Dtn 23 12 16

THE

DAILY

TIMES

NIGERIA INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER. EST. 1926 WWW.DAILYTIMES.NG https://plus.google.com/+DailytimesNgr/posts

dailytimesng

35.80

39.45

10.20%

BETAGLAS

Tony Ailemen, Abuja

ÏÏÏ All states still owing workers salaries have been directed to pay up with the refund they got for over-charge on Paris Club debt servicing.

The directive was given by President Muhammadu Buhari as federal government approved

28.88

NSE QUICK BITE 31.83

10.21%

the sum of N552.74billion to be paid to the states, which are entitled to the fund.

A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, disclosed that the president urged the states to use the money to settle outstanding Continued on page 12

N150

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2016 VOL. 2. NO. 262

www.facebook.com/dailytimesngr

GAINERS AS AT December 22, 2016 CONOIL

FG urges states to clear salaries with Paris Club refunds

PRESCO

42.00

LOSERS AS AT December 22, 2016 40.01

-4.74%

INTBREW

Buhari shuns S’East summit

Ï Fails to send delegate after assuring attendance Ï Ekweremadu seeks release of Nnamdi Kanu, other pro-Biafra activists Ï ‘State police panacea to insecurity’ Ï Obasanjo asks S’East govts, people to unite for economic growth Ï Ugwuanyi urges FG to rehabilitate federal roads in the zone, pay debts owed states

17.96

17.30

-3.67%

Moses Oyediran Enugu

ÏÏÏ President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday shunned the much publicised South East Economic and Security Summit in Enugu.

This is as the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, called on the Federal Government to, without further delay, release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.

The president, accordContinued on page 6

DSS accuses Wike, 5 Saraki’s aide of plot to breach national peace

Ambode ratifies child protection policy 6 2017 deadline: No going back on 12 digital switch over –FG

L-R: Chairman, Pinnacle Communications Ltd, Sir Lucky Omoluwa; Representative of President Muhammadu Buhari, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Minister for Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole and former Ekiti State Governor, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, during the commissioning of Digital Switch Over in Abuja … on Thursday. PHOTO: TEMITOPE BALOGUN.

Beheaded policeman: Fish out killers, Wike orders

12

2

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 23, 2016

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 23, 2016

Page Three

s

3

PHOTO TIMES

Editorial Making Nigerian universities research-oriented

R

ecently, the Vice Chancellor of Christopher University, Mowe, Ogun State, Professor Friday Ndubisi, urged Nigerian universities to be research- inclined, so as to come up with solutions to the numerous crises facing the country. He said that time has come when our universities must produce intellectuals and this can only be achieved if they go into research that would feed government and private sector with useful information for socio-economic development.

We cannot but agree with the university don on what role universities should play in the development agenda of the country. As the citadels of higher learning, ivory towers must be consistent with generating ideas for making Nigeria a modern society in all ramifications. Definitely, the place of universities as paramount players in a country that is increasingly driven by knowledge, information and ideas cannot be over-emphasised. Before now, the traditional functions of universities are teaching and research. In their teaching activities, universities provide the professional training for high-level jobs, as well as the education necessary for the development of the personality.

We live in an age when knowledge is ever more vital to the society and economy, where rapidly circulating capital and people are being influenced by revolutionary communication technologies. It is therefore fact that knowledge is replacing other resources as the main driver of economic growth, and education has increasingly become the foundation for individual prosperity and social mobility. In the last three decades, higher education has moved from the periphery to the centre of governmental agendas.

Today, universities are seen as crucial national assets in addressing many policy priorities, and as sources of

new knowledge and innovative thinking; providers of skilled personnel and credible credentials; contributors to innovation; attractions of international talent and business investment; agents of social justice and mobility; contributors to social and cultural vitality; and determinants of health and well-being. In a context where governments are principal funders of universities, it implies that a university can be like a pump which, when primed with public money, will gush forth the tangible effects of economic prosperity into which that money has been transformed.

It, therefore, assumes that the function of universities is to provide direct in-out benefits for society’s economic prosperity. This logic implies that invention in the university, largely in its science labs, leads to innovation and economic benefit. There is no gainsaying that universities have five main core areas of activities, which are repository of the knowledge of mankind; generation of new knowledge; transferring knowledge to the next generation; transferring knowledge to society and generating economic development. Nigeria is still a traditional society with different demographical characteristics.

More than 50 percent of the population lives below the poverty line, and more than 200,000 graduates are met with unemployment every year. It is ,therefore, imperative that university focus on creating an entrepreneurial culture among their graduates with the aim of making them job creators, rather than job seekers. This can be attained through the establishment of effective business incubation centres while encouraging partnerships between industry and academia. Our universities would become more research- oriented when they provide unique solutions to Nigeria’s mounting problems with a view to making the country capable of overcoming its handicaps.

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

Deputy Editor, Daily Ken Madueke

Group Managing Director Noel Anosike

Technical Adviser To Publisher Innocent Nwankwo

News Editor Kelechi C. Ogbamgba

Group Head Commercial & Marketing Konnie Agu 09033765031

Adverts/Partnerships/ Corporate Subscription Peter Akpose 08178780583

Group Political Editor Lateef Ibrahim Sports Editor Andrew Ekejiuba Features Editor Gbubemi God’s Covenent Snr

Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris (right) in a handshake with chairman, investigation panel on the December 10, 2016 Rivers State’s Parliamentary Re-Run Elections, DCP Dan Okoro, at the Nigeria Police Force headquarters in Abuja… on Thursday. With them is DIG Valentine Ntomchukwu (left).

Photo: TEMITOPE BALOGUN.

Corps Marshal and Chief Executive Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Boboye Oyeyemi (middle), with other Officers at a press conference on the forthcoming festive period at the FRSC’s headquarters in Abuja… on Thursday.

Words On Marble :

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

Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Umahi (middle); Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Odefa Obasi Odefa (left) and Commissioner of Police, Peace Ibekwe-Abdallah, during a courtesy visit on Ibekwe-Abdallah at the State Police Command in Abakaliki… on Monday

Business Development Manager Ifeanyi Emefu 08086296714

STATEMENTS BY THOSE WHO MATTER

Circulation Manager Segun Bamgboye

Ag. Head, Graphics/Design Sunday Gabriel Idagwu

More info: www.dailytimes.ng https://plus.google.com/+DailytimesNgr/posts https://twitter.com/DailyTimesNGR

dailytimesng www.facebook.com/dailytimesngr

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.”

4

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 23, 2016

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 23, 2016

5 News

DSS accuses Wike, Saraki’s aide of plot to breach national peace ÎÎÎ3 arrested, 1 at large

Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

ÎÎÎThe Department of State

Services (DSS), yesterday, said it has uncovered a sinister plot by the Rivers State governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike, to disrupt machinery of governance in strategic federal government agencies in the nation’s capital.

The DSS said in a statement that to achieve this, the governor has secured the services of one Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, a personal aide to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, to mobilise some hoodlums to execute their plan.

In the statement signed

by Mr. Tony Opuyo, the DSS added that Gov Wike intended to do this by provoking a violent breach of peace in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, from yesterday and beyond, especially at this Yuletide season.

Three persons, the service said, have been arrested and are helping with further investigations, while Ikenga is at large.

However, in a swift reaction, Wike through his state’s commissioner for information, Austin Tam- George, denied the allegation as “false, baseless and irresponsible scaremongering.”

Also, the Senate president, in his reaction, said he will not condone any action by any of his aides, which threatens the peace of the country or is against the provisions of the law.

Saraki in a statement through his spokesperson, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said though he has not been officially informed about the involvement of his aide, that he will urge the DSS to properly investigate the allegations against Mr. Ikenga and if he is found to have acted against the law, then the law should take its natural course.

The aim of the plot, the DSS said, is to cause mayhem, a complete breakdown of law and order and cast the security agencies and the federal government in bad light.

The statement added that the plot is also intended to divert public and international attention from the ongoing police investigation into the unwholesome role played by the governor and some of his cronies in the violence that trailed the re-run election in Rivers State, which resulted in the gruesome murder of civilians, including the beheading of DSP Mohammed Alkali and some of his colleagues as well as the brutalisation of INEC staff, who failed to do the bidding of the governor.

The Service however said in unequivocal terms that no amount of intimidation, grandstanding or outright manipulation of facts will be allowed to stop it and other agencies from conducting

FG, states tasked on improved health care delivery Sam Nzeh

ÎÎÎ

The Federal and state governments have been called upon to ensure improved primary healthcare delivery in the country.

The call was made by a nongovernmental organisation, Save the Children International, during the commemoration of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day in Lagos recently, lamenting that the country loses no fewer than 109 children under-five per 1,000 live births.

The group which has been at the cutting-edge of the Every Woman Every Child (EWEC) global campaign also decried the newborn mortality rate in the country (34 per 1,000 live births), just as it regretted that 62 percent of deliveries in

Nigeria happen without the presence of a skilled birth attendant.

In a statement, the area operations manager for Save the Children Nigeria in Lagos State, Mr. Roy Chikwem said: “We need to do more to improve health care delivery for mothers and children in the country as the figures reflect high numbers of deaths among under-fives”.

He called for increased national commitment and investment towards Universal Health Coverage by building Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) services at primary health care level as a first priority and prioritising access for the poorest and most marginalised and excluded

their duties as constitutionally mandated or concluding investigations into the Rivers State electoral violence.

The statement by the DSS reads in part, “The Department of State Services (DSS) wishes to inform the general public that it has uncovered a sinister plot by the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, to disrupt machinery of governance in strategic federal government agencies by provoking a violent breach of peace in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, today, 22nd December, 2016 and beyond, especially at this Yuletide season.

“To achieve this, the governor had secured the services of one Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, a personal aide to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki (Sen), to mobilise some hoodlums to execute their plan.

“The aim of the plot is to cause mayhem, a complete breakdown of law and order

and cast the security agencies and the federal government in bad light.

“It is also intended to divert public and international attention from the ongoing police investigation into the unwholesome role played by the governor and some of his cronies in the violence that trailed the re-run election in Rivers State, which resulted in the gruesome murder of civilians, including the beheading of DSP Mohammed Alkali and some of his colleagues as well as the brutalisation of INEC staff, who failed to do the bidding of the governor.

“In furtherance of this plot, protesters are to besiege the National Human Rights Commission, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), National Assembly, the Nigerian Army and Police Headquarters as well as British High Commission, US Embassy and the UN Secretariat, Abuja; all in

an effort to raise false alarm that Rivers State was under siege of security agencies during the elections.

“While the obvious aim is to draw public sympathy and international attention to spurious allegations of involvement of federal agencies in violence during the last elections in Rivers State, the actual objective is really to trigger a round of violent action against the government and create opportunity for idlers to join the deceitful protest.

“Part of the orchestration is to provoke the security agencies and prompt them to take action against the protesters that could result in bloodletting.

“It is in this line that Ikenga had gone to the outskirts of Abuja to mobilise unemployed youths to carry out his bidding. All this was to be done for a fee and resources to be provided from the treasury of the Rivers State government.

From the Archives: Josy Ajiboye

groups.

“Our call to governments, donors, development partners and all stakeholders is to: guarantee an essential package of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) services as the first priority for UHC; free at the point of use and accessible to all; establish time-bound equity targets for accelerated progress among the poorest and most marginalised and excluded people, so no one is left behind; increased public spending on healthcare to at least recommended minimum levels; improve quality and promote respectful and dignified care in health facilities; and fully implement the National Health Act,” Chikwem added.

Commercial activities halt at Calabar Christmas Village over snakes scare Edem Edem, Calabar

ÎÎÎ

Commercial activities at the Christmas Village in Calabar Municipal Council of Cross River State was temporarily brought to a standstill when snakes came from the uncleared bush and surrounding areas and threatened to swallow some people. The

snakes suspected to be dangerous were not killed as they disappeared into the thick night.

Besides the snake threat, other dangerous animals such as rodents were also sighted at the village. Sadly, some public and civil servants and businessmen as well as those who patronize the village were also exposed to snakes’ bite, rodents and cockroaches attack

as the environment they are working and doing business are not conducive but filthy due to heaps of refuse and overgrown weeds as well as unkempt environment.

Virtually, the entire environment, with the exception of a small cleared area has been taken over by overgrown weeds and heaps of refuse.

Besides the refuse, the offen-

sive odour produced from the opened defecation has caused some illnesses to people doing business around the area as well as people working there.

When our correspondent visited the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) and General Hospital Calabar, patients were seen on admis-

sion for one health problems or the other associated with inhalation of odours emanating from the opened defecation from the Christmas village.

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria 0ƏƈƗ ƕè #ƆƅƆƌƄƆƏ ƾƢè ƾƠơÕ

Buhari shuns S’East summit Continued from page 1 ing to media reports, had confirmed his willingness to attend the summit to the organisers.

This, he later shunned without reason or sending representative.

It would be recalled that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had in a statement asked the president to stay away from the summit in Enugu over what the group called “murder of innocent Igbos under the watch of Buhari-led government.”

The visibly angry Ekweremadu said that Kanu and other pro-Biafra agitators should be giving fair hearing at the courts of competent jurisdiction and should be released if the court asked them to be released.

Ekweremadu wondered why no Igbo is included in the security council of the nation, saying: “There is no way there will be peace in Nigeria if Ndigbo are not included in government.”

Ekweremadu also advocated state police, saying this would ensure true security of lives and property.

“The present strength numerically cannot contain the prevailing insurgencies - Boko Haram, armed herdsmen menace, kidnapping, etc,” he said He lampooned the organizers of the summit for deliberately omitting his picture from the brochure of the event, saying: “They think I am having problem with the president.”

“Put me in the programme.

Nobody is going to arrest you. I have no problem with the president,” he said.

Former president and special guest of honour on the occasion, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo,

harped on the importance of security, stressing that there was no way the economy of a nation can grow in the face of prevailing security challenges.

“You cannot have security if the economic well-being of a nation is not taken care of. If security is not taken care of, the economy cannot grow,” Obasanjo said, pointing out that the summit would open up avenue for people to do what they can for themselves.

He said one of the challenges that beset the nation is youth restiveness occasioned by lack of employment, noting that without jobs after education, there is no way youth restiveness would not arise.

He counseled the South East governments and people to work in synergy to ensure security and economic prosperity of their people, who he described as enterprising and adventurous people.

Speaking about agriculture, Obasanjo described the South East as the ‘food basket’ of Nigeria because of its vast arable land, pointing out that when harnessed well, there could be agric shows in Igbo land to showcase the agric products they have comparative advantage over other states to encourage farmers and ensure bumper harvest.

Chairman, South East Economic and Security Summit, Prof. Barth Nnaji, in his address, said Nigeria has a lot of challenges that ought to be identified and redressed for progress to ensue.

Speaking particularly about South East geo-political zone, Nnaji said the challenges include poor infrastructure such as bad roads, rail road, and

electricity. He however said the problems did not start with Buhari government but pointed out that they could be redressed in his time since successive governments had neglected Ndigbo since the end of the civil war.

Nnaji frowned at the incessant, unwarranted and unprovoked attacks on the people of the South East in parts of Nigeria and even right in Igboland, noting that was part of the challenges to be redressed.

Speaking on behalf of other governors from the South East, Enugu state Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, appealed to the federal government to rehabilitate federal roads in the South East

and reimburse the states for embarking on rehabilitation of the federal roads in the zone.

Ugwuanyi urged the federal government to pay the huge debt owed states by its agencies in their domains.

“We seek your kind intervention to ensure payment of the huge debts owed to states in this region by some federal agencies and establishments located in them. For example, in Enugu State, there are three federal establishments alone to wit: the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN); the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) and the Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu... They owe

the state government a combined total of N12.49 billion in tax returns. These institutions have continued to owe these debts even as the state government still provides infrastructural and other ancillary support to them.”

Dignitaries present at the summit included former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme; Senator Jim Nwobodo; Chief Emeka Anyaoku; Mr. Frank Nweke Jnr; Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd); former Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ogbonnaya Onovo; Senator Ken Nnamani, governors of Enugu, Ebonyi and Abia states, among others.

`éGë ƈƏƌ è Mƈ ƆƏƈ ƏƆƓƆƏƈƆ ^Ƌƅè ƈƆƇ E Ƌ C ƌ ƗƑì ƈƆƇ &ƔƆƅƑƐƈƒƆ RƇƇƈƅƆƏè Mƈ ƆƏƈ dƐ ƅƊ &Ɣƅ Ɔ æMd&çè LƏê R ƅ Ə R ƕƆƌ ì L ƈ #ƈƏƆƅƐ Əƃ ƈƆƇ &ƔƆƅƑƐƈƒƆ RƇƇƈƅƆƏè Mƈ ƆƏƈ ƏƆƓƆƏƈƆ ^Ƌƅè LƏê Mƈƅ Ƌ yƆƏƒƆƋƗƆ Ɨ 6Ƒƌ `Ɔ ƑƏƅƆ #ƈƏƆƅƐ Əè Mƈ ƆƏƈ ƏƆƓƆƏƈƆ ^Ƌƅè LƏê yƈƅƐ Ə 0 ƌƑƕƈƄ è Ɠ Ɔ Ɛ Ɔ ƌ ƆƌƆ Ɛ Ƈ Mƈ ƆƏƈ ƏƆƓƆƏƈƆ ^Ƌƅ ƒƈ ƈƐƆƗ Md& Ƈ Ə Ɛ Ɔ ƅƋ ƈ ƅƆƏƆƌ ƕ ƈ G Č zƆƗ Ɔ Ɨ ƕê

Ambode ratifies establishment of child protection policy

Benjamin Omoike

ÏÏÏ Lagos

state governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Thursday, announced ratification of the first ever executive order establishing a Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy in Nigeria, just as he said the policy was designed as a catalyst for driving awareness and commitment of all stakeholders, including every member of the community towards the protection of children.

The state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, in a statement, disclosed that the Programme was developed to prescribe management systems in place to create and maintain a safe environment for children,

adding that in clear terms, the policy also articulates procedures to be adopted when disclosures of abuse are made.

According to Kazeem, the executive order, which was signed by the governor on December 16, 2016 highlights the emphasis which the present administration placed on protecting the lives of all children in the state.

Giving details on the order, Kazeem said it applies to all state government organisations, all public and private schools, child centred institutions, and orphanages located in the State, while the policy also provides the steps that must be followed in the case of a disclosure, the role of the Designated Child Protection and Safeguarding Officer, and the process of report-

ing and dealing with allegations of abuse against members of staff.

He said: “The executive order now makes it mandatory for child protection policy to be integrated into the induction programme of newly recruited staff into child-centred institutions. As regards employment of staff, it is now mandatory for all child-centred institutions to conduct detailed background checks.

“Ultimately, the ratification of this Executive Order, would reduce and possibly eliminate incidences of child abuse, establish a culture of early identification of trends and effective intervention to limit the occurrence of cases.”

The Attorney General added

that in the next coming months, the state government would strongly drive adoption of the policy to ensure that all child centred institutions adopt and adhere strictly to the provisions of the Order, while electronic copies would be made available on the state’s website and other relevant social media platforms to ensure proper dissemination.

“The state government therefore uses this medium to sound a very clear warning to all Child centred institutions both public and private, that it would no longer tolerate negligence in ensuring the safety of children under their supervision.

“Failure to adhere to the content of the policy would warrant significant repercussions vary-

ing from withdrawal of licenses to filing of criminal charges due to negligence,” Kazeem warned.

1 ƒê ƌƄ ƗƆ

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 23, 2016

Court adjourns suit to April 17 in Vanguard publisher’s attack Titilope Joseph

ÏÏÏ

The case involving suspected robbers who attacked Vanguard publisher, Mr. Sam Amuka Pemu was yesterday adjourned till April 17, next year by an Ikeja Chief Magistrate Court.

The presiding Magistrate, Bola Osunsami adjourned the case on the ground that the prosecution is still awaiting the outcome of the Director of Public Prosecution’s, (DPP), advice on whether a prima facie case is established against the accused persons.

Magistrate Osunsanmi however ordered that the accused persons be remanded in prison custody after they were arraigned on a fourcount charge of conspiracy, armed robbery and causing grievous bodily harm on the octogenarian on August 13, 2017.

They were said to have attacked Mr Amuka-Pemu in his Anthony Village home and allegedly went away with cash and valuables valued at N2,875,000.

They are- Koyis Usman, 22, Umaru Oseni, 46, Abdurasaq Hassan, 43, Musa Atim Abubakar, 31, Gambno Umar, 31 and Abdulramon Kashil, 25.

The suspects were arraigned on

a four-count charge of conspiracy, armed robbery and causing grievous bodily harm.

According to the police: the charge against the defendants stated that; on June 5 around 2.30am at Anthony Village, Lagos, the accused persons conspired with others now at large, “to commit felony to wit armed robbery and thereby committed an offence contrary to

Section 297 and punishable under section 295 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2011”.

The defendants were further alleged to have on the same date, time and place, “caused damage to a window burglary asbestos, two doors, property of Samson Oruru Amuka, publisher of Vanguard newspaper and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 337 of the

Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2011.

During the time of arraignment, the plea of the defendants were not taken by the court, neither were they represented by any lawyer.

Osunsanmi however, granted the request of the prosecutor and ordered that the defendant be remanded in Kirikiri Prison custody as case was adjourned till April 17, 2017.

Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye (2nd left); chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Sen. Lanre Tejuoso (2nd right) Olu of Ifo, Oba Samuel Oladipupo (right) and Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Health Issues, Dr. Babafemi Adenuga (left), during a community-based health insurance scheme for pregnant women and children at Ifo Local Government in Ogun State… on Thursday.

40th Miss Nigeria queen gets ovation from global audience Bonny Amadi

ÏÏÏ

The emergence of Miss Chioma Stephanie Obiadi as the 40th Miss Nigeria queen, has drawn vast commendation from both global and local audience, attendees at the pageant and cross section of people that monitored the event live.

The year just got better for Miss Chioma Stephanie Obiadi who represented Anambra State as she emerged the 40th Miss Nigeria Queen. The event of 19th of December 2016 at the Eko Convention Centre, Victoria Island Lagos, had Ayo Makun aka AY and Lala Akindoju as hosts.

Miss Chioma emerged winner amongst 36 other contestants and received a brand new Hyundai Grand Accent from Studio 24, an all-expense paid trip to France courtesy Air France, one year free accommodation, complete style and beauty make over and three million naira.

The new Miss Nigeria will go on to represent Nigeria at the Miss Intercontinental pageant next year as she works on the Green-Girl project – A Miss Nigeria Initiative. The Green- Girl project is a community

development initiative aimed at empowering young women to become agents of sustainable environment in Nigeria.

With the Green-Girl Project, Miss Nigeria will be engaging young people and girls in schools and communities across Nigeria.

The Director of the Miss Nigeria organisation Dr. May Ikeora, who introduced the Green-Girl documentary shown to the audience, reemphasized the importance of sustaining Miss Nigeria as a heritage and empowerment platform for young women.

In her speech, she expressed how beauty pageant gave her the platform to pursue a successful career/academic attainment and how she expects the same for future beauty queens. She also added that the success of this year’s edition of Miss Nigeria is just a start of a better and consistent pageant that will continue to grow from strength to strength.

The star-studded event comprised of a fashion show, courtesy Studio 24 StyleSquad official photographers of Miss Nigeria 2016, stellar performances by Tekno, Ebisan, the valedictory speech of

the outgoing queen Leesi Pamela Peter-Vigboro and a host of other entertaining acts.

The Miss Nigeria 2016 pageant judges were Mai Atafo, Rita Dominic and Ibinabo Fibersima. Kunle Afolayan, Chioma Ude, and Yemi Keri were among the judges.

Other judges for the pageant include, Ezinne Akudo Anyooha, Binta Sukai and Lanre’daSilva- Ajayi, also include, Mukta Daniyan, Biola Alabi and Debola Williams.

The other judges are, Arc. Adejumobi Adenowo, Funke Egbemode, Adaobi Nwakuche, and Dupe Olusola. Collectively, the judges determined who deserves the coveted Miss Nigeria crown.

The 2016 edition of Miss Nigeria pageant was a huge success following testimonies from the attendees.

Some said it was the best-organised Miss Nigeria since its revival. The audience were engaged until the end of the pageant unto the after party sponsored by Baileys.

The venue for the pageant was a magnificent and classy one. The theme of the evening was centered on Heritage Bank’s campaign #IamProudOfMyHeritage with the focus of this year’s pageant on the

Edo culture.

All the contestants pronounced their support for their heritage and were all geared up in the Benin maiden costume for their dance performance which was remarkable.

Amongst the praises showered on the organisers of the pageant was that of Chief Aremo Olusegun Osoba, former Governor of Ogun State and former Editor/ Managing Direction of Daily Times, who lauded the organisers for keeping the show alive.

“I must commend the organisers for keeping our memories alive: we would have been the forgotten ones…” Osoba said.

The event marked the 88th birthday of the first ever Miss Nigeria, Mama Oyelude who was honoured with a birthday rendition by all the guest at the 40th Miss Nigeria pageant.

This year’s pageant has really raised the bar for the Miss Nigeria Organisation and it is the expectation of those who witnessed the enjoyable event that the organisers will continue to maintain and surpass the standard from now on.

7 News DSO to provide N100bn boost for Nollywood distribution network Minister

ÏÏÏ

The Digital Switch Over (DSO) in Broadcasting is set to create a N100 billion per annum FreeTV distribution network for Nollywood, among a number of positive spin-offs, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said on Thursday.

Speaking at the launch of the DSO in Abuja, the Minister also listed job creation, 30 free digital channels, free and easy access to Government and Public information through a touch of the remote control, current affairs and news available through the middleware on the boxes and a world class Electronic Programme Guide that will make television viewing an unbeatable experience. ‘’We have watched our beloved Nollywood move from VHS tapes to VCD to DVD, and whereas the whole world has moved to digital consumption of content with its attendant benefits and democratisation of distribution, we have been constrained by limited penetration of Internet in our homes. ‘’With the middleware in our Set-top boxes/Receiving equipment, homes will be able to buy and watch the latest Nollywood movies without the need for Internet. Imagine a film released on Monday morning being immediately available to 24 million plus households at the touch of a button,’’ he said.

Ishaku presents N110.2bn 2017 budget Okerafor Athanatius, Jalingo

ÏÏÏ

Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State on Thursday presented an estimate of one hundred and ten billion, one hundred and sixty eight million, nine hundred and eighty three thousand, nine hundred and forty two naira (N110,168,983,942.00) as the State’s Appropriation Bill for 2017 fiscal year before the legislators of the State Assembly.

Presenting the budget at the Hallow Chambers of the House of Assembly Jalingo, Darius Ishaku frowned at the 2016 budget which according to him, did not receive full implantation due to the Nation’s current economic recession.

The Governor opined that out of the estimated N110.1bn presented before the lawmakers, the recurrent expenditure would have N49.3bn representing 44.77 per cent of the budget while the remaining N60.8bn (55.23) is for capital expenditure.

News 8

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 23, 2016

Public health, councils workers lament unpaid salary arrears Edem Edem, Calabar

ÎÎÎLess than 48 hours to Christmas, thousands of public health and local government workers in Cross River state are still being owed over four months’ salaries. Investigations conducted by our correspondent in Calabar revealed that some work-

ers were owed salaries ranging from August-December 2016.

Our findings also revealed that the state government has paid her workers up to December while those of public health and local government remain unpaid. No reason was given for the non-payment of these group of government workers. Recently, the state governor, Prof Ben

Ayade, dissolved the local government councils, and sacked the chairmen and councilors as their tenure expired.

He directed them to hand over to directors of administration. However, the salaries were owed before the tenure of the out gone chairmen expired. Mrs. Affiong Emmanuel Bassey, a worker in one of the local

government councils, told our correspondent that she and some of her colleagues are owed four months salaries.

“I wonder how we are going to survive, our children are asking us for clothes and shoes, we have no money to buy anything for them, we don’t know what we are going to eat during this Christmas. It is as bad

as that. Please, plead with Governor Ayade to look into our problem now that he had paid state government workers up till December.”

When our reporter visited the office of the Ministry of Local Government Affairs, the Commissioner, Hon. Onoh Ulafor was not in the office and his aides declined to comment on the issue.

Lagos unveils artistes for grand musical fiesta Benjamin Omoike

ÎÎÎ

The Lagos State government has announced its preparedness to host what it calls a better, bigger and bolder edition of the popular One Lagos Fiesta across the five divisional zones of the state, starting from the Christmas eve on Saturday December 24.

In a press release signed on Thursday by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, the government said residents and visitors in Ikeja, Ikorodu, Epe, Badagry and Lagos Island will be treated to the best of musical entertainment, cultural displays, comedy and cuisine from the state.

The fiesta, which made its debut in 2015 after the Lagos Countdown was rechristened One Lagos Fiesta and spread across the five divisions of Lagos, will run daily from 12 midday to 12 midnight, with the first six hour dedicated to entertainment for children.

According to the Commissioner, the fiesta is running on the same template like last year’s but with three notable additions to make it more impactful this year.

He said, “firstly, the duration of the fiesta is longer this year. Instead

of the five days of last year, Lagosians will have eight days of fun and camaraderie this year.

Secondly, there will be space and reward for new and up and coming talents across the five zones this year. We have already had a very successful audition where 50 successful candidates were picked from each of the zones.

They will have the opportunity to perform on the same stage as the superstars that will be featured this year.

Two finalists will emerge from each zone by Friday the 30th December.

Those lucky 10 will then slug it out at the grand finale of OLF at the Eko Atlantic stage with three winners that will be rewarded handsomely.

“More importantly, this year’s fiesta has a broader base of artistes, beyond hip-hop and contemporary music. There will be more traditional troupes and local artistes from each zonal division and the fiesta will welcome participation from non-hip hop superstars that will grace the fiesta for the first time like King Sunny Ade, Chief Ebenezer Obey, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (Kwam 1), Sir Shina Peters, Queen Salawa Abeni, Lagbaja, Adewale Ayuba, Abass Akande Obesere and Sulaimon Adio Atawewe.”

Osun offers free ride for christmas, new year Sodiq Adekunle, Osogbo

ÎÎÎThe

Osun state government has offered free Christmas and New Year train services for its citizens who would want to return home to celebrate with their relatives.

A statement from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Co-operatives and Empowerment on Thursday, said the offer is to lessen the financial burden during the yuletide.

It also said the free train ride is in line with the Rauf Aregbesola administration’s tradition of facilitating convenient movement of its citizen in and out of the state during festive seasons.

The statement read in part, “The

Osun government is extending the welfare gesture to residents despite financial hardship faced by different governments of the federation.

“The train would, by 11.00 a.m. on Saturday December 24, 2016, convey people from Lagos to Osogbo. The return journey to Lagos from Osogbo will be Tuesday the 27th of December by 11 a.m.

“The train will also resume the services of conveying people from Lagos to Osogbo for the New year celebration by 11 a.m. Saturday December 31st 2016 and by same 11 a.m. Monday 2nd of January 2017 return to Lagos from Osogbo.”

The statement urged indigenes of the state to maximize the opportunity of the free train ride during the festive period.

Santa Claus (middle) and others during the 26th Inter-Denominational 9 Lessons and Christmas Carol of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement church Ayo ni o, Surelere Lagos… on Thursday.

Bayelsa APC moves to end crisis, constitutes panel Tom Okpe, Abuja

ÎÎÎBayelsa state chapter of

the All Progressives Congress (APC) has set up a reconciliation committee across the three-senatorial districts to resolve the crisis bedeviling the party since 2015 general elections.

The state executive of the party was divided into factions with a faction loyal to the former governor of the state, Timipreye Sylva and the other working with the state chairman Chief Tiwei Orunimighe.

A statement signed in Abuja on Thursday by the party state chairman Chief Tiwei Orunimighe, after the committee was constituted in Bayelsa, said the reconciliation committee was to reconcile various interests and factions in the state chapter of the party.

The statement said the inauguration which took place at the state secretariat of the party, in Yenagoa, had in attendance, members of the state Working Committee, Senatorial chairmen, Local Government and Ward chairmen, party elders and members of the party across the state.

While inaugurating the committee, Orunimighe called on the members to work assiduously for a genuine reconciliation, even as he urged them to reach out to all aggrieved persons with a view to uniting the party to focus on the task of changing Nigeria and Bayelsa state in particular.

He also called on party faithful in the state to support the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari despite the prevailing economic challenges which he said we are part of the re-engineering process of the country.

Orunimighe expressed confidence in the ability of the President to drive the process of sustainable development in the country with his fight against graft, insecurity and the increase in capital spending.

Speaking earlier, chairman of the committee, Sen. Felix Oboro, who is a former Secretary to the Bayelsa state Government, expressed joy in the foresight and resilience of the state executive of the party led by Chief Timipa Tiwei Orunimighe in championing the reconciliation of aggrieved members in the state.

“The party in the state will

bounce back to life with the renewed vigor of the state Chairman and his Executive to strengthen the party by uniting all members who were in some form of disarray, since no known member of the party in the state had been given national appointment.”

He expressed hope that the committee which he chairs would bring about the needed peace and unity in the state chapter of the party for greater responsibility and performance in the state.

Also speaking, Chief Livinus Opuakpa who is Secretary of the committee said the composition of the committee was timely, calling on all to bury their hatchets and work for the unity of the party in the state to face the challenges of an opposition party in the state.

Membership of the committee includes, Sen. Felix oboro, chairman,chief Livinus Opuakpa Secretary, Mrs. Helen Iyalagha Member, Doctor Douiye Aganaba, Chief yousuo Iruo, Chief godspowe Okpoi, Chief koloie Obhuo, Capt. Yebei (Rtd.)elder Nalanguo Alaguo and Nester Binabo. Others are Sen. Clever Ikisikpo, and Barr. Sylvanus Abila are members.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 23, 2016

Politics

9

s

ABIA council polls: Complaints, accusations and counter accusations Sunday Nwakanma – Umuahia

Abia State Wednesday held its local government chairmanship and councillorship elections amidst complaints of late arrival of electoral materials, but mostly peaceful.

The election was also marred by low voter turnout.

In Umuahia South LGA, Apumiri, the election materials were yet to be distributed around 12.44 pm when Daily Times visited there, allegedly over refusal of opposition loyalties for the materials to be distributed on time.

It took the intervention of the military to allow the distribution to commence by that 12.44pm, hence the commencement of the exercise in some wards and polling units in the LGA. Speaking with newsmen around 11.50am, a councillorship candidate of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in Ogbodiukwu ward 1 and 2, Joyce Nwachukwu Nwabuisi said it seems that the ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) wants to rig the election, as the party officials used men of the Mobile Police unit to intimidate the opposition, even at the non-arrival of electoral materials.

She said she had done all she could to notify relevant electoral authorities, but nothing was done about it. However, later around 3.53pm when newsmen went back to her Ogbodi Umuorinoku unit, no ABSIEC official or electoral materials were sent to the polling unit.

Speaking on the issue, the Deputy Chairmanship candidate of APGA for Umuahia South, Chief Onyebuchi Sunday Emekobum said his party was prepared for the election as arranged by ABSIEC, including sensitising the people of Umuahia South like other parties, stating that the failure of the materials to arrive at most of the voting centres in Umuahia South was to the knowledge of the state government.

He alleged that with this development therefore, it was obvious that the ruling Party, the PDP has ulterior motive, stating that his party knows what to do about it later.

He asked ABSIEC to do the needful, having pledged that it will hold a fair and credible election.

At Umunka Polling unit in Amapu Ntigha Uzo ward 8, voting started at around 1.30 pm, with the PDP candidate, Ginger Onwusibe kick-starting the exercise.

Speaking after voting, Onwusibe described the exercise as peaceful in the area, though it started late, stating that he expects the results to be free and fair.

At Williams Memorial Grammar School, Afuguri Ward 1 and 2, distribution of electoral materials were going on

Gov. Ikpeazu,

smoothly.

Speaking later, the PDP Umuahia North chairmanship candidate, Nwachukwu said the exercise went on well in Afuguri wards 1 and 2, stating that it was a good thing to give back power to the grassroots after more than 10 years.

He said in the LGA, there is no opposition, stating that the people of the area love him and expressed his expectation that the election would be peaceful.

In Abia North , reports have it that “there was no election going on” there, even by 4.11 pm, hence protests by APGA youths protesting en mass in Abiriba in Ohafia Local Government Area and Bende town, in Bende Local Government Area of the state.

In Itumbauzo, Uzuakoli and Umuimenyi, all in Bende LGA of Abia North, as at 5.00pm, no election has started in the areas.

In Ukwa West in Abia South, the state

Dr. Alex Otti

PDP spokesman, Don Ubani said the exercise went on well there, stating that voting went on smoothly. On the allegation that ABSIEC deliberately denied opposition strongholds electoral materials, he said it might be all about logistics.

According to him, PDP has no hands in the distribution of the materials, adding that if there were lapses, ABSIEC should be held responsible.

Meanwhile, Abia State governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the local government election held across the state.

The governor who spoke to newsmen after casting his vote at his Umuobiakwa country home, Obingwa ward 7, expressed his happiness that the process adopted by the State Independent Electoral Commission SIEC is simple and straight forward, pointing out that the method of accreditation and voting simultaneously made it easier for people to cast their votes and

Reacting, the ABSIEC chairman, Justice Igbozuruike Akomas said opposition is fond of criticizing and that they should show evidence of what they are saying. He said though he was not in the field, that his commission printed enough materials for the election, stating that he will not cancel any election, pointing out that the election petition tribunal has been put in place and if there are any complaints from the opposition, they should petition the tribunal.

leave the polling boots.

The governor who said that modern method of voting has made it possible for people to perform their civic responsibilities and still engage in other activities, commended Abians for coming out en masse to perform their civic duties, stating that he was happy that the whole exercise was conducted in a peaceful atmosphere.

Dr Ikpeazu advised contestants in the election to do it in the spirit of sportsmanship, stressing that Abians should be united with the common goal of developing the state.

Also speaking after casting her vote, the wife of the governor, Deaconess Nkechi Ikpeazu noted that the election was progressing smoothly and called on the women folks to come out and vote.

In all, there were general allegations by oppositions that the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission, ABSIEC deliberately delayed delivery of electoral materials to their strongholds to give PDP undue advantage.

Reacting, the ABSIEC chairman, Justice Igbozuruike Akomas said opposition is fond of criticizing and that they should show evidence of what they are saying.

He said though he was not in the field, that his commission printed enough materials for the election, stating that he will not cancel any election, pointing out that the election petition tribunal has been put in place and if there are any complaints from the opposition, they should petition the tribunal.

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 23, 2016

Why there is peace, unity in Lagos Assembly –Obasa Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has said that the regular parliamentary sessions by members of the House has been the recipe for the unity enjoyed in the state legislative arm of government.

Obasa in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Legislative and Political Matters, Hon. Mufutau Egberongbe, explained that the Lagos State House of Assembly has been able to remain the best in the country due to unity among the members of the House.

The Speaker pointed out that regular holding of parliamentary sessions before plenary sessions have made the job of legislation easier.

“Most times when we have critical issues to discuss, we meet at parliamentary session and iron them out so that we can have a robust and smooth discussions at plenary sessions.

“Also, when there is a bill from the Executive arm, we hold Executive briefing at parliamentary session and this will enable us to have a member of the Executive arm to come and brief and give us the pros

and cons of the bill. Eventually, this will assist members in critiquing the bill at plenary which will lead to speedy passage. This also fosters strong tie between the Executive and Legislative arms.

“As a legislative arm, there should be regular parliamentary meetings as this will help in having peaceful and meaningful plenary sessions.

This is what has been keeping us solid here in the Lagos State House of Assembly,” the statement read in part.

The statement further added that the activities of the House under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Obasa, are institutionalised and not personalised and these have been responsible for the speed at which dividends of democracy are achieved.

The statement quoted the Speaker as saying “it is not about me but about the House, I have the strong belief that the legislative arm as an institution should come first so that it can outlive us in good legacy and a roadmap for others coming behind to follow.”

The statement further clarified that other institutionalised framework used in administering the

RƄ

House is the Finance and General Purpose Committee, a committee that determines the expenditure of the House.

“As we have this Finance and General Purpose Committee, which is

made up of some members of the House; we also have the Disciplinary Committee, which is headed by the Chief Whip of the House,” the statement added.

ACF seeks fair hearing for SGF ÏÏ Ƌ ƈ ƐƆƋƋƈ Ɔ ƅƆ Ɛ Ɔ Ɨ E ƗƑ è ƌƇ Ə ƊƈƋƋƈ The Arewa Consultative Forum ( ACF) in Kaduna State has called for fair hearing for the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SFG, Babachir Lawal on the corruption allegations levelled against him.

In a meeting of the National Executive Council, NEC, the forum also demanded constant secu-

Babachir

rity surveillance and intelligence gathering around troubled areas of Kaduna, Zamfara and Taraba states where lives and properties have been lost, to forestall future occurrences.

Speaking to newsmen in an interview shortly after the meeting, ACF National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim, said, the meeting deliberated on national security and other crucial matters.

According to the ACF spokesman, the forum remains on the side of justice for all, therefore supports the probe of the SGF on the corruption allegations levelled against him, saying such will give him fair hearing.

His words, “It is not in the character of ACF to take sides on allegations of corruption against any government official or private individual without proper investigation. The rule of natural justice demands that before you pronounce anybody guilty of an allegation, you must give him a fair hearing.

“The anti-corruption war cannot be applied selectively, all are subject to thorough investigation.

Those found culpable are punished in accordance with the law.

“We therefore support the courage of President Muhammadu Buhari to investigate allegations of corruption against top government officials of his administration. This clearly demonstrates his total commitment to do what is right irrespective of who is involved.

“It is our hope that the Attorney General of the Federation will avail the officials concerned a fair hearing in the interest of justice.

“ACF is equally calling on Nigerians to support President Buhari in this very difficult anti corruption war. The challenges are enormous which requires collective duty to put all hands on deck to save our dear country from insecurity and corruption.”

On the killings in Kaduna, Taraba, Zamfara and Benue states, Ibrahim said, “We are very concerned and worried about the recurrent communal clashes be-

tween farmers and herdsmen in some Northern states like Zamfara, Taraba, Benue and Kaduna.

“This seemingly intractable security challenge in the North which has continued to hinder our socio-economic development is disturbing and unacceptable.

“The recent communal clashes in some communities in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State and that of Jama’a and Kauru local government areas in Southern part of Kaduna State where innocent lives were killed and property destroyed, is worrisome and condemnable.

“So, in consideration of these and other insecurity situations in the region, ACF in collaboration with Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation is proposing to host a Northern Security Summit in February next year that will address the numerous issues of cattle rustling, kidnapping, communal clashes, amongst others. The Summit is aimed at complimenting the efforts of government to finding lasting solutions to the problems.”

ƐƈƊƑ ƅ Ə Ɔ Mƈ ƆƏƈ Ƌ ƒƆè ƍƆ ƅƆè ƅƏƈƇƈƅƆ Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has charged Nigerians to use this season of celebration to emphasis the virtues of love, peace and sacrifice, at Christmas as an acceptance of what Jesus Christ came to the world to achieve for mankind.

Atiku in a press statement by his Press Office that he personally signed noted that the birth of Jesus marked the beginning of what was to be an exemplary life for all mankind, adding that “this year, more than ever, Nigerians must pay keen attention to the message of love, peace and sacrifice, which Jesus preached during his time on earth.”

According to him, “Over the past months, a number of dark forces have combined to accentuate divisions in our country.

In the areas of politics, religion and tribe, there seem to have been constant fractiousness and restiveness, with people of different groups exchanging threats or actual harm. That is why we need to remember the love that Jesus taught.

“We must love our neighbors as ourselves, do good to them and mean them well, whether or not they belong to our group.

Nigeria cannot move forward as a country until each and every one of us realise that what is good for one should also be good for the other.

The former Vice President added that Nigerians must continuously seek peace with all mankind, just as Jesus taught.

“We must be our brothers’ keeper. We must realise that it is only in an atmosphere of peace that we can expect to lay the solid foundation for prosperity. Millions of our brothers and sisters in the North East of Nigeria currently face starvation, disease and death in various refugee camps across the region.

(Ditto for some others in Benue and Nasarawa and several other places afflicted with strife).

“A few years ago, these ones were settled in their own homes in their villages, farming and fending for themselves. The loss of their livelihoods and means of subsistence is the result of the peace that the entire region lost, that has led to devastation.

“We need look no further than these unfortunate ones to understand the high price to be paid for stoking the flames of violence, for whatever reason and under any guise. In the end, the price paid is always far too high.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 23, 2016

John Chinenye, Awka The National Executive Council of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) has set aside the purported sack of Chief Victor Oye as the National Chairman of the party.

The party took the decision after its NEC meeting at the Prof Dora Akunyili Women Development Center, Awka, giving effect to the annulment through a voice vote.

The meeting also saw the ratification of a recommendation by the party’s Disciplinary Committee for the expulsion of six members of the National Working Committee of the party for engaging in anti-party activities and gross misconduct.

Among the national officers expelled from the party were Ozo Nwabueze Okafor, National Chairman, South East, Mr Chuks Nwoga, National Youth Leader, Mr Okechukwu Nkulagu, Deputy National Financial Secretary, Jerry Obasi, Deputy National Secretary, Ezinne Agbaogwu, National Woman Leader and Terry

11 Politics

APGA crisis: NEC sacks factional group Godfrey, Deputy National Treasurer of the party.

Also expelled is Mr Campbell Umenzekwe of the Lagos Chapter of the party for contravening the party’s constitution through indiscipline.

Also in a motion, the NEC agreed to work harmoniously for the advancement of the party in the state and the country as well as for the return of Governor Willie Obiano as governor of the state next year in view of his outstanding performance in office in less than three years.

The meeting presided over by the National Chairman, Ozo Victor Oye, was attended by key APGA figures including Governor Willie Obiano and his deputy, Dr Nkem Okeke, Wife of late APGA Leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Am-

bassador Bianca Ojukwu, former Information Minister, Mr Labaran Maku, APGA governorship candidate in Abia State in the 2015 election, Dr Alex Otti, former National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, Members of Board of Trustees and National Working Committee as well as other delegates from across the country.

Addressing newsmen after the meeting, the National Secretary of the party, Mr Labaran Maku explained that the numerous decisions taken during the meeting is to restrategise and redefine the party for increased impact in the nation’s political arena in the upcoming months.

He further revealed that it was also agreed that the party continue registration of new members to expand it in keeping with its national coverage outlook while

states were advised to initiate innovative steps to up its funding in the face of the party’s dwindling fortunes.

On the unanimous decision to work for the re-election of Governor Obiano come 2017, the APGA scribe said the governor has through his sterling performance placed APGA on the global map for good governance as well as shown genuine commitment towards promoting the party, adding that Anambra State is the base of the party in the country and will so remain.

Mr Maku emphasised the party’s decision to continue to provide a viable alternative for the nation’s political arena in terms of people oriented leadership and the right economic policies to adopt especially in the face of the present economic recession.

CACOL demands extradition, retrial of Ibori in Nigeria Patrick Okohue

L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), with Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Adebola Ademowo; Deputy Governor, Dr. Oluranti Adebule; Chief Imam of Lagos, Alhaji Garba Akinola and Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr. Samuel Emeka Uche during an Inter Faith Parley with the governor at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Wednesday, December 21, 2016.

The Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) has called on the Federal Government to immediately make an official request to the United Kingdom for the extradition of former Delta State governor, Chief James Ibori, who was released from British jail on Tuesday to Nigeria to face more criminal charges in the country.

Making the request in a press statement, the Executive Chairman of CACOL, Mr. Debo Adeniran said that, “As far we know, Mr. Ibori has not answered to the allegations against him here in Nigeria! In fact we demand that the Federal Government should immediately make an official request to the UK for the extradition of ex-convict to Nigeria to face trial over the corruption cases against him.”

Adeniran said, “We all know this man ‘escaped’ the Nigerian justice system, but ended in the UK gulag over the same offences from which he had been

corruptly exonerated of in our country, another sad tale in the annals of the history of corruption in the judiciary.

“It is really shameful that it was outside this country that Ibori was convicted, in the UK, having wriggled through the labyrinths of our judicial system to escape justice. We believe, Ibori’s case is one of those that informed the statement credited to the former UK Prime Minister, David Cameron that Nigeria is ‘fantastically corrupt’.”

He noted that Ibori admitted to fraud totalling about £50m and was jailed by the Southwark Crown Court after pleading guilty to ten counts of money laundering and conspiracy to defraud.

Adeniran said “the Federal Government need not waste time to officially get Ibori extradited to the country to face retrial over the corruption cases against him which he dubiously escaped from. This is what will improve our status as a country within the comity of nations as far as anti-corruption is concerned.”

Be hopeful for better future, NNPP tells Nigerians Patrick Okohue The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has charged Nigerians not to lose hope in the face of dwindling economic condition in the country, assuring that despite the look of things there was light at the end of the tunnel and that the people will soon have a reason to smile.

The party in its Christmas message signed by its National Chairman, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, further urged the people not to despair, but to pin their hope in the future, for there is definitely “light at the end of the tunnel”.

He said however that there was the need for everyone to be ready to make sacrifices for a better future, “this requires the combined sacrifice of both the leaders and the followership. Nigerians must remember the popular saying ‘You cannot make an ommelete without breaking an egg’.”

The NNPP also called on the leaders to shun

all forms of corruption, electoral malpractices, violence and re-rededicate themselves to the service of the fatherland. “For our people, we urge them to be supportive of positive activities of government, avoid constituting unnecessary distractions, and all forms of vices.

“As a people let us shun actions that are inimical to the growth and development of our dear country. Let us together harness all resources and potentials for the advancement of the cause of the greater majority of our people. As we go into 2017, let us resolve to give our best as our individual sacrifice for the hope of a better and greater tomorrow.

“The way forward shall be to imbibe the spirit of hard work and evolve the doctrine of love ourselves as one people in one nation. It is also very important that we appeal to all Nigerians to support the ongoing reforms in our country.

Let elections divide us on matters of manifesto, but the economy and wellbeing of all Nigerians

unite us.”

The party noted that “this period of economic recession in our dear country, places a moral burden of sacrifice on us, that occupy the position of leadership to sacrifice our time, comfort, privileges and, to provide succour and hope for our people who are suffering abject lack. This is the duty imposed on us by our “Bible” i.e. the Constitution from which every Government (and by extension, everybody in leadership position), derive their power and authority.”

The NNPP added that Section 14 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, states that; “The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a State based on the principles of democracy and social justice.

“It is hereby, accordingly, declared that: Sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria from whom government through this Constitution derives all its powers and authority; the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government: and the participation

by the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.”

Aniebonam added that “as a political party, we are aware that our people are confronting serious challenges as cost of living has gone up with its multiplier effect. As if these are not enough, our people are grappling with insecurity which has taken us back to the Hobbesian law of nature, when life was “short, brutish and nasty”.

“The current situation in the country has shown clearly to Nigerians that our dependence on one commodity as our main source of revenue has done great damage to our well-being as a nation. The dwindling oil revenue and the crisis which hit the oil industry have exposed the danger in depending on one source of revenue for any country. The dwindling oil revenue at the international market and the Niger Delta crisis have combined to deal fatal blows on the revenue base of the country,” the party said.

News 12

Daily Times Nigeria 0ƏƈƗ ƕè #ƆƅƆƌƄƆƏ ƾƢè ƾƠơÕ

FG urges states to clear salaries with Paris Club refunds

Continued from page 1

staff salaries.

Under the new arrangement, states are expected to receive 25 per cent of their approved sums in the first instance before this week ends.

Shehu recalled that the overcharge arose from deductions between 1995 and 2002 from debt owed to Paris Club.

The states had earlier complained about the excess deduc-

tions.

The statement added that the president has in a directive through the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, said the issue of workers’ benefits, particularly salary and pensions, must not be allowed to continue, but should be handled with urgency.

The statement read: “When he assumed office last year, the president declared an emergency on unpaid salaries, following

the discovery that 27 out of the 36 states had fallen behind in the payments to their workers, in some cases for up to a year.

“Following this, bailout loans were issued to the states twice, with a first batch of about N300bn given to them in 2015 in the form of soft loans.

“The administration also got the Debt Management Office (DMO) to restructure their commercial loans of over N660bn and extended the life span of

the loans.

“Because this did not succeed in pulling many of the states out of distress, the federal government this year gave out a further N90bn to 22 states as yet another bailout loans under very stringent conditions.

“President Buhari is of the opinion that the payment of salaries and pensions must be given priority to save both serving and retired workers and their families from distress.”

Gé`ë zƈƇƆ Ƈ Ɛ Ɔ 1Ɔ ƆƏ Ƌ RƒƆƏ ƆƆƏè `ƆƗƆƆƌƆƗ Əƈ Ɛƈ ƑƏƅ Ƈ 1 Ɨ æ` 1çè ^ Ɛ Ə æLƏ êç 0 ƋƑ ƗƆƄ ƕƆì 1Ɔ ƆƏ Ƌ RƒƆƏ ƆƆƏè ` 1è ^ Ɛ Ə & ƅ ƗƆƄ ƕƆì ƓƈƇƆ Ƈ Ɛ Ɔ R Ƒ dƐ ƐƆ 1 ƒƆƏ Əè LƏ ê 0 ƋƑ ƌ Ƒ ì 1 ƒƆƏ Ə 9ƄƈƊƑ ƋƆ ƌ Ƒ Ɨ ƓƈƇƆ Ƈ Ƈ ƏƌƆƏ ^ƏƆ ƈƗƆ Ɛ RƋƑ Ɔ Ƒ RƄ Ɖ è Ƌ è Ɛ Ɛ Ɔ R Ƒ dƐ ƐƆ ƾƠơÕ Əƈ Ɛƌ Ə Ƌ ƈ ƄƆ ƊƑƐ è R Ƒ dƐ ƐƆêêê j ƑƏ Ɨ ƕê

2017 deadline: No going back on digital switch over –FG Tony Ailemen and Tom Okpe, Abuja

ÏÏÏ President Muhammadu Bu-

hari on Thursday declared that the federal government is fully committed to the planned digitalization of the nation’s broadcasting system, insisting that the deadline of June 2017 for Digital Switch Over (DSO) in Nigeria remains sacrosanct.

The President, who stated this while performing the official launching of the Abuja digital switch over on Thursday, appealed to all states and local governments to take full advantage of the benefits accruable and be actively involved in the project.

President Buhari, who spoke through Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, declared that “we are now going into full gear to launch across the rest of the country and to commence switch off.

“Let me restate for emphasis, that this government is irreversibly committed to meeting the June 2017 deadline for the switchover in the West African sub-

region and also to the roll-out of the DSO in all the states of the federation.

“The DSO train that took off in Jos has now arrived in Abuja, from where it is set to move to other parts of the country unhindered.”

The President commended Pinnacle Communications for doing a great job, even as he described them as “great elephant in broadcasting.”

Said he: “Before we took the decision to appoint Pinnacle Communications as the Signal Distributor for Abuja, this ground we are standing on today was all trees and bushes. But in the space of just three months, this company has proven that indeed in Nigeria, we have the capacity and zeal to make progress for our country. Pinnacle Communications Limited has invested heavily in this project and we commend them for their strong faith in Nigeria.”

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Mohammed, while also speaking at the occasion, reiterated the high quality

of the service that Pinnacle, the signal distributor has put up.

According to him, our objective is not just to move customers and Nigerians from analogue to digital in a simple technical sense, but to ensure a total overhaul of the whole Television watching experience and the economy around it.

“The core principles of democracy are equality, common participation, total access to information for all citizens, economic empowerment of all participants in the industries and a level playing feed for Nigerian companies and entrepreneurs to build viable businesses. By these, we are expecting to help diversify our economy by properly exploiting our great talent and creative human and natural resources which we strongly believe are second to none in Africa.

“There are a number of initiatives that we are focusing on in order to achieve a credible and effective development of our TV and Production industries and to successfully develop the digital economy.”

The Minister stressed the need of Consumer Proposition that is all encompassing which most Nigerians never had access to as Free and easy access to Government and Public information, Current Affairs and News available through the middleware on the boxes, a world class Electronic Program Guide that will make Television viewing an unbeatable experience and Creating tens of thousands of jobs through Technical, Production and Manufacturing opportunities.

“We are going to forbid all forms of monopoly so that all Nigerians can get access to all types of content without having to expend money on multiple devices. With the Set-top box you are getting your Free-to-Air channels, you must be allowed to pay for and buy any and every channel allowed to be broadcast in the country. Media pluralism is a cornerstone of democracy and this fact should be reflected in the plurality of independent and autonomous media and in diversity, of media content”, he said.

Fish out killers in Rivers rerun elections, Wike charges probe panel Amaka Agbu, Port Harcourt

ÏÏÏ

The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the killings and violence that attended the rerun/ supplementary elections on December 10, 2016 in Rivers state has been charged to spare no efforts in identifying those that were responsible for the killings that took place during the polls.

Inaugurating the commission on Thursday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, Governor Nyesom Wike charged the members to find out the number of those killed and who was responsible for their deaths. He also charged the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to ascertain the names of those who were killed.

The governor stated that it was not within the purview of the commission to investigate how the elections were conducted, stating: “This Judicial Commission of Inquiry is not to investigate how they conducted their elections. You are to investigate the murders that attended the elections.

“Those involved in the killings will face the full weight of the law.

This government has the capacity to follow through.”

He called on members of the commission to stand by the truth and be courageous in the discharge of their assignment.

Responding, chairman of the commission, Justice Chinwendu Nwogu, said that the commission would discharge its assignment within the confines of the law.

The other 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, Secretary) and C. B. Ekeh Esq (Principal State Counsel, Legal Counsel).

The Judicial Commission of Inquiry has as its reference to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the violence during the December 10, 2016 rerun/supplementary elections in Rivers state; identify the perpetrators of the various acts of violence and killings in the aforesaid election; and identify the victims of the violence including those killed.

Others are to identify if property was damaged and the value of any such property; determine if the violence was localised to specific areas within the state or was state-wide; make appropriate recommendations concerning their findings or any other recommendations as the commission may consider appropriate in the circumstance; and submit its report to the Governor of Rivers State within one (1) month from the date of its sitting.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 23, 2016

13

14 Opinion

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 23, 2016

Magu, DSS, Senate and Buhari’s anti-corruption war

T

Chido Onumah

here are very few moments in a nation’s history that can equate the infamy that took place at the Nigerian Senate on Thursday, December 15, 2016. Of course, this is Nigeria, where infamous acts by those who have purloined our country are an everyday occurrence.

Two days ago, after months of prevarication, the Nigerian Senate, one half of the National Assembly that was described as a den of thieves and “unarmed robbers” by ex-president, Olusegun Obasanjo, finally summoned the shameless audacity to “reject” the nomination of Ibrahim Mustapha Magu as the chairman of Nigeria’s foremost anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Anyway, who didn’t expect that outcome must be from Mars.

In a sentence, that despicable act was a coup against the longsuffering people of Nigeria; a clear attempt by a self-absorbed and rapacious elite to continue to reap the fruits of corruption. The elite capture of the Nigerian state has a long history and manifests in various guises. Listening to a quivering Aliyu Abdullahi, the spokesperson of the Senate, read the terse handwritten declaration, while the Senate was still in session, “rejecting” Magu’s nomination, I was reminded of that infamous act twenty three years ago when Nduka Irabor, the press secretary to the then military vice-president, Augustus Aikhomu, read a short handwritten speech annulling the result of the June 12, 2016 presidential election before the electoral umpire could announce the results. We shouldn’t forget that that contemptible and criminal usurpation of the will of Nigerians was supervised by the “evil genius”, Ibrahim Babangida, and his cohorts, including David Mark, a retired general, who would resurface in 2007 as president of this same Senate.

It would be too clichéd to say what is going on is corruption fighting back. That would amount to honouring our senators, many of them former executive scoundrels who have found a safe haven in the Senate. However, we can’t really blame the Senate. It did what it had to do.

It needed an alibi to reject Magu and it found it in the “damning” security report submitted by the Department of State Services (DSS).

How a bunch of wastrels, acting as distinguished senators, can hold a nation to ransom beggar’s belief. A few years ago, one of their own and a former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, described the National Assembly as the greatest problem of Nigeria. After reviewing what transpired in the Senate on Thursday, it is difficult to fault Kwankwaso.

Was Thursday’s decision a unanimous one? How many Senators, if any, opposed the vote? If there were any, they should stand up and

be counted because when the history of the Senate, and indeed that of the country is written, Thursday’s action will go down as one of the greatest political heists since the military-inspired civilian rule came to being in 1999. Anyone who wants to really appreciate the Magu confirmation imbroglio must look no further than the procedural inconsistency that trailed it. Clearly, no hearing of any form took place in the Senate on December 15, 2016.

Assumedly, the so-called security report was submitted to the Senate so that senators could consider it in making “informed judgement” on whether to confirm Mr. Magu or not. That didn’t happen.

The anti-Magu hysteria that has gripped a section of the media and civil society hoodwinked by our duplicitous Senate and its collaborators is appalling. It is necessary, now, therefore, to do a quick review of this orchestrated plot. Magu’s confirmation letter was read in the Senate on July 14, 2016. It took our do-nothing Senate exactly five months, on the day it was going on recess for the year, to get around to “screening” him.

The letter, signed by the vice president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, read in part, “…I hereby draw your Excellency’s attention to the vacancy that existed in the EFCC. Having carefully considered EMINENTLY SUITABLE QUALIFIED NIGERIANS (emphasis mine) for the vacant position, I am pleased to inform you of the appointment of the following and to propose them for confirmation of the Senate as provided by the EFCC Act. 1. Magu Ibrahim Mustapha, ACP – Chairman; two. Nasule Moses – Member; 3. Lawan Maman – Member; 4. Garandaji Imam Naji – Member; 5.

Adeleke Abebayo Rafiu – Member.

The curriculum vitae of the appointee are attached”. Many other nominees whose letters of nomination were sent to the Senate after Magu’s were expeditiously screened. Then late Wednesday, December 7, 2016,

Magu’s name appeared on the first page of the Order Paper, the Senate’s daily agenda, for Thursday, December 8, 2016. It read: “Confirmation of nomination: That the Senate do consider the request of Mr. President, C-in-C, for the confirmation of the nomination of Ibrahim Magu as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in accordance with Section 2(3) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).” The same day, the deputy Senate president, Ike Ekweremadu, announced at plenary that the confirmation hearing would hold the next day after five months of delay.

By Thursday, December 8, 2016, a new Order Paper, without any mention of Magu’s confirmation, appeared. Fast forward to Thursday, December 15, 2016. Magu’s name appeared again and he was expected to be at the Senate to be grilled on how he has run the EFCC as acting chairman. It was also a veritable opportunity to raise any concerns the senators might have about any allegations against him. Well, as it turned out, it was all a ruse. Once it resumed, the Senate went into an executive session and cooked up a reason to reject Magu’s nomination.

The Senate just “resolved” that since there was a security report, it could not go ahead with the confirmation hearing. Of course, it is important to find out the role of the Senate committee on anti-corruption in this mess. Did it investigate the DSS report? Did it make a presentation to the Senate on the issue?

Did the Senate only receive the DSS report or there were other petitions from the public against Magu? If the Senate felt so strongly about the security report, why were senators not availed of the content before Thursday? If the Senate didn’t do its own due diligence, why was the acting chairman of EFCC made to appear before the Senate without being allowed to state his side of the story?

As soon as the Senate formally

“rejected” Magu’s nomination, it released the “damning” security report – which had been in the public domain for many months – and its spin-doctors and sympathisers went on overdrive. Magu was accused of various crimes, including living in a N40 million mansion allegedly paid for by a shady character, Umar Mohammed, a retired air commodore. However, if this allegation is true, it is not something the Senate and the DSS should treat with such levity.

Of course, the Presidency bears some culpability in this national show of shame. All of Magu’s purported crimes were committed before his name was sent to the Senate. Is it possible then that the DSS did not do a security check on him before the Presidency sent his name to the Senate? Did the DSS invite Magu to “defend” himself over their finding?

Clearly, there is a serious lack of coherence and control in the exercise of power in the Presidency. Why would a nominee of Mr. President before the Senate be undermined by a report by the DSS? Can the president send the name of a nominee to the Senate without DSS clearance?

There is serious doubt about APC and Buhari’s change mantra but nowhere is this apprehension more critical than on the issue of the war against corruption. This will be a true test for President Buhari’s anticorruption credentials. There are two options open to him: re-submit Magu’s name for confirmation or allow him stay on as acting chairman of EFCC. Sure, Magu is not the only Nigerian who can lead the EFCC, but it will be hard to find someone – within the limitations placed by the EFCC Establishment Act. Of course, it is only in Nigeria that criminals who should ordinarily be in jail for their egregious crimes against the country are the ones who define moral codes and sit in judgement on how to punish crime.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 23, 2016

15 Opinion

Why every Nigerian must know about MMM

A Sunday Adelaja

t about the time our church, the Embassy of God, that used to be called the Word of Faith Church in the 1990s, was making its strides on the historical landscape of the former Soviet Union, out of nowhere, the name MMM hit the air waves. However, not many people knew it was a Ponzi Scheme.

The terms ‘Ponzi schemes’ and ‘pyramids’ were new in the former Soviet Union. Ponzi schemes and pyramids are a long known fraudulent way of getting money from rather ignorant people, whereby operators pay returns to participants from fresh money coming in from newly recruited members.

A legitimate business, on the other hand, must be involved in the production of goods or services, from which profit is made. A profit, therefore, is made legitimate through the exchange of goods or services produced. When it comes to Ponzi schemes and pyramids however, they do not produce goods or services, therefore

there is no legitimate means of making a profit. Ponzi schemes and pyramids like MMM base their operations on the greed of men to make quick money without paying the price of hard work.

They entice new members and participants purely based on desire of these participants to make quick money. Sergey Mavrodi is quoted as saying, MMM is a business built on exploiting people’s vice of greed and lust for money.

According to him, as long as greed and lust for money is part of human nature, MMM will live. He says there is nothing anyone can do in any country to stop his business, because people want to have quick and easy money. Even, on the MMM website, he gives a clear warning to all participants that they could lose their money and yet people still go ahead and get involved. In Mr. Mavrodi’s mind, he is not cheating or robbing anyone. So he says, I tell people what I am doing, they know they are involved in criminal acts, they know they are involved in pyramids, they know they are involved in fraud, so what am I doing wrong then? People are intentionally getting involved in something they know is evil and could go cata-

strophic at any time.

In Russia, by the time his company was shut down, he had succeeded in attracting about 15 million people who eventually lost their money. MMM is a known pyramid and Ponzi scheme. More so, the founder, Sergey Mavrodi has been convicted and has served a jail term of four years. In fact, he is right now in hiding and operating MMM Nigeria and others while on the run from, Russia.

Hence when you go to the page of MMM Nigeria, you will see where there is a warning that this MMM is not allowed in Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus, because the founder is wanted in these countries.

There are some points that we need to underline, specifically for the Nigerian public.

Sergey Mavrodi, being a mathematical genius and winner of several mathematical Olympiads while still a student in school, uses his knowledge and his superior intellect to manipulate the rather gullible populace. Thanks to his intellectual prowess, it is not difficult for him to realise the power of mass media on the people. Sergey Mavrodi’s strength is in pouring a large percentage of the money he gets from people

into advertisement and publicity.

The greatest attraction to MMM is the thirty percent promised returns on a monthly basis. This is the standard Ponzi and pyramid percentage in almost every such scheme throughout history. To my Nigerian brethren, I want to ask: What have you done for you to warrant a reward or profit of thirty percent a month, which could be up to three hundred and sixty percent in a year? If you are being paid from the money other people are bringing in, that is reason for you to know that the whole project will collapse sooner than later. This is because whenever the input becomes less than the output, that means more people are collecting their thirty percent from the company than those who are bringing in money.

Right now, the operators of MMM in Nigeria are busy pushing their guiders, managers and participants to keep on recruiting new members. The bigger such a pyramid grows, the more catastrophic it becomes eventually.

When three million people lose their money, that equals more sorrow and pain, than if one million people lost their money.

Sunday Adelaja, pastor and innovator writes from Ukraine.

Buhari and Budget 2017

A Uddin Ifeanyi

t 7.298 trillion, the 2017 budget bill presented by President Muhammadu Buhari to the National Assembly on December 14, 2016 is the biggest ever by any government in the country.

Not just is it 20 percent (1.22 trillion) more than 2016’s 6.06 trillion appropriation act, the recurrent bit of it alone (at 5.049 trillion) is far larger than any budget approved for this country bar that for 2016.

Just about every commentator agrees that money has to be spent to move the country out of the present recession. Not a few think that the more efficient source of such funds is the private sector; whether local or non-resident. For this folk, government’s central challenge is to strengthen conditions that conduce to this inflow of private money. Whatever the merits of this position, by far the weightier counter-argument are the Buhari administration’s apparent belief that government spends is the easier route out of our current economic crisis. Accordingly, the administration plans to make

the spending plan) between what it hopes to earn next year, and what

it plans to spend by borrowing 1.067 trillion from outside the country, and 1.254 trillion domestically.

Just on, the strength of the federal government’s apparent dirigiste sentiments alone, the budget makes for interesting reading. I have heard folk fret over how realistic the budget’s assumptions are. Yet, if OPEC’s attempts at stitching up oil production next year holds, we should see oil prices firm up. Then, a budget based on an oil price benchmark of US$42.5 per barrel would not be so out of place.

However, the same cannot be said for the budget’s other assumptions. Of course, an oil production target of 2.2 million barrels per day ignores the debilitating consequence of renewed restiveness in the Niger Delta. However, far more worrisome is that we nearly always fail to take into consideration the result of an uncertain legal and regulatory environment on new investments in the upstream oil sector; and the effect of the latter on effective installed capacity in the sector. My fear is that even if we were to solve the restiveness in the oil-producing region today, as effectively as Alexander is famed to have tackled the difficulty posed by the Gordian knot, we would still not be able to produce 2.2 million

barrels a day because we have not seen investment in new capacity in the sector, even as existing capacity is turning obsolete.

While the point about the “effective installed capacity” in the upstream sector of our oil and gas industry may be moot, not so government’s preference for an parently, this is one of the many rates at which the naira currently exchanges in the country. Unfortunately, it is the rate at a market (the Central Bank of Nigeria’s) where no foreign exchange is to be had. Therefore, the real effective exchange rate of the naira is far lower than this. Now, the problem with this is that while a higher exchange rate for the naira may flatter the official spending numbers, it is far more beautiful than useful.

Beyond this, though, it points to the extent of government’s alienation from the functioning of the economy. A more realistic exchange rate would have indicated government’s familiarity with the problem in that part of the economy. In addition, we could then have continued a conversation around preferred solutions.

Still, the preferred exchange rate is not the only part of the budget where government’s head

is concealed under a huge heap of sand. There are parts of the domestic echo chamber where participants swear that both fiscal and monetary policies have reached a dead-end in terms of their usefulness for bestirring the economy.

The talking heads in this part of the room have thus turned their gaze towards structural reforms as a way out. One such reform is improvement in the efficacy of the public expenditure management process. Leveraging white papers like the Oronsaye Report, this would have resulted in slimming down of government, leaving the moving parts a lot more efficient than they are currently.

Indeed, in the interregnum before President Buhari put a cabinet in place, the expectation was that he was alive to the unwieldy nature of government and was taking his time to prune ministerial appointments. The 2017 budget has as much positive vibes as the cabinet that resulted from the president’s get, the proposed capital expenditure is simply too small to make an impact on a N94 trillion economy.

That is if we ignore the capacity constraints that have made it difficult over the years to fully implement the capital budget.

16

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 23, 2016

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 23, 2016

Features

17

s

Fattening Room: A dying tradition among Efiks The origin The ‘Fattening Room’ has a rich history among the Efiks.

Historically, the people had embraced it as one remarkable aspect of their culture, which enhances their being and distinguish them from among other various ethnic groups in the region and across the country.

However, critical observers, including old and new generations of the Efiks, have offered reasons for the collapse of the tradition.

Indeed, Pa Okon Etim Udoh is one of them.

Over a keg of fresh palm wine provided to stimulate his memory, 75-years-old Pa Okon Etim Udoh, of Ikot Bonde, in Uyo, offered some clue into the history and current developments about the culture, saying that, in the beginning, the fattening room was to prepare a maiden to become a successful wife and mother.

He said, “The original purpose of isolating the Efik maiden was not to make her fat; it was to induct the young maidens into the ancient knowledge and art required to be successful in womanhood and motherhood, which are key structures of family building in the good old Efik tradition”.

According to him, “In the 30 days period, the young maiden is taught the skills of domestic science, especially in areas of cooking and cleanliness; understanding the management culture and politics of the immediate and extended family in married life and, above all, the art of taking quality care of her husband, especially in the very sensitive matter of love making.”

He said, “However, the branding, popularly known as, “fattening room,” gained notoriety because the essence of staying at home for so many months eventually results in weight gain.”

Efik scholar and building engineer, Aniedoabasi Inyanguwem paints a deeper picture of the origin of the culture.

He said, “Mothers in Efik are known to be very thorough in teaching their daughters everything they need about feminism, womanhood and motherhood, and even the way a lady should walk, talk and carry herself in and outside the village.”

Inyanguwem said, “You will hear a typical Efik mother rebuke her daughter for sitting carelessly; “come on, sit down properly! Don’t you know you’re a girl?” and “Don’t stand like that.”

He said, it was something girls looked upon that everything she needs to know about motherhood, womanhood, and about love making, her mother and grandmother will teacher her.

According to him, “Those things were both expected and accepted; the day she is circumcised, they’ll tell her why she is being circumcised.”

The fattening room, a culture once adored by the Efiks in the present day Cross River State, South South Nigeria, is fading, no thanks to civilisation, among other issues. Features editor, GOD’s COVENANT SNR, explains why families now abandon the tradition

Maidens dancing after a successful fattening operation. Inset: A fattened lady

He said, “In her first menstruation, she is told the significance of it and taught how to manage it properly and discretely.

Then, when her breasts fully mature, she is taken through the use and value and challenges the breasts will mean and pose in her life. They will tell her the meaning of making love and lecture her on how to please her husband, the dynamics of love making and the very important necessity of satisfying her husband.”

He dismissed as lies, the myth that Calabar or Akwa Ibom women use charm to snatch husbands from their friends, or neighbours, saying, “There’s no Calabar or Akwa Ibom woman that would go out of her way to make juju to take over a man’s heart. It is her training, her comportment that matter. It is the attention they give to their men with knowledge and skill of their training that also suffice.”

He said, “Let me give you one example of one man who went to work in the Nigeria Ports Authority. “When he leaves for work, the girl would change the bed sheet, clear his bag, wash his pants; and when the man is bathing, she scrubs the heels of his legs with a sharp stone. She gave the man so much attention.”

Noting that this attitude was typical of those women in those days, he said that, “She would give him tapioca and cover

it with some tapestry. When he’s eating and he coughs, she would reach out, touch his neck and say, ‘Sorry sir’; and give him water to drink; and, watching him closely, she would ask, ‘hope you’re okay?’

He said, “This pampering works on everybody. There’s no charm to it. The Efik woman will blow your mind in all aspects of domesticity and in romance.

There’s no medicine about it.”

Child bearing One important advantage of the Fattening Room tradition is to teach the girl about giving birth.

According to him, “When the girl gives birth for the first time, she is taken to her mother’s home where she would be looked after as a mother, no longer as the girl she used to be before she got married, so when she returns to her husband, she is a full blown woman and looks fat and succulent; then, people will say ‘yes o, you’ve done well’ because, this is done at the total expense of the bride’s mother. Of course, in those days, being fat was a sign of wealth!”

Why exactly has the tradition been abandoned?

Inyanguwem added that, “Well, all the while, the fattening room culture has some challenges. When you’re taking your daughter to the fattening room,

all the diabolical attacks of the family, community and of perceived enemies will come play.”

According to him, “Majority of the girls die while still in the fattening room.

The mortal rate got so high that families began to run away from the fattening room tradition. A culture that began solely to prepare a young maiden to be a wonderful wife and mother and a pride to all, began to involve the hiring of herbalists with all their concoctions to ward off evil attacks in attempt to preserve the life of the maiden, and so on. After sometime, people didn’t think it was worth their while.”

He said, “Another problem was the distance; nobody was prepared to take a pregnant wife to the village to go and deliver and spend months so that she will be groomed to handle motherhood, so the culture started going down. It is no longer in vogue, especially now that nobody wants a fat wife fresh from the fattening room anymore”!

For him,”People find that you work in the ministry or some corporate organisations; you have a full wardrobe, then, you return from the fattening room and all the clothes in your wardrobe are condemned because you’re now fat and probably short as a result; not many Calabar ladies are tall; so, nobody wants to go through that anymore.”

Features

18

Ladesope Ladelokun Bread, the common Nigerian staple, may soon disappear from an average family’s menu. Reason is that, the product, which, for ages, was critical to nutrition in the country, is currently losing its pride among the growing spectrum of the populace, sending tongues wagging.

Across the country, various bread brands are available, some well fortified with essential inputs like wheat, sugar, etc to aid nutrition, moreso as the campaign against use of bromide by the regulatory authorities, including National Food Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, a Federal Government agency, seemed to be yielding the desired results, as, most of the brands, which adorn supermarkets and open places, now lack the dangerous chemical Of course,bread, they say, is the staff of life. But, bread itself is arguably the most consumed food in the world. It’s not for nothing that tempers rise when the price of bread is hiked.

From Egypt to Jordan,Jordan to Syria, Morocco to Mozambique, an increase in the price of one of world’s most popular staple foods has sparked violent protests, with valuable properties destroyed-a testament to the importance of bread to the common man.

In recent times, Nigerians have expressed concerns over the sharp rise in the price of bread. Like other rising prices of goods and services ,the price of bread is not insulated from the economic downturn experienced in the country, despite the widespread consumption of the product.

Explaining why there was an increase in the price of bread across the country, especially in recent times, the Chairman, Lagos State Association of Master Bakers and Caterers, Jacob Anjorin, had in a press release, said the hike in the price of bread was a response to the economic downturn in the country.

According to Anjorin,the prices of major ingredients for baking like, flour,sugar,salt,yeast and so on, have all gone up.

He said that bread producers were compelled to increase the price of bread like other consumer goods due to the general price level and the resultant effects on the

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 23, 2016

High cost of bread: Bakers, consumers groan

sector.

For example,Anjorin said a bag of flour was sold for N6000 a few months ago ,while sugar was N7000 per bag. But as at the time he issued a press release on the need to raise the price of bread in August 15, 2016, a bag of flour and sugar were N11000 and N15000 respectively.

Expressing the frustration of bakers,the Lagos Chairman of Association of Master Bakers and caterers noted that,’’the bakers can no longer cope with this situation, hence, the decision to increase the price of bread by 20 per cent.The present economic situation has affected the baking industry as the second largest employer of labour in the country; and bread, being the most stable and easiest food to lay hands on anytime anywhere, the sector .’’

He added:’’All members and bread vendors must adhere strictly to the new price.

We,however,appeal to our customers and consumers of bread to bear with us at this time.It is our promise to continue to produce good quality bread at an affordable price.’’

Meanwhile, one of those worst hit by the hike in the price of bread, Mrs Folake Temidayo,a food vendor,who plies her trade around Agidingbi axis of Ikeja, Lagos, lamented the negative effect the rise in the price of bread has on her food business.Folake said:” people don’t buy bread like they used to.Those who would ordinarily buy bread and beans now prefer to buy yam and beans. ‘‘And we have more people buying loaves of bread that are shared into two equal halves.For instance,the ones we s ell for N100 and N120 are divided into two equal halves and we have more people buying them now instead of the full bread.

Speaking further on how the rise the price of bread has affected her business, Folake said that,’’before now,I had cus-

tomers who would buy 3 or 4 loaves of bread at a time, but they hardly buy one these days. And it’s understandable, the bread we were selling for N300, is now N450,the one of N200 now goes for N350.’’

Mrs. Doris Andrew said more customers buy more yam than bread because of the rise in the price of the staple food and how very light it has become when compared to what was obtainable before now. ‘‘Though, some now go for yam instead of bread when they buy beans, some still manage to buy. My customers are complaining, but there’s nothing they can do.The major thing they complain about is the fact that bread is now lighter than what they used to buy and the quality

“The price of bread has affected her business, Folake said that,’’before now,I had customers who would buy 3 or 4 loaves of bread at a time, but they hardly buy one these days. And it’s understandable, the bread we were selling for N300, is now N450,the one of N200 now goes for N350.’’ Mrs. Doris Andrew said more customers buy more yam than bread because of the rise in the price of the staple food and how very light it has become when compared to what was obtainable before now.”

has reduced.We have complained to our suppliers, but they told us nothing could be done about it because the price has gone up ,and they have to make profit.’’

But a bakery owner, Imran Abiodun,who plies his trade in Mowe, Ogun State,dismissed the claim that bread is expensive if one is to go by the current inflationary trend. According to him,’’bread is not expensive at all.The flour that was N6000 per 50kg bag, is now N12000.Sugar was N8000 per 50kg bag,it’s now N20000.Yeast was N350,it’s now N800.Even the ‘‘nylon’’ we use for our bread is now expensive.We paid N120 000 for 10 000 pieces before now,and today,we pay N180 000 for the same quantity.And despite the fact that prices of all our ingredients have doubled,all we have added to the price of bread range from just 20% to 25% .We have only added N20 to the bread we were selling for N100,and N50 to the one we sell for N200.I think, it’s reasonable.Ideally, it should be 100% increase, but bread is about the cheapest food around.’’

On the complaints about the drop in the quality of bread, Imran said the quality of bread can’t be reduced.

According to him, the same measurement is still applied. As per why there are complaints that bread is now lighter, Imran explained :’’well,it’s possible some adjustments had been made by some bakers, but they are doing so to stay afloat.If the price of bread is doubled like other consumer goods,who will buy them”?

He added that, “Even now,many bakers have closed shops.These days,I only use half a bag of flour to bake the product.It wasn’t the case before now. Patronage by our customers have drastically reduced; yet, we have bills and other overhead costs to settle.’’

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 23, 2016

19 News

Rerun: Ex-Amaechi aide denies role in killing of DSP, others

Fayemi distributes rice to Ekiti indegenes

Amaka Agbu,

Gbenga Sodeinde,

Port Harcourt

ÎÎÎ

Hon. Augustine Onyekachi Wokocha, a former aide of the Minister of Transport, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has strongly denied complicity in the killing of police officer, DSP Mohammed Alkali that was gruesomely murdered and beheaded along his driver Mr. Peter Uchi during the December 10, rerun election in Rivers state.

Wokocha who has served in various capacities in the state as a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly and later as Commissioner for Power during the tenure of former Governor Amaechi, said in a press conference in Port Harcourt, Thursday, that his accusers were merely on a campaign of calumny against him.

He said that on the day of the rerun election he received a phone call that some PDP agents wanted to hijack election materials, saying that as a collation agent, he went out to ascertain the authenticity of the report. He added that he and the boys with him were accosted and arrested on their way for ‘loitering’ by a policeman who, he believed, was working for his political opponents, only for him to be released around 5pm after the elections were over.

The former commissioner for Power stated that eventually he was

not able to move to the ward to protect the voting materials he was supposed to protect due to the action of the policeman who prevented him from getting to his ward.

The former commissioner, a diehard member of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state, told the journalists that he had never, in his entire life been associated with politics of violence and called on concerned citizens in and outside the

state to check his records.

“Since we decided to join APC in 2010, there has been several attacks on my person and my community by those who have other political persuasions. In their desperation to prove their supremacy, they recruited boys who allegedly committed several murders of many APC members including Chief C. Adube and six members of his household, Chief G. Ahiaidu, Mr. Clever Orokwowu (APC LGA youth

leader) Mr. Frank Obi (APC ward 4 Chairman) his pregnant wife and teenage son, Nwachkwu Levi Orekegba from my community (Okposi) among others and made the local government ungovernable for us,” he stated.

The APC chieftain said that due to the mayhem unleashed on his community by the suspected sponsored cultists, many of his kinsmen that fled the community were still living as refugees in other parts of the state.

L-R: Chairman, Lagos chapter, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Olusegun McMedal; Corporate Relations Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Sesan Sobowale; Managing Director, CMC Connect, Yomi Badejo-Okusanya and Principal Consultant/ CEO, NECCI Consulting, Nkechi Ali-Balogun, during the Lagos NIPR Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony in Lagos recently.

Okowa urges consistency, patience among youths ÎÎÎ Receives MTN Project Fame winners in Asaba Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

ÎÎÎYouths

should consistently work towards achieving success, patiently and without losing faith in themselves, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has said.

The governor gave the advice yesterday in Asaba when the winner of MTN Project Fame, West Africa, Season 9, Miss Okiemute Ighorodje, a Deltan and the 2nd runner up in the contest, Mr Okiemute Okotete, another Deltan paid him a courtesy visit.

Governor Okowa said: “Hard work pays, we can achieve things for ourselves, we must start thinking outside the box; as youths, we must start thinking of how to succeed, success is difficult to attain but with the right frame of mind and commitment, success will come.”

“Youths should try to fend for themselves and realize that they can start small and make it big,” he reiterated.

The governor congratulated the winners for being good ambassadors of the state, assert-

ing, “we believe that this type of thing can inspire other youths who are ready to work to excel.”

“I want to truly congratulate both of you for the victory you brought to Delta State, we are proud of you as Deltans; you can use this as springboard for a better future and I want you to use this position that you are in to act as mentor to other youths because, the life you live and influence the youths on a positive note will count for you in heaven if not on earth here,” Governor Okowa emphasized.

Earlier, Miss Okiemute who was accompanied by her relations on the visit, thanked Governor Okowa’s administration for providing the enabling environment for the youths to harness their potentials which made it possible for them to emerge victorious.

She dedicated the awards to the Governor and the people of Delta State and pledged that they will judiciously work to make the youths to be more focused in achieving their desired goals.

UMCN Orphanage commends Igbo in Taraba over philanthropy Okerafor Athanatius, Jalingo

ÎÎÎThe management of the Unit-

ed Methodist Church in Nigeria (UMCN) Orphanage in Jalingo the Taraba State capital has lauded the efforts of the Igbo Welfare Association (IWA) in the state for being part of the donor agencies, groups, individuals and organizations that have remained consistent on keeping Mile Six UMCN Orphanage alive.

The coordinator, UMCM Orphanage, Jalingo, Mr. Simon Benjamin, who made the commendation while receiving food and non food items from the leading council of IWA at the UMCN Orphanage multipurpose hall, Jalingo said the Igbo man possesses “the spirit of philanthropy” which he always demonstrates on the lives of the needy among whom is the UMCN orphanage in the State.

Simon Benjamin, who expressed his heartfelt ecstasy at the occa-

sion further said: “I really want to commend the Igbo Welfare Association here in Taraba State, in fact, we are so grateful because you have been 100% supportive to these children and the leadership of this church is fully aware, our partners in USA, Germany and West African countries are fully aware of the support of the Igbos to this programme”.

He added that it was in view of the consistent support the Igbos give the programme that gave

them the bold confidence of allowing their children for adoption to all the South East States, pointing out that the legacy they are leaving behind is for their children and grandchildren.

“We pray and ask other communities in this state to borrow a leaf from the Igbos and participate and do the same thing that the Igbo Welfare Association is doing because these children can one day be part of the leaders of tomorrow”, he said.

Ado Ekiti

ÎÎÎMinister of

Mines and Steel Development, and a fomer Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on Thursday distributed bags of rice to 6,000 beneficiaries across the 16 local governments of Ekiti state for Christmas yuletide.

The John Kayode Fayemi (JKF) Centre, an advocacy centre, owned

by Fayemi which carried out the exercise across the local governments in the state began the distribution at10 am yesterday to ensure that all the people got theirs .

The director of JKF Centre, Mr. Biodun Omoleye, who spoke with reporters at the main distribution point in Ado Ekiti, said the minister was carrying out the gesture to cushion the effect of the economic hardship being faced by the people, saying it has no political attachment, but purely humanitarian to provide succour to the people during this Yuletide.

According to him, the Centre had in June this year distributed food materials to civil servants, labour unions, teachers and local government workers following non-payment of arrears of salaries, pointing out that the JKF Centre gave priority to the indigent people, widows, orphans and the needy with the exercise driven by faith-based and non-governmental organizations.

He said: “Our patron (Fayemi) identifies with the people of the state because no serious-minded individual will look on while the people need help and we are in our own little way alleviating the suffering of our people.

“This is not a one-off thing as it is a continuation of our desire to put smiles on the faces of our people . It is not political or partisan and we are not targeting members of a particular party but the needy because hunger does not know party affiliation and colour of the skin.”

When asked by journalists whether Fayemi was doing this to gain more political relevance ahead of 2018 Governorship election in the state, Omoleye declared that “Our patron does not need to do this to make himself relevant because he is a major stakeholder in the state and a national stakeholder and what he is doing has no political colouration.”

Apart from this, “JKF Centre also plans to organize entrepreneurship training for young graduates to empower them and reduce unemployment in the state. The entrepreneurship training will be anchored around vocational training, mining, farming, environmental sanitation and information and communication technology among others”.

20

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 23, 2016

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 23, 2016

GOD’S LABOURERS PRAYER AND EVANGELICAL MINISTRY

21 Public Notice

GREENFIELD ESTATE LANDLORD ASSOCIATION

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.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Bro. Ayodele Oluwadamilola ADEYANJU 2. Elder Sesan Aderemi ADEOLU 3. Elder Ayomide Aderemi IDOWU 4. Deaconess Bukola Margaret ADEOSUN 5. Elder Olukayode OLUWADARE 6. Elder Olalekan ADEOSUN 7. Mr Opeyemi Oluremi ADEYANJU 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, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Association has applied to the Corporate affairs commission Abuja for registration of additional membership under the part C of the companies and allied matters act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. BEN BRIGHT OZURUMBA. 2. BISHOP WALTER CHIKA MBAMARA. 3. ALHAJI LAWAL AMAO LATEEF. 4. MR. FREDRICK NKEMAKOLAM OGU. 5. OBIORA VINCENT OKAFOR ( new member).

6. ONYEJEGBU JOHN ORJI . (new member).

SIGNED: THE TRUSTEES.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

Aims & Objectives.

1. To enhance, project, and preserve the well being of members residing within the estate.

Any objections to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar general corporate Affairs commission plot 420 tigris crescent off aguiyi ironsi street maitama Abuja within 28days from the date of this publication.

PEACE PROGRESS AND PROSPERITY INITIATIVE This is to inform the general public that the above named Initiative has applied to the corporate affairs Commission for Registration under part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Acts no1 of 1990.

Trustees : 1. Mazino Obaro Ikime 2. Olalekan Oladotun Ayorinde 3. Ayodele Oluyomi Shoneyin Aims & Objectives.

1. To create awareness among people on the imperative of peace and prosperity without being corrupt.

2. To promote socio-economic development of the people.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420. Tigris Crescent, Mariana, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: TRUSTEES. IKOLABA HIGH SCHOOL OLD STUDENTS ASSOCIATION IBADAN.

XX

GREENMIND INITIATIVE FOR AGRICULTURE AND SUSTAINABLE

EXCEEDING GRACE OVERCOMERS INT’L MINISTRY. This is to inform the general public that the above named Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part c of the Companies and Allied Matters Acts of no 1 1990

This is to inform the general public that the above named Initiative has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Acts of 1 1990

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 Acts of no 1 1990.

Trustees: 1. OGUNWALE ALABI JAMES - President 2. NWANI UCHENNA INNOCENT - Vice president 3. ADEKUNLE ADEDOLAPO MARY - Gen. Secretary 4. OGUNLEYE OLUWADAMILOLA VICTORIA -Asst. Gen. Sec. 5. OLADEJI ISAAC OLAWALE - Project officer 6. KOLAWOLE ABIODUN - Asst. Project officer 7. ADEOSUN REBECCA OLUWABUNMI - Account officer 8. BELLO SUNDAY - Technical officer 9. BELLO ERICSON - Asst. Technical officer

TRUSTEES. 1. Brigade-General Kunle Ariyibi 2. Ramon Adigun 3. Folake Adeleke 4. Kayode Salako 5. Olaniyi Olugbemiga

1. PASTOR FATOYE FELIX OLUTUNDE 2. MRS. FATOYE GRACE MOROUNMUBO 3. FATOYE STEPHEN OLUWASEUN 4. FATOYE SAMUEL OLUWASEYI 5. FATOYE RHODA OLUWATOYIN AIMS 1. To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

2. To worship God in spirit and truth. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar General corporate affairs commission plot 420, off Aguiyi Irons street Mataima, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

Signed : Trustees.

Signed: Trustees

ESOP IBAN EFIK,EFUT YE QUA EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT AND WELFARE INITIATIVE.

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.

THE TRUSTEES ARE 1.MARY DAN ABIA - CHAIRMAN 3.WINNIE OKON 5.ROSELINE ASUQUO - SECRETARY 7. ANDEM ASUQUO 9.CHRISTIE ANDREW - BASSEY

AIMS: 1. To promote agricultural research and development in Nigeria.

2. To train and organise empowerment programme.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar General plot 420.Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi street, Mariana Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

2.WINNIE OYO ITA 4.DORIS UCHE 6.ANNA. U. ESSIEN 8.DORIS EKPE 10. GLORIA EKAENE

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1.FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN AND GIRL CHILD.SOCIALLY AND EDUCATIONALLY IN THE SOCIETY 2.TO FOSTER UNITY AMONG THE WOMEN FOLKS

MASJID AISHA ISLAMIC FOUNDATION THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.IMAM HARUNA - CHAIRMAN 2.BALA MUHAMMED UMAR - SECRETARY 3.ABUBAKAR MUNGADI 4.JIBRIN UMAR

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

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1.TO IMPACT THE KNOWLEDGE OF BOTH ISLAMIC AND WESTERN EDUCATION 2.TO ASSIST THE LESS PRIVILEGE IN THE SOCIETY ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT,OFF AGUIYI IRONSI MAITAMA, ABUJA, WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION

SIGNED:SECRETARY

SIGNED: SECERTARY

THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST AMBASSADORS INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY

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. Ogunrinde Abayomi Samuel Olaoye 2. Michael Oluwaferanmi Olaoye THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To make disciples of Christ in all nations of d world by preaching d undiluted word as clearly stated in d Bible.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General of Corporate Affairs Commission Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication SIGNED: Vera Leslie FOUNDATION FOR CIVILIAN PEACE IN NIGER DELTA 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. MANU DANBOYI YAGDAH 2. CHIEF JOSEPH EMEREJE IJEDE. 3. ALIYU AMINU WAZIRI 4. CHIEF JOHN MILLER OMAGBEMI ORIDO 5. ENGR. RICHARD OMOEFE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To Advocate peaceful co existence amongst people of Niger delta.

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

AIMS: 1.To promote the development of the school.

2. To promote good relationship among old students of the school.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Corporate affairs commission plot 420.Tigris Crescent Mariana, Abuja within 28days of this publication.

Signed: Trustees

AMANA HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION The General Public is hereby notified that the above named Foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ALHAJI ABDULMUMIN YUSUF 2. ALHAJI LAWAL-BOYI ISMAILA 3. HAJARA YUSUF 4. AHMADU SHEHU MAINASARA ESQ. 5. JAMILA ABDULMALIK 6. ZAINAB SALEH SULE ESQ. 7. ZAINAB ABDULLAHI MAGAJI ESQ. 8. BASHIR ABDULGANIYU BELLO THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To provide good health to the less privileged in our society.

2. To assist the less privileged women and children in the communities to get medical assistance.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B. 198, Garki, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

KUJE MAIN MARKET TRADERS PROGRESSIVE ASSOCIATION

EKKLESIA YOUTH FOUNDATION

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 informed that the above named Foundation has applied to the corporate Affairs Commission for Registration Under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990

1. CHRISTOPHER ONYEMAECHI CHUKWU 2. CHARITY NWADIOGWA UDEABANIHU 3. ROBERT UGWU 4. HYYINUS IYIDIOBI ANYANWU 5. CHIZOBA STEPHEN EZE 6. CHARITY NKECHI ONU 7. EMEKA EZE

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ONYELEDO CHIBIKO NWACHINEMERE CHUKWUMA (Chairman) 2. ONYELEDO IJEOMA PEACE KELECHI (Secretary) 3. NWADIKE IFENNA FREDRICK

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To Enable Members To Obtain Loans For Necessary Purpose At Reasonable Interest 2. To Instill Sanity Into The Market By Making Sure That The Market Is Kept Clean At All Times Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission Maitama Abuja within 28days of this publication Signed: ABDULLAHI HASSAN (ESQ)

NEW HEIGHTS BAPTIST CHURCH LEKKI 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. Mr. Emmanuel Adokpaye 2. Dr. Walter Eyestemitan 3. Mr. Edmund Tiemo 4. Mr. Henry Hector-Amiwero AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To be a worshipping fellowship, experiencing presence of God, recognizing His holiness and majesty, and responding in joyful and loving obedience to His leadership in glorious hope.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General of Corporate Affairs Commission Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication SIGNED: _____________________________ Henry Hector & Co Plot 44, Christ Avenue Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1) To reach out to youths directly through trainings and retreats 2). To reach them indirectly through social services and community development projects like schools, hospitals, boreholes etc.

3). To curb cultism by redirecting their minds and capacities to more productive engagements like sports.

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: AGOZIE EZENYIRIOHA Esq

KOINNONIA EDIFIED YOUTH MINISTRY 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. Mrs. Julie Gana 2. Rt. Rev.Praises Omole 3. Pastor Dayo Oladeinde.

The aim and objectives: 1. To raise a troop of young Christian Soldiers in the 21st century 2. To promote transparent and practical Christain fellowship.

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

22

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 23, 2016

CHERUBIM AND SERAPHIM CHURCH BLESSED TEME-KIRI ZION (WORLD/WIDE)

INTERNATIONAL HAIRSTYLISTS AND BODYTHERAPISTS

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 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. Kiyaramo Isaac (President) 2. Akinyomi Felix Temitayo (Secretary).

3. Numa Godfrey Tuesday 4. Toruosei Monday 5. Angila Posime Joseph 6. Ehinmetan Ehinmisan 7. Oriyomi Omoniyi 8. Boanerge Digieneni Baikoru Ariwei

TRUSTEES 1. MRS LOLA OSHINOWO 2. MRS ADENIKE SHOBWALE 3. ALHAJI AZEEZ ADEBARE 4. ALHAJI OLALEKAN ADEBAMIRO 5. ENGR. TIMOTHY OLADELE AKEJU

ABONTA FOOTBALL CLUB The general public is hereby notified that the above named club has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission for registration in accordance with Companies and Allied Matters Act No.1 of 1990 Part C. Trustees 1. UZOMA NKEM-ABONTA. - CHAIRMAN 2. UGOCHI NKEM-ABONTA. - SECRETARY 3. JAMES OCHUNKWO. -

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.

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

Aim and objective 1. To promote football and youth development 2. To sponsor football and other sporting activities.

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

Signed: President

SIGNED: SECRETARY

Signed: Secretary

AIMS & OBJECTIVES: 1. To preach the word of God.

BALLERS SOCIAL CLUB

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Club has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission for registration in accordance with Companies and Allied Matters Act No.1 of 1990 Part C. Trustees 1) TONY ANIRETAN. - (Chairman) 2) JOLOMI BROWN BOYO. - (VIce Chairman) 3) JULIUS EVUARHERHE EGUVWEBERE -(SECRETARY) 4) EJIGBERERIMU SIMON (TREASURER) 5) ONOS OGODO. - (P.R.O) 6) IGERE GODFREY NIKORO. - (Chief Whip ) 7) MAC BEN ANYAWU 8) PAUL IDON 9) OKOKOYOH HENRY JUNIOR. (IO) Edward Victor Aim and objective 1. To foster and protect the interest of members Any objection thereto should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28days of this publication.

Signed: Secretary

AIM AND OBJ 1 TO FOSTER UNITY AMONG THE MEMBERS

THE HARVEST WORLD INTERNATIONAL MISSION

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MISSION HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO.1 OF 1990 PART C. TRUSTEES 1. FOLAJIMI AKINFOLARIN KUTI. -CHAIRMAN 2. RHODA OLUBUSOLA AYINDE. - SECRETARY 3. ABAYOMI OLUWASEUN ODUMOSU -MEMBER 4. OYEBODE JENROLA OSHOBI. - MEMBER 5. ADENIKE ADESANYA. 6. PASTOR YINKA ADESANYA. AIM AND OBJECTIVE 1. TO RAISE PEOPLE OF INFLUENCE 2. TO ENTRUST THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION TO EVERY BELIEVER IN JESUS CHRIST 3. TO HELP PEOPLE ENJOY ABUNDANT LIFE IN JESUS CHRIST ANY OBJECTION THERETO SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED VINCENT ODJE TESTIMONY SOLICITORS

AFRICAN ASSOCIATION OF INTERNATIONAL LAW

TRIBE PETRA WORLD MINISTRY

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Association has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission for registration in accordance with Companies and Allied Matters Act No.1 of 1990 Part C.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Ministry has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission for registration in accordance with Companies and Allied Matters Act No.1 of 1990 Part C.

Trustees are: 1.Dr. Femi Elias -Chairman 2.Adetola Onayemi -Secretary

1.Ajani Ayoola Olugbenga-Chairman 2.Osinowo Adeola Yewande 3.Adeniyi Damilola Babatunde -Secretary

The Aims and Objectives are : 1.To promote International Law in Africa.

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

SIGNED : Secretary MANNAT FARMS FOUNDATION

FELLOWSHIP OF KINGDOM WRITERS OF NIGERIA The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission for registration in accordance with Companies and Allied Matters Act No.1 of 1990 Part C. Trustees 1. Pastor Peter olubukola morakinyo. -chairman 2. Pastor john Elusade otun. - secretary 3. Rev. Francis Ayomide Ayodele. - member 4. Evan. Dr. Abiola sunday Jesulowo -member 5 pastor David Adepeji Ajayi. - member 6. Mr Joseph Olubenga Akinola. - member 7. Barr. Olufunke omoloara Adaramola. - member Aim and obj 1. To spread the gospel of christ worldwide through christian literatures and publication 2 To create a unique and accessible community of christian writers and publishers in nigeria Any objection thereto should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28days of this publication.

Signed: VINCENT ODJE

- TESTIMONY SOLICITORS

AUNTIE ZEE IBRAHIM HUMANITARIAN AND DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION. 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 Aims and Objectives Are :

Name of Trustees: 1) ZAINAB IBRAHIM BELLO 2) ABUBAKAR SADIQ BELLO 3) IBRAHIM FATIMA ABUBAKAR 4) MUHAMMAD KABIR ABDULLAH 5) MUHAMMAD MUKHTAR YUSUF 6) EMMANUEL KABIR ABDULLAH

To reach the unreach in all cities and rural areas, rescue sex slave girls and train them for Godly and better living. (Mk.16:15; Prov. 24:11-12).

Aim and objectives 1. To foster unity among member

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

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

Trustees are:

SIGNED : Secretary

Signed: Secretary

ARISE IGALA GRASSROOT SENSITIZATION INITIATIVE.

MOUNT OLIVET PRAYER AND DELIVERANCE MINISTRY

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 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.

Trustees 1. NVOU DAVOUZI 2. OVAJIMOH SHEGUN IPEMIDA

Trustees 1. ONOJA JAMES OKPANACHI. - CHAIRMAN 2. ONOJA RUTH OJONE. -Secretary 3. EMMANUEL NATHAN OGUCHE

Trustees 1. OMODIJIE JOHN. - CHAIRMAN 2. OKOROTE CHARITY IDOWU. - SECRETARY 3. JOHN BONIFACE 4. OTUKPAMONYI STANLEY

AIM and OBJECTIVE 1. To Create Cultural awareness among Igala grassroot community

Aim and objectives 1. To preach the word of our lord Jesus Christ

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.

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.

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

Signed Barr EKELE ATADOGA

Signed SECRETARY

Aim and objectives 1. To produce farm proceeds 2. To empower youth on agriculture to earn a living

TRANSPARENCY IN PETROLEUM EXPLORATION $ DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE.

ITIATIVE FOR LEADERSHIP SIMULATION REGISTRATION DOCUMENTATION

SCHOOL FOR ARABIC AND ISLAMIC STUDIES OLD STUDENTS ASSOCIATION GOMBE

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.

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

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

TRUSTEES 1. CHIEF NATHAN EGBA OLOGO. - CHAIRMAN 2. DR. MIKE AMAEGBERI 3. DEREK EMUOBOME 4. PASTOR PHILIP IKURUSI

Trustee Names: (1)Dr DARE, Alaba Modupe (Miss) - Chairman (2) ADEJUMO Olufemi James (Mr) - Secretary (3) FAGADE, Caleb Olubusayo (Mr) (4)Dr (Mrs) RAJI, Moromoke NImota (5) AFENI, Oluwatosin Temitope (Miss) (6) FAGADE, Raphael Olaolu (Mr) (7) OLATUNJI, Bamitola Akin (Mr)

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE 1. To provide Educational support Services to The Teachers and Less Privileged Students.

2. To provide Assistance to the Less Privileged Members Of the Association Through Skills Empowerment Programmes.

Aim and objectives 1. To promote transparency and international best practices in oil $ Gas. 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.

Aims = TO ENHANCE KNOWLEDGE ON EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE IN OUR SOCIETY. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B. 198, GARKI, ABUJA WITHIN TWENTY-EIGHT (28) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION.

Signed: Secretary

Signed ADEJUMO, Olufemi James Secretary (Mr)

THE TRUSTEES ARE:(1) khadija Lawal Aliyu (President) (2) Aishatu Yusuf Muhammad (Secretary) (3) Hauwau Umar Jibril (4) Rabi Musa Aliyu (5) Hamza Abdulhamid Adam Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission Maitama Abuja within 28days of this publication Signed:-Secretary

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 23, 2016

CORRECTION OF NAME

This is to inform the general public that my name was wrongly written in my documents as CHIGBU UCHE RONALD instead of CHIGBU UCHE LEO. The correct name is CHIGBU UCHE LEO . All documents remain valid. General public take note.

EKEANYA MICHAEL CHIGOZIE

Formerly known and addressed as EKEANYA ANTHONY CHIGOZIE, now wish to be known and addressed as EKEANYA MICHAEL CHIGOZIE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OKENWA INNOCENT MICHEAL OKENWA: I formerly known and addressed as OKENWA CHUKWUEMEKA MICHEAL now wish to be known and addressed as OKENWA INNOCENT MICHEAL. All documents bearing my former name remain valid. General public should pleased take note.

IKEH OBIANUJU LUCY

I, formerly known and addressed as IKEH OBIANUJU CONCELIA, now wish to be known and addressed as IKEH OBIANUJU LUCY. All former documents remain valid.

Banks and General public should please take note.

NWODO KINGSLEY OBINNA

MOSES GLORIA CHINWE

Formerly known and addressed as NJOKU GLORIA CHINWE, now wish to be known and addressed as MOSES GLORIA CHINWE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ODEH MICHAEL ALI.

Formerly known and addressed as ODEH MALLIK, now wish to be known and addressed as ODEH MICHAEL ALI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

UGWU DANIEL OZIOMA

I, formerly known and addressed as UGWUMBA DANIEL OZIOMA,now wish to be known and addressed as UGWU DANIEL OZIOMA. All former documents should please remain valid. General public should please take note.

INNOCENT CHUKWUBIKE NWANZE OKORO

I, formerly known and addressed as INNOCENT CHUKWUBIKE NWANZE, now wish to be known and addressed as INNOCENT CHUKWUBIKE NWANZE OKORO. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHIKEZIE CHUKWUEBUKA NESTA

ENNY EJIO

Formerly known and addressed as OMOH ANNA OKOH, now wish to be known and addressed as ENNY EJIO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME/DATE OF BIRTH

This is to inform the general public that my middle name was wrongly written as NGOZIKA instead of NGOZI. That my correct full name is ASONYE AMBROSE NGOZI. My correct date of birth is 29/9/1979. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

NNENNA CLARA KALU UZOR

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NNENNA CLARA OKOYE,now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NNENNA CLARA KALU UZOR. All former documents should please remain valid.

General public should please take note EGWUAKA CLETUS ASONNA

I, formerly known and addressed as EGWUAKA CLETUS ASOMA, now wish to be known and addressed as EGWUAKA CLETUS ASONNA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as NWODO KINGSLEY, now wish to be known and addressed as NWODO KINGSLEY OBINNA. All former documents remain valid. Diamond Bank, First Bank and General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ALI CHUKWUEBUKA MAGNUS,now wish to be known and addressed as CHIKEZIE CHUKWUEBUKA NESTA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

This is to confirm and certify that NKOLOAGU DANIEL ONYEDIKA and DAN NKOLOAGU JUNIOR refer to one and the same person now NKOLOAGU DANIEL ONYEDIKA. All former documents remain valid.

Banks and General public should please take note.

JOSEPH SUNDAY JOHN

EKUNDAYO SAMSON FOLORUNSHO

SALAMI OLAKUNLE OLAYEMI

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

I formerly known and addressed as EKUNDAYO SAMUEL FOLORUNSHO now wish to be known and addressed as EKUNDAYO SAMSON FOLORUNSHO All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as SALAM OLAKUNLE OLAYEMI now wish to be known and addressed as SALAMI OLAKUNLE OLAYEMI All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

DAVID AKAFA ZACHARIAH

ALIU SIMAIT FUNMILAYO

ALEX-ANABA MERCY CHIMA

I formerly known and addressed as DAVID DANLANDI now wish to be known and addressed as DAVID AKAFA ZACHARIAH All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ALIU SIMIAT FUNMI now wish to be known and addressed as ALIU SIMAIT FUNMILAYO All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as UZOWULU MERCY CHIMA now wish to be known and addressed as ALEX-ANABA MERCY CHIMA All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

ABDULHADI HASSAN

JUSTIN AMOS ZANDO

I formerly known and addressed as ABDUL USMAN, now I wish to be known and addressed as ABDULHADI HASSAN All former documents remain valid Eco Bank and general public should please take note

I formerly known and addressed as ZANDO AMOS now I wish to be known and addressed as JUSTIN AMOS ZANDO. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

JOHN PRISCA CHIOMA

ORJI LOVETH NNEKA

Formerly known and addressed as IBE CHIOMA PRISCA, now wish to be known and addressed as JOHN PRISCA CHIOMA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHIKEZIE DAVID ONYEBUCHI.

Formerly known and addressed as AGOMUO ONYEBUCHI DAVID, now wish to be known and addressed as CHIKEZIE DAVID ONYEBUCHI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

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

OSAGIE OMOTE VICTORIA

Formerly known and addressed as AKPOGUMA OMOTE VICTORIA, now wish to be known and addressed as OSAGIE OMOTE VICTORIA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

SALAU LATIFAT BOLANLE.

I, formerly known and addressed as ODEYEYIWA LATIFAT BOLANLE now wish to be known and addressed as SALAU LATIFAT BOLANLE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

AKPA JULIANA BASSEY

Formerly known and addressed as JULIANA MAGNUS UDOH, now wish to be known and addressed as AKPA JULIANA BASSEY. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

IDRIS SELIMOT TEMITOPE

IDRIS: I, formerly known as IGBIHEN JOY SELIMOT, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. IDRIS SELIMOT TEMITOPE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

23

GODWIN MONDAY OGOCHUKWU

This is to confirm and certify that am same person bearing OBI SUSSAN and OBI UJU SUSSAN. That I now wish to be known and addressed as OBI UJU SUSSAN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as AGORO OGOCHUKWU MONDAY, now wish to be known and addressed as GODWIN MONDAY OGOCHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ADERINSOLA OLANREWAJU OLABODE

SAINT AUSTIN JOSEPH. I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MR NKWOR AUSTIN OKOLIE. NOW WISH TO BE known and addressed AS SAINT AUSTIN JOSEPH. ALL FORMER DOCUMENT REMAIN VALID ALL THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS PLEASE TAKE NOTE

I formerly known and addressed as Aderinsola Bode Johnson Now wish to be known and addressed as Aderinsola Olanrewaju Olabode. All former document remain Valid general public take note

BERNARD CHUKWUDOZIE OKONKWO.

EZEH ECHEZONA JOHN.

I, formerly known and addressed as OKONKWO EZEKIEL BERNARD CHUKWUDOZIE, now wish to be known and addressed as BERNARD CHUKWUDOZIE OKONKWO. All former documents should please remain valid. General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as CHRISTOPHER EZEIBEKWE ECHEZONA, now wish to be known and addressed as EZEH ECHEZONA JOHN. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note

ALI ISAAC CHIGOZI. I, formerly known and addressed as CHIBUOKE ISAAC CHIGOZIE,now wish to be known and addressed as ALI ISAAC CHIGOZI. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

CHINELO BLESSING ANI

NWANI CHINYERE. I, formerly known and addressed as NWANINWENE BENEDITH CHINYERE, now wish to be known and addressed as NWANI CHINYERE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as EZEMA MABEL NNENNA, now wish to be known and addressed as OKIGWE MABEL NNENNA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

ILOGEME GLORY EMEKA

This is to inform the general public of loss of Land Documents belonging to Trustees of Living Faith Church A.k.a Winners Chapel Enugu in respect of piece and Parcel of Land situate and known as Plot No P/12 Phase 3 Asata River L/out Enugu.

Irrevocable Power of Attorney Reg. as 25/25/1458 and Power of Attorney Reg as 69/69/1511 got lost. If found contact the Ministry of Lands and Urban Development Enugu.

I formerly known and addressed as EKANEM GLORY AKPAN now wish to be known and addressed as ILOGEME GLORY EMEKA All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

JENNIFER ALENKHE

BUNMI KONU

OKIGWE MABEL NNENNA.

IKELUMUO NONSO EMMANUEL

I formerly known and addressed as IKELUNMUO NONSO CHINEDU now wish to be known and addressed as IKELUMUO NONSO EMMANUEL All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

ADEWALE ADEREMI ADESOJI

I formerly known and addressed as GBAJUMO JENNIFER now wish to be known and addressed as JENNIFER ALENKHE All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as OLUBU OLADELE now wish to be known and addressed as BUNMI KONU All former documents remain valid.

General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ADEWALE ADEREMI ADEBOLU now wish to be known and addressed as ADEWALE ADEREMI ADESOJI All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

CYNTHIA UDOH ALBERT

JOHN FASASI. I formerly known and addressed as Mrs Fasasi jamiu shakiru now I wish to be known and addressed as John Fasasi.

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

I formerly known and addressed as EME ENITAN ZAINAB ANIMASHAUN.now I wish to be known and addressed as EME ENITAN ORBIH.All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

DESTINY BASSEY EFFIONG

AIKHENOMIA ADEFOLAJUWON OLUMOROTI

I formerly known and addressed as CYNTHIA EMEM UDOH now wish to be known and addressed as CYNTHIA UDOH ALBERT All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MR. NTEKIM BASSEY EFFIONG, now wish to be known and addressed as MR. DESTINY BASSEY EFFIONG. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Formerly known and addressed as OBAOWO ADEFOLAJUWON OLUMOROTI now wish to be known and addressed as AIKHENOMIA ADEFOLAJUWON OLUMOROTI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EME ENITAN ORBIH

TOBILOBA JOHN KAREEM-KOMOLAFE.

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

OKHIRIA LUCY EBATAMIAMENTUE

NWANKWO EMMANUEL UCHECHUKWUGAEME

OKARA EBIYE PATIENCE.

OMOSANYA ADERINSOLA MARY

Formerly known and addressed as OKHIRIA LUCY AIGBEDION, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OKHIRIA LUCY EBATAMIAMENTUE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MICHAEL EMMANUEL UCHECHUKWUGAEME, now wish to be known and addressed as NWANKWO EMMANUEL UCHECHUKWUGAEME. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as PATIENCE EMMANUEL OKOKON, now wish to be known and addressed as OKARA EBIYE PATIENCE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as OYELARAN ADERINOLA KEMI, now wish to be known and addressed as OMOSANYA ADERINSOLA MARY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

MOSHOOD AMINA ADESHOLA

CHANGE OF NAME/ CORRECTION OF DATE

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as ADENIREGUN AMINAT ADESHOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as MOSHOOD AMINA ADESHOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as OLADOSU BABATUNDE ALEXANDER now wish to be known and addressed, as OLADOSU ALEX BABATUNDE and that my correct date of birth is 13th January 1989 instead of 13th January 1987. All documents remain valid.

General public take note.

This is to inform the general public that JOHN IKIZI UCHECHUKWU is the same person as JOHN IKIZI. General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

This is to inform the general public that my name was wrongly written in my documents as MOHAMMED FATIMA instead of ISAH FATIMA TENIN. The correct name is ISAH FATIMA TENIN. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

24

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 23, 2016

RICHARD-AMECHI FAVOUR

I formerly known and addressed as RICHARD FAVOUR CHIDIEBERE, now wish to be known and addressed as RICHARD-AMECHI FAVOUR. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

MADE MADALLA

OLAWUNMI OMOLARA ADELEYE I, formerly known and addressed as OLAWUNMI OMOLARA BARUWA, now wish to be known and addressed as OLAWUNMI OMOLARA ADELEYE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

OMEKHE KIKELOMO FOLASHADE

I, formerly known and addressed as, BUKAR YERIMA, now wish to be known and addressed as, MADE MADALLA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as, BAMIDELE KIKELOMO SHADE, now wish to be known and addressed as, OMEKHE KIKELOMO FOLASHADE. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

ORUCHE SAMUEL CHIDOZIE

GOODNESS JOHN OGUOLU I, formerly known and addressed as, GOODNESS DATUBO WEST, now wish to be known and addressed as, GOODNESS JOHN OGUOLU. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as, PRINCE KELVIN ORUCHE, now wish to be known and addressed as, ORUCHE SAMUEL CHIDOZIE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

EGE DANIEL FAMOUS.

I formerly know and address as EGE DANIEL EREPATEI,now wish to be known and address as EGE DANIEL FAMOUS. All former document remain valid.General public should please take note NEJO JOSEPHINE OLAYEMI.

EWEJE WAKEEL AYINDE EWEJE WAKEEL AYINDE FORMERLY KNOWN AS EWEJE WAKEEL (NOW WISHES TO BE KNOWN AS EWEJE WAKEEL AYINDE ALL FORMER DOCUMENT REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE NOTE. ODUKOYA TAIWO DAMILOLA

I, formerly known, called and addressed as MISS OMOTUYI YEMI O, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS NEJO JOSEPHINE OLAYEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known, called and addressed as TAIWO ABIMBOLA DAMILOLA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ODUKOYA TAIWO DAMILOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

OGUNLESI KAFAYAT MOJISOLA

ABDULYEKEEN MUHAMMED QUZEEM

Formerly known as AZEEZ KAFAYAT MOJISOLA, now wish to be addressed as OGUNLESI KAFAYAT MOJISOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public please note.

ADEOYE RASHEED LEKAN.

I, formerly known and addressed as ADEOYE RASHIDI LEKAN, now wish to be known and addressed as ADEOYE RASHEED LEKAN. All former documents remain valid.

General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

OBIAJULU ANDERSON OKUONIYE

CATHERINE CHINONSO NZE

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. CATHERINE CHINONSO ANUKWAOLE, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. CATHERINE CHINONSO NZE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

DORIS CHEBE GODWIN.

I, formerly known, called and addressed as DORIS CHEBE OKWUASHA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as DORIS CHEBE GODWIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

KINGSLEY CHINYERE ELENDU

I, formerly known and addressed as, ELENDU KINGSLEY CHIJIOKE, now wish to be known and addressed as, KINGSLEY CHINYERE ELENDU. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Adeboyejo Abolanle Fausat and Oyebanjo Omosola Fausat now wish to be known and addressed as Oyebanjo Fausatu Bolanle and my date of birth was wrongly written as 9.6.1979 instead of 9.6.1978. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note

IBINABO ALLWELL DOOLE-NAKWAASAH

OKAFOR JOSEPHAT.

I formerly known and address as ONWUTUEBE ONYEKWERE FRANCIS now wish to be known and address as OKAFOR JOSEPHAT. All former document remain valid.Banks and general public should please take note

ANTHONY GODWIN

I, formerly known, called and addressed as ANTHONY OKWUASHA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ANTHONY GODWIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

BALOGUN MUSILIAT ABISOLA.

I, formerly known, called and addressed as MRS ASOGBON MUSILIAT ABISOLA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS BALOGUN MUSILIAT ABISOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

ADEBISI ADEOLA MORUFAT.

I, formerly known, called and addressed as ADEBISI ADENIKE HIKMAT, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ADEBISI ADEOLA MORUFAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

SAMSON GODNEWS UDOH

ONABANWO ADERONMU JOHNSON

AILONI MONSURAT AJOKE

CORRECTION/ARRANGEMENT OF NAME

I, formerly known, called and addressed as SAMSON GODKNOWS UDOH, now wish to be known, called and addressed as SAMSON GODNEWS UDOH. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

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

I, formerly known, called and addressed as AKINLADE MONSURAT AJOKE, no wish to be known, called and addressed as AILONI MONSURAT AJOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

On my BVN, my name was wrongly written and arranged as EDITH NKECHI EZEAH instead of EZEA NKECHI EDITH. That my correct name is EZEA NKECHI EDITH. General Public and Authority Concerned should take note.

UGWU OLUCHI JOY.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS KALIO CAROLINE NENGI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. MOFOBI CAROLINE NENGI. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

OYEBANJO FAUSATU BOLANLE

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. IBINABO ALLWELL POLLYN, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. IBINABO ALLWELL DOOLE-NAKWAASAH. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME.

I, formerly known and addressed as YAHAYA MAIKASUWA, now wish to be known and addressed as YAHAYA HASSAN YAHAYA. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

EJIOFOR: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS CHIKA ESTHER EJIOFOR, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ANYANWAGU ESTHER CHIKA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

KELLY KELVIN. I, formerly known and addressed as, ROWLIS BIRI, now wish to be known and addressed as, KELLY KELVIN. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

This is to confirm that, I GEORGE WILSON FINEBONE and ROCKWELL ATEPARABIE FINEBONE, refer to one and same person but, now wish to be known and addressed as, GEORGE WILSON FINEBONE. All former documents remain valid. THE NIGERIAN ARMY and General public should take note.

OBAFEMI DANIEL ADENIYI.

ANYANWAGU ESTHER CHIKA

EKEOCHA CHIMA LASBRY PERE

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. GABRIEL PERE, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. EKEOCHA CHIMA LASBRY PERE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

MOFOBI CAROLINE NENGI.

NZEBUKA NAOMI UCHECHI.

CLETUS CONFIDENCE CHIMEZIEM

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. CYRIL CONFIDENCE NKEIRU, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. CLETUS CONFIDENCE CHIMEZIEM. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, OFON DANIEL MOSES, AND PRECIOUS DANIEL MOSES, refer to one and same person but, now wish to be known and addressed as, PRECIOUS DANIEL MOSES. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

YAHAYA HASSAN YAHAYA.

I, formerly known, called and addressed as KAZEEM YEKEEN, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ABDULYEKEEN MUHAMMED QUZEEM. All former documents remain valid. general public take note.

SALAMI ABIOLA IBRAHIM

CHANGE OF NAME AND AGE DECLARATION

KUKU LASISI

I formerly known and addressed as KUKU LASISI ADENIYI, now wish to be known and addressed as KUKU LASISI. All former documents remain valid the General public take note.

ELIZABETH MONDAY TALAKE I, formerly known and addressed as ELIZABETH PETER BIYE, now wish to be known and addressed as ELIZABETH MONDAY TALAKE. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS CHINAGOROM NAOMI UCHECHI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. NZEBUKA NAOMI UCHECHI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Una Sampson now wish to be known and addressed as Una Oforbuike Samson with date of birth 23.7.1989. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note.

I formerly known and addressed as AIENAKHO FAITH IROJE, now wish to be known and addressed as MISS AIENAKHO FAITH. All former documents remain valid the General public take note.

PATIENCE NMERUKINI-LOVEDAY EDE

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. NMERUKINI LOVEDAY, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. PATIENCE NMERUKINILOVEDAY EDE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as UGWU OLUCHUKWU JOEL, now wish to be known and addressed as UGWU OLUCHI JOY. All former document remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

I formerly called Obiajulu Onokwai, now wish to be reffered to as Obiajulu Anderson Okuoniye. All former documents still remain valid, general public and other appropriate authorities please take note.

IBRAHIM: I, formerly known and addressed as SALAM BIOLA IBRAHIM, now wish to be known and addressed as SALAMI ABIOLA IBRAHIM. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AIENAKHO FAITH

TABOT ENORTA HAZAEL

I, formerly known and addressed as OBAFEMI ADENIYI OLUWASEUN, now wish to be known and addressed as OBAFEMI DANIEL ADENIYI. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

DESMOND IKE-CHIMA

OKWARAOHA APURUCHUKWU VENATIUS.

PRINCE CHINEDU CHUKWUANUGO

I, formerly known and addressed as OKWARAOCHA CHRISTIAN, now wish to be known and addressed as OKWARAOHA APURUCHUKWU VENATIUS. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as PRINCE CHINEDU IGBOANUGO, now wish to be known and addressed as PRINCE CHINEDU CHUKWUANUGO. All former documents remain valid.

General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

GIWA TEMITOPE SELEEMAT

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS SANUSI TEMITOPE OLAITAN, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. GIWA TEMITOPE SELEEMAT due to change in my marital status. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

ADAMU AYUBA.

AUGUSTINE PAULINA ONAMBI

I, formerly known and addressed as NCHOR PAULINA ONAMBI, now wish to be known and addressed as AUGUSTINE PAULINA ONAMBI. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

LASIDI FESTUS IFEANYI.

I, formerly known and addressed as, AYUBA ADAMU DUWARA, now wish to be known and addressed as, ADAMU AYUBA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note

Formerly PAUL FESTUS IFEANYI. NoW LASIDI FESTUS IFEANYI. Former documents remains valid. General public please note.

SAVI OLIVIER DIDIER.

CHANGE OF NAME AND AGE DECLARATION

I formerly known and addressed as Babalola Roseline Funmilayo now wish to be known and addressed as Olaleye Roseline Funmilayo. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note.

EKINI AYODELE FATAI

I formerly known and addressed as Yekini Ayodele Faith now wish to be known and addressed as Yekini Ayodele Fatai. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note.

I formerly known and addressed as Olivier Eliki now wish to be known and addressed as Savi Olivier Didier. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note.

I formerly known and addressed as Sanni Olamilekan Kofoworola now wish to be known and addressed as Sanni Abdulateef Olamilekan with date of birth 4.12.1995.

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

CONFRIMATION OF NAMES: This is to confirm that I, SAMPSON JONATHAN CHINWEOKWE is the same person answering SAMPSON OMEKA JONATHAN, now wish to be known and addressed as SAMPSON JONATHAN CHINWEOKWE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAMES: This is to confirm that I, AFOLABI SULAIMON is the same person answering YAHAYA AFOLABI SULAIMON, now wish to be known and addressed as AFOLABI SULAIMON. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OMUDU ISRAEL AFOR.

I, formerly known, called and addressed as HAZAEL ESTHER TABOT, now wish to be known, called and addressed as TABOT ENORTA HAZAEL All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OLALEYE ROSELINE FUNMILAYO.

I formerly known as Desmond Nkem Ike now wishes to be known and addressed as Desmond Ike-Chima. General public take note

OMUDU: I, formerly known as OMUDU DORA AFOR, now wish to be known and addressed as OMUDU ISRAEL AFOR. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

OKUYIGA OLUWAFOLAKEMI ABIODUN.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OGUNLANA FOLAKE ABIODUN now wishes to be known and addressed as MRS OKUYIGA OLUWAFOLAKEMI ABIODUN. All former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 23, 2016

25 News

Illicit Funds: UN adopts Nigeriasponsored resolution ÎÎÎThe

UN General Assembly, on Thursday, unanimously adopted Nigeriasponsored resolution on the ‘Promotion of International Cooperation to Combat Illicit Financial Flows’ in order to foster sustainable development.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in New York, reports that the resolution was strongly supported at various levels by the African Group and the G-77, including China.

The report also indicated that the resolution reiterated “its deep concern about the impact of illicit financial flows, in particular those caused by tax evasion and corruption, on the eco-

nomic, social and political stability and development of societies.”

At the adoption, Nigeria’s envoy, Akinremi Bolaji, reiterated his earlier calls on members to pursue policy coherence and create an enabling environment to combat illicit financial flows.

“It is important to remind ourselves that the attainment of sustainable development by most developing countries, especially African states, would remain a puzzle unless the UN fulfill its role as a veritable platform for facilitating cooperation among member states as well as with the UN system.

“Mr. President, it is heart-warming for my delegation that in our common bid to combat illicit financial flows, the General Assembly today adopts this resolution entitled, ‘Promotion of International Cooperation to Combat Illicit Financial Flows’ in order to Foster Sustainable Development.

“The resolution aptly linked realisation of sustainable development to combating Illicit Financial Flows and calls on Member States to scale up cooperation in this aspect.

“It is essential for Member States to cooperate among themselves and with other stakeholders,

so as to provide necessary support for national efforts in combating illicit financial flows, for the attainment of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development,” Bolaji added.

He called on international financial and monetary institutions and systems to engage their expertise and mandates to combat such flows and assist in the recovery of stolen assets.

He said their activities, including those of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), should move beyond data collection to providing intelligence leads to assist in forestalling and recovering them.

SOCIETY FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF AFRICAN PHILANTHROPISTS

CONFIDENCE WHITE BROTHERS CLUB ABUJA

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. PROF. MOHAMMED BELLO YUNUSA 2 . HON. ISMALL INNAH HUSSAIN 3 . ALHAJI YAKUBU MOHAMMED 4 . DR . ADINOYI OJO ONUKABA 5 . DR . ISA HALADU 6 . DR . LOIUS NONYE OBODO 7 . MR . YUSUF SANKEY 8 . MR . SILAS EZEUGWU 9 . FAITH ELEOJO SAMSON 10 . COMRADE MUSA ALI OTIGBA

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.ONYEBUCHI EGWUASI 2. ETHELBERT NWATA 3. SUNDAY MMADUAKOR 4. CHIDI UBAH 5. ANTHONY MUOBUIKE 6. SUNDAY ONWUCHEKWA

The aim and objective: 1. To promote philanthropy and philanthropic activities in Africa 2. To identify outstanding African philanthropists and charity organizations Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General of Corporate Affairs Commission Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. TO CREATE AN ENABLING GROUND FOR GOOD RELATIONSHIP AMONG FRIENDS ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION MAITAMA ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: Clement Gbadamosi, Esq. 08036179886

SIGNED: SECRETARY

AFRICAN REHABILITATION & MENTORING INITIATIVE 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. Mrs. Ebiere Bomor-Ogan (Chairman) 2. Mr. Garry Ekundayo Friday Ogan (Secretary) 3. Mrs. Ukueku Edith Boloye (Treasurer) The aim and objective: 1. To rehabilitate and mentor youths involved in social vices Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General of Corporate Affairs Commission Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication SIGNED: Franklin Ifeanyichukwu Aliuna 09938131133.

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

TRUSTES: 1. GRACE TELEVI ORIFE - CHAIRMAN 2. KATE ONAKOMIAYA - SECRETARY 3. ONYINYE CHIDIEBERE - FINANCIAL SECRETARY/TREASURER 4. ONANEFE ORIFE 5. CHIDIEBERE NWOKEOCHA 6. EMMANUEL ILUEBE DANIA 7. YINYINADE ABIOLA DANIA 8. MARJO-FLO ETCHI MOTANGA AIMS & OBJECTIVES: 1.

To advance biblical and moral values focused on rebuilding lost societal order and values.

2.

Providing free Christian and Academic materials 3.

Encourage and advancing praying meetings to draw Christian closer to God. 4.

To advocate for social change and transformation of the lives of Nigerians and beyond.

5.

To organize and hold teachings, talks, conventions, conferences, seminars, symposia and any other educational program to facilitate the study, learning and instruction the above objectives.

6.

To carry other activities that will facilitate the above aims and objectives.

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: GRACE TELEVI ORIFE - CHAIRMAN

ASSOCIATION OF VULCANIZERS IN NIGERIA

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. ALHAJI MUSITAFA ALIU - PRESIDENT 2 . PRINCE ASIMIYU ADEOWO AKANJI - SECRETARY 3 . ALHAJI GANIYU YUSUFF 4 . MALAM JAMMIU MUHAMMED MOSHOOD 5 . MALLAM YUSUFF ALIYU RAHA 6 . MALAM MUHAMED AUDU 7 . COMRADE ENESI JATTO THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. TO PROTECT THE INTEREST OF MEMBERS ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION MAITAMA ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: LEX HABITAE LPS OGHAYEI

“The activities of these institutions, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) should go beyond data collection on occurrences of illicit financial flows, rather these institutions should provide intelligence lead that could assist in forestalling and recovering of such flows,” he said.

According to him, it is the understanding of Nigeria that this resolution will provide the necessary political tools for financial and monetary institutions to facilitate cooperation among member states, in the bid to combat illicit financial flows.

“It is imperative to ac-

celerate international cooperation against illicit financial flows, which undisputedly constitute a major disabler to sustainable development, having direct negative impact on the ability of Member States to raise, retain and mobilise national resources to finance sustainable development.

Bolaji said further that, “it must be reiterated that illicit financial flows reduce domestic resources and revenues needed to fund poverty eradication programmes, provide infrastructure and procure education for our young people, particularly, Nigeria.

SENATOR PRINCE (DR) GBOLAHAN DADA FOUNDATION. The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission under part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990 TRUSTEES. 1. SENATOR GBOLAHAN DADA. CHAIRMAN. 2. DADA, ADEREMI OLAKUNLE. SECRETARY. 3. DADA, GBOLADE ADEKUNLE. TREASURER. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES. 1.

TO PROVIDE NECESSARY PLATFORM TO EMPOWER AND ASSIST THE NEEDY, WIDOWS, ORPHANS AND THE LESS PRIVILEGED IN THE SOCIETY. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission Maitama Abuja within 28days of this publication SIGNED. KAYODE OYEDEJI ESQ. SOLICITOR. NWOKOCHA COMFORT CHIKAODI

Formerly known and addressed as NNANYERE COMFORT CHIKAODI, now wish to be known and addressed as NWOKOCHA COMFORT CHIKAODI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

0803 359 8319.

ADDITION OF NAME

This is to inform the general public that I was formerly known as REMILEKUN ABODURIN, now wish to add MOFOLORUNSHO DUPE to my name. Henceforth I wish to be addressed as ABODURIN REMILEKUN MOFOLORUNSHO DUPE All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ABRAHAM OLORUNNIMILO PETER.

Formerly known and called Shitu Olorunnimilo Ajao now wishes to be called and addressed as Abraham Olorunnimilo Peter. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

For Sale

THE EVERLASTING ARMS CHRISTIAN CENTRE

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

Trustees are.

1. OWOLABI OLUKAYODE BABATUNDE CHAIRMAN 2. DR. OKUBOYEJO KUDIRAT ADEDOYIN: SECRETARY 3. OWOLABI IWALOLA MOTUNROLA 4. ADERIBIGBE ADESOLA. AIMS & OBJECTIVES: To propagate the gospel of Jesus Christ all over the world. To win souls for god’s kingdom through bible study, evangelism and deliverance service.

Signed trustees 08023295245

FOR SALE

News 26

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 23, 2016

Christmas: STF bans fireworks in Plateau, tasks worshippers on security Chijioke Kingsley, Jos

ÎÎÎ

The Special Task Force (STF), mandated to maintain peace in Plateau State and some parts of Bauchi State has reiterated its stand against the use of fireworks and ‘knock-outs’, during the festive season.

The STF has also tasked religious bodies on security tips during Christmas service aimed at forestalling any form of attack by terrorists.

Speaking with newsmen on its readiness to secure the State at Christmas, the STF Commander, Major General Rogers Ibe Nicholas, stated that anyone caught selling

knock-outs will be prosecuted.

His words: “I have advised parents to call on their children to avoid the use of knock-outs and fireworks as the command will deal with anyone caught violating the law”, he said.

General Nicholas also said that church leaders should

screen worshipers meters away from worship centres to prevent miscreants from taking undue advantage of the season.

On the renewed bombing currently rocking the northeastern part of the country, with the hostility in Southern Kaduna between farmers and herdsmen that has

left scores of people dead, the Army boss said that watertight patrol within the borders of the state is in place aimed at halting those with bad motives from coming into Plateau.

“We are also intensifying our physical patrol within the state to ensure that everybody is assured of his safety

Saraki to commission girls’ boarding school in Ilorin

Lagos to host CashlessAfrica Expo 2017

Femi Ganiyu

ÎÎÎ

Lagos, Nigeria’s economic hub, is set to welcome industrialists from over 40 countries, between March 22-23, 2017, to brainstorm at a programme, tagged: CashlessAfrica Expo2017, at the Oriental Hotel, in the commercial city.

At the conference, critical issues bordering on: ‘The Future of Finance in Africa,’ shall be discussed.

According to a statement by West Ekhator, for Apo CashlessAfrica, a copy of which was made available to The Daily Times, the programme, which seeks to address issues like, digital bank and evolution in a competitive market; future of banking and payments in Africa, as well as, protecting the customer in a digital economy, would take Africa’s economy to the next level of development, especially through competitiveness.

The statement said that, “Digital disruption is shifting the balance stay of power in financial services and influencing the way millions of people bank their money, make payments, remittances and more, in a continent where mobile phone penetration exceed bank accounts and bank cards ownership combined.”

According to the statement, “Africa’s highly regulated financial industry now needs to adapt itself to the on-going disruptions in the Fintech space and the increasing demands of young and energetic customers, which represent a significant percentage of the continent’s population.”

APO said that, “The CashlessAfrica conference, is a platform for financial services supply side actors to share their innovation, rethink their current models and gain valuable market insight of the African digital financial services market.”

and to nip in the bud any situation that will otherwise create tension and sense of insecurity”.

He added that the Command has also seized about 100 weapons in December as part of the ongoing “mopping up of arms”, bringing the total arms sized so far to 4,100.

Kehinde Akinpelu, Ilorin

ÎÎÎ

Representative of the Commandant-General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Mr. Danjuma Elisha (left) and Chairman, Civil Society Consultative Platform on Peace and Security, Mr. Jaye Gaskia, at a Stakeholders Dialogue on Herders-Farmers Conflict, in Abuja… recently.

Composition of your government lopsided, Senator tells Niger Gov Saka Bolaji, Minna.

ÎÎÎSenator

representing Niger East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator David Umaru has criticised the composition of the government of Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State saying the state executive council is lopsided.

Senator David Umaru also accused the All Progressives Congress APC government of violating the Constitution of the country by not giving equal opportunities to all ethnic nationalities and religions in the state.

The federal lawmaker specifically said the four

major positions in government, Deputy Governor, Secretary to the state government, Chief of Staff and Head of Service are all Muslims contrary to the provisions of the constitution.

Umaru made the remarks in Minna on Wednesday evening when he spoke at the first Christmas carol organized by the state government.

“The composition of your government is not representative of Christians,we must make it known that we must be fair to all, we cannot continue to pretend about this”.

David Umaru also accused the government of

not encouraging christian children to learn the basics of their religion by refusing to allow Christian Religious Knowledge to be thought in public schools.

Speaking further the lawmaker said Christians in the state were being denied access to justice since the area courts were replaced with the Sharia courts fourteen years ago.

He therefore asked the government go do the needful by giving fair treatment to members of all religions and ethnic nationalities.

“As a government of change we must address these and other issues now bothering the people”.

Emir of Minna, Dr Umar Farouq Bahago in a message to the event commended Christians in the area for living in peace with members of other religions.

Dr Bahago declared “ we want Minna emirate to continue to remain peaceful”.

David Umaru

The Senate President , Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki will on boxing day, Monday, December 26 commission the Royal Crescent Valley International Girls School, Kulende, Ilorin, Kwara state.

The school, located in a serene environment is the first private girls boarding secondary school in the state.

Saraki is expected to be the special guest of honour at the event while Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed is the guest of honour.

The ceremony will be chaired by Zannah of Ilorin, Engineer Yusuf Lanre Sagaya.

The event will also feature the 60th year birthday of the school’s proprietor, Engineer Kola Ibrahim Ahmad, and celebration of the silver jubilee of BITO Nigeria Limited as well as honouring of some distinguished academicians who were recently elevated to the covetous position of professorship.

The chairman of the main organising committee of the event, Alh Azeez Saleeman, in a statement issued in Ilorin said that the programme will take place in the school premises beginning from 10.00A.M. The proprietor of the school,Engineer Kola Ibrahim Ahmad said the girls school is dedicated to providing a high quality of education in a safe, healthy and encouraging learning environment, using modern constructive learning methods and materials, to assist children to reveal and develop the gifts and talents that they possess.

“We believe all our children should experience equal opportunity through a broad education that aims for excellence.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 23, 2016

DRC ruling alliance, opposition resume talks ÎÎÎ

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, members of the presidential alliance and the country’s main opposition coalition met again Thursday to try to hammer out a deal on delayed elections. Mediators from the Catholic Church say the two sides need to reach an agreement before Christmas, but so far neither side is showing signs of compromise.

The Archbishop of Kisangani, Monseigneur Marcel Utembi, took a firm line as he reopened the talks in Kinshasa.

Utembi said the church mediators are not inclined to look favorably on further undue postponements and delaying tactics. He expressed the church’s firm wish that a compromise be found before Christmas.

Utembi is the president of CENCO, the organization that represents the Congolese Catholic Church, which is mediating the dispute over delayed elections. The talks were suspended Saturday while a delegation of Congolese archbishops visited the pope to seek guidance on the crisis.

During the break, at midnight Monday, DRC President Joseph Kabila’s elected mandate expired. He intends to remain in office until polls can be held.

The leader of the Rassemblement, the country’s main opposition coalition, Etienne Tshisekedi, responded by declaring Kabila “illegitimate” and calling the population to “peaceful resistance.”

Security forces, heavily deployed since last week, put down sporadic demonstrations that started early Tuesday and continued into Wednesday in Kinshasa and other Congolese cities.

Human Rights Watch says security forces have killed 34 people and it is still verifying additional reports. The police have given a lower toll.

A spokesman told reporters Wednesday that 21 civilians have been killed, most by stray bullets or while engaged in looting. The police said one of their officers was also killed.

But the Rassemblement has returned to the negotiating table. The secretary general of Tshisekedi’s party, Jean-Marc Kabund, spoke to journalists as the talks resumed.

He says, “We have come to find a solution as to the illegitimacy and illegality of Mr. Kabila. We have come to negotiate the departure of Mr. Kabila from power. That is all the population needs to know.”

27 Foreign

Pope condemns resistance to reforming Christmas greeting

ÎÎÎ

Pope Francis on Thursday criticized the resistance he is meeting in reforming the Vatican bureaucracy, saying some of it is inspired by the devil and that the prelates who work for him must undergo “permanent purification” to serve the Catholic Church better.

For the third year in a row, Francis took the Vatican bureaucracy to task in his annual Christmas greeting. He said the reform process he was elected to push through in 2013 isn’t aimed at a superficial face-lift for the Holy See, but rather a

profound change in mentality among his collaborators who run it.

“Dear brothers, it’s not the wrinkles in the church that you should fear, but the stains!” he said.

In 2014, Francis stunned the Vatican Curia, or administration, when he listed the 15 “spiritual ailments” its members were suffering. He accused them of using their careers to grab power and wealth, of living “hypocritical” double lives and of forgetting _ due to “spiritual Alzheimer’s” _ that they’re supposed to be joyful men

of God. Last year, Francis listed a “catalog of virtues” they were supposed to show instead, including honesty, sobriety, respect and humility.

This year, he gave the priests, bishops and cardinals who work for him 12 guidelines that are inspiring his reform process, which has involved consolidating Vatican departments and creating new ones.

Saying the Vatican must modernize to better respond to the needs of today’s church, Francis said

Trump wants to expand U.S nuclear capabilities

ÎÎÎU.S.

President-elect Donald Trump says he wants to “greatly strengthen and expand” the nuclear capabilities of the United States.

Trump said in a tweet Thursday the United States must take such action “until such time as the world comes to its senses regarding nukes”.

Trump’s statement comes just a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin made similar comments Thursday, saying his country’s own nuclear arsenal needs to be “considerably increased.”

During a speech to recount the various military campaigns Russia launched in 2016, Putin said improvements are needed to “neutralize any

President-elect Donald Trump military threat.”

“We need to strengthen the military potential of strategic nuclear forces, especially with missile complexes that can reliably penetrate any existing and prospective missile defense systems,” he said.

The United States and Russia both currently hold

comparable stockpiles of nuclear weapons, with 7,100 and 7,300 respectively, according to the nonpartisan U.S.-based Arms Control Association.

Trump’s call for an expansion of nuclear arms also comes a day after he met with several top military officers at his Mar-a-

Mogadishu explosion kills 3 ÎÎÎSomali

government officials say two civilians and a government solider were killed after an explosion near one of Mogadishu’s busiest junctions known as Black Sea, late Thursday.

Spokesman for the Mogadishu administration Abdifatah Omar Halane told VOA Somali that the explosion was the result of an Improvised Explosive Devise “IED” which was detonated near a garage where security forces are based.

“The enemy of Somali

people have caused this tragedy,” Halane said. He said the security forces were alert and were searching the area for possible explosives when it was detonated.

Halane confirmed that the same garage has been the target of several grenade attacks recently since the national security forces took it over in late November.

The government deployed the security forces in the garage after investigations revealed that other Al-Shabab attacks were allegedly planned there.

“This is where they readied the truck which was detonated at the vegetable market, that is when the security forces took over the garage,” Halane said.

The truck explosion on the vegetable market occurred on November 26 killing 20 people almost all of them civilians.

Meanwhile, the African Union Mission in Somalia known as AMISOM says one of their soldiers “deserted” his defensive position at Qoryoley town, 150km south Mogadishu, Wednesday.

“Once it as realized he

Pope Francis he wanted the Vatican to be more multicultural and involve more lay Catholics, especially women, in

Lago resort in Florida. It is not clear, though, whether nuclear weapons were discussed at the meeting.

During his presidential campaign, Trump made comments that suggest he believes more nuclear weapons would make the world a safer place.

“Wouldn’t you rather, in a certain sense, have Japan have nuclear weapons when North Korea has nuclear weapons,” he said during a CNN town hall.

But later, in an interview with the New York Times, he said he thinks “it’s a very scary nuclear world.”

“Biggest problem, to me, in the world, is nuclear, and proliferation,” he said.

Should Trump ultimately choose to expand the U.S. nuclear arsenal, it would come as a major change to recent U.S. foreign policy, which has been to reduce the number of nuclear weapons during the past several decades.

was missing a search party traced his footsteps for about 3km from the camp before disappearing in the thickets,” AMISOM said in a message on twitter.

AMISOM said it will continue to search to find the missing soldier. The base where the soldier reportedly deserted is run by Ugandan forces.

The Al-Shabab militant group claimed it captured the soldier in a “special operation”.

Al-Shabab is already holding captive at least one Ugandan soldier captured following an attack on AU military base in Jannaale on September 1, 2015. Nineteen UPDF soldiers were killed in the same attack.

decision-making. He is also insisting on greater professional qualifications for its staff.

Taliban militants storm Afghan MP’s house in Kabul ÎÎÎ

Taliban gunmen wearing suicide vests stormed the house of an Afghan lawmaker in Kabul, killing at least five people, according to local media and insurgent sources.

The assailants are reported to have taken an unspecified number of people hostage and the siege continues. Afghan Special Forces have reached the site and engaged the militants, sparking an intense gunfight.

The residence belongs to Malim Mer Wali, a member parliament from the southern Helmand province.

An Afghan security source confirmed to VOA the attackers have “possibly” taken hostages, including family members of Mer Wali and several guests who were at his house at the time.

The fate of the lawmaker is unclear, though local media reports say he was present inside the house but managed to escape.

A Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, instantly claimed responsibility, saying the suicide assault was staged when important guests, including key security commanders from Helmand, had gathered in the house.

Islam 28 Islamic

Point of View

Rulings on celebrating Prophet’s birthday (Continued from last week)

Subair Mohammed Some of them hold these celebrations in the mosques, and while some hold them in their houses. However, many Muslims do not limit themselves to the actions mentioned above; they include in these gatherings haram and reprehensible things, such as free mixing of men and women, dancing and singing, or committing actions of shirk such as seeking the help of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, calling upon him, seeking his support against their enemies and so on.

Whatever form it takes and whatever the intentions of those who do this are, there is no doubt whatsoever that it is an invented act, an haram, innovation which was introduced after the three best centuries in order to corrupt the religion of the Muslims.

The first person to do this after the death of the prophet was the King al-Muzaffar Abu Sa’id Kawkaburi, the King of Irbil, at the end of the sixth century or the beginning of the seventh century after hijrah, as was mentioned by historians such as Ibn Khalikan and others.

Ibn Khalikan said in Wafiyat al-A’yan (3/274), “When it is the first of Safar they decorate those domes with various kinds of fancy adornments, and in every dome there sits a group of singers and a group of puppeteers and players of musical instruments, and they do not leave any one of those domes without setting up a group (of performers) there. The people give up work during this period, and they do not work except going around and watching the entertainment.

When there are two days to go until the mawlid, they bring out a large number of camels, cows and sheep, more than can be described, and they accompany them with all the drums, songs and musical instruments that they have, until they bring them to the square…

On the night of the mawlid there are performances of nasheeds after maghrib in the citadel.”

This is the origin of this celebration on the occasion of the Prophet’s birthday. More recently idle entertainment, extravagance, and wasting of money and time have become associated with an innovation for which Allah has not sent down any authority.

What Muslims should do is to revive the Sunnah and put an end to bid’ah (innovation); they should not engage in any action until they know the ruling of Allah concerning it.

And Allah knows best!

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 23, 2016

Zakat Foundation empowered 20,800 indigents, unemployed youth Subair Mohammed A non-governmental Islamic charity organisation, Zakat and Sadaqah Foundation has empowered 20,800 indigents and unemployed youth across the country with the sum of N102,251,490 to cater for their educational, medical and economic needs.

This disclosure was made by the Executive Director/CEO of the foundation, Prince Sulayman Olagunju at the 12th edition of zakat distribution ceremony held at the multipurpose hall of the Lagos State Secretariat Mosque, Ikeja, Lagos on Sunday.

According to him, in spite of the recessed economy, ZSF was able to collect in zakat the above stipulated amount with which it effectively catered for the eight

divinely mentioned zakat beneficiaries.

In his analysis of the disbursement, Olagunju stressed that, “of the total zakat collected, N16,713,372 was expended on medical supports while N7,350,000 went on youth empowerment scheme otherwise known as “Business Plan Scheme”. However, on state by state distribution of zakat which covers Abuja, Edo, Kwara,Ogun,Osun and Oyo states, the foundation distributed the sum of N20,724,405”.

Prince Olagunju further stated that as the disbursement activity is wind-off for the 2016 zakat distribution, the sum of sixty-eight million, seven hundred and seventy-one thousand, two hundred and eighteen (N68,771,218) was disbursed to 700 beneficiaries in

SAYINGS OF THE PROPHET “Whoever performs Wudu, performing his Wudu well, then he comes to the Friday (prayer), and he gets close, listens and is silent, then whatever (sin) was between that and (the last) Friday are forgiven for him, in addition to three days, And whoever touches the pebbles, he has committed Lagha (useless activity).”

Source: At-Tirmidhi

Lagos state.

He added that, “Empowerment and medical support got the larger shares with the sum of thirty-four million, eight hundred and forty three thousand, eight hundred and eighty naira (N34,843,818) while fourteen million, nine hundred and thirteen thousand, three hundred and seventy-two naira (N14,913,372) was spent on medical support”.

On his part, chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Mumin Alao while speaking on the importance of zakat in Islam he said, “The aim of zakat is to take from the rich to alleviate the suffering

of the poor. But as the foundation strives to achieve this, I want to advice the administrators that they should ensure that proper monitoring of the fund given.

They should ensure that the fund is judiciously invested so that in the not too long distance, today’s beneficiaries would be tomorrow’s zakat payers”.

Similarly, former Executive Director of the foundation, Imam Abdullahi Shuaib who was guest speaker at the event advised beneficiaries to make optimal use of the items and funds given for them to be self reliant and live above poverty line.

Al-Mutawakil urged NIREC to be agent of true change Ï ƑƏ ƗƆ ƆƏƒƈ LƑ Ƌƈƌ

Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, Lagos state counicl, Public relation Officer, Bro, Qassim Idris (middle) being presented with a medal by the founder of Al-Mutawakil Academy Imam AbdulGaniu Abdulkadri ((right)) at the event.

Subair Mohammed The Founder, Al-Mutawakil Academy, Imam AbdulGaniu Abdulkadri has called on the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, NIREC who he identified as the body of representatives of Allah on earth to be agents of the true change Nigerians desire.

Imam AbdulGaniu made this call at an event which marked the 10th year anniversary of the academy and the 3rd executive walimatulQur’an and awards presentation ceremony to deserving Muslim heroes and heroines who are committed to the cause of Allah.

The event which had in attendance clerics from both far and near featured the National Missioner, Ansar-ud-deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh (Imam) AbdulRahman Ahmad as the guest lecturer who delivered lecture on the topic “Representatives of Allah on Earth; Do they

hearken to Him? According to Imam AbdulGaniu, Nigeria’s religious leaders under the umbrella of the Nigeria InterReligious Council, NIREC, are the voice of Allah on earth and they represent the voice of adherents of both Islam and Christianity in the country but they have failed in guiding the government aright and in telling them what the voice of Allah has said.

He said, “With the level of insecurity and socio-economic challenges confronting the country, our religious leaders are not telling the government and Nigerians what Allah had said concerning solution to these challenges.

“It is therefore pertinent to state that Nigeria is a spiritual and religious country but unfortunately, our country is being held down by our religious leaders who refuse to tell the Federal government the truth that can liberate the country

from the problems bedevilling it and could bring an end to the country’s woes.

“Also, it is a known fact that the masses are homeless, insecure, suffering and are living in abject poverty, it is however, the duty of NIREC as a body of clerics that are vast in the knowledge of the words of God to feed the government with what God requires of responsible, just and humane leaders.

“It is for NIREC to be bold enough to tell our political leaders the fate that awaits them if they fail to do the biddings of Allah as regards their duties to the people they govern”.

The masses are suffering and are oppressed yet NIREC is silent about what Allah has said; what then, is the way out of these calamities?

Imam AbdulGaniu said, “Allah is unhappy with both past and present leaders of the country because they are recalcitrant, deaf and selfish.

The masses are crying unto their Lord and Allah has answered and proffered solutions to these problems.

Allah says, Nigeria should design a system of government that is peculiar to it but has at its foundation the principles of Allah as there is no form of government that is called democratic government. Therefore, I want to implore NIREC to save Nigeria from the problems bedevilling it by telling the truth which is known to them for the country to be in peace”.

On his part, Chairman, Al-Mutawakil Academy, Alhaji Yakubu Mohammed urged the graduands and awardees to continue to strive in the cause of Allah and seek endlessly knowledge that will be beneficial to mankind as there is no age limit to seeking knowledge.

While congratulating the awardees, Alhaji Yakubu said, “to whom much is given much is expected.

I therefore want to implore out awardees that they should not relent in spending their time and resources to promoting the cause of Allah and Islam as bountiful rewards are with Allah for such good deeds” Meanwhile, twelve distinguished Nigerians were honoured at the event and graduation was held for eight graduands upon the completion of Qur’an recitation course.

Among the awardees are the Secretary of First bank Plc, Alhaji Muhammad Tijani Borodo, Founding director of the old Newswatch Newspaper and Chairman, Al-Mutawakil Academy, Alhaji Yakubu Mohammed , Alhaji Sikiru Rufai, Group Financial Officer, Honeywell Group, and other eminent personalities.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 23, 2016

29

a

Okocha reveals reason for early retirement

A

ustin Jay Jay Okocha has attributed his decision to retire active football early to lack of enough playing time.

The ex-Nigerian international who dazzled the footballing world with his sizzling skills and breathtaking performances

Okocha

made the shock decision to leave the game in 2008. According to the Olympic Gold medallist, reduced minutes on the pitch of play triggered his exile from the round leather game, at the age of 34.

“I must confess that not getting

a lot of playing time was one of the main reasons why I retired from playing at a very young age,” Okocha told media men at a press conference organised by Star Times.

“I believe that it is not worth it to train from Monday to Friday

Page 30

Friday, December 23, 2016

Francis Moniedafe (left) with ex-Green Eagles goalkeeper, Emmanuel Okala.

ANDREW EKEJIUBA

T

Soccer legend

Moniedafe launches book

he Media Centre of Sam Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, was agog on Thursday as ex-international and former Bendel Insurance FC of Benin defence ace, Francis Moniedafe, launched his highly anticipated book (an autobiography) of his playing career and early life in Yola, Adamawa State.

Fondly called ‘Bulldozer’ during his active days with Bendel Insurance team that dominated Nigeria’s football from 1978 to the early 1980s, Moniedafe told Extra Time that his new book titled “Moniedafe: My life and Glory years of Bendel Insurance FC” centred on his journey to stardom.

A significant part of the 201-paged autobiography of the veteran soccer icon talked about his family, life and events beyond the football field which also provided him experience as a student athlete at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, USA. Moniedafe’s book also revealed how the Nigerian civil war impacted his life, death of his mother and later his wife in difficult circumstances. It further unveiled the behind the scene events during his playing days at Bendel Insurance, New Nigerian Bank, Asabatex and Yankari Bulls.

Speaking on the personality of the 1978 Challenge Cup (FA Cup) winner, ex-Green Eagles dare-devil right winger, Segun Odegbami (MON), gave a vivid account of Moniedafe’s soccer prowess and his pride of place in the Nigerian football history.

“I got to know Moniedafe when he was playing for Bendel Insurance of Benin and I was playing for IICC Shooting Stars of Ibadan in the 1970s.

“He joined the national team briefly, but left for United States when we were on tour of Brazil in 1979 preparatory to the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations.

“Moniedafe’s story in football is filled with victims- players of opposing teams that got a taste of his ‘poison’, a combination of physical intimidation, verbal harassment and psychological warfare. He was a nightmare to many dare-devil strikers and that was why he was nicknamed ‘the Bulldozer’,” he said.

Odegbami further confirmed that Moniedafe was instrumental to the great achievements of Bendel Insurance FC at the 1978 Challenge Cup final; where the team spanked IICC Shooting Stars 2-0 at the semifinal stage and went further to whitewash ‘mighty’ Rangers of Enugu 3-0 at the final game to lift the coveted trophy.

The victory according to Odegbami saw the invitation of eleven Bendel Insurance players to the national team, namely- Agwo Nnaji, David Adiele, Kadiri Ikhana, Leotis Boateng, George Omokaro, Chris Ogu, Henry Ogboe, Peter Egharevba, Anthony Oviawe and of course Francis Moniedafe.

Rangers make U-turn on Egbuchulam’s transfer

R

just to have 20 minutes on the pitch or sit on the bench on Saturday. I am very competitive.”

The midfielder who last represented Nigeria in 2006, appeared for the Super Eagles 75 times with 14 goals to his name.

angers have made a dramatic U-turn as regards the transfer of Chisom Egbuchulam to Tunisian champions Etoile du Sahel, declaring him missing even after they have been negotiating with Etoile a transfer fee for the player.

An official statement signed

by Rangers media director announced that Etoile are trying to poach Egbuchulam, who was not given permission to travel to Tunisia for any transfer negotiations.

Board of Rangers International Football Club Enugu has declared their star

player, Chisom Egbuchulam AWOL. A statement by the Director Media and Public Relations of Rangers FC, Foster Chime, said the Board’s position is that the Tunisian club Etoile Sportive du Sahel have illegally poached Rangers FC player, Chisom Egbuchulam and Rangers FC have not agreed any terms with Etoile Sportive Du Sahel.

“Rangers FC did not give any official permission to Chisom Egbuchulam to travel to Tunisia or approval to leave his primary area of assignment,” read the statement.

“Rangers FC officially received letter of interest on Chisom Egbuchulam which was replied and communicated to Etoile Sportive du Sahel accordingly.

“The club maintains that Chisom Egbuchulam can only be transferred for a fee of five hundred thousand dollars and still remains bonafide Rangers player till January, 2018.

“Rangers board also warns other interested clubs including Etoile Sportive du Sahel to steer clear of their player, Chisom Egbuchulam, but should open appropriate official communications channels

with Rangers FC if they are interested in the player rather than circumventing the extant and stipulated NFF, CAF and FIFA rules to poach our player.

“Rangers Intl FC Enugu have already officially communicated NFF, CAF and FIFA on the stealing/poaching of their player Chisom Egbuchulam by Etoile Sportive du Sahel of Tunisia, and warned that the club is ready to invoke all means at its disposal to protect their player from this unwanted act.”

Rangers also said they are not aware of a Benin Republicbased agent Ogunbiyi in this transaction.

Tornadoes ready for NPFL season

N

igeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side, Niger Tornadoes have declared themselves 85% ready for the upcoming 2016/17 top-flight.

The Minna outfit have taken time off to tell other challengers in the top-flight that their ambition is to finish among the top three on the log.

Technical adviser of the side, Abubakar Bala said the side used the immediate past top-flight to learn and perfect the rope to help them compete favourably in the coming elite league.

“We used the last season to study life in the elite division now we are ready for any club either big or small,” said the former FC Lokoja coach.

Bala said the performance of the team during the preseason where the club won four, drew four and lost three matches against established sides have reinforced the confidence of management and players that the new season will be theirs just for the asking.

“We had bitter experience last season but I can assure you that the lapses of the last season will not surface this new season,” said Bala.

Friday, December 23, 2016

EXTRATIME

31

Chelsea future:

Drogba

offers advice to Mikel Bale

Mikel

C

helsea legend, Didier Drogba has offered words of advice to Nigerian midfielder Mikel John Obi over his current situation at English Premier League leaders, Chelsea.

The Super Eagles captain is seemingly heading out of Stamford Bridge as he has failed to force his way into Antonio Conte’s plans this season.

Mikel’s contract runs out at the end of the season and he does not look like getting a new one.

He has not played at all under Conte this season, and will want to get some games under his belt before the campaign is out.

French club, Olympique Marseille are reportedly keen on bringing Mikel into their ranks with the midfielder apparently set to join

the club during the January transfer window.

Mikel has been speaking to his close friend, Drogba about the French side with a view to possibly teaming up with the football club, according to reports.

Drogba impressed for Marseille before Jose Mourinho brought him to Chelsea, where he would eventually have Mikel as a teammate, for £24 million in 2004.

Tennis League: NTF commends NCC, ITA ANDREW EKEJIUBA

T

he Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) has commended the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and International Tennis Academy (ITA) for their support for the development of tennis in the country.

The second edition of the NCC League- a team tennis championship- was concluded Sunday in Lagos with Kadunabased Team Offikwu emerging

winners after beating 2015 champions Tombim of Abuja 4-2.

NTF President, Sani Ndanusa expressed gratitude to the NCC stating that their coming into Nigerian tennis has, among others, provided a platform for tennis players to improve and showcase their talents; build interest in the sport and give recognition to top tennis players through the enticing prize money.

He stated: “It is worthy of note that the NCC League helped Nigeria

to a decent outing at this year’s Davis Cup Euro Africa Group III in Madagascar in July. We were able to retain our place in the group because the NCC League was used as part of our build up for the Davis Cup.” Ndanusa, who revealed that it is being considered by the federation that the winning team automatically gets the nod to represent Nigeria at the Davis Cup, also paid tribute to the International Tennis Academy (ITA) which has Godwin Kienka as its Director.

He noted that aside organizing the NCC League, which is the first of its kind in Africa, the ITA has helped Nigeria solidify its top ranking in junior tennis in Africa as highlighted

by Nigeria’s impressive record in the past few years through ITA several junior programmes.

Team Offikwu got N7 million while runners-up Team Tombim got N5 million. Team Civil Defence pocketed N4 million for placing third while fourth place Team FCT got N2 million.

FIFA Ranking: Nigeria ends

year in 51st spot

Rohr Nigeria ended the year as 51st -ranked football playing nation in the world and 8th in Africa according to the latest FIFA Ranking.

Details of the ranking also showed that Senegal ended this year as the highest ranked African national team, edging Cup of Nations title-holders the Ivory Coast for top spot in the December listings released on Thursday.

Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Ghana and Morocco complete the top 10 compiled by world governing body FIFA. All the countries except Nigeria will be among the 16 challengers for the Africa Cup of Nations title when Gabon stages the 2017 tournament between January 14 and February 5.

Another four qualified teams – Mali, Cameroun, giant killers Guinea-Bissau and Uganda – are among the top 20 ranked teams.

Mashaba sacked

as Bafana Bafana coach

The South African Football Association (SAFA) have announced that Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba has been fired as head coach of Bafana Bafana, with disciplinary measures taken against the 66-year-old.

Mashaba’s future was under the microscope after he lashed out at his employers following the country’s 2-1 win over Senegal in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Polokwane last month.

He was subsequently barred from traveling with the South African national team to Maputo, and has since been shown the exit door.

Published by FOLIO COMMUNICATIONS LTD,

email: info@dailytimes.ng Tel: 08051000448.

Editor Daily: ROSE MOSES

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2016

VOL. 2. NO. 262

Price: N150

Okocha reveals reason for early retirement P 30

News Hotlines: Advert Hotlines: 08086296714

ANDREW EKEJIUBA

T Pinnick

SHOWDOWN! FG orders NFF account

audit

Ï # ƋƑ ƕ ƒƆƏ ƌƆ Ɛ ƕƆƐ Ɛ Ɔ Ɨ Ə Ɔ ƕ Ɔ Ƈ Ə 0 Ɔ Ɛ ƄƈƗ

Ordega joins Sydney FC

A

Ƒ ƐƏ Ƌƈ zéGƆ ƑƆ ƈƗƆ dƕƗ Ɔƕ 0 ƒƆ Ƒ ƅƆƗ Ɛ Ɔ ƈ ƈ Mƈ ƆƏƈ ƈ ƐƆƏ Ɛƈ Ƌ 0Ə ƅƈ ƅ RƏƗƆ ê j Ɔ ƾƢéƕƆ Əé ƋƗ dƑƍƆƏ 0 Ƌƅ ƐƏƈƊƆƏ ƓƈƋƋ ƐƆ ƌ Ƒƍ ƓƈƐ Ɛ Ɔ zƆ ƐƇƈƆƋƗ zéGƆ ƑƆ ƈƗƆ Ƈ Ə Ɛ Ɔ ƏƆƌ ƈ ƗƆƏ Ƈ Ɛ Ɔ ƾƠơÕƃơƣ Ɔ ƇƏ ƌ z ƈ Ɛ dƍƈƏƈƐê RƏƗƆ ƓƈƋƋ ƄƆƅ ƌƆ Ɛ Ɔ ƇƈƏ Ɛ ƇƏƈƅ Ɛ ƇƆ ƐƑƏƆ ƈ Ɛ Ɔ Ƒ ƐƏ Ƌƈ ƋƆ ƑƆ Ɔ ƐƆ ƌ Ƒƍ ƓƈƐ Ɛ Ɔ dƊƕ ƋƑƆ ê d Ɔ ƄƆƆ ƅ ƍƍƆƗ ƾÕ ƐƈƌƆ Ƈ Ə Mƈ ƆƏƈ Ɨ Ɠ ƍ ƏƐ Ƈ Ɛ Ɔ ƇƏƈƅ z ƌƆ M Ɛƈ Ƒƍ ƐƆ ƌ Ɛ Ɛ ƗƆƇƆ ƐƆƗ ƌƆƏ Ƒ ơéƠ Ɛ ƋƈƇƐ Ɛ Ɔ ƐƏ ƍ ƕ Ɔ ƏƋƕ Ɛ ƈ ƌ Ɛ ê j Ɔ ƐƏƈƊƆƏ ƍƆ Ɛ Ɛ Ɔ Ƌ Ɛ ƐƓ Ɔ ƍƋ ƕƈ Ƈ Ə Ɛ Ɔ z ƈ Ɛ dƍƈƏƈƐ ƈ Ɛ Ɔ M Ɛƈ Ƌ z ƌƆ ô d ƅƅƆƏ GƆ ƑƆ æMzdGç ƈ Ɛ Ɔ n ƈƐƆƗ dƐ ƐƆ Ƈ ƌƆƏƈƅ ê Ò9ôƌ ƏƆ ƋƋƕ ƍƋƆ ƆƗ Ɛ ƄƆ ƈ ƈ ƓƈƐ ƅƋƑƄ Ƈ dƕƗ Ɔƕ 0 ô Ɛ ƐƑƏƆèÿ Ɔ ƈƗê Ò9ôƒƆ Ɔ ƏƗ ƏƆ Ɛ Ɛ ƈ Ƅ ƑƐ dƕƗ Ɔƕ 0 Ɨ Ɛ Ɔ zƆ ƐƇƈƆƋƗ zéGƆ ƑƆ Ɨ 9ôƌ ƏƆ ƋƋƕ ƆƔƅƈƐƆƗ Ɛ ƄƆ ƈ Ƒ ƐƏ Ƌƈ Ƈ Ə Ɛ Ɔ ƇƈƏ Ɛ ƐƈƌƆê Ò9ôƒƆ ƍƋ ƕƆƗ ƈ Ɛ Ɛ Ɔ L ƐƈƋƗ Ɨ 9 Ɗ Ɠ Ɛ Ɔ ƎƑ ƋƈƐƕ Ƈ ƍƋ ƕƆƏ Ƒ ƐƏ Ƌƈ ƍƏ ƗƑƅƆê 9 Ɗ Ɠ ƈƐô ƈ Ɛ ƄƆ ƅ ƋƋƆ Ɔ ƍƋ ƕƈ ƈ Ɛ Ɔ zƆ ƐƇƈƆƋƗ zéGƆ ƑƆ ƄƑƐ ƈƐô Ɔ 9ôƌ Ƌ Ɗƈ Ƈ ƏƓ ƏƗ RƏƗƆ Infantino Ɛ êÿ

he Minister of Youth and Sports Barrister Solomon Dalung says he is yet to receive a report of an audited account of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Dalung had directed the NFF to appoint an independent auditor to look into the books of the federation and also provide minutes of nomination by the Congress of its President, Mr Amaju Pinnick to vie for a CAF seat during its Congress on Sunday.

“I received a communique of the Congress which referred to my action as uninformed.

Instead of providing me with the minutes, the Congress went ahead to endorse its president, two weeks after its Secretary General had sent a letter of his nomination to CAF.” The Minister emphasized that government was yet to nominate anybody to contest for the CAF seat.

“The Ministry of Youth and Sports wants to make it clear

that Nigeria has not endorsed anybody to contest. The Ministry will constitute a committee to screen and recommend to government, a suitable candidate who will represent Nigeria”.

Dalung also stated that since the Federation has failed to appoint an independent auditor to audit the accounts of the federation, government has no option than to embark on a full scale investigation of those issues raised at the congress.

“FIFA’s forensic audit has raised concerns about documentation of the federation’s accounts.

19 grave issues were identified in FIFAs audit report which needs to be looked into. The federal government has already set machinery in motion to embark on a full scale investigation of those issues.

“We are committed to getting rid of all obstacles capable of destroying probity, credibility, transparency and accountability in sports administration in Nigeria,” the Minister concluded.

v

Business Times Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 23, 2016

Downstream sector deregulation, key to investment boom Page B2 – Iheanacho

Stakeholders slam Stanbic IBTCH over Q4 2015 results

Page B3

SON arrests two Chinese for importing substandard phones

Page B6

Nigeria launches DSO in Abuja, residents to get 30 free TV channels Tony Nwakaegho After several years of unsuccessful move by past administrations to switch over from analogue to digital broadcasting, the federal government has finally launched the Abuja phase of the Digital Switch Over (DSO), signalling the beginning of the full rollout of digital broadcasting across the federal capital.

Daily Times recalls that Nigeria transited from analogue to digital television viewing on April 30, 2016, in Jos, the Plateau State capital, when it launched the pilot phase of the digital transmission project.

Speaking at the DSO launch yesterday in Abuja, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said the federal government was committed to meeting the 2017 deadline for the DSO, although the DSO would not take place in one fell swoop across the country.

“Let me use this opportunity to reiterate the government’s unwavering commitment to meeting the set deadline of June 2017 for the analogue to digital switchover here in Nigeria. The DSO train that took off in Jos has now arrived in Abuja, from where it is set to move to other parts of the country unhindered.”

The minister, who described the launch as revolutionary in the Nigerian broadcasting ecosystem, said 30 free channels would be available for Abuja residents upon the switch over while over 450,000 Set-Top Boxes (decoders) have been provided for the commencement.

“Our objective is not just to move Nigerians from analogue to digital in a simple technical sense, but to ensure a total overhaul of the whole TV watching experience and the economy around it,” he added.

BUSINESS TIMES Editor Andrew Odioko Head Business Azubike Nnadozie Capital Market Editor Bonny Amadi

Nigerian crude under pressure from oversupply Opeoluwani Akintayo

Following Nigeria’s exemption from the production cut back for members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and resumption of lifting from ExxonMobil’s Qua Iboe terminal, buyers are yet to take up around 30 cargo loads for January, even as the February shipment is about ready.

According to sources, Nigerian crude is now under pressure

from too much supply at the market.

Traders said the Qua Iboe loading for February has still not been issued.

Although some traders may have been allocated cargoes, yet, they said there are still surplus crude yet to be allocated.

They said the reason for the drop in Bonga loadings in February appears to be planned maintenance at the oilfields.

A trader also hinted that Turkey’s Tupras wants to buy West

African crude, mostly Nigerian grades.

Tupras tender is for cargoes delivered on Feb. 1-10.

Also, Indian refiner BPCL, is running a tender to buy crude loading Jan. 26 to Feb. 5, including Agbami, Akpo, Yoho, Brass River and Qua Iboe. It closes on Dec. 22.

New report also said Bonga field will be shut down for one month starting from mid-February 2017.

Sources said the shut-down

6,000 lose maritime jobs in 2016

Joy Ekeke

No fewer than 6,000 maritime workers have lost their jobs, with many companies folding up.

The President-General of Maritime Workers Union in Nigeria (MWUN), Mr. Emmanuel Anthony Nted, who disclosed this, said that several shipping companies had also relocated to other countries in the last year due to the recession in the country.

Speaking at the union’s National Executive Council (NEC)

and Special Delegates Conference in Lagos, Nted lamented that the union was facing a very difficult task of protecting the jobs of members in all branches.

According to Nted, where Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and Condition of Services negotiations are due for a review, the union is now forced to accept marginal increases, where possible, and trade-off increment with the withdrawal of redundancy threats.

He said: “The economic recession is really biting the union

very hard. I feel sad to say that over 6000 members of our union have lost their jobs since the recession began and much more are facing job insecurity.”

In his speech on the occasion, the Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, said the management of the agency had approved the training of 1,200 seafarers.

According to him, seafarers of different categories who are members of the MWUN will be trained in four major accredited

schedule is due to maintenance upgrade.

The Bonga fields produce 10 percent of Nigeria’s oil capacity, with approximately 200,000 barrel of oil equivalence (boe) a day and 150 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) of gas a day.

Operated by Shell Nigeria which owns 55 percent of the license, the field located in License block OML 118 off the Nigerian coast, covers approximately 60 km2 in an average water depth of 1,000 metres (3,300 ft).

NIMASA institutes in the country in the first quarter of 2017.

The director-general, who was represented by the Director, Labour and Maritime Services, Mrs. Juliana Gunwa, said the agency had inaugurated a National Joint Industrial Committee for the review of salaries of seafarers and dockworkers.

He said that the objective was to ensure that Nigerian seafarers and dockworkers earn decent wages and equally enjoy other welfare packages like

Business News B2

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 23 , 2016

L – R shows Olumide Orojimi, Head, Corporate Communications, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE); Boluwatiwi Omidiji, CSR Analyst, NSE; Favour Femi-Oyewole, Head, Information Security, NSE; Michael A. Sunbola, Founder/President, Lagos Food Bank Initiative; Edidiong Etuk, Learning & Development Analyst, NSE; Pai Gamde, Head, Human Resources, NSE; Clifford Akpolo, Digital Marketing Manager, NSE; Rosemary Amagbor, Executive Assistant to The Chief Executive Officer, NSE and Yusuf Funmilayo, Administrative Secretary, Lagos Food Bank Initiative at the 2016 NSE Employee Give-back Initiative donation to Lagos Food Bank Initiative on Thursday.

NCC charges operators to improve services Tony Nwakaegho The Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) has charged telecoms operators in the country to strengthen the Quality of Service (QoS) on their various networks as festive activities build up this Yuletide.

NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Danbatta, made the call during the grand finale of the NCC-Sponsored Telecoms Cup Tennis Tournament in Lagos, stressing that the yuletide was not like any other period of the year in terms of service usage.

Danbatta, who was represented by a Deputy Director at the Commission Secretariat, Mr. Jerry Ugwu, charged operators to be prepared to fully cater for subscribers’ reliance on voice, data and short messaging service (SMS) in the period, adding that festive period would always witness increased traffic on telecoms networks.

According to him, “NCC’s message on a good Quality of Service (QoS) is always consistent to serve the interest of all - operators, subscribers, and stakeholders, despite the fact that the players are believed to know the dynamics of the market and understand the demand flow as well.

“This is a period that traffic is higher and so, operators must be prepared to meet the demand because it brings business to them, and they too would not be happy should the bad quality of service lead subscribers to deserting their (operators’) networks,” he said.

Bonny Amadi, Afolabi Adesola More companies are positioning to delist from the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the latest being Ashaka Cement Company Plc. Shareholders of the company recently at its Extraordinary ordinary general Meeting (EGM) in Abuja on recently ,approved the proposed voluntarily delisting of the Ashaka Cement from the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

The shareholders gave the approval at an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held in Abuja.

Following the EGM, shareholders of the company will have a 90-day window as specified by NSE rules on voluntary delisting to decide on the exit plan on offer to shareholders. As proposed by the Board of Directors and passed by shareholders at the EGM. According to the company, shareholders may exit the company within the regulatory 90 days period prior to the official del-

AshakaCem shareholders endorse voluntary delisting from NSE isting of the company by either trading their shares on the NSE through their nominated stockbroker or receive 57 shares of Lafarge Africa Plc in exchange for 202 Ashaka Cement shares and a cash consideration of N2 per every AshakaCem exchanged.

With the Voluntary Delisting of AshakaCem, the Directors of the Company through a noticed filed with the NSE said will be exercising a regulatory provision that will shield the Company from any enforcement action that the Exchange may effect, for example by way of a Regulatory Delisting in light of the outstanding Free Float deficiency. Furthermore, through the Voluntary Delisting process, the Company will be providing an Exit Opportunity to minority shareholders who do

Edelman appoints Chain Reactions as Nigerian Affiliate Edelman, a leading global communications marketing firm, has announced that it has signed on Chain Reactions Nigeria, one of Nigeria’s most vibrant PR firms, as its exclusive affiliate in the country following a one-year strategic partnership. The affiliation further expands Edelman’s existing operation outside its South African office, located in Johannesburg.

“Our decision to partner exclusively with Chain Reactions Nigeria was informed by the team’s unique understanding

of the Nigerian market, the richness of the strategic thinking and the creativity behind their work,” said Robert Holdheim, CEO, Edelman South Asia, Middle East & Africa. “The addition of Chain Reactions Nigeria into Edelman’s network of exclusive affiliates further enhances our ability to provide seamless, strategic communications marketing support across the African continent.”

Commenting on the news of Edelman’s decision, Israel Opayemi, MD/Chief Strategist of Chain Reactions Nigeria, said,

“Our admission into Edelman’s affiliate network is an important milestone in our growth trajectory. It is the kind of bestof-breed partnership we have always desired. Our current and prospective clients can anticipate a balance of best-in-class services backed by Edelman’s international reach and expertise.

Our affiliation with Edelman will continue to raise the bar of creativity and excellence in all that we do. Edelman’s global resources will propel us to do more of the creative work we have been known for in Nigeria.”

not wish to remain in an unlisted company.

Over the last 5 years, the company noted that there is little or no trading activity with only 0.20% of the shares held by the minority shareholders being traded. There has also been a measurable fall in trading volumes over the last twelve (12) months from 200,090 units in 2015 to 77,810 units in the same period in 2016.

“Neither the Company nor any shareholders are benefiting from the continued listing as shareholders are not getting any exit opportunity and their investments have been locked up and they find it difficult to dispose of their shareholding. Moreover, the Company is bearing unnecessary cost in complying with its listing obligations.

The Exit Consideration provides all shareholders the opportunity to benefit from the more diversified earnings of Lafarge Africa Plc.” the statement read

Downstream sector deregulation, key to investment boom – Iheanacho Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho, Chairman, Integrated Oil and Gas Ltd, on Thursday said that full deregulation of the downstream sector remained the best option to attract investors for market development.

Iheanacho who said this in an with newsmen in Lagos against the backdrop of the huge debt being owed marketers by Federal Government added that full liberalisation and deregulation of Nigeria’s downstream oil sector, with removal of all hindrances and bottle necks was needed for the improvement of private investment and market competitiveness, According to him, we should note that there is no provision

of subsidy payment in the 2017 budget, which calls for government to fully deregulate the downstream sector to attract investors.

“We need full deregulation of the downstream sector. We do not need partial deregulation.

“I do not understand the socalled price modulation we are seeing and how it can work because presently, it is not working.

“Government should move from uncertainty to certainty.

We have a situation where prices are capped on one hand.

“Market prices in Nigeria and international market prices are outside the control of our local policy.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 23, 2016

NSE lauds Nigerian Breweries for obeying market rules Afolabi Adesola The Chief Executive of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) Mr. Oscar Onyema, has commended Nigerian Breweries for commitment to listing rules.

This commendation came when the management of the brewers visited the exchange for the closing gong ceremony on Wednesday in Lagos.

Onyema commended the company on its 70th anniversary, and for winning the Most-Compliant Listed Company award for the year. He described the company as a good corporate citizen which has shown a good example to other listed company companies on the Exchange.

The award is given by the NSE to a company that demonstrates the highest degree of compliance with the rules and regulations regarding disclosure obligations of listed companies on the exchange in a particular year.

Onyema noted that as CEO of the exchange, part of his agenda is to consolidate his relationship with quoted companies on the exchange and to ensure

Market capitalization appreciates over N16bn Adesola Afolabi

Jamodu

the exchange continues to be a more robust platform that will attract the confidence of local and foreign investors. He also explained that Nigerian Breweries was qualified to join the NSE’s Premium Board, the listing segment for the elite group of issuers that meet the most stringent corporate governance and listing standards.

Chairman of Nigerian Breweries, Chief Kola Jamodu, who led the company’s team to the exchange, lauded Onyema for his development strides since he assumed office. He reiterated that corporate governance remains the only tool to increase the credibility and urged the NSE to continue with improvements in that regard.

B3 Capital Market

Stocks reversed a three-day bearish run to post a growth in market value by N16.1 billion on Thursday.

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) market capitalization grew by N16.1 billion to close the day at N9.106 trillion, while the NSE All-Share Index (ASI) added 0.18 percent to close at 26,464.82.

The five most-traded shares were Diamond Bank with 35.5 million

units valued at N31.9 million. Sterling Bank followed with 20.7 million units worth N15.7 million, while FBN Holdings came third with 15.5 million shares worth N54.4 million.

Transcorp was the fourth most-traded, with 14.1 million shares worth N12 million, while UCAP came fifth having traded 12.3 million shares amounting to N34.1 million.

Market breadth remained strong as 18 gain-

ers were paired against 13 losers, Forte Oil led the gainers with 10.24 percent to close at N94.22 per share, Beta Glass followed with a growth of 10.21 percent to close at N31.83 per share and Conoil added 10.20 percent to close at N39.45 per share. Livestock Feeds appreciated 5 percent to close at 84 kobo per share, while Cement Company of Northern Nigeria grew 4.75 percent to close at N4.63 per share.

On the flip side, Presco recorded a 4.74 percent

Stakeholders slam Stanbic IBTCH over Q4 2015 results

... As restated 2014 result shows -46% and -39% in PAT/PBT

Summary of activities on NSE ASI DEALS VOLUME VALUE CAP

26,464.82 3,161.00 188,684,209.00 1,387,815,478.30 9,105,919,249,995.67

Neimeth rewards shareholders with bonus

By Afolabi Adesola Neimeth International Pharmaceutical Plc is to give a one-for-ten share bonus to shareholders whose names appear on its register as at January 31, 2017.

In a notice to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Thursday, the

company noted this was an addition to the financial statement disclosure for the year ended September 30, 2016.

However, the company will not be paying any dividend if shareholders approve the proposal at its annual general meeting on February 7, 2017.

decline to lead the losers chart having closed at N40.01 per share. Honeywell Flour dropped 4.65 percent to close at N1.23 per share, even as Wapic Insurance fell 3.85 percent to close at 50 kobo per share. International Breweries depreciated 3.67 percent to close at N17.30 per share while Transcorp lost 2.27 percent to close at 86 kobo per share.

The day’s transactions, executed in 3,161 deals, showed investors moved 188.7 million shares, a 55 percent decline from 421.2 million shares exchanged in the previous session, while value traded fell to N1.4 billion fromN10.1 billion traded previously.

Jim Obazee

Bonny Amadi, Afolabi Adesola Cross section of stakeholders of the Nigerian capital market has expressed displeasure on the position of Stanbic IBTC Holdings that no conference call or comment is allowed preceding the release of its long awaited 2015 financial year result, which was delivered eight days to 2017.

This, stakeholders said, upsets investors as Stanbic is yet to report Q1 – Q3 2016 results. The expected results will convey further weight than the 2015 results, given the sector’s worsening fundamentals.

Some stock brokers who spoke to Daily Times

Sola David Borha Stanbic IBTC

on condition of anonymity said that the conference call if allowed would give inroad into the result and other issues which investors may want clarification on to equip them for a future investment decision.

Delay in the release of the holding company’s results which has incurred 10 months of sanction from the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Daily Times recalls, was due to the dispute SIBTCH had with the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC), which the company said has now been resolved.

However, following the resolution, there was no further explanation provided by the company as to the resolution reached.

To worsen the anxiety of shareholders, the management of the company also emphasized that there would be no conference calls to discuss the results.

“We find this disappointing,” a stock broker stated.

The restated profit before tax (PBT) and profit after tax (PAT) are 6-8 percent higher than the previous numbers. The full year PBT figure shows a decline of -46 percent while the PAT is down -39 per cent over the year.

The results which were ahead of expectations with PBT and PAT of N8.3bn and N4.4bn were however lifted further by lower-than-expected loan loss provisions.

Profit before provisions was N26.4billion Along

with the resolution reached with the FRC, Stanbic also restated its 2014 financials.

The restated PBT and PAT are 6-8 percent higher than the previous numbers. The full year PBT figure shows a decline of -46 per cent y/y while the PAT is down -39 per cent y/y.

The driver behind the declines, the loan loss provisions line which shows a marked 364 per cent on year basis (y/y) representing an increase to N14.9billion.

With regards to the actual Q4 provisions, Essentially the high levels of provisions for the full year can be traced to what Stanbic had already reported in the 9M period.

Meanwhile, in a statement to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Thursday on the resolution with FTC, Stanbic informed that the release of FY2015 financial result followed the acceptable settlement reached by both parties, thus FRC authorized the company’s external auditors, Messrs. and KPMG Professional Services to sign 2015 audited financial statements.

“In the light of the foregoing and having received all required regulatory approvals, we would be presenting the 2015 audited financial statements to The NSE through the Issuer Portal for onward transmission to the market, as well as a subsequent publication as required by law,” the statement read.

B4

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 23, 2016

B5

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 23, 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 Tick er V olu m e (m) DIA M O N D BN K 35.5 STERLN B A N K 20.7 FBN H 15.5 TRA NSC ORP 14.1 UC AP 12.3 U NILEVER 10.8 ST A NBIC 10.3 CH A MPIO N 8.3 FC M B 7.4 INTBRE W 6.5

To p 10 G ain ers

s Nig eria n e q uities reb o u n d e d fro m a 3-d ay losin g stre a k as t h e A ll Sh are In d ex a d d e d 18b ps t o close a t 26,464.82 poin ts. A lso, m ark e t ca pit aliz a tio n exp a nd e d N16.1b n t o se t tle a t N9.1 t n a n d YTD loss e ased t o 7.6 % . M ark e t p erf orm a nce w as m ainly drive n by a ren e w e d in t erest in O il & G as co u n t ers such as F O RTE (+10.2 %), C O N O IL (+10.2 %), a n d O A N D O (+4.3 %) w hich h a d b e e n sig nifica n tly b e a t e n by pro fit t a k ers in t h e last t hre e sessio ns. O n t he co n trary, m ark e t activity d eclin e d as volu m e a n d valu e tra d e d f ell by 55.2 % a n d 86.2 % t o se t tle a t 188.7m u nits a n d N1.4b n resp ectively.

M ix e d Se c t o r Pe r f o r m a n c e Perf orm a nce across sect ors w as mixe d as 2 sect ors a dva nce d w hile 3 d eclin e d.

Th e O il & G as in d ex b uck e d t h e n e g a tive tre n d, reco upin g 2.5 % as invest or t o o k p ositio ns in F O RTE (+10.2 %) a n d C O N O IL (+10.2 %). Th e In d ustrial G o o ds

(+0.2 %)

in d ex

f ollo w e d

suit

on

acco u n t

of

g ains

Tick er FO BET A GLAS C O N OIL LIVEST O CK NE M CCN N N A HC O U A C-PROP O ANDO NEIM ETH To p 10 Losers

Price (N) 94.22 31.83 39.45 0.84 0.88 4.63 2.44 2.28 4.38 0.78

Price Ch g % 10.2 % 10.2 % 10.2 % 5.0 % 4.8 % 4.8 % 4.7 % 4.6 % 4.3 % 4.0 %

Tick er PRESC O H O N YFLO UR W APIC INTBRE W TRA NSC ORP TRA NSEXPR C AP AIIC O AIRSERVICE UB A

Price (N) 40.01 1.23 0.50 17.30 0.86 1.00 31.00 0.60 2.43 4.55

Price Ch g % -4.7 % -4.7 % -3.8 % -3.7 % -2.3 % -2.0 % -1.9 % -1.6 % -1.2 % -1.1 %

Price Ch g % 2.2 % 3.8 % 2.9 % -2.3 % 0.0 % 0.0 % 0.0 % 0.0 % 2.8 % -3.7 %

To p 10 Tr a d es b y V alu e Tick er U NILEVER ST A NBIC INTBRE W NB ZENITHB A N K G UIN NESS FO G U ARA N TY FBN H BET A GLAS

V alu e (m) 377.2 146.2 113.2 82.3 74.1 57.9 56.0 55.8 54.4 38.2

Price Ch g % 0.0 % 0.0 % -3.7 % 0.0 % 0.0 % 1.4 % 10.2 % -0.6 % 2.9 % 10.2 %

NSE A ll Sh ar e In d e x

29,000

NSE All Share Index

Naira Value (m)

12,000

in BET A GL ASS (+10.2) a nd CC N N (+4.8 %). Co n trarily t h e Ba n kin g a nd Insura nce

in dices

lost

0.1 %

a piece

due

to

d eclin es

in U B A (-

1.1 %), G U A R A N T Y (-0.6 %), W A PIC (-3.8 %) a n d A IIC O (-1.6 %) w hile losses in H O N Y FL O UR (-4.7 %) a nd IN TBRE W (-3.8 %) e nsure d t he Co nsu m er g o ods in d ex close d t h e d ay 3b ps lo w er.

28,000

10,000

27,000 8,000 26,000 6,000

In v est o r Se n t i m e n t Im p r o v e s

25,000

Invest or sen tim e n t im prove d as m arke t bre a d t h st o o d a t 1.4x fro m

u p tra d es t o b ala nce t h eir b o o ks f or t h e ye ar.

22-Dec

19-Dec

16-Dec

13-Dec

10-Dec

07-Dec

04-Dec

01-Dec

28-Nov

25-Nov

`

22-Nov

19-Nov

w e e k. W e f orese e a similar tre n d t o m orro w as p ort f olio invest ors b e gin m o p

22,000 16-Nov

u nsurprisin g give n t h e n e g a tive tre n d t h a t p ersist e d since t h e st art o f t he

13-Nov

a n d W A PIC (-3.8 %) w ere t he w orst p erf orm ers. Y est erd ay s p erf orm a nce is

2,000

23,000

10-Nov

H O N Y FL O UR (-4.7 %)

07-Nov

F O RTE (+10.2 %), BET A GL A S (+10.2 %)

04-Nov

w ere

w hile PRESC O (-4.7 %),

01-Nov

st ocks

a n d C O N O IL (+10.2 %)

29-Oct

p erf ormin g

26-Oct

1.3x yest erd ay a f t er 18 st ocks a dva nce d a g ainst 13 d eclinin g st ocks. Th e b est

4,000 24,000

M a cr o e c o n o m ic G ist Th e Fe d eral G overn m e n t is said t o re w ard W histle blo w ers 5 % o f recovere d

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 shNare old ers. e t hInco m e In ef f ect, t h e users/m e m b ers exch a n g e t h eir rig h ts o f use f or sh ares in t h e d e m u t u aliz e d com p a ny

lo o t if t h ey are t o provid e in f orm a tio n le a ding t o t he recovery o f f u n ds. This w as disclose d in a st a t e m e n t by t h e M i nist er o f Fin a nce, M rs. K e mi A d e osu n.

If t h ere is a volu n tary re t urn o f st ole n or co nce ale d p u blic f u n ds or asse ts o n t h e acco u nt o f t h e in f orm a tio n provid e d, t h e w histle blo w er m ay b e e n title d t o a ny w h ere b e t w e e n 2.5 % (minim um) a nd 5 % (m axim u m) o f

Re f ers t o t he t o t al reve n u e in a n acco u n tin g p eriod less a ny exp e nses rela tin g t o t h a t p erio d.

rm a tio n it d o es n o t alre a dy h ave a n d co uld n o t o t h er w ise o b t ain fro m a ny o t h er p u blicly avail a ble

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 23, 2016

B6 Industry

SON arrests two Chinese for importing substandard phones Stories by Charles Okonji The Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) has arrested two Chinese nationals for importing fake and substandard mobile phones into the country.

Engr. Bede Obayi, Director, Inspectorate and Compliance (SON), stated that the agency has continued to receive numerous complaints about the phones from unsuspecting consumers in the country.

Obayi, during an enforcement exercise in Lagos, said “We have information on the activities of these Chinese people who are operating this KZG mobile here in Ikeja, Lagos that people are complaining about the quality of their products and SON has to ensure that the quality of products sold in Nigeria is in compliance with the Nigeria industrial standards.”

Obayi said the Managing Director of the company who refused to talk to the press had earlier accepted responsibility for the importation of the substandard phones into Nigeria.

“His attitude shows that he knows what they are doing here and they are not ready to talk, they are not willing to divulge information about what they are doing here and their major warehouses. Based on the information we have gathered and what we found on ground in the office and the documentation of importation indicates that he is one of the leading suppliers of sub-standard phones in Nigeria,” Obayi said.

He added: “We decided to take this action because such phones could have lots of hazardous effect dangerous to human health. SON has the SONCAP certificate for the products imported into the country, while the products manu-

LCCI financial services group elects new chairman The Financial Services Group (FSG) of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has elected Mrs. Mojisola Bakare to take charge of its affairs for the next two years.

Mrs. Bakare holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the Lagos State University and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Bangor University, Bangor, North Wales.

She is an elected member of the Governing Council of the Chartered Institute

of Bankers of Nigeria with over 26 years post-graduation work experience, out of which 24years has been in banking.

Director General, LCCI, Mr. Muda Yusuf, said: ‘’We are very pleased as Mrs. Mojisola Bakare assumes the role of Chairman, LCCI Financial Services Group.

Her election will ensure and enhance the Chamber’s role as a leading advocate of best business practice and principles in the operations and regulation of the financial services sector.”

Mrs. Mojisola Bakare, Chairman, Financial Services Group (FSG) of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).

Two Chinese national; Mr Cai Zhihui, Managing Director, ZYG and his partner, Mr Young Lam handed over to the police by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, for importing substandard phones into Nigeria at the weekend. factured in Nigeria must have MANCAP. We have seen here that these people are not genuine manufacturers, Nigerian who are using the products have

complained to us about the products, therefore SON has decided to clamp down on them.”

He noted that apart from sealing their warehouse,

there would be a campaign to alert consumers about the dangers of using these substandard phones.

He noted that the two alleged suspects have been

handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution, adding that the new SON Act has given the agency power to prosecute erring importers.

BoI empowers corps members with GEF Concerned about the increasing rate of unemployment especially amongst the nation’s teeming unemployed youths, the Bank of Industry (BoI) has empowered National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in the country with its Graduate Entrepreneurship Fund (GEF-2).

The fund was launched last year in partnership with the NYSC as one of BOI’s initiatives to tackle youth unemployment in Nigeria, and encourage graduates of tertiary institutions to become employers of labour rather than job seekers.

Mr. Waheed Olagunju, BoI’s acting Managing Director, said the scheme addresses the entrepreneurship capacity gap of NYSC members, deepen financial inclusion by substantially de-risking the corps members, and make them more eligible for small business loans, and ensures the sustainability of the businesses of the graduates through effective monitoring.

He noted that the first phase of the scheme recorded a total of 896 partici-

pants at the 3-day capacity building programme held in November 2015 at seven designated training centres across the country. At the end of the training, 361 candidates submitted requests for N695.16 million spanning 27 out of the 40 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) product clusters identified by BOI, he added.

“Subsequently, N439.8 million was approved for 260 candidates, and 140 projects have so far been fully implemented with N194.4 million disbursed. These young Nigerians have not only taken themselves out of the job markets, but have become employers of labour such that their businesses have created 560 direct jobs and over 2,000 indirect jobs,” Olagunju stressed.

He pointed out that in order to achieve these objectives, the programme was structured as an integration of capacity building and funding in three stages.

The stages include careful selection/screening of the corps members through an online business ideas com-

petition administered by BoI, four days intensive entrepreneurship training on generating a business idea, and basic financial record keeping and soft loans for those with viable business ideas.

The BoI helmsman stated that the GEF demonstrated how the energy and the resourcefulness of young Nigerians can be harnessed and deployed into productive ventures for the benefit of the economy at large.

Olagunju noted that the robustness of the programme and resources channelled into the review process of the business plans submitted by the participants led to the selection of potentially viable and bankable projects that are being implemented by these young Nigerians.

“Contrary to insinuations from many, these young Nigerians have remained committed to servicing their loans while the Bank has also been providing needed support, including market access.

The successes recorded, as highlighted, have further reinforced BoI’s commit-

ment to youth empowerment programmes and encouraged the Bank to commence the second edition of the programme,” he stressed.

He said in the second edition, 976 candidates have been shortlisted for the capacity building aspect of the programme, which is taking place simultaneously in seven centres across the six geopolitical zones of the country and Lagos, saying that despite the success recorded in the first edition, the Bank noted various challenges that were encountered by the candidates in the first edition.

He stated that some of the challenges faced in the first edition were inability of some candidates to obtain information germane to producing bankable businesses, as proposals to be implemented are in locations different from the state of candidates’ places of primary assignment, the technical know-how of some candidates were insufficient for their proposed projects and required further skill acquisition .

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 23, 2016

B7 Real sector digest

How SMEs can survive recession - Osa-Afiana Stories by Siaka MOMOH The pioneer MD of BOI and faculty member LBS at GroFin End- of –Year Customer Forum 2016 advised: ‘No cutting cost across borders. Remove unnecessary ones and increase some if need be. Capital expenditure should be done when there is opportunity to grow.’

SMEs in Nigeria can survive the current biting recession by adopting effectively cost-cutting and revenue generation strategies, Dr Larry Osa-Afiana, pioneer managing director, Bank of Industry and currently faculty member, Lagos Business School, said recently in Lagos, at Grofin Nigeria’s end–of-year Customer Award Forum.

Osa-Afiana explained the impact of recession on SMEs varies from company to company and that cost-cutting during recession should be rationalized.

Said he: “No cutting cost across borders. Remove unnecessary ones and increase some if need be. Capital expenditure should

be done when there is opportunity to grow.”

He added that “cash-flow is important” and that “the SME should get a handle on this”.

“SMEs should look at credit and cash collection in the system.

There should be no carrying of stocks; they should reduce investment in stocks to free cash,” he argued.

Regarding revenue generation strategy, Osa-Asa-Afiana advised SMEs should “think growth in recession, optimise sales, and reach for unique targets that they are not reaching”. He advised “SMEs should constantly monitor their environment”.

Osa-Afiana also discussed the Group Approach which, according to him, “is not practised here”. He explained: “In Europe, SMEs share resources – training facilities, recruitment facilities, etc. This helps to reduce cost and promote partnership and it is critical to surviving recession.”

For him, SMEs should engage in advocacy for government support and intervention “but

evaluation should be properly defined, and such evaluation can come either by way of financial measures; support should go with responsibility”.

He explained, “There is no free lunch, support is not handout.

China subsidise interest rates but farmers are made to sign agreements on what to deliver at the end of the season. Government can be made to simplify the legal environment; consultancy services can be subsidised.” For him, “We will come through this.

Let us hope we have learnt our lesson because we can always have another recession”.

He had his thumb up for the robustness of the client base of GroFin which spreads across sectors such as accountancy, agriculture, light manufacturing, law practice, oil and gas, event management, printing and publishing, education, cosmetics, telecoms, consultancy, etc.

GroFin is a pioneering development financier specialising in financing and supporting small and growing businesses (SGBs)

across Africa and the Middle East. GroFin combines patient capital and specialised business support to grow emerging market enterprises. By generating employment, strengthening value chains and building markets, its investments bring about inclusive growth and improved living conditions in low and middle income countries.

GroFin was formally set up in 2004 but grew out of the RAPS group of companies that have been investing in SMEs since 1999. From the outset, it focused on providing finance to help small and growing businesses to develop, but also provides integrated business support to underserved entrepreneurs who find it difficult to get the support they need.

According to Gwen AbiolaOloke, GroFin’s Investment Director West Africa, GroFin manages ten funds and programmes on behalf of more than 30 international development finance institutions, development organisations, foundations, large com-

How we’re faring with economy - FDC Headline Inflation creeps up to 18.48% The Headline inflation rate (YoY) increased to 18.48% in the month of November. This is line with direction of our forecast and within the margin of error.

The increase in November is 0.18% higher than the inflation rate of 18.3% in October. This slower pace of increase in consumer prices reinforces the argument that base year effects are finally tapering. The rate of 18.48% in November is the highest level in 11 years.

A further breakdown of the data showed a deceleration of

the month-on month inflation to 0.78% (9.8% when annualized).

This suggests a likely convergence in the monthly inflation and headline rate.

NBS November Consumer Price Breakdown The food and non-food baskets both recorded increases. The food index rose to 17.19% with imported food items, meat, bread and cereals, fish contributing the most to the increase in the food basket. The core sub-index rose by 0.1% to 18.2% in November due to increases in major divisions such as housing, electric-

ity, water, gas, fuels, lubricants and education. Rural and urban inflation also recorded increases, with the rural and urban indexes rising to 17.1% and 20.07% in November from 19.91% and 16.95%, respectively in October.

Immediate Impact on Markets Right now, the immediate impact of November inflation figures will most likely be its utilization in the negotiations of a minimum wage rate increase that often take place at the end of the year. It is likely that a 30% upward revision may be pushed for next year and as such trade

unions and employees would be looking closely at the rate of inflation.

Outlook Producers and traders are in for a bleak Christmas as consumers groan due to high prices with no corresponding increase in their real wage earnings. As such consumers are revising their expectations and spending patterns to fit this new reality.

Price movement in December is likely to mirror that of November with an increase in prices but at a subdued rate.

panies and private funders with committed funding of more than US$500 million; it has 15 offices in 14 countries across Africa and the Middle East, employing more than 130 employees.

For her, “The important thing is for the customer and the lender to understand which partners they should be working with at a particular time in their life circle. In GroFin, we have businesses within particular sizes that require particular sizes of funding. Our funding range between $1.5 million Small and Growing Business Fund (SGB) and $3 million Growth Fund (for the Niger Delta)” .

She explained, “We have to derisk the SMEs that come to us when they cannot access conventional finance. These make up the missing middle that has no structure to approach conventional finance. It takes these SMEs six years to grow out of us. We don’t want businesses to stay with us forever; it is our joy to see them exit and continue with their growth.”

BoI reveals N10b agro-equipment loan scheme The Bank of Industry (BoI), in collaboration with its development partners, has unveiled a-N10 billion agro-equipment loan for agricultural service providers and farmers.

BoI said with better access to credit to fund the acquisition of agro equipment, there would be improved efficiency and production output in the sector.

Waheed Olagunju the bank’s, acting managing director/CEO, said applicants under the scheme are categorised into micro, small and medium schemes.

102 bags of plastic rice intercepted by Customs in Lagos The Nigeria Customs Service, Ikeja unit, has intercepted 102 bags of plastic rice branded “Beat Tomato Rice’’ with no date of manufacture.

Mohammed Haruna, Customs Area Controller of F.O.U. Comptroller made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Lagos.

He said that the commodity was stored for distribution as Yuletide gifts for the public.

Haruna said that officers of the unit intercepted the plastic rice along Ikeja area on Monday, adding that a suspect was arrested in connection with the seizure.

“Before now, I thought it was a rumour that the plastic rice is all over the country but with this seizure, I have been totally convinced that such rice exists.

“We have done the preliminary analysis on the plastic rice. After boiling, it was sticky and only

God knows what would have happened if people consumed it.

“I advise those economic saboteurs who see Yuletide season as a peak period for nefarious acts to desist from such illegal business.

“The unit has decided other operational modalities that will give them a run for their monies and count their losses,” NAN quoted the controller as saying.

He described smuggling as a

global phenomenon, adding that such act could not be curbed entirely but could be brought to its barest minimum.

Haruna appreciated wellmeaning Nigerians who provided the service with prompt information that led to the discovery of the bags of plastic rice.

The controller, however, advised the media to educate the public on the existence of plastic rice, adding that it was no longer

a rumour.

Haruna assured Nigerians that the distribution point of the particular plastic rice seized by the unit had been blocked with immediate effect.

He said that investigation was still ongoing.

The controller said the unit would hand over the plastic rice to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control for proper investigation.

Siaka Momoh, a media consultant, is publisher of The Real Sector monthly digital magazine and Realsectornow.com. Contact:siakamomoh@yahoo.com; 08061396410

Entrepreneurship B8

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 23, 2016

Entitlement, a silent killer of business: Entitlement is a stealthy and dangerous virus that has a widespread and abundant impact in your business. Often it becomes so rampant and normal that multi-unit franchisee owners do not even know there are any entitlement issues going on right in front of them.

Let’s start with understanding entitlement. Simply, it is when an individual believes they deserve to be treated differently than the rest of those around them.

In business, entitlement exists when an employee or senior executive believes they should receive better or different treatment than their co-workers. There are a number of examples, but there are a few that have significant impact.

If this behavior is not addressed, you can expect to see additional means of justification present themselves. It can show as a lack of teamwork and performance as compared to others, as selling themselves as the critical ingredient to the team/business instead of part of the business. Even worse, it can show in interactions with customers.

This is especially critical if the long-term employee is disgruntled or does not feel as if they are getting the pay, benefits, or recognition they deserve.

Entitlement, regardless of source, can silently kill your business from the inside out. The individuals that feel privileged carry themselves with an overly confident attitude. They often take on more authority on decision-making than their role encompasses and will make statements or pass judgment to others as if they are speaking on the owner’s behalf. This may harmfully sway the opinions of other team members and can cause low morale.

An entitled attitude can also bring fraudulent activities against your business.

This is especially true if the

franchise owner has placed more trust in a long-term employee that knows their way around the system and knows how to manipulate process/procedure or the owner.

Overcoming or protecting you and your business from this form of entitlement is not always easy. There is often a sense of obligation to long-term employees because they have devoted their careers to you. The reality of the situation is that tenure does not dictate dedication or give a pass on performance. To combat this type of behavior, ensure your performance reviews

include criteria to balance out the perceived “tenure power.” Here are some examples on how to ensure you are setting the tone of equality in your franchise: Address the issue! When the long-term employee makes statements about their time devoted or their dedication, address it. Saying nothing is not an option as it gives the employee a false sense of being right.

However, if you respond with a simple statement that clarifies tenure does not dictate the level of loyalty, you usually stop it in its tracks.

Institute performance measures that are quantitative.

One example is with the long-time employee - the one that has been with your organisation the longest and has “tenure.” It is very common in this scenario for an employee to have a sense of privilege. They justify the fact that they are the most seasoned employee with the organisation, and even because of their invested time, they are “carry the load” for the organisation.

This means that everyone is reviewed and analysed across the same performance criteria. Sometimes you find that the entitled employee does not work as hard as their co-workers because they have justified they have proven themselves to you. Design a recognition program. Employee of the month programs or programs that recognise employee contributions throughout the year go a long way in putting everyone on the playing field. Be an owner, not a friend. Longtime employees are like family in the business. They have been with you for a significant amount of time.

However, just like working with family in the business, you must be the owner and/ or a “performance coach” instead of the friend while working. This helps to create clear boundaries while maintaining relationships outside of work.

Though entitlement has many aspects and presents itself in an ever-expanding variety of ways, there are some common characteristics that include: the attitude of being special, being owed something, refusing to accept responsibility, making excuses, deferring of blame, and lacking an understanding of the impact of ones’ behavior on others.

LOCATION - Buying Franchise: When you need to worry about location Let me start off by sharing my view on “location, location, location.”

While it is true that securing a great franchise location can be critical to your success, it’s only one of many things that can contribute to your ultimate success as a franchise owner.

Most of the people I work with me, who use my franchise ownership advisory services, bring up “location” pretty early on in our discussions. They are really focused on getting a good location for their yet-to-bechosen franchise business.

While the importance of

choosing and ultimately having a good location can and sometimes does dictate the success of a franchise business, it’s a massive waste of time for my clients (and you) to allow locationrelated thoughts to occupy a lot of your time as you try to find that perfect franchise opportunity.

Tip: Don’t obsess, worry, or even think about location until you decide on a specific franchise and you are towards the end of your research process.

Should I trust the franchisor to pick a good franchise location? In a word: yes! Of

course.

Why wouldn’t you trust the franchisor to help you secure a good great location for your franchise business?

Don’t you think they want you to succeed, Stop with the paranoia. Don’t listen to people that have “heard” of franchisors that have purposely picked bad locations for their franchisees.

Here’s why it behooves of you to ignore petty comments like that: The more you make, the more the franchisor makes If you become the owner of a franchise business, you’ll be sending in a

monthly royalty cheques to the franchisor. It could be 4 to 10 percent of gross sales. So, if your franchise does 40 million Naira in annual sales, and the royalty is 6 percent, the franchisor gets 2.4 million Naira from you. And, they get 6% from every other franchisee, too.

Do the math. The franchisor wants you to succeed. They want you to send them big, fat, cheques-every month, for the life of your franchise agreement, which is typically 10 years.

They want your location to be a winning one. And, if they want to be a successful

franchisor, they need your franchise location to be a successful one. They need you to be successful.

So, you will handle calls from others (like this potential franchise owner) who are interested in the franchise just like this: Choose, research and purchase Do it in order. - Make sure you’re a fit for franchising, choose a few opportunities to explore. Explore them.

Learn about them. Do great franchise research. Write a formal business plan. Apply for a franchise loan. Make your decision. Find a great

location. Open for business.

I hope you would have enjoyed the various perspectives of this lessons to consider when choosing franchising as a business model.

For further details you can contact me for busness advisory services and training - send me a message via WhatsApp or SMS..

We would take other perspectives of this article next week as we discuss further, however you can contact me for busness advisory services and training - send me a message via WhatsApp or SMS..

Though entitlement has many aspects and presents itself in an ever-expanding variety of ways, there are some common characteristics that include: the attitude of being special, being owed something, refusing to accept responsibility, making excuses, deferring of blame, and lacking an understanding of the impact of ones’ behavior on others.

Nwaodu Chukwuemeka, is a consultant with IDEAS Exchange Consulting, Lagos. He can be reached at nwaodu.lawrence@hotmail.co.uk (07066375847)

Life&

TIMES Friday, December 23, 2016

Meet Miss Nigeria queens

L2

Daily Times Nigeria

Friday, December 23, 2016

Mutiat Alli

The Miss Nigeria Pageant history -

-

-

-

-

Miss Nigeria today -

-

Life&

T E A M

-

Entertainment Correspondent Mutiat Alli

Society Correspondent Abimbola Obatayo

Daily Times Nigeria

Friday, December 23, 2016

Mutiat Alli

Gist L3

40th Miss Nigeria Pageant: Meet top five finalists The 40th edition of the Miss Nigeria Pageant might have come and gone but the memorable moments from the soon as all the 37 contestants slugged hotel Convention Centre on Monday December 19, 2016. tough time determining who the top selection of the top 5 who made it to the new queen, we bring to you our top Miss Delta, Miss Kwara and Miss wear attires.

L4

Daily Times Nigeria

Daily Times Nigeria

Friday, December 23, 2016

Friday, December 23, 2016

Obiekune Chudi Okasia and Sir. Emma Edochie

Air France Commercial Director, Arthur Dieffenthaler (left) and DailyTimes Publisher, Mr. Fidelis Anosike

Dupe Olusola and Biola Alabi

Yves Mayilamene and Ola Akinnola

Emeka and Nne Ejideaku

Group General Manager, Daily Times Newspaper, Mr. Olisa Egbunike (left), exchanging pleasantries with Fidelity Bank staff

Nkechi Ali-Balogun (left) and Ikeoluwa Ali-Balogun

Mr. Fidelis Anosike (4th right) with guests

Mr. and Mrs. Uche Nnama.

Nkem Igbonwa and Chugo Isiolu

Nwkhtar Daniyan and Dr May Ikeora

PMAN 1Sst Vice President, Sunny Nneji (left) and PMAN President, Pretty Okafor

Anosike with cross section of guests

Daily Times Daily Editor, Rose Moses; Bunmi Otuniga and Gladys Dokubo

Igwe Emeka Okezie (right) and Charles Chijide

PHOTO CREDIT: OLASUNKANMI BOLAJI & OLAWALE ROTIMI

Cross section of judges: Ibinabo Fiberesima, Mai Atafo and Adebola Williams

Cecilia Peter-Vigboro; Lara Aromolanran and Toyin Harris

Cheistos and George

Dancing Time

Daniella Okocha and Ezinne Akudo

Rita Dominic

L-R Founder of LEADERSHIP Newspapers Group Limited, Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah; Founder and Managing Director of Polo Luxury Group, Mr. John Obayuwana and AVM. Emmanuel Ombu

Mr. and Mrs. Nwaghodoh

L-R Francis Jnr; Sen. Emma Anosike and Group Managing Director, Daily Times Newspaper, Noel Anosike

L-R Pierre Chezere; Cyril Ehoulan; Helen Ehoulan and Gift Ekwere

Lanre Dasilva Ajayi and Adeosi Nwakuche

Dr. and Dr. (Mrs.) Fola Daniyan

Sen. Emma Anosike (right) and Kingsley Edochie Actor Kunle Afolayan and comedian Bovi

L5

Paul Okoye

Red L6

Daily Times Nigeria

Friday, December 23, 2016

PHOTO CREDIT: OLASUNKANMI BOLAJI & OLAWALE ROTIMI

Daily Times Nigeria

Friday, December 23, 2016

Society Gist L7

Ajibade Alabi

Kunle Ajomale hosts US society big shots to Nigeria

Baba Latin to announce new date for his charity foundation Nollywood star actor and international award- winner, Bolaji Amusan, aka Baba Latin has explained the main reason why he has not been able to hold his muchpublised charity foundation, the foundation that he has been using to carter for less privileged. Speaking with Daily Times in a chance meeting, the well travelled actor who has won many local and international awards, stated that his tight schedule has been the main reason why he has not announces new date for the charity. “As you can see I am in a location now. I am sure you know for how many times I have booked an appointment with you (Referring to this reporter) but we could not see due to my tight schedule, but God willing I will announce the new date any moment from now. Given out to less privileged is what I cherish and I believe I have to give back to society what I have been given” explained Baba Latin.

Mr. Latin

Olaegbon stages a comeback Come December Sunday 25th 2016, Face Bar Hall Awolowo Road, Ikeja, will play host to who is who in Lagos society as Olaegbon Irawo Osere Magazine stages a comeback to the familiar terrain he is used to The event which will have a lot of artistes on parade will be the launching of the latest edition of Irawo Osere magazine. “It has been long I have been come to fruitution this yuletide period.

Alhaji Ganiyu Ayinde G1 the Arole K1 will also be inaugurating his fans club that day, and he will entertain guests with his performance.”

For international and award- winning gospel singer, Jacob Kunle Ajomale, aka JKA,there could not have been another way to end the year as he was on high last week Sunday 18th December,2016 . He was that day celebrated by friends and folks alike at Primrose Events Center, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos for his annual Damuso Concert which brought celebrities within and outside the county to the annual event.

Known for giving upcoming gospel artistes a chance to showcase their talents this year concert which is in his 29th edition, he did not fail to leave up to the brim were on their toes till the wee hours of the show.

In fact, some guests were seen arriving from the

United States of America when the show was about winding up which prompted Jacob Kunle Ajomale to declare that come next year, the concert which incidentally will be celebrating its 30th edition, will not be an afternoon to evening show but rather all night. “Thank God you can see it yourself; guests are still coming in even when we are rounding up. And I must tell you that those guests you saw coming in are not guests from Nigeria, but from US. So, with what we see here today, we are proposing that come next year when we will be celebrating our 30 years, it will be all night” The colorful event which was witnessed by who is who in society also had Lagos big society couple, Chief Yemi Fajobi and his wife, Dupe.

Nigeria’s first multi-million naira project film on Jesus goes on English naira project which was released in Yoruba few months back and distributed freely will be translated to English and French languages and will be released come February 2017. And as it was done with the

of religious, and that will make it more acceptable.” Speaking further, Pastor Peter who also revealed that they are in location for another 2 new movies titled – Agogo Ikilo and Enibaleti- said it has been so

–Irora Agbelebu and Eleri metta will also be distributed freely. Speaking with Daily times at the church camp in Papa Area of Abeokuta ,Ogun State of the church the, Director and the coordinator of the epoch

and distributed it freely. “It has not been easy that is why I said we will

Peter, explained the reason why

50 million naira, all what we want to achieve is to win soul for Christ, through the movie “

out free of charge despite the huge investment of money that runs into millions of naira that was put on the project . “It is a way I believed we can reach out to people. I believed many people will like to have the

Corner Stone Films. Apart the fact

Pastor Peter

will also be distributed for free.

NIYE Awards unveils plans at ST & T Hotels The Nigeria Youths Excellence Awards (NIYE Awards) has unveiled plans for the forth coming award which is to reward and recognize youths who have

According to Ambassador Oluwatosin Oshin, the award initiator and CEO, the press conference is to start kick the award.

kick start for nominations into different to kick start the prestigious award is the press conference which comes January 14th 2017 at the imposing ST &T Hotel Baruwa, Ipaja Ayobo in the outskirt of Lagos Olaegbon Irawo Osere and guest

he said “ interested brands, companies, organizations and individuals willing to support this prestigious award event are all welcomed”

TV guide L8

Daily Times Nigeria

Friday, December 23, 2016

Showing on

Movies Stars Channel 111

17:02

Showing on

Movies Romance Channel 107

11:50

Fri, 23 Dec | PG 13

101 M-Net West

118 Telemundo

152 Africa Magic Epic

Fri, 23 Dec | PG 13

120 BBC Brit Entertainment

155 AfricaMagic World

128 SONY MAX