Dtn 3 10 17

THE

DAILY

TIMES

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

dailytimesnigeria

Misconduct: CJN wields big stick, raises probe panels against 2CJs, 13 judges

Ï Lauds Zamfara for sacking judge over N200,000 bribe

Francesca Iwambe, Abuja

ÏÏÏ Apparently sending a strong

signal that the judiciary is on the same page with President Muhammadu Buhari over the war

www.facebook.com/dailytimesngr

against corruption as the Bench will no longer condone corrupt judges, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, has wielded the big stick as he set up probe panels against Continued on page 6

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2017 VOL. 3. NO. 464

N150

GLOBAL FINANCIAL/COMMODITY MARKETS

CURRENCIES/CBN: CBN: N305.75 PER DOLLAR, Parallel Market: USD N365 POUND N485 EURO N425 NSE: ASI 35, 439.98 MARKET CAP 12.22 FMDQ O/N 14.25 OBB 13.67 COMMODITIES: Wheat US $443.00/MT Rice US $11.99/MT Cocoa US $2,038.00/Bag Coffee US $126.75/Scoop Cotton US $69.08/Unit Sugar US $14.39/Ounce METALS: Gold US $1278.20/Ounce Silver US $16.57/Ounce Copper US $2.94/Ounce ENERGY: Brent US $56.11/PB, N/Gas US $2.91/CB

Dubai delusion: How Lagos Govt

orchestrated brutal land grab Ï We demolished the area to forestall environmental disaster –State Govt

By Our Correspondent

ÏÏÏ It was perhaps the most brutal and

bloodiest land grab since the sacking of Maroko in the 1990s. For years, the inhabitants of Otodo-Gbame, a small Continued on page 5

Apapa-Oworonsoki Road: Dangote B2 debunks proposed 10year tax holiday story Sokoto okays new law to encourage community crime prevention 25 EFCC tasks youth on anti-graft campaign at Abuja concert 7

One of the displaced residents of Otodo-Gbame in Lagos

PTAD verifies NICON Insurance, NDA, NNN, other pensioners 6

2

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, October 3, 2017

3

4

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, October 3, 2017

5 News

How Lagos Govt orchestrated brutal land grab Continued from page 1 fishing community overlooking the Lagos Lagoon just outside Lekki Phase 1, have been threatened with eviction by the powerful Elegushi royal family. But the residents, mostly Egun fishermen, who claimed to have lived on the land for over hundred years have been able to resist the land grab by the Elegushis, who say the land belongs to their ancestors.

The tension between the Elegushis and the com-

munity escalated after the Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, on October 9, 2016 vowed to demolish waterfront communities in the state. The governor claimed the communities were being used by kidnappers and other criminals in the state as hideouts.

“Most of the issues we have with kidnapping are perpetrated by illegal settlers by the waterfront. All shanties along the waterfront of the state must go because the safety of Lago-

sians is paramount in this administration,” Ambode said.

“We will not allow a few set of people who come into Lagos illegally, then stay on our waterfronts and use it as an opportunity to kidnap our people,” he added.

Inhabitants of these communities, under the aegis of the Incorporated Trustees of Community Legal Support Initiative went to court to stop the governor from evicting them from their homes.

Agemo Abacha, an in-

habitant of Ago Egun, one of the communities earmarked for demolition, in an affidavit backing the suit, said that since the governor made the announcement, a handful of communities have already been demolished.

“Since this announcement, my community and dozens of other waterfront communities across the state have been thrown into chaos. We are living in apprehension of demolition and eviction any day,”Abacha said.

Students of Rhema International School celebrating Nigeria’s 75th Independence Day Celebration in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State… on Monday.

Abacha said members of the communities under the umbrella of the Nigerian Slum/Informal Settlement Federation wrote to Governor Ambode to retract the order, two days after it was made. He explained that the inhabitants of waterfront communities are law abiding citizens and not criminals.

“That we understand from what we have heard in the news that Governor Ambode is trying to justify the demolition of communities like ours based on the need to fight crime in Lagos State. But, the residents of our communities are hard-working, law-abiding citizens who have nowhere else to go.

“We welcome law enforcement activities and we cooperate with the police. Evicting hundreds of thousands of people and destroying our homes and legitimate livelihoods will not prevent crime or make the city safer,” Abacha wrote.

On November 8, the court sided with the inhabitants of the communities and gave an order stopping the government from further demolition of the communities.

But less than 24 hours after the court ruling, gangs of thugs loyal to the Elegushi family, moved in on Otodo Gbame, attacking

residents, who were still sleeping, and setting fire to their homes, which were mostly bamboo houses on stilts.

Residents called the police from the nearby Ilasan police station, but to their dismay, when the policemen arrived, they joined the hoodlums in the attack – pulling down and setting fire to their houses.

The community said 11 people were killed, and seven others are still missing to this day. Some of the dead were children who were roused from their sleep by the flames consuming their houses only to drown inside the Lagoon.

Stephen Emmanuel, a commercial bus driver, talked about how two of his children, Maryam and Samuel drowned in the Lagoon while trying to escape from the attacking thugs.

“I was at work when they called me on the telephone that there was trouble in the community. “My two children were trying to escape from the fire and jumped into the river. That was how they drowned. We recovered their corpses the following day,”Emmanuel said.

After the attack, the people protested and camped outside the governor’s office in Alausa asking the Continued on page 25

Minister lauds TStv for breaking PayTv monopoly …FG grants firm 3-year tax relief

Tony Nwakaegho

ÏÏÏ

The federal government has granted a threeyear tax relief to the newly inaugurated pay TV operator in the country, TStv Africa, as well as tax free dividends to all investors in the company.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, announced this in Abuja at a dinner to mark the official unveiling of the new company.

TStv Africa is a whollyowned Nigerian Pay TV operator with refined offerings of novel Unclassified Pay Per View subscription and complimentary internet services.

Mohammed, who performed the official unveiling of the new company and its products, said the tax relieves were in line with the Pioneer Status re-

cently granted to the Creative Industry by the federal government.

The minister commended the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) TStv, Dr. Bright Echefu, and his team for liberalising and breaking the monopoly of Pay TV in the country.

“The important thing about what Echefu has done today is that he has redefined the pay per view television industry and from today that industry will never remain the same again.

“What he has done is to democratise the media and entertainment industry and make it possible for even a peasant farmer to have access to the best entertainment and news in the world.

“It is a great opportunity for me to be the one to unveil TStv because just like

a Nigerian made history by crashing the cost of telephony in Nigeria, I am glad that another Nigerian is now coming forward to crash the cost of Pay TV,” the minister said.

He lauded the courage of the investor for coming from the Diaspora to invest in his country and for believing in the government’s seriousness about diversifying the economy.

According to him, the company had also demonstrated that government alone could not do all things but needed the participation and synergy of the private sector.

“I want to assure that this administration will continue to assist you and other investors in creating the enabling environment for businesses to grow,” he added.

The minister disclosed

that the government was aware of the huge contributions of the creative industry to the nation’s economy and would continue to support the sector.

He noted that contents and the lack of objective audience measurement are the major challenges that had retarded the growth of TV and advertising industries in the country.

“With the liberalisation of the industry, content has become very key because content determines which channels are being watched and which are not. “Another major challenge is how to get an accurate measurement of which channel is being watched and which is not.

“Kenya and South Africa are about one third of our population but they do much better in TV and radio advertisement than

us because of their robust audience measurement,” Mohammed said.

The minister declared that the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and his ministry would organise a workshop on November 28 to address the challenge of audience measurement.

Earlier, Echefu said that TStv Africa, which had gone through a lot of challenges, was birth to liberalise PayTV in the country, make it affordable to every Nigerian with added values.

He said for the first time, Nigerians could now enjoy Pay Per View because with TStv, “subscription runs as you watch and it has the facility to pause your subscription when you travel”.

The CEO said that TStv for a start has 70 premium channels model with the cheapest pay-TV in Africa

with maximum subscription fee of N3, 000 only, adding that as a fully Nigerian brand with consideration for the masses, TStv is not classified and it has a model that accommodate subscription as low as N200, N500 for a period of time.

Echefu said TStv came with PVR (Personal Video Recorder) decoder which allowed viewers greater control over their viewing experience with functions like pause, rewind, forward, save and record of programmes of interest.

He stressed that once you subscribe to TStv, you will also get complimentary Internet service, enabled WiFi, as well as video calls and video conferencing services.

“It has an array of amazing TV channels with premium entertainment, educative programmes that cut across all genres.

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, October 3, 2017

CJN wields big stick, raises probe panels against 2CJs, 13 judges Continued from page 1 two Chief Judges and 13 other judges.

The National Judicial Council (NJC) under the chairmanship Justice Onnoghen has therefore set up 15 panels to probe two state chief justices and 13 other judges allegedly accused of misconduct.

This development was disclosed in a statement made available on Monday by the NJC’s spokesman,

Mr. Soji Oye. According to Oye, decision was taken during the 83rd meeting of the NJC. He added that the panels will investigate various allegations in the petitions written against the 15 judicial officers including two CJs. Oye further disclosed that the NJC took the decision after considering the reports of the two Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committees fol-

lowing 46 petitions written against the judicial officers in the federal and state judiciaries.

But the statement did not disclose the names of the judicial officers being investigated.

The NJC also welcomed as good development, a letter from Zamfara State Government, approving its recommendation for the compulsory removal of Justice Musa Anka from office for receiving N200,

000 bribe from Zubairu Abdumalik in order to deliver judgement in his favour.

The Daily Times recalls that the NJC had made the recommendation to the Zamfara State Government in 2011 but the state government did not act on the recommendation until seven years after.

The statement however stated that the council dismissed 31 petitions, 29 of which it found to be without merit.

L-R: Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State; his Deputy, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo and the Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Edward Ubosi, during the Nigeria’s 57th Independence Anniversary Celebration at the Michael Okpara Square, Enugu State… on Sumday.

It added that the remaining two written against Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court and Justice O. O. Akeredolu, Acting Chief Judge of Ondo State, were withdrawn at the instance of the petitioners.

According to the statement, a firm, Al-Sagr National Insurance Company, which wrote against Justice Tsoho withdrew its petition since the judge had delivered the ruling in its case.

A litigant, Raheem Badmus, who wrote against Justice Akeredolu, also voluntarily withdrew his petition for personal reasons.

The statement said the council considered and found worthy of further investigation, the petition written by Azi A. Phillip on behalf of All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Plateau State Chapter, accusing Justice P. D. Damulak, the immediate past Chief Judge of Plateau State of bias, for failure to make his judgment in Suit No. PLD/J/236/16 delivered on November 4, 2016 available to him till the time he wrote the petition.

But the NJC said it decided not to constitute an Investigative Committee

to look into the matter on the grounds that the accused judge had already retired from service and was therefore no longer in the employment of the NJC. In other cases, the NJC considered and dismissed petitions written against two other judicial officers for lack of merit. The judges are L. T. C. Eruba – Abia State High Court ; and Grand Kadi Abdullahi Waiya – Sharia’h Court of Appeal, Kano State.

The NJC also decided to issue two letters of advice to Justice M. A. Dada of the Lagos State High Court and Justice Chukwudi Charles Okaa of the Anambra State High Court for violation of extant laws in the course of their judicial duties based on petition written against the judges

by Dayo Adamolekun A Esq & Ridwanulah Olanite, Esq. and Reverend F. U. Ekavhiare & Associates respectively.

The council further agreed to report a lawyer, Mr Adesina Ogunlana, to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) for misconduct, following the use of uncouth language in a petition written to the NJC against the immediate past Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice O. O. Atilade.

PTAD verifies NICON Insurance, NDA, NNN, other pensioners Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

ÏÏÏ

The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has commenced pension verification for retired employees of Nigeria Insurance Corporation (NAICON), Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Civilians, New Nigeria Newspapers and Nigeria Re-Insurance who have long been sidelined from pension benefits.

The exercise is aimed at capturing the retirees four organizations into the pension database of the directorate under the Defined Benefit Scheme to enable their personnel draw pension entitlements.

Over 12 years, the retirees of these organizations have not benefited from pension and have described the exercise as divine intervention commending PTAD for the timely intervention to including them in the scheme.

The Executive Secretary of PTAD, Barr. Sharon Ikeazor, who declared the

exercise opened on Monday at the PTAD headquarters in Abuja, said it would last for six days.

Some of the pensioners told our correspondent that for the first time retirees were having it very smoothly; adding that the procedure is completely different from that of the past where pensioners were treated with disdain.

For example, Mr. Awa Nmaju, a former staff of NICON Insurance and Chairman, Pensioners’ Pressure Group, said that they have not received pension in the last twelve years.

He said “Our pension has not been paid in the last 12 years; and we have been struggling to see that we get paid to no avail. Eventually, PTAD has done a great job arranging this verification exercise for us.

A journey that started in 2005 up to now, it’s not a small journey, but we have a relieve as soon as our case was transferred to PTAD. A lot of attention has been given to it, especially the new Executive Secretary of

PTAD, Sharon Ikeazor. She has done a great job for us.”

Nmaju said, “I am very much excited. In fact, my happiest day was on the 3rd of March when I was told that the minister has approved for us to be pensionable.”

The pensioner recalled that when the Federal Government privatized his former corporation and were paid off, he had been finding it difficult to survive; lamenting that what they were paid was not commiserate with the years they put into the service.

He said, “Since we have been put under pension, we will start receiving monthly stipend; though it may not be as we expected it.

Although they will pay us arrears.”

Another pensioner, Mr. Mcihael Olasoni Rees, said, “For the first time, retirees are having it very smoothly; and you know the procedure is completely different from that of the past where pensioners were treated with disdain; people fallen down, because of lack of

seating arrangement but as you can see, how things are going on very smoothly here.

“We give kudus to PTAD. The old days where retirees are treated as if they are not human beings look as if it’s past, now you can see how people are going in a good procedure. When we came in they welcomed us very well; and they told us that there will be snacks after the verification exercise, that has never happened in the history of retirees in this country.

“My expectation is that if you have been captured and verified as retiree to enjoy pension, they should speed up the process of pension payment, so as to reduce the pressure and the anguish pensioners are going through because honestly life has not been easy with most us.

“New Nigeria is not on the street presently, but it isn’t as if it is not working, it is now online; and the 19 northern states are making concerted effort to make sure that the paper bounce

back to the street. This is my own opinion, I am not holding briefs for them.”

On what the FG should do to lessened the burdens of pensioners in the country, he said, “what PTAD is doing now is part of it.

Look at the way they are doing things orderly, look at the way they are attending to pensioners like human beings. Before, pensioners are treated almost like less than an animal, but now, they are making things orderly; and that is the beauty of it and at least we are getting this treatment, but we want the payment to follow almost immediately.”

Relief is on the way of thousands of retired employees of moribund New Nigerian Newspapers and their counterparts in Nicon Insurance corporation(NICON Isurance), courtesy of PTAD. Other pensioners who spoke with The Daily Times said that initially, Lagos and Kaduna were selected as verification venues, but after further meetings and on their appeal that most of

our members are in Abuja, then the directorate agreed to include Abuja as one of the venues for the exercise, otherwise, it would have held in the two major cities.

“No fewer than 1,500 retired personnel of Nicon Insurance will undergo the screening exercise in Kaduna,” the source said.

The Kaduna-based defunct New Nigeria Newspapers was an FG’s media outfit , privatised by Bureau of Public Enterprises ( BPE) in 2004; bought by Northern states, but the paper had been moribund due to lack of working capital amidst backlog of unpaid salaries.

NICON Insurance was also privatised in 2005; and has over 1,500 retirees battling with pension challenges until PTAD stepped in three months ago.

PTAD has taken over legacy pension assets in custody of NICON Insurance, following execution of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the directorate and NICON Insurance Limited.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, October 3, 2017

7

News

Independence holiday: Massive withdrawals hit banks’ ATMs

Ï As customers lament poor services Ï Flay over poor network services, dispense errors Motolani Oseni

ÏÏÏ Customers of

Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) operating in the country in their numbers have stormed Automated Teller Machine (ATMs) centers in different locations across the country for massive withdrawal. This was due to the extended holiday to Monday,(yesterday), which was declared by the Federal Government of Nigeria for the nation’s 57th Independence holiday, Daily

Times investigations have revealed.

The holiday rush witnessed on Friday across the banking halls in the country continued over the weekend, and was extended till Monday as banks ATMs and galleries witnessed huge turnout of bank customers who were for massive withdrawal.

Our correspondent who monitored the development observed that customers in their numbers besieged their respective banks to withdraw money from the

ATMs for the long holidays, but lamented the challenges they faced in the process.

For instance, some customers who spoke with The Daily Times, said that banks should have known that there is always a rush every weekend, and should have prepared to double what they load in the ATMs because of the extended holiday till Monday due to the independent celebration.

Although, our checks further showed that customers’ experiences were

mixed, as some bank customers were delighted that their banks were able to save them at the of need, while others were disappointed for being stranded due to the poor banking network services.

This is coming at a time when virtually all the commercial banks consistently advertise their seamless banking services through other payment system, but depositors in their numbers during the holiday have scored most of the lenders low during the

Plateau Youth G17 Peace and Progressive Forum, during an exercise tagged: “Plateau Independence Day Peace Walk” in Jos… on Monday.

EFCC tasks youth on anti-graft campaign at Abuja concert

ÏÏÏ

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has urged Nigerians particularly the youth to support the anti- graft agency in its fight against corruption.

The commission stated this on Monday during a special anti-corruption event titled: “Kill Corruption Concert.” The event was organised by a popular comedian, Olaranwaju Toriseju (a.k.a Ambassador Wahala) and other on-air personalities in Abuja.

The event, which was held at the Unity Foundation in Abuja, was part of 57th Independence Anniversary and it was a day of fun, laughter, dance and music.

In his remarks at the event, the EFCC spokesman, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, urged Nigerians to ”fight and kill corruption in the country.”

He further said, “Nigeria is a beautiful country,

there is no other country like Nigeria but the corrupt citizens want to tarnish the image of this country.

“Please, we should not allow them to succeed because there is no country like this country, we must fight corruption, we must kill corruption.

The EFCC spokesman also said that corruption had no place in Nigeria just as he appealed to the audience not to relent in the war against corruption.

He said, “I want to use this opportunity to urge every Nigerian today that EFCC cannot fight this fight and win, we need the support of the youth to fight the fight of corruption because without the support of the youth we cannot win the fight.

“The acting chairman of the EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu, cannot succeed without the support of the youth. It is because of your support for the EFCC chair-

man that is why he is doing what he is doing today.

Speaking on the reason behind the concert, Uwujaren said “The idea of everything is to let the whole world know that Nigerians are not corrupt. I have moved around the 36 states and ethnic groups and nobody could tell me what corruption is in their language.”

According to him, the idea of the whole concert is to bring people together and to say no to corruption, saying that the general notion that all Nigerians are corrupt is not true.

Uwujaren also disclosed that the campaign to fight corruption will be taken to all 36 states of the federation for positive effect.

The event had earlier kicked off with rib-cracking comedy from some of Abuja’s comedians and onair personalities including Chucks The General, MC Asawana, Boliuma, Gospel

Alhaji, among others.

The face of Independence International, Chinyere Williams and Queen Face of Independence Nigeria, Ojo Adebukola also graced the epoch making event.

Other side attractions included musical performances by some of Abuja’s upcoming artistes and dance performances while there was an inter-tribal dance competition featuring representatives from different ethnic groups in the country.

withdrawal rush at the just concluded holiday.

Bank customers, who related their ordeal to our correspondent in separate interviews during the holiday, said that apart from enduring long queues at different ATM points, most of the machines are not dispensing cash, which they said made them stranded during Nigeria’s 57th Independence anniversary.

In fact, many of the customers who were at various bank premises trying to withdraw cash from the ATMs decried poor services, as they were unable to withdraw due to the error message displayed “Unable to dispense cash.”

A visit by our correspondent to most of the ATM centres at the weekend, and during the holiday, showed that there were long queues at most of the ATMs in various parts of Lagos and Ogun states, while inadequate provision of funds in the ATMs formed the major challenges experienced.

“I believed the bank’s management is aware of the usual chaos at ATMs during weekends, holidays or festive periods and ought to have made adequate provision, by ensuring sufficient funds in ATMs, a customer of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) lamented.

Another bank customer, Mrs. Aminat Fadeyi, said: “It is very unfair that the interest of customers is not considered by the banks; and the government should try and look into the matter for the good of the poor masses.”

Our further checks showed that various banks along Ikorodu road in Lagos, where many bank branches were situated, experienced fewer customers on Friday, but returned on Saturday and extended to Monday, when withdrawing at the ATMs became chal-

lenging for them, over failure to dispense cash.

A customer of Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Johnson Echiye, said when he visited the bank earlier on Friday, it was a lot easier to withdraw money, but was surprised on Monday to see a lot of people waiting for their turn to withdraw money from the ATMs. Another experienced related with our correspondent was the issue of selection of cards by some of the ATM machines, while other bank carriers were not able to withdraw their fund.

However, an Access Bank Customer in Ota Ogun State, who identified herself as Mrs. A. Olujimi, said that her lender saved the day, while commending the bank for what they are doing in the recent time.

“For me, it has been a long time that I had issue of withdrawal with my bank; and as you can see around here in Ota, unlike the other banks in this area that are not dispensing even though not all the machines are currently paying, but there is no time you come here without any of the ATM dispensing cash”, she explained.

Contrary to this, an Ogun based Zenith bank customer, who identified himself as Mr. Chucks, told our correspondent that he regretted not to have withdrew all he would be needing throughout the holiday in Lagos on Friday that he went out because he was not able to withdraw money from the ATM point at Dalemo and Joju in Ogun State.

According to him, the long holiday had virtually left everyone in the festival mood and by bu Sunday, I can tell you that most of the people were already cashstrapped, in addition to the fact that most of the ATMs during the holidays have no cash to dispense.

News 8

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Don’t expect economic transformation from APC -Ukweni Edem Bassey, Calabar

ÏÏÏ

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Mba Ekpezu Ukweni, has opined that Nigerians should not expect meaningful economic transformation from President Mohammadu Buhari-led administration as the administration has nothing to offer the people they are ruling.

Speaking to our correspondent in a telephone interview, Ukweni lamented that the leaders are not truthful and sincere to themselves and the people

they governing. “What do we expect from this government, the government that is not moving well cannot achieve much meaningful progress.”

The country that her leaders are not sincere and truthful is not a country, the country that her leaders are not telling themselves the truth is a disgraceful country. “Our leaders are not telling us the truth, they are not telling themselves the truth, and they tried to deceive the people too.

“You hardly can expect much when there is no truth, you hardly can ex-

pect much when the person entrusted with public office would come out and say to the country that we are in recession and a moment, he come up and say, we are out of recession and would now force Nigerians to believe him that he was the one that announced recession and has come back again to announce that we are out of recession.

“He feels that Nigerians will accept it when there is no meaningful economic transformation in the country, nothing has been put on ground, not even that something has been put on ground and

we are expecting a transformation, all the state governments are running at deficits, no one industry has been established, unemployment is on the increase.

“There is no production in the system and then somebody came and said because I was the one that announced that we are into recession and I have come back to announce that we are out of recession, you must believe me, it is a crazy system, a very very crazy system.

Mr. Ukweni said unfortunately for the government, the people they are leading

are more enlightened, stating that the people are no more in those days where very few people can read and write and then people hold newspapers and turn it upside down, the Nigerians are very enlightened, people right to the villages, so if our leaders thought that what they are doing, they are deceiving the people, No, they are failing because they are deceiving themselves, unfortunately for them and for all of us we all suffering from the mismanagement of our resources and misrule of our country.

Consequently, on wheth-

er there is hope for the country, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria said “There is hope in Nigeria, there is no country that is promising like Nigeria and we say there is no hope, it is actually because of the potential the country has that has made it to continue to be attractive in spite of the looting of the treasury.

“If not there is a lot of potential in the country, by now it would not have been as attractive to the politicians and other public office seekers. But Nigeria like nature itself has refused to be exhausted in terms of resources.

Boroh urges Niger Delta youths to focus on development

Declare state of emergency on East-West Road, Rivers urges FG

Mathew Dadiya,

Amaka Agbu,

ÏÏÏ The Special Adviser to

ÏÏÏ The Rivers State Gov-

Abuja

the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brig-Gen. Paul Boroh (Rtd), has enjoined youths in the Niger Delta region to resist distractions and focus on developing ideas that will enhance their economic status and bring about growth in the region.

Speaking on Monday at the batch B graduation ceremony of 200 Niger Delta Ex-agitators who graduated from their nine months intensive automobile course in automobile manufacturing, engineering and maintenance at InnosonKiara Academy, Nnewi in Anambra state.

Boroh who commended the graduands for making President Mohammad Bihari and the federal government proud in their performance during the training, said the focus of the Presidential Amnesty Programme is to create the enabling environment for youths in the Niger Delta region, particularly the exagitators to have sustainable sources of livelihood as they reintegrate with their communities.

He implored the young automobile craftsmen and women to use their skills positively to impact the local economy.

Port Harcourt

Executive Secretary, Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Sharon Ikeazor (right), interacting with Pensioners, during the Pension Verification Exercise for New Nigeria Newspapers, NICON Insurance, Nigerian Defence Academy Civilians and Nigerian Re-Insurance under the new Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) in Abuja… on Monday.

Sokoto okays new law to encourage community crime prevention ÏÏÏ

Sokoto State Executive Council has approved a draft law that will enhance community prevention efforts in tackling crimes across the state.

If passed by the state legislature, the new law will ensure that communities deploy local infrastructure and intelligence to support security agencies in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The draft law comes as part of a wider amendment to the state penal code promulgated in 1959.

A statement issued Monday in Sokoto by the State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Sulaiman Usman SAN, said

various methods like neighborhood watch, community policing, urban or physical design, and comprehensive or multi-disciplinary efforts will now be adopted to sanitize communities and reduce crimes to manageable proportions.

“These strategies will engage residents and the larger communities in addressing factors that contribute to crime and disobedience to law and order and promotion of social vices. It also has provision that makes it illegal for any person to allow his or her property to be used for the purpose of committing offences or to harbour any criminal suspected to have committed crimes

elsewhere,” he added.

Other aspects of the allencompassing amendment include punitive punishment for crimes like kidnapping, hostage taking, cyber crime and terrorism.

According to the statement, the Council has also approved the passage of a bill for the state Contributory Healthcare Scheme.

Under the bill, the Islamic principles of mutual solidarity and support for individuals and communities have been adopted as the guiding principle.

It said other bills approved for onward delivery to the state House of Assembly are the bill to establish the State College

of Midwifery to be sited in Tambuwal LGA; a bill harmonizing retirement age of academic staff of tertiary institutions in the state from 60 to 65 years and a bill to amend the Sokoto State University Law. “The Council also approved a draft white paper on the report of the Committee to assess activities of Shehu Shagari College of Education while at the same time, it gave its approval to the recommendations of the report of the committee on sales of government houses to deserving occupants by extending of payment duration from six months as the committee recommended, to one year.

ernment has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to declare a state of emergency in the failed portion of the East-West Road, especially the Akpabo-Eleme axis which has completely broken down and constituting a death trap and huge embarrassment to Nigeria.

The call was made yesterday in Port Harcourt in a Statement issued by the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr Emma Okah.

According to Okah, the East West Road belongs to the Federal Government of Nigeria and the AkpajoEleme axis leads directly to critical economic infrastructure like the Oil and Gas Free Zone, Onne, Indorama Petrochemical and fertilizer companies, Port Harcourt refinery, Eleme refinery etc. Sadly, while other federal roads in the Country are receiving fair attention of the Federal Government, the East West Road has remained neglected, abandoned and left to further deteriorate.

Okah further said that it was for the reason of acute dilapidation of the road that the Nyesom Wike administration together with some stakeholders made huge contributions to stabilise the portion of the road with the expectation that the Federal Government will take a cue from there.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, October 3, 2017

9

News

Separate Ministry of Culture from Information –Gani Adams tells FG Patrick Okohue

ÏÏÏ The

Federal Government has been called upon to separate the Ministry of Culture and that of Information to make it more independent, viable and able to attract the kind of attention that tourism deserves in a nation like Nigeria.

Making the call at a press conference to announce the commencement of this year’s Olokun Festival, the chief promoter of the Olokun Festival Foundation, Otunba Gani Adams said the present arrangement of fusing the ministry with that of information has caused serious retrogression to the sector, add-

ing that the situation could get worse if nor quickly arrested.

“The government should make the ministry of culture independent. They should take it away from Information because the arrangement is not working.

If we are keen on promoting our culture, the government should as a matter of urgency make it independent and give it the necessary attention and funding that it deserves,” he said.

Gani Adams who also used the occasion to unveil some prominent Nollywood actors, including Doris Simeon, Fathia Balogun, Mr. Latin, Toyin Adegbola, Wise Rammy Shitta Bay,

and Lambert Dikeh as new ambassadors of the annual Olokun Festival, noted that the six of them will be joining their colleague, Yomi Fash Lanso who has been an ambassador of the festival for some time now.

Speaking on the festival, he said; “The Olokun Festival Foundation has become an important tourist and local attraction and this I make bold to say, may not be largely unconnected with the agility and efforts of the organisers of the festival to sustain in our people, their respect for deities.

“It is our collective obligation as a people to ensure that our culture is sus-

tained and Olokun Foundation through its annual celebration of Olokun Festival among other activities geared towards the promotion of our culture has in a way, been breaking down the walls of challenge posed by the fear of losing our culture to western education and imported faith that tend to undermine the growth and awareness of our people around our culture.

“It therefore gladdens my heart to inform you that the programme continues on Tuesday, 4th of October, with a quiz competition, while the Olokun Beauty Pageant holds on Sunday, 8th of October.

“Soccer enthusiasts would have the opportunity to savour an entertaining Beach Soccer match on Monday, 23rd of October.

This will be followed by a Boat regatta on the morning of 25th of October, as what has been tagged Olosa Gala Night will also hold on the night of the same day.”

He further disclosed that: “The grand finale of the ever entertaining and very competitive Ayo Olopon and Cultural Troupe display will round off activities marking the festival for this year on Thursday, the 26th of October. That same date will see us officially mentioning our new sets of Cultural Ambassadors.

“I’m talking about well celebrated individuals carefully selected to be the face of Olokun Festival Foundation, they will be joining our first Ambassador Yomi Fash Lanso who has been a source of pride to the foundation. It is with great pleasure to announce the addition of ageless Toyin Adegbola, beautiful Fathia Balogun, cut across Doris Simeon, Wise Rammy Shitta Bay, experienced Lambert Dikeh and ever funny Mr. Latin. With the preparations made so far by the organisers of the Olokun Festival, I believe that with your usual cooperation, the 2017 edition shall be a grand success,” he said.

Police parade 34 suspects in Lagos Ï We went in search of Dollars, mistakenly killed Hector -killer Suspect Joy Anyim

ÏÏÏ No fewer than 34 sus-

Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano (5th right); Deputy Governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke (4th right) and others, flying APGA ‘s flag, as the party flag bearers for the November 18th gubernatorial election in Anambra State at the Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, Anambra… on Monday.

Nigeria at 57: Citizens should rise up against bad governance, says university don

‘Tosin Ajuwon, Akure

ÏÏÏ Nigerian masses have

been called upon to wake up and speak against all forms of bad governance which has further hindered the development of the country through self centered politics.

Abideen Olaiya from the department of Plant Science of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta in Ogun state made the call on Monday.

Dr. Olaiya who was a guest lecturer at the FUTAMGA 11th National Conference identified selfcenteredness among the country’s ruling class as the bane to the growth and development of Nigeria.

He emphasized the urgent need to take power

away from the hands of corrupt minds who are in power for their own private pocket and family.

Dr. Olaiya spoke at conference with the theme ‘Human Value Development in a Heterogeneous Society: Nigeria, a Case Study’, held in Akure.

“We have low people in high places and in positions of authority and this has drawn us back drastically even at 57th Independence Anniversary.

“They are low in virtually all things that can make human beings reason and be helpful to their society and fellow citizens.

“Most people that have had opportunity to rule us are of low reasoning and the few ones meant to sanitize the polity were not opportune to stay long,” he said.

He maintained that those who had been given the opportunity to rule the country before but failed should not be allowed back into power.

According to him, there should be a law banning those who failed the country from contesting the seat of power.

“We can also educate the electorate to shun them because we cannot be doing the same thing, same way and expecting positive change.

“So, the populace should wake up and say enough is enough to all these old corrupt politicians and the new ones must pass integrity test”, he said.

He added that the people mostly youths should wake up from their slumber and stop demanding for financial inducement

before exercise their franchise.

Prof. Buliamu Kareem, the President of FUTAMGA said the conference was another great reunion aimed to bring all the muslim alumni together.

Kareem noted that FUTAMGA had served and was still serving as an avenue where contributions were made for its members and FUTA. He added that this year’s theme of the conference was chosen to open the eyes of the policy makers and individuals to place premium on human value development.

The Chairman also cautioned religious leaders not to ride on their followers to amass wealth, warning political office holders to desist from making politics a business.

pects, including the killer of Hector, 2007 Gulder Ultimate Search winner, were on Monday paraded by Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Edgal Imohimi.

The suspects who included kidnappers, cultists armed robbers, ritualists and car snatchers were arrested for terrorizing different part of Lagos.

Imohimi said that all the suspects were arrested in the last two weeks in Lagos and some other states stressing that arms and ammunitions, vehicles and other valuables were recovered from the suspects.

On the killer of Hector, one Ismail Adeyemi, Edgal said the suspect led the police to his hideout at Sangotedo to recover the arms allegedly used in killing hector.

Recall that Hector was killed on September 4 at his Oko-Oba residence shortly after returning from Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja where he went to pick up a sibling.

Speaking on the arrest of the suspect, the Commissioner of Police said, “ I am glad to announce to you that after weeks of intensive manhunt the principal suspect, one Ismail Adeyemi who pulled the trigger that killed the victim has been arrested and he confessed to the crime and admitted to other various

criminal activities within the state. “ The suspect led operatives to Sangotedo gas line Ijoko where his operational revolver pistol with nine rams of live ammunition was recovered. The suspect will soon be charged to court.”

The paraded suspect claimed that he was invited by one KK for the operation stressing that they were five armed men who went to Hector’s house when he was killed.

In his confession, Adeyemi alleged he killed the late Hector by mistake. He said, “ we had gotten information from KK that the man was bringing in Dollars.

We went with the intention to rob. We were five of us, three stayed down stairs and I and one other went upstair. We meet his father.

“His father thought we were police officers and he was questioning why we came with a gun and that we should not be parading guns like that. My other gang member was not pleased with questioning and he shouted at him to hold his peace.

“The father continued so my colleague shot his father on the shoulder. I guess it was the gun shot that Hector and his brother heard and rushed out of the house.

Hector was the first person who came out and I immediately shot him and we ran away with phones and not the Dollar we came for.

10 News

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Council chairman advocates inclusive governance Esther Taiwo, Lagos

ÏÏÏChairman of

Agege Local Government, Ganiyu Egunjobi, has stressed the need for government at all levels to practice inclusive governance in order to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people.

Speaking at the enlarged stakeholders meeting on socio-economic growth where he invited representatives of all residents in the local government area, the council boss said the reason for the meeting is to know the minds of people, what they actually want so as to avoid misplaced priorities.

Egunjobi said in making Lagos a mega city, there is need for the cooperation of people especially in paying their dues so that money realised can be judiciously used.

“We have enetered into an agreement with the people that those who fail to pay their dues will have their shops and stores locked up because it is the money we get from their taxes that governmentr will use to provide their needs”, he said.

He also urged those with dilapidated structures to approach the government for reconstructure before those buildings collapse adding that failure to com-

ply with the directive will lead to taking over by the State government.

“Owners of those buildings have been given ultimatum of 21 days which will elapse on October 25, 2017 and failure to comply will lead to seizure of the properties by the State government in order to avoid loss of lives and properties,” he said.

Egunjobi also harped on cleaner environment adding that the local government has put in place measure to ensure this before the state government kicks off the cleaner Lagos project.

“During our electioneering campaign we promised the people inclusive governmnet that is to say before we embvark on any project we will call on them so as to avoid misplaced priority”, he said.

He also urged hawkers on the streets to move back from the roads in order to give room for free flow of traffic while sensitising them to ensure cleaner environment in order to avoid diseases.

“We have set up four collection centres to park the dirt so we encourage people to dump their wastes their and the local government will collect them before the Cleaner Lagos initiative by the State Ministry of Environment takes off,” he said.

PDP blasts APC economic policy John Ndu, Awka

ÏÏÏThe

governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the November 18 gubernatorial election in Anambra state, Mr. Henry Obaze, has condemned in strong terms the recent economic policy introduced by the All Progressive Congress (APC) led federal government.

In a press release distributed by his media coordinator, Mr. Chima Christian, the PDP

flagbearer regretted that the present APC led administration had caused economic deflation and attracted unwarranted hardship to the people. He however assured Nigerians of future hope under a PDP government.

According to him “First, it (the country’s 57th anniversary) is being celebrated against the backdrop of excruciating recession caused by poor economic judgment of the APC-led federal government and exac-

erbated by the reckless fiscal policies and related expenditure of our state government. Secondly, the celebration is coming up at a period of great expectations by all of us at the prospect of a regime change in our dear State.

“I see a bright light at the end of the tunnel, a hope kindled by our belief that with your support in the forthcoming governorship election I will be in the position to transform the governance mode

of our dear state and provide the leadership skills required for 21st century Anambra State. Surely, you will agree with me that Anambra Deserves Better,” Obaze added.

He however urged the people of the State to secure their vote and vote according to their conscience without intimidation.

Mr. Obaze charged Nigerians to always pray for leaders in authority for divine direction in decision making.

FG confirms Yellow Fever epidemic in Kwara Kehinde Akinpelu, Ilorin

ÏÏÏThe

National Centre for Disease Control has declared Kwara state as Yellow Fever infested state.

The head of an 11 man research team from the Disease Control Centre to the state, Dr. William Nwachuku, made this declaration in Ilorin the state capital on Monday after an extensive tour of nine out of 16 local government areas of the state.

He disclosed that his team had visited communities in Ifelodun, Irepodun, Okeero, Isin, Ilorin West, Ilorin East and Ilorin South, Moro and Edu local government areas, where his men carried out technical survey on the causes of alleged strange disease that were ravaging lives amongst the Fulanis and natives.

According to Dr. Nwachuku, the findings of the experts revealed the prevalence of Yellow Fever virus and its carriers, a special breed of mos-

quitoes, in all these areas more than ever imagined.

Dr. Nwachuku emphasized on concerted efforts of various health authorities both at federal and state levels and their partners to nib in the bud, the widespread of the killer disease to avoid been exported to other parts of the country.

Speaking at a stakeholders meeting to review the report of the team from the National Center of Disease Control, the acting Director of Public Health Unit, state Ministry of Health, Dr. Oluwatosin Fakayode, appreciated the commitment and sacrifice of members of the team since two weeks ago when they began their research work in the state.

He disclosed that the state government was committed to work with various health partners to address the situation while stressing the enor-

mous resources committed by the government during the search and surveillance for the strange disease.

A cross-section of women during the two-day cervical cancer screening for women, orgainsed by Muslim Ummah, South-West Nigeria (MUSWEN), in Ibadan, Oyo State… on Monday.

Terrorist tag on IPOB excessive, high-handedness – ex-Police boss Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

ÏÏÏThe

recent tag of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) by the military as a terrorist group came under criticism on Monday from a retired Police Commissioner, Chief Ayo Aduba.

He said that the Federal Government and the military overreacted to the issue as IPOB has not exhibited any level of violence, comparable to that of Fulani herdsmen in the country to warrant their being labeled a terrorist group, yet Fulani herdsmen were all over the place, terrorizing innocent people,

maiming and killing in some places.

Positing that herdsmen were stateless in Nigeria, he said that they operate in different parts of the country with impunity, chase innocent farmers away from their farmland and allow their cows to feed on the crops they suffered to plant, yet nobody or government has deemed it fit to tag them a terrorist group.

Leaving herdsmen to operate in different parts of the country with sophisticated firearms that they use to unleash mayhem on their host communities and not a single one of them has been arrested and prosecuted

while the IPOB, whose members have not been known to be violent were tagged a terrorist group tends to paint the picture that some Nigerians than others, he said.

He said that the decision of the Federal Government to isolate IPOB and tagging it a terrorist group would further polarize the country and that is not good enough for its continued existence as a country.

He said: “I have never seen where a herdsman was arrested and prosecuted for unlawful entry into somebody’s farm and raping and killing the owner, yet IPOB is labeled a terrorist group

even when there is no evidence that its members are terrorists.

“The Federal Government should have treated the IPOB issue in a civil manner,” noting that under Internal Security Operations, the military is overstepping its bounds as it concerns the IPOB and Boko Haram issues because; it cannot profile and release a suspect.

The right thing the military should have done is to hand over the suspect to the police. Anything short of this would amount to the military usurping the functions of the police on the issue of internal security of the country, he added.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Politics What is your view of the current agitation by IPOB and government’s reaction to it?

The late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwi was born in Zugeru in the North. That means our people have been living together for a long time. So for anybody to be calling for secession now, the person does not know what he is talking about.

But, I think the Nigerian government did not handle the agitation well: they should have called them, talk to them and educate them on what they should do and not do. Tell them the red line that should not be crossed. The other day it was on the social media, everywhere that Nnamdi Kanu launched a militia group, the government should have picked them up immediately and charged them, where did you get the license for this thing? But they did not, and we allowed it to escalate and get out of hand. And they are now launching superior force to deal with the issue, that would not have been left to escalate.

Is it constitutional for the group to be declared a terrorist group?

We have a law against terrorism in this country, that law says that if anybody or group act against the Federal Government; they can bring application to the court and it would be determined and the court would give a declaration.

I know alot of people have said how can the court determine this? But the court just said bring an application on the letter head of the Attorney General of the Federation.

An example of the IPOB scenario is the Catalonia case in Spain, who are also advocating for secession, did you see them carry arms, or set up their army?

So how justifiable is the actions of IPOB? The Igbos are not represented in the National Assembly by someone from Gombe or Kano, it is their people, if they have genuine agitations let them channel their grievance through them? We are in a modern world, were everything should be done in a civilised way.

It is long overdue for IPOB to be named a terrorist group. Their activities affect public peace, and it is similar to the herdsmen and Boko Haram in the North.

To me they are all terrorist groups. You don’t need to burn down people’s properties; there are legitimate ways of handling agitations. I have been to the East three times this year and I have seen these group’s activities. When you block road and say people should not go out it is a violation of freedom of movement and you don’t expect a responsible government to fold its hands and watch you.

How do you react to the call for the restructuring of the country?

It is a personal thing. I am compelled to agree with Mr. President; restructuring means different things to different people. I think we should work within the ambit of our laws, let’s work within the ambit of this constitution. Personally, I think what is actually needed is to practice true federalism. Most of the people calling for restructuring are opportunist. I don’t understand when people say we want restructuring, what I know is that we want true federalism.

Federalism means different things to different people, I really don’t understand what they are talking about, I think we should adhere to the Principles of true Federalism.

Now what we have is a system where

11

s Those calling for restructuring are opportunist -Ogunleye National Assembly till the necessary change is made, the President cannot implement the recommendations of the Confab without approval of the National Assembly.

Look at the example in the judiciary: when it was reformed in Lagos by the Tinubu administration and judges welfare were being taken care of, there were agitation in other states and that necessitated the need for this and they came up and created the NJC, but the truth is that in a federal system we would have different standard by the states. But the NJC as it is presently is cumbersome, the issue is one person is the one heading four positions, the Chief Justice, so that is the problem with this system, what we have now, is that the AGF is a political appointee and of course that affects this case.

OGUNLEYE

Martin Ogunleye, a lawyer is the immediate past chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) , Lagos branch. In this interview with INIOBONG IWOK, Ogunleye says the President, Muhammadu Buhari, was slow in declaring IPOB a terrorist group, he also dismissed the call for restructuring of the country, among other issues. the state governors are behaving anyhow, they are so powerful, they divert local government funds, they abuse it and give peanut to the councils. What we should be asking is how are the states run? Most of the states are owing salaries, the governors are living exorbitant life style, when they get bailout they would not complain, it is only after that they would begin to shout for restructuring.

We must go back to the constitution and if we need to change the constitution there has to be a referendum. Personal I think the future lies in true Federalism.

Whoever have grievance there, let them present it to their lawmakers to get their

agitation felt that is the only way out. If they don’t agree we would continue to lobby, that is the kind of marriage this country has given us.

But the Yoruba’s are fully in support of it they met in Ibadan some weeks back to speak on that?

The people who went to Ibadan did not have my consent, they were self appointed leaders, if they are serious about restructuring the country, let them call the presidential aspirants and tell them: if you don’t restructure we would not support you in the 2019 election, or else this debate would continue. We have to continue to lobby the members the of

I am compelled to agree with Mr. President, restructuring means different things to different people. I think we should work within the ambit of our laws, let’s work within the ambit of this constitution. Personally, I think what is actually needed is to practice true federalism. Most of the people calling for restructuring are opportunist. I don’t understand when people say we want restructuring, what I know is that we want true federalism

But there have been suspicion about some funny judgements lately form some judges?

You see the judiciary is a total package, after Nigerians have poisoned the judiciary they want them to perform.

But the issue is that when there is an issue Nigerians have already given their own comments without knowing how it is done. People judge cases based on personality, this is what is happening.

That is why when the army declared IPOB a terrorist group, and people came out to say this and that, the Federal Government went to get interpretation in the court.

How do you access Buhari’s administration?

The administration has done fairly: but I think it is time he reshuffles his cabinet, some of his ministers don’t have business being in this administration.

Has the anti graft war failed?

The anti corruption war in my opinion is not about cases in court: It starts with you in the church, mosque, Nigerians should check their lifestyle. Before they were saying the judges are corrupt, but there was a protest from lawyers, but when the President sent DSS to raid their homes, there was outcry from everyone, if the President does not do it who would do it? Buhari would spend his time and go, it is our country and it is left for us to fight corruption.

The biggest problem we have in this country, is that we are too passive, we don’t take important issues concerning us serious. You saw the recent local government election in Lagos, the voters refused to come out and vote, these are people that would represent us in the next four years in the council.

The President has the right to seek reelection, but I think we need to look for alternative. But the names that are coming up are nothing to write home about.

The biggest problems in this country is that we are too passive, if we had a vibrant Civil Society they would assess the aspirant but we don’t have.

12 Politics

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, October 3, 2017

OPC applauds growing support for restructuring Patrick Okohue, Lagos The Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) has applauded the growing support for the demand for the restructuring of the country, even as it re-echoes its call for the urgent repair of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to prevent further loss of lives.

In a statement issued by the Socio-Cultural group in Lagos at the weekend, the Yoruba group registered the optimism that the restructuring of the country will be effected soon.

It said the oneness of the different zones in the country in demanding the immediate restructuring of the country along regional line is an indication that the liberation of the Nigerian masses may be at hand, adding that “the unity of purpose of the South West in the demand for the long overdue restructuring of our dear country is commendable.”

The OPC, in the statement signed by its National Coordinator, Otunba Gani Adams said the country’s leadership would have discovered by now that only the people themselves can determine how they want to be led.

According to the OPC, its optimism is rooted in the fact that it is becoming clearer by the day that the demand for the restructuring of the country is coming from the governed themselves, stating that the government including the legislative bodies, have no choice than to give in to what the people want.

Giving kudos to the Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation for its recent call to the North not to dismiss the calls for restructuring, but do everything to ensure its workability, the OPC said the country, like the foundation observed, is at a cross roads where many issues threatening its continued existence must be appropriately addressed.

The group also applauded the call by the Ohaneze-Ndigbo on the Federal Government to heed the call for the urgent restructuring of the country, particularly the Eastern group’s President-General, Chief John Nwodo’s call at the Chatham House, London earlier in the week which drew the attention of government, among others, to the proposal of Nigeria as “federating units with a region at each of the six geopolitical units whose constitution will be agreed to and adopted by the states

...demands urgent action on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

BUHARI

ADAMS

in the geopolitical region.

“The regions will have the powers to merge existing states or create new ones. There will be regional and state legislatures and judiciary dealing with making and interpreting laws made in the respective political entities. This approach proposes a revenue sharing formula of 15 percent to the Federal Government, 35 percent to the state governments and 50 percent to the local governments.”

According to the Yoruba group, the entire nation has realised that restructuring the nation along regional line is the only practicable way for the country out of the woods for now.

“The entire South West have a voice on the demand for restructuring and we acknowledge the boldness of notable citizens of Yoruba nation like Professor Wole Soyinka, the Governors of Ondo, Ekiti, Osun and Ogun states and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu among others, in their demand for restructuring.

“We congratulate the entire South West for their unity of purpose over the issue because, judging by the statement of the Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt Hon Mudashiru Obasa, the entire South West have agreed on the demand for the immediate restructuring of the country as the panacea to its present troubles.”

Further, the group said “Unlike before, the call for restructuring has now assumed a national dimension with Easterners, South South and Northerners alike making the same demand.”

Citing the persistent call of Alhaji Atiku Abubarkar and until recently Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai for restructuring as some of the call from the North, the OPC mentioned that Nigeria will be a better place to live if the government of the day can face reality and give to the people what they crave in term of how they want to

co-exist.

In apparent reference to the submission of the Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara on the floor of the House last Tuesday that the House of Representatives has resolved immediately to set up a strong committee to liaise with all stake holders across the six geopolitical zones for what he called practical solutions to robust the unity of Nigeria, the OPC said it is cheering enough that the House Of Representatives has found it necessary to find “practical solutions” to the challenges confronting the unity of the country, adding that “more cheering is the submission of the Speaker that “ the National Assembly as a representative and product of the people cannot act contrary to the wishes and aspirations of its constituents”. Thus, stating that the legislatures don’t have an option than to accede to the demand of the people for restructuring.

Meanwhile the OPC has repeated its call on the Federal Government to work with the National Assembly “and ensure the completion of rehabilitation work on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway immediately.”

The group had before now lamented the lackadaisical attitude of some members of the Executive and Legislature “to the urgency that should be attached to fixing this important road” and had declared that “the lack of seriousness is a reflection of why things are not working in Nigeria.”

Reiterating the call, the Yoruba group said the rate at which lives are being lost on the Lagos -Ibadan Expressway is becoming unbearable and pleaded that something urgent should be done.

Describing the expressway as “the major artery that carries the lifeblood of Nigeria’s economy,” the group narrated that the road is one that leads Lagos to the West, East and North. Completed in 1978 as a four-lane highway, it is the busiest highway in West Africa and one of the busiest in Africa.

The OPC lamented that though “about 300,000 vehicles ply this road every day, it is a shame that successive administrations did not show signs of seriousness about fixing the road.”

South South Forum promises continuous support for Ambode Patrick Okohue, Lagos

The South South People United Forum, Lagos State chapter has promised to continue to support the government of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode in the state for its pragmatic and people oriented leadership.

Giving the assurance at the weekend during the inauguration of the newly elected executive of Kosofe Local Government Area chapter of the forum, one of its key leaders in the state, the chairman of chairmen in the state, Chief Joseph Mordi, said the attention the government of Ambode has paid to the welfare of the people including that of non-indigenes has endeared the people to him.

Charging the newly elected executive to be focused and cooperate with the government in their local government, Mordi assured that the South South people are peace loving and will continue to do whatever it takes to ensure that the interest of their members and others in the areas are protected at all times.

While observing that the relationship

between the peoples of the South South and that of the South West are very cordial, the chairman of chairmen charged the new executive to build on that relationship in the local government and ensure that they leverage of it to get the dividends of democracy for their members in the LGA. Speaking earlier, chairman of Kosofe Local Government Area, Sofola Afolabi assured the newly inaugurated executive that his door will always be open to them, adding that he was always willing to work with groups that have the interest of the people at heart and are well organised.

The chairman, who was represented at the event, however advised the South South group members to register with the Community Development Associations in their area to ensure that they contribute their quota to the development of the council.

While charging the new leadership to be loyal to their higher authorities, the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kosofe LGA, Samuel Oreoluwa, popularly called Clinton, told

them that in life and politics loyalty to authority was the first rule to learn and that once they showed loyalty other things will easily fall in place.

Assuring them of the party’s support, Clinton urged them to carry their members along at all times and ensure they work in harmony and singleness of purpose.

Assuring of his readiness to unite the people of South South in Kosofe LGA, the newly inaugurated chairman of the body in the council, Pastor Denis Joseph said his plan is to ensure that there is unity among his people in the council, “My plan is to ensure that there is peace and unity among the South South people of Kosofe, to ensure they work with the local government to ensure that there is development, peace and harmony in Kosofe LGA and Lagos State at large.

“I will try my best to bring our people together to ensure that our people get what they are supposed to get in terms of free education, good health and empowerment, we are also going to work hand in hand with the government to ensure that things work well,” he said.

The newly inaugurated executive of

AMBODE

the over 200 members strong South South Forum in Kosofe include Pastor Denis Joseph, Chairman, Patrick Ahinze, Secretary, Sunday Abe, Financial Secretary, Mrs Ifeoma Okeke, Woman Leader, and Mr. Johnson Eze, Provost, while Engr.

Okpatimehin is the coordinator of the group.

Page Thirteen

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, October 3, 2017

s

Editorial

13

PHOTO TIMES

Nigeria at 57 years

F

ifty seven years ago this week, Nigeria became an independent country following the lowering of United Kingdom’s Union Jack and the hoisting of Nigeria’s new Green- White - Green flag, the symbol of the newly independent Nigerian state. At independence, the hopes and aspirations of the founding fathers of the country were that the country with its vast agricultural and mineral endowments and a large population that made it the largest Black Country in the world would soon be transformed into a modern nation state.

The government soon embarked on development plans that emphasised trickle down template of development and import substitution policy. Under this policy, the country embarked on an industrialisation process that saw the establishment of iron and steel complexes, steel rolling mills, motor assembly plants, fertiliser blending plants and oil refining companies, among others. Unfortunately, most of the projects became white elephant ventures as they suffered from outright bad management and lack of funds to either complete or successfully manage them.

The country also went through an agonising civil war from 1967 to 1969, but it came out of it stronger and more determined to be a strong, united and an indivisible federal state. Also, at independence, Nigeria was not known as an oil producing country. Today, it has become Africa’s leading oil producing nation, accounting for over 2 million barrels of oil production per day. Equally a success is the new vigour and attention being placed on the development of the Niger Delta Region which has suffered from decades of neglect from successive governments since independence.

The region produces crude oil, the jugular of the country’s economy.

Over the years Nigeria made many strides in development. But, it has not been able to match many countries that got independence about the same time with it. On the education front, it has

Publisher/Editor in Chief

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

moved from one University College at independence to well over 100 federal, states and private universities, and thousands of primary and secondary schools, while literacy rate has moved from less than 10 percent to about 50 percent over the period.

Nigeria also exited an excruciating $33 billion debt, thanks to a debt relief by the Paris and London clubs of creditor nations. The debt which was a combination of accrual of trade deficits, among others, from the early 80s, seriously limited the growth of the country for over 20 years as more than one-third of the country’s foreign exchange earnings that could have been used for development went into servicing the debt.

The country has also made tremendous growth in the telecommunications sector. From about 19,000 telephone lines at independence, the country today boasts of well over 100 million telephone lines and is rated as having one of the fastest growing telecommunications sector in the world.

However, in spite of the country’s modest achievements, its aspirations for rapid development have remained unfulfilled.

Agriculture which was the mainstay of the economy was left to decline following the discovery of oil. The oil boom of the 1970s saw the decline of agriculture so much so that Nigeria became a net importer of rice, a food item that it used to produce locally. Production of groundnut, cotton, hides and skin, oil palm, rubber and cocoa which were once the main foreign exchange earners of the country were also neglected and their production drastically reduced.

Nevertheless, major sore points in the country’s development are the pervasive lack of maintenance culture, inadequate electric power supply and the non-conducive environment for industries which have led to the collapse of many of the post- independence industries. To make matters worse, many entrepreneurs closed up their factories in Nigeria and relocated to Ghana on account of inadequate power supply and non conducive environment.

Group Head Finance/ Administration Tobi Oyeniyi 07060528139

Managing/Special Project Editor Sam Nzeh 08050220692

Deputy Editor, Special Projects Lateef Ibrahim 08037872585

Technical Adviser To Publisher Innocent Nwankwo 08033072614

Editor, Daily Tony Amokeodo 08038099089

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

Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu (middle), inspecting the Ubakala flood area along Ubakala-Aba road in Umuahia south…. on Monday. With him are Chairman of Umuahia South, Enyinnaya Ogbulafor and others.

A staff of Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (left), attending to pensioners, during the Pension Verification Exercise for New Nigeria Newspapers, NICON Insurance, Nigerian Defence Academy Civilians and Nigerian Re-Insurance under the new Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) in Abuja… on Monday.

Words On Marble :

– Fidelis Anosike

General Counsel: ELIAS MORDI & CO 08068613825

L-R: Her Excellency, Ambassador (Mrs) Queen Worlu, in a warm handshake with President Evaristo Espirito Santo Carvalho of Sao Tome and Principe, during the former’s presentation of her letters of credence as Nigeria’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe.

dailytimesnigeria www.facebook.com/dailytimesngr

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 Tuesday, October 3, 2017

If you work in any of these 8 professions, you may be about to disappear

W Ibiyode Ibikunle

ith the proliferation of the information technology, the world is apparently moving faster than its own pace. With the ease of doing things that technology has afforded virtually everyone, it is no wonder that some service providing jobs are beginning to become less appealing and with the current momentum of proliferation of the internet and technology, it would not be a surprise that these jobs will be the first to go in Nigeria.

Travel Agents: This is a no brainer. With the way airlines have set up their websites, you can visit them and create your own account. This way is easier as it not only saves you costs in agency fees, you will be able to access several discounts. Also the more you travel, you will be rewarded with flight credits (miles) which when properly accumulated may be sufficient enough to pay for a trip.

And it gets better, for frequent travelers also, you can now download airline applications on your devices and be hands on with planning your trip and keeping abreast. So also is the fact that airlines now include value added services like hotel bookings and the airlines really provide

amazing deals for holiday packages.

Social Media Managers: This is the tricky one. This job is going out the window because of the presence of the internet. The social media space used to be manned by experts before but with the fact that the internet is accessible to anyone, anyone with just about the right amount of followership, can manage a social media portfolio.

Journalism: Truth is journalism is dying fast. However, in view of this write up, a career in journalism may not really need formal education anymore. The internet has rendered traditional broadcasting and paper reporting virtually to the background. Nobody wants to buy a newspaper when they can read the news on their phones by the time the 9 o’clock news comes up at night, chances are that it is already all over the internet.

Marketers: Marketing used to be a lucrative career but not anymore. Back then, it entailed going from place to place organising road shows, concerts and what have you but this is no longer the position.

The internet has made advertisement easier, cheaper and more creative. So companies no longer have to spend a lot on employing marketers anymore.

Accountants/Financial Planners: China announced that its banking system will soon be going automated. While this sounds like a long shot in Nigeria, the continuous presence of accounting software and applications cannot be ignored.

These apps are efficient for book keeping as well as generating accounting records. In fact, banks are reducing their cashiers per number as a lot of people find it more convenient to do their transactions via apps and other platforms. Maybe this is the beginning of the end for accountants all over the world.

Administrative Assistants: These are clerks, messengers, typists and pretty much all those who aid in the smooth running of the corporate work environment. Nowadays, there is little need for large chunks of papers laying around, a lot less things to type due to phone calls and mails. So people without academic qualifications who mostly fill these jobs are on the verge of losing their jobs to emails, global warming initiatives (less paper) and virtual office assistants.

Administrative Officers: While this particular job may not totally go into extinction, the demand for them are getting lower by the day.

Office administration is now made

largely easy with the use of sophisticated software that can handle scheduling, determine the output of staff to gauge efficiency and the likes. So instead of having so many administrative officers, it would appear that one would suffice where the knowledge and application of office administration software is handy.

Retail Salespersons: E-commerce is a huge threat to retail workers, so is automation. As more people shop online, less human store attendants will be needed.

Walmart may also soon be coming to Nigeria. What you may not know is that some Walmart stores abroad don’t have cashiers at their sales point anymore. Cashiers have been replaced by automated sales points. What simply happens is that you pick what you want to buy and proceed to the automated sales point and scan the barcode on the products and pay for them. Not also forgetting that most petrol stations don’t use attendants anymore. You should have been seeing them in the movies. When a wave of that technology hits Nigeria, it would be sad so see those many jobs get lost to machines.

This article is published in partnership with Nairametrics

This Ongoing NGO Regulatory Commission Bill Kerfuffle

I

Henry Okelue

n a democracy, the importance of a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) can’t be over-emphasized. Over the years, across many countries, NGOs have formed the fulcrum for complimenting government in actualizing social needs. They have also helped governments to stay rooted and focused on providing proper governance, especially in emerging economies, where some have been known to act as pressure groups. Most NGOs get their funding from foreign donors, after they must have satisfied certain criteria, as stipulated by such donors.

NGOs exist across the third world. It is difficult to find an African country where an NGO does not exist. According to data available from the World Association of Non-Governmental Organisations, WANGO, West Africa alone has almost the number of NGOs as the rest of Africa combined, with Nigeria having about one thousand two hundred and sixty NGOs registered with the Nigerian Network of NGOs (NNNGO). There are thousands more that are not in the NNNGO’s database. This probably gives an indication of how important (or lucrative) the work of NGOs is. This is one reason why the sector should not be left as a killing field. It requires some regulation.

Lately, there has been controversy surrounding a bill being considered by the National Assembly in Nigeria for this regulation. Different opinions, for and against, have been shared. From former ministers, to currently serving legislators, with social media voices weighing in on both sides.

Some, like me, have thrown support behind the bill as a means of sanitizing the space, albeit with some modifications, this has always been my position. Others have asked that it be jettisoned completely, with claims that it is an attempt at stifling dissent. Opposition is welcome. But some others like Femi Fani-Kayode and Chidi Odinakalu have dragged a dangerous religious dimension to it, which is disturbing and shows levels of desperation.

All in a bid to gain advantage in the heated debated.

I shall make an attempt to discuss why I support the bill here.

Regulation of Non-Governmental Organisations is not a new thing.

There is a need to have a framework in place that stipulates how organisations of that kind should run. Without regulation, there is the risk of abuse, which is already being witnessed in Nigeria amongst some NGOs. The NGO ecosystem in Nigeria is not a house of saints. There are many NGOs abusing the whole essence of why they were set up, there are many others who are fraught with corruption. Stories of NGOs

who get funding and misappropriate same, where the owners build mansions and buy luxury cars, are rife. Donors have been known to pull out and stop funding as a result of this, thereby depriving sectors of society that need the funding of such. It even goes further to embarrass the country and make future donors weary. As some people say in Nigeria “NGO na racket”.

Certain activists have put forward the argument that NGOs are accountable only to donors, so it is nobody business if funds are embezzled or not. Well, I disagree. In the end, it is Nigeria that is labelled a country of heartless, corrupt people.

Others have said that their fear is that they don’t trust the motives of the National Assembly. Well, that is not a tenable reason for asking that the legislature should not do its constitutional job of making laws.

I am aware of an NGO in Abuja currently enmeshed in a potentially messy legal tussle. Records of the NGO at the CAC show it is registered as a consulting company.

The NGO has received billions of naira from a top donor agency to date. This is one out of hundreds of NGOs that are just “daily bread” for their owners. The sector needs some regulation.

There is also the potential for some NGOs to be conduits for laundered money and funds to finance crime and even terror. The argument that NGOs self regulate

is not enough. If they have been self regulating at all, then they have not done a thorough job of it.

Just so we know we are not alone, there are instances of NGO regulation in the United States, Ghana, Kenya, India, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Uganda, South Africa, Mozambique, Senegal, Tanzania, e.t.c. So anyone saying there is no need for regulation for NGOs is not aware of what is going on globally.

Some of the points raised by the people in opposition to the bill have merits, like the concerns over the governance structure planned for the regulatory commission. These points deserve to be considered and trashed out. The fact that a document of law might have clauses that raise points of disagreement is not debatable. So the NGO Regulatory Commission bill is by no means a perfect piece of proposed law. That is why it is still a draft bill. This is where public hearings and sincere, non-alarmist dialogue come in.

Let us take for example Rwanda, where a proposed law regulating NGO activities also raised eyebrows. There were issues around registration, the period of validity of registration, de-registration, etc. Constant dialogue resolved it to everybody’s satisfaction and the final bill is now waiting to be signed into law by the President.

Henry Okelue is a techie and social commentator. He writes from Abuja.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, October 3, 2017

15 Column

Moving Nigeria forward in beef and dairy production

Guest Columnist AUDU OGBEH

T ‘

The estimation is that we have 19 million cows or thereabout. But our population is almost the same as that of Brazil.

And Brazil is nine times the size of Nigeria. A single state in Brazil, called Mato Grosso do Sul. A onetime governor of that state is the world’s largest single grower of soy beans. He cultivates 30,000 hectares per annum. His brother is the next. Brazil has 305 million cows, by their last census. We have 19 million.

’

here is a saying among politicians that “war is too serious a thing to be left to soldiers.”

When I first heard it, I wondered what politicians had to do with war. But, what they were saying was that there are certain issues that shouldn’t be left to professionals alone. The issue of agriculture is not the business of the ministry or the ministries of agriculture or local governments alone. It actually belongs to the private sector.

Today, we are dealing with the livestock sector as an industry, long forgotten and ignored by the various sub-sectors of the agriculture establishment. For nearly 30 years, we actually forgot agriculture. We abandoned food production to the peasant farmer in the village. And we expected him or her to feed us at very cheap prices. Today, we are all grumbling that food prices are too high. I once asked a question: if the peasant farmer was to cost his or her labour, who can buy one tuber of yam?

They don’t cost their effort. And when they sell, they put everything there and they call it profit. It is not profit. Thank God we are evolving.

And, thank God we are broke. If we weren’t broke and oil still selling at $120 per barrel, talking about this subject would have been a terrible waste of time. Now that we are broke, we are thinking. Today, we are dealing with this subject because we have problems in this subsector alone.

The estimation is that we have 19 million cows or thereabout. But our population is almost the same as that of Brazil. And Brazil is nine times the size of Nigeria. A single state in Brazil, called Mato Grosso do Sul. A one-time governor of that state is the world’s largest single grower of soy beans. He cultivates 30,000 hectares per annum. His brother is the next. Brazil has 305 million cows, by their last census.

We have 19 million.

We can’t even match Botswana, or Australia, or New Zealand, or Holland. Twenty five per cent of the land of Holland is used for ranching. And Holland is the largest single exporter of milk on the planet earth – very tiny country, standing on a piece of land way below sea level. What’s the problem here? Over the years, of course, we relied on import, spending billions of dollars each year importing milk and milk products.

These are not necessarily the best kinds of milk, but milk powders which we bring in and reconstitute.

Why is the Nigerian cow the lowest producer of milk on earth, producing an average of a litre of milk per day? Why is the cow in Kenya or Uganda, or Botswana or South Africa, able to produce 15 litres of milk a day? Or, should we refer to Europe where on cow produces up to 50 litres per day? During an exhibition in the UK a few years ago, a cow was dressed in Union Jack for producing 67 litres of milk per day! Our cow treks long distances in search of grass and water. Cows don’t like to walk. I keep some. They like to eat and relax. They have four stomachs.

They hurriedly eat the food, relax

and regurgitate for proper chewing and swallowing.

The birth weight of a cow is about 60 kg elsewhere in developed world; ours is about 15 kg. Why can’t we remember? Of the 450 grazing reserves on paper, all of them are gone. People don’t even know that the Federal Capital Territory that we have today was a cattle route. That may explain in part why it may be difficult to persuade the cows to leave our streets. Cows used to come from the north-west, passing through there and going all the way down to the east.

Why did conflicts suddenly start and become so serious and has become a threat to business security? Years ago, there was no complaint of this kind. Herdsmen kept their cows, and if their cows wandered to a farm, they settled the farmer. What changed?

Why haven’t we remembered that cattle and sheep keep coming in from other countries into Nigeria because our borders are porous? They come from as far away as Senegal, Mali, Niger, Chad, every time they have short supply of grasses.

Most of these herdsmen carry weapons. How come AK 47 has become so popular in the country we live in?

Guns are easy to buy at N60,000 for one.

The herdsman carries guns to protect himself and his cattle, just in case he gets attacked or somebody stops him from grazing when he wants to. Why are our meats so poorly handled? You see how we kill cows and goats. You see a chunk of cow meat in the boots of our taxis, or tied up on the back of a commercial motorcycle. You see people who kill goats by the markets, washing the goat meats with water from the gutter. Why do we not remember that a lot of these cows have what is called bovine tuberculosis? This is transferable to human beings.

We love meats. You will be surprised to hear that Lagos State alone consumes 6,000 cows every day of the week. This is not to mention parties, funerals, birthdays and other ceremonies. Imagine how many cows are consumed in Port Harcourt, Owerri, Ibadan, Abuja, Enugu, Kano, to mention a few. Which means we have been consuming 70 to 80 thousand cows a day. We are not calving as many. This means the 19 million cows we claim to have will actually be exhausted if we recognise the population growth. This also means that we are only surviving because of the influx of cattle from West Africa..

How then do we deal with this matter? We need help. We can’t do it alone.

We don’t want to pretend that we have all the solutions. We need all relevant players at home and abroad. How did India solve with its own shortage?

How did Ethiopia solve this problem which we are dealing with now? We are open to practical recommendations, which we will seriously begin to implement. We as a people can sit together and solve our problems. Quarrels, anger and abuse don’t help. They only worsen matters. People read various meanings into herdsmen-farmers’ conflicts. Some read religion, some politics, and some ethnicity.

The problem arose because, as a country and for too long, we paid no attention to this sector. Over the years, how much have we spent supporting rice farmers or cassava farmers? The herdsman too is a farmer. If we can work it out, there is no reason why the herdsman and crop farmer can’t cohabit. A country that has about 60 million hectares of land lying fallow has no business complaining about how to organise ranches and keep cattle away from our streets. We can do it. We should do it. And we will do it.

We are already talking to the World Bank and African Development Bank.

Where there is need for their help, we will ask for it. We already had discussions with 13 states, each of which has given us 5,000 hectares of land and has promised to give us more. We are hoping that we can organise cattle colonies, allow individuals to own and keep ranches there, take a piece of land, develop the ranch and grow the right kind of fodders. When I first came in, I talked about growing grass for cows. I receive verbal missiles and criticisms. There is no way you can keep cattle without grass. Not just any grass, but special grasses are grown for feeding cows. Brazil took grasses from East Africa and developed them.

Today, people go to Brazil to buy grass and grass seeds.

The largest dairy farm in the world is in Saudi Arabia, with almost 130,000 cows in one ranch. They buy grass from Argentina and Brazil because they can’t grow grass. The Saudis made up their mind that they are only going to drink their own milk. So, grass is important. A former permanent secretary in Kaduna now grows grasses and sells. When he started, his family thought he has gone mad. He told me he makes money. If you grow grass, you harvest 10 to 11 times in a year. Good grass is good money. There is no way the ranches will succeed if we don’t grow good grasses.

We are going further than grass.

We are converting cassava leaves into feed for cattle. We produce 40 million tons of cassava here. Six per cent of that should be about 2.8 million tons in leaves, with about 28 per cent crude protein. Processing will destroy the cyanide and make it suitable for cattle feeding. Cassava peel is also being pel-

letised with support from Bill Gates.

We are hoping also to harvest and harness rice stalks and wheat stalks to make sure that open grazing begins to reduce. We have discussed with Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association and they said to us that this new arrangement will help.

I have met with the Lamido of Adamawa. He said to me: “You are the first highest government official who has ever taken this matter seriously.”

I said: “Whatever help you need, I will give.” I asked him if it is the culture of herdsmen to keep moving around.

He said: “How can it be? Their lives are permanently in danger. Many of them die of snake bites. Their wives die giving birth in the bush. Some are killed by hyenas, and so forth.” They too have their challenges.

Of course, eating people’s crops is something that we don’t like. But as a honest broker in the ministry of agriculture, we want the farmer to make money and be happy and free. We want the herdsman to make money and be happy and free. We don’t want any conflict between them. We want to solve this problem. There is money in this business. A man in India, called Dr. Kurien, who wrote a book, titled “I too have a dream,” was the one who organised India’s milk industry.

The British wanted India to buy milk, but India said no, we want to produce our milk. It was women who led the revolt. Imagine a day when the widow in the village has three cows and there is a man collecting the milk every morning for a processing plant. I have seen it in Uganda. I saw jerry cans along the road and I asked if their petrol was white. I was told it was not petrol but milk from the villages.

Uganda is the second largest producer of milk in Africa. Why can’t we do it here?

Imagine the day when we mix milk with cocoa and give our children in schools. With 25 million children in primary schools and about 18 million in secondary schools, a pint of milk in a day is such that we will not need to export one cocoa bean to Europe.

Imagine what it will do to the brains and brawn of our children. Imagine the boom in the economy. We have started a few things in the ministry but we need the support of stakeholders.

Oil and gas will not employ millions. India, Europe and China are now saying that at about 2030, they will soon have no business with petrol.

Then we will have nothing to sell. We have to prepare. There is a market of 120,000 goat carcasses per week in the Middle East. An investor from Qatar came recently, asking how we can export goat meat. There were those who were unhappy when we exported yams. They said there is not enough.

That is not true. There are plenty of yams. The problem is, somebody else was exporting our yams, labelling it with their country’s flag, and we sat here complaining.

Let’s resolve this matter. Let’s find a way forward. There is a huge gap.

There is money to be made. By the time we are 450 million in 2050, food consumption on a daily basis will amount to N1.8 trillion if every Nigerian consumes N3,000 food daily. In addition to keeping cattle, I encourage people to keep goats, pigs, snails, or anything to give us animal proteins.

We cannot sustain the importation of $22 billion a year. We have no reason to do so. When oil and gas finish, should Nigeria be unable to generate income from any other source?

There is a 1989 law that says you can’t export yams, or beans or rice or derivatives thereof. I am rushing to the national assembly soon to plead with them to repeal that law.

Chief Ogbeh is the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development

16

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, October 3, 2017

17

18

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Tech Times

s

African region urged to brace up for disruptions Ï Africa may host ITU next year

Stories by Tony Nwakaegho African countries have been called upon to brace up for disruptions as the world is gradually shifting from 3G, 4G and focus now is on 5G, which would make technology stronger.

I n t e r n a t i o n a l Telecommunications Union (ITU) Secretary-General, Houlin Zhao, gave the charge at the 2017 edition of the Telecoms World Conference in Busan, South Korea, with the theme: ‘Digital Transformation, Global Opportunity.’

He urged Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Egypt to champion next generation technologies in terms of use and adoption.

He noted that ‘‘5G is not finalised yet. ITU is working to improve its parameters and fix spectrum for it. Though some countries, including Korea, are already test running the technology, the standardisation will be fixed at the Plenary Assembly of Radio Communications Sector by 2019.’’

5G has higher capacity than current 4G, allowing a higher density of mobile broadband users, and supporting deviceto-device, ultra reliable, and massive machine communications.

Its research and development (R&D) also aims at lower latency than 4G equipment and lower battery consumption, for better implementation of

ITU Secretary-General, Houlin Zhao and Prof. Umar Danbatta EVC NCC at 2017 Telecoms World Conference in Busan, South Korea. the Internet of Things (IOTs).

Zhao, who revealed that the global mobile connectivity has hit 95 per cent, called on countries to brace up for the next phase of industrial revolution, which is the Fourth, warning that countries that are not investing will be left behind.

The ITU Scribe commended Nigeria for aiding the growth of mobile connectivity, adding that the footprint is seen across Africa and the world at large.

Zhao called for concerted effort from both public and private sectors, “so as to be able to move the about 3.9 billion people of

the world that are still offline to the online space.”

However, the Minister of Communications and Postal Service, South Africa, Dr. Siyabonga Cyprian Cwele, urged ITU to give Africa an opportunity to host the global edition come next year, stressing that South Africa, like other advanced countries, has what it takes to host the global event; and was more than ready to host the 2018 edition of ITU Telecom world.

According to Cwele, Africa is on the move, “the continent remains number one investment destination now and is ready for business.”

In his remark to the

request for Africa’s chance to host ITU, Houlin, queried why Nigeria is not showing interest in hosting the conference, adding that hosting next edition in Africa will not be a bad thing since the prospect is there.

He underscored that the region has remained dynamic in the last one year; and has witnessed more development in technology related areas than other regions.

“The possibility is high for Africa to host.

But it is not a decision I can make alone. The secretariat would consider the offer and communicate back to South Africa,” he remarked.

NCC boss, Danbatta, assures foreign investors of safety Potential investors with interest in the telecommunications sector have been assured of Nigeria’s commitment toward ensuring the safety and protection of their investments.

This assurance was given by Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, (NCC), Prof Umar Garba Danbatta, while addressing the investment forum session of the country at the ITU Telecom World 2017 in Busan, South Korea.

Danbatta narrated the story of how the NCC in collaboration with Nigeria’s apex bank, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), prevented a takeover bid for a telecommunication company by a consortium of banks back in Nigeria.

“The NCC is assuring the investors that our doors are open and that we will do whatever we can within the regulatory mandate assigned to us to ensure that their investment is safe and secure,” he said.

He added that NCC would continue to build a reputation “of

a firm but flexible agency,” which provides incentives to operators and potential investors in order to ensure the gains recorded over the past couple of years are sustained.

“We collaborated with a sister agency to successfully stave off the takeover of a telecommunication company by a consortium of banks.”

He said, “Banks are not competent to run telecom companies, they should concentrate their efforts in making the financial sector more robust, which I believe they are doing.

This company is now rebranded as 9 Mobile; and is providing services to over 20 million Nigerians. Nigerians are on the pay roll of the company.”

“The message we are sending out to investors is that in the NCC we are always committed to ensure stability in the telecom sector of Nigeria, as well as making sure the safety of the investment is guaranteed,” the EVC NCC, he said.

Digital legislation: Experts seek professionals’ involvement

Idris Bello, Steering Committee Member of the Nigeria Health Innovation

Expert in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem has urged the government and innovation drivers to adopt a professional approach to the regulations that could stifle digital innovations.

They argued that such regulations could prevent entrepreneurs from contributing effectively to the nation’s economic development.

This expert position is coming on the heels of the World Economic

Forum (WEF) from the Networked Readiness Index (NRI), ranking Nigeria behind Rwanda and Ghana on ereadiness.

A Steering Committee Member of the Nigeria Health Innovation Marketplace (NHIM), Idris Bello, who stated this position at the Lagos Startup Week (LSW), posited that “Legislations can inhibit innovation and therefore, we need to understand that we

cannot use old laws from the past to regulate the future because it does not understand it, more so a growing economy.”

He mentioned the advent of drones in Nigeria and Ghana, in which both countries came up with measures against the use of drones, which inhibited its application, stressing that Rwanda adopted a learning approach to understand the technology.

With this technology coupled with the others, which they adopted through a learning approach, they have been able to harness to address several social issues in their countries.

“We need technology professionals in our legal system and the medical system that will help in making legislations on the unending technological development,” Bello added.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, October 3, 2017

19 Tech Times

FG needs to create office of IT General of the federation -Uwaje Dr Chris Uwaje, currently the Director General, Delta State Innovation Hub, Asaba; and past President of ISPON, in this interview with TONY NWAKAEGHO in Lagos, speaks about the way forward for the ICT Industry in Nigeria. Excerpts What is Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) doing to engage the youths in the ICT ecosystem?

The Universal Service Provision Fund has introduced Change Mega Challenges for innovation start-ups for the whole country and people from the whole regions compete with each other. This is the start of Knowledge Olympian where the five best from 241 teams from six regions will be selected for the national competition which is coming up at Digital Bridge Institute in Lagos to compete among themselves in concepts, video presentations and others, Now the best five which is 30 teams are going to showcase what they have in their knowledge practically on that day.

The preliminary job is how to scale them down to get the best 10 who will now come in on the d-day and be judged on presentation before the best three that could win the award of the road map to the Knowledge Olympia.

Investors, government officials and youths will witness what is happening. That is one of the ways we can engage ourselves. This has to do with thinking out of-the-box to solve local needs.

We need to use the Internet to create wealth.

Nigerians are limited to the access to those who are making the decisions and we can only open that road map through the Internet. We must get more involved not only on face book.

Hitherto, a lot of negative things are being said on Internet. Why can’t you create the good Nigerian on the Internet as a

web site and publish anything good about Nigeria and see how people will embrace it and make money out of it? Nigeria is 119 out of 139 of e-readiness including the Internet, infrastructure and the economy and the over view.

And that is a poor mark, it’s a poor score.

We have very intelligent people in Nigeria; and these must cluster together to aggregate our demand that Nigeria deserve a better rating, a better road map, a better strategy.

Above all, we must fight for digital resolutions, digital enabling laws like other countries have.

Rwanda have been able to cluster people to partner with a company and come back and make sure that as we are here we donate blood and this blood is sent to 30 villages across the country for primary ehealth using drones.

South Africa alone has an incubation centre of about over 1000 people; and you can just walk in and get breakfast, lunch and dinner. With National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA); we need a cluster position of 50,000 youths doing somewhere, commission a stadium and only Internet and innovation will be done there. I know that we are trying to do something, but we are late comers.

Our voices must be heard and so let us tell them of what we are and it is by Knowledge Olympia.

The government has a responsibility; and this is where unemployment could be really curbed when you teach people the skill and how to code. It is multiplying talent for the future and ensuring

Dr Chris Uwaje, Director General, Delta State Innovation Hub, Asaba that capital flight to other countries will not be. It is really advocating local content.

The ICT industry is trying to do something on a road map across all sectors, there is an Act on local content in oil and gas, but there is no Act that covers other sector except the executive order 3. What is your take on this?

That is very true. But you see, even within the local content Act 2010, you have specialized recognised bodies in the ICT -in training and advocacy.

They are an integral part; and that is why the people from National Content Development Board always come to have meetings with us. It has helped to put companies, like Shell and Chevron on their toes to be able to comply with the Act. What is missing is that specialized areas that have not been done. ICT needs a specialized legislation for itself for local content and for manpower growth. This is what professionals are pushing on to and the CPN under the Chairmanship of Prince Uwadia is really adamant on this. In fact, very soon, you will see them going to

individuals who are practicing who are not registered and companies who are practicing and delivering the practice of ICT to enable their business and shut them down.

So, there is a monitoring system just like the engineering and the bar association now.

The area of specialization is core now; and we need to make sure we push that specialization regime, because a lot of people don’t understand what IT is all about and what it is not.

Information Communication Technology is really the core attribute on the centre of gravity of modern life; and it has come to fulfil a super layer of the rule of law.

Because the rule of law is about governance and recorded information, which is going to permeate every facet of life, work, health in our life time and that is why it is so fundamental to have a specialized space.

Moving forward, first thing we need to create is a national IT frame work bill. Under that bill will create the office of the IT General of the Federation, just as you have the office of the Attorney General of the Fed-

eration. That will be the consolidation park where everybody can resolve policies, strategies and innovations, everything can be tabled.

Having suggested an office for IT General of Federation, What are the necessary steps to ensure that the IT industry realises it?

When you talk about policies, most of the time it is really the industry and the stakeholders who drive government policies as an advisory, because government doesn’t really have the entire wherewithal. So, they rely on professional to be able to come as advisory instrument to produce.

If today, stakeholders come together and say we need a national IT frame work bill to do this under the credit bill, subdivided into two the body of the bill and the Act. The Act for the Office of the Director General for the foundation of IT, the bill, which has been there to be fused into cyber security will be for institutional framework to be built under the curriculum in the education sector, will be on governance can fuel the acceleration of productivity and employment in Nigeria.

You can cluster all these branches, you can work with lawyers who have the craft to streamline but they don’t know about IT. Even the law is deficient in IT governance; so, you will be able to do that. How can you create an Electoral Tribunal in a country where you have been able to use digital interface to collate the results, but when the argumentation comes in to protest the bio data they go to court and no professional is there to tell them how the electronic data are decided.

It is only the lawyers that are there; and this is unacceptable. It is not workable, we wouldn’t call it a fraud, but that is not the road map. The Judge that is deciding

that without knowing this information, intricacies and connectivity and how the biometrics is talking to those data in terms of images and whatever cannot be fairness and justice. Professionals must be on the table. Let us create expertise domain in the entire segment so that we can all come together for the good and benefit of the country.

It appears that the youths are being isolated in teams of the curriculum in school for their development in ICT. How do we begin to restructure the curriculum from the grassroots?

Sometimes, the issue of the curriculum challenge is traded in a complex trade wall. Now, the curriculum really is not about bad template, the curriculum is about that environment of teaching it on the students. There is a gap, there is a complexity. The curriculum problem is about teaching it, the lecturers, and there has to be a special attention for teachers of Computer Science and IT in the University.

Curriculum itself as a template worldwide are always fusing and converging together. You can take curriculum from MIT, its open, its online, redress it, and re-domesticate it. But who will teach it? You need to train the lecturer who might have been to a forum like this in the last 15 years. The issue is for the government to support the IT lecturers, computer science and technology lecturers and give them recommendation and facilities for them to put their minds into it.

They need to create Innovation and Discovery Labs, which are fundamental and sine–qua-non to what we can do. TetFund should involve lecturers and media people to be able to talk about it for the benefit and opportunity of the people of this

20

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, October 3, 2017

ǟǭǺǭdzDZǹDZǺȀ ǕǻǺǿȁǸȀǭǺȀǿ

XXX BMFSUND DPN

&òFDUJWF )3. BOE -FBEFSTIJQ %FWFMPQNFOU *OTUSVNFOUT

1FPQMFhT QFSTPOBMJUZ BOE JOIFSFOU TUSFOHUI BOE QPJOUT PG BUUFOUJPO 1TZDIPMPHJDBM UZQF CFIBWJPSBM QSFGFSFODFT BOE UIFJS JNQBDU PO QFSTPOBM EFWFMPQNFOU FNQMPZFF NPUJWBUJPO QFSGPSNBODF DVMUVSF DPOøJDU NBOBHFNFOU BOE GPSXBSE MPPLJOH MFBEFSTIJQ &NCFEEJOH PSHBOJ[BUJPOBM IFBMUI JOUP QFSGPSNBODF 4QFDJBMJ[FE *OTUSVNFOUT

,0"/ 1 XJUI UIF BTTPDJBUFE 1SPGFTTJPOBM #BMBODF 4BMFT %/" BOE 1SPKFDU .BOBHFNFOU SFQPSUT "MFSU 5ZQF *OEJDBUPS "-5*

&YUFOTJWF QMBUGPSN PG GFFECBDL GBDJMJUJFT $PBDIJOH 5SBJOJOH BOE "DDSFEJUBUJPO 8F BSF IBQQZ UP TIBSF PVS FYQFSUJTF XJUI PSHBOJTBUJPOT DPOTVMUBOUT BOE JOUFSOBM )3. QSPGFTTJPOBMT

'PS B GSFF QFSTPOBMJUZ BOE MFBEFSTIJQ BTTFTTNFOU $POUBDU PVS $PVOUSZ 3FQ "HFODZ $POTVMUJOH -UE 0TVO $SFTDFOU .BJUBNB "CVKB /JHFSJB 1IPOF

&NBJM BOPTJLFD!HNBJM DPN

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, October 3, 2017

ST. JOHNBOSCO’S BROTHERS ASSOCIATION UBIAJA Address: 2, Bakare Street, Abijo, Ibeju-lekki, lagos This is to inform the General Public that the above named ASSOCIATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. ENWEREM AUSTING 2. EDO FRIDAY ANEGBODE 3. OKOEDOH PAUL ODIAMONSEN THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:1. TO PROVIDE A FORUM FOR THE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCES AMONG MEMBERS. 2. TO ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN LASTING BROTHERLY CONTACT BETWEEN ALL MEMBERS IN NIGERIA AND THE WORLD AT LARGE. 3. TO PROPAGATE THE IMAGE OF THE ASSOCIATION THROUGH GOOD CONDUCT AND EXEMPLARY BEHAVIOUR. 4. TO FOSTER AND PROMOTE LOVE, UNITY AND PEACE AMONG MEMBERS AND THE SOCIETY IN GENERAL 5. TO PROVIDE A FORUM WHERE NECESSARY PROFESSIONAL AND/OR TECHNICAL ADVICE WOULD BE GIVEN TO MEMBERS. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED BY: ENWEREM AUSTING - SECRETARY

MRS. OZ.-AKUAKA VIVIAN ADAUGO

ADDITION OF NAME

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS OGBUCHI VIVIAN ADAUGO, NOW WISH TO BE CALLED MRS. OZ.-AKUAKA VIVIAN ADAUGO. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. IMO STATE POLYTECHNIC UMUAGWO AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

Some document is ENEWOLO THOMAS now wish to be known as ENEWOLO THOMAS IYAMABOR. Former documents remains valid.

General public should take note.

BABATUNDE AYOMIDE ABIODUN

OLUFUNSHO OLUWASEUN ADEBAYO

I, formerly known and addressed as SUNMOLA AYOMIDE ABIODUN, now wish to be known and addressed as BABATUNDE AYOMIDE ABIODUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as OLUWANIFEMI AYANFEOLUWA ADENIYI now wish to be known and addressed as OLUFUNSHO OLUWASEUN ADEBAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OZONOH DONALD I, formerly known and addressed as ONYIKE OZONO DONALD, now wish to be known and addressed as OZONOH DONALD. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

MRS IWEAJULU MARIA NNENNA

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ONOH MARIA NNENNA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS IWEAJULU MARIA NNENNA. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

Public Notice 21

JESUS IS COMING EVANGELICAL HEALING MINISTRY This is to inform the General Public that the above named MINISTRY has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:(1) Rev. Dr. Gbenro Timothy Oke (2) Pastor (Mrs) Gbenro Ruth Oluwatoyin (3) Oyelade Ruth Oluwabunmi (4) Gbenro Kayode Temitope (5) Adekoya Ogunnaike

Signed By: Goodness O. Oyinmah Esq

CHUKWUEMEZIE DANIEL CHUKWUKAOHA

The General public is hereby informed that the above named Foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part C of the Companies & Allied Matters Act 1990 THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Olabisi Adeleye Dare - Chairman 2. Olubukola Akinwande Arowobusoye 3. Olalekan Tunde Sulaimon Tella

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE IS :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 Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

ISAH MICHEAL ADEIZA Formerly ABUBAKAR SHEGUN ROHEEM now ISAH MICHEAL ADEIZA. Former documents remains valid.

General public should take note.

ACCOUNTABILITY INITIATIVE FOR AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT

IRMIYA ALI THOMAS Formerly Karma Ali Thomas now to be addressed as Irmiya Ali Thomas. Former documents remains valid.

General public should take note.

AGUCHIME GODSWILL ODILICHUKWU

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:1. To promote good governance and citizenry participation in development.

2. To render humanitarian assistance by providing relief materials and services in crisis situations.

3. To re-orientate the populace on how accountability and integrity can accelerate good governance and development.

4. To promote good leadership by education and reorientation of leaders to be accountable to their followers.

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

Signed by: Chairman OGUNLEYE TEMITOPE OLUWARANTI

I, formerly known and addressed as OJO OLUWARANTI TEMITOPE and OSOBITAN TEMITOPE OLUWARANTI, now wish to be known and addressed as OGUNLEYE TEMITOPE OLUWARANTI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

MRS. ADEBARE TEMIDAYO ESTHER

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ARIWONMASA TEMIDAYO ESTHER, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADEBARE TEMIDAYO ESTHER. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

MRS EZEMA HAPPINESS NCHEDO

OKOYE MARY UJU

I formerly known and addressed as NGWU DANIEL CHUKWUKAOHA and CHUKWU DANIEL CHIKAORA now wish to be known and addressed as CHUKWUEMEZIE DANIEL CHUKWUKAOHA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as AMECHI ALBERT AGUCHIME, now wish to be known and addressed as AGUCHIME GODSWILL ODILICHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS EZENWUGWU HAPPINESS NCHEDO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EZEMA HAPPINESS NCHEDO. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as NWOGBO MARY UJU now wish to be known and addressed as OKOYE MARY UJU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

BALOGUN FAITH BLESSING

MICHEAL SUNDAY SANDY I, formerly known and addressed as, MICHEAL SUNDAY, now wish to be known and addressed as, MICHEAL SUNDAY SANDY. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

MRS. OKWUCHUKWU ONYINYE IFEOMA

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. UNACHUKWU ONYINYE IFEOMA, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. OKWUCHUKWU ONYINYE IFEOMA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. MABEL IME OKON, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. MABEL CHRISTIAN GODWIN. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

MOHAMMED LIMAN

ONIYIDE ESTHER AFUSAT

FAGBEMI- ADIGUN ADENIKE OMOYEMI

I formerly known and addressed as THOMAS FAITH DANIELLA, now wish to be known and addressed as BALOGUN FAITH BLESSING, all former document remain valid general public take note OYELEDUN MOBOLANLE ADENRELE

MRS. MABEL CHRISTIAN GODWIN

MRS. IKWUNGA GIFT NKESI

KOMOLAFE KAMORU OLAYINKA

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. ESAU GIFT NKESI, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. IKWUNGA GIFT NKESI. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as KOMOLAFE OLAYINKA , now wish to be known and addressed as KOMOLAFE KAMORU OLAYINKA. All former document remain valid. General public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Rev.Oyeledun Bola Ade ,now wish to be known and addressed as Oyeledun Mobolanle Adenrele .

All former document remain valid.

General public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Liman Mohammed Nma ,now wish to be known and addressed as Mohammed Liman. All former document remain valid. General public should please take note.

VICTORIA OKARA BOGBO

UDOFA ANIEBIET PETER

KOGWUNOYE SOLOMON UZOR

I formerly known and addressed as VICTORIA NGAM BOGBO, now wish to be known and addressed as VICTORIA OKARA BOGBO. All former document remain valid.

General public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as UDOFA ANIEBIET SOLOMON , now wish to be known and addressed as UDOFA ANIEBIET PETER , with correct Date of Birth 9TH MARCH, 1997. All former document remain valid. General public should please take note

BASSEY FRANCIS I formerly known as Edet Ema wish to be known and addressed as Bassey Francis .All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

PRECIOUS FOLASHADE ADEKOYA

SULIYAT IYABO ADEOLA YUSUF

MOHAMMED ABBA

OKPO CHINENYE VERONICA

I formerly known as KIKELOMO FOLASADE OLUFOJUDE wish to be known and addressed as PRECIOUS FOLASHADE ADEKOYA. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I formerly known as SULIYAT IYABO YUSUF AND YUSUF IYABO SULIYA RAFAT wish to be known and addressed as SULIYAT IYABO ADEOLA YUSUF. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note

I formerly known and addressed as Abba Muhammad, now wish to be known and addressed as Mohammed Abba.

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

I formerly known and addressed as Odina Chinenye Veronica, now wish to be known and addressed as Okpo Chinenye Veronica. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Okosun Anita, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okosun Henningsson Anita Onuwamagbe. All former documents bearing Okosun Anita remain valid. General public please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

DICKSON OCHEZE QUEEN

ONYENAUCHEYA FESTUS CHIZOBA

MRS EKEOLERE BOLA TAOFEEKAT

ALLI-OLATUNDE BUKOLA ABIODUN

TAIWO TEMITOPE MARIAM

This is to confirm that BASHIRU ADEYINKA ISMAILA is the same person as BASHIRU ISMAILA ADEYINKA as well as ALADE OLAYINKA,ISMAILA .

All documents bearing these names remain valid and should be treated as one person. Banks & the general public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as AKUBUODO DICKSON OCHEZE now wish to be known and addressed as DICKSON OCHEZE QUEEN. All former documents remain valid.General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as OALLI SEKINAT BUKOLA now wish to be known and addressed as ALLIOLATUNDE BUKOLA ABIODUN .All former documents remain valid.General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ABDULSALAM TEMITOPE MARIAM now wish to be known and addressed as TAIWO TEMITOPE MARIAM. All former documents remain valid.General public to please take note MR. ONORIODE RAYMOND MACAULAY-GBOGIDI

I formerly known and addressed as ASIKA FESTUS CHIZOBA now wish to be known and addressed as ONYENAUCHEYA FESTUS CHIZOBA. All former documents remain valid.General public to please take note.

I formerly known as KOGWUNOYE SOLOMON FRANK wish to be known and addressed as KOGWUNOYE SOLOMON UZOR . All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MRS BOLA BOLA EKEOLERE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EKEOLERE BOLA TAOFEEKAT. All former documents remain valid.General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ONIYIDE ADEJOKE AFUSAT, now wish to be known and addressed as ONIYIDE ESTHER AFUSAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OLANIPEKUN OGECHUKWU GODTIME

I formerly known called and addressed as ADIGUN HALIMAT ADENIKE. Now wish to be known called and addressed as FAGBEMI- ADIGUN ADENIKE OMOYEMI. All former document remain valid. General public should please take note.

AKINDELE LUKMAN OPEYEMI

I formerly known as Olanipekun Monday God’stime wish to be known and addressed as Olanipekun Ogechukwu Godtime .All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I formerly known as ONIKOYI JELEEL ADEWALE wish to be known and addressed as AKINDELE LUKMAN OPEYEMI. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

MRS. OKOSUN HENNINGSSON ANITA ONUWAMAGBE

MRS OKAFOR NNEAMAKA VICTORIA

GODWIN CHUKWUALUKA JOHN

OWOEYE ADENIKE CECILIA

EDEH JAMES OGBONNA

OMONIGHO FEVOUR OMONJAHIO

ADDITION OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as OGBUALU CHUKWUALUKA JONATHAN now wish to be known called and addressed as GODWIN CHUKWUALUKA JOHN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as AJAYI MORENIKE ADENIKE and OWOEYE ADENIKE MORENIKE now wish to be known called and addressed as OWOEYE ADENIKE CECILIA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as OGBONNA EDEH now wish to be known called and addressed as EDEH JAMES OGBONNA. All former documents remain valid.

Banks and the general public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as OMONIGHO FALILAT MOMOH now wish to be known called and addressed as OMONIGHO FEVOUR OMONJAHIO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as NOEL SAMUEL now wish to add SUMANU to my name. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as NOEL SUMANU SAMUEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Chukwurah Nneamaka Victoria. now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Okafor Nneamaka Victoria. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly known called and addressed as MR. ONORIODE RAYMOND MACAULAY, now wish to be known called and addressed as MR. ONORIODE RAYMOND MACAULAYGBOGIDI. All former documents bearing my former name remain valid.

General public, please take note.

22 Public Notice KWARA WELLBEING TRUST THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REMOVAL OF TRUSTEE UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE OLD TRUSTEES ARE : 1. OLUWATOYIN SARAKI - RETAINED 2. ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI - REMOVED 3. OLUWAROTIMI AUSTEN-PETERS - RETAINED

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, October 3, 2017

RAPTURE BASE GOSPEL OUTREACH The general public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission [CAC] Abuja for registration under Part C of the Company and Allied Matters Act 1990.

TRUSTEES ARE 1.George Andrew Micheal 2.Braide Abiye 3.Eli Uche Mgbom 4.Douglas Ininasime Mba

.....................President .....................Secretary .....................Treasurer .....................Member

Aims and Objectives 1.To preach the word of God. 2.To deliver those who are hide captive.

THE NEW TRUSTEES ARE : 1. OLUWATOYIN SARAKI 3. OLUWAROTIMI AUSTEN-PETERS THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REMAIN THE SAME. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS CHANGES SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIR COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

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

Signed: President

SIGNED: SECRETARY

GREEN HEROES FOUNDATION THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘’C’’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1999.

THE TRUSTEES ARE 1. AVM. MOHAMMED AUDY - BIDA ( CHAIRMAN ) 2. AVM. TOMBOYI DICK - IRUENABERE ( MEMBER ) 3. DAME TUMI AKOGUM ( MEMBER ) 4. AIR COMMODORE. ABOYOMI A BALOGUN ( SECRETARY ) AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO SUPPORT VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES AS THEY TRANSITION FROM MILITARY SERVICE TO VETERAN CIVILIAN LIFE 2. TO PROVIDE RETOOLING AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FOR POST-WAR EXPERIENCE OF THE VETERANS 3. TO PROVIDE COUNSELING AND REHABILITATION SERVICE TO VETERANS 4. TO PROMOTE THE UNDERSTANDING OF VETERANS WELFARE AND INTEGRATION 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.

VESSELS OF HONOUR WORSHIP OUTREACH THIS IS TO NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED, HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ABUMERE PATRICIA 2. OKOH OFURE DIVINE..

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. TO PREACH AND SPREAD THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION MAITAMA ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION

SIGNED: BARR GATTA BOLA 08033697681

SIGNED: SECRETARY

ASSOCIATION OF NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING PRACTITIONERS CAC/IT/NO: 60131

MOUNTAIN MOVING MINISTRY INTERNATIONAL

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR CHANGE OF TRUSTEES UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

THE OLD TRUSTEES ARE: 1. MR. JULIUS AROYEHUN - RETAINED 2. MR. ANDREW EMERY - RETAINED 3. MR. CHIMEZIE HENRY NNAMDI - REMOVED 4. ENGR. ESSIEN MARTIN - REMOVED 5. CHIEF. SIR. NNAMDI MBELU - REMOVED 6. MR AYOTUNDE SAMUEL - REMOVED

THE TRUSTEES ARE:: 1. EVANG. APEH SAMUEL AGBO - GENERAL COORDINATOR 2. EVANG. ELIZABETH AMEH 3. REVEREND ( PROFESSOR) ADARANIWON VICTOR OLUSOLA - FATHER IN THE LORD AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO CARRY OUT APOSTOLIC EVANGELISM WITH EMPHASIS ON PREACHING THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM FOR SOUL WINNING. 2. TEACHING, TRAINING, RECRUITMENT AND RELEASE OF LABOURERS TO MISSION FIELD. 3. TO CONSTANTLY REMINDING THE WORLD OF THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST AND THE AFTERMATH OF RAPTURE. 4. TO PLANT WORSHIP CENTERS WHEREVER THE HOLY SPIRIT DIRECTS.

THE NEW TRUSTEES ARE: 1. MAZI SAM AZOKA ONYECHI 2. CHIEF. ROWLAND NZE 3. MR. PIUS AJABHU 4. CHIEF BENSON OGWU 5. MR. NICK EHI AZAMOSA THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE REMAIN THE SAME ANY OBJECTION TO THIS APPLICATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRARGENERAL OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION MAITAMA ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION SIGNED: BARR. CHIMA EJIE

AFRICAN LEAGUE ORGANISATION

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

CAC/IT/NO 13377

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

VIDEI DEVELOPMENT & EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVE THIS IS TO NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED, HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

NAMES OF OLD TRUSTEES. 1. IKY ETHELBERT EMEKA NWANERI. 2. MR ABDULKADIR YAHAYA. 3. REZEUGO ALAM-HAJI KYRIEL. 4. ISHAKU NANPAN SATDING

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. MR FIDEL PEPPLE 2. MRS JOY PEPPLE 3. MR FIDELIS FRANK-PEPPLE 4. MR TOBY FRANK-PEPPLE 5. DR CHARLES NWONWU 6. MRS IFY NWONWU 7. DESTINY CHIOMA IHEUKWUMERE

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE REMAIN THE SAME

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. TO IMPACT THE LIVES OF VULNERABLE GROUPS IN THE SOCIETY THROUGH EDUCATION AND EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMS

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

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

SIGNED : SECRETARY

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

TRUSTEES: (1) REV FR DAMIAN OBI (2 MR HENRY IWOKA UDEH (3)EZE GODWIN IDE (4)UGOCHI JANE EHIAHURUIKE (5) FR IZUNWA MAURICE OKECHUKWU AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: TO EMPOWER THE COMMUNITY FOR POSITIVE CHANGE IN OUR SOCIETY. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRARGENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROMTHE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

MRS. AGWOGIE JUDITH CHIOMA

I formerly known as EKEMEZIE JUDITH CHIOMA (MISS) now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AGWOGIE JUDITH CHIOMA. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

BAPTIST HIGH SCHOOL PORT HARCOURT OLD BOYS ASSOCIATION CLASS 91 THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

TRUSTEES: 1. DR DAPRIM OGAJI- CHAIRMAN 2 DR AROLOYE O. NUMBERE 3 HON. OWUMA TELEMA-DAREGO 4. MR PELA OGHENE-NYERHOVWO 5. MR ESADUVIE GOODLUCK AYONOADU 6. MR ORUBO IBINABO KELLY JACK 7. IBIMIE BOMA ATIYEGOBA, ESQ -SECRETARY. AIM AND OBJECTIVE: TO FOSTER AND PROTECT THE INTEREST OF ITS MEMBERS IN ALL RAMIFICATIONS ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRARGENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROMTHE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

THIS ADVERT SPACE IS FOR SALE ADEESO ADIJAT DAYO

I formerly known as ADEESO TEMIDAYO HADEEJAH now wish to be known, called and as addressed ADEESO ADIJAT DAYO. All former documents remain valid, authorities concerned and general public please take note.

MRS ELIZABETH AJOKE MICHAEL-ALABI

PUBLIC NOTICE THIS IS TO NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT OMIKO OGECHI GUTIH AND OMIKO OGECHI SAMSON IS THE SAME NAME AND SAME PERSON. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID AUTHORITY CONCERN AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

OME BASSEY OGOZI

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OME AMAITEM OKPOMONTIA, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OME BASSEY OGOZI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ELIZABETH AJOKE AKINLOLU, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS ELIZABETH AJOKE MICHAEL-ALABI. All documents bearing my former names remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

MRS JACINTA ADAOBI OKAFOR I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESS AS MISS JACINTA ADAOBI OGBUAGU NOW WISH TO BE CALLED AND ADDRESS AS MRS JACINTA ADAOBI OKAFOR ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID NYSC AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

MAIT AFRICA FOUNDATION THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘’C’’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1999.

THE TRUSTEES ARE 1. ITODO SUNDAY EWAOCHE 2. NABAGENYI MARGAREH 3. OKPE EMMANUEL AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO ASSIST THE LESS PRIVILEDGED IN THE SOCIETY 2. TO ASSIST WIDOWS AND ORPHANS ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: TALE ALABI, ESQ. 0803860084

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR CHANGE OF TRUSTEES UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

NEW TRUSTEES 1. IKY ETHELBERT EMEKA NWANERI. 2. EZEUGO ALAM-HAJI KYRIEL. 3. ISHAKU NANPAN SATDING. 4. ADAMU ALHAJI SULEIMAN

OKOH EMMANUEL MARY

I formerly known called and addressed as OKOH ANDREW EMMANUEL, now wish to be known called and addressed as OKOH EMMANUEL MARY. All former documents bearing my former name remain valid. General public, please take note.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

ABBA FATHER CHRIST THE KING INTERDENOMINATIONAL MINISTRY THIS IS TO NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED, HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. EMEKA MICHEAL ABBA 2. CHINONSO GERTRUDE 3. UGWUANYI MALACHY THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. TO PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL OF TRUTH TO THE WORLD ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRARGENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION MAITAMA ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION SIGNED: BARR EKWUNIFE BLESSING 07038948697

ORON YOUTH ASSOCIATION LAGOS 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) EDET EMMANUEL NKEREUWEM (2) UFUO JACOB EDET (3) ULOH OKON PETER - CHAIRMAN (4) AMAH ETIM DAN (5) ANWANA EFFIONG OKON (6) ESIN KENNETH EDWARD (7) AMAH JUSTICE DANIEL - SECRETARY AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: (1) TO PROMOTE SPIRIT OF LOVE,UNITY, COOPERATION AND SENCE OF HELP AMONG IS MEMBERS AND BROTHERHOOD (2) TO ENCOURAGE THRIFT RECREATION, SOCIAL, EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT, CULTURAL AND TRADITIONAL VALUES, FOR ORON PEOPLE (3) INCULCATE IN ORON CITIZENS, LOVE, CUSTOMS, TRADITION OF ORON PEOPLE 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

News 23

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, October 3, 2017

PDP stalwart berates Northern leaders for poor state region

NAH warns of impeding water crisis by 2020

Samuel Luka,

Kehinde Akinpelu,

ÏÏÏA chieftain of

ÏÏÏThe Nigerian Association

Bauchi

Ilorin

the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi state, Alhaji Bashir Bukar Rimin Zayam, has berated the Northern political office holders for not doing enough to see to the development of the region.

Zayam who made the call while speaking with newsmen on the 57th independence anniversary in Bauchi, said “there is the need for President Muhammadu Buhari to deploy more political will and ensure that oil search in the northern part of the country is successful, do more in Ajaokuta steal company as well as complete the dredging of River Niger which was started during the regime of late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua,” he said.

Rimin Ziyam also advised President Muhammadu Buhari, to leave a bequeath legacy by ensuring success in the oil exploration in the north, dredging of River Niger and to complete the project of Ajaokuta rolling mills.

According to him, if these three projects are completed in addition to revamping the railway sector the President will be remembered after he left office, saying those are some of the genuine legacies that will address unemployment, poverty and boost the socio economic development of the North and the country as a whole.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (right) and the Managing Director/CEO, TSTV, Dr. Bright Echefu , at the unveiling of the PayTV platform in Abuja… on Sunday.

Hope rises as work commences on Akanu Ibiam Airport runway Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

ÏÏÏPilots

and airline operators will soon heave a sigh of relief as plans are in top gear to get the runway 08 of the Akanu Ibiam international airport, Enugu rehabilitated by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

The runway has been a source of worry to Pi-

lots and airline operators over its poor state after it was extended by the Stella Oduah following which the airport was upgraded to an international status.

Daily Times investigation revealed that prominent indigenes of the area among them a former minister of aviation have expressed concern over the poor state

of the runway.

Our correspondent further gathered that contract for the rehabilitation has been awarded to PW and that work will commence as soon as the rainy was over.

International flight operations commenced in Enugu in 2013 with the introduction of the only international airline, Ethiopian Airlines,

Eight death-row inmates commuted to life imprisonment in Anambra John Ndu,

Awka ÏÏÏAnambra state governor, Chief Willie Obiano has commuted eigh death row inmates to life imprisonment and granted prerogative of mercy to others who are serving various jail terms.

Governor Obiano announced this during a Holly Mass at St Matthew Catholic Church, Akpu, Orumba South Local governments Area of Anambra state.

The governor said the prerogative of mercy was in line with the celebration of Independence of Nigeria.

According to him “ I have commuted eight prisoners in death row to life sentence. Al-

ready, they had served over 18 year, so they have two or three years to be free.”

The Governor also noted that another 12 prisoners had their sentences reduced to various jail terms, while some were granted pardon.

He regretted the pitiable condition of some prisons in the country, which had resulted in contracting different kinds of communicable diseases by the inmates. Obiano observed that Nigeria had undergone various challenges in the past 57 years, calling for unity of purpose to achieve national interest.

“Nigeria is facing various challenges as cattle menace, IPOB agitations and many

of them. All these are as a result of marginalization and unfair treatment. Because of all these, the South East governors and Ohaneze Ndigbo have joined hands to push for restructuring,” Obiano noted.

Earlier in a sermon, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor charged Christians to consistently pray for political leaders and other people in positions of authority to help the country overcome its challenges.

Most Reverend Ezeokafor who acknowledged that the country was confronted with many challenges, explained that only trust in God would help in addressing the issues.

which led to the expansion of the runway from its original capacity of 2,500 metres length, to 3,000 metres length to be able to accommodate medium size and big aircraft.

Stakeholders have repeatedly called on the Enugu state government to assist the airport management in the provision of facilities and dismantle the masts obstructing aircraft take off.

A source told Daily Times that a shoddy job was done at the airport whose remodeling contact was awarded to a frontline politician from the state by the last administration.

The source added that materials used for the construction were substandard hence the structure was damaged during a rainstorm that swept across the area immediately after the rehabilitation work.

FRANCIS ABASIAMA SILAS I, formerly known and addressed as FRANCIS ABASIAMA LOVE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as FRANCIS ABASIAMA SILAS. All documents bearing my former names remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

ANTHONY INNOCENT BAMIDELE

of Hydro-geologists (NAH) has warned of impeding water crisis by 2020 because of poor management of groundwater basins.

The president of the association, Ehidiamhen Olumese, disclosed this on Sunday in Ilorin while addressing newsmen after the association’s National Executive Meeting (NEC).

Olumese said efforts to ameliorate such crisis may include acquisition of both hydrological and Hydro geological data and systematic study of basin aquifers.

He however, suggested that updating and full implementation of the National Water Resources Master Plan is now imperative.

He said this development has called for a strong financial commitment and prudent management of available resources such as State Ministry of Water Resources (RUWATSAN) and support to River Basin Development Authority to achieve their mandate based on set targets that can be evaluated periodically.

“The groundwater level in going down and we are giving water projects to quacks.

“Indiscriminate sinking of boreholes are not helping the matter, we must become aware of this and do something.

“Projects are executed without professional counseling, Hydrogeologists are not consulted. “The Lake Chad is shrinking and this may soon be causing loss of jobs,” Olumese said. Olumese lamented that the government is inconsistent with the River Basin and if it shows commitment, Nigeria can feed Africa.

The NAH President disclosed that the association’s 29th Annual Conference, tagged Ilorin 2017 will hold in Ilorin, the Kwara capital from November 5 to November 10.

YUSUF OYINDAMOLA IYABODE I, formerly known and addressed as AKINYELE RUKAYAT IYABODE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as YUSUF OYINDAMOLA IYABODE. All documents bearing my former names remain valid.

General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

OJELABI OLUWASEUN IMOLEAYO I, formerly known and addressed as OSOKO OLUWASEUN IMOLEAYO, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OJELABI OLUWASEUN IMOLEAYO. All documents bearing my former names remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OWOBU INNOCENT BAMIDELE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ANTHONY INNOCENT BAMIDELE. All documents bearing my former names remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

YEKEEN AISHAT ABOSEDE

That my name was written as BOBOLA ODESANMI instead of ODESANMI BOBOLA FLORENCE. Also, that my date of birth is 28 of January, 1955.

All former document remain valid the general public should Please take note

I, formally known and addresseed as Saula Ayisat Abosede, now wish to be known and addressed as Yekeen Aishat Abosede. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note

KAZEEM ALAYANDE

MRS MORENIKEJI OLUWARANTI SIKIRAT

OLUWADIJO OLATUNJI MATTHEW

I, formerly known and addressed as KAZEEM SAMUEL ADEGBOLA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as KAZEEM ALAYANDE. All documents bearing my former names remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

Formerly MISS SULE OLUWARANTI SIKIRAT now MRS MORENIKEJI OLUWARANTI SIKIRAT. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OLATUNJI KAZEEM MATTHEW, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OLUWADIJO OLATUNJI MATTHEW. All documents bearing my former names remain valid.

General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

News 24

Daily Times Nigeria jƑƆ Ɨ ƕè RƅƐ ƄƆƏ Ƣè ƾƠơƣ

Police confirms rape of NYSC member in C’River …suspect arrested Edem Bassey, Calabar

ÏÏÏ

Police command in Cross River State has confirmed the rape of National Youth Service Corps Member, name withheld serving in Bakassi local government area of the state. The victim according to investigations was raped in her residence at Block A6, Obutong Estate in Ekpri-Obutong in the Bakassi Local Government Area of the State.

The suspect, Michael

Edet, our Police source hinted was arrested by the State Police Command. An eyewitness told our correspondent that the suspect broke into the victim’s apartment on Friday at about 11pm when the residents were fast asleep.

The victim’s neighbour, who pleaded for anonymity said, “The suspect broke into the house of the corps member at about 11pm on Friday and allegedly defiled her before carting away

her valuables, including phones and cash”.

“As you can see, these houses don’t have burglary-proof bars. It is just the glass and anyone can enter at any time. We live in a very dangerous environment and we have been facing serious security challenges in this estate.

“This is not the first time they are raping women in this place. It is quite unfortunate that this time, it is a visitor (corps member) that was the vic-

tim. We learnt that she had been moved to Calabar because as we speak, she is still in shock.

“But we are also happy that the police did a good job by apprehending the culprit. We believe that justice will be served.”

Sadly, another corps member, who did not want his name mentioned said that his colleague recognised the suspect because he stayed for close to 30 minutes in her house.

“She told us that she recognised the suspect’s

voice and the shoes he wore, but she is still in shock about what happened to her. She was glad he has been arrested,” he said. When contacted on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer Ms Irene Ugbo confirmed the story noting that the suspect has been arrested and investigations was on going.

“It is true that the suspect has been arrested after committing the crime.

She further said that the suspect went into hiding

after realising that he had been recognised and was eventually apprehended at Akpabuyo. “He is already in Police custody.

The victim has identified him as the one who broke into his house that fateful night.”

According to our, the PRO in charge of the state NYSC, Abdullahi Yuguda has commended the action of the Police in Bakassi, which led to the arrest of the culprit. “The NYSC will not relent until justice is done.”

Glo’s Professor Johnbull preaches virtue of good citizenship Joy Ekeke

ÏÏÏ

Popular TV sitcom, Professor Johnbull, sponsored by telecommunications giant, Globacom, this week preaches the virtue of good citizenship and the need for the citizenry to take collective responsibility for the communal wellbeing and development of the entire nation.

The episode, entitled ‘What About You’, highlights the roles individuals ought to play in a bid to make the society better instead of shifting blames about society failings to other individuals and public office holders at different levels.

Nollywood star, Kanayo O. Kanayo, who plays Professor Johnbull in the series, teaches socially acceptable behaviour among the citizenry. Such behaviour includes due process, proper documentation and the need to consciously jet-

tison activities that are inimical to the development of the country.

‘What About You’ makes an effort to dissuade those who believe that government must provide everything, while encouraging citizens to protect social facilities provisioned by the government for their use.

The erudite Professor equally posits that only an early recourse to subsistence farming will ensure food sufficiency in the country.

Other civic infractions flayed by the drama include smuggling, procurement of fake driver’s licence, street littering and other acts of social irresponsibility.

The episode becomes all the more hilarious with the cameo appearance of popular comedian, Godwin Komone, a.k.a. Gordons, who takes on an impetuous driver introduced to him by the rascally character of the sitcom, Samson (Ogus Baba).

^ Ə ƗƆ Ɨ Ɔ Ƈ 1Ƒ ƏƗ Ƅƕ Ɛ Ɔ ^ƏƆ ƈƗƆ Ɛƈ Ƌ 1Ƒ ƏƗ Əƈ ƗƆè Ɛ ƌ ƏƊ Mƈ ƆƏƈ ô ǀƣƐ 9 ƗƆƍƆ ƗƆ ƅƆ # ƕ ƆƋƆƄƏ Ɛƈ Ɛ Ɛ Ɔ ^ƏƆ ƈƗƆ Ɛƈ Ƌ yƈƋƋ ƈ ƄƑƉ Č L Ɨ ƕê

Agric minister to launch nationwide value chain at ARMTI Ilorin Kehinde Akinpelu, Ilorin

ÏÏÏ THE minister of Agri-

culture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbe will on Wednesday November 27 this year, commission and launch the first ever national association of agricultural commodity Value Chain Development (VCD) facilitators at the Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI), Ilorin Kwara state.

According to the event expected to draw participants across the nation, an interim executive body would be elected and inaugurated just as the ARMTI would provide facilities for a secre-

tariat of the association.

The Public Relations Officer of the ARMTI Mr. Mayowa Gidado, in a press briefing in Ilorin ahead of the programme, the chapters of the association would be spread across the 36 states of Nigeria, with the mandate for each of the states to spread the advocacy of the VCD throughout their states.

Gidado said, “This will ensure that each state actively keys into the value chain programme to unlock the immense agriculture potentials of the state through adequate budgetary allocation and funding as well as other needed support. Members of the as-

sociation in each state are required to mount the VCD training in the grassroots.”

It would be recalled that in 2012, ARMTI was commissioned to conduct the first baseline study on agricultural commodity VCD, the result of which it then proceeded to present round the nation through its existing six geo political zones.

The study on the VCD gave the appropriate picture and provided information on the level of VCD among the agricultural commodities in each geo political zone with emphasis on the commodities from which each of the zones has comparative advantage.

With this development,

The ARMTI has continued to train farmers, facilitators, administrators and other actors along various agricultural commodity value chains on how to develop virile chains.

Besides, the Institute had conducted a National Training of Trainers (TOT) for VCD facilitators from the year 2013 to 2016.

Gidado added, “These have been empowered and mandated to further step down the training to the grassroots level in their respective states.

It is all these facilities that are about to be inaugurated into an association for proper coordination and efficiency of efforts.”

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, October 3, 2017

News 25

How Lagos govt orchestrated a brutal land grab Continued from Page 5 state to respect the order stopping it from evicting them from their communities.

The government initially denied that it had anything to do with the attacks, saying it was a clash between the community and the Elegushi family.

Flouting a Court Order Five months later, on March 10, 2017, tired of pretending that it was not responsible for the attacks, and in disregard of the subsisting court order, the Lagos State government finally pulled down the community rendering thousands homeless.

On the day, officials of the state’s environmental task force, accompanied by armed policemen in armoured vehicles and a helicopter, invaded the Otodo Gbame community, with bulldozers tearing down houses and shooting at anyone who tried to resist. At least one person was shot and killed, and several others were injured.

Megan Chapman, codirector of Justice Empowerment Initiatives (JEI), a community-based legal and empowerment organisation, said the demolition was shocking as her organisation had just commenced a court ordered mediation between the community and the state government.

“We started the mediation process the week before, and it was still ongoing,” Chapman said. “We were supposed to report to the court at the beginning of next month (April).

“The court also ordered that the parties should maintain the status quo until the end of the mediation and the subsequent judgement of the court.

“That demolition incident, and the subsequent attack were in direct violation of the court order,” Chapman said.

Amnesty International, in a statement released minutes after the demolition, said it was in violation of not only of the order of a Nigerian court but also violated international human rights laws.

The statement reads in part, “The Lagos State government must stop using ‘security threats’ as an excuse to carry out forced evictions, which are prohibited under international human rights law. We are extremely concerned that despite an existing court order pro-

hibiting the demolition of Otodo Gbame, Lagos State government continues to forcibly evict, assault, and endanger the lives of its residents.”

The rights group also called on the government to urgently provide alternative housing for those affected by the demolition.

The appeal fell on deaf ears In a statement released 11 days after the forceful evictions, the state explained that it demolished the community to forestall environmental disaster.

Describing the OtodoGbame and other waterfront communities as “illegal shanties and unwholesome habitation,” the state’s Commissioner for Information, Mr Steve Ayorinde, said the demolition was necessary to maintain public health and safety.

But Ms Chapman believes that the state government was merely giving a dog a bad name in order to hang it. According to her, before the demolition, the waterfront communities were already working with the government to improve sanitation.

The Dubai Delusion Ms. Chapman said the forceful eviction of residents of Otodo-Gbame and other waterfront communities is a part of the pursuit of the state government’s policy to build a new Dubai in the city. She described the policy as “the Dubai delusion.”

Six months after inhabitants of Otodo-Gbame were sacked from the community, the Elugushi royal family with the help of the Lagos State government has divided the land into two highbrow luxury estates.

The smaller of the two developments is called Periwinkle.

According to an online video posted

by Asist-2-Sell Ltd., a real estate firm, the project is named The Periwinkle “because of the lagoon sand burrow is full of periwinkle shells.”

The property promises to offer buyers “a generous Lagoon view, whistling winds, a range of visiting birds and natural surroundings”.

Periwinkle comprises 100 plots of between of 500 square metres and 2000 square metres. People willing to own properties there will have to cough up between 45 million and 200 million each

for a piece of land.

Just beside Periwinkle, is another 150 hectares new super-luxury only similar in grandeur with the Eko Atlantic City off Victoria Island called Imperial International Business City. The project is financed by Channeldrill Resources Limited that describes itself as an infrastructure and city developer company. Thirty percent of the proposed city will be residential, another 30 percent has been earmarked as the Business District, while 10 percent of the project will be used for commercial purposes. They remaining part of the proposed city will be used for leisure, entertainment and infrastructure, which includes recreation and

green parks.

According to Channeldrill, Imperial City, which it described as an “exclusive Island” will cost 44 billion to complete.

A close look at the timeline of the project clearly revealed why the state government and the Elegushi family were desperate to evict the inhabitants of Otodo-Gbame. The Lagos State government gave the approval for the development of the property in 2016, while inhabitants of Otodo-Gbame were in court.

Ms. Chapman said people of the communities were not considered before the approval.

“The state government gave approval for the development a year before the actual demolition

without looking at the people who were living there,” she said.

“They knew about Otodo-Gbame community because there had been series of meetings between Otodo-Gbame and the state government.

“As at that time, the sand-filling was affecting fishing, so the community staged a protest and wrote to the government about it.

“The government said they were trying to look at the issue. So, they were very much aware of Otodo-Gbame before they approved the project.”

Chapman said the government was aware of the human impact of the new developments but chose to ignore it.

“It is part of the government plan to create the new Dubai. It is the Dubai delusion because what they are trying to do is build a city where the urban poor are treated like people who don’t exist, while the government is prioritising elite luxury estate development.

“We don’t even have that much demand on mortgage because we have a lot of vacancies where these new upscale estates are coming up.

“They are trying to create a different city in which you only have wealthy people. They are trying to make it as difficult as possible for poor people to live in the city,” she said.

L-R: Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris; Chief Executive Officer AND Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya and Regional Operations Director, North Region, Airtel Nigeria, Bashir Muhammad, during a visit to the Emir after the commissioning of Airtel Adopted school, Yahaya Hamza Primary School, Zaria, Kaduna State… recently.

Sokoto okays new law to encourage community crime prevention Sokoto State Executive Council has approved a draft law that will enhance community prevention efforts in tackling crimes across the state.

If passed by the state legislature, the new law will ensure that communities deploy local infrastructure and intelligence to support security agencies in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The draft law comes as part of a wider amendment to the state penal code promulgated in 1959.

A statement issued Monday in Sokoto by the State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Sulaiman Usman SAN, said various methods like neighborhood watch, community policing, urban or physical design, and

comprehensive or multi-disciplinary efforts will now be adopted to sanitize communities and reduce crimes to manageable proportions.

“These strategies will engage residents and the larger communities in addressing factors that contribute to crime and disobedience to law and order and promotion of social vices. It also has provision that makes it illegal for any person to allow his or her property to be used for the purpose of committing offences or to harbour any criminal suspected to have committed crimes elsewhere,” he added.

Other aspects of the allencompassing amendment include punitive punishment for crimes like kidnapping, hostage taking, cyber crime

and terrorism.

According to the statement, the Council has also approved the passage of a bill for the state Contributory Healthcare Scheme. Under the bill, the Islamic principles of mutual solidarity and support for individuals and communities have been adopted as the guiding principle.

It said other bills approved for onward delivery to the state House of Assembly are the bill to establish the State College of Midwifery to be sited in Tambuwal LGA; a bill harmonizing retirement age of academic staff of tertiary institutions in the state from 60 to 65 years and a bill to amend the Sokoto State University Law. “The Council also approved

a draft white paper on the report of the Committee to assess activities of Shehu Shagari College of Education while at the same time, it gave its approval to the recommendations of the report of the committee on sales of government houses to deserving occupants by extending of payment duration from six months as the committee recommended, to one year.

“Under the new approval, present occupants of the houses and other intending buyers will pay 20 percent of the cost as initial payment within three months while the balance of 70 percent are to be paid within nine months,” the statement added.

26

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Times Law

s

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

A plaintiff with a good cause of action cannot enforce same by judicial process because he has sat over his right for all times as the time stipulated by law for initiating such an action has become extinct.

Fabiyi, JSC. in Nasir v. Civil Service Commission, Kano State & 2 Ors. (2010) 1-2 S.C. 65

CJN can direct CJs to designate special courts for corruption cases-Sodipo Some of your colleagues, especially in the academics have gotten to the zenith of their career as Senior Advocates of Nigeria, what is holding you back from applying?

For me, I never considered the position of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria as the zenith of my career but the way things are run in Nigeria today, there is that perception that it is the zenith of ones career because what it means is that if you are never made SAN, or you are never made a judge that suggests that you’re not a successful lawyer. I think that is wrong.

In some of the areas in which I practise law, I play a leading role locally and internationally and I’ve contentment. As a result, my clients are very happy with me locally and internationally. That is why I look younger than all my colleagues because I have contentment. That, I think is the zenith. I mentor people, I make impact in court, I resolve issues for clients.

That, I think is the role of a lawyer.

The issue of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria is something which I’m looking into because many young people and some members of the public don’t consider that you have reached that zenith, or you have achieved until you are one, because of that it’s a good thing to apply for it, so that for those people they would realise that it is possible for anybody who is in my position to be able to get it.

Maybe if I’ve put my mind to get it in eight or 10 years ago I would have gotten it. I applied once or twice but maybe now I should focus on it. If you say people have not reached the zenith or you use a yardstick then for judges you may say if you don’t become CJ or CJN, you have not reached the zenith of your career, if you don’t become a Court of Appeal or Supreme Court justices, you have not reached the zenith of your career.

I’m not sure it would be proper to say becoming a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, is the zenith because that would suggest that if five percent of lawyers would become SAN that means 95 percent of lawyers don’t get to the zenith of their career.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, has ordered Chief Judges in the various states and the Federal High Court to create special courts for financial crimes and corruption cases. Does the CJN has such powers?

Nigeria is a federation and because of that there’s tendency or the temptation to argue that the CJN wouldn’t have powers to control state High Courts. However, the way we run our federation, the CJN and the CJs of courts meet and it is in the interest of judicial system in Nigeria. The CJN being the leader of the judiciary in Nigeria has powers as first among equals to give directions for the judiciary and I believe that is what he has done.

The courts of record that have jurisdic-

The Team Ibe Uwaleke — Editor ibeuwaleke2012@yahoo.com Peter Fowoyo Titilope Joseph

before a judge and the judge says: ‘ I’m going to refer your matter to the body that will deal with you’, so where the CJN says I’m going to deal with lawyers, I’m going to sanction lawyers, what he is saying is that:’ I’m going to make the erring lawyers face what the rules of the profession say they have to face when they have done what is wrong.’

The reason for this, I believe, is that in foreign countries, for instance, you can’t appear before a court in England and be delaying the matter, they are going to ask you: ‘ are you sure?’ and ‘mind what you are saying’, ‘have you read this case?’, alright I will overule you on this matter and I’m going to report you.’ Because of that lawyers don’t mess about, lawyers would tell their clients I value my name, I do not want to lose my reputation or tarnish my image before the judges but, because judges are not doing it in Nigeria that is why many lawyers do misbehave. Judges do have the powers to report lawyers in the conduct of cases before them.

PROF. SODIPO

Professor Bankole Sodipo, is the former Dean, Faculty of Law, Babcock University, Ilisan-Remo, Ogun state. In this interview with PETER FOWOYO, he speaks on attaining the zenith of his career, the penultimate order by the CJN that all CJs should designate special courts for financial crimes and corruption cases, the National Judicial Council (NJC) and other sundry issues. tion to adjudicate over corruption cases can designate particular judges in their courts. For instance, Lagos state courts are designating two judges in Ikeja, two judges in Lagos Island and they will be handling corruption cases.

The CJ of the Federal High Court can designate some particular judges to handle corruption cases so that they can grow expertise in this field and by enhancing judicial process so that things will be done quickly because of the expertise developed by the judges.

I wouldn’t say it’s unconstitutional, I wouldn’t say it is ultra vires, I would rather say it is the proper thing to do.

Judges do not create courts, it is courts that have been created by statutes so that they can designate and I believe that that is what he has done.

But is designation of courts not different from creation of courts?

Well, it’s a nomenclature, the judiciary do not make laws. Courts are created by statutes. It’s only the legislators that can do that so, where a judge says he’s going to create court, it means he is going to exercise powers under the law that has created the courts to do something because that is the only thing he can do.

It is the law that has created the courts but, the law does not necessarily say you cannot designate judges or create divisions like family divisions, land division, criminal division, the law does not say so.

Now, the CJN can urge his brother judges that look, I want you to create court for children, the CJ of that state cannot create court for children but, if they have challenges with dealing with children matter the CJ can then designate judges to be handling children matters that is the only way his directive can work and that is what I believe he’s doing and people who don’t understand would think otherwise but judges understand themselves when they say I’m going to create court, they don’t create courts.

The CJN also said that lawyers who delayed cases would be sanctioned.

Does the NJC has such powers?

Well, anywhere in the world, judges have powers to sanction lawyers ,the power often is an indirect power in the sense that they may not oversee bodies that are trying lawyers for misdemeanor or professional rules or ethics but, they can report them and make a strong recommendation and where you appear

There are calls for the National Judicial Council to be reformed, would you support such calls?

Recently, there was very embarrassing move by the DSS against some judges, I felt that move was uncalled for and arguably, unconstitutional because it was ultra vires on the part of the DSS. But they were prompted to do that because they are frustrated by the slow process at the NJC, I think that is why some people are calling for reforms in the NJC. I think the NJC is well constituted, the judges need to continue to shine a stronger spotlight on their processes so that any issue that is reported is dealt with swiftly, once people have confidence in how these matters are dealt with by the NJC, nobody is going to call for any other organ to deal with reports about the conduct of judges.

Rather than saying the NJC be reconstituted, the decision making of the NJC in terms of time, is something we need to reform so that there is no delay, once there is a report to NJC about the conduct of judges.

How would you assess this government fight against corruption?

How many cases have been fought to the end and won, that is, conviction?

I don’t have the statistics but, the little that I know and I I see is very discouraging, the question of whoever to be blamed or the government or the apparatus of government that is, the agencies, EFCC, ICPC, etc because under the former government, how many judgments, convictions did it get? So it may be difficult to blame this government because it may be that there is weakness in the machinery of government.

However, I am concerned that evidence appears to suggest that some people are targeted as against all the people who are involved in corruption. I think for somebody whom I voted for, this government need to do something about it because if nothing is done they may lose the credibility which they had in terms of support that brought Buhari, our leader into power.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, October 3, 2017

IN THE COURT OF APPEAL NIGERIA IN THE LAGOS JUDICIAL DIVISION HOLDEN AT LAGOS BEFORE THEIR LORDSHIPS TIJJANI ABUBAKAR TICE COURT OF APPEAL BIOBELE ABRAHAM GEORGEWILL TICE COURT OF APPEAL UGOCHUKWU ANTHONY OGAKWU TICE COURT OF APPEAL APPEAL NO. CA/L/240/2016 BETWEEN: GOVERNMENTEKPEMUPOLO APPELLANT (ALIAS TOMPOLO) AND 1. FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA RESPONDENTS 2. PATRICK AKPOBOLOKEMI 3. GLOBAL WEST VESSEL SPECIALIST LTD 4. ODIMIRI ELECTRICALS LTD 5. KIME ENGOZU 6. BOLOBOERE PROPERTY AND ESTATE LTD 7. REX ELEM 8. DESTRE CONSULT LTD 9. GREGORY MBONU 10. CAPTAIN WARREDI ENISUOH JUDGMENT (DELIVERED BY TIJJANI ABUBAKAR, JCA)

Law report JUSJUSJUS-

This appeal is against the Ruling of the Federal High Court, Lagos Division, delivered by Buba J, on the 8th day of February 2016, dismissing Appellant’s application dated 27th January 2016.

In brief, the 1st Respondent in this appeal instituted criminal charge against the Appellant and others in charge number FHC/L/553/15, on the 15th day of December 2015. On the 12th day of January, 2016, the 1st Respondent brought ex-parte application at the lower Court seeking to serve the charge and summons on the Appellant by substituted means, by affixing same on the conspicuous part of the Appellant’s known address situate at No. 1 Agbanu DDPA Extension Warri Delta State. 1st Respondents ex-parte application was then granted on the same date. And the case was then adjourned to 14th January 2016.

On the 14th day of January 2016 when the case came up before the lower Court, the 1st Respondent filed affidavit of service as ordered by the lower Court, deposed to by one Idris Adamu, who stated on oath that the applicant for the order for substituted service complied with the order of Court by serving the processes on the 1st Accused person by pasting the charge on the conspicuous part of the 1st Accused persons known address at No. 1 Chief Agbanu Extension, Warri, Delta State. The 1st Respondent attached to the affidavit pictures depicting the premises where the Charge against the 1st Appellant was pasted.

On the same 14th day of January, 2016 the Appellant did not appear in Court in answer to the summons.

Learned Counsel for the 1st Respondent then applied under section 131 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act that warrant for the arrest of the Appellant be issued. 1st Respondents application was then granted as prayed and the Court issued warrant for the arrest of the Appellant.

On the 27th day of January 2016, the Appellant filed an application before the lower Court. In the application, the Appellant sought for an order setting aside the order made by the lower Court for issuance of summons to compel his appearance, and the order for substituted service, and setting aside the warrant of arrest. Appellant’s application came up for hearing on the 8th day of February 2016. The lower Court after hearing the application delivered bench ruling dismissing the application. Appellant became aggrieved by the Ruling and therefore filed this appeal. In this appeal Appellant relied on the Notice of appeal 1st day of March 2016 containing 12 grounds of appeal. The extant Notice of appeal is found at pages 158-170 of the record of appeal.

Learned Senior Counsel Tayo Oyetibo SAN filed the Appellants brief of argument on the 11th day of March 2016, the brief was deemed as properly filed and served on the 9th day of March 2017. Learned Senior Counsel also filed Appellant’s reply brief on the 25th day of April 27. In the Appellants brief of argument, learned Senior Counsel Oyetibo SAN nominated and argued four issues for determination from Appellant’s grounds of appeal. The issues are reproduced as follows: 1. Whether the learned trial Judge ought not to have set aside the warrant for the arrest of the Appellant which was issued on 14th January, 2016 pursuant to section 131 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, when there was contradicted evidence that the summons and criminal charge were not served on the Appellant before the warrant was issued. (Grounds 1,2,3,4,5,10,11 and 12).

2. Whether the learned trial Judge was not wrong in

law in reviewing on 8th February 2016, his Order for the arrest of the Appellant, when there was contradicted evidence before the learned trial Judge that the summons and criminal charge were not served on the Appellant. (Ground 6).

3. Whether the learned trial Judge was not wrong in law in failing to give a decision on the issue raised by the Appellant in his motion filed on 27th January, 2016 that the motion ex-parte dated 12th January, 2016 filed by the prosecution for an order of substituted service of the summons and criminal charge was incompetent in law. (Ground 8).

4. Whether the learned trial Judge ought not have set aside his order which was made on 12th January, 2016 for substituted service of the summons and criminal charge on the Appellant (Grounds 7 and 9).

Learned Counsel for the respondent, Mr. Festus Keyamo filed the 1st Respondents brief of argument. The brief incorporated 1st Respondent’s argument on the preliminary objection seeking to dismiss Appellant’s appeal. Before I return to the preliminary objection, let me quickly set out the issues for determination nominated by learned Counsel for the 1st Respondents in respect of the substantive appeal. The issues for determination nominated by the 1st Respondent are: 1. Whether the Appellant was served with the Summons so as to be aware of the pendency of the charge against him. (Grounds 1,2,3,9,10, and 11).

2. Whether the warrant of arrest issued against the Appellant was validly issued. (Grounds 4, 5, and 6).

3. Whether the alleged failure to affix stamp of the legal practitioner on an ex-parte application can invalidate the Order made by the lower Court. (Grounds 7 and 8).

4. Whether the lower Court ought to set aside the orders made against the Appellant. (Ground 12).

As I stated earlier in this Judgment, Learned Counsel for the 1st Respondent, filed preliminary objection on the 13th day of June 2016, seeking to strike out/dismiss the appeal on the ground that the appeal is an academic exercise and constitutes gross abuse of judicial process. Learned Counsel for the 1st Respondent argued the objection in the 1st Respondents brief of argument, while the Appellant filed reply brief, wherein learned Senior Counsel for the Appellant Tayo Oyetibo SAN reacted to the preliminary objection, Appellants reply brief was filed on the 25th day of April 2017.

1ST RESPONDENTS PRELIMINARY OBJECTION n arguing the preliminary objection, learned counsel Festus Keyamo formulated and submitted argument on two issues.. The issues are reproduced as follows: 1. Whether in the light of the facts as stated in the affidavit and the ruling of the trial Court, the hearing of this appeal will not amount to an academic exercise.

2. Whether this appeal is not an abuse of Court process.

ISSUE ONE Submitting on the 1st issue learned Counsel for the 1st Respondent referred to section 124 of the Administration of Criminal Justice act, 2015. Counsel said this section provides for substituted service. Counsel said when personal service of the summons and charge proved abortive, 1st Respondent obtained leave to serve by substituted means. Counsel referred to the decision in MARK Vs. EKE (1997) 11 NWLR (Pt. 529) 501 at 505,

Law 27

and the decision in C.B.N Vs. A.T. & B.S LTD (2010) 9 NWLR (Pt. 1200) 570 on the object of service of process.

Counsel also referred to section 127 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 to submit that where the officer who effected service is not in Court proof of service may be done by endorsement on a duplicate of the summons by an affidavit showing when and how the service was effected. Learned Counsel also referred to section 130 to further submit that an affidavit or declaration made before the Court by the person who served, or by a person who witnessed service or return slip of registered courier company that summons have been served and duplicate endorsed is admissible in evidence and statements made by such person or witness is deemed to be correct unless the contrary is proved.

Learned Counsel for the 1st Respondent also submitted that the appearance of learned Counsel for the appellant in Court shows that appellant had full knowledge of the charge against him by the service of the said summons. Counsel referred to C.B.N Vs. A.T.7 B.S LTD (Supra), to submit that a legal Practitioner who acts for a party is deemed to be carrying out the instructions of his client, and his appearance in Court is the same as appearance of the person so represented, and that such a person cannot contest service of originating process on him since his Counsel has already appeared in Court. Learned Counsel for the Respondent submitted that Appellant who is contesting propriety of service on him of Court processes in respect of the charge against him, took out paid advertisement in the Vanguard Newspapers of 13th December 2015, that he was informed that on the 24th day of November 2015 at 4pm that a letter of invitation was dropped in his House in Warri inviting him to EFCC, and that he responded by sending a letter written by his Counsel Messrs.’

Jakpa, Edoge & Co, that the letter written to EFCC was received by one Uduak Ouot a staff of the Commission.

Learned Counsel for the Respondent said the Appellant was aware of the charge against him and it was in the public domain. Counsel therefore said hearing this appeal is purely academic, he insisted that sections 124 and 131 had been complied with and that since Appellants Counsel had appeared in Court and applied for copies of the charge and other processes after service by substituted means, it should be taken that Appellant was in fact served. Counsel relied on Black’s Law Dictionary 9th Edition page 12, ODEDO Vs. INEC (2008) 17 NWLR (Pt. 1117) 600, STAE Vs. AZEEZ (2008) 14 NWLR (Pt. 1108) on what constitutes academic question and attitude of Courts to academic questions.

1st Respondents Counsel said the Appellant engaged Counsel and the said Counsel appeared in Court and applied for a copy of the charge, and was duly obliged.

Counsel said the Appellant has lost the right to complain against service of Court process having nominated Counsel to appear for him. Learned Counsel for the 1st Respondent said the appeal of the Appellant is frivolous, vexatious and academic and therefore has no practical relevance or usefulness, he urged that it be struck out or dismissed.

ISSUE TWO Respondents issue number two deals with the question whether the appeal is not an abuse of Court process. Submitting on this point, learned Counsel for the 1st Respondent referred to the decision in UMEH Vs. IWU (2003) 8 NWLR (Pt. 1089) 228-229 to submit that an abuse of process simply means that a process of Court has not been used in good faith and properly. Learned Counsel for the 1st Respondent also said abuse of process may connote the employment of judicial process to the irritation and annoyance of the opponent and the efficient and effective administration of Justice, Counsel also relied on the decision in DINGYADI Vs. INEC (No.1) 18 NWLR (Pt. 1224) 30.

Learned Counsel for the 1st Respondent said when the Appellant was first invited to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, he took out paid Newspaper Adverts in response to the invitation, Counsel referred to exhibit A again when the 1st Respondent took his case to court rather than appear in Court he also took out another paid Newspaper Advert Exhibit C. Upon failure to appear before the Court, bench warrant to effect the arrest of the Appellant was issued Exhibit D. Learned Counsel then submitted that Appellant then briefed Learned Senior Counsel who appeared for him and Court and received copied of the Charge and other processes, rather than appear in Counsel Appellant through learned Senior Counsel resorted to challenging the competence of the Charge against him. The application seeking to dismiss the charge against him was heard and dismissed by the lower Court.

To be continued next week

28 Foreign

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, October 3, 2017

US flag flies at half-mast over worst mass killing in history

G ƒƆ Ɛƈ ƅƆ Ɔ

Ï ^ƏƆ ƈƗƆ Ɛ ƅ ƗƆƌ G yƆ Ɛƈ ÏÏÏFollowing

the recent shooting in Las Vegas that resulted to death of about 54 revelers at a music festival and injuring about 500, the American flag on Monday flew half-mast.

Agency report said that U.S President Donald Trump ordered flags to fly at half-staff Monday as the nation recoiled in horror at the worst mass shooting in U.S. history.

Trump was reported to have said “We are joined together in sadness, shock and grief,” he said in a nationally televised address less

than 12 hours after the shooting began. “It was an act of pure evil.”

Trump began the day with a tweet as the extent of the carnage unfolded.

“My warmest condolences and sympathies to the victims and families of the terrible Las Vegas shooting. God bless you!,” he said.

He hastily rearranged his schedule for a statement in the stately Diplomatic Room of the White House, where he an-

nounced that he would travel to Las Vegas Wednesday to honor the victims and meet with survivors.

“In moments of tragedy and horror, America comes together as one. And it always has,” Trump said. “We call upon the bonds that unite us, our faith, our family and our shared values. We call upon the bonds of citizenship, the ties of community and the comfort of our common humanity.

Catalonia referendum

0Ə ƅƆ ƑƏ Ɔ ƏƆ ƐƏ ƈ Ɛ ƈ ƌƆƏ ô Ƌ ƍ Ɔ ƅƏƈ ƈ

&nè Rd & ƅ ƋƋ Ƈ Ə Ɨƈ Ƌ ƑƆ ƇƐƆƏ ƏƆƇƆƏƆ ƗƑƌ ƈ Ɛ Ƌ ƈ ÏÏÏThe European Union has called for

ÏÏÏCameroon

has been urged to exercise restraint in handling Southern Cameroon agitation for independence and respect the rights of the people France, the colonial masters of Cameroon officially commented on the ongoing political crisis in Cameroon’s English-speaking regions, as it called on all parties to exercise restraint and to reject violence.

Agency report quoted Paris as saying “France is following the situation in Cameroon carefully and is preoccupied by the incidents that took place over the weekend,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Agnes Romatet-Espagne told reporters in a daily online briefing on Monday.

“We call on all the actors to show

Cameroon Police on protest restraint and reject violence,” she added. The latest round of violence on Sunday resulted in the loss of eight lives as security forces clashed with protesters.

Protesters in the Anglophone region – the North West and South West regions – have long complained about marginalization and are seeking to secede from Cameroon. The government, however, insists that the

unity of the Central African country remains non-negotiable.

Contrary to an earlier government position, access to some social media platforms were cut on Saturday ahead of the ‘Independence Day’ declaration on October 1. There was heavy security deployment in the said regions.

dialogue in resolving political independence of Catalonia from Spain.

According to agency report, the European Commission has said that Sunday’s independence referendum in Catalonia was “not legal” but also called on the Spanish government to open dialogue.

A spokesman for the commission, the executive arm of the 28-nation EU, said Monday that “violence can never be an instrument in politics.”

The commission said in a Twitter message that “these are times for unity and stability, not divisiveness and fragmentation.”

According to the report, the director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir also called on the Spanish authorities to ensure

respect for fundamental freedoms of peaceful assembly and expression,” in order to facilitate communication and employ “de-escalation measures to reduce tensions.”“The Spanish authorities must ensure that police use force only when necessary and in strict adherence to the principle of proportionality,” she said.

Officials in Catalonia said nearly 900 people were injured when police tried to keep residents from voting.

Spain’s Constitutional Court had suspended a law passed by the region’s parliament calling for the vote, but the referendum was held anyway.

In a televised address after polls closed, Catalonia regional President Carles Puigdemont said Catalonia had “won the right to become an independent state” and urged the European Union to stop looking “the other way.”

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, October 3, 2017

29

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

T

EXTRATIME

NYG: Okowa rewards Delta contingents

30

Nosa Akenzua, Asaba he Delta State Government has honoured the state’s contingent to the just concluded third National Youth Games (NYG) in Ilorin, Kwara State for performing creditably, with different awards.

The Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa at the weekend disclosed the goodwill of his administration towards the contingent. While delivering his Independence

Day speech at Cenotaph, Asaba, Okowa noted that the goal was to encourage Delta youths to utilize the various opportunities created by the various sporting facilities distributed across the state for skills development and further enhance themselves to become very useful to the society and the nation in general.

He observed that Delta State had been winning the trophy of the National Youth Games consecu-

tively since its inception in 2013, which implies high commitment on the part of the athletes and officials, hence the need to encourage them to do more.

The Governor, who received the trophy won by the state contingent in Ilorin, led by the Chairman of Delta State Sports Commission, Chief Tonobok Okowa, noted that his administration had approved the

award for the 2016 Youth Games as well as the 2017 event which the Sports Commission would distribute to them.

The Sports Commission further disclosed that a gold medalist would go home with N100, 000.00, silver medalists would go home with N75, 000.00 each, while bronze medalists would go home with N50, 000.00 each.

Okowa

Cowrie Rugby Club wins Gosar 7s tourney

Andrew Ekejiuba

C

owrie Rugby Football Club defeated Racing Rugby Football Club by running in 4 un-replied tries to lift the Gosar Rugby Sevens Tournament trophy at the weekend at the Navy sports ground in Ajegunle, Lagos.

Winger, Christian Ogar opened the scoring within 2 minutes after stepping a defender and touching down under the post which was converted by man of the tournament; Jamie Goode to put Cowries 7-0 ahead.

Centre, John Oladele crossed the line in the fourth minute for another try when he sold a dummy to 2 defenders followed by another Christian Ogar try before half time.

Cowrie new captain, Onoru Jatto scored the final try after the break all converted by Azeez Ladipo to end any hope of a Racing comeback.

28-0 it ended as Cowrie successfully defended their trophy.

Cowrie had earlier defeated EcoII 35-0 in the semi final whilst Racing whom were also unbeaten until the final match beat Delta Dragons 22-0 on their way to the final.

Delta Dragons Inspired by scrumhalf, Al-Ameen Demola beat EcoII Rugby Club 14-12 in a very close third place match. Cowrie, Racing and Delta Dragons have automatically qualified for the Independence International Rugby Sevens Tournament to be held on October 21-22 in Lagos.

Chief Francis Ogboro (left) during a Polo tourney presentation ceremony.

Pentathlon: Ogboro assures on Youth Olympic Games Qualifier Andrew Ekejiuba

Iwobi

T

Action recorded between Cowrie Rugby Football Club of Lagos and Racing Rugby Football Club of Lagos at the Gosar Rugby Sevens Tournament held at the Navy sports ground, Ajegunle, Lagos.

Iwobi gets Wenger’s praise ahead Zambia clash

N

igerian international Alex Iwobi should score at least 10 goals for English Premier League (EPL) giants Arsenal FC. This is according to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who watched on as the 21-year-old netted the Gunners’ second goal as they beat Brighton and Hove Albion 2-0 in a EPL match at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

The forward roamed across the front line to drag Brighton’s defenders out of position and had a couple of half-chances before sealing

our win with a confident finish from his Arsenal team-mate Alexis Sanchez’s backheel.

“I think he’s a kind of player who has a good availability,” Wenger said.

“He helps you a lot to get out of pressure when you are in a build up game and creates spaces.

“What you want from him is final balls and goals as well,” the Frenchman, who has been in charge of Arsenal since 1996, added.

“A player like him must score 10 goals and he must as well give between six and 10 assists and that’s what I want from him.”

Iwobi, who is part of the Nigeria squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Zambia, has scored once in three EPL matches this season.

Nigeria will host Zambia in a crucial Group B match in Uyo on Saturday, October 7.

he Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the 2018 Modern Pentathlon Union Youth Olympic Games qualifier and the Senior African Championship holding simultaneously from December 4-11, 2017 in Lagos, Chief Francis Ogboro, has revealed the preparedness of Nigeria to host a befitting championship.

Speaking exclusively to the Extra Time in his office in Lagos on Monday, the Nigeria Polo Federation President said all hands are on deck by the LOC to host a memorable event.

“I was very delighted when the hosting right for the Youth Olympic Games qualifier and the Senior African Championship was given to Nigeria and having been appointed as the Chairman of the LOC of this great event I saw it as a sacrifice to put Nigeria’s name on world’s map in the pentathlon event.

“I also saw it as a great honour to serve my nation with my wealth of experience in sports administration and since the formation of the various committees of the LOC we all have been working round the clock to meet our various targets,” he began.

With barely two months to the event, Ogboro further stated that there was no cause for alarm in meeting the financial target of N75m needed to stage the event.

“The LOC is aware that the sum of N75m is needed to stage the event successfully and I’m using all my connection in the corporate world with assurances from them that they will surely support us and also partner with us in this regard.

Ogboro who is also a philanthropist, reformer and transformer of talents hinted that his LOC also went a step further by appointing two reputable and well-tested marketing consultants that would ensure that the N75million required to successfully host the week-long global and continental event is realized. “However, with the assistance of well-tested marketing consultants we appointed, they will actualize the said target of N75m before the commencement of the event. I have no fears regarding funding,” he stated.

Ogboro also confirmed that the Security Committee are doing a great job with its plan to give a water-tight cum maximum security to all the participants who will be coming from various countries to take part in the event.

Meanwhile, Extra Time gathered that a total of 22 countries are coming for the event that would be happening in the continent for the first time, as Africa has never hosted such an event before.

Modern Pentathlon consists of four sports namely, athletics, fencing, Polo and Shooting sports.

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

EXTRATIME

ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP…ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP… ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP…

31

Juve rule out Jan bid for Can

J

Juve

uventus CEO Giuseppe Marotta does not expect the Serie A champions to make a January bid for Liverpool midfielder Emre Can. The Germany international has been heavily linked with a move to Turin as he has yet to agree to an extension to his contract, which expires at the end of the season.

Marotta, however, does not think Liverpool will allow an important first-team player to leave in the middle of the campaign.

“We don’t believe we have to make a move in January. We have a competitive squad,” he told reporters.

“We have three players in midfield. We have young players. We’re confident in them.”

Asked about interest in Can, he added: “I don’t think there’s anything there. I don’t think Liverpool will want to lose an important player.”

Barca’s Rafinha undergoes surgery

B Ribery

Bayern confirm Ribery’s injury B Stories by Andrew Ekejiuba with Agency Reports

ayern Munich have confirmed winger Franck Ribery has torn the lateral collateral ligament in his left knee.

The 34-year-old appeared to jar his knee when he stood on top of the ball during the second half of his side’s 2-2 Bundesliga draw away to Hertha Berlin on Sunday.

Tests have since revealed the extent of the damage and initial reports suggest he is facing up to three months out of action.

“We’re sorry Franck has hurt himself,” chairman KarlHeinz Rummenigge said. “We all wish him a quick recovery.”

Bayern said in a statement that Ribery has already begun rehabilitation work to repair the damage, although he will not require surgery.

Speaking after the match, the former Marseille star said: “I’m in a lot of pain. The outer ligament is probably damaged. I hope it’s not any worse than that.”

Team-mate Jerome Boateng tweeted soon after the news: “Get well soon bro!”.

arcelona midfielder Rafinha underwent surgery on his right knee and will reportedly be sidelined until the end of November.

The Brazilian, 24, is yet to play a game this season and Barca confirmed he underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Sunday.

The La Liga leaders said it was a similar operation to the one Rafinha had on his internal meniscus – in the same knee – in April.

According to reports, Rafinha may be sidelined until the end of November.

Barca have won their opening seven league games of the season to be five points clear atop the table.

Rafinha

Koeman

Koeman gets Moshiri’s ‘total support’ in Everton

E

verton chairman Farhad Moshiri insists manager Ronald Koeman has his “total support” despite their desperate run of results.

A shock 1-0 defeat to Burnley at Goodison Park on Sunday left the Merseysiders in 16th place in the Premier League, with seven points from as many games this season.

Koeman’s side have won only two of their last 10 matches in all competitions and were booed off the pitch after conceding a late equaliser to 10-man Apollon Limassol in a 2-2 draw in the Europa League last Thursday. Moshiri sanctioned spending of close to £140million during the transfer window and Everton’s form has led to increasing speculation that Koeman is on borrowed time.

But the club’s majority shareholder says he will stand by the Dutchman and is confident the season can still prove to be positive.

“We are in a bad moment, but we have played the four title contenders – three of them away. Burnley was the only unexpected loss,” he said.

“The four pre-qualifying UEFA Europa League and two group games on Thursdays haven’t helped. There is mental and physical fatigue and seven injuries.

“These are early days and Koeman has my total support. We have great fans and they deserve better.

We know the expectations by our honest and objective fans and we will not let them down.”

Everton travel to Brighton and Hove Albion in their next game after the international break, before home games against Lyon and Arsenal and a trip to champions Chelsea.

Published by FOLIO COMMUNICATIONS LTD, Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja. email: info@dailytimes.ng Tel: 08038099089.

Editor Daily: TONY AMOKEODO

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2017

VOL. 3. NO. 464

Price: N150

Flashback in Times: October 3, 1961

News Hotline: 08050220561 Advert Hotlines: 08086296714, 08033228839

The Abia Times

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Nothing can justify the killing of unarmed, defenceless members of IPOB – Bishop Ugorji AT4

We earn as low as N500 monthly in Abia, Pensioners tell Ikpeazu AT3 ASCETA set to sack staff ÏÏÏThere

Air Officer Commanding, Ground Training Command of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Enugu, Air Vice Marshal Sampson Okon Akpasa ( 2nd from left); Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu (3rd from left); Abia State Deputy Governor, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu (3rd from right), and other NAF officers, during a courtesy visit by Air Vice Marshal Akpasa to the Governor at Government House Umuahia...recently

Ikpeazu harps on need for urban physical planning Stories by Sunday Nwakanma Umuahia

ÏÏÏGovernor

The Abia

T E A M

Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has used the occasion of a meeting with stakeholders to harp on the need for good urban planning and responsible implementation of such plans if city residents intend to enjoy the benefits of metropolitan dwelling.

Speaking at a three-day interactive workshop of the United Nations-Habitat tagged “Urban Thinkers Campus” organised

by Vicar Hope Foundation in collaboration with some line MDAs, Governor Ikpeazu said that the meeting was most timely because of the way people abuse their environment.

“I believe if you don’t take care of your environment, your environment will kill you. We need to care for our environment for the sake of the future generation”, the governor said.

He revealed that the cities of Aba, Ohafia and Umuahia had no master-plan and wondered

how previous administrations carried out physical development.

He charged the Urban Thinkers Campus to think about how to achieve better, affordable housing in the cities and cleaner, safer environment.

In her speech, the wife of the Governor, Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu, urged the participants to evolve ideas and realisable action plans that would help turn around the conditions of the cities and make the cities better, cleaner, safer, functional and more profitable to dwellers and visitors.

She described “The City We Need” as “beautiful, habitable, and runs the entire gamut from affordable and qualitative housing, to functional sanitation, infrastructure, security and emergency services”.

Mrs. Ikpeazu, who is the founder of Vicar Hope Foundation, thanked the UN Habitat, the World Urban Campaign, the International Women Communication Centre and the Huai-

Special Project Editor Sam Nseh

Correspondent Sunday Nwakanma

rou Commission for collaborating to host the Urban Thinkers Campus in Abia State.

UN-Habitat Programme Manager in Nigeria, Mr. Kabir Yari, said the essence of the event was to promote sustainable urbanisation.

Yari was represented by Dr. Steve Onu, a member of the UN Steering Committee on making cities resilient.

He expressed the hope that the meeting would come out with a road-map on how to tackle the challenges posed by rapid population growth in the urban centres.

In her speech, the Executive Director, International Women Communication Centre, Dr. Limota Goroso Giwa, said that the meeting provided an opportunity for the cross-fertilisation of ideas on how to achieve the UN objective for the new urban agenda.

Giwa commended the governor’s wife for her passion and commitment toward achieving sustainable urbanisation in Abia State. She said that her initiative had given Abia State visibility on the global map.

The chairman of the meeting, Mr. Osita Igbe, said Abia State is aspiring to have one its cities as part of the 74 cities that would

enjoy intervention and support from the United Nations Human Settlements Programme – UN Habitat, and buttressed the need for a report that is in congruence with the desires of the inhabitants.

The event featured lectures from renowned urban planners including Dr. Chibuzo Odimuko and Dr. Lekwa Ezuta, who discussed City resilience, and the role sections of society can play in realising ‘The City We Need’ project.

Amongst stakeholders that attended the meeting were community development associations, civil society organisations, members of the state legislature, clergy, security administrators, grassroot groups, women, youth, labour unions, workers in the mass transit sector, farmers, pensioners, Media practitioners, persons with disabilities, professionals in the built environment such as town planners, civil engineers and architects, and others including lawyers, doctors.

The Urban Thinkers Campus also visited sites of slum dwellers and locals in efforts to get a rounded report for submission to the World Urban Campaign steering committee.

are indications that the Abia State College of Education, Technical, Arochukwu (ASCETA) has concluded plans to sack some of its staff.

This was sequel to an announcement of the suspension of all staff on temporary, fixed salaries or monthly appointment.

In the announcement authored by the school Registrar, Comrade Livinus K Okorie, all the affected staff were mandated to report to the college today, Tuesday, October 3, 2017 for their letters of suspension.

According to Comrade Okorie, all staff of ASCETA are also to undergo a certificate verification exercise on October 16 and 17.

However, the Rector of the school and former Commissioner for Finance in the state, Philip Nto, said the Act establishing the school did not provide for what he called “month-to-month” employment system or “fixed salaries” system.

He pointing out that it is also the rule that those staff on temporary appointment must have their appointment confirmed after one year or it will lapse or be terminated.

On if this exercise is with the permission of the state government, Nto said it was with the extant rules establishing such institutions, stating also that it was purely administrative.

He was however unable to give the number of staff affected, stating that due to its administrative nature, only the Registrar could give the figure involved.

It would be recalled that hundreds of staff members were sacked by Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike few months ago and as at date under the same reason and has been generating issues up to the national level.

The Abia Times 2

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Operation Python Dance II: US-based NGO donates aid to victims ÏÏÏMoved by the plight of

the Afaraukwu kinsmen of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, after the Nigeria Army Operation Python Dance II in the area, a United States - based Non-Governmental Organisation, Africa United for Peace, has come to the rescue with a financial donation to one of the victims.

The Washington DC - based NGO at the weekend was in Isiama Afaraukwu, Umuahia, on a fact- finding mission and expressed shock at the collateral damage inflicted on the residents of the area.

Leader of the team, who simply identified himself as Mr. Emmanuel, who made a cash donation to Mr. Maduabuchi Ukangwu, whose house was riddled with bullets to assist him in repairing the building, was later conducted round Ukagwu’s house, who lamented the devastation on his building and other houses in the village during the military invasion.

Ukagwu said he needed a bundle of zinc to re-roof part of his building following bullet holes on the roof, window and parts of the wall, pointing out that a number of people in the com-

munity were killed by the army during the raid and further regretted that Government both federal and state had not visited them since after the incident.

He called on the international community to come to their aid and also help secure the community as some locals who fled the community during the attack are afraid to return home.

The team leader said he was moved to make the donation on humanitarian grounds, saying that the victims really need some help.

Mr. Emmanuel, who came with some foreign media practitioners, appealed to public- spirited individuals and organisations to come to the aid of the victims.

He also visited the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) secretariat in Umuahia to sympathise with journalists over the military invasion of their office recently.

The team members, who had interaction with journalists on their experiences during the raid, said they were amazed that journalists who were merely discharging their duties could be targeted by the security operatives.

Publish your experiences, ideas after retirement, Ikpeazu tells civil servants ÏÏÏAbia

State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, last weekend, underscored the need for public servants to research and publish ideas acquired during their service years to act as reference point for future generation.

Ikpeazu stated this during the launch of a book titled, ‘Nigerian Local Government Service Manual’ authored by a former Head of Service of Local Government System and former Special Assistant to the governor on Inter-Governmental Affairs, Prince Okenwa Emmanuel Ichie, in Umuahia, stating that the well-researched book is repository of knowledge that will enrich staff at the local government service and others.

Ikpeazu, who was represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu, commended the author of the book for a job well-done, pointing out that the compilation will help save the three tiers of government some of the shortfalls that arise as a result of workings in the local government system.

Earlier in his remarks, the chairman of the occasion and former Deputy Governor of the state, Acho Nwakanma, said the documentation will guide the workers to know their rights as relates to governance and operation of the local government level and urged them to device ways of assisting government in the art of governance at the grassroots.

Reviewing the book, Mr. O. Okereke said the book is a repository of knowledge in relation to local government system in the state and the country at large and advised all to make the handbook a practical in order to keep abreast of the workings at the local government council.

Speaking, author of the book, Prince Okenwa Emmanuel Ichie said the book will in addition serve as an encyclopedia for systematic operations and peculiarities of the local government system in Nigeria and also educate practitioners and non-practitioners about their job and their functions in terms of effectiveness.

Ezeleke needs government presence, says Nwosu

ÏÏÏThe

Ezeleke community of Umuopara in Umuahia South Local Government Area has urged governments at all levels to come to their aid, just as the community celebrated its 2017 annual new yam (iri ji) festival last Wednesday.

Speaking with The Abia Times in his palace, the President General, Ezeleke community, High Chief Godwin Nwosu, said with the massive votes and support given to governments at all levels in the country, Ezeleke community has nothing to show for that, regretting that politicians are yet to make good their electioneering promises to the community and people of the area.

He said: “We are not happy with the government at all levels in this country. There are many promises which they are yet o fulfill.

“There is no government presence in Ezeleke. Our secondary school, Umuopara Seconday school, is dilapidated and now a desert today.

“Such promises include the reconstruction of Umuopara Ring Road, other rural roads including the trans-community road of Nkwoha market (Ezeleke Umuopara Umuahia South LGA)- Umuohuru Nkwoegwu (Umuahia North LGA) which was a project under the defunct Directorate for Rural Roads and Infrastructure (DFRRI) among others.

“Governments should come and fulfill their promises during the campaign promises. They should come in and do our market square for us as they did in other places”.

On the new yam celebration, High Chief Nwosu explained said the occasion was their yearly festival that reminds them of how their yams and other products did well and to thank God who made our new yam to do well”, pointing out that in Ezeleke community, the festival is not fetish and transcended from their forefathers to them.

He disclosed that many Christians celebrate with their minds because of financial incapacitation.

He expressed the view that the festival as well as other cultural festivals can be made to be tourist attraction and urged Christians to avoid double standard in their view of cultural activities.

Also speaking, a traditional chief from the community, and Omeihechiyagwaraya I of Ezeleke, High Chief Francis Clean Olekaibe, observed that new yam festival in Igboland has been of old, stating that those who oppose it should think twice.

According to him, Christians should not feel threatened by the celebration which is not fetish, pointing out that the occasion called for thanksgiving to God for bumper harvest.

Hon. Uko Nkole, member, representing Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives (centre) with Ndi Ezeogo Aro, during the 2017 Ike Ji Aro (New Yam Festival)...recently

Okagwe Day showcases rich cultural heritage for posterity – PG ÏÏÏBorne out of the desire of the

people to come together to cherish one another, Okagwe Ohafia, last week at their Bibia Ette Square celebrated their 2017 new yam festival with special emphasis on 15th Okagwe Day celebration.

In his keynote address, the President General of Okagwe Ohafia Development Union (ODU), Elder A. I. Ukah, said the occasion was “to reawaken our consciousness towards our rich cultural heritage and values and to tackle our common challenges by taking the bull by the horn”.

The PG said further: “We have in this year’s celebration, initiated actions that will alleviate frustration and poverty among vulnerable youths, who are in severe wants of means of livelihood, which by so doing they will become responsible and contributory members of our society”.

He used the occasion to highlight the challenges facing the community to include opening of access

roads, maintenance of existing ones, energising their skill acquisition centre/capacity building, lack of portable drinking water, raising community school, Isiama Comprehensive Secondary School, Okagwe Ohafia to an enviable status, meeting up with security challenges in the area, increasing community asset base and energising community electrical transformers and increasing electrical output in the area.

According to the co-chairman of the occasion and a son of the area, Engr. Precious Nkata, the occasion called for the identification of the cultures of the area and its maintenance, stating that the occasion also featured fund raising for community projects.

In his speech and lecture on the origin and meaning of Ohafia traditional cap (Okpu Agu), another indigene of the area and the Head of department of Anatomic Pathology, College of Medicine, Abia

State University, Uturu, Ogbuefi Elder Dr. S. A. U. Offiah, described the cap as a mere cap as opposed to by some Christians, stating that it is not the hood that makes the monk.

He notified that wearing the cap to church activities does not constitute sin, but a symbol of where one comes from, stating that the activities of the individual is what constitutes sin.

He also informed that the Ohafia war dance is not satanic, but a part of the cultural attire of Ohafia for celebrating war victories in the olden days.

While urging people not to see culture as bad and devilish, Dr. Offiah described as not true the belief that the war dance is part of the reasons why there is no development in Ohafia and urged indigenes to dress like Ohafia people like Jesus Christ did in the Bible by following his peers to Jerusalem for cultural activities, while urging also Christians to follow suit.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, October 3, 2017

3 The Abia Times

IPOB activities pose serious threat to Ikpeazu’s position - Ngwaukwu people ÏÏÏWith

Cultural troupe performing at the 15th Okagwe Day and the 2017 New Yam festival, held at Bibia Ette Square,Okagwe Ohafia,Abia State...recently

We earn as low as N500 monthly in Abia, pensioners tell Ikpeazu Stories by Sunday Nwakanma Umuahia

ÏÏÏAs a result of

non-implementation of increases- six, fifteen and thirty-three percents awarded to pensioners across the nation by the Federal Government, the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has revealed that some pensioners in Abia State are still earning as low as N500 monthly, series of Federal Government increases in pension not minding.

The State Chairman of NUP, Comrade Chukwuma Udensi, made this revelation at the Michael Okpara Auditorium Umuahia during the union’s maiden meeting with the Governor Okezie Ikpeazu at the weekend.

Udensi said the Federal Government had already implemented these increases and federal pensioners together with state pensioners with federal share had long been enjoying these increases, lamenting that it is unfair for the government to allow Abia pensioners suffer this dehumanisation.

On the issue of outstanding gratuities, the union said it had earlier suggested that government make available the sum of N130 million per month to gradually liquidate same, breaking it down as follows N80 million for retired local government

staff and primary school teachers and N50 million for retired civil servants and secondary school teachers.

The Abia NUP boss said the immediate past administration in the state came up with a policy to do away with non-indigenes who were in the payroll of the state government, pointing out that, “this policy affected both the working class and the retired workers”.

“After sometime, the government reconsidered her stand and recalled the workers who were affected, retirees in this category were left out and have not been paid a dime by the Abia State Government since then.

“Many of them especially those from Anambra State complained to the union. The Abia State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners had made a representation to the government on their behalf.

“Unfortunately, the government has not responded till date. Some of them were paid last in February 2010.

One can imagine the hardship these pensioners have been subjected to”, Udensi said.

Udensi passionately appealed to the governor to take a second look at the plight of these category of pensioners and direct that they be payrolled.

However, the NUP State Secretary, Elder (Dr.) O.C. Arungwa, highlighted debt profile to Abia State Pensioners to include debts owed to retired

civil servants and retired secondary school teachers (pension arrears from August to December 2014 - 5 months; pension arrears from January 2015 to April - 4 months; pension arrears from November 2016 to December 2016 - 2 months; pension arrears from January 2017 to August 2017 - 6 months), debts owed to retired primary school teachers and retired local government staff (pension arrears: primary school teachers, August 2008 - May 2017 - N2,061,355.40; local government, January 2008 to May 2017 - N427,903,323.56.

Others include Gratuity: primary school teachers January 2000 to May 2017 - N9,540,720,856.36; local government, January 2005 to May 2017 - N2,500,185,826.16); debts owed to BCA pensioners (May and June 2014 - N15,516,213.50; January 2015 to April 2015 - N30,726,107.17 and gratuities are in arrears since 2007); debts owed to ABSUTH pensioners (pension arrears covering November 2014 to July 2017; pension arrears covering November 2009 to January 2012; gratuity to ABSUTH pensioners had been outstanding since 2009); other outstanding debts (pension harmonisation arrears; 5 and half years of pension arrears to retired primary school teachers from June 2002 to August, 2007 and gratuities to retired civil servants and retired secondary school teachers which had been outstanding since 1999).

lems in the rural areas would be adequately solved if the state receives its fair share from Abuja, urged the Federal Government to carry out an upward review of revenue allocation to Abia State, for the interest of rural communities.

He commended Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for his efforts in the state so far, but urged him to assist his community in areas of road problems and dilapidated public schools.

The royal father, who described the new yam festival in his town as a time of thanksgiving to God, noted that if people were serious with farming, prices of foodstuff would reduce drastically and parents would easily train their children in school.

The monarch equally urged the youths of his community to remain peaceful and to continue in the development of their community, while assuring that his community is investor- friendly.

Eze Ejirika, who urged his subjects to maintain the rich culture of their forefathers, used the occasion to give chieftaincy titles to some deserving individuals of Awomnebo.

Speaking on the significance of the event, the President General of the community, Chief Ignatus Nnochiri, said that the new yam festival meant a time of answered prayers

by God, while also declaring that the people of his community were lucky to be blessed with Eze Ejirika.

Key into FG farming campaign, monarch urges subjects ÏÏÏThe traditional ruler of Awom-

nebo Ancient Kingdom in Ikwuano Local Government of Abia State, HRM, Eze Christopher Ejirika, has admonished his subjects to key into the aggressive farming campaign led by the Federal and Abia State governments.

Eze Ejirika, who gave this advice at his palace, Umuariaga, Ikwuano, during the community’s New Yam (Iri Ji) festival further pointed out that Abia, being an oil-producing state, deserves monetary allocation commensurate with its oil production.

The Royal father, who also pointed out that some developmental prob-

the raging controversy swirling around, the people of Ngwaukwu, the ancestral home of Ngwa people of Abia State, on Sunday, expressed strong fears that the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) could spark off another civil war.

Ngwaukwu people made their position known in a statement signed by the duo of Nze Joe Nwogu, traditional prime minister and Samuel Azumara, palace secretary, on behalf of the executive council /Nzuko Ukwa Ngwa Ukwu after a meeting of the stakeholders, stating that IPOB was usurping the powers of Ohaneze Ndigbo by agitating for Igbo interest.

In the statement which was read by the traditional prime minister at a press conference held at the palace of Ezeukwu of Ngwaukwu, Eze Bernard Enweremadu, the people said that their nasty experiences in the civil war of 1967-70 “are too fresh to be forgotten” hence they would “not be part of any move or activities that will make another outbreak of war inevitable”.

To forestall the possibility of another war, they said that IPOB should stop pretending to be championing the interest of Ndigbo when a formidable apex organisation, Ohaneze Ndigbo, is in a better position to lead the fight for equity and justice.

“The quest/agitation for Igbo interests, especially in the area of justice, equity and manifest sense of belonging is acceptable as that is within the ambit of the laws of Nigeria,” Nwogu said.

Arguing that Ohaneze Ndigbo should take the driving seat of

championing the Igbo cause, the traditional prime minister said that it was the position of Ngwaukwu that Ohaneze remained the best suited body to fight for Igbo interest, stating, “IPOB should not be allowed to be bastardise or contradict the existence and efforts of Ohaneze Ndigbo, which is a better organised, experienced and intelligent body/platform to ventilate Igbo issues, interests and agitation”.

While stating that the group posed serious threat to the governorship seat of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, the first person from Ukwa/Ngwa section of Abia to become the state governor, Nwogu said the people of Ngwaukwu “are aware of the underpinning internal Abia conspiracies and plots against the governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, by some desperate politicians working towards imposing a state of emergency on Abia State to oust the governor from office”, alleging that a group of Abia politicians were inciting IPOB members by “misinforming them that the governor is conniving with the Presidency to wipe IPOB away by killing of the members”, adding that the same group of politicians would run back to Abuja to blackmail the governor as condoning and sponsoring the IPOB. “We call on President Muhammadu Buhari, the Federal Government of Nigeria as a whole to painstakingly verify any and every bit of information on Abia State, especially concerning the governor before taking any decision or actions, including always consulting or cross-checking with the governor”, he said.

Nneato Umunneochi community cries out over govt neglect ÏÏÏNneato Ancient Kingdom in

Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State says despite their strategic position as a border community, they are yet to feel the real impact of development.

Their traditional ruler and the Nwaji Ofor Nnaya (III) of Nneato, Igwe Ebube Okereke, made this lamentation at his palace recently, during the 2017 new yam festival of his town, stating “We have electric poles, but no light, we have electric wires dangling up but no light, our schools need rehabilitation and industries should be built to employ our youths”.

The royal father appealed to the Abia State Government to provide social amenities for his community, adding, “I know that our Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu has good plans for the rural people, so I urge him to remember my community”, assuring that his people would remain law-abiding citizens.

On the significance of the new yam festival, the monarch described it as a time of thanksgiving, when the people gathered to celebrate the beginning of harvest period, faulting the claims by some Christians that new yam

celebration is deep in fetish practices, and reminding such people that Iri Ji (new yam celebration) of Nneator is not a fetish event but instituted by God himself.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on Grassroots Mobilisation, Sir Paulinus Umeh, urged his people to maintain their support for the Governor.

While urging his people to remain united as well as help in the development of Nneato land, a notable son of Nneato, based in Onitsha, Anambra State, Mazi Ibezim Onyeka Mazi Ibezim, equally drummed support for Igwe Okereke.

He seized the opportunity to caution those opposing/working against the monarch that the royal stool is not for sale to moneybags.

The event was attended by indigenes of Nneato and witnessed the traditional cutting of roasted tuber of yam by the Igwe, which he shared to the three villages of Nneato, namely: Akawa, Ubaha and Eziama. It also featured cultural dance performance by masquarades from Nneato, UmuahiaIbeku and Umunze among others.

The Abia Times 4

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Nothing can justify the killing of unarmed, defenceless members of IPOB – Bishop Ugorji For the first time since the inception of Operation Python Dance II and its conclusion in Abia State, the Catholic Church in Abia State has spoken. In a press release made available to The Abia Times in Umuahia by Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, Catholic Bishop of Umuahia at the weekend, the Bishop bared his mind and that of the church on the issue. Excerpts of the statement is presented

by SUNDAY NWAKANMA. Nigeria as a nation in trouble Our country is passing through turbulent times. This seems to be as a result of the growing culture of impunity, greed and graft among the political elite, as well as the injustice and inequity called for in political appointments and the distribution of social amenities. While public officers and their cronies obscenely amass ill-gotten gains at the expense of the masses, the growing army of unemployed youths are daily assailed by deepening frustration as they behold a future that seems to promise them little or nothing. Consequently, agitations of disillusionment and dissatisfaction are growing louder across the nation, especially in the last two years.

While some groups in the nation are calling for restructuring of the country, others such as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) are pressing for secession.

Operation Python Dance in South East In the wake of these agitations, which have heightened the tension in our distressed nation, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Yussuff Buratai, set out to militarise the South East region of the country by the deployment of the 82nd division of the Nigerian Army in the zone under the code name, Operation Python Dance II. As the public was informed, the military operation was to last from 15th September to 15th October 2017 and was being undertaking to check criminal activities that have become prevalent in the zone. Nevertheless, the Chief of Army Staff failed to explain why the Nigerian Army was brazenly assuming the constitutional responsibility of the Police Force.

The invasion of Afaraukwu Umuahia by the Nigerian Army Sadly, when the ominous Operation started five days before

to the fundamental rights and freedoms of the citizenry in a democratic society. Above all, deploying armed soldiers to unleash brutality on unarmed and defenceless agitators is totally against the tenets of a true democracy. The lessons of history teach that such draconic measures far from crushing agitators rather energise and embolden them.

Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji its official commencement date, Afaraukwu in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, the home town of Nnamdi Kanu, the IPOB leader, was quarantined and turned into a theatre of violence. Heavy armoured trucks were displayed in the show of force, which instilled fear and panic into the community and its environs. As the Operation unfolded, it became a tale of terror, bloodshed and tears. Hapless and armless IPOB members, who fell into the net of the Nigerian Army in Isiala Ngwa Local Government Area of Abia State, were subjected to unimaginable cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. The gory video clips that went viral on the internet portraying young men compelled to swim in a muddy pond vividly revealed the abysmal contempt of human dignity exhibited by the Nigerian Army.

The invasion of Abia NUJ secretariat in Umuahia without provocation To ensure that their atrocities were not reported in the media, the military invaded the Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abia State Chapter on 12th September 2017 without the slightest provocation and traumatised the journalists carrying out their legitimate duty. The Operation rose to its highest level of terror and brutality with the invasion of the ancestral home of Nnamdi Kanu on 14th September 2017.

The Army tried to cover their atrocities As recorded, heavily armed Nigerian soldiers massacred armless and defenceless IPOB youths and made away with their corpses, ostensibly to cover their tracks. The continu-

Deploying armed soldiers to unleash brutality on unarmed and defenceless agitators is totally against the tenets of a true democracy. The lessons of history teach that such draconic measures far from crushing agitators rather energise and embolden them. ous shooting of heavy machine guns by the Nigerian Army on that fateful day caused panic among the peace-loving and law-abiding inmates of Afaraukwu community and made them to flee to neighbouring towns for safely. The violent face-off between the Nigerian Army and the members of the IPOB in Umuahia triggered off the bloody skirmishes recorded at Aba in Abia State and Oyigbo in Rivers State respectively.

Catholic Church disappointed over deployment of soldiers in South East by FG We must express our disappointment that government decided to deploy heavily armed soldiers for a show of force in the South East in a very volatile and provocative atmosphere.

Rather than engage soldiers to eliminate non-violent agitators, government should urgently address the anomalies that are the root causes of agitations in the nation or at least pursue the path of dialogue to a logical conclusion. By trying to use excessive force to suppress agitators, who were peacefully voicing out their grievances, government showed contempt

Army displayed an abysmal lack of professionalism We are deeply saddened to observe that in carrying out the Operation Python Dance II, the Nigerian Army displayed an abysmal lack of professionalism that has brought embarrassment and shame to our nation. The engagement of the military must abide by the ethical standards and rules that safeguard the sanctity of human life and the dignity of the human person. Given the sanctity of human life, soldiers in self-defence or the defence of the nation may only kill an unjust aggressor during an armed conflict, if and only if that is the only way to ward off his unjust aggression. No matter how one looks at it, nothing can justify the killing of unarmed and defenceless members of the IPOB nor the degrading and inhuman treatment meted out to some others. Even war prisoners are entitled to a decent and humane treatment. We also need to stress that the molestation and intimidation of lawabiding media practitioners by the members of the Nigerian Army is highly condemnable.

The Nigerian Army must act within the confines of the law and should avoid arbitrariness and impunity.

Poverty, discrimination and injustice in Nigeria We feel the pains of millions of Nigerians who are deeply wounded by poverty in the midst of the great wealth with which God has blessed our people. We also share the hurts of the victims of discrimination and injustice, who desire a better future for themselves and their children. However, in exercising their rights and freedoms, agitators have to respect the rule of law and always keep in mind that their rights are limited by the rights of others.

We have to stress categorically that hate speeches capable of inflaming passion or incendiary statements that pitch one part of the country against the other, far from solving our national problems rather compound them. Consequently, they should be avoided.

Court restrains councillor from parading himself A High Court sitting in Okpuala Ngwa, Isialangwa North Local Government Area of Abia State, at the weekend, restrained the Councilor representing Amapu Ntigha ward 8A, Mr. Chidozie Nwachukwu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from parading himself as such due to inability to pay his 2013, 2014, 2015 tax as and when due.

The court also perpetually restrained the ABSIEC and PDP from recognising him as a Councilor.

Ruling on a pre-election matter brought before it by the claimant, Mr. Jude Nwaogwugwu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) contesting the eligibility of Nwachukwu to stand in for the party’s councillorship primary election for Amapu Ntigha ward 8A, having defaulted in the mode of payment of taxes as stipulated, Justice C.U. Okoroafor ruled that Nwaogwugwu who came second during the primaries held on November 9, 2016, was the only qualified candidate for the party primary election, since the 1st defendant, Mr. Nwachukwu did not pay his tax as at when due and so was disqualified from the local government election held on December 21, 2016.

Speaking on the outcome of the judgment, Chief Amara Onubuogu, Counsel for the claimant, commended the judge and the judiciary for living up to the expectations of the people.

He said: “Judiciary is at work.

I have one hundred percent faith in the Nigerian judiciary.

Interacting with newsmen shortly after the judgment, Mr. Jude Nwaogwugwu, who hails from Umuokata, Amapu Ntigha, described the Judiciary as the last hope of the common man, pointing out that the judgment has set a pace for people to know the essence of tax payment as at when due and it will relax every intention of people who will want to follow shortcut.

He said: “The judgment is wonderful and very detailed. You know from the beginning of the judgment, the nitty gritty, the crossing of the‘t’s and the dotting of the ‘I’s, were all involved. Honestly speaking, it is a good thing and I dedicate everything to God Almighty who saw me through all these while.

“The intention and relaxing effect of political class will now lowered. It is not a matter of godfatherism. If you have not paid your tax as at when due, there is no way for you”.

Nwaogwugwu said every good candidate of the party should pay his/her tax as at when due, as it was enshrined both in the guideline and constitution of the PDP, adding that “unfortunately the person contesting with me did not pay his tax as at when due, then I decided to cash in on that and brought it to the law court”.

Business Times Daily Times Nigeria

Naira sustains gains, steady at all FX segments during holidays Page B3

Babajide Okeowo The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside has stressed the need for stakeholders to actively participate in the Nigerian maritime sector in order to support the growth of the country’s blue economy.

Dr. Peterside, who made this known while addressing stakeholders at the harmonised NIMASA stakeholders’ interactive forum with the theme: “Synergy: An Instrument for Sustainable Development of the Blue Economy,” which held over the weekend, at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, said that amount of littoral states in Nigeria and the length of the nation make the development of Nigeria’s blue economy a necessity for the country’s benefit.

According to a statement signed by the agency and made available to The Daily Times, the DG said that the agency was currently on a mission of changing the landscape of the nation’s maritime domain by putting a policy framework in place to allow maritime business to thrive.

According to the DG, “Maritime provide a veritable opportunity for us to grow our economy. We will ensure we play our role by providing necessary policies for industry players to reap the benefits of participating in the sector in order to develop our blue economy for Nigeria’s benefit.”

The statement said that, “Pe-

Unpaid salaries: Benue, labour at loggerheads

Page B8

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

FG moves to diversify power, targets 7000mw

Page B6

NIMSA: Peterside harps on viability of maritime industry Ï Ə Ɔ Ɛ ƊƆ ƋƗƆƏ Ɛ ƍ ƏƐ ƆƏ Ɔ ƅƕ Ɔƅ ƌƕ

terside however, charged industry stakeholders to collaborate and cooperate with the agency, as it strives to create an enabling environment for them to operate adding that the agency has created various platforms through which stakeholders can communicate with the agency on various issues.

The NIMASA DG also hinted that as part of ensuring the Nigerians reap the benefits of the industry, the agency was also carrying out a robust human capacity building for the sec-

tor. He added that the Agency has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with some foreign schools to provide Sea time training to the graduates of the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) which has hitherto been a challenge in the past.

Also at the event, the Chairman Governing Board of the Agency, Major General Jonathan India Garba (Rtd.) said that the Board would continue to support the Dr. Peterside led Executive Management by giving

necessary approvals that would reform the Nigerian maritime sector for economic benefit.

According to the statement, “the Chairman, House Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration, Mr. Muhammed Umar Bago said that the Legislative arm of the government is ready to support NIMASA and stakeholders by providing laws that would advance the country’s maritime sector.

Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of Nigerian Ports

Consultative Council, Otunba Kunle Folarin commended NIMASA’s drive towards building capacity for the sector. He said that the effect of these drive would be felt in the industry sooner rather than later.

It would be recalled that Dr. Dakuku Peterside since assumption of duty had always advocated for stakeholders cooperation towards building a viable maritime sector. He has also championed the repositioning of the regulatory Agency for optimum service delivery.

L-R: Paul Inua Relationship Officer, Sterling Bank Plc, Yunusa Abdullahiy Business Manager, Sterling Bank, Alhaji Sani Sergent Yauri, Sterling Bank customer and beneficiary of N1m shopping voucher with Jibril Mohammed Kardi, Relationship Officer, Sterling Bank at the Samsung Shop in Kebbi... on Friday.

MTN appeals N4.8bn cost to ex-Nigerian employee Ï Says court action detrimental to firm’s interest

By Tony Nwakaegho Following the award of N4.8 billion by National Industrial Court for alleged

BUSINESS TIMES Business Editor Ganiyu Obaaro Deputy Business Editor Azubike Nnadozie Asst. Business Editor Simon Ugwu Capital Market Editor Bonny Amadi

wrongful termination of the appointment of an ex-staff, Paul Odunewu, MTN, a telecommunications giant, said it has approached a higher court to set aside the judgment by National Industrial Court against it.

At the Ondo Division of the court, Justice Oyepoju Oyewunmi, recently asked the company to pay Paul Odunewu, a former network group operations’ manager of the company, N4.8bn in a suit against the MTN, alleging that his appointment was wrongfully terminated; and that his entitlements were not paid.

In a statement issued by General Manager, Corporate Affairs of the company, Omasan Ogisi, and made available to Daily Times, MTN said it is committed to treating all its employees fairly.

“We can confirm that the National Industrial Court took a position which we consider detrimental to our interests in a suit filed by a former employee.

The court’s position has been reviewed by our internal and external counsel,” the statement read.

“Following that review, we

have approached a higher court requesting that the decision of the industrial court be set aside.

We believe that there are critical elements of our case which were not fully considered by the lower court before taking its position.

“We are confident that the outcome at the superior court will be different and that justice will not only be done but will be seen to be done in this case.

“MTN is committed to a policy of openness, integrity, diligence and professionalism in the conduct of business – with

customers, shareholders and each other. Our code of conduct stipulates high labour standards regarding all our employees. In addition, we have processes in place to ensure that we act in accordance with international standards and local laws.

“We, therefore, maintain that we treat all our employees fairly, as captured in the details of our employment contracts, signed and legally binding. This situation was no different. The most basic commitment we make – to our customers, our sharehold-

CONTINUES ON PAGE B2

Business News B2 NIMSA: Peterside harps on viability of maritime industry CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1

ers, and each other – is to conduct ourselves in an ethical, honest and respectful manner.”

It will be recalled that the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), Akure Division, ordered MTN Nigeria Communications Limited and MTN International, Mauritius, to pay its former Network Group Operations Manager, Mr. Paul Odunewu, $13,419,728.54, £10,000 and N2,540,000 (totalling N4,825,036,735.9), following wrongful termination of employment.

Justice Oyejoju Oyewunmi made the order following Odunewu’s suit challenging his 2006 termination and the deprivation of his entitlements, including share options valued at $13,144,512.00.

MTN Group Limited, South Africa; MTN Nigeria and MTN International, Mauritius were first, second and third defendants in the suit which lasted 10 years from the Lagos State High Court to the NICN.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, October 3, 2017

OPEC: Brent crude slips below $56 bp/d Simon Ugwu with Agency report Oil fell more than $1 a barrel on Monday, as a rise in U.S. drilling and higher Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries’ (OPEC’s) output put the brakes on a rally that saw prices score their biggest thirdquarter gain in 13 years.

U.S. energy companies added oil rigs for the first week in seven and Iraq announced its exports increased slightly in September when OPEC overall boosted output.

U.S. crude was down $1.40, or 2.7 percent, at $50.27 by 9:31 a.m.

ET (1331 GMT). The U.S. benchmark posted its strongest quarterly gain since the second quarter of 2016.

Brent crude, the global benchmark, was down $1.25, or 2.2 per cent, at $55.54 a barrel. It notched up a third-quarter gain of around 20 per cent, the biggest third-quarter increase since 2004 and traded as high as $59.49 last week.

I think it’s going to be a struggle to move above $60 Brent,” said Olivier Jakob, oil analyst at Petromatrix.

Oil’s rally has been driven by mounting signs that a three-year supply glut is easing, helped by a production cut deal by global producers led by the OPEC “Brent crude oil prices have gone from strength to strength as surplus oil stocks are being depleted,” Bank of America Merrill Lynch said in a report.

“Importantly, this rally is supported by a tighter physical market, providing a fundamental backbone that was not present before.”

But reports found that OPEC oil output rose last month, gaining mostly because of higher supplies from Iraq and also from Libya, an OPEC member exempt from cutting output.

The Libyan gain appears short-lived, though. The country’s largest oilfield, Sharara, has been closed since Sunday, an engineer at the field and a Libyan oil source said.

Middle Eastern oil producers are concerned the price rise will only stir U.S. shale producers into more drilling

L-R: Group Executive Director, Strategy, Portfolio Development and Capital Projects, Dangote Industries Limited, Mr. Devakumar Edwin, Group Chief Communication Officer, Dangote Group, Anthony Chiejina and the General Manager, Corporate Communications, Sunday Esan at a press conference on Monday in Lagos on the alleged 10 year tax holiday to Dangote Group

FirstBank’s payment card hits 10m Adesola Afolabi First Bank of Nigeria Limited has been named the first financial institution in Nigeria and the West-Africa subregion to issue 10 million cards to customers across the country, making FirstBank the second bank in Africa to achieve this feat.

The ground-breaking accomplishment is reminiscent of a similar milestone achieved two years ago when the bank, in December, 2015, and May 2016, was named the first financial institution in the country to achieve sustained alternative channels transaction volumes of 100 million transactions.

FirstBank has sustained its edge in payment card issuance with its Instant issuance/Instant Activation Technology, which was pioneered about seven years ago. This has also informed the bank’s consistency in maintaining the highest active card ratio in the industry.

According to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Adesola Adeduntan, “delivering this feat is a testament to the bank’s brand promise to put our customers first and continuously improve our business to serve them better.”

and push prices lower again.

Key OPEC producers consider a price above $60 as encouraging too much shale output.

In February, oil industry sources said Saudi Arabia would like to see oil around that $60 level.

In a sign U.S. oil output could rebound, energy services firm Baker Hughes said on Friday, energy companies added oil rigs for the first week in seven after a 14-month drilling recovery stalled in August.

Technical charts suggest the rally may be running out of steam. Jakob of Petromatrix said Brent’s weekly chart had formed a “shooting star,” a pattern seen as indicating a market has reached a top.

Dangote debunks 10-Year Tax Holiday story Azubike Nnadozie The management of the Dangote Group on Monday debunked the story making the rounds that the company will benefit from a 10-year tax holiday after constructing the 35 kilometres Apapa to Oworonshoki long highway end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Speaking to a cross section of journalists in his Ikoyi office on Monday, Group Executive Director, Strategy, Portfolio Development and Capital Projects, Dangote Industries Limited, Mr. Devakumar Edwin, revealed that the company has never benefited any tax waivers or credits in its entire history except when it is industry based and apply to all its competitors.

He explained that while the company has volunteered to repair the Apapa road as part of its

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at no costs at all to the Federal Government, the construction of Apapa to Oworonshoki long highway will be done at 15 to 25 per cent less than the lowest bid.

According to him, “It is very painful when some people accuse our company of benefitting from 10 years’ tax rebate from the government.

There is nothing like tax credit in all these. We volunteered to construct the Apapa to Oworonshoki long highway at a cost that will be about 15 to 25 per cent less than the lowest bid on the road…We hope to get back our money after three years by removing the sum from the tax we are supposed to pay.”

He explained that the company proposed to the government to reduce 50 per cent of the total cost of the road, from its proposed tax, on

its first year after completion and 25 per cent of the costs respectively for two years from its proposed tax. “… the government came forward and said, you guys are repairing the road, good enough but this road is very important to all Nigerians…is it possible to help us do proper road construction of 35 kilometers from Apapa to Oworonshoki? We advised the government to go for a competitive bidding and also that we will take it up at a costs that will be lower than the lowest bid received by the government…Since the government may not be handy with cash, we proposed that we will recover our money in three years in installments against our future tax, so infact, the government will not pay anything to us, we will only offset our costs against our three years tax, so government will not pay us a dime for the road and it is not as if we are not paying tax.

It would be recalled that the federal government said it would give tax relief to private sectors that invest in road construction in the country.

Speaking at the Road Construction Summit 2017 organised by Lafarge and Business Day at the weekend in Lagos, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola said that there are a lot of possibilities that lie ahead when private capital comes into road construction under the tax relief order as proposed to be amended and complements government spending.

According to him, the government has just concluded an agreement using the tax incentive order to hand over the Apapa area comprising Creek Road, Liverpool Road, Marine Beach to Mile 2, Oshodi, Oworonshoki to the Lagos end of the Toll Gate on the Ibadan Expressway to Dangote Group.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, October 3, 2017

B3 Money Market

Naira sustains gains, steady at all FX segments during holidays Stories by Motolani Oseni The Nigerian currency, Naira, on Monday, October 2nd, remained unchanged at all the foreign exchange markets and segments during the holiday marking the nation’s 57th Independence Day. However, at the parallel market, the local currency, over the weekend, extended till yesterday sustained the appreciated gains at the parallel segment of the forex market, stood steadied at 365 to the dollar, better than 367 sold the previous week.

The Naira was also seen at 485 to the pound against 467 sold a month ago during the Il-

eya holiday celebration, but the unchanged rate of 425 per Euro, was better than 432 exchanged during the same period.

Due to the Federal Government’s declaration of Monday as public holiday for the celebration, the market was expected to open today Tuesday, October 3 , as the official forex market remained flat at an unoperated rate of 305.75 compared to 305.85 per dollar sold a month ago.

Going by the rate closed at the last trading day of the week, the NAFEX window stood at 360.40 against 359.67 per dollar traded the last holiday given for the Islamic celebration.

It would be recalled that the

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in its proactive measure, had lifted the forex market on Friday, with fresh injection of $308.5million. This move is expected to further ensure liquidity and stability in the FX market.

The apex bank, also, about a week ago had injected $195m ahead of MPC decisions, which was offered in three segments of the market. In the wholesale Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS) of the interbank Foreign Exchange market, it auctioned $100m and also intervened in the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and invisible segments, with the sum of $50m and $45m, re-

spectively. This brings the total intervention for the week to a sum of $503.5m.

Consequently, forex dealers believed with the latest balance of the nation’s external reserves, the apex bank is better positioned in its drive to ensuring foreign exchange rate convergence.

However, the figure obtained from the central bank showed that its foreign external reserves stood at $32.16 billion as at September 22, 2017, indicating a total gain of $7.41bn in the last 12 months.

The latest apex bank statistic showed that as at September 22, 2016, the external reserves stood at $24.75bn against the

current $32.16bn, hence, representing an appreciation of over seven billion dollar in just one year.

However, the reserves figure was seen at $31.8bn a month ago, exactly August 28, 2017, but strengthened by $361.6m within one month to record new figure of $32.16bn, therefore, representing the highest balance since January 2015.

Although, the external reserve has staged a rebound since early 2017 after hitting a post election low of about $23.6bn back in October 31, 2016 (using adjusted data). The external reserves dropped below $30bn in February, 2015, just before the 2015 General Elections.

Sterling Bank: RecyclArt Competition unveils 16 finalists Sterling Bank Plc has announced 16 finalists for the next stage of the RecyclArt Competition.

The 16 finalists made the cut from a pool of 630 young artists from across Nigeria that submitted proposals on transforming old, recycled and reused objects into amazing pieces of contemporary art for public spaces.

RecyclArt was initiated

by Sterling Bank to preserve culture and empower young artists to expand their art practice into the public realm, while also supporting the environment by promoting the recycling and repurposing of waste materials.

Artists that made the cut are Obiakor Thelma, Ekpe Anthony, Ifedilichukwu Chibuike and Okewu Jonathan from Abuja Zone; Fagbohungbe Olayemi, Nwasogwa Jachimike, Akpojotor Patrick and Dudu Emmanuel from Lagos Zone; Ajisafe Raphael, Olojede Ife, Ayodele Aribagabu and Samson Ogundeji from the Abeokuta Zone, and Udeh Charles, Asiegbu Collins, Muoneme Izuchukwu and Enejison Michael from Port Harcourt Zone.

The finalists will create miniature versions of their proposed works submitted for appraisal by the competition’s es-

teemed panel of multidisciplinary judges, comprising Olu Amoda, Rom Isichei, Deola Sagoe and Ndidi Dike.

Four of the 16 finalists with the best artwork from each zone will become grand prize winners. The four winners from the different zones will be awarded N1,000,000m each , with a solo installation/ exhibition in one public community park or space within their geo-political zone.

Commenting on RecyclArt, Henry Bassey, Chief Marketing Officer, Sterling Bank, said “Artists can do amazing things with recycled and repurposed materials by turning them into sculptures and many other art forms thereby creating value from objects that will otherwise litter dumpsites.

RecyclArt is providing this same opportunity to young and emerging artists in the country to become inventive by transforming waste into public artwork which will give a large number of Nigerians aesthetic pleasure.

These eco-friendly art forms will also advocate the cause of the environment by inspiring the masses to reuse and repurpose waste which will in turn reduce our environmental challenges.

Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (L) and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, Alhaji Muhammed Bukar, at a retreat for Heads of Departments and Chief Executive Officers of Agencies, in Lagos...recently.

Attempts to amend our Act not altruistic - CBN Sam Nzeh The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has described attempts to amend the Act setting it up as not in best interest of the bank, saying those behind the attempts are not altruistic.

The Acting Director, Corporate Communications Department of the apex bank, Mr. Isaac Okorafor, stated this in Lagos at the weekend, just as he called on members of the National Assembly to jettison the plan in the interest of the nation.

“There have been three attempts so far to amend the CBN Act by the National Assembly. When you examine these attempts particularly as they affect the core mandates of the CBN and related matters, you will clearly see that the attempts are not altruistic and not in the interest of the country. At best, these attempts are plots to extort money from CBN in the build up to the 2019 general election,” Okorafor said.

He decried the invitation of the CBN to almost every

investigation by the National Assembly, disclosing that most times when officials of the apex bank are sent to such investigative hearings, committees handling the investigations send the officials back, insisting that the CBN governor must appear in person.

Okorafor, who was joined at the briefing by two officials of the bank, Dr. Mahmud Hassan, from the Financial Stability Department, and Dr. Mudashir Olaitan, Director, Development Finance Department,

further disclosed that strategies adopted by the CBN in the management of the foreign exchange regime in the past one year is yielding positive results and has effectively wiped out the parallel market, otherwise known as black market.

He said the focus of the apex bank remains the survival of the nation’s economy, insisting that the bank has been able to stabilise the naira and working to reduce the exchange rate as well as bringing down inflation to a single digit.

v

Capital Market B4

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, October 3, 2017

FMDQ presents awards to Lagos, DMO, Lafarge, others Ï Ɠ ƏƗƆƆ Ƌ ƑƗƆƗ Ƈ Ə Ɔ ƅƈ ƅ ƍƈƐ Ƌ ƌ ƏƊƆƐ

Stories by Bonny Amadi For their unhindered effort at deepening Nigeria’s debt capital market, the FMDQ OTC market has reorganized the role of Logos state government, Debt Management office (DMO), Lafarge Africa, among other seven organizations.

The performance awards were presented to the Lagos State Government and the other organizations during the FMDQ OTC market 2017 Nigerian Debt Capital Market Conference and Awards, which took place in Lagos, recently.

Other recipients were, Chapel Hill Denham, Access Bank and Mortgage

refinancing company Plc. Others are Chapel Hill Advisory partners Limited, Stanbic IBTC capital, Bannwo & Ighodalo and Municipality Waste Contractors Limited.

Reiterating FMDQ’s commitment to remaining steadfast towards the development of the Nigerian DCM, and economy at large, the Managing Director/ CEO of FMDQ, Mr. Bola Onadele. Koko, who presented the awards on behalf of FMDQ, lauded the awardees for their laudable performances.

According to him, the awards designed for market participants and key stakeholders in the Nigerian DCM, were for creditable performance in relation to

primary market activities, over the past two years, from September 2015 – August 2017.

The FMDQ CEO noted that the exceptional performances by these market players had contributed to the overall development and progress of the markets in different ways.

The performance categories recognised included, Largest Corporate Bond Issuer on FMDQ won by Lafarge Africa PLC, largest Sub-national Bond Issuer on FMDQ won by the Lagos State Government and largest Fund Manager on FMDQ won by Chapel Hill Denham Management Limited.

Others are, largest com-

mercial Paper Issuer on FMDQ won Access Bank plc, most compliant Bond Issuer on FMDQ won by Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company PLC, best FMDQ Registration Member (Listings) won by Chapel Hill Advisory Partners Limited.

Also recognized were Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited, which emerged as the best FMDQ Registration Member (Quotations), best DCM Solicitor on FMDQ won by Banwo & Ighodalo, sustainable Finance in the DCM won by Municipality Waste Contractors Limited and Most Innovative Listing on FMDQ which was won by the Debt Management Office (DMO) Nigeria.

Ecobank launches mVisa across 33 African countries Azubike Nnadozie Ecobank Transnational Incorporated says it has partnered with Visa to launch Ecobank Scan+Pay with mVisa solutions to their consumers.

According to a statement by the group, the strategic tie-up signals interoperability on a cross border level, and potentially huge gains, as it affords consumers with the ability to use their mobile phone to directly access the funds in their bank accounts to pay person-tomerchant (P2M) or personto-person (P2P).

It added that the Ecobank Scan+Pay with mVisa delivers instant, secure cashless payment for goods and services by allowing customers to scan a QR code on a smartphone or enter a unique merchant identifying code into either a feature phone or smartphone.

The Qpayment goes straight from the consumer’s bank account into the merchant’s account and provides realtime notification to both parties. This serves to accelerate digital commerce and combat some of the challenges merchants have faced using traditional point of sale systems, including the cost of installation coupled with the requirement of electricity and internet connectivity.

Ecobank mVisa solutions, it said, also enable

customers to send money instantly to any Visa cardholder worldwide, adding, “This is a major innovation that serves the need of Africans in the diaspora by enabling them to simply link their Visa card to the Ecobank unified mobile app to send money home to another Visa cardholder quickly and securely.“ “We are fulfilling our commitment to give every African the right to participate effectively in the global economy at an affordable price and in a convenient manner. Ecobank Scan+Pay with mVisa helps merchants – particularly small and micro merchants – to grow their sales without the risks of carrying cash whilst also giving consumers the ability to pay for goods and services in a cashless manner from their phones. Consumers can also conduct personto-person payments and instantly transfer money to their friends and family via their phones at very low cost,” said Ecobank Chief Executive Officer Ade Ayeyemi.

The partnership, he said, demonstrates both Ecobank and Visa’s continued commitment to provide financial services to the banked and unbanked in Africa by leveraging digital platforms to offer convenient and affordable payment mechanisms.

Ɗ ƏƆ ƍ ƈƄƋƆ Ƈ Ə Ɨ Ɠ ƐƈƌƆ ƈ Ƈƈ ƅƈ Ƌ ƌ ƏƊƆƐénƊƆƉƆ Gé`ëj Ɔ #ƈƏƆƅƐ Ə 1Ɔ ƆƏ Ƌ Ƈ ƑƏƆ Ƒ Ƈ ^ƑƄƋƈƅ & ƐƆƏƍƏƈ Ɔ æ ^& çè LƏê ƋƆƔ ê RƊ è Əƈ Ɛ Ɔ ƅƋ ƈ ƄƆƋƋ Ƈ Ə Ɛ Ɔ Ɨ ƕô ƄƑ ƈ Ɔ Ɛ Ɛ Ɔ Mƈ ƆƏƈ dƐ ƅƊ &Ɣƅ Ɔ æMd& çè G 0ƏƈƗ ƕè dƆƍƐƆƌƄƆƏ ƾÖè ƾƠơƣê zƈƐ ƈƌ ƏƆ ^ ƈ 1 ƌƗƆè ƅƐƈ 6Ɔ Ɨ Ƈ Əƍ Ə ƐƆ dƆƏƒƈƅƆ Ɛ Md&ì LƏê R ƅ Ə Mê R ƕƆƌ è ƈƆƇ &ƔƆƅƑƐƈƒƆ RƇƇƈƅƆƏ Ƈ Md&ì Ɨ Ƌ Ɖƈ Ƅ L ƌƌƆƗè 6Ɔ Ɨ Ƈ ƍƈƐ Ƌ L ƏƊƆƐ Ɛ ^&è Ɛ Ɛ Ɔ &Ɣƅ ƆêêêƏƆƅƆ ƐƋƕê

…as NSE boss receives professional excellence award The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The Nigerian Stock Exchange (“NSE” or “The Exchange”), Mr. Oscar N. Onyema, has been recognised with the Professional Excellence Award, Capital Market Category at the Business Hallmark People of the Year Awards Ceremony held at the Civic Center, Lagos on Saturday, September 30, 2017.

According to the Business Hallmark Newspapers, organisers of the Business Hallmark People of the Year Award, Onyema was recognized for his outstanding achievements, especially in evolving and implementing policies which have contributed enormously towards professionalizing and restoring confidence in the Capital market.

“Today, the transformation project of the stock exchange has yielded positive dividends across all indices despite an extremely challenging operating environment.

The NSE’s brand has become globally competitive, attaining full membership of key international exchange associations, whilst also instituting a Corporate Governance Rating System for listed companies”, said the organisers.

While receiving the award, Onyema stated, “I am honoured to receive this award. I share this honour with the great team at NSE, who continue to share the vision of building a foremost Exchange that is driven by regulation, efficiency, liquidity and innovation. They continue to make significant contribu-

tions to the capital market. About 6 years ago, I took the decision to return home to contribute towards the development of the Nigerian capital market after over 16years of working with leading exchanges abroad.

I thank the organisers of the award for recognising our modest contributions; and be assured this will continue to inspire us to do more.”

Other recipients honoured at the ceremony were Mr. Ibrahim Magu, Acting Executive Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC); Mr Peter Amangbo, GMD/CEO, Zenith Bank Plc; Prof. Ishaq Olarewaju Oloyede, Registrar/CEO, Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

Banks across the country have been accused on being responsible for the gridlocks in settlement of trades and down time experienced in market operations.

This was disclosed recently in Lagos during an FMDQ event by the Special Adviser to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor on Financial Markets, Mr Emmanuel Ukeje, as he accused some banks for ensuring that they have a piece of every auction in the market , even without back up capital.

He said that the apex bank’s market technologies has been updated and has remained upbeat and efficient to locate when and where the default is coming from, add-

ing that once there is default in meeting up with allocations, it disrupts trades and creates.

He said that against general believe in many quarters that the CBN was responsible for market downtime, the banks are solely responsible as the apex bank may soon begin another regime of fines on market defaulting banks.

He had said “banks are responsible for gridlock because all of them without making adequate provisions, want to buy CBN treasury bills and when settlement time comes , they will be found wanting this is what causes gridlock in the market” Ukeje said.

Summary of activities on NSE ASI DEALS VOLUME VALUE CAP

36,317.31 3,276.00 348,112,637.00 2,977,447,773.85 12,517,588,127,862.83

B5

39,000

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, October 3, 2017

NSE All Share Index

Naira Value (m)

101,100

37,000 81,100 35,000 61,100

33,000 31,000

41,100

29,000 21,100 27,000

14-Sep

11-Sep

08-Sep

05-Sep

02-Sep

30-Aug

27-Aug

24-Aug

21-Aug

1,100

18-Aug

`

15-Aug

12-Aug

09-Aug

06-Aug

31-Jul

03-Aug

28-Jul

25-Jul

22-Jul

25,000

Labour B6

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Unpaid salaries: Benue, labour at loggerheads Stories by Joy Ekeke

Economic and business activities have been grounded in Benue State as the Nigeria Labour Congress( NLC) and the Trade Union Congress(TUC) has commenced an indefinite strike over failure of the state government to pay seven months’ salary arrears for state workers.

Also, the state is owing 11 months’ salary arrears for teachers and local governments’ workers and 13 months’ arrears of pensions and gratuities for state and 14 months for local governments’ workers.

The decision to commence the strike action in the state, according to labour, was resolved after the Joint State Executive Council of the Benue State Chapter of the NLC and the TUC issued a directive through a communiqué signed

by Joint State Executive Council of the state chapters of the NLC and TUC in Makurdi.

The communiqué jointly signed by Godwin Anya, Philip Nongu and Ordue Tanterger, the

state chairmen of NLC, JPNC and TUC respectively, partly read, “SEC resolved to embark on total, comprehensive and indefinite strike with effect from Tuesday, October 3rd, 2017, to press home its demand of seven months’ salary arrears for state workers, March to September, 2017, 11 months’ salary arrears for teachers and local governments’ workers, November 2016 to September 2017 and 13 months’ arrears of

pensions and gratuities for state and 14 months for local governments’ workers.”

The labour leaders in the communiqué, noted that the indefinite strike was necessitated by the inability of the state government to meet their demands after the sevenday warning strike had elapsed.

Meanwhile, the government has pleaded with the organised labour to understand the challenges facing it.

L-R: Zonal Coordinator, South-West, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Babatunde Faleke; Deputy Managing Director, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mohammed Balarabe; MBA Director and Board Member, LBS, Dr. Uchenna Uzo; Deputy Director, Development Finance, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Adebisi Adedeji; Chief Risk Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Kevin Ugwuoke; at the press conference to announce the commencement of the Export Management Programme (EMP) - Stream 5 organised by Fidelity Bank in conjunction with LBS and NEPC in Lagos ...recently.

NUPENG lauds FG over payment of N1.64trn salaries, pensions

The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, (NUPENG) has commended the Federal Government for its efforts towards ensuring that workers and pensioners in the country are paid their salaries and pensions and not left to die in penury.

The union said that it was gratifying that the government said it has so far released the sum of N1.64 trillion to states and local governments between 2015 and 2017.

In a chat with The Daily Times correspondent, the Lagos State Chairman of NUPENG, Alhaji Tokunbo Korodo, however kicked against state governors who have made it a habit over the years to divert the bailout fund, after signing an undertaking to use the funds

judiciously.

He said, “The total sum paid by the Federal Government in the last two years, shows how president Buhari is committed to the welfare of working class and pensioners. But, the labour movement in states needs to rise up to the occasion by fighting for the rights of workers and prevent Governors from diversion of wages for unnecessary projects.” ”Most of the governors are anti-people, anti-workers and it’s a lesson for their re-election in 2019,” he said.

Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had, on September 11, appealed to the state governors to pay all understanding salaries of their workers and accumulated pensions of ex-workers from the additional funds provided to them by the FG.

Relief, as LASG pays 287 retirees N711m The Lagos State Government has confirmed payment of N711million into the Retirement Savings Accounts of 287 retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme in September.

The Lagos State Pension Commission made this known through a statement, stating that it was part of the fulfillment of the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode’s pledge to make life better for retirees of the state government.

While speaking at the 43rd batch of the retirement benefit bond certificate presentation ceremony, the Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Mr. Benson Oke Akintola, who represented the governor, said the administration was determined to touch every aspect

of the pensioners’ life.

He said the state had embarked on massive infrastructure development and placed priority on those who laboured for the state before they retired.

“He understands the challenges facing a retiree and that the receipt of the pension dues will enable them face the future,” he said.

The Director- General, LASPEC, Mrs. Folashade Onanuga, advised the pensioners to spend the funds wisely.

She said, “You are in the evening time of your life; make sure you rest well, and do not do anything that will aggravate your health status. Use your pensions for your basic needs and make sure you eat well and in moderation.”

Onanuga, who noted that the current economic challenges had affected the ability of youths to gain employment, said many youths who should be taking

care of themselves and their parents were still depending on them.

She advised the retirees to consider using the lump sum received to empower any resourceful child to start a family business, which could end up creating jobs for other people.

Meanwhile, the state government has reiterated it’s commitment towards a modernized civil service sector for optimal performance in the state by organising a two-day staff retreat for its senior and junior cadre, through the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

Speaking at the Opening Ceremony, the Lagos State Commissioner for Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Dr. Lola Akande, while declaring the retreat opened, pointed that the retreat is in line with the state government efforts at actualising the

various reforms on-going in the State through a dynamic workforce that is efficient and result oriented.

According to her, the retreat is a strategic tool for the enhancement of employee performance and in line with the Ministry‘s Mission of ”Women Development and Poverty Reduction as a Means to attaining Sustainable Growth through efficient and Prompt Service Delivery,” she said.

Akande noted that the objective of the retreat is to create to create opportunity in enhancing efficiency and better performance. “As a Ministry, we are resolved to work harder to drastically reduce poverty and hunger in the State; combat inequalities amongst women, build peaceful, just and inclusive societies; promote gender equality and protect rights of women as well as their empowerment.

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, October 3, 2017

B7 Business Feature

Deepening debt capital market for economic for growth Bonny Amadi For the Nigerian debt market to gain its enviable position of serving as platform to raise huge capital to cushion inflow of foreign funds to the market through patronage of Federal Government bonds, the corporate must play active role in bond market.

The prevalence of corporate entities raising money form the bond market, while government concentrates on establishing standards and infrastructures for the market to thrive, will usher in a new era in Nigeria’s Debt Capital Market (DCM) and the nation’s overall economy.

The Nigerian DCM has continued to generate increased interest within the corporate community and government circles, as rightly positioned with enabling infrastructure to mobilize funds for infrastructure development.

The Nigerian debt market has in recent years been enveloped by foreign capital delivered by foreign investors , which in spite of its soothing effect on the needs for developmental funds, it continues to further weaken or erase corporate bonds, This and other issues were the major focus at the just concluded 2017 Nigerian Debt Capital Markets (DCM) Conference & Awards organized by the FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange, with the theme: “Positioning for growth.”

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, in his address, charged stakeholders to support the Federal Government’s diversification efforts by embracing the DCM and the opportunities therein.

Osinbanjo lauded the FMDQ and its team, including, Chairman, Mr. Joseph Okwu Nnanna and Mr. Bola Onadele Koko, for putting in place, enabling infrastructures to facilitate debt capital market and aiding the government and corporates to raise developmental funds.

Represented by the Director General, Debt Management Office, and Mrs. Patience Oniha, the VP said that the partnership with the DCM will help to bring about the needed change expected in the debt instrument market.

Corroborating the VP’s stand, Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, recognised the opportunities inherent in the DCM; and assured all stakeholders that the Federal Government was taking bold steps towards putting the necessary reforms to support private sector-led growth, just as the country exits recession.

Meanwhile, the FMDQ Chairman. Mr. Joseph Okwu Nnanna, Chairman, FMDQ, represented

by Mr. Jibril Aku, Vice Chairman, FMDQ said that the OTC Exchange would continue to pro-

PROF. YEMI-OSINBAJO vide requisite platform to power growth and foster deepening of the DCM. Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Mr. Mounir Gwarzo, represented by Ms. Mary Uduk, Director, Investment Management, said: ““to develop Nigeria on a sustainable basis, reliance must be shifted from ‘owners’ capital’ and short-term funding from commercial banks to long-term capital from the DCM.” International Finance Corporation (IFC), led by Mr. Jingdong Hua, vice President & Treasurer, Mr. Jingdong Hua, noted that for Africa to meet and maximise its potential in the global financial markets space, Nigeria must be one of its greatest engines.

He called on the government to create an enabling environment to support the DCM and also promote financial markets education for capacity building of market participants, and the general public.

Speakers and experts at the event were of the consensus that the country needs huge financial resources to tackle infrastructure needs of the country, which informed the consistent raising of bonds by the FG, however pointed that caution be taken to stop weakening the DCM by crowding out corporate bond issuance and mobilization of local funds.

The meager state of the nation’s resources, makes it imperative for efficient mobilization of local funds, local developments, but when foreign funds are mobilized, huge interest rates are repatriated by the investors, this increases more investments by the diaspora investors which continue to erase local funds mobilization from the market debt market.

The debt market, it emphasized, took into account, the poor economy; and has continued to develop infrastructure, creating the base for further development and diversification of the economy.

Chief Executive officer, Chapel Hill Denham, Mr. Bolaji Balogun, one of the discussants on the first panel session that x-rayed “Outlook for the Nigerian debt capital market,” said that the future of the DCM in the country remains bright, but essential support needed to be given by the government through policy formulation and encouragement of corporate organizations to efficiently access the market, thereby depending the DCM. While no foreign companies have in recent times raised bonds, more commercial papers have been issued and admitted by the OTC market, though a step towards raising bond, investors would rather prefer FG bonds, or T-Bills, issued every month

BOLA ONADELE FMDQ CEO KOKO or regularly, against investing in corporates.

He however, pointed that corporate bonds should be encouraged, with less issuance of the FG’s bonds, which should be drive mobilization of local funds form the local market, against the prevailing stance on the market by Foreign Direct Investments (FDI), with emphasis on FG’s bond.

Balogun said that the country’s debt market is challenged by the persistent flow of the government’s debt issuance, which continues to guarantee high returns over equities; and further stagnating corporate bonds. “Foreign capital buys the sovereign and has failed to discipline the sovereign,” he said.”

According to him, the country must develop the base of other forms of savings, against emphasizing on foreign capital, which take flight for safety as soon as there is a challenge “ the foreign capital, as soon as there is problem, it is out of the door.” Balogun said.

Meanwhile, as the nation’s DCM positions for growth, safeguarding investing climate, growing employment opportunities and deepening the Nigerian debt capital market, will lie on enhancing local currency mobilization from the market to finance local projects, hence over dependence on foreign investment in

sovereign bond , would not only crowd out corporate bond , but negate all forms of development programmes.

Country Manager at International Finance Corporation (IFC) Eme Essien Lore, in her submission, emphasized that the future of the DCM lies on the ability to have strong market that would be capable of withstanding shocks.

Such accomplishment, Lore said, would be hinged on the ability of the market being able to raise huge local currencies to finance infrastructural developments, which is currently hampered by lack of enabling market infrastructures.

The IFC country manger noted that lack of infrastructure that would drive the market towards raising local currency to drive infrastructure development, “is why we don’t have the development needed in the debt capital market. DCM has extraordinary role to play in mobilizing local currency; and we should move those initiatives forward.”

She said that the current state of the market has to do with structure of the economy, just as she pointed that a developed DCM would have greatly reduce the negative impact of the forex challenges which befall the economy in the time past, adding that innovations, including on the structure of the economy would help meet market needs.

Energy B8

Daily Times Nigeria Tuesday, October 3, 2017

FG moves to diversify power, targets 7000mw ‘Abolish Land Use Act, allow

Stories by Simon Ugwu

Worried by the challenges faced in the electricity sector, the Federal Government has said it was committed to diversifying the sector and making it more efficient, as well as generating higher capacity of power for the economy.

Against this backdrop, Nigeria is focused on diversifying power supply and ensuring its stability before pouring money into a creaking transmission system.

Minister of Information Lai Mohammed made this known recently, and added that while Nigeria had already increased power generation to the point that its transmission system could not handle all of it, it was crucial to increase the mix of power sources and ensure reliability.

“We see the need to increase the mix,” Mohammed said, adding that out of the West African country’s 13 generating companies, three were hydroelectric

and the rest are mainly gas- powered.

“Our road map is really along the line of: first, measure power; then, stabilise power; and finally, repair,” he said.

Frequent power outages and unreliable supply are a brake on growth in Africa’s largest economy, although Mohammed said recent increases in power generation had helped to pull the country out of a recession caused by lower oil prices.

He said the government expected power generation to reach 7,000 megawatts (MW) this year, up from 2,690 MW in 2015.

Transmission capacity is 6,700 MW, up from roughly 5,000 MW in 2015, but still not enough to handle the power generated.

Mohammed said of the 1.2 trillion naira ($3.9 billion) investments in infrastructure last year, 20 bn of which was focused on power, showing the government’s commitment to improving supplies for a country of

around 186 million people.

However, he said, output plunged to around 1,400 MW in May last year due to militant attacks that cut off gas supplies, highlighting the vulnerability of the system.

Mohammed said a $5.8bn deal to build the 3,050 MW Mambilla hydroelectric plant, and purchase agreements with 14 solar companies for 1,300 MW of power, were part of the government’s diversification drive.

He added it was also working to address complaints from some gas and power suppliers about not getting paid.

“There was a liquidity problem in the gas area. The gas producers were not being paid,” he said.

According to him, “We made this intervention, we call it the payment assurance agreement.

If you supply gas, we will pay it.

And if you supply power, we will pay it. It’s kind of a bridging arrangement.”

states to augment power’

The Federal Government has been urged to abolish the Land Use Act so as to allow states to invest in power.

Senator Stella Omu, who made this observation, stated that it will be better to restructure things to attain the correct balance between our collective purpose and our separate grassroots realities.

She said many of the 68 items on the Exclusive list in the 1999 Constitution should be transferred to the concurrent list with states’ allocation increased to match the increased responsibilities.

She said, “Every State should harness and develop its resources at its pace and pay tax to the Federal Government.”

She said this would be in harmony with the 1963 Constitution. Furthermore, she said, “states should be allowed to augment power generation to boost job creation. States

should create the number of local government areas they can manage; this calls for the abrogation of the number of local governments in the Constitution.

“The abrogation of Land Use Act will promote development.

Polluted land by oil exploration should be nourished so that affected people will have land for agricultural venture.

The entrenchment of 35% affirmative action will calm the nerves of women who are about 50% of Nigeria population. Cooperation between the three arms of government without losing sight of separation of powers is paramount.”

She said, “If over the years various governments had delivered on the promise of growth fairness, prosperity, and justice, Nigeria by now would have been enjoying political stability, economic viability, social harmony, peace and sustainable development.”

We inherited 700,000 metering gap – EEDC

Government justifies N701bn power sector’s payment assurance guarantee The N701billion-payment assurance guarantee Power Sector Recovery Programme (PSRP), is consistent with Section 76(2) (b) of the Law, which seeks to ensure that producers of power recovered their investment and some profit. the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola stated this at the recent National Council on Power in Jos, Plateau State.

He attributed the significant increase in power supply to the PSRP. He described recovery guarantee as a set of policies, programmes and actions aimed at solving generation, transmission, distribution, liquidity, metering, estimated billing, energy theft, safety and other challenges.

Fashola was quoted in a statement: “While we are beginning to see results of increased generation up to 7001MW on 12th September

2017, Transmission up to 6,700MW, and Distribution 4,600MW, it is not yet enough.

“Let me state emphatically that everything in the PSRP is based on the 2005 Law; and that is why I urge everybody to read it.” He explained that the issuance of the mini-grid regulations by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in August, allowed people provide their own power from 1KW-1 MW and ease the pressure on grid distributed power, as improved access to power is a requirement of section 62(2) of the Law,” he stressed.

He added that there are other areas of reform where progress will be defined by what happens at the states and local governments, which is why we the theme was chosen for the meeting.

He said, “For example, out of the estimated Ministries, Depart-

ment and Agencies (MDAs) debts of about N90billion claimed by the DisCos, only about N27billion have been verified as debts owed by the Federal Government.

“There are invoices which show that other parts of the debt are attributable to service points at states and local governments. “I will urge first that states and local governments insist that their buildings are metered so that they can budget for and pay for the energy they used. It will turn out to be cheaper than diesel generated power. It will also help reduce loss of income by DisCos.” The Executive Director, Research and Advocacy, Association of Nigerian Electricity Distribution Companies, Sunny Oduntan, had decried that the liquidity challenge in the sector was inhibiting the capacity of the operators to provide required electricity.

The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, has said the company inherited a metering gap of about 700,000 customers.

The company said it would need N80billion to procure meters for its customers in the South-East zone.

The company said it had already spent N10billion in metering its customers to ensure accuracy and exact billing The Company’s head of communication, Mr. Emeka Eze stated this in Awka during a town hall meeting with customers of the company.

Eze said, “Even as I speak to you, we are still distributing meters. We are doing it feeder by feeder, and that it has not gotten to you does not mean that we are not distributing.

“We will continue to do so until it goes round. We only urge our customers to go

online and apply and not to give money to anyone as the metres are not for sale.”

Earlier, Mr. Samuel Onuoha, the company’s network manager explained to customers that metres ordered by the company had arrived the country; and a fresh phase of distribution would start soon.

He also assured that newly installed transformer at the company’s transmission station would soon be powered, and that it would boost the availability of power especially with the improvement in power generation.

“We now generate 7,000 megawatts of electricity, but the problem we have is distribution.

“Problems associated with estimated bills would be over soon too. We only implore you to bear with us a little more,” he said.

Life&

TIMES Tuesday, October 3, 2017

DJ Cuppy, DJ Lambo others make list L2 of popular female disc jockey P

Events L2

Daily Times Nigeria

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

DJ Cuppy, DJ Lambo, others make list of popular Female Disc Jockey

DJ NANA DJ Nana

J

ust like their male counterparts, they have carved a niche for theirselves in the entertainment industry. They shared the same stage with top notch male disc jockey that includes Dj Jimmy Jatt, Exclusive and a host of others. They indeed know the worth of pulling crowd and making them accept their choice of songs. In no particular

DJ SWITCH DJ Switch

XFACTOR Africa, Rapper Obianuju Catherine Udeh aka DJ Switch. She is a popular face when it comes to disc spinning in Nigeria. Not only is she hot in physique but also hot is spinning the disk. DJ switch is the Idibia

DJ LAMBO

DJ Lambo is signed to Chocolate City and has done Mixtape and singles worthy of note among them is her latest production “The Motion” which features an all-female mix of

DJ LAMBOGINI

Morgan & Eva Alordiah. The tomboyish yet pretty DJ Lambo is a notable name in the world of Disk jockeying in Nigeria having DJ in Lagos and beyond.

Olawanmi Okeryi, also known as DJ

one rapper M.I Her story is simple. She started out her career as an OAP in Ray Power 100.5FM and then moved on to Rhythm 94.7 FM, also to Love 104.5 FM in Abuja before starting off as a DJ. lounge, Aramis and Oxygen club in Abuja and at other events and shows in Lagos, getting better each day till she met up with MI who thought she was dope. Presently she is his personal DJ and occasionally opens up for Award winning DJ, DJ Caise.

DJ ROSIE

Thou based in Los Angeles, DJ Rosie is a famous named when it comes to Disk jockeying DJ” and stays true to that tag. Talk of a DJ that is capable of helping you get down on the dance

Gone are the days when Disc Jockeying is for men. DJ Toxiq is a producer, Artiste, Producer, who Lace and Frankie free of Dosage and Magic city

Life&

her kind in the female cadre of the art known as Disc Jockey (D.J.).

Born May 14th 1990, the exceptional female DJ better known as DJ Nana has always stood

out in all her endeavors in entertainment.

The Kogi State born lady attended Lea Saint Joseph Secondary School, Lagos from where she went on the study at the National Open University of Nigeria. Fortune smiled

on her when she came ever “Airtel/Barcaddi Cool FM DJ Competition” and from there went on to master the art of disc jockey under the tutelage of the Legendary DJ Jimmy Jatt at Jimmy Jatt Inc.

DJ CUPPY Talk of a female DJ who knows it all, DJ Cuppy sure plays her game well.

Florence Otedola aka DJ Cuppy is daughter of the Billionaire Owner of Forte OilFemi Otedola. She recently

CUPPY

in Musicology at New York.

Among many of her exploits is playing at MTV Africa Awards in Durban 2014. entertainment company Roc Nation INC. Bursting onto the scene fully in 2014 after the completion of her Business and Economics

DJ TOXIQ DJ Toxiq

Young, vibrant and pretty Nanayat Abedoh

London, the pretty disc jockey had to struggle for two things; creating a personality that image, and also, getting the needed acceptance as a music entity. record labels respectively. DJ Toxiq is a graduate of university of Port Harcourt where she used to play before rising to prominence. The multi-talented DJ

sure knows her onions when it go gaga crazy.

Daily Times Nigeria

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Tips to own warming restroom Y

our comfort zone in your home can be anywhere or everywhere. One

Living & DĂŠcor

L3

Relationship L4

Daily Times Nigeria

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Ann Izedunor

When shyness hits you up!

Expose it!!!

H

aving feelings for someone can sometimes

Sad-moods-romantic-couple

Winter sad mood