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No leadership change in EFCC –Agency

Ă? Says Magu still acting chairman, warns purveyors of fake news Tunde Opalana, Abuja

Ă?Ă?Ă?

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said that there is no leadership change in the commission, insisting that Mr

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Ibrahim Magu is still the acting chairman of the agency.

The commission stated this in its platforms, Facebook/ Twitter handle on Monday while debunking the insinuation of certain online medium which claimed that President Continued on page 6

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2017 VOL. 3. NO. 536

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Buhari admits hardship, says 2017 tough for Nigerians

� Promises better, prosperous Nigeria in 2018 � Osinbajo spends Christmas at fuel depots � Says FG won’t increase pump price of petrol

Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

Ă?Ă?Ă? President

Muhammadu Buhari has lamented that 2017 has been a Continued on page 5

TCN records new 5,222.3 MW peak transmission B1 Wike to Rivers politicians: Embrace united platform for FG projects 7 NNPC, DPR 7 uncover illegal fuel reservoirs in Abuja

L-R: Former Rivers State Governor, Dr Peter Odili; his wife, Justice Mary; former Rivers State Governor, Sir Celestine Omehia; former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan; National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus and Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, during the Christmas Church service at the Christ Church in Port Harcourt, Rivers State‌on Monday.

Yuletide: FRSC commends B2 motorists over low auto crashes 7 5

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Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 26, 2017

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Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 26, 2017

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News

Buhari admits hardship, says 2017 tough for Nigerians

Continued from page 1

tough and tormentous year for Nigeria and her people, saying that he wished that the country would not witness a year like the outgoing 2017.

But President Buhari has said that the incoming 2018 would be better and prosperous for Nigeria, urging the people to remain steadfast.

The President stated this on Monday when he played host to political, religious and traditional leaders of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who paid him Christmas homage at his official residence in Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Buhari said: “It has been a tough year for Nigeria and I hope next year will be a much more prosperous one. But those listening to

the press are the majority of us; the rainy season was very good and some states have got very good information from home.

“I never knew that the people from Kano who are more resourceful used to go to my area (Daura, Katsina State) and hire farms.

This year, nobody hired farm, and nobody regretted it.

“Again, the second one

from the Governor of Sokoto State (Aminu Tambuwal) said all the people that really used to go to Mecca are farmers but he didn’t tell me if they took additional wives.

“But I am very pleased people have gone back to the land with very good harvests and taking their priorities and the good thing about farming is, if you don’t put your hope

L-R: Provost of the Cathedral Church of Christ, Most Rev. Adebola Ojofehintimi; Legal Secretary of the Church, Mrs. Folashade Adetiba; former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; Diocesan Bishop of Lagos, Dr. Ephraim Ademowo; his wife, Oluranti and Deputy Registrar of the Church, Mr. Olusegun Ajayi, during the 2017 Christmas Church Service in Lagos…on Monday.

on neighbour, hope on the government, once you pay your debt, nobody will ask you what you do with the balance and nobody asks for interest. This is one good thing about farming.

“But other things, I think the burden will be on my neck, I thank you very much for coming especially the religious leaders. I am very pleased you are doing your best from the intelligence I am getting to make sure that people live as good neigbours and good Nigerians.”

President Buhari also thanked his guests for taking time out on a very important day to come out and spend it with him.

Speaking on the difficulties and challenges that characterized the outgoing year and how he regained his health, President said: “It has been a tormentous year. I am thinking I am 75, I thought I was 74 but I was told I was 75. I have never been so sick even during the 30 months civil war, I was stumbling under farm of yams or cassava but this sickness, I don’t know but I came out better.

“All those who saw me before and when I came back said I look much better, but I have explained it to the public that as a Gen-

eral, I used to give orders, now I take orders. The doctors told me to feed my stomach and sleep for longer hours; that is why I am looking much better.

“I thank you very much for coming and making all the sacrifice because today is a crowded day for me.

From early in the morning until maybe the following morning with the family and friends and neigbours.

“One thing I learnt to respect is good neighbourliness both at individual and national level. That was why when I was elected, my first trip was Chad, Niger, Cameroon and Benin Republic.

“If you are in good terms with your neighbours, then you can make some savings for development but if you start fighting your neighbours, then am afraid the resources you have you will lose it in trying to be very cleaver.

“So, I try to be very close to my neighbours both individually and nationally.

I thank you very much for being very good neighbours, including the one on my left (referring to a PDP federal lawmaker, Senator Philip Aduda).

Some of the dignitaries Continued on page 6

SMEs catalyst for business revolution - Dogara The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has said that Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) remain the catalysts for economic revolution.

The Speaker, who stated this when he received a delegation from the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce, Kaduna State Chapter, also argued that any country that fails to provide economic opportunities for its citizens is doomed.

He said the National Assembly had passed legislations in record time to support the growth of SMEs and the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

Dogara said, “ In the House of Representatives, and by extension the entire National Assembly we have realized this, and recently in partnership with the Ex-

Ï d ƕ M dd ƏƆ Ɨƕ Ɛ ƍ ƌ ƏƆ Ƌ Ɠ Ɛ ƆƔƍ Ɨ Ɔƅ ƌƈƅ ƍƍ ƏƐƑ ƈƐƈƆ

ecutive we have been able to make Laws, sometimes in record periods to increase our ease of doing business and banking. As a matter of fact I was jokingly saying to the Vice President that we are almost getting par with the Lebanese Parliament which is popular for beginning the process of a Law and getting it passed and signed in the same day.

“And we did that realizing that we cannot afford to allow the economic space to be contracted in Nigeria, it has to be expanded and we pledged our total support for any Government initiative that would lead to the expansion of the economic space in Nigeria.

“We have recognized that SMEs are the engine room of economic growth. Most times we are bound to think

more in the line of more foreign direct investment or in terms of corporations working in Nigeria, but from my little knowledge of someone who studied International and Commercial Law, I have come to realize that corporations really just encourage the flow of wealth within citizens of the corporations, and ultimately the money is repatriated elsewhere.

“SMEs however remain the engine room because they create wealth that remains within the system, but the corporations just suck the wealth for the people of the corporation for them to just ship it out of the country. That is why SMEs are the real catalysts of economic revolutions in the financial market”.

“This was the subject

of engagement between us and the Executive. You know that our own is to make Laws and we have been trying to do that through the ease of doing business. We have moved that further on the ranking, so that therefore means that you can talk to whoever in whatever part of the World and they will be able to take you serious now knowing that once they come to Nigeria they will have collaboration, cooperation of all the Agencies that are involved in either registering businesses, facilitating business start-ups and etc.”

The Speaker also assured that the National Assembly will continue to provide legislative support that will create enabling environment for entrepreneurs.

Dogara said, “We will

continue to do that and I know that you have our back, in the nature of job you do. Whatever you do, even if it involves some kind of tinkering with our Laws, you are free to suggest, let us see what we can do”.

Speaking on the North East and the plight of the Internally Displaced Persons, Dogara said the National Assembly has provided legal and enabling framework that will guarantee enduring measures to address the devastation in the area.

“Then on the issue of the Northeast, it certainly is close to my heart, you know as Legislators we represent the people and the devastation in that region is simply too much, and it was a considered opinion

that Ad-Hoc measures may not be able to address the scale of devastation in that region. We needed a Legal and Enabling Framework within which we can kickstart the rebuilding of that region. It is not something that we can recover from in the next five-ten years.

“So, if we were to leave the approaches to Government interventions, along the line any leader that comes along may say we don’t want to do this again and that’s the end.

We thought that we can escalate that to having an enabling framework that clearly defines an entity that has the power to sue and be sued. So that people can relate with that entity as is, instead of having some Government Committee which cannot be sued Continued on page 7

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Buhari admits hardship, says 2017 tough for Nigerians Continued from page 5 that paid Christmas homage to the President include Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Bello, the Archbishop of Abuja Archdiocese, John Cardinal Onaiykan, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Board, Tor Ujah, Senator Philip Aduda, who represents FCT, the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, and Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani among others.

In a related development, Vice President Yemi

Osinbajo on Monday spent the Christmas day at fuel depots in Lagos to monitor the loading of trucks and to ensure steady supply of petrol to designated filling stations.

This information is contained in a tweet on the twitter handle of the presidency, @NGRPresident.

The post read: “This morning the Vice-President is visiting fuel depots in Lagos to monitor the loading of trucks, and to ensure distribution is going on without a hitch.’’

A statement by the Vice President spokesman, Mr Laolu Akande, also quoted

Osinbajo as saying that, “It is such a shame that Christmas has been, to some extent, with this sort of discomfort. This is deeply regretted.

“And l know that, despite the resilience and strength of people in Lagos and the Nigerian people, we would see ourselves through this and will enjoy our Christmas and have a great New Year.”

According to the vice president, the Buhari administration is doing everything possible to quickly resolve the fuel shortages experienced by Nigerians.

NAN reports that fuel scarcity during festive periods is a recurrent feature in Nigeria, although it disappeared in the last two years.

The scarcity is said to be caused by greedy marketers who tried to take undue advantage of the high inter-state movements during the season.

In some states a litre of fuel rose to between N200 and N300 or above per litre as against the official pump price of N145.

Meanwhile, Osinbajo has restated that the federal government has no plans to increase the pump

L-R: Deputy Chancellor, Ibadan Anglican Diocese, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN); Bishop of the Ibadan Anglican Diocese, The Most Revd.

Joseph Akinfenwa and Provost of St. James Cathedral, Oke Bola, Ibadan, Very Rev. Dr. David Olagbaju, during the Christmas Service in Ibadan, Oyo State…on Monday.

Christmas: Gov Amosun Calls for Peace, Love and Forgiveness

ÏÏÏ

Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has urged Christian faithful to exhibit the spirit of peace, love and forgiveness, all through the Christmas celebration and beyond.

Amosun said this in his Christmas message, signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Otunba Adedayo Adeneye, noting that these were the values that Jusus Christ preached and exhibited all through his sojourn on earth.

According to him, “as we mark the Christmas, all true Christians must remember the reason for

the season as well as the person, whose birth we are celebrating, who is Jesus Christ.

“Jesus Christ went about preaching peace, love and need for us to forgive those who trespass against us. If this is not evident in our lives, as we mark the Christmas and thereafter, then, we have only embarked on a jamboree.

He therefore enjoined Christians to pledge to continue to live in peace, renew their love for the nation as well as for one another, and also imbibe the spirit of forgiveness, which, he noted, is a vital

prerequisite for the acceptance of the sacrifices of Christmas.

Amosun wished Christians a merry Christmas celebrations and a happy prosperous 2018.

Gov. Amosun

price of petrol in 2018.

Osinbajo gave the assurance on Monday during his visit to fuel depots in Lagos where he monitored the loading of trucks to ensure steady supply of petrol to designated filling stations.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Osinbajo visited some major fuel depot terminals and stakeholders in Apapa and other parts of Lagos on Christmas Day. According to the vice president, the fuel scarcity facing the country is as a result of shortage of supply to depots across the country.

He said, “The president is very much concerned about Nigerians and how we can quickly end the fuel scarcity crisis in the country.

“The fuel crisis presently confronting the country is as a result of shortage of supply of fuel to depots across the country.

“We hope that in the next couple of days, we would be able to end the fuel queues.”

He said that any marketer who hoarded petroleum products for the purpose of making extra profit would be dealt with by the enforcement agency saddled with the responsibility of regulating the sector.

Earlier at the stakeholders interaction meeting, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, said that the long queues would be over

by Wednesday.

Kachikwu, who noted

that over 150 trucks were supplying fuel daily, added that there had been series of meetings and consultations with the oil marketers.

He said that he would meet with the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Maikanti Baru, to put together structures and additional plans to end the fuel shortage currently facing the country.

NAN recalls that Osinbajo had on Christmas Eve made an unexpected stopover at some filling stations in Lekki and other parts of Lagos Island to assess the fuel situation.

According to the vice president, the Buhari administration is doing everything possible to quickly resolve the fuel shortage experienced by Nigerians.

President Buhari had on Sunday sympathised with Nigerians over their suffering occasioned by the scarcity of petrol across the country.

The President added that he had already directed the regulators to step up their surveillance and bring an end to hoarding of the products and price inflation by marketers.

Fuel scarcity during festive periods has become a recurring feature in Nigeria, although it disappeared in the last two years.

In some states, a litre of fuel rose to between N200 and N300 per litre as against the official pump price of N145.

Continued on page 7

No leadership change in EFCC -Agency Continued from page 1 Muhammadu Buhari had replaced Magu with Ahmed Abdulrahman.

The EFCC further warned purveyors of fake news to desist from the infamous act, saying that that there was the need for the promoters of fake news to engage in profitable ventures.

The commission added that it was regrettable that the online medium would publish such a sensitive story without verifying from it and the necessary confirmation from relevant sources.

The commission said, “ The EFCC hereby warns purveyors of fake news

concerning the Commission to think of a more profitable venture. This warning is coming on the heels of purported change of guards at the Commission.

“Fake news carriers have been awash with the replacement of the acting Chairman of the Commission, Ibrahim Magu as the chairman of EFCC. “ The news which was neither verified nor confirmed by relevant sources, made the soMagu cial media plat-

forms of the harbingers of such fake news. “ For the avoidance of any doubt, Ibrahim Magu remains the acting Chairman of the EFCC.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 26, 2017

7

News

Buhari admits hardship, says 2017 tough for Nigerians Continued from page 6 NNPC, DPR uncover illegal fuel reservoirs in Abuja A combined team of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and security agents on Sunday uncovered illegal reservoirs of fuel in Abuja.

Speaking at the site of the mini depot, the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr Maikanti Baru, said it was saddening to make such discoveries in

the city center when less than 500 meters away, motorists were on endless queues.

Hundreds of jerry cans, 200-liter drums, and 500 liter tanks were uncovered in a sting operation by the team in the city center.

According to him, the perpetrators have caused untold pain and hardship on Nigerians during a crucial season as Christmas.

He said, “In the war room (where crucial issues are discussed during fuel crises), we asked ourselves why the situation

(fuel queues) persists. “We got an intelligence report of these mini depots and as you can see, these golf cars that are supposed to have 40 litres have tanks that can take 200 liters of petrol.

“This other one is a mini depot. Although some of the products are diesel, the DPR says it is unauthorised. We have over 50 days supply of diesel and so there is no reason to hoard the product.’’

The Abuja Zonal Controller of DPR, Mr Mohammed Abba, told newsmen “we have arrested 20 people in

connection with those who sell in jerry cans in Zone One alone and their facilities.

Abba further disclosed that, “We are handing them over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, because the DPR has no capabilities to prosecute.

“We will test for forensic analysis and we will pursue the case to court’’.

Mr Aminu Abdullahi, Assistant CommandantGeneral Operations, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps while

receiving the perpetrators confirmed receiving the 20 persons.

He said, “We have received the suspects and DPR will be called in for forensic analysis to test what was handed over,’’ he said.

A survey of filling stations in the FCT revealed that motorists are lamenting the harsh conditions on fuel queues on Christmas Day. Some of the filling stations visited were the NIPCO along Jabi, Oando in Zone 1, Texaco on the Airport Road and NNPC Mega Station along Zone 1 and on the Kubwa Expressway.

Though there was presence of security agents in almost all stations visited, the queues were rowdy with angry commuters screaming themselves down. At the NNPC mega station, the rowdiness was caused by two cars on an illegal queue that blocked the main queue and insisted on entry.

The presence of three security agencies comprising a military man, a policeman and a civil defense man did nothing to intimidate the driver who kept saying ”It is sad that I have

to be at a filling station today. “My family is at home waiting for me to come and take them out. This is unfair, sad and cruel. This is my worst Christmas’’.

At Jabi, the security men were dressed to the hilt with helmets as if ready for chaos but there were still very long illegal lines blocking the exit to NIPCO. A motorist, Mr Salau Agidingbi, said, “it is these illegal queues that cause chaos during crisis such as these. they block flow of oncoming traffic, block the exit for drivers that have got fuel after queuing up for hours and want to be served immediately they get into the station”.

At Texaco, a pump attendant, who did not wish to be named, stated “we close at seven before because of security issues but because of the people traveling we have to extend our time till 9p.m. or 10p.m. Another motorist, Celia Tamuno said “this Christmas is horrible. See me here. It is annoying and the lines are so long. Other mothers are at Wonderland, other fun places and I’m here. This is heart-breaking’’

SMEs catalyst for business revolution - Dogara Continued from page 5 Horse riders at the 2nd edition of Pan-Mana durbar in Kaltungo Chiefdom, Gombe State…on Monday.

Wike to Rivers politicians: Embrace united platform for FG projects Amaka Agbu, Port Harcourt

ÏÏÏ Rivers State Governor

Nyesom Wike has advised the state politicians to work in harmony, saying that only a common platform, irrespective of political affiliations can attract Federal Government projects for the development of the state.

Governor Wike spoke in Port Harcourt on Monday during the thanksgiving and reception in honour of the member representing Tai/Eleme/Oyigbo Federal Constituency in Kpite-Tai, Hon. Bari Mpigi. Mpigi is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to Wike, all politicians should place Rivers development ahead of their political affilia-

tions.

Governor Wike said that the united front was needed to challenge the current situation as he claimed that the APC-led Federal Government deliberately denied the state her benefits, in spite of the state’s contributions to the wealth of the country.

He added that while the APC-led Federal Government instituted fluid projects in Rivers State, it funded projects in northern states, saying that , “My coming here today tells you that in unity, we will have development. Let us put heads together to understand that anything that will bring development to Ogoni, all of us, should do it. It doesn’t matter the political party that you belong to, you cannot see

something wrong happening to your people and keep quiet.”

He pointed out that the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas, NLNG, has deposited N60billion for the BodoBonny Road, saying however that the Federal Government has refused to pay its N60billion counterpart for the execution of the project.

He said: “But two days ago, the Federal Government awarded a project for Abuja-Kaduna-Kano at N154billion. Look at the one NLNG said they are bringing N60billion, it has become an issue of politics.”

He reiterated his demand for the commensurate release of funds for the Niger Delta to balance the $1billion to be withdrawn from the Excess Crude Account to fight Boko Haram.

Governor Wike, then, said Rivers politicians must work together to avert the suffering of the people.

Responding, Hon Mpigi advocated politics centred on Rivers State, adding that development was partyblind. He also pointed out that the roads constructed by the governor were useful to APC and PDP member.

Mpigi said that he was not under any obligation on who to relate with, saying that he was guided by the interest of his people.

The Paramount Ruler of Tai, Gbenemene Tua Tua of Tai, King Samuel Nnee, called for politics without bitterness. He said politics was the route to development.

Thousands of Tai people graced the thanksgiving and reception.

and cannot sue.

“So that formed our desire to have the Law, and thankfully with the coming of the President, as soon as it was passed by Parliament, Mr. President saw reason in this and accented to it, and it has become an Act. The only thing we are waiting for now is for the flesh, so that it can be built into it, and it can takeoff and I believe that it will happen very soon”.

While appreciating the Chamber of Commerce for realizing the level of devastation in the North East and its desire to raise fund to support the IDPs, Dogara reiterated his resolve to use his 50th Birthday anniversary to raise funds to support the IDPs and other vulnerable members of the society.

He said, “We want to thank your Chamber for realizing that business has to be conducted ethically. That it is not just about doing business, not about Small and Medium Enterprises, but that you are looking at those core things that de-

fine all of us as individuals: the care for each other, love for the vulnerable ones, people who are being persecuted, so on and so forth, so I appreciate this concern, you made an offer to raise funds and assist whatever initiatives it is we have in the Northeast”.

Earlier, Leader of the delegation and Chairman of Kaduna State Chapter of the Nigerian American Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Mathew Abogbaimhe, lauded Dogara’s disposition towards the plight of the vulnerable members of the society as well as the National Assembly’s commitment to addressing the plight of the IDPs. He said, “We are glad that the Senate and indeed the House of Representatives under your leadership have led various efforts in addressing the plight of IDPs. Mr. Speaker, we are also aware of your unrelenting advocacy for support in resetting people affected by the insurgency in the north east as well as your appeals to the international community on the matter “.

News 8

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 26, 2017

Curfew imposed as Minister confirms 3 dead in FCT cult clash ÏÏÏThe

Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Monday imposed a 6pm to 6am curfew on Bwari township.

The Minister of the FCTA, Malam Muhammad Bello, after a closeddoor meeting with stakeholders in the Area Council, declared the curfew while assessing the damages caused by a crisis that erupted in the town earlier on Monday.

Bello told newsmen that three people died during the incidence.

The curfew followed crises which erupted between two suspected cult groups in the town on

Christmas day.

Daily Times learnt that the crisis broke out in the early hours of the morning when some suspected groups of cultists stormed the centre of the town, forming barricades and burning car tyres at major junctions.

The rioters deprived commuters and motorists of access to public roads and forced many residents to remain indoors.

Emergency workers have since started to put out fires that razed the Bwari Market, while the FCT Police Command said it has begun investigation to ascertain those behind the rampage.

Aregbesola warns fuel marketers against hoarding

ÏÏÏGovernor

Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State on Monday warned fuel marketers in the state to desist from hoarding the commodity.

He lamented the hardship which fuel hoarding with the aim of making outrageous profit had caused the majority of the people.

He said the unethical practices of fuel marketers had brought untold hardship to the masses while many wasted pre-

cious time struggling to buy the product.

The governor, who said this in statement issued by his media aide, Mr. Sola Fasure, asked the police; Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps to take charge at stations where the product was being sold in order to ensure a free flow of traffic.

He charged the law enforcement agencies to make sure that they did

not allow fuel queues block any road, saying this had worsen traffic situation in parts of the state.

Aregbesola said: “It has come to the attention of the State Government of Osun that the peace, joy and serenity of this Yuletide season is somewhat being marred by fuel shortage being experienced all over the country. This is most regrettable.

“The State Govern-

ment of Osun sympathises with all the people of the state whose movements have been restricted or have had to spend valuable time on queues in filling stations.

“The State Government therefore urges fuel marketers in the state to desist from hoarding, profiteering and other sharp and unethical practices that could exacerbate the situation, worsen the plight of residents and detract from our Omoluabi status”.

Police dismiss officer for murder in Kogi Idris Ahmed,Lokoja

ÏÏÏKogi

state Police command has announced the dismissal of one of its men, Sgt Akpa James. He was accused of killing one Ohimi Ojima in Ajaokuta Local Government area of the state.

A statement signed by the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) ASP William Aya, and made available to Journalists alleged that the deceased Ohimi Ojima before he met is untimely death, had an argument with the security men at Ajaokuta Steel Company when he was ordered to turn to the direction he was coming from, because he was following a wrong way that is the only accessible road to Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL).

The PPRO said “The victim insisted and went to an extent of attempting to disarm the Sergeant and was fatally injured in the process and subsequently rushed to ASCL Hospital Ajaokuta, where he gave up the ghost.”

“The Sergeant has been arrested, detained, tried in orderly room, dismissed from the Force and will be

charged to Court for prosecution at the end of the proceedings.”

Aya also debunked media reports that the deceased was the younger brother to the Executive Governor of Kogi State.

He said “The attention of Kogi State Command has been drawn to the baseless and unfounded reports from some sections of the media on the case of alleged Culpable Homicide committed by one Sgt Akpa James.

“The Command wishes to state categorically clear that, the Sergeant is attached to Special Protection Unit (SPU), Zone 8, Lokoja and not Police Mobile Force (PMF) as reported.

Furthermore, the report reads that “the deceased one Ohimi Ojima is a younger brother to the Executive Governor of Kogi State which is also false in its entirety. The victim hailed from Ibaji Local Government of Kogi State.

The Command urged members of the public to always confirm the true nature of incidents before sending such to social media or any other platform, so as not to mislead the good people of the State.”

Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (middle), dispensing fuel to motorist at Oando Petrol Filing Station at Lekki Area of Lagos… Sunday night.

‘239,349 IDPs benefit from NAF medical programme ‘

ÏÏÏ

The Nigerian Air Force says 239,349 Internally Displaced Persons have so far benefited from its medical outreach programme between July 2015 and November 2, 2017.

The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, disclosed this in an interview in Abuja.

Adesanya said the service had in 2015 started devoting a lot of resources to cater for the needs of the IDPs in the North East and other parts of

the country.

He said the whole idea had been to win “the hearts of people of the local communities in the various conflict areas, and to enable them to have sense of belonging, and that Nigeria is for them”.

He said the programme was part of the overall strategy of the fight against insurgency in the North East and that it was also to cater for victims of other crisis in the country.

Adesanya noted that in 2015, NAF had established two emergency hospitals in IDPs camps in Bama

and Dalori and that the service medical personnel had been stationed there since then.

He said further that the service had conducted medical outreach programme all over the North East in Bauchi, Yola, Yobe, Maiduguri and parts of Borno State.

The director said NAF had extended the programme to virtually all the six geopolitical zones in the country, except the North West.

Adesanya said: “I can assure you that plans are at an advanced stage to conduct medical outreach in the North West too.

“The programme will start from Gusau, Zamfara State to meet the medical needs of the people in the villages affected by the activities of criminals, especially cattle rustlers.”

He also said NAF had recently established Quick Response Unit in Gusau to combat activities of criminals in the state, particularly cattle rustlers.

Adesanya disclosed that NAF had conducted free cancer screening exercise in some states across the country as well as carried out surgeries on some patients.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 26, 2017

9 News

NUPENG confirms massive loading of petrol at depots ÏÏÏThe

Chairman South-West, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, Tayo Aboyeji on Monday confirmed that massive loading of petrol was ongoing at different depots in Lagos.

Aboyeji made the confirmation in an interview in Lagos, assuring Nigerians that the current scarcity of fuel would end

in the next two days.

According to the chairman: “I am glad to tell you that the product is now available and today, being Christmas holiday, tanker drivers are waiting to collect the product.

“Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation is now making use of Major Marketers Association of Nigeria tank farms to distribute petrol.

“This is to accelerate the product to different locations.

“As I am talking to you, our members are taking the product out of depots to filling stations across the country.

“To make it quicker, NNPC is also using Folawiyo depot, Aiteo and NIPCO depots and I can tell you that the rate at which loading is taking place now, the cri-

sis will soon be over.”

Atoyebi denied allegation of diversion of the product by his members, adding that such had not been reported to him.

He said: “To the best of my knowledge, no such cases have been reported to the union.

“It is not easy to divert the product because petroleum tankers loaded were being monitored to

their destinations.”

Atoyebi urged Nigerians to desist from panic buying, adding that the product was now available.

He said: “Nigerians should not resort to panic buying now.

“Petrol is available in depots unlike few days ago when the product was not available.

“The product will

Embrace agricbusiness, Ogun Govt urges civil servants

ÏÏÏThe

Wife of the Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Hajia Fatimatu Nuhu (middle) with the beneficiaries of the 3rd Phase of Maternal and Infant Health Intervention Programme, during the official launch at Toro LGA, Bauchi State… at the weekend.

Buhari vows never to please his children, relatives at Nigerians’ detriment ÏÏÏThe

St Theresa Catholic Church Yola on Monday distributed food and drinks to 674 inmates of Yola Prison to mark the Christmas celebration.

President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated that he will never betray the trust reposed in him by the Nigerian masses to please his children or relations.

Buhari made the

be in all filling stations in few day’s time, so buy only what you will use and stop hiding petrol in your house.

“It is dangerous.”

There is improved supply of petrol to filling stations in Lagos in spite of the public holiday.

Motorists were on queue in most of the filling stations that were selling petrol.

disclosure in a 55-minute documentary, titled: “Buhari: Beyond the Iron and Steel,” aired by the Nigerian Television Authority on Sunday.

According to President Buhari, he remains in politics today because of the goodwill he enjoys from the masses.

The documentary featured Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, some ministers, governors elected on the

platform of the All Progressives Congress and chieftains of the party, who spoke about the positive attributes of the President.

In a remark to close the documentary, Buhari said: “I pray five times a day thanking God that allowed people to understand and believe me.

“This goodwill that I enjoy from the masses is what is keeping me in politics and, of course, my central ob-

jective is to provide transparency and accountable government.”

A post by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, on his Facebook account earlier on Sunday had given an insight on the contributions of the speakers, including Osinbajo.

The Vice President said: “He gives you things to do, and leaves you strictly to

Ogun State Civil Servants have been urged to explore the advantages presented by Agribusiness to improve their living standard rather than depend solely on personal emoluments.

Commissioner I in the State Civil Service Commission, Alhaji Surajudeen Olusesi gave the admonition at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, at a quarterly training organised by the State Civil Service Commission for civil servants with the theme, ‘’Agribusiness: a Way of Contributing to the Economy.’’

Olusesi said Civil Servants in the State constituted a large population and have the tendency of boosting the economy if they strategically engage in agribusiness as alternative means of generating income aside from their official pay.

In his contributions, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics from the Ministry of Rural Development, Mr. Adekunle Oyesanwo, described Agribusiness as the sum total of all operations that entails the production and distribution

of farm produce.

He said the role of government was to formulate policies and provide enabling environment that would promote the development of agribusiness enterprises through the provision of inputs, export and general trading.

Adekunle maintained that the success of any agricultural venture depended on the individual contemplating on establishing an agribusiness venture and how well the business was coordinated.

Responding, one of the participants, Mr. Oduntan Ibikunola from Ogun State Management and Multi-Purpose Credit Agency (OSAMCA) appreciated the Ogun State Civil Service Commission for putting in place such training, adding that he has benefited a lot from it.

Another participant, Engr. Tokunbo Salami from Ogun State Road Management Agency, (OGROMA) said he was happy to be part of the training, describing it as an eye opener to huge potentials of agribusiness in the Country.

News

10

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 26, 2017

Lagos CP urges celebrities to utilise Complaints Centre ÎÎÎ The Lagos State Com-

missioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, on Monday advised celebrities to utilise the Citizens Complaints Hot Centre instead of resorting to cheap blackmail on the social media.

The CP made the plea in a statement signed by the command’s spokesperson, SP Chike Oti, following an encounter between the Police and Praize, a musician.

According to the statement, on December 19 at 12 midnight, policemen attached to Area ‘J’ Command Headquarters, Ajah, Lagos, who were on routine anticrime patrol along the Lekki/ Epe Expressway, noticed a car at top speed approaching their end.

Oti said: “The policemen sensed that the speed was much and so were alarmed, hence they flagged down the car to check on the occupants

and if necessary, search the trunk of the car.

“When the car stopped, the officers who were in their uniforms, approached the driver but to their disbelief, the driver, who was yet to be addressed by the policemen became hysterical, without provocation and started shouting ‘SARS, SARS, SARS… OOO’.

“As he was shouting and pouring unprintable invectives on the officers of the law, he was at the same time filming them.

“These unprovoked actions on the part of the driver, whose true identity at that time was unknown to the patrolmen, made them even more suspicious of him and so they requested him to come with them to see the Area Commander, ACP Felix Oben, whom they had already called to report the conduct of the man.

Buying and selling at Ogbete main Market in Enugu…on Sunday.

British Airways slashes fares for Business Class passengers ÎÎÎ In its bid to gain more

of the market, the British Airways on Monday slashed its airfares on the Business Class from $4000 to $2140 in the spirit of the season.

In a statement signed by the Quadrant MSL Group, Kola Olayinka British Airways Regional Commercial Manager, was quoted as saying that the reduction in the air fare would take last from January till June 2018 and it includes taxes, fees and charges for Business Class passengers.

Olayinka said in the statement, “Christmas is always an exciting sea-

son and British Airways is introducing the special fares for Business Class Passengers as a special Christmas package from the airline. “Bookings made during the selling period will be eligible for a travel between Jan.12, 2018 up till June 30, 2018 for outbound flights. ‘’ Olayinka also advised travellers to take advantage of the exciting Business Class offer from British Airways to have a first-class flying experience to London.

He also used the opportunity to wish all British Airways’ esteemed customers and partners a Merry Christmas and a

Prosperous New Year.

He said that bookings for the British Airways fantastic fare for its business class travellers could be made on www.ba.com or by contacting its designated travel agents.

He said that the British Airways was absolutely committed to an unswerving delivery of exceptional experiences that would appeal to the travel savvy individual.

Petrol sells for N220 in Katsina – Survey The scarcity of petroleum products is biting harder in Katsina State as most independent marketers have increased price

of petrol to over N220 per litre.

A survey indicated that only the NNPC Mega station on IBB Way, Himma, Oando, Mutunchi, AA Rano and Matrix filling stations are selling the product at the official pump price of N145 per litre within Katsina metropolis.

Long queues were recorded in these few filling stations where motorists spend several hours to get the commodity.

It was also observed that with the exception of NNPC Mega station, most of the filling stations selling petrol within Katsina metropolis, only one or

two pumps are used to dispense the product despite the long queues.

The situation is even worst in places like Charanchi, Kankia, Ingawa, Kurfi, Dutsinma, Kankara and Malumfashi, among others, where most of filling stations remained closed, while few others sold at more than N220.

Motorists in those places mostly buy petrol from the black market and the price per gallon of four litres varies from place to place ranging from N1,200 and above.

Most of the motorists interviewed decried the situation and called on

government to resolve the problem.

They noted that an increase in the price of petrol could affect other sectors of the economy.

Malam Yusuf Abdullahi, a motorist, said most of the filling stations hoard the product and sell it at will and at exorbitant price.

Abdullahi said: “It is unfortunate that Nigerians still suffer to get petrol at the official rate.

“We want the government to hasten taking stringent measures against marketers either diverting or hoarding the product to serve as deterrent to others.”

Latest attack: More troops deployed to Southern Kaduna ÎÎÎ The Kaduna State Government says it is saddened by the latest attack on Unguwan Mailafiya community, which led to death of four people and about eight others injured.

Samuel Aruwan, the Senior Special Assistant to the State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, on Media and Publicity, made the remark while briefing newsmen in Kaduna on

Monday.

Aruwan said the military authorities notified the State Government of the attack on the community, which occurred late on Sunday, following an attack at Nimdem on Saturday night.

According to Aruwan: “The state government has been working with security agencies to fortify the general area and enhance security in

the area.”

He reassured citizens of their safety, saying the Commander of Operation Safe Haven has temporarily moved to Kafanchan to coordinate the operation, Aruwan said: “Negative elements must not be allowed to undo all the hard work done to restore peace and security, adding that, government commiserates

with the victims and their families.

“All our communities are enjoined to stand together, and support the security agencies to thwart what looks like a predetermined plot to create anarchy around this period, which has failed. ”We, therefore, enjoin all citizens to put hands together to deny criminals the opportunity of succeeding in their

evil plans.”

Aruwan further urged people in the area to report any threat to peace, law and order within the Kaduna South Senatorial District to the officials of Operation Safe Haven, the special security task force in the area, on the following mobile phone numbers for necessary action: 08021212139, 08149000091, 08090498333 and 08074633336.

He said the state government had commended the effort of community leaders in the wake of the Nimdem attacks and urged for continued engagements to prevent escalation.

“The government is assured that the security agencies will continue to pursue the criminal elements who perpetrated this act and their sponsors,” he added.

Politics

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Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 26, 2017

11

‘Activism in Nigeria have evolved with time’ . What is your view on the Buhari administration?

The Buhari administration generally has fallen short of expectation of Nigerians; that is not to say he has a total failed mark generally. But when we now zero in on some sectors like education, health, you would realised that not much progress as been made. Look at the economy it is still in a state of quagmires. That is not to say he has failed generally in all sectors, but the expectations Nigerians placed in him were so high and Nigerians, I mean the people were expecting instance succour form the APC government and you know the promises they also made raised people expectations.

But about three years in office, what is on ground is nothing, unemployment has risen further, insecurity has not been totally taken care of, look at electricity, I still think this government can do more. But that is not say it has not gotten mark in the anti graft war, unlike previous government, we are seeing prominent people been trialed and the judges were put to trial; it is a credit and progress.

But I want this government to be responsive to the masses and fulfill it campaign Promises.

Is CLO surprise that this administration has made effort to gaged the freedom of the media and distruct free flow of information?

That is another minus to this Buhari administration; they have score low mark in trying to gage the media , look at the NGO bill that was introduced by this senator from the north, in advance societies such bill would be die before arrival, it is unheard of; we fought against it, it is an angel that this government have score low.

The other time they were taking about hate speech, and we at the CLO ask them to define what hate speech is.

It leaves us with the question of what is this government afraid of ?

If the government is carrying out it responsibility the way it should; it would not be afraid of the views of the people . The press is very important in any society, it mirror them, there is no democracy that can survive without the press, it should not happen.

But are you happy that compare to the military era, much progress have been made interms of right human protection in Nigeria?

We can’t be happy yet: before we say we are ok with the standard of right and progress that have been made now. The NGO bill should be thrown out and the ideal of hate speech be thrown out, all this have affected the government ranking, it would not help or promote

Comrade Ehi Omokhuale activist and the Lagos state chairman of Civic liberty organisation, (CLO) in this interview with Iniobong Iwok, he spoke on the state of activism in the country, the Buhari administration among others. over the world. But not like we are doing here in Nigeria. you need this recovered loot to fund the budget, but what we are saying is that you don’t just recover the money and let them go like that, there must be some punishment, he or she must serve part of his jail term, of course we know it should be reformation and not punitive. but we are against total setting them free without punishment, it does not set a good precedent.

OMOKHUALE democracy in the country; it is anti people.

But a lot of people would argue that not much is heard of CLO this days?

Things have changed a bit, because time have also changed.

Those days when Ayo obey was the national chairman and after him we had Olisa Agbakoba, those were eras of the military rule and you can testify the role the CLO played in pursuing the military from power. And then Babangida came to power and did all he did.

But now we have democracy, but a lot of people think it has not deliver to expectations of Nigerians, though we can’t say we have democracy ; but it is still better than were we are coming from, but we have to allow democracy, especially considering we were coming from a dark tunnel. We still come in when we notice that the process is about to be derailed, and we offer advise. We also recruit new members through going to schools, NYSC and we hold training for them, we can’t stay forever, the Young ones would

have to take over one day. Our job is not to criticise unnecessary, it as to be constructively done, where the government is derailing we advise them. If you are hearing from us, it is not not as if we are not Woking but we just decide to give government a chance. But when you look at the activist this days much have changed interm of the personality, the likes of Bamidele Aturu, Chima ubani is dead, also the kutis, some of them have gone into politics, others have moved out of the country or aged.

But civic societies In Nigeria have been criticised for been dormant while some have compromised?

Yes a few of them has become partisan, and others have joined politics. You can not only say of what you are doing; time and events has also changed. I told you earlier that some people have die. Others have leave the country, you can not rule that out as human being is concerns. We are watching and when government policies become unbearable we

come to make our voice heard. We are working , we are recruiting new members and training them, we don’t come out we strategies what ever we want to, it all not in the media, we have our way of working.

Do you still have confidence in the anti graft war of Buhari?

We don’t have 100 percent interest in the anti corruption war again, due to recent happening in this administration. We want to see more prosecution, that is not happening ,what happen now is that if the accuse join the ruling class they are are made sacred cow it is bad. Let people be trialed and jailed, we want to see a situation where people with corruption allegation is not allowed to join the ruling class, imagine; if you join the ruling party all corrupt allegation on you is dropped. That is the problem, and we have lose confidence in the war with this attitude of government.

Are you comfortable with the plead bargaining method?

Plead bargaining is practice all

Have the APC delivered on it changed promise?

The change mantra has become a fallacy. It all lies, nothing is working look at the economy it is a quagmire, you need the economy to work, so that local industries can survive and grow the people can have job. But that is not happening right now. If the people think Buhari has performed enough to merit a second term let them vote in again, if not let them vote him out of power.

Do you have confident in INEC conducting a credible election?

We are still watching, but there is nothing wrong in been innovative; like INEC introduced PVC in the last election. And now that it as been approved by the national assembly I think it would check rigging and sanitise the system.

Rigging has been a big problem in our election in Nigeria, but with PVC now things would change.

What is the next target for CLO? Very early next year we would be holding a gathering,we want to review our democracy and how far we have gone. We are also aggressively recruiting members and carrying out training. We want young Nigerians to join us, we can’t be there for ever, and we are getting older, we need young people to join and replace us.

Politics 12

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 26 2017

Bamanga Tukur seeks voting right for registered Nigerian voters Patrick Okohue The former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Ambassador-at-large for Nigeria, during the last administration, Dr. Bamanga Tukur has reiterated that there must be a guarantee for all Nigerians to vote in Nigeria as long as they are registered with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in any part of the country or at their polling centres.

He commended Nigerians for their collective and individual dedication towards making the country a greater nation through their skills and expertise.

Tukur said this when young and politically inclined Nigerians paid him a courtesy visit to interact with him on politics and Africa’s entrepreneurial opportunities.

The elder statesman and former Chairman of PDP stated “What goes around comes around. All parties

TUKUR

must embrace democracy and discipline to survive in modern political environment. They must practice election and not selection; democracy, not imposition.”

Dr. Tukur further noted that

Support for Buhari, best way to actualise Igbo presidency -Ubani Iniobong Iwok Igbos across Nigeria have been advised to support the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari as such was the shortest and best way of actualising the Igbo presidency in 2023.

This is the view of the vice president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Monday Ubani, in an interview with The Daily Times, noting that it would benefit the Igbos more if it gives total backing to the reelection bid of the present administration as it could only serve one more tenure, against a new presidential candidate who may like to use another two tenure of eight years, which would derail the presidential ambitious bid of the South East region.

The former Ikeja NBA branch chairman urged Nigerians to be patient with the current administration, stressing that most of it programmes were reformative and correctional which would yield the needed dividend with time.

He said “my advice to Igbos is for them to support Buhari, because if we want to shift our support to another candidate he may want to use another eight years in office. That is the shortest way of actualising Igbo presidency in 2023 for now.

“Of course there are complaints about appointment, but I think the President can do

more, let him run an inclusive administration were everybody would be involved and that would give people a sense of belonging and peace would reign in the country.

“The best hands are everywere, let him get them into his government and with this the country can keep moving.”

Ubani said.

On the alleged marginalisation of the South East in appointments into key positions in the country, Ubani expressed dissatisfaction with the current appointments, adding however that President Muhammadu Buhari can do more for the region, while charging him to run and inclusive administration which would carry everyone along for peace to reign in the country.

Speaking further on the defection of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and his promise to give priority to the youths if elected President, Ubani noted that he does not have faith in the former Vice President to actualise what he has said, adding that he did not accomplish much as the Vice President of the country.

“Atiku has the right to decamp to any party he wants, but he has always been decamping from one party to another. I really don’t know what he said about the youths, but you know politicians, you can’t trust them. But what did he do as Vice President?” Ubani asked.

the Constitution guarantees freedom of associations, which allowed people to pick where and with whom they associate with while calling on all Nigerians to shun ethnicity, religion and region, but capture

the mantra of Yes to Nigeria and no to division.

On the business front, Dr. Tukur who is the former President of Africa Business Round Table shared his experience from 1959 as a young Nigerian returning from the United Kingdom and American educational pursuits to join the national services through the marine industry.

From Nigeria’s ports through to joining politics as an independent candidate, forming his Bamanga Tukur Movement which later won election in Gongola State. He said entrepreneurs must be willing to take manageable risks in order to gain the profits.

“Africa and Nigeria has tremendous opportunities for willing partners and they should take the bull of innovation by the horn of successes ahead.

All around us especially outside our continent, it is the youthful minds that are changing the face of business, innovation and entrepreneurship,” added Dr. Tukur

Also speaking, Dr. Mary Manzo of YES Nigeria and an advocate said that “We are excited about the discussions and promised to play our part and must ensure that our electorates in Nigeria are enlightened and get educational information about their rights and voting power.”

Responding, the Chairman of ISAC, Mr. Tunji Adebayo thanked the elder statesman for his dedication to Africa’s business, especially during his Presidency at African Business Roundtable. “There is a part of all of us willing to participate in building a better nation as well as encouraging government to do what gives our SMEs and businesses the opportunity to challenge global players.”

Those in the delegation and interaction included Councillor Sunny Lambe (an elected councillor in London), Dr. Mary Manzo of the YES Nigeria Movement, Legal practitioner, Charles Oguntoye and Alistair Soyode

Group cautions NASS over 2018 budget Patrick Okohue A socio-political organisation, Campaign for Dignity in Governance (CDG), has urged Nigerians to halt what it calls the National Assembly’s annual legislative rascality on budget passage.

The group, in a statement signed by its National President, Comrade Razaq Olokoba observed that, it has become the antics of Federal lawmakers to use the budget passage period as a trap to hold the country hostage hiding under frivolous excuses that are selfish and unpatriotic.

The group noted with dismay, the way and manner the budget on Power was handled by the National Assembly members recently when they unduly embarrassed the Minister in charge, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN).

“The undue embarrassment became more worrisome when viewed against the background that the Minister’s performance in his Ministry in the recent time has won him accolade from the public who are convinced that power has become more stable under him,” the group stated.

According to the release, the National Assembly has unpatriotic hidden agenda

SARAKI

DOGARA

that it is pursuing under the disguise of oversight function, cautioning that, “if Nigerians do not rise to stop the Federal Legislative Houses from pulling the country back every time they are called upon to handle the budget issues with patriotism, the country would be worse for it.”

The group warned further that the Parliament should not behave in a manner that the public would view its conduct as opposition induced sentiment that would erode their confidence from the people’s mind.

Citing another example, the statement reminded the public about the issue of the 2018

budget presented to the House

by President Muhamadu Buhari which it said is being treated with levity, saying that the early passage of the document which the President envisaged is now being threatened.

The group, which said its call on Nigerians to call the National Assembly to order on the vexatious matter is not at all aimed at inciting the public against the lawmakers, however pointed out emphatically that, if the Parliament is not checked, the main aim of President Buhari to hit the ground running next year could be jeopardised and become a pipe dream.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Page Thirteen

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Editorial

13

PHOTO TIMES

Time to revamp the textile industry

R

ecent news report that the Kaduna Textile Mills, the New Nigeria Development Company (NNDC), in partnership with a Turkish firm and in collaboration with the federal government will invest $15 million to reactivate the collapsed Kaduna Textile Company is a welcomed development. The move is in line with President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s policy of resuscitating the textile industry, among others, to provide more job opportunities in the country.

The textile company was started in 1956 in Kaduna to process the cotton being produced in the northern part of the country. Many other textile companies soon sprang up in Lagos and between Kaduna and Kano axis. By the 1970s and the early 1980s, the Nigerian textile industry had grown to become the third largest in Africa and employed well over 400,000 Nigerians across the country.

The oil boom of the 1970s and the early 1980s which increased the purchasing power of the government and the citizens led to the neglect of agriculture and many vital industries, particularly the textile industry, thus crippling other sectors of the economy and putting the economic viability of the country in serious jeopardy. Thereafter, the textile industry suffered neglect and by 2002 the Kaduna Textile Mill closed with more than 7,000 of its workers sent home.

Today, the textile industry employs less than 30,000 workers with the factories operating either below capacity or totally closed and most of their plants in operational distress.

The first attempt to revive the industry was in 2010 when the Bank of Industry (BoI) approved N10 billion textile revival fund. The fund increased capacity utilisation in the industry from 29.14 per cent to the current 50 per cent. In reviving the industry this time around the government must also focus on the production of cotton, kenaf and other raw materials that are

Publisher/Editor in Chief

Leke Adelere Business Manager 08037038663 Konie Agu Group Head, Business Development/Folio Foundation 08033150455

L-R: Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel; former governor of Akwa Ibom State/ Senate Minority leader, Godswill Akpabio and his wife, Unoma, during the 2017 Akwa Ibom State Christmas Carols in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State… on Sunday.

Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu (left), during his presentation of 2018 Appropriation Bill to the Abia State House of Assembly.

L- R: Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Muda Obasa; Atunwase of Ijesa, Lisa Olu Akerele and Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, during Iwude Festival in Ilesa, Osun State.

Words On Marble :

– Fidelis Anosike

Folio Group Group Managing Director Noel Anosike

associated with the textile industry.

It is a good thing that in revitalising the textile industry, government has put in place the cotton, textile and garment policy. Towards this end, it has directed that uniforms of military and para-military personnel as well as uniforms for many public schools students should, henceforth, be produced and purchased locally. With this policy in place and, if the prices are right, governments in the ECOWAS sub-regional market will patronise Nigerian textile industry.

In addition, government’s current intervention in the industry must be effective and sustained so that the local textile industry can thrive and flourish again. In the past, poor power supply and high interest rates on borrowed funds escalated the cost of production of local textile mills. This time around, the government must ensure improved power supply across the country so as to lower the cost of production for the textile mills, while the government should create intervention funds through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as alternative to loans from commercial banks which attract high interest rates.

Furthermore, the Department of Customs must also address the smuggling of cheap textile goods and second hand clothing by Nigerians and Asians, particularly Indians and Chinese into the country. There must also be frequent access to long-term finance by the BoI and other investment banks in the country to enable the textile mills stock raw materials and change their machinery as and when due. There is no doubt that if this new tempo is maintained and sustained, the Cotton, Textile and Garment industry will thrive and blossom again.

We believe that with such strategic revamping and repositioning, the Cotton, Textile and Garment industry promises to be one of the effective ways of providing employment for the teeming youth, thus promoting economic growth and stability of the country.

STATEMENTS BY THOSE WHO MATTER

Daily Times

Group Head Finance/ Administration Tobi Oyeniyi 07060528139 Technical Adviser To Publisher Innocent Nwankwo 08033072614 General Counsel: ELIAS MORDI & CO 08068613825

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News 14

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 26, 2017

Picnickers at the MagicLand in Abuja yesterday

Photo: Temitope Balogun

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 26, 2017

15 News

Picnickers at the MagicLand in Abuja yesterday

Photo: Temitope Balogun

16

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 26, 2017

17

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 26, 2017

18

News

Climate change: Groups appeal for creation of protected areas Bassey Willie, Uyo

ÎÎÎ

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has appealed to the Federal Government to create enabling environment for technological advancement for the establishment and promotion of protected areas in the country to protect ecosystem.

The appeal is contained in a press statement issued on Monday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state capital by Dr. Edem Eniang, Associate Professor of the department of Forestry and Natural Environmental Management, University of Uyo, (UNI-

UYO).

International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in conjunction with World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA), in their inaugural meeting held in Abuja, brought together international scientists and conservation managers to discussed environmental issues in the face of exceptional transformational forces such as climate change.

Deliberations were centered on, “Protected Areas are recognized and valued both as cornerstones for conserving nature and as natural solutions for global challenges, providing benefits

to human health, livelihood and well-being; Nigeria as a protected area now and into the future a changing and multiple facets scenario.”

The groups stressed the need for the government to establish protected areas which they said are essential for catalyzing and supporting global efforts to expand and effectively manage systems and other effective area based conservation measures to halting biodiversity loss.

The conservation experts urged governments at all levels, stakeholders and partners to promote implementation of IUCN’s programmes areas which

includes, working closely with Global Protected Areas Programme and World Heritage Programme on key priorities in Nigeria.

The release further stated that the Global Programme on Protected Areas (GPPA) in its review in 2010, noted that the global conservation are articulated into three strong areas.

The three areas identified were, valuing and conserving nature’s diversity, advancing effective and equitable governance using nature and deploying nature-based solution to climate, food and environmental challenges.

Facilitator of the inaugu-

ÎÎÎ

The Kano State Fire Service said on Monday that no fewer than 123 lives were lost and 1,721 lives were saved from the 660 fire outbreaks recorded across the state from January to December this year.

The Director of the State Fire Service, Alhaji Sagir Madaki, disclosed this in an interview in Kano.

Madaki said goods worth N2.9 billion were also saved, while N880 million estimated property were destroyed by fire during the period

Visionscape receives fresh batch of sanitation trucks has taken delivery of a fresh batch of environment sanitation trucks to beef up its fleet ahead of the formal launch of the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI) in early 2018.

The batch comprising compactors, trash trucks, trailer heads and other utility vehicles, were driven in an extended convoy from the port to one of the Group’s maintenance depots in Lagos.

An upbeat official of the company said arrangements have been firmed up to ensure periodic and regular delivery of the remaining facilities which will enable Visionscpae to support the Lagos State Government in it’s pledge

elected for 2017-2020 triennium are Dr Clement Obin, Biodiversity Preservation Center(BPC)Nigeria and Dr Aniefon Sam Akpabio , Anny-Gee Integrated limited.

Dr Edem Eniang was appointed as Thematic Leaders in charge of Promoting and supporting effective and equitable governance of natural and deploying natural based solution to address societal challenges.

Dr Daniel Jacob was appointed as the second thematic leader in charge of valuing and conserving nature, an advocacy, awareness creation, capacity building and data based creation.

123 killed, N888m properties destroyed in Kano fire outbreaks

L-R: Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Suraju Adekunbi; Ogun State Governor, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun; Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs.) Yetunde Onanuga, during the commissioning of bulldozers to boost agricultural development in the State.

ÎÎÎ The Visionscape Group

ral meeting and Vice Chairman, Central and West Africa, IUCN and WCPA, Dr. Charlotte Faid, presided over the emergency meeting, while Mr Sonigitu Asibong Ekpe, of Department of Biodiversity,Marine Protected and Conservation, Governor’s Office, Calabar, Cross River State, as the national focal point.

Mohammad Dikko Bala of National Park Service, Abuja emerged Young Professionals Focal Point while the national Advisory Team had Chief Edwin Ogar of Wise Administration of Terrestrial Environment and Resources.

Other conservationists

to give Lagosians a cleaner and healthier environment.

The Lagos State Government plans to deploy over 900,000 electronically tracked waste bins and 600 brand new compactors among other facilities to manage the over 10,000 metric tons of waste generated in the state daily.

For the CLI project, Visionscape will dispatch a large fleet of multi-dimensional vehicles and an integrated waste management system supported by geolocation technology.

Also in the spirit of Christmas and New Year festivities, Visionscape has wished Lagos State residents a Merry Christmas

and Happy New Year in advance.

In a message to commemorate the season, the company said, “It’s Christmas party time! During the festive season, loads of trash and solid waste are generated beyond what is normal, especially with parties, cookouts, outdoor events, family reunions and other large activities taking place simultaneously in different parts of the country.

“These activities inevitably create more trash in our homes and environment.

The spirit extends into the New Year, with the air thick with pyrotechnic smoke and mounds of garbage everywhere. This is more pronounced the morning after.”

To enjoy waste and pollution free Christmas parties and caring for the environment, the company advised residents to remind their guests subtly to recycle while they celebrate.

The company also urged Lagos residents “to make recycling easy for your guests by placing recycling bins near the trash. Clearly and creatively label the bins with visible signs (preferably with words and pictures; choose reusable party plates, utensils and cups instead of buying single-use plastics that can’t be recycled. When the party is over, put them in the dishwasher instead of trashing them off and store them till your next event.”

under review.

“We received 1,148 rescue calls and 249 false alarms from members of the public during the period under review,” he said.

Madaki, however, regretted that 123 lives were lost during the incidents.

He advised the general public to be careful during the festive season, especially those who use firewood in their houses, and to keep children far from it so as to avoid unforeseen dangers.

Tambuwal appoints Perm Sec, DGs Kingsley Chukwuka, Jos

ÎÎÎ

Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has approved the appointment of Malam Hassan Muhammad Maccido as a Permanent Secretary in the Sokoto State civil service.

The officer was born on 4th April, 1961 in Sokoto North Local Government Area. He joined the service of Sokoto State as Information Officer on GL08 in September 1989 under Ministry of Information.

He rose through the ranks to become Assistant Director on GL14 effective in 2005.

A graduate of University of Sokoto, Maccido holds Bachelor of Arts degree in English. He also

holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism. In consideration of his dedication and selfless service to the State, Hassan was appointed Director-General in December, 2007. He has served in many Government establishments which includes State Teachers Service Board, State Emergency Agency and now State Scholarship Board.

Meanwhile, Governor Tambuwal has also approved the appointment of Ummaru Ahmed, the following persons as Directors-General in the state civil service, Ummaru Ahmed, Muhammadu Bello Mailato, Ahmed Rufai Ibrahim and Muslim Adamu.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 26, 2017

Lawmaker calls for prayer for government

ADP felicitates with Nigerians ÏÏÏThis

was contained in a statement issued on Christmas eve by the spokesman of the ADP in Lagos State, Prince Adelaja Adeoye.

The statement said: “Nigerians must use this period to reflect on our common goals and shared destiny.

We urge all citizens to imbibe the spirit of peace, unity and love for one another; virtues that Jesus Christ exhibited throughout

his stay on earth. It is with these virtues and more that we can move our country forward.

“Jesus Christ is the perfect example of sacrifice and that’s why he laid down his life for the sake of mankind.

Political Leaders must begin to be selfless; shun corrupt practices, therefore bringing true development to the people. Nigerians, irrespective of religious faith should

use this period to spread love and care to the less privileged amongst us.

“He further stressed that the party is very much concerned about the unimaginable sufferings that Nigerians are going through as a result of the fuel scarcity especially at this time when Nigerians plan to spend the celebrations with their families scattered all over the country. “Our party

19 News

frowns at this development and we say that it is totally unacceptable. These are issues that our party has set out to solve once and for all when given the opportunity to serve.

“Having survived the challenges that 2017 presented, we are optimistic that 2018 will be a better year for all Nigerians.

“We wish you all a Merry Christmas and prosperous New

Year.”

Motolani Oseni

Ï Ï Ï Christmas

is a season of joy, redemption and one that rekindles hope in the present and inspires possibilities in the future.

Hon. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye representing Obokun Constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly has urged Nigerians to use the occasion of the Christmas celebration to pray for the survival of Nigeria as a nation and for her leaders.

In a Christmas message sent to people of his constituency, he said that the Buhari administration must be commended for its proactiveness to address the present economic

challenges.

He said: “we all need to support the government with prayers and commitment to make sacrifice in line with the teachings of this season”.

He said Christians and Nigerians in general should celebrate Christmas with high sense of optimism and faith in the redemption brought by the birth of Jesus Christ, noting that the yuletide offered opportunity for us as a nation to seek peace, harmony and exercise love to one another.

“We must never celebrate and forget the reason for the season, we must remember the love of God through which He gave us Jesus

Buratai Commends soldiers fighting Boko Haram

ÏÏÏIn

Cross-section of participants at the just concluded fisheries management conference in Abuja…at the weekend.

Catholic Diocese distributes food, drinks to Yola prison inmates ÏÏÏThe

St Theresa Catholic Church Yola on Monday distributed food and drinks to 674 inmates of Yola Prison to mark the Christmas celebration.

Speaking at the prison, the Archbishop of the diocese, Most Rev.

Stephen Mamza, said the gesture was to enable the inmates feel the spirit of Christmas.

Mamza, who held mass with the inmates, urged them not only to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ but to use the opportunity to repent and

prepare a better life after prison.

Mamza who is also the State chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, urged Christians and other Nigerians to always remember the needy and other vulnerable during such festive periods to give them a

sense of belonging.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Deputy Comptroller, Prison in charge of Yola Prisons, Mr Dahiru Abdullahi, lauded the church for the gesture and urged others to emulate it to give inmates sense of belonging.

a Christmas message to troops of the Operation Lafiya Dole fighting insurgency in the Northeast Nigeria, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Gen Tukur Buratai has commended the hard work and sacrifices of the doldiersa Christmas message to the soldiers fighting the Boko Haram insurgents.

The army chief asked them to maintain the momentum as they continue to discharge their constitutional roles.

“I wish to convey my warmest greetings to officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army and their families on the occasion of this year’s Christmas and New Year 2018 Celebrations. Christmas is an occasion for merriment, relaxation and reflections.

“We must, therefore, continue to appreciate our collective responsibility towards the maintenance of

the security conditions that allow for the proper celebrations of Christmas in every part of our country.

“This celebration is a testimony to our successes and also a celebration of your gallantry, tenacity and loyalty in the maintenance of peace/security in Nigeria. We continue to pray to the Almighty God for the repose of the souls of our fallen comrades.

He assured them of his commitment to their welfare and that of their families.

He charged to “remain loyal and grateful to the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, and indeed all wellmeaning Nigerians for their unflinching commitment to bringing peace to every nook and cranny of our nation, and for supporting the Nigerian Army as required”.

20

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 26, 2017

ÎÎÎ Senator

Dino Melaye representing Kogi West in the upper chamber has called on the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency find a lasting solution to the perennial fuel scarcity which had grounded social and

21 Public Notice

Sen Melaye urges FG to end fuel scarcity economic activities in the country.

In a Christmas message he sent, the lawmaker lamented the hardship and pains that

Nigerians are passing through at this yuletide season, describing it as unfortunate., “Ironically, Nigerians are currently faced

ORI OKE OLUWA JESUS HEALING MINISTRY

OLUWADARE EMMANUEL OLUWATOB

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CLUB HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 2004.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. EVANGELIST MRS DEBORAH OLUFUNMILOLA OYENEYE 2. PASTOR THEOPHILUS AYODELE OYENEYE 3. TIMOTHY OYETOPE OYENEYE 4. GABRIEL OLUWAROTIMI OYENEYE 5. MARY OYENIKE OYENEYE 6. SAMSON SUNDAY OYENEKAN AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: (I) TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST TO THE WORLD. (II) TO SET FREE THOSE THAT ARE SPIRITUALLY BOUND FROM THEIR BOUNDAGE. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B. 198, GARKI, ABUJA WITHIN TWENTY-EIGHT (28) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. ANNOUNCER: OLUSOJI EMMANUEL.

I, formerly known and addressed as OLUWADARE EMMANUEL, Now wish to be known and addressed as OLUWADARE EMMANUEL OLUWATOBI. All former documents remain valid. General public/authorities concerned should take note

CHRIST GLORIOUS BRIDES ASSEMBLY INTERNATIONAL THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, DECREE NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE; 1. NKPAATE JOHN AGBOTO - GENERAL OVERSEER. 2. JACOB ATANGUDO AKPAN. 3. NNEDE RICHARD - SECRETARY. 4. DEEYEH EPSIBARI. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST ACROSS THE WHOLE WORLD. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS 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.

NWOBODO MADUBUEGO JACINTA

I formerly known, called and addressed as OKAFOR HARRIET now wish to be known, called and addressed as NWOBODO MADUBUEGO JACINTA .All former documents remains valid general public please take note.

with fuel scarcity for no fault of theirs but failure of leadership in the nation’s oil sector. I therefore urge the Federal Government to immediately end the untoward hardship being faced by Nigerians as a result of the present artificial scarcity of fuel.

“For the avoidance of doubt, it remains my unshakable belief that

no Nigerian Senator or House of Representatives member is distinguished or honourable as the case may be until ALL NIGERIANS are distinguished and honourable in their day-today living. I therefore call on all political office holders including myself to sacrifice for the less-privileged to live a worthwhile life in

OLAOSHUN KUBURAT MONISOLA

MRS OZOMAH HANNAH NWANOD

I Formerly known called and addressed as Olaoshun Kadijat Sola,now wish to be known and called addressed as OLAOSHUN KUBURAT MONISOLA. All former documents remain valid and general public take note.

I formerly known and called addressed as Miss Nnah Hannah Sabbath,now wish to be known called and addressed as MRS OZOMAH HANNAH NWANODI. All former documents remain valid and general public should please take note

the spirit of this festive period. “’Above all, let’s remain united as one people, one nation and one destiny. Let’s promote and cherish peace in all parts of the country even as we pray for ourselves, leaders and government in order to achieve a united and peaceful Nigeria”, he said.

ODUNIYI MARIAM DOYINSOLA I, formerly known and addressed as BALOGUN MARIAM DOYINSOLA, Now wish to be known and addressed as ODUNIYI MARIAM DOYINSOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public/authorities concerned should take note

ASSOCIATION OF NON INDIGENE PRESTIGIOUS WOMEN IN AKWA IBOM

HEAVEN IS REAL CHAPEL INT’L

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY INFORMED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, DECREE NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ABOH AUGUSTINA AJANIGO - PRESIDENT 2. NKANGA EMMANUEL BASSEY 3. MAKANJUOLA JOY OJOMA 4. FAITH IBRAHIM 5. COLLINS JOAN OJOCHIDE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. TO FOSTER GOOD RELATIONSHIP AMONG MEMBERS.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, DECREE NO. 1 OF 1990.

ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIQGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA, WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS 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.

THE TRUSTEES ARE; 1. OGAZIE, CHIMENEM BEAUTY - PRESIDENT. 2. EMENOGU UZOMA BEDE - SECRETARY. 3. OGAZIE, CHISOM JASPER. AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

SIGNED; SECRETARY.

SIGNED: ABOH AUGUSTINA AJANIGO PRESIDENT

THE ONE TRUE FRIEND INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION

THE BANNER OF HARVEST FELLOWSHIP INTERNATIONAL

FORTRESS OF RECONCILIATION MINISTRY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, DECREE NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. EMMANUEL EMMANUEL UDONTE -CHAIRMAN. 2. UDUKA, ANTHONY KALU -VICE CHAIRMAN. 3. ERISI UDONTE -SECRETARY. AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. TO CONNECT DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS ACROSS GLOBE, SECTORS AND LEVELS, WITH THE INTENT OF CREATING LINKAGES FOR SUSTAINING DEVELOPMENT IN LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES AND THE BENEFIT OF POOR AND VULNERABLE PERSONS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS 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.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY INFORMED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CHURCH HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, DECREE NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. REV. DR. MARY AKPAN KENNETH - PRESIDENT 2. REV. DR. ANIEFIOK BEN ESSIET 3. PST. EMMANUEL ETIM UDOINYANG - SECRETARY 4. EVANG. DORCAS PROMISE MAGNUS

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CHURCH HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, DECREE NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE 1. ALICE IBANGA -PRESIDENT. 2. IDORENYIN ETIM IBANGA -SECRETARY. 3. PEACE UDO WILSON -TREASURER. 4. UMO EDEM UMO. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. TO PROPAGATE THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. 2. TO PREPARE SOULS FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD. 3. TO PROMOTE FELLOWSHIP AMONG BELIEVERS. 4. TO DEVELOP AND PROMOTE EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES AS MUCH AS IT SEEMS NECESSARY FOR THE PROPER GROWTH AND EFFICIENCY OF THE CHURCH. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS 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: TRUSTEES

SIGNED: TRUSTEES

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. TO REACH THE UNRECHED AND LEAST REACHED PEOPLE FOR CHRIST. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIQGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA, WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION SIGNED: REV. DR. MARY AKPAN KENNETH PRESIDENT

SIGNED; PRESIDENT

IMO PROGRESSIVE ASSOCIATION BAYELSA NIGERIA

KINGS CHAPEL INTERNATIONAL PRAYER MINISTRY

NWANNEDINA MBA CLUB OF NIG

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. OFFORKAIGBO MARTINS SUND (CHAIRMAN) 2. NNODIM CHIBUZOR CASMIR (SECRETARY) 3. AGU CHIGOZIE FEDELIS (PRO) 4. EKWONNA CHRISTOPHER 5. OCHUBA UZOZIE FESTUS AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PROMOTE UNITY, HARDWORK AND UNDERSTANDING FOR THE PROGRESS OF OUR PEOPLE. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS 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.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR CHANGE OF TRUSTEES AND AMENDMENT OF ITS CONSTITUTION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘’C’’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1999

SIGNED: CHAIRMAN

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PASTOR GODFREY IREBHUDE- RETAINED 2. MR NDUKA ONYEKA JUSTICE- RETAINED 3. MRS MARYANN IREBHUDE -RETAINED 4. MR OGWU CHUKWUDI - REMOVED 5. MR AFAM ELIJAH CHACHA- REMOVED 6. DSP WILLY OKPOYE- REMOVED THE NEW TRUSTEES: 1. PATRICK CHINEDU CHIBUEZE ESQ - SECRETARY 2. ELDER MIKE NWANKONYE- CHAIRMAN 3. ELDER PHILIP NKADI 4. MRS BENEDETTE UGWUJA 5. MRS MARY EYAGOMARE 6. MR BADAIKI MATTHEW IRIA PASTOR GODFREY IREBHUDE IS REMOVED AS CHAIRMAN MR OGWU CHUKWUDI IS REMOVED AS SECRETARY

THAT THE FOLLOWING ARTICLES ARE HEREBY ALTERED: ARTICLE 2 ARTICLE 3 ARTICLE 4, CLAUSE B, NEW CLAUSE E ARTICLE 5, NEW CLAUSE D ARTICLE 6 ARTICLE 7 ARTICLE 8 ARTICLE 9 ARTICLE 10 ARTICLE 13 ANY OBJECTION TO THIS CHANGES SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRARGENERAL OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION MAITAMA ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION SIGNED: SECRETARY

THE TRUSTEES ARE (1) MR. USULOR CHUKWUEMEKA JOSHUA. (2) NWEKE CHINEDU JOHN (3) MR ANYIGOR HYGINUS EZEKIEL AND OBJECTIVE 1.TO PROMOTE PEACE, UNITY AND PROGRESS AMONG MEMBERS ANY OBJECTION TO THIS 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: SECRETARY

News 22

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Christmas Celebration

Visionscape receives fresh batch of sanitation trucks ÏÏÏThe

Visionscape Group has taken delivery of a fresh batch of environment sanitation trucks to beef up its fleet ahead of the formal launch of the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI) in early 2018.

The batch comprising compactors, trash trucks, trailer heads and other utility vehicles, were driven in an extended convoy from the port to one of the Group’s maintenance depots in Lagos.

An upbeat official of the company said arrangements have been firmed up to ensure periodic and regular delivery of the remaining facilities which will enable Visionscpae to support the Lagos State Government in it’s pledge to give Lagosians a cleaner and healthier environment.

The Lagos State Government plans to deploy over 900,000 electronically tracked waste bins and 600 brand new compactors among other facilities to manage the over 10,000 metric tons of waste generated in the state daily.

For the CLI project, Visionscape will dispatch a large fleet of multi-dimensional vehicles and an integrated waste management system supported by geolocation technology.

Also in the spirit of Christmas and New Year festivities, Visionscape has wished Lagos State residents a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in advance.

In a message to commemorate the season, the company said, “It’s Christmas party time! During the festive season, loads of trash and solid waste are generated beyond what is normal, especially with parties, cookouts, outdoor events, family reunions and other large activities taking place simultaneously in different parts of the country.

“These activities inevitably create more trash in our

homes and environment.

The spirit extends into the New Year, with the air thick with pyrotechnic smoke and mounds of garbage everywhere. This is more pronounced the morning after.”

To enjoy waste and pollution free Christmas parties and caring for the environment, the company advised residents to remind their guests subtly to recycle while they celebrate.

The company also urged Lagos residents “to make recycling easy for your guests by placing recycling bins near the trash.

Clearly and creatively label the bins with visible signs (preferably with words and pictures; choose reusable party plates, utensils and cups instead of buying single-use plastics that can’t be recycled. When the party is over, put them in the dishwasher instead of trashing them off and store them till your next event.”

It also said that people could consider themed party cups for every guest with a marker for them to write their names on.

“Guests normally leave with these cups and end up reusing it for months, instead of hours. You should also endeavour to serve beverages from large bowls or dispensers instead of buying single bottles or cans of soda and water. In choosing a professional caterer, opt for one that practices environmental sustainability – providing washable plates, cups and utensils. You may also plan ahead and if needed, hire pick up services for proper collection of waste and recycling,” the company advised.

Concluding, it said, “With these simple tips in mind, let us all celebrate the Christmas season safely and also protect the environment. Visionscape Group wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!”

Gridlock at Akwata, Ogbete main Market in Enugu…on Sunday.

Church feeds 5,000 people at Christmas Abiodun Taiwo, Abeokuta

ÏÏÏThe

Treasure House of God Church, Abeokuta, on Monday, distributed food items which include beef and rice to over 4,700 less-privileged to mark this year’s Christmas.

The needy that comprised widows, widowers, youths, students and physically challenged had thronged the church located at Quarry road, Abeokuta, as early as 7am, to

collect the gift.

The food items’ distribution was preceded by a short service presided over by the Church’s Associate Pastor, Linus Taylor.

Taylor in an interview with reporters on the sidelines of the distribution exercise explained that the gesture was done in the spirit of love sharing with the indigents during the celebration.

The Associate Pastor said the gesture had started many

FCT Minister tasks Christians on unity, peace ÏÏÏThe Minister of

the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Muhammad Bello, on Monday enjoined residents in the Territory to use the Christmas period to reflect and rededicate themselves to the virtues of love, unity and peace.

The minister, who was quoted by his Chief Press Secretary, Cosmas Uzodin-

ma, as saying this in Abuja, also described these virtues as the recurrent themes of the message of Jesus Christ.

He said: “On behalf of the Administration of the Federal Capital Territory, it is my pleasure to wish all FCT citizens, especially the Christian faithful a merry Christmas.”

The minister urged

all residents to be security conscious and to report all suspicious movements to the nearest security agencies for prompt action.

He, however, assured residents that the Administration would continue to work in concert with the security agencies to guarantee safety of lives and property in the FCT.

Bello also used the occasion to thank FCT residents for their prayers as well as their sacrifices towards the development of the Territory in particular and Nigeria in general.

He appealed to residents to join hands with the Administration to make Abuja the city of unity and a haven of peace as was conceived by the founding father.

years back and it was part of the church’s General Overseer, Seye Senfuye’s resolve to put smiles on faces of the needy at Christmas.

While dismissing that the gesture had political undertone, Taylor hinted that 50,000 people would benefit from the free donation in 2018 edition.

He said : “The programme is necessitated by the love of God and the love for humanity that the founder of this ministry, Pastor Adeseye Senfuye have for the people and the Christ.

“It is scriptural that we should extend our hand of fellowship to the less-privileged.

We have 4,700 gifts for people and the content of a package is meat and rice.

“We don’t discriminate whether you are a Christian or Muslim.

“No political undertone. This is why we are distributing it in

the church. We have been doing it for some time now and it increases yearly. ” Last year,1,000 people benefited. This year, it is close to 5,000.

By the grace of God next year, it will get to 50, 000.

“My advice for the people is to continue to pray for those in government so that they will do what is right. Once they do what is right, every one of us will definitely enjoy it,” he said.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Olutoyin Adeyemi, thanked the donor and urged the government, other churches and wellmeaning Nigerians to emulate the gesture.

Adeyemi said : “Nigerians should be their brothers’ keeper. Those that have should give to those who don’t have. People should stop accumulating wealth for themselves because it would be useless when they die.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday,December 26, 2017

23 News

Give your tax policy human face, Group tells Kwara Govt Kehinde Akinpelu, Ilorin

ÏÏÏThe Ilorin Emirate

Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU), Monday asked the Kwara state government to give its taxation policy a human face.

The umbrella body of all socio- cultural organization in Ilorin Emirate lamented that the government taxation policy was causing hardship to the residents.

The union also charged the newly inaugurated local government chairmen in the emirate to accord the welfare of local government workers top priority.

IEDPU national President Alhaji Abdulhamid Adi stated these in his address at the 52nd annual National Conference and Launching of 2018 Almanac of Ilorin Emirate held at the Forecourt of the Emir’s Pal-

ace, Ilorin.

The union particularly frown at the use of consultants from outside to drive the tax policy of the government which it noted was at the economic detriment of the citizens. ‘‘Once again ,we call on Kwara state government to give its taxation policy a human face as it causing untold burden and avoidable hardship for our people .Payment

of it is a primary responsibility of citizen, government needs it to provide facilities to the citizens .However, it should be made payer – or citizen –friendly. ‘‘The use of consultants by government on surface is not a bad idea, but if the negative side of it is more than the positive aspect, then it is good to go as a policy.

Kwara state government should not, through acts

of omission or commission, engage consultants from outside the state to the economic detriment of citizens of the state.

It is like cutting ones nose to spite one’s face.

Any policy which does not empower the people ought to be thrown to the waste basket immediately’’, he said.

The chief launcher at the event, Barrister Hassan Ibrahim launched the union’s Almanac with N5 million.

In his message to the conference, the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki assured the people of the state of a new lease of life in the coming year.

Saraki who also launched the union’s almanac with the sum of N2million said he was aware of the economic hardship the people of the state are going through saying it would fizzle out in the New Year.

He was represented at the occasion by a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Alhaji Kawu Baraje.

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara state who was represented by the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Alhaji Musa Yeketi said the state recoded 64 % success in WAEC. The Governor who also

launched the almanac with the sum of N1million, praised the IEDPU for its various skill and entrepreneurship under which several youths have been provided with vocational training. ‘‘To ensure their training is beneficial government will provide these youths with SME funding ,on the phased basis, in order to start or expand their businesses .This is the most reliable empowerment we can provide them with’’, the Governor said .

In his lecture, a retired Grand Khadi of Kwara State Sharia Court of Appeal, Justice Soliu Olohuntoyin Muhammad, declared that some perpetrators of ritual killings in parts of Ilorin, the state capital were not natives of the ancient city as being made to believe.

Muhammad disclosed that verifiable facts at his disposal indicated that the suspects were either dislodged from Lagos, Osun or Ogun States but sneaked into Ilorin without the citizens knowing about their illicit activities.

The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim SuluGambari called for unity among the people of the emirate for progress and development to thrive in the emirate and the state as a whole.

A cross-section of participants at the just concluded Skill Acquisition for Women and Youths in Bauchi State.

Dickson walks talk, drives to Aleibiri Kehinde Akinpelu, Ilorin

ÏÏÏThe

Governor of Bayelsa State Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, has vowed to take the Sagbama/Ekeremor Road to Ekeremor town

by December, next year.

Dickson said that he had also awarded the electrification project along the road from Ofoni in Sagbama Local Government Area to Ekeremor Town, Headquarters òf Ekeremor Local Government òf the state.

The Governor had broken a 40 year old jinx on Saturday October, 14, 2017, when he led a con-

voy of SUVs to the then newly sand-filled road to Aleibiri in Ekeremor Local Government Area for the first time.

A statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Relations, Mr. FIdelis Soriwei, quoted Dickson as having made the promise while visiting Aleibiri, Ofoni, Ayamasa and other communities along the Sagbama/ Ekeremor Road on Christmas Day. Governor Dickson, on Sunday drove, in a convoy of small cars to Aleibiri and the other communities on the alignment, to celebrate

Christmas with the people. This was in fulfilment of a promise he made during an earlier visit that, the road would be taken to Aleibiri in December, 2017.

Thousands of cheering leaders and members of the communities thronged out to thank the Governor for making it possible for cars to drive into the communities forty years after the road project which was initially conceived as a federal project The Governor told the ecstatic crowd of people of the communities that he decided to visit them

on Christmas Day in fulfillment of a promise when he drove in a convoy of SUVs to the communities on October 2017.

He vowed the state government would ensure that a lane of the road was constructed to Ekeremor by December, 2018 to alleviate the suffering of the people.

Dickson said that while efforts were still ongoing to complete work on the ongoing project, it was crucial that no indigene of the area was made to travel by the waterways through Delta State to

other parts of Bayelsa State.

According to the Governor, he decided to split the contract between the contractors for the purpose of speedy completion of the long awaited road project.

He explained that the company to undertake the construction of bridges on the road is expected to mobilize to site in the first week of January, 2018.

Governor Dickson urged the members especially the youth of the community to organize themselves to ensure that criminal elements

were not allowed to carry out acts that could slow the actualization of the project.

The Governor also urged the members of the community to give the requisite support to the governing council, the rector, students and lecturers of the newly established State Polytechnic at Aleibiri.

The spokesman of the Aleibiri federated communities, Chief Justice Inarigha, commended the Governor for the political will to embark on targeted projects that had impacted on the lives of the people of the area.

News 24

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Christmas Celebration Gov Ishaku tasks Tarabans on love, sharing

Okerafor Athanatius, Jalingo.

ÏÏÏGovernor

L-R: Father of the Day, Maj.-Gen Saidu Balogun (rtd); Author, Philip Ejiofor, his wife, Titilayo, representative of Oyo Governor, Mr. Gbade Ojo and Chief Launcher, Mr. Tafa Zibiri-Aliu, during the public presentation of a book titled: Leading Right Nigeria, held in Lagos.

Ambode’s wife fetes over 500 children at Christmas ÏÏÏIn the spirit of the

Christmas celebration, Hope for Women in Nigeria Initiative (HOFOWEM), a pet project of the wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode on Monday distributed various gift items to more than 500 children at Massey Children’s Hospital, Lagos and Sought After Children’s Orphanage Home, Langbasa Ajah, in a project tagged: ‘Love at Christmas’.

The children aged between one month and 15 years, got various gift items, that left them feeling happy and included in the yuletide celebration.

Commenting on the gesture, the founder of HOFOWEM, Mrs. Ambode said that it was intended to put smiles on the faces of those children and integrate them into the celebration of Christmas.

She said Christmas was a period to spread love and generate happiness for persons, especially children and less-privileged people, who need assistance to meet some of their needs.

According to her, “What Christmas re-

quires of all of us, is to show love and spread happiness among everyone including children. They are young persons, they need our care and special expression of love to partake in the celebrations.

“Christmas celebrations are not complete when we have not touched these children tenderly. As it were, this is just a token of love for the children from the foundation.”

Speaking further, the Governor’s wife noted that the cardinal philosophy of her foundation was to affect the lives of less-privileged persons, through interventions that bring radical improvement for them.

She said, “What is uppermost on our minds in HOFOWEM, is to uplift the lives of children, women, widows, aged women and challenged youths among others, to ensure happiness and quality life for them”.

She recalled that HOFOWEM had organized various programmes in the past, with the sole objective of putting smiles on the faces of that category of per-

sons, promising that the Foundation would unfold more children and women-friendly programmes in the coming year.

Also speaking, Commissioner for health, Dr. Jide Idris, represented by Dr. Funmilayo Shokunbi, expressed appreciation to the governor’s wife and the foundation, stressing that, the gesture would go a long way in putting smiles on the faces of the children.

According to him, “This noble gesture goes a long way in putting not just smiles on the faces of the children, but also demonstrates your genuine love and care for them”.

He added further, “That you have left the comfort of your home at this period to spend time with these children goes a long way in showing your heart of meekness, kindness and love and there is no better way to express love and integrate the children into the celebration of the yuletide, than this visit”.

Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, Ms. Oyefunke Adeleke, thanked the founder

for graciously approving the project, aimed at providing succour for the children, stressing that HOFOWEM’s agenda was about happiness for the weak and vulnerable.

She hinted that many programmes had been lined up for children and women in the New Year and would be unveiled one after the other.

On behalf of the parents of the children, Mr. Emmanuel Stephen, expressed deep gratitude to the Governor’s wife and the foundation, for what they described as the great act of kindness, praying that God would reward her generously.

He said: “We are full of appreciation to Her Excellency, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode and her foundation, HOFOWEM. She was wonderful on this occasion as she has always been.

HOFOWEM is another name for kindness and generosity, Mrs. Ambode has been doing it through this foundation and she has not stopped. We pray that God will continue to bless her and direct her husband, the Governor of the State”

Darius Dickson Ishaku of Taraba State on Monday tasked residents of the stateto use the period of Christmas to share love with one another despite religious inclinations saying such will foster peace and development across the state.

Ishaku made the call at Government House, Jalingo while delivering his 2017 Christmas message to the people of the state.

He described Christmas as a period set aside for the commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ which according to him was acknowledged by the Holy Bible as the Prince of Peace.

“Considering that the fundamental significance of Christmas is the demonstration of God’s love and gift of peace to man-

kind, I wish to call on all residents to use this festive period to reflect on the need to apply our faith in the promotion of love for one another and work towards peaceful coexistence”, Ishaku said.

The Governor further noted that it is only through love sharing and peaceful coexistence that government can actualize the developmental strides it yearned for.

“On my part, I wish to assure you that I stand by my well known declaration of “Give me peace and I will give you development,” he said.

He also urged residents to be security conscious and report any suspicious movements to authorities for peace.

“If you see anything or hear anything that has security concerns, you should endeavour to share your observations and concerns with your community leaders and appropriate authorities”, he added.

We subsidise petrol with N26 per litre, but won’t change pump price – NNPC ÏÏÏThe

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on Sunday said the landing cost of imported petrol is now N171 per litre, but emphatically stated that it will continue to make it available to Nigerians at the approved N145 a litre.

The Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Maikanti Baru, disclosed the new level of subsidy as the corporation and sister organisations turned the supply of fuel into a war room affair.

Baru said while the NNPC would naturally focus on increasing the volume of products on offer, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) and Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) have scaled-up monitoring activities to ensure seamless loading and dispensing of fuel nationwide and to specifically ensure deliveries to designated stations and sales at the approved retail price of N145/litre.

On the volume of products available for supply, the NNPC GMD informed that 13 vessels laden with over 650 million litres of products were currently discharging their contents at the sea port, while additional vessels have

being lined up to berth early January 2018.

Baru said 814 million litres of petrol were currently being injected into the system to guarantee nationwide elimination of fuel queues before the end of the year.

Representatives of DPR, PEF and PPPRA at the conference registered their agencies’ resolve to work with the NNPC to restore sanity in the supply and distribution of petroleum products.

Baru expressed empathy and strong solidarity with members of the public over the lingering challenge in accessing petroleum products across the country, just as he reeled out multiple measures to end the unfortunate situation before the end of the year.

He also told journalists at a media briefing and follow-up tour of some fuel stations in Abuja on Sunday that measures were already in place to bolster the current fuel supply and eliminate the extraneous factors that have led to the persistent petrol queues.

He said within the last two weeks, the national truck out capacity had been jerked up to an average of 1,500 trucks, translating to 52 million

litres per day, which is

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 25, 2017

25 News

Secondus best thing to happen to PDP – Abia PDP stakeholder Sunday Nwakanma – Umuahia

ÏÏÏThe

recent election of Uche Secondus as the National Chairman of the People Democratic Party (PDP) has been described as the best thing to have happened to the party in recent times.

A front-line PDP politician in Abia State, Uche Akwukwuegbu expressed this opinion Monday in his Amuzukwu Ibeku country home while playing host to some key National Assembly functionaries, describing Secondus as “one who has been there as a party functionary”.

Few weeks ago in the party’s national convention, Uche Secondus had emerged as its National Chairman, beating so many other contestants but with grudges from some losers, threatening to form parallel executive to the detriment of the party.

However, Akwukwuegbu who is popularly called BAWAS pointed out that in a contest, one person must win, stating that some contestants have acknowledged and even congratulated Secondus as the winner in that national convention.

“There is no big deal about that. Secondus is the best”, BAWAS said stating also “we do not want anybody to betray us in the party”.

Though known people has decamped to the All Progressive Alliance, APC from the PDP, BAWAS noted “it is not about big people joining the APC, it is about the grassroots whose supports are with us”, stating that such big wigs do not come to the polling units to vote, not

even their drivers but the grassroots, whose votes count.

On the current hardship Nigerians go through occasioned by the scarcity of fuel and its attendant high cost, Akwukwuegbu called on the Federal Government to pump fuel to the depots during this festive period in order to ease the scarcity and its high cost which stand at about N300.00 per litre in some areas in the state.

According to him, fuel supply to the south east is not enough and it is this that made it cost up to N300.00 per litre, stating “The Federal Government should look into pumping of fuel. It is not fair to allow it to be scarce. They should pump the product into the various NNPC stations and independent marketers will disappear”.

BAWAS, who recently returned to PDP from APC where he defected to earlier, described PDP as “wonderful one” where he now feels relaxed “as PDP is a party I built. I have no regret rejoining it”, he said, adding that in Abia, the state government, senators, leadership and members of the state House of Assembly, the party and stakeholders in the state are happy with him.

“It is like home coming for me,” he added.

He used the opportunity to congratulate the Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu over the payment of salaries this Christmas to ministries, departments and agencies, stating “the ministry staffs are rejoicing. They were paid before Christmas” noting that those who did not receive theirs were as a problem of bank clearing issues and depends on the bank

Christian faithful during the Christmas Service at the St. James Cathedral, Oke Bola, in Ibadan, Oyo State… on Monday.

Dickson seeks greater support for security agencies Chris Eze, Yenagoa

ÏÏÏ Governor of

Bayelsa State, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson, has called for support for the nation’s security agencies devoid of political coloration.

He said that it was the responsibility of government to place priority on security to be able to develop the society.

A statement issued on Monday by Dickson’s Special Adviser on Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, said the governor made the call during a tour of military and security formations in Yenagoa on Sunday.

According to the statement, Dickson visited the headquarters of the 16 Brigade,

One wounded in ambush in Plateau Kingsley Chukwuka, Jos

ÏÏÏAn

undisclosed number of people were on Monday ambushed near Jol village in Central Nigeria’s Riyom Local Government Area, of Plateau State.

The victims were said to have been coming from a neighbor-

ing community, Sho village on bikes when a group of armed men suspected to be Fulani, attacked them about 50mtrs to the village.

One of the victims reportedly sustained fatal injuries in the attack while others managed to escape.

Plateau Youth Coun-

cil (PYC) Chairman of Riyom LGA, Solomon Dachung told our correspondent that the incident was reported to securities but could not confirm any arrest.

Security agencies were yet to comment on the issue as at the time of filing this report.

and the Police Officers Mess in Yenagoa to felicitate with the officers and men on Christmas and to encourage them to do more in the efforts to combat crime in Bayelsa State, the Niger Delta and indeed the entire country.

He called on the political leadership to take the challenge to give the necessary support to the military and security agencies whose efforts were required to realize the objective to develop the society.

Dickson said, “I want to assure you that under my leadership, the issue of security and stability will continue to be on the front burner. The first responsibility of any administration is to encourage the work for peace and stability. You can’t have development without security.

“I want to also use this opportunity to say what I have said all along that the political leadership in our country should rise to the occasion and support the great work that our men and women uniform are doing.

“There should be no partisanship, no brinkmanship, and no show-

manship when it comes to the issue of giving necessary support and equipment to our men and women in uniform who are the only people that have volunteered to serve our nation at the risk of their life lives.”

According to him, Bayelsa was one of the safest states in the Federation and indeed the safest in the South South because of the collaborative efforts of the government and the security agencies.

Dickson who assured the security agencies of greater collaboration in 2018 urged them to redouble their efforts for security, peace and stability of the state next year.

In his remarks, the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Bayelsa State Police Command, Mr. Amba Asuquo, commended the governor for his sustained support to police operations in the state which, according to him included among others the donation of the best officers mess and a complete police band to the command.

The commissioner said that 72 suspects arrested after a show

of force in Yenagoa on Saturday were being screened.

He added that a suspect who robbed manager of a new generation bank and another robber who shot his colleagues while attempting to shoot a victim were also in police custody.

Also, the Commander, 16 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. Kelvin Aligbe,who also hosted the Honourable Dickson thanked the governor for providing the brigade with resources that aided the realization of its operational objectives.

“Your Excellency, this is not an opportunity to patronize your person, but I will not miss this opportunity to declare how happy, how fulfilled we are, and how wonderful you have been to us in this journey particularly for the 16 Brigade that is the youngest in the Nigerian army.

“In a very short time, you ensured that we took off and we are not just running, we are actually flying and we are achieving all the operational objectives set out for us in the division by the COAS.”

26

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Times Law

s

QUOTE OF THE WEEK The end of law is not to abolish or restrain, but to preserve and enlarge freedom. For in all the states of created beings capable of law, where there is no law, there is no freedom. ..... John Locke

States have developed penchant for suppressing LG areas - Oyeyipo that my parents had because I grew up with cousins, distant cousins, near cousins even children of friends and other people referred to as houseboy or house help who somehow become integrated into the family and so adoption in the way the English man has it is rather alien to our culture but then as our culture continues to develop and we began to have the influx of European or Western cultural norms into our own system, we became confused.

You find out that our children can’t speak the mother tongue very well and language is the very first line of contact when you talk of culture and so over time we have become seriously confused about what exactly is our culture in Nigeria.

Let us go back now to the issue of adoption law, we now have something that is alien to us but, you know you have to have all these things in place to prevent an abuse of the adoption system.

You want to be sure that people who seek to adopt these children genuinely will love these children as if they were their own biological children. You want to be sure that they will not turn these children into some other objects and so it has to be rigorous, on that point I cannot fault the adoption law.

“Yes, there are arguments for and against it but then; you find out that states have developed a penchant for suppressing and practically treating the local government areas and administration as extra ministerial bodies under the control of state government which should not be” Some lawyers are of the view that not all the sections in the constitution ought to be there, are you of this opinion too?

Well, it is difficult to say these are the things that should be in a constitution and these are the things that should be out of the constitution. Of course, it is common knowledge that England has unwritten constitution and they still run very well and they understand the way the system work, you cannot really say this must be in the constitution and this other issue must not be in the constitution but for a country like ours, Nigeria, where even when things are in black and white people still find a way around it.

For example, people quarrel about the issue of local government that why should the issue of local government be a constitutional matter?

Yes, there are arguments for and against it but then; you find out that states have developed a penchant for suppressing and practically treating the local government areas and administration as extra ministerial bodies under the control of state government which should not be. And this is a matter that is in the constitution so you can imagine what will happen if it was not in the constitution.

I think most of what you have in the constitution that people quarrel about were put in there by the framers of the constitution because they took into consideration the nature of our people and the fear is that if you don’t put this in the constitution they will abuse it and I think the fears are justified.

Many are of the view that the constitution lies about itself when it says: “We the Nigerian people…” at the opening chapter whereas the constitution itself was drafted by the military and few individuals. What is your take on this issue?

I don’t think the constitution was drafted by few people who were just put in one room and asked to come up with a constitution.

Yes, the constitution may not have involved a wider range of people that some other people may want but, don’t forget that the constitution was drafted during the military regime.

However, you must bear in mind at all times that there was wide consultations and there was certain committees that were put in place by the military government to consider the constitution.

Again, the constitution if you take it and put it side by side with the 1979 constitution,

The Team Ibe Uwaleke — Editor ibeuwaleke2012@yahoo.com Peter Fowoyo peterfowoyo@gmail.com

Oyeyipo

A senior lawyer, Mr. Adetunji Oyeyipo (SAN), is a partner in one of the foremost law firm, Abdullahi Ibrahim and Co. In this interview with PETER FOWOYO, Oyeyipo speaks on constitution amendment, adoption law, the Supreme Court and other topical issues. you will find out that they share a lot of similar provisions. 1979 constitution was a production of a constituents assembly of people who were elected and some appointed who came together to consider what sort of constitution that should govern the country and they came up with the 1979 constitution.

What the 1999 constitution has attempted to do was to improve on what the 1979 constitution has done.

Let us for purpose of argument agreed that the constitution was put together by military men, we’ve had civilian administration for the past 18 years, the country has been governed from local government level to state government level to the federal government level by civilians, what have they done about it?

You will see that all the attempt made to come up with some other constitution have not fared very well. During the Obasanjo regime, there was a conference set up which everybody now believe was actually put in place because of his alleged third term agenda, it failed.

Again, we had a national conference set up by the Jonathan administration which had all sorts of people at the conference, the composition of the conference itself was criticized by almost everybody, you find all kinds of interest groups claiming that they were excluded or they were marginalized.

In Nigeria, I can assure you that if you asked everybody to come and vote on every

section of the constitution, they will still come up with some form of excuses that no, we were excluded. I think what we should do is to hold on to the 1999 constitution as it is and perhaps if we can get whatever useful reports from the national conference and use it as a basis for amendment of the 1999 constitution.

When people complain about the constitution telling a lie about itself and if I remember very well, I think it was the late Chief Rotimi Williams SAN, one of the best legal brains that Nigeria has ever produced who raised this issue when he said the preamble to this constitution which says: “We the people of Nigeria having resolved….” When people say that I think they are doing that against the realities of our country Nigeria and against the realities of how the fourth republic came into existence.

Some have alleged that the adoption law in Nigeria is too cumbersome, do you share this view?

I don’t. You see, we have to consider two things, the African society actually has its own mechanism for taking care of children who don’t have their biological parents with them anymore or with children whose biological parents are unable to look after them or even couples who for some reasons are not able to have children of their own.

I am not a particularly old person but, when I was growing up there was a time I didn’t even know the number of children

Some of your colleagues have observed that the volume of appeal before the Supreme Court is enormous and that the court is overburdened. Do you share this sentiment?

Yes, I do, the court is actually overburdened, there are too many appeals going to the Supreme Court. I think the solution really include one, ensuring that these justices of the Supreme Court have aides who can help them to do their researches on issues that come up such that even before the matter is called in open court the justices would have had a fair idea of what the issues are and would have even know which areas they want the parties to emphasize on and then they can easily dispense with the matter.

Secondly, I think there must be a mechanism for filtering appeals that goes to the Supreme Court. Right now, there are certain appeals that goes to the Supreme Court as of right, criminal appeals where there is death penalty, civil appeals which involves question of law alone, interlocutory appeals which also involve question of law alone.

I think there should be a filtering mechanism at the Court of Appeal that will determine whether any proposed appeal should get to the Supreme Court at all.

You see, our people have this nature that unless the Supreme Court has spoken on their case, they will not give up, I think it’s wrong.

The solution really will be to make sure that the aides of the justices of the Supreme Court are people who are very well educated, very well learned and who can make the jobs of the justices easier and appeals going to the apex court must be properly filtered to make sure that it is only the ones that raised genuine issues of substantial law that end up at the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court is not like a Magistrate Court or a Customary Court where you take all kinds of cases to for adjudication, no. Unfortunately, that is what they have turned the Supreme Court to now.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 26, 2017

27 Law

1999 Constitution mandates AGF to assist in enforcing judgment The Applicant’s “Motion on Notice” argued by a written address filed by its Counsel and it was stated, that the Garnishee “premised its application on Section 84 of the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act which was not complied with by the Judgment Creditors/Applicants”. It was argued that the said “irregularity deprived this Court of its adjudicatory power and ought therefore not to have attached the sum/monies/funds in the custody and under the control of the 1st Garnishee/Applicant, being a public officer”.

The provisions of Section 84 of the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act, Cap.S.6, LFN 2004 was reproduced on page 8 of the written address filed. The said provision states: Section 84: “Where money liable to be attached by garnishee proceedings is in the custody or under the control of a public officer in his official capacity or in custodial legis, the order nisi shall not be made under the provisions of the last preceding section unless consent to such attachment is first obtained from the appropriate officer in the case of money in the custody or control of a public officer or of the Court in the case of money in custodial legis, as the case may be.”

The Applicant’s Counsel having set out facts of what he titled “Relevant Facts that are not in dispute” sets down in paragraph 3 of the address, two (2) issues which he says, call for determination. These are: 1.“Whether this Honourable Court has jurisdiction to set aside its own order;” and 2.“Whether this Honourable Court lacked jurisdiction to grant the order nisi dated 11th May, 2017, the mandatory condition precedent having not been fulfilled.”

In paragraph 4.00 of the address filed, the Applicant’s Counsel indicated his intention to argue both issues together and submitted that the jurisdiction to set aside orders made is exercised “where the Judgment or order sought to be set aside is null and void ab initio or it was secured by misrepresentation or there was an apparent fundamental defect in the proceedings which vitiates and renders same incompetent and invalid”. The Applicant’s Counsel cited a few of the appellate Courts’ decisions on this principle of law, and these include the decisions in ADEBAYO v.

P.D.P. (2013) 17 NWLR (pt.1382) 1; ALAO v.

A.C.B. LTD. (2000) 8 NWLR (pt.672) 264 and CHIME v. CHIME (2001) 3 NWLR (pt.701) 527 amongst others.

The Applicant’s Counsel submitted that the Court “was made to grant a Garnishee order nisi without first seeking and obtaining the consent of the Hon. Attorney General of the Federation” and that this failure constitutes a “breach of the mandatory requirement of Section 84 of the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act”.

The Applicant’s Counsel also argued that the Applicant “is a creation of Section 1 of the C.B.N. Act” and that it is a “bankers’ bank and banker to government” as “it custodies bank deposits and deposits from Government and its ministries, departments, parastatals and agencies”. It was submitted that the Applicant being an artificial person in law, carries out its duties through its employees who are its agents. It was contended that a “reference to its employees in the discharge of its official duty, amounts to a reference to it”.

The failure of the Judgment Debtors (sic) to seek for and obtain the consent of the Attorney General of the Federation before applying for the garnishee order nisi, it was submitted, “robs the Court of its jurisdiction”.

The Applicant’s Counsel cited and relied on the recent Court of Appeal’s decision in C.B.N. v. KAKURI (2016) LPELR – 41468

Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen (CA) and reproduced a long excerpts of the said decision from pages 12 – 13 of the written address filed.

The Applicant’s Counsel also cited and relied on another decision of the Court of Appeal in CBN v. OKEFE (2015) LPELR – 24 – 852(C.A.) in which the provision of Section 318 of the Constitution was given some judicial consideration in relation to the status of the Applicant as a “public officer” having regard as it were, to the provision of Sections 83 and 84 of the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act, supra.

In paragraph 5.00 of the address after the Applicant’s Counsel has cited as many decisions of the Court of Appeal as he was able to lay his hands upon, concluded the address by submitting that “where any condition precedent to the commencement of the action as in above had not been complied with, the jurisdiction of the Court cannot be properly invoked to adjudicate on the matter as the proceedings would amount to a nullity even if the issue of jurisdiction is raised for the first time on appeal”. It was argued that by failing to seek and obtain the consent of the Attorney General of the Federation, that the Court ought not to have exercised its jurisdiction to grant the garnishee order nisi on 11/5/17 and that it should set aside the said order as this Court has the power to set aside its orders when granted without jurisdiction because of the failure by the Judgment Creditors to fulfill a statutory condition precedent.

This was the address which Wale Balogun, Esq. adopted at the proceedings of 4/10/17.

When the Plaintiffs/Judgment Creditors’ Counsel was served with the Applicant’s “Motion on Notice” which I have just reviewed, they filed a “Counter-Affidavit in Response to Motion on Notice filed by the 1st Garnishee”. It was deposed to on 16/6/17 by one Uzeru Bello, a litigation secretary in Kamin Asunogie & Co. It’s a 19 paragraphed depositions filed to oppose the Applicant’s “Motion on Notice”.

In order to be able to place both parties

on a “level playing field” in the exercise of the Court’s discretionary powers on the Applicant’s Motion on Notice, let me take the liberty as I had done in relation to the Applicant’s depositions, to also reproduce the Plaintiffs/Judgment Creditors’ relevant depositions as contained in paragraphs 5 – 6; 8 – 18 of the Affidavit of Uzeru Bello. They read thus:

DAILY TIMES LAW REPORT

5.“That I recall quite well that I deposed to the Affidavit in Support of the Ex-parte Motion dated 27/3/2017 and filed before this Court on 28/3/2017.”

6.“That I was in Court with my boss Kamin Bello Asunogie, Esq. of Counsel when the said Motion was moved and the Court in its considered ruling delivered on 11/5/2017 relied on the said Affidavit in Support and the attached Exhibits and granted the order nisi wherein the Garnishees including the 1st were ordered by Court to show cause why an order absolute may not be made by the Court.”

8.“That I have joined my said Principal to read through the Affidavit of 21 paragraphs sworn to by Musa Abdulbasit Ismail who is presented a staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Abuja and I have been mandated to swear to this Counter-Affidavit in response to the said Affidavit in Support of the Motion on Notice.”

9.“That having personally read through the said support Affidavit, I have discovered that paragraphs 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20 and 21 are not true.”

10.“That contrary to paragraph 12 of the Affidavit in Support, the consent of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice was sought vide letter dated 20/11/2016 and served on his office on 17/3/2017. The acknowledgement copy duly stamped and signed by the AGF’s designated officer is attached hereto and marked as Exhibits ‘A’.”

11.“That I also know as a fact that the said letter was attached to the supporting Affidavit of the Ex-parte Motion and Exhibit ‘C’.”

12.“That the office of Honourable Attorney General of the Federation, vide its let-

ter dated 11/4/2016 signed by one Habiba Ajana-Hamza for the Attorney General of the Federation, acknowledged the receipt of the said letter wherein consent was sought. The said letter is attached and marked as Exhibit “B”.”

13.“That I know paragraphs 13, 14 and 15 of the Affidavit in Support of 1t Garnishees Motion are not true because Judgment Creditor had waited for almost one year from 17th March, 2016 till 28/3/2016 when the Motion Ex-parte upon which this Court granted its order nisi, and the Attorney General of the Federation neither paid nor gave consent.”

14.“That paragraphs 16 and 17 are to true because the Judgment Creditors placed Exhibits ‘A’ and ‘B’ hereof clearly before the Court and marked them together as Exhibit ‘C’ thereof.”

15.“That I know as a fact that this Court in its ruling on the 11/5/2017 referred to the two exhibits while granting the decree nisi.”

16.“That contrary paragraph 18 of the Affidavit in Support, I know as a fact that if this Motion of the 1st Garnishee is granted by this Court, Judgment Creditors may never be able to reap the benefits of this Court’s Judgment.”

17.“That I know as a fact that in securing the order nisi of this Court materials relevant were placed before the Court for consideration, contrary to the Applicants paragraph 20 of the supporting Affidavit.”

18.“That paragraph 21 of the Affidavit in Support is false because I know as a fact that the Applicant did not conduct any search on the Courts file before concluding in its Affidavit that Respondent did not seek the Attorney General’s consent before approaching the Court.”

The Plaintiffs/Judgment Creditors’ Counsel, hereinafter referred to as the Respondents’ Counsel, K.B. Asunogie, Esq. filed a written address to argue the Respondents’ “Counter-Affidavit”. It’s dated and was filed on 16/6/2017.

The Respondents’ Counsel also in paragraphs 2.1 – 2.2 of the written address, laid out what he termed “Brief of Materials Facts” after he had undertaken the introduction of his arguments in opposition to the Applicant’s “Motion on Notice” dated 8/6/17.

In paragraph 3.1 of the address filed, the Respondents’ Counsel sets down two (2) issues for determination. These are: (a) “Whether or not the Motion on Notice is not rendered incompetent having regard to the defects in the Affidavit in Support?” (b) “Whether or not the requirement of the statutory Consent of the Attorney General of the Federation has not been vitiated by Exhibits ‘A’ & ‘B’ attached to the Counter-Affidavit of the Judgment Debtors to justify the Courts assumption of jurisdiction to intervene?”

The Respondents’ Counsel in paragraphs 4.1 – 4.13 of the address, canvassed legal arguments in support of issue (a) has set down and premised his submissions on the contents of the Applicant’s Affidavit which the Respondents’ Counsel argued, contravened the provision of section 115(2) of the Evidence Act, 2011.

The Respondents’ Counsel submitted that “wherever and whenever an Affidavit filed for use in a Court proceedings, as in the instant case, contains any legal arguments, or conclusion, such depositions are invalid and must not be countenanced or relied upon by Court”. The Court of Ap-

peal’s decision in EDU v. COMRAD (2001) FWLR (pt.55) 433 was cited to buttress this submission.

Continued next week

Law 28

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Law as an instrument of navigating strategies, non-market threats

Concluded

Bolaji Ayorinde

The new Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Opeyemi Oke has admonished the national leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to rise up to the occasion of saving the legal profession from the rot and decay that are now plaguing and ravaging it through the unethical practices of some disgruntled lawyers who are bent to bring down the profession and rubbish the institution of the judiciary as a whole.

North goes ahead to define institutions as the rules of the game of a society or more formally as the humanly-devised constraints that structure human interaction. They include formal rules (statute law, common law, regulations), informal constraints (conventions, norms of behaviour, and self imposed codes of conduct), and the enforcement characteristics of both. Organizations, on the other hand, are the players- groups of individuals bound by a common purpose to achieve objectives and include: political bodies (political parties, the legislature, city council, a regulatory agency); economic bodies (firms, trade unions, cooperatives); social bodies (churches and religious organizations, social clubs, etc); and educational bodies (schools, colleges, universities, vocational training centres).

From a legal-institutional perspective, the supreme institution of a country is the Constitution, which is supplemented by the other enactments of the legislature and pronouncements of the courts. The Constitution among other things spells out the allocative powers in terms of who allocates economic resources in a society- the state or the market. It should also spell out the economic relations embodied in property rights and rule of law. As the supreme institution, the Constitution in many cases prescribes the procedural aspects in terms of how law is promulgated and enforced and includes the functioning of the necessary legal and administrative institutions. The content and context of these institutional provisions and their enforcement make a fundamental difference in the speed and character of transformation of an economy.

The system evolved by the framers of the American Constitution based upon ‘rule of law rather than rule of men’ and unlocking human potentials by fashioning a society based on individual freedoms, competition, and private enterprise helped to unleash the progress of that society. On the contrary, the system of maximum controls by men over others as practiced in the communist countries showed in an experimental manner what the outcomes could be depending on the

Ayorinde (SAN)

different systems of laws. With the experiments under communism and capitalism at the global scale, or even the systems of feudalism and republicanism in different parts of Nigeria and the outcomes for poverty and wealth creation, one can hypothesize that institutional arrangements make all the difference. Institutions drive human progress, and while some unleash, others inhibit human progress.

In Nigeria, examples abound as to how alternative legal-institutional infrastructure emasculated development. The constant changes or suspension of aspects of the Constitution during military rule created uncertainties. There was also unpredictability in the laws governing the society as specific laws could be enacted overnight and with retroactive effects.

Such uncertainties were inimical to investment and property rights, and hence retarded growth. One is not sure whether the Indigenization Decrees of the 1970s did not retard the process of industrialization and private enterprise in Nigeria. It is possible that the action could have created uncertainties regarding foreign ownership of production in Nigeria and hence retarded Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) which we are later to seek after.

A legal system that conferred powers of monopolies to the state over

telecommunications, power, and some infrastructure obviously retarded private investment in these areas. It has also destroyed the fundamental umbilical cord between the state and business. The relationship between state and business is a strategic and mutually beneficial one: states depend on businesses to create jobs and to pay taxes to the state; in turn states provide the enabling environment to help businesses thrive. The dependence on ‘statutory allocation’ has destroyed that relationship in most cases to the extent that many states hardly pay attention to enterprise development. If they can get all the money they need from ‘allocation’, why care about businesses whose taxes amount to pittance? Today, not many states care about creating an environment conducive for enterprises to locate in their states or aggressively marketing their states for investment. This Constitutional provision in Nigeria is one example of how a legal institutional framework can create perverse incentive system and hence retard the process of economic transformation. However, the advent of democratic government since 1999 has seen multiple legislation by parliament and scores of policy directives by government to use law as an instrument in the reduction of incidences of

NMTs kowing its adverse effect on the economy.

RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS In particular, two ways in which regional institutions evolve can influence the trade and investment strategies of firms: widening and deepening. Widening refers to the accession of new members into existing arrangements. Deepening entails the enhanced coordination of monetary, fiscal, social, labor, foreign, and other policies. These can include trade policies such as regional content requirements, patent protection, and lobbying guidelines. Obviously, efforts to widen and deepen regional institutions can significantly alter regional market and NM conditions.

In order to implement a dynamic strategy successfully, firms must focus on three different tasks. The first is to implement their market strategies through the development and use of their capabilities. The second involves executing NM strategies, both as an adjunct to their market strategies and to create competitive space for a longerterm market strategy. Finally, firms must utilize and restructure their organizations to fit their dynamic market and NM strategies and to position themselves for new opportunities. Corporations are social and political actors, whether managers like it or not.

Reducing the company to its role as an economic agent, and managing accordingly, leaves the NM environment to others. Politicians, regulators, nongovernmental organizations and activists won’t hesitate to impose new rules of the game on an industry, unless companies themselves become active participants in the process. This is why leading corporations are beginning to stretch the competitive playing field beyond the market, and in the process they are turning social and political issues from mere nuisance to strategic opportunity.

LEGAL CARTOON

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, December 26, 2017

Yuletide Obaseki urges Christians to uphold spirit of season Titus Akhigbe, Benin

ÏÏÏAs

Christians celebrate Christmas on Monday, the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has extended good wishes to Christians in the state and all over the world, urging them to uphold the spirit of the season.

Obaseki, in a Christmas message, wished Christians “The beauty and peace which the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ signify.”

He explained that the birth of Jesus Christ is significant to Christians as his life symbolises redemption from condemnation and reconciliation with God, hence the celebration” He enjoined Christians to extend the love, which he described as the hallmark of the Christian faith, to their neighbours and everyone they encounter in their businesses and work places.

“As we celebrate, let us reflect on the life of Jesus Christ and imbibe his self sacrificing spirit, his entire life of peace even in the face of adversity and his love for mankind,” the governor urged.

“I pray that the festive period will help us build and sustain the peace we enjoy in our dear state and also foster charity among us all. May the joy and glad tidings of the season rest with us.

I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!” He added.

Meanwhile the Edo State Government has revealed plans to drive rural and urban development by prioritising agriculture, provision of potable water, roads, and market-linkage initiatives for agribusiness in the 2018 appropriation bill, awaiting the assent of the Governor.

The Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Budget, Mr. Joseph Eboigbe, disclosed this in a chat with journalists in Benin City, adding that the state government intends to drive massive rural and urban development programmes that will propel investments and improve the lives of the people.

He said, “in the first quarter of 2018, the state government will roll out urban development master plan that will enable it drive infrastructure and social development in Benin City, the state capital; Ekpoma-Uromi axis in Edo Central; and Auchi in Edo North.”

He noted that the state government will focus on building water infrastructure in Edo North and Central, where there is acute water problem.

He said the state will do this with the support of the European Union, as the project will include the reticulation of pipe-borne water around Uromi axis. “the state

29 News

Propose a bill on right to regular fuel supply, SERAP tells Buhari

Mathew Dadiya Abuja

ÏÏSocio-Economic

Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) on Monday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to propose a bill to the National Assembly on how to make Nigerians get easy access to regular fuel supply and consider it as human right.

In a statement signed by its Deputy Director Timothy Adewale wants Buhari to “take bold action in tackling the persistent fuel scarcity in the country.

The organization said, “That millions

of Nigerians are suffering due to fuel scarcity is a moral outrage.

Preventing and ending the problem of fuel scarcity is not only a moral duty for this government but also a legal and human right obligation.”

The statement reads in part: “Access to regular fuel supply is logically derived from the people’s right to their natural wealth and resources. Oil shouldn’t be a ‘curse’ for Nigerians; being endowed with natural resources ought to be a synonym for wealth and development, and not extreme poverty and suffer-

ing. The recognition of the right to regular fuel supply would be a building block to initiate the chain of decisions necessary to prevent the dire effects of persistent scarcity.

“Given the persistent problem of fuel scarcity in the country, the appropriate course of action is to explicitly establish a human right to regular fuel supply and to criminalize hoarding of fuel by marketers. Recognition of the right to regular fuel supply is the best opportunity to thwart scarcity and its effects, and improve access for large por-

tions of the country’s population.”

The statement reads in part: “The issues involved in fuel scarcity stem largely from the lack of recognition as a human right. Fuel is required for a range of different purposes to realize many human rights. In the shortterm, Buhari must move swiftly to end the fuel scarcity, and end fuel price jumps by marketers, if his government is to reverse the growing unemployment and hunger for tens of millions of poor and disadvantaged Nigerians.”

Vice President, Yemi Osibajo and Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu waving the people at Oando oil deport during Osibajo’s visit toThe Oando and Total Terminals in Lagos...on Monday. Photo: WALE AKINOLA

Christmas: Extend Love, kindness to all, Ambode urges Nigerians

ÏÏÏLagos

State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Sunday urged Nigerians to see the period of Christmas as an opportunity to rekindle acts of love and kindness to one another and especially to the vulnerable in the society.

Governor Ambode, in his Christmas message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, said the season symbolizes love, care and compassion for persons, especially the weak, vulnerable and lessprivileged, adding that his message to everyone at this period is to put a

smile on the face of persons who may not necessarily be able to pay them back.

He said, “Christmas is a season that explains the depth of God’s love for mankind and exemplary sacrifice that we should emulate in our relationship with our neighbours irrespective of status and creed. This season is another opportunity to increase our acts of kindness and touch the less privileged in our society.

“Therefore, this Christmas means so much more than just mere merriment. It is a veritable avenue to extend love to

the less-privileged who are disadvantaged in several ways. In this special season therefore, I urge you all to spread love and be our brother’s keeper.

Let us reach out to those who struggle to provide for their families. Let us put smiles on the faces of the weak and vulnerable.

This is the real essence of Christmas.”

Governor Ambode said that the last twelve months brought about different challenging situations which combined to make both residents and the State stronger, just as he expressed optimism that Lagos will get even

better in the New Year.

“Our hope is based on our unshaken faith in the grace of God, the solid foundation which we have laid in terms of infrastructure development and renewal, as well as the policies and programmes which we have put in place to positively impact on the social and economic well-being of our people,” the Governor said.

Speaking further, Governor Ambode while commending residents for the peaceful atmosphere the State has enjoyed over the years, urged them to emulate Jesus Christ and em-

brace peace and continue to pray for continued peace in the State.

“We shall continue to pray for continued peace in Lagos; we shall continue to pray for increased prosperity of our people; we shall not relent in our prayers for Lagos to continue in its path of accelerated and unprecedented growth; and we shall look forward to more of your prayers, now, in the New Year and beyond.

“Our government appreciates the spirit of tolerance and cooperation which has provided the enabling environment for growth and develop-

ment in Lagos State. We will continue to promote healthy community relations with economic opportunities and empowerment prospects for all,” he said.

Governor Ambode, while wishing Lagosians a Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2018 in advance, urged them to continue to support his administration, assuring that the New Year will witness greater all round development across the State including completion of several landmark projects expected to change the face of Lagos forever.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday December 26, 2017

30

News

Constituents pass vote of confidence on Sen Orji

By Sunday Nwakanma – Umuahia

ÎÎÎ

Out of joy, Abia Central Senatorial electorates Saturday, passed a vote of confidence on the senator representing the district, Sen. Theodore Ahamefule Orji as he gave over 1000 bags of rice to them as well as large measures of cash for the Christmas.

Presenting the materials at his senatorial headquarters in Umuahia, Sen. Orji said the occasion was an annual ritual intended

to cushion the effect of the current hardship on people in the constituency.

Sen. Orji said Christmas is a period for people to give for God to continue to bless them, stating that God has given the position where he has a comparative advantage, stating that he will use it to the glory of God. In his type of politics, the senator said, the people are number one in everything he does, stating that every Abian, especially in Abia Central “is an asset, useful and important”, stating that of the bags of rice, 100

bags go to each of the six LGAs, regretting also that in his mind, that number was not enough, and attributed it to the current hardship in the country.

He opined that it is prayers from the people and the good works of people that make them succeed, stating “what you do also affect you”, and prayed that all that will touch the rice and eat it will be blessed by God. The senator also advised his constituents to be patient with the current hardship in the country as the

hardship, like evil has expiry date, after which good tidings will come.

Speaking on behalf of the six LGAs of the senatorial district, Isiala Ngwa North, Isiala Ngwa South, Osisioma, Umuahia North, Umuahia South, Ikwuano, the Executive Chairman, Isiala Ngwa South, Ifeanyi Isikaku thanked Sen. Orji over his gesture by remembering his constituents this festive season as he has always done, describing this as the first from any senator in the state this Christmas.

“This habit is something

different in the state, and I pray God to give you more good years and add to your age”, he prayed and proposed a vote of confidence on the senator and which supported by the Executive Chairman, Umuahia South LGA, Obioma Eze Ogbulafor.

The vote of confidence was sustained by all constituents there with thunderous “I” and no “Nays”.

The six LGA chairmen at the occasion thereafter promised to buy the nomination form for him, come 2019 general elections for a

second term.

Earlier in his introductory speech, a former commissioner in the state and now a special aid to the senator, Emeka Longman Nwachukwu commended the senator over his continued sustenance of “stomach infrastructure” over the years.

Meanwhile, Sen. Orji has continued with the sustenance of his scholarship award scheme he installed to assist “unique and intelligent” students out of financial difficulties in the senatorial district.

Defection of Atiku to PDP in futility – Masari

ÎÎÎ Governor

Aminu Masari of Katsina State has described the recent defection of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as an exercise in futility.

Masari made the statement in an interview in Maiadua, Katsina State on Monday.

He said the defection of the former vice president would not in anyway affect the electoral success of the ruling APC, stressing that Atiku had just answered his popular name.

He said the APC was aimed at repositioning the nation by creating leaders that would champion the positive cause of the nation; “about 65 per cent of our political appointments were allocated to the youth.”

Masari said the era of “do or die politics was over as individual character and his performance speak for him in a political warfare, not un-

necessary pride and display of wealth.”

He said APC in the state and federal levels would not be deterred by elitist tendencies, adding that “we are set to receive more defectors into the party by next year as many influential members of the opposition would be joining us soon.”

He said the party was willing and ready to accept and accommodate any individual who sought to defect into its fold, stressing politics was a game of numbers.

He said his administration had, in the last two years, constructed many roads, schools, hospitals and intensified efforts on security in the state.

Masari was in Maiadua Local Government Area to receive the former speaker of the state, Alhaji Yau GojoGojo, who defected to APC from the PDP.

Members of the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps, at the ongoing 2017 One Lagos Fiesta in Lagos…on Sunday.

Soldiers didn’t invade Ikebiri community - Monarch Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

ÎÎÎ

Paramount ruler of Ikebiri community, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, Francis Ododo Timi Ike IIX, has debunked the news making the rounds that armed soldiers invaded the community.

The Monarch’s rebuttal followed a newspaper report that armed soldiers invaded the community on December 15, in two gun boats to interfere in a peaceful family meeting.

Ododo said it was false, baseless and misleading.

The Liaison officer, office of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger

Delta and Presidential Amnesty Programme, Piriye Kiyaramo, in a statement on Monday, described the news report as an attempt by some unscrupulous persons to instigate crisis between youths in the Niger Delta region and the military high command, with a view to resuming fresh crisis in the area.

The Paramount ruler said that Ikebiri Kingdom, comprising Ikebiri 1, 2 and 3, communities, has been very peaceful and that at no time was it attacked by military personnel as contained in the said publication.

He explained that, on December 15, 2017, being

his late father’s Remembrance Day, he hosted a military patrol team that was on routine patrol duties, while an inter-church swimming competition and canoe race which were part of the Remembrance Day event in the Kingdom was going on.

The traditional ruler, a retired school principal, who expressed shock at the publication, narrated how he pleaded with the military patrol team to spend some time in the community while his late father’s remembrance day activities lasted, explaining that he also briefed the patrol team of a Community Development Committee (CDC) chairmanship elec-

tion in the community.

He added that the CDC Chairmanship position which was being rotated among the different families that make up the community under a zoning system, had been earlier zoned to a particular, family (Usaku-wari) in a general meeting of the entire kingdom, pending the selection and official presentation of the family’s candidate to the community to be sworn-in at the expiration of the current tenure of the CDC. The royal father lamented that the reporter, never bothered to hear from him or any of the family chiefs, before going to press, pointing out that neither

the military spokesperson or the police was contacted for confirmation of such a very sensitive report that alleged military invasion of an oil bearing community in the Niger Delta region, bearing in mind that the publication could trigger violent reactions from stakeholders in the region.

And after hosting them, that very day there was a family meeting of Usakulubo (Usaku-wari) to select a candidate for the position of the next community development committee chairman for the whole community. The military personnel in their normal routine patrol duties saw

the crowd and came in a bid to pre-empt any breakdown of law.

“I personally informed the military personnel that a family was trying to hold a family and that it would be good to have them around. So the military personnel agreed and stayed and at the end of all the events, there was no iota of violence in the community.

“Just to confirm what am saying, as I have earlier said, that day marked a remembrance for my late father. Even after the meeting there was footballs match among the churches that took place from 4 to 6pm”, the royal father reiterated.

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

31

EXTRATIME EURO.........................EURO........................EURO.............................

Charlie Austin Charlie Austin has been suspended for three matches for this incident with Jonas Lossl

Alonso wants Chelsea reorganise after Everton draw

C Huddersfield boss David Wagner suggested Austin had attempted to deliberately injure Lossl

S

outhampton forward Charlie Austin will miss three games after accepting a Football Association charge for violent conduct.

The FA announced that Austin had argued that the suspension - earned for kicking Huddersfield goalkeeper Jonas Lossl - was excessive, but that his case had been rejected.

Danish goalkeeper Lossl was left with a bloodied face and a suspected broken nose following the incident in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at St Mary’s Stadium.

Austin, who scored his fifth goal in five starts before departing with a hamstring injury, avoided punishment for the incident during the contest, but has now been banned.

‘Charlie Austin will be suspended for Southampton’s next three matches after he was charged with violent conduct. He accepted the charge but argued the suspension was excessive. This was rejected by an Independent Regulatory Commission,’ the FA said.

‘The striker was involved in an incident which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video during Saturday’s game against Huddersfield Town.’

Huddersfield manager David Wagner took aim at Austin following the flashpoint.

‘After seeing the video footage, this should usually never happen, that an opponent hurts another opponent on purpose,’ Wagner said.

‘I don’t like to say this, but it looks this way. Jonas as

well was absolutely surprised. This was a nasty challenge and nothing I like to see.

‘I think he looks like this challenge was very ugly and nasty. This should never happen. Charlie Austin made the wrong decision in this moment.’

Austin netted the opener midway through the first half, but was substituted in the closing stages with a hamstring complaint and Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino confirmed he is likely to be sidelined for the remainder of the festive schedule regardless.

That, and the ban, means Southampton’s top scorer will miss the club’s next three fixtures - away to Tottenham and then Manchester United - with a home match against Crystal Palace on January 2.

Wilshere will dumb Arsena

A

rsenal expect to make their long-awaited contract offer to Jack Wilshere in the first week of January as the club faces the growing prospect of losing the home-grown Arsenal midfielder as well as their biggest stars Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil this summer.

All three have contracts which expire at the end of the season and Wilshere seems the only one Arsenal are likely to persuade to stay, though the club have again placed themselves in a weak position with Wilshere now in his best form for two-and-a-half years, having seemingly fully recovered from injury.

Wilshere has always expressed a desire to stay at the club he joined as a child but is waiting to see what offer they come up with.

But with Sanchez set to leave at the end of the season or even in January if Manchester City and Paris St-Germain decide they need him now, and with Ozil interesting Barcelona, Arsenal will be under pressure to ensure they do not have to manage a trio of high-profile exits this summer on free transfers.

The ongoing Sanchez-Ozil saga makes another bid for Monaco’s Thomas Lemar more likely next month, though nowhere near the £90million bid that was made for him in August.

Arsenal recognise they have to start rebuilding, anticipating the departure of two such key players.

Sanchez, despite his goal on Friday night in the 3-3 draw with Liverpool, looks disengaged at times and appears to be frustrating home fans as he enters the last six months of his contract.

Wilshere, by contrast, looks lean and stronger than ever and enjoyed another good performance in the starting line-up, meaning Arsenal will inevitably want to tie him down rather than see him move to a rival for free in the summer.

As a home-grown player under UEFA rules, Wilshere in this form would be attractive to any of the Premier League clubs in the Champions League, while Everton and West Ham have considered him and Roma wanted to sign him on loan last season. Wilshere would be free to sign with a foreign club on January 1 but is likely to remain in the Premier League.

Arsenal are expected to make long-awaited contract offer to Jack Wilshere (with ball) in early January

helsea duo Marcos Alonso and Antonio Rudiger want the champions to respond swiftly to their setback at EvertonMarcos Alonso has called for Chelsea to be more clinical as they look to bounce back from their goalless draw with Everton.

The champions dominated Saturday’s Premier League clash at Goodison Park but failed to make the most of their opportunities against Sam Allardyce’s diligent side.

The result, coupled with Manchester City’s 4-0 win over Bournemouth, means Antonio Conte’s side are 16 points adrift of top spot with half the season gone.

Alonso acknowledged it was a “very disappointing” result and has urged his team-mates to be more ruthless against Brighton and Hove Albion on Boxing Day. “We were very unlucky not to win after controlling the whole game and having a lot of chances,” he said, as quoted by the club’s official website. “But we take one point, it is what it is, very disappointing.

“We knew it was going to be tough and as the game was passing it was getting harder because they were defending closer to their goal. The performance wasn’t bad, we just need to be more clinical.”

Centre-back Antonio Rudiger felt luck was against Chelsea, who had 68 per cent of the possession and 25 shots on Saturday, but wants to respond by ending 2017 with wins over Brighton and Stoke City.

“Of course, it’s very disappointing because I think we were the better team and we had a lot of chances to score but you have some days when it’s like that,” said Rudiger. “You can even play for maybe three hours and you wouldn’t score.

“We needed the three points so we have to keep going. We played a good match but we were just unlucky.

“The target can only be six points. It’s not easy but that’s our aim, that’s what we’re going for, we want six points.”

Alonso

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Business Times Daily Times Nigeria

CBN lending to commercial banks declines by 8.5% in one week

Page B4

NCC moves against illegal operators

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Tough times await electricity vandals - MD, EKEDC Page B8

Page B6

Group laments inaccessibility of BOI funds Bassey Willie, nƓ

. L-R: GM Operations OVH,Energy Marketer Ltd., Mr Adeboye Temidayo; NNPC Major Oil Marketers Coordinator, Engr.Maikano Aliu;Vice President, Yemi Osibajo and Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu during Osibajo’s visit to Oando and Total Terminals in Lagos...on Monday. Photo: WALE AKINOLA

TCN records new 5,222.3 mw peak transmission, highest ever Ï ƉƄ ƍ Ǝƍ ƕƄƕ ƄƌƏƆƋƊƄ Ǝ Ǝ Ƌ ƍƎ Myke Uzendu, ƂƏƇ

The Nigerian power industry has achieved yet another national peak of 5,222.3megawatts of electricity effectively transmitted into the national grid.

In a statement signed by the General Manager, Public Affairs, TCN, Ndidi Mbah, yesterday in Abuja, said that the milestone achievement, is the highest ever recorded in the nation’s power sector to-date,

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

adding that this surpassed the 5,155.9mw achieved on December 8, 2017; and the earlier peak of 5,074.70mw, achieved on February 2, 2016. The statement noted that the gradual, but steady improvement in the nation’s power sector is attributable to the strategy of the administration of President Mohammadu Buhari, which is geared towards growing the sector in line with its policy on incremental power.

According to the statement, “At the 22nd Power Sector Stakeholders’ Meeting, the Minister of Power Works and Housing Mr. Babatunde Fashola assured that the current synergy among the Presidency, Ministry of Power, Works and Housing and other major power sector stakeholders working through the Power Sector Recovery Program (PSRP) would continue to deliver improved power supply

to the people.”

To properly key into the incremental power policy, TCN stated that it has developed the Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion programme to enable it to prioritize and execute critical transmission projects, pointing out that this necessitated the clearing of the company’s stranded containers carrying various transmission equipment at the sea ports, to enable it to complete previously abandoned projects to further expand the grid capacity.

TCN said, “Of the 759 containers abandoned by contractors at the sea ports within the last five years, 454 have been cleared from March to-date.

Payment for 193 containers has been made and they are being cleared, while payment for the outstanding 112 containers is yet to be made.”

TCN further explained that all the 454 containers cleared from the ports have been taken to various construc-

tion sites, such as Yola, Gulak, Katsina, Jos, Dambatta, Ganmo,Abeokuta,Onitsha and Benin. Other construction sites include Odoguyan, Ede, Igangan, Okene, Walalambe, Akwanga, Kachia, Kumbotso, Kaduna and Yola.

The statement added that the containers had been abandoned at the ports for between 2 to 6years by contractors for various reasons including suspension of TCN Import Duty Exemption Certificate(IDEC) in 2013 by the Ministry of Finance, slow processing of IDEC by TCN in the past and inefficiency of the contractors. The result was several uncompleted transmission projects in various parts of the country.

TCN reiterated its commitment to continue to work to further stabilize, rehabilitate and expand the grid; and called on all Nigerians to work with the sector in safeguarding electricity installations nationwide.

Chairman, National Association of Small Scale Industrialists(NASSI), Dr. Andrew Nuwanta, has said the cumbersome process of securing credit facilities from Bank of Industry (BOI) by Small Scale Industrialists has stifled the prospect of over 20,000 micro industrialists in the country.

Nuwanta, who spoke to Daily Times in Uyo, yesterday, said the Federal Government established the Bank of Industry for the purpose of addressing the industrial needs of the nation; but lamented that the procedure of accessing credit facility does not favour small scale industrialists.

He said small scale industrialists are catalyst of national growth and economic development but expressed regret that government’s lackadaisical approach in funding small scale businesses is killing the sector.

Nuwanta maintained that the development of small scale industrialists is the only panacea for restiveness in the country; and called on the FG to empower the sector by lending take-off funds to skillful youth through the bank at single digit interest rates.

He appealed to the bank’s management to review the conditionality necessary for securing credit facilities from the banks and relaxed the current procedure of demanding unimaginable collaterals from prospective small scale industrialists.

Nnwanta, who is also the President Akwa Ibom Consolidated Alliance (ACA) said the BOI credit facility only favour the elites and well established business owners.

He said, “The Federal Government established the bank to carter for the industrial needs of the nation, but by the time a micro industrialist approaches the bank for loan, they are given hurdles they cannot achieve.”

He expressed fear that with the rate of population explosion in the country if the micro small and medium scale entrepreneurs are not adequately funded by government, restiveness would be the order of the day.

Business News B2

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Long queue of motorists at Alade Petrol Filing Station, Bashiri Road, Ado Ekiti…on Monday.

PFAs disburses N4bn to 12,464 disengaged workers for Q3 2016 Joy Ekeke Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs), across the country has disbursed about N4billion to 12,464 workers who lost their jobs across the country, from their pensions contributions in the third quarter of 2016.

A report published by the National Pension Commission (PenCom), stated that the workers are holders of Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

According to the report, they were paid 25 per cent each out of their total contributions, thus amounting to N4 bn.

The disengaged workers were unable to secure another job within four months of being disengaged.

The RSA holders are, however, those under 50 years of age.

A breakdown of the report showed that the private sector accounted for 173,578 of the disengaged RSA holders, representing 95.43 per cent of the total number.

The public sector, on the other hand, accounted for 8,305 disengaged RSA holders, representing 4.57 per cent in the period under review.

The Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2014, Section 16, sub section (1) states that an employee shall not be entitled to make any withdrawal from his RSA account before attaining the age of 50 years.

Sub Section (5) further states that without prejudice to subsection 1, any employee, who disengages or is disengaged from employment before the age of 50 years and is unable to secure another employment within four months of such disengagement may make withdrawal from his RSA in accordance with the provisions of Sections 7 (2) and 7 (3) of the Bill.

‘2018 could see OPEC’s deal collapse’

Ganiyu Obaaro, with Agency report

Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries’(OPEC’s) extension keeps the oil market on track to balancing at some point next year, but if the group overshoots on tightening, OPEC members could begin cheating, potentially leading to an unraveling of the deal.

To be sure, there is a great deal of uncertainty over the pace of inventory drawdowns. The International Energy Agency(IEA) predicts a return to rising inventories in the first half of 2018, a prospect that threatens another downturn in prices.

In this scenario, OPEC will struggle to balance the market, and may be forced into yet another extension. Indeed, there are some analysts who see the downside risk as a much greater threat than the upside, and that the oil market should brace for lower prices.

The inventory surplus has dramatically narrowed this year, falling to just a little more than 100 million barrels above the fiveyear average as of October, down more than two-thirds from the start of 2017. That obscures the

fact that the drawdowns really kicked into high gear only in the second half of this year, a rapid drawdown that coincided with a sharp uptick in prices.

Meanwhile, OPEC’s compliance hit its highest point in November, which should continue to put pressure on stocks in the next few months. And while the IEA sees stock increases pouring cold water on the oil market, other analysts downplay such a scenario. Goldman Sachs argues that the inventory increases in the first quarter of 2018 will be much smaller than the typical gains for that time of year, with stocks once again drawing down by the second quarter. Unexpected outages could tighten the market more than anticipated, with Venezuela as one particular hotspot of uncertainty.

The oil market will “rebalance” by mid-2018, Goldman Sachs said in its report, before adding this intriguing prediction: “leading to a gradual exit from the cuts and increases in OPEC and Russia production through 2H18.”

In other words, OPEC will have completed its mission—or at least will be close—at about the time it meets again in Vienna in June. Thereafter, with oil prices rising and the inventory surplus

eliminated, the justification for OPEC’s production cuts will lose their urgency, and members will be tempted to cheat.

Indeed, even before we get there, higher oil prices “would be an open invitation to cheat,” according to Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank. “That could lead to a collapse of the deal.” Russia is one of the bigger question marks.

Russian officials voiced some skepticism in the lead-up to the most recent extension and have also expressed an eagerness to exit the deal as soon as the market surplus is eliminated.

There are a few reasons the impetus to cheat will grow along with oil prices. First, higher prices will prove to be tempting, because each additional barrel will bring in even more revenue.

Second, at some point in 2018, as inventories fall and prices rise, OPEC members will know that the expiration of the deal will not be far off, so, why not get a head start on a return to higher production levels?

Third, OPEC members know that higher oil prices are a real danger to their market share because, it could provoke an aggressive response from U.S. shale drillers. “Do we want (prices) to continue upwards indefinitely?

Not really,” Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum resources Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu told The Wall Street Journal, referring to fears of sparking too much investment and drilling in U.S. shale.

Other OPEC officials expressed concern when Brent rose to $65 per barrel earlier this month, according to the WSJ. One official told the WSJ that “you are attracting problems for yourself ” with oil up in the mid-$60s. At that level, OPEC fears, U.S. shale will add a wave of new supply.

“If prices are attractive for other producers, we will be going back to square one,” the official said.

The problem for OPEC is that it’s a tricky balancing act, and it isn’t clear that there is a price window that will satisfy the needs of OPEC members while also proving to be low enough to stave off new shale investment.

In fact, the IEA and OPEC itself see massive supply increases from U.S. shale as it is. The IEA predicts the U.S. will add 870,000 bpd of new supply in 2018, while OPEC estimates U.S. shale growth of more than 1 mb/d. The best outcome for OPEC, it seems, would be a continuation of stable prices that allow for a drawdown in stocks and some rise in U.S. shale supply, but not too much.

FRSC commends personnel, motorists over low auto crashes at Christmas Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

The Federal Road Safety (FRSC) , Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi has expressed appreciation to both his personnel and motoring public for their conduct during the first phase of the Corps special operations targeted at safe motoring during the Christmas.

The Corps Public Education Officer, Mr Bisi Kazeem, dis-

closed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja According to Kazeem, Oyeyemi particularly expressed gratitude for the cooperation of motorists toward his men so far, in ensuring a successful patrol operations for Christmas.

The Corps Marshal however, implored them to continually obey traffic rules and regulations till the end of the special operations on Jan. 15, 2018.

He acknowledged some challenges such as avoidable crashes , unwholesome attitudes of some convoy drivers and broken down vehicles among others.

Oyeyemi pledged to reinforce resources and logistics to combat such challenges during the second phase, which would commence immediately after the Christmas.

He expressed delight that no one slept on the road as it used to

be many years back and thanked the Federal Government under the leadership of President Mohamodu Buhari.

Oyeyemi also thanked the National assembly and the State Governments for creating enabling environment and providing resources that enabled the Corps modest achievement so far.

The Corps Marshal however, wished the motoring public a happy new year in advance, as they journeyed into 2018.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Air Peace takes delivery of Boeing 737-300 aircraft Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo The Yuletide operations of Nigeria’s leading carrier, Air Peace, got a big boost on Sunday, with the delivery of one of its newly acquired aircraft.

The airliner, a Boeing 737300, touched down at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos at about 6.30 pm.

The aircraft, which was flown in by Capt. Ikechukwu Paul Ugochukwu and his team is the third Boeing 737 Air Peace has received this year alone.

The carrier took delivery of two of its new Boeing 737 aircraft on February 21 and June 16, respectively.

Air Peace recently acquired six Embraer 145, a couple of Boeing 737 and two Boeing 777 to bring its fleet size to 24 aircraft to drive its massive domestic, regional and international expansion project.

Speaking on the delivery of the new aircraft marked 5N-BUK; and named Mathias Eburuo Onyema, Air Peace Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Allen Onyema said it was evidence of the seriousness of the carrier’s pledge to deepen air connectivity in Nigeria and the West Coast of Africa, as well as make a difference on the international aviation scenes.

Onyema assured that the new aircraft would boost the carrier’s effort to sustain its on-time reputation, especially during the Yuletide operations.

The airline, he said, was set to commence flight operations to Yola and Kano to open up the economy of the Northern part of the country and address its air transport challenges.

Air Peace, Onyema assured, would soon announce a new date for the launch of its Freetown, Banjul and Dakar services, which were initially fixed for December 15, but had to be called off at the last minute due to the industrial unrest embarked upon by Dakar Air Traffic Control.

He added that the airline would shortly take delivery of the two Boeing 777 aircraft it recently acquired for its Dubai, London, Houston, Guangzhou-China, Mumbai and Johannesburg routes.

He thanked air travellers for supporting Air Peace in the last three years of its existence to become the leading Nigeria’s aviation industry, assuring that the airline would continue to prioritise their safety and comfort.

B3

Business News

Kogi: Relief, as NGO empowers widows with over N12m materials

Ganiyu Obaaro, with Agency reports

Relief came the way of some less-privileged people of Yagba East Local Governmwent Area of Kogi State, North Central Nigeria, as a non-governmental organization, Doyin and Suzan Foundation, has distributed relief items, food stuffs and other empowerment materials worth N12 million to over 2000 widows across Yagba Federal Constituency of the state.

The Chairperson, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the foundation, Mrs. Adedoyin Eshanumi, disclosed this on Sunday

at the distribution venue at Isanlu Stadium in Yagba East Local Government Area of the state.

The foundation also made a cash donation and presentation of N1 million to the widows of Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA) Itedo-Makutu, Isanlu. Eshanumi said the gesture was borne out of her goodwill for many of the women who have found themselves living in abject poverty and lacked the right and necessary assistance.

She said,”It is estimated that 115 million widows worldwide live in extreme poverty, along with their children. This re-

ality presents an opportunity and a challenge to countries, states and indeed our own community.”

According to her,”The United Nation General Assembly emphasized that empowerment of women, including widows is a critical factor in the eradication of poverty and are integral part of the society.“It is my humble belief that this occasion will mark a turning point in the life of our widows and bring succor to their plight through empowerment and various skills acquisition programs.”

She added that the foundation would also be embarking

on free medical treatment as from April 2018 in collaboration with their US partners in all Yagba land and by extension in all Kogi west senatorial district.

In his remarks, the State Governor, Yahaya Bello, commended the foundation for the initiative and for complementing the state government’s efforts in alleviating the suffering of the good people of Kogi.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Eunice Olorunshola, who received the N1m on behalf of the ECWA widows commended the foundation for the cash donation and empowerment programmes.

NDIC building

Group urges Buhari to sack Baru Piqued by the worsening scarcity of petrol across the country, a concerned group has demanded the sacking of the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru.

The group, a civil rights organisation, Stand Up for Nigeria Coalition (SUN-CO), on Monday said it would mobilise Nigerians against the ineptitude of the NNPC which, it said, has been “threatening the peace and stability of the country.”

The group was reacting to the worsening fuel scarcity in the country, describing it as “economic terrorism being perpetrated by enemies within.”

Speaking at the Christmas Day press conference in Abuja, the Convener of SUN-CO and human

rights activist, Philip Agbese, said having taken time to study the underlying causes of the scarcity and the resulting hardship visited on Nigerians, it came to the conclusion that the leadership of NNPC had a hand in it.

He recommended that President Muhammadu Buhari should appoint a Group Managing Director for the NNPC to replace Maikanti Baru.

According to him, the coalition was aware that Baru had all the needed free hands to run the NNPC as its GMD and the attempt by him to pass off the blame to the marketers in an attempt to save his job.

Agbese said, “This, to us, is considered to be the height of

embarrassment to the Buhari’s Presidency and the Nigerian people who go through this harrowing experience on a daily basis just to celebrate this season of love with their families and friends.

“We have watched the worsening fuel crisis with alarm and concern, as Nigerians are coerced into wasting useful manhours queuing for Premium Motor Spirit, otherwise called petrol, while almost half of the country’s population are denied the most important religious holiday having been prevented from spending Christmas holidays with their families.

“It is unfortunate that the enemies within have had a field day in the last few days perpetrating

this economic terrorism and do not care about what happens to the image and personality of President Buhari who have been trusted by Nigerians with the mandate to redeem them from sufferings and pains inflicted on us by past leaders of this country.”

SUN-CO therefore called on Maikanti Baru to “immediately resign as NNPC GMD”, since he has allegedly lost the confidence of Nigerians after proving that “his loyalty lies with the industry cabal and not for the well-being of the common man.”

The group described as wickedness and callousness the action allegedly exhibited by the GMD and his cronies at the NNPC, saying it was a further proof that some highly placed persons were deliberately sabotaging the efforts of the President.

Agbese said, “The kind of failing that resulted in the current scarcity is therefore the sole responsibility of Baru, who must at this point acknowledge that he has failed Nigerians.

Money Market B4

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 26, 2017

CBN lending to commercial banks declines by 8.5% in one week

Stories by Motolani Oseni

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) lending to commercial banks operating in the country declined by 8.5 per cent to N614 billion last week from N671bn recorded in previous week.

It is however, worthy of note that the commercial banks use the CBN’s Standing Lending Facility window (SFL) to support their liquidity shortfalls and meet trading obligations on short term basis.

The SFL of the apex bank window revealed that commercial banks borrowing continued to drop towards as nation’s economy steadily recovering

from recession.

The apex bank for some time has maintained interest rates on SLF at 16 per cent and the rate remained unchanged in 2017.

For last week alone, the breakdown of amounts borrowed include, N87.89bn, N110.7bn, N163bn, N132.65bn and N119.8bn, respectively.

In the prior week, the breakdown of DMBs’ borrowing from CBN was: N117.6 billion, N116.7bn, N123.7bn, N135bn and N178bn, respectively.

In the first week of this Month, DMBs had borrowed N1.019trillion from the CBN, accumulating to estimated N2.3 trillion in three weeks.

Analysts said that the CBN’s lending to banks had increased in recent times on the back of liquidity issues in the economy.

In November, DMBs borrowed N2.77trn from the CBN with an average amount of N154bn.

Aftermath of new foreign exchange policy in early 2017, banks were borrowing from CBN to provide Naira equivalent of Dollar purchases.

The banks borrowing from CBN dropped over stability in the foreign exchange market as apex bank remained resilient in bridging the gap between the parallel market and official market rates.

Commenting on this development, the managing director,

Enterprise Stockbrokers Plc, Rotimi Fakayejo, explained that “the decline in banks borrowing from CBN was as a factor of improved economy. Federal government started releasing funds to states government and that imply more funds injection in the banks. That alone reduces the pressure in the economy.”

He noted that the lending of banks somehow reduced compared to the ratio of deposit. He said the liquidity system might have improved but there is still an imbalance within the system.

Union Bank changes board, donates medical facilities to VVF patients

L-R:Managing Director/CEO, GEOPLAX, Engr. Wole Ogunsanya; General Manager, Corporate Business, Sterling Bank, Gboyega Adegun; Chief Executive Officer, Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria, Ranti Omole; Managing Director, Sterling Bank, Yemi Adeola and Executive Director, Corporate and Investment Sterling Bank, Kayode Lawal, during the 2017 PETAN Oil industry Dinner and award held at Oriental Hotel, VI, Lagos... recently

Naira sustains rate against dollar, other currencies during Christmas The Nigerian currency, Naira, again on Christmas day maintained N365 to the US Dollar rate traded over the weekend, and as well as against the two other major foreign currencies, pound sterling and the Euro at the parallel segment of the foreign exchange market.

For Pound sterling against the Naira, it was seen at N485 the same rate it exchanged last Monday, while the Euro steadied at a depreciated rate of N428 compared to 427 the same period last week at the parallel market.

Due to Monday and Tues-

day declared by the Federal Government of Nigeria for Christmas and Boxing Day celebrations, respectively, the official foreign market remained closed until Wednesday 27 of December, 2017 when the official trading will be opened for trading activities.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange (NAFEX) window on the last trading day before the break, closed at a better rate of N360.82 per dollar which represented a a total gain of 0.14 per cent against N361.31 sold the previous day.

The autonomous FX win-

dow, however, closed the week with a significant transactions turnover of $1.319 billion, data obtained from the FMDQ OTC has revealed.

But our checks showed that the Investors’ FX window at the close of first trading day during the week under review, recorded the lowest transactions turnover of $109.67 million compared to $205.05 million traded a week earlier at the same forex window.

Further breakdown, illustrated how the I&E FX window declared a better closing figure of $113.58 million, looking at the daily

closing rates and as well as against $96.77m sold in the previous week. At the close of mid week forex activities, the Investors FX window recorded a single daily trading figure of $856.45m, represented the highest in the recent time stronger than $301.21m declared in the corresponding period in the previous week.

On Thursday, I&E FX window dropped significantly to close with $116.30m transactions turnover but rebounded on Friday with an improved performance of $123.20m, which was stronger than $109.67 million recorded a week ago.

Union Bank of Nigeria Plc (Union Bank) has announced changes to the membership of its Board of Directors with the retirement of an Executive Director, while enhancing its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) with support for those affected by Vestigovaginal Fistula (VVF) through donations to the women’s VVF hostel, Kwali in Kano State.

The Bank, disclosed retirement of Mr. Ibrahim Kwargana and the resignations of Non-Executive Directors, Engr. Mansur Ahmed, Chief Dr. (Mrs.) Onikepo Akande and Mrs. Arina McDonald in October 2017.

Union Bank, in statement obtained by our correspondent, explained that Mr. Kwargana’s retirement comes after 33 years in the banking sector. He was appointed as an Executive Director in 2009 by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and until his retirement, was responsible for the bank’s Public Sector business as well as commercial business development for the northern region.

Engr. Ahmed, Dr. (Mrs.) Akande and Mrs. McDonald resigned following the successful completion of their tenures on the Board of the Bank or the core investor represented.

Union Bank has also announced the appointments of Mr. Taimoor Labib as NonExecutive Director as well as Mrs. Obafunke Alade-Adeyefa and Mrs. Furera Isma Jumare as Independent Non-Executive Directors. All the appointments have been approved by the CBN.

Commenting on the reconstitution of the Board, Mr. Cyril Odu, Chairman of the Board of Directors said: “I am grateful to our outgoing Directors for their immense contributions during a critical time, and I am proud of the accomplishments we achieved together as we worked to transform the Bank. On behalf of the Board, I thank them for their service and wish them much success in their future endeavors.

“I am also pleased to welcome Mr. Taimoor Labib, Mrs. Obafunke Alade-Adeyefa and Mrs. Furera Isma Jumare who bring dynamic experience to the Board which will be valuable as we work to continue to move the bank forward.”

Also commenting, Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Emeka Emuwa said: “The contributions of our outgoing Directors were key to the success of our transformation programme. As we embark on a new phase of growth, we welcome our new Directors who will bring fresh perspectives to our Board deliberations.”

Union Bank remains on course to deliver on its key objectives in 2017. It recently completed a N50billion Rights Issue to raise Tier-1 capital.

The capital increase supports the Bank’s short to medium term growth objectives as it looks to re-establish itself as one of Nigeria’s leading commercial banks.

Meanwhile, the bank said that the CSR initiatives of the financial institution include a refurbished wing of the women’s hostel, a vehicle as well as much needed beddings, medicines and medical supplies.

vv

Capital Market B5 Bonny Amadi Understanding of operating mechanism of Collective Investment Schemes and retail investors’ rights in the scheme, may be attributable as some of the reasons retail greater number of retail investors still shun CIS. Pointer to his emerged recently when , at a stakeholders meeting , it was disclosed that investment advisers and fund managers, may out of their own selfish interest and to the disadvantage of retail investors, withheld vital education on investors rights from the investors, thereby perpetually keeping them in the dark on how the law protects them and their investments.

This state of affairs was reinforced by a retail investor, Mr. Chuka Nwaka, who told our correspondent that his dislike for collective investment scheme stems from lack of relationship between him and the fund managers or the investments advisers.

“The moment they collected my invested sum from me, we rarely communicates, no communication from the company and I don’t get paid or that I have not received any form of dividend from that my investment” Mr. Nwaka said that he has never been invited for any form of shareholders’ meeting by the company or received correspondents from them updating him on the status of his investments, but still hopes that, if the investment is not completely lost, one day, he would regain his investment sum and when the equities market bounces bank, buy shares of companies he knows are doing well.

Could it be that the investor mentioned above, has been duped by investment firm, or that he is the one that erred, by not following his investments.

Many investors in the Nigerian capital market may have been defrauded by their fund managers or investment advisers, but lack the enabling education on how to pursue remediation.

The Association of Investment Advisers and Portfolio Managers (1APM) in conjunction with the Association of Corporate and Individual Investment Advisers of Nigeria” brought to the fore, how best to treat a retail investor to sustain their confidence and market development, during a forum in Lagos.

Cross section of contributors argued that investment adviser and fund managers have failed to expose rights of investors to them, foreclosing any form of confrontation by the investor when their rights are infringed upon.

“Let us adopt another code for individual investors’ protection and let them know what their rights are” a stakeholder resonated.

Mrs. Olufunke Okoya, of coronation merchant bank, a

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Why retail investors shun collective investment scheme council member of the Association said that the customer needs experienced and competent adviser adding that investment advisers and portfolio managers need to work together to deliver best value, rather than competition “the market is so large for all fund managers” Okoya said that some in the course of competition, compromise investor’s funds by promising higher returns, embarking on high risk investment to deliver on promises.

“For instance promise of 40 per cent returns which other refuse to give, enables some to take higher risks and compromise investors funds” Managing Director, Kings Thrones Limited, a SEC-registered independent Investment Advisory Firm. Akin Adeniyi, also a council member of the association said that corporate governance aspect of the market still has a long way to go adding: are individual investors available to be protected” He argued that though there is the asset managers’ code of conduct and retail investors’ code has remained unpopular, adding “Let us adopt another code for individual investors’ protection and let them know what their rights are” Adeniyi emphasized that some of the investors are not made to understand their rights so that they don’t hold fund managers accountable when they fail.

Kemi Adeosun

Joe Mekilua, general manager of the Central Securities Clearing Services (CSCS) called for asymmetry in investor complain framework, in order to deliver more value to investors. He added that such ordinated approach on how to investors should deliver complaints seamlessly, holds the key to efficient market development through zero tolerance to breaches.

Bumi Taiwo Olagunju, who earlier in a statement presented on behalf of the guest speaker, said that the Nigerian capital market and regulators have implemented diversified policies aimed at protecting investors.

Some of such policies, she said include the implementation of the FIRS compliant reporting, a globally acceptable standard of reporting that thrives on full disclosure as it protects investors against financial crisis.

She added that the repeal of the universal banking law, by the Central bank of Nigeria (CBN) was also tied to the protection of investors, hence banks now concentrate on pure banking services, against the pervious practice of diverting investors funds into all forms of businesses that vie outside banking functions.

Olagunju reiterated that the introduction by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC) the now suspended code of corporate governance, had the utmost interest of protecting investors as its main ob-

jective, by ensuring that listed companies remain resilient as going concern devoid of any form of unethical practices by its drivers . “Market operators need to hold themselves to the highest level of corporate standard. Market operators, professional bodies need to attain best professional standard to in order to render the best professional services required of them” She pointed that financial advisory intermediations, need to be carried out in pure professional manner, adding that doing otherwise would amount to rubbishing the high integrity of the Nigerian capital market.

The stakeholders were however of the consensus that self-regulatory organisations, such as the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). The FMDQ, among others, have critical roles to play in protecting investors, by ensuring operating standards that meet global best practices, in addition to ensuring sustained capacity building.

“Market infractions should be handled in pure transparent manner that meets global standards” They urged the government backed regulatory agencies such as the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Nigerian Pension Commission (Pencom) to align and equally build internal capacity to ensure enthronement of world class sophistication of the Nigerian market, as well

as building and sustaining modern technology in alignment with global standing.

Among the recommendations enunciated at the forum include, broad investment education which encompasses rights of investors and processes of reporting grievances in the market.

FIRS, and being proactive with implementation of such rules, where it is considered beneficial to the Nigerian market and IFRS The stakeholders also called for the adoption of the Global Investment Performance Standard (GIPS). The Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS) is a set of standardized, industry-wide ethical principles that guide investment firms on how to calculate and present their investment results to prospective clients.

They also called for alignment with global reporting standards which include, BASEL11. Basel II is a second international banking regulatory accord that is based on three main pillars: minimal capital requirements, regulatory supervision and market discipline.

Minimal capital requirements play the most important role in Basel II and obligate banks to maintain minimum capital ratios of regulatory capital over risk-weighted assets. Because banking regulations significantly varied among countries before the introduction of Basel accords, a unified framework of Basel I and, subsequently, Basel II helped countries alleviate anxiety over regulatory competitiveness and drastically different national capital requirements for banks.

The investment experts also called for full disclosures, adding: “The Nigerian asset managers should be ranked among the top global organizations to comply with GIBS and support compliance with the code of corporate governance” hence the code provides assurance to investors.

They maintained that technology, up-scaling market participation and enthroning ethical behavior remains key to market development, as sharp practices or weak regulatory agencies have no place in the new world investment order which the Nigerian market has ascribed to.

Investment expert, Michael Oyegbola, said that protection of investors should also be tied to giving accurate investment advice, as well as matching investor’s risk profile through well trained investment advisers, taking into consideration that financial planning is key to right investing.

ICT B6

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Apple slammed with lawsuits over slowing down iphones Ladesope Ladelokun with agency reports Apple is facing several lawsuits after the tech giant admitted last week that it was deliberately slowing down the performance of older iphones. The company had said in a statement that slowing down the phones via a recent software update was necessary because the aging batteries in older phones were causing devices to unexpectedly shut down.

Displeased with the excuse, many iphone users insisted

that the company was purposely slowing down older phone models as a way of forcing consumers to purchase the newer iphone models. Two different class-action lawsuits were filed in California and Illinois some days back alleging just that.

In a federal suit filed in Chicago, five customers claim Apple is engaging in deceptive, immoral and unethical practices in violation of consumer protection laws, the Chicago sun times reported. “ Corporations have to realize that people are sophisticated and that when people

spend their hardearned dollarsd on a product, they expect it to perform as expected,’ James Vlahakis, the attorney representing the plaintiffs in the Chicago suit, told the Sun Times. “ Instead, Apple appears to have obscured and concealed why older phones were slowing down.’’

In the California lawsuit, two law school students at the university of Southern California argue Apple installed the performance-stifling update without the device owner’s permission, the Mercury news reported.

The students, Stefan Bog-

danovich and Dakota Speas, also claim Apple “Intentionally interfered’’ with consumers’ iphones , forcing users to “have to replace iphones, buy new batteries,’’ or lose “ usage of their phone, according to a copy of lawsuit obtained by CBS news.

Apple “ breached the implied contacts it made with plaintiffs and class members by purposely slowing down older older phone models when new models come out and by failing to properly disclose that at the time of that the parties entered into an agreement, the suit reads.

L-R: Attorney- General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN), a participant and Mrs Yinka Fayomi, when the AGF delivered a lecture on anti-corruption at the Chatam House ... in London

‘Robotisation’‘ll provide more jobs than eliminate them – Report Contrary to fears expressed in some quarters that robotisation of employment will render millions jobless, leaving them with no hope, a consulting firm has predicted that Artificial Intelligence will generate more workloads or jobs by 2020 than it will eliminate,according to the data provided by the latest study by Gartner Consultancy.

While the experts recommend streamlining the training and specialization of those people with more mechanical, routine and repetitive jobs of those that will first be supplanted, the debate has been generated over whether robots must pay taxes , proposals for universal basic income have appeared to face robotization of employment or speculation about the appearance of new jobs of the AI era.

Although various jobs will disappear and others will be replaced by robots, the prospects for the next few years are not as negative as they seem. Data provided by Gartner Consultancy show that while 1.8 million jobs will be destroyed by 2020, job creation will go at a faster pace, which will lead to the emergence of 2.3 million new jobs all over the world. In the stretch from 2020 to 2025. Artificial Intelligence will create another two million jobs more by itself.

It is observed that the swings and changes in the creation and employment due to penetration of automation in the labour market depend on the industry in focus. Manufacturing or construction will be sectors that will experience a boom. Social skills, digital literacy and more technical and specialized profiles will be essential to get a job.

NCC moves against illegal operators The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned against illegal telecommunications’ operators. The commission, headed by Executive Vice Chairman, Professor Umar Danbatta, also said it has clamped down on three illegal operators in Lagos, vowing to sustain the operations across the country.

The Principal Manager, NCC’s Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Department, Mr. Chukwuemeka Obi made this known to journalists recently, after two days enforcement in Lagos.

Obi said that the action followed the reports of its surveillance team.

According to him, the affected companies are Axon Integrated Services, located on Diya Street, Gbagada; Survenet Integrated Ltd situated on Bayo Ajayi Street, Agidingbi and Strem Concepts at Shaha Akowonjo.

“We got information that some companies in the telecommunication sector in Lagos are operating illegally without the required authorisation,’’ he said.Obi said that the three companies were into services such as installation of masts, towers and illegal vehicle tracking.

He said that Axon Integrated was licensed by the NCC to sell mobile phones and Private Automatic Branch eXchange (PABX) equipment sales.

Obi said that the company had extended its into installations, which its current licence does not cover.

“We have given Axon one month within which it should come to NCC headquarters in Abuja to regularise its operations and obtain the required authorisation, failure of which will attract serious sanctions,’’ Obi said.

He said that Strem Concepts had been operating illegally without any operating licence

from the regulatory body.

“Strem was found to be operating Automated Vehicle Tracking Services (AVTS) illegally.

“In our earlier enforcement in Lagos, Strem was found guilty for operating illegally.

“We sealed the company, asking them to come to the commission’s office in Abuja to get an official licence to operate, and the licensing process has started, but not yet concluded.

“Unfortunately, Strem went ahead to unseal itself without the commission’s permission.

“We have come again to seal it, confiscated its radio equipment and asked it to report to Abuja to finalise its licensing process,’’ Obi said.

In respect of Survenet, he said that the company was guilty of illegal installation of towers and other services, which it was not authorised to venture into.

The News Agency of

Nigeria(NAN) reports that, Obi said that for the two days that the enforcement lasted, Survenet’s office was locked.

He said the enforcement team would ensure that the long arm of the law definitely caught up with the company.

Obi said that the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, under Section 31, stipulates that no firm should undertake communications services without prior authorisation of the commission.

He said that a surveillance conducted by the commission showed that a number of companies in Lagos were offering communications services without requisite authorisation, hence, the clampdown.

Obi said that the enforcement was to prosecute the perpetrators or ask them to regularise their licensing with the commission, as the case may be.

According to him, the NCA

2003 has been developed and categorised some telecommunications services under certain category of licences for individuals who wants to undertake communications services.

“More or less, they are into installation of masts, setting up equipment and even radio that go beyond the scope of the licences and authorisation they have.

“We have those that also use spectrum illegally; we want to assure them that we will go after them to ensure that the culprits are brought to book,’’ Obi said.

He also warned companies in the sector to follow the legal process for obtaining licence to operate in any segment of the country.

Obi said that NCC would continue to ensure that a level-playing field was created for all operators, while ensuring that the nation was not shortchanged by any illegal player.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday December 26, 2017

B7

Union moves against sale of National Theatre, others Stories by Joy Ekeke

Workers, under the aegis of Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Service Employees, AUPCTRE, has expressed shock over plans by the Federal Government to sell some national historical assets, saying that no nation sells its history.

Consequently, the workers stormed the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, to register their discontentment over its proposed sale and other national monuments across the country.

The aggrieved workers, who besieged the complex, blamed the current state of the edifice on deliberate negligence and corruption by successive managers.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, , Branch Chairman, AUPCTRE,Mr. Dayo Akogun said the workers rejected the planned sale of the theatre, lamenting that corruption and bad management were responsible for the current state of the edifice. He said, “If the challenges in the system are tackled, the National Theatre can work effectively and generate funds. We need managers that will help us attract patronage rather than promote its sale.”

Also, Mr Dare Durosimi, Lagos State Chairman, Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria, RATTAWU, said government should rather tackle challenges affecting the monument instead of selling it. He noted that RATTAWU was not in support of the proposed

sale; and would support AUPCTRE’s decision to campaign against it.

According to AUPCTRE, the proposed sale of national historical assets to fund the 2018 budget, will be a disservice to the founding fathers of the country and future generations, and further pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari to jettison the idea and look for other means to fund the budget. Speaking through Mr Yusuf Zambuk, the General Secretary, in a statement in Abuja, AUPCTRE, said the concept of funding national budget from sales of public assets was a “strange phenomenon in public administration”, particularly in budgeting.

According to him, national historical assets had immense and cultural significance to the nation, especially

now that the Federal Government was focusing more on economic diversification.

AUPCTRE General Secretary named affected historical assets to include the National Arts Theatre Iganmu, Lagos, and Tafawa Balewa Square Lagos among others.

The Federal Government had, through the Director-General of Budget Office, Mr Ben Akabueze, told the House of Representatives Committee on Finance and Appropriation on Nov. 28, that the Federal Government had concluded plans to sell the Tafawa Balewa Square and the National Arts Theatre.

The aim, he said, is to generate sufficient revenue to finance the country’s annual budgets for the next three years (2018-2020).

Labour

Unemployment figure soars high in latest NBS report The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), in its recent report on the country’s unemployment rate shows that it rose from 14.2% to 18.8% in 2017.

It also said that Nigeria’s labour population increased from 83.9 million in the second quarter to 85.1 million in the third quarter of 2017, a difference of 1.2million in additional workforce.

The NBS stated this in its latest report, “Unemployment and Under Employment Report from 1st quarter to third quarter 2017’’ released recently in Abuja.

The NBS stated that the total number of people in full-time employment (at least 40 hours a week) declined from 52.7 million in the second quarter 2017 to 51.1 million in third quarters. It stated that the unemployment rate increased from 14.2 per cent in the fourth quarter 2016 to 16.2 per cent in second quarter 2017 and 18.8 per cent in the third quarter, 2017.

NARTO, PTD pledge to support NNPC in adequate supply of PMS Owing to the decision made by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to ensure availability of Premium Motor Spirit, (PMS), the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) have pledged to throw their weight behind the NNPC in its efforts to rid the hiccups being experienced in the supply and distribution of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise called petrol.

NARTO National President, Alhaji Kassim Ibrahim Bataiya and PTD National Chairman Comrade Salimon Oladiti, made this known in Abuja at a meeting with stakeholders on the challenges of products supply and distribution.

Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources Downstream, Joseph Akinlaja led the unions to the NNPC Towers.

Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of NNPC, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, said their focus was to put an end to the hardship being experienced by Nigerians at fuel stations across the country.

“We are transporters; and we know how many litres we have been moving across the country. If anybody is found guilty of moving products out

of this country or to any unauthorised locations within, even if they are our members, we would not only disown them, but also expose them,” Bataiya said.

Appreciating the efforts of the NNPC Group Managing Director (GMD) in making products available to the citizens, the NARTO National President gave the assurance that its union members would make available trucks to deliver products to any designations at any given time.

Oladiti condemned the activities of some unpatriotic citizens, who are involved in smuggling products out of the country and thus subjecting Nigerians to hardship.

He called on stakeholders to join hands in addressing the issues of tanker hijacking, vandalism and smuggling, among others. On his part, Akinlaja expressed confidence with the outcome of the meeting.

He added that with the commitment of critical stakeholders like NARTO and PTD, the end to the problem being experience in products distribution is very much in sight.

NNPC Group Managing Director Dr. Maikanti Baru hailed the support of critical stakeholders like the House of Representatives, NARTO and PTD in addressing the challenges of products supply nationwide.

Joe Ajaero

Chris Ngige

ILO Report: 4 billion people worldwide lack social protection A report recently released by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on social protection has revealed that despite significant progress in the extension of social protection in many parts of the world, the human right to social security is not yet a reality for a majority of the world’s population.

The flagship report further stated that a lot still needs to be done to ensure that the right to social security becomes a reality for all.

According to new data presented in the “World Social Protection Report 2017/19: Universal social protection to achieve the Sustainable

Development Goals,” only 45 per cent of the global population is effectively covered by at least one social benefit, while the remaining 55 per cent 4 billion people are left unprotected.

The report assesses the range of social protection benefits for children, for women and men of working age including protection in case of maternity, unemployment, employment injury and disability and for older persons, including pensions. It also assesses progress towards universal coverage in health.

The new data of the report also shows that only 29 per

cent of the global population enjoys access to comprehensive social security – a small increase compared to 27 per cent in 2014-2015 – while the other 71 per cent, or 5.2 billion people, are not, or only partially, protected.

In Africa, despite significant progress in the extension of social protection coverage in many countries, only 18 per cent of the African population is effectively covered by at least one social benefit.

Despite the overall low coverage, a number of countries have achieve universal coverage: Bostwana, Cabo Verde, Lesotho, Mauritius, Namibia,

South Africa and Zanzibar (Tanzania). In these countries, all older persons receive a pension, and they are regarded as global good examples.

Universal coverage may be done social grants or social assistance, or by a combination of social insurance and social assistance (or social grants) like Cape Verde and South Africa. Owing to greater efforts towards extending old age protection, 30 per cent of Africa’s older population now receive a pension.

However, significant coverage gaps remain with respect to children, mothers with new-born, unemployed workers, and persons with disabilities as well as vulnerable populations. The development of social protection floors is therefore an urgent priority in Africa.

vv

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Group alleges human rights abuse against Ikeja Electric A foundation, Prince Children Foundation (PCF) in Ojodu-Berger area of Lagos, on Tuesday accused Ikeja Electric (IE) officials of misconduct and violation of human rights.

Mr Adegoke Fadayiro, the National Coordinator of PCF, made the accusation in an interview in Lagos.

Fadayiro said that the officials of IE invaded the area with men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), leading to panic and chaos among residents and children in the community.

According to him, on Sept.19 around 4.00 p.m, children were playing on the streets when officials of IE arrived with men of the civil defence corps armed with guns.

“They were chasing residents in the community with guns, while trying to disconnect power supply to the area over unsettled estimated bills on electricity consumption.

“IE officials were terrorising the residents with security personnel, while trying to disconnect electric service lines to individual homes.

“This is ridiculous, and it is a gross misconduct, violation of human rights and child rights,’’ he said.

Fadayiro said that some parts of the com-

munity had been experiencing power outage for the past two months when electricity supply to the area was disconnected.

The PCF national coordinator said that he reported the right violation to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in Ikeja on Sept. 23 for justice to take its course.

“The NERC sent message to us to meet IE officials on Dec.13, but we were disappointed when we got to the venue and were only told that the hearing had been postponed indefinitely without any reason.

“We want justice to be done, that is why we wrote NERC as the only regulatory body to seek redress.

“Now, we do not know if NERC is supporting IE by postponing the hearing indefinitely, while we are languishing in darkness and our rights being violated,’’ he said.

In his reactions, Mr Felix Ofulue, the Head, Corporate Communications of IE said that some consumers were reconnecting electricity illegally after they had been disconnected.

According to him, our officials were disallowed by residents from carrying out the disconnection when they got to the community for the second time to recover the service wires.

Nigeria streamlines oil operations with automation Ganiyu Obaaro, with Agency reports The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC has said that it had achieved 98 per cent automation of all crude oil supply and marketing operations, which helps it to account for every barrel of Nigerian oil sold across the world.

The automation, expected to be completed next year, now allows the Nigerian state-held company to monitor sales and transactions

of every barrel of every blend Nigeria is selling to the global markets, according to the General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing Division of the Corporation, Malam Mele Kyari.

“Today at a click of a button we can tell you how much crude oil is sold, at what price, who bought it and where it has gone to etc,’’ Kyari said in NNPC’s press release.

The automation and the removal of paperwork in Nigeria’s crude oil sales has led to $1 billion in savings in one year, and has introduced

among other aims and objectives obtain feedbacks from stakeholders on the performance/ achievements of NEGIP; highlight constraints experienced during project implementation; and synergising ideas in charting the forward towards completing NEGIP and subsequent projects successfully and sustainably.

Represented by Mr. Aromeh Adole, a top staff of TCN-PMU, Engr Gwadabe said, “So far, the PMU has successfully implemented the Nigerian Transmission Development Project (NTDP); National Energy Development Proj-

ect (NEDP); the Water Resources Development and Sustainable Ecosystems Management Programme (WRDSEMP) and is currently implementing NEGIP. ” He noted that the stakeholder Consultation programme is part of efforts to evolve ways of enhancing understanding and cooperation between contractors of NEGIP and other ongoing projects and the host communities where the World Bank Projects are sited so as to allow for peaceful and timely execution of the all-important projects for the dream of incremental power of the government to be attained.

an improved pricing system, according to the NNPC manager.

The reform in Nigeria’s crude oil data and lifting information has enabled the country to “eliminate the perennial disagreement” with OPEC over the country’s actual crude oil production and lifting figure.

While OPEC’s total production dropped to a six-month low in November, the largest increase among the members came from Nigeria, whose production jumped by 95,800 bpd from October to 1.790 million bpd in November,

according to OPEC’s secondary sources.

Plagued by militant attacks on oil infrastructure for most of 2016, Nigeria won an exemption in OPEC’s original production cut deal. But as 2017 progressed, Nigeria’s crude oil production started to gradually recover, and Nigeria, alongside Libya and U.S. shale, were at times offsetting much of OPEC’s efforts to rebalance the oil market. At the latest OPEC meeting last month, Nigeria and Libya agreed to cap their production at their respective 2017 levels.

Tough times await electricity vandals - MD, EKEDC

TCN meets stakeholders on gas improvement ÏdƄƄƈ Ǝ Ƃ Ǝ Ƌ ƑƄƍ ƏƋƋƉƓ The World Bank assisted Project Management Unit (PMU) of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) recently held a consultative meeting with the media and other stakeholders to evaluate and evolve an “action plan” that would further enhance better management of the Nigeria Electricity and Gas Improvement Project (NEGIP) and others in order to boost power supply in the country.

Declaring the consultation forum open in Abuja, the Project Manager, Engr Abubakar Gwadabe noted that the consultation seeks to

B8 Energy

Fashola

The new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), Mr Adeoye Fadeyibi, has pledged to step up the fight against vandalism and energy theft in its network.

Fadeyibi stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

According to the MD: “ It is a thing of big concern that whilst we toil day and night to continuously improve on our operations and services, some unpatriotic individuals are engaging in the condemnable act of energy theft and meter by-pass.”

He said, “Our advice to such people is straightforward and simple.

Change your ways or get disgraced, or we will explore all legal options, including prosecution and naming and shaming in the media, to bring such saboteurs of our efforts to book.”

Life&

TIMES Tuesday, December 26, 2017

How my journey to Miss Nigeria began - Ehiguese Peace

Interview L2

Daily Times Nigeria

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Ehiguese Mildred Peace: My journey to Miss Nigeria started like a joke 24-year-old Psychology graduate of Redeemers University, representing Adamawa State, Ehiguese Mildred Peace, on Thursday, emerged winner of the 41st edition of the prestigious Miss Nigeria Pageant held at the Eko Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. In this exclusive chat with MUTIAT ALLI, she opens up on the journey to becoming the new queen, her plans, why the Miss Nigeria platform is credible amongst others. Enjoy‌ Did you see your winning the Miss Nigeria beauty pageant coming?

Not at all. I did not see this coming as I am just like the other girls who contested and had their eyes on grand prize; I was only fortunate to have emerged winner at the end of the day.

While at the Miss Nigeria Mansion, did you see some of the girls as threat to your winning?

Funny enough, I did not see anyone as a threat during camp as I was my own greatest threat because my kind of personality, I love meeting people a lot and these I met at the camp. During camping, I met a lot of beautiful people and our bonding was quite natural as this did not make me feel like it was a competition until when we got to Lagos.

As winner of Miss Nigeria beauty pageant 2017, how do you intend to handle fame?

Well, I am a very private person and this I will maintain when it comes to my private life but as for fame, this is just the beginning for me and I am very sure I will be able to ensure that I live up to

in time. Fame comes with two sides; but God will be on my side.

How will you describe your journey to the Miss Nigeria platform?

Sincerely, it has been a beautiful and eventful journey for me and this is also something I will not trade for anything in the world. My journey to the Miss Nigeria platform started like a joke when my mum called that she has gotten me a ticket for Miss Nigeria that I needed to go for casting which I did. So on the day of the call back, I was waiting patiently and all through the night to morning I was worried that I have not been gotten back to and while I was trying to check out the lucky girls that have been picked, I got a call from the organisers and from there we resumed at the camp where I met lots of beautiful ladies and within a short while we did not even feel we had come for competition, we just bonded like family and that was one of the most beautiful journey ever for me.

What were some of the challenges you encountered?

One of the major challenge for me as a person was waking up early for morning routines and at first it was a bit difficult for me to adapt to that sleep but I was able to cope at the end of the day.

Despite some of the challenges and your eventual crowning as the new queen, will you say all the stress is worth the while?

Yes, it was definitely worth the while and every moment and I must say I am grateful to God. The Miss Nigeria platform empowers women beyond beauty, do you think that assertion is right?

Yes it is because the Miss Nigeria pageant is very credible one and the fact that it does not just celebrate the beauty aspect of it but at the end of the day empower young ladies. It shows that the platform celebrates woman value which is very important and one of the unique attributes of the pageant also is the fact that there was nothing like bikini /swim suit as the platform shuns incessant exposure of the woman value.

Life&

As the new queen, what will you do differently?

Well, there are lots of things I will be doing differently as my pet project and one of it is the organisation for the rehabilitation of children are who born through incest and also an organisation for children who are born with mental disorder.

I want to use the platform as an opportunity to further create awareness on the two pet projects I intend doing during my reign.

For some the contestants who did not win, what word do you have for them?

For me, everyone is a winner. Being on the Miss Nigeria platform alone automatically makes you a winner and I just want to seize the moment to appreciate my fellow contestants and to further let them know that I love them and cherish every moment. The journey we have started does not end here; so there is still more to do together.

At 24, do you feel the responsibilities are too much for you? your strength increases with your age.

Daily Times Nigeria

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Runway at 2017 Miss Nigeria pageant

Photos: BOLAJI OLASUNKANMI, SUNDAY ELOMOH AND OLAWALE AKINOLA

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L4

Daily Times Nigeria

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Runway at 2017 Miss Nigeria pageant

Photos: BOLAJI OLASUNKANMI, SUNDAY ELOMOH AND OLAWALE AKINOLA

Decor L5

Daily Times Nigeria

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Mutiat Alli

Beauty of having a nice Patio A Patio is a paved out area adjoining a house, generally used for dinning or recreation. The term comes from Spanish where its meaning is different (inner courtyard).

The common materials employed when building a patio include concrete, stones, bricks but also tiles and cobbles.

Patios are often decorated with plants and outdoor furniture. Building a patio depends on the design and space of your backyard or garden. Patios in homes make a real statement and make your residence stand out, giving you the option of being creative, and either making or designing it, traditional, antiquated or trendy, there are varieties of patio furniture to suit the taste of the home owner.

An outdoor patio creates the perfect environment for your family gathering and additional space for entertaining. Picking patio the style, the comfort and the materials being used including the space. When choosing patio furniture make sure it matches your landscape.

The main idea and objective is to create an extension of your house including the back space being used for your patio with the used of outdoor furniture. You, friends and family are to feel as comfortable outside as much as comfort felt inside the house.

While selecting outdoor furniture, ensure only right to buy furniture that is appropriate for your backyard. Small spaces should not be crowded with large and heavy furniture, but if you have enough space, and you entertain guest often, then a dinning set and a bar would be a fun choice to go with. Always remember that comfortable atmospheres should not only be inside of the house, but

also outdoors. Hammocks which are a sling made of fabric, rope, or netting, suspended between two points, used for swinging, sleeping or resting is great for kids. Lounge chairs are a necessity for lying by the pool if there is one.

When you reach into secluded space in the back of your home, convert the underutilized areas in your landscape into welcoming patios by employing handsome furnishings, vibrant fabrics, and beautifully planted containers. Everyone needs a solitary spot for sharing quiet conversations with friends or kicking back with a good book. A few cushy chairs and a table for resting drinks and books is all that is required to create a purposeful patio.

The essence of patios should be retreats that offer peaceful respite from the hectic work weeks and family tending days opt for neutral color palettes, spare furniture arrangements, and plentiful plantings to fashion serene scenes that match your relaxing and entertaining needs. Keep it low maintenance by selecting weather proof furniture and fabrics and cultivating. furnishings a covered patio formalizes its outlook with a distinctive dinning set combining glitzy chairs with a table crafted from a craved base and a glass top. Want to add some sparkle to your patio in a jiffy? Hang a glided mirror on an exterior wall or fence nishing your patio with light weight pieces that you can move from sun to shade.

You may also want to try furnishing with door living space for cultivating a gardening

necessity although in this modern times, our ideas of a beautiful home has skyrocketed and we all look for creativity in order to switch up our styles just like fashion and lifestyle, it can tend can transform your home to be. of the tropics and are home to all types of household pets and insects, there are pest control supplies, insect repellents and bug control that can be purchased at shopping malls and stores used

to avoid discomfort while enjoying your patio. Most people also opt for frequent fumigation to keep unwanted guest away from your relaxation spot at home. All these, depend on the residence area and surrounding of your home.

Patios can give exquisite taste to any home with the right ideas too can put a fancy, elegant looking patio and be the envy of your neighbors in the best ways.

Fashion L4

Daily Times Nigeria

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Mutiat Alli

Get the tricks to lasting

PEDICURE Dodge fragrances:

Smooth it out:

Top your topcoat:

Moisturize: Keep them covered:

Avoid heat:

Bring your own polish:

Mutiat Alli

…With a bright polo

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Daily Times Nigeria

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Fashion L5

Amazing ways to wear jeans …With a safari style topper

…With a white blazer

…With

a preppy topper

…With a rolled up button-down

…With driving shoes

…With a vest

...With a cool socks …With a motor jacket

…With a military-style blazer

Nutrition L8

Daily Times Nigeria

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Mutiat Alli

Wellness: 15 home remedies for curing heartburn Heartburn is something that most adults will experience during their lifetime. It is characterized by an uncomfortable burning sensation right behind the breastbone that often times creeps up the throat, and is a symptom more so than a disease. It is caused your stomach goes back up your esophagus, which then causes

from occasional heartburn, lifestyle changes and heartburn home remedies may be the route you want to take.

as sodium bicarbonate is more commonly known, can help your It has a pH higher than 7.0, and therefore neutralizes stomach acid.

Neutralizing the stomach acid means that if/when your LES decides 2.

Directions Mix either a ½ teaspoon or 1 single teaspoon of baking soda into

when you sit down, the waistband is going to sink into your abdomen

and drink all of the mixture. You can repeat this as needed but should

your lower esophageal sphincter, which make it more likely stomach

using this as a remedy for more than a week straight, as it is high in salt alcohol both work to weaken your LES, making it that much easier for stomach contents and acid to splash up into your esophagus. Alcohol

soothe burns, and people often think of using it to help something like sunburn, but it can do more than that. It may be able to help with getting eaten away at, a nice glass of aloe Vera juice may be just the thing to help calm it down.

pressure on your lower esophageal sphincter. It will be more likely to

Directions drink a ½ cup of aloe juice, cool or room temperature, before meals.

13. Mustard.

Mustard is an alkalizing food that is full of minerals, and contains a esophagus. If you think this may be your case, try drinking some that may come creeping up your throat, and therefore may neutralize

Directions

Directions Muster up some courage, and just take that little sucker straight.

instances of heartburn. minutes to help ward off heartburn. option is to try an apple a day. Slice one up and eat it a couple of to eat more, unless of course you want to munch on some more, books, or blocks under the legs at the head of your bed. You could

stomach makes stomach contents press harder against your lower esophageal sphincter. smaller bites and eat slowly, allowing your stomach time to digest and

cup of fresh tea about 20 minutes before a meal can help calm down your tummy and act as an acid buffer.

trigger heartburn, kind of like how they help tension headache but can trigger migraines. ½ – 1 hour before you plan on going to sleep can help reduce

Slice up 3 quarter sized pieces of gingerroot and simmer gently 20 minutes before a meal.

trigger heartburn, usually foods high in acid (tomatoes or citrus fruits,

but tracking what triggers your heartburn may be what ultimately makes it go away in the end. Instead of going crazy with what you

down puts more pressure on your LES and increases the likelihood of acid sneaking through.

at bay, keep a little diary of sorts that makes note of what you ate,

You can use instant chamomile tea, or you can easily make your own fresh.

Directions