339.47 11,476.02 7,766.43 15,300.98 10,201.46 10,201,62 7,063.16 3,831.57 71,116.12 7,698.67 2,193.60 4,818.40 2,820.34

S/N 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44

SIZES 6”X2 5”X5 5”X4 6”X3 6”X2 4”X 2 3”X3 3”X2 2”X5 2”X2 1”X2 1”X1

RATES 44,240.63 119,813.65 94,554.69 55,300.74 36,867.18 29,493.75 33,180.45 22,120.32 48,173.99 14,746.87 7,373.44 3,685.72

DOUBLE SPREAD 774,210.84 DOUBLE SPREAD(1/2) 367,105.47

VAT 1,880.23 6,990.68 3,133.71 2,360.26 1,566.85 1,253.48 1,410.17 940.11 2,047.39 626.74 313.37 156.69

32,803.96 16,451.98

CONTACT US

Lilian Okechukwu - 08036693468, Maryamu Mohammed - 08038344225, Sandra Onyema - 08038541505 Head, Marketing / Sales Department

Marketing / Sales Executive

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SPORTS TIMES Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, April 6, 2019

World number 1 Naomi Osaka signs with Nike

World number one Naomi Osaka has agreed on a deal with Nike, the sports apparel giant has announced.

The Japanese, who had previously been tied to rival Adidas, will first wear Nike gear at the Stuttgart Grand Prix later this month, the U.S. sportswear maker said on its website.

“I’m proud to become a member of the Nike family and excited about getting involved in all of the opportunities Nike has

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to offer,” said Osaka in the statement.

“Nike has a legendary track record of writing history and I look forward to being a part of those moments for many years to come.”

The Japanese have won the last two Grand Slams, having become the first ever Japanese player to win one of the four majors when she overcame Serena Williams at the U.S. Open in September.

“Naomi is an incredible talent to add to our roster and

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help drive our commitment to inspiring a new generation of female athletes,” Nike VP Amy Montagne added in the statement.

“We are thrilled to have her join our team.”

Osaka’s ascent to the top of the women’s game has made her a hot marketable commodity for the world’s top brands.

She already has deals with Japanese airline All Nippon Airways, car manufacturer Nissan and watches company Citizen, among others.

FIFA ranking: Nigeria now third in Africa

Nigeria has climbed one spot to third in Africa according to the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking released on Thursday.

Super Eagles moved above Morocco to third in the continent, after earning eight points following a successful international break last month.

Nigeria ended the

AFCON2019Q with a 3-1 victory over Seychelles before seeing off seven-time African champions, and AFCON2019 hosts, Egypt, 1-0 in a friendly four days later.

Meanwhile, in the world ranking, Nigeria climbed four places to 42, with just the duo of Tunisia (28) and Senegal (23) the only

African countries now ranked higher.

Elsewhere, it remains tight at the top where Belgium retain their number one position with the narrowest of margins, with three points above World Champions and second-placed France.

Brazil, England and Croatia complete the top in third, fourth and fifth respectively.

NSSF chief slams sports ministry, Nigeria’s Henry Onyekuru named Turkish Super Lig’s fastest player name drops official behind “jamboree” youth competitions President of the Nigeria Schools Sports Federation, Ibrahim Mohammed, has slammed the ministry of Sports for usurping the NSSF’s role of organizing age grade competitions in Country.

Mohammed, in a chat slammed the Ministry for its complete disregard of the framework of the NSSF, which is the body responsible for overseeing age grade competitions across the country.

The NSSF Boss also predicted a gloom picture for Athletics in Nigeria urging corporate sponsors to rush to the AFN’s aid because of the lack of activity at the schools sports level.

‘We need to have people sponsoring Children in schools and that’s why you see the Athletics Championship in Nigeria is going down gradually, because most of the products come form schools.

And if schools are not encouraged I doubt if the present Athletes are worn out, I don’t know the replacements if the schools are not looked into [sic]. And that’s why we call into the Ministry of Youth and Sports to stop organising all those jamboree school sports; it’s not their area, I called Dr. Are [Demola] to stop that.

‘That is kind of wasting the Federal

[Government] money, we are the grassroot and they are not touching the grassroot.

‘They continue to say they are organizing festival, when you go there you’ll see under 30s, under 25s or 40 year-olds participating in those competitions; abusing the system, when they know we have the Children in schools and there are systems set up by the Federal Government to look into that system.

They’re policy makers in the Ministry not Organizers.’

Super Eagles forward Henry Onyekuru has been named the fastest player in the Turkish Super Lig. The former Eupen of Belgium ace, according to United Kingdom-based sports analytics company OPTA, clocked 32kph over 20 meters to be ranked at the top of the speed list.

Onyekuru is loan at the Istanbul-based club from Premier League side Everton until the end of the 2018/19 season.

The 21-year-old Nigerian has racked up 11 goals and three assists in 24 Super Lig appearances, making him one of the top performers for Gala.

He has also recently broken back into the Nigerian national team set up under manager Gernot Rohr, and has racked up nine caps for the Super Eagles thus far.

He celebrated his full debut for the senior team by scoring in the recent 3-1 win against Seychelles in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Onyekuru was nominated for the Young Player of the Year at the NFF Awards but lost out to Villarreal’s new kid on the block Samuel Chukwueze.

Both players are expected to be included in Nigeria’s final squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in June and July.

Despite doing well for Galatasaray, the club have woken to the realities that the Everton loanee will not be plying his trade in Istanbul next season and have targeted Bruma as his replacement, as reported by Takvim.

A £7 million signing from KAS Eupen

in 2017 (BBC), Everton were forced to send Onyekuru out on loan to the Turkish Super Lig champions last summer due to ongoing work permit issues.

And the Nigerian has now doubt been a big hit at Galatasaray.

TEAMtalk claimed in March that Gala had decided that they would try and sign Onyekuru permanently. But it seems they

have now accepted defeat with the Toffees wanting a big fee for one of Europe’s most exciting young forwards.

Takvim reports that Fatih Terim’s side will now make a move for Bruma instead, the Portuguese international winger who spent four years at Galatasaray before joining RB Leipzig two years ago.

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Samuel Taylor Coleridge

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