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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2017 VOL. 3. NO. 474

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Teenage hawkers:

Impoverished families’ answer to ‘wealth creation’ Babalola Mujeeb, Lagos

ÏÏÏLagos, the fastest growing city in Africa

Crisis in marriage has nothing to do with celebrity status – Uche Elendu L2 & L3

and the seventh in the world with an estimated population of about 21 million is naturally endowed with abundant human and natural resources like bitumen, clay, glass sand - and recently, oil and gas; yet some of the residents still live in abject poverty despite the natural resources.

The above features can be traced to the legacies of decades of prolonged military rule coupled with mismanagement of resources and corruption which have daily depleted the people and made them “Beggars” on the streets. This act of inefficient of resources and misrule has increased the hostile behaviour among the populace.

Sadly, the pursuit of material wealth and things at all cost has introduced another aspect of wealth creation into the mind of Continued on page 6

Buhari meets S’East Govs, leaders in Aso Rock, promises dividends of democracy 5

EFCC v Govs Forum: Court forfeits N1.4bn Paris Club refund in 2 banks 5

FRSC sends 4000 traffic offenders for psychiatric test 15

45 Boko Haram members bag 31 years jail terms 7

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, October 14, 2017

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, October 14, 2017

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, October 14, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, October 14, 2017

5 News

EFCC v Govs Forum: Court forfeits N1.4bn Paris Club refund in 2 banks

Peter Fowoyo

ÏÏÏA Federal High Court,

Ikoyi, Lagos on Friday, ordered that the total sum of N1.442,384,857.84 billion, which formed part of unrefunded Paris and London Club Loans, domiciled at Access Bank Plc and Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), be temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government.

Joined as respondents in the suit are: Melrose General Services Limited: WASP Networks Limited and Thebe Wellness Services.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had

filed an ex-parte application marked FHC/L/ CS/158/2017 and argued by its lawyer, E. E. Iheanacho, where Justice Cecelia Mojisola Olatoregun made the order yesterday.

Apart from the order of temporary forfeiture of the above stated amount, the court also ordered the EFCC to notify whoever is interested in the said money to appear before the court and show cause why the money should not be finally forfeited.

The court also directed the EFCC to publish the temporary forfeiture order in a National newspaper for the respondents or anyone who is interested

in the money to appear before the court and show cause within 14 days why final forfeiture order will not be made.

EFCC in an affidavit deposed to by one of its investigators, Usman Zakari, stated that on May 26, 2016, the 36 states’ governors through the Nigerian Governor Forum (NGF) engaged the services of consortium of consultants made up of GSCL Consulting and Bizplus Consulting Services Limited tagged ‘GSCL Bizplus Consortium’, for the purpose of verification, reconciliation, and recovery of over-deductions on Paris and London Club

loans on the account of states and local governments between 1995 to 2002.

The deponent stated that the Consortium carried out the said assignment of verification, reconciliation and recovery of the said Paris and London Club loans on the states and local governments between 1995 and 2002, and came up with a total sum of $6. 483, 282, 424. 61 billion USD, as due for refund to the states.

He stated that the report of the Consortium dated 31st, August, 2016, showing a break down of the debt profile state by state, and over-deductions

L-R: Imo State Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere; Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari; Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu; Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi; President, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo; Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo; President Muhammadu Buhari; Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwunayi; Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige and others, during the South East Stakeholders meeting with President Buhari in Abuja… on Friday.

Buhari meets S’East Govs, leaders in Aso Rock, promises dividends of democracy Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

ÏÏÏPresident

Muhammadu Buhari on Friday held a closed-doors meeting with governors and leaders of South East geopolitical zone of the country.

Buhari, who assured the leaders of his administration’s determination to bring dividends of democracy to the region, responded to alleged under-representation of the South-East in his government saying “I came into government with a clear conscience and I will also leave with a clear conscience”.

Speaking while receiving leaders from the region led by the Deputy Senate President, Ike

Ekweremadu, he said, “I gave South-East four substantive ministers in the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Investment, Science and Technology and Labour.

“Seven states in the North got Ministers of State and of the two Ministries headed by your sons, I cannot take any decision on foreign policy and investments without their input.”

He also promised the leaders, comprising governors and ministers from the region, the President of Ohaneze, Chief Nnia Nwodo and representatives from the National Assembly, that he would soon visit states in the zone.”

The President further assured that the South-

East will benefit more from roads and coastal rail projects, which are of critical importance to the economy.

Buhari maintained that the Second Niger Bridge, the East-West Road and the Coastal rail project, are receiving utmost attention from his administration.

He disclosed that the counterpart funding from the Chinese government would substantially fund these projects, which when completed will improve the welfare, wellbeing and economy of the people in the region.

“I know the Chinese are very competent in handling such projects and we will ensure that we get the money for the projects to

take off.

“I thank you for articulating your demands and I want to assure that we are doing our best for the country. If we can stop people from stealing, then there will be more resources to put into projects that will create employment for Nigerians,’’ he said.

Earlier speaking, the President of Ohaneze, while articulating the demands of the zone to the President highlighted the issue of state creation, restructuring, federal projects in the South East namely Enugu-Onitsha road, Enugu-Port Harcourt road and Aba-IkotEkpene road, among others.

was addressed to the Minister of Finance. And that the report was submitted to the NGF. He stated further that following the report, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, approved an initial payment of the sum of $1.730,930.53, for the benefit of the various states.

He also stated that in line with the request of the states’ governors, the ministry of finance through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), paid the sum of $86,546,526.65 million USD, and N19,439,225,871.11 billion, (representing five percent of the approved initial Paris and London Club refund) respectfully into the GTBank Plc and Access Bank Plc accounts of NGF purportedly to defray consultancy and incidental expenses.

He said the said sum of N19, 439, 225, 871.11 billion, was paid into the Access Bank Plc account of NGF on December 8, 2016. And on December 14, 2016, the NGF paid the sum of N4. 389, 207, 099 .05 billion to the Consortium as part of agreed consultancy fee.

He also stated that the first respondent, Melrose General Services Limited, whose alter ego is one Robert Mbonu, was never engaged by the NGF to carry out any consultancy services in relation to the said Paris and London Club refund. Adding that in order to obtain public fund, the first respondent recopied and misinterpreted the work of Consortium to the NGF for payment as if it was first respondent’s work.

Based on the act of Mbonu, he stated, the first respondent was paid the sum of N3.5 billion by the NGF on December 14, 2016, while no consultancy job was executed by the first respondent on behalf of the NGF. He also stated that the first respondent’s account with Access Bank Plc, was negative when the sum of N3.5 billion was credited into it. But between December 15, 2016 and January 20, 2017, the first respondent moved out about N2.277,615,142 billion, in order to launder the money leaving a balance of N1.222,384,857.84 billion before the intervention of his Agency.

No deaths from Army medical mission says Anambra Govt

John Ndu

ÏÏÏThe

Anambra State Government says no deaths have been recorded over botched medical mission planned by the Nigerian Army. ``Nobody has died as a result of the exercise,’’ Ogbuefi Tony Nnachetta, Commissioner for Information and Communications Strategy said in Awka on Wednesday. ``Indeed the exercise has yet to take off, when rumours went out sending panic to communities in Ozubulu and Nnewi, with many withdrawing their children and wards from schools’’.

According to Nnachetta, the Army says they carry out such free medical missions as part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS) to citizens.

He recalled that only last week, the Army carried out such an exercise at Onit-

sha Military Cantonment, without any incidents.

Nnachetta added that a similar exercise was ongoing at Okwe, near Asaba in the Delta State.

Ogbuefi Nnachetta noted that before the Army embarked on the mission; they dully informed Presidents Generals and heads of Churches in the concerned areas.

He explained that perhaps, the only snag in exercise was that the Anambra State Government, particularly, the Ministry of Health was not carried along and could not have anticipated how misinformation crept into the exercise.

The Army Spokesman, Col. Sagir Musa in a release on Sept. 30, explained that they carry out free medical missions at which, they offer consultations, diagnosis, laboratory tests, dental and physiotherapy.

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, October 14, 2017

Teenage hawkers: Impoverished families’ answer to ‘wealth creation’ Continued from page 1 Nigerians which is “Street hawking”.

An author, Aiyeluro (1979), defines street hawking as the process whereby the hawker hawks his goods by carrying the goods on his or her head by means of tray, or minor forms of transportation like wheelbarrows, bicycles, and trolleys among others in search of customers in the process of which he/she could employ the use of bell or shout the name of the item he/she is hawking in order to attract the attention of any interested customers.

Lately, however, individuals have now ventured into hawking business mostly to provide for their daily needs (food, clothing, house) and also settle bills like LAWMA bills, PHCN bills, etc., which makes it become rampant in certain areas in the metropolitan city of Lagos like Agege, Iyana Ipaja, Egbeda, Shasha, Oshodi and many others.

In a series of interviews with different teenage hawkers, Moshood Sulaiman, a 14-year-old boy who spoke with our correspondent, said he lives with her grandmother at Agege which is the major cause of his hawking.

The 14-year-old said he lost his father at the age of eight which resulted into absenteeism of his fatherly care.

He stated that hawking is a great challenge for him as a teenager, adding that the practice affected him among his peers and also makes him to lose concentration in school.

His words: “Every single day of my life I have to help my granny hawk her pap early in the morning around 7am to the neighbouring streets before going to school.

This practice makes me a perpetual latecomer which I suffer for it every day”.

Vice President/CEO of GAC Motor, Chief Diane Chang (middle), with 57 Local Government Chairmen in Lagos State in a photograph session, during a Dinner hosted by the GAC in Lagos… recently.

FG dismisses rumour of harmful vaccination in some parts of South East Ibeneme Ebelechukwu, Abuja

ÏÏÏThe federal government yes-

terday described as untrue, rumour circulating round the country that some part of the East has harmeful vaccines that my affect children.

In a press statement signed

by Head, Public Relation unit of National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Saadi Salahuat said there is no such vaccine and re-assured Nigerian parents and care givers on the safety the vaccines.

Accorung to the statement, The Federal Government wishes to state clearly that there is no such vaccination in any part of the country that is harmful to any child in Nigeria.

“Most importantly, the Federal Government wishes to re-assure all parents, guardians and caregivers of globally confirmed safety, potency and effectiveness of all antigens in the National Immunization Schedule against vaccines preventable diseases in the country and the vaccination is free in all public health institutions.

“It must be re-emphasized that the Federal Government`s annual budgetary allocation, release and cash-backing of huge resources for the provision of safe and potent vaccines is a practical manifestation of its commitment to the safety, growth and survival of Nigerian child.

“While acknowledging and commending all major development partners, states and local governments, traditional and religious leaders, the media, civil societies and stakeholders for their un-wavering partnership, support and commitment on immunization of Nigerian child, the Federal Government appeals to those peddling such un-patriotic, malicious and misleading information to desist from inglorious acts and turn a new leaf in support of their country and fellow country men and women.

It further noted, “As Nigeria prepares for another round of a National Measles Campaign, beginning in the North West from the 26th of October, 2017, Nigerians are hereby urged to continue to support government`s efforts at all levels to protect Nigerian child against vaccine-preventable disease.

He further stated that his granny is an old woman who depends on the hawking of petty items to provide for her daily needs.

For Amaka Chukuwma, who hawk soft drinks, table waters, recharge cards, and chin-chin inside traffic hold-up at Egbeda in Lagos, she said she lost her mum when she was a kid, adding that her father remarried to a Yoruba lady which is the basis of her hawking.

She stated that her step mother is a very stern woman who saddled her with the responsibilities of doing arduous and strenuous house chores and also impose the law of “if you don’t hawk, no food for you” on her.

The 15-year-old lamented that she sees this action as a means of child abuse and maltreatment.

“I see this action as a means of child abuse. Hawking has reshaped and redefined my life as a teenager. Sometimes I have to suspend my extra-moral classes in school to get home early for my hawking routine which disturbs my concentration in school,” she told The Daily Times.

According to a mother of a 12-year-old hawker, Mrs. Balogun, who spoke with The Daily Times, she ventured into hawking of cooked Ofada rice when she was unable to secure a shop to establish the work she learnt.

She said: “I learnt tailoring as a profession. Only a hopeless individual will choose hawking as

his or her first priority, but we are doing this because life gives us no choice. We have to provide for our children’s needs, pay their school fees and other essential bills”.

On her own, the 12-year-old daughter of Mrs. Balogun, said she helps her mom with her cooler of stew during her hawking routine to relieve her of her loads.

Another part time student of Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech), Rahman Akewusola, who sells newspapers in the morning and also sells bread in the evening at Pen-Cinema, Agege, Lagos, told The Daily Times that he deliberately chose part-time in his school because his parents lamented that they are not financially capable of providing for all his needs at school.

Rahman further stated that, “Life has been unpleasant for me.

I have to engage in hawking and also schooling. Hawking stops me from enjoying full lectures like the full-time students do”.

Causes of hawking Nobody will be willing or will voluntarily venture into street hawking, but the economic situation in the country presently has left poor individuals no choice, said Mr. Waheed Abdulsalam, while speaking with The Daily Times.

He stated that the rate which poverty has submerged some Nigerians is overwhelming, adding Continued on page 7

Kogi: Former SSA arraigned over N151m misappropriation Idris Ahmed Lokoja

ÏÏÏA former Senior Special As-

sistant (SSA) to the emmidiete past governor of Kogi state, Capt.

Idris Wada Mr Adegbe Usman has been arraigned before a Lokoja Chief Magistrate Court over alleged misappropriation of N151 million belonging to Kogi State Government.

Usman who was arraigned on Friday was said to have committed the offence between June and December, 2015 while he functioned as the representative of all Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) appointed by former Governor Idris Wada.

According to the prosecuting counsel, Mohammed Abaji Esq. of the state Ministry of Justice, the accused was entrusted “with

dominion of the sum of N151.025 million” which he allegedly misappropriated.

Abaji said the Usman committed the offence along with others currently at large and prayed the court to take cognizance of a three-count charge of “Criminal Conspiracy, Criminal Breach of Trust and Criminal Misappropriation” against the accused.

The charges, according to him, are contrary to sections 97(1), 309 and 315 of the Penal Code law adding that the relevant authorities have completed investigation into the case.

Counsel to the accused, Matthew Akubo however, orally applied for bail of his client pursuant to section 36(5) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and section

341(2) of rhe Criminal Procedure Code (CPC).

Abaji, who had earlier asked that the accused be remanded in Federal Prisons, Koton-Karfe, vehemently opposed the bail application saying that the accused was not ordinarily entitled to bail.

“The offences cumulatively carry 16 years imprisonment. We urge the court not to grant the oral application considering the volume of the amount involved.

There is the tendency that the accused will elope justice”, he added.

In his ruling on the matter, the Chief Magistrate, Levi Animoku said the offences alleged against the accused were triable by the court and were “equally bailable whether ordinarily or otherwise.

SALIHU ABDULRAHAMAN

CORRECTION OF NAME

CORRECTION OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as Salihu Abdulrahaman now I wish to be known and addressed as Salihu Abdulrahaman Odidi.

All former documents remain valid. First Bank and UNION Bank and general public take note.

My name was wrongly written as OKWUDILI EMMANUEL on my DIAMOND BANK I wish to be known and addressed as OKWUDILI FRED EMMANUEL. All former documents remain valid. Diamond bank and general public take note.

I SADIYA MUHAMMED CHUBADO TAHIR HEREBY NOTIFIED THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT MY NAME WAS WRONGLY SPELT AS SADIYA MOHAMMAD CHUBADO TAHIR INSTEAD OF SADIYA MUHAMMED CHUBADO TAHIR. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID AUTHORITY CONCERN AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, October 14, 2017

News 7

How 7 SANs paid millions into account of judge accused of corruption – Witness ÏÏÏAn

official of First Bank, Solomon Akhanolu, testifying at the ongoing corruption trial of Justice James AgbaduFishim, on Friday told an Ikeja High Court how seven Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) made deposits of various sums into Mr. Agbadu-Fishim’s bank accounts.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Mr. Agbadu-Fishim of the Lagos Division of the National Industrial Court is facing 19-counts of unlawful enrichment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. He is alleged to have illegally received N4.4 million from seven SANs, a lawyer and a law firm from 2013 to 2015.

The seven SANs accused of unlawfully enriching the judge are Felix Fagbohungbe, Paul Usoro, Uche Obi, Muiz Banire, Adeniyi Akintola, Gani Adetola Kazeem and Joseph Nwobike.

Mr. Agbadu-Fishim is also alleged to have received funds from a Lagos-based lawyer, Enobong Etteh and Alliance Law Firm.

Led in evidence by Mr Wahab Shittu, the lead prosecuting lawyer to the EFCC, Mr. Akhanolu

said: “I am employed by First Bank of Nigeria as a forensic officer and by Nov. 3, 2017, I would be in the bank’s employment for eight years.

“My primary duty is to act as an intermediary between the bank and law enforcement agencies. On Oct. 13, 2016, I received a letter from the EFCC requesting for some bank account documents of James Agbadu-Fishim.

“There are three accounts namely, 3008199491, 2006900326 and 0009508696 respectively, belonging to Mr Agbadu-Fishim James.”

Flipping through bank documents, the forensic officer gave a detailed account of how various sums were deposited by some members of the bar into Agbadu-Fishim’s accounts.

“From the information generated from account number 300819491, on December 5, 2013, Chief Felix Fagbohungbe (SAN) made a deposit of N200, 000. On December 19, 2014, a deposit of N250, 000 was made by Fagbohungbe.

“On February 26, 2015, another deposit of N250, 000 was made by the same Mr. Fagbohungbe and on August 7, 2014, a deposit of N250, 000 was also

made by Fagbohungbe.

“On March 25, 2015, a cash deposit of N200, 000 was done

by Mr. Paul Usoro (SAN) and on March 26, 2015, Usoro also made another deposit of N200, 000.

“On October 24, 2014, a cash deposit of N200, 000 was made

by Mr Enobong Etteh and on Feb. 10, 2015, there was a fund transfer of N100, 000 from Mr Adetola Kazeem (SAN).”

Mr. Akhanolu in his testimony gave further details of various deposits made by lawyers into 2006900216, a second First Bank account, which is also in the name of the judge.

“On October 17, 2013, a cash deposit of N150, 000 was made

by Mr. Uche Obi (SAN); on December 20, 2013, Obi made a deposit of N100, 000.

“Dr Muiz Banire (SAN) paid

N500, 000 into the account on June 20, 2013.

“On July 1, 2013, Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN) made a deposit of N200,000 and on December 29, 2014, Dr Joseph Nwobike (SAN) deposited N100,000,” the forensic officer revealed.

While being cross-examined

by Kanu Agabi, the lead defence lawyer to Agbadu-Fishim, Akhanolu affirmed the authenticity of the bank documents.

“I can vouch for the authenticity of these documents because they were generated by the systems of First Bank and the information was gotten from the inflow and outflow of transactions by customers.

“The bank did not have any problem with these accounts and entries up until the EFCC required them and the bank

never reported these transactions to the EFCC. “I personally don’t know the persons who made these deposits and I also don’t know the purposes for which the deposits were made,” Mr. Akhanolu said.

After Mr. Akhanolu’s testimony, Mr. Shittu told the court that the EFCC had 20 prosecuting witnesses, who were to testify against the judge in the case.

“We will be requesting for a short adjournment because we will be calling 20 witnesses to testify as shown in the proof of evidence and we are interested in fast-tracking the proceedings,” Mr. Shittu said.

Justice Raliatu Adebiyi adjourned the case till November 23, November 24 and December 1, 13, 14 and 15 for continuation of trial.

Teenage hawkers: Impoverished families’ answer to ‘wealth creation’ Continued from page 6 that some Nigerians find it difficult to afford three square meals per day which is the cause why parents instigate their children to engage in street hawking.

He further stated that many parents find it difficult to purchase trays for their children and fill them with edible materials to hawk in the streets talk less of affording their children school fees and other essential bills.

Mrs. Cosmos also contributed that street hawking can be attributed to inadequate family planning, adding that most parents give birth to too many children they are not capable of training financially and sometimes physically.

She added that most parents broke up over a mere misunderstanding that can be settled amicably which leads to a child losing his or her motherly or fatherly care.

Consequences Speaking with our reporter, a medical practitioner, Dr. Tayo Alalade, pointed out that street hawking causes different health challenges to the body system, adding that too much trekking at

the early stage of life can lead to permanent damage of the heart and trigger rhythm abnormalities at old age.

He stated that most teenagers who fall victims of hawking suffer rape and sexual harassment from their superior customers who feign to be nice to them at the beginning and later force them into the criminal act regardless of their age, adding that they are also exposed to road accidents, hunger and hectic sun as they are always on the road.

Government control But in a chat with the environment sanitation assistant 1 of the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), formerly called Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), Mr O. Oyedola, he disclosed that the state government has environmental task force officials who are in-charge of arresting offenders who hawk on highways.

He said: “Hawkers caught on highways are taken to our headquarters situated at Army Arena, Oshodi and later transferred to Special-Offences Court where verdict is passed by paying stipulated fines or sometimes the culprits go to jail if they are not capable of bailing themselves”.

L-R: Director, Fisheries, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, Tokunbo Emokpae; representative of the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Bolaji Balogun; Director, Agric. Services, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs. Biola Ayoade; member, British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) Executive Working Group, Mr. Innocent Azih and Director, Veterinary Services, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Molade Macaulay, during the Farmers’ forum to mark the 2017 World Food Day in Lagos… on Friday.

45 Boko Haram members bag 31, 3 years jail terms

Andrew Orolua, Abuja

ÏÏÏ

A Federal High Court in Kainji, Niger State on Friday, sentenced 45 members of the Boko Haram insurgents to 31 and 3 years imprisonment.

The court also discharged about 468 suspects after establishing that they have no case to answer.

A statement issued in Abuja on Friday by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, stated that 34 cases were struck out while 28

suspects were remanded awaiting trial in Abuja and Minna respectively.

The court also ordered that the 468 discharged persons should undergo counselling and rehabilitation programmes before they will be handed over to their respective state governments.

Also at Friday’s proceedings, the court also remanded 1,669 suspects for a period of 90 days, with an order that they should be arraigned within the specified period or released uncondi-

tionally.

The court further adjourned trial of other suspects to January 2018.

It is instructive to note that the conviction marks the conclusion of the first phase of the trial of suspected members of Boko Haram.

The Daily Times recalls that the Federal Government had designated some courts specially to hear matters relating to terrorism including the prosecution of Boko Haram members.

End.

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, October 14, 2017

585,000.00

29.250.00

442,406.25

22,120.31

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, October 14, 2017

Politics

s

Why I want Nigeria to return to regional government - Famurewa–P.10 & 11

Benjamin Omoike Pursuant to his administration’s ongoing efforts to effect needed reforms in the transportation, environment and energy sectors aimed at putting the state on a sound footing for economic growth and development, the Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has asked lawmakers in the state to support his efforts.

Speaking at the opening session of the 2nd annual Executive/Legislative Parley, 14th in the series, held at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Festac, Governor Ambode said efforts were already ongoing to integrate rail, land and water transportation under the intermodal transportation system, saying that the move was geared towards ensuring efficient movement of people, goods and services within the state.

He said the parley, with the theme: “Lagos: The Rise of a Mega City State: The Collaboration That Works”, was held in continuation of the partnership existing between the Executive and Legislative arms of government in the state, and also to forge a convergence on key reforms currently being implemented.

“This parley is just to underscore the importance of collaboration of the different arms of government so as to achieve the vision we have set for ourselves. But more importantly, there is nothing we can achieve as a government if the legal framework is not put rightly and the only set of people that actually set those legal frameworks, members of the House of Assembly and so, sometimes we come together to iron out some of those issues that can make us succeed.

“Right now, three major things are very critical in the state - transportation, environment and then energy. We want to integrate the transportation system basically rail,

AMBODE

OBASA

Ambode seeks lawmakers’ support for success in govt reforms road and water. But again, we need the legal framework for us to do it and we have come here together to work out those reforms that can allow us to do it; work out those legal issues we need to put in place to be able to invite the private sector to believe in the reforms we want to do.

“The private sector will not invest their money in government if there is no good legal framework. That is part of one of the things we want to achieve here so that we will be able to make good laws and then we

will be able to invite private sector to believe in the economy that we are running in Lagos and that is why we are doing the parley,” he said.

He said aside the need to partner on the reforms, the parley was also a major platform to examine whether the government was fulfilling its major constitutional mandate of ensuring security and welfare of the people, as well as delivering the electoral promises made to the people.

While expressing optimism about the

CNPP bemoans increasing hardship, seeks sack of underperforming ministers

Patrick Okohue

The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has again decried the increasing hardship Nigerians are enduring as a result of the appointment, as Ministers, former state chief executives, who performed badly or plundered their state’s commonwealth to the detriment of the masses, urging President Buhari to sack them.

In a statement signed by the Secretary General of CNPP, Chief Willy Ezugwu, the umbrella body of all the registered political parties and associations in the country revealed that “a few of them are already positioning themselves as running mates to some presidential aspirants preparatory for the forthcoming general election even when they have supervised further rot of the nation’s infrastructure.

“In as much as we are not concerned about the political aspiration of individuals in the present government, we are worried that the obvious incompetence of former governors who are serving as Ministers has worsened hardship citizens are faced with daily.

“The selfish interest of these political cabals around the corridors of power is now telling on all Nigerians, such that the attendant austerity measures being taken by citizens are not giving them any succour.

EZUGWU

“What do you expect when you employ never-do-well managers to run the nation’s critical sectors?

“For instance, the exclusion of the South East in the $5.851 billion China Exim Bank loan request submitted by President Muhammadu Buhari to the Senate earlier in May this year was supervised by the Minister for Transport, Rotimi Amaechi.

“Any competent Minister that understands the gains of the project as a major boost to commerce and non-oil sector of the economy would have convinced the President to stick to the rail master plan.

“The Transport Minister did not care

about Nigeria without oil as he lacked foresight.

“Here is a man who has a history of abandoned projects. He was unable to complete a few kilometers of monorail project embarked upon by his administration in Port Harcourt.

“For eight years, despite huge annual budget for the rail project by his then administration, Rotimi Amaechi left the project at less than 30 percent completion.

“No wander the Transport Minister has been unable to get started any of the much talked about rail projects of this administration, but was quick to commission the Abuja-Kaduna rail project done by the previous government.

“At the appropriate time, the CNPP will make its position and line of action on the many corruption indictments of some of the past state executives serving as Ministers, including the Rotimi Amaechi.

“It is common knowledge that these corruption allegations were without charges and have since been swept under the carpet, but not forever.

“We therefore call on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately sack all the underperforming Ministers in his cabinet to ameliorate the suffering of the masses who are now gnashing their teeth in regret of casting their votes for him in 2015,” the CNPP stated.

9

Appearance of disengaged PDP counsel stalls senatorial legal tussle in A/Ibom North –P.12

prosperity of the State, Governor Ambode reiterated the call for the country to embrace devolution of powers and true federalism, saying doing such would be in the overall interest of the nation.

In his remarks, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, commended the governor for sustaining the parley, saying that it had no doubt been a success.

The Speaker said deliberations at the parley and implementation of same by the state government contributed immensely to the recovery from the economic downturn which plagued the country recently.

“It is a good thing that we have come together once again to deliberate on what would be nice and useful to all Lagosians and I am happy that all of us at the Lagos State House of Assembly, the National Assembly, the Executives, all the past speakers, leaders of our great party, are here to fashion a way forward for our great state,” Obasa stressed On his part, Senator representing Lagos West, Solomon Adeola, also commended Governor Ambode for his giant strides in office so far and for sustaining the parley which he said had contributed to enhancing good governance in the state.

Adeola, who spoke on behalf of the Lagos Caucus in the National Assembly, assured that they would continue to give their best to defend the interest of the state at both the upper and lower legislative chambers such as special status, state police, restructuring and devolution of powers.

Adeola said the members were already working with their colleagues to re-present the motion earlier moved by Senator representing Lagos Central, Oluremi Tinubu, seeking one percent special allocation to Lagos from the federal revenue.

Parliamentary system of govt best for Nigeria - Dan Pass Yakubu Salisu, Kano Dan saran Kano, Alhaji Gambo Dan Pass, a top notch in the All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the present system of government in the country as too expensive for Nigeria and African countries at large.

According to him, the present system of government in the country is being abused and not properly managed, as such he suggest the country go back to parliamentary system of government which allows for check and balances.

Dan Pass stated that the level of corruption in the country has succeeded in crippling virtually every aspect of governance in the country which has given birth to lots of problems such as the current agitations being experienced.

“Politicians have wielded so much power that needs to be checked. People are suffering and solutions to their problem is nowhere in sight.”

He noted that the government must heed to the present call for restructuring in the country if truly the leaders have the best for Nigeria at heart.

He advised that a new Nigeria where the masses or the common man can afford to cope with his day to day needs and be useful to himself, his community and nation at large be created. This he said will put an end to agitations and militancy of all kind.

“Nigeria is like a mother to other African countries, people look up to us.

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, October 14, 2017

Why I want Nigeria to return to regional government - Famurewa Hon. Ajibola Israel Famurewa, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), represents Atakunmosa West and Atakumosa East of Osun State in the House of Representatives. In this interview with HENRY OMUNU in Abuja, he speaks on agitations for restructuring, the politics in his home state, state of the national economy and Nigeria’s independence anniversary.

Nigeria just turned 57 years after independence, is there really anything to celebrate?

To me, in as much as we have the grace of witnessing a new day, we still need to thank God for everything. For us as a nation, we are celebrating 57 years of independence, and I think we have a lot of reasons to thank God. In the last 57 years, we have passed through a lot of situations and to the glory of God, we are able to overcome some of the challenges that came our way.

And the challenges came from different angles. We’ve had military incursion into politics, we can talk generally about our economy, the security situation and all those things, but we thank God that today we are still one, despite the fact that some people are agitating for secession.

Personally, I believe that everybody is entitled to hold an opinion, they have their own rights under the constitution, but whatever the rights you have, you must subject it to the larger interest of the nation because we are in the territorial place called Nigeria.

We have a constitution that established and guides the nation and whatever you are doing out of your own personal freedom of speech, freedom of action, freedom of this or that, you need to subject it to the larger interest of the nation. So to me I think we have a lot of things to thank God for. I know we have some challenges, we have some problems, but then, if we consider ourselves with other advanced nations like the United States of America, they also passed through all these stages before attaining the heights they are today. This is the first time we are having 18 years of civilian rule without any interruption, that one alone is enough to thank God for. And we believe we will still celebrate more years to come.

Don’t you think that going by the various agitations, the project Nigeria could fail anytime from now?

We need to trace the history of Nigeria and look at where we are coming from. Let us assess how we actually got to where we are today. If you now examine it, I don’t see this nation failing. Nigeria will still remain Nigeria because those people that are agitating for crisis to me are calling for war. Maybe they were too young or they were not even born when Nigeria fought the first civil war, the war that claimed over 2 million Nigerian souls on both sides of the divide and if

HON FAMUREWA

We believe in restructuring; we are advocating for regional governments, not states, because we realise that most of our states in Nigeria are not viable and we achieved more when we were operating at regional level than now that we have 36 states. So in my state we believe that we should restructure towards regional administration. That will not cancel the office of the governor or whatever we have presently, but let us have a regional administration that will oversee the whole region in the form of premiers that we had in the First Republic. someone now comes today and sound the same drum, I don’t think that person knows what he or she is doing. And I believe that whoever is leading the course will not be sincere with it, an average Igbo man doesn’t believe in it Does your state (Osun) believe in restructuring and if yes, in what form?

If we are talking that we want to restructure Nigeria, let us come down on the same table and examine the word restructure.

What are we trying to restructure? Let us define the word restructure. And if you now take it that way, I believe in restructuring quite alright, but what do we want to restructure? Are we talking about the constitutional restructuring, are we going to amend some parts of the constitution in a way that will balance up some powers or sharing of resources? Are we talking about the administrative restructuring? Like in my state, we believe in restructuring; we are advocat-

ing for regional governments, not states, because we realise that most of our states in Nigeria are not viable and we achieved more when we were operating at regional level than now that we have 36 states. So in my state we believe that we should restructure towards regional administration. That will not cancel the office of the governor or whatever we have presently, but let us have a regional administration that will oversee the whole region in the form of premiers that we had in the First Republic. But if you are talking about restructuring like what happened in the House during the constitutional amendments, the issue of the devolution of powers, that is one area we can look into, sit down, look at it, let us restructure along that line, let us shed weight from the centre to the states or regions or whatever we agree on, I believe in that.

There are some responsibilities on the Federal Government that are supposed to be at the states’ level or let the states do their

own and let the Federal Government do its own, concurrently. So if you are talking about restructuring in that area, I agree. If you are talking about restructuring in terms of resource management, I also agree. I have gold in my constituency; I don’t have control over it neither does my state government have control over the resources in my state.

It belongs to the federal Government, we are supposed to have a say that is a section of restructuring. So if you are talking of restructuring, let us define it clearly, what are we restructuring? And that will then guide us to know what to say.

Are you part of those who are afraid and think that if a part of this country goes heaven will fall?

No, I am not saying that, but God in His infinite mercy and wisdom that welded us together knows why. Again, unfortunately, our constitution, the one we are operating today doesn’t favour secession. I read it in the book of history in 1954 or thereabout when we were preparing for independence, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo proposed that in our constitution, let there be a clause that can allow any part of this family to go away. The Sardauna of Sokoto also supported the move, but the late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe kicked against it and as fate would have it, Azikiwe’s position prevailed and that is what we have in our constitution today that nobody can go. So if anybody is making that move, you are working against the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, October 14 2017

11 Politics

‘Nigeria to return to regional government’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

Does it mean that there is nobody you are supporting now or is there anybody you are supporting?

Well as at today we have about 15 aspirants and out of those 15 I can mention about six that are very close to me, but as at today I am not supporting anybody. When we get to that bridge we are going to cross it.

whoever is in government at that particular time will have the responsibility of protecting this constitution and they can move against that person.

Does this foreclose amending the constitution or does it weaken the powers of the National Assembly to amend that section?

It has nothing to do with the powers of the National Assembly until any part of this constitution is amended.

Who owns the powers to amend?

That was then, I am talking that as at today, this is what we have and that has not been amended and that is what is guiding us until we decide to amend it. But, if we have not done that, this thing is still guiding us.

And I don’t believe if anybody goes heaven will fall, we are so blessed in this country.

Come to my region or my state, we have a lot of resources that is more than enough for us to survive. Go to the North, they have their own resources that is more than enough for them to survive, same in the East and South South. So if per adventure Nigeria breaks, well what I don’t have, I will need to import, because as at today we do import goods from America, China and other countries of the world; it is the same process. What I don’t have but I need, I will import from where it is, whether in the Northern part of Nigeria or from the Eastern part of Nigeria and what they don’t have that I have, then they will import from me and life will continue. So heaven will not fall. But what I am saying is that as we are today, this constitution doesn’t allow that until we amend it.

Talking about the constitution not allowing any part of the country to secede, does this support the legality of what the military did against Nnamdi Kanu and the IPOB movement, because we heard the Senate President saying that the action of the military was unconstitutional?

The military has the constitutional right of protecting the nation’s territorial integrity and if in their wisdom, and as professionals, what they may see as signs of danger may mean nothing to me because that is their own area of specialty. If they realise that there is an action somewhere that may put their responsibility at stake then they will move against it; I don’t have any problem with that. I don’t want us to consider the action of the military in isolation. What led to it? Did he (referring to Saraki) consider the activities of Kanu, his utterances and the way the so-called IPOB boys have been terrorising people in their domain? We have a lot of these on the social media. They constituted themselves into a gang blocking roads, highways, extorting money from innocent Nigerians and they were claiming that they were fighting for these people they were extorting money from. We need to look at the activities of this person called Kanu. If a civilian should have the courage to go and attack police divisional headquarters, then if they should allow them to do that successfully, me and you and the ordinary people on the streets in that part of the country will be in danger.

Recently, we saw an incursion by the PDP in your state where somebody from the opposition party won in a landslide manner; does that show that there is a problem in APC in the state? And going forward, how are you supposed to bridge this gap so that you can win other upcoming elections?

I don’t want to see it as PDP’s victory, no.

That victory was a victory designed by APC members. APC members voted and don’t forget that the so called PDP candidate, about

Have they all picked the form?

The ban on aspiration has not been lifted as at today.

HON FAMUREWA

some days to that election was a member of APC, picked nomination form from APC, attended screening of APC, this particular person as far as I am concerned was a member of APC before he eventually changed camp to PDP towards the election simply because he was unable to pick the ticket of APC. And there are a lot of factors that were actually responsible for what happened; we are all human beings. If we lose someone very close to us, very dear to us, we may decide to throw any sense of reasoning away in order to sympathise with that person; people sympathised with that family that they lost an illustrious son, a former governor and a serving senator, he was a generous man, we cannot take that from late Senator Adeleke, he was a man of the people. And the votes given to his brother was just a means, a way of sympathising with that family and I can say it categorically, it is our party members that voted for him. I don’t see that as PDP incursion. Well, PDP may want to take the glory and the person that actually went to PDP had a differently plan entirely; his plan was to win that election and then return to APC. Unfortunately for him, immediately after that election, the PDP crisis was resolved by the Supreme Court and there was no basis for anybody to decamp again. So, now as at today, he’s hooked in PDP camp. But in Osun State as at today, our members, we are one.

You are a grassroots person; you are very much on ground with Osun politics. Is it true that the gubernatorial ambition of the deputy Speaker Yusuf Lasun is a done deal, that he is the next governor? And has the ban on campaign been lifted by the APC in Osun State?

As of today, as far as I am concerned, the party has not lifted any ban on any aspiration and the deputy Speaker being a loyal party member, as I am talking to you, did not tell me he is campaigning. He said l am consulting; there is a difference between campaigning and consultation. I may come to your house, one on one as a brother and consult, seek your advice, I am thinking of doing this, what is your view, can you advice me? It is quite different from coming

out and saying I am contesting for this, I am presenting myself for this, no. As at today, the Deputy Speaker will tell you that he is consulting.

But the media has shown that he has already declared his intention, including his visit to the Ooni of Ife and to most of the paramount rulers in the state?

I can decide tomorrow to pay a visit to the Ooni of Ife and he won’t shut his door against me.

Including market women, is he also consulting with market women?

We are not talking of counsellorship or local government; let me explain this, when we started the governorship aspiration of the incumbent governor, we consulted widely. Commercial motor-cycle people, we will call them for a meeting and have a chat, this is what we are planning, what is your view?

Will you support us? Even before we came out openly. Mechanics, we consulted them, market women, we consulted them, the traditional rulers we went to them; it is part of politics. If you are looking for governorship, it is not something you can just believe that you will win with party support. Apart from party nomination, you are still going to appeal to people outside, ordinary people who are not party members to vote for you, so that is the more reason you need to carry them along from day one, consult them.

When you give them recognition, when the time comes, they will listen to you.

Are you asserting that there is a thin line between consultation and campaigning?

But that thin line you cannot remove, the thin line will still be there.

The candidate or aspirant in question, is he not shortchanging other candidates because to a great extent, some are agitating that there is a deal, a compromise by the APC leadership in the state?

Nobody is being shortchanged as far as I am concerned and to the best of my knowledge. All of them are consulting.

But we learnt that there are pressures on some of you not to even come out at all to vie for the office, how true is that?

You know that in politics, there are a lot of calculations that go with it. If you are a real politician you will one, read the mood in the polity, then you calculate the equation within the constituency. If you are talking of a state constituency for example, I am from Ijesha Federal Constituency and I am the representative of the incumbent governor and the incumbent governor is serving his second term. So politically, except if, anything can happen, I don’t think anybody from my constituency, one, from Ijesha land; two, from Osun East Senatorial District will have any right to vie for governorship post when the incumbent is from Osun East.

He is from Ijesha land and from my federal constituency and we are spending two terms now. Ordinarily, in politics, you allow power to rotate and if you look at Osun for example, why some people are agitating for Osun West is because, we have three Senatorial zones. We are from Osun East where the incumbent governor is from. Then we have Osun Central where we have Chief Bisi Akande. He spent four years, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola spent seven and half years, all together 11 and half years; and Osun West as at today, the last governor they had was the late Isiaka Adeleke and he spent just 18 months. I think that is the basis for the agitation by the people of West Senatorial zone.

So anybody from the East that is aspiring now, well I don’t know maybe that person is relying on some supernatural forces that may work for him.

The economy is biting very hard, have we really come out of recession? What would be your solution that you would proffer to the Federal Government and state government to get Nigeria out of it?

Either we have actually gotten out of recession or we haven’t, to me I can say in theory, on paper that we are out of recession.

Statisticians have calculated a lot of things and in their own wisdom came to the conclusion that we are out of recession. But the ordinary man on the street can only agree with the theory when we realise that the price of things have come back to normal in the market. When we have enough money in our pockets to buy what we need at a particular point in time, when we have enough money to attend to the little things that we are suffering from. My advice to the Federal Government, I can say that I am part of that government, but I will appeal to the executive, the President and his team to work more. One, in making sure that we improve our agricultural sector so that we can feed ourselves, forget about importation of food.

Let us devote more time to agriculture, let us support the farmers so that we will be able to feed ourselves. They have been trying to rebuild the economy, I think they need to put in more effort in that direction. Agriculture is one way of rebuilding the economy and diversification. Let us make sure our economy doesn’t rely on one resource, a single means of raising funds. Let us have multiple sources. It is not easy, but God will help us.

12 Politics Edem Bassey, Calabar There was a mild drama at the Court of Appeal Wednesday when the legal counsel disengaged by People Democratic Party (PDP), Barrister G. A. Umoh Esq reappeared and announced his representation for the party (PDP).

The National Legal Adviser of the party, Barr. Dave Iorhemba had in a letter dated September 5th 2017, signed by him, titled ‘Debriefing Re: CA/C/104/2017-PDP vs.

Hon. Bassey Etim & ORS delivered to the legal adviser of the party in Uyo, announced the debriefing of Umoh.

The letter said, “You are hereby directed to discontinue your representation of the PDP in the above appeal. You are by this letter debriefed from representing the PDP in this appeal and further directed to return all processes in your possession to the undersigned.”

In another letter to the counsels, the National Legal Adviser of the party also informed the parties respectively that the PDP, the appellant herein intends and doth hereby wholly withdraw this appeal against all the respondents in the above mentioned appeal.

“Take notice that the appellant hereby, withdraw all the processes including the notices of appeal and brief of argument filed by the erstwhile counsel for the party.”

The reason for the action was that the suit, subject matter of this appeal is in respect of the primary election of the PDP conducted on the 7th December 2014 for Akwa Ibom State North East Senatorial election.

The suit and the subsequent appeals border on the rightful candidate of the party.

The position of the party is that the issues culminating in this case and the subsequent appeals are intra party affairs, it will be inappropriate for the party to display partisanship in the matter, in keeping with internal democratic principles, the party is maintaining neutrality in the suit and all the erstwhile counsels for the party have been disengaged and duly notified.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, October 14. 2017

Appearance of disengaged PDP counsel stalls senatorial legal tussle in A/Ibom

MAKARFI

Consequently, when the matter came up at the Court of Appeal, Barr Umoh announced his representation of the PDP, the appellant in the matter. He filed a motion on notice soliciting for an order granting the appellant to withdraw the notice of withdrawal of the appeal and an order striking out the notice of withdrawal of appeal.

According to him the National Chairman of the party, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi in an affidavit said “That I have been present and also presided in all the meetings of the National Working Committee and National Executive Committee and no decision what-

soever at all was taken for the withdrawal of appeal.

“That I, as the Chairman of the PDP never instructed David K. Iorhemba or any other counsel to withdraw appeal, that the act of the said David Iorhemba is fraudulent representation and misrepresentation of facts against the interest of the appellant.

“That the said David Iorhemba’s notice of withdrawal filed on the 14/9/2017 was fraudulently procured, consequently, he has been removed from his post as the Acting National Legal Adviser for abuse of office,

that the act of and purported debriefing of G. A. Umoh was carried out behind the appellant and was calculated by David Iorhemba to achieve his fraudulent notice of withdrawal.”

After listening to the argument by the counsels, the Justices of the Court of Appeal adjourned the case to November 13 for filling and adoption of brief.

It will recalled that three different counsels representing the PDP in a matter between Bassey Albert Akpan and three others in the court of appeal almost stalled court proceedings.

When the matter in Appeal No CA/C/87/2017 and Suit No FHC/UY/ CS.1087/2015 was called, three different lawyers announced their representations for the second respondent, PDP. Two of the lawyers who came from Abuja announced their representation for PDP while the other who who has been handling the matter from the lower court, Godwin Umoh who came from Akwa Ibom announced his representation for same PDP. The three lawyers jostled for the representation and for several minutes the Justices waded in and said if the party failed to present one counsel, they would have no option but to choose a counsel for the party. They however, stepped down the matter for two hours to enable the counsels’ sort themselves out.

Interestingly, Godwin Umoh, later told the court that he only saw the two lawyers in the court room and was never informed what they came for until they announced their representation. He said he was surprised to note that they are representing the PDP as he had been representing the party in the lower court (Federal High Court) without anybody coming up from PDP Abuja.

Civil society groups fault NGO bill, say it PDP has failed in Ekiti, says Olatunbosun Gbenga Sodeinde, Ado Ekiti violates Constitution Iniobong Iwok More knocks have continued to trail the proposed bill seeking the establishment of a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) Commission to coordinate, supervise and harmonise activities of NGOs and civil societies in Nigeria otherwise known as NGO Bill.

The bill proposed by Honourable Umar Jubril, which has passed second reading in the House of Representative and now in the committee stage, has been condemned by Coalition of Civil Societies, CSOs and notable Nigerians.

Reacting to the bill, the President of Voters awareness initiate Lagos, Wale Ogunade disclosed that the bill was a violation of the 1999 constitution which give Nigerians freedom to associates, set up groups and run such groups, adding that the bill was targeted at groups, and those perceived as not friendly to the current administration.

Ogunade who is also a practicing lawyers, noted that if passed into law the bill would become overbearing and negatively affect the activities of NGOs in Nigeria, adding that there were several government agencies already car-

rying out the functions of the propose commission.

He said that it was wrong for government to tag all NGOs in the country in the same mode, adding that Just like in any field there are bound to be bad eggs.

He urged members of the House of Representative not to pass the bill into law, adding that civil societies were engaging in advocacy, town hall discussion among Nigerians before considering legal option.

He said “Unfortunately the NGO bill has been politics in Nigeria, it is about politics, it not about the work of NGOs in Nigeria. Of course there could be some bad eggs that do not mean all of us are bad. Some Sections of the bill are ok, but if you look at the whole bill itself it could be over bearing if implemented.

“The constitution gives Nigerians right to associates and form groups and run them freely and no laws can override that. We know that several NGOs are not working, that do not mean all are the same. If you look at the bill it says if you are not registered you cannot do anything or operate, that is bad,” Ogunade said.

The Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Mr. Taiwo Olatunbosun has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has failed in Ekiti State.

Olatunbosun stated this during the Ekiti Central Senatorial meeting held in AdoEkiti, the state capital.

Olatunbosun declared that the present administration in the state has failed the entire people of Ekiti.

He said that the Ayo Fayose’s administration has plunged the state into economic hardship out of selfish interest and misappropriation of funds.

Olatunbosun who insisted that there was no time that the APC- led administration at the federal level abandoned Ekiti added that “all the federal projects in Ekiti are under the watch of the Federal Government, the rehabilitations of the federal roads are sponsored by the Federal Government,” he noted that the Federal Government has started housing projects in Ekiti state.

He added that ‘’Diversion and inflation of funds of the federal projects by Ekiti State government necessitates the arrest of Ekiti State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Toyin Ojo and Accountant-General Mrs. Yemisi Owolabi, on whom the “EFCC has evidences.”

Olatunbosun who condemned the Fayose led-administration over the non-payment off workers’ salary, said “Fayose launched presidential ambition at the expense of workers’ salary.”

FAYOSE

FAYEMI

The party’s spokesperson in the state declared that ‘’the credit of WAEC/ NECO good results of Ekiti students should be given to Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who laid the solid foundation in education in the state that earned the students good grades.”

Olatunbosun who urged the APC members to be good ambassadors of the party charged them on the use of social media.

He therefore called APC to start mobilising candidates in their various wards for registration of aspirants in preparation for local government election.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, October 14, 2017

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14 News

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, October 14, 2017

Edo Govt cuts 2017 Budget by 16.49 % over economic performance Titus Akhigbe,Benin

ÏÏÏThe

Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo (middle); Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (2nd right); Chairman, Senate Committee on Works, Senator Kabiru Gaya (left); Chairman, House Committee on Works, Hon. Toby Okechukwu (right); Deputy Governor, Rivers State, Mrs. Ipalibo Banigo(2nd left); King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple, Perekule XI, Amayanabo of Grand Bonny Kingdom(3rd left) and others, during the flag -off of the Construction of Bonny - Bodo Road, Rivers State… on Thursday.

NDDC urges governors to shun partisan politics

Edem Bassey, Calabar

ÏÏÏChairman

of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba has appealed to states making up the commission to shunned partisan politics.

Ndoma-Egba made this appeal when he led the NDDC board and Management team on a courtesy visit to Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State on Thursday in Calabar.

He said the commission was appealing to governors in the region to shun politics and cooperate with it in order to engender development in the region, explaining that if there is partnership, it will facili-

tate development in all the states making up the zone.

“NDDC has been visiting governors in the region to build confidence because in the past, the reputation of the commission was not edifying and we are determined to change all of that,” he said.

“We have reviewed our projects in a way that will not make us compete with the states. We are appealing to governors in the region to shun politics and partner with the commission so that we can develop the region,” the former Senate Leader said.

He told governor Ayade that about 168 projects embarked upon by the commission in the state have so far been completed, 75

abandoned and 150 projects were ongoing in the state, while 7 projects have been taken over by other agencies of government and 2 terminated.

Ndoma-Egba however, said all the listed projects were undertaken by the commission before the present board took over; explaining that since coming on board, the commission has reviewed some of the projects to ensure that only those that will impact on the region were executed.

Welcoming the NDDC board and management, the state governor, Prof.

Ben Ayade, while acknowledging the critical role the commission was playing in the development of the region, appealed for partner-

ship on the super highway and the deep sea port.

According to the governor, the state was facing challenges because of low allocation, saying the commission can identify with the infrastructural plan of the state and key into the one that will impact on the people of the state.

“NDDC can be a rallying point for development in the region and there is need to revive the commission in order to make meaningful contributions to the states.

Preliminary investigation has revealed large quantity of gas deposit and the commission should collaborate with this government to execute the deep seaport and the super highway,” the governor stated.

Worsening gas flaring claims 23 lives in three Delta communities

Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

ÏÏÏIn the worsened gas

flaring in Ndokwa West/ East, Obiaruku, and some part of Effurun in Delta State, has reportedly claimed the lives of twenty-three persons in the last six months in the areas.

Reports said the situation in Ndokwa West/ East, Obiaruku and some part of Effurun community is worsened by the continued emitting carbonmonoxide, capable of killing unsuspecting residents within the areas.

But it was gathered that between July 2015 and June 2016, the total gas supply for that period stood at 363.19 billion SCF, for the domestic and export markets respectively across the country.

Expectedly, a breakdown of revenue from

gas sales between January and February showed that NNPC earned N944.4 million from domestic sales in February, rising from N880.304 million received in January, while it realized 172.525 million (14.506 billion) from export in February, compared to 1135.89 million (#27.178billion) in January 2016.

The report further said that 219.92billion SCF gas was produced in February, out of which a total of 124.21 billion was commercialized, comprising 29.84 billion SCF and 94.37 billion SCF for the domestic and export market respectively. Investigation revealed that the victims allegedly died of “strange diseases” as a result of what they suffered in the emitting carbonmonoxide odour.

Stakeholders have pro-

jected 2030 deadline to end gas flaring globally because of its hazards, but agencies saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that oil companies comply with the rules governing gas flaring as stated earlier, appeared to have failed.

In Ndokwa West for instance, residents of the areas have suffered untold hardship from various oil companied flaring gas.

An elderstatesman in Okpai community, Chief Ndidi Osakwe decried the nonchalant act of major oil companies in the area to comply with the rules of gas flaring, adding that over six persons in the area allegedly died of strange illness recently.

But a non-governmental organization (NGO) Koyenumm, Malah Foundation has faulted the idea of waiting till 2030 to end gas flaring in the country.

The Executive Director of the Foundation, Ms. Faith Nwadishi who spoke to our reporter was of the thread of reasoning that going by the negative effects of gas flaring on the nation’s environment and human beings, Nigeria does not need to wait till 2030 to stop gas flaring. she challenged the Delta State Government currently being rattled by has flaring to attach priority to the issue and marshal out ways of ending it in the state; possibly before the end of 2030 global deadline.

Apart from the deaths recovered by the negative impact of gas flaring in Delta State, several crops in its farmlands within worsened gas flaring areas, have died natural death, leaving owners of the farms in continued hunger and despair.

Edo State Government has approved the downward review of the 2017 budget from the initial N153.187bn to N127.921billion, representing a 16.49per cent reduction.

In a statement issued after an emergency Executive Council (EXCO) meeting held at Government House in Benin City, Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Rt. Hon. Paul Ohonbamu, said the downward review was occasioned by the sub-optimal performance of the nation’s macro-economic environment.

“The Commissioner for Budget and Planning presented a memo requesting for the approval of the

draft 2017 revised budget estimate on account of the sub-optimal performance of the nation’s macroeconomic environment,” Ohonbamu said.

He explained that “EXCO, after careful examination and deliberation approved a revision of the 2017 budget from the initial budget sum of N.187bn to N127.921bn representing a 16.49% reduction.”

Specifically, the commissioner said that “the creation of new ministries as well as the present harsh economic realities in the country necessitated the reduction and assured that the new budget estimate will be sent to the Edo State House of Assembly for consideration and passage.”

Ebonyi flood disaster: victims get relief materials

Charles Onyekwere, Abakaliki

ÏÏÏSome

victims of the flood disaster which occurred within the Abakaliki metropolis and some communities where 1, 794 persons and 212 houses were affected in the state yesterday received relief materials from the National Emergency Management Agency,( NEMA) through the Ebonyi State government.

Speaking during the occasion of the handover ceremony and flag-off of the distribution exercise in Abakaliki, the Executive Secretary of Ebonyi State Emergency Management Agency, (EBSEMA), Pastor Ken Nwabueze Oziomaeze who stated that flood disaster had become a common occurrence in Nigeria, commended both State and Federal governments for their continued readiness to respond to any distress call in that regard.

According to him, upon our request for assistance to assuage the sufferings of the victims, the federal government through NEMA in its usual magnanimity supplied to Ebonyi state assorted relief materials to the victims which are being handed over to the state today.

“The unfortunate and monstrous flood disaster which occurred on 11th June, 2016 in Abakaliki Urban and some communities in the state affected 212 houses and

displaced 1, 794 persons. Let me happily and unequivocally state here that the administration of Governor David Umahi and his team have been very supportive to SEMA in the discharge of its official mandate”.

In her remarks, the Assistant Coordinator for SouthEast NEMA, Mrs. Anagor Benedict Enyiuche called on SEMA to ensure that the relief materials get to the affected individuals adding the delay in the supply of the materials was not the fault of NEMA but due to the present economic situation in the country.

She further assured the victims and SEMA that as soon as the remaining relief materials were available, it would be distributed to them accordingly without any form of delay.

According to her, the relief material was to help cushion the negative impact of their loss during the disaster and charged the victims to avoid residing in flood-prone environment.The items distributed included bags of parboiled rice, beans, bags of granulated sugar, carton of tin tomatoes, pieces of mosquito nets, pieces of blankets, pieces of foam mattresses, pieces of nylon mats, cartons of bath soap, cartons of Omo detergents, bundles of roofing sheets, packets of roofing nails, bags of 3inche nails among others.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, October 14, 2017

Biafra: Ezekwesili relives experience, says Nigeria must remain united Benjamin Omoike A former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, was full of tears as she narrated her experience during Nigeria’s Civil War, also known as the ‘Biafran War’, between 1967 and 1970.

Dr. Ezekwesili relived the experience at the 2017 edition of the Applause Achievers Awards Night, Symposium and Unity Concert, at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers in Lagos.

She affirmed that though she and her family went through harrowing situations during the war, her father made sure that none of her family members nursed any form of bitterness when the war

was over.

“I was born in Lagos, my family was based in Lagos, my father travelled to the east before the war suddenly started. I was just four years old, my mother took me, with my younger sister, (Nkiru), on her back and being pregnant with my younger brother, her first son and then we began the journey to the east.

“My younger sister had kwashiorkor in the process. I grew up overnight, I got a mark on my thigh through the fire I made while trying to take care of my younger sister.

My father had to start a school so that we didn’t lose touch with knowledge, it was painful, but at the end of the war in 1970, my father made sure that

we never had any bitterness in our souls.”

“We quickly returned to Lagos and started off life again and all through my life, I have never seen myself as being less than any Nigerian,” she added.

Forgiveness across the divides Dr Ezekwesili maintained that there must be forgiveness across all the divides in the country to put an end to all the bickering and agitation once and for all.

She expressed dismay over the unpatriotic attitude of some citizens to the collective ideals of the nation, as she asked the audience to join her in kneeling to pray for the nation.

“It’s like we decided that we are a people that God

put together but we are determined not to achieve the purpose why God put us together; whereas the only thing that God sees when he looks at us is our humanity before he sees every other thing that we call ourselves, so as I join these children in kneeling, let us ask God to listen to our heart cries today on behalf of our land,” she emphasised.

The ex-minister, who was also the VicePresident of the World Bank’s Africa division spoke on “Good governance as a fulcrum for national unity;” as she identified character, competence and capacity as major ingredients that Nigerians must seek for in leadership.

L-R: Head, Business Development, Sales and Marketing (Africa), China Europe International Business School, Dr. Thelma Opara; Manager, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Ibadan main branch, Mr. Olufemi Adelugba; Consultant, F.O. Adeosun and Company, Mrs. Funmilayo Adeosun and Chief Executive Officer, Epsilom Books and Educational Services, Mr. Akerele Muideen, at Stanbic IBTC Bank 2017 SME Capacity Building Series in Ibadan, Oyo State… recently.

Bello calls for investors as FCT railway gathers momentum Idu Jude Abuja

ÏÏÏThe Minister, Federal

Capital Territory, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has invited investors to take advantage of the huge business opportunities that would be offered by the completion of the FCT Light Rails Mass Transit System. Malam Bello revealed that the entire rail transit corridor offers an array of business opportunities for restaurants, parking lots and shopping malls to mention but a few.

The FCT Minister gave this invitation while fielding questions with newsmen in his office, on Thursday, October 12, 2017.

According to him, the large swathe of space on

the rail line corridors contains 12 stations, including the central metro station near the World Trade Centre in the Central Business District. He hoped that the network would substantially increase economic activities in the FCT. On why there has not been land allocation since he took office, the FCT helmsman lamented the abuse of the land processes in the past resulting in large incidences of land use mismatch. He reiterated that almost all the phases within the Federal Capital City have been allocated except for Phase 5.

According to him, “FCT Administration needs over N80billion to provide infrastructure in the already allocated districts.

We are grappling with a situation where plots were allocated in a manner that outstripped the capacity of the Administration to provide infrastructure.

“Most beneficiaries commenced development under the pressure for accommodation and today we have houses built on spaces earmarked for roads, natural water ways, public utility lines and so on.”

He stressed that land is a finite object. Drawing analogy from other advanced cities of the world, the Minister stated that a time comeswhen land finishes.

He appealed to the FCT public to avoid the bubble of land activities and businesses which usually results in needless speculations and scam.

Malam Bello said that time has come for people to patronise secondary channels like mortgages and other similar sources.

He exhorted Nigerians to be patient with the Administration saying development is a process and a not switch. Abuja, he reminded, is a consciously planned and executed city in tandem with a masterplan.

On streetlighting, Malam Bello explained that the FCT was contending with the spate of vandalization of public utilities by criminals. He stated that FCT has 300km of streetlights and given the rate of one pole per 10 meters distance, the Administration, has over 3000 poles.

News 15

LASG strategises on reduction of victims during emergencies, disasters Ïj ƊƆ Ɨƈ ƐƆƏ Ɨƒ ƅ ƅƕ Ɛ Ə Ə Ɛ Joy Anyim

ÏÏÏLagos

State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA) on Friday joined the rest of the world to mark this year’s International Day for Disaster Reduction, a day set aside by the United Nations to promote a global culture of risk awareness and disaster reduction.

At a well-attended event held at the Public Service Staff Development Centre (PSSDC) Magodo, Lagos, the Commissioner for Special Duties and interGovernmental relations, Mr. Oluseye Oladejo represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Adebunmi Adekanye, in a keynote address stated that the State government has chosen to join the rest of the world to celebrate this day, to plan, partner and share experiences with governments and organizations to ensure that global awareness about effective actions, policies and practices are taken to reduce exposure to disaster risk at the community level, thereby contributing to saving homes and livelihoods.

The Commissioner said that the theme for this year’s celebration “Reducing the number of people affected by disaster by 2030” a focal area of Target “B”of Sendai 7 couldn’t have been more appropriate, coming at a time when there is need to develop local initiatives for reducing the occurrence and minimizing the adverse effects of disasters if the goal of

sustainable development is to become a reality.

“For us in the State, this day has become a platform to encourage every individual, stakeholders and the community to take part in building moredisaster resilient communities and nation” he reaffirmed.

He further noted that Lagos, in its bid to continually promote prompt response management and implementation strategy, recently held a State Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Summit for major Stakeholders in South- West Nigeria.

Earlier in his welcome address, the General Manager of Lagos State Emergency Mamagement Agency, LASEMA, Mr. Adesina Tiamiyu expressed confidence in the capacity of the Agency to drastically reduce the number of emergency/disasters victims earlier than the 2030 date proposed by the United Nations, saying that the unrelenting efforts of the agency’s emergency responders, the provision of heavy-duty equipment as well as the increased manpower within the disposal of the Agency are pointers to his assertion.

He added that the Agency is also encouraging volunteers to complement the efforts of the emergency responders in addition to building cordial synergy with all relevant stakeholders in emergency matters like the Fire service the ambulances services, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA and many others.

Boko Haram: FG says 45 suspects convicted, jailed ÏÏÏ.A

Federal High Court sitting in Kainji, Niger State, has convicted and sentenced 45 Boko Haram members to between 3 and 31 years in jail, following the conclusion of the first phase of the trial during which 575 suspects were arraigned. In a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, signed by the Senior Special Assistant media to the Minister of Information and Culture, Segun Adeyemi, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the Court also discharged 468 suspects who had no case to answer. Thirtyfour cases were struck out while 28 suspects were remanded for trial in Abuja and Minna, the statement said. The Court ordered that

the 468 discharged persons should undergo deradicalization and rehabilitation programs before they are handed over to their respective state governments. The trial commenced with the formal remand by the Court of 1,669 suspects for a period of 90 days, with the Court ordering that they be arraigned within the specified period or released u n c o n d i t i o n a l l y. T h e Court adjourned the trial of other suspects to January 2018.

The menace of Boko Haram sect has terrorized the North East and the country in general since 2006 which the Military under the present administration has reportedly quell to some extent.

16

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, October 14, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday October14, 2017

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, October 14, 2017

FEATURES

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Monkey coloney ‘the carrier’ of monkey pox

Monkey pox

Needless hoopla over monkey pox in Nigeria Kazeem Akintunde Since September 22, when it was discovered that a rare disease known as Monkey Pox has shown its ugly head in Nigeria, the social media and even the main stream media has been abuzz with frightening photographs of victims.

With large pox all over their body, it leaves many Nigerians wondering whether, indeed, the end has come.

Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, added a comic relief while speaking with Newsmen in Ado Ekiti last week, deliberately put his hands in his pocket and when greeted by reporters, refused to shake hands with them.

Shocked by the attitude of the Governor, some of the pen professionals asked the Oshokomale 1 of Ekiti why the sudden change in his usual practice and he blamed his action on the outbreak of Monkey pox in the country.

Nobody could blame Fayose for his action. What is however sure is that the sudden appearance of the disease has sent jitters down the spine of many Nigerians. Medically, it should not be so. Monkey pox is a mild disease, far less fatal than its sisters-Small pox or Chicken pox.

Since its appearance on September 22, when the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) was notified of its existence in Bayelsa State and with report that it has spread to seven states in the country, not a single death has been recorded from the disease.

According to figures made avail-

able by the NCDC, a total of 35 cases have been reported in Bayelsa, Rivers, Ekiti, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Ogun and Cross Rivers States.

CONFIRMATION As at Thursday when this article was put together, not a single case has been confirmed out of the 35 suspected cases and this is due to that fact that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has laid down stringent measures that must be followed to the letter before it can confirm or deny the existence of Monkey pox in a country.

Although the NCDC has obtained series of blood samples of some of the suspected victims of the disease and the first layer of test done in Nigeria, another test must be done at a world class laboratory in Senegal.

Mo Many of the initial test results have been sent to Senagal and results are still been awaited. Indeed, a total of 17 samples have been received by the NCDC at the coordinating Laboratory. It has however not yet gotten any confirmatory result so far.

WHAT HAS BEEN DONE SO FAR Since the outbreak of the disease in September 22, the NCDC, which is an arm of the Federal Ministry of Health, has activated an emergency response centre to coordinate its response across the affected states.

Aside that, national RRSTs have been deployed and continue to provide onsite support to Bayelsa State, while off site support is also being provided to other states through the

Emergency Operation Centre The Federal Ministry of Health, through the Risk Communication activities, heightened to advice the public on preventive measures. The Ministry is also briefing political leaders, especially state governors, on what should be done to prevent the spread of the disease while all the states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, have been formally notified to be on red alert.

SIGNS AND SYMTONS The NCDC has adviced Nigerians with any of these following symptoms to visit the nearest government hospital for proper diagnose of Monkey Pox: fever, headache, body pains, enlargement of the glands, sore throat as well as the characteristic generalised vascular rash which might last between two to four weeks.

Money pox is self limiting; which means patients tend to recover with time. Indeed, seven of the first set of victims reported in Bayelsa have fully recovered.

In order to prevent further spread of the disease, Nigerians have been advised to shun bush meat for now, as it is mostly transmitted through contact with infected animals, human or contaminated materials.

BASIC MEASURES ON HOW TO PREVENT MONKEY POX These are measures that could be used to prevent the spread of monkey pox from spreading: *Avoid self medication. *Frequent hand washing with soap and water.

*Report any suspected case to the nearest health facility or NCDC on a toll free line 080970000-10. NCDC is also on twitter and facebook @NCDCgov *Keep your environment clean.

In view of the fact that some health workers have also been infected while taking care of the sick, they have also been advised to practice standard precautionary measures at all times, use personal protective equipment when attending to infected persons while suspected cases should be managed in an isolation ward. They have also been charged to avoid unethical use of patients’ photographs on social media.

APPEAL TO THE MEDIA Monkey pox is a rare viral zoonotic disease with symptom in humans similar to those seen in small pox patients, but much less severe and with low fatality rate. As at Thursday October 12, not a single death has been recorded. It is therefore surprising that the disease is been treated on the social media on such an alarming scale. Generous usage of pictures of victims is really unethical and could lead to stigmatisation. Medical practitioners are also fully on ground to render services to those who might be infected.

The fear that the phenomenon has created in the minds of millions of Nigeria is needless and its high time we stopped the trend. This is better for us as a nation.

Akintunde is the Special Assistant, Communication and Strategy to the Minister of Health.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, October 14, 2017

Features 19

Cervical cancer: Early screening can avert lifetime suffering

cervical cancer illustration

cervical cancer jab

Oyindamola Idris

Cervical cancer is one of the commonest genital diseases in women that has claimed the lives of many regardless of their title or position. Although this condition is both preventable and curable (depending on early detection), record of survivors is still low.

Also a predominant disease in most developing countries, cancer of the cervix (neck of the womb) is recorded as killer of some 25% of women in developing countries annually. In Nigeria, like most developing countries, cervix cancer is largely discovered when it has mostly eaten up the body system.

Medics say the condition is mostly contacted when the patient comes into contact with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), virus which is mostly contacted through sexual intercourse. HPV infection are so common that nearly all men and women will get at least one type of HPV at some point in their lives. Most people never know that they have been infected and may pass HPV on to a sex partner inadvertently.

CERVICAL CANCER IN NIGERIA At a rendezvous with Dr. Taiwo Aina, a medical practitioner at Kajola hospital, Fadeyi, along Ikorodu Road, Lagos Mainland, The Daily Times learnt firsthand that cancer of the cervix also is cancer of the entrance to the uterus (womb).

“The cervix is the narrow part of the lower uterus, often referred to as the “neck” of the womb and occurs most commonly in women over the age of 30,” Aina said and revealed that there are two main types of cervical cancer: squamous cell cervical cancer and adenocarcinoma of the cervix.

Its risk factors, The Daily Times learnt, include smoking, giving birth at a young age and having a weakened immune system.

“It is classified as the most common form of genital cancer for women in the Northern part of Nigeria and the second after breast cancer in the South.

“Cervical cancer is one of the predominant cancers in Nigeria and it has claimed many lives. Although cancer of the cervix can be cured when it is in its early stage but here in Nigeria, people only seek medical help when it is in its late stage, and this is still the main reason why the country is still recording high mortality rate on this cancer.”

Women at hospital for cervical screening

Aina pointed out that the poor are the one that suffer most when they contact this disease, unlike the rich, they don’t get early diagnosis and when they do, they don’t get absolute care and treatment. “The rich patients have the money to pursue their treatment within or outside the country and do necessary surgery to cure or preserve their lives if it is in its late stage.

“The poor ones are the most pitiful whenever they contact this disease because they lack resources to give themselves adequate treatment, so they end up dying a lot earlier than the rich.

“So the best move is to prevent the HPV from entering into their system by going for the vaccine. On the long run, this would be a lot cheaper than treating the condition - and they will live a healthier life.”

Dynamics of HPV In general medical terms, cancer means that one cell has outworn another; but in cervical cancer, it involves a virus known as Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). This virus has been linked in 80%-90% cause of cervical cancer and, just like any other virus, it is contacted through sexual intercourse and sometimes during child birth.

Risk factor Early marriage, early sexual intercourse, multiple sexual partners or the

partner has multiple partners, smoking, using of contraceptive pills, and having sexually transmitted infections have all been recorded as risk factors. Anyone involved in these acts stands a high risk of being infected with cancer.

Vaccine for virgins only The most potent form of prevention is by getting vaccines that has just been introduced, but the vaccine can only be effective in a lady who had never had sexual intercourse. It is no longer effective if used for someone who is already sexually active because the vaccine is meant to prevent the user from cancer.

The vaccine comes in two packages - the bivalent (i.e. 2 vaccines) and the quadrvalent (i.e. 4 vaccines) which are to be administered within the period of six month.

Symptoms Known symptoms include abnormal bleeding from the vagina or bleeding after sex, weight loss, incontinence (inability to hold urine and poo), Vesicovaginal fistula, malnutrition, abnormal swelling in some body parts and generally looking ill. Fistula can also be a complication of cervical cancer caused generally by strong infection.

Cure After diagnosis proves positive, the patient is advised to see a gynecologist for

spot assessment and treatment.

Treatment method begins with ablative therapy, chirotherapy and cold knife therapy, while chemotherapy and radiotherapy are options when the disease is in its late stage.

Role of government Government should endeavor to invest in the health sector and sponsor relative projects proposed to them, because they have larger role to play in preventing cancer - especially among women.

Unlike in developed countries where the vaccines are commonly available, thereby reducing the rate of cervical cancer, the Federal Government of Nigeria should try to provide and make the cervical cancer vaccines available like other vaccines that are available and common - like immunization vaccines.

Cervical cancer vaccine is costly and can only be purchase by the rich, but if it is made available then the poor will also have access to it.

Awareness Government can help the situation by sponsoring awareness campaign for the cervical cancer because there are still many people out there who have no knowledge about the cancer, while there are even those who don’t believe it exists. The awareness should equal that of breast cancer that people already know about.

Also, Nigerians should be encouraged to go for screening; women of the reproductive stage should have the Pap Smear test done in order to know their status so that if there is any issue, it can then be picked in the early stage and nipped in the bud.

Dr. Aina said parents have roles to play; like giving appropriate sex education to their children so that the public don’t manipulate and take advantage of their innocence.

“Parents should also take their children for vaccination if they can afford it to save the young ones from cancer throughout their life time.”

Dr Aina advises ladies to get themselves screened and know their cervix status. “Ideally, ladies should away from sex if they are not married, to save them from contacting cancer. And those living with the cancer should not give up but believe that no matter the stage of the cancer, there’s still something that can be done,” she said.

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, October 14, 2017

Crime

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Final year student, 10 others arrested for theft Stories by Joy Anyim, Lagos A final year student of the Onabisi Onabanjo University in Ogun State, Micheal Omoregbe and 11 others have been arrested by men of the Special Anti-robbery squad of the CP. However Police said they would be sent to court after completion of investigation of the matter.

Omoregbe who is studying account education alongside his gang member had allegedly stolen 16 solar panels and 33 inverter solar batteries installed at different parts of Lagos.

He confessed to have gotten N100,000 from the sales of the stolen items which belonged to the Lagos State Government and one of the major telecommunication giants in Nigeria.

Amongst the gang members who had been on the wanted list of the police command were a dismissed Airforce personnel and three soldiers who have been transfered to the Headquarters of 9th Brigade, Nigerian Army Ikeja for disciplinary actions.

Speaking on how the suspects were arrested, the Commissioner of police, Lagos State Police Command Edgal Imohimi said, the gang was responsible for vandalizing government /private properties in Epe, Sangotedo, Elerangbe and Badagry. They were however arrested in Epe. The suspects are said to include: Samuel Ani 30, Michael Omoregbe 30, Efosa Philip 27, IfeDayo Odufoye 35(Dismissed air- force), Chibize Nnamani 34, Festus Maduka 26, John Nwokeoma 31 and Chibuzor Chukwu 23.

The Commissioner of Police said, “ on September 5, at about 2am, the seven suspects came with a truck with registration number LND 61 XQ invaded Okemagba Senior Secondary School, Epe with three soldiers and stole seventy-one solar panels.

They also forced the door of the container, where the inverter batteries and accessories were kept and went away with it “ One of the buyers was traced to Delta, Anambra and Imo State where one Festus Maduka was later picked up in an hotel and confessed to have received solar panels and inverters batteries from the armed robbers.”

Omoregbe confessed to have been dragged into the act by his childhood friend Ani. He said, “ I was not an active member of the gang as I wasn’t always around due to my studies.

But I only assists them in getting vehicles to load the stolen items. I also cannot tell how many operations they have gone for. “ It was when we had gone for the operation at Epe that vigilantee group there chased and caught us. We were also handed over to the police.

“At this point, I really do regret keeping bad company. I know my family will be disappointed in me

The suspects

and I may also not be able to go back school.”

Odufoye who is a dismissed Airforce personnel was the driver who often conveyed the stolen item for the gang.

He was said to have still been parading himself as a uniform personnel when he was arrested.

In his confession, he said. “ I was dismissed by my second in command in Maiduguri where we were fighting Boko Haram members. We were asked to arrest someone but refused to arrest the person, that was why I was court martial and dismissed from service. “ After I was dismissed from the air force, I bought a Siena bus from my savings and came to Lagos from Kaduna work when I contracted by Michael that I should help them picked some goods at Badagry. “ I charge them N150,000, but I was later paid N100,000, I have also help them to take the solar panels from Ajah to army arena at oshodi, where they sell to the buyer. But unfortunately, their was a day I ran away with some of the panels when they refused to pay me. After I have assisted them to bring them down to Arena. I regret my action. It was greed to put me into the trouble I find myself today.”

Ani who is the leader of the gang said, it a friend that introduced him into the business, since I joined that my friend two years ago, I cannot go back to my transport business because of the little money are making it from it. “ I started my operation from Badagry area, we also target some of the schools where there is security guard. We got the solar panels and the batteries from different part of the state.

“I picked interest because of how my friend Ijeoma told me how they make money from the business, since I have been doing it I never thought of the consequence. We sell the solar panel for N25,000 and the batteries also go for N10,000 each. I have made about N6000,0000 from the business.”

Two suspected cultists, Tobi Micheal and Adigun Gbolahun have expressed regret over their alleged involvement in,cult activities and several robbery incidents within Lagos.

The suspects who were arrested by men of the anti - robbery unit of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department of the Lagos State Police Command claimed it was money to fund their graduation ceremony and small business after learning various crafts that led them into robbery.

Investigations revealed that the suspects were responsible for a robbery incident where a father of three was murdered in the Ayobo area of the state. They were however arrested in Ijanikin when the police rounded them up.

They also confessed to have robbed over 20 times but never got enough as the urge to rob kept them desiring for more.

Micheal who is 24 years old said he had trained as a furniture maker tells how he joined the men of the underworld.

He said, “ I became a rob by chance. In 2016, after I had completed my apprenticeship as a furniture maker, I needed money to officially graduate. Money was not available.

So my friends at Alaba Rago told me there was a way out . They advised me to join them in robbing. I gave it a try and it was favourable. I then continued and went on and on.

Revealing further, he said. “ I have also removed of the panels from the a telecommunication company, the person that used to buy the solar from me, knew I am into robbery that the goods are not guinea one. They encouraged us by buying it. If they are not buying it from us, we wouldn’t be removing them.”

The criminal receiver, Nwokoma who buys the stolen items said he never knew they were stolen goods.

The suspects who are still helping the police with investigations will be charged after the completion of investigation.

We went into robbery because we needed money for our graduation, small business

The suspects

“ for every operation, I get as high as N50,000 but unfortunately I never invested the money as I spent it on prostitutes and drinks. Also the gun I used in robbing, I bought it

from Alaba at the rate of N15,000.”

The Osun born speaks on how they killed their victims at Ayobo.

He sad, “ the Ayobo robbery is one I still regret till date. It was around August when one Chinedu had given us information about his cotenant whom he said was very rich.

“When we stormed the house, and tried to cart away some of their belongings, the man somehow brought out a cutlass and unknown to me he hit the cutlass on my head.

I was bleeding and out of anger, I shot at him with my gun.

On how he was arrested, he said it was while he was having a nice time with his friends at Alaba Rago that the police stormed the place and caught him. “It was one Bigi, a member of my gang that led the police to my hideout where they arrested me.”

Similarly, Gbolahun who is a trained tailor said two of his previous gang members are currently serving at the kirikiri maximum prison while one other had retired to his village.

He stated that he and Micheal belong to the same cult group.

The Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi who paraded the suspects said they will be charged to court once investigations are completed.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, October 14, 2017

21 Public Notice

Buhari didn’t tell World Bank to ignore other parts of Nigeria –Adesina Mathew Dadiyau, Abuja

ÎÎÎThe Special Adviser on

Media and Publicity to the President, Mr Femi Adesina, has said that Muhammadu Buhari did not tell World Bank President, Jim Yong Kim, to ignore other parts of Nigeria.

According to Adesina, what Buhari said was that the World Bank chief should give attention to the North East which has been devastated by eight years of Boko Haram war.

Adesina gave this clarification on Friday against the backdrop of “misinformation and distortion going on in a section of the media.”

Adesina said that President Buhari has done what was expected of a caring father by asking for help in rebuilding the

North East.

In the clarification made available on Friday, Adesina said, “Those who specialize in a deliberate twisting of information have wailed and raged endlessly on the news item credited to the World Bank Group President, Jim Yong Kim, who disclosed in Washington DC, United States of America, that President Muhammadu Buhari had requested a concentration of the Bank’s intervention efforts in the northern part of Nigeria, particularly in the North-east.

“The ignorant and mischievous people, who twist everything for their vile purposes, are making it seem that it was a calculated attempt to give the North an unfair advantage over other parts of Nigeria.

“The truth of the matter is

that President Buhari, right from his first week in office in June, 2015, had reached out to the G-7 in Germany that Nigeria needed help to rebuild the North-east, which had been terribly devastated by insurgency.

He added that the country would prefer help in terms of rebuilding of infrastructure, rather than cash donation, which may end up being misappropriated.

He also said that, “ In concert with Governors of the region, a comprehensive list of needed repairs was sent to the G-7 leaders.

“Also, during a trip to Washington in 2015, and many other engagements that followed, President Buhari sought the help of the World Bank in rebuilding the beleaguered NorthEast which was then being

wrested from the stranglehold of a pernicious insurgency. It was something always done in the open, and which reflected the President’s concern for the region.

“Those ululating over the disclosure by the President of the World Bank should be a bit reflective, and consider the ravages that the North-East has suffered since 2009, when the Boko Haram insurgency started. Schools, hospitals, homes, entire villages, towns, cities, bridges, and other public utilities have been blown up, laid waste, and lives terminated in excess of 20,000, while widows and orphans littered the landscape. The humanitarian crisis was in monumental proportions.

GAC motors partners with conference 57 ÎÎÎGAC Motors hosted all 57

Another participant, BarrMukandasi o. Ogidan noted that GAC vehicles offers more value than many known auto brands in Nigeria.

Mr. KayodeAdejumo the Marketing Manager CIG Motors, in a presentation took the delegates through the different events by GAC Motor in the Music, Film industry, Sports and Politics recently. He noted that for GAC Motor, it’s not just about selling cars, it’s about impacting lives Mr. Scofiled Wu in his remarks enlightened the delegates on the technological makeup of GAC Vehicles with

top parts suppliers used in the assembly of the vehicles.

He noted that for GAC Motor, safety is a major consideration when designing the vehicles.

According to him, the steering of GAC Motor vehicles disintegrates in the event of a front collusion by accident which makes a GAC vehicle safer to drive than many other vehicles in the market Mrs. Iyabo OgunsanyaGeneral Manager Access Bank a financial partner reiterated this as the most interesting feature of GAC vehicles, in her opinion. She mentioned that the involvement of Access Bank

OMOAKA-ANTHONY IMADE EDITH

MRS. OSADEBAMWEN EMWINMA

NWOSU FRANCIS CHUKWUEMEKA

Formerly known and addressed as OMOAKA IMADE EDITH, now wish to be known and addressed as OMOAKAANTHONY IMADE EDITH. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MRS. OSADEBAMWEN EMWINGHAMA (NEE EMOKARO), now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OSADEBAMWEN EMWINMA (NEE EMOKARO). All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Local Government Chairmen in Lagos State on Wednesday the 12th of October 2017.

The event which began with the vehicles speaking for themselves in a test drive session where each of the Local Government Chairmen took their turns in test driving the GAC Motor GS8, GS4 AND GA3S vehicles. According to the Secretary of ‘Lagos Conference 57’ the name adopted by the council of Local Government Chairmen in Lagos Mr. AriyoBolajiafter his Test Drive, ‘GAC Vehicles are not bad at all’ he said.

MELONU MULERO FEMI Formerly known and addressed as MELONU OGUNGBE MULERO, now wish to be known and addressed as MELONU MULERO FEMI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

MRS OLORITUN KAFILAT OLABISI

Formerly known and addressed as MISS KAWONISE KAFILAT OLABISI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OLORITUN KAFILAT OLABISI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

UKAEGBU ADAOBI OBY Formerly known and addressed as AFFAM ADAOBI OBY, now wish to be known and addressed as UKAEGBU ADAOBI OBY. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ROLAND CHUKWUEMEKA FRANCIS, now wish to be known and addressed as NWOSU FRANCIS CHUKWUEMEKA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

in the partnership is to further highlight how highly the bank take the GAC brand. According to the Bank executive, GAC Motor vehicles are in the Bank fleet used for the daily banking movement.

In her speech, Chief Diana Chen expressed her delight in hosting the delegates and mentioned that she would like to be friends with each and every local government represented at the Dinner. In rapping up her speech she added that GAC Vehicles combines ‘EuropeanDesign, with Japanese technology and Chinese production cost in one vehicle’.

OLAYIWOLA TITILAYO ELIZABETH

Formerly known and addressed as ANTHONY TITILAYO ELIZABETH, now wish to be known and addressed as OLAYIWOLA TITILAYO ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AKINWUSI OLATUNDE SUNDAY

YUSUF NAJIB ABUBAKAR Formerly known and addressed as YUSIF NAJIB, now wish to be known and addressed as YUSUF NAJIB ABUBAKAR. That my date of birth is 02 February 1992 and not 01 January 1992. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

This is to inform the general public that my name was wrongly written on my BVN as MOSES OLUSEGU, on my Account as MOSES OLUWASEGUN IDOWU instead of IDOWU OLUSEGUN MOSES. That my correct name is IDOWU OLUSEGUN MOSES. That I was born on 1st of January, 1977. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as AMOS FESTUS OLATUNDE, now wish to be known and addressed as AKINWUSI OLATUNDE SUNDAY . All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

UTEBE VICTORIA NYIOBUA Formerly known and addressed as VICTORIA NGIEONR AJAMA, now wish to be known and addressed as UTEBE VICTORIA NYIOBUA . All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

IDEMUDIA SARAH TITILAYO Formerly known and addressed as AKINOLA SARAH TITILAYO, now wish to be known and addressed as IDEMUDIA SARAH TITILAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ADENIYI OMOLOLA RAMAT, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OKE OMOLOLA RAMAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ADEGBIJA EYITAYO TEMILOLU

OLOTA OLUWAKEMI OMOTOLA

Formerly known and addressed as OLORUNFEMI EYITAYO TEMILOLU, now wish to be known and addressed as ADEGBIJA EYITAYO TEMILOLU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS OSUNLUSI OLUWAKEMI OMOTOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as OLOTA OLUWAKEMI OMOTOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

MRS OKE OMOLOLA RAMAT

ADELEKE SHUKURAT OPEYEMI

Formerly known and addressed as ODUNBAKU SHUKURAT OPEYEMI, now wish to be known and addressed as ADELEKE SHUKURAT OPEYEMI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Egg has potential to feed the world –Onallo Tom Okpe, Abuja

ÎÎÎIn

collaboration with the world to celebrate the Egg Day, the Director General, Poultry Association of Nigeria, Onallo Akpa has emphasized its importance in the daily menu saying it is an excellent, affordable source of high protein with the potential to feed the world.

Akpa said that there is so much to celebrate as eggs play a vital role in feeding people around the world with the greatest secret as nature’s vitamin pill.

The DG stated this while addressing journalists on Friday in Abuja on the occasion of the “World Egg Day”, celebrated every 13th of October also said: “The nutrients and energy dimension of eggs makes it an excellent source of protein and vitamins.

“Eggs contain other very important nutrients such as Selenium, vitamins A and E, Folate, Riboflavin, Choline and Lutein which helps immune system and contribute to decent light vision and the prevention of injury to human body.

“These also help the transformation of food in the body into energy, aiding both memory and mental capacity while the yolk works towards preventing macular degeneration”, he said.

Onallo further highlighted that eggs help to regulate the brain, nervous system and cardiovascular system since one egg yolk has about 300 micrograms of choline.

“Eggs contains naturally JOSEPH OJO SOLOMON Formerly known and addressed as JOSEPH OJO DAYO, now wish to be known and addressed as JOSEPH OJO SOLOMON. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

DIPEOLU RAZAQ KOLAWOLE

occurring vitamin D which prevents breast cancer with scientific reports confirming that among protein foods, egg contain the richest mix of essential amino acids crucial for children, adolescents and young adults for proper growth.

“The consumption of one egg per day as published by the Harvard School of public Health does not have a negative impact on cholesterol neither does it affect a person’s lipid profile, the research finding suggests that it is saturated fat that raises cholesterol rather than dietary cholesterol”, he said.

He explained that in Nigeria, the economic importance of the poultry industry is evidenced by the fact that it has been consistently contributing over 25% to the Agricultural Gross Domestic Product (AGDP) of the national economy.

“With a rapid population growth and high level of poverty and insecurity, how do we feed the population with food that contains the required nutrients and vitamins that the citizens could afford, the politics, social and economic development of the people is an illusion if the population is malnourished as a result of food that is deficient in vitamins and minerals”, he stated. xOJEKHOA MORENIKE BOLAJI I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OMOTOSO MORENIKE BOLAJI, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. OJEKHOA MORENIKE BOLAJI. All documents bearing my former names remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

x AKEEM NURATU MOTUNRAYO Formerly known and addressed as TOSIN SHOBITAN ABIKE, now wish to be known and addressed as AKEEM NURATU MOTUNRAYO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

ADEKANBI HANIFAT SUNMISOLA

Formerly known and addressed as RAZAQ WOLE, now wish to be known and addressed as DIPEOLU RAZAQ KOLAWOLE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as OMOLADE OLOTU, now wish to be known and addressed as ADEKANBI HANIFAT SUNMISOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OKEREKE BEAUTY IRUOMACHUKWU Formerly known and addressed as OBASI MARY MGBEKE, now wish to be known and addressed as OKEREKE BEAUTY IRUOMACHUKWU. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

x MMADUBULUM AUGUSTINE CHINEDU Formerly known and addressed as OKEKE AUGUSTINE CHINEDU, now wish to be known and addressed as MMADUBULUM AUGUSTINE CHINEDU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

EDWIN-UBI SARAH

xSANNI ELIZABETH BOLANLE

Formerly known and addressed as IMARHIAGBE SARAH, now wish to be known and addressed as EDWIN-UBI SARAH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ABIODUN ELIZABETH, now wish to be known and addressed as SANNI ELIZABETH BOLANLE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

News 22

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, October 14, 2017

Obaseki pledges to improve education, social welfare Titus Akhigbe,Benin

ÏÏÏ

The Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has assured the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria of his administration’s drive to improve basic, vocational and technical education, social welfare and healthcare service delivery in the state.

The governor said this when he hosted Bishops from the Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), led by their President, the Archbishop of Jos, Most Reverend Ignatius Kaigama, at the Government House, Benin City.

The visit is part of CBCN’s activities to mark the commencement of its 3-day National Marian Congress, holding in Benin City.

Obaseki said the state government

is open to collaborating with the Catholic Church in areas of mutual interest, especially in ensuring social cohesion, welfare provision and religious harmony.

“This administration has an opendoor policy to collaborations. We are willing to work with anyone that has a mission to support our efforts to improve education, social welfare and health care system. These sectors are capable of bringing about desired social change in the state,” he said.

The governor commended the decision of the CBCN to host its national congress in Benin City, noting that the preference to hold such a high-powered event in the state doesn’t only prove that the state is safe, but that it is also blessed.

President of CBNC, Most Reverend Ignatius Kaigama expressed his appreciation the state governor and people of Edo State for the warm reception accorded to the Bishops and other congress participants.

He said: “the congress which has participants drawn from the entire country is centred on prayer and consecration for peace and unity in Nigeria.”

Archbishop of Archdiocese of Benin, Augustine Akugbueze, extolled the leadership qualities of the governor, noting that the ongoing rehabilitation and constructions of roads, is testament to a commitment to the needs of the people. He also lauded the governor’s drive in the creation of jobs for youths since his assumption of duty.

PTAD holds final verification for South West pensioners Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

ÏÏÏ

The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), has announced that it will hold its final verification exercise of eligible civil service pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) in the South West on Monday, October 16-21 2017.

PTAD, in a statement on Friday by the Deputy Director of Communication, Mr Emma Okondo said that the exercise will take place in the remaining two states of Oyo and Ogun on the same day.

The agency stated that the verification of the pensioners in these two remaining states will be the third and last phase of the exercise in the SouthWest zone, having successfully conducted similar same verification of pensioners in Osun, Ondo,Ekiti and Lagos states in August and September.

The exercise which will take place in Ibadan and Abeokuta simultaneously is a continuation of the nationwide verification by the directorate to ascertain the authentic pensioners under the DBS. It said that pensioners, who were hitherto not payrolled for years were now verified and paid with arrears.

According to PTAD, the process of verification of the pensioners would consist of four distinct steps of biodata, capturing and provision of other relevant documents, adding that the entire process would to suitably place the pensioners in the payroll and database for ease payment of their monthly pension.

It further revealed that sick pensioners would be covered in their locations, adding that a total of many PTAD staff would be deployed for the exercise.

StarTimes partners UNAIDS, UNFPA on HIV prevention Darlington Phillips

ÏÏÏ

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama (right), with the Brazilian Minister of External Relations, Mr. Aloysio Nunes Ferreira, during a Bilateral meeting in Abuja… on Thursday.

Nigeria wants World Bank, IMF to scale up access to renewable energy Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

ÏÏÏ

Nigeria has asked the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to scale up the provision of and access to renewable energy in order to deliver development results and meet global climate goals.

Nigeria’s position on renewable energy and regional integration was presented by the Honourable Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, during the G24 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting in Washington D.C., United States.

Adeosun stated that scaling up renewable energy was a

“win-win area” to deliver development results and contribute to the global climate goals.

She said, “We have a major energy infrastructure gap to meet the needs of industrialization. Providing access to energy to all parts of Nigeria, both urban and rural, is a priority.

“If we succeed, we estimate that this could unleash the development potentials of twothird of our population of 180 million.”

The Minister added that generation of renewable energy was a financially attractive option for reaching rural populations.

She further emphasized the

need for business models from other countries to serve as a template in the provision of affordable energy.

While canvassing the reinforcement of regional integration process by the World Bank and the IMF, Adeosun said the process would boost trade between countries and serve as a potential growth driver.

“We believe that part of the solution must be regional, multi-country initiatives on infrastructure development.

Though complex and often not easy to undertake, there are also successful cases of such projects.

“For instance, a coastal

super highway from Lagos to Dakar in West Africa would cut across 11 economic territories. Another Trans-Sahel highway from Northwest Nigeria to Mauritania would provide access and boost economic activities of land-lock countries like Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali,” stated Adeosun while speaking on behalf of Nigeria and 30 other countries during the G24 Ministers and Governors meeting.

The IMF Managing Director, Christine Lagarde, advised low-income countries to be very cautious in dealing with investors, noting that there was a huge surge yields on the path of investors.

At the Inaugural Meeting of Global HIV Prevention Coalition held in Geneva (Switzerland) on October 10 to 11, StarTimes vice-president, Guo Ziqi, sent a strong message towards reaching the prevention targets of the 2016 Political Declaration on Ending AIDS. With this declaration, United Nations Member States have committed to reducing new adult HIV infections to fewer than 500,000 annually by 2020 and ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) have since been working on generating support for a global HIV prevention coalition with the aim of strengthening and sustaining political commitment for

primary prevention.

Co-convened by UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé, and UNFPA Executive Director, Natalia Kanem, the Inaugural Meeting of Global HIV Prevention Coalition gathered United Nations Member States, civil society, philanthropists, academics and international organisations to launch the Prevention 2020 Road Map for achieving the global commitments on HIV prevention.

As the representative of the only private sector media organisation present at the meeting, Ms. Guo committed “to make full use of our resources and play to our strength to implement the road map to ensure the message reaching the largest number of people at the shortest time possible to make the most impact. StarTimes will be at the vanguard of HIV prevention.”

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, October 14, 2017

News 23

Science, tech, innovation, key to economic dev–Emefiele Kingsley Chukwuka, Jos

ÏÏÏ The Governor of the

L-R: Brazilian Minister of External Relations, Aloysio Nunes Ferreira; Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh and Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Sen. Heneiken Lokpobiri, during a Bilateral meeting in Abuja… on Thursday.

Nigerian Army flags off Operation Crocodile Smile II in Lagos Joy Anyim

ÏÏÏThe

Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai has revealed that the increase in crime rate especially in the coastal areas of the country is amongst the many factors that propelled the ‘exercise Crocodile Smile II. The COAS who stated this at the official flag off ceremony for the ‘Exercise Crocodile Smile II ‘ in Tarkwa Bay Island Lagos revealed that although the operation crocodile smile I which held from August 25th - September 10th 2016 in Abia, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Imo and Rivers States was a huge success as it greatly reduced criminal activities in the region, some of the criminal elements had also relocated and found a safe haven in other parts of the country, hence the readjustment of area of operation for this year’s operation.

He also stated that this year’s operation will be conducted across the south west and south south Re-

gions of the country.

In his address, Buratai said, “ the increase in crimes in the coastal areas in the country has necessitated the Nigerian Army to step up the training and operations in amphibious environment. This imperative has been aptly captured in the Nigerian Army ORBAT 2016. Already, 6 Division, Nigerian Army was operationalized in June 2017, while efforts are on to establish and operationalize units and formations approved in the ORBAT. The ORBAT provided for an amphibious Battalion in Tarkwa Bay to assist keep the coastal area of Lagos state safe.

“A detachment of NA have since been stationed on the Island, more presence of the NA will be felt soon on the Island and other parts of the country in line with the 2016 ORBAT as fund becomes available. “ ‘Exercise Crocodile Smile II’ have been established in the field to facilitate timely decision making, prompt response to security threats, enhance synergy and facilitate com-

munication between members of the public and exercising troops.

“Emphasis will be placed on rules of engagement and code of conduct. I urge members of the public to remain vigilant, security conscious, report suspected criminals and miscreants who would be looking for areas of safe concern.”

The General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Major General Peter Duake in his opening remark spoke on the importance of embarking on the exercise.

He said, “ The 81 Division Area of responsibility in internal security operations covers Lagos and Ogun states has remained relatively peaceful, however, recent developments given serious cause for concern. The recent security situation in both states is characterised by rising incidents of sundry crimes including ritual killings, armed robbery and kidnapping. Other crimes on the rise within the area are cultism, oil theft, pipeline vandalism and drug related offences amongst others.”

According to Duake, it

is as a result of these challenges that the divisional training policy in accordance with the vision of the Chief of Army Staff has been tailored to enhance the capacity and competence of troops towards mitigating these challenges.

The Division also renovated the only Primary Health Care Centre in the Island and offered free medical assistance amongst other goodies to members of the community who expressed great joy.

One of the beneficiaries of the free medical outreach, Adunni Sani, the presence of the Army has not only changed the security situation in the community but also given them a reason to live healthier.

The event also had representative from the National Assembly, the Nigerian Navy, the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, National Emergency Management Agency, The Nigerian Prison, Department of State Security Service, Traditional Rulers amongst other agencies in attendance.

Gunmen strike in Rivers, kill son, injure dad, mum ÏÏÏGunmen have raided

the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Oyediran in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, killing his 22-year-old son, Yemi.

Our reporter gathered that the gunmen during the raid which happened on October 8, 2017, injured Mr. and Mrs. Oyediran, who relocated to Port Harcourt from Lagos five months ago along with three children and mother in-law.

Speaking with newsmen, Oyediran said he was with

his wife in the sitting room in the evening when the gunmen struck, while his mother in-law was sleeping in one of the rooms. The children, he added, were in their rooms at the time of the incident.

“When the gunmen came into the house, they asked for Oluwasegun and I replied them that he was not here. I wanted to explain to them that since 2014 I have not seen Oluwasegun but they didn’t listen to me.

Two of the men went into

the rooms and searched them. Immediately they saw Yemi, my first son, one of the assassins shot him dead. Yemi was 22-yearsold,” he said.

When asked who Oluwasegun is, Oyediran said Oluwasegun is his wife’s nephew and was born on June 12, 1997.

He said: “I took him to Libya to save his life in 2014 because of the problem he had with his father’s families but on the 12 or 13 of June 2015, he went to play

football match with some of his Libyan friends. Later in the evening of that day, one of his friend came to tell me that Oluwasegun had problem with some Arab men in the field but they have kept him inside their father’s farm but the guy told me to leave that area because the Libya guys were coming to look for Oluwasegun. That was the reason why I left Libya in 2015. Since then, I haven’t set my eyes on Oluwasegun.

Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele says the investment in Science, Technology and Innovation holds the key to the economic progress and development of any nation.

The CBN Governor said this on Friday, October 13, 2017 in a lecture titled Financing Science, Technology (STI) for the development of Agro-Allied Industries in Nigeria, delivered to the Participants of Senior Executive Course 39 at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) kuru.

Mr. Emefiele who was represented by the Deputy Governor in charge of Corperate Services, Alhaji Suleiman Baru said development worldwide is largely driven by the ability to develop, distribute and exploit intelligence to achieve competitive edge, create wealth and improve the welfare of citizenry.

He added that breakthroughs in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), particularly in information and communication technology has brought technology at the reach of an overwhelming number of the global population, increasing their frontiers to explore and even expand innovations further into limitless opportunities.

Mr. Emefiele said myriad of challenges impede the financing of STI or indeed entire agricultural value chain, saying that these challenges include access to finance, cost of borrowing and absence of alternative known traditional sources for funding.

Continuing, the Governor said financing of STI in Nige-

ria has had to largely depend on incentives, direct loans, budgetary provisions and support from international organisations.

He said records show that the budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Science and Technology for 2015, 2016 and 2017 as a per cent of total was a dismal 0.66%, 0.87% and 0.93% of total budgetary provision respectively. This is far too low to achieve the drive towards harnessing STI to develop agro-allied industries as well as other sectors he said.

Mr. Emefiele said the gaps identifed by the Central Bank of Nigeria led to it playing a major role under its intervention schemes to provide funding at a single digit to agriculture and inclusive agro-industrial industries.

He listed the intervention schemes to include, the Nigeria Incentive, based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NISRAL), the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme (ACGS), the Commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme(CACS), the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Refinancing and Restructuring facility (SMERRF), the Ancor Borrower Programm (ABP) and Youth Entrepreneurship Development Program (YEDP).

The Governor said if Nigeria is to achieve its goal of food sufficiency and a diversified economy, more attention must be paid to implementing financing for agro-allied industries by the government. He urged for deliberate policies that would encourage non-government investors and enhancement of the financing framework in the context of access and low interest rate for the commercially attractive STI and Agro Allied businesses that would require both tactical and strategic solutions.

Senate’s report on drug abuse, worrisome - Dan Saran Kano Yakubu Salisu, Kano

ÏÏÏKano State elder state’s

man Alhaji Gambo Dan Pass also Dan Saran Kano, has described the report of the Senate which allege that over 3 million bottles of cough syrups are consumed daily in Kano and Jigawa states as an ugly trend which every leader should be worried about.

Dan pass who attributes the rise in drug abuse among youths and women to negligence on the part of government’s officials who fail to introduce policies that would better their lives.

He said, as long as government at all level continue to fail in its responsibility of providing meaningful job to the teeming youths, the issue of drug abuse will

continue to grow as youths are currently undergoing indescribable level of frustration.

He lamented the poor attention given to the fight against drug Abuse in the state by the present administration.

According to him, the previous state administration did well in the fight against drug Abuse and the high rate of record in the state was drastically reduced as a result of the task force set up to fight the menace.

That government must put aside politics in matters as such and join hands together with all stake holders in tackling the issue of drug abuse by identifying the suppliers, methods of supply and do all that is possible to check mate their activities.

Saturday, October 14, 2017

EXTRATIME

24

Frank Jumbo with Agency Report

P

layers and officials of the senior national team of Nigeria gave a share of the bonus they got for beating Zambia 1-0 to goalkeeper Carl Ikeme who is presently down with acute Leukaemia.

This much was made known by coach of the team Gernot Rohr during an interview in Lagos monitored by Owngoalnigeria.com , when he was asked about the

Ikeme got Zambia match bonus sick goalkeeper.

Ikeme according to Rohr put Nigeria on a sound footing to qualify for the World Cup with his heroics in their first game away to Zambia in Ndola which they won 1-0.

Rohr said he also has plan to visit the shot stopper to thank him for helping the team, particularly in their first game,

where according to the manager the big saves he made on the day saved Nigeria from defeat. ” At first don’t forget him, you win you have a bonus everybody gave his part to Carl. He was very happy, the next idea I have is to go and see him to say thanks for what you did in the first game against Zambia.

Ailling Ikeme with Rohr and Pniick

England hoping to avoid Super Eagles in Russia

E

ngland is praying to avoid the Super Eagles at next year’s FIFA World Cup in Russia. The Three Lions have already qualified for the World Cup from the Euro group, but they are ranked 12th in the world, which means they will not be among the seeded teams.

In analysis by English tabloid, The Sun paints a ‘scary’ picture of England being paired in a ‘group of death’ with Germany, Brazil, Portugal, Argentina, Belgium, Poland, France and hosts Russia as top seeds.

It said: “England could even be drawn in a group of death with Brazil or Argentina, and possibly Nigeria from Pot 4.”The paper believes that a likely nightmare group would see England facing Brazil, Iceland and Nigeria at the preliminary stage.

Despite easily topping their qualifying pool, the Three Lions have missed out on being a top seed when the groups are drawn for next summer’s World Cup at the Kremlin on December 1.

Instead, hosts Russia will be joined by Germany, Brazil, Portugal, Argentina, Belgium, Poland and France, the leading seven countries in the next set of FIFA world rankings being published on Monday.

According to the analysis, England, set to be 12th, will be in the second seeding block. That at least ensures they cannot play Spain or 2014 group opponents Uruguay and Italy, although they could be drawn with Costa Rica.

But unless Italy, Switzerland and Peru all blow up in play-offs next month, England could be in line for a reunion with their Euro 2016 nemesis Iceland. The final seeding pots will not be confirmed until after the remaining nine qualifiers conclude on November 15.

There are four more places up for grabs in Europe, three in Africa and two from the intercontinental play-offs, which pit New Zealand against Peru and Honduras with Australia. FIFA, though, have already announced a change from the previous policy of splitting the qualified teams into geographical sections.

England team for World Cup

Rohr

A

Rohr monitoring Enyeama’s recovery

n update on the possible return of former Super Eagles first choice goalkeeper and captain Vincent Enyeama has been provided by coach of the team, Gernot Rohr.

Enyeama has been on exile from the team after a row with former coach Sunday Olishe which lead to him losing the captain arm band and also announcing his retirement from the team ?to focus on his club career with French club Lille.

Rohr all but confirmed the return of the 35 year old goalkeeper who is presently working his way back to full fitness after an injury and also added that the mo-

tivation of making history by going to the World Cup for the fourth time should spur Enyeama to pick up the challenge.

“He has just been operated on his meniscus, he is presently doing a lot of works in terms of fitness. He has already played in three World Cup, he could be a record man as a goalkeeper to play in four World Cup. ” It could be a challenge for him, I think. he is working on that but actually what is the situation we are unlucky in this position, because he was injured already for a long time”, he said in a radio interview with Lagos Talks Fm.

Saturday, October 14, 2017

EXTRATIME

Russia 2018 World Cup Qualifiers… Russia 2018 World Cup Qualifiers… Russia 2018 World

Benched Ahmed Musa turns to business

L

eicester City forward Ahmed Musa may be finding it tough to make a headway with the Foxes, but the Nigeria striker appears to be making great strides elsewhere: in business.

Straight after leaving camp this week, in the wake of the Super Eagles sealing qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Musa headed off to his home in the northern Nigerian city of Kano. It was not a social visit, at least not completely.

Musa was in Kano to formally open his petrol station, one of a growing number of business concerns the 24-year-old is gradually building as he looks to invest wisely for his future.

This follows the opening of a N500m ($1.4 million) sports complex and leisure centre, also in Kano, earlier this year. He also opened a mini

shopping mall a few years ago. These are ventures which, in a cash-based economy like Nigeria, are guaranteed milking cows, especially the petrol station.

An oil-producing country, Nigeria’s downstream sector is a particularly lucrative business enterprise, and if well-managed and scaled, could well see the player earn more than he does playing football.

Musa told reporters he was looking to the future: “It is important to think about life after football.

“We will not play forever, and the best time to start thinking about that and doing something about it is when you are still playing.”

There is an almost identical pattern to the

career trajectory of the majority of top African football players. It usually starts from being poor, to struggling beginners, then the big European break, earning unbelievable sums of money and living the high life. Retirement eventually follows, and with it comes a drop in earnings, and lifestyle.

In Nigeria, where the domestic league is still in the early stages of emerging from the poor organisation of yesteryear, opportunities for postcareer development are extremely limited within football circles.

These opportunities are mostly in coaching, like for 1994 World Cup stars Augustine Eguavoen, Samson Siasia, and Emmanuel Amuneke, or in player management like former Lazio forward Stephen Makinwa.

These opportunities are not just limited, but usually poorly remunerated, particularly at club level. And, outside of the senior men’s team, the national team jobs are almost as poorly-remunerated as the clubs, with regular and extended delays in payments.

Musa has chosen to break the mould, and delve into an area where no other Nigerian footballer has dared to go. It is a remarkably bold move for the forward, and one which sets him apart from his peers.

A Sports Centre, shopping mall, and now petrol station. Is there anything else Ahmed Musa plans to invest in?

“Wait and see,” is all he will offer, suggesting that there is indeed more to come.

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Ifeanyiuba loses Brazilian coach to Abia warriors

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igeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side Abia Warriors has announced it has agreed a deal for former FC Ifeanyiubah Brazilian coach Rafael Everton to lead the Umuahia-based club in the new season.

In a statement signed by club spokesman Igwe Onuoha, said the Brazilian coach, who led FC Ifeanyiubah to an historic Federation Cup triumph a year ago, will be their new head coach.

Everton quit FC Ifeanyiubah after he was redeployed to the team's academy following a major shake-up.

Last season, the Umuahia-based club was headed by coach Abdullahi Biffo. It barely escaped relegation.

Coach serves Isaac Success with final warning

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igeria international, Isaac Success has been warned to avoid being involved with prostitues and concentrate on his football career in England, according to Watford manager, Marco Silva.

Success faces a fight to save his Vicarage Road career following allegations of an angry bust-up at a hotel with four prostitutes.

The Nigerian 21-year-old’s manager, Marco Silva, has warned him ‘to be careful’ and wants to see proof of why he deserves a future with the Premier League club.

‘The player and everyone else at the club know their obligations as professionals and they know the rules,’ Silva said when asked about Success.

‘People who love football don’t like this situation.

Football is his life, he needs to be careful and

Iwobi

CAF emergency meeting to hold in Lagos

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WCQ: Wenger congratulates Nigeria

A

rsenal Manager, Arsene Wenger, has congratulated Nigeria for emerging the first African country to book her passage to the World Cup 2018 scheduled to hold in Russia.

Apparently aware of the massive followership his North London club enjoys in Nigeria, the Frenchman was extremely pleased that one of his players, Alex Iwobi, scored the vital goal that gave Nigeria the ticket to the tournament for the sixth time.

In a 22-second message posted on Arsenal’s Facebook account thursday, Wenger was delighted and proud to see Iwobi playing a major role in Nigeria’s success in the qualification series.

“Congratulations to all our fans in Nigeria. I know that there are very, very, very many of you and we are

very proud that you have qualified for the World Cup,” Wenger remarked Thursday.

He stated further that: “On top of that, our player, (Iwobi) scored the goal for you and that makes us ever prouder.

“Well done, and see you in the World Cup. I am sure you will have a great, great trip there,” concludes the message from the Gunners boss.

Iwobi, who was a second half substitute scored the goal that ended Chipolopolo of Zambia’s quest to reach their first World Cup. The Nigeria is expected to be in action this weekend when Arsenal visits Watford in the English Premiership.

he Emergency Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the most powerful organ in the set up of the continental body, would on Saturday, October 14, meet in Lagos, Nigeria.

The meeting according to information gathered by the GNA Sports, would be held in Ikoyi, Lagos and there will be deliberations on recent happenings in the game in Africa, as well as CAF competitions next year.

The discussion would also focus on the African Nations Championship (CHAN), originally scheduled for Kenya, but was later withdrawn, due to lack of adequate preparations on the part of the East Africans.

The meeting comes up on the eve of the grand finale of the AITEO Cup competition, taking place at the Agege Stadium on Sunday, 15th October would be attended by the CAF Emergency Committee members.

According to the information, Egypt’s Hani Abo Rida, who is a Member of the FIFA Council, will be part of CAF President Ahmad’s entourage to Lagos.

Amaju Pinnick, President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), together with other members of the NFF would welcome CAF boss Ahmad at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Friday, 13th October.

It was further gathered that “An Evening With Ahmad”, which is actually a dinner on Saturday night, and to which Members of the diplomatic community and NFF’s sponsors and partners have been invited.

The CAF Emergency Committee, chaired by CAF President Ahmad, CAF’s three Vice Presidents are; Ghana’s Kwesi Nyantakyi (1st Vice President), Democratic Republic of Congo’s Omari Constant Selemani (2nd Vice. President) and Morocco’s Fouzi Lekjaa (3rd Vice President), together NFF President Amaju Pinnick, Liberia FA President Hassan Musa Bility and CAF Referees Committee head, Souleiman Hassan Waberi would be part of the crucial meeting.

Saturday, October 14, 2017

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

France can win World Cup, says Digne F

rance international Lucas Digne believes that Les Bleus have as good a shot as anyone of winning the World Cup next summer.

Didier Deschamps’ men booked their passage to Russia in 2018 with victories over Belarus and Bulgaria, with the Barcelona fullback playing an integral role in both those fixtures Although France only managed to beat their opponents narrowly, they finished four points clear of Sweden and Netherlands atop UEFA Qualifying Group A and are considered one of the likeliest sides to win the competition.

While Digne believes his side are capable of claiming the prize, he would not necessarily put France down as the runaway favourites.

“We can win the World Cup with

this team,” Digne told Goal. “Of course, we have to think like that.

“We have great ambitions and a huge potential in this squad, but there are other teams who can win it as well, so I don’t see ourselves as favourites.

“Of course we can improve as a team and hit our top level in Russia, but now we have qualified directly and that is a great feeling for us all – and for the whole country.

“We can allow ourselves to dream right now, but the most important thing is to work hard.”

Digne, 24, was a member of a defence in those two fixtures that comprised his team-mates from the Under-20 World Cup-winning squad, Samuel Umtiti and Raphael Varane, as well as Djibril Sidibe,

who was the elder figure at just 25.

The young rearguard did not buckle under the pressure placed upon them, making it a week to remember for the former Lille and Paris Saint-Germain player.

“Going into the last two games, we knew we could decide everything ourselves by winning both,” he said. “We’re very satisfied that we managed to do just that.

“Personally, I’m happy that I could play the full match in both of these important fixtures and thereby contribute to helping us to the World Cup. Celebrating on

Tuesday with a full and party-ready Stade de France was a special experience.”

He did admit, however, that there remains untapped potential in the team.

“We did the job but we can play better,” he added. “When we went 2-0 up, we looked great as a team but in the second half we struggled a bit to find our best and had to make it simple and work hard to get the result that we wanted.

“The only important thing was to win and qualify directly for the World Cup. We did that, so it was mission accomplished.”

Now Digne has targeted a place at the finals, where he will have to battle fellow left-backs Benjamin Mendy and Layvin Kurzawa for a spot in the France panel. The Barca player has more experience than both, having gained 18 caps and been a part of the squad at two major finals as Patrice Evra’s understudy.

“Even though I’m only 24, I’ve already been at the World Cup in Brazil and last summer’s European Championship, so believe me, being part of a big tournament and representing your country on the biggest stage is fantastic for all footballers,” he concluded.

Barca offers Messi record $100 signing bonus

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ionel Messi is already one of the richest soccer players on the planet, and he could soon add a record-breaking signing bonus to his bottom line.

According to a report from the Daily Mail, FC Barcelona is set to offer Messi a bonus of approximately $100 million to extend his tenure with the club. That sum would be on top of a reported base salary of around $650,000 per week.

A $100 million bonus would shatter the previous record, according to the report. It shows how badly Barcelona wants to hold onto their superstar, especially in light of rumors that he may be eyeing a move to Manchester City after the new year. But while Barcelona is one of the richest clubs in the world, they already spend 84% of their total annual revenue on player salaries, so it appears they’ll have to go to special lengths to afford Messi’s bonus.

The Mail reported that the club is considering selling the naming rights to the Camp Nou, the team’s home since 1957. A potential deal would involve 25 years of brand name attachment and raise well over $200 million in revenue.

The Camp Nou is set to undergo significant renovations in the next few years, and it could have a new name as soon as next season, breaking a 60-year precedent. But while a number of changes are planned, Messi’s new contract will provide some continuity on the pitch.

Messi’s current deal with Barcelona is set to expire at the end of this season, but talks of an extension stalled over the summer while the star forward was helping his native Argentina qualify for the World Cup. Argentina clinched its place in Russia earlier this week thanks to Messi’s hat trick against Ecuador.

While re-signing Messi would have been a top priority for Barcelona no matter the circumstances, it became an especially important goal after losing Neymar to Paris SaintGermain by way of a record-breaking $263 million transfer. Losing both superstars would have been a big blow to the club, which reached the quarterfinals of the Champions League last season.

While Messi has not officially agreed to the deal, midfielder and team captain Andres Iniesta, who signed a lifetime deal with Barcelona earlier this month, believes the 30 year old will return to Barça.

“The club wants Leo to be here, he wants to be here. I hope that his story [at Barcelona] never ends,” he said, according to The Sun. “He is unique, we can’t live without him, and I think the club thinks the same way.”

Barcelona will go for their 10th win in a row on Saturday, when they face off against Atletico Madrid.

Messi

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Mascherano unsure of Barca’s future

avier Mascherano says he will make a decision on his Barcelona future at the end of this season after falling out of favour at Camp Nou. The Argentina international is under contract until 2019 but could be set for a rethink as he competes with Samuel Umtiti and Gerard Pique for game time.

Mascherano says he has yet to discuss the situation with the club, but acknowledges a decision must be made.

“I have my contract to honour with the club but, obviously, once the season is over, we’ll see what needs to be done,” he told TyC Sports. “I haven’t spoken to anyone about it yet.

“At Barcelona, they’ve always said that they’re happy with me and I have time to think about it.

“It’s clear that I’m playing less for my club because we have two centre-backs who are better. I am trying to battle to win my place - or at least be ready when I am called on.

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Zidane

Madrid right to keep injured Bale, says Zidane

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inedine Zidane does not believe Real Madrid should have sold Gareth Bale during the close season despite the Wales forward’s ongoing injury problems.

Bale was forced to sit in the stands as his country missed out on a place at the 2018 World Cup this week, with the Republic of Ireland pipping them to a play-off spot with a 1-0 win in Cardiff.

The 28-year-old will remain on the sidelines for Saturday’s LaLiga trip to Getafe but Zidane rejected the notion that reported interest from Manchester United should have persuaded the reigning Spanish and European champions to cash in at a time when France sensation Kylian Mbappe was on the market.

Asked before his 100th game at the helm whether Madrid had missed a chance to cash in on Bale, Zidane said: “Not at all. You have to live the present, I do not think about any of that.

“He’s the first person that is bothered about this situation. He doesn’t want to be out of the side either. But things happen and we have to accept them.”

Zidane is unsure precisely when the winger will return, given his situation is complicated by carrying two separate injuries at present.

“He’s had two things – an injury in Dortmund [Bale was substituted late on in Madrid’s 3-1 Champions League victory] and then he’s also felt something in his hamstring,” he explained.

“I can’t tell you when, I can’t tell you how but he is getting better.

“We’re going to see day by day, to see how he is. He won’t come back in a week or in 10 days but we will look and him every day and see how he progresses.

“He wants to come back as soon as possible and we will see.”

Pressed further on the circumstances around Bale’s latest setback, Zidane insisted it stemmed from the player’s desire to return and refused to blame Madrid’s medical staff.

Bosz rues Dortmund´s defensive injuries P eter Bosz rued Borussia Dortmund’s bad luck as further injuries left his defence down to the bare bones for the Bundesliga clash with RB Leipzig.

Dortmund top the table ahead of welcoming last season’s runners-up Leipzig to Signal Iduna Park, but Bosz has been dealt a blow by further defensive knocks

in the international break.

Lukasz Piszczek has joined captain Marcel Schmelzer (ankle), Erik Durm (hip) and Raphael Guerreiro (ankle) in the treatment room after injuring his right knee in action for Poland, leaving Bosz frustrated.

“We have problems in the fullback position,” he told a pre-match news conference. “Piszczek unfortunately does not look good. We

will miss him in the coming months.

“It is unbelievable. The full-backs are always hurt. This is not easy. A system change is possible. We no longer have lots of options, but we will have to choose.”

Centre-back Sokratis is also a doubt, having just returned from international duty with Greece, although Bosz is hopeful he will be fighting fit come Saturday’s game.

“He only partially trained [on Thursday],” the coach said of Sokratis. “I hope that he is fully involved [on Friday] - only then is he an option.”

Bosz also admitted he has had to lift star men PierreEmerick Aubameyang and Christian Pulisic after their respective countries - Gabon and the United States - missed out on World Cup qualification.

Bosz

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SPECIAL FEATURE

By Frank Jumbo

‘How Super Eagles can soar in Russia’

By Frank Jumbo

W

e have traveled down this road before. It begins with a nerve-wracking journey through difficult world cup qualification matches only to arrive the tournament and quickly get eliminated in the early stages.

It happened in USA 1994, France 1998 and JapanKorea 2002. Will it happen again in Russia?

The current Super Eagles team parades an exciting mix of talented youngsters and experienced players and so far, they have exhibited what it takes to go far in the world stage. But make no mistake about it; the world cup is a different ball game. It is an event tinged with politics, racism and plenty of intrigues.

African teams never seem to do well in this tournament. A large part of the blame however lies with the teams involved and their respective football associations. In the case of the Super Eagles, politics of player selection, poor funding and poor coaching hampered our progress in the past.

Take the case of the USA 94 Super Eagles for example.

This was arguably the best Super Eagles side ever assembled. Analysts still acknowledge this fact to this day.

This was a team rated b y the BBC as having the deadliest strike force in Africa, with likes of Rashidi Yekini, Daniel Amo-

kachi, Samson Sia-Sia, Victor Ikpeba and Emmanuel Amuneke.

On arrival at the world cup, the team did well in its early matches by decisively beating Bulgaria and Greece. But all of coach Clemence Westerhoff’s weaknesses were exposed in the match against Italy.

A combination of inexperience, poor team selection and poor tactical decisions by Westerhoff led to our elimination by Italy. The team however played neat, entertaining football and in the end it was adjudged the most entertaining team in the 1994 world cup.

The same thing was to repeat itself in France 1998, The coach that qualified the Super Eagles to this event, Phillip Trousier had his appointment terminated by the NFF just before the world cup. In his place, a journeyman coach with dubious credentials was brought in to take the Eagles to the world cup. His name was Bora Milutinovic who was widely regarded as a mercenary in football circles.

He quickly dropped certain key players who had been involved in the qualifying process. Jonathan Akpoborie who played 4 out 6 qualifying matches and was rated as one of the best strikers in Africa, was dropped.

Emmanuel Amuneke, who was struggling with injuries was invited. Goalkeeper Joseph Dosu was involved in a car crash that was to eventually end his promising football career. Replacement goalie Ike Shoronmu injured his hand before the team could play its first match. In desperation, veteran goalie Peter Rufai was drafted in at the last minute. Mobi Okparaku, a reliable midfielder was dropped and later recalled.

During the tournament, the team recorded a shock victory over Spain. But when we came up against Denmark, Milutinovics weak coaching credentials displayed itself. He clearly did not understand the individual strengths and weaknesses of his players.

He desperately pressed unfit and injured players into the game. The game ended in defeat for the super Eagles and they

crashed out of the tournament.

Japan – Korea 2002 was another disaster for the Super Eagles. Just like in France 98, Coach Adegboye Onigbinde was brought in at the last minute to replace sacked coach Amodu Shaibu who had qualified the team to the world cup. Many analysts had openly complained against the choice of Onigbinde to handle the team. They were of the opinion that he was out of tune with modern football.

These fears were confirmed when we lost our opening match against Argentina and he brazenly blamed defender Taribo West for Gabriel Batitusta’s lone goal against the Eagles. He failed to see that his side was simply outclassed and outgunned by the tricky Argentine’s. But for the superb goalkeeping of Ike Shoronmu, Nigeria would have conceded at least 9 goals. Taribo West was in his element and was clearly overworked in defense. The entire match was played in the Nigerian half of the field. Taribo West was to go on to castigate Onigbinde as “having no business coaching the Super Eagles.”

The Eagles were to lose their next match against Sweden which effectively ended their world cup ambitions.

With this troubling world cup history, what can be done to ensure that our current Super Eagles go beyond the group stages? The recent call by the National Assembly to the Federal government to use the monies recovered from treasury looters to fund our world cup campaign has generated apprehension, because this call is clearly an early warning sign.

As good as this suggestion appears to be, it is faced with legal hurdles. For one thing, all recovered loot is subject to legal clearance. Besides, the government of the day does not appear to be predisposed to adequately funding football or any other sport for that matter.

Extra time sought the opinion of notable professionals on the matter.

Former Super Eagles coach Christian Chukwu is of the opinion that early preparations can make us go far in Russia.

“We must start preparing now. We must study the FIFA and CAF calendars to ensure that we arrange and

play enough friendly matches. Every area of need must be addressed. The Federal Government must support the coaching crew and also our players. We must never leave anything to the last minute. All hands must be on deck. Nigerian football has gone beyond the level of group stages in the world cup. It would be a disaster to go through this qualification stages and be disgraced out early.” He warned.

Ex –Super Eagles winger and Coach, Henry Nwosu, is also a stout advocate of friendly matches. He told Extra Time in a phone interview: “We must draw up a lot of friendly matches and make sure that we play them. The coaches should invite additional players to camp. At least 100 players including the current ones should be put to trials after which a final list will come out. They must continue to seek better talent both at home and abroad.”

“The NFF and sports ministry must approach the Federal government and corporate organizations for funds so that everything we need is made available.

This money must be properly managed when it is received. With all these, I am of the opinion that we can make our mark in the world cup. Thank God that we have a coach who appears to have settled down well with the boys. We need to assist him to get to at least the semi-final stages of the world cup,” he said.

For sports writer and columnist Oluwashina Okeleji, it is the player’s welfare that must be addressed if we hope to make any impact in Russia.

“The common feature to all these past eliminations is the thorny issue of match bonuses and allowances. Unpaid bonus derailed pour 1994 and 1998 efforts. This pitfall must be avoided at all costs this time around,” he also warned.

While the advice from the National Assembly is yet to receive a response from the Presidency, many observers are of the opinion that only the generosity of high-net worth individuals and corporate organisations can provide the necessary funds for our Russia challenge . It remains to be seen if the NFF and the Sports ministry can convince these select group to fund the campaign.

Saturday, October 14, 2017

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The families of UZO and NENE announce the homecoming of our Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Daughter, Sister, Aunt and Friend

LATE MRS. BEAUTY UZO (Nee Nene) 1953 - 2017

BURIAL ARRANGEMENTS FRIDAY, 13th of OCTOBER, 2017 5.00pm prompt – Service of Songs Christ the Lord Central Parish (RCCG) at 1-5 Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

THURSDAY, 19th of OCTOBER, 2017 5.00pm - Vigil Mass at Chief. J.O.A. Uzo’s residence, Mkputu Village

FRIDAY, 20TH OF OCTOBER, 2017 8.30am to 9.40am – Lying-in-State at Chief. J.O.A. Uzo’s residence, Mkputu Village 10.00am – Funeral Mass at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Owerre Ezukala 1.00pm to 2.00pm – Internment & other Funeral Activities at St. Patrick’s Catholic Parish at Owerre Ezukala

SUNDAY, 22ND OF OCTOBER, 2017 May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace (Amen)

Husband Chief J. O. A. Uzo Children Mrs. Chinyere Ubani Mrs. Jennifer Tochukwu Enwemnwa Mrs. Chukwudiegu Uzo Miss Chinonyerem Uzo Miss Ugochinyere John Uzo

9.00am – Outing Mass at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Owerre Ezukala 11.30am – Prayers at the Graveside

Grandchildren Victory Ubani Chinwuike Ubani Siblings Mr. Samual Ekong Mrs. Ijeoma Olaniyi Mr. Obisike Nene Mrs. Nkechi Okorocha

Son in Laws Mr. Lacristo C. Ubani Mr. Madubuogo Enwemnwa

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Valencia

Valencia bags Premier League goal of the month award

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Conte insists he is happy at Chelsea C helsea boss Antonio Conte claims recent speculation linking him with a return as Italy boss is wide of the mark.

Conte left the Azzurri role after Euro 2016 to join the west London club but a recent radio interview in Italy, in which he admitted he missed his native country, has prompted suggestions he will return to take charge of the national team at the end of the season.

Italy, under Gian Piero Ventura, failed to secure an automatic place at the 2018 World Cup and will have

to navigate the play-offs, but Conte is adamant he has no immediate plans to ride to the rescue and is willing to see out his Stamford Bridge contract that runs until 2019.

He said: “For two weeks I have been reading the wrong things. I did an interview two weeks ago and I am sure the translation was wrong because all I said was that one day in the future I’d like to go back to Italy.

“I have two years left on my contract with Chelsea and I am happy to work for this club, with my players, I like to work with them.

“I like to have these great feelings with our fans and I don’t see a problem but sometimes we want to create this type of situation.

“My family stay here with me, not in Italy. My daughter is going to school here in Cobham and it’s important to write the truth.”

Asked if he knew what he wanted to do after 2019, he added: “Every coach when they start work with a club, for sure you hope to stay for a long time and try to do something important for the club. But, at the same time, I always said it’s very difficult

Aguero may return against Stoke

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Aguero

ergio Aguero could return to action for Manchester City against Stoke City on Saturday – a little over two weeks on from the Argentina striker suffering a broken rib in a car crash.

A taxi taking Aguero to Amsterdam airport smashed into a lamppost, ruling him out of the Kevin De Bruyne-inspired 1-0 win at Chelsea that kept City at the top of the Premier League table heading into the international break.

It meant Aguero was sidelined for Argentina’s concluding World Cup qualifiers, as Lionel Messi dragged them to Russia 2018 with a sensational hat-trick versus Ecuador, and national team doctor Donato Villani suggested a one-anda-half month absence was likely.

However, the 29-year-old gave weight to the initial estimate from City’s medical team of a two-to-four week absence and he returned to light training earlier this week.

At that stage, City said Aguero would not be ready to play Stoke but he took part in a full session on Thursday and Guardiola told reporters the man who is within one goal of City’s all-time scoring record may feature against Mark Hughes’ men. “He did his first training session after what happened and he did it quite well,” he said.

“Hopefully as soon as possible he will be back. Maybe [Aguero will play against Stoke], we are going to see the last training session.

and our job is very strange because one day you are the best and another day you stay at home.”

Conte also played down suggestions Andrea Pirlo, who he managed when with Italy and Juventus, could join his coaching team at Chelsea when his playing career with New York City ends in December.

He added: “I know that Andrea has decided to retire and finish his career.

I can talk about him in the best way but at this moment he doesn’t know his future, or what he wants to do when he finishes.”

anchester United rightback Antonio Valencia has won September’s Premier League Goal of the Month award for his stunning strike in the 4-0 win over Everton.

The match was barely four minutes old against Ronald Koeman’s struggling Everton, when the Ecuadorian unleashed a remarkable hit to open the scoring in style.

Nemanja Matic’s lofted pass bounced across the edge of the area and Valencia struck it in the air, hitting across it with his right foot and smashing it into the far side of the goal beyond the helpless Jordan Pickford.

It was only the second Premier League goal Valencia has scored since January 2014 and sent United on their way to a crushing win.

Lukaku is world class - Klopp

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urgen Klopp believes Romelu Lukaku has matured at Manchester United, although he never doubted his “world class” ability.

Lukaku joined United for a reported £75million ahead of the Premier League season and has made a stunning start to life at Old Trafford, scoring 11 goals in 10 games in all competitions.

Klopp’s Liverpool welcome Lukaku and United to Anfield on Saturday and the Reds boss hailed the forward’s development since making his big move.

“He has matured, of course,” Klopp told a pre-match news conference. “He’s still a young player. I don’t think there was any doubt at any point of his career that he would be a worldclass striker - and he was already a world-class striker at Everton.

“Now, being around these other fantastic players at Man United helps him and he has helped the team so far a lot.

“They have been real goal-getter goals. It was: first try?

No. Second try? There. And then do it again. It was not always fantastic play, it was fighting for goals.

“He clearly enjoys life in this team a lot. He has all the confidence you need as a striker and I’m sure he’s improved since he joined Manchester.”

Klopp will be reunited with Henrikh Mkhitaryan - a player of his at Borussia Dortmund - on Saturday and he had praise for the United man, even if he feels he may lack the edge to become an elite star.

“He is a fantastic player, he was always a fantastic player,” Klopp said. “We played against him at Shakhtar Donetsk.

Wow. He had the perfect attitude.

“But he had the perfect mentality, too. He knew what he wanted to do in each moment of his life. He was the perfect boy, son-in-law, whatever.

“Sometimes, in football, you need to have something a little bit different. We all know some of the best players in the world have a few little issues and that’s absolutely okay

Lukaku

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Miguel Cotto to retire from boxing after title fight

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ix-time world champion Miguel Cotto will bring the curtain down on his boxing career with a world light-middleweight title fight against Sadam Ali on December 2.

The 36-year-old Puerto Rican, who has held titles at four different weights, will defend his WBO belt for the final time at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

Cotto has 41 wins from 46 fights, with Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez inflicting three of his five defeats.

The former light-welterweight and welterweight world champion will be defending the WBO light-middleweight title he won against Japan’s Yoshihiro Kamegai in August in his last professional bout.

“I’m very excited to be back in the ring for my final fight at the Garden,” Cotto said.

“I’ve worked really hard my entire career to be at this level. I am fully concentrated on getting together with (trainer) Freddie Roach so we can work hard and have a great victory on December 2.”

American Ali has won 25 of his 26 contests but was beaten by Jessie Vargas in his only previous world title shot

Shanghai Masters: Nadal, Federer reach semi-finals

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op seeds Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer remain on course to meet in Shanghai after reaching the last four.

World number one Nadal beat Grigor Dimitrov 6-4 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 to register his 15th consecutive win and will face fourth seed Marin Cilic in the semis.

Second seed Federerand 16th seed Del Potro will play each other in the second semi-final in China.

Del Potro overcame an injury scare to beat Victor Troicki 4-6 6-1 6-4, while Federer beat Richard Gasquet 7-5 6-4.

Briton Jamie Murray and Brazil’s Bruno Soares reached the doubles semi-finals with a 6-1 7-6 (8-6) victory over Raven Klaasen and Rajeev Ram. The victory ensured that the pair, who have won two Grand Slams and six titles together, qualified for the ATP World Tour Finals in London next month.

Top seed Nadal is chasing a tour-leading seventh title this season, and beat Bulgaria’s Dimitrov for the second time in a week following his semi-final victory at the China Open.

The Spaniard, 31, breezed through the first set but was unable to break Dimitrov in the second, and the Bulgarian was strong in the tie-break to force a deciding set.

Dimitrov, ranked eighth in the world, had break point early in the third set, but Nadal saved it with a backhand volley before winning three consecutive games.

World number five Cilic secured his place in the semi-finals with a routine victory over Spain’s Albert Ramos-Vinolas.

The Croat, who has yet to drop a set in this year’s tournament, served 10 aces as he registered a 6-3 6-4 win.

Miguel Cotto Tyson Fury

Former world champion Tyson Fury targets April comeback

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ormer world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury claims he will return to the ring next April and has targeted three fights in 2018.

Fury, who is currently awaiting a date for his UK anti-doping hearing, is planning his boxing comeback following two years out of the ring with a “mega fight” next summer.

The undefeated 29-year old has not fought since ending Wladimir Klitschko’s heavyweight reign in November 2015 and last week stated he will not apply for a British Boxing Board of Control licence following his suspension.

Fury took to social media on Thursday to outline his plans for three fights before the end of next year.

“Be ready to fight in April 2018 in a great fight,” he said.

“And again in the summer in a mega fight and again in [the] back end of [the] year. Three big fights in 2018.”

The former WBA, WBO and IBF titleholder was ringside for his cousin Hughie Fury’s defeat to WBO champion Joseph Parker in Manchester last month, and the New Zealander has since hinted at a clash with Tyson.

Filipinos unbeaten in International Open Chess

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our Filipino players remained unbeaten in two games to share the top spot with three other foreign players after the second round of the 2017 International Open Chess Championship being held at the Osborne Hall in Bacolod City.

Grandmaster (GM) Joey Antonio, International Master (IM) Chito Garma, and untitled players Edsel Montoya and Merben Roque blasted their respective foes in the second round of the tournament, which offers $3,000 to the champion and $2,500 to the runner-up.

Antonio stamped his class over Emmanuel Emperado, Garma toppled FIDE Master Stephen Rome Pangilinan, and Montoya stunned IM Ronald Dableo.

But it was Roque who posted the day’s biggest upset as he shocked third seed GM Tran Tuan Minh of

Vietnam.

Joining them in the first place are top seed GM Nigel Short of Great Britain, and Vietnamese players GM Nguyen Duc Hoa and IM Tran Minh Thang, who defeated their respective Filipino foes in the second round.

Short outclassed David Elorta, Duc Hoa clobbered Jayson Salubre and Thang beat National master (NM) Elwin Retanal.

Second seed GM Karen Griyoryan of Armenia, fourth pick GM Srinath Narayanan of India, and Filipinos GM Darwin Laylo, IM Oliver Dimakiling and IM Kim Steven Yap are in a group of 1.5-pointers.

After settling for a draw in their first-round matches, Grigoryan bounced back with a victory over Rolzon Roullo while Laylo came up with a victory over NM Winston Joseph Silva.

On the other hand, Narayanan agreed to a draw with Rommel Ganzon. Dimakiling split the point with Ellan Asuela as Yap did the same with Daniel Quizon.

The third round pairings are Thang versus Short, Garma versus Duc Hoa, Antonio versus Roque, Grigoryan versus Montoya, Laylo versus Quizon, Yap versus Ganzon, Asuela versus Minh and Dableo versus Pangilinan.

Chito Garma

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Business & Economy Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, October 14, 2017

Electricity workers and move against NERC directivePage B2 Simon Ugwu

The Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) has disclosed that the current revenue shortfalls that have accumulated from the inability of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to allow the 11 electricity distribution companies (DisCos) in the country’s power sector to have cost reflective tariffs have now shot up to N460 billion, thus burdening the operations of the Discos.

ANED stated this at a power sector workshop in Abuja, adding that the heavy financial shortfalls were impacting on the operations of the Discos such that they may be forced to declare a force majeure. According to documents presented at the workshop, the failure of the NERC to review about three consecutive

Glo partners Ofala Festival to boost tourism Page B3

DisCos mull force majeure, as electricity tariff shortfalls hit N460bn ÏM#^6 ƕ ƌ ƏƆ ƍ ƓƆƏ ƍƋ Ɛ Ƒ ƗƆƏƓ ƕ

sets of electricity tariffs between January 2015 and December 2016 resulted in the N460 billion shortfalls.

Responding to this development and a question on why the Discos have rather opted to continue to operate in the sector instead of declaring a force majeure and cutting short their losses, the Executive Director, Research and Advocacy of ANED, Mr. Sunday Oduntan, said: “We are not ruling that out, it is an option. But, is that the best way out? The best way out is for the government to do the right thing. The

problem of the sector is liquidity, and there is no cost reflective tariff to the Discos.”

In another development, the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) has said that more power plants are underway and the next stage was to mobilise the contractors to site.

The company which is in charge of the projects under the Nigeria Integrated Power Projects (NIPP) has secured procurement approval for the power projects from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP). Its Chief Executive Officer,

Mr. Chiedu Ugbo disclosed this to reporters during the 20th Power Sector Stakeholders’ meeting in Owerri.

He said: “More power plants are coming like the ExxonMobil power plant and a number of other plants being conceived along that corridor. We have received all the approvals we needed from government including the Bureau of Public Procurement so the next stage now will be to mobilize the contractors to site and we are going to do that a few days from now. So that they will go back to site.”

The National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, and the Kaduna State government recently kick-started collaboration on implementation of compulsory insurances in the state.

Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Banaber Bala Bantex (3rd left) receiving a plaque from the Commissioner for Insurance, Alhaji Mohammed Kari during the Commission’s courtesy visit to the State.

Execution, consistency of ERGP to engender growth – Stanbic Afolabi Adesola Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, a member of Standard Bank Group, has said that with diligent execution and policy consistency, the

BUSINESS TIMES Business Editor Ganiyu Obaaro

Deputy Business Editor Azubike Nnadozie Asst. Business Editor Simon Ugwu Capital Market Editor Bonny Amadi

Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) has the capacity to steer the country towards full economic recovery and sustainable growth and development.

ERGP was unveiled in April this year as a shortto-long term (2017 – 2020) blueprint to lift the country out of recession and unto the path of inclusive growth and development.

Key goals of the blueprint include macroeconomic stability, incremental improvements in national productivity and sustainable diversification of

production in such areas as agriculture, energy and medium and small enterprises, as well as manufacturing and services.

The attainment of these goals underscored the theme of the 23rd Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja - “Opportunities, Productivity and Employment.” Speaking on the sidelines of the Summit, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mr. Yinka Sanni, stated that practically every sector of the Nigerian economy is endowed with huge potential, which, when ad-

equately harnessed would trigger exponential development of the country. By empowering enterprises, big and small, opportunities are unlocked that leads to enhanced productivity levels and subsequent creation of employment for the people, he added.

Sanni said though Nigerian enterprises are buffeted by a myriad of challenges, with a conducive operating environment, banks can assist in reversing this trend by providing critical support across the SME value chain, which would enable the sector

play its foundational role in economic development.

SMEs in Nigeria, he added, are constrained in three main areas namely, management, finance and business environment. In the area of management are issues such as skills shortage, management expertise, financial management, business support and access to markets, while in the area of finance, they are confronted by cost of capital, lack of collateral, information requirements, regulation impact and culture clash.

Tourism: Lagos Chamber boss charges media, others on sector

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Jalo-Waziri, new Central Security boss resumes November 1 Bonny Amadi The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has appointed Mr. Haruna Jalo Waziri as the substantive Chief Executive Officer of the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS).

Waziri will be taking over from Mr. Bola Adeeko, who has been piloting the affairs of the settlement system house in the last couple of months, as acting Chief Executive Officer. He was earlier seconded from the NSE Corporate Service Division to the CSCS. Jalo-Waziri started his career at the Exchange in the Quotations Department at The NSE. He also worked at Kakawa Discount House Ltd, where he started the asset management department; and rose to become Head of Asset Management; the department eventually transformed to become Kakawa Asset Management Limited.

Meanwhile, the appointment of Waziri, which is yet to be made known to the brokerage community, according to a close source who was privy to the appointment, said having a substantive CEO at the CSCS is long overdue.

Until his appointment to CSCS, Waziri was an Executive Director, Capital Markets Division at the NSE. He is expected to resume on 1st November, 2017.

Haruna Jalo-Waziri, is an economist with over 18 years of capital market and investment management experience covering regulation, deal origination, execution, as well as fund management.

He has been involved in various successful ground breaking deals such as Heineken Euro Bond, and British American Tobacco M&A, among others.

Until his coming to the NSE, he was the MD/CEO, UBA Asset Management Limited, which he led from 2009.

Waziri

Business Review B2

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, October 14, 2017

Electricity workers and move against NERC directive Simon Ugwu The Nigerian Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, has faulted the imposition of the sum of N450,000 as a financial sanction for power consumers caught in meter bypass, by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC. It will be recalled that NERC during the 19th monthly power sector meeting had drafted financial sanctions ranging from N50, 000 to N450, 000 for meter bypass by power consumers. The sanction has been endorsed by the 11 electricity distribution companies operating in the country, as well as the federal ministry of power.

But electricity workers union have advised NERC to thread with caution and not put the economy which people are already suffering into a more difficult situation.

Speaking in an interview with newsmen, the Rivers State Organizing Secretary of NUEE, Mr. Innocent LordDouglas, accused the electricity distribution companies of being the brainchild behind the policy, as another means of extorting money from consumers.

LordDouglas said Discos were yet to comply with all the directives given by NERC, such as the directive to meter all residential homes, and wondered why NERC have not sanctioned the Discos for failing to comply with the directive.

“The Discos are not proactive, consumers are having issue here and there, ranging from non availability of prepaid meters, non functional meters and burnt meters, because they are not certified to contain

him, the consumers are going to react and when they react it is the electricity workers that will suffer.

“My concern is not about the financial sanction but the lives and welfare of the people which I represents; I am protecting electricity workers in Rivers State and I will not like it when my members are been harassed and beaten by angry consumers on the street while they are out to do their legitimate job.

“The consumers do n know NERC nor the management of the Discos but the electricity workers on the field who goes out to collect bills, connect and disconnects consumers, the poor workers who are been maltreated by the management and the angry consumers in the field.

“NERC and Discos management should thread with caution and not endanger the lives

SAM_AMADI, NERC CHAIRMAN the kind of current we use here; the introduction of prepaid meters means that there will no longer be estimated and excessive billing, so the electricity distributors are looking for another means to extort money from consumers.

“The regulators should thread with caution, because if you want to look inwardly, this policy is being promulgated by the Discos, the discos came up with this policy and present it to NERC to enforce it, NERC is just a regulatory body that gives a consent; the financial sanctions will be collected by the Discos and not NERC, so the policy is orchestrated by the disco.

It is just another means to impoverished the consumer whom they have refused to supply power, whom they have refuse to give meter.

“NERC said if you don’t have meter after three months that you have paid for it, you are not supposed to be disconnected, but people are being disconnected everyday, what has NERC done about it?

“I agree the policy will sanitize and ride the system of energy theft, but which system are we sanitizing? The Gencos are generating more power and the Discos are taking just little to distribute, is that not a fault on their own part? Now NERC

said give everybody meter, a lot of people have paid for more than six months but up till now they have not gotten any meter, have the discos refunded their money?

One thing with Nigeria is that we like to set the cart before the horse.”

NUEE said consumers already have been impoverished, as they spend such much in running of generators, paying electricity bill, paying for meters, adding that placing a financial sanction on them will call for a revolution.

The State Organising Secretary of the union advised NERC and the Discos to be very careful before passing the policy, because according to

“My concern is not about the financial sanction but the lives and welfare of the people which I represents; I am protecting electricity workers in Rivers State and I will not like it when my members are been harassed and beaten by angry consumers on the street while they are out to do their legitimate job.“The consumers do n know NERC nor the management of the Discos but the electricity workers on the field who goes out to collect bills, connect and disconnects consumers, the poor workers who are been maltreated by the management and the angry consumers in the field.

of our members because we will not allow that to thrive, we will go back and start having issues with the management.”

In a related development, multiple constraints in the power sector including low gas supply, foreign exchange rate, and inflation rate crushed the Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO) 2015 implemented in 2016 causing a shortfall of N450 billion in the electricity market.

The federal government said it has identified this problem and is working to resolve it through a tariff review by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and improved technical and operational capabilities captured in the Power Sector Recovery Programme (PSRP) launched earlier this year. With this, government said it is promising to give Nigerians 4,000 megawatts hour per hour (mwh/h) daily from year 2018. This will mean an average electricity supply of 15 to 20 hours across urban and city centres.

An Executive Summary of the federal government’s Power Sector Recovery Programme (PSRP) said the interventions in the programme include clearing the N450 billion shortfall of which N26 billion has been approved to offset electricity bills of the federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). Others are restoring cost reflective tariffs in the period while assuring the GenCos through a N701.9 billion facility to pay their energy invoices promptly. Government is also looking up to the World Bank for funding with a prospect of a loan of up to $2.5 billion to the sector.

Tours&Travels

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, October 14, 2017

Glo partners Ofala Festival to boost tourism

E F A C T S FeInLth e official

as be *Globacom h the Ofala Festival sponsors of nd recently signed a since 2011, to extend the spont an agreemen 9. The company has 1 0 sorship to 2 nd grandeur to the a added colour . s celebration g rethe week-lon the f o d n e e th *At ring i emerges du treat, the Ob his people s Ofala to bles appearance, d n o c e s e e*During th e arena, som th in s e c n a d the Obi rarely seen thing that is used by the o ls a is l a v ti idu*Ofala fes serving indiv e d r u o n o h Obi to aincy titles. ft ie h c h it w als Reply

THE AGBOGIDI, OBI OF ONITSHA, IGWE ALFRED NNAEMEKA ACHEBE

Tourism: Lagos Chamber Tourist destinations boss charges media, to behold in Anambra others on sector Page B4 State Page B5

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Tours & Travels

Daily Times Nigeria Satrurday, October 14, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Satrurday, October 14,2017

Glo partners Ofala Festival to boost tourism Stories By Ebere Chibuzor The 2017 edition of Ofala Festival, sponsored by telecommunications services provider, Globacom, kicked- off two days now with the Oraeze International Arts Exhibition at the Ime Obi, Onitsha, Anambra State.

According to a statement issued by the company in Lagos, this year’s celebration would run from October 10 through 16.

The schedule of activities shows that a youth carnival will take place on October 12, while the main Ofala wilAzu Ofala, according to the plans, will take place on October 14, while the Ofala Music Concert, during which the most beautiful girl in Onitsha will be crowned Miss Ofala 2017, will be held on Sunday, October 15, at CJ Patterson International Auditorium, Onitsha.

The activities will be rounded off with a Royal Banquet in honour of the Agbogidi, Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe. The banquet will be held at the Dolly Hills Hotel, Onitsha, on Monday, October 16.

The telecommunications company expressed satisfaction that “the festival is growing bigger and bigger every year since we officially took over its sponsorship in 2011. We commend the Agbogidi for all the innovations he has over the years introduced to the festival to make it more exciting and a tourist attraction”. We are delighted to be part of this noble festival for another three years”.

Globacom urged all lovers of tradition and culture to troop in to the Ime Obi, Onitsha Palace, to

witness first hand, the celebration of the biggest festival in the entire Ndigbo race and enjoy the hospi-

the Agbogidi, Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe with relatives, at Ofala 2017 festival

Tourist destinations to behold in Anambra State *Onitsha Market Browse through, purchase, and enjoy the warm and busy ambience of the classy stalls and shops in the largest market in West Africa.

Onitsha Main Market is a real local business located in Onitsha which provides deals and discounts on products, and services.

This market serves most markets in the country and stocks everything in bulk, including imported vegetables from northern traders.

tality of Onitsha people.

Globacom has been the official sponsors of the Ofala Festival

since 2011, and recently signed an agreement to extend the sponsorship to 2019. The company has added colour and grandeur to the celebrations.

Fathers and Elders of the land acknowledged the youths by devoting Thursday (yesterday) to the young souls to exercise their strength in a colourful day-long carnival as they rehearsed for the tomorrow they are destined to occupy.

But the annual celebration of rites of renewal of the Obi that defines spiritual and natural authority across Onitsha principally - and other neighboring Igbo communities, including Nnewi, Ukpo in Dunukofia Local Government Area among others, started in earnest this Friday morning.

Later today, a cocktail party, Eze Onicha is slated to take place, according to the programme of event.

For the fathers of the land who appreciate the taste of good fish, Azu Ofala is the event that is a must-attend tomorrow, October 14.

Sunday the 15th will witness a parade of the most beautiful daughters of the land while the Ofala Music Concert will showcase their skills and talent.

The grand finale of the day would be the crowning of Miss.

Ofala 2017 at CJ Patterson International Auditorium, Onitsha.

On Monday, October 16, a royal banquet in honour of the Agbogidi, Obi of Onitsha, IgweAlfred Nnaemeka Achebe, will hold at the Dolly Hills Hotel, Onitsha, to round off the festival.

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Tourism: Lagos Chamber boss charges media, others on sector Ebere Chibuzor The Director General, Lagos Chamber Of Commerce & Industry, Mr. Muda Yusuf has expressed optimism over the state of tourism and hospitality industry in Nigeria, urging that for tourism and hospitality industries to thrive there have to be stronger collaboration between the media and the tourism and hospitality industry.

Speaking, on Tuesday, at the Hoteliers’ Association Of Nigeria South-West Zone 2017, South West Hotel Conference held at the Administrative Staff College, Badagry, Lagos, with theme: ‘Emerging Marketing Trends in Tourism and Hospitality sector of the Nigerian economy, noted that perception matters, and pointed out that the media has a lot of roles to play in shaping the perception of tourists either the domestic tourist or international tourist.

He said, “It is perception that defines the brand of an institution of a country and industry; and the media has a lot of role to play in shaping the perception of tourist either the domestic tourist or international tourists. Every country has it s challenges, but it is not a good thing that the only thing that made headlines are the bad things.

You puck up a newspaper, the headlines are most often very negative, you switch on television the headlines are very often bad things”.

MUDA YUSUF , Lagos Chamber of commerce DG, during the Hoteliers’ Association Of Nigeria SouthWest Zone 2017, South West Hotel Conference held at the Administrative Staff College, Badagry, Lagos, He said, “All those things adversely affect the growth of tourism and hospitality industry. We need to do a lot in the area of branding and the media has a big role to play on this”.

Yusu said, We have hospitality and tourism group, but we need to get them to be more active just as I was also telling them they need to be more visible, they need to more active to bring up issues affecting the industry because the louder you are the more attention you get.

So, they should also be visible

to push the industry forward.

On the creative industry, he said that,” They have made a lot of progress but the progress they cannot ascribe it to the support they are getting.

The progress is at large extent , the kind of support they expect from government , I’m not sure they are getting it as yet.

The problems of shooting, piracy, facilities, even those on the fashion industry sometimes they face the challenge of bringing the right kind of fabrics because of some import policies;

Anambra State boasts an undulating landscape with tall trees and rich vegetation that’s green all year round. Located in the south-east geopolitical zone of Nigeria, it is an inland state with its capital in Awka. The people of the state are warm, hospitable, and highly enterprising as they engage in trade all over the country. *The Ogbaukwu Caves and Waterfall The waterfall is situated in front of the Ogba Ukwu cave. It’s a beauty to behold water gushing out from a spring on top of the huge and imposing Ogba Rock form an eternal stream at the foot of the cave and creating a sparkling rainbow colour that leaves you breathless.

Just behind the waterfall is a large cave where people can take shelter from the dropping water or the elements while they chatter away or take cute selfies.

and there are lot of potential in that area. The progress you are seeing are more from the internal energy and internal resources from those who are players in the industry, but we need some external support from the government”.

On CBN’s monetary policy, he said,” This is a major issue and we should continue to engage the government on that at some point someone will listen and things will change. The forex policy today is different from what it was as at one or two

years before today, there has been a shift; at some point they said bank should stop collecting forex from anybody. Interest rate today is too high, especially on long time investments like all these hospitality businesses, agriculture, solid minerals, construction companies or property, unless you have very solid equity capital and how many people get equity capital.

So, the banking system is not supporting any investment because of high cost of funds; and because of short tenure of the funds and these things we need to get the monetary policy authorities to do”.

According to him,”The tourism banks will not solve the problem, but what that could solve the is a systemic issues because that is also affecting tourism. It is also affecting other industries; and let’s recognize it as a problem of the economy that needed to be tackled.

Meanwhile the Hoteliers’ Association Of Nigeria South-West Zone 2017, South West Hotel Conference held at the Administrative Staff College, Badagry, Lagos, with theme: ‘Emerging Marketing Trends in Tourism and Hospitality sector of the Nigerian economy that attracted huge number of hoteliers was sponsored

by MTN, Access Bank, Vita Foam among others.

* Agulu Crocodile Lake This is a natural lake with a rich aquatic life. it serves as a habitat to species of crocodiles, turtles and fishes. The beautiful scenery of the lake also provides a soothing environment for picnics Located in Antioch Local Government Area of the state, this lake is home to an estimated three hundred crocodiles and water turtles. Fishing is not allowed on the lake, and the crocodiles are sacred animals to the people and cannot be hunted.

* RojennyTourist Village, Oba This fun community provides an exotic tropical atmosphere for relaxation, cultural entertainment, and nature conservation in the midst of comfortable lodges and restaurants for an enjoyable stay.

Located in the peaceful town of Oba, this village offers the finest African hospitality.

While there, you can visit its game reserves and take pictures of and with animals such as baboons, alligators, peacocks, pythons, lions, etc.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, October 14, 2017

B6 Tourism

Africa: Nigeria Tourism Minister to open Video on tourist shuttle Carnival Calabar Dry Run on the 22nd of October bus ‘captured’ clues of hijackers‚ says company

Stories by Ebere Chibuzor

The Minister for information and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed shall flag off the Carnival Calabar Dry Run 2017 on the 22nd of October 2017.

Alhaji Lai Mohammed will be opening the dry run side by side with HE Governor Ben Ayade of Cross Rivers State.

This is the first time a Minister of the Fed Republic will attend a dry run which gives credit to this Administration’s drive for domestic and responsible tourism for sustainability.

The new additions for this year’s event are the beach carnival, wonder on wheels convertible and vintage cars, black music festival, Formular K, repeat of Nickelodeon kids Festival at Tinapa, the Governor’s Fete, Miss Africa and the Buy Naija participation through the introduction of the Market Square Carnival and the Lighting of the Carnival torch at a ceremony tagged carnival jam carnival in collaboration with the Fed Min of Trade and Industry in line with executive order 3 of the Fed

Lai Mohammed Govt. to promote made in Nigeria goods and services.

This is a sure boost for the famous 32 days festival village that has existed

for about 17 years since the inception of carnival Calabar and Festival in the wake of the millennium year.

The Gov has asked me to assure Nigerians and Africa that 2017 carnival will be fireworks and with mobilization of seed monies to carnival bands since August and Sept the needed excitement to wow the Tourists in Calabar is assured.

In fairness, since becoming Governor ,his desire has been geared towards creating more excitement that will attract increased tourists arrivals and this has been achieved if you look at the data of the attendees to carnival Calabar 2016 standing at a figure of 1.6m visitors to cross river state to observe the events.

The Cultural parade, Bikers carnival parade: Miss Africa Pageant, CarnivalCalabar, Africa s biggest street party and the international carnival segments with over 22 countries are still top on the calendar in the Power week.

The Gov. looks forward to welcoming the Minister and his entourage as they savor the hospitality of cross river state and the warmest welcome in Africa.

The attack on seven Iraqis leaving OR Tambo International Airport for their hotel in Sandton‚ Johannesburg‚ has been captured on the shuttle bus’s video camera.

This information was made available by Dorian Toussaint‚ chief executive of Professional Passenger Services‚ whose bus was hijacked by a group of armed people at the Corlett Drive offramp.

Toussaint said the investigating officer was reviewing the footage.

During the attack‚ the suspects made off with a number of valuables including cash‚ jewellery and luggage.

The incident was confirmed by police spokesman Vishnu Naidoo‚ who said no arrests had been made.

Toussaint said the company was in the process of upgrading its fleet with advanced live video streaming and tracking and fleet management technology. The bus that was attacked

was fitted with the technology.

Toussaint said the video cameras should produce clear evidence of some of the perpetrators together with the events.

“While this equipment can’t prevent these incidents from taking place‚ the value they offer to the industry is footage available within hours of the incident‚ resulting in the case receiving greater attention as the evidence is current and a higher chance of apprehending the criminals.”

Toussaint said the attack‚ on the back of the hijacking of 36 Dutch tourists just two weeks ago‚ was highly concerning for the tourism industry.

The appointed chauffeur driver had been given time off and sent for counselling.

“Unfortunately‚ the news of this incident will have a significant impact on tourism and the image of South Africa as a tourist destination.”

Africa: Ghana to Introduce Electronic Visa for Tourism growth says VP Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has indicated that Ghana is currently collaborating with other West African countries to facilitate movement within the African region as part of the continental initiative to facilitate visa-free movement within several regions in Africa.

To that effect, he says the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ghana is working around the clock to introduce an Evisa for travel to Ghana next year.

Dr Bawumia, who was addressing participants at the World Tourism ForumAfrica summit held in Accra yesterday, seized the opportunity to encourage heads of West African countries to open up their air spaces and reduce taxes on inter-country flights within Africa to boost tourism within their own borders.

Ghana’s tourism sector, he mentioned, had seen steady growth over the years, and was therefore happy it has been selected among a host

of other qualified countries to host the summit.

He noted that the summit was of great importance to Ghana as it aligns with the country’s goal of positioning itself as a major tourism hub in the continent.

“Our commitment is to meet our tourism industry goals, and we are working very hard to ensure that we achieve

these goals within the next few years.

“Our natural environment and security of our country, as well as a stable political climate makes this achievement attainable,” he said.

He announced that, “Ghana is focused on building and upgrading existing infrastructures to support the tourism industry.

“One major project government is undertaking is the expansion and revamping of our international airport to make it the gateway into West Africa and the regional aviation hub.”

Dr Bawumia further disclosed that the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Arts, with its stakeholders, is spearheading a marine drive investment project

that will develop an entire stretch of 241 acres of beach front land into an excellent beach front tourism enclave to meet the needs of businesses and leisure tourists, as well as make Ghana the preferred tourism destination in Africa.

When completed, he said, the marine drive project will host over 70 world-class hotels, amusement and film parks, restaurants, shopping mall, cultural villages, among others.

Under the auspices of the ministry, the Vice-President outlined that the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) is currently spearheading a destination single window project targeted at promoting excellence in the tourism industry by raising the standard of all agencies and improving their services.

Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Catherine Afeku urged African governments to use tourism for transformation and inclusive growth.

Business Interview B7

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, October 14, 2017

How European authorities robbed Nigerian youths of 10 million jobs – Abimbola irrelevant document as their final report called the International Preliminary Examination Report (IPER). In that report the EPO said because of my Nigerian work, I cannot apply for international patent .

An inventor and a 1978 graduate of Civil Engineering from Ahmadu Bello University, Mr Olusegun Abimbola, has cried out to the federal government for what he described as injustice by the European Patent Office (EPO) over his research work which he claimed was an internationally registered worldwide engineering invention of over 20 years on developments in Global Environmental Air Pollution Control.

He spoke with ESTHER TAIWO over the development Can you tell us some of the research works you have carried out?

After my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) I initiated the present system of refuse collection, I have all along been interested in environmental protection, I also developed a system of pollution control where I invented a devise to remove pollution that result from burning fuel.

Tell us about this your recent invention?

I recently made an invention I called SHEGTER for which I got a patent NG/P/2011/496 from the Nigeria Patent Office, Abuja in 2011, I improved on it in 2013 and called it SHEGESTER. . The invention is in the field of environmental technology and it’s an equipment that removes solid pollutants and gaseous pollutants singularly and simultaneously from contaminated gaseous streams coming from burning fossil fuels especially coal.

It helps to reduces the environmental air pollution caused by amongst others, the coal fired electricity plants, the cement industries etc.

Can you expatiate on the International Patent Right covering

What is the legal implication of that statement by the EPO? The law says every patent and published document is an important Prior Art, but my Nigerian Patent document assessed by the Nigerian Patent Office, the EPO says is an irrelevant Prior Art.

your research?

What do you want the federal government to do now?

Suspecting that the invention has a worldwide coverage, I applied for International Patent Right through the World International Property Organisation (WIPO) Patent Corporative Treaty (PCT) System, by that you choose an individual search authority by the law of that system to check your application and make a comprehensive search all over the world to ensure that your work is not infringing on any previous patent, this is called Prior Art. Which of the international patent offices did you choose and why the choice?

I chose the European Patent Office (EPO) because it is one of the two most respected search authority in the world the second being the United States Patent Trademarks Office, I chose EPO because the fee is more affordable for me.

What was the reaction of the EPO to your application?

In my application I mentioned it twice about my Nigerian work and Patent to let EPO know that I have already started work on it, the EPO wrote an International Search Report PCT Chapter

The federal government should come in to fight for its name, reputation and also the Nigerian people.

Why is it for the Nigerian people since the research is solely yours?

Mr Olusegun Abimbola One, and considered all previous Arts at their disposal but neglected this my Nigeria work which I told them in that very important report without bothering to find the details of my Nigerian work, the EPO declared my Nigerian work as irrelevant.

What step did you take on this declaration by the EPO? I moved ahead to Patent Corporative Treaty (PCT) chapter 2, I employed European Patent Lawyer to assist me with corrections on any international

applications and I paid the lawyer in Euros in what is called the Demand, the lawyer submitted my corrected application and gave them the details of my Nigerian work, the EPO continued to neglect that my Nigerian work until months after international publication of my application.

What are the rules guiding international publication of someone’s work?

The rule is that if the applicant does not withdraw his application within a certain period in the PCT, his work will be

published internationally and his knowledge given to the whole wide world.

So, why didn’t you withdraw your application before the EPO got it published?

The first report I was given by the EPO misled me, the EPO after the international publication, seeing my European lawyer, now said the irrelevant document is the most important to assess my application and after the international publication, it was too late for me to withdraw and EPO used that my Nigerian eralier declared

This is because the invention can provide up to 10 million jobs for Nigerians which the Europeans have hijacked.

Europe has an advantage for me because their fee is lower than that of the USA. The foreign benefits that should havew accrued to Nigeria is taken over by the Europeans because EPO represents 38 European countries which means thay can manufacture the invention without paying Nigeria authority.

This is an invention that will address climatic change, global warming, flood and pollution, it’s a very important invention globally. (QUOTE) Can you yourself ?

introduce

My name is Mr Olusegun Abimbola Adeleye, I graduated in 1978 from the Department of Civil Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, my interest has been on environmental protection against environmental pollution since early 80s.

B8

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, October 14,2017

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Life&

TIMES Saturday, October 14, 2017

Crisis in marriage has nothing to do with celebrity status –Uche Elendu L P

2&3

Interview L2

Daily Times Nigeria

I don’t have plan of quitting acting -Uche Elendu sought after actress in the industry whose passion for acting is fact the industry has been taken over by new actresses, Uche is still In this chat with MUTIAT ALLI, Uche disclosed what she has been up

You recently took your birthday to the slump arears? What inspired that?

Yes, the desire to put smiles on people that desperately need help and are ignored because some organizations are not fronting them as less privileged or they are not in one categorized home or the other , The bible says love your neighbour as yourself and God is indebted to anyone who lends a helping hand to the poor , I might not have much but the pain in my heart seeing homeless and hungry children with their helpless parents pushed me to

All sponsored by you? birthday eve I had a dream and in that dream I was looking everywhere for her and then on the TV in that dream I saw her with helpless children playing and skipping and giving them food and cake and that all the food we made for her birthday party was gone. I started looking for her and when I saw her she said mummy I am having the best party of my life.

and really needed food to survive. register a foundation for her and to the best of my I can in her name so she can grow up with it since that is Gods message for her.

happening? movies but maybe not as regular as I used to.

Well those are 2 major responsibilities for me and are very important individually, one means life to me and is the very essence of my existence, while the other puts food on my table so I carefully attend to both critically to avoid lacking in any area of my responsibility and career.

same matured individuals feel that they do not have any need to be together for safety of their

pain and hurt we feel, the way we have to bottle it all up because we are in the lime light and we do not want to be castigated, but people forget that celebrities are human too and have feelings, desire and deserve to be happy too so when I hear things like celebrity marriage crash I wonder why so much attention is paid to it, really everyone has his or her cross to bear.

secrets/ routine?

Well I eat right and stay completely off junk food

feeling healthy and clean on the inside, I also snack on fruits and garden eggs.

Life&

Everyone should speak for herself. That we are in the lime light and have admirers from the opposite

Celebrity marriages are crashing here and there;

like there are married women out there that are enjoying extramarital affairs, so is it obtainable

My dear, crises in marriage really has nothing to do with the celebrity status. Marriage is an agreement between two matured individuals and when these

there are still many married women that are very faithful in their marriages and have been unjustly accused cos of this generalized insinuation.

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, October 14, 2017

Interview L3

Being married has not changed way I interpret roles –Uche Elendu Would you leave your marriage if your husband cheats?

Lol... well I am sure if your own husband cheats

Would you mind if any of your daughters join

What kind of role would you reject?

How do you handle fame and male fans? movie roles? what I do but it remains that way.

What has celebrity status deprived you of?

If you are chanced to change anything about yourself.... What would it be?

What has been your best moment as an actress?

Any time you feel like quitting?

skills with men like them not with the weaker sex

L4

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, October 14, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, October 14, 2017

L5

Society Circle L6

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, October 14, 2017

Isaac Oguntoye

Homely Titi Marshal

Ita Giwa’s dancing prowess party, All Progressive Party. Penultimate Sunday, the Mama Calabar

Ita Giwa

The very dynamic, industrious and everradiant Bakasi mama, Senator Florence Ita Giwa, a septuagenar-

ian is in the news again.

This time around, it is not about her decamping from People Democratic Party to the ruling

was sighted at an event around Oregun road, Ikeja Lagos looking ravishingly gorgeous as ever.

At the event, she was a cynosure of all eyes exchanging pleasantries with friends and some of the notable personalities that also graced the occasion. The old but agile society woman wowed the crowd with her dancing dexterity. She did not moved back and front, she swings her waist like that of sweet 16 while dancing to 9ice popular were surprised to see her move interred with 9ice performance without missing her steps despite her old age.

dream is that with warm, comforting manner and someone who would enjoy being at home and having a family when the father is busy with fatherly role.

These qualities must have endeared, Titi Marshal to the Czar of Fuji music, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Marshal who is popularly known as Kwam1. Before now, Titi is one of the top society lady that made social scene worth a while. But ever since she tied the nuptial knot with Kwam1, the beautiful mother have maintain

Titi Marshal

hardly attend event instead she has giving more attention to her children without any distractions. In fact, when she celebrated her birthday last Wednesday,

one could have expected her to roll out drums and invite friends but the stylish CEO of Al-Fathia Exclusive Fabrics celebrated with her family in a low-key.

Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah tip for federal job

Damola Kasumu gives account of stewardship x

edly

sponsored

two

House. The bill, which for the establishment of Lagos State Sport Commission and other conaccepted wholeheartedly by the house. While gos State Sports Trust on creating a body that would be responsible for fund raising for the enhancement of sport in the state which was also passed into law.

Aside that, he has facilitate employment for members of his constituency into the state civil service system and also provided social warfare support which include

Kasumu

Last Sunday, 6th of October, 2017 honourable Damola Kasumu held a town hall and with his constituency at Combo Hall LTV 8, Ikeja Lagos. The lawmaker who is representing Ikeja constituency 2 gave account of his stewardship in

the last one year. The young, industrious and ever dynamic politician who have been working tediously to bring the dividend of democracy to the people of his constituency is leaving no stone unturned. In the area of his primary duty, Hon Kasumu single hand-

Meanwhile, contrary to the erroneous impression being circulated, Hon Kasumu operates an open-door policy giving a standing instruction that anyone from Ikeja constituency 2 who given free access to his

Ifeanyi Ubah

Aside that, Ifeanyi Ubah played some significant role during the 2015 presidential election. He was National Coordinator of Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, TAN which rage sparked controversy within the political and social scenes. After losing PDP governorship ticket to Obaze, the Capital Oil boss we learnt has been tipped for a senatorial ticket by the people of his constituency. Dr. Ifeanyi has been described by the people of his constituency as an amiable humble and likeable philanthropists who always give back the society that made him. The Philanthropist par excellence is fondly called “Ebube Chukwu Uzo” meaning “Placing

God First” in all his dealings.

This have made some of the political leaders from his constituency asked him to pick a senatorial ticket for him to serve his people at the federal level. If you recalled, Ubah, contested in the 2014 Anambra State Gubernatorial Elections under the canopy of Labour Party. In a keenly contested battle, despite being a first timer to such a contest, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah made his presence known and left a mark in the contest.

Since then, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah has been a household name in Anambra and Nigerian Politics which was expressly exhibited during the 2015 Presidential and Gubernatorial Elections.

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, October 14, 2017

Society Circle L7

Isaac Oguntoye

Lagos big boy, Teddy Shine bereaved! Cynthia Andrew’s absence

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Otunba Gani Adams becomes ‘Aare Ona Kankanfo’

Oba Saheed’s heart of gold -

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Gist L8

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, October 14, 2017

Mutiat Alli

Photos: Singer Lamboginny relishes hope to Kirikiri Prison inmates …releases debut album’ SALT’

Biola Alabi announces new production, ‘Lara and the Beat’ Following on the successful debut of Banana Island dia in collaboration with Skylar Pictures has embarked on a production with an all-star cast that is set to be Nollythrilling movie yet.

Starring music superstars Seyi Shay and Vector, Lara and the Beat is a coming of age movie about the young and beautiful Giwa sisters nancial scandal with their their privileged bubble, and global audience.” must learn to build their own Lara and the Beat is a potfuture and salvage their fam- pourri of music, fashion, romance, and comedy, it promises to be an instant favourite Founder and Managing with huge global appeal. It stars several industry heavy“Lara and the Beat is a spe- weights including Somkele cial project beyond what we Idhalama, Chinedu Ikedieze accomplished with Banana with many layers and experiences for everyone. We and our partners are putting our best into this production. We Nnani, Uche Jombo and want this production to be ap- much more. pealing to both our local and

Lamboginny and cross section of the inmates

idea and the cast list including many industry heavyweights I respect so much, I immediately knew this was a production I wanted to direct and be a part of. Lara and the Beat has been such an interesting for everyone to see what we Coker, Director of Lara and the Beats. rently in the production phase and set to hit the cinemas in

Mo’ Abudu, Racheal Oniga others step out for ‘Royal Hibiscus Hotel’ media premiere Lamboginny and small doctor

In its 9th years of organising musical concert in the Prison; Singer took a bold step of launching his debut album in the midst of over 4,000 inmates of the Kirikiri Medium Security Prison, Lagos. With the new al-

lives and relishes hope to the prison inmates charging them to be good individuals despite their ordeal that one day, they will regain freedom.

Lamboginny was optimistic that the concert will hold as one could easily see the happiness and eagerness of the inmates who were all looking forward to see celebrities in attendance.

On why he launched his album in the prison, Lamboginny disclosed of people do not know that he once as such he could connect to their pain and trials, the only time these inmates are happy are when they see people who remembers them despite their pain.

DJ Jimmy Jatt at the

Speaking on the initiative, the CP, Lagos state prison command, Mr. gramme is commendable as it further showcase the different talents of the inmates and to mould their lives that there is still hope. the inmates and it is through initiatives like this they tend to express them all; we have great entrepreneurs, musicians, footballers here; the essence of this also is to make them realise that they can still useful to themselves once they regain freedom. man Do2tun, the inmates had the reason to smile again as they sang along, music been played by world famous DJ JimmyJatt.

Other major performance includes Small Doctor, Mz Kizz, Ozzybosco, Present at the event includes 40th Miss Nigeria, Miss Chioma Obiadi, Lolo 1 of Wazobia FM, Baba Dee,

the press screening

Following the success recorded at the members of the press showed up for the screening of the charming new romantic event which was well-attended has the presence of top personalities that includes, Life Films, cast members Kenneth Okoamongst others. leased in February, 2018 tells the story of ing chef in London, who returns to Nigeria -

Gofferys to mention but few.

Speaking at the press brief, the

onylife contributions to the entertainment industry; it is imperative to make not just a quality movie but a material people can that come Feb. 2018 when the movie will hit cinemas across the country; we would movie was perfect” and “I really liked it” to rite.” Other comments about the technical aspects of the production were complimentary about the camera angles and how On playing the unusual role, veteran acyou apart from others is your ability to interpret any given role and come out perfect with it and that she has done with her role in the movie.