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Ï Says, ‘Don’t politicise national security’ Amaka Agbu, Port Harcourt

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ÏÏÏ Former Delta state governor,

Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has constituted a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate Continued on page 12

Continued on page 12

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2016 VOL. 2. NO. 261

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Patrick Okohue James Onanefe Ibori, who was convicted of money laundering charges by a British court on April 17, 2012, for 13 years, has been ordered released from Huntcombe

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Ï Reports weekly to London Police

ÏÏÏ The Rivers state governor,

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Ibori regains freedom

Re-run: Wike sets up judicial panel to probe killings

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Anti-graft war: FG okays

whistle blower initiative Ï Programme to encourage Nigerians report suspicious financial dealings without fear of repercussions Ï Report to be sent via secured online portal Ï Informants entitled to between 2.5% - 5% of recovered amount Ï Orders immediate resumption of work on second Niger bridge

Tony Ailemen Abuja

ÏÏÏ The

Federal Government on Wednesday approved the “Whistle-blower Initiative” aimed at encouraging Nigerians to report

suspicious financial dealings without fear of repercussions.

Also, the government approved the immediate resumption of work on the Continued on page 6

INEC’s partisanship, manipulations, cause of electoral violence –Fayose 6 15 years after, activists seek fresh probe into Ige’s murder 7

Fresh oil spill hits A’Ibom communities 12

Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Yakubu Mahmoud (3rd left) in a handshake with Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, during a courtesy visit on the IGP at the Nigeria Police Force headquarters in Abuja… on Wednesday.

Five die, several injured in Ife-Ibadan expressway auto crash ONE MILLION NIGERIANS FOR IDPs Our mission is to get one million caring Nigerians to donate N1,000 towards Nigeria’s humanitarian response plan for 2017. This fund will help reduce mortality, malnutrition and disease.

Together, we can improve the quality of life for internally displaced people in Nigeria.

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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, December 22, 2016

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, December 22, 2016

Page Three

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PHOTO TIMES

Editorial 2016, another horrible year for journalists

D

efinitely, 2016 will go down in history as one of the horrible years for journalism and its practitioners. The year would be remembered as one that journalists were killed in their numbers while carrying out their professional and legitimate duties. According to Reporters without Borders (RSF), 74 journalists and other media workers were killed worldwide in 2016, the majority –53– of whom died in targeted attacks. According to the organisation, Afghanistan, Yemen, Somalia, Syria, Mexico and Iraq were countries where media safety and freedom were particularly at risk in 2016. It, also, stated that 348 journalists are being detained worldwide, representing a rise of six per cent since 2015.

Even as many died in war zones, majority of journalists died in supposedly peaceful countries. These figures do not include the many who on a daily basis suffer from non-fatal attacks, including torture, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention, intimidation and harassment in both conflict and non-conflict situations.

The report noted that the high death toll is largely attributable to deliberate violence against journalists and demonstrates the failure of initiatives to protect media practitioners. More galling in this gory episode is the growing role of non-state groups, often jihadists such as the Islamic State group (ISIL) in perpetrating atrocities against journalists.

Caught between warring parties, journalists are liable to end up as collateral casualties, or even abducted by non-state actors like religious jihadists. Incidentally, non-state groups perpetrate targeted atrocities, while many governments do not comply with their obligations under international law.

We are indeed alarmed at the growing

number of journalists that are deliberately murdered for no other crime than being purveyors of information to a world wishing to know of events around them.

We are, therefore, calling on the United Nations Organisation (UNO) and the International Federation of Journalists to hold world governments and de facto authorities accountable for impunity and crimes against journalists. Murder is the highest form of these crimes but all attacks targeting journalists that remain unpunished must be denounced. There can be no press freedom where journalists work in fear, even as it is imperative for governments to promote a safe and enabling environment for journalists to perform their work independently and without undue interference. When attacks on journalists remain unpunished, a very negative message is sent that reporting the “embarrassing truth” or “unwanted opinions” would get ordinary people in trouble.

Journalists have given their lives to cover wars and terrorism around the globe. If they did not go, we would not know.

It bears repeating that the role of a journalist is to act as a mediator between the public and policymakers through recording and distilling information that are then passed for public consumption. The journalist assumes this role because the public is not in a position to deconstruct the growing and complex flurry of information produced in the modern world, and so needs an intermediary for such assignment.

Journalists around the world fight every day for the right to report the news without fear of reprisal. Too often, they pay the ultimate price. We therefore join all other freedom-loving peoples of the world to denounce the acts of impunity against journalists.

Editor, Daily Rose Moses Deputy General Manager State House/Northern Bureau Chief Tony Ailemen Special Projects Editor Sam Nzeh Business Times Editor Andrew Odioko

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L-R: Sen. Oluremi Tinubu; beneficiary, Pa. Adenekan Abass and Sole Administrator, Ikoyi-Obalende Local Council Development Area of Lagos, Mr. Felix Goke Olawale, during the 20th edition of Town Hall Meeting and 5th edition of Elderly Citizens Assistance Scheme organised

by Tinubu in Lagos… on Tuesday.

Words On Marble :

Publisher/Editor in Chief – Fidelis Anosike Group General Manager Olisa Egbunike 08034004224

Assistant Director, News, NTA, Cordelia Ukwuoma (right) in a handshake with representative of Rivers State Deputy Governor, Mr. Gilbert Nria, during the 2016 Christmas Carol and 9 Lessons organised by NTA Port Harcourt Network Centre… on Wednesday.

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Muhammad Ali

Kanayo O Kanayo

Nelson Mandela

“It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it’s the pebble in your shoe.”

“You don’t have to be great to start but you have to start to be great.”

“The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, December 22, 2016

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, December 22, 2016

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News 6

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Anti-graft war: FG okays whistle blower initiative Continued from page 1 Second Niger Bridge which it earlier suspended over the need to review the contract.

These were the highlights of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa Abuja on Wednesday.

Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, disclosed the approval of the “Whistle-blower Initiative” while briefing State House correspondents, shortly after the FEC meeting.

Adeosun, whose Ministry is behind the initiative, had presented a memo to the Federal Executive Council which considered and approved the programme.

She explained that the Whistleblower programme was designed to encourage anyone with information about a violation, misconduct or improper activity that impacts negatively on the Nigerian people and government to report it.

Adeosun described a Whistleblower as “any person who voluntarily discloses information in good faith about a possible misconduct or violation that has occurred, is on-going, or is about to occur.”

She assured that information received under the programme will be routed through a secure online portal where the information could be submitted while the status of such could also be checked.

“Type of information that can be submitted include mismanagement or misappropriation of public funds and assets (e.g. properties and vehicles), financial malpractice or fraud and collecting/soliciting bribes.

“Such information would include corruption, diversion of revenues, fraudulent and unap-

proved payments, splitting of contracts, procurement fraud (kickbacks and over-invoicing, etc),” she added.

The Finance minister however warned that information relating to personal matters concerning private contracts or agreements, among others will not be entertained under the poragramme.

Her words: “Any one with required information could send it through the dedicated portal and may not have to disclose his/her identity while providing information.”

She also assured that confidentiality would be maintained to the fullest extent within the limitations of the law, noting, “If you choose not to disclose your identity, there will be no record of who you are. If you choose to disclose your identity, it will be fully protected.”

The minister added: “If you are a whistle-blower in publicspirit and in good faith, you will be protected. If you feel that you have been treated badly because of your report, you can file a formal complaint. If you have suffered harassment, intimidation or victimization for sharing your concerns, restitution will be made for any loss suffered.”

Adeosun also said that investigations would be confidential, objective and speedy and where it is a criminal case, it will be referred to the relevant agencies; Police, Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) or Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

According to her, there will be sanctions for individuals or corporate bodies involved in diversion of public funds such as referral to anti-corruption agencies for possible prosecution, blacklisting from working with or doing business with the government.

She also disclosed that where there is a voluntary return of stolen or concealed public funds or assets on the account of the information provided, the whistle-blower may be entitled to anywhere between 2.5% (minimum) and 5.0% (maximum) of the total amount recovered.

“You must have provided the government with information it does not already have and could not otherwise obtain from any other publicly available source to the government,” she stated.

Speaking on protection from false or malicious claims, the Finance minister said a first level review would always be carried out to determine credibility and sufficiency of information re-

ceived.

“If you report false or misleading information, it will be referred to the enforcement agents for investigation and possible prosecution,” she added.

Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, who announced the approval for the immediate resumption of work on the second Niger Bridge, while also briefing State House correspondents, described the project as capable of offering strong relief to regular travelers on that route as the first Niger bridge had been a source of traffic problems, especially during end of year trips in the area.

“The second memo related to

the continuation of work on the second Niger Bridge which is the bridge that is meant to give relief to the existing Niger Bridge and improve connectivity between the West and the East.

“The project was conceived first as a PPP with government financing but the investors had not brought themselves, negotiations had not been concluded and it is important to continue to work there,” he said.

The second Niger Bridge which was started by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan links Anambra and Delta states and is to be executed under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) at an estimated to cost of N130 billion.

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INEC’s partisanship, manipulations, cause of electoral violence –Fayose

Gbenga Sodeinde, Ado Ekiti

ÏÏÏ Ekiti

State governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose, has faulted the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu on reasons for the renewed electoral violence in the country, saying; “Violence returned to our electoral process because of INEC partisanship and manipulation of the electoral process in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

He said “rather than lamenting, the INEC chairman should return the electoral commission to what he met by detaching it from the APC, which INEC has obviously merged with,” adding that; “if INEC is neutral as it used to be before APC took

power, there won’t be electoral violence.”

In a statement issued on Wednesday, by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose said; “There were elections in Nigeria between 2011 and 2015, and those elections were credible, such that Nigerians were sure that popular candidates and parties would emerge victorious because votes were allowed to count. Then, violence was no longer part of our electoral process. But sadly, this present INEC has destroyed all those gains and returned Nigeria to the era of ballot box snatching.”

He said it was shameful that after casting their votes, votes counted and announced public-

ly, Nigerians now need to police their votes to collation centres to prevent figures already entered into relevant INEC forms from being altered.

The governor, who counselled Professor Mahmood Yakubu to be mindful of his name and purge the electoral commission under him of partisanship and election manipulation, said; there was no way President Muhammadu Buhari would have been elected if INEC, under Prof Attahiru Jega was the way it is now.

He questioned the rationale behind the jettisoning of the system introduced by Prof Jega, in which accreditation of voters is done at the same time in all polling units from 8am to 1pm while voting will commence after the

number of accredited voters are known and counting of votes is done at the same time.

“By returning to the old system of accreditation and voting at the same time, and destroying the credibility of our electoral process, such that unpopular candidates are now having edge over and above those acceptable to the people, INEC by itself caused the electoral violence witnessed in the last 12 months.

“Even judges that will sit on election matters are now prearranged and picked even before the election, such that after using INEC and security agencies to pervert the will of the people, tribunals are used to authenticate the electoral fraud.

“The reality therefore is that only INEC can put an end to elec-

toral violence and the only way to do it is for the commission to be neutral,” he said.

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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, December 22, 2016

Salesman jailed 2 years for stealing N40m Oguntade Ismaila

ÎÎÎ

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday secured the conviction of one Friday David, before Justice Morenike Olasunmbo Obadina of the Lagos State High Court Igbosere on a one count charge bordering on stealing contrary to section 390(9) of the criminal code cap C 17, Vol. 11, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria.

Friday David was convicted by the court for stealing the sum of N40 million belonging to Universal Steel Limited.

“The prosecution has proved this case beyond reasonable doubt; defendant was dishonest in dealing with a customer and the company. I

find him guilty of stealing the sum of N40, 035, 350.00”, Justice Obadina said.

The convict was arraigned by the commission on April 16, 2008 on 50counts of stealing and fraudulent false accounting before Justice M.O. Obadina of the High Court of Lagos State, Igbosere.

The 87 count criminal charge was initially amended on April 23, 2009and further amended to a sole count of stealing on March 7, 2016.

Upon arraignment, Friday David pleaded “not guilty” to the charge preferred against him.

In order to prove the case against the convict, the prosecution called11 witnesses and tendered 38 exhibit (P1-P38).

7 News

25 years after, activists seek fresh probe into Ige’s murder Benjamin Omoike

ÎÎÎ

Fifteen years after the murder of the nation’s former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige; there has been a call by activists, social crusaders, politicians, lawyers and others for the Presidency to institute a fresh probe into the gruesome murder of the elder statesman.

This call was made on Tuesday, December 20 at the annual symposium organized by the Bola Ige Centre for Justice at the Osun Hall of Lagos Airport Hotel, Lagos where hundreds of

politicians, lawyers, activists gathered to honour the late ‘Cicero’ of Esa Oke. The lecture, titled: “Political killings and our Criminal Justice System in Nigeria: The Impediments,” set the agenda of the day with Lagos lawyer, Festus Keyamo, giving a vivid account of state’s complicity in the murder of the former Attorney General and called for a fresh probe into the matter as justice must be done at all cost.

Keyamo narrated the incident that transpired immediately after Ige’s murder and how Olugbenga Adebayo alias Fryo, opened up on how

the murder was planned, fingering Senator Iyiola Omisore, who was then the deputy governor of Osun State.

He said after two journalists brought Fryo to him, with all his confession documented, the police which had earlier declared him as wanted as the prime suspect, suddenly turned around to dispute his confession as the power that be covered up the story.

“The state is culpable in the murder of Bola Ige. Eight days earlier before he was assassinated, Bola Ige was assaulted publicly by Omisore at the Ooni’s palace. As

a result of that, a red flag should have gone up in the security sector to protect him. The government of the day should have known and protected him. How can you have a Minister of Justice assaulted outside and nothing was done about it?”

Keyamo expressed bitterness that he was accused by the police of tutoring Fryo on what to say when the evidence was there to show that he was saying the right thing.

He added that earlier before Ige was murdered, Omisore and the rest had celebrated his humiliation at the Ooni’s palace in a hotel in Osun.

PETAN to host West African international petroleum exhibition and conference Simon Ugwu

ÎÎÎ

The Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) has concluded plans to host the 2017 West African International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference.

The event is slated for 21-23 February 2017 at the Eko Convention Centre, Lagos and will promote Nigerian expertise and key projects throughout West Africa, whilst supporting the development of major new collaborations for the benefit of the region’s petroleum economy.

Bank Anthony Okoroafor, Chairman, PETAN explains; “(WAIPEC) 2017 represents a cross section of key senior business leaders and stakeholders from across Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and will promote Nigerian expertise and key projects

throughout West Africa, whilst supporting the development of major new collaborations for the benefit of the region’s petroleum economy.”

Those slated to feature in the vent are listed to include the Managing Director, FIRST Exploration & Petroleum Development Company Limited and Chairman, Nigerian Independent Oil Companies Ademola Adeyemi- Bero, the Chief Executive Officer, SEPLAT Petroleum Development Company Austin Ojunekwu Avuru, Chairman, Petroleum Technology Engineers Association of Nigeria (PETAN) Bank Anthony Okoroafor, the Managing Director, The Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) Bayo Ojulari and Petroleum Technology Engineers Association of Nigeria (PETAN) Emeka Ene,

Director, Compliance Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Engr. Bede Obayi and Senior Standards Engineer, Mr. Ajulo Dukson, jointly displaying seized container stocked with substandard bulbs in Lagos...on Wednesday. Photo: OLAWALE ROTIMI.

Court declares Elegushi owners of Itedo land Peter Fowoyo

ÎÎÎ

Twenty years after the Itedo community in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos state approached a Lagos High Court asking that the court declares they are entitled to a customary/statutory right of occupancy on the Itedo land, the court has dismissed their claim as a failed one.

Justice Abdullai Oyekan, declared that the Elegushi royal family is the original owners of the land in dispute edged pink in plan no. BAASS.096/LAG/97 dated January 6, 1998 which formed portion of their bigger land under native law and custom.

The Judge also declared that the challenge by the claimants and the individual occupants of the land edged black on plan no.

BAASS.096/LAG/97 dated January 6, 1998 amounts to challenge of

ownership of Elegushi royal family over the land and this amounts to forfeiture of their interest on the land under Yoruba native law and custom.

Specifically, the court ordered Elegushi royal family to take possession against the claimants and other individuals who are occupying the land as deriving title from the claimants or their predecessors of the area edged black on the plan no. BAASS/096/LAG/97 dated January 6, 1998 drawn by a licensed surveyor, Biodun Akinyemi.

Besides, the court granted a perpetual injunction restraining the claimants by themselves, their servants, agents and privies from committing further acts of trespassing on the land shown on plan no. LS/S/L/340 and particularly edged pink on plan no. BAASS/096/ LAG/97 dated January 6, 1998

drawn by a licensed surveyor Biodun Akinyemi.

A sum of N250,000 was also awarded as damages for trespass committed by the claimants on the 2nd, 4th-7th defendants/counter claimants.

On the claim of N5 million damages by the claimants, the court held that: “As admitted by the claimants’ witnesses, they were selling during the pendency of this suit and what they were selling was land. Furthermore, the defendants were served with the claimants originating processes. This act of sale and trespass could not be denied as a confirmation was equally made on the legal practitioner who also got a parcel and built on the land. I accordingly hold that a sale during the pendency of a cause, is an abuse of the order of court, especially when what as in this case, the 2 principal parties

knew of its existence. I refer to Justice Owobiyi’s ruling on the maintenance of status quo, which was not obeyed.

“Consequently, the claim on damages fails, because the claimants admitted not only to selling but also building. It is a well-known fact that whatever a litigant had done during lis pendens calculated to overreach his adversary would be undone or reversed by the court in its disciplinary jurisdiction.”

The claimants are: Most. Rev. Apostle Seblon Harrison Ikuegbowo, Emmanuel Ogunsade, Prince Jibowu Megba, Sanmi Jethro Harrison and Topia Oroale.

The defendants/counter claimants are: Attorney-General of Lagos state (1st def), Elegushi Property Investment Company Limited(2nd def), Bela Vista Property Development Company Limited(3rd def), Odofin of Ikate-

land, Chief Kehinde Elegushi(4th def), the Eletu of Ikateland, Chief Lamidi Elegushi(5th def), the Aro of Ikateland, Chief Karimu Bakare (6th def)and the Olisa of Ikateland, Chief Morufu Adisa Elegushi (7th def)for themselves and on behalf of Elegushi royal family.

Justice Abdullai Oyekan also declared that the irrevocable power of Attorney dated the 20th December, 1991 donated to the 3rd defendant by the 2nd defendant and registered as No 99 at page 99 in volume 1926 at Land Registry, Lagos is valid.

She declared that under and by virtue of the sale of the land to the 3rd defendant by the Elegushi royal family and the 2nd defendant (Elegushi Property Investment Company Limited) the 3rd defendant is the owner of land covered by irrevocable power of Attorney granted to it by the 2nd defendant

is the person entitled to exercise all the ownership rights, control, management, enjoyment, possession, occupation and superintendent of all the landed property marked as plot A, B, C and D measuring in aggregate 113,884 hectares situate, lying and being at Ikate, on the left hand of the Lagos-Epe express road in the Lekki Peninsular in the Eti-Osa Local Government area of Lagos state and more particularly described, delineated and marked red in the survey plan no LS/D/ LA/340 dated the 15th August 1991 and drawn by Biodun Akinyemi and Associates attached to the irrevocable Power of Attorney dated 20th December 1991 and registered as No 99 at page 99 in volume 1926 at Land Registry at Lagos of which the portions now being occupied and claimed by the claimants without the consent and permission of the 3rd defendant forms a part.

News 8

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, December 22, 2016

Group lauds Buhari for appointing Galumje as S’ Court Justice Okerafor Athanatius, Jalingo

ÎÎÎ

L-R: Head, Consumer Protection Council, Lagos Zone, Joshua Ngada; General Manager, Mass Market Segment, Dipo Jolaosho; winner, Oluwasegun Adesanya; Regional Operations Director, Lagos Region, Airtel Nigeria, Oladokun Oye and Zonal Coordinator, Nigerian Lottery Regulatory Commission, Fidelis Ajibogun, at the Airtel Red Hot promo prize presentation in Lagos… on Wednesday.

We’ll start Contributory Pension scheme in 2017 -Obaseki Titus Akhigbe, Benin

ÎÎÎ Governor Godwin Obaseki

of Edo state has that from January next year, the state government will commence the contributory pensions scheme for state workers to mitigate the challenges being faced by pensioners.

The governor made the disclosure during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) on Tuesday in Government house.

He assured the union leaders

that by the end of his tenure, the state government would have resolved all the teething problems about payment of pensions and gratuities of workers in the state.

According to him, “the issue of pension is one that we will dealt with. So, in this year’s budget, what I have said is, effective January 1, all of us will now move into the contributory pension arrangement.

“And we have made a provision in the budget for that monthly contribution. I think

the contribution monthly is 15 percent; 10 percent on behalf of government and five percent on behalf of you. And that money is being managed.”

Gov. Obaseki said government had already earmarked the sum of N6 billion for the pension scheme.

For the governor, “it is a plan we have and by the grace of God, by the end of my tenure, we would have addressed if not resolved the pension problems totally.”

The Governor also noted that

human element was being given attention by his administration.

“If you listened to my budget (presentation), I did emphasize that we want to pay more attention to the human element, the social issues in our society because in a recession like this, it’s the human beings that are mostly affected. ``So, we cannot ignore their plight. We want to build infrastructure, we want to do many things, but people must live first before they can use infrastructure.

Anioma Forum honours Odogwu, commends entrepreneurship, philanthropy Ladesope Ladelokun

ÎÎÎ The Anioma Professionals

Forum at the weekend honoured renowned industrialist and elder statesman, Chief Sunny Iwedike Odogwu, with the Lifetime Award as outstanding personality of the decade. The honour was bestowed on Odogwu for his pivotal role in promoting enterprenurship, philanthropy and nation building.

Speaking at the ceremony in Lagos, the Forum’s President, Ikem Nkenchor, said the organisation, which is made up of professionals of Anioma origin in Delta state, said Odogwu was chosen for the honour after a careful study of his unique achievements in industrialization, philanthropy and nation building.

Nkenchor further stressed that Odogwu’s over five decades

dominance in business, covering Insurance, hospitality ,manufacturing, Real estate and human capital sectors, has made him a world class industrialist of repute,adding that Odogwu is a pioneer and doyen of the Insurance industry in West Africa having started his career in the sector.

The association’s President, however, frowned at a recent advertisement in the Guardian of Monday , December 5, 2016 where a property of a company Odogwu has shares in ,Robert Dyson &Diket was put up for sale over a controversial debt that was still a subject of litigation in the Appeal Court, Lagos.

He, however, commended the counsel to Robert Dyson &Diket Limited , Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN) for promptly countering the advertisement on Friday, December 9,2016 in the Guardian that the said property at Ikoyi

, Lagos was not for sale, with a warning, Caveat Emptor(Buyer Beware) He disclosed that it was learnt that the parties in the suit, Robert Dyson & Diket Limited and Diamond Bank were already ending talks to resolve the issues and shame detractors.

Nkechor added: ”Let it be stated without doubts that Chief Odogwu is a man of integrity and honour who has over 50years built a reputation as a trusted and responsible businessman and has businesses spread across Asia, Europe, Africa ,America and assets abroad are valued at over one billion U.S dollars.

“More importantly, his business dealings are also guarded by best ethical practices. Moreover, Odogwu is building a five star hotel in his home town Asaba, Delta State, valued at about 160

million U.S dollars which will create jobs for the teeming unemployed youths when opened in April 2017.Moreover, at over 85 years Odogwu is still investing and helping people. In all these business ventures, Odogwu’s companies have continued to meet their financial obligations with honour and abhor debts of any form.”

He continued “In the area of philanthropy having initiated scholarship and health care schemes in the past three decades for indigent students and the sick where more than 5000 persons have benefitted from the schemes.”

Nkenchor said, instead of being envious of Odogwu who has contributed immensely to the economic development of Nigeria and beyond, people should learn from his unique entrepreneurship and enduring legacies.

A civil society group, Taraba Justice Initiative (TJI) has commended President Mohammadu Buhari for appointing Justice Paul Adamu Galumje as Justice of Supreme Court.

The group also lauded the Senate for finding Justice Galumje worthy with its confirmation of his appointment to the apex court despite the antics of some people to scuttle the appointment.

Addressing a Press conference in Jalingo yesterday, President of the group, Mr Emmanuel Auta said Galumje’s appointment is purely based on merit and well deserved.

Describing the attempt to stall the appointment as sinister, Auta wondered why some people would move against the elevation of Galumje who is renowned as a thorough professional and a man of integrity and has demonstrated exemplary leadership in his previous assignments.

It will be recalled that a group led by Mr John Tobi had written a petition against the confirmation of Galumje as Justice of the Supreme court over allegations that he bribed former acting governor of Taraba state, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Danladi to pave way for his preferred candidate as Chief of Kurmi where Galumje hails from.

Insisting that the allegation is baseless, Auta described Galumje as incorruptible and eminently competent to

discharge his duties as a Supreme Court Justice.

“Galumje is a man of impeccable character, integrity and track record of honesty, who is known for his firm stand on the paths of truth, justice and patriotism.

“His elevation is a plus for the judiciary, for the people of the state, the country and to humanity in general as his elevation to the apex court will help in consolidating the ongoing reform in the country’s judicial system” Lambasting the petitioners whom he described as rabble trousers, the group stated that rather than exhibit their dexterity in mischief and blackmail aimed at pulling Galumje down, they ought to have rolled out the drums to celebrate his elevation as every right thinking people would do in the circumstances.

“We wish to state unequivocally that these repressive group represent the minute retrogressive elements in Taraba state and should be discountenanced by all right thinking people. The public should disregard their action because the good people of Taraba are happy with the appointment of Justice Galumje.

“It is laughable that rather than recoil to their shell to lick their wounds after their failed attempt to foist on the people of Kurmi a man driven by self-delusion and blinded ambition as their traditional ruler, the group has resorted to cheap blackmail against Justice Paul Galumje,” the group said.

Atiku hails new Tor Tiv ÎÎÎ

Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, says the new traditional ruler of Tiv land, Professor James Ornguga Ayatse, is one of the most qualified traditional rulers of modern times, a unique quality, he says, will tremendously assist the new Tiv monarch in his duties.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, 21st December by his media office, the former Vice President explains that Professor Ayatse’s appointment as the paramount ruler of Tiv land is well deserved.

According to Atiku, who

is also the Zege Mule Tiv, the Benue State government and the people of the state have made great decision by the choice of a distinguished academic, scholar and an outstanding administrator as the new Tor Tiv. Having been a Vice Chancellor twice, Atiku notes that Professor Ayatse has more than enough experience and pedigree to steer the affairs of the Tiv people.

The former Vice President prays to God to grant the new Tor Tiv wisdom and guidance to lead his people to greater heights.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, December 22, 2016

Politics

9

s

Issues as Buhari orders probe of SGF, EFCC

Buhari

Idowu Samuel, Abuja It is not in doubt that a good number of Nigerians are averse to corruption and other tendencies leeching unto it and would prefer to fight the incubus to stand still to save their country. Nigerians had demonstrated capacity to incinerate the menace two years ago when they stopped the past government headed by former President Goodluck Jonathan adjudged as corrupt from renewing its tenure.

Decay of infrastructure, widening influence of terrorism, gangsterism, armed robbery, prostitution, pipeline vandalism, unbridled stealing from the Nigeria’s commonwealth, flaunting of ill-gotten wealth, forlorn hope on the future, mass unemployment, youths restiveness, dwindling international image and other limitless vices were evidence of corruption which combined and threatened to wreak Nigeria under the past government. But the need to revive hope on Nigeria prodded the electorate to invest trust in the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Since he came on board, President Buhari’s administration has made visible efforts to tackle the monster of corruption.

His government, using the TSA as a tool has been preventing the systemic stealing of government funds. The government had fought to prevent the culture of budget padding by legislators. It has fished out ghost workers, totalling 43,000 within the Federal Civil Service, saving Nigeria over N50 billion monthly. The government has taken several initiatives on

Babachir

saving the cost of governance to prevent waste. It has continued to make efforts to recover monies looted by officials of past governments, while using part of recovered loot to fund the budget.

Not too long ago, the government moved against top level judges alleged to have criminally offered justice to the highest bidders, at different times. Although the action by the government attracted initial public outcry, Nigerians understood better when the National Judicial Council (NJC) sacked some judges on alleged acts of corruption. It was a process aimed at sanitising and safeguarding the judiciary.

It was also to strengthen jurisprudence in Nigeria, now and in the future.

Notwithstanding, President Buhari has been fighting corruption with studied caution, using the law to guide every single step he takes.

Months ago, the Senate President Bukola Saraki ran into a high storm along with some principal officials who were allegedly accused of forging the Senate

Magu

Standing Order to smoothen the process of their election. Even at that, Saraki continued to have running battles with the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal on alleged false assets declaration. There were allegations also that some leaders of the Senate acquiesced in padding the 2016 Budget thereby preventing early passage.

In all, concerned Nigerians mounted pressure on the President to move in and break heads in the legislature.

Some watchers of the Nigerian politics had insisted that the Senate President vacate his seat in line with convention to allow the probe of allegations against him. The pressures notwithstanding, President Buhari stuck to the principle of Separation of Powers, preferring the law to take its natural course. The fact now is that the allegations against the legislators are still pending before the court of law and in the court of public opinion in Nigeria.

Ironically, the Senate which is barely overcoming its trauma on allegations of

In all civilised climes, presumption of innocence is a legal right of the accused in criminal trial. The Senate and critics are probably oblivious that under the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights, article 11, the burden of proof is on the prosecutor who needs to present compelling evidence to prove that the accused is guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

corruption levelled against its principal officials appears more interested in putting the executive arm of government in pillory. Many had opined that the sustained bashing of cabinet members with smears of corruption is aimed towards putting the President in a fix for political reasons.

To analysts, labelling the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal and the Czar of corruption in Nigeria, Ibrahim Magu as corrupt and good for immediate sack is an issue that calls for deeper reasoning.

The hues and cries over the allegations by the Senate against the SGF and the EFCC Chairman notwithstanding, President Buhari again reacted with stoic intervention, ordering the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami to institute a probe. The President as usual, set sentiment aside in taking the action which many in Nigeria have continued to applaud.

It is more instructive when the President, through his spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu said he would await the outcome of the investigations against the aides before taking action.

What the President seemed to have achieved by his order of probe was a prevention of media trial of Babachir and Magu amid perceived failure by the lawmaking arm to give them fair hearing before labelling them as corrupt.

In all civilised climes, presumption of innocence is a legal right of the accused in criminal trial. The Senate and critics CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, December 22, 2016

Why Ohaneze didn’t back IPOB/ MASSOB on Biafra -Eluemuno Elder (Dr) Chris Eloka Eluemuno (Nwajiugo in Nwkelle) is the President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Anambra State chapter. In this interview with ALPHONSUS NWEZE, the former President-General of Nkwelle Ezunaka town union speaks on the challenges facing the Apex social-cultural organisation, Ohaneze Ndigbo , the Biafra agitation and the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu. He also speaks on the Ohaneze election, Anambra State 2017 governorship election and his assessment of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

What is your assessment of Ohaeze Ndigbo under the leadership of Enwo Igariway?

Ohaneze in the last four years under Chief Gary Enwo Igariwey was under immense pressure to deliver without fund and without support from Igbo establishments. Igariwey worked under a very difficult environment, almost moving with bare hands. I must say this. It was like a battle trying to get money from the governors. All efforts made to get the governors to agree to sponsor the annual Igbo day celebration failed. It was the Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano who bailed us out two years ago with N25Million which we used to celebrate the Igbo day in Awka. The Igbo day is very important to Ndigbo and Ohaneze doesn’t joke with it, but unfortunately it has not been easy to get the sponsors of Igbo day so that we can celebrate it the way we want. Lack of fund is a major challenge to Ohaneze as far as Igbo leadership is concerned.

So like I said, it was difficult for Igariwey in the last four years because of lack of financial support from the Igbo population. However, just last year the governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha started giving us a monthly stipend to run the affairs of Ohaneze. Igariwey was able to secure help from Governor Okorocha and right now Okorocha is building World headquarter of Ohanaeze in Enugu. It is a massive edifice which is going to serve as the world wide secretariat of Ohaneze Ndigbo to the credit of Igariwey’s administration. You know over the years Ohaneze has operated without a befitting secretariat. It is one of the major achievements of Igariwey’s administration to get Governor Okorocha to start giving Ohaneze a monthly stipend and building the world secretariat.

The monthly stipend and the world headquarters will definitely give the incoming Ohaneze executive a soft landing to smoothly continue where Igariwey stopped.

Generally, would you say that Ohaneze has lived up to expectations of Ndigbo?

Yes, Ohaneze has been able to unite Ndigbo at home and in the Diaspora and that is a very interesting achievement. Uniting Ndigbo outside Igbo land is another tough challenge to Ohaneze, but Igariwey succeeded in achieving it. Under Igariwey’s administration, there was no crisis among the Igbo people both at home and in Diaspora. About two years ago, the IPOB came up with a serious agitation for Biafra and at that point we didn’t want to support that kind of situation.

That also was a big challenge. By then IPOB and MASSOB see Ohanaeze as their enemy, but we are not against IPOB and MASSOB. What Ohaneze is saying is that they should follow the constitution in what they are looking for, because we do not want our youths to be killed massively in that manner. I believe IPOB and MASSOB now know that Ohaneze is not against them. So Ohaneze has been able to address all the issues about Ndigbo both here and outside the country and there is peace and tranquility in Igbo land to the credit of Ohaneze as the apex socio-cultural Igbo organisation.

Eluemuno

This issue of Ohaneze lacking fund is embarrassing to Ndigbo and that is unacceptable because as far as we know there are political leaders and enough rich men in Igbo land who can always finance Ohanaeze. Why shouldn’t Ndigbo with deep pockets give Ohaneze financial support?

The truth is that Ndigbo are reluctant to invest in their own land, in the affairs of their father land. It is a serious challenge to Igbo leadership and we hope to overcome it, like you rightly said we have rich men who have huge investments all over the places, but they are not interested in coming home to know what is happening at home. We have rich Igbo men with massive investment all over the world, but they are not interested in coming home to invest. We have made several appeals to no avail. The other day, I was watching the

programme of Eze Ndigbo Togo on television and if you see how he dressed and the large people around him you will think that he is the president of a country. I don’t know the traditional ruler in Igbo land that I should compare him with. He is the leader of Igbo in the entire country of Togo and people all over the place gathered for him.

We have many of them like that in different parts of the world and most of them are yet to build a bungalow in their villages inspite of their rich investments abroad. If you ask them to come home they won’t listen to you.

And it is a serious challenge to us as a people.

What we see here in Igbo land is quite different from what is happening out there in the North and in the South West. The Northern governors and the rich ones there support Arewa with a lot of money. Somebody like Dangote can write a cheque of a hundred million Nai-

About two years ago, the IPOB came up with a serious agitation for Biafra and at that point we didn’t want to support that kind of situation. That also was a big challenge.

By then IPOB and MASSOB see Ohanaeze as their enemy, but we are not against IPOB and MASSOB. What Ohaneze is saying is that they should follow the constitution in what they are looking for, because we do not want our youths to be killed massively in that manner. I believe IPOB and MASSOB now know that Ohaneze is not against them.

ra to Arewa and nobody would hear about it.

The same kind of thing happens in the South West. The Afenifere receives enough financial support from the Yoruba people, but here nobody remembers Ohaneze. I can tell you that we have more than 500 Ndigbo who can give Ohnaeze a million Naira every month and they won’t feel it. So the point is that the people are reluctant in bringing their investment back and showing interest in the affairs of their people at home and Ohaneze cannot go out to beg for money. No we cannot do that.

The case of Nnamdi Kanu has continued to linger. The other day the trial judge granted the Federal Government’s request for secret trial, what is Ohaneze saying about the continued detention and trial of Kanu?

I think there is a cabal in the Presidency that doesn’t want the incarcerated leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu to be released from detention. I am convinced that President Buhari would have released Kanu by now if not for the cabal, because Ohaneze had met with the President and appealed to him to release Kanu to us which he agreed, but since then the leader of IPOB was yet to be released.

There was a committee which I was a member including some people from the North and we had several meetings for a long time after which we met with the President who agreed to release Kanu. We were sure that Kanu was to be released given the promises, but we in Ohaneze were shocked that up till now he has not been set free. However we are optimistic that Kanu would be eventually released, but I will not talk much on the matter since it is still in court. Like I said we are happy to have overcome the initial problem we had with the members of IPOB, who saw Ohaneze as enemy.

Ohaneze’s election is coming up in January 2017, what is your take on the election?

We expect a hitch free election and a smooth transition from Igariwey’s administration to a newly elected executive. In our tradition of zoning, we have zoned the office of the president general to Enugu, zoned the deputy president general to Imo and the Secretary General to River State. These are the key positions we normally rotate among the seven states that make up the Ohaneze as a body. We are ready for the election and hopefully by January next year we should have a new executive of Ohaneze.

The 2017 governorship election in Anambra State has began to gather interest. How would you preview the election?

My preview of the election is that the people of Anambra North Senatorial zone have to do eight years to complete their own second term, Central and the South Senatorial zones have taken their fair share of the office, so anybody from Anambra Central or South Senatorial zone eyeing the governorship in 2017 should just forget it. Whether it is the present governor, Obiano or any other person, let the person come from Anambra North. But Obiano has not faired badly and we have to support CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, December 22, 2016

11 Politics

Lagos lawmaker commends Ambode on ‘Lake Rice’ initiative The Chairman, House Committee on Health Services of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Segun Olulade has said that the Lake Rice initiative by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has shown that he (Ambode) is committed to food security in the state.

Hon. Olulade who stated this in a statement issued on Wednesday, also commended the governor for coming up with such initiative and making the rice available and affordable

for every Lagosian.

The lawmaker, who is representing Epe Constituency II in the House of Assembly, noted that this gesture by Ambode will afford every Lagosian the opportunity to have a memorable and joyous Christmas with the slash in the price.

“It was in the news yesterday that the Federal Operations Unit, Ikeja, of the Nigeria Customs Service intercepted 102 bags of plastic rice branded ‘Beat Tomato Rice’ with no date

of manufacture.

“This is becoming worrisome in the sense that some people somewhere are planning to make quick and dirty money. I don’t understand why human beings will decide to be callous to the extent of wanting to kill other people by giving them poison. It is just man’s inhumanity to man.

“With this Lake Rice in place and at N12,000 for 50kg bag, and N6,000 for 25kg bag, Lagosians can choose the one that

will be suitable and affordable for them. Lagosians should be cautious and vigilant so as not to fall victim of the plastic rice, which has already flooded the market.

“Lake Rice will be available in every local government across the state, so Lagosians must take advantage of this opportunity and I am sure we will all have a joyous Christmas,” Olulade said in the statement.

The lawmaker also used the opportunity to wish Nigerians

in general and Lagosians in particular a blissful Christmas celebration, praying that “God that has kept us to witness this Year’s Christmas celebration will provide for all our needs.

“The economic situation in the country may seem unpalatable but I believe that as we move gradually into Year 2017, this country will witness a turn-around. I wish every Nigerian a Merry Christmas and a prosperous and joyous New Year,” the statement added.

Why Ohaneze didn’t back IPOB/ MASSOB on Biafra CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd left), his Kebbi State counterpart, Governor Atiku Bagudu (2nd right) with a 10kg ‘Lake Rice’ during the official launch at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja, on Wednesday. With them are Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Oluranti Adebule (left) and Chief of Protocol , Kebbi State, Mr. Umaru Shehu Baiti.

him. He has not even finished his first tenure so it is too early to judge him as a failure. We have to consider the situation of the economy of the country before we start judging Obiano’s performance. How much is coming to Anambra State from the federal allocation under Obiano? How much did his predecessors receive from federal allocation?

These are what we should put into consideration before running campaign against Obiano. We have to juxtapose what he receives with his performance and to be fair to him he has not done badly. He was able to address the issue of security, he is developing the agricultural sector impressively, paying workers their salary and now he has started road construction in all parts of the state inspite of the fact that the monthly allocation has reduced drastically in recent years.

What is your assessment of Buhari’s administration?

I have always said that Buhari is a trained soldier not a trained leader.

Military training is quite different from going to the university. In military you focus on war strategies, but in the university you pass through the basic knowledge of things. In your first year in the university you

have to study all the courses to enable you stand the test of time. Then from the second year you now focus on your choice course, in military it is not so. So, Buhari cannot give what he doesn’t have. Secondly, Buhari in my observation should be careful with the people around him, because they don’t seem to be helping him in giving him good advice.

He should investigate the people he listens to day in and out to know whether they are telling him the right thing or the wrong thing. He should investigate what they are telling him about the economy, what they are telling him about the South East and other parts of the country, what they are telling him about other politicians and political parties, what they are telling him about the future, about 2019 and all that. He has to be told the truth and the right thing at all times, because that will help him address the challenges of his administration for the good of the people. He should learn from John Mahama, the Ghanaian President who was defeated in election by the opposition party. Mahama apologised to Ghanaians for his mistakes admitting that he made mistakes because people around whom that he trusted failed to tell him the truth.

Issues as Buhari orders probe of SGF, EFCC Chairman CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

are probably oblivious that under the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights, article 11, the burden of proof is on the prosecutor who needs to present compelling evidence to prove that the accused is guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

However, precedence in advanced democracies had proved President Buhari right on his resolve to assign the Attorney General with the task of probing the SGF and the EFCC Chairman.

Years back, the government of

the United States had drafted its Attorney General, Janet Reno to probe wide ranging allegation of abuses against a then sitting President, Bill Clinton, more so at a time the illicit affair he allegedly had with then White House Intern, Monica Lewinsky blew into the open. Although Clinton survived the storm, but the US judicial system remained untainted after profiling the alleged infamy against then President, while the nuances of his trial remains in the public domain till date.

Similarly in Israel, the Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit

undertook the task of probing allegations against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, standing up to the storm generated by the media on account of denial

by Netanyahu of any wrongdoing. The Attorney General succeeded in probing suspicion of money laundering involving the Prime Minister and an unnamed senior Justice Ministry official, among others.

However, President Buhari had taken his action away from the realm of conjecture by refraining from drafting both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the

Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to handle the probe of the SGF and Magu.

That, in any case, is to cut off possible sympathy for the accused by the agencies.

In all, the unspoken motive

by President Buhari on probing his aides is to ascertain whether or not the allegations preferred against them had political undertone with tinge of vendetta and primordial sentiments. For now, all - protagonists and antagonists - should tarry and await the outcome of the probe by the Attorney General.

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News 12

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, December 22, 2016

Re-run: Wike sets up judicial panel to probe killings Continued from page 1 the killings and other violent acts that occurred during the just concluded December 10 legislative rerun elections in the state.

This was made known in a special government announcement Wednesday, signed by the Secretary to the state government, Hon. Kenneth Kobani.

Governor Nyesom Wike has also flayed what he called the unwholesome practice of playing politics with national security, saying that this portends danger for the country.

Speaking while playing host to the management of Sun Publishingcompany that visited him at the Government House Port Harcourt on Wednesday, the governor decried a situation where criminals were treated differently depending on their political inclinations.

He told his guests that the suspect who beheaded the deputy superintendent of Police (DSP) in One local government area during the Rivers re-run elections was arrested on election day alongside his colleagues and their suspected sponsor, the former Rivers State Commissioner of Power, but an order from above led to their release. He said that it was after the illegal release that the suspects committed the heinous crime.

The constitution of the commission is coming one week after the police headquarters in Abuja set up a panel to investigate an audio recording made public by Sahara Reporters claiming that the voice in it, threatening to kill electoral officers who did not rig the rerun election in favour of the PDP, was Wike’s. It is also to probe the killings, violence, and other

election matters that did not conform to the electoral laws of the country.

Governor Wike also rejected the police probe because, according to him, it ran against the law of natural justice for the police to investigate a matter in which the Rivers State government has accused them of perpetrating acts of murder and injustice on Rivers people.

According to the announcement by the Rivers state government, the Judicial Commission of Inquiry has Justice Chinwendu Nwogu as Chairman. The members include: Mrs. Grace Akpughunum-Okwulehie, Prof O.V.C. Okene, Sir Anthony Uzoma Ozurumba, Rev. Canon Hossanna Nnaewi, Alphonso Sibi Esq. (Chief State Counsel as Secretary) and C. B. Ekeh Esq (Principal State Counsel, Legal Counsel).

The announcement read: “In

exercise of the powers conferred upon him by Section 2 (1) of the Commissions of Inquiry Law of Rivers State (CAP 30) of Rivers State of Nigeria 1999 and all other powers enabling him in that behalf, the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, hereby constitutes and appoints a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate the killings and other violent acts/ matters that occurred during the December 10, 2016 rerun/supplementary elections to elect members of the National Assembly and House of Assembly in Rivers state.”

The Judicial Commission of Inquiry which would be inaugurated on Thursday at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House, Port Harcourt, would be expected to hold a public hearing at a date to be announced later.

Fresh oil spill hits A’ Ibom communities Opeoluwani Akintayo

ÏÏÏ ExxonMobil could be in for another trouble as fresh oil spill from its facility, has reportedly hit more than 10 communities on the Ibeno shoreline in Akwa Ibom.

According to a youth leader in the community, Godwin Robert, secretary of Ulok Ulok People’s Assembly, the spill was the sixth this year.

He said the cause of the spill was due to the recent Edoho pipeline repairs destroyed by the Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, earlier in the year.

He disclosed that the oil spill was traced to ExxonMobil installations located at Okposo, Atia, Western end and Eastern end of Ibeno communities.

Harry Moses, President of the group said the communities discovered the oil spill on December13, 2016.

The report came few days after sources informed of ExxonMobil’s resumption of production and export of crude grade, Qua Iboe.

Qua Iboe Terminal (QIT), is being operated by ExxonMobil, and information says it now produces an “excess of 150,000 barrels of oil per day”.

The terminal had been under force majeure since July 15 2016 after the pipeline was struck by NDA who also claimed to have bombed the company’s 48-inch Qua Iboe crude oil export pipeline on July 11.

ExxonMobil exports over 400,000 BOPD through the Qua Iboe.

After the pipeline bombing, NDA had posted a statement on its website, warning the company not to carry out repairs.

L-R: Secretary to Ogun State Government, Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa; Head of Service, Ogun State, Elder Sola Adeyemi; Senior Special Assistant (Media) to Ogun State Governor, Mr. Adejuwon Soyinka and the Ogun State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Otunba Dayo Adeneye, during a press briefing announcing the payment of severance allowance of workers in Ogun State, on Wednesday.

Ibori regains freedom, reports weekly to London Police

Continued from page 11

Prison following a last-minute failure by the UK Homeland Office to keep him in prison longer through a court application.

Ibori, who was a two-term governor of the state between 1999 and 2007, will however, be confined to a flat on Abbey Road, St. John’s Wood area in London, pending a confiscation hearing scheduled for January. In the meantime, he will visit a police station in Croydon weekly, according to Sahara Reporters and THEWILL, both online news media.

His release, according to the report was ordered on Wednesday

by Justice May of the Royal Court of Justice Court 1 in London, who

ruled that Ibori is released after he completed his jail term over money laundry charges.

Though there is no official statement from the Delta State government on the release, an aide of the governor who would not want to be named said he was still awaiting instruction from Asaba on a possible government statement.

The UK government is pushing for confiscation proceedings on Ibori’s illegally acquired properties.

It would be recalled that in 2012, the former governor admitted to 10 counts of conspiracy to defraud and money laundering, and was sent to prison for 13 years by the Southwark Crown Court for fraud totaling about $77m.

Fleeing from the police in Ni-

geria, he had been captured in Dubai in 2010 and extradited to the UK, where he was prosecuted by the Metropolitan Police.

Several possessions are involved in the confiscation hearings he faces. They include mansions in Dorset, north London, and Sandton, near Johannesburg, as well as assorted luxury cars.

Reacting to the release, the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya, commended Ibori for advancing the cause of Nigeria and giving Delta state his best.

Igbuya in a statement in Asaba, the Delta State capital described the former governor as a rallying point and a source of great pride and strength to Nigerians.

Five die, several injured in IfeIbadan expressway auto crash Sodiq Adekunle Osogbo

ÏÏÏ Barely four days to Christ-

mas, no fewer than five passengers lost their lives on the IfeIbadan expressway.

In the accident which occurred around 7am on Tuesday, many people sustained varying degrees of injuries.

It was gathered that the accident happened when a truck hit a bus at Akinlalu junction, Osun State.

The bus which was hit, eyewitnesses said, later collided with two other buses.

The vehicles involved were Toyota Previa car with plate identification as Osun, FDY 53XA; Futon Truck, Lagos, EPE 852 XQ; and Nissan truck, Lagos, KSF 530 XQ. It was gathered that the Nissan truck had wood planks on it, while the number of the trailer that crushed the Previa car was blocked.

It was also learnt that three of the survivors in the accident were immediately rushed to the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife. When contacted, the Ife Unit Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Alhassan Abu, confirmed that five people lost their lives.

He said that several others sustained various degrees of injuries.

He said: “Those that sustained serious injuries have been carried to OAUTHC receiving medical treatment. The body of the deceased were being deposited at hospital mortuary.”

A FRSC official at the scene of the accident, Aderibigbe Odogiyan, said the auto crash was as a result of the bad road.

Odogiyan, who is the Head of Operation, Ife FRSC, said: “The lack of good roads led the drivers to pass one way. What happened was that the dew that covered up the cloud did not allow the drivers to see clearly and instead for them to emphasise patience, they did not.

“We have been warning drivers severally against passing one way on express ways, but they won’t listen to advice, for majority of them drive recklessly.”

He subsequently urged road users to desist from speeding, wrong overtaking, overloading, and driving when drunk.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, December 22, 2016

13

14 Opinion

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, December 22, 2016

Who is a patriotic Nigerian?

I

Jideofor Adibe

n garden talks and beer parlour political conversations, one often hears one side charging the other: “Please let’s put sentiments aside and be patriotic here”. Such admonitions are common when Nigerians of different political, ethnic and religious persuasions engage in political conversations. Over time, I have come to believe that the concept of ‘patriotism’ is not neutral in such conversations but often a veneer used by the contending groups to gain mileage during arguments.

In this reflection therefore, I will interrogate the notion of ‘patriotic Nigerian’, and how the identity of the ‘patriotic Nigerian’ interfaces with other identities, that such a Nigerian bears. Patriotism is defined as an emotional attachment to a nation, which an individual recognises as his/her homeland. Patriotism is sometimes called ‘national feeling’ or ‘national pride’. The core features of patriotism include special affection for one’s own nation (country); a sense of personal identification with the nation, special concern for the well being of the nation and willingness to sacrifice to promote the nation’s good.

Though used interchangeably, there are differences between ‘nation’, ‘state’ and ‘country’. While ‘country’ and ‘state’ are synonymous terms that apply to self-governing political entities, a ‘nation’ however is usually used to refer to a group of people who feel that they are one or ought to be one.

As an ‘imagined community’, it is easier to evoke a sense of patriotism among citizens where the nation-building process is advanced (‘proper nations’) than in societies where country is seen as a mere geographical expression. The problem with these defining features of patriotism is that they are relative.

For instance, if one is constantly critical of a government’s policy, does that make one less patriotic than say a political partisan does?

If an unemployed Nigerian decides to vote with his feet in search of the proverbial Golden Fleece, does it make that person less patriotic than others who remained behind?

A common tendency among some ‘patriotism’ advocates is to mistake patriotism for groupthink. Groupthink is a term coined by the American social psychologist Irving Janis in 1972. He explained the concept as “the mode of thinking that persons engage in when concurrenceseeking becomes so dominant in a cohesive in-group that it tends to override realistic appraisal of alternative courses of action.” In groupthink, loyalty to the group requires individuals to avoid raising controversial or non-conforming issues and ideas. The idea that groupthink must never be mistaken for patriotism goaded Stephen Nathanson, professor emeritus at Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, to write: “While patriotism is often lauded as an unquestionable value,

the status of patriotism is a problem for many thoughtful people. It is particularly troublesome for people who care about the common good but are alienated by the all too frequent use of patriotism and patriotic symbols to stifle debate, tarnish the images of rival candidates or arouse popular support for aggressive military policies.”

The use of ‘patriotism’ to stifle debate or blackmail people into joining the bandwagon in servicing narrow interests they do not agree with is perhaps what Samuel Johnson, the English poet and essayist had in mind when he called patriotism “the last refuge of the scoundrel”. The unfortunate thing is that as the Nigerian state becomes more polarised, it concomitantly generates more groupthinks that support and feed the various polarities that widen the social distance among Nigerians. For instance shortly after the election of Buhari as President, those who supported his emergence tended to see those who did not as the ‘out-group’, whose moral, political and social values were defeated in the election. In the same vein, those who did not support Buhari’s candidacy, their own groupthink, manifested in counter stereotyping, also hardened. They became labelled the ‘Wailing Wailers’. Groupthink is usually contrasted with the ‘marketplace of ideas’, which is often used as a justification for freedom of expression based on an analogy to the economic concept of a free market. A key idea is that the truth will emerge from the competition of ideas in free and transparent public discourse. Another problem in delineating a ‘patriotic Nigerian’ is that in a multi-ethnic society like Nigeria, ‘national feeling’, does not automatically translate into ‘Nigerian feeling’. Here, we get into the

tension between ‘nation’ and ‘nationality’.

A ‘nationality’ could be defined as a ‘stateless nation’. A nation or nation-state often has different nationalities within its range. For instance the Tamils, the Punjabis and the Bengalis are different nationalities constituting the Indian nation just as the Yoruba, the Igbo, the Hausa/ Fulani, the Ijaw, Idoma etc. are nationalities within the Nigerian state. In countries where the basis of nationhood remains contested, nationalities often compete with the nation-state. The fact that one is a proud Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa/Fulani, Ijaw or Idoma however does not necessarily mean that the person is less patriotic than others who do not flaunt their pride in their ethnic homeland. The decisive issue is the manner in which this pride is portrayed. Quite often, which of these identities one privileges or prioritises will depend on which one the person feels is most under threat.

For instance, outside Nigeria, one’s identity as a Black person or Nigerian may be the dominant identity.

However, the same Nigerian can return home to become an ethnic champion. In fact, the same person can move from being an ethnic champion to a champion of his senatorial district or even village during inter-communal feuds. It does not mean that such a person is a hypocrite. In essence, a soldier that fought in defence of the territorial integrity of the country can also be a morbid ethnic irredentist. In the same vein, that one fought or was on the federal side during the Nigeria-Biafra war does not necessarily make that person more patriotic in contemporary discourses. Patriotism, like identity, is not ossified in time and space. It is dynamic. One of the funny ways in which some

Nigerians try to lay greater claim to the Nigerian state or discourses it is to portray them as ‘de-tribalised’.

Technically the word ‘de-tribalised’ is used to describe an ethnic or cultural group that has lost its characteristic customs and cultures either by adopting a different custom or through ‘cultural cleansing’.

In Nigeria-speak, we use it to refer to people that have supposedly suppressed or ‘killed off’ the ethnic/ cultural part of their identity. I am not sure this is possible. Obviously in discourses, there are people who strive for ‘objectivity’. I am not sure of neutrality because, behind every neutrality lies a hidden choice. An important question raised by the above reflection is whether separatists could be called ‘unpatriotic Nigerians’. I am not sure because patriotism is not just about one’s love for particular geographical expression (country); it is also about one’s location in the contending arguments. Separatist groups are largely individuals and groups who feel alienated from the Nigerian state and therefore choose to delink from it. Individuals and groups have different reasons for feeling alienated. And mind you every part of the country have at one time or the other felt alienatedand marginalised, hence you have– Boko Haram, Biafran agitators, advocates of sovereign national conference, resource control champions, those who talk of the North as if it were a separate country, Igbo supremacists and Oduduwa irredentists. The point is to show the difficulty in trying to delineate a ‘patriotic Nigerian’ in a polarised country like ours.

Another point is to raise an alert about the tendency by some patriotism advocates to use the word as a tool of blackmail to chill free speech and choke contrarian narratives.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, December 22, 2016

15 Opinion

Magu affair and the crumbling of Presidential authority

T

Jibrin Ibrahim

he action of the Department of State Security of going to the Senate to challenge the nomination of Ibrahim Magu as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is the clearest signifier of the crumbling of President’s Buhari’s authority. The DSS has the competence to advice on the suitability of candidates for appointment through background checks that show whether or not the said candidates have skeletons in their closets. That process occurs before the names of the persons are submitted for confirmation. For the DSS to go to a third party, the Senate, and argue that the person whose name has been submitted by the president is not suitable for appointment is a direct challenge to the authority of the president. Of course, the DSS can find information at anytime that would in their assessment make a person ineligible for appointment. When the name of the person has already been sent to the Senate for approval, the correct protocol is to forward such information to the president who could then decide to withdraw the

nomination if he makes the determination that, based on the facts presented.

Presidential authority is about the power, or rather, the competence to make decisions, give directives and enforce compliance.

When a president gives directives and state institutions take action to nullify the directive, the implication is that they feel no compulsion to obey the president. I believe that the Senate was right to make the decision not to confirm Magu because a security agency directly under the president’s authority has questioned the suitability of the nomination. This is not to say that they might not have ulterior motives for using the information provided by the DSS. The point, however, is that when there is disarray in the exercise of presidential powers, they have a responsibility to pause and question the process.

What is interesting about the Magu affair is the content of the evidence in the security report, which was immediately leaked to the public. The first allegation was that Mr. Magu lives in a residence fraudulently rented for N40 million at N20 million per annum.

This is surprising, as it is known that when people are given political appointments that are considered to require secure accommodation, it is the responsibility of

the Federal Capital Development Administration to provide such accommodation. It is therefore strange to accuse the resident of such accommodation for rents that had been paid by another government agency. A second allegation was that he flew on a first-class ticket to Saudi Arabia on Emirate Airlines to perform the lesser hajj.

The allegation is that the cost of the ticket was N2.9m. What is surprising, however, is that there was no information whether it was a private or official visit.

The most surprising allegations related to the difficult time Mr. Magu had following the removal of Nuhu Ribadu and the appointment of Farida Waziri as EFCC chairperson. The received wisdom was that Magu become a victim of political intrigues by politically exposed individuals that wanted to destroy the commitment of EFCC to prosecuting corrupt politicians. It was precisely because the assessment that Mr. Magu was sent out because he was doing his job well that might have convinced the president to appoint him as Chairman. Once again, the message here is that the authority of the president to make the decision to appoint Magu is what his subordinates are questioning.

The legitimacy of President Mohammadu Buhari is based on the belief that he is deeply commit-

ted to the war against corruption.

He searched for and appointed Mr. Magu because he believes the choice will advance the struggle against corruption. The Senate has just revealed explosive information that indicts the Secretary to the Government of engaging in corrupt acts. The information is very damaging to the president because the alleged corruption involves money meant to help the starving population seeking to recover from the devastation of Boko Haram insurgency.

There have also been allegations against the Chief of Staff to the President that no one has responded to. The message to is that those around the president are engaged in corruption and would not allow anyone to expose their acts. This is the fastest route to the dismantling of President Buhari war against corruption.

If the president allows himself to lose his legitimacy, he cannot exercise his authority. The president appointed Magu to the EFCC in November 2015 and thirteen months later, he cannot get the appointment confirmed. Where is his authority?

Finally, there is growing evidence of intense inter-agency rivalry and conflicts within the security sector. When they appear to work at cross-purposes, our security suffers.

My encounter with Mr Effiong

T

Ikechukwu Muo

he first full week of October (3-7) was marked as the global customer week. While my area of academic research interest is change management, I have always had an enchanting consulting and facilitating interest in customer service, satisfaction and retention.

Indeed, 20 years ago, I had concluded plans to launch a customer service NGO but that is one of those ideas that ended as dreams. Because of this deep interest, I pay particular attention to how I am treated at any moment, commending when wowed and condemning whenever I received sour-grapes( Ezekiel, 18:2). That was what happened when I encountered Road marshal Gyang at Ogere, along Lagos Ibadan Express-way on 25/2/14. He was so civil and courteous, that I did a full commentary on that (An Encounter with Road Marshall Gyang, BusinessDay, 11/3/14). A few months ago, I boarded one God-Is-Good vehicle. The ‘pilot’ was driving with the furiousness of Jehu ( 2nd Kings, 19:20)and all efforts to remind him that he was carrying human beings fell on deaf ears. I reported him to his employers, who promised

to respond within 48 hours. Lo and behold, they responded. I gave them a thumbs-up. Earlier this year, I had an encounter with PZ customer-service people and it was a thumbs-down. In 1982, I had bought a Thermocool double –door fridge for N450. I used that refrigerator for 20 years, before it gave up the ghost.

That experience had been etched in my memory and so, when they started manufacturing or vending generating sets, I decided to patronise them. I also bought a pressing Iron from them. A few weeks later, the machines started speaking in tongues. I was scandalised. I spoke to the dealer who referred me to PZ. When I got in touch with their customer service unit, I was advised to take the items to their service centre along Oshodi-Apapa Express way. When I got there, I was told that the part required to solve the problem was not available. The fact that one of the staff told me that it was available at the black market (within the complex) did not make any difference. Why did they tell me to bring it to their office? I am still recovering from the experience.

However, sometimes in May 2016, I had a refreshingly different experience with one Mr Effiong of

Diamond Bank, Ijebu-Ode branch.

Those who have been following the strange banking model at Ijebu-Ode will know that banks there operate from 11am to 1 pm. I had arrived at the bank premises a few minutes short of 11am and the security man told me that they had not yet opened for business. When I persisted, I was allowed inside and when I got in, I saw a crowd. Later, I confronted the security man and asked why he told me that they were not open. He responded that those were special customers. When I got to my car, I saw a piece of paper stuck under the wiper. I thought it was one of these advert leaflets but lo and behold, it was a contravention notice from TRACE (Ogun State equivalent of FRSC). They had already seized one of my plate numbers for wrong parking. I was livid. I went back to the security man and asked why he was there while they were ‘sanctioning’ my vehicle. He replied that it was a regular occurrence. I then asked him why he did not advise me against parking there. He mumbled some incomprehensive statements.

I drove my car without the rear plate number for two weeks. I had two outstanding issues: one with the bank and its lousy security

fellow and with TRACE, which had seized my plate-number. Therefore, on 24/5/16 I, went to the DBL office, and was directed to one Mr. Effiong. I tabled my complaints.

He apologised profusely for what happened and went to trace the security staff. He was not on duty.

He admitted that what the man said and did was not right but would take full responsibility. He also undertook to underwrite whatever I paid to reclaim my car platenumber.

I had come, prepared for a fullblown war. But when I considered his courteous and friendly disposition, how he stood for his security staff,( Ezekiel,22:30), and how he agreed to underwrite the cost, without even knowing what it would be, I gave up the fight. I told him not to bother. When I went to reclaim my car plate number, the spirit of God overshadowed the young man I met there and he returned it without asking for reward.

That is the way it should be. Mr Effiong got my thumbs-up and we have become friends since then.

Dr. Ikechukwu Muo is with Department of Business Administration, OOU, Ago-Iwoye

16

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, December 22, 2016

Features

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, December 22, 2016

s

17

Yuletide: Recession slows down sales in Lagos markets Joy Anyim

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The yuletide period is one many families in Nigeria look forward to yearly. It is often characterized with lots of celebrations, merriment, shopping, exchange of gifts and travelling.

However, this may not be the case this year as the current economic recession that has dragged the naira to it’s all time low-$1 to N485- has affected the prices of various commodities (imported and locally produced) in the market, making them double their former prices.

In this upward increase in the prices of commodities, consumables are not left out. A visit by our correspondent to major markets in Lagos, shows that there is a decline in the patronage of some consumables as well as other items.

First, it was at the popular Balogun market in Lagos Island; a market that is often crowded at this time of the year. Surprisingly, that wasn’t the case, as many traders complained of low patronage. Some who even came to buy couldn’t help but wonder why the sudden shot up in the prices of items.

At a popular wine store located in the Iponri area of the market, one Chibuzor speaks on the new development. The father of two said, “Things are no longer the same. As you know, most of the wines in this country come from overseas. And with the current dollar rate, we now spend more to import them. Before now, non-alcoholic wines were sold for as low as N5, 500 per cartoon of ten. All that has changed now, as we now sell for N7,000 per cartoon. It is, also, same increment with alcoholic wines.”

“We are not happy with this development. Sales have dropped drastically. Even with the yuletide, one would have expected the usually rush. But that’s not the case this year. It doesn’t even seem as if Christmas is anywhere close. Even as a wholesaler, people who come to buy from us to retail, don’t come as often as they used to.

“It is time the government redrafts her policies, because if I must tell you it is not favourable to businesses any more.”

Nike, a sales representative at a shop where soft drinks are sold in cartons, said the prices of all soft drinks have also increased. “a pack of 24 for malt drink used to sell for N2,200 but now sells for N2,800. We are even begging customers for patronage. I wonder how the Christmas will be celebrated this year be-

cause there is no money. Everyone is complaining. Sales have dropped.

Packs of bottled water that used to sell for N350 now sell for N500. I hear sachet water has also increased. I just wonder where we are going to in this country.”

This doesn’t seem to be the case with poultry products’ sellers at Barracks area along Badagry Expressway. Here, sellers are optimistic there will be more patronage as Christmas draws closer. They said there is little or no change in the prices of poultry products. Mama Ejiro spoke on the issue. She said, “The naira fall didn’t really affect the prices of our products. For example, we have live fouls for N1, 500, N3, 000 and N4, 500. This was the same price we sold last year Christmas. Although as you can see people have not really started buying for Christmas, I am however optimistic that there will be the usual rush from say three or two days to

Christmas.”

Bags of rice have also gone up.

A visit to the popular Alabarago market showed that the commodity which sold for between N8,000 and N10, 000 last year now sells for between N17, 000 and N20, 000 this year. Mr. Yusuf who deals in same said that even with the increase in price, the demand for the product hasn’t dropped. He said, “Rice is a commodity that most Nigeriens are dependent on, especially during festive periods like this. People buy them to travel as well as give out as gifts. For me, the demand for the product hasn’t been affected even with the price increment. People will definitely eat.”

Prices of vegetable oil per five litre was said to have skyrocketed from N2500 to N3300 and subject to further increment as Christmas draws closer and the demand increase.

The price of tin tomatoes which

is largely imported has changed.

The house hold product now sells for between N50 and N70 for the small sizes depending on the brand.

One of the buyers who spoke with our correspondent lamented on the prices of food stuff. The house wife and a mother of four who identified herself as Mrs. Folarin said. “ things are just too expensive now. It now costs a whole lot more to to feed a family. Prices of food stuffs has gone up. “ Before now, I used to get between N20,000 and N25,000 as monthly upkeep from my husband and its usually enough. But in the last four months. We now struggle with N30,000 to take care of the family. It hasn’t been easy at all. There is no increment in salary on the part of my husband and he is now spending more to take care of the family needs.” “ If there is a rise in salary with the upshot of prices of food stuffs,

we wouldn’t be complaining this much. I wonder if the change that was preached to us was for bad. The common man are the ones suffering. The rich politicians can afford to buy at any given price.

“Christmas is around the corner and we know the season comes with lots of spending. I had gone to buy cloths for my four children who are all girls but couldn’t because of the prices. Clothes that sell for N3500 or N4000 now sells for N7500. When you ask them why the increase they tell you to go and ask Mr. President. we are only surviving by God’s grace.” she concluded.

President of Amalgamated Bags and Shoes Sellers Association of Nigeria, Lagos branch, Mr. Wilfred Orjiakor, also, lamented terribly on what he called the slow pace of business in the country.

He claimed business has not remained same since the new dollar rate, as sales has slowed down even with the yuletide around the corner. “we import most of our goods and at this time of the years, most of us are always smiling to the bank because of the large patronage.

Things have changed and times are hard. People who even come from other parts of Africa to patronize us don’t do so again. We can’t even import as we used to, because when we do, at what rate do we sell? “ Although measures have been put in place to caution the effects of the current economic dilemma, many still believe that the attempt by the federal government is not good enough. For some, the yuletide may be as good as any other passing day without any special activity due to the current economic realities.

Features 18

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, December 22, 2016

HIV/AIDS: Stigmatisation kills faster than disease -Victim

Ladesope Ladelokun Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die, says legendary reggae icon, Peter Tosh, in one of his timeless tracks – “Equal Rights”.

But death is said to be a debt owed by everyone. However, one way many would not like to die is dying from HIV/AIDS-related illness.

While some see being HIV positive as a death sentence due to the stigma victims suffer; but for some victims, life continues regardless of their HIV status.

Professor Barre-Sinoussi, one of the scientists who discovered HIV, in an interview granted a Jamaican newspaper during an international AIDS conference held recently in Durban, South Africa, said, “We know that the combination of treatment is permitting the patient to live with HIV, and to have a life expectancy similar to people who are not infected with HIV, so this is wonderful progress.’’

Authenticating the Professor’s claim, Bisola Adejumo (pseudonym), who lives with HIV, recounts her experience: ’’I was always sick, and I treated malaria and typhoid. But it got to a point that I was advised to go for HIV screening.

“When I did, the test showed

that I was HIV positive.

“I felt it was the end of the world for me. But, after going for counseling, I discovered I could still live a normal life.”

Bisola added that she had been living with HIV for almost a decade and, despite her status, she is now married to a man whose status is negative, and the miracle is that, they are now blessed with a daughter, who is equally HIV negative. ‘‘I’ve been living with HIV for seven years, and I have a daughter that is four years old. When I met my husband, I told him I was HIV positive. I asked him to go for HIV test, and it turned out to be negative, but he didn’t mind, and he went ahead to marry me.

“Today, we are married and my daughter and husband are HIV negative.”

Reacting to the stigma HIV patients receive from the society, Bisola had this to say: “The stigmatisation we receive kills faster than the illness itself.

When people hear you are HIV positive, they just run away from you.

“But I’m lucky to have a family that truly loves me. My in-laws come around and we relatenormally. All we need is to show love to people living with HIV.” Speaking on the scourge, a medical practitioner who spoke to The Daily Times, Dr. Lara Adeosun (pseudonym) believes that someone living with HIV can live a healthy life; they may even live

as long as those who are HIV-free, she said.

“It is important for couples of mixed status to discuss safe sex practices and HIV prevention openly.”

She further said healthcare providers and local HIV/AIDS organisations can be important sources of information.

On the possibility of couples of mixed status getting married and living a normal life, Adeosun said, ’’Pregnant HIV positive women do have babies through vaginal delivery — a departure from the old trend when they were subjected to cesarean section.

“They can also breast feed the baby and both have their routine medications to enjoy better life as

all other people.”

Explaining further, Adeosun stressed that HIV positive women or men are getting married to nonpositive spouses and they have children thatwill never be positive once they apply the needed medicalcounsel.

According to United Nations Programme on HIV/ AIDS(UNAIDS), 78 million people have become infected with HIV since the discovery of the AIDS epidemic three decades ago, and 35 million people worldwide have died of AIDS-related illnesses.

Moreover, statistics from UNAIDS show that only last year, 17 million people had access to antiretroviral drugs, while 7.5 million people had it in 2010.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, December 22, 2016

19

Crime

Crime: Vigilantes take case to N’Assembly The House of Representative Committee on Police Affairs organized a public hearing on a bill for an Act establishing the Vigilante Group of Nigeria as a security outfit, where stakeholders, which include the Nigerian Army, Police, Civil Defense Corp, WAI Brigade, Civil Society groups and monarchs bared their minds on the issue. The public hearing took place on Thursday at National Assembly complex in Abuja, OGUNTADE ISMAILA was there

A cross-section of Vigilantes (inset: Ali Sokoto)

Speaking at the occasion, the Chief of Army Staff (CAS), Lt. Buratai implored the federal legislators to urgently enact the Act, adding that it was Long overdue. Represented by Col. A.G Mamuda, the Defense Liaison Officer and Col. S.P Npanamos from the Defense Headquarters, the CAS attested to the competence of the VGN operatives, noting that majority of them are retired service personnel.

Buratai said that the VGN operatives assisted the military in the battle against the Boko Haram insurgency with the provision of intelligence service.

His words, “Most of the operatives are retired service personnel; and they are very useful because of the training they have acquired, so, the issue of recognizing the VGN is long overdue.”

He said, “They are wide spread and have been assisting the military in terms of intelligence, they have been assisting us in our operations against the Boko Haram sect. In the meantime, they would still need some training, but they are very good in their operations.”

While describing the Act to establish the VGN as a welcome development, the Police said the group would assist the force in the area of community policing.

Represented by a senior officer in the legal department of the Force Criminal Department, CSP. Ijioma Godwin, the police describing the VGN as its appendage, adding that it has been playing a complimentary role.

He said, “We are putting our house in order to conclude our submission on the bill, but let me say that we are not opposed to the bill. Our role with the

VGN has been a complimenting one, it is an appendage of the police, the area of community policing is interesting and we need a lot of assistance from them in the area.”

National Commandant of War Against Indiscipline (WAI), Muhammed Mustapha said the emergence of the VGN would assist greatly in tackling the increasing security challenges in the country.

Following the rising population of the country, Muhammed noted that there exists a gap in the ratio of the police to the citizen, adding that the VGN would conveniently fill the gap.

He said that it was the operatives of the VGN that usually gave information about the Boko Haram sect to the Joint Taskforce, noting that they are closer to the people.

Commandant General, Nigeria Security Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, said the corps welcomes every group that would assist and ensure the country is safe and secured.

Represented by Augustine Ekwese, an Assistant Commandant General (ACG), the NSCDC boss, however, said its membership should be streamlined and regulated as private security guards.

Also, while calling for a legal backing for the VGN, he said he wondered if there would not be agitation by other vigilante groups such as, Egbesu, Bakasi, OPC, who may also seek legal backing, adding that outside this, his organization would want to support a strong security backup for the nation.”

The CEO of OSJONES International Consultant, Oluyemi Samuel Olaiya,

said the VGN operatives are fully prepared for the task ahead of them, having acquired the requisite training.

He added that the VGN has symbiotic relationships with all the military and para-military agencies, saying that many reports have been prepared by heads of the agencies on the need for the existence of the VGN to complement their efforts.

His words” We want to appeal that the bill seeking to establish the VGN is germane; and it should be passed. They have assisted the military at the creeks in battling the militants, the Boko Haram in the North east and yet they are not paid salary.”

Just to correct an impression said earlier, the VGN has members cut across the 774 local governments in the country, unlike the Bakasi, Egbesu that are sectional. The Bakasi and Egbesu exist in the south-south, the OPC in the south west and Biafra/IPOB in the south east. VGN operatives have undergone training in basic & intelligence course approved by the former IGP, Solomon Arase; so, they possess the requisite

We want to appeal that the Bill seeking to establish the VGN is germane; and it should be passed

training for the job.

Births occur every day, and our population continues to grow and what is the population of the Army, Police, Airforce and the Navy to the population of the country, i strongly submit that the security agencies would find them very useful as they would play a complementary role”.

In his submission, a traditional ruler, HRM. Oba Peter Adeoye, Ilufemilade1 of Kubwa, Abuja, said the VGN operatives were critical to lives and properties.

According to him, since the leadership of the security agencies is not opposed to the bill, the National Assembly should expedite action on its passage.

Sponsor of the bill Hon. (Dr.) Abbas Tajudeen, representing Zaria Federal Constituency, said that there VGN is going to place a complimentary role, but not as a rival to other security agencies.

He explained that the bill, when passed, would serve as a means of providing additional security at a cheap and cost effective means, using the vigilante group, rather than expanding the strength of the police in the face of economic recession.

He said, “Nigeria’s population, which is almost about 170 million and one policeman to 100 citizens is alarming, so, the VGN would be used to address this.

They are going to assist and compliment the security agencies’ efforts.”

He said, “There is need to harmonize, standardize and professionalize the operations of VGN because, their operations differ from the south to the north and the east, it needs to be given a common platform and to achieve this,

we will need a bill to be passed for a wide and a dynamic role. If the VGN is allowed to be under the control of local government chairman or governor, they will be abused, the Act would ensure that they are under one control.”

Another member of the committee, Hon. Asabe Vilita Bashir, representing Chibok-Gwosa Federal Constituency, in her contribution, eulogized the efforts of the VGN in the success recorded in the fight against terrorism in the northeast, saying, they played a critical role.

Saying there is no better time that the VGN is needed than now, Hon. Bashir said its operative are closed to the people and have intelligence information at their disposal than others.

In his welcome address, earlier, chairman of the committee, Hon. Haliru Dauda Jika, said the bill for an Act to establish the VGN, charges it with the responsibilities among others, to provide community service for Nigerians and for other related matters, 2016.

He said, “This bill may be termed the “local security bill” because, it seeks to establish community policing for the maintenance of law and order and to provide security services within our community.’

The Commandant of Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), Lagos Command, Otunba James Udoma applauded the steps taken by the National Assembly, Nigerian Army, Police, Civil Defense Corp and other para-military agencies for their support at ensuring the quick passage into an Act of a bill establishing the group.

The renowned security expert and CEO ETPO Security Company Limited, emphasized that the support given by the security chiefs to enhance the quick passage of the bill was as a result of the excellent performance of operatives of the VGN in the area of community police and intelligence gathering.

In a chat with The Daily Times, against the backdrop of the public hearing on the Bill, which has passed its second reading by the House of Representative, Udoma also commended the efforts of the Commandant General of the VGN, Alhaji Ali Sokoto for his vision and selflessness.

“My joy about this issue, is the position of all the security agencies present at the hearing, supporting the establishment and calling for the quick passage of the Bill by the House. It is very clear that there is a gap between the people and the police, the ratio of the police to the about 200 million Nigerians. We are readily available to fill this gap, as our performance in the area of community policing and intelligence gathering speaks volume”, Udoma said.

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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, December 22, 2016

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, December 22, 2016

TRUTH IS LIFE CARE GIVERS INITIATIVE

21 Public Notice

IBAGWA- AKA BROTHERS YOUTHS ASSOCIATION

THE PRUDENT CHURCH INTERNATIONAL

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Agu Ezebuchi Paschalis - Chairman 2. Dorothy Iruaku Oleka - Secretary 3. Hon Philip Nnamani - Member 4. Egbo Ngozi Silverline- Member

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. COSMAS ONAH 2. CHIJIOKE UGWUOKE 3. VICTOR ONAH 4. OKWUDILI UGWU 5. JUDE UGWOKE 6. IKECHUKWU ASADU

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. EITEREBHE OSE SATURDAY 2. EITEREBHE OSE ESTHER 3. OMONKHUALE JOHN

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To help the less privileges in our society.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General of Corporate Affairs Commission Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To promote peace and unity among members Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral of Corporate Affairs Commission Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication

SIGNED: J. E Anaekwe & Co

SIGNED: SECRETARY

IMO RIVER/ALESA OIL PIPELINE LANDOWNERS ASSOCIATION.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral of Corporate Affairs Commission Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication SIGNED: SECRETARY

ASSOCIATION OF GOKANA/KHANA/TAI INDIGENOUS CONTRACTORS RIVERS STATE.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, of 1990.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. PRINCE KENNETH NGEI JOSHUA OLAKA. 2. ELDER FRIDAY CHINWI MGBERE. 3. CHIEF ISAIAH ABBEY. 4. CHIEF VICTOR OSARONWAFOR OBARL.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. KENULE KUKANG. 2. CHIEF ADOMALE SABIYE. 3. CHIEF ADOLPHUS M. YORKIRIKA. 4. PRINCE NGBOR. 5. NATTO IYELA GBARABE. 6. HRH. MENE BARILE Y. DEEBOM. 7. FATHER LAWRENCE BAGBE.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES : 1. To unite and take compensation periodically from our tenant.

2. To form a bridge within the landowners and Shell Petroleum Development Company Nig Ltd. 3. To encourage landowners to participate in the welfare.

4. To assist and contribute in the development of the area in particular and the state in general.

5. To call erring landowners to order with view to have a healthy relationship with Shell Petroleum Development Company Nig Ltd. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affaira Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this Publication.

SIGNED ; SECRETARY.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES : 1. To unite and assist members materially and financially.

2. To form a bridge in reconciliation of misunderstanding amongst members.

3. To encourage indigenous contractors.

4. To assist and contribute in the development of the area in particular and the state in general.

5. To call erring or defaulting indigenous contractors to order with view to have a healthy relationship with government or contracting agency.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affaira Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this Publication.

SIGNED ; SECRETARY

RIVERS LOCAL BOATS BUILDERS ASSOCIATION This is to inform the general public that the above named ASSOCIATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

TRUSTEES÷ 1. BENSON UMOLO 2. OYIBO ALLEN 3. MAXWELL KOLOBIRIOWEI EREANGASEGHA 4. KWANEE DORNUBARI GODGIFT5. AJIMUDA TOMOLA JOB 7. EDOBOR OBAMWONYI 8. ABULE BOSI

6. DAVID SUNDAY

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To foster unity and promote career development amongst members of the association.

2. To provide a platform for members of the association to support and promote the well being of RIVERS LOCAL BOATS BUILDERS ASSOCIATION. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: BENSON UMOLO

LIVINUS MAKWE FOUNDATION

OBA ADEGBITE DECENDANTS FOUNDATION

ARMY DAY SECONDARY SCHOOL IKPOBA HILL OLD STUDENT’S ASSOCIATION.

The general public is hereby inform that the above named has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission for change of Trustee registration under Part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Degree No. 1 of 1990.

The general public is hereby inform that the above named has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Degree No. 1 of 1990.

The general public is hereby inform that the above named has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission for change of Trustee registration under Part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Degree No. 1 of 1990.

NAME OF TRUSTEES : 1.Christian ogbeide -Chairman 3. Victor E.Nwabuebo - Secretary 5. Evelyn Akhabue 8. Shaibu Emmanuel Osilama 10. Uwagboe Osariemen Queen

TRUSTEE MEMBERS ARE: (1) Engr Makwe, Livinus Makwe. - (Chairman).

(2) Mrs Makwe Obiageri Blessing (3) Mr Ajah Daniel (4) Mr Makwe Eugene Eric - (Secretary).

(5) Ambassador Okafor Mathias.

THE TRUSTEE ARE 1.PA.EBENEZER IBITOLA OSINUBI---CHAIRMAN 2.PA.ADETOLA ADENIYI TAIWO----VIC CHAIRMAN 3.PA.CHRISTOPHER ADEBOWALE ADESANYA----SECRETARY 4.PA.GEORGE BABATUNDE ADEOYE----MEMBER AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1.TO BRING THE FAMILIES TOGETHER IN LOVE AND UNITY. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tiqgris Crescent, Off Aguiyi ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days of this Publication.

Signed Secretary ORGANIZATION OF LIBERIAN COMMUNITIES IN NIGERIA THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

Names Of The Trustees: 1. Amb. Al-Hassan Conteh 2. Daoda Kanneh 3. Hon. Justice Micah Wikins Wright 4. Muhammad Nuruddeen Lemu 5. Chief Clifford Nzeruem 6. Chief Dr. Opral Mason Benson 7. Prof. Yvonne Tawolo Kandakai-Olukemi 8. Stephen Y. T. Ampey AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To bring together all Liberians residing in Nigeria 2. To foster unity, solidarity and cooperation among its members 3. To coordinate and intensify cooperation and efforts towards the personal development and leadership of its members.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. Signed by Eyitayo Ogunyemi ESQ. (08060623454)

THE COMMONWEALTH OF ZION CARE FOUNDATION This is to inform the general public that the above named body has applied for Registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. BIODUN FATOYINBO 2. OMODELE ADEPATE FATOYINBO THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To provide care for the less privilege 2. To empower the poor in the society through skill acquisition, job creation opportunities, and poverty alleviation.

Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar general, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: OMOTOLA FATOGUN Legal Practice 08151100100

2. Wilfred Osilama Ifogah- Vice Chairman 4. Nkechi Ananyi Olise 6. Frank Omizu. 7.Osariemen Uwagboe , 9. Awuru Nicholas Anayochukwu

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tiqgris Crescent, Off Aguiyi ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days of this Publication.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To provide care for the less privilege 2. To empower the poor in the society through skill acquisition, job creation opportunities, and poverty alleviation.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tiqgris Crescent, Off Aguiyi ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days of this Publication.

SIGNED :AYUBA A. S. ABANG ESQ 08032889977

SIGNED: BAR. AHAM AKANO

AIMS & OBJECTIVES 1. To contribute to the development of the school.

2. To protect and project the general interest of both the school and her old students.

ENUGWU AGIDI BROTHERLY UNION NIGERIA The general public is hereby inform that the above named has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Degree No. 1 of 1990.

TRUSTEED 1. SIR MARTINS AMAECHI EZENDU - President General 2.BAR. FIDELIS ANYANEGBU - Secretary General 3 MAJ. GEN FESTUS OKONKWO 4. CHIEF SUNDAY OKOYE 5. PROF. EMEKA NELSON NWANKWO 6. HON. UMERA OKEKE 7. SOPULUCHUKWU PAUL OKOYE 8. ENGR CHRISTIAN EGBUNA 9. MR. TONY IKEBUDU 10. CHIEF OFODILE OKEKE ONYEOCHA 11. PRINCE CHUKWUNWUBA CHRISTOPHER OKAM 12. SIR. FAB OKOYE (AIMS & OBJECTIVES) 1. To maintain and promote the unity and welfare of enugwu agidi indigenes both home and abroad.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tiqgris Crescent, Off Aguiyi ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days of this Publication.

Signed: OBY ONWUKEME ESQ 08059119691.

MUSLIM COMMUNITY CENTER MAITAMA. The general public is hereby inform that the above named has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Degree No. 1 of 1990.

TRUSTEES 1. Enngr.Magaji Bappah Aliyu - Chairman 2. Alhaji Muhammad Bello Umar - Secretary 3. Alhaji Lawal A. Awowo 4. Alhaji Baffale Umar Haruna 5. Dr Usman Muhammad Wali.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1.To facilitate learning and research for the understanding of islam as well as its propagation.

2.To provide a conductive environment for performing prayers and other Islamic religious activities.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tiqgris Crescent, Off Aguiyi ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days of this Publication.

Signed. Secretary

HAVILAH FAMILY FOUNDATION

CITY OF WONDER PENTECOSTAL MISSION

This is to inform the General Public that above named foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

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

TRUSTEES 1. EGBEKOYA SAMUEL FELIX - CHAIRMAN 2. EGBEKOYA CHRISTIANAH ADEBISI - CO-ORDINATOR 3. ADEYANJU DANIEL OLUWADAMILARE - TREASURER 4. ABIODUN SAMUEL OLUFEMI - GENERAL SECRETARY 5. EGBEKOYA AKINDEJI MICHAEL - MEMBER AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To help build strong and formidable couples that will be able to raise godly children.

2. To heal up the wounds of the wounded hearts and bring healing to them - i.e. fatherless, widows, rape victims.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED SECRETARY

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.ADEROGBA EZEKIEL ALAWODE 2.ABIODUN OLABODE AYODELE 3.OLUWASEUN ANDREW AREGBESOLA 4.JOHNSON SESAN OGUNDALU 5.OLUWADAMILARE SAMUEL FATOKUN 6.JOHNSON DAVID OBAYOMI AIM AND OBJECTIVE TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT,OFF AGUIYI IRONSI,PMB 198,MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION SIGNED: BARR.ADEMOLA AJADI

22

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, December 22, 2016

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990 COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990 COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990 COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

PORT HARCOURT ENERGY GENERATION LIMITED RC: 1060147 (IN MEMBER VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION)

IKEJA POWER GENERATION LIMITED RC: 909728

IBADAN POWER GENERATION LIMITED RC: 928335

(IN MEMBER VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION) NOTICE OF FINAL GENERAL MEETING

(IN MEMBER VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION) NOTICE OF FINAL GENERAL MEETING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN PURSUANT TO SECTION 468 OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT CAP C20 LFN 2004 THAT THE FINAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE ABOVE COMPANY SHALL BE DULY CONVENED AND HELD AT NO. 21, ADENIYI JONES AVENUE, IKEJA, LAGOS ON FRIDAY, THE 27TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2017 AT 10.30 A.M.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN PURSUANT TO SECTION 468 OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT CAP C20 LFN 2004 THAT THE FINAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE ABOVE COMPANY SHALL BE DULY CONVENED AND HELD AT NO. 21, ADENIYI JONES AVENUE, IKEJA, LAGOS ON FRIDAY, THE 27TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2017 AT 10.30 A.M.

AGENDA LAYING BEFORE SUCH MEETING THE FINAL ACCOUNT, HOW THE PROPERTIES WERE DISPOSED AND ANY OTHER BUSINESS.

AGENDA LAYING BEFORE SUCH MEETING THE FINAL ACCOUNT, HOW THE PROPERTIES WERE DISPOSED AND ANY OTHER BUSINESS.

NOTICE OF FINAL GENERAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN PURSUANT TO SECTION 468 OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT CAP C20 LFN 2004 THAT THE FINAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE ABOVE COMPANY SHALL BE DULY CONVENED AND HELD AT NO. 21, ADENIYI JONES AVENUE, IKEJA, LAGOS ON FRIDAY, THE 27TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2017 AT 10.30 A.M. AGENDA LAYING BEFORE SUCH MEETING THE FINAL ACCOUNT, HOW THE PROPERTIES WERE DISPOSED AND ANY OTHER BUSINESS.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990 COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990 COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990 COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

CUMMINS ENUGU POWER GENERATION LIMITED RC: 92977

ABA COGENERATION LIMITED RC: 916188

(IN MEMBER VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION) NOTICE OF FINAL GENERAL MEETING

(IN MEMBER VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION) NOTICE OF FINAL GENERAL MEETING

CUMMINS POWER DISTRIBUTION (NIGERIA) LIMITED RC: 889408 (IN MEMBER VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION)

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN PURSUANT TO SECTION 468 OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT CAP C20 LFN 2004 THAT THE FINAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE ABOVE COMPANY SHALL BE DULY CONVENED AND HELD AT NO. 21, ADENIYI JONES AVENUE, IKEJA, LAGOS ON FRIDAY, THE 27TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2017 AT 10.30 A.M.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN PURSUANT TO SECTION 468 OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT CAP C20 LFN 2004 THAT THE FINAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE ABOVE COMPANY SHALL BE DULY CONVENED AND HELD AT NO. 21, ADENIYI JONES AVENUE, IKEJA, LAGOS ON FRIDAY, THE 27TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2017 AT 10.30 A.M.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN PURSUANT TO SECTION 468 OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT CAP C20 LFN 2004 THAT THE FINAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE ABOVE COMPANY SHALL BE DULY CONVENED AND HELD AT NO. 21, ADENIYI JONES AVENUE, IKEJA, LAGOS ON FRIDAY, THE 27TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2017 AT 10.30 A.M.

AGENDA LAYING BEFORE SUCH MEETING THE FINAL ACCOUNT, HOW THE PROPERTIES WERE DISPOSED AND ANY OTHER BUSINESS.

AGENDA LAYING BEFORE SUCH MEETING THE FINAL ACCOUNT, HOW THE PROPERTIES WERE DISPOSED AND ANY OTHER BUSINESS.

AGENDA LAYING BEFORE SUCH MEETING THE FINAL ACCOUNT, HOW THE PROPERTIES WERE DISPOSED AND ANY OTHER BUSINESS.

NIGERIAN DEFENCE ACADEMY 19 COURSE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

HOUSE OF STEWART LIMTED RC - 730090

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 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.

HRH CAPT (NN) WALTER FEGHABO (RTD) 2.

R/ADM GARUBA AMODU (RTD) 3.

BRIG GEN. MUSA GARGA (RTD) 4.

MAJ. GEN. SALEH MAINA (RTD) 5.

MAJ. GEN. JOHN BABATUNDE SAMUEL (RTD) 6.

HE CAPT. (NN) CHRISTOPHER OSUNDU (RTD 7.

A/CDRE. PATRICK UDABOR (RTD)

Signed: BARRISTER OLUGBENGA TOBE

AUCTION SALES! AUCTION SALES!!

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT (CAP. C20) LFN 2004

PRIVATE COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

PRIVATE COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

BOARD RESOLUTION

BOARD RESOLUTION

OF

OF

HOUSE OF STEWART LIMITED

ASTRA FOODS LIMITED

RESOLUTION ON REDUCED SHARE CAPITAL

RESOLUTION ON REDUCED SHARE CAPITAL

At the meeting of the Board of Directors of House of Stewart Limited (the “Company”)

At the meeting of the Board of Directors of ASTRA FOODS LIMITED (the

duly convened and held at 14 Floor, Eleganza House, 15b Joseph Street, Lagos Island,

“Company”) duly convened and held at 14th Floor, Eleganza House, 15b Joseph Street,

Lagos, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED:

Lagos Island, Lagos, IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED:

“That the Members and Stakeholders of the Company should publicly be notified that the

“That the Members and Stakeholders of the Company should publicly be notified that the

share capital of the company which was once N50,000,000 has been reduced to

share capital of the company which was once N50,000,000 has been reduced to

pursuant to Order of the Federal High Court of 16th June 2016 and the Certificate of

pursuant to Order of the Federal High Court of 8th July 2016 and the

Registration of Reduction of Share Capital dated 11th August 2016 issued by the Corporate

Certificate of Registration of Reduction of Share Capital dated 11 th August 2016 issued

Affairs Commission (CAC)”.

by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)”.

DATED THIS 13th day of August, 2016.

DATED THIS 13th day of August, 2016.

OGBAKO NDI NZE NGOR-OKPALA

THERE WILL BE AN AUCTION SALES OF SCRAP MOTOR VEHICLES, SCRAP MOTORCYCLES, SCRAP TRICYCLES AND OTHER HOUSEHOLD ITEMS AT THE DIVISIONAL HEADQUARTERS, THE NIGERIA POLICE, ONNE DIVISION, RIVERS STATE. AFTER 21 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. 1. ONE SCRAP PRIMERA NISSAN CAR REG. NO. AJ 871 BAM. 2. ONE SCRAP KEKE NAPEPE REG. NO. ICT 13364, TWO SCRAP KEKE NAPEPE WITHOUT REG. NO. 3. FORTY-FIVE MOTORCYCLES WITH REG. NOs. RV3250-ZA, IM 926 LS, RV 271 HP, QC 671 UML, RV 975 ICA, RV 8171 CD, AB 1114 SA, RV 977 SE, RV 3250 ZA, MGB 225 QO, RV 870 SA, RV 377 SA, AB 5912 UPG, RV 4955 ND, RV 2157 ND, UE 563 UWN, AB 3343, QD 877 EFR, AGN 412 QF, RV 732 WK, AAB 2742, RV 1095 WJ, QB 687 BNY, AB 8154 AW, RV 6704 WJ, AB 2351 TB, AB 3388 SA, QA 705 NKR, RV 801 CB, RV 332 GA, RV 7614 WK, RV 3826 WK, IM 166 MA, RV 108 WL, RV 4811 CA, RV 387 CE, RV 953 WK, QT 570 PHC, RV 1774 WC, QF 119 MBA, RV 5033 SE, RV 1267 AZ, 2219 ZA, 5852 WC, RV 2601 PM. 4. FIFTY MOTORCYCLES WITHOUT REG. NOs. 5. SOME SCRAP GENERATORS, SCRAP TELEVISIONS, FOURTEEN SCRAP SEWING MACHINE WITHOUT HEAD. 6. SOME TORN CLOTHES, SCRAP STANDING FANS, ONE SCRAP WATER PUMP, SOME SCRAP PHONES. AND OTHER HOUSEHOLD ITEMS.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Okenze Sylvester Obinna 3. Okenze Eugene Nkwocha 5. Hon. Nze Emmanuel Achinihu 7. Nze Edmund Nkwazema 9. Nze Alex Nwafor

ARMOR COUNTRY CLUB

RC: 1,005,377

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

The general Public is hereby notified that the above named organization has applied for registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004.

SIGNED: ALH. UBALLO DANU - AUCTIONEER

ASTRA FOODS LIMTED

COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT (CAP. C20) LFN 2004

th

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.

To promote social and intellectual interaction 2.

To promote and protect the collective interest of members and families as well as for the Nigerian society at large Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Maitama, Abuja.

NOTICE OF FINAL GENERAL MEETING

2. Okenze Uche Okereafor 4. Okenze Eugene Onyekatu 6. Nze Charles Nkwocha 8. Nze Alex Ike 10. Nze Augustine Eke

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To preserve and protect the cultural heritage of our area and Igboland in general.

2. To assist our traditional rulers (EZES) in ensuring maintenance of peace and order in our communities.

3. To promote mutual assistance among members and our people.

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

MERCYFULL GOD CHERUBIM AND SERAPHIM CHURCH OF ZION

AUTHENTIC LIFE CHURCH This is to inform the General Public that the above named CHURCH has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:-1- OLUSEGUN FOLAJIMI OLAIDE - TRUSTEE/CO-ORDINATOR 2- OLUFUNKE OLAIDE - TRUSTEE 3- OLUWASEUN KADIRI - TRUSTEE 4- OLANREWAJU PHILIPS TRUSTEE 5- CHUKWUMA AHIAKWO TRUSTEE 6- SUNDAY ADEOTI TRUSTEE 7- AKINWALE AKINBODUNSE TRUSTEE 8- SAMSON OPUORO TRUSTEE THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:(1) TO EDIFY AND PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES AND GET NEW CHRISTIAN CONVERT. (2) TO ESTABLISH CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLIES IN THE NAME OF THE CHURCH IN NIGERIA AND OTHER PART OF THE WORLD. (3) TO ESTABLISH BIBLE INSTITUTIONS,CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS GOSPEL SINGERS BAND AND EVANGELISTIC TEAMS FOR PROMOTIONAL,PREACHING AND SPREADING OF THE GOSPEL. (4) TO REACH THE WHOLE WORLD WITH THE GOSPEL BY ALL MEANS AND METHODS ACCORDING TO THE HOLY BIBLE. Any objection to the 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 BY : ITOHAN EVBUOMA PARADIGM LAW SOLUTIONS SOLICITORS & ADVOCATES 90 NORMAN WILLIAMS STREET, IKOYI. LAGOS

TAEKWONDO SUPPORTERS CLUB OF NIGERIA

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named CLUB has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named MINISTRY has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

This is to inform the General Public that the above named CLUB has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE NAMES OF TRUSTEES ARE:1. ALHAJI NURUDEEN OYENEKAN - PRESIDENT 2. EVANGELIST ADELABI KINGS - VICE PRESIDENT 3. MR. OLADAPO ADEBESO - SECRETARY 4. MR. AKINBODE OLAOLU . I .

- PUBLIC RELATION OFFICER 5. MR. TAIWO AJAYI - MEMBER 6. MR. SUFI SALAMI - MEMBER

THE TRUSTEES ARE:(1) SNR .AP. OLOGBONORI SUNDAY (2) AP. AYENURO SUNDAY (3) MOSES OZOYA (4) AP. BODE OGUNBANJO (5) MOTHER AP. BISOLA BALOGUN (6) MICHEAL JOSEPH (7) LADY EVANG. LAWAL OLUFUMILAYO IBIWUNMI (8) MOTHER IN ISRAEL IBRAHIM RANJI (9) YINKA OWODUNMI (10) EVANG EMMANUEL AYODELE

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.GEORGE ASHIRU 2.ABDULLAHI SAIDU 3.CHIDINMA NWAIGWE 4.JOSEPH DANLAMI 5. EMMANUEL PETER OGHENEJOBOH

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE IS:TO FOSTER UNITY AMONG MEMBERS

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE IS:TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED BY SECRETARY

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 BY: SECRETARY

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE :1.GIVE SUPPORTS TOWARDS NIGERIAN TAEKWONDO DEVELOPMENT 2. ORGANIZE SEMINARS AND PROGRAMS FOR GRASSROOTS TAEKWONDO DEVELOPMENT IN THE SOCIETY AND NIGERIA 3. SUPPORT THE PROGRAMS OF NATIONAL AND STATE TAEKWONDO ASSOCIATION AND CLUBS Any objection to the 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 BY : ITOHAN EVBUOMA Paradigm Law Solutions Solicitor & Advocates 90 Norman Williams Street, Ikoyi, lagos

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, December 22, 2016

OMOARE TUNDE DANIEL

GABRIEL MONDAY OJODALE

JULIE CHICHI ONUMADU.

I formerly known and addressed as MUSIBAU SUARAU, now wish to be known and addressed as LAWAL ADEGBOYEGA MUSIBAU. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as BALOGUN TUNDE, now wish to be known and addressed as OMOARE TUNDE DANIEL. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note

I formerly known and addressed as GABRIEL BLESSED OSODALE, now wish to be known and addressed as GABRIEL MONDAY OJODALE. All former documents remain valid the General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as JULIE E UDENG, now wish to be known and addressed as JULIE CHICHI ONUMADU. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

IJEOMA VICTORIA ISAIAH

OKWEAKOR THADDEUS CHIKEZIE

ONOWOJO FRANCIS KELVIN

I, formerly known and addressed as, IJEOMA VICTORIA NDUMELE, now wish to be known and addressed as, IJEOMA VICTORIA ISAIAH. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as, OKWEAKOR CHIKEZIE, now wish to be known and addressed as, OKWEAKOR THADDEUS CHIKEZIE. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

OMOTEHINSE ADENIKE BUNMI

LAWAL ADEGBOYEGA MUSIBAU

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS OKUNBOLADE ADENIKE BUNMI, now wish to be known and addressed as, OMOTEHINSE ADENIKE BUNMI. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OWOYEMI ABDULAHI ADIO.

Formerly known and addressed as ISIAQ ABDULAHI, now wish to be known and addressed as OWOYEMI ABDULAHI ADIO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ORITOKE A AIGORO.

NWAFOR OBINNA GOODLUCK.

I, formerly known and addressed as, OSUYA JUDE IKEMEFUNE, now wish to be known and addressed as, ONOWOJO FRANCIS KELVIN. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

Formerly known and addressed as OBUM GODWIN, now wish to be known and addressed as NWAFOR OBINNA GOODLUCK. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS ADEGBENRO ADERONKE RISKAT, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OLANREWAJU ADERONKE RISKAT. All former documents remain valid.

AKO WINIFRED NGUNAN I, formerly known and addressed as, WINIFRED NGUNAN ATER, now wish to be known and addressed as, AKO WINIFRED NGUNAN. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

MOJEKWU MARYBEN OGECHI. Formerly known and addressed as MISS ONUTAEZE MARYBEN OGECHI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. MOJEKWU MARYBEN OGECHI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OREFFO IFEANYICHUKWU VICTOR

Formerly known and addressed as JOHN IFEANYICHUKWU VICTOR, now wish to be known and addressed as OREFFO IFEANYICHUKWU VICTOR. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

AMADI FRANK Formerly known and addressed as AMADI FRIDAY NWAFOR, now wish to be known and addressed as AMADI FRANK. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

ETIM UDUAK JOY Formerly known and addressed as ETIM EMMANUEL JOY, now wish to be known and addressed as ETIM UDUAK JOY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

HAUWA MUSTAFA ABDULRASHEED

FRIDAY PETER OKAFOR

ADENEKE ROSEMARY SUSAN

Formerly known and addressed as HAUWA MOHAMMED ABDULHAMID, now wish to be known and addressed as HAUWA MUSTAFA ABDULRASHEED. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

DADA ADEOLA SULIAT.

Formerly known and addressed as PRINCE FRIDAY PETER OKAFOR, now wish to be known and addressed as FRIDAY PETER OKAFOR. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as JIGAH ROSEMARY SUSAN, now wish to be known and addressed as ADENEKE ROSEMARY SUSAN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

YUSSUF RUKAYAT TITILOLA

IBENEME CHIWUZIE UZOAMAKA.

Formerly known and addressed as HAMZAT ADEOLA SULIYAT, now wish to be known and addressed as DADA ADEOLA SULIAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as FARO RUKAYAT TITILOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as YUSSUF RUKAYAT TITILOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

MOHAMMED HARUNA GBARIGI.

ABIGAIL AGBONGHAE. ISAAC: Formerly known and addressed as ABIGAIL ISAAC, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ABIGAIL AGBONGHAE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

TOBILOBA JOHN KAREEM-KOMOLAFE

SANDRA OLATOMIWA TOYOBO.

JOHN: Formerly known and addressed as DEHINBO TOBILOLA JOHN, now wish to be known and addressed as TOBILOBA JOHN KAREEM-KOMOLAFE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

This is to inform the general public that my name was mistakenly written on as MUTOLIB SUKURAT MOTUNRAYO instead of MUTOLUB MOTUNRAYO SHUKURAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

TAIWO NOSIRU SEUN.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS JINADU BUKOLAB YETUNDE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS BUSARI BUKOLA YETUNDE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

IBIJOKE MARIA OKE

Formerly known and addressed as AILERU –AILERU KUBURAT, now wish to be known and addressed as ORITOKE A AIGORO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

CORRECTION OF NAME

BUSARI BUKOLA YETUNDE

Formerly known and addressed as IBIJOKE MARIA BOLAREWAJU, now wish to be known and addressed as IBIJOKE MARIA OKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as GODWIN UZOAMAKA CHIKA, now wish to be known and addressed as IBENEME CHIWUZIE UZOAMAKA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

GBARIGI: Formerly known and addressed as HARUNA ABDULLAHI GBARIGI, now wish to be known and addressed as MOHAMMED HARUNA GBARIGI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

KAKPOHOUENOU MATHIAS Formerly known and addressed as GBETOHO MATHIAS, now wish to be known and addressed as KAKPOHOUENOU MATHIAS. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

23

RICHARD RITA ODENALORE. Formerly known and addressed as RICHARD RITA OMO, now wish to be known and addressed as RICHARD RITA ODENALORE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

AYINDE ADETAYO OLAYINKA.

JOODA OLUWATOYIN OMONIYI

SANDRA: Formerly known and addressed as MISS. SANDRA OLATOMIWA AYENI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. SANDRA OLATOMIWA TOYOBO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

UGOCHUKWU CHIOMA ANITA.

Formerly known and addressed as OGUNSOLA TOYIN ELIZABETH, now wish to be known and addressed as JOODA OLUWATOYIN OMONIYI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Igwemma Chioma Anita now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ugochukwu Chioma Anita. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

OGUNDERE OLUWATOYIN OLUBUNMI

CONFIRMATION AND ARRANGEMENT OF NAME.

MACAULAY OKULENU KEHINDE SEYI.

Formerly known and addressed as MACAULAY KEHINDE SEYI, now wish to be known and addressed as MACAULAY OKULENU KEHINDE SEYI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OLANREWAJU ADERONKE RISKAT.

OLAOYE BOLANLE YETUNDE.

Formerly known and addressed as AKINBIYI BOLANLE YETUNDE, now wish to be known and addressed as OLAOYE BOLANLE YETUNDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

EKEANYANWU HAPPINESS CHIOMA.

ORJI ESTHER IFY.

Formerly known and addressed as CHIOMA EKE, now wish to be known and addressed as EKEANYANWU HAPPINESS CHIOMA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ONUCHUKWU ESTHER IFY, now wish to be known and addressed as ORJI ESTHER IFY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm and certify that AMAEFULE GODFREY JUNIOR is one and same person as AMAEFULE GODFREY ATURUCHUKWUORDER. All former documents remain valid.

First Bank and general public take note.

This is to confirm and certify that am same person bearing BOLANLE IYABO OLOGUN and HASSAN FAUSAT BOLANLE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

NWAEZE JULIET OJUGO PEACE Formerly known and addressed as AGUSIEGBE JULIET OJUGO PEACE, now wish to be known and addressed as NWAEZE JULIET OJUGO PEACE. All former documents remain valid. Lagos state university and chartered institute of personnel management. (CIPM) and general public take note.

NKEMAMAKA UGO MOJEKWU

ADENIYI VICTORIA TEMITOPE.

Formerly known and addressed as ADERINTO VICTORIA TEMITOPE, now wish to be known and addressed as ADENIYI VICTORIA TEMITOPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as TAIWO NOSIRUDEEN SHEUN, now wish to be known and addressed as TAIWO NOSIRU SEUN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as AYINDE OMOTAYO RASHIDAT, now wish to be known and addressed as AYINDE ADETAYO OLAYINKA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ADEDIRAN OLUWATOYIN BUNMI, now wish to be known and addressed as OGUNDERE OLUWATOYIN OLUBUNMI. My correct date of birth is 19th Oct 1980. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

This is to confirm that I, OJIOGU ONYEKACHI STANLEY is one and same person as OJIOGU STANLEY ONYEKACHI as well as ONYEKACHI STANLEY OJIOGU. Henceforth wish to be known as OJIOGU ONYEKACHI STANLEY. My date of birth is 20/03/ 1980. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

STEPHEN PATIENCE OMAYINO.

AROGUNDARE ABIODUN OLABISI.

ABUBAKAR.O.JIBRIN

EZEZINNE ANANSTENCIA MAECHI.

That I am the same person bearing TIAMIYU ADEKEMI SADIA and ADEOYE KEMI SADIA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS MARTINS PATIENCE OMAYINO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. STEPHEN PATIENCE OMAYINO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AROGUNDARE JULI OLABISI, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AROGUNDARE ABIODUN OLABISI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE

I formerly known and addressed as ABUBAKAR KASIMU YAHAYA,now I wish to be known and addressed as ABUBAKAR.O.JIBRIN UBA.DIAMOND BANK. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I, formerly known as Ezezinne Ananstencia Onyemaechi Now wish to be known and addressed as Ezezinne Ananstencia Maechi. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note

HALIMA SHEHU I formerly known and addressed as ABUBAKAR HALIMAT,now I wish to be known and addressed as HALIMA SHEHU . All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

IKEOLUWA OLUWATOSIN TERIBA

ZAKARIYA HALIRU.

LAWAL SHAMSONDEEN AYINDE

FUNMILOLA AYOBAMI AJOMALE

I, formerly known and addressed as, IKEOLUWA OLUWATOSIN ADELEKE, now wish to be known and addressed as, IKEOLUWA OLUWATOSIN TERIBA. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Shuaibu Haliru Abubakar, now wish to be known and addressed as Zakariya Haliru. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as LAWAL SHAMSONDEEN ABIODUN, now wish to be known and addressed as LAWAL SHAMSONDEEN AYINDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OLUFUNMILOLA ADEWALE AJOMALE, now wish to be known and addressed as FUNMILOLA AYOBAMI AJOMALE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ALIUNA CHUKWUEMEKA MERSON.

I, formerly known as ELOANYI FRANKLIN CHIZOBA, Date of birth 20th august 1989 on (BVN). Now wish to be known and addressed as ALIUNA CHUKWUEMEKA MERSON. Date of birth 16th January 1988. All former documents remain valid Unity bank, other banks and the general public should please take note

Formerly known and addressed as NKEMAMAKA UGO MADUAGWU, now wish to be known and addressed as NKEMAMAKA UGO MOJEKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

My name was wrongly written as OMOBAKARE OMOILERE OWOLABI, instead of BAKARE OWOLABI BABATUNDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

BUH HARUNA ADEJOH I formerly known and addressed as ABUH HARUNA AROH now I wish to be known and addressed as ABUH HARUNA ADEJOH .All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

24

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, December 22, 2016

OGUNLEYE OLUWAMUYIWA OWOLABI

BENSON-UMUFO CAROLINE NKECHINYERE

I, formerly known and addressed as OLUWAMUYIWA SHEFIU OWOLABI, now wish to be known and addressed as OGUNLEYE OLUWAMUYIWA OWOLABI. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. AMAEWHULE CAROLINE NKECHINYERE, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. BENSON-UMUFO CAROLINE NKECHINYERE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ADDITION OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

FRIDAY BENJAMIN AKPAN.

I, formerly known and addressed as, BENJAMIN AKPAN TOM, now wish to be known and addressed as, FRIDAY BENJAMIN AKPAN. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

NDUKA JOSEPH IWUOHA

OKORIE EMMANUEL AFAM

I, formerly known and addressed as, OGBODO EMMANUEL AFAMEFUNA, now wish to be known and addressed as, OKORIE EMMANUEL AFAM. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

FARAYOLA FATIMOH IYABO

I, ETIM REBECCA OKON, wish to add, OKON, to my account details which was formerly, ETIM REBECCA. I now wish to be known and addressed as, ETIM REBECCA OKON. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

I, ADEFOLAJU ABRAHAM OLUGBENGA, AND ADEFOLAJU GBENGA IGE, refer to one and same person but, now wish to be known and addressed as, ADEFOLAJU ABRAHAM OLUGBENGA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I formerly known and address as Nduka Joseph Chimaoge now wish to be known and address as Nduka Joseph Iwuoha. All former document remain valid. Banks and general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ADEYANJU IYABO FATIMO, now wish to be known and addressed as FARAYOLA FATIMOH IYABO. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

NICHOLAS CHINYERE ADETUTU

UWAGBOE VICTOR

CONFIRMATION OF NAME That my name appears as FUNMILAYO DEBORAH MAKANJUOLA on my BVN and on my bank document, also my name appears as MAKANJUOLA ARIKEADE. Henceforth, I wish to be known, called and addressed as FUNMILAYO DEBORAH MAKANJUOLA. All document bearing any of the above mentioned names remains mine and valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known, called and addressed as NWODOM SUNDAY, now wish to be known, called and addressed as NWODOM STAN NWODOM. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as FIFIAME TUTU DOSA, now wish to be known and addressed as NICHOLAS CHINYERE ADETUTU. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

FOLAKE TAWAKALITU WOLE-TAIWO

I, formerly known, called and addressed as AFOLAKE ADUNNI WOLE-TAIWO, now wish to be known, called and addressed as FOLAKE TAWAKALITU WOLE-TAIWO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME:

In some of my documents my name was wrongly written as OKPARA CHIJIOKE MARIAM instead of OKPARA CHIJIOKE MARYANN. All former documents remain valid. General public to take note.

IKECHUKWU CHIDIEBERE IKELUMUO

I, formerly known and addressed as UWAGBOE VICTOR NORUWA, now wish to be known and addressed as UWAGBOE VICTOR. All former documents remain valid.

General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME On my BVN, my name was wrongly written as EDITH NKECHI EZEAH instead of EZEA EDITH NKECHINYERE. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

YAHYA MOHAMMED BASHIRU

I formerly known and addressed as MUSA BASHIRU now wish to be known and addressed as YAHYA MOHAMMED BASHIRU. My date of birth is 24/9/1987.

All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

SABINA CHIKWERE INNOCENT

I formerly known and addressed as IKECHUKWU MISHACK IKELUMUO now wish to be known and addressed as IKECHUKWU CHIDIEBERE IKELUMUO All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as SABINA CHIKWERE OKOLI now wish to be known and addressed as SABINA CHIKWERE INNOCENT All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

MOSES THANKGOD OLUWASEUN

ESTHER TAIWO BABATUNDE.

I formerly known and addressed as MOSES OLUWASEUN now wish to be known and addressed as MOSES THANKGOD OLUWASEUN. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note.

ONYEDOZI RITA ONORIODE I formerly known and addressed as MISS OWOLO RITA ONORIODE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ONYEDOZI RITA ONORIODE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note

I formerly known and addressed as ESTHER TAIWO ADEYEMO now wish to be known and addressed as ESTHER TAIWO BABATUNDE. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

ALAKPA HAPPINESS UYOYO.

Formerly known, called and addressed as ALAINO HAPPINESS, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ALAKPA HAPPINESS UYOYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

GRACE OMOTAYO IGEOLUSHOTO

I formerly known and addressed as OMOTAYO IGE now wish to be known and addressed as GRACE OMOTAYO IGEOLUSHOTO. My date of birth is 23/9/1956 All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note ODUWOLE MUTIAT ADEBUKANLA.

NWODOM STAN NWODOM.

SULE ONUCHE SULEIMAN.

Formerly known and addressed as Sule ABUBAKAR SULEIMAN, now wish to be known, called and addressed as SULE ONUCHE SULEIMAN. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

SENIBO EVIEVRESETU PROSPER

I, formerly known and addressed as, SENIBO EVIEVRESETU JOVIT, now wish to be known and addressed as, SENIBO EVIEVRESETU PROSPER. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

UCHE VICTORIA ONYINYECHI I, formerly known and addressed as DR. ANELE VICTORIA ONYINYECHI, now wish to be known and addressed as DR. (MRS.) UCHE VICTORIA ONYINYECHI . All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ONABANWO ADERONKE JOHNSON

I, formerly known, called and addressed as ONABANWO ADENIYI OLUSEYI, now wish to be known, called and Addressed as ONABANWO ADERONKE JOHNSON. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

PEDRO ADEMOLA ADISA

I formerly known and addressed as PEDRO SHAMUSIDEEN BABATUNDE now wish to be known and addressed as PEDRO ADEMOLA ADISA All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

LLONI MOSURAT AJOKE.

I, formerly known, called and addressed as AKINLADE MONSURST AJOKE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ALLONI MOSURAT AJOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

FAITH AWELE NNELI

I formerly known and addressed as FAITH AWELE OKONKWO now wish to be known and addressed as FAITH AWELE NNELI All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME:

ANTHONY CHUKWURA EKEMEZIE

OLUWAKEMI ODUNAIYA

I formerly known and addressed as ANTHONY SUNDAY CHUKS EKEMEZIE now wish to be known and addressed as ANTHONY CHUKWURA EKEMEZIE. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS OLUWAKEMI MARIAN AWOSESO now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OLUWAKEMI ODUNAIYA All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

ADEODU DEBORAH OLUBANKE

ABIODUN OPEYEMI ADENHUESU

I formerly known asAKINBO Deborah Bankenow wish to be known as Mrs.ADEODU Deborah Olubanke. All former documents remain valid.

General Public should please take note.

Formerly OJETUNDE ABIODUN GABRIEL now ABIODUN OPEYEMI ADENHUESU. former documents remains valid.

General public please note.

CHIKA KAYLLA KWEGYABA ARTHUR

ABDUL MULIKAT OLUWASEUN.

OLAYIWOLA DAVID WEALTH.

AFUNSHO GRACE BUSAYO

ACT OF HOMOESEXUALISM The incident of homosexualism in Nigeria,sometimes in October 2016, involving Evelyn Osaro who was caught, manhandled and beaten to coma confessed such illicit affairs with QUEEN UVIEROGHENE (other name withheld for security reason) has been on for years. However, the said Queen has been declared wanted by the police. General public take note.

In some of my documents my name was wrongly written as KUKU ELIZABETH IRE instead of KUKU ELIZABETH IRETOMILOWO. All former documents remain valid. General public to take note.

Formerly known and addresed as Odaye Adebukola Mutiat now to known as Oduwole Mutiat Adebukanla. Former documents remains valid.

General public please note.

I formerly known and addressed as Chika Kaylla Stanley now wish to be known and addressed as Chika Kaylla Kwegyaba Arthur. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note.

NASIRU DAUDA. I, formerly known and addressed as, ALHAJI DAUDA NASIRI, now wish to be known and addressed as, NASIRU DAUDA. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Abdul Oluwaseun Ajoke now wish to be known and addressed as Abdul Mulikat Oluwaseun.

All former documents remain valid. General public to please note IWOBA CLARA NWAKUSOR.

I formerly known and addressed as Olayiwola David Anuoluwa now wish to be known and addressed as Olayiwola David Wealth. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note.

OKE OLUBUNMI HANNAH

OKE: I, formerly known as OLADIPUPO OPEYEMI FUNKE, now wish to be known and addressed as OKE OLUBUNMI HANNAH. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

VIOLET AHAOMA ONYECHE

I formerly known and addressed as Violet Ahaoma ALOZIE now wish to be known and addressed as Violet Ahaoma ONYECHE. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note.

ONYEDOZI BENJAMIN NGOZI.

I formerly known and addressed as ONYEDOZI BENJAMIN, now wish to be known and addressed as ONYEDOZI BENJAMIN NGOZI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note ANIMASHAUN BUKOLA ATINUKE.

ANIMASHAUN: I, formerly known as ANIMASHAUN BUKOLA FATIMAH, now wish to be known and addressed as ANIMASHAUN BUKOLA ATINUKE. My correct Date of Birth is 15/05/1993. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

This is to confirm that EGBUZOBI CHISOM PRINCE and EGBUZOBI CHISOM EMMANUEL, are one and same person, now wish to be known and addressed as EGBUZOBI CHISOM PRINCE EMMANUEL. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note

AFUNSHO: I, formerly known as ABIODUN ELIZABETH BUSAYO, now wish to be known and addressed as AFUNSHO GRACE BUSAYO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

IWOBA: I, formerly known as OZAH CLARA NWAKUSOR, now wish to be known and addressed as IWOBA CLARA NWAKUSOR. My correct Date of Birth is 15/08/1973. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

OGUNLOYE STELLA OLUSHOLA.

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OGUNLOYE STELLA, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OGUNLOYE STELLA OLUSHOLA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE

BASIRAT ADELEYE ADEKEMI

VICTORIA EDIDIONG CHARLES

DAVID OLUMIDE ADEOYE .

ADABONYAN: I, formerly known as BELLO AFUSAT TEMITOPE, now wish to be known and addressed as ADABONYAN AFUSAT TEMITOPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

VERONICA MADU I, formerly known and addressed as VERONICA MADU ALEXANDER, now wish to be known and addressed as VERONICA MADU. All former documents remain valid. General Public please note.

I, formerly known and addressed as RISIKAT OLAGUNJU now wishes to be known and addressed as BASIRAT ADELEYE ADEKEMI. All former documents remain valid.

General Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as VICTORIA AKAN OKON now wishes to be known and addressed as VICTORIA EDIDIONG CHARLES. All former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OLUMIDE ADEOYE ADESANYA now wishes to be known and addressed as DAVID OLUMIDE ADEOYE .

All former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

EZE GODWIN CHUKWUNONSO

OSO FOLAKE TEMITOPE .

ILESANMI GBEMISOLA ABIODUN

CORRECTION OF NAME:

I, formerly known and addressed as ODUMUYIWA FOLAKE TEMITOPE now wishes to be known and addressed as OSO FOLAKE TEMITOPE .

All former documents remain valid. General Public take note

I, formerly known and addressed as ILESANMI GBEMISOLA JANET now wishes to be known and addressed as ILESANMI GBEMISOLA ABIODUN . All former documents remain valid. General Public take note

IRETI PRECIOUS ILESANMI .

I, formerly known and addressed as IRETI PRECIOUS AJAYI now wishes to be known and addressed as IRETI PRECIOUS ILESANMI .

All former documents remain valid. General Public take note

ADABONYAN AFUSAT TEMITOPE

I, formerly known and addressed as EZE GODWIN FRIDAY now wishes to be known and addressed as EZE GODWIN CHUKWUNONSO. my address 7,arikewuyo street pedro, bariga lagos . All former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

My name was wrongly written as ONYEANUSI UMEIHESIE UMEAKUDIMBU instead of ONYEANUSI DIVINE IKECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public to take note.

LAWAL KABIRU IDOWU

I, formerly known and addressed as Lawal Idowu Olamilekan now wishes to be known and addressed as LAWAL KABIRU IDOWU. All former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, December 22, 2016

DAVID MARK FOUNDATION THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE CAPTIONED FOUNDATION HAS ACCEPTED THE RESIGNATION OF DAVID ALECHENU BONAVENTURE MARK (GCON) AS TRUSTEE AND CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE FOUNDATION AND HAS APPOINTED IGOCHE MARK AS A TRUSTEE AND CHAIRMAN BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE FOUNDATION. AND THE FOUNDATION HAS DECIDED TO REGISTER IGOCHE MARK AS A TRUSTEE AND CHAIRMAN BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF DAVID MARK FOUNDATION. HENCE THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD NOTE THE FOLLOWING: RETAINED TRUSTEES NEWLY APPOINTED TRUSTEE: 1. IGOCHE MARK 2. JONATHAN MARK 3. REV. FATHER MOSES IKPE RESIGNED TRUSTEE: 1.DAVID ALECHENU BONAVENTURE MARK (GCON) ANY Objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar general corporate affairs commission,420 tigris crescent,off aguiyi ironsi,pmb 198,maitama, abuja within 28 days from the date of this public notice dated day of, 2016 ------------------------------- secretary chairman

GIWA MISTURA YETUNDE

AKEEM OLAKUNLE YINUSA

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS FOLAMI MISTURA YETUNDE but now with to be known and addressed as MRS. GIWA MISTURA YETUNDE All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as AKEEM OLAJIDE YINUSA but now with to be known and addressed as AKEEM OLAKUNLE YINUSA All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

NWAIGWE BLESSING NKIRUKA. I, formerly known and addressed as NKIRUKA BLESSING WEALTH and BLESSING UBA but now with to be known and addressed as NWAIGWE BLESSING NKIRUKA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

That I am the same person bearing ADELOWO BOLAJI and ADELOWO BOLAJI SAMUEL. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

JOLAYEMI DOLAPO TINUOLA.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

ODETONA RASHIDAT ADEOLA.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS. ONI DOLAPO TINUOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. JOLAYEMI DOLAPO TINUOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ADEYEMI RASHIDAT ADEOLA now wish to be known and addressed as ODETONA RASHIDAT ADEOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ONUCHUKWU RITA CHINOYE.

ANDREW MOSES CHIMA

I, formerly known and addressed as Adenrele Idowu Martha Adenike, now wish to be known and addressed as Onuchukwu Rita Chinoye.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ALPHONSUS CHIBUEZE AMOS.

I, formerly known and addressed as OBINNA AMOS ALPHONSUS, now wish to be known and addressed as ALPHONSUS CHIBUEZE AMOS. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

OKEAKPU KENIS OKONKWO.

I, formerly known and addressed as OKEAKPU KENIS CHIDERA, now wish to be known and addressed as OKEAKPU KENIS OKONKWO. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

CHINELO NJIDEKA NWOKE.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS CHINELO NJIDEKA CHIBUEZE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS CHINELO NJIDEKA NWOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

IFESINACHUKWU ADAMMA ANGELA

I formally known and addressed as OZOEMENA ADAMMA ANGELA, henceforth, I wish to Be known and addressed as IFESINACHUKWU ADAMMA ANGELA. Former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ALOZIE MOSES CHIMA, now wish to be known and addressed as ANDREW MOSES CHIMA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHINEDU WILLIAMS OBI I, formerly known and addressed as ANEBO OBI CHINEDU, now wish to be known and addressed as CHINEDU WILLIAMS OBI. All former documents remain valid.

Union Bank and General public should please take note.

EJIKE CHIDIMMA LUCIA I, formerly known and addressed as EJIKEME CHIDIMMA CHIOMA, now wish to be known and addressed as EJIKE CHIDIMMA LUCIA. All former documents remain valid. Diamond Bank and General public should please take note.

HARDBUG FARMERS FOUNDATION

THE SYMBOLIC GREAT WHITE LODGE CHURCH

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

This is to inform the general public that the above named church has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied matters Act 1990.

Board Of Trustees: 1. Venerable Onajole, Aderemi A. 3. Ubong King 5. Olayeni Olatunji Oluremi

2. Mr Mabayoje Samuel Oremosu 4. Giwa Shamsideen Ademola

Aims And Objectives: i) Dissemination of agricultural information among members; market information, high yield seeds/cultivar information, climate and time information. ii) Group access of agricultural facilities and redistribution among members e.g. grants, fertilizer, farm land etc. iii) Provision of agricultural advisory to members. iv) Provision of training to members. v) Provision of agricultural solutions to members.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. Signed By Trustees.

AIMS & OBJECTIVES: 1. To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: President

AKINDE ISIAKA ADEBAYO I, formerly known and addressed as AKINDE ISIAKA AJOSE but now with to be known and addressed as AKINDE ISIAKA ADEBAYO All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

OLOKODE RASHEEDAT AYINKE. I, formerly known and addressed as Olokode Rasheedat Ojuolape now wish to be known and addressed as Olokode Rasheedat Ayinke. All former documents remain valid. Access Bank, general public should take note.

AUGUSTINE ANTHONY

I, fornerly known and addressed as YAKUBU BELLO, now wish to be known and addressed as AUGUSTINE ANTHONY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

NWENYI IFEYINWA ANGELA

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS AKAEZE IFEYINWA ANGELA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NWENYI IFEYINWA ANGELA. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note

FOR SALE OKWARA MICHAEL ONYEJIUWANAKA

I, formerly known and addressed as OKPARA BRODA MYKE but now with to be known and addressed as OKWARA MICHAEL ONYEJIUWANAKA All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

NINIOLA SHERIF OLALEKAN.

Formerly known and addressed as NINIOLA SHERIF OLUWASEUN, now wish to be known and addressed as NINIOLA SHERIF OLALEKAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ANNA NWEZE UDE. I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ANNA UDECHUKWU NWEZE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ANNA NWEZE UDE. All former documents remain valid. First Banks and General public should please take note.

EZE EBERE GRACE

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ADIBE EBERE GRACE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EZE EBERE GRACE. All former documents remain valid. UNTH and General public should please take note.

CHIBUZOR SOLOMON ANIEKEH. I, formerly known and addressed as CHIBUZOR SOLOMON WISDOM, now wish to be known and addressed as CHIBUZOR SOLOMON ANIEKEH. All former documents remain valid. Access Bank and General public should please take note.

ALADO ANGELINA NWANYIEGBO

RITA IJEOMA AKWUBA

I, formerly known and addressed asNRI ANGELINA NWANYIEGBO, now wish to be known and addressed as ALADO ANGELINA NWANYIEGBO .

All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I formally known and addressed as MISS RITA IJEOMA OKOYe now wish to be known and addressed as MRS RITA IJEOMA AKWUBA .All former documents bearing my former names remain valid. general public take note.

UGBOAKU PATRICK UZOKA

I formerly known as AGHA PATRICK UZOKA now wish to be known as UGBOAKU PATRICK UZOKA. Former documents remain valid. Federal College of Education (Technical) Umunze, NAU AWKA, Banks and General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

GODWIN BOSWELL AKUBUE

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Jonah Sunny Emmanuel (President) 2. Ogbologwung Ubanako Biefrinye (Secretary).

AWE ADEKUNLE EZEKIEL

I, formerly known and addressed as ASEKUN ADEKUNLE but now with to be known and addressed as AWE ADEKUNLE EZEKIEL All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ANIOKOLO CHUKWUEBUKA, now wish to be known and addressed as ANIOKOLO EMMANUEL CHUKWUEBUKA. All former documents remain valid.

First Banks and General public should please take note

I formerly known as OKWUCHUKWU AKUBUE now wish to be known and addressed as GODWIN BOSWELL AKUBUE. Former documents remain valid. First bank and general public take note

25

ANIOKOLO EMMANUEL CHUKWUEBUKA

This is to confirm and certify that, FERDINAND CLETUS, FERDINAND ONYEMA and ONYEMA FERDINAND CLETUS refer to one and the same person, now wish to be known and addressed as ONYEMA FERDINAND CLETUS. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

This is to notify the general public of loss of my Indenture of Lease belonging to MR ENEOMEBI STEPHEN .O. Registered as 88/88/95 in lands Registry Enugu. Please if found kindly return it to Ministry of Lands Enugu.

OTIGBA MAXIMUS ANAZODO

I, formerly known and addressed as ANAZODO MAZI OTIGBA but now with to be known and addressed as REVD. OTIGBA MAXIMUS ANAZODO All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

HAMZAT KABIR OLASHEENI

I, formerly known and addressed as HAMZAH IDOWU now with to be known and addressed as HAMZAT KABIR OLASHEENI. All former documents remain valid. Union Band and the general public should please take note.

IREOZOR FRANKLINE NNORUKA

I, formerly known and addressed as FRANK SMART now with to be known and addressed as IREOZOR FRANKLINE NNORUKA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to inform the general public of loss of original Building Certificate of Occupancy Reg. as55/55/1319 at Land Registry belonging to BARR IKPEAMA MAURICE OKONKWO of Plot 401 Anioma Layout Iji Nike Enugu East lost on transit. If found contact the Ministry of Lands and Urban development Enugu.

LAZARUS FELIX UKET

I formerly known and addressed as Moses Uguru Uket Now wish to be known and addressed as Lazarus Felix Uket all former document remain Vaiid general public pleasd take note

GODWIN DANIEL I, formerly known and addressed as MARCUS GODWIN DANIEL but now with to be known and addressed as GODWIN DANIEL. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

ANISIOBI KENECHUKWU

I, formerly known and addressed as ANISIOBI KELECHI now with to be known and addressed as ANISIOBI KENECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

NAOMI EKONG NATHANIEL. I, formerly known and addressed as JONAH NAOMI MFONISO but now with to be known and addressed as NAOMI EKONG NATHANIEL. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to inform the general public of loss of Land Documents Plot 13 BIK 111 Amechi Awk. Deed of Assignment Reg. as 91/91/1102, Plot 14 BIK 111 Amechi Awk. Reg as 90/90/1102, Plot 25 Umuoji St. Ind. L/out Enugu Reg as 25/25/1244 at Land Registry belonging to L. IZUCHUKWU ONWUEGBU got lost. If found contact the Ministry of Lands and Urban development Enugu

IKEH OBIAGELI CORDELIA I, formerly known and addressed as MRS. OKORIE OBIAGELI CORDELIA but now with to be known and addressed as IKEH OBIAGELI CORDELIA (MRS.). All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

26

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, December 22, 2016

Health

s

Ex-minister advocates strategies for primary health care, SDGs

Lara Adejoro

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Odein Ajumogbobia (SAN), has said that strong public health policies, supporting a robust, well-funded and strategic primary health care deployment is one path to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, which replaces Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, is a policy of the United Nations, UN, to achieve development in all ramifications, including health, education and road infrastructure globally, but, particularly in the developing countries, like Nigeria.

He spoke at the Annual General Meeting/Scientific Conference of the Association of Resident Doctors/Lagos University Teaching Hospital (ARD/LUTH) with the theme: ‘Leaving No One Behind’: The Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria and how Healthcare can get us there.”

Speaking further, he said, “although it is only SDG3, which explicitly relates to health by seeking to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages, “I would submit to you that SDG 1 and 2 are perhaps as fundamental as SGD 3 for a developing country like Nigeria’s health care priorities.”

According to him, “SDG 1

Working together to achieve the SDGs

seeks to end poverty in all its forms everywhere; while SDG 2 has the ending of hunger, achieving food security and improving nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture as its goal.

“In Nigeria, today, the number one cause of death and disability is still undoubtedly, poverty. Poverty, is indisputably the most significant cause of the

intolerable and embarrassing statistics of infant and maternal mortality in Nigeria; for babies and infants dying from preventable communicable ailments: diseases, which would easily be prevented by a single timely vaccination; or diseases and deaths caused by lack of sanitation or clean water. But also of non-communicable diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes,

and respiratory ailments that can be treated and managed through an effective health care system.”

He adds, “Beyond the dire environmental handicaps of the poor, access to basic medical care and to drugs to alleviate the burden of illness and disease, is also clearly severely constrained by poverty reflected in the high incidents of pa-

tients discharging themselves against medical advice on account being unable to afford the care.”

President of the ARD LUTH, Dr. Akinkunmi Afolabi said there is need to make policies that will enable the achievement of SDGs. “To achieve the SDGs, healthcare must be well financed. The World Health Organisation (WHO), recommended that 15 per cent of the budget be set aside to fund the health sector, but we’ve been falling short of that and so, we need to improve the budgetary allocation to healthcare.”

According to him, “When we get that right, we will be able to achieve the SDGs. Universal Health Coverage will not be achieved if we don’t improve the budgetary allocation to the health sector.”

The Africa Coordinator for SDG Awareness Campaign Tour (SDGACT), Mr. Oluwashola Adejoro, said all hands must be on deck to achieve the SDGs. He said, “The government, private organisations and individual, must get involved; so, we can have a monitoring scheme to achieve the SDGs.” He said that, “The fact is Nigeria is on point on its awareness campaign about the SDGs, but we are far behind on its implementation. We need to work harder to achieve the SDGs, so that there will be health for all.”

FG urged to provide health facilities in rural areas Temitayo Olabiyisi The Federal Government has been urged to increase budgetary provisions to the rural areas across the country with a view to reducing maternal death in the country.

Speaking at a Civil Society Media Forum organised by Development Communications (DevComms) with the theme: ‘Overcoming the challenges of Maternal Death during recession in Nigeria’, the President, Association

of Resident Doctors, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (ARD-LUTH) Chapter, Dr. Akinkunmi Afolabi said, the cost of consumable medications has also contributed to maternal death rate.

According to him, “To reduce maternal death, the government must ensure the primary health centres have 24 hours’ power supply. If at the point when a woman is to deliver at night and there is no light to oversee the delivery, there might be complications.”

He said, “How do you expect a delivery or operation to go on successfully when there is no stable power supply to run it”?

He regretted that, “In Nigeria, as of 2015, there were 814 deaths per 100,000 live-births.

Not all pregnant women can afford to buy drugs to use during pregnancy.”

He said, “Most women are dying in the rural areas, due to the fact that they are being attended to by Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs), who have less or no experi-

ence about delivery.”

Afolabi said, the current economy has also contributed to maternal mortality, adding that, “The rate of teenage pregnancy is high and during pregnancy, complications arise, they lose blood, they have tears due to the size of the vagina. Some women will be pregnant and they will stay at home, they won’t register for ante-natal.”

He said, “However, it is advisable to register before the due time of delivery.”

Health Minister, Prof. Adewole

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, December 22, 2016

27 Health

Community lauds NGO’s initiative on menstruation awareness

Participants at the campaign

Adesola Afolabi A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Project Save A Live Today, has been commended

by Sogunro Community Ogba, for sensitising young girls on menstruation and menstrual cycle development.

The community’s treasurer and secretary, Elder Ayo, lauded the organisation’s efforts at educating young girls.

He spoke at Ogba, Lagos, at the weekend, noting that the project

came at a most crucial period.

According to him, “The children are on holiday and are well rested from the pressure of academic activities, so, this is a good time for them to embrace whatever is being taught, such engagement is very much encouraged.”

The group said it embarked on its first campaign towards increasing the mental and physical wellbeing of young girls that have reached puberty stage.

The event, which brought

together, medical personnel, health facilitators, and community volunteers, was themed: ‘How to Handle Menstruation and Menstrual Cycle Development’.

Dr. Mrs. Oluwaseun Afoke, Medical Doctor at LUTH, gave the teeming young ladies tips on health; and in particular assisted them with free gynaecological tests, conducted by medical experts. Speaking on the impact of the event, a young newly married woman, Jessica Aideyan,

applauded the foundation for the initiative.

She said, “I had lots of fun, and gained a lot too, I did not know how to calculate my menstrual cycle before now, as I relied on my mobile phone app, to do that, but thanks to this lecture

by Dr. Seun, I now know how to calculate my menstrual cycle and watch out for tell-tale signs of abnormality within my body.”

The young ladies also had several mental and physical exercises to keep them in shape.

The event also featured one- on -one counselling sessions with the doctor, medical screenings, games and gifts for the young ladies.

According to the organisers, Project Salt is passionate about saving every young lady that needs help.

They said that, a “meaningful impact in the lives of ladies we can touch is what we are aiming for. This is the very beginning, we are working and planning for a much bigger outreach, we already have a repository of programme outlined for the coming year and we are hopeful that come 2017, this event will take a bigger shape.”

Project Salt is an organisation aimed towards enhancing the value to Africa’s ladies and the girl-child.

Unhealthy food: WHO launches tool to protect children

The World Health Organisation, WHO, for the Western Pacific, has launched a new tool to protect children from unhealthy food and drink that cause obesity and other serious health problems.

The tool, called the regional profile model, would help governments and policy-makers to more easily identify food and non-alcoholic beverages that should not be marketed to children.

“Nutrient profiles rank foods by their nutritional composition.

“As such, they are critical tools for the implementation of restrictions on the marketing of food and beverages to children,’’ the WHO said in a statement.”

Across the Western Pacific Region, the WHO said marketers of unhealthy food and beverages targeted children.

These food and beverages are high in calories, saturated and Tran’s fats, salt and sugar, the consumption of which are driving exploding rates for obesity and other health problems in many countries across the region.

“Children are constantly bombarded with clever marketing campaigns that use advertising,

promotion and sponsorship techniques pioneered by the tobacco and alcohol industries,’’ Shin Young-soo, WHO regional director for the Western Pacific, said.

He said marketing played a major role in shaping the children’s diet, preferences and consumption patterns.

“Embedded early on, these ef-

fects last a lifetime, so, we must protect our children’s health from these harmful influences,’’ Shin said.

WHO said evidence showed a link between the exposure to marketing and unhealthy dietary behaviours.

“Unhealthy diets are a key risk factor for non-communicable diseases in children, including obesi-

ty and tooth decay,’’ the organisation said.

In spite of this evidence, the WHO said children remained inadequately protected from harmful marketing practices including television, print and billboard advertising, internet, promotion and sponsorship of school and sports events.

Lifestyle, major cause of deaths in Nigeria Edokpolor Osayande

The Assistant Director of Physiotherapy, General Hospital, Ojuelegba, Dr. Babatunde Adeolu has said that the lifestyle most Nigerians live is the cause of various diseases like cancer, HIV/AIDS, stroke, high blood pressure, and obesity among others, leading to deaths in the country.

He made this known recently in a health lecture at The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Living Stone Assembly Lagos province 13, Gbagada.

Adeolu said, “We now have frequent cases of diabetes, high blood pressure, which are more common in the 21st centuries, as it happens to most

persons as a result of their life style; and in some other cases, they are hereditary”.

He said that, “if a person’s blood pressure in the upper and lower limit is above 80 and 120 respectively, then, medically, we say that person has high blood pressure.”

He said, “A person with high blood pressure should cater for themselves regularly by always going for regular checkup.’’

Also, speaking on posture and general well-being, he said that individual should understand their body system, as some people have the ability to stand for a long time, while others don’t.

Adeolu explained that as a per-

son, if you observed that you are uncomfortable in a particular sitting or standing position such a person is advised to change from that current position.

“If you are standing and it give you pains that means you have been standing for too long, it would be better to change to a comfortable position’’, he said.

He noted that some of the risk factors, such as age, gender, diet, occupation, dirty environment, excess alcohol, smoking, tobacco consumption, lack of proper diet, intake of hard drugs and sedentary lifestyle, among others, are causes of most disease that affect humans in the 21st century.

How modern hospital rescued lives at A’Ibom It used to remain unknown and undervalued by Nigerians until December 10, 2016, when the Reigners Bible Church International, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, collapsed in the middle of service, killing and injuring scores of people.

Many in the throes of death were rushed to the Multi-Specialist Hospital built amidst criticism by the then governor, Sen. Godswill Akpabio. There, many victims of the disaster, were saved from dying.

Thanks to the hospital’s sophisticated equipment, personnel and its proximity to the scene of the incident.

Prior to the completion and subsequent commencement of full medical operations at Ibom Multi Specialist Hospital, ISH, no hospital in the country could boast of a 21st century medical facility like that one.

Like a world renowned surgeon, Eapen Koshy, once said during an interview: “With Ibom Multi Specialist Hospital in the country, you have got the best in Africa in the area of Medicare”.

Within hours, over 20 Orthopaedic surgeries, 15 Neuro surgeries and several other cases were successfully administered to the over hundred admitted victims of the collapsed church building. This success achieved by the ISH, many believed, had re-positioned the hospital to regain its status as the best hospital in sub Sahara Africa.

Testimonies of survivor and family members abound.

After weeping profusely for hours following poor medical attention provided his two kids by a certain hospital in the state (name withheld), Mr. Uko Imah, a member of the Reigners Church said amidst smiles: “But for Ibom Specialist Hospital, I would have lost my kids. All thanks to God and the man whose vision made this possible. What other hospitals struggle to do in hours was achieved by ISH within minutes. Look at my children now, they are responding faster than expected”.

Bishop Uwanta’s testimony was not different. Uwanta who is the board Chairman of Local Government Service Commission (LGSC), said, he wandered what could have possibly happened to the victims of the church disaster if ISH was not in existence.

Akpabio

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, December 22, 2016

28 News

Lagos, Kebbi govs launch ‘Lake Rice’ Benjamin Omoike

ÎÎÎ

Lagos state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, and his Kebbi state counterpart, Atiku Bagudu, on Wednesday officially launched ‘Lake Rice’ to be sold to the public at the cost of N12, 000 per 50kg bag.

Speaking at the launch ceremony held at the State House, Ikeja, Ambode described the event as historic as the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two states in March 2016 had begun to yield the needed fruit.

“We signed MOU in March 2016 with an understanding that we being proudly Nigeria, we want to come out with what is made in Nigeria and what is good for Nigerians. We took all that Buhari said that we needed to grow our food and we decided that we will prove a point and that is what is all about today,” Ambode said.

According to him, the Lake Rice was grown and milled in Nigeria with extreme high quality, adding “we have Ofada and imported rice and we want to show our people that Lake Rice

is the way to go. The major different between Lake Rice and imported, is that imported rice has a minimum storage capacity of between five and six years but Lake Rice is fresh.”

The governor hinted that the state would expand its rice mill as Lagos has the largest consumption market in Nigeria.

He said that since this was the yuletide period when consumption of rice was highest, government had decided to sell each 50 kilogramme bag of Lake Rice for N12, 000; 25kg bag for N6,

000 and 10kg bag for N2, 500, adding that the rice would be on sale as from Thursday, December 22, in about 10 different locations across the state.

The governor said that one needed to get a ticket from the location to pay for a bag of rice in the bank before coming back for collection, explaining that this was done to allow the rice go round everybody.

“We want to ensure that this rice goes to everybody.

You cannot buy twice,” he said, while thanking the Minister of Agriculture for

his support to the state government by promising to donate two rice mills to Lagos next year.

Also speaking at the event, Bagudu said 16 months ago during the National Executive Council meeting in Abuja; he entered into a discussion with Ambode for a joint partnership for the production of rice in view of what was happening in the country.

“We agreed that we should showcase our belief in Nigeria and our people and our commitment to the agenda of making Nigeria a big mar-

ket in Africa. Kebbi State has comparative advantage in area of rice production.

Since then, we have been working assiduously on this after we signed a MOU,” he said.

He said the product could stand any integrity test in Nigeria as the rice was of high quality, adding that Lake Rice had a unique quality different from other rice in the country.

“Our rice is of quality. I am proud of this joint venture, we can do more, we are glad that we are launching Lake Rice today,” he said.

Fayose unfit to govern Ekiti, says Adesua Gbenga Sodeinde, Ado Ekiti

ÎÎÎ

A governorship aspirant and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti state, Chief Diran Adesua, has criticised the state governor, Ayo Fayose, over what he described as “many indecent behaviour, and shameful public conduct” that is unbefitting of a person of his personality as the governor of Ekiti state.

Adesua, who said Fayose is ‘unfit’ to be governor of the state, particularly described his outbursts and his public conduct as ‘appalling and disparaging’ to Ekiti’s value of honour and integrity, pointing out that Ekiti

with the motto “fountain of Knowledge and land of honour “ did not deserve such a character like Fayose as Governor.

The aspirant who gave an example of when Governor Fayose personally stormed Zenith Bank in Ado Ekiti to demand for N5Million from the controversial accounts that had attracted National attention when salaries and pensions were not regularly paid for the past six months, queried: “How can a governor go to bank and come out with bags of money in his hands in a state where salaries, gratuities and pensions were not paid? It is affecting our image negatively and this must stop in 2018”, he said.

Stress could lead to mental illness, psychiatrist warns Kehinde Akinpelu, Ilorin

ÎÎÎ

A Consultant Psychiatrist of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Prof Alfred Makanjuola, has warned Nigerians to beware of triggering stress leading to mental illness.

Makanjuola made the warnings on Wednesday, during his paper presentation entitled: “Mental Health in a Dwindling Economy”.

The Psychiatrist made his presentation at the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) 2016 Annual General Meetings and Scientific Conference organized in Ilorin.

According to him, people in the country are facing deluge of

problems emanating from genetic factors, environmental factors, economic and societal factors.

The expert postulated that there is correlation between the steady rise of mental illness and dwindling economy, especially as the country is in recession and approaching depression.

The Psychiatrist who described mental health as the a state of wellbeing where an individual realizes his or her abilities and can cope with normal stress of life, be productive and make contribution to the community.

He however explained that such states of well-being are disrupted in one-third of individuals during their lifetime.

LR: Glo Legal Officer, Mr. Fred Edevbiri; Glo Ambassador, Korede Bello; Glo Commercial Coordinator, Enterprise Business Group, Mr. Folu Aderibigbe and another Glo Ambassador, Reekado Banks at this year’s Glo Ovation Carol in Lagos...recently.

Asaba-Onitsha road auto crash claims 13 lives Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

ÎÎÎNo less than 13 people

were confirmed dead on Wednesday by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) while nine were said to have been injured and two others currently in coma in a multiple auto-crash along Asaba-Onitsha Expressway.

Delta state Commander of the FRSC, Mr. Random Kulven, who confirmed this to our reporter on telephone, said the accident occurred around Okpanam Community Junction along the Expressway when the driver of a green coloured Toyota Car with registration number AA 231 XX heading towards Onitsha allegedly veered out of his way after losing control of

his driving, and severally somersaulted into incoming vehicles, thereby killing thirteen persons with nine injured and two others rushed to the hospital still in coma.

Insisting that deviant drivers have been confirmed to flout orders of the road safety officials, Mr. Kulven warned motorists against flouting safety rules, disclosing that victims of the accident were trapped inside the car after it somersaulted severally to veer out of its way as no help come their way.

It was gathered that sympathizers who later trooped to the scene after long battle to survive by the victims failed, forced the car doors opened with axes before the

corps were moved out to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC Asaba) mortuary.

Eye witness, Kate Okafor said the driver of the car was on top speed which he allegedly slept-off and the car veered out of its way after severally somersaulting.

But residents within Okpanam community who spoke to our reporter on condition of anonymity said it was the sixth times in the month of December, 2016 several vehicles had crashed into others on the same spot and blamed the frequent act on over speeding on the part of drivers.

Only last Monday, a trailer load of goods reportedly crashed into a stationary vehicle in Ubulu-Okiti community along the Express-

way and damaged beyond recognition the vehicles after the driver claimed to have lost his break, fortunately no life was lost.

With the hue and cry of frequent accident on the Asaba-Onitsha Expressway, respondents who spoke to our reporter however called on the Road Safety Corps Officials to readable their efforts with a view to arresting and bringing to book road offenders.

Investigation revealed that victims of the accident admitted into the Federal Medical Centre (FMC Asaba) for treatment, were responding well as one of the doctors who did not want his name in the print said they might be discharged soon.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, December 22, 2016

29 News

Ogun earmarks N12.5bn for workers, pensioners, appointees Abiodun Taiwo, Abeokuta

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The Ogun state government, on Wednesday, said it has committed a sum of N12.5 billion for the payment of backlog of workers’ deductions, gratuities of 2,429 retirees and severance allowances for political appointees who served between 2007 and 2015.

The Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa, disclosed this during a press conference held at the Governor’s Office press centre,

Abeokuta, Ogun state capital.

Barrister Adeoluwa, who said the money which was part of the N10.6billion Paris Club refund accrue to the state, is expected to cover six months arrears of workers deductions out of 12 months being owed and also take care of gratuities for pensioners from November 2012 and January 2014.

Also released was December salaries, with 10% bonus approved for both state and local government employees.

According to Adeoluwa, who

was flanked by the state Commissioners of Finance and Information, Messrs. Wale Osinowo and Dayo Adeneye, at the press briefing, N5.5 billion would be for the payment of the 6 months deductions, N6 billion for the payment of two year gratuities and N1 billion for the immediate payment of the balance of the severance allowances to political appointees who served under the immediate past government between 2007 and 2015.

The SSG, said a sum of N10.6 billion had been received from

the federal government as part of the state share of Paris Club refund, while the balance of N1.9billion was sourced from the savings by the state government.

He added that though, the federal government directed the states to set aside 50% of the fund for workers emolument, while 50% should be used for projects, Senator Ibikunle Amosun-led administration used all the 10.6billion on workers emolument because of its commitment to the welfare of public and civil servants in Ogun state.

He said, “In spite of the economic recession, Ogun state government has commenced the payment of December salaries and approved bonus for December. And to intervene in the socio-economic development of our people, N12.6billion has been released for the payment of arrears of workers’ deductions and gratuities.

“N5.5 billion has been approved for the payment of six months’ workers’ deductions out of 12 months being owed by the state government. N6 billion was

Adenuga is gift to Africa -Mahama

Medview integrates regional air travel, begins Monrovia, Accra routes

ÎÎÎThe

Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

ÎÎÎ Nigeria‘s flag carrier air-

line, Medview today deepened intra African trade relations as the carrier launched services to Freetown, Sierra Leone, Monrovia, Liberia via Accra, Ghana.

Medview‘s inaugural flights to the two cities brought excitement to travellers who yearned for strong connectivity with nations in West Africa and Africa as a whole following depletion of services by carriers which showed promise at inception but ceased operations shortly after.

Flight services by the carrier have again rekindled hope of integration in the West Africa sub region.

Air travel within West Africa is said to be cumbersome as travellers most times go to Europe or North Africa to connect flights back to continent.

Speaking to journalists at the Robertsfield International Airport, Monrovia, special representative of the President of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission in Liberia, Amb. Tunde Ajisomo, said what Medview had done would deepen trade within the sub region.

The visibly elated envoy said, “we welcome maiden flight of Medview to Monrovia and Sierra Leone would help to integrate the region.”

He disclosed that the plan to bring Medview to the cities started a year ago, and thanked the people of Liberia for providing the facilities and logistics for making the dream come through.

approved to clear gratuities arrears from November 2012 and January 2014, while N1 billon was meant to clear the balance of the severance allowances of political appointees that served under the immediate past government between 2007 and 2011, as well as those who served under this current administration between 2011 and 2015.”

Adeoluwa assured that the state government would offset the remaining deductions arrears and gratuities as soon as fund is available.

L-R: Managing Director, Liberia Airport Authority, Mr. Bako Freeman; representative of the President of ECOWAS Commission in Liberia, Amb. Tunde Ajisomo and MD/CEO, Medview Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole, during the inaugural flight to Liberia and Sierra Leone… on Tuesday.

Sani Bello reshuffles cabinet Saka Bolaji - Minna

ÎÎÎNiger

state governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, on Tuesday effected a minor change in his cabinet with the redeployment of the Commissioner for Land and Housing as well his counterparts in Agriculture and Rural Development and that of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

The governor, in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Jonathan Tsado Vatsa, said at the last State Executive Council meeting for the year 2016 that there will be more changes in 2017.

According to the statement, Governor Sani Bello while thanking the Commissioners

and all Council members for their cooperation and contributions expressed dissatisfaction with their performances saying he can only give a pass mark of 60%.

“I commend everyone of you but you must all sit up because 2017 will be a year of fulfilled promises. I can give you a pass mark of 60% but much is expected of you by next year. Everybody must sit up because we must deliver the dividends of democracy to the electorates”.

In the statement, the Governor announced the redeployment of the Commissioner for Land and Housing, Haliru Zakari Jikantoro, to Local Government Affairs; the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Alh-

aji Aliyu Abdullahi, is to take over from him, while the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Kabiru Abbas Musa, is to take over from the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development.

Others are, Permanent Secretaries of Ministry of Health, Dr. Umar Ibrahim Tiffin, that of Justice, Barrister Ndagi Wali, and Director, Hospital Management Board, Dr. Makunsidi are to report to the Head of Service for new redeployments, while the Director, Planning and Statistics in the Ministry of Health is to resume at the Hospital Management Board.

Furthermore, while wishing all members a Merry Christmas and Happy New

Year in advance, Governor Sani Bello charged them to show more commitment in carrying out their functions in accordance with his mandate adding that “more changes will come with the new year.”

Gov Bello

Chairman of Globacom, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr. has been described as a gift to the continent of Africa by the President of the Republic of Ghana, Mr. John Dramani Mahama.

President Mahama spoke at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos venue of the 2016 Ovation Green Carol sponsored by Globacom early Monday morning.

The outgoing president of Ghana, who was inducted into the Ovation Hall of Fame as part of the 2016 Ovation Green Carol, said this was why Ghana conferred its highest award of the Companion of the Star of Ghana (CSG) on Dr. Adenuga.

“Dr. Adenuga is one African who had broken through in telecommunications and entrepreneurship as a whole.

From my experience since I was a deputy Communications Minister and later Communication Minister, the industry was dominated by foreign companies until Dr. Adenuga came with his submarine cables and innovations. That was why we recently presented him with the highest award. It is good to honour our foremost business people,” President Mahama stated.

The outgoing president said of his loss in the just-concluded elections: “While I might feel disappointed that Ghanaians did not see what I was trying to do, the will of the people must be respected. In four years’ time, there will be another election and the people will speak.

Let the narrative be that Africa is developed. I have moved on and will hand over on January 7th.”

Ibrahim’s fears over Christmas break

W

ikki Tourists captain and right back, Mustapha Ibrahim has expressed some worries over the overall effect of the one week Christmas break for the Bauchi outfit.

The Bauchi-based side will embark on a one week yuletide break to resume on Wednesday, December 28.

Ibrahim feared that the one week break may retard the progress the team have achieved so far in readiness for the

2016/17 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

“I have strong reservation for the one week Christmas break for the team which started on Wednesday to end on Wednesday, December 28.

“We have attained high height in our preseason preparations and just need few touches here and there to be in superb form for the top-flight.

“I fear that the break may bring to

nothing these weeks of hard work as chances are there for some players to come back from the break overweight and loss of fitness.

“That’s certain to be a drawback or a sort of starting all over again with the league commencement date already fixed for January 15.

“Although, the head coach, Mohammed Baba Ganaru has sternly charged the players to be mindful of their activi-

ties during the break and do themselves some good to train on their own.

“I think that will be a good check on any player who wants to go to the extreme of wide celebration as such player stand the risk of losing his position in the team.

“We believe we can challenge for the available trophies in the land with the help of our new coach, Ganaru,” said the former Nigerian junior international to supersport.com.

Page 30

Thursday, DECEMBER 22, 2016

Court halts Mark D’Ball Basketball tourney Andrew Ekejiuba

T

he 2016 edition of the annual Mark D’Ball Basketball tournament in Otukpo, Benue State, scheduled between December 26 and 31 has been suspended due largely to off the court political intrigues and power play in the area.

Convener of the championship, Igoche Mark, said the decision to put the annual sports and entertainment fiesta on hold was borne out of an order of interim injunction granted one Edwin Owoicho by the High Court of Benue State, sitting in Makurdi, on

December 16, 2016, to stop the Mark Sports Foundation from staging the event, pending the determination of the motion before the court in January 16, 2017.

Though Mark said the reason for the order was yet to be ascertained, as lawabiding citizens, they are inclined to comply and allow the judicial process take its full course.

“We have no doubts that this shadowy Owoicho is mere front for certain interests, persons, agencies or government personages. However, We are adamant and unflinching in our convictions that sports

S

family.

Salami, undoubtedly had a great year to celebate after breaking a 15-year-old record in his Finnish club to become their all-time top scorer in his first season.

“2 years and still counting...

Alhamdulilah,” Salami posted.

Salami

Basketball star, Ike Diogu (right) expected to feature at this year’s Mark D’Ball Basketball tourney.

remains a tool to check youth restiveness and involvement in vices. This has been one of the cardinal objectives of this tournament.... this sinister action is unarguably a cruel dagger to the heart of the people of Benue State especially the youths and children who dream and look forward to this annual event,” he said.

Mark D’ Ball Basketball, an annual international sports showpiece has hitherto helped to put the sleeping town of Otukpo, the traditional and political headquarters of the Idomas, on the world basketball map, priding itself as the most sought-after

Salami celebrates wedding anniversary uper Eagles f o r w a r d G b o l a h a n Salami and his wife, Lolade celebrated their second wedding anniversary on December 21, 2016.

The former Warri Wolves forward took to his Instagram page to share adorable pictures of his coute

Ibrahim

holiday destination for sports and musiclovers in Nigeria and beyond during the week-long championship.

Mark said the tournament, sanctioned by the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), is a non political, non-partisan and non-profit venture, sponsored by the former Senate president,Senator David Mark.

He said this year, star players like Ike Diogu, Tunji Awojobi and Ejike Ugboaja are among others were to hit Otukpo.

High School coaches from the USA, representatives of FIBA-Africa, NBBF and NBA were scheduled to grace this year’s edition.

Katsina Utd down FCIU in friendly

K

atsina United showed their class in a second straight pre-season friendly against FC Ifeanyi Ubah (FCIU) when they won 1-0 on Wednesday.

The first match ended in a 1-1 draw.

Wednesday’s second game was goalless after first half, before the visiting Katsina scored what proved to be the match winner courtesy of a long-range shot by Frank.

The Nigeria National League overall champions will feature in next season’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

Already, the Katsina United have been granted a short holiday till after new year.

Thursday, December 22, 2016

EXTRATIME

31

SPECIAL FEATURE Errol Sweeney

S

o Fifa have relented and allowed us downtrodden, heavily criticised, browbeaten, vilified, and constantly under pressure referees to have some assistance at last.

The Video Assistant Referees System (VARS) was used recently at the Club World Cup when Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai used the device for the first time to award Kashima Antlers from Japan a penalty in their semifinal against Atletico National from Colombia.

It is widely reported that the Major League Soccer (MLS) in the USA will also apply to use it in next season’s games.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber made the announcement as part of his annual State of the League address on the eve of the MLS Cup final.

They will trial it for the first part of their season with every intention of implementing it fully for the second half of the season.

The Video Assistant Referee initiative, as outlined by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) which oversees the Laws of the game, consists of an additional referee positioned in a booth with technology that allows access to video at a finger’s touch from every available camera angle.

The MLS are at the forefront of this new experiment, having been selected along with five other leagues around the world to conduct video replay testing in a series of competitive matches held at the Red Bull Arena in New York City.

The other countries are Australia, Brazil, Germany, Portugal and the Netherlands.

This is and was a truly historic moment in football.

The incident that prompted the use of the VAR happened when Antlers defender Daigo Nishi was bundled over in the penalty area by Orlando Berrio of Atletico. The offence was not initially spotted by the officials in this last-four encounter.

However, the referee stopped the game to consult the pitchside monitor and, having reviewed the incident, awarded the penalty to Kashima Antlers, which was converted by Shoma Doi. It was very noticeable that there were little or no complaints from the Atletico players when clarification was confirmed that it definitely was a penalty.

So, where to from here.

Well it’s absolutely imperative that the system, which has now been tested and is available, is introduced in as many games as possible. By that I mean it should not only be for major games like premier leagues.

I understand that the costs are probably quite high but when you see the cost to a team of losing a game, which could result in that team being relegated to a lower division, it’s a no brainer.

When you see the impact on a team that loses, or wins, and the costs in financial terms of being promoted or demoted you can see the need for it.

When you see the cost in human lives where referees have been badly assaulted and even killed because of

Many gains of Video Assist Ref! decisions they have given, or not given, it’s a no brainer once again that this system needs to be implemented as soon as is humanly possible.

I have to admit that I wasn’t always be in favour of such gadgets, but now I’m totally convinced and won over that this is the way to go. We can also use it to cite players who deliberately and knowingly cheat and dive to try and hoodwink the referee.

Bring it on Fifa and lets expose the real cheats once and for all! Ï Culled from supersport.com

“When you see the impact on a team that loses, or wins, and the costs in financial terms of being promoted or demoted you can see the need for it.

When you see the cost in human lives where referees have been badly assaulted and even killed because of decisions they have given, or not given, it’s a no brainer once again that this system needs to be implemented as soon as is humanly possible.”

Usoro

FIFA President, Gianni Infantino.

Court halts Mark D’Ball Basketball tourney

Published by FOLIO COMMUNICATIONS LTD,

email: info@dailytimes.ng Tel: 08051000448.

Editor Daily: ROSE MOSES

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2016

VOL. 2. NO. 261

Price: N150

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I Simon

Yusuf

Tottenham in hot chase for Simon!

t is believed that Nigeria international Moses Simon could be a top target for Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur in the summer.

And before then, the Nigeria winger has a chance to show the London club how good he is at close quarters when his Belgian club Gent clash with them in the UEFA Europa League.

Gent host Spurs in a Europa League Round of 16 on February 16 with the return leg in England a week later.

“Moses has again been linked with Gent, but if this move will go through it will be in the summer and not earlier,” disclosed a top source.

“The player himself wants to play in the Premier League and he is very excited that Gent have been drawn against Spurs in the Europa League.

“It will be a big chance for him to show the Premier League club just how good he is.”

The jet-heeled Simon has severally been linked with Spurs as his Londonbased agent has superb contacts at White Hart Lane.

The 21-year-old Nigeria international took the Belgian league by storm in the 2014/15 season on arrival from Slovak champions AS Trencin.

He fired seven goals in 17 appearances following his mid-season transfer as Gent won the Belgian championship and this season, he has scored three goals in 16 appearances.

I joined Rangers to win trophies — Etor

D

aniel Etor has revealed he ditched Enyimba for Enugu Rangers as he feels he has a better chance of winning silverware with the NPFL Champions.

The energetic midfielder, signed one-year deal with 2015/16 Nigerian champions and he is confident that the Flying Antelopes will win more laurels in 2017.

“Well, I am very glad to have completed a moved to Rangers, I am optimistic that Enugu Rangers fly high on the continent next season,” Etpr told Goal.

“I know so well that the coach, Imama Amapakabo knows what he wants and that’s part of the reasons that motivated my move. I think I will improve myself here and I’m confident that I’ll lift more trophies. “ I do believe that the coach has a lot to offer the team, targets are well articulated, the focus of the team is well defined and the quality of players here will conquer Africa.”

The former National U-23 star was part of the long list of top players who left Enyimba after the 2015/16 Nigeria Professional Football (NPFL) season.

Etor

Business Times Daily Times Nigeria

FIRS to support Diaspora Nigerians to invest at home

Oando completes $115.8m partial divestment Page B2

CCNN to complete $300m expansion Cement Company of Northern Nigeria (CCNN), BUA Group’s cement subsidiary in Sokoto State, expects its new 1.5million metric tonnes per annum cement plant to be completed before the 3rd quarter of 2017.

The company made this revelation through the Founder/Executive Chairman of BUA Group and Chairman of CCNN, Abdulsamad Rabiu, during a working tour of the plant by the Minister for Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

Speaking during the visit, Rabiu said that the $300 million project which began a few years ago is the first expansion of the plant since 1986 which BUA group took over majority shareholding in 2010.

He also informed the minister that the Group has discovered coal in commercial quantities which it intends to use as fuel for a 40MW power plant being constructed as part of the project. This new cement factory can use both coal and LPFO and will source its power needs from the plant with the excess power generated to fed to the National grid.

According to Rabiu, BUA’s $300 million in investment in the new plant is the single largest private sector-led investment in the entire North West Nigeria.

He also highlighted the plant’s export potential with it being 100 kilometres to the border with the Niger Republic and 200 kilometres to the border with the Benin Republic. This, according to him, will help the country earn muchneeded foreign exchange and diversify the economy further.

In his response, Dr. Fayemi commended BUA Group and Sokoto Cement for their contributions to various areas of national development whilst stating that CCNN is the second-largest employer of labour in Sokoto State after the state government.

BUSINESS TIMES Editor Andrew Odioko Head Business Azubike Nnadozie Capital Market Editor Bonny Amadi

Page B3

Thursday, Deceember 22, 2016

Expect big revolution in agribusiness in 2017 - Dangote

Page B7

Minimum wage agitation: Nationwide strike looms in 2017 Joy Ekeke The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened a nationwide strike starting from May 1, 2017, if the federal government failed to implement the N56, 000 new national minimum wage it proposed.

This threat was issued in a statement by the President of the congress, Mr. Ayuba Wabba, in Abuja.

Wabba said: “The issue of minimum wage remains sacrosanct because of the fact that, by law and practice, the review is due and overdue. I have said clearly that we cannot guarantee

any industrial peace any longer if necessary steps are not taken by the government to try to resolve this issue before the next May Day. “This is very clear because, as we said, we have sent a formal notice of demand as required by law to the government to try to constitute the committee.

“Essentially, the committee to dialogue and negotiate the minimum wage which is supposed to be tripartite has not been set up. If it is set up, all of you will be aware of the membership and also their terms of reference and the timeline given to them to actually dispose of this very vital

issue.

“The issue is so sensitive because of the fact that a lot of our members have actually been subjected to a lot of difficulties because the purchasing power of ordinary Nigerian workers has been reduced to virtually nothing because of the inflation in the system, the free fall of the naira and, to compound it, the high cost of goods and services.

“More so, most workers now cannot meet up with their daily needs, they can’t pay their rents, they can’t send their children to school. It is even more compounded because the cost of goods and services has gone up.

So, side by side with the issue of fighting corruption is also for workers to be paid a decent wage so that they can have a meaningful living, so, this is the challenge.

“They must see the reason to try to accommodate it because the fact is very obvious that it is legitimately due both in law and practice and therefore this is our approach.

“As I said earlier, we have made a formal demand, written and therefore if there is the need to review the template, we will do that at the table but that will have to be joint. What we have submitted is N56,000 and therefore that N56,000 is still valid.”

L – R: Paul Richardson of World News Media Limited; Herbert Wigwe, GMD/CEO, Access Bank Plc and Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan, Head, Sustainability, Access Bank Plc at the London Stock Exchange, where Access Bank Plc. received the award for ‘Best Sustainable Bank 2016’ from the World Finance Magazine ... recently.

Bonny Amadi Union Bank of Nigeria Plc has called on Nigerians to ensure that the internally displaced people (IDPS) across Nigeria are not left out in the celebration of Christmas by contributing N1, 000 in support of the IDPs. The WeCare4IDPs campaign which is imploring 1 million Nigerians to donate at least N1,000

CSR: Union Bank, UN-ONCHA campaign for IDPs at Christmas during the campaign this Yuletide, started on December 16th and runs to December 31st.

Union Bank and United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affair (UNONCHA) in partnership with Influential Media Organizations

including Daily Times Nigeria recently unveiled “Wecare4IDPs’ an initiative to raise support for Internally Displaced Persons.

WeCare4IDPs is a citizenship initiative which creates a platform for all Nigerians – individuals and corporate bodies to be a

part of the solution in matters concerning IDPs by raising funds to support them.

It is estimated that more than 8.5 million people have been affected by the insurgency in the North East and require humaniCONTINUED ON PAGE B2

Business News B2 Oando completes $115.8m partial divestment Nigeria’s leading indigenous energy group listed on both the Nigerian and Johannesburg Stock Exchange, Oando Plc, has announced the completion of a partial divestment of 49% of the voting rights in Oando’s midstream business subsidiary, Oando Gas and Power Limited (“OGP”), to Glover Gas & Power B.V., a special purpose vehicle owned by Helios Investment Partners LLP (“Helios”), a premier Africa-focused private investment firm.

Commenting on the completion of the transaction, Oando’s Group Chief Executive, Jubril Adewale Tinubu said: “The commencement of this strategic partnership underlines Oando’s status as the indigenous partner of choice for international firms in our industry, while also acknowledging the Group’s unwavering commitment to improving access to gas and power solutions for industries, consumers and commercial counterparties in the sub-region. This partnership will firmly leverage OGP’s local knowledge and expertise, alongside Helios’s global network and financial capabilities to optimize our existing operations and expand our footprint.”

Co-founder and Managing Partner of Helios Investment Partners, Tope Lawani, added: “The completion of this transaction underscores Helios’ commitment to investing in businesses that deliver energy access solutions to industries and consum-

tarian assistance. About 6.9 million children and adults are expected to be impacted if the 2017 HRP is fully implemented.

According to Union Bank, WeCare4IDPs program is expected to help bridge funding gaps to implement the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) which is estimated will require USD $1.05bn to fully implement the plan.

The bank in a statement promised that “funds raised will go directly to funding direct impact projects defined in the 2017 Nigeria Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) developed by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) with the support of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Planning.

NIMASA shuts three facilities Okeowo Babajide

Wale Tinubu

ers across the continent. We look forward to working closely with the OGP management team and other industry stakeholders to consolidate the company’s position as a premier provider of cost-effective and reliable gas and power infrastructure.”

OGP is the pioneer developer of Nigeria’s foremost natural gas distribution network and has subsequently grown to become the largest private sector gas distributor in Nigeria, delivering at peak, 70 million standard cubic feet per day (“mmscf/d”) to over 175 industrial and commercial customers via a vast network of gas infrastructure.

With over 260km in pipeline infrastructure built, OGP provides unique energy solutions primarily through its subsidiaries: Gaslink Nigeria Limited (“Gaslink”), Gas Network Services Limited (“GNSL”), and Central Horizon Gas Company (“CHGC”).

CSR: Union Bank, UN-ONCHA campaign for IDPs at Christmas CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, December 22, 2016

At a partnership event which took place recently in Lagos, it was announced that the funds raised from this initiative will be committed towards the implementation of projects in 5 key areas.

The target areas are reducing the scourge of malnutrition faced

by IDPs,especially children. It would also cover preventing the potential for the spread of disease by improving sanitation and access to water and also deployed to reducing mortality rate, especially in children, by providing access to improved healthcare, The funds would also be deployed to providing access to basic education for displaced children living in camps and host communities and reintegrating IDPs into society through economic empowerment and skills training.

Pursuant to its mandate as the Designated Authority (DA) for the implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code in Nigeria, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has shut three jetties and port facilities for non-compliance with the provisions of the code.

The facilities are Heyden Petroleum Jetty, Ijora, Lagos; Waziri Jetty, Apapa, Lagos; and Starz Marine Shipyard, Onne in Rivers State. These facilities have persistently failed to comply with the ISPS code necessitating their closure in order to forestall a situation

where security breaches in such facilities will negatively impact the compliant ones.

These closures are in exercise of the agency’s powers in line with provisions of Part VIII of the ISPS Code Implementation Regulations 2014 under which the facilities were adjudged to be non-compliant despite repeated warnings to remedy the deficiencies.

NIMASA has consistently stated its commitment to the enforcement of full compliance with the ISPS Code especially in the face of growing terrorists’ activities globally.

While hosting a pre-assessment team from the United States Coast Guard (USCG) recently, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peter-

side expressed the determination of the agency to enforce the code saying that “ultimately all of us are working for a common purpose, a safer world through safety and security of the maritime sub-sector. If we fix our different corners of the earth, the whole world will be safer for everybody. And so no effort should be spared in trying to guarantee safety and security.”

All shut facilities are to remain closed until the managers of such facilities correct the identified deficiencies in line with the dictates of the Code as the Agency aims to achieve 100% compliance with the cooperation of all stakeholders. This exercise is a continuous one.

Presco exits oil palm, expands rubber cultivation Presco Oil Plc, an agriculture company quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), has announced plans to divest from oil palm cultivation and expand rubber plantation by 2018.

Presco is a fully-integrated agro-industrial establishment with oil palm plantations, a palm oil mill, a palm kernel crushing plant and a vegetable oil refining and fractionation plant.

However, Managing Director of Presco Plc, Mr. Felix Nwabuku, explained that the plan to divest from oil palm cultivation was the right thing to do Nwabuku, while presenting

cash to reward to hardworking staff during the company’s end of year party, noted that the rubber board wood garden for the cultivation of the rubber plantation was ready, adding that the firm planned to cultivate 100,000 hectares of oil palm across the country which will create over 50,000 jobs.

According to him, “It is the will and determination of the people to drive agriculture, to get into agriculture and practice agriculture. We can then use whatever the government has put in place to support agriculture.

“Our destination as a group in Nigeria is to have in the

long run 100,000 hectares of Oil Palm in Nigeria. Today we have 16,000 hectares put together and we have a staff strength of approximately 5,500. It means that in future if we come to a point where we have 100,000 hectares, we are looking at having close to about 45,000 to 50,000 workers working for us.

“We have had challenges in 2016, but we have weathered them. In this 2016, we are able to extend our frontiers. By the time we gathered last year, our Sakponba project which is in Orhionmwon Local Government was idle, but today it has become a reality, so that is progress.”

Money Market B3 ABCON wants dollar notes redesigned to end Nigerian recession The President, Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, yesterday asked the United States to redesign dollar notes to help end the recession in Nigeria.

Gwadabe gave the suggestion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

He said that the change would force currency hoarders to sell off the unbanked dollars in their possession.

The ABCON boss urged the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to negotiate with the President-elect of the U.S., Donald Trump on the best way to achieve the change.

“President Buhari should begin talks with the president-elect of the U.S. to change the face of

Naira falls again at parallel market The Naira on Wednesday fell further to N492 to a dollar at the parallel market, from N490 it closed on Tuesday, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

The Pound Sterling and the Euro closed at N605 and N505 respectively.

At the Bureau De Change (BDC) window, the Naira traded at N399 to a dollar, the CBN rate, while the Pound Sterling and the Euro closed at N604 and N510, respectively. This free fall has been necessitated by the unrelenting pressure on the Naira as the demand for foreign exchange increases on daily basis as a result of the inability of the CBN to meet the demand for Dollar.

The Naira remained stable at the official interbank window, exchanging at N305.25 to a dollar.

Meanwhile, the President of the Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, has welcomed plans for the abolition of the parallel market, saying it was a welcome development.

“The scrapping of multiple markets outside the purview of the CBN will be a welcome development. The existence of multiple rates is highly unacceptable,’’ Gwadabe said.

Reports say that the Ministry of Finance plans to liaise with the CBN to ensure the scrapping of the parallel market.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, Deceember 22, 2016

NDIC tasks MFBs on survival Simon Ugwu The Director, Special Institutions Department ((SID) of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Joshua Etopidiok, has tasked Micro Finance Banks (MFBs) to focus on identifying and implementing solutions to counteract the effect of falling oil prices.

Etopidiok, who gave this task at the 2016 NDIC seminar for Business Editors and Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) in Kaduna, listed the pri-

ority areas as including mobilizing more deposits, diversifying the economy, building infrastructure, deepening regional integration, creating future talents and ensuring healthy urbanization.

“Survival in the turbulent business environment requires uncommon business model and practices. Operators in the government must constantly scan and define the environment. A strategy that has the consumer as focal stakeholders will always design, package and price products acceptable by the market. So MFBs should adopt a transformative business

Gwadabe

the dollar notes. Changing the face of the dollar notes will help to end the recession in various countries by forcing currency hoarders to bring out the hidden dollars into the economy,” Gwadabe said.

According to him, the dollar has remained scarce in the Foreign Exchange Market partly due to the activities of currency speculators who manipulate the market through hoarding and round tripping.

He blamed the current spike in the exchange rate on the activities of speculators who influenced the market through their unguarded statements on the Naira.

NDIC CEO, Umaru Ibrahim

model,” he said.

MFBs were not left out among those hard hit by the effect of the crash in the oil prices as it has affected their operation negatively.

“Slow growth of the financial inclusion indicator, dwindling liquidity, declining solvency (capital adequacy ratio), reduction & advances portfolio, declining volume of deposit liabilities, and job losses in the microfinance banks are all effect of the crash in oil prices”, he said.

He, however, listed steps taken by monetary and fiscal authorities to address the issue to include pursuing strong microeconomic policies, implementing high impact and priority capital expenditure projects, containing fiscal deficits, and improving tax collection and expanding the tax base.

Others are adopting safety net for the vulnerable, a more forwardlooking monetary policy strategy, enhancing vigilance of the financial services sectors and reducing impediment to growth by building physical and social infrastructure.

“Financial and technical support window provided by the NDIC, the creation of the Nigeria Mortgage Refinancing Company (NMRC) to provide a liquidity window, assigning MFBs to composite risk rating ( low, moderate, above average and high) CBN’s provision of soft credits via Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) N20 billion,

FIRS to support Diaspora Nigerians to invest at home - The Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) says it will provide the required information, guide, and answer questions on tax matters of Nigerians in the Diaspora interested in investing in the country.

The acting Chairman of FIRS, Mr. Babatunde Fowler, said this while receiving the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa,on Tuesday in Abuja.

Fowler said there were existing tax laws in the country designed to promote investment of Nigerians in the Diaspora willing to invest in the country.

“If they decide to come as investors, we do have tax duties, and also not believe in double taxation. So if they pay their taxes on their income abroad, they will not have to pay taxes when they invest in Nigeria. “ He said many Nigerians living in the country were not complying with payment of taxes. However, he stated that 99 per cent

Fowler of Nigerians living abroad were paying taxes in the countries of residence.

In terms of issues of giving tax incentive, pioneer status, or waivers to Diasporans who want to invest in Nigeria, he said the

responsibility was with the Federal Ministry of Finance.

“For pioneer status, once they make application, it will be looked by a new committee set up by the Minister of Finance. And if it is an area where they require

pioneer status, I am sure it will be granted.“ Fowler said FIRS would collaborate with the Ministry of Trade and Investment and the office responsible for Diaspora matters to promote inflow of investment in the country.

Fowler, stated that the only way out of recession was for the government to spend money, noting that government can have money to spend when everybody pays their taxes.

“It is right that Nigerians who are making money in the country to pay tax for the government to raise money to deliver the required services.“ He said that the repatriation of Diasporas fund would trigger investment, adding that the availability of investments in the country would lead to the creation of jobs and payment of taxes.

Responding, Dabiri said that the contribution of Nigerians living in Diaspora to the development of the economy could not be ignored.

w

Capital Market B4

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, Deceember 22, 2016

Index in further slip as profit-taking continue Stories by Motolani Oseni Market indicators continued on a decline for the third consecutive day as market indices closed in the red on Wednesday.

According to investment analysts, the current trend, preceded by a significant rally observed in the prior week, has prompted investors to take profit, particularly in oil and gas stocks.

Consequently, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) AllShare Index (ASI) dropped 0.46 percent to close at 26,418.11, with market capitalization shedding N42.2 billion to settle at N9.089 trillion.

Investors moved 421.2 million shares in 3,937 deals, 70 percent better than 248 million shares

sold previously, while value traded grew by 226 percent to N10.1 from N3.1 billion traded on Tuesday.

The five most traded stocks included Mutual Benefit with 90.2 million units of shares valued at N45.1 million. Oando followed with 51.8 million shares worth N222.9 million, while Fidson came third with 49.4 million shares worth N61.2 million.

Champion emerged the day’s fourth-most traded stock with 34.6 million shares worth N85.1 million, while Sterling Bank came fifth having traded 30.2 million shares amounting to N22.2 million.

Market breadth remained strong as 20 gainers were paired against 16 losers, GlaxoSmithKline and Nigeria Police Force Microfinance Bank led the day’s

gainers with 5 percent each to close at N15.75 and N1.05 per share respectively, while Cement Company of Northern Nigeria rose 4.99 percent to close at N4.42 per share. Conoil and Nigerian Aviation Handling Company added 4.95 percent each to close at N35.80 and N2.33 per share respectively.

On the other hand, Forte Oil recorded a 9.74 percent decline for the fourth consecutive day to lead the day’s losers, closing at N85.47 per share. Seplat Petroleum followed with a drop of 5 percent to close at N370.50 per share. Beta Glass also declined by 5 percent to close at N28.88 per share, CAP lost 4.99 percent to close at N31.60 per share, while ETI declined 4.98 percent to close at N10.88 per share.

Ikeja Hotels, Union Homes keep shareholders in doubt over sustainability Bonny Amadi Investors in Ikeja Hotels and Union Homes may have resorted to speculations as to developments in the two companies which they have invested their funds into over the years With barely one week to the year’s end, the two companies still deny their shareholders timely and accurate information on developments in the company.

Their 2014 and 2015 audited financial statements have not been submitted, even as their 2016 audited financial statement is expected to be ready in the next quarter.

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in their compliance schedule identified the two companies as having fell short of the minimum listing standards, which in market parlance serves as a warning to buyers of the companies’ stocks to beware.

The two companies for two consecutive years breached the posting requirement In terms of timely disclosure, or rendition

of their audited financial statements and have missed regulatory filings in the course of the two years under consideration.

A stock broker who pleaded for anonymity told Daily Times that the companies may have willingly commenced a process that may eventually prompt the exchange to commence the delisting process, in order to avoid further sanction on them.

“Companies instead of incurring more losses while being compelled by the regulator to comply with post listing requirement and the sanctions that follow may voluntarily decide to opt out’ the broker said.

The stakeholders said that regulators should strengthen their machinery towards ensuring that companies deliver their results as and when due.

He, however, recalled that the NSE confronted the Ikeja hotels when they held their meeting of which outcome has not been executed in accordance with the regulatory requirement.

Summary of activities on NSE ASI DEALS VOLUME VALUE CAP

L – R Ade Bajomo, Executive Director, Market Operations and Technology, NSE; Mr. Victor FAMUYIBO, Human Resource Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc; Mr. Oscar N. Onyema, Chief Executive Officer, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE); Mr. Nicolaas A. VERVELDE, Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Breweries ; Mr. Uaboi G. AGBEBAKU, Company Secretary/ Legal Adviser, Nigerian Breweries ; and Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri, Executive Director, Capital Market Division, NSE; at the Closing Gong Ceremony in commemoration of the company’s 70th anniversary at the NSE on Wednesday.

NSE delists 6 companies every year for 14 years … Sign of confidence erosion, says Okezie

Bonny Amadi

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has delisted a total of 79 companies over the past 14 years, lending credence to the fate of retail shareholders who have become weary of investing because of fear of delisting.

A report by the NSE further showed that while 79 companies have been delisted during the period, seven other companies are currently undergoing the delisting process which entails the companies being placed on full suspension to prevent loss by unsuspecting investors.

The report shows that since 2012, an average of six companies listed on the exchange failed to adhere to the regulatory requirement on annual basis and consequently delisted every year for the past 14 years.

Findings by Daly Times Nigeria show that delisting of companies from the NSE official listed started in 2002 with Dumez whose delisting arose by regulation. This was followed with the delisting of CFAO in 2007 and another set of 19 companies in 2008.

In 2009, the NSE deleted 11 companies from its official list.

The tempo slowed in 2010 when only 2 companies were delisted, but gathered momentum again in 2011 as 20 listed companies were cleaned off the official register of the NSE. In 2012, three companies were delisted; four companies in 2014, while 2015 recorded only one company which was cleaned off from the NSE official list.

However, 2016 recorded a higher rate of shoving listed companies off the exchange for failure to meet their post-listing rules.

So far this year, nine companies have been cleaned off the book of the exchange for failure to adhere to post listing rules.

26,418.11 3,937.00

421,182,117.00 10,078,152,395.76 9,089,846,669,734.50

Presco operating expenses soars in Q3, 2016 … sustains double-digit sales growth Bonny Amadi Presco Nigeria PLC listed under the agriculture sector of the Nigerians Stock Exchange (NSE) has further strengthened the confidence of its shareholders with a remarkable performance in its third quarter 2016 unaudited financial report.

Irrespective of the challenging operating environment and the skyrocketing value of the US dollar, the company sustained a strong sales growth and revenue stream, even as operating expenses sustained a rising tempo at 87.8 per cent.

Presco’s Q3 2016 results showed that sales grew by 31.6 per cent year on year to N4.4billion. Also, Profit before Tax (PBT) and Profit after Tax (PAT) appreciated by 75.9 per cent y/y and 68.8 per cent y/y to N5.6billion and N3.8billion respectively.

However, a combination of factors offset the impact of an 87.8 per cent year on year increase in operating expense (OPEX). Opex impact was subdued by reclassifications between the cost of sales and administrative expenses as well as a N200m foreign exchange loss.

Presco’s Q3 lower PAT growth compared with PBT was driven by a 93.0 percent year on year rise in income tax expense to N1.8billion during the quarter.

While the top line growth was due to increase in sales price, the impressive earnings were mainly due to a gross margin expansion of 2,549bps year on year to 95.7 percent and a 75.7 percent year on year rise in biological asset revaluation gains.

Though the Q3 sales missed analysts forecast, Presco relished strong double-digit sales growth in the recent quarters.

B5

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, Deceember 22, 2016

D aily M ark e t Ro u n d U p To p 10 Tr a d es b y V olu m e

To p 10 G ain ers

46 b ps Th e n e g a tive tre nd w hich h as p ersist e d since t h e st art o f t h e w e e k w as sust ain e d as t h e A ll Sh are In d ex (ASI) f ell 46b ps t o close a t 26,418.1 p oin ts w hilst YTD re t urn se t tle d a t 7.8 % . As a result, m ark e t ca pit aliz a tion d eclin e d

by N42.2b n t o se t tle a t N9.1t n. Perf orm a nce w as m ajorly a t trib u t a ble to losses in F O RTE (-9.7 %), SEPL A T (-5.0 %), ETI (-5.0 %) a n d U NILE V ER (-2.8 %) a mid yule tid e activities. M ark e t activity h o w ever im prove d sig nifica n tly as volu m e a nd valu e tra d e d surg e d 69.3 % a n d 224.7 % t o set tle a t 421.2 u nits a n d N10.1b n respectively.

A ll Se c t o r In d ic es b u t In d ust ri a l G o o ds cl ose i n t h e Re d Sect or p erf orm a nce w as b e arish as all in dices close d in th e re d save f or t he In d ustrial G o o ds in d ex w hich rose 59b ps d u e t o g ains in W A PC O (+2.5 %).

Th e O il & G as in d ex le d t h e losers, d o w n 3.7 % as invest ors co n tin u e t o cash

Tick er GLA X OSMITH NPF M CRFBK CCN N N A HC O C O N OIL ETERN A A FRIPRU D NEIM ETH STERLN B A N K A GLEVEN T

Price (N) 15.75 1.05 4.42 2.33 35.80 3.09 3.05 0.75 0.78 0.80

Price Ch g % 5.0 % 5.0 % 5.0 % 5.0 % 5.0 % 4.7 % 4.5 % 4.2 % 4.0 % 3.9 %

Price (N) 85.47 370.50 28.88 31.60 10.88 14.21 4.20 6.08 1.29 35.00

Price Ch g % -9.7 % -5.0 % -5.0 % -5.0 % -5.0 % -4.9 % -4.8 % -3.8 % -3.0 % -2.8 %

Tick er M BEN EFIT O ANDO FIDSO N CH A MPIO N STERLN B A N K U NILEVER UB A ZENITHB A N K G U ARA N TY SEPLA T

V olu m e (m) 90.2 51.8 49.4 34.6 30.2 24.0 22.2 20.5 18.8 18.5

Price Ch g % 0.0 % -4.8 % 0.8 % -1.2 % 4.0 % -2.8 % 0.7 % 0.1 % 0.0 % -5.0 %

To p 10 Tr a d es b y V alu e

To p 10 Losers Tick er FO SEPLA T BET A GLAS C AP ETI ST A NBIC O ANDO D A N GSU G A R H O N YFLO UR U NILEVER

Tick er SEPLA T U NILEVER G U ARA N TY FO ZENITHB A N K W APC O O ANDO 7UP UB A CH A MPIO N

V alu e (m) 6855.9 840.7 466.4 308.5 296.0 236.7 222.9 159.3 102.0 85.1

Price Ch g % -5.0 % -2.8 % 0.0 % -9.7 % 0.1 % 2.5 % -4.8 % 0.0 % 0.7 % -1.2 %

NSE A ll Sh ar e In d e x

29,000

NSE All Share Index

Naira Value (m)

12,000

o u t o n F O RTE (-9.7 %) a n d SEPL A T (-5.0 %). Th e Co nsu m er G o o ds in d ex f ollo w e d suit, closin g 0.3 % lo w er d u e t o losses in D A N GSU G A R (-3.8 %) a nd U NILE V ER (-2.8 %). Lik e w ise, Ba n kin g in d ex d o w n 0.5 % on acco u n t o f ETI (5.0 %), ST A N BIC (-5.0 %) a n d A CCESS (-1.2 %). Th e Insura nce in d ex close d t h e d ay fla t.

Pe r f o r m a n c e m a y S w i n g Posi t iv e a f t e r X m as In lin e w it h m ark e t p erf orm a nce, invest or se n tim e n t w as w e a k as re flect e d in t h e m ark e t bre a d t h (a dva ncers/d eclin ers ra tio) w hich se t tle d a t 1.3x fro m

28,000

10,000

27,000 8,000 26,000 6,000 25,000 4,000 24,000

1.1x yest erday as 20 st ocks a dva nce d w hile 16 d eclin e d. NPF M CRFB K (+5.0), GL A X O S M IT H (+5.0 %) a n d CC N N (+5.0 %) le d t h e g ain ers w hile F O RTE (-

2,000

23,000

9.7 %), SEPL A T (-5.0 %) a n d BET A GL A S (-5.0 %) le d la gg ards. As w e n o t ed 21-Dec

18-Dec

15-Dec

12-Dec

09-Dec

06-Dec

03-Dec

30-Nov

27-Nov

24-Nov

`

21-Nov

18-Nov

15-Nov

12-Nov

09-Nov

06-Nov

31-Oct

03-Nov

a n ticip a t e a lik ely re b o u n d to w ards t h e e nd o f t he fin al w e e k o f t h e ye ar

28-Oct

dra m a tic rally o bserve d in th e previo us w e e k a mid yu le tid e activities. W e

22,000 25-Oct

yest erd ay, m ark e t p erf orm a nce re m ains drive n by pro fit t a kin g a f t er t he

a f t er Christ m as.

M a cr o e c o n o m ic G ist

Term of t h e d a y D e m u t u aliz a tio n is w he n a m u t u al com p a ny o w n e d by its users/m e m b ers co nverts in t o a com p a ny o w n e d by sh are h old ers. In ef f ect, t h e users/m e m b ers exch a n g e t h eir Dhetslisti g f or sh ares in t h e d e m ut u aliz e d com p a ny rig o f nuse Th e re m oval o f securities or sh ares fro m listin g o n t h e st ock exch a n g e.

Th e Nig eria n La b o ur Co n gress (NLC) h as t hre a t e n e d t o g o o n a n a tio n w id e strik e f or f ailure o f t h e Fe d eral G overnm e n t o f Nig eria t o im ple m e n t t he st

N56,000 minim u m w a g e. Th e strik e is se t t o co m m e nce o n M ay 1 2017 if d e m a n ds are n o t m e t.

In o ur vie w , t h e minim u m w a g e if im ple m e n t e d co uld p o t e n tially p u t a strain o n t h e pro p ose d recurre n t exp e n dit ure in t h e 2017 b ud g e t.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, Deceember 22, 2016

B6 Brands & Marketing

Why Nigerian Breweries dominates beer market Stories by Godwin Anyebe Despite the economic challenges facing Nigeria as a nation, the beer industry is still looking attractive. Nigeria’s ranking as the most populous country in Africa, with its growing middle-class and a large number of drinking-age consumers, makes it a destination of first choice for multinationals scrambling for positions in a market that has shown room for expansion in the beer industry.

While Diageo has 27 percent market share through its stake in Guinness Nigeria Plc, Dutch multinational, Heineken, remains on the driving seat of the competition in the beer market, commanding 71 per cent market

share through its subsidiary, Nigerian Breweries Plc. The company confirmed its dominance of the thriving beer market earlier this year, when it announced a total cash dividend of N38 billion for its shareholders for 2015 business year. It declared a dividend of N28.5 billion in addition to interim dividend of N9.5 billion it earlier paid, bringing the total cash payouts for the year ended December 31, 2015 to N38 billion.

A further breakdown of the dividend recommended by the company’s board indicated that shareholders would receive final dividend of N3.60 per share, in addition to interim dividend per share of N1.20, bringing the total dividend per share to N4.80 for last year. This would be the

highest dividend ever paid by the company in its 70- year history.

The company’s secretary and legal adviser, Mr Uaboi Agbebaku, said the company was able to achieve strong results and deliver good return on investment to shareholders due to its twin agenda of cost leadership and market leadership supported by innovation.

Noting that this year has seen a continuation of the tough operating environment than the previous year, Agbebaku said the company, whose lager brands include Star, Gulder, Gulder Max and Heineken, remains confident that with its strong portfolio and cost leadership agenda, it would take advantage of any upswing in the market.

NBC celebrates 65th Anniversary, restates commitment to growth, community In another development, the Corporate Relations Director and Company Secretary to the board of Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Sesan Sobowale said; “All the big global brewers are in Nigeria and they don’t just bring in products made in other markets; they have set up shops here.

They have invested in facilities and market infrastructure. Diageo is here represented by Guinness Nigeria; Heineken is here through its subsidiary, Nigerian Breweries Plc, he said.

While admitting that in terms of market share, Guinness Nigeria is number two, Sobowale said because Guinness is part of Diageo, which is one of the best brands in the world, “and as a result, when you come to Nigeria, we behave like number one.”

L-R: The Legal, Public Affairs & Communications Director, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC), Mrs. Folasade Morgan; the Managing Director, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC), Mr. George Polymenakos and the Corporate Communication Manager, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC) Mr. Akomen Omijeh at the Press Conference organised as part of activities marking the company’s 65th Anniversary held in Lagos recently.

Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC), manufacturers of Coca-Cola products, restated its commitment to continued investments in Nigeria as it celebrated its 65th Anniversary.

The statement was made at a celebratory cocktail reception with industry stakeholders recently in Lagos. The engagement was part of the various programmes NBC is rolling out to commemorate its historic milestone themed, ‘Celebrating a Tradition of Excellence’.

NBC was incorporated in November 1951, and is the bedrock of global bottlers, Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company. “Over the last 65 years, NBC has established itself as a key player in the Nigerian non-alcoholic beverage industry. The Company has remained strong and committed to satisfying its consumers and continues to thrive in a challenging business environment and competitive market terrain.

Speaking at an engagement session with one of the stakeholder groups, Managing Director of NBC, George Polymenakos said, “NBC is continuously making major investments and upgrading its systems, including our human capital to drive world class operations. Over the last six years, NBC has invested over $600m as part of the Company’s transformation journey to drive world class standards in its operations. As NBC continues to pursue excellence in its operations, people and systems, so much is being invested to transform our business, to better satisfy our market and loyal consumers.”

Also, in a remark at one of the engagement sessions with stakeholders, Sade Morgan, Legal, Public Affairs and Communications Director, stated that, “a key part of the Company’s sustainable growth and development agenda, is its commitment to ensure NBC is in touch with communities.

Experts sue for innovation at entrepreneurship conference Experts under the umbrella of Weight A Minute Wellness Company have affirmed that in order to gain an edge in today’s disruptive business environment, and harness available opportunities in workplaces, business leaders in organisations must hone their entrepreneurial skills to engage their team.

Speaking at a conference recently in Lagos, Convener, Corporate Wellness Conference, Fola Osasona, stated that the entrepreneurship conference

was aimed at empowering business leaders with the thinking patterns and practical skills of entrepreneurs to lead disruptive innovation activities and embolden them to face rapid change and growing environmental uncertainty caused by technological development.

According to her, “disruption is an opportunity and a challenge for organizations, economies and individuals, noting that facing the challenges of a disruptive environment requires new ways of thinking

and practices in order to survive and thrive in today’s fast moving world.”

She said, “All organisations and their customers are challenged by complexity and disruption and this can directly impact an organizations revenue streams. Organizations whose revenue streams are threatened have a limited life span.

“Leadership is required to understand the challenge, set strategy and objectives build effective cultures and reorient

organizations to be more resilient and relevant. We need new ways of thinking and acting to remain relevant, competitive and resilient in a dynamically disruptive environment.”Fola added.

She disclosed that; “the conference is not only a valuable professional development opportunity for individuals and teams from both large and small organizations, but also a platform to hear from leading thinkers on issues ranging from leadership, employee engage-

ment and innovation.”

Osasona

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, Deceember 22 , 2016

B7 AgriBusiness

Regulatory agencies frustrate value-chain efforts in obtaining permits - WAASA

Stories by Charles Okonji

The founder and president of Women in Agricultural Advancement and Sustainability Africa (WAASA), Ms. Chi Tola, is worried over bottlenecks in obtaining from regulatory agencies the necessary permits and endorsement required by small processors in the agriculture sector.

She has, therefore, urged the Federal Government

not only to monitor the activities of these regulatory bodies but to also review the regulatory policies to make them small processors-friendly.

Tola, who spoke to agriculture journalists in Lagos recently, asked the government to specify and dedicate policies with special consideration to agriculture and its value chain.

“This call has become imperative now as many smallholder farmers who

are willing to venture into agro-processing are having difficulty getting regulatory permits. A small holder farmer who has decided to go into okra farming and processing, seeking to have NAFDAC (National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control) permit to process and package okra for distribution and sale in Nigeria should not be made to pay so much with extensive visits.

“The Federal Govern-

Farmers urged to standardize produce for export market The rejection of Nigerian agricultural produce in the export market is due to the non-certification of farm produce according to approved international standards, especially as the country lacked an appropriate laboratory.

Speaking at the Nigeria Association of Agric Journalists (NAAJ) year-end forum in Lagos recently, the Group General Manager of Natnudo Foods, and President of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Dr. Ayoola Oduntan, noted that there were many factors

affecting the standards of many Nigerian farm products.

Oduntan, represented by the Group Head, Policy and Strategy, Natnudo Foods, Mr. Toromade Francis, categorized the factors into both micro, which could be controlled by the producers, and macro, which could only be controlled by the government.

He maintained that government policies, infrastructure, illegal importation, the high cost of input materials and others and some of the macro factors

Yam Tubers

Agriculture could end recession - Ogbeh

coming aware of the need for products sold at their shops etc to be NAFDACregistered, but the question remains, how many of these small processors can afford the fees? Does processing of these farm harvests require all that is being asked for by the regulating body?” she wondered.

She noted that as change in emerging markets is dramatic, the developed economies are also experi-

encing a shift in consumption patterns, stressing that Nigerians also are more health-conscious than ever before.

She stated that Nigerians are worried about the content of their food, its origin, freshness, and safety, expressing that these consumers are increasingly concerned about the sustainability of food production and its impact on the environment.

She said that training

Expect big revolution in agribusiness in 2017 - Dangote

could only be controlled by the government.

Citing poultry products, for example, Oduntan explained the prices of maize and soya beans have astronomically gone up within the last one year, stressing that for Nigerian-produced eggs, for instance, to be accepted at the international market, every egg must be Grade ‘A’ as the international standards require.

He added that the eggs must be certified by PAN with all production information, such as production date, expiry date, and nutritional component.

Speaking on the role of logistics in the growth of the agricultural sector, the Divisional Managing Director, Red Star Logistics, a subsidiary of Red Star Express Plc., Mr. Ocholi Etu, stated that with proper logistics, the rate at which farm produce get wasted would be drastically reduced to zero level.

The Minister for Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, recently stated that 11 farm produce can help end the recession if they are given serious attention and appropriately cultivated in the country.

Ogbeh disclosed this while addressing the Nigeria Governors’ Forum in Abuja recently. According to him, many of the produce in high demand on the global market are farmed in surplus in Nigeria and wondered why Nigerian farmers remained poor despite the huge potentials on their farmlands.

The crops are cocoa, cashew

ment must review some of these requirements to accommodate small-scale processors.

Standards must be high but fees and procedures must be accommodating for us to really maximize the economic growth potentials in the agro value chain and evaluate the extent of the government’s efforts in supporting local food processors,” she appealed.

“Most of the sales outlets in Nigeria now are be-

Sani-Dangote

The president of the Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG), Alhaji Sani Dangote, foresees a massive revolution in agribusiness in 2017 based on collaborations and synergies between the Federal Government and the group.

Dangote who stated this in Abuja at the group’s annual general meeting, disclosed that the NABG Presidential Committee in

nuts, pulses, oil palm, yam, cassava starch, ginger, sesame seeds, gum arabic, rice, and grains, besides goats and cattle.

He pointed out that cocoa which used to be Nigeria’s leading agricultural export has remained a hot cake in the international market, but regretted that Nigeria has since fallen to the seventh position among exporting countries.

The minister, however, made a case for value addition and standardization of the produce that are grown in Nigeria and processed for exports.

partnership with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development were working on a roadmap to implement the recently-launched Agriculture Promotion Policy tagged; “Green Alternative,” that will propel the expected revolution in Nigeria’s agribusiness within the next 12 months.

He said: “Agriculture in Nigeria is still practised

Audu Ogbeh

the way it was done in the 1960’s probably before 1960.

But within the next 12 months, we will experience a dramatic revolution in agribusiness. The government of President Buhari has started listening. We have engaged the office of the Vice-President, we have also engaged the office of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, and they have agreed to engage NABG to fashion out the way forward for the next 12 months.

“We have proposed focusing on industrial food and non-food ingredients manufacturing, and valueadded processing of staple foods (crops, livestock and fisheries) into packaged, convenient and nutritious food products for domestic consumption and export markets to create jobs, drive competitiveness and a significant increase in generated revenue base at the state level.

Motoring B8

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, Deceember 22, 2016

Volkswagen Group honours 45 trainees from 19 countries Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo The Volkswagen Group has honoured 45 trainees from 19 countries at its annual “Best Trainee Awards 2016.” The award was presented to these young top achievers from all over the world at the VW Group headquarters in Wolfsburg recently.

The 45 award winners, made up of nine young women and 36 young men, including a Volkswagen South Africa trainee, showed high levels of competence and proficiency in

their respective fields during their training programmes.

The awards were presented by the Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG, Matthias Müller, the Member of the Board of Management responsible for Human Resources, Organization and IT, Dr. Karlheinz Blessing, and the President of the Global Group Works Council, Bernd Osterloh.

“The automotive industry is more exciting for young people than ever before,” said Müller.

“Similar to the entire industry,

our company is faced with major changes such as autonomous driving, e-mobility, innovative mobility concepts, digitalization and connectivity. This means that we must update our knowledge and skills at an increasingly rapid pace.”

Müller congratulated the award winners, saying: “I am proud of you. Please remain inquisitive and open to new developments and discover your opportunities in the changes that will take place.”

The 2016 South African

recipient of the “Best Trainee Award” was 25 year-old Cuan George, who joined Volkswagen Group South Africa as a Graduate Trainee in 2015. He currently works as a commodities buyer in the Purchasing department.

“I feel honoured to be one of the 45 trainees in the Volkswagen Group to be presented with the 2016 Best Trainee award. I am very grateful to Volkswagen South Africa for giving me the opportunity to be part of the Graduate Trainee Programme as well as all the people in the

company that have influenced my career development thus far,” said George.

Chairman and Managing Director: Volkswagen Group South Africa, Thomas Schaefer, said: “Our Volkswagen Graduate Trainee programme has helped us to groom and nurture our young talent.

The award bestowed to Cuan has confirmed that VWSA is doing the right things to develop its young crop of talented employees.

We are very proud of Cuan’s achievement.”

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe ‘Night Edition’ underway Mercedes- Benz has revealed plans to make its exclusive S-Class coupé even more exclusive with the introduction of the ‘Night Edition’ of the S-Class Coupé to the European market by April 2017 while the U.S. launch is billed for August 2017.

And with effect from January 9, 2017, this exceptional two-door model will be available to order as a S 400 4MATIC Coupé, S 500 Coupé and S 500 4MATIC Coupé as the ‘Night Edition’ model will celebrate its world premiere at the Detroit auto show in January 2017.

The S Class Coupé ‘Night Edition’ comes

with very special exterior equipment details which include its distinctive radiator grille with a single louvre in highgloss black, together with 20-inch AMG multispoke light-alloy wheels.

The exclusive wheels are painted black and feature a high-sheen rim flange.

The exterior mirror housings and the inserts in the side sill panels are likewise in high-gloss black. Front and rear aprons with AMG body styling come as standard, as do the “Night Edition” badge on the front wings and the illuminated door sills with Mercedes-Benz lettering. Paintwork in

selenite grey magno is available as an option. This is a matt paint finish from the designo manufaktur range and features particularly high-quality special-effect pigments.

One of the exclusive features in the interior is the engraved ‘Night Edition’ name on the insert of the AMG sports steering wheel in nappa leather.

Upholstery in leather, nappa leather or AMG nappa leather in black/ black or optionally crystal grey/black, saddle brown/ black or Bengal red/black, along with high-gloss black poplar wood trim, similarly serve to emphasize the car’s individual character.

Mercedes-Benz Coupe, Night Edition

Kia Niro sets Guinness world record Kia Niro officially received a Guinness World Record title for the lowest fuel consumption driving across the USA from coast to coast (hybrid car). The new record-setting mark is an incredible 76.6 mpg.

“We’re extremely pleased with the Niro’s recordbreaking performance,” said Orth Hedrick, vice president, product planning Kia Motors America. “We set out to build a vehicle that offers real-world utility, great looks and fantastic mileage, and setting the Guinness World Record® title confirms our achievement.”

The Niro EX was driven

by Wayne Gerdes of Carlsbad, California, and co-driver, Robert Winger of Williamsburg, Virginia, 3,715.4 miles from Los Angeles City Hall to New

York City Hall using only 48.5 gallons or 4.1 tanks of gas. The vehicle was not altered in any way for the attempt.

The Niro, an Urban Crossover Hybrid Vehicle, is the first dedicated Kia hybrid and was conceived to bridge the gap between outstanding fuel economy and compact crossover usefulness. In addition to

its athletic and attractive design, the Niro’s long list of features includes: a specially-designed, innovative hybrid system to provide a more dynamic and engaging driving experience; a spacious cabin with lots of room for five occupants and their gear; a full array of advanced driver assistance features.

— available Autonomous

Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Change Assist and Lane Departure Warning; and advanced telematics and entertainment equipment — UVO3 with Apple CarPlay™, Android Auto™ and a 7-inch touch screen and available Smart Cruise Control, navigation and a Harman Kardon premium audio system.

All-new 2017 Ford GT rolls out of production line Less than two years after the Ford GT was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in January 2015, Ford Performance is now delivering the first cars to customers around the globe.

This came as the first road-going version of the all-new 2017 Ford GT rolled off the line – heralding the beginning of production of the long-awaited halo car from Ford Performance.

In this new, lowvolume assembly facility at Multimatic in Markham, Ontario, Raj Nair, Ford executive vice president, Global Product Development, and chief technical officer, marked the milestone by driving a

Ford GT off the assembly line.

“When we kicked off 2016, we had two primary objectives for our Ford GT supercar – to excel at Le Mans, and to start deliveries before year-end,” Nair said. “We’ve achieved both.”

“For everyone involved in designing and developing this car, including all of our employees and suppliers, this is a moment to celebrate,” he added.

“The all-new Ford GT is a showcase of our strength in innovation and our commitment to delivering more for our customers – especially related to light-weight materials, aerodynamics and EcoSport engine technologies.”

The Edo Times

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, December 22, 2016

We want our land back from the ET 3 military - Isiovbekhe community elder

Rice farmers disagree with FG’s projection of surplus in 2017

ET 4

Yuletide: Govt embarks on urgent road rehabilitation

ÏÏÏ Ahead of

Governor Godwin Obaseki (middle); his deputy, Hon. Philip Shaibu (3rd right) with members of the Strategic Dialogue team after the submission of their report at Government House, Benin City...recently

We’re working with SUBEB to fill Edo’s 3,000 Npower slots, says Obaseki Stories by Titus Akhigbe Benin

ÏÏÏ Edo State Governor, Mr. God-

The Edo

T E A M

win Obaseki, on Tuesday in Benin, assured that the State Government was working with State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to fill the 3,000 Npower vacancy allocated to the state.

Governor Obaseki said this while receiving in audience the leadership of the state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) led by its acting chairman, Mr. Iyalomhe Akhagbemhe.

The governor added that government would not only fill the vacancy but would train the teachers and provide them with instructional materials.

He advocated for a quick review of the school’s curriculum as a sine

qua non to having solid educational foundation for children in the state, and advised the NUT leadership to think of reviewing the school’s curriculum in the state so that those who pass out from schools would not only be employable but could also become entrepreneurs.

Governor Obaseki reiterated his electioneering promise to create 200,000 jobs and noted that teachers also had fundamental role to play in achieving the feat.

He said the process must begin with the solid foundation for the pupils and students, stressing that it was high time stakeholders began to rethink the purpose of education and the type to be given out.

“As teachers, you play very fundamental role in the future of this country, not just in education.

“But for us, we must begin to

Special Project Editor Sam Nzeh

Correspondent Titus Akhigbe

think about our curriculum, so that the people we produce from the school system are people who can sustain themselves in life.

“So that after JSS, you should be able to do something with your life.

“So it’s time to rethink the purpose of education and the type of education to be given out.

“We are currently working with SUBEB to fill the 3,000 Npower vacancy given to the state.

“We will not only fill the vacancy, we will also train and provide instructional materials to the teachers,” he said.

Gov. Obaseki disclosed that most of the subsidy to the state would be channeled towards vocational and technical education, saying “there is the need to work and ensure that by 2020 our children have skills.

“To do this, we have to train and retrain, hence our focus on technical education.

“We need to have center of excellence to strengthen our teaching call”, he added.

Obaseki, who emphasised that schools supervision was also part

of the training, gave the assurance that government would re-jig the school’s management system for the better.

He said that his administration would not neglect human capacity development as it was key to achieving all desired goals.

The Governor further said that the teachers, mostly regarded as those who produce the best brains and the best minds, were the reason his predecessor pursued the policy that saw the upgrade of teachers to the level of Permanent Secretary.

“Since it is a government of continuity, I will continue with the policy because it’s the same administration”, he said.

Earlier, Akhagbemhe advised the governor to ensure he appointed square pegs in square holes to drive his desired developmental stride for the state.

He appealed to the governor for the support of teachers, adding that some of the challenges in the educational sector included the nonpayment of leave transport grant for 2016.

the Christmas and New Year celebrations, Edo State Government has embarked on urgent rehabilitation of some roads across the State capital to ease free flow of traffic.

Briefing newsmen on Monday in Benin after conducting Governor Godwin Obaseki on inspection round some of the project sites, Mr. John Obanor, Director, Ministry of Works said seven roads were presently been attended to.

He said a total of 30 roads have been earmarked but “work is currently going on in about 10 of the roads”.

He explained that the few being handled were the critical ones to enable traffic decongestion during the yuletide.

He also explained further that earth moving operations as well as asphalting have commenced on the roads and work was progressing.

He listed some the roads to include the Cooke, James Watt, Ruben Agho, Jemide, Akhionbare as well as Ugbo roads.

The inspection team had Deputy Governor, Hon. Phillip Shaibu, Secretary to State Government, Mr. Osarodion Ogie, Chief of Staff, Comrade Taiwo Akerele and Head of Service Mrs. Gladys Idahor, in attendance.

Obaseki

The Edo Times 2

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, December 22, 2016

Obaseki fetes orphans, vulnerable

ÏÏÏ

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State recently celebrated with some orphans and vulnerable children in the state with a charge to wellmeaning citizens of the state to ensure their happiness.

Obaseki represented by his Principal Private Secretary (PPS), Dr. Uyi Oduwa-Malaka, said that children and Jesus Christ were similar as both were innocent and pure of heart.

Obaseki said it is the duty of every one to care for the less privileged and put smiles on their faces just as he appreciated the efforts of the Benin Lions Club District 404 for putting smiles on the faces of orphans and blind children in the state.

He said: “The children we celebrate here today are like all other children that surround us every day only less privileged and impaired in one way or the other. It is our duty to care for them, protect them and make them happy.”

“The Club has a long list of projects and initiatives. Please adopt or support a project in cash or kind. We all are in this together and we all must do our bit. I wish we could make this happiness last not only for this moment, but for a life time. It is never okay to sit and stare. We all have a role to play in making this dream a reality.

“The festivities and gifts have added so much happiness to the faces of every child present. Indeed, it is priceless to watch the happiness on each child’s face.”

Speaking further, Obaseki said: “I am not sure how frequently the Lions Club has had this celebration in Benin but I do know that as long as I can remember, the Lions Club has championed many worthy initiatives all around the world. For this and countless others, we thank you.

“Children and Jesus have many things in similarities. Both are innocent and pure of heart. It really gives me immense joy to see the children display their talents and enjoy the

games conducted. Their innocent smiles and greetings are simply priceless. I could see the Christmas spirit when the Santa joined them in dancing and singing.”

Also speaking, the Centennial President of the Benin District Lions Club, Lion Joy Oke-Oghene Okor, said she considered it an honour to be decorated as President in the hundredth year of the existence of the international Lions Club.

According to Lion Joy Oke-Oghene Oke, “The Lions Club International is the world’s largest service organisation with over one hundred and four million volunteer members in over six thousand, four hundred clubs in over two hundred geographical areas of the world. We are known for service to the less privileged in our communities, protection of our environment and promoting peace of the world.

Lions worldwide have demonstrated total commitment to our motto: we serve. That is why we say, in lionism, we serve.”

She said the Club is ready to conquer new frontiers, adding, “We are challenged this year by our new international president, Chancellor Bob Corlew to explore new mountains of service in the areas of youth empowerment, sight preservation, environmental protection, feeding the hungry.

We are also challenged to embark on legacy projects and invite more members for greater impact.

Shortly after her investiture as the centennial president of the Benin District of the Lions Club, Lion Joy OkeOghene Okor expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to serve and pledged her commitment to the Lions Club.

The Club also celebrated with the orphans, the blind and other less privileged children with food and drinks and provided the children with the opportunity to dance with Barney, tellytobbies and they had a lot of fun and excitement.

Dep Gov. restates govt’s commitment towards youth employment ÏÏÏ

Management of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) has confirmed the death of the three of its lecturers in the road crash that occurred last weekend at Abudu village in which over 20 persons were roasted.

The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Hon. Philip Shuaibu, has restated the commitment of the present administration in the state to provide jobs for the youth.

Shuaibu, who said this when he spoke with journalists in Benin on Tuesday, maintained that the commitment was in continuation with the policy of the immediate past government in the state.

He noted that former Gov-

ernor Adams Oshiomhole had laid a solid foundation for rapid growth and development of the state.

The deputy governor said that the current government would ensure prompt payment of workers’ salaries and execution of people-oriented projects without over depending on the federal allocation.

He urged the media and the people of the state to support the Godwin Obaseki-led government in its efforts to fulfill electoral promises.

In his remarks, Roland Osakue, the state Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), pledged the cooperation and support of journalists to the government to enable it succeed.

Yuletide: FRSC cautions motorists against overloading, speeding ÏÏÏ

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has urged motorists and other road users on the BeninAuchi highway to avoid overload and speeding to reduce the rate of road fatality during the festive period.

Mr. Moses Bature, the FRSC Auchi Unit Commander, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Auchi on Tuesday.

Bature said the Benin-Auchi road had witnessed series of unprecedented road traffic and accidents in recent times as a result of overload and speeding.

“We need to let the people know that overload is not acceptable be-

cause it has a lot of consequences.

“Issues of overload on the BeninAuchi road will need to be tackled; if tackled, fatality being experienced on the road will be minimised,” he said.

Bature decried use of vehicles used for conveying both goods and passengers, saying that there should be distinctive policy for conveying of goods and commuting.

He said that the safety of travellers on Nigerian roads was central to the campaigns of the FRSC through its patrol activities and public enlightenment programmes.

The FRSC unit commander said

that the command had embarked on a full-scale enforcement to curb dangerous driving, overtaking and use of phone while driving as well as speed limit violation and overloading.

He said officers of the command have been deployed to the highway for daily patrol to make enforcement in order to ensure that motorists comply with existing traffic rules.

Bature therefore advised motorists to always plan their journeys to reduce accidents, urging them to ensure that their vehicles were roadworthy before embarking on any trip.

Barr. Ken Imasuagbon, popularly known as the Rice Man (right), presenting some items to the co-ordinator of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp during his visit to the camp at Ohunogua near Benin City...recently

Court restrains Uyiekpen from parading self as CDA chairman Stories by Titus Akhigbe Benin

ÏÏÏ

A Benin High Court has restrained one Charles Uyiekpen from continuing in office or parading himself as chairman, Uwusan Community Development Association in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.

Delivering judgment in Suit No: B58/OS/16, the Presiding Judge, Justice P. A Akhihiero, held that the Defendant’s assertions that the Enogie (District Head) ordered his continued stay in office was “clearly utra vires to article 7 of the community’s constitution.

Justice Akhihiero further ruled: “Since it has been decided that the Defendant’s tenure of office has expired, I uphold the submissions of the learned

Counsel for the claimants that a perpetual injunction should be issued to restrain the Defendant.”

“On the whole, this action succeeds; and I hereby order a Declaration that the Defendant cannot insist on remaining in office as the Chairman of Uwusan Community Development Association contrary to the express provisions of the Constitution of the Association which stipulates a 4-year term, with maximum of two years.”

The judgment was sequel to a suit instituted against the Defendant by Pa Augustine Ogbomo (Community Head), Mr. Johnbull Effionayi and eight others.

The claimants in the Suit No: B58/OS/16 they filed through their lawyer, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana, had informed the court

that the Defendant has undeniably been in office as Chairman of Uwusan CDA since 2005 and has refused to vacate the office.

Obayuwana said: “In order to remain in office perpetually, the Defendant has prevented the holding of election by resorting to violence and intrigues to the injury and detriment of law abiding members of the community.”

He therefore submitted that the Defendant cannot ignore or flagrantly disregard Article 7 of the association’s constitution.

On his part, counsel to the Defendant, Peter Uwadiae had argued that “since registration is the legal window through which an association can breathe the air of recognition, the CDA in Uwusan community received legal recognition in 2008.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, December 22, 2016

We’ll bring desired succour to Edo people, says Gov.

Stories by Titus Akhigbe Benin

ÏÏÏ Edo State Governor, Mr. God-

win Obaseki, has expressed optimism that his administration would speedily bring the desired succour to the people of the state through participatory governance.

Governor Obaseki stated this when he received the final report of the recent three-day strategic retreat with the theme: “Strategic Dialogue, Setting the Agenda for the New Administration” held between December 8 and 10, 2016.

Receiving the reports from the Strategic Planning Units led by Prof Julius Ihonvbere, former Secretary to State Government, Governor Obaseki commended the participants who had redefined the basis of governance through effective dialogue on development.

He said that administration of former Governor Adams Oshiomhole, in the last eight years, laid the foundation upon which his own administration would fasttrack development of the state.

According to him, “the journey started eight years ago which confidence is being seen today because the steps taken then are now yielding results.

“The difference is that we have moved beyond the political speech to action, as the dialogue on development commenced with the theme Strategic Dialogue.’’

The governor, who expressed gladness over the consensus now already being built on, however, advised the team that there was the need to drill down on the first three key areas which he listed to include social welfare, institutional revolution and industrialisation.

Obaseki opined that this would make for visible time frame for actualisation and implementation of the budget.

The Governor said that the challenge in the state was not monetary or financial rather that of approach to development.

He therefore noted that the report was more significant than could be imagined.

He further directed that the

report be uploaded to the State’s portal and website so that Edo citizens in diaspora could participate and follow in its implementation.

“Like I said before, the challenge we have is not monetary or financial but approach to development. This report is much significant than can be imagined.

“This dialogue is not closed, the report should be uploaded to the State portal and website so that those outside the country and state can participate”, Obaseki further said.

Earlier, Ihonvbere said they were in Government House to submit final report from the Strategic Dialogue retreat.

He disclosed that 150 participants participated in the dialogue, adding that the team came up with 123 quick wins, 93 short term and 61 medium and long term approaches.

He said that the team also observed that the Edo Government priority was not just to focus on growth but also to pursue sustainable, holistic, people focused and people driven development.

3 The Edo Times

Obaseki presents N150b Budget of Consolidation, Prosperity

ÏÏÏ Governor Godwin Obaseki has

presented a N150 billion Appropriation bill to the State House of Assembly to fast track economic and social transformation of the state.

Governor Obaseki, who christened the 2017 budget as “Budget of Consolidation and Prosperity,” said it was wrapped around the six key policy areas.

“Mr Speaker, we have proposed a budget size of N150,011,831,079 Billion which is a nominal 29% increase over 2016 budget estimates made up of N74,900,297,917 as Recurrent Expenditure and N75,111,533,162 as Capital Expenditure.

“The revenue estimates are based on a $42.0 bench mark for crude oil and average daily production of 1.9mil barrels per day and expectations of improved performance of Internally Generated Revenue.

“Hence we will maintain a balance of capital to recurrent expenditure (50%: 50%) in line with our plan to spend our way out of recession.

The governor, said “this Budget would have a deficit of N25 Billion for 2017 which is within the acceptable

Rice farmers disagree with FG’s projection of surplus in 2017 ÏÏÏ Rice farmers in Edo State have

L-R: Centennial President of the Benin District Lions Club, Joy Oke-Oghene Okor, Representative of the governor, Dr. Uyi J. Oduwa-Malaka, who is the Principal Private Secretary to the Edo State Governor and the Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State Governor, Mr. John Mayaki, during a party held in honour of orphans and vulnerable children in Benin...recently

Egor APC resolves crisis, gets new leader

ÏÏÏ Indications are that the seemingly leadership crisis rocking the Egor chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State may have been resolved.

At an enlarged Constituency meeting recently comprising of ward chairmen and women leaders held in Egor, it saw the emergence of Honourable Crosby Eribo as the leader of the party in the locality.

A copy of the signed statement by all the 10 ward chairmen and their executives made available to newsmen states: “This our uninfluenced decision to endorse Hon. Crosby Eribo is borne out of his humanitarian ser-

vice to the people of Egor and party faithful irrespective of their group.

Making his acceptance speech, Hon. Eribo, who is the member representing Egor constituency at the State House of Assembly said: “I did not plan for this neither did I bargain for it. It is against my personal wish because of the responsibility I owe Egor people at the moment.

“You know that I am the member representing them at the state assembly and so when the people found that I could lead them so they decided to call on me.

“I believe in the principle of let the people lead, I have decided to take up the responsibility now on

an acting capacity and I want to say that I am promising them to be fair to all party members.

“The people have decided on what they want. There has been a lot of controversy in Egor before and after the election and by this singular act, that crisis is over now.

“Why do I say so? It’s because there will no longer be factional call on meeting, act of nepotism will stop, Egor belongs to all of us.”

It would be recalled that the party was drawn into leadership crisis during the governorship delegates election which saw the party polarised along individual and leadership line.

threshold.

“The deficit will be funded mainly by external borrowing from the third tranche of the World Bank budget support facility.

He named the six key policy areas of the 2017 budget to include Economic Revolution, Healthcare services, Infrastructure development, Institutional Reforms, Environmental sustainability, social welfare enhancement and Culture and tourism.

Obaseki, while reviewing the 2016 budget, noted that ``the crises we face today are not insurmountable, with focused planning, discipline and faith in God, we can “develop a modern and progressive Edo State, where every citizen is empowered with opportunity to live life in its fullness”.

“I am honoured to present to you today christened “Consolidation and prosperity”.

According to him, “the policy directions of this budget are largely informed by my interactions with Edo people during my campaign which was validated in a strategy dialogue comprising political, religious and traditional leaders, professionals, and civil society, women and youth groups.

described as fictitious the Federal Government’s assurance that Nigeria would be self-sufficient in rice production by 2017.

This position was made by the Edo State chapter of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria in Benin recently.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, had affirmed that Nigeria would stop the importation of rice come 2017.

Stressing on the readiness of the country to achieve the status, the minister had further stated that the rice independence could be attained earlier than the date.

However with few days remaining for the year 2017, the Edo State Chapter of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria has maintained pessimism over the realisation of the dream.

Speaking on behalf of the association, Mr. Solomon Ejedewe, told Edo Times that the government’s agenda and preparation had only existed on paper as their gesture vocabulary has not been commensurate.

He explained that unless a stateof-emergency is declared in rice production, the 2017 deadline would certainly not be met.

Ejededawe, who lamented insufficient funds, flooding and the subsistent-nature of agriculture in the state, pointed out that the association in Edo State is presently moribund and has since ceased operation.

Hear him: “The declaration by the Federal Government which earmarked next year as deadline for the country to attain self-sufficiency in rice production is amazing. That, for me, might not be plausible given the present condition of rice production particularly in Edo State.

To grow rice here, one has so many challenges to combat; the problem of insufficient funds, paucity of farm machines and worst of all, the menace of flooding. These have resulted in the absconding of rice farmers, who have already found safety in the production of other crops like cassava. As it stands now, the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Edo State Chapter, have since stopped operation. That is the fact of the matter.

“To revive rice production and to make their projection workable, government would have to match their words with visible actions and provide a more generous environment for rice farming. To do that, financial aids in the form of grants and loans should be made accessible to the rice farmers as well as ensuring that that tractors and other necessary machines are provide.

“The menace of flooding in the state also should be checkmated to forestall incidences of the past where farmers lost their crops, rice especially, to the rampaging floods.

By so doing, rice production would be attractable and activities of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria resuscitated. Until that is done, the 2017 rice independence remains a far cry”.

The Edo Times 4

We want our land back from the military - Isiovbekhe community elder

Richardson Osarumwense Oghafua is a 72-year-old elder of Isiovbekhe community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State. In this chat with TITUS AKHIGBE, he talks about the challenges his community is facing as a result of the acquisition of its land by the military.

How were your early days in Isiovbekhe community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State?

My father was born in that community. In those days, there was an outbreak of an epidemic called Egbogogbogo - influenza - which was ravishing the community and claiming the lives of the people. On a daily basis, we were losing multitude of people to the epidemic. This happened in the days of Oba Ewuare Ogidigan 1st. For this reason, many of the inhabitants of the area absconded to other neighbouring villages like Ewolekpen, Oghede, Orovie and Orior to seek for refuge. The whole place was in a disarray with the people running helter-skelter in search of remedy. Be informed that the area was under the control of the then Benin monarch who also founded most of the communities viz Uloko Ewuare, Okuta Ewuare and Osun Ewuare. Legend has it that Oba Ewuare Ogidigan’s first port of call was Uloko Ewuare. In the case of Okuta Ewuare, the story was that these were the rocks that surrounded his home. Till date, the rocks are reputed to have healing powers.

The relics of some of these traditional sites are fast deteriorating and may go obsolete if something is not done fast to put things in order.

How did you lose your community land?

It happened over 40 years ago when the then governor of the old Midwest State, General Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia, gave the whole of our community land to the military. We were not consulted before the action was taken. So the issue is quite baffling if not annoying. We would have since commenced the development of the area but the military have been uncooperative. They would not allow anybody to enter the place under whatever guise. Each time we make such an attempt, they destroy the structure we erect and pursue us out of the place with stern warning that we should desist from such move. We have also engaged the then Governor Ogbemudia on discussion on how we can get specific size of land to start all over. But we have always been denied audience.

What effort have been made to reclaim the land?

We have not stopped making efforts to reclaim our land from the military and also from the General Samuel Ogbemudia (rtd). We cannot just let our forbearers’ cherished land go waste. We have gone as far as paying outstanding sum of money as community development charges but all these

Interviews

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, December 22, 2016

Isiovbekhe would not move the military. Rather, they prefer that the indigenes should go further afield. We have written a petition and submitted it to the Federal Ministry of Defence in Abuja early this year. They have acknowledged receiving the petition but till date nothing has been forthcoming from them.

Rather they asked us to go to the Brigade Commander of 4th Brigade here in Benin. However, each time we go to the 4th Brigade Headquarters we are told that the Brigade Commander is either out of town or is engaged in a marathon meeting and thus we would have to reschedule our call.

This is civilian era. What effort have you made to get reprieve through your representatives?

We have done all we can to get redress but it has been fruitless to the extent that we met with Brigadier General Samuel Ogbemudia (rtd) who as governor of the state gave the land to the military. He kept giving us hope that a solution would be preferred for the issue.

But why is it that you just commenced the moves to reacquire your land recently?

That is not true. We have been on it for so long right from the early days of the forceful acquisition of the land.

We have not been sleeping. Even our neighbours from Oghede who are going through a similar experience like ours are also doing all they can to resolve their own case too. We are not leaving any stone unturned in our desire to get back our land and return to our place of origin.

Oba Ewuare II, Ogidigan the great should come to our rescue.

In his days as the heir apparent, Oba Ewuare 1 was known as Ogun.

He was operating in our community and the surrounding areas before he was crowned and had to move to the palace. To date there are relics of the traditional sites all over our community. As it is now they need to be revived and put to good use. We are particularly very happy that the current mon-

We have not stopped making efforts to reclaim our land from the military and also from the General Samuel Ogbemudia (rtd).

We cannot just let our forbearers’ cherished land go waste arch of Benin kingdom, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, Ogidigan is on the throne. We are appealing to him to look into our situation and rectify it. It has been on for too long and we look forward to resolving it very soon. We are eager and desirous of going back to our roots. He was resident in the area in his days as the heir apparent to the throne. In those days he was known as Ogun.

Has any facility been built on the land the military acquired from you?

That is the funniest aspect of it all.

They have not constructed anything on the land. But when we go there to build structures on the land, they chase us out and destroy the structure with a stiff warning that we should desist from such action. We are not the only community going through this tough time. Many others like Oghede also have a similar problem.

Have you ever thought of going to court?

We have never gone to court. It is the people of Oghede that are in court.

The legal counsel to the military is a former military officer now Barrister Ikpomwen Idada. We need the intervention of Governor Godwin Obaseki and the Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Egwuare II, Ogidigan.

Godwin Obaseki: The phenomenon of our time Austin Otas-Osegbe Benin

ÏÏÏ In the early 90’s during the mil-

itary dictatorship of General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida regime, Dan Agbese – one of the founding editors and celebrated writers of Nigeria’s flagship newsmagazine, Newswatch- wrote in his must- read column, an article titled “ The Unseen Hands” in which he chronicled the humble beginning and rise to national prominence of Reazr Admiral Augustus Akhabue Aikhomu (as he then was), a fine gentleman/ officer of the Nigerian Navy, who was the then Chief of General Staff and second – in – command to IBB. Almost two decades down the line, history has repeated itself. This time around, under our nascent democratic dispensation; this dates back to 1999 with regard to the governance of the Heartbeat State of Edo. The positive point of reference here is no other than the person of His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, the incumbent Governor of Edo State.

To every keen watcher of the Edo governorship polls, the intrigues, under-currents and theatrics that characterised the process before, during and after the emergence of Obaseki as the standard bearer of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), can only be attributed to the “Unseen Hands” - who wills, decrees and ultimately decides the fate of all mortals.

In fact, in the build – up for the race of who takes over Osadebey Avenue, the seat of power, from the immediate past governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the aspiration of Obaseki for the governorship seat only existed in the realm of speculation as he was regarded as a dark horse who did not have the capacity to square-up against the so – called front liners and gladiators who seemed to be more popular and were very much familiar with the political terrain. It was more or less like the biblical scenario of Goliath versus David.

A t this juncture, let us draw some useful lessons from the recently concluded presidential election in God’s Own Country, America, which generated a wide-range of interest not only among Americans, but across various continents of the world.

As we speak, Donald Trump, the Republican Party Candidate and multi-billionaire businessman is President – Elect of the most powerful nation on planet earth. In a matter of weeks, he will be sworn into office as the new occupant of White House for a constitutional guaranteed term of four years.

Like Godwin Obaseki, like Donald Trump, you may wish to say. You are not far from the truth. Both are ordinary men destined for greatness by the Almighty Creator. Check out their profile antecedents.

Obaseki has no known political background just like Trump with no record of political or military experience. What is more, either of them has never been elected into any executive or parliamentary positions of government in their respective

coun-

Obaseki tries.

To many Americans, Trump was too controversial and irrational to be their president; while in the case of Obaseki, he was largely considered to be an outsider who does not come across as the typical Nigerian politician.

Nevertheless, Godwin Obaseki, who the former Comrade Governor publicly acknowledged during the electioneering campaign as the brain box and engine room of his administration on account of being Chairman of Edo State Economic Team for eight years, did not only post an overwhelming victory at the polls, he has since assumed office and hit the ground running in actualization of his vision and blueprint for the progressive governance and infrastructural revolution of Edo State.

From all intents and purposes, Governor Obaseki’s actions and pronouncements so far, clearly demonstrate his resolve to deliver on his campaign promises- including the creation of over 200,000 jobs for our teaming youths across the State with a view to empowering them for self-employment.

No doubt, Obaseki is a divine phenomenon who defied all odds and exceeded the expectations of certain detractors, whose intentions were to put on reverse gear, the valuable gains of the last eight years of the APC- led administration, under the dynamic leadership of Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole.

It is heart-warming to note that our most revered monarch, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin, while playing host to Obaseki at his Uselu Palace, shortly after he was declared governor- elect by INEC, expressed confidence in the ability of governor Obaseki to take Edo State to the next level, while admonishing him to go all out to correct the wrong impressions some persons harbored about the Obaseki family of great Benin Kingdom.

A word, they say, is enough for the wise. According to the Holy Book,” it is not of him that runneth, nor of him that willeth, it is the Lord that showeth mercy”.

Edo people are one and they have spoken loudly with one voice that we shall GO further together as Godwin Obaseki is the will of God for Edo State in the next four years.

Austin Otas-Osegbe is Public Relations Officer in the Office of the Deputy Governor, Government House, Benin City.

The Wedding Party, 76, others make Daily Times 2016 best movies

Thursday, December 22, 2016

TIMES

Life&

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Gist L2

Daily Times Nigeria

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Mutiat Alli

The C.E.O.

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Entertainment Correspondent Mutiat Alli

Society Correspondent Abimbola Obatayo

Daily Times Nigeria

Thursday, December 22, 2016

L3 Gist

Mutiat Alli

Masterkraft, Olaitan Dada win at Beatz Awards 2016

Headies 2016: Who will be crowned the champion today?

….As Olamide, Tiwa Savage, Falz, Wizkid & Yemi Alade battle as artistes of the year

Tiwa Savage

As the 11th edition of the prestigious Headies awards holds today at the Convention Centre, Eko Hotel & Suites, mixed reactions have trailed fans who want their favourite stars to walk home with the coveted prize.

This year, YBNL super star, Olamide, will battle for the artiste of the year category alongside talented acts that include Mavin star, Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, Falz and Wizkid.

It will be recalled that the 2015 edition of the awards was the talk of the town when two popular labels went head-to-head after an award announcement. This year will see Ycee, Teckno, Mr. Eazi, Humblesmith the next rated of 2016.

The headies will ,however, be hosted by wedding party superstar, Adesua Etomi and FalzTheBahdGuy

‘Fada Fada’ named hottest track of 2016 ….as annual MTV Base poll of industry experts reveals top tracks of the year After heavy deliberations, superstar rapper and hit maker,

Phyno

hottest track of 2016 on MTV Base Roundtable, the most debated music list in Nigerian entertainment. Tagged #BaseHottestNaijaTracks2016, the 2-part show ended with Phyno taking the number one spot on the ultimate music countdown.

It has a panel of Nigerian music industry heavyweights and tastemakers, including Senior Associate, Pulse NG, Ayomide Tayo; Publisher, Mystreetz Magazine, Sesan Adeniji; OAP 97.3 Classic FM, Buki Sawyerr Izeogu; OAP Beat 99.9 FM, Douglas Jekan; A&R Entertainment Consultant, Bizzle Osikoya; Artiste Manager & CEO Stargaze Management Company, Asa Asika and former MTV Base VJ and OAP of City FM, Cyn-

Olaitan Dada

Fuji star Malaika plans duet with Davido Known for breaking boundaries and attaining achievable heights, Fuji star cum proper music crooner, Malaika, has hinted that he will be having a duet with HKN super star, David Adeleke better known as Davido, in his coming projects.

The duo who made the agreement during an encounter a few days ago in Banana Island, has assured fans that the coming collaboration will excite fans and further shows the musical dexterity of Malaika.

It will be recalled that in the past, Malaika has collaborated with top notch acts that include YBNL boss, Olamide, Oritsefemi, Dammy Krane amongst others The Imeku of Fuji Music is still in the euphoria of his just released album, Original, which is trending till date.

The #BaseHottestNaijaTracks2016 which was weighed according to a range of

tively.

It was a night of honors, fun and glamour as promised by the organizers of The Beatz Awards recently at The Shell Hall, Muson Center, Onikan, Lagos. The highly successful event was graced by industry top personalities such as Mofe Duncan, Helen Paul, Bryan Okwara, Paul Adams, Felix Duke, Sam Uche Ayanmele, Yomi Casual, Harry Songs and a host of others.

The event started out with a hot bang from Instagram sensation, Woli Arole and the hosts for the night, Seyi Law and Angel Ufuoma took the atmosphere to another level.

Bagging most awards for the night is super producer MasterKraft, Sess The Problem Kid and Rotimi Keys. Other winsic for Best Record Company (Marketer), Star Boy Entertainment for Best Record Label, Sunday Are for Best Artist Manager, STV for best Television Station, The Beat Fm for Best Radio Station, Shuga Band for Best Live-Band, Kiss Daniel for Best Song Writer, etc.

A special Recognition Award was given to MTN Nigeria for its outstanding contributions to the Nigerian entertainment industry. Top entertainment brass, Obi Asika, was also honored with the Industry Professional of the Year award.

The Beatz Awards celebrate creative professionals behind music productions and business.

Fuji star Malaika & Davido

Mixed Grill L4

Daily Times Nigeria

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Mutiat Alli

2Baba kicks-off project 14/14 for IDPs

American Rapper, Snoop Dogg, reacts to Ooni of Ife’s Otisese Carnival

marked its maiden edition and witnessed attendance

new project which will support Internally Displaced Persons

which will go into supporting six outstanding non-governmental organizations which work tirelessly to support people living in Internally Displaced

surrounded by several cameramen and an enthralled

on his bike whilst on motion; sending the crowd into an The post has since garnered over nine hundred

partnership with the Kudirat

Uche Jumbo makes directorial debut

Turner’s Boomerang announces launch of medieval comedy series this year and has recently started airing to the Dark Ages with the introduces

audiences

series distributed by leading international daring

Princess

Cat;

Created by renowned

chivalrous knight who might not be the most realm but he sure is Uche Jumbo

Talented Nollywood actress cum proud mother one a director as she debut her skills with a new movie

a strong debut in the United Kingdom earlier

this knightly trio set out was created and directed by Joeri to make the Dark Ages Christiaen and coproduced with a little brighter and a

Doris Simeon takes charity to slum Doris

through

her

with Popwyne entertainmen community on her “health is wealth awareness

among others

against malaria includes her celebrities with the likes

Doris

Pepenazi