Dtn 5 12 16

S’East to explore private sector participation in infrastructural development –Nnaji

THE

DAILY

TIMES

Moses Oyediran, Enugu

ÏÏÏ Former Minister of

Power, Prof Barth Nnaji, has said that the South East would no longer wait on government to fix its dilapidated roads, adding that the zone plans to seek authorization for private partnership to maintain their bad road network.

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

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GUARANTY

22.80

23.49

3.03%

NESTLE

810.06

NSE QUICK BITE 820.00

1.23%

Continued on page 6

MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2016 VOL. 2. NO. 248

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GAINERS AS AT December 2, 2016

Specifically, he said the people of the South East would no longer wait on government to fix the Enugu-Onitsha, Enugu-Port Harcourt and Owerri roads.

“There are plans to seek authorization to maintain some major roads in the zone,” he said.

Nnaji also said there was a deliberate effort by Igbo en-

FLOURMILL

19.49

N150

LOSERS AS AT December 2, 2016 19.20

-1.49%

NAHCO

2.32

2.21

-4.74%

Critics ignorant of NASS’ workings –Reps Ï Constituency projects not only in Nigeria Ï Legislature duty bound to scrutinise executive requests Ï Crave understanding of Nigerians on NASS’ role Ï Policy pronouncements need legislative backing to effect change

Tony Ailemen, Abuja

ÏÏÏ Ignorance of the work-

ings of legislature has been blamed largely for some

of the criticisms that has trailed some decisions of the National Assembly.

Chairman, House of Representatives CommitContinued on page 6

DISCOs propose bill against power theft B1 Lagos Assembly begins work on 2017 budget 12

L-R: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; his wife, Dolapo; Former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon; Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo; Former Head of Interim National Government, Ernest Shonekan; Ex-Vice President Alex Ekuweme and others at the annual end of year thanksgiving service in Abuja… on Sunday.

Money laundering: Ex-Lagos Speaker, aide head to S’Court 12

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FINAL AUDITION Venue: The Pool Side, Eko Hotel & Suites Date: Mon. 5th Dec Time: 9:00am

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

5

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

Stories By Kayode Adelowokan The Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) has told the House of Representatives ad-hoc committee headed by Representative Adekunle Akinlade to stop making statements capable of further damaging the image of the industry.

The telling-off follows alleged claims by the committee that insurance firms, in connivance with Ministries, Departments and Agencies, are defrauding the federal government of N200 billion annually.

NIA chairman, Eddie Efekoha, briefing journalists in Lagos recently, denied any such fraud, and tasked the Committee to have full understanding of insurance transactions before telling tales.

The association, he stated is ready to engage with the leadership of the Committee with a view to shedding more light on the operation of insurance business.

“You have all keenly followed developments in the House of Representatives with respect to the ongoing investigation of

B7 Insurance

NIA blasts Reps over N200bn insurance fraud some member – companies that insure government assets. You must have heard the various figures and other disclosures given by the Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee while speaking with the press,” he said.

“The Association would have waited for the Committee to conclude its investigation before making its comments but to date so much damage has and is still being done to the image of our industry by some of the statements credited to the Chairman of the committee which in their material facts are inconsistent with known insurance market practice.

“We will appeal to the Committee to conclude its investigation and where necessary request for clarification from our regulator and or market associations before making public statements that are capable of damaging the image of our in-

surance industry.

“The position of the Association is summarized as follows: There is no N200 billion fraud anywhere.

“The Committee may not have been properly briefed about insurance operations and its workings.

“The Committee should please desist henceforth from making statements that are capable of further damage to the insurance industry.

“The Association is insisting that the Committee should engage thoroughly to have a full understanding of insurance transactions before going to the press.

“The Association is ready to engage with the leadership of the Committee with a view to shedding more lights on the operation of insurance business.”

The Daily Times reports that Mr. Ossy Prestige, (representing

Aba North/South) moved a motion after the resolution of the committee asking the House to compel the Head of Service of the Federation and other statutory government establishments that purchase direct insurance covers to provide detailed data that would cover premiums paid on group life and related government assets.

The representative alleged that for every N10 billion paid as insurance premium by government, N5 billion was returned to corrupt government officials.

“Although the processes are presumably carried out in line with the Public Procurement Act, it is generally believed that some companies are unduly favoured during such bid. The unduly favoured companies reciprocate by engaging in a fraudulent practice termed Return on Premium,” he stated on the floor of the house.

“A percentage, as much as 50

(percent) of the premium paid by government is returned to government officials as cash payback, thus creating the biggest recurring fraud in the public sector.

“To best appreciate the magnitude of fraud being perpetrated, for every N10 billion paid as insurance premium by government, N5 billion is returned to corrupt government officials.”

At the commencement of the probe, the committee vowed to unmask the perpetrators. The chairman of the committee who read the riot act maintained that “no intention to witch-hunt any individual, group of persons or organization but rather carry out its mandate within the ambit of the law, which is to establish that monies were paid to civil servants.’

He, however, raised eyebrow over refusal of some government agencies to make submission to the committee.

228 Lagos pensioners get N941m in November The Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC) say it has paid another batch of 228 retirees from the Mainstream Civil Service, Local Governments, and State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Teachers Establishment and Pensions Office (TEPO) and other parastatals of Government the sum of N941 million for the month of November 2016.

Speaking at the 33rd Retirement Benefit Bond Presentation ceremony recently, Mrs. Folashade Onanuga, Director-General, LASPEC, said that the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, had from August, 2015 to date, paid N21.929 billion as accrued pension rights to 5,027 retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

Onanuga noted that retirees needed to take good care of their health by going for comprehensive check-ups, and advised them to avoid frivolous spending and participating in ventures that would not afford them peace.

The DG further counselled retirees not to desire quick gains as fraudsters would make offers to defraud them of their benefits.

She also mentioned that the State Governor is interested in the welfare of the employees both in and out of office, hence the priority accorded salary and pension issues.

L-R: Lawunmi Idowu, Director, Legal, Technical & Admin; Eddie Efekoha, Chairman; Director- General, Olorundare Sunday Thomas; and Henrietta Anyanna, SecretaryGeneral, Nigerian National Bureau, Ecowas Brown Card Scheme; during a press briefing by the Nigerian Insurers Association in Lagos recently

Stanbic IBTC Pension raises hope to embrace micro pension scheme Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers has promised to leverage on micro pension scheme, when the scheme finally kicks off, to increase the volume of its Retirement Savings Account (RSA) holders.

The Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, Mr. Eric Fajemisinmi, who stated this at a media parley in Lagos at the weekend, noted that micro pension scheme is another way of increasing pension adoption, as the 7. 3 million Nigerians registered under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) is a far cry from a population

of 180 million Nigerians.

He noted that the micro pension scheme will be targeting the informal sector of the economy which is about 70 per cent of the country’s population.

Hoping that the scheme will commence next year, he said the regulator, the National Pension Commission (PenCom) is currently discussing with the government to add a good incentive in the scheme that will attract the informal sector into it, since it is not going to be a joint contribution like the current CPS.

“The scheme must have a sweetener to attract the informal sector into it. PenCom is currently proposing to the FG to either give tax incentives or access to loans to the would-be beneficiaries, as this will persuade more operators in the informal sector to embrace it. Definitely, there must be something to attract people to subscribe to it and that is currently being worked out,” he stressed.

He promised that his PFA has put mechanism in place to key into the scheme, as soon as it is launched.

Fajemisinmi lauded the reforms

being put in place by PenCom through the Pension Reforms Act (PRA 2014), noting that this has further strengthened the scheme.

He listed some of the improvement in the guideline to include; compulsory payment of pension by state governments, reduction in the number of employees a company must have to subscribe to CPS, from five to three, among others.

Stanbic IBTC Pension, he said, had invested in bonds and equities, which are given good returns on investment to its numerous RSA holders across the country.

22

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.SAADAT AHUOIZA ATIMAH 2.MALL. MOHAMMED MOUKHTAR ATIMAH 3.ZAINAB IBRAHIM 4.SAMIRA ATIMAH 5.HAFEEZA BELLO THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1.TO PROMOTE GIRL CHILD EDUCATION. 2.YOUTH AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT. 3.POVERTY ALLEVIATION.

TOYIBAT LIT - TOYIBEEN ISLAMIC FOUNDATION This is to inform the general public that the above Named has applied for Registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matter Act 1990.

ALASALATU MURHI INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF NIGERIA This is to inform the general public that the above named body has applied for Registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ALHAJI IBRAHIM HARUNA 2. ALHAJI OYEGBADE OYEPEJU 3. ALHAJI MUSBAUDEEN ERINFOLAMI 4. ALHAJI GANIYU OLADAPO 5. ALHAJI OLABODE OSHODI-GLOVER 6. ALHAJA MARIAM BELLO 7. HAJIA SIDIQQAH IBIRONKE ALABA

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES: 1. ABDULKAREEM JUBREEL AYODEJI 2. KAREEM TOHEEB ADEOLA 3. ABDULKAREEM RAODAT MOTUNRAYO 4. KAREEM SHERIFDEEN ADEWUNMI

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

Aims And Objectives: 1. TO PROPAGATE THE RELIGION OF ISLAMIC AMONG THE MEMBERS Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

SIGNED : SECRETARY

Signed: Trustees.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To bring all Muslims throughout Nigeria into closer union and inculcate in them the true Islamic spirit of brotherhood and absolute faith in Allah as the only basis for the achievement of peace among mankind.

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

Signed: SECRETARY

TOUCH OF JOY INITIATIVE.

ENUGU YOUNG PROFESSIONALS AND ENTREPRENEURS FORUM

CELEBRATION HOUSE IMPACT CHURCH.

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

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

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

Trustess:

TRUSTEES .(1) ANTHONY IDOKO. (2) ENDUNG ANTHONY IDOKO (3)IGOCHE ISAAC UGBABE (4)JOSEPH BITRUS BULAMA (5)MICHEAL BABELLO DAUDU (6)MAX OGAR.

Trustess 1. MR. BENJAMIN DIKE. - CHAIRMAN 2. DR. SMILE NDUBUISI. - SECERTARY 3. MR WOLE ADENIYI. 4. ARAMIDE AJAYI 5. MR. ABIDEMI ADEKOYE 6. DR. NDUBUEZE VINCENT EGUZO Aim and objective 1. To provide free medical health care to indigent citizens in remote communities and citizens Nigeria 2. To provide welfare materials to indigent citizens 3. To provide educational services to indigent citizens Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar general, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed.

Barr. KENN IKPECHUKWU

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1 SAMSON OLIVER CHUKWUECHIFULEM 2 SAMSON PROGRESS PATIENCE 3 SAMETU IBIHUYE SYLVESTER 4 NZEH ONYEMUCHE CANICE 5 GABRIEL COLLINS CHUKWUMA AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: 1.

To propagate the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 2.

To teach and mature Christians in the knowledge of Jesus Christ 3.

To provide comfort and cater for the less privileged Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: Signed: Barr. Maduka Okoli 8/10 ,Broad Street ,Lagos, 08033127357

THE CLUB 20 ORU IJEBU. This is to inform the general public that the above named Club has applied for registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Acts 1 of 1990.

The Trustees Are: 1. CHIEF NELSON ADEJUMO ADEBOGUN. 2. CHIEF SUNDAY OLUGBENGA IDOWU 3. PROF. JOSEPH OLUSOGA OLUSANYA. 4. CHIEF IDOWU ADEBIYI ODUGBESAN. 5. OTUNBA ADEKUNLE JOSHUA OSIBELUWO Aim: To foster bond of unity among members with the aim of eradicating poverty. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar - General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Aguyi Ironsi street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the day of this publication.

Signed: Trustees AIYALOGBE AGNES OLUCHI I formerly known and addressed as MGBOR AGNES OLUCHI now wish to be known and addressed as AIYALOGBE AGNES OLUCHI. All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. The general public should please take note.

SHOLAGBADE BALIKISU ADELEYE

Formerly known and addressed as ADELEYE BILIKISU OLAIDE, now wish to be known and addressed as SHOLAGBADE BALIKISU ADELEYE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AWUNU VINCENT EZEKIEL SUNDAY

Formerly known and addressed as GIBANGBAN EZEKIEL, now wish to be known and addressed as AWUNU VINCENT EZEKIEL SUNDAY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHIKAODI ELIZABETH EDUGW

Formerly known and addressed as SUNDAY CHIKODI ELIZABETH, now wish to be known and addressed as CHIKAODI ELIZABETH EDUGW. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

1. NWODO ADAORA STEPHANIE. 2. AGBARA EMEKA SILAS 3. OBINNA NUEL - ENEH 4. CHUKWUAFUEZI ADIMCHINOBI 5. ODOH WALTER CHUKWUMA 6. OBAH NNANWIKE ANTHONY Aim and objective 1. To protect the interest of the youth 2. To assist young protessionals in actualizing their dreams Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar general, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE. To preach the good news of Jesus Christ.

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

Signed: Secretary

Signed: Secretary.

MIRIAM AND STEPHEN CHARITABLE TRUST The general public is hereby notified that the above Organization has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: Miriam Stephen Sunday Stephen Obayan Maureen Anote Mercy Nuhn Abe Samuel Nuhu Abe AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To provide relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: Secretary MUSA MOHAMMED

I, formerly known and addressed as YAHAYA YUNUSA, and MOHAMMED YINUSA PUONA wish to be known and addressed as MUSA MOHAMMED. All former document remain valid, general public please take note.

MUSTAPHA KUDIRAT MABAYOJE

I formerly known Mabayoje Kudirat Olamide wish to be known and addressed as Mustapha kudirat Mabayoje. All former document remain valid, general public please take note.

BALOGUN SULAIMAN ADEWALE

Formerly known and addressed as LAWAL SULAIMAN, now wish to be known and addressed as BALOGUN SULAIMAN ADEWALE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

UDOGWU STANLEY AMAECHI

Formerly known and addressed as UDOGWU STANLEY WILLIAMS, now wish to be known and addressed as UDOGWU STANLEY AMAECHI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

TABITHA EVANGELICAL MINISTRY INTERNATIONAL The general public is hereby notified that the above Organization has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: Onigbinde Jonathan Olusola Jalingo Binta Nwokeocha Justina Eno Ogebe, Mary Dija Araye John Skido Sanni Paul Zaruma Esq Yohanna Iliya Kadernu Ali Markus AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ To carter for widows, orphans and the downtrodden Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication SIGNED: SANNI PAUL ZARUMA

ADEDEWE STEPHEN OWOADE.

I formerly known and address as Owoade Stephen Ayinla,now wish to be known and address as Adedewe Stephen Owoade.

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

UWAOMA CHIBUEZE CHIBUIKE.

OLANIYAN TITILAYO ADEOLA I Formerly known and addressed as Miss OBADINA Titilayo Adeola. Now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs OLANIYAN Titilayo Adeola, of No. 12 AIT Road, Alagbado, Lagos. All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. General public and Relevant authorities please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as UWAOMA ONU ORJI now wish to be known and addressed as MRS UWAOMA CHIBUEZE CHIBUIKE. All former documents remain valid.

FMC, Umuahia and the general public should please take note.

That I am the same person bearing both AGBA PAULINA UMENAYA and AGBA PAULINA U. That the abbreviated U. stands for UMENAYA. The general public and relevant authorities should please take note.

EZEKIEL MERCY Formerly known and addressed as OSSAI MERCY, now wish to be known and addressed as EZEKIEL MERCY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

JOY ELIZABETH MURRAY-BRUCE

KAMORU RAFIU

Formerly known and addressed as KAMOR RAFIU, now wish to be known and addressed as KAMORU RAFIU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as JOY ELIZABETH JONAH, now wish to be known and addressed as JOY ELIZABETH MURRAYBRUCE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

SEFIU OLUGBENGA TAOFIK

Formerly known and addressed as OLUWAGBENGA TAOFEEK, now wish to be known and addressed as SEFIU OLUGBENGA TAOFIK. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ADEOYE OLUWASEYI TAYE

I formerly known and addressed as MISS ADEDEJI SHOLA OLUWASEYI now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ADEOYE OLUWASEYI TAYE. All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

SADO DAUDA MAIYANGA.

I formerly known and addressed as DAUDA MAIYANGA S. now wish to be known and addressed as SADO DAUDA MAIYANGA. All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. The general public should please take note.

BENEDICT KEMI OLUWASEUN

Formerly known and addressed as ADEDOKUN KEMI OLUWASEUN, now wish to be known and addressed as BENEDICT KEMI OLUWASEUN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

ADEDEJI MOSUNMOLA ANN

GOMINA: Formerly known and addressed as GOMINA MOSUNMOLA ANN, now wish to be known and addressed as ADEDEJI MOSUNMOLA ANN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

Critics ignorant of NASS’ workings –Reps Continued from page 1 tee on Media and Publicity, Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas, stated this at the weekend in Abuja.

He explained that under the principles of separation of powers, the legislature has a sacrosanct responsibility to thoroughly examine all requests for loans and other forms of expenditures from the executive.

“Why do people believe that when we do things, we are doing them with bad intent, why? No matter how people look at it, it is a constitutional requirement that all the monies to be spent by the Executive must be approved by the legislature. If Nigerians do not want us to ask questions, then they are saying that there is no need to have the legislature in the first place.

“So, l will urge Nigerians to give the National Assembly the opportunity to do its work. The same people are also complaining that the State Assemblies are now acting as rubber stamp to their state governors.

“Most of the governors, they say have pocketed their State Assemblies. Here, we are asking questions and carrying out our oversight functions and people are making all sorts of insinuations. I wish to let you know that the 8th House of Representatives that l speak for has a legislative agenda, part of which is to support the anti-graft policy of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.”

Hon. Namdas, who revealed that the 8th National Assembly will out-perform other National Assemblies before it, reeled out statistics showing that within one year, the House of Representatives has so far considered and passed over 700 bills and 600 motions.

According to him, “In the last one year, the House of Representatives has considered and passed well over 700 bills and close to 600 motions” adding that “there was a particular day when we had to consider about 130 bills in one day. The reason is simple, in view of the current change mantra

that this government is pursuing, we discovered that change cannot come through policy pronouncements alone.”

He noted that such actions were necessary to ensure that future administrations will not alter the policies of the current government easily, especially its anti corruption policies, which he said, have led to the recovery of billions of Naira looted by corrupt politicians.

“You need to back these policies with the enabling laws, otherwise, if another regime comes, they can revert to their old ways. But once there are laws backing these changes, people will stick to them, or even if they want to change them, they must first have to amend these laws.

“Looking at the statute books, we discovered that most of the laws backing some of the issues we were dealing with were archaic and cannot fit into the current system, especially if this government must succeed in fighting corruption. Therefore, some needed to be amended and new ones put in place, in some other cases.”

On the issue of “huge” budgetary allocation to the National Assembly, he noted that the N115bn allocated to the National Assembly was barely enough to meet its requirements, considering the overheads it carries.

“The N115bn allocated to us represents less than two per cent of the 2016 national budget of N6trillion.....People think that our budget is N115bn multiplied by the 450 members in the National Assembly, this is not the case.

“The National Assembly, as it is today, comprises of the two chambers of the legislature and the parastatals under it. We have the National Institute of Legislative Studies, National Assembly Service Commission and the Public Complaints Commission, which is now an agency under the National Assembly. We have over 5000 Civil Servants, 2000 legislative aides that take close to N12bn as salaries, annually.

“All these expenses are charged to the budget of the National Assembly. I think that there is the need for Nigerians to understand the workings of

the National Assembly.”

Speaking on the criticisms that has so far trailed the implementation of constituency projects of the lawmakers in Nigeria, the Adamawa state-born lawmaker highlighted the importance of the projects, even as he noted that the practice is not restricted to Nigeria.

“In the course of my interactions with other African parliamentarians, I discovered that this same constituency projects feature prominently in the budgets of other African countries.

In fact, in Kenya, it is known as Constituency Development Fund, in Tanzania, there is a board set up for it and each member chairs the board in his or her constituency.

“In the case of Nigeria, most people will tell you that the lawmakers are the ones getting the money, which is not true. My advice is that we should look at the benefits of the projects and not over emphasise the abuse.

Now, l am not saying that there may be no abuses, but l am saying that, if we know of any, let us condemn it and let the law take its course.”

He appealed to Nigerians to look at the spirit behind the provisions of the projects in the budget rather than concentrating on the negatives “But that is not enough to condemn everything about the constituency projects. It is not only in the legislature that people abuse process, even in the executive, they do. So, look at the spirit and ask if it is in order.

The spirit is that, we as representatives of the people know the challenges facing our own people. We want to attract projects that will be beneficial to our people. Sometimes, it can be just a four kilometer feeder road that is the problem of the community. In some other cases, it could just be water supply and some other, it is school.”

Speaking on the fight against corruption, the lawmaker assured that the National Assembly has resolved to back President Buhari in order to ensure the success of the war, adding that they have set in motion the process to amend the EFCC Act to make the institution more effective in carrying out its functions.

A cross section of women during the distribution of Delivery Kits to expectant mothers at Nabayi Village, at Ganjuwa Local Government Area of Bauchi State… recently.

S’East to explore private sector participation in infrastructural development –Nnaji Continued from page 1 trepreneurs to develop and expand the economic base of the southeast.

He stated that already, some Igbo billionaires have agreed to come together to pull resources to ensure that agriculture, road

infrastructure, power, oil and gas and other areas of need for Igbo land was actualized in the shortest possible time.

“It also followed the realization that joint effort was paramount in everything, and the fact that the development of the southeast region before now was made pos-

sible by the efforts of her people and not government.

“That was how the industries that are moribund today like the Nigergas, Modern Ceramics, Hotel President in Enugu and Port-Harcourt, Nigercem, Golden Guinea, Niger Steel, were built.

“That is the kind of spirit Ndig-

bo want to revive and move the Igboland forward. We are prepared to develop the whole of Igbo land, economically,” Nnaji said.

According to him, “The Aba Integrated Power Project would come on stream in the next six months, all outstanding issues between Geometric Power Lim-

ited and the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) was being resolved by the federal government.

He stated that the project worth over N200 billion was the largest single investment in Igboland and would solve the power needs of Aba and environs.

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

PIB, pro-Nigeria, not in favour of any region -Reyenieju Controversy has trailed the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) in the National Assembly since it was first conceptualised. Hon Daniel Reyenieju, a member of the House of Representatives representing Warri Federal Constituency in Delta State in this interview with HENRY OMUNU, fingers the NNPC and oil majors for hindering the passage of the bill. He speaks on the role of host communities, just as he declared that the bill favours no particular region, but is rather a pro-Nigeria bill.

The impression among concerned Nigerians and stakeholders in the oil industry is that the PIB has been politicised considering the long time it has taken for the legislation to be passed into law by the National Assembly?

It is very unfortunate that year-in year-out, we keep repeating one issue which ordinarily should have been for the development of this nation, most especially taking into cognisance the fact that the sustainability of the Nigerian economy is predicated on oil, because of the fact that we are a mono-commodity nation. So against that background, one would have expected that anything that has to do with oil in the country should be given the highest of priorities.

But unfortunately, the PIB has become the longest bill in the House, since the 6th Assembly, the 7th and now the 8th Assembly. And still nothing tangible seems to have been done about it. It’s very worrisome and it gives one cause for concern. But, having said that, the parliament is showing a lot of concern over the fate of the PIB. Although, we are not the law courts as in the judiciary, the wheel of justice grinds slowly, so it is with the National Assembly, the consideration of a bill may be proceeding slowly, but surely, we would arrive at the destination.

So I’m hoping that one day; one day, irrespective of the fact that Nigerians are tired with the delay of the PIB, it would definitely become a law in the country in whatever form. But like I’ve always said and will continue to repeat this, the law itself has no eyes to see who to favour.

What the law sets out to do is to institute world best practices in our country, to make the oil sector and our economy the best governed environment to actually make our economy grow. But as it is, I wouldn’t want to say that it has been politicised, but the will to change it from what it used to be to what it ought to be has been very slow and resisted by those who have been in the system; if not, I do not see any politicisation of the bill.

Most people who don’t know what the bill actually entails would want to say, it’s pro SouthSouth, or its anti North. But, I always tell people that there’s nothing in the bill that’s pro SouthSouth or anti North. It is all pro-Nigeria. I’ll give an example, only recently, I was in the PANDEV conference at Chief E. K. Clark’s house when people said that the PIB should be raised as one of the action points to be discussed with Mr. President. I got up and I asked the elders including E.K. Clark that what is in the bill for the SouthSouth that would make you want to discuss it as an action point with Mr. President? Somebody said the environmental issue. I said and so what?

Another said the 10 percent issue; I said no. All these don’t make the PIB a pro South-South bill.

Luckily, I went with a copy of the bill and I gave it to them. And the only area that tends to tilt in favour of the South-South is the 10 percent host community funding. And as at the time the bill was passed in the 7th Assembly, the 10 percent had been watered down to make every nook and cranny of this country a host community to pe-

Reyenieju

troleum products. So what’s pro South-South and what’s anti North? There’s nothing there.

People do not know. But because oil is in the South-South, any time issues are raised about oil, they are seen as being pro South-South. The South-South people do not control the oil. It’s the Nigerian government which controls the oil.

And each time this issue is brought up, it gives me great concern as to people casting aspersions regarding the bill itself to either be pro and anti.

And for those who keep saying that it’s pro SouthSouth, I would want to give them the benefit of the doubt and believe that they have never gone through the bill to see what it’s all about. It’s just about good governance of the oil sector. And for those who said the bill is anti North, I also want to give them the benefit of the doubt to say they haven’t gone through the bill to know what’s in it for the North and what is for the South. It’s purely a pro-Nigeria law. There’s nothing in support of the South-South and nothing negative as been against anti North.

I still have the bill in the House which I submitted about a year and six months ago, and I’m waiting for it to go through the second reading and it’s been delayed for obvious reason. And so many other versions of the bill have been coming in from the ministry and the office of the minister, so I’m waiting. But unfortunately, I have my doubts if the bill will be able to see the light of the day in the 8th Assembly, I doubt it.

You said you don’t believe it has been politicised. What else can you call the deliberate delay of the document that has been considered very crucial to the economic survival of Nigeria with regards to oil?

I think it just has to do with getting used to your old system and wanting to use the old sys-

A situation where the party in power doesn’t even see the need to push the bill through just like they push the budget through is really disheartening. That’s the same way they should have pushed the PIB through, because the PIB provides money for the budget to run. So how come you do not want to sanitise the sector that gives the impetus for the budget to run?

tem to work in present day realities. People who have been running the oil industry since the 1950s when oil was discovered are used to a particular practice and have not come to terms with the fact that a lot of things would change, and now they see it as not being in their favour. And I think that’s where we have the problem. But regarding the politicisation of the bill, I really don’t see politics being an issue. It has to do with the players; the international oil companies themselves who don’t want the bill to go the way it is.

Well, you can call it economic politics, because while some of the issues have to do with the foreign oil majors, others deal with operators, and you also cannot exonerate the NNPC completely from that complexity. They are also involved.

These are people that tend to protect the old order, they don’t want to see the emergence of the new order to take care of current realities on ground.

The present realities are that things must run with the jet age-computerised world which most people are not really used to.

I strongly believe that most of the things you see as politics is something playing out between party A and party B. But, we are talking about a mono -product which the economy of this country rests on. So every party in government should strive to sustain that mono product so that the nation can keep moving forward. But a situation where the party in power doesn’t even see the need to push the bill through just like they push the budget through is really disheartening.

That’s the same way they should have pushed the PIB through, because the PIB provides money for the budget to run. So how come you do not want to sanitise the sector that gives the impetus for the budget to run? But every year, you keep pushing the budget to go through. Is it that we are comfortable and satisfied with what we have and where we are? That question is now left for the government in power to see what to do with the PIB. My concern is about the host communities. How do the host communities see the fact that the PIB is not coming up, as a lawmaker representing host communities from Delta State?

Coincidentally, before now, the people have never agitated to be paid money directly to keep an eye on or to protect oil infrastructure or government assets. But because things are changing, people now want to see that government is more related and involved with the grassroots.

People no longer want any intermediary between them and government in terms of transmitting benefits. People now are saying that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has not worked for them.

Ordinarily, the NDDC is supposed to be an interventionist agency which was primarily created to cater for the needs of the people that produce the oil. But if you ask an ordinary man on the street, he would tell you that they don’t even feel the impact of the NDDC. So they want a direct involvement; a bottom-up approach, where if they want roads, they say pay me my money CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

BETTY ARAMAH

I formerly known and addressed as BETTY IFEOMA DENNIS now wish to be known and addressed as BETTY ARAMAH. All former documents remain valid.

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ADELANA ADESHINA FATAI

IGE VICTORIA OLUWAFUNMILAYO

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EGHOBAMIEN NUWAGUE THOMAS

I formerly known and addressed as JIMOH FATAI ADESHINA now wish to be known and addressed as ADELANA ADESHINA FATAI All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as EGHOBAMIEN THOMAS EMMANUEL now wish to be known and addressed as EGHOBAMIEN NUWAGUE THOMAS All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

JOAN BRIGHT ADEYEMO.

AMZAT-BELLO SADIAT ARINADE

I,Formerly known as Miss Joan Evelyn Agboada, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS JOAN BRIGHT ADEYEMO. All documents with the former name remain valid.

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OKONKWO BLESSING NWAKONAM

NWANKWO: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NWANKWO BLESSING NWAKONAM, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OKONKWO BLESSING NWAKONAM. All former documents remain valid.

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EKEH MARTHA IFEYINWA.

I formerly known and addressed as BELLO SADIAT ARINADE now wish to be known and addressed as AMZAT-BELLO SADIAT ARINADE All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

ONAKOYA OLUWAKEMI TEMITOPE

I formerly known and addressed as ABIODUN OLUWAKEMI TEMITOPE now wish to be known and addressed as ONAKOYA OLUWAKEMI TEMITOPE. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME:

My name was wrongly written as NWABUEZE MBAU instead of NWABUEZE MBAM and my correct date of birth is 30/2/1984. All former documents remain valid. General public to take note

NWAEZE: I, formerly known and addressed as NWAEZE UCHE PAUL, now wish to be known and addressed as MATHEW UCHE EZE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

SIMON IFESINACHI ONWE ONWE: I, formerly known and addressed as SUNDAY IFESINACHI ONWE,now wish to be known and addressed as SIMON IFESINACHI ONWE. All former documents remain valid.

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CHIME AMAKA CHIME: I, formerly known and addressed as CHIME AMAKA KINDNESS,now wish to be known and addressed as CHIME AMAKA. All former documents remain valid.

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NNAMANI UGOCHUKWU SAMPSON

CHIJIOKE JUDITH AKUNNA

ODO: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ODO JUDITH AKUNNA,now wish to be known and addressed as MRS CHIJIOKE JUDITH AKUNNA.All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

UGWU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS UGWU PROMISE IFEOMA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS CHIBUZOR PROMISE IFEOMA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ANIEDE BERNARD OKAFOR

MBA ONYINYECHI CYNTHIA. OKORO: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKORO ONYINYECHI CYNTHIA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS MBA ONYINYECHI CYNTHIA. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

IBEKWE: I, formerly known and addressed as IBEKWE ISAAC KODIRICHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as IBEKWE ISAAC OGONNA. All former documents remain valid. Fidelity bank and General public should please take note.

CHIDIEBERE JUDE CHIDIEBERE

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UGWU AUGUSTINA.

CORRECTION OF NAME

NGOZIKA: I, formerly known and addressed as UGWU AUGUSTINA NGOZIKA, now wish to be known and addressed as UGWU AUGUSTINA. All former documents remain valid.

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This is to inform the general public that my name is MRS LILY NMAGWU NWANKWO, erroneously written as MRS LILIAN / LIZZY NMAGWU NWANKWO. Born on 15-011934. Former documents remain valid. General public take

I, formerly known and addressed as, BLESSING ULUNMA DURU, now wish to be known and addressed as, BLESSING ULUNMA IGWEBUIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

EZE: I, formerly known and addressed as EZE IFEANYI NESTOR, now wish to be known and addressed as ODO VITALIS IZUCHUKWU. All former documents remain valid.

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NNAJI: I, formerly known and addressed as NNAJI UGOCHUKWU SAMPSON, now wish to be known and addressed as NNAMANI UGOCHUKWU SAMPSON. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

UGWU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS CHIZOBA ELIZABETH UGWU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS CHIZOBA ELIZABETH ENEH. All former documents remain valid.

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BLESSING ULUNMA IGWEBUIKE

NWANGUMA OLUCHI AGNES

NWANGUMA: I, formerly known and addressed as NWANGUMA OLUCHI, now wish to be known and addressed as NWANGUMA OLUCHI AGNES. All former documents remain valid.

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MBAKA ESTHER OGECHUKWU. UDEJI: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS UDEJI ESTHER OGECHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS MBAKA ESTHER OGECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OZOIKE ROSEMARY CHIOMA.

CHIZOBA ELIZABETH ENEH

GLORY IFEANYI NWACHUKWU

MATHEW UCHE EZE

COMFORT FAITH ADEYEYE

I formerly known and addressed as COMFORT OLUFUNKE OGUNKOYA now wish to be known and addressed as COMFORT FAITH ADEYEYE All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

ILIEMENE AMAUCHE MARYROSE

IBEKWE ISAAC OGONNA.

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. GLORY CHRISTOPHER RAPHAEL, now wish to be known addressed as, MRS. GLORY IFEANYI NWACHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ODO VITALIS IZUCHUKWU

MAIMUNA AISHA ADAMU

I formerly known and addressed as MAIMUNA ADAMA ALI now wish to be known and addressed as MAIMUNA AISHA ADAMU All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

NWAKOR CHRISTIAN CHUKWUEMEKA

I formerly known and addressed as OKAFOR LAWRENCE now wish to be known and addressed as NWAKOR CHRISTIAN CHUKWUEMEKA. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

AGU MARY AMAUCHECHI UGWUOZOR: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS MARY CHIKA UGWUOZOR, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AGU MARY AMAUCHECHI. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

CHUKWUNNAJI CHIJIOKE VICTOR

ADDITION OF NAME

DIJALA-AGOBA ERUVWU

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KEHINDE NOFISAT OMOLARA

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OZOIKE: I, formerly known and addressed as OZOIKE MARYROSE CHIOMA, now wish to be known and addressed as OZOIKE ROSEMARY CHIOMA. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

ODO JOSEPH ITUMA

IDOKO: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS IDOKO AMAUCHE MARYROSE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ILIEMENE AMAUCHE MARYROSE. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and General public should please take note.

That i was formerly known and addressed as ENEH PHILIP that I now wish to add EKWOCHI to my former name that I now wish to be known and addressed as EKWOCHI PHILIP ENEH. My correct date of birth is 05/05/1957. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

OGUNLEYE SAMUEL OLUWASEGUN

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

UDU: I, formerly known and addressed as UDU ONYEBUCHI ONWE, now wish to be known and addressed as ODO JOSEPH ITUMA. All former documents remain valid.

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CHUKWU: I, formerly known and addressed as MR CHUKWU CHIJIOKE VICTOR, now wish to be known and addressed as MR CHUKWUNNAJI CHIJIOKE VICTOR. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

AKINWANDE BOLANLE ELIZABETH

I formerly known and addressed as EWEJE BOLANLE ELIZABETH now wish to be known and addressed as AKINWANDE BOLANLE ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

25

ADDITION OF NAME

KABIRU IBRAHIM MUJAHEED

That i was formerly known and addressed as UGWU COLLINS that I now wish to add HENRY to my former name that I now wish to be known and addressed as UGWU COLLINS HENRY. All former documents remain valid.

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I, formerly known and addressed as MR KABIRU IBRAHIM MUJAHID, now wish to be known addressed as MR KABIRU IBRAHIM MUJAHEED. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

APUGO CHINWE QUEEN.

I, formerly known and addressed as, ONYEKWERE CHINWE QUEEN, now wish to be known and addressed as, APUGO CHINWE QUEEN. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHIDIEBERE CHIJINDU NKEMJIKA.

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

VIVIAN CHINOMSO AMAD

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS. VIVIAN CHINOMSO AKAGBUSIM, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS. VIVIAN CHINOMSO AMADI. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OKAFOR CHIMEZIE AMBROSE

I, formerly known and addressed as, CHIMEZIE AMBROS, AND VITALIS OKAFOR, now wish to be known and addressed as, OKAFOR CHIMEZIE AMBROSE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.note.

CHIDIEBERE MICHAEL PROSPER.

OKEKE: I, formerly known and addressed as OKEKE MICHAEL CHIDIEBERE, now wish to be known and addressed as MR CHIDIEBERE MICHAEL PROSPER. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, WAEC, JAMB Banks and General public should please take note.

ANIEDE: I, formerly known and addressed as ANIEDE BERNARD NWAFOR,now wish to be known and addressed as ANIEDE BERNARD OKAFOR. All former documents remain valid.

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CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm and certify that AGU JUDE UGOCHUKWU, AGU JUDE CHUKWUEMEKA and AGU JUDE CHRISTOPHER refer to one and the same person as AGU JUDE UGOCHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public should please take note

This is to confirm and certify that SERAH CHIKA SOLOMON, HELLEN NWANKWO SERAH, CHIKA SOLOMON and UWADIEGWU SERAH CHIKArefer to one and the same person as UWADIEGWU SERAH CHIKA. All former documents remain valid.

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PAUL OJONUGWA LAWRENCE.

I, formerly known and addressed as OGBANJE OJONUGWA PAUL, now wish to be known addressed as PAUL OJONUGWA LAWRENCE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

MANIBA KELVIN BARIZAA

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

IROBIE PAUL OBIOMA I, formerly known and addressed as, IROBIE PAUL CHIGOZIE, AND IROBOE PAUL OBIOMA, now wish to be known and addressed as, IROBIE PAUL OBIOMA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OKORO PAULINE OBIANUJU.

I, formerly known and addressed as, MANIBA KELVIN BARIZAA KOO, now wish to be known and addressed as, MANIBA KELVIN BARIZAA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

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

ADDITION OF NAME I, OKOJIE DEBORAH LAURA, wish to add, LAURA, to my name which was formerly, OKOJIE DEBORAH, in my account details. That I now wish to be known and addressed as, OkOJIE DEBORAH LAURA. All former documents remain valid.

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CORRECTION OF NAMES I, AKEEM ADESHINA WALE, wish to correct my name which was wrongly written as, AKHEEM, instead of, AKEEM. I now wish to be known and addressed as, AKEEM ADESHINA WALE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHIBUZOR PROMISE IFEOMA.

ADDITION OF NAME That i was formerly known and addressed as ANTHONY SOCHUKWUMA ONOVO that I now wish to add CHARLES to my former name that I now wish to be known and addressed as ANTHONY CHARLES SOCHUKWUMA ONOVO. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

AMADI EUCHARIA

I, formerly known and addressed as IBE EUCHARIA UGOCHI, now wish to be known and addressed as, AMADI EUCHARIA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

FRIDAY IGBAGI

I, formerly known and addressed as, FRIDAY AKOMAYE, now wish to be known and addressed as, FRIDAYI GBAGI. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, EZINNE KIMBERLY UMEH, AND EZINNE CHIMDINMA UMEH, refer to one and same person but, now wish to be known and addressed as, EZINNE KIMBERLY UMEH. All former documents remain valid.

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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

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News 28

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

LBS gets landmark global accreditation Benjamin Omoike

A cross section of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officials, during the flag-off of the 2016 Guinness/FRSC Ember months’ campaign with theme: Responsible Drinking, at Ketu Garage in Lagos… recently. Photo: BOLAJI OLASUNKANMI.

LGs under states, Aregbesola replies Dogara Sodiq Adekunle, Osogbo Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, has said that local governments are absolutely under the control and ambience of the states.

He insisted that the only organ of the state empowered by the constitution to make laws for the local government is the state parliament.

Recall that Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, recently criticized state governors over use of allocation to Local Government council, urging them to stop interfering in the running of the councils.

But Aregbesola described the belief in some quarters that local governments in Nigeria should be independent of state governments “as totally strange and anti-federalism”.

Aregbesola stated these both at the courtesy visit and conferment of Nwannedinamba Ndigbo of Osun State and Ezinne Ndigbo of Osun State on him and his wife respectively by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Osun State

OLUWATOSIN TOLULOPE LAWAL.

OLUWATOSIN: Formerly known and addressed as MISS. OLUWATOSIN TOLULOPE ADEFEMI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OLUWATOSIN TOLULOPE LAWAL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OPEYEMI AYO-FAMURE.

AWONIYI: Formerly known and addressed as MISS. AWONIYI OPEYEMI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OPEYEMI AYO-FAMURE. All former documents remain valid.

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chapter in partnership with the Association of Ndi Ezeigbo N’uzo Ije (Diaspora) and the South-East Council of Traditional Rulers at the 2016 Igbo Cultural Festival tagged, Odenigbo 2016 at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

He noted that there are only two tiers of government in a federal system of government, namely the Federal government and the government at the federating level.

Aregbesola stressed that it was awkward for Nigeria to be the only Federation in the world where there is only one police system.

He noted it was also strange for the Federal Government and the constitution not to allow for police in the federating units of the country.

The Governor held that the problems with local government administration in the country could be corrected within the laws of the states in Nigeria.

He said: “Nigeria is not just a Republic, but a Federal Republic, a federal state is where every distinction of nationality is recognised, respect-

OKOLIA IFEYINWA GLORIA DANIELA

UZOEZIE: Formerly known and addressed as MISS. UZOEZIE IFEYINWA GLORIA DANIELA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OKOLIA IFEYINWA GLORIA DANIELA. All former documents remain valid.

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ADEBOYE FUNMILAYO CAROLINE

Formerly known and addressed as MISS. OGUNLEYE FUNMILAYO CAROLINE ADERONKE , now wish to be known and addressed as ADEBOYE FUNMILAYO CAROLINE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

ed and honoured. None of the units of the Federation is therefore superior to the other. Every of the units are empowered by law to administer themselves under the general guideline of the constitution.

“Few things are awkward about federalism in Nigeria. Nigeria is the only federating nation in the world where there is only one Police system.

Nigeria’s federation is strange to the extent that only one police force maintains law and order.

“In other federations, there will be some Federal Police force and other federating unit police. Nigerian nationality and people must seek to correct this abnormality.

“Another anomaly that people, because of their frustration to some aspect of administration, are equally making mistake on and need correction is that a federation has two tiers of government. There cannot be three tiers in a federation. The moment you have three tiers, you no longer have a federation.”

Aregbesola emphasised that it was not by assaulting the fundamental

AISHAT JULIET TOBA

AISHAT: Formerly known and addressed as AISHAT JULIET ALHASSAN ALOLO, now wish to be known and addressed as AISHAT JULIET TOBA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

EDOKUN MARY OMOLABAKE

OGUNTIMEHIN: Formerly known and addressed as OGUNTIMEHIN MARY OMOLABAKE, now wish to be known and addressed as EDOKUN MARY OMOLABAKE. All former documents remain valid.

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principle of federalism that the challenges and weakness being faced by the administration of local governments would be corrected.

The Governor enjoined the Igbo community in the state to join in the debate of whether the nation wants federalism or unitary system of government.

He added: “We can be who we are without rancour and doing away with what can bring rancour. We should recognise our differences and avoid hurting one another.

“What will clearly eliminate the hate, the sharp clarity is having good government that will work hard to expand opportunities such that it is not your ethnicity that will determine your benefit, but your citizenship and your commitment to your work.”

High Chief John Emeka, who led the traditional Igbo title holders in the South-West region, commended Governor Aregbesola for his leadership style, stating that they have been monitoring the progress of the state before they decided to bestow on him the Igbo title.

AMAEFUNA COSMAS EKENE

EZE: Formerly known and addressed as EZE NEABUEZE, now wish to be known and addressed as AMAEFUNA COSMAS EKENE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AMAEFUNA COSMAS EKENE

EZE: Formerly known and addressed as EZE NEABUEZE, now wish to be known and addressed as AMAEFUNA COSMAS EKENE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

The Lagos Business School (LBS) has become the first institution in West Africa to be accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). With effect from December 1, 2016, LBS joined the league of less than five percent of business schools globally to be accredited by this body.

AACSB is the leading global accreditation body for business schools offering undergraduate, masters and doctorate degrees in Business and Accounting. Founded in 1916, AACSB has its headquarters at Tampa, Florida, United States of America and is the largest business education network, linking students, academia and businesses to advance the cause of business education around the world.

By the feat of AACSB Accreditation, LBS has once more distinguished itself as a management education provider of high repute in Africa. Only four other schools in the entire continent have this accreditation; three in South Africa and one in Egypt.

With poverty in the land there can’t be peace -Cleric Abiodun Taiwo, Abeokuta As the federal and state governments are striving to face the security challenges facing the country, a cleric, Venerable Abiodun Oyindamola Oriola, the Provost of African Church, Owu Totoro Abeokuta has called on all tiers of government to as a matter of urgency stamped out poverty among Nigerians.

Ven Oriola, who made the call at the thanksgiving service to commence the 2016 Press Week of the Ogun state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Sunday, advised government to make the well-being of the masses a priority in every scheme of things with a view to stamping out poverty in the country.

He also charged government to also improve the working conditions of the workforce to achieve the desired results for enhanced National Development.

The Provost also harped on the need for the authorities to formulate policies and programmes that will rid the country of corrupt tendencies and enhance human development also advised the nation’s leaders to get it right and improve on the wellbeing of the citizenry.

16

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

Business News B2

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

NBC switches Abuja to digital broadcasting Dec 13 Tony Nwakaegho

ETISALAT

L-R: Chief Product &Information Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Otuyemi Otule; Managing Director/CEO, Wema Bank , Segun Oloketuyi; CEO Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Mathew Willsher and Director Digital Business, Etisalat Nigeria, Adia Sowho at the launch of WemaEasy Savers in Lagos…weekend.

Dangote, OCP Group sign MoU on fertilizer production Charles Okonji As part of its efforts towards boosting the Nigerian agricultural sector and creating the needed jobs for the teeming population, the Dangote Group and the OCP Group of Morocco on Friday in Abuja signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to bolster fertilizer production and business in the country.

The Dangote-OCP partnership is expected to lead to the creation of an integrated African platform and a global leader in fertilizer production, a statement from the Dangote group said.

The collaboration between the two African conglomerates will help the Dangote Group mix the mass deposit of phosphate in Morocco with the gas potential in Nigeria in the production of fertilizer for the development of the agricultural sub sector in Africa.

President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, said the agreement will support Nigeria’s effort to attain food security, create jobs and address rural urban drift.

Both the OCP of Morocco and Mr. Dangote, during the meeting, indicated that more than two million tonnes of customised fertilizer would be imported from Morocco in the next three years.

In his presentation, Mr. Dangote said of the $2.8billion total investment, $2.5 had already been committed to the fertilizer project by the Dangote Group, while seeing a growth from 3.6MT fertilizer capacity in 2018, to 4.6MT in 2020.

He said by the time it starts operation in December 2017, the 3million tons capacity Urea Plant will be the biggest in Africa, and as well the second largest in the world.

According to him, the effort will bolster Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings, improve government revenue, create jobs, increase yield per hectare and

further grow the GDP in the agricultural sub sector.

“The Joint Venture shall become the powerhouse of fertilizers to make Africa self-sufficient in fertilizers,” he added.

Chairman of the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) Eddie Efekoha, has joined other insurance players to applaud the step taken by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to bring the regulator’s inspectorate department closer to underwriters.

The Chairman, at a media parley in Lagos, said that the decision would help the industry reduce cost especially now that the economy is in recession and organizations looking for means to reduce their overheads.

He noted that the development would engender productivity and efficiency, stressing that the decision would impact the industry positively.

“I have not had any interaction with the leadership of NAICOM on this matter, whatever I say is based on what you have reported in your various media.

I think that it does make sense, if over 95 per cent of the operators are based in Lagos, particularly those in the underwriting segment of our industry. It does make sense that those who have daily and regularly contact with them are just next door to them.

“It brings about productivity and efficiency. They are there, they do not need to catch any

flight from Abuja to Lagos, especially these days that you have to spend the day trying to catch a flight to and fro. There is so much loss of man hours for an activity that would not last one hour. So, if we are all in Lagos, one hour will become one hour.

I think overall, it would pay us all.

“On the strength of that, if you ask me, I would say, it is a good development that the Inspectorate Department is brought back.

The headship of that department would only need to fly to the headquarters for meetings.

But the regular contact would be in the overall interest of the industry,” he said.

Why FG’s nominee to chair NERC board rejected offer Opeoluwani Akintayo

Dangote

NIA lauds NAICOM over relocation of inspectorate dept Kayode Adelowokan

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) will switch over to digital broadcasting in Abuja on December 13.

NBC stated that it remains committed to migrating from the analogue to digital broadcasting that will change the broadcasting industry in Nigeria.

Mallam Is’haq Modibbo, Director General NBC, disclosed this during the meeting with licensed set-top-boxes manufacturers and signal distributors in Abuja that the commission was committed to ensuring s successful rollout of the Abuja digital switch-over (DSO).

The meeting which was a follow-up to it preparation for the DSO and the Set-Top-Box manufacturers plead their readiness towards a successful DSO in Abuja while giving the breakdown of the number of Boxes they will be supplying for the Abuja rollover.

Meanwhile, NAICOM staff who embarked on industrial action on rejection of the directive to relocate the department from Abuja to Lagos had returned to work following the order of the Federal Ministry of Finance.

The Daily Times reports that the employees under the aegis of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) last week embarked on strike describing the relocation of the inspectorate department, as an attempt to punished some of its members.

For the second time in one month, President Muhammadu Buhari’s nominee for the position of chairman of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Professor Akintunde Akinwande, refused to present himself for Senate screening on Wednesday, November 30.

According to a source close to the helm of affairs, told Business Times that Prof. Akinwande would have loved to take up the appointment but for the already bastardised state of Nigeria’s economy.

The United States-based professor of engineering had once failed to appear before the Senate for screening which was interpreted as his rejection of the appointment from the President Buhari led government.

Then, the presidency swiftly denied the reports and claimed that Akinwande was simply trying to formalise his resignation from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, (MIT) where he works.

However on November 30 at a second screening session convened by the Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe-led committee, Akinwande was absent again.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday December 5, 2016

APC accuses PDP of plot to deploy fake security agents for polls Amaka Agbu, Port Harcourt

ÏÏÏ

The Rivers state chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC), says it has credible intelligence that the governor of the state, Chief Nyesom Wike, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have concluded plans to deploy fake soldiers, policemen and other security agencies.

The APC said in a press statement it issued on Sunday that the plot by the PDP and Gov. Wike was meant to justify the wild allegations the governor had been making against the Independent National Election Commission (INEC), the Inspector-General of Police, Rivers state Police Commissioner and other stakeholders in the weeks leading to the rerun elections.

The press statement signed by the APC Chairman in Rivers State, Chief Davies Ikanya, stated that the intelligence report indicated that the PDP and Governor Wike were branding Hilux trucks similar to the ones used by security agents at an undisclosed location. He further claimed: “They are alleged to have also cloned and produced various uniforms belonging to security agencies especially the Nigeria Police and special military camouflage for the purpose of infiltrating the security agencies and invading communities where rerun elections will take place on December 10 to hijack electoral materials and perpetrate other electoral mischief.”

The APC also claimed that several National Youth Service Corp, NYSC uniforms complete with APC tags had been sown for the use of which PDP thugs who would wear them while thumbprint ballot papers on Election Day to implicate the APC.

According to the APC chairman, the governor’s plan was to be executed in all the areas where elections would take place, but with emphasis on Rivers South-East, Senator Magnus Abe’s stronghold.

The APC alleged that Wike and the PDP maintained a private army of armed gang under Solomon Ndigbara. It said: “Solomon Ndigbara has been confirmed to be under the protection of Gov. Wike and have been living in Government House, Port Harcourt even as a wanted person by Nigerian security agencies.”

The APC chairman said that the party welcomed the decision of the Inspector-General of Police to provide 20,000 officers and men of the force for the rerun elections. “We also urge sister security agencies to support the Police to ensure a violence-free rerun election on December 10.

We call on the security agencies to ensure that their ranks are not infiltrated by PDP gunmen dressed in cloned uniforms of the various security services,” Chief Ikanya said.

In another press statement, the APC wondered why Governor Wike appeared to be particularly interested in the security arrangements made by APC candidates as the rerun elections approached.

According to the party, “the APC finds this matter quite worrisome because ordinarily the governor should not be bothered by security arrangements people make for themselves in the face of general insecurity that presently pervades our once peaceful state now under his watch. It is all too well known that he lacks the moral grounds to genuinely fight insecurity having caused it ab initio.

4, 020 benefit from Hon John Owan scholarships ÏÏÏThe Senator represent-

ing central senatorial district of Cross River state, Senator John Owan-Enoh, has given scholarship to 4020 students cut across the six local government areas where he represented.

Speaking while presenting the cheques on Sunday, Senator Owan-Enoh said that the scholarship which amounted to over N70 million was the biggest scholarship awarded by institutions or individuals in the state since 1999.

He said the award did not commensurate with what the people did for him by given

him their mandates to represent them, ‘Some months ago I bought a motivational speaker who came and interacted with the students’ He said that the team discovered that most of the students could not make it because of financial program.

He disclosed that the money will be paid into various schools of beneficiaries.

The Senator however pleaded with some persons whose names were omitted will be sorted out. He thanked the people for given him opportunity to represent them.

7 News

Lagos to float N60bn bond Benjamin Omoike

ÏÏÏ The Lagos State Gov-

ernment says it is set to go to the capital market to float a bond of N60 billion this month for infrastructural development.

The N60 billion bond is the first tranche of the N500 billion bond series the Lagos State House of Assembly approved for the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode administration few months ago in which the government will be drawing from the bond in tranches.

Commissioner for Finance, Akinyemi Ashade disclosed this at the weekend at the Annual General Meeting, AGM,

of Bond series and rating programme held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.

Ashade said government needed deficit financing for the purpose of undergoing massive infrastructural development across the state, adding that the strength of the state government’s Internally Generated Revenue, IGR qualified it for deficit financing, as means of paying back easily were on ground.

The commissioner disclosed that the state government was drawing N60 billion bond from the N500 billion bond approved by the Assembly for the state recently and that the bond would be floated

this month and any moment from now.

He said by next year, the government would draw another N100 billion bond from the N500 billion bond approved by the Assembly for the state throughout the period of the current administration.

Ashade disclosed that the Security Excahnge Commission, SEC, was already in the state to assess the projects the bond would cater for, saying that the commission would be able to give the state the nod to go ahead anytime from now as it had inspected the projects.

However, on the AGM, which was on the three pre-

vious bonds entered in by the state government, the commissioner said the bonds were used in executing worthwile projects across the state.

The bonds are: N57.5 billion fixed rated programme 1, Series 2 bond of 2010 with a maturity date of 2017; N80 billion fixed rated programme 2, Series 1 bond of 2012 which will mature in 2019 and N87.5 billion fixed rated programme 2, Series 2 bond of 2013 with a maturity period of 2020.

Ashade said Lagos, being the most populous city in SubSaharan Africa and the 5th largest economy in Africa due to its Gross Domestic Product, GDP size, was often faced with infrastructural challenges.

L-R: Business mogul, Chief Adebisi Edionseri; former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo during the Investiture of Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu as Vice Patron of the Abeokuta Sports Club 1904…in Abeokuta, Ogun State…at the weekend.

Ambode mourns former Minister, Olubi Benjamin Omoike

ÏÏÏ

Lagos state governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Sunday expressed shock and sadness over the death of foremost accountant and a former Minister of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Bola Kuforiji-Olubi.

Dr. Olubi, who was a former President of Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN), was appointed the first female Chairman of United Bank of Africa (UBA) in 1984, passed on at the age of 80 on Saturday.

Governor Ambode in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, described Dr. Olubi as a distinguished businesswoman, banker, economist and accountant, who cut her teeth in the corporate world.

The Governor recalled the former minister’s decades of distinguished career in the private and public sectors of national life, saying she was a role model to the future generation.

“Dr. Olubi was a woman of many firsts; she wrote

her name in gold in the banking industry and was a pace-setter and leader in banking, manufacturing and entrepreneurship not only in Nigeria but also in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“It was not surprising that she was a proud and well-deserved recipient of National honours, fellowships, awards and honorary degrees from within and outside the country,’’ Governor Ambode said.

The Governor said Dr. Olubi’s legacies would continue to be a source of inspiration to the younger generation.

Governor Ambode also prayed for the peaceful repose of her soul, urging her family to draw strength from the legacies she stood for while she was alive and the fact that she was a devout Christian.

“On behalf of my family and the people of Lagos state, I want to express our heartfelt condolence to the family of Dr. Olubi, on this great and irreparable loss.

“I had always admired her demeanor. She was a woman of true character, substance and quiet nobility. We will sorely miss her,” he said.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

The Anambra Times 3 Anambra now Nigeria’s most popular investment destination - Obiano ÏÏÏAnambra

L-R: Reproductive Health Coordinator, Ministry of Health Anambra State, Mrs. Ebele Anaeme; Head of Local Government Administration, Njikoka Local Government Council, Mrs. Chinyere Nkaneme; wife of Anambra State Governor, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano and wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oby Okeke, during the tour of Primary Health Centres at EnugwuAgidi Primary Healthcare centre, Njikoka Local Government Area, Anambra State...recently

Obiano reiterates plan to convert college to education varsity ÏÏÏGovwenor

Willie Obiano of Anambra State has reiterated his resolve to convert the Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe to a university of education to enable it to award degrees.

Speaking at the 17th convocation ceremony of the college for 2014 to 2016 graduands in Nsugbe on Friday, Obiano said that plans were at the final stage to realise the project.

“What we want is for this place to become a university of education and we know that it will soon happen,” Obiano said.

The governor, represented by the Commissioner for Education, Prof.

Kate Omenugha, said the conversion would strengthen teacher education and expressed delight that 25 courses offered by the college had been accredited by the National Commission of Colleges of Education (NCCE).

He promised to look into the request for the implementation of Consolidated Tertiary Salary

Structure for Colleges of Education (CONTENDES) when the internally generated revenue of the state improved.

Obiano urged the graduands to apply the knowledge acquired in the college to improve their lives and the society.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Governing Council of the college, Mr Cletus Ibeto, lauded Obiano for approving N80 million bailout fund for the institution between July and October.

Ibeto commended the governor for 90 per cent salary increase for the staff and appointing members of the council after 12 years without a council.

The chairman said the council had blocked all the internally-general revenue leakages.

In her remarks, the Provost of the college, Dr. Ego Uzezie, appealed to the governor to release the 2016 capital vote for the renovation of buildings and purchase of vehicles.

Uzezie urged Obiano to include the school’s medical centre in the government’s community projects and provide scholarship awards to indigent students.

She listed some of her achievements to include on-line examinations, computerisation of bursary department and construction of school of arts and social sciences building, among others.

The provost said that the conversion of the college to a university would boost its strength, encourage the staff and student and also increases its revenues.

Miss Vivian Okoye who studied economics-mathematics, emerged the overall best for 2014 session, Miss Amuche Emodi of the mathematics/physics emerged the overall best for 2015 while Mr Ekene Okoro, also of mathematics/physics department, was the overall best student for 2016.

They were given N50,000 cash prize each and other endowments.

Obiano lights up Amansea, Arthur Eze Avenue

ÏÏÏ

Determined to transform Awka, the Anambra State capital, Governor Willie Obiano, has commissioned yet additional street lighting projects in Amansea and Arthur Eze Avenue within the capital territory.

Commissioning the street light projects, Gov. Obiano said the street lights which spans the 6.7 kilometer road from Agu Awka to Amansea town and the 2 kilometer Arthur Eze Avenue within Awka municipality would bring the total number of roads with street lights done by his administration to 82.6 kilometers.

He stated that the essence of the lighting project was to further strengthen security and to attract night life in the state to boost socio -economic activities.

Obiano maintained that the street lights would be replicated in other major cities in the state, such as Nnewi, Onitsha and various communities.

He regretted that Arthur Eze Avenue in which the major market in Awka is located had been in darkness, thereby deterring the rate of economic growth, saying that the installation of street on the road would encourage night trading.

The Governor revealed that the present Christmas decorations done within Awka were freely donated and done by a philanthropist in the state, Mr. Tony Ezeani, while that of Onitsha was done by Emma Bishop Okonkwo, as their contributions to transform the face of the state.

The Governor while lamenting the difficulties faced by workers in the state due to the recent economic hardship in the country promised that he will ensure regular payment of salaries, and leave allowances as well the distribution of a bag of rice to every worker in the state before Christmas.

State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, at the weekend, said the state has become Nigeria’s most popular investment destination with over five billion US dollars investment attracted in two years.

The Governor was speaking during the opening ceremony of the Joint Trade Fair of all the Chambers of Commerce in the state tagged, “The Jubilee Fair.”

The trade fair with the theme, “to harness Anambra’s natural resources for non-oil exports as a world class trade hub”, was packaged with awareness of high standard expected of an international trade fair.

His words: “Ndi Anambra, this trade fair could not have come at a better time. Anambra is indeed ready for the world. First, this is our 25th anniversary as a state.

“Second, Anambra is Nigeria’s safest state at the moment and thirdly, our beloved state has become Nigeria’s most popular investment destination with over five billion dollars investment attracted in two years.

“We are indeed in a better place today. Everything seems to be working in our favour. We have shaken

off the dark days of violent armed robbery, kidnapping, child trafficking, and bloody shootout between rival gangs.

“We have made bold efforts to bring home our illustrious sons and daughter together on the altar of brotherhood. As a government, we know what our people expect from us and we are not relenting in our efforts to surpass the expectations of Ndi Anambra”.

The trade fair has seen over 100 business merchants from Anambra and environs with high expectations of attracting international business brands and investors who will tap into the commercial potentials of the state and step up the export potentials of the state.

Hundreds of business pavilions have been erected at the Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square Awka, the venue for the Trade Fair.

Various products on display ranged from agriculture and forestry, food and beverage and IT and Technology industries and the Governor was again blown away by the standard of the event as organized by the coalition of the three chambers of commerce in Anambra state for the first time.

Awka Millennium City Housing estate takes off ÏÏÏ The first phase of

a Millennium City Housing Estate in Awka, the Anambra State capital, is to be ready in the next eighteen months.

This was disclosed to newsmen in Awka during an MOU signing ceremony between the Anambra State government and Arut International Limited at the Governors Lodge, Amawbia, recently.

Governor Obiano while signing the MoU documents, noted that the Millennium City project worth a total of N16.77 billion would bring to ten the number of investors which his administration had attracted in real estate development into the state while a total of 28 investors have signed MoUs with the state government across various sectors of the state economy.

The governor, who noted that the landmark initiative of his administration has been key to its success in attracting investors into the state, said with the challenges of dollar exchange rate, the present administration is doing backward integration to ensure that the state is able to produce much of what it consumes.

He stressed that the housing estate project would be established on 1,157 plots of land, adding that the state would contribute N2.01 billion and the developer, N14.76 billion.

He urged real estate developers in the state to support the greenery revolution initiative of his government by avoiding felling of generic

trees which do not stand in the way of their construction work.

The governor further tasked the investor to expedite the pace of work on the site to ensure that the project is delivered on schedule.

He maintained that the project with a time lag of 18 months, would see the investor establish sites and services including roads, water and power projects, police post, hospital, shopping mall and other complements of a standard housing estate.

Earlier, the Chairman of ANSIPPA and traditional ruler of Umuoji, Igwe Cyril Enweze, described the project as a flagship investment in that it is being executed by a renowned citizen of the state as well as because of the employment prospects it holds for the state.

The Chairman of the investing company, Senator Annie Okonkwo, represented by the Managing Director of the company, Mr. Makiavelli Okafor, said they are committed to ensuring that the project is executed in record time and in compliance with the stipulations of the MoU. In his remarks, the Managing Director, Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), Mr. Mike Okonkwo, assured that his agency will follow through to ensure that the project is done according to the development manual introduced to control infrastructural development in the capital territory.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

19

Treasury looters buying up foodstuffs to cause hike, says monarch Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

ÎÎÎThe

continued increase in the prices of foodstuffs and other commodities in Nigerian markets has been largely attributed to the activities of corrupt individuals who have looted the treasury of the nation looking for ways to discredit President Muhammadu Buhari led government of the All Progressive Congress, APC due to its anti-corruption fight.

Emir of Borgu Kingdom, His Royal Highness, Barr. Mohammadu Sani Dantoro Kitoro IV, said this while fielding questions from journalists during the presentation of Letter of appointment of “Mabudin Borgu” to the Director General of Think Nigeria First Initiative

(TNFI), Amb. Abubakar Tsanni, at the weekend in Abuja.

The monarch said that those who embezzled the common wealth of the nation have been going to markets across the country using their agents to buy up foods mostly grains, beans, rice and other items and hoard with the sole aim of causing price hike and untold hardship to the masses.

He said: “We all know what we went through in the last sixteen years that at a point some people were said to have stolen hundreds of millions in foreign currency and billions of naira from the coffers of the nation and hid in weird places.”

According to him, the same individual who have stolen this money are the ones using

the same money to cause hardship for Nigerians because the government is after them.

“People are buying foodstuffs to create artificial scarcity using the resources they looted from the government of Nigeria. They hoard foodstuffs so that there will be scarcity in the country and make people suffer, and this is inhuman.

What do you want the government to do in such scenario?”

Giving an analogy, the Emir narrated how he averted the situation in his kingdom saying “When I found out that this kind of situation was happening in my emirate, I took certain decisions irrespective of the rights any individual has to buy or sell goods and properties because part of the discharge of the

responsibilities bestowed on me is to make sure that my people don’t suffer unjustly.

“We saw people bringing millions of naira to buy foodstuffs, taking them away from our people and the prices of foodstuff became very high beyond the reach of the common man. So, I summoned a security meeting including all the District Heads and we took a decision at that meeting that nobody will be allow to move out with a large quantity of foodstuffs.

At that time a Mudu of local rice was sold between N500 to N600 but today with the decision that we have taken, rice is being sold between N200 to N250 per Mudu.”

The Emir, whose late father Sen. Halliru Dantoro (Kitoro

III) Maiborgu Kingdom was said be instrumental to the merger that gave birth to the APC, said that the aim of the merger by the defunct political parties has been achieved urging Nigerians to be more patience with Mr President adding that ‘Rome was not built in a day’ as the President was working round the clock to fix the economy back on track for the betterment of all.

Speaking further on the merger, the lawyer cum monarch posited: “At the time, our late father thought there was the need to come together and have a very formidable force to salvage Nigeria. It was a very good thinking and he did that because he wanted Nigeria to remain as one and for the common man to be able to say this is my country.

Recession: Group advocates education for youths on crisis Titus Akhigbe, Benin

ÎÎÎThe need to educate and

encourage Nigerian youths to believe in themselves rather than lamenting the current economic situation in the country has been advocated.

By so doing, it will help in creating awareness among the youths to make themselves available for the youth empowerment programmes envisioned by the Federal and the various state governments.

These were the words of the Managing Director and founder of the Great Tigress, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Francess Ewien Osanakpa, a body, she said, was put together for the purpose of empowering youths to be equal partners in the process of change and to advocate for youth rights and voice in mental health and other systems that serve them, Osanakpa who spoke at the launching of the NGO in Benin said having realised that today’s generation of young people was the largest the World has ever known because one in every three persons living today is under the age of 30 years, therefore it has become important to educate their mind to assimilate the current global situation.

According to her, having realised that the challenge of empowering the youths by creating enough jobs to engage them is one of the major challenges the entire world is facing today, the Great Tigress believe that once their mind is prepared towards this, the problem is half solved.

“We envisioned that the present and future youths will play a big role in how the world adapts to these challenges, it is now left on our shoulder to provide these supportive environment and opportunities by making this NGO a success by achieving our dream of creating a platform where youths are empowered financially and mentally.

“The Great Tigress also envisaged that developing the youth for leadership is a big challenge and as such, we need to adopt a system in which every youth that enters a youth serving system is prepared for life through genuine opportunities and authentic involvement throughout all systems levels so that no youth falls through the cracks “However, we will help to guide the redevelopment of the systems so that no youth falls through the cracks and also advocate for youth to utilise their power and expertise to foster change in their own lives and their communities.

Accident scene at Game village, Sun City road, Abuja… at the weekend.

FG to aid Sokoto on ICT development, says minister Andrew Orolua, Abuja

ÎÎÎThe

Federal Government said it will assist Sokoto with expertise and other logistics to ensure rapid development of ICT in the state.

Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, stated this when he visited Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal at the weekend.

“We will deploy logistics and personnel to assist the state government develop its ICT sector. Already, appreciable level of progress has been achieved but we hope to expand into critical areas like agriculture, education and healthcare delivery. We have also discussed

issue of digitisation and our overall objective is to improve the socio-economic life of the people of the state using ICT,” a statement issued Sunday by Tambuwal’s spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, quoted the minister as saying.

According to Shittu, the FG is seeking to tap into vast talents available in Sokoto and other parts of the country to create an ICT hub, adding that the aim is to bring the benefit of ICT revolution to the Caliphate state.

He said Sokoto has a long history of scholarship, and is one of the few states to have an improving quality of leadership in the country.

“Governor Tambuwal has

brought in a new vista into governance and I am happy to say we can work with him to bring about positive impact to the lives of the people using ICT,” Shittu added.

In his remarks, Tambuwal said Sokoto will leverage on the modest achievements recorded in the ICT sector in the last one year, and welcomed the opportunity to partner the Federal Government for the benefit of the state.

He said his administration has “extensively applied ICT in various spheres of governance,” and will continue to do so because the new method enhances good governance and helps in tackling corruption at all levels.

News FG shops for replacements as NCAA, NAMA chiefs set for retirement Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

ÏÏÏBarring any last-minute

manipulations, the Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Usman Muktar and the Acting Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engineer Emmanuel Anasi are set to leave the system this December if the Public Service Rules (PSR) are anything to go by.

Investigation by Daily Times revealed that both men have reached either the mandatory retirement age or have spent the number of years required for public service as the laws of the country dictates.

The PSR 020810 (i): the compulsory retirement age for all grades in the service shall be 60 years or 35 years’ pensionable service whichever is earlier,’ and by December 6, 2016, the NCAA DG will be 60 years which makes him eligible for compulsory retirement.

The PSR 020810 (ii) further states: “No officer shall be allowed to remain inn service after attaining 60 years or 35 years of pensionable service whichever comes earlier” meaning also that the NAMA acting MD who has spent 35 years in service in November is also eligible for a terminal leave.

However, there are rife indications that that the acting MD is working towards a confirmation to be substantive managing directive despite being caught by the rule and that is why he has not proceeded on his terminal leave.

Sources in the Ministry of Aviation say they are however cognizant of the situation and already are bringing it to the Ministry’s chief executive for action.

Director General NCAA, Captain Mukhtar Usman was confirmed substantive director general in 2015 who flew for the defunct Nigeria Airways before a stint as the Commissioner/ CEO of the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB).

The Ag. MD of NAMA, was former Director of Engineering, before he was directed by Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi was told to act in the stead of Managing Director, Ibrahim Abdulsalam who is currently in court with other top agency officials for alleged N6.8bn fraud against the agency.

B5

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

in the market coincided with developments in the oil market where OPEC members reached an agreement to cut production by 1.2mb/d. The announcement already triggered a rally in oil prices to US$54.1/b. The uptrend in the ASI also ensured a positive opening for the market into the Price Chg %

month of December. In addition, performance was driven by renewed interest in Oil & Gas and Banking stocks with the share prices of .

NSE All Share Index

Naira Value (m)

29,500

13,000 OANDO (+9.3%).

gain maybe linked to the recently released

regulatory filing of the divestment of ExxonMobil Oil Corporation shares to

9,500

27,000

NIPCO Investment Limited. The filing indicated that the stock was valued at a 6,000

significant premium to market price. T 24,500

2,500

(1,000) 24-Sep 27-Sep 30-Sep 03-Oct 06-Oct 09-Oct 12-Oct 15-Oct 18-Oct 21-Oct 24-Oct 27-Oct 30-Oct 02-Nov 05-Nov 08-Nov 11-Nov 14-Nov 17-Nov 20-Nov 23-Nov 26-Nov 29-Nov 02-Dec

22,000

`

Life&

TIMES Monday, December 5, 2016

Adekunle

flaunts root in new video, ‘My life’ L4

P

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Saraki lauds Falcons’ 8th AWCON win

Toure charged with

drunk driving J

ust as Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure looked to have turned the corner, the midfielder now finds himself in hot water once more - this time for something more serious with the Premier League footballer charged with drunk driving.

The 33-year-old was stopped in Dagenham, East London, on Monday evening, according to the police.

The Ivorian was charged the following day and is due to appear at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court on December 13 according to reliable sources.

Toure, who came off the bench in the clubs 3-1 defeat to Chelsea on Saturday, has only just made a return to the Sky Blues first team.

The former Barcelona man was recalled back to the City squad last month after apologising for comments made by his agent Dimitri Seluk.

Toure

enate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Sunday congratulated the Super Falcons for emerging continental champions at the Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) for the eighth time.

Saraki in a statement by his Special adviser on Media and publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, specifically lauded the Falcons for maintaining their champion status In Africa.

Falcons won the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AWCON) in Cameroun after beating the host team 1 – 0 to retain the AWCON title in Yaounde on Saturday. Saraki said the victory could not have come at a better moment.

“The record win of the AWCON Cup by the Super Falcons has again demonstrated clearly that with determination we can surmount any obstacle confronting us as a nation,” Saraki said. “I have no doubt that through team work and single-mindedness we can overcome our present economic challenges.”

He commended the patriotism and sense of purpose of the team and their technical crew while calling for more government and private sector support to enable Nigerian sportsmen and women excel in their career.

Business Interview B8

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

E-dividend may trigger long protracted legal battle if…, MRS. BISI BAKARE, national coordinator, Pragmatic Shareholders Association of Nigeria, emerged as a lone voice among men in shareholder activism when she founded the association in 2007. In this interview with Capital MARKET EDITOR, BONNY AMADI, Bakare lampooned the NSE for not seeking the knowledge of retail investors to drive the market, even as she warned, among other issues, that the e-dividend scheme may run into trouble.

Excerpts...

How did you become a shareholder activist?

I give glory to God and Sir Sunny Nwosu, the national coordinator of Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN). I have been with him since 1993 when I joined his company.

I was the general secretary of ISAN for seven years, before I opted out to found my own association in 2007. It wasn’t out of malice to opt out, but I wanted to ascertain the position of women at ensuring corporate governance and transparency in our listed companies.

As what stage of your life did you start investing in shares?

I started investing in shares since 1996, then Sir Nwosu was with late Akintunde Asalu. He then used to give me his dividend warrants to help me record his dividend for him. The figures then were in ranges of N100, N200, N50 and smaller amounts. I queried him on the need and use of all these figures.

That was when he started educating me that the figures were dividend warrants from his investments, he then told me that when you invest in companies, through the returns may be little , but over a long period, the returns will improve and become meaningful.

He then told me that there are also other benefits that one will get through investing, like capital appreciation, and that when companies declare bonus, your holding in the company will increase and you may decide to sell the bonus shares and retain your principal. That was what triggered me to start investing in shares and I have not looked back since then. My first shares were those of Lennards Plc, when Sir Nwosu was a member of their audit committee.

Do you have regret investing in shares of companies listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange?

I do not have any regret so far because buying of shares does not give immediate returns and I understand that, but some peo-

ple have taken it to be wait and get business or get rich quick kind of business.

Get rich quick was not the objective of those that started the stock market business, but it is a business that rewards over a long term period. Because I could remember vividly, when you buy shares for N10.00 then in 1996, it will take a long time even over six months before your share price could rise to N11.00 per share, but from N2004 or 2005, if you buy stocks for N10.00 per share, within one week the price could jump to N30.00 and that is not how it was supposed to be.

I have never regretted becoming a retail shareholder because I get my benefits from three different fronts, from dividend payment, price appreciation and bonus share issue when companies declare bonus for shareholders.

Although we are not getting much these days in terms of capital appreciation, but our dividend is still coming though in smaller bits, but it is better than nothing. And again, if a company declares bonus, you can sell your bonus and leave your principal. So far, I have not nurtured any kind of regret.

In fact, some people still call me to ask if the time is ripe for them to invest in the market, and I tell them that now that equity prices are at low price is the right time to invest. Some of the blue-chip company equity prices are very low now. This is not just the ripe time to invest, but also the good time to invest for your children.

So far, I have achieved a lot from investing in the market.

Before I started investing, I could say that I was no body, but investing has opened my eyes and mind to proper application of money and how to make your money work for you through guided investing.

Before, as a woman, if I get money like N50,000, I use it to buy clothes, but now, if I get such money, before I make any form of purchase, I make sure I invest N25,000 and then use the balance to buy what it could afford. It is good to invest, and as

a woman with knowledge of investing, if you get N10,000 you will want to double it, when we get money, we will like to grow the funds by buying shares with it, even if the amount is N10, 000.

How do you see capital market regulation?

Again, our regulators are adding to the problem of quick market recovery and that is why some core investors now don’t want to invest in any company that is quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange because of the problem the regulators are giving them They don’t care if the companies are making profit or not, all they care for is fine and ensuring that the fine is paid by their target, which is not supposed to be so.

What we are telling the regulators is that they should stop placing huge monetary fine on companies. Because of a small offence they would fine a company N100 million, is it not from the shareholders’ funds that the company will get the N100 million to pay the regulator?

At the end, the company’s profitability will reduce and whatever dividend they will pay the shareholders at the end of the financial year will also reduce.

I plead with our regulators to be mild in the sanctions, the way they are going, they are discouraging companies from being quoted.

You will see Ashaka delist from the Exchange in less than a month now. Other companies have delisted voluntarily, and many others want to. Many core investors, when you discuss with them on investing, they will say, I hope the company is not listed on your stock Exchange?

Do you think the government has a role to play towards market recovery?

The government needs to design policies that will drive market confidence and engineer growth of the economy and ensure economic vibrancy.

There was a time that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said that they wanted to set up the unclaimed dividend

Bakare

trust fund, but we shareholders kicked against it. What they were supposed to do then is what they are doing now through EDividend mandate.

They have allowed for payment of divided into savings accounts, but also they need to look into the minor accounts for children to warrant payment of their dividend electronically into children accounts.

Many companies run their own power plant or generator from morning to night, while bad roads continue to damage vehicles of companies thereby increasing their operation cost.

Lack of cheap funds make cost of funds very expensive and inability to borrow also makes companies to remain dormant, inactive or close shop.

In advanced countries, whatever services you pay for, you will get it, but here in Nigeria it is not a lie that our government, what they are after, is what they will collect from citizens in form of levies, duties or tax. But they don’t give back to the citizens , it is not supposed to be so.

What to do you see wrong in regulatory direction of the SEC or the NSE? There is a policy of the SEC for stoppage of dividend warrant by the end of June 2017. SEC has also sent memo to registrars that by June 2017, they should stop issuing dividend warrant and pay all dividends electronically through e-dividend.

This, we at Pragmatic Shareholders Association of Nigeria

(PSAN) say, is not proper, because some people could challenge it in the court if the legal aspect of e-dividend payment is not worked out.

I think, before they can do that, they must change the provisions of CAMA (Companies and Allied Matters Act) on dividend payment procedure. What CAMA says is that companies have to post dividend warrants to the shareholders.

Though e-dividend is an improvement over dividend warrant posting, but regulators have to amend the CAMA provision on this to allow for e-dividend or to permit for both to operate together.

We like what they are doing, but they should be proactive, before they could allow for only edividend payment, they should amend the legal provision on that. Without that, it will be difficult to record 100 per cent success e-dividend payment, even some of the old people , if you encourage them to fill a form for e-dividend payment, they will prefer the dividend warrant payment.

If the enabling law is not changed, you will see an investor that will sue a company for failure to post his dividend warrant. But if the law is amended, the issue will be rested and people will know that there is a law backing it.

We hope that the SEC will do the needful before the dividend warrant posting deadline expires in June 2017.

2

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

Buzz byte L4

Daily Times Nigeria

Monday, December 5, 2016

Mutiat Alli

All you need to know about New Video Alert: CKay out with ‘Nkechi Turn up’ visual 2017 Big Brother Naija chi Turn Up”. The multi-talented singer, songwriter and producer off the pedal since.

The song which was released earlier this month has continued to enjoy wide acceptance and pundits are quickly making out Ckay as a force to be reckoned with in the industry The clean and crisp video to the song was shot and directed

by Theophilus King on different locations in Lagos with cameos from Nedu of Wazobia FM, M.I Abaga, Eedris Abdulkareem, Pryse, Funnybone, Ruby Gyang and a few others

Mariah’s world premieres this December on Dstv & GOtv

know about the competition.

The show is now referred to as Big Brother Naija

...to ex-ray her career, relationships amongst others

There will be 12 housemates in total

Winner of the Big Brother Naijatakes it all! He or she will walk away with a whopping prize money of 25 million Naira and a brand new KIA Sorento car PayPorte is the headline sponsor of Big Brother Naija.

Adekunle Gold releases ‘My Life’ visual off Gold album

Adekunle Gold who has been out of the country spreading the gospel of Urban Highlife across the US and Europe is back to Nigeria in time for Christmas! The YBNL toast takes his fans and music lovers back to his elements with the release of the newest video off his debut album Gold. My Life which is the second track off the album was produced by SeyiKeys.

Shot in Ikeja, Lagos Nigeria by Aje Film works, the video showcases the beauty of the urban Yoruba lifestyle; complete with the talking drums, party scenes, watch out for the scene in the convertible on the streets of Lagos.

Flaunting his roots proudly, Adekunle Gold sings about accepting his identity and living his life as he pleases. Little wonder the single is one of the many fan-favourites off the Gold album; the message is motivating!

The singer has had an amazing year and to thank his supportive fans, he has hinted that he would be embarking on a 12day Christmas giveaway to fans; an avenue to share gifts, love and happiness in the spirit of celebrations.

Adekunle Gold

winning singer, songwriter and icon Mariah Carey. During the eight-part event, Mariah is faced with the overwhelming demands of her time as she launches her world tour and is a World premieres on E! on Sunday 11 De-

across North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Africa and Latin America.

she is shaking things up in her professional life and has brought on Stella Bulochnikov, as her tough, new manager. Stella is determined to steer the ship and tighten things up, rage consisting of a creative director, hair and makeup artists and dancers on edge. Part of

leaving the diva herself on pins and needles. and have joined her for the tour. Between being a mommy and working hard to give her lambs her best on stage every night, she is

World is a fantasy many wish was their reality.

The best-selling female artist of all time,

Life&

T E A M

-

Entertainment Correspondent Mutiat Alli

Society Correspondent Abimbola Obatayo

Mariah Carey

enduring talent who has enthralled audiences for a quarter-century. As a singer, songwriter and producer, Carey has been recognized sic Awards, 14 Billboard Music Awards and

lennium. A Congressional Award recipient, Mariah Carey has generously donated her time and energy to a range of philanthropic causes including Save the Music, World Hunand the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which beand permanently rechristening it the Mariah Carey Wish Icon Award.

News 8

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, November 5, 2016

Nigeria to have Diaspora policy soon ÏÏÏNigeria has begun the process

of joining the league of countries with National Diaspora Policies with the setting up of a technical team saddled with the task of coming up with final draft of the Policy in January 2017.

This was the resolution of stakeholders after a seven-hour validation seminar in Abuja on the 68-page draft policy jointly organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Office of the Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora.

A Press Release signed by AbdurRahman Balogun, special assistant, Media, to Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, noted that while declaring the seminar open, Minister of Foreign Af-

fairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, stated that there was the need to promote the capacity of Nigerians abroad so as to benefit from the “immense potential of the diaspora.”

Onyeama, who was represented by the permanent secretary of the ministry, Amb Sola Enikanolaiye, said the federal government would support all efforts to ensure the inclusion of Nigerians abroad in future elections He added that enhanced inclusion of Nigerians abroad in the voting process would support their contributions to national development; hence such policy that would see to their empowerment should be hastened up.

“Many of them (Diaspora) are deeply concerned about the situa-

tion in the country and have critical skills and potential that could be harnessed to solving Nigeria’s sociology-economic challenges.

“The ministry, therefore, is sharpening its in-house resources to effectively harness the potential of Nigerians wherever they are based,” Onyeama said.

In his key note speech, Prof George Obiozor, former Nigerian Ambassador to the United States of America and Director-General, Nigerian Institute for International Affairs (NIIA), said the time for a national policy on Diaspora has come.

“National Policy on Diaspora matters would expedite the integration and coordination of the skills and

resources of Nigerians living abroad for the general development of the country,” he said.

Obiozor said the policy has worked successfully for other developing nations, urging the federal government to expedite action on it as it would assist in harnessing enormous national resources of her Diasporas.

Both Chairpersons Senate Committees on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Monsurat Sunmonu, and Rose Oko, respectively, pledged legislative support, such as passage of the Diaspora Commission Bill and amendment of relevant laws to support diaspora voting.

Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Hon. Abike

Dabiri-Erewa also emphasised the need to have a national diaspora policy, saying a number of African countries already ahead of Nigeria in that regard.

“We cannot ignore our diaspora; when Ireland went into recession they reached out to their diaspora community and one thousand of them saved the country from recession. Now that Nigeria is going through challenges, we cannot have this enormous human resource and not engage with them,” she said.

She urged all Nigerians home and abroad to contribute to the final draft of the policy as a technical committee would be set up to work on the recommendations agreed on and come up with an action plan for implementation.

Nigeria records highest cancer cases in Africa –WHO Tom Okpe, Abuja

ÏÏÏ An NGO, Civil Society for Cancer Eradication in Nigeria (CiSCANEN) has said the prevalence of cancer has remained on the increase in Nigeria with about 102,000 deaths and 250,000 new cases annually making the country highest cancer carrier in Africa, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) report.

The National coordinator of the group, Elijah H O Elijah, made this assertion in Abuja over the weekend at the maiden edition of the International CSOs conference.

He said that the “prevalence of cancer in Nigeria has remained on the increase and has continued to undermine the development of our dear country.

“According to WHO, Nigeria with about 102,000 cancer deaths and reported 250, 000 new cases occurring annual-

ly in the country, shoulders the heaviest Cancer burden in the continent of Africa”.

According to Elijah, current statistics has it that about 30 women die every day of breast Cancer while at least one die on daily bases of cervical cancer adding that men are not equally spared from this menace as almost 14 men die daily of prostate cancer.

“Interestingly, these cases are preventable and curable if detected early; worldwide, cancer is reputed to kill more people than the Human Immune Virus ( Hiv/ Aids), Tuberculosis and Malaria”, he said.

Elijah opined that CiSCANEEN with other stake holders is determined to deliver Nigeria in the global fight against Cancer saying, “Embedded in its vision, a Nigeria society that is free from Cancer and its attendant Social and Economic effects”.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose (left) and Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejuyigbe Aladesanmi III, during the presentation of Excellence Award on Fayose by the Ado-Ekiti Progressive Union (APU) in Ekiti… at the weekend.

More flight delays, cancellations expected as Nimet warns pilots over Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

Yuletide: Nigerian army to dismantle ÏÏÏ The Nigerian Meteosome road blocks in S’East rology Agency (NIMET) has

ÏÏÏ

The Nigerian Army “Operation Python Dance’’ in the South-East says some of its road blocks will be dismantled to facilitate free flow of traffic during the Yuletide.

Deputy Director, Public Relations of 82 Division Nigerian Army, Enugu, Col. Musa Sagir, disclosed this while on patrol with newsmen at the River Niger Bridge head, Onitsha and Awka, on Sunday.

Sagir said that it had become imperative to remove totally or shorten some of the check points, particularly

within the bridge head, Onitsha, as the Yuletide drew closer.

He called on other security agencies operating within the bridge head to support the Army to ensure free flow of traffic in the area.

He said that the operation was not to witch-hunt any group or individuals but it was purely for military training and crime prevention.

“Our men stay on the side of road watching in case of any criminality and obstruction on the road.

warned airlines of harmattan haze sweeping across the country, saying that this weather condition compels airlines to delay or cancel scheduled flights whenever horizontal visibility falls below the stipulated minima.

The agency had on October 2016 had issued an advisory forecast for dust outbreaks to affect the country during the December to February dry season period.

The Director-General of NIMET, Dr. Anthony Anuforom said occasional out-

break of dust which will reduce horizontal visibility significantly to 1000m and below in some places was predicted.

He also stated that the expected increase in concentration of the dust particles will lead to colder and drier atmosphere as well as increase in incidences of respiratory disorder.

In the course of monitoring the weather situation in and outside Nigeria, he said NiMet has observed that in the past 24hours, dust has been raised over the source regions in Niger/Chad republic which will be transported by northeast trade

winds into and across the country.

He noted that visibility is as low as 100m were reported by some stations in the Niger republic.

His words, “Current reports of visibility values across the country are good.

However, deterioration is expected to set in beginning from areas in the far northern parts of the country over the next 24 to 48 hours.”

“There is prospect of fresh dust plumes being raised in the coming days, with its attendant consequence. NiMet will however, continue to monitor the weather and climate conditions as they

unfold and provide regular updates and advisories to the general public”, he added.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has continuously alerted airlines and passengers of the impact of harmattan haze to air travel. It has its minimum standard visibility between 700 to 1000 feet depending on the airport.

Experts reasoned that regulatory body should look at the equipment of each airline and grant some of the airlines that have Next Generation aircraft the right to operate under low visibility, using the modern equipment in their aircraft.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

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OBI FAVOUR UGOCHI

OLAKIYESI AYOTOMIWA MORENIKE

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IGINITUS DAMION ONOCHIE

SAMUEL KOLEOLA HEPHZIBAH

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CORRECTION OF NAME

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CORRECTION OF NAME / DATE OF BIRTH

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IFEANYI-EZEAKA EMMANUELLA

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ORISASONA EVELYN YEMI

23

OFFOR ANTHONIA CHIZOBA

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I, formerly known as Amusa Semiu wish to be known and addressed as Hamzat Semiu Olanrewaju. All former document remain valid, general public please take note.

UWAOMA CHIBUEZE CHIBUIKE.

I, formerly known and addressed as UWAOMA ONU ORJI now wish to be known and addressed as MRS UWAOMA CHIBUEZE CHIBUIKE. All former documents remain valid. FMC, Umuahia and the general public should please take note NKECHI CHRISTIANA EKEIGBO.

I formerly known and addressed as Nkechi Christiana Esiwoko Imo now wish to be known and addressed as Nkechi Christiana Ekeigbo.

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

AYEDUN FOLASADE SHARON

I formerly known and addressed as AYEDUN FOLASADE now wish to be known and addressed as AYEDUN FOLASADE SHARON. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note CHUKWUDI OKECHUKWU

Formerly known and addressed as AMZAT SULAIMON now wish to be known and addressed as HAMZAT SULAIMON ADIO. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as CHUKWUDI OZO now wish to be known and addressed as CHUKWUDI OKECHUKWU. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

ONYEKACHI CHIKA VIVIAN

Formerly known and addressed as AFUSAT TANCO MUSTAPHA now wish to be known and addressed as ABDULMUMINI AFUSAT TANCO. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as CHIKA VIVIAN NWEKE now wish to be known and addressed as ONYEKACHI CHIKA VIVIAN .

All documents remain valid.

General public take note.

AMOO MORIAMO OYENIKE Formerly known and addressed as SALAUDEEN MORIAMO OYENIKE now wish to be known and addressed as AMOO MORIAMO OYENIKE. All documents remain valid.

General public take note.

OLOFIN YUSUF OLAWALE.

HAMZAT AYOMIDE SHAKIRU Formerly known and addressed as AKINDELE AYOMIDE ADEBAYO now wish to be known and addressed as HAMZAT AYOMIDE SHAKIRU. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as NWANCHOR ROMANUS PAUL now wish to be known and addressed as NWEKOYO PAUL EKOYO. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as OLOFIN YUSUF BOLATITO now wish to be known and addressed as OLOFIN YUSUF OLAWALE. All documents remain valid.

General public take note.

AMINA LUKE TIMBUWAK

Formerly known and addressed as MERCY LUKE now wish to be known and addressed as AMINA LUKE TIMBUWAK. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

MOHAMMED YUNUSA

I formerly known and addressed as MOHAMMED YUNUSA YARI now i wish to be known and addressed as MOHAMMED YUNUSA.All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

NWEKOYO PAUL EKOYO

AMZAT-BELLO SADIAT ARINADE I formerly known and addressed as OLATOYE SADIAT ARINADE now wish to be known and addressed as AMZAT-BELLO SADIAT ARINADE. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

11 Politics

True democracy only possible with virile legislature -Obasa

Obasa

Speaker of the Lagos state House of Assembly Rt Hon Mudashiru Obasa has said that Nigeria, like other democracies need good governance and that this can only come through a virile legislature.

Obasa said this while delivering a lecture at a book launch in Ikorodu, Lagos State, on the topic: ‘The Legislature and the Imperatives of Good Governance’.

The Speaker described the legislative process as an interesting chain of activities, which involves passing of motions into resolutions and bills into laws which, depending on certain circumstances, contribute in one way or the other to national development.

In every nation, he said, the legislature, as the accredited representatives of the people, has the duty of promoting national development through its chain of activities.

According to him, the legislature in Nigeria has the mandate and is under

Rivers re-run and never the ending accusations CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

But, I will always protect the interest of Rivers State , no matter the threat.

“Nobody should intimidate you with security agents. Beginning today, resist any arrest. You must move around in groups to promote resistance of the robbers of mandate.”

However the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, said the police were not aware of any plot to kill the governor.

But, wike said it was unfortunate that INEC and security agencies were disregarding the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari that they should be impartial and deliver free and fair elections.

The governor said: “INEC has released a fake list of adhoc staff for the rerun elections before the conclusion of their mandatory training . Majority of those on the list are known APC ward chairmen and ward secretaries who are mainly unemployed , but listed by INEC as staff of the University of Port Harcourt .

“They think that my love for peace is a sign of weakness, but I want to declare that enough is enough. We are supposed to be under an era of change, but the love for fraud

by INEC and police is unprecedented.”

The governor added: “Anyone whose son or daughter is on that fraudulent INEC list should tell him/her to stay away on election day.

“All these desperate actions are geared towards the plot to rig in favour of a particular candidate , but that candidate will not win. The people of Rivers South-East Senatorial District must be allowed to vote persons of their choice.”

Wike urged Ogoni people to vote for the PDP, pointing out that for eight years , APC failed to execute well meaning projects in Ogoni land.

Responding, APC State Publicity Secretary, Chris Finebone said his party could not comprehend what the governor is talking about.

Finebone said: “Definitely, APC candidates are busy campaigning for the rerun

election while governor Wike is busy with his circus show. We wish him luck.

“Rivers people are tired of Wike’s allegations. Soon we will not join issue with him because he is no longer making sense.”

On another occasion, Governor Wike, accused the leadership of the INEC of handing over original copies of result sheets to the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, towards a plan to rig the December 10 poll.

Speaking in Etche Local Government Area, Wike alleged that Amaechi made the disclosure in Abuja during a meeting of Rivers APC leaders.

The governor said that he was in possession of the proceedings of the Abuja “illegal” meeting of the APC. He alleged that Amaechi assured the Rivers APC leaders at the Abuja meeting that the original result sheets supplied by the INEC would be used for the December 10 rerun elections to facilitate victory for the APC candidates.

“While we are working for the people of Rivers State to convince them to vote for us, the APC is busy working with the INEC to rig the rerun elections.

“On December 10, follow your results bumper to bumper. Don’t allow anyone to swap results. I urge the Etche people to follow their results,” he said.

Reacting through his media office, Amaechi described Wike’s allegation as wild, baseless and an attempt to intimidate INEC into doing his (governor’s) bidding.

He said, “We know his game; this is an old worn-out trick that will certainly fail. Wike is scared, profoundly afraid. This is why he is telling these spurious lies. He knows he will lose at the polls, if the election is free and fair.”

With the accusations and counter accusations, it is only hoped that the INEC will not have a reason to postpone the elections once again and hoping that when the election did hold, it will not only be seen to be free, fair and credible, but will also be very peaceful at the end of the day.

obligation to initiate debate and show concern on matters affecting the generality of people in the country.

“Expectedly such activities should be directed toward reversing declining economy, stabilising the polity and integrating society with overall aim of enhancing national development.

“Achieving good governance requires the existence of a strong, effective and efficient parliament. This is so because the parliament plays a crucial role in gauging, collating and presenting the views and needs of the people, articulating their expectations and aspirations in determining the national development agenda.

“As oversight body, parliament helps to identify problems and policy challenges that require attention and assists in overcoming bureaucratic inertia,” he said.

Obasa, who noted that democracy, is all about ensuring popular participa-

tion and control of the process of governance, told the guests at the event that the legislature occupies a central role in any democratic setting, arguing that though a government may exist without the legislature, but that without the legislature, democracy is not possible.

“The existence of a parliament may not be synonymous with democracy, but democracy cannot exist without a parliament.

“Put differently, therefore, nation building that is anchored on good governance becomes a colossal task without parliamentarians.

“As is evident, legislature is a veritable instrument and institution for national development whose effectiveness is determined by some local variables. With the role of the legislature all pointing towards good governance, it is not out of place to say that, the legislature is the bulwark of any nation,” he said.

PIB is pro-Nigeria, not in favour of any region CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

so that I decide what to do with it - which has its own consequences which might come much later.

They feel they are being short-changed by these interventionist agencies from the direct benefit they ought to get.

Most people would tell you, the NDDC is not working, the Niger Delta Ministry is not working and some other palliatives that should go to the communities are not being received. So what they are clamouring for is, transport these funds to us and we will help you protect your facilities which are oil installations. And I think it’s going to work. As a member of the 7th Assembly, when we were considering the host community clause of the bill, it said that for any community that receives an X-amount of money and a breach occurs within that community, it forfeits the next month’s share, and from that next month’s share, such broken facility would be repaired. So with this clause, nobody would want to see facilities within their community tampered with for fear

Reyenieju

of losing their own benefits. So I think that’s one of the good sides of the host community fund.

People want it, people need to take ownership of facilities found within their domain. But the main issue is for the government to show the will, that we must device a means to reach the communities directly. And for me, I have a bill right in front of me for complete decentralisation and reorganisation of the NDDC. For example, Lagos is going to be an oil producing state any moment from now which makes it a beneficiary of the NDDC, and then you expect a man who just needs a clearance from the NDDC to jump all the way from Lagos to Port Harcourt. I don’t know if you understand it. And then you expect a traditional ruler from my place to move to Port Harcourt, I don’t think that’s fair.

I have had issues as a member of the National Assembly from a core oil producing area. I have had issues just to see the acting Managing Director, Semenitari, I had to fly from Abuja to Port Harcourt, only to get to Port Harcourt and the lady said she was unavoidably absent; I couldn’t see her. I tried and tried, but it wasn’t possible.

So you can imagine what it means for somebody who is not financially buoyant to move into Port Harcourt and then be told to go back because the boss is not available.

Unfortunately, as I flew in, others got there by road and as I speak, we couldn’t see her until she left. So take that and juxtapose it with other citizens and consider what they will be going through in the hands of people that are running these agencies. These are some of the reasons why we say these agency needs to be completely decentralised for effective service delivery. It’s not effective! You see, when you take that out, you can now come to the Host Community Fund issue. And don’t forget that - that fund is not coming from the government, it’s coming directly from the profits of multinational oil companies who operate within the region. So it is not even a government fund. For them to be in business, they need to part with some little percentage of their profits after tax for the host communities as part of corporate social responsibility, that some of them are actually doing, but is it enough.

26

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

Features

s

‘International conspiracy working against Ajaokuta’ Dr. Sanusi Alhaji Mohammed, the Executive Secretary General of the African Iron and Steel Association, alleges huge level of sabotage by the international community to undermine Nigeria’s iron and steel sector, especially Ajaokuta Steel Complex. Among other claims in this interview with CHRIS EMETOH, he says the concession of Itakpe Iron and Coal Mine last August, to an Indian firm, by the current administration, was ill-advised and that was a further ploy by external forces to stop the completion of the Company. Excerpts: How can your association assist in the development of the iron and steel industry in Nigeria, particularly with respect to diversification from mono to multiple economy?

All serious nations are not only fully aware but have taken the bull by the horns that iron and steel is the bedrock and foundation of any development. No nation has developed without iron and steel. When a nation depends solely on importation, such nation is relegating itself to the dictate of whatever the exporter nation gives. But, ownership is what is the in-thing and ownership of the steel industry makes a nation highly developed. Iron and steel is therefore the basis of the development of all the highly developed nations. Nigeria made very big effort in the 1980s to develop iron and steel, but unfortunately, in subsequent years, the ego meddled down, as successive governments failed the nation. The final nail on the coffin of iron and steel development in Nigeria was hit with the pronouncement of Mr Rasheed Gbadamosi, now late, who was the former Minister of National Planning. During his tenure as minister in 1996, he announced that no kobo from the public fund will be expended on any steel project in Nigeria. That was what led to the degrading of the activities of iron and steel industry in Nigeria up till its comatose stage of no production at all. Before the pronouncement, Delta Steel was very good and producing at 25 percent capacity. The rolling mills in Oshogbo, Katsina and Jos were producing, the research centre in Jos- the Meteorological Development Centre was active;the exploration agency in Kaduna and the Meteological Training Institute in Onitsha were all active until Mr Gbadamosi’s pronouncement and implementation of everything collapsed.

Oil is an asset that dries up and we have seen it all over the world. Yes, new wells are being found but they too will dry up and even the oil requires steel before they could perform: the foundation, the platform and equipment are based on iron and steel. So, the development of iron and steel ought to have been one of Nigeria’s prime concerns and oil should have been a secondary source of revenue. Unfortunately, Nigeria put all her eggs in one basket and because of easy money from oil, all efforts were concentrated on it and people stole as much oil money as they could, a situation that has led to economic recession today. It is a very precarious situation.

Considering that Nigeria has so much untapped iron and steel, one would have thought that the development of iron and steel would be policy- driven, why is it not?

We have ourselves to blame, but the major cause is an international sabotage. Many international organisations have not hidden their

Mohammed

dislike for Nigeria to own the steel industry.

The World Bank has been so vocal and in fact they warned that any bank that gives Nigeria loan to develop its iron and steel will be blacklisted. The World Bank has sent so-called expert to come and assess Nigeria’s iron and steel product and recommend action. And according to our position, they were given the conclusion of what they were to investigate. So, the investigators were to work their activities towards the already given conclusions. That means to them, the Ajaokuta Steel Company was not viable and it should be abandoned. We have documents to prove that.

In 1988, they forced the Nigerian government to carry out a survey of the iron and steel market and needs. They sent a Canadian firm called Hatch Associate and concluded with about 89-page document and there was nothing that supported the execution and completion of Ajaokuta steel company. The killing of Ajaokuta was very much prevalent in the report.

Again, in 1991 the World Bank sent a 2-man delegation to visit Ajaokuta and put the final nail in the coffin but unfortunately for them, the management of Ajaokuta Steel Company was dissolved and task force constituted to run the affairs of the company for a period of time and restore sanity and by coincidence I happen to be one of the members. I was mandated by the board of the Ajaokuta steel company to

conduct them (World bank’s officials) They insisted they wanted to see the financial records of Ajaokuta but we told them that such records wasn’t in the possession of the task force. We directed them to go to Lagos to the Ministry that had custody of such records and we insisted on conducting them round the facilities though they objected stating that all steel companies were the same and that they wanted to spend only one day. We stood our grounds telling them since they came specifically to see Ajaokuta and write a report based on their observations, it was necessary for them to see Ajaokuta’s facilities in totality.

Eventually, they toured the plant for two days and saw that it had reached an advanced level of development and completion and so, they could not write the predetermined report they were to write. The conclusion given to them was useless because they were satisfied and convinced that Ajaokuta had gone beyond destruction and that it could only be completed.

After submitting the report, we learnt within three months they were sacked by the World

Imagine, no stakeholder in Nigeria was invited during the negotiation with the Indian firm,

Bank because they did not write the pre-determined conclusion they were supposed to write.

There have been lots of international conspiracies against Nigeria’s iron and steel development. There were letters written to the then administration that instead of developing steel, Nigeria should focus on agriculture activities while the developed nations will supply Nigeria with her iron and steel needs.

However, the immediate successive government- late Umar Yar’Adua’s government, refused to heed that World Bank’s directive. So that administration recommenced some form of iron and steel works in Ajaokuta. These intrigues and conspiracies against the nation’s iron and steel development are done in conjunction with some Nigerians who are very willing tools in the hands of these international conspirators.

Further, these conspirators select those to be appointed into key positions to frustrate the development of iron and steel industry in the country and that was why although Ajaokuta had reached 98 per cent technical completion leaving only two percent completion level, successive administrations refused to fund it.

Even if one were to put Ajaokuta aside, the Delta Steel Company was producing up to 25 per cent of her annual capacity of one million tonnes at one time, but success in the delay of CONTINUED ON PAGE 27

The Anambra Times Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

Obiano reiterates plan to convert college to education varsity AT 3

Operation Python Dance: Commuters, motorists on edge at Niger Bridge AT 4 Piracy: We’ve not authorised any group, individual to raid markets - NCC ÏÏÏ The

R-L: Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, in handshake with Bauchi State Governor, Muhammed Abubakar. With them are Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje (second after Gov. Obiano); Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello and Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Bala Bantex (behind Gov. Obiano), during the National Economic Council meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja…recently.

At Anambra market anniversary, Obiano asks traders to reciprocate govt’s gestures Stories by Alphonsus Nweze Awka

ÏÏÏ Governor Willie Obiano of

The

Anambra

T E A M

Anambra State has challenged traders in the state to reciprocate his good gestures to them by paying relevant levies to the state government.

The Governor, who spoke during the week through his Commissioner for Trade, Commerce, Market and Wealth Creation, Mrs. Amaka Ilobi, during the 20th anniversary celebration of Household Utensils Dealers Multi-purpose Cooperative Society Limited (HUDMCS), popularly called Ogboefere market, said the Governor was concerned about the welfare of traders and indeed the entire Anambra people.

She said Governor Obiano has done a lot in the state to improve the quality of lives of the people by providing security that is second to none in any state in the country and the construction of

three fly-over bridges.

The Commissioner said the Governor has removed the payment of levies by petty traders, barrow pushers and Keke operators in various parts of state so as to cushion the effect of recession on ordinary people of the state.

She noted that Governor Obiano recently approved N10 million each for 61 markets in the state to embark on most pressing projects in their respective markets.

Speaking at the occasion, President-General of AMATAS, Chief Okwudili Nwankwo, expressed happiness at the existence of peace in all the markets in the state, particularly Ogboefere market.

He appealed to the traders to continue to sustain the peace to ensure the progress of the market and all of them, noting that without peace, there cannot be progress.

Nwankwo also called on the

Special Projects Editor Sam Nzeh

Correspondents: Alphonsus Nweze Philip Balepo John Chinenye

traders to support Governor Obiano’s second tenure bid so that he can finish the projects he has initiated.

The President-general of the market, Chief Stanly Anyikwa, said he was impressed with the success of the anniversary, saying “it has added new life to me. I am as happy as a new born baby.

God took over the control of everything in spite of the recession”.

He said they were grateful for the respect the Governor has done to them by sending his Commissioner to receive his award, even as he pledged the support of the traders to Governor Obiano.

Anyikwa said the Governor has done well so far especially in the area of security because with security you can do everything, adding that the Governor has also done well in agriculture, payment of workers’ salary as and when due.

Earlier in their address read

by Hon. Anthony Obele, the traders had made a number of request from Governor Obiano which include soft loan to the traders to ameliorate the economic recession, electrification of the market extension, provi-

sion of powered solar light, repair of the damaged Obodo-ukwu road, construction Ogbuagu road to reduce the pressure of traffic at Upper Iweka, dredging of the “sacamouri” drainage at the market for easy flow of flood.

The former President-General of the market, who midwifed the building of the market 20 years ago, Chief Paul Ngoka, was happy that the market was growing in leaps and bounds, saying that was the dream of the founding fathers.

He said they expected rapid expansion of the market and that was why they purchased a land for the extension, which has started serving the purpose.

Ngoka, who is the Presidentgeneral of Akokwa in Ideato Local Government Area, Imo State, said they established discipline in the market and that is why there was no tout in the market presently as seen in other markets in Onitsha and environs, which encouraged the selling of fake and cheating.

Pledging his support for the chairman, Ngoka said he supported him to run and will continue to encourage, advise and be behind him till the end of his tenure.

CONTINUED ON PAGE ET 2

National Communication Commission (NCC) in Anambra State said it has not authorised or sent any group or individuals to raid any market infringing musical copyright.

The Zonal Director of the Commission, Onitsha zone, Anambra State, Emeka Ogbonna, stated this in reaction to the claim of a group that they were authorised by the NCC to move into markets and impound laptops of those who were recording music for people in their handsets.

Ogbonna, who is a lawyer, said that his Commission has its own staff in the zone whom he uses to go for drive anytime he wants to embark on raid, saying that he did not at any time send or authorise anybody to raid any market in the Anambra State.

The zonal director however said that the copyright law allows the stakeholders in the industry to embark on drive against those infringing the law.

Some traders at Upper Iweka, Onitsha, said to be recording music for people in their handsets had alleged that a group of people numbering about 20, with two buses stormed their market and started impounding their laptops and accessories without being accompanied by police or in possession of NCC permit and even identity cards.

The group was said to have moved into the market with hoodlums and started carting away laptops and its accessories, but fight ensued between them and traders, when the traders demanded their identity cards and authority papers, which they could not produce.

In the ensuing fight, the hoodlums ran away but the traders held one of them who was later picked up by the Police from Awada Police Station in Obosi, Idemili North Local CONTINUED ON PAGE ET 2

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

Politics

Wike

9

s

Amaechi

Abe

Rivers re-run and the never ending accusations Patrick Okohue

As Nigerians wait with bated breath for the conduct of the Rivers State legislative re-run elections scheduled for December 10 and praying that this time the election hold unlike other times when the elections have had to be cancelled due largely to security threats, accusations and counter accusations have rented the air.

While the state governor, Nyesom Wike has over and over again accused the All Progressives Congress (APC), the security agencies and even the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of plans to commit one electoral fraud or the other, the APC has on all occasions have to dismiss the accusations, firing back that Wike is only trying to divert attention from himself.

Only last week Wike accused the APC of plotting to rig the re-run elections with the active support of INEC and the security agencies.

He said that it would explain why the party had refused to campaign for the polls.

He warned that the plot would not succeed because the people of Rivers State were vigilant and would not be intimidated by the illegal use of security agents to aid INEC to rig.

Wike who spoke at Emohua where he flagged-off the rehabilitation of the General Hospital , Emohua and the reconstruction of the Rumuakunde-Rumuche-Akpa-Abaka road, called on Emohua Youths to rise up and defend their votes , pointing out that this was the time to send non-performing politi-

cians on retirement .

He said: “They have refused to campaign because they have received assurances of rigging. The man who plans to hijack materials, how many heads does he have? Emohua people must stand up to defend their votes.”

Speaking further, Governor Wike urged the people of Emohua to hold their prominent politicians to account, pointing out that most of them spent eight years in office without attracting a worthwhile project to the local government area.

The governor said that the two projects flagged off are targeted at improving the living standard of the Emohua people.

But, the APC would have none of Wike’s accusations, reacting to the accusations of plotting to perpetrate electoral malpractices, the APC dismissed the claims, stating that Wike had thrown all caution to the wind as he was launching a campaign of blackmail on everyone especially the APC, INEC and the Nigeria Police.

In a press statement signed by its spokesman, Chris Finebone the APC said: “Like the proverbial masquerade that has lost his entire arrows, Gov. Nyesom Wike is cutting a pitiable image of a disarmed dictator and this is understandable. Fact is that Gov. Nyesom Wike has never embarked on any election without buying over the police and the rest of the security agencies.

“He has also not engaged in any election without taking firm control of the election umpire and the judiciary. The height of this malfeasance was in the 2015 elections when he introduced another factor – the use of ex-militants and hoodlums who killed and maimed for him while INEC wrote election results with Wike’s men across Rivers State.”

The APC said that as the rerun elections approached, it seemed to be dawning on the governor that times had changed as the security agencies including the Nigeria Police were way beyond his reach. It added: “Despite still having pockets of moles in the In-

For me, they are threatening that I will be the first governor they will assassinate. They are threatening that they will show me that they are security agencies. But, I will always protect the interest of Rivers State , no matter the threat. Nobody should intimidate you with security agents. Beginning today, resist any arrest. You must move around in groups to promote resistance of the robbers of mandate.

dependent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Gov. Wike has lost the services of the top echelon of the Commission who are conscious of the anti-corruption stance of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

“They are learning from the soon-to-betried former Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), who collected hundreds of millions of Naira from the Jonathan government and handed over the Port Harcourt INEC office and election materials to Nyesom Wike before, during and after the general elections of 2015.

“Today, some of the Supreme Court justices that Gov. Wike compromised to get favourable judgment over the 2015 election are standing trial while others are under intense investigation by security agents. Terribly frightened, many judges will be unwilling to cavort with Nyesom Wike this time around,” the APC said.

At a previous event in the state meant to mark the beginning of the rehabilitation of a hospital, Governor Wike accused Security agencies of planning to assassinate him, to the shocked crowd that gathered at the General Hospital , Terabor and General Hospital, Bodo in Gokana Local Government Area.

Wike also accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of publishing a list of adhoc staff filled with members of the APC. He said: “For me, they are threatening that I will be the first governor they will assassinate. They are threatening that they will show me that they are security agencies.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

2

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

Katsina Utd P plan friendlies against Bauchi-based clubs

romoted Katsina United are to play a series of pre-season friendlies against Bauchi clubs Wikki Tourists, Zabgai and Wunti.

Katsina United coach Bala Nikyu said: “We are going to camp in Bauchi for the second phase of our training after we returned from Niger Republic.

“Bauchi is close to Gombe, where we will feature in the NNL Super 4.

“We need quality friendlies and Wikki can give us that.

We also plan matches against other top Bauchi clubs like Zabgai and Wunti.

“These matches will help us assess the team ahead of the Super 4 in Gombe as well Katsina United team as the new NPFL season.”

Page 29

S

uper Falcons coach, Florence Omagbemi, has applauded her players for their determination and loyalty shown in winning the2016 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) title at the expense of Cameroun.

Omagbemi watched her side defeat the hosts in the packed Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo, Yaounde to win their record eighth African title.

The 41-year-old insists her side played for pride and prestige to survive their various opponents inspite many challenges faced enroute this year’s continental showpiece.

“I want to thank the Camerounian team and the coach for giving us a good game. It was a great final to watch seeing the best two teams in Africa competing and the scoreline,” Omagbemi said in a post-match press conference.

“As regards to our journey to the tournament, I will give my players all the credits for achieving these despite all odds because they deserve it.

“It was a long journey from Nigeria to the final, our preparation and the way we got our team together to come to this tournament though we realized we’re defending champions, we still try to step up our game and game plan.

“At the beginning of our game against Mali, we took it one game at a time and that was my communication in all my press conference as we must give other teams some respect as they were all here to compete for the trophy.

“As a defending champion, you have the pride and the prestige - the players understood all this pressure, stick to plan and playing together as a team because every game we play comes with different expectation.”

Omagbemi

Omagbemi

applauds Falcons’

dogged spirit

NOC/IOC wrestling course ends in Abuja ANDREW EKEJIUBA

T

he weeklong International Olympic Committee Solidarity Course for wrestling coaches and referees in Nigeria holding at the Package ‘B’ of the National Stadium Abuja, ended at the weekend with a total of twenty-five participants drawn from across the country.

The course which was put together by the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) in conjunction with the United World Wrestling body was facilitated by two foreign experts, Zachary Erett from the United States of America and Vincent Aka Akesse from Cote D’Ivoire.

Secretary General of the NOC, Hon. Tunde Popoola said the whole idea for staging the course was to reposition the face of wrestling sport

Monday, December 5, 2016

in the country for the better, more so, when the Nigeria Olympic Committee and the entire country were yet to overcome the disappointment of Team Nigeria at the just concluded RIO 2016 Olympic Games where the athletes including the wrestlers failed woefully.

According to Popoola, Nigeria has whatever it takes to rule the world in any sport especially wrestling and that informs NOC’s decision to step in at this point to start empowering the trainers (coaches) by bringing in foreign experts to train them in order that they will acquire the right skills and in return go back to their various stations to empower the athletes with the right skills.

“Sports is dynamic and no matter how good a coach might think he is, he still needs to refresh and brushup his brain with the modern day

technicalities of the sport in order to equip his athletes with the right skills, more so when it is obvious that one cannot give what he does not have,” he stated.

Popoola re-affirmed the commitment of the NOC to bring in experts in various sports from time to time to train our coaches as part of their train- the- trainers drive for effective results.

NOC Secretary General, Hon. Tunde Popoola.

Champions

Rangers to get land,cash — Ndukwe

E

nugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi will reward Nigeria league champions Enugu Rangers with plots of land and cash gifts after they broke a 32year trophy-less run in October according to the state’s Sports Commissioner, Charles Ndukwe.

Rangers won the league after their last triumph in 1984 and they will represent Nigeria in next year’s CAF Champions League.

Ndukwe said: “The Governor in his generosity has decided to reward Rangers with a plot of land and cash each.”

However, he could not confirm when the reception will be done since the new league season is expected to begin on December 18.

He said if Rangers opening week match

is away from home it will difficult for the reception to be done immediately.

Earlier reports suggested that the reception will be staged between December 19 and 21.

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

17

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

TIMES AGAINST CORRUPTION

s

We’re amending the EFCC Act to strengthen the institution

The framers of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, no doubt gave enormous powers to the Legislature to enhance its roles, while also promoting the Principle of Separation of Power and ensuring Checks and Balances amongst the three Arms of Government, critical factors in stabilizing democracy.

But the verdict of Nigerians is that their performance has been less than satisfactory. Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas, Chairman, House Committee on Media and Publicity, in this interview with Tony Ailemen, believes the 8th National Assembly will be different. He speaks on the performance of the Legislature, why the EFCC Act is being amended, imperative of Constituency Projects and the fight against corruption, amongst others....excerpts What is your assessment of the performance of the House of Representatives in the last one year?

Thank you. My assessment is that we have performed very well given the current circumstances.

In the last one year, the House of Representatives has considered and passed well over 700 Bills and close to 600 Motions. There was a particular day when we had to consider about 130 Bills in one same day. The reason is simple, in view of the current change mantra that this government is pursuing, we discovered that change can not come through policy pronouncements alone. You need to back these policies with the enabling laws, otherwise, if another regime comes, they can revert back to their old ways. But once there are laws backing these changes, people will stick to them, or even if they want to change them, they must first have to amend these laws. Looking at the Statute books, we discovered that most of the laws backing some of the issues we were dealing with were archaic and cannot fit into the current system, especially if this government must succeed in fighting corruption. Therefore, some needed to be amended and new ones put in place, in some other cases.

One of the things that Hon. Speaker Yakubu Dogara did when he assumed office was to put in place, a committee of experts drawn from the Institute of Legislative Studies, top legal luminaries as well as Scholars to re- examine some of these laws. Part of their submission was the need to review the laws guiding over 100 of the institutions they examined.

Some were repealed, while others were amended. Over 700 Bills and Motions were raised by Members and over 400 of them were able to go through to the second reading.

As we speak, over 80 of them have passed through the Third Reading and have moved to the committee stage. I think this is one House that has done so much, far more than the previous ones.

It may surprise you, however, that as we speak, we are yet to get any Executive Bill from the Executive Arm of Government, in

respect of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB. We all know that the oil sector is very critical to the economy of this country. There is a strong need, given the kind of revelations coming from this critical sector, for government to put strong mechanism in place for regulating and monitoring this sector.

So, what we did on our own, was to look at the two Private Member Bills, to see how we can help even the Executive check some of the unwholesome practices going on in this sector. Even the Senate is doing the same thing. This is to tell you that contrary to the opinion held by some persons, the National Assembly has been very proactive in supporting this administration especially in the battle against corruption. In other areas that have to do with internal security, we have already passed the North East Development Commission Bill into law, as a way of fast tracking the return of normalcy to that devastated region and do away with insurgency.

How has the current economic challenges affected the function of the Legislature?

In this recession, every sector of the economy is affected. Even the President will tell you that they also have some issues with cash flow, which have slowed them down. The expected revenues are not coming.The budget was predicated on the production of 2.2 Million barrels of crude oil per day, but because of the activities of the avengers and pipeline destructions and dwindling crude oil prices in the international market, we cannot boast of having even 1.5 million barrels per day. Obviously, you do not need a soothsayer to tell you that income has fallen. This is why even Mr. President was asking for Virement and loans as so on. The budget of the National Assembly used to be N150B, but because of the situation we have found ourselves in, it came down to N115B. What people think is that we have so much money. Even if we consider the budget at N115B, you will discover that inflation has dealt devastating blow on the Naira. So you see what we are being made to face. N115B allocated to the National Assembly represents less than 2

Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas, Chairman, House Committee on Media and Publicity percent of the 2016 National budget of N6Trillion. Yes, we do have challenges. People think that our budget is N115B multiplied by the 450 members in the National Assembly, this is not the case. The National Assembly, as it is today, comprises of the two Chambers of the Legislature and the parastatals under it. We have the National Institute of Legislative Studies, National Assembly Service Commission and the Public Complaints Commission, which is now an agency under the National Assembly. We have over 5000 Civil Servants, 2000 Legislative aides that take close to N12B as salaries, annually. All these expenses are charged to the budget of the National Assembly.

I think that there is the need for Nigerians to understand the workings of the National Assembly.

The issues of Constituency Projects have become very controversial, as some see it as a method used by the legislators to siphon funds from the federal government coffers. What is your reaction on this?

This is indeed very phony because l am also a member of the African Parliament.By the virtue of my membership of this body, l am privileged to work with Parliamentarians from 54 other African Countries. In the course of my interactions with other African Parliamentarians, I discovered that this same Constituency Projects feature prominently in the budgets

of other African countries. In fact, in Kenya, it is known as Constituency Development Fund, in Tanzania, there is a Board set up for it and each member Chairs the Board in his or her own Constituency. In the case of Nigeria, most people will tell you that the law makers are the ones getting the money, which is not true. My advice is that we should look at the benefits of the projects and not over emphasize the abuse. Now, l am not saying that there may be no abuses, but l am saying that, if we know of any, let us condemn it and let the law take it’s course. But that is not enough to condemn everything about the Constituency Projects. It is not only in the Legislature that people abuse process, even in the Executive, they do. So, look at the spirit and ask if it is in order. The spirit is that, we as representatives of the people, know the challenges facing our own people. We want to attract Projects that will be beneficial to our people. Sometimes, it can be just a four kilometer feeder road that is the problem of the community. In some other cases, it could just be water supply, some is School, Town hall, etc. It was in view of this that government said, we will give you N10B so that you can share it amongst yourselves as representatives of the people, depending on the zone. This money is shared in the ratio of 60 percent to 40 percent between the Senators and House of Reps members,

respectively. You are to look at the peculiarities of your environment as the representatives of your community and nominate these projects. Once you have nominated them, the projects are sent to the MDAs, it is not as if you nominate these projects and they give you money to go and execute them, No. It is the agency that will advertise and prequalify contractors that will handle the project. Go and check most MDAs, you discover that most of the revenues they get, come from the bidding system. The views of the law makers do not matter in the bidding and award of these contracts. The only thing you do, which is part of the requirements, is for you to confirm whether that the projects have been executed or not. Now, the spirit is good. If anyone abuse the process, there should be in place, a system that will take care of that abuse. It should not be limited to the Legislature alone, but rather the entire arms of government. These things are documented and if anyone wants to investigate, they can go ahead and do so because they are on records. I think that Nigerians must be made to understand how the process work. There is a process, government money cannot just be spent anyhow. Otherwise, the Buhari’s government will not have the kind of evidence it has now to prosecute the anti corruption war. In my opinion, the Constituency Project is very important and should be allowed to stay. It is only in this 2016 budget that I have seen government project going on in my Constituency. One electrical project in Mayo Belwa and renovation of Federal Government College in Ganye. Otherwise, in the last 16 years, I did not see any government presence in the area.

Now, as you really well know, State governments cannot pay salaries talk less of carrying out projects, not to even mention local government Council that you hardly see their Chairmen anywhere. The hands of the executives are full, even the ones they have, they cannot execute. I cannot remember when last the local government Council constructed even one store

Continue on page 18

The Anambra Times 4 Alphonsus Nweze Awka

ÏÏÏ Longish traffic grid-lock, hu-

man suffering and waste of manhours have become a daily experience of commuters and motorists plying the ever busy Onitsha Bridge following the launch last week of Operation Python Dance by the Nigerian Army.

It was not clear what were the major components of the operation but erecting road-blocks at the strategic points on major roads in South East including the Onitsha Bridge has become the order of the day in the zone since the launch of the operation, hence causing untold hardship to travelers, the people of the zone as well as slowing down the volume of economic activities especially in Onitsha even in this period of recession.

The Assistant Director of Army Public Relation, Col Musa Sagir, had last week at the 302 Artillery Regiment Barrack Onitsha in Anambra State released a statement to some selected newsmen, where he announced the establishment of the Operation Python Dance.

He said that the operation was targeted at the members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and all other Biafran activists.

He also warned other criminal elements like the Fulani Herdsmen who have been terrorising the people in the South East and at same destroying their farmland, kidnappers and armed robbers.

He noted that the same operation was launched last year during this period, saying that this will last from November 27 to December 27, 2016.

But even before the formal press statement by the Army, they had set up road blocks at major Expressways in the South East, causing traffic hold-up and unnecessary hardship to the people. Onitsha bridgehead was one of the strategic places the Army erected road blocks with drums on both sides of the Expressway. These are in addition to the already existing road blocks mounted by the Army at the Asaba and Onitsha end of the bridge.

Ordinarily, the Onitsha Bridge considered to be too old and small for the volume of traffic that pass through it has always witnessed traffic gridlock especially during festivities like Christmas and Easter periods as well as days of high traffic flow in and out of the commercial city.

In fact, Onitsha Bridge holds special attraction for the Military, the Police of different units and the operatives of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC).

For instance, on approaching Asaba end of the bridge after the defunct toll gate, one will encounter at least four sets of security outfits on the road- the FRSC marshals, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), regular Police, and the Army that blocked half of the Expressway.

If one moves into Onitsha, one

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

Feature

Operation Python Dance: Commuters, motorists on edge at Niger bridge will encounter another two units of soldiers at both sides of the Express way and Road Safety personnel. In the evening time, the Police do their work at the foot of the bridge. These security outfits not only cause gridlock on the Bridge but also subject motorists to corporal punishment, extortion and all sorts of abuse.

Many users of the bridge are of the view that the gridlock on the bridge is largely caused by security personnel.

If gridlock has now resurfaced in early December, what will the situation be as from December 15 upward when people will start returning for the Christmas? Perhaps chaotic, bedlam, total blockade like war situation.

Yuletide returnees have in the past suffered untold hardship such as prolonged traffic hold-ups, vehicle break-down, and increased health complication especially those who have High Blood Pressure (HBP) among others. If in the past people had suffered, what will happen now that the entire bridge has been blocked?

It is not as if the Federal Government and the Military High Command, said Arinze Marcus, a traveler, are not aware of the plight of people, indeed Nigerian citizens go through, while coming back for Christmas season but it is very glaring that President Muhammadu Buhari was hell-bent in punishing Ndigbo, who are major users of that road.

He said that it was because of the sufferings of the people during these festive season that there have been clarion call on the Federal Government to build Second Niger Bridge to reduce the suffering of the people on the existing bridge, a project, he said, President Buhari has suspended.

“It therefore smacks of insensitivity and irresponsive for the Federal Government and the Military High Command to station Army of occupation there at all, not to talk of this time when Christmas is around the corner. It is clear that they want to suffer us”, he said.

A leading human and pro-democracy group based in Anambra State, the International Society for Civil Society and Rule of Law (Intersociety), has equally frowned at what it described as “Army of Occupation and Jihadist campaign against Ndigbo.

The group speaking through its Board of Trustees (BoT) member, Nze Emeka Umeagbalasi, said the action was an attempt by President Buahri’s administration to launch a Jihad on the South East, since the Fulani Herdsmen attack on the Igbo communities like Nimbo in UzoUwani Local Government of Enugu State had failed in its sinister mis-

Gridlock on Niger Bridge due to ongoing stop and search operation by the Nigerian Army sion.

The leadership of Southeast Based Coalition of Human Rights Organisations (SBCHROs) in their statement titled, “Buhari’s Army of Occupation in Igbo-Land: The Making of Another Jihad and Ethnic Cleansing,” said they were deeply alarmed and worried about the deployment of more battalions of the so-called “Nigerian Army” and their war-like heavy equipment to all the strategic roads in the South East or Igbo part of Nigeria.

In a statement signed by the leadership of the group, Comrade Peter Onyegiri of Center for Human Rights and Peace Advocacy; Comrade Aloysius Attah of Civil Liberties Organisation CLO), in Southeast Zone and others, said Igbo travellers and road users have complained of the laying of siege by Jihadist elements in the Army on strategic roads in the South East particularly at boundary posts in Imo/Abia and Port Harcourt axis; Enugu (Nsukka) and Benue (Oturpa) axis; Anambra (Onitsha Niger Bridgehead) and Delta (Asaba) axis and Ebonyi (Abakiliki) and Enugu.

The group said: ”The most disheartening, wicked and condemnable of it all was the last week total blockage of the Niger Bridgehead by the Jihadist soldiers, despite the industrial hazard, dilapidating, sinking condition of the Bridge; requiring steady less load capacity; the Jihadist soldiers have cordoned off and blocked the two main lanes of the Bridge”.

The two lanes, they said, were blocked with drums filled with sand painted in military colours with a narrow space for only one vehicle passage.

The Onitsha Niger Bridgehead, the group said was notorious for chronic gridlock and this is very

hellish during Christmas period and other major festivities, saying that in December 2015, 17th of December, to be specific, the Jihadist soldiers stationed near it opened fire and killed over 10 jubilant IPOB members, who were singing and dancing after news broke out that a Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered for immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

“After the massacre, the Jihadist soldiers took away most of the corpses and later dumped and abandoned three of them at Onitsha General Hospital. The Jihadist soldiers later went on rampage, blocking the Bridge and causing hellish conditions for Christmas returnees in 2015. Over 300 live fowls and dozens of goats suffocated and died. Four persons including a heavily pregnant woman, a newly born baby and an aged woman were reported dead; all as a result of chronic traffic gridlock created by Jihadist soldiers,” the rights group said.

Continuing they said: “Today, they are at it again; by abandoning two tents built for them to watch over vehicular and other traffic movements, to out-right blockage of the two lanes for obvious ethno-religious cleansing reasons. They also want the sinking of Niger Bridgehead to collapse so as to ground the zone socially, economically, culturally, technologically, industrially and politically; having conspired wickedly to stop and abandon the Second Niger Bridge Project.

These explain while we held that Buhari Army’s occupation of IgboLand is the making of another Jihad and Ethnic Cleansing”.

Against this background, the human groups called on Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State, who faces a second term election in late

2017, to wake up from slumber and demilitarise Anambra State, adding, “he should particularly get the blockage of the Niger Bridgehead deblocked and cleared for easy flow of traffic for Christmas returnees. The Jihadist soldiers should be removed from the blockage scene and forced back to their tents nearby, to watch over vehicular movements and decongest the traffic”.

The group also said “Governor Willie Obiano should equally get the personnel of the FRSC to disappear from the same scene to allow Christmas returnees a free hand to make use of the Bridge and its adjourning roads; other than habitual traffic law breakers.

“He should call on all the people of good conscience particularly the Christian leaders, governors, legislators and other public office holders from the South East zone to reject and rise in condemnation of the ongoing intensification of operation ethno-religious cleansing of the Igbo Race.

“We also call on the Buhari Administration and its Jihadist army commanders to stop pushing the Igbo Race to the wall and back out of the ongoing unprovoked plot of pogrom against the Igbo Race in all its ramifications. It must be made to understand that the Presidency of Nigeria is not a weapon to enslave and crush the Igbo Race as nothing or nobody, except God, lasts forever”.

Other South East Governors should rise to the occasion by paying a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari for the purpose of demilitarising the South East zone and allowing the people of the zone a breathing space including right and freedom to worship their predominant Christian religion”.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

‘PayU’ system enters Nigeria’s cashless economy mix A global online payment service provider, “PayU,” has joined Nigeria’s cashless economy mix following approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria as a payment option.

According to Country Manager, Juliet Nwanguma, “PayU” offers simple and secure online payment services to merchants enabling them to accept payments of goods and services using debit and credit cards from their customers and other alternative payment methods as well.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja during the 2016 annual retreat of the Committee of e-Banking Heads (CeBIH), she said PayU is a leading online payment service provider in 16 global markets.

Nwanguma speaks further on some of the features of PayU payment gateway which is in line with global payment offerings.

“Secure processing of local and international debit, prepaid and credit cards for online and mobile payments with 3D secure and 2-factor authentication, seamless integration options based on the size and need of the merchant or business, pre-integrated plugin to popular shopping carts to enable ecommerce merchants to start selling immediately, tokenisation and recurring features for regular payments to improve collections, additional fraud management services to further secure merchants’ transactions, and easy and flexible reporting interface to view and monitor transactions as they happen real-time.”

B3 Money Market

Emefiele charges banks’ audit executives on financial system stability Stories by Motolani Oseni The governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has called on Chief Audit executives of banks to adhere to regulatory policies and guidelines. in order to have a better financial system and improved economy.

This was imperative as some, including bankers and customers, might be tempted to exploit occasional loopholes that could arise from policy readjustments.

Speaking at the quarterly meeting of bank Chief Audit Executives held last week in Lagos, Emefiele noted that at this crucial point in Nigeria’s financial history with tight liquidity and decline in purchasing power, stakeholders in the economy ought to collaborate in making the current challenges the ingredient for future prosperity.

Represented by Emmanuel Ukeje, his Special Assistant on Financial Markets, Emefiele said the theme of this quarter’s meeting: “Changing Business Environment: The Role of Internal Auditors” indicated that the audit executives were

Emefiele

concerned about developments in the financial sector.

He outlined three areas that should engage the attention of the executives over the next few years.

He said in this era of change and challenge, “you will notice and should continue to expect a stream of policy initiatives from the Central Bank. Our objective is to use monetary policy tools, sectoral preferences in resource allocation and other forms of intervention to drive our national economic recovery.”

He added: “… I encourage you to insist that your banks, as institutions, comply fully with all CBN guidelines,; and raise a warning flag when they fail to do so.”

He also stated that banks must maintain good internal control, ethical practice and sound risk management, stressing that Nigerians expected this, especially at a time of challenging operating environment.

“Therefore all the necessary measures for capital adequacy and indices of sound risk

management must be in place and fully enforced. As internal auditors, you must all be proactive, look out for any factors that could destabilize the system, quickly identify and deal with them. You must pay particular attention to banks and customers operating in risk-prone and highly volatile sectors of the economy.

Emefiele noted that audit executives “must be very vigilant and guard against fraud, because as Internet penetration continues to gather steam in Nigeria, greater volumes of transactions will be consummated online; and on various electronic formats and platforms.

Unfortunately the electronic medium is very attractive to certain class of criminals: those that are dexterous in the use of information technology tools and protocols to perpetrate cybercrimes.’

He expressed confidence that Nigeria will overcome its current challenges. “But, I suspect that we can only overcome these challenges if we are ready to make fundamental change in many of our attitudes, orientations and practices,” the governor stated.

Naira falls to 485/$1, as rates moderation expected this week The Naira weakened further against the United States dollar at the parallel market over the weekend, closing at 485 per US dollar, against the 480 it traded on Thursday.

However, expectorations are high that there will be an improved financial system liquidity this week, due to inflows especially from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) as disbursements will continue this

week, keeping rates moderate.

The naira continues to depreciate amid a crackdown on currency traders in the parallel market, and persistent scarcity of the greenback.

As it declined on Friday to 485 to the dollar on the parallel market against 480 a dollar in most of the days last week, it was quoted by commercial lenders at 314.80 a dollar on the interbank market.

The naira has, however, consis-

tently closed around 305.5 a dollar level since August at the official window.

Last week, treasury bills worthN117.48 billion were auctioned via the primary market.

These included 91-day bills worth N45.85 billion, 182-day bills worth N18 billion, and 364-day bills worth N53.33 billion In line with dealers’ expectations, interbank rates fell across all the tenor buckets following

FAAC disbursements.

Dealers from Cowry Assets Management said this week “treasury bills worth N105.264 billion will mature via secondary market, including 224-day bills worth N49.168 billion and 225-day bills worth N56.095 billion. Consequently, we anticipate further moderation in interbank rates on the back of expected improvement in financial system liquidity.”

Financial inclusion: Wema Bank targets unbanked youths with EasySavers account

Oloketuyi

As part of efforts to bring in over 16 million unbanked adults in the financial system circle, Wema Bank Plc and Etisalat Nigeria have partnered to introduce WemaEasySavers, a savings account aimed at ensuring financial inclusion for more Nigerians, especially youths.

The Managing Director/CEO, Wema Bank, Mr. Segun Oloketuyi, explained the major objective of the bank to focus on Nigerian youths and the 16 millions unbanked adults.

Speaking at the lunch of We-

maEasySavers over the weekend, he said the savings account was aimed at ensuring financial inclusion for more Nigerians, especially the youth.

The easy to open and use WemaEasySavers, which is in partnership with Etisalat Nigeria, is designed to enable under-banked and unbanked Nigerian youth to achieve their financial goals while operating a regular bank account through their mobile phones.

According to the MD, the partnership will enable Wema Bank’s

new drive to expand its presence in the youth market and also form a strong part of Etisalat’s commitment towards driving the achievement of the government’s financial inclusion goal.

He said the bank, which recently launched its USSD banking code *945#, is seeking to leverage the market-wide acceptance of the product and Etisalat’s strong appeal in the youth market to onboard new customers using a unique code *945*10#.

Speaking about the partner-

ship, Director, Digital Business, Etisalat Nigeria, Adia Sowho, said the partnership is significant for the telco as a youthfriendly network. “We are delighted at this partnership with Wema Bank as it provides Etisalat another platform to enable mobile financial services that will empower the youth segment.

“Etisalat is passionate about the development of Nigerian youth and we continuously seek ways to add value to their lives, and Wema Bank also shares this same vision,” she said.

30

Monday, December 5, 2016

EXTRATIME

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE…ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE…ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE… EURO BRIEFS

Torres fit for Bayern clash Atletico Madrid have announced that Fernando Torres will be available for the Champions League clash with Bayern Munich on Tuesday. The 32-year-old has missed Atletico’s last three matches due to a hip injury but he has been given the green light to be part of Diego Simeone’s squad for the trip to Germany. Torres has made only five starts this season, but three of those have come in the Champions League.

Carvajal apologises for swearing at Barca fans Real Madrid full-back Dani Carvajal has apologised for directing an offensive gesture towards Barcelona fans during Saturday’s Clasico at Camp Nou. Carvajal was caught on camera raising a middle finger to a section of home supporters as Madrid celebrated Sergio Ramos’s 90thminute equaliser. The 24-year-old later conceded that he was wrong to have responded to taunts he says he heard coming from the stands.

Lapadula

winner spares Niang’s blushes

Gianluca Lapadula scored a late winner as AC Milan came from behind to beat struggling Crotone 2-1 and stay within four points of Serie A leaders Juventus. Juve put seven points between themselves and the chasing pair of Roma and Milan with a 3-1 win over Atalanta on Saturday, but the Rossoneri managed to keep pace with the reigning champions. Milan wore the crest of Brazilian club Chapecoense, who had the majority of their team tragically killed in a plane crash this week, on their sleeves as well as the phrase ‘Forca Chape’ on the back for Sunday’s contest.

Stuani Liverpool players dejected after losing a match.

Liverpool’s title

challenge suffers setback

L

iverpool’s title challenge suffered a stunning late blow as Bournemouth came from two goals down to beat Jurgen Klopp’s men 4-3 in a thrilling clash at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday.

Ryan Fraser and Steve Cook struck in the latter stages of the second half before Nathan Ake hit an injury-time winner for the home side, who had trailed 2-0 at half-time and 3-1 with 25 minutes to play.

MP calls for Mourinho’s

and snatched a winner in the 93rd minute after Loris Karius spilled the ball into Ake’s path.

The result means Liverpool remain four points off leaders Chelsea, while Bournemouth climb into the top 10.

Liverpool should have taken the lead after only 10 minutes but Origi somehow failed to connect properly with Nathaniel Clyne’s low cross from the right when he was unmarked at the far post.

Guardiola still world’s

probe over tax evasion best coach -Eto’o

T

he firm representing the Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has strenuously denied claims he may be involved in a tax avoidance scheme.

An MP has called for an investigation into Mourinho’s financial affairs following claims he moved millions of pounds offshore in order to avoid paying tax.

It is alleged the United manager’s advisers may have helped him move large sums of money to Switzerland and the British Virgin Islands to avoid paying tax on earnings from the use of his image rights for product endorsement - something which has been strongly denied.

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo is another high profile name in football who is accused of having allegedly moved money to a “tax haven”.

The claims emerged in a data leak of

Emery: PSG must learn from defeat!

Emery

Sadio Mane and Divock Origi had put Liverpool in charge at the break after they capitalised on two errors in two minutes from goalkeeper Artur Boruc, and although Callum Wilson halved the deficit from the penalty spot, Emre Can’s superb strike looked set to hand the visitors a fifth win in six league games.

But Bournemouth, who had lost seven of their previous nine meetings with Liverpool in all competitions, sprung an unlikely comeback

Paris Saint-Germain head coach Unai Emery urged his team to learn and move on from Saturday’s stunning defeat, turning his attention to the club’s upcoming Champions League fixture.

PSG suffered a shock 3-0 defeat at Montpellier as the Ligue 1 champions missed the opportunity to climb to the top of the table. Goals from Paul Lasne, Ellyes Skhiri and Ryad Boudebouz condemned PSG to their third defeat of the season and first in the league against Montpellier since 2010.

over 18 million documents, investigated for the past several months by a group of pan-European media organisations.

Football agency Gestifute, which represents the two Portuguese stars, has strenuously denied suggestions its clients may have taken part in a tax avoidance scheme involving millions of pounds.

In a statement, it said: “Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho are fully compliant with their tax obligations with the Spanish and British tax Mourinho authorities.

F

ormer Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o insists that Pep Guardiola is still the best coach in the world.

Guardiola managed 10 wins from his first 10 matches with Manchester City but has since come under scrutiny following some inconsistent results.

City went six games without a victory before impressive triumphs against West Brom and Barcelona, but a draw at home to Middlesbrough and the 3-1 loss to Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday has seen them slip four points behind the Premier League

leaders.

But Eto’o, who won the treble under Guardiola in his first season in charge at Camp Nou, says the 45-year-old’s position at the top of the game should not be questioned.

“Pep has everything to be a success there at City and, for me, he’s still the best coach in the world,” the Antalyaspor striker told reporters. “He always wants his teams to play and he will impose this idea in England.

“His great strength is that he never changes his ideas.

Technically, Pep remains the best. There’s nothing else to be said.”

14 Opinion

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

The fall and fall of PDP

T

Majeed Dahiru

he political behemoth known as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), whose chieftains fondly refers to as the largest political party in Africa is now fighting for its life. At the height of its power and might, the PDP arrogantly projected it was going to rule for sixty years, irrespective of its performance in government. This projection was cut short in 2015 after a sixteen-year rule that was generally characterised by good, bad and ugly times. The PDP is perceived to have failed while in power to deliver on the high expectations of a stable, secure and prosperous Nigerian nation. The most visible failure of the past PDP administrations is seen in their inability to achieve self-sufficiency in power, energy and steel for economic development. The legacy of inadequate power generation, energy output and steel production has made the foundation on which some very modest economic gains were built upon as weak as quick sand.

The fall of PDP from power was not entirely because of its less than average economic performance while in government alone. The political misadventure of the former ruling party was more responsible for its fall from its Olympian height to the abyss of helplessness and hopelessness today. The dominance of PDP was greatly enhanced by an electoral umpire, INEC, which was made heavily dependent on the PDP controlled executive by coercion and monetary gratification of its officials. Security agencies where deployed to serve the partisan interests of the PDP and not the interests of Nigerians. Elections became largely symbolic exercises, which were more of the coronations of PDP candidates whose emergence were not reflections of the free choice of electorates. In a system heavily rigged in favour of the then ruling party, votes cast in an election did not count. Once you become PDP flag bearer, you are elected.

The result of this situation was a complete detachment from the masses by the pseudo elected public office holders.

Political office holders held and used their privileged offices for personal benefits. They served the corrupt interests that produced them and not the people’s interest. The PDP gradually and steadily began to assume an antipeople posture. Having systematically conquered the electoral space, the real effort to be elected

shifted to the internal process of the party, which throws up candidates for election. Thus began an internal struggle for the control of the party structure by various actors within the party. The bitter struggle degenerated into a situation where the PDP was the only opposition to the PDP. There became enthroned a severe lack of internal democracy, characterised by the imposition of candidates by a dubious, self-seeking to self-preserving process enshrined in the PDP constitution, under the influence of the presidents and governors elected on the platform of the party.

In the ensuing struggle, only the weak, and not the fittest, survived. The strongest and fittest could not be trusted to be loyal.

The weak, who were openly unambitious, meek, obedient, and loyal to the emerging order, were trusted and given control of party structures to the chagrin of time tested politicians who had genuine influence and traditional mass following. Dissenting voices were not tolerated. Sycophancy, bootlicking and songs of praise were rewarded handsomely. Truth, sincerity of purpose and fidelity to party members took flight from the PDP. Gradually but steadily, strong politicians began to leave the PDP to join and energise the almost non-existent opposition parties.

By that time, the PDP had become a thriving enterprise with guarantee of very high returns

on investments. The major binding force of the various interest groups that aggregated under the umbrella was the equitable sharing of loot at the expense of the state treasury. This venture was systematically entrenched by the zoning and rotational arrangement of political offices across board, from top to bottom.

The direct cause of implosion and the eventual loss of power of the PDP was the violation of the zoning and rotational arrangement within the party by former President Goodluck Jonathan by his insistence on running twice, in 2011 and 2015. This less than gentlemanly was poised to distort the equitable distribution of loot and skew it in favour of his Niger Delta region. The last batch of the strongest and fittest politicians, who opposed to the re-election of Jonathan, left the party and joined forces with other interest groups to form the most formidable opposition party in the history of the Fourth Republic, the APC. The combination of a weakened party with a fewer and weaker membership and an extreme neo-liberal economic practice, which enriched a few and impoverished the vast majority, made PDP easily defeated by the opposition coalition and cut short its sixty year rule projection to sixteen.

If the PDP failed Nigerians while in government; the party has failed Nigerians more in opposition. The party is currently

fictionalised and embroiled in internal power struggle. The biggest problem today is its governor’s forum; a group that seeks to continue the same undemocratic and unethical practices that brought the party down. Their eyes are not set on the bigger picture of returning the party to a formidable force as an alternative to APC but rather focused on controlling party structures to the exclusion of their perceived opponents. They have turned their various state chapters into personal political fiefdoms. This has strengthened their hold on the party but ultimately weakened it the more. The governors do not inspire genuine followership among the larger society because of their numerous cases of misrule and under-performance.

Governance in the states is at the lowest ebb since the advent of the Fourth Republic. There are no visible and viable projects being executed, while there are backlogs of salaries running into several months. The unfavourable perception of the governors is rubbing of on the image of the party negatively.

Until PDP governors begin to play the politics of inclusion by yielding their absolute control of the structures of the party to other relevant stakeholders, the party will never regain strength.

After the mass exodus of strong politicians from the PDP, the party is left with weak politicians who cannot win elections without federal might and presidential incumbency. Some members of the party, including some sitting governors, are already plotting their movement into the ruling APC. These weak politicians cannot endure the rigours of opposition. The recent abysmal performance of PDP in the gubernatorial election in Ondo State is symptomatic of the decay and weakness of the PDP, as well as the self-inflicted and deep crisis ravaging the party. In the face of a woeful performance in power by the APC led federal government, the PDP has not been able to draw from its experience in government and clearly articulate an alternative socioeconomic policy that comprehensively addresses the current challenges facing the nation. The grim reality of this failure leaves Nigerians no alternative than to live with the reality of another four years of an APC led federal government despite its huge under-performance on its first mandate.

Majeed Dahiru, a public affairs analyst, writes from Abuja

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

Godwin Anyebe In a world where economic performance, growth and development are defining business success, companies are also challenged to ensure their environmental and social impact are primed towards sustainable growth and development.

Patrons of brands are becoming more mindful of where to spend their money. While many brand owners are fulfilling parts of their corporate social responsibility model, few are truly embedding corporate social responsibility into their business model and in a way responding to the expectations of consumers.

The trend has moved from a slow growth and a stagnant population to an era of sustained economic growth. Although, the government plays a key role by way of providing friendly environment for sustainable business, the private sector remains the engine room for economic growth and development. Corporate social responsibility is still one of the mediums owners of brands can engage in, and contribute to the growth and development of a nation.

Daily Times checks shows that every now and again, the media reports yet another example of corporate social responsibility.

While the act receives applauds in some quarters, others are of the opinion that most of what is reported cannot be measured as real corporate social reasonability that leads to growth and development of a nation.

It is events such as these that have led to calls by analysts for corporations to take their social responsibilities as seriously as they pursue their economic objectives. However, other scholars subscribe to the theory of the firm, whereby all activity has to be directed towards delivering shareholder value.

It is worthy of note that the new way of engaging the consumer with brands and adding value to brand equity is through cause marketing. Marketers have used corporate social responsibility as a platform to create awareness, engage communities and raise funds for the cause that is close to their heart or what they feel is impactful and will bring people to support it. In today’s era, it is essential for a brand to be socially responsible. With so much online chatter about giving back to the society and being a harbinger of change in any form, it is important for consumers to know that brands are not here for just profit, but also to make an impact in society for the better.

For example, the Nigerian Breweries Maltina teacher of the year award as a corporate social responsibility initiative where blocks of class rooms are built

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CSR

CSR as catalyst for growth and development in the school of the teacher that emerges winner has gone a long way to demonstrate a sense of growth and development in the community where they do business.

Another area that analysts believe is causing lots of concerns is the youth demography. For these analysts, one of the biggest problems today’s youths face is the unequal access to opportunity and the lack of emphasis on education. In order for economic growth to occur, the youth population must have access to quality education, adequate nutrition and health. Therefore, economic growth opportunities through youth development are great if tapped and nurtured appropriately. Nigerian youths are facing acute pressure from getting a job to credible performance at the workplace. There is need to create a productive workforce that can make a significant contribution to Nigeria’s economic development. One of the ways building such workforce is to provide enough opportunities for education, skill development and the spirit of entrepreneurship.

Commenting on this issue, a public affairs commentator, Abiodun Aremu said; “one of the sustained ways of addressing poverty is youth skill development.

It goes a long way as skills can be used to earn livelihood, assist others and even invest for future use. Skills can be equated with long lasting empowerment. A significant step is to reduce the rural and urban gap, especially in educational infrastructure and attitudes to education. Catching and training them young is a priority.

It could be extremely precarious to leave out youth without proper skill set and training. Alienation from employability and job opportunities could invite youth towards crime and create antisocial elements. Therefore, it is critical to build formal institutional mechanisms to address skill development programs.

Technical education should aim at raising skilled workforce that is employer ready.”

According to him, “corporate bodies through their corporate social responsibility programmes should ensure a spirit of entrepreneurship be inculcated right from the school to create more job providers than job seekers for a vibrant economy. It helps youth engaged in innovation, production, distribution, consumption, regeneration, and etc.

Systemic linkages have to be established to link education with

Aremu training, placement and real life scenario to survive and sustain in the competitive world.”

He pointed out that; youths are powerful. They represent courage with wisdom and energy with will power to take leadership.

The energy and wisdom has to respected, guided and nurtured for future roles. Youths needs to be in leadership role. Youth can be antidote to bad governance and corruption. They have power to change. Education programs should aim to teach and young minds right from the school level the importance of choosing right people who would take charge of governance. Conventionally, youth have been asked to keep away from politics. Youth should be motivated to consider politics as a means to serve the nation.

They should be oriented on anticorruption drives with focus on prevention, education, and strategies for fighting corruption.

Good governance is realistic with youth empowerment.”

Continuing, he said that, new economy brings fresh challenges along with the spurt of economic development. Therefore to create better work life balance and take up future challenges, brand owners through their corporate social responsibility must ensure that, youth is equipped with in-

formation on health, nutrition and preventive care. Concerted and outreach programs have to be taken up right from school age.

A segment of disengaged youth could be a serious concern for the growing vibrant economy Public funds are insufficient to cover the amount of efforts required and it’s the right time for non-government organizations, corporates and philanthropists contribute towards the grander efforts in making youth engaged, employable and inclusive in creating balanced economy.

For him, corporate social responsibility is a wonderful opportunity for corporates to undertake various initiatives to promote youth empowerment.

Companies can take up activities to promote education and employment enhancing vocation skills and livelihood enhancement projects. Celebrating national Youth Day will instill confidence among the youth of the times that their empowerment will go a long way in achieving national dreams.

On whether or not companies can invest in CSR in this period of economic crisis, a an economist, Pwano Maxwell told Daily Times that, the economic downturn brings with it new wrinkles for large corporations to address as part of their corporate social

responsibility planning.

His words; “with the unprecedented focus on addressing the economic situation combined with swift government response driven by the fiscal stimulus package, CSR planning will come to the forefront for future growth opportunities for major corporations. Companies will be forced to decide whether it is financially responsible to continue to invest in CSR initiatives or to incorporate conservative spending habits in order to weather the economic storm.”

According to him, “environmental CSR initiatives play a key role for major corporations to impact climate change, water use footprint and energy use effectiveness. Some of the leading corporations that have achieved CSR success with environmental initiatives can motivate the competitive landscape of the marketplace to improve operational efficiency, rethink product designs, and seek out new and innovative technology. Effective resource management and energy efficiency are major environmental CSR goals that are relevant for the present participants. This leads to opportunities for cost savings, revenue generation, and can even influence overall brand strength through positive environmental reputation.”

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Daily Times Nigeria

Daily Times Nigeria

Monday, December 5, 2016

Monday, December 5, 2016

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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

PUBLIC NOTICE

DISTINGUISHED PEOPLE OF ANAMBRA CLUB.

This is to notify the General public of the loss of Original land receipt belonging to Mr. Shittu O. Adigun of no 9, Folami Street, Bashua village Shomolu issued by Bashua Chieftancy Family Council dated on 15th june 1974. All effort to trace the said document proved abortive. If found please return to Alhaja Shakirat Ajoke Abijoh. The general public, please take note.

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

THE ALMIGHTY ALPHA AND THE OMEGA MISSION INTERNATIONAL RC CAC/IT/NO. 73892

SALAMI OLUFEMI MEDIA INITIATIVE.

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for Change of Trustees and Amendment of Constitution under Part ‘C’ of the Companies And Allied Matters Act, 1990 THE OLD TRUSTEES ARE: 1. OZOMAGBO FESTUS IFEANYI - REMOVED 2. PATRICK OGBU - RETAINED 3. CHISOM NWAMAKA ENEMUOR - RETAINED APPOINTMENT OF NEW TRUSTEES: 1. CHINWE VICTORIA ENEMUOONYEKACHI OLIVE ENEMUO 2. ONYEKACHI OLIVE ENEMUO AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION: To amend the following Articles; 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7 of the constitution of the Association.

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

SIGNED: CHIMA HENRY EBERE ESQ.

ZION EMBASSY TOTAL EMPOWERMENT MINISTRY This is to inform the general public that the above named Ministry has applied for Registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990 Trustee: 1. Olise Maureen Aghasagbon 2. Iroegbu Chioma Evelyn 3.Agharese Nosa 4.Olise Fidelis Olise.

Aim And Objectves: 1.To operate as a christian church to teach the bible.

2.To organise programmes to teach moral to members of the society .3.Toprovide aid for widows, Orphans and the indigent in the society.

4.To establish a bible school to train pastors. Any objective to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar general Corporate Affairs Commission Plot 420 Tigris Crescent off Aguyi lronsi Street Maitama Abuja within 28days of this publication Signed Secretary

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.

OKOYE MATHEW NWAMAKA 2.

IDIKA EMMANUEL UMA 3.

ONUIGBO CHIDIEBERE JOHN 4.

ARIKABE STEPHEN CHINEDU AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO LIVE IN UNITY, PEACE AND HARMONY. 2. TO PROMOTE UNITY AND UNDERSTANDING AMONG MEMBERS OF THE CLUB. 3. TO RENDER UNRESERVED SUPPORT TO MEMBERS OF THE CLUB WHERE AND WHEN NECESSARY. 4. TO PROMOTE GOOD RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CLUB AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS. 5. TO RAISE FUND FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE CLUB. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN TWENTY EIGHT (28) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

IHITE DEVELOPMENT UNION PORT HARCOURT. THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990 THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. JOEL UGBOAJA - CHAIRMAN 2. STEPHEN OKEKE 3. GILBERT GABRIEL CHIMOBI 4. OKPARA CYPRIAN - SECRETARY 5. MONDAY OKEKE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PROMOTE UNITY, LOVE AND PROGRESS AMONG MEMBERS ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR- GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET, PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA. WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.Michael Onyekwere 2.Chimaobi Gabriel 3.John Duru 4.Hon Alphonsus Okeke 5.Chekwube Ike 6.Remigius Ogbonnaya 7.Hyginus Nwogu 8.Odera Favour Izendu.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.To Live in peace,be our brothers keeper.

2.To Extend help to our Community State and Nation at large.

3.To build human Capacity among individual members.

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

Signed: Ekene Fabian Apuamaga ( ESQ ) 08068530088.

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Salami Olufemi Joseph - Chairman 2. Anyaibe John kennedy - Secretary Aim and objective: 1. To empower the youth and assist the less privileges in our society.

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

Signed:. J E Anaekwe & Co.

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Etukumana Ekeate Akpan 2. Lauren Richard King 3. Greatness Tinuade Edobor Aims and objectives: 1. To encourage and promote increase in agricultural produce 2. To promote the interest and welfare of its members 3. To advocate for healthy policies for its members Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General of Corporate Affairs Commission Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: John Abah Augustine, Esq 08056670252

CHANGE OF FAMILY SURNAME

We, formerly known and addressed as 1) PRINCESS CHIKAODINAKA RUTH ACHIELEKWA, 2) IFEANYICHUKWU ACHIELEKWA, 3) CHIMUDINDU DEBORAH ACHIELEKWA, 4) TOCHUKWU ISRAEL ACHIELEKWA, Now wish to be known and addressed as 1) PRINCESS CHIKAODINAKA JEDIDAH IFEANYI, 2) PRINCE JOTHAN IFEANYI, 3) CHIMUDINDU DEBORAH IFEANYI, 4) ISREAL TOCHUKWU IFEANYI. All other documents bearing the old names remain valid. General public should please take note.

OMO ILERI CHILDREN HOME.

SPIRIT FILLED SISTERS FELLOWSHIP

This is to notify the general public that the above named ‘Home’ has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part C of the companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004.

This is to inform the general public that above named has applied for Registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part ‘‘C’’ of the companies Allied Matters Act 1990.

Trustees: 1.

Nwogu Kelly Izuwa 2.

Nwogu Chijioke Edith 3.

Nwogu Victoria

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1 Mr. Adeyemi Oyewale Oni 3 Mr. Celestine Nwaiwu 5 Mrs. Olayinka Ibiyemi Williams 6 Miss. Adebimpe Tomisin Oni 7 Pastor Dele Onalaja.

2 Mr. Samuel Taiwo Adewole 4 Mrs. Bolanle Olutoyin Oni

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:1 To cater for the less privilege children; 2 To upgrade lives; 3 To give children hopes and care.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission plot 420 Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi lronsi street Maitama Abuja within 28 Days of this Publication Signed: Ekene Ugbede ESQ ( Ronke Akinola & Co) 200 Igbosere Street, Lagos Island

4th Floor, Onafeko House,

STRENGTHENED IN FAITH MINISTRY

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: (1) ADEWOYIN REBECCA ARIKE - PRESIDENT, Female (2) ADEWOYIN OLUWAFEMISAYO JOHN - SECRETARY, Male (3) ADEWOYIN OLADENI PETER AIM AND OBJECTIVE: (1) To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to all mankind Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: TRUSTEES. DECLARATION OF AGE :

I, MIKE KADIBIA OGUAJU WAS BORN ON THE 21ST DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 1981 AT ABA IN ABA NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ABIA STATE TO THE FAMILY OF MR. DOMINIC OGUAJU (FATHER) FROM AMAIHE, ORSUIHITEUKWA IN ORSU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF IMO STATE AND MRS. JOVITA OGUAJU (MOTHER) FROM AMAIHE, ORSUIHITEUKWA IN ORSU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF IMO STATE AND THAT HE IS AN INDIGENE OF AMAIHE, ORSUIHITEUKWA IN ORSU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF IMO STATE OF NIGERIA.ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. UNITED STATES, SPANISH , NIGERIAN EMBASSIES, ALL OTHER AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

Aims and Objectives: 1.

To raise up Godly women, Filled and controlled by the spirit of God 2.

To conduct counseling to families and build marriages and homes 3.

To support welfare of the members 4.

To organize programs, conferences, seminars and symposia in family related matters.

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

Signed: Shepherd Staff & Associate

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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

FRADERLIN LUCY A

DIKE JOLLY

ABIDOGUN SEUN OLAMIDE

CLARIFICATION OF IDENTITY

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

I, formerly known and addressed as ABIDOGUN OLUWASEUN ENOCH, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ABIDOGUN SEUN OLAMIDE. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

I, ADENIKE OMOWUNMI ADENUGA IS ALSO KNOWN AND AND ADDRESSED AS ADENIKE MONSURAT ADENUGA. ALL DOCUMENTS STILL VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE

I, formerly known and addressed as LAWAL AUSTEN FRIDAY, now wish to be known, called and addressed as AUGUSTINE LAWAL. All former documents remain valid.

General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

ROTIMI OLUWAKEMI ENITAN I, formerly known and addressed as AJALA KEMI ENITAN, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ROTIMI OLUWAKEMI ENITAN. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that I am the same bearer of AKINBOBOLA FEMI MIKE written on my BVN Card. That omission of OLUWA from OLUWAFEMI was a mistake during the registration for BVN. That I hereby affirmed that my correct name is AKINBOBOLA OLUWAFEMI MIKE. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

That on my LASRA document and birth certificate, my name appears as AGBOOLA OLUWATOSIN, while on my National Identity Card, my name appears as AJAO OLUWATOSIN. That I am the one bearing both names.

All former documents bearing both names are mine and remain valid.

General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

OKEH LUCKY VALENTINE

UCHE DAVID ORJI.

I, UKPE LUCY EKUHORMRE, AND FRADERLIN LUCY A., refer to one and same person but, now wish to be known and addressed as, FRADERLIN LUCY A. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

AUGUSTINE LAWAL.

I, formerly known and addressed as OKE LUCKY, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OKEH LUCKY VALENTINE. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

EJA ELE ELIAS Formerly known and addressed as EJA ELIAS JOHN, now wish to be known, called and addressed as EJA ELE ELIAS. All former documents remain valid.

General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

ADEESIEN SAMUEL AKPAN.

I, formerly known and addressed as ESENEYEN SUNDAY EFFIONG, now wish to be known and addressed as ADEESIEN SAMUEL AKPAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

FADIJI DOLAPO OLUMIDE.

I, formerly known and addressed as AMOS OLUMIDE DOLAPO, now wish to be known and addressed as FADIJI DOLAPO OLUMIDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as UCHE KENNETH ORJI, now wish to be known, called and addressed as UCHE DAVID ORJI. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

VICTORIA AYEGBA JOHNSON.

I, formerly called and addressed as VICTORIA ELEOJO ONOJA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as VICTORIA AYEGBA JOHNSON. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

My name was wrongly written on my BVN as ANGEL CHIDI NNEKA, instead of NNEKA ANGEL EGEDE. My date of birth is 24th Dec. 1979.All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AWOYEMI OMOWUMI ADETORO.

Formerly known and addressed as KUBURAT OLOTO, now wish to be known and addressed as AWOYEMI OMOWUMI ADETORO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

MARY MOSES I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ESHIWHOBIE MARY, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. MARY MOSES. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

AKUE HAPPINESS

I, formerly known and addressed as OKONAFOR HAPPINESS, now wish to be known and addressed as AKUE HAPPINESS. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

LAWAL UMMAR FARUK

I, formerly known and addressed as AZEEZ RUKAYAT ARINOLA, now to be known and addressed as BABATUNDE OJUOLAPE RUKAYAT ARINOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

JIMOH MAROOF OMOTOSHO.

I, formerly known and addressed as OMOTOSHO MAROOF, now wish to be known and addressed as JIMOH MAROOF OMOTOSHO. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

LABRAN SHUILABU

I FORMERLY KNOW AND ADDRESSED as Oigocho.

John. And john Shuaibu Now wish to be known and addressed as. Labran.

Shuilabu. All Former documents remain valid general public should take note.

AINA ADEPEJU DUROTIMI.

UMAR MOHAMMED

CORRECTION OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as OGUNTUSI ADEPEJU DUROTIMI, now wish to be known and addressed as AINA ADEPEJU DUROTIMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as UMAR FARUK MOHAMMED, now wish to be known and addressed as UMAR MOHAMMED. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

AMUDAT OLUREMI KENI.

MICHAEL ESTHER PHILIP

FARIBO JOY OKWUCHUKWU This is to certify that GILBERT FARIBO, JOY GILBERT and FARIBO JOY OKWUCHUKWU are one and same person, now wish to be known and addressed as FARIBO JOY OKWUCHUKWU. Again my date of birth is 7th October, 1974. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nkwocha Happiness, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Iwunze Happiness. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS MUIBAT ADETOUN IBIJOKE ABUDU, now wish to be known and addressed MRS MUIBAT ADETOUN IBIJOKE SOTUBO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AKINOLA TEMITOPE BLESSING

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ADEKOLA TEMITOPE BLESSING, now to be known and addressed as MRS AKINOLA TEMITOPE BLESSING. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ADESHINA ADETUTU.

I, formerly known and addressed as SHADIPE SERIFAT, now to be known and addressed as ADESHINA ADETUTU. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

GBEMISOLA BOLUWATIFE.

Formerly known and addressed as EVANGELIST FELICIA GEGE BOLUWATIFE, now wish to be known and addressed as GBEMISOLA BOLUWATIFE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as CHARITY MICHAEL PHILIP, now wish to be known and addressed as MICHAEL ESTHER PHILIP. My date of birth is 24/04/1979. All former documents remain valid.

MUIBAT ADETOUN IBIJOKE SOTUBO.

BABATUNDE OJUOLAPE RUKAYAT

LAWRENCE EYO EKPO

I, formerly known and addressed as LAWRENCE AKUJOBI EKWEBELAM, now wish to be known and addressed LAWRENCE EYO EKPO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS AMUDAT AMODU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AMUDAT OLUREMI KENI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AGBOOLA TITILOPE JOSEPHI

TOSIN MONSURU.

BALOGUN ADEDAMOLA OPEMIPO

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ADEDEJI ADEDAMOLA OPEMIPO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS BALOGUN ADEDAMOLA OPEMIPO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as UMMAR LAWALI, now wish to be known and addressed as LAWAL UMMAR FARUK. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as GANIYU SAKIRAT TITILOPE, now wish to be known and addressed AGBOOLA TITILOPE JOSEPHI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as WAHEED OLATUNJI ADEMOLA, now to be known and addressed as TOSIN MONSURU. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

ADELEKE ISAAC OLABODE Formerly known and addressed as ADELEKE ISAAC SUNDAY, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ADELEKE ISAAC OLABODE. All former documents remain valid.

General publica and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

SHUAIBU UMAR

I, formerly known and addressed as JAMU ALFA AKANGBE, AKANGBE MAJILA JAMIU, JAMIU AKANGBE, JIBOLA BABALOLA, SHITU JIMOH OLUWATUNSOLA, now wish to be known and addressed ARIKEWUYO JIMOH AKANGBE. My date of birth is 19th JUNE 1960. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

PETER MICHEAL BABAYEH. I, formerly known and addressed as Dodo James, now wish to be known and addressed as Peter Micheal Babayeh. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OMMISSION/CORRECTION OF NAME That on my Bank documents and driver’s licence, TAIWO was omitted from my name as BHADMOS AKOLAWOLE TIMOTHY instead of BHADMOS AKOLAWOLE TIMOTHY TAIWO. That on my Bank documents my name was wrongly written as BHADMUS AKOLAWOLE TIMOTHY TAIWO instead of BHADMOS AKOLAWOLE TIMOTHY TAIWO. That my correct name is BHADMOS AKOLAWOLE TIMOTHY TAIWO. General public take note.

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

ONUCHUKWU MABEL CHIKEZIE

I, formerly known and addressed as NWANGBARA FREDRICK IZUCHUKWU, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OKECHUKWU FREDRICK IZUCHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OF COMPANY

ONYIRIOHA CHINWE.

I, formerly called and addressed as ONUCHUKWU MABEL UCHECHI, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. ONUCHUKWU MABEL CHIKEZIE. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

OKECHUKWU FREDRICK IZUCHUKWU

I, OLABAMIJI MURITALA, the Chief Executive Officer of Imate Stores situated in Computer Village, Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria. That the company in question was formerly known and addressed as Imate Stores. That I wish to change the Company’s name from previous name to IMATE APPLE STORES. General public and Authorities Concerned should take note.

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS NWAFOR CHINWE, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN, CALLED AND ADDRESSED AS ONYIRIOHA CHINWE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME/CORRECTION OF DATE

NWIBO JOHN MADUABUCHI I, formerly known and addressed as Nwibo John Ogbonna, now with to be known and addressed as Nwibo John Maduabuchi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

IKECHUKWU OBUMNEME NWOSU.

Formerly known and addressed as IKECHUKWU NWOSU, now wish to be known as IKECHUKWU OBUMNEME NWOSU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

BALOGUN AHMED MARTINS

Formerly known and addressed as Ganiyu Balogun Ahmed, now wish to be known and addressed as Balogun Ahmed Martins. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

GLORY DIDI CHUKURA

I, formerly known and addressed as GLORY DIDI ULU, now to be known and addressed as GLORY DIDI CHUKURA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note

OYEJOLA ORITSELEGHEMI MAUREEN

MARTINS CHUKWUDI UDEGBUNAM

I formerly known and addressed as Omaghomi Oritseleghemi Maureen. Now wish to be known and addressed as.

Oyejola. Oritseleghemi Maureen. All Former documents remain valid general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as. Martins. Chuks Udegbunam Now wish to be known and addressed as.

Martins. Chukwudi. Udegbunam all Former documents remain valid general public should take note

IWUNZE HAPPINESS

ESTHER IYABO JOSEPH

I, formerly known and addressed as Esther Dalmenda Joseph, now wish to be known and addressed as Esther Iyabo Joseph. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note ETIM KELVIN UMOREN.

I, formerly known and addressed as ETIM KINGSLEY AKPAN, now wish to be known and addressed as ETIM KELVIN UMOREN. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKOEBOR EKIMHENIDO JULIET

I formerly known and addressed as. Ehiagwina. Juliet.

Now wish to be known and addressed as. Okoebor Ekimhenido. Juliet all Former documents remain valid general public should take note.

My name was wrongly written as OMOGBAI FAMOUS AMOS, instead of OMOGBAI PATRICK AMOS. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

STELLA NWAMAKA ONYEGBUNA

Formerly known and addressed as STELLA NWAMAKA CHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as STELLA NWAMAKA ONYEGBUNA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

UCHECHI VERONICA NWIBO

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Uchechi Veronica Uguru, now with to be known and addressed as MRS. Uchechi Veronica Nwibo. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EMO ABO AMED

I, formerly known and addressed as AHMED EMOABO, now to be known and addressed as EMO ABO AMED. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAMES

This is to confirm that I, SHEWU ABIODUN ALLI-OWE and ABIODUN ALLI-OWE is referred to as one and the same person. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AROWOSHOLA BUKOLA ODUNAYO

I Formely known and addressed as Miss. Arowoshola.

Bukola. Odunayo. Now wish to be known and addressed as. Mrs. Adeyera. Olubukola.

Odunayo.

News 12 Money laundering: ExLagos speaker, Ikuforiji, aide, head to S’Court.

Peter Fowoyo

ÏÏÏ Days after ruling of a Lagos

division of the Court of Appeal ordered their re-trial for money laundering offences, former Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Ikuforiji Sabit Adeyemi, and his personal assistant, Olabode Alade Atoyebi, have filed a notice of appeal.

In the notice of appeal filed before Supreme Court of Nigeria challenging the verdict of the appellate court, both the former Speaker and his personal assistant, through their lawyer, Barrister Abiodun Onidare, separately asked the apex court to set aside the whole ruling of the Appeal Court.

The duo described the Appeal Court’s decisions as unreasonable, unwarranted, and cannot be supported having regards to the evidence and materials on record.

Consequently, appellants are urging the Supreme Court, to uphold their no case submissions as upheld by a federal high court in Lagos, presided over by Justice Ibrahim Buba, on September 26, 2014, and dismiss the Appeal Court’s decision.

The appellants further stated in the notice of appeal that, more grounds of appeal will be filed upon receipt of the certified true copy of the judgment appealed against.

The Lagos division of the Court of Appeal had set aside the ruling of Justice Ibrahim Buba of a Lagos Federal High Court, which discharged former Speaker, Ikuforiji and his personal assistant, Oyebode, of a 56-count charge of conspiracy and laundering the sum of N500 million belonging to the Assembly, an offences, which according to the EFCC, contravened Sections 15 (1d) and 16(1d) of Money Laundry Act (MLA) 2004 and 2011.

The appellate court in a unanimous judgment set aside the verdict of Justice Ibrahim Buba, holding that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had made out a prima facie case against the former Speaker and his personal assistant to require them to enter a defence to the charge brought against them.

In the lead judgment delivered

by Justice Biobela Georgewill, the appellate court also ordered that trial should start trial ‘de novo’ (afresh), before another judge of the Federal High Court, Lagos other than Justice Buba in the light of the far-reaching findings already made by him.

Other members of the threeman panel are: Justice Side Dauda Bage and Justice Ugochukwu Ogakwu.

Daily Times Nigeria L Ɨ ƕè #ƆƅƆƌƄƆƏ ǀè ƾƠơÕ

Gowon, Obasanjo, Shonekan, Osinbajo grace Villa Chapel’s thanksgiving ÏÏÏ Aso

Villa Church, yesterday, played host to former heads of state and three former vice presidents, who joined the current vice president, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, at a thanksgiving service.

The annual thanksgiving service was attended by former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Head of the Interim Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, and

former Chiefs of General Staff Ebitu Ukiwe and Oladipo Diya.

Also present at the service were the wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo and Mrs Shonekan.

Vice President Osinbajo, while speaking at the end of the service, expressed gratitude to “the former presidents and vice presidents for gracing the thanksgiving service,” adding that he specially invited them to the occasion.

Osinbajo explained that al-

though former President Goodluck Jonathan was also invited to the event, he had to cancel his attendance at the last minute.

“So, we are all extremely excited that we are able to bring everyone together to thank God for our nation and to give him thanks for the great future ahead of us.

“We are thanking God, it is a wonderful occasion to thank God and that is what we have done here today.”

Earlier at the service, for-

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mer Head of State, Gen. Gowon prayed over the thanksgiving offering at the service.

Gowon, in his remarks, urged all Nigerians to support the present administration’s efforts towards revamping the economy and restoring Nigeria’s dignity in the comity of nations.

He also offered special prayers for the leadership of the nation to overcome the numerous challenges and return Nigeria to the path of prosperity, peace and progress.

In his sermon, the chaplain of the Aso Villa Chapel, Pastor Sheyi Malomo, emphasised the importance of thanksgiving in every human endeavour. Citing the scriptures, the clergyman said God was expectant of gratitude for his good deeds to man.

According to him, “it is the will of God that whatever situation you are in, you should always give thanks to God because he expects thanksgiving every time.”

High-point of the occasion was during the thanksgiving proper when the former leaders joined the vice president and his wife to dance forward towards the altar in praise and adoration of God. Everyone in the congregation also followed suit in thanksgiving and prayers.

A number of cabinet ministers, several top government functionaries and Christian leaders were also in attendance.

After the service, the leaders joined the vice president at his residence for breakfast.

Lagos Assembly begins work on 2017 budget Alade Tasma

ÏÏÏ The

Lagos state House of Assembly has commenced work in earnest on the state 2017 budget presented to it by Governor Akinwumi Ambode last Tuesday, November 29.

The governor had presented a budget estimate of N812. 998 billion to the state assembly for the 2017 fiscal year for its consideration and approval.

The House, after its plenary on Thursday, December 1 adjourned till December 27 to allow all relevant committees of the House to immediately resume work at scrutinizing the budget and to complete the exercise in a record time.

The Speaker of the House, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, had assured Lagosians during the budget presentation exercise that the House would immediately resume work on the presentation and look at the nitty-gritty of the budget es-

timates to ensure that the budget delivers it’s desired good through oversight function.

He however, charged all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to furnish the House with all necessary documents to aid the quick passage of the budget.

Governor Ambode while presenting the budget titled; the “Golden Jubilee Budget” as it coincided with the 50th anniversary of the State said the capital expenditure stands at N512 billion while the recurrent expenditure is put at N300 billion, a ratio of 63.37 percent.

Ambode had assured Lagosians that the 2017 budget will continue the mass renewal of infrastructure and enhancement of the state as one of the foremost tourism and investment destination in Africa.

“While we focus on physical infrastructure, we shall continue to pay due attention to social infrastructure, especially, health,

education, Youth and social development in 2017,” the Governor stated.

Ambode also disclosed that the State expect to shore up its revenue from the federal allocation through the 13 percent derivation from oil and gas in 2017 which according to the Governor, will further boost the revenue profile of the state.

Disclosing further on what to expect in the coming year in the area of food security, the Governor promised to accelerate the food expansion programme with a special focus on rice production, animal husbandry and root crops while the State, according to him, will intensify collaboration with other States in the development of a commodity value chain specifically for food commodities.

The Governor further promised to invest more to boost fish production in the State by improving the production capacity of Ayobo fish farm estate in Alimosho area,

all these, in addition to providing employment opportunities for the youth.

The Speaker of the state assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, in his remarks at the presentation, commended the governor for the successful implementation of the 2016 budget, while stressing the supportive role played by the Assembly in the enviable performance of the Governor in the outgoing year.

Obasa commended the governor for its determination to develop the state despite the dwindling revenue. The Speaker further commended the governor on the road infrastructure, transportation, light up Lagos project and other developments.

The Speaker however, assured that the House would continue to support the executive to bring more development to Lagosians.

The 2017 budget size is N150.4bn or 18.5 percent above that of 2016 which stood at N662.58 billion.

4

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

Page Three

s PHOTO TIMES

Editorial Funding for Small and Medium Enterprises

R

ecently, the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) called on the Federal Government to adequately fund small businesses in order to achieve price stability and increase aggregate output in the Nigerian economy. According to the chamber, the Federal Government should develop policies that will enhance accessibility of funds to these enterprises in order to leapfrog Nigeria’s industrial development and create much-needed jobs for the teeming unemployed.

We are totally in support of this call, even as we advise that the Federal Government embrace it in entirety. It is a fact that small and medium enterprises are the engine of economic growth in any developed and developing society.

The major advantage of the sector is its employment potential at low capital cost, even as the labour intensity of the SME sector is much higher than that of the large enterprises. Unarguably, the role of these enterprises in the economic and social development of Nigeria cannot be over-emphasised.

Most importantly, the SME sector is a nursery of entrepreneurship, often driven by individual creativity and innovation. As the engine of economic progress, small and medium enterprises are also the main driving force behind poverty reduction, wealth creation, income distribution and reduction in income disparities. Moreover, in a country like Nigeria with an adverse balance of payment situation, the growing contribution of the small scale industries sector in the export portfolio goes a long way in generating foreign exchange and smoothening out the adverse balance of payment situation.

This is important to the economy in that large percentage of their production inputs are sourced locally thus, reducing the pressure on the limited foreign exchange earnings, thereby helping to eliminate some of the deficit in the

balance of payment. Even at that, it is praiseworthy that successive administrations were not oblivious of the place of SME in the country’s development.

Hence, the establishment of micro-finance banks to act as source of funds for them. Such policy is geared towards enhancing the operation of small-scale businesses through fiscal monetary, and export incentives that included tax holidays and tariff concession.

In terms of monetary support, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) introduced credit guidelines requiring commercial and merchant banks to allocate a portion of their loanable funds to small businesses. In spite of these efforts, experts have worried that funds for small and medium enterprises had always been misappropriated because majority of the loans were granted in most cases on political rather than on commercial or project viability considerations.

In the end, those with little or no political connections are sidelined. Due to this, many SME’s resort to informal sources of finance, which include personal saving and borrowing from friends, families and credit associations? More painful is that formal financial institutions like commercial banks are still very unwilling to grant credits to SMEs. Another inhibiting factor is the improper implementation of policies and inability to recruit trained manpower and adequate equipment to aid the extension services to support the SMEs. Added to this, is the challenge of inadequate infrastructural facilities such as electricity, potable water, feeder roads, that have remained drawbacks to growth of these enterprises. With evidence of success in countries like India, Indonesia and Malaysia where SMEs constitute more than 40 percent of the Gross Domestic Product, those in Nigeria could become models if enabling policies are well implemented.

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

Deputy Editor, Daily Ken Madueke

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Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu (middle), top government officials and some indigenes of Ukome Isieke community after the official flag off of Ukome/Isieke road in Abia by Ikpeazu… at the weekend.

STATEMENTS BY THOSE WHO MATTER

Circulation Manager Segun Bamgboye

Business Development Manager Ifeanyi Emefu 08086296714

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Sokoto State Governor, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (left) and Minister of Communications, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, during a courtesy visit on Tambuwal in Government House…at the weekend.

Words On Marble :

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

L-R: Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa; Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Sen. Monsurat Sunmonu; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye and Chairman Senate Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Sen. Rose Oko, during the Validation seminar on the proposed National Policy on Diaspora Matters in Abuja… at the weekend.

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Nelson Mandela

Obafemi Awolowo

Nnamdi Azikiwe

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

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

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

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

27 Features

The Indians were worst culprits CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26

the completion of Ajaokuta adversely affected Delta steel especially following the pronouncement of late Gbadamosi in 1996.

Of recent, Nigeria had a minister of finance, who was highly supportive of the destruction of Ajaokuta. She did not want anything to do with the iron and steel industry. Our association had interactive sessions with successive ministers of steel and they revealed that every proposal given to the finance minister on iron and steel was rejected and thrown out. So, in the last 10 years, there had been nothing to take home on the development of steel in the country.

In the present dispensation, we were hoping that new life would be injected into the iron and steel sector, but we are disappointed. In August this year, an Indian company that came and ruined the steel industry in Nigeria from 2004 to 2008, was given the concession of the Ajaokuta Steel Company, Delta Steel Company was sold to them out right, the rail link between Ajaokuta and Warri was given to them, Sapele Power Plant was given to them, the Warri Port also given as well as permit to export any quantum of money out of Nigeria.

They were given 19 mining leases to mine all sort of raw materials; the same Indian company that stripped Ajaokuta and destroyed our steel between 2004 and 2008. Recall that they vandalised Ajaokuta, removing important facilities and taking them to Delta in the name of borrowing and taking whatever raw materials stockpiled in Ajaokuta and converted them to finished products and exported them. When we raised the alarm over the destruction of Ajaokuta to successive governments, they did not listen to us, except late Umar Yar’Adua who saw the innuendos of stakeholders’ complains against the Indian company. So, he set up an administrative panel to investigate all the allegations labelled against the Indian company to establish whether they were true and if there were evidences.

There were some things like the financial transactions and deals which were not pleasing to us and the Central Bank of Nigeria, but the panel has authority to look at their financial transactions and the CBN kept warning that there was no record that the Indian company ever imported one dollar into Nigeria but there were records of their huge exportation of money from Nigeria. Despite all these documented damages, the present government went ahead in August 2016 to sign an agreement with this same Indian company to come and operate Itakpe Iron Coal Mine for seven years. It is dangerous. There are currently carrying out technical audit of iron, coal and mine at Itakpe.

The reason the Minister of Steel granted them the concession is that the Indians have surrendered Ajaokuta back to Nigeria and the plant is now in the fold of the federal government. But that was a misleading statement.

There was never a time that anybody took away Ajaokuta Steel Company from Nigeria. It has always been the Nigerian property, and nobody had ever asked the Nigerian government not to operate Ajaokuta. Though there was an arbitration case in London, the pronouncement of the court was that the Nigerian government should not sell Ajaokuta Steel Company to any third party during the pendency of the arbitration, it says ‘should not sell’ not that it should not operate. So Ajaokuta has always been a Nigerian government company meaning that the government can pump in money to complete Ajaokuta and begins production.

Successive ministers, who were not favourably disposed to the steel industry, convinced the presidents of those periods against lifting a

finger on the completion of Ajaokuta because it would violet the court ruling, which wasn’t true. Throughout the tenure of President Goodluck Jonathan, he never once set foot on Ajaokuta Steel Company because the then minister of justice told him if he does that he would be violating the court order. It was a wrong advice.

Now, after Jonathan, President Buhari came and we were hopeful, expected miracles to be done in the steel sector with quick jump-start of the completion of Ajaokuta. But the situation seems to be the same. The return of the Indian company portends danger as it is likely to continue with its damage on Nigerian iron and steel development.

Imagine, no stakeholder in Nigeria was invited during the negotiation with the Indian firm, it was only the minister of steel development and a staff and the minister of justice were the only ones at the negotiation with the firm.

All stakeholders have complaints about their alienation during the negotiation. At the public hearing at the National Assembly, the lawmakers were equally very bitter that all stakeholders were not involved and therefore think there is a need to revisit the agreement.

Unfortunately though the enthusiasm of the national assembly has died down, those who were contacting the stakeholders no longer do so nor are they willing to respond to further enquiries. The major stakeholders are the African Iron and Steel Association, the Nigerian Geo-Sciences Society, the Nigerian Mining Society, the Nigerian Metrological Society, the Nigerian Society of Engineers, all these are concerns that the right thing must be done.

It was only after the August agreement was signed that the minister invited the steel unions- workers unions- and directed them to support the agreement. As stakeholders, we maintain our position because we want the Indian firm and the ministers involved to prove us wrong that the negotiation and agreement reached are faulty.

We recalled that in 2003-2004, an American company SOLGAS was given Ajaokuta as a concession yet, SOLGAS had no record of works in iron and steel and we wrote to the government and key agencies against the concession but they refused to listen.

Is it that the Nigerian government does not know the usefulness of your association, and how far have you been speaking to the government?

We have had discussions with the presidents.

We have been to the Villa to advice President Buhari but it seems he is not ready to listen. There was a visit to President Olusegun Obasanjo in Villa and we had a prepared document to advice him that was likely to happen would not be in the best interest of Nigerian iron and steel industry. We had given a copy of the document to the then Director of Steel, Mr Bayo Kolade, but while we were waiting in the hall for the president to come because he was attending another meeting, the director quickly ran out to the Ministerk, Liyel Imoke to discuss with him; and within five minutes thereafter Mr President walked into the hall and immediately from the way he entered it was obvious he came for war.

He started lambasting us: “You Africa Iron and Steel Association what advice are you going to offer me? I am the president of Nigeria with your little knowledge about steel what advice are you going to offer me? He attacked us with intent to derail us. I mentioned this because our perception was the director of steel and the minister when they saw that we had attacked the company they had brought into Nigeria, that the company was going destroy Nigeria so the duo decided to spoil the mind of Mr President against us. In fact, you would think from his mood and utterances and the ferocity that he would ask the military to come and whisk us out. Eventually that was the end of the matter.

Is Ajaokuta still commercially viable?

Thank you very much for that question. Ajaokuta steel company is not a chocolate making industry. There are 43 independent individual companies all conglomerated on the same line and each one is a revenue earner. So Ajaokuta is a conglomerate of industrial activities. Ninety percent of the industries were fully completed and some of them were fully operated commercially.

The only plant that did not get the final touch was the steel producing plant and it contains the blast furnace and the steel making furnace.

These were the workshop or the tool making industries that were not fully completed but had

reached 98 percent technical completion. The rolling mills were all fully completed and some were already operating commercially, in fact the aluminium silicate company was fully completed and even the silicate aluminium plant was operated now many industries in Nigeria could benefit. The capacity of the plant is far beyond what Ajaokuta needs.

So there is still room for meeting the Nigerian market, instead they are importing all these things now. There a refinery in Ajaokuta and in the process of producing steel a lot of the reaction that happens i.e chemicals can be converted into very many usable products: things like oxygen, nitrogen, and other gases which are derivable thereof and converted into other usables. There is also oxygen plants which can supply lots of hospital facilities so the refinery is there 100 percent but only needed the reaction or derivable from the steel production in the blast furnace and steel production to be able generate these gases.

Today, if the government has the will because there was a time when an estimated $1.1 billion was required to complete not only the Ajaokuta steel plant including all the standard infrastructures needed: rail, road and water transport etc, and so far about $5 billion has been spent on the Ajaokuta steel industry, i don’t know the current figure needed to complete the plant but we think the $1.1 bn could go a long way to fix the plant including external infrastructure. These infrastructures are not only for Ajaokuta: rail linkages, water transport to bring in bigger ships into Nigeria and drop imported materials in Ajaokuta, In Egypt, they have a steel plant with similar blast furnace technology but the iron ore comes from a distance of about 300 kilo metres away from the location of the steel plant. The Egyptian government develops the iron coal mine to supply the steel plant and developed the two with a dedicated rail line just to take iron ore to the steel and then convey other goods to the market.

Ironically, Ajaokuta to Itakpe the site of the iron ore plant is only 56 kilo metres and a dedicated rail line was built, but was sabotaged helped by the Indians firm that destroyed the rail line and did so many damage.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 2, 2016

15 Opinion

Is the Central Bank driving prices up?

O

Uddin Ifeanyi

ver the last six months, I gradually reached the point where I forswore further commentary on monetary policy. Yes, I do admit that part of my difficulty with the way the central bank has gone about its work is ideological. A partisan of market solutions (except in those instances, plenty, truth to tell, when this is demonstrably inadequate for the problem at hand), I have seen the apex bank work so hard to give the forces of demand and supply a bad name. My preferred example? Look no further than the so-called “flexible exchange rate market”.

I had thought that the whole point of freeing the market was to let both the groundswell of demand for dollar-denominated asset and the massive shortfall in supply from official sources operate to give us a new marketbased rate for clearing exchanges between the naira and the dollar. In addition, that way to have the new equilibrium price function as a signal for generating new sources of dollar input into the economy.

Incidentally, there is anecdotal evidence that this mechanism

did indeed work, to some extent.

First, a highly valued domestic currency (unsupported by much domestic activity besides crude oil export) duly lost much of its value against other traded currencies.

However, no less important, Bloomberg reports, “Foreign investment in Nigerian stocks and bonds more than doubled in the third quarter from the previous three months However, at $920 million, it was still down 8.8 percent from a year earlier and less than one-fifth of the level it reached in the third quarter of 2014.” Therefore, we did have new sources of money come in because of the new exchange rate regime.

However, the way the market has been allowed to operate, it would seem to be the case that the apex bank looked to a specific clearing rate for the naira when it decided on freeing the interbank foreign exchange market. On the central bank’s side is a large consensus amongst many Nigerians that no country leaves its exchange rate entirely to market forces — especially when most Nigerians imagine a conspiracy against the country by shadowy forces in the West. Thus, this contradiction between the market and fixed rates is one most Nigerians are comfortable with.

None of this is bad, yet. Awful, though, is when, on the back of

these arguments, monetary policy then becomes like an act of God, “surpassing all human understanding”! The point here is not about questions around the goal that those currently managing our economy have appointed for monetary policy. That is clear: a strong naira, despite (or even maybe because of) the negative wishes of “enemies” of this economy.

My dilemma is with the tools and instruments that the monetary authorities use in achieving this goal.

Much mirth was recently afforded me by the attempt to turn the challenge of structuring proper incentives for the functioning of the domestic markets for foreign exchange into a law and order problem. This option was always going to drive marginal operations in the market back into the shadows, not stop them. In addition, there is strong evidence that this has already happened. The point to be made on the back of this is that the introduction of higher risk elements into any transaction invariably shows up in higher prices.

Thus, the apex bank’s operation may have made the monetary policy environment riskier, when our best hope was to have de-risked it.

Still, elevated risks at the foreign exchange market pale in comparison to a new source of risk that

my attention was drawn to only recently. It would seem that over the 12 months since the beginning of the fourth quarter of 2015, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) might have pumped enough money into the economy to drive up domestic money supply precipitously.

I have seen this spike in money supply plotted in graphs that also depict the trajectory of domestic prices and the naira’s exchange rate. The truth is that the correlation between the former and both these other indices is uncanny.

“Correlation is not causation”.

However, even the slightest possibility that the CBN may have contributed to driving up domestic prices is frightening. If the new monies pumped into the economy have not driven increases in output or productivity, did they simply run after the dollar, pushing up domestic prices in the process? If the answer to this question is a “yes”, the danger is that our double-digit inflation may not be the result only of structural problems in the economy. However, this is largely caused by new money sloshing around the economy.

This is one possibility that we ought not to ignore, because it is one consequence of what a friend describes as the “fiscalisation of monetary policy”.

The 21st century leader Nigeria needs

N

Lawrence Nwobu

igeria has had a turbulent history and continuing crisis.

Marked by upheavals, ethno-religious riots, pogroms, a civil war or ethnic war and terrorism have left the country dripping in blood. Some have suggested Nigeria’s green white green flag be replaced with red in recognition of the blood that has and continues to be shed. More blood is spilled on a daily basis because of decades of bad governance, misrule, human rights violations and looting which has resulted in accidents and all forms of carnages owing to bad roads.

Many more die through perilous trips; dangerous sea and desert crossings in their bid to escape the anarchy at home and seek greener pastures abroad. Nigeria is thus for a great majority of its supposed citizens a land of injustice and death. A nation state is supposed at the very minimum to provide for the security and welfare of its citizenry; that is after all the fundamental basis for which a state exists. However, Nigeria has since independence failed in fulfilling the basic responsibilities of a state to its citizens. It is no surprise that many voices are increasingly asking if Nigeria is worth the bloodshed that has kept it afloat.

No nation fails by accident, just as no nation succeeds by accident. The success or failure of a nation is driven by the choices its leaders make and to a lesser extent the inherent values within the society. Nigeria has thus not failed by accident but because successive leaders chose to make Nigeria fail through the choices, they made. These choices have bordered on the five cantankerous vices of tribalism, corruption, religious fundamentalism, human rights violations and bad leadership.

From the earliest leadership in the first republic Nigeria had predominantly divisive leaders that thrived in exploiting and furthering ethnic divisions. These leaders manifested and emphasised ethnic hatreds/divisions which overtime afflicted the larger society.

Corruption also crept up quite early in the nation’s history as the leaders proved to be willing to engage in electoral fraud, census fraud, 10 percent kickbacks and all forms of attendant corruption.

Ethnic riots and later day religious fundamentalism and terrorism particularly in the North was likewise tolerated and in most cases sponsored by the leaders. Successive Nigerian leaders have continued on the same train of tribalism, corruption and religious fundamentalism leading to the ethnic jungle, monu-

mentally corrupt, dysfunctional and terrorised nation Nigeria has progressively become. With the 2015 elections, persecution and marginalisation or the 97percent versus 5percent demarcation on account of which regions voted for the president and which did not has become a new, disabling, undemocratic and unconstitutional vice that has joined the long list of existing vices that has arrested the nation’s development.

As the 21st century progresses, Nigerians must opt for a leader who understand the modern nuances of democracy and governance. A leader who understands that democracy fundamentally vests citizens with the right and choice to freely vote for whom they choose without fear of retribution. A leader who will depart from decadent tribalism and for the first time make nation building the most fundamental element of government in recognition that the nation cannot prosper except there is harmony and peace.

A leader who respects the fundamental rights of all and promotes unity by consent on the basis of justice and equality rather than unity by force premised on injustice, marginalisation and hate. An ardent reformer who will undertake critical structural reforms and return the nation to progressive federal-

ism. A leader who harnesses the latent potentials of the nation, and places her on a deserved pedestal amongst the comity of nations. This is the 21st century leader Nigeria needs.

It is an indictment of the present generation; that of over a 150 million people, we have not yet succeeded in producing a leader who meets these ideals. More often than not, we have remained stuck with the older generation and those that played ignoble roles that led to the tribalism, bloodshed, corruption and human rights violations that truncated the nation’s noble aspirations. Those that supported Sharia in violation of the nation’s secular constitution.

Those that supported and politicised Boko Haram as the nihilistic terrorist group was slaughtering thousands of Nigerians. Those that promoted sectionalism hate and disregarded the nation’s diversity.

Yet, the future is always more promising than the past. Frantz Fanon once declared “each generation must discover its mission, fulfill it or betray it in relative opacity.”

Our generation therefore stands at the crossroads of history; between a decadent past and a glorious future.

Between a leader that represents the dark ills of the past and a 21st century leader that meets the challenges and responsibilities of our time.

The Anambra Times 2 Kingship in Awka-Etiti not hereditary - Ekejimbe

Philip Balepo Onitsha

ÏÏÏ The kingship tussle in Aw-

ka-Etiti in Idemili South Local Government of Anambra State seems to have been nipped in the bud as the whole town recently resolved that the kingship be rotated by the seven villages.

But the lone voice in the wilderness remains that of Angus Chukwuma Ojukwu, the son of the late Eze-Igwe Joachim Ojukwu, the Akumtiwalugbo 1, Eze Udo of Awka-Etiti, who took the whole town to court on the grounds that he should be allowed to ascend the throne after his father passed on, claiming the kingship is hereditary.

The Anambra Times sought the views of one of the executives of Awka-Etiti Improvement Union (AIU) and the Chairman of Iruowelle Village Community, Lagos, Mr. Chris Ekejimbe, who said: “Some 16 years ago, AwkaEtiti was in deep crisis, but as brothers, we resolved to end it.

And in doing so, we all signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) where we all agreed that henceforth, the Igwe stool shall be rotational among the seven villages. So, Angus’ claim to the throne is baseless.

“We signed this MoU after the reign of Igwe Silas Ezenwa, who actually inherited the throne from his own father who was from Iruowelle. But that also was the last Igwe that enjoyed the hereditary era. The rotation era started with Igwe Ojukwu, who happened to come from Nkolofia, the first son of Awka-Etiti. Even his ascendancy wasn’t a smooth sail as it was keenly contested; even Chief Joe Martins Uzo-

dike was among the contestants.

Akumtiwalugbo however won clearly and we enjoyed his reign till he passed on some two years ago,” Mr. Ekejimbe added.

The mandatory one year of mourning was hardly over when his son declared himself the Igwe designate. But it remained for the king-makers to crown him and present him with the Offor, which is the symbol of authority.

Mr. Ekejimbe explained further: “After the reign of Akum 1, it became the turn of the next village, which is Umunocha. Now, Umunocha is expected to hand over to Ejighinandu, then Iruowelle, Umudunu, Nnaba and Ogunzele in that order, before coming back to Nkolofia again.

“The present Igwe is Chief Michael Ezeudenna, a former chief engineer with the defunct Power Holdings Corporation of Nigeria, who also contested the kingship with his fellow kinsmen. He was declared the winner after beating three other candidates. He was crowned by the traditional kingmakers of Ezeani at the Okwu Arena. The Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano presented him with the certificate of office just in September.”

Ekejimbe, who is the Chief Executive Officer of 4 Screams Production, a media outfit in Lagos, concluded by claiming that “this Angus is a delinquent and should never be taken serious as no Awka-Etiti indigene is behind him. Imagine, he failed to appear in court just recently in a case he instituted against the whole town, and it is believed his absence was based on a claim that he had issues with the State Security Services, who were at that court hearing.”

Piracy: We’ve not authorised any group, individual to raid markets - NCC CONTINUED FROM AT 1

Government Area of the state.

The chairman of the traders, Mr. Obinna Madu, said they had to resist the hoodlums because they were not accompanied by Police, neither were they in possession of any valid identity card or authorizing letter from NCC. He called on Governor Willie Obiano to come to the rescue of the traders in the state from the hands of the hoodlums who organised themselves and extorted money from innocent traders, stating that they pay all the necessary dues and levies.

He also commended the Police from Awada Police Station

for their timely intervention, without which there would have been unnecessary bloodshed.

The group was however later identified as Musical Products Dealers Association of Nigeria (MPDAN), Iweka Road Onitsha. All efforts to reach the chairman failed but when our correspondent contacted the Vice-chairman on his cellphone, he declined to talk on the ground that he does not know anything about the raid.

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Awada, Mr. Josiah Bakyu, confirmed the incident but said he would meet with the group to ascertain the authenticity of their claims.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

Education stakeholders in Onitsha, disagree over secretariat’s levy Philip Balepo Onitsha

ÏÏÏ The last meeting of

the Onitsha zone of the Joint Meeting of Principals and Parents/Teachers Association held recently at St. Charles’ College, Onitsha, Anambra State, ended almost in fiasco as both parents and the principals disagreed on what a parent called “a plough to milk us for their (teachers cum principals) personal gains.”

The meeting, which was the only third one since the zone was formed in 1980, was a welcome one for most members until the agenda that revealed nothing became clear when item five, which read ‘Issue at Stake’ came to the open. Then, all decorum was thrown to the dogs, but for the maturity of some parents. The meeting was attended by only the representatives of the parents and the principals of the 32 secondary schools in Onitsha zone.

The Zonal Director of Education, Mrs. Bibian Anyichie, who introduced the item as “Building of Zonal Secretariat by the zone,” not only let the cat out of the bag, but also em-

phasised that they have to “complete the secretariat within the next 12 calendar months, hence we need to raise over N50 million.”

As if that was not disturbing enough, she proposed a levy of N1, 500 only (one thousand, five hundred naira) per parent, per term, totaling N4, 500 (four thousand, five hundred naira) per child. The levy is for only the senior secondary students of the zone, whose population is 13,916.

A parent who pleaded anonymity rose and queried “the need for the urgency and why the students should be taxed to build a secretariat when there is a government subvention for such.”

He went on to ask why “this administration that its tenure will be due in August should embark on such a huge project now, after all these years.”

The parents were excused to go outside and come up with a way out as most of them were not game with the levy. They came back with the proposal that if such a project must be embarked on, “the levy should not exceed two hundred naira a term; that is six hundred naira a year for

three years. This would enable us complete the project in three years without much stress to our pockets.

Already, we are contributing N1, 000 (a thousand naira) annually to support the welfare of the extra teachers our schools have, including the Youth Corps members.”

The proposal by the parents did not go down well with Zonal Director of Education and her team for the simple fact that “embarking on such a project now would benefit them before they leave office in August, but leave us parents dry,” the parent lamented.

The total amount to be generated at six hundred naira per year for three years would be N25, 048,800, while if the parents are to contribute N4, 500 for one year, it would amount to N62, 622,000.

There are 32 secondary schools in the Onitsha Zone Schools Service Commission with Onitsha North having 16, Onitsha South having six and Ogbaru having ten.

The meeting adjourned without a resolve of the issue at stake. A visit by the Anambra Times to the secretariat revealed that foundation had long been laid but it looked deserted.

R-L: President-General of Household Utensils Dealers Multi-purpose Cooperative Society Limited (HUDMCS) Onitsha, Stanley Anikwa, Anambra State Commissioner for Trade, Commerce, Market and Wealth Creation, Mrs. Amaka Ilobi and official of the Society during presentation of an award to Gov. Obiano at the 20th anniversary celebration of the market...recently

2.5m children for de-worming in Anambra

ÏÏÏ Anambra State Government

in collaboration with the Bank of Industry (BoI) will train 500 youths in various skills, to enhance entrepreneurship development in the state.

The Anambra State Government is to de-worm over 2.5 million preschool and school age children from December 7 to December 9, 2016, an official said on Saturday.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Akabuike, made this known to newsmen in Awka, the state capital, saying that the exercise would cover children aged one to 15 years.

He said that the exercise would be flagged-off by Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra at the Central School, Isi-Anaocha in Awka North Local Government Area.

The commissioner said that the state-wide exercise would hold in all public and private primary and junior secondary schools to achieve the desired objectives.

He said that the exercise was aimed at reducing worm loads on children and enhance their health.

According to him, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends periodic treatment with anthelminthic (de-worming) medi-

cines, without previous individual diagnosis to pre-school and school age living in endemic areas.

“Treatment should be given once a year when the prevalence of soiltransmitted helminth infections in a community is about 20 per cent and twice a year when the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infections in the community exceeds 50 per cent.

“The regular de-worming of our children will reduce stunting, improve absorption rate of nutrients ingested through proper feeding, and promote general well-being of our children,’’ Akabuike said.

Business Times Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

Dangote, OCP Group sign MoU on fertilizer production

Page B2

Emefiele charges banks’ audit executives on financial system stability

Page B3

CSR as catalyst for growth and development

Page B5

LASG, Discos to introduce power theft bill Opeoluwani Akintayo Commissioner for energy and Mineral Resources, Lagos State, Olawale Oluwo, has said that a power theft bill is being prepared, with the involvement of the electricity distribution companies (Discos), to curb power theft and ensure easy prosecution of offenders.

He revealed this in a state-

ment over the weekend.

The commissioner added that the bill would empower the state to set up a power task force, which would monitor power in Lagos, arrest offenders, and ensure prosecution, with the aid of mobile courts.

“Soon, people will go to jail for power theft,” he said.

One of the major problems with power generation in Nige-

ria is theft.

Distribution companies have been complaining about how Nigerians bypassing meters and using power without payment.

However, the Discos do not have the constitutional right to prosecute power theft.

He unveiled more features of the state’s power plan.

According to Oluwo, Lagos

has installed 36,000 street lights since the new administration came on board, revealing that there are still 10,000 street lights to go.

Street lights are “improving night-time economic activities, night-time illumination, and night-time security across the state”, Oluwo said.

He also said Lagos would soon go off the national grid.

“With a population of less than 30 million, Egypt generates 35,000MW, while South Africa generates about 50,000MW for a population of 50 million.

In comparison, Nigeria generates about 4,000MW for a population of over 170 million,” Oluwo said.

He said the demand for power in Lagos state is up to 5,000MW, which Nigeria itself cannot produce at this time.

UBA, Access, others drive FMDQ November activities … As 10 banks pull 71.00 % volume valued N109.84 trillion Bonny Amadi Three first tier banks in Nigeria have been named by the FMDQ as top drivers of its activities for the ten months period spanning from January to October 2016.

A recent FMDQ Spotlight Newsletter showed that 10 dealing member (banks) in FMDQ Markets led growth of activities in the market for the period under consideration.

UBA emerged top driver of the of the debt instrument market, according to the FMDQ , followed by Access Bank, Stanbic IBTC and Ecobank Nigeria.

First Bank of Nigeria occupied the fifth position in activity level of the FMDQ, followed by Diamond Bank, Citibank Nigeria, and FCMB. Union Bank and Standard Chartered Bank were recorded by FMDQ as the 9th and 10th most active instruments during the period.

According to the FMDQ report, the top ten Dealing Member Banks accounted for 71.00 per cent of total transaction valued at 109.84 trillion.

BUSINESS TIMES Editor Andrew Odioko Head Business Azubike Nnadozie Capital Market Editor Bonny Amadi

NTMA calls for establishment of cotton board Charles Okonji

The Nigerian Textile Manufacturers Association (NTMA) has called on the federal government to establish a cotton corporation to boost production of the commodity and revitalize the textile industry.

Mrs Grace Adereti, President of the Nigerian Textile Manufacturers Association (NTMA), who made this call while addressing newsmen in Lagos over the weekend, noted

that the creation of the corporation would ease textile manufacturer’s access to raw materials for production.

She stated: “When we contacted the farmers, they said that they are not ready to supply to us at the price negotiated by the ginners. We discovered that the farmers base their price on what they will generate from exporting the cotton.

“If we accede to the price, our output will become uncompetitive considering the infrastructural def-

icit in the country, which affects the cost of production. We are in a fix.

Some factories have suspended production because they do not have cotton for production.

“In the past, there was a market board and government had control over the price of cotton. We want the government to intervene in this matter and save manufacturers. We have the machinery and the workforce and we are ready to produce, but we are hindered by the present situation.”

Also speaking, Director-General of the association, Mr Hamma Kwajaffa, lamented that rivalry among government agencies contributed to the challenges hindering the growth of the textile industry.

He stated; “The former Minister of Agriculture initiated the creation of the cotton corporation, but he had a rivalry with the Minister of Trade that said establishing the corporation falls within his domain.

18 Times Against Corruption

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

Aisha Buhari to flag off ‘women against corruption’ ÎÎÎAs Magu seeks inter- agencies’ collaboration to check corruption The current war against corruption has received a big boost from First Lady, Mrs Aisha Buhari, who will be flagging off “women against corruption” campaign December 7, 2016.

Acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu made the revelation during a courtesy visit to the Nigeria Customs Service as part of his efforts to attract inter Agencies collaboration to the fight against corruption.

The Women Against Corruption campaign is expected to be flagged off on December 7, 2016, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja by the wife of the president, Mrs Aisha Buhari.

Magu, during the visit, described the Nigeria Customs Service as a veritable ally in the fight against economic and financial crimes, even as he lauded the synergy between the two agencies He however said there is need for improved inter agency collaboration among government agencies if corruption must be kicked out of Nigeria.

Magu also specifically requested for collaboration in sensitizing women against corruption in Nigeria, describing them as nation builders.

“It is in this regards that the wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Mu-

hammadu Buhari will be flagging off the Women Against Corruption project on December 7, 2016, to engage Nigerian Women in a nation – wide sustainable fight against corruption”, Magu stated He appealed to the Service to avail the country - wide spread of officers of the Nigeria Customs Service in respect of the programme.

The Comptroller General of Customs, CGC, Col. Hameed Ali (Retd), said he was pleased to receive the EFCC team. “I can assure you we are with you shoulder to shoulder in fighting corruption.

Putting heads together to work for this great nation is no longer an option”, he explained.

According to him” What is required in an institution like yours is gut. You must have gut, be straightforward, be transparent and be an embodiment of integrity.

These are the ingredients that will keep you going as EFCC chairman; all of these are not in short supply in your qualities”, he told Magu.

Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, Dr. Patience K. Iferi who was mandated by the CGC with the task of mobilising women of the Customs Service for the December 7 programme, promised that she will leave no stone unturned to have the assignment actualised.

Her words: “We are integrity

Continued from page 17

We’re amending the EFCC Act to strengthen the institution

not to talk of one kilometer road in my Constituency.

The recent rejections of the MTEF and President Buhari’s $29B loan requests is sending a wrong signal to Nigerians that all is not well in the Executive/ Legislature relationships. What exacting is the situation, especially with the 2017 Budget still to come to the National Assembly?

The issue is that we have the Senate and the House of Reps. For anything to become a law, both Chambers must agree. There is nothing wrong. If the law makers want something to be done properly, Nigerians should allow them to ensure that what is right is done.

We must look at it from the point of the issues raised. Once the issues are corrected by the Executive, the lawmakers will have no reason to reject their submissions or even delay them. The 2016 budget, for instance, was presented late and there is a law that allow the budget to run its circle of one full year. So, the 2016 budget will run until March, 2017, so we still have enough time to deal with all the issues. It will be unfair for people to say we should not ask questions, because, when things go wrong later, they will turn around to blame us. Checks and Balances allows the workings of government go on

smoothly. They are not meant to derail any government.

Already, there is a perception that the Legislature is not comfortable with President Buhari’s anti- graft policies, therefore, they are using these as bargaining powers, even looking for ways to frustrate the President’s program. How will you react to this?

I think that is not right at all.

Why do people believe that when we do things we are doing them with bad intent, why? No matter how people look at it, it is a Constitutional requirement that all the monies to be spent by the Executive must be approved by the Legislature. If Nigerians do not want us to ask questions, then they are saying that there is no need to have the Legislature in the first place. So, l will urge Nigerians to give the National Assembly the opportunity to do its work. The same people are also complaining that the State Assemblies are now acting as rubber stamp to their state governors. Most of the governors, they say have pocketed their state Assemblies. Here, we are asking questions and carrying out our oversight functions and people are making all sorts of insinuations. I wish to let you know that the 8th House of Representatives that l speak for has a Legislative

promoter; we are capable of being accountable. I promise, the Nigeria Customs Service is strongly behind this programme”.

The EFCC Chairman also paid similar courtesy visits to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Abubakar Sadique to drum the message of anti-corruption in the military.

Magu who said anti-corruption fight should not be left for the EFCC alone and appealed to Nigerians in all spheres of life to do everything to shun corruption.

His words, “everywhere, there is corruption. We must fight it. Corruption is a crime against humanity and a threat to national security.

Let us all tackle corruption, even in the military, let us join hands together to kill corruption or at least reduce it to its barest minimum”.

He however appealed to the CAS to use his good office to mobilise women in uniform against corruption. “When the women are effectively galvanised in the corruption fight, the battle is half won. They are the home builders, they are the nurturers of life”, he said.

I his response, Air Marshall Sadique assured the EFCC chairman that the Nigerian Airforce will not be left behind in the effort to save Nigeria from corruption.

“Nigerian Airforce is collaborating with several agencies, especially in

agenda, part of which is to support the anti- graft policy of the President Buhari’s administration. As l talk, the Act of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC is about to be amended.

These are part of our efforts to improve the anti- corruption crusade.

I want to let you know that if you corruptly enrich yourself and you are able to escape now, one day, you must be called upon to answer for what you had done. Those who felt they could comfortably loot the treasury under the previous administration and probably escape justice, are now facing trials and even refunding money. Those who have no questions to answer are going about their businesses freely as Nigerians. So let no one fool him or herself, you cannot steal government money and go free. We also want to have this democracy entrenched. If you look at the efforts of the Senate to amend the Code of Conduct Tribunal Act, some people felt that it was because they wanted to free the Senate President from answering the charges preferred against him. But l want to tell you that if the amendment is done today, the Senate President cannot and will not benefit from it. It cannot be done in retrospection for his benefits. The spirit is to ensure that there is checks and balances and that the right thing

Mrs Aisha Buhari the area of Public Procurement, in tackling corruption”, he said.

“We are working round the clock to build capacity. We are going to reposition the Nigerian Airforce through capacity building. There is so much capacity gap, these we are bridging through training and retraining”, he said.

He commended the acting Chairman for his patriotiotism and zeal in fighting corruption which he said is unprecedented. He promised he will do everything to continue to support the fight against economic and financial crimes in Nigeria.

In a related development, the acting Chairman also visited the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, to seek for support and collaboration

is done always. I wonder why people will think that each time we ask question, it is a ploy to ask for something from the Executive.

Given the body language of Mr. President, do you think he is that kind of person that can be so easily blackmailed? Or are we saying that in all those requests he has made and we approved, he had to part with something? All what we are doing is to hold the Executive accountable.

Nigerians are aware that one of your colleagues, Hon. Jubril Abdulmumuni made some allegations about the House and its leadership concerning budget padding. What is the latest on that case?

Honestly l wouldn’t want to waste our time on this issue because we seem to be making him more popular than he deserves.

There is no point because he is already answering questions. We all know that under his watch, President Muhammadu Buhari refused to sign the 2016 Appropriation Act because of the ways he boggled it. This made the President to insist on getting the details. This happened at the time, Hon. Jubril was Chairman of that Committee. Once you are heading a unit or organization and there is problem there, you will be held responsible.

If on the other hand you record

in the fight against economic and financial crimes.

Magu who said his visit was to thank the television station for the support in the past and to ask for more, requested for collaboration in sensitization for Women Against Corruption programme. According to him, the role of women as nation-builders, as mothers, wives etc cannot be over emphasized.

Magu, who described the Nigerian Television Authority as critical in information dissemination and public enlightenment in respect of the fight against corruption, stressed that the anti-corruption fight requires the collaboration of all stakeholders as EFCC alone cannot do it.

some achievements, you will be rewarded. It was under Jubril’ watch that the President said we did not transmit the details of the budget.

The President had refused to sign the budget because of the issues he identified and it took this same Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara who his is now maligning to intervene.

He was the one who salvaged the situation in the interest of democracy and indeed Nigeria. He mobilized all the leadership of the National Assembly, set up a tripartite committee made up of members of the two chambers and even the Executive to work out modalities for salvaging that budget. It will therefore be unfair to say that the budget was padded. How did they do that, after the President signed the budget? You are insulting the sensibilities of the President. He was not fair to us at all. If he wanted to be fair, he is aware that we have a process through which such issues are resolved within. He needed to have petitioned that committee. We have 360 members, there are people in the House that would have supported him, if he had any case at all. We could not also investigate the Speaker because we only hear of the issues on the pages of newspapers, instead of sending a petition to the House. Up till today, we do not have any petition from him on the issues he raised.

Capital Market B4 Stories by Afolabi Adesola Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc’s shares have recorded a 66 percent appreciation in the last two weeks, as share price rose from N195 to N324 per share.

Analysis showed that the increase represented a growth in investor’s worth rose from N70.3 billion as at 18th November 2016 to N116.9 billion, at 2nd December 2016.

The growth, which was initially preceded by OPEC’s announcement on the decision to embark on its first output cut in a bid to reverse the slump in global oil prices, was strengthened upon disclosure of NIPCO investment Limited’s offer of $301 million for Exxon Mobil Oil Corporation’s 60 percent stake in Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

How Mobil’s stock soared 66% in two weeks OPEC’s decision last Wednesday to cut output also strengthened Mobil’s share price, and that of other oil stocks in Nigeria and across the globe, resulting in significant rally in the last trading days of the week.

The NSE Oil and Gas Index soared to a record high of 4.18 percent on Friday alone, as significant appreciation were recorded in other petroleum product marketers such as Forte Oil, Oando and Total Nigeria in the three days following the cut which led to a surge in the price of Brent crude that rose to $54.46 a

barrel on Friday.

Following this, the Nigerian equities market recorded the highest increase in three months of 1.88 percent, as the NSE All-Share Index and Market Capitalization appreciated by 1.61 percent and 1.54 percent to close the week at 25,740.83 basis points and N8.855 trillion respectively last week.

All other Indices also finished higher during the week with the exception of the NSE Insurance Index that depreciated by 2.04 percent while the NSE ASeM Index closed flat In the course of the week, a

total of 27 equities appreciated in price, unchanged from the previous week.

Thirty-two equities depreciated in price, higher than 26 equities of the previous week, while one 116 equities remained unchanged, lower than 128 equities recorded in the preceding week.

According to the NSE’s weekly report, a turnover of 2.479 billion shares worth N9.988 billion in 12,059 deals were traded by investors, in contrast to a total of 639.439 million shares valued at N6.455 billion that exchanged hands previous week in

11,799 deals.

The Financial Services Industry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 2.369 billion shares valued at N5.305 billion traded in 6,590 deals, thus contributing 95.56 percent and 53.12% to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

The Consumer Goods Industry followed with 33.630 million shares worth N2.758 billion in 2,222 deals. The third place was occupied by the Conglomerates Industry with a turnover of 32.939 million shares worth N41.190 million in 586 deals.

SEC, Fund Managers work on E-Transfer to boost financial inclusion The President of Fund Managers Association of Nigeria (FMAN), Dr. Ore Sofekun, has said that the association is working with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on electronic transfer of funds in order to boost financial inclusion.

Speaking at the annual workshop of Capital Market Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CAMCAN) held in Badagry, Lagos at the weekend, Sofekun noted that electronic transfer of funds will ensure confidence building between investors and fund managers and encourage more savings.

Sofekun, who spoke on the topic, “Deepening Retail Investors’ Participation in the Capi-

tal Market, said increased saving will accelerate economic growth.

According to her, “If we really want to develop our country, we have to save for long term.”

Sofekun, who is also the Managing Director of Investment One Venture Capital, observed that in 2008, the number of domestic investors who invested in the money market funds was higher than foreign investors, pointing out that foreign investors divested when the economy plummeted.

Also speaking, the Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Services, FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange, Ms.Kaodi Ugoji, said people are not taking advantage of opportunities in the capital market as two per cent of retail investors participate in the capital mar-

Ugoji

Sofekun

ket compared to 43 per cent in United State or 19 per cent in South Africa.

She noted that listing of state

government bonds in the OTC market will forestall default as people will have opportunity to take position in the bonds.

She said that key documents of companies listed in the FMDQ market are posted in the website for investors to take good decision.

In his presentation, the National Coordinator-elect of Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Mr. Adeniyi Adebisi, who noted that market capitalization of equities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange has shrunk from N14 trillion to N8.6 trillion, said government needs to ensure return of confidence in the capital market.

He said: “Confidence of the investors, especially, retail shareholders, have been jolted and severely shaken. It will require a great deal of efforts on the part of government at the highest level of authority to bring back the confidence.

We delist companies to protect investors - NSE The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has said the delisting of companies from its trading floor is for the protection of investors.

NSE’s head of corporate communications, Olumide Orojimi, speaking with capital market correspondents at the weekend, stated that the bourse was only protecting investors in delisting companies in breach of its statutory listing requirements.

The NSE had delisted six companies last Thursday - namely Lennards (Nigeria), P.S Mandrides & Company, Premier

Breweries, Costain (W.A), Navitus Energy, and Nigerian Ropes = effective December 1, 2016.

The delisting of these companies which was approved by the Quotations Committee of the National Council (QCN) of the NSE followed similar delisting of eight other companies earlier in the year.

These companies were IPWA, G. Cappa, West African Glass Industries, Investment & Allied Insurance, Aluminium Manufacturing Company, Jos International Breweries, Adswitch, and Rokanna., bringing to a total,

fourteen companies delisted from the NSE, through regulatory action in 2016 alone, whereas the latest X-compliance report from the NSE shows that Deap Capital Management Plc, Evans Medical Plc, International Energy Insurance Plc, MTI Plc and MTECH Plc’s delisting process has been also approved by the NSE’s QCN. While some of the companies are being delisted for failing to file their quarterly and annual financial reports and accounts with the NSE, some others will face the same fate for failing to regularize their listing status af-

ter being given time to do so.

Recently, Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema, stat-

ed: “We do have continuing listing standard and we will continue to enforce it.

Summary of trading activities on NSE ASI

25,740.83

DEALS

2,258.00

VOLUME

576,852,121.00

VALUE

1,348,829,538.97

CAP

8,855,113,806,377.24

Monday, December 5, 2016

EXTRATIME

31

NIGERIAN PLAYERS ABROAD WITH FRANK JUMBO

Ideye still

top scorer in Greece after brace

N

i g e r i a international striker Brown Ideye is still the leading scorer in the Greek top flight with nine goals after he scored a brace in Olympiacos 4-0 thrashing of Levadiakos.

His nine-goal tally in 10 games is only a goal shy of the total number of goals he scored for Olympiacos last league

season.

C h a m p i o n s Olympiacos lead the league with 25 points after 10 games.

Ideye, who failed to make the grade at Premier League club West Bromwich Albion, opened the scoring in the 48th minute and scored his team’s fourth goal in the 74th minute.

Anichebe anticipates tougher Xmas S

underland’s Victor Anichebe is keenly anticipating the tougher English Premier League that surfaces during the hectic Christmas period.

David Moyes’ side defeated league champions Leicester City 2-1 on Saturday and the victory has seen them taken three wins out of their last four games.

In a period where their injury woes have lessened, the former Everton man believes will help the team’s year-end cause.

“Christmas period is going to be tough. We’ve got more and more players coming back; Seb Larsson came today, Jan Kirchoff came back, Fabio has trained and there’s a lot of people

coming back and hopefully there’s more competition for place. We are going to need everybody,” Anichebe said.

“The premier league is incredibly tough.”

The fortunes at the Stadium of Light outfit have changed positively, one that has taken them to within a point of safety – now 18th best in the English topflight.

It also has coincided with the injury prone Nigeria international, remarkably, staying clear of the treatment table. An achievement that he is happy about; to have played back-to-back matches.

“I think this is the most game I’ve played

Brown Ideye (right) in action for Olympiacos.

Victor Anichebe (middle) on the prowl for Sunderland.

in a row,” he continued.

“You know it is a really tough, tough league. We are going to need everybody.

Sometimes some of the guys might not be playing, but we’re going to need them.

Every game is going to be really tough.

“Hopefully we can all come together and carry on and push it on.

“As long as I’m doing okay for the team, as long as everyone is doing alright for the team, that’s what we really care about.

“We need to get out of this situation we’re in. It’s looking bright and hopefully we can carry it on as the week goes by.”

Mayowa seals AS de Vacoas-Phoenix switch N

igeria’s Giwa Mayowa continues his sojourn in the Mauritanian league with a permanent move from Curepipe Starlight SC to Association Sportive de Vacoas-Phoenix for an undisclosed fee.

The hard-working midfielder who joined Curepipe Starlight SC from MFM in April and only used six months out of his twoyear contract with the Stade George V outfit, admitted

that he opted to move to Kersley Levrai’s side for personal reasons which are best for his career.

“I agreed to join ASVP due to some personal reasons which are best for my career,” Mayowa said.

Mayowa who has been handed his trademark no. 19 shirt reiterated his commitment to keep playing in the Mauritian elite division and keep winning laurels with the new club.

Giwa Mayowa (left) with a team-mate.

Aluko scores in Fulham’s big win

N

igeria forward Sone Aluko was among the goals scorers for his England Championship side Fulham in their 5-0 win over Reading.

Fulham are 10th on the table with 28 points from 19 matches.

Aluko scored in 68th minute to give his side a 3-0 lead on Saturday.

He has now scored four goals in the league this season.

The former Aberdeen star lasted for 76 minutes before he was replaced with Lucas Piazon.

Meanwhile, Aluko is delighted to receive the news of the return of American hip hop artiste J.Cole and the release of his fourth studio album titled ‘4 Your Eyez Only’ The five-time Grammy Aaward nominee is set for the release of his first album since 2014 Forest Hills Drive, which according to iTunes has 10 tracks and a December 9 release date.

The 27-year old forward who seems to have missed the American artiste shared his excitement on J.Cole’s return via his Instagram page.

“J Cole is back. Excited to hear this,” Aluko posted.

2

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

Page Three

s PHOTO TIMES

Editorial Funding for Small and Medium Enterprises

R

ecently, the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) called on the Federal Government to adequately fund small businesses in order to achieve price stability and increase aggregate output in the Nigerian economy. According to the chamber, the Federal Government should develop policies that will enhance accessibility of funds to these enterprises in order to leapfrog Nigeria’s industrial development and create much-needed jobs for the teeming unemployed.

We are totally in support of this call, even as we advise that the Federal Government embrace it in entirety. It is a fact that small and medium enterprises are the engine of economic growth in any developed and developing society.

The major advantage of the sector is its employment potential at low capital cost, even as the labour intensity of the SME sector is much higher than that of the large enterprises. Unarguably, the role of these enterprises in the economic and social development of Nigeria cannot be over-emphasised.

Most importantly, the SME sector is a nursery of entrepreneurship, often driven by individual creativity and innovation. As the engine of economic progress, small and medium enterprises are also the main driving force behind poverty reduction, wealth creation, income distribution and reduction in income disparities. Moreover, in a country like Nigeria with an adverse balance of payment situation, the growing contribution of the small scale industries sector in the export portfolio goes a long way in generating foreign exchange and smoothening out the adverse balance of payment situation.

This is important to the economy in that large percentage of their production inputs are sourced locally thus, reducing the pressure on the limited foreign exchange earnings, thereby helping to eliminate some of the deficit in the

balance of payment. Even at that, it is praiseworthy that successive administrations were not oblivious of the place of SME in the country’s development.

Hence, the establishment of micro-finance banks to act as source of funds for them. Such policy is geared towards enhancing the operation of small-scale businesses through fiscal monetary, and export incentives that included tax holidays and tariff concession.

In terms of monetary support, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) introduced credit guidelines requiring commercial and merchant banks to allocate a portion of their loanable funds to small businesses. In spite of these efforts, experts have worried that funds for small and medium enterprises had always been misappropriated because majority of the loans were granted in most cases on political rather than on commercial or project viability considerations.

In the end, those with little or no political connections are sidelined. Due to this, many SME’s resort to informal sources of finance, which include personal saving and borrowing from friends, families and credit associations? More painful is that formal financial institutions like commercial banks are still very unwilling to grant credits to SMEs. Another inhibiting factor is the improper implementation of policies and inability to recruit trained manpower and adequate equipment to aid the extension services to support the SMEs. Added to this, is the challenge of inadequate infrastructural facilities such as electricity, potable water, feeder roads, that have remained drawbacks to growth of these enterprises. With evidence of success in countries like India, Indonesia and Malaysia where SMEs constitute more than 40 percent of the Gross Domestic Product, those in Nigeria could become models if enabling policies are well implemented.

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Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu (middle), top government officials and some indigenes of Ukome Isieke community after the official flag off of Ukome/Isieke road in Abia by Ikpeazu… at the weekend.

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Sokoto State Governor, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (left) and Minister of Communications, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, during a courtesy visit on Tambuwal in Government House…at the weekend.

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L-R: Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa; Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Sen. Monsurat Sunmonu; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye and Chairman Senate Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Sen. Rose Oko, during the Validation seminar on the proposed National Policy on Diaspora Matters in Abuja… at the weekend.

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Nelson Mandela

Obafemi Awolowo

Nnamdi Azikiwe

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

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

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

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

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News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

Critics ignorant of NASS’ workings –Reps Continued from page 1 tee on Media and Publicity, Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas, stated this at the weekend in Abuja.

He explained that under the principles of separation of powers, the legislature has a sacrosanct responsibility to thoroughly examine all requests for loans and other forms of expenditures from the executive.

“Why do people believe that when we do things, we are doing them with bad intent, why? No matter how people look at it, it is a constitutional requirement that all the monies to be spent by the Executive must be approved by the legislature. If Nigerians do not want us to ask questions, then they are saying that there is no need to have the legislature in the first place.

“So, l will urge Nigerians to give the National Assembly the opportunity to do its work. The same people are also complaining that the State Assemblies are now acting as rubber stamp to their state governors.

“Most of the governors, they say have pocketed their State Assemblies. Here, we are asking questions and carrying out our oversight functions and people are making all sorts of insinuations. I wish to let you know that the 8th House of Representatives that l speak for has a legislative agenda, part of which is to support the anti-graft policy of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.”

Hon. Namdas, who revealed that the 8th National Assembly will out-perform other National Assemblies before it, reeled out statistics showing that within one year, the House of Representatives has so far considered and passed over 700 bills and 600 motions.

According to him, “In the last one year, the House of Representatives has considered and passed well over 700 bills and close to 600 motions” adding that “there was a particular day when we had to consider about 130 bills in one day. The reason is simple, in view of the current change mantra

that this government is pursuing, we discovered that change cannot come through policy pronouncements alone.”

He noted that such actions were necessary to ensure that future administrations will not alter the policies of the current government easily, especially its anti corruption policies, which he said, have led to the recovery of billions of Naira looted by corrupt politicians.

“You need to back these policies with the enabling laws, otherwise, if another regime comes, they can revert to their old ways. But once there are laws backing these changes, people will stick to them, or even if they want to change them, they must first have to amend these laws.

“Looking at the statute books, we discovered that most of the laws backing some of the issues we were dealing with were archaic and cannot fit into the current system, especially if this government must succeed in fighting corruption. Therefore, some needed to be amended and new ones put in place, in some other cases.”

On the issue of “huge” budgetary allocation to the National Assembly, he noted that the N115bn allocated to the National Assembly was barely enough to meet its requirements, considering the overheads it carries.

“The N115bn allocated to us represents less than two per cent of the 2016 national budget of N6trillion.....People think that our budget is N115bn multiplied by the 450 members in the National Assembly, this is not the case.

“The National Assembly, as it is today, comprises of the two chambers of the legislature and the parastatals under it. We have the National Institute of Legislative Studies, National Assembly Service Commission and the Public Complaints Commission, which is now an agency under the National Assembly. We have over 5000 Civil Servants, 2000 legislative aides that take close to N12bn as salaries, annually.

“All these expenses are charged to the budget of the National Assembly. I think that there is the need for Nigerians to understand the workings of

the National Assembly.”

Speaking on the criticisms that has so far trailed the implementation of constituency projects of the lawmakers in Nigeria, the Adamawa state-born lawmaker highlighted the importance of the projects, even as he noted that the practice is not restricted to Nigeria.

“In the course of my interactions with other African parliamentarians, I discovered that this same constituency projects feature prominently in the budgets of other African countries.

In fact, in Kenya, it is known as Constituency Development Fund, in Tanzania, there is a board set up for it and each member chairs the board in his or her constituency.

“In the case of Nigeria, most people will tell you that the lawmakers are the ones getting the money, which is not true. My advice is that we should look at the benefits of the projects and not over emphasise the abuse.

Now, l am not saying that there may be no abuses, but l am saying that, if we know of any, let us condemn it and let the law take its course.”

He appealed to Nigerians to look at the spirit behind the provisions of the projects in the budget rather than concentrating on the negatives “But that is not enough to condemn everything about the constituency projects. It is not only in the legislature that people abuse process, even in the executive, they do. So, look at the spirit and ask if it is in order.

The spirit is that, we as representatives of the people know the challenges facing our own people. We want to attract projects that will be beneficial to our people. Sometimes, it can be just a four kilometer feeder road that is the problem of the community. In some other cases, it could just be water supply and some other, it is school.”

Speaking on the fight against corruption, the lawmaker assured that the National Assembly has resolved to back President Buhari in order to ensure the success of the war, adding that they have set in motion the process to amend the EFCC Act to make the institution more effective in carrying out its functions.

A cross section of women during the distribution of Delivery Kits to expectant mothers at Nabayi Village, at Ganjuwa Local Government Area of Bauchi State… recently.

S’East to explore private sector participation in infrastructural development –Nnaji Continued from page 1 trepreneurs to develop and expand the economic base of the southeast.

He stated that already, some Igbo billionaires have agreed to come together to pull resources to ensure that agriculture, road

infrastructure, power, oil and gas and other areas of need for Igbo land was actualized in the shortest possible time.

“It also followed the realization that joint effort was paramount in everything, and the fact that the development of the southeast region before now was made pos-

sible by the efforts of her people and not government.

“That was how the industries that are moribund today like the Nigergas, Modern Ceramics, Hotel President in Enugu and Port-Harcourt, Nigercem, Golden Guinea, Niger Steel, were built.

“That is the kind of spirit Ndig-

bo want to revive and move the Igboland forward. We are prepared to develop the whole of Igbo land, economically,” Nnaji said.

According to him, “The Aba Integrated Power Project would come on stream in the next six months, all outstanding issues between Geometric Power Lim-

ited and the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) was being resolved by the federal government.

He stated that the project worth over N200 billion was the largest single investment in Igboland and would solve the power needs of Aba and environs.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday December 5, 2016

APC accuses PDP of plot to deploy fake security agents for polls Amaka Agbu, Port Harcourt

ÏÏÏ

The Rivers state chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC), says it has credible intelligence that the governor of the state, Chief Nyesom Wike, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have concluded plans to deploy fake soldiers, policemen and other security agencies.

The APC said in a press statement it issued on Sunday that the plot by the PDP and Gov. Wike was meant to justify the wild allegations the governor had been making against the Independent National Election Commission (INEC), the Inspector-General of Police, Rivers state Police Commissioner and other stakeholders in the weeks leading to the rerun elections.

The press statement signed by the APC Chairman in Rivers State, Chief Davies Ikanya, stated that the intelligence report indicated that the PDP and Governor Wike were branding Hilux trucks similar to the ones used by security agents at an undisclosed location. He further claimed: “They are alleged to have also cloned and produced various uniforms belonging to security agencies especially the Nigeria Police and special military camouflage for the purpose of infiltrating the security agencies and invading communities where rerun elections will take place on December 10 to hijack electoral materials and perpetrate other electoral mischief.”

The APC also claimed that several National Youth Service Corp, NYSC uniforms complete with APC tags had been sown for the use of which PDP thugs who would wear them while thumbprint ballot papers on Election Day to implicate the APC.

According to the APC chairman, the governor’s plan was to be executed in all the areas where elections would take place, but with emphasis on Rivers South-East, Senator Magnus Abe’s stronghold.

The APC alleged that Wike and the PDP maintained a private army of armed gang under Solomon Ndigbara. It said: “Solomon Ndigbara has been confirmed to be under the protection of Gov. Wike and have been living in Government House, Port Harcourt even as a wanted person by Nigerian security agencies.”

The APC chairman said that the party welcomed the decision of the Inspector-General of Police to provide 20,000 officers and men of the force for the rerun elections. “We also urge sister security agencies to support the Police to ensure a violence-free rerun election on December 10.

We call on the security agencies to ensure that their ranks are not infiltrated by PDP gunmen dressed in cloned uniforms of the various security services,” Chief Ikanya said.

In another press statement, the APC wondered why Governor Wike appeared to be particularly interested in the security arrangements made by APC candidates as the rerun elections approached.

According to the party, “the APC finds this matter quite worrisome because ordinarily the governor should not be bothered by security arrangements people make for themselves in the face of general insecurity that presently pervades our once peaceful state now under his watch. It is all too well known that he lacks the moral grounds to genuinely fight insecurity having caused it ab initio.

4, 020 benefit from Hon John Owan scholarships ÏÏÏThe Senator represent-

ing central senatorial district of Cross River state, Senator John Owan-Enoh, has given scholarship to 4020 students cut across the six local government areas where he represented.

Speaking while presenting the cheques on Sunday, Senator Owan-Enoh said that the scholarship which amounted to over N70 million was the biggest scholarship awarded by institutions or individuals in the state since 1999.

He said the award did not commensurate with what the people did for him by given

him their mandates to represent them, ‘Some months ago I bought a motivational speaker who came and interacted with the students’ He said that the team discovered that most of the students could not make it because of financial program.

He disclosed that the money will be paid into various schools of beneficiaries.

The Senator however pleaded with some persons whose names were omitted will be sorted out. He thanked the people for given him opportunity to represent them.

7 News

Lagos to float N60bn bond Benjamin Omoike

ÏÏÏ The Lagos State Gov-

ernment says it is set to go to the capital market to float a bond of N60 billion this month for infrastructural development.

The N60 billion bond is the first tranche of the N500 billion bond series the Lagos State House of Assembly approved for the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode administration few months ago in which the government will be drawing from the bond in tranches.

Commissioner for Finance, Akinyemi Ashade disclosed this at the weekend at the Annual General Meeting, AGM,

of Bond series and rating programme held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.

Ashade said government needed deficit financing for the purpose of undergoing massive infrastructural development across the state, adding that the strength of the state government’s Internally Generated Revenue, IGR qualified it for deficit financing, as means of paying back easily were on ground.

The commissioner disclosed that the state government was drawing N60 billion bond from the N500 billion bond approved by the Assembly for the state recently and that the bond would be floated

this month and any moment from now.

He said by next year, the government would draw another N100 billion bond from the N500 billion bond approved by the Assembly for the state throughout the period of the current administration.

Ashade disclosed that the Security Excahnge Commission, SEC, was already in the state to assess the projects the bond would cater for, saying that the commission would be able to give the state the nod to go ahead anytime from now as it had inspected the projects.

However, on the AGM, which was on the three pre-

vious bonds entered in by the state government, the commissioner said the bonds were used in executing worthwile projects across the state.

The bonds are: N57.5 billion fixed rated programme 1, Series 2 bond of 2010 with a maturity date of 2017; N80 billion fixed rated programme 2, Series 1 bond of 2012 which will mature in 2019 and N87.5 billion fixed rated programme 2, Series 2 bond of 2013 with a maturity period of 2020.

Ashade said Lagos, being the most populous city in SubSaharan Africa and the 5th largest economy in Africa due to its Gross Domestic Product, GDP size, was often faced with infrastructural challenges.

L-R: Business mogul, Chief Adebisi Edionseri; former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo during the Investiture of Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu as Vice Patron of the Abeokuta Sports Club 1904…in Abeokuta, Ogun State…at the weekend.

Ambode mourns former Minister, Olubi Benjamin Omoike

ÏÏÏ

Lagos state governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Sunday expressed shock and sadness over the death of foremost accountant and a former Minister of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Bola Kuforiji-Olubi.

Dr. Olubi, who was a former President of Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN), was appointed the first female Chairman of United Bank of Africa (UBA) in 1984, passed on at the age of 80 on Saturday.

Governor Ambode in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, described Dr. Olubi as a distinguished businesswoman, banker, economist and accountant, who cut her teeth in the corporate world.

The Governor recalled the former minister’s decades of distinguished career in the private and public sectors of national life, saying she was a role model to the future generation.

“Dr. Olubi was a woman of many firsts; she wrote

her name in gold in the banking industry and was a pace-setter and leader in banking, manufacturing and entrepreneurship not only in Nigeria but also in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“It was not surprising that she was a proud and well-deserved recipient of National honours, fellowships, awards and honorary degrees from within and outside the country,’’ Governor Ambode said.

The Governor said Dr. Olubi’s legacies would continue to be a source of inspiration to the younger generation.

Governor Ambode also prayed for the peaceful repose of her soul, urging her family to draw strength from the legacies she stood for while she was alive and the fact that she was a devout Christian.

“On behalf of my family and the people of Lagos state, I want to express our heartfelt condolence to the family of Dr. Olubi, on this great and irreparable loss.

“I had always admired her demeanor. She was a woman of true character, substance and quiet nobility. We will sorely miss her,” he said.

News 8

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, November 5, 2016

Nigeria to have Diaspora policy soon ÏÏÏNigeria has begun the process

of joining the league of countries with National Diaspora Policies with the setting up of a technical team saddled with the task of coming up with final draft of the Policy in January 2017.

This was the resolution of stakeholders after a seven-hour validation seminar in Abuja on the 68-page draft policy jointly organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Office of the Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora.

A Press Release signed by AbdurRahman Balogun, special assistant, Media, to Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, noted that while declaring the seminar open, Minister of Foreign Af-

fairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, stated that there was the need to promote the capacity of Nigerians abroad so as to benefit from the “immense potential of the diaspora.”

Onyeama, who was represented by the permanent secretary of the ministry, Amb Sola Enikanolaiye, said the federal government would support all efforts to ensure the inclusion of Nigerians abroad in future elections He added that enhanced inclusion of Nigerians abroad in the voting process would support their contributions to national development; hence such policy that would see to their empowerment should be hastened up.

“Many of them (Diaspora) are deeply concerned about the situa-

tion in the country and have critical skills and potential that could be harnessed to solving Nigeria’s sociology-economic challenges.

“The ministry, therefore, is sharpening its in-house resources to effectively harness the potential of Nigerians wherever they are based,” Onyeama said.

In his key note speech, Prof George Obiozor, former Nigerian Ambassador to the United States of America and Director-General, Nigerian Institute for International Affairs (NIIA), said the time for a national policy on Diaspora has come.

“National Policy on Diaspora matters would expedite the integration and coordination of the skills and

resources of Nigerians living abroad for the general development of the country,” he said.

Obiozor said the policy has worked successfully for other developing nations, urging the federal government to expedite action on it as it would assist in harnessing enormous national resources of her Diasporas.

Both Chairpersons Senate Committees on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Monsurat Sunmonu, and Rose Oko, respectively, pledged legislative support, such as passage of the Diaspora Commission Bill and amendment of relevant laws to support diaspora voting.

Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Hon. Abike

Dabiri-Erewa also emphasised the need to have a national diaspora policy, saying a number of African countries already ahead of Nigeria in that regard.

“We cannot ignore our diaspora; when Ireland went into recession they reached out to their diaspora community and one thousand of them saved the country from recession. Now that Nigeria is going through challenges, we cannot have this enormous human resource and not engage with them,” she said.

She urged all Nigerians home and abroad to contribute to the final draft of the policy as a technical committee would be set up to work on the recommendations agreed on and come up with an action plan for implementation.

Nigeria records highest cancer cases in Africa –WHO Tom Okpe, Abuja

ÏÏÏ An NGO, Civil Society for Cancer Eradication in Nigeria (CiSCANEN) has said the prevalence of cancer has remained on the increase in Nigeria with about 102,000 deaths and 250,000 new cases annually making the country highest cancer carrier in Africa, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) report.

The National coordinator of the group, Elijah H O Elijah, made this assertion in Abuja over the weekend at the maiden edition of the International CSOs conference.

He said that the “prevalence of cancer in Nigeria has remained on the increase and has continued to undermine the development of our dear country.

“According to WHO, Nigeria with about 102,000 cancer deaths and reported 250, 000 new cases occurring annual-

ly in the country, shoulders the heaviest Cancer burden in the continent of Africa”.

According to Elijah, current statistics has it that about 30 women die every day of breast Cancer while at least one die on daily bases of cervical cancer adding that men are not equally spared from this menace as almost 14 men die daily of prostate cancer.

“Interestingly, these cases are preventable and curable if detected early; worldwide, cancer is reputed to kill more people than the Human Immune Virus ( Hiv/ Aids), Tuberculosis and Malaria”, he said.

Elijah opined that CiSCANEEN with other stake holders is determined to deliver Nigeria in the global fight against Cancer saying, “Embedded in its vision, a Nigeria society that is free from Cancer and its attendant Social and Economic effects”.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose (left) and Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejuyigbe Aladesanmi III, during the presentation of Excellence Award on Fayose by the Ado-Ekiti Progressive Union (APU) in Ekiti… at the weekend.

More flight delays, cancellations expected as Nimet warns pilots over Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

Yuletide: Nigerian army to dismantle ÏÏÏ The Nigerian Meteosome road blocks in S’East rology Agency (NIMET) has

ÏÏÏ

The Nigerian Army “Operation Python Dance’’ in the South-East says some of its road blocks will be dismantled to facilitate free flow of traffic during the Yuletide.

Deputy Director, Public Relations of 82 Division Nigerian Army, Enugu, Col. Musa Sagir, disclosed this while on patrol with newsmen at the River Niger Bridge head, Onitsha and Awka, on Sunday.

Sagir said that it had become imperative to remove totally or shorten some of the check points, particularly

within the bridge head, Onitsha, as the Yuletide drew closer.

He called on other security agencies operating within the bridge head to support the Army to ensure free flow of traffic in the area.

He said that the operation was not to witch-hunt any group or individuals but it was purely for military training and crime prevention.

“Our men stay on the side of road watching in case of any criminality and obstruction on the road.

warned airlines of harmattan haze sweeping across the country, saying that this weather condition compels airlines to delay or cancel scheduled flights whenever horizontal visibility falls below the stipulated minima.

The agency had on October 2016 had issued an advisory forecast for dust outbreaks to affect the country during the December to February dry season period.

The Director-General of NIMET, Dr. Anthony Anuforom said occasional out-

break of dust which will reduce horizontal visibility significantly to 1000m and below in some places was predicted.

He also stated that the expected increase in concentration of the dust particles will lead to colder and drier atmosphere as well as increase in incidences of respiratory disorder.

In the course of monitoring the weather situation in and outside Nigeria, he said NiMet has observed that in the past 24hours, dust has been raised over the source regions in Niger/Chad republic which will be transported by northeast trade

winds into and across the country.

He noted that visibility is as low as 100m were reported by some stations in the Niger republic.

His words, “Current reports of visibility values across the country are good.

However, deterioration is expected to set in beginning from areas in the far northern parts of the country over the next 24 to 48 hours.”

“There is prospect of fresh dust plumes being raised in the coming days, with its attendant consequence. NiMet will however, continue to monitor the weather and climate conditions as they

unfold and provide regular updates and advisories to the general public”, he added.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has continuously alerted airlines and passengers of the impact of harmattan haze to air travel. It has its minimum standard visibility between 700 to 1000 feet depending on the airport.

Experts reasoned that regulatory body should look at the equipment of each airline and grant some of the airlines that have Next Generation aircraft the right to operate under low visibility, using the modern equipment in their aircraft.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

Politics

Wike

9

s

Amaechi

Abe

Rivers re-run and the never ending accusations Patrick Okohue

As Nigerians wait with bated breath for the conduct of the Rivers State legislative re-run elections scheduled for December 10 and praying that this time the election hold unlike other times when the elections have had to be cancelled due largely to security threats, accusations and counter accusations have rented the air.

While the state governor, Nyesom Wike has over and over again accused the All Progressives Congress (APC), the security agencies and even the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of plans to commit one electoral fraud or the other, the APC has on all occasions have to dismiss the accusations, firing back that Wike is only trying to divert attention from himself.

Only last week Wike accused the APC of plotting to rig the re-run elections with the active support of INEC and the security agencies.

He said that it would explain why the party had refused to campaign for the polls.

He warned that the plot would not succeed because the people of Rivers State were vigilant and would not be intimidated by the illegal use of security agents to aid INEC to rig.

Wike who spoke at Emohua where he flagged-off the rehabilitation of the General Hospital , Emohua and the reconstruction of the Rumuakunde-Rumuche-Akpa-Abaka road, called on Emohua Youths to rise up and defend their votes , pointing out that this was the time to send non-performing politi-

cians on retirement .

He said: “They have refused to campaign because they have received assurances of rigging. The man who plans to hijack materials, how many heads does he have? Emohua people must stand up to defend their votes.”

Speaking further, Governor Wike urged the people of Emohua to hold their prominent politicians to account, pointing out that most of them spent eight years in office without attracting a worthwhile project to the local government area.

The governor said that the two projects flagged off are targeted at improving the living standard of the Emohua people.

But, the APC would have none of Wike’s accusations, reacting to the accusations of plotting to perpetrate electoral malpractices, the APC dismissed the claims, stating that Wike had thrown all caution to the wind as he was launching a campaign of blackmail on everyone especially the APC, INEC and the Nigeria Police.

In a press statement signed by its spokesman, Chris Finebone the APC said: “Like the proverbial masquerade that has lost his entire arrows, Gov. Nyesom Wike is cutting a pitiable image of a disarmed dictator and this is understandable. Fact is that Gov. Nyesom Wike has never embarked on any election without buying over the police and the rest of the security agencies.

“He has also not engaged in any election without taking firm control of the election umpire and the judiciary. The height of this malfeasance was in the 2015 elections when he introduced another factor – the use of ex-militants and hoodlums who killed and maimed for him while INEC wrote election results with Wike’s men across Rivers State.”

The APC said that as the rerun elections approached, it seemed to be dawning on the governor that times had changed as the security agencies including the Nigeria Police were way beyond his reach. It added: “Despite still having pockets of moles in the In-

For me, they are threatening that I will be the first governor they will assassinate. They are threatening that they will show me that they are security agencies. But, I will always protect the interest of Rivers State , no matter the threat. Nobody should intimidate you with security agents. Beginning today, resist any arrest. You must move around in groups to promote resistance of the robbers of mandate.

dependent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Gov. Wike has lost the services of the top echelon of the Commission who are conscious of the anti-corruption stance of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

“They are learning from the soon-to-betried former Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), who collected hundreds of millions of Naira from the Jonathan government and handed over the Port Harcourt INEC office and election materials to Nyesom Wike before, during and after the general elections of 2015.

“Today, some of the Supreme Court justices that Gov. Wike compromised to get favourable judgment over the 2015 election are standing trial while others are under intense investigation by security agents. Terribly frightened, many judges will be unwilling to cavort with Nyesom Wike this time around,” the APC said.

At a previous event in the state meant to mark the beginning of the rehabilitation of a hospital, Governor Wike accused Security agencies of planning to assassinate him, to the shocked crowd that gathered at the General Hospital , Terabor and General Hospital, Bodo in Gokana Local Government Area.

Wike also accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of publishing a list of adhoc staff filled with members of the APC. He said: “For me, they are threatening that I will be the first governor they will assassinate. They are threatening that they will show me that they are security agencies.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

PIB, pro-Nigeria, not in favour of any region -Reyenieju Controversy has trailed the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) in the National Assembly since it was first conceptualised. Hon Daniel Reyenieju, a member of the House of Representatives representing Warri Federal Constituency in Delta State in this interview with HENRY OMUNU, fingers the NNPC and oil majors for hindering the passage of the bill. He speaks on the role of host communities, just as he declared that the bill favours no particular region, but is rather a pro-Nigeria bill.

The impression among concerned Nigerians and stakeholders in the oil industry is that the PIB has been politicised considering the long time it has taken for the legislation to be passed into law by the National Assembly?

It is very unfortunate that year-in year-out, we keep repeating one issue which ordinarily should have been for the development of this nation, most especially taking into cognisance the fact that the sustainability of the Nigerian economy is predicated on oil, because of the fact that we are a mono-commodity nation. So against that background, one would have expected that anything that has to do with oil in the country should be given the highest of priorities.

But unfortunately, the PIB has become the longest bill in the House, since the 6th Assembly, the 7th and now the 8th Assembly. And still nothing tangible seems to have been done about it. It’s very worrisome and it gives one cause for concern. But, having said that, the parliament is showing a lot of concern over the fate of the PIB. Although, we are not the law courts as in the judiciary, the wheel of justice grinds slowly, so it is with the National Assembly, the consideration of a bill may be proceeding slowly, but surely, we would arrive at the destination.

So I’m hoping that one day; one day, irrespective of the fact that Nigerians are tired with the delay of the PIB, it would definitely become a law in the country in whatever form. But like I’ve always said and will continue to repeat this, the law itself has no eyes to see who to favour.

What the law sets out to do is to institute world best practices in our country, to make the oil sector and our economy the best governed environment to actually make our economy grow. But as it is, I wouldn’t want to say that it has been politicised, but the will to change it from what it used to be to what it ought to be has been very slow and resisted by those who have been in the system; if not, I do not see any politicisation of the bill.

Most people who don’t know what the bill actually entails would want to say, it’s pro SouthSouth, or its anti North. But, I always tell people that there’s nothing in the bill that’s pro SouthSouth or anti North. It is all pro-Nigeria. I’ll give an example, only recently, I was in the PANDEV conference at Chief E. K. Clark’s house when people said that the PIB should be raised as one of the action points to be discussed with Mr. President. I got up and I asked the elders including E.K. Clark that what is in the bill for the SouthSouth that would make you want to discuss it as an action point with Mr. President? Somebody said the environmental issue. I said and so what?

Another said the 10 percent issue; I said no. All these don’t make the PIB a pro South-South bill.

Luckily, I went with a copy of the bill and I gave it to them. And the only area that tends to tilt in favour of the South-South is the 10 percent host community funding. And as at the time the bill was passed in the 7th Assembly, the 10 percent had been watered down to make every nook and cranny of this country a host community to pe-

Reyenieju

troleum products. So what’s pro South-South and what’s anti North? There’s nothing there.

People do not know. But because oil is in the South-South, any time issues are raised about oil, they are seen as being pro South-South. The South-South people do not control the oil. It’s the Nigerian government which controls the oil.

And each time this issue is brought up, it gives me great concern as to people casting aspersions regarding the bill itself to either be pro and anti.

And for those who keep saying that it’s pro SouthSouth, I would want to give them the benefit of the doubt and believe that they have never gone through the bill to see what it’s all about. It’s just about good governance of the oil sector. And for those who said the bill is anti North, I also want to give them the benefit of the doubt to say they haven’t gone through the bill to know what’s in it for the North and what is for the South. It’s purely a pro-Nigeria law. There’s nothing in support of the South-South and nothing negative as been against anti North.

I still have the bill in the House which I submitted about a year and six months ago, and I’m waiting for it to go through the second reading and it’s been delayed for obvious reason. And so many other versions of the bill have been coming in from the ministry and the office of the minister, so I’m waiting. But unfortunately, I have my doubts if the bill will be able to see the light of the day in the 8th Assembly, I doubt it.

You said you don’t believe it has been politicised. What else can you call the deliberate delay of the document that has been considered very crucial to the economic survival of Nigeria with regards to oil?

I think it just has to do with getting used to your old system and wanting to use the old sys-

A situation where the party in power doesn’t even see the need to push the bill through just like they push the budget through is really disheartening. That’s the same way they should have pushed the PIB through, because the PIB provides money for the budget to run. So how come you do not want to sanitise the sector that gives the impetus for the budget to run?

tem to work in present day realities. People who have been running the oil industry since the 1950s when oil was discovered are used to a particular practice and have not come to terms with the fact that a lot of things would change, and now they see it as not being in their favour. And I think that’s where we have the problem. But regarding the politicisation of the bill, I really don’t see politics being an issue. It has to do with the players; the international oil companies themselves who don’t want the bill to go the way it is.

Well, you can call it economic politics, because while some of the issues have to do with the foreign oil majors, others deal with operators, and you also cannot exonerate the NNPC completely from that complexity. They are also involved.

These are people that tend to protect the old order, they don’t want to see the emergence of the new order to take care of current realities on ground.

The present realities are that things must run with the jet age-computerised world which most people are not really used to.

I strongly believe that most of the things you see as politics is something playing out between party A and party B. But, we are talking about a mono -product which the economy of this country rests on. So every party in government should strive to sustain that mono product so that the nation can keep moving forward. But a situation where the party in power doesn’t even see the need to push the bill through just like they push the budget through is really disheartening.

That’s the same way they should have pushed the PIB through, because the PIB provides money for the budget to run. So how come you do not want to sanitise the sector that gives the impetus for the budget to run? But every year, you keep pushing the budget to go through. Is it that we are comfortable and satisfied with what we have and where we are? That question is now left for the government in power to see what to do with the PIB. My concern is about the host communities. How do the host communities see the fact that the PIB is not coming up, as a lawmaker representing host communities from Delta State?

Coincidentally, before now, the people have never agitated to be paid money directly to keep an eye on or to protect oil infrastructure or government assets. But because things are changing, people now want to see that government is more related and involved with the grassroots.

People no longer want any intermediary between them and government in terms of transmitting benefits. People now are saying that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has not worked for them.

Ordinarily, the NDDC is supposed to be an interventionist agency which was primarily created to cater for the needs of the people that produce the oil. But if you ask an ordinary man on the street, he would tell you that they don’t even feel the impact of the NDDC. So they want a direct involvement; a bottom-up approach, where if they want roads, they say pay me my money CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

11 Politics

True democracy only possible with virile legislature -Obasa

Obasa

Speaker of the Lagos state House of Assembly Rt Hon Mudashiru Obasa has said that Nigeria, like other democracies need good governance and that this can only come through a virile legislature.

Obasa said this while delivering a lecture at a book launch in Ikorodu, Lagos State, on the topic: ‘The Legislature and the Imperatives of Good Governance’.

The Speaker described the legislative process as an interesting chain of activities, which involves passing of motions into resolutions and bills into laws which, depending on certain circumstances, contribute in one way or the other to national development.

In every nation, he said, the legislature, as the accredited representatives of the people, has the duty of promoting national development through its chain of activities.

According to him, the legislature in Nigeria has the mandate and is under

Rivers re-run and never the ending accusations CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

But, I will always protect the interest of Rivers State , no matter the threat.

“Nobody should intimidate you with security agents. Beginning today, resist any arrest. You must move around in groups to promote resistance of the robbers of mandate.”

However the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, said the police were not aware of any plot to kill the governor.

But, wike said it was unfortunate that INEC and security agencies were disregarding the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari that they should be impartial and deliver free and fair elections.

The governor said: “INEC has released a fake list of adhoc staff for the rerun elections before the conclusion of their mandatory training . Majority of those on the list are known APC ward chairmen and ward secretaries who are mainly unemployed , but listed by INEC as staff of the University of Port Harcourt .

“They think that my love for peace is a sign of weakness, but I want to declare that enough is enough. We are supposed to be under an era of change, but the love for fraud

by INEC and police is unprecedented.”

The governor added: “Anyone whose son or daughter is on that fraudulent INEC list should tell him/her to stay away on election day.

“All these desperate actions are geared towards the plot to rig in favour of a particular candidate , but that candidate will not win. The people of Rivers South-East Senatorial District must be allowed to vote persons of their choice.”

Wike urged Ogoni people to vote for the PDP, pointing out that for eight years , APC failed to execute well meaning projects in Ogoni land.

Responding, APC State Publicity Secretary, Chris Finebone said his party could not comprehend what the governor is talking about.

Finebone said: “Definitely, APC candidates are busy campaigning for the rerun

election while governor Wike is busy with his circus show. We wish him luck.

“Rivers people are tired of Wike’s allegations. Soon we will not join issue with him because he is no longer making sense.”

On another occasion, Governor Wike, accused the leadership of the INEC of handing over original copies of result sheets to the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, towards a plan to rig the December 10 poll.

Speaking in Etche Local Government Area, Wike alleged that Amaechi made the disclosure in Abuja during a meeting of Rivers APC leaders.

The governor said that he was in possession of the proceedings of the Abuja “illegal” meeting of the APC. He alleged that Amaechi assured the Rivers APC leaders at the Abuja meeting that the original result sheets supplied by the INEC would be used for the December 10 rerun elections to facilitate victory for the APC candidates.

“While we are working for the people of Rivers State to convince them to vote for us, the APC is busy working with the INEC to rig the rerun elections.

“On December 10, follow your results bumper to bumper. Don’t allow anyone to swap results. I urge the Etche people to follow their results,” he said.

Reacting through his media office, Amaechi described Wike’s allegation as wild, baseless and an attempt to intimidate INEC into doing his (governor’s) bidding.

He said, “We know his game; this is an old worn-out trick that will certainly fail. Wike is scared, profoundly afraid. This is why he is telling these spurious lies. He knows he will lose at the polls, if the election is free and fair.”

With the accusations and counter accusations, it is only hoped that the INEC will not have a reason to postpone the elections once again and hoping that when the election did hold, it will not only be seen to be free, fair and credible, but will also be very peaceful at the end of the day.

obligation to initiate debate and show concern on matters affecting the generality of people in the country.

“Expectedly such activities should be directed toward reversing declining economy, stabilising the polity and integrating society with overall aim of enhancing national development.

“Achieving good governance requires the existence of a strong, effective and efficient parliament. This is so because the parliament plays a crucial role in gauging, collating and presenting the views and needs of the people, articulating their expectations and aspirations in determining the national development agenda.

“As oversight body, parliament helps to identify problems and policy challenges that require attention and assists in overcoming bureaucratic inertia,” he said.

Obasa, who noted that democracy, is all about ensuring popular participa-

tion and control of the process of governance, told the guests at the event that the legislature occupies a central role in any democratic setting, arguing that though a government may exist without the legislature, but that without the legislature, democracy is not possible.

“The existence of a parliament may not be synonymous with democracy, but democracy cannot exist without a parliament.

“Put differently, therefore, nation building that is anchored on good governance becomes a colossal task without parliamentarians.

“As is evident, legislature is a veritable instrument and institution for national development whose effectiveness is determined by some local variables. With the role of the legislature all pointing towards good governance, it is not out of place to say that, the legislature is the bulwark of any nation,” he said.

PIB is pro-Nigeria, not in favour of any region CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

so that I decide what to do with it - which has its own consequences which might come much later.

They feel they are being short-changed by these interventionist agencies from the direct benefit they ought to get.

Most people would tell you, the NDDC is not working, the Niger Delta Ministry is not working and some other palliatives that should go to the communities are not being received. So what they are clamouring for is, transport these funds to us and we will help you protect your facilities which are oil installations. And I think it’s going to work. As a member of the 7th Assembly, when we were considering the host community clause of the bill, it said that for any community that receives an X-amount of money and a breach occurs within that community, it forfeits the next month’s share, and from that next month’s share, such broken facility would be repaired. So with this clause, nobody would want to see facilities within their community tampered with for fear

Reyenieju

of losing their own benefits. So I think that’s one of the good sides of the host community fund.

People want it, people need to take ownership of facilities found within their domain. But the main issue is for the government to show the will, that we must device a means to reach the communities directly. And for me, I have a bill right in front of me for complete decentralisation and reorganisation of the NDDC. For example, Lagos is going to be an oil producing state any moment from now which makes it a beneficiary of the NDDC, and then you expect a man who just needs a clearance from the NDDC to jump all the way from Lagos to Port Harcourt. I don’t know if you understand it. And then you expect a traditional ruler from my place to move to Port Harcourt, I don’t think that’s fair.

I have had issues as a member of the National Assembly from a core oil producing area. I have had issues just to see the acting Managing Director, Semenitari, I had to fly from Abuja to Port Harcourt, only to get to Port Harcourt and the lady said she was unavoidably absent; I couldn’t see her. I tried and tried, but it wasn’t possible.

So you can imagine what it means for somebody who is not financially buoyant to move into Port Harcourt and then be told to go back because the boss is not available.

Unfortunately, as I flew in, others got there by road and as I speak, we couldn’t see her until she left. So take that and juxtapose it with other citizens and consider what they will be going through in the hands of people that are running these agencies. These are some of the reasons why we say these agency needs to be completely decentralised for effective service delivery. It’s not effective! You see, when you take that out, you can now come to the Host Community Fund issue. And don’t forget that - that fund is not coming from the government, it’s coming directly from the profits of multinational oil companies who operate within the region. So it is not even a government fund. For them to be in business, they need to part with some little percentage of their profits after tax for the host communities as part of corporate social responsibility, that some of them are actually doing, but is it enough.

News 12 Money laundering: ExLagos speaker, Ikuforiji, aide, head to S’Court.

Peter Fowoyo

ÏÏÏ Days after ruling of a Lagos

division of the Court of Appeal ordered their re-trial for money laundering offences, former Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Ikuforiji Sabit Adeyemi, and his personal assistant, Olabode Alade Atoyebi, have filed a notice of appeal.

In the notice of appeal filed before Supreme Court of Nigeria challenging the verdict of the appellate court, both the former Speaker and his personal assistant, through their lawyer, Barrister Abiodun Onidare, separately asked the apex court to set aside the whole ruling of the Appeal Court.

The duo described the Appeal Court’s decisions as unreasonable, unwarranted, and cannot be supported having regards to the evidence and materials on record.

Consequently, appellants are urging the Supreme Court, to uphold their no case submissions as upheld by a federal high court in Lagos, presided over by Justice Ibrahim Buba, on September 26, 2014, and dismiss the Appeal Court’s decision.

The appellants further stated in the notice of appeal that, more grounds of appeal will be filed upon receipt of the certified true copy of the judgment appealed against.

The Lagos division of the Court of Appeal had set aside the ruling of Justice Ibrahim Buba of a Lagos Federal High Court, which discharged former Speaker, Ikuforiji and his personal assistant, Oyebode, of a 56-count charge of conspiracy and laundering the sum of N500 million belonging to the Assembly, an offences, which according to the EFCC, contravened Sections 15 (1d) and 16(1d) of Money Laundry Act (MLA) 2004 and 2011.

The appellate court in a unanimous judgment set aside the verdict of Justice Ibrahim Buba, holding that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had made out a prima facie case against the former Speaker and his personal assistant to require them to enter a defence to the charge brought against them.

In the lead judgment delivered

by Justice Biobela Georgewill, the appellate court also ordered that trial should start trial ‘de novo’ (afresh), before another judge of the Federal High Court, Lagos other than Justice Buba in the light of the far-reaching findings already made by him.

Other members of the threeman panel are: Justice Side Dauda Bage and Justice Ugochukwu Ogakwu.

Daily Times Nigeria L Ɨ ƕè #ƆƅƆƌƄƆƏ ǀè ƾƠơÕ

Gowon, Obasanjo, Shonekan, Osinbajo grace Villa Chapel’s thanksgiving ÏÏÏ Aso

Villa Church, yesterday, played host to former heads of state and three former vice presidents, who joined the current vice president, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, at a thanksgiving service.

The annual thanksgiving service was attended by former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Head of the Interim Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, and

former Chiefs of General Staff Ebitu Ukiwe and Oladipo Diya.

Also present at the service were the wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo and Mrs Shonekan.

Vice President Osinbajo, while speaking at the end of the service, expressed gratitude to “the former presidents and vice presidents for gracing the thanksgiving service,” adding that he specially invited them to the occasion.

Osinbajo explained that al-

though former President Goodluck Jonathan was also invited to the event, he had to cancel his attendance at the last minute.

“So, we are all extremely excited that we are able to bring everyone together to thank God for our nation and to give him thanks for the great future ahead of us.

“We are thanking God, it is a wonderful occasion to thank God and that is what we have done here today.”

Earlier at the service, for-

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mer Head of State, Gen. Gowon prayed over the thanksgiving offering at the service.

Gowon, in his remarks, urged all Nigerians to support the present administration’s efforts towards revamping the economy and restoring Nigeria’s dignity in the comity of nations.

He also offered special prayers for the leadership of the nation to overcome the numerous challenges and return Nigeria to the path of prosperity, peace and progress.

In his sermon, the chaplain of the Aso Villa Chapel, Pastor Sheyi Malomo, emphasised the importance of thanksgiving in every human endeavour. Citing the scriptures, the clergyman said God was expectant of gratitude for his good deeds to man.

According to him, “it is the will of God that whatever situation you are in, you should always give thanks to God because he expects thanksgiving every time.”

High-point of the occasion was during the thanksgiving proper when the former leaders joined the vice president and his wife to dance forward towards the altar in praise and adoration of God. Everyone in the congregation also followed suit in thanksgiving and prayers.

A number of cabinet ministers, several top government functionaries and Christian leaders were also in attendance.

After the service, the leaders joined the vice president at his residence for breakfast.

Lagos Assembly begins work on 2017 budget Alade Tasma

ÏÏÏ The

Lagos state House of Assembly has commenced work in earnest on the state 2017 budget presented to it by Governor Akinwumi Ambode last Tuesday, November 29.

The governor had presented a budget estimate of N812. 998 billion to the state assembly for the 2017 fiscal year for its consideration and approval.

The House, after its plenary on Thursday, December 1 adjourned till December 27 to allow all relevant committees of the House to immediately resume work at scrutinizing the budget and to complete the exercise in a record time.

The Speaker of the House, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, had assured Lagosians during the budget presentation exercise that the House would immediately resume work on the presentation and look at the nitty-gritty of the budget es-

timates to ensure that the budget delivers it’s desired good through oversight function.

He however, charged all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to furnish the House with all necessary documents to aid the quick passage of the budget.

Governor Ambode while presenting the budget titled; the “Golden Jubilee Budget” as it coincided with the 50th anniversary of the State said the capital expenditure stands at N512 billion while the recurrent expenditure is put at N300 billion, a ratio of 63.37 percent.

Ambode had assured Lagosians that the 2017 budget will continue the mass renewal of infrastructure and enhancement of the state as one of the foremost tourism and investment destination in Africa.

“While we focus on physical infrastructure, we shall continue to pay due attention to social infrastructure, especially, health,

education, Youth and social development in 2017,” the Governor stated.

Ambode also disclosed that the State expect to shore up its revenue from the federal allocation through the 13 percent derivation from oil and gas in 2017 which according to the Governor, will further boost the revenue profile of the state.

Disclosing further on what to expect in the coming year in the area of food security, the Governor promised to accelerate the food expansion programme with a special focus on rice production, animal husbandry and root crops while the State, according to him, will intensify collaboration with other States in the development of a commodity value chain specifically for food commodities.

The Governor further promised to invest more to boost fish production in the State by improving the production capacity of Ayobo fish farm estate in Alimosho area,

all these, in addition to providing employment opportunities for the youth.

The Speaker of the state assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, in his remarks at the presentation, commended the governor for the successful implementation of the 2016 budget, while stressing the supportive role played by the Assembly in the enviable performance of the Governor in the outgoing year.

Obasa commended the governor for its determination to develop the state despite the dwindling revenue. The Speaker further commended the governor on the road infrastructure, transportation, light up Lagos project and other developments.

The Speaker however, assured that the House would continue to support the executive to bring more development to Lagosians.

The 2017 budget size is N150.4bn or 18.5 percent above that of 2016 which stood at N662.58 billion.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

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14 Opinion

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

The fall and fall of PDP

T

Majeed Dahiru

he political behemoth known as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), whose chieftains fondly refers to as the largest political party in Africa is now fighting for its life. At the height of its power and might, the PDP arrogantly projected it was going to rule for sixty years, irrespective of its performance in government. This projection was cut short in 2015 after a sixteen-year rule that was generally characterised by good, bad and ugly times. The PDP is perceived to have failed while in power to deliver on the high expectations of a stable, secure and prosperous Nigerian nation. The most visible failure of the past PDP administrations is seen in their inability to achieve self-sufficiency in power, energy and steel for economic development. The legacy of inadequate power generation, energy output and steel production has made the foundation on which some very modest economic gains were built upon as weak as quick sand.

The fall of PDP from power was not entirely because of its less than average economic performance while in government alone. The political misadventure of the former ruling party was more responsible for its fall from its Olympian height to the abyss of helplessness and hopelessness today. The dominance of PDP was greatly enhanced by an electoral umpire, INEC, which was made heavily dependent on the PDP controlled executive by coercion and monetary gratification of its officials. Security agencies where deployed to serve the partisan interests of the PDP and not the interests of Nigerians. Elections became largely symbolic exercises, which were more of the coronations of PDP candidates whose emergence were not reflections of the free choice of electorates. In a system heavily rigged in favour of the then ruling party, votes cast in an election did not count. Once you become PDP flag bearer, you are elected.

The result of this situation was a complete detachment from the masses by the pseudo elected public office holders.

Political office holders held and used their privileged offices for personal benefits. They served the corrupt interests that produced them and not the people’s interest. The PDP gradually and steadily began to assume an antipeople posture. Having systematically conquered the electoral space, the real effort to be elected

shifted to the internal process of the party, which throws up candidates for election. Thus began an internal struggle for the control of the party structure by various actors within the party. The bitter struggle degenerated into a situation where the PDP was the only opposition to the PDP. There became enthroned a severe lack of internal democracy, characterised by the imposition of candidates by a dubious, self-seeking to self-preserving process enshrined in the PDP constitution, under the influence of the presidents and governors elected on the platform of the party.

In the ensuing struggle, only the weak, and not the fittest, survived. The strongest and fittest could not be trusted to be loyal.

The weak, who were openly unambitious, meek, obedient, and loyal to the emerging order, were trusted and given control of party structures to the chagrin of time tested politicians who had genuine influence and traditional mass following. Dissenting voices were not tolerated. Sycophancy, bootlicking and songs of praise were rewarded handsomely. Truth, sincerity of purpose and fidelity to party members took flight from the PDP. Gradually but steadily, strong politicians began to leave the PDP to join and energise the almost non-existent opposition parties.

By that time, the PDP had become a thriving enterprise with guarantee of very high returns

on investments. The major binding force of the various interest groups that aggregated under the umbrella was the equitable sharing of loot at the expense of the state treasury. This venture was systematically entrenched by the zoning and rotational arrangement of political offices across board, from top to bottom.

The direct cause of implosion and the eventual loss of power of the PDP was the violation of the zoning and rotational arrangement within the party by former President Goodluck Jonathan by his insistence on running twice, in 2011 and 2015. This less than gentlemanly was poised to distort the equitable distribution of loot and skew it in favour of his Niger Delta region. The last batch of the strongest and fittest politicians, who opposed to the re-election of Jonathan, left the party and joined forces with other interest groups to form the most formidable opposition party in the history of the Fourth Republic, the APC. The combination of a weakened party with a fewer and weaker membership and an extreme neo-liberal economic practice, which enriched a few and impoverished the vast majority, made PDP easily defeated by the opposition coalition and cut short its sixty year rule projection to sixteen.

If the PDP failed Nigerians while in government; the party has failed Nigerians more in opposition. The party is currently

fictionalised and embroiled in internal power struggle. The biggest problem today is its governor’s forum; a group that seeks to continue the same undemocratic and unethical practices that brought the party down. Their eyes are not set on the bigger picture of returning the party to a formidable force as an alternative to APC but rather focused on controlling party structures to the exclusion of their perceived opponents. They have turned their various state chapters into personal political fiefdoms. This has strengthened their hold on the party but ultimately weakened it the more. The governors do not inspire genuine followership among the larger society because of their numerous cases of misrule and under-performance.

Governance in the states is at the lowest ebb since the advent of the Fourth Republic. There are no visible and viable projects being executed, while there are backlogs of salaries running into several months. The unfavourable perception of the governors is rubbing of on the image of the party negatively.

Until PDP governors begin to play the politics of inclusion by yielding their absolute control of the structures of the party to other relevant stakeholders, the party will never regain strength.

After the mass exodus of strong politicians from the PDP, the party is left with weak politicians who cannot win elections without federal might and presidential incumbency. Some members of the party, including some sitting governors, are already plotting their movement into the ruling APC. These weak politicians cannot endure the rigours of opposition. The recent abysmal performance of PDP in the gubernatorial election in Ondo State is symptomatic of the decay and weakness of the PDP, as well as the self-inflicted and deep crisis ravaging the party. In the face of a woeful performance in power by the APC led federal government, the PDP has not been able to draw from its experience in government and clearly articulate an alternative socioeconomic policy that comprehensively addresses the current challenges facing the nation. The grim reality of this failure leaves Nigerians no alternative than to live with the reality of another four years of an APC led federal government despite its huge under-performance on its first mandate.

Majeed Dahiru, a public affairs analyst, writes from Abuja

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, December 2, 2016

15 Opinion

Is the Central Bank driving prices up?

O

Uddin Ifeanyi

ver the last six months, I gradually reached the point where I forswore further commentary on monetary policy. Yes, I do admit that part of my difficulty with the way the central bank has gone about its work is ideological. A partisan of market solutions (except in those instances, plenty, truth to tell, when this is demonstrably inadequate for the problem at hand), I have seen the apex bank work so hard to give the forces of demand and supply a bad name. My preferred example? Look no further than the so-called “flexible exchange rate market”.

I had thought that the whole point of freeing the market was to let both the groundswell of demand for dollar-denominated asset and the massive shortfall in supply from official sources operate to give us a new marketbased rate for clearing exchanges between the naira and the dollar. In addition, that way to have the new equilibrium price function as a signal for generating new sources of dollar input into the economy.

Incidentally, there is anecdotal evidence that this mechanism

did indeed work, to some extent.

First, a highly valued domestic currency (unsupported by much domestic activity besides crude oil export) duly lost much of its value against other traded currencies.

However, no less important, Bloomberg reports, “Foreign investment in Nigerian stocks and bonds more than doubled in the third quarter from the previous three months However, at $920 million, it was still down 8.8 percent from a year earlier and less than one-fifth of the level it reached in the third quarter of 2014.” Therefore, we did have new sources of money come in because of the new exchange rate regime.

However, the way the market has been allowed to operate, it would seem to be the case that the apex bank looked to a specific clearing rate for the naira when it decided on freeing the interbank foreign exchange market. On the central bank’s side is a large consensus amongst many Nigerians that no country leaves its exchange rate entirely to market forces — especially when most Nigerians imagine a conspiracy against the country by shadowy forces in the West. Thus, this contradiction between the market and fixed rates is one most Nigerians are comfortable with.

None of this is bad, yet. Awful, though, is when, on the back of

these arguments, monetary policy then becomes like an act of God, “surpassing all human understanding”! The point here is not about questions around the goal that those currently managing our economy have appointed for monetary policy. That is clear: a strong naira, despite (or even maybe because of) the negative wishes of “enemies” of this economy.

My dilemma is with the tools and instruments that the monetary authorities use in achieving this goal.

Much mirth was recently afforded me by the attempt to turn the challenge of structuring proper incentives for the functioning of the domestic markets for foreign exchange into a law and order problem. This option was always going to drive marginal operations in the market back into the shadows, not stop them. In addition, there is strong evidence that this has already happened. The point to be made on the back of this is that the introduction of higher risk elements into any transaction invariably shows up in higher prices.

Thus, the apex bank’s operation may have made the monetary policy environment riskier, when our best hope was to have de-risked it.

Still, elevated risks at the foreign exchange market pale in comparison to a new source of risk that

my attention was drawn to only recently. It would seem that over the 12 months since the beginning of the fourth quarter of 2015, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) might have pumped enough money into the economy to drive up domestic money supply precipitously.

I have seen this spike in money supply plotted in graphs that also depict the trajectory of domestic prices and the naira’s exchange rate. The truth is that the correlation between the former and both these other indices is uncanny.

“Correlation is not causation”.

However, even the slightest possibility that the CBN may have contributed to driving up domestic prices is frightening. If the new monies pumped into the economy have not driven increases in output or productivity, did they simply run after the dollar, pushing up domestic prices in the process? If the answer to this question is a “yes”, the danger is that our double-digit inflation may not be the result only of structural problems in the economy. However, this is largely caused by new money sloshing around the economy.

This is one possibility that we ought not to ignore, because it is one consequence of what a friend describes as the “fiscalisation of monetary policy”.

The 21st century leader Nigeria needs

N

Lawrence Nwobu

igeria has had a turbulent history and continuing crisis.

Marked by upheavals, ethno-religious riots, pogroms, a civil war or ethnic war and terrorism have left the country dripping in blood. Some have suggested Nigeria’s green white green flag be replaced with red in recognition of the blood that has and continues to be shed. More blood is spilled on a daily basis because of decades of bad governance, misrule, human rights violations and looting which has resulted in accidents and all forms of carnages owing to bad roads.

Many more die through perilous trips; dangerous sea and desert crossings in their bid to escape the anarchy at home and seek greener pastures abroad. Nigeria is thus for a great majority of its supposed citizens a land of injustice and death. A nation state is supposed at the very minimum to provide for the security and welfare of its citizenry; that is after all the fundamental basis for which a state exists. However, Nigeria has since independence failed in fulfilling the basic responsibilities of a state to its citizens. It is no surprise that many voices are increasingly asking if Nigeria is worth the bloodshed that has kept it afloat.

No nation fails by accident, just as no nation succeeds by accident. The success or failure of a nation is driven by the choices its leaders make and to a lesser extent the inherent values within the society. Nigeria has thus not failed by accident but because successive leaders chose to make Nigeria fail through the choices, they made. These choices have bordered on the five cantankerous vices of tribalism, corruption, religious fundamentalism, human rights violations and bad leadership.

From the earliest leadership in the first republic Nigeria had predominantly divisive leaders that thrived in exploiting and furthering ethnic divisions. These leaders manifested and emphasised ethnic hatreds/divisions which overtime afflicted the larger society.

Corruption also crept up quite early in the nation’s history as the leaders proved to be willing to engage in electoral fraud, census fraud, 10 percent kickbacks and all forms of attendant corruption.

Ethnic riots and later day religious fundamentalism and terrorism particularly in the North was likewise tolerated and in most cases sponsored by the leaders. Successive Nigerian leaders have continued on the same train of tribalism, corruption and religious fundamentalism leading to the ethnic jungle, monu-

mentally corrupt, dysfunctional and terrorised nation Nigeria has progressively become. With the 2015 elections, persecution and marginalisation or the 97percent versus 5percent demarcation on account of which regions voted for the president and which did not has become a new, disabling, undemocratic and unconstitutional vice that has joined the long list of existing vices that has arrested the nation’s development.

As the 21st century progresses, Nigerians must opt for a leader who understand the modern nuances of democracy and governance. A leader who understands that democracy fundamentally vests citizens with the right and choice to freely vote for whom they choose without fear of retribution. A leader who will depart from decadent tribalism and for the first time make nation building the most fundamental element of government in recognition that the nation cannot prosper except there is harmony and peace.

A leader who respects the fundamental rights of all and promotes unity by consent on the basis of justice and equality rather than unity by force premised on injustice, marginalisation and hate. An ardent reformer who will undertake critical structural reforms and return the nation to progressive federal-

ism. A leader who harnesses the latent potentials of the nation, and places her on a deserved pedestal amongst the comity of nations. This is the 21st century leader Nigeria needs.

It is an indictment of the present generation; that of over a 150 million people, we have not yet succeeded in producing a leader who meets these ideals. More often than not, we have remained stuck with the older generation and those that played ignoble roles that led to the tribalism, bloodshed, corruption and human rights violations that truncated the nation’s noble aspirations. Those that supported Sharia in violation of the nation’s secular constitution.

Those that supported and politicised Boko Haram as the nihilistic terrorist group was slaughtering thousands of Nigerians. Those that promoted sectionalism hate and disregarded the nation’s diversity.

Yet, the future is always more promising than the past. Frantz Fanon once declared “each generation must discover its mission, fulfill it or betray it in relative opacity.”

Our generation therefore stands at the crossroads of history; between a decadent past and a glorious future.

Between a leader that represents the dark ills of the past and a 21st century leader that meets the challenges and responsibilities of our time.

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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

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Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

TIMES AGAINST CORRUPTION

s

We’re amending the EFCC Act to strengthen the institution

The framers of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, no doubt gave enormous powers to the Legislature to enhance its roles, while also promoting the Principle of Separation of Power and ensuring Checks and Balances amongst the three Arms of Government, critical factors in stabilizing democracy.

But the verdict of Nigerians is that their performance has been less than satisfactory. Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas, Chairman, House Committee on Media and Publicity, in this interview with Tony Ailemen, believes the 8th National Assembly will be different. He speaks on the performance of the Legislature, why the EFCC Act is being amended, imperative of Constituency Projects and the fight against corruption, amongst others....excerpts What is your assessment of the performance of the House of Representatives in the last one year?

Thank you. My assessment is that we have performed very well given the current circumstances.

In the last one year, the House of Representatives has considered and passed well over 700 Bills and close to 600 Motions. There was a particular day when we had to consider about 130 Bills in one same day. The reason is simple, in view of the current change mantra that this government is pursuing, we discovered that change can not come through policy pronouncements alone. You need to back these policies with the enabling laws, otherwise, if another regime comes, they can revert back to their old ways. But once there are laws backing these changes, people will stick to them, or even if they want to change them, they must first have to amend these laws. Looking at the Statute books, we discovered that most of the laws backing some of the issues we were dealing with were archaic and cannot fit into the current system, especially if this government must succeed in fighting corruption. Therefore, some needed to be amended and new ones put in place, in some other cases.

One of the things that Hon. Speaker Yakubu Dogara did when he assumed office was to put in place, a committee of experts drawn from the Institute of Legislative Studies, top legal luminaries as well as Scholars to re- examine some of these laws. Part of their submission was the need to review the laws guiding over 100 of the institutions they examined.

Some were repealed, while others were amended. Over 700 Bills and Motions were raised by Members and over 400 of them were able to go through to the second reading.

As we speak, over 80 of them have passed through the Third Reading and have moved to the committee stage. I think this is one House that has done so much, far more than the previous ones.

It may surprise you, however, that as we speak, we are yet to get any Executive Bill from the Executive Arm of Government, in

respect of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB. We all know that the oil sector is very critical to the economy of this country. There is a strong need, given the kind of revelations coming from this critical sector, for government to put strong mechanism in place for regulating and monitoring this sector.

So, what we did on our own, was to look at the two Private Member Bills, to see how we can help even the Executive check some of the unwholesome practices going on in this sector. Even the Senate is doing the same thing. This is to tell you that contrary to the opinion held by some persons, the National Assembly has been very proactive in supporting this administration especially in the battle against corruption. In other areas that have to do with internal security, we have already passed the North East Development Commission Bill into law, as a way of fast tracking the return of normalcy to that devastated region and do away with insurgency.

How has the current economic challenges affected the function of the Legislature?

In this recession, every sector of the economy is affected. Even the President will tell you that they also have some issues with cash flow, which have slowed them down. The expected revenues are not coming.The budget was predicated on the production of 2.2 Million barrels of crude oil per day, but because of the activities of the avengers and pipeline destructions and dwindling crude oil prices in the international market, we cannot boast of having even 1.5 million barrels per day. Obviously, you do not need a soothsayer to tell you that income has fallen. This is why even Mr. President was asking for Virement and loans as so on. The budget of the National Assembly used to be N150B, but because of the situation we have found ourselves in, it came down to N115B. What people think is that we have so much money. Even if we consider the budget at N115B, you will discover that inflation has dealt devastating blow on the Naira. So you see what we are being made to face. N115B allocated to the National Assembly represents less than 2

Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas, Chairman, House Committee on Media and Publicity percent of the 2016 National budget of N6Trillion. Yes, we do have challenges. People think that our budget is N115B multiplied by the 450 members in the National Assembly, this is not the case. The National Assembly, as it is today, comprises of the two Chambers of the Legislature and the parastatals under it. We have the National Institute of Legislative Studies, National Assembly Service Commission and the Public Complaints Commission, which is now an agency under the National Assembly. We have over 5000 Civil Servants, 2000 Legislative aides that take close to N12B as salaries, annually. All these expenses are charged to the budget of the National Assembly.

I think that there is the need for Nigerians to understand the workings of the National Assembly.

The issues of Constituency Projects have become very controversial, as some see it as a method used by the legislators to siphon funds from the federal government coffers. What is your reaction on this?

This is indeed very phony because l am also a member of the African Parliament.By the virtue of my membership of this body, l am privileged to work with Parliamentarians from 54 other African Countries. In the course of my interactions with other African Parliamentarians, I discovered that this same Constituency Projects feature prominently in the budgets

of other African countries. In fact, in Kenya, it is known as Constituency Development Fund, in Tanzania, there is a Board set up for it and each member Chairs the Board in his or her own Constituency. In the case of Nigeria, most people will tell you that the law makers are the ones getting the money, which is not true. My advice is that we should look at the benefits of the projects and not over emphasize the abuse. Now, l am not saying that there may be no abuses, but l am saying that, if we know of any, let us condemn it and let the law take it’s course. But that is not enough to condemn everything about the Constituency Projects. It is not only in the Legislature that people abuse process, even in the Executive, they do. So, look at the spirit and ask if it is in order. The spirit is that, we as representatives of the people, know the challenges facing our own people. We want to attract Projects that will be beneficial to our people. Sometimes, it can be just a four kilometer feeder road that is the problem of the community. In some other cases, it could just be water supply, some is School, Town hall, etc. It was in view of this that government said, we will give you N10B so that you can share it amongst yourselves as representatives of the people, depending on the zone. This money is shared in the ratio of 60 percent to 40 percent between the Senators and House of Reps members,

respectively. You are to look at the peculiarities of your environment as the representatives of your community and nominate these projects. Once you have nominated them, the projects are sent to the MDAs, it is not as if you nominate these projects and they give you money to go and execute them, No. It is the agency that will advertise and prequalify contractors that will handle the project. Go and check most MDAs, you discover that most of the revenues they get, come from the bidding system. The views of the law makers do not matter in the bidding and award of these contracts. The only thing you do, which is part of the requirements, is for you to confirm whether that the projects have been executed or not. Now, the spirit is good. If anyone abuse the process, there should be in place, a system that will take care of that abuse. It should not be limited to the Legislature alone, but rather the entire arms of government. These things are documented and if anyone wants to investigate, they can go ahead and do so because they are on records. I think that Nigerians must be made to understand how the process work. There is a process, government money cannot just be spent anyhow. Otherwise, the Buhari’s government will not have the kind of evidence it has now to prosecute the anti corruption war. In my opinion, the Constituency Project is very important and should be allowed to stay. It is only in this 2016 budget that I have seen government project going on in my Constituency. One electrical project in Mayo Belwa and renovation of Federal Government College in Ganye. Otherwise, in the last 16 years, I did not see any government presence in the area.

Now, as you really well know, State governments cannot pay salaries talk less of carrying out projects, not to even mention local government Council that you hardly see their Chairmen anywhere. The hands of the executives are full, even the ones they have, they cannot execute. I cannot remember when last the local government Council constructed even one store

Continue on page 18

18 Times Against Corruption

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

Aisha Buhari to flag off ‘women against corruption’ ÎÎÎAs Magu seeks inter- agencies’ collaboration to check corruption The current war against corruption has received a big boost from First Lady, Mrs Aisha Buhari, who will be flagging off “women against corruption” campaign December 7, 2016.

Acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu made the revelation during a courtesy visit to the Nigeria Customs Service as part of his efforts to attract inter Agencies collaboration to the fight against corruption.

The Women Against Corruption campaign is expected to be flagged off on December 7, 2016, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja by the wife of the president, Mrs Aisha Buhari.

Magu, during the visit, described the Nigeria Customs Service as a veritable ally in the fight against economic and financial crimes, even as he lauded the synergy between the two agencies He however said there is need for improved inter agency collaboration among government agencies if corruption must be kicked out of Nigeria.

Magu also specifically requested for collaboration in sensitizing women against corruption in Nigeria, describing them as nation builders.

“It is in this regards that the wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Mu-

hammadu Buhari will be flagging off the Women Against Corruption project on December 7, 2016, to engage Nigerian Women in a nation – wide sustainable fight against corruption”, Magu stated He appealed to the Service to avail the country - wide spread of officers of the Nigeria Customs Service in respect of the programme.

The Comptroller General of Customs, CGC, Col. Hameed Ali (Retd), said he was pleased to receive the EFCC team. “I can assure you we are with you shoulder to shoulder in fighting corruption.

Putting heads together to work for this great nation is no longer an option”, he explained.

According to him” What is required in an institution like yours is gut. You must have gut, be straightforward, be transparent and be an embodiment of integrity.

These are the ingredients that will keep you going as EFCC chairman; all of these are not in short supply in your qualities”, he told Magu.

Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, Dr. Patience K. Iferi who was mandated by the CGC with the task of mobilising women of the Customs Service for the December 7 programme, promised that she will leave no stone unturned to have the assignment actualised.

Her words: “We are integrity

Continued from page 17

We’re amending the EFCC Act to strengthen the institution

not to talk of one kilometer road in my Constituency.

The recent rejections of the MTEF and President Buhari’s $29B loan requests is sending a wrong signal to Nigerians that all is not well in the Executive/ Legislature relationships. What exacting is the situation, especially with the 2017 Budget still to come to the National Assembly?

The issue is that we have the Senate and the House of Reps. For anything to become a law, both Chambers must agree. There is nothing wrong. If the law makers want something to be done properly, Nigerians should allow them to ensure that what is right is done.

We must look at it from the point of the issues raised. Once the issues are corrected by the Executive, the lawmakers will have no reason to reject their submissions or even delay them. The 2016 budget, for instance, was presented late and there is a law that allow the budget to run its circle of one full year. So, the 2016 budget will run until March, 2017, so we still have enough time to deal with all the issues. It will be unfair for people to say we should not ask questions, because, when things go wrong later, they will turn around to blame us. Checks and Balances allows the workings of government go on

smoothly. They are not meant to derail any government.

Already, there is a perception that the Legislature is not comfortable with President Buhari’s anti- graft policies, therefore, they are using these as bargaining powers, even looking for ways to frustrate the President’s program. How will you react to this?

I think that is not right at all.

Why do people believe that when we do things we are doing them with bad intent, why? No matter how people look at it, it is a Constitutional requirement that all the monies to be spent by the Executive must be approved by the Legislature. If Nigerians do not want us to ask questions, then they are saying that there is no need to have the Legislature in the first place. So, l will urge Nigerians to give the National Assembly the opportunity to do its work. The same people are also complaining that the State Assemblies are now acting as rubber stamp to their state governors. Most of the governors, they say have pocketed their state Assemblies. Here, we are asking questions and carrying out our oversight functions and people are making all sorts of insinuations. I wish to let you know that the 8th House of Representatives that l speak for has a Legislative

promoter; we are capable of being accountable. I promise, the Nigeria Customs Service is strongly behind this programme”.

The EFCC Chairman also paid similar courtesy visits to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Abubakar Sadique to drum the message of anti-corruption in the military.

Magu who said anti-corruption fight should not be left for the EFCC alone and appealed to Nigerians in all spheres of life to do everything to shun corruption.

His words, “everywhere, there is corruption. We must fight it. Corruption is a crime against humanity and a threat to national security.

Let us all tackle corruption, even in the military, let us join hands together to kill corruption or at least reduce it to its barest minimum”.

He however appealed to the CAS to use his good office to mobilise women in uniform against corruption. “When the women are effectively galvanised in the corruption fight, the battle is half won. They are the home builders, they are the nurturers of life”, he said.

I his response, Air Marshall Sadique assured the EFCC chairman that the Nigerian Airforce will not be left behind in the effort to save Nigeria from corruption.

“Nigerian Airforce is collaborating with several agencies, especially in

agenda, part of which is to support the anti- graft policy of the President Buhari’s administration. As l talk, the Act of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC is about to be amended.

These are part of our efforts to improve the anti- corruption crusade.

I want to let you know that if you corruptly enrich yourself and you are able to escape now, one day, you must be called upon to answer for what you had done. Those who felt they could comfortably loot the treasury under the previous administration and probably escape justice, are now facing trials and even refunding money. Those who have no questions to answer are going about their businesses freely as Nigerians. So let no one fool him or herself, you cannot steal government money and go free. We also want to have this democracy entrenched. If you look at the efforts of the Senate to amend the Code of Conduct Tribunal Act, some people felt that it was because they wanted to free the Senate President from answering the charges preferred against him. But l want to tell you that if the amendment is done today, the Senate President cannot and will not benefit from it. It cannot be done in retrospection for his benefits. The spirit is to ensure that there is checks and balances and that the right thing

Mrs Aisha Buhari the area of Public Procurement, in tackling corruption”, he said.

“We are working round the clock to build capacity. We are going to reposition the Nigerian Airforce through capacity building. There is so much capacity gap, these we are bridging through training and retraining”, he said.

He commended the acting Chairman for his patriotiotism and zeal in fighting corruption which he said is unprecedented. He promised he will do everything to continue to support the fight against economic and financial crimes in Nigeria.

In a related development, the acting Chairman also visited the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, to seek for support and collaboration

is done always. I wonder why people will think that each time we ask question, it is a ploy to ask for something from the Executive.

Given the body language of Mr. President, do you think he is that kind of person that can be so easily blackmailed? Or are we saying that in all those requests he has made and we approved, he had to part with something? All what we are doing is to hold the Executive accountable.

Nigerians are aware that one of your colleagues, Hon. Jubril Abdulmumuni made some allegations about the House and its leadership concerning budget padding. What is the latest on that case?

Honestly l wouldn’t want to waste our time on this issue because we seem to be making him more popular than he deserves.

There is no point because he is already answering questions. We all know that under his watch, President Muhammadu Buhari refused to sign the 2016 Appropriation Act because of the ways he boggled it. This made the President to insist on getting the details. This happened at the time, Hon. Jubril was Chairman of that Committee. Once you are heading a unit or organization and there is problem there, you will be held responsible.

If on the other hand you record

in the fight against economic and financial crimes.

Magu who said his visit was to thank the television station for the support in the past and to ask for more, requested for collaboration in sensitization for Women Against Corruption programme. According to him, the role of women as nation-builders, as mothers, wives etc cannot be over emphasized.

Magu, who described the Nigerian Television Authority as critical in information dissemination and public enlightenment in respect of the fight against corruption, stressed that the anti-corruption fight requires the collaboration of all stakeholders as EFCC alone cannot do it.

some achievements, you will be rewarded. It was under Jubril’ watch that the President said we did not transmit the details of the budget.

The President had refused to sign the budget because of the issues he identified and it took this same Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara who his is now maligning to intervene.

He was the one who salvaged the situation in the interest of democracy and indeed Nigeria. He mobilized all the leadership of the National Assembly, set up a tripartite committee made up of members of the two chambers and even the Executive to work out modalities for salvaging that budget. It will therefore be unfair to say that the budget was padded. How did they do that, after the President signed the budget? You are insulting the sensibilities of the President. He was not fair to us at all. If he wanted to be fair, he is aware that we have a process through which such issues are resolved within. He needed to have petitioned that committee. We have 360 members, there are people in the House that would have supported him, if he had any case at all. We could not also investigate the Speaker because we only hear of the issues on the pages of newspapers, instead of sending a petition to the House. Up till today, we do not have any petition from him on the issues he raised.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

19

Treasury looters buying up foodstuffs to cause hike, says monarch Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

ÎÎÎThe

continued increase in the prices of foodstuffs and other commodities in Nigerian markets has been largely attributed to the activities of corrupt individuals who have looted the treasury of the nation looking for ways to discredit President Muhammadu Buhari led government of the All Progressive Congress, APC due to its anti-corruption fight.

Emir of Borgu Kingdom, His Royal Highness, Barr. Mohammadu Sani Dantoro Kitoro IV, said this while fielding questions from journalists during the presentation of Letter of appointment of “Mabudin Borgu” to the Director General of Think Nigeria First Initiative

(TNFI), Amb. Abubakar Tsanni, at the weekend in Abuja.

The monarch said that those who embezzled the common wealth of the nation have been going to markets across the country using their agents to buy up foods mostly grains, beans, rice and other items and hoard with the sole aim of causing price hike and untold hardship to the masses.

He said: “We all know what we went through in the last sixteen years that at a point some people were said to have stolen hundreds of millions in foreign currency and billions of naira from the coffers of the nation and hid in weird places.”

According to him, the same individual who have stolen this money are the ones using

the same money to cause hardship for Nigerians because the government is after them.

“People are buying foodstuffs to create artificial scarcity using the resources they looted from the government of Nigeria. They hoard foodstuffs so that there will be scarcity in the country and make people suffer, and this is inhuman.

What do you want the government to do in such scenario?”

Giving an analogy, the Emir narrated how he averted the situation in his kingdom saying “When I found out that this kind of situation was happening in my emirate, I took certain decisions irrespective of the rights any individual has to buy or sell goods and properties because part of the discharge of the

responsibilities bestowed on me is to make sure that my people don’t suffer unjustly.

“We saw people bringing millions of naira to buy foodstuffs, taking them away from our people and the prices of foodstuff became very high beyond the reach of the common man. So, I summoned a security meeting including all the District Heads and we took a decision at that meeting that nobody will be allow to move out with a large quantity of foodstuffs.

At that time a Mudu of local rice was sold between N500 to N600 but today with the decision that we have taken, rice is being sold between N200 to N250 per Mudu.”

The Emir, whose late father Sen. Halliru Dantoro (Kitoro

III) Maiborgu Kingdom was said be instrumental to the merger that gave birth to the APC, said that the aim of the merger by the defunct political parties has been achieved urging Nigerians to be more patience with Mr President adding that ‘Rome was not built in a day’ as the President was working round the clock to fix the economy back on track for the betterment of all.

Speaking further on the merger, the lawyer cum monarch posited: “At the time, our late father thought there was the need to come together and have a very formidable force to salvage Nigeria. It was a very good thinking and he did that because he wanted Nigeria to remain as one and for the common man to be able to say this is my country.

Recession: Group advocates education for youths on crisis Titus Akhigbe, Benin

ÎÎÎThe need to educate and

encourage Nigerian youths to believe in themselves rather than lamenting the current economic situation in the country has been advocated.

By so doing, it will help in creating awareness among the youths to make themselves available for the youth empowerment programmes envisioned by the Federal and the various state governments.

These were the words of the Managing Director and founder of the Great Tigress, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Francess Ewien Osanakpa, a body, she said, was put together for the purpose of empowering youths to be equal partners in the process of change and to advocate for youth rights and voice in mental health and other systems that serve them, Osanakpa who spoke at the launching of the NGO in Benin said having realised that today’s generation of young people was the largest the World has ever known because one in every three persons living today is under the age of 30 years, therefore it has become important to educate their mind to assimilate the current global situation.

According to her, having realised that the challenge of empowering the youths by creating enough jobs to engage them is one of the major challenges the entire world is facing today, the Great Tigress believe that once their mind is prepared towards this, the problem is half solved.

“We envisioned that the present and future youths will play a big role in how the world adapts to these challenges, it is now left on our shoulder to provide these supportive environment and opportunities by making this NGO a success by achieving our dream of creating a platform where youths are empowered financially and mentally.

“The Great Tigress also envisaged that developing the youth for leadership is a big challenge and as such, we need to adopt a system in which every youth that enters a youth serving system is prepared for life through genuine opportunities and authentic involvement throughout all systems levels so that no youth falls through the cracks “However, we will help to guide the redevelopment of the systems so that no youth falls through the cracks and also advocate for youth to utilise their power and expertise to foster change in their own lives and their communities.

Accident scene at Game village, Sun City road, Abuja… at the weekend.

FG to aid Sokoto on ICT development, says minister Andrew Orolua, Abuja

ÎÎÎThe

Federal Government said it will assist Sokoto with expertise and other logistics to ensure rapid development of ICT in the state.

Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, stated this when he visited Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal at the weekend.

“We will deploy logistics and personnel to assist the state government develop its ICT sector. Already, appreciable level of progress has been achieved but we hope to expand into critical areas like agriculture, education and healthcare delivery. We have also discussed

issue of digitisation and our overall objective is to improve the socio-economic life of the people of the state using ICT,” a statement issued Sunday by Tambuwal’s spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, quoted the minister as saying.

According to Shittu, the FG is seeking to tap into vast talents available in Sokoto and other parts of the country to create an ICT hub, adding that the aim is to bring the benefit of ICT revolution to the Caliphate state.

He said Sokoto has a long history of scholarship, and is one of the few states to have an improving quality of leadership in the country.

“Governor Tambuwal has

brought in a new vista into governance and I am happy to say we can work with him to bring about positive impact to the lives of the people using ICT,” Shittu added.

In his remarks, Tambuwal said Sokoto will leverage on the modest achievements recorded in the ICT sector in the last one year, and welcomed the opportunity to partner the Federal Government for the benefit of the state.

He said his administration has “extensively applied ICT in various spheres of governance,” and will continue to do so because the new method enhances good governance and helps in tackling corruption at all levels.

News FG shops for replacements as NCAA, NAMA chiefs set for retirement Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

ÏÏÏBarring any last-minute

manipulations, the Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Usman Muktar and the Acting Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engineer Emmanuel Anasi are set to leave the system this December if the Public Service Rules (PSR) are anything to go by.

Investigation by Daily Times revealed that both men have reached either the mandatory retirement age or have spent the number of years required for public service as the laws of the country dictates.

The PSR 020810 (i): the compulsory retirement age for all grades in the service shall be 60 years or 35 years’ pensionable service whichever is earlier,’ and by December 6, 2016, the NCAA DG will be 60 years which makes him eligible for compulsory retirement.

The PSR 020810 (ii) further states: “No officer shall be allowed to remain inn service after attaining 60 years or 35 years of pensionable service whichever comes earlier” meaning also that the NAMA acting MD who has spent 35 years in service in November is also eligible for a terminal leave.

However, there are rife indications that that the acting MD is working towards a confirmation to be substantive managing directive despite being caught by the rule and that is why he has not proceeded on his terminal leave.

Sources in the Ministry of Aviation say they are however cognizant of the situation and already are bringing it to the Ministry’s chief executive for action.

Director General NCAA, Captain Mukhtar Usman was confirmed substantive director general in 2015 who flew for the defunct Nigeria Airways before a stint as the Commissioner/ CEO of the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB).

The Ag. MD of NAMA, was former Director of Engineering, before he was directed by Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi was told to act in the stead of Managing Director, Ibrahim Abdulsalam who is currently in court with other top agency officials for alleged N6.8bn fraud against the agency.

2

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

PUBLIC NOTICE

DISTINGUISHED PEOPLE OF ANAMBRA CLUB.

This is to notify the General public of the loss of Original land receipt belonging to Mr. Shittu O. Adigun of no 9, Folami Street, Bashua village Shomolu issued by Bashua Chieftancy Family Council dated on 15th june 1974. All effort to trace the said document proved abortive. If found please return to Alhaja Shakirat Ajoke Abijoh. The general public, please take note.

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

THE ALMIGHTY ALPHA AND THE OMEGA MISSION INTERNATIONAL RC CAC/IT/NO. 73892

SALAMI OLUFEMI MEDIA INITIATIVE.

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for Change of Trustees and Amendment of Constitution under Part ‘C’ of the Companies And Allied Matters Act, 1990 THE OLD TRUSTEES ARE: 1. OZOMAGBO FESTUS IFEANYI - REMOVED 2. PATRICK OGBU - RETAINED 3. CHISOM NWAMAKA ENEMUOR - RETAINED APPOINTMENT OF NEW TRUSTEES: 1. CHINWE VICTORIA ENEMUOONYEKACHI OLIVE ENEMUO 2. ONYEKACHI OLIVE ENEMUO AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION: To amend the following Articles; 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7 of the constitution of the Association.

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

SIGNED: CHIMA HENRY EBERE ESQ.

ZION EMBASSY TOTAL EMPOWERMENT MINISTRY This is to inform the general public that the above named Ministry has applied for Registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990 Trustee: 1. Olise Maureen Aghasagbon 2. Iroegbu Chioma Evelyn 3.Agharese Nosa 4.Olise Fidelis Olise.

Aim And Objectves: 1.To operate as a christian church to teach the bible.

2.To organise programmes to teach moral to members of the society .3.Toprovide aid for widows, Orphans and the indigent in the society.

4.To establish a bible school to train pastors. Any objective to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar general Corporate Affairs Commission Plot 420 Tigris Crescent off Aguyi lronsi Street Maitama Abuja within 28days of this publication Signed Secretary

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.

OKOYE MATHEW NWAMAKA 2.

IDIKA EMMANUEL UMA 3.

ONUIGBO CHIDIEBERE JOHN 4.

ARIKABE STEPHEN CHINEDU AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO LIVE IN UNITY, PEACE AND HARMONY. 2. TO PROMOTE UNITY AND UNDERSTANDING AMONG MEMBERS OF THE CLUB. 3. TO RENDER UNRESERVED SUPPORT TO MEMBERS OF THE CLUB WHERE AND WHEN NECESSARY. 4. TO PROMOTE GOOD RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CLUB AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS. 5. TO RAISE FUND FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE CLUB. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN TWENTY EIGHT (28) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

IHITE DEVELOPMENT UNION PORT HARCOURT. THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990 THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. JOEL UGBOAJA - CHAIRMAN 2. STEPHEN OKEKE 3. GILBERT GABRIEL CHIMOBI 4. OKPARA CYPRIAN - SECRETARY 5. MONDAY OKEKE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PROMOTE UNITY, LOVE AND PROGRESS AMONG MEMBERS ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR- GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET, PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA. WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.Michael Onyekwere 2.Chimaobi Gabriel 3.John Duru 4.Hon Alphonsus Okeke 5.Chekwube Ike 6.Remigius Ogbonnaya 7.Hyginus Nwogu 8.Odera Favour Izendu.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.To Live in peace,be our brothers keeper.

2.To Extend help to our Community State and Nation at large.

3.To build human Capacity among individual members.

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

Signed: Ekene Fabian Apuamaga ( ESQ ) 08068530088.

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Salami Olufemi Joseph - Chairman 2. Anyaibe John kennedy - Secretary Aim and objective: 1. To empower the youth and assist the less privileges in our society.

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

Signed:. J E Anaekwe & Co.

21

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Etukumana Ekeate Akpan 2. Lauren Richard King 3. Greatness Tinuade Edobor Aims and objectives: 1. To encourage and promote increase in agricultural produce 2. To promote the interest and welfare of its members 3. To advocate for healthy policies for its members Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General of Corporate Affairs Commission Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: John Abah Augustine, Esq 08056670252

CHANGE OF FAMILY SURNAME

We, formerly known and addressed as 1) PRINCESS CHIKAODINAKA RUTH ACHIELEKWA, 2) IFEANYICHUKWU ACHIELEKWA, 3) CHIMUDINDU DEBORAH ACHIELEKWA, 4) TOCHUKWU ISRAEL ACHIELEKWA, Now wish to be known and addressed as 1) PRINCESS CHIKAODINAKA JEDIDAH IFEANYI, 2) PRINCE JOTHAN IFEANYI, 3) CHIMUDINDU DEBORAH IFEANYI, 4) ISREAL TOCHUKWU IFEANYI. All other documents bearing the old names remain valid. General public should please take note.

OMO ILERI CHILDREN HOME.

SPIRIT FILLED SISTERS FELLOWSHIP

This is to notify the general public that the above named ‘Home’ has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part C of the companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004.

This is to inform the general public that above named has applied for Registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part ‘‘C’’ of the companies Allied Matters Act 1990.

Trustees: 1.

Nwogu Kelly Izuwa 2.

Nwogu Chijioke Edith 3.

Nwogu Victoria

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1 Mr. Adeyemi Oyewale Oni 3 Mr. Celestine Nwaiwu 5 Mrs. Olayinka Ibiyemi Williams 6 Miss. Adebimpe Tomisin Oni 7 Pastor Dele Onalaja.

2 Mr. Samuel Taiwo Adewole 4 Mrs. Bolanle Olutoyin Oni

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:1 To cater for the less privilege children; 2 To upgrade lives; 3 To give children hopes and care.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission plot 420 Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi lronsi street Maitama Abuja within 28 Days of this Publication Signed: Ekene Ugbede ESQ ( Ronke Akinola & Co) 200 Igbosere Street, Lagos Island

4th Floor, Onafeko House,

STRENGTHENED IN FAITH MINISTRY

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: (1) ADEWOYIN REBECCA ARIKE - PRESIDENT, Female (2) ADEWOYIN OLUWAFEMISAYO JOHN - SECRETARY, Male (3) ADEWOYIN OLADENI PETER AIM AND OBJECTIVE: (1) To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to all mankind Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: TRUSTEES. DECLARATION OF AGE :

I, MIKE KADIBIA OGUAJU WAS BORN ON THE 21ST DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 1981 AT ABA IN ABA NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ABIA STATE TO THE FAMILY OF MR. DOMINIC OGUAJU (FATHER) FROM AMAIHE, ORSUIHITEUKWA IN ORSU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF IMO STATE AND MRS. JOVITA OGUAJU (MOTHER) FROM AMAIHE, ORSUIHITEUKWA IN ORSU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF IMO STATE AND THAT HE IS AN INDIGENE OF AMAIHE, ORSUIHITEUKWA IN ORSU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF IMO STATE OF NIGERIA.ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. UNITED STATES, SPANISH , NIGERIAN EMBASSIES, ALL OTHER AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

Aims and Objectives: 1.

To raise up Godly women, Filled and controlled by the spirit of God 2.

To conduct counseling to families and build marriages and homes 3.

To support welfare of the members 4.

To organize programs, conferences, seminars and symposia in family related matters.

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

Signed: Shepherd Staff & Associate

22

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.SAADAT AHUOIZA ATIMAH 2.MALL. MOHAMMED MOUKHTAR ATIMAH 3.ZAINAB IBRAHIM 4.SAMIRA ATIMAH 5.HAFEEZA BELLO THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1.TO PROMOTE GIRL CHILD EDUCATION. 2.YOUTH AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT. 3.POVERTY ALLEVIATION.

TOYIBAT LIT - TOYIBEEN ISLAMIC FOUNDATION This is to inform the general public that the above Named has applied for Registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matter Act 1990.

ALASALATU MURHI INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF NIGERIA This is to inform the general public that the above named body has applied for Registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ALHAJI IBRAHIM HARUNA 2. ALHAJI OYEGBADE OYEPEJU 3. ALHAJI MUSBAUDEEN ERINFOLAMI 4. ALHAJI GANIYU OLADAPO 5. ALHAJI OLABODE OSHODI-GLOVER 6. ALHAJA MARIAM BELLO 7. HAJIA SIDIQQAH IBIRONKE ALABA

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES: 1. ABDULKAREEM JUBREEL AYODEJI 2. KAREEM TOHEEB ADEOLA 3. ABDULKAREEM RAODAT MOTUNRAYO 4. KAREEM SHERIFDEEN ADEWUNMI

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

Aims And Objectives: 1. TO PROPAGATE THE RELIGION OF ISLAMIC AMONG THE MEMBERS Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

SIGNED : SECRETARY

Signed: Trustees.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To bring all Muslims throughout Nigeria into closer union and inculcate in them the true Islamic spirit of brotherhood and absolute faith in Allah as the only basis for the achievement of peace among mankind.

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

Signed: SECRETARY

TOUCH OF JOY INITIATIVE.

ENUGU YOUNG PROFESSIONALS AND ENTREPRENEURS FORUM

CELEBRATION HOUSE IMPACT CHURCH.

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

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

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

Trustess:

TRUSTEES .(1) ANTHONY IDOKO. (2) ENDUNG ANTHONY IDOKO (3)IGOCHE ISAAC UGBABE (4)JOSEPH BITRUS BULAMA (5)MICHEAL BABELLO DAUDU (6)MAX OGAR.

Trustess 1. MR. BENJAMIN DIKE. - CHAIRMAN 2. DR. SMILE NDUBUISI. - SECERTARY 3. MR WOLE ADENIYI. 4. ARAMIDE AJAYI 5. MR. ABIDEMI ADEKOYE 6. DR. NDUBUEZE VINCENT EGUZO Aim and objective 1. To provide free medical health care to indigent citizens in remote communities and citizens Nigeria 2. To provide welfare materials to indigent citizens 3. To provide educational services to indigent citizens Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar general, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed.

Barr. KENN IKPECHUKWU

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1 SAMSON OLIVER CHUKWUECHIFULEM 2 SAMSON PROGRESS PATIENCE 3 SAMETU IBIHUYE SYLVESTER 4 NZEH ONYEMUCHE CANICE 5 GABRIEL COLLINS CHUKWUMA AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: 1.

To propagate the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 2.

To teach and mature Christians in the knowledge of Jesus Christ 3.

To provide comfort and cater for the less privileged Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: Signed: Barr. Maduka Okoli 8/10 ,Broad Street ,Lagos, 08033127357

THE CLUB 20 ORU IJEBU. This is to inform the general public that the above named Club has applied for registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Acts 1 of 1990.

The Trustees Are: 1. CHIEF NELSON ADEJUMO ADEBOGUN. 2. CHIEF SUNDAY OLUGBENGA IDOWU 3. PROF. JOSEPH OLUSOGA OLUSANYA. 4. CHIEF IDOWU ADEBIYI ODUGBESAN. 5. OTUNBA ADEKUNLE JOSHUA OSIBELUWO Aim: To foster bond of unity among members with the aim of eradicating poverty. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar - General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Aguyi Ironsi street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the day of this publication.

Signed: Trustees AIYALOGBE AGNES OLUCHI I formerly known and addressed as MGBOR AGNES OLUCHI now wish to be known and addressed as AIYALOGBE AGNES OLUCHI. All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. The general public should please take note.

SHOLAGBADE BALIKISU ADELEYE

Formerly known and addressed as ADELEYE BILIKISU OLAIDE, now wish to be known and addressed as SHOLAGBADE BALIKISU ADELEYE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AWUNU VINCENT EZEKIEL SUNDAY

Formerly known and addressed as GIBANGBAN EZEKIEL, now wish to be known and addressed as AWUNU VINCENT EZEKIEL SUNDAY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHIKAODI ELIZABETH EDUGW

Formerly known and addressed as SUNDAY CHIKODI ELIZABETH, now wish to be known and addressed as CHIKAODI ELIZABETH EDUGW. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

1. NWODO ADAORA STEPHANIE. 2. AGBARA EMEKA SILAS 3. OBINNA NUEL - ENEH 4. CHUKWUAFUEZI ADIMCHINOBI 5. ODOH WALTER CHUKWUMA 6. OBAH NNANWIKE ANTHONY Aim and objective 1. To protect the interest of the youth 2. To assist young protessionals in actualizing their dreams Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar general, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE. To preach the good news of Jesus Christ.

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

Signed: Secretary

Signed: Secretary.

MIRIAM AND STEPHEN CHARITABLE TRUST The general public is hereby notified that the above Organization has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: Miriam Stephen Sunday Stephen Obayan Maureen Anote Mercy Nuhn Abe Samuel Nuhu Abe AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To provide relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: Secretary MUSA MOHAMMED

I, formerly known and addressed as YAHAYA YUNUSA, and MOHAMMED YINUSA PUONA wish to be known and addressed as MUSA MOHAMMED. All former document remain valid, general public please take note.

MUSTAPHA KUDIRAT MABAYOJE

I formerly known Mabayoje Kudirat Olamide wish to be known and addressed as Mustapha kudirat Mabayoje. All former document remain valid, general public please take note.

BALOGUN SULAIMAN ADEWALE

Formerly known and addressed as LAWAL SULAIMAN, now wish to be known and addressed as BALOGUN SULAIMAN ADEWALE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

UDOGWU STANLEY AMAECHI

Formerly known and addressed as UDOGWU STANLEY WILLIAMS, now wish to be known and addressed as UDOGWU STANLEY AMAECHI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

TABITHA EVANGELICAL MINISTRY INTERNATIONAL The general public is hereby notified that the above Organization has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: Onigbinde Jonathan Olusola Jalingo Binta Nwokeocha Justina Eno Ogebe, Mary Dija Araye John Skido Sanni Paul Zaruma Esq Yohanna Iliya Kadernu Ali Markus AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ To carter for widows, orphans and the downtrodden Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication SIGNED: SANNI PAUL ZARUMA

ADEDEWE STEPHEN OWOADE.

I formerly known and address as Owoade Stephen Ayinla,now wish to be known and address as Adedewe Stephen Owoade.

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

UWAOMA CHIBUEZE CHIBUIKE.

OLANIYAN TITILAYO ADEOLA I Formerly known and addressed as Miss OBADINA Titilayo Adeola. Now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs OLANIYAN Titilayo Adeola, of No. 12 AIT Road, Alagbado, Lagos. All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. General public and Relevant authorities please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as UWAOMA ONU ORJI now wish to be known and addressed as MRS UWAOMA CHIBUEZE CHIBUIKE. All former documents remain valid.

FMC, Umuahia and the general public should please take note.

That I am the same person bearing both AGBA PAULINA UMENAYA and AGBA PAULINA U. That the abbreviated U. stands for UMENAYA. The general public and relevant authorities should please take note.

EZEKIEL MERCY Formerly known and addressed as OSSAI MERCY, now wish to be known and addressed as EZEKIEL MERCY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

JOY ELIZABETH MURRAY-BRUCE

KAMORU RAFIU

Formerly known and addressed as KAMOR RAFIU, now wish to be known and addressed as KAMORU RAFIU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as JOY ELIZABETH JONAH, now wish to be known and addressed as JOY ELIZABETH MURRAYBRUCE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

SEFIU OLUGBENGA TAOFIK

Formerly known and addressed as OLUWAGBENGA TAOFEEK, now wish to be known and addressed as SEFIU OLUGBENGA TAOFIK. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ADEOYE OLUWASEYI TAYE

I formerly known and addressed as MISS ADEDEJI SHOLA OLUWASEYI now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ADEOYE OLUWASEYI TAYE. All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

SADO DAUDA MAIYANGA.

I formerly known and addressed as DAUDA MAIYANGA S. now wish to be known and addressed as SADO DAUDA MAIYANGA. All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. The general public should please take note.

BENEDICT KEMI OLUWASEUN

Formerly known and addressed as ADEDOKUN KEMI OLUWASEUN, now wish to be known and addressed as BENEDICT KEMI OLUWASEUN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

ADEDEJI MOSUNMOLA ANN

GOMINA: Formerly known and addressed as GOMINA MOSUNMOLA ANN, now wish to be known and addressed as ADEDEJI MOSUNMOLA ANN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

My name OKWUDILI was abbreviated O. The correct name is ODILI ANTHONY OKWUDILI. The general public and relevant authorities should please take note.

OBI FAVOUR UGOCHI

OLAKIYESI AYOTOMIWA MORENIKE

I, formerly known and addressed as OGETHAKPO AYOTOMIWA MORENIKE, now wish to be known and addressed OLAKIYESI AYOTOMIWA MORENIKE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

ADDITION OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as IKE FAVOUR UGOCHI, now wish to be known and addressed OBI FAVOUR UGOCHI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, EZE CHIKWADO, wish to add ALLOYSIUS to my existing names. Henceforth my name are now EZE CHIKWADO ALLOYSIUS. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

IGINITUS DAMION ONOCHIE

SAMUEL KOLEOLA HEPHZIBAH

I formerly known and addressed as IGNITIUS DAMION ONUCHE, now wish to be known and addressed as IGINITUS DAMION ONOCHIE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AKINDURO OLUBUNMI ASHABI

I formerly known and addressed as AJAGUN SAMUEL KOLEOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as SAMUEL KOLEOLA HEPHZIBAH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

RASHEED SHAKIRAT AYODELE

I, formerly known as Awoyemi Olubunmi Ashabi wish to be known and addressed as Akinduro Olubunmi Ashabi. All former document remain valid, general public please take note.

I, formerly known as Ganiyu Shakirat Ayodele wish to be known and addressed as Rasheed Shakirat Ayodele. All former document remain valid, general public please take note.

OMONOMEN BRENDA EJANATA I formerly known, called and addressed as OMONOMEN BRENDA OKOJIE. Henceforth wish to be known, called and addressed as OMONOMEN BRENDA EJANATA. All docments bearing my former name remain valid, General public should please take note.

I formally known as MISS. MATINA GRACE AMADI now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. MATINA GRACE ISTIFANUS YARO. All former documents remain valid. Benue State University, NYSC and the general public should take note.

OLOLO OKEKE BENJAMINE

ADETOYI TEMITOPE AYONI

I formerly known and addressed as Enabulele Augustine now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Ololo Okeke Benjamine. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note.

MATINA GRACE ISTIFANUS YARO

I formerly known, called and addressed as Miss. Babalola Temitope Ayoni now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Adetoyi Temitope Ayoni. All former documents remain valid.

TOGBE AYOKANMI ABEJIDE

I, formerly known and addressed as OSHUNNIYI AYOKANMI ABEJIDE, now wish to be known and addressed TOGBE AYOKANMI ABEJIDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

MOMODU MOHAMMED SUNUSI

I formerly known and addressed as ADEBIYI AJOKE, now wish to be known and addressed as OLOKODANA AJOKE OLADUNNI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

KEHINDE AJOKE OBASOHAN

Formerly Miss. kehinde Balikisu Bakare now Mrs. Kehinde Ajoke Obasohan . former documents remains valid.

General public note.

JIMOH ASABI MARIAM

RAMON NURU OLATUNDE.

Formerly known and addressed as RASHEED IRETIOLA TEMITOPE now wish to be known and addressed as RASHEED ZULEEKEH IRETIOLA. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MUHAMMED NURU HABEEB now wish to be known and addressed as RAMON NURU OLATUNDE. All documents remain valid.

General public take note.

KACHI GEORELINE AHAMEFULA-OKORIE

RAHEEM HAMMED OLALEKAN

Formerly known and addressed as MISS KACHI GEORELINE AJAEGBU now wish to be known and addressed as MRS KACHI GEORELINE AHAMEFULA-OKORIE. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as RAIMI AHMED OLALEKAN now wish to be known and addressed as RAHEEM HAMMED OLALEKAN. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

ABIOYE BABATUNDE OLUWOLE

LION RITA LFECHUKWUDE

OGBENNLA VIVIAN OLUCHI

ADEKUNLE ABDULRASAQ OLAIWOLA

YAKUBU FRIDAY ASHAFA

Formerly known and addressed as AREMIUNU RITA LFEANYI now wish to be known and addressed as LION RITA LFECHUKWUDE. All documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME AND CORRECTION OF DATE

Formerly Known And Addressed As Rebecca Ayebanua Ayodele Nelson,now Wish To Be Known And Addressed As Mrs Oparah Rebecca Ayodele,that I Was Born On The 15th September 1977 All Former Document Remain Valid General Public And Authorities Concerned Should Pls Take Note

I formerly known and addressed as OGBONNA VICTORIA ROSE now wish to be known and addressed as OGBENNLA VIVIAN OLUCHI. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note

Formerly known and addressed as YAKUBU FRIDAY now wish to be known and addressed as YAKUBU FRIDAY ASHAFA. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as EKIRI INIBIRA NIYEKEDOU now wish to be known and addressed as GODWIN JAMES ADAMS. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

AKINADE AYODELE SAHEED.

I, formerly known as OJO SAHEED FATAI wish to be known and addressed as AKINADE AYODELE SAHEED. All former document remain valid, general public please take note.

I am formerly known and addressed as Jimba Asabi Mariam, now wish to be known and address as Mrs. JIMOH ASABI MARIAM, all former documents remain valid.

NYSC, Banks and general public should take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME / DATE OF BIRTH

GODWIN JAMES ADAMS

OLOYEDE TEMITOPE OLUWASEUN

I formerly known and addressed as MISS. OSHO TEMITOPE OLUWASEUN, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OLOYEDE TEMITOPE OLUWASEUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MOHAMMAD MOHAMMAD SANUSI is now wish to be known and addressed as MOMODU MOHAMMED SUNUSI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

UMEH OKECHUKWU PATRICK

I formerly known as ABIOYE TUNDE wish to be known and addressed as ABIOYE BABATUNDE OLUWOLE. All former document remain valid, general public please take note.

AJIBOWU-YEKINI ROFLAT.

Formerly known and addressed as YEKINI ROFLAT OLASHILE now wish to be known and addressed as AJIBOWU-YEKINI ROFLAT. All documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ADEKUNLE ABUDURASAQ OLAIWOLAnow wish to be known and addressed as ADEKUNLE ABDULRASAQ OLAIWOLA. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

ABDULMUMINI AFUSAT TANCO

I, formerly known and addressed as SAMUEL INNI LEONARD, now wish to be known and addressed INNI SAMUEL AKPAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OSHIDIPE-DAVIES ENIOLA VICTORIA

OLOKODANA AJOKE OLADUNNI

I, formerly known as UMEGBOJIBI OKECHUKWU PATRICK wish to be known and addressed as UMEH OKECHUKWU PATRICK. All former document remain valid, general public please take note.

INNI SAMUEL AKPAN

I formerly known and addressed as MISS. DAVIES ENIOLA VICTORIA, now wish to be known and addressed as OSHIDIPE-DAVIES ENIOLA VICTORIA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

OLAYI UDUAK OJEKA

I formerly known and addressed as ISONG UDUAK ABOSEDE, now wish to be known and addressed as OLAYI UDUAK OJEKA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

My name was wrongly written as ABOBARIN MARIAM 10-10-1968. instead ofOLAIYA MARY FUNMILAYO 28-10-1957. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

RASHEED ZULEEKEH IRETIOLA

IFEANYI-EZEAKA EMMANUELLA

This is to confirm and certify that I, IFEANYI-EZEAKA CHINONYELUM EMMANUELLA is same person as IFEANYIEZEAKA EMMANUELLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS OJO ARIBAKEMI OLUFUNKE EUNICE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS SHITTU ARIBAKEMI OLUFUNKE EUNICE. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note CHUKWUEMEKA CHIBUZOR PAUL

I, formerly known and addressed as ORISASONA YEMI.E, now wish to be known and addressed ORISASONA EVELYN YEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

YUSUF ARAMIDE TOHEEB

I, formerly known and addressed as YUSUF AJIBOLA TOHEEB, now wish to be known and addressed YUSUF ARAMIDE TOHEEB. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

My name was wrongly written as AKINTOYE BOLANLE instead of AKINTOYE RAFATA ADUNNI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

SHITTU ARIBAKEMI OLUFUNKE EUNICE

Formerly known and addressed as JASPER C JOHNSON now wish to be known and addressed as CHUKWUEMEKA CHIBUZOR PAUL. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

ORISASONA EVELYN YEMI

23

OFFOR ANTHONIA CHIZOBA

I Formerly known and addressed as MISS UMEGBORO ANTHONIA CHIZOBA Now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS OFFOR ANTHONIA CHIZOBA All documents and certificates bearing my former names remain valid. General public and Relevant authorities please take note.

EMEKA VIVIAN NNENNA

I formerly known and addressed as Ekweoba Vivian Nnenna now wish to be known and addressed as Emeka Vivian Nnenna. All former documents remain valid. General public to please note.

ALANI OLUWATOSIN PETER

I formerly known and addressed as AJIBADE HEZEKIAH TOSIN now wish to be known and addressed as ALANI OLUWATOSIN PETER. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note HAMZAT SULAIMON ADIO

HAMZAT SEMIU OLANREWAJU

I, formerly known as Amusa Semiu wish to be known and addressed as Hamzat Semiu Olanrewaju. All former document remain valid, general public please take note.

UWAOMA CHIBUEZE CHIBUIKE.

I, formerly known and addressed as UWAOMA ONU ORJI now wish to be known and addressed as MRS UWAOMA CHIBUEZE CHIBUIKE. All former documents remain valid. FMC, Umuahia and the general public should please take note NKECHI CHRISTIANA EKEIGBO.

I formerly known and addressed as Nkechi Christiana Esiwoko Imo now wish to be known and addressed as Nkechi Christiana Ekeigbo.

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

AYEDUN FOLASADE SHARON

I formerly known and addressed as AYEDUN FOLASADE now wish to be known and addressed as AYEDUN FOLASADE SHARON. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note CHUKWUDI OKECHUKWU

Formerly known and addressed as AMZAT SULAIMON now wish to be known and addressed as HAMZAT SULAIMON ADIO. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as CHUKWUDI OZO now wish to be known and addressed as CHUKWUDI OKECHUKWU. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

ONYEKACHI CHIKA VIVIAN

Formerly known and addressed as AFUSAT TANCO MUSTAPHA now wish to be known and addressed as ABDULMUMINI AFUSAT TANCO. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as CHIKA VIVIAN NWEKE now wish to be known and addressed as ONYEKACHI CHIKA VIVIAN .

All documents remain valid.

General public take note.

AMOO MORIAMO OYENIKE Formerly known and addressed as SALAUDEEN MORIAMO OYENIKE now wish to be known and addressed as AMOO MORIAMO OYENIKE. All documents remain valid.

General public take note.

OLOFIN YUSUF OLAWALE.

HAMZAT AYOMIDE SHAKIRU Formerly known and addressed as AKINDELE AYOMIDE ADEBAYO now wish to be known and addressed as HAMZAT AYOMIDE SHAKIRU. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as NWANCHOR ROMANUS PAUL now wish to be known and addressed as NWEKOYO PAUL EKOYO. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as OLOFIN YUSUF BOLATITO now wish to be known and addressed as OLOFIN YUSUF OLAWALE. All documents remain valid.

General public take note.

AMINA LUKE TIMBUWAK

Formerly known and addressed as MERCY LUKE now wish to be known and addressed as AMINA LUKE TIMBUWAK. All documents remain valid. General public take note.

MOHAMMED YUNUSA

I formerly known and addressed as MOHAMMED YUNUSA YARI now i wish to be known and addressed as MOHAMMED YUNUSA.All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

NWEKOYO PAUL EKOYO

AMZAT-BELLO SADIAT ARINADE I formerly known and addressed as OLATOYE SADIAT ARINADE now wish to be known and addressed as AMZAT-BELLO SADIAT ARINADE. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

24

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

FRADERLIN LUCY A

DIKE JOLLY

ABIDOGUN SEUN OLAMIDE

CLARIFICATION OF IDENTITY

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

I, formerly known and addressed as ABIDOGUN OLUWASEUN ENOCH, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ABIDOGUN SEUN OLAMIDE. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

I, ADENIKE OMOWUNMI ADENUGA IS ALSO KNOWN AND AND ADDRESSED AS ADENIKE MONSURAT ADENUGA. ALL DOCUMENTS STILL VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE

I, formerly known and addressed as LAWAL AUSTEN FRIDAY, now wish to be known, called and addressed as AUGUSTINE LAWAL. All former documents remain valid.

General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

ROTIMI OLUWAKEMI ENITAN I, formerly known and addressed as AJALA KEMI ENITAN, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ROTIMI OLUWAKEMI ENITAN. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that I am the same bearer of AKINBOBOLA FEMI MIKE written on my BVN Card. That omission of OLUWA from OLUWAFEMI was a mistake during the registration for BVN. That I hereby affirmed that my correct name is AKINBOBOLA OLUWAFEMI MIKE. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

That on my LASRA document and birth certificate, my name appears as AGBOOLA OLUWATOSIN, while on my National Identity Card, my name appears as AJAO OLUWATOSIN. That I am the one bearing both names.

All former documents bearing both names are mine and remain valid.

General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

OKEH LUCKY VALENTINE

UCHE DAVID ORJI.

I, UKPE LUCY EKUHORMRE, AND FRADERLIN LUCY A., refer to one and same person but, now wish to be known and addressed as, FRADERLIN LUCY A. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

AUGUSTINE LAWAL.

I, formerly known and addressed as OKE LUCKY, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OKEH LUCKY VALENTINE. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

EJA ELE ELIAS Formerly known and addressed as EJA ELIAS JOHN, now wish to be known, called and addressed as EJA ELE ELIAS. All former documents remain valid.

General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

ADEESIEN SAMUEL AKPAN.

I, formerly known and addressed as ESENEYEN SUNDAY EFFIONG, now wish to be known and addressed as ADEESIEN SAMUEL AKPAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

FADIJI DOLAPO OLUMIDE.

I, formerly known and addressed as AMOS OLUMIDE DOLAPO, now wish to be known and addressed as FADIJI DOLAPO OLUMIDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as UCHE KENNETH ORJI, now wish to be known, called and addressed as UCHE DAVID ORJI. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

VICTORIA AYEGBA JOHNSON.

I, formerly called and addressed as VICTORIA ELEOJO ONOJA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as VICTORIA AYEGBA JOHNSON. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

My name was wrongly written on my BVN as ANGEL CHIDI NNEKA, instead of NNEKA ANGEL EGEDE. My date of birth is 24th Dec. 1979.All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AWOYEMI OMOWUMI ADETORO.

Formerly known and addressed as KUBURAT OLOTO, now wish to be known and addressed as AWOYEMI OMOWUMI ADETORO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

MARY MOSES I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ESHIWHOBIE MARY, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. MARY MOSES. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

AKUE HAPPINESS

I, formerly known and addressed as OKONAFOR HAPPINESS, now wish to be known and addressed as AKUE HAPPINESS. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

LAWAL UMMAR FARUK

I, formerly known and addressed as AZEEZ RUKAYAT ARINOLA, now to be known and addressed as BABATUNDE OJUOLAPE RUKAYAT ARINOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

JIMOH MAROOF OMOTOSHO.

I, formerly known and addressed as OMOTOSHO MAROOF, now wish to be known and addressed as JIMOH MAROOF OMOTOSHO. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

LABRAN SHUILABU

I FORMERLY KNOW AND ADDRESSED as Oigocho.

John. And john Shuaibu Now wish to be known and addressed as. Labran.

Shuilabu. All Former documents remain valid general public should take note.

AINA ADEPEJU DUROTIMI.

UMAR MOHAMMED

CORRECTION OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as OGUNTUSI ADEPEJU DUROTIMI, now wish to be known and addressed as AINA ADEPEJU DUROTIMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as UMAR FARUK MOHAMMED, now wish to be known and addressed as UMAR MOHAMMED. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

AMUDAT OLUREMI KENI.

MICHAEL ESTHER PHILIP

FARIBO JOY OKWUCHUKWU This is to certify that GILBERT FARIBO, JOY GILBERT and FARIBO JOY OKWUCHUKWU are one and same person, now wish to be known and addressed as FARIBO JOY OKWUCHUKWU. Again my date of birth is 7th October, 1974. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nkwocha Happiness, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Iwunze Happiness. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS MUIBAT ADETOUN IBIJOKE ABUDU, now wish to be known and addressed MRS MUIBAT ADETOUN IBIJOKE SOTUBO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AKINOLA TEMITOPE BLESSING

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ADEKOLA TEMITOPE BLESSING, now to be known and addressed as MRS AKINOLA TEMITOPE BLESSING. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ADESHINA ADETUTU.

I, formerly known and addressed as SHADIPE SERIFAT, now to be known and addressed as ADESHINA ADETUTU. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

GBEMISOLA BOLUWATIFE.

Formerly known and addressed as EVANGELIST FELICIA GEGE BOLUWATIFE, now wish to be known and addressed as GBEMISOLA BOLUWATIFE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as CHARITY MICHAEL PHILIP, now wish to be known and addressed as MICHAEL ESTHER PHILIP. My date of birth is 24/04/1979. All former documents remain valid.

MUIBAT ADETOUN IBIJOKE SOTUBO.

BABATUNDE OJUOLAPE RUKAYAT

LAWRENCE EYO EKPO

I, formerly known and addressed as LAWRENCE AKUJOBI EKWEBELAM, now wish to be known and addressed LAWRENCE EYO EKPO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS AMUDAT AMODU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AMUDAT OLUREMI KENI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AGBOOLA TITILOPE JOSEPHI

TOSIN MONSURU.

BALOGUN ADEDAMOLA OPEMIPO

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ADEDEJI ADEDAMOLA OPEMIPO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS BALOGUN ADEDAMOLA OPEMIPO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as UMMAR LAWALI, now wish to be known and addressed as LAWAL UMMAR FARUK. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as GANIYU SAKIRAT TITILOPE, now wish to be known and addressed AGBOOLA TITILOPE JOSEPHI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as WAHEED OLATUNJI ADEMOLA, now to be known and addressed as TOSIN MONSURU. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

ADELEKE ISAAC OLABODE Formerly known and addressed as ADELEKE ISAAC SUNDAY, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ADELEKE ISAAC OLABODE. All former documents remain valid.

General publica and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

SHUAIBU UMAR

I, formerly known and addressed as JAMU ALFA AKANGBE, AKANGBE MAJILA JAMIU, JAMIU AKANGBE, JIBOLA BABALOLA, SHITU JIMOH OLUWATUNSOLA, now wish to be known and addressed ARIKEWUYO JIMOH AKANGBE. My date of birth is 19th JUNE 1960. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

PETER MICHEAL BABAYEH. I, formerly known and addressed as Dodo James, now wish to be known and addressed as Peter Micheal Babayeh. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OMMISSION/CORRECTION OF NAME That on my Bank documents and driver’s licence, TAIWO was omitted from my name as BHADMOS AKOLAWOLE TIMOTHY instead of BHADMOS AKOLAWOLE TIMOTHY TAIWO. That on my Bank documents my name was wrongly written as BHADMUS AKOLAWOLE TIMOTHY TAIWO instead of BHADMOS AKOLAWOLE TIMOTHY TAIWO. That my correct name is BHADMOS AKOLAWOLE TIMOTHY TAIWO. General public take note.

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

ONUCHUKWU MABEL CHIKEZIE

I, formerly known and addressed as NWANGBARA FREDRICK IZUCHUKWU, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OKECHUKWU FREDRICK IZUCHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OF COMPANY

ONYIRIOHA CHINWE.

I, formerly called and addressed as ONUCHUKWU MABEL UCHECHI, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. ONUCHUKWU MABEL CHIKEZIE. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

OKECHUKWU FREDRICK IZUCHUKWU

I, OLABAMIJI MURITALA, the Chief Executive Officer of Imate Stores situated in Computer Village, Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria. That the company in question was formerly known and addressed as Imate Stores. That I wish to change the Company’s name from previous name to IMATE APPLE STORES. General public and Authorities Concerned should take note.

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS NWAFOR CHINWE, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN, CALLED AND ADDRESSED AS ONYIRIOHA CHINWE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME/CORRECTION OF DATE

NWIBO JOHN MADUABUCHI I, formerly known and addressed as Nwibo John Ogbonna, now with to be known and addressed as Nwibo John Maduabuchi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

IKECHUKWU OBUMNEME NWOSU.

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BALOGUN AHMED MARTINS

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GLORY DIDI CHUKURA

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OYEJOLA ORITSELEGHEMI MAUREEN

MARTINS CHUKWUDI UDEGBUNAM

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Martins. Chukwudi. Udegbunam all Former documents remain valid general public should take note

IWUNZE HAPPINESS

ESTHER IYABO JOSEPH

I, formerly known and addressed as Esther Dalmenda Joseph, now wish to be known and addressed as Esther Iyabo Joseph. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note ETIM KELVIN UMOREN.

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OKOEBOR EKIMHENIDO JULIET

I formerly known and addressed as. Ehiagwina. Juliet.

Now wish to be known and addressed as. Okoebor Ekimhenido. Juliet all Former documents remain valid general public should take note.

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UCHECHI VERONICA NWIBO

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EMO ABO AMED

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CONFIRMATION OF NAMES

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AROWOSHOLA BUKOLA ODUNAYO

I Formely known and addressed as Miss. Arowoshola.

Bukola. Odunayo. Now wish to be known and addressed as. Mrs. Adeyera. Olubukola.

Odunayo.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

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IGE VICTORIA OLUWAFUNMILAYO

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JOAN BRIGHT ADEYEMO.

AMZAT-BELLO SADIAT ARINADE

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OKONKWO BLESSING NWAKONAM

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ONAKOYA OLUWAKEMI TEMITOPE

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NNAMANI UGOCHUKWU SAMPSON

CHIJIOKE JUDITH AKUNNA

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ANIEDE BERNARD OKAFOR

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CHIDIEBERE JUDE CHIDIEBERE

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UGWU AUGUSTINA.

CORRECTION OF NAME

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This is to inform the general public that my name is MRS LILY NMAGWU NWANKWO, erroneously written as MRS LILIAN / LIZZY NMAGWU NWANKWO. Born on 15-011934. Former documents remain valid. General public take

I, formerly known and addressed as, BLESSING ULUNMA DURU, now wish to be known and addressed as, BLESSING ULUNMA IGWEBUIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

EZE: I, formerly known and addressed as EZE IFEANYI NESTOR, now wish to be known and addressed as ODO VITALIS IZUCHUKWU. All former documents remain valid.

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UGWU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS CHIZOBA ELIZABETH UGWU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS CHIZOBA ELIZABETH ENEH. All former documents remain valid.

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BLESSING ULUNMA IGWEBUIKE

NWANGUMA OLUCHI AGNES

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MBAKA ESTHER OGECHUKWU. UDEJI: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS UDEJI ESTHER OGECHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS MBAKA ESTHER OGECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OZOIKE ROSEMARY CHIOMA.

CHIZOBA ELIZABETH ENEH

GLORY IFEANYI NWACHUKWU

MATHEW UCHE EZE

COMFORT FAITH ADEYEYE

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ILIEMENE AMAUCHE MARYROSE

IBEKWE ISAAC OGONNA.

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ODO VITALIS IZUCHUKWU

MAIMUNA AISHA ADAMU

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NWAKOR CHRISTIAN CHUKWUEMEKA

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AGU MARY AMAUCHECHI UGWUOZOR: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS MARY CHIKA UGWUOZOR, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AGU MARY AMAUCHECHI. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

CHUKWUNNAJI CHIJIOKE VICTOR

ADDITION OF NAME

DIJALA-AGOBA ERUVWU

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KEHINDE NOFISAT OMOLARA

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ODO JOSEPH ITUMA

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That i was formerly known and addressed as ENEH PHILIP that I now wish to add EKWOCHI to my former name that I now wish to be known and addressed as EKWOCHI PHILIP ENEH. My correct date of birth is 05/05/1957. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

OGUNLEYE SAMUEL OLUWASEGUN

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AKINWANDE BOLANLE ELIZABETH

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25

ADDITION OF NAME

KABIRU IBRAHIM MUJAHEED

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APUGO CHINWE QUEEN.

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CHIDIEBERE CHIJINDU NKEMJIKA.

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VIVIAN CHINOMSO AMAD

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OKAFOR CHIMEZIE AMBROSE

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CHIDIEBERE MICHAEL PROSPER.

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CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm and certify that AGU JUDE UGOCHUKWU, AGU JUDE CHUKWUEMEKA and AGU JUDE CHRISTOPHER refer to one and the same person as AGU JUDE UGOCHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public should please take note

This is to confirm and certify that SERAH CHIKA SOLOMON, HELLEN NWANKWO SERAH, CHIKA SOLOMON and UWADIEGWU SERAH CHIKArefer to one and the same person as UWADIEGWU SERAH CHIKA. All former documents remain valid.

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PAUL OJONUGWA LAWRENCE.

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MANIBA KELVIN BARIZAA

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

IROBIE PAUL OBIOMA I, formerly known and addressed as, IROBIE PAUL CHIGOZIE, AND IROBOE PAUL OBIOMA, now wish to be known and addressed as, IROBIE PAUL OBIOMA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OKORO PAULINE OBIANUJU.

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ADDITION OF NAME I, OKOJIE DEBORAH LAURA, wish to add, LAURA, to my name which was formerly, OKOJIE DEBORAH, in my account details. That I now wish to be known and addressed as, OkOJIE DEBORAH LAURA. All former documents remain valid.

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CORRECTION OF NAMES I, AKEEM ADESHINA WALE, wish to correct my name which was wrongly written as, AKHEEM, instead of, AKEEM. I now wish to be known and addressed as, AKEEM ADESHINA WALE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHIBUZOR PROMISE IFEOMA.

ADDITION OF NAME That i was formerly known and addressed as ANTHONY SOCHUKWUMA ONOVO that I now wish to add CHARLES to my former name that I now wish to be known and addressed as ANTHONY CHARLES SOCHUKWUMA ONOVO. All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note.

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CONFIRMATION OF NAME

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26

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

Features

s

‘International conspiracy working against Ajaokuta’ Dr. Sanusi Alhaji Mohammed, the Executive Secretary General of the African Iron and Steel Association, alleges huge level of sabotage by the international community to undermine Nigeria’s iron and steel sector, especially Ajaokuta Steel Complex. Among other claims in this interview with CHRIS EMETOH, he says the concession of Itakpe Iron and Coal Mine last August, to an Indian firm, by the current administration, was ill-advised and that was a further ploy by external forces to stop the completion of the Company. Excerpts: How can your association assist in the development of the iron and steel industry in Nigeria, particularly with respect to diversification from mono to multiple economy?

All serious nations are not only fully aware but have taken the bull by the horns that iron and steel is the bedrock and foundation of any development. No nation has developed without iron and steel. When a nation depends solely on importation, such nation is relegating itself to the dictate of whatever the exporter nation gives. But, ownership is what is the in-thing and ownership of the steel industry makes a nation highly developed. Iron and steel is therefore the basis of the development of all the highly developed nations. Nigeria made very big effort in the 1980s to develop iron and steel, but unfortunately, in subsequent years, the ego meddled down, as successive governments failed the nation. The final nail on the coffin of iron and steel development in Nigeria was hit with the pronouncement of Mr Rasheed Gbadamosi, now late, who was the former Minister of National Planning. During his tenure as minister in 1996, he announced that no kobo from the public fund will be expended on any steel project in Nigeria. That was what led to the degrading of the activities of iron and steel industry in Nigeria up till its comatose stage of no production at all. Before the pronouncement, Delta Steel was very good and producing at 25 percent capacity. The rolling mills in Oshogbo, Katsina and Jos were producing, the research centre in Jos- the Meteorological Development Centre was active;the exploration agency in Kaduna and the Meteological Training Institute in Onitsha were all active until Mr Gbadamosi’s pronouncement and implementation of everything collapsed.

Oil is an asset that dries up and we have seen it all over the world. Yes, new wells are being found but they too will dry up and even the oil requires steel before they could perform: the foundation, the platform and equipment are based on iron and steel. So, the development of iron and steel ought to have been one of Nigeria’s prime concerns and oil should have been a secondary source of revenue. Unfortunately, Nigeria put all her eggs in one basket and because of easy money from oil, all efforts were concentrated on it and people stole as much oil money as they could, a situation that has led to economic recession today. It is a very precarious situation.

Considering that Nigeria has so much untapped iron and steel, one would have thought that the development of iron and steel would be policy- driven, why is it not?

We have ourselves to blame, but the major cause is an international sabotage. Many international organisations have not hidden their

Mohammed

dislike for Nigeria to own the steel industry.

The World Bank has been so vocal and in fact they warned that any bank that gives Nigeria loan to develop its iron and steel will be blacklisted. The World Bank has sent so-called expert to come and assess Nigeria’s iron and steel product and recommend action. And according to our position, they were given the conclusion of what they were to investigate. So, the investigators were to work their activities towards the already given conclusions. That means to them, the Ajaokuta Steel Company was not viable and it should be abandoned. We have documents to prove that.

In 1988, they forced the Nigerian government to carry out a survey of the iron and steel market and needs. They sent a Canadian firm called Hatch Associate and concluded with about 89-page document and there was nothing that supported the execution and completion of Ajaokuta steel company. The killing of Ajaokuta was very much prevalent in the report.

Again, in 1991 the World Bank sent a 2-man delegation to visit Ajaokuta and put the final nail in the coffin but unfortunately for them, the management of Ajaokuta Steel Company was dissolved and task force constituted to run the affairs of the company for a period of time and restore sanity and by coincidence I happen to be one of the members. I was mandated by the board of the Ajaokuta steel company to

conduct them (World bank’s officials) They insisted they wanted to see the financial records of Ajaokuta but we told them that such records wasn’t in the possession of the task force. We directed them to go to Lagos to the Ministry that had custody of such records and we insisted on conducting them round the facilities though they objected stating that all steel companies were the same and that they wanted to spend only one day. We stood our grounds telling them since they came specifically to see Ajaokuta and write a report based on their observations, it was necessary for them to see Ajaokuta’s facilities in totality.

Eventually, they toured the plant for two days and saw that it had reached an advanced level of development and completion and so, they could not write the predetermined report they were to write. The conclusion given to them was useless because they were satisfied and convinced that Ajaokuta had gone beyond destruction and that it could only be completed.

After submitting the report, we learnt within three months they were sacked by the World

Imagine, no stakeholder in Nigeria was invited during the negotiation with the Indian firm,

Bank because they did not write the pre-determined conclusion they were supposed to write.

There have been lots of international conspiracies against Nigeria’s iron and steel development. There were letters written to the then administration that instead of developing steel, Nigeria should focus on agriculture activities while the developed nations will supply Nigeria with her iron and steel needs.

However, the immediate successive government- late Umar Yar’Adua’s government, refused to heed that World Bank’s directive. So that administration recommenced some form of iron and steel works in Ajaokuta. These intrigues and conspiracies against the nation’s iron and steel development are done in conjunction with some Nigerians who are very willing tools in the hands of these international conspirators.

Further, these conspirators select those to be appointed into key positions to frustrate the development of iron and steel industry in the country and that was why although Ajaokuta had reached 98 per cent technical completion leaving only two percent completion level, successive administrations refused to fund it.

Even if one were to put Ajaokuta aside, the Delta Steel Company was producing up to 25 per cent of her annual capacity of one million tonnes at one time, but success in the delay of CONTINUED ON PAGE 27

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

27 Features

The Indians were worst culprits CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26

the completion of Ajaokuta adversely affected Delta steel especially following the pronouncement of late Gbadamosi in 1996.

Of recent, Nigeria had a minister of finance, who was highly supportive of the destruction of Ajaokuta. She did not want anything to do with the iron and steel industry. Our association had interactive sessions with successive ministers of steel and they revealed that every proposal given to the finance minister on iron and steel was rejected and thrown out. So, in the last 10 years, there had been nothing to take home on the development of steel in the country.

In the present dispensation, we were hoping that new life would be injected into the iron and steel sector, but we are disappointed. In August this year, an Indian company that came and ruined the steel industry in Nigeria from 2004 to 2008, was given the concession of the Ajaokuta Steel Company, Delta Steel Company was sold to them out right, the rail link between Ajaokuta and Warri was given to them, Sapele Power Plant was given to them, the Warri Port also given as well as permit to export any quantum of money out of Nigeria.

They were given 19 mining leases to mine all sort of raw materials; the same Indian company that stripped Ajaokuta and destroyed our steel between 2004 and 2008. Recall that they vandalised Ajaokuta, removing important facilities and taking them to Delta in the name of borrowing and taking whatever raw materials stockpiled in Ajaokuta and converted them to finished products and exported them. When we raised the alarm over the destruction of Ajaokuta to successive governments, they did not listen to us, except late Umar Yar’Adua who saw the innuendos of stakeholders’ complains against the Indian company. So, he set up an administrative panel to investigate all the allegations labelled against the Indian company to establish whether they were true and if there were evidences.

There were some things like the financial transactions and deals which were not pleasing to us and the Central Bank of Nigeria, but the panel has authority to look at their financial transactions and the CBN kept warning that there was no record that the Indian company ever imported one dollar into Nigeria but there were records of their huge exportation of money from Nigeria. Despite all these documented damages, the present government went ahead in August 2016 to sign an agreement with this same Indian company to come and operate Itakpe Iron Coal Mine for seven years. It is dangerous. There are currently carrying out technical audit of iron, coal and mine at Itakpe.

The reason the Minister of Steel granted them the concession is that the Indians have surrendered Ajaokuta back to Nigeria and the plant is now in the fold of the federal government. But that was a misleading statement.

There was never a time that anybody took away Ajaokuta Steel Company from Nigeria. It has always been the Nigerian property, and nobody had ever asked the Nigerian government not to operate Ajaokuta. Though there was an arbitration case in London, the pronouncement of the court was that the Nigerian government should not sell Ajaokuta Steel Company to any third party during the pendency of the arbitration, it says ‘should not sell’ not that it should not operate. So Ajaokuta has always been a Nigerian government company meaning that the government can pump in money to complete Ajaokuta and begins production.

Successive ministers, who were not favourably disposed to the steel industry, convinced the presidents of those periods against lifting a

finger on the completion of Ajaokuta because it would violet the court ruling, which wasn’t true. Throughout the tenure of President Goodluck Jonathan, he never once set foot on Ajaokuta Steel Company because the then minister of justice told him if he does that he would be violating the court order. It was a wrong advice.

Now, after Jonathan, President Buhari came and we were hopeful, expected miracles to be done in the steel sector with quick jump-start of the completion of Ajaokuta. But the situation seems to be the same. The return of the Indian company portends danger as it is likely to continue with its damage on Nigerian iron and steel development.

Imagine, no stakeholder in Nigeria was invited during the negotiation with the Indian firm, it was only the minister of steel development and a staff and the minister of justice were the only ones at the negotiation with the firm.

All stakeholders have complaints about their alienation during the negotiation. At the public hearing at the National Assembly, the lawmakers were equally very bitter that all stakeholders were not involved and therefore think there is a need to revisit the agreement.

Unfortunately though the enthusiasm of the national assembly has died down, those who were contacting the stakeholders no longer do so nor are they willing to respond to further enquiries. The major stakeholders are the African Iron and Steel Association, the Nigerian Geo-Sciences Society, the Nigerian Mining Society, the Nigerian Metrological Society, the Nigerian Society of Engineers, all these are concerns that the right thing must be done.

It was only after the August agreement was signed that the minister invited the steel unions- workers unions- and directed them to support the agreement. As stakeholders, we maintain our position because we want the Indian firm and the ministers involved to prove us wrong that the negotiation and agreement reached are faulty.

We recalled that in 2003-2004, an American company SOLGAS was given Ajaokuta as a concession yet, SOLGAS had no record of works in iron and steel and we wrote to the government and key agencies against the concession but they refused to listen.

Is it that the Nigerian government does not know the usefulness of your association, and how far have you been speaking to the government?

We have had discussions with the presidents.

We have been to the Villa to advice President Buhari but it seems he is not ready to listen. There was a visit to President Olusegun Obasanjo in Villa and we had a prepared document to advice him that was likely to happen would not be in the best interest of Nigerian iron and steel industry. We had given a copy of the document to the then Director of Steel, Mr Bayo Kolade, but while we were waiting in the hall for the president to come because he was attending another meeting, the director quickly ran out to the Ministerk, Liyel Imoke to discuss with him; and within five minutes thereafter Mr President walked into the hall and immediately from the way he entered it was obvious he came for war.

He started lambasting us: “You Africa Iron and Steel Association what advice are you going to offer me? I am the president of Nigeria with your little knowledge about steel what advice are you going to offer me? He attacked us with intent to derail us. I mentioned this because our perception was the director of steel and the minister when they saw that we had attacked the company they had brought into Nigeria, that the company was going destroy Nigeria so the duo decided to spoil the mind of Mr President against us. In fact, you would think from his mood and utterances and the ferocity that he would ask the military to come and whisk us out. Eventually that was the end of the matter.

Is Ajaokuta still commercially viable?

Thank you very much for that question. Ajaokuta steel company is not a chocolate making industry. There are 43 independent individual companies all conglomerated on the same line and each one is a revenue earner. So Ajaokuta is a conglomerate of industrial activities. Ninety percent of the industries were fully completed and some of them were fully operated commercially.

The only plant that did not get the final touch was the steel producing plant and it contains the blast furnace and the steel making furnace.

These were the workshop or the tool making industries that were not fully completed but had

reached 98 percent technical completion. The rolling mills were all fully completed and some were already operating commercially, in fact the aluminium silicate company was fully completed and even the silicate aluminium plant was operated now many industries in Nigeria could benefit. The capacity of the plant is far beyond what Ajaokuta needs.

So there is still room for meeting the Nigerian market, instead they are importing all these things now. There a refinery in Ajaokuta and in the process of producing steel a lot of the reaction that happens i.e chemicals can be converted into very many usable products: things like oxygen, nitrogen, and other gases which are derivable thereof and converted into other usables. There is also oxygen plants which can supply lots of hospital facilities so the refinery is there 100 percent but only needed the reaction or derivable from the steel production in the blast furnace and steel production to be able generate these gases.

Today, if the government has the will because there was a time when an estimated $1.1 billion was required to complete not only the Ajaokuta steel plant including all the standard infrastructures needed: rail, road and water transport etc, and so far about $5 billion has been spent on the Ajaokuta steel industry, i don’t know the current figure needed to complete the plant but we think the $1.1 bn could go a long way to fix the plant including external infrastructure. These infrastructures are not only for Ajaokuta: rail linkages, water transport to bring in bigger ships into Nigeria and drop imported materials in Ajaokuta, In Egypt, they have a steel plant with similar blast furnace technology but the iron ore comes from a distance of about 300 kilo metres away from the location of the steel plant. The Egyptian government develops the iron coal mine to supply the steel plant and developed the two with a dedicated rail line just to take iron ore to the steel and then convey other goods to the market.

Ironically, Ajaokuta to Itakpe the site of the iron ore plant is only 56 kilo metres and a dedicated rail line was built, but was sabotaged helped by the Indians firm that destroyed the rail line and did so many damage.

News 28

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

LBS gets landmark global accreditation Benjamin Omoike

A cross section of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officials, during the flag-off of the 2016 Guinness/FRSC Ember months’ campaign with theme: Responsible Drinking, at Ketu Garage in Lagos… recently. Photo: BOLAJI OLASUNKANMI.

LGs under states, Aregbesola replies Dogara Sodiq Adekunle, Osogbo Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, has said that local governments are absolutely under the control and ambience of the states.

He insisted that the only organ of the state empowered by the constitution to make laws for the local government is the state parliament.

Recall that Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, recently criticized state governors over use of allocation to Local Government council, urging them to stop interfering in the running of the councils.

But Aregbesola described the belief in some quarters that local governments in Nigeria should be independent of state governments “as totally strange and anti-federalism”.

Aregbesola stated these both at the courtesy visit and conferment of Nwannedinamba Ndigbo of Osun State and Ezinne Ndigbo of Osun State on him and his wife respectively by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Osun State

OLUWATOSIN TOLULOPE LAWAL.

OLUWATOSIN: Formerly known and addressed as MISS. OLUWATOSIN TOLULOPE ADEFEMI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OLUWATOSIN TOLULOPE LAWAL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OPEYEMI AYO-FAMURE.

AWONIYI: Formerly known and addressed as MISS. AWONIYI OPEYEMI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OPEYEMI AYO-FAMURE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

chapter in partnership with the Association of Ndi Ezeigbo N’uzo Ije (Diaspora) and the South-East Council of Traditional Rulers at the 2016 Igbo Cultural Festival tagged, Odenigbo 2016 at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

He noted that there are only two tiers of government in a federal system of government, namely the Federal government and the government at the federating level.

Aregbesola stressed that it was awkward for Nigeria to be the only Federation in the world where there is only one police system.

He noted it was also strange for the Federal Government and the constitution not to allow for police in the federating units of the country.

The Governor held that the problems with local government administration in the country could be corrected within the laws of the states in Nigeria.

He said: “Nigeria is not just a Republic, but a Federal Republic, a federal state is where every distinction of nationality is recognised, respect-

OKOLIA IFEYINWA GLORIA DANIELA

UZOEZIE: Formerly known and addressed as MISS. UZOEZIE IFEYINWA GLORIA DANIELA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OKOLIA IFEYINWA GLORIA DANIELA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

ADEBOYE FUNMILAYO CAROLINE

Formerly known and addressed as MISS. OGUNLEYE FUNMILAYO CAROLINE ADERONKE , now wish to be known and addressed as ADEBOYE FUNMILAYO CAROLINE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

ed and honoured. None of the units of the Federation is therefore superior to the other. Every of the units are empowered by law to administer themselves under the general guideline of the constitution.

“Few things are awkward about federalism in Nigeria. Nigeria is the only federating nation in the world where there is only one Police system.

Nigeria’s federation is strange to the extent that only one police force maintains law and order.

“In other federations, there will be some Federal Police force and other federating unit police. Nigerian nationality and people must seek to correct this abnormality.

“Another anomaly that people, because of their frustration to some aspect of administration, are equally making mistake on and need correction is that a federation has two tiers of government. There cannot be three tiers in a federation. The moment you have three tiers, you no longer have a federation.”

Aregbesola emphasised that it was not by assaulting the fundamental

AISHAT JULIET TOBA

AISHAT: Formerly known and addressed as AISHAT JULIET ALHASSAN ALOLO, now wish to be known and addressed as AISHAT JULIET TOBA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

EDOKUN MARY OMOLABAKE

OGUNTIMEHIN: Formerly known and addressed as OGUNTIMEHIN MARY OMOLABAKE, now wish to be known and addressed as EDOKUN MARY OMOLABAKE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

principle of federalism that the challenges and weakness being faced by the administration of local governments would be corrected.

The Governor enjoined the Igbo community in the state to join in the debate of whether the nation wants federalism or unitary system of government.

He added: “We can be who we are without rancour and doing away with what can bring rancour. We should recognise our differences and avoid hurting one another.

“What will clearly eliminate the hate, the sharp clarity is having good government that will work hard to expand opportunities such that it is not your ethnicity that will determine your benefit, but your citizenship and your commitment to your work.”

High Chief John Emeka, who led the traditional Igbo title holders in the South-West region, commended Governor Aregbesola for his leadership style, stating that they have been monitoring the progress of the state before they decided to bestow on him the Igbo title.

AMAEFUNA COSMAS EKENE

EZE: Formerly known and addressed as EZE NEABUEZE, now wish to be known and addressed as AMAEFUNA COSMAS EKENE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AMAEFUNA COSMAS EKENE

EZE: Formerly known and addressed as EZE NEABUEZE, now wish to be known and addressed as AMAEFUNA COSMAS EKENE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

The Lagos Business School (LBS) has become the first institution in West Africa to be accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). With effect from December 1, 2016, LBS joined the league of less than five percent of business schools globally to be accredited by this body.

AACSB is the leading global accreditation body for business schools offering undergraduate, masters and doctorate degrees in Business and Accounting. Founded in 1916, AACSB has its headquarters at Tampa, Florida, United States of America and is the largest business education network, linking students, academia and businesses to advance the cause of business education around the world.

By the feat of AACSB Accreditation, LBS has once more distinguished itself as a management education provider of high repute in Africa. Only four other schools in the entire continent have this accreditation; three in South Africa and one in Egypt.

With poverty in the land there can’t be peace -Cleric Abiodun Taiwo, Abeokuta As the federal and state governments are striving to face the security challenges facing the country, a cleric, Venerable Abiodun Oyindamola Oriola, the Provost of African Church, Owu Totoro Abeokuta has called on all tiers of government to as a matter of urgency stamped out poverty among Nigerians.

Ven Oriola, who made the call at the thanksgiving service to commence the 2016 Press Week of the Ogun state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Sunday, advised government to make the well-being of the masses a priority in every scheme of things with a view to stamping out poverty in the country.

He also charged government to also improve the working conditions of the workforce to achieve the desired results for enhanced National Development.

The Provost also harped on the need for the authorities to formulate policies and programmes that will rid the country of corrupt tendencies and enhance human development also advised the nation’s leaders to get it right and improve on the wellbeing of the citizenry.

Katsina Utd P plan friendlies against Bauchi-based clubs

romoted Katsina United are to play a series of pre-season friendlies against Bauchi clubs Wikki Tourists, Zabgai and Wunti.

Katsina United coach Bala Nikyu said: “We are going to camp in Bauchi for the second phase of our training after we returned from Niger Republic.

“Bauchi is close to Gombe, where we will feature in the NNL Super 4.

“We need quality friendlies and Wikki can give us that.

We also plan matches against other top Bauchi clubs like Zabgai and Wunti.

“These matches will help us assess the team ahead of the Super 4 in Gombe as well Katsina United team as the new NPFL season.”

Page 29

S

uper Falcons coach, Florence Omagbemi, has applauded her players for their determination and loyalty shown in winning the2016 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) title at the expense of Cameroun.

Omagbemi watched her side defeat the hosts in the packed Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo, Yaounde to win their record eighth African title.

The 41-year-old insists her side played for pride and prestige to survive their various opponents inspite many challenges faced enroute this year’s continental showpiece.

“I want to thank the Camerounian team and the coach for giving us a good game. It was a great final to watch seeing the best two teams in Africa competing and the scoreline,” Omagbemi said in a post-match press conference.

“As regards to our journey to the tournament, I will give my players all the credits for achieving these despite all odds because they deserve it.

“It was a long journey from Nigeria to the final, our preparation and the way we got our team together to come to this tournament though we realized we’re defending champions, we still try to step up our game and game plan.

“At the beginning of our game against Mali, we took it one game at a time and that was my communication in all my press conference as we must give other teams some respect as they were all here to compete for the trophy.

“As a defending champion, you have the pride and the prestige - the players understood all this pressure, stick to plan and playing together as a team because every game we play comes with different expectation.”

Omagbemi

Omagbemi

applauds Falcons’

dogged spirit

NOC/IOC wrestling course ends in Abuja ANDREW EKEJIUBA

T

he weeklong International Olympic Committee Solidarity Course for wrestling coaches and referees in Nigeria holding at the Package ‘B’ of the National Stadium Abuja, ended at the weekend with a total of twenty-five participants drawn from across the country.

The course which was put together by the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) in conjunction with the United World Wrestling body was facilitated by two foreign experts, Zachary Erett from the United States of America and Vincent Aka Akesse from Cote D’Ivoire.

Secretary General of the NOC, Hon. Tunde Popoola said the whole idea for staging the course was to reposition the face of wrestling sport

Monday, December 5, 2016

in the country for the better, more so, when the Nigeria Olympic Committee and the entire country were yet to overcome the disappointment of Team Nigeria at the just concluded RIO 2016 Olympic Games where the athletes including the wrestlers failed woefully.

According to Popoola, Nigeria has whatever it takes to rule the world in any sport especially wrestling and that informs NOC’s decision to step in at this point to start empowering the trainers (coaches) by bringing in foreign experts to train them in order that they will acquire the right skills and in return go back to their various stations to empower the athletes with the right skills.

“Sports is dynamic and no matter how good a coach might think he is, he still needs to refresh and brushup his brain with the modern day

technicalities of the sport in order to equip his athletes with the right skills, more so when it is obvious that one cannot give what he does not have,” he stated.

Popoola re-affirmed the commitment of the NOC to bring in experts in various sports from time to time to train our coaches as part of their train- the- trainers drive for effective results.

NOC Secretary General, Hon. Tunde Popoola.

Champions

Rangers to get land,cash — Ndukwe

E

nugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi will reward Nigeria league champions Enugu Rangers with plots of land and cash gifts after they broke a 32year trophy-less run in October according to the state’s Sports Commissioner, Charles Ndukwe.

Rangers won the league after their last triumph in 1984 and they will represent Nigeria in next year’s CAF Champions League.

Ndukwe said: “The Governor in his generosity has decided to reward Rangers with a plot of land and cash each.”

However, he could not confirm when the reception will be done since the new league season is expected to begin on December 18.

He said if Rangers opening week match

is away from home it will difficult for the reception to be done immediately.

Earlier reports suggested that the reception will be staged between December 19 and 21.

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

30

Monday, December 5, 2016

EXTRATIME

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE…ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE…ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE… EURO BRIEFS

Torres fit for Bayern clash Atletico Madrid have announced that Fernando Torres will be available for the Champions League clash with Bayern Munich on Tuesday. The 32-year-old has missed Atletico’s last three matches due to a hip injury but he has been given the green light to be part of Diego Simeone’s squad for the trip to Germany. Torres has made only five starts this season, but three of those have come in the Champions League.

Carvajal apologises for swearing at Barca fans Real Madrid full-back Dani Carvajal has apologised for directing an offensive gesture towards Barcelona fans during Saturday’s Clasico at Camp Nou. Carvajal was caught on camera raising a middle finger to a section of home supporters as Madrid celebrated Sergio Ramos’s 90thminute equaliser. The 24-year-old later conceded that he was wrong to have responded to taunts he says he heard coming from the stands.

Lapadula

winner spares Niang’s blushes

Gianluca Lapadula scored a late winner as AC Milan came from behind to beat struggling Crotone 2-1 and stay within four points of Serie A leaders Juventus. Juve put seven points between themselves and the chasing pair of Roma and Milan with a 3-1 win over Atalanta on Saturday, but the Rossoneri managed to keep pace with the reigning champions. Milan wore the crest of Brazilian club Chapecoense, who had the majority of their team tragically killed in a plane crash this week, on their sleeves as well as the phrase ‘Forca Chape’ on the back for Sunday’s contest.

Stuani Liverpool players dejected after losing a match.

Liverpool’s title

challenge suffers setback

L

iverpool’s title challenge suffered a stunning late blow as Bournemouth came from two goals down to beat Jurgen Klopp’s men 4-3 in a thrilling clash at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday.

Ryan Fraser and Steve Cook struck in the latter stages of the second half before Nathan Ake hit an injury-time winner for the home side, who had trailed 2-0 at half-time and 3-1 with 25 minutes to play.

MP calls for Mourinho’s

and snatched a winner in the 93rd minute after Loris Karius spilled the ball into Ake’s path.

The result means Liverpool remain four points off leaders Chelsea, while Bournemouth climb into the top 10.

Liverpool should have taken the lead after only 10 minutes but Origi somehow failed to connect properly with Nathaniel Clyne’s low cross from the right when he was unmarked at the far post.

Guardiola still world’s

probe over tax evasion best coach -Eto’o

T

he firm representing the Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has strenuously denied claims he may be involved in a tax avoidance scheme.

An MP has called for an investigation into Mourinho’s financial affairs following claims he moved millions of pounds offshore in order to avoid paying tax.

It is alleged the United manager’s advisers may have helped him move large sums of money to Switzerland and the British Virgin Islands to avoid paying tax on earnings from the use of his image rights for product endorsement - something which has been strongly denied.

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo is another high profile name in football who is accused of having allegedly moved money to a “tax haven”.

The claims emerged in a data leak of

Emery: PSG must learn from defeat!

Emery

Sadio Mane and Divock Origi had put Liverpool in charge at the break after they capitalised on two errors in two minutes from goalkeeper Artur Boruc, and although Callum Wilson halved the deficit from the penalty spot, Emre Can’s superb strike looked set to hand the visitors a fifth win in six league games.

But Bournemouth, who had lost seven of their previous nine meetings with Liverpool in all competitions, sprung an unlikely comeback

Paris Saint-Germain head coach Unai Emery urged his team to learn and move on from Saturday’s stunning defeat, turning his attention to the club’s upcoming Champions League fixture.

PSG suffered a shock 3-0 defeat at Montpellier as the Ligue 1 champions missed the opportunity to climb to the top of the table. Goals from Paul Lasne, Ellyes Skhiri and Ryad Boudebouz condemned PSG to their third defeat of the season and first in the league against Montpellier since 2010.

over 18 million documents, investigated for the past several months by a group of pan-European media organisations.

Football agency Gestifute, which represents the two Portuguese stars, has strenuously denied suggestions its clients may have taken part in a tax avoidance scheme involving millions of pounds.

In a statement, it said: “Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho are fully compliant with their tax obligations with the Spanish and British tax Mourinho authorities.

F

ormer Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o insists that Pep Guardiola is still the best coach in the world.

Guardiola managed 10 wins from his first 10 matches with Manchester City but has since come under scrutiny following some inconsistent results.

City went six games without a victory before impressive triumphs against West Brom and Barcelona, but a draw at home to Middlesbrough and the 3-1 loss to Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday has seen them slip four points behind the Premier League

leaders.

But Eto’o, who won the treble under Guardiola in his first season in charge at Camp Nou, says the 45-year-old’s position at the top of the game should not be questioned.

“Pep has everything to be a success there at City and, for me, he’s still the best coach in the world,” the Antalyaspor striker told reporters. “He always wants his teams to play and he will impose this idea in England.

“His great strength is that he never changes his ideas.

Technically, Pep remains the best. There’s nothing else to be said.”

Monday, December 5, 2016

EXTRATIME

31

NIGERIAN PLAYERS ABROAD WITH FRANK JUMBO

Ideye still

top scorer in Greece after brace

N

i g e r i a international striker Brown Ideye is still the leading scorer in the Greek top flight with nine goals after he scored a brace in Olympiacos 4-0 thrashing of Levadiakos.

His nine-goal tally in 10 games is only a goal shy of the total number of goals he scored for Olympiacos last league

season.

C h a m p i o n s Olympiacos lead the league with 25 points after 10 games.

Ideye, who failed to make the grade at Premier League club West Bromwich Albion, opened the scoring in the 48th minute and scored his team’s fourth goal in the 74th minute.

Anichebe anticipates tougher Xmas S

underland’s Victor Anichebe is keenly anticipating the tougher English Premier League that surfaces during the hectic Christmas period.

David Moyes’ side defeated league champions Leicester City 2-1 on Saturday and the victory has seen them taken three wins out of their last four games.

In a period where their injury woes have lessened, the former Everton man believes will help the team’s year-end cause.

“Christmas period is going to be tough. We’ve got more and more players coming back; Seb Larsson came today, Jan Kirchoff came back, Fabio has trained and there’s a lot of people

coming back and hopefully there’s more competition for place. We are going to need everybody,” Anichebe said.

“The premier league is incredibly tough.”

The fortunes at the Stadium of Light outfit have changed positively, one that has taken them to within a point of safety – now 18th best in the English topflight.

It also has coincided with the injury prone Nigeria international, remarkably, staying clear of the treatment table. An achievement that he is happy about; to have played back-to-back matches.

“I think this is the most game I’ve played

Brown Ideye (right) in action for Olympiacos.

Victor Anichebe (middle) on the prowl for Sunderland.

in a row,” he continued.

“You know it is a really tough, tough league. We are going to need everybody.

Sometimes some of the guys might not be playing, but we’re going to need them.

Every game is going to be really tough.

“Hopefully we can all come together and carry on and push it on.

“As long as I’m doing okay for the team, as long as everyone is doing alright for the team, that’s what we really care about.

“We need to get out of this situation we’re in. It’s looking bright and hopefully we can carry it on as the week goes by.”

Mayowa seals AS de Vacoas-Phoenix switch N

igeria’s Giwa Mayowa continues his sojourn in the Mauritanian league with a permanent move from Curepipe Starlight SC to Association Sportive de Vacoas-Phoenix for an undisclosed fee.

The hard-working midfielder who joined Curepipe Starlight SC from MFM in April and only used six months out of his twoyear contract with the Stade George V outfit, admitted

that he opted to move to Kersley Levrai’s side for personal reasons which are best for his career.

“I agreed to join ASVP due to some personal reasons which are best for my career,” Mayowa said.

Mayowa who has been handed his trademark no. 19 shirt reiterated his commitment to keep playing in the Mauritian elite division and keep winning laurels with the new club.

Giwa Mayowa (left) with a team-mate.

Aluko scores in Fulham’s big win

N

igeria forward Sone Aluko was among the goals scorers for his England Championship side Fulham in their 5-0 win over Reading.

Fulham are 10th on the table with 28 points from 19 matches.

Aluko scored in 68th minute to give his side a 3-0 lead on Saturday.

He has now scored four goals in the league this season.

The former Aberdeen star lasted for 76 minutes before he was replaced with Lucas Piazon.

Meanwhile, Aluko is delighted to receive the news of the return of American hip hop artiste J.Cole and the release of his fourth studio album titled ‘4 Your Eyez Only’ The five-time Grammy Aaward nominee is set for the release of his first album since 2014 Forest Hills Drive, which according to iTunes has 10 tracks and a December 9 release date.

The 27-year old forward who seems to have missed the American artiste shared his excitement on J.Cole’s return via his Instagram page.

“J Cole is back. Excited to hear this,” Aluko posted.

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Ideye still top scorer in Greece after brace P 31

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Saraki

Saraki lauds Falcons’ 8th AWCON win

Toure charged with

drunk driving J

ust as Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure looked to have turned the corner, the midfielder now finds himself in hot water once more - this time for something more serious with the Premier League footballer charged with drunk driving.

The 33-year-old was stopped in Dagenham, East London, on Monday evening, according to the police.

The Ivorian was charged the following day and is due to appear at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court on December 13 according to reliable sources.

Toure, who came off the bench in the clubs 3-1 defeat to Chelsea on Saturday, has only just made a return to the Sky Blues first team.

The former Barcelona man was recalled back to the City squad last month after apologising for comments made by his agent Dimitri Seluk.

Toure

enate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Sunday congratulated the Super Falcons for emerging continental champions at the Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) for the eighth time.

Saraki in a statement by his Special adviser on Media and publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, specifically lauded the Falcons for maintaining their champion status In Africa.

Falcons won the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AWCON) in Cameroun after beating the host team 1 – 0 to retain the AWCON title in Yaounde on Saturday. Saraki said the victory could not have come at a better moment.

“The record win of the AWCON Cup by the Super Falcons has again demonstrated clearly that with determination we can surmount any obstacle confronting us as a nation,” Saraki said. “I have no doubt that through team work and single-mindedness we can overcome our present economic challenges.”

He commended the patriotism and sense of purpose of the team and their technical crew while calling for more government and private sector support to enable Nigerian sportsmen and women excel in their career.

The Anambra Times Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

Obiano reiterates plan to convert college to education varsity AT 3

Operation Python Dance: Commuters, motorists on edge at Niger Bridge AT 4 Piracy: We’ve not authorised any group, individual to raid markets - NCC ÏÏÏ The

R-L: Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, in handshake with Bauchi State Governor, Muhammed Abubakar. With them are Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje (second after Gov. Obiano); Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello and Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Bala Bantex (behind Gov. Obiano), during the National Economic Council meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja…recently.

At Anambra market anniversary, Obiano asks traders to reciprocate govt’s gestures Stories by Alphonsus Nweze Awka

ÏÏÏ Governor Willie Obiano of

The

Anambra

T E A M

Anambra State has challenged traders in the state to reciprocate his good gestures to them by paying relevant levies to the state government.

The Governor, who spoke during the week through his Commissioner for Trade, Commerce, Market and Wealth Creation, Mrs. Amaka Ilobi, during the 20th anniversary celebration of Household Utensils Dealers Multi-purpose Cooperative Society Limited (HUDMCS), popularly called Ogboefere market, said the Governor was concerned about the welfare of traders and indeed the entire Anambra people.

She said Governor Obiano has done a lot in the state to improve the quality of lives of the people by providing security that is second to none in any state in the country and the construction of

three fly-over bridges.

The Commissioner said the Governor has removed the payment of levies by petty traders, barrow pushers and Keke operators in various parts of state so as to cushion the effect of recession on ordinary people of the state.

She noted that Governor Obiano recently approved N10 million each for 61 markets in the state to embark on most pressing projects in their respective markets.

Speaking at the occasion, President-General of AMATAS, Chief Okwudili Nwankwo, expressed happiness at the existence of peace in all the markets in the state, particularly Ogboefere market.

He appealed to the traders to continue to sustain the peace to ensure the progress of the market and all of them, noting that without peace, there cannot be progress.

Nwankwo also called on the

Special Projects Editor Sam Nzeh

Correspondents: Alphonsus Nweze Philip Balepo John Chinenye

traders to support Governor Obiano’s second tenure bid so that he can finish the projects he has initiated.

The President-general of the market, Chief Stanly Anyikwa, said he was impressed with the success of the anniversary, saying “it has added new life to me. I am as happy as a new born baby.

God took over the control of everything in spite of the recession”.

He said they were grateful for the respect the Governor has done to them by sending his Commissioner to receive his award, even as he pledged the support of the traders to Governor Obiano.

Anyikwa said the Governor has done well so far especially in the area of security because with security you can do everything, adding that the Governor has also done well in agriculture, payment of workers’ salary as and when due.

Earlier in their address read

by Hon. Anthony Obele, the traders had made a number of request from Governor Obiano which include soft loan to the traders to ameliorate the economic recession, electrification of the market extension, provi-

sion of powered solar light, repair of the damaged Obodo-ukwu road, construction Ogbuagu road to reduce the pressure of traffic at Upper Iweka, dredging of the “sacamouri” drainage at the market for easy flow of flood.

The former President-General of the market, who midwifed the building of the market 20 years ago, Chief Paul Ngoka, was happy that the market was growing in leaps and bounds, saying that was the dream of the founding fathers.

He said they expected rapid expansion of the market and that was why they purchased a land for the extension, which has started serving the purpose.

Ngoka, who is the Presidentgeneral of Akokwa in Ideato Local Government Area, Imo State, said they established discipline in the market and that is why there was no tout in the market presently as seen in other markets in Onitsha and environs, which encouraged the selling of fake and cheating.

Pledging his support for the chairman, Ngoka said he supported him to run and will continue to encourage, advise and be behind him till the end of his tenure.

CONTINUED ON PAGE ET 2

National Communication Commission (NCC) in Anambra State said it has not authorised or sent any group or individuals to raid any market infringing musical copyright.

The Zonal Director of the Commission, Onitsha zone, Anambra State, Emeka Ogbonna, stated this in reaction to the claim of a group that they were authorised by the NCC to move into markets and impound laptops of those who were recording music for people in their handsets.

Ogbonna, who is a lawyer, said that his Commission has its own staff in the zone whom he uses to go for drive anytime he wants to embark on raid, saying that he did not at any time send or authorise anybody to raid any market in the Anambra State.

The zonal director however said that the copyright law allows the stakeholders in the industry to embark on drive against those infringing the law.

Some traders at Upper Iweka, Onitsha, said to be recording music for people in their handsets had alleged that a group of people numbering about 20, with two buses stormed their market and started impounding their laptops and accessories without being accompanied by police or in possession of NCC permit and even identity cards.

The group was said to have moved into the market with hoodlums and started carting away laptops and its accessories, but fight ensued between them and traders, when the traders demanded their identity cards and authority papers, which they could not produce.

In the ensuing fight, the hoodlums ran away but the traders held one of them who was later picked up by the Police from Awada Police Station in Obosi, Idemili North Local CONTINUED ON PAGE ET 2

The Anambra Times 2 Kingship in Awka-Etiti not hereditary - Ekejimbe

Philip Balepo Onitsha

ÏÏÏ The kingship tussle in Aw-

ka-Etiti in Idemili South Local Government of Anambra State seems to have been nipped in the bud as the whole town recently resolved that the kingship be rotated by the seven villages.

But the lone voice in the wilderness remains that of Angus Chukwuma Ojukwu, the son of the late Eze-Igwe Joachim Ojukwu, the Akumtiwalugbo 1, Eze Udo of Awka-Etiti, who took the whole town to court on the grounds that he should be allowed to ascend the throne after his father passed on, claiming the kingship is hereditary.

The Anambra Times sought the views of one of the executives of Awka-Etiti Improvement Union (AIU) and the Chairman of Iruowelle Village Community, Lagos, Mr. Chris Ekejimbe, who said: “Some 16 years ago, AwkaEtiti was in deep crisis, but as brothers, we resolved to end it.

And in doing so, we all signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) where we all agreed that henceforth, the Igwe stool shall be rotational among the seven villages. So, Angus’ claim to the throne is baseless.

“We signed this MoU after the reign of Igwe Silas Ezenwa, who actually inherited the throne from his own father who was from Iruowelle. But that also was the last Igwe that enjoyed the hereditary era. The rotation era started with Igwe Ojukwu, who happened to come from Nkolofia, the first son of Awka-Etiti. Even his ascendancy wasn’t a smooth sail as it was keenly contested; even Chief Joe Martins Uzo-

dike was among the contestants.

Akumtiwalugbo however won clearly and we enjoyed his reign till he passed on some two years ago,” Mr. Ekejimbe added.

The mandatory one year of mourning was hardly over when his son declared himself the Igwe designate. But it remained for the king-makers to crown him and present him with the Offor, which is the symbol of authority.

Mr. Ekejimbe explained further: “After the reign of Akum 1, it became the turn of the next village, which is Umunocha. Now, Umunocha is expected to hand over to Ejighinandu, then Iruowelle, Umudunu, Nnaba and Ogunzele in that order, before coming back to Nkolofia again.

“The present Igwe is Chief Michael Ezeudenna, a former chief engineer with the defunct Power Holdings Corporation of Nigeria, who also contested the kingship with his fellow kinsmen. He was declared the winner after beating three other candidates. He was crowned by the traditional kingmakers of Ezeani at the Okwu Arena. The Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano presented him with the certificate of office just in September.”

Ekejimbe, who is the Chief Executive Officer of 4 Screams Production, a media outfit in Lagos, concluded by claiming that “this Angus is a delinquent and should never be taken serious as no Awka-Etiti indigene is behind him. Imagine, he failed to appear in court just recently in a case he instituted against the whole town, and it is believed his absence was based on a claim that he had issues with the State Security Services, who were at that court hearing.”

Piracy: We’ve not authorised any group, individual to raid markets - NCC CONTINUED FROM AT 1

Government Area of the state.

The chairman of the traders, Mr. Obinna Madu, said they had to resist the hoodlums because they were not accompanied by Police, neither were they in possession of any valid identity card or authorizing letter from NCC. He called on Governor Willie Obiano to come to the rescue of the traders in the state from the hands of the hoodlums who organised themselves and extorted money from innocent traders, stating that they pay all the necessary dues and levies.

He also commended the Police from Awada Police Station

for their timely intervention, without which there would have been unnecessary bloodshed.

The group was however later identified as Musical Products Dealers Association of Nigeria (MPDAN), Iweka Road Onitsha. All efforts to reach the chairman failed but when our correspondent contacted the Vice-chairman on his cellphone, he declined to talk on the ground that he does not know anything about the raid.

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Awada, Mr. Josiah Bakyu, confirmed the incident but said he would meet with the group to ascertain the authenticity of their claims.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

Education stakeholders in Onitsha, disagree over secretariat’s levy Philip Balepo Onitsha

ÏÏÏ The last meeting of

the Onitsha zone of the Joint Meeting of Principals and Parents/Teachers Association held recently at St. Charles’ College, Onitsha, Anambra State, ended almost in fiasco as both parents and the principals disagreed on what a parent called “a plough to milk us for their (teachers cum principals) personal gains.”

The meeting, which was the only third one since the zone was formed in 1980, was a welcome one for most members until the agenda that revealed nothing became clear when item five, which read ‘Issue at Stake’ came to the open. Then, all decorum was thrown to the dogs, but for the maturity of some parents. The meeting was attended by only the representatives of the parents and the principals of the 32 secondary schools in Onitsha zone.

The Zonal Director of Education, Mrs. Bibian Anyichie, who introduced the item as “Building of Zonal Secretariat by the zone,” not only let the cat out of the bag, but also em-

phasised that they have to “complete the secretariat within the next 12 calendar months, hence we need to raise over N50 million.”

As if that was not disturbing enough, she proposed a levy of N1, 500 only (one thousand, five hundred naira) per parent, per term, totaling N4, 500 (four thousand, five hundred naira) per child. The levy is for only the senior secondary students of the zone, whose population is 13,916.

A parent who pleaded anonymity rose and queried “the need for the urgency and why the students should be taxed to build a secretariat when there is a government subvention for such.”

He went on to ask why “this administration that its tenure will be due in August should embark on such a huge project now, after all these years.”

The parents were excused to go outside and come up with a way out as most of them were not game with the levy. They came back with the proposal that if such a project must be embarked on, “the levy should not exceed two hundred naira a term; that is six hundred naira a year for

three years. This would enable us complete the project in three years without much stress to our pockets.

Already, we are contributing N1, 000 (a thousand naira) annually to support the welfare of the extra teachers our schools have, including the Youth Corps members.”

The proposal by the parents did not go down well with Zonal Director of Education and her team for the simple fact that “embarking on such a project now would benefit them before they leave office in August, but leave us parents dry,” the parent lamented.

The total amount to be generated at six hundred naira per year for three years would be N25, 048,800, while if the parents are to contribute N4, 500 for one year, it would amount to N62, 622,000.

There are 32 secondary schools in the Onitsha Zone Schools Service Commission with Onitsha North having 16, Onitsha South having six and Ogbaru having ten.

The meeting adjourned without a resolve of the issue at stake. A visit by the Anambra Times to the secretariat revealed that foundation had long been laid but it looked deserted.

R-L: President-General of Household Utensils Dealers Multi-purpose Cooperative Society Limited (HUDMCS) Onitsha, Stanley Anikwa, Anambra State Commissioner for Trade, Commerce, Market and Wealth Creation, Mrs. Amaka Ilobi and official of the Society during presentation of an award to Gov. Obiano at the 20th anniversary celebration of the market...recently

2.5m children for de-worming in Anambra

ÏÏÏ Anambra State Government

in collaboration with the Bank of Industry (BoI) will train 500 youths in various skills, to enhance entrepreneurship development in the state.

The Anambra State Government is to de-worm over 2.5 million preschool and school age children from December 7 to December 9, 2016, an official said on Saturday.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Akabuike, made this known to newsmen in Awka, the state capital, saying that the exercise would cover children aged one to 15 years.

He said that the exercise would be flagged-off by Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra at the Central School, Isi-Anaocha in Awka North Local Government Area.

The commissioner said that the state-wide exercise would hold in all public and private primary and junior secondary schools to achieve the desired objectives.

He said that the exercise was aimed at reducing worm loads on children and enhance their health.

According to him, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends periodic treatment with anthelminthic (de-worming) medi-

cines, without previous individual diagnosis to pre-school and school age living in endemic areas.

“Treatment should be given once a year when the prevalence of soiltransmitted helminth infections in a community is about 20 per cent and twice a year when the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infections in the community exceeds 50 per cent.

“The regular de-worming of our children will reduce stunting, improve absorption rate of nutrients ingested through proper feeding, and promote general well-being of our children,’’ Akabuike said.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

The Anambra Times 3 Anambra now Nigeria’s most popular investment destination - Obiano ÏÏÏAnambra

L-R: Reproductive Health Coordinator, Ministry of Health Anambra State, Mrs. Ebele Anaeme; Head of Local Government Administration, Njikoka Local Government Council, Mrs. Chinyere Nkaneme; wife of Anambra State Governor, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano and wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oby Okeke, during the tour of Primary Health Centres at EnugwuAgidi Primary Healthcare centre, Njikoka Local Government Area, Anambra State...recently

Obiano reiterates plan to convert college to education varsity ÏÏÏGovwenor

Willie Obiano of Anambra State has reiterated his resolve to convert the Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe to a university of education to enable it to award degrees.

Speaking at the 17th convocation ceremony of the college for 2014 to 2016 graduands in Nsugbe on Friday, Obiano said that plans were at the final stage to realise the project.

“What we want is for this place to become a university of education and we know that it will soon happen,” Obiano said.

The governor, represented by the Commissioner for Education, Prof.

Kate Omenugha, said the conversion would strengthen teacher education and expressed delight that 25 courses offered by the college had been accredited by the National Commission of Colleges of Education (NCCE).

He promised to look into the request for the implementation of Consolidated Tertiary Salary

Structure for Colleges of Education (CONTENDES) when the internally generated revenue of the state improved.

Obiano urged the graduands to apply the knowledge acquired in the college to improve their lives and the society.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Governing Council of the college, Mr Cletus Ibeto, lauded Obiano for approving N80 million bailout fund for the institution between July and October.

Ibeto commended the governor for 90 per cent salary increase for the staff and appointing members of the council after 12 years without a council.

The chairman said the council had blocked all the internally-general revenue leakages.

In her remarks, the Provost of the college, Dr. Ego Uzezie, appealed to the governor to release the 2016 capital vote for the renovation of buildings and purchase of vehicles.

Uzezie urged Obiano to include the school’s medical centre in the government’s community projects and provide scholarship awards to indigent students.

She listed some of her achievements to include on-line examinations, computerisation of bursary department and construction of school of arts and social sciences building, among others.

The provost said that the conversion of the college to a university would boost its strength, encourage the staff and student and also increases its revenues.

Miss Vivian Okoye who studied economics-mathematics, emerged the overall best for 2014 session, Miss Amuche Emodi of the mathematics/physics emerged the overall best for 2015 while Mr Ekene Okoro, also of mathematics/physics department, was the overall best student for 2016.

They were given N50,000 cash prize each and other endowments.

Obiano lights up Amansea, Arthur Eze Avenue

ÏÏÏ

Determined to transform Awka, the Anambra State capital, Governor Willie Obiano, has commissioned yet additional street lighting projects in Amansea and Arthur Eze Avenue within the capital territory.

Commissioning the street light projects, Gov. Obiano said the street lights which spans the 6.7 kilometer road from Agu Awka to Amansea town and the 2 kilometer Arthur Eze Avenue within Awka municipality would bring the total number of roads with street lights done by his administration to 82.6 kilometers.

He stated that the essence of the lighting project was to further strengthen security and to attract night life in the state to boost socio -economic activities.

Obiano maintained that the street lights would be replicated in other major cities in the state, such as Nnewi, Onitsha and various communities.

He regretted that Arthur Eze Avenue in which the major market in Awka is located had been in darkness, thereby deterring the rate of economic growth, saying that the installation of street on the road would encourage night trading.

The Governor revealed that the present Christmas decorations done within Awka were freely donated and done by a philanthropist in the state, Mr. Tony Ezeani, while that of Onitsha was done by Emma Bishop Okonkwo, as their contributions to transform the face of the state.

The Governor while lamenting the difficulties faced by workers in the state due to the recent economic hardship in the country promised that he will ensure regular payment of salaries, and leave allowances as well the distribution of a bag of rice to every worker in the state before Christmas.

State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, at the weekend, said the state has become Nigeria’s most popular investment destination with over five billion US dollars investment attracted in two years.

The Governor was speaking during the opening ceremony of the Joint Trade Fair of all the Chambers of Commerce in the state tagged, “The Jubilee Fair.”

The trade fair with the theme, “to harness Anambra’s natural resources for non-oil exports as a world class trade hub”, was packaged with awareness of high standard expected of an international trade fair.

His words: “Ndi Anambra, this trade fair could not have come at a better time. Anambra is indeed ready for the world. First, this is our 25th anniversary as a state.

“Second, Anambra is Nigeria’s safest state at the moment and thirdly, our beloved state has become Nigeria’s most popular investment destination with over five billion dollars investment attracted in two years.

“We are indeed in a better place today. Everything seems to be working in our favour. We have shaken

off the dark days of violent armed robbery, kidnapping, child trafficking, and bloody shootout between rival gangs.

“We have made bold efforts to bring home our illustrious sons and daughter together on the altar of brotherhood. As a government, we know what our people expect from us and we are not relenting in our efforts to surpass the expectations of Ndi Anambra”.

The trade fair has seen over 100 business merchants from Anambra and environs with high expectations of attracting international business brands and investors who will tap into the commercial potentials of the state and step up the export potentials of the state.

Hundreds of business pavilions have been erected at the Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square Awka, the venue for the Trade Fair.

Various products on display ranged from agriculture and forestry, food and beverage and IT and Technology industries and the Governor was again blown away by the standard of the event as organized by the coalition of the three chambers of commerce in Anambra state for the first time.

Awka Millennium City Housing estate takes off ÏÏÏ The first phase of

a Millennium City Housing Estate in Awka, the Anambra State capital, is to be ready in the next eighteen months.

This was disclosed to newsmen in Awka during an MOU signing ceremony between the Anambra State government and Arut International Limited at the Governors Lodge, Amawbia, recently.

Governor Obiano while signing the MoU documents, noted that the Millennium City project worth a total of N16.77 billion would bring to ten the number of investors which his administration had attracted in real estate development into the state while a total of 28 investors have signed MoUs with the state government across various sectors of the state economy.

The governor, who noted that the landmark initiative of his administration has been key to its success in attracting investors into the state, said with the challenges of dollar exchange rate, the present administration is doing backward integration to ensure that the state is able to produce much of what it consumes.

He stressed that the housing estate project would be established on 1,157 plots of land, adding that the state would contribute N2.01 billion and the developer, N14.76 billion.

He urged real estate developers in the state to support the greenery revolution initiative of his government by avoiding felling of generic

trees which do not stand in the way of their construction work.

The governor further tasked the investor to expedite the pace of work on the site to ensure that the project is delivered on schedule.

He maintained that the project with a time lag of 18 months, would see the investor establish sites and services including roads, water and power projects, police post, hospital, shopping mall and other complements of a standard housing estate.

Earlier, the Chairman of ANSIPPA and traditional ruler of Umuoji, Igwe Cyril Enweze, described the project as a flagship investment in that it is being executed by a renowned citizen of the state as well as because of the employment prospects it holds for the state.

The Chairman of the investing company, Senator Annie Okonkwo, represented by the Managing Director of the company, Mr. Makiavelli Okafor, said they are committed to ensuring that the project is executed in record time and in compliance with the stipulations of the MoU. In his remarks, the Managing Director, Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), Mr. Mike Okonkwo, assured that his agency will follow through to ensure that the project is done according to the development manual introduced to control infrastructural development in the capital territory.

The Anambra Times 4 Alphonsus Nweze Awka

ÏÏÏ Longish traffic grid-lock, hu-

man suffering and waste of manhours have become a daily experience of commuters and motorists plying the ever busy Onitsha Bridge following the launch last week of Operation Python Dance by the Nigerian Army.

It was not clear what were the major components of the operation but erecting road-blocks at the strategic points on major roads in South East including the Onitsha Bridge has become the order of the day in the zone since the launch of the operation, hence causing untold hardship to travelers, the people of the zone as well as slowing down the volume of economic activities especially in Onitsha even in this period of recession.

The Assistant Director of Army Public Relation, Col Musa Sagir, had last week at the 302 Artillery Regiment Barrack Onitsha in Anambra State released a statement to some selected newsmen, where he announced the establishment of the Operation Python Dance.

He said that the operation was targeted at the members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and all other Biafran activists.

He also warned other criminal elements like the Fulani Herdsmen who have been terrorising the people in the South East and at same destroying their farmland, kidnappers and armed robbers.

He noted that the same operation was launched last year during this period, saying that this will last from November 27 to December 27, 2016.

But even before the formal press statement by the Army, they had set up road blocks at major Expressways in the South East, causing traffic hold-up and unnecessary hardship to the people. Onitsha bridgehead was one of the strategic places the Army erected road blocks with drums on both sides of the Expressway. These are in addition to the already existing road blocks mounted by the Army at the Asaba and Onitsha end of the bridge.

Ordinarily, the Onitsha Bridge considered to be too old and small for the volume of traffic that pass through it has always witnessed traffic gridlock especially during festivities like Christmas and Easter periods as well as days of high traffic flow in and out of the commercial city.

In fact, Onitsha Bridge holds special attraction for the Military, the Police of different units and the operatives of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC).

For instance, on approaching Asaba end of the bridge after the defunct toll gate, one will encounter at least four sets of security outfits on the road- the FRSC marshals, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), regular Police, and the Army that blocked half of the Expressway.

If one moves into Onitsha, one

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

Feature

Operation Python Dance: Commuters, motorists on edge at Niger bridge will encounter another two units of soldiers at both sides of the Express way and Road Safety personnel. In the evening time, the Police do their work at the foot of the bridge. These security outfits not only cause gridlock on the Bridge but also subject motorists to corporal punishment, extortion and all sorts of abuse.

Many users of the bridge are of the view that the gridlock on the bridge is largely caused by security personnel.

If gridlock has now resurfaced in early December, what will the situation be as from December 15 upward when people will start returning for the Christmas? Perhaps chaotic, bedlam, total blockade like war situation.

Yuletide returnees have in the past suffered untold hardship such as prolonged traffic hold-ups, vehicle break-down, and increased health complication especially those who have High Blood Pressure (HBP) among others. If in the past people had suffered, what will happen now that the entire bridge has been blocked?

It is not as if the Federal Government and the Military High Command, said Arinze Marcus, a traveler, are not aware of the plight of people, indeed Nigerian citizens go through, while coming back for Christmas season but it is very glaring that President Muhammadu Buhari was hell-bent in punishing Ndigbo, who are major users of that road.

He said that it was because of the sufferings of the people during these festive season that there have been clarion call on the Federal Government to build Second Niger Bridge to reduce the suffering of the people on the existing bridge, a project, he said, President Buhari has suspended.

“It therefore smacks of insensitivity and irresponsive for the Federal Government and the Military High Command to station Army of occupation there at all, not to talk of this time when Christmas is around the corner. It is clear that they want to suffer us”, he said.

A leading human and pro-democracy group based in Anambra State, the International Society for Civil Society and Rule of Law (Intersociety), has equally frowned at what it described as “Army of Occupation and Jihadist campaign against Ndigbo.

The group speaking through its Board of Trustees (BoT) member, Nze Emeka Umeagbalasi, said the action was an attempt by President Buahri’s administration to launch a Jihad on the South East, since the Fulani Herdsmen attack on the Igbo communities like Nimbo in UzoUwani Local Government of Enugu State had failed in its sinister mis-

Gridlock on Niger Bridge due to ongoing stop and search operation by the Nigerian Army sion.

The leadership of Southeast Based Coalition of Human Rights Organisations (SBCHROs) in their statement titled, “Buhari’s Army of Occupation in Igbo-Land: The Making of Another Jihad and Ethnic Cleansing,” said they were deeply alarmed and worried about the deployment of more battalions of the so-called “Nigerian Army” and their war-like heavy equipment to all the strategic roads in the South East or Igbo part of Nigeria.

In a statement signed by the leadership of the group, Comrade Peter Onyegiri of Center for Human Rights and Peace Advocacy; Comrade Aloysius Attah of Civil Liberties Organisation CLO), in Southeast Zone and others, said Igbo travellers and road users have complained of the laying of siege by Jihadist elements in the Army on strategic roads in the South East particularly at boundary posts in Imo/Abia and Port Harcourt axis; Enugu (Nsukka) and Benue (Oturpa) axis; Anambra (Onitsha Niger Bridgehead) and Delta (Asaba) axis and Ebonyi (Abakiliki) and Enugu.

The group said: ”The most disheartening, wicked and condemnable of it all was the last week total blockage of the Niger Bridgehead by the Jihadist soldiers, despite the industrial hazard, dilapidating, sinking condition of the Bridge; requiring steady less load capacity; the Jihadist soldiers have cordoned off and blocked the two main lanes of the Bridge”.

The two lanes, they said, were blocked with drums filled with sand painted in military colours with a narrow space for only one vehicle passage.

The Onitsha Niger Bridgehead, the group said was notorious for chronic gridlock and this is very

hellish during Christmas period and other major festivities, saying that in December 2015, 17th of December, to be specific, the Jihadist soldiers stationed near it opened fire and killed over 10 jubilant IPOB members, who were singing and dancing after news broke out that a Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered for immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

“After the massacre, the Jihadist soldiers took away most of the corpses and later dumped and abandoned three of them at Onitsha General Hospital. The Jihadist soldiers later went on rampage, blocking the Bridge and causing hellish conditions for Christmas returnees in 2015. Over 300 live fowls and dozens of goats suffocated and died. Four persons including a heavily pregnant woman, a newly born baby and an aged woman were reported dead; all as a result of chronic traffic gridlock created by Jihadist soldiers,” the rights group said.

Continuing they said: “Today, they are at it again; by abandoning two tents built for them to watch over vehicular and other traffic movements, to out-right blockage of the two lanes for obvious ethno-religious cleansing reasons. They also want the sinking of Niger Bridgehead to collapse so as to ground the zone socially, economically, culturally, technologically, industrially and politically; having conspired wickedly to stop and abandon the Second Niger Bridge Project.

These explain while we held that Buhari Army’s occupation of IgboLand is the making of another Jihad and Ethnic Cleansing”.

Against this background, the human groups called on Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State, who faces a second term election in late

2017, to wake up from slumber and demilitarise Anambra State, adding, “he should particularly get the blockage of the Niger Bridgehead deblocked and cleared for easy flow of traffic for Christmas returnees. The Jihadist soldiers should be removed from the blockage scene and forced back to their tents nearby, to watch over vehicular movements and decongest the traffic”.

The group also said “Governor Willie Obiano should equally get the personnel of the FRSC to disappear from the same scene to allow Christmas returnees a free hand to make use of the Bridge and its adjourning roads; other than habitual traffic law breakers.

“He should call on all the people of good conscience particularly the Christian leaders, governors, legislators and other public office holders from the South East zone to reject and rise in condemnation of the ongoing intensification of operation ethno-religious cleansing of the Igbo Race.

“We also call on the Buhari Administration and its Jihadist army commanders to stop pushing the Igbo Race to the wall and back out of the ongoing unprovoked plot of pogrom against the Igbo Race in all its ramifications. It must be made to understand that the Presidency of Nigeria is not a weapon to enslave and crush the Igbo Race as nothing or nobody, except God, lasts forever”.

Other South East Governors should rise to the occasion by paying a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari for the purpose of demilitarising the South East zone and allowing the people of the zone a breathing space including right and freedom to worship their predominant Christian religion”.

Business Times Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

Dangote, OCP Group sign MoU on fertilizer production

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Emefiele charges banks’ audit executives on financial system stability

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CSR as catalyst for growth and development

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LASG, Discos to introduce power theft bill Opeoluwani Akintayo Commissioner for energy and Mineral Resources, Lagos State, Olawale Oluwo, has said that a power theft bill is being prepared, with the involvement of the electricity distribution companies (Discos), to curb power theft and ensure easy prosecution of offenders.

He revealed this in a state-

ment over the weekend.

The commissioner added that the bill would empower the state to set up a power task force, which would monitor power in Lagos, arrest offenders, and ensure prosecution, with the aid of mobile courts.

“Soon, people will go to jail for power theft,” he said.

One of the major problems with power generation in Nige-

ria is theft.

Distribution companies have been complaining about how Nigerians bypassing meters and using power without payment.

However, the Discos do not have the constitutional right to prosecute power theft.

He unveiled more features of the state’s power plan.

According to Oluwo, Lagos

has installed 36,000 street lights since the new administration came on board, revealing that there are still 10,000 street lights to go.

Street lights are “improving night-time economic activities, night-time illumination, and night-time security across the state”, Oluwo said.

He also said Lagos would soon go off the national grid.

“With a population of less than 30 million, Egypt generates 35,000MW, while South Africa generates about 50,000MW for a population of 50 million.

In comparison, Nigeria generates about 4,000MW for a population of over 170 million,” Oluwo said.

He said the demand for power in Lagos state is up to 5,000MW, which Nigeria itself cannot produce at this time.

UBA, Access, others drive FMDQ November activities … As 10 banks pull 71.00 % volume valued N109.84 trillion Bonny Amadi Three first tier banks in Nigeria have been named by the FMDQ as top drivers of its activities for the ten months period spanning from January to October 2016.

A recent FMDQ Spotlight Newsletter showed that 10 dealing member (banks) in FMDQ Markets led growth of activities in the market for the period under consideration.

UBA emerged top driver of the of the debt instrument market, according to the FMDQ , followed by Access Bank, Stanbic IBTC and Ecobank Nigeria.

First Bank of Nigeria occupied the fifth position in activity level of the FMDQ, followed by Diamond Bank, Citibank Nigeria, and FCMB. Union Bank and Standard Chartered Bank were recorded by FMDQ as the 9th and 10th most active instruments during the period.

According to the FMDQ report, the top ten Dealing Member Banks accounted for 71.00 per cent of total transaction valued at 109.84 trillion.

BUSINESS TIMES Editor Andrew Odioko Head Business Azubike Nnadozie Capital Market Editor Bonny Amadi

NTMA calls for establishment of cotton board Charles Okonji

The Nigerian Textile Manufacturers Association (NTMA) has called on the federal government to establish a cotton corporation to boost production of the commodity and revitalize the textile industry.

Mrs Grace Adereti, President of the Nigerian Textile Manufacturers Association (NTMA), who made this call while addressing newsmen in Lagos over the weekend, noted

that the creation of the corporation would ease textile manufacturer’s access to raw materials for production.

She stated: “When we contacted the farmers, they said that they are not ready to supply to us at the price negotiated by the ginners. We discovered that the farmers base their price on what they will generate from exporting the cotton.

“If we accede to the price, our output will become uncompetitive considering the infrastructural def-

icit in the country, which affects the cost of production. We are in a fix.

Some factories have suspended production because they do not have cotton for production.

“In the past, there was a market board and government had control over the price of cotton. We want the government to intervene in this matter and save manufacturers. We have the machinery and the workforce and we are ready to produce, but we are hindered by the present situation.”

Also speaking, Director-General of the association, Mr Hamma Kwajaffa, lamented that rivalry among government agencies contributed to the challenges hindering the growth of the textile industry.

He stated; “The former Minister of Agriculture initiated the creation of the cotton corporation, but he had a rivalry with the Minister of Trade that said establishing the corporation falls within his domain.

Business News B2

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

NBC switches Abuja to digital broadcasting Dec 13 Tony Nwakaegho

ETISALAT

L-R: Chief Product &Information Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Otuyemi Otule; Managing Director/CEO, Wema Bank , Segun Oloketuyi; CEO Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Mathew Willsher and Director Digital Business, Etisalat Nigeria, Adia Sowho at the launch of WemaEasy Savers in Lagos…weekend.

Dangote, OCP Group sign MoU on fertilizer production Charles Okonji As part of its efforts towards boosting the Nigerian agricultural sector and creating the needed jobs for the teeming population, the Dangote Group and the OCP Group of Morocco on Friday in Abuja signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to bolster fertilizer production and business in the country.

The Dangote-OCP partnership is expected to lead to the creation of an integrated African platform and a global leader in fertilizer production, a statement from the Dangote group said.

The collaboration between the two African conglomerates will help the Dangote Group mix the mass deposit of phosphate in Morocco with the gas potential in Nigeria in the production of fertilizer for the development of the agricultural sub sector in Africa.

President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, said the agreement will support Nigeria’s effort to attain food security, create jobs and address rural urban drift.

Both the OCP of Morocco and Mr. Dangote, during the meeting, indicated that more than two million tonnes of customised fertilizer would be imported from Morocco in the next three years.

In his presentation, Mr. Dangote said of the $2.8billion total investment, $2.5 had already been committed to the fertilizer project by the Dangote Group, while seeing a growth from 3.6MT fertilizer capacity in 2018, to 4.6MT in 2020.

He said by the time it starts operation in December 2017, the 3million tons capacity Urea Plant will be the biggest in Africa, and as well the second largest in the world.

According to him, the effort will bolster Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings, improve government revenue, create jobs, increase yield per hectare and

further grow the GDP in the agricultural sub sector.

“The Joint Venture shall become the powerhouse of fertilizers to make Africa self-sufficient in fertilizers,” he added.

Chairman of the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) Eddie Efekoha, has joined other insurance players to applaud the step taken by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to bring the regulator’s inspectorate department closer to underwriters.

The Chairman, at a media parley in Lagos, said that the decision would help the industry reduce cost especially now that the economy is in recession and organizations looking for means to reduce their overheads.

He noted that the development would engender productivity and efficiency, stressing that the decision would impact the industry positively.

“I have not had any interaction with the leadership of NAICOM on this matter, whatever I say is based on what you have reported in your various media.

I think that it does make sense, if over 95 per cent of the operators are based in Lagos, particularly those in the underwriting segment of our industry. It does make sense that those who have daily and regularly contact with them are just next door to them.

“It brings about productivity and efficiency. They are there, they do not need to catch any

flight from Abuja to Lagos, especially these days that you have to spend the day trying to catch a flight to and fro. There is so much loss of man hours for an activity that would not last one hour. So, if we are all in Lagos, one hour will become one hour.

I think overall, it would pay us all.

“On the strength of that, if you ask me, I would say, it is a good development that the Inspectorate Department is brought back.

The headship of that department would only need to fly to the headquarters for meetings.

But the regular contact would be in the overall interest of the industry,” he said.

Why FG’s nominee to chair NERC board rejected offer Opeoluwani Akintayo

Dangote

NIA lauds NAICOM over relocation of inspectorate dept Kayode Adelowokan

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) will switch over to digital broadcasting in Abuja on December 13.

NBC stated that it remains committed to migrating from the analogue to digital broadcasting that will change the broadcasting industry in Nigeria.

Mallam Is’haq Modibbo, Director General NBC, disclosed this during the meeting with licensed set-top-boxes manufacturers and signal distributors in Abuja that the commission was committed to ensuring s successful rollout of the Abuja digital switch-over (DSO).

The meeting which was a follow-up to it preparation for the DSO and the Set-Top-Box manufacturers plead their readiness towards a successful DSO in Abuja while giving the breakdown of the number of Boxes they will be supplying for the Abuja rollover.

Meanwhile, NAICOM staff who embarked on industrial action on rejection of the directive to relocate the department from Abuja to Lagos had returned to work following the order of the Federal Ministry of Finance.

The Daily Times reports that the employees under the aegis of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) last week embarked on strike describing the relocation of the inspectorate department, as an attempt to punished some of its members.

For the second time in one month, President Muhammadu Buhari’s nominee for the position of chairman of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Professor Akintunde Akinwande, refused to present himself for Senate screening on Wednesday, November 30.

According to a source close to the helm of affairs, told Business Times that Prof. Akinwande would have loved to take up the appointment but for the already bastardised state of Nigeria’s economy.

The United States-based professor of engineering had once failed to appear before the Senate for screening which was interpreted as his rejection of the appointment from the President Buhari led government.

Then, the presidency swiftly denied the reports and claimed that Akinwande was simply trying to formalise his resignation from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, (MIT) where he works.

However on November 30 at a second screening session convened by the Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe-led committee, Akinwande was absent again.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

‘PayU’ system enters Nigeria’s cashless economy mix A global online payment service provider, “PayU,” has joined Nigeria’s cashless economy mix following approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria as a payment option.

According to Country Manager, Juliet Nwanguma, “PayU” offers simple and secure online payment services to merchants enabling them to accept payments of goods and services using debit and credit cards from their customers and other alternative payment methods as well.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja during the 2016 annual retreat of the Committee of e-Banking Heads (CeBIH), she said PayU is a leading online payment service provider in 16 global markets.

Nwanguma speaks further on some of the features of PayU payment gateway which is in line with global payment offerings.

“Secure processing of local and international debit, prepaid and credit cards for online and mobile payments with 3D secure and 2-factor authentication, seamless integration options based on the size and need of the merchant or business, pre-integrated plugin to popular shopping carts to enable ecommerce merchants to start selling immediately, tokenisation and recurring features for regular payments to improve collections, additional fraud management services to further secure merchants’ transactions, and easy and flexible reporting interface to view and monitor transactions as they happen real-time.”

B3 Money Market

Emefiele charges banks’ audit executives on financial system stability Stories by Motolani Oseni The governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has called on Chief Audit executives of banks to adhere to regulatory policies and guidelines. in order to have a better financial system and improved economy.

This was imperative as some, including bankers and customers, might be tempted to exploit occasional loopholes that could arise from policy readjustments.

Speaking at the quarterly meeting of bank Chief Audit Executives held last week in Lagos, Emefiele noted that at this crucial point in Nigeria’s financial history with tight liquidity and decline in purchasing power, stakeholders in the economy ought to collaborate in making the current challenges the ingredient for future prosperity.

Represented by Emmanuel Ukeje, his Special Assistant on Financial Markets, Emefiele said the theme of this quarter’s meeting: “Changing Business Environment: The Role of Internal Auditors” indicated that the audit executives were

Emefiele

concerned about developments in the financial sector.

He outlined three areas that should engage the attention of the executives over the next few years.

He said in this era of change and challenge, “you will notice and should continue to expect a stream of policy initiatives from the Central Bank. Our objective is to use monetary policy tools, sectoral preferences in resource allocation and other forms of intervention to drive our national economic recovery.”

He added: “… I encourage you to insist that your banks, as institutions, comply fully with all CBN guidelines,; and raise a warning flag when they fail to do so.”

He also stated that banks must maintain good internal control, ethical practice and sound risk management, stressing that Nigerians expected this, especially at a time of challenging operating environment.

“Therefore all the necessary measures for capital adequacy and indices of sound risk

management must be in place and fully enforced. As internal auditors, you must all be proactive, look out for any factors that could destabilize the system, quickly identify and deal with them. You must pay particular attention to banks and customers operating in risk-prone and highly volatile sectors of the economy.

Emefiele noted that audit executives “must be very vigilant and guard against fraud, because as Internet penetration continues to gather steam in Nigeria, greater volumes of transactions will be consummated online; and on various electronic formats and platforms.

Unfortunately the electronic medium is very attractive to certain class of criminals: those that are dexterous in the use of information technology tools and protocols to perpetrate cybercrimes.’

He expressed confidence that Nigeria will overcome its current challenges. “But, I suspect that we can only overcome these challenges if we are ready to make fundamental change in many of our attitudes, orientations and practices,” the governor stated.

Naira falls to 485/$1, as rates moderation expected this week The Naira weakened further against the United States dollar at the parallel market over the weekend, closing at 485 per US dollar, against the 480 it traded on Thursday.

However, expectorations are high that there will be an improved financial system liquidity this week, due to inflows especially from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) as disbursements will continue this

week, keeping rates moderate.

The naira continues to depreciate amid a crackdown on currency traders in the parallel market, and persistent scarcity of the greenback.

As it declined on Friday to 485 to the dollar on the parallel market against 480 a dollar in most of the days last week, it was quoted by commercial lenders at 314.80 a dollar on the interbank market.

The naira has, however, consis-

tently closed around 305.5 a dollar level since August at the official window.

Last week, treasury bills worthN117.48 billion were auctioned via the primary market.

These included 91-day bills worth N45.85 billion, 182-day bills worth N18 billion, and 364-day bills worth N53.33 billion In line with dealers’ expectations, interbank rates fell across all the tenor buckets following

FAAC disbursements.

Dealers from Cowry Assets Management said this week “treasury bills worth N105.264 billion will mature via secondary market, including 224-day bills worth N49.168 billion and 225-day bills worth N56.095 billion. Consequently, we anticipate further moderation in interbank rates on the back of expected improvement in financial system liquidity.”

Financial inclusion: Wema Bank targets unbanked youths with EasySavers account

Oloketuyi

As part of efforts to bring in over 16 million unbanked adults in the financial system circle, Wema Bank Plc and Etisalat Nigeria have partnered to introduce WemaEasySavers, a savings account aimed at ensuring financial inclusion for more Nigerians, especially youths.

The Managing Director/CEO, Wema Bank, Mr. Segun Oloketuyi, explained the major objective of the bank to focus on Nigerian youths and the 16 millions unbanked adults.

Speaking at the lunch of We-

maEasySavers over the weekend, he said the savings account was aimed at ensuring financial inclusion for more Nigerians, especially the youth.

The easy to open and use WemaEasySavers, which is in partnership with Etisalat Nigeria, is designed to enable under-banked and unbanked Nigerian youth to achieve their financial goals while operating a regular bank account through their mobile phones.

According to the MD, the partnership will enable Wema Bank’s

new drive to expand its presence in the youth market and also form a strong part of Etisalat’s commitment towards driving the achievement of the government’s financial inclusion goal.

He said the bank, which recently launched its USSD banking code *945#, is seeking to leverage the market-wide acceptance of the product and Etisalat’s strong appeal in the youth market to onboard new customers using a unique code *945*10#.

Speaking about the partner-

ship, Director, Digital Business, Etisalat Nigeria, Adia Sowho, said the partnership is significant for the telco as a youthfriendly network. “We are delighted at this partnership with Wema Bank as it provides Etisalat another platform to enable mobile financial services that will empower the youth segment.

“Etisalat is passionate about the development of Nigerian youth and we continuously seek ways to add value to their lives, and Wema Bank also shares this same vision,” she said.

Capital Market B4 Stories by Afolabi Adesola Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc’s shares have recorded a 66 percent appreciation in the last two weeks, as share price rose from N195 to N324 per share.

Analysis showed that the increase represented a growth in investor’s worth rose from N70.3 billion as at 18th November 2016 to N116.9 billion, at 2nd December 2016.

The growth, which was initially preceded by OPEC’s announcement on the decision to embark on its first output cut in a bid to reverse the slump in global oil prices, was strengthened upon disclosure of NIPCO investment Limited’s offer of $301 million for Exxon Mobil Oil Corporation’s 60 percent stake in Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc.

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

How Mobil’s stock soared 66% in two weeks OPEC’s decision last Wednesday to cut output also strengthened Mobil’s share price, and that of other oil stocks in Nigeria and across the globe, resulting in significant rally in the last trading days of the week.

The NSE Oil and Gas Index soared to a record high of 4.18 percent on Friday alone, as significant appreciation were recorded in other petroleum product marketers such as Forte Oil, Oando and Total Nigeria in the three days following the cut which led to a surge in the price of Brent crude that rose to $54.46 a

barrel on Friday.

Following this, the Nigerian equities market recorded the highest increase in three months of 1.88 percent, as the NSE All-Share Index and Market Capitalization appreciated by 1.61 percent and 1.54 percent to close the week at 25,740.83 basis points and N8.855 trillion respectively last week.

All other Indices also finished higher during the week with the exception of the NSE Insurance Index that depreciated by 2.04 percent while the NSE ASeM Index closed flat In the course of the week, a

total of 27 equities appreciated in price, unchanged from the previous week.

Thirty-two equities depreciated in price, higher than 26 equities of the previous week, while one 116 equities remained unchanged, lower than 128 equities recorded in the preceding week.

According to the NSE’s weekly report, a turnover of 2.479 billion shares worth N9.988 billion in 12,059 deals were traded by investors, in contrast to a total of 639.439 million shares valued at N6.455 billion that exchanged hands previous week in

11,799 deals.

The Financial Services Industry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 2.369 billion shares valued at N5.305 billion traded in 6,590 deals, thus contributing 95.56 percent and 53.12% to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

The Consumer Goods Industry followed with 33.630 million shares worth N2.758 billion in 2,222 deals. The third place was occupied by the Conglomerates Industry with a turnover of 32.939 million shares worth N41.190 million in 586 deals.

SEC, Fund Managers work on E-Transfer to boost financial inclusion The President of Fund Managers Association of Nigeria (FMAN), Dr. Ore Sofekun, has said that the association is working with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on electronic transfer of funds in order to boost financial inclusion.

Speaking at the annual workshop of Capital Market Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CAMCAN) held in Badagry, Lagos at the weekend, Sofekun noted that electronic transfer of funds will ensure confidence building between investors and fund managers and encourage more savings.

Sofekun, who spoke on the topic, “Deepening Retail Investors’ Participation in the Capi-

tal Market, said increased saving will accelerate economic growth.

According to her, “If we really want to develop our country, we have to save for long term.”

Sofekun, who is also the Managing Director of Investment One Venture Capital, observed that in 2008, the number of domestic investors who invested in the money market funds was higher than foreign investors, pointing out that foreign investors divested when the economy plummeted.

Also speaking, the Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Services, FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange, Ms.Kaodi Ugoji, said people are not taking advantage of opportunities in the capital market as two per cent of retail investors participate in the capital mar-

Ugoji

Sofekun

ket compared to 43 per cent in United State or 19 per cent in South Africa.

She noted that listing of state

government bonds in the OTC market will forestall default as people will have opportunity to take position in the bonds.

She said that key documents of companies listed in the FMDQ market are posted in the website for investors to take good decision.

In his presentation, the National Coordinator-elect of Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Mr. Adeniyi Adebisi, who noted that market capitalization of equities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange has shrunk from N14 trillion to N8.6 trillion, said government needs to ensure return of confidence in the capital market.

He said: “Confidence of the investors, especially, retail shareholders, have been jolted and severely shaken. It will require a great deal of efforts on the part of government at the highest level of authority to bring back the confidence.

We delist companies to protect investors - NSE The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has said the delisting of companies from its trading floor is for the protection of investors.

NSE’s head of corporate communications, Olumide Orojimi, speaking with capital market correspondents at the weekend, stated that the bourse was only protecting investors in delisting companies in breach of its statutory listing requirements.

The NSE had delisted six companies last Thursday - namely Lennards (Nigeria), P.S Mandrides & Company, Premier

Breweries, Costain (W.A), Navitus Energy, and Nigerian Ropes = effective December 1, 2016.

The delisting of these companies which was approved by the Quotations Committee of the National Council (QCN) of the NSE followed similar delisting of eight other companies earlier in the year.

These companies were IPWA, G. Cappa, West African Glass Industries, Investment & Allied Insurance, Aluminium Manufacturing Company, Jos International Breweries, Adswitch, and Rokanna., bringing to a total,

fourteen companies delisted from the NSE, through regulatory action in 2016 alone, whereas the latest X-compliance report from the NSE shows that Deap Capital Management Plc, Evans Medical Plc, International Energy Insurance Plc, MTI Plc and MTECH Plc’s delisting process has been also approved by the NSE’s QCN. While some of the companies are being delisted for failing to file their quarterly and annual financial reports and accounts with the NSE, some others will face the same fate for failing to regularize their listing status af-

ter being given time to do so.

Recently, Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema, stat-

ed: “We do have continuing listing standard and we will continue to enforce it.

Summary of trading activities on NSE ASI

25,740.83

DEALS

2,258.00

VOLUME

576,852,121.00

VALUE

1,348,829,538.97

CAP

8,855,113,806,377.24

B5

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

in the market coincided with developments in the oil market where OPEC members reached an agreement to cut production by 1.2mb/d. The announcement already triggered a rally in oil prices to US$54.1/b. The uptrend in the ASI also ensured a positive opening for the market into the Price Chg %

month of December. In addition, performance was driven by renewed interest in Oil & Gas and Banking stocks with the share prices of .

NSE All Share Index

Naira Value (m)

29,500

13,000 OANDO (+9.3%).

gain maybe linked to the recently released

regulatory filing of the divestment of ExxonMobil Oil Corporation shares to

9,500

27,000

NIPCO Investment Limited. The filing indicated that the stock was valued at a 6,000

significant premium to market price. T 24,500

2,500

(1,000) 24-Sep 27-Sep 30-Sep 03-Oct 06-Oct 09-Oct 12-Oct 15-Oct 18-Oct 21-Oct 24-Oct 27-Oct 30-Oct 02-Nov 05-Nov 08-Nov 11-Nov 14-Nov 17-Nov 20-Nov 23-Nov 26-Nov 29-Nov 02-Dec

22,000

`

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

Godwin Anyebe In a world where economic performance, growth and development are defining business success, companies are also challenged to ensure their environmental and social impact are primed towards sustainable growth and development.

Patrons of brands are becoming more mindful of where to spend their money. While many brand owners are fulfilling parts of their corporate social responsibility model, few are truly embedding corporate social responsibility into their business model and in a way responding to the expectations of consumers.

The trend has moved from a slow growth and a stagnant population to an era of sustained economic growth. Although, the government plays a key role by way of providing friendly environment for sustainable business, the private sector remains the engine room for economic growth and development. Corporate social responsibility is still one of the mediums owners of brands can engage in, and contribute to the growth and development of a nation.

Daily Times checks shows that every now and again, the media reports yet another example of corporate social responsibility.

While the act receives applauds in some quarters, others are of the opinion that most of what is reported cannot be measured as real corporate social reasonability that leads to growth and development of a nation.

It is events such as these that have led to calls by analysts for corporations to take their social responsibilities as seriously as they pursue their economic objectives. However, other scholars subscribe to the theory of the firm, whereby all activity has to be directed towards delivering shareholder value.

It is worthy of note that the new way of engaging the consumer with brands and adding value to brand equity is through cause marketing. Marketers have used corporate social responsibility as a platform to create awareness, engage communities and raise funds for the cause that is close to their heart or what they feel is impactful and will bring people to support it. In today’s era, it is essential for a brand to be socially responsible. With so much online chatter about giving back to the society and being a harbinger of change in any form, it is important for consumers to know that brands are not here for just profit, but also to make an impact in society for the better.

For example, the Nigerian Breweries Maltina teacher of the year award as a corporate social responsibility initiative where blocks of class rooms are built

B6

CSR

CSR as catalyst for growth and development in the school of the teacher that emerges winner has gone a long way to demonstrate a sense of growth and development in the community where they do business.

Another area that analysts believe is causing lots of concerns is the youth demography. For these analysts, one of the biggest problems today’s youths face is the unequal access to opportunity and the lack of emphasis on education. In order for economic growth to occur, the youth population must have access to quality education, adequate nutrition and health. Therefore, economic growth opportunities through youth development are great if tapped and nurtured appropriately. Nigerian youths are facing acute pressure from getting a job to credible performance at the workplace. There is need to create a productive workforce that can make a significant contribution to Nigeria’s economic development. One of the ways building such workforce is to provide enough opportunities for education, skill development and the spirit of entrepreneurship.

Commenting on this issue, a public affairs commentator, Abiodun Aremu said; “one of the sustained ways of addressing poverty is youth skill development.

It goes a long way as skills can be used to earn livelihood, assist others and even invest for future use. Skills can be equated with long lasting empowerment. A significant step is to reduce the rural and urban gap, especially in educational infrastructure and attitudes to education. Catching and training them young is a priority.

It could be extremely precarious to leave out youth without proper skill set and training. Alienation from employability and job opportunities could invite youth towards crime and create antisocial elements. Therefore, it is critical to build formal institutional mechanisms to address skill development programs.

Technical education should aim at raising skilled workforce that is employer ready.”

According to him, “corporate bodies through their corporate social responsibility programmes should ensure a spirit of entrepreneurship be inculcated right from the school to create more job providers than job seekers for a vibrant economy. It helps youth engaged in innovation, production, distribution, consumption, regeneration, and etc.

Systemic linkages have to be established to link education with

Aremu training, placement and real life scenario to survive and sustain in the competitive world.”

He pointed out that; youths are powerful. They represent courage with wisdom and energy with will power to take leadership.

The energy and wisdom has to respected, guided and nurtured for future roles. Youths needs to be in leadership role. Youth can be antidote to bad governance and corruption. They have power to change. Education programs should aim to teach and young minds right from the school level the importance of choosing right people who would take charge of governance. Conventionally, youth have been asked to keep away from politics. Youth should be motivated to consider politics as a means to serve the nation.

They should be oriented on anticorruption drives with focus on prevention, education, and strategies for fighting corruption.

Good governance is realistic with youth empowerment.”

Continuing, he said that, new economy brings fresh challenges along with the spurt of economic development. Therefore to create better work life balance and take up future challenges, brand owners through their corporate social responsibility must ensure that, youth is equipped with in-

formation on health, nutrition and preventive care. Concerted and outreach programs have to be taken up right from school age.

A segment of disengaged youth could be a serious concern for the growing vibrant economy Public funds are insufficient to cover the amount of efforts required and it’s the right time for non-government organizations, corporates and philanthropists contribute towards the grander efforts in making youth engaged, employable and inclusive in creating balanced economy.

For him, corporate social responsibility is a wonderful opportunity for corporates to undertake various initiatives to promote youth empowerment.

Companies can take up activities to promote education and employment enhancing vocation skills and livelihood enhancement projects. Celebrating national Youth Day will instill confidence among the youth of the times that their empowerment will go a long way in achieving national dreams.

On whether or not companies can invest in CSR in this period of economic crisis, a an economist, Pwano Maxwell told Daily Times that, the economic downturn brings with it new wrinkles for large corporations to address as part of their corporate social

responsibility planning.

His words; “with the unprecedented focus on addressing the economic situation combined with swift government response driven by the fiscal stimulus package, CSR planning will come to the forefront for future growth opportunities for major corporations. Companies will be forced to decide whether it is financially responsible to continue to invest in CSR initiatives or to incorporate conservative spending habits in order to weather the economic storm.”

According to him, “environmental CSR initiatives play a key role for major corporations to impact climate change, water use footprint and energy use effectiveness. Some of the leading corporations that have achieved CSR success with environmental initiatives can motivate the competitive landscape of the marketplace to improve operational efficiency, rethink product designs, and seek out new and innovative technology. Effective resource management and energy efficiency are major environmental CSR goals that are relevant for the present participants. This leads to opportunities for cost savings, revenue generation, and can even influence overall brand strength through positive environmental reputation.”

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

Stories By Kayode Adelowokan The Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) has told the House of Representatives ad-hoc committee headed by Representative Adekunle Akinlade to stop making statements capable of further damaging the image of the industry.

The telling-off follows alleged claims by the committee that insurance firms, in connivance with Ministries, Departments and Agencies, are defrauding the federal government of N200 billion annually.

NIA chairman, Eddie Efekoha, briefing journalists in Lagos recently, denied any such fraud, and tasked the Committee to have full understanding of insurance transactions before telling tales.

The association, he stated is ready to engage with the leadership of the Committee with a view to shedding more light on the operation of insurance business.

“You have all keenly followed developments in the House of Representatives with respect to the ongoing investigation of

B7 Insurance

NIA blasts Reps over N200bn insurance fraud some member – companies that insure government assets. You must have heard the various figures and other disclosures given by the Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee while speaking with the press,” he said.

“The Association would have waited for the Committee to conclude its investigation before making its comments but to date so much damage has and is still being done to the image of our industry by some of the statements credited to the Chairman of the committee which in their material facts are inconsistent with known insurance market practice.

“We will appeal to the Committee to conclude its investigation and where necessary request for clarification from our regulator and or market associations before making public statements that are capable of damaging the image of our in-

surance industry.

“The position of the Association is summarized as follows: There is no N200 billion fraud anywhere.

“The Committee may not have been properly briefed about insurance operations and its workings.

“The Committee should please desist henceforth from making statements that are capable of further damage to the insurance industry.

“The Association is insisting that the Committee should engage thoroughly to have a full understanding of insurance transactions before going to the press.

“The Association is ready to engage with the leadership of the Committee with a view to shedding more lights on the operation of insurance business.”

The Daily Times reports that Mr. Ossy Prestige, (representing

Aba North/South) moved a motion after the resolution of the committee asking the House to compel the Head of Service of the Federation and other statutory government establishments that purchase direct insurance covers to provide detailed data that would cover premiums paid on group life and related government assets.

The representative alleged that for every N10 billion paid as insurance premium by government, N5 billion was returned to corrupt government officials.

“Although the processes are presumably carried out in line with the Public Procurement Act, it is generally believed that some companies are unduly favoured during such bid. The unduly favoured companies reciprocate by engaging in a fraudulent practice termed Return on Premium,” he stated on the floor of the house.

“A percentage, as much as 50

(percent) of the premium paid by government is returned to government officials as cash payback, thus creating the biggest recurring fraud in the public sector.

“To best appreciate the magnitude of fraud being perpetrated, for every N10 billion paid as insurance premium by government, N5 billion is returned to corrupt government officials.”

At the commencement of the probe, the committee vowed to unmask the perpetrators. The chairman of the committee who read the riot act maintained that “no intention to witch-hunt any individual, group of persons or organization but rather carry out its mandate within the ambit of the law, which is to establish that monies were paid to civil servants.’

He, however, raised eyebrow over refusal of some government agencies to make submission to the committee.

228 Lagos pensioners get N941m in November The Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC) say it has paid another batch of 228 retirees from the Mainstream Civil Service, Local Governments, and State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Teachers Establishment and Pensions Office (TEPO) and other parastatals of Government the sum of N941 million for the month of November 2016.

Speaking at the 33rd Retirement Benefit Bond Presentation ceremony recently, Mrs. Folashade Onanuga, Director-General, LASPEC, said that the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, had from August, 2015 to date, paid N21.929 billion as accrued pension rights to 5,027 retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

Onanuga noted that retirees needed to take good care of their health by going for comprehensive check-ups, and advised them to avoid frivolous spending and participating in ventures that would not afford them peace.

The DG further counselled retirees not to desire quick gains as fraudsters would make offers to defraud them of their benefits.

She also mentioned that the State Governor is interested in the welfare of the employees both in and out of office, hence the priority accorded salary and pension issues.

L-R: Lawunmi Idowu, Director, Legal, Technical & Admin; Eddie Efekoha, Chairman; Director- General, Olorundare Sunday Thomas; and Henrietta Anyanna, SecretaryGeneral, Nigerian National Bureau, Ecowas Brown Card Scheme; during a press briefing by the Nigerian Insurers Association in Lagos recently

Stanbic IBTC Pension raises hope to embrace micro pension scheme Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers has promised to leverage on micro pension scheme, when the scheme finally kicks off, to increase the volume of its Retirement Savings Account (RSA) holders.

The Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, Mr. Eric Fajemisinmi, who stated this at a media parley in Lagos at the weekend, noted that micro pension scheme is another way of increasing pension adoption, as the 7. 3 million Nigerians registered under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) is a far cry from a population

of 180 million Nigerians.

He noted that the micro pension scheme will be targeting the informal sector of the economy which is about 70 per cent of the country’s population.

Hoping that the scheme will commence next year, he said the regulator, the National Pension Commission (PenCom) is currently discussing with the government to add a good incentive in the scheme that will attract the informal sector into it, since it is not going to be a joint contribution like the current CPS.

“The scheme must have a sweetener to attract the informal sector into it. PenCom is currently proposing to the FG to either give tax incentives or access to loans to the would-be beneficiaries, as this will persuade more operators in the informal sector to embrace it. Definitely, there must be something to attract people to subscribe to it and that is currently being worked out,” he stressed.

He promised that his PFA has put mechanism in place to key into the scheme, as soon as it is launched.

Fajemisinmi lauded the reforms

being put in place by PenCom through the Pension Reforms Act (PRA 2014), noting that this has further strengthened the scheme.

He listed some of the improvement in the guideline to include; compulsory payment of pension by state governments, reduction in the number of employees a company must have to subscribe to CPS, from five to three, among others.

Stanbic IBTC Pension, he said, had invested in bonds and equities, which are given good returns on investment to its numerous RSA holders across the country.

Business Interview B8

Daily Times Nigeria Monday, December 5, 2016

E-dividend may trigger long protracted legal battle if…, MRS. BISI BAKARE, national coordinator, Pragmatic Shareholders Association of Nigeria, emerged as a lone voice among men in shareholder activism when she founded the association in 2007. In this interview with Capital MARKET EDITOR, BONNY AMADI, Bakare lampooned the NSE for not seeking the knowledge of retail investors to drive the market, even as she warned, among other issues, that the e-dividend scheme may run into trouble.

Excerpts...

How did you become a shareholder activist?

I give glory to God and Sir Sunny Nwosu, the national coordinator of Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN). I have been with him since 1993 when I joined his company.

I was the general secretary of ISAN for seven years, before I opted out to found my own association in 2007. It wasn’t out of malice to opt out, but I wanted to ascertain the position of women at ensuring corporate governance and transparency in our listed companies.

As what stage of your life did you start investing in shares?

I started investing in shares since 1996, then Sir Nwosu was with late Akintunde Asalu. He then used to give me his dividend warrants to help me record his dividend for him. The figures then were in ranges of N100, N200, N50 and smaller amounts. I queried him on the need and use of all these figures.

That was when he started educating me that the figures were dividend warrants from his investments, he then told me that when you invest in companies, through the returns may be little , but over a long period, the returns will improve and become meaningful.

He then told me that there are also other benefits that one will get through investing, like capital appreciation, and that when companies declare bonus, your holding in the company will increase and you may decide to sell the bonus shares and retain your principal. That was what triggered me to start investing in shares and I have not looked back since then. My first shares were those of Lennards Plc, when Sir Nwosu was a member of their audit committee.

Do you have regret investing in shares of companies listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange?

I do not have any regret so far because buying of shares does not give immediate returns and I understand that, but some peo-

ple have taken it to be wait and get business or get rich quick kind of business.

Get rich quick was not the objective of those that started the stock market business, but it is a business that rewards over a long term period. Because I could remember vividly, when you buy shares for N10.00 then in 1996, it will take a long time even over six months before your share price could rise to N11.00 per share, but from N2004 or 2005, if you buy stocks for N10.00 per share, within one week the price could jump to N30.00 and that is not how it was supposed to be.

I have never regretted becoming a retail shareholder because I get my benefits from three different fronts, from dividend payment, price appreciation and bonus share issue when companies declare bonus for shareholders.

Although we are not getting much these days in terms of capital appreciation, but our dividend is still coming though in smaller bits, but it is better than nothing. And again, if a company declares bonus, you can sell your bonus and leave your principal. So far, I have not nurtured any kind of regret.

In fact, some people still call me to ask if the time is ripe for them to invest in the market, and I tell them that now that equity prices are at low price is the right time to invest. Some of the blue-chip company equity prices are very low now. This is not just the ripe time to invest, but also the good time to invest for your children.

So far, I have achieved a lot from investing in the market.

Before I started investing, I could say that I was no body, but investing has opened my eyes and mind to proper application of money and how to make your money work for you through guided investing.

Before, as a woman, if I get money like N50,000, I use it to buy clothes, but now, if I get such money, before I make any form of purchase, I make sure I invest N25,000 and then use the balance to buy what it could afford. It is good to invest, and as

a woman with knowledge of investing, if you get N10,000 you will want to double it, when we get money, we will like to grow the funds by buying shares with it, even if the amount is N10, 000.

How do you see capital market regulation?

Again, our regulators are adding to the problem of quick market recovery and that is why some core investors now don’t want to invest in any company that is quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange because of the problem the regulators are giving them They don’t care if the companies are making profit or not, all they care for is fine and ensuring that the fine is paid by their target, which is not supposed to be so.

What we are telling the regulators is that they should stop placing huge monetary fine on companies. Because of a small offence they would fine a company N100 million, is it not from the shareholders’ funds that the company will get the N100 million to pay the regulator?

At the end, the company’s profitability will reduce and whatever dividend they will pay the shareholders at the end of the financial year will also reduce.

I plead with our regulators to be mild in the sanctions, the way they are going, they are discouraging companies from being quoted.

You will see Ashaka delist from the Exchange in less than a month now. Other companies have delisted voluntarily, and many others want to. Many core investors, when you discuss with them on investing, they will say, I hope the company is not listed on your stock Exchange?

Do you think the government has a role to play towards market recovery?

The government needs to design policies that will drive market confidence and engineer growth of the economy and ensure economic vibrancy.

There was a time that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said that they wanted to set up the unclaimed dividend

Bakare

trust fund, but we shareholders kicked against it. What they were supposed to do then is what they are doing now through EDividend mandate.

They have allowed for payment of divided into savings accounts, but also they need to look into the minor accounts for children to warrant payment of their dividend electronically into children accounts.

Many companies run their own power plant or generator from morning to night, while bad roads continue to damage vehicles of companies thereby increasing their operation cost.

Lack of cheap funds make cost of funds very expensive and inability to borrow also makes companies to remain dormant, inactive or close shop.

In advanced countries, whatever services you pay for, you will get it, but here in Nigeria it is not a lie that our government, what they are after, is what they will collect from citizens in form of levies, duties or tax. But they don’t give back to the citizens , it is not supposed to be so.

What to do you see wrong in regulatory direction of the SEC or the NSE? There is a policy of the SEC for stoppage of dividend warrant by the end of June 2017. SEC has also sent memo to registrars that by June 2017, they should stop issuing dividend warrant and pay all dividends electronically through e-dividend.

This, we at Pragmatic Shareholders Association of Nigeria

(PSAN) say, is not proper, because some people could challenge it in the court if the legal aspect of e-dividend payment is not worked out.

I think, before they can do that, they must change the provisions of CAMA (Companies and Allied Matters Act) on dividend payment procedure. What CAMA says is that companies have to post dividend warrants to the shareholders.

Though e-dividend is an improvement over dividend warrant posting, but regulators have to amend the CAMA provision on this to allow for e-dividend or to permit for both to operate together.

We like what they are doing, but they should be proactive, before they could allow for only edividend payment, they should amend the legal provision on that. Without that, it will be difficult to record 100 per cent success e-dividend payment, even some of the old people , if you encourage them to fill a form for e-dividend payment, they will prefer the dividend warrant payment.

If the enabling law is not changed, you will see an investor that will sue a company for failure to post his dividend warrant. But if the law is amended, the issue will be rested and people will know that there is a law backing it.

We hope that the SEC will do the needful before the dividend warrant posting deadline expires in June 2017.

Life&

TIMES Monday, December 5, 2016

Adekunle

flaunts root in new video, ‘My life’ L4

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Daily Times Nigeria

Daily Times Nigeria

Monday, December 5, 2016

Monday, December 5, 2016

Est. 1957

w w w.m i ssni g e r i a .ng

L3

Fashion L6

Daily Times Nigeria

Daily Times Nigeria

Friday, November 18, 2016

Friday, November 18, 2016

Wellness L7

Chioma Ahuekwe Mutiat Alli

10

amazing commandments of lipstick -

Sailing smoothly through

menopause

1. Exfoliate: -

2. Moisturize: What is menopause?

3. Consider your skin tone: -

-

What happens and how does it feel?

4. Mix and blend:

7. Be a lip lining pro:

8. Avoid lipstick on the teeth:

9. Blot:

10. Never throw out a broken tube:

Coping with menopause

5. Consider your formula:

6. Start with a base:

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Buzz byte L4

Daily Times Nigeria

Monday, December 5, 2016

Mutiat Alli

All you need to know about New Video Alert: CKay out with ‘Nkechi Turn up’ visual 2017 Big Brother Naija chi Turn Up”. The multi-talented singer, songwriter and producer off the pedal since.

The song which was released earlier this month has continued to enjoy wide acceptance and pundits are quickly making out Ckay as a force to be reckoned with in the industry The clean and crisp video to the song was shot and directed

by Theophilus King on different locations in Lagos with cameos from Nedu of Wazobia FM, M.I Abaga, Eedris Abdulkareem, Pryse, Funnybone, Ruby Gyang and a few others

Mariah’s world premieres this December on Dstv & GOtv

know about the competition.

The show is now referred to as Big Brother Naija

...to ex-ray her career, relationships amongst others

There will be 12 housemates in total

Winner of the Big Brother Naijatakes it all! He or she will walk away with a whopping prize money of 25 million Naira and a brand new KIA Sorento car PayPorte is the headline sponsor of Big Brother Naija.

Adekunle Gold releases ‘My Life’ visual off Gold album

Adekunle Gold who has been out of the country spreading the gospel of Urban Highlife across the US and Europe is back to Nigeria in time for Christmas! The YBNL toast takes his fans and music lovers back to his elements with the release of the newest video off his debut album Gold. My Life which is the second track off the album was produced by SeyiKeys.

Shot in Ikeja, Lagos Nigeria by Aje Film works, the video showcases the beauty of the urban Yoruba lifestyle; complete with the talking drums, party scenes, watch out for the scene in the convertible on the streets of Lagos.

Flaunting his roots proudly, Adekunle Gold sings about accepting his identity and living his life as he pleases. Little wonder the single is one of the many fan-favourites off the Gold album; the message is motivating!

The singer has had an amazing year and to thank his supportive fans, he has hinted that he would be embarking on a 12day Christmas giveaway to fans; an avenue to share gifts, love and happiness in the spirit of celebrations.

Adekunle Gold

winning singer, songwriter and icon Mariah Carey. During the eight-part event, Mariah is faced with the overwhelming demands of her time as she launches her world tour and is a World premieres on E! on Sunday 11 De-

across North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Africa and Latin America.

she is shaking things up in her professional life and has brought on Stella Bulochnikov, as her tough, new manager. Stella is determined to steer the ship and tighten things up, rage consisting of a creative director, hair and makeup artists and dancers on edge. Part of

leaving the diva herself on pins and needles. and have joined her for the tour. Between being a mommy and working hard to give her lambs her best on stage every night, she is

World is a fantasy many wish was their reality.

The best-selling female artist of all time,

Life&

T E A M

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Entertainment Correspondent Mutiat Alli

Society Correspondent Abimbola Obatayo

Mariah Carey

enduring talent who has enthralled audiences for a quarter-century. As a singer, songwriter and producer, Carey has been recognized sic Awards, 14 Billboard Music Awards and

lennium. A Congressional Award recipient, Mariah Carey has generously donated her time and energy to a range of philanthropic causes including Save the Music, World Hunand the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which beand permanently rechristening it the Mariah Carey Wish Icon Award.