Dtn 4 11 17 by Daily Times of Nigeria

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Buhari orders Ekwueme to be flown abroad for medical treatment

My son’s death has taught me to be more caring, helpful to 7 others –Tinubu

TIMES SATURDAY BVN: Banks comply with court order, file information on customers Case adjourns till Nov 16 5

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2017 VOL. 3. NO. 492

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L-R: Afriff veteran filmmaker, Mr. Mahmoud Alli-Balogun; Afriff Founder, Chioma Ude; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and the CEO of The Daily Times Group, Mr. Fidelis Anosike at the opening of the 7th edition of the Africa Film Festival in Lagos... on Thursday.

Delayed promotion tears Federal Civil Service apart tDeputy Directors petition House Committee, seek redress Henry Omunu, Abuja ÏÏÏFresh crisis is brewing in the Federal Civil Service few days after the reinstatement saga of the former Chairman of defunct Pension Reform Committee, Abdulrahman Maina, as over 370 aggrieved deputy directors who have been denied promotion to the director cadre for three years by the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) are now spoiling for a fight with the federal govern-

ment. The inability of the affected deputy directors to write the promotion examination to enable them attain the post of substantive directors is causing unease and tension in the federal civil service. The current imbroglio that threatens to become a full blown crisis is the perceived inability of officers in the deputy director cadre to sit for their promotion examinations because of a lingering dispute that has arisen, following complaints of irregularities in Continued on page 6

My energy on stage is usually with clear eyes –Niniola L2 & L3

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 4, 2017

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday,November 4, 2017

5 News

BVN: Banks comply with court order, file information on customers t $BTF BEKPVSOT UJMM /PW Matthew Dadiya, Abuja

ÏÏÏFollowing the interim

order of the Federal High Court in Abuja, asking 19 commercial banks to freeze their customers’ accounts without the Bank Verification Numbers (BVN), some banks yesterday complied with the order by filing information on their customers. Justice Nnamdi Dimgba also ordered the banks to put forward the necessary information concerning the affected customers and convince the court on why it should not permanently forfeited the accounts to the Federal Government. It is instructive to note that the two weeks deadline has caused apprehension among bank customers in Nigeria and the Diaspora while the ultimatum expired on Friday. But Justice Dimgba has adjourned the matter till November 16, 2017 for definite hearing. The Daily Times recalls that the Incorporated

Trustees of Total Support for Rule of Law and Justice Initiative had in a motion filed on its behalf by Chukwudi Igwe Esq urged the court join them as one of the defendants. A 28-paragraph affidavit dated October 27, deposed to by one Agnes Peter, attached to the application said it is aware that the Federal Government and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) plan to obtain from the court, a permanent forfeiture order of all deposits in all accounts with the 19 commercial banks without the BVN. The applicant said that making it a defendant will enable it defend the interest of some Nigerians who may have not obtained their BVN based on some prevailing reasons beyond their control. The group stated that if the permanent forfeiture order is allowed, it would affect accounts that were opened by persons who are deceased and would not appear in court to show

cause why the proceeds in the account would not be permanently forfeited to the federal government. According to the group, other persons that may be affected by the order are those who may not have the finances to appear before the court for purpose of showing cause why the proceeds in the account should not be permanently forfeited to the federal government. The Federal Government through the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of

Justice had obtained an interim order to freeze bank accounts in 19 commercial banks in the country without BVN. It was also revealed that the federal government was planning to apply for order of permanent forfeiture as it intend to block the accounts beyond period allowed by an ex-parte order. The government had in the suit marked FHC/ ABJ/CS/911/2017, named the commercial banks and joined the Central Bank of Nigeria as the 20th defen-

dant. Meanwhile, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has pleaded for extension of the deadline and urged to the CBN and the AGF to put modalities and logistics in place for Nigerians in the Diaspora to obtain their BVN to avoid forfeiture of their savings in their respective bank accounts. Dabiri - Erewa who spoke through her Special Assistant on Media Abdur-Rahman Balogun, implored CBN to make it possible for all Nigerians in

the Diaspora to have their BVN done in their countries of abode as there had been challenges in getting it before now. According to Dabiri-Erewa, the Nigerians in the Diaspora have been remitting billions of US dollars to the country on yearly basis, thus contributing to the socio-economic development of the country. She said, “I hereby appeal to the CBN to look into the challenges the Nigerians living abroad face in getting their BVN done and extend the deadline for them to get the BVN done,” Dabiri-Erewa added.

Nahco Aviance appoints ex Skye bank director new MD/CEO Bonny Amadi

ÏÏÏThe

Nigerian aviation handling company plc has notified the capital market stakeholders on the appointment of its new substantive managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Idris Yakubu, former executive director Skye Bank Plc. In a statement titled “notice of the appointment of new managing Director, Chief Executive Officer ” signed by Bello A .Abdulahi Dikko and Mahmoud , Solicitors to the company, released by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Nahco Aviance said that the appointment took effect from Sriday,3rd November 2017. Daily Times Nigeria reveals that the new CEO Yakubu replaces Mrs. Folashade Ode, who stepped into the office of the CEO in an acting capacity, following the resignation of the former Managing Director/CEO of the company, Mr. Norbert Bielderman, on August 31st, 2017, after seven years of service, having joined

Nahco Aviance May 2010. Bielderman served in MD/CEO capacity for three years, as he was appointed CEO Nahco Aviance in October 2014. Following his letter of resignation tendered in May 2017, the company’s board met and approved immediate appointment of Mrs. Folashade Ode as the new Acting MD/CEO of Nahco Energy, Power and Infrastructure (EPI). The, the board also approved retirement of minority shareholders representative in the board, Dr Farouk Umar, and appointment of Sir Sunny Nwosu as his successor. Idris Yakubu, on 3rd February 2017, with three other directors, Mrs. Markie Idowu, Mrs. Abimbola Izu and Mr. Bayo Sanni, resigned from the board of Skye Bank Plc. The resigned Skye bank directors served in executive management capacity for nearly two years, and were part of the new board of the bank since the intervention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the subsequent re-constitution of its board on July 4, 2016

L-R: Representative of the President Muhammadu Buhari, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah and National President of the Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Iyalode Alaba Lawson, at the opening ceremony of the 2017 Lagos International Trade Fair in Lagos… on Friday.

Buhari orders Ekwueme to be flown abroad for medical treatment Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

ÏÏÏPresident

Muhammadu Bubari has approved the immediate medical treatment of former Vice-President, Dr Alex Ekwueme, outside the country. The approval followed a brief the President received Friday on the medical condition of the former Vice-President. Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the

President on Media and Publicity in a statement on Friday said that the approval covers the immediate charter of an Air Ambulance for the emergency movement and the cost of treatment. President Buhari prays that God will grant the elder statesman speedy recovery. The former VP has been admitted to a hospital after he reportedly collapsed in his Enugu residence and was said to have gone

into a coma soon after he collapsed. His family members said that he collapsed around 2am on Saturday and is currently in the intensive care unit of Memfys Hospital for Neurosurgery in Trans-Ekulu, Enugu state. A member of his family was quoted to have said: “He was trying to get something from the table when he suddenly collapsed and immediately someone raised the alarm, we pro-

ceeded to revive him while cautious enough not to attract neighbours. “When it became obvious that he had lapsed into coma, we rushed him to a hospital (unnamed) in government reserved area, but we were referred to Memphys Hospital by medical consultants who had critically examined his condition.” Ekwueme, who was Vice-President in the second republic, turned 85 on October 10.

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 4, 2017

Delayed promotion tears Federal Civil Service apart

Accident scene at Palmgrove Bus Stop along Ikorodu, Road Lagos… on Friday Continued from page 1 the conduct of the promotion examination conducted for deputy directors (administration) in 2014 by the FCSC. The bad blood within the federal civil service has arisen mostly because the affected

deputy directors (administration) due for promotion to the director cadre have remained stagnant on the same position based on an order of the National Industrial Court restraining the FCSC from conducting promotion examination for deputy directors.

The affected civil servants under the aegis of the Concerned Deputy Directors (2011, 2012 and 2013) in a petition to the House of Representatives Committee on Public Service Matters, a copy which was obtained by our correspondent, are therefore seeking the inter-

After meeting Buhari, IGP agrees to appear before Senate Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

ÏÏÏThe Inspector General of Po-

lice, (IGP) Ibrahim Idirs has said that he was willing to appear before the Senate. Idris, after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock Villa on Friday, he might appear before the Senate ad-hoc committee probing corruption allegations against him. The committee is headed by the Senate Deputy Whip, Francis Alimikhena. The IGP told State House correspondents that he came to update President Buhari on the security situation across the country. The Senate had served Mr. Idris an invitation letter on October 16 to appear before the Francis Alimikhena Committee on November 1, but the IGP refused to honour the invitation. Following his refusal to honour the invitation, the Senate committee had on Wednesday ordered the police chief to appear before it next Tuesday. But the IGP maintained that “for the sake of having respect for the National Assembly,” he might honour the Senate’s invitation. However, he said he was awaiting advice from the police’s legal team on the matter.

Idris said, “These are legal issues. We are discussing with our legal team, obviously if there is need we are going to appear for the sake of having respect for the Senate, I will appear before them.” The police chief had filed a suit in court seeking to halt the Senate probe, after a senator, Isah Misau, accused him of corruption and abuse of office. On Wednesday, the Senate committee threatened to order the arrest of Mr. Idris should he fail to appear next Tuesday. The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Thursday criticized Idris’refusal to appear before the committee. Speaking further on the outcome of his meeting with the President, the police chief said he briefed Buhari on the efforts of the police to check criminal activities such as kidnapping, armed robbery and other social vices. He added that he also updated the president on the measures being taken to ensure a successful and peaceful governorship election in Anambra. He said, “Obviously, I am here as usual to discuss with the commander in chief on the security challenges we are having and how we will face these security challenges adequately. “The security challenges are,

obviously, you know we are having elections in Anambra state and we are having challenges in various parts of the country especially some of these issues of kidnapping and these are things I discussed with the President, and the measures taken to address them squarely.’’ Idris also disclosed that water boats, helicopters and about 21,000 police officers would be deployed for the smooth conduct of the election. “We are deploying a lot of police officers, almost about 21,000 police officers to be able to provide adequate security in the Anambra election. “We are deploying our water boats to take care of the water ways, we are deploying our helicopters to take care of the aerial surveillance of the areas and we are deploying our conventional police men and special police units to take care of situations on ground. And by the grace of God we are going to have a successful and peaceful election in Anambra state,’’ he stated. According to the IGP, the Force Headquarters in Abuja had deployed special police unit to patrol the Abuja-KadunaKano highway with a view to checking the menace of armed robbers and kidnappers along the route.

vention of the House in resolving the pending dispute and ensure that the civil service commission is unencumbered to conduct the promotion examination. In the petition dated May 19, 2017, the concerned deputy directors described the restraining order granted by the National Industrial Court and obtained by those who sat for the director (administration) promotion examination in 2014 as been in “bad faith.” A copy of the petition was obtained by our correspondent in Abuja on Thursday. According to the deputy directors, by obtaining the order, the litigants have succeeded in stalling the promotion of officers due to sit for the director (administration) cadre examination for the past three years. The petitioners said they were constrained to seek the intervention of the House committee because all attempts, including the efforts of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to ensure an out-of -court and amicable settlement of the promotion quagmire have failed to yield tangible results since 2015. In their petition to the House, the concerned deputy

directors outlined the implications of the non -conduct of the suspended promotion examination to include stagnation on the position of deputy directors (administration), loss of morale amongst affected officers and distortion of the succession plan in the federal civil service. “There is also a direct dysfunction in the structural functional relationship in the operation of the federal civil service, which will affect the administrative officer class up to the post of permanent secretary in the long run. “This means that only officers outside the administrative officer class will be appointed to run the federal civil service, including the position of administrative officers at all levels,” the petitioners stated. The Concerned Deputy Directors are therefore, asking the House committee to facilitate the amicable resolution of the current impasse by ensuring that the grievances of all parties, including those of the deputy directors who wrote the disputed promotion examination in 2014 are addressed and that the FCSC conducts promotion examination for officers in their category.

Kingsley Chukwuka,

“On Oct. 14, the gang swooped on residents of Baban-Lamba in Chip district and robbed eight houses including one in Shendam local government area bordering Pankshin, ’’ the PPRO said. Terna said a manhunt had been launched for other members of the gang who had gone into hiding after the arrest of the four suspects. “When we arrested and conducted a search on them, we recovered four sophisticated guns, including a military gun and 14 assorted cell phones, among other things,’’ he said. “The suspects have confessed to committing the crimes but we are still investigating the matter to make sure that their accomplices are arrested to face the wrath of the Law. “We believe with this breakthrough, the people of Chip district and travelers along that axis will witness a level of peace and sanity from now on,’’ Terna said. The PPRO however, called on the general public to always cooperate with the security agencies to ensure the security of lives and property in the state.

Police arrest notorious robbery gang in Plateau

Jos

ÏÏÏThe Police in Pankshin Lo-

cal Government Area of Plateau has smashed a notorious robbery gang that operates around Chip District of Pankshin and part of Shendam Local Government Area of the State. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), in the state, Mr Tyeopev Terna, disclosed this to our correspondent in Jos, yesterday. Terna gave the names of the robbery suspects as, Clifford Vincent a.k.a. Darkman, Sunday Samuel a.k.a. Yellow, Mukot Irmiya a.k.a. LL and Dagyong Luka a.k.a. Boy One. He said that the suspects were arrested following a tip-off after a robbery incident on Oct. 14 at Baban-Lamba village where they stole cash and other valuables worth millions of Naira. “The robbery gang had been terrorising residents of Chip Districts and some villages in Shendam local government Area bordering Pankshin and mounting road blocks along Panyam-Shendam road to rob travelers.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 4, 2017

News 7

My son’s death has taught me to be more caring, helpful to others –Tinubu

Patrick Okohue, Lagos

ÏÏÏNational

Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has said that the sudden death of his first son Kazeem Olajide Babajide Tinubu has taught a deep lesson, which has now made him to decide to be more caring and helpful to the living. Tinubu in a thank you message to all those who have sympathised with him and his family over the death, noted that with his 37 years old son’s death, he has suffered a grave loss that no parent would like to bear. “I wish I could bring my son back but I cannot. However, what I can do is to be more caring and helpful to the living as I know this

is what Jide would want to become of his passing. “Let us all take a lesson from this and think a bit more about our fellow man, our neighbor, our fellow Nigeria. Let us live as we were meant to live with each other in greater peace, compassion and love. If only this can happen, I know my son will be happy.” Speaking further, Tinubu described his late son as “a highly intelligent person with a vibrant personality and a zest for life. He followed his own course and made his own way on his own terms. Those who knew him could not help but like him. Yet, he was taken away by cardiac arrest when it seemed he had so much life to still live. “This is a reminder that we must live each day to its best as

none of us know when our last day shall be. Mortality comes upon us all. We have no choice in that but we do have a choice whether we shall be good or bad, just or unjust. Let us all strive toward the best in ourselves.” Explaining why he and his wife will be around for some time in the country to receice those who may want to come on a condolence visit, the former governor said, “Jide lived for so long in London and there he has left behind a darling wife and three precious boys. My wife Remi and I have gone to London to be with them at this painful time to support and help them. “Please excuse our absence from Lagos for a while, but it is essential that we are with them. Prayers are being offered and

will continue to be offered for the repose of his soul. I have suffered a grave loss that no parent would like to bear. As a father, I must spend time putting my arms around the family he has left behind. “We must seek a lesson in every loss. Your reaction to my son’s passing has taught me that we can be a people of profound love and humanity when we want to be. People of every tribe, region, faith and every political affiliation have expressed their sympathy and extended to me the embrace of a brother or sister. “Even those who don’t agree with me politically have shown strong support and care indistinguishable from that of my associates. This says so much about the innate goodness in all of us. For

no matter what, we are not foes or enemies. We are all of one human stock, a single nation, one family. “Again, as we are away from Lagos, we thank you for the love you have shown and ask that you not only show it to us but to each other. Please continue to pray for him wherever you are,” he said. Tinubu specifically thanked President Muhammadu Buhari, VP Yemi Osinbajo, the state Governors, Senators, particularly Senate President Bukola Saraki, members of the House of Representatives, APC leaders and members and all Nigerians, saying “We want to express our thanks and deep appreciation to all who have demonstrated their sympathy and expressed their condolences over the loss of our eldest son, Jide.”

N400m fraud: I didn’t commit unlawful activity with Metuh, says Dasuki Andrew Orolua, Abuja

ÏÏÏFormer National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (rtd ), said on Friday he did not commit any unlawful act with the former Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Olisa Metuh and his Destra Investment Limited. He also told the court that he has not been charged or convicted by any court in respect of the alleged offences which Metuh is being tried except in the public court by the media. Metuh and his company Destra Investment limited are facing trial before the Federal High Court over the N400m payment from the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the court had subpoenaed Dasuki based on Metuh request to testify . Dasuki said when led in evidence by 1st defendant counsel, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) that his understanding of due process were followed, “is that all laid down procedures at the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) and other agencies have been observed.” The witness said that he served as the NSA between June 2012 and July 2015, and that his immediate boss was the former President, Goodluck Jonathan. Under cross examination by the prosecution counsel ,Sylvanus Tahir, the witness said that only President Jonathan could explain “what he was looking for when he appointed him as the NSA.” “I will leave you with the little understanding that the National Security Adviser is meant to be occupied by people with military background,” he said but added that Dr Buka Shuaibu and Prof. Galadanchi have held the post without military background. On what are the jobs descrip-

tion of an NSA? Dasuki said that it is not something he could state off hand in details because there are about national security. He referred the lawyer to the NSA Act for the detail of the functions of that office, particularly if he want to know whether the NSA office is connected to nongovernmental organisation or companies. According to Dasuki the NSA Act spelt out the functions of NSA and answered the question if the NSA is linked or affiliated with any political party. “ I know Olisa Metuh, the former Publicity Secretary of the PDP, the party that was in government that I proudly served .” Whether he knew Metuh’s company the Destra Investment ltd, officially, Dasuki said: “ I have to make reference to my record to answer the question.” “I am not aware if relationship existed between ONSA and the company except I refer to my record, I can not say”. When confronted with e-payment mandate issued by ONSA , that has been marked as exhibit (b)Dasuki said that is an “e- payment schedule issued in respect of Destra Investment ltd . He also read entering on it that stated the sum of N400m was credited to Destra Investment limited account with Diamond bank on 24 Nov 2014. However he insisted that the document was from the prosecution, adding that is why he is insiting should be allowed to get his record . He said that the document presented to him was not “an original copy but photocopy”. He said his name was “ typed on the document and what appeared to be his signature.” On what service did the Destra investment Limited rendered to entitled it to N400m payment, Dasuki said:”I have nothing to say.

L-R: Former Ghana President, John Dramani Mahama and President Muhammadu Buhari, during a courtesy visit to the President in Abuja… on Friday.

Peace gives way for disquiet in Nasarawa as Herdsmen quit Benue Augustine Kuza Lafia

ÏÏÏThree days after the imple-

mentation of the anti open grazing and ranches establishment law in Benue State, peace is gradually washing away on boarder areas of Nasarawa State with Benue State as Fulani Herdsmen that came out from Benue State destroyed any farm land they come across, rendering many farmers crop less. It has been alleged that the leadership of Miyeiti Allah Kaure had held meetings in Nigeria and abroad and resolved to attack Benue State over ban on open grazing in the state, Nasarawa state bordered Benue at

the southern part started suffering the invasion plan. The Fulani herdsmen who are tagged as the “Forth deadliest terrorist group in the world by the global terrorist index as published in the Vanguard Newspaper on January 1, 2017 has the capacity, capability and means to execute their threats . A prominent farmer in Kuduku, Keana Local Government Area of Nasarawa State Adom Adom told our correspondent that herdsmen in the locality held clandestine meetings which according to him were strategizing on how to tackle the Tiv extraction along the border areas of Keana, Doma, Awe and Obi Local Government Areas of Nasarawa state which have

started implementation by massively destroying farm products in that terrain. Adom Advie the leadership of Miyetti Allah in the country to study the anti open grazing and ranches establishment law extensively and dialogue with the said state Governor rather than sour relationship “Benue State is among the Northern states of the federation so the spirit of brotherliness should also come to mind” He therefore called on the Nasarawa State Governor Tanko Al-makura to assist the citizens of Nasarawa State at the border areas by providing security to calm the troubled points so as not to distract his senatorial ambition come 2019.

News 8

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 4, 2017

Awka North restates loyalty to APGA, as Obiano offers scholarship

John Ndu

ÏÏÏAnambra

state government has announced its readiness to offer scholarship to students who wish to enrol in the various agricultural courses. The scholarship scheme which has been factored in the 2018 budget will commence next year, after the passage of the budget. Governor Obiano announced this during APGA campaign rally at Achalla, the Headquarters of Awka North Local government. According to him “ Our mean aim of converting Anambra state College of Agriculture, Mgbakwu to polytechnic is to introduce numerous agricultural programmes that will contribute meaningfully to our agricultural policy.

“ There will be scholarship set aside for those who have interest to study basic agricultural programmes in the state Polytechnic. “ We are doing all these to achieve our targeted food sufficiency, boost our production capacity and enhance exportation.” Obiano said. He promised to procure five transformers in the area to stabilise their power generation, adding that his administration had completed the installation of 15 KVA transmitter at Izuanaocha to circulate to other communities in the area. The governor said Awka North benefited from the recent upgrade of 63 heath care centre across the three senatorial zone to them have adequate access to the health insurance policy and other health related care the state had mapped out. He directed his Peace Committee

to quickly intervene in the alleged destruction of farms by some herdsmen to in the area, assuring them of adequate compensation when ascertained. Earlier, the Council of Traditional Rulers in Awka North, unanimously conferred “Ugonwanne Awka North “ to Governor Obiano for exposing them to windows of production and exportation, which had given them financial stability. Conferring the title, the Traditional Ruler of Ebenebe Kingdom, HRM, Igwe Chris Nnaegbuna expressed their unalloyed support the Obiano, especially in achieving his second time bid. The member representing Awka North in the State House of Assembly, Hon Boniface Okonkwo disclosed that Governor Obiano continued with every project inherited the

his predecessor, saying the Amansea - Ebenebe road would soon be completed. Okonkwo assured the Governor that the Awka North would vote massively for APGA, come November 18th. The Special Adviser on Security Matters, Mr Chikodi Anara said the present administration had invested and transformed every ministry and had judiciously managed the resources of the state. The Wife of the Governor, Chief Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano stressed that the visit was to re-echo the achievements of the present administration. Mrs Obiano maintained that the governor had transformed Awka to a befitting capital within his three years of administration.

Obaze promises harmonised, efficient tax system ÏÏÏDr. Ofunne Obaze, wife of the

candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the Anambra 2017 governorship elections, has revealed the plan of the candidate to run an efficient tax system. Speaking in Awka during the tour of PDP Women, Dr. Obaze said her husband, Mr. Oseloka H. Obaze, has plans to harmonise the current tax system. She decried the effects of multiple taxation re-introduced by the current administration. According to her, the PDP candidate, if elected, will expand the state’s tax base,

reduce tax burden and introduce solitary monthly payments. She said the move is aimed at relieving the plight of market women who are struggling to make ends meet and also take care of the family. She also said the PDP candidate and his running mate will genuinely make Awka a befitting capital city. She recounted the struggles of various governments to live up to the usual campaign promise of transforming the Awka capital city, saying it failed because of lack of proper planning and government commitment. She said that plans and results of studies

on how to transform the capital city is already available. Dr. Obaze reminded the crowd that her husband had, as SSG to former Governor Peter Obi, attracted foreign partners to Okpoko who did a study on the city for urban renewal but the plan failed to materialize owing to their lack of confidence in the current administration. She assured that with Mr. Obaze in the saddle, that Anambra will leverage on the the synergy that exits between him and development partners to transform Awka into a modern city. The US-trained paediatrician reit-

erated the commitment of the PDP to offer free, quality and compulsory education from kindergarten to JS3, as well as raise the budget for education from what it currently is to 26 percent as recommended by UNICEF. She further stated that one of the quick starts of their government will be the reintroduction of five thousand Naira social welfare package for the aged and the introduction of Charity Care which will attend to the free healthcare of indigent citizens and affordable healthcare for all citizens.

Tout, can’t govern Anambra –Group John Ndu

ÏÏÏThe

National Coordinator of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Media Warriors group, Chinedu Obidigwe, has said that the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Tony Nwoye, lacks the managerial and leadership qualities needed to pilot a state, thus cannot lead the people of Anambra. “Nwoye is not a governorship material. He lacks the qualities of a good leader. What does he know about politics, economy and finance? Which financial position has he handled?,” he said. In a press release issued in Awka, Obidigwe referred to Nwoye’s claim of convincing the Minister for Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola to order contractors back to site at the Umunya to Awkuzu axis of Enugu/Onitsha Express way, as a beer parlour and hair dressing salon gossip. “Nwoye should adopt a good campaign manifesto rather than talking gibberish. Anambra people are very intelligent people; you cannot lie to them about yourself. They know who you are and what you can do,” he said. His statement reads: “The problem with the APC Governorship candidate is that he is seeing the people of the state as those with short memories that have forgotten the successful effort Governor Obiano’s administration made to bring Fashola and his Minister of State to Anambra state for an inspection visit on executed federal project sites and bad federal roads.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 4, 2017

Politics

Military wrote 1999 Constitution to favour North -Abiru ≥≥P10

APC chairmanship: Group faults ex-governor over Oyegun’s travails Titus Akhigbe, Benin A group under the aegis of All Progressives Congress Youth Vigilante (APCYV) has warned those plotting the removal of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun to desist from it saying they have confidence in his leadership quality. APC Youth Vigilante is a body of conscientiously militant politicians of the All Progressives Congress who believe in rise of energetic, cerebral and inspiring youths to the highest stage of political leadership in Nigeria. The group in a statement signed by its Director Organisation/Strategy, Mr. Emmanuel Oronsaye also accused the immediate past governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole of sponsoring a protest calling for his removal. “We watched with consternation the stage managed protest against Chief John Odigie-Oyegun on the 30th of October, 2017 at the instance of no less an anti-Benin elements singlehandedly led by Adams Oshiomhole whose questionable leadership as the APC caucus leader in Edo State has fragmented the party,” he said. Oronsaye said Oshiomhole is venting his anger of not being appointed to serve under President Muhammed Buhari on the National Chairman of the party. “Let us place on record that APC as a party is yet to arrive at its ideologically

OYEGUN

wired end, it naturally has in its fold a lot of pretenders which we are sure are responsible for the refusal to appoint him the least relevant position of a junior Special Assistant to the President. “We are aware that he has blamed Chief Oyegun and vowed to vent his fury on Chief Oyegun. This is absolutely miscalculated because the man Oyegun has no hand whatsoever in Oshiomhole’s stunted rise to presidential relevance,” he said. He called on those who has anything against the leadership style of the National Chairman of the party to seek

OSHIMHOLE

a proper way of resolving it amicably with him as they as a group are comfortable and happy with him. “In recognition of his patriotic role, anyone who has anything against Oyegun’s style of leadership must approach it through the appropriate channels of communication and dispute reconciliation because he has demonstrated absolute understanding of local and national politics. “We are happy with the overwhelming support for his continued leadership of our great party by diverse people who believe in decent and productive politics,” he said.

OPC : Gani Adams remains leader of group, co-ordinator insists Patrick Okohue The Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) has been described as an integral and important part of the Aare Ona Kakanfo dynasty which will continue to be directly under the command of the Generalissimo of Yorubas. The Oyo State coordinator of the OPC, Comrade Rotimi Olumo said this in a statement issued in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State during the week. Congratulating the National Coordinator of the OPC, Dr Gani Adams on his proclamation as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo Designate , Olumo said the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi exhibited his spiritual soundness with the choice of Gani Adams as the Aare Ona Kakanfo. According to Olumo, Adams is a round peg that fits the round hole expected of him to fill, adding that the fact that he already has a standing army in the OPC makes him the real commander expected of a Generalismo.

ADAMS

In apparent reaction to calls from some individuals that Adams should step down as the leader of the OPC because of his new status as the Aare Ona Kakanfo, Olumo said the Oodua People’s Congress remains under the leadership

of Gani Adams, adding that the group will be more useful for the Aare Kingdom and the Yoruba race now more than before. “As the president of a nation commands its military, the same way the Aare is the commander of its own army, which in this case, is the OPC and in actual fact, by the virtue of his new status, all self-determination groups in Yoruba has automatically come under his control and how he administer them is his own prerogative. “ Olumo said further that those making such call are “obviously naive and very unserious and should be ignored” adding that “God deliberately used Adams ahead of time to prepare the OPC for the Aare Ona Kakanfo Kingdom as he has been using his personal resources to build and nurture the group.” Insisting that those making the call “are mere relevance seekers,” Olumo said “it is funny that it is the same individuals who said Adams was not fit to be Aare who are now telling him how to run the office.”

Lawal, Ayo’s sack long overdue, says Jaiyeola–P.12

PDP will regain power in 2019, says Ogunsakin ‘Tosin Ajuwon, Akure. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will regain power come 2019 after playing the role of opposition in the country. Hon. Andrew Ogunsakin, a leader of the party in Ondo State expressed the hope while addressing reporters in Okitipupa. He noted that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has failed the Nigerian masses in its three years of reign. Hon. Ogunsakin stated that poverty is in all homes of the country as a result of the ineptitude of the government of the APC. The PDP leader spoke after his annual empowerment programme for youths in Igbotako, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State. He said the Peoples Democratic Party is now stronger and more prepared to take back the reign of power for the deceit of the government of the ruling party. According to him, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party would come out to be more united ahead of future elections. “People are tired of lies and propaganda from them, (APC) and they want the real change come 2019. “In the last two years, we can see that our economy, health, education, security and all other areas have been bastardised by the APC.

Abia PDP declares governorship, other political positions contestable

*Passes vote of confidence on Gov. Ikpeazu, party

Sunday Nwakanma - Umuahia

The state working committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State, rising from its meeting held at the party’s Secretariat, declared all political offices for the 2019 general elections in the state open and contestable in line with the Abia Charter of Equity and the party’s zoning formula. Addressing newsman after the state party NEC meeting, the state Chairman of the party, Sir Johnson Onuigbo disclosed that the office of the state governor is also inclusive. In line with the above therefore, the party restated their assurance that “there shall be level playing ground for all aspirants irrespective of the position,” while resolving also to do away with all manner of impositions and impunity. The SWC also passed a vote of implicit confidence on Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu based on his excellent performances so far, as well as a vote of implicit confidence on the state chairman of the party, Sir Johnson Onuigbo for his transparency and effective leadership.

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 4, 2017

Military wrote 1999 Constitution to favour North -Abiru Hon. Lateef Abiru is the Chief Whip of the Lagos State House of Assembly. The three time representative of Shomolu constituency 02 bares his mind on the on-going constitution amendments, local government autonomy and other topical issues, in this interview with ALADE TASMA Two years into the tenure of the current 8th Lagos Assembly, let’s have a quick review of the performance of the House under the period? To God be the glory. So far, so good, the last two years has been very remarkable here, the House has been able to pass some life changing bills into law and also passed a number of motions that has positively affected the life of Lagosians. Notable among these laws is the Neighbourhood Safety Corps law which brought into life the safety corps for the state, this is synonymous with community policing which the state has ever craved for and I can say categorically that since they swung into action, it has recorded some positive impact on the part of the Neighbourhood watchers. Also the State Assembly was able to pass the land grabbers bill, also known as “the Ajagungbale” bill into law and as we speak, this law is in effect and with the arrest of a notorious land grabber in the state I am sure the law will take its course on him. Anti kidnapping bill was also passed into law by the current Assembly. And as you are aware, there is a particular case of a kidnapping kingpin currently being investigated and we hope the Nigeria Police will apply this law in this particular case. As a lawmaker, what is your assessment of the security situation in the state? Well, considering the cosmopolitan nature of the state and its economic advantage, the state is therefore likely to be a beehive of activities and with what we have been advocating for that the Federal Government should allow states to have its own police force, of course, it’s a constitutional issue and not until the proper constitutional amendment is done, that cannot be achieved. Again, you will realise that Lagos is a coastal city, a state surrounded by water and we are yet to have so much security on our water ways unlike on land, this has been quite challenging even though the state government has been very supportive of the police force. Most of the kidnapping cases recorded in the state today were carried out via water ways and you know the terrain is different from that of land coupled with the fact that most of these water are bordered by creeks and you will agree with me that police may be having challenges on how to effectively

ABIRU

The 1999 constitution in my opinion, deliberately did it in favour of the North and this has remained challenging. If you look at the North versus South, the number of states in the North is more than that of the South, even in terms of local governments and federal constituencies. These are some of the imbalances that needed to be addressed. curb this act but of course, the state government is putting much effort in supporting the police to secure the state either on land or water. The state government has been supporting in a number of ways to ensure security of life and properties in the state while it has also called for the creation of additional police commands in the areas prone to these crimes and I am sure by the time these commands are fully created, we shall have an improved security situation. Beyond the arrest of these criminals, it’s been said that no successful prosecution of these criminals have been recorded, they accuse both the police and the judiciary of compromise. As a lawmaker and member of the Lagos Assembly who took pains to put these laws in place, do you feel disturbed by this? In governance, there is clear separation of powers and division of labour as you know there are three arms of government, the executive, legislative and the judiciary. Yes, the synergy of these arms of government is what is translated into good governance. We are members of the legislature and the best we can do is what we are doing and to a reasonable extent too, we have tried our best and I am sure the House of As-

sembly will have a position on the issue of the police inability to successfully prosecute these criminals. On the judiciary, we are faced with quite a number of issues, for instance, we have a number of judges currently facing corruption charges. Irrespective of how much the government tries, we would still find bad eggs and I think the bad eggs are being identified and marked for proper action and I know the National Judicial Commission (NJC), is on top of the situation towards sanitising the judicial system in the country. It appears your party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has not been able to manage its electoral success judging by the internal squabbles that is currently rocking the party. Also the National Assembly populated mostly by APC members has been working at cross roads with the executive, for instance, the refusal to confirm President Muhammadu Buhari’s nominee for the EFCC chair, the budget issues and the stripping of the President of certain powers etc., are some of the signs that all is not well within the party. How would you react to this? Irrespective of how Nigerians view the activities of the National Assembly and in as much as they have not acted

contrary to the constitution, I think they are in order. Agreed there may be some bad characters within the National Assembly, the law provided for how to throw them out of the Chamber. It therefore behooves on Nigerians, I mean the electorate to make use of the power the constitution has given to them by throwing them out and vote for those they believe would best represent their interest. I agree that majority of National Assembly members belongs to the ruling APC, but as long as their actions, decisions and resolutions are in the interest of Nigerians, I see nothing wrong in that. But talking about perceived confrontation and the war of supremacy with the executive, I think this is where the party comes into place. However, the power of oversight remains with the National Assembly as stipulated by the constitution and it is their prerogative, either to clear or decline to clear any nominee sent to them by the executive. Again, I think the position of the National Assembly on the federal budget has been clarified by a law court. They have power to thinker with the budget presented to them by the executive, this means the National Assembly may not necessarily pass the budget exactly the way it came from the executive, I’m sure if they do, what you are likely to be hearing is that, this National Assembly is nothing but rubber stamp. However, in as much as they enjoy this power, I expect there should be a sort of synergy between the executive and the legislature, but again, it should be noted that the legislature does not take order from the executive as long as they remain the legitimate representatives of the people. However, it is left to the party to look for a way to harmonise the two arms on every contending issue. In your own view what do you think is responsible for the continuous agitation for restructuring of the country which is becoming more pronounced now? Nigerian democracy they say is nascent. Don’t forget the country was under the military government for more years before the current democratic system which is just about 18 uninterrupted years now and as times goes on we shall continue to discover ourselves more. This is just 18 years of democratic governance guided by the constitution fashioned and foisted on us by the military. The constitution of Nigeria is made for Nigeria and not Nigeria for the constitution therefore, if there were some provisions of the constitution that are no longer workable in the present day Nigeria and is in at variance with the thinking of majority of Nigerians, then we should do something about it. As we speak now, the process of amending the constitution is going on and I think the issue of devolution of power is one of the issues identified for amendment, but it is most unfortunate that when the issue was looked at together with other items considered for amendment, the Senate did not adequately favour it. But I read in the national daily lately that the National Assembly intends to revisit the issue of devolution of power. The word restructuring means different things to different people. Restructuring the country does not mean the breakup of Nigeria, it does not mean CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 4 2017

Moses Oyediran, Enugu The Enugu State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Thursday, raised fresh alarm over alleged plan by certain staff of the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC), to doctor the result of today’s council polls in some areas. Chairman of the party in Enugu, Barr. Ben Nwoye, at a press briefing, said the APC had it on good authority that some unpopular members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), were working in connivance with some ENSIEC staff to truncate the will of the people. He, however, vowed that if such acts were carried out, the party would ensure that criminal complaints were filed against such ENSIEC staff, collaborating security personnel and politicians. “We have it on good authority that there is last ditch effort by the ENSIEC, in connivance with some members of the PDP to rig the election. “We want to place ENSIEC and those involved that we will criminalise complaint against them if they carry out that plan. “They are making effort to rig our places of strength, which include: Awgu, Oji-River, Udi, Aninri, EnuguSouth, Enugu-East, Igbo-Eze North and Igbo-Eze South, as well as Igbo-

11 Politics

Enugu LG poll: APC raises the alarm over plans to doctor election results

UGWUANYI

Etiti. “They are going to seize the result sheet, cause commotion in these local government areas, ensure that there will be no election, announce the result later, and then tell us to go to

NWOYE

court,” Nwoye alleged. He declared further that, “this high level plot will fail; we are going to resist it; security agents should be at alert. “We are highly prepared for this

election; today, the national chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun is coming to Enugu for the grandfinale of our campaign; it is historical; it has never happened elsewhere. “The reason is that whatever happens here on November 4 will affect what happens on November 18 in Anambra State. “So, we are law abiding, but we are going to resist any rigging plot peacefully. We are calling on all our people to come out and vote; don’t be intimidated at all; ignore rumour mill laced with threats of terror. “All we are saying is where PDP has strength let them win and where APC has strength let them win. “It is not like the entire PDP members are involved in this plot; it is the unpopular ones, who have outlived their usefulness, they are the ones trying to get popularity by force. “But we are warning all those involved- the ENSIEC staff, the police, the DSS, the civil defence, that if anyone is caught, anyone who compromises will go to jail. What awaits them is criminal charge, prosecution, jail if found guilty.”

Military wrote 1999 Constitution to favour North -Abiru CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

resource control, but this is different things to different people. We are not calling for the breakup of the entity called Nigeria, but to me personally, I think the issue of devolution of power should be considered to an extent that states should be allowed to develop at their spate. Because what I think is part of the problem is that no matter what a state generates to the national economy, there is already a standard sharing formula and this is not making some states to develop optimally. Take Lagos State for instance, though one of the smallest in size, but one of the largest in population and in terms of contributions to the economy of the country and yet the state gets very little. If states in the South-South could be entitled to derivation because of the resources in their domain then Lagos State also should be considered for such privilege in whatever name they want to call it, be it special status or derivation so that the state can develop its infrastructure. Revenue base of the Federal Government in Lagos has so much effect on the infrastructural development of the state. For instance, the biggest Airport, Sea port in Nigeria are located in Lagos and the Federal Government generates huge revenue from these infrastructures yet, the activities on these infrastructures has effects on other infrastructures in the state, so where do they want the Lagos State government to get money to continue to maintain these infrastructures? Again, the re-current expenditure of the Federal Government, maintenance of its personnel is another source of worry and of course, this can be minimised by devolving

A cross section of Nigerians has also suggested we go back to the 1963 constitution, do you share this view? For that constitution to have been dropped in the first instance, there must have been issues arising from its contents and provisions, what I will then suggest is that those salient issues that exist in the constitution be considered as part of amendment into the 1999 constitution. I do not think it is nice and proper for us to say we want to go back to that constitution wholesomely, but where issues that would move the country forward could be considered. And if you talk about the regional government, in the South-West for instance, it’s not the same political party that controls the region and different parties have different manifestoes therefore, going back to regionalism will be quite challenging, but I’m strongly of the view that we should make the centre less attractive and let the states that contributes more to the national purse get more. That does not mean something will not go to the centre. During elections, nobody stays at the centre, everybody goes back to his or her wards, local governments, and the state. So as it were, there is so much going to the centre and that is why we have so much corruption at that level while the states and region that contributes so much to the centre are not favoured, because the military that gave us the 1999 constitution in my opinion, deliberately did it in favour of the North and this has remained challenging. If you look at the North versus South, the number of states in the North is more than that of the South, even in terms of local govern-

ments and federal constituencies. These are some of the imbalances that needed to be addressed. There are continuous agitations for local government autonomy to an extent that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be conducting council elections like every other election in the country. The autonomy of course, has received the blessing of the National Assembly in the on-going constitution amendment. What is your position on this? What the constitution provided for now is that the life and death of the local government lies at the State House of Assembly. Talking about the amendment, for me, I don’t think that is the solution because some of these issues are self serving. What will be the justification for creating more local governments out of Kano State than Lagos State? At one point, Kano used to have 20 local governments same as Lagos State, Jigawa State was carved out of Kano State and as we speak, Kano has 44 local governments and Jigawa 26. What this simply means is that, what Lagos State gets in terms of resources that goes to states via local governments is like a quarter of what Kano and Jigawa gets put together, what is justification for that? For administrative convenience, Lagos State relying on the provisions of the constitution which gave it the power to create additional local governments and this of course is not peculiar to Lagos State as some other states in the South-West have also gone ahead to create additional local governments and

as we speak, these local governments are not recognised by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. What stops us from listing these local governments in the constitution? You will recall at a time, President Obasanjo withheld money meant for local governments in Lagos State simply because the state created additional local governments in compliance with the constitution. It took the intervention and pronouncement of the Supreme Court to declare the action of the then President Obasanjo as void and unconstitutional as the President has no such power under the constitution and even at that President Obasanjo was adamant and refused to release the money until President Umaru Yar’dua came on board and released the money to Lagos State. I may not be personally averse to local government autonomy, but the reality of this is that the same constitution put payment of teachers salary on the purview of the local governments but as it is today the Nigerian Union of Teachers is strongly opposed to the return to status quo when teachers’ salaries were being paid by local government because of their experiences. Again, states have been accused of conducting local government election in favour of the ruling party in the state, but of course, you are also aware of the number of court cases that followed the general elections conducted by INEC. So some of these calls are self serving in my own opinion and I think what is important is that we should strive to strengthen the system so that no one will be above the law and anyone found wanting in the discharge of his or her duty should be held accountable, that is my position.

12 Politics

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 4. 2017

ALGON endorses Gov Bindow for 2019 Tom Garba, Yola The Association of Local

Government of Nigeria (ALGON) under the Chairmanship of Barr. Aliyu Wakili Boya has reiterated their total loyalty to Governor Mohammadu Umaru Jibrila Bindow of Adamawa State by endorsing him for the 2019 general elections. According to him their reasons for his endorsement is because of the giants strides of development in the state, where 17 LGAs are witnessing the presence of state government projects and the other LGAs have since been earmarked for one projects of the other. “We realise you are our sellable candidate, a work over candidate in 2019 and we are here to pledge our total loyalty to you, what you want is what we want, your direction in Adamawa politics is our direction. We are supporting you one hundred percent.” Aliyu said Aliyu is the convener of all the 21 LGAs Chairmen, the 52 area administrator and 226 councilors on the solidarity visit to the governor to tell him thank you for his humane style of leadership for the state that is bringing rapid development. “Your Excellency, we are the grass-

BINDOW

roots politicians in the state and we are here for our solidarity visit, one of its kind to pay our loyalty to you, assuring that come 2019 is a work over for us against any candidate. You have finished the campaigns for us, one with your massive infrastructural development. “Sir we are your foot soldiers, the state’s political unit managers and we are all here to tell you thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve our people and our work is all going to be for you in 2019.” He added

Aliyu who is also the Sarkin Matasan Adamawa said the issue of god-fatherism is dying in Adamawa State because Bindow has given the people of the state, especially the youths leverage to contest election without having any political god father to be elected into any political office. “Sir We are seeing you working even at the time that state’s allocation is not even enough to settles salaries, your frugality in handling the financial status of the state is show casing another side of you that you are a gentleman governor who vowed to work for Adamawa masses,” he added While reacting to the endorsement assurances by the state ALGON, Governor Jibrilla asked for special prayers for President Muhammadu Buhari to succeed and for God to give him divine health to take the country out of the crutches of underdevelopment. According to him, President Buhari meant well for Nigerians and the country and needed support from everyone for him to succeed. He advised the grassroots politicians to avoid all forms of political feuds and rancour, but to unite for the success of 2019 general elections.

Lawal, Ayo’s sack long overdue, says Jaiyeola Edokpolor Osayande

The first vice president of Institute of chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and chief consultant of A.J. Silicon, Alhaji Razak Jaiyeola has said that the sack of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal and former Director General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ayo Oke, was long overdue as Nigerians have long waited for the delayed Federal Government decision. Jaiyeola who made this known during an interview with The Daily Times, noted that “there has been a lot of delay in decision making process that led to the sack of the SGF and NIA boss,” he said, adding that “it was well understandable that President Muhammadu Buhari was away to attend to his health predicament and by the time he arrived the country, there was also the need to take time to sort out the investigation before taking the needful decision. “One has to understand the government’s approach towards this sack, which shows that you don’t appoint someone into a position of authority and when an allegation is made without due investigation, you just sack such person like that, it was really appealing to see the government taking time to investigate, by setting up a committee, chaired by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo who investigated the matter and the committee later took a decision in accordance to what most

BABACHI LAWAL

Nigerians felt was right, I am in support of this,” he said. Jaiyeola noted that the Federal Government should meet the expectations of Nigerians by taking further actions on the law and those found guilty be handed over the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC ), or other agencies that handles corrupt practices in the country. He lamented the fact that infrastructural deficiency has not allowed President Buhari to move the way he would want to speed up government projects to Nigerians expectation. “The appointment of Justice Ayo Salami’s panel to monitor corrupt cases

OKE

meant a stone wall, by the time Justice Salami looked at the circumstances of the cases brought to him he found out that he would not be able to act the way he would want to, not wanting to soil his good name, he decided to decline his appointment, due process should be followed when corrupt cases arise, just as it was done in the matters of Babachir and Ayo,” he said. Jaiyeola urged Nigerians to be patient, as the government meant well for the nation, but needs the necessary support from citizens to be able to excel, adding that the newly appointed SGF, Boss Mustaph‘s profile appears to be the right man for the job.

Why PDP may lose in Udenu council, by APC candidate Moses Oyediran, Enugu

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Dr. Obinna Obetta has boasted that he has the antidote to defeat the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), candidate in today’s local government election in Enugu State. Obetta, stated this in an interview with our correspondent on Thursday in Enugu against the backdrop of recent development involving the emergence of his opponent Mr. Frank Ugwu as PDP candidate. He noted that both Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuany and his opponent, Frank Ugwu are from same locality and that residents of the council are happy that Ohom-Orba is being positioned as chairman of the council. “Communities in Udenu are not comfortable with the arrangement of the PDP in picking its candidate from the same place with the governor. “Governor Ugwuanyi is from Ohom-Orba, Frank Ugwu, the PDP candidate is also from Ohom-Orba, this is why our people are disenchanted. They are asking is Ohom-Orba community is the only community qualified for elective positions in Udenu. “The people feel that another community should produce the chairman for the council. They said politics of Udenu should not be left in the hands of one community and that is why majority of them are queuing behind me. He boasted that among the 10 wards in the council, APC would have at least eight wards. Obetta pointed out that the 20 months abysmal performance of his opponent as Caretaker chairman will also work against him. “My people are not happy with the performance of Frank Ugwu who was the immediate past Caretaker Committee Chairman of Udenu and they are asking why he will be contesting the chairmanship seat when he did nothing. “If I fail to deliver on my campaign promises within six months of my administration I will resign,” he said. “My achievements within two years will surpass that of PDP in the past 18 years in the area. Udenu has both human and material resources, but the problem has been mismanagement by successive local government chairmen in the area,” he said. He appealed to both ENSIEC and security agencies in the state to provide a level playing ground for all contestants in the election. “I will accept defeat if my opponent from PDP genuinely defeats me, but will head to court if I am defeated via rigging and manipulations,” he said.

News 13

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 4, 2017

IGP’s wife launches war against drug abuse, child molestation, in Katsina Segun Olaniyan, Katsina

ÏÏÏThe

President, Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) and Wife of the current Inspector General of Police, Barrister Asma’u Ndayako Idris on Thursday launched a campaign against Drug Abuse, Addiction, Barracks Sanitation and Child Molestation for the youths in Katsina. Daily Times reports, that the campaign is coming at a time the state is experiencing an up surge in cases of Child Abuse, kidnappings as well as Drug Abuse which the state is rated second in the entire country. Speaking at the occasion, Barrister Ndayako, said the fight against child molestation and drug abuse must

be tackled by every necessary means.The IGP’s who described the issue of Child molestation as a hideous crime, said parents must ensure that their children whom are entrusted on to them by God are safe from people with questionable characters. According to her, the Police statistics at least revealed that cases of rape or molestation are recorded daily in the country. “Drug abuse has brought about shame to Nigeria as we have been rated among countries who have high rate of drug abuse with about 40% of our youths said to be engaged in drug abuse with Kano state toping the chart follow by Katsina state. “Prevention is always

better than cure, POWA encourages that seminars should always be organized in schools, places of worship and community gatherings to enlighten the public on dangers of drug abuse. “There should be education for the Girl-Child, fight against domestic violence, rehabilitation centers for our affected youths and women, empowerment programs to keep our youths engaged and useful to themselves and society at large.” She noted that divorce, break down of family norms, unemployment as well as availability of all forms of drug over the counter are some of the factors responsible for drug abuse and rape in the society.

Nigeria, France brainstorm as support for French teaching project ends

Nafisat Abubakar, Abuja

ÏÏÏThe government of Nige-

ria and the republic of France have been strategizing to continue with the the teaching of French language in Nigeria higher education system as the third phase of the funding agreement between both countries come to an end. Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anthony Gozie Anwukah made this known on Thursday in his office in Abuja when the project evaluator paid a courtesy visit to the minster. Anwukah said that French language very important in Nigeria because it is the second official language in the

country and a key international language. The minister said; “Part of our goal of transforming the education sector, the curriculum encourages the study and mastery of other languages. This will give our graduates the opportunity of greater mobility in the international labour market. “French language is one of the key international languages most of her neighbors are French-speaking. Since Nigeria adopted French as the second official language, the federal ministry of education has, through the Nigeria French language project (NELP), implemented two French language projects. “Today, we are here because the third project (FSP)

Project No.2014-15,dedicated to the teaching of French in Nigeria higher institutions is about to end .This project has trained over 300 teachers of French as at January 2017 from 61 collages of education (COEs) nationwide in the centres for French teaching and documentation(CFTD). twenty teachers of French in COEs who were outstanding at the end of the training at the CFTDs were sent to France for further training from 17th July- 11 August,2017. “Fifteen lecturers were trained on the methodology of teaching French for business at the French institute, Abuja for two weeks and one week in France

Ogun activates completed power plant ÏÏÏDetermined

to end the era of interrupted power supply in government secretariat, government official quarters, public hospitals, and others, Ogun State Government has announced its plan to officially switch on the 15 Megawatts power plant constructed by the government and Lisabi Power an Independent Power Provider (IPP) through Public Partnership Programme (PPP). The Commissioner for Works & Infrastructure, Arc.Olamilekan Adegbite who announced this today while playing host to the Executives and members of the Egba Economic Summit (EES) led by Chairman, Programmes and Economic Development, Engineer Tokunbo Odebunmi who were in his office on a courtesy call, said government will initially start with the distribution of 5MW tomorrow. Adegbite in a statement by the Head of Media in the Ministry, Mr. AyokunleEwuoso, pointed out further that government facilities which include Government House, Commissioners’ Quarters, Water Corporation, Modern shopping Malls, Bauchi State Governor,Mohammed Abubukar (right) and others, during the inspection tour of the Maraban Ganye Road in Bauchi… on Wednesday. street lights, Legislative Quarters, and the Deputy Governors’ residence will benefit from the first phase. inspiring youths to the highest edly led by Adams Oshiomhole position of a junior Special AsTitus Akhigbe, “We are switching on the first stage of political leadership in whose questionable leadership sistant to the President. Benin phase of 5MW of the power Nigeria. as the APC caucus leader in “We are aware that he has plant, but the whole thing is The group in a statement Edo State has fragmented the blamed Chief Oyegun and ÏÏÏ A group under the aestill going to 15 MW eventually. vowed to vent his fury on Chief gis of All Progressives Con- signed by its Director Organisa- party”, he said. Oronsaye said Oshiomhole is Oyegun. This is absolutely misgress Youth Vigilante, APCYV, tion/Strategy Mr. Emmanuel yesterday,warned those plotting Oronsaye also accused the im- venting his anger of not being calculated because the man Oyethe removal of the National mediate past governor of Edo appointed to serve under Presi- gun has no hand whatsoever in State, Adams Oshiomhole of dent Muhammed Buhari on the Oshiomhole’s stunted rise to Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie Oyegun to desist sponsoring a protest calling for National Chairman of the party. presidential relevance”, he said. “Let us place on record that He called on those who has from it saying they are confi- his removal. “We watched with consterna- APC as a party is yet to arrive anything against the leadership dent in his leadership quality. APC Youth Vigilante is a body tion the stage managed protest its ideologically wired end, it style of the National Chairman of conscientiously militant pol- against Chief John Odigie Oye- naturally has in its fold a lot of of the party to seek a proper way iticians of the All Progressives gun on the 30th of October, 2017 pretenders which we are sure of resolving it amecably with Congress who believe in rise at the instance of no less an an- is responsible for the refusal to him as they as a group are comof our energetic, cerebral and ti-Benin elements singlehand- appoint him the least relevant fortable and happy with him.

Group berates ex-governor over Oyegun’s travails

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 4, 2017

14 News

accidents in Lagos: Bayelsa changing through investments Multiple Over 10 lives rescued in Education, says Osinbajo Joy Anyim

Akam James, Yenagoa

ÏÏÏ Vice President Yemi Osin-

bajo has rated high the Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, over the ongoing investment in Educational development and Infrastructure in the State, saying the investment and recent achievements by indigent students is changing the narratives about the state. He commended the efforts of Governor Seriake Dickson at transforming the State education sector. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who made this known through the chaplain, Aso Villa chapel Professor Seyi Malomo, during a tour of the State Model school known as the Ijaw National Academy, located in the Kiiama community of

Kolokuma/Opokuma Local council area of the State.. Professor Seyi Malomo, who also represented the Vice President, Professor Osinbajo at the official commissioning/dedication of the 10,000 seater Ecumenical building at Igbogene comunity on Tuesday, said it is rare to find such effort put together by a state government and also rare to find a leader who is painstakingly changing the narrative through education. Malomo said with what he has seen today, in no time these ones (students) that have been given this opportunity to learn in such a conducive environment would put an end to the unrest in the Niger Delta region. Also speaking, a member of the delegation of the Vice President,

Rear Admiral Peter Ebhalema (Rtd) recalled that in the past Bayelsa State was in an unpleasant condition, but today he is not only surprised at the level of progress but also commends the present administration. The Admiral prayed that this be sustained by administrations to come and also called for support among Bayelsans. Earlier, the Commissioner for Education, Hon. Jonathan Obuebite who led the delegation on the tour of the Institution, informed the delegation of the Vice President that since the Restoration Administration of Governor Henry Seriake Dickson, education in Bayelsa state has experienced a paradigm shift positively especially in the area of infrastructure, external examinations and awards.

ÏÏÏOver 10 lives were on Friday rescued from multiple road accident on the IKorodu road Lagos, following the prompt intervention by LASEMA Response Unit. According to the General Manager LASEMA Mr Adesina Tiamiyu, the first accident occured at about 10.54 am at Palm Grove Bus Stop along Ikorodu road and 9 lives including a family of five (father, mother and three tenage girls) were rescued. He said, “A Nissan Xterra with registra tion number XKY 453 EX (Lagos), a Honda CRV with registration number LSR. 748 DG (Lagos) and a Honda City car with registration number KTU 391ES (Lagos) were involved in a multiple accident at Obanikoro inward Onipan with no casualties nor fatalities.” Similarly, the second accident happened almost immediately. The LASEMA boss said, “ At the opposite side of the road just immediately after the first incident, a truck carrying a 20ft Container moving outwards Onipanu suddenly fell on two vehicles -a Lexus GX470 Jeep with registration number AGL 414 CU (Lagos),

conveying a family of five, and a Skoda car with registration BDG 482AT (Lagos). “It was equally observed that a motorcycle (Okada) was also affected in the incident as it was also damaged. “Fortunately all the occupants of the vehicles affected were immediately rescued alive from wreckage by the LRU team and other emergency responders at the incident scene. Daily Times gathered that the Lagos State Ambulance Services (LASAMBUS) and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) were also on ground to facilitate rescue operation. LASEMA also carried out recovery of the accidented vehicles and the container from the incident scene with the aid of its heavy duty equipment. Tiamiyu confirmed that there was no loss of lives nor injuries sustained. However, the General Manager said proper investigation would be conducted to ascertain the cause of the accident. He further reiterated the need for motorists to always exercise caution and drive within the recommended speed limit to avoid unecessarily loss of lives.

Wike secures partnership with London Financial Times to promote investment in Rivers Amaka Agbu, Port Harcourt

L-R: New European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria, Ketil Karlson and President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, during a visit by the EU envoy to the President of the Senate in Abuja… on Friday.

I foresaw Awotunsi’s death - Emma Agu Ladesope Ladelokun

ÏÏÏ

Pioneer editor of Champion newspaper , Mr Emma Agu, has revealed that he had premonition that ‘something bad would happen’ when murdered reporter of the newspaper, Tayo Awotunsi , elected to cover the civil war in Liberia. He added that he advised him against going. Agu made this known during a symposium for journalists to mark the 2017 World Day for Safety of Journalists, otherwise known as International Day to End Impunity against Journalists on Thursday in Lagos. The one-day symposium with the theme: “ Safety of Journalist and The Challenge of Impunity in Nigeria”, was organized by Trinity Communications, Pub-

lishers of Safety and Security Watch magazine. In his keynote address, Emma Agu decried the incessant invasion of media houses by security agents, stating that it dents the image of any government involved. He, however, expressed dismay at the failure of successive governments to make killers of journalists feel the weight of the law. His words: “ How come killers of journalists have not been found. Sometimes we think it is government . It may be true, but government must convince us that they are not behind the killing.’’ The veteran journalist identified a fiercely independent judiciary as the greatest safeguard against impunity, calling on journalists to free the judiciary from the shackles of the executive. Speaking at the event,the Pres-

ident of the Nigerian Guild of EdItors, Mrs Funke Egbemode, charged Journalists to enforce their rights to create an environment for the safety of Journalists across the country . Egbemode expressed dissatisfaction that Journalists are endangered species who are killed, jailed and manhandled for carrying out their legitimate duties. Represented at the event by the General Secretary of NGE, Victoria Ibanga, Egbemode also harped on the need for self-examination among journalists, adding that it is important for journalists to shun unethical practices. On his part, Gbemiga Bamidele, Assistant National Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists , says safety should also include the welfare of journalists.

ÏÏÏ The Rivers State Governor, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has led a delegation of top government functionaries to the Financial Times of London where opened talks and secured the partnership of the world’s leading business publication in both promoting the Rivers State’s brand and her investment opportunities on the global stage. A press statement signed by the Governor Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Social Media, Oranye St. Franklyn said that governor was received on arrival at Financial Times’ headquarters in London by Mr. Mark Carwardine, Commercial Director, Africa and The Middle East and Larry Kenny, Sales Manager for Africa and the Middle East. According to the statement, the governor had used the opportunity of the visit to seek and received the partnership of the Financial Times of London in driving business opportunities in Rivers State. He also asked for greater spot-light on Nigeria, due to the failing nature of her democracy, which according to him, was undermining development and investment opportunities in the country. “Another area of our interest has to do with the survival of de-

mocracy in Nigeria. We can’t talk about investment when we don’t have democracy. Investments can only thrive when institutions are strengthened and not weakened. We believe that with what is happening in Nigeria today, if people don’t speak out, democracy may not survive,” the Governor added. While acknowledging the political challenges of Nigeria, Mr. Mark Carwardine in his response, thanked the Governor for his visit and assured him of Financial Times’ collaboration with the Rivers State Government in promoting its investment opportunities and brand. Governor Wike and the visiting delegation after their meeting were led on a tour of the corporate headquarters of the organization in Southward Bridge, London. Members of the Governor’s delegation were Chief Emmanuel Anyanwu, Elder Statesman, Hon. Ken Chikere, member of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Betty Apiafi, member of the Federal House of Representatives, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, Former Minister of Sports, Barr. Emma Okah, Rivers State Commissioner of Information, Dr. A. J. Beredugo, Executive Assistant to the Governor and Mrs. Dornu Kobara, a renowned Journalist.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 4, 2017

News 15 Lagos Police community relations holds conference Iniobong lwok

ÏÏÏIn a bid to improve and main-

L-R: United Nations Special Envoy for West Africa and the Sahel, Amb. Mohamed Ibn Chambas and former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, during a courtesy visit to Atiku in Abuja… on Thursday.

Army commends EFCC for tackling illegal bunkering in N’Delta Azubike Nnadozie

ÏÏÏThe General Officer Com-

manding, GOC, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Major General Enobong Udoh, has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for its “impressive roles” in checking illegal oil bunkering and other acts of economic sabotage in the Niger Delta region. Udoh gave the commendation on Wednesday while paying a courtesy visit to the Port Harcourt Zonal office of the

Commission. According to him, “the EFCC has been very supportive and effective in tackling the menace of illegal oil bunkering. The Niger Delta is very significant to the economy of Nigeria. Any economic crime directly affects the economy. So, what the EFCC is doing by combating bunkering is significant. This alone is helping to stabilize the economy”. Also, the GOC explained that his Division is vested with the task of cracking acts of economic sabotage in the Niger Delta region like illegal oil bunkering; pipeline vandalism,

crude oil theft, illegal oil refining and other environmental crimes peculiar to the region. He called for increased interagency collaboration and support to rid the region of practices inimical to economic growth and development. Udoh said that the EFCC has shown that it is an agency serious and steadfast in carrying out its assigned mandate and charged it not to rest on its oars. In his response, the Zonal Head of the EFCC, Mr. Ishaq Salihu thanked General Udoh for his visit and assured his Division of enhanced support,

Gov Ishaku disburses N5m to vulnerable groups in Taraba ÏÏÏIn

his efforts towards improving the well-being of the less privileged people of Taraba State, particularly the poor, the State Governor, Darius Ishaku yesterday, disbursed about N5m Cheque from the state Community and Social Development Project (CSDP), to Four Gender and Vulnerable Groups in some parts of the State. Daily Times reports that the Initiator of the project (CSDP), is a World Bank Assisted Programme. Performing the ceremony titled, “Project Launch for Gender and Vulnerable Group Components Additional Financing”, held at the Conference Hall of the Catholic Pastoral Centre, Mile Six, Jalingo, Ishaku, rep-

resented by the Chairperson Board, (CSDP) Taraba State, Mrs. Patricia Kumbo described the event as historic saying, “This Project Launch is for a new component in the CSDP implementation process”. He said the component, “Gender and Vulnerable Group, seeks to directly address issues of vulnerable groups” is targeted at providing care and support activities to improving the quality of life of the less privileged in the society. The Governor, who further expressed excitement over the tremendous efforts of CSDP said, the Agency was able to scale through the mountainous terrain of Ngada, one of the hard to reach communities to bring the

presence of his administration to them. While commending the General Manager and staff of CSDP for their untiring efforts in bringing the state to limelight, Ishaku disclosed that Taraba CSDP happens to be at the topmost of the three other states in the Country to have her Group Development Plans approved by the World Bank. Governor Ishaku who called on the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the Money, added that his administration would continue to support ideas that would help actualise the rescue agenda of his administration. “Today, we will be presenting cheques to 4 Groups in three Local Government Areas of the State”, Ishaku said.

collaboration and synergy in the overall interests of the nation. “We are aware of the strategic importance of the Niger Delta to the economy of the nation and this is why we have been making coordinated and sustained efforts to check illegal oil bunkering and other economic and financial crimes in the region. Our efforts are yielding results and we will not look back in carrying out our assigned functions.” Salihu assured that the EFCC will continue to do its best to fight all forms of corrupt practices in the South- South.

tain relationship and synergy between the Nigerian police and members of the public, the lagos state police community relations committee, (PCRC) has stage the 2017 Edition of it bi-annual conference on community policing ,with the theme: “promoting public Partnership on Community security.” The conference, was attended by police Community relation association all over lagos State was held at the national Theatre,Iganmu lagos State. Speaking at the event, the state commissioner of police, Edgar Imohimi commended the role of the police relations committee for it Collaboration in maintain peace,and fostering harmony between the citizenry and the force in the State. Edgar added that the PCRC was important to the success of his administration which Inform his physical present at the event and called for more synergy and renewed commitment towards fighting Crime in the state. Earlier In his welcome address, the chairman of PCRC lagos command, Oba momodu Afolabi Asafa said the conference was an avenue through which the PCRC can Play it Social responsibility roles of examining contemporary Security challenges and offering solution for the benefit of the Society. Oba momodu called for Professionalism among Security expert, stresing that the much talked about community Policing can only be achieved If practitioner’s are focused on the goals of PCRC. Also speaking, PCRC deputy national chairman South, mrs Adesola Adebutu kesington stressed that PCRC was vital and had played a key role in the sustenance of peace and security in States across the country, while advocating for more support for the police force, to enable them effectively fight Crime and other Social Vices in the Country.

Reports on friction between Kyari, Oyo-Ita were fabricated- Shehu Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, has downplayed media reports on the feud between the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari and Head of Service of the Federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita, saying that they were fabricated. Shortly before the commencement of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday, there was an altercation involving the two top government officials. While Oyo-Ita’s countenance said it all, Shehu argued that it was improper to report that they quarreled. He argued that

“what they were discussing was unknown to journalists.” The presidential aide said, “by tradition, the media organizations send their best reporters to the State House. This should reflect, at all times on the quality of reporting,” he told state house correspondents. “I am a journalist myself, and in journalism, you are not supposed to report anything other than the facts of what you heard or observed directly, or what you were told by a firsthand or authoritative eyewitness. “You cannot add two and two to make twenty-two and present it to the public as news. “People can debate and argue over issues, but to suggest that there was a feud, a fight or a clash was to take matters beyond what they were.”

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 4, 2017

Crime

3 herbalists arrested in Lagos for defrauding residents Stories by Joy Anyim

Policemen attached to the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad Lagos State Police Command have arrested three men who allegedly specialise in using charms and other ornaments to extort money and other valuables from unsuspecting residents of the state. The suspects identified as Ojo Ifakorede 30, Ifadayo Ojo 25,Akinola Ifaleke 30 were paraded by the acting Commissioner of police Lagos state command Edgal Imohimi. Ifakorede who is the gang leader denied the allegations saying they are only practicing their religion as they are from a lineage of traditional worshippers. He said” I came to Lagos from Ekiti state to practice herbalist. We are from Ifa family and we have the gift of divination from our fore fathers. We are not fraudsters and have never duped anyone. “ people consult us for spiritual help when the need be and we do not in anyway deceive them. I really

The Suspects

Police arrest developer for defrauding house seekers of over N80m Detectives attached to the Lagos State Police Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) Panti Yaba have arrested a property developer Mr.Adeyemi Kabiru of Tunde Korede Investment over allegations bordering on conspiracy, fraud, and obtaining under false pretense of over N80m. It was learnt that the suspect, a serial fraudster was arrested following a petition by the International Centre for Human Rights Non Violence and Safety Awareness (ICHR). Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect had earlier been arrested by policemen attached to the FCID Alagbon Lagos for similar offence. Speaking on the issue, the Executive Director of ICHR, Barrister Ene Unobe appealed to the Lagos State acting Commissioner of police Mr Edgal Imohimi to arrest other members of the gang. She said “We are acting on behalf of over five hundred victms who on June 16th 2017 protested enmass to our office that a gang of house fraudsters they identified as Mr. Adeyemi Kabiru an estate developer,one Mrs Fumilayo Akingboju, Azeez Adeniran and one John Afolabi (popularly known as MrJay Jay),all

of Tunde Korede Investment collected various sum of money from them for house rent amounting to N80m while one Alhaji Tajudeen Atanda and one Atanda Akinola Alimi collected the sum of N20m but they fled there after without giving the prospective tenants accommodation they paid for. “From our Investigation,some of the victims paid cash while others did bank transfer to the above named persons for houses under construction but near completion at No. 56 Moshalasi Street Surulere, Lagos State; at No. 30 Ramlat Timson Street Aguda Surulere Lagos State; also at No. 10 Ekunjimi Street, Sari Iganmu Lagos.” Speaking on how they were defrauded, a victim Lola Maje said “My agent took me to the property at Moshalasi Street.It was almost completed and I paid a deposit of 240,000 for a mini flat but to my shock, when I got there the room has been occupied and efforts to get my money back has been abortive” Another victim who did not want his name in print said “I paid N400,000 for a two bedroom at Sari Iganmu but the developer fled with my money”. Speaking on the investigation, Bar. Unobe said “When the matter was first reported at FCIID Alagbon by two agents, the police though took the statement of over

one hundred victims but they arraigned Kabiru on a two count charge. “We believe the police in Alagbon, the court, the registrar have compromised because to our surprise, we were not informed of his arraignment but when we got to court, we learnt he was arraigned in the Magistrate chambers not in the open court and a simple bail condition was given to him. “Mr. Kabiru has since jumped bail but we put up another petition to Lagos CP and he was rearrested by SCID Panti Yaba last week We are appealing to the police to conduct a thorough investigation this time around and charge him accordingly based on the compliants of over five hundred victims . “The police should also ensure that other suspects are arrested as we appeal to the state government to urgently address the menace of property fraudsters in the state so as not to give the impression that the state is a den of property fraudsters” she advised. Speaking on their fustration in getting their money back, some of the victims said they might be forced to take the law into their hands. CP Imohimi while commenting on the matter, said the case will be thoroughly investigated. He said “I have directed the DCP at SCID Panti to investigate the compliant and we assure that justice will be served”.

don’t know why the police is alleging we are criminals. Commenting on the arrests, acting CP Imohimi said, “ On October 21st, 2017 at about 3:40pm, a team of FSARS Ikeja upon information intercepted the suspects at Tolashade Awe Street, Maruwa Bus-stop Lekki Phase II, Ajah Lagos. They were suspected of belonging to a gang of local fraudsters who specialises in duping innocent citizens of their properties and money. “When they were interrogated, Korede made a confessional statement. Some objects suspected to be locally made charms were recovered from their shrine which they used to lure their victims to part away with money and properties.” Edgal said the suspects will be charged to court after thorough investigation. He therefore appealed to the good people of Lagos to be vigilant at all times as all hands must be on deck to make the state safe and secure. “ Whenever they see something, they should say something.” He admonished.

NDLEA apprehends 3 for smuggling drugs The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested three suspects for allegedly attempting to smuggle drugs in and out of the country. According to NDLEA spokesperson, Jonah Achemah; Ifechukwu and Victor Anadu had swallowed 65 and 54 wraps of suspected substances and were intercepted at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja. Similarly the agency also arrested a 37-year-old woman, Omotayo Anifowoshe at the local wing of the Lagos airport with 3.0 kilogrammes of ephedrine and 1.9kg of cocaine. Achemah said, “Ifechukwu flew in from Lagos and was

The Suspects

intercepted at the airport in Abuja. He excreted 65 wraps of substances weighing 864 grammes out of which only one wrap tested positive for methamphetamine. He was on his way to Indonesia. “Anadu was intercepted on his way to Indonesia. He excreted 54 wraps weighing 1,073.4 kilogrammes of suspected substances out of which 700 grammes tested positive for methamphetamine. The remaining 373.4 grammes did not test positive for any known drug.” It was gathered that Anifowoshe, an indigene of Epe in Lagos State, was arrested moments after landing in Lagos and was to connect her flight to South Africa through a short cut linking the local airport to the international airport, after successfully boycotting security screening point. Achema said: “She was intercepted with two big bags containing 3kgs of Ephedrine and 1.9kgs of Cocaine base. The drugs were concealed in the false bottom of the bags. She confessed that the luggage was handed to her by her fiancé at whose instance was the trip.”

FEATURES

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 4, 2017

Judicial workers in Edo beg govt for a better working environment Few weeks ago, Edo State judiciary commenced a new legal year with great expectations from both the bar and the bench. At a ceremony to mark the new legal year, the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Esohe Ikponmwen assured that the 2017/2018 legal year would not be business as usual. The “no-nonsense’ chief judge was optimistic that sanity and discipline would be restored to the state judiciary in the coming days without fail. The vision of the chief judge for the 2017/2018 legal year is to achieve ‘a corrupt free judiciary’. According to her, “It’s hoped that the menace of corruption will be eradicated in all facets of the judiciary. We shall have zero tolerance for any act of corrupt practice”. The chief judge noted that the office of the chief inspector of courts has been strengthened to ensure anyone caught in the act is prosecuted. Justice Esohe Ikponmwen named the duties of the office of the inspector of courts to include receiving, checking and investigation of complaints bordering on corruption such as bribe taking by staff before processing bail applications, filing of court processes and demanding gratification before performing official duties, affidavit racketeering. The office is also charged with the responsibility to ensure that all revenue collected by the various court registries across the state is promptly treasury. The chief judge said “I have directed that the magistrates and the area customary court presidents must deliver judgments within three months of adoption of written addresses or delivery of oral address in court by counsel failing which disciplinary action will be taken against such erring judiciary official lazy judicial officers will be made to sit up or pack up”. For the chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Benin Branch, Barrister Ede Aseneguen, is calling for a renewed vigour and determination to do better and improve on the justice delivery process. “The fact must be mentioned that for us at the Bar the foremost challenge in the Edo State Judiciary remains that of financial autonomy. We have insisted and we shall continue to insist that, Financial Independence must be granted to the Edo State Judiciary like some states have done in line with the Constitutional Provision. We are not unaware of the fact that this present Governor and Government seem to have taken the issue and development of the Judiciary very seriously as can be seen from the budgetary allocation to the Judiciary in its very first budget. We believe that its full implementation will certainly take the Judiciary some steps forward. However, our insistence is based on the fact that judicial Autonomy must be a systemic entrenchment and therefore not subject to the whims and caprices of the Chief Executive of the State. Governor

Now, the toilets in the state high courts that were hitherto inaccessible have been fixed.

Barrister Olayiwola Afolabi

Osaretin Dickson Airhienbuwa

As Edo State judicial workers mark 2017/2018 legal year, the chief judge, members of the Bar and other judiciary workers agitate for a better working environment,TITUS AKHIGBE writes Godwin Obaseki may be like the proverbial pharaoh that knew Joseph, certainly without a systemic entrenchment of the financial autonomy of the Judiciary in the State, when a pharaoh that knows not Joseph shall come then we are back to the dark ages. God forbid. It is therefore our call on the Governor of the State, the Speaker and Members of the Edo State House of Assembly to rise up and write their name in gold in the annals of judicial history and posterity by ensuring that this feat is achieved during their time”. Corruption in the judiciary has become major discourse in our country today. It is therefore unimaginable that in an occasion like this mention should not be made about his cankerworm which threatens the integrity and respect for our judiciary. On the issue of corruption in the Edo State Judiciary, we are happy to note that we are unaware of any Judge in the Edo State judiciary that is engaged in this devilish practice. We commend the Chief Judge whose image and stance of a nononsense Chief Judge speaks volumes. We are keeping a close watch on our judicial officers and we shall not be quiet if we have any verifiable reason to confront any of our Judicial Officers. I can assure you that we would rather engage in self cleansing than to be embarrassed from Abuja. I therefore wish to encourage our Judges, Magistrates and Area Court Presidents to continue to live above board and to dispense justice according to law and good conscience. we want to thank you for your under a sine quo non that the justice system in the State must be of a first class standard to

be able to attract the kind of Investment that you desire to bring to our dear State. You have stated again and again that you place premium on seeing a very efficient, effective and speedy justice delivery system that is second to none in Edo State. We thank you immensely for identifying this and working towards it. We wish to place on record that the ministry of justice has a very critical role to play in this regard. They prosecute and defend on behalf of the state. It is therefore critical that officers in this department are well motivated if government must achieve the desired result. Notary Public, Olayiwola Afolabi. We have to thank the new justice of the federation, Justice Walter Onoghen for the new methods he has introduced and he has set up a committee headed by Justice Salami to check corrupt related matters. It is a welcome development and it has never been done before, so I commend him. As lawyers, we’re on oath to ensure that we don’t delay cases.. Not onlylawyers, some judges also do. It’s on record that some courts don’t sit. while some sit regularly. They have to be commended while others should be warned to ensure they sit and up and doing. As a lawyer, I expect the best in this legal year. With the emergence of the new chief judge, Justice Esohe Ikponmwen since she came on board, the high court has undergone serious changes before, magistrate would not sit over complaints of non availability of diesel in their generators. Those logistics have been resolved by this administration.

Osaretin Airhenbuwa Our expectation for the new legal year is high. I expect new practice guidelines, new practice direction, activities in the courtroom and promises for better deal for litigants. Now we are into real front loading mechanisms in law practice. You observe that in the last national conference of NBA, the general thing we were given is the tablet. Tablet means existing on the platform of the net internet super highway is what’s in vogue.. We now sign contract on net, offer businesses on net. We file processes on net. I can be at the comfort of my office and file processes. These are new beginnings so the new legal year spells a new beginning, a new way of life in the super high way. We’re expecting that a situation where there are allegations of corruption in the legal profession is going to be banished by virtue of the fact that the chief justice of the federation Onoghen has just sworn in a probe panel consist of incorruptible judge to probe some judges who were accused of corruption until those cases are investigated and the report comes out, you can’t actually point accusing fingers but the legal profession is a self healing profession so were expecting that it’s going to be better deal, better performance of judiciary which of course is an important organ of government. Chairman of Judiciary Workers, Edo State, Uyi Ogierhiakhi This legal year will bring so much to judiciary workers. We expect that government grant full financial independence, the judiciary is one important arm of government you cannot undermine when it comes to democracy. And the only way the judiciary can function effectively without any form of interference, is to give judiciary financial autonomy so that the system can work. We embark upon a strike action in the last legal year, called by the national body of JUSUN, as a result of that our staff were deprived of their salaries for seven months. We hope that the cry of the workers to make the system work will be heard by government soon. The purpose of that strike was to make the system work. We hope that 2017/2018 legal year will bring the seven months of our workers salaries back. All the paper work being done by judiciary are done by members of our union after judgments have been delivered, the implementation of those judgments is being done by JUSUN members and if you want them to perform effectively well, they should be seen being given their entitlements. So we are expecting so much and we hope that the new CJ that just came on board in the judiciary with her approach. The judiciary is an arm of government that we think this time should be seen working..

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 4, 2017

21 News

DPR licences 600 filling stations in Niger Saka Bolaji , Minna

ÏÏÏThe

Comptroller of the Nigeria Customs, Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara Custom Command, Nasir Ahmad (left), displaying some of the seized bags of rice by the Command in Sokoto… on Wednesday.

Catholic Bishop becomes new CAN chair in Adamawa

Tom Garba, Yola

ÏÏÏThe

Adamawa state chapter of Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday voted Bishop Dr. Stephen Dami Mamza , to replaced controversial former chairman Bishop Mike Moses. Dr. Mamza who pulled 49 votes against Moses’s 34 votes , said that he was called by members of CAN to serve and put the Association on sound and solid ground in the state.

Anglican Bishop Ibrahim Anfani returned elected as the vice Chairman,Pastor Tony Elishama and Emmanuel were voted secretary and treasurer respectively. Mamza who commended the immediate past leadership of CAN for organizing the election on time without any delay, noted that his leadership will not only operate an transparent leadership , but that he will not tolerate any act that can tarnish the image of Christianity in the

state. The CAN national secretary who is the observer of the election,Dr Musa Asake enjoins Christian to avoid hitting up the association with politics but remain a truly body of Christ. While speaking after the results of the election was announced, the National president of Youth Wing CAN Engr. Daniel Kadzai, said that the coming on board Dr. Mamza as CAN chairman will restored the lost glory

of the association in the state. He lamented that the immediate past leadership of CAN in the state did not only turned the association into a private estate, but that it has become an extension of any ruling party in office. Kadzai who expressed satisfaction with the election Dr. Mamza as chairman, pointed out that CAN has lost direction in the state and that it was moving towards becoming a political party in Adamawa.

CRAAAI second annual national consumers summit holds Nov.9 ÏÏÏThe

Consumer Rights Awareness Advancement & Advocacy Initiative (CRAAAI) , a nongovernmental, nonpolitical consumer rights protection initiative in Nigeria has concluded plans to hold its National Consumer Summit and Awards on November 9,2017. According to a release from CRAAAI signed by its Chairman,Mr Moses Igbrude”in furtherance of our core objectives, we would be

hosting the second edition of the Annual Summit and Awards. The annual event is aimed at drawing public attention to topical issues on consumerism and rewarding / celebrating organizations that have delighted consumers via product innovation/creativity and/or excellent service delivery,”he said. As he disclosed the theme for this year Annual Summit and Awards is:” Protecting Pharmaceutical,

Food & Beverages/ Brewery Industries From Counterfeiters: A Collaborative Approach.” Going further he posited that the core focus for this year’s edition is to re-energize collaborative measures amongst key stakeholders in the fight against counterfeiters,saying that the advance in technology has made counterfeiters more sophisticated in their acts. This situation calls for concerted

effort to strengthen the working synergy of regulators, manufacturers/producers and all other stakeholders for continuous engagement on ways to curb this national malaise. He revealed that the Director- General of Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) Dr Osita A. Aboloma would be the guest speaker at the summit,adding that discussants at the event are drawn from NAFDAC. MAN, CPC, PSN and consumer advocacy groups etc.

Department of Petroleum Resources DPR, has licensed about 600 filling stations in Niger state in the last two years of its establishment in the state, Controller of the department, Engineer Abdullahi Isah Jankara has revealed. Jankare made this disclosure when the Executives of Correspondents chapel of NUJ paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Minna, saying that it inheritage a lot of illegal fuel stations hence the need to ensure sanity. He explained that some of the peculiar challenges ascertained during the establishment of the Department on 1st November, 2015 have been overcome through enlightenment and educating of the stakeholders especially the marketers. He however applauded the contributions of the media especially during the scarcity of the product at the pick of its establishment assured to do his best as the head of the regulatory body of oil and gas in the state. Engr Jankara who insisted not to be intimidated by the marketers maintained that the right

thing must be done to ensure sanity and smooth running of the business in the state. He added that product scarcity was a distraction of the department noted that its now carrying out it real mandate as a regulator of oil and gas business in Nigeria. The pioneer controller further hinted that marketers now registered for their licenses online now within three months which has ease the whole processes just like the aim of establishing the office in Minna. He advised the new leadership of the chapel and journalism professionals to be mindful of the consequences of their reportage in the society and be guided by their conscience as well not to be detered by the critics as their present status will propelled them for future responsibility. Earlier in his remarks, Mr Aideloje Ojo appreciated the tremendous contributions of the department hence the personal contributions of the controller in educational, philanthropical, social and developmental efforts in some communities in the state hence to partner in its activities.

Iyaloja of Ebute Ero tasks traders on sanitation Ajibade Alabi

ÏÏÏ Iyaloja of Ebute Ero

Alhaja Fausat Olowosibi, a well known business tycoon and philanthropist, has urged the people of Lagos especially those in Ebute Ero to be more hygienic especially as regards cleaning the canal that pass through the market. According to her, Lagos island local government has been helping in the cleaning years back but no one is helping for now except the little effort the market committee puts in. Government should help to prevent health hazards. “ I am using this medium to beg the Lagos state governor Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode to stop this action because Ebute ero has its name from the time immemorial, I am a lagosian to the core and I grew up to know the market name so I don’t see any reason why some people will decide

not to go with the name again. They even stopped participating in the affairs of the market, they don’t comply with environmental activities owing to the fact that some people are backing them, Alhaja who was crowned by mogaji crowned as iyaloja since 2004. “We decided to have special prayers so that the market can move forward that is why we call on pastors and Muslim clerics to pray for unity and progress within the market. In his own response Alhaji abdulganiu Kareem Aare the Babaloja commended governor Ambode for his good works but also plead with him to see to the present situation of the market most especially the change of name issue so that it won’t cause tribal war. According to him Gorodom market is well known all over Nigeria and people are familiar with it so it is very funny to change the name now.

News 22

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 4, 2017

Stop linking my govt to killings in Kogi Central, Bello tells labour Gboyega Odogun

ÏÏÏKogi state governor, Alhaji Ya-

L-R: Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola presenting the State’s plague to Olowo of Owo, Oba Olateru Olagbegi, during a courtesy visit to the Governor at the Government House Osogbo, Osun State… on Friday.

Ugwuanyi flags off multiple road projects in Enugu Moses Oyediran, Enugu

ÏÏÏ

There was jubilation in Abakpa Nike, Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State over the flag off of four major roads’ rehabilitation in the area, which were among the five road contracts awarded by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration, a few days ago. Gov. Ugwuanyi had during his recent visits to Abakpa Nike Market road, Ugboghe and Ogwuagor communities in the Abakpa-Nike, Enugu, in company of the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi, promised the people of the areas that his administration will take urgent action towards rehabilitating their roads in the dry season. The governor, who

visited the area, recently reassured the people that “massive works will commence on these roads immediately”. Keeping faith with the promise, the State Executive Council on Wednesday, approved the award of contracts for the construction of five urban and rural areas, mainly in Abakpa Nike, Enugu East L.G.A. Flagging off the projects, Gov. Ugwuanyi who was represented by the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Greg Nnaji, said that the projects, which have threemonth duration for completion, were targeted at ameliorating the hardship being encountered by the people of the areas as a result of the deplorable condition of the roads. The Works Commissioner noted the importance of the road to the

communities, saying that the governor was passionate about improving the living standard of the people of the state, describing him as “one who is committed to fulfilling every promise he made at all time”. He disclosed that the approval for the award of contracts for the rehabilitation of the roads were obtained “48 hours ago to be precise”, adding that the immediate flag off of the projects and commencement of work were proof of the desire of the governor to fulfill his promise. Reacting to the development, Chief Elias Agbo, the representative of Landlords and Landladies of Ogwuagor community, expressed surprise that a governor could make such promise and fulfill it, accordingly, saying: “Gov. Ugwuanyi is an action governor who makes promises and keeps them”.

Enugu council polls: Independent observers hail ENSIEC Moses Oyediran, Enugu

ÏÏÏA

coalition of civil society organizations on Friday hailed the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission, ENSIEC, over its level of preparedness for the local government elections scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday in Enugu State. The group, Network of Civil Society Organizations are in Enugu to observe the polls, which would hold across the 17 local government areas of the State. Leader of the group, Comrade Kalu Victor, at a pre-election press briefing, alongside leaders of other civil society groups, said the team had so far observed that “the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission is resolute, transparent and committed to conducting a free and fair local government elections in the State, hence provided a level playing ground for all political parties in the State to participate in the election. “The actions and conducts of EN-

SIEC, to the best of our knowledge, are so far guided by the State Electoral Laws. “We gathered that after due consultations and considerations with relevant stakeholders, especially political parties, with respect to the State Electoral Laws, ENSIEC released the timetable for the election, in which 4th November, 2017 was announced and set aside for the election to be held. The timetable and date for the election were unanimously accepted by all political parties in the State and all other stakeholders. “We observed that for the first time in the history of the State, strong and formidable opposition parties are seriously campaigning and mobilizing to challenge the ruling party in Enugu State in the Local Government polls, this has made the election very interesting. “We noted that the various candidates emerged through transparent internal party democratic process in their various parties.” As part of their recommenda-

tions, the observers urged the ENSIEC to give priority “to difficult terrains in the State in terms of distribution of election materials to ensure quick and timely commencement of election in such areas. “Political parties should ensure adequate presence of their party agents in all the poling units for effective party representation during election.” Apart from the ENSIEC, the team also commended the various security agencies in the State for the assurances of providing a secure and peaceful environment for the election, urging them “never to lose focus but rather remain resolute in safeguarding lives and property even after the elections. “We commend His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Enugu State for considering it necessary to conduct this very important Local Government Election in the State not minding the economic challenges which other states are using as an excuse.

haya Bello on Friday pleaded with the organised labour in the state to stop linking his government to every calamity and crime committed in the state. While commiserating with the families of the 3 slain persons at Okene on Tuesday and Wednesday,the governor in a statement he personally signed, said that such position was capable of instilling unnecessary fear and agitations in the minds of the people. The Governor was reacting to the rising incidents of murder in the state where three cases were recorded in two days this week. The governor said that he was particularly worried about utterances credited to the leadership of organised Labour in Kogi State in the media suggesting that Mallam Abdulmumuni Yaqub’s death may not be unconnected with his roles as a Labour leader opposed to Government. “Simply put, they have insinuated that this Government may have something to do with his death. They have also gone ahead to posit that their lives are not safe as Labour leaders. I am aghast at this manner of thinking. Nothing could be further from the truth, and the leadership of Labour knows this”he said. The Governor noted that “this is not the first time that Labour in Kogi State has capitalised on horrendous tragedies which befell some of our citizens to malign the Administration in the most malicious way. “ In the last 3 weeks alone they

have been quick to lay 3 tragedies at our door - the suicide of senior Civil Servant, the death of a family’s dear daughter from sickle cell anaemia disease and now the killing of Mallam Yaqub by as yet unidentified assassins, only to have the true stories surface a short while later contradicting their stories. Sadly, even when refuted, they have not been as quick to find the needed forthrightness to offer their regrets for accusing us falsely, or to apologise to the families they have hurtHe assured Labour leaders that they have nothing to fear as Government is not after them. “I am not after them. On the contrary, Government remains responsible for the security of their lives and properties, along with those of all other citizens of this great state. It is a responsibility which even they know that we take very very seriously indeed.” The governor called on the Labour Leaders to be more circumspect with the sensational statements in the media to minimise the potential for fear and mischief mongering. “Let me put it on record again that my Administration has no choice but to work for the welfare of both our Civil Servants and our people as a whole. It is in fact the reason we have undertaken some difficult but necessary public sector reforms. The benefits of these reforms are also becoming evident to all with each passing day despite resistance from some surprising quarters. Payment of salaries, which is the primary issue at stake now is being tackled head-on even as I speak.

Tuition fee issues: Kwara poly lied–Parents Kehinde Akinpelu, Ilorin

ÏÏÏParents and students of kwara

State polytechnic has started reacting to statement credited to the Management of kwara State Polytechnic and the Commissioner for Information on the issue of school fees hike. The kwara State Polytechnic on Tuesday debunked allegations that there is a hike in the tuition fee of the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin. In a press briefing that held at the conference room of Ministry of Information, Ilorin the Registar, Mr. Moses Salami stated that allegations of new tuition fee of N75, 000 as against N58, 000 charged the students last session. Corroborating the view of the Registrar, the Kwara State Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Mahmud Ajeigbe, added his views stating that there was no change in the tuition fees. The duo said that all issues raised in the social media about hike in tuition fees are mischievous inciting and unwarranted adding that returning students who are now either HND 2 or ND 2 students paid the same N58,000 as it was last session as HND 1 student. Thé Commisioner, hinted that the institution has not yet determined what tuition fee of incoming students who just secured admission into ND 1and HND 1 because as he

said, “these will be determined by realities on ground.” Meanwhile, On Thursday Morning, some parents called our Correspondent Who was in kwara State Polytechnic authorities of telling lies about the said tuition fees showing receipt of former tuition fees paid over their wards, which showed a discrepancy contrary to claims by the authorities. Mr Abiodun, à Civil Servant said as a parent and is not satisfied with the seeming insensitivity of government to the plight of its citizens especially in times like this in the country. Another parent, Mr idowu Saïd that came along with Mr. Abdulrasheed also corroborated his claim hinted that students are already protesting over the said hike at post office area. When our correspondent went out to Post Office Area, a handful of students were seen carrying placards protesting the hike in school fees. One of the students who spoke under condition of anonymity said that controversial increase is displayed on the portal of the school as opposed to news of debunking from the school. Some of the postal read “Pity Our Parents, the economy is biting hard.” Another read “Is this the promised dividend of democracy, Hike in Our School Fees is evil, Gov Ahmed, bail us.

News 23 ÏÏÏThe

Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), Antonio Guterres on Thursday stated that the world body was worried by the recent agitations for self determination by a section of the South East geo-political zone of Nigeria and expressed UN’s preference for a united and peaceful Nigeria. The Special Representative of the Secretary General of UN for West Africa and the Sahel, Mohamed Ibn Chambers made the assertion when he led a special delegation of the world body to the leadership of apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Enugu. Guterres said that UN was gratified by the mature role of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in quelling the recent agitations by some secessionist groups, and encouraged them to continue to adopt dialogue and constructive

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 4, 2017

UN Secretary General advocates united Nigeria engagement in the resolution of issues. He said that Nigeria, like many other countries is still battling with weak structures which require constant dialogue and deepening of democracy in overcoming the challenges. The UN Secretary General made it clear that the unity of Nigeria is not only important to Nigeria but also West Africa and entire Africa, saying that the UN will continue to support the one Nigeria project. “We indeed came to commend Ohanaeze Ndigbo for the leadership they have demonstrated. Few months ago we were all getting a bit worried with events and developments in South East of Nigeria

but thanks to their leadership and their initiatives they were able to bring together the chiefs and the political leaders and governors and respected persons of South East and through this intervention we now see that calm is restored and all are working to advance the one Nigeria agenda. “The Secretary General believes in this one Nigeria project because he had always said that a united peaceful Nigeria is not only for the people of Nigeria, but indeed for the people of West Africa and for all of Africa. We know the strengths of the people of South East bring to Nigeria and to the Sub region. “There is hardly a single country in West Africa where you will

not find enterprising persons from the South East who are in their own rights economic ambassadors of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. ”So our simple message is to encourage the leaders, the elders of the South East to continue to endeavour to seek ways in which they can work with all other parts of the Federation and to strengthen the unity of this country and through a constructive approach to seek dialogue to redress whatever short coming there may be and let’s face it. “We are all young democracies, young countries so there are still some structural imbalances here and there and the correct way to address them is through deepening

the democracy that we have all embarked on and trying to accommodate one another,” he said. President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo had earlier expressed gratitude to UN for the visit, saying that it was in response to a letter written to the world body on July 12, 2017. “On July 12 2017 we wrote to the Secretary General of the United Nations about the security infrastructure in our country as it pertains to Ndigbo. In October 10, he responded to our letter and indicated to us that he was sending his representative for West Africa and the Sahel in the person of Ambassador Ibn Chambas to see us today.

Ogun Hosts National Council on Health

ÏÏÏThe Ogun State Government

says all machineries have been put in place, to ensure a hitchfree and successful hosting of the 60th edition of the National Council on Health. The meeting, which is the apex policy making body on health, is scheduled to hold in Abeokuta, the state capital, between Monday, 6th and Thursday 9th, October, 2017. Secretary to the State Government and Chairman, Local Organising Committee for the event, Barr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, who stated this while briefing journalists in Abeokuta, indicated that the meeting would be formally declared open by the State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun. Adeoluwa, at the briefing, also attended by the Commissioner for Health, Mr. Babatunde Ipaye and his Information and Strategy counterpart, Otunba Dayo Adeneye as well as representatives of the Federal Ministry of Health, said the Council has as its theme, “Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) and the Health Sector: Matters Arising”. According to him, the hosting would provide a veritable platform for the state to showcase its achivements, particularly in the health sector, to the world and also rub minds with practioners, with a view to providing better health care services for its people. “We are happy to host this convention. It is a measure of improved confidence in our administration and the modest achievements we have made in the health sector, since we came on board. “We are happy that the Federal Government and the Ministry of Health, found us worthy of the hosting right. We want to assure our people and our guests that we are fully ready”, Adeoluwa said. In his own contribution, Ipaye added that experts from Nigeria and abroad are expected to attend the four-day event, to compare notes and chart the way forward in the health sector.

L-R: Elder, Idunganran Club of Lagos (ICL), Mr. Mukaila Akibu; Past President, ICL, Alhaji Razak Dawuda; President, ICL, Chief Abayomi Badmus and Guest Lecturer/Chairman, Board of Trustee, Yoruba Tennis Club, Alhaji Lateef Okunnu (SAN), at the lecture celebrating the 40th Anniversary of ICL in Lagos… on Wednesday.

NANS writes Buhari, seeks open investigation into looted Pension fund

Francesca Iwambe Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has called for an open public investigation into looted pension fund. In a letter to President Mohammadu Buhari, dated November 2, 2017 and signed by its President, Comrade Aruna Kadiri, said though, the decision of the President to disengage Maina from service was as a result of misleading report presented to him by those who supposed to feed him with detailed development across the country. The NANS President said, “The decision was hasty and generally not of the interest of Nigerians. As a body of intellectualism, we observed that there is a ganged up against Mr. Abdulrasheed Abdullahi Maina who was the chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Taskforce Team, PRTT under

the Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. “The PRTT has Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other offenses Related Commission, ICPC, the Department of State Security , DSS, the National Intelligence Agency, NIA, the Nigeria Police Force, the Ac-

countant General of the Federation, the Auditor General of the Federation, the Federal Ministry of Finance among others. “We, as Nigerians cannot be clouded by the diversionary method of the cabal to shift our minds from the N1.6 trillion to N2.1 billion. We also gathered that, immediately Mr. Maina’s PRTT was disbanded, the then government created Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate, PTAD. PTAD discontinued the on going biometric supervised by the PRTT and got approval of N8bn for the same biometric which up till now, is yet to be carried out. “The Director of Finance of Maina’s led PRTT is now the Director of pension in PTAD while Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde of the EFCC heads the Police Special Fraud unit in Lagos. We believed that it is not possible for the chairman to steal such huge amount without

the finance director and other team members if they actually stole public fund. Nigerians want to know the whereabouts of the N1.6 trillion recovered and the N5.32bn blocked by Mr. Maina and his team in the head of service and police”. Comrade Kadiri also said, “Since the EFCC and ICPC were members of the Maina’s committee, and as well implicated in the looted treasury, an independent investigative panel be set up to properly investigate the allegations and counter allegations. An investigative panel with live coverage which will boost the anti corruption war of your administration will be highly appreciated by Nigerians. “For the sake of justice, equity and fairness, we also advice and recommend that your Excellency immediately reabsorb Mr. Maina pending the outcome of the public investigation and if found wanting be properly prosecuted”.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 4, 2017

South Africa money-eating’ traffic officers sanctioned

Why Burundi’s women can’t beat traditional ritual drums Bonny Amadi with agency reports

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South African money eating police officers

ÏÏÏTwo South African traffic

police officers seen in a viral video eating from the cash littered boot of a car and playing loud music have been suspended for three months. According to Agency report, South African police authorities said that the officers from Johannesburg’s Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) displayed “unprofessional conduct” which brought the service into “disrepute”. Chief Superintendent Wilfred Kgasago said in a recent statement that the officers were given a chance to explain to the Chief of Police why they should not be suspended. He added that they were or-

dered to hand in their uniforms and identification badges on Wednesday while internal investigations open into the incident. The South African Police Minister Mbalula Fikile had earlier threatened on Twitter that they will be brought to justice. The video which went viral last week on social media showed the two uniformed men eating lunch in Styrofoam packs next to stacks of R100 and R200 South African bank notes in the same packs. One of them picked a note and wiped his mouth while a woman in the background, suspected to be the one filming, remarked in the Zulu language which literally meant: “Meat is being eaten, money is being eaten”.

Burundi’s ritual dance of the royal drums which in 2014 was placed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, has been segmented by the country’s government as men affair for drum beating while women can do the rhythmic dance. UNESCO’s cultural heritage is described as “a spectacle combining powerful, synchronised drumming with dancing, heroic poetry and traditional songs.” And the “entire population of Burundi recognises it as a fundamental part of its heritage and identity.” According to agency reports, Burundi’s president, Pierre Nkurunziza, recently introduced strict controls over the country’s renowned drumming rituals, with a law banning female drummers and limiting the sacred tradition to official events. The presidential decree, signed on October 20, said that if an organiser gets permission to have drummers perform at an event, he

immediate past Angolan president, Isabel dos Santos has emerged as the only African in the 2017 Forbes 100 world’s most powerful women, she ranked 74th on the affluence list. The 44-year-old was also the only African to have made it to Forbes magazine’s ranking of the top 100 women for this year. Agency report stated that, Isabel who is currently head of the national oil firm, Sonangol, is believed to be worth $3.4bn as of November 2017. Her business in-

Angola’s Isabel dos Santos.jpg

terests are in the area of finance and investment. FORBES research claims to have found that her dad had transferred stakes in several Angolan companies to her. According to the ranking that was published recently, the German chancellor Angela Merkel was ranked the most powerful woman. She is followed by the British Prime Minister, Theresa May in second place. Third, fourth and fifth places were occupied by Melinda Gates (of Bill and Melinda Gates foundation), Sheryl Sandberg (U.S. tech executive) and Mary Teresa Barry (CEO, General Motors) respectively. The sixth to tenth slot is as follows: Susuan Wojcicki, Abigail Johnson, Christine Lagarde, Anna Patricia Botin and Ginni Rometty. Other prominent women and their respective positions on the ranking are as follows. Federica Mogherini of the E.U. (17th), Ivanka Trump daughter of U.S. president (19th), Oprah Winfrey (21st), Judges of the U.S. Supreme Court (24th).

must pay the Treasury a fee equivalent to 245 euros ($280). This figure is to be paid daily if the group performs abroad. The new decree made available to the agency report read “It is strictly forbidden to those of the female sex to beat drums. They can however carry out female folk

dances accompanying the drums,” All groups seeking to perform “cultural shows”, according to the new law “must from now on register with the ministry of culture and are not allowed to perform outside of official ceremonies without authorisation from the ministry”

Burundi’s drumming ritual

Love gone sour: Pistorius may face longer prison term

Dos Santos emerges only African in Forbes 2017 ‘100 most powerful women’ ÏÏÏ Daughter of

24 Foreign News

Pristorius

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For shooting his girlfriend to death and sentenced

for six years imprisonment, South African Paralympian Oscar Pistorius mays serve additional nine years in jail, if the plea by prosecution lawyer said through. Agency report pointed that South African prosecutors has sustained pressing for nine additional years in prison for the Paralympics after being convicted of murdering his girlfriend. The move is yet another twist in the now four-year-long saga that followed the 2013 shooting death of model Reeva Steenkamp. On Friday, state prosecutor Andrea Johnson argued to the Supreme Court of Appeal that the sentence should be increased to 15 years. She argued, as the

prosecution has previously, that Pistorius has shown little remorse. “Yes, the respondent apologized,” she told the five-judge panel. “What did he apologize for? ‘I’m sorry.’ Sorry for what?” Pistorius maintained he mistook his girlfriend of three months for an intruder and did not mean to kill her when he shot four times at a locked bathroom door, killing her. Pistorius was re-sentenced last year after prosecutors successfully argued that his conviction should be upgraded from culpable homicide to murder. After the new conviction, a judge sentenced him to six years — a far cry from the 15-year minimum recommended under South

Afghanistan blocks social media services ÏÏÏAuthorities

in Afghanistan are temporarily blocking WhatsApp and Telegram social media services in the country, citing security concerns, officials confirmed recently. An official at the Afghan Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, ATRA, told VOA the social media tools will be suspended for 20 days. The decision follows a request from state security institutions. News agency report, said that the official, who spoke on condi-

tion of anonymity, said a formal announcement is expected Saturday. ATRA has ordered telecom companies to shut down the services November 1, according to a copy of official instructions appearing in Afghan media. Social media users have complained of technical problems while using the two services in recent days. The controversial move has sparked criticism of the Afghan government, and it is being slammed as an illegal act and an

attack on freedom of expression. The outage prompted the telecom regulator to issue a statement Friday, saying the ban is meant to test “a new kind of technology” in the wake of users’ complaints. It went on to defend the restriction, saying WhatsApp and Telegram are merely voice and messaging services and their temporary suspension does not violate the civil rights of Afghans. The government is committed to freedom of expression, the ministry added.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 4, 2017

Cable vandal bags 5 year jail term Ganiyu Obaaro

Efforts by the Benin Electricity Distribution Plc (BEDC) to tackle electricity equipment vandalOBIOHA JOSHUA CHINEMEREM Formerly known and addressed as PRINCE JOSHUA CHINEMEREM, now wish to be known and addressed as OBIOHA JOSHUA CHINEMEREM. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ism has again yielded results, as a cable vandal has been sentenced to Five years imprisonment with hard labour without option of fine by the

ADANDE JOSEPY DEHINDE . Formerly known and addressed as ADESHINA JOSEPY DEHINDE, now wish to be known and addressed as ADANDE JOSEPY DEHINDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Magistrates Court, Iguobazuwa in Edo State. According to a statement from the BEDC, the vandal, male, MRS MOBOLANLE OWOEYE I formerly known and addressed as Miss Adefope Mobolanle Temitope Now wish to be addressed as Mrs Mobolanle Owoeye. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

aged 27 years was caught on the 28th of September 2017, at Iguobazuwa while trying to cart away vandalized conduc OSAJI GABRIEL CHBOGU I formerly known and addressed as Osaji James Gabriel Now wish to be addressed as Osaji Gabriel Chbogu. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

25 News

Iguobazuwa/Okada 33KV Line, an act punishable under the Miscellaneous Offences Act M17 Vol 9 laws of the country. He was dragged before the Presiding Magistrate Joyce .O. Ejale (Mrs) where he pleaded guilty to a three count charge of conspiracy, stealing and Malicious dam-

age even though their terms will run concurrently. This conviction further strengthens BEDC’s commitments towards the fight against vandalism, energy theft and meter bypass even as the electricity supply industry grapples with a lot of challenges.

CORRECTION OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

MRS OKOLO UZOMA ANTHONIA

This is to inform the general public that my name AMAKA IHEBOM LAWRITA was wrongly written during in my BVN but now wish to be corrected and addressed as IHEBOM UZOAMAKA LAWRITA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

This is to certify and confirm that UGHANZE EBERECHUKWU MIRABEL, UGHANZE EBERECHUKWU PERKY and EBELE PERRY refer as one and the same person now wish to be known and addressed as UGHANZE EBERECHUKWU MARYANN. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note.

This is to certify and confirm that MBA IBOM STEPHEN, MBA IBOM MBA and MBA-IBOM MBA STEPHEN refer as one and the same person now wish to be known and addressed as MBA-IBOM MBA STEPHEN. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public take note.

This is to certify and confirm that MGBAKOR TOCHUKWU, MGBAKOR TOCHUKWU UGO and CHIBUEZE NGOZI refer as one and the same person now wish to be known and addressed as CHIBUEZE NGOZI. My correct date of birth 24th June, 1968. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

EZIKE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS EZIKE UZOMA ANTHONIA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OKOLO UZOMA ANTHONIA. All former documents remain valid. General Public should please take note.

MRS EZEMA CHINONYE NORAH AGBOWO: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS AGBOWO CHINONYE NORAH, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EZEMA CHINONYE NORAH. All former documents remain valid. General Public should please take note.

ONU ARINZE FRANKLIN ONU: I, formerly known and addressed as ONU ARINZE VICTOR, now wish to be known and addressed as ONU ARINZE FRANKLIN. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General Public should please take note.

MRS ABAH NKECHINYERE GLORIA

MRS EMENIKE EZINNE EMILIA NEBOMGBACHI: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NEBOMGBACHI EZINNE EMILIA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EMENIKE EZINNE EMILIA. All former documents remain valid. General Public should please take note.

OMABA-ABUCHI NNAJIOFOR COLLINS

MRS HARRY-ENWU LUCY NNENNA

MRS EGBO SCHOLASTICA NDIDI OSAJI: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OSAJI SCHOLASTICA NDIDI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EGBO SCHOLASTICA NDIDI. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General Public should please take note.

MRS IFEDIORANMA CHINENYE JECINTA

AJIBOLA KAZEEM OLALEKAN Formerly known and addressed as AJIBOLA KAZEEM OLA, now wish to be known and addressed as AJIBOLA KAZEEM OLALEKAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

MRS OKOYE IJEOMA EVELYN IBEKWE: I, formerly known and addressed MISS IBEKWE IJEOMA EVELYN, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OKOYE IJEOMA EVELYN. All former documents remain valid. SKY Bank and General public should please take note. ADESINA TUNDE AYOBAMI I, formerly known and addressed, Adesina Tunde now wish to be known and addressed as Adesina Tunde Ayobami . All former documents remain valid. SKY Bank and General public should please take note. ONYEACHOLEM NKECHI MARIA I, formerly known and addressed as NWAOZUZU NKECHI MARIA, now wish to be known and addressed as ONYEACHOLEM NKECHI MARIA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OGUEKE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OGUEKE CHINENYE DORIS, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS IFEDIORANMA CHINENYE JECINTA. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General Public should please take note.

MRS ANIEKE CHIDIMMA ANGEL CHUKWUBUIKE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS CHUKWUBUIKE CHIDIMMA ANGEL, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ANIEKE CHIDIMMA ANGEL.All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

EGWIM CYRIL EMEKA I, formerly known and addressed as EGWIM CYRIL NMESHRAUWA, now wish to be known and addressed as EGWIM CYRIL EMEKA, and my correct date of birth is 18/10/1976 and not 12/8/1977. All former documents remain valid. Banks and the general public should please take note.

AIBONI MAGRIE OLU I formerly known and addressed as OLU MAGRIE OKPARA , now wish to be known and addressed as AIBONI MAGRIE OLU. All former document remain valid. General public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE This is to inform the general public that MISS UZOMA NNEOMA ADANNA was legally and legitimately adopted by MR. UZOMA ODOEMENE .C. and MRS. UZOMA JANE .C. from the government of Enugu State of Nigeria Ministry of Gender affairs and Social Development Enugu State – Ref: MOGASD/SWD/FPAD/13/II of 3/2/2010. This was signed and given under the seal of the court and hand of the presiding AdministrativeChief Magistrate Grade one on the 15th day of July, 2010 – suit No. ME/MISC/AJ/164M/2010. Our residence in Nigeria is House A8, Rector’s Village IMT Staff Quarters, Campus III Independence Layout Enugu, as well as No. 345 Timber Grove Road Owings Mills Baltimore MD 21117 U.S.A. Signed: Mr. Uzoma Odoemene .C. Mrs. Uzoma Jane .C.

ELOKE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ELOKE NKECHINYERE GLORIA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ABAH NKECHINYERE GLORIA. All former documents remain valid. University of Nigeria Nsukka and General Public should please take note.

LUCKY ANNABELL EDIRIN EMEKAGBO: I, formerly known and addressed as EMEKAGBO ANNABELL CHIDINMA, now wish to be known and addressed as LUCKY ANNABELL EDIRIN. All former documents remain valid. General Public should please take note. OKENWA GODFREY OKWUDIRI OGBODO: I, formerly known and addressed as OGBODO GODFREY OKWUDIRI, now wish to be known and addressed as OKENWA GODFREY OKWUDIRI. My correct date of birth is 19th November 1986. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

MR. NWOKEAKA SAMUEL ODINAKACHI

formerly known and addressed as MR. NWOKEAKA SAMUEL , now wish to be known and addressed as MR. NWOKEAKA SAMUEL ODINAKACHI. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and the general public should please take note.

OBIANWU CHIDINMA ELIZABETH ATTANSEY: I, formerly known and addressed as ATTANSEY CHIDINMA ELIZABETH, now wish to be known and addressed as OBIANWU CHIDINMA ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid. General Public should please take note.

NWATU PETER CHIDI OKOENE: I, formerly known and addressed as OKOENE CHISOM AUGUSTINE, now wish to be known and addressed as NWATU PETER CHIDI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. LAMIDI MUSIBAU ABIODUN I formerly known and addressed as LAMIDI MUSIBAU AJAO, now wish to be known now addressed as LAMIDI MUSIBAU ABIODUN, all former document remain valid general public take note

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

FADILULLAHI SODIQ OLAYINKA. I formerly known and addressed as ADEGOKE SODIQ OYEDELE now wish to be known and addressed as FADILULLAHI SODIQ OLAYINKA. All former document remain valid. General public should please take note.

MBEM ADAMU . I formerly known and addressed as TAYO ADAMU now wish to be known and addressed as MBEM ADAMU . I was born on 10/09/1997. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

MRS MUIBAT ADEBIMPE SHITTU OLAWALE I formerly known and addressed as MISS MUIBAT ADEBIMPE SHITTU now wish to be known and addressed as MRS MUIBAT ADEBIMPE SHITTU OLAWALE . All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

EZENWADI CHIZOBA CALISTA

MRS. ADEDO TAIWO FUNMILAYO

I formerly known as EZENWADI MARYANN GINIKA wish to be known and addressed as EZENWADI CHIZOBA CALISTA .All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I formerly known as MISS OGUNLEYE TAIWO FUNMILAYO wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADEDO TAIWO FUNMILAYO. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

EDEH: I, formerly known and addressed as CHILOTA EDEH, now wish to be known and addressed as OMABA-ABUCHI NNAJIOFOR COLLINS. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General Public should please take note.

AMADI IFEOMA PRISCA IBE: I, formerly known and addressed as IBE IFEOMA PRISCA, now wish to be known and addressed as AMADI IFEOMA PRISCA. All former documents remain valid. General Public should please take note. CELESTINE JUSTINA EMEODI: I, formerly known and addressed as EMEODI JUSTINA, now wish to be known and addressed as CELESTINE JUSTINA. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

OZONGWU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OZONGWU LUCY NNENNA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS HARRYENWU LUCY NNENNA. All former documents remain valid. General Public should please take note.

MRS UGWU MARYCYNTHIA UKAMAKA OKEKE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKEKE CYNTHIA UKAMAKA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS UGWU MARYCYNTHIA UKAMAKA. All former documents remain valid. General Public should please take note. OGUNSHOLA IBRAHIM OLAWALE

Formerly known and addressed as SANNI IBRAHIM OLAWALE, now wish to be known and addressed as OGUNSHOLA IBRAHIM OLAWALE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ADDITION OF NAME

MRS. EMEJURU PATRICIA OGUGUO.

That my name was registered on my bank details as EMMANUEL SAMSON , that i wish to add EFFIONG to the name , that my well name arrange and correct names are EFFIONG EMMANUEL SAMSON, all former document remain valid general public take note

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS OKONTA PATRICIA OGUGUO NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. EMEJURU PATRICIA OGUGUO. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. BANKS AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

CORRECTION OF NAME:

MRS. IHEUKWUMERE ABIGAIL CHIOMA

That ZAKARIYAT SIKIRULAHI ADE was wrongly written on my Voters Card and my correct name is ZAKARIYAH SIKIRU RILWAN. I now wish to be know and addressed as ZAKARIYAH SIKIRU RILWAN. All former document remain valid. General public should please take note.

JUDITH CHIOMA OGBU I formerly known and addressed as OSUAGWU JUDITH CHIOMA now wish to be known and addressed as JUDITH CHIOMA OGBU . All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note. OLATUNYA VICTORY OCHICHUKWU I formerly known as OLATUNYA VICTORY OLUWADARASIMI wish to be known and addressed as OLATUNYA VICTORY OCHICHUKWU .All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS MOSES ABIGAIL CHIOMA NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. IHEUKWUMERE ABIGAIL CHIOMA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. BANKS AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

DAVID NANKYER HEZEKIAH I formerly known and addressed as GODFREY DAWUS NANKYER now wish to be known and addressed as DAVID NANKYER HEZEKIAH . I was born on 05/08/1987. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note. OKESESAN ABOSEDE SIDIKAT . I formerly known and addressed as ALADE ABOSEDE OMOLARA now wish to be known and addressed as OKESESAN ABOSEDE SIDIKAT . I was born on 07/11/1979.. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

King

Th Gove smas that o of Pa Loca Th cer (P Tern spon Te robb

Saturday, November 4, 2017

EXTRATIME

eneral Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, on Friday, said victory by the Super Eagles over Algeria in their last World Cup match was imperative to uphold national pride. Sanusi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that all necessary preparations were being

Defeating Algeria imperative for national pride – NFF made for the nation’s male national football team to maintain their lead in Group B of the world cup qualifiers. He said that the Super Eagles had all that was required to beat Algeria considering the level of support given to them by the NFF. The NFF scribe called on Nigeri-

ans to continue to support the team, promising that they would not disappoint the country. “The match against Algeria is about national pride and we are doing everything possible to win the match,” Sanusi said. NAN reports that the NFF had last week released a 24-man list of play-

porters want the club to always feature in Confederation of African Football competition. “There is pressure already but it is normal, I will not allow it to throw me offbalance.“I have been in this system and pressure is part of the game, so this one is not different. “Last season, Rangers did not get it right and the supporters are patient enough, but this season they may not be that patient. He said that the technical staff needed to be up and doing to ensure that the club starts well and finishes well. According to him, the club cannot run away from its responsibility, which is doing well in the league,” he said. “With the support of everybody, Rangers will surpass all odds to the zenith of Nigeria professional Football league in 2017/2018 season.’

Amaju

Obafemi Martins donates hospital equipment, mobility aids to LASG

I’m under pressure to perform - Rangers coach oach of Rangers International FC of Enugu, Gbenga Ogunbote, says he is under pressure to transform Rangers International of Enugu, considering the peoples attachment to the team. Ogunbote said this while speaking with newsmen in Enugu on Friday, adding that he was also under pressure to perform. He noted the pressure was due to Rangers’ nightmares in 2016/2017 season in which they finished on 13th position with 53 points. This he said the development led him to take up the mantle of coaching of the team from Coach Silvanus Okpala. “There is pressure already in Rangers, considering peoples’ attachment to the club. “Rangers did not finish in a respectable position last season and the sup-

ers for the matches against Algeria and Argentina. The Super Eagles, which has qualified for the global event, will play Algeria on Nov. 11 in their last World Cup qualifiers and a friendly against Argentina on Nov.14, ahead of Russia 2018.

Obafemi Martins

hanghai Greenland Shenhua FC striker, Obafemi Martins, on Thursday donated hospital equipment and mobility aids worth millions of Naira to the Lagos State Government. Presenting the equipment to Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode at the State House in Alausa, Ikeja, Martins said that the gesture was part of the mission of his foundation – Obafemi Martins Foundation. The equipment include 185 wheel chairs,100 baby cots,180 crutches, 60 hospital beds ,13 electronic wheelchairs and 400 pieces of white canes for the blind. “It is an honour for me to introduce something very dear to me which is my philanthropic foundation.

Saturday, November 4 2017

EXTRATIME

Jose Mourinho denies Spain tax fraud allegation

anchester United manager, José Mourinho has denied owing money to the Spanish state in a tax fraud case relating to his time in charge of Real Madrid. He had been accused of owing nearly €3.3m (£2.9m, $3.8m) in undeclared image rights revenue. After a brief hearing Mourinho said he had paid everything he had been asked for and the case was now closed. However, a court official said the Portuguese manager remained under official investigation. A judge will decide whether the case goes to trial. “I left Spain in 2013 with the information and the conviction that my tax situation was perfectly legal,” Mourinho said after Friday’s hearing. “A couple of years later I was informed that an investigation had been opened and I was told that in order to regularise my

Evra sent off during warm-up for kicking team’s fan

Fabregas wants new Chelsea deal after Man Utd link

esc Fabregas is ready to renew his Chelsea contract amid speculation linking him with a transfer to Manchester United. United manager Jose Mourinho signed the Spain international whilst in charge of the Stamford Bridge club in 2014 and is reportedly keen on working with him at Old Trafford. Fabregas, however, is keen to extend his stay in west London past his current 2018 expiry. “Would I like to renew? Yes, because it is a club that has always treated me well,” he told the Evening Standard. “I believe the fans have a lot of respect for me and I have a lot of respect for them. I have given my all for the club for the last three-and-a-half years. “This is a fantastic club for me and I have had a fantastic time here. Hopefully another contract will happen. Time will tell.” Fabregas has made 142 appearances for Chelsea since his arrival from Barcelona and helped the club to two Premier League titles and a League Cup trophy. However, Chelsea’s policy to offer players over the age of 30 just one-year extensions means Fabregas’ long-term future at the club will be under scrutiny after his current deal expires. The former Arsenal man, though, insists he has plenty more to offer the club. “I know that people panic after players reach 30 and stuff like that, but I don’t believe in this,” he added. “I feel well, I feel young in my mind. I train every day as hard as possible. “I think in the last 48 games I have played in 47, and I only missed one because I was suspended against Tottenham in August. “I always try to give my best. I will play at any moment, even when I’m sick or not 100 per cent.”

situation I had to pay X amount of money. “I did not answer, I did not argue. I paid and signed with the state that I am in compliance and the case is closed.” The hearing came two days before a Manchester United game against Chelsea. The Spanish authorities began the image rights case against Mourinho in June. Mourinho’s representatives, Gestifute Media, said earlier that he had paid more than €26m in tax at an average rate of more than 41% while living in Spain from June 2010 until May 2013. In 2015, Gestifute said, he accepted a settlement agreement regarding previous years. Several leading footballers have also recently faced tax investigations in Spain. Argentines Lionel Messi, Javier Mascherano and Ángel Di María have all been punished for tax evasion while a case against Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo continues. He denies wrongdoing.

Beating Watford crucial for Everton, new manager says

avid Unsworth has so far been unable to halt Everton’s slide since stepping in as interim manager last month and he now thinks this weekend’s clash with Watford can be crucial. He hopes Sunday’s English Premier League fixture against Watford will mark a turning point in what has been a woeful season so far. Everton, who have lost five straight games in all competitions, have won just twice in their opening 10 league games to drop into the relegation zone in 18th spot. Thursday’s 0-3 loss to Olympique Lyon saw them eliminated from the UEFA Europa League to compound their woes. Unsworth, who took over from Ronald Koeman last month, is however hopeful of getting the job on a permanent basis. But the 44-year-old knows Everton have to start winning if he is to have any chance of being named manager. “Watford is a huge game for me and the players as well,“ Unsworth told reporters. “When you’re not winning games, you do concede sloppy goals and have a little bit of bad fortune. “So, the mentality must be strong and we must have the courage to be strong if we go a goal behind, the courage to stick together. “Confidence is a great word in football and you only get that from winning.”

arseille player Patrice Evra was sent off after kicking one of his team’s fans in the head before the Europa League defeat at Vitoria Guimaraes. Footage shows the 36-year-old former Manchester United defender aiming an acrobatic kick at a supporter at the side of the pitch during the warm-up. Evra, who was named as a substitute, was dismissed before kick-off, and Marseille started with 11 players. Governing body Uefa has charged Evra with violent conduct. The full-back has been suspended for “at least one game”, with Uefa’s disciplinary body to decide the case on 10 November. Marseille have also been charged with a field invasion by fans, setting off of fireworks and “acts of damages”. French newspaper L’Equipe reported Marseille supporters had been jeering Evra for about half an hour while the players prepared for the game, which the French side lost 1-0. The player had gone over to the fans to talk to them, but the situation escalated. French football journalist Julien Laurens said Evra - who regularly posts light-hearted videos on social media - was insulted and also told: “Keep doing your videos, but stop playing football.” Marseille said on Friday that they had begun an investigation into the incident. “No matter what happens, a professional player must maintain self-control despite provocations and insults, no matter how unjustified they may be,” the club said in a statement. Marseille coach Rudi Garcia said after the match: “Pat has experience, and he must not react, it’s obvious. “Patrice is a more than just an experienced player. You can’t respond, of course, to insults as bad as they are and as incredible as they might be because they come from one of our supporters. “He must learn to keep his cool. That’s all I can say.” Garcia also criticised the fan, saying: “He’s not a supporter of Marseille, because you can’t insult your own players, you have to be behind all of us.” Evra, who won five Premier League titles and the Champions League during eight years at Manchester United, joined Marseille from Juventus in January but has made only two appearances this season. Thursday’s incident evoked memories of Eric Cantona’s infamous “kung-fu kick” during Manchester United’s game against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in January 1995. The Frenchman was banned for nine months by the Football Association for the incident, which took place as he left the pitch after being sent off. Evra has no future at Marseille after the incident but won’t retire from football, according to his former Manchester United team-mate Mikael Silvestre. “It was shocking from Patrice. When you know what character he is, very peaceful, he’s not that type of person,” the former France defender said. “You have to assess circumstances and what was said, but he should rise above any insults. “A long suspension will now come from Uefa and Marseille. He won’t escape it, but I don’t think this is the end of his career.

Saturday, November 4, 2017

EXTRATIME

IAAF to introduce world rankings in 2018

thletics is to introduce a world rankings system in 2018 as part of a widespread effort to bring some sense and shape to its currently nebulous calendar and continue to move away from the sport’s scandal-hit past. The introduction of the rankings in partnership with All Athletics, announced on Friday, is part of a sweeping reform package that was voted in by the IAAF last December to change the way the sport’s governing body operates. The rankings will be a point-based system in which athletes collect points across different levels of meet

throughout the season, to determine qualification for premier competitions such as the Olympics and World Championships. It is also hoped that the introduction of the rankings will bring some focus to the Diamond League, where currently leading athletes often do not compete against each other, leaving fans feeling short-changed and often confused. International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) President Seb Coe, has made no secret of his frustration with many aspects of the Diamond League’s current format and is desperate to

reform it. “When it comes to major championships, athletes are currently selected by their national associations, if they achieve a qualification time or mark. “The IAAF World Rankings will drive and shape the global competition system including entry into the World Championships and Olympic Games,” Coe said in a statement. “For the first time in the sport’s history, athletes, media and fans, will have a clear understanding of the hierarchy of competitions… allowing them to follow a logical season-long path to the pinnacle of Athletics’ top two

competitions.” The athletes’ position in the rankings will be determined by various performance aspects along with the level of competition they are participating in. The points system for each event along with other details related to the rankings will be finalised in the first quarter of 2018. Which means that the new system can be applied for qualification into the 2019 World Championships and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The sport’s governing body will also establish a new department named IAAF Heritage to use athletics’ history, drive understanding of the sport and promote it around the world. “The Rankings will bring much needed clarity to what is today a confusing competition picture. “Even for those from within the sport, while Heritage will be an important tool to help inform, inspire and engage interest through the extraordinarily story of Athletics,” IAAF CEO Olivier Gers said.

Rafael Nadal withdraws from Paris Masters with knee problem

orld number one, Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the Paris Masters with a knee injury. The Spaniard was due to face Serb Filip Krajinovic in the quarter-finals on Friday, but pulled out with a right knee problem before the match. Nadal had the knee strapped during his third-round win over Pablo Cuevas. Juan Martin del Potro missed out on securing the final qualifying spot for the ATP World Tour Finals as he was beaten 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 by John Isner. Nadal said he would “do his best” to return for the season-ending event in London, which takes place from 1219 November. “For me it’s not about London. For me it’s about the longer term,” he added. “And longer term, I’m going to do the treatment I believe that is going to be more safe and more important to keep playing tennis as long as possible.” Argentine Del Potro had to win to feature in London, but American Isner ensured he stayed in contention for the World Tour Finals with a hard-fought victory in two hours and 12 minutes. Either Isner, compatriot Jack Sock and Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta will take the final qualifying spot. However, Del Potro will return to the top 10 in the world rankings on Monday for the first time since July 2014 at the expense of Novak Djokovic. The Serb 12-time Grand Slam champion will drop out of the top 10 for the first time since 2007.

Saturday, November 4, 2017

EXTRATIME

Simona Halep

Colsaerts

Golf: Nicolas Colsaerts four shots ahead after round two

elgian Nicolas Colsaerts, without a Tour win for five years, has built a four-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Turkish Airlines Open in Antalya. The 34-year-old world number 135, who played in the famous “Miracle of Medina” Ryder Cup win in 2012, carded a second successive 64 to reach 14 under. Englishman Eddie Pepperell birdied the final two holes in a bogey-free 66 to move second. Former world number one Lee Westwood, now ranked 68th, is seven shots back. Colsaerts, who has not won since beating Graeme McDowell in the 2012 Matchplay Championship final, had three top-three finishes last season. He said: “It’s just little things that have to click together. We all know there are a lot of guys that can win four or five times a year and don’t for a couple of years.” Oxfordshire’s Pepperell, 26, had to play at the European Tour’s qualifying school this time last year after missing 16 cuts in 21 events and slumping from 80th in the world to outside the top 500, but is currently ranked 161st after six top-10 finishes this season. Scotsman Stephen Gallacher was on the verge of withdrawing from the event after suffering an ankle injury stepping off a buggy in practice, but added a 65 to his opening 69 to take a share of fourth place - six off the lead and is yet to drop a shot in the first 36 holes at Regnum Carya Golf & Spa. England’s Tyrrell Hatton, winner of successive events last month, and Justin Rose, who came from eight shots behind to beat world number one Dustin Johnson in Shanghai last week, are nine strokes adrift.

Rio games probe: Namibia’s Frankie Fredericks placed under investigation

French prosecutors have placed Namibian Olympic medallist Frankie Fredericks under formal investigation, in a probe into the award of the 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro, a source close to the inquiry said on Friday. Prosecutors in France and Brazil are investigating alleged bribery and corruption allegations over Rio de Janeiro’s triumph over Chicago, Tokyo and Madrid to secure the games.

Tuesday, November 4, 2017

EXTRATIME

SPECIAL INTERVIEW

By Frank Jumbo

‘I would have been regretting my time in EPL if I had not lived my legacy’ English newspaper, Daily Mail, once named Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha as the 11th Premier League’s most beautiful players to watch whilst adding his ‘swagger and style to Sam Allardyce’s industrious’ Bolton FC. Some pundits say that his “exquisite level of unorthodox technique has yet to be replicated in the Premier League”, while others claim that Okocha had a “propensity to entertain, to capture lightning and unleash it on his opponents with the magic in his boots”. Jay Jay Okocha joined Bolton Wanderers from Ligue 1 side, Paris Saint- Germain in 2002, spending four years with the Lancashire outfit, making 124 appearances, 14 goals and 11 assists, and winning the prestigious Player of the Month award in November 2003. As a cult hero of the Premier League era who didn’t dive, wasn’t in the news for the wrong reasons, and simply had ‘it’ — ‘the stuff’, the swagger, the confidence to enjoy football on his terms, he would forever be remembered for his silky skills and swashbuckling panache with the ball as well as his influence in making sure that Bolton got European qualification and was never relegated during his sojourn in the English Premier League. In this chat with MUTIAT ALLI, Jay-Jay as he is fondly called, spoke about the Premier League Trophy on a tour across Nigeria, courtesy MultiChoice Nigeria, why we need to promote our local leagues. Excerpts:

: The Premier League trophy is currently touring Nigeria courtesy MultiChoice Nigeria and you are accompanying it, given your status as a Nigerian and Premier League legend. How do you feel? I feel very privileged to be part of this trophy tour thanks to MultiChoice and DStv. I really feel very honoured and great because this is a rare moment. People don’t realise that it is only a few people that have been opportune to lift this trophy. During my time in Bolten, I never had the opportunity so for me, it is a special moment In 2002, Paris Saint-Germain splashed £10m to make you Africa’s most expensive ever player then. And four years down, you moved to Bolton FC on a free transfer? Why did you choose Bolton? I joined Bolton in 2002 and I wanted to play in the premier league and Bolton offered me that opportunity at that time, which was why I signed for Bolton. You are perhaps the only Nigerian that has captained a PL side, could you provide some insights into some of the things you had to do to keep the boys on track and maintain harmony in the dressing room? It’s all about you leading by example and making sure everyone is okay. You are like the

first born of the family and you feel like you are the oldest and it comes with a huge responsibility so you have to find a way to ensure that everyone is in good spirit. You also have to lead by example and show good attitude towards training every day. It was a responsibility that I welcomed with both hands and I enjoyed every bit of it. We have seen a drastic reduction in the number of Nigerian Players plying their trade for top teams in the PL. What do you think the problem is? To be honest, we have failed to build on the foundation already laid and that can only come from our league back home. Even though is a bit better now but we still have a long way to go in order to produce players that can compete at that level? It’s not rocket science, we just have to ensure we put a good structure in place that will enable our youths learn the basics enough to play for those big clubs. One thing missing in your career was your inability to win the English Premier league, given all you have done in the league. How does that make you feel? I have no regrets that I didn’t win it. I would have been regretting my time in the EPL if I had not lived my legacy. Some people are lucky enough to be at the right place at the right time

JAY JAY OKOCHA eve without playing much games, they have won it. The most important thing for me is the opportunity I had and I think I maximized my opportunity at Bolton in changing the mindset of the people from when I arrived to the time I left. Bolton was one of the relegation cubs when I got there but we took the club to another level and even had the opportunity to play for the first time in the Europa Cup. When I look at what I achieved at Bolton, I think I am a lot to be happy about. It was never in our agenda to go for the title. You played in Turkey and Germany and in England and you have seen it all in football. In your estimation, having played and followed the EPL for over a decade, why is the EPL the most popular league in the world? Without any doubt, the publicity and the money that is in the EPL now is unbelievable. They have taken it to another level and it is a league where every player now wish to play. It is also the most demanding league. The pace of the games in the EPL is something else and rightly for me, it is maybe the best league in the world.

Can you remember the chant Bolton fans had for you? How did you feel every time you heard that chant? And do you miss hearing the chant? It feels great and it is very encouraging that makes you feel that you are doing the right thing and being appreciated. How did you feel when it all came to an end? I knew it was going to end one day. What I emphasized on then was to make sure I enjoyed it as much as I could. Like I said before, it must end one day and I don’t really miss it that much because I have played my part and some things don’t last forever. SuperSport’s Let’s Play initiative which is geared at getting children out of their homes to reduce the amount of obesity and develop an outdoor experience for young children, what is you take on this initiative? It is a wonderful initiative. I believe kids these Contd. on page 31

Saturday, November 4, 2017

SPECIAL INTERVIEW

EXTRATIME

By Frank Jumbo

I would have been regretting ... Contd. from page 30

days are spoilt with computer games and fast foods, unlike our time that you practically have to walk to everywhere you are going to and on your way, you may branch somewhere and play five-aside etc. This is a really great initiative to get them out of their comfort zone to exercise and also to do what they love doing. Kids these days have great interest in football and it is good to give them that opportunity to come and play with legends that they look up to. You played in three world cups, and captained Nigeria on one outing. How would you describe the experience, and what advice do you have for the Super Eagles as they grace the 2018 tournament? I am indeed very happy about it. We have been struggling for a while and for us to come out from that group, it shows that we are not too far from where we are supposed to be. I know that expectations are high in this country but you have to realise that this is a country of almost two million people, we have many talents. I am delighted that the

Super Eagles qualified but at the same time, There are some things you cannot change, I it is the time to challenge ourselves and be- never thought that it would happen but I am so lieve that we are good enough not just to be glad that the young man is doing so well and partakers, but to make an impact. also that he is not regretting the fact that I convinced him to play for Nigeria, so it has worked Isn’t it ironic that your nephew, Alex Iwo- out well in both ways so I am delighted. bi scored the only goal that sealed qualification for the global football showpiece? What advice do you have for the Super Eagles as they head to Russia? Nothing is impossible. It’s all about staying focused and setting the right target for yourself and trust your commitment. It’s all about playing six or seven matches and with sacrifice and belief, you can play at least five games in the tournament and we will be talking about semi-finals. Who is your favourite player in the Premier League right now?? At the moment, the person that impresses me the most is Kevin De Bruyne because of his vision, his unselfishness, and I think he is one of the reasons why Manchester City are tearing the other teams apart now. How much has the English League changed since you were a player? I do not think it has changed much, yes the fees have changed but the ambition is still the same and the mission is still the same, so thing have not changed much I will say. Who were the best players you played with during your first time in English game? Youri Djorkaeff, Ivan Campo, El Hadji Diouf – love him or hate him, he was instrumental to what we achieved then, Fernando Hierro and Hidetoshi Nakata from Japan. So we had all nationalities in one team and it was great to have these players in the team. What were your best and worst moments playing in the EPL? My worst moment I would say was my first season because I did not realise how tough the EPL is and I did not realise early enough that I signed for a struggling team, but then at the end of the day I will say my greatest moment in EPL was the day that we survived relegation, we survived after the last game of the season.

Without any doubt, the publicity and the money that is in the EPL now is unbelievable. They have taken it to another level and it is a league where every player now wish to play. It is also the most demanding league. The pace of the games in the EPL is something else and rightly for me, it is maybe the best league in the world.

What was best advice werethe ever given in you the game? It’s for me to believe in myself, believe in my ability, never let anybody bring me down and keep working hard because talent is not good enough, you have to work to earn whatever you want to achieve, so hard work is key How would you assess DStv and SuperSport’s contribution to developing the game of football in Nigeria, in view of its value offering of over 300 live games and this EPL Trophy Tour? I think for football lovers, it is like being in dreamland, even in England they do not watch this many matches. So, it is a wonderful opportunity that has been given to us by DSTV and I can only say thank you to them because fans have developed more interest in the game now courtesy of all these television stations, the EPL is booming because of TV rights and also I can only say kudos to DSTV.

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Business & Economy

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 4, 2017

Nigeria’s huge business potential excites Emirates – Parambil Page B2 MultiChoice partners LCCI on Lagos Trade Fair Ganiyu Obaaro

NNPC intensifies oil search in Benue Simon Ugwu

MultiChoice Nigeria, the country’s leading Pay-TV and content provider, is the official media partner of the annual Lagos International Trade Fair organized by theLagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The trade fair runs from the 3rd to the 12th of November, 2017at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Onikan, Lagos and MultiChoice Nigeria will be on-ground to display exciting products at discountedrates. There also promises to be guest appearances bysome of Nollywood’s finest acts. This year’s event gives customers a chance to purchase DStv and GOtv products at one-off discounted prices not available anywhere else. Speaking on the trade fair partnership, the MultiChoice Nigeria General Manager, Sales and Marketing, Mr. Martin Mabutho, said: “The longstandingpartnership between MultiChoice Nigeria and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry is aimed at supporting and promoting all aspects of business and economic activities in Nigeria. For MultiChoice Nigeria, the Lagos International Trade Fair gives us an opportunity to interact directly with our customers to demonstrate the breadth of our product and service lineup.” The Lagos International Trade Fair offers companies a platform to showcase their products and services and gives consumers a wide range of products on offer. Customers can walk into any of the DStv/GOtv stands from 9am every day from the 3rd to the 12th of November, 2017.

Infrastructure governance, key to unlocking Africa’s Page B7 potential – Heathcoate

Art Club showcases works to boost employment, tourism Page B3

Following the flag-off of oil search on the Nasarawa State end of the Benue Trough last week, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has commenced move to mobilize for oil exploration in the Benue State sector of the Benue Trough. The Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Kacalla Baru, who led a high-powered delegation from the Corporation to the Governor of Benue State, Mr. Samuel Ortom, disclosed that all was set for seismic data acqui-

sition work to commence in the state. Dr. Baru also disclosed that apart from oil exploratory work, NNPC was also ready to kick-off its biofuel project located in the Agasha/Guma area of the state. He explained that the Corporation’s upstream company, Integrated Data Services Ltd (IDSL), would carry out oil exploratory work in Makurdi, Guma, Gwer East, Gwer West and Logo Local Government Areas of the state, adding that work on the Nasarawa end which has commenced would cover the Ondori area (boundary between Benue and Nasarawa States). “I am convinced that the suc-

cess of the results from IDSL’s seismic data acquisition will lead to the drilling of exploration wells in these areas, which hopefully, would launch Benue state into the league of oil producing states in the country,” Dr. Baru stated. He stated that the oil search was in fulfillment of the Presidential mandate of exploring for oil in the nation’s inland basins which was driven by the urgent need to increase Nigeria’s oil and gas reserves, thereby improving revenue streams and creating more business and employment opportunities for Nigerians. The GMD informed that the NNPC team was in Benue to sensi-

FAAN warns job seekers on fraudulent recruitment agents Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

L-R: Izore Bamawo, Head, CSR; Kanyinsola Demola-Seriki, CSR Officer; Omobolanle Osotule, Divisional Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, all of Keystone Bank Limited; Kayode Edun, Head Teacher Dodan Barracks Nur & Pry School, Lagos, during

Gov Bindo commends AMCON over donation to IDPs

Azubike Nnadozie

The governor of Adamawa State, Senator

BUSINESS TIMES Business Editor Ganiyu Obaaro

Deputy Business Editor Azubike Nnadozie Asst. Business Editor Simon Ugwu Capital Market Editor Bonny Amadi

tise the government and people of the state on the mission. On the biofuel project, Baru disclosed that when completed, Benue state stood to benefit a lot especially the area of employment generation as the project had the capacity to generate about one million direct and indirect jobs. According to the GMD, other benefits of the biofuels project include the a sugar cane feedstock plantation of about 20,000 hectares; a cane mill and raw/refined sugar plant capable of producing 126,000 tonnes annually as well as a fuel-ethanol processing plant capable of producing 84 million litres annually.

Mohammed Umar Jibrilla Bindo has commended the management of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) for partnering with the government and people of Adamawa State towards the provision of educational materials and other support items especially for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state. The items AMCON donated to the state, which would be distributed to seven local government areas in the state include scholastic materials to Mainstreamed Learners and Parents Caregivers; starter packs for small scale businesses as well as food items for the affected families in the host

communities. Speaking in Yola on Thursday when he received a team of ANCON officials who were in Yola to commence distribution of relieve materials, Bindo said he was happy that AMCON support and association is coming at a time the incumbent government of Adamawa State under his humble self is also focusing a lot of attention to educational provision to children across the state, which he said was nearly destroyed as a result of insurgence in the Northeastern part of Nigeria.

He said, “On behalf of the government of Adamawa and the good people of the state, I welcome AMCON to Government House, Yola. We are happy to receive you and are also happy with the support you are giving us in the area of education with the intervention you are providing in that regard. I want to let you know that we have also declared state of emergency in education in the state because it was really bad when we came in but with this sort of assistance coming from your organization and your partners.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has warned the general public to desist from any person(s) parading themselves as recruitment agents of the Authority, and consequently extorting money from innocent citizens in the process. An official statement made available to journalists yesterday, signed by the GM, Corporate Affairs, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu stated that, for the purpose of clarity and emphasis, the Authority is not embarking on any recruitment exercise at the moment. “The Authority wish to inform the public that recruitment into any government agency has a stipulated procedure, which includes advertisements in national dailies, in line with the provisions of the Federal Government’s conditions of service” . Consequently, FAAN warned that any person claiming to be an agent of the Authority in this respect is a fraudster and should be reported to the Authority or the nearest police station. “FAAN will continue to deliver on its core values of safety, security and comfort”, the aviation agency maintained.

Business Interview B2

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 4, 2017

Nigeria’s huge business potential excites Emirates – Parambil You were recently posted to Nigeria as Regional Manager for Emirates, but it looks as if you have been here for ages. You seem to know so much about airline operations, what is responsible for this? I have been in Emirates for over 15 years. Within those years, I have played several roles, but predominantly I have spent most of my time in Dubai. I have been looking after different commercial roles in different regions such as Asia, Europe, Far East, Middle East and Africa. To me, Nigeria is not unknown. I have been coming to Nigeria for the past 10 years as a traveler, as well as a visitor. It’s quite different from when you come to live in a country like I am living in Nigeria now for the past several months. I must admit that I am a bit late in granting interviews and meeting with the media. The reasons are not farfetched. I needed to settle down and attend to urgent issues. Before I assumed duties in Nigeria I was country manager in Ethiopia. Looking at Ethiopia and Nigeria, Nigeria is quite different. So far, I’m very happy being here. Nigeria is a vibrant place with very entertaining people. I am enjoying being here. One issue that shook the Nigerian aviation industry was the withdrawal of your Abuja service and reduction of your frequency from 14 weekly to seven. Are you thinking of restoring that service soon? We stopped our second flight because of operational reasons. We are discussing with the minister of state for aviation on restoring the routes. Very soon, you will hear from us on the matter. Emirates is a state-owned airline and one of the success stories of state-owned carriers. Do you support Nigeria floating a national airline and what model would you prescribe if you were to advise? I personally will support national carrier for Nigeria. The model to be adopted depends on the sustainability of the proposed carrier. There are several models that a national carrier can follow. Emirates is an example of state- owned carrier. How exciting is Nigeria’s aviation market considering plans by Emirates to restore routes it suspended last year? Nigeria is crucial to Emirates. Nigeria is actually the second largest market from many perspectives in Africa. We have lots of plans for Nigeria in terms of growth. China is a very important market, just like the Nigerian market. Similarly, we can’t

Emirates Regional Manager, West Africa Commercial Operations, Afzal Parambil, in this interview with CHUKWUEMEKE IWELUNMO, highlights the importance of Nigeria’s aviation market to Emirates Airlines and its connectivity to world’s biggest aviation market, China. He speaks on other issues about the airline’s expansion policy, among others. Excerpts

Parambil ignore China or Asia. In the past, Nigeria used to be a destination for business travellers, but we are seeing a shift in the last couple of years. More and more people are now travelling to China, not just for business purpose, but also for holidays and leisure as well. In the past, you’ll see a single man travelling for business, but today, families are travelling to China. This tells you a story that people are now trying to understand China from a different perspective. We want to take advantage of it; and we want to ensure that we are in the forefront to take the market share. Emirates operates to about 20 destinations in 13 different countries, which include Hong Kong, China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Myanmar and many other destinations. But China is strategically important. Some of the China destinations include Shanghai, Guangzhou and Beijing, among others. There are new destinations that are being added and we are

continually on the lookout for new destinations. We have commenced flights from Dubai to the city of Guangzhou, a manufacturing town and business hub, common to most Nigerian importers. With the new flight schedule, Nigerians wishing to fly to China will find it easier with just one stop over in Dubai before going to their final destinations. What is driving traffic to China? The relationship has gone to the next level. Nigerians are looking for partnerships in items for producing goods locally. Initially, it used to be the case of businessmen travelling to China to buy ready-made goods for sale in Nigeria. Tourism is another thing driving traffic to China. If I’m a Nigerian going to Beijing, for instance, the next thing I will do after visiting such a beautiful place is to take my family along next time. The more days they stay, the more they enjoy. For us, this is making sense because when they are coming back from China, they will certainly make a

stopover at Dubai for shopping. What is the percentage of Nigerians going to China? Flight operations don’t just look at one market to a destination to be successful. You must have traffic from China to Nigeria and from Nigeria to China. As an airline, we pick manufacturers, investors and the likes from any of the China destinations down to Nigeria and back. As an airline, we play both the roles of making sure we give connectivity to destination like China, to all destinations you want to go. My colleague in China is also playing the role that I’m playing in Nigeria. Lagos – Nigeria is promoted as an investment destination. Nigeria may emerge a tourism destination between five to 10 years to come, probably because it has the potential. South Africa as a destination has faced similar situation that Nigeria is facing, which includes currency devaluation, but it worked in favour of South Africa because it is a tourism destination. Why is Guangzhou a destination of choice? Guangzhou is not a choice of Emirates, it’s a choice of the market because most of its manufacturers have exhibition sites at Guangzhou. The gateway was Hong Kong when Emirates started. Relaunching our flight, we used to operate Boeing 777, now we have introduced our A380 into Guangzhou and we are still considering additional frequencies to Guangzhou to double the capacity. Guangzhou is very important in this new market. When you fly from home, you’ll see that the next senior crew member is a Nigerian. Our pricing is very competitive. We offer two pieces of baggage. In the past, we used to give 30kg baggage for economy class passengers, 40kg for business class passengers and 50kg for first class passengers. When we looked at the requirements of the market, we realised that the market is fast changing. We relaunched it by two pieces. Economy class passengers can carry two pieces of 23kg each that is 46kg, but business class passengers can carry two pieces of 46kg from Guangzhou. This is because we realised they don’t just go there and come back empty handed. Recently, Emirates part-

nered FlyDubai. Is it a feeder airline like what ASKY is to Ethiopian Airlines? What is the relationship? We have a sister airline called FlyDubai. We recently stepped up our relationship with Air Dubai. They usually cover secondary cities. If a given passenger is going to a smaller city like St Petersburg, FlyDubai will be an option. He or she will earn the miles as a Sky member. They also offer 150 destinations. What is the motivation behind your fleet expansion policy? Our expansion plans are geographical expansion and within the geography, we are expanding based on demands, but we do have our fleet planning in Emirates. As we talk now, 44 more Airbus 380, 150 and more Boeing 777 new generation would join our fleet. Obviously, we have to create demands and we will continue to fly into destinations that give more opportunities and connectivity from anywhere in the world including Nigeria. Today, we are operating a single fleet out of Lagos, tomorrow you may see two flights out of the city or more. We go by demands and we also create demands. It was reported recently that Emirates has about the youngest aircraft fleet among several top airlines. Why is this so, considering that aircraft are built to last for 25, 30 years? Most of the aircraft in our fleet are between the ages of five and six years. That’s the company’s policy and it is so because of the quality and consistency of our products. It is so for all our aircraft that we put out on all routes. Whatever quality you find here is what you find on the Guangzhou route. Product consistency can only be achieved if you are consistent with your policy as an airline. We have plans to phase out older aircraft, which makes it more profitable for the airline. So phasing out old aircraft and bringing in new aircraft is a process, but the objective is to manage the average age of our aircraft for consistency purposes. Emirates offer over 200 channels on board. The meals we serve on board are specifically tailored to the requirement of the market. In Emirates group, we have 177 nationalities working in the group. When I was in Dubai, I had colleagues from about 172 countries.

Tours&Travels

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 4, 2017

Art Club showcases works to boost employment, tourism

FACTS BOX *Rev. Sr. Ologunagba, observed that, “Nigerians are very gifted; and I think, one of the areas of our giftedness is in the the art. *Rev. Sr. Ologunagba noted, “It is way of promoting tourism and it will place Nigeria on a par with other countries.” *Rev. Sr. Ologunagba pointed out that “Art is very important in the society because, everything around us is creative.” *Rev. Sr. Ologunagba said, “t is very much inline with the government agenda on diversification.” *Rev. Sr. Ologunagba, “For many Nigerians if you are not a doctor, engineer or a lawyer, you have not made.” *Rev. Sr. Ologunagba, “Our focus is on the children in term of eccademics, moral and to build them up into the women of integrity.”

Rev. Sr. Ologunagba

Luton Park Hotel: Oasis of comfort

Page B4

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 4, 2017

Art Club showcases works to boost employment, tourism Stories by Ebere Chibuzor

Art Club, under Marrywood Girls’ College, Ebute Metta (West), Lagos, came to the limelight recently, as artists, parents, Non Governmental Organization, academics and gallery managers reiterated the strategic position occupied by arts as means of encouraging employment and tourism in Nigeria, particularly amongst the nation’s huge youth population. The group exhibition organized by Marrywood Girls’ College, provided a platform for students to showcase different forms of art works and also for the school authorities to appreciate their efforts and motivate many unemployed Nigerians to explore untapped commercial opportunities in arts towards increasing the growing enterprise in Nigeria’s art and culture industry. Speaking at the exhibition, Rev. Sr. Catherine Olubunmi Ologunagba, SSL., Marywood Girls’ College Administrator, observed that, “Nigerians are very gifted; and I think, one of the areas of our giftedness is in the the art. By the time you create a room for this art to be known globally, it provides tourism for the nation. This may seem to be a simple thing, but by the time you take it to the next level and invite people from different parts of the world, you are creating awareness of what the country is able to do and what the people are able to do. It is way of promoting tourism and it will place Nigeria on a par with other countries. The exhibition, according to Rev. Sr. Ologunagba, was significant. He said, “So, it is a very beautiful day judging by the turnout and excitement generated by

Cross section of Art Club at Marrywood Girls’ College, Ebute Metta (West), Lagos, came to the limelight recently the parent of these students to see the much gift ,especially on the area of creative arts, then one can say the nation has a bright future.. “Art is very important in the society because, everything around us is creative. It shows the creativity of the children; and if we help them in the school to build up this creative skills, it will help them to be critical and creative in their thinking and in their actions, ultimately, they are going to contribute immensely to the world because every part of the world is about creativity. It will help to be original, to be critical and to be able think deeply and make a different on the world. It builds up that reflection skills.” We have so many societies ; and they featured every week . For the art exhibition this is the second edition of it.

The day saw lined up activities which included: Poem, painting, drawing , beads making, dress making, even choreography another forms of art exhibited. But the climax of the event was the auction of the works by the students; which the first work bought for thirty thousand naira. He said,”It is very much inline with the government agenda on diversification, because we are the ones to start building up this to give them that future, everywhere we want our children to contribute they will be able to contribute and not just focused in one aspect in life. “For many Nigerians if you are not a doctor, engineer or a lawyer, you have not made it. For them, to also see that life is full of varieties that there is a lot to make life so beautiful . Apart from making leav-

Luton Park Hotel: Oasis of comfort Luton Park Hotel is known for its hospitality with a culture of cleanliness, providing excellent services in an exquisite environment for those that need comfort. Our restaurant offers you mouthwatering dishes from the sea foods of the Caribbean to varieties of African and local delicacies. Located off the serene environment of Udo Udoma Avenue Uyo, the capital city of Akwa Ibom State, 25 minutes away from the lbom International Airport and five minutes from the lbom Tropicana Entertainment Center and also within the State banking

layout. “We have 30 luxury rooms and suites. All rooms are spaciously furnished with LCD screens, fridges, multiple television channels, personal safe with free internet service. “The hotel is equipped with its own water treatment plant, Fire safety fixtures, card keys and a good security network with 24 hours surveillance (CCTV) with armed guards. The Lobby and pool bar is at giving men and women of class and distinction and excellent environment to unwind. From the moment you walk in, they know how to make you happy.

ing from finance, it’s also give them job satisfaction.” “ I will love to see some of them really going beyond what they have displayed today and experiencing more in the area art and to really use the skills because that is a passion; and I love to see that passion affect the world.” Continued, “We are helping them to know that from your gift; and if you are consistent in what you are doing and you are passionate about it at a point when you make people to realized that this is my gift; and it is beautiful the way they showcase it. The way you present that gift to people make them know that this gift is important as another thing and you are passionate about it, so you can create a leaving from it.” On the support from government support, “She said out that

first all the persons that have a dream is the person that owns up to the dream and does not lose the dream. Your goal is to be an artist to make a difference; and that keeps you going; and then for those who have a means apart from the government, there are people around who recognize this gift and support and if it becomes something in large scale then government needs to come in because there are some policies that will make it easy for entrepreneurs to be able to survive. Definitely, they need support in the area of finances, policies and others. So I really think it is necessary to get some of these supports from government and philanthropist. According to her, art is anything that can create beauty: incorporating this in the school curriculum has giving them a perception of something new, saves them to build self esteem; and if a child is good in creative art, definitely it will help to enhance the overall performance in the school. I will strongly advise parents to allow their children to sustain the gift in art, support and nurture it through words of encouragement especially when it is inline with the ability of the child not just for the financial benefits but for the the child to be able to fulfill the future On day to day challenges she said, when you are dealing with human beings should expect that people have various ways approaches to things ,but as a leader my role is to harmonize everything going on for the good of the children. Our focus is on the children in term of eccademics, moral and all aspect of life. The challenges are there, you

Female student displaying at the exhibition may not actually do all you plan to do because of the diversity of our thinking and the way of doing things, but what kept us going is the dream we have for the children, we focus on our mission and to build them up into the women of integrity,” the Administrator concluded. For Eliana Martins, who described self as parent, “Today is the art exhibition on Marrywood Girls Collage. I am excited and delighted . I am happy with the diversity of the works. They have poem done, we have seen painting, drawing , beads making, dress making, even choreography another forms of art exhibited. So we are happy our children are being shown to be versatile and whatever talent it is they have encouraged to be supportive and the government must always support this course.” “We have even been given a talk today to be versatile and allowing these children to be multi talented , so no matter what their talent is they can be versatile enough to apply different things.” Narrating the journey, Boluwa Olabanji, President of Art Club noted , “I am very interested in art ; and I started at a very tender age. We had an art exhibition, some art works were displaced , there was an auction and a fashion for the cloths

I made. For the dress one will take like a day and half day to make and made all of them. I actually love passion right from when I was young .anything I want to wear I took my time and I also like to create cloths for other people.” “My dad is an artist and my mum likes fashion,” she explained “I am very happy with what was displayed here today because nothing went wrong and a lot of people were happy with what they saw. The turnout was successfully.” She however advised other children if they have any talent they should not wait until they are done with school because they can start from now and shouldn’t hide it because there are a lot of people out there that are ready to appreciate. She pleaded that parents should also not deprive the under age people in doing what they want to do. Responding at the exhibition, Adeola Ajao, Chief Executive Officer, of a Non Governmental Organization, Terbanacle of Talent stated that, Talent is one those unique gifts God has just given us. This event is part of our NGO , which we call showcasing because there is a time for grooming that the time which you can put things together, there is a time for discovery when they try to make you

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Our commitment to your total wholeness is exemplified with our standard gym where guest can workout to keep in shape. Our in house trainer is available on select days to give guidance to guests

Art Club members parading at the exhibition understand you can actually do things and after grooming and discovery had done behind the door then you see showcasing which just the after mart of everything. Then what the children had done today it’s really great.” He said,”Art work is one of those difficult thing unlike dancing and she described art as life and expression of you which people cannot see from facial expression.” Explaining further,he said, most children these days have challenges with their parents accepting their talent because a lot of parents have this opinion that your talent can prevent your carrier which they have foreseen you becoming, but I like to encourage them that regardless what your parents want you to be just obey them and do it as long as that talent is in you, you will always find a way to do it. And It can only

Art Club members auctioning their art works

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Swimming pool Our swimming pool is treated daily so guest can be assured that they are are swimming in an hygienic environment, free from contaminants and pollutants

make you become two professionals. On her advise, she urged the government to support young talent as possible as they could. “If we are actually getting this support from the government, I don’t think a lot of parents will discourage their children from exhibiting their talent, it’s because parents feel you have to struggle as an individual to actually make this thing comes to pass; and sometimes you have to go drain the moral which has been instilled in you as you are growing up but, if government actually create platform where these people can showcase their talents; and may be, the project is being bought or money is being put into it. It will help the individual not to drain in the area of moral and also it will help our economy because of course anything that is being put in the market and it’s being bought and sold it will definitely help the economy.

Bar and restaurant Our restaurant offers guests mouthwatering dishes from the sea foods of the Caribbean to varieties of local, African and continental delicacies.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 4 , 2017

Africa: Untouched pristine beaches in Sudan’s Red Sea coastal area, is paradise for beach lovers especially diving-enthusiasts; albeit a little unknown to those outside the African-and-neighbouring-European continent. Famous for its clean-and-clear blue water, the spot is some of the must-visit places in Sudan, recommended by the country’s newly appointed ambassador to Malaysia, Hamza Omer Hassan Ahmed, adding his plans to promote the place and more to Malaysians. The diplomat said Sudan in northern Africa is also a great place for adventure-loving tourists as the mountainous area of Jebel Marra gave climbers and hikers exhilarating views from the top, with waterfalls and volcanic lakes around the area. “We received one million tourist arrivals annually and we are planning to double this number. Starting next year we will line up special programmes on tourism,” he told Bernama in an interview recently. The ambassador said Sudan is also keenly promoting archaeological sites in the country, including the over 250 Nubian pyramids – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – part of the five archaeological sites, stretching more than 60 km in the Nile valley, which also includes temples, burial mounds and chambers,

B6 Tourism

Africa: Sudan gets 1 million tourists annually, plans to double number next year

sudan living complexes and palaces. “We are now working with the Qatar government to help develop tourist attractions in Sudan. We also want to invite Malaysian government and companies to invest in tourism facilities and services, to develop the sector,” he added. The ambassador noted that currently Malaysians could travel to Sudan via most gulf gateways such as Doha (Qatar), Dubai and Abu Dhabi (UAE), as well as Cairo (Egypt), and made easy with Visa-on-Arrival only for Malaysian passport hold-

ers, valid for the period of one month. Hamza Omer added the Sudan Embassy in Malaysia encouraged and ready to assists any groups, including tour operators that would like to visit the country, noting that November till May as the best period to visit the big nation that has diverse weather. Emphasising that Sudan is now safe for tourists, he noted that one of the most important tasks to encourage tourism is by overcoming negative media propaganda that has marred the

country’s reputation, especially during the unrest that resulted in South Sudan’s independence from Sudan, and sanctioned period by the US. Touching on some 3,700 Sudanese population in Malaysia, which majority of them are students, Hamza Omer said he believed that Malaysia will continue to be Sudanese top choice for pursuing their undergraduate and postgraduate studies especially in engineering, social studies and computer sciences. “During sanctions, Malaysia is the best place for Sudanese

students to pursue their studies overseas and for training because the US, and most western countries blocked us. Even now that the sanctions are lifted, it will not affect the number of our students here as we are now more familiar with Malaysia,” he said. The ambassador also invites Malaysians to pursue Islamic and Arabic language studies in Sudan, noting that the government offered scholarships for this purpose.

Tourism: 13million Chinese t ourists visited Africa last year and spent 40% more than Europe The massive influx of Chinese tourists to Africa has in the recent years made a buzz, and it is for all possible reasons. After seven consecutive years of annual double-digit growth in spending, China continues to lead global outbound travel, reaching US$ 261 billion of Chinese travelers’ expenditure in 2016, a 12% growth since 2012. Approximately 135 million Chinese outbound tourists travelled in 2016, out of which 10% were bound for Africa up from 3% in 2008. As at the end of Q1/2016, China’s economy stood at an approximate $11.3 trillion, the second largest in the world just after the US with about $17 trillion. However, while the US remains on top of the chart, the case is expected to be different by 2027 in terms of tourism spending and investment as well as in total travel & tourism GDP; as China overtakes the world giant. In Africa, various data has shown that Chinese tourists spend an average of 40% in excess of their European and

American counterparts. Increasing Chinese investments in the continent (China’s total trade with Africa peaked at $222 billion by December 2014), involvement with African governments’ projects such as the construction of the recently launched Standard Gauge Railway in Kenya; remain among major factors that influence China’s appetite for Africa. This, not to mention a highly tech savvy and adventurous generation of Chinese millennials with a comparatively high purchasing power. “Chinese millennial travelers are fueling the growth of global tourism as they seek new and fresh experiences,” states a report by Carat & Jing Travel on what’s influencing Chinese millennials. Other factors include ease of travel following the introduction of direct flights between China and several African countries such as South Africa, Ethiopia, and Kenya; which according the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) saw a whopping 100,000 Chinese visitors in 2016. Less stringent visa restrictions for Chinese

Chinese travelers to countries such as Morocco and Tunisia is also a big plus. If the endlessly breathtaking destinations, wild safaris, comfortable weather to escape the massive heat waves in China are all anything to go by, then Africa can only expect stronger projections from this Asian

country with a vast capital base. For instance, by having China as one of its outbound destinations, Africa’s leading online travel agency Jumia Travel is capitalizing on the trend by creating a link between China and the African market. “This helps us leverage on the diversity of operating on

both the African and Chinese markets,” says Estelle Verdier, Jumia Travel COO. It is therefore up to the concerned stakeholders in the hospitality and tourism industries in Africa to gain momentum in meeting what seems to be an increasingly demanding Chinese tourism source market.

Business Review B7

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, November 4, 2017

Infrastructure governance, key to unlocking Africa’s potential – Heathcoate Infrastructure is crucial to Africa’s growth prospects. It’s also hard to get right. Until now, policy makers have focused on improving access to finance. But a consensus is developing globally that a major factor hindering infrastructure implementation is a lack of good governance and well-planned projects. This is a topic that deservedly takes centre stage this week as representatives from 27 African governments, the global private sector, multilateral institutions, and other development partners gather in Cape Town to participate in the region’s first roundtable on the governance of infrastructure hosted by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA). This is the first in a series of roundtables being delivered by the World Bank, OECD, GI Hub and other partners, which aim to help countries move towards infrastructure planning and governance frameworks that facilitate inclusive and sustainable investment decisions. There’s certainly no denying the need for infrastructure development on the continent, as has been emphasised during the course of Germany’s G20 Compact with Africa initiative. In Sub-Saharan Africa, only 35 percent of the population has access to electricity. Access to modern transport has declined in the region over the past 20 years, and 23 percent of the population still lacks access to safe water. Against this background, it’s understandable that the investment focus over the past 10 years has been on utilities and trying to improve access to electricity and water. For some countries this is a significant challenge. Ethiopia, for example, needs to spend 20 percent of its GDP to meet its electricity Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and another nearly seven percent to meet its water SDGs. That’s a major chunk of its GDP, particularly when you compare that the average investment in all infrastructure in Latin America stands at about 5.5 percent. Ethiopia is not unique and such cases point to a significant underinvestment in economic infrastructure such as ports, airports and roads across Africa. And that’s before you factor in investment in ‘softer’ forms of infrastructure like the rollout of telecoms and broadband internet access which are also crucial for economic growth. So, how do African countries attract and retain the kind of investment in infrastructure

Africa’s first roundtable on infrastructure governance is taking place in Cape Town this week. Chris Heathcoate, CEO of Global Infrastructure Hub (GI Hub), which is co-hosting the event, shares his views on the opportunities that infrastructure development offers African countries and some of the obstacles to the success of such projects.

Chris-Heathcoate projects needed to help stimulate that growth? The InfraCompass tool created by GI Hub recently studied infrastructure markets across 49 countries to pinpoint the best conditions for infrastructure delivery and found the strongest driver of investment was the rule of law. This is why governance, rather than development finance, is the primary focus of this roundtable. Of course, finance is vital. Without it, infrastructure development would not be possible. But there’s a growing realisation globally and in Africa that if you get the governance aspects right, the finance will follow. Get it wrong and the investment will dry up. Getting the governance right also allows for efficient and disciplined planning, which is crucial if a proposed infrastructure project is to be sustainable and contribute to growth and lift people out of poverty.

A 2014 study by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) found that increased public infrastructure investment raises output in the short term by boosting demand and in the long term by raising the economy’s productive capacity. More specifically, the study found that an increase of one percentage point of GDP in investment spending raises the level of output by about 0.4 percent in the same year and by 1.5 percent four years after the increase. In addition, the boost to GDP a country gets from increasing public infrastructure investment offsets the rise in debt, so that the public debt-toGDP ratio does not rise. In other words, investment in public infrastructure can pay for itself and more, but only if it’s done correctly. That’s a big if. We’re all familiar with projects that have turned into white elephants, beset with fraud,

waste, and inefficiencies. Infrastructure is a very powerful engine of economic growth, but only if it’s an economically crucial piece of infrastructure created as part of carefully thought out development plan. If not, a country risks falling into the trap of building infrastructure that does not create growth and which it can’t afford to maintain, which then falls into disrepair. This is known as the ‘build, neglect, rebuild cycle’. It’s why when canny investors, whether they be multi-lateral institutions or private sector players, look at markets they want to understand why a particular piece of infrastructure is necessary, what revenue it will it drive and whether it is affordable. They know it can only be affordable if it’s driving growth by one means or another. This is also why corruption is such a hinderance to economic

growth. Consider those IMF multiplier figures again. If you assume that corruption adds a 40 percent ‘inefficiency premium’ to a project, then any multiplier effect evaporates. Instead, the project becomes a drag on the economy. We at GI Hub have found that public-private partnerships (PPPs) can play a valuable role in combatting corruption by encouraging transparency regarding bidding and payments. Where we see countries improving in terms of their corruption indexes, we quite often see PPPs being used to overcome that corruption and to improve levels of transparency. Which brings us back to the crucial importance of the rule of law. Investors want to know what legal frameworks exist and whether they are being fairy applied and in a timely manner. Kenya is one of the examples in our InfraCompass study of a country which used PPP laws to increase transparency and to show its willingness to run clean bidding processes. It’s thanks to this and other success stories that the perception of Africa as a hotbed of corruption is changing. You’re seeing investors like Meridiam Infrastructure increasingly targeting Africa as an investment destination. The question is no longer whether to invest in Africa, but which countries in Africa will be most likely to stand behind the sort of long-term contracts investors are interested in and have the economic plan to create and maintain the stability they require. There’s investment going into countries like Morocco, Gambia, Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa – the latter of which has been an investment destination for some time. As this level of investment grows, it will create the precedents that will encourage other countries to clean up their acts and become stable, positive partners to investors and, hopefully, move more countries into that elite group of investment countries. By showcasing these positive examples, and providing practical support at the political and bureaucratic levels, this roundtable is intended to help speed up the transition for more African countries to better infrastructure governance models.

B8 Personal Bonny Amadi Investors with keen interest to have returns on their investments need to boost their portfolio, in addition to investment in stocks, treasury bills and bonds, mutual funds also need to be considered. This helps to diversify portfolio, through mixing bond funds with stocks funds, and including domestic and overseas funds, this entails rebalance funds annually to spread risk and avoid overexposure in any one area of the market, bearing in mind that, a fund’s past performance doesn’t necessarily indicate future success. What is a mutual fund? Investopedia defines Mutual fund as a fund is an investment vehicle made up of a pool of moneys collected from many investors for the purpose of investing in securities such as stocks, bonds, money market instruments and other assets. Author of complete idiot’s guide on investing’ Joshua Kennon, in his piece “Investing for beginners, the basics of mutual funds, what they are and how they can make you money” acknowledged that mutual funds are perhaps the easiest and least stressful way to invest in the market. According to his report, more new money has been introduced into mutual funds globally during the past few years than at any time in history. He however warned that before jumping into the pool and start throwing your money at mutual funds, you should know exactly what they are and how they work. How mutual fund operate Fund manager is hired to invest the cash the investors have contributed, and the fund manager’s goal depends on the type of fund; a fixed-income fund manager, for example, would strive to provide the highest yield at the lowest risk. A long-term growth manager, on the other hand, should attempt to beat the Dow Jones Industrial Average or the S&P 500 in a fiscal year, very few funds actually achieve this. Types of mutual funds There are four types of mutual funds, they are closed vs. OpenEnded Funds, Load vs. No-Load Closed-End Funds This type of fund has a set number of shares issued to the public through an initial public offering. These shares trade on the open market; this, combined with the fact that a closed-end fund does not redeem or issue new shares like a normal mutual fund, subjects the fund shares to the laws of supply and demand. As a result, shares of closed-end funds normally trade at a dis-

Finance

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday,November 4, 2017

How to invest in mutual fund for portfolio diversification

count to net asset value. Open-End Funds A majority of mutual funds are open-ended. In a basic sense, this means that the fund does not have a set number of shares. Rather, the fund will issue new shares to an investor based upon the current net asset value and redeem the shares when the investor decides to sell. Open-end funds always reflect the net asset value of the fund’s underlying investments because shares are created and destroyed as necessary. Load vs. No Load A load, in mutual fund, is a sales commission. If a fund charges a load, it means that the investor will pay the sales commission on top of the net asset value of the fund’s shares. However, No load funds, carries lower expenses and tend to generate higher returns for investors due to the lower expenses associated with ownership. Benefits of investing in a mutual fund? Mutual funds are actively managed by a professional money manager who constantly monitors the stocks and bonds in the fund’s portfolio. Because this is his or her primary occupation, they can devote considerably more time to selecting

investments than an individual investor. This provides the peace of mind that comes with informed investing without the stress of analyzing financial statements or calculating financial ratios. How to I begin investing in a fund? If you already have a brokerage account, you can purchase mutual fund shares as you would a share of stock. If you don’t, you can visit the fund’s web page or call them and request information and an application. Mutual Funds mainly invest in broad and diversified pool of investments. However these can be grouped into two; A – Money Market, B – Capital Markets Money Market – Example of Money Market instruments are Treasury Bills, Certificate of Deposits, Commercial Paper etc. These instruments are mostly debt note with a promise to pay a stipulated interest rates and the principal at a predetermined date. Capital Markets – Capital Markets are markets where Bonds, Stocks (Shares) are traded on a

daily basis. So, a Mutual Fund can also use your money to invest in stocks and bonds. For example, when they invest in shares they hope that the value will appreciate thus increase the value of their fund or making them a nice profit when they sell the shares. But please note, most mutual funds usually outline the type of investments they hope to invest your money in. This can be found in their prospectus. How much can be invested? Mutual Funds typically have an investment band depending on the nature of the fund. Some can be as low as a minimum of N5,000, whilst some can be N100, 000 and others N1, 000,000. How profitable is mutual funds? Like every other business Mutual Funds are also exposed to the same risk and rewards that can determine whether they make or lose money. But since no business originally sets out to lose money they will often tell you that they are profitable. However, you can know how profitable a mutual fund is or

can be if the fund owners already have a history. Most of the managers already have experience in running funds and so must have track records of their performance in the past. It is also important that you look at what type of returns they intend to offer to their investors. Returns funds?

from

mutual

mutual funds returns depends on the risk appetite of the investor. For example, if you have N100k and think you can invest it in any business of your choice and get a profit of N20%, then investing in a mutual fund that promises 14% returns may not be a good idea for you. The return a mutual fund promises you should also be compared to returns one can get on risk free investments such as treasury bills etc. For example, if a Mutual Fund promises a minimum return of 12%pa and Government Pays interest of 14% on Treasury Bills, then investing yourself may just be a better idea. In general mutual funds will typically offer minimum returns that are benchmarked above inflation rates.

Life&

TIMES Saturday, November 4, 2017

My energy on stage are usually with clear eyes â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Niniola

L2 & 3

Interview L2

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, November 4, 2017

Entertainment industry needs government support â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Niniola When it comes to delivering mind blowing and energetic performance, prominence shortly after participating in music reality show, MTN Project Fame, was born and raised in Lagos State. Niniola attended Apata Memorial School and the University of Lagos were she studied Biology Education. Niniola, who never attended a musical school nor plays any musical instruments is sure your delight whom you can pay to watch live at any the new album, why no female artistes is on the album, and the role of government in the entertainment industry amongst others. Enjoy: So your new album just dropped, how excited are you? I am super excited, I am very thankful to everybody who has supported me from day one and am thankful to God

but the real fact is that I wanted people to understand the brand name Niniola, because I am known to have done of music and how versatile I can be; I discussed with the

With ten songs out already; why did it take you so long to come out with an album?

essence the album further tells you about Niniola who

amongst others needs to play in essence to help the industry grow? First is the issue of piracy which has eaten deep into By singing in your local dialect and picking titles your audience?

Where do you draw the line between commercial music and what is called good music?

widely accepted? my producer were excited in the studio because from we never envisioned that it will be widely accepted, but was that deliberate? For me I am very comfortable with own skills because I interest you that when I travelled out of the country, I was

Life&

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, November 4, 2017

Interview L3

‘I never envisioned that my song ‘Maradona’ will be widely accepted’ amazed to the way people could sing the song from head to toe with excitement. A lot of people would have thought some of your female colleagues would have featured on the album; any reason for that decision?

A lot of people has tagged Instagram sensation

When her song trended, how did you feel about it?

stage, is it with clear eyes?

together she feature me on that song and also this is

Is there a central theme that cuts across all the songs on the album?

With an album to your name presently; would you say you have arrived in the industry?

the country too. Having been around in the industry; what is your impression about it generally?

At the end of the day what does this album stand for you?

music industry that people see it on the outside. Before down you how u sit down in the studio do something and

So why the delay?

Are you saying that without that money then, you would not have gone this far?

dropped some too until it was now time for me release an Why did you dropped those songs?

cannot the crew stories. When you say you invested in your career, what aspect did you invest on?

choices. Also we were so conscious not to put out songs that sound same. With artistes rushing out to release songs; how conscious are you when it comes to your lyrical choices?

we are eager to release a hit song.

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, November 4, 2017

Mutiat Alli

Eating right: Tips for healthier living We all want that perfect body, for the while for the guys: that lean body built and

you just have to shift to healthier food and beverage choices. What you eat goes a long way in shaping your body, keeping you ing that perfect body shape and the following tips will help you in achieving that: 1. Never skip breakfast

ways in a hurry that they forget to eat in the eating breakfast helps in weight loss. Good oats, cereals etc. 2. Eat fruits and vegetables

perfect body shape. Fruits and vegetables that are needed in the body and also helps in burning excess calories. Regular intake of fruits and vegetables has also been known to prevent diseases such as diabetes, obesity, heartburns and others.

food choices.

3. Adequate intake of water

4.Table your meals The less stressed you are when eating, the

go through life dehydrated which causes tiredness, low energy and headache.

car or close that book before you dig in. Ensure eating. 5.

Avoid junk foods About 85% of people these days live on junk ach and excessive weight body shape, choose foods that are low in fat and have fewer calories. Intake of Confectionaries of all kinds should be reduced to a

6. Avoid late night meals: Eat dinner 14-15 hours before breakfast the next day, this is to enable proper digestion and

7. Eat a little at a time

enables easier digestion and keeps you strong without feeling week and sluggish which a and Feel Right.

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, November 4, 2017

Living & Decor L5

Mutiat Alli

Care to have bigger, tighter, firmer butt naturally? Try this A big butt is sexy, feminine and a major turn-on.

the process is to identify your body type and work exercise routine that may not produce the best results for your particular body type.

your body type, another good indicator is where chips automatically equates to a softer stomach or jiggling thighs, chances are these problem areas

Ways to acquire that Butt: 1. Heel Raises: Heel raises are excellent for weights or resistance bands to maintain tension for better muscle growth in the gluts and hamstrings. *Begin on your hands and knees in a tabletop towards the ceiling, maintaining a 90-degree angle

*Inhale as you slowly bring the knee back down, Tip: For a more intense workout, do 1 to 2 minutes on one leg, then continue with another 1 to 2 minutes on the same leg, but this time extending is complete, switch legs. 2. Jump Squats: Jump squats are great for gaining strength and burning fat. *To start, slowly lower yourself into a squat making the safe-squat position. *Next, spring up into a straight jump and land in the continuously for 30 seconds.

3. Single Leg Bridges â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which are great for your body and build sexy VS model legs. and one leg straight up in the air. *Exhale as you place your weight into the heel aiming to make your body straight from shoulder to and inhale as you slowly return to start position. Repeat and inhale for 20 repetitions per leg, pulsing at the top for 10 seconds at the end of each set.

tears in the gluteal and surrounding muscle (aka your butt). At this point our buttocks is in the repair cycle. It desperately wants the right amount of calories, the right type of healthy foods, and the right healthy mixture of carbs/fat/proteins to ensure the most growth possible. Your body will let you the right type of foods. Big Booty foods by macro-nutrient sources will need to eat more of to help make her butt bigger. I recommend you try and get a protein of protein per meal and also get a good protein shake to drink after your workouts and possibly in a meal or two. Some healthy sources of good protein for a bigger butt includes: Eggs, skinless chicken (almonds, cashew), peanut butter, almond butter. breasts, salmon, Tuna, Tilapia, cottage, Vegetables: Vegetables contain tons of anti Legumes(kidney, chick peas), Extra extra lean oxidants, nutrients and other goodies that are essential for a growing body. You can typically eat as much of these as you want without fear: Broccoli,

going is the absolute quickest way to burning fat. rounded goodness. Foods to eat to get a bigger Butt blasting exercises, your buttocks is now in a position to grow. At this point, there will be tiny microscopic

oats, weetabix, 100% whole grain bread, low sugar breakfast cereal. Fat: Excess calories and bad foods make you fat, and more prone to getting fat. Healthy sources of good fats are essential and can help to actually

So remember simply start adding, replacing or mixing these healthy food sources into your current diet for making your butt bigger. Healthy foods like these are absolutely essential for laying down the materials to help your butt grow after our booty building exercises.

Society Circle L6

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, November 4, 2017

Isaac Oguntoye

The unsung prophet, Segun Misipode Who will rescue Jimoh Ibrahim?

Prophet Segun

Various categories of people claiming to be prophets, while some learn the act solely for the purpose of keeping body and soul together, some are divinely gifted and called into prophethood. While propagating the work of God in Celestial Church of Christ, this clergyman, who you are about to read of, falls into the category of the few who are divinely called to be prophets. This humble prophet that God has been using tremendously to unchain

those in the dragnet of witches and wizards, Oluwasegun Daniel Alomanoaboe (JP) was asked by unbelievers who throng his place of worship like the doubting Thomas, to tell them a miracle that God has wrought through his ministry at his Prayer City. Not someone who loves blowing his own trumpet, he, without any airs of arrogance, told them about healing of mentally deranged people, the barrens blessed with the

fruits of the womb by God, business breakthrough among others awe-inspiring deliverance for many that have visited the place. “At this city of prayer, Emi Leri Kan, Palace of Testimony, God has been wonderfully doing marvellous things in our midst, we have people giving true testimonies and having their world transformed. When God the creator of the Heavens and earth has called a man and the man has obediently followed the instructions of Him that has called him, no doubt, he will continuously support him in whatever he does. Remember, he gave his prophets in the Bible the power to do and undo, he gave Elisah power to lock and unlock, this is not the time of Elisha but we have prophets like Elisha in this great church though few, they are scattered everywhere.” Without mincing word,

For sometimes now little or nothing has been heard about Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim. No thanks to his dwindling business empire. For those who are aware of the lifestyle of a supposed billionaire will attest to the fact that the mega businessman

one of the few prophets God is using in this fold, his calling has taken him on ministration to places like Canada, America, UK,

In a quest to keep impacting her immediate environment and continent through her foundation, ex-wife of Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Queen Wuraola Zaynab met with United ister of Economy, His Excellency Sultan Bin

in life, breaking the yokes and giving the people new lease of life.

Hajia Bola Sagaya finally resurface x

is gradually getting her groove back. The Nigerian businesswoman and fashion enthusiast was spotted on Saturday during the traditional wedding between Halimat Oluwatosin Saraki, daughter of the Senate President Bukola Saratunde Olukoya in Lagos. Sagaya who was once the richest woman in Africa has been missing from the scene for more than a year now until last Saturday when she resurfaced. The highly in-

Bola Sagaya

mingle well with notable APC chieftains who also graced the event according to eye-witnesses but she was looking stunning and angelic in her wide collections of diamond, exotic gems and fashion.

Jimoh Ibrahim

the moment. Nothing seems to be working for the Ondo state born PDP gubernatorial hopeful as his newspaper companies have ceased to produce and other investments owned by him are not functioning as expected. Although, the busi-

nessman turned politician was recently said to have moved his businesses to United Arab Emirate city of Dubai in other to reorganize and re-launch his businesses especially the ones he had rested due to the prevailing economic

situation of Nigeria. Now, is Jimoh Ibrahim still a billionaire? This is a question many have failed to answer both in the business and social circle as the braggart billionaire is gradually turning to a shadow of his old self.

Ooni’s ex-wife Wuraola moves on

formalise the beginning of international relations with the UAE Economic sector to improve economic and cultural relations between the United Arab Emirates and several African nations. The Bridge, under the patronage of Queen Wuraola is an African Arab organization formed to promote & improve cultural and international relations between Arab coun& Africa. His Excellency, Sultan Bin Saeed Al co-operation with Her Highness and relevant ministries to aid in (social and economic) developments of international and regional activities that will enhance and improve trade exchange and dealings between the Arab world and Africa. Few months ago, the media has been awash with the story of the crashed marriage of

Queen Wuraola

the Ooni of Ife to his exwife, Olori Wuraola. When the woman of substance, who is now addressed as Queen Zynab, decided to walk out of the marriage, many could not fathom the reahad sneered at her, thinking that she might eventually go into obscurity. But recent developments may have proved her critics wrong, as she seems to have put the doleful experience behind her and moved on. Indeed, her fans could not have been happier when she participated at the recently held 72nd session of United Nations General Assembly, where she was endowed with the “Humanitarian of the Year” award from event during the UNGA week for her outstanding contributions to women and children across the globe.

Life&Times recalls that she was also part of the United Nations delegates to a conference in New York, United States in April, where she shared her views on tecting the endangered cultural heritage in time The beautiful lady has remained focused and has not allowed the misfortune of her shortlived marriage weigh her down, as she continues with her humanitarian services. Humble and respectful, Queen Zynab never trivializes the teachings of the holy Bible, which include that the rich should needy. In fact, it is said that her philosophy of life is deeply rooted in the aphorism that wealth is nothing if it cannot be used for the advancement of society and mankind.

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, November 4, 2017

Society Circle L7

Isaac Oguntoye

SIFAX Boss, Taiwo Afolabi celebrates wife @50

Taiwo Afolabi & his wife Folashade

Pastor Mrs. Afolashade Afolabi the adorable and beautiful woman behind the success life story of one of Nigeria most prominent business mogul and maritime Czar, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi (MON), Chairman SIFAX Group, celebrate the Golden Jubilee of his precious wife Birthday which held on Sunday 22nd October 2017. However, unlike most Nigerian celebrities, this humble and God fearing lady of virtue has decided not to mark this landmark event with glamour nor fanfare. Rather, she has decided to take every and each member of her family, friends and well-wishers which no doubt consists of the movers and shakers of the Nigerian high society to church in praise and thanks giving to God who has given her the grace and

privilege, not only to attain this golden age, but has helped her to attain the enviable height she has attained in life. Born to the family of the late Pa Gbadebo Sokoya, Folasade is a welleducated woman who prefers to keep

road accident few days ago. But the gist here is that, Kunle Martinos is expected to step into his father shoe by overseeing the family business. And it will interest you to know that, Martinos Event and hospitality is one of his fa-

Veteran journalist, Chief Femi Davies is set to roll out drum for his 50th birthday. The industrious and dynamic journalist who has contributed his own quota as a member of the 4th estate of the realm. Come November 10, 2017, family, friends and well-wisher be host to a classy birthday bash. Without mincing words, the Metro News boss deserved every accolades as one of those who paved way for other roving journalist. At the moment, the humble and down to heart journalist was recently appointed the Special Adviser Events and Strategy by Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land, Chief Gani Adams. Femi Davies who hails from Abeokuta, Ogun State is an award winning and

Otunba Femi Davies

well-travelled media practitioner. He is also the media consultant to Olokun Festival FounCongress, Oodua Progressive Union among other Organizations.

ther most cherished business that he never joke while he was alive. In fact, at a point in time when he was alive, he gave Kunle a part of the building to run as a club but later took it over from him due to mismanagement and his reckless lifestyle. This we scooped has been generating some buzz within the family over who take over the family business.

Besides Jornalism his the Gbobaniyi of Arigidi Akoko is also an accomplished Movie/Music Producer and Promoter with proven records in Events and Hospitality concern.

The three musicians in Otedola’s family

role as a wife and mother, acting as a buffer for her husband. That she has succeeded in this God and self-assigned task is evidence in her husband prodigious success today. Mrs Afolashade Afolabi who was full of excitement and praises to Almighty and his husband, Dr Taiwo Afolabi (MON) danced to songs of praises joined by her children guests at the Special Church programme. Dr Afolabi poured encomium on his adorable wife.

Lagos big boy, Kunle Martinos’ lifestyle It is no longer news that, the owner of popular hospitality place, Martinos is gone. The retired Air vice Marshal

Femi Davies @50

The Otedolas

The joy of every parents is to see their offspring archiving their purpose in life while they are still alive. This is what best described what Forte Oil boss, Femi Otedola is presently experiencing at the moment. Temi, DJ Cuppy and Olawunmi are the three songbird shaking the entertainment industry. Florence who is popularly known as DJ Cuppy has work her way to

become a house hold name in the showbiz industry. Another who is also doing tremendously well is Olawumi Otedola with the stage name, Tolani. businessman ans she held a music showcase on Friday, October 27th at Terra Kulture, in Victoria Island few days ago. She is the second musician in the family after Cuppy, a disc jockey who just released her trending single “Green Light” featuring Tekno.

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, November 4, 2017

#AFRIFF2017 Day 4: Creative hustle, a new kind of African cinema animation shorts for a selection of secondary school students at

year old doctor who heals sick people through magical assistance.

enthusiastically, underlying the need for more creative adaptations

Kunle Afolayan

presented a masterclass on the legal aspects of producing content issues like writer, producer and non-disclosure agreements. The day came to a close with a cocktail at the residence of the

feature length screenings for the day.

partnership.

#AFRIFF Day 5: Girl power, funding opportunities and a screening of Potato Potahto For the women and entrepreneurship panel which took place at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos, Thursday morning, at the ongoing Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), it was sisters doing it all for themselves.

prowess, highlights the challenges and triumphs of female tech discussion comprising a star-heavy line-up of female entrepreneurs.

The panellists all spoke on the challenges they face a recurring element in the narratives, the women were united in their resolve to keep pushing as they pursued their passions attendance.

A session on the role of cinema in diplomacy followed shortly the panel to speak on their perception of the industry.

The highly entertaining event involved a sneak peak of the upcoming stage musical, Fela and the Kalakuta Queens, which

rendition of popular hit songs from a duo of talented vocalists. A France presented a workshop on funding opportunities for cocktail and networking session followed.