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THE

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14.49

15.20

4.90%

GUARANTY

Ï Restores Jegede as PDP guber candidate Ï We’re not perturbed, says Ibrahim Lateef Ibrahim, Andrew Orolua, Abuja and Tosin Ajuwon, Akure

ÏÏÏ There was heavy jubilation

in Akure and across the 15 local government areas of Ondo State

21.06

NSE QUICK BITE 21.31

1.19%

yesterday following the victory of the factional candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Eyitayo Jegede SAN, at the Court of Appeal, Abuja.

Continued on page 6

FO

74.62

LOSERS AS AT November 23, 2016 70.00

-6.19%

JBERGER

30.00

FG indicts self over economic woes Ï Adeosun says inability to pay contractors affecting economy Ï Expresses optimism on economic stability Ï FG, States, LGs share N420bn for October Ï Allocation to all tiers reduced Ï Excess crude account stood at $2.456bn

Dogara seeks harmonisation of security agencies’ functions 12

Thunderstorm destroys Enugu Airport terminal, pilots lounge 5

N150

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016 VOL. 2. NO. 241

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GAINERS AS AT November 23, 2016 PZ

Jubilation as court nullifies Jimoh Ibrahim’s candidacy

36.10

-5.00%

Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

ÏÏÏ The

Federal Government’s inability to pay contractors and fulfil all contractual obligations is affecting the country’s economy.

This view was made known on Wednesday by Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, while addressing journalists after the monthly Federal Account Allocation Committee meeting in Abuja.

The Central Bank governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, Continued on page 6

Senate declares NIMASA to undergo MTEF 2017-2019 fresh restructuring 12 unrealistic next year 12

Ondo residents troop to the streets celebrating the Appeal Court’s judgement reinstating Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) as the substantive candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP)… on Wednesday.

Lagos cancels monthly environmental sanitation

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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 24, 2016

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 24, 2016

Page Three

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PHOTO TIMES

Editorial Alarming destitution among Nigerians

I

t does not take anyone to look far to see and feel the increasing desperation and destitution among Nigerians. Definitely, the present economic meltdown is daily forcing many citizens to the fringes of human existence. While the economic hard times may have preceded the Buhari administration, the present administration should also take the blame for being too slow in coming up with clear-cut policies on the way out of the situation.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), more than 100 million Nigerians now live on less than $1 per day out of an estimated 170 populations. That is far below the United Nation’s benchmark of at least $2 per day for the least deprived persons. Invariably, Nigeria’s vast oil wealth has not influenced positively on the well being of her citizens. Moreover, in spite of revenue from oil, 70 percent of Nigerians still live within the poverty bracket, which means that the present and successive governments are unable to translate the country’s huge natural resources to the improvement of the citizens’ living standard.

All indices point to the fact that the alarming increase in poverty is attributable to poor governance. Evidence of terribly poor governance is palpable, as it manifests in the corrupt, inept political leadership and weak civil institutions to dilapidated infrastructure. We deplore the increasing destitution in the country. It is sad that while many Nigerians are living in grinding poverty in an oil-rich country, a privileged few wallow in opulence. We call on the government to take mitigating action and bring the alarming situation under control.

A scenario where only a few are benefiting from the common pat-

rimony while the vast majority is excluded may likely breed social discontent if not well and quickly addressed.

It is a truism that inadequate economic growth is the main cause of poverty in Nigeria, as the economy has a very narrow and weak base, depending mostly on exportation of petroleum crude oil for revenue, even as the agricultural base has been frustrated and marginalised.

In addition, growing unemployment has also exacerbated the level of destitution among Nigerians, while other factors include problems in the productive sector, widening income inequality, social conflict, including gender, intersectoral and environmental issues. There is no gainsaying the fact that poverty especially in the urban area has been made severe by low labour absorption capacity of the nonagricultural sector, especially manufacturing, which is because of limited growth of investment and technological innovation.

Arguably, enough is not being done to fight destitution, even as efforts to give Nigerians the opportunity to earn decent and honest living remain a tall dream.

The embarrassing paradox of destitution in Nigeria suggests the compelling need for a single-minded pursuit of the objective of poverty reduction and its eventual elimination. We therefore call on all governments to step up the template for true development by re-energising all the poverty alleviation programmes geared towards improving the living standard of the less vulnerable. In this way, millions of Nigerians would move out of poverty and wanton lack and to a more productive engagement in which all the necessities of life are met.

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L-R: Technical Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc (NBP), Mr. Henk Wymenga; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Chairman, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Chief Kola Jamodu, and Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Kufre Ekanem at the commemorative tree planting by Ambode during his visit to mark the 70th anniversary of NBP Plc, …on Tuesday.

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Goodluck Jonathan

Matthew Ashimolowo

Julius Nyerere

“Nobody’s political ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian”.

“If you must make a difference in life, then change your mind set”.

“Independence cannot be real if a nation depends upon gifts.”

4

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 24, 2016

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 24, 2016

FROM THE ARCHIVES

5 News

Thunderstorm destroys Enugu airport Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo A very heavy thunder storm which occurred at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu in the early hours of yesterday and destroyed some parts of the airport terminal building, pilot lounge and General Aviation Terminal (GAT).

A statement signed by Mrs HenriettaYakubu acting general manager corperate affairs FAAN said the thunder storm also affected electric power lines to the Airport, FAAN staff secondary and Primary School buildings and private residential buildings.

Yakubu said however that the , management of FAAN took immediate remedial action

which allowed flight operations in and out of the Airport adding FAAN was doing it’s best to restore normalcy.

According to her there was no loss of life or injury and that flight operations were not affected in the airport.

The Akanu Ibiam International Airport, was approved for international flight operations to and from Atlanta, United States of America; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Johannesburg, South Africa; Mubia, India and Gwuanzuo, after the remodeling of the airport by the Stella Oduah administration.

The airport was closed on February 10, 2010, by FAAN for the first phase of major renovation and expansion works.

It was re-opened on 16 December 2010, while the second and third phase of the construction was still ongoing to meet the status of international airport.

It was constructed to provide employment opportunities, as well as foreign investment not just for the South East but for the entire country.

It was expected to handle 500,000 passengers each year.

Enugu airport terminal was part of the transformation agenda of the President Jonathan’s administration in making sure that the air transport industry in the country was a hub of socio-economic development and home for foreign investors through its tourist activities.

Ambode redeployes Economic Planning and Budget Commissioner

FG to privatise TCN Opeoluwani Akintayo The Minister for Power, Babatunde Raji Fashola, has said that the federal government is planning to privatise the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

Fashola spoke through the acting Chairman and CEO, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Anthony Akah, on Wednesday, at the ongoing West Africa Power Industry Convention in Lagos.

According to Fashola, the government’s move to involve private sector the transmission phase of the sector, is being driven by non-availability of funds to drive development in the power sector.

“The government can no longer handle funding of the power sector alone. That is why we are now looking towards involving private sector in transmission. This will help in raising fund for the sector”, he said.

After privatisation of the sector, TCN was concessioned to Canadian company, Manitoba.

However, the company was accused of lacking expertise in handling the sector hence, it was

again taken over by the government.

Fashola also said the government will explore other clean sources of energy in order to bridge the gap in electricity supply in the country.

He also said Nigeria’s current power mix is lopsided with 80 percent of power being generated from gas.

Earlier in the week, the FG called on the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), African Development Bank (AfDB), United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and others, to invest in energy sector.

According to Fashola who made the call, government wanted investment in the generation, distribution and transmission sectors of the industry.

He said the funding gap in the sector was wide and required investments to improve electricity supply.

Fashola said the sector has huge investible propositions, which only bigger corporations have the capacity to meet, adding that the sector has the capacity to provide returns on investment for any company that invests in it.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has redeployed the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Akinyemi Ashade to take over as the Commissioner for Finance.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, the Governor made the decision shortly after the State Executive Council meeting on Wednesday.

Ashade is expected to resume his new portfolio with immediate effect.

Governor Ambode, however, said Ashade would still oversee the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget pending when the State Executive Council would be reshuffled.

It would be recalled that Governor Ambode on Wednesday, October 19, on Wednesday

carried out a cabinet reshuffle with the dropping of the Commissioners for Tourism- Mr Folorunsho Folarin-Coker; Finance, Dr. Mustapha Akinkunmi and Transportation, Dr. Ekundayo Mobereola.

Mr. Ashade was until his appointment by Governor Ambode, a partner at KPMG Professional Services, one of the big four international professional services firm with specialisation in audit, tax and advisory services. With over 16 years of professional experience with KPMG Nigeria and extensive skills in financial services industry, project and quality assurance management and public private partnership, he is surely a round peg in a round hole.

A Chartered Accountant and Fellow of the Institute of Char-

tered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Ashade was born in Badagry on 6th October, 1975.

He had his primary education at Anglican Primary School, Ilado, Badagry between 1981 and 86 and proceeded to Iworo Ajido High School, Badagry where he passed the West African School Certificate of Education in 1992 before proceeding to University of Lagos where he graduated with B.Sc (second class upper division) in Biology in 1997.

Ashade joined KPMG (then Arthur Andersen, Nigeria) in March, 1999 and this provided an opportunity for a career change to Accounting. He became chartered in 2004 and was admitted as a partner in KPMG 2013. In 2015, he was appointed a Fellow, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.

Lack of trained manpower, world’s problem - VC Sunday Nwakanma, Umuahia Lack of properly trained manpower and professionals in sensitive areas of the nation’s industries, economy, politics and especially the ecclesiastical professionalism has been identified as the problems facing the world today, particularly, the third world countries.

Presenting a welcome address in Umuahia, the Abia state capital during the 5th convocation and award ceremony of Dominion University of Theology (DO-

MUTH), an International affiliate school of International Institute of Pastoral Education and Chaplaincy, the Vice Chancellor Apostle Prof. Kachi Daniels pointed out that nobody is qualified to lead or function in any areas of life without proper or continuous training.

He said, “When you are well trained, you feed yourself and others, otherwise you will manipulate and steal from your place of responsibilities”.

Daniels lamented that there are a lot of acclaimed ministers

of the gospel, particularly in the pastoral, evangelical and prophetic ministry, who have no origin or source of their calling or ordination.

“Some of those who claimed to have been trained, sat under the tutelage of the money masters including Satan and his agents.

Also some gets to the occultic houses in search of little products on paraphernalia contents.

No wonder all their targets are what to get out of the people, using lies and manipulated prophecies and vision”, he stated.

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 24, 2016

FG indicts self over economic woes Continued from page 1

had on Tuesday after monetary policy meeting in Abuja, said the economy was stalling due to the government’s failure to fulfill its contractual obligations.

Mrs. Adeosun said, “Federal Government’s failure to pay contractors is affecting Nigeria’s ability to get the economy going.”

She however expressed optimism, saying, “We are confident of Nigeria’s prospect. We have a strategy, we will get out of it. No short cut to getting out” of recession.

She further explained that “infrastructure such as roads, power are where the succour is coming for the Nigeria people,” adding that “we are sorting things out in the Niger Delta to let revenue come in.”

According to Adeosun, the figures from FAAC are “reflecting the challenging situations in the economy but the situation is being addressed as the oil production volume is looking up.

“We are beginning to see improvement in oil revenue.

“Foreign exchange availability is more challenging. The economy will benefit more from stability in FOREX. Foreign reserve has taken a hit and the manufacturers are feeling it,” the Minister pointed out.

Accordingly, she revealed that the Federal, States and Local Governments in the country shared N420 billion for the month of October.

The Committee, Wednesday, distributed the sum of four hundred and twenty thousand naira (N420) to the three tiers of government in line with the sharing formula.

Chairman of FACC and Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, said that gross statutory revenue of N238.716 billion received for the month was lower than the N279.746 billion received in the previous month by N41.030 billion.

Giving the breakdown of the net statutory allocation distributed, the federal government received N96.674 billion representing it’s 52.68% compare to the N120.351 billion received in the previous month.

State governments got N49.035 billion representing 26.72% compared to the N61.044

billion received in the Month of October.

The Local Government Areas received N37.804 billion representing 20.60% compared to the N47.062 billion received in the previous month, while the oil producing states got a total sum of N13.548 billion representing the 13% mineral derivation.

They also shared a total sum of N66.836 billion Value Added Tax revenue which the federal government also received N10.025 as 15%, state governments N33.418 being it’s 50% and the LGAs got N23.393 billion which also represent it’s 35% VAT allocation.

According to the minister, Oil export volume decreased while the average price of crude oil dropped, resulting in revenue loss of about $51 million in federation excess sale.

She explained that force majeure was declared at Qua Iboe terminal and the NGL lifting programs with the force Majeure at Forcados terminal still in place.

Adeosun said that Shut-in and Shut-down of pipelines for repairs and maintenance due to attacks on delivery pipelines also contributed to the low revenue.

There were decreases in the volume of import and companies

income tax (CIT) while PPT and oil royalty recorded marginal increases.

The distributed statutory revenue for the month was N203.9 while NNPC refunded the sum of N6.330 billion to the federal government, the minister added.

She also said that the sum of N109.108 billion from the excess PPT account was proposed for distribution. Also, exchange gain of N37.319 billion was proposed for distribution.

The Excess Crude Account stood at $2.456 billion as at October 2016, the minister of finance disclosed.

L-R: Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola; his counterparts in Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun; Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi; former Governor of Osun State, Chief Bisi Akande and Afenifere Chieftain, Chief Ayo Adebanjo at the Afenifere’s tributes day for the late Sir Olaniwun Ajayi in Isara, Remo, Ogun State... on Wednesday. Photo: DAVID IDOWU.

Jubilation as court nullifies Jimoh Ibrahim’s candidacy Continued from page 1

The Court of Appeal had set aside the judgment of the Federal High Court that made Jimoh Ibrahim Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for Ondo State election scheduled for Saturday 26, November.

By implication, the court has restored Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) as the candidate of the PDP for the election.

Jegede’s name, which was first sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), by the PDP was replaced with Jimoh Ibrahim following the judgment set aside yesterday.

In a unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Ibrahim Saulawa, the three-member Special Panel of the appellate court vacated the June 29 judgment of Justice Okon Abang of the Fed-

eral High Court, Abuja, which ordered INEC to recognise Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim as PDP governorship candidate for the poll.

Justice Abang had also in the same judgment warned the electoral body against accepting any candidate nominated by the Senator Ahmed Markafi-led National Caretaker Committee of the PDP. Acting on the strength of the order, INEC, promptly removed Jegede’s name from the list of candidates for the Ondo governorship poll, and replaced it with Mr. Ibrahim.

Aggrieved by the development, Jegede who was not a party to the case at the lower court had approached the appellate court and challenged the high court verdict after his name was replaced with that of the Ali ModuSheriff faction of the PDP. Justice Saulawa in his rul-

ing resolved all the seven issues raised in the appeal in favour of the appellant and added that the trial court’s refusal to allow fair hearing “rendered the entire proceedings before the lower court a nullity.”

According to Justice Saulawa, “Indeed it is obvious from the records that the appellant’s name had been duly published as the governorship candidate of the 11th respondent (PDP) for the November 26 Ondo governorship election.

“The lower court was in grievous error when it ordered the publication of Jimoh Ibrahim’s name.

“The decision of the High court was in total breach of the provision of section 36 of the 1999 constitution, which forbade any court from denying fair hearing to a party likely to be affected by final decision of the court.”

Justice Saulawa, held that the action of the court violated the legal doctrine of audi altarem partem.

“The tenets of natural Justice entails that a party ought to be heard prior to determination of case against them.”

The appellate court also noted that Justice Abang ordered INEC to “immediately” recognise Mr. Ibrahim who was never a party in the suit that culminated to both the June 29 and October 14 judgments.

“The Court below had no jurisdictional competence to make such order. I have no restriction in the circumstance in resolving the second issue equally in favour of the appellant.”

It said that Justice Abang “unilaterally” raised issues that were not included by the plaintiffs; an action it said amounted to “a violent attitudinal disposition to the

rule of law.”

Besides, the court held that the primary election that was conducted by the State Chapter of the PDP loyal to Modu-Sheriff, which produced Mr. Ibrahim was a nullity, stressing that the law was very clear on which organ of a party should conduct governorship primary elections.

“It is worth reiterating at this point that any primary election by state chapter of a party, be it the PDP or any other party, is undoubtedly, in the eye of the law, an illegal contraption that carries with it no legal or equitable right at all. It is in its entirety a nullity,” the appellate court held.

Prior to delivery of the judgment and in reference to the attack on the panel, Justice Saulawa, said the panel was at a time, “subjected to a very intimidating and brow-beating treatment by counsel to the respondents.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 24, 2016

Lagos cancels monthly environmental sanitation

ÏÏÏUrges residents to com-

ply with environmental laws The Lagos State Government on Wednesday terminated the monthly environmental sanitation exercise which hitherto held for three hours on the last Saturday of every month.

The State Government, in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, said the decision to cancel the monthly exercise followed a resolution arrived at Wednesday’s Executive Council meeting which approved the need for a robust review of the environmental laws and procedures in the state in order to meet the present day challenges and to promote a clean and healthy environment.

The Government noted that considering the present economic situation in the country, it was no longer appropriate to restrict movement of people for three hours in a mega city like Lagos at a time they should be pursuing commercial and entrepreneurial activities.

According to government, in the last two decades, Lagos has grown exponentially into a mega city with the attendant huge environmental problems associated with managing a population of over twenty million people.

But sadly, the environmental laws, policies and procedures being practised in the state have not been able to match the phenomenal growth and the dream

of a 24-hour economy, hence the need for the reform.

Ayorinde said the State Government was not unaware of a recent Court of Appeal judgment.

According to him, the thrust of the fresh initiatives, among others, is to promote holistic and modern solutions to the unique environmental challenges confronting the state, while encouraging citizens to voluntarily partner with government to achieve the desired goals.

The Statement said: “After a careful consideration, the State Executive Council has therefore resolved that the present economic climate can no longer support the continued lock down of a mega city like Lagos,

when the citizens should be free to engage in commercial and entrepreneurial activities that can promote economic growth and prosperity.

“Furthermore, Government will also accelerate the introduction of fresh reforms through the passage of the new harmonized environmental laws that will drive meaningful changes in areas of harmonized billing, waste management, modern Landfill sites, noise pollution, introduction of an Environmental Trust Fund and an Environmental Advisory Council.

“The Government wishes to reiterate its strong commitment to a clean and secure environment for the benefit of its citizens, and will continue to

provide the necessary leadership to meet the environmental challenges of a mega city like Lagos. Lagosians and visitors alike are therefore urged to embrace these changes and imbibe a culture of voluntarily maintaining and preserving their environment to create a beautiful and healthy city that we all can be proud of.”

The statement added that the State Government would henceforth be tougher in ensuring expeditious enforcement against contraventions of its policies and regulations and as such, residents should voluntarily comply with the necessary laws and support government in its bid to have a clean and healthy environment.

Kwara DPR restates commitment to quality service delivery Kehinde Akinpelu, Ilorin

ÏÏÏThe

Comptroller of the Department of Petroleum Resources, (DPR), in Kwara State, Mr. Philip Salvation, on Wednesday disclosed that about Five hundred and sixty (560) filling stations are duly registered in the state stressing the commitment of the agency towards quality service delivery.

He noted that Nigerians deserve the best service adding that DPR under is close watch will not compromise in ensuring that the entire populace and given the rightful position of access to consumable products at appropriate price at all times.

Mr. Salvation said this at a Media Parliament organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Kwara State Council.

The DPR boss’s address was titled: “Consumer Rights And Protection; Implication For Service Delivery in Nigeria”.

According to him, “A consumer being the link in the production chain has vested legal rights from producers of goods services being offered in the market.

These legal rights by implication are what the laws deemed as the “Rights of Consumers”.

While lamenting on the numerous challenges facing the agency, Mr. Salvation emphasized on, “high level of ignorance among Nigerians, bureaucratic bottlenecks, poor legal framework, predominance of conflict of interest, corruption and ineptitude within the law enforcement apparatus.

L-R: Pastor, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Lagos Province 13, Odesola Olabode; Bale of Soluyi I, Ggbagada, Chief Tajudeen Adegbenro; Elder, Lawrence Oshiyemi; Assistant Pastor, RCCG, Lagos Province 13, Stephen Olusanya and others during the commissioning of street light project at Popoola street, Soluyi Gbagada, Lagos… recently. Photo: EDOKPOLOR OSAYANDE.

Again, Christians, Muslims bloody clash averted in Plateau

Chijioke Kingsley, Jos

ÏÏÏA

major crisis between Christians and Muslims that would have turned bloody, was Wednesday averted in Jos, the Plateau State Capital, as some suspected Muslim youths, made move to start erecting a Mosque close to a Christian settlement in Jos, along Jenta Adamu, a sub-urban area of the State.

Our correspondent gathered that, the timely intervention of the local chief of the community who boldly stopped the project (erection of the Mosque), averted the Crisis.

An eye witness, Mr. Charles Pam, who saw what happened, said the Muslim youths took the residents by surprise when they came with building materials to erect the mosque Wednesday morning.

According to him: “The

youths of the area were already mobilizing for a showdown when suddenly, the Chief of the community came and instructed the builders to stop the project and respect the fragile peace in the state”.

Recall that, immediately after the assumption of office of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), in the state, led by Governor Simon Lalong, there was palpable tension at Rukuba Road, also a suburb

within the capital of the state, when rumours were making the rounds that there was an alleged plan to rebuild the mosque in that area.

However, the spokes person for the Special Task Force (STF), Plateau State, Captain Umar Adams, has warned that anyone found trying to sabotage the efforts of security agents in maintaining peace in the state will be made to face the full wrath of the law.

7 News Ijaw youths demand compensation over police shooting of member Amaka Agbu, Port Harcourt

ÏÏÏ

The Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, has cried out to the Federal Government to step into the case of last year shooting of one of its members, Mr. Oyinemi Bekekeme, by a police man. The council is demanding compensation from the police to the victim.

The victim who hails from Kumbowei Clan in Sagbama Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, was said to have been unlawfully shot in the neck and still lying in a very critical condition in the hospital.

The IYC claimed that after the shooting, the victim was abandoned by the Nigerian Police Force, NPF, without any form of support, at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, NDUTH, and lately at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, UPTH, Port Harcourt.

The IYC Clan Chairmen made the demands in a communique issued at the end of their conference in Port Harcourt, yesterday, saying that although Mr. Kudubu Binaebi, the policeman who pulled the trigger had already been sentenced to 22 years jail, the victim was still lying in a vegetative state without any assistance from the police for his medical bills and well being.

In the commmunique, which was jointly signed by Mr. Israel Fubara, Prince Abraham Kokoimgbi and Mr. Toruteim Oki Isiya of the Eastern, Western, and Central Zones respectively, the IYC clan Chairmen noted that the family of Bekekeme had spent all the money they could raise to save his life.

The communiqué read in part: “Doctors were flown from abroad to treat him at a point while receiving treatment in the hospital, yet his condition has not improved, but has deteriorated to the point that he is in a vegetative state.

“Much as we commend the police for disciplining the culpable officer, we believe that justice will not be seen to have been served until adequate compensation is paid to the victim. We do not accept a situation that leaves a hardworking young man with enormous potentials in a state of vegetable and an added burden to his family as justice.

8

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 24, 2016

Politics

APC urges 13,000 teachers owed

by Wike to vote against PDP in Rivers rerun Amaka Agbu, Port Harcourt The All Progressives Congress (APC), in Rivers State has advised the 13,000 teachers employed by the administration of former Governor Chibuike Amaechi and their families to reject the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the December 10 rerun election as a courageous step to protest against the arrears of salaries owed them by the state government led by Governor Nyesom Wike.

In a statement issued in Port Harcourt and signed by the party’s publicity Secretary, Mr. Chris Finebone, the APC claimed that the teachers and their families were being subjected to untold hardship by the state government and that they should use their voting power to tell the truth to the governor by rejecting every PDP candidate in the rerun elections rescheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. “Governor Nyesom Wike needs to be reminded that standing on a podium to take the oaths of office and allegiance is not a mere empty ritual but a solemn event that must remind the office holder of his responsibilities to the people under his charge.

“Indeed, it marks the acceptance to serve the people fairly and justly, taking full responsibility of the assets and liabilities of the preceding administration as governance is a continuum or going concern,” it said.

The party noted with disappointment that since May 29, 2015, when Governor Wike was sworn in to office, he had allegedly transferred what it described as “his self-declared war” on his predecessor to the innocent 13,200 teachers employed by former governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi to help restore the educational sector in the state.

“Most significantly is that the governor has vowed not to pay the senior secondary teachers their outstanding 3 months salaries brought forward from the last administration.

The logic for this heartless denial of the right of these teachers by the present governor remains curious to all sane minds and the teachers themselves. The unfortunate teachers have become hapless collateral damage in the one-man war of attrition in which the governor is the lone adversary and the target Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi,” the APC said.

s

Anambra Central rerun: Umeh appeals for patience Patrick Okohue The candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the long-delayed Anambra Central rerun election, Chief Victor Umeh, has once again appealed to the people of the senatorial zone to remain calm and patient.

Speaking in an interview, Umeh, who is the immediate past National Chairman of APGA, assured the people that the rerun poll would hold, despite the antics of some desperate politicians who, according to him, have lost out in the game, yet, they are doing everything to frustrate the conduct of the exercise with

frivolous court cases.

The rerun poll ought to have held on March 5, 2016, but was postponed indefinitely by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to enable it appeal an Abuja High Court ruling compelling it to include the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), against the judgement of the Court of Appeal that disqualified the party and its candidate from participating.

The APGA candidate observed that “What played out in Anambra Central was what played out in Kogi East and Kogi Central senatorial districts. The APC Senators, two of them were removed because they did not conduct

primaries. PDP challenged them at the tribunal on the ground that they did not conduct primaries. And the elections were nullified and their candidates were also disqualified by the Court of Appeal.

“The rerun elections ordered by the Court of Appeal had since been concluded in Kogi East and Kogi Central senatorial districts without APC participating in the rerun. In the case of Anambra Central, PDP doesn’t want to give up. Their candidate has also gone to the Supreme Court, I mean their then candidate, who is now no longer a PDP member, had gone to the Supreme Court to seek reinstatement, even when the final court that handles National Assem-

Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (4th left), with deputy governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule (3rd left); Deputy Speaker, Lagos House of Assembly, Hon. Wasiu Sanni Eshinlokun (2nd left); Chairman, Board of Neighbourhood Safety Corp Agency, DIG Israel Ajao, Rtd., (4th right) and members of the Board during the inauguration of the Board of Neighbourhood Safety Corp Agency at the Conference Room, Lagos House, Ikeja,

John Chinenye, Awka A political leader and grassroots mobiliser in Ogbunike, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, Mr Chekwube Ikpeogu has commended the state governor, Mr. Willie Obiano for his doggedness in maintaining law and order in the state, especially in his fight against crime and criminality, noting that the state had been adjudged the fastest growing state in the country.

Addressing journalists in his country home, Mr Ikpeogu stated that the present administration had taken governance to global standard, different from what the state has experienced in the past.

The politician added that his people of Ogbunike had benefited immensely from the Governor Obi-

bly matters is the Court of Appeal.

“So, they are doing everything to deny the people of Anambra Central the right of representation. Why PDP is struggling to be part of an election they are already out of the way, their candidate who was disqualified by the Court of Appeal is also struggling to get reinstated outside the provisions of the law.

They’ve boasted openly that since they can no longer occupy that senatorial seat that nobody will occupy it until 2019.

“And they are working hard to frustrate the Court of Appeal from hearing the appeals pending at the Court of Appeal against the judgement of the High Court that ordered that PDP should take part in a rerun after their candidate has been disqualified. They are doing everything to frustrate the progress of the matter at the Court of Appeal.

“For me, I feel so bad because there are so much to be done for our people using that opportunity. But they have no option other than to be patient. I am urging them to be calm and patient. The antics of those causing this unnecessary delay will be exhausted very soon. The Ekwunife’s adventurous appeal at the Supreme Court – it is an adventure - has been argued on the 14th of November, 2016 and the Supreme Court has reserved judgement for 10th of February, 2017. If on that day the Supreme Court upholds the law and puts her case to rest, that distraction will be completely over; her own distraction will be over. Then we will accelerate action on the pending appeal at the Court of Appeal for which they have gone on an interlocutory appeal to the Supreme Court. So, God willing and God being our helper all those protracted issues will be resolved. And the election will be conducted by God’s grace.”

APGA chieftain commends Obiano for exemplary performance ano led administration in the areas of political appointments, through which some young men and women have been gainfully mobilized in different skills of livelihood.

He however regretted that some families in the town have mapped out plans to hijack their party, the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) platform and activities and convert same to their personal party, in addition to their regular threats that they melt on people, calling on the governor, who he described as peace loving to intervene and caution them to desist from such act as it could mar the integrity of the

community.

Ikpeogu also bemoaned a situation where some political appointees in the town had never identified with APGA both in the local government and wards in the town, saying the essence of such appointment was to represent the governor in the grassroots, by disseminating the good works of the present administration to peoples’ doorstep and hard to reach areas.

He advised the political appointees to look beyond their personal benefits and work devotedly to promote the present government that had no rival for a second term bid.

Mr Ikpeogu commended the effort of some government functionaries in Oyi and Ogbunike such as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Internally Generated Revenue, Hon Uche Okafor, Special Assistant to the Governor on Internally Generated Revenue, Hon Okey Anyanyo, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Security, Hon Azubike Ekwegba, and the Special Assistant to the Governor on Community Mobilization, Mr Samuel Odinye, saying they had empowered many youth in Ogbunike and beyond and had shown unprecedented representation in the community.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 24, 2016

Akeredolu

Jimoh

Jegede

9 Politics

Oke

As Ondo goes to polls on Saturday, Jegede’s re-entry changes equation Patrick Okohue and Titus Eleweke As Ondo State sets to go to the polls to elect the person who will preside over its affairs in the next four years as governor on Saturday, there is palpable tension and anxiety, as the people do not know which of the 30 political parties fielding candidates for the exercise will carry the day.

The election by every indication has no clear direction on which party is going to win, though it is believed that among the three leading political parties of Alliance for Democracy (AD), All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) one is likely going to emerge winner.

Political pundits who are opinionating that APC and PDP are the only parties to watch, may not be correct given that AD candidate is well known in the state and has been moving all round the state including the riverine areas campaigning vigorously.

Recall that Eyitayo Jegede, was the candidate of the Ahmed Makarfi-led faction of the PDP until the judgment from a Federal High Court forced the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to replace him with Jimoh Ibrahim.

The INEC had published the lists of candidates in the November, 2016 Ondo state governorship election on its website, barely one month to the polls and since the release of the list of candidates for the election, the two factions of PDP led by Senator Makarfi and that of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff have been embroiled in legal battles, asking INEC to recognise their candidates, while the APC is also entangled in internal wrangling considering the process that led to the emergence of Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu as the party candidates.

INEC in the release of candidates had chosen to recognise Jimoh Ibrahim of the Ali Modu Sheriff-led faction as the party’s candidate, while the Makarfi faction is fighting to make sure that the Sheriff faction does not produce the candidate for the elections.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court ordered the Abuja Division of the Appeal Court to continue its hearing in the ongoing legal battle for the Ondo State’s PDP governorship ticket.

The Appeal Court had on October 18 suspended hearings into the various applications pending the decision of the highest court.

The applications were brought to the Appeal Court by a factional candidate of the party, Eyitayo Jegede, who challenged the decision of the Federal High Court in Abuja to replace him with another contender for the ticket, Jimoh Ibrahim.

A five-man panel of justices led by the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, ordered the Appeal Court to proceed with the matter.

While both candidates belong to the PDP, Mr. Jegede was picked by the Ahmed Makarfi faction of the party, and Mr. Ibrahim represents the camp of former Borno State governor, Ali Modu Sheriff.

Oluwarotimi Akeredolu is the flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), while Mr. Olusola Oke is the candidate for the Alliance for Democracy (AD) .These are three major parties and candidates in the contest.

A lot of the book makers are narrowing the election to be between the two political parties, the APC represented by Barr. Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu SAN and Barr. Jimoh Ibrahim of the PDP, while Barr. Olusola Alex Oke of the AD who is busy campaigning across rural areas is not considered as a possible candidate to beat, given that Ondo State is a PDP state, while APC the main opposition is dominating South West political space.

Considering the antecedent and doggedness of Oke’s campaign train traversing all nooks and crannies of Ondo State, he may likely prove a hard nut to crack by any candidate relying on party popularity.

Ibrahim in his campaign has assured the people of Ondo State that he will bring live back to the PDP as he is the oldest member of the PDP in the state.

He promised to create companies and provide

employment in the state, saying it would take him just three days to create a company.

He promised to eradicate all forms of taxes in the state and increase minimum wage from N18, 000 to N75, 000 immediately he is sworn in.

According to him, a vote for him is a vote in hope, a vote in stability, and a vote in justice.

While Oke said he is coming into office to restore confidence in governance and entrench justice in the state.

According to Oke, unemployment in the state has assumed an “epidemic” proportion and he was ready to address it effectively.

Oke assures that in three months, citizens will begin to see changes in the economy of the state.

While Oke believes that increasing minimum wage was not feasible given the huge backlog of salaries owed workers of the state, Jimoh promised to increase minimum wage.

The election by every indication has no clear direction on which party is going to win, though it is believed that among the three leading political parties of Alliance for Democracy (AD), All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) one is likely going to emerge winner.

Oke promise free education at primary and secondary levels, but Jimoh promised free education at all levels, saying that 100 schools will be converted into boarding houses.

The PDP candidate said security vote is a fraud, and he will not spend government funds to protect himself, while his people remain vulnerable.

Akeredolu of APC in his campaign promised to revive Ondo State from its present economic and social doldrums, and to give free education at all level.

He promised to develop the state, raise it to the next level, if elected governor of the state.

The APC candidate promise to get refinery back to Ondo State, saying that he will bring one bigger than the one Dangote wants to bring to the state.

He promised not to be partisan if elected governor of the state, saying that every resident in the state would be given equal opportunity to exercise their rights.

In what can however be described as a sigh of relief for Jegede and his camp, the Court of Appeal, the Abuja division has faulted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) substitution of Mr. Eyitayo Jegede with Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim of the Ali Modu-Sheriff faction of the opposition Peoples Democratic party (PDP).

Consequently, Justice Ibrahim Saulawa appeal panel Wednesday ordered INEC to replace Jimoh with Jegede for the Saturday, November 26, Ondo State Governorship Election.

Justice Saulawa while ruling, set aside Justice Okon Abang of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja ruling and dismissed the appeal filed by the Modu-Sheriff faction of the PDP against the Ahmed Makarfi faction of the party.

It would be recalled that INEC on Thursday, October 27 substituted Jegede with Jimoh as the PDP flagbearer for the weekend poll, on the ground that Ibrahim faction of the PDP was the one recognized by the court.

The Appeal court case against Jimoh Ibrahim was filled by PDP stalwarts including Jegede, CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 24, 2016

We are 95 % ready for Ifako-Ijaiye House of Reps re-run, says INEC Patrick Okohue

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos has said that it is 95 per cent ready in its preparation towards the December 3 by-election in IfakoIjaiye Federal Constituency.

This disclosure was made by the Administrative Secretary of INEC, Lagos, Mr Clement Oha, in a chat with the media during his visit to the commission’s office at IfakoIjaiye Local Government.

Oha said that he decided to pay a visit to the local government where the election would hold to assess the level of preparations made so far.

He maintained that he was satisfied with the way INEC officers at the council were getting ready for the polls, while adding that sensiti-

sation had already begun.

“We have made adequate provision for staff and their training, as well as the election materials. We have been sensitising the people and parties,” he said.

“We have also been liaising with the security agents and we will be meeting them very soon. Therefore, if I am to assess our preparations, I will say that we are now 95 per cent ready for the polls in Lagos. We have all our logistics ready. We have prepared twice the number of card readers needed.

“We have mapped out the Registration Area Centres (RACs) and the collation centres have been identified and prepared as well as the training venues,” he added.

He also said that the commission would ensure adequate distribution

of staff and election materials for a successful election, while assuring that the commission was committed to conduct a free and fair election by giving all parties a level playing ground and also urging the party leaders to warn their followers against violence.

“On our part we are ready, party leaders should go and tell their supporters and followers to be orderly and peaceful.

“They should cast their votes and go home and if they want to wait and monitor and observe, there is no problem, only that there should be no violence.

“We have every assurance that the people we will be using on that day will deliver an election everyone will be proud of,” he said.

Oha, who assured that the elec-

tion would be conclusive, added that accreditation and voting would be held simultaneously.

A total of six political parties would be participating in the byelection. They are: Action Alliance (AA), Alliance for Democracy (AD), African Democratic Party (ADC), All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP).

It was gathered that the commission has assembled more than 1500 card readers for the forthcoming by-election for a seamless accreditation exercise.

It will be recalled that Mr Elijah Adewale, who represented the constituency in the House of Representatives, died in Abuja on July 20 and INEC subsequently fixed Dec. 3 for the byeelection to fill up the vacant seat.

Edo to probe recent violent protest Titus Akhigbe, Benin The Edo State government has condemned Tuesday’s violent protest by some civil society organisations against the pension bill passed by the State House of Assembly, describing the chaos and violence as politically motivated.

A statement signed by Mr. John Mayaki, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Godwin Obaseki yesterday said the condemnation became necessary since the actors, who acted under the guise of being civil society organisation activists, were sponsored by the opposition to carry out the demonstration.

“Edo State government condemns the violence orchestrated by the leaders of these groups who sold their conscience to some destructive politicians to either blackmail the budding administration or disrupt our collective peace.

“We are disgusted to the extent that the violent attack on Tuesday on innocent citizens was a scene that should have no place in our society or political process.”

As Ondo goes to polls on Saturday, Jegede’s re-entry changes equation CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

former Minister of Agriculture, Prof. Jerry Gana among others.

Yesterday’s ruling followed the Supreme Court verdict on Tuesday, which ordered the appellate court to deliver judgement on all the appeals before it.

The apex court had in a unanimous ruling by a five-man panel of Justices led by the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, declined to disband the three-man Special Panel constituted by President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, to resolve the dispute.

Aside dismissing motions to stay proceedings of the appellate court, filed by six chieftains of the PDP in the South-West, led by Chairman of the party in Ondo State, Prince Biyi Poroye, the Supreme Court, awarded a cost of N3million each to the three Justices of the appellate court.

Poroye and his group had joined the three appellate court Justices, Saulawa, Igwe, Aguba and George Mbaba, as 5th to 7th respondents in the appeal before the apex court.

Justice Onnoghen, who delivered the lead ruling, ordered that counsel to the appellants, Chief Beluolisa Nwufor, SAN, should personally pay the cost from his pocket. The apex court further ordered the appellants to pay N500, 000 costs to the four other respondents in the matter including Mr. Jegede.

Justice Onnoghen held that it was wrong for Poroye and his group to drag the appellate court Justices into the matter, knowing that they were only carrying out a judicial duty that was duly assigned to them. “The 6th to 7th Respondents, who are Justices of the Court of Appeal, were constituted by appropriate authority to hear and determine the case and were not parties before the lower court and whatever they did was in their official capacity as judicial officers,” Justice Onnoghen noted.

He stressed that joining them as respondents in the matter “was not only an attempt to intimidate and scandalise the judiciary, but to put it in a mild way, an action in bad faith.” Justice Onnoghen also noted that the appellants (Poroye and his group), had also petitioned a previous panel of

Justices of the appellate court that handled the case.

“If the applicants are allowed to continue with this prank, there will be no end in sight and it will not augur well. In the circumstance, there is no merit in this appeal and it is hereby dismissed,” Justice Onnoghen declared.

Though the ruling yesterday by the Court of Appeal has put paid to the ambition of Jimoh, at least until he appeals the ruling, if he will, it has however thrown up a new dimension to the whole election process.

Now, Jegede is left with only one day to really be involved in his campaign, because they are legally barred from campaigning 24 hours before the election, even though the sitting governor, Olusegun Mimiko and other members of his party has been all over the place telling the people that despite the antics of Jimoh to truncate the chances of the PDP in the state, that they should still keep faith.

Whatever they are able to achieve today, through the party structure that have already built through the wards and local governments of the state will determine what Saturday holds

Yakubu

for the PDP and the people of the state.

Eyitayo Jegede Jegede, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), attended St. Stephen’s “SA” Primary School, Modakeke, Ile-Ife and Aquinas College, Akure for his Secondary Education, where he was a Senior Prefect. He had his Higher School Certificate Education at Christ School, Ado Ekiti, and was the School Volleyball Captain both at Aquinas College, Akure and Christ School, Ado Ekiti between 1978 and 1980. He also captained the University Volleyball team at the University of Lagos where he had his Law Degree Course between 1980 and 1983.

He was posted to Yola, Adamawa State for his National Youth service Corps where he started his career as a legal practitioner. In 1984, Jegede, qualified as a lawyer after the One Year mandatory programme at the Nigeria Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos.

In 1992, he was appointed a Notary Public by the Chief Justice of Nigeria and in the space of less than 10 years was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria. He was deeply and actively involved in political cases and election petition matters, an area of law where his industry and practice is noted and respected.

He worked in the law firm of Murtala Aminu & Co. Yola. After twelve years practice in the law firm, six of which he was the Head of Chambers, he established his own law firm, Tayo Jegede & Co in 1996. He was heading his law firm of Tayo Jegede & Co in Abuja and Yola before he took his present appointment as Chief Law Officer in Ondo State.

In May 2009, the Governor of Ondo State appointed him as the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

Jegede is a former Chancellor of Anglican Communion of Jalingo, Taraba State, he was once the Chancellor of Anglican Dioceses of Yola and a member of Implementation Committee of American University, Yola, Adamawa State, as well as a member, Chairman Board of Governors, ABTI Academy International School.

Oke Mr. Oke has been a strong member of APC and PDP, but dumped the APC on October 1, 2016 for

the Alliance for Democracy where he picked its ticket to contest the November governorship poll in the state.

He had been the National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party and later its governorship candidate in the 2012 governorship election, but defected to the APC shortly after the PDP lost last year’s presidential election.

He was appointed a member, Ondo State Internal Revenue Board and in 2000, he was appointed as a commissioner representing Ondo State on the Governing Board of NDDC where he served for four years. In 2005, he was appointed by the President as member of the National Political Reform Conference. While there, the Ondo State Government appointed him as the Chairman and CEO of Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC) a position he held until he voluntarily resigned in October, 2006 to run for PDP ticket for Ondo South Senatorial District.

Akeredolu Akeredolu had served the Nigerian Bar Association in various capacities at both the branch and national levels and later as its national president.

He was Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Ondo State between 1997 and 1999 and at the same time a member of the Ondo State Judicial Service Commission.

He was a member of the Governing Council, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies between 2008 and 2010, a member of Council of Legal Education, a member of Council, International Bar Association and Pan African Lawyers Union. He currently serves as NBA representative in the National Judicial Council.

He is a recipient of many distinguished awards from reputable organisations both at home and abroad.

Now that the Appeal Court has come to the rescue of the PDP and given its verdict as directed by the Supreme Court, which has favoured what seem to be the choice of the vast majority of its members, it is time for the PDP to close ranks so that it can do well in the election, or at least give the people of the state the opportunity to make their choice and speak with clear conscience.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 24, 2016

11 News

Fire outbreak: Yabatech suspends exams, academic activities Titus Eleweke

ÏÏÏDisturbed by the fire inci-

dent that engulfed the female Bakassi Hostel of Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech), yesterday, the management of the institution has suspended the scheduled examinations and all forms of academic activities to enable it address the situation The fire outbreak, according to sources started at the early hours of yesterday at one of the female hotels in the college, and it destroyed many parts of the building as well as students belongings.

There were fear that some students might have lost their lives in the inferno, but however an insider , who pleaded anonymity told Daily Times that some students were actually injured but they were resuscitated and immediately treated at the college medical centre .

The sources further said that some of the students were injured while trying to move their belongings when the fire broke out.

According to the source, the affected students were allegedly

electrocuted and were rushed to the school’s medical centre for treatment and are stable.

Another source said it took fire trucks from the Lagos State Fire Service and the University of Lagos and college fire service to put off the fire that started at the early hours of yesterday.

According to sources, the fire which engulfed the hostel lasted for over two hours before the arrival of the fire service from other areas and fire could not be put off immediately because the college fire service ran out of water.

During the incidence, some police vehicles and officers of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency were visible at the school premises.

According to a statement issued by the College Public Relations Units and signed by its head Dr. Charles Oni, the college management has suspended all examinations and lectures in the institution to enable the college address emergence in the institution.

The statement said the Provost of the college Dr. (Mrs.) Margaret Ladipo has expressed her deep

Gutted Bakasi female hostel at Yaba College of Technology, Lagos… on Wednesday. Photo: BOLAJI OASUNKANMI. sympathy and called on the college community to remain calm as the management was doing all to address the situation.

The statement read: “Sequel

Delta Airlines pledges steady operation in Nigeria Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

ÏÏÏDelta Airlines has restated its

commitment to the Nigerian market despite the harsh economic situation that has seen airlines leave the country leading Delta to be the only American airline flying from Lagos to the United States.

Commercial Director, East and West Africa Delta Airlines, Mr. Bobby Bryan made this known earlier yesterday as he revealed that the airline was in Nigeria for the long haul and recession or not there was still a huge potential in the market.

According to Bryan when respond-

ing to questions about the sustainability of the airline’s operations on the Nigerian route, the airline has recognized the huge potential in the Nigerian market as well as its staff especially in Nigeria that has made the airline thrive.

Bryan explained that it has not been easy for airlines in the country to repatriate their funds and thanked the Federal government for aiding them in taking back some of their funds home but urged government to do more so they can get all their money.

“Government has done a lot in aiding us repatriate our funds and let me stress, this is not profit we are talking about; this is our operational capital

and we are thankful to them for all they have done. We however want them to do more so we can get all our funds.”

On how the airline has tackled the recession, Bryan explained that Delta has had to adjust but that the airline was not leaving the country.

“One word on how we have been able to adjust, planning. Yes, we have had to adjust cutting a few flights but we are not planning on going anywhere and we will not go anywhere because in truth the past few months there have been some stability and things may start improving although our biggest challenge the forex issue has not gone anywhere, but we are hopeful.”

Anambra negotiating with FG over N43bm debt-Dep Gov Alphonsus Nweze, Awka

ÏÏÏ

The Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr Nkem Okeke, has raised hope of the Federal Government re-reimbursing the State of N43 billion being the amount the State spent on Federal Projects.

Dr Okeke who spoke yesterday in Awka when the Committtee for Nigeria Union of Journalaists’ Week paid him a courtesy call said that talks were ongoing between the state and federal govern-

ment for the repayment of the money.

Okeke expressed hope that the federal government will listen to their pleas to pay the money, which he said if deployed for execution of projects will go a long way in transforming the state.

“As you can see, work has commenced in several parts of the state, following the end of the rains. The State Executive Council met yesterday and what dominated the meeting was our preparation for Christmas.A lot of Anambra sons and daughters will be coming home

from far and wide, and our primary concern is to make sure that the state is conducive for their stay. So in the area of infrastructure and security, we are working hard.I hope that when the people come and see all that the governor has been able to put in place, they will see reason why he should go for a second term in office,” Okeke said.

The deputy governor charged journalists to be objective and factual in their reportage of issues even in the face of constructive criticism.

to the unfortunate fire incident at the Bakassi Hostel early this morning(yesterday), the Management has suspended all academic activities till further notice. By

this notice, all examinations and lectures, especially scheduled for today(yesterday) have been put on hold, while the College attends to the exigency.

We have most transparent system in allocation of resources – Aregbesola Sodiq Adekunle, Osogbo

ÏÏÏThe Governor of

Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has said that Osun Government under his leadership has instituted the most transparent financial system in the allocation of resources accruing to the state.

Aregbesola stated this when the management team of Rave FM 91.7, Osogbo, came to intimate the governor on the activities lined up for the celebration of one year anniversary of the radio station.

He said that Osun has exhibited one of the utmost transparency in its financial system in the disbursement of its resources.

According to him, it is on good record that Osun pioneered the constitution of a committee saddled with the responsibility of assisting the state government in the allocation of state revenue to ensure prompt payment of salaries as well as adequate running of government.

“In our attempt to ensure transparency in our financial dealings, we inaugurated a committee headed by a veteran Labour leader in person of Comrade Hassan Sunmonu.

“Other members included the chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress in Osun; Chairman of Joint Negotiating Council, Chairman of Osun’s Nigerian

Union of Teachers and government representatives, who are not political appointees,” Aregbesola said.

He stated that the committee was aware of how the bailout funds was disbursed and so there is no way his government could have diverted or fixed the bailout as reported by some of the media organisations.

“I cannot be found wanting whether in bailout funds or other funds of Osun as we have been creative in the management of the scarce resources to lift the state beyond the limit of the available resources.

“I must also let you know that there is no way we could have diverted the funds, knowing that it was not sufficient for our needs in the first place.

“And this is why Osun has been able to pay its workers till August this year.

There is no case of diversion of bailout loan as far as Osun is concerned. “ The bailout was to take care of salaries backlog up till June last year.

If anything, the Osun government had demonstrated enough transparency by ensuring that the bailout loan was disbursed with adequate supervision of a committee of labour and government.

“Despite the meager allocations coming from the Federal Government, Osun still pays salary. And nobody bothers to ask how we have been consistent in the payment of modulated salary of about N1.7 bn when the state even once collected as low as N6 million one time.

News 12 NIMASA to undergo fresh restructuring next year Babajide Okeowo

ÏÏÏ In a bid to make the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) more productive, the Director General of the agency, Dakuku Peterside has stated that the agency will undergo an organizational restructuring next year.

This is even as he revealed that all hands must be on deck to ensure that the huge potentials in the industry are harnessed to get the country out of the current economic recession.

“Sometimes next year around April, we will be unveiling a new NIMASA brand, including a new logo, a new vision, and a new core values will be unveiled. We deliberately chose next year to coincide with the tenth anniversary of the fusion of NMA to form NIMASA. That same April, we will be hosting the association of maritime agencies in Africa, all maritime agencies in Africa will be in Nigeria, and we will also have the honor of hosting the Secretary General of International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

“We also realized that a new structure needs to be in place if we are to realize the shared vision and our agreed objectives. Therefore, the other thing we need to do is to put in place a new organogram, so the Ministry of Transportation set up a intra-ministerial stakeholders committee to look at the current structure of NIMASA to see if there can be a convergence somewhere and we all agreed that a new structure should be put in place, the process requires that we get the approval of the Minister of Transportation and the Head of Service (HoS) who is the custodian of the civil service restructuring.

That process is on. We have gotten the approval of the Minister of Transportation; we are just waiting for the Head of Service so that we can get a new structure in place in NIMASA. The NIMASA henchman also went on to lament the lack of a Nigerian flagged vessel to participate in the lifting of her petroleum products and other cargoes generated in the country.

“We are a great export nation, we export crude oil, agricultural products, we also import finished products it is painful that even with all our importing and exporting, yet no Nigerian vessel lifts any of our cargo both import and export.

I was looking at a recent statistics, in 2013; we had about 4000 Nigerians onboard cabotage vessels, this year, it has shrunk to about 1500, something is wrong somewhere, we have fewer Nigerians aboard cabotage vessels than what we used to have many years ago

Daily Times Nigeria j ƑƏ Ɨ ƕè M ƒƆƌƄƆƏ ƾƿè ƾƠơÕ

Senate declares MTEF 2017-2019 unrealistic Olufemi Samuel & Chris Emetoh

ÏÏÏ The 2017, 2018, and 2019 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and the Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) by President Muhammadu Buhari received an all round bashing on Wednesday as Senators described it as flawed, unrealistic and hence incapable of taking Nigeria out of recession as desired.

The position by the Senate on the MTEF document may have thrown a spanner on issues in the 2017 budget, which President Buhari is to present to the joint sitting of the National Assembly next week.

Senators, while condemning the MTEF, said the projections in the document contained inaccurate indices, which they noted would make the 2017 budget un-

implementable if passed.

Against this background, the Senate resolved to commit the MTEF document to its Committees on Finance, Appropriation and Budget and National Planning for rework, while relevant authorities from the Ministry of Finance, Central Bank of Nigeria, Budget and National Planning and others should be invited to be part of the rework process.

Meanwhile, the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom North West) offered a suggestion, which gave a soft landing for President Buhari on the MTEF document.

Akpabio in his contribution, said since the President was already billed to present the 2017 budget to the National Assembly next week, it would not be advisable for the Senate to send back

the MTEF document to the executive, but should rather empower the committees perfect the document with all relevant authorities for the president to act upon before addressing the lawmakers.

Alluding to an earlier hint by the Senate President, Akpabio said, “Yesterday, you made reference to the fact that the president may be coming to the chambers to submit and read the 2017 budget on 1st of December (Next week Thursday). If that is the case and we send this (MTEF) back for reworking by the presidency, it means that we will not be able to meet that deadline.

“But if we send it to the committee level, they may come up with something within the next three days that will be much realistic ahead of the budget presentation itself.”

Akpabio pleaded with the Senate not to throw out the MTEF document based on the incongruities in the projections, thus stressing the need to commit the document to the committees for proper work.

“We can see that we don’t have a perfect document in our hands but of course we are looking at assumptions and assumptions may not necessarily be correct. I want to suggest that we send it to the committee.

“Of course, the committees will invite the relevant agencies and ministries of government. And they will come up with a more realistic MTEF/FSP. So, my appeal will be that the committee members should take into cognisance all the submissions and observations made today; so that we can come up with a more realistic

Gé`ë `ƈƒƆƏ dƐ ƐƆ 1 ƒƆƏ Ə MƕƆ ƌ zƈƊƆ ƍƏƆ Ɔ Ɛƈ Ɛ Ɔ ^#^ ƅ ƗƈƗ ƐƆ Ƈ Ə &Ɛƅ ƆƃRƌƑƌ 0ƆƗƆƏ Ƌ ƐƈƐƑƆ ƅƕè ƈƆƇ CƆƏ ƌƆ &ƊƆì `ƈƒƆƏ & Ɛ dƆ Ɛ Əƈ Ƌ #ƈ ƐƏƈƅƐè dƆ ê 1Ɔ Ə Ɔ dƆƊƈƄ Ɨ &Ɛƅ Ɔ dƐ ƐƆ ƐƈƐƑƆ ƅƕè LƏê j ƕ &Ɖ Ƒè Ƈ Ə Ɛ Ɔ GƆ ƈ Ƌ ƐƈƒƆ `ƆéƏƑ ƆƋƆƅƐƈ ƗƑƏƈ Ɛ Ɔ ƈ Ƒ ƑƏ Ɛƈ Ƈ Ɛ Ɔ ƅ ƐƏƑƅƐƈ Ƈ Ɛ Ɔ nƋ ƊƓ 99é Ƈ Ə éMƈ ƈ Ə Ɨ ƈ &Ɛƅ Ɔ G ƅ Ƌ 1 ƒƆƏ ƌƆ Ɛ ƏƆ Ƈ Ɛ Ɔ Ɛ ƐƆČ zƆƗ Ɔ Ɨ ƕ

Dogara seeks harmonisation of security agencies’ functions Emmanuel Iriogbe, Abuja

ÏÏÏ Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara has called for the harmonization of the functions of all security agencies in the country to avoid duplication of duties by these agencies.

The Speaker spoke yesterday at a two-day investigative hearing by the ad-hoc committee set up to investigate all cases of invasion of property and arrest of persons for reasons outside the general duties of State Security Service (SSS) as prescribed by the national security agencies act 1986 since 29 may 2015.

According to the Speaker; “The activities of the Directorate of State Security Service of late have raised concerns in the Nigerian polity as to the propriety of the conduct of officials of the service and whether their actions are consistent with the law setting it up. These are matters for the Committee to make appropriate findings of fact. It appears

however that the main catalyst for this motion is the manner of the alleged invasion and search of the homes of Supreme Court Justices and other senior justices of superior Courts carried out by officials of the DSS, some of whom were said to be hooded, in the wee hours of the morning recently and the subsequent arrest and indeed prosecution of some of the Judges and Justices. The executive and legislative arms of some State governments have also been affected by these searches and arrests.

Dogara noted that the incidents have attracted solemn public interest and, therefore, has become a matter of urgent national importance and that the investigation is Parliament’s response to these wide spread concerns.

“As we know, the State Security Service (SSS) is a creature of statute and the Constitution.

Specifically, the National Security Agencies Act of 1986 which was incorporated into the 1979 and 1999 Constitutions of the Federal

Republic of Nigeria stipulates the powers and mandate of the SSS. Section 3 of the Act states as follows; “The State Security Service shall be charged with responsibility for(a) the prevention and detection within Nigeria of any crime against the internal security of Nigeria; (b) the protection and preservation of all non-military classified matters concerning the internal security of Nigeria; and (c) such other responsibilities affecting internal security within Nigeria as the National Assembly or the President, as the case may be, may deem necessary.”

The Speaker noted that it seems that provisions of paragraph (C) above departs from the normal constitutional framework set up

by Sections 4, 5, and 6 of the Constitution that instituted separation of powers of the three arms of government, as it apparently gives direct legislative powers to the President to enlarge the scope

of responsibilities of the SSS relating to internal security within Nigeria. Section 6 of the Act goes further to empower the President to issue an Instrument, a subsidiary legislation, on the manner in which the SSS should exercise its powers.

“In exercise of this power in Sections 3 and 6 of the National Security Agencies Act 1986, former Head of State, General Abdusalam Abubakar in 1999 promulgated the State Security Service Instrument One of 1999.

By virtue of that Instrument, the responsibilities of the SSS was extended to include the prevention, detection and investigation of economic crimes of national security dimension, among other things. The National Security Agencies Act is specifically protected by Section 315(5) of the Constitution as it cannot be altered like ordinary Acts of the National Assembly. It has the same alteration procedure like the Constitution as laid down in Section 9 (2) thereof” He said.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 24, 2016

13

14 Opinion

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 24, 2016

Fighting corruption and economic recession

T

Denja Yaqub

he current economic crisis, an exposé on the predicted disabilities and inhuman dispositions of neo liberal policies, especially its role in developing economies just as it is in all sectors, seem to be one that will ignite, a revolt that will sure upturn global fortunes for the better.

Not sure if Nigeria will be a beneficiary, given the nature of our intellectual, organisational, state and structural ineptitude as well as absence of national cohesiveness in a situation where nearly every analysis is garbed in ethnicity and clear allegiance to anything but national interests.

Most critics see issues in the context of who was there and who is now there and from where; nothing much about what was there and what is there. Indeed, somehow contemporary Nigeria has degenerated so fast.

It may seem that because we never had situations when the opposition becomes government, no one, including the present one planned for the crisis we are now collectively burdened with. That just one citizen keeps millions of dollars at home, amounting to sums that could have either rejuvenated or built sectors that would have shot the citizens to better life does not seem to be as worrisome to many, in regional or ethnic garbs with party biases; nauseating debates over legalities and constitutionality even as our legislators brazenly display superiority in self-interests above our collective future.

When any of the three arms of government treats the fourth arm, the citizens- with so much impunity, the country goes down. The worst is when the “last hope of the common man”, as the judiciary is commonly referred to, becomes a convenient abode of the devil sullying the common man.

While Nigerians have been compelled to contend with growing debts, imposed on the citizens by selfish and inept leaders who swam and possibly still swim with our collective wealth; that have mostly been embezzled beyond anyone’s imagination before the advent of the present government, some people still argue that it was wrong to pick judicial officers, Judges the Supreme Court, who kept monies in different currencies- proceeds of compromise. Judges who should be revered, feared professionals that should have been leading examples in decency and professional discipline; those who should be presiding over cases of corruption; are the ones keeping proceeds of corruption in their homes.

This is the highest of all scandals emerging from the rots of several years of maladministration of a country with so many resources in human and material quantum.

When the judiciary becomes as compromised as it has so far been exposed by alleged discoveries by

those who carried out midnight sting operations in the homes of Judges suspected to have compromised their professional ethics, any such country is already doomed.

However, somehow, the battle against corruption must be trap free.

It must have good legal and constitutional grounds strong enough to make judges or anyone unable to circumvent.

There are questionable methods and the regime is obviously serious enough in the ordinary about the battle against what has slowed the country down than to allow legal or constitutional pits as obstacles. There are questionable actions that point to obvious pitfalls in the investigation, arraignment and trial of the accused persons/judges.

For instance, is the State Security Service responsible for any form of operation in corruption related cases? When did the SSS become Department of State Services? Which law changed their name? Why wasn’t the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission or the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission or the anti-fraud unit of the Nigeria Police involved? Any of the accused judges can throw these questions as obstacles to proper prosecution.

Yes, the judiciary stinks, and we must say this very loud, but the den of crime must not be invaded in manners anyway seen much more helpful to criminality. Agreed, the element of surprise is necessary in situations where accomplices of suspects sit within the agencies with responsibilities to deal with corruption related.

However, there should be some fine officers in the appropriate agencies that can carry out flawless operations without compromise.

More worrisome is the escapist clearance of criminality by a man who should be ashamed he presided over the most corrupt civilian regime

in Nigeria’s history, conveniently defeating the Shehu Shagari regime; that truncated civil rule by every means possible but more by impunity backed with a warped constitution, a product constituted in impunity for the promotion of impunity just like the current constitution.

That former President Jonathan had to openly declare support for his erstwhile security adviser currently undergoing prosecution for diverting monies budgeted for the defence of the Nigerian people is not only irresponsible and ludicrous but an admission of ineptitude.. In fact, the fund shared by Dasuki was borrowed mainly for procuring arms. No responsible government will borrow money for a specific purpose only to end up sharing same among a tiny few for selfish purposes while the country and citizens would have to repay the loan.

If Dasuki didn’t share the defence allocation to individuals and corporate organisations for the re-election campaigns of Goodluck Jonathan, which monies are being returned by the beneficiaries of what has now become popularly known as Dasukigate?

President Jonathan owes Nigerians an apology for openly clearing Sambo Dasuki, even as fresh discoveries of several millions of dollars in his wife’s accounts; are oozing out daily to public domain. The judiciary should have been allowed to deliver its verdict, since the Dasukigate has already berthed in several judicial premises.

However, our current economic woes cannot be blamed only on the Jonathan administration; but for sure, he presided over the most corrupt regime, possibly surpassing all the looting that happened under past military dictatorships.

Indeed, between 1999 and 2015, Nigeria had the opportunity to have

minimal influences from the current global economic recession, if our leaders were honest.

What we suffer today seems a tip of the proverbial iceberg, as nothing has happened to show that we will not slide into depression.

We can only avoid economic depression if the Buhari regime realises its responsibility to urgently commence a recovery process that will return industries to production, give jobs to the unemployed and ensure sustainable anti-corruption structures that would outlive his regime.

No import dependent country, as Nigeria is will survive the surging hurricane of global economic recession. We must return to local production or face full depression.

We must avoid external policy influences that has been tested and evidently found to be counterproductive, such as the Breton Wood institutions.

No foreign institution or country will offer any policy or assistance that will make another country better than his or hers. The Breton Woods are not directing development towards countries like Nigeria. Their policies are directed towards taking what will sustain developed countries, in their global power contestations while they advance policies that would make increase our dependency status, mass poverty, unemployment, corruption, bad governance and war that will provide market for their arms.

We have enough human resources to develop our own policies in the interest of our people. In addition, with a government that “belongs to nobody and to everybody”, it is possible to move on without policies and programmes alien to our collective interests.

Yaqub is Assistant Secretary with the Nigeria Labour Congress, Abuja.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 24, 2016

15 Opinion

Graffiti of an atheist

I Kelechi C. Ogbamgba

stumbled on a graffiti an atheist and was appalled by the scorching brightness of his deep thought: “I am an atheist and I owe no apologies about my belief. I shudder when people, particularly these noisy “Christians”, try to lord it over me wanting to drag me into the mire of their faith which they neither understand nor practice. They make it sound as if they’re special breeds just because of the faith they profess which they merely wear like a lapel pin. When it suits them, they don it. Often times though, they repudiate it with an infantile glee like a recalcitrant child discarding a cherished toy. Beyond mere ceremonies and sanctimonious display of outward piety, there’s actually nothing endearing about them that convicts about what they lampoon me for ungodliness and unbelief.

“They call me names because I make bold to say there is no god. Yes, I have neither god to fear nor any deity to cringe to. I have no hope of eternity nor the desire to live in any Eldoradoic fantasy kingdom.

“Anyway, it really doesn’t

bother me because I am not alone.

The lifestyle of a myriad of these professing christians is a good advertisement for my atheistic inclination though they will contest this very vociferously albeit publicly whilst in the inner recesses of their irreligious vortex, they renounce the existence of the same God they profess to serve.

“Oh yes, I dream no dream about a blissful future neither do I crave for their ethereal golden streets somewhere beyond the skies. Mine is to live life to the fullest and after that, my decayed carcase will manure the soil for them to plant, reap, eat and die.

“But what about these christians? They’re hypocrites, professing a God they know not nor desire to serve. They renounce him in word and in deed, rejecting the tenets of his manual of life, which they call the Bible. I see the Bible in the dashboard of their cars, some other times tucked away under their pillows like a juju or talisman.

However, their lives manifest an abysmal repudiation of the tenets of the faith. They want to have the best of both worlds - enjoy the fruits of an evil world and, same time, drink from the fountain of the living waters they said is meant for

the righteous!

“We atheists are sincerer and even more honest. We don’t live a lie. What we say, we believe. What we believe, we proclaim from atop the mountains. Knowing no god or fearing any evil, we are guided by our consciences;unlike these “Christians” that easily betray their God at the least provocation.

“They often lack the courage to suffer for their faith least of all showing any willingness to pay the ultimate price in its defence. The age of martyrdom has long eluded them. The quest and pursuit of filthy lucre has evidently beclouded their heavenly vision and dulled their ecclesiastical passion.

“Not some of these pretentious “Christians” who live a lie! The scandalous evil and wickedness in society are perpetrated by them: the corruption and fraud; the sleazy jokes and immoral lifestyles; the betrayals and breakages in marriages resulting in an upsurge in divorces; the lurid enactment of licentiousness in their theatres where illicit drugs are ingloriously glorified; the lurid nudity that dares our sensibilities; the skimpy pageantry of the night daughters of “Christian” Knights; the homosexuality and lesbianism in the classy gold-gilded

closets; the violence in the street corners and its resultant bloodletting and senseless killings are open credentials of misguided proponents of a misused faith.

“The more they acquire knowledge and academic laurels, the more they become enamored to renounce the God they profess to honour, marshaling all their intellect to repudiate everything that is virtuous and endearing - the very hallmark of the teachings of the God they claim to know but have evidently abandoned. They’re even often ashamed of their Creator, refusing to talk about Him openly lest their social status deflated, or their courted refinement be soiled, or their academic status be ruptured.

“What a great pity!

“But if I should ever believe in the God and become a Christian, I will love Him with all my heart, I will acknowledge Him with all my soul, I will cherish Him with all my mind, I will serve with all my strength. I will not care what my friends or family will say, whether they will accept my faith or reject my God, whether they will reject me and renounce my belief. It would not matter what the world will say. I will fear no man. I will fear only my God until I see Him in glory.”

Are Shiite Muslims under siege?

I

William Bozimo

believe, Nigeria is increasingly becoming too hot for Muslims of the Shiite extraction.

It is strange for a country under the leadership of Muslim- soldier President with all the commanding heights of the security operatives from the, Army, Police to the DSS securely in the hands of fellow Muslims, one is beginning to wonder if some Nigerians are more Muslims than others.

With a long running battle with Boko Haram Islamic insurgents in the North East, it seems, the government is slightly wary about allowing the emergence of another like organisation likely to disturb the peace.

It is more frightening to learn that what happened in Zaria Kaduna states some months ago when a similar Shiite group blocked Lt.Gen Buratai’s convoy, he spared no effort to tolerate their nuisance value and sent over 300 of them to untimely grave.

The Kaduna State government officially confirmed the death figures. Such insurgencies had become commonplace in the North when hordes of Muslim insurgents called Maitatsine swept through parts of Kano metropolis, causing mayhem and destruction of lives and property.

Similarly,it was brought under

control between 1979 and 1982. Can we forget the frequency of these Muslim gangs terrorising parts of the North and particularly of note the ZANGO KATAF uprisings in Southern Kaduna where many people died.

Only recently, the police had a bloody encounter with Shiite followers who tried to block the Kaduna- Kano highway in observance of a festival so dear to them.

Reports said a policeman was killed with others injured.

Defending the police action against the Shiites, the IGP Idris Mohammed, said his men only acted in self-defence.

Today, Nigeria seems to relish in blood- thirstiness of the times like vampires who feed on blood. Human life has become worthless and with every passing day, we seem to celebrate a festival of bloodbath in diverse forms.

Mob control is never easy anywhere in the world but somehow, more saner and organised societies use rubber bullets and water spray to disperse crowds.

Now that we know that Shiites members never walk alone but in large crowds, and often armed to the teeth, is it not possible for the police to have some proactive methods of controlling their movements before they they commit any mayhem.

The killing of fellow Nigerians

on a daily basis with or without provocation do not speak well of the country.

The twin- evils, to all intents and purposes, had remained endemic in our land and after some fifty of independence , the country had gone through bloody civilians of the first Republic from 1960 – 1966 ending in a bloody coup and deaths of some leading political figures.

Then under the military juntas, it became the norm for soldiers to replace themselves through coups, while blaming corruption as reason for each adventure into public space.

And for some 30 years out of the 56 years since independence, the military ruled without the legislative and judicial arms.

For a country at peace without engaging in any external wars, except the occasional outburst of religious fanaticism as symbolized in Shiites and Boko Haram excesses, time has come for us a civilized Nation to minimize the senseless killings in Zaria and Kano- Kaduna axis .

It seems, whenever we have civilian administrations in power, there is the tendency for such killings coming to the front burner.

For example, under the watch of President Olusegun Obasanjo, we had the unsavoury cases of two massacres in Zaki Biam in Benue

state and Odi killings in Bayelsa state where some 12 policemen were wasted by some local urchins and in response President OBJ drafted in armoured cars to demolish a village and its people.

I think the people of Odi went to court and got judgment for some billions as reparations to the community.

With the leader of Shiites Movement in Nigeria, Alhaji El ZAKZAKKY under incarceration by the Federal government, nobody knows when he will know his fate in court someday.?

I think the killings should stop and only the police have the constitutional right to keep the peace, not through killings of fire-by-fire exchanges by security operatives, but by diplomatic and greater intelligence gathering methods by IGP Idris Mohammed.

A word for the Shiites, when next you want to go on any religious movement in the towns and villages, call for police escort and be guided by their directions instead of behaving like Cattle herdsmen who had developed the habit of equipping themselves with A.K 47 rifles and harassing villagers and towns engaged in burn-fire of hapless farmers homes and killing them in the process. We are tired of blood- letting in the land in addition to hunger in the air.

16

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 24, 2016

Features

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 24, 2016

s

17

Ondo guber: Rumblings, acrimonies tear PDP apart Few days to the November 26, 2016 Gubernatßorial Election in Ondo State, two factions of the Peoples Democratic Party are at each others’ throats, reports LADESOPE LADELOKUN Following a specific order by a Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Okon Abang, asking the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to recognise Chief Jimoh Ibrahim of the Ali ModuSheriff ’s faction of the PDP, as the authentic candidate of the party in the November 26th Gubernatorial Election in Ondo State, the problems besetting the PDP seem far from over as reactions have continued to trail the judgement.

While many have hailed the judgment of Justice Okon Abang for his judgement, many have dismissed it as a ‘’Jankara’’ injunction that won’t last.

In a press statement by the Director of Media\Publicity of the Sheriff-led faction of the PDP, Ondo State Chapter, the party had described the ruling of the Abuja High Court ‘’as a victory for democracy, the triumph of truth over falsehood, Godliness over godfatherism and, most importantly, the sweet beginning of a new dawn of development and good governance, across the state.’’

However, for the supporters of the Makarfi-led faction, Justice Abang’s ruling is a travesty of justice, as protests greeted the ruling in the state capital, with protesters carrying placards bearing inscriptions that questioned the independence of INEC. It would be recalled that former Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice in Ondo State, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, was elected the governorship candidate of the Makarfi-led faction for the November 26, 2016 gubernatorial election in a primary witnessed by the INEC officials and Non-governmental Organisations(NGOs) at the International Event Centre, Akure, the state capital, before he was replaced by Jimoh Ibrahim by the INEC, following Justice Okon Abang’s ruling.

In his reaction, the Publicity Secretary of the Makarfi faction of the PDP, Mr. Ola Fadaka, described the ruling as antithetical to democratic norms, while also accusing Abang of working to cripple the PDP with his

Jegede

anti-PDP’s Judgment, since the beginning of the Buhari administration.

His words: ’’We are amused by what INEC is doing now. The constitution of the party states the process through which a candidate can emerge. The Electoral Law states clearly how a candidate can emerge. Since the advent of this government, we have been seeing so many judgments from the court of Justice Abang. We know that every action calculated to be devastating on the PDP, must come from the court of Justice Abang. ‘’In every manner, this particular judgment is against the Electoral Act, which states very clearly that only the national secretariat can submit the name of a candidate. Where is the law?

Where is judicial order?’’ He queried.

Fadaka, however, blamed the crisis in the PDP on the forces in the All Progressives Congress, APC, who perfected plans to make PDP history.

Also, he accused Jimoh Ibrahim of not being a card carrying member of the PDP, saying, “As far as the PDP is concerned, Jimoh Ibrahim does not belong to the party. All what is happening now are the calculations and designs of the APC to destroy the PDP.’’

Jimoh

“As far as the PDP is concerned, Jomoh Ibrahim does not belong to the party” But the spokesperson of INEC, Mr. Nick Dazang, says, recognising Jimoh Ibrahim was in order.

He expressed the willingness of the commission to obey the order of a higher court on the matter. ’’There was a court order by Justice Okon Abang ordering the commission to recognise Jimoh Ibrahim, as the candidate of the PDP; and based on that court order, we recognise him.

“Of course, we are aware that the they have appealed ruling has been appealed. When there is judgment by the Court of Appeal, whichever way it goes, the commission will have no option than to obey the judgment. ‘’The decision to recognize Jimoh Ibrahim was predicated on a court judgment, if there is a

Onnoghenn (CJN)

superior judgment setting aside that judgment, we will comply with it,’’ Dazang said.

On why INEC chose to recognise the Makarfi-led faction candidate in the Edo governorship election, but decided to go with the Sheriff faction in the forthcoming election in Ondo, Dazang said: ‘’It was the Port Harcourt High Court that was the first to give us an order. That was what informed our recognition of the Makarfi-led faction in Edo.’’ Meanwhile, the crisis rocking the PDP took a dramatic turn as a result of allegations of bribery levelled against the special panel hearing the PDP’s election appeal by the Chairman of the Markarfi-led faction of the party in the state, Mr. Biyi Poroye.

The panel has since disqualified itself from hearing the case and a new one reconstituted by the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa.

Meanwhile, the Modu-Sheriff faction had approached the apex court to determine, among other things, whether the President of the Court of Appeal, Bulkachuwa, was right when she constituted a special panel to resolve dispute over who should be the flagbearer of the PDP in Ondo.

Now that the Supreme Court,

in its much anticipated ruling, has ordered the Appeal Court to hear Eyitayo Jegede’s appeal, the stage seems to be set for more intrigues and long-drawn battle between the two factions in the state.

Reacting to the protracted crisis rocking the PDP in Ondo State, the second Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Barrister Onyekachi Ubani, in a radio programme monitored in Lagos, urged the PDP, especially the Makarfi faction, to work for the success of the party in this weekend’s election.

He said the focus for both factions should be how the PDP would win the election.

Citing the Omehia-Amaechi legal tango that eventually threw up Amaechi as the Governor of Rivers State, Ubani said, ’’parties win elections in Nigeria.’’

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has cleared Jegede to go ahead with his legal action to challenge the lower court’s judgement, which barred him from contesting the Saturday election, setting the stage for another uncertainty.

Yesterday (Wednesday), the A’Court, in yet another twist to the Ondo issue, has cleared Jegede as the legal flag bearer of the PDP, putting Ibrahim’s fate in jeopardy.

Features 18

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 24, 2016

Eulogies for Baba Omojola, three years after Adeyemi Akeem Even in death, foremost activist and chieftain of National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, Baba Omojola, was not forgotten. This was evident in the eminent personalities, including friends, colleagues and human rights groups that trooped in to honour him. Venue was the Lagos Travel Inn, Ikeja.

Speakers after speakers described the man, who passed on at the age of 75, as one Nigerian who had left, on the sands of time, good deeds that were worthy of emulation.

Former Lagos state governor, Ndubuisi Kanu, in his speech at the event, described Comrade Adewole Babarinde Omojola Abiola, popularly known as Baba Oluwide Omojola, who died on October 19, 2013, at the age of 75, as an activist who Nigerians must not forget in a hurry. He said that Baba Omojola’s memory must continue to be in the heart of everyone who believes in the struggle for the welfare of the Nigeria people.

He added that Baba Omojola had the opportunity to live a luxury life in his lifetime with his influence,

but he decided to live among the poor people, so as to show his commitment, consistency to revolutionary activism.

Also speaking at the event, Comrade Ayo Opadokun, who gave a lecture with the theme: “Democracy and Political idea in Nigeria”, said there was a deficit or total absence of ideological foundation in Nigerian politics.

“In the First and Second Republics, the major political parties then, had four cardinal programs, most especially, the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), which pursued free education, free medical services, gainful employment and integrated rural development.

“These were four programs you could identify them with. But, today, the story is different,” he said.

Declaring his total support for the fight against corruption, Opadokun said the fight should be transparent and realistic.

“Somebody collected 500million to allow MTN to transfer billions of Naira out of Nigeria to South Africa and that person is still in government. How do we explain that?”

To the electorate, he charged:

“You should stop lamenting as a people and act: nobody will help you if you don’t help yourselves. Whenever you catch any political office holder stealing public funds, you arise and mobilise yourselves to that office and request for his removal at once.”

Barr Femi Aborishade in his speech described Omojola as a humanist.

His words: “In 1981, I had the opportunity to be in Baba Omojola’s residence in Kano, when the deluge of Nigeria Labour Congress took place.

“Baba’s house was never locked; the kitchen was left open for anybody from anywhere to enter and eat and this made me develop tremendous respect for Baba Omojola. He was not just a Socialist and Marxist, he was also a humanist who lived by what he preached.”

In his contribution on the topic: Unless we kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria, Aborishade said the “Peoples Democratic Party.

PDP, ruined Nigeria for 16 years; and they have all moved to the All Progressives Congress, APC, and yet, we claim we are fighting corruption?”

Omojola

Why this baby took heads of many cows God’s Covenant Snr

Rev. Ukah with the child

Some women wait for a few years after marriage for the blessed fruit of the womb. Others wait for decades, while a handful wait a life time, yet may never procreate a child. Uche and her businessman husband, Fredrick Ezeno, waited for (you might say), for only 13 years, but it wasn’t the wait that earned the Church a cow, with a promise of another cow to follow.

From the account of the family, it is the ‘ordinariness’ through which the miracle happened that astounded the Ezenos.

Mrs. Chinwe Ezeno, from Akpo town in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra state, was full of plans for her first baby when she wedded in 2003. But the wait started in a subtle manner, then began to drag on and on like it would never come to an end.

Uche’s account: ”I have been married for 13 long years. We passed through a lot of trials and I bore the pain only by the grace of God. “My family is filled with joy and thanksgiving for this miracle because of the ordinary way it started. There was no hint when we were relocating down to Aboru

lasy year that God was waiting to surprise us here.”

The miracle “When my family moved down to Aboru, we invited the Very Rev. Monsignor Ukah, the parish priest of St. Alphonsus, to bless our new home.

“After blessing the house, the priest asked, “where are your children?”, but we said we don’t have children. He said “No, that is not the will of God. “He told us to bring paper and biro and write some down some things. He told us to go and buy the items which included some fruits, and bring them to him at St. Alphonsus.

“When we presented the fruits, Monsignor Ukay blessed them, prayed for us and told us to eat the fruits right there.

“After that, he blessed water and told us to pray with it at home and

“When I became pregnant, I told God I’ll wait until I see my baby before I will believe; and in spite of my childish words, God was faithful.

Now I have my baby I am very grateful to God.”

sprinkle it in our home. He also gave a prayer pamphlet and told us to be coming for adoration. Shortly after that, I became pregnant!”

How did she take it?

“When I became pregnant, I told God I’ll wait until I see my baby before I will believe; and in spite of my childish words, God was faithful. Now I have my baby I am very grateful to God.” The baby is named Ginikachukwu Michelle Speaking to The Daily Times after dedication, Fred Ezeno, confirming the testimony of his wife, added that they were not “under pressure because we are from a Catholic background.”

On the miracle, Fred again confirmed that God used Monsignor Livinus Ukah, to perform it.

“God used Monsignor Ukah for this. I promised God I would dedicate the baby with a cow. In fact, I promised more than that: this one is just chapter 1. We will come for a second one,” he assured.

A few days to the dedication, Fred had said to the priest: “Father, I can’t sleep.” And when the priest asked to know why, Fred said, “Because I am so happy. I am still coming to terms with the reality that I now have a baby of my own. I hold her in my arms 12 hours every day,” he had said.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 23, 2016

19

Crime

Combining motherhood, image making is challenging- Lagos PPRO The Nigerian Police have, in recent times, found policewomen as critical to their image management. One of them, is Dolapo Badmus, a Superintendent Police. She says in this interview with JOY ANYIM, that being a mother, combining her job with the home front is highly challenging. Excerpts How would you describe the security situation in Lagos since the beginning of the year till date?

It is perfect. The security situation presently, when compared to two or three years back, has improved and it is near perfection.

The Commissioner of police in Lagos, Mr. Fatai Owoseni identified some flash points in the state, how has your command been able to police such flash points, as well as handle other security challenges in the state?

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, has long identified the flash points and he said he has plans, especially towards the end of the year to manage the security situation across the state very well. The plan is that, the command, under his leadership, is ensuring that Lagos is duly policed, and as you know, we are aware that during this season, there are some people that haven’t worked from January till date, but would want to make that billions on Naira that even people who have been working all year round have not made.

What those people do, instead, is to take to criminality. But what the Commissioner of Police is telling us is that we are ready and no one will be permitted to carry out their nefarious activity in this state within the festive period.

And, if you have been following him, you will discover that upon intelligence gathering, we were all happy for the recent breakthroughs we have made; about 1068 rounds of ammunition, two AK47 Riffles were recovered from an apartment. What that suggests to you is that the command is not sleeping; and we thank the members of the public, who have been very supportive in the fight against crime, because the information they gave us led to this achievement.

You can imagine 1068 rounds of ammunition, if they were being used, you know what havoc that would have been caused to the public? But, because the members of the public have faith in us, they gave us information; and this is what we want everyone to be doing. Give us information and we will treat it with high level of secrecy.

Is the issue of lynching in the state in any way connected to the loss of confidence by the people in the police?

The believe that lynching is as a result of the loss of confidence in the police is wrong. Lynching didn’t start today, it started as far back in the Bible, when a woman was about being stoned to death for a sin. Would we say that back then, the police was corrupt or collecting bribe? Lynching is generic; it is inside the blood. Some people cannot stand watching another person being lynched, while others will go all out to do it.

Badmus

I must confess to you that we need the public to achieve success and that was what brought about the IGP’s idea of the Eminent Persons’ Forum.

What is the relationship between the police and other sister security agencies?

We have a perfect relationship with sister security agencies. Now, if you look around, you will see the joint patrolling we have been doing with the Nigerian army. It is unprecedented. To maintain

peace in Lagos, we have also partnered the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigeria Navy personnel, and they have been co-operating with us. In Lagos, the synergy is pure and it’s productive.

How would you describe the role of

PCRC in tackling crime?

If you remember, upon assumption of office by the Inspector General of Police, idris Ibrahim, he said every state command should constitute Eminent Persons’ Forum, even at the divisional level.

What that is telling you is that the IGP is interested in what we call community policing and the concept of community policing. I will always say is the police of the people, by the people and for the people. When we get ourselves into the community, the community also comes into us.

You know what happens when you file water with blood, it becomes inseparable, and that is what we are doing. As you are aware, whenever you go around and see things that are genuine and you look the other way saying, after all, you are not a police officer, it is wrong. When such things degenerate and go bad, everyone in the neighbourhood will feel it.

For example, those who are in the areas where vandalism used to thrive, never raised the alarm. It’s either because they were benefiting from it or they just felt it wasn’t their business to report the case.

But now that the Federal Government has moved security operatives to such locations to protect the pipelines and the vandals have started feeding from the community, they are now shouting that they are being kidnapped.

But if at that point when the thing was going on, they brought out information because we are not spirits to know all that goes on the state, it wouldn’t have got to this. I must confess to you that we need the public to achieve success and that was what brought about the IGP’s idea of the Eminent Persons’ Forum.

The forum is made up of people who are well respected. And you know, community policing determines policing priority about a place. If you are a Divisional Police Officer at Ikeja and you are posted to Ajegunle, for example, it is not the same way you have been policing Ikeja that you will police Ajegunle. If you adopt the same policing strategy of Ikeja for Ajegunle, you will fail.

This is because they are different calibers of people. So, as an officer, you determine the policing priority of every area to police there. In Ikeja, you might say you want to use the Community Development Associations’ but if you don’t bring the youths into your voluntary policing, you still fail.

How do you combine your duties with the home front?

Combining both has not been easy, because I’m a wife, mother and, at the same time, a security personnel. I’m also a career woman. So, if I tell you it’s easy, I’m lying to you. But I have a wonderful home front; my spouse is supportive, very cooperative, even when I’m not there at home. My children, too, I would want to let you know that they are very cooperative, and I thank each of them for their support. I also want to thank Lagosians for their support and encouragement.

Crime

20

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 23, 2016

How NCS recovered cocaine worth over N2bn

Joy Anyim

The Nigeria Customs Service, Tincan Island Port, Apapa, Lagos, under the leadership of the Customs Comptroller, Yusuf Bashar, recently smashed a cargo loaded with 214.7732kg of cocaine worth N2 billion.

The seizure has, therefore, been described as another major breakthrough in the ongoing war by the NCS to address the illegal activities being perpetrated by unscrupulous people.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the hard drugs, which were neatly packed in eight bags of twenty five wraps each, arrived the country from Netherland.

The Comptroller said that information about the prohibited substance had filtered into his office 42 days before the seizure. Based on the tip- off, the cargo, which came with sixteen others were thoroughly examined’ and this effort, he said, paid off.

Yusuf stated that, although the substance at examination, was suspected to be cocaine, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency,

Ali

NDLEA, was, however, invited to carry out proper examination of the substance.

He said, “When the information came to my office about the suspected substance, I jealously guided it and kept it from reaching other quarters. So, when the vessel arrived with 16 other containers, we had to critically inspect the cargoes and its content; “this was when we found the powdered substance. We couldn’t really ascertain what it was, although,

we suspected it was cocaine. So, because we didn’t have the facility to carry out the needed test, we therefore had to invite the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to conduct the necessary test.”

According to him, “Right here in Tincan, where the cargo was confiscated, the NDLEA came and conducted a preliminary test and the rest was positive. But, I insisted that they should take the samples of the substances to their laboratory

Ekiti ‘chief’ paraded round town for stealing phone President Muhammadu Buhari’s spirit of “War Against Corruption” is spreading its wings beyond the political arena, it has been observed.

This was very much in evidence on Sunday when one chief Ilesanmi Olorigbo, from Aita quarters of Ilupeju-Ekiti, in the Oye Local Government Area of Ekiti State, reported to have been caught while stealing a mobile phone.

It was gathered that the chief was allegedly paraded round the town and forced to commence a hard labour of digging a deep well inside the community’s market.

It was learnt that the incident took place on Sunday, when some youths in the community were tipped-off that a missing mobile phone was with him.

The matter was reported at the palace of Apeju of Ilupeju-Ekiti, Oba Olaleye Oniyelu, where palace guards were sent to get Olorigbo.

“On getting to the palace, the Olorigbo was promptly searched and the missing phone was found inside his pocket. Apparently, he was caught unawares as he did not know what the Kabiyesi wanted from him,” a source said.

Another resident of the town, who witnessed the incident, said, “The Olorigbo has started digging a well inside a market in Ilupeju to atone for his crime. The well must bring crystal clear water or else, his punishment won’t be complete. This will serve as a deterrent to other thieves in the community.”

But, Oba Oniyelu denied that Olorigbo

The chief digging a well

was paraded round the town for the alleged theft.

The monarch, in a telephone chat, said he was in a hospital when Olorigbo was brought to the palace and that the matter was reported to the police by his wife.

He said, “When the matter was brought to the palace, I was in the hospital and the matter was taken to the police station and I don’t know what really happened. I don’t know whether he was paraded round the town, but I will find out.

“Olorigbo calls himself a chief, he used to perform rituals; and he is the leader of those praying at one of the shrines; and anybody whose hand is not clean cannot go there.

The adherents of the deity said he will be removed. That is what I know.

“The matter was reported to the palace. It was my wife that called the police.”

The Ekiti State Police Public Relations Officer, Alberto Adeyemi, confirmed the arrest saying that he will be charged to court.

for proper testing, which they did.

About a week after, they sent me the result, which was also positive. The 214.732kg of powdered substance was cocaine.”

He said, “The NDLEA also went further to give me the street value of the product, which is N2 billion. It was also disclosed that that was the largest seizure in the last ten years, according to the NDLEA statistics.”

The Comptroller also lauded his men for due diligence in the discharge of their duties, saying, the success recorded wouldn’t have been possible without his men who also keyed into the vision of the Customs Controller General, Col Hammed Ibrahim (rtd).

He said, “we have no doubt applied the principles of our CGC, which cover 100 per cent examination of cargoes, application of the appropriate valuation standards and rules and the identification of all flash points of revenue leakages.

“Our correspondent, however gathered that despite the remarkable seizure, the command was yet to get a commendation from the World Customs Organisation, which is often the norm.

Police, vigilante arrest notorious bandits in Lagos Oguntade Ismaila Two notorious hoodlums on the wanted list of the police and ten others were, at the weekend, arrested by the police in Lagos, with the support of members of a vigilante group.

The two suspects, identified, as Abiola Animashaun, (a.k. a Lege), and Godwin Odukoya, were said to have been arrested at their hideout at about 3.00am, last week, by members of the vigilante group, named, “Idera,” The group was said to have led policemen to their hideout at a slum, called Akamaye in Badia area of Ijora Lagos State.

Our correspondent reliably gathered that the suspects had been declared wanted by policemen in Badia Divisional Police Station for various crimes, which included robbery, vandalisation and hooliganism.

Others, identified as, Sulaiman Mutiu, Kazeem Oyeniyi, Kadri Jimoh, Fatai Nureni, Adams Soluyi, Muritala Baraki, Kadri Abdullahi, Idris Lukman and two females-Damilola Olamilekan, Aishatu Ibrahim- were learnt to have been arrested at Ojora and Orisunbare streets, Gangare area of Ijora, for violence and disrupting public peace.

Fake medical doctor arrested in Lagos Joy Anyim A 32-year-old JSS3 dropout, Nonlonfun Celestine, has been arrested by the police in Lagos, for allegedly impersonating a medical doctor and conducting surgery on a pregnant woman, which resulted to her death.

The suspect was said to have been running a clinic named, ‘Be Well in Third Millennium Clinic and Maternity Home’ in the Tomaru area of Liverpool in Apapa, where he had been posing as a medical doctor and rendering various medical services since 2005.

The father of two, however, met his waterloo, when he conducted a surgery on a pregnant woman, who died alongside her baby.

The family of the deceased, who were angered by the death of their daughter and grandchild, wrote a petition to the state Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba, Lagos, to investigate the death of the deceased, because they suspected the deaths were as a result of Celestine’s incompetence.

When police operatives stormed the clinic, it was discovered that the suspect ,who hails from Badagry in Lagos State, and had been parading himself as a medical doctor, was discovered to be prac-

ticing the profession with fake certificates.

Investigations revealed that the University of Ibadan, Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery certificate, certificate of annual practising license from the Medical and Dental Association of Nigeria, and the Certificate of Registration of Business from Corporate Affairs commission, with which he had registered his hospital, were all fake.

Celestine spoke on how he started the practice.” I am from Lagos State, but my mother is from Benin Republic. I lived with my mother for over 18 years in Benin Republic, and it was there I was enrolled in an auxiliary nursing school. I graduated with a certificate and returned to join my father in Nigeria in 2004. I started selling drugs in Badagry, but later, I moved to Tomaro when I started a clinic. There, I carried out various medical treatments.”

He said that, “The pregnant woman in question, was brought by her husband and her brother at about 4 am on the 12th November, 2016. She was in a critical state and was convulsing seriously. I administered first aid treatment on her, but she didn’t get any better. About four hours later, I called her husband and advised him to take her to a better hospital, but he begged me to continue trying, because he hadn’t the money to take her there.”

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 24, 2016

NARROW GATE INT’L BIBLE CHURCH

21 Public Notice

ADVOCATES OF PEACE, NATURE AND GENDER JUSTICE

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.PASTOR ISAAC A. ELAYELAGHA 2.PASTOR PEREKEME S. ENGINEERKEME 3.PASTOR RAPHAEL EGIRIGI 4.PASTOR SAMU EL AKPULE.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. EKAETTE ABANASANG ANWANA, ESQ 2. ENGR. EMMANUEL OTIORO ANWANA 3. EMMANUEL EYO ESSIEN, ESQ 4. UMO EDEM UMO, ESQ. 5. MR. KUFRE EFFIONG ESSIEN

AIM AND OBJECTIVE TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST TO REACH OUT TO THE LOST SOULS. ETC

AIM AND OBJECTIVE To promote women education, welfare and development.

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

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

SIGNED: SECRETARY

Signed: CHAIRMAN

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Prophet Tossou Benjamin Gideon - President 2. Pastor Happiness Ngozi Tossou - Secretary 3. Apostle Garba Moses 4. Aplogan Rogatien Gabby 5. Pastor Peter Ogoh 6. Elendu Jona Aja THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Godwin Adeboye 2. Ojisi Ochuko 3. Ojisi Israel THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To preach the word of God

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

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: Secretary

Signed: Secretary

CITY OF RECOVERY MINISTRY

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. OSAYIMWENSE OSARETIN JESSY 2. OSAYIMWENSE ANTHONIA OSAMUDIAMEN 3. DR ISOKEN AWHOEZE. THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 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: Secretary

LOSS OF ORIGINAL TITLE DOCUMENTS This is to inform the general public that the original Title Documents in respect of piece or parcel of land together with improvements in Abuja, otherwise known as “The Jordan Court”, 48 Julius Nyerere Crescent, Asokoro, Abuja and belonging to Chief (Mrs.) UjuUchenduOzoka also of the above address is officially missing.

The general public is warned that any dealing in respect of the said property without the consent in writing of the owner is at the person(s) risk or peril.

Signed CHIEF (MRS) UJUUCHENDUOZOKA 08065443817

VETLAND GRAMMAR SCHOOL CLASS OF 1995 ASSOCIATION.

HIGHER ROCK EVANGELICAL MINISTRY

This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied for registration to Corporate Affairs Commission Under Part C of the Company and Allied Matters Act No.1 of 1990.

This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied for registration to Corporate Affairs Commission Under Part C of the Company and Allied Matters Act No.1 of 1990.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for Registration Under part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Acts,1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ADUNOLA EMMANUEL OLUWASEYI - PRESIDENT 2. ADEKUNLE ADENIYI - VICE PRESIDENT 3. OLAPADE TUNDE DAVID - SECRETARY 4. ARIDEGBE TITILAYO - TRESURER 5. OLAGOKE MATTEW - FINANCIAL SECRETARY

THE TRUSTEE ARE: 1. BOLAJI AGORO - PRESIDENT 2. TAIWO ANJORIN - SECRETARY 3. VICTORY OLUMUYIWA - TREASURER.

AGROTRUST AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To promote agriculture and Agricbiz in Nigeria 2. To eradicate poverty from the country through mass farming 3. To cater for welfare of members Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: TRUSTEES

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PROVIDE BASIC FACILITY FOR THE SCHOOL 2. TO SUPPORT MANAGEMENT OF THE SCHOOL IN REBUILDING COLLAPSED INFRASTRUCTURE

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1 PASTOR EARNEST OKECHUKWU NDIKOM - GENERAL SUPRINTENDENT 2 ELIZABETH NDIKOM 3 OLAFIMIHAN LEAH IDOWU 4 AKANBI OLAYINKA SEUN 5 JOSEPH N. OKOROAFOR

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

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

2. To pray for the deliverance of the captives and oppressed.

3. To train people on how to be instruments in the hands of the Almighty God. .

4 To preach the sanctification of believers and second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General,Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: SECRETARY.

SIGNED: TRUSTEES

GOLDEN CHANGE FOR CONCERNED YOUTH FORUM

AGATU ELITE FORUM

EHEALTH FOR EVERYONE FOUNDATION

The general public is hereby informed that the above 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 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 has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

TRUSTEES 1. Enenche Christian. 2. Akwubo Adah Andy. 3. Edo Adanu.

TRUSTEES 1. IME EFFIONG ASANGANSI (chairman) 2.ONAKOYA OLUWASEUN 3.NNAEMEKA EMMANUEL CHUKWU. 4.OBI CHIMEZIE NNAMDI (Secretary).

TRUSTEES. (1) Ngwakwe Hezekiah Kennedy (Chairman) (2) Haj. Moruisola Lakanse(secretary (3) Alh. Ado Lawal.(4)Ngwakwe Williams.(5)Chief Bello Bamidele Abdul.

AIMS. 1. To cater for the welfare of Agatu People.

2. To render assistance to Agatu people whenever possible and as the needs arise.

3. To render an opportunity for Agatu people to interact with one another.

Any objection to the above 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. BARR CHINANUEKPERE ONUORAH. - 08039422155.

ADEOLA ODUTOLA COLLEGE OLD STUDENT ASSOCIATION IJEBU-ODE ‘94 SETS

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1 Promote, advocate, and support the design, development, implementation and use of electronic health systems for improved healthcare.

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

Any objection to this publication should be forwarded to the registrar general. Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street. Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Secretary.

Signed. Bar.(Mrs) Gena Eki Alexander.

KADUNA GINGER AND TUMERIC MARKETERS ASSOCIATION

The general public is hereby informed that the above has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

This is to inform the general public that the above named body has applied for Registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matter Act 1990.

Trustees 1. BABATUNDE BUSARI 2. MRS. MOJISOLA DIXON 3. HAKEEM OGUNBADEJO 4. SEUN OTUBANJO 5. QUADRI KAMALDEEN 6. OMOTAYO AWOJOBI

TRUSTEES 1. ALHAJI KABIR MAMI QASIM. - CHAIRMAN 2. MR. PAUL KANTONA. 3. MRS. HAJARATION DANGIWA PYENG 4 MR. ALHAMDU AIKALI 5. MRS. DEBORAH DANLADI. - SECRETARY

- PRESIDENT - SECRETARY -P.RO. - TREASURER - FINANCIAL SECRETARY -LEGAL ADVISER

AIM AND OBJECTIVES 1. To promote unity among members thereby creating a forum for social interaction and development of the school.

2. To promote development of the school and engage in support programmes for the needy, indigent but brilliant students.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar - General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication. Dated this 18th day of November, 2016 Signed Barr. Tayo AWOJOBI

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES. 1. To support the physically challenged youth

AIM AND OBJECTIVE 1. To streamline transactions relating to ginger and turmeric at the various local markets for the overall benefit of all stakeholders 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 from the date of this publication.

Signed: ANKUMA YEM Solicitor.

GOLDEN AMBASSADORS & FAIR KINGS CLUB

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

TRUSTEES 1. NDUBUISI EZE 3. DUKE MICHAEL NWITE 5. SUNDAY NWUGBALLA 7. JOSEPH UZORMA NWANKWO

2. IGBOKE UCHE OKAFOR 4. JOHN NWITE 6. OGBONNAYA HARRISON 8. ABRAHAM IKECHUKWU

AIM AND OBJECTIVES 1. To promote the welfare of members.

2. To promote the cultural values of Africans.

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

22 Public Notice BISHOP SMITH MEMORIAL COLLEGE OLD STUDENTS ASSOCIATION

This is to inform the general public that the above named Body has applied for Registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matter Act 1990.

Trustees 1. ABIFARIN OLUSHEYE ADEKUNLE. - CHAIRMAN 2. OGUNNIYI ARIYO SEUN - SECRETARY 3. ADEBANJI OJUOLAPE DEBORAH 4. ONOLAJA TITUS OLUBUNMI 5. AJALA ADEDOTUN ADEBAYO Aim and objective 1. To reconect and rebuild with 1994 alumni of the school.

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 from the date of this publication.

Signed: Secretary

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 24, 2016

RETIRED WOMEN PERMANENT SECRETARIES INITIATIVE. This is to inform the general public that the above named Body has applied for Registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matter Act 1990.

Trustees 1. CHRISTY MYADA. - President 2. MRS. LADI SA’ADATU ABUBAKAR 3. HILDA MAKANTO. - SECRETARY 4. MRS. PARMATA ISHAYA 5. MRS. ELIZABETH JIDDERE Aim and objective 1. To promote female participation in government.

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 from the date of this publication.

Signed: Secretary

Trustees 1. MR. SAMSON ADENIRAN. 2. MRS. CHRISTIANA ADENIRAN 3. MR. ISAAC IDOWU 5. MR. DAN. NUKWU 7. DR. EKE UDANYI RHODA

- CHAIRMAN 4. MR. AMINU RAHAMMAN 6. MR. KEHINDE DAWODU 8. MISS NTIENSE ETUK

Aim and objectives 1. To unite the club in the bonds of friendship good fellowship and mutual understanding 2. To facilite and promote activities that will enhance and develop Nigeria youths Financially through vocational skill acquisition and enterpreneurial skill training.

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

Aim and objectives 1. To preach the gospel of jesus Christ to all nations 2. To teach christian the principle of prayer warface 3. To proclaim the good news of salvation to all mankind.

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 from the date of this publication.

Signed.

CHUEMELU LOUIS. ESQ

SUPERPOWER CHRISTIAN CENTRE

This is to inform the general public that the above named Body has applied for Registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matter Act 1990.

This is to inform the general public that the above named Body has applied for Registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matter Act 1990.

Trustees 1.Bright Okosun.

- chairman 2.Abel Ejiroghene Okgegwa. - secretary 3. Omono Jessica Idedia 4. Oshodi Olabode 5. Andrew Cengiz 6. Anthony Yeboah 7. Marquis Blade 8. Nathaniel Okhiri

Trustees (1)APOSTLE OKPOR JOHN CHUKWUTEM -(chairman) (2) MRS OKPOR DORIS ISHIOMA -(secretary)

Any objection to the above 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: Rupert Atebe

Signed: Secretary

Trustees are 1. PASTOR OGBEBA HORSFALL EGEADEMA 2. PASTOR. (MRS) JANE KWENEOJO HORSFALL.

GLOBAL LIFE BENEFITS FOUNDATION

LIFE PLUS FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL This is to inform the general public that the above named Body has applied for Registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matter Act 1990.

LIGHT BEARER CHRISTIAN GOSPEL CHURCH

This is to inform the general public that the above named Body has applied for Registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matter Act 1990.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES 1. To preach the word of God. Any objection to the above 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 Barr Josiah Kingsley (08038823363)

ALL SAINT’S SPIRITUAL CHURCH ALADURA

DAILY BETTER HELP FAMILY INITIATIVE

This is to inform the general public that the above named Body has applied for Registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matter Act 1990.

FIRST ROYAL WORLD CHILDCARE FOUNDATION

The general public is hereby informed that the above has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

Trustees

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Sis. Ijeoma Chijioke Ilechukwu - Chairman 2. Bishop Benjamin Ikechukwu Okonkwo - Member 3. Mr. Ogba Kelvin Ehime - Member 4. Mrs. Njideka Scholastics Emechebe - Secretary

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

1. Rev Mother Ruphina Adeola Cole (primate) 2. Apostle Charles Adekunle Ricketts 3. Apostle micheal Olakunle Cole 4. Senior Evangelist Gideon Olabode Cole 5. Rev. Joshua Olatunde Cole (Chairman) 6. Evangelist Richard Adeyinka Ajayi (Secretary) 7 Deacon Simon Olusola Cole 8. Evangelist Enoch Oluremi Animashaun Aims :1.To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ in all nations 2. Preparing the children of God for the end time Any objection to the above registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Barr. Mrs Elizabeth Michael Ntisem. 0860650353

EGBA MUSLIM COMMUNITY

This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied for registration to Corporate Affairs Commission Under Part C of the Company and Allied Matters Act No.1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Alhaji Rasheed Adisa Raji- chairman 2. Imam Orunsolu Liadi 3. Kafidipe Fatai Alani -secretary 4. Alhaji Adisa Olaiya Tajudeen 5. Alhaji Moshood Ola Yusuf Aims And Objectives: 1. To promote the unity of Egba muslims 2. To ensure brotherhood of the muslims among the Egba Muslims Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: TRUSTEES.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To provide financial assistance and support for families and individuals in need.

2. To network with other organizations and individuals for collective help to the society.

3. To promote human rights for the poor and the needy in society.

4. Recognition and award of excellence for deserving members of the society.

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

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: ENGAGING THE CHILD’ S MIND TO BECOME PRODUCTIVE.

Signed: Sis. Ijeoma Chijioke Ilechukwu Chairman.

SIGNED: Chairman

ANGO BEACH ESTATE RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION, ABULE-OSHUN

DIVINE SHEPHERD DELIVERANCE AND PRAYER MINISTRY INTERNATIONAL

The general public is hereby notified that the above Association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for Registration under Part C of the Companies & Allied Matters Act, No 1 1990.

The Trustees Are: 1. MR. AUGUSTINE EZENWA UDUNZE, 2. MR. MARCEL IKECHUKWU ANOLUE, 3. MR. CYRIL IKECHUKWU EZIAMAKA, 4. BARR. NNAEMEKA AZU CHUKWUMAIFE, 5. MR. JASPER CHUKWUEME OGBUAGU, 6. MR. OLUKAYODE SHONOWO, 7. BARR. FELIX ISIMEKPENI OKONTI,

This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied for Registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matter Act 1990.

The Aims & Objectives: 1. To promote and protect the interest and welfare of residents in the Estate and serve a forum for them to express their views on matters of common interest.

2. To protect the lives and properties of residents through adequate provision of security and to ensure peace and orderliness within the Estate.

3. To embark on community developmental projects within the Estate to improve or enhance local amenities, social infrastructure and a clean environment.

4. To collaborate and liaise with the government as well as public and private agencies in promoting policies and goals as it affect residents of the Estate.

5. To do all such acts, matters and things, as may be necessary, incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above aims and objectives.

6. To strengthen community spirit and foster unity, progress and the feelings of brotherhood and fellowship among the residents.

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

Dated this 18th day of November, 2016 Signed: STANLEY E. CHINWUBA, ESQ.

DESTINY IMPARTATION WORLD OUTREACH

THE TRUSTEES ARE: (1) OGBONNA UGOEZE FAVOUR (2) EGUZO KELECHI (3) OGBONNA KINGSLEY NNAMDI (4) MADUEKWE DAVID UCHE PROMISE

STONEFIELD CHAMBERS

EXCELLENT ACHIEVABLE SUCCESSFUL YOUTH INITIATIVE

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mrs Adaobi Deborah Ojiakor 2. Mrs Divine Ebere Chukwu 3. Mr lkenna Innocent Ojiakor Aim & Objective: 1. To preach the word of God 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 from the date of this publication.

SIGNED: TRUSTEES. DAUGHTERS OF ZION IN DIASPORA CHARITY FOUNDATION

This is to inform the general public that the above named Mission 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 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 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. Evang. Divine Akuma Ogbonnaya 2. Sis. Favour Divine Ogbonnaya 3. Bro.Okocha Agu 4. Sis.Ifeoma Unogu 5. Sis.Chinonye Njoku Ejiogu 6. Bro. Kenneth Onyere 7. Sis. Lowretta Kalu 8. Bro.Ugochukwu Pascal Nwabufo 9. Sis.Promise Ukaku 10. Sis.Favour Kelechi

TRUSTEES 1. BROWN MOSES. - PRESIDENT 2. KANADI DAUDA. - SECRETARY

TRUSTEES: 1. MRS OLUSOLA OLURANTI DADA 2. MRS OLAYINKA OGUNDIJI ARIYEYE 3. MRS ENIOLA FAMI LONY 5. BULKY OLUBUNMI

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE To preach the word of God. Signed: SECRETARY

(President )

(Secretary)

AIM AND OBJECTIVE 1. To become a global initiative which recognisers the training and empowerment of youth in africa and beyond towards achieving excellent success in life Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar - General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication. Dated this 18th day of November, 2016 Signed: Secretary

- CHAIRPERSON - SECRETARY 4. MRS OLUWABUKOLA AMODUBELLO 6. BOLANLE ADEPOJU

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES : 1. PROVIDING ELDERLY PEOPLE WITH A LIFELINE OF HEALTHCARE AND RECREATION CENTRE THEREBY BREAKING THEIR ISOLATION AND LONELINESS. 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

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 24, 2016

KING AUSTINE OHANAEHI

I, formerly known as Patrick Augustine Obunike wish to be known and addressed as King Austine Ohanaehi. All former document remain valid, general public please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

JOSEPH CHRISTIAN OZIOMA

I, formerly known as Joseph Christian wish to be known and addressed as Joseph Christian Ozioma.

All former document remain valid, general public please take note.

REUBEN HELEN

OMOTAYO LOUISE EBERE

I, formerly known as LOUISE EBERE ONYEGBULA wish to be known and addressed as OMOTAYO LOUISE EBERE. All former document remain valid, general public please take ATITEBI MOTUNRAYO YETUNDE

NWOSU CHIUGO FRANCIS

I, formerly known as Chugo Pius Francis wish to be known and addressed as Nwosu Chiugo Francis. All former document remain valid, general public please take note.

ANEBI FRIDAY

I, formerly known as FRIDAY ANEBI ALI wish to be known and addressed as ANEBI FRIDAY. All former document remain valid, general public please take note.

23

AKINSOJI OMOWUMI OMOLARA

I, formerly known as OLUJOKA OMOWUMI OMOLARA wish to be known and addressed as AKINSOJI OMOWUMI OMOLARA. All former document remain valid, general public please take note.

OGHOGHO JOY OLUWAKEMI

SHITTU. MORUFAT OPEYEMI

That I Ejike Jerry Is the same person as Ejike Jerry Ewezuga Chukwu.

That all documents/credentials bearing all these names remains valid.

General public please take note.

I. Formely known and addressed as miss. Olarile.

Motunrayo. Yetunde. Now wish to be known and addressed as. Mrs. Atitebi. Motunrayo.

Yetunde all Former documents remain valid general public should take note.

LAWAL. BARAKAT TEMITOPE

I. Formely known and addressed as. Anthony.

Helen. Edejor. Now wish to be known and addressed as.

Reuben Helen all Former documents remain valid general public should take note.

Cornfirmation. Of. Name, That.

I. Am the same person bearing Lawal. Barakat. Ajoke. And. Lawal. Barakat. Temitope. That now I want to maintain. Lawal.

Barakat Temitope all Former documents remain valid general public should take note

I. Formely known and addressed as. Mike. Joy. Oluwakemi. Now wish to be known and addressed as.

Oghogho. Joy. Oluwakemi.

All Former documents.

Remain valid general public should take note.

. I formerly known and addressed as. Miss Badmus.

Morufat Opeyemi now wish to be addressed. As. Mrs Shittu. Morufat Opeyemi all Former documents. Remain valid general public should take note

JOHNSON CLIFFORD OSEMEN

OKEKE BLESSING CHIBUOYIM

TAYO DAVID

ADEMESO ADEBOLA GRACE

UWAOMA CHRISTOPHER EKENEDILICHUKWU

I formerly known and addressed as OMOTAYO OGUNDE now wish to be known and addressed as TAYO DAVID All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as OLUFEMI ADEBOLA GRACE now wish to be known and addressed as ADEMESO ADEBOLA GRACE All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as EKENE CHRISTOPHER UWA now wish to be known and addressed as UWAOMA CHRISTOPHER EKENEDILICHUKWU All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

GRACE OMOYEMI Formerly known and addressed as Grace Michael now wish to be known and addressed as Grace Omoyemi. All Former Documents remain valid, and general public note

ONYINYE MERCY ONWUCHEKWA

OSAMUYIMEN OSAIYEKEMWEN AIDOGIE

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSD AS MISS. ONYINYE MERCY CHIBUZOR NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESS AS MRS: ONYINYE MERCY ONWUCHEKWA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID, THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE

I formerly known and addressed as Dr. ( Miss) Osamuyimen Osaiyekemwen Ayala - Uwangue now I wish to be known and addressed as Dr. (Mrs) Osamuyimen Osaiyekemwen Aidogie. All former documents remain valid. Federal Civil Service Commission, State House Clinic Abuja, UNIBEN and general public to please take note

I formerly known and addressed as EKENG FRANCIS now wish to be known and addressed as JOHNSON CLIFFORD OSEMEN. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME/ DATE OF BIRTH:

My name was wrongly written as RODA IBRAHIM instead of RODAH IBRAHIM and my date of birth was wrongly quoted as 2/2/1974 instead of 8/2/1976.

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

NWETEE JOY

I formerly known and addressed as MISS OKEKE BLESSING CHIBUOYIM now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OKEKE BLESSING CHIBUOYIM All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

ECHODA ACHEME OCHE

I formerly known and address as Echioda King now wish to be known and address as Echoda Acheme Oche. all former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAMES.

NWATEE JOY, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS NWATEE JOY CHINWENDU, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS NWETEE JOY. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND AUTHORITY CONCERNED SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

THE NAME QUEEN ECSTASY EDOGHOGHO AND QUEEN ECSTASY EDOGHOGHO IS ONE AND THE SAME PERSON, HENCEFORTH SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AS QUEEN ECSTASY EDOGHOGHO AND ALL DOCUMENTS BEARING THE ABOVE NAMES REMAINS VALID.GENERAL PUBLIC ,ALL OTHER AUTHORITY CONCERNED SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

ONWUKOBI LUCY OBIAGELI.

UCHENDU OBED OJIAKU

SYLVENUS :I formerly known as MISS SYLVENUS LUCY OBIAGELI now wish to be known as MRS ONWUKOBI LUCY OBIAGELI. former documents remain valid. General public take note.

This is to confirm that the names UCHE OJIAKU and UCHENDU OBED OJIAKU refers to one and the same person now wish to be addressed only as UCHENDU OBED OJIAKU. former documents remain valid. ZENITH, FIRST BANK and general public take note.

IORVER MNGUESHIMA

IORVER MNGUESHIMA I, formerly known and addressed as, ISHEGH MNGUESHIMA ABIGAEL, now wish to be known and addressed as, IORVER MNGUESHIMA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OKAFOR CHIDOZIE MARTIN

MATHIAS :I Formerly known as UME MATHIAS UGOCHUKWU now wish to be known as OKAFOR CHIDOZIE MARTIN.former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

ANYAOGU CHIDIMMA.

ANIKE CYNTHIA STANLEY NKECHI

AMADI ANGELA NWUKA

OKENGWU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKENGWU CHIDIMMA KELECHI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ANYAOGU CHIDIMMA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and General public should please take note.

ONWUKA: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ONWUKA CYNTHIA NKECHI now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ANIKE CYNTHIA STANLEY NKECHI. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and General public should please take note.

AMADI: I, formerly known and addressed as AMADI ANGELA NWACHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as AMADI ANGELA NWUKA. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

GOODNESS OSITA AMANA

I, formerly known and addressed as GOODNESS OSITA OSOGA EGBO, now wish to be known and addressed as GOODNESS OSITA AMANA. All documents remain valid. General public should please take note OKOINEMEN GODSPOWER EHICHIOYA

My name was wrongly written as OKOIN GODSPOWER EHICHIOYA instead of OKOINEMEN GODSPOWER EHICHIOYA, all former document reman valid general public take note CORRECTION OF NAME I, MISS TEMITOPE ADENLE KAUSAAT, wish to correct my name that was wrongly written as, MISS TEMITOPE ADENLE KAUSARAT, instead of, MISS TEMITOPE ADENLE KAUSAAT. I now wish to be known and addressed as, MISS TEMITOPE ADENLE KAUSAAT. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

ADEWUSI FUNMILAYO RUKAYAT

LAWAL NOJEEM AYO

I, formerly known and addressed as ADAM FUNMILAYO RUKAYAT, now wish to be known and addressed as ADEWUSI FUNMILAYO RUKAYAT. All documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as LAWAL NOJIMUDEEN, now wish to be known and addressed as LAWAL NOJEEM AYO. All documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

EGO FAVOUR UDOKA

ANYANWU FAVOUR CHIAZOKA

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. NWANKEGO .R. NWAOGWUGWU, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. EGO FAVOUR UDOKA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

EMMANUEL UMOLE

I, formerly known and addressed as, EMMANUEL GODWIN LKEN, now wish to be known and addressed as, EMMANUEL UMOLE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as, OKONKWO CYNTHIA IJEOMA, now wish to be known and addressed as, ANYANWU FAVOUR CHIAZOKA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

NDUBUEZE DAVID

I, formerly known as Joel Andy Ukanwoke wish to be known and addressed as Ndubueze David. All former document remain valid, general public please take note.

OLOFIN AMINAT TITILAYO

Formerly Miss. AJIBIKE AMINAT TITILAYO Now Mrs. OLOFIN AMINAT TITILAYO. Former documents remains valid. General public please note.

EZE VERONICA. UZO: I, formerly known and addressed as UZO VERONICA, now wish to be known and addressed as EZE VERONICA. All documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

This is to inform the general public of loss of certificate of occupancy belonging to MR KELECHI V. UMUNNA of No 74 Otammiri Street Federal Housing Estate Aladimma Owerri, land situate at Plot 280 Indep. Layout Enugu Reg No 61/61/1491 . At Land Registry Enugu.

All effort to trace the said document proved abortive. If found return to the Ministry of Lands Enugu.

OHAZULIKE YOUNG ALLEN

ASUKO BLESSING EWAONEL.

BOLAJI-KOWE OLUGBENGA.

I, formerly known and addressed as, BOLAJI OLUGBENGA FRANKLIN , now wish to be known and addressed as, BOLAJI-KOWE OLUGBENGA. All former documents remain valid. general public should take note.

CHIOMA AZAEZE OBIORA CHIOMA: I, formerly known and addressed as CHIOMA V. OBIORA, now wish to be known and addressed as CHIOMA AZAEZE OBIORA. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

OBISIRIKE JOYCE ERUMULO I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKAH JOYCE , now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OBISIRIKE JOYCE ERUMULO. All documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OGAR BLESSING

I, formerly known and addressed as OGBODO BLESSING , now wish to be known and addressed as OGAR BLESSING. All documents remain valid. General public should please take note

GREAT CHIBUEZE FAVOUR I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. FAVOUR IJEOMA AMADI, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. GREAT CHIBUEZE FAVOUR IJEOMA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. OLUWAFUNMILAYO IFELOJU EGBON, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. OLUWAFUNMILAYO IFELOJU EGBON-GIMA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

AHAJI KINGSLEY UZOMA.

OLISA OLAYINKA ESTHER.

I formaly known as MISS JOHNSON OLAYINKA. Now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OLISA OLAYINKA ESTHER. All former documents remain valid the general public should please take note

I, formerly known and addressed as, ADURO BLESSING EWAONEL, now wish to be known and addressed as, ASUKO BLESSING EWAONEL. All former documents remain valid. general public should take note.

I FORMERLY KNOWN AS YOUNG ALLEN NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OHAZULIKE YOUNG ALLEN. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID, GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I, formerly known and addressed as, AHAJI KINGSLEY CHIDI, now wish to be known and addressed as, AHAJI KINGSLEY UZOMA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

KUNLE INUMIDUN GREEN

I formerly known and addressed as ISMAIL AKANDE KASSIM now wish to be known and addressed as KUNLE INUMIDUN GREEN All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

OLUWAFUNMILAYO IFELOJU EGBON-GIMA

ETAH OGECHI UKA

I, formerly known and addressed as, ETAH UKA EME, now wish to be known and addressed as, ETAH OGECHI UKA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ALEEM MUJIDAT KEMI

I, formerly known as ALEEM MUJI KEMI wish to be known and addressed as ALEEM MUJIDAT KEMI. All former document remain valid, general public please take note.

OLAYINKA MARY BALOGUN

I, formerly known and addressed as OLAYINKA MARY OGUNBA, now wish to be known and addressed as OLAYINKA MARY BALOGUN. All documents remain valid.

General public should please take note ILOBUASI LYKE FIDELIS

I, formerly known and addressed as ILOBUASI IKECHUKWU FIDELIS, now wish to be known and addressed as ILOBUASI LYKE FIDELIS. All documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

HARRISON-OSEJI FOREIGN GOODLUCK

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. OPUTA FOREIGN GOODLUCK, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. HARRISON-OSEJI FOREIGN GOODLUCK. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

MUHAMMED YAKUBU

I, formerly known and addressed as, AKPAN MOHAMMED, now wish to be known and addressed as, MUHAMMED YAKUBU. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

24

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 24, 2016

Moses Oyediran Enugu ÏÏÏ Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu state on Tuesday inaugurated two separate boundary committees in the state with Mrs. Oluchi Ngwu and Mr. Chinedu Ekwueme as its cochairs.

Ugwuanyi, who was represented by his deputy,

ILUKWE EDWARD AZUBIKE

ILUKWE: I, formerly known and addressed as ILUKWEM EDWARD AZUBIKE AND ILUKWE EDWARD, now wish to be known and addressed as ILUKWE EDWARD AZUBIKE. All documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

KENNEDY CHINEDU OKEREKE.

I, formerly known and addressed as, OSENI ADAMS KENNEDY, now wish to be known and addressed as, KENNEDY CHINEDU OKEREKE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ENWEREJI NNEKA STELLA

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. ONYEKAEBI NNEKA STELLA, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. ENWEREJI NNEKA STELLA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, CHAMBERLAIN NATHAN INAM, INAM CHAMBERLAIN ANIETIE, AND CHAMBERLAIN NATHAN OKPOKINAM, refer to one and same person but, now wish to be known and addressed as, CHAMBERLAIN NATHAN OKPOKINAM. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

PASCHAL IYKE BENJAMIN

I, formerly known and addressed as, NWANKWO BENJAMIN IYKE, now wish to be known and addressed as, PASCHAL IYKE BENJAMIN NWANKWO. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHINDA WENEDA SAMUEL.

I, formerly known and addressed as, CHINDA SAMUEL, now wish to be known and addressed as, CHINDA WENEDA SAMUEL. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

NGOR SAVIOUR METOUNAWAJI

I, formerly known and addressed as, NGOR SAVIOUR ASUK, now wish to be known and addressed as, NGOR SAVIOUR METOUNAWAJI. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

Ugwuanyi inaugurates committees to tackle boundary disputes Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, while performing the ceremony reiterated his administration’s commitment towards enhancing peaceful co-existence among councils in the

OHAZULIKE YOUNG ALLEN I FORMERLY KNOWN AS YOUNG ALLEN NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OHAZULIKE YOUNG ALLEN. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID, GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE. DANIEL TULE I, formerly known and addressed as, DANIEL TULE TARFA, now wish to be known and addressed as, DANIEL TULE. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

IHEANACHO CHRISTIANA

state.

The committees’ inauguration, he said, is consistent with his desire to amicably resolve boundary disputes that emanate from local govern-

FOR SALE MEIBAKA AGGO RITA.

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. RITA OVEH, now wish to be known and addressed as, MEIBAKA AGGO RITA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as, ANUNOBI CHRISTIANA, now wish to be known and addressed as, IHEANACHO CHRISTIANA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, OKURUKET GOODLUCK WILLIAMS, wish to correct my name which was wrongly written as, OKURUKET GOODLUCK PRINCE, in my bank details. I now wish to be known and addressed as, OKURUKET GOODLUCK WILLIAMS. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

ADDITION OF NAME

JUDE OMEJE

I, EDEH SUNDAY PATRICK, wish to add, EDEH, to my name which was formerly, SUNDAY PATRICK. I now wish to be known and addressed as, EDEH SUNDAY PATRICK. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

EMEKA V. OKECHUKWU

I, formerly known and addressed as, EMEKA V. NWANGENE, now wish to be known and addressed as, EMEKA V. OKECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

NYEOMANU JOY OGONDA. I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. WIKE JOY FRIDAY, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. NYEOMANU JOY OGONDA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, PAMELA IFUNANYA, AND AGUYA PAMELA IFUNANYA, refer to one and same person but, now wish to be known and addressed as, AGUYA PAMELA IFUNANYA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

SUKA ORUENE

SERIFAT ADEYEMI

I, SUKA ORUENE, wish to correct my name which was wrongly written as, S. K. ORUENE, instead of, SUKA ORUENE, in my BVN details. I now wish to be known and addressed as, SUKA ORUENE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as FUNKE MONILOLA IDOWU now with to be known and addressed as SERIFAT ADEYEMI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as, ALWELL BRIGGS AND JUDE OZIDI OMEJE, now wish to be known and addressed as, JUDE OMEJE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

JUDITH UGO CHIMEZIE.

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. JUDITH UGO ELUU, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. JUDITH UGO CHIMEZIE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHUKWUEMEKA IFUNANYA JOVITA

I, formerly known and addressed as, STEPHEN IFUNANYA JOVITA, now wish to be known and addressed as, CHUKWUEMEKA IFUNANYA JOVITA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

SUNDAY CHIBUIKE BLESSING I, SUNDAY CHIBUIKE BLESSING, AND OKORO CHIDI BLESSING, refer to one and same person but, now wish to be known and addressed as, SUNDAY CHIBUIKE BLESSING. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ments and enjoined the committee members to identify disagreements over boundaries with a view to nipping them in the bud.

“Our mission at the local

FOR SALE MOSES IZUNWA I, formerly known and addressed as, JOEL IZUNWA, now wish to be known and addressed as, MOSES IZUNWA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

MUHAMMAD AMINA BABA I, MUHAMMAD AMINA BABA, wish to correct my name which was wrongly written as, HAJIYA AMINA MOHAMMED, instead of, MUHAMMAD AMINA BABA, in my bank details. I now wish to be known and addressed as, MUHAMMAD AMINA BABA. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note ELIZABETH THOMPSON CHIOMA

I, formerly known and addressed as, CHIOMA THOMPSON ORJI, now wish to be known and addressed as, ELIZABETH THOMPSON CHIOMA. All former documents valid. General public should take note.

government headquarters is to give impetus to the local government boundary committee which is constitutional through inauguration, so that as a committee at the

FOR SALE

SAMUEL CHUKWUEBUKA SOLOMON

I, formerly known and addressed as, OKPA EBUKA SOLOMON, now wish to be known and addressed as, SAMUEL CHUKWUEBUKA SOLOMON. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

KOMAGAN SCHOLASTICA DUMDIBABARI

I, KOMAGAN SCHOLASTICA DUMDIBABARI, wish to correct my name which was wrongly written as, KORMAGAN SCHOLASTICA, instead of, KOMAGAN SCHOLASTICA DUMDIBABARI, in my bank details. I now wish to be known and addressed as, KOMAGAN SCHOLASTICA DUMDIBABARI. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHIYERE EWURUM

I, formerly known and addressed as, CHINEYE EWURUM, but now wish to be known and addressed as CHIYERE EWURUM. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

NKEMJIKA MBAMARA

UDEOGU OLUCHI MERCY

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. NKEMJIKA OKEKE, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. NKEMJIKA MBAMARA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as, NWAIWU OLUCHI MERCY, now wish to be known and addressed as, UDEOGU OLUCHI MERCY. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ELEMUO BENJAMIN ECHESIM

I, formerly known and addressed as, ELEMUO BENJAMIN FRANK, now wish to be known and addressed as, ELEMUO BENJAMIN ECHESIM. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

KIO AHIAKWO JUSTICE

I, KIO AHIAKWO JUSTICE, AND KIO AHIAKWO, refer to one and same person but, now wish to be known and addressed as, KIO AHIAKWO JUSTICE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

MUSARI OLORUNWA MUSILIU

TITILAYO OJORA FUNMI

I, formerly known and addressed as MUSILIU EWESANYA now with to be known and addressed as MUSARI OLORUNWA MUSILIU. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS TITILAYO OMOTOYE FUNMI now with to be known and addressed as MRS. TITILAYO OJORA FUNMI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

CHRISTIANA EMEDIONG UKPONG

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. CHRISTIANA GODWIN ETIM, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. CHRISTIANA EMEDIONG UKPONG. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

IKPI EBRI UBI I, IKPI EBRI UBI AND AUSTINE EBRI UBI, refer to one and same person but, now wish to be known and addressed as, IKPI EBRI UBI. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ADIMABUA MABEL UCHE I, formerly known and addressed as MISS HENDRITH MABEL UCHE now with to be known and addressed as MRS. ADIMABUA MABEL UCHE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

grassroots, it will henceforth identify boundary-related disputes at their points of brewing and then have them nipped in the bud,” he said.

FOR SALE ANGELA CHIDINMA OGBONNA I, formerly known and addressed as, MRS. ANGELA CHIDI OGBONNA, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. ANGELA CHIDINMA OGBONNA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

UKACHUKWU ANSLEM IFEANYI. I, UKACHUKWU ANSLEM IFEANYI, wish to correct my name which was wrongly written as, UKACHUKWU ANSELAM IFEANYI, instead of, UKACHUKWU ANSLEM IFEANYI, in some of my certificates. I now wish to be known and addressed as, UKACHUKWU ANSLEM IFEANYI. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

CHIDINMA JOY OSUOHA.

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. CHIDINMA JOY ONUOHA, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. CHIDINMA JOY OSUOHA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

KENNEDY ILENA UKAMAKA E

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. ANIELUNWA UKAMAKA E., now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. KENNEDY ILENA UKAMAKA E. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

IFUNANYA LILIAN ROBINSON

I, formerly known and addressed as, IFUNANYA LILIAN CHIME, now wish to be known and addressed as, IFUNANYA LILIAN ROBINSON. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

I, SOCHIMA CHIZZY CHUKWUNYERE, wish to correct my name which was wrongly written as, CHUKWUNYERE .T. SOCHIMA, instead of, SOCHIMA CHIZZY CHUKWUNYERE., in my bank account details. I now wish to be known and addressed as, SOCHIMA CHIZZY CHUKWUNYERE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHINENYE OGBONNA. B.

UMEH: I, formerly known and addressed as UMEH CHINENYE, now wish to be known and addressed as CHINENYE OGBONNA. B. All documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 24, 2016

Singapore targets investment in Nigeria’s telecom, others Tony Nwakaegho

ÏÏÏSingapore Investment Corpo-

ration (SIC) has embarked on fact finding mission to Nigeria with interest in vast areas of investment opportunities in the country, especially telecommunication, oil and gas and solid mineral resources.

Mr Ang Eng Seng, SIC President, Europe and his Deputy, David Kosson and their team informed journalists in Abuja, while on visit to the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communication Commission, (NCC), Professor Umar Garba Danbatta that they would like to stake their investment in the telecommunication sector.

Seng said Singapore was interested in Nigeria largely for her huge potentials and opportunities bolstered by her population and land mass within the continent, adding that Nigeria is one that was being talked about in the international arena.

He explained that his team was on fact finding mission to back local industries and enterprises with the needed finance to enable Singapore participate in ventures that would improve the economic fortunes of Singapore and Nigeria.

He disclosed that the team would stake its investments in oil and gas, solid minerals and telecommunication, especially in telecom infrastructures such as broadband projects, Spectrum and other areas open for international investment.

Seng who requested for details of the opportunities available from the management of the NCC, noted that the team would further engage the management on the matter to enable it commence work on time.

FG begins quality control management on agric products Tom Okpe, Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

Federal Government in efforts to achieving a zero rejection on Nigeria Agricultural products has Commenced validated strategy document for a single quality control management system plan against total rejection of Agricultural commodities and other non Oil products for export.

Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade and industries with other agencies committee will help to harmonize concern agencies in certifying the quality of Agricultural produce exported from Nigeria.

Speaking at the validation meeting on Tuesday at the FMARD

Head office in Abuja, the minister Chief Audu Ogbe, assisted by his Minister for State, Bar. Heineken Lokpobiri said, “The concern of standard and quality control must be taken seriously as there is no other time than now to maintain global internationally recognized measure as there is no other choice before us.

“In a globalized world in this era of free Trade, nothing is more embarrassing and tragic than to continue to have Nigerian goods and food items rejected in the world market. We have reacted to this event in the past with our usual lack of seriousness. We may have treated the rejection by other economies as prejudice and discrimination; these to me is defeating, we have never seriously paid attention especially since the dis-

solution of the marketing boards to the question of standard as demanded by humanity elsewhere especially in the developed economies and emerging markets. We may have been able to survive all these years because revenue was coming from Oil and gas. The boom era of huge oil revenue is gradually coming to an end. It is a painful reality which coincidentally presents us a unique opportunity to innovate and do things differently, we must embrace a new paradigm of development by harnessing opportunities elsewhere especially in Agriculture to rapidly diversify the national economy for inclusive growth and sustainable development”, he maintained.

“The glaring and best alternative is agriculture with emphasis

Asaba

ÏÏÏ

Farmers group operating under the umbrella of “Asaba famers” in Delta State yesterday alleged sabotage method to access loans from the Agriculture Bank under the proposed N750billion Central Bank (CBN) Agric Bank recapitalization.

As it were, the Central Bank of Nigeria had recently announced the provision for N750billion for Agric Bank recapitalization before the end of next year 2017.

The proposals, expectedly is the restructuring and recapitalization of the BOA that will enable the bank

on self sufficiency in our local staples, modernization, value addition and agro exports to the rest of the world by ensuring that we satisfy the prescribed international standards and receive certification to enhance global acceptance of our agricultural and non-Oil exports. It is time for Nigerians to recognize that there is only one global and acceptable standard in the world as there can be no Nigerian or Chinese standard when it comes to food. “if sub Saharan African countries like Ghana, Cote d’voire, Kenya, South Africa to mention a few are exporting fruits, Vegetables and other agricultural commodities to countries across the world, the time for us to get serious and follow suit is now”, he said.

Firm lauds Bindow’s achievement Tom Garba,

Yola

ÏÏÏ

L-R: Company Secretary, Mr. Rotimi Odusola; Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Peter Ndegwa; Chairman, Mr. Babatunde Savage; Vice-Chairman, Mr John O’Keffe and Non-Executive Director, Mr. Bismark Rewane all of Guinness Nigeria Plc at the 66th AGM of the company in Benin, Edo State… on Wednesday.

Farmers’ group alleges sabotage in agric bank loan Nosa Akenzua,

25 News

to attract up to N1 million to effectively provide loans at affordable interest rates to farmers.

But the farmers who spoke through one of their leaders, Elder Francis Tolafe accused Agric Bank Officials in Asaba of giving out forms to access loans on sabotage grounds, adding that they have been faced with difficulties of becoming part of the loans’ seekers since Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced its proposals for N750 billion.

According to him, we were told to come for forms, and register our names, it is so difficult to get the forms except close relations or friends of the Bank Officials that are getting the forms”.

Alleging further that they have approached Bank of the Industry in Asaba and others for loans in the past to no avail, Elder Tolafe however appealed to President Mohammadu Buhari and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to intervene as part of their promises to boost Agriculture sector as measures to cushion the hash effects of the current economic recession.

The Minister of the State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri had the farmers’ field day organized by Dizengoft Nigeria Limited in collaboration with Phinada Integrated farms in Abuja recently, said: “The Central Bank of Nigeria is collaborating with the Ministry of Agriculture.

This is because one of the biggest challenges of Agriculture in Nigeria today is access to affordable loans, but in many other parts of the world, agriculture is the most attractive sector for Banks to lend money to”.

The Minister added: “Right now, the federal government is subsidizing farmers’ but the subsidy is not what the farmers want, we have seen this under the Anchor Borrowers’ Scheme of the CBN in Kebbi in the scheme there was no subsidy”.

But the farmers explained that it was been difficult for them to access loans even in commercial banks who often demand bogus collateral before giving out loans.

The Management of Gotel communications has yesterday praises the achievements of Governor Muhammadu Umaru Bindow Jibrilla over the unprecedented record of roads constructions, Education and providing a people oriented policies in the state.

The Director General of the organization, Alhaji Mohammed El-yaqub reiterated this when he played host to Bindow Economy and Social transformation Agenda (BEST AGENDA) who they went on a familiarization tour to all the media organisation in the state.

The leader of the group Alhaji Ahmed Lawal while addressing the management of Gotel communication thank them for given a good coverage of Adamawa state and beyond.

He said BEST is a non profit Organization consciously created to support the on going work Governor Bindow, as among its plans of programs is to distribute delivering kids to all pregnant women in the state,haven visited about four local governments last week planning to visit other ones with the shortest possible time.

Ahmed who toured the media houses with the entire entourage of the leadership Of the organization further pleaded to the management to support the present administration in enlighten the public of what BEST and the government of the day is doing.

“BEST is out to support the governor with her good will contribute finances from members of the group, a sacrifice we are making for the governor to succeed”. Ahmed said

26

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 24, 2016

Health

Lara Adejoro Nigeria is home to the largest number of children with Sickle Cell Disorder (SCD) and a devastating complication of SCD is a high prevalence of strokes in children with sickle cell anaemia.

Although interventions for stroke prevention are feasible in identifying children with Trans-cranial Doppler (TCD) screening for determining those at high risk of developing strokes, but TCD facilities in Nigeria are no more than three in a large country with 36 semi-autonomous states.

To this end, a Train-theTrainer (TOT) capacity building training programme was held recently at the National Sickle Cell Centre, Lagos.

According to records, over 40 million Nigerians are healthy carriers of the sickle cell gene (Hb AS), while over 150,000 babies are born each year with sickle cell anaemia (Hb SS). About 1 in 14 children with sickle cell anaemia have a high risk of developing strokes (overt or silent).

Sickle cell anaemia is a genetic (inherited) blood disorder in which red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body, develop abnormally.

Rather than being round and flexible, the sickle red blood cells become shaped like a crescent (or sickle). These abnormal red blood cells can then clog sections of blood vessels leading to episodes of pain which can be severe.

These episodes are called sickle cell crisis (also known as a vaso-occlusive crisis).

11-year old Desmond Donkgwap has come a long way. At age nine, a sudden stroke put him in a coma and he had to be admitted in the hospital.

“There is nothing new to managing sickle cell because I’m SS too, but it was really challenging when he had stroke,” Ruth John, 43-yearold Desmond’s mother told The Daily Times.

“I wasn’t there when he had the first stroke because he was with my younger sister. They were in the car and the next thing, she realised that he wasn’t talking. She thought he was joking and she called to inform me. I had to rush home from work and I realised that he wouldn’t answer me while talking to him.

He was in pains.

“I took him to the hospital

s

Succour for children with sickle cell

With the training of radiologists, pediatrician and hematologists from the six geo-political zones in Nigeria on the use of TCDs, the risk of children who are prone to having stroke, can now be detected and treated early, writes Lara Adejoro.

One of the participants at the Train-the-Trainer capacity training programme speaking at the closing ceremony where a new TCD equipment where given to each go-political zones.

and I couldn’t believe it when the doctor told me it was a minor stroke. Afterwards, he was admitted in the hospital and taken care of.

“I was surprised he had another stroke in August this year again. There was no symptom to tell me he was at risk of having stroke at all,” she said.

Continuing, she said, Desmond’s academic performance has been poor after the stroke attacks. “He used to take 1st to 3rd position in his class but now, his performance is poor. Though, he has improved ever since we started coming to Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria (SCFN).”

An associate professor of radiology, Kofo Soyebi said, “if there had been a TCD scan, the case of Desmond would have been prevented. With the scan, you see whether there is a risk and if you pick any,

there are management.

“There’s what they can givewhether blood transfusion or hydroxyl urea which help them stay without the sickening blood for a while but you have to keep doing that. Why they have stroke is because the blood cell is abnormal, it will now flow and block a vessel. When that happens, that part that is not getting blood dies.”

However, going for TCD scan depends on what is found, if what is found is standard risk- the risk that any SS patient can have, then the patient will be told to come back the next year for another scan.

The second category is conditional risk, “for certain situation, the patient might be prone to stroke but such patient is advised to take plenty of fruits, and advised to come back in two weeks. If it is still

conditional, then the doctor tells the patient to come every six month, but if it is high risk, immediately you see the doctor,” explained Soyebi.

“The stroke can happen in the brain, bone and the organs of the body. If it happens in the brain, the child can’t move hand, the child can’t support himself,” the associate professor said.

Adding, Chairman of the SCFN, Prof. Olu Akinyanju said, if a child has a stroke, he has 70% of having another stroke within 2 years.

“The way to prevent it is to give them blood transfusion every 3 week to put A blood in them so that the S is pushed down to 30% but that’s a very challenging thing in a country like Nigeria. Fortunately, if you take hydroxyl urea appropriately, it can also prevent stroke.”

An expert’s experience One of the trainees, who is a Lecturer/Consultant Hematologist at the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna State, Dr Ijeh Ifeoma said, she sees patients with sickle cell anaemia every day “and I see what they go through, I can’t pretend to know how they feel but as a human being and as a doctor, I can empathise with what they suffer and I’ve actually had to manage a lot of patients who already had stroke.

“On the average, the paediatric clinic which runs every week with the younger children, have about 80 patients per week and that’s just the scheduled visit, not those who come with acute problem.

“On the adult and adolescent side, we see about 25-30 patients per week. Between 5-10% of my attendees already have a stroke. The prob-

Continued on page 27

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 24, 2016

27 Health

NURHI2 relaunches ‘Get it together’ family life programme

Continued from page 26

Lara Adejoro The Nigeria Urban Reproductive Health Initiative 2 (NURHI2) has relaunched its ‘Get It Together’ radio programmes in Kadua, Lagos an Oyo states to encourage discussions around relationships and family life.

The weekly programmes Komai Nisan Jifa in Kaduna, Se’rigbo in Lagos and Ireti Eda in Oyo kicked off on Monday, November 22.

The radio programmes will feature top-quality drama, the latest jams, real stories and the chance for callers/listeners to win prizes in weekly quizzes.

In a release made available to The Daily Times, NURHI said, “You may have been listening to the programmes these past few months and enjoying a live talk programme with our experts; however, from now on, you will be hearing an even more absolutely exciting version.

The programmes now present captivating drama that showcases everyday lives of people and their decision to plan their families, testimonials from satisfied users, religious leaders, service providers, artisans and so on.

“Llisteners can also call in to the programme and speak

Lara Adejoro NursingWorld Nigeria has urged Nigerians to learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation to strengthen the chain of survival.

This was made known during the commemoration of the 2016 World Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) held at the

Family Planning ‘Get It Together’ Logo

Respite for kid with sickle cell

Participants practicing CPR on the manikins

directly with family planning experts, who are there to answer their questions on air. The programs will be broadcast in Hausa in Kaduna and Yoruba in Lagos and Oyo.” NURHI Project Director, Dr Mojisola Odeku said, “We want Nigerians to think of family planning as part of everyday life. The Get It Together radio programs build on the success of our popular radio programs during NURHI I and the hit

song “Get It Together,” featuring Paul ‘P Square’ Okoye and Tiwa Savage, with the aims of reaching people through music and entertainment, engaging them in discussion, and increasing awareness and demand for family planning in Nigeria.”

The radio programme are part of the ‘Get it Together’ Campaign which encourages all Nigerians to know the facts about family planning, talk to

your partner and go for family planning services.

Train-the-Trainer (TOT) capacity building training programme is currently ongoing at the National Sickle Cell Centre, Lagos.

The TOT will bring together Radiologists/Paediatric and Haematologists from all the geo-political zones of Nigeria for an intensive and hands-on training on the art and science of TCD Story.

Learn CPR to save lives, nurses urges Nigerians Department of Animal and Environment Biology, University of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State.

The CPR Day is aimed at

strengthening the chain of survival skills in lay people to advanced health care providers.

The only chance of survival a victim has is if someone knows how to call for an ambulance and perform basic CPR Skills until a more advanced healthcare provider arrives on the scene.

According to the organisers of the event NursingWorld Nigeria, “CPR is a vital life skill that everyone, not just emergency personnel, should learn.

The quicker CPR can be applied the better the chances of survival. World CPR Day is a great initiative to highlight the importance of learning to do CPR. Everybody should know how to do CPR, we need

to strengthen the chain of survival.”

Nursingword Nigeria said the Department of Animal and Environmental Biology in the university was chosen because it met the criteria to qualify for the free training after due consideration of the fact that it could not boast of having a member of staff having the requisite skills needed to react appropriately in an emergency.

Highlight of the events included: first aid basics, demonstration of CPR to the school staff members, teaching them how to call for an ambulance or for help and what to do while they wait, how to use an Automated External Defribilator (AED) if available.

lem has always been that you can’t always know beforehand who will have it and that’s why this equipment will add value, but what we’ve been doing so far is the patient education.

“We educate them that the earlier they come to the hospital after they have a stroke, the better the chances of recovery.

“So, imagine that each week, a different person comes and that is not even a tip of the iceberg because Nigeria has so many challengesfinancial, social cultural and lots of people don’t even access these facilities. A lot of people are suffering at home or going to their road side patent medicine store or utilize alternative medicine. There are so many people out there that we are not yet reaching, so we are hoping that things like this will open up the door to more people and be more willing to access healthcare.”

At the conclusion of the training, new TCD equipment was given to representative Institutions from each of the zones, which will in turn use the equipment provided to develop capacity on use of this equipment in their zones.

This is expected to increase numbers of TCD Trainers; number of TCD Sonographers; six additional TCD centres across Nigeria thereby increasing access to this facility; strengthening available database which can be available for further studies; integrating TCD screening into routine management of children with SCD. Way forward Soyebi who is also the Principal investigator of the project said, “We’re writing letters to state governors and commissioners of health that we need more of TCD scans.

The machine can’t be more than $20,000; we can afford it, even buying one for a state is not enough.

“What bothers me was the day someone came from Port Harcourt for a test at the centre here and I thought people need not travel for such. Every town should have one TCD, at least every state, so that people won’t have to travel far to access it.”

Foreign 28

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 24, 2016

Trump tips Nikki Haley as UN Ambassador

ÎÎÎU.S.

President-elect Donald Trump tipped South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley on Wednesday to be the country’s ambassador to the United Nations, the first woman he has named to his Cabinet.

The 44-year-old daughter of Indian immigrants is serving her second term as governor of the midAtlantic state, but has no foreign policy experience. She is Trump’s first Cabinet pick who is not a white man.

In naming her, Trump cited her seven overseas trade missions for South Carolina and negotiations with international companies.

“Governor Haley has a proven track record of bringing people together regardless of background or party affiliation to move critical policies forward for the betterment of her state and our country,” Trump said in a statement. “She is also a proven dealmaker, and we look to be making plenty of deals.

She will be a great leader representing us on the world stage.”

Haley did not support Trump during the months-long process

that ended with him as the Republican Party’s nominee for president. She initially backed Florida Senator Marco Rubio, and when he dropped out of the race, she shifted her support to Texas Senator Ted Cruz.

Shortly before the November 8 election, she said that she was not enthusiastic about the choices to take over the White House when President Barack Obama’s term ends in January, but that she would vote for Trump.

She criticized his proposal to ban Muslims from entering the United States and used the national platform giving the Republican Party’s response to Obama’s last State of the Union address to rebuke Trump’s style by saying, “Some people think that you have to be the loudest voice in the room to make a difference.”

Trump called her “weak on immigration” and in March wrote on Twitter, “The people of South Carolina are embarrassed by Nikki Haley!”

The two met last week in New

Nikki Haley York where Trump has been interviewing potential Cabinet members to join his new government.

In addition to Haley, he has picked Republican party chairman Reince Priebus as his chief of staff, Breitbart News executive Ste-

phen Bannon as chief White House strategist, Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions as attorney general, Congressman Mike Pompeo to lead the Central Intelligence Agency and retired Army General Michael Flynn as his national security adviser.

‘IS’ chemical weapons capable of destroying Mosul’ ÎÎÎ

The increasing likelihood Islamic State terror group fighters battling to retain control of the key Iraqi city of Mosul will start relying on chemical weapons is adding to fears of a humanitarian catastrophe.

Hundreds of thousands of civilians are believed to be trapped inside Mosul, even as Iraqi forces have begun to clear neighborhoods in the city’s east.

And while those forces carry some protections against chemical weapons, little has been done to protect residents caught in the cross hairs.

“There’s a real risk,” warned Human Rights Watch senior Iraq researcher Belkis Wille, who recently returned from the country.

“Neither the Iraqi forces nor the Americans, nor the humanitarians, for that matter, are publicly putting out any information to the communities about what to do in the case of an attack,” she said.

Rights groups ask Obama to rescind Muslim ‘registry’ before Trump takes office

Right extremist found Germany upset with Trump’s plan to cancel Pacific trade deal ÎÎÎHundreds of civil rights adguilty of killing British vocacy groups have asked Presishe said. “I know only one thing: there ÎÎÎGerman Chancellor Angela will be other trade agreements, and they dent Barack Obama to dismantle Merkel on Wednesday expressed female lawmaker a program once used to register won’t have the standards that this agreeÎÎÎ

A far right fanatic was found guilty on Wednesday of killing British Member of Parliament Jo Cox — a murder that shocked Britain and reverberated across the European continent and beyond.

Thomas Mair, 53, was the lone suspect charged with shooting and stabbing Cox, a pro-immigrant, pro-refugee, junior member of Parliament, as she was arriving at a library in the northern English town of Birstall to meet with voters on June 16.

The jury at London’s Old Bailey central criminal court took 90 minutes to convict Mair. He showed no emotion after hearing the decision, according to reports.

In his first court appearance, Mair refused to identify himself by his legal name, saying, “My name is death to traitors, freedom for Britain.”

British Jo Cox, the 41-year-old British Member of Parliament shot to death Tuesday in northern England

her displeasure with U.S. Presidentelect Donald Trump for his plans to pull the United States out of the planned Trans-Pacific Partnership.

While Merkel didn’t mention Trump by name, she said she was “not happy” about the potential collapse of the trade deal and said future deals will not be as good.

“I will tell you honestly: I am not happy that the Trans-Pacific agreement now will probably not become reality. I don’t know who will benefit from that,”

ment and the hoped-for TTIP agreement have,” said Merkel, referring to another deal under discussion, the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.

In a video address released Monday, Trump said that on his first day as president, he would pull the U.S. out of the TPP trade deal, which he called “a potential disaster.” Trump has also said he wants to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, with Canada and Mexico.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel

Hillary Clinton has grounds to challenge election results, activists say ÎÎÎA

group of computer scientists and election lawyers are urging Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton to challenge her election loss, saying they have evidence the results in three key battleground states were compromised.

According to New York magazine’s Gabriel Sherman, the activists say electronic voting systems in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania produced discrepancies that hurt Clinton.

The academics presented findings showing that in Wisconsin, Clinton received 7 percent fewer votes in counties that relied on

electronic-voting machines compared with counties that used optical scanners and paper ballots.

Based on this statistical analysis, Clinton may have been denied as many as 30,000 votes; she lost Wisconsin by 27,000.

Clinton needed to win all three states for an election victory. Wisconsin and Pennsylvania went for Donald Trump by the smallest margins of all the states that he won. The race in Michigan hasn’t been certified, but the state is likely to go to Trump. A Clinton win in all three states would give her enough Electoral College votes to claim the presidency.

The activists, who have not spo-

ken publicly about their findings, presented their evidence to Clinton’s campaign team last week. An aide to Clinton told HuffPost the campaign is “not saying anything yet.”

Some data scientists and political statisticians, including FiveThirtyEight’s Nate Silver and The New York Times’ Nate Cohn, cast doubt on the claims, which compared voting in counties that used paper ballots with those that used electronic machines. Silver and Cohn said the suspicious results disappear when controlling for demographic factors like race and education.

foreigners from a list of predominantly Muslim countries, in a bid to stave off efforts by Donald Trump’s incoming administration to revive the system.

In a letter addressed to Obama and posted online Tuesday, 198 local and national organizations around the U.S. called for executive action to immediately rescind the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System, known by its acronym, NSEERS. “NSEERS was a discriminatory policy that ran counter to the fundamental American values of fairness and equal protection,” the groups wrote, adding that it was “ineffective as a counterterrorism tool, has resulted in tremendous harm for individuals who were directly affected, and has disrupted relationships with immigrant communities.”

American Muslims

Dala Tennis: Defending champions reach semifinals Andrew Ekejiuba

T

op seed, Moses Michael moved to the semifinals of the Dala Hard Court Tennis Championship holding in Kano with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Clifford Enosoregbe.

Moses, who was a finalist last year, showed his determination to go all the way as hitting series of winners against his opponent who was Nigeria’s best per-

former at the Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship last month.

Sylvester Emmanuel also stayed on course to defend the title he won last year as he stopped the great run of youngster, Christopher Bulus of the Aces Tennis Academy with a commanding 6-2, 6-2 triumph.

Abdulmumin Babalola and Thomas Otu completed the semifinal place with Babablola bagging a 6-2, 6-3 win over

Chima Michael while Otu the 2015 CBN Open champion, defeated Michael Michael 6-2, 6-4 as he strived to regain the number one spot he held until this year.

In the women’s singles, defending champion Christy Agugbom was ruthless in her 6-0, 6-0 whitewash of Loveth Donatus while 2015 finalist, Sarah Adegoke came from a set down to beat Ronke Akingbade 4-6, 6-2, 6-0 to also move to the semifinals.

Page 29

Like Adegoke, Patience Onebamhon was made to work off her socks as she needed a final set tie break to beat Christy Nwankwo 6-2, 5-7, 7-6 In the Mens’ Doubles, Albert Bikom and Sunday Maku defeated Joseph Imeh and Michael olajinbiti 6-2, 6-7, 10-2 while Shehu Lawal teamed up with Abdulmumin Babalola to beat the pair of Yakubu and Ibrahim 6-4, 6-1.

Thursday, NOVEMBER 24, 2016

ANDREW EKEJIUBA

Action recorded during FOSLA Academy and Edo team at the ongoing Etisalat School Cup.

S

Enugu, FCT, Kwara through to Etisalat School Cup semis

chool teams representing the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Enugu and Kwara states at the on-going National Finals of the season three of the Etisalat U-15 School Cup are through to the semifinals of the age-grade competition.

The Kwara team represented by Socrates Secondary School, Ilorin and FOSLA Academy representing the FCT earned the tickets after winning their opening two fixtures against Edo State and Sokoto States. Both will play today to determine who tops the group.

In a related development, Enugu State recovered from the opening day loss to Oyo to thrash Bauchi State 10-0 in the second match for both sides. Things started going wrong for the lads from General Hassan Usman Kastina Unity College, Bauchi as early as the 9th minute of play when Divine Nwachukwu put his side ahead. Sopuru Egesionu doubled the lead just two minutes after before going on to complete a hat trick. Gift Williams scored four in the encounter while Divine Nwachukwu also had a hat trick. The Enugu will walk over Akwa Ibom state which failed to show up for the National Finals.

Meanwhile, teams Edo and Sokoto are effectively out of the competition after losing their opening two matches. They will however play each other in the final group match today.

Etisalat School Cup:Mohammad Leicester City table

makes case for female football £16m for Ndidi Andrew Ekejiuba

T

he President of Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF), Malam Ibrahim Mohammad, has charged telecommunications giant, Etisalat, to include female football in the next edition of the Etisalat U-15 School Cup. Speaking to reporters in Lagos, venue of the draws of the competition, the highly travelled sports administrator revealed that the exclusion of upcoming female footballers from schools in the annual soccer tourney is not good for the development of female football in the country.

“I want to thank Etisalat for supporting football development from

secondary schools level and giving these young lads an opportunity to express their God-given talent.

“But, I want to beckon on them to also include female football in the tourney to give national coaches the opportunity to catch them young since our female footballers have made the country proud following the superlative performances of the Super Falcons globally,” Mohammad said.

He further called on government, Corporate Nigeria and stakeholders of sports to support school sports programmes if the country is serious about producing world beaters in various sporting events globally.

Already, the city of Lagos is agog as the eight teams that qualified

for the National Finals of the third edition of the Etisalat U-15 School Cup have begun their quest for the Tournament’s grand prize at the Digital Bridge Institute, Oshodi, Lagos State.

Director, Brand and Experience, Etisalat Nigeria, Elvis Ogiemwanye, said, “The key objective of the competition in 2016 is to connect and unite football lovers from different parts of the country using the universal language of football. For us at Etisalat, football goes beyond winning goals; it is all about the friendship and connection it brings.

It is also a good platform to teach these students life values such as team work, discipline, tolerance and sportsmanship.”

English Premier League champions Leicester City have tabled a £16 million bid for Nigerian midfielder Wilfred Ndidi.

Ndidi is currently on the books of Belgian club KRC Genk.

The Belgian club want £20 million for the Nigeria international but the Foxes fully expect to complete a deal early in the January transfer window and are holding out for a little bit less money.

The 19-year-old Ndidi is viewed as one of the brightest prospects in Belgian football and Genk know they are facing a losing battle to keep him.

Ndidi, who is also an integral member of Gernot Rohr’s new-look Super Eagles, is according to reports believed to be the replacement for N’Golo Kante at Leicester.

Following Kante’s departure to Chelsea, the Leicester City manager, Claudio Raniero, brought in midfielder Nampalys

Mendy in a £13 million deal last summer, but he has been restricted to just one Premier League appearance so far due to a troublesome ankle injury.

Genk’s technical director Dimitri De Conde says Ndidi has since expressed his desire to remain at the Belgian club until at least the end of the season but Leicester want their man in as early as January 2017.

Ndidi has made 15 league appearances for Genk this season.

Ndidi

30

Thursday, November 24,

EXTRATIME

SPECIAL FEATURE dƑƍƆƏ & ƋƆ Ƌƈ Ɔ Ƒƍ ƄƆƇ ƏƆ ƌ Ɛƅ ê

Segun Odegbami

A

fter November 12, 2016, series of Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches Nigeria leads the “group of death” and looks good to go to the 2018 World Cup. After only two of six round-robin group matches to be played, both victories against Zambia (away) and Algeria (at home), with four points separating them from the nearest other team, Nigeria are in bright daylight.

The other three teams have, so far, effectively cancelled each other out with all the matches they have played against each other ending in agonising draws.

Nigeria now stand alone at the top of the group table with six points, a feat earned on merit by playing some delightful attacking football with an emerging new set of players that are restoring confidence and repositioning the Super Eagles for even greater things to come. Suddenly, the generality of Nigerians are brimming with newly found confidence.

Having said all that, special tribute must be paid to one player, Victor Moses, for his outstanding star quality that has actually made the greatest difference in the rampaging Super Eagles squad.

His composure, maturity and exceptional performance, particularly in the last match against a very technically sound Algeria, mark him out as Nigeria’s present most outstanding player.

It is not surprising that he is doing very well now in the national team. It has not been so in the past two years. This season he is a key figure in a rejuvenated Chelsea FC that has become an authentic challenger for the EPL championship. So well is he playing that, in a season with a dearth of really outstanding African players, Moses could have been an authentic nominee also for the award of Africa’s best player.

I feel really sad that he missed out on the shortlist. Justifiably, in the first half of 2016 he was obscure. In this second half, under new Chelsea coach Conte he has found his form, playing the best football of his life and shining like a million stars.

Playing on the right side of the Chelsea FC front line he falls back deep into his defence to mark opposing wingers, joins the midfield

Russia 2018:

Not yet uhuru for Eagles! in pressing and starting counterattacks, runs wide down the right flank to deliver crosses and sometimes even goes for goal himself. For the Eagles, his two goals against Algeria were a true reflection of his present level of play, efficiency

“Finally, only a performance of calamitous dimension by the Super Eagles in any of their remaining four matches still to be played in 2017 could see them relinquish their present stranglehold on the leadership of Group D and stop them from representing Africa in Russia. It is not over until it is over, even as the Super Eagles have one foot already in Russia 2018.

They also know that there are still many ‘miles’ to go to get there.”

and effectiveness.

Moses has become the complete wing back in modern football parlance – a combination of defender, midfielder and forward rolled into one player. He is presently so consistent and effective that he is way up there with any of the best African players in Europe (and there are just a handful at the moment).

If he continues to play the way he is doing presently, and stays free of serious injuries, he would be a prime candidate for Africa’s best player award next year.

Coming to another subject matter, regarding the hiring of foreign coach - Gernot Rohr, I did not support the idea of hiring him for the Super Eagles a few months ago. My position was simply based on principle – a few African countries, including Nigeria, now have a pool of talented, experienced, exposed, intelligent and qualified retired international players that can serve that purpose and deserve the opportunity to do so in order to accumulate the experience, shore up their credentials and replace the over-rated, overrecycled, unknown foreign coaches that have dominated both our psyche and our national teams because of their perceived superior technical knowledge.

Since Gernot was hired, however, I promised not to join in any conversation about him. Unfortunately, seeing how well the Eagles have started to play under him, how better organised the team has become,

how several new players are emerging and making an impact, I shall be failing in my responsibility as a commentator not to acknowledge these and give some credit to the man.

There is something he is doing that the Nigerian coaches before him obviously failed to do that is making all the difference.

So, have I changed my mind about foreign coaches and their colonisation of African football? No way.

Credit must, however, go to Rohr even as the elements have conspired at this time to enrich him with young players coming of age at the same time, hewn out of the English Premier League.

That team, from everything we can see so far, is on a trajectory of improvement and strength, not weakness.

For now, Rohr has given the proponents of foreign coaches in Africa a new lease of life.

Finally, only a performance of calamitous dimension by the Super Eagles in any of their remaining four matches still to be played in 2017 could see them relinquish their present stranglehold on the leadership of Group D and stop them from representing Africa in Russia.

It is not over until it is over, even as the Super Eagles have one foot already in Russia 2018. They also know that there are still many “miles” to go to get there. Ï ƑƋƋƆƗ ƇƏ ƌ ƑƍƆƏ ƍ ƏƐêƅ ƌ

Thursday, November 24, 2016

EXTRATIME

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

Ronaldo has many enemies, says Futre

Ronaldo

Augenthaler

bullish over

Bayern’s

title defence Bayern Munich are still finding their way under head coach Carlo Ancelotti but former captain and club great Klaus Augenthaler is confident the Bundesliga champions will reign supreme at the end of the season.

Pep Guardiola’s shoes have proved difficult to fill early in the season, with Ancelotti’s Bayern upstaged in the Der Klassiker and outshone by newcomers RB Leipzig.

Having won 10 of their opening 11 matches last term, Bayern have only seven victories to their name at the same stage in 2016-17 following last week’s 1-0 loss at rivals Borussia Dortmund - Ancelotti’s first Bundesliga defeat since moving to Bavaria.

The result, which saw Bayern drop to second in the table behind high-flying Leipzig, served as a demonstration of the defending champions’ qualitative demise since Guardiola’s move to Manchester City, with their lack of cutting edge in the final third punished by a gritty and determined Dortmund outfit.

Klopp warns Reds against complacency

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp warned his players against complacency, telling them they will be dropped if he senses overconfidence.

Despite being held by Southampton on Saturday, Klopp’s side sit second and just a point behind Premier League leaders Chelsea. But the German – who led Borussia Dortmund to two Bundesliga titles – is wary of complacency, advising his players not to worry about their position in the table

Isco loving life at Real I

sco is loving life at Real Madrid again after a difficult spell and is ready to renew his contract at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The attacking midfielder recently suggested he might have to leave the Bernabeu in order to secure regular first-team football elsewhere, but he has developed into a key figure for Madrid again in recent weeks.

The 24-year-old is delighted with his new role and hopes to reach an agreement over a renewal sooner rather than later, with his existing contract due to expire in 2018.

“I still have one-and-a-half years left on my current contract,” Isco told reporters.

“But the club and I are both keen to renew. I hope we can sort something out.

“I am getting regular playing time now and I am happy to be able to help the team.”

Isco has made nine La Liga appearances this term - starting their last six games - and has two goals to his name.

Isco

F

ormer Portugal international Paulo Futre insists Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has plenty of enemies in his native country, with a number of compatriots supposedly preferring his nemesis Lionel Messi to win the Ballon d’Or. Ronaldo cemented himself in Portuguese football folklore by captaining his country to a first major trophy at Euro 2016.

However, Futre believes many Portuguese people dislike the 31-year-old for the way he behaves on and off the pitch.

“Cristiano is Portuguese, he has done everything, is a European champion, but he has many enemies in Portugal for the way he is,” Futre told reporters.

“He is very direct and creates many enemies in his own country. The things he says sometimes after games, and his attitude...

“There was a time when many people used to chant ‘Messi, Messi, Messi’ outside the Portugal team hotel, which was shameful.

“Without doubt there are people in Portugal who want Messi to win the Ballon d’Or. This is something very Portuguese.”

31

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Editor Daily: ROSE MOSES

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016

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Leicester City table £16m for Ndidi

P 29

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Dalung vows to restore transparency Dalung

to Corporate Nigeria FIFA gives W Lazio Nov. 29 deadline to pay Onazi

orld football governing body, FIFA, have handed Italian Serie A club Lazio a November 29 ultimatum to pay the Nigeria international Ogenyi Onazi his outstanding salaries or face their wrath.

A source close to Onazi revealed that FIFA have ordered Lazio to pay before end of this month.

“FIFA have given Lazio till November 29 to pay Onazi or face their wrath. He is being owed two months’ salary,” the source exclusively said.

In the summer, midfielder Onazi joined Onazi Turkish club Trabzonspor, but Lazio failed to pay him for the final two months of his contract.

He demanded for this payment and after they still failed to pay, he took the case to FIFA.

ANDREW EKEJIUBA

T

he Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Barrister Solomon Dalung has hinted that one of the major tasks of his ministry would be to restore confidence to corporate bodies and multi-nationals who have misgivings about the use of sports sponsorship funds by Sports Federations and some sports organisations in Nigeria.

Dalung who spoke during a private visit to the Managing Director and Chief Executive of Total Upstream Nigeria Companies, Mr Nicolas Terraz in Lagos said, “the ministry of sports was embarking on some major reforms and would work with corporate sponsors to supervise and monitor all sports sponsorship funds and grants to ensure that they are used completely for the purposes budgeted for.”

The Minister thanked the Total Group for the $15 million invested in African youths through the Confederation of African Football (CAF) over eight years.

“That is evidence that Total recognises the massive talents that abound in Africa and appreciates the role sports can play in engaging and empowering our youth and solving the problems of poverty and crime and the reckless immigration journeys to Europe by our youth.

“Although Nigeria did not qualify for the next Africa Cup of Nations, we have exciting young talents like Mikel Obi, Victor Moses, Kelechi Iheanacho, Alex Iwobi and many others who are world class players and would make Nigeria get global attention at the World Cup in the no distant future. So we hope that this sponsorship will trickle down to Nigeria.

“However, while it is important to do well at the highest levels of sports, it is perhaps more important to invest in and develop structures and systems that will enable us to harness and nurture the huge talents that abound in Nigeria to become world class stars who will create wealth for themselves and the nation. The more sports talents we can produce and export the better for us”.

In his response, Mr Terraz thanked the minister for the visit and said he totally agreed with him on the need to use sports to solve problems of poverty, crime and immigration all over the world.

Gombe Utd open contract negotiations with players

G

ombe United players have begun contract negotiations with the management of the club ahead of the club’s topflight return.

The Desert Scorpions secured their comeback to the elite division at the end of last Nigeria National League (NNL) season and having acquired the services of Manu Garba as technical Adviser who was unveiled in Gombe on Monday evening the club has started contractual talks with players they are banking on to make a memorable return to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

A player with the club who preferred to remain anonymous told Goal: “We are in the office of the club and we have started contract negotiation. We are hoping to help Gombe United achieve set objectives next season and the unveiling of Coach Manu Garba has given us renewed zeal that the club will shine again in the premier league.”

Neymar

Business Times Daily Times Nigeria

Rates jeopardise Nigeria’s chance of exiting recession – Uwaleke Page B3

FG committed t o infrastructure financing Page B2 – Adeosun

Thursday, November 24, 2016

FMARD to increase assistance to fish farmers Page B7

NAICOM forecloses bail out for ailing underwriters

Senate to Nigerians: Electricity not social service

Adesola Afolabi

Opeoluwani Akintayo The Senate has told Nigerians to zero the thoughts on electricity being a free commodity.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Seyinnaya Abaribe, and Chairman, House Committee on Power, Hon. Daniel Effiong Asukwo made the statement at the ongoing West Africa Power Industry Convention in Lagos.

The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has foreclosed assisting financially distressed insurance companies with bailouts to save them from collapse.

NAICOM, the apex regulator of Nigerian insurance firms, said the insurance law did not make any provision for financial bailout to assist ailing underwriting firms, according to its Assistant Director, Inspectorate, Adamu Ahmad, at a workshop held in Gombe State.

“Under insurance, the law does not give us power to bail out ailing insurance companies. Before you even talk of bailout, the companies should be able to bail themselves out. We have seen the problems with bailout,” he said.

NAICOM’s position conflicts with that of the banking sector where ailing lenders have been rescued financially through bailout and outright take over by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), a debt buying firm.

Ahmad said apart from the law foreclosing bailout for insurance, the Commission does not also believe in government using its reCONTINUED ON PAGE B2

Nigeria and other African countries are poised to generate increased earnings to enhance the continent’s economic development with the introduction of the African Union common passport in 2018.

The study showed that there will be increased investment in the aviation industry by the airline operators and other related services aimed at tapping into the expected growth in intra-African

truth is, if electricity will be free or subsidised then, the government has to put money into it but no, government has stopped taking any part since privatisation,” they said.

Power theft, metre bypass and non payment are terms the DisCos are yet to come to terms with especially since privatisation of the power sector.

The Association of Nigerian

Electricity Distribution Companies, ANEDC, recently said for Nigeria to have 24 hours electricity, each home must be ready to pay between N9000 and N10,000 monthly.

Spokesman for ANEDC, Sunday Oduntan, made the comment while addressing the solution to stable electricity in the country.

In view of this, Oduntan said Nigeria should “forget about uninCONTINUED ON PAGE B2

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Dr Mahmoud Isa-Dutse; Head Efficiency Unit, Mrs Patience Oniha and representative of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mr Gebriel Aduda, at a workshop on Cost Management and Over Expenditure for Directors in Ministries, Departments and Agencies in Abuja on Tuesday

African countries to grow economy via tourism in 2018 Bonny Amadi

According to them, metre bypass and power theft and non payment of electricity bills have become big problems which should be addressed as soon as possible in the country.

“We have to tell ourselves the truth. Nigerians still see electricity as a free commodity. That is why we keep having power theft and metre bypasses even non payment of electricity bills. The

tourism which is also expected to impact positively on the continent’s foreign direct investments (FDI).

New research study released Wednesday in Johannesburg South Africa by global travel technology provider, Sabre Corporation, and made available to Daily Times of Nigeria, revealed that African air travel spend is expected to rise 24 per cent with the introduction of the pan-African passport in 2018.

CONTINUED ON PAGE B2

Reps approve N70.6b in 2016 budget for NCC Tony Nwakaegho The House of Representative has approved 70.67 billion in 2016 budget for the N igeria Communication Commission (NCC), as it passed the Nigerian Communication (NCC) Appropriation Bill 2016.

Breakdown of this budget indicated that out this over N70.6 billion, 22.2 billion was earmarked for Recurrent Expenditure, 15.65 billion for Capital Expenditure, and 6.55 billion for Special Projects.

The bill was passed after the House Committee on Supplies,

which was chaired by the speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogara, considered a report of the House Committee on Telecommunications, submitted by the committee chairman Mr Saheed Fijabi on the budget of the NCC budget.

Fijabi noted that the virement on the NCC appropriation would only be effected with the approval of the National Assembly.

“In the event that the implementation of any of the projects intended to be undertaken under this Bill cannot be completed without virement, such virement shall only be effected with the prior approval of the

National Assembly,” Fijabi added.

Fijabi advised that the Executive Chairman of NCC, Umar Garba Danbatta, should ensure prompt release of funds as well as furnish the National Assembly with detailed quarterly report of the budget implementation.

“The Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive of the Commission shall ensure that Funds appropriated under this Bill are released as and when due, provided that no funds for any Quarter of the Fiscal year shall be deferred without prior waiver from the National Assembly.

Business News B2

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 24, 2016

M 9 RL ƅ ƍƄƃƉ Ƅ Ƃ ƆƉ ƏƎ ƅ ƍ ƆƉƆ Ə ƕƄƍƑƍƆƎƄƍ CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1

sources to fund reckless spending by the board and management of any organization.

The assistant director maintained this position following the critical state of some insurance companies that are currently under regulatory scrutiny.

Investigation conducted by NAICOM revealed massive manipulations of shares and reckless spending by the board and management of the companies.

Only last week, the Commissioner for Insurance, Mohammed Kari, disclosed that some companies’ board members falsely acquired shares without paying for them.

He specifically said one of the

dƄ ƎƄ Ǝ MƆ ƄƍƆ ë &ƉƄƃƎƍƆƃƆƎƓ Ǝ ƃƆ Ɖ ƄƍƐƆƃƄ CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1

terrupted power supply for now”.

“We have a long way to go to where we ought to be,”he said.

Continuing he said “even if we are going to have stable power supply, each home should be ready to pay between N9000 and N10,000 monthly.”

Recently, the Association of Power Generation Companies GenCos, also said the country needs 180 million megawatts of electricity to be sufficient.

The body through its Executive Secretary of the Association, Dr. (Mrs) Joy Ogaji, said “The rule of thumb for an industrial nation is about 1MW for every thousands of the population. This puts Nigeria’s energy needs in about 180,000MW range given its population of about 180 million. The Federal Government has a target of 40,000MW by the year 2020.”

“It is not about projecting the megawatts, we should also put other building blocks which goes with generating the megawatts such as a firm, independent and knowledgeable regulator, a default proof payment plan, firm payment guarantees and incentives for investors. In summary, government providing an enabling environment and avoiding interference, focusing on policies and giving direction.”

“More often than not, the GenCos have sufficient generated power available, without the capacity to transmit and distribute to the final consumers, all the effort is wasted. That is the scenario; that is the basic dilemma the industry faces, “she said.

fraudulent chairmen had refunded N66 million to the coffers of an insurance company as part of what he wrongfully appropriated.

It would be recalled that the interim management board of Goldlink Insurance Plc, set up by NAICOM, in a share capital audit that looked into the activities of the former management, observed that about 2.5 billion shares were inappropriately issued to selected shareholders.

A report of investigation carried out by the Commission revealed that to support the creation of the bubble shares, the head office building and other assets of the company were re-valued and inflated by about N1.5 billion.

L-R: Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta; Vice President, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Ibrahim Dikko and Director, Projects, NCC, Ayodeji Sofolayan at the ongoing 2016 edition of the ITU Telecom World in Bangkok, Thailand… on Wednesday.

FG committed to infrastructure financing – Adeosun

Ï d ƐƄ MƠƾƂ ƂƓ ƄƉƆƊƆ ƎƆ Ƒ Ǝ Ƅ Motolani Oseni Identifying the role and importance of critical infrastructure in the country’s economic development, Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun has said the Federal Government was committed to infrastructure financing.

This is just as the efficiency unit of the finance ministry disclosed that it has saved over N35 billion in reduction of the federal government monthly wage bill across Ministries Department and Agencies (MDAs), as well as sub-heads and reduction in trips since it was created last year.

Speaking during the visit of the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Zhou Pingjian, to her office in Abuja, Adeosun described the commitment of the current administration to infrastructure development as serious, stressing that Nigeria is ready to take off in terms of

growth and diversification.

“We are committed to the Mambilla Power Project. We are committed to Rail. We believe that we cannot properly develop our Solid Minerals and Agriculture sectors without rail transportation. So, we are committed to making sure we have an effective rail system.”

She expressed the determination of the administration to deepen the good relationship between Nigeria and China because, according to her, there are great opportunities and an alignment of culture, ideas and aspirations.

In his remarks, the Chinese Ambassador described Nigeria as a close ally of China, recalling the role played by Nigeria in getting China a seat at the Security Council of the United Nations in 1971.

“We want to see the cooperation between Nigeria and China grow further. The relationship is blessed with new opportuni-

ties,” the Ambassador said.

He explained that the decision of the Chinese construction giant-China Gezhouba Group Corporation (CGGC)- to open its North-West Africa headquarters in Abuja, demonstrates the important position in which China views Nigeria.

China’s Overseas Direct Investment for the next five years is expected to be at around $750Billion.

Adeosun

African countries to grow economy via tourism in 2018 CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1

The new passport which will enable African travellers to visit other countries on the continent without a visa, is expected to boost inter African tourism and travel budget, thus revitalizing economic viability of the tourism sector and the regional economy.

As further encouragement for African carriers, Sabre’s survey respondents stated that for cheaper tickets, latest technology on board and greater comfort, they would choose to fly with their local carrier over a foreign airline.

The Sabre survey aimed to uncover prevailing opportunities and challenges faced by travellers in Africa also to help airlines’ growth and provide African travellers better journey experiences.

The study which surveyed consistent travellers in the last 2 years, from four countries, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya and Egypt, revealed that the travellers said that they would spend 24 per cent more with the introduction of the passport from $1,100 to $1,500 annually.

Ngige tasks labour stakeholders on recession Joy Ekeke

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, has urged stakeholders in the labour sector to support the Federal Government’s efforts at minimising the adverse effects of economic recession on Nigerians.

The minister made this known at the 4th Registrar of Trade Unions Annual Workshop in

Abuja, with the theme “The Role of Social Partners in Combating the Challenges of Economic Recession.”

He said a lot needs to be done to stem the unwelcome tide of recession and that stakeholders in industrial relations must come together to proffer ways of minimising it.

The minister did not fail to highlight that workers bear the

major brunt of recession with the survival of trade unions threatened, and issues of downsizing, redundancy, casualization, and indecent work among others on the increase.

Ngige expressed optimism that various actions spearheaded by the Federal Government will improve economic activities and steer the nation’s economy out of recession, while advising stakeholders in the labour sector to

bargain in good faith, open communication and appropriate disclosure of relevant information devoid of deceit, delay and denial.

In his remarks, the Country Director of ILO, Mr. Denims Zulu commended the ministry for proactively facilitating the platform which will avail stakeholders in the labour sector the opportunities to discuss and proffer solution to the adverse effects of recession on Nigerian workers.

Money Market B3

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 24, 2016

Experts React To Mpc’s Meeting Outcome

Tella fears for economic recovery An economist, Prof. Sheriffdeen Tella, on Wednesday said the nation’s economy might not recover from recession, if Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) continues to retain its 14 per cent interest rate.

Tella, a Senior Economist at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye in Ogun, spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the outcome of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting in Lagos.

He said the outcome of the meeting would lead to further decrease in the Gross Domestic Products (GDP).

The CBN rose from its bi-monthly MPC meeting on Tuesday with a unanimous agreement to retain the lending rate at 14 per cent alongside other policy parameters.

The meeting retained the interest rate at 14 per cent and also retained the Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) at 22.5 per cent, with the liquidity ratio also retained at 30 per cent.

Tella explained that the lending rate was the cost of borrowing, which he said, could lead to

Tella

increase in the cost of money and discouraged borrowing.

According to him, the alternative is for investors and entrepreneurs to approach the capital market when the cost of lending at the money market is not business friendly.

Tella said that the capital market was also facing its fair share of the challenges as the All-Share Index was nose-diving and the market

capitalization towing a downward trajectory.

“It is only when people have money that they can invest. Many investors at the market are already exiting it because of the present economic reality and loss of confidence.

“Some of us have been prevailing on the CBN to reduce the lending rate to free up funds for lending to small businesses.

“As the situation stands now, it will not be surprising to hear that some people are already selling off their shares in the capital market.

“I do not understand how the CBN will reflate the economy, if small businesses do not have money to expand and boost their businesses,’’ Tella said.

The MPC, for two meetings now, had retained its benchmark interest rate in defiance of calls by some financial experts to lower it.

The apex bank had in its previous meetings noted that rate retention was part of the measures to mop up excess liquidity in the economy, an argument many pundits had faulted.

Inflation rate, bad loans, cause for concern The retention of Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 14 per cent will increase inflation rate and the banking sector nonperforming loans (NPLs) profile some financial experts said on Wednesday.

According to them, the retention of MPR was not in the best interest of the country, saying that it would escalate the inflation rate.

The experts spoke on the outcome of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting which retained the interest rate at 14 per cent, Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) at 22.5 per cent,and the liquidity ratio at 30 per cent.

In his remarks, Dr Glenn Prince-Abbi, the Executive Consultant/Chief Executive, Espera Global Corporation, said that the decision to retain all the key indicators was worrisome.

According to him, it will increase inflation rate and worsen the present economic recession.

Rates jeopardise Nigeria’s chance of exiting recession – Uwaleke An economist, Prof. Uche Uwaleke, on Wednesday said retaining the current Monetary Policy Rates (MPR) in Nigeria would jeopardize the nation’s chance of getting out of recession.

Uwaleke made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

According to him, the decision to retain the MPR and reserve ratios at their present high levels may only help to curtail the pressure in the forex market.

The Monetary Policy Committee had in its bi-monthly meeting the last in the year 2016 retained the MPR at 14 per cent, Cash Reserve Ratio at 22.5 per cent and Liquidity Ratio at 30 per cent.

It also retained the Asym-

metric Window at +200 and -500 points.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, had said MPC’s decision was hinged on the economic indices playing out in the global and domestic economies.

He also advocated for more fiscal policies in the country.

Uwaleke, a Professor of Finance and Banking, Nasarawa State University, said the decision may possibly slow down the pass on effect of high exchange rate on food and other imported items.

He, however, said the tight MPC decision would make it difficult to jump start growth in the economy.

This, the financial expert said was because an average commer-

Uwaleke

cial bank’s lending rate was more than 20 per cent with many businesses choking under high cost of doing business.

“The high MPR at 14 per cent implies high cost of borrowing,

not only by individuals and firms but also by the government that is depending on deficit financing to bridge infrastructural gap.

“So, domestic investments are bound to decline with adverse consequences for an economy that has officially recorded a contraction in GDP for three consecutive quarters this year,’’ he said.

According to him, the ripple effect of the present MPC stance will compound the problem of nonperforming loans in banks which is already over 10 per cent ahead of the regulatory threshold of 5 per cent.

Uwaleke said that the high interest rates made repayment of loans more difficult, noting that the stock market which was currently losing investors’ confidence would be the worst hit.

Abbi

Prince-Abbi said that reduction in the interest rate would improve the cost of doing business and boost companies profitability.

He said that the headline inflation which was already at a ceiling breaking of 18.33 per cent would remain or even worsen with the MPC decision.

“The action of the MPC to retain all the key indicators is worrisome.

“It does appear to me that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) believes ever so strongly that no form of actions on adjusting monetary policy instruments is needed to work in synch with the ongoing fiscal policy propositions by the government,” he said.

Prince-Abbi wondered how the nation’s economy could get out of recession with high interest rate that determines the cost of money used in the production process.

“How can we depend strictly and solely on fiscal policies to make the necessary adjustments and keep sacrosanct and untouchable fundamental monetary instruments,” he queried.

According to him, the high interest rate regime which is retained has not allowed any form

Skye Bank may sell subsidiaries to boost capital Motolani Oseni

Indications have emerged that Skye Bank may sell some or all of its local and foreign subsidiaries as part of a review aimed at streamlining operations and boosting its capital adequacy, its chief financial officer, Pius Olaoye, has revealed.

The Nigerian central bank

shored up Skye Bank in July with over N100 billion naira capital injection, after sacking its top management for failing to meet minimum capital requirements.

It then appointed a new management team.

Olaoye in Lagos recently said that the bank would sell subsidiaries if the pricing was right and has appointed advisers to

help find buyers. Skye, which holds an international bank license, has three subsidiaries in West Africa and 10 non-bank subsidiaries.

According to him, “We’re looking at the various outlets that we have and some of those foreign subsidiaries are part of it. If we get good offers we will consider selling them off.

“If we get good offers then we’ll go ahead and spin off all of them, if not it will be selective”, he said.

It would be recall that the lender acquired Mainstreet Bank in 2014 and failed to raise fresh funds. Although, it was in talks with shareholders and new investors last year to raise 30 billion naira but had to suspend

the plans due to weak capital markets and the exit of foreign investors as the slide in oil prices hit Nigeria’s economy problems started after it used short-term funds to and currency.

Skye shares have been affected by capital failures, plunging 68 percent this year to hit a nominal value of 0.50 naira, after sliding 41 percent last year.

Capital Market B4 Stories by Afolabi Adesola Respite was seen at the bourse yesterday following the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) decision to retain all monetary policy instruments as a measure to cushion risks to the economy that remained highly elevated on both price and output fronts.

The CBN’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) on Tuesday ended its two day meeting leaving the bench mark interest rates unchanged at 14 percent and the Cash reserve ratio at 22.5 percent, same as previous quarter, thus improving investor sentiments on the country’s macro-economic directions.

The equities market had fallen for eight straight days prior to the decision, but recovered by 0.22 percent Wednesday.

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All Share Index (ASI) added 55.66 points to settle at 25,517.00 points in contrast to 0.17 points lost previously to close at 25,262.28 points.

Investors also gained N19.2 billion as market capitalization rose to N8.784 trillion, compared to a loss of N14.99 billion recorded on Tuesday when market capitalization fell to N8.764 trillion.

Consequently, Year-to-Date losses reduced, to settle at -10.91 percent, whilst volume traded appreciated by 37 percent to settle at 165.7 million units, valued

Equities market recovers on MPC decision to retain rates at N1.126 billion and exchanged in 2,484 deals.

Market Breadth turned positive, on account of improved investors’ sentiment as 19 gainers led 11 losers.

Sterling Bank led the top three gainers with a 5.71 percent appreciation to close at 74 kobo per share. Oando followed with a 5

26,173.69 3,039.00 146,110,595.00 1,035,727,467.98 9,010,063,538,101.26

May & Baker posts 8 percent profit growth for Q3 May and Baker Nigeria Plc has released its unaudited financial statements for the nine months period (Q3) ended 30th September 2016, showcasing a profit after tax of N44.4 million, representing a growth of 8 percent from N41.2 million recorded in the corresponding period of the 2015.

The group posted revenue of N5.9 billion which increased 12.5 percent from N5.3 billion in September 2015.

percent growth to close at N4.20 per share, while Flourmills recorded a gain of 4.99 percent to close at N18.74 per share.

On the other hand, Forte Oil led the day’s decliners for the second consecutive day, recording a depreciation of 6.19 percent to close at N70 per share, this was followed by Julius Berger that

shed 5 percent to close at N36.10 per share and Africa Prudential that lost 4.32 percent to close at N2.66 per share.

Diamond Bank emerged the most traded stock for the day with 34.4 million shares valued at N32.7 million, Access bank followed with 32.7 million units of shares worth N181.9 million

while FBN Holdings came third with the sale of 21.9 million shares worth N66.1 million.

Transcorp sold approximately 12.7 million shares at N8.7 million while Skye Bank emerged the fifth most active stock with 12.2 million shares valued at N6.3 million.

L - R: Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Akintunde Adelana; Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Mr Simbi Kesiye-Wabote; General Manager, Nigerian Content Development, Chevron Nigeria, Olusoga Oduselu; Moderator and Managing Director, Offshore Dimensions, Seun Faluyi; General Manager, Nigerian Content Development, Shell Petroleum Development Company, Nigeria, Chiedu Oba; and President, Ship Owners Association of Nigeria, Greg Ogbeifun, during the 6th Practical Nigerian Content Conference in Abuja on Wednesday.

Summary of activities on NSE ASI DEALS VOLUME VALUE CAP

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 24, 2016

Other highlights of the result were a 9 percent increase in pretax profit of N66.2 million from N60.6 million recorded in the previous year, while earnings per share increased to 4.53 kobo from 4.21 kobo recorded in the review period of prior year.

However, total assets declined 3 percent to N7.549 billion from N7.818 billion while Shareholders’ funds rose marginally by 0.4 percent to N3.097 billion from N3.084 billion.

ECB seeks to lend more bonds to avert market freeze The European Central Bank (ECB) is looking for ways to lend out huge piles of government debt to avert a freeze in 5.5 trillion-euro short-term funding market that underpins the financial system, sources said.

The ECB has bought more than a trillion euros (1.06 trillion dollars) of euro zone government bonds in a bid to shore up economic growth and inflation in the euro zone.

For the most part, the bank is holding these bonds.

By doing so, it has taken away the key ingredient for repurchase-agreements, or repos, whereby financial firms lend to each other against collateral, typically-high-rated government bonds such as Germany’s.

Repo is used by investment funds to finance trading and is regarded by the ECB as a key avenue to transmit its own monetary stimulus to the economy.

A freeze in repo activity risks undoing some of the ECB’s stimulus by hampering lending be-

tween financial companies and leaving bond markets vulnerable to sharp sell offs.

To avert this, the ECB wants to make it easier for banks to borrow the bonds that it has bought so that they can be used as collateral for repo loans, the sources said.

Possible changes include reducing-charges for firms which fail to return on time the bonds they have borrowed, accepting new-types of collateral and extending the duration of loans.

“If liquidity dries up there are more fails and banks are more cautious when it comes to making the market,” one of the sources said.

The sources added the issue will be discussed at the ECB’s Dec. 8 meeting, when rate setters will decide on whether to continue-purchases beyond March and ensure they can still find bonds to buy.

Any decision on bond lending might not be finalised in December and will depend on what other changes the ECB makes to its

asset-purchase program.

“The ECB’s securities lending is proving valuable for smooth market functioning, and it is being reviewed on an ongoing basis,” an ECB spokesman said.

Germany, the only large euro zone country with a top-notch credit rating, is where the problem is at its most severe.

With the ECB now owning more than a quarter of all outstanding German bonds, funds pay up to 1.5 per cent to borrow a 10-year-Bund, up from 0.40 per cent a year ago, said Icap data.

This is putting a strain on investors as they face increasingly frequent demands to put up cash or liquid collateral against their derivative positions due to new regulation.

“If a pension fund can’t borrow a bond in time, it may have to sell its own cash bond.

“It will be foregoing a potential return in the future to fulfill a short-term obligation,” Godfried DeVidts of the International Capital Market Association industry body said.

B5

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 24, 2016

D aily M ark e t Ro u n d U p To p 10 Tr a d es b y V olu m e

To p 10 G ain ers

Th e h u n t f or b arg ain in valu e co u n t ers h alt e d t he erst w hile u nrele n tin g n e g a tive p erf orm a nce o f t h e b e nch m ark in d ex as t h e NSE ASI g ain e d 21b ps t o close a t 25,517.00 p oin ts a t t h e e n d o f tra d e. A ccordin gly, m ark e t ca pit aliz a tio n a dva nce d by N19.2b n t o se t tl e a t N8.8t n. Y est erd ay p erf orm a nce w as larg ely as a result o f b arg ain h u n tin g in N ESTLE (+1.3 %), G U A R A N T Y (+1.2 %), PZ (+4.9 %) a n d NIGERI A N BRE W ERIES (+0.2 %).

M ark e t activity w as h o w ever mixe d as volu m e tra d e d rose 37.0 % t o se t tle a t 165.7m u nits w hile valu e trad e d f ell 5.0 % t o se t tle a t N1.1b n resp ectively.

O il & G as In d e x E m e r g es Sec t o r O u t li e r A ll sect or in dices close d in t h e gre e n save f or t h e O il & G as in d ex (-1.2 %) w hich w as dra g g e d by co n tin u o us sell-o f f in F O RTE (-6.2 %) a n d T O T A L (4.1 %). Th e Ba n kin g in d ex le d sect or g ain ers a f t er a p precia tin g 75b ps as invest ors h u n t e d f or b arg ain in G U A R A N T Y (+1.2 %) a n d UB A (+1.2 %). Th e u p tre n d in N ESTLE (+1.3 %), PZ (+4.9 %) a n d NIG ERI A N BRE W ERIES (+0.2 %)

Tick er STERLN B A N K O ANDO FLO URMILL PZ FIDSO N DIA M O N D BN K AIIC O GLA X OSMITH TRA NSC ORP C AP

Price (N) 0.74 4.20 18.74 15.20 1.36 0.95 0.59 14.00 0.69 33.00

Price Ch g % 5.7 % 5.0 % 5.0 % 4.9 % 4.6 % 4.4 % 3.5 % 3.4 % 3.0 % 2.9 %

Price (N) 70.00 36.10 2.66 245.00 0.74 0.57 0.95 6.00 1.03 3.00

Price Ch g % -6.2 % -5.0 % -4.3 % -4.1 % -2.6 % -1.7 % -1.0 % -1.0 % -1.0 % -0.7 %

Tick er DIA M O N D BN K A CCESS FBN H TRA NSC ORP SK YEB A N K UB A FIDELITYBK UC AP G U ARA N TY FC M B

Price Ch g % 4.4 % 0.7 % -0.7 % 3.0 % 2.0 % 1.2 % 1.3 % 0.0 % 1.2 % -1.0 %

To p 10 Tr a d es b y V alu e

To p 10 Losers Tick er FO JBERGER A FRIPRU D TOTAL LIVEST O CK U NITYBN K M A YB A KER D A N GSU G A R FC M B FBN H

V olu m e (m) 34.4 32.7 21.9 12.7 12.2 11.5 5.8 5.2 4.2 3.6

Tick er NESTLE A CCESS G U ARA N TY NB FBN H UB A ZENITHB A N K U NILEVER DIA M O N D BN K FO

V alu e (m) 298.8 181.9 89.3 86.3 66.1 49.3 44.6 38.6 32.7 29.5

Price Ch g % 1.3 % 0.7 % 1.2 % 0.2 % -0.7 % 1.2 % -0.3 % 0.0 % 4.4 % -6.2 %

NSE A ll Sh ar e In d e x

32,000

Naira Value (m)

NSE All Share Index

p ush e d t h e Co nsu m er G o o ds in d ex 50bps hig h er w hilst t h e Insura nce in d ex

14,000

g ain e d 0.2 % o n acco u n t o f A IIC O (+3.5 %). Th e In d ustrial G o o ds in d ex rose 0.1 % o n t he b ack o f a p precia tio n in C A P (+2.9 %).

29,500

10,500

27,000

7,000

24,500

3,500

M a r k e t Br e a d t h T u r ns Posi tiv e Invest or se n tim e n t im prove d sig nifica n tly as re flect e d in th e m ark e t bre a d t h (a dva ncers/d eclin ers ra tio) w hich se t tle d a t 1.7x (fro m 0.6x yest erday) o n acco u n t o f 19 a dva ncin g stocks a g ainst 11 d eclin ers. STERLIN G (+5.7 %), O A N D O (+5.0 %) a n d FL O UR M ILL (+5.0 %) le d t he g ain ers w hile F O RTE (6.2 %) JULIUS BERG ER (-5.0 %) a n d A FRIPRU D (-4.3 %) le d t h e la g g ards. As project e d, t h e a t tractive prices o f so m e valu e co u n t ers sp urre d b arg ain 23-Nov

20-Nov

17-Nov

14-Nov

11-Nov

08-Nov

05-Nov

30-Oct

27-Oct

`

02-Nov

co n tin u es t o w eig h o n invest or se n tim e n t.

24-Oct

21-Oct

18-Oct

15-Oct

12-Oct

m o m e n t um m ay b e sh ort-live d as w e a k e n e d m acro eco n o mic p erf orm a nce

22,000 09-Oct

h u n tin g by sh ort-t erm invest ors. H o w ever, w e b elieve t his p ositive

M a cr o e co n o m ic G ist Term of t h e d a y D e m u t u aliz a tio n is w he n a m u t u al com p a ny o w n e d by its users/m e m b ers co nverts in t o a com p a ny o w n e d by shNare h old ers. In ef f ect, t h e users/m e m b ers exch a n g e t h eir A SD rig h ts o f use f or sh ares in t h e d e m ut u aliz e d com p a ny

Th e N a tio n al Associa tio n o f Securities D e alers, a n associa tio n o f bro k ers a n d d e alers in t h e over-t h e-co u n t er securities b usin ess.

Y est erd ay, t h e Ce n tral Ba n k o f Nig eria se t tle d US$421.7m in o p e n co n tracts o f t h e N G US N O V 23 2016 f ut ures. This tra nsactio n w ill b e t h e fif t h f u t ures co n tract t o m a t ure since t h e in tro d uctio n o f t h e N aira-Se t tle d O TC f u t ures co n tracts by t h e CBN. Th e A p ex Ba n k h as o p e n e d a n e w N G US N O V 29 2017 f u t ures co n tract w it h a t o t al valu e o f $1.0b n t o re place t h e m a t urin g instru m e n t.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 24, 2016

Power Oil Health Team reaches out to more communities

Storm Kano, Abuja

Power Oil Health Camp team has continued its nationwide outreach programme, berthing at Mariri community in Kumbotso Local Government Area in Kano State, and Tunge-Maje community and Gwagwalada in Abuja, FCT. The team is on a medical aid mission to conduct free medical check-up on members of the public, as an investment in basic health support. The exercise is planned to cover the entire country, in phases.

In Kano, the Power Oil medical check-up activation exercise enjoyed the full participation of the district head, the councilor, women leader of the Mariri community, Kumbotso LGA and the entire community members while the District and village head as well as the women leader were also in attendance in Abuja. The district head, Mariri community, Kano state Kumbotso, AlhajiSaminuGarba, endorsed the brands efficient delivery on its promise of healthy tasty meals, promising to support the brand and its medical outreach team in its effort to reach-out to the public with its free medical support initiative.

The Councillor of the Mariri community, Alhaji Bashir Hassan, who was also present at the health camp activity stated that, it is highly delightful to see a corporate organization floating such a laudable project as this in Nigeria. He sees Power Oil initiative as spectacular, and pledged to also support the efforts. He challenged other corporate bodies to rise up to the same level of corporate social responsibility, in service to the people.

The Public Relations Manager, Power Oil, OmotayoAzeez, reiterated the brand’s focus and commitment to the wellbeing of consumers. Accordingly, the company is determined to invest in the health of the public, considering the alarming rate of the of health complications in the society. The advocacy aspect of the exercise is designed to sensitize Nigerians on the need to lead and maintain a healthy lifestyle through regular medical check-up and healthy choice of food consumption, to achieve sound health.

The Abuja Health Camp team also recorded a remarkably huge turnout in Tunge-maje community, Gwagwalada, Abuja where the community members particularly the community women came out in large number, along with the women leader, Hajia. Rabi Usman.

B6 Brands & Marketing

How recession affects advertising industry in Nigeria Stories by Godwin Anyebe The current economic recession is having an increasingly deep effect on advertising industry in Nigeria, with more marketers seeking to identify cost savings and budget cuts.

Most companies have declared plans to reduce their 2017 advertising campaigns’ media budgets if the trend continues. Earlier in the year, some of the multinationals in Nigeria were reported to have reduced their marketing budget below the line. .Truth is, when ad spending fell, it also affected spending in the finance, fast moving consumers good (FMCG), high-tech and telecom industries, among others.

There was a major spending cut in those categories. Other indus-

tries did not cut ad spending significantly, but there is also a deal of great caution. People did not want to make big commitments.

CEOs that made commitments earlier this year saw the economy going down. The first reaction of many companies was to cut down on everything that wasn’t absolutely nailed down. It was like the decision by some telecom brands in Nigeria to cancel some of their outdoor campaigns during the year. Now many are in the figuring-out mode about what they and their competitors are doing.

Gradually, though, they are coming back into the marketplace.

Daily Times checks show that, the advertising/marketing community is not going to be in a good shape for 2017 if there is no improvement in the economic fir-

mament. To worsen the situation, analysts said, was the statement issued by the presidency recently fearing imminent famine in Nigeria from January 2017.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, raised the alarm in an interview he granted a Kano-based radio station.

Shehu said despite being Africa’s largest producer of cereals and grains, Nigeria risks famine from early next year following a huge demand in the global market that is targeting the country’s output.

Responding to questions from Daily Times on this issue, a brands and marketing analyst, Oluwafemi Fagbemi, said: “There is no good news in this report at all, this is not good for

advertisers, this is not good for agencies, and it is certainly not good for media. This is definitely very bad news for the integrated marketing communications industry, reason being that, if people find it difficult to afford food, then the whole system will be in crises.

“Most advertising, with the exception of new product introduction, is aimed at getting someone to choose one product over another. The goal is not necessarily to get someone to buy a product that the person did not think of buying before. Consider an example. Let’s suppose that out of a thousand people, 500 had the inclination to buy something, and you paid a certain amount of CPM (cost per minute). If by advertising that product you could

Imo State Coordinator of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mr Mmamel Victor (R), presenting a prize to a student of Alvana Model Secondary School, Owerri who won the 2015/2016 Secondary School NAFDAC Consumer Safety Club Competition in Imo, in Owerri yesterday.

Knorr tackles Iron deficiency anaemia in Nigeria In its effort to fight iron deficiency anaemia in Nigeria, Knorr recently educated more people through its Knorr Green Food Steps campaign with thousands of mothers and their teenage daughters coming out to participate in the different activities.

Knorr, a flagship seasoning brand of Unilever Nigeria Plc, initiated the campaign with the aim of creating awareness for iron deficiency amongst the Nigerian populace and use the opportunity to champion nutritious cooking

through a behavioural change programme.

The campaign at its commencement in 2015 successfully reached and educated 26,650 mothers and teenage daughters in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State and Amaigbo, Imo State on iron deficiency anaemia.

This year, the campaign was taken to the middle belt region with selected schools in Abuja, Nasarawa, Benue and Kogi states, from which many mothers and their teenage daughters were trained on simple and easy ways to cook nu-

tritious meals that will help them fight iron deficiency anaemia by following the three simple Knorr Green Food steps – Toss green vegetables into every stew; Stir it all together and Crumble in iron enriched Knorr cubes.

Following the successful training sessions, the brand organized celebration events in each school to evaluate the impact of the training on mothers and their teenage daughters who demonstrated the knowledge garnered by engaging in cooking and dancing competi-

tions after which the best students and their mothers were rewarded by the brand.

Mrs. Aderinto Margaret, Principal of Government Secondary School, Bwari, Abuja, one of the participating schools, while speaking on the campaign, lauded Knorr for its effort in fighting deficiency anaemia. In her words, “most of our typical diet in Nigeria is low in iron-rich foods, but with Knorr simple steps to nutritious cooking, every household can achieve ironrich meals,” she said.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 24 , 2016

Stories by Charles Okonji The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) recently rolled out the inherent potential of the poultry business, its growth potentials, and ideas to not only sustain the sector but to grow it.

PAN unveiled these during a forum to flag off the association’s annual event, National Poultry Show, Abeokuta 2016 with the theme “Sustaining the Poultry Industry in an Economic Recession.”

Speaking to agriculture correspondents in Lagos, the National President of the Association, Dr. Ayoola Oduntan, stated that the Poultry Show is a yearly event to showcase businesses within the poultry value chain, adding that the show is part of the Poultry Industry Calendar, which usually commences with a summit at the start of the year before the Poultry Show.

Oduntan emphasized touted the numerous employment opportunities in the poultry value chain, adding that people must take it seriously to ensure it is not only sustained

B7 AgriBusiness

How to grow the economy during recession, by PAN but made to grow as agriculture is truly the future.

Lamenting the high influx of imported poultry products,

he stated: “We are dying, but with the support of everyone we can be very successful. At least N600 billion is spent on

smuggled chicken in Nigeria annually. Thankfully customs is working daily to see that this figure reduces. Neverthe-

less the local production is still far behind in meeting the deficit that will occur when the smuggled chicken consumption, which has been found to contain harmful chemicals, is eventually stopped.”

He said eradication of imported poultry products in Nigeria will create hundreds of billions in the economy in terms of revenue and increase employment to almost one million jobs within two years.

L-R: Managing Director, Deens Oil Mill, Kaduna State, Alhaji Abdulkadir Manzo, Chairman, Lagos State Chapter of Poultry Association of Nigeria, Prince Adetoyi Olabode and National President, Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Dr. Ayoola Oduntan, during the Press Conference on the Forthcoming Nigeria Poultry Show “Abeokuta 2016” with the theme “Sustaining the Poultry Industry in an Economic Recession” held recently in Lagos.

The president noted that PAN is concerned that raw materials are at a higher cost this year as a result of export of these critical raw materials, adding that while it seems economically viable for the country in terms of foreign exchange, it has a crippling effect on reliant industries like poultry.

FG to train export producers FMARD to increase assistance to fish farmers on quality control The federal government will soon begin special training programme for exporters of agricultural produce in the agric value chain to solve the problem rejection of Nigeria’s agricultural produce in international markets.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, who disclosed this at a meeting on the Validation of Nigeria’s Strategy for a Single Quality Control Management System for Zero Rejection of Agricultural Commodities in the country, noted that the current rejection of various Nigerian commodities by the European Union was alarming.

Ogbeh noted that the training would expose exporters to various international practices, adding that the government would not hesitate to sanction defaulting exporters, henceforth.

“We will ensure that we make quarantine services available in the airports and seaports, to ensure quality control of our agricultural produce before exports.

We shall begin training project for those who desire to export our agricultural produce. In the spirit of anti-corruption and beneficial change for national redemption, we shall not spare

the offenders for causing our beloved nation avoidable losses and unnecessary embarrassment, he said.

“We must develop zero-tolerance for the transportation of sub-standard produce within and out of the country by land, air and sea and checkmate circumventing certification and quality control compliance checks. We will soon start rejecting nylon bag for packaging of export produce and only accept jute bags.’’

In his speech, Dr Jomoke Oduwole, the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice-President on Trade and Investment, pointed out that the rejection of Nigeria’s produce is a national embarrassment.

She noted that the National Quality Infrastructure Project would soon be implemented in the country.

Dr Okechukwu Enelemah, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, who was represented by Ope Omololu, the Director, Commodity and Inspectorate Department of the ministry, assured the exporters that the European Union would soon lift its ban on the exportation of beans from Nigeria, calling for collaboration among various agencies to achieve the zero-rejection.

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) plans to increase its support and commitment towards boosting fish production in the country. This is even as it acknowledged that fish production is a business venture with lots of potential investment opportunities in the country.

Its permanent secretary, Dr. Shehu Ahmed, said fish farming is a veritable tool for increased fish production and alleviation of poverty for sustainable livelihood and achieving food security in Nigeria.

According to him, fish is a highly traded commodity in the world, saying that it is on this premise his ministry is promot-

Catfish pond

ing increased fish production through aquaculture value chain and shrimp value chain.

He added that the value chains will create an enabling environment for increased and sustainable production of aquaculture and generate employment for the nation’s teeming population.

The permanent secretary during the grand opening ceremony of Atlantic Shrimpers Limited (ASL), a shrimp farm in Badagry, Lagos, said successive governments have continued to recognize the strategic role of agriculture in national economic development so as to provide adequate food for an increased population, supply adequate raw materials, expand the market for agro allied prod-

ucts, create employment opportunities, increase foreign exchange earnings and diversifying its economic revenue base.

He lauded ASL for its investment in shrimp production, stressing that the firm is playing a commendable role strengthening the agribusiness space in Nigeria through the rational exploitation and export of our non-oil products.

“This farm has played a commendable role not only in the area of export of fish, but opening these areas for development and job creation,” he said.

He pointed out that the current administration’s approach to repositioning the agricultural sub sector for growth is to apply its agricultural roadmap to achieve self sufficiency in food production, enterprise promotion, productive employment and wealth generation for the country, maintaining that this move is to address the challenge of a growing population, declining revenue and the attendant austerity biting harder day by day.

In his speech, the chief executive of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. Segun Awolowo, stated that FMARD is working on the certification for export to the European Union (EU), maintaining that the ministry is at its final stage to completing the move.

Rice

Motoring B8

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 24, 2016

Hyundai Motor celebrates 40 years of export growth Hyundai Motor is celebrating 40 years of exports to international markets, following a period of significant overseas growth that has seen it become one of the fastest growing brands in the world.

From South Korea’s first massproduced model to the latest generation of eco-friendly cars, more than 23 million Hyundai Motor vehicles have been exported worldwide since 1976.

The company’s pioneering Pony four-door sedan was initially exported to South America, with 1,042 vehicles delivered to 13 countries. Four decades later, Hyundai Motor now exports more than 1.15 million vehicles a year from its Korean manufacturing plants alone, shipping to 184 countries – around 3,150 vehicles daily, three times the first year’s total exports.

At an event to celebrate the milestone in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Hyundai Motor’s first export destination, Zayong Koo, Vice President/Head of Global Corporate Communications at Hyundai Motor Company, said: “Since exports began 40 years ago, Hyundai Motor’s pioneering ethos has seen it become one of the biggest and fastest-growing brands in the world. With such steady growth, we anticipate an evolution from being a transportation

company, to a mobility service provider.”

To recognize the historic occasion, Hyundai Motor presented a range of 26 heritage and current production vehicles at the event in Ecuador. To reflect Hyundai’s export history the lineup of cars included two original Pony models, current Tucson and Santa Fe SUVs, as well as the pioneering IONIQ hybrid and electric cars. Following the event, attendees took part in an IONIQ test drive event to experience both hybrid and fully-electric versions of the vehicle in the beautiful Galapagos Islands.

Building on its international export success, Hyundai Motor is now the sixth-largest automotive brand in the world and the 35th biggest brand overall globally, according to the latest rankings

by Interbrand. Despite yet another challenging year for the automotive industry, the company’s global brand value grew 11% since 2015, reaching $12.6bn in 2016, securing the Korean company’s place among the biggest brands on the planet.

The Hyundai Motor brand is set to achieve even greater heights with the launch of IONIQ - the world’s first vehicle platform to offer three electrified powertrains, making low- to zero-emission mobility accessible to everyone.

Volkswagen to lay off 30,000 workers Volkswagen has announced plans to cut 30,000 jobs in a wide-ranging restructuring as it tries to recover from a scandal over cars rigged to cheat on diesel emissions tests.

The German carmaker said the job cuts are part of a long-term plan to improve profitability and shift resources and investment to electric-powered vehicles and digital services.

According to the company, 23,000 of the job cuts will come in Germany and that measure will save some 3.7 billion euros a year from 2020.

CEO, Matthias Mueller, said it was “the biggest reform package in the history of our core brand.”

In addition to Volkswagen, the company also makes cars under other brands including Porsche, Audi, SEAT, Skoda and Lamborghini.

The layoffs cap a difficult year for Volkswagen, which has been embroiled in an emissions-rigging scandal that damaged the company’s reputation and cost it billions.

In response, Volkswagen has agreed to pay $15 billion to US authorities and owners of some

500,000 vehicles with software that turned off emissions controls.

Around 11 million cars worldwide have the deceptive software.

The scandal has been a spur for the company to address longstanding problems such as high fixed costs at its manufacturing locations in Germany and excessively top-down management that many say created an environment that enabled the cheating.

Herbert Diess, head of the core Volkswagen brand, conceded that Volkswagen had let its costs rise and “lost ground in terms of productivity.” The changes, he said, would make the company “leaner and more efficient.”

The company has said it aims to cut nonessential costs and investments and shift resources toward battery-powered cars and internet-based services such as car-sharing and ride-sharing. The company had been slower than some competitors to move toward electric cars but has shifted its view after the scandal underlined diesel’s limitations. Volkswagen now says it plans to introduce more than 30 electric-powered vehicles by 2025, and to sell 2 to 3 million of them a year.

1/2.Ford Edge 2016

Coscharis Motors unveils 2016 Ford Edge to Nigerian customers Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo Major Ford representative in Nigeria, Coscharis Motors, has unveiled the 2016 Ford Edge to its numerous customers in Nigeria.

The launch of 2016 model of Ford Edge, held at Ford showroom in Lagos, had in attendance Jacques Brent, Chief Executive Officer of Ford’s Middle East and Africa region; President of Coscharis Group, Dr Cosmas Maduka; Managing Director of Coscharis Group; Mr Josiah Samuel, General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Coscharis Group, Abiona Babarinde; and members of the motoring press.

Speaking at the launch, Dr Maduka said, ”The idea behind the launch is to formally present the car which will, in the coming months light up the roads of our cities in Nigeria.”

According to him, ” Ford as a globally respected iconic brand is known for continuous innovation and improvement on all its vehicle lines, riding on the four pillars of Quality, Green, Safety, and Smart technology,” adding that, ” Coscharis, as the exclusive representative of Ford in Nigeria, is committed to bringing such improved and innovative Ford vehicles within the reach of our esteemed customers.”

The 2016 MY Ford Edge comes in three variants: SE, SEL and Limited with luxurious interior which provides comfortable accommodation for 5 persons.

Dr. Maduka shared his test-drive experience of the car: ” When in motion, it provides a smooth, quiet ride, precise handling and sophisticated technologies which Ford has loaded into the machine to enhance its prowess.”

On after sales, he said, Coscharis is

poised to provide all Ford customers with backend support for their Ford vehicles, stressing that the company had invested a great deal on aftersales facilities, setting up ultramodern service centres, including quick service centres and facilities manned by factory trained and Ford certified technicians in strategic locations across the country. ”We are also aware of the fact that some fleet owners have their own quick service workshops and require original parts and lubricants to maintain their fleet,” Maduka pointed out. “This has also motivated us to collaborate with well intended spare-parts dealers in our local markets to make Ford Motorcraft Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) spare parts available and accessible in every nook and cranny of this country.

“To this end, we have appointed over a hundred certified spare-parts dealers who, with the support of our overseas partner, Ford Motor Company, we will empower to stock and sell genuine Ford Motorcraft spare-parts to customers that may need parts from time to time.”

The all-new Ford Edge upscale sport utility vehicle (SUV) delivers premium levels of comfort, sophisticated driver assistance features and class-leading driving

dynamics. The all-new Ford Edge is now available in Nigeria at Coscharis Motors.

Ford’s refined and boldly styled new SUV offers a dazzling array of new technologies including Active Noise Control, which works like noise-cancelling headphones to counteract unwanted noises in the cabin, along with Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection, which can apply the brakes to avoid collisions with other vehicles or even pedestrians.

It also features Ford Adaptive Steering, which automatically adjusts the steering ratio according to speed to optimize maneuverability and precision.

The all-new Ford Edge sets new standards in its class for interior space; features high quality materials throughout the finely crafted interior; and offers comfort and convenience features including heated and cooled front seats and a panoramic roof on the high-spec models.

Ford developed the Edge to take the stress out of driving in town or country with sophisticated parking technologies that can locate and steer into or out of spaces handsfree; Front Wide-View Camera technology that can see around corners even when drivers cannot.

The Edo Times

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 24, 2016

A note to my Governor, Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki (I) ET 4

Edo set to wipe out poverty, ET 2 eliminate double taxation-Dep gov Edo guber: PDP lied against me, says Nowamagbe

ÏÏÏ

L-R: Deputy Governor, Edo State, Hon. Philip Shuaibu; British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Paul Arkwright; Chairman, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Babatunde Abayomi Savage; Governor, Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; and Managing Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Peter Ndegwa, at the commissioning ceremony of the new Guinness Spirits Production Line at the Guinness Benin Brewery, Ikpoba Hill, Benin…on Wednesday.

We’ll partner Guinness, others to deliver on 200,000 jobs – Obaseki Stories by Titus Akhigbe Benin

ÏÏÏ Governor Godwin Obase-

The Edo

T E A M

ki of Edo State has said the state government was ready to partner Guinness Nigeria Plc and any other willing company in its determination to create 200,000 jobs for youths in the state, especially in the area of Agro-Business.

Obaseki said this at the inauguration of the company’s N4.8 billion spirit production line at the Benin Brewery depot on Ikpoba hill.

He said the state government would make land avail-

able for the cultivation of cassava to meet the company’s raw material needs.

Obaseki noted that the current recession had created the opportunity for companies with the right initiatives and creative acumen to excel, recalling with nostalgia how the company spent 30 million pounds decades ago for the expansion of the Benin plant.

According to him, “Benin is home to Guinness and for us, you are our partners and we will take partnership very seriously. I am very happy to be associated with Guinness

Special Project Editor Sam Nzeh

Correspondent Titus Akhigbe

and excited that one of my corporate functions as governor is to commission the spirit production line of the factory”.

Earlier, Chairman, Guinness Nigeria, Mr. Babatunde Savage, said the company had impacted 1.5 million Nigerians through the provision of portable water.

Savage, who made the disclosure during the inauguration of a new spirit production line in Benin, said Guinness Nigeria had provided potable water to 25 communities in 14 States across Nigeria.

“As a responsible corporate citizen, Guinness Nigeria is interested in more than running a profitable business.

“We are also enriching

our communities with investments in the area of provision of water, health facilities, education and scholarships among others.

“As an example, in the water sector to date, we have impacted over 1.5 million people in Nigeria through the provision of potable water,” he said.

Also speaking, Mr. John O’Keeffe, the President of Diageo Africa, said Nigeria remained a very important market for the business, adding that the company was committed to the market.

O’Keeffe said the inauguration of a new production line reinforces Guinness Nigeria’s position as the first and only total beverage alcohol company in Nigeria.

The United Progressives Party (UPP) governorship candidate in the September 28, 2016 Edo Governorship Election and Music maestro, Shedrack Nowamagbe, has berated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and his group over rumour that he(Nowamagbe) collapsed his political structure for Ize-Iyamu prior to the guber poll.

Nowamagbe, who condemned in strong terms the rumour, alleging that the rumour was responsible for his not too impressive performance in the polls.

The self-styled masses’ chairman said this through his newly released Musical Album entitled ‘PDP lied against me’.

The ‘PDP lied against me Album with a 4-Track musical composition’ has thought provoking lyrics and is the artiste’s efforts at producing an identity as well as fighting for the oppressed in the society through his music.

According to him,“ Osagie and some people from PDP met me, asking me to join them in their quest for the governorship position, but I refused their plea immediately. But I was perplexed when some people started saying that Osagie told them that I, Nowamagbe and my party are working for them, PDP.” “This was not true as I never agreed to join them and this rumour which I called character assassination made many of my supporters to vote for PDP during the election.

“If not that PDP shared money and deceived my supporters to vote for them, what would have made them to get the votes they got? Is it that they were credible, or because one said he will be celebrating one man’s birthday if he wins?

“So, it is Osagie and some members of PDP, as they lied against me that made me to lose my governorship election so also they will loss at the Tribunal, Isha Allah”.

While lambasting the PDP candidate for condemning him for vying for the governorship seat especially as a musician, Nowamagbe said he was more suitably qualified for the position than IzeIyamu, adding that he has been using his God given talent to propagate the good of all.

The Edo Times 2

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 24, 2016

Cleric expresses optimism over Obaseki’s 200,000 jobs promise ÏÏÏ

THE General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries, Apostle Johnson Suleiman, has commended Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, for promising to create 200,000 jobs just as he emphasised the need for human capital development and welfare.

Apostle Suleiman, who hosted Governor Obaseki during the Sunday Service at his church in Auchi, noted that the physical infrastructure development in the state should form part of the change mantra, adding that when God chooses a man, he has to choose the right team to work with.

The cleric, who advised Governor Obaseki to demonstrate leadership by carrying everybody along whether they voted for him or not, said it was wrong for people to always ask politicians for money rather than development.

Accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, the Deputy Governor, Hon. Phil-

ip Shaibu, and the Chief of Staff, Mr. Taiwo Akerele among other dignitaries, the governor told the congregation that he had come to thank them for their support and also to fulfill his promise made during the electioneering campaign that if elected, he would return to thank them.

Governor Obaseki assured the state civil and public service of promotion, evaluation, training and total reforms to reposition the workforce for efficient and effective service delivery, adding that his administration will focus on human capital building programmes that will also be carried out alongside his campaign promise of job creation for the unemployed in the state particularly the youths and women.

While thanking God for what He has been doing in the state, he urged the congregation to sustain their support with prayers as his administration will continue to count on them.

Edo set to wipe out poverty, eliminate double taxation-Dep gov Stories by Titus Akhigbe Benin

ÏÏÏ The Deputy Governor of

Edo State, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, has said that the high level of poverty and the issue of multiple taxation in the state will soon be history.

He gave the assurance in Benin, the state capital at an interactive meeting with heads of revenue collection agencies and groups operating in the state.

His words: “The Governor Obaseki’s administration is already working things out to ensure the fulfillment of his electioneering promises among which is to create 200,000 jobs that would take the youth out of the streets. Government is also looking seriously into the issue of multiple taxation occasioned by the duplication of functions by the revenue collection agencies and groups in the state”.

The various revenue agents, most of whom operate in the transport sector, according to the Deputy Governor, were invited for interactions as directed by the Governor to enable government properly understand the workings of their groups and scope of operation to enable it formulate poli-

cy that would guide revenue generation and collection, thereby boosting the revenue and eliminate multiple taxation.

Shaibu, who affirmed government’s resolve to put Edo in the map of states that export goods in the country, said such interactions with revenue collection agents and youths became necessary so as to identify their potentials as the present government is determined to engage them meaningfully in line with its policy on job creation.

“We have the mandate of the Governor to interact with you because government wants to know where and how you operate within the scope of your work. We rely on information from you. So, please feel free to furnish us with accurate information about your beat because it will help government in bringing sanity to revenue generation and collection in the state”, Shaibu explained.

The groups invited on day one of the interaction included Akugbe Ventures led by Comrade Tony Kabaka Adun; Drivers Rebirth led by Enaruna Ibude; Agbor Sam Ventures led

by Mr. Samson Sedo; Road Transport

Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), led by Comrade Osakpamwan Eriyo.

Others were Professional Drivers on Wheel led by Adams Ehi, Roys Ventures led by Osarobo Idahosa and the National Union of Road Transport Workers led by Chief Odion Olaye.

Speaking with journalists on the outcome of the meeting, some leaders of the group including Chief Odion Olaye, Samson Sedo and Osakpamwan Eriyo said they were invited by the state government for interaction, with a view to tackling multiple taxation and other issues involved in revenue matters in the state.

They thanked the new government for the session, describing it as fruitful and promised to cooperate with government in its efforts to boost internally generated revenue and promote peace and security, especially in the transport sector.

Top government officials present at the meeting were the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Osarodion Ogie; the Chief of Staff, Mr. Taiwo Akerele and the Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon. Kingsley Ehigiamusor.

Ohen of Amufi celebrates New Yam festival ÏÏÏ Generally in this part of

the world, the farm produce, yam, is seen as king of root crops that is eaten and common among Africans.

Apart from some procedures that are usually observed when the root crop is being planted and the care given to it until it is harvested, there are also procedures that must be followed before newly harvested yams are eaten particularly in Benin Kingdom. These procedures vary from community to community in Southern Nigeria, which Benin Kingdom is inclusive.

This tradition is referred to as new yam festival, traditionally known as ighare’Emorho’.

Although many communities in Edo State may have abandoned the annual celebration of the new yam festival due to the influence of Western culture, but one community in Edo State which has held on tenaciously to the ancient festival is Amufi

Community in Ikpoba-okha Local Government Area of the state under the leadership of the Ohen (traditional cum paramount ruler), Amb. Ohen Iyi’Ewuare, Asenogua Egharevba of Amufi .

Ohen Iyi’Ewuare, who has been using his God-given prowess to uplift the downtrodden in the society has demonstrated his unflinching love for the propagation of the Edo culture and more of his people as he celebrates this year’s new yam festival today (Thursday).

The event, which is expected to bring home sons and daughters of the community, is expected to be colourful and glamorous.

Commenting on the festival, residents of Amufi community, who obviously appreciate what the Ohen stands for, described Iyi’ Ewuare as ‘God sent’, just as they prayed for long life and wisdom for him.

Governor Godwin Obaseki (right) with former defunct Bendel State, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, when Obaseki paid a courtesy call on him in Benin...recently.

Obaseki condoles with widow of late jurist ÏÏÏ Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin

Obaseki, has condoled with the family of late retired President of the State Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Momodu Ohihon Raje, who died at the age of 83.

Governor Obaseki, who described the late Nonagenarian as committed professional, urged his widow to take solace in the fact that the departed legal luminary served his mother land without blemish and lived a worthy live of emulation.

In a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Osarodion Ogie, the governor, who prayed the repose of the departed, said the prayers of the people and government of the state were with his family members.

Governor Obaseki said: “As we join

you to mourn his departure, we are certain that you will find consolation in the fact that your beloved husband lived a worthy life, was a kind, wise and devoted Muslim, deserving of celebration. ``On behalf of the people and Government of Edo State, I offer sincere condolence over the death of your beloved husband, late Justice Momodu Ohihon Raje, at the age of 83. ``Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this very difficult moment of grief, knowing how close you were to him. ``While we appreciate how much pain his death has caused you. The death of mortals is at the absolute pleasure of Almighty Allah, of which no human can question. This trying period therefore, calls for renewed faith in

Almighty Allah.

“Indeed, I can say without equivocation that late Justice Raje would be fondly remembered for his unflinching commitment and service to the people and Government of Edo State as a Judicial Officer, who made a mark in his chosen profession and rose to become President, Edo State Customary Court of Appeal and retired meritoriously, having served in that capacity.

“You must be proud that your beloved husband, who has always identified himself with the cause of social justice, is leaving behind a remarkable legacy of dedicated service to his community, as a Senior Palace Chief in the hierarchy of Chiefs in the Palace of the Ukor of Ihievbe, Owan East Local Government Area.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, November 24, 2016

Our goal is to build on your legacy, Obaseki tells Ogbemudia Stories by Titus Akhigbe Benin

ÏÏÏ Impressed by the performance

of former Governor of Bendel State, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has declared that the goal of his administration is to build on his (Ogbemudia) legacies especially in the area of infrastructure.

Speaking in Benin during his maiden visit to Ogbemudia at his residence in Benin City, Governor Obaseki said that the projects executed by the two-time former governor about forty years ago were very remarkable.

Obaseki said: “Our first visit was to the Benin Technical College, the technical school, as you must have seen on television. It is remarkable what you put in place there forty years ago. The structures are still so solid that in spite of the total abandonment of that school, you could still see the relics of the solid foundation you built in that institution.

“We want to assure you that our goal is to build on that legacy you left. The next day, we went to the secretariat complex to see the state

of infrastructure and the condition under which civil servants work.

Since you left about forty years ago, successive administrations have not been able to add one block on it. I want to assure you that we will, as a matter of priority, build on that solid foundation which you laid.”

The governor, who was sworn in on Saturday, November 12, 2016, remarked that he came to inform the elder statesman that his administration has resumed work, adding that two weeks after resumption, he had hit the ground running.

The governor explained that what has been very remarkable since he started is that in his determination to fulfill his campaign promises, his administration will try to focus on those areas which didn’t get enough attention during his predecessor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s tenure.

He said: “We have come to pay you a courtesy call and to thank you in particular for the support you gave to us during the electioneering.

We also have come to thank you for what you have done for us in Edo State and to Edo people.”

Responding, the two-time gover-

nor of Midwest and Bendel states said that he felt deeply honoured by the visit of Governor Obaseki, noting that he has a team of competent hands in his administration.

Ogbemudia advised the governor to work with people who can draw his attention to issues that could have negative consequences on the state rather than working with people who accept everything he says, no matter the implication.

The elder statesman drew the attention of the governor to the road that connects Sobe to other parts of Owan West Local Council, the rice farm at Agenebode, Etsako East Local Council and the gold deposits at Owan East and Owan West Local Councils of the state.

He urged the governor who was accompanied by Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu; Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie; Head of Service, Mrs. Gladys Idahor; and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Taiwo Akerele, among others to intensify efforts at making meaningful achievements either during his first one hundred days in office or at the anniversary of his one year in office.

3 The Edo Times

N200m mansion for Oshiomhole: PDP urges Obaseki to disregard bill

ÏÏÏ As

outrage and controversy continue to trail the passage by the Edo State House of Assembly of a bill approving N200 million worth of house to former Governor Adams Oshiomhiole and N100m to his former deputy, Dr. Pius Odubu, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, on Wednesday, urged Governor Godwin Obaseki not to be cowed to assent to the request which the party described as ‘Satanic’.

Recall that Edo State House of Assembly last week Wednesday approved a pension benefit of a residential building worth N200million for the immediate past governor of the state, Adams Oshiomhole. The House also approved N100 million worth of house to his deputy, Pius Odubu.

The PDP also challenged Obaseki to disclose to Edo people the state of treasury inherited from former Governor Oshiomhiole in the spirit of accountability and probity, adding that such is the usual practice in other states and Edo must not be exceptional.

Edo State Chairman of the party, Dan Orbih, while addressing newsmen in Benin City, said such request coming at a time when hundreds of pensioners who had retired from the state civil service having served for

Buhari’s war against corruption will restore public confidence - Osagie

ÏÏÏ

Edo residents protesting against the N200m house (pension) for former Governor Adams Oshiomole, in Benin...on Wednesday

President Muhammadu Buhari’s fight against corruption has been described as an antidote to restore public confidence in governance in the country.

Mr. Samson Osagie, a former Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, stated this on Tuesday in a public lecture titled, ‘Politics as a career or vocation”, which he delivered at the Benson Idahosa University, Benin City.

He said: “Today, the attraction to public office and politics is the access it provides for corrupt enrichment.

This forms the basis of the President Buhari’s campaign to bring about change in the attitude of people towards public office”.

Tracing the roots of corrupt en-

Court strikes out forgery case against Edo deputy gov

ÏÏÏ A Benin High Court on Mon-

day struck out the criminal trial case of alleged tax clearance certificate forgery against Edo State Deputy Governor, Hon. Philip Shaibu.

The court drew its powers from section 308 of the 1999 Constitution which confers immunity against prosecution on Hon. Philip Shaibu who “has metamorphosed to a deputy governor, was not on merit”.

Justice Esohe Ikponmwen, who struck out the suit marked 8/ ICPC/1/13 and dated October 8, 2013, insisted that the decision was based on his new status as the deputy governor of the state.

Shaibu was a lawmaker in the state House of Assembly, representing Etsako West Constituency II when he was alleged to have made a false statement to the Edo State Inland Revenue Service by claiming that he was an employee of Zanote Ventures Nigeria Limited from 2003 to 2006.

The accused was also said to have used the document in 2006 to contest the 2007 state House of Assembly election in 2011.

Delivering ruling on Monday, the trial judge, Justice Ikponmwen, said: “The Deputy Governor of Edo State can no longer stand trial in

this court by virtue of the immunity he enjoys under section 308 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Consequently, Justice Ikponmwen while relying on section 286 of the Criminal Procedure Act, which clarified on Civil and criminal acts, dismissed the charges following the application of the Counsel to the accused, Ken Mozia (SAN) who cited relevant authorities to convince the judge.

But, the ICPC Counsel, Godson Igbadume, had earlier opposed the application for the Counsel to the accused, Ken Mozia (SAN), over

35 years are yet to be paid their entitlement was a clear demonstration of the insensitivity on the part of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government in the state.

Orbih said: “It is a shame and disgraceful to note that a former Labour leader could go the way Oshiomhole has gone. A man who served the state for 8 years and at the end of eight years has a guaranteed pay package of his full salaries for the rest of his life, has to himself 3 new official vehicles of his choice to be given to him, 2 cooks, a personal assistant that will be paid by the state of not lower than level 10, a secretary that will be paid by the state and on top of this he is asking that they build a house for him valued at N200 million “To me, those who are looking for a living example of greed need not look further; they should take Oshiomhiole as a classic example of what greed is all about. Oshiomhiole that we know has houses in Abuja, Kaduna, Lagos and several houses in Benin City. So, this executive bill initiated by him to the house to approve all this as welfare package under the so-called amendment benefit bill, I don’t know whether he is asking them to build on top of his already existing houses in these places.

what he called prolonged adjournment to delay the trail.

Hon. Shaibu’s trial had suffered setback when the court held that the tax certificate file got missing, following the death of the permanent secretary in charge of the agency, Mr. Sunday Okundia, according to the former Acting Executive chairman of Edo State Inland Revenue Service, Barrister Emmanuel Usoh.

The verdict of the court was delivered while the deputy governor, Hon. Philip Shaibu, and the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, were at the palace of the Oba of Benin on Monday.

richment to 2003, he said the attraction to public office was as a result of the mouth-watering perks of office and this forced a number of people particularly those who have not been able to secure paid employment after graduating from school into politics”.

“The result has been that politics became a source of gainful employment for which anything must be done to acquire political power and occupy public office. Those already in office were reluctant to relinquish it owing largely to the same reason whether or not they are performing or justifying the mandate they had”.

“The lesson everyone who aspires to go into politics must learn is that public office in Nigeria is a temporary vocation, whether or not you have the innate capacity and potentials. If you succeed once or twice, there is no guarantee that you will succeed again no matter how effective you are or how good you represent your constituency,” he said.

He added that political actors who choose to make politics a career must of necessity be ready to multitask by engaging in other productive economic activities that will serve as a buffer in the event of a political catastrophe in the process.

Osagie said in Nigeria, or indeed Africa, there is the need for more professionals and God fearing people to get involved in politics in much the same way youths that constitute the bulk of the productive forces of the economy needs to get involved.

The Edo Times 4

Opinion

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, Novemeber 24, 2016

A note to my Governor, Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki (I) ÏÏÏ Unlike a few months back,

Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, is now a name that rings a loud bell not only in Edo State where he recently assumed office as its executive governor but across the country for being renowned as an investment expert in whose hands the state appears to have its brightest chances of becoming a model for the rest federating states.

He has his jobs cut out because he took over from an administration he was part of which managed to retain a pride of place among its peers having distinguished itself by meeting virtually all its statutory obligations, including monthly salaries and non-stop development commitments despite being encumbered by a stagnating economy occasioned by the current recession.

From your view point as an investment whiz-kid, your plan is not ambiguous. But you are equally aware that it is made of cast iron, at least, that much is true given the impact the evolving recession has on the implementation of promises made by the current administration at the centre. You are aware that the Nigerian economic atmosphere is, as reported, harsh, very harsh. One of the major consequences is that a number of investments turning their backs on the country and migrating to other parts of the continent. It cannot be lost on you sir, that our dear state, which you promised to revamp economically through investments in its natural endowments, is a part of Nigeria and operates under the same macro and micro economic umbrella. In the face of these realities, are you not worried (I am) that if investments are migrating to other countries within the continent as a result of our harsh economic environment, we may find it difficult to convince others to come here and invest?

My concern is based on what our people expect from you. I am worried because a lot of our people are eager to see how you will operate or what economic miracle your administration will draw up that will make investors swim into the state and do what they are unable to do within the larger Nigerian economic environment. My dear governor, the buzz in town is that even as your investment track records speak volume, there are concerns that it worked wonders while our economy was not in recession.

You only have four years, in the first instance, to deliver on your promises, recession or no recession but the real issue is that though experts predict that all things being

equal (they are never equal) there will be respite in 2017, it could last a little or much longer. If it does what chances do you have of fulfilling promises made?

While not standing in for the prophets of doom, I am worried, my dear governor, that it may be rough indeed. My fear is not unconnected to the realities you experienced while the campaign lasted.

Obviously, transferred aggression turned out to be one of the biggest challenges that became manifest over the period. The reason is that Nigerians booted out the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan administration because it was perceived to have performed far below expectations in both economic and other spheres. In his place, they voted in a retired army general, Muhammadu Buhari, representing the All Progressives Congress, APC, the same man they rejected severally prior. Distinctly, one does not need a rocket scientist to glean and appreciate their impatience with low performances or excuses. If I must restate it sir, you went through so much to secure your hard earned victory because our people rejected every excuse coming from the central government because that is not part of the reasons they voted for leaders at that level. Coming from the same party, they almost made you pay for a sin you know nothing of. It does not matter that the excuse(s) is (are) genuine. All they want is self evident proof of promise fulfilled. If you don’t have this in your mind already, please create space for it now.

The reason for you to be mindful is not far to seek. With a national economy that seems to drive investors away, it is likely that you will grow more grey hairs as you ponder on what you must do to convince those you anchor your hopes on that even as the state operates under the same economic atmosphere as the central government, it has game changing incentives. While some of our people are convinced that your challenge here will not be lack of will, your opponents are, like hounds, just waiting round the bend, to latch on any default and rile you ceaselessly as is the case at the federal government level.

But there is truly a little window of hope opened for you. I am sure you must have thought about it yourself. As part of its responsibility to create the enabling environment for real development, the immediate past administration, which you were part of, did well in providing basic infrastructure across the state. They are part of

Obaseki

For a start, you can, through your investment drive, bring rice farmers and millers from renowned rice production havens to Edo state to invest in our local production processes what your administration needs to quicken its economic resuscitation drive which you promised to anchor on your agriculture revival policy. Thankfully, there is enough potential in the state but you must be prepared to offer a little more incentive than usual, given the time and circumstance, for investors to really think about coming down here. One of them is that beyond security which is sine qua non, you may have to consider tax rebate or holiday particularly over the gestation periods the investors need for their investment to create a foothold. Let me use the rice industry as an illustration.

Dear governor, our people love Thai rice with a passion. But the quality, they are not bothered

about the sacrifice the producers made before it became what it is right now. They just want to see rice the way Thai rice is and consume it hardly moved by the fact that our local alternative has more nutritional value. No matter the orientation or re-orientation anyone pushes them through on the short run will not make any meaningful impact. Therefore, we must create something similar with our local rice brand. For a start, you can, through your investment drive, bring rice farmers and millers from renowned rice production havens to Edo state to invest in our local production processes.

As incentives, you can offer them enticing incentives, including land at reduced cost, tax rebate and or holiday over a few gestation years.

The incentives can be modulated to suit your administration’s ultimate goal. But they must set up industries and produce rice here in our dear state, with the same quality as the ones we crave. Their presence will contribute immensely in the area of job and wealth creation, food sufficiency and of course, the state could become a net rice exporter in a few years.

My dear Governor Obaseki, you talked about industrial revolution the same way I think it should be.

If you remember, the first time I met you one on one, accidentally though, I remember telling you that you are winning me over to your side. By then I had my sentiments,

as I told you, for another aspirant.

That is neither here nor there now.

But you said something about leaving the establishment of industries in the hands of investors. That is unlike what our people are used to. Like other federating states, we were familiar with business concerns created, funded and run by the state always at a loss when accounts are collated every other financial year. Here in our own dear state, we are very familiar with such concerns as drain conduits for public funds. In virtually all cases, those given the responsibility to manage them turned them into private investment and they all end up moribund. I assure you, dear governor, there is nothing meaningful you can do to change that orientation in the short or long run except as you said, leaves such businesses in the hands of private investors. But the state must not lose control responsibilities. Let me explain why.

As much as (if not more than) than I do, you are aware, dear governor, that no private motor transportation company in Edo state began operation with 100 vehicles. You also know too well, for instance, that the Comrade bus fleet began operation with about that number. It must bother you, I believe, that while privately owned transportation companies that began operation with less number of vehicles are doing better and growing from strength to strength, our own Comrade bus fleet is not only performing poorly but cannot boast of half its inaugural number of serviceable buses in less than six years of operation. The reasons, I am sure, are not unclear to you. It is not because the enterprise has no capacity for growth. It is simply because those in charge see it as a means to quick wealth. Therefore, beyond the need to milk the proceeds for personal gains, improving it for the good of the people, the real owner is a secondary issue.

My Governor Sir, if you desire real change, the time to adopt the Lagos public-private partnership option in the sector is now. Even as the state act as surety for the loan facilities required to purchase them, its ownership, which allows operation control, may be share but administration must be in the hands of private investors who in turn pay royalty to the governor. I will dwell on other issues in the second part.

Ernest Omoarelojie wrote from Benin, Edo State

Life&

TIMES Thursday, November 24, 2016

Jaywon On Music and Fatherhood

L2

P

Interview L2

Daily Times Nigeria

Thursday, November 24, 2016

With my new baby, I have cut down on my excesses - Jaywon Next World Music act and CEO, Oluwajuwonlo James Iledara, fondly known as Jaywon, gained limelight courtesy of his new single, Filebe, which became national anthem and ever since, he has proved that he understood the music game properly dishing out mind-blowing songs and breathe-taking videos, and shows no sign of quitting music anytime soon. The Kogi State-born super star recently released yet another album titled ‘Oba Orin’ which is doing quite well in the music market.

Jaywon has all the reasons to be happy as he has scaled through past struggle days to a well-bred artiste. Cornered during the shoot of yet another video off his new album, Juwonlo spoke with MUTIAT ALLI about the journey so far, fatherhood amongst others. the album is good enough; I sing for people to enjoy my brand the more.

How do you feel being a father now?

Words cannot express how I feel since the moment I became a father, so many good things have equally be coming my way since the arrival of little Jaywon like I call him even before his birth. I feel so proud of myself right now knowing that I have a child of my own from the woman I so much cherish

The truth is I have always wanted to do that for so long but when your actions and plans are restricted by rules but now that I am my own boss, I can take decisions on my own. I said to myself when the album was released that the almighty for making it possible for me and with the support of

What do you think being a father now can change about me?

Sincerely, a lot has to change about me, from my reasoning to the way I relate with people right now; you know there is sweetness attitude when you become a father. With the arrival of my bundle of joy that means every decision I take; I have to off. I equally have to cut down on my expenses.

You kept your relationship out of the media and colleagues and the news of the baby was a shocker; was that on purpose?

want to keep it private. Like my mum usually say, what is best kept last longer.

We thank God, the feedback has been very positive as words of encouragement also follow suit. I am not relenting anytime soon as all hands are on deck towards the coming project. In fairness, we received good comments and for other comments, we will surely work on them as stepping stones. We recently wrapped off the video shoot of a new video from the album directed by my brother, Unlimited LA. Determined as I am, the

Life&

T E A M

baby home in Abuja as plans are still in the pipelines for more of such.

Entertainment Correspondent Mutiat Alli

Oluwajuwonlo is an easy going personality, friendly and very accommodating; I see myself as the boy next door as music is my life. I am the every other guy on the street but the only difference now is that I am popular because of my chosen career. I am also that person that when angry and you think I

their faces in my own little way. anything that happened between us. In essence, music gives

because there are so many things attached it. A lot of celebrities own foundations and at the end of the day, there is nothing to show for it. For anytime I am in a good mood, I visit a home to

Oba Orin is a name I got from one of my fans shortly after I of Nigeria and still remains ever green. I equally come to term

the state shooting a video already; I have other things to attend

is usually Jaywon Oba Orin; so when I was thinking of the title

enjoying the fact that the money is coming in and at the same time, I schedule my plans properly.

brand? be remembered for good, to be one of the greatest Nigerian is my best album judging from my previous work but I leave members of the public to give their verdict on that. When I was preparing to drop this album, I had two albums ready but

wither you are good or bad, you will be remembered. What you

receiving is good as people even adjudged it best album in

be remembered as one of the artistes who ever came out of

Society Correspondent Abimbola Obatayo

Daily Times Nigeria

Thursday, November 24, 2016

L3 Gist

Mutiat Alli

Harrysong floats new label

…Loses Twitter, Instagram accounts to hackers

Harrysong

Moments after the birth of his music company was made public, top Nigerian musician and Reggae Blues crooner, Harrysong, has cried out over the hack of his Twitter and Instagram accounts.

According to a state-

ment by a prominent member of his team, Desmond Ike Chima, “Harcounts have been hacked by some losers who are probably raged and yet to come to terms with the latest development”.

Efforts are being made by the Harrysong and his team to recover the accounts. According to dent that the accounts will be restored in no distant time. As for the hackers, I have this shocker, we know who you are and are coming after you”.

He, also, assured that Altarplate has come to stay, in spite of the ru-

Big Brother Naija extends auditions to Abuja, PH

mours being peddled around. Here is how he captured it, “Altarplate is a total music company that was properly planned and put together by a group of seasoned and dedicated professionals.”

Asked to clarify the rumour concerning Harhis former label and he exit from Five Star may have stirred a massive controversy since yesterday when he publicly announced it on Channels Television programme, to

the

rumour

making

say for now”.

Mr 2KAY to invade Ghana on 4 -day media tour In a bid to connect with his ever -growing fan base, Grafton records music star, Mr 2kay, is set to embark on a 4 -day media and appearance tour of Ghana.

Organised by Blaccc ENT, the tour is scheduled to begin on the 30th of December and will see the singer host a meet and greet session with his Ghanaian fans as well as visit top radio and TV stations across Ghana.

talent just got bigger with the addition of Abuja and Port-Harcourt as audition venues.

Auditions for the Big Brother Naija reality competition will now also hold on the 26th and 27th of November at Muletokunbo crescent, Maitama Abuja and at Hotel Presidential, 5141, Aba Road, GRA Phase II, Rumuagholu, Port-Harcourt.

Olamide to release 6th studio album on #OLIC III Fans of YBNL rapper, Olamide have more than just a concert to be excited for as the indigenous rap king has dropped one of the surprises he promised his loyal fans.

Olamide is set to release a street tape on the day as his anticipated concert, OLIC BEAST MODE III. The lyricist revealed that this new collection consists of lyrical odes to the streets.

The award- winning rapper has once again set a standard for music acts locally and internationally as he has successfully broken the record of being the only Nigerian artiste to release an album every year. This is his 6th studio recording. yond the norm has proven time and time again

Mr 2kay is also billed to make guest appearances at A-list clubs including Club Onyx and Ghanaian star- owned club at off his tour with a major gig at an award ceremony.

Mr 2Kay

Interested applicants must be over 21 years and have a valid Nigerian passport in order to be selected as part of the twelve housemates for the competition.

Winner of the Big Brother Naija will walk away with amazing prize money of 25 million Naira and a brand new KIA Sorento car.

Big Brother Naija is sponsored by PayPorte, your preferred online retail store.

and he is extremely excited to meet his growing Ghanaian fan base.

the music industry.

Olamide

2baba, D’banj, others for Lagos Star Trek gest music concert, will hold a specNovember 26th, 2016 at Eagle club, Surulere. The concert brings to a close, the 5-leg concert experience across major cities including Makurdi, Abuja, Calabar and Owerri.

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amide, 2baba, Simi and Falz step on the massive Star Music the Trek stage to the delight of thousands of fans.

The concert will, also,feature performances by lucky winners of “My City Rocks” cypher competition. DJ Neptune and Big N are guaranteed to rave up the beat for a spectacular Star dance party at the concert.

The duo of Gbenga Adeyinka and Laff Up will keep the energy level high

at the arena for an eight-hour concert that starts by 7pm and broadcast live on HIPTV from midnight.

Star Music the Trek 2016 kicked off on September 10 at IBB Square, Makurdi and has toured Abuja, Calabar and Owerri, climaxing at a grand The Lagos concert holds this Saturday, November 26 at Eagle Club, Opposite Shoprite in Surulere.

2baba

Simi

Mixed Grill L4

Daily Times Nigeria

Thursday, November 24, 2016

Mutiat Alli

Timaya to shut down real deal experience in Enugu After a great year touring various cities across Nigeria, Timaya will in the company of Legend Extra Stout make a 27th November, 2016.

Timaya has alongside other superstars like Oritsefemi, Kcee and 9ice thrilled Okokomaiko (in Lagos), Ekwulobia and Awada (in Onitsha), Umuahia, Ibadan, Ikorodu, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Abakaliki, and Owerri.

on the Real Deal Experience train this year. The dancehall king will share the stage at the Middle Hills Events Centre in Asata, Enugu with live band Tipsy Kelvano and other acts.

After his performances in Port Harcourt, Abuja, Abakaliki and Onitsha, Timaya who is in Enugu said,“Going round

the country meeting my fans in various cities has been a wonderful experience. I know the show in Enugu will be epic

Enugu. They are in for a lot of fun!”

On rewarding the consumers, Portfolio ManagerMainstream Lager and Stout Brands, Nigerian Breweries, Emmanuel Agu, said “The Real Deal Experience has been to a number of cities across the Legend Extra Stout consumers rewarding them with exciting gifts and music from some of their favorite stars and also exciting gifts. As the tour comes to an end, we can only thank our loyalists for always partying with us. I urge our Enugu consumers to come out for a great night of fun.”

Gospel artistes to reveal Jesus at the Experience Lagos 2016 For the past 10 years, thousands of people have converged at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos for a worship concert which is regarded as the biggest gospel music concert in Africa and arguably one of the biggest in the world: The Experience Lagos.

At this worship concert, gender, nationality, status and race cease to exist as people lift up their voices in praise to the Almighty God. On the 2016 theme, the senior Pastor, House on the Rock,

Timaya

further reach the world with the message of the Gospel of Christ, in a fashion so simple, yet effective”. He further emphasized that it is high time Christians stopped sitting in their corners and took center stage to spread the Gospel of Jesus by truly Revealing Jesus.

In previous years, the all-night worship event had performing gospel artistes from various parts of the world, some of which

included Don Moen, Frank Edwards, Cece Winans, Tye Tribbett, Donnie McClurkin, The Mid-Night Crew, Wale Adenuga, Glowreeyah Braimah, Yolanda Adams, Eben to mention a few, leading the massive attendants in a night of music, worship and prayers.

The Experience Lagos 2016 which will, also,hold at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos on 2nd December will also feature soul stirring mix of ministers to give worshippers an incredible reason to look forward to the day. The line-up of both international and indigenous gospel artistes is already fueling anticipation. Ministering are: Don Moen, Frank Edwards, Travis Greene, Tope Alabi, Micah Stampley, Cece Winans, Donnie Mcclurkin! Also ministering are Gabriel Eziaschi, Eno Michaels, Chioma Jesus, Nwando, Tim Godfrey, Midnight Crew, Smokey Norful and Samsong.

Aramide releases debut Women at risk international foundation to open doors album, ‘Suitcase’ Women at Risk International Foundation,

target the urgent needs for these survivors by establishing a Sexual Assault Referral Centre: The WARIF Centre which will be open to the general public on Dec 1, 2016.

The Centre has established strong collaborative links with the Lagos State Government as well as other local & International non-government organizations and related agencies that provide shelters/ half way homes; legal aid and vocational skills

organization that was incorporated in 2016

by Dr. Kemi DaSilva-Ibru MD; MPH in response to the high incidence of sexual

Afrosoul Diva Aramide released her anticipated album, “SUITCASE” To usher in the new album, the talented musician released two new singles off the album: Why So Serious and Bose The 15-tracker album features Sound Sultan, Ice Prince, Adekunle Gold, Koker and Sir Dauda. think about is a Suitcase, and that is why my debut album love, society; appreciation, God, my journey, heartbreak and I want everyone to come with me on this journey,” Aramide said.

occurring amongst young girls and women across Nigeria.

The Foundation was established to raise awareness and advocate against this increasing prevalence of sexual violence amongst women and young girls of all ages and its consequences. These effects are both immediate with health and psycho-social risks to the victims as well as in the long-term societal problems that subsequently occur such as poverty, illiteracy, unemployment and the prevalence of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

“It is our primary social responsibility to ensure that all young girls and women live in a society free of rape and sexual violence.

Dr. Kemi DaSilva-Ibru The opening of WARIF Centre by Women at Risk International Foundation -WARIF

journey towards achieving this goal.” - Dr. Kemi DaSilva-Ibru, Founder, WARIF

system of referral that is made available and can be utilized by those in need of these services.

“I am pleased to be collaborating on this global initiative. It is important that the International Community come together to not only address gender- based violence, but also create resources and tools to enable self -determination and freedom for all.

New Music Alert: Pepenazi out with I.A.G.N.T remix Known for his musical dexterity and prowess, Kayode Opeyemi better known as Pepenazi, has teamed up with rapper Reminisce and Falz on the remix of his raving making

time). The music is however mixed and mastered by Indomix and produced by HT Pepenazi is, however, known for hit songs that

include Illegal One for the Road, iwo na amongst others which was a national anthem.

2016 has sure been a successful year for the Ecleftic music act.

Pepenazi