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G Ɠ Ƌè RƊƆë Buhari set to take action, gets report from Osinbajo

Ï Ƅƈ ƆƐ ƏƆ ƑƇƇƋƆ Ƌ ƌ ^ƏƆ ƈƗƆ Ɛ ƅ ƅƆƋ 0& Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

ÏÏÏ Four months after the suspension of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal and the Director General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Am-

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bassador Ayodele Oke, President Muhammadu Buhari is set to take definite action on the duo as he received probe panel report on the two public officials over their alleged involvement in different corruption scandals.

Buhari had in April, following Continued on page 6

THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2017 VOL. 3. NO. 431

N150

GLOBAL FINANCIAL/COMMODITY MARKETS

CURRENCIES/CBN: CBN: MƢƠǀêƣǀ ^&` #RGG `è Parallel Market: USD MƢƣƠ POUND Mƿƣǀ EURO MƿƢơ NSE: d9 Ƣƣè ƠǀÖêƾơ MARKET CAP ơƾêƣƣ 0L#_ RƃM ÖÕêƠƠ R ÖơêÕƣ COMMODITIES: Wheat nd ƿƠÕêƾƠƃLj Rice nd ơƾêƾƿƃLj Cocoa nd ơèÖƠơêƠƠƃ Coffee nd ơƾÕêǀǀƃdƅ ƍ Cotton nd ƣƠêǀƢƃn ƈƐ Sugar nd ơƢêƣÖƃRƑ ƅƆ METALS: Gold nd ơƾÖƾêƿƠƃRƑ ƅƆ Silver nd ơÕêÖÕƃRƑ ƅƆ Copper nd ƾêÖÖƃRƑ ƅƆ ENERGY: Brent nd ǀƾêƿƢƃ^ è N/Gas nd ƾêÖƢƃ

Anti-corruption war suffers setback as AGF attacks Magu Ï & ƌ Ɛô Ƒ ƍƆ ƈ Ƈ Mƈ ƆƏƈ ƆƔƍ Ɔ ƄƈƅƊƆƏƈ ƄƆƐƓƆƆ 10è &0 Ï L Ƌ ƌƈ ƅƅƑ Ɔ L Ƒ Ƈ ƄƋ ƅƊƌ ƈƋè Ƌ ƅƊ Ƈ ƕ ƆƏ ƕ Ï M è ƍƆƏ Ƌ ƈ ƐƆƏƆ Ɛ ƄƆ ƈ Ɨ ƐƐ ƅƊ Ɔ ƅƕ – EFCC

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Andrew Orolua and Francesca Iwambe, Abuja

ÏÏÏ Though

they have been trying to hide it from the general public, the Continued on page 5

Dangote, Niger sign MoU on N166bn sugar production 7 Nobody died of any ‘strange disease’ in LUTH- CMD 5 Ex-Minister Akwanga abducted, kidnapped in his farm 7 9mobile subscribers threaten to dump network over torpid service 7

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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 24, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 24, 2017

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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 24, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 24, 2017

5 News

Anti-graft war suffers setback as AGF attacks Magu Continued from page 1 suspension of Nigeria from EGMONT Group has exposed the bitter rivalry between the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN) and the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu.

In what can be referred to as a setback to the war against corruption, one of the cardinal points of President Muhammadu Buhariled administration, Malami openly attacked Magu over what he described lack of synergy on the Egmont issue.

The Daily Times recalls that when the issue of bickering between the two vital bodies in the fight against corruption broke out, the response was that there was no love lost.

The drama started with the request from the office of the AGF, asking Magu

to release the case files of high profile cases and corrupt public office holders which the EFCC reportedly declined.

But the bubble busted on Wednesday when the office of the AGF openly accused Magu of frustrating the war against corruption and behaving as if the commission is an island.

The AGF further went on to accuse the EFCC of doing everything to frustrate the lifting of EGMONT suspension on the grounds that the EFCC is not willing to lose control of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).

Accusing Magu of subterfuge, Malami said: “It is a sad tale to tell how the Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu-led EFCC has frustrated these efforts and even had to resort to blackmail in some instances often times, alleging that the AGF and the Ministry were all out to impede the gov-

Malami, AGF ernment’s anti-corruption drive.

“Magu and other EFCC officials had through several online publications accused the Minister of

trying to compromise the war. They have always perceived the Office of AGF as a threat instead of addressing the issues relating to the best strategy to fight corruption advocated by the AGF. “For instance, during the House of Representatives Committee review session on 18th April, 2017, Magu vehemently rejected the new Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition Bill 2016 submitted by the President, which according to him, as reported by some national dailies, might prejudice President

Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption agenda.

“He even went on his whimsical best by convincing that passing the bill into law now will affect Nigeria’s application for the membership of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

“In likewise, the EFCC is now in a state of paranoia, as it dreads the effort of the government to have an independent NFIU which it has stood against stoically since 2006.

“As it presently stands, the NFIU staff are all deployed by the EFCC to serve

in the interest of whoever is its current Chairman.

This has to stop if it must conform to the new thinking and global best practice.

“Nigeria cannot be an island of its own. It cannot fight corruption in isolation. The threat of expulsion from the EGMONT group calls for a thorough review of the NFIU and the manner in which the EFCC leadership has manipulated and misused intelligence to the detriment of the fight against corruption and financial crime in Nigeria”.

Continued on page 6

Nobody died of any ‘strange disease’ in LUTH- CMD Angela Onwuzoo

ÏÏÏ The Management of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital(LUTH), Idi-Araba, has denied and condemned a social media report attributing the cause of death of 13 persons in the hospital to the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).

Debunking the claim on Wednesday in Lagos, LUTH’s Chief Medical Director(CMD), Prof. Chris Bode, said the report was false and that nobody died of any “strange disease” in the hospital.

His words: “Let me state unequivocally that: No doctor made such a claim from this Institution. Nobody died of any “strange disease” in LUTH. HPV does not cause sudden mass deaths in humans.”

The social media report had ascribed the fake story to an unnamed “senior LUTH doctor.”

Bode lamented that while many have discovered the freedom of expression unleashed by people’s new-found passion for social media, its attendant responsibilities were yet to be appreciated. “ Otherwise, what does it benefit the purveyor(s) of such wickedly mischievous falsities who unleash such misinformation to cause mass anxiety without informing, entertaining or

educating the populace?”, he queried.

According to Bode, “For quite some time, it has been a regular feature on social media and mass email messages to put up some spurious claims and then give it traction by attributing it to “a senior doctor in LUTH.” He warned that the hospital has done nothing to attract such a reputation.

He noted: “We should check popular sites such as Wikipedia to verify any such spurious claims and establish the truthfulness of any unhelpful and misleading information.

“Medical literature informs us that the human papillomavirus causes a number of diseases in man, and the ordinary wart is the commonest of these.”

Bode revealed that the virus is also known to cause cancer of the cervix in females, genital cancer and cancer of the throat.

He stated that occasionally, the virus can prevent pregnancy.

He further explained: “The virus is found only in humans and it can be transmitted through sexual contact and infect the anus and genitals. HPV vaccines can prevent the most common types of infection and it is now recommended to be given in young girls between the ages of 9-13 to prevent cervical cancer.”

L-R: Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Alfa Belgore (rtd); Sultan of Sokoto, Mohammed Sa’ad lll; Nigeria Labour Congress President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba; Lead speaker, Prof. Sam Egwu and former Governor of Edo State, Former NLC President, Comrade Adams Oshiomole, at a Colloquium on Labour Movement and the Future of a United Nigeria: What Role for Restructuring?’’ in Abuja… on Wednesday.

PHOTO: TEMITOPE BALOGUN.

9mobile subscribers threaten to dump network over torpid service Stanley Ikechukwu

ÏÏÏ

Subscribers on the 9mobile, network have decried as poor, services provided by the company since July this year, when it changed its name from Etisalat Nigeria.

Consequently, most of its subscribers have taken to social media to vent their anger concerning the company’s network, especially its data services, which they describe as ‘terrible’.

According to multiple online sources, the telecoms’ network has been unable to resolve challenges resulting in minimal or no coverage in most parts of Lagos since Thursday, August 17, 2017.

There have been rumours that the IHS Group, which owns most of the cell towers in Nigeria, had yanked 9mobile off their cell towers, because of a debt, but a staff of the company, who did not want to be named as he was not authorised to speak to the press, said that the problem was a technical one.

According to him, the cooling systems in the 9mobile data centre overheated

and there was a problem during the transfer to the backup systems.

Such explanations appear to have fallen on deaf ears of irate customers. Adewale Aliu, a mobile plumber and 9mobile subscriber told Daily Times that the poor network service, which has become worse since 9mobile took over from Etisalat, had hindered progress of his business.

He said clients find it difficult reaching him; adding that he had decided porting to more reliable network like MTN and Airtel for effective business.

Another subscriber, who gave his name as, Ike Okeke said it was simply frustrating; asking whether the old Arab owners, Etisalat, took away all their masts when leaving Nigeria?

Also, a 9mobile subscriber, named Nighthawke on the Internet forum, Nairaland said that, “What is louder than trumpet, is their plummeting Internet services. It has been so frustrating that you could attempt to load a page, make a 13km away appointment with traffic and get back with that page yet to

load. Meanwhile your data is counting.”

“Obviously, their poor services now at its worst can be likened to one with suicidal tendencies, as they may ultimately close shop.

Maybe, the outgoing team left with their technical support [though poor]” a subscriber named, Ifeanyi Onogwu, said.

Juliet Omere, a civil servant, said that since the name change, the network had not been very stable; and urged the new management to improve on the service as soon as it settled down.

Omere said that Etisalat data used to be the cheapest and very effective, but in recent times, some subscribers had been experiencing some challenges with the network.

“Since this change to 9Mobile, the network has not been very good. “It may be part of the fallout of the crisis; and we expect improvement soon,’’ she said.

According to experts in the industry, complains and threats from subscribers should be taken seriously, as 9mobile risks losing even more of its customers than

it did when the company failed to meet its loan obligations and was forced to restructure management and change its brand name from Etisalat to 9mobile.

Etisalat Nigeria Ltd., Nigeria’s fourth largest telecommunications firm, was recently faced with financial crisis since Mubadala Development Company of United Arab Emirates, the company’s largest shareholder pulled out its investment from the country.

It failed to reach an agreement on possible repayment plans with 13 Nigerian banks, where they took out a $1.2billion medium term syndicated loan facility taken in May 2013, hoping to be able to refinance the existing commercial medium term debt of $650 million, but missed payment in February 2017, due to an economic downturn and scarcity of foreign exchange in the country.

This forced the UAE Company to pull out of Nigeria, causing a total rebranding to the new 9mobile to reflect the new management led by the Chief Executive Officer, Boye Olusanya.

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 24, 2017

Buhari set to take action on Lawal, Oke, gets report from Osinbajo Continued from page 1 their suspension, set up the probe panel chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo just as the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno, served as members.

This is even as the weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) which holds Wednesdays was put off by the President without any reason.

But a source at the Presidency told The Daily Times that Buhari was

determined to take dire step to change the cause of governance, adding that the President had vowed to deal decisively with any government official involved in any act of malpractices.

The source further claimed that the cabinet may be reshuffled, saying that the development might not be unconnected to the cancellation of the FEC meeting.

He said: “Having received the report and to show President Buhari’ seriousness on the matter, certain people in the cabinet may be dropped

Lawal (left) and Oke because the president has reiterated that he would no longer tolerate any form of corruption in his government”.

The Daily Times also gathered that in a matter of days, the President would make some shock-

ing changes in his cabinet as some names have been penciled down for replacement.

While Lawal was probed over allegations of violation of due process in the award of contracts as the Chairman of the Presiden-

L-R: Talent Manager, HR and Admin, Airtel Nigeria, Temitope Aba; Beat FM Presenter, Douglas Jeken; Director of People and Culture, Taiwo Ajayi and Head, Human Resources, Jobberman, Amaka Okwuashi at STUTERN Internship Fair 2017 in Lagos… on Wednesday.

tial Initiative on the North East (PINE), Oke was probed on the discovery of humongous N13billion cash by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a residential apartment at Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos, in which the NIA was reportedly laying claim to the cash.

But when the Federal High Court that ordered forfeiture of the money to the Federal Government asked interested parties to show why the money should not be forfeited, the NIA did not file any application to show that the money belongs to it.

Osinbajo, who chaired the panel, submitted the report to Buhari on Wednesday at the State House, Abuja.

Speaking to State House correspondents after submitting the report, Osinbajo said, “It is in the interest of the country that things are done properly.

The APC-led government will ensure that things are done properly.”

Asked if heads will roll as a result of the probe, Osinbajo said: “How can I tell you? If you want to know what is in the report, you have to wait.”

The vice-president said the president would study details of the recommendations his committee submitted to him before taking decision.

He said: “Well as you can imagine, we are always fair minded and the whole

approach is to ensure that justice is done in all cases.

It is in the interest of the government and also the interest of the nation that things are done properly and that there is due process and that we are not unfair. You can be sure that we will do the right thing.

“It is in the interest of the government and also the interest of the nation that things are done properly and that there is due process and that we are not unfair. You can be sure that we will do the right thing.

“It is a fact-finding committee as you know and what our terms of reference were was to find out based on the fact available to us and based on the interviews of witnesses of what transpired in those cases of the report one involving the SGF and the other the DG of NIA. “We have now concluded that and we submitted a full report with recommendations to the president.

We cannot, of course, give you any kind of details because the president has to look at the report, study it and then make his own decisions based on that report.

“This is a document which has just been submitted to the president. He is the one who will read the recommendations and the facts and then make a decision.

“If you want to know what is in the report you have to wait, you really have to wait.”

tion of confidential information, specifically related to the status of suspicious transaction report (STR) details and information derived from international exchanges.

“However, the Group has expressed its desire to lift the suspension if the Nigerian authorities will address its concerns before December 2017 deadline or face expulsion.

“It recalled that since 2006 when the NFIU was established, it has been under the control of the EFCC as enshrined in Section 1(2) (C) of the EFCC Act that stipulates that the Commission is the designated Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) in Nigeria, which is charged with the responsibility of coordinating the various institutions involved in the

fight against money laundering and enforcement of all laws dealing with economic and financial crimes in Nigeria.

“In essence, EFCC is the NFIU. Without a clear legal framework, it is obvious that the NFIU cannot function independent of the EFCC as required by the Egmont Group.”

The statement added that so much water has passed under the bridge and that in line with the new trend and in consonance with international best practice, the AGF had through a memo numbered HAGF/SH/2016/ Vol.1/2 sent two bills to President Buhari- ‘Request to Transmit Two (2) Bills to the National Assembly’ - a development that would strengthen the war against corruption

Anti-graft war suffers setback as AGF attacks Magu Continued from page 5 But, a reliable source at the EFCC said the AGF’s allegations were baseless and made in bad faith, insisting that the EFCC will not take up issues with the AGF as the issues involved are that of personal interest and not about fighting corruption.

He said: “It is instructive to state that there is a particular lady called Mrs. Juliet Ibekaku-Nwagwu that was removed from NFIU but now working with the AGF as Special Assistant to the President on Justice Sector Reforms.

“Incidentally, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Anti-corruption, Senator Chuka Utazi, comes from the same area with the said Juliet. Therefore every at-

tempt is being made now to bring the lady back to NFIU. “So, Magu is just a victim of circumstances. I wish to inform you that Magu is focused and will not be distracted. He is doing everything possible to ensure that the war against corruption is on course”.

The Daily Times further gathered one of the issues is that the NFIU is domiciled in EFCC Act and the development is causing some disquiet in certain quarters.

The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to AGF, Mr. Salihu Othman, had taken up issues with Magu in a statement made available on Wednesday.

The statement reads in part: “At its 24th Plenary of the Group held in Macao, a

Magu, EFCC Chairman Chinese Special Administrative Region (SAR) from July 2-7, 2017, chaired by Mr. Sergio Espinosa, chair of the Egmont Group, Nigeria was suspended for flouting its laid down rules and regulations.

“The group at the meeting where about 354 participants representing 112 Financial Intelligence Units were in attendance

particularly reprimanded Nigeria, for lack of the independence of the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

“Besides, its decision by consensus to clampdown on Nigeria arose from repeated failures on the part of the NFIU to address concerns regarding the protec-

Ï To generate over 15000 jobs Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 24, 2017

7

News

Dangote, Niger sign MoU on N166bn sugar production Ganiyu Obaaro

ÏÏÏ In another bold move for self-sufficiency in sugar production, through the government’s backward integration policy, the Pan African Conglomerate, Dangote Group, yesterday, in Minna, Niger state, North Central Nigeria, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment of a jumbo N166billion stateof–art and fully integrated sugar complex.

On completion, according to the President of the Group, Aliko Dangote, the project will generate over 15,000 jobs in the state and bring about a complete economic turn-around for the state Dangote, in a statement said that, “The $450million pact, which was signed in the government house, will see the company producing raw sugarcane on 16,000 hectares of land at Lavun Local Government through an out-grower scheme.

“The company, which is currently operating outgrower scheme in Rice production in a number of states, has the Africa’s larg-

est sugar refinery in Lagos and a sugar cane plantation in Numan, Adamawa state.”

Dangote said his investment was informed by his company’s firm belief in the potential of the Nigerian economy, adding that the new outlay will add value and create jobs for Nigerians.

He commended the State Governor, Alh. Abubakar Sani Bello for his foresight and efforts to woo investors to Niger State noting, “the Dangote’s Integrated Sugar Project in Niger State will also include the establishment of integrated sugar mills, generate power, produce molasses, ethanol fuel, biomass and produce animal feeds.

In his remarks, Governor Bello said the deal will revolutionize agriculture in his state and Nigeria. Expressing joy that the MoU was signed during his own administration, he described Dangote as the liberator of the Nigerian economy and a dependable partner.

The Governor then urged Dangote Group to explore other investment opportunities available in the state,

Dangote just as he announced that the state was opened for multi-sectoral investments.

Representative of the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Alhaji Aminu Bisala said Dangote is the biggest private sector supporter of the Nigerian economy, and Federal Government policies.

He said the FG was comfortable with the numerous investments efforts of the Dangote Group.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Niger State Traditional Council Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Abubakar Yahyah said he was elated about the huge investment coming to the state, while praying God to bless the Dangote Group more.

Just last week, the Conglomerate had sponsored

an Investment Summit in the State, which was attended by former Presidents Abdulsalami Abubakar, Olusegun Obasanjo and the then Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, who described the private sector as key to the country’s economic development.

Group Managing Director of Dangote Sugar Plc, Engr. Abdullahi Sule stated that the MoU would be a Game Changer for Niger State economy and Nigeria as a whole.

He said the integrated sugar mills will have the capacity to produce 160,000MT of raw sugar pointing out that has been in the fore front of support for government industrialization programmes through backward integration policy in agriculture.

According to him, the Dangote Sugar Refinery is developing a sugar backward integration plan through the production of 1.5MT/PA in ten years in: Nasarawa, Adamawa, Kogi, Kwara, Taraba and Niger states respectively.

The Group’s Executive Director Stakeholders’ Man-

Managing Director, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Mr. Anders Einarsson (left) in a handshake with the Osolo of Isolo, Oba Kabiru Agbabiaka, during Einarsson’s visit at the Oba’s palace in Isolo, Lagos... recently.

agement and Corporate Communication, Ahmed Mansur had also announced that the group was investing over $1billion in the agricultural sector in the country, specifically in rice, sugar, tomato and dairy productions.

Niger State Commissioner for Investment, Commerce and Industry Rahmatu Muhammad Yar’adua said that the deal with Dangote Group will

help grow the agricultural sector and create direct and indirect jobs in the state.

It would be recalled that the group’s foray into sugar business began in 1981. It has injected over N38billion into the Savannah Sugar Company Limited it acquired from government in 2003. Savannah Sugar this year alone, produced 20,000MT of raw sugar from its plantation.

Ex-Minister Akwanga abducted, kidnapped in his farm Andrew Orolua, Abuja

ÏÏÏ The Nasarawa State Police Command Headquarters in Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital on Wednesday confirmed the abduction of a former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Hussaini Akwanga.

Mr. Akwanga served during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo but was removed on December 4, 2003, following an alleged $214 million national identity card scam which led to his arraignment with late Minister of Internal Affairs, Chief Sunday Afolabi.

Spokesman of the Nasarawa State Police Command, Kennedy Idirisu confirmed Mr. Akwanga’s abduction on Wednesday, He said Mr. Akwanga was kidnapped by gunmen at his farm on Wamba Road on Tuesday.

Mr. Akwanga bears his town name - Akwanga town which is about 46km north of Lafia, the capital of Na-

sarawa state, and about 182.

94km to Abuja.

Mr. Idirisu said that on receiving information on the abduction, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Sadiq-Bello, mobilised policemen, led by the deputy commissioner in charge of operations, to search for the abducted former minister.

“As we speak, the commissioner himself has gone to Akwanga to boost the rescue operation to ensure that the victim is released unhurt,” he said.

Mr. Idirisu reiterated the commitment of the command to ridding the state of kidnappers and other criminal elements.

Meanwhile, a family member has said that the kidnappers had contacted them, demanding an unspecified amount as ransom.

On May 6, the mother and sister of a member of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Kassim Mohammed, were similarly abducted in Akwanga.

8 News APC admits guilt over advert placement debt

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 24, 2017

Egbunike tasks journalists on research-based journalism, collaboration

...Accuses media of cajoling party for placement

Edward Nnachi

Tom Okpe, Abuja

Worried by the down spiraling nature of media reportage in the country and the need to adequately and professionally deliver its constitutional mandate of watchdog role to the citizenry, the Group General Manager (GGM), The Daily Times of Nigeria, Mr. Olisa Egbunike yesterday charged journalists to research, read and collaborate more with colleagues in order to pass their reporting more, from the point of knowledge and not from the point of baseless information.

Egbunike, who spoke on Wednesday at an event, tagged ‘Reporting Diversity Training for Print and Electronic Media,’ organised by the Journalists for

ÏÏÏ

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has finally admitted guilt over non-payment of advertisement monies running into millions of naira owed various media outfits in the country.

Recall that some of the adverts were to congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar at various period.

Spokesman of the party, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi who bared his mind on the issue in an interview on a national Television yesterday, however, said the party would not have been so indebted if it was not cajoled by journalists assigned to cover the party.

“I think we have started paying; the last time I checked, I discovered we have started paying. Maybe if we were doing things the way the other party (PDP) did, using government money to fund the party, it is possible we will not have all these, but we have started paying.

“The issue is this; let me admit that it is wrong for us not to have paid for those adverts within the period that they were not paid. Some of these things were backlog from the last two years or so. But we do not have problems with salaries of staff. You see, people just exaggerate some of these things.

“Another thing is this; I am a journalist, I understand how this things work. When something happens, they keep calling me ‘Oga, won’t you place advert? But I bear in mind that we have not paid for some and I say no, let us just write a letter to congratulate the person celebrating; they would say, ‘no, Oga don’t worry, just place the advert.

“I remember one that I said we were not going to pay, but they went and waylaid the chairman in one of the states and they called me and said the chairman said we should place the advert”, he revealed.

The APC last week came under attacks over its refusal to clear advertisement debts running into over N25 million

owed some media houses.

and Ebere Obi

ÏÏÏ

Democratic Rights (JODER) said practitioners’ inability to intensively study and research on the socio-cultural and political events of Nigeria had indirectly rendered them weak before the public whom they are supposed to serve.

He said this was against what obtained before late 1990s, when pioneers of the journalism profession in country took time to finding out what happened in and around the environment they operated, adding there was need for Nigerian journalists to study and then thoroughly educate and galvanise the masses, “because diversity as a potent force binds people together and should always be reported from the point of knowledge, which often comes through consistent and constant studying.

Egbunike, who was one

of the facilitators at the training, frowned at the spate of individuality going on in the profession, maintained that practitioners must continue to collaborate and interact to a point where the sociocultural and political happenings in the country inter-marry to enable the average Nigerian appreciates what true governance means.

“We must understand the complexity of Nigeria’s immediate environment to really report diversity as journalists. We must begin to compel ourselves to understand the multifariousness of our history as a people. We must continue to study and interact to begin to replicate the enormous achievements recorded in the past by the forerunners of the profession, more so, when there are huge resources available

for us to do us these days,” he said.

He said for one to be a practicing journalist, he (or she) must understand the social, cultural and political essencethat binds the country together and noted that the Nigerian populace need news items that would tell them how the society in which they live, is shaped and governed.

Another facilitator at the training, Mr. Adewale Adeoye, who spoke for JODER, said Nigeria being a secular state, had Islam and Christianity as two major religions and that we could not substitute our consciousness for the mind and thinking of the various adherents of these great faiths, adding that it was the responsibility of journalists to ensure that equal opportunity is provided for all.

L-R: Orimedu of Onimedu, Oba Musat Atiku; Onibeju of Ibeju-Lekki, Oba Rafiu Bamidele Salami; Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Adejare Babatunde Samuel and Onitedo of Itedo, Oke-Odo, Oba Tajudeen Elemoro, during the Stakeholders forum organised for LGs/LCDAs in Epe Division in Lagos… on Tuesday

Niger distributes utility vehicle to LGAs Saka Bolaji - Minna

ÏÏÏ

The Niger state government has distributed 47 utility vehicles worth about N200 million to local government chairmen, education secretaries and local government auditors and its service commission.

Making the presentation at the government house Tuesday, Governor Sanni Abubakar Bello remarked that the vehicles to each of the respective offices was to ensure effective and efficient service delivery to the people.

He promised to give all the required support despite the state limited resources at its disposal as he urged them to used the vehicles judiciously by maintaining and managing it effectively.

The governor however warned that anyone who sold his or her own as experienced in the past will be dealt with accordingly.

Bello urged the education secretaries to raised up to their responsibility by monitoring and inspection of schools effectively to ensure improved standard of education in the state hence the provision of the mobility.

The vehicles distributed includes 22 Hilux vehicles for twelve council chairmen, four to local government service commission, three goes to the local government auditors while education secretaries of the twenty five (25) local governments were given Volkswagen golf each.

The ALGON President and chairman, Alhaji Gambo Tanko Kagara in an interview applauded the gesture from the state government adding that this would go a long way in assisting them in carrying out their respective responsibilities hence can be query anyone found wanting.

HURIWA cautions Buhari, service chiefs on crushing BSS members ÏÏÏA

pro-democracy and non-governmental organization, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has cautioned President Muhammadu Buhari and service chiefs not to unleash bloodshed in the South East of Nigeria in the guise of attempting to crush the so-called Baifra security services.

HURIWA accused President Muhammadu Buhari of brazen double standards by his plot to go after the Biafra Security Services even when his administration is aware

Ï0 ƑƋƐ ƅ ƌƍ Əƈ Ƈ 9^R Ɛ Ɗ 6 Ə ƌ jƆƏƏ Əƈ Ɛ that sections 214(1) and 10 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria outlaws such contraption like the Hisba/ Islamic police currently operating in Kano and Sokoto states.

Similarly, the presidency has been condemned for comparing the armed Islamists of Boko Haram to the Europe registered Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) which is purely a non-violent and selfdetermination campaign platform.

The group said Presi-

dent Buhari committed serious semantic and logical fallacy to have even contemplated the comparison of a terrorist group such as Boko Haram ranked as the top most mass killers in global terrorism index to such pro-independence but completely nonviolent groups like the indigenous peoples of Biafra (IPOB) which the Rights group reminded President Buhari that the group legitimately administers a radio station based in the United King-

dom from where he (Buhari) had just returned after spending three months on extended medical leave.

HURIWA lamented that President Buhari has by the reported illegal directive to his service chiefs to crush a purely civilianled vigilante group that bears no arms or poses no danger absolutely to the territorial integrity of Nigeria, betrayed his disdain for the Igbo race even as the Rights group criticized President Buhari for failing to appoint a representative of the South East of Nigeria amongst the military chiefs.

In a statement endorsed jointly by the National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and the National Media Affairs Director Miss Zainab Yusuf, HURIWA said it was regrettable that at such a top security meeting in which the security future of the South East of Nigeria was top-most item in the agenda, not one Igboborn military general was in attendance, asking “Why the apartheid-type exclusion of Igbo from the National Defence Council by the Presidency of Muhammadu Buhari?”

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 24, 2017

9 News

Restructuring: Sultan, Belgore, Oshiomhole, condemns call for Nigeria’s break up Idu Jude, Abuja

ÏÏÏ Eminent Nigerians, including the Sultan of Sokoto, have said that dialogue remains the only viable tool to transform Nigeria to the benefit of its citizens than the call for divided Nigeria.

Sultan Alhaji Sa’ahad Abubakar, former Justice of the Federation, Justice Alpha Belgore, as well as former Governor of Edo State, Mr. Adams Oshiomohle all stated that economic restructuring should be dialogue than the agitation for divided Nigeria.

Unanimously, the speakers opted for the devolution of power and revenue allocation stressing that the agitation must be defined to enable the lay man draw lines between breaking of Nigeria and fixing Nigeria to the benefit of all.

The lead speaker during the colloquim organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) with the theme: ‘The Labour Movement and the Future of A United Nigeria, What Role for Restructuring?’ Professor Sam Egwu of University of Jos, said that the reason for the unwarranted agitation, was due the fact that unity government was killed by Federal Character, which means that the country’s existence at the moment determined by ethnic and religious sentiment.

According to the lead speaker, restructuring of Nigeria was as old as the Lord Lugard days of amalgamating the Northern and Southern protectorate to ensure better governance to the heterogeneity of Nigeria. He noted that the formation of regional gov-

Alhaji Sa’ahad Abubakar

ernment brought quicker development but was distorted by the creation of 12 states by General Yakubu Gowon followed with the amendment of constitution which reduces the power of states and brought end developmental competitions among the regions.

The professor held that this imbalance in sharing of assets and by the central Government brought agitation in the life of Nigerians that led to several National reform till 2014. The conference he observed opened up many diverse agitation of Nigerians with all the region’s presenting different ideas as it affects the people.

However, in summery he said that Nigerians should see the agitation for restructuring as an undefined pronouncement that Should not be misrepresented. “You see I do not

agree that Nigeria is indisoluble and this is what I meant with the way things are happening in Nigeria, people should not go to bed with the felling that nothing will happen. What restructuring mean to me is that there are certain things we need to put right at the Federal level to get to the States and the local Government. It is how to rearrange certain things that has gone wrong”.

Further speaking, the lead speaker the agitation became intense because the State was taken away from the people when ethnicity and religion now defines a citizen contrary to what colonialism introduced in the country. “It was a question of federal character in exchange to Government of National Unity. And every day, we work against National unity. We do not

have problems with that but there are other ingredients that question to nationhood”.

The former governor of Edo state Comrade Oshiomohle, stated that Nigeria Nation failed with over concentration of power to the center, stressing that the devolution of power and the empowerment to the local authority will better define Nigeria and can hold a better restructuring.

According to Comrade Oshiomohle, the construction of roads and maintenance of Government facilities at the local government, has no supposedly should be the concern of the local or state and not the Federal in a normal setting.

His words, “as a Governor of Edo State, there the different between being a politician and doing the

work. I came at cross road, when the people demands that certain roads should be done but I was helpless but was forced to put a sideboard to notify the people that the road they are asking for stands a federal road and that is because Nigeria remains the only country where federal Government construct roads at the local Government for controlling the resources at the localities”.

He said that agitation, should be shifted from dividing Nigeria to asking of what the people need as citizens of the country.

Oshiomohle, who turned unleashed his anger on the opposition party after losing the 2015 election, stated that the opposition may have found a ground to distabilise Nigeria instead of being supportive to the Buhari administration.

Adams Oshiomohle

Justice Alpha Belgore

ICC considers SERAP petition over 11 trillion electricity scam Peter Fowoyo

ÏÏÏ Days after a nongov-

ernmental organization, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), petitioned the International Criminal Court in the Hague, over allegations of widespread, systematic and large-scale corruption in the electricity sector since the return of democracy in 1999, strong indication emerged on Wednesday that the matter is given utmost consideration.

SERAP is asking the ICC probe the huge amount of money expended in the electricity sector since the return of democracy in 1999 under the governments of former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan.

According to a statement issued yesterday by

the advocacy group deputy director, Timothy Adewale, the organization said that, “SERAP can confirm that the ICC is now considering our petition. We have received communication from Mark P. Dillon, Head of Information and Evidence Unit of the ICC indicating that the court will give due consideration to our petition.”

According to SERAP, the information is contained in a letter with reference number OTP-CR-245/17 received by the organization yesterday.

SERAP quoted the letter as reading in part: “This communication has been duly entered in the Communications Register of the Office.

“We will give consideration to this communication, as appropriate, in accordance with the provisions of the Rome Statute

of the International Criminal Court.

“As soon as a decision is reached, we will inform you, in writing, and provide you with reasons for this decision.”

Timothy Adewale said: “SERAP appreciates the prompt attention to this matter by the ICC. “We urge the court to pursue this matter to a satisfactory conclusion by taking the case forward as required by the provisions of the Rome Statute, and ensuring a thorough investigation and prosecution of suspected perpetrators of grand corruption in the electricity sector in Nigeria.”

It would be recalled that SERAP last week sent a petition to Mrs. Fatou Bensouda, Prosecutor of the ICC, asking her to use her “good offices and leadership position to investigate

whether the allegations of widespread, systematic and large-scale corruption in the electricity sector since the return of democracy in 1999 and under the governments of former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan in Nigeria amount to crimes against humanity within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, and to prevail on the Nigerian government to surrender all suspected perpetrators for trial by the ICC.” The Office of The Prosecutor of Nigeria is a state party to the Rome Statute and deposited its instrument of ratification on September 27, 2001.

In the petition dated August 16, 2017 and signed by SERAP deputy director, Timothy Adewale, the organization said that, “allegations of corruption

in the electricity sector in Nigeria have had catastrophic effects on the lives of millions of Nigerians, akin to crimes against humanity as contemplated under the Rome Statue and within the jurisdiction of the Court.”

According to SERAP, “The Rome Statute in article 7 defines ‘crime against humanity’ to include ‘inhumane acts causing great suffering or injury,’ committed in a widespread or systematic manner against a civilian population.

“The common denominator of crimes against humanity is that they are grave affronts to human security and dignity.

“Therefore, the staggering amounts of public funds alleged to have been stolen over the years in the electricity sector create just these consequences.

“Crimes against hu-

manity are not only physical violence; allegations of corruption in the electricity sector hold a comparable gravity, which the Prosecutor should examine and thoroughly investigate.”

The petition reads in part: “The elements that need to be established to prove a “crime against humanity “under article 7(1) (k) of the Rome Statute are that, the perpetrator inflicted great suffering or serious injury by means of an inhumane act; that the perpetrator was aware of the circumstances, and that the act was committed within a widespread or systematic attack on a civilian population; and that the perpetrator knew of that link.

“The consequences of allegations of corruption in the electricity sector are similar to those of the offences in article 7(1).

10 News

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 24, 2017

With budget provision, there was no issue with certification - Dunoma Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

ÏÏÏ

L-R: Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, celebrant, Yeye Oge of Remoland, Chief (Mrs.) Silifat Olusola Sofola and her husband, Chief Idowu Sofola, during the 80th Birthday Celebration of Silifat Olusola in Ikenne, Ogun State... on Tuesday.

Defectors to PDP will be accorded equal right, Makarfi assures Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

ÏÏÏ

From the National chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Makarfi, came an assurance on Wednesday that defectors into the party will be accorded equal rights in the party like other members.

Senator Makarfi gave the assurance while inaugurating the caretaker committees of PDP in Kebbi, Ogun and Borno States.

Alhaji Abdulahi Wali heads the Kebbi committee, while Abdulmalik Mahmud and Barr Tunde Odanye, head the Borno

and Ogun chapters respectively.

The National Chairman of PDP and former Governor of Kaduna State further said that the window for reconciliation with aggrieved members will remain open in the face of reconstitution of state chapters of the party.

Aside from the three aforementioned states, the the national convention of the party had dissolved five other state chapters of the party, mandating the Makarfiled leadership to setup a caretaker committee for those States.

However, Makarfi, while speaking at the inauguration noted that the

decision to inaugurated these sets of caretaker committees was because they are racing against time.

Makarfi observed that the party has achieved successes in some of the states, adding that invitations have extended to stakeholders in the state so as to have a harmonized caretaker committee.

According to him, “we don’t have luxury of time.

We won’t allow circumstance to hold us back.

We called both sides. You can’t force everybody to come. We thank all those that came.

“Those who genuinely repent and give in to the

party will be given equal chance in the party. As we move we remain flexible and accommodating. We have not closed the door we will never close the door. We will create level playing field for everybody” he said.

He however explained that they dissolved the state executives in order to ensure unity because of sharp divisions in the party.

The former Kaduna State Governor further said that the new caretaker committees will also help to ensure that the mistake and court cases that arose from the past congresses will not occur again.

Counterparts’ funds stall implementation of safe water project-UNICEF Ibeneme Ebelechukwu, Abuja

ÏÏÏ

. The efforts of the Federal Government in collaboration with its development partners in providing adequate water and sanitation hygiene (WASH) for its teeming citizens within the Niger Delta region may not yield desired results following the failure of some state governments in paying their counterpart funds meant to provide for such services.

Out of the five states namely AkwaIbom, Bayelsa, Rivers, Edo and Delta involved in the project only three of these states have fully paid their counterparts funds.

UNICEF Water and San-

itation Hygiene Specialist (WASH) Specialist, Mrs Martha Honkonya disclosed this to journalist during a two-day media dialogue organized in AkwaIbom state.

According to her, the delay in the payment of such counterpart funds has significantly delayed the successful implementation of the projects.

In her words “apart from AkwaIbom, Bayelsa and Delta State that have paid fully their counterparts fund, states like Rivers and Edo are yet pay theirs up till today.

“Rivers State and its Local Government areas are expected a total sum of N142m but has only paid N89m remaining the bal-

ance of 53m to be paid.

The community is also expected to pay N16.6m but has only paid N1.3m and has the balance of N15.25m to pay.

“For Edo State,though the state government has made her full payment of N149.2m but the communities is still owing a balance of 7.6m out of the 16.5m they are expected to pay.

She further lamented, “ apart from the counterpart funds, lack of commitment from Local government area of WASH unit staff and incessant strike actions by local government workers due to delay in payment of salaries are also posing threat to the projects.

Others are, poor operational support to Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA’s) and Local Government Areas due to poor support to projects as well as difficulty in scaling up sanitation due to limited and delay in establishing feasible laterines models for riverine communities in addition to slow uptake of Community Led Total Sanitation approach by communities who are more used to subsidy driven development projects.

She added that if these challenges are not mitigated, the total provision of access to improved sources of safe drinking water and basic sanitation within the project states will not be met

The Managing Director of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has said that with the provision of their budget, there was no issue again concerning the airport certification process.

Engr. Dunoma stated that the only thing FAAN needed to do was to make provisions in their budget that such funds are special funds to address the airport certification.

Speaking with journalists recently, the renowned aviation expert pointed out that, FAAN engineers swung into action as soon as they got the assessment and the fund provided, adding that “the engineers came with the estimate of how some of the technical issues, some of the documentation and some of the new things we need to provide to make sure that we close the gaps. So, with the provision in our budget, there was no issue again. Budget was provided and everything is going smoothly and that is why we are at this stage”.

With multiple assessments done on the nation’s airports by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Airports Council International (ACI) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the FAAN Managing Director assured

that the authority, now has a higher safety standards than what it was before the airport certification processes.

Engr. Dunoma who said that he was looking at the certification from the level of achievement in terms of safety, pointed out that FAAN, has by way of going through the process of airport certifications achieved a lot of safety standards Emphasising that certification is all about safety, the FAAN boss said that the authority had since combined the two assessments done by ICAO, ACI and the one done by NCAA in order to work with the results and forge ahead.

He however, informed that with certification, everything was looked into, including documentation, communication lines, emergency contact telephone numbers and other necessary facilities and equipment at the airports.

“Under normal circumstances, we would not bother. But with the certification, we must make sure that whoever is there is current. Certification is making sure that everything is current and checked on regular basis.

It is not only getting the certificate but sustenance of the certificate is important. Yes, we have worked hard that we close the items, but we must sustain it.

NOA sets up council to fight hate speech Augustine Kuza, Lafia

ÏÏÏ

In a bid to fight hate speech in the country, the office of the National Orientation Agency, NOA, in Nasarawa state has concluded plans to set up a local government assembly to tackle the menace of hate speech currently bedeviling the unity of the country.

State director of the agency, Mrs. Priscilla Gondo Aluor, made this known to news men in Lafia, the state capital, adding that members of the local government assembly will be meeting periodical.

According to the state NOA director, “we intend to also set up town hall meetings to increase the traditional rulers intervention in order to translate peaceful co-existence among the people.”

She explained that the local government assembly would be composed of various people of the society so that officials of the agency will sit down with the said people and discuss issues that would promote mutual co-existence among the populace.

“This NOA local government assembly is going to provide a forum for people to express themselves on a closer basis and listen to the mind of the government. Also the civil society will be included to do citizen engagement.

“What we need is not division, we need negotiation and resolution hence NOA is working with the state ministry of information so that we can promote a free dialogue between the citizens and the government,” Aluor maintained.

11

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 24, 2017

Politics Was the protest calling for President Muhammadu Buhari to either resume or resign justified considering that he had handed over power to his vice before travelling?

When you are talking about the justification of the protest may be you are looking at it from the moral point. In the 1999 constitution there is provision that the President can stay away as long as he wish: provided there has been a resolution by the senate, and he handed over power to the Vice President, he can stay for as long as 90 and 120 days he has not breached any law.

But when you look at it from the moral point would you then say the President should have resigned if he loves this country so much?

With the state of things and the Nigerian factor, you may ask can the Acting President perform, even when he is surrounded by all the appointees of the President, when he look at his left he sees the Chief of Staff who is appointed by the President, and on his right he see the director of the DSS, an appointee of the President and who is even his uncle, can he perform maximally, especially when he want to take decisions that affect their interest? They would say that is not the way the President does it.

Look at the killing in Ozubulu, the presidential media aide said the President commensurate with the people of Anambra, on what basis? Buhari seizes to be the President the moment he handed over power to his vice and he should not be heard in anything that has to do with governance in this country. If you have the interest of Nigeria at heart why don’t you resign honourably, imagine, where is that done?

There is a lacuna in the constitution as to the number of days he can be absent, it is sad: we have now become a laughing stock in the international community. This is happening in Nigeria of the 21 century, it is appalling.

Were you surprised that the protesters were manhandled?

I am disappointed that responsible and lawful Nigerian citizens who were embarking on a peaceful protest were attacked. Instead of them to tell us the true health condition of Buhari, their response was simply to organise a counter attack. Of course we know the people were bought, where were they all these while? Obviously we have not learnt from the Umaru Ya’adua episode, may God repose his soul.

How do you rate the performance of this regime so far?

I believe if there is any President of Nigeria that suppose to perform in office it is Buhari. Buhari should have had his programmes on ground because he has been aspiring to be the President Since 2003, it is not as if he was handpicked like Obasanjo or accidentally picked like Jonathan. But what we are seeing is disappointing.

s

APC, Buhari change mantra a deceit –Adeshina Yemi Adeshina, a lawyer, activist and public affairs analyst is not happy about the lacuna in the 1999 constitution that has put Nigeria in the current woes. In this interview with INIOBONG IWOK, Adeshina lampooned the All Progressives Congress (APC) government led by President Muhammadu Buhari for failing the people. He also speaks on other national issues.

ADESHINA

But Buhari would go outside the country and say my people are corrupt, corruption is everywhere, recently a governor in the United State was prosecuted for corruption, when you go out and make this type of allegations against your people in the international community, would it not discourage investors from coming to invest here? The government has been a failure: Nigerians are living in penury, they cannot eat a meal a day, were is the change mantra? Where is APC manifesto, the APC government is pure propaganda.

I am an employer of labour, I feel sorry for the people. Why are there ritualists everywhere, is it not because there is no money in the economy.

The NASS has embarked on amendment of the constitution, how do you view the process?

The so call constitution is rotten.

Is that a constitution? Constitution has been defined severally in many forum: a constitution is a set of rules and precedent which set of people have agreed that is the way they should be governed.

The Nigerian constitution was handed over to us by Abdusalam.

Nobody saw the constitution until after May 27, 1999. Why would there been a constitution and the people don’t have input? There is no referendum?

Buhari would go outside the country and say my people are corrupt, corruption is everywhere, recently a governor in the United State was prosecuted for corruption, when you go out and make this type of allegations against your people in the international community, would it not discourage investors from coming to invest here? The government has been a failure: Nigerians are living in penury, they cannot eat a meal a day, were is the change mantra? Where is APC manifesto, the APC government is pure propaganda.

Look at Britain, when David Cameron lost the brexit he resigned from office because he knew he has lost the confidence of the people. If it was in Nigeria they would have swept it under the carpet.

What is your view of the Federal Character Commission?

Federal Character Commission is the basis for corruption in Nigeria. It is on the basis of that, brilliant people are put aside. There is no basis for Federal character, it should be removed from the constitution it should be waved aside.

How come the South East have 15 senators, the North Central which does not contribute anything to the central have 19 senators, North East 21 were is fairness in all that?

Tell me where they are using federal character in the world? Britain is not using federal character and they have one of the best economies in the world.

Why would there not be a referendum when democracy is the government of the people for the people and by the people? Because the referendum would go against the members of the National Assembly, there is no doubt that they are the greatest problem of this country. All the senators would vote against issues that does not affect them possitively.

Federal character should be removed from the constitution, there is nothing like that, infact it is the basis for corruption.

Are you in support of restructuring?

There should be devolution of power in the country, there are many issues that should not be under the control of the Federal Government, rather the country would be better run if they are under the control of states.

What do we need all these ministries for? We don’t need more than five ministries. All this is waste of money. And may be two senators from each state, the House of Representative should be scrapped, if need be one representative from each state is enough, and they meet twice a week.

We need to change our mentality.

The political process is too monetised, the process is difficult, there is too much money being thrown around. One of my brothers who want to contest for the House of Representatives is looking for N100 million to be able to compete, we need to change our mentality.

There is increased agitation

for secession from many ethnic groups and threats are being issued, does it bother you?

That is a result of failure of government. I don’t blame Osinbajo, I am sure if there was a President all these while they would have been arrested by now.

Look at the IPOB leader, what he is doing is a breach of his bail condition, why has he not been arrested? One of the problems of this country is that we make laws but we don’t implement them.

With respect to the government under the act that set up DSS do they have power to arrest? How many of these judges have been charged to court? One would expect that if there is any allegation against any judge the National Judicial Commission should be petitioned with the allegations, they would then investigate the allegations. You can see that one or two of them have won in court against the EFCC, it shows that there was no proper investigation.

Has the anti graft war failed?

I don’t think the anti corruption war has failed: because there have been revelations about a lot of people who siphoned the country’s resources. I think the problem is with the anti graft agencies, what is the caliber and experience of the lawyers that handles their cases? That is what I think is part of the reason they keep losing these cases.

What about investigation?

I was not surprised Bukola Saraki was acquitted, from the beginning when the prosecuting team did not seem to get itself together, it was obvious when the witness was being cross examined.

Do you see the PDP taking over power from APC in 2019?

No, we need a new alternative, the PDP has failed us in the past.

Even though APC has taken us 20 years back, Nigerians would not want the PDP back again. I pray there would be alternative. As for now the APC has failed Nigerians, they seem to lack the ideals to move the country forward, I pray another party come on board, certainly the APC would lose in 2019.

12 Politics

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 24, 2017

Boroffice, South-West group promise continuous support for Buhari

Bolaji Omosanya, Ibadan

Chris Emetoh, Abuja The South-West zonal coordinator of the National Committee of Buhari Support Groups, NCBSG, Professor Ajayi Boroffice has said the people of the South-West geo-political zone will continue to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s government.

The group welcomed the President back to the country after his medical vacation in London while declaring that the President will continue to lead the country on the path of purposeful leadership and economic revival.

In a statement issued by the group and signed by its leader, Professor Ajayi Boroffice, the group expressed gratitude to Nigerians for the fervent prayers and fraternal solidarities showered on President Buhari during his medical vacation.

According to him, the euphoria, enthusiasm and widespread jubilations that heralded the arrival of Mr President from the nooks and crannies of Nigeria represents a spontaneous testimony that the support base of Mr President has expanded across zones, his popularity has risen higher and his

BUHARI

BOROFFICE

acceptability rating has soared higher.

The NCBSG is particularly delighted that at every opportunity, Mr President has shown Nigerians that he is as much a trusted democrat as he is a firm believer in the rule of law.

“With the transfer of presidential powers to the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo in accordance with section 145 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Mr President has further enriched his democratic credentials.

“In the light of the above, we likewise

Okowa, Fayose, Wike assure of transparency in Anambra PDP primaries.

Nosa Akenzua, Asaba As consolidation on the gains of the last Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Non Elective Congress in Abuja continues, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta) Nyesom Wke (Rivers) Ayo Fayose (Ekiti) and Secretary, PDP Caretaker Committee, Senator Ben Obi converged on Asaba enroute Anambra for the PDP governorship primaries.

Speaking after the brief meeting at the Asaba International Airport, Chairman PDP Governors Forum, Mr. Ayo Fayose assured members of the party of fairness, transparency and justice in party affairs.

He said that the leadership of the party is re-strategising to ensure success in future elections, assuring that the unity and reconciliation of party members would bring political gains in 2019.

“This is a new beginning for our party, it is part of the effort of our party to ensure due process and that everybody gets justice, with the calibre of men in this our National Committee you can be rest assured of transparency, justice and fairness,” he said.

Governor Fayose congratulated the President on his return from his medical leave, but reminded him that Nigerians are hungry not only for

Stakeholders celebrate Buhari’s return, charge him to focus on nation building

salute the leadership acumen of the Vice President and commend his outstanding efforts which addressed secessionist agitations in the absence of Mr President.

“The NCBSG wishes to assure all Nigerians that Mr President will continue to justify the massive confidence reposed in him.

“In the days ahead, the President will take decisive and key actions to enhance and energise the course of governance in the country,” the group said.

Anambra guber: APGA faction elects flag-bearer Alphonsus Nweze,Awka

FAYOSE

food but for development, he urged the Buhari led All Progressives Congress (APC) government to face governance squarely and deliver the gains of democracy to the people.

“We are happy that President Buhari is back, it is a welcome development, but Nigerians are hungry, they need food, they need development.

We in PDP know what is right for Nigerians, democracy is strengthened by opposition, APC should face governance squarely and give Nigerians democratic dividends.”

He stressed that governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party are committed to working together with the party leadership with a view to repositioning the party and eventually winning the 2019 national election.

Dr. Igwebuike Ifeanyichukwu Hygers has been elected as the flag-bearer of the Chief Martin Agbaso led faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), for the November 18 Anambra State governorship election.

Hygers emerged winner as the flag-bearer after polling a total of 1, 547 votes at a far away sleepy town of Ezira in Orumba South Local Government Area of Abnambra State.

The party elected the flag-bearer during its special state congress/primaries held at Ezilo Central School field in Orumba South council area of the state.

The primaries, which adopted the option A4 system of voting was said to have been monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as well as APGA delegates from the national secretariat in Abuja led by the National Vice Chairman of the party (South East zone), Prince Stanley Ukaga.

Speaking after the exercise, the National Vice Chairman of the party, Prince Ukaga, who also functioned as the chairman of primaries committee was said to have congratulated the party for what he described as peaceful primaries He called on the party supporters to work together and retain the Anambra Government House for APGA, describing the flag-bearer as a credible individual and said that Anambra people would heave a sigh of relieve under Dr. Igwebuike’s administration.

He said today, APGA has buried all its differences and has elected a man who will move the state forward if elected as governor. I will urge the party supporters to come together to help deliver the candidate on 17th November this year.”

In his acceptance speech, Dr. Igwebuike was said to have thanked the APGA faithful for the trust reposed on him, assuring to the take the party to the next level and to run an all-inclusive government if elected.

APGA main structure had on Tuesday elected Governor Willie Obiano as its flag-bearer of the party.

Stakeholders in the nation’s political space in Oyo State have expressed happiness at the return of President Muhammadu Buhari from his medical vacation in London, saying that it portends positive development for the country, while also charging him to immediately sit back to address the myriads of problems bedeviling the nation.

A member of the House of Representatives, representing Ido/Ibarapa East Federal Constituency Hon. Sunday Adepoju, declared that the return of President Muhammadu Buhari from his medical vacation in London will accelerate nation building and douse the plethora of tension hitherto generated by his absence.

Adepoju stated this in an interview with The Daily Times Correspondent in Ibadan, Oyo State metropolis.

According to him, some disgruntled elements within the polity had used the opportunity afforded by the President’s absence to foment trouble in order to realise their personal agenda.

He added that Buhari is now on ground to handle the ship of state and steer it in the right direction and also restore the hope and trust of Nigerians in general.

Also, a High Chief of Ibadanland and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Oyo State, Senator Lekan Balogun described the arrival of President Buhari as a welcome development.

In his words, “Nigerians are happy that he is back. They are expecting a lot from him. He should ensure that they are not disappointed. A lot rests on his shoulders.

“He should tackle the issue of nation building. All sectors have to be streamlined and looked into for its total recovery and meaningful impact in the lives of the masses” He added.

In the view of the National vice chairman, South West, Labour Party (LP), Comrade Bashiru Apapa, it is high time that Buhari sat down to deliver on the promises made to the people during his Presidential campaign for his election.

He noted that, as at now, the level of poverty and hunger in the land is unacceptable, and this is coupled with security challenges facing the country amongst other issues strongly contesting for urgent attention.

“The Boko Haram, the Niger/Delta and the IPOB problem and others are there.

“There is a lot of discontent in the land which needs to be handled. He is welcome back, but he should face the problem on the ground squarely.”

Also, an aide to Mr Seyi Makinde, the gubernatorial candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Oyo State in 2015, Alhaji Akeem Azeez, called on President Buhari to tackle the issues of devolution of powers, restructuring, the problematic situations of the economy, security and other sundry matters quickly.

“We can all see that the country is in dare straits. The President must do the right thing. He should go beyond his previous semantics and rhetoric’s. Nigerians are tired of this,” he stated.

Page Thirteen

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 24, 2017

s

Editorial

13

PHOTO TIMES

The value of economic summits

W

hen the first Nigerian Economic Summit (NES) was held in Abuja in February 1993, little did the organisers know that economic summit will one day snowball into an idea that is widely accepted across the country. Today, families, corporate bodies, states and the federal government have embraced the idea and they regularly organise their economic summits.

For state governments, the purpose of economic summits is usually to expose to local and foreign investors the investment opportunities that abound in their states, the enabling environment in place that would make investments thrive in the state and to invite such investors to invest there.

Recently, the Niger State Government organised a two-day economic summit to market the state’s economic potential to investors. Tagged “Impact Investment for Advancing Agricultural Economy and Innovation,” the summit attracted economic experts, industrialists, manufacturers and some state governors across the country. It was organised to attract investors in various fields to boost the state’s economy.

Judging from the interest shown by investors at the summit there is no doubt that the state is poised to become an agricultural giant among the states in the country. Niger State is certainly a state to watch in the area of accelerated agricultural development in the next few years, a situation which made Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo to declare that Niger State has the capacity to produce varieties of food crops that will feed African continent.

Among other investors who showed interest in the state, the Dangote group is investing $450 million in the state to establish a large scale rice processing mill to process 200,000 metric tonnes of paddy rice and to establish a state-ofthe-art fully integrated sugar refining industry in the state. The company will

Publisher/Editor in Chief Group Managing Director Noel Anosike Publishing Executive Enyinne Onwunwanne Group General Manager Olisa Egbunike 08034004224 Head, Operations Isaiah Udo 08033230673

also establish a state-of-the-art fully integrated sugar industry involving the development of 30,000 hectares of sugarcane plantation and the production of about 500,000 metric tonnes of refined sugar. Another company is to establish a N1.6 billion shea butter factory in Mokwa Local Government Area of the state and would engage about 10,000 workers.

To attract the investors the state had put in place various enabling environment measures that would make businesses thrive. Towards this end the state has laws and agencies that encourage private sector participation in the development of the state’s economy.

Key among such agencies is its One Stop Investment Centre which the state government uses to put forward to wouldbe investors its investment potentials and priority areas of agriculture, solid minerals, tourism, transportation and energy.

The example of Niger State’s success in wooing investors to the state so far is an eye opener and a pointer to the fact that where there is a will there is a way. It also shows that with a good vision and determined leadership every state in the country can successfully market its potential to investors and turn around the economic conditions of the state, the recession in the economy notwithstanding. Another example is Lagos State government which last year joined hands with Kebbi State to develop Kebbi’s rice fields. It was an instant success. The rice from that joint venture, among others, enabled the Lagos State government to bring down the price of rice in its markets.

Going forward, state governments must know that they are in a healthy race for development of their economies. In doing so, they must learn that through healthy, positive competition, cooperation and learning from each other’s successes and failures, state governments can better develop their state’s economies and bring tremendous development to their people.

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Features Editor Gbubemi God’s Covenent Snr 09095489889

News Editor Kelechi C. Ogbamgba 08050220561

Ag. Head, Graphics/Design Sunday Gabriel Idagwu 07030881423

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

Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu (2nd right); Special Adviser to the Governor on Party Affairs and Community Matters, Chief Osaro Idah and others, during a visit to the scene of an auto accident in Upper Sakponba, Benin … on Wednesday.

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Livewell Initiative, Bisi Bright; Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Yinka Sanni; Head, Human Capital, Stanbic IBTC, Olufunke Amobi and Group Head, Employee Health and Wellness, Standard Bank Group, Glenda Noemdoe, during the Stanbic IBTC 2017 Health and Wellness Week in Lagos … recently.

Words On Marble :

– Fidelis Anosike Group Head Finance/ Administration Tobi Oyeniyi 07060528139

Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu (middle); President, Association of Forensic and Investigative Auditors in Nigeria (AFIAN), Dr. Enape Victoria (letf); Auditor-General, AFIAN, Hajiya Kudirat Hamid (righ) and other officials, during the AFIAN’s visit to the minister in Abuja… on Tuesday.

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STATEMENTS BY THOSE WHO MATTER

Nelson Mandela

Obafemi Awolowo

Nnamdi Azikiwe

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

“Behind the ugly terrible mask of misfortune lies the beautiful soothing countenance of prosperity. So, tear the mask!

“There is plenty of room at the top because very few people care to travel beyond the average route”.

14

Opinion

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 24, 2017

Management of time

A Livinus Ukah

ccording to Oxford Advanced Learner’s dictionary, time is defined as those minutes and hours that regulate our moments, movements and activities. People are conscious of time. When one has no wrist watch, he asks the other, what time is it? He is asking for information to adjust or stop what he is doing to enter into another impending activity. It could be that he has an appointment, a lecture, church meeting or Mass, or someone is waiting for him at a given time. The modern man is conscious of time because he knows its value. If he does not know the value of time, it will cost him dearly. If he’s a business man, and he’s not conscious of time, he will miss many appointments. If he misses two or four of such appointments, his business partners might not regard him as a serious business man, and this may affect his business.

When we talk about time, we talk about clock-an instrument that regulates our time in order to meet appointments, and pro-

gramme ourselves. Before the invention of clock, the primitive man had his own way of regulating life’s activities through the help of his biological clock. He didn’t have to set an alarm clock which today has replaced our biological clock. The primitive man had a queer way of measuring time. He used his shadow or the position of the sun to measure time. When the shadow is long, it is morning; when it is shortened it might be evening or afternoon for him. He survives by attempting to know time to eke out his existence or to plan for his daily routine because he knows that he must meet up with time. There is time for everything. There are seasons and moments. There is time for going to meetings, time to attend lectures, time to meet friends, time for going to church; and time to meet a priest for spiritual counseling. People ask, ‘what time is the first Mass and for second Mass? They have a choice to make because they have other activities ahead. They would like things to be finished in time so that they can engage in other activities.

So the preacher who is not conscious of time loses his parishioners because we are living in a mod-

ern world full of activities. Even on Sundays people are conscious of time. In some parishes, they are very conscious of time because of the many Masses they have. Pastors can never have a big gathering if they fail to keep to time. If you have numerous activities marked out for the day and yet you are not conscious of time, other activities can be affected when the time is wasted on just one activity. It does not make economic or spiritual sense when the whole time is consumed in one activity. Even man, organizers of events, pastors, lawyers, business men, catechists, and teachers cannot survive without following the protocols of time. Business men say time is money! Sometimes we see non-verbal signs from the audience such as looking at their time-piece or scratching their heads when their time has been taken, affected by the preacher who is acting outside their time. As a result, their participation at Mass might be low. Even children, once you delay them so much, their sense of participation diminishes.

If the choir is not conscious of time the Mass can drag. Likewise, those who make announcements, if they do not know time management, the

Mass could also drag.

Time delayed causes distraction and makes you rush. You know the consequences of rushing. You might get involved in accidents; you might be shouting at people at the slightest delay; while they are not the real cause of your problem. Your problem started with not keeping to time or regulating your life on time started to end an event.

Therefore time is important for a civilized man. Time is shared with the preacher and the audience.The preacher does not own time and does not have the right to prolong it for unnecessary exaggerations.

We cannot do without time. If we cannot keep to time or use time, we might be frustrated. Time is precious. Time is everything; even at meals, time is important. Time wasted can be paradise lost; time wasted can be benefits lost. Time misused has its own disastrous consequences. Time spent uselessly can earn you condemnation and time well spent is rewarding.

Very Rev. Msgr. Livinus Ukah is the parish priest of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Aboru, Lagos

Unending taunts of newspapers and their new recruits.

T

Eddie Onuzuruike

he newest anti Senator Theodore Orji publication on Thursday, Aug 10, 2017 page 31, started on a false premise with further false claims of the senate being the turn of Ikwuano people. The real intent soon manifested in paragraph 3 where they claimed that Senator Orji’s ascendancy was facilitated by his mentor whom he succeeded and turned back on. ‘Orji’s political ascendancy was facilitated and oiled by his mentor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, whom he succeeded in office, but turned around to stab him in the back by betraying him.’

Of what relevance is the relationship between successor and former to this interview that seemed to assert the place of the Ikwuano person to the senatorial representation as Egbulefu made us believe? This reveals that it was only aimed at attacking the person of the senator.

‘It is their turn to produce the next senator said Chief Festus Chidozie Egbulefu. Paragraph 8 was very laughable as he spoke from two sides of his mouth.

‘Sing it on every streets of Abia Central; make it very loud on every hills and valleys of the District that Ikwuano is geared to take over what is our right. We would represent Ikwuano in the senate by the year 2019. Every other zone in the district had had their turn, it is now the turn of Ikwuano person and the person can be a member of any political party, so long you are an Ikwuano person.’

Whereas he insisted that it is their turn, but later equivocated on the openness of the game in paragraph 13 where he stated.

‘Politics in Abia State is fluid, that of Abia Central district is interesting, interest goes beyond zoning, you were elected into office and you want to run again if the constitution permits, that is an open field, you have to come and restate and reaffirm your popularity. You must come and know whether the Abia Central would give you the mandate or not, we are not stopping anybody from running, but the truth should be told.

Chief T.A. Orji has to come if he has the ticket of his party to run again, but he must be ready to fight. The leaders of Abia State know, the stakeholders of Abia State know, even him; Senator Theodore Orji knows that it is the turn of Ikwuano person. Whether you are from Labour Party, Peoples Democratic Party, All Progressive Congress, Mega Party, it is on the streets of Abia that it is the turn of Ikwuano person.’

On what agreement or consensus are all these claims of being the rightful contestant based? Have the six LGA formation of Abia Central sat to zone or agree on a shift or turns?

Reading through the maze of claims, Egbulefu said so many things that he could hardly substantiate. Though he sounded off like the general overseer of Ikwuano People in paragraphs 12 and 13, but there is evidence that he lacks political background knowledge and he is grossly an unknown. For instance, did he know that somebody from Ikwuano like chief Ebila had contested the senate before?

A well known politician and industrialist who was commissioner until dissolved recently has taken

space in the Businessday and Vanguard Newspapers of Sunday 13th and Tuesday 15 respectively and challenged these spurious claims.

Some other notable men and women like Chief Sunny Chigbu, Elder Henry Nwaoha and Hon Chima Ibelachi, the last two were T C and deputy Chairmen of Ikwuano LGA are not aware when Ikwuano people met and strategised on a senatorial quest. In fact, they were hearing the name of Egbulefu for the first time and wondered if he is actually from Ikwuano.

Factually, the senate is free for any person to contest as guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It has not been zoned to any LGA or community. As mentioned earlier, an Ikwuano son Chief Ebila took a shot in one of the keenly contested primaries in 1998 before the formation of PDP, and if they are nursing such ambition, there is nothing wrong with it as nobody has placed a ban on them.

An old and experienced politician in the zone, Chief Onyemobi who was once in Imo House of Assembly is roundly quoted to have advised aspirants if they have examined themselves and think that they are capable they can then join the fray. In a translated parlance, ‘weigh your anus before swallowing the udara seed.’ In the same line, a popular Igbo musician said it that you don’t add ingredients into the soup with words of mouth rather, applying ingredients that can enrich the pudding depends on your purchasing power, not hot airs on a donated newspaper page.

Bob Marley of blessed memory through his song popularised an old saying that if you cannot swim

don’t jump into the river. Egbulefu has jumped into the river unable to swim and is bereft of a lifejacket.

President Carter in those days of his presidency derided Senator Edward Kennedy when he said ‘we will not mention Chappaquiddick,’ citing a case of negligent murder where an acquaintance of Kennedy drowned in the Chappaquiddick River due to the negligence of the Senator and Jimmy taunted t that he can win Edward fair and square without mentioning Chappaquiddick.

We know the sponsors of this negative interview and their intent which in real terms doesn’t diminish in anyway anything against the exploits of Senator Orji. They have ceaselessly tried but have woefully failed both in blackmail or even achieving anything for themselves. I know of somebody who was rapacious on the senatorial quest in Abia North in series of trials, we know as far as he went including bitter court cases that cost the two sides huge amounts of money.

In all these Sen. Orji is already in the senate, successfully through 8 years as gov. There is no gainsaying the fact that he is a fulfilled man as he has adorned his chest with shiny medals earned in service. What more can he ask for?

He is a good family man, with his children dutifully engaged and emulating his strict trend of a life of devotion and service to humanity. But some still relish the title of former governor and frown if it was omitted while being addressed in a public gathering.

Eddie Onuzuruike wrote in from Abuja

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 24, 2017

15 Column

Aso Villa and the audacity of rats

Times Columnist REUBEN ABATI

‘

“How on earth would rats invade the President’s office?”

“You like to ask questions.

Garba Shehu, the President’s spokesman and an experienced journalist who knows a story is not a story except it is accurate has told us that they are having a problem with rats in the Villa, who are you to doubt him? Have you been to the Villa before?” “Yes.”

’

“What’s that sound I am hearing?”

“What sound?”

“I thought I heard something like miaow, miaow…”

“Oh my cats…oh yes…”

“Are you now breeding cats?”

“Not really. But I have just joined a group of concerned Nigerians who are planning to go to the Presidential Villa in Abuja to help sort out this issue of rats that invaded the President’s office and chased him out of his office as the BBC reported.”

“You mean you believe that story?”

“Nobody knows what to believe in this country anymore, but we are patriots, and Baba’s loyalists, and we are determined to make our own contribution. Why don’t you join us?”

“To go and kill rats in Abuja?”

“Yes. Can’t you see that those rats are irresponsible elements?

The President travelled for three months and they just took over his office, ate up the furniture in the office and now Baba has to work from home for 3 months while his office would have to be renovated, all at public expense.”

“How on earth would rats invade the President’s office?”

“You like to ask questions. Garba Shehu, the President’s spokesman and an experienced journalist who knows a story is not a story except it is accurate has told us that they are having a problem with rats in the Villa, who are you to doubt him? Have you been to the Villa before?”

“Yes.” “So, join us. Those rats have crossed national red lines. They must be destroyed relentlessly because they are terrorists and criminals. They are in fact guilty of treasonable felony. What they have done is the equivalent of an attempted coup d’etat! We, the concerned citizens, will not take it. We have a duty to defend this democracy.”

“But why are you bothering yourself ? The President has met with the Security Chiefs. And he gave them a marching order to ensure national security. They should know what to do” “But did they obey the marching order? After their meeting with the President, the other day, they just addressed a press conference and returned to their offices. Not a word about the breach of national security by rats. I was shocked.

I expected the service chiefs to march straight to the President’s office and deal with the rats with immediate effect. This is the problem. Baba has around him, people who are not ready to help his administration. Even the Generals, with all their epaulets and combat experience, are running away from common rats! You now see why some of us have decided to take up this matter as patriots?”

“I don’t think anybody will allow you to take cats into the President’s office, though. That may even be more of a threat to national security than the rats invasion.”

“Okay, what do you suggest, we go to the zoo and get lions, jackals and hyenas to attack rats?”

Buhari “What will a lion do with rats?”

“That is my point. It is actually a job for cats. Rats flourish in the absence of cats. Don’t you know it is only when the cat is not at home that rats become bold enough to take over the house? As the Yoruba people put it, a i si nile ologinni, ile di ile ekute.”

“Abasi mbok. I could never imagine that a day will come when Okon Calabar will take over Nigeria’s seat of power.”

“Okon Calabar. Who is that?”

“Okon Calabar. That is what we call rats in Calabar. Okon Calabar is not an ordinary rat at all. It has the appetite of about ten men. Have you ever seen a rat that has a pot belly, the effect of pathological gluttony?”

“Jesus” “That is Okon Calabar. Not even rat poison can kill it. And your cats had better be capable. Okon Calabar’s jaws are like this… strong, frightening. Ugh. In those days, Okon Calabar’s specialty was the family pot of soup. If you left your soup pot carelessly in the kitchen, Okon Calabar will lick all the soup and leave for you a clean pot. The real story is that Okon Calabar has very strong spiritual powers; it is an agent of demons and spirits.”

“Thank you. I think from now on, I will just be very careful. Anybody at all who bears Okon whether a rat or a human being… You now see why Baba had to abandon his office and work from home?”

“But is he actually working from home? I think he is working from the office.”

“The same office where the rats have taken possession?”

“I saw the photograph of the President’s meeting with the Service Chiefs. That is actually not the office in the residence. The office in the residence is small and private.

I don’t know why we have to be told he is working from home, when he is actually using a second office which is part of his main office.”

“The people working for him say he is working from home, you say he is actually working from his office, another office. You and your oversabi.”

“Well, I may be wrong. But the last administration extended the President’s office, by erecting in the green space between the President’s office and the residence, a mini-conference/banquet hall, which has a hall, a diplomatic reception room, a fully fitted kitchen, a Presidential office, a stage, a control room, a newsroom, and a broadcast room where the President can either record or have live broadcast.”

“They may have changed the design of things since you last visited the Villa. So you don’t know”. “But I saw the photographs in the media.

The office in that Presidential office extension, is just about 3 minutes

walk from the residence. Once the President goes there to hold meetings, he is already effectively in the office. And in any case, was it even necessary to tell us the President is working from home or that rats have chased him away from his office? If they want to change furniture, let them do it. There is no point creating unnecessary news.”

“Your oversabi is getting too much these days.”

“Unnecessary news always generates unnecessary questions. Now, we have been told that N2 billion was actually earmarked for the cleaning and fumigation of the Villa. So, who is responsible for keeping the Villa rodent-free?”

“N4 billion actually. I hear Julius Berger is in charge of the maintenance of the Villa.”

“So, Julius Berger would have to explain to Nigerians how rats invaded the President’s office. Is it that they locked up the place and stopped cleaning it? Ordinarily, every part of the Villa must be kept clean every day.

I still don’t believe this rat story. Rats in the President’s office? The BBC in its report was practically laughing at Nigeria. I imagine when next any foreign diplomat is posted to Nigeria, one of his briefing notes would be the need for him to watch out for rats in the Villa. Oyinbo people too like akproko.”

“Do you want to keep writing an essay on this matter or you want to join us? Any small thing, you will just start vibrating.”

“We need to raise questions. But since you insist that the rats story must be true, could that also be the reason why the Federal Executive Council meeting for this week was cancelled?”

“I don’t think so. You should stop worrying about whether a Council meeting is held or not. It is not an issue. There is nothing in the Constitution that says FEC must meet every week or on any particular day. The President can choose to hold cabinet meetings on a- need-arises-basis. It is a matter of choice or style.”

“Okay, if I must join your rat-catchers gang, what is in it for me?”

“Must you always expect to be paid for every service rendered? We are a group of volunteer patriots going to Aso Rock to save it from rats. Oh when the saints/Go marching in/ Oh, when the saints go marching in/ Oh how I want to be in that number/ When the saints go marching in/Oh when the drums begin to bang…/I want to be in that number…. Are you joining us?”

“Wait first. I think before we go to the Villa, we should take Lassa Fever vaccination as a form of protection and candidly, I think everybody in that Villa should be tested for Lassa fever. As you well know, rats are vectors of Lassa fever.”

“I don’t think this matter is that serious.”

“Still, it is better to take precautions. Doctors can be imported from either the UK or the US or the Medecins san frontieres can be called in to help.”

“We have doctors in Nigeria who can administer vaccination if need be.”

“Which Nigerian doctors?”

“It is even the job of a nurse. Vaccination is a simple procedure.”

“If you want me to join the ratcatchers league of patriots, you will first arrange a trip for me to the UK to take a Lassa fever injection, and then I will be prepared.”

“Obviously, you are also afraid of the rats, so, you have to find an excuse to dodge. And to think I have a role for you in this all-important and urgent national assignment.”

“What role?”

“I want you to be our Pied Piper.”

“Pied Piper. What is that?”

“Don’t tell me you have never heard of the Pied Piper? The Piped Piper of Hamelin” “No. Why should I know him? Does he know me too?”

“Kai. What are they teaching you people in school these days? And you go about pretending to be educated? Kai. Well, I can’t blame you.

What should we expect when the universities are running epileptic programmes and the teachers are on strike almost every year?”

“Don’t insult me. What is your point?”

“Okay, I want you to be our Pied Piper, right? You will dress up colourfully, and play a pipe, a flute or a saxophone or a mouth organ, whichever one you can play. You will also carry our company colours” “Are we a company and what has colours got to do with it?”

“We are a brigade. In military terms, a brigade is also a company.

And when you go to war, you must carry your colours. That is another word for the flag. In this case, you will carry the Nigerian flag.”

“But music? Why the music?”

“The Pied Piper of Hamelin played music for the rats that invaded Hamelin in medieval Germany, and led them out of the city and thus saved Hamelin from an epidemic.

But you are not going to play music for the rats in Aso Villa. No. No. No. Our strategy is different. We are not going to play music for those rodents and terrorists. We are going to destroy them. The punishment for treason in Nigeria is death, not music.

You will play music for the kyanwas and muzuru, to motivate them.”

“And who are those?”

“Cats. Kyanwa- female cats; muzuru- male cats. We did some research and found that cats respond positively to music. No stone will be left unturned on this mission” “So, how soon are we storming Aso Villa? The whole thing is beginning to look interesting to me.”

“As soon as we finish working out the logistics. See, our strategy is simple. The operation will be codenamed “Operation Kyanwa” by the Hamelin Brigade. The cats will attack and destroy the rats. Then we will fumigate the entire Villa. The furniture will be moved out and replaced. And by God’s grace, the President can return to his Main office, by this time next week, to continue the noble work of leading 190 million Nigerians, without any threat from irresponsible rats.”

“Brilliant” “I take it that you are with us, then.”

“Ye-s s-ir. “ “Thank you. Let us go and teach the Okon Calabars of Aso Villa, a lesson. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

16

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 24, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 24, 2017

17

News 18 Travel expert warns against travelling to Europe through desert, says its death trap ÏÏÏ A travels and tours pro-

fessional, Alhaji Ismaeel Olasunkanmi has called on all intending Nigerian immigrants to shun travelling to Europe through the desert, describing the route as a Death Trap that could cause their lives.

Olasunkanmi, who is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Bin Shittu Travel & Tours Int’l, argues that travelling to Europe by road was not the best, considering the disasters that could be encountered during the exercise, advising intending travelers to think of alternatives.

“Travelling to Europe by road is not the best, considering various disasters encountered during the exercise, some were attacked by wild animals and this leads to sudden death, as a result of the long journey some were starved to death, while others drink human urine to survive. The few ones that were lucky are either thrown into the sea or jailed by the country’s authority.”

He advised all intending travelers not to be deceived, “they should rather follow a right channel before embarking on any journey or also visit a government licensed traveling agencies.”

Speaking further, Alhaji Olasunkanmi describe Bin Shittu Travels & Tours Int’l as a dream place where best is being achieved, “we give our numerous client opportunities to fly high. Our major priorities are welfare and safety of our client, in Bin Shittu we provide our clients with job offers and work in Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Kuwait e.t.c, we also help process visa(s) to Europe, Asia, America e.t.c.

Study abroad are also available with Schengen Visa that will help to gain entries to about 25 countries in Europe.”

The Iseyin Oyo State born traveling expert, while speaking with journalist on the future plans said, “I see us better than what we are now, most likely at the top of the business and may also branch into other things, seeing Bin Shittu Int’l as more dynamic and more involved in protocol services

Shittu

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 24, 2017

Leadership tussle: Police avert breakdown of law in Buhari campaign organization Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

ÏÏÏ Policemen numbering about twenty-five on wednesday stormed the headquarters of the Buhari Campaign Organization, BCO, in Abuja to avert the breakdown of law and order following the leadership crisis that has been bedeviling the organization for some time.

Two factions have, for about two months now, been laying claim to the national leadership of the

BCO , which operates from the head office of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, along Kubwa-Abuja road.

While one of the factions is led by Alhaji Danladi Pasali, the other is headed

by Alhaji Isa Bayero.

Trouble began yesterday when the two factions scheduled separate press conferences at the same time at the BCO head office.

The North Central Zone of the BCO, under the Coordinator of Hon. Ubale Marafa, which is loyal to

the Alhaji Pasali-led faction, had called a conference for 11am yesterday for the purpose of thanking God for the safe return of President Muhammadu Buhari .

The leader of the other group, Alhaji Isa Bayero similarly slated another press conference for the same venue at the same time.

The Pasali-led group however prevented the Bayero group from gaining access to the BCO headquarters.

When Bayero arrived, he met a gate that was under

lock and key and was politely told by the policemen at the gate that he can not enter.

When Bayero spoke with Journalists outside the gate, he claimed that his office was broken into by members of the other group, adding that he had reported the matter to the Inspector General of Police and the Director-General of the DSS. But the other group faulted Bayero’s claimed pointing out that he is an impersonator as he had since been suspended by the

members of the BCO who passed a vote of no confidence on him. The grouped pointed out that the recognized national coordinator of the BCO is Alhaji Danladi Pasali.

The Divisional Police Officer, DPO, from the Katampe division, Mr Tino Tangaza, who led the team of the policemen to the venue, later invited five members from each of the two factions for a peace meeting in the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

Boko Haram attacks community, bruns down hospital, several houses in Adamawa Tom Garba, Yola

L-R: Former Provost, National Defence College, Prof. Itsifanus Zabadi; ICAN President, Alhaji Isma’ila Zakari; Chairman of Session/former Minister of Finance, Chief Anthony Ani and Guest Speaker, Dr. Biodun Adedipe, during Economic Discourse Series in Lagos… on Wednesday.

83 Child bombers recruited by Boko Haram in 2017 – UNICEF Myke Uzendu, Abuja

ÏÏÏ

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has disclosed that the dreaded Boko Haram sect recruited 83 child bombers this year to perpetuate their evil activities in the Northeast.

In a statement, UNICEF said that this number is four times more than the number of child suicide bombers recruited by the sect in 2016.

The UN agency said of the 83 children recruited by the sect, 55 were girls under 15 years old and 27 were boys. One was a baby strapped to a girl as against 19 children recruited by the

sect in 2016.

It further stated that it was “extremely concerned about an appalling increase in the cruel and calculated use of children, especially girls, as ‘human bombs’ in northeast Nigeria. The use of children in this way is an atrocity.

“Since 1 January 2017, 83 children have been used as ‘human bombs’; 55 were girls, most often under 15 years old; 27 were boys, and one was a baby strapped to a girl. The sex of the baby used in the explosion was impossible to determine.

“The use of children in this way is an atrocity.

Children used as ‘human bombs’ are, above all, victims, not perpetrators.The

armed group commonly known as Boko Haram has sometimes, but not always, claimed responsibility for these attacks, which target the civilian population.

“The use of children in such attacks has had a further impact of creating suspicion and fear of children who have been released, rescued or escaped from Boko Haram.

As a result, many children who have managed to get away from captivity face rejection when they try to reintegrate into their communities, compounding their suffering” UNICEF stated.

The terrorist group since 2013 is making all efforts to create an Islamic state

in the Lake Chad region, which spans parts of Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad. It gained notoriety by abducting more than 200 girls from the northeast Nigerian town of Chibok in April 2014.

“There are 1.7 million people displaced by the insurgency in the northeast, 85 per cent of them in Borno State, where most of these attacks take place” UNICEF reported.

According to a Nigerian aid worker Rebecca Dali, who runs an agency that offers counseling for those who were abducted, children as young as four were among the 209 escapees her organization had helped since 2015.

ÏÏÏ Boko Haram terrorists on Tuesday night raided Nguru - Bakin Dutse village of Madagali local government area in northern part of Adamawa state and burnt down a newly renovated hospital and several houses in the area.

The council chairman, Hon Yusuf Mohammed, who confirmed the incident in a telephone chat on Wednesday lamented that the current incessant attacks on his council by the terrorist group is becoming unbearable and inhuman to his people.

He further explained that although no life was lost in the attacked, they have lost a very important hospital which had been the source of treatment to villagers around that area adding that now his people have to travel very far to get treated if they are sick..

Mohammed said that the insurgents stormed the village between 9 and 10 pm Tuesday night and burnt down the newly renovated hospital and several houses.

He said the villagers were earlier alerted before the arrival of the insurgents and immediately flee to nearby bush for the safety of their lives.

He explained that if not for the quick intervention of the mobile police and the hunters assisting the military in the fight against insurgency , the story will have been different.

FEATURES

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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 24, 2017

19

ASUU strike: Unending pains of lecturers and students in Nigeria’s Ivory Towers Ladesope Ladelokun Nigerian university system, once a beckon of hope for young Nigerians at independence and even immediate post independence is now fast losing its glory.

To say the least, the Ivory Towers are hemorrhaging, challenged by all manners of crises, including funding, poor infrastructure, social disarticulation, lack of motivation, endemic financial and academic corruption; nepotism, etc. Ironically these were ills the universities were, among other things, set out to address frontally.

Prior to the industrial action

by Academic Staff of Union of Universities (ASUU), the recent reported hike in the school fees of 38 universities had attracted condemnation from parents, students, ASUU and other stakeholders in the education sector - a development described as a fallout of poor funding of Nigerian universities by state and federal governments.

Despite the discontentment and uproar about the rising rate of unemployment and perennial ASUU strikes, however, facts and figures from Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the body responsible for conducting examinations into the nation’s higher institutions of learning, show a burgeoning population of young admission seekers, a situation academics in the nation’s universities say has exerted pressure on available inadequate facilities in Nigerian schools.

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientifiic and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), at least 26% of the national budget of membercountries should be earmarked for education.

But investigations show that while Benin Republic budgeted 25.02%, 22.34% and 22.23% for education in 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively, Nigeria set aside 8.77%, 10.55%, 10.75% and 7.92% of her national budget for education in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively.

Corroborating the argument that Nigerian universities are poorly funded, Nigeria’s frontranked journalist and poet, Prof Olatunji Dare, was once quoted as saying the annual budget of a Mass Communication department of a particular American university is more than the entire annual budget of UNILAG (University of Lagos).

Students react A student of the Olabisi

ASUU members carrying placards

President Buhari

ASUU President Prof. Ogunyemi

Onabanjo University, Idris Omolade, says minister of education, Adamu Adamu, deserves all the blame for the strike by ASUU. “I wonder what Adamu Adamu has been doing for the past two years. He used to write to support to ASUU when he a minister. I think this strike could have been avoided if we had a serious government.’’

But a student of Ladoke Akintola University, Wale Adamolekun, said long before the general strike, students of LAUTECH were (and are still) staying away from school due to ASUU strike. ‘‘The last time I was in a classroom was two years ago. I’m now learning how to barb, to keep myself busy. That is the sorry situation we have found ourselves.’’

universities, a public affairs commentator, Badaru Olalekan, said the argument that TSA causes loss of foreign institutions’ grants does not hold water.

“There have been systemic delays in having new accounts with the CBN which is caused

by TSA-stipulated closure of domiciliary accounts. This is the main reason access to grants and donations from foreign agencies are delayed and not TSA implementation.’’

An educationist, Mr. Stephen Lawson, sees it differently: “Government is not the only source of funding of universities. Research institutes and corporate bodies fund universities. It can’t be right to have all these funds in the same account with the ones coming from government, especially when delay in releasing funds could affect the time a research report is released,’’ he argued.

Enough Blame To Go Round According to an ASUU mem-

The TSA debate Reacting to the insistence of ASUU on the reversal of Treasury Single Account (TSA) implementation in the nation’s

ber, Oghenochukwu Lolodi, the problems besetting Nigerian universities are numerous and ASUU only forms a tiny fraction of the problem.

Lolodi said, “As much as I agree that the rot is real and crippling, I can boldly say that we, members of ASUU, are just a minute fraction of the problem. Nigeria doesn’t know why she has universities, hence there is a gaping disconnect between town and gown, and between academia and industry.’’

He continued: “If Nigeria knew the reasons universities exist, she would create the environment for universities to be financially and administratively autonomous to conduct quality research and train students to acquire diverse advanced skills that would enable them contribute meaningfully to society.

“Isn’t it ridiculous that ASUU members are expected to fund ground-breaking research with their $250 - $1,250 monthly salaries? Our Professors are also expected to use their salaries to equip laboratories.”

Decrying corruption in the nation’s institutions, Lolodi said, “The few incentives like Tetfund for further training of lecturers are internally administered on the basis of ethnicity and nepotism. As long as the Nigerian state continues to shy away from correcting its position in our universities, ASUU will continue to go on indefinite

strikes.’’

Our young undergraduates have been subjected to extortion and abuses in the hands of university authorities, so much that allegations of inflated cost of books and handouts for the students no longer raise eyebrows.

Randy and irresponsible lecturers have been accused of blackmailing female students in “sex-for-marks” scandals in universities across the six geo-political zones; even with recorded evidences and proofs tendered by students, many of these cases have been swept under the carpet. Stakeholders are perplexed as to what quality of graduates these universities are expected to turn out for the future of our dear country.

Lolodi concluded that the Nigerian state must strive to clarify and monitor the effectiveness of its policies, as well as redefine its line with conventional standards in sane societies.

My colleagues thought I had compromised – ASUU President Speaking on why ASUU had to down tools, ASUU president, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, said on a radio programme monitored in Lagos that all to avert the strike were explored, adding that his colleagues suspected he had compromised for being too patient with the Federal Government.

20

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 24, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 24, 2017

GIVE AID INTERNATIONAL NETWORK THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT OF 1990.

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21 Public Notice

THE SOCIO-COMMUNITY YOUTH ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA CAC/IT/ NO: 82636 This is to notify the general public that the above named, has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Alteration of Constitution and Change Of Trustees under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE OLD TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Hajia Hannatu Akilu - Retained 2. Mr. Hafiz Oladejo - Retained 3. Ms. Lauretta Onochie - Removed 4. Mrs. Kate Henshaw - Removed 5. Mr. Abiodun Okunola - Retained 6. Mrs. Hajara Saani Sule Sale - Retained 7. Barr. Ekwunife Blessing - Removed THE NEWLY APPOINTED TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Amamize Benedict Nnamdi 2. Ojedele Opeyemi Monsurat

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THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. TO EDUCATE, ENLIGHTEN AND MOBILIZE THE NIGERIAN YOUTH ON PEACEFUL CO EXISTENCE AND TO BE CREATIVE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. 2. TO ENCOURAGE YOUTH IN FULFILLING CREATIVE POTENTIAL. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

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JUSTICE DEVELOPMENT PEACE AND CARITAS FOUNDATION CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF OKIGWE

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THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. OKPALA HENRY CHUKS 2. IWU CHARLES 3. EZEOFIA CHIBUEZE JOHN 4. CHUKWUEMEZIE OBIORA DECENCY 5. AGBASIMELO EBUKA KINGSLEY AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. TO CREATE AND FOSTER THE SPIRIT OF GOOD FELLOWSHIP,BONDS OF FRIENDSHIP AND MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AMONG MEMBERS AND THE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD. 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.

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

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EVERGREEN YOUTHS FORUM

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Public Notice 22 AWGBU ELITES ASSOCIATION OJO-ALABA THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. EWII TOCHUKWU PETER 2. NWUCHE OKWUDILI 3. NWANKWO ONUORA 4. ONWUJEKWE ANTHONY CHIKELUE 5. ONWUKAIKE ERNEST 6. OKEKE VALENTINE CHIKE 7. EZEOJI SUNDAY 8. OKEKE IFEANYI PETER 9. ILOBI ISAAC AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO FOSTER UNITY AMONG MEMBERS AND ADVOCATE BROTHERLY LOVE TOWARDS ONE ANOTHER AND HUMANITY. 2. TO PROMOTE THE IMAGE, INTEREST AND INTEGRITY OF THE ASSOCIATION AND STRENGTHEN THE GENERAL PROGRESS AND WELFARE OF MEMBERS AND THE THE GENERAL PUBLIC. 3. TO CULTIVATE BROTHERLY LOVE AMONG THE MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED BY ANTHONY OKECHUKWU ESQ. 37 CAMPBELL STREET, LAGOS. 08038778254.

VITAL MARKS FOUNDATION

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: (1) NWABUZOR UDOKA LUCKY (2) OSAGIEDE JONATHAN ASOMA (3) OSUZOKA ISIOMA CHUKWUNONSO AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1.TO SET UP ENDOWMENT FUNDS TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO YOUNG STUDENTS IN THEIR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURSUIT 2. TO ENCOURAGE AND EMPOWER CHILDREN AND YOUTHS TO EXPRESS AND DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIALS FOR LEADERSHIP IN ALL FIELDS OF HUMAN ENDEAVOUR 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: TRUSTEES.

PRIESTHOOD CHARISMATIC REVIVAL MINISTRY

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PROPAGATE THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. 2. LIFE RENEWING AND ASSURANCE OF FAITH AMONG THE BODY OF CHRIST. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: TRUSTEES

I, formerly known and addressed as OMOLOLA ADENIKE FATUSA, now wish to be known and addressed as OMOLOLA ADENIKE TIJANI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

LASISI DOYINSOLA ENIOLA

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. AKINOLA AKINYEMI - CHAIRMAN 2. OKETOLA BENJAMIN - SECRETARY 3. UGBAHA JONATHAN AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: TRUSTEES

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. OBUESI PHILLIPS IFECHUKWU - SECRETARY 2. OLAWALE ROTIMI OLUGBENGA 3. OGUNDE OLAWUNMI MOTUNRAYO 4. AKALA OLUFEMI OLAKUNLE 5. ALABI OLUWADAMILOLA LASB 6. IGBO LOVETH 7. AJAYI OLUBUSOLA MARGARET AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO CREATIVE PUBLIC ART EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES ALL OVER AFRICA. 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.

AANTI MI NETWORK FOR YOUTHS PERSONAL DISCOVERY AND DEVELOPMENT This is to inform the general public that the above name has applied for registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja under Part ‘C’ of Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mrs Oluyemisi Ololade Ayileye 2. Mrs Bernice Adedayo Lijofi 3. Mrs Oluwaseun Wuraola Lijofi 4. Mrs Oluwafadekemi Itunu Ajibola 5. Mrs Oluwatoyin Adewumi Egedi AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To empower and assist the youths to discover their identity through one on one mentoring 2. To provide counseling, mentoring and advising services to the youths 3. To enlighten younger generation on how to maximize their potentials 4. To provide youth practical support in education and vocational training 5. To encourage the younger generation through honest conversation; to dream big and have confidence in their dreams Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Irosi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: TRUSTEES

x ADDITION OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as REMI LARSIS, Now wish to add BADMUS and henceforth wish to be known and addressed as BADMUS REMI LARSIS. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

I formerly known and addressed as OKETOKUN DOYINSOLA ENIOLA now wish to be known and addressed as LASISI DOYINSOLA ENIOLA All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

xx ADEYOSOLA ADERIBIGBE BISIRIYU I, formerly known and addressed as OSINOWO ADEYOSOLA ADERIBIGBE, now wish to be known and addressed as BISIRIYU ADEYOSOLA ADERIBIGBE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

MAGIDAD TAWAKALITU ABDULLAHI Formerly known and addressed as TAWAKALITU ALABI, now wish to be known and addressed as MAGIDAD TAWAKALITU ABDULLAHI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

x IBRAHIM OLAITAN ABIDEMI MRS Formerly known and addressed as MISS ODUGBESAN OLAITAN ABIDEMI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS IBRAHIM OLAITAN ABIDEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ANIFOWOSHE FATIMO ABASS Formerly known and addressed as ORIKEMI FATIMO ABASS, now wish to be known and addressed as ANIFOWOSHE FATIMO ABASS. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

x EJALONIBU KOLAWOLE MUTAIRU Formerly known and addressed as EJALONIBU KOLAWOLE AKANO, now wish to be known and addressed as EJALONIBU KOLAWOLE MUTAIRU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

NWAFOR ASSUMPTA KASARACHI Formerly known and addressed as SARAH NWAFOR, now wish to be known and addressed as NWAFOR ASSUMPTA KASARACHI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME/ DATE OF BIRTH

This is to notify the public that my name was wrongly written as MOIBI FATIMA instead of MUYIBI FATIMOH OMOWUMI. That my date of birth 05/03/1984. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

ANUJUE ANN IFOMA

I formerly known and addressed as ANUJUE ANNA IFOMA now wish to be known called and addressed as ANUJUE ANN IFOMA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ODOGWU CHINYERE PRINCESS I formerly known and addressed as Odogwu Chinyere .A, now wish to be known called and addressed as Odogwu Chinyere Princess. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OMOLE ESTHER FUNMILAYO I, formerly known and addressed as Alabi Esther funmilayo now wish to be known and addressed as Omole Esther Funmilayo . All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

MRS. WILLIAMS JULIA DABERECHI

SIGNED: SECRETARY.

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PASTOR AZUBUIKE PRINCE IMO 2.ANEKE SUNDAY PHILLIP 3. OKOYE FIDELIS IKECHUKWU MIRACLE 4. NGWUDIKE LINUS UZO 5. AKUJOBI OBIOMA NOBERTH 6. REV. EGBE GABRIEL KALU 7. IMO BLESSING NKEM

OMOLOLA ADENIKE TIJANI

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 24, 2017

x YUSUF HAMMED GBAYE

I formerly known and addressed as YUSUF HAMMED now wish to be known called and addressed as YUSUF HAMMED GBAYE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note xGODKNOWS UKWU WALTER Formerly known and addressed as CHIMA CHUKWUMA WALTER, now wish to be known and addressed as GODKNOWS UKWU WALTER. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHIMA CELESTINE GODWILL I formerly known and addressed as CHIMA CELESTINE CHIMAKA now wish to be known called and addressed as CHIMA CELESTINE GODWILL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

x RAFIU JAMIU AJIBOLA

I formerly known and addressed as OGUNDIPE JAMIU. now wish to be known called and addressed as: RAFIU JAMIU AJIBOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

xOYEGOKE MICHAEL AKANDE

I, formerly known and addressed as OLUSEGUN MICHEAL AKANDE now wish to be known and addressed as OYEGOKE MICHAEL AKANDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

IKELEJI JOSEPH

I formerly called and addressed as MISS. UWANDU JULIA DABERECHI now wish to be known called and addressed asMRS. WILLIAMS JULIA DABERECHI. All former documents remain valid. The general public please take note.

I formerly called and addressed as ODIH YUSUF now wish to be known called and addressed as IKELEJI JOSEPH. All former documents remain valid. The general public please take note.

MRS. ANIETIE UDUAK ANIEFIOK I formerly called and addressed as MISS. HENRY UDUAK AKPAN now wish to be known called and addressed as MRS. ANIETIE UDUAK ANIEFIOK. All former documents remain valid. The general public please take note.

x CHANGE OF NAME / CORRECTION OF DATE OF BIRTH

CORRECTION OF NAME My name was wrongly written as IGI AJEMINAYANATE HUTTON instead of HUTTON AJEMINAYANATE. All former documents bearing my former name remain valid. The general public please take note.

CHINAGOROM UCHE BLESSING

Formerly known and addressed as UCHE ESSIEN BLESSING AWA, now wish to be known and addressed as CHINAGOROM UCHE BLESSING. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OFFOR THEO ANSELM ONYEBUCHI

Formerly known and addressed as OFFOR ANSELM, now wish to be known and addressed as OFFOR THEO ANSELM ONYEBUCHI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

JOSEPH SEGUN OLAITAN Formerly known and addressed as JOSEPH OLUSEGUN OLAITAN, now wish to be known and addressed as JOSEPH SEGUN OLAITAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

NUHU GAFAR OLAYIWOLA

This is to notify the public that my correct name is N-NEE NAGBO ASINEBARI not AKPOBARI G. GBARALE. And my correct date of birth is 29th September1959 not 4th April 1975.All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

x MRS.ONWUKA EDITH OGONNA I, formerly known and addressed as ONWUADI EDITH OGOCHUKWU as well as ONWUADI EDITH OGONNA ,(refers to one and same person );now wish to be known as MRS.ONWUKA EDITH OGONNA. All former documents remain valid.

EMBASSIES,BANKS and General public take note. x AMINU ABAYOMI SODIQ I, formerly known, called and addressed as AMINU SIDEEQ ABAYOMI, Now wish to be known, call and address as AMINU ABAYOMI SODIQ. All former documents remains valid, the general public should please take note.

JESUSHOLA TEMILOLUWA SAMUEL

Formerly known and addressed as FASHOLA TEMILOLUWA SAMUEL, now wish to be known and addressed as JESUSHOLA TEMILOLUWA SAMUEL. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note. x

OKEDU VIVIAN

Formerly known and addressed as DURU VIVIAN, now wish to be known and addressed as OKEDU VIVIAN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note. x OKONKWO OPEYEMI EFUNSOJI

Formerly known and addressed as OLAYIWOLA OLADIPUPO, now wish to be known and addressed as NUHU GAFAR OLAYIWOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ERINLE OPEYEMI EFUNSOJI, now wish to be known and addressed as OKONKWO OPEYEMI EFUNSOJI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

AFOKE IBUKUNOLUWA DEBORAH

x NOSIFU BABATUNDE IBADIARAN Formerly known and addressed as NOSIFU BABATUNDE MOMODU, now wish to be known and addressed as NOSIFU BABATUNDE IBADIARAN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as FOLORUNSHO IBUKUNOLUWA DEBORAH, now wish to be known and addressed as AFOKE IBUKUNOLUWA DEBORAH. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

OMOLADE ADUKE OSHUNKEYE

OLUWATOYIN SAIBU ADODO

Formerly known and addressed as OMOLADE ADUKE SHOGBOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as OMOLADE ADUKE OSHUNKEYE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as OLUWATOYIN SAIBU ODODO, now wish to be known and addressed as OLUWATOYIN SAIBU ADODO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ADOMI UFUOMA PEACE

x OGUNLANA OLUWATOYIN RACHAEL

Formerly known and addressed as ADOMI UFUOMA, now wish to be known and addressed as ADOMI UFUOMA PEACE. All former documents remain valid. FIRST BANK and the general public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as OLAYEMI OLUWATOYIN, now wish to be known and addressed as OGUNLANA OLUWATOYIN RACHAEL. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 24, 2017

CONFIRMATION OF NAME That on some of my documents, my names appear as OKEREMI QUDUS OLASUNKANMI, while on some, it appears as OKEREMI KUDUS OLASUNKANMI. That any documents bearing either OKEREMI QUDUS OLASUNKANMI or OKEREMI KUDUS OLASUNKANMI belongs to me and remains valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

OLUWASEUNFUNMI OLUWATOBILOBA ADEGBITE

FRANCISCA TIMOTHY I, formerly known and addressed as FRANCISCA RONKE UMOREN, now wish to be known and addressed as FRANCISCA TIMOTHY. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

MR. OLANIYAN ADENIYI SAMUEL

I, formerly known and addressed as OLUWASEUNFUNMI OLUWATOBILOBA AMPITAN, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OLUWASEUNFUNMI OLUWATOBILOBA ADEGBITE. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MR. OPARA ANTHONY EMEKA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MR. OLANIYAN ADENIYI SAMUEL. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

MRS. OKONKWO MAGDALEN IFEMEDEBEM

xx OSONDU CHUKWUNONSO HENRY

I, formerly known and addressed as MRS. OKONKWO MAUDLEEN, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. OKONKWO MAGDALEN IFEMEDEBEM. That my correct date of birth is 14th day of July, 1950. All former documents remain valid. GTBank, general public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OSONDU CHINONSO HENRY, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OSONDU CHUKWUNONSO HENRY. All former documents remain valid.

General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

KONKWO MICHAEL UCHE

THOMPSON RONKE ROLIAT

I, formerly known and addressed as KONKWO MICHAEL, now wish to be known and addressed as KONKWO MICHAEL UCHE, All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as JIMOH RONKE ROLIAT, now wish to be known, called and addressed as THOMPSON RONKE ROLIAT. All former documents remain valid.

General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

ALABELEWE WAHEED ALAGBE

MRS CHIOMA NINA EMERUOM

I formerly known and addressed as Amusa Waheed Alabelewe, now wish to be known and addressed as Alabelewe Waheed Alagbe. All former document remain valid.

General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS CHIOMA NINA ANOSIKE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS CHIOMA NINA EMERUOM, All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

ENYINNA KENNETH IKEOKWU I, formerly known and addressed as, ENYINNA EMEKA IKEOKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as, ENYINNA KENNETH IKEOKWU. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

OLALEYE OLANREWAJU I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS TEJUMOLA OLADEHINDE OLALEYE, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OLADEHINDE OLALEYE OLANREWAJU. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

MODUPE BOLAJI

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

MRS. ONIANWA FRANCISCA TEMIDAYO

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ALUFAH FRANCISCA TEMIDAYO, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. ONIANWA FRANCISCA TEMIDAYO. All former documents remain valid.

General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

ADESINUOLA SALAU ROFIAT

I, formerly known and addressed as AJAGUNNA DESOLA ROFIAT, now wish to be known and addressed as ADESINUOLA SALAU ROFIAT. All former documents remain valid.

General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

IBEUN OLUWAROMIKA AYOMIDE

IZUMBAMBANEFOADAEGOMAUREENAMAECH.

MRS AMADI OLUCHI GEORGINIA

OLEWUNNE UCHENNA WALTER

I, formerly known and addressed as OKUSADA OLUSEYI BABATUNDE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ADEYEMI OLUSEYI BABATUNDE. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NJOKU OLUCHI GEORGINIA , now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AMADI OLUCHI GEORGINIA, All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as WATER GERALD UCHENNA, now wish to be known and addressed as OLEWUNNE UCHENNA WALTER, All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note

MRS ORJI UGOCHI EVELYN

AFUSAT OLABISI BEGBAJI

OPAKIRITE YOUNGMAN

MRS. MABEL OLOBAYO

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS IBEH UGOCHI EVELYN, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ORJI UGOCHI EVELYN, All former documents remain valid.

UBA Plc and the general public should please take note.

NDUBUISI CHRISTOPHER ONYEKACHI

I, formerly known and addressed as, NDUBUISI HENRY ONYEKACHI, now wish to be known and addressed as, NDUBUISI CHRISTOPHER ONYEKACHI. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESS AS AFUSAT OLABISI FASANYA, NOW WISH TO BE CALLED AND ADDRESS AS AFUSAT OLABISI BEGBAJI, ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID GENERAL PUBLIC AND AUTHORITY CONCERN PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I, formerly known and addressed as, KELVIN HARRY, now wish to be known and addressed as, OPAKIRITE YOUNGMAN. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

MRS. MFON INEMEH BUSARI

MRS. OKORO BLESSING GINIKA

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. MFON OKON INEMEH, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. MFON INEMEH BUSARI. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ADELEYE OLUBUNMI FELICIA

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. OKAFOR EUCHARIA IJEOMA, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. NWOSU EUCHARIA IJEOMA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I,formerly known and addressed as WILSON OLUBUNMI FELICIA now wish to be known and addressed as ADELEYE OLUBUNMI FELICIA .All former documents remain valid.

Diamond bank, GTB and General public take note

SYLVIA CHIBOGU AMAKOM Formerly known and addressed as SYLVIA CHIBOGU UZOKA, now wish to be known and addressed as SYLVIA CHIBOGU AMAKOM. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

THEOPHILUS ASOA

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MODUPE ALABI RAMOTA, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS FOLORUNSHO MODUPE BOLAJI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

Formerly known and addressed SAIDU HARUNA, now wish to be known and addressed as NATHAN SAIDU MISRADA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OFURE ESEZOBOR

ANIAGU EBUKA EMMANUEL

BANJO ADEKUNLE JAMES

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS JOSEPHINE OFURE UJADUGHELE, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESS AS JOSEPHINE OFURE ESEZOBOR. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAINS VALID. THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

This is to confirm and certify that ANIAGU CHUKWUEBUKA EMMANUEL and ANIAGU EBUKA EMMANUEL refers to one and same person but now wish to be known called and addressed as; ANIAGU EBUKA EMMANUEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

KAFAYAT BOLA

OGBUAGU LINUS OKAFOR I formerly known and addressed as OGBUAGU LINUS OKOLI now wish to be known called and addressed as OGBUAGU LINUS OKAFOR. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

MRS ANYAOHA ESTHER CHIOMA

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ASOMUGHA ESTHER CHIOMA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ANYAOHA ESTHER CHIOMA, All former documents remain valid. Banks and the general public should please take note.

HELEN OBAKPORORO IKINI

NATHAN SAIDU MISRADA

IBEUN SINMISOLA OYINDAMOLA

I, formerly known and addressed as ADEFEHINTI ABIMBOLA EVELYN, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OWOLABI ABIMBOLA EVELYN. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OLUKOYA, SINMISOLA OYINDAMOLA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as IBEUN SINMISOLA OYINDAMOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

I, formerly known, called and addressed as, HELEN YAKINI, now wish to be known and addressed as, HELEN OBAKPORORO IKINI and my correct date of birth is 25/9/1969. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS. CHIGBO JENNIFER UCHENNA QUEEN, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ANOZIE JENNIFER UCHENNA QUEEN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as AMODU MUSBAU OLOYEDE, now wish to be known and addressed as OLOYEDE MUSBAU OLADIMEJI. That my correct date of birth is 4th day of July, 1996. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

OWOLABI ABIMBOLA EVELYN.

I, formerly known and addressed as OLUKOYA, OLUWAROMIKA AYOMIDE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as IBEUN OLUWAROMIKA AYOMIDE. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

MRS. NWOSU EUCHARIA IJEOMA

MRS. ANOZIE JENNIFER UCHENNA QUEEN

LOYEDE MUSBAU OLADIMEJI

I, formerly known and addressed as MBANEFO MAUREEN AMAECHI, now wish to be known, called and addressed as IZUMBA MBANEFO ADAEGO MAUREEN AMAECH. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

ADEYEMI OLUSEYI BABATUNDE

I formerly known and addressed as THEOPHILUS ITUA JOHN now wish to be known called and addressed as THEOPHILUS ASOA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AMUSA, KAFAYAT BOLA (NEE EDU), NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OSENI-OPE, KAFAYAT BOLA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

23 Public Notice

I formerly known and addressed as BANJO ADEKUNLE. ABOLAJI now wish to be known called and addressed as BANJO ADEKUNLE JAMES. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

WALIYA DEBORA OLAIWON

Formerly known and addressed as WALIYA DEBORA KALIATU, now wish to be known and addressed as WALIYA DEBORA OLAIWON. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. UZOIGWE BLESSING GINIKA, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. OKORO BLESSING GINIKA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

MRS ORIMOGUNJE OLAMIDE VICTORIA I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESS AS MISS AKINDONA OLAMIDE VICTORIA, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESS AS MRS ORIMOGUNJE OLAMIDE VICTORIA, ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID GENERAL PUBLIC AND AUTHORITY CONCERN PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

Formerly known and addressed as NNEKA JOY CHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as IFEANYI EKEDIKE NNEKA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ODESEHINDE TOMILAYO OLUFUNSO Formerly known and addressed as AGBOOLA TOMILAYO OLUFUNSO, now wish to be known and addressed as ODESEHINDE TOMILAYO OLUFUNSO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OGUNDEJI AZEEZAT AYOBAMI

NWOSU DAVID MICHEAL

IFEANYI EKEDIKE NNEKA

Formerly known and addressed as SHOWOLE AZEEZAT IBIDAPO, now wish to be known and addressed as OGUNDEJI AZEEZAT AYOBAMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

LAZARUS ADAMA THERESA I, formerly known, called and addressed as LAZARUS ADAMA ESTHER, Now wish to be known, call and address as LAZARUS ADAMA THERESA. All former documents remains valid, the general public should please take note.

BELLO SHAKIRATU ORIYOMI Formerly known as MUNIRU SHAKIRATU ORIYOMI, henceforth now wish to be known and addressed as BELLO SHAKIRATU ORIYOMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as NWOSU DAVID EMELIKE, now wish to be known and addressed as NWOSU DAVID MICHEAL. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OLIVIA DABERECHI ANIEDOZIE

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. AMLECA MABEL VOKE, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. MABEL OLOBAYO. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

JOY OLUCHI EBERE I, formerly known and addressed as, SUSANA VINCENT, now wish to be known and addressed as, JOY OLUCHI EBERE. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

AISHATU AYATU I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MUSTAPHA ALI AISHATU NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESS AS AISHATU AYATU ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAINS VALID, ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERN AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE

EDOJA AFOKE JULIET Formerly known and addressed as EDOJA JULIET, now wish to be known and addressed as EDOJA AFOKE JULIET. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

UCHE OKORO ANAYO FRANK

Formerly known and addressed as UCHE ANAYO UDOKA, now wish to be known and addressed as UCHE OKORO ANAYO FRANK. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

YINUSA KAFAYAT MODUPEOLA

Formerly known and addressed as OLIVIA DABERECHI OSUGBOLEKU, now wish to be known and addressed as OLIVIA DABERECHI ANIEDOZIE. All former documents remain.

General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as TEMITOPE MODUPEOLA ANIKE now wish to be known, called and addressed as YINUSA KAFAYAT MODUPEOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OLUWANISHOLA FOLASHADE COMFORT

OSARETIN BAMAWO I, formerly known and addressed as ADERONKE IYABO BANJO now wish to be known and addressed as OSARETIN BAMAWO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ADENIRAN FOLASHADE COMFORT, now wish to be known and addressed as OLUWANISHOLA FOLASHADE COMFORT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

24 Public Notice STARS OF GLORY PROPHETIC & DELIVERANCE MINISTRY

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 24, 2017

THE CHRISTIAN UNITY BAND OF NIGERIA (REG. NO. 4039)

CHRISTMIND GLOBAL MINISTRY

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

CHANGE OF TRUSTEES This is to inform the general public that the above named Band has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for change of Trustees under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. GLORY LINUS AKPAN 2. BASSEY BASSEY EDET 3. SAVIOUR LINUS AKPAN 4. LOVETH LINUS BASSEY

The following registered trustees of the said band have passed onto glory: 1. PASTOR SOLOMON ADEFOLABI ODUNAIYA 2. CHIEF(MRS.) BISOYE TEJUOSO 3. CHIEF ISRAEL AKIN OLOWU 4. MR. JOSIAH ADEBAYO ODUWOLE 5. MR. ABEL AYINLA ADEYEMO

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Jacob, Goodnews Gospel 2. Jacob, Emem Goodnews 3. Bassey, Uko Jonah 4. Essang, Itoro James

The band at its general meeting held on Saturday, 21st March, 2015 decided to replace them with the following: 1. ELDER EBENEZER OLUWAFEMI AYOPO 2. SURV. CHIEF OLUKUNLE AKINOLA 3. MR. DOHERTY OLADOTUN AKINSANMI 4. CHIEF STEPHEN OLUFEMI OLURINDE 5. MRS. DORCAS OLUFUNLAYO FATUROTI

AIMS/OBJECTIVES: 1. To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ

AIMS/OBJECTIVES 1. To preach the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tiqgris Crescent, Off Aguiyi ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication Signed: GLORY LINUS AKPAN

ADULLAM VISION INITIATIVE

Any objection to the above change of Trustees 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: P. A. ADEWUMI SECRETARY GENERAL

OLAYINKA ADERINKOLA AKINRINOLA FOUNDATION

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

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

Trustees are : 1. ADESANWO OLUSEUN EMMANUEL. 2. OSUNGBOHUN CHRISTALL SEUN 3. ASEBIODE SAMUEL TOPE 4. DR. (MRS) ADESANWO OLUSOLA OLAJUMOKE

TRUSTEES: 1.PROPHETESS OLAYINKA AGNES AKINRINOLA 2.MR.ADERINKOLA AKANO AKINRINOLA 3.MISS.ASUQUO GLORY EFFIONG

AIMS: 1. To improve accessibility and affordability of agricultural produce.

2. To establish a structured information and communication system Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi street, Maitaima Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

FAMILY CHANGE OF SURNAME We, formerly known and addressed as DONATUS ANAMAUWA ANIODO SCHOLASTIC IHEANACHO ANIODO ABUNDANCE CHIMERUMEZE CHIKWADO ANIODO CHIAGOZIE MIRACLE ANIODO CHINECHEREM BISHOP ANIODO ADAZION PRINCESS UDODI ANIODO SOLUTION AKACHI ANIODO ONYOBIKACHI WISDOM ANIODO now wish to be known and addressed as DONATES UDOCHUKWU CHUKWUDO SCHOLASTIC IHEANACHO CHUKWUDO ABUNDANCE CHIMERUMEZE CHIKWADO CHUKWUDO CHIAGOZIE MIRACLE CHUKWUDO CHINECHEREM JOSEPH CHUKWUDO ADAZION PRINCESS UDODI CHUKWUDO SOLUTION AKACHUKWU BRIGHTFUTURE CHUKWUDO ONYEDIKACHI WISDOM CHUKWUDO All former documents remain valid. All Universities and Other Educational Institutions, International Olympic Committee and General public should please take note.

NNAMDI IZUNDU EPHRAIM Formerly known and addressed as NNAMDI EPHRAIM OGUZIE Date of Birth-11TH OF MAY 1985 now wish to be known and addressed as NNAMDI IZUNDU EPHRAIM Date of Birth-12TH OF JUNE 1984. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

SOKOYA- GBADAMOSI TITILOLA OLUBUNMI

I formerly known and addressed as SOKOYA TITILOLA OLUBUNMI, now wish to be known and addressed as SOKOYA- GBADAMOSI TITILOLA OLUBUNMI, All former document remain valid general public take note

MRS SARUMI RALIAT ABOSEDE

ADDITION OF NAME

I, formerly known called and addressed as Miss TITIOSHO RALIAT ABOSEDE, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs SARUMI RALIAT ABOSEDE. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

I, AJAYI OLAWALE wish to add EKUNDAYO to my name which was formerly AJAYI OLAWALE. I now wish to be known and addressed as AJAYI OLAWALE EKUNDAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Signed: Jacob, Goodnews Gospel President CHRIST HELMET OF SALVATION REVIVAL MINISTRY THE General Public Is Hereby Notified That The Above Named Has Applied to Corporate Affairs Commission For Registration Under Part “C” Of The Companies And Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: (1) OMOJOLA ABIODUN (2) OMOJOLA OLUWAKEMI (3) OMOJOLA MURITALA DAVID Aims And Objectives: (1) TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST NATIONWIDE (2) TO RESTORE BACKSLIDERS TO FAITH THROUGH PUBLISHING OF TRACTS, MAGAZINES AND CHRISTIAN LITERATURES (3) TO GIVE RELIEF TO THE GRIEF, HOPE TO THE HOPELESS WITH THE GOSPEL OF 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, P.M.B 198, GARKI, ABUJA WITHIN TWENTY-EIGHT (28) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION

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 J A OLADAPO & CO 08030696558

This is to inform the general public that the original deed of sub-lease issued on 11th June 1974 by the Western Nigeria Housing Cooperation to Mr SOLOMON ADEDEJI ADEYOYIN, then of 8 Godwin Okigbo Street Surulere, Lagos regarding the piece of land situate lying and being at the corporation Housing Estate at Ikeja, known as plot No 15 and more particularly delineated and shown edged Red {Pink} on the plan attached plan No IKJ 172 and duly registered as No 12 at page 12 in volume 1458 of the Lands Registry in the office at Lagos is missing. All efforts made to trace the missing documents have proved abortive. If found please contact the nearest police station or call us on 08058018975 General public to please take note.

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

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. Providing comfort life for widows, widowers & orphans 2. Supporting interested individual that want to further their education 3. Seeking justice for oppressed,innocent people & individual 4. Rehabilitating prisoners

Signed: Trustees

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

- President - Secretary

NIGERIAN NAVY SECONDARY SCHOOL LAGOS CLASS 1993 ASSOCIATION THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CLUB HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT,1990.

TRUSTEES 1.Mr, Babatunde Okunnu Adebayo 2.Mrs,Laseinde Abiola Omowunmi 3.Mr,Olakunle Alabi Olugbenga 4.Dr,Isiekwe Ikenna Gerald 5.Mrs, Talabi Yetunde Titilola 6.Mr, Afolabi Ademuyiwa 7.Mrs, Esisi Amanor Itsewo AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To promote the welfare of our members.

2. To bring all graduates of the Nigerian navy secondary school class of 1993 together for a common goal.

3. To provide support to members of the association.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi street, Maitaima, Abuja within 28 days of this publication SIGNED SECRETARY

AGI SUNDAY ODEY I, formerly known and addressed as, ODEY JOSEPH LIFU now wish to be known and addressed as, AGI SUNDAY ODEY. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

KOMONI OGHENERURO ISIMEME ROY

I formerly known as KOMONI OGHENERURO ISIMEME, now wish to be known and addressed as KOMONI OGHENERURO ISIMEME ROY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

MRS. OYEWOLE OLUWABUKOLA GRACE I formerly known and addressed as MISS. OYENIYI OLUWABUKOLA GRACE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OYEWOLE OLUWABUKOLA GRACE. All former documents still remain valid.

MOCOPED Noforija Epe, Fed. Univ. Of Tech, Minna and general public should please take note.

OLUSANYA JANET ADEJUMOKE I Formerly known and addressed as Disu Risikat Adejumoke,now wish to be known as Olusanya Janet Adejumoke. All former documents remain valid.

General public take.

CORRECTION OF NAME

SIGNED : AKINYELE OLAIDE (08068067603)

EWEDAJE HOLISTIC HERBALIST ASSOCIATION THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CLUB HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT,1990.

TRUSTEES (1) DR. IDOWU JAMES OLUTAYO (2) DR. (MRS) RABIU YEMI (3) DR, OLADIPUPO OLAYIWOLA LAWRENCE (4) DR. (MRS) FATUNDE REMI TOLANI (5) DR. OSENI OLUWASEGUN AKIN (6) DR. (MRS) ONALAJA ABOSEDE ADERONKE. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES TO CREAT UNITY AMONG MEMBERS. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi street, Maitaima, Abuja within 28 days of this publication SIGNED SECRETARY

ANYAOGU LUCY UKAMAKA

ONOKATA MAUREEN IRORO

This is to confirm that the name ANAFAI ABDULFATAI AKANBI and ANAFI ABDUFATAI ELEPO, refers to one and the same person, now wish to be known and addressed as ANAFAI ABDULFATAI AKANBI. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ASIEGBU LUCY UKAMAKA, now wish to be known and addressed as ANYAOGU LUCY UKAMAKA. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

I formerly known as MISS MAUREEN-QUEEN HITLER, now wish to be known and addressed as MISS ONOKATA MAUREEN IRORO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

SANNI LENSON OLADUNNI

MRS RHODA ADERONKE OYEWOPO

OGBU OTSE ROBERT

Formerly known and addressed as RALIAHAT OLADUNNI SANNI now wish to be known and addressed as SANNI LENSON OLADUNNI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS RHODA ADERONKE OJEBAMIGBE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS RHODA ADERONKE OYEWOPO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as OGBU OCHE ROBERT Date of Birth-10/10/91 now wish to be known and addressed as OGBU OTSE ROBERT Date of Birth-01/10/92. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAMES

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

OLABAMIJI SAMUEL KEHINDE

My name appears as Adegoke bisola Busola in GT bank While in Access bank appears as Ojeniyi Bisola Busola .The names refer to the same person. Henceforth I wish to be known and addressed as Adenaike Bisola Bukola. All documents bearing all the names remain valid. General public to please take note.

I, Olukosi Abibat Mariam I am also known as Olukosi Abibat Enitan I now wish to be known and addressed as Olukosi Abibat Mariam. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as EGUNLOLA SAMUEL KEHINDE now wish to be known and addressed as OLABAMIJI SAMUEL KEHINDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

DATU JOSEPH Formerly known and addressed as DATU JOSEPH PAM now wish to be known and addressed as DATU JOSEPH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as AYANLOLA AYOMIDE OLUWADARE, now wish to be known and addressed as AFOLABI MORONKEJI IYIOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

AFOLABI MORONKEJI IYIOLA

FRANCIS ORIOLA OKUEWU I, formerly known and addressed as OLAITAN OLA FRANCIS OKUEWU, now wish to be known and addressed as FRANCIS ORIOLA OKUEWU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 24, 2017

MRS MIRIAM AMARACHI ALIDU PETER

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS MIRIAM AMARACHI OGULEDO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS MIRIAM AMARACHI ALIDU PETER. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAMES This is to confirm that I, ADEBAYO AMINAT BAMIDELE is the same person answering OGUNNOIKI AMINAT BAMIDELE, now wish to be known and addressed as ADEBAYO AMINAT BAMIDELE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Public Notice 25

MRS OKAFOR EBERE BLESSING

MRS NGOZI GLADYS NKWOCHA

MRS EDEH DEBORAH IFEYINWA

ANYANWU ADAEZE JESSICA

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS MADUAKOR EBERE BLESSING, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OKAFOR EBERE BLESSING. All former documents remain valid.

Banks, NYSC and General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NGOZI GLADYS UMEZURIKE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NGOZI GLADYS NKWOCHA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed asMISS ANENE DEBORAH IFEYINWA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EDEH DEBORAH IFEYINWA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as NWEREM ADAEZE JESSICA now wish to be known and addressed as ANYANWU ADAEZE JESSICA. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note

MRS OTTAH OLUOMA CHINELO

LIVINUS GLORIA

MRS CHINAWAEZE IFEBUCHE STELLA

EZE ONYINYECHI CYRENA I, formerly known and addressed as EZE ONYINYECHI VERA, now wish to be known and addressed as EZE ONYINYECHI CYRENA. My correct date of birth 09/09/1986. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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

MRS IFEOMA EMMANUELA NWANKWO

ORJI PATIENCE UDEH

OKAFOR FRANCIS

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS IFEOMA EMMANUELA IKEH, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS IFEOMA EMMANUELA NWANKWO. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ORJI PATIENCE CHIOMA, now wish to be known and addressed as ORJI PATIENCE UDEH. All former documents remain valid.

Banks and General Public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MBELE TITUS, now wish to be known and addressed as OKAFOR FRANCIS. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

MRS ODERA IFEYINWA OGBOGU-ASOGWA

MRS NWAEME ONOVO SOPHIE ONYEKA

ADAORA BESSIE OGAHE

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

MRS EZENWEGBU UCHENNA VIVIAN

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OLOLO UCHENNA VIVIAN, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EZENWEGBU UCHENNA VIVIAN. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

UDEOGARANYA AMARACHI AMANDAGRACE

I, formerly known and addressed as OKEKE AMANDA GRACE, now wish to be known and addressed as UDEOGARANYA AMARACHI AMANDAGRACE. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ILOANU IFEBUCHE STELLA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS CHINAWAEZE IFEBUCHE STELLA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

NNAMANI NGOZI I, formerly known and addressed as NGOZI BLESSING NNAMANI, now wish to be known and addressed as NNAMANI NGOZI. My correct date of birth 19/05/1972. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

MRS PAUL EDITH

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ODERA IFEYINWA UGWUOKE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ODERA IFEYINWA OGBOGUASOGWA. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities concern should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ONOVO SOPHIE ONYEKA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NWAEME ONOVO SOPHIE ONYEKA. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

NWACHUKWU CHUKWUEBUKA COLLINS

UDEGBUNAM GRACE CHINWE

FAMILY CHANGE OF SURNAME

ADDITION OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as UDEGBUNAM GRACE CHINNEEGO and EGBUNAM GRACE CHINWE, now wish to be known and addressed as UDEGBUNAM GRACE CHINWE. My correct date of birth 26/6/1970. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

We, formerly known and addressed as NWOKIKE STELLAMARIS CHIDIMMA JACHIKE and NWOKIKE IMMACULATE NNEOMA JACHIKE, now wish to be known and addressed as JACHIKE-NWOKIKE STELLAMARIS CHIDIMMA and JACHIKENWOKIKE IMMACULATE NNEOMA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

ABOLADE MONSURAT TOLA

OMONIYI FUNMILAYO TEMILOLA

MR OYIH MATHEW OCHECHI

I formerly known and addressed as ADERIBIGBE MONSURAT TOLA now wish to be known and addressed as ABOLADE MONSURAT TOLA .All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as BAJELA FUNMILAYO TEMILOLA now wish to be known and addressed as OMONIYI FUNMILAYO TEMILOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ADANU OCHO now wish to be known and addressed as MR OYIH MATHEW OCHECHI. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note

ADEDOJA AYOOLA ADEBUKOLA

ADEYEMI FIYINFOLUWA RUTH

I, formerly known and addressed as ONAH CHUKWUEBUKA COLLINS, now wish to be known and addressed as NWACHUKWU CHUKWUEBUKA COLLINS. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

MRS ANASTASIA IHEMENAM EKEH I Formerly known and addressed as Miss Anastasia Ebere Ihemenam now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs Anastasia Ihemenam Ekeh All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. Banks, Immigrations, Relevant Authorities and the General public Please take note.

LUKMON ALANI MORUF I formerly known and addressed as LUKMON KOLAWOLE MORUF now wish to be known and addressed as LUKMON ALANI MORUF. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note

This is to confirm that (1) DAVID OLUKOLE AYODELE (2) KOLADE DAVID AYODELE (3) KOLADE DAVID OLUKOLE AYODELE refers to one and the same person. I now wish to be known, called and addressed as KOLADE DAVID OLUKOLE AYODELE While All documents and certificates bearing the above listed names remain valid. Banks, Immigrations, General public and Relevant Authorities Please take note.

ADEYEMI TEMITOPE EMMANUEL

I formerly known and addressed as AJIBADE TEMITOPE EMMANUEL now wish to be known and addressed as ADEYEMI TEMITOPE EMMANUEL. This is because my father wants me to bear his name. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note

ADEBISI OLAWUNMI IDAYAT

ADEX OLAOLUWAYINKA FILANI

UBONG TAIYE

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I formerly known called and addressed as OLANIRAN OLAWUNMI IDAYAT, now wish to be known called and addressed as ADEBISI OLAWUNMI IDAYAT. All former documents bearing my former name remain valid. General public, please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as TAIYE OSEWA, now wish to be known and addressed as UBONG TAIYE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly known called and addressed as PRECIOUS OLAOLUWAYINKA ADEX, now wish to be known called and addressed as ADEX OLAOLUWAYINKA FILANI. All former documents bearing my former name remain valid.

General public, please take note.

This is to confirm that AKA KUDIRAT OLUWATOYIN is the same person as SULAIMON KUDIRAT OLUWATOYIN. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

ONI REBECCA OLAYINKA

JUMBO CHINWE NKEMDIRIM

I, formerly known and addressed as KUDORO DEBORAH MOTUNRAYO, now wish to be known and addressed as ONI REBECCA OLAYINKA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as KEMI AKINOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as JUMBO CHINWE NKEMDIRIM. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ELIZABETH PETER EBEDEN, now wish to be known and addressed as ADAORA BESSIE OGAHE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ADEDOJA AYOOLA and SHAKIRAT AYOOLA ADEBUKOLA now wish to be known and addressed as ADEDOJA AYOOLA ADEBUKOLA .All former documents remain valid.

General public to please take note

MR. ADEYOJU SUNDAY IDOWU I formerly known called and addressed as MR. OBAJI S. IDOWU, now wish to be known called and addressed as MR. ADEYOJU SUNDAY IDOWU. All former documents bearing my former name remain valid.

General public, please take note.

OLUWABUSOLA GBEMIGA OLAMUYIWA I, formerly known and addressed as OLUWABUSOLA GBEMIGA ALABI, now wish to be known and addressed as OLUWABUSOLA GBEMIGA OLAMUYIWA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ALLEN FUNMILAYO GRACE I, formerly known and addressed as OGUNDEJI OLUFUNMILAYO GRACE, now wish to be known and addressed as ALLEN FUNMILAYO GRACE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS GOGO EDITH, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS PAUL EDITH. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ECHEMAH MATTHEW NWANKWO This is to certify and confirm that ECHEMAH MATTHEW NWANKWO and ECHEMAH MATTHEW remain one and the same person but now wish to be known and addressed as ECHEMAH MATTHEW NWANKWO. My correct date of birth 30thSept.

1953. All former documents remain valid. First Bank and General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAMES

Mama Juliana Taiwo for burial Friday

ÏÏÏA

The death has occurred of Mama Juliana Adunola Anike Taiwo, Nee Fabule.

She died on June 22, 2017 and was aged 83. The late Mama Julian Taiwo will be buried on Friday, August 25, 2017 at Oke Omi compound, Otan Ayegbaju, Osun State.

The christian wake keep will hold on today, August 24, 2017 at St Benedict Catholic Church Hall. Popo. Osogbo, Osun State.and funeral Mass will be hold on Friday, August 25, 2017 at St Nicholas Catholic Pro-Cathedral Church, Oke Omi.Otan Ayegbaju. Reception will be hold at Anglican Court,Ila Orangun Road, Otan Ayegbaju, Osun State.

The deceased was the mother of former Head of Subscription, National Mirror and the Daily Times, Chief Wole Taiwo. She was survived by many children, grand children and great grand children.The children are Mr. Jide Taiwo; Mrs Sade Pace; Chief Wole Taiwo; Mr. Tunji Taiwo; Mrs Funmilola Oloketuyi; Mrs. Funsho Oladapo; Pastor Bolaji Taiwo and Mr. Odunlami Taiwo.

Emmanuel Ogunrinmola Odebode dies at 94

ÏÏÏ

A The family of Odebode has announced the transition to glory of their father, Emmanuel Ogunrinmola Odebode, head of the family of Aawe in Oyo. He was 94 years old.

Pa Emmanuel who slept in the Lord on 20th July ,2017, And the wake keeping and buried will hold on 23th August 2017 ,at his home Town Awe in Oyo state while the entertainment will hold on August 26 ,Jobi Fele way, behind M.K.O. Abiola Garden, Opposite Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) Alausa Ikeja, Lagos.

Pa Emmeunel is survived with many children and grandchildren.

I formerly known and addressed as AJIBADE FIYINFOLUWA RUTH now wish to be known and addressed as ADEYEMI FIYINFOLUWA RUTH. This is because my father wants me to bear his name. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note

In some of my documents my name appears as ADESEGUN ANIKE KEHINDE While in some other ones it appears as AGBOOLA KEHINDE ANIKE .The names refer to the same person.

Henceforth I wish to be known and addressed as AGBOOLA KEHINDE ANIKE . All documents bearing all the names remain valid. General public to please take note.

UMEH UCHECHUKWU CHIOMA

ABIODUN CECILIA OMOTOYE

I formerly known and addressed as UMEH CHIOMA UCHE, now wish to be known and addressed as UMEH UCHECHUKWU CHIOMA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

LOST OF DOCUMENT

I formerly known and addressed as ZAINAB ALHASSAN now wish to be known and addressed as ABIODUN CECILIA OMOTOYE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I MRS AYOOLA FUNKE MARY, wife of Late AYOOLA JAMES ADEBAYO the lawful owner of 1 plot of land at 385 an Area of Approximately (800M) in Jewu Nasarawa Estate in Ado-Karu LGA Nasarawa State. Bought from Pallan Properties LTD. The original allocation paper issued got lost and not found.

General public to please take note.

MISS, WADUDAT OLADIPUPO KESHINRO I, formerly known and addressed as MRS, WADUDAT OLADIPUPO ALABI, now wish to be known and addressed as MISS, WADUDAT OLADIPUPO KESHINRO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

ADDITION OF NAME

That I TOBY-LADE MICHAEL want to add OGHENETEGA as my last name now wish to be known and addressed as TOBY-LADE MICHAEL OGHENETEGA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

ISMAIL (TAHIR) UMMUKULSUM MAUDE

AHUHUNE CHUKWUKA GABRIEL

I, formerly known and addressed as ISMAIL UMMUKULSUM MAUDE, now wish to be addressed as ISMAIL (TAHIR) UMMUKULSUM MAUDE. All former documents remain valid. General public note

I, formerly known and addressed as AHUHUNE CHUKWUMA MEZICO, now wish to be addressed as AHUHUNE CHUKWUKA GABRIEL. All former documents remain valid.

General public note

BOLAJI OLAYEMISI MORDIYAHH

I, formerly known and addressed as OLATUNJI OLAYEMISI MORILIAT MORDIYAHH, now wish to be known and addressed as BOLAJI OLAYEMISI MORDIYAHH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ESTHER ADEOLA OLOWOMORAN. I, formerly known and addressed as ARUTU ESTHER ADEOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as ESTHER ADEOLA OLOWOMORAN. Date Of Birth: 17th Day September 1967 And Not 17th Day September 1968. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Crime

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 24, 2017

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Impersonation: Three arrested for N70m fraud Three suspects were recently arrested by the Imo state Police command for impersonating the Chief of Staff to the Imo State Governor, Chief Uche Nwosu and defrauding unsuspecting members of the public of over N70 million.

It was gathered that the suspects whose names were given as Nwokoma Ezekachi, Reuben Ogwuonye Ubongwung and Nwaeguzor Hope Miracle, had allegedly created a fake Facebook account, using the name of Chief Nwosu, and had defrauded innocent persons through same means.

Parading the suspects at the State Command Headquarters, Owerri, the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Andrew Enwerem, informed that after the suspects had created the fake social network account using the name of Chief Nwosu, they also uploaded pictures of his states’ functions to make the account real.

According to DSP Enwerem, “The suspects posted on the site transactions relating to allocation of lands, award of contracts, fertilizer distribution and employment opportunities and used that medium to de-

fraud unsuspecting members of the public who were convinced that they were dealing with the real Chief of Staff.”

He stated that a thorough investigation carried out by operatives of the State Intelligence Bureau (SIB) of the command led to the arrest of the suspects.

It was gathered that investigations has been concluded and the suspects would be charged to court accordingly.

The suspects, however, denied the allegation; maintaining that they were not involved in the alleged crime.

Arabic teacher arraigned for defiling three sisters

The suspects

Notorious car snatcher in police net Stories by Joy Anyim

Scale of Justice

An Arabic teacher, Ibrahim Idris, was on Tuesday arraigned before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defiling three teenage sisters.

The 23-years-old Idris who resides at No. 2, Kelani St., Adealu Bus stop, Dopemu, a suburb of Lagos, allegedly abused the sisters when they came for Arabic lessons at his place.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Clifford Ogu, told the court that the offence was committed between May and August, 2017, at the residence of the accused.

Ogu said that the three sis-

ters, aged between seven to 12 years, were learning Arabic and Islamic Knowledge from the accused.

“The parents did not know that the accused was sexually molesting their daughters until they relocated to another area and needed to change their Arabic school.

“The smallest of the girls told the mother that they don’t want another uncle to be teaching them,” he said. Ogu added that on hearing her daughter’s remark, the mother asked questions and was told what the

previous teacher was doing to them.

“The case was reported at the police station and the accused was arrested,” he said. He is being tried for defilement, a crime that contravenes Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Taiwo Akanni, admitted the accused to bail of N250,000, with two sureties in like sum.

The case was also adjourned to September, 2017.

A notorious car snatcher who has been terrorising major car dealers in Lagos has been arrested by the operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Lagos State Police Command.

The 35-year-old Afeez Bolaji Ajao, who is an indigene of Osun state has been on the wanted list of the police for many cases of car theft.

The suspect who confessed to have single handedly stolen many cars in Lagos, was caught far away in Kwara State after a major car dealer had lodged a complaint to SARS operatives on a Toyota Rav 4, 2007 model he had hijacked.

Investigations revealed that the suspect would always disguise as a buyer, connive with some bank officials who aid him in sending fake bank alerts to dealers only for them to discover the money had not reflected in their account after he had made away with the vehicle.

A police source told our correspondent that at other occasions, while test running the vehicle, Ajao would zoom off with it. It was also revealed that after

Owoseni, Lagos CP

snatching vehicles in Lagos, he would create entirely new papers and travel to other states where he sells each vehicle for as high as N3 million.

Our correspondent had sent a text message to the Efforts made to get the Lagos State Police Command Spokesperson, ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole to confirm the arrest has been unsuccessful as he was yet to respond to text messages as at the time of filing in this report.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 24, 2017

Health

27

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Prioritise nutrition to save 10m children from mental deformity, experts urge FG Stories by Angela Onwuzoo Except Nigeria places nutrition on its top priority list, experts in the field say malnutrition will not only continue to have increased devastating impact on the physical and mental development of her children, it will also deny the country of sound and visionary leaders that could lead the nation to greatness.

Government can do this, they say, by ensuring nutrition is not excluded in its national development strategies and to improve spending on agriculture which will help to eliminate hunger in the country.

They also suggest Federal Government create a separate budget line for nutrition, stressing that no country can make significant progress without placing nutrition and well-being of her citizens on the front burner.

Reports have shown that low-quality diets are a driving force in increasing rates of overweight, obesity and chronic conditions like high blood pressure, while also fueling noncommunicable diseases, like diabetes and heart disease.

Nutrition status One of the experts, a former President of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Prof. Babatunde Oguntona, enjoined Nigerians to consume foods rich in micronutrients like fish, meat, fruits and vegetables. “Inadequate iodine in our foods is a serious threat. If we don’t keep iodine level properly, we will have 13% of Nigerian children mentally deformed,” he said.

Oguntona was speaking at a Nutrition Symposium on “Malnutrition, Child Development and the Media” organised by the Media Centre Against Child Malnutrition (MeCAM) in Lagos recently. He urged FG to pay more attention to nutrition of children in the country and scale up funding of malnutrition interventions.

Such interventions, he assured, will save between 13 and 18 Nigerian children who die of malnutrition and related diseases every hour and called on the media to step up advocacy on the issue.

“Apart from recorded deaths,

Children suffering from manultrition

you could imagine the implication of having 13 per cent of mentally deformed children becoming parliamentarians and what the country would look like. You can’t talk of development when you ignore the issue of nutrition status of your people”, he said.

Praising the school feeding programme of the present government, Oguntona noted that the strategy will help make up for children that are marginally malnourished by providing them with the missing nutrients.

“First, we have a lot of children in this country who have escaped childhood period and carried over a lot of nutrient deficiency into their early school years, but they are able to continue; the longer they live, the more nutritional deficiency takes effect.

“So a country that is wise will catch them at the school level and try as much as possible to make up for that deficiency through adequate school meals,” he said.

In conclusion, Adetona said it is only when you do that that you can turn out children who will develop the country. If you fail to do that, you are going to lose a lot of children to malnutrition - and they will continue to carry it over into adulthood.

“Such adults cannot truly, sustainably, develop in a country,” he concluded.

Already, research shows

that poor nutrition has severe impact on the health and wellbeing of an individual than unsafe sex, alcohol dependence, drug abuse and tobacco use put together. In this regard, stakeholders are concerned that, without immediate action, the situation would worsen dramatically over the next 20 years as population growth, climate

change and urbanisation are having negative impact on foods systems.

A project manager at the Civil Society on Scaling Up Nutrition Nigeria (CS-SUNN), Sunday Okoronkwo, in his contribution, said Nigeria currently lacks proper funding to address the problem of malnutrition, stressing that the number of

stunted children in the country could most likely be higher than 11 million.

Okoronkwo, who represented the CS-SUNN project director, Mrs Beatrice Eluaka, pointed out that Nigeria’s $100 million counterpart funding of the policy is hardly captured in the annual federal budgets.

Declaring that preventing malnutrition is more cost effective than treating the condition, National Coordinator of MeCAM, Mr. Remmy Nweke, suggested that children with malnutrition be treated early to reduce severe consequences on the mental development of the child.

“It’s time we engage the populace and policy makers towards seeking improved attention for malnutrition, especially in children,” he said.

Other bodies that graced the occasion include, Community Health and Research Initiative (CHRI); Scaling Up Nutrition Business Network Nigeria and Global Alliance on Improved Nutrition (GAIN) as well as civil society groups in the advocacy of good nutrition also graced the occasion.

North-East gulps N4b on humanitarian projects The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Health, has spent over 4 billion in the on- going humanitarian crisis in the North – East region of Nigeria.

Minister of Health, Prof.

Isaac Adewole stated this at the commemoration of the 2017 World Humanitarian Day in Abuja recently.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Health, Prof. Adewole said N4 billion was used in purchasing relief materials, including drugs and medical consumables, hospital equipment, capacity building and deployment of volunteer health workers.

He added that a two-pronged approach was adopted solely to provide basic medical services to the affected population and strengthen the pillars of the health system.

He affirmed that the Federal Ministry of Health has responded to the humanitar-

ian situation within Nigeria by strengthening the Special Project Department and appointing a Substantive Director to coordinate health related response to the on-going humanitarian crisis within the country.

He pointed out that the on– going humanitarian crisis was unprecedented and protracted with Borno State as the epicenter, stressing that a broad North–East Health Sector Humanitarian Crisis Response Strategic Plan (NEHSHRSP) was developed with the primary objective of repositioning the health system within the region.

The minister affirmed there was a Rapid Response Team tasked with the responsibility to develop a six month health and nutritional plan in Borno State to address the rapid decline in health and nutritional indices being experienced.

He noted that the plan was developed, approved, imple-

Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole

mented and now being extended by another six months as a result of increased access to quality healthcare to communities achieved.

He enumerated the achievements of the project to include diagnosis and treatment of about 15,000 cases of malaria in host communities and IDP camps, as well as provision of family planning commodities to about 4,000 women in host communities and IDP camps.

News 28

Daily Tim es Nigeria Thursday, August 24, 2017

UPP berates Offodile over comments on guber primaries Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

national leadership of the United Peoples Party, UPP, has berated one of its governorship aspirants who ran for its saturday’s primaries, Hon . Chudi Offodile over his malicious, unsubstantiated and unprovoked vituperations against the party and its leadership.

The UPP, in a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Dike Ogbueh, noted that Offodile had, in all his serial political losses, blamed everybody else but himself.

The party pointed out that bit should therefore not be surprising to the public that

Hon. Offodile will fabricate scenarios to shift the blame for his abysmal performance at UPP Primary Election at Awka, Anambra State to the leadership of our great party.

The UPP declared that the question any discerning member of the public should ask is who has the motivation to hire thugs and cause public disorder that compelled the Police to fire teargas canisters to disperse the melee that occurred at the venue of the accreditation of delegates to the Primary Election?

The party, in the statement tagged, “UPP Governorship Primaries: The Many Lies of Chudi Offodile”, said , “Sequel to our measured response to Hon. Chudi Offodile over his malicious,

unsubstantiated and unprovoked vituperations against the United Progressive Party (UPP) and its leadership, we discovered a slight mix-up while narrating Hon. Offodile’s political antecedent.

“Hon. Chudi Offodile did not actually foray into APGA. Suffice it to say, that he ran for governor under PDP and lost at Primaries in 2003.

“He manipulated himself into the House of Representatives, deploying every available intrigues and machinations known to him to deny his opponent, Hon. Osita Egwuatu his nomination to represent the PDP in that election.

“The Courts removed Hon. Offodile through a well-

considered judgment and restored Hon. Osita Egwuatu as the duly elected candidate for the Federal seat that Hon. Offodile fraudulently occupied for a while.

“In 2007, Hon. Offodile contested at the Primaries of PDP to become the Senatorial candidate of the party, he lost. In 2013, he ran for PDP National Publicity Secretary, he lost to Chief Olisa Metuh.

“In all of these serial losses, Hon. Offodile blamed everybody else but himself.

It should therefore not be surprising to the public that Hon. Offodile will fabricate scenarios to shift the blame for his abysmal performance at UPP Primary Election at Awka, Anambra State to the leadership of our great party.

“The question any discerning member of the public should ask is who has the motivation to hire thugs and cause public disorder that compelled the Police to fire teargas canisters to disperse the melee that occurred at the venue of the accreditation of delegates to the Primary Election?

“Why is it that it was a few minutes that after Hon. Offodile handed over his letter of protest to the Congress Committee conducting the accreditation exercise that all hell was let loose, even after over 1000 delegates had been accredited successfully and conveyed to Emmaus House, venue of the Primary Election?

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel (2nd right); Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Sufficiency, Dr. Uduak Udo - Inyang and Chairman, Ibom Power Company, Engr. Etido Inyang, during the inspection tour of Green House agricultural project along Airport Road in Uruan LGA… on Tuesday.

Protesters demand justice for 8yr-old killed for money rituals Amaka Agbu, Port Harcourt

ÏÏÏ Hundreds of protesters,

mainly women, on Wednesday took to the streets of the Eliozu axis of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, demanding the capture and prosecution of Ifeanyi Dike, a 23 yr old student arrested and placed under police custody, for the killing an 8yr-old relation of his for money ritual purposes.

The little girl, Chikamso Victory Ezewuba, was said to have been raped, killed, and her vital organs removed. The suspect, who has now escaped

from police custody, confirmed this publicly when he was paraded before the press last Saturday.

The protesters, who marched to the Eliozu bridge, chanted protest songs and vowed to continue with the protest until justice was seen to have taken place or at least until the suspect was rearrested.

“We will not go back on our resolve to ensure that justice is done in this matter. How could a man kill a girl in such a terrible manner for ritual purpose and the moment the culprit was apprehended and

taking to the police, he disappeared.

“We want the police to do the needful by ensuring that Dike is rearrested. If such terrible thing can happen in the police, then we are not safe in this country,” according to one of the protesters.

One of the leading protesters, who gave simply as Madam Grace, said that they were also demanding the prosecution of the IPO in charge of the matter, one John bosco of the CID section of the Rivers State Police Command.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Deputy Governor

Dr. (Mrs.) Ipalibo Harry Banigo has described the escape of the suspected ritualist from police custody as embarrassing.

In a statement from her office in the Government House Port Harcourt the Deputy Governor said the Police and other law enforcement Agencies should step up their game and ensure that the felon was re arrested and brought to justice without delay, stressing that the report that the suspect escaped from the hands of the Investigating Police Officer was totally un acceptable.

Dr. Banigo who condoled the bereaved family on the gruesome murder of little Miss Victory Chikamnso said “as a mother I am still numb with shock to hear that a full grown man could defile an eight year old girl and also go ahead to mutilate her body for purported money rituals”.

Dr. Banigo advised parents and guardians to take extra precautions to ensure that their children especially female children are protected from predators like Ifeanyi Dike who she described as a devil incarnate.

Don’t incite another civil war in Nigeria, Kanu tells Buhari Sunday Nwakanma, Umuahia

ÏÏÏ

Sequel to President Buhari’s recent broadcast and Tuesday’s alleged directive to security chiefs to handle the agitations for self determination the same way as Boko Haram and herdsmen, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has advised President Muhammadu Buhari against provoking another civil war in Nigeria by threatening to deal with freedom fighters as terrorists.

Reacting from his Umuahia country home, the IPOB Leader argued that it was illogical for Buhari to roup Biafran agitators with global terror organisations like Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen, advising Buhari to rather concentrate efforts on governance and how to take Nigeria out of economic recession instead of issuing threats to intimidate genuine agitators.

He the President to learn from former US President, Dwight Eisenhower who was a former military commander but turned a democrat when he was voted into power, stating “The directive to service chiefs to clamp down on IPOB is a continuation of the Buhari’s dictatorial and undemocratic approach to governance.

I find it unacceptable, abhorrent, and insulting that somebody elected by the people can turn around to dictate to them.

“Buhari was elected to govern Nigeria. He should get on with the business of governance and not try to instigate another war.”

According to him, “IPOB would not be forced to take up arms no matter the provocation. We have refused to be provoked to arms rebellion. That is what Buhari is looking for.

Buhari wants a war but we won’t oblige him because we are civilised people. We are democrats at heart by nature and by essence.”

He however, said that no amount of threat or intimidation would make him give up the struggles for Biafra autonomy because it is a genuine cause, challenging the President to defeat advo cates of selfdetermination with superior arguments on why Nigeria should continue as one indivisible country instead of thinking he could cow them into submission by force.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 24, 2017

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Thursday, August 24, 2017

30

EXTRATIME

Andrew Ekejiuba with Agency Report

T

he business that looks after Neymar’s affairs has confirmed it has begun legal action against Barcelona over alleged unpaid bonuses for the forward.

Barcelona declined to pay a 26 million bonus included in Neymar’s

Neymar sues Barca over unpaid bonus contract renewal signed in 2016 after completing his world-record transfer to Paris Saint-Germain this summer.

Furthermore, the Brazilian faces legal action from the Catalans over an alleged breach of contract.

The club contended in a statement

that the clause relating to the payment was rendered null and void when he left Camp Nou, while agent and father Neymar Sr. has accused Barca of “blackmail”.

Now NN Consultoria has announced it will be pursuing the bonus through the courts in its own counter-suit as the business registered its “surprise” at Barca’s stance over the matter.

Udi hails Sunshine fighting spirit Frank Jumbo with Agency Report

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Rooney quits international football

Frank Jumbo with Agency Report

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he first ever Lagos Junior League England’s record goalscorer Wayne Rooney announced on Wednesday he is retiring from international football with immediate effect, despite England manager Gareth Southgate telling him he had earned

a recall.

The 31-year-old – scorer of 53 goals in 119 appearances for his country – told Southgate of his decision during a phone conversation.

“Having already thought long and hard, I told Gareth that I had now decided to retire for good from international football,” said Rooney in a statement sent to Ugbade Sport.

Press Association

L-R: Barr. Nonso Ezenma, Asst Secretary; Mr J. Olafeso, Captain other sports; Mr J. Omodon, Vice President; Alh. A. Sanni, President; Alh. B. Adejumo, Trustee; Mr. F. Omokolue, Chief whip; Alh. H. Shonibare, Treasurer; Prince U. Ezeagwu, Social Secretary; Mr. T. Ihuoma, Hon. Secretary - General, Mr. T. Adebayo, Captain. and Prince L. Dosumu, Capt. Squash section, of the newly elected executive committee of Adejumo Tennis and Sports Development Club, Ejigbo, Lagos.

We’ll cheer Eagles to victory against Lions—Ladipo Andrew Ekejiuba with Agency Report

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resident General of the Nigeria football and other sports supporters club, Rafiu Ladipo has revealed the club’s plans to spur Nigeria to triumph against Cameroon.

Gernot Rohr’s men face a stern double-header fixture against Cameroon on September 1 in Uyo and September 4 in Yaounde, as they continue their push for a ticket to 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia.

And the supporters chief said the club will stand firmly behind the

three-time African champions and cheer them to victory as they remain upbeat of Nigeria’s qualification to the World Cup. However, Ladipo who is disappointed with the Super Eagles’ absence from the last two editions of the African Cup of Nations warned that any other result apart from a total victory will not be welcomed by Nigerians.

“We do not expect anything from the Super Eagles other than a total victory against Cameroon,” Ladipo said.

“And in view of that, the support-

ers club launched ‘Operation taming the Lions of Cameroon’ and that has to do with members of the club parsing everything to be used for the match.

“And two days to the match, we will be fasting because in football no matter how good a team may be, you need an element of luck for you to win. That’s why through our fasting and prayers, we are asking God to give us luck and make us victorious.

“The Indomitable Lions have been talking tough, and there is nothing wrong with that but they will not

come to Uyo and defeat the Super Eagles.”

“This time around, whatever it will take, we will do to see the Super Eagles come out victorious,” he continued.

“The Lions of Cameroon will not go to the World Cup or Africa Cup of Nations or anything at the expense of our Super Eagles.

“We were not at the last two editions of the Cup of Nations and we are not happy but this third time, we will not allow that to happen and in view of that, we are appealing to the NFF to make provisions for everything that will make the players happy, get committed, go for matches, and let them win the matches.

“For us in the supporters club, you can be rest assured that we are not leaving any stone unturned in fact on that day, you are going to see some new things from the supporters club that will encourage and motivate the players to win the match.”

“Our expectation is nothing other than victory, the players must give their 100 percent plus commitment because they are going to be written in the good books of Nigeria if they go ahead to win those matches for us, so they too have a responsibility and so much at stake.”

unshine Stars head coach, Duke Udi has said his side will continue their dogged fight to stay alive in the topflight at newcomers, Katsina United.

The Owena Waves will be the guests of the Katsina landlords in Sunday’s topflight matchday 36 clash in Katsina.

Udi said the on-going top-flight will go down in history as the most competitive and tightest among the 20 participating teams.

“We are a fighting team and we will fight till the end even as we get ready to head off to Katsina to confront Katsina United.

“Right now nobody can meaningfully say he is safe or won the league shield except Remo Stars that is somehow confirmed as relegated team.

“Anything can still happen to confirm or derail the aspiration and dream of the entire 20 teams.

“Nobody is 100% safe from the 11th position down to the 19th position so we have the remaining nine points on the calendar to fight for.

“Before we start to think of the Aiteo Cup round of 32 matches against Nasarawa United, the side that have repeatedly being seeing off Sunshine Stars we want to finish the relegation battle clash at Katsina United.

“Sunshine Stars have no home or away ground, I can say our banishment to Ijebu Ode is somehow a blessing in disguise, it has worked wonderfully well for us.

“I can say it’s a big plus for us as we head off to Katsina it’s a neutral ground by our own assessment and it will be key for us to challenge for the three points at stake.

“We will sustain the survival fight in all the remaining three matches to ensure we garner the required points to keep us in the top-flight,” said the former Osun United and Giwa FC coach.

The Akure outfit are 12th on the 20team top-flight log on 48 points 14 behind league leaders, Plateau United.

Udi

Thursday, August 24, 2017

EXTRATIME

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EURO TRANSFERS… EURO TRANSFERS… EURO TRANSFERS… EURO TRANSFERS…

Hudders field snap up Sabiri Stories by Frank Jumbo with Agency Reports

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uddersfield Town have snapped up attacking midfielder Abdelhamid Sabiri from Nurnberg for a reported £1million fee.

Sabiri, 20, signed a three-year contract with Huddersfield on Wednesday, with the club holding the option to extend that to a fourth year.

He will wear the number 11 shirt after scoring five goals in nine appearances last season for Nurnberg in Germany’s second tier.

Huddersfield manager David

Wagner said: “I’m very happy that we have been able to add Abdelhamid to our squad in this summer window; he is one of the most exciting talents from the German leagues.

“We needed another natural ‘number 10’ in our squad and he gives us a good option in all the attacking midfield areas.

“Abdelhamid made a big impression in Germany with his performances for Nurnberg in the second half of last season. The number of goals he has scored from his position is very impressive, which comes from good football intelligence.”

Wagner continued: “When I have talked to him, I have been very impressed by how desperate he is to join our club and prove himself at Premier League level. This was a big factor in our negotiation.

“He is still learning the game and his space to develop is huge.

If he works hard, like I expect him to do, he could be a high-quality player for this club. We will give him all the support he needs to help him become the best player he can be.”

The Terriers have started their maiden Premier League campaign with two wins from as many matches.

West Brom tie Dawson to new contract Craig Dawson has committed his future to Premier League club West Brom by signing a new contract.

Versatile defender Dawson has agreed a three-year deal on improved terms, with his old contract having been set to expire at the end of the season.

Dawson spent most of last season playing at right-back for Tony Pulis’ side, but, with reported Manchester City target Jonny Evans and Gareth McAuley missing the start of the season through injury, the 27-year-old has formed a strong partnership in central defence with Egypt international Ahmed Hegazi.

The Baggies have kept back-to-back clean sheets in wins over Bournemouth and Burnley and Dawson is keen to maintain the team’s perfect early season record.

“I’ve always felt very settled here and I’m delighted to have reached this agreement,” said the Englishman, who has been at The

Hawthorns since joining from Rochdale in 2010.

“It has been quite a journey so far, but I still feel there is a lot more of the journey to come.

I’ve watched the club come through a challenging spell and like to feel I have played my part in helping us improve, step by step.

“I try to be consistent and play my part for the team. But it never gets any easier at this level and as a footballer I know I’ve got to keep improving. That’s my target every day and every game.

“Ahmed has done really well and I have enjoyed playing alongside him. It’s been a good solid start from the team and we just want to keep these results coming. That’s all we’re focused on.”

Next up for Pulis’ men, who beat Accrington Stanley in the EFL Cup on Tuesday, is the visit of the manager’s former club Stoke City on Sunday.

Gazzaniga joins Tottenham on five-year deal

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ottenham have completed the signing of Argentine goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga from Southampton on a five-year deal.

The 25-year-old has been handed the number 22 shirt

by Mauricio Pochettino but he is likely to be third choice behind Spurs goalkeepers Hugo Lloris and Michel Vorm.

Gazzaniga made just 23 appearances during a five-

year spell at Southampton, who he joined from Gillingham ahead of the Saints’ first season back in the Premier League in 2012.

He played 32 times in the Segunda Division for Rayo Vallecano on loan last season, and the move to Spurs sees him reunited with former Southampton manager Pochettino, who left St Mary’s in May 2014.

Eriksson urges Rooney retirement rethink

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ven-Goran Eriksson believes Gareth Southgate should try to persuade Wayne Rooney to delay his international retirement until after next year’s World Cup, claiming “England still need him”.

The Three Lions’ record goalscorer on Wednesday announced his decision to stand down from England duty after 119 appearances and 53 goals.

Swede Eriksson handed a then 17-year-old Rooney his international debut in 2003 in an infamous 3-1 defeat to Australia at Upton Park and watched as he rose to prominence on the global scene with a series of sparkling displays at Euro 2004.

He has rarely hit those heights again in an England shirt but Eriksson still feels he has plenty to offer Southgate’s men.

“It’s a pity, he can still play at the highest level,” he said.

“If I was the manager I’d try to convince him to delay it until after the World Cup. “You don’t score that amount of goals if you’re not a top-class football player, so for me Wayne Rooney was great, he is great and I hope he will change his mind and come back for the World Cup. England still need him.

“When we picked him we hoped that he would be a big player, a big star, and he became better and better. For England he was a fantastic football player.”

Rooney, 31, has divided opinion over the course of his 14-year England career, but Eriksson insisted the statistics speak for themselves, adding: “Many times he has been criticised but facts are facts, the games he has played for England and the goals he has scored for England.”

Everton forward Rooney had been tipped for a recall after scoring twice in his first two Premier League games – taking his topflight tally to 200 – since returning to Goodison Park from Manchester United.

But in a statement he announced that, despite Gareth Southgate calling him to discuss a return to the squad, he wanted to step away to focus on his club career on Merseyside.

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Reminiscence of Nigerian Polity

Flashback in Times: August 24,1953

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The Daily Times of Nigeria edition of Monday, August 24, 1953, had as cover, “Nigeria to have three Prime Ministers”.

The trend in contemporary national polity shows that the ruling class has not learnt any lesson, with the duplication of offices, functions and concentration of powers at the center. The subsisting political malady, no matter how you look at it inevitably has slowed down the country’s pace of development.

Business Times Daily Times Nigeria

FG moves to tackle financial crimes Page B2

Amaka Agbu, Port Harcourt The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, is working collaborating with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, SMEDAN, to create jobs for the teeming unemployed youths in the Niger Delta region.

The NDDC Managing Director, Mr. Nsima Ekere, stated this during a meeting with the Director General of SMEDAN, Dr. Dikko Radda at the agency’s corporate headquarters in Abuja.

Ekere said he was convinced that SMEDAN would be able to assist NDDC to develop specific programmes relating to entrepreneurship that would be sustainable and create jobs for the unemployed youths. A situation,

NSE: MTN has re-opened listing conversation -Gwarzo Page B4

Community leaders charged to re-orientate youths on agriculture Page B7

N’Delta: NDDC, SMEDAN partner on job creation Ïj ƍƏ ƌ ƐƆ dL& è ƄƑ ƈ Ɔ ƅƋƑ ƐƆƏ he said, was capable of boosting the nation’s economy and reducing the rate of youth restiveness in the Niger Delta.

The Managing Director said it was paramount for the NDDC to tackle unemployment, poverty, restiveness and other vices, adding that, “One of the major causes of insecurity in our terrain is poverty and unemployment; and that is why we are here, because

we believe SMEDAN is strategically located to assist us.”

Ekere said the challenges facing the Niger Delta region arose from the fact that over 70 per cent of the land mass was below sea level, making it difficult and very expensive to build infrastructure.

The Director General of SMEDAN, Dr. Dikko Radda assured of the agency’s commitment to partner with the NDDC to achieve its

mandate of developing the Niger Delta Region. He praised the NDDC boss for identifying and acknowledging the importance of SMEDAN in helping to actualize the mandate of the Commission.

Radda stated that the SMEDAN was set up to facilitate the development and promotion of MSMEs in Nigeria and the visit of the MD of NDDC to the AgenL-R, Mr. Tetsuya Tanaka, Chief of Climate Change, ICAO, DG, NCAA Captain Muhtar Usman, Mrs. Chrystelle Damar, Tefera .M. Tefera, Acting Secretary General of Africa Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) at the opening ceremony of the ICAO Seminar on the Development of States’ Action Plans on CO2 Emission Reduction Activities, and the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), in Lagos.

Abattoir: LASG bans unauthorised meat vans, Okada Ganiyu Obaaro

Lagos State Government has banned the use of unauthorised meat vans from transporting red meat in and

BUSINESS TIMES Business Editor Ganiyu Obaaro Deputy Business Editor Azubike Nnadozie Asst. Business Editor Simon Ugwu Capital Market Editor Bonny Amadi

Thursday, August 24, 2017

out of the multi-million naira Oko-Oba Abattoir and Lairage, Agege, Lagos; and all other certified abattoir locations across the state.

The government also outlawed commercial motorcycles, otherwise called Okada, from entering Oko-Oba Abattoir complex. The order took effect from Tuesday, August, 2017.

The move was contained in a directive issued by the Lagos Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, which described it as an action designed to enhance hygiene across the state.

According to the Commissioner for Agriculture, Lagos State,

Hon Suara Isiaka Oluwatoyin, who issued the directive, entitled: “Full Compliant of the use of Eko Refrigerated Meat Vans,” the step was taken because of the need to align the sector with international best practices and guide against any health challenges that may occur in the event of lack of proper monitoring .

He said, “In line with the Red Meat Value Chain and Meat Hygiene Law, Lagos State, on the 8th of August, 2017, banned the use of Old Air Cool Meat Vans outside the abattoir and all other unauthorised means of carrying prohibited meat within and

outside all abattoirs , such as nylon bags rickety vehicles and motorcycles, Okada, to various designated meat markets across the state, effective from Tuesday, August 22, 2017.”

The Refrigerated Meat Vans, Daily Times gathered, which are common features on Lagos roads, are being financed by Fidelity Bank Plc through a partnership with the government. Some of the stakeholders at Oko-Oba Abattoir and Lairage include Harmony Abattoir Services Limited, Mayetti Allah Cattle Dealers, Lagos Butchers, Ifelodun and Irepodun Associations, among others

cy was highly commendable and apt.

He said that the Agency was well positioned to create jobs and alleviate poverty in the country and always ready to work with the NDDC in the implementation of its work plan for the development of the Niger Delta region.

He also said that SMEDAN had 23 Industrial Development Centers nationwide and four of the centers were located in the Niger Delta.

NNPC, IOCs partner to curb oil, gas sabotage

By Idu Jude Abuja The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is working closely with the International Oil Companies (IOCs) to deploy a structured and holistic security apparatus to tackle incidence of oil and gas infrastructure sabotage in the country.

This was disclosed in Abuja by the General Manager, Group Security Department of the NNPC, Mr. Sam Otoboeze. Otoboeze said that this strategy would complement the efforts of the Federal Government in security operations.

He stated that the one-stop-shop security machinery was tailored at professionally and effectively securing the oil and gas environment in line with global best practices to enhance nation’s economy.

He said the security synergy with the IOCs and other security agencies, would provide a robust production environment that would enable the Federal Government to make enough money from oil and gas to fund its annual budget effectively.

The NNPC security chief revealed that already, the corporation had rolled out a robust community security engagement mechanism where members of oil bearing communities are engaged to secure the oil facilities within their domain, stressing that the strategy was paying off with a drastic drop in oil and gas facility breaches.

Business News B2

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 24, 2017

MAN holds 45th AGM September 13 The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has announced it would be holding its 45th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on September 13 and 14, 2017, at Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos.

This was contained in a statement signed by Ambrose Chukwuma Oruche, Director, Corporate Affairs, MAN. According to the press statement, this year’ AGM is first of its kind as it would be hosted for two days, while day one would be private session for MAN members and exhibition of made in Nigeria goods, and day two would be for engagement between MAN members, the government and the invited public.

“The two day has been designed for experts and chief executive officers of manufacturing concerns nationwide to review the performance of the manufacturing sec-

tor, appraise the state of manufacturing in the past one year and brainstorm on the way forward, as well as showcasing the quality products from among 2,500 members of the association.

“The theme for the AGM is “Recovery and Growth of The Nigerian Economy.” President Muhammedu Buhari is expected to attend the event as the special guest of honour. Guest speaker of the event is the former respected President of Tanzania, Mr Benjamin Mkapa, who is prepared to share his Tanzanian experience and give insight on sustaining economic recovery. Other invited guests are Hon. Minister of Finance, Budget and Planning, Labour and Productivity, and Industry, Trade and Investment, Diplomatic community, heads of international orrganisations, and the crème la crème business community in Nigeria,” the statement read.

L-R: Managing Director, Cummins West Africa Limited, Kwame Gyan-Tawiah; National President, National Union of Road Transport Workers, Alhaji Nojeem Yasin; Managing Director Buscar Nigeria Limited, Friday Yange and the Assistant Corps Commander, RS2.18 Ikeja Unit, Emma Fekoya at the unveiling of Buscar brand in Lagos...yesterday..

FG moves to tackle financial crimes Tony Nwakaegho The Federal Ministry of Science and Technology has said that it will fabricate and deploy relevant technologies to assist in tackling financial crime in the country.

Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, minister of Science and Technology, disclosed this when the Association of Forensic and Investigative Auditors in Nigeria paid him a working visit in Abuja.

Onu said the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), an agency under the supervision of the ministry had the capacity to provide the necessary forensic sciences and

technologies to assist the association in its fight against financial crimes and crime investigations.

The minister said that the area of interest of the association was in tandem with the mandate of the ministry, stressing that the ministry will be more than willing to fabricate the right tools to

Dr. Onu

ease their tasks.

He underscored that the fight against fraud and financial graft had became imperative if Nigeria was to utilize its resources for the public good of its citizens, adding that Nigeria must fight fraud so that the resources of its treasury could be best used to provide quality education for the teeming youths, provide adequate healthcare, construct good and motorable road networks and houses as well as to ensure the security of the country.

“We want to be a truly great nation, a nation that is great, strong, peaceful, prosperous nation that can earn the respect of other nations,” he said.

Nigeria ranks 3rd in global cyber crimes

By Tony Nwakaegho Indication has emerged that despite the fight against cyber crime in Nigeria, the country is currently ranked third globally in cyber crimes trailing behind the United Kingdom and the United States.

This position was made known by the Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, at the ongoing 2017 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) holding in Lagos.

Danbatta, a panelist made the disclosure at a breakout session with the sub-theme: “The Business of Cyber Law, Internet Policy and Privacy Rights”, moderated by Mr. Augustine Alegeh (SAN) a former NBA President, adding that the number

of internet users in Nigeria has increased to 91.6 million.

He said, “About N127 billion was the estimated loss to cyber crime in Nigeria in 2015; Nigeria ranks third in global Internet crimes behind the UK and U.S. “A critical factor militating against Africa’s economic resurgence is the weakness of its institutions.

“Nigeria ranks 169 out of 199 on the World Bank’s ease of doing business rankings; we are in a middle of a revolution and the rise of what we call the networked society.

“The NCC stipulates the laws of engagement that will make the cyberspace safe and ensure the confidence as well as the safety of the cyberspace.

He promised to also support the association in the area of training and skills acquisition in relevant technologies to enhance financial crime investigation, investigative skills and fraud investigation.

Onu further assured the association of his support and assistance in ensuring the smooth passage of a proposed Bill on forensic and investigative audit by the association when it is finally tabled before the National Assembly.

According to him, if the Bill scales through it would be a boost to the present administration’s policy of transparency and accountability in governance.

FirstBank improves customers’ experience with new offerings First Bank of Nigeria Limited has continued in its tradition of creating a value-chain of support for the interests and lifestyles of its customers. With varying categories of products and services across market segments, the Bank ensures that it supports customers’ lifestyle, goals and aspirations.

To drive convenience in banking, FirstBank offers innovative virtual options for funds transfer, bills payment and airtime top up, using FirstMobile app and the Bank’s USSD banking code *894#. FirstMobile, the bank’s mobile app has recently been updated with

enhanced card security feature – ‘card-in-control’ which makes it possible for customers to define their card functionality on their mobile phone; a Quick Response (QR) Code that transforms your phone into a tap and pay device, riding on NFC technology and the Transaction receipt and Save beneficiary functions all of which make business transactions much more convenient and safe. The Bank has also provided a Lifestyle information aggregator – the LOOP app which enables customers stay updated on the latest global trends from their mobile phones.

Students laud Global Interns on career connect series Azubike Nnadozie Students from various senior secondary schools and tertiary institutions have commended Global Interns for broadening their horizon on career planning and internship opportunities at the Career Connect Series held on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 in Lagos.

The workshop, which took place at The Incubator in Victoria Island, had in attendance seasoned facilitators including Greg Malize, Founder and Executive Director of ImpactGen; Oluwaseyi Adeoye, Chief Executive Officer of Pierrine Consulting; Caesar Keluro, Principal Partner of Ideasvibe Media; and Olufunmilayo Modupe, Principal Adviser of Global Interns Company who provided educative career planning tips on various topics that enriched the students’ knowledge in career decisions.

Roberts Ayanfe, a final year student of English Language at the University of Lagos, revealed that The Career Connect Series has broadened his horizon as it will help him to think for himself and engage in new challenges. “Before now I used to depend on my parents for assistance, but the Career Connect Series has sharpened my perception towards self-sufficiency,” he said.

He expressed his optimism and enthusiasm triggered by the career workshop to embark on new ventures. “What I have realised from this workshop is that at this point in my life as a final year student, if I do not start doing certain things on my own and making logical decisions.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 24, 2017

B3 Money Market

Naira stabilises across forex markets, windows Stories by Motolani Oseni

The Naira, again failed to appreciate against any of the three major foreign currencies, Dollar, Pound and the Euro on Wednesday.

However, it managed to stabilise across the forex markets and windows at the end of trading activities.

The Nigerian currency, at the parallel market, yesterday, maintained a depreciated rate of 369 to the dollar, while remained unchanged at 475 to the pound sterling and 431against the euro, which were the same rates the naira closed on Tuesday, even though it represent-

ed a better rate while 477, traded per pound earlier in the week.

The Africa’s largest economy local currency, at the official forex market also did not reflect the injection of $195 million in three segments of the Foreign Exchange Market (Forex) to boost liquidity in the operation.

Therefore, the naira, closed at 305.75 sold on Tuesday, but weaker than 305.65 on Monday; and 305.60 exchanged a week ago, while steadied at 360.50 to the dollar, 462.01 per pound and 425 against the euro at the interbank market.

Although, at the Nigeria Autonomous Foreign

Exchange Fixing (NAFEX) window, the local currency maintained a rebounded closing rate of 359.60 compared to 360 traded the on Tuesday, , but opened the daily trading activity at an improved rate of 361.38, against 362.97 the preceding day, FMDQ OTC data has showed.

Considering daily turnover at the autonomous FX window, latest data, indicated a significant drop of $65million, when compared the yesterday traded figure of $100.29m from reported $165.29m on Tuesday, even though they are both weaker than $212.43m recorded on Monday and $236.97 sold on last trading day in pre-

vious week.

Meanwhile, financial experts have diagnosed plausible reasons for the steady depreciation of the nation’s currency in spite of series of interventions by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in the foreign exchange market.

The experts on Wednesday in Lagos said that a single market rate, among others, was required to reverse the depreciating trend of the naira.

Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, President, Association of Bureaux de Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), said an apparent devaluation of the interbank market rate was having a negative impact on the Naira.

L-R: Oluwaseyi Adeoye, Chief Executive Officer, Pierrine Consulting; Olufunmilayo Modupe, Principal Adviser, Global Interns Company; Chizor Malize, Chief Executive Officer, Brandzone LLC; Toyin Bakare, Executive Director, SAS Textiles Ltd and Greg Malize, Founder and Executive Director, ImpactGen at the Career Connect Series held in Victoria Island, Lagos... on Tuesday.

FG to raise N193bn through Treasury bill next Wednesday The Federal Government of Nigeria through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has concluded all plans to raise a total sum of N193.14 billion or ($614million) worth of treasury bills at an auction on Wednesday, August 30, 2017.

The nation’s apex bank is expected to offer N26.14bn in three-month paper, N62bn in six-month bill and N105bn in oneyear paper, even as the auction result will be announced on the same day.

The CBN usually issues treasury bills twice a month to help the government finance its budget deficit, curb money supply growth and provide avenues for lenders to manage liquidity.

In a latest report, the bank in an effort to ensuring its core objectives of price stability, in seven months mop-up estimated N2.9 trillion excess liquidity using, the Open Market Operations (OMO) auctions.

While Daily Times checks indicated that the introduction of Investors & Exporters Foreign Exchange and Small and Medium Scale enterprises (SMEs) windows, the OMO sales operation has doubled since in April and reached record high of about N779.4bn in July.

Further findings, showed that the CBN auc-

Access Bank posts N52bn PBT in H1 Access Bank Plc has declared a profit before tax of N52 billion for the half year (H1) ended June 30, 2017.

The reports that this is available in the company’s half year result released by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Wednesday, showed that the financial institution’s profit before tax appreciated by 18 per cent from N43.99bn recorded in June 30, 2016.

The report showed that the profit after tax in-

creased by 17.3 per cent to N39 bn, when compared with N33.6bn posted in the preceding period of 2016.

The bank also recorded gross earnings of N246.6bn, against N174bn achieved in the comparative period of 2016, indicating a growth of 41.7 per cent.

Net interest income stood at N83bn, as against N68.45bn in H1 2016, while impairment charges almost remained flat at N10.3bn in H1 2017 from

N10.2bn in H1 2016.

The bank also announced an interim dividend of N0.25, same amount it paid in the corresponding period of half year of 2016.

While commenting on the bank’s three months’ result and accounts, The Group Managing Director/CEO, Access Bank, Mr. Herbert Wigwe had said,“2017 marks the end of our third five-year transformation journey and in the coming months,

we will focus our priorities on the delivery of our strategic objectives.”

He said,“We will continue to improve on profitability and shareholder value by maintaining our capital and liquidity positions, assiduously implementing our cost management strategy, and exploiting retail business opportunities using our digital platforms and deepening market share of the wholesale business.”

Wigwe

tioned N491.5bn OMO in January but dropped to N407.5bn in February.

In March, the CBN mopped-up N380.2bn using the OMO and N262bn and N303bn in April and May 2017, respectively.

Furthermore, the OMO sales closed at N315bn, data from CBN website disclosed.

OMO is a monetary policy instrument that the CBN used to control the supply of money and the interest rates are always attractive to lure commercial banks and high network investors keep their money with CBN rather than inject them in real sector of economy.

According to CBN, OMO sales have attracted rates between 17.5 per cent and 18.5per cent, a move to keep the foreign exchange stable.

So, to deter pressure on the foreign exchange, the CBN sucks out naira from the economy by offering high interest rates believing that the more naira you have available to chase dollars, the lower the depreciation of the naira.

The CBN not only uses OMO but Treasury Bills and Federal government Bonds to stem inflationary pressure and curtail liquidity arising from maturing bills.

Capital Market B4

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 24, 2017

Expert decries high cost of debt servicing Bonny Amadi The escalating high cost of servicing domestic debt in Nigeria has been described as counterproductive and retarding expected economic growth and standard of living of Nigerians.

Revealing this to Daly Times Nigeria in recent interview in Lagos, founder of the Independent shareholders Association of Nigeria, (ISAN), Sir Sunny Nwosu said that greater funds that could be diverted to provision of infrastructures or making life better for the common man is now diverted to local debt servicing which has remained on the increase.

He said that government’s steady means of financing budget deficit is through the debt instruments, which has increased to increase its local debt

burden.

Nwosu, who attributed the nature of some of the funds as being deceitful, said that the cost of servicing debt of borrowing through treasury bills and bonds appeared to be taking away the benefits the ordinary people ought to enjoy. Such benefits include housing, roads and health facilities.

The expert in retail investors’ coordination, challenging arguments that cost of local debt servicing in the country is minute and therefore could cannot disrupt economic growth, said that huge cost of servicing and repaying local debt emanating from Treasury Bills (T-Bills) and bonds in the country, is impacting negatively on the level of infrastructural development and grassroots economic empowerment in the country.

“Take statistics of domestic debt today and six months ago, you will discover the number of treasury bills the Federal Government has issued as well as bonds, have continued to be on the increase, because those instruments are increasing cost of domestic debt servicing every year.”

He argued that it was because of the increasing burden of domestic debt servicing that federal government intended the servicing period to three years, which also showed that the burden is continually accumulating.

“They are seriously in financial need; and by everything, they don’t care about the moral impact of everything” Daily Times Nigeria recalls that the Federal Government, recently initiated debt restructuring

initiative which has been described in many quarters as a plan that would create more funds and ease pressure on government to meet the demands of Treasury bill yields.

Debt management office 9DMO) said that as at March 31, 2017, total Nigeria’s domestic debt stock stood tat N 11,971,336,525,934.68 trillion and this has risen remarkably four months after, by the end of July 2017.

The high debt servicing showed that over 50 per cent of about N12 trillion local debt is expended on debt servicing.

The debt restructuring proposal which has to be approved by the National Assembly is to refinance maturing Nigerian Treasury Bills (NTBs) with USD-denominated bonds up to three years’ tenor within an apparent ceiling of US$3bn.

Equity investment, highest contributor to increased capital importation - NBS Afolabi Adesola Equity investments also referred to as share capital investment has largely contributed to the significant growth recorded in capital importation during the second quarter of the year.

According to data released on Tuesday by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the total value of capital imported into Nigeria in the second quarter of 2017 was estimated to be $1.792 billion, an increase of $884.1 million from the value recorded in Q1, signifying a growth of 95.02 per cent.

A sectoral breakdown of the capital imported, however revealed that in the Q2 2017, the value of share capital imported was $932.6m, which represents an increase of 548.5 per cent relative to the previ-

ous quarter and an increase of 168 per cent relative to the second quarter of 2016, implying that the equity investment sector was by far the sector to attract the largest amount of capital in the second quarter of the year.

The sector to attract the second largest value was the oil and gas sector, accounting for 10.6per cent or $190.4m of total imported capital, representing an increase of 88.4 per cent over the previous quarter but a 5 per cent decline when compared to the same period of last year.

The NBS further noted that the servicing and production/manufacturing sectors also attracted significant levels of capital importation in Q2, accounting for shares of 8.1 per cent, ($145.56m) and 7.9% ($141.42m) respectively.

Fortis MFB PAT rises, driven by comprehensive income Bonny Amadi

L-R: Favour Femi-Oyewole, Head, Information Security, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE); Tunji Kazeem, Head, Risk Management, NSE; Oscar N. Onyema OON, CEO, NSE; Biola Alabi, CEO, Biola Alabi Media; Michael Ugwu, General Manager, Sony Music Africa; Pai Gamde, Acting Head, Corporate Services Division, NSE and Akah Nnani at the Closing Gong Ceremony with the producers of Banana Island Ghost movie at the Exchange...on Wednesday.

NSE: MTN has re-opened listing conversation -Gwarzo Bonny Amadi The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Nigeria, has said that contrary to opinions in some quarters that the MTN Nigeria has foreclosed listing possibilities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), discussion on listing has recommenced.

According to reports, MTN Nigeria, has since the commencement of 2017 financial year, sustained discussion with SEC, as well as the Nigerian Stock Exchange(NSE), and possibilities abound that the

Ï^Ɖ ƄƉƄƃƎƍ Ɔƃ ƋƏƂƉƆƃ ƅƅƄƍ

communication giant may float its public offer electronically.

Director General, SEC, Mr. Mounir Gwazo said this recently in Lagos, that the telecommunications’ outfit has re-opened discussion on its listing on the Exchange, which was put on hold by the company.

He said that currently, there has been sustained discussion and cross fertilization of ideas on listing of the company’s shares on the Exchange, with the MTN Nigeria that has shown stronger commitments and

possibilities to list on NSE. “ On listing of MTN, the conversation is back again, I have a conversation with them early this year, sharing with us , some of the noble ideas that they have, and we also provided for them what we think should be much more appropriate, especially to make sure that greater number of Nigerians are captured,” Gwarzo said.

He said, “it took some time for them to go back and work on it, by the last one or two months, they were back

again, which is very good, they want to do it through an electronic means. It is a very unique way of doing it, which is why the engagement with us is very key”

Fortis Nigeria Plc has released its much awaited 2016 audited financial result for the period ended 31 December, 2017, reflecting suppressed earnings even as profit after tax(PAT) posted 5 per cent growth.

The result, which showed decline in profit before tax (PBT), reflected that growth in pat was garnered through other comprehensive income which could reflect one off earnings.

According to the Fortis 2016 audited financial statement released by the Nigerian Stock Exchange 9NSE) on Wednesday, August 23, it showed that gross income grew to N4, 352,821,033 billion from N3, 649,315,816bn recorded as gross income in 2015 financial year.

The micro finance bank’s profit before tax in 2016 financial year, however, de-

clined to N835, 605,298 million, against N882, 521,116m recorded in 2015.

During the period under consideration, the company paid less tax compared to the preceding year. A tax regime of N246, 349,715m was observed in 2016 financial year, against N298, 817,216m expended as tax in 2015 financial year.

The result further showed that Fortis Micro Finance recorded profit after tax (PAT) growth of N586,255,583m, which represents about 5 per cent growth , compared to N583,703,900m PAT posted in 2015 financial year.

The company revealed that two new directors were appointed by the board during the period under review, as,Mr. Constant kuoame- Kra, who is representing sureCap11 on the board, while Mr. Adewale Aderounmu was appointed as Executive Director.

Summary of activities on NSE

Onyema, NSE CEO

ASI

36,102.38

DEALS

4,822.00

VOLUME

224,773,695.00

VALUE

5,090,194,040.45

CAP

12,443,508,048,791.71

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 24 , 2017

B5

Brands & Marketing B6 Stories by Godwin Anyebe Experts in marketing communication have said that Big Data will help revolutionize the way marketing businesses are done.

Bayo Adekanmbi, Chief Transformation Officer, MTN and Steve Babaeko, Chief Executive Officer/ Chief Creativity Officer, X3M Ideas, made this known recently in Lagos at a learning session tagged: “Marketing in the Era of Big Data-The Changing Paradigm,” organized by BRANDCRUNCH, an online brand and marketing platform.

For example, Adekanmbi said that massive data is shaping

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 24, 2017

Marketing communication: Experts harp on ‘Big Data’ to drive sector the way businesses are being run globally; and there is now a cross- industry shift due to data disruption.

In the marketing space, he explained that Big Data can be used to predict the sentiment of customers on their ability to buy.

He added that brands now target customers at a certain time based on insights gathered from Twitter keywords like #Thank God it’s Friday, and others.

He added that with Big Data,

a lot can be done, ranging from monitoring of competitors’ effort in the market and monitoring the reach of news item and its impact on a brand’s perception.

“Internet of Things (IoT) connects all manner of end-points, unraveling a treasure trove of data. Ubiquitous networks and device proliferation enable access to a massive and growing amount of traditionally silo-ed information. Analytic and business intelligence tools empower

decision makers as never before by extracting and presenting meaningful information in real time, helping us be more predictive and reactive” For Babaeko, Big Data analytic will help practitioners understand the changing consumer behaviour and competitive activities, which would help advertising agencies, marketing communication practitioners and brands decide on what creative or campaigns to launch to engage consumers.

He therefore, urged practitioners to embark on retooling its personals to be able to survive in the new ecosystem, which is technologically- driven and ever changing.

Speaking on the importance of the digital trend, convener of the event and the publisher of Brand crunch, O’Lekan Babatunde said, “The Nigerian marketing industry should not be caught napping as the era of Big Data dawns on everyone.”

MultiChoice extends ‘’DStv Summer Besties’’ competition MultiChoice Nigeria has extended the deadline for receipt of entries for the DStv Summer Besties competition from August 11 to September 22nd, 2017.

The competition, which is open to kids between the ages of 5 and 12, encourages them to express their creativity by describing what friendship means to them in a 30 second to one minute video either in form of art and craft, song, speech or poem.

Speaking on this development recently in Lagos, General Manager, Sales and Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria, Martin Mabutho, said; ‘’This extension is necessary to accommodate the kids who wanted to enter but were not able to meet up with the original deadline. They now Joint winners of a dance competition, Felix Ochukor (left) and Olatunde Michael (O-Mic), with Nollywood actor, Odunlade Adekola (middle) at the FESTAC, Lagos edition of the mega comedy show, Glo Laffta Fest...on Sunday.

2017 Maltina Teacher of-the-Year in record entries As entries closed for this year’s Maltina Teacher of the Year, organisers of the initiative, Nigerian Breweries Plc, has said the edition attracted entries from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Kufre Ekanem, who disclosed this recently in Lagos as the panel of judges met to commence assessment of the entries, said that over 300 valid entries were received, compared to 176 received in 2016.

According to him, “all 36 states and the FCT will be up in battle for the third edition of the Maltina Teacher of the Year.”

Ekanem maintained that although hundreds of entries were received, they were short-

Ï nƐ ƌƈè Ɛ ƆƏ ƌ ƉƑƗ Ɔ listed and validated by the stringent project assessors after a thorough and painstaking scrutiny ahead of the assessment by the panel of judges. The panel of judges, chaired by Prof. Pat Utomi, also includes other distinguished members of the academia and one of Nigeria’s seasoned broadcaster.

According to Ekanem, “The valid entries will now be subjected to further scrutiny and thorough assessment process by the panel of judges to pick the state champions. From the state champions, the 10 best entries will thereafter be invited for another round of assessment where the panel will further subject the 10 finalists to rigorous scrutiny in order to determine the Maltina

Teacher of- the- Year for 2017.

“On October 12, 2017, the winners will be announced and celebrated at a grand event in Lagos,” he said.

Like last year, the prize winner will receive N1 million instantly, plus N1 million every year for the next five years. The package also includes a developmental training opportunity abroad and a block of classrooms built at the school where the winner teaches.

“It is our hope that through the Maltina Teacher of -the Year- initiative, we can inspire this nation to accord our teachers their deserved credit and bring back respect to the teaching profession in Nigeria,” Ekanem stated.

have extra time to explore their creativity by taking on the fun and exciting challenge this summer holiday. ’’ Entries can be submitted online and three winners will emerge, one from each category.

Each winner will receive a scholarship worth N300, 000, laptops, bicycles and coloured printers.

In addition, their respective schools will win DStv Explora plus dish with a one year premium subscription.

Other fantastic prizes up for grabs include: cinema tickets, water bottles, DStv French Touch add on, educational tabs and many more. Entry is restricted to active DStv subscribers and all submissions will be judged for creativity and originality. A selected panel of judges will pick the overall winners.

CHI: Company in robust new product’s campaign Chi Exotic Nectar, a fruit nectar drink has launched a new communication campaign to reiterate its commitment to indulge all its consumers with the wonderful taste that they just love.

Tagged: ‘I Love the Taste’, the campaign delivers the brand promise of superior excellent taste through sublime and persuasive imageries that resonate with consumer aspirations.

The TV commercials for the ‘I Love the Taste’ campaign depict not only the expression of brand affinity that Chi Exotic Nectar has earned from its irresistible taste and distinctive refreshment, but it also showcases the ongoing relationships with a product that is always at hand with great taste to appeal to senses with sheer pleasure across various consumption moments. It also seeks to deepen consumer preference, bonding and franchise – with the promise

of superior taste.

The TV commercials, which come in two parts open with imageries of three friends relaxing in a tropical resort, friends having fun at school, friends having fun mixing the juice at a bar, a lady in the pool, as well as a mother and child at home- all united in their varied expressions of delight in moments of indulgence, relaxation, socialization, celebration and mixing, as they relish the unmatched taste of Chi Exotic Nectar. Each scene of the TV commercials tells a story of enduring connection and divergent benefits derived from Chi Exotic Nectar.

Commenting on this development, Biodun Falolu, a company executive with AdvancedSpecs, said, Chi Exotic Nectar’s extensive range of fruit nectar blends provides a rich, natural and unique taste that makes the juice great as take alone and fantastic.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 24, 2017

B7 AgriBusiness

Community leaders charged to reorientate youths on agriculture Stories by Azubike Nnadozie, with Agency report

The Chairman, Anambra Central Traditional Rulers’ Council, Igwe Chukwuemeka Ilouno, has advised community leaders and elders to re-orientate the youth toward self-employment drive through participation in agriculture and agro-allied businesses.

Ilouno is also the EzeDunu of Ifitedunu community.

Ilouno gave the advice when he spoke with news-

men in Enugu on Wednesday on the significance of the New Yam (Iwe Ji) Festival among Igbo people.

The traditional ruler said, “Agriculture remains the surest way to provide jobs for teeming number of youths in our communities’’.

“It is good we let the youth who still think that white-collar jobs are there, to desist from such wishful thinking as the white-collar jobs are no more there.

“So, it will be more profitable that youths go into self-employment and other direct produc-

tive ventures, especially participating in modern agriculture and its valuechain businesses.’’

He further urged community leaders to partner with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) and other agencies for such establishments to commence skills acquisition programmes for youths in their various communities.

“Idleness among the youth should not be allowed, they should be advised and supported to get engaged with a trade or handiwork.’’

On the New Yam Fes-

tival in Igbo land, Ilouno said that it was all about thanking God for a bountiful harvest as well as life to see another harvest season.

“The celebration is all about giving thanks to God Almighty that has made the land productive for us as a people, once more. ‘’It is also for His grace in given us life as well as good health to harvest our crops.’’

The New Yam Festival is celebrated between August and October each year by Igbo people, worldwide.

L-R: Mr. Tony Ojobo, Director, Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); Mr. Ojikutu Adeniyi, President, Computer and Allied Products Dealers Association of Nigeria (CAPDAN); Prof. Umar G. Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) NCC; Mr. Sunday Dare, Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management, NCC; Mr. Efosa Idehen, Head ,Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement, NCC and Barr. Usman Malah, Chief of Staff to the EVC, during a working visit to Computer Village, Ikeja, Lagos ...on Wednesday.

NDE to engage 10,000 youths for dates, palm oil tree cultivation -DG The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has said it will soon engage 10,000 youths to nurse two million dates and palm oil tree farming in the country.

The Director-General of NDE, Dr. Nasiru Argungu, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Sokoto.

Argungu said that the scheme was part of the agency’s efforts to boost employment opportunities and enhance the country’s revenue.

He said arrangements had been concluded to obtain genetically modified dates seedlings from the Centre for Arid Studies in Algeria and the seedlings would be planted in northern parts of the country.

“The genetically modified seedlings yield within nine months to one year after planting and it requires

only 13 litres of water daily.

“The palm oil tree seedlings will be obtained from Malaysia and will be planted at southern parts of the country,’’ Argungu said.

According to him, at least 200 seedlings will be allocated to a youth under the scheme, adding that each youth would be entitled to 20 per cent of the profit from the yield.

“NDE targeted economic trees under the scheme.

Mango, Guava and others will be added under the scheme,’’ he said.

NAN reports that NDE is currently organising a three-day retreat for its management staff in Sokoto.

The retreat tagged: “Repositioning the NDE for Operational Excellence through Effective Leadership and Team Building”, which started on Aug. 21, would end on Aug. 24.

Rice farmers, others to access Bill Gates’ $30bn agric grant The Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), says it is working to access the $30 billion agricultural grant contributed by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and other donor agencies for rice production in Africa.

National President of the association, Alhaji Aminu Goronyo, told newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday that the association had submitted a template that would qualify it for the grant.

According to him, a team of experts from Geneva had met with the association on the grant, which Nigerian farmers can access as much as $600 million.

He said the visit was fallout of the Green Revolution Forum tagged `New Push for Africa’s Agricultural Transformation,’ held in September 2016 in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, where the fund was pledged by various agencies.

He said the grant would cover various rice value

chains including production, processing, packaging and marketing, and would assist the country attain self sufficiency in rice production.

Goronyo listed other partners that contributed to the fund to include Grow Africa and John Kufor Foundation.

“They said that Nigeria will get about $600m from the grant, it is going to be a partnership between RIFAN, government and the private sector.

“There is fear around the world that hunger will take over the world particularly Africa.

“That is why some agencies have decided to put their monies together to make sure that enough food is grown in Africa.

“That is why they want to bring the grant to Nigeria and other African countries so that we will be part of the beneficiaries toward achieving self sufficiency, particularly in rice.

“Although rice is mainly

the key crop covered by the grant, other crops are still included in the grant,’’ he said.

Goronyo commended the CBN’s Anchor Borrowers Programme, saying it had assisted rice farmers across 26 states to improve production.

Recall that at the September 2016 in Cote d’Ivoire forum, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation pledged to commit $5bn to the fund while OCP Africa, a fertiliser firm, pledged $150m.

Others are Rockefeller Foundation, which pledged $180m and Kenya Commercial Bank, East Africa’s largest commercial bank, which said it would release $350m in loans for smallholder farmers.

Grow Africa is a network of partners including international and domestic private sector companies, public-sector organisations, farmer organisations, service providers, financiers, development organisations and NGOs.

Motoring B8

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 24, 2017

all-new M5 Lagos gets two Computerised BMW’s to delight customers Vehicle Inspection Centres Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo Towards the efficient implementation of Lagos State’s computerized vehicle inspection service initiative, two computerized Vehicle Inspection Centres have been completed at Ojodu-Berger and Ikorodu.

Disclosing this in a chat with journalists in his office was the Acting Honourable Commissioner for Transportation, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, who also said that work on the third computerized vehicle inspection centre at Lagos Island is at an advanced stage of completion.

Responding to a question based on recent insinua-

tions making rounds that the State’s Vehicle Officers were back on the roads, he reiterated the government’s decision to keep officers of Vehicle Inspection Services (VIOs) off its roads as earlier pronounced in May this year.

Elegushi stated that the Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) of the State has since embraced technology billing system by using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and Central Billing System (CBS) technologies to run its activities in line with the global best practice; adding that a pilot project of the new system was billed to take off in the state

next week.

He said that collection of data relating to vehicle documentations, which is a duty of the Vehicle Inspection Service for vehicles plying Lagos roads, such as vehicle license, road worthiness, insurance and others have been synchronized on e-platforms for easy verification of vehicle status on the spot, noting that any defaulting vehicle owner, through the data captured, will have bills generated through the Central Billing Systems (CBS), which in turn, will be delivered to the defaulter’s home or office address as the case may be.

According to the Acting Commissioner, harmoniz-

ing the road worthiness certificate and MOT test was to further enhance the efficiency of vehicles plying Lagos roads as this would help the state consolidate its movement away from physical and manual inspection of vehicles to the computerized method.

The transportation boss seized the opportunity to alert members of the public about the observed activities of officers of the Vehicle Inspection Service of Ogun State in some areas and locations close to the state boundary adding that these officers can easily be taken for Lagos Vehicle Inspection Officers as the service’s officers uniforms are the same nationwide.

Hyundai’s 150kw Tucson sport now AWD Hyundai South Africa introduced its Tucson Sport back in June, with its racy body kit and 150kW engine, but because it was based on the mid-spec executive model, it was missing some of the nicer features, such as, all-wheel-drive and Hyundai’s DCT dual-clutch gearbox.

Now, Hyundai has launched a version of the Sport that’s based on the range-topping Elite, which brings the aforementioned AWD and DCT into the picture, in addition to extra luxuries like a sunroof.

But this combination of sporty looks, performance, control and luxury does come at a price, with the Tucson 1.6 TGDI Elite Sport AWD retailing at R599 900 - which is exactly R100 000 more than you’ll pay for the Executive Sport FWD manual model, which will continue to be available.

Hyundai Tucson

This is BMW’s allnew M5, and while the styling might be on the evolutionary side of the scale, there are some big changes beneath the skin.

Perhaps,not so much under the bonnet, where you’ll find a reworked version of its predecessor’s V8, albeit dialled up to 441kW (from 412kW). Yet, the big news is how that power gets delivered: The new M5 has made the switch to allwheel drive, but purists will still be able to switch to reawheel drive.

The smart new M xDrive all-wheel-drive system aims to offer the best of all worlds: the traction safety net of 4WD on slippery roads, with the precision and agility of rear-wheel propulsion. BMW claims it’s the most “emotionally engaging” all-wheel drive system in the segment. It features a central transfer case with multi-plate clutch, for fully variable

front-to-rear drive distribution, as well as an Active M Differential that can also fully vary drive between the rear wheels as required.

Although the M5 automatically defaults to 4WD with DSC stability control every time the vehicle is started, albeit still allowing a little oversteer, drivers will be able to toy with four other combinations for the two systems.

Dial in M Dynamic Mode, for instance, and the system sends even more power to the rear wheels to allow for “controlled drifts”. Switch off the DSC completely and you’re left with three more options: 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD. The former provides a neutral balance for poor roads, while 4WD Sport is geared towards track days and then the rear-wheel-drive mode, as you’d well imagine, is for skilled drivers who want to party like it’s 1985.

Hyundai Tucson

Both models are powered by an up-tuned version of Hyundai’s 1.6-litre direct injection turbopetrol engine, which in this form produces 150kW and 295Nm, matching the Veloster Turbo in power terms but with 30Nm more torque.

Exterior garnishes include front, rear and side skirts, black 19-inch alloy wheels and chrome-tipped quad exhaust pipes.

According to Hyundai the Elite Sport derivative comes as a result of numerous customer requests.

On that note, the Tucson is also among the best selling vehicles in its segment. July was Hyundai’s first month of Naamsa sales reporting, and 435 Tucsons were sold, with the SUV losing only to Toyota’s Rav4, which racked up 641 sales.

Volkswagen gives green light to ID Buzz concept vehicle Volkswagen has officially given the green light to its ID Buzz concept vehicle, although it will be another five years before the production vehicle actually arrives in showrooms.

First revealed at the Detroit Motor Show in January, the ID Buzz is a compact MPV with retro styling that harks back to the Type 1 bus of the ‘50s.

It’s more than just the styling that’ll get today’s hippies buzzing (with excitement that is), as Volkswagen has also confirmed that the production vehicle, like the concept, will be battery powered.

It will share its architecture with the upcoming ‘ID’ electric car, a Golf-sized hatch that VW says will be as revolutionary as the Beetle was 70 years ago, as it will make

electric vehicles an everyday choice.

The production version of the ID Buzz will have a massive interior, its maker says, as the batteries and electric drive components will all be mounted in the floor.

VW is also promising a versatile seating arrangement, some nifty interactive connectivity features and a suite of driver assistance fea-

tures that will make it ‘highly automated’, although the company has yet to go into detail about the features and technologies that you’ll find in the production model.

It’s also too early to say whether the electric bus will come to South Africa, following its 2022 launch abroad.

North America, Europe and China have been identified as the key markets.

The new VW Kombi

The Edo Times

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 24, 2017

Edo-North monarchs urge lawmakers to

Obaseki inaugurates 11-man committee ET 3 to set up Edo Sports Commission

ET 4

return Assembly leadership to Edo-Central Edo Deputy Governor warns bus drivers over fares ÏÏÏDeputy

R-L: Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State; Ismaila Ceesay, Task Team Leader (TTL),World Bank; Foluso Okunmaduwa, Team member, World Bank; Tunde Adekola, Team member, Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET), World Bank, during a courtesy visit to the governor at the Government House in Benin City ...on Monday.

Projects: World Bank ranks Edo high on transparency, jobs creation Stories by Titus Akhigbe Benin

ÏÏÏ The World Bank Implemen-

The Edo

T E A M

tation Support Team, monitoring the implementation of State Employment and Expenditure for Results (SEEFOR) projects in the Niger Delta region has ranked Edo State high on transparency and job creation for youths.

The leader of the support team, Mr. Ismaila Ceesay, who led his members on a courtesy visit to the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, at the Government House in Benin City on Monday, said the state was doing well in the execution of component A1 of the projects.

The Component A1 projects include the creation of direct jobs for unemployed youths in Edo State.

According to Ceesay, the World Bank team was on a working visit to assess the execution of the various components of the SEEFOR Projects in the four implementing states of Edo, Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers.

“Edo is one of the four states that produce its financial statements and have them audited within six to seven months of the fiscal year and have the report published,” Mr. Ceesay said.

He urged Governor Obaseki to sustain the culture of financial accountability and remain a beacon of transparency in public finance.

The team leader, however, noted that the state should ensure that all segments of the projects are active in the state.

He pledged that his team was ready to work with the state execu-

Special Project Editor Sam Nseh

Correspondent Titus Akhigbe

tion team to address challenges that may arise in the process of executing the projects.

In his remarks, Obaseki said his administration would work with the team to develop work plans for the reactivation of the TVET and FADAMMA activities in the state,

The governor noted that the state has paid over N400 million as counterpart fund since his administration was inaugurated and commended the World Bank for releasing $1.6 million for the renovation of the Benin Technical College.

Oba of Benin named chair of TROMPCOM

ÏÏÏThe Oba of

Benin has been nominated to Chairman the Committee of Traditional Rulers of Oil, Mineral Producing States (TROMPCOM) comprising Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Imo, Abia, Ondo, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.

The patron of TROMPCOM and Amanayabo of Brass in Bayelsa State, His Royal Highness, King Diete Spiff, announced this when he paid Oba Ewuare II a courtesy visit in his palace in Benin City.

He informed the Benin monarch that the body was formed to address the problems posed by oil exploration and gas flar-

ing in the area, in order to bring succour to the people of the oil producing states, whose environment have been devastated by it.

King Diete Spiff explained that the chairmanship of the body is rotational every two years, and that it is now the turn of Edo State to chairman the body, hence he decided to come personally to plead with the Oba of Benin to honour them by accepting the chairmanship.

The Amanayabo of Brass said if the people of the oil producing states are impacted on positively, unemployment and youth restiveness in the area would be CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu, on Tuesday, warned commercial bus drivers attached to University of Benin (UNIBEN) Shuttle bus, that he will lead a protest against them if they increase transportation fares for University of Benin (UNIBEN) students.

The warning was sequel to the threat by the commercial bus drivers to increase the fares of the students due to the N200 daily levies they were asked to pay by the state and Local Government where they operate due to the recently Harmonised Levies and Taxes for state and Local Governments which was passed into law by the state House of Assembly.

Comrade Shaibu, who disclosed this during a meeting with leaders of the Student Union Government (SUG) of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), where he briefed them of the state government’s intension to commence the enforcement of the new revenue law, said other motorists in the state had since commenced the payment of the new levies, asserting that the N200 levy will not warrant any form of increment on transportation.

He said: “Since January this year, none of these unions have paid a dime until now that we want to start the implementation of the Harmonized Levies and Taxes law. And though out this period we did not hear that these commercial drivers reduced their fares for students since they have not been paying levies.

“In the past they were paying almost N2000 daily; that was when the former administration was using private agents to collect levies. And then these drivers were paying and not complaining. Now we are saying they should pay N200 daily as specified by law they are threatening to increase fares for students.

“If they try it, I will lead a protest against them and we will ban them from operating here. I have risen to the number one student of this country before and I know the problems of students. I heard one of the drivers saying that if we ask them to pay tax they will increase their fair, but let them try it. I will leave government aside and protest against them.

The Edo Times 2

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 24, 2017

Edo Assembly impeachments: Group backs new leadership ÏÏÏTHE

Benin Youth Council (BYC) has charged the new leadership of the State House of Assembly led by Speaker Kabiru Adjoto to avoid some of the mistakes allegedly made by the former Speaker, Justin Okonoboh, so as to have a successful tenure.

The group in a statement signed by its Coordinator General, Mr. Omoruyi Igbinedion, pointed out that one of the mistakes of the Okonoboh-led administration was his alleged failure to treat a private bill aimed at “amending a controversial part of the 1978 Bendel State Chieftaincy Law - which undermine the Benin heritage on the ascension of the throne of the Oba of Benin and other traditional rulers”.

The BYC said: “His poor leadership inspired the former Deputy Speaker to appropriate some properties of the Assembly as her personal belongings. That his crass insensitivity engendered the consideration of the obnoxious Grazing Reserve Bill which recently fractured the cordial relationship between Christians

and Muslims over the herdsmen palaver.

“We believe that the new leadership will restore the dwindling image of the House in a manner that the Oba of Benin and indeed all Edo Royal fathers will appreciate it in the long run. We believe strongly that new leadership is capable of complementing the State Governor in furthering peace, development and justice in Edo State”.

Commenting on the alleged marginalisation cry by Esan people following the removal of Okonoboh, the BYC reasoned that “it is the business of the House to elect its leadership and not the duty and ethnic champions. Esan people have been elected severally as Speaker but on their own they kept making mistakes that led to their impeachment.

“We must look for credible leaders who can ensure good governance no matter where they come from. APC zoned the Speakership to Edo Central but is it the same APC that will tell the elected Speaker to behave himself,” it stated”.

Edo auto crash: Obaseki sympathises with victims, families

ÏdƄƎ Ǝ Ə ƐƄƆƉ ƄƑ Ǝƍ ƅƅƆƃ Ƒ ƍƕƄ è Ƌ ƉƆƃƓ Stories by Titus Akhigbe Benin

ÏÏÏ The Governor of

Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has expressed his sympathy for the victims and families of those who were involved in the auto crash that claimed nine lives on Tuesday, along Upper Sokponba Road in Benin City, Edo State.

Obaseki, who received the news with sadness and great distress, said: “Particularly painful is the fact that the people were only just setting out early in the morning in search of their daily bread when

the unfortunate incident occurred.”

He added that the state would soon unveil the new traffic wardens who have been undergoing training to take over traffic management on the state’s roads to check accidents and unprofessional conducts by drivers on the roads.

“The sad event brings the need to enhance the regulation of road traffic in the state into sharp focus.

Which is why apart from our commitment to fixing our road infrastructure, we have recruited and trained a group of young men and women in the state to take charge

of traffic management in the state,” the governor said.

The visibly shaken governor said that there were no words adequate to express the grief which members of the families of the accident victims have been suddenly thrust into, and assured that “as a government we want them to know that we stand with them in this desperately difficult time. Our prayers are with the friends and families of the victims as well as the entire Edo people in this trying time and our pledge to do all in our power to improve living conditions in the state remains unshaken.’

EDSG vows to sanction violators of sanitation law ÏÏÏIn continuation of

its developmental strides towards obtaining a clean and orderly city, Edo State Government has vowed to wield the big stick on defaulters of the sanitation and pollution management law.

Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Hon. Reginald Okun, dropped this hint during an assessment visit to Lagos Street to seal a building where a commercial toilet was being operated illegally.

The Commissioner said health and safety of its citizens is paramount in the Godwin Obaseki-led government, and warned that defaulters will be dealt with for any

related offence.

Okun said government will no longer condone illegal operation of commercial toilet that could pose danger to the health of people living in the locality. He said the breach of the Sanitation and Pollution Management Law No. 5 of 2010 prompted the seal of building No. 59, Lagos Street.

Okun said the commercial toilet disposes excreta, silt, and general waste to public drain which was no longer tolerable.

He enjoined all who must operate such business to seek the necessary approval from the necessary quarters to avoid being caught by the law.

Oba of Benin is chair of TROMPCOM CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

taken care of.

The Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, expressed gratitude to King Diete Spiff for the invitation extended to him to chairman the body, adding that he accepts to take the responsibility and prayed God and the ancestors to grant him the wisdom and good health to do his best to justify the confidence reposed in him.

His Royal Majesty however called for the utilisation of the abundant gas resources instead

of flaring it to cause environmental and health hazards for the people.

The Benin monarch used the opportunity to welcome President Muhammadu Buhari back home and thank God for his quick recovery.

Oba Ewuare II told his guest that he would soon embark on nation-wide thank you tour, beginning with a visit to President Buhari in Abuja, after which he hopes to visit traditional rulers in the South-South and other parts of the country.

Oba of Benin receiving His Royal Highness, King Diete Spiff, the Amanayabo of Brass at his Palace in Benin City...recently

Return vehicles or face prosecution, new Edo Assembly speaker tells former Dep. speaker ÏÏÏThe

Edo State House of Assembly has issued an ultimatum to the former Deputy Speaker of the House, Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie, to return the official vehicles in her possession to the House or face legal action.

In a letter addressed to the Counsel to the former Deputy Speaker, Olayiwola Afolabi & Co, which was in response to an earlier letter written to the Speaker of the House, Mr. Kabiru Adjoto, by the former Deputy Speaker, it declared that her claim that the Prado Jeep was given to her by the former governor of the state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole was untrue as there was no evidence to show that the former governor and the leadership of the House took such a decision.

The letter signed by the clerk of the House, Mr. James Omoataman, pointed out that the leadership of the House had screened the letter which according to the former Deputy Speaker was issued to her

by the former governor, as evidence that the vehicles were given to her, but “we have compared the signature of the esteem former governor on the said letter and it is not genuine and we hope your client is aware of the consequences of parading such document.

“As your client will recall, the said vehicles were purchased for the use of the office of the Speaker when your client occupied the office. Consequently, when she became the Deputy Speaker, the official vehicles were left with her office whilst alternative arrangement were made for the office of the Speaker.

“Despite the clarity of the above, your client deliberately skewed the words used in the purported letter from the former governor claiming that the former governor wrote to say the vehicles were given to her, which is far from the truth.

“Further, the original documents of the vehicles are still in the pos-

session of the House of Assembly till date which means that title to the vehicles were never transferred or intended to be transferred to your client contrary to your client’s assertions.

“Accordingly, I hereby reiterate my instruction and demand your client’s immediate return of the vehicles attached to the office of the Deputy Speaker which are still in her possession. Finally, if your client maintains that she indeed sold one of the vehicles, the Lexus Jeep 2016 model, then we expect that your client will furnish us with the details of sales.

It warned further that “the House expects to receive all the said vehicles or the vehicles that have not been sold, together with the details of the alleged sale of the Lexus jeep as enumerated not later than 2 days from the date of receipt of this letter. Failure to do so will attract the necessary legal action, both civil and criminal against your client”.

The Edo Times 3

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 24, 2017

Group embarks on protest walk against sexual violence

ÏÏÏBrave

Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, speaking to relatives of a victim of the road accident at Upper Sokponba area of the state, on August 22, 2017, when he paid the family a condolence visit ...on Wednesday.

Obaseki inaugurates 11-man committee for Edo Sports Commission Stories by Titus Akhigbe Benin

ÏÏÏThe Governor of Edo State, Mr.

Godwin Obaseki, has inaugurated an 11-man committee to assist with the modalities for setting up a sports commission that will help the state reclaim her top position in sports in the country.

Inaugurating the committee, Obaseki said the idea of a commission of experts was the product of a workshop organised by the state government earlier in the year as part of his administration’s resolve to reposi-

tion sports in the state.

“As a government, our desire is to establish a sports commission that will help us meet our aspirations in the sector. We believe that those chosen for this task have the experience, skills, and knowledge in the world of sports, and will provide the framework for a premier sports commission in Nigeria,” he said.

The terms of reference for the committee include: to design a holistic sports policy for Edo State to help reclaim its pride of place in the nation; help produce a legal framework to help establish a sports commission;

prioritize the content and direction of sports in the state; design a framework to help rebuild sporting institutions and facilities to world class standards, as well as assist to design a strategy for private sector funding for sports in the state, among others.

In his response, the chairman of the committee and Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu thanked the governor for the confidence reposed in them and promised that the team would do its best to ensure that the state government achieves its desire to reposition sports in the state.

49 schools in Edo get sports equipment

ÏÏÏForty-nine public schools across

Edo State were have been presented with sporting equipment worth millions of naira by the National Lottery Trust Funds (NLTF).

The facilities which were presented to the benefitting schools at a ceremony in Benin City on Tuesday saw the benefitting schools’ representatives leaving the venue with sporting equipment in different areas of sporting including athletics, Taekwondo, bad monitor, handball, table tennis, basketball, volley ball, high jump and football.

Speaking at the formal launch of the facilities which included specially designed football, hand ball goal posts, table tennis board, and accessories among others, the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, commended the NLTF for the gesture which he said fitted seamlessly into the present administration’s efforts at reviving sports in the state.

Represented by the Chairman State Universal Basic Education Board, Mallam Suleiman Ali, the governor said schools development

forms the integral part of the young administration’s plan to overhaul the educational system in the state, noting that nothing in that regard could be achieved without investing hugely in school sports infrastructure.

Engr. Habu Gumel, Executive Secretary NLTF, in his speech, congratulated the benefitting schools in the state and urged them to put the equipment to good use and ensure their security.

According to Engr. Gumel, the programme designed to benefit 2000 schools across the country was part of the intervention programme of the trust fund which he said was being funded from the 20% lottery proceeds from promotional lottery businesses as part of their statutory obligation to the Federal Government.

Also speaking, the representative of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Special Duties, Amina Mohammed Bello, expressed the government’s determination to ensure a conducive and all round learning environment for school pupils anywhere in the coun-

try.

While Hajia Bello harped on the significance of National Lottery in the development of Nigeria, the Acting Director General, National Lottery Regulatory Commission, represented by the Mr. Henry Uwadiae, Deputy Director-General (Administration), described lottery as a veritable source of funding for social infrastructure and encouraged all to key into it.

Heart Initiative (BHI), a Non-Governmental Organisation advocating for Youth and Women, has organised a protest walk to resent sexual violence against women in Edo State with a call on the state government to create the state Sexual Offenders Registry.

Ms Priscilla Usiobaifo, Executive Director of BHI, who led the protest walk, also called for the establishment of family courts in the three Senatorial Districts of the state for the speedy trial of sexual abuse offenders.

Usiobaifo, who spoke at the Edo State Council of the NUJ Secretariat, gave the nine objectives of the protest walk facilitated by her organisation, Brave Heart Initiative, as follows: “To get more people to join the campaign against sexual violations in Edo State while encouraging survivors to speak out and seek support and service; To

strengthen partnership with the press and sustain media awareness as a means to improve visibility of CSOs in Edo state who carry out Sexual Abuse Interventions, and to advocate for domestication of violence Against Persons (Prohibition) VAPP Act in Edo State.

Others are: To identify partners that will synergise with BHI for the appeal of those convicted cases with options of fine; and To advocate for the domestication of the family units of the police to cover the three Senatorial Districts of the state to reduce the burden of logistics in case transfers” among others.

While calling on the lawmakers and the judiciary for the implementation of Edo State Child Rights Law, the BHI director also called on the Governor Godwin Obaseki to facilitate free health services for survivors of sexual violence.

Groups task Police on security

ÏÏÏSocio-political groups in Edo

State under the aegis of People Freedom Movement, Talakawa Parliament and the Alliance of Nigerian Students Against NeoLiberal Attacks (ANSA), have condemned the incessant killings in the state, while calling on the security agencies to be proactive.

Addressing newsmen at a crowded joint press conference in Benin, the leaders of the groups, Emmanuel Aigbogun, Samson Osaretin and Benjamin Osariemen Sankara, berated the CP Haliru Gwandu-led Edo State Police command for the killings in the state, which is gradually becoming a daily affair.

“It is lucid that the level of insecurity in our state is ridiculously alarming and worrisome.

On the 13th day of August 2017, one of the Queens’ mother of the palace of the Oba of Benin was gruesomely murdered in cold blood by yet to be identified gunmen who stormed her Benin

residence and took life out of her. What a wicked world. If the Queen’s mother cannot get adequate security from the police, then the poor are not secured at all.

“On the 14th day of August 2017, an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps was murdered at his residence in Ugbor. That same day, an auto mechanic and two others were killed by unknown gunmen.

This is very lugubrious and sardonic in a state where the Commissioner of police boasted that his gallant men have chased away armed robbers and kidnappers from our dear state. The CP (Gwandu) owes Edo People a duty to explain why criminals are taking over the state under his watchful eyes”.

Meanwhile, the groups have warned that the Police should bring the killers to book immediately, while also passing a vote of no confidence on the state commissioner of police.

EDSG battles spread of HIV/AIDS

ÏÏÏEdo

State government is not resting on its oars in the drive to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS. To this end, the State Agency for the Control of AIDS and HIV (EDOSACA) recently embarked on a routine HIV Testing Service (HTS) in some communities in the state.

The Programme Manager, EDOSACA, Hajia Mariat Binkola, said “the exercise is to sensitise the people especially those in the rural areas on the uptake of HIV test, so as to reduce the risk associated with the disease.

She said even though a lot of awareness has been created, and a good number of the population seem to be cautious, there is still need for these routine tests, not only is it part of their continuous schedule, but cases that are discovered are quickly referred for necessary followed up to the treatment facilities.

The routine HTS outreach was carried out in Aruogba Community in Oredo Local Government Area and Ugbogui Community in Ovia South West Local Government

Area.

The outreach in Aruogba community was held in collaboration with National Association of Seadogs Worldwide, where free medical tests were carried out and drugs dispensed alongside were necessary.

In Ugbogui community, the level of awareness was quite high as people turned out voluntarily in large numbers for the free HIV/AIDS testing services.

A total of three hundred and five (305) persons were tested during the exercise.

The Edo Times 4

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 24, 2017

Obaseki visits accident scene, family of victim ÏÏÏThe Governor of

Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Wednesday, visited the scene of the fatal accident that claimed the lives of nine persons on Upper Sokponba Road in Benin City as well as the family of one of the victims.

He visited the family of the late Mrs. Osemwonyenmwen Moses, at No. 20 Osemwingie Street, off Upper Sokponba Road, Benin City, who died in the crash.

Obaseki condoled with them and said members of his government shared in their grief and prayed for the soul of Mrs. Osemwonyenmwen to rest in peace.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, with some members of the Edo State Executive Council shortly after the weekly meeting, told the crowd at the accident scene that the visit was undertaken in light of the fact that the Obaseki-led administration

considers the life of every Edo person very important.

“We are here to see for ourselves what transpired and interact with eye witnesses of the accident to establish the cause so we can put in place measures that will ensure an accident of this scale does not occur again,” the governor said.

After listening to the accounts of eye witnesses, he inspected the crash scene and agreed that a median and speed breakers would be needed on the busy Oka Market area of the road to limit the speed of motorists.

“The people have spoken to us, and they attributed the cause of the accident to reckless driving and the absence of median on the road to allow motorists to drive on separate lanes,” he said and promised that his administration would look at the possibility of acting on their suggestions.

…warns corps members against unauthorised journeys ÏÏÏEdo State Governor, Mr. God-

win Obaseki, has warned corps members against undertaking unnecessary and unauthorised journeys because the roads are unsafe.

Obaseki gave the advice in Benin at the closing ceremony of the 2017 NYSC Batch `A’ Stream II Orientation course.

The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Mr. Philip Shuaibu, said having invested so much in the corps members, their families and the nation needed them alive.

He said that corps members should travel only when necessary and with the permission of their employers and the NYSC. Obaseki further urged them to integrate with the people in the rural areas and respect the culture of their host communities.

He also appealed to employers not to reject corps members posted to them.

The governor further advised corps members to be imbibe positive attitudinal change by shunning corruption and nepotism which, he noted, had ravaged the entire society.

Earlier, the state Coordinator of NYSC, Mr. Abdulahi Yusuf, while presenting the 1,837 members, said that 934 males and 903 females, had successfully completed the three-week orientation course.

Yusuf urged the corps members to be good ambassadors of the scheme in their places of primary assignment.

He advised them to contribute their quota to the development of the state, especially in the areas of education and healthcare, among others.

...assembles experts to reposition Agric sector ÏÏÏThe Governor of

Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has inaugurated a 15-man Governor’s Council on Agriculture to reposition the state’s agricultural sector.

The decision to assemble the team of agricultural experts was the outcome of a strategy session to revamp the College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi, located in the state.

According to the governor, the expanded Council would take a broad view of the state’s agricultural sector and outline strategies that would make the state the number one crop enterprise zone, specifically in, oil palm, tubers, cocoa, rice, vegetables, aquaculture and livestock amongst others.

The Council would also tackle

the issue of dearth of manpower for modern agricultural activities by transforming the College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi into a world class institute that would deliver the desirable graduates to service the agricultural sector.

Obaseki urged the Council to break into sub-committees that would handle the referenced areas and meet quarterly to review their work.

He added that he expects the transformed College to be able to train between 2,000 to 5,000 capable students that would contribute to the development of the sector in the state, and assured that 200,000 hectares of land would be provided for the graduates to display their skills.

Edo-North monarchs urge lawmakers to return Assembly leadership to Edo-Central Stories by Titus Akhigbe Benin

ÏÏÏTraditional

rulers in EdoNorth and Edo-Central Senatorial Districts have urged lawmakers in the Edo State House of Assembly to return to status quo by ensuring that a lawmaker from Edo-Central senatorial district is made Speaker, for fairness and equity.

They made the call at a meeting between Edo-North traditional rulers and their counterparts from Edo-Central, held at Auchi, headquarters of Estako-West Local Government Council on Wednesday.

Hon. Justin Okonoboh, the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, was on Aug. 14 impeached and replaced with Hon. Kabiru Adjoto.

The Otaru of Auchi, Alhaji H.A. Momoh, who addressed journalists at the end of the meeting, said they supported the comments of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewaure II, who described the action of the

lawmakers as an act of barbarism and hooliganism.

The Otaru noted that the power balancing factor in the state has been displaced with the removal of Okonoboh as Speaker.

“We are meeting the Oba. We will send a delegation to the Benin Monarch to inform him that we support his comments as regards what happened at the Edo State House of Assembly.

“We feel that equity and justice must prevail. Edo-Central must have somebody who should be the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly.

“We are going to see what we can do to bring justice to the state over that matter. A balancing factor has to be made, which was in place under the existing arrangement.

“That has been displaced and it is not a good thing for us if we have to navigate justice,’’ he said.

On the call for the restructuring of the country, the Otaru stated that the traditional rulers resolved

that Nigeria does not need restructuring, but justice and restructuring of the heart.

He said there would no clamour for restructuring if every Nigerian was treated equally.

“We felt that restructuring is nothing to do other than justice.

Justice has no boundaries. Everybody has to be treated equally.

“We appeal that everybody has to restructure their heart to do the good thing.

“Restructuring is not the problem of this country but the restructuring of our hearts to the belief that we all belong to one nation.

“If we have good roads, water, railways, nobody will be talking about restructuring because the poor and the rich will have an environment that provides for all.

“The structure of wages and salaries is lopsided. We feel that the salaries at the top should reduce and at the bottom should rise.

There should be a living wage for the low income earners,’’ he said.

R-L: Eldest Son of the late Justice Andrews Otutu Obaseki, Mr. Edosa Obaseki; his wife, Beverly; Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki; Governor Godwin Obaseki; Ikponmwosa Obaseki; first daughter of the late justice, Hon Justice Osat Obaseki-Osaghae and her husband, Mr. Bob Osaghae, at the funeral thanksgiving service of the late Supreme Court Justice in Benin City ...last Sunday.

We don’t want amnesty -Edo Rep tells PDP ÏÏÏLoyalists of

former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, in Edo State have rejected the amnesty offer extended to it by the Ahmed Makarfi-led caretaker committee.

A leader of the group and representative of Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Federal Constituency, Hon. Ehizogie Agbonayinma, disclosed this during a stakeholders meeting of PDP in Benin City, the state capital.

Spokesman for the PDP, Dayo Adeyeye had said that the party would grant amnesty to Sheriff and his supporters. Adeyeye had disclosed the offer was in reaction to the Su-

preme Court sacking of Sheriff as chairman of the party and affirmation of Ahmed Makarfi.

However, while fielding questions from reporters at the stakeholders meeting, Agbonayinma said Sheriff and his loyalists are not on trial.

“You can’t just say; come and take amnesty. For what? You can only give amnesty to a militant or someone who have committed crime.

“In this context, amnesty does not arise. And that is the impunity we are talking about. Sheriff was used and dumped by PDP. They begged him to organise the party.

But his sin is that, he said let’s hand this party back to the grassroot,” the legislator said.

Agbonayinma further expressed regret over the recent resignation from the party of the Sheriff Faction governorship candidate in the state, Mr. Mathew Iduoriyekemwen.

The lawmaker said: “It’s regrettable that our leader and brother, most beloved Hon. Mathew Iduoriyekemwen resigned from the party after over 19 years of uninterrupted selfless service to the party.

“It’s unfortunate that from the way he was treated, it shows that loyalty to the party doesn’t pay. I don’t know what tomorrow holds for me and my supporters in the party. Only time will tell.”

Life&

TIMES Thursday, August 24, 2017

In AFRIMA, we believe music is a universal language –Mike Dada

L2, 3

P

Interview L2

Daily Times Nigeria

Thursday, August 24, 2017

AFRIMA: Attracting funding or sponsors has been a major challenge –Mike Dada Mike Dada is the executive producer of All African Music Awards (AFRIMA); in this interview, he spoke to CHARLES OKOGENE, on the challenges of organising the award, the preparations for this from the award which is scheduled for November.

Well, like in every journey, it has been exciting, challenging and above all, full of experiences. We are glad that we are moving ahead; this year will be our fourth edition; one of our objectives is to provide a platform where artistes in the continent and beyond can connect with each other and that we have been able to achieve so far. We are also glad that the people of Africa have embraced it. We have used it to tell the real story of African music and add value to it and the artistes themselves have taken it up.

Every year we have the biggest African artistes attending. Preparation for the award starts every year from March till November. These are our objectives; to connect people, connect cultures and we are meeting them. Generally the journey has been exciting.

You are already in the thick of the The announcement of the host country will be done in the next two weeks; the AU Commission will take the crucial decision but I can tell you host the award and they are Nigeria, Morocco, Ghana and South Africa. The date has also been scheduled already. It is November 9 to 12 2017.

As for what to expect, all I can say is that we will raise the bar again. Expect all the razzamatazz that accompany music awards that is as big as AFRIMA. That decision will be taken on August 11 and thereafter we announce the host country.

We noticed that funding for events like this That has been our biggest challenge. You know more than I do that to produce an award as big as AFRIMA, we need huge funding and we we were prepared for it. We were prepared to confront the challenge. It is either the economy of the continent or sponsors are not ready to take on such a huge show. But one cannot take it away from the economy of the continent which is not that strong. Attracting funding or sponsors has been a major challenge but we are getting around it and we will continue to because we were prepared for it. However, the funding so far has been through entrepreneurial effort, individual doggedness by partners, colleagues and board of international trustees who feel that whether there is sponsor or not, the show must go on. And mind you, for an organisation to sponsor this award such company must operate at the national or continental level; and the in Africa operate at continental level that are genuinely committed or grown out of Africa that will commit the kind of money we need to host sponsor the award because they want to use the platform to connect with their consumers; while AFRIMA provides that platform, the question again is, do they have the right budget? Do they have the capacity and will to do that? That has been our major challenge and we are confronting it.

Yeah, my background is PR (public relations) and marketing. We know that AFRIMA is a good brand and one of the things that gives me joy is the outcome of the award on the career of the artistes; some, if not all the artistes that

Life&

have won the award, have come with stories of incremental development in their career.

I am aware of a lady that was unknown until she won AFRIMA award; her name is Iyalla.

She won the award, Revelation of the Year, in 2014 and by the following year, what she was collecting as performance fee was quadrupled so much that she built a house for her parents, became a role model in her village where girlchild marriage was the in thing; when she won the award, she became very popular and all that girl-child marriage became a thing of the past. These are some of the impact the award has on winners and in some countries some of the artistes are welcomed with ovation after winning the award, so it is an indication that the award is credible and we are so concerned and committed about the credibility of the award.

That is why when people say we should add cash to the award; we ask them how much money is enough. What is important is that they are recognised by the platform, by AU, by the African people and of course they go home with 3.9 carat gold diadem which of course indicates that such artiste is the best in Africa.

Daily Times Nigeria

Thursday, August 24, 2017

L3 Gist

In AFRIMA, we believe music is a universal language –Mike Dada And so, if they have capacity to build upon that, they have a very good channel to do that.

Credibility is very key for us because over the years, we have come to realise that is one thing that nobody can take away. We are committed to ensuring that the process of selecting the winners is very credible and transparent. Our 13man jury comes from all regions in the continent and we recognise those in the Diaspora too. We have auditors and for this year, we have signed what our judges have done. That is why the award is always full of surprises because the artistes people think will win never get to win. We have told them that they have to communicate; you have to mobilise people to vote for you if you must win AFRIMA Award. If you win AFRIMA Award, you have won a very transparent award.

What are the criteria for those who are selected as members of the board of jury?

We consider many factors; one, generational, two, genre of music and so on. And among the jury members we have music producers, musicologists, members of the media ( music and entertainment journalists), we have veteran musicians, promotion executives and we have different generations and age brackets, genders and they are drawn from all regions of the continent – Anglophone, Francophone and so on. Integrity, credibility and character are very key to us and at the end of the day, applications are submitted from different regions. We do background check and not only that, every three years we review their membership of the board and those who have performed well are retained. One of our judges is the one that produced Magic System, the musical group the young on the board so that at the end of the day, no generation is left behind. So, those are

the criteria we look at before appointing our judges.

We have seen many music awards in Africa, especially in Nigeria come and go, what are you putting in place to make sure that AFRIMA will outlive those who pioneered it?

Thank you for that question; for me that is my key objective. I want a situation where there will be the 50th edition of AFRIMA and which means that by then, most of us who started it will not be alive to see that edition; that is the implication. And for that to happen, there must be an enduring structure that is sustainable for AFRIMA to be self-sustaining.

For me, I do not intend to stay in this position in AFRIMA forever; aside the fact that it takes your family, it is also a very stressful and demanding job. And so, it is not something somebody will do for a long time. After the quit or take another shot at it. We also have a succession plan and we also want more people to come on board. In AFRIMA we do not run a one man show. That is why I try very hard not to project myself too much in the face of people. It is deliberate; except for those in the industry, not many people know

that I am involved in AFRIMA. Our decisions are collectively arrived at. That is how the secretariat works; we carry everybody along because we do not want a situation where people will think it is Anglophone or Francophone affair. No, and in that way, the award will outlive us. We are putting structures that will help the award stay alive for a very long time.

How have you been able to manage the Anglophone/Francophone mutual suspicion that has always created problem in an organization such as this?

One thing is that the platform is the power of music and music is a universal language.

Yes, while that dichotomy or suspicion might be very obvious in other sectors, it is not very visible or pronounced here. And what has worked for us here is that rather than being a minus, it a strength for us as many of us have been forced to learn French or English as the case may be. For instance, I have been forced to learn French and one of the judges promised that this time next year he will not need an interpreter; that he will express himself in English. Some people are also learning Portuguese. So that has been a strong point for us.

Gist L4

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, Thursday, August 24, 2017

Mutiat Alli

LGD Entertainment unveils ‘Ajegunle to the world’ project

Bavent Street live presents the Burna Boy show the roof and raise the standard and

The Live Concert, powered by Bavent Street Live, will see the highly talented

songs and onstage presence.

With plans to cap the year off with an eclectic never seen before type of Live Concert this December in Lagos,

the Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith in deserved international recognition and

Jidenna for performances.

As part of giving back to the society, LGD entertainment held its maiden edition of an

presence

in the development of the residence of the area.

It is however important to According to the CEO of note that the modern day LGD entertainment Mr John on the benchmark set by

and

prowess

will

be

event is expected to hold at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel come December 17, 2017.

Shola Animashaun Releases Snippet to Directorial Debut for Music Video ‘Morenikeji’

Times that the core aim breaking records in his prime stories and celebrate the dance known as Galalawhich is still a trend till now. The yet another forthcoming a blend of old and new event billed hold September 10, 2017 at the Landmark Showkey, Daddy Fresh, Event, Victoria Island.

Stereoman, Solidstar, Taribo West, Samson Siasia to showcasing talents of the

Remi Surutu bounces back Since the demise of her 21 years Tina Mba, Bisola Aiyeola, Yvonne Jegede, Etinosa

Francis Onwochei, Neale Atkinson, Kemi Afolabi and Adeniyi Johnson.

However, following her

highlife singer Konstant. comedian and Nollywood star Woli Arole can be seen with Konstant and a few

a boat, before proceeding connoting a dramatic plot in which the video is based on.

Commenting on the release of the snippet, the wrote on his social media here

is

the

snippet

to revealing he has always had a keen interest for videography and decided to

believed to have been a deity inherited by his generation.

wait for the whole world to see the level of creativity encompassed in this. Big