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DAILY

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

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Budget padding: Court refuses to hear Jibrin’s suits Andrew Orolua Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

vacation judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Okon Abang, on Wednesday, declined to hear two separate suits filed by a fomer Chairman, House of Representatives Appropriation Continued on page 6

www.facebook.com/dailytimesngr

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Stop using President’s name to solicit favour, FG warns

YEARS OF JOURNALISM

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ÏÏÏThe

Federal Government has warned fraudsters using the name of President Muhammadu Buhari and those of his family members and senior government officials to Continued on page 6

THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 2016 VOL. 2. NO. 175

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11 Edo Guber: I’ve Ƈ Ƒ Ɨ ƌƕ ƌƈ ƈ ƅƆƏƐƈƇƈƅ ƐƆ – Obaseki

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Skye Bank not distressed or liquidated B1 – CBN

7 FG approves 4 oil wells for Lagos

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GAINERS AS AT 17th August, 2016 ETI

11.48

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Niger Delta Avengers denies alleged planned negotiation with FG

12

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 18, 2016

L-R: Dr. Dyno Keatinge, CEO Tropical Agricultural Development Advisory Services Limited, UK; Prof. Janice Olawoye of University of Ibadan; Dr. David Ladipo, Center for Environment, Renewable Natural Resources Management Research and Development; Dr. Hannah Jaenicke GlobalHort, Germany; Prof. Linus Opara, Stellenbosch University, South Africa; Dr.RemiKayane CIRAD, France; Dr. Henry Akintoye, NIHORT, Ibadan; Mrs. Comfort Awe, Regional Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ibadan; Abimbola Okoya, General Manager, British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF), Chief Tajudeen Salami, a BATNF beneficiary, vegetable farmer and Mrs. Anifatu Olayiwola, another beneficiary vegetable farmer, at the opening ceremony of the 3rd All Africa Horticultural Congress held at IITA, Ibadan… on Wednesday.

Botched convention: APC, Buhari afraid of opposition – PDP Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

ÏÏÏThe Peoples Democratic Party

(PDP), on Wednesday, accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of being the brain behind its botched national convention on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.

Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee, NCC, of the party, Senator Ahmed Makarfi and Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, pointed the accusing fingers at the governing APC in Port Harcourt.

Speaking after the delegates to the convention had given their nod to for the extention of the tenure of the caretaker committee by 12

months, both Makarfi and Fayose claimed that APC is afraid that a virile opposition which PDP would provide, would expose its maladministration and failure to move the country forward.

Fayose, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi said: “I witnessed what the police did early today (Wednesday) in Port Harcourt, it is most unfortunate. It has shown that we are indeed in a perilous time in the country.

“The APC is desperate to kill opposition and silence others because they are afraid that their inability to properly govern the country and tackle the challenges facing us as a nation would be exposed by a virile PDP”, he said.

The Ekiti State governor equally

accused President Muhammadu Buhari of dictatorship. He wondered what the business of APC was in the internal affairs of the opposition PDP. His words: “If they (APC) said they wanted to act on court orders, why didn’t they act on the more than four orders that were in favour of the Markafi group?

“They don’t have answers to the terrible situations in the country, but they know that an organised PDP will be embloden to challenge them,” he said in the statement.

Senator Makarfi, on his part, stated that some members of the ruling APC were out to ensure that PDP dies.

He said: “Our democracy is under huge threat. I urge the APC-led

government to concentrate on governance and delivering of good service to the nation.

“The country already has enough problems facing it; politicians should not add to the country’s problems by pursuing their selfish intentions”, he added.

According to him, Wednesday was the second time in three months that delegates to the PDP national convention failed to elect national leaders of the party.

Meanwhile, the PDP on Wednesday suspended the election of a new National Chairman and other national officers of the party, pending the determination of all outstanding court cases filed by its members.

Continued on page 12

Budget padding: Court refuses to hear Jibrin’s suits Continued from page 1 Committee, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin, challenging the House leaders’ plan to suspend him from the House.

Jibrin, who had accused the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, and other officials of the lower chamber of parliament of paddling the 2016 budget, had filed the suits following a meeting purportedly held by the house officers at the residence of the speaker wherein they allegedly discussed his suspension from the house.

When the suit was mentioned Jubrin’s lawyer, Mr. Abdulhamid Mohammed, he urged the court to hear him out on the two cases which were both listed for hearing, but the judge refused the request on the grounds that the counsel did

not comply with the court’s rules.

Justice Abang stated: “A matter filed during court vacation is not heard as a matter of cause.

“The applicant is expected to apply and obtain the leave of court to have his matter heard during the court vacation in line with the provisions of Order 46 Rule 5 of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules 2009”.

“This applicant did not do so.

I do not have jurisdiction to even grant an adjournment of this suit.

“It is expected that the applicant will do the needful to comply with the provisions of the rules of this court.”

Jubrin had filed the suit FHC/ ABJ/CS/595/2016, against the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, his Deputy, Yusuf Lasun and other principal officers of the lower chamber seeking order to stop their alleged

plan to suspend him from the House.

In the other suit, FHC/ABJ/ CS/595/2016, which is for the enforcement of his fundamental human rights, the plaintiff sued the Police, the Inspector-General of Police, the Commissioner of

Jibrin

Police, FCT Command, Dogara, and other principal officers of the House as well as the Attorney-General of the Federation.

Other principal officers of the House sued in the fundamental human rights enforcement suit are Lasun, Alhassan Dogura and Leo Ogor wherein he urged the court to stop the respondents from violating his rights in the course of investigation of the alleged budget padding.

Jibrin’s lawyer wanted to withdraw the fundamental human right suit on the ground that it has been overtaken by events but Justice Abang maintained that the court must have jurisdiction to entertain the matter first before it can have jurisdiction to strike it out.

Continued on page 12

Stop using President’s name to solicit favour, FG warns Continued from page 1 solicit favour.

The government also warned the fraudsters to stop using the President’s name for soliciting favour from government establishments or face the wrath of the law.

The warning is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

The statement was signed by the Special Adviser to the Minister, Mr. Segun Adeyemi.

Continued on page 12

FG raises N110b bonds to mature in 2021, 2026, 2036 ÏÏÏThe Federal Government, on

Wednesday, at an auction, raised N110 billion worth of bonds to mature in 2021, 2026 and 2036, the Debt Management Office (DMO) has said.

According to DMO’s auction result obtained from its website on Wednesday, it sold N40 billion of 2021 paper at 14.50 per cent.

It also sold N30 billion of 2026 paper at 12.50 per cent and N40 billion of 2036 paper at 12.40 per cent.

The summary stated that an additional N109.5 billion of the 14.50 per cent July 2021 bonds was allotted on non-competitive basis.

Subscriptions from investors for the July 2021 bond, which was reopened, stood at N74.37 billion, while that of January 2026, which was also reopened, stood at N71.06 billion.

Subscriptions for the March 2036 bond which was also reopened stood at N64.86billion.

4

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 18, 2016

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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 18, 2016

15 Opinion

Reviewing the rerun polls in Imo State

T Fred Nwaozor

he long awaited rerun polls in Imo State, to produce representatives for Oru-East, Owerri-West and Isiala-Mbano state constituencies in the Imo House of Assembly as well as Imo-North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, held on Saturday 23rd July 2016 as scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Though the conduct of the polls was free, fair in spite of failure of some of the Smart Card Readers, in Oru-East State Constituency, the results for that of Imo-North Senatorial District alongside IsialaMbano State Constituency were declared inconclusive by the INEC Returning Officer, Prof Arinze Agbogu considering that the votes cast in (15) polling units in the entire area were cancelled; and statistics show that the affected booths have a total of thirteen thousand (13,000) registered voters to its credit, as against 8,779 which was the margin the APC’s candidate Chief Benjamin Uwajumogu was leading the PDP’s candidate Chief Athan Achonu (his closest rival) with.

However, it was gathered that only one electoral ward named ‘Osuachara’ in Isiala-Mbano LGA out of the total of sixty-four (64) existing wards in the senatorial district was actually affected by the “cancellation”. Owing to this outcome, several aggrieved members and supporters of the APC, lamented that the INEC did not get it right by declaring the election “inconclusive”. According to them, “just a ward” ought not to be a tangible reason for declaring an election that successfully took place in the other 63 wards in the district inconclusive.

People really need to be properly guided on how this thing is being done constitutionally. In accordance with the Electoral Act, an election is said to be inconclusive when/if the total number of registered voters in the area where election couldn’t take place or was cancelled, supersedes the figure of the margin between the two leading contenders; it has nothing to do with the number of wards, booths or polling units that were affected, as being presumed. In this case, the total number of registered voters in the affected area was 13,000 whilst the figure of the margin between the two leading contenders was 8,779; this apparently signified

that the said election truly deserved to be declared inconclusive. It is done that way, because there is tendency of the second candidate emerging victorious if the remaining or supplementary polls eventually took place.

I have no quarrels with reason for the inconclusiveness. Question is, why was the voting in the polling units in question cancelled. I reliably learnt there was over-voting.

Going by such information, what resulted to the so-called over-voting?

Even if there was “No voting/ election” at the area, what actually prompted it? Does it imply that the security operatives did not act as expected or was incapacitated?

These are pertinent questions for INEC. To this end, the INEC ought to apply caution subsequently towards ensuring that no area or booth is sidelined while an election is going on.

Another headache was the information that the INEC returning officer for Oru-East State Constituency election reportedly claimed that he announced election results under ‘duress’. Probably some guns or weapons were pointed at him. I could not fathom where such ridiculous claim came from. How could

an electoral official be placed under duress when there were several law enforcement agents to protect him?

Such amusing and absurd claim was equally not unlike telling Nigerians that the security operatives were lobbied to act contrary to their statutory functions.

Notwithstanding, I deeply appreciate the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Mr. Nasir Ayilara for ensuring that the supplementary polls took place without delay. It’s worth noting that the final total results for the two major contending political parties in the Imo-North Senatorial District – the APC and the PDP, were 56,072 and 43,850 votes respectively, thereby making Chief Benjamin Uwajumogu of the APC to merge victorious with a margin of 12,222 votes.

I candidly appreciate all the bodies involved that made the election a success and especially the electorate for comporting themselves as long as the elections lasted.

Unlike before, no serious violence was recorded across the state and its environs. The electorate has succeeded in proving to other states that they are now wise socio-politically, and that it is no longer business as usual.

Buhari and the Separation of Mosque and State

P Leo Igwe

resident, Muhammadu Buhari, is at it again. Last year, when he pledged to stop state sponsorship of pilgrimages, some people were sceptical about his intentions.

They doubted, given his religious record of accomplishment. On the other hand, many applauded and thought that Buhari had truly become a ‘converted democrat’. However, they were mistaken. Buhari has proved the sceptics right.

In fact, since he became the president, Buhari has consistently violated Article 10 of the Nigerian constitution by merging the mosque and state. He has gone about his presidency privileging Islam in his activities at Aso Rock and officially discriminating against non-Muslims. Contrary to his inaugural address, that he belonged to everybody and he belonged to nobody, Buhari has, in the past 15 months made it clear that he belonged to Islam. This is not to say that Buhari should not practice his religion.

There is a clear difference between the Nigerian president practicing his faith and Nigerian president using the state machinery to fund and further his faith. Buhari is doing the latter with relish.

How else does one explain many of Buhari’s unilateral decisions to use scarce resources to fund religious activity particularly Islamic programmes and events? This is in spite of the government not able to pay salaries, execute capital projects or create jobs and alleviate poverty in the country. Given that Nigeria is in recession and the economy may not experience any meaningful growth for some time, Buhari has gone about sponsoring breakfast during the Ramadan at state expense. In fact, he used the Ramadan period to feast his political and Islamic friends and associates while most Nigerians were languishing in hunger.

In the past few months, the country has witnessed the revival of activities at the Aso Rock mosque, and this religious structure is maintained at the state expense.

However, nothing is more troubling than the recent directive to CBN to subsidise the costs of Hajj. This directive is worrisome given that he Buhari is pretending to fight corruption. Buhari has been trying to recover stolen funds, but has kept mute on state resources used to sponsor religious pilgrimages, construct mosques, pay Imams and financially reward Christians who converted to Islam.

Why is Buhari not investigating state funds for financing his own religious activities?

Well the reason is not far fetched.

Buhari is part of the same religious business. He is an unconverted Islamic theocrat. The Nigerian president subscribes to mixing religion and politics and using Islam for political ends. He is not relenting in using his position to please Allah and to further the cause of Islam.

How else does one make sense of his recent directive to the Central Bank to sell dollars to Muslims going on this year’s Hajj at N197 for a dollar at a time Nigerians are going through serious financial difficulties. Buhari has consistently blamed ex-President Jonathan for wasting state resources, yet he is giving state subsidy to Nigerians on religious tours of Saudi Arabia. Is that not wasting of state resources?

How does subsidising 2016 Hajj add value to the country’s economy?

How does it help get the country out of its current recession?

Based on this directive, each Muslim pilgrim gets up to a thousand dollars at this rate and banks are told not to charge interests for transactions. Going by that calculation, the Buhari government is giving a hundred percent subsidy to tens of thousands of 2016 Hajj

pilgrims from Nigeria. However, there is more to this subsidy.

Indirectly, Buhari is encouraging Hajj pilgrimage, undermining the separation of mosque and state and using the state machinery to promote Islam. Buhari is creating an avenue to fritter away state funds because in the coming weeks, Hajj would become another scheme for acquiring cheap dollars from banks and then selling at a hundred percent profit at the parallel market using the Muslim connections. Sai Buhari, Amr alMu’minn Yes, Buhari has made going to Hajj a lucrative business. He has made being a Muslim financially rewarding. Buhari is fiddling religiously, while the country burns.

This is annoying because those who used state funds to fund their elections and party campaign activities are deemed corrupt and harassed by the EFCC. Buhari has, while fighting ‘corruption’ is also aiding and abetting the crime. He has made a corruption scheme out of 2016 Hajj. Performance of Hajj is and should the private business of Muslims who can afford it without any government interference, without state subsidy It is time Buhari kept mosque and state separate.

2

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 18, 2016

RC 103022

8

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 18, 2016

Politics

MUHAMMADU BUHARI

We’re failing and falling because we trusted in men, says Bishop

s A clergyman, Bishop Seun Adeoye of Sufficient Grace and Truth Ministry (SGTM), Rehoboth Arena, Okinni, Osun State has observed that the nation’s economy is failing and the standard of living of people are drastically falling because Nigerians trusted in men rather than God as agents of change.

Besides, the cleric stated that Nigeria’s present situation is beyond one man or one party solution, saying President Muhammadu Buhari should invite more financial experts no matter their affiliations to

help put the nation’s economy at the right perspectives.

“While the specialists are working, all of us will be crying to the Almighty God for intervention in the nation’s affairs for Him to bring about a turnaround in all spheres of our country. All I know is that President Buhari is not a super human being; he cannot be God but he is a man like all of us.

“We also need to pray to God for forgiveness. Of course, God will be sad about the massacres of hundreds of innocent souls and the

flowing of blood across our land. We must pray for our leaders most of who are arrogant, deceptive, thieves and liars for change of hearts if we want to come out of this mess”, Bishop Adeoye said.

Quoting from the Books of Jeremiah Chapter 18 verses 5 to 7 and the Books of Psalms 108 and 146, the cleric admonished Nigerians to put their trusts only in God while urging President Buhari not to close his ears to advises of prominent Nigerians on how to move the nation forward.

PDP National Convention: Yet another roadblock Akinjide Akintola For the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), it was another big flop in its attempt to move the party forward as Wednesday’s scheduled controversial national convention was put on hold following massive security build up that scuttled it.

The convention which was convened by the faction led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi’s National Caretaker Committee but opposed by the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff’s led faction was for the election of new national officers for the party to pilot its affairs ahead of the 2019 polls.

But fully armed soldiers, policemen and other security agencies had stormed the Sharks Stadium, venue of the convention at 3a.m.

WOLE SOYINKA

“The greatest threat to freedom is the absence of criticism.”

Wednesday and blockaded the area sending journalists and delegates in different directions.

Unable to gain entry, delegates of the party later gathered at the Rivers State PDP Secretariat and extended the tenure of the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee of the party by one year and suspended the election of national officers of the party billed for the election.

Motion for the extension of Makarfi’s Caretaker Committee’s tenure was moved by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, while the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Mr. Leo Ogor, had earlier moved a motion for the suspension of the election of national officers of the party which was seconded by Yunusa Suleiman, Chairman of the 36

BEN OKRI

“Politics is the art of the possible; creativity is the art of the impossible.”

State Chairmen of the PDP nationwide.

The party resolved that the extension of Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee of the PDP would pave the way for the party to exhaust all cases pending in court while the chairman of the committee would not vie for any elective position in the party at the expiration of the one year tenure.

Makarfi, in his acceptance speech pledged to sustain the rebuilding of the PDP, reuniting its members and restoring the lost glory of the party.

Earlier, members of the National Executive Committee of the party (PDP) had met at Government House, Port Harcourt, to consider the postponement following the security situation.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

BINYAVANGA WAINAINA

There is no country in the world with the diversity, confidence and talent and black pride like Nigeria.

SHERIFF OBAFEMI AWOLOWO

“Life itself is, from the cradle to the grave, a series of unbroken risks. Those who know me intimately will testify that I have never, at any time, shrunk from taking my full share of the risks of life.

LAMIDO OF ADAMAWA

If Nigeria breaks, some people in the country would have no where to run to, but for me and my people in Adamawa Kingdom, we will pack our luggage and join our kith and kin in Cameroun.’’

Opinion 14

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 18, 2016

South-west’s education crisis

C

Wale

Fatade

oming after my piece recently wherein I challenged Nigerians to critically examine the farce going on in the name of governance in most of our states, one could be pardoned for thinking that I am deliberately targeting states. Today’s piece came out of a myriad of encounters I had towards the end of last week on a trip across Ogun, Oyo, and Osun States.

Apart from the palpable hunger visibly written on the faces of most people I encountered which I think is not being properly chronicled by journalists, the terrible state of most of the schools I saw left me in tears.

By the way, last week’s piece elicited a response from the Kwara State governor’s spokesperson and that in itself was a good thing. At least they are reading, even though the rejoinder was high on sophistry but low on substance as he ended up fudging the issues. He will do well to read the story I quoted in my piece again noting his own words, not yet denied as far as I can tell, and also let readers know when last local government elections were held in his state.

The release of May/June 2016 senior school certificate examination results had made me uncomfortable especially how it affects the states in the south west. With due respect to the states which came top in the analysis of the results, citizens of the geopolitical zone should be alarmed and concerned about what is going on in the educational sector. Fine, we should not make a mountain out of a molehill but when a pattern is emerging, the earlier we took notice, the better for all. Out of the 1, 552, 758 students that sat for the examinations, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) announced that 878, 040 candidates obtained credits in five subjects including English language and mathematics, that is 52.97% passed in the real sense.

This was further broken down on a state-by-state basis and only Lagos State, which came sixth, was in the top 10 among the six western states.

In an area where late Obafemi Awolowo launched free education in 1955, we have gone down on the index of success in secondary school certificate examinations. Granted that this is just one of the indices we can use to measure education growth, it

Adamu is shameful that gradually we are sliding down to become the new ‘educationally disadvantaged states.’ Ekiti took the 11th position, Ondo 13th, with Ogun 19th while Oyo was 26th and my home state, Osun came last – 29th. What went wrong? Again, we must acknowledge that this could not have been an overnight event, but a culmination of several factors that led us to where we are today. At least three of the states have had crisis in the education sector in the last one or two years, Ekiti State government has engaged in a needless fight with some private school proprietors because of tax just as Oyo has been up in arms with teachers over its proposed ‘public private participation’ – whatever that means, in the administration of secondary schools. Probably only one or two states too are not

owing teachers’ salaries presently in the zone presently.

I listened to a programme on Impact Business Radio, the first and only business radio station in Nigeria, Peoples Parliament, anchored by veteran broadcaster, Femi Mapaderun on Saturday and the proposed public private participation was the focus that day. Yomi Layinka, spokesperson of the Oyo State government, was also on air to explain the programme better. Some listeners called in to ask questions and vent their displeasure on what the government was proposing, but the anchor masterfully took us down memory lane on how schools, particularly mission schools were well run in the 1960s when he was a secondary school student. The crucial thing for me was the opportunity to talk about the issues as the latest SSCE

results were also discussed.

Others issues we have to look into include the debate on free education which the neoliberal economic policies of our governments are affirming is no longer feasible, training and continual motivation of teachers at all levels, involvement of the alumni in running of our schools, and provision of a conducive environment for learning. As a parent, one is not too comfortable paying the huge amounts being paid as school fees in private schools but whenever you look at the state of our public schools, you would not want to put even goats in such schools. Folks in the Afenifere Renewal Group and DAWN Commission should also be looking into these, as an implication is that the future is bleak when we don’t have the manpower needed for development.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 18, 2016

9 Politics

Lalong probes Jang as ex-gov cries foul

LALONG

Governor of Plateau State

Chijioke Kingsley, Jos Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State on Wednesday inaugurated a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to review the administration of his predecessor, Sen. Jonah Jang.

Lalong said that the inquiry became necessary as it will further showcase his administration’s commitment to probity, accountability and transparency in governance.

Gov. Lalong said that the burden to expose the activities of the immediate past governor was

deepened with the magnitude of information at his disposal, beginning from the submission of the Transition Committee, headed by the Deputy Governor, Prof. Sonni Gwanle Tyoden and the various ministerial verification committees, as well the preliminary audit and accounts reconciliation committee information before him, which revealed hug debts inherited from the last administration.

Lalong, who gave the newly inaugurated six-man Judicial Commission of Inquiry three months to probe Jang, said his government has not failed to repeatedly reiterate its desire to ensure that the past administration is made to give public account of its stewardship in the state.

His words: “this past one year of my administration, facts are daily denied, twisted and distorted, this is indeed worrisome; it is the belief of my administration that only after facts are publicly obtained and tested, will the truth be brought to bear on the issue agitating the minds of Patriotic Plateau People, hence the new line of action”, he said.

Responding, Senator Jang said that he joyfully welcome the development in the interest of peace

and stability, especially as he has grown weary of the inconsequential rantings, outbursts, threats, and sensational media trial of his illustrious time as Governor of Plateau State which the Lalong administration now leads to the fringes of nihility.

Jang who spoke through his Media Aide, Mr. Clinton Garuba, in a statement said: “for the umpteenth time, he finds it most apt to reiterate his stand on the issue in perspective, as it relates to his stewardship in Plateau State which has undoubtedly benefited the people, that he absolutely without equivocation has nothing to hide.

“As at the last count, the Judicial Commission of Inquiry is the fifth committee Lalong has constituted, mandated, empowered, and inaugurated to probe the tenure of the former Governor, and like the rest before it, nothing would be gained except the visible characteristics of all associated with power acquired by accident.

“From the Deputy Governor’s committee to the others who engaged in arithmetic abracadabra to bamboozle people with figures which existed only in the minds of their apologists and praise sing-

ers, so much money has been expended in what is now a wild goose chase.

“It would be recalled that Governor Simon Lalong had recently petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to probe Senator Jonah Jang only to impulsively resort to self-help by constituting the commission of inquiry when his phantom claims and capricious desires were not indulged. It is indeed worrisome that a State so bountifully blessed with both natural and useful human resources now rests on the shoulders of someone who has failed to get anything right since becoming Governor, including even the small matter of framing and persecuting his perceived adversaries.

“Senator Jonah Jang is ever ready to give an account of his time as Governor of Plateau State even though his good works, legacies, and good intention would surely outlive him, as long as the process is without bias and predetermined outcomes. We are studying the composition and terms of reference of the Judicial Commission as constituted by the Governor, so we can take an informed decision which shall be our position on the matter”, the statement stressed.

How Police truncated PDP National Convention in Port Harcourt CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

Chairman of the National Convention Planning Committee and Governor of Rivers State, Nyesme Wike which comprises members of the Board of Trustees, members of the National Caretaker Committee, National Assembly Members and Governors as well as some national and former national officers of the party.

In a drama of sorts, Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mr. Francis Odesanya, said that he did not seal off the convention venue, but only provided security.

Odesanya explained that by his action, he was only complying with a court order, even as he said that he was not in a position to interpret court judgment.

This was in direct contrast to the Force headquarters which confirmed it has sealed off the Sharks Stadium in Port Harcourt, the venue of the convention of the party.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Donald Awunah, said in a programme on Channels Television titled, ‘Sunrise Daily’, that the primary responsibility of the police was to protect life and prevent crisis, adding that due to tension surrounding the convention and the conflicting court rulings, the police thought it best to seal off the venue.

His words: “The warring parties need to follow due process to end their crisis through the courts and as a law enforcement agency what do you do? You ensure that there is a superior court order. It is not about taking sides.

“If in the next one hour or two, we get another court order, we will take action. We are there for every Nigerian but when you are the first responder, you have to take action, you have to be proactive.”

Justice Okon Abang of a Federal High Court in Abuja on Tues-

day had insisted that the PDP must stop its planned national convention.

The judge gave a stern warning to the Chairman of INEC, Prof.

Mahood Yakubu, not to monitor the convention. The judge also ordered the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to enforce the court’s order.

Justice Abang’s order is contrary to another order by Justice Ibrahim Watila of the Port Harcourt Division of the Federal High Court, directing the IGP to monitor the convention.

Warning that the disobedience of court orders could cause anarchy, Justice Watila pointed out that the National Caretaker Committee of the PDP remained the executive authority in all matters concerning the party.

The ruling of Justice Abang on Tuesday, insisting that INEC must stay away from the convention,

Makarfi

had put the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in a quandary over what to do as it had prepared for the convention following Justice Watila’s ruling backing the convention.

As to be expected, while the Sheriff’s faction are in jubilation mood, the Makarfi’s faction are unhappy as to the turn of events as they believe it did not portend well for the party in its plans to recap-

ture power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019.

The mood within the factions is to use the one year tenure of Makarfi to resolve the tiff with Sheriff so that the party can forge ahead and concentrate on being a solid opposition especially with the ruling party not been in firm control of the economy of the country with the people in hunger and penury.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 18, 2016

7 News

FG approves four oil wells for Lagos ÎÎÎThe

federal government, through the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), has approved four oil wells for production in Lagos state.

RMAFC also approved the disbursement of 13 percent derivation fund, as spelt out under Section 162 (2) of the 1999 constitution, as well as the provision of the allocation of revenue act 2004.

This was disclosed by Aliyu Mohammed, Chairman of the RMAFC In-

dices and Disbursement Committee, who paid a courtesy visit to the Lagos state governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.

Mohammed, who was accompanied by members of the committee, said they were on a working visit to Lagos to verify crude oil and gas production from Aje oil wells for the purpose of disbursement of the 13 per cent derivation fund.

He said the commission had set-up an inter-agency technical committee comprising of the RMAFC,

DPR, office of the surveyor-general of the federation and the National Boundary Commission to determine the location of the wells.

Mohammed said that the committee recommended that number 1, 2, 4 and 5 of the Aje oil wells fall within 200m isobaths and therefore should be attributed to Lagos state.

He added that the outcome of the visit would promote national unity as well as the socio-economic development of Lagos state and Nigeria.

Gov. Ambode “It is also important to state that the commencement of oil production from Aje oil field by Yinka

Folawiyo Petroleum Company Limited is the first time oil is being produced outside the Niger Delta basin and therefore of a significance in diversifying the source of crude and gas production in the country,” Mohammed said.

Governor Ambode, who spoke when he received the committee at the Lagos House, Ikeja, said that it was significant for the Nigeria economy that the State has emerged as the first oil producing state outside the Niger Delta

Osun Osogbo Festival: Police uncover plot to kidnap Arugba

Information minister visits Abuah family

ÎÎÎThe top echelon of the

ÎÎÎAs grand finale of this

year’s edition of Osun Osogbo festival holds on Friday, the Osun State police command, on Wednesday disclosed it has covered plot to kidnap the “Arugba”.

Arugba, the voluntary maid of the festival, is the central figure in the final procession of Osun which begins from Ataoja palace and terminates at Osun groove.

However, while addressing journalists on the preparedness of the command for the festival, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Femi Oyeleye, said police got intelligence some people are planning to abduct Arugba during the festival.

The police boss added that the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun also reported to him that some people are planning to abduct the voluntary maid.

He said the command has already beefed up security across the state, especially in Osogbo ahead of the festival to foil the plan.

“We have received intelligence report that some people are planning to kidnap the Arugba Osun. The monarch of the town also said this. So we have increased surveillance around the Arugba to prevent this.

We have reinforced security around the Arugba and even the ‘igba’ so that the festival can go on without any hitch.

basin.

“We are very glad to receive this delegation. We also want to thank the Federal Government, most especially President Muhammadu Buhari for making this to happen very promptly,” Ambode said.

“I want to say that this has been the quickest action that has been taken

by RMAFC since I have known the Commission.

I used to be a former Account General so I had a lot of transactions and relationship with the institution called RMAFC.

A member of House of Representatives’ Committee on the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Hajiya Aishatu Dukku (2nd left), and some IDPs during her working visit to Damboa camp in Borno State… on Wednesday

Navy launches 39 gun boats to fight militancy Segun Adio

ÎÎÎThe

Nigerian Navy on Wednesday in Lagos inaugurated 39 gun boats alongside 45 operational vehicles to fight militancy in the country.

Of the 39 boats, 30 of them were locally built by Epenal Boat Yard, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, while the other nine were bought from Sri Lanka.

The Minister of Defence, Mohammad DanAli, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, ministry of defence, Danjuma Sheni, inaugurated the boats at the Naval Dockyard Limited and Western Naval Command, respectively, both in Lagos.

According to him, the emerging security chal-

lenges in the country have had great consequences on the polity in the North East and the Niger Delta region of our nation. ``These challenges have continued to demand a great deal of human and material resources to surmount, which in the light of dwindling revenue would be sustainable only with generous innovations and incorporations of home grown solutions. ``The Epenal Boat Yard Port was contracted to construct 30 by 8.2m boats for the navy in 2015, which was delivered earlier this year. ``These were immediately inducted into the service and used for rigorous patrols in the Niger Delta. ``Their availability has

helped to stem the tide of criminal activities in the area. ``Encouraged by the success of the venture, the contract for a further 50 was immediately awarded which has yielded the additional 30 boats being lunched today and the remaining 20 will be delivered subsequently,” he said.

The minister said the boats were fitted with appropriate weapons, adding that they also benefitted from a better antibalistic protection and other facilities being improvement promised at the launch of their precursors. ``I am hopeful that the boats being launched today would further boost the ongoing patrol efforts

in the various rivers and creeks of the country to the immense benefit of the nation’s maritime security.

The minister thanked the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, for his continual support and committment to the navy and armed forces.

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas, during his welcome address, said that the Epenal boats were an improvement on the 30 others unveiled in Port Harcourt back in February.

According to the naval chief, “These boats, no doubt, have boosted navy’s maritime operations.

Federal Ministry of Information and Culture on Wednesday paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Director of Information in the State House, Mr. Justin Abuah, who passed on recently.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, led a delegation comprising the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the Director of Public Communication, Mr. Emmanuel Agbegir, and the Director, Protocol and Public Relations, Mr. Peter Dama, to the house of the deceased in Abuja.

The Minister described the late Abuah as a dutiful, self-effacing but highly effective worker who spent a greater part of his career in the State House and appealed to his colleagues to emulate his legacy of service to the nation.

He commiserated with the family of the deceased and urged them not to despair but to put their trust in God as their main comforter and provider.

“After a few days, nobody will come here again but God will remain with you and the children and He will guide you aright and he will provide for your needs,” Alhaji Mohammed said.

“Put your faith in God and be strong. God will be with you. You will reap from his (Abuah’s) goodwill.’’

He said the death of Mr. Abuah is painful but noted that the family should be consoled by the rich legacy left behind by the deceased.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 18, 2016

ÏÏÏ In a bid to address

the recent killings in Southern Kaduna, the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, on Tuesday night chaired a meeting of the State Security Council in Kafanchan, headquarters of Jema’a local government area.

Our correspondent who was on the governor’s tour reports that, the meeting followed an assessment tour of the affected locations in Jema’a and Sanga council areas that was recently attacked by unknown gun-

5 News

el-Rufai, security chiefs meet over Southern Kaduna attacks

men which some residents were reportedly killed.

The Security Council consists of the Governor; the Deputy Governor; GOC, 1 Division Nigerian Army; Kaduna State Commissioner of Police; State Director of DSS; and Air Officer Commanding; Nigerian Air Force Training Command Kaduna.

The rest are Commander of Nigerian Navy School of Armament Technology, and heads of Nigerian Security Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC; Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA; Customs, Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC and chairman of Kaduna State Council of

Emirs and Chiefs, HRH Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris.

According to a statement by el-Rufai’s spokesman, Samuel Aruwan, the Governor and the security chiefs visited Ninte in Jema’a local government and Angwan Mada in Sanga local government, and presided over the 28th Se-

curity Council meeting in Kafanchan.

Speaking to journalists shortly after the closeddoor security meeting, the Governorsaid: “These cycles of killings are unjustifiable and senseless.

No individual or group has a right to kill other people.

Murder is inhuman and ungodly.

“We are saddened by the needless shedding of blood. We condemn lawless conduct and the disregard for life that the killers have shown. If anyone has a problem, he should not take the laws in to his own hands; instead he should report to security agencies who are trained to deal with such situations.

Stop using Buhari’s name to solicit favour - Minister warns ÏÏÏ

The Federal Government has warned fraudsters using the name of President Muhammadu Buhari and those of his family members and senior government officials to solicit favour or contracts from Ministries and other government establishments to desist from the criminal act or face the wrath of the law.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the government is aware that some opportunists have been going from one government organization to another with notes purportedly recommending them for contracts and other patronage, using the names of the President, his family members and senior government officials to intimidate those organisations.

The Minister said the President didn’t authorize any government official to write notes recommending anyone for contracts or any form of patronage, and warned those involved in such fraudulent activities to stop immediately or face possible arrest and prosecution by security agents.

He also warned government officials who may be working in collusion with these con men to desist from the act or face dire disciplinary action and prosecution for fraud.

L-R: Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Youth & Social Development, Hon. Adedamola Richard Kasumu; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth & Social Development, Lagos State, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola and Director, Corporate Communications & CSR, Airtel Nigeria, Emeka Oparah at the leadership training conference organised for youths to commemorate the 2016 International Youth Day, in Ikeja, Lagos… on Wednesday.

Hajj: Nasarawa Pilgrims Board disqualifies 9 pregnant women ÏÏÏ The Nasarawa State

Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board Wednesday disqualified nine pregnant women from participating in this year’s hajj.

Leader of the board’s medical team, Dr. Usman Saleh disclosed this when chatting with jour-

nalistsin in Lafia.

According to him, screening of the pregnant women was a directive given to the board by the National Hajj commission even as a final screening would be conducted before the airlifting of the intending pil-

grims.

In a related development, the board had begun investigation into allegation of fraud by some staff of the board for this year’s hajj.

Reports said about 20 intending pilgrims from different local govern-

ment areas of the state reported that their names shot listed after been paid their complete hajj fare to some staff of the board.

Speaking on the issue, the board’s public relations officer, Abdurrazak Muhammed, said the board was aware of the

issue and investigation was on, warning that anyone found wanting would face the wrath of the law.

About one thousand four hundred intending pilgrims are expected to performthis year’s hajj from Nasarawa state.

Kwara earmarks 12, 000 hectares of land for Agric Kehinde Akinpelu Ilorin

ÏÏÏ The Kwara State Gov-

ernment has earmarked over 12, 000 hectares ahead of next farming season as part of its efforts to drive large scale agriculture in the state.

The state governor, Dr. Ab-

dulfatah Ahmed gave this indication when the leadership of a private University in the State, Landmark University, Omu Aran visited him on how to initiate a public private partnership to develop agriculture sector in the state.

Governor Ahmed said Kwara State was fast emerg-

ing as the hub in poultry which portend huge demand for maize and the need to enhance maize growth and storage potentials in the state.

The Governor noted that Nigeria must move from lip services in the drive to deepen the agrarian revolution in the country, as food security is a

necessary ingredient for the nation’s growth and development.

“Agriculture is vital for strengthening the current economic direction. No doubt, agriculture is one of the critical areas we must focus on to achieve the desired diversification”, the governor said.

Abdulfattah

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 18, 2016

Page Three

s PHOTO TIMES

Editorial

Edo State Governor, Com. Adams Oshiomhole (right), in handshake with Assistant Inspector General of Police, in charge of Zone 5, Mr. Adeyinka Kolawole Sodipo, during the AIG’s visit to Oshiomhole in Benin-City… on Wednesday.

Nigeria and ILO’s unemployment prediction

O

ne of the scariest predictions this year has come from the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The organisation has projected that the global unemployment rate would rise in 2016 and 2017. It also predicted that despite falling unemployment in some developed economies, new analysis shows the global job crisis will exacerbate in emerging economies including Nigeria.

According to the ILO estimate, global unemployment in 2015 stood at 197.1 and likely to rise to 199.4 in 2016, even as it noted that significant slowdown in emerging economies coupled with increasing decline in commodity prices is having a dramatic effect on the world of work. We are equally alarmed at this prediction and call for concerted actions by the authorities to tame the unemployment monster in the country to avert any future crisis.

There is no doubt that the level of unemployment in Nigeria is astronomical, especially among the youth population which some estimates put at more than 65 percent. Overall, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) put the economically active population or working age, comprising persons within the age range of 15 to 64, at 103.million of the 170 million populations.

Several factors are being blamed for the prevalence of unemployment in Nigeria. This includes the high population growth rate of 3.5 percent per annum, policy inconsistency and corruption. In addition, deficient school curricula and poor teacher training have contributed to the failure of educational institutions to equip students with the appropriate skills to make them employable.

In addition to these supply factors,

there are insufficient and vibrant industries to absorb competent graduates, a development caused in part by an infrastructural deficit and debilitating structural adjustment programme (SAP) implemented in the 1980s, leading to the closure of many industries and from which the country is yet to fully recover.

Recently, public policy has encouraged the youth to undertake entrepreneurship, which can make them create employment for themselves and become employers of labour. However, in the end, the industrial sector must also expand to create opportunities for them. For this to happen, industrial expansion must be based on available local resources in agriculture and solid mineral exploitation as well as value chain activities in these two sectors. The development of infrastructure, particularly electricity, will provide the necessary boost to any meaningful approach towards expanding industrial production space and creating employment for millions of job seekers.

It bears repeating that Nigeria needs to do something urgent on the satanic level of unemployment, particularly for those with lower or no skills, as well as those in the high level skills.

A population of 170 million has a potential to add to the Gross Domestic Product(GDP), if the highly skilled products of the education sector are employed.

It is generally recognised that a vibrant population that is not productively engaged may be tempted to divert its energy towards criminal and other unsociable activities to the detriment of the society. The reserved army of the unemployed in the economy is too large. It remains a time bomb, and it is in our collective interest not to allow it to explode.

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Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (right), during a condolence visit to widow of late Director of Media, State House, Loretta in Abuja… on Wednesday.

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“The meat of real and visionary leaders always is to steer the economy back on track. Such leaders are pathfinders not faultfinders.”

“No one is rich enough to buy yesterday but if you hustle hard tomorrow could be yours”.

“The road to freedom is full of thorns and fire, yet happy is he who follows it!

News 12

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 18, 2016

Niger Delta Avengers denies alleged planned negotiation with FG ÏÏÏThe

Niger Delta Avengers, on Wednesday, denied agreeing to enter into dialogue with the Federal Government for a possible ceasefire in the region.

The militant group also denied knowing the self-acclaimed spokesman for the Dialogue Group, Mr. Ballantyne Agiri.

Agiri had in a statement, on Wednesday, in Abuja, claimed that the group had agreed to enter dialogue with the FG. But spokesman for the Avengers, Mudoch Agbinibo, dismissed the idea saying there was no iota of truth in Agiri’s claim.

It stressed that “we are not going into any peace or dialogue talk.”

Agiri had said that the NDA had constituted a contact and dialogue group to engage the Federal Government in meaningful dialogue as part of the initiatives to resolve the crisis.

He added that the group was determined to come out with results that would yield lasting peace, equity, justice and harmony among all ethnic nationalities in Nigeria.

“The body has collectively and willingly agreed to heed the clarion call of eminent Nigerians and

international community to dialogue with the Federal Government,’’ he said.

He urged Nigerians and the international community to follow developments on the issue closely and watch out for which side would violate the terms, rules and spirit of the dialogue.

“The Federal Government should from the inception of the dialogue rule out from the agenda any monthly monetary inducement or stipend for the NDA. “The Federal Government should be ready for structural

changes that should be human and development-oriented.

“Members of the avengers’ group (who will participate in the dialogue) have already been selected, each based on his integrity, forthrightness, honesty and life track records.

“The names of members of the group for now shall not be made public for personal reasons until they begin functioning in few days ahead,’’ the spokesman said.

NDA has claimed responsibility for series of bombings of oil and gas infrastructure in the Niger Delta in the last few months.

Stop using President’s name to solicit favour, FG warns Continued from page 6 The minister said the government was aware that some opportunists had been going from one government organisation to another with notes purportedly recommending them for contracts and other patronage.

He said the the opportunists were using the names of the President, his family members and senior government officials to intimidate those organisations.

The minister said the president didn’t authorise any government official to write notes recommending anyone for contracts or any form of patronage.

He warned those involved in such fraudulent activities to stop immediately or face arrest and prosecution by security agents.

The minister also warned government officials who might be working in collusion with the con men to desist from the act or face dire disciplinary action and prosecution for fraud.

Budget padding: Court refuses to hear Jibrin’s suits Continued from page 6 Wife of Governor of Oyo State, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi (left), distributing ‘Ajumose Food Bank’ relief materials to women in Atiba L.G.A of the state… on Wednesday.

Botched convention: APC, Buhari afraid of opposition – PDP Continued from page 6 The PDP similarly inaugurated a new National Executive Committee (NEC), under the Chairmanship of former Kaduna State Governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi.

These were part of the highpoints of the party’s national convention held at its (PDP’s) State Secretariat in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, after being denied of the use of the Sharks Stadium by Policemen who sealed off the venue hours before the scheduled commencement time.

The convention suspended the election of all the national officers of the party, pending the determination of all outstanding court cases and inaugurated the new National Executive Committee (NEC).

It equally extended the tenure of the PDP National Caretaker Committee under the leadership

of Senator Ahmed Makarfi by one year, with a caveat that no members of the committee would contest for any of the offices at the expiration of their tenure.

The motion for the suspension of the election of all the national officers was moved by Honourable Leo Ogor, PDP Minority Leader in the House of Representatives, while Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, moved the motion for the extension of the tenure of the caretaker committee and was seconded by former Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Zainab Maina.

The Chairman of the PDP National Convention Planning Committee and Governor of Rivers State, Barrister Nyesom Wike, had earlier put the question for the extension of the lifespan of the committee, which was unanimously approved.

In his acceptance speech, Sena-

tor Makarfi promised to sustain all efforts aimed at rebuilding, uniting and restoring the lost glory of the party.

The party has also explained why it did not conduct elections into its national offices despite its earlier insistence that the convention will hold in compliance with a July 4 Federal High court judgement in Port Harcourt.

Fielding questions on Wednesday from newsmen in Government House, Port Harcourt, Publicity secretary of the National Caretaker Committee, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, said the party did not want to create any atmosphere of chaos, so it went for extention of the tenure of the caretaker committee in place of elections at the convention.

However, the disputed National Chairman of PDP, Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, has described as illegal the extension of the tenure of the par-

ty’s National Caretaker Committee.

This was contained in a statement signed by Sheriff ’s Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Inua Bwala, on Wednesday, in Abuja.

The statement also said that the Wednesday meeting in Port Harcourt where some decisions were made was illegal, null and void.

It stressed that whatever decision taken at the NEC meeting could not stand as it contravened the party’s constitution. ``The said meeting breaches section 31, sub-section 4 of the PDP Constitution. ``The section provides that it is only the national chairman who can convene a NEC, after giving two weeks’ notice to INEC. ``Even in an emergency situation, one week notice must be given to the national chairman, who has the sole responsibility to convene the NEC,’’ the statement said.

“The applicant must do the needful to confer jurisdiction on the court to enable the court to take the application to withdraw the suit.”

A new date for the hearing will be fixed as soon as the plaintiff files his motion seeking leave for his matter to be heard during vacation.

Jibrin in the suit FHC/ABJ/ CS/595/2016 filed on August 9, 2016 is seeking principally to restrain the House of Representatives and its principal officers from giving effect to their alleged plot to suspend him as member of the House.

He had also filed an ex-parte motion, seeking among others, an order restraining the defendants from taking steps to suspend him pending the determination of the substantive suit.

The defendants in the suit are: The House of Representatives, the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, Yusuf Lasun, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, Leo Ogor, Herman Hembe, Umar Mohammed Bago, Zakari Mohammed, Chike Okafor, Dan Asuquo, Jagaba Adms, Haliru Jika and Uzoma Abonta.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 18, 2016

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Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 18, 2016

11 Politics

I’ve found my missing certificates, says Obaseki Stories by Titus Akhigbe,Benin

OBASEKI A factional candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Edo State governorship election, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, has declared that he remained the candidate of the party and not Pastor Osagie IzeIyamu.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during its August 4 display of candidates names against their respective political parties in the September 10 governorship election, included the name of Ize-Iyamu as the PDP candidate.

But Iduoriyekemwen in a media briefing said INEC’s recognition of Ize-Iyamu was a nullity because from the ruling of an Abuja High Court, Ali Modu Sheriff remain the authentic national chairman of the PDP. He said since the primaries that produced him as candidate of the party was conducted by the Modu Sheriff-led PDP which the Abuja High Court ruled in favour

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 10 Edo State governorship election, Godwin Obaseki, says he has found the originals of his missing academic qualifications certificates in the United States.

The state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had, on Monday, expressed worries over an affidavit sworn to by Obaseki at an Abuja High Court stating that he lost his academic qualifications while moving his office from one place to another, saying the reasons adduced by him were flimsy and unconvincing.

However, speaking on Wednesday at an interactive session organised by civil societies for governorship candidates in Edo State, Obaseki said the opposition PDP were jittery of his academic qualifications because they do not have

the quality of his resume.

According to him, “I have found them (certificates). The truth is that I have not had any reason to look for them in the last 25 years. I know that I kept them somewhere in a safe box and I had photocopies.

“When I needed them for the exercise, I couldn’t find them, so I swore to an affidavit that I can’t find the originals. I said I can’t find them; here are the photocopies.

“I took the photocopies to the institutions that issued them and they certified the photocopies. So when the whole controversy started raging, my cousin called me from New York and said, ‘but your originals are here.’ I said please send them to me now.”

Obaseki, who was the only governorship candidate that attended the interactive session, used the opportunity to highlight his programmes, promising to industrialize Edo State by attracting investors to the state, redesign the

academic curriculum by creating more technical schools and focus on the non-oil sector.

He continued, “I have dealt with investors in the last 19 years of my life and I know how they think.

Without security and manpower, they won’t come. We will provide these basics. I have the capacity, training and wherewithal to develop Edo State.”

Speaking during the session, President of the Network of Civil Societies of Nigeria (NOCSON) in Edo State, Comrade Abraham Oviawe, noted that governance in the 21st century should not focused on road construction and other primary responsibilities of government, but a leadership that thinks outside of the box to create jobs for unemployed youths.

He stated that civil societies in Edo State was prepared to raise the bar by engaging and monitoring political leaders in every aspect of governance from policy formulation to execution.

I’m authentic PDP candidate, not Oyegun to Edo communities: Let Ize-Iyamu - Iduoriyekemwen Oshiomhole’s good works continue of, it means that “I, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen remained the candidate of the party”.

Iduoriyekemwen, who castigated INEC for behaving in a manner that shows it is particularly bias in an internal matter of the political party, described the commission’s action as “a theatrical comedy” because according to him, the commission’s authority stops at being present at party primary election which is not even compulsory, and supervision of election.

“For INEC to say that we cannot monitor Modu Sheriff show for such importance and significant assignment such as party primaries shows the commission is bias because it was notified about the exercise even though the Electoral Act did not say

INEC must be present during primaries.

“What the Electoral Act stated is that INEC may or may not be present, meaning it is not compulsory. But as it stands today, the commission cannot rule itself out of bias because Ize-Iyamu merely took the body to FCT High Court which does not have the jurisdiction to give the ruling it did except a Federal High Court”, Iduoriyekemwen stated.

He continued: “Before the 4th of August ruling in Port Harcourt, INEC said it is waiting for the Court of Appeal which from the beginning was made clear that the Port Harcourt convention was unlawful, held in illegality and therefore, any product of that convention remained illegal and a nullity.

National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has appealed to the people of Jagbe in Agbede community in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, to allow the good works of Governor Adams Oshiomhole to continue by voting for the APC governorship candidate, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, whom he described as the pillar of the Oshiomhole administration.

Chief Oyegun was speaking at the palace of the Odionwere and Clan Head of Jagbe, HRH Ferdinand Etakhine, when Governor Oshiomhole, led the APC campaign train to the community.

The team also had State Chairman, Barr. Anslem Ojezua, Obaseki and his running mate,

Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, for his prayers and blessings as they rally support from the community in the September 10 gubernatorial election.

According to the APC National Chairman, the decision to be in Jagbe community was to give people all over the state a sense of belonging that APC is a party for everybody and not a cabal who see some communities as superior over others.

He assured the people of the area that Obaseki would complete the Jagbe-Agbede Road, which was abandoned by the PDP-led Federal Government.

He also assured that the Magistrate Court in the area will be opened in the not-too-distant future to give the people quick access to justice.

16

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 18, 2016

Politics 10 Hon. Joan Onyemaechi Mrakpor is the Representative of Aniocha-Oshimili Federal Constituency of Delta State. In this interview with Charles Okonji, she lamented the increasing violence and assault on women and kicks against it.

Already, Hon. Mrakpor, has sued the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Prisons Service (CGP), Peter Ezenwa Ekpendu, and members of his staff for N2.4 billion, after one of his aides allegedly slapped her last April. Excerpts: What would you like the world to know about your recent experience?

It is basically two things; one is total disregard of the Prison authorities to my person as a human being, a Nigerian, a woman, and a member of the National Assembly. There wasn’t any need for the harassment because there are two main exits from the NASS complex, and because of the security check, it narrows down to one when you are getting close to the point of exit. At the point of exit, one enters from the left, and one from the right. Incidentally, the main person who is the architect of the whole thing is the Deputy Comptroller-General, Usman Shehu Kangiwa, who has passed the gate, and incidentally, I just noticed that one vehicle parked, blocking the road and two men got down, walked back into the complex and as he was banging and wanting to pull out my driver as I used the central lock, and when I pulled down my window, wanting to know what the problem was, the man hit me on the face and said you prostitute, you don’t know a convoy; calling me all sorts of names and the second person that was identified as the Inspector of Prisons, and he was the one behind my car which my driver was trying to overtake.

There are over 20 different sets of security operatives in the com-

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 18, 2016

Rep slams increasing wave of violence against women

MRAKPOR plex ranging from the SSS, Civil Defence, and Mobile Police and so on. So if my vehicle was suspicious to him in any kind, or if he felt overtaking him was a crime in my own office complex, he could have urged the security men to do their job. I don’t know how a Tundra Van that has siren would look suspicious, even with a Mobile Police man sat at the front. It still baffles me that a man of such could come down from his car and started banging on mine, and when I pulled down my window, seeing that am a woman, he couldn’t tell

me that my driver is not supposed to break into his convoy if there is such law that exist in our constitution (the Federal Republic of Nigeria) that his convoy should not be overtaken, even right inside the National Assembly Complex.

However, during the public hearing, the Comptroller General noted that he had passed that, it was only one or two vehicles among the backup that were behind. So, there was no need for Kangiwa to have come down to create such a scene, it wasn’t necessary at all. Having slapped me,

Kangiwa ordered his boys to overtake me and they left, though the person who slapped me was identified as the inspector of Prisons during the cause of public hearing. The leader of the group was identified as the deputy Comptroller of Prisons, at first it was difficult for me to believe that a man of such magnitude could condescend so low to carry out such barbaric act.

When the public hearing was fixed, he did not turn up, they said he went for an official assignment, he was the only one that did not surface, and the house took its decision. Eventually, he stated threatening that he was going to sue the house if it did not hear from him. During the public hearing, it was the one who slapped me that appeared, and he denied slapping me. But thereafter, his representative came too and said he was afraid of me; that was why he denied at the public hearing, and I said no, why he would come to me now to accept, when he has told the world that he didn’t even come down from the vehicle.

I then asked him to go to the newspapers and confessed that he slapped me, which he did. But when the interrogation was going on, the comptroller, Peter Ekpendu, having been established during the public hearing that I was slapped by his boys, he then said; this is barbaric, and the lawmakers asked him to shut up; asking him why he did not find out before going on air to say that the lawmaker is a liar. At that point, he said he was sorry, that he did not actually call me liar, but that the press misquoted him. That was the last I heard from them. He has

not called me to tender apologies, but I have heard that he has been calling people to beg them, asking why they recommend that he should be stepped down or being relieved of his duty.

However, I have called and appreciated the house for swift response on the case, but as an adult, who is above 50, and as a lawmaker, as an evangelist, married with five children, I think I should know what is right and I should also know when I am abused, assaulted and humiliated. If I was irresponsible, nobody would have voted me to represent them. If the Comptroller of Prisons can slap me and go to sleep, and think that nothing would happen, well, I do know that Nigeria has not degenerated to the extent that I would not get justice.

What Sanction do you want?

The man who slapped me has been recommended by the house to be dismissed, and prosecuted for criminal offence, but I said that Kangiwa must also be dismissed if that man must be dismissed, because he was the one that ordered him to slap me. But as for Kangiwa, the report is yet to be released because they referred it back to hear him, since he did not appear during the public hearing.

When my orderly was blamed by the house for not acting when I was manhandled, he told them that my madam does not like me involving in such things and that I told him not to bother, and more so, the prison officers were armed.

If Kangiwa did not come down from his car, his boys wouldn’t have come down to assault me, and him banging on my vehicle, telling me that I don’t know the meaning of convoy is absurd.

National Endowment for Democracy launches The Future Project The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and The Future Project (TFP) in partnership with YNaija.com, the online newspaper for young Nigerians have launched the ‘YNaija Accountability Project’.

Tagged the Y! Monitor, the YNaija Accountability Project highlights crucial accountability issues as it relates to governance on various levels. It is set up to track public issues, provide accurate information through the media and generate actions that influence governance outcomes.

“The goal of the project is to have more involved citizens with access to information about the government’s commitments and to ensure that government is open in all its dealings,” said Bukonla Adebakin, Project Lead, The Future Project.

To bring governance and accountability issues closer to the digitally connected citizen, the project launched a web portal (http://YMonitor.org/) to track data, identify trends, aggregate stories that encourage active citizenship, and stimulate the

government to make better and more inclusive choices.

“We all have questions about the government and this project will provide answers to pressing issues or questions posed by citizens while empowering them,” said Isime Esene, Managing Editor, Y!/YNaija.com.

Driven by NED and TFP, the goal of the project is to empower the next generation of leaders through sustained policy monitoring and civic mobilization in Nigeria through quality reporting.

Osinbajo

Life&

TIMES Thursday, August 18, 2016

Mercy

Johnson-Okojie My husband is the most sexist man and the best for me L2

P

Business Times Daily Times Nigeria

NDIC wants Jaiz Bank to maintain good corporate governance Page B3

Buhari to declare open meeting of African Central Bank Govs Page B3

SEC mandates CMO’s to register with Trade Groups Page B6

NLC to advocate removal of NHIS from TSA

Stakeholder cautions aviation workers over FAAN, EFCC investigation

Joy Ekeke The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said it will seek the removal of the Nigeria Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) from the Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy.

The union on Tuesday criticised the NHIS inclusion under the TSA on the basis that it could delay health care delivery to patients.

NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, gave this view at a meeting involving the newly appointed NHIS Executive Secretary, Prof.

CONTINUED ON PAGE B2

Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

L-R: Issues Resolution Head, Jumia Nigeria, Henry Egbo, Assistant Manager Customer Service, Adejoju Ajaguna, Head of Customer Service, Chinonso Obatta and the Public Relations Manager, Olaolu Oloyede at the Jumia Nigeria Facility Tour and Management Session in Lagos … recently.

LCCI Dialogue Session on Proposed Communications Service Tax

Kayode Adelowokan

As the Insurance industry continued to struggle with penetration and acceptance, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has ordered the 58 insurance companies in the country to cancel any form of channels used to sell their products and services except the ones licensed by the commission.

The commission equally disclosed that all previous and current relationships of underwriting firms with any financial institutions, telecommunication companies and airlines are no

longer valid starting from August 17, 2016.

Henceforth, the Commission wants to license any agency and referral agents that are doing businesses and earning commission from the insurance industry.

Meanwhile, findings show that most underwriting firms who are in partnership with the big telecommunication outfits, such as Glo, MTN, Airtel Nigeria, and Etisalat on mobile insurance will have to terminate such transactions that are generating the benefiting insurers several millions of naira on a monthly basis. However, the bancassurance

arrangement between the banks and insurers has equally been put on hold.

Enforcing its order, NAICOM threatened to sanction any firm who may ignore the order and continue to use financial institutions, telecommunication companies and airlines, as channels to sell their products and services, unless these distribution agencies are licensed by the commission to do so.

Alhaji Muhammed Kari, Commissioner for Insurance, NAICOM, addressing journalists in Lagos, warned that any insurer who goes against this directive

would be heavily sanctioned by the regulatory body.

He stated that the commission had asked banks acting as agency or referrals of insurance firms to offer themselves for licensing by the commission, but got a letter from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) last week, saying, NAICOM has no power to licence any institution within the purview of the CBN. “Last week, we received a letter from CBN stating that NAICOM is not in a position to licence banks to do anything. And we feel referrals or any agency of insurance companies must be licenced.

Skye Bank not distressed or liquidated – CBN Chibisi Ohakah, Abuja The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday urged members of the pubic to ignore insinuations making rounds that Skye Bank is distressed and had been liquidated by the apex bank CBN spokesman, Mr Isaac Okoroafor who spoke to Daily Times yesterday said the apex bank attention had been drawn to the content of a malicious message urging customers of Skye Bank to withdraw their deposits or trans-

Thursday, August 18, 2016

fer them to other banks based on the vile allegation that Skye Bank has been liquidated by the CBN. “The CBN wishes to state, and emphatically so, that it has not liquidated Skye Bank or any other Deposit Money Bank for that matter. The Bank also wishes to reiterate its earlier assurance that Skye Bank is not in distress and remains a healthy bank in the Nigerian banking system.

“Indeed, the health of the Nigerian banking system remains strong, all banks in Nigeria are

safe and depositors have no cause to fear over their deposits, “ he said It will be recalled that Skye Bank had corporate governance challenges. Okoroafor said the CBN has since taken proactive steps to resolve the issues identified. Indeed, the CBN is satisfied with the efforts of the new Management to reposition Skye Bank for effective service delivery.

He advised customers of Skye Bank and other stakeholders to disregard any message purporting a liquidation of the bank.

Emefiele

Workers in the aviation industry especially the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria have been asked to exercise restraint in criticising the activities of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC investigating the alleged furniture scam in the organisation.

The publisher of Aviation Safety magazine Alhaji Abdulyekeen Ibn Umar who made this call while commenting on pull him down syndrome in the system especially in FAAN over the alleged struggle by some top management staff to replace the current managing director warned that such actions were capable of bringing down the organisation.

“There is too much scheming in FAAN and not in the interest of the organisation. FAAN must be allow to grow. People should not drag others into the mud because they are getting drown. Name calling and threatening people with EFCC should be stopped, they should be allowed to do their job.”

Umar called on aviation unions in the to rise up to the occasion by not taking side and do the needful, fight for the workers welfare in order to save the organisation from collapse.

Capital Market B6

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 18, 2016

Stock Market Report

Investors gain N16.6 billion as equities market sustains upturn The Nigerian equities market continued on a positive note on Wednesday as the Nigerian Stock Exchange All Share Index (NSE ASI) appreciated by 0.18 percent to close at 27,437.25 points compared to Tuesday’s growth of 0.27 percent when the ASI closed at 27,389.02 points.

Similarly, the Market Capitalization appreciated by N16.6 billion to close at N9.423 trillion compared to increase of N24.9 billion recorded previously to close at N9.406 trillion.

Market breadth closed positive with 22 gainers to 17 losers. Appreciation recorded in the share prices of Total Plc which added N3 to close at N251 per share, Nestle that added N1.01 to close at N825.01 per share, ETI which grew by 92 kobo to settle at N11.48 per share, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc’s addition of 41 kobo to close at N25 per share, and WAPCO’s growth of 3 kobo to close at N55.3 per share, were the top five stocks responsible for the growth recorded in the NSE ASI, trimming the Year-to-Date (YTD)

returns to -4.21 percent.

International Breweries Plc led the day’s retreating stocks with a decline of N1 to close at N19 per share, Cement Company of Northern Nigeria Plc lost 59 kobo to close at N6.01 per share, Zenith Bank Plc fell by 25 kobo to close at N15 per share. UACN Plc declined by 2 kobo to close at N19 per share and Ikeja Hotel Plc depreciated by 9 kobo to close at N1.71 per share.

The total value of stocks traded on the floors of The NSE on Wednesday was N2.29 billion, up by 2.7 percent from N2.23 billion recorded on Tuesday.

The total volume of stocks traded in 3,438 deals was 297.5 million shares in contrast to 235.9 million traded in 3,512 deals in previous session. The top three traded stocks were: Access Bank Plc which sold 66 million shares worth N362.3 billion, UBA Plc 57.1 million shares worth N248.2 million and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc exchanged 32.3 million stocks worth N825.3 million.

Summary of activities on NSE ASI DEALS VOLUME VALUE CAP

27,437.25 3,438.00 297,475,541.00 2,288,947,235.65 9,423,306,055,493.12

The Solicitor to association of Wuye Ultra-Modern Market Allocates (AWUMMA), Mr Sepiribo Peters (r) presenting the petition of the association to the Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, Prof. Bem Angwe in Abuja in Abuja on Wednesday

GTBank posts 45.1% profit growth in HY Ï^Ə ƍ Ɔ ƾǀƊ interim dividend Stories by Afolabi Adesola

SEC mandates CMO’s to register with Trade Groups The Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has given a directive to all Capital Market Operators (CMO’s) who are yet to be registered with their respective Trade Group/Association to do so on or before 31st October, 2016.

The SEC in a circular dated 17th August 2016 noted that the directive is in accordance with the SEC’s commitment to fully implement the new complaints management framework, adding that the Commission will not hesitate to take appropriate actions against any failure in compliance with the directive.

According to the SEC, parts of the efforts taken to restore investor confidence in the Nigerian capital market led the Commission in February 2015 to develop rules on complaints management framework that requires the SEC,

Self-Regulatory Organizations (SROs) and capital market Trade Groups/Associations to establish fair, impartial and objective complaints management policies for the handling of investor complaints.

“This new framework is expected to significantly improve dispute resolution within the market and ultimately reduce infraction rates as it streamlines the complaints management process. Historically, the SEC had been receiving the overwhelming majority of complaints from investors even when such complaints could be addressed more swiftly at trade group level. In attending to such huge volumes of complaints, the SEC has had to allocate significant resources that could be better utilized in more effective market development and regulation.

Guaranty Trust Bank Plc has released its much awaited half year (HY) financials, revealing a 45.1 percent growth in its profit after tax of N77.5 billion from N53.4 billion posted for the same period of 2015, and a proposal of interim dividend of 25 kobo per unit of ordinary share held by shareholders.

The group’s operating results for the six months period ended 30th June 2016 released to both the Nigerian and London Stock Exchanges yesterday, also showcased a 37.2 percent growth in gross earnings to N209.9 billion from N153 billion posted in the corresponding period of 2015, which according to the bank was driven primarily by growth in fee & commission income as well as foreign exchange income.

However, interest income dropped by 3.6 percent to N109.8 billion, consequently dwindling Net Interest income marginally to N79 billion from N80 billion

recorded previously.

The banking group also trimmed operating expenses by 0.3 percent to N49.013 billion from N49.080 billion, while profit before tax rose by 44.8 percent to N91.4 billion from N63.1 billion.

Other highlights of the Group’s results for the period under review are Basic and Diluted earnings per share of N2.74 which is 45.7 percent higher than 2015’s N1.88 per share.

The Bank’s balance sheet showed that the Bank’s loan book grew by 14 percent from N1.373 trillion recorded as at December 2015 to N1.562 trillion in June 2016 with corresponding growth in total deposits which increased by 23 percent to N2.008 trillion from N1.637 trillion in December 2015. Also worthy of note is the 9.5 percent growth in the Bank’s net assets of N452.8 billion from N413.6 billion as at December 2015.

According to a statement from the Bank, it closed the half year ended June 2016 with Total Assets and Contingents of N3.42 trillion and Shareholders’ Funds of N453 Billion. The group’s non-performing loans remained low and within regu-

latory threshold at 4.39 percent (Bank: 3.54 percent) with adequate coverage of 170.1 percent (Bank: 214.8 percent). “Increase in collective impairment was borne out of the prudent stance of the Bank, while Capital remains strong with CAR of 18.25 percent.”

On the backdrop of this result, Return on Equity (ROAE) and Return on Assets (ROAA) closed at 35.8 percent and 5.7 percent respectively. The Bank is.

Commenting on the financial results, Segun Agbaje, the Managing Director/CEO of Guaranty Trust Bank plc, said that “Going into the year, we knew it would be a challenging year and we prepared for it by focusing on effective management of the balance sheet and adapting our business model to changing market variables. The quality of our past decisions enabled us navigate the challenges that persisted in the business environment most of the half year period” Following the release of Guaranty half year results, the bank’s stock grew by 1.7 percent to close at N25 per share on Wednesday 17th August.

Mixed Grill L6

Daily Times Nigeria

Thursday August 18, 2016

Mutiat Alli

Ibidunni Ighodalo Foundation Announces Recipients of its Fertility Grant As part of giving back to the socicouple recipients for the 2016 grants towards fertility treatments; selections which was made in line with

FNSB marks her 11th white cane day tagged “fitness walk for sight” in Lagos

awareness about infertility, stopping discrimination against couples hav-

-

Foundation was borne from the burning desire to provide couples with the of starting a family. many couples face in their time of wait and it is for this reason we are committed to going with them on this

Ibidunni

she said. the selected couples emerging from different states across the country. These couples will meet

L-R: Principal, Federal Nigerian Society for the Blind, Mr. Nicholas Obot, Executive Council Chairman, Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind, Asiwaju Fola Osibo ,Chairman White Cane Day Committee, Chief Olu Falomo and Administrator, Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind, Sola Ogunsiji

donations and strategic partnerships with fertility clinics.

Yinka Adewale Picks September 4th to launch Voiceless Scream Movie

...features Jide Kosoko, Wale Ojo others

mission of the white cane day is to educate the world about blindness and how the blind and is to celebrate the abilities and successes achieved by blind people in a sighted world and to honour the many contributions being made by the blind and visually impaired. blind, who came out in their numbers to mark the day. There was also a free eye screening for participants to know more about their sights.

The mood would have been somber but it was not. The physical appearance of the stu-

Fast rising screen diva cum actress, Yinka Adewale, come Sunday September 4, 2016 at an august gathering billed to hold at Four Point by Sheraton, Lagos will directed by Dotun Taylor.

Participants walked from the national stadium, Surulere Lagos to costain Roundabout. Flyers and handbills were distributed during the enlightenment walk.

-

value and anti-rape campaign and child abuse generally.

According to the producer of movie, Yinka disclosed that “The movie dwell more on child abuse as so many affected person shy away from voicing out; with the movie, you are bent to know what step to take and how to go about it.

Films.

Yinka

Why I Introduced Ventriloquism Comedy to Nigeria – Nev Harrison

the foolish one while the puppet plays the wise and crafty one.

Nev Harrison

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 18, 2016

B5 Motoring Honda reveals edgy new Civic hatch The 10th-generation Honda Civic hatch due in South Africa during second quarter of 2017 Built in the UK for global

Kia expands green space around production sites Stories by Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo Kia Motors Corporation has expanded the amount of green space around its production facilities. In 2015 Kia created an additional 136,289 m2 of green space around its manufacturing plants worldwide, the equivalent of 33 soccer pitches.

This is a rise of 3.9% and brings the total area of green space created by Kia at its sites to 3,507,276 m2 – the equivalent of 858 soccer pitches.

Green areas are located at every single one of Kia’s global production facilities: at Sohari,

Hwasung and Gwangju in Korea; gia in the USA; and in Yancheng Province, China. The changes are sustainability report.

Kia Motors sees afforestation as a cornerstone for developing even more eco-friendly production facilities and, by the end of 2015, the company had planted a total of 4.94 million trees at its manufacturing facilities. The planting of trees at each production site helps absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. With a single tree able to absorb up 107.5 million tons of CO2 are absorbed as a result of afforestation

by Kia. As a result of Kia’s ongoing efforts to introduce a higher proportion of green areas at each of its production facilities, the company has managed to avoid any instances of soil contamination at any of its production sites since 2000.

In 2015, Kia invested 38.5 billion Korean won (US$32.5 million) in green initiatives at its three domestic Korean plants to further prevent potential environmental issues at source.

Year-on-year, this investment is 50% higher than in 2014, and many of the new initiatives – such as hazardous substance-free manufacturing and painting processes – will be rolled out across

Kia’s global manufacturing facilities in the near future.

Kia Motors is committed to pursuing effective innovations and improvements to production processes at every one of its global production facilities, in order to further reduce its impact on the environment.

The company’s efforts in this regard, along with the development of alternative powertrains and the use of recyclable, ecofriendly materials in its vehicles, have been recognized by Interbrand, the world’s leading brand consultancy. Interbrand included Kia in 35th place in its most recent Best Global Green Brands report.

version of the concept revealed at the Geneva motor show on March 2015 and, not surprisingly, bears a strong resemblance to the Civic sedan, released this month in South Africa, with which it shares an all-new platform.

The new Civic, whether in four or five-door configuration, owes nothing to its predecessor.

It’s 130mm longer overall, 30mm wider and 20mm lower, with larger rims and wider tyres, short overhangs and proportionately larger wheelbase, independent suspension with liquid-filled bushings all round and variableratio electromechanical power steering.

Honda Sensing Interior trim is expected to follow the lines of the sedan, including its new 18cm touchscreen-based infotainment system, compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, on all but entry-level variants, while boast the Honda Sensing driver cruise control, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring and forward collision warning.

all-new 1.5-litre, direct-injection VTec turbopetrol four, rated for from 1700ropm, as well as a less expensive carry-over version of the previous model’s naturallyaspirated 1.8-litre VTec. The sedan is available in South Africa only with CVT belt drive, derivative of the hatch will be offered with a six-speed manual transmission, especially as there is already a fire-breathing Type R version in the pipeline.

New E-Class gets more engine options sprint.

Class made its local debut two months ago with a fairly limited engine range that included just

ing expanded with two higherend petrol options in the form

sion of the 2-litre turbopetrol

sprint, according to MercedesBenz, versus 7.7 seconds in the

the engine is paired with a new 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic gearbox but while its range siblings are rear-wheel driven,

From there it’s a big leap in 4Matic, which will serve as the performance flagship until the is powered by a 3-litre V6 turand good for a 5.3-second 0-100

nent all-wheel drive. with steel suspension as standard, but buyers can opt for Merc’s Air Body Control multichamber air suspension system.

Daily Times Nigeria

Thursday August 18, 2016

L5

Money Market B4

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 18, 2016

Economic challenges: Zenith, GTBank, Ecobank, other record N154.6b loan loss charges Ï&ƔƍƆƏƐ ƐƐƏƈƄƑƐƆ bad loan crisis to FX shortage, contraction in economy Stories by Motolani Oseni Four leading Deposit Money Banks (DBMs) have announced N154.6 billion loan loss charges in total assets and equity, including Zenith Bank, Ecobank, Guarantee Trust Bank Plc (GTBank) and First Bank of Nigeria Holdings Plc for the half year ended June 30, 2016.

This amount represents an increase of N101.1 billion or 188.8 percent from N53.5 billion loan loss charges recorded by the same financial institutions in the same period of 2015.

Financial analysts have stated that persistent challenging macro economy, further worsened by the devaluation of the Naira on the oil & gas and persistent rise in inflation have impacted negatively on banks loans, further plunging banks loan loss charges.

According to Daily Times investigations, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc in its audited result and accounts for the period ended June 30, 2016 recorded the highest loan loss charges of 531 percent from N5.95 billion in H1 2015 to N34.16 billion in H1 2016.

NDIC wants Jaiz Bank to maintain good corporate governance

Ibrahim

L – R:: Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs Aisha Abubakar; Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State; and former Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Chisu Dattijo, during the Sesame Industry Investment conference in Sokoto on Wednesday

Following GTBank is First Bank of Nigeria Holdings Plc (FBN Holdings) that recorded 209.6 percent growth from N22.58 billion to N69.9 billion in half year ended June 30, 2016.

Both Zenith Bank Plc and EcoBank recorded 97.6 percent and 84.8 percent from N7.2 billion and N17.8 billion in H1 2015 to N14 billion and N32.9 billion in half year period under review.

Commenting on the provision of high loan loss charges

by DMBs, Managing Director/ CEO, Cowry Asset Management Limited, Johnson Chukwu, said, “Basically what is happening to the banks is an offshoot of the recession we are facing in the economy. Economy has gone down drastically, in fact economy is contrasting, so a lot of customers who borrowed money

The Managing Director/ Chief Executive, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, has charged the Management of Jaiz Bank Plc has to strengthen its corporate governance in order to weather the storm of economic challenges that is currently facing Nigeria’s banking industry.

The Corporation chief, gave the advice during a courtesy call by the newly appointed Managing Director of Jaiz Bank Plc, Mallam Hassan Usman and some of his top Management staff.

In a document made available to the Daily Times of Nigeria, Alhaji Ibrahim said that good corporate governance was very crucial to the bank at a time of planning to expand its operations following its recent issuance with a National banking licence by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

According to him, as a pioneer in non-interest banking,

the bank should partner with its peers such as Stanbic IBTC and Sterling banks which have non-interest banking windows in order to explore more sharia compliant instruments.

He also drew the attention of the bank to the interest being shown by Muslims and non-Muslims to its banking products and advised the bank to step up its public enlightenment efforts on the benefits of its products and services in order to increase deposits’ mobilisation.

The NDIC boss also noted the challenges being faced by the bank in investing its excess liquidity due to the absence of sharia compliant investment windows, such as the “Sukuk” (project financing) and other Islamic bonds and portfolios. He noted that while a lot of countries had tapped into the “Sukuk” investment window, Nigeria was still lagging behind in exploring such shari’a compliant investment opportunities.

from the banks have been unable to sell their goods and therefore unable to generate revenue to continue pay back to their banks.”

For instance, some group of customers who borrowed money from banks to import and because they are not accessing Foreign Exchange (FX), it has made it difficult for them to pay back their loans.

He explained that people in the manufacturing industry that can’t even access FX to continue bringing the necessary raw material for their production, have been unable to produce and sell, stressing that they have to sell what they produce, and since they are not selling, they cannot have the cash flow to pay back their loans.

“For example, those in the power sector, because of gas shortages and other challenges they are facing, have not been able to generate enough revenue to meet their repayment obligations or the loans they took from the banks to buy those assets”, he further explained.

Similarly, the Oil and Gas sector, which has seen the oil price drop significantly and those that took money from the banks to buy those assets from the International Oil Companies (IOC) are not able to generate enough revenue to meet their repayment obligations.

“The crisis of bad loans we are witnessing today can be attributed to the partly contraction in the economy and largely to the shortage in FX that have constrained productive activities in the economy”, he said.

Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has dropped from 6.3percent in 2014 to 2.15 per cent in 2015 and -0.36percent in first quarter ended March 2016.

BDC operators to access $50,000 forex weekly Licensed Bureau De Change operators (BDCs) across the country are now expected to get foreign exchange (FX) of 50 thousand dollars each, every week.

At the beginning of the year, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had stopped forex sale to the BDCs, stating that they were exploiting the bank.

However, the apex bank reversed that decision earlier this month, while authorized the Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) to sell $30,000 to BDCs on a weekly basis, but was jerked up again this week by additional $20, 000 to $50,000 per week.

The decision was made at the bankers’ committee meeting in Abuja and communicated to the press by Kennedy Uzokam, managing director of United Bank for Africa (UBA), at a briefing after

the meeting.

“As you all know the issue of making foreign exchange available to Nigerians has been very topical and the CBN has been working hard to address this,” he said.

“About two weeks ago, a policy was released that made banks to sell monies to BDCs and BDCs are supposed to pass these monies to Nigerians to meet various needs.

“At the meeting today and as expected, we got feedback from the market and the CBN being a responsive regulator has decided to move the limit from $30,000 per BDC to $50, 000.

“We believe that this development will make more cash available to the BDCs and increase the supply and this will help to drive down the price.”

L4

Daily Times Nigeria

Thursday August 18, 2016

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 18, 2016

B3 Business News

Cashless: CBN, NIBSS, GB, others set for E-PPAN’s eGovt summit Tony Nwakaegho The E-Payment Providers Association of Nigeria (E-PPAN) has unveiled a league of high-profile speakers made up of top government and private sector executives expected to grace this year’s edition of the annual E-Government Summit 2016.

The summit, fifth in the series, is slated to hold on the 27th -28th September, 2016 at the NAF Conference Centre Abuja.

The summit is hosted in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and NITDA, with the support and sponsorship of Galaxy Backbone (GB) Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc, Visa Inc and Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS).

Mrs. Regha Onajite, executive secretary and chief executive officer of E-PPAN, said that in the two-day intensive dialogue session, the Summit will assemble over 500 top decision makers in government and private sector on a single platform.

Onajite said the stakeholders would brainstorm to proffer solutions and proactive measures for Government to generate and increase internally-generated revenue (IGR) using smart solutions while achieving transparency and accountability amongst expected deliverables.

“The two days event will play host to a lot of top speakers including Boboyo Oyeyemi, Corps Marshal and CEO of Federal Road Safety Corps/, who will be speaking on Data Integration and Analysis, for Strategic Economic Development alongside Mr. Oluseun Onigbinde. co-Founder/ Lead Partner BudgIT.

Front Row: CEO Red Star Plc, Sola Obabori (2nd Left) and Dr Friday Okpara (2nd Right), Director, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEDAN) with Council members of the Institute of Business Development at the 2nd Business Development Summit in Lagos recently.

Buhari to open meeting of African Central Bank Govs President Muhammadu Buhari is scheduled to formally declare open the 39th Ordinary Meeting of the Association of African Central Banks (AACB), being hosted by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), on Thursday, August 18, 2016.

With the theme: “Unwinding Unconventional Monetary Policies: Implications for Monetary Policy and Financial Stability in Africa” the meeting is expected to discuss avenues through which African Central Banks can unwind the impact of unconventional policies so that

monetary policy can return to its core function of stabilizing short term prices.

Sources at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) further disclosed that the four sub-themes of the meeting “will address various strands of the broader picture by looking at the implications of unwinding/versus not doing so, likely impacts that may follow the unwinding and how they can be mitigated, implications on financial stability and the role of fiscal policy in closing any gaps opened up in the process’.

A host of international speak-

ers from the academia, central banking and government circles are expected to share both theoretical and practical experience with the Assembly.

The AACB Assembly of Governors Meeting of Friday, August 19, 2016, is to be preceded by meetings of the AACB Technical Committee and the AACB Bureau billed for Monday, 15 and Wednesday 17 August 2016, respectively; as well as the AACB symposium to be graced

by President Buhari.

Expected to be guests of Nigeria’s Central Bank Governor, Mr.

Godwin Emefiele, who is also the Vice Chairman of the group, is the AACB Chairman and the Governor of the Central Bank of Central African States (Banque des Etats de l’Afrique Centrale – BEAC), Mr. Lucas Abaga Ncama and his colleagues from across the five subregions based on the African Union regional classification.

The Association of African Central Banks was formed on May 25, 1963 at the summit of African Heads of States and Governments held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Jim Ovia redeems N16m scholarship fund pledge to support NCS Tony Nwakaegho Jim Ovia, chairman of Zenith Bank Plc; and Cyber Space Ltd, has made good his promise and redeemed his N16m scholarship fund pledge to support Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) scholarship programme.

Daily Times recalls that in November 2015, when Nigeria Computer Society organised her annual National Information Technology Merit Awards to celebrate, recognise and awards medals to every worthy profes-

sional in the IT industry, Ovia, who is also the Chairman of Jim Ovia Foundation, a Fellow of the Nigeria Computer Society, announced to the attendees of the event, which included Mr. Babachir David Lawal, SGF, the magnanimous and unprecedented largesse of scholarship award to ICT students in Nigeria Tertiary Institutions.

He also promised automatic employment in Zenith Bank Plc and Cyber Space Ltd to whosoever graduated with second class upper division in ICT. This is to

be done annually. We wish Jim Ovia, Zenith Bank Plc, Cyber Space Ltd and Nigeria Computer Society, long Live.

The Nigeria Computer Society scholarship scheme is one of the corporate responsibilities geared towards mentoring and monitoring Nigeria youths for ICT sustainability.

According to a press statement endorsed by Prof. Sola Aderounmu, NCS president, the programme started 4 years ago and NCS has been yearly awarding scholarship to discerning stu-

dents across the country base on some established criteria.

“As announced by Mr. Ovia, the scholarship will be awarded to 5 Phd Students, 10 Masters Degree Students and 20 Under Graduate Students across all categories of tertiary institutions in Nigeria, covering Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education nationwide and students pursuing relevant courses outside the country.

“Beneficiaries of this year’s NCS-Jim Ovia Award, have been selected, as published by the NCS

on its website.

“Mr. Jim Ovia has empowered the Society with the fund which will be given to all candidates in November this year, during NITMA awards. Mr. Jim Ovia will be at the event to physically present the cheque to the Beneficiaries.

“On behalf of the National Executive Council of Nigeria Computer Society, we sincerely appreciate this uncommon gesture and pray that the Almighty God will continue to uphold our benefactor, Mr. Jim Ovia”, the statement read.

Daily Times Nigeria

Thursday August 18, 2016

L3 Movie Gist

Mutiat Alli

#MyShippingStory: Actress Mercy Aigbe Shares Bittersweet Shipping Experiences Aigbe has joined a number of people ing international shipping orders from -

trending, has seen a large number of -

Danny Glover, Bimbo Akintola star in 93 days

has revealed some of her best and Nigeria including an occasion where she was scared for the growth of her business owing to unending disappointment from her previous shipping

to premiere at the Toronto international film festival 2016

-

The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), which has an outstanding reputation for

One of her tweets reads,

-

-

I will not smoke in movie – Eucharia Anunobi gelist Eucharia Anunobi has disclosed in a recent chat that although she has

movie roles, this she tagged the discrimination and challenges of being a born-

Gideon Okeke

speaks on fatherhood -

Eucharia shot into limelight for her role in the movie series

-

in 1994 and has gone on to star in over 90 movies including “Abuja and “Letters to

Eucharia Anunobi

B8

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 18, 2016

Business News B2

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 18, 2016

Enlighten the public on economic policies direction, Nzekwe urges FG

NLC to advocate removal of NHIS from TSA

Charles Okonji Dr Samuel Nzekwe has on Wednesday called on the Federal Government to constantly enlighten and inform the public on its economic direction.

Nzekwe, a former President, Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) made this while addressing a set business journalists in Ota, Ogun.

He noted that a constant update on policy direction regular was necessarily in the face of numerous economic decisions being taken by the government.

He said, “Information will enable Nigerians know the direction of the economy so that they can make investment decisions. The policies that will drive the economy and create employment opportunities for the unemployed youths should

CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1

Usman Yusuf.

The umbrella workers union also sought for an investigation into the N90 million allegedly mismanaged by an unnamed Health Management Organisation.

Wabba said, “We are going to write to Mr. President to free the NHIS from TSA, because this is a specialised fund meant to provide service to workers in time of need. And therefore, it should not involve administrative process.

“There is usually no sickness that is predetermined. If Nigerian workers can part with the 10 percent of their medical allowance, it will be criminal for anybody or a group of people to misappropriate such funds”.

NLC also canvassed that the scope of the scheme be expanded to enable public servants who are the major contributors derive maximum benefits from it.

According to Wabba, the scheme should be made to cover other disease areas like cancer and other non-communicable diseases.

As part of the efforts to broaden the NHIS scheme, the NLC noted that the issue of community health insurance should be given serious consideration, adding that communities are needed to be carried along.

He urged the new NHIS boss to ensure that the issue of the missing N90 million is not swept under the carpet, urging him to report the case to the necessary investigating authorities.

“We are aware of the issue of misappropriation of money meant to provide services to the people by the HMO. I don’t want the issue to be swept under the carpet. We are aware that about N90 million is involved.

Wabba

Adeosun

NEXAG calls on FG for SMEfriendly policies to aid exportation The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA Export Action Group, NEXAG has called on the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency evolve policies that would help the SME segment impact more positively on the economy through international trade. In a communique issued at the end of the group’s recent meeting at the NACCIMA House, Ikeja GRA, she demanded that the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN should revisit the restriction of the usage of non-oil and export proceeds as well as the suspension of the current Export Expansion Grant, EEG, among other things so as to make the operating environment more SME friendly.

Chairman, NACCIMA Export Action Group, Ade Adefeko said it has become imperative for the CBN to revisit the policy on restriction of non-oil export and export proceeds because “the policy has negatively affected most SMEs, particularly indigenous exporters.”

He wondered why the EEG grant should remain under suspension at a time the Nigerian economy is in dire need of other

sources of boosting earnings from international trade with oil prices turning things against her economy. “The suspension of the Export Expansion Grant, EEG has limited the growth of non-oil export and as such, we are calling on the Federal Government to lift this suspension as a matter of urgency,” he said.

According to the communiqué, other areas that NEXAG wants the Federal Government to look into urgently to help the SME segment make more positive impact on the economy, include compelling “the Nigerian Custom Service to accept Negotiable Duty Credit Certificate, NDCC as issued by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC for duty payments and accepting the NDCC for payment of other government revenues,” according to the communique.

The Group wants to see the CBN and the Nigerian ExportImport Bank, NEXIM cooperate with the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA to make access to fund easier for SMEs particularly with the N300bn non-oil intervention fund already set aside by the government.

regularly be announced to ease tension. There should be a clear economic policy that will show the direction of the economy.’’

He added that public enlightenment on policies would help Nigerians take actions that could boost the economy and increase the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Nzekwe

Jumia redefines customer experience with modern techniques In line with its commitment to ensure that visitors to its website have a world class experience;Jumia, Nigeria’s number one online shopping solution company has embarked on a campaign to engage and educate Nigerian shoppers on the value and convenience that shopping online can offer in the present economic climate. The campaign was revealed along with Jumia’s innovative techniques to members of the media during a facility tour and management session held at its Lagos office.

The campaign, tagged Jumia Smartshopper taps into with the rich collective wisdom of local proverbs that have been passed down through generations and kept Nigerians grounded and optimistic through many challenges. Jumia celebrates this collective wisdom and also reminds Nigerians that it is the small but smart daily decisions we make that create a better future for us.

The management session which was led by the Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Juliet Anammah, Senior Vice President Vendor Management, Mr. Thomas Simonet, Head of Marketing, Simone Bartlett and other top management members provided the opportunity to share the success story of the company as well as reveal some of the innovative ideas that will be unveiled in the coming months.

Giving a detailed narrative, Chidinma Ifepe, Head of Cus-

tomers Operations presented various innovative programmes and customer centered activities that have energized the brand to itspresent level. She explained how the team’s constant focus on improvement in customer relations grew customer satisfaction froma level where about 60 percent of Jumia’s customers expressed full satisfaction to the current satisfaction levels of over 80 percent.

Ifepe also revealed that the 2015 e-commerce customer service award won by Jumia reflected the high level of customer satisfaction achieved collectively by the entire workforce. The persistent focus on the customer as well as swift handling and resolution of customer complaints were factors she identified as key factors behind the company’s outstanding customer service delivery.

OmolaraAwoyemi, Partner Relations Manager spoke on various outstanding payment options that have made Jumia the darling brand of online shoppers in Nigeria. She explained how innovative services implemented by Jumia like the cash-on-delivery payment plan and the right to return products within 7days changed theface of online shopping in Nigeria.

Awoyemi stated that what drives her team and indeed the positiveacceptance of the Jumia brand is the consistent pursuit of a convenient and safe payment option through a secure server.

Interview L2

Daily Times Nigeria

Thursday August 18, 2016

I work with all of my heart Mercy

Johnson-Okojie Curvy Nollywood screen diva and proud mother of three, Mercy Johnson-Okojie need no further introduction as the Kogi born super star is one of the most-after actress in the movie industry having featured in countless movies. Basking in the euphoria of her coming 5th wedding anniversary and birthday celebration; MUTIAT ALLI caught up with this charming her just concluded vacation with husband, her love for good scripts, her children and what has kept her going in the industry.

You recently went on vacation, how was the experience?

What were some of the fun parts?

-

Any plan for baby No. 4?

But you went on vacation without the kids, was that deliberate?

-

How have you managed to juggle through being a wife, mother, actress, and still maintain your beauty?

Back to the movie, why did you choose to work on set of the new movie “From Freetown�?

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You are really radiating and in happy mood, guess there is something going on?

So what is your role all about?

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How do you cope with criticism especially on child birth?

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Life&

T E A M

scripts you just go over the boarder unlike your colleagues who still pick scripts

Entertainment Correspondent Mutiat Alli

Society Correspondent Abimbola Obatayo

Graphics Adebambo Segun

Daily Times Nigeria

Thursday August 18, 2016

Showing on

Showing on

Movies Comedy Channel 104

Movies ACTION Channel 110

22:28

13:00

Thu, 18 Aug16 SL

Thu, 18 Aug| PG 13V

101 M-Net

118 Telemundo

120 BBC Brit Entertainment

155 AfricaMagic World

152 AfricaMagic Epic

Room

Room

L8 TV guide

128 SONY MAX

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 18, 2016

B7 Brands & Marketing

Cross River reaches semi-final in Cowbellpedia Maths competition Stories by Godwin Anyebe In a dramatic encounter involving ten states last weekend at the on-going preliminaries of the 2016 Cowbellpedia Mathematics Television Quiz Show, Cross River State triumphed and picked two semifinal slots.

In the junior category, Master Godswill Harold of Deeper Life High School, Calabar was locked in battle against Shukura Kamardeen of Federal Government College, Daura, Katsina State; Ishaq Ibrahim of Caliphate International School, Gusau, Zamfara State; Tanitoluwa Adebayo of Supreme Foundation School, Sangisha, Lagos State; Chukwuemeka Nwobi of Federal Science and Technical College, Awka, Anambra State; and Amarachi Imo of Federal Government College, Owerri, Imo State.

Harold, who scored 95 percent in the qualifying written examination to emerge as a state representative, moved to the semi-final alongside Amarachi, who scored 99 percent in the qualifying examination.

In the senior category, Miss Lauretha Essiet of Saint Annes High School, Calabar, Cross River State and Samuel Michael of Reality High School, Ilesha, Osun State triumphed over Favour Njoku of Nigeria Navy Secondary School, Calabar; Abdulhakam Obejara of Elly Demonstration Academy, Serti, Taraba State; Valentine Kama of Saint Augustine College, New Karu, Nasarawa State; and Fah’d Moshood of Basaura Institute of Comprehensive Education, Birni-Kebbi, Kebbi State.

Eshiet, the only female student in her preliminary group, scored 94 per cent in the qualifying writ-

Mr. Seni Adetu, former Managing Director, Guinness Nigeria; Godspower Utawure, Marketing Executive, Chi Limited and Ilori Babatunde, Marketing Executive Chi Limited receiving the award of most outstanding fruit juice on Chivita 100% at the MarketingEdge Brands and Advertising Excellence Awards recently in Lagos.

ten examination proceeded to the semi-final stage with Michael who had 97 per cent in the written examination.

Harold and Eshiet went emotional outside the studio as they embraced themselves in a show of state solidarity. The duo also promised to sustain the momentum and win the competition for their schools and their State.

Mr Bigg’s launches promo to mark 30th anniversary To mark the Mr. Bigg’s 30th anniversary, the UAC Restaurant chain has launched an in-store promotion in conjunction with Coca-Cola to celebrate with and reward its teeming customers nationwide. The promo is tagged Mr. Bigg’s Shout-out.

The promo that was launched at the Mr. Bigg’s first franchisee’s outlet on Marina was witnessed by some key franchisees drawn across Nigeria and they are Pastor Mrs. Titilayo Adeojo, Mr Bigg’s first franchisee, Mr. Bigg’s Ikeja City Mall and Orgun outlets owner, Mrs. Funmilayo Olukogbon, and Mrs Pauline Nwana, Mr. Bigg’s Assba franchisee. Others critical stakeholders were also in attendance.

UAC Resturant (UACR); Marketing Manager, Mrs. Eustesia Ogunnusi, “To mark this milestone, we have launched an in-store promo to celebrate with and reward our customers, adding that our partner, Coca Cola has also provided branded 50cl PET drinks with the inscription ‘’Mr Biggs @ 30’’ to celebrate the brand and excite our customers.” Ogunusi urged customers to take advantage of this gesture from the brand and share

in Mr. Bigg’s joy.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Bola Olatinwo, Human Resources Manager, UACR said Mr. Biggs evolved from reactions to the growing demand for greater variety in fast food offerings for freshly baked, hot snacks and meals. At its opening of business to the general public, Mr Bigg’s shocked business with its possibilities. The customers count easily hit the roof, thus making Mr Biggs one of the top ten fast foods restaurants in the world in terms of customer counts.

The pioneer restaurant had 12 cash points with seats for 108 cus-

tomers at the same time.

Olatinwo reminisced, “Mr Bigg’s opened the first restaurant at 51 Marina Street, Lagos in 1986 and at that time only a limited menu of pastries; beef, chicken and apple pies, sausage rolls, doughnuts and beef burgers was available, a far cry from the extensive menu on offer today.”

He said the second Mr Bigg’s restaurant opened two years later, in 1988, and thereafter one restaurant was opened in Lagos every two years. By 1995, Mr Bigg’s had opened five restaurants in Lagos, and moved to Port Harcourt.

“I am happy we both qualified, and I pray we also make it to the final and win the star prize in both the junior and senior categories. I am working and praying for this. That will be fantastic for our schools and the State,” Eshiet said.

The ultimate prize for this year’s edition is One million naira and an all-expenses paid

The outgoing Director General of the Nigeria Institute for Medical Research, Professor Innocent Ujah, has called on the Federal Government to appreciate the value of research by investing reasonably into the sector.

Professor Ujah made this known when he was presented with an Award of Excellence

by National Executive Council Members of Benue Journalists Forum, Nigeria (BJFN) recently in Lagos.

According to Ujah, most Nigerians don’t know what research is all about that’s why they will never appreciate what happens at the institute. He said: “Some people don’t even know that research is key to innovations and discoveries in medicine and science in general. That’s why it is capital intensive.”

The professor said NIMR, which happens to be the only research institute in the country, has been undermined by the government particularly in the area of funding. As a result, the institute has been rendered handicap with a weak financial muscle and lame technical capacity, not good enough to carry out major research projects conclusively.

educational excursion outside the country. The teacher of the winning students will receive four hundred thousand naira.

Promasidor has also promised that the first and the second runners-up will go home with N750, 000 and N500, 000 respectively.

There will also be plaques, mathematics textbooks and a desktop computer for the winners.

FG must appreciate and invest in research – Prof. Ujah “There hasn’t been enough funding from the government.

All along, we have depended mostly on our internally generated revenue and grants from foreign donors. In fact, throughout last year, the institute was only given N25 million for capital projects, but for this year (2016), no money has been remitted to the institute,” Ujah lamented.

He disclosed further that the institute has been very committed to its mandate under his watch irrespective of enormous challenges. It has embarked on many research projects, including finding out the health challenges of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), cause(s) of sudden deaths, among others.

“Even in the face of these overwhelming challenges of structural deficiencies and poor funding, the institute has lived up to its onus under my watch to prove its relevance. We have the highest cases of HIV/AIDS.

Daily Times Nigeria

Thursday August 18, 2016

L7 Music Gist

Mutiat Alli

MTN Project Fame: A Tale of twists & surprise

Issi goes Sensational with ‘Tease Mi’ Known for her distinctiveness in music and carriage, Delta state born singer Isioma Charles better known as Issi is not just your regular kind of musician as she has been able to put a touch class and elegance in her performances and delivery making her a force to reckon with in the music scene.

After taking a break from the music scene

suspense.

with a full force Issi returns with yet another

from their mistakes in the previous week.

of over thirty-two dancers and a cameo ap-

petition, leaving Solomon and Winner as the eliminated contestants.

sure one of the fastest rising female musician to change the face of music in the entertainment industry.

-

formance, there was an uproar in the studio with the audience insisting they wanted Winner back contestant from elimination for this season

as it showcases good lyrical content spiced

New Music Alert: Wale Turner shows creativity with ‘No’

is currently enjoying massive airplay.

However, Issi a live band performer who has shared stage with the best act in the state will be performing her new song this as well as premiering her new video.

Issi

He is one the new industry breed and self-acclaimed hottest rapper to look out for in the

Lagos to host AFRIMA 2016

fast beginning a force to reckon with as he distinguishes his content, creativity and versatility in songs he dropped and this time he does playful with industry big names in new

…..As Lagos state governor pledges support

subtle style throws shades which invariable could be right lyrically as he merge top celebrities names with certain realities of life situation. Wale and Hip Hop tune is second to none as fans have begun con-

-

CDQ unveils album track list

lence was a herculean task because all the cities targeted were equal to the task in terms of infrastructure, tourbetter known as CDQ has revealed the track -

album cover post showed that the soon to be released album has 17 tracks in total with

advancement of the creative industry,” she said.

He said, “We want to promote African artistes and we believe that Africa is blessed with talents and

but few.

It is important to note that the general tured some of the best in the industry that in-

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday,August 18, 2016

27 Health

Drink alcohol moderately, says expert Precious Ukwuoma A medical doctor at the City of Hope Hospital, Benin, Dr Osaretin Fousuyi has said that excessive intake of alcohol can lead to increased risk of health problems such as cancer, liver inflammation, irregular heartbeat.

Dr Fousuyi said excessive intake of alcohol for a long time or too much one a single occasion can damage the heart causing problems including cardiomyopathy, (stretching and drooping heart muscle), arrhythmias, stroke, high blood pressure.

“Drinking moderate amount of alcohol may protect healthy adults from developing coronary heart disease but heavy drinking takes a toll on the liver, and can lead to a variety of problem and liver inflammation including fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, fibrosis and cirrhosis.

“Alcohol causes the pancreas to produce toxic substances that can eventually lead to pancreatitis, a dangerous inflammation and swelling of the blood vessels in the pancreas that prevents proper digestion.”

The expert also said, drinking too much alcohol can increase your risk of developing certain cancer including cancer of the mouth, esophagus, liver, throat, breast.

Adding, Fousuyi said drinking too much of alcohol “can weaken your immune system, making your body a much easier target for disease. Chronic drinkers are more liable to contract disease like pneumonia and tuberculosis than people who do not drink too much. Drinking a lot on a single occasion slows your body’s ability to ward off infection.”

He said, “A bottle of beer contains 60 per cent of alcohol and I think it is better you don’t take it because one might find it difficult to stop at one bottle and if you must take it, you have to take one bottle in a week.”

Dr. Fousuyi

PARALYSING POLIO

Experts list ways to tackle current polio outbreak Angela Chukwuma The gains and achievements made by Nigeria in the fight against polio, a crippling disease in the last two years recently suffered a major setback following the announcement by the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole of two new polio cases in Jejere and Gwoza Local Government Areas of Borno State.

The progress in the fight against polio in the country, dates back to July 24, 2014, when the last case of polio was reported in a 16 months old boy from Sumaila Local Government in Kano State.

July 24, 2016 marks two years with no case of wild poliovirus in Nigeria.

But the current outbreak has dealt a blow on Nigeria’s hope of being certified polio-free by July 2017 by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Despite the current set back, stakeholders still believe that Nigeria can still defeat polio like Ebola if there is the commitment from the government and its international partners including United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), WHO, Rotary Inter-

national, United States Centre for Disease Control (CDC) as well as key funders like the Bill Gates Foundation and the Dangote Foundation, among others.

Speaking at the weekend in Lagos, one of the stakeholders, Former Head, Immunology/Vaccinology Research, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research(NIMR), Yaba, Lagos, Dr. Adesina Adeiga, said, though he saw the outbreak coming because of the insecurity in the area, the federal government must as a matter of priority strengthen surveillance in the region.

“Government should immediately send vaccinators to the affected areas to vaccinate all the children and also monitor the people very well to curtail further spread of the virus. Vaccinators should look out for children hidden by their parents to prevent them from receiving the vaccine with the false believe that the vaccine is bad.

“Again, the government should also collaborate with the neighboring countries to prevent spread of the virus.”

He also recommended that the

government should improve the nutrition of children in the area in order to boost their immunity and reduce their vulnerability to the virus.

Besides improving their nutritional status, the researcher equally recommended that all children in the affected areas be deworm to boost the effectiveness of the vaccine.

He said, “The Department of Nutrition, Federal Ministry of Health and that of the affected state must work hand-in-hand in ensuring that they address the problem. And the communities where the cases where reported, must be part of the planning process and there should be adequate security for vaccinators.”

To further reduce spread of the virus in the region, Adeiga suggested that health education be promoted among the children.

On his part, Former Minister of State for Health, Dr. Ali Pate, urged parents in the region to bring out their children for immunization against the paralyzing disease, stating that polio vaccine has been used all over the world with over 10 billion doses without any problem.

Allaying the fears of parents in the area over the controversy of safety of the vaccine, Pate noted that the was no empirical evidence to say that the vaccine is not safe.

WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, said as an immediate priority, the Government of Nigeria is collaborating with WHO and other partners of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative to respond urgently and prevent more children from being paralyzed.

According to her, these steps include conducting large-scale immunization campaigns and strengthening surveillance systems that help catch the virus early. These activities are also being strengthened in neighboring countries.

She said, “We are deeply saddened by the news that two Nigerian children have been paralyzed by polio. The Government has made significant strides to stop this paralyzing disease in recent years. The overriding priority now is to rapidly immunize all children around the affected area and ensure that no other children succumb to this terrible disease.”

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 18, 2016

CHRIST CREATION NATION CHURCH 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 N0.

1 of 1990.

TRUSTEES ARE 1. DIROKWENI MESHACH SAMPSON 2. ANGEL MIYIOVIE SAMPSON. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1.TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General. Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, P.M.B. 198, Maitama, Abuja within 28th days from the date of publication.

SIGN TRUSTEE

21

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

OBIAKOR KATE UKAMAKA

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

ABDULYEKEEM MOHAMMED

THAT I AM THE SAME PERSON BEARING EJALONIBU FATIMO OLUWAFUNMILOLA ESTHER AND EJALONIBU OLUFUNMILOLA ESTHER. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL RELEVANT AUTHORITIES AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE

I, formerly known and addressed as, IBEH CATHERINE UKAMAKA, now wish to be known and addressed as, OBIAKOR KATE UKAMAKA. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

This is to inform the general public that ADESANWO MARIA IYABO is the same person as ADESANWO MARIA OMOTOKE IYABO. The general public and First Bank of Nigeria PLC should please take note.

I formerly ADEWALE AKANJI now want to be known and called ABDULYEKEEM MOHAMMED. All former documents remain valid.

KeyStone Bank, UBA PLC should please take note.

MRS KALU OTTA OLUCHUKWU RUTH

MRS YUSUF BIOLA KUDIRAT

GLORIA OBARIDO SIMEON-NYIMEONE

OBIAJUNWA OGECHI VICTORIA

I, formerly known and addressed as, GLORIA OBARIDO MARTINSABEL, now wish to be known and addressed as, GLORIA OBARIDO SIMEON-NYIMEONE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as, GEOFFREY OGECHI VICTORIA, now wish to be known and addressed as, OBIAJUNWA OGECHI VICTORIA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as, MISS ONWUMELU OLUCHUKWU RUTH, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS KALU OTTA OLUCHUKWU RUTH. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as MISS ZUBAIR BIOLA KUDIRAT now wish to be known and addressed as MRS YUSUF BIOLA KUDIRAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF TRUSTEES: LUCIANO GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT INITIAVE

IGBESA MALE TILETOKO ASSOCIATION

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 N0. 1 of 1990.

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

Old Trustees.

1. Mr Olaseni. 2. Vincent Okoro.

New Trustees.

1. Lucy Adetuwo Olaniyi - chairman.

2. Abimbola Ajimotoki 3. Olaniyi Olumide Samuel.

Aims & Objective Remain thesame. .

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abujawithin 28 days from the date of this publication. signed. Barr. Adesomoju Kehinde.

CHRIST SUPREME INTERCESSORY POWER PRAYER MINISTRY 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.

Trustees.

1. Efe Daniel 2. Ayo Komolafe.

3. Osaretina Monday.

4.Joshua Adedeji 5. Motunrayo Adedeji 6. Ruth Adedeji.

7. Samuel Adedeji.

Aim To preach the gosple of our lord jesus christ.

The Trustees Are: 1. Jimoh Akeran 2. Azees Akinde 3. Jaiye Odunsi 4. Banky Olatunji Aim And Objective: 1. To Promote The Common Interest Of The Members

SIGNED: BARR. UBENYI OKWORI

LATEEF ADEGBUYI ALEBIOSU FOUNDATION

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Foundation is seeking for registration under the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Part C., 2004.

TRUSTEES: I. ALH. LATEEF ADEGBUYI - CHAIRMAN 2. KOLA QUADRI 3. ADEKOGBE OLUWATOYIN GEORGE - SECRETARY 4. MUTIYU ADENIYI ALEBIOSU 5. RISIKATU ADEWALE ASAYE 6. FALILATU ADEBUNKOLA ALEBIOSU 7. KAZEEM ADEDEJI ALEBIOSU 8. MORILIATU ADEDOYIN ALEBIOSU. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES : 1. To cater for the less privileged in the society.

Signed: OMOTAYO ALADE - FAWOLE ESQ O8O33743856.

Aims and Objectives 1. To provide financial, material, and mentorship support for our Alma mater, University of Nigeria Secondary School Nsukka.

PALACE OF PROPHETIC MINISTRY This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied for registration to Corporate Affairs Commission under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act N0. 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE; 1. JOSHUA ADEMOLA - PRESIDENT. 2. FRANCIS, BLESSING - SECRETARY. 3. GEORGE CHARLES WALTER. 4. ACCRAJAJA, FLORENCE. AIMS/OBJECTIVES; 1. To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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

SIGNED; JOSHUA ADEMOLA (PRESIDENT)

WORD EMBRACED SIGNS AND WONDERS MINISTRY INT’L.

KAMI EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION

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

The general public is hereby notified that the above Named FOUNDATION as applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Rev. Samuel Sunday Etuk - Founder 2. Mrs. Patience Samuel Etuk 3. Mr. Imo Aniefiok Joseph 4. Mrs. Mfon Sunday Etukudo - Secretary 5. Mr. Itohowo Benjamin Adam AIMS/OBJECTIVES: 1. To the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in all nations.

2. To prepare Christian for the glorious day ahead.

Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral. Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, P.M.B. 198, Maitama, Abuja within 28th days from the date of publication.

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

Signed: Chukwudi Emeter & Co. Solicitors & Advocates

Signed: Rev. Samuel Sunday Etuk Founder.

AMANATOR - ISU DEVELOPMENT UNION

AIMS: I. To empower and care for the less - privilaged in the society.

2. To preach the gospel of Jesus christ.

Signed: Trustees.

SIGNED. Barr. Adesomoju Kehinde

Trustees: 1. Engr. Okey victor oguike 2. Prince Emeka Mamah 3. Mr. Obiora Mgbemena 4. Mr. Patrick Mbaji 5. Dr. Chijioke Okeke 6. Mr. Ikechukwu Ihemelandu 7. Mrs. Amaka Arinze 8. Mrs Obiamaka Ejike 9. Barr Mrs. Shirley Ifeoma Odiara-Modebe 10. Barr. Chukwudi Emeter 11. Mr. Peter Obi 12. Sir Enyinnaya Aliche 13. Dr. Gabriel Aligwekwe 14. Mr. Kenneth Ogbunammiri 15. Mr. Emeka Ifejika 16. Mr. Maurice Ebo 17. Mrs Ezihe Iroanya 18. Mrs. Lauretta Okoye-Anizue 19. Mrs. Afoma Evan-Egwuagu.

TRUSTEES: I. PRINCE ROBINSON OKECHUKWU OBI 2. MISS ADAOBI CHIDINMA OBI 3. MISS CHIEMARIE CHINAZA IGBOANUSI

Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General. Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, P.M.B. 198, Maitama, Abuja within 28th days from the date of publication.

Any objection to this registration must reach the Registrar-General of Corporate Affairs Commission Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Foundation is seeking for registration under the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Part C., 2004.

GARDEN OF PRAYER AND RETREAT MINISTRY The general public is hereby notified that the above named is seeking for registration under the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Part C., 2004.

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

Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral. Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, P.M.B. 198, Maitama, Abuja within 28th days from the date of publication.

UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA SECONDARY SCHOOL NSUKKA, CLASS OF ‘89 FOUNDATION

Public Notice

VOICE OF BELIEVERS OUTREACH

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 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 OF 1990.

Names Of Trustees 1) Okoro Augustine Chigbo - Chairman 2) Christoper Chigbo - Secretary 3) Usor Ikechukwu Orieh - Financial Secretary 4) Njoku Sunday Ngwu - Treasurer 5) Ani Celestine Ogene 6) Onu Ogbonnaya 7) Ohukwu Linus Ani 8) Okechukwu Uchechukwu Josiah 9) Okike Onuoha Orieh

Trustees 1) Pastor Umebuali Chukwuma Iroh - President 2) Barrister Obasi Princewill Maduabu - Secretary 3) Uko - Inyang Blessing Ebe - Treasurer 4) Umebuali Rachel Ruth 5) Okenye Paul 6) Ukachukwu Stanley Biere 7) Anike Thompson 8) Onoja Sardauna Aku 9) Nnabugwu David chidiebere 10) Nnadozie lovet

Aims To foster unity and development in our community .

Aims Outreach the Good New.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET, PMB

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 DAY OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

SIGNED SECRETARY

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. WILLIAMS-JOHNSON MOTUNRAYO MARIAM - PRESIDENT 2. OSO ABIODUN IDOWU - MEMBER 3. SANNI BABATUNDE SUNDAY - SECRETARY 4. HASSAN MOHAMMED MUBASHIRU - MEMBER 5. JOLASOS MUKAILA ABIODUN - MEMBER 6. OLUWOLE AJOSE EBENEZER - MEMBER 7. AREGBE HALEEMAT OMOLOLA - MEMBER 8. BARRISTER EKPENISI EMMANUEL - LEGAL ADVISER AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To provide counsel that can prevent children from speech and hearing impairment if checked early.

2. To connect victims with an ENT surgeon for medical support and advice 3. To alter the wry smile of the victims and the orphanage homes by providing cash food items and other valuable items.

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

Signed: Ekpenisi Emmanuel Esq. - 08060035089

ONE LOVE INTERNATIONAL CHURCH

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 Name of trustees 1) Samuel ajunwa onuoha 2) Douglas Emmanuel vianney 3) oluchi Vanessa onuoho Aims To preach the gospel of our lord Jesus.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET, PMB SIGNED: SECRETARY

Published by FOLIO COMMUNICATIONS LTD, Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja. email: info@dailytimes.ng Tel: 08034197567.

AG. DAILY EDITOR: SAM NZEH

THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 2016

VOL. 2. NO.176

Eaglets depart for‘Battle of Niamey’

P 29

Price: N150 News Hotlines: 08138773277, 08173901838. Advert Hotline: 08086296714

Rio 2016 Olympic Semi-final Match Result Nigeria

Eagles:

B

-

2 Germany

Yusuf

Rohr resumes with three personal assistants razil’s Neymar has not yet won his country a gold medal, but on Wednesday he at least pocketed an Olympic record – the fastest football goal, at a dazzling 15 seconds into the game against overwhelmed Honduras.

The semifinal had barely kicked off when Barcelona forward Neymar intercepted the ball, charged towards the Honduran side, tripped over the goalie and landed the ball into the net, sending the Maracana stadium into a frenzy of cheers.

“Neymar’s goal, 15 seconds in, is the fastest in the history of Olympic football, 5.42 seconds more than Usain Bolt,” the Rio 2016 Spanishlanguage account tweeted in reference to the Jamaican sprinter.

0

Rio2016: Neymar netsfastest Olympic goalever!

Rohr

N

Neymar

ew Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr will soon resume work in Nigeria with three personal assistants, a reliable source exclusively gathered.

The assistants include an adviser, a video analyser and a fitness trainer.

“Rohr will be in Nigeria with three assistants hand picked by him. They are an adviser, who the coach has made it very clear is not an assistant coach, a fitness trainer and a video analyser,” a top official revealed.

“We want to believe he will pick up the expenses of these assistants.”

The Franco-German coach has signed a two-year contract with the target of qualifying Nigeria for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

The 63-year-old Rohr has hit the ground running since his appointment after he watched the NPFL All-Stars in action during a playing tour of Spain.

26

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 18, 2016

Health

s

Stakeholder tasks Edo citizens on sickle cell Lara Adejoro The Chairman/ Founder of Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria (SCFN), Professor Olu Adeyanju has urged Benin citizens who are interested in Sickle Cell Disorder (SCD) to seek for a centre to run as a non-governmental organization.

When Daily Times visited the centre located at GRA, Benin, Edo State in May, 2016, they are yet to have the medical equipments needed to attend to sickle cell patients.

A patient of sickle cell anaemia, Miss Evelyn Omoregie, 38, said, “when the centre started, there was provision for in-house patients but now, it is no more.

Though, the administer drugs but what if anything happens at night and there is need to take such patient here? Sickle cell patients need intensive care and sometimes, when we come here, there will not be light.

“I want to plead that the government should look into the plights of those suffering from sickle cell disorders especially those who can’t afford the treatment.”

The Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole had last year said, the sickle cell centre in the state is government owned.

The Governor said this when members of Sickle Cell Club, Benin led by its chairman, Dr. Osagie Onaiwu paid a courtesy visit to him during which he said further that the law establishing

it indicates that “you can have one, at the very best one member to represent Sickle Cell Club, just one out of nine” of the centre’s board membership.

“So I ask you to see yourself as a voice and not the owner and don’t interfere with how government seeks to manage the centre, but feel free to forward your memoranda, your suggestion, advice as how the centre can be managed.”

The Edo State Sickle Cell Centre was established in 1993

by Chief John Odigie-Oyegun administration. Then, Chief Lucky Igbinedion administration moved the Ministry of Health to the centre when their former premise was handed over to the 4th Mechanized Brigade of the Nigeria Army.

Meanwhile, Daily Times had learnt that the Ministry had been moved out of the centre.

However, Prof Akinyanju said, “the best thing to do is that, people in Benin who are interested in sickle cell should come together and ask the government to give them a centre to run like we do in Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria in Lagos.

“When Obasanjo came to commission our centre in 2007, he said, work with government but never become government because that will kill it. He knew what he was saying.”

According to statistics by SCFN, over 40 million Nigerians are healthy carriers of the sickle

PROF. AKINYANJU cell gene (Hb AS), while over 150, 000 babies are born each year with sickle cell anemia ((Hb SS).

This is by far the largest burden of the disorder anywhere in the world and most of these children would die in childhood because of ignorance and lack of access to correct diagnosis and proper

care.

About 1 in 14 children with sickle cell anemia have a high risk of developing strokes (over or silent). This debilitating complication can impede their mobility or impair their intellectual ability.

Sickle cell centres are ideal

institutions for addressing the problems of SCD as shown by their establishment in the USA over 30 years ago. Since then, the average life-expectancy of persons with sickle cell anaemia in America rose from 14 years in 1973 to 53 years in 2003 and to about 60 years in 2012.

Exercise not an ‘antidote’ to too much sitting — Health experts

Exercise not man antidote to much sitting

Even if you exercise regularly, too much sitting can still be bad for your heart, a leading cardiologists’ group warns.

The American Heart Association (AHA) also says that too many people are spending far too much time on chairs and sofas, period, according to a new statement published on Monday in the AHA journal Circulation.

The problem only gets worse with age. “Adults 60 years and older spend between 8.5 to 9.6 hours a day in sedentary time,” Deborah Rohm Young, chair of the AHA panel said in an AHA news release.

She directs behavioral research at Kaiser Permanente Southern California.

“Don’t be a ‘sitting duck for car-

diovascular disease’ -- move more, sit less,” said Dr. Barbara George, director of the Center for Cardiovascular Lifestyle Medicine at Winthrop-University Hospital in Mineola, N.Y. “All studies are indicating that moving more throughout the day -- in addition to getting the recommended 30 minutes of moderate activity on a daily basis -- is necessary to lower one’s risk of heart disease and other causes of mortality,” she said. According to the AHA, the new statement reflects growing evidence that, on its own, exercise isn’t enough to counter sitting’s unhealthy effects “Regardless of how much physical activity someone gets, prolonged sedentary time could nega-

tively impact the health of your heart and blood vessels,” Young explained.

And sitting impacts more than just heart disease risk, the AHA said. A sedentary lifestyle may also be associated with an increased risk of diabetes, impaired insulin sensitivity (linked to diabetes) and a higher risk of death from any cause, according to the new statement. According to the AHA, people should try to get at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise a day to reach the recommended 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise a week. That’s healthier than trying to cram their weekly exercise into one or two days, according to the statement.

And it’s not yet clear if people should replace prolonged inactivity with simple movement or moderate to vigorous physical activity, the AHA said.

“There’s a lot of research that we need to do,” Young said. “This statement is important because it starts the ball rolling and suggests sedentary behavior may play an important role in heart health and more. But, it’s too early to make conclusive recommendations other than to encourage Americans to ‘sit less, move more.’ “ Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum is a preventive cardiologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. She agreed that, based on the evidence, sitting is more than just a “lack of moving.”

News 20

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 18, 2016

Save yourself from embarrassments, ex-Presidential candidate tells NASS Chris Emetoh Abuja

ÏÏÏFormer

Presidential candidate of the Citizens Popular Party (CPP) and Secretary of the Inter Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC), Dr. Sam Eke, has urged the National Assembly (NASS) to purge itself of irregularities and astonishing embarrassments by focusing on their core legislative duties.

Chief Eke in an exclusive interview with Daily

Times in Abuja, expressed concern over the ongoing rumblings between the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, and former Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibril, over allegations of the 2016 budget padding, stressing that such issues should not even arise in a dispensation of “change”.

He noted that there have always been a lot of distractions in the National Assembly causing them to

derail from issues that are supposed to impact on the masses and giving them priority.

Describing the National Assembly members as people who have not been patriotic enough to be the true representatives of the people, Eke who was also a two-time governorship candidate of his party in Abia State, said “I really want to tell you that I have always been disappointed in the way the National Assembly carried out her duties as enshrined in the

Constitution of the country. It is not just this NASS that I have issues with.

From the word go,I have always with the national assembly we returned to democratic dispensation starting with the administration of former president Olusegun Obasanjo.

We have seen a national assembly that happened to be the best paid in the world meanwhile bringing a little to the table for the people to really look into, because one of the major responsibilities of any government

is to provide an enabling environment for business enterprises to thrive without bottlenecks, provide security and welfare of the people, but they have not been doing that, they are not proactive, we need a national assembly that is proactive in nature.”

Eke who also said that he is into politics with passion besides being an accountant reiterated his earlier request on the national assembly to wake up from their slumber as they have not done enough to keep the executive on their toes.

Director-General, National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Suleiman Kazaure (left), during the personnel promotion examination at the Command Secondary School in Jos… on Wednesday.

Dreg Waters Petroleum showcases at Africa Oil Week ÏÏÏAgain,

Dreg Waters Petroleum and Logistics Limited blazed the trail as a top-notch oil servicing company just as it prepares to showcase its services at the 2016 Africa Oil Week holding in Cape Town, South Africa come October 31-November 4, 2016.

Securing a booth at the 23rd Africa Oil Week, not only stamps Dreg Waters Petroleum and Logistics Limited as the leading go-to company for documentations and timely approvals of oil licenses, it emphasises its resolve to emerge a global brand.

According to the Chief

Executive Officer, Damilola Owolabi, Dreg Waters Petroleum has secured a corporate booth alongside several industry giants across the globe and it will render same services it is known for in Nigeria to other stakeholders from other parts of the continent.

“This is not our first time at the Africa Oil Week and we are delighted to have secured a booth again in 2016.

Converging on Cape Town alongside Oil and Gas giants is a privilege and we are ready to go the whole hog in living up to our name. We have

been allocated Booth 70 at AOW and the company will have its full details of services available to review on its corporate stand. As usual, we are storming Cape Town with our senior executive officers who will delightfully provide information and advice on which services best suit companies from any part of Africa.”

“Moreover, we are including our turf, which is facilitating and securing oil licences, permits and approvals for clients.

It’s a passion that has translated to delivering the best services in this

industry and the company has effectively progressed from servicing to sanitization of the Nigerian shipping, oil & gas industry,” she said.

The Africa Oil Week (AOW) is the premier international oil and gas event for Sub-Saharan and Maghreb-North Africa; it is the flagship Africa Upstream conference that has long-pioneered, and continues to shape, the consolidation of strategy and technical geo-science knowledge on the continent’s oil and gas, and for shaping portfolio in Africa and the wider exploration world.

NBA expresses worry over current state of economy ÏÏÏThe Nigerian Bar As-

sociation (NBA) yesterday expressed concern over the nation’s troubled economy and its impact on the populace saying, things should be put in place with immediate effect to redress it the trend.

The NBA also called on experts in and outside the country to suggest ways to revive the ailing economy and ensure that democracy works for the people.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Oladejo Lamikanra, who spoke for the association, in Abuja said NBA was planning a gathering to give experts, both lawyers and non-legal practitioners, the opportunity to engage in critical assessment of the economy and suggest ways out of the current situation.

According to him, Nigerians, including lawyers are suffering under the present economic situation.

He said that lawyers had decided not to sit down and fold their hands while workers continued to lose their purchasing powers and had decided to examine some of the critical economic issues facing the country.

“This is why we have chosen as our central theme for our national conference, ‘Democracy and Economic Development’.

Kano to recruit more medical workers

Yakubu Salisu Kano

ÏÏÏThe

Governor of Kano State Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has revealed that the state will recruit more medical doctors and allied personnel, to man its hospitals in a bid to facilitate delivery of more efficient health care services.

The governor disclosed this during the commissioning of the renovated and upgraded Dambatta General Hospital, under the 2012 MDGs – Conditional Grant Scheme state track projects.

According to him, the government acknowledges the fact that the health sector in the state is under

staffed and that efforts are on to fill in the gap so that the congestion often witnessed at major hospitals in the state capital would be significantly reduced.

He further stated that funds would soon be released for procurement of specialized medical equipment and facilities to make services in the public hospitals affordable and of good quality.

Ganduje

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 18, 2016

19

Thursday, August 18, 2016

EXTRATIME

Kipruto wins

steeplechase

gold Rio boxing

judges, refs

removed Olympic boxing’s governing body has removed some judges and referees from the Rio Games after a controversy over fight decisions.

The International Boxing Association (AIBA) said in a statement that it had reviewed all decisions in the 239 bouts to date and found “less than a handful” were not at the level expected. The judging was thrown into the spotlight this week when Irish and US boxers protested they had been ‘robbed’ in quarterfinal fights.

Australia advances to men’s basketball semis Australia was first through to the semifinals of the men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday, pounding Lithuania 90-64 as the upsets continued on the Rio Olympic hardwood. A day after hot medal favourites Australia were surprised by Serbia in the women’s basketball quarterfinals, the Boomers provided an upset of their own - knocking off third-ranked Lithuania to advance to the medal round. Australia will now take on the winner out of Croatia and Serbia in Friday’s semifinals.

Kipruto

C

Nagl makes history in ladies golf M

iriam Nagl of Brazil made history by becoming the first woman in 116 years to hit an Olympic golf shot as competition got under way at the Rio Games on Wednesday.

Women’s golf is back for the first time since 1900, when American Margaret Abbott won the Paris Games’ nine-hole event from a field of 10.

In Rio, a global line-up of 60 golfers is seeking gold.

In contrast to a men’s tournament that concluded on Sunday and was skipped by the sport’s biggest male stars, all of the world’s eligible top women golfers are competing in Rio, led by world No 1 Lydia Ko of New Zealand.

31

Nagl

onseslus Kipruto stormed to victory in the men’s 3000m steeplechase at the Rio Olympics on Wednesday to extend Kenya’s remarkable winning streak in the event.

Kipruto timed an Olympic record of 8min 03.28sec for gold, American Evan Jager taking silver in 8:04.28.

“I saw the screen and I saw I was far from them and I knew nobody was going to catch me.

I knew I was going to win the gold in the final 100m,” said Kipruto.

“In Kenya we love steeple and that’s why we win! Even though today, we had an American who took silver.”

Two-time Olympic champion and reigning four-time world gold medallist Ezekiel Kemboi, also of Kenya, claimed bronze (8:08.47) and promptly brought the curtain down on his illustrious career.

“The Rio 3000m steeplechase was my last race after a long career of 18 years,” Kemboi said.

Kipruto admitted he had been worried about Kemboi, whom he said had already passed on the baton.

“I was ready to beat him today,” said Kipruto.

“I’ve been a good competitor for him and he already told me to take over the steeple so I’m so happy about that.”

Kipruto took up the early running in scorching heat at the Olympic Stadium, Jager happy to take over for a couple of laps before surging with two laps to run.

Semenya breezes into women’s 800m semis I

Semenya

t was just a heat, but the eyes of the world were on the athletics track at the Olympic Stadium in Rio on Wednesday morning.

Caster Semenya took it all in her stride and did the job. Her winning heat time of 1:59.31 in the 800m safely saw her through to today’s semifinals as the sixth fastest on the day.

“It was not easy. It’s extremely hot outside. I was just trying to hang on, trying to feel my body first so I can feel comfortable,” she said after the race.

“So I just tried to get in the top two in the last 200 and tried to maybe win so that I could be safe for the semifinals.”

Asked about the possibility of

breaking Russain Nadezhda Olizarenko world record of 1:53.43 that has stood since 1980 – something which many predict Semenya could do given her form – the 25-year-old Potch-based runner added: “I’m not really focusing on records. Times don’t matter in a championship – what matters is a gold medal, silver or bronze.

“There’s a title so we’re not going to worry about times at the moment. I’m just trying to run my own race so I can do better and until so far I’m good.”

Meanwhile, South Africa’s other athlete in action on Wednesday, Elroy Gelant, also enjoyed a successful heat.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 18, 2016

25

News

ASUP laments non-payment of 14 months’ salaries in Polytechnics Val Okara, Owerri

ÎÎÎThe

Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) on Wednesday lamented over the nonpayment of salaries in 14 state Polytechnics across the country in the last 10 months.

The union also threatened to embark on another round of industrial action over government’s

inability to implement the agreement the union reached with the government after nine months strike between October 2013 and July2014: Coordinator of ASUP Zone `D’ Comrade Chika Ogonwa made the disclosure at a media briefing after the emergency meeting of the union held at the Federal Polytechnic Owerri.

Zone `D’ of ASUP comprises all the Polytech-

nics, Colleges of Education and Monotechnics in South-East and SouthSouth geo-political zones of the country.

Ogonwa who named the affected state governments where workers are being owed between two to 10 months’ salaries as: Abia, Edo, Osun, Ekiti, Oyo, and Benue States Others are Imo, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Ondo, Kogi, Lagos, Ogun, and Nasarawa,

noting that in spite the release of the bailout fund by the federal government the state-owned polytechnics and colleges of education in these states were still being owed arrears of salaries.

According to him, ASUP was expressed worry over the refusal by government to implement the agreement she entered with the union after nine months strike which

ASUP embarked between 2013 and 2014.

Stating further Comrade Ogonwa said that ASUP might be forced to resume another strike at the expiration of onemonth notice given to government on Aug.22, if government fails to look into the issues raised by the union.

He saïd, ``the issues in dispute include: non implementation of the

Needs assessment report of 2014, the conduct of needs assessment survey for public polytechnics and monotechnics and the review of Polytechnics Acts.

He therefore spoke on the victimization of union officials and non-release of check off dues and interference in the union activities by the management of Federal Polytechnic Oko and four others.

Rivers APC hails NDDC over recovery of Calabar-Itu Road Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

ÎÎÎThe Rivers’ State chap-

ter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has lauded the recovery of what it called ‘the deplorable and deadly Calabar – Itu Road’ by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), describing it as an historic development.

The party has also thumbed up the NDDC under the leadership of Mrs. Ibim Semenitari for moving swiftly to rehabilitate “this all-important road that traverses Cross River and Akwa Ibom states” which it said has since become a big nightmare for travelers and transporters.

The Rivers’ APC Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, made the commendations in a statement issued on Wednesday in Port Harcourt.

“We heartily congratulate the NDDC under the dynamic leadership of Mrs. Ibim Semenitari for moving swiftly to rehabilitate this all-important road that traverses Cross River and Akwa Ibom states, as it has since become a big nightmare for travelers and transporters”, the statement said.

The party revealed that four firms are simultaneously working on the road after being mobilised to site by NDDC in its bid to maximize time.

Ondo APC Ward chairmen okay Abraham’s ambition ‘Tosin Ajuwon, Akure

ÎÎÎThe

Conference of Ward Chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the 203 political wards in Ondo state have unanimously declared their support for the candidature of Mr. Segun Abraham, Mr. Abraham is one of the leading gubernatorial aspirants of the party.

The Ward Chairmen show the support on Wednesday at a public declaration meeting held in Akure, the state capital.

James Kolawole, the Conference Chairman said they decided to support Mr. Abraham due to his leadership qualities

judging by his entrepreneurial skills and capacity to resuscitate the dwindling economy of the state.

Kolawole who spoke with reporters shortly after the declaration said Abraham who is an Akoko born politician has been a foundational member of the opposition party noting that his candidature had already been recognized by the party’s national leaders.

He maintained that the conference of the ward chairmen of the APC decided to follow the footpath of their national leaders by declaring their support for Mr. Abraham because of his unflinching personality.

Stationed Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) at the entrance of Sharks Stadium, Port Harcourt… on Wednesday.

Pensioners arrears allowance higher than Osun accrued revenue –Aregbesola Sodiq Adekunle, Osogbo

ÎÎÎThe Governor of Osun,

Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has said that there was need to create employment in the face of financial challenge faced by the state.

The Governor stated these at the commissioning of the Osun Job Centre at the parking lot of the Ayegbaju International Modern Market in Osogbo.

He emphasized that there would be no going back in his government’s human development policies as he launched the Osun Job Centre.

He revealed that “of the four million population of Osun, there are 60 thousand civil servants (retired

Gov. Aregbesola and serving), whose salary and pension are much more than the revenue accruing to the state today.”

Aregbesola averred that to pay workers salary alone would amount to neglecting over 3.9 million people of the state.

Said he: “If you are to use all the resources of the

state to pay salaries life will be hard and unlivable, therefore our government uses its creativity to spread the resources we have to all citizens. By this, we can achieve development.”

He said the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme OYES policy brought great micro-economic impact on the state with N200 million monthly allowance given to the youth under the programme.

Aregbesola added that his administration was taking job creation to a greater height with the establishment of the job centre where government would not need to employ workers directly but create an environment where finding jobs would become easy for the

unemployed and better jobs for the youths.

He pointed out that the center will provide an interface between applicants and employers by maintaining a database that will be made available to employers who need to recruit, adding that it will also keep record of job vacancies which applicants can consult.

He said, “all the programmes we have implemented and the one of today have been captured in the Green Book which we entitled: “My Path with Osun.

“Today, if you open the book, you will find all we have done and are doing. If anybody had told you that in Osogbo there would be

Features 18

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 18, 2016

Need to halt Fulani herdsmen attack in Plateau Chijioke Kingsley, Jos Crisis between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in Plateau State is in the news again for all the wrong reasons. The hostility of the herdsmen on their host community - the Plateau natives, has resulted in cattle rustling, the only defense known to the natives to retaliate the wanton killings that has gone unabated for almost a decade.

According to a former National Secretary of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Saleh Bayeri, the only way natives can get the Fulani herdsmen off their land is to rustle and kill their cattle because that is the only means of livelihood known to the Fulani man.

“They know that the only thing precious to the Fulani man is his cow. He values his cow more than his life, so by rustling and killing the cattle, the Fulani man will have no option than to move out of their farmlands.”

However, a native of Plateau from the Berom clan who do not want his name on print told our correspondent that the Fulani’s often rain abuses on them using inciting words like ‘we have conquered you during Jihad’. He also alleged that the herdsmen graze on the graves of their lost ones, an act the natives find unacceptable.

The unabated crisis in Plateau brought about the citing of the Special Task Force (STF), code named Operation Safe Haven

Hon. Gwalson (in white) presenting former STF Commander, Ude with a plague with Gen. Rogers in the middle.

(OPSH) in the volatile areas of the state and given mandate to restore peace in the troubled State.

Various Commanders of the outfit has deployed strategies aimed at ending the crisis. Approach like the carrot and stick was deployed by the immediate past Commander, Major General Tagbo Ude to ensure peace was maintained.

Hitting the ground running, Gen. Rogers has been visiting the most troubled spots in the state, re-emphasising the need for the herdsmen and the natives to live together.

At a Town Hall meeting organised recently in Ryiom Local Government Area in the State, Rogers tasked Berom youths to put behind the squabbles between them and the Fulani youths, to allow development and progress to thrive.

Speaking at the forum, Rogers stated that any criminal act from both the Berom youths and Fulani will not be tolerated.

He said the essence of the forum is to develop a platform aimed at sustaining the relative peace currently being enjoyed in the region.

He said the meeting with the Berom youths is in one hand as he

will organise another forum with the Fulani youths after which he will bring both parties together.

Responding, the Riyom Local Government Chairman, Hon. Mafeng Gwalson, said that Riyom has enjoyed relative peace since this administration came on board, saying that before now, over 30 persons were being killed in Riyom every month, but that since this year, not even a soul has lost his life in the region.

He told the people of Riyom not to bother themselves with the grazing reserve or ranching policy as no land in the northern zone of

I steal batteries to survive- Suspect Oguntade Ismaila A 24-year-old man, Hakeem Fatai has been arrested by the operatives of Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of Lagos State Police Command, for allegedly stealing batteries from the premises of Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA) at Ojota area office of the state.

The Policemen who acted on a tip-off by the LASTMA’s management, laid in wait for the suspect, and caught him while attempting to remove another battery from an impounded bus.

It was gathered that no fewer than 20 batteries have been removed from the impounded vehicles parked inside the premises within a fortnight.

On his arrival at the RRS’ headquarters, the suspect confessed that he operated with an accom-

plice he identified as Yahoo, now at large.

“Yes I am responsible for the missing batteries, but I didn’t work alone. We are a two-man syndicate who usually steal batteries. Our target is Volkswagen buses because its batteries can be removed easily.”

The suspect, who was arrested about 2:00 a.m. over the weekend, by the operatives, said that he always scaled through the agency’s fence to access the compound and remove the batteries while his accomplice stayed outside to watch the surroundings for him.

“We have devised our operation to the extent that no one could suspect us while committing the crime inside the premises. We know the exact time to scale through the fence because their security guards are always sleeping. We capitalised on their

inefficiency to strike”, he confessed.

Giving account on why he preferred stealing to legitimate work, the suspect said, “Immediately after the death of my mother about ten years ago, after a while, my father re-married. And I felt that once he had remarried, he would shift his attention from us to the new wife. So, I decided to abscond from home to fend for myself.

“I went straight to Mile 12 where I met some young boys like me. I have been living in that ghetto since that time. I tried all kinds of jobs but I was not progressing.

Even before I finally left my father’s home, he had taken me to where I will learn plumbing work at Ajelogo around Mile 12.

Despite all that, I wasn’t satisfied.

At a particular point in time, I felt tired of this life.

Suspects

Plateau state will be given for the programme as recommended by the British in the Niki Tobi report.

The LG boss stated that the reason for the recommendation is due to the non availability of land in Northern Plateau as most of the lands are rich in Mining resource, he said.

However in another visit to the Fulani settlement in Mahanga at Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau, the OPSH boss charged his Sector Commanders to ensure criminals activities are stamped out of the State within 10 days.

However, he beseeched the Fulani to shun every act of violence and imbibe the culture of living peacefully with their neigbours as crisis can only lead to more hardship.

The Army boss said he will continue to explore dialogue as a means of resolving crisis as the carrot approach which his predecessor also leveraged on is part of the Military approach in resolving crisis.

Rogers said he will bring both the Berom (a dominant tribe in Plateau North) and the Fulani together in Town Hall meetings to broker sustainable peace amongst them.

In his response, the head of Fulani community in Mahanga, Alh. Adam Mahmuda, appreciated the visit of the Army boss and pledged to work in harmony with him to ensure peaceful coexistence between his people and the Beroms.

30

Thursday, August 18, 2016

EXTRATIME

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE… ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE… ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Tielemans denies Mourinho’s

Pogba not comparable to Mikel — Parker

contact

Anderlecht midfielder Youri Tielemans has dismissed claims that Jose Mourinho has called him to discuss a potential transfer to Manchester United. Former Anderlecht youngster Lukasz Plonowski suggested earlier this week that Tielemans had told him the United manager had been in touch, but the 19-year-old has now made it clear there is no truth in any such claims. The Belgium U-21 star has a contract with the Brussels giants until June 2020.

Pogba

M

anchester United may have paid a worldrecord transfer fee to sign Paul Pogba, but Paul Parker says he does not even compare favourably to Chelsea’s John Obi Mikel.

Pogba is set to make his second debut for Jose Mourinho’s side in Friday’s home Premier League

match against Southampton, but the club’s former defender has concerns over how he will fit in after the move.

Parker, who played for United between 1991 and 1996, feels the France international is not ideally suited to a holding role in the same way Mikel is, while captain Wayne Rooney already fills the

starting attacking midfield spot.

“Can he be as good as Roy Keane or Bryan Robson? I wonder about him playing that midfield role,” Parker said to reporters.

“I worry about him making tackles and getting across to close players down because he is rangy.

“He doesn’t have quick feet

and his game is about going to ground. That’s going to be a problem. In a holding position, it would be a waste because he’s not a Makelele or even a John Obi Mikel.

“Pogba can get forward, and score goals, and pass the ball but in a high-tempo game, he won’t be very good in a deep role.

Tielemans

Watford

confirm Suarez Guardiola hails hat-trick hero Aguero loan move

M

Aguero

anchester City manager Pep Guardiola lauded the response of Sergio Aguero, who went on to score three goals after missing two firsthalf penalties in the opening leg of Tuesday’s Champions League qualifying play-off.

Aguero netted a hat-trick as City cruised to a 5-0 win at Steaua Bucharest, but it could have been more for the Argentine forward.

He was left frustrated from the

spot twice inside 21 minutes after his eighth-minute effort was saved by goalkeeper Florin Nita, while he blasted his second penalty over the crossbar following David Silva’s 13th-minute opener.

“The fact he missed the penalties is part of the game but it was important that Sergio stayed focused and didn’t get down,” Guardiola said.

“He focused on his game and after he scored three goals.

“It’s not important how many times you fall down, it’s how many times you stand up and try again.”

Aguero did make amends four minutes before half-time, and he completed his hat-trick with a late double.

The 28-year-old, however, continues to struggle from the penalty spot, having missed four of his last f i v e in European competition.

Costa: I feel targeted in England!

D

iego Costa says he feels targeted in England and receives harsher punishments than other Premier League players.

The Chelsea striker scored a dramatic late winner as Antonio Conte’s team defeated West Ham on Monday, but only after he had avoided a second yellow card for a foul on goalkeeper Adrian, having earlier been booked for dissent.

West Ham boss Slaven Bilic said after the match that Costa would have seen red “nine

times out of 10” for the incident, but the Spain international feels the attention he gets is undeserved.

The 27-year-old said: “I am aware of the new dissent law now. The second time I went to talk to him, he showed me the yellow card. I even found it a bit weird, but then I understood.

I went to apologise at half-time and that’s it.

“But I’ll be honest, I am targeted here, by the referees, the people - if I do something, it’s totally different than if any other players

do. It needs to be seen, that people targeted me.

“It’s something I have to deal with and I ask God that these things don’t disturb me and don’t take the sequence of the games from me, which happen sometimes and gives me suspensions.”

Costa

Watford have allowed the departure of Spanish midfielder Mario Suarez on a season-long loan to Valencia. He was a non-fixture in Watford’s 1-1 draw with Southampton on the weekend, with manager Walter Mazzarri preferring Valon Behrami as the deep-lying midfielder. Suarez will be at Valencia until at least June 2017, with the La Liga side having an option to purchase the player for an undisclosed fee, upon the initial deal’s expiration.

Clucas signs new Hull deal

Sam Clucas has pledged his future to Hull by signing a new three-year contract with the club. The 25-year-old midfielder joined Hull from Chesterfield last summer and helped the Tigers win promotion back to the Premier League via the Championship play-offs in May. Clucas scored six times in 52 appearances for Hull during his debut season at the KCOM Stadium and caretaker manager Mike Phelan is delighted the former Mansfield and Hereford man has committed his future to the club.

News 24

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 18, 2016

Army Chief extols media role in fight against insurgency Abiodun Taiwo, Abeokuta

ÎÎÎThe

Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Tukur Buratai has lauded the roles played by the media in the fight against insurgency as very commendable.

Delivering a paper on “Mass Media and National Security”, Buratai who spoke through Col. John Agim, the Commander of Nigerian Army School of Public Relation and Information (NASPRI), said the media coverage of the ac-

tivities of the Army in winning the war against Boko Haram in the North-East had changed the perception of many Nigerians about the Army.

He disclosed that the media had helped in mobilising both national and international support for the Army, stressing that it had also assisted in communicating the objectives of the military to the people.

The Army boss however lamented that some media organisations report news that lack national interest,

Buratai saying “some media houses are established to promote regional interests and ethnic division instead of pro-

moting national unity.”

Buratai urged the media to always place the issue of national security ahead in their reportage, stressing that the media should rise above communicating issues of personal and regional interest.

Highlighting some of the roles of the media in promoting national security, Buratai cited the example of how the media was used to abort a coup in Turkey recently, disclosing that the live broadcast of the Turkish President urging the

people to reject the coup was worthy of emulation by the Nigerian media.

On his part, Col. Kayode Are called for a constant dialogue and consultation between the media and the various security agencies, insisting that they must both work together to earn each other’s trust and respect.

He noted that insecurity was now a problem without borders and challenged the media to always disseminate information on security alertness and awareness.

Are however explained that the media should not perceive the relationship between them and security agencies as threatening or an act to enforce censorship, disclosing that sometimes journalists have more useful information on national security than security agencies.

He stated that the issue of national security must not be seen as the responsibility of the media and security agencies alone but the collective responsibility of everyone.

LASG to deploy 13, 000 CCTV cameras, construct flyover in Pen Cinema Benjamin Omoike

ÎÎÎThe

Lagos state Government will deploy 13, 000 Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras and security sensors for surveillance and crime prevention.

It also announced plans to embark on the construction of a flyover at the Pen Cinema in Agege axis of the state.

This was revealed by the state Commissioner for Works, Mr. Ganiyu Johnson, while speaking at a joint news conference in Ikeja, which also had in attendance the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde and other commission-

ers.

The construction of the bridge, according to Johnson, will take between 18 to 24 months tentatively after due process might have been observed.

“The Pen-Cinema flyover has been a recurring decimal in this state to solve the gridlock there. The flyover will bring to three the number of flyovers undertaken by this government after the Abule-Egba and Ajah flyovers which are on course, “ he said.

Johnson said the flyover would be constructed from Oba Ogunji via Ijaiye Road into Agunbiade, adding that it would be 700meters long with some junction improvement at PenCinema.

Kano plans pharmaceutical market Yakubu Salisu, Kano

ÎÎÎ

As part of initiatives to curb the sale and consumption of unwholesome drugs, the Kano state government plans to establish a pharmaceutical products market in the state capital.

The state governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who announced this in a speech during the opening of the 2016 Pharmacy Week organized by the state branch of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, at Tahir Guest Palace, said the aim is to significantly control proliferation of hard and counterfeit drugs and medicaments.

According to the him, at the moment, it is difficult for government to control drug vendors in the state, who own shops all over the place and prescribe phar-

maceutical products indiscriminately, saying such activities must be stopped to save the lives of the people.

Governor Ganduje explained that “representatives of professional bodies such as Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria and law enforcement agents would be stationed in the market so that all products are safe, effective, and of good quality, and are prescribed and used sensibly”.

He, however, noted that it is even more difficult to check and regulate the rampant use of herbal substances because most of the herbalists are not certified and sell their products anyhow, giving wide room for abuse. In this regard, the governor tasked the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria to assist the government to control the use of herbal products.

Residents of Kuje presenting their dogs for vaccination during inauguration of Anti-Rabies Vaccination in Abuja… on Wednesday.

APC mocks Ekiti PDP spokesman over alleged assassination claim Gbenga Sodeinde, Ado Ekiti

ÎÎÎThe

All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has scoffed at the allegation by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s State spokesman, Adebayo Jackson, suggesting that the attack on him by an armed gang in Ado-Ekiti last weekend was carried out by the APC. Jackson had claimed in a press statement that he was attacked by armed men who shot into the air, wounded him on the head and took away his phones, accusing the opposition APC as the brain behind the attack.

But APC Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun,

denied the charge, accusing Jackson of “grandeur of delusion by over-exaggerating his importance in a state that the administration he serves has turned into a jungle at the mercy of criminals quartered in the Government House.

We sympathise with Jackson if it is true that he was attacked but we have our doubts.

“Who is Jackson and what has he said that would warrant the Presidency to go after him when his master has been ignored? Which church was he going at that hour of the night? Our findings show he was on the street till 11pm and everybody knows Jackson as a drunkard and an incurable night

crawler who should not be taken serious.

Jackson is such a political fry to attract the attention of the Presidency. We call on the security agents to investigate Jackson for lying to the public”.

He said the party wouldn’t have responded to the “senseless” allegation, but for the unsuspecting members of the public who did not understand how Governor Ayodele Fayose’s government operates while planning to stoke violence and blame it on the opposition.

Accusing Jackson of engaging in falsehood for “undeserved public sympathy”, Olatunbosun said his allegation was the first ever assassination mis-

sion where the assassins gained “complete advantage” over their victim but only succeeded in stealing his phones and saving their bullets to spare the victim’s life.

Said he: “This is a ridiculous allegation by the spokesman of a party that has no shame in recklessly lying to the public and has made indiscretion and promotion of violence a deliberate policy in the governance process.

“We had written several petitions to the security agencies pointing their attention to the killers’ squad quartered in the Government House with specific responsibility to attack opposition members.

MultiChoice excites football lovers ahead new season ANDREW EKEJIUBA

I

t was an enthralling football experience as video entertainment company, MultiChoice Nigeria treated fans to an exciting live screening of Premier League (EPL) matches played on Sunday 14 August 2016 at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

This year’s football season kick-off event staged

by MultiChoice provided football lovers and MultiChoice customers with the opportunity to witness live commentary and analysis from the Liverpool legend, and SuperSport pundit, John Barnes, including other pundits such as Segun Agbede, Nigeria’s ex international, Victor Ikpeba, and Charles Anazado who were all on ground to give the fans a real-time football experience with a personal touch.

In his opening remarks, General Manager, Marketing and Sales, MultiChoice Nigeria, Martin Mabutho, said: “MultiChoice is committed to delighting its customers with exciting football action this new season. We are especially happy to do so at this time when the Premier League parades top-class coaches who are all set to contend for the most coveted premiership title, and other exciting continental leagues.”

“As part of plans to give our subscribers a memorable experience, we invited John Barnes to Nigeria to join us in ushering in the new football season.

For us at MultiChoice, this event has become an annual obligation to our subscribers and football fans. It is designed to bring the game of football closer to viewers while also creating a convivial atmosphere of fun and excitement which sets the tone for the season”.

Page 29

Thursday, AUGUST 18, 2016

ANDREW EKEJIUBA

A Golden Eaglets coach, Manu Garba.

Eaglets

depart for ‘Battle of Niamey’

fter three days of intensive training session, Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets will depart Sokoto today ahead of Saturday’s second round, second leg U-17 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Junior Menas of Niger Republic in Niamey.

Coach Manu Garba’s wards take a 1-0 lead to their hosts and must at least secure a draw to progress to the third and final round for a place in next year’s continental cadet championship to be held in Madagascar between April 2–16, 2017.

“We have worked hard in the last three days and after all said and done, it is the Almighty Allah that will know the outcome of the match,” Garba said. “On our part, we are full of confidence and we want Nigerians to remember the team in their prayers as we travel to Niamey.

“Our objective is to secure qualification to the next stage and having done our part in terms of preparation, we are praying and hopeful that Almighty Allah will bless us with good result so that we can come out unscathed against the Nigeriens.”

NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi will lead the delegation. Also on the trip is Assistant Director (Technical), Abdulrafiu Yusuf. Coach Garba and his assistants, as well as backroom staff, will lead a playing personnel of 18 players.

Friday rues defeat

Tornadoes Giwa FC reinstated to at A NPFL after court order T

he League Management Company (LMC) has reinstated Giwa FC to the Nigeria league in compliance to a court order to that effect.

According to a statement by the LMC and signed by chairman Shehu Dikko, Giwa, who were expelled from the league after they failed to honour a total of three matches, have been restored to the league and their players could no longer feature for the clubs they were sent out on loan to after their expulsion.

The statement read in part: “… as a law abiding corporate entity, LMC has taken immediate steps to effect compliance with the directives of the Court, as contained in the Order, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice. To this end, kindly be advised that: “Giwa FC has been restored to the NPFL table, while further processes are being activated to reschedule the matches concerning the club, in accordance with the NPFL Framework and Rules, 2015/2016 season;

Dikko

kwa United striker, Friday Ubong has described as bad result the huge thumbing at top-flight newcomers, Niger Tornadoes.

The Promise Keepers lost 0-3 to Tornadoes in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matchday 31 clash on Tuesday at the Confluence Stadium in Lokoja.

Friday said he is yet to come to term with the stark reality of his side massive blowout at the Minna outfit.

“It is really a bad result one of the worst defeats for us so far in the ongoing Nigerian top-flight.

“As I speak with you I’m yet to come up with a plausible answer or explanation for the disturbing defeat.

“We played quite well in the encounter but shockingly we found ourselves conceding some cheeky goals.

“Everybody is not happy with the poor result as we planned to at least claim a point in the match.

“Well we have decided to march ahead with the remaining matches on the calendar and to work towards recovering the points in other matches.

“Actually the huge loss is a setback on our concerted fight to challenge for the available tickets at stake.

“Of course, we cannot be relegated in the on-going season we will work harder to ensure we finish the league campaign respectfully,” said Friday.

The loss at Niger Tornadoes leaves Akwa United points haul at 40 eight points behind leaders, Enugu Rangers.

Friday

Features

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 18, 2016

s

17

One wedding that proved Nigeria’s economy is not as bad

The couple with Monsgr Ukah

God’s Covenant Snr Banker Cyril Ikechukwu Aloziuwa of Ihala, Anambra, the proud son of Lt. Col. Cyril Ikechukwu Aloziuwa (rtd) and Mrs. Bridget Aloziuwa on Saturday in Lagos, tied the knots with his Cinderella-like bride, Medua Iweha Laura, from Asaba, Delta state is the daughter of Sir Emmanuel Iweha Onuku and Lady

Late Bisola

The newly weds digging it all the way to the platform at the reception

Francess Onukwu, of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Aboru, Iyana Ipaja in Lagos.

The wedding which drew the list of Who-is-Who across the military, clergy and business class was sponsored by a business mogul, Carl Ileka.

The MC at the reception opened the floor with a wisecrack that was gave guests some food for thought.

“Being born a male is by birth,” he began, “Becoming a man is by

age. But being a gentleman is by choice,” he concluded.

Looking at the massive reception held at the exclusive G.R.A., Ikeja, area of Lagos, flooded by gaily dressed movers and shakers of the society, the respected and unpredictable Reverend Father, Monsignor Livinus Ukah, in his opening prayer, took on MC who had commented that economy is dry and wondered: “If we have gorgeously dressed people like these in our country,

Sebiotimo Busola

Adieu, Bisola

There is this dark tunnel women must go through, if they must fulfill and multiply. It is called the ‘labour room’. It’s a frightening room that decides the fate of any woman that calls for its attention.

Some come out of it with what they call ‘bundle of joy’; some others leave the room empty handed but hopeful that they will visit again, while some unfortunate ones don’t make it: they are carried out in a stretcher, cold, stiff and very dead.

All the reasons we hear could not take away the shock that touched everyone when news of deat of Abisola Adio, a young mother and accounting staff of The Daily Times of Nigeria who stepped into the labour for her first baby, Bisola did come out of the labour room with her baby, but started bleeding some hours later, a situation that led to her death.

The answer to what could have happened to her does not answer what becomes of her

and you say the economy is bad, does that mean that we are not making use of our people present here today?”

Beyond the pomp and pageantry that graced the wedding and the grand reception, a close look at the two families whose daughters have come together to become another family brought the counsel of old to mind…that it really does matter who you get married to.

Octogenarian Martins Obi, a

child who is just some days old without the comfort of its mother, her love, and her breast milk.

Who would look after the child and who will the child look up to, who will be the person that will cry with the child, laugh with the child, listen to the child, advise the child, teach the child and help the child as the mother would?

When May Eileen Ezekiel (MEE) bled to death at a high brow hospital in Ikeja, Lagos, Pastor of Household of God,

retired engineer and grandfather, viewed marriage as an ‘exciting coming of age’.

“To some, it is an adventure; to some others, marriage is both commitment and responsibility sometimes mistaken for love. Yet to some, it is meeting the purpose of nature, the demand of tradition and above all, it is meeting the commission which God Himself charged all mankind with in Genesis 1:27-28.

“So from whichever angle you approach it, marriage - beyond the pomp and fanfare, is a merging together, which is where the word ‘marriage’ stemmed from: it is a merging together of two separate family ancestries to start off a brand new one.

“It is a bold step only responsible children take and it behoves on parents to give them all the backing and encouragement the young ones need,” Obi said.

The old fellow who had seen it all after a marriage that spanned some six decades, said in retrospect that the one assignment all human beings must execute successfully is to ‘fulfill and multiply’. “The commanded mandate is from God in heaven, and our custom and tradition demand from all our children and the special reason is so that your genealogy must continue after you,” he said, and it made a lot of sense.

The latest family tree on earth being celebrated this Saturday is confident that God will fulfill both heavenly and family mandates in their young marriage.

Chris Okotie said in his prayer, “God, if it is the fault of the doctors, forgive them…”

May be God did, if it was, indeed, a human error; but MEE was no more, never will be on planet earth again, and so is our Bisola.

A Scripture comes to mind that says, “All flesh is grass; as the lilies of the field and as the grass of the ground, so all life is grass; surely, the people is grass”.

O God, grant her eternal rest, and bless her gentle, innocent soul.

Amen.

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 18, 2016

Shun corruption, minister warns FCT NYSC governing board Idu Jude, Abuja

ÎÎÎThe

FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has warned the new Governing Board of the FCT National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to shun corruption and mismanagement of funds in the running of the affairs of the Board or face the full wrath of the law.

The Minister gave the warning while inaugurating the Governing Board of FCT NYSC and presentation of awards to 20112013 batches of outstanding corps members in Abuja on Tuesday.

The Minister who was represented at the occasion by the FCT Per-

manent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye, presented award certificates to 76 corps members who had excelled in their primary assignments between 2011 and 2013 service years.

Malam Bello enjoined the new board members to be prudent in the management of NYSC resources to ensure that that the precious funds made available to the NYSC by the government are judiciously deployed only for the good of the corps members.

He reminded the members that the Board is duty bound in molding future generations that can progressively contribute in building a great nation through the youths.

While calling for increased budgetary provision for youth activities, the Minister assured that the present FCT Administration is determined to bring a change in the exercise in Territory.

Malam Bello reiterated his administration’s commitment to rewarding any corps member who chooses to distinguish himself or herself, stressing that the award will now be a yearly affair to further encourage corps members to impact positively on their host communities.

His words: “Beyond this, we are making other efforts, to improve the lot of our youths in general, by evolving viable empowerment and entrepreneur-

ship development programmes, to which Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA) has been directed to extend its activities.”

The Minister revealed that the FCT administration has already keyed into the CBN Small and Medium Enterprises promotion scheme; adding that under this scheme, young graduates, with viable business plans are required to bring their ideas to bear and acquire soft loans.

The awardees received different cash prizes depending on the categories of their awards and performances namely: Category A- Certificate of Merit & N200,000; and Category B - Certificate of Merit & N100,000 each.

23 News

100, 000 farmers to benefit from CBN scheme in Ebonyi Jacob Ogodo, Abakaliki

ÎÎÎOver 100,000 farmers in

Ebonyi state are expected to benefit from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) anchored Borrowers programme of the production of one million metric tons of rice annually.

The state Governor, Chief David Umahi who stated this in Abakaliki local government area during the flag off of the programme said that it has put in place incentives to make the farmers meet the expectation.

Represented by the Secretary to the State government, Prof Bernard Odo, the governor lamented that the state’s current rice production lacked capacity to feed the people of state, let alone the country.

He also said that the state government had begun a partnership venture with the CBN which would not only boost rice production but also motivate farmers to engage in large scale commercial production of rice among other food crops in the state.

In his remarks, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Barr. Uchenna Orji, expressed joy over the part-

Gov. Umahi nership between the state and the CBN urged farmers across the 13 LGAs to key into the scheme as it will benefit them and the state at large.

Orji noted that the State Executive Council members who are part of the Project Monitoring Team, PMT of the government were working round the clock to ensure the full implementation and success of the agricultural policies of the present administration.

Meanwhile the CBN consultant, Mr. Michael Enahoro, stated that the scheme, if fully implemented would cause agricultural revolution across the state as Ebonyi was playing a key role in the food security of the nation.

Buhari remains Nigeria’s best President –Activist Dilionye Dilibe, Onitsha

ÎÎÎA Cross section of students at the launch of Adolescent Girl’s initiative in Northern Nigeria, in Kaduna… on Wednesday.

Catholic Bishops urge INEC to deal with law-breakers during Edo, Ondo polls Gbenga Sodeinde, Ado Ekiti

ÎÎÎCatholic

Bishops Conference of Ibadan Ecclesiastical province has urged the Independent Electoral commission (INEC) to be fair and allow the people to elect candidates of their choices without hindrances in Edo and Ondo governorship polls.

In a communique issued at the end of the 3-day second plenary

meeting of the province held in Akure, Ondo State on Wednesday, the Bishops also they praised President Muhammadu Buhari for exposing corrupt Nigerians in his anti-graft war, advising that the president must institutionalize the fight for it to outlast his administration and become deeply entrenched in the system.

The clerics also condemned the alleged subtle plan by the Minister of Health, Prof Isaac

Adewole, in collaboration with foreign organizations to increase the culture of contraception among Nigerian women, describing this as an antilife policy.

They specifically warned the political parties participating in Edo and Ondo governorship polls to desist from violence and align with the guidelines stipulated by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), to

avert anarchy in the system.

The communiqué signed by its President and Archbishop of Ibadan, Bishop Gabriel Abegunrin, and Secretary, Bishop Felix Ajakaye the Catholic Bishop of Ekiti State, stated: “As the elections in Ondo and Edo States draw near, we urge all who will contest the elections to commit themselves to non-violence and fair play.

“Our country by now

former PDP candidate for Onitsha North II Constituency in the Anambra state House of Assembly, Mr. Benjamin Eneori, has made a shocking revelation describing President Mohammadu Buhari as ‘’the best civilian President the country has ever produced for now’’.

The political activist who accused the President’s critics of petty jealousy for allegedly giving out sensitive political and bureaucratic appointments to members of his family, in-laws and friends, including harboring a secret northern agenda against other sections of Nigeria equally exonerated the President, citing other political leaders who engaged in nepotism.

Eneori stated that there was nothing wrong for one occupying a privileged position to appoint people he

could trust into sensitive and responsible positions of authority as much as such people are qualified and competent enough to hold such positions for the progress of government business.

“I see nothing wrong for Buhari to appoint his own people and those he can trust to deliver in as much the appointees are qualified and competent enough to deliver on such mandate.

“Those who criticize President Mohammadu Buhari on nepotism are doing so out of petty jealousy.

The problem is not on appointing people because you want to reflect on principles of Federal Character. The President has not derailed from the principle of Federal Character. He is trying to give the best to Nigeria.’’

The activist further stated that he admired the Nigerian president as the only leader who has the political will and courage to fight corruption in the country.

News 28

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 18, 2016

Army arrests 2 soldiers over alleged brutality, sets up BOI Segun Adio

ÏÏÏ The 81 Division, Nige-

rian Army on Wednesday said it had set up a Board of Inquiry (BOI) to try two soldiers arrested over alleged brutality of Lagos residents in Makoko community.

The General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Maj.-Gen. Isidore Edet, made the disclosure to journalists during a news conference at the division in Lagos.

Gen. Edet, who spoke through the Assistant Director of Information, 81 Division, Lt.- Col. Kingsley Samuel, said that the army would go after other soldiers who participated in the attack.

According to him, ``The board is expected to investigate and find out the remote cause of the fracas. ``The board will seat for three weeks. The board is also expected to find out, among other things, whether the soldiers were on offi-

cial duty in the area where the incident occurred before turning in its report to the army authority,” he said.

Gen. Edet said the incident was highly regrettable, adding that it was worrisome now that the division in conjuction with security agencies were consolidating on the gains dislodging pipeline vandals in Lagos and Ogun states.

He continued, “81 Division frowns at this unfortu-

nate incident and wishes to assure the general public that this unlawful act will not go unpunished if the soldiers are found culpable.

“The demonstration of the existing inter-agency cooperation between the Division and other security agencies, Lagos State Police Command has handed over the two soldiers allegedly involved in this unlawful act for investigation. ``Both soldiers are in 81 Division custody. One of them who sustained injury

is receiving treatment” he added.

The GOC said the division remained committed to its task as part of the constitutional mandate of the Nigerian Army, while urging members of the public to also be Law Abiding.

The two soldiers, Private Ihama Osaretin, and Private Ray Okpor and 16 others allegedly stormed Makoko at about 8:00 pm on Sunday where they allegedly beat up some residents.

From left: Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ette Bias; representative of the Minister of Defence, Amb. Danjuma Sheni; and Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, at the launching of boats and commissioning of vehicles in Lagos...on Wednesday

500 unemployed youths to benefit from ITF scheme in C’ River Edem Edem Calabar

ÏÏÏ No fewer than 500 un-

employed youths in Cross River State are to benefit from technical/vocational skills to be organised by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF).

This was disclosed in Calabar by Director General/ Chief Executive Officer of ITF, Mr. Dickson Chinedum Onuoha.

The ITF has also commenced the training of 9, 500 unemployed youths across the 18 states of the federation and federal capital territory.

The program, according to our findings, was designed

to equip young Nigerians with requisite skills for employment and job creation.

It was specially packaged to fast-track the realization of the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP).

Flagging-off the 5th phase of the NISDP of ITF in Calabar, cross river state capital Tuesday, the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of ITF, Mr. Dickson Chinedum Onuoha said that NISDP was the technical/ vocational skills component of the National Enterprise Development Program (NEDEP) of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.

He said the first phase of

the programme commenced in December 2012 and has continued in subsequent phases in all states of the federal and federal capital territory producing thousands of skilled artisans in various trade areas, “Today, we are witnessing the flag-off of the 5th Phase of the program which will cover the 18 States and the FCT in the first run. Indeed, a total of 9, 500 youths will be trained in the 18 States plus FCT (500 per state)” “President Muhammed Buhari has consistently emphasized the need to diversify our economy by taking advantage of the numerous opportunities that abound in

all sectors. We are also aware of federal government’s drive towards the industrialization of our nation. This programme therefore is a clear demonstration of Federal Government’s renewed commitment towards its industrialization and economic diversification policy” he stated.

Ayade

Don urges youths to be self-reliant Moses Oyediran Enugu

ÏÏÏA University of Nige-

ria Nsukka in the Faculty of Education, Dr. Vicky Onu, has urged youths in the country to be self-employed noting that acquisition of skills is the only way to improve talents in other to be self-reliant and job creators in future.

Onu stated this in a remark at a workshop titled “Young Innovators, our future Hope” organized

by University of Nigeria Nsukka to enlighten youths in the South East region on what it takes to become successful entrepreneur.

“Youths as the future leaders should use their initiative not only to solve problem facing the country but also to secure their future.

“Nigeria youths are gifted, talented and creative and therefore should use education acquired to produce indigenous products that will help in strengthening the economy.

“Such a mindset will lead to better economy and fast track technological development in the country, ‘she said.

She urged federal government to review school curriculum from primacy school to tertiary in the country to be skill acquisition driven in order to empower youths in the country as secure their future.

Economy: Aregbesola appeals to Nigerians for patience Sodiq Adekunle Osogbo

ÏÏÏThe

Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has appealed to Nigerians to be patient with the present administration in its bid to strengthening the nation’s economy.

The Governor stated this in his office while receiving a plaque of honour from the leadership of the Nigerian Association of Technologists in Engineering (NATE), Osun State chapter.

Aregbesola, describing change as a gradual process, said what Nigerians need at the moment is to double their support for government in finding

lasting solutions to myriads of challenges confronting the nation.

He admitted that the nation is going through serious economic challenge, believing that after this period of relative hardship, Nigerians will experience good life, joy and happiness.

According to him, “Change does not come easily, change comes generally with pain and it is this pain that will turnout for good.

“There is no doubt about the fact that we are going through serious socioeconomic and politic of unrest and it is my fervent belief that after this period, Nigerians will experience good life, joy and happiness.

Public Notice 22

Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, August 18, 2016

Senate’ll avert strikes in varsities –Senator Barau Chris Emetoh, Abuja

ÎÎÎChairman of the Sen-

ate committee on Tertiary Education Fund ( TETFUND), Senator Jibrin Barau (Kano North), has reassured Nigerians that the upper chamber was working very hard to avert any impending strike action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

In a chat with journalists, on Wednesday, Barau said as a proactive Senate

that is always responsive to the plights of Nigerians, efforts are being made to ensure dialogue between the Federal Government and the university lecturers who had earlier warned that they may soon embark on an indefinite strike if moves were not made to pay their salaries and allowances.

Responding to the threat, Senator Barau said any action taken by ASUU would negate the interest of Nigerian students who are the future

of the country.

He said “ as a responsive senate we are looking into the issue, rest assured that we are really working hard to address the matter. We will always be proactive in dealing with matters like this especially in the education sector which affects our youths.”

Also on the plights of some universities that are unable to access funds from TETFUND, the senator said the matter was also being looked into by

the new Executive Secretary of fund.

He continued, “Let’s not put the cart before the horse. As you know, a new ES has been appointed in TETFUND and as a very hard working gentleman I am sure he is studying the situation in Nigeria universities and will soon come up with a solution.

The senate is working with him to put things in place but the new ES has to study the situation, we are really working on that.”

Wanted Benue militia leader’s children, sister in Police custody ÎÎÎChildren

and a sister of a notorious militia leader, Terwase Akwaza alias Ghana, who is wanted for murder charges, kidnapping and armed robbery in Benue State are in the custody of the Nigeria Police.

This was disclosed by Commissioner of Police in the state, Bashir Makama, while chatting with journalists in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

According to the Makama, the essence is for safe keep to avoid a situation

that they may be harmed as well as to prompt Ghana to surrender himself to the law enforcement agents to answer charges preferred against him.

The Commissioner explained that the wanted man has been involved in the training of militia, cattle rustling and other criminal activities making it imperative to protect innocent members of his family to avoid any unpleasant consequence.

Akwaza accepted the

Benue State Government’s amnesty programme late last year but was link in May this year with the murder of Senior Special Assistant to Governor Samuel Ortom on Special Security, Denen Igbana.

Fifteen persons including the Special Advisor to the Governor on Special Duties, Joe Ikyaagba, have been arraigned in connection with the murder while Ghana and 13 others were said to be at large, a police prosecution officer had told

a Magistrate Court sometimes in July, prompting the ongoing operation by the joint security agencies to fish Ghana out.

Makama who was mandated by the State Executive Council to brief the general public on the achievement so far recorded said already, 18 persons with links with Ghana have been arrested with arms, live ammunitions, cars, cannabis sativa and other exhibits recovered in the course of the operation.

MRS. CALISTA AMADI

KPURU AYIBATONYE

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

I, formerly known and addressed as, OPOBO MARTHA, now wish to be known and addressed as, KPURU AYIBATONYE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

DAVID EFE AKPUSI

JAIYEOBA ADEBUSOLA OPEYEMI

MRS. GLORIA ABAKWAM

NZEREM ANIEKAN CHRIS

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. GLORIA MUOKA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. GLORIA ABAKWAM. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note

I, formerly known and addressed as, SAMPSON ANIEKAN FESTUS, now wish to be known and addressed as, NZEREM ANIEKAN CHRIS. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OLADEJI AKEEM AJANI

MISS. OGBONNA UGOCHI

I, formerly known as OLADEJI AKEEM OLAITAN wish to be known and addressed as OLADEJI AKEEM AJANI. All former document remain valid, general public please take note.

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

LIVINUS VINCENT CHINEDU

ATINUKE ADEREMI OYENUGA

I formerly known. Called and addressed as DAVID WISDOM AKPUSI now wish to be known. called and addressed as DAVID EFE AKPUSI. All former documents remains valid the general public please take note.

I, formerly known as AJAYI BUSOLA wish to be known and addressed as JAIYEOBA ADEBUSOLA OPEYEMI All former document remain valid, general public please take note.

JIMOH FATIMAH AHUOIZA

NJOKU THEDDAUS EMEKA

I, formerly known and addressed as ATINUKE ADEREMI OLADEJOAKINTOLA now wishes to be known and addressed as ATINUKE ADEREMI OYENUGA. All other documents and bank accounts bearing the former name remains valid.

I, formerly known as MOMOH JIMOH FATIMAH wish to be known and addressed as JIMOH FATIMAH AHUOIZA. All former document remain valid, general public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as NJOKU THEDDAUS CHIKA. now wish to be known and addressed as NJOKU THEDDAUS EMEKA. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

EZE. NESTOR. OKENWA

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I formerly known, called and addressed as EZE NESTOR AMAEFULA. Now wish to be known, called and addressed as EZE. NESTOR. OKENWA. All documents bearing my former name remain valid general public should please take note.

That the authorities concern to please note that I am the same person bearing SHITTU K. SAMUSIDEEN ADESINA, ADESINA SAMUSIDEEN and SOREMEKUN SAMUSIDEEN ADESINA SHITTU, general public should take note

OGBE NWACHUKWU

ADEKUNLE BLESSING

I, formerly known and addressed as, AGBOJE. GABRIEL, now wish to be known and addressed as, OGBE NWACHUKWU. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

I am formerly know and addressed as BLESSING CHIMERE SUNDAY and now wish to be know and addressed as ADEKUNLE BLESSING, all former document remain valid, general public should take note

l formerly known and addressed as ONYIA VINCENT CHINEDU now wish to be known and addressed as LIVINUS VINCENT CHINEDU. All former documents remain valid the general public please take note.

My curse haunting PDP, says Enugu Councillorship aspirant Moses Oyediran, Enugu

ÎÎÎA councillorship aspi-

rant in the 2011 Local Government election in Enugu State, Mr. Charles Chukwunonso Odo, has taken responsibility for the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

HE said that God’s anger is at work in the party because he was defrauded by the PDP. Odo told journalists in Enugu, on Wednesday, that he placed a curse on the party five years ago.

He alleged that he was defrauded by the party in the state.

The angry politician declared that consequently, he placed a curse on the party after a 7-day fasting, during which he poured out his heart to God in tears.

According to him, “I want to declare boldly today that the crisis rocking the PDP is not ordinary. I placed a curse on the party five years ago owing to a grave injustice meted out on me.

“In 2011, I had joined the race for the councillorship

position in Ogbodu-Aba ward, Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

“The then chairman of the PDP in Udenu Local Government, Mr. Fabian Ugwu, had encouraged us to buy forms, promising that we shall be treated fairly. I was the first person in Enugu State to purchase the form.

Odo, a Catechist of the Roman Catholic Church in Nsukka, added that “it later turned out that there was no election at all; they collected my money, put it in their pocket but never held any election.

“I made several efforts by appealing to the conscience of the powers that be in the party to right the wrongs done to me but they refused.

So, having exhausted all avenues, I decided to take the matter to God’s court.

“I went into fasting for seven days where I poured out my heart to God. I placed a curse on the PDP and prayed God to sweep the party away with crisis.

I prayed Got to destroy the PDP; I am very happy today that the hour has come.

Now, it is happening.

MISSY JOSEPH GLORY

ELEKAMA LANSERU MUSA

I, formerly known and addressed as, JOSEPH MISSY GLORY, now wish to be known and addressed as, MISSY JOSEPH GLORY. All former documents remain valid.

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I formerly known and addressed as ELEKAMA LANCE MUSA now wish to be known and addressed as ELEKAMA LANSERU MUSA All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

OLIVER NHORSON

TEMPLE AYO

I, formerly known and addressed as, OLIVER NHIORS, now wish to be known and addressed as, OLIVER NHORSON. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as, TEMPLE AYO CHIDINDU, now wish to be known and addressed as, TEMPLE AYO. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHINWE ANYANWU

GODLY NWANKWO

I, formerly known and addressed as CHINWE DENNIS wish to be known and addressed as CHINWE ANYANWU. All former document remain valid, general public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as GODLY NJOKU, now wish to be known and addressed as GODLY NWANKWO. All former documents remain valid.

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CONFIRMATION OF NAME I,ODUBELA AMONI DAWUTA HANNAH,WISH TO STATE THAT I AM ALSO ODUBELA AMONI. I USE MY MIDDLE NAMES HANNAH (ANNE) AND DAWUTA IN SOME FORMS AND IGNORE IT IN OTHERS. THIS INFORMATION IS TO CLARIFY THAT I AM ONE AND THE SAME PERSON. ALL DOCUMENT,ACADEMIC RECORDS CREDE NTIALS,LICENSES,CERTIFICATE AND BANK RECORDS SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOT AND ALIGN ACCORDINGLY.

MALIK ABDULRAFIU I, formerly known as ABDULAI. MUHAMMED now wish to be known and addressed as MALIK ABDULRAFIU. All former document remain valid The general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

That I JINADU JOHSON OLALEKAN is the same person as JINADU LEKAN ISMAILA and original DATE Of Birth is 17/ 06/1983. All former document remain valid, general public please take note.

OGBONNA JOY CHIDINMA

I, formerly known and addressed as JOHN JOY CHIDINMA, now wish to be known & addressed as OGBONNA JOY CHIDINMA. All former documents remains valid. General public, take note.