DTN-9-3-19

Imo Guber poll: Odds favour PDP’s Ihedioha Patrick Okohue, Lagos

As the nation heads to the poll to elect the next set of governors and states Houses of Assembly members, many interesting developments are expected from some quarters whose political trajectory has been sort of bewildering to

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many political watchers in the country.

One of the states that promise to be very interesting in this election is Imo State and that is for many reasons. Imo remains the only states in the South East being ruled today by the All Progressives Congress (APC), the ruling party at the centre, making it one of the two states in Continued on page 3

SATURDAY, MARCH 9, 2019

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Accuses Gov Okorocha of diverting N1bn for vote buying

Our Reporter The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested the Accountant-General of Imo State, Uzoho Casmir, for allegedly helping the state Governor, Rochas Okorocha, to launder N1.05 billionn for the governorship and state assembly elections holding today.

The allegations were contained in an EFCC situation report which was obtained on Friday.

Okorocha, who is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is supporting his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu of the Action Alliance (AA) against the governorship candidate of the APC, Senator Hope Uzodinma.

The act earned Okorocha a suspension from the

party last week.

The EFCC report reads in part: “The EFCC, Enugu zonal office, Thursday, March 8, 2019 arrested the acting Accountant General of Imo State, Mr. Uzoho Casmir, on suspicion of laundering the sum of N1.050 billion through a new generation bank for the Governor of the state, Rochas Okorocha.

“Uzoho’s arrest followed intelligence report that the governor intended to use the money for vote buying in favour of a particular candidate in tomorrow’s gubernatorial election.

“Intelligence further revealed that Mr. Casmir withdrew the amount in three tranches between Tuesday and Thursday this week in the following order: N200 million on Tuesday, N500 million on CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

I can play all roles but I cannot be nude -Actress Amada Ebeye g 8 Daily Times Poll on Gov’ship elections

L-R: Afolasade Alonge, Divisional Head, Corporate & Specialised Banking, Heritage Bank Plc; Osepiribo Ben-Willie, Head, South South & South East Directorate; Jude Monye, Executive Director and Oluwatomi Ojo, Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, during the mentoring programme to celebrate the 2019 International Women’s Day organised by Heritage Bank in Lagos...on Friday.

How Gov g 4 el-Rufai shared cash to Muslim clerics Court declines to disqualify Gov Wike, dismisses forgery suit g 4

Your attack g4 on our administration diversionary, PDP tells Buhari Panic in Asaba over increasing robbery attacks on residents g 4

STATES APC PDP OTHERS Adamawa 51% 48% 1% AkwaIbom 25% 75% 0% Borno 70% 28% 2% Bauchi 52% 48% 0% Benue 45% 53% 2% Cross River 30% 55% 15% Delta 28% 60% 12% Ebonyi 25% 75% 0% Enugu State 20% 75% 5% Gombe 50% 50% 0% Imo 35% 59% 6% Jigawa 65% 30% 5% Kaduna 55% 45% 0% Kano 60% 35% 5% Katsina 75% 33% 2% Kebbi 75% 20% 5% Kwara 60% 35% 5% Lagos 65% 30% 5% Nasarawa 60% 30% 10% Niger 65% 25% 10% Ogun 55% 20% 25% Oyo 55% 35% 10% Plateau 60% 35% 5% Rivers Absent 75% 25% Taraba 50% 50% 0% Yobe 70% 30% 0% Zamfara 70% 25% 5%

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Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, March 9, 2019

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, March 9, 2019

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EFCC arrests Imo Accountant- General

Continued from page 1

Wednesday and N350 million on Thursday.

“Meanwhile, the EFCC has blocked the traced accounts, while the arrested

accountant-general has been providing useful information to the commission.

“Mr. Casmir was before his appointment, a director of Finance in Okorocha’s government and was in 2016

the South East and South South under APC control, the other being Edo State.

That Imo State is one of the two states in the country whose governor is supporting a candidate of another party while they are running for Senate on the platform of the APC, the other state being Ogun State in the South West.

It should also be noted that the outcome of the governorship elections in Imo State since 1999 was determined by a rough mix of some six factors, comprising of – the voters and the votes that counted, Orlu hegemony versus the moral burden of zoning, candidate likability, Imo elite conspiracies or preferences, the bias of electoral institutions, and political party branding/spread.

In this 2019 election, it is these same factors, either in partial combination or in isolation, that will again determine who, amongst the following, wins: Emeka Ihedioha, Ikedi Ohakim, Hope Uzodimma, Ifeanyi Ararume, and Uche Nwosu will emerge victorious at the poll.

According to an informed analyst, in 1999 and 2003, the three predominant factors that determined the governorship election were: zoning, elite preference, and some noticeable bias of the electoral institutions.

So, it is interesting to note that the year 2003 (sixteen years ago) was the last time the PDP won the governorship election in Imo State. It lost it in 2007, 2011 and 2015.

Going by their antecedents and current realities, each of the five front runners enumerated above possesses a relative advantage of some or all of the foregoing six factors, albeit to varying lesser and greater

degrees. What this portends is that the likely margin of votes separating one from the other is going to be narrower than any other time in history but a clear winner will still emerge at the first ballot.

Uche Nwosu The hope of Uche Nwosu to tap into Rochas’ political base in this election will be one of his major undoing, as the best he is expected to poll from this base is minus-plus one-third of what Rochas has polled in 2015, making further allowances for the votes that were said to have been manipulated. Uche is also hoping to leverage on the remnants of the institutional capital left to the politically wounded Rochas.

The Orlu factor will work in the opposite for Uche just as the most obvious – being Rochas’ in-law has become an albatross.

His party – the Action Alliance has no voter base anywhere. It was a briefcase party before he came into play and breathed some life into it but nothing seems to have been done to organise the party away from the double-edged sword of core APC apparatchiks that are in lock-step with Uzodimma.

Hope Uzodimma Sen. Hope Uzodimma can be described as the man who slayed Rochas, taking the APC ticket from him. He will likely prune away some votes from the disenchanted ranks of the Ihedioha/PDP combine. He’s counting more on candidate hype, voter/grassroots appeal, but unbeknown to him some of these factors are more likely to work in opposites to 1999 and 2011. Better yet, the greatest obstacles to Uzodimma are that he is running against veteran

PHOTO TIMES

fingered in N2 billion bailout fund scam, which was then given to the state by the Federal Government for the payment of salary arrears of civil servants.”

Imo Guber poll: Odds favour PDP’s Ihedioha

Continued from page 1

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opponents, a bitter and wealthy incumbent governor and his family, and Owerri/Okigwe zones that have come to see him as the post-boy for Orlu hegemony.

Emeka Ihedioha Though Ihedioha is likely to lose some votes to the old (and disaffected) PDP guards still allied to Ohakim and Uzodinma and to a less extent, Ararume, he is believed to have a better chance this time than he had in 2015 when he polled about 320,000 votes. Ihedioha’s strongest strength lies in the elite support he still enjoys and the zoning factor and his experience and grassroots appeal should not also be discountenanced.

Ikedi Ohakim Ohakim is likely to retain some portion of the votes he polled in 2011 because his appeal as an ex-governor remains somewhat strong.

Even as some of his votes are vulnerable to Ararume (same zone factor), it counts for him that he has beaten Ararume twice (in 2007 and 2011).

Ifeanyi Ararume Ifeanyi Ararume is likely to maintain just about minus-plus what he had polled in 2011.

Recall also that he had run twice and lost twice, and each time with two political parties (PDP and ACN) that hadd more spread than the parties whose candidates had defeated him. In 2019, his current party (APGA) is still possessed of some appeal (based on the well-worn Nke a Bu Nke Anyi), but he also has to contend with wary Imo elite and those he badly bruised in APGA on his way to the top.

L-R: Adebowale Banzi, Head, Marketing & Brand Communications; Adedoyin Samo, Head, Human Resources & Administration, both of Zedcrest Capital Ltd; Oluwayemisi Mafe, Facilitator and Head, Brand Communications, SUNU Assurances; and Adedayo Amzat, CFA, Group Managing Director, Zedcrest Capital & Managing Director, Zedvance Limited at a mentorship session for Zedvance female staff in commemoration of the 2019 International Women’s Day at the company’s Marina office in Lagos ...on Friday.

L-R: Director, Human Resources, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited, Olumide Sholanke; Managing Director, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited, George Polymenakos; Legal Director, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited, Abiodun Peters and Head, Quality and Sustainability, NBC, Mihaela Bendic, during the celebration of International Women’s Day by Nigerian Bottling Company Limited in Lagos...on Friday

L-R: Director, Media & Publicity, Independence Campaign Group, Comrade Olusesan Daini; Hon. Jimi Benson; Director General, ICG, Mr. Tayo Ayinde; Deputy DG, ICG, Cardinal James Odunbaku; Chief of Staff, Hon. (Mrs.) Rasheedat Essien; Director, Legal, Barr. Lawal Pedro; and Chairman, Lagos State, All Progressive Congress, UK, Hon. Tayo Sodeinde, at the presentation of the wheel chairs and other items to the Sanyoolu Independent Campaign Group in Lagos.

CBN injects $269.92m, CNY31.34m into retail SMIS Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

In continuation of its periodic intervention in the inter-bank segment of the foreign exchange market, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has injected the sums of $269.92 million and CNY 31.34 million in the Retail Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS) of the Foreign Exchange market.

The dollar interventions

were for customers in the agricultural, airlines, petroleum products and raw materials and machinery sectors, while the CNY 31.34 million component was for payment of Renminbidenominated Letters of Credit for agriculture as well as raw materials.

Confirming the figures on Friday, the Banks Director, Corporate Communications Department, Mr. Isaac Okorafor, said the level of stability in the market was

commendable and would be sustained by the Bank.

Friday’s transaction was in addition to the $210 million injected into the Wholesale, Small and Medium Enterprises, and Invisibles segments of the market on Tuesday, March 5, 2019.

Meanwhile, the exchange rates closed at the rate of N357/$1 on Friday, March 8, 2019 in the Bureau De Change segment of the market, while the Chinese Yuan, closed at N47/CNY1.

L-R: Wole Famurewa, Market Editor, West Africa, CNBC/Moderator; Dr. Doyin Salami, Senior Lecturer, Lagos Business School (LBS); Abosede Alimi, Director, Strategy, Partnerships and Stakeholder Management, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF); Dr. Ndidi Nnoli-Edozien, Group Chief, Sustainability and Governance, Dangote Industries Limited, and Mr. Kola Aina, Founding Partner, Ventures Platform Limited, at the official report presentation of LSETF impact, progress with support from Ford Foundation in Lagos State.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, March 9, 2019

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Gov’ship poll: How Gov el-Rufai shared cash to Muslim clerics Our Reporter

The Daily Times is in possession of documents in which the Governor Nasir el-Rufai’s administration in Kaduna State allegedly shared money to respectable Muslim clerics in the state, in order for them to preach in the Mosques yesterday (Friday) in support of his re-election.

The above move is in spite of the guideline of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which mandated that campaigns end by 12 mid night of Friday.

According to the document, a total of N14 million was distributed to Eight (8) prominent Imams while another N20 million was shared to others Imams that were not mentioned in the list, bringing to a total of N34 million.

The money sharing document, a

memorandum, was written and signed by the Director General (Interfaith), in the office of the Secretary to the State Government and was signed by the Director General, Engr. Muhammed Namadi Musa, himself.

He wrote to the SSG that “The SSG may wish to note that in line with the agreed plan of providing logistics to Imams of Jummat Mosques towards a favourable Friday sermon, the Friday preceding the date of the Gubernatorial election, the 1st batch of the 50% disbursement was released as follows: 1. Sheik Tukur Adam- Al Munar Mosque - N500,000; 2. Sheik Murtala Shanono - Malali Mosque- N500,000; 3. Sheik Aminu Kuwait - U/Rimi Mosque - N250,000; 4. Sheik Saidu Abubakar - SMC Mosque - N250,000; 5.

Khamis Almiziri - Hayin Malam Bello N250,000; 6. Sheik Albani Samaru - Zaria

Mosque - N250,000; 7. Sheik Bala Lau N2,500,000; and 8. Sheik Kabiru Gombe N2,500,000; Total - N7,000,000 Continuing, the Director General wrote: “The sum of N20,000,000 was also disbursed to the above Imams to share to other Islamic clerics that can preach towards our cause of retaining the seat of power in Kaduna State. The 2nd phase of the 50% balance disbursement is expected to be ready by Thursday 7th March 2019, to enable us fulfill the agreement reached in our last meeting.

The above is submitted for your further directives, please.

The Daily Times made several efforts to speak with Mr. Sani Aruwan, the Special Assistant to Governor el-Rufai on Media several times to get their side of the matter but his mobile number sounded switched-off all through.

Your attack on our administration diversionary, PDP tells Buhari Says Atiku’ll soon reclaim mandate

Tunde Opalana, Abuja Following Thursday’s castigation of the 16 years of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration by President Muhammadu Buhari, the party on Friday, urged the President to stop diverting issues surrounding his imminent losing of the mandate to the winner of the February 23 polls, Atiku Abubakar.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) charged President Buhari to stop gloating and showboating on Nigerians with the stolen 2019 Presidential mandate, as the people’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar, would soon retrieve it from him at the tribunal.

The party further described President Buhari’s renewed attack and blame game on PDP administrations as a lame attempt to divert public attention from the overwhelming evidence that he rigged the elections, as well as from the plots by his Presidency to obstruct the clear winner, Atiku Abubakar, from going to the tribunal to reclaim the mandate freely given to him by Nigerians.

The Director of Media & Publicity,

PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Kola Ologbondiyan, said this in a statement on Friday.

He said: “It indeed speaks volumes that President Buhari, in his claimed integrity and anti-corruption stance, is grandstanding over the violent rigging of the elections and his attempt to foist himself into a second term in office on the pedestal of stolen votes.

“President Buhari and his All Progressives Congress (APC) should know that the PDP and Nigerians are focused and will not be distracted by any sort of blackmail in the pursuit of the mandate and we are confident that our justices will never allow an illegitimate government to sit over the affairs of our dear nation.

“Moreover, if anybody has a question to answer on the administration of the nation’s resources, it is President Buhari, who has not been able to offer any explanation on the looting of over N14 trillion from revenue generating agencies in a space of three years under his direct supervision.

“We ask; was it the PDP that siphoned over N9 trillion, through underhand contracts, as detailed in the leaked NNPC memo, in the same sector President Buhari directly supervises as

Minister of Petroleum Resources?

“Was it the PDP that stole the over N1.1 trillion worth of crude illegally lifted and diverted with 18 unregistered companies in 2017; the over N1.4 trillion in fraudulent oil subsidy regime and many more scams, including funds meant for the welfare of victims of insurgency in the North East under the Buhari administration?

“Whereas the PDP administrations created wealth and applied our national resources on massive infrastructural development in all critical sectors; paid off our huge foreign and domestic debts and grew our economy to be one of fastest growing in the world, President Buhari, within a space of three years ran our economy into recession and cannot point to any development project his administration initiated and completed despite the huge opportunities at his disposal”.

The party urged President Buhari to note that Nigerians are no longer interested in his “incompetence and blame game” and this is the very reason they voted massively against him on February 23. He should therefore end his diversionary tactics and get ready to meet the people’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in court.

Court declines to disqualify Gov Wike, dismisses forgery suit Andrew Orolua, Abuja Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Friday, dismissed the suit filed by one Elvis Chinda seeking to disqualify Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State from contesting today’s governorship election over alleged birth certificate forgery.

The Court dismissed the suit while ruling on the preliminary objection filed by Governor Wike and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), challenging the jurisdiction of the Court to entertain the suit.

Though, Justice Ekwo agreed with defendant’s lawyer that Governor Wike has immunity from being prosecuted under our Constitution, the judge said the immunity clause don’t prevent the governor who presented himself for re- election from being sued on election related matter like in this case.

He, however, disagreed with the

plaintiff lawyer that the suit was not a pre-election matter. The suit, he held, was purely a pre- election matter because the relief sought by plaintiff was seeking to disqualify the 2nd defendants (Governor Nyesom Wike) from contesting an election.

Justice Ekwo said that being a preelection matter “the suit is status bar, “because it was not commenced “within the 14 days allowed by law”.

According to the judge, the plaintiff position that the cause of action arose (13 Nov 2018) when he obtained a Certified True Copy of INEC document containing the forged birth certificate, “was strange.”

Justice Ekwo said that the cause action arose when the plaintiff had reasonable ground that Wike submitted forged birth certificate. As at the time 7 March 2018 when he applied to INEC for the document, he had reasonable ground that the document was forged. “Not initiated when the cause of action arise” the action is status bar, the Judge held.

The Court also described the suit as an abuse of court process. Justice Ekwo said that the suit was commenced when an appeal filed by the plaintiff lawyer on same matter is pending before the Court of Appeal. He decried the action as a professional misconduct.

In his judgment on the substantive suit which was argued along the preliminary objection, Justice Ekwo held that the allegation of forgery of Wike birth certificate ought to have been proved beyond reasonable doubt.

He said the burden of prove did not shift to the defendants but lied with plaintiff. Though the plaintiff tendered a CTC from INEC, he added,” there was no payment receipt to show that it is an evidence from the commission.”

Plaintiff lawyer, Achinike WilliamWobodo told journalists after the judgment that his client will appeal the decision while Ferdinand Orbih (SAN) who represented Governor Wike said the judgment vindicated their position.

4 News

Female empowerment central to sustainable economic growth – Heritage Bank boss

As the world celebrates this year’s International Women’s Day, Heritage Bank Plcstated that making female empowerment central to organisation’s business strategies is not only critical to growth, but to building a sustainable and flourishing global economy.

Speaking on the International Women’s Day 2019 campaign theme, “Balance-for Better,” the MD/CEO of Heritage Bank, Ifie Sekibo, who said the commemoration is a call to action for driving gender balance globally, stressed that presently gender bias remains a significant obstacle to global progress, and it is particularly acute in the workplace.

He said that organisations with greater gender equality are more innovative, generous, and profitable.

The MD who cited the Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which target gender equality because women and girls represent half of the world’s population and, therefore, half of its potential, noted that women still have fewer economic opportunities than men, less access to education, and less political representation.

According to him, though there has been considerable progress in developing the capabilities of women, their participation in economic and political decision-making remains very limited.

To help chart a path that will champion gender parity, the bank organised mentorship sessionin

the Experience Centres (branches) across the country, where the senior colleagues spoke to the junior staff on proper grooming and better ways to excel in their homes, career, politics, education and other crucial spectrum in life for better society.

Addressing the staff, Sekibo stated that Heritage Bank will continue to drive work environment that is inclusive and ensure the number of women in leadership position of the bank increases.

He disclosed that the bank recognises the contribution of women to the society and the vital role in driving bank’s business, for this reason Heritage Bank will continue to partner them to achieve its corporate goals.

“Our culture is predisposed to welcome every woman and her vision into our mind-set of creativity and knowledge, helping her to grow her business beyond where she can ever imagine by offering specialized products and services for her business,” adding that “by our very nature, our services are personal, and deliberately approached from a bespoke angle, to simplify her life and business so as to be able to create, preserve and transfer wealth across generations,” he stated.

While Sekibo commended the tremendous social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women around the world, he noted that it was also a time to recognize how much work is still left to do.

Panic in Asaba over increasing robbery attacks on residents Nosa Akenzua, Asaba Asaba and its environs in Delta State is currently under siege by armed robbers as its residents raised the fear of the unknown, calling on security operatives to redouble their strategies to ensure they are arrested.

It was gathered that in the last few months, these armed robbers have allegedly attacked many residents in Infant Jesus, Summit road, Oduke quarters, Okwe quarters, and Okpanam Community, and their properties including money carted away.

However, the State Police Command through the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Chucks Orisewezie, dismissed the reports to be untrue, saying that crime has reduced considerably as over twenty five robbery suspects were arrested under three months review.

ASP Chucks Orisewezie, who spoke to journalists in Asaba, disclosed that to ensure all criminals are arrested across the state, including Asaba and its environs, plain clothes Police men have been deployed to flash points as well as increasing patrol to 48 hours by various Police teams at different divisions.

But recently, a serving NYSC member in Asaba identified as Joseph Lawani was accosted along Nnebisi road at about 8pm where he was ripped off his mobile phone including his ATM card that was later used to empty his account at gunpoint.

Joseph Lawani, who spoke to newsmen in Asaba, said:” A young man walked up to me that evening very close to Stephen Keshi stadium and asked for direction to a particular address and demanded for my ATM card. I don’t know what later happened and how they convinced me to enter the vehicle and they brought out gun before pushing me

out after they also collected the pin number for My ATM card”.

The Corps member said that N52, 000 was withdrawn from his account, adding that it was the February allowance from NYSC. He said that as soon as the armed robbers finished withdrawals, they disappeared into the thin air.

Meanwhile, three different civil servants within a space of one week were allegedly robbed in their homes and valuable carted away as one of the victims identified as Pat Odagbe, a resident around Mr. Biggs along Okpanam road, met her home burgled while she was in church last Sunday.

The thieves were said to have made away with her phone and chargers and N50,000 that was kept in a wardrobe, as well as two plasma televisions.

While some residents of Asaba have claimed they at present sleep with their two eyes open, the Police in Aladja Community have confirmed the arrest of seventeen suspected cultists in the area on Thursday.

But the State Police Commissioner, Adeyinka Adeleke, who confirmed the arrest of the suspects, said the suspects have been terriorising the area for weeks, adding that two locally made guns and two live cartridges were recovered from them. He said that the suspects will be charged to court on completion of investigation.

It was gathered that one of the suspects, Kelvin Obru, a member of the Vickings confraternity, confessed to the crime, saying that himself and his gang members have been responsible for many attacks in the area in the recent times.

Expectedly, there has been cult clashes across the state involving members of the Domino Confraternity and Vickings, a situation that resulted in several persons been attacked and injured.

News 5

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, March 9, 2019

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Buhari back -pedals, says second term will witness prosperity Tom Okpe, Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari barely a week after saying his next tenure will be tough especially for looters, has recanted, saying his next four years would rather be peaceful and prosperous.

Buhari, who made this assertion while hosting leaders of the organized labour at the State House, Abuja, maintained that his next tenure of four years in office would be corruption as his administration will remain focused on his campaign promises to fight corruption, grow the economy and fight insecurity.

He said he looks forward to receiving proposals from labour leaders on how jointly, a synergy between government and labour can be built that would assist in achieving the common goals of the federal government.

He said: “By the grace of God, majority of Nigerians have given me

another four years of continuity. We will remain focused on our promises, which remain security, economy and fighting corruption.

“I want to assure you that the next four years will be peaceful, prosperous and corruption free. I, therefore, look forward to receiving your proposals so that together, we can achieve these goals.”

Buhari also thanked the labour leaders for their support and cooperation towards the conduct of the presidential election, saying their cooperation helped many to exercise their civic rights, including their roles in voter education and prayed for the conduct of violencefree governorship polls on Saturday.

“We cannot succeed without your cooperation. I appreciate the pressure you are under from your respective constituencies, most especially if you have to submit yourself for elections proving to your members that you are with them rather than with the

government and we understand.

“Let me start by thanking you for the support and patriotism that you have shown during the presidential elections.

You and many Nigerians stepped in to help many Nigerians exercise their rights to vote. You intervened as patriots not for political, religious and tribal reasons. You stood in during a very difficult period for all of us.

“On behalf of all Nigerians who benefited from your kind support, I want to say thank you. As a result of what you did, many citizens were able to travel and vote. I am also aware that many of your members were very active in voters’ education and promotion of peaceful elections in your various communities.

“As we go to the polls this weekend, my prayer is that we also conduct elections in a non-violent manner as I look forward to your continued support and engagement to ensure creative ways.

We cannot afford to go back to the days of violence,” he said.

Short News

PLWDA in Adamawa calls for peaceful polls

By Tom Garba, Yola A coalition of People Living With Disabilities (PLWDA) Adamawa state chapter has called on Nigerians to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner in the gubernatorial, state House of Assembly and the Federal Capital Territory ( FCT) area councils elections holding tomorrow.

The group said if there is violence in any election, children, women and people living with disabilities will be the largest casualties.

Speaking at the premises of the Nigerian Union of Journalists in Yola, during a peaceful rally, the group’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Bitrus Richard, a visually impaired who read the statement on behalf of the coalition, also called on Nigerians to shun hate-speech.

“We the People Living With Disabilities are against election violence, hate speeches and we want the votes to count,” Richard said while advising the people to shun religious sentiments and tribalism in the elections.

“While we condemn ballot box snatching and other electoral violence, most of these issues are caused by poverty,” Richard said while urging the people to always show love.

Police arrest Diamond Bank staff for stealing customer’s N3. 4m

The police have arrested a marketing agent of Diamond bank in Matori, Mushin area of Lagos state, Fatiu Mohammed, for allegedly diverting N3,441,000 from the savings account of one of the bank’s customers.

It was gathered that the suspect committed the fraud last December when he took pictures of the account details of the customer from a computer screen before the victim, Rose Okoye complained to the bank after discovering the fraud which then alerted the police.

A closed circuit television in the banking hall reportedly captured when Mohammed took photographs of the computer screen with his phone to get the said account information.

In a statement made to the police, the suspect who denied taking pictures of the woman’s account details, only admitted taking pictures of information relating to services offered by the bank.

Inspector Koti Aondohemba, a police prosecutor brought Muhammed before the Ogba Magistrate’s Court on a two – count charge of fraud to which he pleaded not guilty.

The counts read in part: “That you, Fatiu Mohammed and others now at large, on December 14, 2018, at Diamond Bank Plc, Motori Branch, Mushin, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit stealing, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos state, 2015.

WHO seeks end to gender inequality, maternal mortality, HIV scourge Doosuur Iwambe, Abuja

Members of different women organizations led by National Coordinator, Association of Nigerian Business Women Network, Chief (Mrs.) Anita Okuribido, during a match to mark 2019 World International Womens’ day in Lagos...on Thursday.

Photo: Olawale Rotimi

Buhari extols women as world marks Women’s Day Says together we’ll build the country of our dreams Moses Oyediran, Enugu President Muhammadu Buhari celebrates with Nigerian women and other womenfolk on the occasion of the International Women’s Day. The President in a congratulatory message to the women on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, payed tribute to them for the invaluable roles they play in building homes and by extension the nation.

He applauded their lofty contributions in both the public and private sectors of national life.

“This election season we are in has brought out in bold relief once again the crucial role women play in our lives as a people. They have stood up to be counted as aspirants, candidates, mobilizers, and voters. Indeed, what

can we ever do without our women in all phases of our lives,” the President said.

He recalls diverse positions being held by women as ministers, head of the civil service of the federation, chief executives of agencies, permanent secretaries, directors-general, special advisers, senior special assistants, special assistants, and many others, and reiterates that things can only get better at the Next Level.

Buhari said that “hand in hand with our women, we will build the country of our dreams, where there will be equal opportunity for all.”

According to the President, the fact that some of government’s most important policies and programmes like straightening of the hitherto dysfunctional pensions system, Africa’s largest Social Investment Programme (SIP), Diaspora

engagements, energy solutions, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ports authority, foods and drugs administration and control, debt management, prohibition of trafficking in persons and many others are headed by women.

President Buhari noted that the aforementioned was indicative of the worth and value the government places on women, adding that “on a day like this, I hereby extol and appreciate them, on behalf of all other Nigerians.”

The International Women’s Day is designed to celebrate the potential, progress, and accomplishments of women and to highlight the utmost importance of creating a world that presents equal opportunities for all gender.

The theme for this year’s celebration is: “Balance for better.”

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called on member states and other stakeholders to initiate new global health outcome for women and girls.

Addressing journalists to celebrate the “International Women’s Day” in Abuja on Friday, the WHO acting OIC to Nigeria, Dr. Fiona Braka, identified deep-seated gender, equity and rights issues as well as other harmful practices, like female genital mutilation as factors responsible for the persistently high rate of HIV-related deaths, especially among young women.

Dr. Braka noted that lifestyle issues and risk factors contributing to the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases among women in Africa must be confronted by ensuring that girls remain in school until the completion of their secondary education.

She said that the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day: “Think equal, build smart, innovate for change,” is a clarion call that rapid economic and transformational development can only be achieved by addressing and resolving gender - based differences relating to health needs, risk behaviours, power and control over resources and information, and access to health services.

NAHCO boss commends women in aviation secor Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo, Lagos Group Managing Director of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO PLC) Mrs. Tokumbo Fagbemi has praised women in the country for their contributions and achievements in the male-dominated aviation sector.

While calling for the involvement of more women to help grow the aviation sector, Mrs. Fagbemi also called on parents to educate the girl - child to take up science subjects in schools in order to become engineers in future.

Mrs. Fagbemi, who played host to the Association of Professional Women Engineers (APWEN) in her office on the occasion of the International Women’s Day, said women in Nigeria had made enormous contributions to the socio-economic wellbeing of the country that could not be wished away.

She sought more active involvement of women in the efforts to build a better society, adding that women in various positions today were there on merit.

The NAHCO boss said she was excited that women in the aviation sector were taking key positions in the aviation sector especially in the area of airlines crew.

In her response, the President of APWEN, Mrs. Felicia Nnenna Agubata extolled the sterling qualities of Mrs. Fagbemi, saying the world was geared towards gender balance in boardrooms, politics and in the work for economies and communities to thrive.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, March 9, 2019

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Short News Nigeria must end gender imbalance, discrimination against women– NAPTIP DG NBC cautions broadcast stations Doosuur Iwambe, Abuja Director General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTP), Dame Julie Okah -Donli has stressed the need to remove every form of gender imbalance and discrimination in Nigeria.

In a statement made released on Friday to commemorate the International Day for Women, Okah –Donli stated that the agency through its activities has continued to implement actions and programmes that clearly oppose gender imbalance and discrimination in any form.

While stressing that the theme of this year celebration which is: “Balance for better” is apt, the NAPTIP boss said a comprehensive rehabilitation scheme of the present management of the agency which has been initiated to ensure that victims of human trafficking who are majorly women, are adequately cared for and properly reintegrated into society.

Part of the component of the initiative according to her, was the empowerment scheme which entails setting up a lifesaving venture for survivors of human trafficking in the country.

She said that “as at the last count, over 20, 000 victims of human trafficking have been rescued by the agency with greater percentage of them being women.

“It is also worthy of note that three of the survivors who were trained

by NAPTIP in higher institutions of learning in the country have been employed in the agency thereby boosting the moral of other victims and their hope of becoming functional members of the society.

“Similarly, few days ago, another fact finding team led by me concluded a visit to Mali where scores of victims of human trafficking mainly girls were trapped. The visit also afforded us the opportunity of assessing the situation surrounding their ordeal and proffering solution that will eventually ensure their freedom and safe return/

repatriation.”

She added that the agency has also reloaded its awareness creation mechanism targeting women dominated businesses like markets and other strategic locations in order to reduce their vulnerability in falling victims to the antics of human traffickers “In the area of prosecution, NAPTIP has doubled her commitment to the implementation of the Violence against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP).

“This is the Act that strengthened advocacy against rape, female genital mutilation, partner battery, stalking, harmful widowhood practices by state actors as well as prohibiting all forms of violence including sexual, physiological, and domestic and other discrimination against persons.

“I wish to assure the entire nation especially our teaming female population that NAPTIP, in line with its mandates shall continue to implement actions and policies that will enhance a balanced and better life for the women,” she added.

against announcing poll results Tom Okpe, Abuja

The Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has cautioned broadcast stations in the country against the unauthorized announcement of results during the Saturday’s governorship and state Houses of Assembly election.

NBC laid down the warning on Friday at a press conference in Abuja by the Director General, Mallam Modibo Kawu, who reminded broadcasters to abide by the rules and ethics of the broadcasting code and Electoral Act. He said: “I wish to use this medium to remind broadcasters again of the provisions of the broadcasting code and the Electoral Act regarding announcement of Election results.”

He quoted sections 5, 2 and 15 of the NBC Code which stipulates that: “A broadcaster shall not use any vote obtained of different polling stations or any exit polls to project or speculate on the choice of the candidate.”

The statement further stated that the commission is therefore, constrained to caution all broadcasters to adhere to the stated provisions in order to avoid stiff penalties and sanctions as stipulated by law, adding that “defaulters will be sanctioned in accordance with the law.”

Igini assures of hitch free poll in A/Ibom, in spite of fire incident Isaac Job, Uyo

The incoming Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mr. William Nwankwo Alo (Middle) with the outgoing Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote and the Director General of National Productivity Centre, Dr. Kashim Yunusa Akor, during the handing over ceremony .

Berom youth advise politicians against profiting from insecurity in Plateau

By Kingsley Chukwuka, Jos A group under the aegis of Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM) has called on politicians to stop taking advantage of the security situation in Berom land to woe voters.

National President of BYM, Mr. Gabriel Badung stated this in Jos, during a press briefing.

He said politicians should stop taking advantage of the security situation in the state to woo the electorate, adding that it’s unfortunate that the precarious security situation has become a selling point for some politicians.

Badung implored politicians to use issue based and superior arguments to sell their candidates, rather than cheap blackmail and insults, and youth in the

state to be mindful of their disposition regarding those in position of authority.

“Those politicians who are using us for dirty jobs do not mean well for us and our immediate families. We have realized that some people who have succeeded in destroying our yesterday and today, are also bent on taking advantage of our tomorrow by using some of us to achieve their evil machinations.

“Our youth will come out en masse on Saturday to vote for a candidate of their choice who will genuinely work for the unity and plight of the people. It has become mandatory at this point for our people to come up with a position that will be for the best interest of the Berom nation.

“A lot of tension, anxiety and apprehension were experienced during the delay in announcement of result for

Plateau North Senatorial election. We appreciate God Almighty that during and after the announcement, no life was lost.

“Though, some little attempts were made on the property and life of some individuals. We condemn such unruly behaviour in totality,” he stated.

Badung advised the youth not to make themselves available as willing tools in the hands of politicians who will not add any value to their lives.

“We want to make this position known to the public that we have our people in different political parties and the impression that we belong to a particular one is false,” he added.

While applauding government, INEC and security agencies for conducting peaceful elections in Plateau state, he also urged them to make significant improvement during the next elections.

The Akwa Ibom state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr.Mike Igini has assured indigenes that the governorship and state Houses Assembly elections would continue as planned despite the fire incident that occurred last night at the commission’s zonal office in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area of the state.

Igini said although the commission has taken delivery of some sensitive election materials, only few of them were consumed in the inferno while the bulk of material were rescued.

He said the commission has made efforts to replace the few damaged card readers while other election materials such as ballot papers and voters’ registers were intact.

But in reaction to the incident, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, described the fire incident as suspicious as it occurred on the eve of elections.

In a statement issued on Friday, the APC Chairman in Ibesikpo Asutan Council Area where the incident occurred, said the response from the state fire service was very slow, insisting that their slow response raises the level of suspicion about the inferno.

“We gathered from interactions with the divisional police officer in charge of the local government that once the fire incident was noticed, the state fire service department was immediately contacted but their response was terribly slow.

“We understand that some sensitive election materials were gutted by the fire while other were saved and evacuated in a process that may have compromised their handling integrity.

“This fire incident is quite suspicious coming on the eve of a most critical election that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party has vowed to win at all cost.

“The fire incident may just be a smoke screen to distract attention from current reports that sensitive election materials for the state have found their way into the possession of the PDP as part of the unholy marriage between INEC and the PDP,” the party added.

The APC further requested the electoral umpire to audit all the election materials sent to the area before the fire incident and further tasked security agencies to investigate the strange fire incident.

Oshimili South assembly seat splits Asaba political elites Nosa Akenzua, Asaba The struggle for Oshimili South assembly seat in the Delta state House of Assembly has split political elites in Asaba where the two strong contenders hail from.

The two Asaba indigenes vying to represent Oshimili South Constituency at the state House of Assembly are on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressive Congress (APC).

Both candidates, Isioma Ndah of the All Progressive Congress (APC) a well- known daughter of Asaba and her counterpart in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Rapu Shedrack commands a large followership.

It was gathered that loyalists and supporters of the two candidates are currently at war and have clashed severally over who wins the single constituency seat.

Addressing the two candidates, the Iyase of Asaba, (prime minister), Chief Patrick Onyeobi commended them for their manifesto, charging them to be civil in the contest and to not engage in violence.

News 7

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Akpabio withdraws suit challenging his electoral defeat Former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has withdrawn the case he filed challenging his re - election defeat at the February 23 National Assembly election.

Akpabio’s lawyer, Sunday Ameh, who announced the withdrawal of the suit in court in Abuja on Friday, however, did not give reasons for the decision.

But a media consultant to Senator Akpabio, Wole Arisekola, in responding to inquiries, disclosed that the case was withdrawn to enable his principal seek redress at the election tribunal.

“He does not want to be accused of abuse of court process for pursuing the same case before two different courts,” he said.

Sen. Akpabio filed the case

in spite of his knowledge of the nation’s legal provision that senatorial election disputes should be decided in the first instance by an election tribunal as conventional courts lack jurisdiction to hear such cases.

On Friday, the judge of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Valentine Ashi, denied restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from issuing a certificate of return to the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Chris Ekpenyong.

He said the media publications suggesting that he gave such an order were “overstretching the facts of the matter treated by his court.”

According to the judge, the nature of the application brought

by Sen. Akpabio should have been clarified by the media or the lawyers who provided information to the media.

The judge explained that Akpabio’s application contained a request for an order of mandamus restraining parties and allowing him to judicially review the processes that resulted in the declaration of his main opponent as the winner of the senatorial election.

“The request for permission to review the process was granted by the court. It was that request that was later interpreted to mean that the court granted a restraining order, he added, insisting that the facts of the matter were twisted.

Akpabio’s lawyer informed the court on Friday that his client had resolved to withdraw the application for judicial review.

Short News Buhari’s village gets new mosque Mathew Dadiya, Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari’s native home - Dumurkul near Daura, Katsina state has gotten a new mosque.

The doors of the Friday prayer, Juma’at Mosque were opened to worshipers at a ceremony attended by the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Faruk Umar Faruk and a number of Islamic leaders in the community.

Buhari was received warmly by a large crowd of people gathered at the new mosque in his village. The 1000-capacity mosque harbours a school and a proposed residence for the Imam.

In a speech on the occasion, the emir praised the family of the President for making available a part of their farmland for the building of the mosque.

He thanked President Buhari for leading the family to raise the befitting mosque, describing it as an important example of the President’s commitment to his native community.

The emir thanked the people of Daura and Nigerians at large for returning the President in the election and asked for support that would enable him to succeed on his mandate.

In his sermon, the Imam of the mosque, Alhaji Sulaiman Dutsi prayed for the success of the Buhari administration and urged the President to strive to meet all expectations, and the Muslim faithful to always remember that they will give account to God for everything they do.

Police deploys 5, 000 for polls in Bauchi, bars hunters, vigilante, From Samuel Luka, Bauchi

R-L: Legal Adviser, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Barr. Adelanke Aremo; Chairman, Center for Anti Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL), Comrade Debo Adeniran; and CDC Chairman, Ajeromi Ifelodun, Mr. Olatunde Balogun, during a capacity building workshop with theme: ‘Curbing Corruption in Nigerias Political Processes: Establishing a Grassroots Paradigm in Good Governance, Accountability and Transparency’ in Lagos. on Wednesday. Photo: Olawale Rotimi

41 candidates battle Ugwuanyi for Enugu governorship seat

By Moses Oyediran, Enugu The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Enugu state has said that 42 governorship candidates will contest in today’s governorship seat in Enugu state while over 310 candidates will slug it out for the 24 assembly positions in the state.

INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Emeka Ononamadu stated this during the media/stakeholders update on 2019 governorship /state assembly election in Enugu state.

He said “in Enugu state there are 42 contestants for the gubernatorial seat and over

310 for 24 House of Assembly positions.”

Among the candidates are the incumbent, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who is seeking re-election, Ekene Uzodinma of the UPP and Ayogu Eze of the APC. Also among the candidates is Pastor Donatus Ozoemena Obi of the United Democratic Party (UDP) among others.

Meanwhile, 70 political parties in the state under the auspices of the Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP) have unanimously adopted Governor Ugwuanyi as their consensus candidate.

Leaders of the political parties who conveyed their stance to Gov. Ugwuanyi, when they paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Enugu, stated that “our mission here tonight is to reaffirm our total, unalloyed, unequivocal and unconditional support for your re-election as governor come March 9, 2019, which is barely 5 days away.”

The group’s Coordinator, John Nwobodo, recalled that the body had in March 2018, endorsed the governor for a second term, disclosing that “today, the number of political parties that have joined in the crusade has increased to 70.”

The Bauchi state Police Command has barred all quasi - security agencies, vigilante groups and hunters from the election, declaring that only statutory security agencies recognized by law will be allowed to provide security during the election.

Commissioner of Police in the state, Ali Aji Janga made this known on Friday while briefing journalists on the command’s preparedness towards the gubernatorial and state assembly elections in his office.

He said important personalities and politicians are barred from going to any polling unit with security details as well as moving from one polling unit to another on the day of the election.

CP Ali Janga assured members of the public that the police have put in place adequate security measures and level playing ground for all political parties for the smooth conduct of the exercise.

On the allegation that the police in collaboration with the government is planning to put the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under house arrest, the commissioner said described the allegation as mere allegation.

“The police cannot just make arrest without the person committing any offence. We make arrest based on what you have done. If we do not find you wanting, we release you to go on bail. But, how can you arrest a candidate? For what? What has he done?

“You press, have they ever arrested any candidate here in Bauchi?

We can’t arrest anybody and nobody is planning to arrest anybody.

So, these are mere allegation that cannot even be proved” he asked. ‎ The police boss urged parents, traditional rulers, religious and opinion leaders as well as guardians to prevail on their children and subjects not to allow themselves to be used to cause disturbance before, during and after the elections as anybody arrested in the act will face the full wrath of the law.

PDP hails Appeal Court judgement restraining INEC from dropping Kano guber candidate Tunde Opalana, Abuja The People Democratic Party (PDP) has hailed a Court of Appeal judgement restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from dropping the name of its governorship candidate in Kano state, Abba Kabir Yusuf from contesting Saturday’s election.

The party said Yusuf remains the bona-fide Kano state governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the March 9 election.

“The order of the Court of Appeal on Thursday restraining INEC from removing the name of Abba Yusuf from the list, as the governorship candidate for the PDP, has completely put to rest all controversies regarding the PDP candidate for the election.

“The Court of Appeal is commended for delivering justice by upholding the lawful nomination Abba Yusuf as the PDP candidate for the Kano state governorship election,” the party said in a statement.

It advised all stakeholders to note the order of the appeallate court and be guided accordingly.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, March 9, 2019

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I can play all roles but I cannot be nude - Actress Amada Ebeye Amanda Ebeye, who is presently on the set of her new TV series, It’s a Crazy World, is ready to do anything to protect her son and their bond. In this interview with MUTIAT ALLI, the Delta State-born filmmaker shares her worries, challenges that come with film production in Nigeria, child adoption and lots more. Enjoy…

It’s A Crazy World, why did you decide to opt for that name?

I decided to go with the name because of the content of what I’m shooting. It’s a comedy series. It has lots of competition for women. It has lots of struggles. It’s funny and at same time too much to learn from, touching every aspects of live. At first, I wanted to call it The Wives, when I created the story but lots of movies with similar names out there. I wrote the script but I have writers who write for me. However, there are still some episodes I wrote.

What’s the general message you want people to learn from the story?

We are tackling issue which has to do with the social media. We are trying to make people see the vices of social media. It’s unarguable that it has made people rich; it has changed the lives of some people. It has connected the world together. But then they are some other bad sides of social media. It has destroyed a lot of people that don’t know how to use it. People get intimidated and depressed over the fine photos they see on social media. So It’s A Crazy World has been put in the screen for you to see what happens on social media, behind those lovely, smiling photos.

Did you have any personal encounter with some of the vices of Social media?

I’m on social media all the time. I’m an actress. I’m an extremely private person, so to smile and take photos to put on social media is a lot of work. So, I understand what’s it’s like to stay relevant on those new platforms.

How many hours do you spend on social media?

To be very honest, in a day I can spend 20-hours on social media.

What’s your favorite social media?

Instagram. I like Twitter but I won’t choose it over Instagram.

How did you pick your cast for the Series?

I developed the Treatment in 2017 when I was in film school in Canada. I just want people that respect in the industry to be in my movie.

Over there I thought to myself, who could pull off the role of Don in the movie and I know it would be Bob-Manuel Udokwu. Because he is very good at what he does. He is one of my best actors. When it was time to look for the wives, I know Grace Ama would always play the Kemi role well. Then other ones I picked also fit into their roles perfectly.

How easy was it for you to get them to be on your set, all together?

It was Okay. We thank God for instagram.

Most of them, I sent them Direct Messages (DM) and they responded. I got their contacts, chatted them up. Bob-Manuel was the only person I wouldn’t get on Instagram because he is not on Social media. So, I got his contact, called him up, spoke with him and he came on board. He didn’t give me any stress.

How has the chemistry being on set, it’s obviously going to be a long shoot?

It has been amazing. Talking about working with these professionals, it has been brilliant.

Because they just know what to do. For them, acting is just inborn. They take their lines so smoothly, because they have been in the game for so long. They put themselves into the character and deliver perfectly.

From the look of this beautiful location in Victoria Garden City (VGC), we could tell you have spent huge amount of money to achieve all these, can you put a figure to it?

Thank God you know. Everything I’ve spent and still spending is close to 30million naira and over.

Are you doing this alone or collaborating with some investors?

I couldn’t do this alone. I had to sell the idea because I had to go from budget to budget. I started with N10m, then 15, then 25, now I know it might surpass N35m. I pray I make my money back and also be able to pay my investors. They trusted me with their money, so I don’t want to disappoint them.

What’s giving you the confident that you will get your money back?

I’m very spiritual. I tell God the little one I have, please use it to bless my hustle. I put in my money, my sweat, so I believe God will bless me abundantly.

When is it ready for people to enjoy?

June. It would be ready for all.

Where do you plan to air it?

Right now my target is African Magic Showcase, family and another.

Why did you decide to go into production?

I told myself, I don’t just want to be an actress because no matter how you act, you can’t be richer than your producer. So, I went back to rethink. So, I am now I’m an actress, producer and filmmaker.

Well, its not over for me for anything. I just like following my life, steps by steps. I do plan my life, but sometimes you see yourself doing what you had planned never to do again. But right now, I have the right to tell my own stories the way I want it to be. I now have my own world, to do my own stories. I still like Asaba, I am not saying Never to anything. That’s still where they money are made.

What are the challenges of being a first time TV series producer?

The challenge is budgeting. The light situation. We are shooting for 30 days. When I went to make inquiries to rent cameras and lights, the amount I was told was so shocking.

I had to start buying my own equipment to add to the ones I already had.

Then feeding all the cast and crew for that number of days, it not an easy one. They are my responsibility till the shoot is done.

What of your son, how do you create time for him?

My son is not here. My mom went to Canada to stay with him. So, my family is always there to support me.

Amada Ebeye What would you say is the proudest thing you have done for yourself?

My son. That’s the greatest thing that has ever happened to me in my life. That’s the only thing I can’t regret. The only person I can’t trade for anything in the world. I can trade this production if the worse comes to worst (laughs). But my son, never!

What would you regard as an addicted bad habit?

Well, I’ll say going late for meetings or appointment.

Then I have Sweet tooth. I love chocolate, and other sweet stuffs. I have to struggle to keep fit.

What is that one thing you can’t wait to tell your son?

I tell him I love him every day. But on a deeper level, I can’t wait to tell him that no matter what he does, he would get married someday but he should always have a place in his heart for me.

I pray every day that my daughter-in-law would be good to me. I just don’t want anyone to turn my son away from me.

Are you scared that one day, a lady would come and take your son away?

I get scared of that all the time. Then people tell me that, maybe I should try have another child. Because it’s always my son all the time.

So when are you having more kids?

I’m not a regular everyday girl. My dreams and aspirations are different. What other women might be dreaming about, is not same thing I would want to become. When it comes to giving birth, I really don’t think I want all my children to come from me. I would wait to see what happens in the nearest future. I want to adopt. Right from when I was much younger, I dreamed of the day I’d be able to say this; that I want to adopt kids. I look at those kids that don’t have parents and I keep wondering why we have to keep giving birth, when there are already lots of kids out there to take care of. Adoption is my priority than giving birth to my biological children.

What kind of role do you play at this stage of your career?

I play all roles but I cannot be nude.

Do you have regrets, looking back at some roles you had played in the beginning of your career?

There are lots of them I can count. Then everyone wanted to be popular and pay bills. You just pick up any roles given to you. That’s why I tell people don’t let this industry pressurize you to do what you don’t want to do. They have been movies that I had done in the past, but if you bring the scripts to me now, I’ll turn them down out rightly.

Gist 9

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, March 9, 2019

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I am free to join any association - Ibinabo Fiberesima as she decamps from PDP to APC Nollywood actress, Ibinabo Fiberesima and Fuji music exponent, Abass Akande, popularly called Obesere, have defected from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Fiberesima, announced her defection on Facebook. She said she was exercising her constitutional right to freedom of association.

“I am one that has respected and enjoyed such rights, especially making use of such association for the furtherance of my aforementioned goals and objectives,” she said.

“I strongly believe that associations must foster accommodation and value for those within it. It must appreciate efforts and risks taken to sustain that association and when it seems that one has been relegated to the point of redundancy and

lack of mutual respect in spite of herculean efforts thereto, it then sadly signals a time to say goodbye and accept the recognition offered by another platform,” her post read.

Ibinabo, a former president of the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria, benefitted from the former president, Goodluck Jonathan’s largesse to Nollywood. She had direct access to the State House and was responsible for contracting her colleagues for Mr Jonathan’s 2015 presidential election campaign.

Obesere, on the other hand, defected from PDP to APC in Lagos State on Tuesday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the defectors joined the APC at an elaborate ceremony held at the party secretariat in Ikeja, Lagos. No fewer than 700 PDP members, who defected, were present at the occasion.

Mz Kizz

Nigerian rapper, Mz Kizz joins other African Hip-Hop female artistes to celebrate International Women’s Day As the world honoured women across the globe on the International Women’s Day on Friday, Africa’s most innovative beer brand, Castle Lite, embarked on a journey of celebrating women across the continent by facilitating the biggest ever female HipHop collaboration from Africa. The aim was to showcase the power when women stand together and fortify unity through music, so the brand partnered with an ensemble of five heavyweight female rappers and boldly remixed Hip Hop royalty Queen Latifah’s popular 90’s anthem, U.N.I.T.Y. South Africa, Tanzania and Nigeria were collectively united to do the remix with the likes of Mz Kizz (Nigeria), Moozlie (South Africa), Gigi Lamayne (South Africa), Rouge (South Africa), and Rossa Ree (Tanzania), behind the mic. Castle Lite’s U.N.I.T.Y is more than just another female Hip-Hop collaboration; it is a celebration and call,

not only to women across the continent but to the rest of the world, to give life to the power of women in unity.

The five artistes executed a simultaneous live stream of U.N.I.T.Y. Friday morning on Instagram; a first of its kind for Castle Lite and on the African continent.

Speaking ahead of the song performance (livestream), Castle Lite Brand Director, Silke Bucker, said: “Our ethos as Castle Lite has consistently been about pushing boundaries through innovation, and to commemorate this special day, there was no better way for us to unite women than through what is truly our passion point – music.”

“The ever-strengthening musical ties across the continent made it natural for these brilliant artists to come together in song with the brand, and Castle Lite is privileged to place women in hip-hop at the forefront. Today we all celebrate the power of women in UNITY and

our glow of pride couldn’t be brighter in celebration with all the amazing women across the globe on this unique international day,” Bucker added.

Music has the ability to unite people from different backgrounds, and it is through this that the women were able to bring their individuality and unique styles to recreate an amazing song with a powerful message.

Last year, the extra cold beer brand broke music barriers when they hosted the first ever all female Hip Hop experience titled Hip Hop Her story, which focused on highlighting the role women have played in the evolution of Hip Hop. Castle Lite’s Hip Hop Herstory was a success and learning from that experience meant that the U.N.I.T.Y. collaboration was not only logical but progressive in highlighting and honoring the talents and contributions of our very own from Africa.

Burna Boy sings about securing the bag in ‘Dangote’ video Stories Mutiat Alli In a 360 degree spin, Burna Boy switches from the fun and good vibes of ’Killin’ Dem’ to a more intense, socially charged narrative in his new single ’Dangote’.

In his usual manner, the afrofusion artiste addresses a number of the economic problems the youth in Nigeria face on a dayto-day basis and how they deal with it. Two things set apart this video, directed by Clarence Peters, from the others. Firstly, we see these stories told from the perspectives of

the people living these lives, and we also see the consequences of their actions.

As Burna Boy sings about the hustle in true Fela style, we are taken from one story to another and given a sense of how all of it is linked. The hustle must go on, but we also need to be aware that for every action there is often an equal and opposite reaction. We also appreciate the saxophone solos at the end, paying tribute to Fela.

Considering the recently concluded presidential elections, this video comes at a time when we need a reminder like this.

Fiberesima

A glimpse of artistic brilliance in Nissi’s ’Over here’ single As the talented singer, NISSI continues to experiment with different forms of creative expression and evolve, so does her music. Her new single ’Over Here’, is another glimpse into the mind of the budding pop star.

NISSI is a multi talented singer with a unique and classic style of music. Her music fuses a lot of Afro-centric style and colours which she blends with a classic and contemporary vibe.

The journey of discovery has been a long and dedicated one for Nissi, with influences from the likes of John Legend, Common, Jasmine Sullivan , Jessie J, Tracy Chapman, Brandy, Fantasia, Pharrell among others.

NISSI’s music comes with a lot of deep messages about love, life, feelings, attraction, freedom and paying attention to ourselves as human beings placed on earth.

With a unique dance, style, voice texture and music, NISSI’s music is regarded as a world class sound that is set to take centre stage on global platforms.

Nissi

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Society Gist

3Line Card Management to launch ‘SUSUBYU’ Isaac Oguntoye 3Line Card Management, one of the leading innovative fintech company in Africa, is set to launch ‘SUSUBYU’, a digital saving product modelled on the traditional informal thrift savings.

The product enables seamless daily contributory savings into the customer’s thrift saving account. According to the fintech firm, SUSUBYU is one of the products of its ‘Freedom Network’ in partnership with commercial and Microfinance banks.

The Freedom network is a CBN licensed super-agent offering financial services through its agents across Nigeria.

The product was created as part of its unswerving commitment to provide seamless access to financial services for the unbanked. 3Line leverages technology to foster a safe, easy, robust, and efficient contributory savings scheme popularly

known as Esusu, Adashe, & Ajo across Nigeria with ‘SUSUBYU’. The product also enables customers to access microloans instantly upon meeting the set criteria.

Sibigem Chibuzor, Operations Manager, 3Line, reiterated that 3Line is keen on impacting the people at the grassroots positively: making financial service conveniently available to them.

Chibuzor said “It has always been our goal to reach the people at the grassroots to add sustainable value to their lives using technology. With our Freedom Network we develop platforms that allow the unbanked easily access basic financial services such as cash-in/cash-out, funds transfer, bill payments, savings and more. Thus, financially included.”

He further asserted that SUSUBYU was a response to customers’ needs.

However, the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN) in 2018, licensed 3Line to operate as a super-agent in Nigeria’s financial services

system in order to boost financial inclusion in Nigeria.

The sole purpose of the Freedom Network is to tackle the challenges hindering financial services and inclusion in Nigeria.

3line intends to create more jobs by recruiting agents across the country. It aims to establish a network of 50,000 active agents across the country within 5 years.

“Currently, we have over 2500 registered agents with kiosks in operation across the country. We plan to create a network of 50,000 active agents by the year 2024. This will not only drive financial inclusion but also provide jobs for the people.” Chibuzor concluded.

The company’s infrastructure processes transactions across multiple electronic channels. 3Line focuses on four key areas: Card scheme (Freedom Card), Transaction Switching, Processing, Branchless banking and bespoke electronic payment application development.

Ijebu Ijesa endorses, Babatunde Desmond Ojo The candidate of the All Progressives Congress for Oriade State Constituency for the House of Assembly, Architect Babatunde Desmond Ojo wishes to appreciate the people of Ijebu Ijesa for the support he had continued to garner within the ancient city. At the meeting of the Ajo Ilu Ijebu Ijesa where he was hosted

by Kabiyesi Oba (Engr.) Olufemi Agunsoye Ilufemiloye 1, the Elegboro of Ijebu Ijesa as well as all the Afobajes, Egboro Chiefs and the entire Elegboro in Council, It was indeed a great occasion as the all present prayed for the success of the candidacy of the All Progressive Congress in Saturday’s election.

In his speech, Honourable Olubunmi Obeisun noted that an Ijebu Ijesa man holds the position of Local Government Chairman of Oriade as well as an Ijebu Ijesa

man currently holds the helm of affairs as Head of the Osun Rural Access Mobility Project. He insisted that Ijebu Ijesa must be accommodating and selfless enough to allow other positions go to other towns in the LG. He recounted that from Awotunde to Ogunseemi to Fatiregun to Obeisun, It has always been Ijebu Ijesa and it is time to encourage unity amongst all the other towns of Oriade.

Prince Sola Adewunmi in his speech spoke about the need to stop political thuggery in Ijebu Ijesa. He specifically requested the council of chiefs to ask errant boys in Ijebu Ijesa to avoid threatening, maiming or killing innocent residents. He specifically noted roads he has facilitated such as Onigimeje to Imogun Road and the Itegun to Iwoye Road as well as his huge

private investments in Ijebu Ijesa. He also added that he has employed 2 Ijebu Ijesa indigenes within the few weeks he has served at O’RAMP. Chief Emiola Ogunsanya noted that opposition has not brought any major development to Ijebu Ijesa and it is time to do the needful by supporting the Government of Governor Gboyega Oyetola and President Muhammadu Buhari. The Babatunde Desmond Ojo Campaign Organization is grateful for the support of the traditional leadership and people of Ijebu Ijesa and can beat our chest that we will not disappoint. We are also assured that the earnest prayers of the Kabiyesi as well as the entire Council of Chiefs will come to pass on Saturday 9th of March, 2019.

Chris Okafor

Dr. Chris Okafor celebrates The annual family liberation conference of Mountain of Liberation and Miracle Ministries, aka Greater Liberation Cities, will begin from the 27th -31st March 2019 at the International Headquarters of the church in Ojodu Berger Lagos Nigeria.

The conference is expected to provide over 9,000 miracles babies for expectant mother across the glove, this was stated by the Generational Prophet of God and Senior Pastor, Greater Liberation city worldwide Dr Chris Okafor, he re-emphasized that God revealed to him that more than 9000 babies will be given to woman looking for the fruits of the womb, he said God was so specific because lots of woman name will change and the reproach of barrenness will be lifted permanently in the life’s of many families.

The 2018 edition of the conferences recorded over 4,000 testimonies on how God were blessing different families with twins, triplet, male and female child. The last year edition recorded over 15,000 turn out of worshipers across the globe and the conference served as a way God uses to settle families. According to the Apostle of Altars, Dr Chris Okafor this year 2019 edition will witness tremendous prophesy/deliverance and miracle because God says this year

edition will be unique in all ramifications and in as much as many people are willing to be part of the conference, God plans and purpose in their life will never pass themby.

The conference will begin on 27th march by 7am-10am, while on Thursday 28th, program will begin by 5pm-9pm, on Friday is night vigil, it will begin by 7pmyou breakthrough, this night is the night of prophecy, miracle and solution, the man of God said the night will provide enough time for God to visit all the case files and villages of people present at the conference.

The thanksgiving service which will also round up the program come up on Sunday 31st march 2019, it will climax the annual conference as the man of God Dr Chris Okafor said all worshipers will be anointed and their life’s will never remain the same, because what God said about them will never go without manifestation because God was specific that their shall not be barren again in the land. Greater Liberation City international headquarters is situated as Greater liberation city close, Oshofisan crescent off Edozie Street by Ereke bus stop Ojodu Berger, Lagos - Nigeria.

Unveiling Chief Toyin Omonijo

Chris Okafor

“Taking a new step, uttering a new word, is what people fear most”, but if new step is not taken, improvement and growth will be unattainable. The above analogy perfectly described Chief Toyin Omonijo, the Chairman of Vitality Oil and Gas, whose penchant for taking new step has been commended by his admirers. Chief Toyin, a top socialite and easy going dude whose Oil business transverse the length and breadth of Lagos is in the news for the right reason.

Aside the Oil company, Chief Toyin Omonijo surely has other business interests, but like Oliver twist, he keeps navigating the business environment, taking up new challenges, exploring new ideas with vigour and determination. His exploration may have paid off with the birth of his new brainchild in hospitality business. His incursion into the hospitality world gave birth to Tom Hotels and Suites which will be commissioned any time soon.

Sitting on an expansive acres of land, and situated in the western part of Lagos, the hotel is exquisitely furnished with modern

materials imported from overseas. Friends, business associates, and well-wishers of Chief Toyin are said to be expectant and much more eager for the deal day to come in order to felicitate with a man of manny parts.

Chief Toyin

Interview Times g Daily Times Nigeria

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Saturday, March 9, 2019

11

How does Nollywood portray women?

The entertainment industry has witnessed the successes and roles played by women in the society at large. The movie industry can attest to the fact that women have taken up heavy challenges of producing and directing their jobs unlike the stereotyped roles they play in films. While they are judged by the kind of roles they play, character wise, some are just their normal selves. Today on industry issues, Life & Times x-rays how Nollywood portray women in the light of the different roles they act and as role models for the African society.

Films, according to Ryan and Keller (1988), transpose the discourses of social life into cinematic narratives. They play a notable role in the placement of particular ideologies and values into social thinking and debate. In other words, films, as a popular cultural form, can, as Kuhn (1990) suggests, be regarded as a gauge of social attitudes and change.

Hollywood cinema, through its prolific production and overwhelming synergetic marketing, operates to legitimate dominant institutions and traditional values. Indeed, several schools of thought have argued that most Hollywood films tend to versions of the American dream and dominant America myths and ideologies is that money, success and patriotism are important values.

Issues relating to sex, nudity and crime may be dominant in Hollywood movies, the Americans sure possess a different psychology that appears to suit their history.

Attempts by Africans to tow the same line via western influence have often led to alarming consequences on the part of the youth. This is more so because the two traditions don’t blend well.

However, Bollywood, the Indian film industry has an uncommon bias for nudity and semi-nudity are very much biased in the favour of men.

Some experts in sociology who differ on this ground feel that males are no better off in regards to nudity and sex exploitation than women. They argue that men are regularly stripping in clubs and now in movies and in advertisements. Of course, Calvin Klein for instance, modeled by Djimon Hounsou, uses the male sex appeal to sell.

With such debate about the changing face of culture, Bollywood, it appears will continue to push the boundaries of what is acceptable in the cinema and with nudity becoming part of everyday life, it is sure to become more prevalent at the box office.

The challenge will be how to draw the line between nudity and obscenity.

How has the Nigerian film industry impacted the sensitivity of the society on the symbol of the African woman? Has the movie industry been able to influence the mind set of the people and facilitate the acceptability of the woman into public offices and positions? Have the movies portrayed the women folk as responsible business leaders, enviable career persons and successful home managers? Without doubt, the answer cannot be loud in the affirmative.

Women have continued to be a sensitive part of the society that should be adequately protected. This stems from the sociological point of view of what the family unit contributes to the society, and in terms of civic responsiveness, decency and sense of traditional values. In this regard, who is believed to be at the most vantage position of a child’s upbringing (they say mothers are closer to the children) The film medium is considered so sensitive in this regard because people tend to believe more in what they see than what they hear. It becomes imperative therefore to assess the content values of most Nollywood movies and see if the woman is portrayed in the light of a role model for the

African society.

It is generally believed that an average woman in top position is high handed and often abuses her biblical obligation of ‘submissiveness’. What we see in the film entitled Bank manager is a woman who abandons her husband and children due to tasking official duties. Also in Emotional Blackmail, the protagonist refuses his wife to work because he believes she could not control her sexual feelings. When she protested and was eventually allowed to pick up a job, her husband’s fears become justified as she falls in love with a younger man. As much as these are fictions meant to reflect some bad eggs, understood as inevitable in any society, there is little or no effort on the part of the Nigerian filmmaker to balance the attitude of a film character by educating the viewer on the propelling factor, leading to the character’s action. Often times, a character’s attitude is not convincing because obviously, little or no research was done. Such characters in the Bank manager and Emotional Blackmail are the kind of women we see, and that is where the story is not about a widow who is made to lick sour of barbaric tradition. This is not to say that some Nigerian filmmakers are not making efforts to portray the African woman in leading light.

In Agbara Obirin, a Yoruba language flick on politics, an attempt was made. This film explains the society’s disposition to women in politics, exposes the risks and complexities involved while appealing to the understanding and support of the husbands to shun the believe that such women are objects of sex to political leaders. Women’s cot, by Dickson Iroegbu also tried by pitching the ‘good’ woman with the ‘bad’ ones in their struggle to alleviate the problems of the widow.

Another movie, the Mourning After,

by Jimi Odumosu, shows women from their different professional backgrounds taking their destinies into their own hands.

Without the common conflict resolution in the Nigerian movies where by a woman resorts to the pastor, Imam or a native doctor , we see how women who are schooled and traditionally inclined employing the tools of wisdom, resilience, and knowledge of the law to resolve conflict and coming out victorious.

Tunde Kelani’s movie, entitled Arugba is another of such flicks that suggests that an undergraduate can preserve her virginity because the tradition in her is never lost to the alluring ambiance of the ivory towers, youthful exuberance or peer group influence.

There cannot be a better encouragement for girls of school age.

Other than the few movies mentioned is a prostitute, second fiddle, gossip, spendthrift, flamboyant, and materialistic personality.

The man on the other hand is often strong, corny and ritualistic.

Nigeria is a country with a peculiar culture and sense of traditional value. It is for this reason that our movies should not be seen as another version of Hollywood style.

Effort should be geared towards our sense of national unity and cultural identity.

Genevieve

Bukky

Mercy Aigbe

Omoni

Stella

Omotola

Our movie should as much as they entertain, also educate. They be capable of molding opinion at the national reorientation. Perhaps this is one reason that the film industry in Nigeria is placed under the Information Ministry; a ministry that is led by professionals to be able to change the image of the country, which in the view

of foreigners is a nation of fraudsters and voodooists. Let our movies promote unity in diversity; let our movies portray us as a people with a cultural of national pride; a people with sense of shame; a place of succor for women and children, and a land where men are hardworking, protective and patriotic.

QUOTABLE QUOTES

Advice is like snow the softer it falls, the longer it dwells upon, and the deeper it sinks into the mind.

Samuel Taylor Coleridge

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FLASHBACK in Times: March 9, 1961

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