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Expectations as Ndi Anambra go to poll today Ï Police beef up security, begin stop, search around Niger Bridge Ï We are ready for credible poll - INEC

TUNDE OPALANA, Abuja and JOHN NDU, Awka ÏÏÏ In what can be described as historic election, the people of Anambra State will today decide their next governor among the 37 candidates contesting on the platforms of their respective political parties.

The incumbent State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, is contesting on the platform of the All Progressives Grad Alliance (APGA) while President Muhammadu Buhari, whose party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is one of the leading contenders has assured the good people of the state of a free and fair poll.

The President reiterated this development at the grand finale of the APC campaign in Awka.

Expectedly, the contest will be a straight battle between Governor Obiano of APGA, Mr Oseloka Oba-

ze of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Dr. Tony Nwoye of All Progressives Congress (APC), seen as the top three contenders to the throne. The three contenders are closely followed by Chief Osita Chidoka of United Progressive Party (UPP), Lolo Oby Kate Okafor of Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD) and Mr Godwin Ezeemo of Peoples Progressive Alliance (PPA).

Each of these candidates have campaigned vigorously to clinch victory during today’s election.

Incumbent Governor Willie Obiano, the APGA flag-bearer has enormous advantages to win this election. Obiano, as an incumbent governor, has executed projects that have directly impacted on the various segments of people of the state which will earn him their support or sympathy.

For Nwoye, the candidate of the APC, his background as a Students’ Union activist and grass-

N13bn Ecological Fund: EFCC arrests ex- SGF Pius Anyim

7

Assault: Medical doctor sues A/Ibom Speaker, demands N500m damages 8

roots politician who has been on the ground since at least 2003 are his major strength Obaze, former Secretary to the Anambra State Government under Peter Obi and for some time with Obiano and a former diplomat, is another strong contender for the Agu Awka Government House.

Chidoka, former Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), and ex-Minister of Aviation is another strong contender for the race. Chidoka is banking on the UPP and he is said to have some sympathy from among the young elements.

Lolo Oby Kate Okafor, the candidate of the ACD, has reportedly claimed that the males have failed the people hence it was time for a woman to rule the state while she assured that she would not disappoint if given the mandate by the Continued on page 6

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 18, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 18, 2017

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 18, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 18, 2017

News 5 IGU to FG: Constitute PenCom board now Tom Okpe, Abuja

ÏÏÏThe Industrial Global Union

L-R: Representative of Plateau State Governor, Al-Hassan Barde; Leader of the Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation (PCFRR), Mr. John Owoicho and Chairman, Management Committee, Shendam Local Government, Mr. Elias Kwaps, during the inspection tour of the completed Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) hostels constructed by the PCFRR in Shendam, Plateau State…on Thursday.

Dickson tasks FG on quick completion of East/West Road Akam James, Yenagoa

ÏÏÏThe

Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has called on the House of Representatives Committee on the Niger Delta to prevail on the Federal Government to expedite action on the completion of the East-West Road project to ease vehicular movement and reduce carnage on the road.

Dickson made his position known Yesterday when the House of Representatives Committee on the Niger Delta led by its Chairman, Mr. Essien Ekpeyong-Ayi, paid him a cour-

tesy call in Government House, Yenagoa.

In a press statement, signed and made available to newsmen by his Chief Press Secretary, Francis Ottah Agbo, he urged the committee to ensure its report reflects the state of abandonment and under-development of the Niger Delta region and particularly Bayelsa State, stressing that the need for federal government to generate funds to complete the Bayelsa section of the East-West Road awarded more than 12 years ago, as well as other road projects in the region was necessary.

Dickson lamenting that Bayelsa has been left alone by the

federal government to fend for itself, noting that the Niger Delta has no reason to be marginalized considering its significant contributions to the national economy.

His words: “Our country left our region behind and we feel it more in this state even within the Niger Delta. This state is more deltaic than Delta state and more riverine than Rivers state and yet we are left to solely fend for our development such that today, we can’t get to Brass, Koluama, Ekeremor, Agge and Oporoma”.

While appreciating the lawmakers for the visit, Governor Dickson decried the absence of federal projects in the region, ca-

pable of transforming the area, stressing that, Bayelsa could not be compared to other states in the region, in terms of development, despite the level of crude oil exploration and exploitation activities in the State.

“It is very clear that the federal government is not aware of the developmental challenges in this region” According to him, Bayelsa is embarking on a revolution in the areas of education, economy, healthcare, tourism among others, noting that, the state is the most peaceful among Niger Delta states and is at peace with itself and with the rest of the country.

has called on the Federal Government to urgently reconstitute the board of National Pension Commission (PenCom) to safeguard pension assets in the country.

Comrade Issa Aremu, General Secretary NUTGTWN and Vice President, Industrial Global Union made this remarks at the Industrialization Day Policy dialogue, organized by Industrial Global Union, Nigeria council in conjunction with Fredrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) on Friday at the Shehu Musa Yar’adua Center in Abuja. He said: “The Federal government must quickly reconstitute the board of National Pension commission with a view of safeguarding the pension assets.

Also the acting executive of Pencom must wake up to its responsibilities to engage stakeholders through more openness and accountability.”

Aremu also commended what he described as the good job of the Economic and financial Crime Commission (EFCC) under Ibrahim Magu saying EFCC is the most effective government agency today.

“We commend the good jobs of the EFCC under Ibrahim Magu.

Between January 1 and August 30, 2017 the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had reportedly recovered about N409 billion and $69.5 million, totaling N430 billion among other foreign currencies as proceeds of corruption. This recovered loot is more than the state’s budget of Niger, Abia, Enugu, Imo, and half of Lagos state’s budget of N813billion and Rivers state of N470billion.

“While South Africans decry state capture by Gupta families, the challenge Nigerians face is Republic capture by some corrupt leaders. Corruption has certainly killed most African countries, it’s time we joined forces to exorcise it.

NHRC tasks FG on missing persons

Buhari condoles Iranians, Iraqis over earthquake

Nafisat Abubakar,

Abuja

Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

Acting Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Mrs. Oti Ovrawah has charged the federal government to pay attention to the issues of missing persons in Nigeria and the rights of their families to know the fate of their loved ones.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja at the official handing over of the Information Communication Technology (ICT) equipments worth millions

by International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) led by Mr.Eloi Fillion, she said the

donation should be a wakeup call to the government to know that everyone was concerned about the whereabouts of the missing people in the country.

On her part, the National Technical Committee Chairperson, Mrs. Maryam Uwais called on government to commit the necessary resources towards ensuring that the pilot stage of the database takes off as soon as possible.

The ICRC head of Department, Mr, Eloi Fillion said these in his conclusion that “ his organization will support Nigeria to have a reliable database of the missing person in the country.

Mathew Dadiya,

ÏÏÏPresident

President Buhari

Muhammadu Buhari has joined world leaders to commiserate with President Hassan Rouhani and the people of the Islamic Republic of Iran over the devastating earthquake which struck the Western Province of Kermanshah recently, causing the death of hundreds and injuring thousands.

The President, who described the natural disaster and its fallout as “very unfortunate, sad and massive,” said the “thoughts and hearts of Nigerians are with the people of Iran at this trying period.”

The Nigerian leader prayed that God will console the grieving families and wished the injured speedy recovery.

Buhari also expressed similar condolences to the government and people of Iraq over human and material losses suffered in the wake of the earthquake on their border with Iran.

The Daily Times recalls that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, had on Tuesday, November 14, 2017 while declaring open the 6th D-8 Ministerial Meeting on Industrial Cooperation with Member Countries in Abuja, on behalf of President Buhari, expressed condolences to the government and people of Iran on the disaster caused by the earthquake.

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 18, 2017

Expectations as Ndi Anambra go to poll today

L-R: National President, Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International Nigeria, Arc. Ifeanyi Odedo; Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike; Chief of Staff to Rivers Governor, Mr. Chukwuemeka Woke and Mr. Isaac Okpanachi, during the Odedo’s visit to Government House in Port Harcourt… on Friday.

Continued from page 1 people of the state.

Ezeemo of the PPA is another candidate in this election.

Many people in the state see Ezeemo as a gentle man and philanthropist, who should be given opportunity to rule the state.

Meanwhile, the InspectorGeneral of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, has assured voters of adequate security and protection at the poll and urged the people to ignore the threat of members of banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on the grounds that about 26,000 policemen, 15 gunboats and 303 patrol vehicles have been deployed for the governorship poll.

The IGP also assured that the Force will not do anything to truncate the election process while Governor Obiano’s Aidede-Camp has been restored as against previous media report of withdrawal his full security compliments Aside this, the Police boss has said his officers are on top of the game to provide adequate security.

Also, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Operation, Habila Joshak was deployed to the state to be assisted by three Assistant Inspector General that will supervise election processes in the three senatorial districts.

The electoral umpire, INEC also assured Nigerians that it would leave no stone unturned for today’s election. The Commission has engaged 23,000 ad-hoc staff while INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said improvement has been made on the electronic card readers to ease accreditation of voters.

It was a busy day on Friday in the state as the people are getting ready for to the governorship election today.

The roads were so busy while people were trooping to markets as if it was going to be their last day of shopping.

There was economic boom sequel to the influx of people in the state. Some of the new entrants into the state include different groups of observers, party loyalists, journalists from across the state and other individuals and groups.

Heavy patrol of security men at some strategic places was unprecedented. Filling station are not left out as there were queues in each of the stations.

When The Daily Times sought the opinions of different individuals to ascertain the level of their preparations, some expressed their readiness to cast their votes, while some said they would stay in door due to fear of anticipated crisis and security operatives that had taken over the state.

A commercial bus driver, Mr. Emmanuel Okafor, said the people’s votes had never been considered in Nigeria, saying that it would be a waste of time to exercise his civic responsibility.

He said, “ I have been voting in my life, but I don’t think I will go out to vote today due to the determination of a particular political party to take over the governorship position.

“To me, there is no need voting since the results have been declared before the election. “ A civil servants in the Ministry of Education, ( name withheld) noted it is her civil rights to choose who governs her for the next four years. “ The election determines the future of our state. Every eye is

on Anambra because of its strategic position in the country. I urged INEC not to compromise or plot any measure geared towards providing a favourable ground for a particular candidate. We have confidence that our vote will be counted, the civil servant noted.

In another development, various groups have addressed journalists on pre election matters.

The Coalition of INEC Accreditation Observers Organisation has raised the alarm over heavy deployment of military personnel in the state, saying it is a plot by the Federal Government to manipulate Anambra election.

While briefing newsmen in Awka, the National Coordinator of the group, Mr Emmanuel Nkweke, said the groups were conglomeration of 15 registered organisations.

He said, “ There is this belief that the large deployment of military personnel to Anambra State is an attempt to militarise the election thereby water the ground for election rigging and manipulation.

“We want to state that Anambra is not at war, therefore, the large detachment of armed military personnel is grossly unwarranted and unnecessary in a civil and democratic election.”

Nkweke alleged that about 4000 Corps Members were brought in from contiguous states such as Enugu, to complement the short fall of Corps Members in Anambra as place of primary assignment. “ Now, our question is what is the reason for posting these Corps Members to some specific local government areas which is identified as a major stronghold of the All Progres-

sive Congres? Some of these local government areas include Dunukofia, Idemili North, Idemili South among others. “ Nkweke questioned.

He however reinstated the commitment of the groups to ensure a transparent and credible election in Nigeria which is synonymous with international best practices and globally accepted standard.

But INEC has said it will make available all the necessary voting materials used after Anambra state governorship election to all the political parties and Civil Society Organizations upon request.

The National commissioner INEC, Prof Anthonia Simbine, stated this during the presentation of pre election report by Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), Awka, the state capital.

He added the electoral body is ready to conduct a credible poll, saying that INEC had no preferred candidate among the contestants.

According to him, some of the materials include election results and other sensitive ma-

terials for the election.

Simbine also noted that the TMG has raised valid observations which he said the the INEC had already tackled, saying that every arrangement has been put in place to ensure a hitch free exercise.

Presenting the pre-election report , the chairperson Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), Dr Abiola Akiyode - Afolabi said the group was a conglomerate of network of over 200 civic organisations, and the foremost independent civil society election observation organization in Nigeria.

Afolabi said TMG had deployed about 150 trained accredited observers to different polling stations across the 21 local government areas in Anambra State..

She noted that “throughout Election Day, TMG’s observers will closely watch the process and report on the conduct of the elections relating to setup of polling units, accreditation of voters, voting itself and counting of ballots) and be able to give Continued from page 1

Anambra guber poll: FRSC recommends alternative routes to motorists Myke Uzendu, Abuja

ÏÏÏFollowing today’s governor-

ship election in Anambra State, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has advised interstate motorists to ply alternative routes that does not cut across any part of the state.

This was contained in a statement made available in Abuja on Friday by the Corps Public Education Officer of FRSC, Bisi Kazeem.

The FRSC spokesman advised commuters to travel by those routes that will not disrupt the electoral process as movements will be restricted on the election date.

Some of the recommended alternative routes are as follows: Abuja axis: AbujaLokoja-Otukpa-Obollo AforNsukka-9th Mile-Enugu; Enugu-Four Corner-Udi-Okigwe-Owerri.

The Lagos axis has three routes which are as follows: Lagos-Ore-Benin-War ri-Patani-Port Harcourt; Port Harcourt-Aba-Ikot Ekpene; Port Harcourt-Elele-Owerri-Okigwe-Enugu.

He noted that the alternative routes became a necessity as the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, says it is better to ply alternative routes rather than been caught in any untoward situation that could prolong motorists journeys.

According to him, “there will always be travellers on the road, and it is the responsibility of the Corps to ensure all motorists arrive their destination safely.”

He said that there is need to publicise the alternative routes through all available media outlets so that motorists will not be stranded.

He noted that the Corps Marshal is assuring road users that operatives of the Corps will be out to guide commuters and other motorists along the designated routes where the need arises.

Against this backdrop, the Corps Marshal advised that considering that the routes may be unfamiliar to most drivers, it is necessary for them to exercise caution and obey all traffic rules and regulations as they embark on the journey.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 18, 2017

News 7

N13bn Ecological Fund: EFCC arrests ex- SGF Pius Anyim Tunde Opalana, Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Anyim Pius Anyim.

A source close to the EFCC, told The Daily Times last night that Anyim was invited on Friday and was still at the commission’s office in Abuja at press time.

The source added that the former SGF is being questioned for his role in the alleged mismanagement of N13billion ecological fund while in office as SGF among other matters.

It was further gathered that the former Senate President is being questioned over his alleged role in the use of firms in which he had interest to award N13billion contracts from the Ecological Fund Account domiciled in his office.

The operatives of the EFCC are also quizzing Anyim on the propriety of collecting N520million from the Office of the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, on the eve of the 2015 presidential poll.

Operatives of the anti-graft agency are further said to be questioning Anyim on false assets declaration to the agency.

He was said to have been arrested on Thursday afternoon after he failed to honour a 10am appointment by the agency.

The commission had secured a warrant arrest and immedi-

ately executed the document on his property while some documents relevant to the investigation were recovered during the process.

A top source at the commission also listed companies linked to Anyim and through which he obtained contracts or laundered proceeds of the ecological funds contracts to include: Foundation Years Limited, Precious Integrated, Pre-

cious Petroleum, Mak & Mak, Chap Construction, Eldyke Engineering, Pryke Limited, Chipa Nigeria Limited, Prima A11 Limited, Pima International, Chanto Engineering, Ishiagu Microfinance Bank, Mulak Ventures, Vitro Engineering and Tip Top Nigeria. According to the source, during the period when Anyim was the SGF from May 2011 to May 29, 2015 and specifically between May

2012 to May 2015, an inflow of N58,146,983,677.85 got into the SGF Ecological Fund Account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The source further disclosed that, “From this fund, three of the companies linked to Anyim, Foundation Years, Obis Associate and Eldyke Engineering received contracts worth over N13billion.

“Foundation Years alone

received a net payment of N10,308,017,838.85 between 2014 and 2015. Curiously, on receiving the fund, Foundation Years and another of Anyim’s company, Br-Kthru made several transfers to 37 entities.

“Some of the organizations and individuals have no nexus at all with ecological issues. Investigators are probing the reasons behind the wild disbursement.”

L-R: Registrar, Mr. Azubuike Ezenwoke; Chancellor, Bishop David Oyedepo and Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adeniyi Olayanju, all of Landmark University, during the Institution’s 8th Matriculation in Omu-Aran, Kwara State… on Friday.

Expectations as Ndi Anambra go to poll today Continued from page 6 a detailed information about the conduct of the exercise.

According to her, the group observed that there are no law suits filed in respect of the primaries of most of the political parties and urges political parties to practice internal democracy in order to stop the current judicialization of Nigerian politics.

Afolabi also said that the result of the last governorship election conducted in Anambra State showed that only about 10 percent of the registered voters voted .

She therefore urged INEC and security agencies to do the needful for many electorates to have confident in the electoral process .

Also, the members of the Movement for the Actualization

of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) have called for mass participation of the people during the election.

MASSOB made the call during a press briefing organized by its Anambra Central Senatorial District arm at Ifitedunu in Dunukofia Council Area.

The Anambra Central Zonal Leader of MASSOB, Mr Emmanuel Onwuka, noted that Anambra election must be conducted to determine the future of the state.

Onwuka warned desperate political parties to desist from imposing a candidate on the masses, saying they should allow Ndi Anambra to choose their leader.

He said, “MASSOB is a nonviolent group. I want a peaceful election. We have decided to collaborate with the security personnel deployed to the state

to ensure that the exercise is smooth, free and fair.”

The group also called for the immediate release of 11 of their members who they alleged were arrested by the police when they went to collect their Voters cards, insisting that the arrested persons have committed no offence.

Expectedly, the contest will be a straight battle between Governor Obiano of APGA, Mr Oseloka Obaze of the Peoples a Democratic Party (PDP) and Dr. Tony Nwoye of All Progressives Congress (APC), seen as the top three contenders to the throne.

The three contenders are closely followed by Chief Osita Chidoka of United Progressive Party (UPP), Lolo Oby Kate Okafor of Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD) and Mr Godwin Ezeemo of Peoples Pro-

gressive Alliance (PPA).

Each of these candidates have campaigned vigorously to clinch victory in today’s poll.

Incumbent Governor Willie Obiano, the APGA flag-bearer has enormous advantages to win this election.

Obiano, as an incumbent governor, has executed projects that have directly impacted on the various segments of people of the state which will earn him their support or sympathy.

For Nwoye, the candidate of the APC, his background as a Students’ Union activist and grassroots politician who has been on the ground since at least 2003 are his major strength Obaze, former Secretary to the Anambra State Government under Peter Obi and for some time with Obiano and a former diplomat, is another

strong contender for the Agu Awka Government House.

Chidoka, former Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), and exMinister of Aviation is another strong contender for the race.

Chidoka is banking on the UPP and he is said to have some sympathy from among the young elements Lolo Oby Kate Okafor, the candidate of the ACD, reportedly said that the males have failed the people hence it was time for a woman to rule the state while she assured that she would not disappoint if given the mandate by the people of the state.

Ezeemo of the PPA is another candidate in this election.

Many people in the state see Ezeemo as a gentle man and philanthropist, who should be given opportunity to rule the state.

News 8

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 18, 2017

FG set to organise focused labs to boost economic Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

ÏÏÏFollowing the Federal

Security men waiting at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) State’s headquarters, Awka in preparation for Saturday’s Anambra State governorship election …on Friday.

Court fixes Dec 13 for ruling on motion to compel Army to produce Kanu

Andrew Orolua, Abuja.

ÏÏÏJustice

Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja has fixed December 13 , 2017 for ruling on the application brought by the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor for an order directing the Nigerian Army to produce Nnamdi Kanu in court .

Kanu who is on bail in a treasonable felony trial went missing on September 14, 2017. IPOB claimed, in the suit filed shortly after Kanu went missing, that the soldiers, who allegedly invaded his father’s house on September 14, took him away. Therefore, they want the court to order the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratia and the Nigerian Army to produce him.

Arguing the application on

Friday IPOB counsel Ejiofor said that all the pronouncements made by the Nigerian army through a press statement issued by the Director of Army Operations and the remark by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo point to the fact that Kanu is in their custody .

He said that the deposition

by Gen Buratai that soldiers who invaded Kanu fathers house on September 14 ,2017 pursued a truck loaded with explosives into the compound justified IPOB claim that the army was the last that saw Kanu , Based on the document before the court the respondent has the duty to produce him having the last contact with Kanu, the counsel submitted.

In opposition to the application, counsel for the Nigerian Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), urged the court to

dismiss the suit for being speculative. He said that the application was not only speculative but based on assumption and unfounded opinion.

He said the plaintiff counsel was unable to show that Kanu is in army custody.

According to Kehinde “the press statements by director of operations ( Army) and the Vice President were presented by the plaintiff counsel to deceive the court.” He also added that the doctrine of last seen is not available or relevant to Kanu case.

The Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen.Buratai has said in the affidavit deposed by Col A.A.Yusuf that soldiers chased a truck laden with weapons into a house said to belong to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu’s father in Afara-Ukwu Ibeku, Umuahia, Abia State, on September 14,

Gen. Buratai said owners of the truck detonated the explosives on the day Kanu was last seen in public.

He said the suspects’ intention was to frustrate the move to arrest them by the troops .

He said: during “a peaceful movement” which was part of the “Operation Python Dance II” on September 14, some soldiers saw a truck and flagged it down, but the truck and its occupants ran over Army’s barricade and defied soldiers’ order stopping them to be searched.

He said the soldiers pursued the fleeing truck, loaded with arms and ammunition, into a compound.

Buratai said the compound turned out to be the one Kanu later claimed, in the suit, to belong to him and his father.

Assault: Medical doctor sues A’Ibom speaker, demands N500m damages Bassey Willie, Uyo

ÏÏÏJustice

Fatun Riman of Federal High Court 2, sitting in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, yesterday deferred hearing on fundamental rights enforcement case against the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Mr. Onofiok Luke, to December 1.

Joined in the suit includes the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Commissioner of Police (CP), Akwa Ibom State Command.

The Chairman of the Eket branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Emmanuel David Udo, had dragged the speaker, Akwa Ibom House of Assembly and three others to

court, for alleged assault.

Udo in his affidavit alleged that the security aides attached to the Speaker comprising DSS personal and the Police, assaulted him.

Udo recalled that “I was severely manhandled and tortured when Luke’s convoy ran into my car in a crowded scene along the Uyo-Ibesikpo road, on my way to Eket with my family”.

He alleged that “my car ran into a crowd of mourners along the road and because of the heavy traffic hold-up, I could not immediately give way for the Speaker’s convoy to have easy passage”.

“Suddenly security aides to the Speaker comprising the Police and members of the Department of State Services (DSS) dragged me out of the car and severely dealt

physical attack on my person under the supervision of the Speaker himself”, he narrated.

He lamented that though the incident occurred about one year ago, the injury he sustained on his spinal cord prevented him from seeking a redress on the matter until now “that I am well and able to withstand the rigours of pursuing the enforcement of my fundamental human rights”.

In the originating motion on notice (FHC\UY\ CS\119\2017), Mr. Luke, Mr. Courage Noguese, the DSS Director; Mr. Muazu Zubairu, the Commissioner of Police and Mr. Ibrahim Idris, the Inspector General of Police, are listed as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th respondents in the matter.

In his written address, Inibehe Effiong, Counsel to Udo, is seeking to determine whether the assault and torture meted by the accused persons on his client, amount to “a breach on the applicant’s fundamental human rights to dignity of his human person as guaranteed in section 34(1) (a) of Nigeria’s 1999 constitution (as mended), as well as the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights”.

The Court would have the onus of also determining whether Luke and his security aides violated his client’s fundamental rights of freedom of movement and from discrimination as guaranteed by relevant sections of the Constitution (1999) and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, amongst others.

Executive Council’s approval, the Ministry of Budget and National Planning has said that it is set to organise focused labs.

According to the ministry, these labs consist simply in the bringing together of relevant stakeholders in the public and private sectors into weeks of intensive working sessions to brainstorm on practical steps to overcoming any identified challenges in the implementation of the country’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Udoma Udo Udoma, in a statement on Friday by his media adviser, James Akpandem, said that the labs would serve as an effective tool for ensuring robust engagement between the public and private sectors to resolve challenges within a specified sector.

According to him, “It is a fall-out of the Federal Government Cabinet Retreat on ERGP Implementation held in Abuja on the 10th of August this year with the theme “Getting Implementation Right.

“A major outcome of the retreat was the need for Nigeria to conduct focused labs, drawing from the Malaysian model, which will drive quick delivery of the major outcomes of the ERGP. The initial labs will be in agriculture and transportation, in power and gas, and in manufacturing and processing. Thereafter, similar labs will be conducted in other areas, such as entertainment and tourism, health and education amongst others,” the minister stated.

Udoma said: “The planned labs will be directed by relevant Ministers and senior government officials, with the participation of captains of industry and potential investors, both Nigerian, as well as major international companies.

Abuja residents eulogise Glo on Everyday Bonanza …..as second set of winners pick prizes Moses Oyediran, Enugu

ÏÏÏ Presentation of prizes

to winners in the on-going Everyday Bonanza, a loyalty reward scheme packaged by national telecommunications company, Globacom continued in Abuja on Wednesday as over hundred subscribers picked up different prizes including Fridges, Televisions, Microwave Oven and Generators at Gloworld, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2.

The Glo retail outlet was filled to the brim as lucky winners began trooping into the venue of the event with their friends and relatives as early as 10am. They were all effusive in joy as they waited in front of the outlet to receive their prizes.

Miss Arziki Safiya, an Abuja based applicant was particularly ecstatic as she danced with Glo ambassador, Sani Danja who heartily joined her in celebration.

Expressing her heartfelt appreciation, Safiya who is still searching for job said she remained eternally grateful to Globacom for the 32” LED Televison set, adding that “the luck that brought the gift will also get me a good job in due course.”

Another winner is Mr. Anthony Edekobi Chukwuemeka, an Engineer from Anambra State, who resides in Wuse, Abuja. He won a brand new Generator and thanked Globacom for the prize. “I don’t need to buy a new Gen-

erator again as planned; Glo has provided one for me and I will make good use of it in my house, especially now that lights are not too stable. Kudos to Glo” he said.

Other winners are the trio of Omale Dauda, Shuaibu Momoh and Amadi George who all expressed their joy for winning Microwave ovens.

Omale said he will continue to participate in Everyday Bonanza and believed that he will win another prize soon, while Momoh and George who said they were shocked when they got calls from Glo both thank the company “for always remembering the masses.”

Wada Bashir who was one of many subscribers who won Refrigerators said “I am very happy for winning the prize, this meant a lot to me and I thank Glo for the prize.

I promise to remain a loyal subscriber of our Nigerian network taking care of us” The event attracted dignitaries from Federal Capital Territory including the Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Senator Lanre Tejuosho, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Diaspora, Hon. Abike Dabiri, Corps Marshall, Federal Road Safety Commission, Dr. Oyeyemi Boboye, Representative of Nigerian Communication Commission, Mr Fred Adogo and Representative of Director General of National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Mr. Yagba Tsav.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 18, 2017

Politics

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Most national chairmanship aspirants of PDP are sponsored by APC – Bucknor-Akerele –P10

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How I will return PDP to winning days - Adeniran–P.12

GEORGE

SECONDUS

DANIEL

PROF. ADENIRAN

Tunde Opalana, Abuja

Rasheed Ladoja and former PDP Lagos State governorship candidate, Jimi Agbaje, former Minister of Education, Prof.

Tunde Adeniran, and former PDP Deputy National chairman, Bode George.

The odd ones in the race are immediate past Deputy National chairman of the party, Uche Secondus from Rivers State and Daar Communications chairman, Dr. Raymond Dokpesi.

But the National Caretaker Committee sticks to its gun and abide by the loose formula. Its Chairman, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, recently, stated that the NWC has no power to ‘micro-zone’ elective positions.

Rather, he said that all eight candidates could contest for the office of chairman as the national convention of the party agreed to zone the national chairmanship to the South.

Also, standing by the position to give all contenders equal chances, the National Assembly Caucus of the party decided to screen all of them as part of its responsibility to be involved in the decision process. Deputy Leader of the PDP Caucus in the House of Representatives, Hon. Chukwuma Onyema said having concluded its assignment, the House Caucus will consult its Senate counterpart and will further compare notes with other organs of the party to ensure, a fair, free and equitable process.

Few weeks to the convention, there have been counter allegations of open support for certain candidates by certain organs of the party, which could lead to an imminent crisis that may send the party to the dungeon of Nigeria’s political annals.

While certain members in the Board of Trustees were said to be rooting for an experienced party loyalist in the person of Bode George who is believed to have what it would take to rebuild the PDP and to put it in a position to win the 2019 elections, he on the other hand seem not to be enjoying the support of the group of PDP governors whose role in the emergence of

national leadership of the party cannot be ignored.

Prof. Tunde Adeniran, one of the founding fathers of PDP, who no doubt boasts a good knowledge of the workings of the party is believed to be well-connected to all the power blocks in the party, and said to be banking on the support of the BOT having served as the chairman of the sub-committee of the party on strategy during the effort to resolve the leadership crisis in the party.

Former Governor Gbenga Daniel, also adjudged one of the committed party loyalists whose efforts to rebuild the party and to reconcile disputes amongst its ranks was acknowledged across board is said to wields considerable influence among former governors of the party.

Both Jimi Agbaje and Prof. Taoheed Adedoja have no serious link with any of the power broking organs in the party, and as well may be said not to be in serious contention, while the former governor of Oyo State, Rasheed Ladoja from the look of things may throw in the towel in support of Daniel.

However, the failure of the leadership of the party in the South West to have a common front has been festering the political nest of the former Deputy National Chairman, Uche Secondus, whose aspiration is gaining acceptance across party divides.

There have been allegation in the camps of some contenders that a powerful clique within the party has been working round the clock to lure the leadership of the party into throwing full weight behind Secondus’ aspiration, putting the party on the brink of another accusation of ‘imposition’ of candidate.

But in a swift reaction to the claim that Secondus might be imposed on the party, his campaign organisation said his opponents are behind such rumour because they are being intimidated by his wide acceptance across other regions, including the South West.

Taye Garrich on behalf of the Uche Secondus Campaign Organisation said

his principal has the right to contest the position, having come from the South, a region where the chairmanship position has been zoned.

Refuting the allegation, he said rather than waiting for an endorsement from any quarters, Secondus has been selling his candidature across the 36 states of the federation, meeting with party leaders and members to offer his service to rebuild the party and reposition it for elective contests in 2019 general elections.

He said recently, a group under the aegis of Northern Integrity Watch said that Secondus has the highest appeal among the contestants for the Peoples Democratic Party chairmanship position, because he has what it takes to move the party to the next level, adding that his role as the former PDP Deputy National Chairman shows that he’s a party builder.

Garrick quoted Alhaji Ahmed Saliu, the Coordinator of the group as saying “At this time of the life of PDP, the party needs a man with experience, the man who can take the party to the next level, Secondus has this experience.

He added that a chieftain of the party in Osun State, Hakeem Ogunsola, recently urged members in the South West zone to support the party’s former deputy national chairman and ex-acting national chairman, for the national chairmanship position.

He was quoted to have said that “it was imperative for South West to queue behind Secondus, who is from the South South zone because it seemed the South West was not ready for the position, and that the party could not afford to gamble with the next general elections.”

He stated that the group has affirmed that South West has proved its unpreparedness for the leadership of the party and the leadership should go to SouthSouth, the main base of the PDP. Whatever is the strength or weakness of any of the contenders should be left for delegates to the national convention to decide while the party leadership plays the role of an unbiased umpire.

PDP National chairmanship: The danger of imposition As the December 9, 2017, date for the National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) draws nearer, other positions lined up for contention have not been receiving much attention as the race for the National Chairmanship post, believed to be the soul of the party.

Not only will the free and fair conduct of the convention or its otherwise determine the chances of the party regaining power lost in the 2015 general elections, if not at the centre but in some states, it will by extension determine also the ability of the leadership of the party to mend the ‘torn umbrella’.

To achieve this, political onlookers are of the opinion that PDP must avoid the imposition of candidates, a ‘banana peel’ which the party has so much penchant for.

The party used to command a huge respect for internal democracy through the implementation of its zoning formula, until it allowed it to be dubiously replaced with favouritism or better known as the imposition of candidates against the wish of the generality of party members.

The forthcoming convention, no doubt will be a litmus test of the genuineness of the party to wrestle power from the All Progressives Congress (APC), the incumbent ruling party.

While the Port-Harcourt mini-convention of the party endorsed a blanket zoning of the national chairmanship position to the South and the presidency to the North, another arrangement of a micro-zoning was put to the fore which set to limit the chairmanship race to contenders in the South-West.

This today, is evident in the number of aspirants from the South West geo-political zone jostling for the plum job. The list include; former governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel, former Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, former Oyo State governor,

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 18, 2017

Most national chairmanship aspirants of PDP are sponsored by APC – Bucknor-Akerele Since the Supreme Court judgement that resolved the PDP leadership crisis, there have been efforts to reconcile the factional members, how far has the reconciliation been?

Well, I think the reconciliation is going quite well in Lagos State and I understand it is going on well in other states too, because we have decided that we have to come together to save the country because as you know the country is in a mess right now.

Is PDP ready to play the expected opposition role now?

We are ready to play the expected opposition role, but we are ready for 2019. We want to take over in 2019.

Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele is a politician of note, she is a former Senator and former deputy governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2002 on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD). Now a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in this interview, Bucknor-Akerele speaks on issues as they affect Lagos State and the country.

How prepared is your party for the 2019 general elections, because as you know it is not easy to remove an incumbent government. You are preparing for your convention and there are so many chairmanship aspirants, many are afraid that this may cause another crisis in the party. What is your opinion on this?

We know what is happening with all these people coming out to contest the national chairmanship election. Most of them are being sponsored by the All Progressive Congress (APC) because they don’t want the best candidate to emerge. They want a candidate that is not strong to emerge so that they can have their own way during the election.

But we learnt that the caretaker National Chairman of your party, Senator Ahmed Makarfi is going for presidential race, don’t you think this may make many to believe that he is favouring a candidate that will support his ambition?

I don’t see that as far as I am concerned, I think he is trying to be fair to everybody.

People are saying his presidential ambition may even cause crisis in the party, you don’t think so?

Has he actually declared his presidential ambition, it is when he declares that we know he has presidential ambition.

President Muhammadu Buhari is almost two and half years in the saddle as the President of this country, how will you assess his performance?

Dismal, absolutely dismal. He has made the country poorer, he has made the country a laughing stock of the international community by some of his utterances. And worse still, he has ruined the economy of the nation. He says he is fighting corruption, but I don’t know how corruption can be fighting

Do you think this government can tackle these problems you listed down before the 2019 general election?

As I said, I think this government is only an incompetent government and I don’t think it is capable of addressing the issues.

And that is why I think the PDP is doing its best to get its heart together so that it can come in and address the problems. At least when the PDP was there, we didn’t have these problems. We had Boko Haram, yes, which was virtually contained before Jonathan left and then the whole thing came on an upsurge again.

But the Buhari administration and the ruling party, APC have been saying that the problems we have now were actually caused by PDP misrule of 16 years, how will you react to this?

PDP government was so bad that people were able to eat, which they are not able to do now. The government was so bad that no one was detained without trial, the government was so bad that we did not have the herdsmen problem, the government was so bad that we didn’t have kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and all sorts of things in the magnitude we now have, that are now in place. So, you judge for yourself, which one is bad and which one is good.

What are you, leaders of the party, doing to ensure that a strong candidate emerge as your National Chairman?

A strong candidate that we are backing is doing his work very well and we feel he is the best candidate for the job. He is experienced and he had led an election campaign, a presidential election campaign for that matter to victory. And we believe it is that kind person, with that experience that we need to lead the party right now.

Your convention will be coming up in December, what are your expectations from the convention?

What will come out of the convention is a new executive and once we have a new executive and we make amendment to the constitution, we will be able to forge ahead.

are still bombing in the North East and on top of it all there is the herdsmen problem which has been rampaging throughout the country.

How do we tackle the problems of the economy bedevilling the country?

I don’t think we can tackle the economic problems of the country, because the government started off on a bad foot. The government created a situation of uncertainty. And once people are not sure that their money is safe, they will take their money away and this is what has happened. We are not having investors, in fairness when Jonathan was there I think the Minister for Commerce, Mr Aganga had brought in so many people who wanted to do business in Nigeria, who were ready to start up companies. But they are all gone because they were not sure of the situation of the country.

BUCKNOR-AKERELE

corruption, because three quarter of his cabinet members are corrupt and everybody know that is true.

Are you calling for a change in his cabinet?

It is up to him if he wants to continue with those people or he wants to change them, he is the President afterall. It is his choice.

Many were not happy about the way he handled the crisis between the Managing Director of the NNPC and the Minister of State for Petroleum, what is your take on this?

He seems to be very silent on the issue and I think he should speak up and he should let us know what his position is on this problem You are a member of the pan- Yoruba group that has been in the forefront of the call for restructuring, how do you see the renewed interest in the restructuring of the country?

Well, I don’t think the call is renewed, the call has always been there for restructuring. It is just that the people have not done anything about it until former President, Dr

Goodluck Jonathan decided to have a conference which of course I understand Buhari wants to put into the archives. He wants to dump the reports of the conference into the archives.

But do you think the report of the conference will in any way stop various problems plaguing the country?

It will go a long way in solving many of the problems in the country, because the decisions at the conference were taken unanimously, we didn’t vote, because I was a member of that conference, it was done by consensus, there was no voting at all.

So what is your advice to President Muhammadu Buhari concerning the decision of the conference?

My advice is that he should bring out the document relating to that conference and let us have a dialogue on it, so that we can chart the way forward. This is because right now, the country is in a precarious position, the rule of law has been abandoned, people are being detained for years without trial, people have been granted bail and they have not been released on bail, the security situation is worse, there is kidnapping, Boko Haram

So how will a PDP government at the federal level improve the situation?

We will have an economic platform which we would sell to the country and it will be based on that, that we shall progress. Not only that we shall have competent people, we are not going to have nepotism or tribalism or sacred cows. We are going to make sure that instead of mediocrity that we are seeing now, we are going to have competence, and those who are capable of doing the jobs.

Compare what were being done before to what are being done now.

You were once a deputy governor in Lagos State, how will you assess the present administration in the state led

by Mr Akinwunmi Ambode?

At least, Ambode is not planting flowers as Fashola did. I am not against flower, in fact I love flowers as you can see in my compound.

I think he is trying, although he is not in my party, but he is trying as far as road construction is concerned.

You are in PDP and for most times the other party has been winning election here in Lagos State, what can be CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 18, 2017

11 Politics

Anambra Guber: CNPP Commends INEC, warns against manipulation of results

Oyegun’s visit to Ebonyi will strengthen APC ahead of 2019 elections- Official

The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its level of preparedness ahead in today’s governorship election in Anambra State.

The umbrella body of all registered political parties and political associations in the country, however warned all stakeholders in the election against manipulation of the process to thwart the wish of the people of the state.

In a statement signed by the Conference’s Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu and issued in Abuja, the CNPP urged civil society groups and other accredited election monitors in the state, including security agencies, to be on guard and ensure that any form of electoral fraud was nipped in the bud.

“We are happy with INEC so far from our assessment of the level of preparedness of the Commission and we urge stakeholders and security agencies to ensure fairness and maintain level playing ground as the people of Anambra go to polls on Saturday.

“All accredited election monitors and the civil society groups must be alive to their civic responsibility at this time to ensure that the popular wish of Anambrarians prevail after the polls.

“It will be in the interest of democracy and good governance if the

The All Progressives Congress (APC), Ebonyi State chapter has said that the visit of the party’s National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun to the state on Friday was a major boost to the party and its efforts at consolidating its plans towards 2019 in the state.

Mr Eze Nwachukwu, the Acting Chairman of APC in Ebonyi State, who spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abakaliki, said party members were in high spirit.

According to him, the visit will be used to strengthen the party and further expand its membership ahead of the 2019 general elections.

He explained that the party in the state would use the gains of the visit to cement and consolidate on the existing peace and unity in the party.

“Many members who have been seeing the chairman on television want to see him live, touch him, embrace him and shake hands with him.

“We will meet him one on one and discuss our challenges and see how he can use his good office to assist us and ensure that all our efforts are strengthened towards taking over power in the state in 2019.

“Our joy over the visit has no limit because the visit will not only cement and consolidate the existing peace and unity in our great party, it will also expand the membership

PROF. YAKUBU

stakeholders ensure strict adherence to the rules of the game and uphold the Electoral Act as the outcome of this election will determine the level of confidence of Nigerians ahead of the 2019 general election.

“Therefore, we implore Anambra people to shun any form of violence and report anything that could lead to a breakdown of law and order to INEC and security agencies.

“We also urge the electorate to troop out in their number to vote the candidate of their choice to enthrone good governance and ameliorate the hardship being faced by Anambrarians.

“Your vote is your voice; it is time to speak with your thumb to determine the future of Anambra State. So, vote and not fight,” the CNPP counseled.

OYEGUN

of the party, ahead of 2019.

“Abakaliki, the state capital will stand still again for the APC national chairman who is coming with the entire members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

“We will demonstrate once again just as we did few days ago during the visits of the Vice President and Mr President, that Ebonyi is indeed APC state,’’ he said.

The APC chief said that Oyegun would personally register some of the high profile former members of Ebonyi PDP who decamped to the party, led by the immediate past governor of the state, Chief Martin Elechi.

‘Chairmanship aspirants of PDP are sponsored’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

done to ensure your party win the election in the state?

Don’t say the other party has been winning elections, the other party has been writing list and handing them over to INEC to read out and the INEC has been doing the bidding of the other party. And I think it is up to INEC now if they don’t want an uprising on their hands to start conducting proper elections instead of announcing winners when people have not won election, but they have been given list to announce With what you are saying now, you are saying INEC could be bias and remember we are having elections coming up in Anambra very soon, what do you then expect from INEC? INEC is bias and partisan I have told you.

We once went to somebody who used to finance the party, and we said please we need some finances, but he said no I don’t want to finance you because they will just write it.

Even the people when we were canvassing to come out and vote, they said what are we coming out for, the ones we voted what was the outcome, because they just wrote the results. What are we going to stand in the sun and the rain for?

Then how do we have a truly independent electoral commission in the country?

I think it is up to the voters and of course some of the NGOs should start presurising INEC to conduct free and fair election.

Do you think the women have been living up to their expected role in politics?

Those women that have been in politics I think have been performing creditably, although they have many of us that are in politics, the numbers are increasing and we should push to ensure that more women get into politics. We were trying to get the gender balance bill through which was shut down in the assembly Is it possible to have a female governor or female president so soon?

I certainly believe that Nigeria can produce a female governor, that is if the monetarisation of the election is not as high as it is now, because the problem women have in politics is money. Most women do not have access to the kind of money that men have and so this in fact hampers their progress in the political space.

We recall that you came first in the governorship primaries of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), beating two men, how did you do it at that time?

At that time, money did not play a part in politics. Although it played some part but it was not too phenomena. But now it is like a market, the highest bidder gets it.

How do we stop such attitude of money playing major part in our electoral process?

I think it needs education. First of all, we need voters education, because the voters have to be educated that your suffering is a

result of your own action. If you take money and vote for somebody who you know might not be able to perform but because he has given you money, then you should expect the kind of government he gives you.

What is your advice for women in politics?

My advice for women in politics is to go there and stay there, don’t let the men try and intimidate you or drive you away. Stand your ground because I won my senatorial during the AD because I stood my ground.

All the men ran away and they were fighting themselves but I stood my ground.

How has Yoruba fare under Buhari’s government?

I don’t think Yoruba has fared well at all.

We said we got the vice presidency, but truly is the vice president everything in government. When you look at the ministerial list and all the appointments that have been made, ask yourself how many Yoruba has gotten into such positions.

What are you, leaders, doing to ensure that Yoruba got its rightful place in the nation’s governance?

That is why we want restructuring, when we have restructuring then we have our rights.

But some people are saying that lack of unity among the Yoruba is the cause of their problem, how true is this?

What has lack of unity got to do with appointments? Nothing whatsoever.

Do you remember what happened during the Jonathan administration when the Yoruba members in the House of Representatives moved against Mulikat Akande becoming the speaker of the House of Representatives and they supported Aminu Tambuwal despite PDP zoning the post to the South West.....

That was an unfortunate situation, because I think really and truly it was because people felt Mulikat was being imposed by a certain person and it was a rebellion against imposition.

As a member of the Yoruba Unity Forum, how do you think we can achieve unity among the Yoruba?

I think the Yoruba Unity Forum formed

by Late Chief H.I.D Awolowo was an umbrella body of all the Yoruba organisations and I think the Yoruba speak with one voice under that umbrella. I don’t think there is any Yoruba or very few Yoruba who are not on that page. And those who are not on that page are not on that page because they are looking for the political positions.

What is your advice to the electorate as we approach the next election?

My advice to the electorates generally is stop taking money from the people who want you to vote for them. Make sure you look at their background, who they are, what they have done. Vote for people with integrity; don’t vote according to money, but vote according to your conscience.

W h t o n e a b C t c T t e c d

Politics 12

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 18, 2017

Igbo group warns against boycotting Anambra election Patrick Okohue The South East Revival Group has called on all eligible voters in Anambra State to come out enmasse to exercise their civil rights to vote in Saturday’s governorship election in the state to avoid the declaration of a state of emergency in the state.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Chief Willy Ezugwu, the pan-South East pressure group warned the people against what he described as “moves by anti-Igbo elements to foist on the region an emergency rule, with a military administrator as over seer of the state.

“This must be avoided at any cost as the South East would be the worst for if the election was boycotted by the people.”

He observed that the beauty of de-

…says action will open doors for declaration of state of emergency in state

EZUGWU

mocracy is that it offers the electorate unique opportunity to vote out bad leadership in a state.

“Therefore, a state of anarchy must be avoided at any cost in the south east at this time.

“And we advise the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to thread with caution to avoid a repeat of the 1967 to 1970 civil war in the country.

We appeal to IPOB to sheath their swords and embrace dialogue.

“Every temptation for bloodletting must be vehemently resisted by all south easterners as we urge South East leaders to speak up now.

We have been killed enough.

“Therefore, we urge all eligible voters in Anambra State to troop out and exercise their franchise to make a statement that Ndigbo are not lawless people or terrorists”, SERG warned.

How I will return PDP to winning days - Adeniran

Myke Uzendu, Abuja, Edem Bassey, Calabar

A chairmanship aspirant in the December 9 convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prof Tunde Adeniran has disclosed that he has perfected a three way strategy to re-position the party to its winning ways starting from the 2019 general elections.

Prof. Adeniran stated this at the PDP National Headquarters in Abuja when he returned his National Chairmanship nomination form.

The aspirant said that members of the party have realised the misdeeds that led to the catastrophic loss it suffered during the last general election. He said that he has a three strategic approach to correct the anomalies and return the party to the dream of the founding fathers.

He said, “Firstly, within ourselves there are certain mistakes we made in the past, especially lack of internal democracy which has to be corrected.

“Secondly, the vision of our founding fathers to uplift democracy and carry the people along, inadequate unity among party members will be strengthened.

“We shall harmonise all grievances, bring all together when we veer off course, we must come back,” he said.

The chairmanship hopeful stressed that the programme of the party from the onset tilted towards equity, justice and fair play without which a party cannot grow. He said that the party will embark on serious mentoring programme and leadership education that is sustainable and practical not rhetorics.

He further said that when he assumes office, women and youths will be given all necessary empowerment.

According to him, the youths will have to be re-positioned to make them more productive, adding that he will ensure that there is equity and justice which will make more youths and women have more confidence in

..Says Fayose may drop his presidential ambition

PROF.ADENIRAN

the party and participate more actively in political activities.

“Expectations have been dashed, hopes have been lost and people are asking when it will end. We are prepared to sell our programme to the people and when they see new faces, they will trust us,” Adeniran stated.

On the insinuations that he might succumb to pressure and step down for another candidate he replied, “Am not jettisoning my ambition, am going ahead. I have a pact with the PDP which cannot be implemented by any other person and members of the PDP trust me. It is a pact for new beginning, a pact for a new PDP. When confronted with the fact that Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State is also interested in occupying the presidency in 2019, and that it may scuttle his chances of getting the prime position in the party as both are from the same state, he replied that Fayose may discover the odds against him

and drop his ambition.

The aspirants expressed optimism that Governor Fayose will lead the delegation from Ekiti State that will give him total vote.

“My governor is interested in being the President of the country, but everyday he seems to realise that the party has zoned the position to the North. I believe he will make a U-turn and lead the delegation that will produce me as the next National Chairman of the PDP.” Also speaking at another fora, Prof Adeniran promised to overrun the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the 2019 presidential election if he becomes the National Chairman of the party.

Adeniran made the promise when his delegation paid a courtesy visit on the Cross River State governor, Prof. Ben Ayade in Calabar to canvass for the governor’s support during the coming national convention.

He said the party, having played the opposition role in the last few years, needs an experienced National Chairman who will confront the challenges facing it head on, saying he was offering his service as a response to the needs of the party.

“We want to ensure that the party is revived and I want to say that if I am the party chairman, we will not be in the opposition after the next election,” he said, promising to carry everybody along even as he hoped that Governor Ayade will give him the needed support during the convention.

Also speaking, a member of the Board of Trustees, Prof. Jerry Gana assured that with Prof. Adeniran as chairman, the party will reinvent itself, noting that he has the experience and integrity to rework the party and bring it to winning ways.

Gana, a former Minister of Information, said the party was in need of a mature leader who will carry every party member along, promising that the chairmanship of Adeniran was a way to learn from the mistakes of the past.

INEC commences 3rd quarter registration of Permanent Voters Samuel LUKA, Bauchi

The Bauchi State Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the commencement of its third quarter registration of eligible voters in the state.

This was disclosed by the Electoral Officer (EO) in charge of Bauchi Local Government Area, Alhaji Aliyu Hassan Shaaba in an interview with journalists in his office.

Alhaji Shaaba explained that the third quarter exercise will target certain group of eligible voters that includes those that have attained the age of 18 years, those that have not registered before, transferred residents, corrections of dates of births or names and those whose card were defaced.

He also called on all eligible voters to avail themselves the opportunity maintaining that, “no voters card, no voting in future elections.”

Shaaba informed that the exercise is to be carried out between the hours of 9:00 am and 3:00 pm during working days.

Some eligible voters who spoke to our correspondent while on queue waiting to be registered expressed disaffection on how the exercise was being conducted.

Mallam Sa’idu Hadi of Inkil who said, “I left my house around 3:00 am and was the first to write my name on a lists that is going to be used on first-come-first serve basis but to my surprise, my name appeared on the serial number 33rd on the lists and the exercise is targeting only one hundred people in a day.”

Lamido Yusuf of Unguwan Dawaki also corroborated Hadi’s allegation saying, “I think it is the INEC officials that write their relatives or friends names on the lists before passing it to those that comes to INEC office physically to write their names on the lists.

Even if one is the first person that comes, there are always others that are on the lists before you.”

Reacting to the allegations, Alhaji Shaaba said there is no iota of truth in what the eligible voters are insinuating with regards to the registration exercise. “It is the eligible voters themselves that always write the names of relatives or friends after writing theirs on the first-come-first-serve lists that we use.”

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 18, 2017

13 News

Expose suspicious persons around you, Bauchi NOA director tells citizens Samuel Luka, Bauchi

ÏÏÏThe

Bauchi State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Alhaji Nura Yusuf Kobi on Thursday, advised the people of Ganjuwa and Warji Local Government Areas of Bauchi State not to hesitate reporting any suspicious movement of persons around them to the relevant authorities so as to curtail the activities of perpetrators of violence in their midst in order to maintain peace in the state.

The Director gave the advice during a one-day sensitisation forum captioned, “the impact of kidnapping and illegal mining activities”, in Ganjuwa Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

The forum which was organized by the agency according to Kobi, was aimed at improving relationship between the various communities and security agents towards sharing of useful information that could assist in fishing out people with questionable character within community members for the mainte-

nance of peace and security not only in Bauchi state but the country at large.

The NOA Director assured residents of confidential treatment of information to avoid been victimised by the criminals after the are giving bail.

“By giving out useful information, it means you are providing intelligent information to security agencies which could lead to the arrest of the suspects within you, and peace will prevail in the society”, he said.

According to him, the master minders of mischief were living comfortably within communities.

“Members of the communities should inform security agents on any person that is involved in any act of violence, performing criminal activities or any social vices because they stay among us and live within the communities”.

“We should expose any person involve in such act irrespective of family relationship because we have to make sacrifices for peace to

prevail,” he added.

Kobi noted that Ganjuwa and Warji local government areas are richly endowed with natural resources, hence the need for the people of the area to guard them against illegal miners who sneaks in

to steal them to enrich themselves.

He however added that if the the mineral resources are fully tapped, it is capable of creating job opportunities to the youth, thereby reducing the rate of unemployment in

ÏÏÏThe

Chairman of the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC), Dr. Mike Ajogwu, SAN, has announced the results of the Local Government Bye-Election held in Eke and Obioma wards in Udi Local Government Area, yesterday, declaring the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Ezeako Lawrence and Mr. Chijioke Ikechukwu

as winners.

Briefing journalists at the ENSIEC Headquarters, Dr. Ajogwu stated that in Eke ward, Mr. Ezeako of the PDP pulled 1,625 votes against his only contender, Mr. Philip Eze of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who scored 384 votes.

The ENSIEC Chairman added that in Obioma ward, Mr. Ikechukwu of the PDP scored 1,763 votes to defeat his only rival from the APC, Ony-

ema Hyginus who pulled 31 votes.

Dr. Ajogwu described the bye-election as credible, free and fair, and commended the electorate and the security agencies for the peaceful conduct of the exercise, adding that the winners will be issued with the Certificate of Return, accordingly.

The ENSIEC Chairman advised the winners to be magnanimous in victory, urging the losers to join hands in the development

of their areas in particular and the state in general.

The commission had while announcing the results of the November 4 LG Elections, declared that the exercise did not hold in Eke and Obioma wards, Udi LGA and said that a new date will be fixed for bye-election.

With the latest results, PDP has won all 17 Chairmanship seats and 260 Councillorship positions in Enugu State.

Rivers APC Reps consulted me before visiting Wike, says Sen Abe Amaka Agbu, Port Harcourt

ÏÏÏIn

the midst of the controversy trailing the visit by members of the Rivers State caucus in the House of Representatives which included members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to Governor Nyesom Wike recently, the senator representing Rivers South-East District in the National Assembly, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, has declared that the group consulted him before their visit to the state governor.

Senator Abe, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Friday by his spokesperson, Mr. Parry Saroh Benson, said contrary to media reports, the

federal lawmakers were at Government House, Port Harcourt, on the invitation of the governor.

The senator said the comments made by the member representing Tai/ Eleme/Oyigbo Federal Constituency, Dr. Barry Mpigi, praising the governor, has been manipulated by those seeking to score cheap political points.

The statement reads in part, “My attention has been drawn to the needless controversy surrounding the recent visit of the Rivers House of Reps caucus which includes members of the House of Representatives elected on the platform of the APC to the Rivers State Government House on the invitation of

members of the public, and the division under his watch has kept criminals under check, adding that there has been drastic reduction in the cases of kidnapping and other criminal tendencies in the area.

L-R: South West Zonal Coordinator, Southern Nigeria Forum, Mrs. Chioma Adeoye; Member, Council of Elders, South West, Dr. Fredrick Fasehun; Chairman, Board of Trustee, Chief Chris Emeka Offia and Elder, Sam Emihie, during the Board of Trustees meeting in Lagos.

PDP candidates win Enugu LG poll rerun Moses Oyediran, Enugu

the state.

Also speaking, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ganjuwa LGA, Suleiman Mohammed Tambuwal said that the Nigeria Police has various platforms for community policing to safe guard

the Governor.

“On the receipt of the governor’s invitation, I was consulted by the House of Representatives Caucus and I did not just agree, I insisted that members honour the governor’s invitation (which for the first time was extended to all the parties).

“It is important that though we belong to different political parties we should maintain lines of communication within the government that will enable us to serve our people better, which is the reason we were elected in the first place. Rivers state is not the only state where some lawmakers and the Governor are from opposing parties.

“Hon Barry Mpigi’s com-

ment during the visit has been manipulated by those seeking to score cheap political points. Yes, Hon Mpigi commended the governor but he also went further to say that the several areas in which the APC administration has done well the PDP should also find the courage to commend the APC Government, as politics should not be a do or die affair.

However, the statement said, that part of the speech which fed the desired narrative of those seeking to exploit the visit for political gain, had been carefully ignored and urged all Rivers people without recourse to political affiliation to ignore the politics and focus on the positives.

Plateau House members to Gov. Lalong: No overhead no sitting Kingsley Chukwuka, Jos

ÏÏÏ The

Plateau State House of Assembly, yesterday said it will not sit to perform its statutory function until the Governor, Simon Lalong, commences the payment of its statutory overhead allowance for members.

Our correspondent gathered that the House has not been given its overhead by the Executive for the past 8 months and this has seriously affected the quest to perform their oversight functions and the sitting of most House Committees.

Our observation also revealed that the House, had discovered that the 2017 Budgetary provisions of the state have not been duly followed nor executed by the state Executive and to officially confirm this, the House has set up a committee to investigate the 2017 State budget.

However the report of the committee findings was stalled last week ow-

ing to the on-going party primaries for the councillorship seat across the state.

A House Member who who does not want his name on print told our correspondent that section 128 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), empowers the state House of Assembly to direct an inquiry or investigation into:Any matter or thing with respect to which it has power to make law; and the conduct of affairs of any person, authority, Ministry or government department charged, or intended to be charged, with the duty of responsibility for:- i. execution or administering laws enacted by that House of Assembly, and ii. Disbursing or administering moneies appropriated or to be appropriated by such House.

Daily Times reports that the House Members had met with the Governor at the instance of the Governor to look for way to resolving the issue.

News 14

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 18, 2017

Alleged N2.1b fraud: Dokpesi pay N230m to NTA , says witness

Andrew Orolua, Abuja

ÏÏÏA

prosecution witness in the trial of the founder of DAAR Communications Plc, Raymond Dokpesi, over the N2.1 billion he allegedly collected from the office of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki on Friday told the court that the sum of N230m was paid into the account of Nigeria Television Authority, NTA for the purpose of media consultancy.

When the trial continued on Friday before the Federal High Court in Abuja, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC called it’s 9th witness who is a consultant, Bosede Awoyinfa

Led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Olaleke Atolagbe the witness in her testimonies said she approached Dokpesi for the job of consultancy for jingles for the 2015 election campaign as election approaches and Dokpesi obliged.

And all this were done through Nigeria Television Authourity, NTA and the sum of N230m was paid in five tranches on 11th of February, 2015 from Guarantee Trust Bank into Trendy Shade Nigeria Limited account by Daar investment and then transferred to NTA. All necessary materials needed for the advertorial were worked out within NTA and DAAR Investment.

Under cross examination by

the lead counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN) when asked if the contract transacted with DAAR Investment was illegal, she answered in the negative that since the said amount was remitted into expected account then there is nothing illegal about the contract despite the fact that the agreement was verbal.

Immediately after the cross examination, Agabi also drew the attention of the court to the fact that several adjournments have been sought at the instance of the Prosecutor making them to exceed the number of adjournment they are entitled to and their witnesses are being brought to court in piece meal.

The trial Judge Justice John Tsoho who expressed displeasure at the way and manner the trial is being handled by

the prosecutor advised him to come up with their witnesses in other to dispense justice and advised the EFCC to come up with its witnesses at the next adjourned date.

The defence counsel, Mike Ozekh ome said after the session that the EFCC have exceeded the number of time they ought to have sought for adjournment but the prosecution counsel, Olaleke Atolagbe said the adjournment is not a delay tactics.

At the last sitting two witnesses were called one is the administrative staff of Mikano international Limited from Kano office, Peter Imoekor and the other is managing director of Gilgal Concepts Limited, Fabian Ozoemena who deals in importation of security doors.

Obaseki approves N500m for infrastructure projects, to access World Bank’s N2bn facility Titus Akhigbe, Benin

ÏÏÏThe Edo State Govern-

ment has approved N500 million as counterpart funding for the state’s SEEFOR public works programme, which will enable it access N2bn from the World Bank for infrastructural projects in the state.

The Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Hon. Paul Ohonbamu said this after weekly Executive Council meeting at the Government House, in Benin City.

He said Governor Godwin Obaseki approved the release of N500 million as counterpart funding for the Edo State SEEFOR public works programme, adding “The sum released by the state government is to enable her access another N2 billion from the World Bank for the funding of infrastructure projects across the state.”

He noted that the projects will spread across the 18 Local Government Areas of the state, stressing that the fund will be equally distributed to impact all parts of the state.

He added that over 10,000 youths have been trained on

the SEEFOR projects, noting that the initiative will train technically sound workers as well as entrepreneurs, who will contribute to the development of the state.

The government also set up a committee to look into complaints about the activities of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) across the 18 local government areas with a view to resolving them.

The committee is to be headed by the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Hon. Osahon Amiolemen.

Ohonbamu said EXCO has also approved the appointment of Chief Allen Benson Odiko as village head of Akpama (Oiemire 1 of Uneme Akpama) in North Uneme clan, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State.

He said the EXCO reviewed the recent Alaghodaro Investment summit hosted by the state, commending residents for supporting the state in its drive to industrialise the state.

According to him, “It is fulfilling to see that the planned development of the Benin Industrial Park has kickedoff with the groundbreaking done during the summit.”

KWASU lecturer commits suicide Kehinde Akinpelu, Ilorin

ÏÏÏA former lecturer

L-R: Adegboruwa of Igbogbo Land, Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali; Elejigbo of Langbasa, Oba Hafeez Olakunle Badiru; Obateru of Egun, Oba Hakeem Adeoriyomi Oyebo and Oba of Ikate Land, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi, during the Grand Finale Coronation reception ceremony of Oba Hafeez Olakunle Badiru in Ajah, Lagos.

I’m starved by prison officials –says Evans

Peter Fowoyo

ÏÏÏ“For

three days in a row, prison authorities have denied me food, neither have they allowed me to take my bathe.”

These were the words of suspected billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, otherwise known as Evans, on Friday when he and other defendants appeared before a Lagos High Court, Ikeja.

Evans said this during an argument which ensued between him and prison officers immediately he was urshered into the courtroom.

His counsel Olukoya Ogungbeje, also attested to the fact that his client is being starved.

According to Evans, the

prison authorities deprived him of change of clothes, food and access to having his bath since Wednesday.

“This is unfair, I have not been given food, and change of clothes. I was not given opportunity to bathe since Wednesday. I am seriously hungry now,” Evans lamented.

“They locked us in one place, no food, no bathing,” Evans shouted to the hearing of the reporters.

His fellow defendants also comfirmed the development even as a senior NPS official denied the allegations.

Ogungbeje who was visibly angry by the development sought permission to go and procure food for his clients, pleading that only a living person can stand trial.

Evans and five others were charged with conspiracy to commit felony and kidnapping contrary to section 411 of the Criminal Law Cap 17 Laws of Lagos State 2015, claims they have since denied.

Other defendants are: Uche Amadi, Ogechi Uchechukwu, Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu, Chilaka Ifeanyi and Victor Chukwunonso Aduba.

When the matter came up on Friday, counsel to the sixth defendant, Emmanuel Ochai, also corroborated all the defendants claims that they had not been fed or allowed to have their bathe in three days.

Responding to the allegations, Justice Hakeem Oshodi, raised concerns about the welfare of the defendants.

“The Director of Public Prosecution should please investigate this allegations.

A defendant is innocent until he is proven guilty by a competent court,” he said.

In her response, the Lagos State Prosecutor, Ms Titilayo Shitta-Bey, told the court that the prosecution would promptly investigate the allegations.

Earlier during the proceedings, Justice Oshodi dismissed an application by the only female defendant, Ogechi Uchechukwu asking to be released on bail.

Justice Oshodi said he found no merit in her application for bail, , noting that the defendant has no concrete base in Lagos and would constitute a flight risk.

at the Department of Crop Production, College of Agriculture, Kwara State University, Malete, Dr. Solomon Osunlola has committed suicide. Sources said the registrar of KWASU had written , informing him of his conversion to a contract staff from full time appointment.

They stated that Osunlola was subsequently depressed and started misbehaving. One of his friends, was also said to have offered to assist him with a job at Landmark University but the deceased did not submit his credentials to his friend.

People were said to have been surprised and doubted the authenticity of his PhD certificate.

Other sources after the conversion of his full appointment to a contract staff, a friend of his took him to a cleric after noticing that he was depressed. The cleric was said to have counseled him while his friend followed him to his family who were residing at Ibadan. The

family members were said to have forced his room door open when he did not come out in the morning and were shocked that he had committed suicide.

The Director, Public Relations, KWASU, Dr. Isiaka Aliagan confirmed Osunlola’s death. He said, “The Management of KWASU, Malete, would like to clarify that the late Dr. Oluremi Solomon Osunlola, was a Lecturer 1 in the Department of Crop Production, College of Agriculture. He joined the services of the Institution on a full-time appointment in 2010.

“However, during staff verificatio, it was discovered that the late Osunlola had already retired from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Kwara Office, before taking up a full-time appointment with KWASU. “Despite the fact that the deceased violated the rule of his engagement, the University, in August, 2017, converted his appointment to Contract, on compassionate grounds. This is all we can say about the late Osunlola.”

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 18, 2017

News 15

26 Nigerian women buried in Italy, most of without a names Bonny Amadi with agency reports

ÏÏÏ

The 26 Nigerian women that drowned during a migrant crossing from Libya in the Mediterranean Sea, were buried in Italy on Friday 17th November 2017, following honored with an interfaith funeral service.

According to the Sacramento bee reports, at the point of burial, only two of the 26 women whose bodies were recovered 3rd Novemeber2017

by Spanish rescue ships have been identified, they are Marian Shaka, a Muslim, and Osato Osara, a Christian.

According to the agency reports, prosecutors are working to contact relatives of the others, using phone numbers the women had hidden in their clothes before setting off from Libya’s lawless shores. So far, investigators have reached family members of three of them. Relatives were able to provide general descriptions of their girls, and confirmed they hadn’t heard from them.

The report further revealed that autopsies reports on the women showed that all but one drowned. The other had internal bleeding from a ruptured liver as a result of blunt trauma before falling in the water. None bore signs

of recent physical or sexual abuse, prosecutors said in a statement Friday. Two of the women were pregnant.

Overall, 100 people were believed to have drowned in the crossing. The other bodies were lost at sea. They had all set off aboard a blue rubber raft. Sixty-four survived.

The report revealed that the Friday’s burial witnessed the 26 bodies placed in 26 wooden coffins were laid out in a circle in the middle of Salerno’s cemetery for the interfaith funeral ceremony.

There was no indication the Nigerian Embassy or Consulate sent a representative.

Salerno Archbishop Luigi

Moretti told the crowd that the women “lost their lives as they were seeking freedom and a better life.”

“And we give the last farewell not only to the 26 girls but also to two lives that these girls were carrying in their wombs,” he added.

Imam Abderrhmane Es Sbaa offered a prayer before he and Moretti blessed the coffins, with Moretti sprinkling holy water on them. The crowd silently passed by, placing white roses on each one.

Overall this year, nearly 168,000 migrants have arrived in Italy, a 32-percent decline over last year thanks to a deal Italy struck with the Libyan

government and its militias to curb the exodus. The U.N. refugee agency estimates around 3,000 have died trying, though the number is likely much higher given the unknown number of shipwrecks that are never reported.

It’s not clear whether the 26 women were part of the huge human trafficking business that brings thousands of Nigerian women to Italy every year to work as prostitutes.

The past three years has seen a 600-percent increase in potential sex trafficking victims arriving in Italy, most of them from Nigeria, according to the International Organization for Migrants. IOM statis-

tics show 1,454 girls arrived from Nigeria in 2014 and the number soared to 11,009 in 2016.

Alessandra Galatro, who works to help young Nigerian women escape prostitution, came to the funeral with a group of Nigerian girls who stood at a distance during the ceremony then shyly approached the coffins at the end, gently touching them one by one.

“It is not easy for them because they have all made that crossing, that journey,” Galatro said. “The cruelty that these women faced in Libya, they all experienced.”

Don’t take Edo Govt’s tolerance for granted, Obaseki warns Ijaws Titus Akhigbe, Benin

ÏÏÏThe Governor of

L-R: Commissioners of Police, Niger Command, Austin Agbonlahor; FCT Command, Sadiq Bello and AIG in-charge of zone 7, Salisu Fagge, addressing Sabo Gayan community leaders, during police show of force to build confidence in Sabo Gayan community, Kaduna State… on Thursday.

Gbenga Daniels assures S’East of VP, calls for support over PDP national chair Sunday Nwakanma, Umuahia

ÏÏÏIn his quest to grab the

post of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniels, was in Umuahia to solicit the support of the party’s leadership in their forthcoming national convention.

Addressing the enlarged state party executive, Gbenga Daniels said his mission was to “let us stand and rebuild the party”, stating that it would be necessary to alow the south west take the position of the National chairman, while the south east would take the position of Vice President, the party having zoned the Presidential slot to the North.

He described Abia as the soul of the party in Nigeria and lucky to have a PDP governor while Imo and Anambra are not so lucky, but have resolved to adopt him.

According to him, “the party has been re-activated sin the north and they are now going to change the change”.

Fielding question from newsmen later, OGB said “to cub agitations, the south east should be given the executive function of Vice President”, while opining that in the interim, PDP is not considering any alignment with the APGA, stating that though APGA is PDP as most of them are from the PDP. The party, he said has been able to resolve their little differences, as well as have tired to restore internal democracy, while saying no to impunity.

Responding, the PDP chairman in the state, Sir Johnson Onuigbo assured Daniels of the support of the party, stating that PDP is the only party that can be found everywhere in the state.

He stated the need for the south west to be fully re-instated in the party, stating “We will go to the conventuion ground and balance it there.

“There should be no impunity, no imposition and no substitution. That is the only way that we can move forward” and urged the party to stop the use of pro-groups to usurp the function of the party in any state.

He urged the former governor to seek the face of God in his quest.

Later in a courtesy call on the Abia Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, the governor expressed his convinction that Otunba Gbenga Daniel is eminently qualified to lead the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as it’s National Chairman.

The Governor described Otumba Daniel as a man of wonderful pedigree “ I’m certainly convinced that you are eminently qualified both in terms of experience, both in terms of exposure, both in terms of contact. That you indeed posses all that it takes to do the analysis that is required around what brought us to past and how we can con-

struct our way back to power “, adding that he was capable of drawing dynamism to match whatever sentiment that is playing out currently in the party.

For the Governor,” the agitation in the environment, in the air is palpable and nobody can feel comfortable any longer without trying to at least do the right and take the right decisions to make sure the South East plays back into the centre of the Nigeria’s politics “ He said the Igbos are every where and see everybody as their brothers, hence they build houses, hotels and monuments in many parts of the country, explaining that the day Nigeria would have courage to allow an Igboman to mount the saddle of leadership at the centre, that is the day Nigeria would truly see development permeate every nook and cranny, because, according to him Igbos are vendors and distributors of wealth.

Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has called on Ijaws of Edo State, not to take the State Government’s tolerance for granted.

Obaseki who made the call in commemoration of the International Day for Tolerance, marked on November 16, each year, said the state government’s commitment to a free society where people can express themselves freely, must not be taken as grounds for violating the law.

“We are creating a culture that appreciates human diversity in all its colours for a robust pool of ideas that would drive socio-economic development at an unprecedented speed in Edo State,” he said.

“To oppose what is cast in law by acts of illegality such as the purported installation

of one Godwin Oguyenbo, as the “Pere of Olodiama Kingdom,” an Ijaw community in Ovia North East Local Council Area of the state, is irresponsible enough,” he stressed.

The governor urged the few people behind the plot to beat a retreat in the interest of the majority of Ijaw people of Edo State, who have since expressed their willingness to abide by only laid down laws in the state.

We are proud of our diversity as a state and our peaceful coexistence, but will not tolerate acts of illegality by any group, who for their selfish desires want to rail-road the peace-loving Ijaw people of Edo State into a criminal aspiration.

He added that the state government will continue to protect all law abiding indigenes and friends of the state.

Delta Assembly probes firm over shoddy project execution Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

ÏÏÏThe Delta State House

of Assembly has taken steps to uncover allegation of fraud and other related act surrounding the shoddy project execution at Asaba International Airport.

The Assembly Committee on Works, headed by Mr. Evans Ivwurie on Thursday confirmed to journalists in Asaba that the House had taken steps know how the huge sums of money for the Airport was utilised.

In his words: “the House condemns in strong terms ULO Construction Company for allegedly collecting huge sums of money for the Asaba International Airport Runway Project without executing the project to specification and time”.

Evans Ivwiere led committee noting that the era of collecting public funds without executing the project had gone, expressed vexation over the alleged poor site, and assured

Deltans of the preparedness of the committee to ensure that all ongoing projects across the state were executed according to the contract agreement.

Expectedly, the Delta State Government had awarded the runway reconstruction contract to ULO Construction Company in the cost running into millions of naira after the Airport was downgraded by NACCA over its failed runway and others.

But the House Committee noted that ULO failed to keep the “gentlemen” agreement with the state government by collecting funds without implement the agreement to the letter, adding that barely 11 days to November 27 2017, slated date for the project completion, only 25 percent of the project was completed.

While stressing the project to the socio-economic advancement of the state, Ivwurie said that the House would always implement its oversight functions with a warning that erring constructors must face the wrath of the law.

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 18, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 18, 2017

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 18, 2017

FEATURES

s

Assassination of journalists: A case for ethical and professional emergency Ladesope Ladelokun Before Maltese journalist and anti-corruption crusader, Daphne Caruana Galizia, was bombed off on October 16, 2017, the pen profession upheld her as a voice for the voiceless and apostle of truth whose pen spared no oppressor of commoners.

Until her death, the President of Malta, including the Prime Minister, reports say, were victims of scathing criticisms by the 53-yearold journalist, fuelling allegations that her assassination bears the imprimatur of the state.

While the identities of Galizia’s killers are still unknown, Archbishop Charles Scicluna, who led the funeral mass recently, had a message for the unknown killers: “However hard you try to evade justice of men, you will never escape from the justice of God.’’ For journalists across the globe, Galizia’s death is a sad reminder of unsolved murders involving pen professionals around the world. In Nigeria, for instance, Dele Giwa, a notable wordsmith in the print journalism, was bombed out of natural life on October 19, 1986 vides a parcel bomb packaged as a Greek gift.

He was only 39.

Over three decades after a son of man blotted him out, his ghost still stalks the land.

But like Dele Giwa, there are other Nigerian journalists whose lives have been terminated abruptly and the identities of their killers have remained a riddle; some of them include: Chinedu Offoaro (killed May 1, 1996), Tunde Oladepo (killed Febru-

Late Galizia

ary 26, 1998,) – all of The Guardian newspapers; Okezie Amaruben of News Service, killed September 2, 1998 and Edo Sule Ugbagwu of The Nation Newspaper, April 26, 2010, among others.

Meanwhile, some stakeholders have decried the inhuman treatment meted out to journalists in the course of carrying out their legitimate duties.

This was the crux of the matter at this year’s celebration of World Day for Safety of Journalists held in Lagos recently when stakeholders converged on the NECA house, Ikeja, Lagos, to chart a new path for the practice of journalism in Nige-

ria as regards safety.

Journalists as endangered species Speaking at the one-day symposium organised by Trinity Communications, Publishers of Safety and Security Watch magazine to mark the 2017 World Day for Safety of Journalists, otherwise known as International Day to End Impunity of Crimes against Journalists on November 2, 2017, President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mrs Funke Egbemode, charged journalists to enforce their rights to create an environment for the safety of journalists across the country.

Egbemode expressed dissatisfaction that Journalists are endangered species who are killed, jailed and manhandled for carrying out their legitimate duties.

Represented at the event by the General Secretary of NGE, Victoria Ibanga, Egbemode also harped on the need for self-examination among journalists, warning that it is important for journalists to shun unethical practices.

Bring killers of journalists to book – Agu

Remains of her car after the bombing

In his keynote address, the pioneer editor of Champion Newspaper and former Chief Press Secretary to former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, Mr Emma Agu, decried

incessant invasion of media houses by security agents, stating that it dents the image of any government involved in such practice.

Agu expressed dismay at the failure of successive governments to make killers of journalists feel the weight of the law. ‘‘How come killers of journalists have not been found? Sometimes we think it is government.

It may be true, but government must convince us that they are not behind the killings.’’

Agu identified a fiercely independent judiciary as the greatest safeguard against impunity, calling on the journalists to free the judiciary from the shackles of the executive.

Assistant National Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Mr. Gbemiga Bamidele, in his contribution, said safety should also include the welfare of journalists. “When people are not paid for 22 months, I don’t know just how safe that person could possibly be.

Safety must include good condition of service.

“When people compare us with foreign journalists, it’s as if they are better than us, but they are not; management, welfare and good condition of service make the difference,’’ he said.

The representative of the Director-General of UNESCO at the event, Mr. Olusola Macaulay, recalled that seven journalists have been killed between 2006 and 2016, and noted that absolutely nothing has been done to either arrest or punishes the killers.

“Journalists don’t deserve inhuman treatment,” he said.

Head of Department, General Studies of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Dr Dele Omojuyigbe, in an interview with The Daily Times, said reports have it that the practice of Journalism in Nigeria is most liberal. However, he condemned the harassment and assassination of journalists. ‘‘To a large extent, Nigerian journalists are safe. It is said that journalism practice in Nigeria is most liberal. But it is uncalled for and condemnable to kill journalists doing their legitimate duties.

“Professionally, I think journalists need to check themselves.’’ Asked whether the NUJ is doing enough to protect journalists, Omojuyigbe said NUJ is doing its best to protect its own. He, however, harped on the need for the union to be depoliticised.

Crime

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 18, 2017

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Man slits lover’s throat for refusing sex By our correspondent

An Ivory Park man allegedly killed the mother of his onemonth-old baby boy for refusing him sex.

26-year-old man, originally from the Eastern Cape, allegedly stabbed his 23-year-old girlfriend repeatedly, leaving her body in an open field in President Park outside Ivory Park, Midrand.

Ironically, the horrific murder happened on Saturday, 14 days before the start of the 16 Days of Activism for “No Violence Against Women and Children” campaign.

Grieving father of the diseased, Charles Dease said he wishes the man who killed his daughter would bag a death sentence.

“He deserves a death sentence. It was painful [and traumatic] when I saw the bloodied body of my girl.”

Charles said his daughter had been stabbed several times in the neck, but a police source said her throat had been slit with a kitchen knife.

According to police sources, the man made two statements to the police, in one of the statements confessing to killing his girlfriend.

A source said the man had called the police to report that his girlfriend had been killed by two unknown men driving in a black BMW sedan.

Alleged unnamed lover and killer

“He told the police that he left the house with his girlfriend to buy baby clothes in Midrand and claimed they were accosted by a black BMW with two occupants.

“He said the passenger started to have a conversation with the girlfriend and it appeared

Late Isabella

the passenger and the mother of his child knew each other.”

The source said the man claimed the two men made a U-turn near Grand Central Airport and took them to a secluded area where he was pointed at with a firearm while the occupant dragged his girlfriend out of the car and stabbed her

to death.

However, further investigation revealed the statement made to the police was false.

Another source said after hours of interrogation, the man confessed to killing his girlfriend for refusing to have sex with him since she was breastfeeding the infant.

“He confessed and he later showed the police a knife he used to kill her and also his blood-stained clothes.

“After killing her, he rushed to Ivory Park where he changed his black shoes and wore brown ones. We are also trying to find two missing phones of the woman,” Police source said.

Tanzanian actress, Elizabeth Lulu sentenced to two-yrs in prison for manslaughter Tanzania’s famous actress, Elizabeth Michael, better known as ‘Lulu’ has been sentenced by a Dar es Salaam court for the death of Steven Kanumba. The accused was Kanumba’s girlfriend at of time of his death.

For starters, Bahati used to be obsessed with Elizabeth Lulu before Diana Marua came into the picture.

The Kenyan gospel singer confessed he traveled to Dar es Salaam in November 2016 to meet Lulu but the Tanzanian actress gave him the cold shoulder.

The Dar es Salaam High Court found Lulu guilty of manslaughter and was on Monday November 13th sentenced to two years in prison.

After hearing that Steven Kanumba and Lulu who were lovers, the court found Lulu guilty after it was determined that she was the last person to leave the deceased’s house on April 7th 2012 when he died.

Kanumba’s younger brother, Seth Bosco told the court that Lulu had an

altercation with the deceased on that fateful day. He explained that the two were quarreling because Lulu picked up a call from another man in the presence of the deceased.

Bosco further reveals that Lulu came out of the room and informed her that Kanumba had fallen. The two called a doctor who declared Kanumba dead after examining him.

Lulu’s lawyer, Peter Kibatala requested the court to pardon his client. He argues that she committed the crime when she was still young.

The lawyer further begged the court to forgive Lulu saying that she is her family’s bread-winner. Kibatala asked the court to free his client so that she could continue providing for her family.

The High Court however found Lulu guilty of “unintentionally” killing Steven Kanumba. Kibatala vowed to challenge the ruling even as Lulu was sent to prison to start serving the two year term..

Elizabeth Michael, better known as ‘Lulu’

20 Foreign News

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 18, 2017

France records more sexual violence cases after Weinstein scandal

Mugabe under pressure by Army to resign Bony Amadi, with Agency reports

France sexual violence protext by women France has continued to experience widespread sexual violence following the celebrated widespread Wienstein scandal.

Agency reports revealed that country’s police has recorded 30 per cent increase in year-on-year figures for October in wake of series of high-profile allegations against famous figures Reports of rape, sexual assault and harassment have leapt by almost a third in France following the international scandal surrounding the allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.

Police in London, Los Angeles and New York have launched investigations into the alleged behaviour by Weinstein, who has been accused of sexual assault and harassment by more than 90 women. Weinstein “unequivocally denies” all claims of non-consensual sex, a spokesperson said.

Last week, Richard Lizurey, the director general of the gendarmerie national, wrote to officers and prefects, calling for a “general mobilisation” to prevent violence against women and to support victims.

The rise, described as “exceptional” is believed to have been prompted by victims feeling empowered to come forward after the #MeToo and #BalanceTonPorc (squeal on the pig) campaigns on social media.

The sharp increase in reports in October, up from 1,213 in the same period last year to 1,577 (30%), was revealed by an official source to Agence France-Presse.

Asked about the increase, France’s justice minister said the country’s legal system was equipped to deal with the extra workload but said she was exam-

French President Emmanuel Macron ining the possibility of letting victims register reports of attacks online.

“The victim is at home; she might be able to lodge a “pre-complaint” online without going to the police station … that will then be followed up,” Nicole Belloubet told French radio.

The report came as the French parliament prepares urgent legislation to set a legal age below which a child cannot be considered to have consented to sex, which a minister has suggested could be as young as 13 years.

Demand for a new law, expected to be presented to the Assemblée nationale early next year, has been sparked by two shocking recent cases in which adult males have been cleared of raping pre-adolescent girls.

Last week, a man was acquitted of rape after a court found no evidence he had forced an 11-year-old girl to have sex. The man, aged 22 at the time, accused the girl, who later became pregnant, of saying she was 14, nearly 15. The age of consent in France is 15.

In a similar case in September a 28-year-old man charged with a lesser offence of sexual assault after investigators said they could not make a rape charge stick because his 11-year-old victim had reportedly not resisted, and as such she was presumed to have consented to sex.

Under French law, for the rape of a child to be considered a crime it has to be proven there was “constraint threats, violence or surprise”.

Victims’ organisations point out a child should not be presumed to have consented in any situation and is often panic stricken, terrified and unable to react. The fam-

Following the ongoing military occupation of Zimbabwe and likely takeover of power from the incumbent president, Robert Mugabe, there has been calls for him to quit as the military pressures him to bow out honourably.

This was coming as the country’s outset vice president, Emmerson Mnangagwa has been reported to have returned from his exile, even as Mugabe turned 93 years and made a public appearance Friday, where he, wearing academic gown, presided over the country’s university graduation ceremony for more than 1,000 students in Harare.

The outing, was his first since the military took over state institutions and opened talks aimed at getting the aged leader to resign.

Mugabe, 93, is reported to be resisting demands from the army and members of his own ZANU-PF party to step down after 37 years in power.

The Zimbabwe Defense Forces seized key state institutions on Wednesday, confined President Mugabe to house arrest and clamped on what they termed

thieves surrounding the president, including Professor Jonathan Moyo, Home Affairs Minister Ignatius Chombo, Local Government Minister Saviour Kasukuwere, Zanu PF Youth League secretary Kudzanayi Chipanga and several others.

The detainees, who are in army barracks, are said to be members of a faction of the ruling party that were seeking to elevate first lady Grace Mugabe to the post of vice president. President Mugabe fired his longtime ally, Emmerson Mnangagwa, from the position on November 5.

Meanwhile, agency report revealed that Zimbabwe’s former vice president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, is reported to have returned to the country barely two weeks after he reportedly fled after his boss dismissed him.

President Mugabe kicked out Mnangagwa, a key member of the country’s revolutionary struggle, in a move political watchers say was to pave the way for his wife, Grace Mugabe, to become president if he stepped down.

An unnamed aide of the former vice president, was reported to have told the AFP news

agency that the man known as the “crocodile” was back in the country. AFP said it could not independently verify the report.

Mnangagwa left Zimbabwe on November 8 accusing Mugabe of turning the southern African country into his private property. The Army last Monday asked government to halt purge of his followers in the party of that they will “step in.”

However, two African leaders have waded into the political crisis in Zimbabwe, calling on longserving Robert Gabriel Mugabe to step aside. The two leaders are Botswana’s Ian Khama and Ivory Coast’s Alassane Ouattara.

The AFP news agency quoted the Ivorian leader as saying the world had changed and due to age and the duration Mugabe has been in power, “everyone is aware that it is time for him to handover his seat to a new generation.”

He, however, reserved praise for Mugabe, 93, who has been in power for the past 37 years.

Starting off as Prime Minister of the southern African country after independence in 1980 before becoming president seven years later.

Mugabe and former Vice president

Police probes reports of same-sex marriage in Kuala Lumpur ÏÏÏ

In a country where same sex marriage is a taboo, the police in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, have embarked on aggressive search to unravel the parties involved in the widely circulated same sex marriage that took place in the country recently.

Agency reports said that the police in the country currently investigating reports lodged about a same-sex marriage that apparently took place in Kuala Lumpur.

News of the marriage, apparently involving two men from Tawau, has gone viral on social

media.

Awau Kuala Lumpur police chief ACP Fadil Marsus was reported to have said in a statement here today that the two men would be called in to have their statements recorded.

He said the investigation would be based on two police re-

ports lodged in Tawau and Kota Kinabalu.

Fadil said the police also sought the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission’s assistance to identify the owner of the Facebook account, who posted the news.

On Nov 12, Tawau Youth As-

sociation chairman, Shamry Mohamad Sani lodged a police report on the matter, two days after seeing the status update on Facebook under the name Pui Chi (in Chinese letters) about a same-sex, pre-wedding ceremony in Kuala Lumpur involving two Chinese men.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 18, 2017

21 News

I’m most qualified to be PDP national organising secretary - Akobundu Sunday Nwakanma - Umuahia

ÏÏÏA

former Minister of State for Defence, Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd), says he is the most qualified for position of National Organising Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Speaking at the state VUELPUP TOMA RAYMOND

I formerly known and addressed as RAYMOND TOMA TASHIK, now wish to be known and addressed as VUELPUP TOMA RAYMOND. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

EWUZIE FRANKLIN CHINONSO

headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP yesterday, Akobundu who has served the party at various state, zonal and national assignments said “From my pedigree, I am qualified, having been a national Ex-Officio, 2 times national vice chairman, minister of the federal Republic of Nigeria and EHIZELE TEMITOPE CECILIA

I Formerly known and addressed as OGUNTOYE CECILIA TEMITOPE, now wish to be known and addressed as EHIZELE TEMITOPE CECILIA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ANELE CHIKA MATHER

I formerly known and addressed as WILLIAMS CHILE, now wish to be known and addressed as EWUZIE FRANKLIN CHINONSO. My date of birth was wrongly written as 2nd October 1986, that my real date of birth according to my family record is 2nd October, 1990. All former documents remain valid. Banks and the general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as CHIKA .M. IBEKWE, now wish to be known and addressed as ANELE CHIKA MATHER. All former documents remain valid. The general public take note.

ALEX SHARON CHIDINMA

PATRICIA OBIAGELI OKERE

I, formerly known and addressed as OKENWA SHARON CHARITY now wish to be known and addressed as ALEX SHARON CHIDINMA. All former documents remain valid.

BANKS and General public should please take note.

UGO HILLARY VITALIS

I, formerly known and addressed as UGO VITALIS NZEADI, now wish to be known and addressed as UGO HILLARY VITALIS. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General Public should please take note.

OKOLO, MARYLYN CHIOMA

I, formerly known and addressed as ADILIEJE, CHIOMA MARYLYN, now wish to be known and addressed as OKOLO, MARYLYN CHIOMA. All former documents remain valid. General Public should please take note.

MRS EZEUGO-EZEANOCHIE ANGELA CHINWENDU

I formerly known as OKANUME ANGELA CHINWENDU wish to be known and addressed as MRS EZEUGO-EZEANOCHIE ANGELA CHINWENDU. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

OGODO SUNDAY ELIJAH

I formerly known and addressed as PATRICIA OBIAGELI IGWEH, now wish to be known and addressed as PATRICIA OBIAGELI OKERE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

MRS ONUOHA ANTHONIA NWAMAKA

I, formerly known and addressed MISS OBIEZE ANTHONIA NWAMAKA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ONUOHA ANTHONIA NWAMAKA. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

MRS OBI UCHENNA CHICHEBE

well tutored in party administration.

“I understand the workings of the party.

The challenges of the party are clear to me”.

On the challenges facing the party as well as others, he said that an individual does not address the challenges in party administration, stating “I know that I have the per-reqAUGUSTINA OBIAGELI ONYINMBA

I, AUGUSTINA OBIAGELI ONYINBA wish to change from my marital name; AUGUSTINA OBIAGELI ONYIMBA-OZAH to my maiden name; AUGUSTINA OBIAGELI ONYINMBA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

STEPHEN ANI NGENE I, formerly known and addressed STEPHEN ANI NNAJI, now wish to be known and addressed as STEPHEN ANI NGENE. All former documents remain valid. BANKS and General public should please take note.

NWODO FAVOUR NGOZI

I, formerly known and addressed as ESTHER NGOZI NWODO, now wish to be known and addressed as NWODO FAVOUR NGOZI. Note that ‘’N’’ means NGOZIAll former documents remain valid. BANKS and General public should please take note MRS OGUWUIKE STELLAMARIS TOCHUKWU

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NWOKOLO STELLAMARIS TOCHUKWU , now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OGUWUIKE STELLAMARIS TOCHUKWU. All former documents remain valid.

General Public should please take note.

ADDITION OF NAME

uisite knowledge to add value, as well as the experience to join with that of others in addressing the challenges of the apathy.

“What is important to us now is to assemble a good team of exco that will squarely face the challenges of the party at this particular time.

After the oncoming convention, he said, XXXXXX

I formerly known called and addressed as ODEDINA OLAMIDE SOLOMON OLABIYI, now wish to be known called and addressed as OLABIYI OLAMIDE AYOBAMI SOLOMON. All former documents bearing my former name remain valid.

General public, please take note.

MRS NNAMANI CHIZOBA GLORIA

I, formerly known and addressed MISS ANEKE CHIZOBA GLORIA, now wish to be known and addressed MRS NNAMANI CHIZOBA GLORIA. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

MRS ONAH OGOCHUKWU ANTHONIA

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKOLO OGOCHUKWU ANTHONIA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ONAH OGOCHUKWU ANTHONIA. All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and General public should please take note.

OZOILO CHRISTIAN OKEY

I, formerly known and addressed as ILOAMA KRIS OKEY, now wish to be known and addressed as OZOILO CHRISTIAN OKEY. All former documents remain valid.

ACCESS Bank and General Public should please take note.

ADDITION OF NAME

the party will be in a position to face any challenges, stating that for the mere fact that “we are stable enough to face the challenges of running a national convention at this time shows you that we are in upward climb”.

He urged PDP faithful in the country, especially those in Abia to keep hope alive, stating MRS SALAU ADEBUKOLA SERAH

I, formerly known and addressed as ADEOYE ADEBUKOLA SERAH now wish to be known and addressed as MRS SALAU ADEBUKOLA SERAH All former documents remain valid. The general public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

This is to certify that my correct name is IWUOHA STELLA AKUDO and not IWUOHA JUDITH AKUDO as wrongly captured in my BVN. All former documents remain valid Diamond Bank and the general public should please take note.

IGBOKWE GEORGE AMOGE BLESSING

I, formerly known and addressed as IGBOKWE SUSSANA NWAMELEZE, now wish to be known and addressed as IGBOKWE GEORGE AMOGE BLESSING. All former documents remain valid. BANKS and General public should please take note.

NWANKWO FRIDAY NWANKWO

I, formerly known and addressed as NWANKWO FRIDAY CHIJIOKE , now wish to be known and addressed as NWANKWO FRIDAY NWANKWO. All former documents remain valid.

General Public should please take note.

MRS CHINYERE HART

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKAM UCHENNA CHICHEBE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OBI UCHENNA CHICHEBE. All former documents remain valid. General Public should please take note.

That I was formerly known and addressed as AKUBUMADU CHINASAOKWU, that I now wish to add ULUNMA to my former name that I now wish to be known and addressed as AKUBUMADU CHINASAOKWU ULUNMA. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

That I was formerly known and addressed as CHUKWUMA ONELE, that I now wish to add IGNATIUS to my former name that I now wish to be known and addressed as ONELE CHUKWUMA IGNATIUS. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS CHINWO EUNICE CHINYERE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS CHINYERE HART. All former documents remain valid.

General Public should please take note.

MRS OCHINANWATA CORDELIA UMEBE I, formerly known and addressed as MISS AGUCHIBE CORDELIA UMEBE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OCHINANWATA CORDELIA UMEBE. All former documents remain valid. General Public should please take note.

ADOGA GRACE IMANI I formerly known and addressed as SUNDAY GRACE IMANI now wish to be known and addressed as ADOGA GRACE IMANI. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

OGEGE FRANCISCA UDUAK I formerly known and addressed as FRANCISCA JOHNNIE OGEGE, FRANCISCA ETUKUDO JOHNNIE, FRANCISCA OGEGE JOHNNIE and FRANCISCA ALEX OGEGE. now wish to be known and addressed as OGEGE FRANCISCA UDUAK. All former documents remain valid.

General public to please take note.

I formerly known as Chukwunenye Chijindu Vanessa wish to be known and addressed as Udokoro Chijindu Linda. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

ADDITION OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as OGODO SUNDAY now wish to be known and addressed as OGODO SUNDAY ELIJAH All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

That I was formerly known and addressed as EMEKA OGBOSO, that I now wish to add ENYIOMA to my former name that I now wish to be known and addressed as EMEKA OGBOSO ENYIOMA. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

ADVERT SPACE FOR SALE

I formerly known and addressed as NAFIU REMILEKUN now wish to be known and addressed as KAREEM AMOO TAWAKALITU. All former documents remain valid.

General public to please take note.

KAREEM AMOO TAWAKALITU

ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATION AND COMPUTER MANAGERS (ASECOM)

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Association has applied to the corporate affairs commission, Abuja for registration under part “C” of the companies and allied matters Act, No 1 1990 The Trustees are: 1. NZEAKO BARTHOLOMEW----------- PRESIDENT 2. OKOJI AARON PRINCE----------------------SECRETARY 3. IBEABUCHI ANTHONY ONYEKACHI 4. OPARA ONYEKACHI PETER 5. OKAFOR PAUL ONYEBUCHI 6. ASOH NELSON UZOMA 7. CHUKWU IFEANYICHUKWU 8. OGWUEGBU ROSECOLLETTE GINIKA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To arouse and promote the interest, co-operation, goodwill and unity among the members of the association.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to registrar– General, corporate Affairs commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

Signed: Secretary

UDOKORO CHIJINDU LINDA

“The consciousness of having a stable party is in the minds of every member because we want to provide a viral opposition, quality party administration, to jump-start the consciousness of our people and prime and prepare them to face the challenges. “The whole process will lead us to victory in 2019”.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that the names CHIDI GLORIA NGOZI, ONWUKA GLORIA NGOZI and CHIDI GLORY NGOZI refer to one and the same person, but henceforth wish to be known and addressed as MRS. CHIDI GLORY NGOZI. All former documents remain valid. Banks and the general public should please take note.

MRS OKAFOR MARGARET ADA

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS KAINE MARGARET VIVIAN UCHECHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OKAFOR MARGARET ADA. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

AFFAMUEFUNA CRESCENT MADUABUCHI

I, formerly known and addressed as CRESCENT AFFAM , now wish to be known and addressed as AFFAMUEFUNA CRESCENT MADUABUCHI. All former documents remain valid.

General Public should please take note.

NZEKWESI JANE NKIRU

I, formerly known and addressed as NWAFOR JANE NKIRU, now wish to be known and addressed as NZEKWESI JANE NKIRU. All former documents remain valid. General Public should please take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

That I ADETUTU OLUWABUSAYOMI ALABI my name was mistakenly written as ADETUTU OLUWABUSAYOMI ADEKUNJO wish to be known and addressed as ADETUTU OLUWABUSAYOMI ALABI. All documents /credentials bearing these names remain valid, General public please take note.

MURITALA OYINADE YINKA

I formerly known and addressed as MURITALA OYINLOLA AYENI now wish to be known and addressed as MURITALA OYINADE YINKA. I was born on 13/03/1977. All former documents remain valid.

General public to please take note.

FAMILY CHANGE OF SURNAME We, formerly known and addressed as 1) EKEOWA CHUKWUEMEKA 2) EKEOWA NICHODEMUS 3) EKEOWA ONYEKA ERIC 4) EKEOWA OGOCHUKWU IZAAC 5) EKEOWA ODILA JENNIFER 6) EKEOWA EBERE MARIA and 7) EKEOWA ODINKEMMA MARY, now wish to be known and addressed as 1) MR. NNAMDI STEPHEN CHUKWUNEMEIHE 2) CHUKWUEMEKA NICHODEMUS CHUKWUNEMEIHE 3) MR. ONYEKA ERIC CHUKWUNEMEIHE 4) MR. OGOCHUKWU ISAAC CHUKWUNEMEIHE 5) MISS CHIDERA JENNIFER CHUKWUNEMEIHE 6) MRS. EBERE MARIA CHUKWUNEMEIHE 7) ODINKEMMA MARY CHUKWUNEMEIHE. All former documents remain valid. Afor-Abor Primary School, Central School Abor, Federal Polytechnic Oko, Enugu State College of Education (Technical) in Affiliation with Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka and General Public should please take note.

22

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 18, 2017

ÏÏ

News 23

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, November 18, 2017

CRSG on collision course with consultant over taxes

By Edem Bassey, Calabar

ÏÏÏ Cross River State Government

and a Consultant, Piell Consult Ltd handling Carbon Emission are into a serious friction over carbon emission tax levy.

Investigations conducted by our correspondent revealed that the consultant was hired by the state government to collect the taxes.

The Environment and Carbon Emissions Board, through its consultant, Piell Consult Ltd, had, few weeks ago, issued demand notice to the effect in which it said levy should be paid within seven days failure of which legal action would be taken against residents.

The notice cited schedule 1 of Cross River State Law No. 7 of 2016 to justify their claims.

Mr James Abang, Special Adviser to the Board Chairman, said that the levy was not limited to electricity generators as rumoured.

“Everybody emits carbon, one way or the other but the emission levy is not limited to generators as alleged. What

we are doing is to ensure that at least a token is paid yearly to mitigate it.

“The laws establishing the Board says something should be paid by those involved in charcoal production and sale, logging, slash and burn agriculture, large scale agriculture, bush burning, industrial emission, waste generation and emissions from commercial trucks,” Abang stated.

The business operators in Cross River State have decried the introduction of carbon emission levy on them by the State Government.

A printing press owner at Edgerly Road in Calabar South local government area of the state who preferred anonymity, regretted the imposition of the taxes, “It is another ploy to extort money from citizens.

“To the best of my knowledge, the issue of climate change which they say is caused by emissions is a universal challenge which world leaders are trying to mitigate through carbon credit payment to countries.

“This is a government which boasted that it would fight against multiple

taxations, and today, they are collecting taxes and every form of levy from even pure water hawker on the streets.

“I do not know who Governor Ben Ayade’s advisers are. Instead of paying any other tax under whatever guise, I will move these machines to Akwa Ibom.”

Business owners said the levies are imposed on electricity generating plants of whatever size and government insists the said levy was not limited to generators but on those involved in logging, bush burning, industrial emission, waste generation amongst others.

Sadly, the people said the levies are imposed on electricity generating plants of whatever size, government insists the said levy was not limited to generators but on those involved in logging, bush burning, industrial emission, waste generation amongst others.

It was gathered that the consultant had paid the levy ahead of time and it was the time for the company to recoup whatsoever they have paid to government.

Senate committee seeks review of Nigeria Communications Act 2003 ÏÏÏThe Senate Commit-

tee on Communications has called for the review of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, so as to conform with the ever-dynamic communication sphere.

A member of the committee, Sen. Abiodun Olujimi made the call during an interview with newsmen on Friday in Lagos.

Olujimi, a former Commissioner of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) said that Act should be reviewed to address some issues that have changed.

She said when the Act was enacted it was not envisaged that the country would attain 21 per cent broadband penetration. ”Definitely, the system has been dynamic. When the Act came into force, most of the things happening now were not envisaged. ”We did not believe we could have 140 million active lines. So definitely, problems will arise with such gigantic development,” Olujimi said.

The senator said that there was the need to look at the Act again, especially as it affects cyber crimes.

She said that everybody now had access to broadband and the crimes that

were committed on the internet were beyond it. ”I am sure I have more than than 20 Facebook accounts, and I am not on Facebook. These are issues that came up with deeper penetration of broadband, ICT and communication. ”The Act must be reviewed, so we can ensure that the ability for people to commit crimes through ICT is curbed and communication is made better,” Olujimi said.

The Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Communications, Sen. Ademola Adeleke said that the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 still had leakages that needed to be looked into.

Adeleke said that the Act needed to be upgraded, so as to improve on the country’s communication. ”Communication is all about growth and it extends even to agriculture, health and other areas. Without communication, our country cannot grow, so we need to do what we have to do to make it grow,” he said.

The primary objective of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 is to create and provide a regulatory framework for the Nigerian communications industry.

NMA decries poor state of facilities in public health institutions ÏÏÏ The Nigerian Medical

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Ejike Oji Community Development Foundation, Dr. Ejike Oji; National President, National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Dr. Laraba Shoda and Chief Executive Officer of Peace Advocacy and Community Development Initiative, Mr. Mohammed Yusuf, during National Workshop on the Role of the NCWS in Economic Development in Abuja… on Wednesday.

Navy destroys 1000 illegal refineries in 9 months ÏÏÏ The Nigerian Navy said it had

destroyed over 1,000 illegal refineries and arrested several suspected oil thieves in the Niger Delta between January and September.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas, disclosed this while on inspection tour of the Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder and other naval formations in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on Friday.

Ibas described “the huge figure” as worrisome, especially as government was creating enabling environment to address the root causes of criminality in the area.

According to him, the fight against oil theft, sea piracy and pipeline vandalism

is the collective responsibility of governments, communities and other stakeholders.

“The Federal Government is doing so much to provide the enabling environment to tackle criminal elements – which in spite the efforts, criminals still carry out their operations.

“State Governments and Local Governments must also contribute toward empowering most of the youths, so that they will not go into criminality.

“In 2017 alone, between January and September, the navy shut down over a thousand illegal refineries that cost nothing less than N5 million to set up, excluding the boats and other assets.

“This is worrisome because aside the

economic loses, the illegal refineries have degraded the environment which affects the lives of citizens and even those yet unborn.

“The earlier the host communities understand that current degradation of the environment is posing serious challenge now and in the future – the better for the system,” the chief of naval staff said.

Ibas said that among measures put in place by the navy to reduce effects of the destruction of illegal refineries on the environment was the use of “Swamp Buggy” machines.

He said the swamp buggy machines completely crushed the metallic tanks, thereby slowing down capacity of the operators to revive the illegal refineries.

Association (NMA) has decried the poor state of facilities in public health institutions in the country.

Prof.

Mike Ogirima, president of the association, who said this on Friday during a board meeting of the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), urged the authorities to as a matter of urgency address the problem.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was hosted by NMA in Abuja.

Ogirima decried a situation whereby health personnel trained in the country migrate to other countries, while the few left to manage the industry at home become overburdened.

According to him, some of the few personnel managing the industry are dying prematurely due to a combination of factors such as fatigue, poor working environment and obsolete equipment among others.

“Very soon, we shall come up with the doctors’ rights in accordance with our new Physicians pledge paragraph 11, which states that a doctor must take care of his welfare before he or she considers extending such care to patients.

“Government must adhere to doctors rights accordingly,’’ Ogirima said.

Speaking on better working conditions for other health professionals in health institutions, the president urged them to always adopt dialogue, instead of radical attack on doctors.

According to him, they should avoid seeking redress from the courts as well as the National Assembly.

He further urged them to make patients the centre of their practice and minimise rivalry, envy and quest for harmonised remunerations.

Ogirima, however, urged government to jointly liaise with all health professionals on issues bothering on remuneration uniformly.

Saturday, November 18, 2017

EXTRATIME

All stories by Frank Jumbo with Agency reports

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Super Eagles get N17.3m for beating Argentina

24

he Super Eagles of Nigeria received a whopping N17, 280,000 million for beating Argentina 4-2 in Tuesday international friendly played in Russia.

The players received $2,000

each for the win as that is the flat rate agreed for the team as match bonus in friendly games.

According to the reports the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are already considering organising more high profile international friendly games before the

World Cup in Russia to boost their financial powers.

In a related development, the NFF have also forwarded the World Cup bonus agreement they had with players of the Super Eagles of Nigeria to the Federal Government of Nigeria

(FGN).

The move is to notify the Government of their plans to ensure that the perennial row over bonus which has distracted the team during major competitions in time past does not happen again in Russia next year

Amaju

First Bank MD, 2nd right with other officials at the opening of the tournament

First Bank golf tournament tees off at Ikoyi Club

Frank Jumbo

T

he 56th edition of the now famous First bank Amateur golf tournament was declared open on Friday 17th November at the prestigious Ikoyi Club 1938.

Announcing the opening, the bank’s Managing Director Dr Adeshola Adeduntan expressed happiness over the long lasting partnership with the club in organizing the event.

He noted that the bank had been in the fore front of sponsoring sports events even those outside golf in line with its reputation for consistency and quality.

The tournament which arguably is the oldest in Nigeria and probably the whole of Africa, will officially commence with a welcome cocktail party at the club’s premises.

Events lined up for Saturday and Sunday include coaching clinics, beat-the-Pro challenge and the tournament proper. Individual golfers and past winners, including the only rated professional golfer, Mr Alex Roland will vie for prizes.

Various prizes await winners and they will be announced at the award cocktail scheduled for Sunday evening.

Co-sponsors of the tournament include Plascon paints, Ultima studios and Glee hotel.

Okpala, Dosu tip Super Eagles for World Cup glory T

he Super Eagles have been tipped to do well at the upcoming Russia 2018 World Cup fiesta by two former members of the senior national team.

Ex-Eagles, Sylvanus Okpala and Joseph Dosu, told newsmen on Friday in Lagos in separate interviews that the team would do well, irrespective of the group the Eagles would eventually find themselves in.

Okpala, who was a former Assistant Coach of the Super Eagles under the late Stephen Keshi, also commended the Eagles for the remarkable performance the players put up against the Albiceleste of Argentina.

“I was really impressed with the boys. It was meant to be a friendly but to me it seems like a World Cup final.

They gave their best which was evident from the score line.

“These crop of players have shown that nothing beats determination, they came prepared. If they show the same attitude towards the World Cup, I’m positive

“Kudos to the technical crew, applause to the NFF. that they will go far.

“I’d also like to commend the NFF. They made the It is good to see the Nigerian fighting spirit. It was a beauty to behold,’’ he said. friendly happen, which is commendable.

“This is the type of Grade A friendly matches that can help the players become a strong force to their opponent at the World Cup,’’ Okpala said.

In the same vein, Dosu, who was bound for the France `98 World Cup before a near-fatal motor accident cut short his career in 1997, urged the Super Eagles to build on their recent successes.

“Expectations are high with the type of display we saw at the friendly match against Argentina, if they can show the same zeal at the main tournament, I’m sure we would go far.

“They were 2-0 down and they were able to overturn that. Argentina are no small team, if they can focus on the job, it wouldn’t matter under which group we fall at the World Cup.

2018 FIFA World Cup tickets in great demand

J

ust 24 hours after resuming ticket sales for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, a total of 159,402 tickets have been allocated to fans from around the world.

This number, which represents 98 percent of the currently available inventory, were purchased through FIFA.com/tickets, with only a few products still available in this sales period.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that FIFA.com/tickets is FIFA’s channel for ticket sales.

According to a report on the world football ruling body FIFA’s website, as a result of the very high demand, virtually the full inventory of tickets was allocated to fans.

It however said only special-access tickets (SATs)

Wilmots

were left a few hours after the current ticket sales period opened.

Some 51 per cent of the ticket applications have been placed by Russian fans, with international demand accounting for the remaining 49 per cent.

Fans from Argentina, Mexico, the U.S., Brazil, Colombia, China, Australia, Germany and India make up the rest of the top 10.

During the current sales period, which will end on Nov. 28, fans will be able to purchase the remaining tickets in real time on FIFA.com/tickets.

This purchase will have an immediate confirmation of successful applications, subject to availability.

Upon conclusion of the current phase, sales will resume on Dec. 5 after the Final Draw on Dec. 1.

This will be through random selection draw window from Dec. 5 until Jan. 31, and first-come, first-served from March 13 until April 3.

Tickets purchased during sales phases 1 and 2 will be delivered free of charge to fans in the weeks leading up to the tournament.

Deliveries have been planned to start in April or May, though this is subject to change.

Tickets may be purchased by Visa, the official payment services partner of FIFA, or by other accepted payment methods.

NAN reports that a total of 622,117 tickets had already been allocated on conclusion of the first window of sales phase 1 on October 12.

Okpala

Dosu

Saturday, November 18, 2017

EXTRATIME

25

Why we lost to Nigeria – Argentina Coach

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rgentina coach, Jorge Sampaoli has explained why his star studded side lost to the Super Eagles of Nigeria in Tuesday’s grade one friendly in Russia.

The high profile friendly ended 2-4 in favour of Nigeria.

The former Sevilla coach watched his side throw away a two-goal lead to lose 2-4 as Nigeria rallied back with a strong showing in the second half.

Addressing reporters after the game, Sampaoli faulted his team’s wastefulness in front of goal in the first half. He said, “I do not think it’s hard to explain. We played in the first half well, in the second we tried to play more in attack.

“It happens with all the teams. Nigeria had many good moments, but we defended well, and I think that we just did not realize our moments.

“There were many passes which we couldn’t use.”

Babangida warns Eagles not to relax

F Emenike

Emenike in negotiations with Istanbul Basaksehir

ormer Super Eagles winger, Tijani Babangida, has warned the team to keep their feet on the ground despite a successful World Cup qualifying campaign and their impressive friendly win against Argentina. The threetime African champions finished top of a tough qualifying group that included African champions Cameroon, Zambia and the dreaded Desert Foxes of Algeria, recording four wins and two draws.

Tuesday’s impressive 4-2 win against former world champions Argentina has also further raised the hope of the supporters that the team could go on to produce a memorable outing at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

But Babangida who was part of the Super Eagles team that played at the 1998 World Cup in France has called on the team to remain humble and not put too much pressure on themselves by being complacent .

“It’s important that the team remain focused in the months leading to the World Cup,” the former Ajax winger said.

“It’s good that the confidence level in the team is high at the moment. That’s what you get when you qualify easily from a tough group which has Cameroon, Zambia and Algeria.

“But it’s important not to get carried away with this little achievement. The World Cup is a big competition, and I hope the technical crew will help keep things in check.”

F

ormer Super Eagles striker, Emmanuel Emenike, may make an immediate return to the Turkish Super Lig six months after making a summer switch to Greek club, Olympiakos from Fenerbahce, Completesportsnigeria.com reports.

Emenike signed a two year deal at Olympiakos last summer for a reported fee of €2.5m as a direct replacement for compatriot Brown Ideye who joined Tianjin TEDA of China.

According to Friday’s edition of Turkish daily, Fanatik , the 30 year old Emenike is currently in negotiation with Istanbul Bașakșehir for a possible loan move as he is unhappy in Greece.

Despite scoring four goals (three in the Greek Cup and one in the UEFA Champions League) for Olympiakos since his arrival, Emenike is yet to find the back of the net in the Greek League in five games.

The former Karabukspor, Fenerbahçe, Spartak Moscow, Al Ain and West Ham striker has not featured for the club in their last three games, and it’s unlikely he will feature this Saturday when fourth placed Olympiakos take on Levadiakos.

Recall that in October, Emenike’s house in Athens was burgled by thieves who carted away valuables like cash, jewellery and other items.

Babangida

Agu

Agu out for one month with injury

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ccording to respected Turkish daily Fanatik. com.tr Nigeria international Mikel Agu is set to be out for four weeks as he is set to undergo surgery on the knee injury that forced him out of Nigeria’s international engagements this month. Agu who is on a season long loan to Turkish side Bursaspor from FC Porto will undergo arthroscopic menisectomy surgery on his right knee, and will need a period of around four weeks to recover after the surgery.

Capped four times by Nigeria at senior level, the injury has slowed down his strong start to life in Turkey with his current team, with two goals to his name from 11 appearances in the league.

His career has suffered so many setbacks due to niggling injuries with the ligament damage he suffered in 2014 denying him a chance to stake a claim in the first team of FC Porto.

Injuries and fitness issues also accounted for his poor showing in Belgium with Club Brugge, but last season he was ever present for Portuguese side Vitoria Setubal and earned a contract extension with Porto upon his return to the club after his loan.

Saturday, November 18, 2017

EXTRATIME

26

PREMIER LEAGUE… PREMIER LEAGUE…… PREMIER LEAGUE

Ibrahimovic, Pogba and Rojo back for Man U

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latan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba and Marcos Rojo are all available for Manchester United’s Premier League clash with Newcastle United on Saturday, manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed.

Striker Ibrahimovic, who signed a new one-year deal in August, has not played since suffering a knee ligament injury in the Europa League clash with Anderlecht in April.

Rojo, who also suffered a knee injury in that quarterfinal match at Old Trafford, has likewise missed the whole of the 2017-18 campaign to date, while Pogba has not featured since injuring his hamstring in the Champions League win over Basel in September.

Mourinho says all three are in contention to face Newcastle this weekend and the club have confirmed they are in the squad for the visit of Rafael Benitez’s side.

“The players that stayed here and [were] recovering from injuries, even the ones that are recovering from big injuries, they are ready to play,” Mourinho told MUTV. When asked to name the long-term absentees who are returning, he said: “Pogba, Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo.”

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Mourinho described Ibrahimovic’s recovery as “incredible”, with the 36-year-old initially expected to be out until at least December.

“With Zlatan, last season we played with him every minute almost until he was injured; this season, we learn how to play without him but he’s a very important player for us,” he said.

“Of course, incredible personality to fight such an important injury. We were all saying in 2017 he will be back but one thing is December 31, 2017 and another thing is mid-November.

“He was as an injured player the same super pro he is when he’s fit. So, fantastic work, same as Marcos, an important injury too, a big surgery, he played with the young boys on Wednesday and is fine, confident, also ready.

“Paul is obviously not the same dimension, was not a surgical situation but was also bad and all three are back.”

Mourinho added Pogba’s return is likely to herald a different tactical approach, with United having struggled to match their impressive displays of the opening weeks of the season during the France star’s absence.

“You can see that there was, and now I can speak because he’s back, but you can clearly see Manchester United this season before Paul’s injury and after Paul’s injury,” said Mourinho.

“There are qualities in our football that influence our approach in matches, with Pogba and without Pogba, it’s as simple as that.”

Conte

Conte concerned

by City´s breakaway lead

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helsea boss Antonio Conte admits it will be “very difficult” to catch Premier League pacesetters Manchester City.

Pep Guardiola’s side, who beat Chelsea 1-0 last month, have opened a commanding eight-point lead at the top after just 11 games.

Manchester United and Tottenham are the nearest chasers, while Conte’s champions sit a further point back in fourth.

Conte suggested City’s heavy off-season investment had made the difference in the title race.

“Manchester City are playing very well and it’s very difficult to think that you can catch them because, if they continue in this way, it will be very difficult for any team to try and fight for the title,” Conte said ahead of Chelsea’s trip to West Brom.

“But I think the six top teams in England have to try. We have to try to fight until the end. For sure, it won’t be easy because I think Manchester City are very strong.

“They were a very good team last season. This season they worked very well during the transfer market and it is a team that, after this transfer market, showed themselves to be very, very strong.

Conte says it is difficult to think that you can catch Man City with the way they are currently playing, but that the top teams have to try to fight until the end.

He adds that ‘football is strange’.

“It’s very difficult now to predict who will win the title in this league, but Manchester City are having a very positive path.

“It will be very difficult for the other teams.”

Chelsea’s visit to West Brom on Saturday is followed by a trip to Liverpool the following weekend.

Ibrahimovic

Howe backs Defoe to make England squad

B Howe

ournemouth manager Eddie Howe believes Jermain Defoe has plenty to offer England and can still force his way into Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad.

The 35-year-old was left out of the recent friendlies against Germany and Brazil as Tammy Abraham and Dominic Solanke won their first international caps.

Defoe has struggled since joining the Cherries from Sunderland, netting only once in 10 league appearances this term.

But Howe is confident Defoe – who has 57 caps – will rediscover the kind of form which saw him score 15 goals in each of the last two Premier League campaigns.

“I think Jermain has started the season well for us. People will judge on goals but I think there’s a lot more to a centre-forward’s performance than just the actual stat,” the Bournemouth boss said ahead of his side’s match against Huddersfield Town.

“We need to get to know how to get the best out of Jermain in terms of our players getting used to the runs he makes, where he wants the ball.

“I believe he can make the World Cup squad. I think he can have an impact at the World Cup for sure. Obviously, it will be defined by how well he does for us between now and then.”

While Gareth Southgate made a clear push to inject more youth in his latest squad, Howe insists the experienced Defoe can still make a difference.

Guardiola confident of Aguero’s fitness

P

ep Guardiola says Sergio Aguero is in “perfect” condition to play for Manchester City this weekend, despite being hospitalised in the recent international break.

Aguero felt faint at half-time of Argentina’s 4-2 defeat to Nigeria in Krasnodar on Tuesday but was cleared by doctors to fly back to Manchester.

City’s record goal scorer declared himself ready to face Leicester City on Saturday and Guardiola echoed his striker’s confidence in a pre-match press conference.

“He [Aguero] arrived two days ago, he met with the doctor and he’s per-

fect,” Guardiola said ahead of City’s trip to the King Power Stadium.

“He was conscious all the time in Argentina and he’s OK. [There is] nothing to be worried about.

“Yes, definitely [he will be available].”

There are more pressing concerns over the fitness of Fabian Delph, though, the makeshift left-back having calf trouble that saw him miss England’s friendlies with Germany and Brazil.

“I don’t know if Delph will be able to play because in four sessions he has trained two,” he said.

“Hopefully we can recover him because he is so important.”

Saturday, November 18, 2017

27

EXTRATIME

EURO…………………………….EURO……………………….EURO………………………………

Heynckes compiling list of potential successors

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upp Heynckes says he already has some ideas about who should replace him at Bayern Munich at the end of the season.

The veteran coach returned for a fourth spell with the Bundesliga champions in October after Carlo Ancelotti was sacked following a 3-0 humbling by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

Heynckes agreed a deal until the end of the 201718 campaign and has made a flying start, winning six out of seven matches in all competitions and claiming victory on penalties in the other.

Under his leadership Bayern have returned to the top of the table – opening up a four-point lead – while securing their progression from the Champions League group stage.

Hoffenheim’s Julian Nagelsmann remains the favourite to fill the role long-term, and Heynckes is already compiling a list of potential successors.

“It’s agreed that I will stay until summer and until then the club has plenty of time to find the optimal candidate,” the veteran coach told a news conference.

“I already have some ideas.”

Next up for Bayern is the visit of Augsburg on Saturday, with Jerome Boateng and David Alaba in contention following recent injuries.

However, Heynckes will not rush Thomas Muller (thigh) and Franck Ribery (knee) back to first team action to ensure neither player suffers a setback in their rehabilitation.

“Muller has already taken part in large chunks of team training, Ribery has no more problems,” added the head coach.

“But I’m a coach that takes these things very cautiously. “[Juan] Bernat returns to the squad for tomorrow.

After training I will make a decision about Boateng and Alaba. Thiago has a bruised knee and will most likely not play.”

Zidane speaks on Madrid’s reported interest in Neymar

Zidane

Z

inedine Zidane refused to rule out a stunning move to bring Neymar to Real Madrid as he spoke ahead of this weekend’s LaLiga derby with Atletico Madrid.

The Brazil star became the world’s most expensive player when he swapped Madrid’s Clasico rivals Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain in August.

However, reports have linked the 25-yearold with a return to Spain, at the Santiago Bernabeu, and Zidane conceded anything could happen in the future.

“Neymar is a very good footballer, that’s true,” said Zidane as he prepared for Saturday’s meeting with Atletico.

“I have the best players here at this club and the same goes for the dressing room. You can only work with and focus on the players that are here. As for the future, who knows?”

It was put to the Frenchman that Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo may have an issue with having to share the spotlight with Neymar, but the Bernabeu boss was evasive on the matter.

“There’s no debate there really,” he added.

“We have to focus on today, on now, who knows what will happen in the future?

“I’m not going to come out and share my views on a player who doesn’t play here. I respect him [Neymar], he’s a good player, and that’s it.”

Neymar has helped PSG climb to the top of the Ligue 1 table, scoring seven goals in eight top-flight outings.

Don´t worry about Messi’s contract renewal - Valverde

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arcelona boss Ernesto Valverde says fans should not worry about Lionel Messi’s contract renewal.

The 29-year-old agreed a new deal in July but the LaLiga leaders are still to announce the signing of the document.

The delay in the process has led to increased speculation over Messi’s future, with the Argentina star available to hold talks with clubs in January over a possible free transfer next year, assuming the contract remains unsigned.

However, Valverde has offered some advice to any supporters who are concerned about the prospect of Messi leaving Camp Nou. “I’d tell them not to worry, and to watch Messi play and realise that he isn’t worried. It’s a pleasure to watch him,” he told a news conference on Friday.

Barca resume LaLiga duties on Saturday with a trip to Leganes, who are in ninth place in the table after a strong start to the season.

Valverde has warned his side not to underestimate their opponents as he believes this is the kind of fixture that cost them the title last term.

“What worries us about Leganes is that they’re an opponent who have conceded few goals,” he said. “We

Modric, Carvajal fit for Madrid derby

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uka Modric and Dani Carvajal have been cleared to face Atletico Madrid on Saturday as Real Madrid seek a much-needed lift in the title race.

With LaLiga leaders Barcelona heading to Leganes earlier in the day, Madrid could be 11 points off the summit by the time the derby at Wanda Metropolitano kicks off.

But the reigning champions have been boosted by the return to fitness of influential midfielder Modric and full-back Carvajal, who did not go on international duty with Spain following a viral pericardium infection. “Modric had a scare yesterday, but trained normally today,” coach Zinedine Zidane said on Friday. “He is ready to play.

“Dani has been ready for a long time. He was not with the national team because it was better to stay here and work.”

Modric

have a lot to win because it’s an important game before the important run before Christmas.

“We have to be alert for this kind of match. We lost points at these sorts of grounds last year and it cost us LaLiga. It’s not as glamorous to play against Leganes as it is against Atletico Madrid but we have to apply ourselves and know that it will be tough.”

Messi

Saturday, November 18, 2017

EXTRATIME

OTHER SPORTS

OTHER SPORTS

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OTHER SPORTS

Nigerian bobsled team qualifies for winter Olympics

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trio of Nigerian women made bobsled, African and Olympic history in Calgary.

Seun Adigun, Ngozi Onwumere and Akuoma Omeoga completed the final two of five required qualifying races at Calgary’s Winsport’s Canada Olympic Park on Wednesday, to earn a spot in the upcoming Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea.

They are the first African team to qualify for an Olympic bobsled event and will be the first athletes to represent Nigeria at a Winter Olympic Games.

Reigning Olympic champion Heather Moyse building up for bobsled return 5 Canadian athletes to watch in Pyeongchang 100 days from now All three bobsledders are accomplished track and field athletes in the United States, where all three live and train in Houston, Texas.

In track, Adigun represented Nigeria in the 2012 London Olympics as a hurdler, Onwumere won two medals at the 2015 All-African Games and Omeoga has represented the University of Minnesota in various NCAA events.

In the early days of their bobsled training, the trio built a wooden version of a bobsled from scratch to give them an idea on what the sport might entail.

They are currently the 41st-ranked team in the world, according to the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation.

Nigerian team

Women’s Hockey World League Final: Netherlands beat New Zealand

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lympic silver medallists The Netherlands began their pursuit of the Women’s Hockey World League Final title with a comfortable 4-0 victory over hosts New Zealand in Auckland The world number one-ranked side sent out a warning to the rest of the competing nations with a confident display in Pool A at the Harbour Hockey Stadium.

A superb field goal reverse strike across the face from an acute angle from Kelly Jonker gave the Dutch the lead before Maartje Krekelaar doubled their advantage shortly after.

Frederique Matla put the result of the match beyond all doubt with a third after

39 minutes and Jonker then got her second to put the gloss on a resounding win for the reigning World Cup champions.

“New Zealand were the better team in the first quarter,” said Jonker.

“I was really happy that I scored when I did because my goal opened up the game.”

The United States and South Korea drew 1-1 in the other match held today ©USA Field Hockey The United States and South Korea drew 1-1 in the other match held today ©USA Field Hockey In the other match to take place on the opening day of the tournament, a late Yesol Cha goal salvaged a 1-1 draw for South Ko-

rea in their clash with the United States.

The US went in front when they scored from their first penalty corner as Erin Matson’s skilful strike from a Lauren Moyer rebound flew into the net.

South Korea then went in pursuit of an equaliser and Park Seung-a should have levelled after 43 minutes but shot wide.

Eventually, their pressure told but they were made to wait until two minutes from the end when Cha Ye-sol scored a dramatic late goal.

Four matches are scheduled to take place when the event continues tomorrow.

Defending World League champions Argentina make their entrance to the tournament as they go up against China, while England play Germany in Pool B. New Zealand face South Korea and the US entertain The Netherlands in Pool A.

Men’s Rugby League World Cup 2017: Australia 46-0 Samoa

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alentine Holmes scored a record five tries as holders Australia ruthlessly dismantled Samoa to book their

place in the 2017 World Cup semi-finals.

Five first-half tries, including doubles for Holmes and Michael Morgan and a Billy

Slater score, set the platform in hot and sticky Darwin.

Holmes added three more after the break to become the first man to score five tries in the same game at a World Cup. Samoa were kept scoreless, the Kangaroos’ second shut-out in a row. Australia play the winner of the New Zealand v Fiji quarterfinal, in the last four in Brisbane next Friday.

Seven players had scored four tries in a World Cup game, but none had scored five before Valentine Holmes Cronulla and Queensland winger Holmes has been a revelation for club, state and country in try-scoring terms, with four in two games at State of Origin level and now eight tries in nine Tests for the Kangaroos.

He showed a full repertoire of skills in his five-try haul. First he gathered in a Josh Dugan tap-back to cross, and his ability to find space in tight areas around the touchline was evident with spectacular, airborne finishes such as for his hat-trick score.

“I am speechless. Some of the players told me at the end but I did not believe them. I am honoured, it is awesome,” Holmes said after learning of his record-breaking feat.

“Our main goal was to make sure we completed our sets. We knew it would be hot and sweaty. Cameron Smith did great for us.

“Physically and mentally it was very hard, training in this weather was difficult so we were feeling it and they were too.”

Head coach Mal Meninga added: “It was a big night for Val. His support play was really good and he got highly involved and deserved it. “He belongs in the Australian team, he’s our best option on the left wing.”

Matthew

Gulf, European Tour Championship: Fitzpatrick leads season finale

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ngland’s Matthew Fitzpatrick took a one-stroke lead in the end-of-season Tour Championship in Dubai as Tommy Fleetwood moved into contention.

England’s Justin Rose, Race to Dubai leader Fleetwood’s main rival, is tied third, with compatriot Tyrrell Hatton second after a nineunder-par 63.

Englishman Fleetwood, who shot a one-over first round, carded a 65 to move to six under, tied for 11th.

“We needed a low score to get back into the event,” he told BBC Sport.

“At least with that score I have kept myself in with a chance of the tournament.”

Fitzpatrick, 23, is looking to win his second successive Tour Championship, having beaten Hatton by one stroke last year.

He has shot back-to-back rounds of 67 this week, moving to 10 under on Friday after carding five birdies and an eagle at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

Rose, who trails 26-year-old Fleetwood by 256,738 points in the Race to Dubai, needs a top-two finish to add the Race to Dubai to his 2007 Order of Merit title.

Rose, 37, would have moved into a share of second with Hatton had he not bogeyed the 18th.

Saturday, November 18, 2017

OTHER SPORTS

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29

Chapecoense celebrate retaining place in Brazil’s first division

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ess than a year after most of their players and staff were killed in a plane crash, Brazilian football club Chapecoense has secured its place in the country’s first division.

The club, which lost 19 first-team players in the November 28 tragedy last year, rejected the offer of relegation immunity earlier in the season and Thursday’s 2-1 win over Vitoria secured their Serie A league status with three games remaining.

Chapecoense had to fight from a goal down to take all three points and, fittingly, the match-winning goal was scored by Tulio de Melo, a striker who had returned to his old club in the wake of the plane crash.

The 32-year-old had played alongside most of those who perished during his original spell at the club in 2015.

He left to join a rival Brazilian side in 2016 but had “no choice” but to go back when Chapecoense called for help to rebuild their squad from scratch.

“On my knees. I thank you Lord,” de Melo tweeted after the Vitoria win. “For this goal and this victory that is worth so much more than three points.”

Chapecoense posted a video on social media showing de Melo and his teammates celebrating in the changing room and chanting “Vamos Chape,” just as their predecessors had done a year ago after beating San Lorenzo in the

semi-final of the Copa Sudamericana.

It was en route to the first leg of the final against Atletico Nacional in Colombia that the plane they were traveling in -- LaMia Flight 2933 -- came down and killed 71 of the 77 people on board.

19 Chapecoense players were killed in the crash on November 28, 2016 South America’s football governing body CONMEBOL awarded the trophy to Chapecoense and Brazil’s national team played Colombia to raise money for the victims’ families.

There were tributes all over the world, including minute’s silences at every game in the English Premier League, Germany’s Bundesliga, Spain’s La Liga and also in the Champions League and Europa League competitions.

Other Brazilian clubs rallied around Chapecoense as they looked to rebuild their squad: they loaned them players for free and offered relegation immunity for three seasons.

However, Chapecoense’s president Ivan Tozzo rejected the offer of immunity and said he wanted to let the results on the pitch determine their destiny.

It what has been a fantastic 24 hours for the club, Chapecoense also confirmed that Jakson Follmann -- their goalkeeper who lost his leg in the crash and was forced to retire -- had returned to full training for the first time with the aid of a prosthetic limb.

Olympic ban staring Russia in the face

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Boxing: WBO champion tells Anthony Joshua to pay him respectable 40%’

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oseph Parker beat Hughie Fury by a majority points decision in September Joseph Parker has told Anthony Joshua to pay him a “respectable 40%” if he wants a chance to fight for the New Zealander’s WBO title next year.

Promoter Eddie Hearn says there is “absolutely no question” WBA and IBF champion Joshua, 28, will also fight WBC holder Deontay Wilder in 2018.

But Parker’s promoter David Higgins said Hearn’s opening offer to his fighter was “ridiculously low”.

“So what’s happening?” New Zealand’s Parker asked Joshua on social media.

“Fight a voluntary or pay me respectable 40% as fellow champion and unify?”

Parker earlier told Joshua and Hearn to make him a “serious offer”.

Hearn responded: “Your information is incorrect - come off the internet and pick up the phone.”

Parker, 25, has won all 24 of his professional contests, 18 inside the distance, although he needed a controversial majority

points decision to beat Hughie Fury, cousin of Tyson, in September.

“I have pictured it in my head, I have pictured fighting Joshua,” Parker told BBC Sport. “I imagine the stadium, also I see myself doing very well and knocking him out.”

Promoter Higgins says he has been talking to both Joshua and Wilder’s camps, but believes a fight between Joshua and Parker could happen first, in March or April in the United Kingdom.

“Eddie and I have exchanged emails” he said earlier this month. “My message was Joe would fight Joshua next and Hearn’s was that Joshua would fight Parker next.”

Wilder, 32, defended his belt against Bermane Stiverne in November, a week after Joshua retained the WBA and IBF crowns against Carlos Takam in Cardiff.

The American then said he would beat Watford-born Joshua in his “safe haven” of Great Britain.

“Packing out stadiums looks good but the money and Mecca of boxing is in America,” Wilder told BBC Sport.

ussia is a step closer to facing a possible ban of its athletes from the Winter Olympics in South Korea after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) upheld its decision that the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) remains non-compliant.

WADA tweeted its ruling following a foundation board meeting in Seoul on Thursday, less than three months before the opening ceremony of the Winter Games in Pyeongchang in February.

The tweet read, “WADA Foundation Board approves the recommendation by the Independent Compliance Review Committee that RUSADA remain non-compliant.”

Russia’s anti-doping agency was initially deemed non-compliant after the 2016 publication of the McLaren report, commissioned by WADA, which found the Russian state conspired with athletes and sporting officials to undertake a doping program that was unprecedented in its scale and ambition.

Russia’s ministry for sport has repeatedly denied the report’s findings.

In order to regain compliance, RUSADA had to follow a 32-point “roadmap.” However, WADA said Thursday it had failed to meet two of those conditions: to acknowledge an existence of a Russian state-sponsored doping program and to provide WADA access officers to a Moscow laboratory.

RUSADA director-general Yuri Ganus said the result “wasn’t a surprise” but insisted that his team had “carried out the road map step by step, tracking each stage,” and that the two unfulfilled points “go beyond our authority.”

At a press conference in Seoul following the announcement, WADA President Craig Reedie said that WADA “regrets” that the “Russians are not compliant.” He said any decision on whether Russian athletes will compete at Pyeongchang would come from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The IOC’s decision is expected to make its decision at an executive board meeting next month in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Russian officials rounded on the WADA decision, with Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko calling it “expected” and a “road to nowhere.”

His sports minister, Kolobkov, called it “politicized,” according to a report in state media RT. “These two demands are obviously of a political nature,” Kolobkov said, referring to the two unfulfilled WADA conditions asked of the Russian agency.

The head of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), Alexander Zhukov dismissed the accusations as “a joke.” “(Compliance Review Committee chair Jonathan) Taylor’s committee has been inventing reasons not to reinstate RUSADA; the accusations against RUSADA are simply a joke!” RT reported.

At Thursday’s WADA press conference, Reedie said that there “was time” for Russia to become compliant and compete at the Pyongchang games. “(The) IOC would have liked RUSADA compliant,” he said.

“There is time before their decision. There are potential for things to change. First we have board meetings to do and things will change.”

Rafael

Rafael Nadal wins defamation case over doping claims

R

afael Nadal celebrates his victory against Marin Cilic of Croatia during their men's singles semi-final match at the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament in Shanghai in October.

Rafael Nadal celebrates his victory against Marin Cilic of Croatia during their men’s singles semi-final match at the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament in Shanghai in October.

A former health and sports minister accused Rafael Nadal of doping A French tribunal found that Roselyne Bachelot defamed the Spanish tennis star (CNN)A French tribunal on Thursday ordered a former minister of health and sports to pay tennis star Rafael Nadal $11,800 in damages for accusing him of doping.

The tribunal found that Roselyne Bachelot, who served as the minister of health and sports between 2007 and 2010, defamed the 16-time grand slam winner during a March 2016 television appearance in France.

The tennis star filed a lawsuit against Bachelot the following month, saying at the time that the case was intended “to defend my integrity and my image as an athlete, but also the values I have defended all my career.”

In a statement released Thursday by a representative of Nadal’s Monaco-based PR team, the Spanish player said he also sought to prevent “any public figure from making insulting or false allegations against an athlete using the media, without any evidence or foundation and to go unpunished.”

SPECIAL FEATURE

Saturday, November 18, 2017

EXTRATIME

30

Godwin Okpara: The fall FRANK JUMBO

T

he public in general and the football community in particular were rocked last week by reports that Ex-Eagles international Godwin Opara was in court for assaulting and seriously injuring his wife Linda Oladoyinbo Okpara. The words on everybody’s lips were “Godwin Okpara again?”

Indeed, many were shocked that Okpara, who was released from a French prison in 2012 for raping is housemaid, could put himself in negative limelight after such a disgraceful ordeal.

The petition that triggered his arraignment was written by Linda Oladoyinbo’s lawyers to the Nigeria police and it alleged that Okpara, in the company of some relations and with the assistance of some thugs had badly beaten her up after she protested the partitioning and the sale of their jointly-owned family property at Ikeja.

According to Linda, who was also jailed alongside her husband for dehumanizing and enslaving the same housemaid, she returned to Nigeria after her release only to discover that Okpara had sold off all their jointly-owned properties, with the exception of the one at Ikeja GRA. She claimed she was initially denied access to the GRA property but after the intervention of some relations, she was admitted into the guesthouse. Meanwhile the main house was occupied by her husband’s brother and his wife.

Okpara, in telling his own side of the story claimed that he fought his wife after he came back from an outing and discovered that she had stabbed one of his visitors.

The case was referred to the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions who after carefully studying the case concluded that he had a case to answer.

Parts of the DPP report read as follows: “Further facts revealed that Mrs Linda Oladoyinbo questioned Godwin Okpara about their joint-owned property he sold without her knowledge and he beat her mercilessly with the participation of his brother and his wife. He equally brought thugs to the house who beat her up with sticks upon which she suffered internal bleeding. This is corroborated by a picture showing severe facial injuries and the medical report from LASUTH indicating that she suffered serious injuries and

Their Children in younger days

Tina Okpara

was found bleeding from the nose and mouth as a result of the assault by the husband. The attached video record clearly shows the suspect assaulting the complainant despite pleas from observers” The report however dismissed claims

by Oladoyinbo that Godwin was involved in forgery, stealing and malicious damage as there was no evidence to prove the allegations. The DPP concluded that Opara should face a charge of assault occasioning bodily harm.

The charge was explicit: “That you Godwin Okpara, sometime in August 2016, on Oduduwa street GRA Ikeja Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial district, unlawfully assaulted and injured one Linda Oladoyinbo by flogging her with a stick and other weapons thereby committing an offence punishable under section 173, chapter C.17 of the criminal laws of the Lagos state 2015.

Okpara after his release from jail

The case was brought to trial on November 8 2017. The Ex-International pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of of N50,000. with two sureties in like sum, after a passionate plea by his lawyer, Mr Malaki Odo. How did all these come to pass? The story of the Oparas’ is a long and sordid one that will shock even the stone hearted. Here was a man who had played football for club and country at the highest levels and who was tipped for greatness by the great Pele after watching his exploits at the U-17 world cup in Scotland 98.

TRICKED INTO SLAVERY After Scotland 98, he played for various clubs in Belgium and France and his last club was PSG in France. Nicknamed “Alan Ball”, he played for the Eagles in France 98 and in the 2000 African Cup Of Nations.

He was to go on to play for Nigeria at the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

Everything was looking good for Okpara. He was indispensable at PSG and he earned a regular call-up for the Super Eagles. He had beautiful kids, a lovely wife and everything was just fine until February 2001.

That was the year the Okparas felt they needed a maid to assist them with their fast –growing family. They visited Nigeria and approached a poor family who lived next door. The family had a 13 year old daughter called Awawu who they were to later rename Tina after adopting her. Tina was also a friend to their first daughter Sophie. The Okparas had tried to adopt Tina the previous year but she had turned down the offer because she wanted to stay back and assist her poor parents. But in 2001, her mother died and her father’s new wife was making life difficult for Tina.

This time around she agreed with the consent of her father to accompany the Oparas’ back to Europe and assist them with their household. The Okparas promised her education and a better life and she was convinced that they meant it. She

boarded the plane to France that year and there began her journey into darkness.

Soon after arrival, it became apparent that the Okparas’ had other plans for her.

She was not registered in any school and was subjected to washing, cooking and cleaning on a daily basis.

FIRST RAPE According to Tina, Godwin Okpara raped her for the first time two years after her arrival in France when she was 14 years old. Prior to this time, he had not displayed any sexual interest in her. On that day, Okpara had a serious quarrel with Linda, after which she stormed out of the house in anger. Okpara now saw the opportunity he had been waiting for. He told Tina to accompany him to the basement and made to have sex with her, she resisted fiercely but she could not match his physical strength and he forcefully raped her. Thereafter he threatened to kill her if she revealed what happened to anybody.

In the months to come, he repeatedly raped her and at this stage she no longer resisted him because it was pointless.

CAUGHT IN THE ACT In February 2005, fate had a date with Godwin Okpara. By this time Tina had stayed with them for four years and had lost count of the number of times Okpara had raped her. On that fateful day, Okpara had as usual taken advantage of his wife’s absence to descend on Tina, and was well into the act when Linda surprised them by returning home early and caught them red handed. It was a day that Tina was later to confess she would never forget in her life.

A livid Linda thundered at her “I will kill you! Each time you want to sleep with a man you will remember me! I’m going to mark your body till the end of your days!’

Tina was clobbered to the ground under a rain of blows and kicks. Linda proceeded to shave off her hair and pumped hot pepper sauce through a syringe into her private part. She next took a razor blade and made deep cuts on her Vagina.

Saturday, November 18, 2017

SPECIAL FEATURE

EXTRATIME

31

and fall of an eagle Tina was to recall that those wounds took a long time to heal. “I was in pain every minute. It burned when I walk, it burns when I sit down and it was worse when I went to the toilet.

I almost faint whenever I visited the toilet.” She told reporters in later years.

ARREST AND PROSECUTION Shockingly, just six months after this incidence, Okpara again attempted to rape her but this time she escaped and did not return home. This time, an incensed Linda Okpara went to the French police to make a report that her husband was sleeping with her underage housemaid, conveniently forgetting her own

part of the crime after the first discovery. She did not tell the police that she had systematically starved and regularly beaten Tina and confined her to sleeping on a mattress in the basement even during winter.

The French Gendarmes moved quickly and ruthlessly and the couple was arrested. Tina was found and she narrated all her ordeals to the police.

The Okparas were charged to court and the French legal system wasted no time in establishing a case of rape against Godwin and slavery

Linda Okpara after allegedly battered by Godwin Okpara and his relations

Okpara in his playing days

and child abuse against Linda. They vehemently denied all charges but Tina’s’ testimony was overwhelming.

Godwin Okpara was jailed for ten years and his wife Linda was sentenced to fifteen years for torture and enslavement.

It was a devastating blow to the Okparas. Never in their wildest dreams did they imagine they would end up in this nightmare. More was to follow as the French authorities proceeded to confiscate their house and froze all Godwin Okparas’ bank accounts.

Linda Okpara in her naivety, never saw the apparent consequences of informing the police about her husband’s dangerous escapades. It backfired seriously on her as she was to go and spend years in jail. Because they were French citizens, the authorities took possession of the couple’s children and dispersed them to various foster homes.

FREEDOM AND DEPORTATION While in jail, Okpara contemplated committing suicide many times but he never could summon the courage to carry it through. His lawyers appealed his case and his sentence was reduced to seven years. On the advice of his lawyers, he co-operated with the prison authorities and was released for good behavior after serving just three years of his seven year jail term. However his release was conditional as he was deported to Nigeria with nothing except the clothes he was wearing.

In the course of serving his jail term, one of his sons, Sean died of lung and knee cancer. He was released in June 2012 and he had managed to obtain two Diplomas in French and Sports Management while in prison. Since his release, all his children chose to remain back in France or were simply discouraged by the French authorities from visiting him in Nigeria.

His youngest son Sydney is with the PSG soccer academy. After his release, he was asked by a reporter in Lagos if he had forgiven his wife. Okpara replied “Who am I not to forgive? I have forgiven her and everybody involved in the whole saga. I forgave her a long time ago. Life goes on and as I said, my lawyers are working to recover my house in Paris and reopen my bank accounts.”

At the end of it all, Tina Okpara whose real name was Awawu before she was adopted by the Okparas was the ultimate gainer. The French government offered her total assistance and she was settled with citizenship, University scholarship, a job, car and house. Now 25 years old, she is a nursing student in France. She was able to recover from the traumatic experience and she recently released a book “My life has a price” which was launched at the CORA organized book and art festival.

She claims her book is a testimony because “One day, I told myself if I refused to testify, other girls will continue to experience modern Slavery.”

Okpara’s claim to have forgiven his wife falls flat with this latest court saga in Lagos. Apparently it appears theirs is still deep hatred and animosity between husband and wife. Linda for now appears to be having the backing of the law. What next for Godwin Okpara? He is in a very bad position indeed. For one thing, even if he succeeds in recovering his assets in France, over half the value of those assets may be used to offset his legal bills.

The other half may well be distributed by the French authorities to his children and Linda in view of the fact that he sold off his Nigerian properties without his family benefiting from the proceeds. Secondly, except he moves quickly to settle the Lagos assault case out of court and make peace with Linda, he may well be on the way to another jail term.

The French authorities will no doubt be monitoring how the case unfolds and it may affect his chances of ever setting eyes on his children again. That truly would be the real tragedy for Godwin Okpara.

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

Editor Daily: TONY AMOKEODO

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2017

VOL. 3. NO. 504

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Business & Economy Saturday, November 18, 2017

Tracing the $20.2bn missing from NNPC since 1999 Page B2

Addressing metering challenge in Nigeria Page B7

IGP sets up anti-electricity vandal response squad Simon Ugwu The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris has sent notification to all police commands to set up an Anti- Electricity Vandal Response Squad.

This is coming on the heels of the escalating rate of vandalism and theft of electricity distribution assets.

Managing Director, Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), Mrs. Funke Osibudu made this known to the power sector stakeholders during the

21st ministerial meeting that the power firm hosted in Asaba, Delta State.

She noted that despite the wider industry challenges and the sometimes very hostile and restive operating environment, the BEDC has been able to bring improvements to customer experience within the coverage area.

She added that the company has attained an innovative and strict load management and outage schedules, which makes customers’ power availability predictable and better evenly spread

in the distribution network clusters.

Osibudu told the stakeholders that the BEDC customers now have multiple channels of payment for their bills, adding that customers can now receive their bills through sms and emails and receive alert they make payment.

According to her, the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) is in the process of standardizing allowable fines and penalties chargeable by the electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) for customer/consumer

infractions.

She noted that there is still needs for a purpose fit legislation, criminalizing theft and expeditiously dispatching such cases before it, by setting up a mobile court.

On tariff, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO): “The seeming freeze of retail electricity tariff without proportional ‘subsidies’ to cover cost is inhibiting DisCos ability to meet their performance obligations and in essence, customer expectations.

District Head of Kukawa, Alhaji Bashir Kolo (middle); Vice Chairman, Victims Support Fund (VSF), Alhaji Tijanni Tumsa (2nd, right); Executive Director of VSF, Prof. Sunday Ochoche (right) and others, during the presentation of farm inputs to beneficiaries in Kukawa, Borno State…on Wednesday.

Equities Market sustains negative trend with 0.91% ASI decline Bonny Amadi The Nigerian equities market on Thursday sustained negative trend as supply for highly capitalized stocks

BUSINESS TIMES Business Editor Ganiyu Obaaro

Asst. Business Editor Simon Ugwu Capital Market Editor Bonny Amadi

….As Dangcem declines by 2.77%

pitched against demand.

The market session yesterday recorded increased sell pressures which dominated for the second successive day, leading to decline in the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All Share Index (ASI) declining by 0.91 per cent to pull the YtD return down to +36.25 per cent.

Also, both the market volume and market turnover declined by 22.7 per cent and 2.72 per cent respectively.

The bearish sentiments in the market were intensified across all sectors, particularly the indus-

trial goods sector, as DANGCEM significantly pared by 2.77%. ExDANGCEM, the NSEASI would have been up by 0.62%.

The price gains on some Tier 1 banks were however able to moderate the market’s loss at the close of trading activities.

Equities Price movement showed that 15 companies posted price gain, against 25 others that posted loss losers.

Leading the gainers table, A.G Leventis outperformed other counters after gaining 8.47 per cent to close at N0.64. Red Star

Express appreciated by 5 per cent, Learn Africa added 4.08 per cent, First Aluminum garnered 4 per cent while Unity bank also grew in equity price by 3.92 per cent.as top five gainers components.

On the flipside, C.I. Leasing dropped by 8.97 per cent to close at N1.32 per share as the worst performing stock in the market for the day, followed by PZ which lost -8.93 per cent, NASCON -5.00 per cent, Unilever declined by -5.00 per cent while Fidelity bank depreciated by -4.88 per cent.

Exploiting top alternative Investments to the Stock Market Page B8

NAHCO promotes over 800 staff Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo In a manner that is unprecedented in the entire Nigerian aviation industry, foremost national ground handling services provider, nahco aviance, has promoted over 846 of its about 2000 workforce.

This constitutes more than 45 percent of the Company’s total workforce.

According to a statement

by Mr Tayo Ajakaiye head corporate affairs, the promotion, which was approved by the Board of Directors, and announced over the weekend, was one of the staff improvement programmes by NAHCO Plc. Ajakaiye said the promotion which came against the background of an economy that is still in technical recession shows the importance that the Company places on its staff.

The outgoing Acting MD/ CEO, Mrs. Folashade Ode, said that the promotion exercise was based on well – defined criteria that ensure fairness and transparency.

She restated the Company’s resolve to keep a happy and well–motivated workforce.

The statement stated further that: “A more transparent, performance driven reward and compensation system will be put in place to improve our overall service quality with positive impact on our revenue and profitability.”

She urged all staff to reciprocate the Board’s kind gesture by rededicating themselves to their duties to further enhance the progress of NAHCO. The current promotion exercise came about two years after the Company promoted 390 staff.

The last promotion carried out in September 2015 was widely applauded by the aviation unions and other stakeholders who urged other operators in the industry to emulate NAHCO’s commendable welfare policies.

Only in July this year, the Company effected salary increment with some staff getting as much as 15 percent increase in their salaries. In another key development, Mrs. Ode welcomes the incoming MD/ CEO NAHCO Plc, Mr. Idris Yakubu.

Business Features Simon Ugwu Allegation and counter allegation has been leveled against the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on financial impropriety over the years.

The latest in the recent time is the one by the Human rights lawyer Femi Falana SAN who accused the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) of failing to remit over $20.2bn since the return of democracy in 1999 to date, saying that, “Instead of piling up external loans the federal government should be compelled by the Nigerian people to embark on the immediate recovery and repatriation of hundreds of billions of dollars from the NNPC.” Falana made this revelation in Lagos at a National Seminar on Promoting Transparency and Accountability in the Recovery of Stolen Asset in Nigeria: Agenda for Reform organized by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) in collaboration with the Ford Foundation, USA. According to Falana, “Transparency and accountability are interconnected to the application of economic, political and administrative management of the affairs of a state. The exercise of these affairs is that they must be seen to be exercised by the citizens of a state.

Where a government parastatal such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is said to have failed to remit oil revenue to the tune of $20billion, issues of good transparency and governance becomes a crucial issue.

According to a statement by Timothy Adewale, SERAP Deputy Director and made available to The Daily Times, Falana said in his paper that, “The Federal Government has to re-focus its recovery of stolen assets by vigorously pursuing recovery of assets from multinational corporations and not just the countries that illegally keeping the looted wealth of the country. The recovery of our looted wealth should also be extended to the few Nigerians who have been indicted in the Panama and Paradise papers. The EFCC and the Federal Inland Revenue Service should recover appro-

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 18 , 2017

Tracing the $20.2bn missing from NNPC since 1999

Baru priate taxes from the offshore companies set up by such individuals.”

Falana called on the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to “comply with the order of the federal high court which has directed the federal government to account for the loot recovered since 1999.”

The Seminar was attended

by Eva Kouka, Senior Program Officer Foundation, Linda Ochiel Ford Foundation, Sonia Warner DFID, Osai Ojigho Director Amnesty International Nigeria, Adeniyi Kayode, Open Government Partnership, Obono Oblia, Senior Assistant on Prosecution to President Muhammadu Buhari, among others. Mr Abiodun Aikomo represented the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mr Abubakar Malami SAN, and Bola Oyebamiji commissioner for finance represented the Ogun State Governor Raul Aregbesola.

Falana’s paper read in part “It is undoubtedly clear that the governments of western countries and the United Arab Emirates are not going to co-operate with Nigeria

in the repatriation of the nation’s looted unless the Federal government is prepared to adopt appropriate diplomatic and legal measures. In addition, the labour unions and other civil society organizations in the affected countries have to be mobilized to mount pressure on their governments to return our looted wealth.”

“Upon the inauguration of the Mohammadu Buhari administration the governments of the United States, United Kingdom and Switzerland assured the federal government that stolen funds and assets stolen from Nigeria would be repatriated. Not only have these countries refused to cooperate with Nigeria they have also frustrated the efforts of the federal government to recover and repatriate such tainted funds and assets.”

“In a display of sheer arrogance and hypocrisy in June last year the then British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron described Nigeria as “a fantastically corrupt country”. In his reaction to the embarrassing comment, President Buhari asked Mr. Cameron to return the sto-

len wealth of Nigeria in the United Kingdom.”

“The government of the United States has filed copious objections to the suit filed by Nigeria in Jersey for the recovery of over $3oo million of the Abacha loot. The gravamen of the objection is that the fund be released to the United States to manage on behalf of Nigeria.”

“In the same vein, Switzerland has insisted that the sum of $321 million of the Abacha loot would not be repatriated to Nigeria unless the World Bank would be allowed to monitor the disbursement of the fund. Such patronizing attitudes of western governments which had cannot be justified having regard to the fact that they had connived with a few unpatriotic Nigerian public officials in the grand looting of the treasury of Nigeria.”

“Transparency and accountability in political office imply that elected government officials are conscientious and accountable for their decisions and actions and imbibe integrity, selflessness and neutrality in order to ensure probity in service. Transparency and

accountability in public services create confidence in the citizenry in terms of implementing governmental processes to promote the public good.”

“Capital flight, illegal exportation of profits, tax evasion through shell companies, currency devaluation and dollarization of the economy are promoted by the Central Bank under the peripheral capitalist system operated by the federal government. The point I am struggling to make is that the limited gains recorded by the Buhari administration in the fight against corruption are a tip of the iceberg view of the massive capital flight that is legitimized by market forces.”

“Convinced that the federal government was chasing the shadow in the fight against corruption I have had cause to petition the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to open the allegations of corruption which border on crimes against humanity.

In the said petition I alleged as follows:” “From five cycles of independent audit reports covering 1999-2012 the National Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative revealed that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, some oil companies and certain agencies of the Federal Government have withheld $20.2 billion from the Federation Account. “ “In 2006, the Central Bank of Nigeria removed $7bn from the nation’s external reserves and placed same as deposit in 14 Nigerian banks. In 2008, the Bank gave a bailout of N600 billion ($4bn) to the same banks. Up till now the CBN has failed to recover the said sum of $11bn from the banks.”

“On September 6, 2016 the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) announced that arrangements had been concluded to recover the sum of $9.6 billion in over-deducted tax benefits from joint venture partners on major capital projects and oil swap contracts. The NNPC is said to have recovered the said sum of $9.6 billion but has not same remitted same into the Federation Account.”

Tours&Travels

s

B3

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 18, 2017

FCT hots up, as Abuja Jabamah comes to town Stories By Simon Ugwu

As guests from across West Africa, as well as stakeholders in the travel and tourism sector of the continent gear up for the maiden edition of the Abuja Jabamah, which aims at exploiting Nigeria’s potential to play big in the MICE (Meetings Incentive Conferences and Events) market, the organisers, who are also responsible for the yearly Akwaaba Africa Travel Market, have unveiled a

list of winners of the first MICE Awards in West Africa.

According to experts, MICE is the lowest hanging Tourism fruit for Nigeria and West Africa, and with Abuja already ranked highest Nigerian City for MICE, it’s only natural for the maiden edition of the conference to be hosted in the FCT. With the level of successes witnessed in Rwanda, which was hitherto a no go area for tourists, it is possible for Nigeria to leapfrog it’s tourism position using the MICE vehicle.

Overall, West Africa as a sub-region has not done well in MICE. Available statistics from the global association for meetings ICCA, only Accra (Ghana) is in the Top 10 in Africa; it’s ranked Number nine. Abidjan and Dakar are ranked 13, Abuja is number 15, while Lagos and Lome are outside the Top 20 list.

It’s against this background that the organisers of Akwaaba are launching the first MICE event in Nigeria, which holds on November 16.

Discussions at the event will

centre on MICE as a concept in Hospitality, with Charity Githinji, a Kenyan based in Tanzania, as lead speaker.

The session, according to the initiator Ikechi Uko, will also feature high level panel discussions on the Adaptation of Global Hotel Standards to African Environment, with Manisch Nambiar, GM of Kempinski Gold Coast City Hotel Accra, Paul Kavanagh GM Golden Tulip Hotel Accra Ghana, Christine Platijes GM of De Edge Hotel Port Harcourt, Bennie

Fritz GM of Bon Hotel Abuja and Vincent Ugbor the GM of Rockview Hotel Abuja and the President of HOPSEA as lead speakers.

The Tourism panel discussion will focus on fidns ways of tackling the challenges of Tour Operations in West Africa and will be anchored

by Nancy Sam Quartey, President Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA) and Nkereuwem Onung, the President of the National Association of Tour Operators (NATOP). Cost Control in

Continued from Page B6

South African men buy into personal care Women may find themselves fighting for mirror space and hiding their eye creams because according to Euromonitor, men’s grooming recorded a 13% growth in value sales in 2016.

Locally, research conducted

by Spark Media suggests that

South African men have become increasingly interested in products specially developed for their needs, and are increasingly likely to shop for their own personal care products.

Spark’s 2016 Roots research found that 98% of men bought

personal hygiene products in the past month. The proportion of men using hand and body cream increased from 77.2% in 2010 to 82.5% in 2015, more so with black males, of whom 85.9% used hand or body cream in the last seven days (AMPS 2010 vs 2015).

Smelling good is as important to men as looking good; premium men’s fragrances grew by 16% in 2016 (Euromonitor). AMPS research has shown that perfume and cologne use has increased among men long-term, with

53.3% of men being regular users. A high-quality fragrance is associated with career and social success, and has become an increasingly popular gift for men.

According to Euromonitor, South African brands, such as Sorbet, have jumped onto this trend. Sorbet Man offers exclusive men’s grooming treatments, and the chain has a Sorbet-branded men’s grooming range of skin and hair care products.

Lack of medical schemes Although men are health conscious when it comes to their physique (54% of frequent gymmers, going at least once a week, being men), a concerning statistic to come out of Spark’s Roots 2016 research is that 92% of urban males in LSM 4-7 are currently not on a medical aid scheme, and almost half (47%) of LSM 8-10 aren’t either. Spark Media says this opens a huge opportunity for healthcare providers to educate and build product awareness in this market.

Men’s grooming is forecast to maintain strong sales growth. A ramp of new male grooming product development is expected in 2018 and 2019.

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Tours & Travels

Daily Times Nigeria Satrurday, November 18, 2017

Cape Town delays Day Zero

Simon Ugwu with Agency Reports

The City of Cape Town has given a new date for Day Zero - the date the city will run out of water unless its residents curb their consumption even further - extending its forecast from March 2018 to May 2018.

The city uses about 582-million litres a day, 82-million litres more than the targeted 500-million litres a day. This is down from a collective consumption of about 700-million litres a day when the spectre of Day Zero was first introduced.

Reducing demand was still the greatest factor in avoiding Day Zero, mayor Patricia de Lille said on Tuesday, 14 November.

“Unless we reduce demand to 500-million litres per day, there

is a risk that we will reach Day Zero in May 2018. There are, however, several other factors at play, first, if we receive rain, Day Zero is pushed out, (but) because we cannot accurately predict how much rain we will receive, we have to ensure that we reduce demand sufficiently.”

The reduction in demand has, however, introduced an undesirable consequence: the income the city derives from water sales has fallen by about 40%.

“It makes it that much more difficult to fund augmentation measures,” said De Lille.

“To overcome this – and as a temporary measure – the city is considering a transitional (water) levy,” she said. “And it has to be temporary. People are struggling as it is. Anyway, it will be political suicide to raise

tariffs drastically.

“The problem is the municipal funding model is wrong. It is the same problem as with energy. It is, after all, the national government’s constitutional obligation to provide water.”

In Cape Town and Johannesburg, water tariffs have gone up by about 19% over the past year for demand in excess of the free first six cubic metres. This compares with a global average of 3.91% from July 2016 to July 2017, according to the Global Water Intelligence’s 2017 Global Water Tariff Survey.

At R5 per cubic metre, water in SA was cheap, said De Lille.

“The cheapest desalinated water we could find was for R10 per cubic metre.”

The city’s augmentation plans involve mainly desalination,

groundwater abstraction and wastewater treatment.

Cape Town’s strategy of reducing demand has been criticised by water experts, including Prof Anthony Turton, who has suggested that an effective intervention requires that the “narrative of scarcity is converted into a narrative of future abundance”.

He said also that it would be economically unwise to ration visitors to the city over the tourism season ahead.

“The economic return on (a) unit of water is bigger than if we have the constraints of telling them to have no baths, and don’t flush the loo.”

In October, Cape Town launched a “Save Like a Local” awareness campaign aimed at visitors. “Cape Town very much re-

mains open for business,” said De Lille.

Enver Duminy, the CEO of Cape Town Tourism, said to bear in mind that many Capetonians were themselves going away for holidays and that large industries would shut down for the period. “This will minimise the impact of visitor arrivals on our water resources.”

Duminy said in a survey of its members, 65% indicated they did not expect to see a drop in bookings during the upcoming season as a result of the water shortage.

The Grant Thornton Economic Value of Tourism Report found that for 2015 (before the water crisis developed) more than R15bn a year was spent directly by visitors to Cape Town each

Inhouse designs new interior for Hartlief Gardens Design studio, Inhouse, recently created the design concept for meat manufacturing company Harlief Deli’s newly revamped branch in Gardens Shopping Centre in Cape Town.

Hartlief is a meat manufacturing company that was established in Windhoek, Namibia in the 1940s, producing premium meat products for over 70 years.

In November 2016, it opened two delis in Cape Town, one in the Gardens Shopping Centre and the other at the High Constantia Shopping Centre.

The overhaul was part of Hartlief ’s overall reinvigoration of its branding that included refining the colours of its logo and translating the brand identity into the deli’s built environment. Inhouse’s design involved incorporating colours and materials that added warmth to the deli’s interior, as well as creating additional space for a better customer experience. The studio’s design concept focused on the interior’s layout and finishes, taking into account the types of products and services Hartlief provides.

Addressing in-store congestion Before the redesign, the deli was limited in size and the store’s layout did not allow customers to move in and out of the store easily. Its takeaway area and payment point were both situated at the entrance, which resulted in this space becoming heavily congested. In the reno-

vations, a neighbouring store’s space was incorporated to create a more spacious interior that would allow customers to move more freely inside the store.

The refurbishment also enabled the creation of more display areas, with each one showcasing different products on offer at the store. The deli’s range of preservatives, condiments and German delicacies are displayed across from the store’s entrance, with a small selection of premium wines located to the right of this display unit. At the centre of the store is an island with a series of black bar stools where customers can buy ready-made sandwiches and desserts, coffee and beer. The payment area is situated across from this station, resolving the congestion problem.

The Hartlief Deli in Gardens functions as a takeaway store, however, the new layout includes tables and chairs for those customers who prefer to enjoy their meals at the deli. Fridges and deli counters line the interior perimeter (there’s also one just next to the island), with wheeled timber boxes placed in front of them. These boxes function primarily as merchandising space, but their purpose is also to provide additional storage and draw the customer’s eye.

Warmer, more spacious look The deli’s warmer, more spacious new look is also due to the materials used in the refurbishment. Inhouse brought in a substantial amount of timber to warm up the space, using it for the deli’s flooring and some of

its displays. Most notably, however, are several decorative bulkheads which hang suspended from the ceiling over the island and service counters. The bulkheads are made from several timber slats that are equal in length.

Granite surfaces are also prominent features of the new interior due to their durability and the manner in which they both refine and warm up the interior. Lighting was also crucial for the revamp, especially for showcasing the produce. Butchery lights were installed inside the fridges to enhance the colour of the meat, while white lights that hang suspended from the ceiling are interspersed among the decorative timber slats.

Daily Times Nigeria Satrurday, November 18, 2017

Simon Ugwu with Agency Report The food industry is changing, with some restaurant owners forgoing physical retail spaces and instead opting to trade solely online. The business model of these ‘virtual restaurants’ often means reduced overheads and therefore increased chances of success.

Hellen Gqoboka launched one of Johannesburg’s first virtual restaurants, Leles African Cuisine, in February this year, and since then she says her business has gone from strength to strength.

Having obtained a BCom in financial accounting from UCT and an MBA from the Gordon Institute of Business Science, Gqoboka worked in a variety of multinational businesses, including South African Breweries and KFC. While working in South East Asia, she noticed that the local cuisine was featured on the menus of high-end global hotels in the region.

“I realised that African cuisine has a lack of this kind of presence in South Africa. If people want it, they can’t find it without going to a taxi rank or a chesa nyama. So I saw a gap in the market for a premium African cuisine offering,” she says.

On-demand cuisine At first, she considered opening a regular restaurant, but as she began to research the market and look into international trends, she opted to launch her business as a kitchen that sells meals through on-demand convenience platforms like Mr D and Uber Eats.

“Instead of testing my idea and delaying it by finding retail space and kitting it out, I thought that I could use those platforms to get started,” says Gqoboka.

“I started the kitchen out of a cottage behind my house in Bryanston, and nine months later,

B5

Tours & Travels

Leles African Cuisine taps into virtual restaurant trend

for the owner to obtain funding, because they can afford to service higher rates through those higher margins.”

Retail Capital has provided funding to Leles African Cuisine, and Westvig says they are very excited about the model, which is a first for them. “It’s new for us. We’re learning along with her and backing her as she grows. We believe in her vision and it’s a model that she can expand quite aggressively.”

African dish we’re going strong.”

After persuading the delivery platforms to take a chance on her, she found that the business model worked just fine without her having to open a true restaurant – which she attributes to her attention to detail and the professionalism of her outfit. “The virtual model is working out so well for us that this is what we’re just going to keep on doing to increase and drive the brand.”

Expansion plans She’s now opened a second location – the delivery companies

require a 5km radius for collection and delivery, so to open up new markets, she’ll need to open new kitchens. The second kitchen also offers customer collections, which Gqoboka says is nice, but not necessary.

She intends to open another six restaurants by February 2018, and then another eight in the next year. She also plans to take the business model up into other countries in Africa, focusing on delivering quality regional cuisine wherever it operates.

She says that some of these res-

taurants will be customer facing, but that the main focus of the business will still be the kitchen and delivery model.

The benefits of the virtual model “Without having to fit out a customer-facing restaurant space, the business’s overheads are lower and margins are higher, which makes it easier to grow and easier to fund,” says Karl Westvig, the CEO of Retail Capital. “Because the business is less sensitive to funding costs, it is also easier

While Gqoboka might be breaking new ground in South Africa, she is participating in a global trend in which restaurants operate in the virtual space without a customer-facing outlet.

Westvig says that Gqoboka’s model is to use the systems already put in place by the delivery services, but some global virtual restaurants actually create their own websites to take and manage orders. “This gives them a far greater understanding of their target market – whereas Gqoboka finds that she only garners nuggets of information from the delivery services’ systems because they keep their customers’ data confidential. She works around this by interacting with her customers on social media to get a sense of who they are and what they want from her.”

Leles African Cuisine might be one of the first virtual restaurants in South Africa, but others are sure to follow soon. “With far lower barriers to entry, the business model may prove too compelling to resist for would-be restauranteurs. As Gqoboka has shown, virtual isn’t just a stepping stone – it can shape the entire business model,” concludes Westvig.

AHEC ‘Seed to Seat’ Initiative to be displayed in Cape Town The American Hardwood Export Council’s ‘Seed to Seat’ furniture collaborative will be displayed at Young Blood Gallery in Cape Town from 20 November to 20 December.

The project was initially unveiled at 100% Design South Africa, an exhibition and sourcing platform for high-end contemporary design in Johannesburg earlier this year. Given that five of the designers involved with the initiative are based in Cape Town, AHEC felt it necessary to showcase all seven pieces, including the two by Johannes-

burg-based designers, to a wider audience across the Western Cape.

“This ambitious project involving sustainable American hardwoods and environmental profiling is the first of its kind and the response to it from the design community has been overwhelmingly positive. It has provided a valuable opportunity for designers to test new designs in US hardwood species that they were not familiar with and some of the designs are earmarked for commercial

production. The project has also enabled AHEC to highlight the low environmental impact of the finished pieces through life cycle assessment (LCA) and the importance of material selection,” said Roderick Wiles, AHEC director for Africa, Middle East, South Asia and Oceania.

Part of First Thursdays Seed to Seat will remain on display for an entire month and will also be a part of the final First Thursdays event for

the year. This is a free cultural experience where art galleries and other cultural attractions in the central and east city districts stay open late on the first Thursday of every month.

AHEC aims to highlight the sustainable credentials of the American hardwood resource through a creative display that also conveys the story behind each piece.

“This has been a complex, fascinating and enjoyable project for both us and the designers

involved. We also must thank the designers who took on the painstaking task of recording all the energy inputs and wastage whilst not compromising on the integrity of their designs.

There is an understandable concern about the environmental impact of imported materials.

What this study has shown us is that if designers are committed to working sustainably, they should continue to embrace American hardwoods,” concluded Wiles.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 18, 2017

B6 Tourism

Marriott International adds mixed-use property to Nigerian portfolio

By Simon Ugwu Marriott International and the Landmark Africa Group have signed the Renaissance Lagos Hotel and Marriott Executive Apartments, slated to open in 2020.

“We are excited to partner with the Landmark Africa Group on this project. With the rapid pace of urbanisation more and more guests are looking for the value, the convenience and the vitality that mixed-use provides. The Renaissance Lagos Hotel and Marriott Executive Apartments will be a significant addition to our strong Nigeria portfolio. There is a growing need for high calibre short and extended stay lodging in Nigeria and we believe the two hotels together will help bridge this gap,” said Alex Kyriakidis, president and managing director Middle East and Africa, Marriott International.

A new benchmark for mixed-use developments in the region The hotels will be located in the Landmark Village precinct, a premier mixeduse, business, leisure and lifestyle development along the Atlantic Ocean waterfront in Victoria Island, the central business district of Lagos.

The 25-floor hotel will feature the 216 room full-service

Renaissance Lagos Hotel and 44 room Marriott Executive Apartment offering extended stay apartments with space, ambience and the privacy of residential living.

The hotels will offer a wide range of amenities, including local and international restaurants, spa facilities, a fitness centre, and an infinity pool with access to a

100-meter-long boardwalk overlooking a vibrant beach club offering exciting watersports.

“Marriott International is synonymous with quality and unique lifestyle experiences globally, which we, at the Landmark Africa Group continuously strive to align ourselves with. We look for-

ward to bringing Marriott’s hospitality and passion for excellence to the Landmark Village setting a new benchmark for mixed-use developments in the region,” said Paul Onwuanibe, chief executive officer, Landmark.

Designed to be the first Lagos equivalent of the Rockefeller Centre in New York,

Canary Wharf in London, Rosebank in Johannesburg and Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town, the Landmark Village features office spaces, luxury apartments, high-end retail as well as international restaurants. It is rapidly emerging as a leading mixed-use development on the West African Coastline.

FCT hots up, as Abuja Jabamah comes to town Continued from Page B3 Midlevel Hotels is the paper

by Nnaemeka Agbasi CEO of NAC Hotels, while Jumia, Tripberry and Flyboku will discuss on the topic, Online Travel Agents and Hotels in West Africa, in a panel.

As a way of encouraging groups and individuals, who have been in the forefront of promoting tourism in Nigeria, the event will honour some of the pioneers of tourism in Abuja, as well as best new hotels in the city. Meanwhile, the first MICE Awards ever in West Africa will be given to the Champions of the concept in the Region.

According to a list made available to the media, the Most Active Tourism States in Nigeria are Lagos State, Cross River State, Ogun State, Kaduna State, FCT, Plateau States, Ogun State, Kano State, Kebbi State and Osun State.

While the Platinum Award for Meetings will go to Abuja, that of Incentive will go to Calabar, while Lagos will receive awards for both Conferences and Events.

Incentive Hotel of the year West Africa will go to Royal Senchi Resort Akosombo, Conference Hotel of the Year West Africa will be presented to La Palm Royal Beach

Hotel in Accra, while Event Hotel of the Year West Africa award will go to Eko Hotel and Suites. MICE Company of the year will be given to TBI Nigeria, Accra will receive Conference City of the year West Africa, while MICE personality of the year West Africa will be presented to Governor Ambode of Lagos.

Meanwhile, Lagos State Government has expressed its desire to deepen it’s relationship with organisers of Akwaaba African Travel Market for growth of tourism in the state. Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture Lagos, Hon.

Adebimpe Akinsola, disclosed this to the Akwaaba team, which paid a courtesy call on the commissioner. It would be recalled that Lagos State returned to Akwaaba this year after 5 years of absence.

At the event, the Hon Commissioner celebrated the comeback as it has led to many positive results for both parties. She said the ministry is very proud to associate with Akwaaba and will work towards future projects.

The Ministry, in a letter presented to Akwaaba team, commended the Organiser of Akwaaba Travel Market

for sustaining the event to her 13th year, adding that it is In line with the Governor’s vision of project T.H.E.S.E (which is to integrate Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment/Arts, Sports for Excellence.

“The state government identifies with Akwaaba as a sustainable event and will partner for future events.

Lagos state will be fully represented at Abuja Jabamah,” the statement read in part.

The Hotel and MICE show would feature other activities such as Fam Trip to cover Abuja, Kaduna, Calabar and Lagos, from November 15 to 21.

Business Review B7

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 18, 2017

Addressing metering challenge in Nigeria Experts are of the opinion that provision of meters for electricity consumers has proved a tricky task for the 11 distribution companies, but there appears to be light at the end of the tunnel.

A good number of Nigerians who use electricity according to them from the 11 electricity distribution companies in the country tend to think that the Discos are very comfortable providing them electricity without meters to accurately gauge their consumption. To these consumers, the Discos’ continued resort to estimated billing practice as against the provision of metering facilities proves their liking for unmetered billing.

There is also the notion that the Discos believe they would not make from metered billing as much money as they are making from estimated billing, which leaves room for indiscriminate award of bills and manipulation.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has a legal process for estimated billing in areas where meters are not available.

However, the Discos deny these allegations and insist that they lack the huge capital investment needed for the metering of power consumption.

Metering Gap As at August, NERC records showed that the total number of customers registered by the 11 Discos as eligible electricity users within their respective networks was 7,476,856, while those metered were 3,451,611.

This leaves a metering gap of 4,025,611 and a collective metering percentage of 46.16.

The records also revealed that four Discos – Abuja, Ikeja, Eko, and Benin – were tops in their meter deployment efforts with the 52.17 per cent, 55.95 per cent, 60.73 per cent, and 69.49 per cent deployments, respectively.

Enugu, Kaduna, Kano, and Yola were behind with the meagre 27.72 per cent, 37.24 per cent, 34.43 per cent, and 23.61 per cent deployment levels, respectively.

Ibadan, Jos, and Port Harcourt Discos maintained average meter deployment percentages of 41.35 per cent, 48.72 per cent, and 48.54 per cent, respectively.

Because the electricity sector privatisation, which was concluded in 2013, predicated the share purchase agreements of the Discos upon various agreed Average Technical Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) loss reduction levels for the Discos, a 100 per cent metering plan within a timeframe was expected of the Discos to ensure comprehen-

Fashola sive coverage of consumers.

The comprehensive roll out of metering facilities was also expected to guarantee and protect the Discos’ revenue, minimise losses to them in technical and commercial levels, as well as protect customers from unfair and estimated billing.

Tricky Path The Discos have continued to complain about the huge financial commitment required to provide meters. They have pointed out through their association, Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors, that the inadequacy of rates charged by them has limited the capital investment required to improve on their retail of electricity, including the provision of meters for consumers.

They have also explained that there were several other issues that had contributed to the slow pace of metering in the sector.

The added, however, that since the distribution assets were handed over to them, they had made efforts to improve on metering, though, not as much as they would have wanted to.

“Meter fraud is huge – by-passing, tampering, recoding, hookups, is a big issue to us even in places we had installed meters already,” said Mr. Sunday Oduntan, Executive Director for Research and Advocacy in ANED.

“In a particular Disco this constitutes about 62 per cent for non-maximum demand and 43 per cent for maximum demand customers, pool of fraudsters has been inflated hugely by the corrupt staff let go by PHCN and ourselves,” Oduntan added.

To overcome them however, he said: “Major scale organised meter fraud has to be combatted by tamper proof meters – split unit and pre-paid installed in areas already fully enumerated.”

“For the area being metered, all the transformers and subtransformers must first be themselves metered to create an audit trail of accountability. Disco must be reorganised around feeders and sub-feeders and every connection on every feeder must be traced and enumerated into our customer database.”

“Database has the capability to monitor consumption (and lack of consumption) by individual meters to detect meter fraud, and by sub-feeder and feeder to identify corrupt staff. Until this is in place metering will not work, most will simply be bypassed,” Oduntan added.

Directive Despite the challenges, the government feels the Discos have a duty to meter their customers and do that as soon as possible to improve their revenue collection and retail services in the market.

Minister of Power, Works and

Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, recently asked the NERC to expedite action on a metering regulation it had planned to introduce for the electricity market. Fashola told NERC that he wanted the regulation to be completed before the end of November, and that with it, the commission would be able to give operational licenses to meter suppliers who could help close the metering gap and resolve its related challenges.

The minister indicated that the supply of meters would have to be resolved through the new regulation from the NERC. Previous Attempts While the metering gap existed even before privatisation, there had been previous efforts before and after privatisation, mainly by NERC, to cut down on the number of Nigerian electricity consumers without meters.

The central objective is to eventually end estimated billing and adopt 100 per cent metering as the basis for billing all electricity customers in Nigeria.

The sector inherited a meter maintenance fee or charges, which were then levied on consumers by defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria for meter deployment and maintenance. These charges were eventually cancelled as a component of electricity bills or tariff to consumers by the NERC after it

was decided that the charges did not help the deployment of meters by the Discos, and so there was no reason to continue them.

The regulator further pushed the Discos to respect their metering obligations to their customers as contained in their share purchase agreements, and even introduced a respite it called the Credited Advance Payment for Metering Implementation (CAPMI) under which consumers were free to advance payments to their Discos to procure and install meters to them and get rebate in the form of electricity units over a period necessary to offset their individual investments in the meters.

Eventually, the CAPMI scheme turned out to be inadequate to close the metering gap after it was discovered by NERC that the Discos also abused it and were diverting consumers’ payments to them for meters to other ventures and not living up to their obligations. The regulator subsequently ended the scheme and asked the Discos to clear existing orders from consumers in the CAPMI scheme, while continuing their investments in metering.

New Regulation But following the slow pace of investments in metering by the Discos, NERC then announced its consideration of three new options that could be adopted to close up the metering gap.

According to NERC, the three options currently under consideration would eliminate the regime of estimated billings. A document on this from the commission explained that the three options under consideration were Meter Service Providers (MSP) scheme, modified Credited Advance Payment for Metering Implementation (CAPMI), and franchising in rural and urban settlements.

Under the MSP scheme, which looked more like the introduction of a new value chain-metering, in the market, NERC said licensed MSPs could be financial institutions, venture financiers or even Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and meter manufacturers with the capacity to provide comprehensive meter services to electricity customers. It said the MSPs would own the metering infrastructure on a lease basis, including replacement of faulty and obsolete meters, but will also enter into medium to long term meter service agreements with Discos, which would then integrate in their vending systems provisions that allow the MSPs to get deductions from customers’ vending.

Personal Finance B8

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 18, 2017

Exploiting top alternative investments to the Stock Market

Bony Amadi

When it comes to investing, greater percentage of retail investors have the mindset that it can only be done in the stock market.

These crop of investors think of investing as buying stocks and bonds, while the more daring might exploit the windows of real estate investment trust (REIT).

Also, some people consider buying investing in precious metals exchange-traded fund (ETF) as a way to invest in gold, silver, platinum and other metals However, some other crop of investors usually want to do away with any form of investment that requires the services of a third party or broker, they exploit alternative investment opportunities.

Some of them can make you a lot of money, and some of them may make you a little money. Either way, you are not trapped into choosing stocks, bonds and ETFs that are traded publicly.

When you start thinking about alternative places to put your money, you need to stay away from scams and get-richquick schemes. You need some legitimate investment vehicles that may help you prosper.

The bottom line is that as an investor, your investment portfolio should be diversified. This means you should consider a variety of stocks.

It also means you can invest in non-stock market invest-

ment vehicles. Consider where your money would grow best, based on your tolerance for risk, bearing in mind that, the higher the risk, the greater the potential returns.

Top global financial experts including Kevin Johnston have acknowledged the vibrant earning opportunities provided by the alternative investment opportunities enumerated below and the challenges associated with them.

Peer-to-Peer Lending Peer-to-peer lending is a relatively new phenomenon.

Online services offer loans for businesses, personal loans, or anything else you can imagine. Once the borrower qualifies, the loan will be funded by people like you.

A discerning investors, would have to make the necessary research before joining the pool of investors who are willing to loan money to others.

This style of investment excludes bank involvement, as there is usually typically pooled with other investors’ money, and together you make a loan to the individual asking for funds.

Here is the best part: the rates you get are higher than you can find almost anywhere.

Many people get returns that are in the double digits. You will receive a fixed payment each month that includes the interest you are owed.

Risk

The risk is that you are loaning to people who may not have been able to get a loan from a bank or otherwise can’t go through traditional loan outlets. However, you can decide the credit rating you will consider for a borrower, and you have the choice to fund or not.

Real Estate When investing in real estate, you can buy and own property. This means becoming a landlord. You buy a house, duplex or multi-family dwelling like an apartment complex and collect rent. The returns can be very high, because you don’t have to pay in full for the property. You make a down payment, and the bank finances the rest. But you get the rental income and appreciation from the property. That is leverage.

You can do this alone, or you can form a partnership with like-minded investors. This can help you spread some of the risk, and you may find people who are more knowledgeable than you when it comes to real estate.

Before you consider buying property, ask yourself if you have what it takes to be a landlord. There are a lot of headaches, and none of them are routine. Things break, accidents happen, and people fall behind on rent. You may hire a management company to handle all of this, but of course that will cost money.

Gold Gold is a tangible inflation hedge, a liquid asset, and a long-term store of value. As a result, it is a sought-after asset class and a strong competitor to stocks. Gold is regarded as a great diversifier because of its low correlation with other asset classes, especially stocks. This becomes more pronounced in tougher times when gold often acts as a rescue asset.

There are various routes for investors to take exposure to gold, like buying and holding physical gold such as coins or bars, gold exchangetraded funds (ETFs), gold accounts, or investing indirectly through gold mining stocks or futures and options. However, as a small investor, it is best to opt for direct methods of investing in gold. An allocation of five to 10 percent in gold is considered healthy for an individual’s portfolio. (For more, see: What Moves Gold Prices?)

Owning Your Own Business You can use your money to invest in your own business.

This can produce the highest returns of all your investment choices. It can also fail and cost you a lot of money and sorrow.

However, many businesses produce a nice, steady income and grow over time. Think about areas where you could be a consultant, or try an online business, or think about a shop you would like to open.

Whatever you choose, you will need money to start a business.

One way to approach this is

to only put part of your money into a business and invest the rest elsewhere. This approach can save you some sleepless nights. Another approach is to create a part-time business, something you can do on evenings and weekends. That way, you don’t have to give up the security of your regular job, and you will be making extra money.

Your risk is that the business could fail, or the original owner might not be able to make payments to you periodically. Use a lawyer to set up the paperwork so you will be protected if the owner defaults.

Equity Crowdfunding If you don’t want to own your own business, you may want to consider owning part of someone else’s. Start-up companies that need money offer shares of their companies on equity crowdfunding sites. If you buy shares of the company, you own part of it and will be rewarded if the company succeeds.

Risk The risk is that if the company fails, you lose your money. However, there have been some equity-funding success stories, such as Cruise Automation. This company develops self-driving technology and was largely developed through equity crowdfunding.

General Motors bought the company, creating profits for investors, and giving an air of legitimacy to the crowdfunding industry.

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Life&

TIMES

What women lack in marriage now –Bose Alao-Omotoyosi

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Interview L2

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, November 18, 2017

I express myself better when I speak Yoruba –Bose Alao-Omotoyosi Nollywood delectable actress and Ntel brand Ambassador, Bose AlaoOmotoyosi, has carved a spectacular niche for herself in the entertainment industry as she has been able to pull her weight effectively in both the English and Yoruba segments of Nollywood. Bose broke into the movie industry with the movie Itakun. Since then, she has proven her mettle with every role she interprets. She began acting in 2003 and has since featured in a good number Olasubomi, Bomilashiri (2014) and Rivers Between and The Chauffeur (2016).

Married to a Nigerian-born Beninese footballer, Razak Omotoyosi, in this chat with MUTIAT ALLI, Bose lead us into her world. Enjoy‌ In terms of your work, how has the year been for you so far?

This year has been a very great year because I started my year with my own personal movie production, The Chauffeur. The movie features heavy weights in the industry like Rita Dominic, myself, Yakub Mohammed, Ibinabo Fiberisima, Bobby Obodo and a host of others. I had a great start. I started at productions too.

The reasons marriages break is you journalists. think what women are lacking now in marriage is the when it comes to your home. Listen to yourself. I think married a footballer, I swim in millions. It is not like a bed of roses, but I talk to myself and I put my kids

What is the movie about? was gone until she employed a chauffeur or what we will call a driver and her past comes knocking again.

And that was the beginning of her problems.

out for you? be together. Because I think there is something about and then you get to see, the love strikes hot. You was supposed to have but I fought was my kids; their

Majid Michel, Rachel Oniga and others. Then there is also Rough Day. It is a new movie which I just shot.

I played the lead role alongside Michael Godson, Denrele Edun and others.

of the marketing challenge and all that.

not going to stay with him wherever he is because travel around. But at some point, we stopped when I felt we needed that stability. I was asked to choose between staying abroad or staying here, but I chose to stay in Nigeria, if not for anything, for my career. scold my child.

Are you saying your mission in mainstream No. when I went into movie, the opportunity that was

There was a fear initially but at this point, any other person that is coming in now will come and do

I wanted to do only Yoruba movies. I had to start somewhere. And then, about a year after, I had the opportunity to work with Royal Roots Production. other thing you want from a man apart from that. Of

my language. I enjoy it so much; I express myself the year? are you into? who want to be like me. I want more of scripts. I want time mum too .

Life&

want to work for people as an actor.

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, November 18, 2017

Gist L3

Mutiat Alli

Actress Somkele in new DStv Explora commercial MultiChoice Nigeria has unveiled a brand new campaign for its decoder, features its latest brand ambassador, AMVCA 2017 Trailblazer award Idhalama.

The 60 seconds video highlights the features of the all new sleeker decoder model, which discloses through different scenes; revealing that with the instant replay, pause

and record features, the Explora gives her more home entertainment control.

With other features such

can conveniently rent and watch latest blockbuster movies on their Explora decoders. They can get instant access and double the number of amazing lineup of the latest and greatest shows and movies once their Explora is connected to the internet.

The General Manager, MultiChoice,

Martin

Explora gives customers more control over their viewing experience. We believe in delivering value to our customers by shaping the business to needs. The new decoder is poised to change viewing experience with more options and features with a

I prefer older men –Ruby Gyang

Robaz Entertainment unveiled

As part of its contribution to the growth of the entertainment industry,

has revealed that the establishment of growing industry through its varieties of services that includes music and movie production, event planning, record label amongst others. of the brand, Mong Kalu, fondly known

Ruby Gyang had a fun and relaxed conversation with Ife Ajagbe at

revealing the fact that she is 34 years old, she goes ahead to say that, in Hollywood are in their

40s; The Rock, Hugh Ife was asked about the one she is crushing on,

about everything includ-

ing older men, and more.

talents to shine, as well as raise stars.

We are really committed to making our dreams come through, and I want people to be on the lookout for our works. We are one hundred percent ready to deliver because we are focused! Music, movies and events long as we know our targets, the sky would not even limit us. I believe that this is not an impossible task because even in the western world, it is done that way, so we can still do the same here,” he nodded.

Yomi ‘Apase Emi’ Adebote set for ‘Elevation’ with new album

Gospel music sensation, Yomi Adebote, also known as Apase Emi, is set to conquer new heights with his music as he releases his fourth studio album.

For the Lagos-based Investment Banker, something different is happening to his music and he has aptly entitled his new album,

Ruby & host, Ife Ajagbe

Entertainment is ready to storm the showbiz world and do great justice to everything entertainment. We would not leave any stone unturned as far as entertainment is concerned,” he added.

When asked if this platform of talent discovery in the industry would be able to multi-task or shoulder all the responsibilities as promised, Asiotu, a music lover right from his childhood, assured that he is equal to the task.

“The label is not a jamboree. It is strictly an avenue to carve a niche for

Elevation captures a sequential narration of how any individual can move from their present status to a new level. According to him, each of the 10 tracks represents important rungs in the ladder leading to an elevated status. The album was presented publicly at a launch ceremony that held recently at Banquet Event Centre, Ikeja, Lagos.

“Before an individual can (Word), Adaba mi (My Helper) do the magic. When you become new status with the tracks such

are songs that will win glory for everyone.”

the World not Mock me).

Elevation is an 11 track collection of inspiring gospel songs for people of different age and gender. All songs are composed by the artist and produced by Tosin Aiyeobasan (T-fretque). In order for the song to be available to fans, the singer revealed that it will

Music comes naturally to Adebote who grew up in the where he discovered his talent Yomi Apase at singing and composing songs at the age 12. Apaseemi as he is fondly called has performed at down. Alleluyah! many events within and outside the shores of Nigeria, including the investment banker, has an unparalleled passion for inspirational gospel music.

“I get questions about my stage name regularly,” he admits adding, “Apase Emi (Commander of the

(It is new), Abanimule (Covenant

Lagos. He is a fellow of the Institute spirits through my songs. It is not of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria,

(Heavenly Father, I thank you). All

the wonders and evil spirits to bow a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).

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Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, November 18, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, November 18, 2017

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Society Circle L6

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, November 18, 2017

Isaac Oguntoye

Buhari bags Enyioma 1 of Ebonyi and Ochioha Ndi Igbo 1 chieftaincy titles President Muhammadu Buhari has received two chieftaincy titles in Ebonyi State, South East Nigeria.

The President, who was on a twoday visit to the South East, was honoured with the Enyioma 1 of Ebonyi and Ochioha Ndi Igbo 1.

The Presidency shared the photos of President Buhari receiving the titles on micro-blogging site, Twitter on Tuesday afternoon, November 14.

Aside that, the Presidency also revealed President Buhari inaugurated the 700m length of the Dr. Akanu Ibiam Twin Flyover Bridges built on a section of the African Trans-Saharan Highway route running through Enugu, Cross River, and Cameroon.

Aare Gani Adams to Obas: Give native religion equal attention you give other religions

AareOna-Kakanfo, Gani Adams

President Buhari

The invisible dream of Sujimoto

Property mogul, Sijibomi Ogundele, popularly known as Sujimoto, is one of the young chaps who has changed the face of property business in Nigeria. The acclaimed billionaire shot into the limelight when he -

tongues wagging at who the new kid on the block, with such big entrepreneurial dreams was.

He even gave this architectural project validation when he was seen taking photos with Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister and Vice President Sijibomi Ogundele of the United Arab Emirates and the Emir of Dubai.

He exploited these photos of himself with the Emir of Dubai, to his advantage, yet to see the architectural faced again, with a new projthat investors back home masterpiece, which would ect, this time it is not called were falling over one an- be a 3D building located in Bourdillon Ikoyi, Lagos.

According to reports, the to be located in Banana IsGrand design. proposed Lorenzo project land Ikoyi, Lagos.

The thinking then was, A close source divulged if the Emir of Dubai who was suspended by the Lahad single-handedly cre- gos State government, after that the self-proclaimed - several petitions were writ- property mogul is in hot wa- ter, as his investors for the United Arab Emirates into struction Company, over the the number one tourist lo- proposed gigantic building cation in the whole world by residents of the highbrow are unwilling to invest in his new project. was seen with Sujimoto, area.

As a result of his inability Only time will tell if this then what the young Nige- Osun State born, self-prorian had cooking must be claimed property merchant, massive. proclaimed billionaire and will deliver his new Banana Years after the photos with the Emir of Dubai and property mogul vanished Island project or will it rethe massive PR announc- from the public eye, as he is main as invincible like the rarely seen in social events. Lorenzo by Sujimoto projWell he has just resur- ect. to the world, investors are

The Aare Ona Kakanfo designate, Dr. Gani Adams has urged traditional rulers in the country to apply the same zeal they put into the promotion of other religions to the promotion of their native religion, positing that they are traditional rulers and not religious rulers.

The 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo gave the charge in his Lagos home yesterday, while playing host to a 40 member group of traditional rulers from Kwara State, with the tag, Ifedayo Royal Fathers, Kwara State South Senatorial District.

Warning against the danger of neglecting their primary responsibility of custodians of culture and tradition, Adams said “there are dare consequences for the neglect our native tradition “.

He said there is nothing wrong with an Oba practicing the religion of his choice, adding however that it should be done with moderation and balanced with the promotion of the traditional religion.

The Aare, who promised to do all within the limit of his mandate as the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land to ensure a good life for traditional rulers in Yoruba land, said the traditional rulers too have a role to play, just as he said that for the society at large to be good, the traditional rulers too must be alive to their spiritual responsibilities to their subjects.

Urging the traditional rulers to help themselves and their subjects by ensuring that the various deities in their domains are appeased and the relevant festivals celebrated, the Aare said “let us

identify the differences between religion and tradition.

“Let us do Christianity and Islam as well as our traditional religion moderately without allowing one to affect the other.

“You should celebrate the relevant festivals in your communities as this will pave the way for your progress and that of your town.

“Marking these festivals does not prevent you from playing your roles in your churches and mosques and even the traditional religion I am pleading with you to promote should be done with moderation”.

Soliciting the cooperation of the traditional rulers with the Alahun of Ahun land in Igbomina, Oba Afeere Idowu as the Secretary, Gani Adams said he will rely on their “guidance and counsel to have a productive reign as the Aare Ona Kakanfo”.

Speaking earlier, the traditional rulers said they have come to rejoice with Gani Adams over his recent proclamation as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo. now and now that you have become greater in stature than we envisaged, we thank God that we are all still alive to witness your promotion” the Secretary said on behalf of the team while each of the Obas took turns to pray for the Aare.

Some of the visiting Obas include Kabiyesi Alala of Ala in Ishin Local government, Olowa of Oke Owa and Arigbamu of Agbamu Land.

Goldberg felicitates with Akure indigenes at Oyemekun festival 2017 Oyemekun Festival a grand ceremony, Goldberg, the leading culture centric beer brand from the stables of Nigerian Breweries Plc, felicitated with the people of Akure during the annual festival held recently.

Over the ages, Oyemekun festival has provided an opportunity for all the indigenes of Akure, both at home and in the Diaspora, to come together and celebrate their rich cultural heritage.

According to Emmanuel Agu, Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Lager and Stout Brands, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Goldberg rides on its huge support for culture and tradition to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the Akure people. “Celebrating culture is a key attribute of Goldberg, and we are demonstrating this by identifying with Oyemekun Festival, which portrays the rich custom of the indigenes of Akure,” he said.

Earlier in the year, the Deji of Akure Kingdom, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, Odundun II, while commending the Nigerian Breweries team that

visited him on the occasion of his second anniversary on the throne. the monarch commended Goldberg for its support to traditional institutions of the Yoruba people and the culture and tradition of Akure.

“On my coronation, it was Goldberg that supon the throne, it was also Goldberg that came to felicitate with me and the people of Akure. Goldberg keeps supporting the people of Akure in all cultural activities,” he said.

The festival activities included Prayer service at Akure City Hall, Public Lecture, and Cultural Day, Jumat service at Akure Central Mosque, a football match and the Akure Carnival Day. It was rounded off with a thanksgiving service at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Redemption Court in Akure, where royal fathers such as the Osemawe of Ondo, the Ewi of Ado, Attah of Ayede Ekiti, Olukare of Ikare, Abodi of Ikale, and the Oloyin of Oyin-Akoko were in attendance.

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, November 18, 2017

Isaac Oguntoye

Babafemi Ojudu booed at AFRIMA Senator Babafemi Ojudu was called on stage to present an award at the just ended African Music Awards held in Lagos. When he mounted the stage, and he introduced himself as one the special advisers to President Muhammadu Buhari, he was booed and hissed at throughout his time on stage.

Babafemi Ojudu is a Nigerian journalist who was elected senator for the Ekiti Central constituency of Ekiti State, Nigeria, in the April 2011 general election. He ran on the Action Congress of Nigeria platform.

Sen. Babafemi

Quincy Herbals giant strides The big leap made by Quincy Herbals into the American market has indeed yielded great recognition for the cosmetics entrepreneur so much so that she gets invited to one of the biggest entertainment awards in the world, the Grammy and Oscar awards.

This Nigerian brand specialises in healthy living and natural beauty products brought to life by (Dr.) Mrs. Quincy Ayodele and it has been in existence for over two decades.

It has emerged as the only Nigerian brand to be

Society Circle L7

Renowned socialite, Lanre Shittu loses wife eading this piece, the entire family of Auto merchant and the Chairman of Lanre Shittu Motors, Alhaji Rasaq Olanrewaju Shittu, are not in good mood at the moment. The renowned socialite lost one of his wives, Alhaja Wura, in London on Monday, November 13, 2017 after a brief illness. According to information, the late Alhaja Wura was also an Auto dealer.

Lanre Shittu Motors is one

one dealer for Mack Trucks in Africa and the sole franchise for Mack in Nigeria. The company is the only dealer for Sany Heavy Duty Equipment and Yutong buses in Nigeria and also an accredited dealer of KIA, NISSAN, Jinbei buses, to name a few. Furthermore, ing supplier of genuine spare parts to automobile dealers.

Lanre Shittu

Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed, Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi honoured

2018 Grammy and Oscar Awards. given to award nominees and it contains several gift items, believed to be worth over a whooping sum of $100,000.This has been a regular part of the Grammy awards for years.

The natural cosmetics entrepreneur is indeed basking in the throes of this milestone in her business.

Furthermore, her company has been rebranded by her American trained daughters, Mrs. Tobi Trevor-Keeney, who is now the Managing Director of Quincy Herbals and Marital Ayodele-Abdul, the Executive Director of operations at the World Health Organisation (WHO) and an expert in Natural health.

Mrs. Quincy Ayodele will

Gov. Fatah Ahmed & Ooni, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi

Quincy

be giving out two of the biggest products on her shelve at the renowned event, the illuminating C-serum and the Detox tea.

The Quincy Herbals Skin Illuminating C-Serum is an anti-aging product that helps fade dark spots, patches and acne scars. It has 20% of the most potent, stable form of vitamin C with Hyaluronic acid.

The C-Serum will

to be given to all presenters and performers for the Grammys, scheduled for January 2018.

While the Detox Tea will be the only weight loss aid to be

all nominees for best Actor, best Actress and best Supporting categories at the Oscars scheduled for April 2018.

After thorough research into the achievements of Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, the 6th Executive Governor of the state and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, the duo were rewarded accordingly at the just concluded 9th edition of LEAD project annual lecture which took place at the prestigious Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Victoria Island, Lagos recently.

At the 9th edition of the award, Governor Ahmed received the LEAD Proj-

industries, companies and individuals that are making giant strides in their economic society.

According to the organisers, the award of excellence was bestowed on his Excellency for his high-performance cord of achievement which established him as an expert in strategic planning and resource optimisation. Meanwhile, Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi was honoured with Royal Icon of the year for his role in promoting Yoruba culture both home and abroad.

Olajumoke Omoniyi Oduwole, SSA to the president on industry, trade and investment, Nnamdi Ezeigbo, MD Slot telecommunication, Alhaji Garba Bello

award.

Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, was also awarded the LEAD Royal Icon of the Year. He was represented by Oba Adeyemi-Asaoya of Isoya-Ile. The Lead Africa Think Tank Awards, is an annual corporate event that rec- other top dignitaries were also honognises and rewards governments, oured for the achievement.

Living & Decor L8

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, November 18, 2017

Mutiat Alli

Care to have bigger, tighter, firmer butt naturally? Try this A big butt is sexy, feminine and a major turn-on.

the process is to identify your body type and work exercise routine that may not produce the best results for your particular body type.

your body type, another good indicator is where chips automatically equates to a softer stomach or jiggling thighs, chances are these problem areas

Ways to acquire that Butt: 1. Heel Raises: Heel raises are excellent for weights or resistance bands to maintain tension for better muscle growth in the gluts and hamstrings. *Begin on your hands and knees in a tabletop towards the ceiling, maintaining a 90-degree angle

*Inhale as you slowly bring the knee back down, Tip: For a more intense workout, do 1 to 2 minutes on one leg, then continue with another 1 to 2 minutes on the same leg, but this time extending is complete, switch legs.

2. Jump Squats: Jump squats are great for gaining strength and burning fat. *To start, slowly lower yourself into a squat making the safe-squat position. *Next, spring up into a straight jump and land in the continuously for 30 seconds.

3. Single Leg Bridges – which are great for your body and build sexy VS model legs. and one leg straight up in the air. *Exhale as you place your weight into the heel aiming to make your body straight from shoulder to and inhale as you slowly return to start position.

Repeat and inhale for 20 repetitions per leg, pulsing at the top for 10 seconds at the end of each set.

tears in the gluteal and surrounding muscle (aka your butt).

At this point our buttocks is in the repair cycle.

It desperately wants the right amount of calories, the right type of healthy foods, and the right healthy mixture of carbs/fat/proteins to ensure the most growth possible. Your body will let you the right type of foods.

Big Booty foods by macro-nutrient sources will need to eat more of to help make her butt bigger. I recommend you try and get a protein of protein per meal and also get a good protein shake to drink after your workouts and possibly in a meal or two.

Some healthy sources of good protein for a bigger butt includes: Eggs, skinless chicken (almonds, cashew), peanut butter, almond butter. breasts, salmon, Tuna, Tilapia, cottage, Vegetables: Vegetables contain tons of anti Legumes(kidney, chick peas), Extra extra lean oxidants, nutrients and other goodies that are essential for a growing body. You can typically eat as much of these as you want without fear: Broccoli,

going is the absolute quickest way to burning fat. rounded goodness.

Foods to eat to get a bigger Butt blasting exercises, your buttocks is now in a position to grow. At this point, there will be tiny microscopic

oats, weetabix, 100% whole grain bread, low sugar breakfast cereal.

Fat: Excess calories and bad foods make you fat, and more prone to getting fat. Healthy sources of good fats are essential and can help to actually

So remember simply start adding, replacing or mixing these healthy food sources into your current diet for making your butt bigger. Healthy foods like these are absolutely essential for laying down the materials to help your butt grow after our booty building exercises.