Dtn 4 5 16

Ministers, legislators meet on latest Budget

Ï LƆƆƐƈ Ɛ ƈƏ ƑƐ ƏƆƕ ƏƆ ƈ ƇƏƆ Ɨ ƅƑƌƆ Ɛ Ï Ƒ Əƈ ƐƈƋƋ ƆƔƍƆƅƐƆƗ Ɛ ƈ ƑƗ ƆƐ Ɛ ƈ ƓƆƆƊ Olufemi Samuel, Abuja

ÎÎÎAll is set for President Muhamma-

du Buhari to signed the 2016 Budget as Ministers and legislators met Tuesday afternoon for a review of the fresh copy

of the budget made available to the President by the National Assembly.

There were reports that President

Buhari had received the latest edition Continued on page 6

dailytimesng

https://plus.google.com/+DailytimesNgr/posts

www.facebook.com/dailytimesngr

https://twitter.com/DailyTimesNGR

WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016 VOL. 2. NO. 101

GAINERS

N150

LOSERS

NSE GAINERS AND LOSERS AS AT 3rd May, 2016.

NESTLE

678.32

63.06

10.25%

TIGERBRANDS

3.30

0.27

8.91%

FIDELITYBK

1.10

-0.07

-5.98%

FCMB

0.95

-0.05

-5.00%

ETERNA

2.53

0.23

10.00%

DANGCEM

171.57

8.17

5.00%

WEMABANK

0.76

-0.04

-5.00%

GLAXOSMITH

21.43

-1.12

-4.97%

Buhari orders decisive action against herdsmen Ï 6ƆƏƗ ƌƆ ô ƅƏƈƌƈ ƋƈƐƕ Ɔ ƗƆƗ ƈ MƈƌƄ – APC Govs Ï dƐƑƗƆ Ɛ ƈ M ƑƊƊ è Mƈ ƆƏƈ ƈ G Ɨ ƍƏ ƐƆ Ɛ ƐƐ ƅƊ Ï zƆ ƏƆ ơƠƠü ƓƈƐ ^ƏƆ ƈƗƆ Ɛ ƈ ƅ ƏƏƑƍƐƈ Ƈƈ Ɛ – Catholic Bishops Egena Egena, Abuja & Moses Oyediran, Enugu

ÎÎÎPresident

Muhammadu Buhari late Monday night in Abuja

ordered security agencies in the country to deal decisively and expeditiously with armed Fulani herdsmen attacking communities across the country.

The presidential directive is coming against the backdrop of reports of continued attacks and wreaking of havoc on communities across the country by armed

herdsmen.

The latest attacks by the herdsmen were recorded in Agatu and Ukpabi Nimbo in Benue and Enugu states respectively where

scores of villagers fell to their superior fire power.

Buhari who spoke at a meeting Continued on page 6

Nigeria’s economy will grow slower in 2016 – IMF g12

Confusion in Edo as Speaker, Deputy g8 impeached N6b fraud: Again, Dasuki’s absence in court stalls trial g12

Denrele Edun gL1

My biggest fear is running out of work

Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (right), addressing ‘Coalition of Women’ members during a protest in Enugu over the recent attack on Nimbo community by herdsmen in which several lives were lost… on Tuesday.

Kaduna govt arraigns 91 Shi’ites, seeks death sentence

g5

2

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 4, 2016

SUITES

HOTEL

GARDENS

Plot 1415 Adetokunbo Ademola Street, PMB 12724 Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria, Tel: +23412772700-5 (ext,6124) +23414606100 -29 Fax +234 1 2704071 sales@ekohotels.com, reservation@ekohotels.com banquet@ekohotels, www.ekohotels.com

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Page Three Æ s

3

Editorial The price of darkness (3)

N

igerians would attest to the fact that the regime of darkness, which is now the hallmark of national existence, has been with us for as long anyone could remember. In fact, no one would readily recall when last any part of the country had uninterrupted power supply for 24 hours on any given day. The situation is so awkward that not many Nigerians look ever forward to having electricity on daily basis. Mentally and psychologically, Nigerians are coming to grips with the reality of living their everyday existence without power and would paradoxically express bewilderment anytime there is light. For any well-organised society, the daily lack of electricity is enough to galvanise the citizens on nationwide protest against the authorities. Incidentally, those in charge of providing electricity in Nigeria have lured the citizens into false sense of complacency in the face of rising odds and incompetence.

Given this scenario, the citizens are paying a high price in terms of health care. Moreover, such inefficiency has succeeded in hobbling the country’s health related infrastructure. Today, majority of our public hospitals, clinics, mental homes and other health institutions suffer from acute lack of power, which has affected not only morale of the personnel but also the equipment. A visit to any of our health institutions would reveal the pervasive deterioration and decay within the environment. It is not unusual to find imported expensive medical equipment rotting away due to lack of electricity to put them to maximum and beneficial use.

Even when there is power, the voltage is so low and intermittent that much of the equipment become prone to malfunctioning, thereby defeating the purposes for which they were purchased. Invariably, such situation has

forced health institutions to rely more on manual ways of rendering service, thereby affecting the cost of healthcare. Ironically, while our health institutions are forced to resorting to prehistoric mode of service delivery, the consequences are being felt by the poor who now find it difficult to avail of their services due to rising costs.

Invariably, initiatives to prevent and treat non-communicable diseases are also facing huge challenges, given that essential devices, such as electrocardiograms and mammograms, require significant electricity supply capacity.

In addition, the country’s immunisation policy also faces an energy challenge given the limited vaccine refrigeration capacity. In the face of high costs and increasing poverty, many Nigerians are resorting to unorthodox medicine, faith healers and quacks to seek cure for their health challenges.

In the process, many Nigerians are known to have lost their lives at the hands of untrained and unprofessional health care givers.

Incidentally, the rich who can afford the costs of health care are leaving in droves to countries with well-equipped and functional health institutions.

Such medical tourism is responsible for the relentless capital flight that has been depleting the country’s foreign reserves. Investigations reveal that more than 30,000 Nigerians engage in medical tourism every year, at the whopping cost of $1.2billion annually.

Paradoxically, while Nigeria has the largest number of medical practitioners among Africans in the Diaspora, she has not been able to provide the enabling environment for them to come home. All this boils down to lack of constant electricity. Until, the authorities solve the problem of power shortage, its absence will continue to militate against the nation’s advancement in all spheres of endeavour.

Daily/ Online Editor Biodun Durojaiye

Group News Editor Segun Adio

Group Managing Director Noel Anosike

Deputy Editor/Southern Bureau Chief Sam Nzeh

Politics Editor Akintola Akinjide

Commercial and Business Development Manager David Morisade Adeagbo 09086207410

Asst. Business Dev. Manager Yetunde Oyelude 08033600907 Group Head Commercial & Marketing Konnie Agu 09033765031

Dep. Commercial and Business Dev. Manager Ifeanyi Emefu 08086296714

Group Head Business & Special Project Christelle Mande 08088144613

Dep. Business Dev. Manager Bello Ganiyu 08037272933

Adverts/Partnerships/ Corporate Subscription 09033765031

Head, Graphics/Design King Ododoru Technical Adviser To Publisher Innocent Nwankwo

Laureta Airamoehi 08028554956

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

Sam Nzeh ÏÏÏIt is baffling that when

Nigerian political parties are campaigning for office, they and their candidates promise heaven on earth but soon after they get into office, the narratives change.

They give excuses as to why their earlier promise(s) can no longer be fulfilled and in some instances deny ever making such promise(s).

At other times, they start calling for patience on the part of Nigerians, reeling out thousand and one reasons why they should be allowed more time to make good their promise(s).

Nothing exemplifies this as the admonition by former Minister of Information, Prince Tony Momoh, on April 24, 2016 at Mara-

raba, Nasarawa State that Nigerians should not to expect immediate change from the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The former Information minister and chieftain of the APC said the promised change would come in two years.

A day after, six ministers of the Buhari administration at a town hall meeting in Lagos also sang the same song.

The ministers who were in Lagos to explain the policies of the Buhariled APC administration urged Nigerians to show understanding, saying the change they expect could not happen in one year. What a change of the narratives; what a shift of the goal post midway into a game!

Poser: Does it mean that when the APC was busy campaigning for the 2015 general election, it

Words On Marble :

Publisher/Editor in Chief – Fidelis Anosike

Ag Deputy Editor/ Northern Bureau Chief Lateef Ibrahim

The latest admonition on Change

dailytimesng www.facebook.com/dailytimesngr

did not understand that the promise of change it made would not materialise in one year or was it just deceiving the electorate? If it did, why did it create the impression that once in power, Nigerians will witness better days almost immediately?

The admonition by Momoh, the six ministers and other chieftains of the party that Nigerians should not expect the promised change by the APC to happen in one year is exactly how not to shift the goal post when the game is on and all wellmeaning persons must condemn this tendency by politicians and political parties to dash the hope of the people once in power. Our politicians and political parties must know that they would be held accountable to their promises during campaigns, a reason they should stick to their promises. Anything short of this is taking Nigerians for a ride and would backfire in future.

STATEMENTS BY THOSE WHO MATTER

Shehu Sani

Mike Ozekhome

Mathew Kukah

“For the young, life is an opportunity; for the old life is a journey.”

“Democracy is not a 100 meters Usain Bolt or Ben Johnson’s quick dash race.”

“The world can provide for the need of everybody but cannot provide for the greed of everybody.”

4

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 4, 2016

The Value of the Naira is what we make it to be The Naira will only appreciate when we buy Nigerian and reduce our demand for things foreign.

That is why when you fly Arik Air to London Heathrow, New York JFK or Johannesburg, YOU help reduce the demand for foreign exchange by discouraging capital flights to make the Naira stronger. #ArikAdvantage • 10 years of Safe and Reliable flying.

• 28 new, state-of-the-art aircraft.

• Fleet maintenance by world renowned Lufthansa Technik, Iberia & SAMCO. • Only West and Central African airline with a triple IOSA certification.

• Employ over 3,000 Nigerians.

• Unbeatable value to a network of 19 domestic destinations, 10 West and Central Africa destinations and 3 international destinations.

Fly Arik Air. Discourage Capital Flights

a r i k a i r. c o m West and Central Africa’s Leading Airline

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Kaduna govt arraigns another 91 Shi’ites, seeks death sentence ÏÏÏThe Kaduna State Govern-

ment, on Tuesday, has arraigned another batch of 91 members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) before a Kaduna High Court, seeking death sentence for the accused.

The state government had on April 21 arraigned 50 members of the sect on similar charges.

They were among the 266 sect members arrested during the Shiite/Army clash between Dec. 12 and Dec 14, 2015 in Zaria.

The Shit’tes group says over hundreds of its members were killed and secretly buried by soldiers during the clash.

The Kaduna State government said 347 bodies were buried by the army and the state government in the Mando area of Zaria.

It was reported that 256 of other Shi’ites arrested by the army are facing charges that attract death sentence, while 10 others are facing other charges in different courts in the state.

They were arraigned on a five-count charge for criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, unlawful assembly, disturbance of public peace and wrongful restrain.

Dari Bayero, who led the prosecution, told Justice Hajara Gwadah that the accused persons

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (right), receiving President Paul Biya of Cameroon, at the Presidential Wing of Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport in Abuja… on Tuesday.

were being charged “pursuant to Sections 97, 102, 106, 221 and 256 of the Penal Code Law of Kaduna State.

“My Lord the charge before you is for mention. We humbly apply that the names of the accused persons be called out for identification.

“My Lord the 1st, 13th, 34th, 39th, 57th , 66th and 70th accused persons are not in court and are absent.

“They were released on bail

and are aware of this date particularly the accused person No. 57 who we have proof of service on.

“My Lord the 1st accused person was released on bail to one Ibrahim Haruna who is Resident at Zaria.

“My Lord we hereby apply for a bench warrant against the 57th accused person.

“My Lord same is also applied against all the accused persons that are absent. I also apply for a short date for further arraign-

ment.“ On his part, Festus Okoye, who led the defence team, said the prosecution had not served any of the accused persons with the charge since the case was filed on March 22, 2016. “My Lord our first application is that the prosecution should serve the charges on all the accused persons.

“My Lord, the application for bench warrant against the accused persons that are not before the court is not proper.

Bayelsa Tribunal: Sylva opens case against Dickson’s election Andrew Orolua Abuja

ÏÏÏHearing of

the substantive petition filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Chief Timipreye Sylva challenging the election of Governor Seriake Dickson, begins today at the Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Abuja.

The petition which was scheduled to be heard on Tuesday could not be taken due to discrepancies in the numbering of the petition.

At the resumed hearing, counsel

Air Force rating shoots four in Lagos

to the petitioner Sebastine Hon prayed the court for adjournment to enable him number the pages rightly.

The application, which was not opposed by the respondents, was granted by the three member panel of tribunal, headed by Kazeem Alogba.

The tribunal chairman, however, added that the petitioner counsel should make photocopies of the petition issued to him and serve justices of the panel and then the respondent for uniformity.

Sabastine Hon pleaded the tribunal not to count yesterday as part of the eight days granted the

petitioners to prove his petition.

But the respondents objected the application on the ground that the application was premature.

Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, representing Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), urged the tribunal not to accede to the request of the petitioner on the ground that the request was premature.

Wole Olanipekun in his objection drew the attention of the tribunal to a pre-trial report where in, the tribunal chairman gave the petitioner six to eight days within which to prove his case.

Olanipekun submitted further

Ï6Ƅô Ǝ ƎƍƆ Ƅƍé ƋƋƓ é M 0

The incident occurred at about 12.00 noon on Monday at Westminster Gate, Trinity, Apapa.

Among the victims were Mamman Dansoho (18), Tony Akon (38), one Abdulahi and an unidentified man.

In the meantime, the Nigerian

Segun Adio

ÏÏÏA Nigerian Air Force rating

identified as Mohammed Yahaya has allegedly shot four persons in Lagos over N500.

Dickson

that the tribunal had already taken care of the exigencies that happened on Tuesday.

Air Force (NAF) has said Yahaya was not trigger-happy, but was mobbed by touts before he released a bullet to free himself.

The NAF made this known when our reporter contacted the spokesman for the Logistics Command, Nigerian Air Force, Lagos,

5 News

Obasanjo condoles Edo govt, people over Omo N’Oba’s death

ÏÏÏFormer

President Olusegun Obasanjo has described the death of the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba Iku Akpolokpolor Erediauwa II as a great loss suffered not only by the Royal family, but also by the great people of Benin Kingdom and Edo State and the nation at large.

In a separate letters to the state governor, Adams Oshiohmole and Crown Prince, Royal Majesty Eheneden Erediauwa and Edaiken N’Uselu respectively, copies of which were made available to journalists in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital on Tuesday, Obasanjo remarked that the death of the monarch was received with deep sense of sorrow.

In the letter to the Edo state governor, Obasanjo said “I have received with a deep sense of sorrow the sad news of His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba Erediauwa II, the Oba of Benin, joining his ancestors.

Anambra Assembly tasks govts on welfare of journalists Nkiru Nwagbo Awka

ÏÏÏThe

Anambra House of Assembly has charged the Federal and State governments to improve the welfare of Journalists through an enhanced special salary structure.

Speaking at the plenary session on Tuesday, the Speaker, Mrs. Rita Maduagwu, who made the call said she felicitated with the Nigerian Journalists, as they join their counterparts all over the world to celebrate this year’s World press Freedom Day. According to her, the role of Journalists in nation building deserved an increase salary as a kind of motivation.

The Speaker, however, charged governments at all levels to make information free and available to journalists at all times without hindrances in line with the principles of press freedom.

Maduagwu challenged Journalists to always uphold the ethics of the profession in the course of discharging the duties and

Squadron Leader Obi Obasi, who emphasised that the personnel was mobbed.

Trouble reportedly started after the suspect, attached to a task force was invited to broker peace among some port rats at the Westminster Gate.

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Buhari orders decisive action against herdsmen Continued from page 1 with members of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), emphasized that heads of national security agencies had been ordered to take all necessary action to apprehend and expose those behind the heinous attacks.

“We are determined to secure all Nigerians and I have told the InspectorGeneral of Police and other security agencies, in very strong terms, to deal decisively with the attackers,” the President said.

President Buhari expressed his condolences to

the Catholic Bishop of Enugu, the people of Ukpabi Nimbo and all other communities that had suffered fatalities and other losses from the recent attacks.

Buhari’s remarks came a few hours before governors under the auspices of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) assured the people of Enugu state that the Nimbo killings would mark the end of herdsmen criminality in the country.

This was even as no fewer than 300 students from the Federation of Association of Nsukka Students (FANS) and the South-East Students Association on

Tuesday in Nsukka staged a protest in condemnation last week’s killings in Nimbo, Enugu State, by alleged herdsmen, just as Nigerians resident in the city of London, United Kingdom also on Tuesday took to the streets to protest the continual attacks on innocent Nigerians by Fulani herdsmen.

Speaking further, the President assured the Bishops that he was acting methodically to implement his change agenda for the good of the country.

“We need to rebuild our institutions methodically, we need to change the way

we do things.

“In the last 10 years, crude oil sold for more than $100 per barrel, but Nigeria did not save. That is why we have found ourselves where we are today,” President Buhari told the Catholic Bishops, led by Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, the Archbishop of Jos. Buhari assured the clerics that his administration was working very hard to fulfill all the promises it had made to Nigerians, adding that his greatest motivating factor now was the desire to bring positive change to Nigeria.

Speaking on behalf of

the delegation, Most Rev. Kaigama expressed the solidarity and support of the CBCN with the President.

“We are willing to collaborate with you and with your administration, in which we see hope for a greater Nigeria,” he told

the President.

The bishops pledged continued prayers for Nigeria and the government, expressing their conviction that current hardships were temporary, and Nigeria would soon overcome its present difficulties.

‘We are 100% with President in corruption fight’ Speaking with State House Correspondents after the closed door discussion, Kaigama who is also the Catholic Archbishop of Jos, said the group presented a publication on corruption to the president. ``This is a book I just presented to Mr President.

Since 1960 the Nigerian Catholic Bishops have been talking against corruption and telling people to avoid it. ``It is a cancer, it is dan-

gerous and it is a social disease. So we have compiled this to assure Mr President that we are 100 per cent with him in the fight against corruption. ``And with corruption we cannot progress, with corruption everything goes wrong, immorality takes over, retrogression instead of progression takes place. ``So, corruption is a huge obstacle that has to be dismantled,’’ he said.

Herdsmen criminality ended in Nimbo – APC Govs

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji lai Mohammed addressing the House of Representatives on the diversification of Nigeria’s economy and real sector development at the National Assembly Complex, in Abuja… on Tuesday.

Ministers, legislators meet on latest Budget Continued from page 1 of the Budget on Monday after which Ministers were called in to scrutinise the content and certify it acceptable.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at a public function in Abuja Monday hinted of the preparedness by President Buhari to sign the budget before the end of this week.

A meeting between the Ministers and legislators, Daily Times learnt, took place late Tuesday afternoon at the Presidential villa for the purpose of ironing out grey area in the fresh budget document so submitted.

The 2016 Budget had generated heated controversy since President Buhari presented it last year December as allegations were leveled that some officials of government in

different ministries padded the budget with self-serving figures.

Members of the Appropriation Committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives too were accused of padding the budget, a development which made President Buhari to refrain from granting it assent.

President Buhari’s Special Assistant to the Senate, Senator Ita Enang in a chat with correspondents affirmed that the Presidency had received a copy of the reviewed budget from the National Assembly.

He also hinted that at the moment, some members of the executive and legislators were meeting to agree on areas, which had hitherto, generated controversy and tension between the executive and the legislature.

He said, “We (executive) have received a copy for preview. We are meeting with them in the afternoon, because it was to be consensual working. Ministers will look at what they have done so that it will be agreed fully that this is what will be presented” He alluded to the earlier assurances given by the Vice President on signing of the budget this week by President Buhari, stating that he was optimistic that the President would keep the assurance alive.

He however declined to make comments on the areas in the budget that the legislators altered to please the President.

He said, “I’m not going to speak on what they changed.

My job is to bring them (Executive and Legislature) to-

gether. My job does not entail knowing what is the content or no content” He said the controversial portions in the Budget were being eliminated “one by one”, adding, “Nigerians will be happy when the budget is passed. The controversial areas are being eliminated and reduced. It will be a budget for Nigeria made by Nigerians.

“We want to make sure that things are done properly so as to keep each other’s powers intact.

“The Executive has its powers, very enormous. The small powers of the Legislature are preserved. So in matters like these, it is the Legislature that is the Oga. So, we the Executive have to respond. We are the ones begging them to pass budget.”

The APC Governors were led to Enugu state by their chairman, Owelle Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and chairman of Northern Governors’ Forum, Kashim Shettima.

The APC governors, in an addressed delivered by Governor Okorocha to Enugu State stakeholders at the Government House, said the delegation was in the State to re-assure the residents that they were greatly touched by the incident.

According to Okorocha, “we are here because of the ugly incident that took place in Enugu State. Death is death but the most painful is the one that is man-made, most unexpected.

“This nation is one, irrespective of political affiliation; you (Governor Ugwuanyi) are in PDP; we are in APC, but in death, there is no party.

“We have come to sympathize with you on this moment of grief and great loss and to assure Nigerians that Nimbo killings would mark the end of such criminality in the country.”

He equally commended Governor Ugwuanyi “for the maturity with which he has handled the situation; it would have degenerated to something else if the people had retaliated.”

Okorocha added that “we see this as an act of criminality; a crime is a crime no

matter where it was committed. We hereby condemn this criminal activity in its entirety.

“We shall join hands with the Federal Government to make sure that this is the last in our country.

“We must emphasize the unity of Nigeria; that is why we are here; all the APC governors would have been here but they decided to send representatives.

“We are with you in spirit and I want to inform all the people of the South-East that this matter is being handled and very soon, the culprits will be brought to book.”

In his speech, Governor Shettima, who likened the trauma being faced by Nimbo people and indeed the entire Enugu State to that of victims of Boko Haram insurgency in Borno State, lauded the people of Enugu State over their conduct in the face of such provocation.

He said, “In this kind of situation, it is easy to play to the gallery; it is easier to call for revenge, but Enugu people remained calm.

“We have to find these killers who should be treated as criminals; they are criminals; they need to be treated as such.

“The Igbos are very industrious, very accommodating, very enterprising; Continued on page 12

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Anti-graft war gets boost as ‘Not in My Country’ launched Kayode Adelowokan

ÎÎÎA

communication strategist, Mr. Akin Fadeyi has officially launched an anti-corruption campaign project tagged “Not In My Country”.

“Not in My Country” is a citizen-led anti-corruption crusade aimed at wiping out corruption in the Nigeria system beginning from the individuals.

Speaking at the media launch of the campaign, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, Managing Director/ Editor-In-Chief, Vanguard Newspapers, lauded the initiative and said it should complement President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption fight.

He stressed that “Not in My Country” project should start from the citizen voting the right lead-

ers but lamented on the years Nigerians have been robbed by leaders who do not care about the people they govern.

Adefaye, stated that Nigerians ought to enjoy good roads, constant power supply and many others, but said that Nigerians have been long cheated.

He, however, challenged leaders who are true and committed to the change mantras of President Buhari to buy into the project in order to help Nigeria regain it lost image among nations across the world.

In his goodwill message, Professor Issac Adewole, Minister of Health, tasked every Nigerians to start the campaign with themselves in whatever they do.

7 News

Rescue Igbo from herdsmen, Nwafor-Orizu tells Buhari Mathew Dadiya Abuja

ÎÎÎA

constitutional lawyer, Prince Orji NwaforOrizu has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to come to the rescue of south easterners from the hands of Fulani herdsmen who have been allegedly killing them in their homes over the time.

While quoting Section 33 (1) of the constitution, he said that the constitutional purpose of any government was security and welfare.

The lawyer gave this

charge in a press statement on Tuesday in Abuja, insisting that the president should as a matter of national importance and urgency take proactive action before the affected communities would retaliate, which according to him, would not be good for the country.

The Nnewi-born prince, however, said that the call on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and other security chiefs to do their works was not enough, adding that he has observed with dismay and worry the fact that the federal government failed to take prompt

action during similar attacks in other parts of the country, that the attack in Uzuwani Local Government Area of Enugu state occurred.

He, however, called on Mr. President, governors, security agencies and the affected communities, to ensure that judicial of inquiry is set up immediately to find out the root cause and the culprits must be made to face justice, saying the attack was obviously an organised crime.

The lawyer also recommended that the federal government should pay adequate compensations to

the affected communities, urging the governors of the affected states to meet President Buhari toward finding lasting solutions to the menace.

He also assured the affected communities of his willingness to assist them legally until justice is done, as he did when six Igbo youths were allegedly killed by the police in Abuja some years back.

Orji Nwafor-Orizu therefore urged presidentgeneral, traditional rulers and leaders of thought in the affected communities to ensure that their people are vigilant at all times.

95% of industrial raw materials imported, says RMRDC Val Okara Owerri

ÎÎÎThe

Director -General of Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Dr. Husdsni Ibrahim revealed that over 95 per cent of industrial raw materials for production of fruit juices and allied products are imported into the country.

Ibrahim, made the revelation at the 2016 Capacity Building Workshop for traders and farers in Imo state with the theme, “Production of Fruit Juice/Concentrate from Pineapple and Citrus Fruits” held at the Imo Polytechnic Umuagwo.

Represented by Dr. Sam Ebiriekwe, an Assistant Director in the council, attributed the development to lack of improved varieties of fruits, as well as inadequate functional fruit concentrate plants

in the country.

He said the effect was that Nigerian products have remained uncompetitive in the world market, coupled with poor capacity utilization, outright closures and relocation of many industries to neighbouring countries with more favourable economic environment.

He disclosed that the workshop was organised in collaboration with Imo Polytechnic, Umuagwo, anchored on the collective desire to develop the industrial capacity of Nigeria through the utilisation of local raw materials as inputs for domestic industries.

According to him, the workshop was timely and in line with President Muhammadu Buhari administrations drive for economic diversification in view of dwindling price of crude oil in the international market.

Oyo State Governor, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi (left), and pupils of Ifesowapo Community Primary School I and II, Sanyo, Ibadan, during the donation of school uniforms to 400 pupils of the school in Ibadan… on Tuesday.

Court grants N20m bail to SCOAN Engineers Titilope Joseph

ÎÎÎThe two engineers who

constructed the collapsed seven stories guest house of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), have been released on bail.

Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo, in a ruling delivered on Tuesday, granted the duo bail in the suit filed by the Lagos

NUJ boss emerges FAJ president ÎÎÎThe National President

of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abdulwaheed Odusile has been elected as the President, Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) in a unanimous voting decision by the steering committee of the

association.

FAJ, which is the African regional association of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) held its fourth congress in Abuja last weekend, from 29 – 30 April, 2016 under the theme “The Political Change and

the Safety of Working Journalists in Africa”.

The election, which took place during the FAJ Congress in Abuja saw Odusile emerging unopposed, in accordance with Article 9.2 of the FAJ Constitution.

Delegates at the congress

State government against SCOAN and the engineers.

Ruling on the bail applications, the presiding judge said the 4th and 5th defendants, Oladele Ogundeji and Akinbela Fatiregun respectively, are granted bail in the sum of 10 Million Naira with two sureties having considered the arguments in the light of cited authorities by opposing parties.

One of the sureties must be a civil servant who is not less than grade 14 level while the second surety must be a property owner in Lagos State.

Also the sureties must provide evidence of three years tax payments, in addition to the conditions, utility bill to verify the addresses of the sureties and which will be verified by the police.

The Judge added that the accused must submit their travelling passports among others.

The engineers were on April 26 ordered to be remanded in Kirikiri Prisons

by Mr. Lawal-Akapo following their “not guilty” plea to a 111-count charge bordering on gross negligence and criminal manslaughter.

had earlier elected nine union representatives from all the continent’s sub-regions to serve in the Steering Committee.

In relation to FAJ Procedures, the elected members of the Steering Committee then elected Odusile of the

NUJ as the new FAJ President, while Maria Luisa Rogerio Carvalho of Sindicato dos Journalistas Angolanos (SJA) was elected Vice President, and Zeid Debbon of the Syndicat National des Journalists Tunisiens (SNJT) as the treasurer.

Odusile

8

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Politics

Æs

Resignation:Lagosians differ on Saraki over CCT trial

Saraki

Even before the trial of Senate President, Bukola Saraki started at the Code of Conduct Tribunal over alleged assets falsification acts, a lot of Nigerians have been commenting on the development. While many commentators want him to resign and face his trial, and if proved innocent return to is seat, oth-

ers see no reason why he should resign. Even with more charges and fresh evidences especially the Panama Leaks, those calling for his resignation have been unrelenting.

For almost two weeks now, a group known as Occupy NASS has laid siege to the National Assembly while an opposition group also supported him.

Here OLUWAGBEMIRO JOEL, went on the streets of Lagos to seek the peoples’ opinion. Excerpts: On the case of Saraki, a man is not guilty until he is proven guilty. I don’t think he should resign, when he is proven guilty, he can then resign - Tayo Aduroja, a civil servant.

I have a million reasons why he should not be there. Trying to promote transparency, someone is found wanting, I think he should resign. ‘‘Moshood Oyeniyi, self employed.’’

As for the future purpose and to respect the masses’ views, I think the best for him, is to resign because he can’t win the CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Confusion in Edo as Speaker, Deputy impeached over welfare package The current ongoing cash crunch affecting many states in the country appeared to have claimed a major casualty at the Edo State legislature.

The State House of Assembly on Tuesday in a dramatic and shocking move impeached the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Edoror and his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Festus Ebea, both of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), over what was learnt to be welfare-related issues.

Sixteen out of the 24 members voted in favour of the impeachment motion on the grounds of alleged misconduct, incompetence and high-handedness.

After their impeachment, the members elected Mrs. Elizabeth Ative, who represents Uhunmwonde Constituency, as the new Speaker.

The impeachment followed a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Mr Folly Ogedemgbe (APC-Owan- East) and seconded

by Mr Patrick Illuobe (PDP - Esan-North East).

“This is an impeachment

Ajimobi

notice signed by 16 members that the speaker Victor Edoroh and his deputy, are hereby impeached,’’ Ogedemgbe said during the house sitting.

NAN reports that shortly after moving the motion, Ogedemgbe nominated Illuobe to preside over the election, who thereafter called for nomination for a new speaker and deputy.

Ativie’s name was submitted as speaker by Mr Victor Assen (APC-Owan-East), while Mr Justin Okonobo ( APC-Igueben) was nominated as deputy speaker by Henry Okhuobo (APCOrhionmwon).

The two were subsequently approved to lead the House by the lawmakers.

A mild drama, however, ensued immediately after the new speaker took her seat, when the assembly’s chamber was invaded by some suspected thugs.

The situation made security operatives to immediately take over control of the assembly’s premises, as staff scampered for safety.

It was gathered from sources

at the government house, Benin that the lawmakers moved against them over their inability to get Governor Adams Oshiomhole to provide funding for the Assembly despite their unflinching support for the Executive arm over the years.

The sources claimed that many lawmakers in the state have no official cars and several other extras usually attached to their office and committees.

“What they have done by impeaching their leaders, whose elections were influenced by the Governor is a warning shot to him to either start funding them properly or risk impeachment as well,” one of the sources said last night.

The development has thrown the state into confusion even thought the state government is yet to officially react to the impeachment as at press time.

Across many states of the federation, the situation is the same with many of the Houses of Assembly unable to perform statutory functions because of paucity of funds.

Oshiomhole

How I attained greatness in spite of being son of a tailor — Ajimobi

Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has reminisced on how sound education and adherence to parental guidance propelled him to attain greatness in life in spite of his humble background as the son of a tailor.

The governor shared this story of his early days with the pupils of Ifesowapo Community Primary School I and II, Sanyo, Ibadan,

while making a personal donation of school uniforms to the 400 pupils of the school, on Tuesday.

The school was part of the structures gutted by a fire disaster ignited by a fuel-laden tanker in the community on February 14, 2016.

The governor had, during his sympathy visit to the area on February 19, 2016, pledged to provide

free uniforms for all the pupils of the school from his personal purse as part of efforts to assuage their feelings.

Ajimobi said, “When I visited this school after the fire incident, I saw some pupils wearing dirty and tattered uniforms. I saw some without uniforms and I began to CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 4, 2016

9 Politics

Saraki: Conflicting signals over CCT trial

Adewoye an undergraduate CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

case.’’ Bukola Adeleke. ‘‘He is not new in this country, he ruled Kwara State for a couple of times, and they called him godfather of Kwara State. I don’t think he should have anything that will make him unable

Uchioma a business woman

to discharge his duties. I am not a fan of the Senator, but I will still advise, while the tribunal is going on or pressing for charges, whether he is guilty or not, because he will still need to face the tribunal, that is when it will be clear if he is guilty or not.

Now, if he is not guilty of the of-

fence, I don’t think that should affect him, no matter how long they stay at the tribunal, it won’t change anything. What I think is that if he is guilty as charged it is the best time for him to resign honorably.’’ Victor Adeyanju. ‘‘You know this thing is still

in court. If he is guilty of what he is being accused of, then he should resign. If he has any proof to show that he is not guilty of the offence, then he should remain in the office.

Shittu Muhammed. ‘‘For me, I will rather let him continue because everybody has his own part to play, but after this, no more. Kehinde Ayodele.

He has been tainted already.

As a senate president, he is supposed to be a good image to the citizens. For him now not to be dented legally, he should resign.

Their party’s fight is ahgainst corruption and not for anything else. Adeyanju Damilola, civil servant. ‘‘In my opinion, 90 percent of Nigerians are corrupt until we all repent. For instance, David Mark, he is in a better position to caution him, he is the former senate president, he has been in power since the military era, he has ruled as governor and as a senator, if people like Saraki are now coming to rescue us, is it people like that should victimized? Nobody is clean in Nigeria. Is that how to behave, APC wants to use Saraki and dump

him. The man has done nothing, until we realize and agree that this country has gone down and there is need to rebuild it, then we are going nowhere. If Saraki is stealing now or he had stolen before, is it now that they are supposed to be accusing him?

Saraki is a great person; he is controlling three states, so the trial is politically motivated. If people like Saraki did not defect to APC, did they think they will win the election; it is now that they want to dump him. The head is corrupt already and it is where the head goes the whole body will follow. Segun Abayomi, Self employed. ‘‘Firstly, Saraki should be hanged. He should resign. Over the years, he has been the governor of Kwara State, what did he do there? Nothing! During the Eid-Fitri celebrations he attended, he was stoned. We have about 490 lawmakers and every year we produce about 5000 graduates that are jobless, yet they are the same set of old people occupying same positions. Like Fela used to say, ’’everything is mere arrangement’, he should resign.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

PDP Congresses: Aggrieved aspirants should approach petitions committees — Sango Chief Damishi Sango, former sports minister and an aspirant to the Plateau Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship seat, has advised members aggrieved by the outcome of last Saturday’s party’s ward congresses, to approach the petitions committee.

“The PDP has a petitions committee for every state; its job is to listen to complaints from people with grouses over the outcome of the congresses.

“The idea is to promote internal democracy that will ensure justice for everyone,’’ Sango told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Jos on Monday.

He said the party would try to avoid a repeat of the past situations where people were treated with impunity and forced out of the fold because of perceived injustice.

He expressed satisfaction with the large turn-out of members during the ward congresses, adding that the development had confirmed that the PDP was still loved by Plateau people.

“The crowd for the ward congresses was unbelievable and the competition was so stiff in all the areas we visited. It was really impressive,’’ he said.

Sango described Plateau as the “mother of PDP’’, saying that the party got its name and logo from the state in 1998, with a Plateau indigene, Chief Solomon Lar, emerging as its first Chairman.

He said that he agreed to contest the state chairmanship “out of sheer passion as one of the founding fathers of the party’’.

He said that he would focus on reconciling various contending interests if elected chairman, and stressed that past mistakes had been noted and lessons learnt therefrom.

He noted that the party won the three senate seats, six out of eight seats in the House of Representatives and 13 out of the 24 seats in the state house of assembly.

“We only lost the governorship seat and our task as party leaders is to examine what happened, correct it and make sure it does not happen again,’’ he said.

“The PDP has a petitions committee for every state; its job is to listen to complaints from people with grouses over the outcome of the congresses.’’

Sango also promised to encourage more dialogue among members of the party, using his experience as an elder to unite all groups.

NAN reports that Sango is contesting the seat with three others that include a former member of the House of Representatives, Bitrus Kaze.

Sango

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 4, 2016

PDP leadership: Why I’m supporting Sheriff against South West – Fayose

Remi Oladoye, Ibadan

Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has said that he is supporting Senator Alimodu Sheriff ’s candidature for the people’s democratic chairmanship against the South west because none of the leaders from the southwest was unwilling to lead the party.

The PDP governor who was a guest lecturer at the annual world press day organized by the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Oyo State Ibadan on Tuesday said, the chairmanship of Sherrif will yield positive development for the party especially in preparation for the next election expressing optimism that PDP will win.

“I initiated the south west chairmanship idea but when I realize that none of them was willing at the initial stage I shifted ground, I personally went to Chief Bode Olajumoke, I know he was one of the credible leaders in the party from the southwest and I told him my mission; I even went as far as convincing Dr Mimiko to support him but I noticed that everybody want the food to be cooked, so we cannot force an unwilling driver on the steering.

“When Bode George came to me, I told him that I cannot support him because the party does not need a face that will be recy-

cled if we want to progress, I am a straight forward person and I am a strong advocate of the fact that none of the National working committee members of the party should be returned as executives”, he stressed.

He said further that, anybody who wanted to be the party chairman apart from being worthy in character must be able to move and restore sanity into the system which Alimodu has started. His words: “Sen Alimodu Sherrif has started moving and making reconciliations as acting chairman, and I am sure this will continue when he becomes the substantive chairman of the party, do not forget he was part of the APC amalgamation and when he realized that they are not sincere about the change and promised for Nigerians he left and joined the PDP which is the best alternative”.

Governor Fayose while explaining why the PDP lost in 2015 election said Nigerians didn’t hate the party but some personalities in the party who are not doing things in the right way and we are doing the cleansing now PDP is the party to watch out for in 2019.

He also expressed dissatisfaction over the incessant killing of people by herdsmen across the nation, saying: “I commend President Buhari on his effort so far on Boko Harram but whatever level

of success he has achieved on that has been consumed by this Fulani herdsmen killing people every time. He should find a solution on time. What finished Former President Jonathan’s administration was insecurity and if you check the rate of people that have been killed in the past one year, you will realize that it is alarming”. The governor who lamented the economic crisis in the country said governors should not be allowed to borrow money that cannot be paid in their tenure. His words: “most governors have plunged their state into debt which has mortgaged the future of their states. In Ekiti State, I left N10B when I was leaving office and when I came back, I met a huge amount of debt which payment will terminate in year 2036”.

While speaking on the topic; Journalism and Politics; two side of coins; the governor tasked journalists not mortgage their future and sell their credibility for pecuniary gains.

Fayose

“When Bode George came to me, I told him that I cannot support him because the party does not need a face that will be recycled if we want to progress, I am a straight forward person and I am a strong advocate of the fact that none of the National working committee members of the party should be returned.’’

Ajimobi: I attained leadership despite being son of a tailor

Ajimobi CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

see the picture of my early days in them because I was also like them while I was in the primary school. ``I took particular notice of

one of the pupils with ringworm on his head and I said to myself this was exactly how some of us looked like in my early school days. We trekked to school, buying and eating all sorts of junk foods

on our way.

“If God could help me to attain this status in spite of my humble background, I see no reason why any of you should not become governor, president, minister, doctors, etcetera. I want our parents to make the necessary sacrifice to ensure that their wards are educated.

“Humble background is not an excuse not to attain greatness in life. You should begin to encourage your children and tell them what you want them to be in future. I remember my father used to tell me I would become a governor in future and here I am today.”

The governor assured the stakeholders in the school that he would soon fulfill his other promises to the school, which included reconstruction of the building affected by the fire and the construction of a new one.

Ajimobi advised the school and other members of the public to wary of the antics of opposition politicians, whom he said would have visited the school soon after the incident with bogus promises if the incident had occurred during electioneering.

He said, “Such is the life of majority of our politicians. If the incident had happened during the electioneering, they would have besieged this school with promises of ‘I will do this I will do that.’

“I’m sure none of them had visited here since the incident happened. Here I am today fulfilling my pledge to you. I must make it clear that I’m no longer seeking any elective post, but that should not take away the empathy in me.

We should learn to be our brother’s keepers at all times.”

Ajimobi urged the people of the state to always vote for politicians

with genuine love for them rather than political office seekers who were mere opportunists.

The governor also said that the task of revamping the education sector was already ongoing and that the momentum would soon be felt within the nooks and crannies of the state.

In her welcome address, the acting Executive Secretary of the state Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mrs. Bola Eniola, commended the governor for the passion he had for the pupils.

Other speakers at the occasion, including the Chairman of Parent-Teachers Association of the school, Alhaji Inaolaji Olowe, and Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, Oluyole Local Government, Mr. Seye Obadina, expressed gratitude to the governor for what they termed the “unprecedented gesture.”

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 4, 2016

11 Politics

Discordant tunes over Saraki’s CCT trial ‘‘I am not a politician but I believe he should be allowed to stay in the office and prove himself not guilty for not exposing some of his properties. Politics as a whole is a dirty game; they know themselves, so I believe there must be something behind it. He has lawyers now, so let it be settled in court.’’

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

Demilade Adelekan. ‘‘I am not a politician but I believe he should be allowed to stay in the office and prove himself not guilty for not exposing some of his properties. Politics as a whole is a dirty game; they know themselves, so I believe there must be something behind it. He has lawyers now, so let it be settled in court.’’

Olusayo Ajayi, Self employed. ‘‘All of them are just the same thing. All our politicians are corrupt, they steal our money.

Basically if resignation is the best thing, let him resign and go. But the truth is, if he leaves, who says Ekweremadu will not

come in and what Buhari says may not be realized. If when he leaves there can be new election, then that will be better.’’ Afolabi Olakunle. ‘‘He wouldn’t resign, no matter the pressure they may put on him. The best thing is just to let due course followed, take him to Court if the Court says he should not be there then, he should go.

Let the law have its say in the land not by pressure.’’ Amida, an entrepreneur. ‘‘I think he should continue while the trial is still on because if he leaves, it makes no change.

So let him still be there while the trial continues then anything that the court says will be final.

But for now, let Bukola Saraki

remain the Senate President.’’

Uchechi Nwani, a Banker. ‘‘As a Nigerian, whatever they do is okay, in fact I don’t want to talk. Adebowale Wakiru, a driver. ‘‘He should resign because he is on trial. I don’t see where they are trying someone and he still remain in that office; he is going to corrupt other people’s morale.

That is how I see it, he is the leader, it is just like trying a president of a country and he still remains the president. He has the power to influence the judges. He has to come off that seat first, face the trial, clear himself and then go back if not guilty.’’ Uchioma, a business woman. ‘‘The point there is that he should resign and face the trial.’’

Daniel Adewoye, an undergraduate. ‘‘I wouldn’t say he should resign. I want to be neutral. I will say that Nigerians should believe more in the judiciary and let the law take its full course.’’

Lena Muna. ‘‘In a decent society the honorable thing to do is to resign and face the trial to be able to concentrate and again for the sanctity and sensitivity of his office, he would have set aside, clear himself and then come back.’’ Eddy Erhumeh, self employed.

Olakunle

Stop making women victims of political crisis — Cleric An Islamic cleric, Professor Sabit Ariyo Olagoke has called on the Federal Government to address numerous problems facing the country pointing out that women remain victims of the political and economic challenges.

Olagoke, spoke at Oyo in Oyo State during the 2016 International Women Day organised by Shafaudeen Young women Association under the theme: “Millenium global economic problem and Nigerian political challenges: effect on motherhood” He recommended “Bills on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women need to be domesticated through National Assembly and various Houses of Assemblies to empower women and give them access to resources including ability to have a choice at decision making points in order that their fundamental human rights are not

trampled upon”.

Olagoke, a Professor at the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State stressed that the respect of womanhood should be upheld as advised by President Barak Obama of USA. He pointed out that motherhood is “a divine construct that must be respected by all to have justice, equity, peace and sustainable development”.

The Cleric pointed out that there are vices like insecurity, hunger and poverty in the land affecting womanhood with direct consequence on the child adding: “there is need for government to expand the scope of resources through diversification of economy into other critical areas especially agriculture” Speaking with newsmen, Olagoke who is a relentless advocate of girl child education said: “decision makers should concentrate more on girl child

Buhari

education. Both States and Federal Governments should emancipate women and give them high motivation”.

“We should team up and eradicate violence against women and girl child including economic exploitation of child labour.

We should promote good governance to prevent violence and effect of Conflict on women”, he urged.

He decried a situation whereby politicians and godless decision makers seduce and import young girls for entertainment adding that the ugly scenario should be addressed especially with the change mantra of the new administration.

The Chairperson of Shafaudeen Young Women Association, Oyo branch, Alhaja Oladeji Khadijat called on parents and governments to discourage any form of violence against girl child in particular and women in general.

Professor Nurein Nasir Tanimowo of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology urged the society to stop using women to satisfy their narrow and selfish interests adding their positive roles should be highly appreciated and compensated.

News 12

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 4, 2016

N6b fraud: Again, Dasuki’s absence in court stalls trial Ï dƑƈƐ ƆƆƊƈ &ƌƆƇƈƆƋƆô ƍƏ ƆƅƑƐƈ Ɨƈ ƌƈ ƆƗ Andrew Orolua ƄƑƉ

ÎÎÎAbsence

of Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (rtd) in court, on Tuesday, again stalled his trial before a Federal Capital Territory, High Court in Maitama District of Abuja for an alleged N6 billion corruption and fraud while in office.

This is even as a Federal High Court in Abuja presidend over by Justice John Tsoho on Tuesday, struck out a suit seeking the prosecution of Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, over alleged unlawful disbursement of funds to the

immediate past National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd).

Dasuki and two other accomplices, Salisu Shuaib, a former Director of Finance in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and Aminu Baba-Kusa, a former Executive Director at The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), were arraigned for the alleged offences last year to which they pleaded not guilty.

But while Shuaibu and Baba-Kusa that were allowed to enjoy the bail granted by the court have always attend trial, Dasuki who was rearrested by the

Department of State Security Services (DSS) has not been available for the trial.

The situation repeated itself on Tuesday at the resumed trial of the case.

Although the prosecution counsel, Mr. Oluwaleke Atolagbe informed the trial Judge, Justice Baba Yusuf, that he had made serious efforts through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to contact the DSS to produce the first defendant (Dasuki) in court, the defendant was not in court.

The prosecutor also said that the prosecution witnesses who were to testify at the trial session have been

assembled by the EFCC and were in court. He urged the court to stand down the matter to allow the lead counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), who was not in court opportunity to be present and to throw more light on the defendant’s absence.

Atolagbe also told Justice Baba Yusuf that he had made serious efforts through the EFCC to contact the DSS to produce the first defendant (Dasuki) in court and regretted that as at the time the court was sitting his efforts did not yield fruitful result.

However, Counsel to Salisu Shuaib, a former Director of Finance in the Office

of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN), said that Jacobs’ presence would be inconsequential in the absence of the first defendant (Dasuki).

Olujimi, a former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, told the court that the prosecution had failed to produce the defendant in court and ought to admit that and asked for adjournment.

Olujimi told Justice Baba

Yusuf that it is settled in law that trial cannot go ahead in the absence of the defendant, and therefore prayed the Judge to grant adjournment to the prosecution to enable them take steps to produce Dasuki in court on the adjourned date.

Olujimi also asked the court to issue a stern warning to the prosecution to be serious in the trial and to ensure that Dasuki is produced in court at all stages of the trial as demanded by law.

6ƆƏƗ ƌƆ ô ƅƏƈƌƈ ƋƈƐƕ Ɔ ƗƆƗ ƈ MƈƌƄ – APC Govs Continued from page 6 we must build this nation together; we must build this nation as brothers.”

In his reaction, Governor Ugwuanyi, who commended President Muhammadu Buhari as well as the governors over their concern, expressed hope that the commission of inquiry set up by the state “will lay all the relevant facts on the table and help bring justice to all concerned.”

He added that “we are already taking concrete measures to step up security

in Enugu State especially through the reactivation and revitalization of neighbourhood watch associations in every community in the State.

“This is geared towards ensuring a holistic and concerted approach to security challenges in the state with all communities and relevant organizations being fully involved.”

Other Governors on the visit included Badaru Abubakar, Jigawa; Rauf Aregbesola, Osun; as well as deputy governors of Kogi and Yobe States.

dƐƑƗƆ Ɛ ƍƏ ƐƆ Ɛ MƈƌƄ ƊƈƋƋƈ ƅƏ ƆƅƐƈ Ƈ Ɖ ƑƏ Ƌƈ Ɛ Ɛ Ɛ Ɔ ƾƠơÕ z ƏƋƗ ^ƏƆ 0ƏƆƆƗ ƌ # ƕ ƈ ^ ƏƐ 6 Əƅ ƑƏƐČ jƑƆ Ɨ ƕê

Nigeria’s economy will grow slower in 2016 9L0 ÎÎÎNigeria’s economy will

be growing at a slower pace in 2016 than sub-Saharan Africa’s as a whole, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Tuesday.

After an extended period of strong economic growth, sub-Saharan Africa is set to experience its lowest economic growth rate in 15 years – yet the region’s growth will outpace Nigeria’s.

According to its April 2016 regional economic outlook for sub-Saharan Africa, the IMF said the continent is set to face a second difficult year, projecting a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of three per-

cent for 2016.

Nigeria’s projected GDP growth rate for the same year is at 2.3 percent – the country’s lowest in 16 years.

The IMF advises that it is “Time for a Policy Reset” – with Antoinette Sayeh, director of the IMF’s African department, saying “Africa needs a substantial policy reset to reap the region’s strong potential”.

“This is particularly urgent in commodity exporters and some market access countries, as the policy response to date has generally been insufficient,” Sayeh said.

The slowdown reflects the adverse impact of the com-

modity price slump in some of the larger economies and more recently the drought in eastern and southern Africa.

“The sharp decline in commodity prices, a shock of unprecedented magnitude, has put many of the largest sub-Saharan African economies under severe strain,” IMF said in a statement.

“As a result, oil exporters, such as Nigeria and Angola but also most countries of the Central African Economic and Monetary Union, continue to face particularly difficult economic conditions.

“Non-energy commodity

exporters, such as Ghana, South Africa and Zambia, have also been hurt by the decline in commodity prices. Several southern and eastern African countries, including Ethiopia, Malawi, and Zimbabwe, are suffering from a severe drought that is putting millions of people at risk of food insecurity.”

Sayeh insists that the outlook remains favourable, saying “many countries in the region continue to register robust growth. In particular, most oil importers are generally faring better with growth in excess of 5 percent in countries such as Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, and

The students, who marched through the major roads in Nsukka town, carried placards various inscriptions such as ``We don’t want Fulani herdsmen in the SouthEast again” and ``Federal Government should disarm herdsmen and call them to order”.

Others read “If herdsmen kill all our parents, brothers and sisters who will feed and pay our school fees;’’ ``We say no to any other killing in the South-East;” Students say no to the grazing bill; ``Fulani herdsmen: enough is enough”.

Speaking with newsmen, the National President of FANS, Hilary Omeke, said

that the students decided to carry out the protest because of numerous atrocities allegedly perpetrated by herdsmen.

Also speaking, Kenneth Odo, the President of FANS, University of Nigeria, Nsukka chapter, said they were wearing black to mourn people killed in Nimbo.

Odo said “As result of these incessant attacks, some of our colleagues whose parents are affected in the killings have dropped out from school.

“Injury to one is injury to all; herdsmen should either live in the place peacefully or leave South-East completely,” he said.

Mƈ ƆƏƈ ƈ G Ɨ ƍƏ ƐƆ Ɛ The protesters who are in their hundreds were sighted in front of the British embassy, and had Nigeria’s flags and placards with different inscriptions.

Some of the placards read: ”Silence kills”, ”Buhari stop the massacre”, ”Keep off our lands” while some of them displayed pictures of victims of herdsmen attack.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 4, 2016

13

News 14

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 4, 2016

^`&dd 0`&&#RL #

Nigeria runs most vibrant democracy in Africa, says EU ÏÏÏAmbassador

and Head of European Delegation to Nigeria, Mr. Michel Arrion, has commended the country for running the most vibrant democracy in Africa with absolute press freedom.

Arrion made the statement at the 2016 World Press Freedom Day celebration with the theme, ``Access to information and fundamental freedom: This is your right,” in Abuja on Tuesday.

He described the freedom the Nigerian media enjoyed as an asset, adding that freedom of opinion and expression was essential in enjoying a wide range of other human rights.

Arrion added that these significant steps underlined

the priority the EU accorded to freedom of opinion and expression as an essential foundation for democracy.

He said that the EU recognised that free, diverse, independent media were essential for the promotion and protection of freedom of opinion and expression. ``By facilitating the free flow of information and ideas on matters of public interest, and by ensuring transparency and accountability, independent media constitute one of the cornerstones of democracy,`` he said.

According to him, an informed, active and engaged citizenry is not possible without

free, independent and pluralistic media.

He lauded the role of social media activists in deepening public discourse, shaping public opinion and promoting transparency and accountability in the country.

Arrion said social media had thrown up new challenges, adding that all human rights that existed offline must be protected online in terms of freedom of opinion, expression and right to privacy. ``Nigeria, in our assessment is a country where freedom of expression is in general respected, the traditional media is relatively pluralistic, bloggers and cyber activists share their views.

``Nigeria boasts of a large, vibrant social media community, whose engagement with the social-political processes has enriched public discourse and widened the frontier of participation on issues that concerns the citizenry” Arrion stated.

Mr. Lai Muhammed, the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, said freedom of information was good for Nigerians.

He said that the mechanism for its operation was simple, stressing that the Freedom of Information (FOI) Law had succeeded in creating accountability and probity in governance.

Niger govt upholds promotion of press freedom ^ƈƐ ƈƊƓƆƌ Minna

ÏÏÏThe Government of

Niger State, on Tuesday, reaffirmed its commitment to promote press freedom, saying that press is the main crux for ensuring freedom of expression and engaging the people for open and transparent governance.

This was contained in a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information, Tourism and Culture, Mr. Jonathan Vatsa, to mark the world press freedom day in Minna, Niger State capital.

Vatsa assured that the present administration in the state would respect the press as the fourth estate of the realm, while partnering with it to lubricate participatory governance as well as ensure accountability in the fight against corruption to achieve development.

The statement read in part, “The government is desirous to always promote freedom of expression as a way of allowing the people to contribute to the process of governance and make correction when necessary for the overall development of the state.

“At this auspicious time of the world press freedom day, the government of Niger State under the leadership of Abubakar Sani Bello is assuring all practicing Journalists in Niger state of the commitment of the government to providing the right avenue, legally and genuinely possible, to continue to discharge their duties.”

Sen. Saraki

Saraki lauds Nigerian media

ÏÏÏSenate

President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday, congratulated all practitioners in the media across the country and the world for their invaluable service to humanity as they celebrate the World Press Freedom Day. Saraki, in a statement signed on his behalf by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, also hailed all Nigerians on the occasion and said that the freedom of the press also connotes the freedom of individuals to partake in the governance of the country, discuss issues and freely give expression to their dreams and aspiration within the ambience of the law.

He noted that the celebration of the World Press Freedom Day is another indication of the prime place the media occupy in the society “because it is not all professions that have a day set aside internationally to celebrate their contributions to society.”

The Senate President said that to further underscore the importance of the press in nation building, “our Constitution granted some responsibilities and specific freedom to the press in Sections 22 and 39.

NPC urges security agencies to respect rights of journalists Traders of Gorodomu market, Lagos Island protesting the closure of their shops at Lagos State House of Assembly, in Ikeja… on Tuesday.

US urges Nigerian media to strengthen democratic process

ÏÏÏ

The U.S. Consul-General in Lagos, Mr. John Bray, on Tuesday, reminded the Nigerian media of their roles in promoting transparency and accountability in the country’s democratic process.

He said this at an event to mark this year’s World Press Freedom Day, organised by the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos for media practitioners from different organisations.

The consul-general said it was imperative for Nigerian journalists to know that Nigerians always relied on the media for truthful and objective information.

He added that ``in a democracy, there has to be transparency and accountability. ``The press is saddled with the burden of holding government responsible for actions or inactions. ``The Nigerian people rely on the media for truthful and objective information, and this is the burden you all have to bear in a democracy. ``Today, your profession as journalists is strategically positioned to make meaningful contributions on the part of the voiceless.’’

Bray appealed to journalists to sustain their ``good work’’ by

probing deeper so as to be able to contribute to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.

Prof. Lai Oso, the Dean, School of Communication, University of Lagos, said information was a strategic resource in a society when people contest for power and resources.

Oso said that majority of people did not have access to information in their communities and across the country.

He, therefore, noted that that it was imperative for Nigeria to have a more comprehensive information dissemination system in place, including the use of community radio.

ÏÏÏExecutive

Secretary, Nigerian Press Council (NPC), Mr. Nnamdi Njemanze, has urged security agencies and government officials not to obstruct journalists in the performance of their duties.

Njemanze spoke on Tuesday in Abuja in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the occasion of the 2016 World Press Freedom Day. NAN reports that the United Nations General Assembly declared May 3 of every year as World Press Freedom Day to raise awareness on the importance of the freedom of the press.

The Executive Secretary also advised the security agencies to ensure due process in the course of their interactions or dealings with journalists in the country.

According to Njemanze, the security agents should see journalists as partners in development, adding that the Nigerian journalists had contributed immensely to restoration of democracy and fight against colonialism.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 4, 2016

15 Opinion

Enugu massacre and hypocrisy of northern governors

S Jude Ndukwe

till in a mourning mood over the mindless massacre at Enugu by suspected Fulani herdsmen, the nation’s heavy heart was further daggered by what can best be described as the petulance of an arrogant set of governors from the northern part of the country who take pleasure in talking down on the other parts of the country.

Following the Ukpabi Nimbo incident, there was a general outpour of rage by all well-meaning Nigerians who thought, and rightly so too, that President, Muhammadu Buhari, has not done enough to rein in the Fulani herdsmen. Nigerians had thought the Agatu attack was the height of the continued attack by the herdsmen; they had thought Buhari would say something to, placate the grieving community, but no word came from him. The worst was that those responsible for the heinous crime had a meeting with Nigeria’s chief police officer where they confessed to their crime, yet, were let go, strangely.

Also, Nigerians could not understand why Buhari gave marching orders to service chiefs to deal with pipeline vandals in the South South but gave no such stern orders against the Fulani herdsmen until the public outrage

that followed the Enugu massacre.

Rightly or wrongly, a lot of Nigerians think the Fulani herdsmen are enjoying tacit support from the powers that be to carry on their dastardly acts unchecked.

This thought stems from Buhari’s actions and statements in the past where he had acted in support of the Fulani herdsmen who are also his kinsmen.

For example in October 2000, Buhari had travelled from Katsina State leading a delegation of five men to the then governor of Oyo State, Lam Adeshina, to strongly protest the reprisal attack carried on Fulani herdsmen by the Saki people of the state after the herdsmen had repeatedly attacked people of the area. The presence of Buhari and his delegation was said to have raised palpable tension in the state that they even refused to acknowledge pleasantries from government officials and left in anger. This was understandable as the governor, Lam Adeshina, was said to have properly addressed them and put them in their rightful place by warning them to stop parading around causing disunity where there was none!

With this in mind, Nigerians might not be wrong to have accused the president of not acting against the herdsmen because of some ethnic and religious affinity.

So, when the 19 northern state

governors issued a statement after their meeting berating Nigerians for blaming Buhari and the Fulani herdsmen for the atrocities, it came to many as a shock. Question is, who else do these governors want Nigerians to blame? Buhari is the Commander-in-Chief; he swore to protect the lives and properties of Nigerians. When he fails to do this repeatedly, the citizens would have no one else to blame but him.

It is quite hypocritical that these same governors had found it expedient to blame former president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for the Chibok crisis because he was the Commander-in-Chief but would not want Nigerians to blame Buhari for similar crises.

Apart from this, they went ahead to warn Nigerians not to classify the perpetrators of this evil act as Fulani as if the perpetrators were Yoruba or Igbo or Tiv. The fact is that these are herdsmen of Fulani extraction; their attack is ethnic in nature and their aim is to occupy conquered territories, subjugate host communities and install an emirate just like they once did at Ilorin. The situation is so dire that there is no room for window dressing. If the northern governors do not like the fact that Buhari is being rightly blamed for the nearly irredeemable security lapses currently ravaging our

country, they should prod him to do more and advise their atrocious kinsmen who are bringing bad publicity to their region to behave or be dealt with.

The era of browbeating other sections of the country into submission is over! There is a new reality on ground now. There is a new generation of stubborn Nigerians who are ready to fight to keep the sanctity of their people’s God-given dignity than allow any person or group of persons to rob them of their humanity. There is a new generation of southerners and middle belters who are more united now more than ever to challenge the looming pogrom planned by a common enemy.

There is a new generation of Igbo who do not care anymore about the civil war, and are ready to defend their lives and property if called out again. If the government of Buhari will not protect them, they are prepared to stand the enemy face to face. The consequences of allowing this crisis to degenerate will be too much for both this government and the country to bear.

For the avoidance of doubt, the threats by the northern state governors are nothing but the wailing of a duck. If they do not have anything soothing to say to those who are grieving as a result of the terror they should just keep quiet!

Sultan, Muslims and the Fulani massacres

A Dele Awogbeoba

s Nigerians come to terms with the wholesale massacre and genocide against villagers in Plateau, Taraba, Kaduna, Benue and Enugu and to a lesser extent in parts of Edo and Ondo states over the years by the Fulani herdsmen, we have now heard the voice of the Sultan of Sokoto,Alhaji Abubakar Saa’ad His intervention has been bizarre. Whilst he has condemned the massacres in Enugu, Benue and the like, he has called it bizarre to attribute the killings to the work of the Fulani herdsmen.

As far as we are aware, the Sultan was not an eye witness to the killings. Those eye witness accounts have indicated that the massacres were perpetrated by Fulani herdsmen. It therefore beggars belief that the Sultan will give an account that is so different from those given by the victims when he was ensconced in his emirate in Sokoto when the murders were being perpe-

trated. At a point, a leader of the Fulani stated to ‘Premium Times’ that the Fulani carried out the Agatu massacres in retaliation for earlier killings of some of his tribesmen.

This is probably the best time to actually question when and how and the basis upon which this Sultan started to parade himself as the head of Muslims in Nigeria. His forbear (Uthman Dan Fodio) never built an empire that traversed the entire North talk less of the entire Nigerian entity.

The powerful Kanen Bornu Empire were Muslims way before the sophisticated Hausa states were forcefully taken over by the crude and violent Fulani upstarts. Even after the Fulani descendants of Uthman Dan Fodio forcefully took over the then advanced Hausa states (much in the same way and method that the crude Boko Haram militants at a point took over large parts of Borno State), they never took over or defeated the Kanen Bornu Empire. Additionally, the influence of the Sokoto emirate stopped at Illorin (following Alimi’s pledge of allegiance

to the Sokoto emirate in order to stave off attacks from Oyo Empire much in the same way as Boko Haram has pledged allegiance to ISIS at the current time).

The question to be asked is on what basis is this pretender walking about the Nigerian and international stage claiming to be the leader of Nigerian Muslims?

Yoruba land had been exposed to Islam decades before the Fulani’s ever came to present day Nigeria.

In fact, most Yoruba in Benin and Togo are in fact Muslims. Whilst in Nigeria, the Yoruba, irrespective of whether that includes Northern or southern ones are split almost equally between Christians and Muslims. The North East as relics of the old Kanem Bornu Empire was never under the Sokoto Caliphate at any point in time, so the basis of the Sultan of Sokoto purporting to talk on behalf of Nigerian Muslims (from the North West, North East, North Central and South west) is most absurd.

Fulani herdsmen and Nigerian Muslims are not one and the same. Whilst the Sultan is Fulani

by heritage (despite that his forbears have ceased to be culturally Fulani for some time in view of the fact that he no longer has Fulani names nor speaks the fulbe language), the Hausa speaking Sultan cannot claim to speak on behalf of the Nigerian Muslims in a way that is offensive to the vast majority of their members in Nigeria.

For too long, Islam has been defamed across the globe by a new group of barbaric people twisting and misrepresenting the teachings of an essentially peaceful religion to propagate all manner of crude and barbaric actions.

It is time these pretenders and usurpers are put squarely in their place. The Sultan of Sokoto speaks only for the people of his Sokoto emirate. He is not the leader of Nigerian Muslims pursuant to any act of law passed by the National Assembly. He never ruled over all Nigerian Muslims during colonial or pre-colonial Nigeria and he will do better to stop his fraudulent misrepresentation of Nigerian Muslims or its leadership within Nigeria.

16

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 4, 2016

17

18

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Education Times Æ s

At last, LASU releases 2,500 results of part time students Iniobong Iwok After several years of waiting by students, the management of Lagos State University (LASU) Ojo has released no fewer than 2,500 results of its external system part-time undergraduates programme after they were approved by the institution’s Senate.

Public Relation Officer of the institution, Adekoya Adenola, disclosed this to the Daily Times, noting that the results were released after a deliberate constituent action by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Lanre Fagbohun, to ease the problem of pending results in its parttime campuses across the state.

He added that upon assumption of office, the VC instituted a task force to work on all pending results of students of

its external system part- time programmes, adding that any student who had issues with his/her result should come forward.

He said: “We have just released about 2,500 results after they were approved by the Senate. In the course of the week, more results would be released.

We cannot release all the results at the same time.

“What the VC did when he assume office was to set up a task force headed by Professor Nwabuoko to clear all pending results and send to Senate for release immediately. You know in the past, people capitalised on inadequacies to release few students’ results but with this new system, we would expose students who are having problems and the genuine cases would have their result”.

Former Head of State and Chairman of the occasion, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd) (right); author, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu (left); Sen. David Mark (2nd right) and others at the public presentation of the book, “Who Will Love My Country”, in Abuja… recently.

Augustine Okezie Abuja

UNIABUJA VC replies SSANU on industrial crisis

The Vice Chancellor of University of Abuja, Professor Michael Adikwu, has told members of the local branch of Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) to pursue dialogue in the resolution of their differences with the management of the university rather than through threat and confrontation, if they cherished a genuine desire for the growth and the development of the institution.

Prof. Adikwu, who was answering questions from pressmen in Abuja on his reaction to the resolutions of the recent congress held

by the local chapter of SSANU, said his administration is poised to promote labour friendly environment that will bring out the best from every worker and guarantee the continued growth and development of the university.

On salary payment, the VC assured the workers that they will continue to receive their salaries in full and that if there were any issue contrary to this development, they will always be consulted and taken into confidence before decisions are taken.

Adikwu also rejected the accusation of ‘’indifference’’ and that

he is shielding corrupt officials, adding that several investigation committees are being set up on all reported cases. He further urged any worker that has strong evidence of corrupt practices by any member of staff to come forward.

On the issue of employment of new staff, the VC said those recruited were mostly medical doctors who were already teaching in their hospitals and some of whom were from the National hospital as part of the drive to secure the accreditation of those courses.

He said: ‘’We only regularised those on month to month basis

(Temporary) appointment, most of whom were employed by the previous administration, and who had spent two years. They were now given what is called confirmation of appointment.

“Even the number of staff whose appointments have been regularised now may look big but when you look at it, we need more staff if we must get accreditation for our college of medicine, we don’t even have staff at the clinical level.”

He maintained that rather than dictating to the governing council on whom they should admit on

the strength of their elections, the union should petition the council with proven evidence of non- conformity.

The University boss however noted the concerns expressed by the union on the plight of the widows and promised that they will be absorbed as soon as the opportunities exists.

Meanwhile, latest reports indicates that most members of SSANU have started dissociating themselves from the ultimatum issued to the management of the university in the aftermath of their congress.

Nigeria to seek support at global education conference Sam Nzeh The Federal Government’s team to this year’s world education conference which kicked off in in Cape Town, South Africa on Tuesday is to compare notes with participants from other parts of the globe as part of efforts to seeking solutions to the various challenges facing the sector in the country.

Leading the delegation is the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anthony Anwuka, who will be joined by the Secretary of

Committee of Vice Chancellors in Nigeria, Prof. Michael Faborode, as well as the President of Association of African Vice Chancellors and the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Prof.

Olusola Oyewole, among other participants.

The event, regarded as the world’s largest education conference globally, which is holding for the first time on the continent of Africa, is being organised by the British Council to offer an open forum for global leaders of tertia-

ry education to discuss issues facing the international education community.

The three-day conference, which is, tagged; “2016 Going Global”, has its theme; “Building Nations and Connecting Cultures: Education Policy, Economic Development and Engagement.”

According to the Communication Manager, British Council Nigeria, Mr. Desmond Omovie, the conference which is aimed at addressing core educational issues will be discussed across 40 sessions featuring 150 speakers.

He noted that since its inception in 2004, Going Global had grown from a bi-annual event in the UK to an annual event alternating between the UK and a major international city.

“More than 800 education leaders, government ministers and chief executives from around 75 countries including Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, Colombia, China and Ukraine, will be attending the conference.

“The highlights of the conference include the recording of a special edition on ‘Brain Drain.

How Do we Stem It?’ by the BBC World Service while the Times Higher Education magazine will be exclusively launching its annual World Reputation Rankings,” Omovie explained.

He said the British Council will launch a new major piece of research, ‘The Shape of Global Higher Education,’ that reveals which countries have the best policy environment to encourage international engagement; crucial for their future success (or failure) in the global knowledge economy.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 4, 2016

19 Education Times Etisalat supports North East with educational kits

Esther Bakare

L-R: Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Lawrena Okoro; Managing Director, Lahor Research Laboratories, Prof. Dennis Agbolahor and National President, Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, Alhaji Toyosi Raheem, at the symposium tagged ‘Accredited Laboratories in Management of public health emergencies’, in Lagos… recently.

LASU VC clears air on staff retirement, staff school deharmonisation, others Esther Taiwo Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University, Ojo, Professor Lanre Fagbohun, has cleared air on controversies trailing retirement of some staff of the institution, saying that 70 years retirement age for academic staff and 65 years for nonacademic staff which has been approved at the national level has not become law in Lagos State.

Prof. Fagbohun stated this during a press briefing at the Vice Chancellor’s conference room in the institution recently.

He explained that although some universities have approved the 70 and 65 years retirement age for academic and non-academic staff respectively both at state and federal levels but that of LASU has not been approved by Lagos State House of Assembly.

“No university wants to lose

its professionals, there is no case of trying to force our professors out of the university. It is still the law that is before the Lagos State Government. The issue of fiveyear-single-tenure for Vice Chancellors was approved by the State government but that of retirement age has not been approved”, he said.

According to him, the issue of deharmonising LASU Staff School from the university is the State Government’s policy and not that of the University management, stressing that the Governing Council has directed that something should be done about this after looking into the matter.

“These are issues that we are discussing within ourselves. We are not fighting. This administration will always involve dialogue to resolve our issues within ourselves, it will be utopian to expect that there will be no issues within

the university system”, he added.

On LASU external system, the VC said a task force has been set up to take charge and review the issue of external students headed

by Prof. Cordelia Nwabuoku of the Faculty of Education in order to cover up over students’ results.

“A website will be opened for students to download complaint form for students with any complaint about result. Furthermore, within the next couple of weeks, Senate will be sitting on about 2,500 students to approve the results of the external students.

This will be continuous until all outstanding results are cleared”, he said.

The VC also said that since state government alone cannot fund education, the University is planning to increase its Internally Generated Revenue to N1.32 billion annually from its current level of less than N500 million.

As part of sustained efforts towards achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on Education in the country, Etisalat Nigeria has partnered with a non-governmental organisation, Abuja Global Shapers Community and the Governments of North-Eastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states to provide free education support to primary school pupils.

The initiative tagged, “Community School Support Programme (CSSP)” featured donation of Back-to-School kits, including school uniforms and bags, to pupils drawn from 10 primary schools in the states.

This is part of the company’s multi-faceted CSR programme that is committed to giving value to communities through various intervention programmes covering education, health, etc.

The beneficiary schools are Yerwa Practising Primary School, Abbaganaram Primary School and Bulumkutu Primary School all in Borno State; Katuzu Community School, Gashua, Central Primary School, Potiskum and Lawan Kawuri Primary School, Geidam, all in Yobe State; and, Wuro Hausa Primary School, Yola Town, Community School, Demsa and Tudun Wada Primary School, Mayo Belwa in Adamawa State.

Speaking about the initiative at the formal presentation of the kits to beneficiary schools in Maiduguri, Borno State on Monday, the Vice President, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, Etisalat Nigeria, Ibrahim Dikko, said the partnership is intended to enhance ongoing efforts aimed at making basic education available and sustainable.

Dikko, who was represented

Imo Assembly moves to make Igbo language compulsory in schools The Imo House of Assembly on Tuesday approved a bill seeking the compulsory teaching and learning of Igbo language in nursery, primary, secondary schools and tertiary institutions in the state.

The bill also called for the establishment of an agency to enforce, promote and regulate the enforcement of the law.

It was initiated by, Mr. Donatus Onuigwe (APC), the member representing Oru East state constituency.

During the second reading of the bill, Onuigwe expressed re-

gret that Igbo language, in spite of being one of the three major languages spoken in the country, was gradually going extinct.

According to him, the language is being relegated to the background in favour of English language with many children of Igbo extraction unable to speak the language.

The lawmaker also complained that French had been made compulsory for first year students of tertiary institutions in the state while Igbo language was not offered.

“There is the need to reinvigo-

rate the language by making it compulsory in schools.

“There should also be debates and essay competitions in schools to promote the language,” he said.

Supporting the motion, the member representing Ideato South state constituency, Mr. Ikechukwu Amuka (APC), said that every effort to promote Igbo language should be supported.

He explained that the identity of any tribe was their language and as such, Igbo as an indigenous language, should be made compulsory in schools in the South-East.

Wilsher: CEO, Etisalat Nigeria

by the company’s Head, Government and Community Relations, Mohammed Suleh-Yusuf, reiterated the commitment of the telecommunications giant to sustainable development initiatives that impact on the wellbeing of the populace across various sectors.

“Etisalat Nigeria is committed to delivering sustainable community support programmes that will complement public services and extend benefits to the grassroots across Nigeria. We are proud to be able to contribute positively to achieving the objective of improving our partner states especially in the area of Education. We will continue to collaborate to move the states and indeed the nation forward” he assured.

Also speaking, the Borno State Commissioner for Education, Hon. Musa Inuwa Kobo represented by the Permanent Secretary, Borno State Ministry of Education, commended Etisalat for pursuing causes that serve the interest of the societies in which it operates. He identified investment in education as one fundamental way to secure a progressive future while advancing the cause of the larger society.

“Today, if we are not mindful of the education sector, tomorrow, we will have incompetent lawyers and as a result, people will lose their liberty, we are going to have incompetent doctors, and as a result, people will lose their lives, we are going to have incompetent engineers and as result, bridges will collapse, roads will fail. If we are to be called a civilized society, we should take time and make sacrifices for the future. This is the lesson Etisalat is teaching us.

Etisalat as a corporate organisation is mindful of its social responsibility,” he said.

Education Times 20 Recently, a human resource consulting firm, Lyght Consult, organised a book swap/donor fair with the primary aim of promoting the dying reading culture especially amongst Nigerian pupils and students. AUGUSTINE OKEZIE who attended the symposium writes…

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Day firm made case for resurgence of reading culture

Officials of Lyght Consult and guests at the event

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lyght Consult, Mr. Olufemi James, who spoke exclusively to the Daily Times said what informed his organisation’s venture into book donation, promotion of reading culture and the building of libraries was the discovery that even in the rural areas that they don’t have library and that where they have, they are not well equipped.

He further painted the appalling situation by maintaining the future of the students will be seriously hampered by the predicament.

He said: ’’Because these are the people that will lead us in the future and if we don’t lay the right foundation for them now, how do we get it right as a nation? It will affect them in the future. So we took the bold step to get books to them which we’ve been doing with our own little effort. ‘’Incidentally, talking to other people with same passion, we discovered that people are really eager to give books that they’ve used or the ones they can even buy and contribute. Interestingly, we have even children coming to donate books they have used in their previous years of study’’.

Common Challenges On the challenges facing the organisation in their renewed drive, the chief executive maintained that they enjoined tremendous support from likeminded local and international organisations, corporate bodies, and the various tiers of governments.

He said: ‘’Interestingly, we live

in a world where one only needs to just make a move and he will get things working. The moment you just take a step, you would be amazed at the number of a person that will be ‘’sharing that same passion with you; that is exactly what we have seen today. Though, it’s quite tasking, I remembered even the first event that we organised, people and organisations that initially promised to sponsor but I told my people, look we are doing it because this is what we love. So when the money was not coming, there was no bad feeling at all. It is our vision, it is our passion, we are really happy with what we are seeing today because we want this dream to be fulfilled’’.

On follow up arrangements on donations made especially to ensure maximum impact, he cited efforts made on such recipient schools in the FCT including those at Yes, like the pilot project, adding, “we are taking on a school at Durumi in Mpape, Bwari Area Council and so on. ‘’You would be amazed how eager these students are to learn because they don’t have access to books at all. Therefore, we have gone to those schools, do the ground preparation and at this stage I need to also appreciate their managements for their support. Right now we have to renovate a classroom, put it in good shape to be a befitting library which is what it is today.

It’s not just a question of dumping books there but we also have a follow up programme to ensure that those books are put to good

use and when they do, they also know that more are coming. ‘’Again, in the future, we are also looking at organising competition where students from those rural areas can come to the city center to compete with their counterparts at the city center.

That will serve as an inspiration and we are also planning to give scholarship in the near future to students that have distinguished themselves from those locations’’.

Partnership with government Also speaking on the plans of the organisation to go into partnership with government and other agencies, the Managing Director of Lyght Consult, Mrs. Yetunde Olarewaju, said because the firm is a private entity, the impression is that it’s not always concerned about money.

She said: ‘’For instance, the programme we put together last year, because we were not out for grapping, even organisations that wrote us and pledged their support, they never fulfill those pledges. Government does not seem to trust the private sector and the private sector is also wary of the government because a lot of time when these things are approved by the government, they don’t even get to you. But with the change mantra that we have ongoing now, we sincerely hope that things should be different and we would get positive changes coming up’’.

Mrs. Yetunde, who further assured Nigerians that as a five years programme, the target of the organisation is to first cap-

A book donor at the event

ture the city centre in Abuja, and get people to see that they are not doing it just for money.

She further announced plans for another international book launch coming up in October 2016 that is designed to bring people from across the globe - publishers, authors, and government institutions, the private sector and minister, all of whom would galvanize the position of spreading the firm’s programmes across the 36 states of the federation.

Foreign Partnership The Cultural Attaché of Czech Republic to Nigeria, Mrs. Marie Czech, pledged the support of her embassy to the book launch and promotion of reading culture in Nigeria.

On what motivates the Czech embassy to partner with the organisation, she said the choice was borne out of the desire to cooperate with Nigerian institutions and companies that share similar objectives with them.

She said: ’’No doubt reading is very crucial in the lives of everybody especially the young ones who are in school. We want to encourage Nigerian youth to read books, so that is the reason we are here. Because when the people read books, they improve their knowledge and improve the nation. Whenever you read, you get enlightened. Lyght Consult is focusing on something we found really very important for Nige-

ria, hence the need to support them and we are here as you can see’’.

She also added that her purpose of being at the occasion was to exchange ideas, know the kind of books needed and to donate to them Czech literatures: books, Novels, Plays and other notable books from famous world authors of Czech origin translated to English language so that they can distribute them to the schools in the rural areas and the city centers, adding ‘’we want children to learn about Czech literature’’.

As the Managing Director puts it, Lyght Consult, though not an NGO, but a fully registered organisation, certainly deserves public support and encouragement especially in their decision to engage in this project and the desire to see change in the society and to really make people know that they are actually working the change.

“We looked at the reading culture in Nigeria and realised that there has been a progressive decline and we noticed that a lot of people feel that once they browse through the internet, it could also said to be reading but reading is actually much deeper than that. It not only presents a realistic image of the extent of decadence but a call to rescue a dyeing culture,” Mrs. Yetunde Olarewaju said.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 4, 2016

CHRIST INSTRUCTION SOLUTION CHURCH OF GOD

21 Public Notice

THE SAVIOUR SERVANT KING MINISTRY

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

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

TRUSTEES ARE.: 1. PROPHET EKUMA FRANCIS OSIM - PRESIDENT 2. OGBONNAYA EKUMA - VICE PRESIDENT 3. ECHEWODO BRIDGET AHUNNE - SECRETARY 4. BENI LYDIA - MEMBER

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PASTOR FUNMILOLA DADA 2. MRS ADERONKE AWOSIKA 3. PROF. ADEKUNLE SOBANDE 4. MRS OLUTOMI BORISADE 5. RTD. REV. GEORGE BAKO, OON 6. MISS SELEBIA ETOMI 7. DR. (MRS.) OLUTOYIN ADEBOLA PHILLIPS

AIM/OBJ.: 1. TO PROPAGATE THE WORD OF GOD. TO WIN SOULS FOR OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar general, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: PRESIDENT

HEALINGSTREAM COVENANT CHAPEL INT’L This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for incorporation under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PASTOR COLEMAN CHIDIEBERE DURUH –GENERAL OVERSEER 2. PASTOR MRS. LEONA MERUOBI DURUH - SECRETARY 3. BRO. OKWULU SUNDAY CHUKWUDI 4 BRO. MUKORO BLESSING SAMUEL OVIE 5 MRS. ABDALLAH ABIDEMI

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1.to operate as a charitable organization directed toward the alleviation of hunger among the less privileged by providing a conducive environment where their dreams could be fulfilled.

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

Signed: SECRETARY

BAPTIST GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL AGBOR, OLD GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION, LAGOS BRANCH This is to inform the general public that the above named ASSOCIATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for incorporation under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. OKPARAJI IMADE BRIDGET 2. USHOLO JOSEPHINE OIYOKUN 3. AZUARA BLESSING AMENAGHAWON 4 LATICIA OGENE OPUTA

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

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To promote peace, unity and love among members.

2. To care for members welfare.

3. To protect the interest of the members.

4 To provide peaceful co-existence among its members Any objection to the incorporation of the above ministry should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street,P.M.B 198, Maitama, , Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: TRUSTEES

Signed: TRUSTEES

AIM AND OBJECTIVE To preach the word of God

WORLD ORGANIZATION IN DEFENSE OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH

RENAISSANCE COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVE”.

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named organisation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named Initiative has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

Trustee Are: 1. AKINSANYA ABIMBOLA ADETOKUNBO, 2. ANIMASAUN JIMOH OKANLAWON 3. OLAJIDE OLAWALE OLALEKAN

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Prince Fola Omokayode. President/Founder.

2. Omokayode Folajimi Olamide Roseline. (Sec).

3. Madam Comfort Oluremi Ogunsola -(Member) 4. Oyedji Adeshina Severin -(Member) 5. Adewale Joshua Adeniyi. - (Member).

Aims & Objective.

1. To Defend and Protect children and youth rght.

2) To Fight Against Child and Human Trafficking

AIM AND OBJECTIVE:: To assist the less priviledge in the communities and feed the Nations as a large.

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

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

Signed: Secretary

Signed Secretary

ASSOCIATION OF LIBERTY HUNTERS OF NIGERIA The General Public is hereby informed that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act Part C 1990.

TRUSTEES ARE 1 MR OLADIPO KELVIN BABATUNDE - PRESIDENT 2 MR AKINRINADE ISMAIL OLASUNKANMI- GENERAL SECRETAY 3 MR GOODHEAD FRANK ENYINNAYA 4 MR MICHAEL IORSHE KWAGHZA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1 To establish and maintain cordial relationship and mutual respect among member and alsn help the needy in the society 2 To promote and enhance welfare of members 3 To support and protect the general interest of member 4 To provide benefits programmes and services whici promote growth and quality of life of members Any objection to the Approval of the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General,Corporate Affairs Commission,Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, PMB 198 Maitama,Abuja within 28 days of this publication SIGNED BENJAMIN A. ENEREMADU ESQ

ISREAL HEPHZIBAH HOUSE OF JOY FOUNDATION This is to inform the General Public that the above named Foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

TRUSTEES ARE: (1) Oluwaseye Hephzibah Isreal Akanni -chaiman.

(2)Oluwaseye Esther Adunni (3)Kuroloja Adeniyi Aderibigbe (4)Olofinluyi Olorunsomo Joseph (5)Oluwafemi Joseph Anjimijereyi Sunday (6)Ajimo Festus Bola Oluwole (7)Oluwaseye Kayode Ebenezer (8)Oluwaseye Samuel Oluseyi =secretary.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: (1)To provide education scholarship to students .(2) To organise and promote community development programmes.

(3)To provide welfareand financial empowerment for the less priviled in the society.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to 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 secretary.

THE ULTIMATE LOVE BIBLE CHURCH INTERNATIONAL. The general public is hereby notified that the above named CHURCH has applied to the Corporate affairs commission Abuja for registration under the part C of the companies and allied matters act 1990.

The Trustees Are : 1. Pastor Lovelyn Mbah - Ndu. 3. Deaconess Nkechi Nnaji.

5. Bro Chibueze Richmond Mbah.

7. Bro Justice Onu.

2. Elder Emmanuel Opute.

4. Sis Chiamaka Mbah.

6. Evangelist FridayNwifri.

Aims And Objectives 1. To propagate the gospel of the Lord Jesus christ, through bible study, evangelism and deliverance service.

NURUL HUDA ISLAMIYYA. CAC /IT/NO 17002 This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for Certified True Copy (CTC) Certificate as a result of loss of Original Certificate of Incorporation.

All efforts made to trace the Certificate proved abortive Any Objection(s) to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, PMB 198, Garki, Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

Signed; Secretary

JESUS THE UNFAILING TREASURE MINISTRIES. This is to inform the General Public that the above named Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990 Trustees: 1. Rev. (Mrs) INALO BEATRICE BARILERA. 2. Pastor INALO SUNDAY BARIDUANEN 3. INALO MIRACLE BARIDAN (secretary).

4. INALO EMMANUEL BARIDUANEN. Aims & Objectives: 1. To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication SIGNED: Secretary

JOSEPH OKECHUKWU OKOYE FOUNDATION The General Public is hereby notified that the above named organisation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Obieze Chukwudi Nwabufo 2. Igodan Obiageli Gloria 3. Ilukwe Gerald Chukwuka 4. Okoye Nwamaka Nkeoma 5. Okoye Anthony Chukwuma 6. Okoye Christian Obi AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To help the less privilege Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Barrister Ubosi

CHRIST APOSTOLIC GRAMMAR SCHOOL CLUB 85 - 90 SET This is to inform the General Public that the above named Church has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990 TRUSTEES 1. OLUSANYA ADEKOYEJO VICTOR 2. AGBAJE OLAYINKA 3. IGONO YAKUBU 4. ADELAJA SUSAN OLABISI AIMS: To foster unity among old students of the school.

Any objections to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar general corporate Affairs commission plot 420 tigris crescent off aguiyi ironsi street maitama Abuja within 28days from the date of this publication.

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

Signed: The Trustees 08023295245

Signed: Trustees

CARE RESCUE FOUNDATION

NEW DIVINE MOUNT ZION MINISTRY

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

TRUSTEES ARE (1) ADESOGAN, STEPHEN OMODELE-CHAIRMAN (2) ADESOGAN, REBECCA ADEFEMI (3) ARIBISALA, OLANREWAJU OLUSOLA-SECRETARY (4) OYEBOWALE, ABIMBOLA A. PRINCE (5) ADESOGAN, AYORINDE CRYSTAL (6) OLUKOREDE, ROTIMI ADEKUNLE (7) ADEWALE IKUSAGBA ADEOYE.

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

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.To provide first aid treatment to accident victims 2.To offer help and assistance to accident victims 3.To provide information for combating road mishaps and accidents in Nigeria 4.To assist hn compiling and computing statistics of accidents on Nigerian roads 5.To offer help on general data and collation of Nigeria road accident victims as well as monitoring rescuing and proving medical care to the victims 6.To offer help in pursuing and securing benefit and compensation to road accident victims from insurance companies and other related agencies that use passenger manifest in public parks through awareness campaign 7.To offer traffic solution and assistance in Nigeria urband cities 8.To offer technical support to federal and state government and government parastatals on accident emergency preparedness 9.To provide relief materials and food to victims and relations of victims of natural disasters in Nigeria Any Objection(s) to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, PMB 198, Garki, Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

Signed by Secretary

TRUSTEES ARE .

1 GABRIEL SUNDAY FRIDAY 2 OKON IMAOBONG EFFIONG 3 JACOB UDO UDOFOT 4 UDO NSIMA OKON 5 HARRY IDONGESIT SUNDAY 6 RICHARD EFFIONG OKON AIM To prmpagate the Gospel of Jesus Christ Any Objection(s) to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, PMB 198, Garki, Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED SECERTAY

Public Notice 22 UTIBE BLESSING EKENG I Formally Known And Addressed As BLESSING EKPO EKENG Now Wish To Be Known And Addressed As UTIBE BLESSING EKENG. All Former Documents Remain Valid. General Public Take Note.

MRS OLATUNJI MULIKATU OLAYINKA I Formally Known And Addressed As MRS MULIKATU ODEKU .O. Now Wish To Be Known And Addressed As MRS OLATUNJI MULIKATU OLAYINKA. All Former Documents Remain Valid. General Public Take Note.

OKEREKE EKENE ROY BASIL I Formally Known And Addressed As EMEKA KELVIN. Now Wish To Be Known And Addressed As OKEREKE EKENE ROY BASIL DATE OF BIRTH 25 /06 /1983. All Former Documents Remain Valid.

General Public Take Note.

ADVERT SPACE FOR SALE

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 4, 2016

EMMANUEL OLUFEMI OJO

IZUCHUKWU EMMANUEL CHUKWUBUIKEM

I, formerly known and addressed as ISMAIL OLUFEMI OJO, now wish to be known and addressed as EMMANUEL OLUFEMI OJO. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

This is to notify the general pubic that Izuchukwu Emmanuel Onyeka is the same person as Izuchukwu Emmanuel Chukwubuikem and would love to be addressed and known officially as Izuchukwu Emmanuel Chukwubuikem.

RAJI OYETUNJI OLANIYAN

I Formally Known And Addressed As RAJI MUTIU OYETUNJI Now Wish To Be Known And Addressed As RAJI OYETUNJI OLANIYAN . All Former Documents Remain Valid. General Public Take Note.

OSENI AKEEM KEHINDE

CORRECTION OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, formerly known as KEHINDE OSENI. Now wish to be known and addressed as OSENI AKEEM KEHINDE. All former document remain valid, general public please take note

My Name Was Wrongly Written As Safiya Abdullahi Sani My Correct Name Is Shehu Safiya Hajiya All Former Documents Remain Valid General Public Should Take Note

That I Am The Same Person Bearing Mr Ephanus Olorunwa Temetan And Mr Temetan Ephanus All Former Documents Remain Valid

That I Am The Same Person Bearing Oke Lola Elizabeth And Oke Lola All Former Documents Remain Valid General Public Should Take Note

That I Am The Same Person Bearing Otaiku Khadijat And Khadijat Motunrayo Wilson And Wilson Owonifari Motunrayo Khadijat All Former Documents Remain Valid General Public Should Take Note

ACHA IFESINACHI DORIS I, formerly known as UMEH IFESINACHI DORIS. Now wish to be known and addressed as ACHA IFESINACHI DORIS. All former document remain valid, general public please take note

AKANDE AYINLA ISKILU

AGU NORSO SOLOMON

UBAH CHIMEZIE RAPHAEL

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I Formally Known And Addressed As AKANDE AYINLA KUNLE Now Wish To Be Known And Addressed As AKANDE AYINLA ISKILU. All Former Documents Remain Valid. General Public Take Note.

I Formally Known And Addressed As CHISOM AFOBIAOGU Now Wish To Be Known And Addressed As AGU NORSO SOLOMON. All Former Documents Remain Valid. General Public Take Note.

I Formally Known And Addressed As UBA CHIMEZIE RAPHAEL Now Wish To Be Known And Addressed As UBAH CHIMEZIE RAPHAEL . All Former Documents Remain Valid. General Public Take Note.

That I Am The Same Person Bearing Odu Jennifer Ifeigbo And Odu-oba Jennifer Ifeigbo All Former Documents Remain Valid General Public Should Take Note OBI SUNDAY BROWN

ADVERT SPACE FOR SALE

YAKUBU SALIU OMEIZA I, formerly known as YAKUBU SALIU SULEMAN. Now wish to be known and addressed as YAKUBU SALIU OMEIZA .

All former document remain valid, general public please take note

MRS OLAWUMI BAMIDELE AJAYI

OLAWALE OLANREWAJU SULAIMON

MRS BASHIRU SILIFAT AHUOYIZA

I Formally Known And Addressed As OLAWUMI BAMIDEL ADEMILUA Now Wish To Be Known And Addressed As MRS OLAWUMI BAMIDELE AJAYI .

All Former Documents Remain Valid. General Public Take Note.

I formally known and addressed as OLAWALE MUSBAU SODIQ now wishes to be known and addressed as OLAWALE OLANREWAJU SULAIMON. All former documents remains valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known as MISS ADAMS SILIFAT AHUOYIZA. wish to be known and addressed as MRS BASHIRU SILIFAT AHUOYIZA. All former document remain valid, general public please take note

CHIJIOKE ANYIAM

OLANUSI OLADIPUPO ADEOLA

MISS DASSEN NELLY KULAH

OGUZIE CHIMEZIE

TONIA MMA-OBONG EMMANUEL

I Formely known, called and addressed as CHIJIOKE OGUERI. Now wish to be known, called and addressed as CHIJIOKE ANYIAM. All documents bearing my former name remain valid, General public should please take note.

AKINWANDE MOSES IYANUOLUWA I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS AYODELE MOSES AKINWANDE NOW WISH TO BE CALLED AND ADDRESSED AS AKINWANDE MOSES IYANUOLUWA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENT REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I FORMALLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OLANUSI OLADIPUPO RICHARD NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OLANUSI OLADIPUPO ADEOLA . ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE

BADA RAYMOND BUSARI I, formerly known as AYODELE AYOMIDE SAMSON. Now wish to be known and addressed as BADA RAYMOND BUSARI. All former document remain valid, general public please take note

I Formely known, called and addressed as NELLY DASSEN. Now wish to be known, called and addressed as MISS DASSEN NELLY KULAH. All documents bearing my former name remain valid, General public should please take note.

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AYOOLA GBENGA MOSES. NOW: WISH TO BE ADDRESSED AYOOLA GBENGA EMMANUEL ALL FORMER DOCUMENT REMAIN VALID GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

MRS UMORU USMAN ALHAJI

I, formally known as MISS MANN FEHINTOLAOLAPEJU now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AKPOVWOVWO FEHINTOLA OLAPEJU. All former documents remain valid.

All government organizations and general public take note.

I, formerly known as Miss AMINA ONECHOJO EGBUNU now wish to be known as. Mrs UMORU USMAN ALHAJI. All former documents remain valid ,and the general public should Please take note.

MRS ADELINE KIOWA IVIARA

CHUKWUDI GRACE AKINLABI

LAWRENCE ADETOKUNMBO ELIZABETH.

I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs Kiowa Kiowa Iviara now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adeline Kiowa Iviara. All former documents remain valid, and the general public should please take note.

I formerly known, called and addressed as CHUKWUDI GRACE NKEONYE . Now wish to be known, called and addressed as CHUKWUDI GRACE AKINLABI. All documents bearing my former name remain valid, General public should please take note.

I, FORMERLY BEARING ADEKANMBI LAWRENCE ADETOKUNBO MODUPE, WANT ADEKANMBI AND MODUPE DELETED, WHILE ELIZABETH WOULD BE ADDED. THE NAMES THEREAFTER SHOULD NOW READ: LAWRENCE ADETOKUNMBO ELIZABETH.

GRACE DISPENSATION PROPHETIC MISSION INT.

I, formerly known and addressed as JOHNSON CHRISTIAN, now wish to be known and addressed as OGUZIE CHIMEZIE All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

AYOOLA GBENGA EMMANUEL

MRS AKPOVWOVWO FEHINTOLA OLAPEJU

ADVERT SPACE FOR SALE

ADVERT SPACE FOR SALE

FAJIMI YINKA MARY

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I FORMALLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MICHEAL SAMUEL SEGUN NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS OBI SUNDAY BROWN. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE

I, formerly known and addressed as TONIA UDOH EMMANUEL now wish to be known and addressed as TONIA MMA-OBONG EMMANUEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ADVERT SPACE FOR SALE

PETER OZEIGBE IDEMUDIA

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as JEPHTER YINKA MARY, now wish to be known and addressed as FAJIMI YINKA MARY All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known & addressed as MONDAY OZIEGBE IDEMUDIA , now wish to be known & addressed as PETER OZEIGBE IDEMUDIA. All former documents remains valid, General public, take note.

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS KAREEM YETUNDE SHERIFAT NOW WISHED TO BE KNOWN AND CALLED KAREEM YETUNDE PELUMI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

MOUTAIROU ABDOU RACHIDI AKANNI

MRS EBUNOLOWA THERESA ADEJUYIGBE

MR UMORU USMAN ALHAJI I, formerly known as UMAR USMAN now wish to be known as MR UMORU USMAN ALHAJI . All former documents remain valid ,and the general public should Please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as FANOU JHON GBODJA, now wish to be known and addressed as MOUTAIROU ABDOU RACHIDI AKANNI All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

SHEHU TIJANI AYOMIDE I, formerly known as SHEHU TIJANI TOPE. wish to be known and addressed as SHEHU TIJANI AYOMIDE. All former document remain valid, general public please take note.

GREAT HEART WOMEN INITIATIVE

This is to inform the General Public that the above named ASSOCIATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

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

The Trustees Are. 1 Apostle Joshua Oribhabor - President And Founder.

2 Rev. Mrs Precious Oribhabor - Vice President , National Women Co-ordinator 3 Pastor Ebizimoh Agagha-secretary .

4 Mrs Helen Eholor Iweh -treasurer 5 Mr Rex Oghoro -pro,

THE TRUSTEES ARE 1. SAIDAT OSINOWO 2. LAMBE AHMED KEHINDE 3. GBOLAGADE HAJARAT TITILOPE 4. OSASONA OLUWATOBI FOLORUNSO 5. LAWAL ABDULWASIU

Aim And Objective , To Give Ourselves To Prayers And The Ministry Of Gods Word.

Aim And Objectives: 1. Women empowerment and skill acquisition 2. To assist the less privilege

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

Any Objection(s) to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, PMB 198, Garki, Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED : SECRETARY

Signed; BARR. AHMED LAMBE

I formerly known as Miss Ebunolowa Theresa Karunwi now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EBUNOLOWA THERESA ADEJUYIGBE . All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

MR. ORIFA ANDREW OYITAMEHAFUO Formerly known as Mr Olugbenga Andrew Uyitafo upon registration of my BVN, now Mr. Orifa Andrew Oyitamehafuo. Banks, general public take note

TOCHI CHIEKWU I formerly known and addressed as TOCHUKWU ADAEZE CHIMA,Now wish to be known and addressed as TOCHI CHIEKWU, All former document remain valid. please public should take note.

YALA LUTHERAN EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

RC NO: CAC/IT/NO 68311 This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for Amendment of its Constitution under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1 of 1990.

THE AMENDMENT IS AS THUS: 1. ARTICLE 3 PARAGRAPH 7.

THE TRUSTEES REMAIN THE SAME. THE AIM AND OBJECTIVES REMAIN THE SAME Any Objection(s) to this Application should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, PMB 198, Garki, Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED : SECRETARY

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 4, 2016

23 News

FG removes restraints in treating gun-shot victims ÎÎÎThe

Federal Government on Tuesday directed medical doctors to treat emergencies including gunshot victims without requesting for police clearance or other restraints.

Minister of Health, Prof.

Isaac Adewole, gave the order at the swearing in ceremony of 342 foreign trained medical doctors and six dentistry graduates in Abuja.

The foreign graduates were successful in the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) assessment held from April 6 to 8, which enables them to practice in the country.

Adewole urged them to treat patients on emergency before asking for money, adding that life is more precious than money.

He further advised them to

continually practice within the limit of their competence and imbibe global best practice to better their lots in the profession.

Said he, ``Hospitals are sanctuary for the sick and injured, never must our hospitals be closed for whatever reasons; even in war time situations, hospital must remain open. ``Doctors must show no

restrain in treating emergencies, even with gun-shot wounds you must treat them, thereafter raise questions. ``You must also treat emergencies before asking for money because life is more precious than money,’’ he said.

Adewole, who noted some of the challenges in the profession to include lack of adequate places for internship

programmes, however, assured of government commitment to fund the programme.

The ministry said that the nation was in dire need of more human resources to cater for the health needs of the increasing population.

He, however, assured of government’s efforts at collaborating with key stakeholders to ensure effective distribution and financing

the training programme. ``The Federal Ministry of Health has strategically identified and mapped out a number of key activities to ensure that Nigeria reverses the ills and failures in the healthcare system. ``Training of prospective and qualified healthcare professionals is one of the key agenda of the present administration.

Edo Arewa pledges support for guber aspirant Titus Akhigbe, Benin-City

ÎÎÎThe

Arewa community members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Edo State, on Tuesday, declared support for a governorship aspirant, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, in the September 10 gubernatorial election in the state.

The Arewa community led by its leader, Alhaji Adamu Tijani, disclosed this when they paid a courtesy call to Obaseki in his campaign office in the state capital.

Speaking, the state Chairman of the Arewa, Alhaji Shittu Usman, while noting that the community constitutes over 35 per cent of the population in the state, assured the aspirant of their support financially and otherwise.

According to Usman, “I promise you, there is no Are-

wa community member that will vote anyone else. By the grace of God, we will use our experience, time and resources to convince other members of the Arewa community to support you. We are certain that we will attend your swearing in ceremony because for us, you have been elected.

Meanwhile the secretary of the community, Abdullahi Ibrahim, while pointing that the group had, in the past worked with successive administrations in the state, said they would continue to work hand in hand with any administration to ensure good government for the people of the state.

He affirmed that they had studied the profile and achievements of Obaseki and are convinced he is the right candidate to succeed Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

DPR seals 5 filling stations in Benin Titus Akhigbe, Benin

ÎÎÎThe Department of

Petroleum Resources (DPR) in Edo State has sealed off five filling stations in the state capital. The affected stations were shut over alleged sale of the product above stipulate dice.

The DPR also reiterated the agency’s earlier threat to offer to the public free of charge, products from any marketer who is found wanting.

Some of the stations sealed, according to the Operations Controller of DPR in the state, Maynard Oriaifo, were involved under dispensing the products to unsuspecting customers.

Oriaifo, who led the team round the city to enforce the approved pump price of the product maintained that the long queues of motorists would soon be a thing of the

past.

It was discovered during the check that most of the filling stations were dispensing the product as high as N150 per litre, while others were under dispensing to customers about four litres for every 10 litres sold.

Oriaifo listed the stations sealed to include Voe Oil Nigeria Limited, Airport road, Chunks Agho petroleum Limited, Upper Mission Road, Raptor Petroleum Limited, Upper Mission, Faith In God and Propel Oil in Benin City.

The DPR, however, vowed to continue to seal any filling station that sells the product above N86.50 per litre.

“The Department of Petroleum Resources will go after any station selling fuel above pump price and will dispense the products to customers for free while the station will be sealed” he said.

Members of the National Youth Council demanding release of their National President, Mr. Ikenga Ugochinyere in Abuja… on Tuesday.

Security: FCTA embarks on surveillance of uncompleted buildings Idu Jude Abuja

ÎÎÎIn its effort to get rid of

all criminal elements operating within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) will, henceforth, embark on comprehensive surveillance of all uncompleted buildings in the FCT. This step is aimed at ensuring such places are not turned into den of criminals.

FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, dropped

this hint while receiving a delegation of Christian leaders who paid him a courtesy call.

The Minister said that the FCTA was concerned about the several uncompleted buildings across the Federal Capital City, Abuja which could be hiding places for criminals. He maintained that a number of unidentified persons squatting in such places may pose security risk.

Malam Bello noted that his administration had been able to confront and displace some of the people living under

bridges and that the operation would continue until the city was rid of such unwarranted elements.

He revealed that the FCTA had earlier spoken to the Muslim community on the unfortunate cases of street begging in some areas of the capital territory. He urged the residents to join hands with the FCTA to eradicate the menace.

The Minister also disclosed that his Administration plans to rehabilitate those with such social problem, which

would ultimately give them a sense of belonging, thereby making them useful to themselves and the entire society.

His words: “In the 2016 fiscal year, the FCT Administration will upgrade Rehabilitation Centre for effective skill acquisition to make the rehabilitated persons independent and self sustenance”.

He reiterated that the FCTA also intended to take destitute back to their families for re-absorption into the society after successful rehabilitation.

Osun College denies financial impropriety allegation Mokolade Micahel,

Osogbo The management of Osun State College of Education, Ila-Orangun, has denied allegation of financial impropriety and embezzlement being leveled against it.

ÎÎÎ

Provost of the institution, Prof. Isaac Oyewole, in a chat with Journalists, said the allegation was being peddled by enemies of progress and some disgruntled elements who are not comfortable with his administration.

He, However, admitted

that some officials of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) visited the institution based on a petition written to the commission by some individuals, he said the ICPC has not come out with its verdict on the in-

vestigation.

Prof. Oyewole, who stated that his administration was against corruption and illegal activities, said all forms of corrupt acts by both the academic and non-academic staff of the institution have been

News 24

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Full panel of A’ Court to hear Hijab appeal Peter Fowoyo

ÎÎÎAn

appeal challenging the decision of a Lagos High Court, Ikeja, upholding the ban on the wearing of Hijab (Muslim head scarf) in public primary and secondary schools in Lagos State, was adjourned by the Court of Appeal, Lagos division.

A three-man panel led

by Justice Amina Augie informed the applicants that there’s a need for adjournment to enable its full panel hear the matter.

The applicants, two 15year- olds and the Registered Trustees of the Muslim Society of Nigeria (MSSN), were told by Justice Augie that the matter was sensitive since all three Justices were Muslims.

She said: “The appeal is very sensitive since it involves the right of the applicants, who are Muslims, to wear the hijab over their

school uniform in accordance with Koranic injunction.

“We are a three-man panel, and more importantly, an all Muslim panel.”

She added that if the three justices went ahead to hear the appeal, it could raise issues of bias.

Responding to an observation by applicant’s counsel, Chief Gani Adetola-Kazeem, Justice Augie said: “Any way the decision goes, we would be under fire. We’re protecting ourselves as much as we’re protecting you.

“It’s a very sensitive matter that will most likely still get to the Supreme Court.”

The court ruled that the suit was a constitutional one and a five-man panel was re-

quired to hear it.

It directed the applicants to apply in writing to the President of the Court of Appeal for a five-man panel to be appointed to hear it.

On October 17, 2014, Justice Modupe Onyeabor of an Ikeja High Court, dismissed the suit instituted against the Lagos State government by then two 12-year-old girls under the aegis of the MSSN, Lagos State Area Unit.

The government had banned the use of Hijab on the argument that it was not part of the approved school uniform for pupils.

Following the ban, the students filed the suit on May 27, 2013, seeking redress and asked the court to declare the ban as a violation of

their rights to freedom of thought, religion and education.

In her judgement, Onyeabor held that the prohibition of the wearing of Hijab over school uniforms within and outside the premises of public schools was not discriminatory.

According to her, the ban does not violate sections 38 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution as claimed by the plaintiffs.

The judge said Section 10 of the Constitution made Nigeria a secular state and that government must maintain neutrality at all times.

Onyeabor said the government therefore had a duty to preserve the secular nature of the institutions con-

cerned as argued by the Lagos State Solicitor-General, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN).

She noted that since the public schools were being funded by the government, it was therefore competent to issue dress codes and other guidelines to the students.

According to her, the use of uniforms engenders uniformity and encourages students to pursue their mutual academic aspirations without recourse to religious or any other affiliations.

The judge observed that the uniformity sought by the government in the issuance of the dress code would be destroyed, should the prayers of the plaintiffs be granted.

Pa Afolabi is dead

ÎÎÎThe death has occurred

of Prince Michael Ola Afolabi Olatunji. He was aged 85.

Popularly called “The Governor” during his life time by his admirers, Olatunji passed on February 12, 2016.

A renowned philanthropist and community leader, the late Olatunji will be buried on May 7, 2016 at the Christ Cathedral Church cemetery at his hometown in Ijero-Ekiti, in Ekiti State.

IPMAN demands products importation allocation from PPPRA ÎÎÎIndependent Petro-

Aeronautic engineers told to brace up for challenges ahead Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

ÎÎÎAeronautic

engineers have been told to brace up for greater challenges ahead as the engineering profession should bring out its best during economic downturn by sustaining the critical aviation infrastructure with minimal resources.

The president of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (Aeronautical Division), Engr.

Bola Bido said the call became necessary as a result of the present dwindling economic activities in the country.

Bido challenged engineers in the aviation sector not to rest on their oars as there was a great task of transforming the sector through ingenuity, adding that the era of analogue was over as every sector has been digitilised.

Engr. Bido who decried the high rate of ageing workforce in the aviation sector, said it remained a source of worry to the association and stakeholders and appealed to various state government across the country to embark on the training of aeronautical engineers in aviation colleges to replace the old ones.

Afolabi

Alleged vandals paraded by the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ibadan, Oyo State… on Tuesday.

IPOB denies alleged plans to attack northerners in East Sunday Nwakanma Umuahia

ÎÎÎThe Indigenous People

of Biafra (IPOB) has said that it does not have any intention, let alone, plans to attack Northerners resident in the Eastern region in the name of reprisal attacks.

In a statement issued in Umuahia and signed by its Media and Publicity Director, Emma Powerful, IPOB was forced to repeat this position publicly, due to pressures from elders and leaders, describing IPOB as not a violent organization, pointing out “We are a peace loving mass movement, with branches in 98 countries, desirous of freedom from a ruthless, tyrannical oppressor who has

held us down for decades.

“Our prayer to be free, to determine our future and that of our children is legitimate and divine. We don’t have any reason whatsoever to attack and kill people in cold blood. We were mindlessly mowed down in Port Harcourt, Onitsha ObodoUkwu Road, Onitsha Bridge head while praying at a school compound in Aba. We endured all with equanimity. Those who killed and buried hundreds of our members suddenly turned around to falsely accuse us of killing five of their kinsmen, the whole world rose in our defense. We can never get down low to kill people in cold blood. We are not animals.

“As we steadfastly march

towards freedom, we hope to maintain friendly relations and cordial trade agreements with our neighbours. We don’t plan to create a hostile environment for our emerging new nation. Moreover, it has never been our nature to attack and kill people in cold blood.

“Those calling us and pleadings with us to cancel our threats and ultimatums, should know, that we never issued any ultimatum after the Uzo-Uwani massacres. They should therefore direct their pleas to rabble rousers and agent provocateurs who found their voices only after the Uzo-Uwani massacre, and who are merely playing to the gallery in order to be

noticed. Most of them are sponsored by local politicians to issue threats and ultimatums in the hope that the presidency which has ignored them will invite them to plead with their youths to sheathe their swords. An old game they usually play in pursuit of relevance”, they said IPOB said when the Federal Government complied with their one and only ultimatum, about the Ugwuleshi 76, two hours before the expiration of our 72-hours order, the nonexistent groups were dumb, deaf and mute, but suddenly forwarded their voices now, “only to issue threats left, right and center. We are too big to flow with the madding crowd”.

leum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), on Tuesday, called on the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency to resume importation allocation to its member.

The IPMAN President, Lawson Obasi gave the charge while speaking to journalists in Abuja, stressing that such move would avert perennial scarcity of petroleum products in the country.

He wondered that in the past, the PPPRA used to allocate some petroleum import quota to its members but suddenly stopped resulting in recurring scarcity.

“The PPPRA should include IPMAN in the list of those importing products.

Before now, they used to give us allocation but they stopped “he said.

Obasi said the group is not against removal of subsidy but stressed that government need to make the removal gradual and in phases.

He said that government should ensure that refineries are working and pipelines put in order to ensure free flow of distribution of the products.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 4, 2016

25 Opinion

The royal touch ÏÏÏ

The preparations were manic - artists were begged, collectors were courted and buyers were also cajoled. I contacted some friends who are ardent collectors to send in some of their artworks.

Initially they agreed but later on they reneged.

They claimed that, ‘Those who know that I’m selling some of my artworks will think that I’ve fallen on hard times’. With some it was ‘come today, come tomorrow’. One’s patience was taxed. While one was rubbing the ego of some people, there were others who came to the gallery with their works begging that they be included in the lot. There was excitement all around. Everyone in the gallery was busy - all hands were on deck. Staff shuttled between Mydrim Gallery and Terra Kulture, the other body in this partnership. At Mydrim Gallery in South-west Ikoyi, it was frantic. From the Principal Curator and owner, Sinmidele Adesanya to the most junior worker (don’t know who), there was a burst of energy and a determination that ‘we just must nail it’.

The 2016 edition of the

Lagos Art Auction (TKMG Auction House), jointly organised by Terra Kulture and Mydrim Gallery, was held on Friday, 29 April in Abuja Lounge at the InterContinental Hotel, Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island. I was bubbling with excitement since it was my first experience at an art auction. In the morning of that Friday, there was a rehearsal at the auction venue, Inter-Continental Hotel. The projector and the screen were tested. Lot titles were checked and absentee forms were run through again. Staff from Terra Kulture and Mydrim Gallery taking part in the auction were briefed again on their functions. That was when the first drama began. Some of the staff members just remembered that they didn’t have any decent black trousers to don that evening. It was the men who were guilty of this slip. The women came all prepared for the event.

Might it have been a ruse to have a brand new pair of trousers? I didn’t voice out this suspicion to anyone.

To Obalende they trooped to get themselves new pairs of black trousers.

Packed lunch came from the Terra Kitchen for

Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi

everybody. I forgot to ask the driver if he preferred it to the ‘MamaPut’ he buys in Obalende. There were different types of fizzy drinks to accompany the packed lunch. After looking after the stomachs, people changed into the attires for the night. They were expected to be dressed in black. Those at the front desk wore t-shirts with the TKMG emblem inscribed in front and back over their black trousers.

Tables on which catalogues and paddles were neatly arranged were laid out at the entrance to the Abuja Lounge. In the lobby of the third floor of the InterContinental Hotel, were some sculptures such as ‘Sisi Oge’ of Fidelis Odogwu and ‘Gentleman’ of Francis Uduh. Also gracing the walls were paintings such

W E A T H E R ABUJA

ASABA

LAgOS

Low 26°C High 41°C

Low 26°C High 36°C

Low 26°C High 36°C

KADUNA

IBADAN

ILORIN

Low 26°C High 39°C

Low 24°C High 36°C

Low 25°C High 39°C

as Kolade Oshinowo’s ‘Discussion’ which was on the catalogue’s cover.

The Auctioneer per excellence, Yinka Akinkugbe, arrived almost an hour and a half before the event. He’d been doing the job since 2013. When the auction proper started, I could see why his services had been demanded over the years. Guests started arriving quite early. Some bought the catalogue and started leafing through.

Works of artists like Bruce Onobrakpeya, Ablade Glover, Segun Adejumo, Kehinde Sanwo, Ajobiewe Samuel, Segun Aiyesan and numerous other artists fill up the catalogue. I love peoplewatching but nothing from the body language of those browsing through the catalogue pointed out

who would be potential buyer. Prospective buyers picked up their paddles. We crossed fingers and hoped for the best. The audience was joined by some artists whose works were in the lot and others who came to have fun watching people bid. It was my first auction participation so I belonged to the latter.

Wine, Chapman, fizzy drinks and bite-size food was served at the cocktail that preceded the sale.

Artists, collectors and art dealers mingled together.

Small talks were made.

There were back-slapping jokes. Some ‘long time no see’ were exchanged.

Television crew asked questions from those they cherry picked. Journalists also spoke to artists and others. Just before 7.00pm guests were given five minutes to finish up their drinks and food and troop into the Abuja Lounge for the auction to commence.

By the time I joined the already gathered crowd in the auction room, there was no empty chair. So I stood at the rear with my back to the wall. I wasn’t the only one. The auction started on a low beat. But it soon picked up. From where I was I could watch a certain artist whose two works in the lot didn’t sell. I felt bad. I looked at him, his face was blank.

And then we heard the sound of ‘sekeseke’ in the lobby announcing the arrival of an eminent person. Who could it be?

There were movements in the auction room. Timi

Austen-Peters entered to speak with his wife, Bolanle who got up and went out. Voices could also be heard. The ‘oriki’ of the eminent person was being recited. The doors opened and it was the Arole Oodua, the Ooni of Ife, His Royal Highness Oba Ogunwusi who entered with his Olori, Wuraola and the Oba’s retinue in tow. They were ushered into the front row by the AustenPeters. About six men in the Oba’s retinue formed a ring around the Oba and his Olori when they wanted to sit down. That was the day I knew that we lesser mortals were not supposed to see the Oba either eat or about to sit down. Why, you ask. The Oba is ‘igbakeji Orisa’. He’s the Orisa’s deputy here on earth. Did I mention that some of us said ‘Kabiyesi’ as the Ooni entered? His ‘iwofa’ (servants) came to join us at the rear. They eventually went out of the room.

Would that have been after they spiritually ‘psyched’ up all of us?

I can’t say if HRH bought any work but more than a third of the lot was sold.

Bidders were very cautious.

The economic downturn in the country was felt in that auction. The question on everyone’s lips is if the air-conditioning system in the Abuja Lounge that broke down an hour into the auction contributed to the economic malaise of the bidders? That notwithstanding the evening was a glorious one blessed with a royal touch.

R E P O R T KANO Low 27 °C High 44°C

BENIN CITY Low 18°C High 30 °C

P/HARCOURT Low 23°C High 30 °C

CALABAR Low 25°C High 31°C

ENUgU Low 25°C High 36°C

WARRI Low 25°C High 33°C

26

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Features Æ s

God’s Covenant Snr with additional report by Erinle David Constitutional Lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Femi Falana has urged the Nigerian labour movement to lead campaign for the recovery of stolen wealth and the prosecution of all indicted looters. Falana made the call at the 2016 pre-May Day lecture, with the theme, ‘The Fundamental Objectives and directive principles of state policy’.

The lecture was organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC). The radical lawyer who was represented by the Chairman, Partner for Electoral Reforms, Ezenwa Nwagu noted that the need to prosecute indicted looters have become imperative. He lamented that there has been diversion of public funds by a handful of public officers.

Speaking also on the state of the Nigerian worker without mincing words, societal conflict resolution counselor, people’s priest and renowned human rights enthusiast, the Very Reverend Father Monsignor Livinus Ukah told The Daily Times that the workers’ welfare in Nigeria is still a far cry from what it should be.

“Nigerian workers are in a critical state. Unless God comes in to intervene, they will be everlasting victims of the big politicians,” he began.

“When you stimulate the workers to be able to work and make the economy strong, but they are not paid, they don’t eat, how can they stimulate the economy?

“Look at the senators driving beautiful, luxury cars. Our Archbishop Cardinal Okojie pointed it out last time but the government is not listening.

What kind of government is this that is not sympathetic to the common man?

“Governors in many states have not paid their workers, yet Nigerians workers are very obedient, they’re not like workers in Iraq who have been demonstrating against corruption in Baghdad; even workers in Brazil want to impeach the woman because of corruption but in Nigeria, the workers take things lightly and the only thing they can do is make a lot of noise in the newspapers.

“I read that President Buhari is worried that state governments have not been able to

State of Nigerian Workers ÏMG ƏƉƕ ƃ ƊƋ Ɔ ƅ ƍ ƍƄƃ ƐƄƍƓ ƅ Ǝ ƉƄ ƑƄ ƉƎ - Femi Falana ÏMƆ ƄƍƆ Ƒ ƍƈƄƍ ƍƄ Ɔ ƃƍƆƎƆƃ Ɖ Ǝ ƎƄ – Msgr Ukah

Ukah

clear the salary backlogs inspite of FG bailout. Now, why is he worried? He has the veto power to tell them what to do; he has all it takes to sanitise the society and make Nigerian workers live meaningful lives - that’s why he is there.”

On the contribution of the Church, the Monsignor revealed that “The Church is packed full with poor people coming for foods every day. They keep coming from morning to 6 o’clock in the evening, and when you tell them that you don’t have enough, they begin to insult you.”

On the first year Change administration “So far they’re not offering us anything; everything is what the people call ‘sit-down-look’. How long will the Nigerian people wait? They should gain credibility by fulfilling their electoral promises and make the people feel happy.”

Acknowledging that corruption will be difficult for Buhari to fight outside the rule of law, Fr Ukah recognised that corrup-

Falana

So far they’re not offering us anything; everything is what the people call ‘sit-down-look’. How long will the Nigerian people wait? They should gain credibility by fulfilling their electoral promises and make the people feel happy. I don’t think Buhari’s government of change that has only four years and at most eight years can cut down corruption completely: he is only scratching it — Monsgr Ukah tion has been there for ages.

“I don’t think Buhari’s government of change that has only four years and at most eight years can cut down corruption completely: he is only scratching it.”

Way out “Let you journalists, religious bodies, everybody speak out with one voice so that they will hear. In Nigerian society, those who speak don’t employ good tools; you don’t need to burn

tyres, kill people - just speak out continually through the mass media. That is why I like that man, Ayo Fayose; he’s an action man; you may not agree with me but he says it as it is.”

Fulani herdsmen “That’s another big problem in Nigeria; a disturbing phenomenon; we do not know the anthropology behind it; maybe we are looking at another political scheme, but the people should try to examine it very well because you can’t come to farmers and invade and destroy them: what is our President saying?

“The rumour if it is a rumour that they want to pass a bill at the National Assembly to create grazing land for herdsmen in all the 36 states of the federation is now left for the people that the electorate voted to represent them. They just went there to make money, otherwise, they are supposed to attack structures that create problem for the people, to counter negative thinking that creates crisis in CONTINUED ON PAGE 27

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 4, 2016

27 Features

All is certainly not well with Nigerian workers - CDWR

Wabba CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26

the society.

“How can they even think like that? God has given them their own natural environment, then these people will come, invade their farmlands and killing the people, it smells of political.

Fulani herdsmen are known to carry stick or at best bow and arrow, but now they carry sophisticated weapons and even wear bullet proofs: who is giving them and what is the purpose.

The trend is showing Nigerians what the future will be.”

A final word for Nigerian workers “Nigerian people have a deep sense of endurance, patience.

They will continue to endure until God sends another messiah. My advice to them is that they should continue working: one day, God will tap them at the shoulder and tell them that better days are coming,” Msgr Ukah concluded.

Meanwhile, our correspondents from across the states report that the celebration was interpreted in divergent ways.

Meanwhile, the Lagos Chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress in Lagos complained that the security lapses in the country has lasted for too long.

The workers identified the root causes of these challenges to include mass illiteracy, ignorance, poverty and widespread unemployment among others.

“The government needs to proffer solutions to all these as soon as possible as the only means to find a lasting solution,” a worker told our correspondent.

Aluta Conitunua

Ogun State At the 26th Workers’ Day Celebration held at the MKO Abiola stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta, Gov Ibikunle Amosu appealed to state workers to maintain their support for the state government for its developmental programmes, promising that his government will continue to ensure that their salaries are paid as at when due.

In their response the workers appreciated government’s efforts in ensuring stability in the state but want improvement in some areas, especially workers’ welfare and payment of gratuity.

Oyo State The celebration was held at the Lekan Salami sports complex in Ibadan where workers expressed divergent views on the state of workers-government-relationship in the state.

“Every worker in Nigeria today and Oyo state in particular is working under industrial hostility because I consider where workers are owed up to five months salaries are not paid as a hostile industry,” the workers said.

Edo State It was a welcome news at the Edo State Capital as State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomole announced a N25,000 minimum wage (up from N18,000) for employees in the state civil service at the grand finale of activities marking the 2016 Workers’ Day on Sunday.

Assuring that increment takes immediate effect, Oshiomole promised prompt pay-

With individual needs soaring high like an eagle, all is definitely not well with Nigerian workers.

We live in hovels, work in sweatshops, drive rattletraps, wear secondhand clothes, eat rice without meat at ‘mama put’, live without electricity, get health care from rundown hospitals, and our children are frequently sent out of schools due to late payment of tuition - CDWR

Lawrence

ment of outstanding salaries to the staff of Local Government Council in the state.

At the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Principal Air Transport Officer, Mr. Okunniwa Olufunsho Lawrence said beyond the celebration and fanfare that characterise the Workers Day, it’s a day for them to reflect on and take stock of how far they have come towards achieving their goals and reaching the development of their various countries as well as ensuring that their own demands to are met by government.

“It is an opportunity for workers to look at the scorecard to see how far they have gone over the last year,” he said.

Apparently unimpressed at the state of the Nigerian worker however, the Campaign for Democratic and Workers Rights (CDWR) said of the rallies, “Unfortunately, May Day celebration is largely characterised by jamborees and partying rather than sober reflection of the appalling and worsening condition of the working class.

“You can see the display of company names and brands; they are just for promotional values in addition to speeches from trade union leaders that lack a clear path to political and economic emancipation of the workers and the masses.

“With individual needs soaring high like an eagle, all is defi-

nitely not well with Nigerian workers. We live in hovels, work in sweatshops, drive rattletraps, wear second-hand clothes, eat rice without meat at ‘mama put’, get health care from rundown hospitals, and our children are frequently sent out of schools due to late payment of tuition,” a CDWR said.

“Trade union leaders are doing little or nothing at unionising and organising defenseless workers in many workplaces who are in dire need of a union platform to defend their interest. Cases abound of union leaders who betray workers struggle or do little to defend workers rights and interests,” the body said.

North Central set for NFF/Zenith Bank Championship ANDREW EKEJIUBA

R

epresentative teams of the seven States in the nation’s North Central geopolitical zone will arrive in Minna, Niger State today for the zonal finals of the maiden edition of the NFF/Zenith Bank Future Eagles Championship.

The competition, which is for U-13 and U-15 categories, will see Niger, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kwara, Benue and Kogi States and the Federal Capital Territory slug it out for supremacy in the Niger State capital.

Chairman of the Niger State Football Association and Coordinator of the zone, Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed Fresh, revealed that the

one –week championship will commence on Thursday.

“All arrangements have been perfected for a hitch –free tournament. The teams will arrive in Minna today and screening will hold the same day, while the competition will begin on Thursday.

“We know how important this

Page 28

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

T

Iheanacho

Iheanacho demands bumper Man City contract

he agents of Kelechi Iheanacho have demanded a bumper new Manchester City contract that will pay the Nigeria starlet a mind-blowing 200,000 pounds-a-week over five years.

“He has deserved his keep at City as he is now one of the most effective forwards in the whole of Europe when you put his game time against the number of his goals,” a top source argued.

The 19-year-old Nigeria international has netted 13 goals in all competitions this season with seven of them in the Premier League.

In October, Manchester City offered Iheanacho 50,000 pounds-a-week.

As earlier reported, City have opened talks with Iheanacho’s handlers over a new contract after he justified his promotion to the first team at The Etihad with goals and five-star displays in his debut season in the English Premier League.

Iheanacho is currently earning “between 10,000 and 18,000 pounds a week” after coming through the City youth ranks and the least paid City first-teamer is on 180,000 pounds-a-week with the biggest earner at the club Yaya Toure pocketing almost twice that sum.

Iheanacho is expected to bag a new contract by July.

Dream Team VI set for

Korean tourney N

igeria Olympic team are set to depart the country for an invitational tournament in Seoul, Korea, by May 29 as Coach Samson Siasia has decided domestic league players will no longer be released for mid-week games.

“From the information at my disposal, we are supposed to be traveling on May 29, to Seoul,” said Siasia.

“It means we have barely two weeks to prepare adequately for that competition that will have in attendance other teams that would be going to the Olympics.”

The coach has therefore declared that from Monday, May 9, he will no longer release any

championship is to the present NFF administration and we will spare no effort to organize a successful competition,” said Fresh, who is a ranking member of the NFF Executive Committee.

The finals of the inaugural NFF/Zenith Bank Future Eagles Championship will hold in Lagos by the end of this month.

player from training camp to play for their clubs during Nigeria Professional Football League mid–week matches.

Speaking after Tuesday’s training at the practice pitch of the National Stadium, Abuja, Siasia noted that he barely had enough players in camp to start real preparations for the Olympics, which is barely three months away.

“I must confess that it has not been easy for me and my technical crew; a lot of the players we need to work with won’t report to camp as at when due because their club chairmen will always call me to beg that these players stay back to play mid–week games,” he said.

“I understand their plight that they need

these players to do well in the league, but then we must draw a line between national interest and club interest.

“I have always built the foundation of my team on the home-based players, so it is players I have at my disposal who I will work and plan with.

Siasia

Igbokwe slams NFF over‘secret’ Anambra FA polls

T

he last has certainly not been heard on the “secret elections” which has thrown up Ifeanyi Ubah as chairman of the Anambra State Football Association in rather controversial circumstances as one of the aspiring board members, Ikechukwu Igbokwe, has accused the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of bias and favouritism.

Igbokwe claimed he was suddenly informed of the screening of candidates on Monday May 2, instead of the Tuesday May 3 date initially announced.

“I was in Abuja on Monday when they (NFF) sent me a text message that the screening of candidates would hold that same day, instead of the following day as earlier scheduled.

“The text came at about 8am, and they said the screening was for 11.30 am and there was no way I could have gotten to Awka in three hours.

“So, they disqualified me because they said I failed to attend the screening exercise, which just smacks of bias and pure favoritism.”

NFF have yet to make an official statement on the matter.

Meanwhile, the NFF may well be involved in another legal battle as one of the candidates for the Anambra State Football Association (FA) chairmanship position, Olisa Aniuno, is set to drag them before the Federal High Court in Awka.

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

EXTRATIME

29

Nwakali fires Flying Eagles to victory over FRSC F

lying Eagles skipper Kelechi Nwakali and Victor Osimhen hit target in a 3-1 win over Federal Road Safety FC of Abuja Tuesday.

The other score for the Flying Eagles was Orji Okonkwo.

Arsenal recruit Nwakali returned

from a minor injury to lead the team to another victory.

The Nigeria U-20s have been unbeaten in their test games preparatory to a U-20 AFCON qualifier against Burundi.

The first leg of the qualifier is

Balogun

expected to be played by May 24 in Bujumbura with the return leg in Nigeria.

The overall winners will battle the winners of the other matchup between Sudan and Malawi.

ban reduced, fined N

igeria international Leon Balogun has had his three-match ban reduced to two and he will now pay a fine of 10,000 Euros for violent conduct during a Bundesliga game which was not captured by the referee.

Balogun The sports court of the German Football Association on Tuesday after an oral hearing of a sport misconduct in the form of an assault against the opponent in a lighter case to a previously committed against him sports improper act by a suspension of two championship games convicted and fined in the amount of 10,000 Euros.

The panel had previously imposed a three-match ban on Balogun.

Balogun and Carlos Zambrano, who was called as a witness to the proceedings, convinced the court there was no serious harm on account of the confrontation and as such classified the incident as a lighter case of assault by careless behaviour on the part of Balogun.

Referee Felix Zwayer did not spot the incident during the game and that was why the DFB

Nwakali

LG FAs debunk

Longbap endorsement as Plateau Utd GM Kingsley Chijioke Jos

T

he seventeen Local Government Football Association chairmen in Plateau State have debunked rumours that they have endorsed the chairman of the Plateau State Football Association, Hon. Sunday Longbap, as the General Manager of Plateau United Football Club of Jos. The chairmen in a Press Statement signed by the FA chairman of Mangu, Hon. Isa Musa and FA chairman Kanke, Hon. Emmanuel Musa dispelled the rumour.

“It has become necessary for us the FA chairmen of the Seventeen LGC of Plateau State football

Association as one of the major stakeholders in the state to dispel the rumour making the rounds that we have endorsed the chairman of Plateau State Football Association, Hon. Sunday Longbap, as General Manager of Plateau United Football Club of Jos”.

According to them what is required for all football stakeholders in Plateau State is the total support to the new General Manager of the Plateau United club, Mr Pius Henwan, who is an experienced football administrator in the state that is working very hard for the success of the club in the current season and establish the team as a formidable force in the NPFL.

Nestle Milo Basketball:

Edo, Lagos emerge Western champs ANDREW EKEJIUBA

H

enson Demonstration School, Benin City and Wesley Girls Senior Secondary School, Lagos have emerged Regional champions in the boys and girls categories respectively. This is as the Western Conference of the 18th edition of Nestle Milo Secondary Basketball Championships was concluded at the Indoor Sports Hall of National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos on Tuesday.

Henson Demonstration School got the better of hard-fighting Osadenis Mixed Secondary School of Delta State 46-37 in a well contested match at the Indoor Sports Hall of National Stadium, Surulere,

Lagos. The match ended 46-37.

The elated coach of the Edo team, said: “We are proud of these boys! Our target is to keep improving because it appears the National Finals will be very tough in Asaba, Delta State.”

In the girls’ category, Wesley Girls Senior Secondary School Lagos State, gave the Lagos crowd something to cheer for as they defeated last year’s Regional Champions: Yejide Girls Grammar School Ibadan 34-22 to emerge champions of the Western Conference.

The two finalists in the boys and girls categories will represent western conference in the National Finals in Asaba, Delta State. It’s

Winners of Boys’ category of Western Conference of Nestle Milo Secondary School Basketball Championship, Henson Demonstration School, Benin City. the first time the national finals will be played outside Lagos in the 18-year history of the championship.

Meanwhile, the Category Business Manager, Mr. Femi Akintola has reiterated the company’s resolve to continue to contribute its quota to the development

of basketball in the country. According to Akintola, it is the belief of the company that sports is a veritable platform for youths to learn values such as honesty, teamwork, fair play, respect, adherence to rules, discipline, perseverance, resilience and a strong sense of purpose.

30

Wednesday, May4, 2016

EXTRATIME

UCL:

BRIEFS

Kehlslams Dortmund fans over

Zidane plots

Hummels boos F

Gotze

ormer Borussia Dortmund captain Sebastian Kehl has told the club’s fans to accept Mats Hummels’ wish to leave for Bayern Munich.

Dortmund announced last week the Germany international has set his sights on a move to the reigning Bundesliga champions and was subjected to jeers and offensive chants during the 5-1 win over Wolfsburg at the weekend.

Kehl has voiced his dismay at the behaviour of some Dortmund fans and urged them not to hold a grudge against the 27-year-old skipper.

“There is not really anything people can hold against him. He cannot be blamed for anything,” Kehl told reporters.

Man City’s fall Z

Zidane

inedine Zidane feels it would be a failure for Real Madrid if they do not reach the UEFA Champions League (UCL) final at the expense of Manchester City.

Madrid had to settle for a scoreless draw in the first leg of the semi-final tie, but will book their place in the showpiece in Milan with a win at the Santiago Bernabeu today.

Zidane has acknowledged it will not be easy for the Liga giants, but is adamant elimination is not an option at this stage.

“It will be a failure if we do not reach the final. We are going through a good run of form and we will give our all to progress, but it will be very difficult,” Zidane said at a media conference.

“We are desperate to make it to the final, though, and it will be a failure if we do not make it.

“It will be even more difficult than in the first game, because it will all be decided today.

We are not thinking about scoring two or three goals within 15 minutes like we did against Wolfsburg. We know that we will suffer for 90 minutes - and perhaps even longer.

“The most important thing is that we have to be prepared for a difficult task.

Hopefully we can replicate our performance from the second half at the Etihad and then score some goals.

Aubameyang Toure to miss Man reiterates City, Real cracker Real desire M

anchester City will be without Yaya Toure for their Champions League semi-final second leg at Real Madrid due to a thigh injury. Toure sustained the problem during the closing stages of a 4-0 win over Stoke City on April 23 but the influential midfielder raised hopes of a return by training with Manuel Pellegrini’s squad in Manchester on Tuesday. But Toure, along with Spain playmaker David Silva (hamstring) were not among the travelling party that departed Manchester Airport for the Spanish capital on Tuesday.

B

orussia Dortmund forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has reiterated his desire to play in Spain, but does not know when a transfer will occur.

Aubameyang previously revealed he made a promise to his grandfather, a Real Madrid supporter, that he would one day play for the club.

Dortmund were last week rocked by the news captain Mats Hummels

had informed the board of his desire to move to Bayern Munich at the end of the season.

Aubameyang meanwhile does not know when or if he will complete a transfer to La Liga, but confirmed he places Madrid above Barcelona or Atletico Madrid.

“I am focused on finishing the season with my team. We do not know what can happen, but I have

a contract until 2020,” he said.

“I’ve always said it would be a dream for me to play in Spain, but I do not know when.

“I cannot say where because I do not know how things are, but I have more family links to Madrid than Barcelona.

“And, yes, I like Real Madrid a little more than Atletico.”

Aubameyang

Vitolo fired up to seal Europa League final spot S

Vitolo

evilla star Vitolo says the fans at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan are well aware of the importance of Thursday’s Europa League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk.

The holders sealed a 2-2 draw in Conte the first leg of the semi-final thanks

to Kevin Gameiro’s penalty, giving them a slight advantage heading into the return fixture with Mircea Lucescu’s side.

Sevilla are seeking a remarkable third Europa League triumph in three seasons and have won 11 of their last

12 home matches in the tournament, while Shakhtar have failed to win any of their last five games against Spanish opposition.

With the form book on their side and a place in history beckoning, Vitolo expects the home fans in

Andalusia to create an intimidating atmosphere for Thursday’s game.

“I don’t have to say anything, the fans know how important the game is,” said Vitolo, who scored the opening goal of the first leg in Lviv.

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

EXTRATIME

BRIEFS

Ranieri has silenced critics — Kisnorbo A

fter clinching the first top-flight title of his managerial career, Claudio Ranieri has finally proved his doubters wrong, says former Leicester City defender Patrick Kisnorbo.

Ranieri is the mastermind behind Leicester’s remarkable Premier League-winning campaign, which was confirmed with two games to

play on Monday after Chelsea held Tottenham to a 2-2 draw.

But Ranieri’s appointment was an unpopular one when he replaced Nigel Pearson at the start of the season.

Many questioned Leicester a 5,000-1 shot to win the title before the season started - for handpicking Ranieri, who had been sacked by Greece in November

De Gea named

Man Utd’s Player of the Year

M

Ranieri

2014, after Pearson had dramatically preserved the club’s top-flight status.

“That’s the disappointing thing about football. People start criticising before something has even happened,” Kisnorbo told reporters.

“Ranieri has a track record of coaching the biggest teams in the world. Yes, he hadn’t come first but

there were a lot of seconds and he proved a lot of people wrong.

“The bad thing about our industry is people get criticised for maybe not doing so well at the start and not getting the opportunity to prove themselves and here he is now, the gaffer of a Premier League-winning team.

“Whoever doubted him, I’m sure they’re licking their wounds now.”

Carrick: Top

four not gone yet!

M

Carrick

ichael Carrick is not ready to give up on Manchester United’s top-four hopes just yet, but he admitted his side’s 1-1 draw with Leicester City were a frustrating two points to drop.

Leicester arrived at Old Trafford seeking a maiden Premier League title win but had to wait until Monday to secure it, with the draw leaving United four points off fourthplaced Manchester City.

That much is thanks to City’s capitulation against Southampton, who ran out 4-2 winners later on Sunday, meaning Carrick sees enough of an opportunity to remain hopeful of Champions League football for United next season.

“We were certainly looking to win the game. It was an opportunity for us to build on what we had gathered over the last few weeks, so we’re disappointed with a draw,” he said.

“Of course there’s all to play for. We will keep going. We have got the games left. We will just look to the next game now and try to win that.

“That’s the only thing we can control and that is what we have got to focus on.

“I thought we came out very well and put them under a lot of pressure and caused them a lot of problems. We got a goal ahead and then their goal came out of nowhere.

We are disappointed with that.”

Huth, Fellaini charged by FA L

eicester City defender Robert Huth and Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini have been charged with alleged violent conduct by the Football Association following an onfield altercation during the sides’ 1-1 Premier League draw at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The incident occurred in the 21st minute of the match and television replays appeared to

show Huth pulling Fellaini’s hair before the Belgium international struck his marker with an elbow.

Both players have until 6pm today to reply to the charge.

They would face three-match suspensions if found guilty of violent conduct.

A statement from the FA read: “Marouane Fellaini and Robert Huth have both been charged for alleged acts of violent conduct which were not seen by the match officials but caught on

video.

“The Manchester United midfielder and Leicester City defender were involved in an incident in the 21st minute of their game on Sunday.”

As the on-field officials did not see the clash, footage will be reviewed by a panel of three former elite referees, who must unanimously decide whether they consider the offences to be worthy of a sending off in order for an FA charge to follow.

31

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal d e fe n d e d Fellaini’s reaction as being in keeping with how “every human being” would respond to Huth’s provocation - which he deemed only to be acceptable in situations of “sex masochism”.

Klopp

anchester United’s David de Gea has won his thirdstraight club player of the year prize after picking up the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award. The Spaniard is the first player to have won the award three years in a row and joins Cristiano Ronaldo as the only other with three crowns. De Gea has been in incredible form for United once again this season, making a number of crucial saves to help the club remain in a position to challenge for the top four, keeping 14 clean sheets in 31 Premier League appearances.

De Gea

Laporte dismisses

Man City rumours

A

thletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte has denied suggestions that he has already reached an agreement with Manchester City over a transfer at the end of the season.

Recent reports claimed City have agreed to pay the 21-year-old’s €50 million buyout clause as they look to strengthen t h e i r defence, Laporte but Laporte h a s stressed h e would never h o l d talks with a n o t h e r club behind the Basque side’s back.

Laporte is currently recovering from a fractured leg he suffered while playing for France Under-21s against Scotland back in March. His contract with Athletic runs until June 2019.

“My message to the Athletic faithful after the incorrect reports

Published by FOLIO COMMUNICATIONS LTD, Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja. website: www.dailytimes.com.ng; email: info@dailytimes.com.ng. Tel: 018447948. GROUP EDITOR: BIODUN DUROJAIYE News Hotlines: 08138773277, 08173901838. Advert Hotlines: 08086296714

WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016

VOL. 2. NO.101

Price: N150

Infantino, Mourinho hail Leicester

Leicester players celebrate

historic’s Premiership win F

IFA president Gianni Infantino and former Chelsea boss, Jose Mourinho, has congratulated Leicester City for their historic English Premier League title triumph. Infantino believes Leicester City’s win is a fairytale that will be celebrated by football fans worldwide.

Claudio Ranieri’s team were crowned as champions on Monday night when nearest rivals Tottenham failed

to secure the victory they needed at Chelsea to take the race into the final two weekends of the season.

Leicester, who were 5,000-1 outsiders for English football’s top prize at the start of the season, will now rub shoulders with European football’s elite in the Champions League next term and former UEFA general secretary Infantino believes they are thoroughly deserving of their status.

“It’s a fairytale. It’s one of these beautiful football stories that only football can write and no one would have believed possible at the beginning of the season or throughout the season,” Infantino told reporters at the UEFA Congress in Budapest.

“Not only does it make the Leicester fans very happy and very proud but all football fans because this is the magic of football.

UEFA Champions League

Atletico in, Bayern out A

tletico Madrid reached their second Champions League final in three years as they knocked out Bayern Munich on away goals despite losing the semifinal second leg 2-1 at the Allianz Arena.

Bayern had levelled their first-leg deficit through Xabi Alonso in the first half, and both teams had penalties saved, but Antoine Griezmann’s goal shortly after the break proved

decisive as Atletico hung on to win with a 2-2 aggregate score.

Pep Guardiola made three changes from Bayern’s first-leg defeat in Madrid, bringing in the fit-again Jerome Boateng, Thomas Muller and Franck Ribery, with Thiago, Juan Bernat and Kingsley Coman losing their spots.

Atletico’s stalwart defence limited scoring chances in the early

stages, with Arturo Vidal only trying his luck from distance, while at the other end Manuel Neuer made two comfortable saves from Gabi’s long shots.

Bayern nearly found a way through in the 20th minute when Muller got on the end of a long pass and laid it off for an on-rushing Robert Lewandowski, but Jan Oblak saved from point-blank range.

Business Times Daily Times Nigeria

FG committed towards implementing local content policy – Kachikwu Page B2

Naira falls slightly to N322/$1 at Page B3 parallel market

U. S shuns Nigeria’s LNG

Ï ƆƊƋ ƍƎ ƕƍ Ƌ Ǝ ƞü Opeoluwani Akintayo Nigeria’s export of Liquefied Natural Gas, LNG, to the United States has finally dropped to 0 percent.

This was disclosed in a statement by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) on Tuesday.

Earlier in the year, Business Times had reported that U. S had cut down importation of Nigeria’s LNG, which fell from 20.3 million cubic feet in June 2007 to under 2 percent following increase in production of its shale gas.

Meanwhile, more than 2,000 Nigerian companies and chief ex-

ecutive officers are attending the Offshore Technology Conference (OtC) in Houston, United States.

The U.S. LNG import started dropping since 2008 when it fell to an average of 3.1 million cubic feet. The situation became worse in 2011 when Washington imported only 2.3 million cubic feet before falling totally to zero level.

According to EIA, it now gets majority of LNG from Mexico, Canada and Trinidad.

The EIA said that its natural gas net imports fell to 2.6 billion cubic feet per day (Bcfpd) in 2015, continuing a decline that began in 2007, when net imports of natural gas exceeded 10 Bcfpd.

According to EIA, while both U.S. natural gas consumption and production have increased in recent years, natural gas production has grown slightly faster, resulting in a decline in net imports.

Increasing domestic production of natural gas has reduced U.S. reliance on imported natural gas and kept U.S. natural gas prices relatively low. It stated: “Most U.S. imports of natural gas come by pipeline from Canada.

A small and declining amount of imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) comes mainly from Trinidad. Most U.S. exports of natural gas are sent by pipeline to Mexico and Canada.

The United States also exported LNG and compressed natural gas to several countries, but these volumes were relatively minimal in 2015.

“In recent years, increasing production from shale in the United States has resulted in an increase in U.S. natural gas exports. Since 2012, the natural gas pipeline industry has added 3.4 Bcfpd and 0.2 Bcfpd of export capacity to Mexico and Canada, respectively. As a result, U.S. natural gas exports to Mexico grew from 1.3 Bcfpd in 2011 to 2.9 Bcfpd in 2015. U.S. natural gas net imports from Canada have remained relatively stable since 2011,” it said.

Fortis Microfinance Bank partners traders, SMEs in FCT Mathew Dadiya ƂƏƇ

The Managing Director of Fortis Microfinance Bank Plc Tiko Okoye has expressed the readiness of the bank to partner with traders and Small and Medium Enterprises operators in the FCT and environs in order to grow their businesses through its specialized banking services targeted at the active poor through its Micro-credit CONTINUED ON PAGE B2

M dd ƊƄƊƂƄƍ differ on new ƊƆ ƆƊƏƊ wage ƕƄƊ ƕ

L-R: MTN Foundation Field Officer, Alhaji, Nura Bello; Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Mohammed Jabbi Kilgori; Executive Secretary Arabic and Islamic Education, Alhaji Ahmed Baba Altine and Principal, Hafsatu Ahmadu Bello Model Arabic Secondary School, Sokoto, Hajiya Asamau Abdullahi Maikano, at handing over school furniture donated to the school as part of the MTN Foundation What Can We Do Together initiative in Sokoto…recently.

Joy Ekeke Two members of the National Assembly have expressed opposing views on the new minimum wage demand presented to the government by the organised labour unions in the country.

Recall that the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress last week jointly presented an official demand to the federal government to upwardly review the current minimum wage from N18,000 to N56, 000.

Reacting to the demand, Peo-

ple’s Democratic Party (PDP) Senator representing the Bayelsa East constituency, in Bayelsa State commented on the issue via his Tweeter handle where he wrote: “Why should Nigerian masses who pay tax earn 18K while their leaders who spend it earn millions? The time to increase minimum wage is NOW!” However a member of the Federal House of Representatives, Olajide Jimoh, of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress to tread softly with the Federal

Government on the proposed national minimum wage proposal of N56,000.

He disclosed this in his Lagos Office, while reacting to Labour’s demand.

He said the proposal presented should not be at this time when the country is experiencing dwindling economy.

Jimoh, who is representing Lagos Mainland Constituency added: “nothing wrong in presenting a proposal to the federal government by labour but not at this time.”

According to him, although, the

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

NIMASA’s budget targets growth of maritime industry – Peterside Page B4

BoI, UNDP commission solar microgrid project Azubike Nnadozie A 24kw solar microgrid scheme has been commissioned by the Bank of Industry (BoI) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for the Obayantor 1 community in Edo State.

Speaking at the commissioning, BoI acting managing director, Waheed Olagunju, highlighted that the solar microgrid project targets to offer rural communities the opportunity to take control of their energy generation and to pay for the energy used.

Olagunju stated that the total cost of the project was estimated at N44 million ($22 million) at a concessionary interest rate of 7 percent for 15 years.

The BoI boss further stated that there are plans to replicate the project in other off-grid communities in Edo State, which will see collaboration with the State government.

“We are all aware that power remains a major obstacle to growth in Nigeria, as inadequate and unreliable electricity undermines investment opportunity, economic growth, social and infrastructure developments,” Olagunju stressed.

He noted that the central powCONTINUED ON PAGE B2

Federal Government should always think about the betterment of civil servants which is part of the plan of this administration.

“But whatever we want to do both the Labour Union and government, I think the Labour Law should be considered which is of necessity,” he added.

Jimoh said when there is an improvement in the economy, the federal, state and local governments should consider the proposal and do the necessary things so that it would be easy to have effective and efficient work force in Nigeria.

Business News B2

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 4, 2016

FG committed towards implementing local content policy - Kachikwu Ï ƍ Ƅ M #L è M ^9Ld Ɔƒ Ɗ Ǝ ƃ Ǝƍ ƃƎƆ ƃƓƃƉƄ

Opeoluwani Akintayo The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, has assured local service providers and prospective investors in the oil and gas industry of Federal Government’s commitment towards implementing the Local Content policy.

The Minister who stated this at the 2016 Nigeria Content Investment Forum in Houston Texas put together by Sweetcrude Reports in collaboration with Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, said

in addition to implementing local content policy, government will continue to provide the enabling environment required to nuture businesses and investment towards creating a robust supply chain.

Kachikwu who was represented by the acting Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Mr. Daziba Patrick Obah said despite falling crude oil price, local content policy will be implemented.

Addressing Nigeria’s Small Medium Enterprises, SMEs and Houston’s Original Equipment Manufacturers, OEMs at the event, the Minister said specific areas of focus for local content development include, infrastruc-

ture development, Fiscal incentives, funding, addressing long contracting cycle, and in-country processing of hydrocarbon resources.

“We will accelerate implementation of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Park Scheme, NOGaPS, to enable our SMEs focus on production and services while we develop infrastructure and facilities to support domiciliation imperatives.

“We will accelerate approval for gas infrastructure projects to make gas available in specialised oil and gas manufacturing and service hub. The gas infrastructure will assist in meeting the energy and power requirement of

businesses supporting the oil and gas industry,” Kachikwu said.

On fiscal incentives, the Minister said government shall extend fiscal incentives to all investors that set up shop close to rural oil producing communities.

“Tariffs that put local production at a disadvantage are being reviewed as a way of enhancing competitiveness of locally made goods that are critical to the industry such as steel pipes and valves,” he said.

To support peculiar funding needs of oil and gas service companies, Kachikwu said the NOGICD act established the Nigerian Content Development Fund, NCDF.

L-R: Area Manager, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Engr. Muazu Jaji Sambo; Managing Director, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Engr. Bisola Kamson; Chairman/CEO, Lagos Ferries, Mr. Paul Kalejaiye; and representative of Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Adebola Matanmi, during the NIWA and LASWA joint stakeholder’s conference on guidelines and operational standards on Water Transportation in Lagos…on Tuesday.

Photo: OLAWALE ROTIMI

# ƂƉ ƊƄ Ƅƍƕ ƊƄ ƄƒƃƄ Ƅ 01 ÏzƄ Ƌƍ ƕƏƃƄƕ Ƅ ƑƆƎ ƉƄ ƃ ƉƄ ƎƄƍ Ɖ

Charles Okonji Dean of the School of Agriculture and Industrial Technology, Babcock University, Ogun State Nigeria, Professor Akintunde Akinsoyinu, has blamed the Federal Government over the incessant attacks carried out on innocent Nigerians

by Fulani herdsmen.

Akinsoyinu who disclosed this in his office during a courtesy visit by a team of the Nigerian Agricultural Journalists, noted that under the last dispensation, he had headed a committee under the Agric Research Council

of Nigeria (ARCN), which came up with a solution by fabricating blocks for ruminants, stressing that this would have addressed the constant conflict and needless massacre of innocent Nigerians.

He described the ruminant blocks as a system where these castles would be confounded in a particular location without roaming indiscriminately at major cities where they would be fed with the food specifically made for ruminants.

He stated; “We were to use cassava peels, ground nut cakes, yam peals and wheat offal and

so on for the production of ruminants food. We had concluded our research but we were at the test running and implementation stage when they stopped funding the project, this would have addressed the issue, just as it is in some other countries of the world.

“However, N23 million was earmarked for the project by the previous administration, but only N5 million was released to us, so we became handicapped and the project was truncated. Spending N5 billion to feed these animals annually is better than shedding of blood.”

BoI, UNDP commission solar microgrid project CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1

er generation, transmission and distribution system operational in the country can no longer deliver competitive cheap and reliable electricity to remote customers on and off the national grid.

In a speech at the project commissioning, the governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomole, who was represented by the commissioner for commerce and industry, Abdul Oroh, noted that the solar microgrid project “is cheap and also clean because it does not pollute the environment.”

9j0 Ɔ Ɗ Ƌ ƑƄƍ Ǝƍ Ɔ Ɔ ƃƄ ƎƍƄè Ǝ Ƃ ƈ Rƈ ƍ Charles Okonji

The Anambra Area Coordinator of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Mrs Chinwe Okoro, on Tuesday appealed to industrialists to desist from applying for loans from the Fund.

Okoro, who stated this in Awka while addressing newsmen, noted that she was always surprised when industrialists visit the Fund for loans.

She stated that the main duty of the Fund was to improve the capacity of workers in industries.

“It is a misconception for people to think that ITF gives out funds to industrialists; my candid advice to them is to consult banks such as Bank of Industry and not us.

“Our main duty is to train workers in such industries to operate at their optimum,” Okoro said.

Moreover, it could be recalled that ITF was established in 1971

by Decree 47 of 1971 as amended in the 2011 ITF Act. The ITF provides direct training, vocational and apprentice training, research and consultancy service as well as reimbursement of up to 50 per cent levy paid by employers of labour registered with it.

0 ƍƎƆ LƆƃƍ ƅƆ ƃƄ ƈ Ƌ ƍƎ Ƅƍ Ǝƍ ƕƄƍ è dL& Ɔ 0 j CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1

scheme.

Speaking at a sensitization forum organized for traders and SME operators in Mararaba and environs Okoye disclosed that the microfinance bank has been listed at the Nigerian Stock Exchange adding that it was the only bank in Nigeria that have obtained Customer Protection Principle (CPP) certification which implies that it will not charge excessive interest on loan credit facilities.

He said that Fortis microfinance bank was working to ensure that the informal entrepreneurs are bankable and that majority of them will remain poor until they are exposed to formal banking and have access to credit, information and capacity building.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 4, 2016

B3 Money Market

Stories by Motolani Oseni Due to volatile nature of the foreign exchange market, most especially the unofficial segment, the Nigerian currency, the naira, has suffered a slight fall in the unstable parallel market, selling at N322 per US Dollar.

The local currency has continued in its keen contest against the dollar in the highly patronized black market, which has remained stable at the rate of N320 against the Greenberg in the last few weeks, but dropped slightly to N322 on Tuesday, 3rd of May, 2016 in Lagos and Port Harcourt, while exchanged at N321 per dollar in Abuja and Kano State.

However, the exchange rate of the naira against the GBP was pegged at N458 and EUR sold at N361 yesterday in the parallel market.

Daily Times Nigeria (DTN) further gathered that continued demanding for major forex has positioned the local currency in a setback mode in the black market against the U.S dollar.

Forex dealers noted that contest between the naira and the U.S dollar in the Nigerian black market is caused by instability in the exchange rate.

Speaking to our correspondent in Lagos, a Bureau De Change (BDC) Operator, Alh. Mustapha Muhammad, said that naira dropped by in the market by N2 from N320 it had maintained in the recent time.

He explained that the slight increase in demand for the

L-R: Mr. Adewale Akinrinde, Group Head, Propositions and Products; Sterling Bank Plc; Princess Stella Daminabo, Managing Director Perfume World Limited; Mr. Emmanuel Emefienim, Business Executive, South South and South East, Sterling Bank Plc and Mr. Olugbolahan Mark George, Lead Consultant, Mark George Consultant at the MSME Academy organized in Port Harcourt …recently.

Naira falls slightly to N322/$1 at parallel market Greenberg was noticed in the unofficial market, which he said likely responsible for the drop in the value of the naira.

According to him, more people demanded for the forex today, unlike last week Tuesday and Wednesday, where there were fewer demand of forex from business men and women across the country.

“The naira exchanged for N321 on Monday and fell further to N322 the second day in a week. We hoped that the value of the currency in exchange for the dollar will continue to rise as the Nigerian economy currently struggles”, he noted.

Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had said that speculators were behind the

market burble which had made a mince-meat of the naira, sending it to low price of N320 to N325 to the US dollar in the recent time.

The CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, had accused speculators of conniving with bureau de change operators to undermine the efforts of the bank at propping up the naira and

warned that such speculators would eventually be punished by the market.

Industry analysts say that a number of measures taken by the apex bank lately might have led to this improvement, including the decision to publish all forex sales from the inter-bank market to make for unprecedented transparency.

Financial literacy: Heritage Bank targets 700 schools this month In recognition of the pivotal role that children are expected to play in boosting the nation’s economy, Heritage Bank has said that by the end of May, it would have imparted financial ed-

ucation on over 700 schools across the country.

The bank has declared May as Children Banking Month, said that this is part of its children financial literacy initiative to com-

CBN Exchange Rate

Date

Currency

Buying(NGN)

Central(NGN)

Selling(NGN)

4/29/16

POUNDS STERLING

286.5128

287.2437

287.9746

EURO

223.6948

224.2655

224.8361

SWISS FRANC

7/21/00

204

205

YEN

182.78%

1.8325

1.8372

CFA

0.3202

0.3302

0.3402

WAUA

10/2/00

277

278

YUAN/ RENMINBI

3021.34%

30.2909

30.3684

RIYAL

52.2625

52.3958

52.5291

DANISH KRONA

1/30/00

30

30

SDR

27779.08%

278.4995

279.2081

4/15/16

2744548609800.00%

26,793,866,015

651,620,083

4/14/16

2745040561200.00%

26,798,866,255

651,539,356

4/13/16

27,471,006,390

26,819,531,319

651,475,071

… Declares May ‘Children Banking Month’ memorate the youngsters on May 27.

Since commencement of the programme in 2015, which the lender considers as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), came up with the theme for 2016: “Taking The Early Lead,” the Heritage Children Banking Month, which activities will directly impact a minimum of 320 primary and secondary schools nationwide this year, is in recognition of the pivotal role children play as the leaders of tomorrow.

The Managing Director / Chief Executive Director, Mr. IfieSekibo, who made the declaration

DTN Exchange Rate Monitor Currency

Official Rate

Parallel Market

2.37%

USD

197

322

2.37%

EUR

224

360

2.37%

GBP

282

458

today, said “We are dedicating this month to our young customers with the aim of encouraging them through their parents to imbibe the culture of savings.”

Sekibo stated that “aligned with the dedication is our financial literacy campaign, geared towards equipping our future leaders with the requisite knowledge to make them better leaders in keeping with the bank’s vision of creating, preserving and transferring wealth across generations” Each experience centre, a nomenclature of the bank for its branches, is expected to select two primary or secondary schools within its area of operation and interface with them in two ways: play host to the schools, taking them through banking operations and allowing them perform some easy roles during the excursion and at a later date, staff of the branch will then visit the schools

and address or coach the pupils on aspects of financial literacy.

He stated: “The project is part of Heritage Bank’s contribution towards transforming the nation in paying more attention to the bud stage. This underscores our belief that if we get it right with the children, then the future of the nation is guaranteed. At Heritage Bank we believe in creating, preserving and transferring wealth.”

Hundreds of exercise books, pencils, water bottles, umbrellas will be won by both pupils, parents and wards in the course of the month through various engaging activities. The high points of the commemoration will be the launching of a first-of-its-kind financial literacy comic book for easy and better understanding of financial education and the hosting of a huge children’s day party for all its Bud account holders.

Maritime B4

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Blame unfriendly government policies for under-declaration – NAGAFF

Cartons of smuggled frozen poultry products seized by operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) FOU ‘A’ Surveillance team at Iteku waterside, Ogun State.

NIMASA’s budget targets growth of maritime industry - Peterside Stories by Babajide Okeowo The Director-General (DG), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside, has said that the agency’s 2016 budget targets a strategic growth programme for the maritime sector.

Peterside stated this during the defence of the Agency’s 2016 budget before the House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration.

The DG said that the Agency was committed to growing the maritime sector for the benefit of indigenous operators and the nation at large.

He informed the committee that NIMASA targeted strategic growth in five key areas in the

EU approves CMA CGM’s acquisition of NOL French container shipping giant CMA CGM has announced that it has received approval from the European Commission for its pending USD 2.4 billion acquisition of Neptune Orient Lines (NOL), Southeast Asia’s largest container shipping company.

CMA CGM said that the proposed transaction was notified

year 2016, including maintenance of maritime safety and security; maintenance of a clean maritime environment and an enhanced Port State Control.

The DG mentioned other areas like: human and infrastructural capacity as well as sanitising the maritime environment to eliminate corruption, while increasing revenue generation for economic growth.

According to Peterside, NIMASA aims to tap into the vast potential of the Nigerian maritime industry by growing indigenous capacity with a view to making Nigeria a hub of maritime activities in the West and Central Africa sub region.

He said that this process would include a radical restructuring of NIMASA with a view to reposi-

tioning it for greater efficiency and service delivery. The DG also assured the legislators of the NIMASA management’s commitment to ensure transparency, accountability and probity in the discharge of the agency’s mandate.

He also mentioned that there would be zero tolerance for corruption. Earlier in his remarks, Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Mohammed Bago, commended the spirit of industry and commitment of the DG. Bago said that he had no doubt in the ability of the DG to succeed.

He urged the DG to utilise all the resources at his disposal to restore safety in the Nigerian maritime domain and to also revamp the image of the agency which had been badly damaged in the last few years.

to the European Commission on March 8, 2016 and was cleared today following a Phase 1 review, under the condition of NOL’s exit from the G6 shipping alliance, which has been already committed by NOL and CMA CGM. “CMA CGM and NOL will continue to cooperate with the remaining authorities to close their reviews as quickly as possible. The proposed voluntary general cash offer for NOL will be launched when all the preconditions to the Offer as announced on 7 December 2015 have been satisfied or waived,” CMA CGM said in a statement.

The approval comes a week after CMA CGM’s announcement on formation of an alliance with COSCO Container Lines, Evergreen Line and Orient Overseas

Container Line set to start operations in April 2017.

The driving factor behind the proposed new alliance is believed to be challenging of the 2M’s dominance in the East – West trades as it is expected to take over as the largest carrier Vessel Sharing Agreement (VSA) on the Transpacific with a share of just under 36%, while in Asia-North Europe it will be within five percentage points from 2M with a nominal capacity share of 31%.

With a fleet of 470 vessels, the CMA CGM Group operates 170 shipping lines on the main commercial trade routes, whereas NOL, with a fleet of 94 vessels runs through its brand American President Lines (APL) more than 80 weekly services at ports in over 50 countries worldwide.

The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has laid the blame of under-declaration by importers and clearing agents at the doorstep of unfriendly government policies This was the view of the Chairman, Tin Can Island Chapter of NAGAFF, Chief Azubuike Ekweozor during an interaction with newsmen shortly after he was conferred the Life Patron by the Ikorodu Chapter executives of NAGAFF. According to Ekweozor, why many importers run around looking for how to cheat government was because of the unfriendly policies.

He however asked the Federal Government to look into the 41 items under restriction especially removing rice and tomato paste from the list of 41 items placed under import restriction.

He noted that despite the restriction placed on some of the items, especially rice and tomato paste, many of the items still find their way into the Nigerian market in large quantities.

He said that the implication of this on the revenue collection of the Nigeria Customs is huge, because other countries are now taking the revenue while the goods are smuggled into Nigeria.

Ekweozor equally commended the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Ha-

meed Alli for securing the approval for clearance of a huge backlog of imports at the port.

He said that imports in respect of which forms `M’ were opened before the commencement of the CBN foreign exchange restriction are now being treated.

He noted that the association has issued a circular to all its members to compile a list of such imports which would be forwarded to the customs for immediate approval and release.

“Dishonest declaration is everywhere as a result of the unapproved form M’s, but with this measure that customs has taken, the dishonest declaration will stop.

All our chapters have been asked to compile a list of un-approved form ‘M and submit to the customs service” “Importers of such goods could not finalize Customs clearance due to inability to obtain the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) but Customs have decided to waive the formalities and allow them to pay duty” “The same items are still coming into the country, it is not scarce in the market and yet another country is collecting the revenue.

Rice and Tomato paste should be lifted, these are imported in large containers, for the past one year it has not been imported but it is all over the market” he observed.

MARAN denies merger with any group The Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) has restated that it is not in any merger arrangement with any group.

In a statement issued by the executive council of the oldest and leading reporters’ association in Nigeria, it stated that MARAN is as vibrant as ever and still in the vanguard of developmental journalism in the maritime industry and does not intend to abdicate that responsibility.

The association, in the statement weekend said this clarification became necessary in view of deliberate misinformation and falsehood being peddled around that MARAN is part of the merger arrangement with another group. ‘’MARAN however is still open to persons who are quali-

fied journalists and cover the maritime sector’’, the statement read.

The executive council of MARAN therefore unequivocally denounces and dissociates the association from any merger arrangement as the reports on social media to that effect was mere rumour which emanated from the fertile imagination of its sponsors who are desperate to use the credible name and legacy, which MARAN has garnered over the years through robust journalism, to give credibility to the said group. ‘’We cherish the sanctity of the long tradition of excellence which MARAN has come to be identified with over the years and we don’t intend to flitter these gains away under any guise’’, the association resolved.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 4, 2016

B5 ICT

Task System appoints Oduntan, Faola to managerial positions

L-r: Joey Pan, public relations director, Huawei Nigeria; Frederico Carvalho, regional director, Enterprise Business, Middle East, Turkey and Africa, Intel Corporation; Sameh Helmy, enterprise technology manager, Middle East, Turkey and Africa, Intel Corporation; Zhang Tao Alexander, vice president, I.T Solutions, Huawei West Africa, at the Intel Huawei Cloud Congress which held at Oriental Hotel, Lagos recently.

Intel partners Huawei on simplified, business agile cloud solution Stories by Tony Nwakaegho Intel, leading technology and innovation giant has partnered with Huawei on the Huawei Cloud Congress West Africa as part of its “Cloud for All initiative”, and with a commitment to innovate and simplify computing processes.

The Cloud Congress which was held at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos recently, gathered industry partners and thought leaders to demonstrate and discuss the opportunities that Cloud 2.0 offers.

According to Huawei, the

Cloud Congress was aimed at demystifying the concept of Cloud technology to users.

The congress tagged ‘Make It Simple, Make Business Agile’ saw Intel and Huawei showcase cloud demos to promote the adoption of private cloud in enterprise IT. The demo also gave customers an opportunity to experience the benefits Cloud service delivery brings.

Speaking at the congress, Zhang Tao Alexander, vice president, IT solutions, Huawei West Africa, identified Huawei’s array of cloud strategies and solu-

tions, targeted towards different sectors of the economy including Finance, Education, Telecoms and Government.

Commenting on one of the solutions, Zhang Tao said: “Our Distributed Cloud Data Center is based on an innovative infrastructure which enables rapid and flexible services. This solution supports thousands of virtual machines and reduces construction periods by more than 30 percent, while also reducing capital costs by over 20 percent”.

While justifying Huawei’s collaboration with Intel on the Cloud Congress, Zhang Tao said,

“Collaboration with industry leaders is a good way to accelerate processes and maximize impact. Huawei and Intel are working together to provide accessible and easy to deploy cloud solutions, making sure that businesses are ready to respond to any situation.’’

On his part, Frederico Carvalho, regional director for enterprise business, Middle East, Turkey and Africa, Intel Corporation, who gave a presentation on Intel’s Software Defined Infrastructure (SDI) Cloud solution, explained Intel’s strategy on Cloud solutions.

Microsoft to unveil next version of SQL Server June 1 Microsoft said it will unveil its next version of SQL Server, the company’s flagship database product on June 1, the company announced today.

The release follows Microsoft’s usual round of public previews and release candidates since the company first announced this update in 2015. Maybe the biggest difference between this release cycle and others is that the company first tested many of the new features of SQL Server 2016 in its Azure cloud.

As we reported earlier this year, the focus of this update is on speed and security (with the ability to perform some queries on

encrypted data without having to decrypt it first), but with this new version, Microsoft is also positioning SQL Server as a solution for data warehousing and big data analytics, thanks to both its builtin R support and its ability to store and query both structured and unstructured data.

Clearly, though, Microsoft is most excited about the speed-ups the update promises — even without making any hardware changes. The company promises that most queries should now run an average of 25 percent faster than before (on the same hardware).

Microsoft also today announced a new Lenovo benchmark that

shows SQL Server 2016 running on Windows Server 2016 (which is still in preview) handling a standard database test using 30 terabyte of data faster than any of its competitors.

As DocuSign VP of platform engineering Eric Fleischman disclosed that his company currently uses SQL Server 2016 for storing the metadata of the tens of thousands of transactions per second its users create on the service, among other parts of its system. DocuSign has been testing SQL Server 2016 and Fleischman called the performance gains it has been able to achieve “off the charts.” These performance gains,

as well as the addition of availability groups, are what DocuSign is most excited about in making the switch to the 2016 edition.

Asked why DocuSign didn’t opt for one of the many open-source competitor to SQL Server, Fleischman said that he looks at choosing SQL Server as essentially a hiring decision.

“When you pick SQL [Server] or anything else, you are making a hiring decision,” he said. “Are they going to help me? We don’t want to go write a database. We want to work with a team that builds databases. That’s why we are staying on this train. The team is receptive and helps us.”

Task System, a subsidiary of the Zinox Group Nigeria, in line with the desire to position its business for future growth, has announced new managerial appointments, with elevated to the position of Managing Director, while Mr. Lekan Faola joins the company as general manager Solutions.

Mr. Stanley Okpalaeke, former managing director of the company, is now group executive director in charge of Strategy/New business at Zinox Group Headquarters.

Both appointments took effect from April 1st, 2016.

In a statement made available to Daily Times, the company affirmed that Oduntan’s selection was a result of years of outstanding and meritorious performance, which made her an unarguably excellent choice to fill the vacant role of Managing Director.

Oduntan is a graduate of Business Administration from the Lagos State University, and also holds a Master of Science (M.Sc.) Degree in Business Administration from the University of Lagos, Akoka.

She has a wealth of experience in marketing Information Technology and Telecommunications and has also participated in several trainings within and outside the country.

A conscientious business leader with a penchant for service delivery, Oduntan has previously worked with companies such as Virgin Technologies Limited, Siemens Nigeria and Zinox Technologies Limited, before joining Task System.

Faola who was formerly General Manager, IT Infrastructure Strategies at sister company, Zinox Technologies Ltd., appointment as Chief Solutions Architect at Task Systems is a result of over 18 years of sound business development experience in Information Technology, Telecommunications and Networking.

As a highly trained engineer, Faola has proven ability to enter new markets, attract new customers and grow the business in competitive environments.

Capital Market B6

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Nigerian Breweries Transcorp lifts revenue by 33% in grows profit by 4% 2016 First Quarter Transcorp Plc, has announced its first quarter results, revealing a 33percent appreciation in Total revenue from N9.992 billion to N13.2 billion.

The results obtained through the Nigerian Stock Exchange also noted that the company’s total assets increased to N209.2 billion from N202.8 billion in 2015. However, Profit before tax fell to N1.7 billion from N2.6 billion, while Profit for the period dropped to N1.21 billion from N2.2 billion, reducing Basic earnings per share to 89 kobo from N3.28 per share.

Meanwhile Shareholders of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) Plc at its annual general meeting in Calabar has approved the distribution of a total of 1.936 billion ordinary shares as bonus shares for the 2015 business year.

The shareholders commended the conglomerate for what they described as resilient performance in 2015 in spite of the difficult operating environment. The bonus shares were distributed on the basis of one bonus share for every 20 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each held by each shareholder.

Extracts from the 2015 audited report and accounts showed that turnover stood at N40.75 billion in 2015 as against N41.34 billion in 2014. Gross profit dropped from N27.63 billion to N24.33 billion. Profit before tax declined from N7.73 billion to N3.32 billion while profit after tax slumped to N1.44 billion in 2015 as against N3.30 billion in 2014.

Chairman, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) Plc, Mr. Tony Elumelu, said the company remained steadfast in her efforts to consolidate on the significant achievements recorded to date

and will continue to explore opportunities that will lead to the creation of significant value for all stakeholders in the coming years.

In his remarks, president, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) Plc, Mr. Emmanuel Nnorom, said the company made good progress on delivering on its strategy in 2015 as the group continued to improve operational and cost effectiveness as well as explore opportunities to expand its product offering.

“The group continues to benefit from our ongoing investment in all our subsidiaries and new business lines, which enhance Transcorp Plc’s offering and position us for further growth. Our longterm value creation for our shareholders is our target which will come from the diversification plans, which includes the construction of new hotels in Lagos and Port Harcourt, ongoing installation of new turbines at Transcorp Power Plant, all which will result to an increased capacity after completion. The future of our company is very bright, considering the strategic path being undertaken by the board,” Nnorom said.

in the corresponding months in 2016.

A statement by the Board of the Directors said the 11% growth in Revenue was a reflection of the Company’s strong and effective route to market, increased sales during the festive Easter period as well as higher number of sales days in the period as against the lower number of days recorded in the corresponding period of 2015 due to the general elections.

According to the statement, despite the current challenging operating environment leading to consumer down-trading, rising inflation, increased cost of financing due to higher foreign exchange cost and increased

input cost amongst others, the Company was still able to return the 4% increase in Profit after Tax. The increase in profit was also helped by the one-off merger costs incurred in the first quarter of 2015.

The statement signed by the Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, Mr. Uaboi Agbebaku, further said although the Board expects the operating environment in 2016 to continue to be very challenging, it remains confident that the Company is in a good position to take advantage of any upswing in the market especially with its twin agenda of Cost Leadership and Market Leadership supported by innovation.

L-R: Engr. Ndubuisi Nwankwo, AGMC Port (mta); Chief Mike Ajayi, GM, Western Port; and Ashif Juma, MD/CEO, AG-Dangote Construction company during inspection of AG – Dangote concrete road construction at Itori – Ibese Road, Ogun State by Nigeria Port Authority and Federal Ministry of Works.

NSE ASI reclaims 25,000bpts up 3.2 percent Nnorom

Summary of activities on NSE ASI DEALS VOLUME VALUE CAP

Nigerian Breweries Plc has declared a Profit after Tax (PAT) of N10.45 billion for the First Quarter of 2016. The unaudited and results released to The Nigerian Stock Exchange show that the N10.45 billion PAT represents a 4 per cent increase over the N10.10 billion declared in the corresponding period in 2015.

The Company’s Revenue for the period grew by 11 per cent from N69.92 billion in 2015 to N77.55 billion in the current period. A further analysis shows that the Results from Operating Activities improved by 10 per cent from N16.37 billion in the first three months of 2015 to N17.99

25,865.50 3,474.00 220,115,299.00 1,501,781,720.54 8,897,252,800,610.51

Equities trading on the Nigerian Stock Exchange resumed the month of May following on a bright note as benchmark indices rose 3.2 percent to close at 25,865.50 basis points (bpts) compared to an increase of 0.42 percent to close at 25,062.41 points last Friday.

A total of 220.1 million shares valued at N1.5 billion were exchanged in 3,474 deals bringing the market capitalization to close at N8.9 trillion.

Access Bank Plc led the most active stocks for the day, trading a total of 47.4 million shares

worth N200.5 million, FCMB came second with a sale of 27.8 million shares worth N26.4 million, FBN Holdings followed with an exchange of 25 million valued at N89 million.

Zenith Bank and Fidelity Bank also traded 19.7 million shares and 19 million shares worth N255.5 million and N20.8 million respectively.

Nestle Plc led the day’s gainers advancing by N63.0 to close at N678.32 per share followed

by Dangote Cement Plc which appreciated by N8.17 to close at N171.57 per share. Nigerian Breweries also gained N5.79 to

close at N121.68 per share.

WAPCO Plc and Guinness Plc also added N3.39 and N2.72 respectively to close at N71.38 and N94 per share.

On the other hand, the day’s losers were led by Forte Oil Plc with a loss of N20.89 to close at N193.46 per share Glaxosmithkline Plc followed as it dipped N1.12 to close at N21.43 per share, while Nascon Allied Plc lost 43 kobo to close at N8.27 per share.

FBN Holdings Plc. dropped 7 kobo to close at N3.53 and Fidelity Bank Plc. fell 7 kobo to close at N1.1 per share.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 4, 2016

FAAN boss assures of befitting terminals soon Chukwuemeke Iweluonmo The Managing Director of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria FAAN Engr Saleh Dunoma says the agency is working towards getting the best terminals for airport users across the country.

Speaking with aviation correspondents shortly after commissioning the aviation white house constructed by the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association ATSSSAN as part of activities marking the May Day celebration, Dunoma said a lot has been done to improve on safety of both the airlines and passengers at airports.

According to the FAAN boss, work on the air side has in some airports have been completed which can be attested by the pilots that use the facilities.

Dunoma explained that passengers will soon start experiencing better facilities as soon as the new terminals were put into use noting that work has reached advanced stage.

On the construction of cargo airports in some designated States, the FAAN boss explained that some equipment for the cargo airports have arrived but for paucity of funds it has slow down the pace of work.

He assured that the agency will commence work by pri-

FAAN Boss, Engr Saleh Dunoma

oritizing six of those cargo airports by completing them as soon as fund was available stressing that the revenue generated from the airports will be channeled to complete others.

On the Labour management relationship, Engr Dunoma commended Labour for the peaceful Co existence between them.

He congratulated ATSSSAN on the great feat by erecting the edifice and pledged his support towards the development of the Union.

On debts owed the agency by various organizations, Dunoma said both FAAN and agencies involved were discussing with a view to ensuring that the debts were paid.

B7 Travel Times

Nigeria’s tour and travel sector wobbles Ï &ƑƏ ƍƆ ƈƏƋƈ Ɔ ƇƈƔ ƊƈƋƋƆƏ Ƈ ƏƆ Gboyega Adeoye The lingering economic recession in the Nigeria is having a negative toll on the country’s tour and travel sector as international airfare takes flight beyond the reach of many travellers with its attendant drop in passengers’ travel volume.

The soaring exchange rate of the naira to the American dollars under the incumbent administration is placing the Nigerian currency at about N320.00 to a dollar at the parallel market.

To mend the gap, European airlines flying into the country have embarked on cut throat measures to make up for the lingering imbalance.

Investigation reveals that airlines like the British Airways and the Virgin Atlantic, both European carriers, have upped their fares by about 300 percent, causing a sharp drop in passenger’s traffic, with its negative financial tolls on travelling agencies across the nation.

British Airways (BA) officials, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, blamed the astronomic price fixing on inability of the airline to remit its fund through the regular bank, ruling out the airline succumbing to patronizing the black market to transact business.

To further worsen the situation, the airline has resolved to cancelling its low fare class (economy) while it has withdrawn its aircraft earlier deployed to the

Nigerian route in exchange for smaller aircraft that will be more fuel efficient as well as conform with the expected dwindle in passenger traffic.

Daily Times investigation further revealed that BA LagosLondon return ticket that used to sell for N252,283, now goes for N835,033.

The European airlines are said to have been bent on maintaining the current price for as long as it takes Nigeria to fix the dwindling fortune of its currency at the international scene.

Should the airlines agree to adjust to the current black market rate, the London route airfare would have stand at about N403,000 instead of the current N835,033 the European airlines are charging.

The current trend, it was gathered, has caused a sharp drop in the country’s tour and travel business as operators lament low patronage and discouraging operational climate.

Adewale Aregbesola, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Reliable Tours and Travels in Lagos, expressed frustration under the prevailing trend, blaming the European airlines for “inhuman policy.”

Aregbesola is of the view that the European carriers, being from the zone that colonized Nigeria, should be more supportive at this time of trial by the Nigerian government to bring the country back on sound economic track.

But for the American airlines,

Delta and United and the Asian’s Emirate and Qatar which are providing succour by maintaining a moderate fare, the country would have witnessed another crisis in the aviation sector as a result of inability to secure flight.

“It is pathetic that the British carriers are not lending any support at these trying times. Rather, it is the American and the Asian airlines flying into the country that are filling in the gap created by these European carriers. But for them, many of us would have been forced out of business completely,” he said.

According to Aregbesola, the twice daily airlift of Emirate and the once daily by Qatar, complimented by the American carriers, have provided tremendous succour as they provides option for travellers who cannot afford the European airlines’ fare.

He noted that passengers’ volume has dropped abysmally, causing many travelling agencies not to be able to meet up with payment of their staff salaries.

Aregbesola described the current economic atmosphere in the country as pathetic, noting that this is happening when the country is facing difficulty in the power and energy sectors.

“There is no functional power and the fuel situation has been so terrible, making business to nosedive to near immobility. There is no light and it is also difficult to power the generator. Now we are faced with this acute drop in passengers.

Aviation B8

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Work commences on Caverton aircraft simulator training centre Work is to commence in earnest on the construction of Caverton Helicopters first commercial aircraft simulator training centre in subSaharan Africa.

The training centre which ought to have been formally be opened last year was aimed at providing the company opportunity to diversify its income base.

Speaking to aviation correspondents at the ATSSSAN Secretariat on May Day celebration, the Managing Director of Caverton Helicopters, Captain Josiah Choms said work has started but being delayed but will finally go into full swing in the next few weeks.

Choms explained that the necessary facilities required for the work have been ordered and were ready adding that the Caverton group was committed to the project to be located at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, which will feature six simulator bays equipped with a CAE 3000 Series AW 139 full-flight helicopter simulator (FFS), a CAE 7000XR Series Boeing 737 NG and two Simfinity Integrated Procedures Trainers (IPTs).

The development is poised to strengthen Caverton’s position as a leading provider of aviation logistics and training services in the sub region, the company.

We don’t need contract staff - Aero Contractors boss New ATSSSAN Secretariat

Embraer sees African regional jet fleet doubling in 20 years Stories by Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo Africa is set to see significant growth in its regional airliner fleet, according to the latest market outlook published by Embraer Commercial Aviation.

According to the Brazilian airframer, over the next 20 years, the region will take delivery of 240 new jets in the 70- to 130-seat segment. If this turns out to be correct, it will mean, according to Embraer’s estimates, that the African fleet in this market segment will have more than doubled from the current total of 120 regional jets by 2034.

“Africans are turning progressively to air travel,” said Simon Newitt, vice president of Em-

braer’s Latin America and Africa and Portugal regions at this week’s Marrakech Air Show in Morocco. “As in Asia, economic expansion, a growing urban middle class, continued market liberalization and regional integration will be the main drivers of air transport demand. With the right-sized aircraft, such as the E-Jets family, African carriers would be able to offer a better combination of capacity and frequency in core as well as low to mid-density markets.”

Meanwhile, Embraer’s study revealed that, as of the end of 2015, only eight of Africa’s 300 airports are connected to 25 or more cities, while 240 airports linked to five or cities or fewer.

According to the company, 90 percent of city pairs in Africa have traffic volumes of up to 300

daily passengers yet the current fleet is composed of large capacity aircraft since 70 percent of the fleet has more than 130 seats.

Since approximately 55 percent of intra-regional markets in Africa do not have direct flights and 67 percent of all nonstop markets within the region see less than one daily frequency, Embraer maintains regional jets would make it economically viable for carriers to improve air transport connections. The manufacturer claims to have more than a 40 percent share of the current African fleet of jet and turboprop aircraft with up to 130 seats—amounting to more just over 120 aircraft in service with operators including Royal Air Maroc, Egyptair Express, Kenya Airways and South African Airways subsidiary Airlink.

ATSSSAN unveils new secretariat The administrative secretariat of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria ATSSSAN has been commissioned in Lagos.

The edifice with three sections will was unveiled by the managing director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria FAAN. Speaking shortly before the commissioning, the National president of ATSSSAN, Comrade Benjamin Okewu said the union decided to embark on the project after all efforts to get an approval for the expansion of the land for the building of a new secretariat failed.

According to Okewu the union ‘came out of the box’ and decided to put up the structure in order to give ATSSSAN a befitting secretariat.

While commending the workers for steadfastness and discipline towards the struggle for welfare in the past seven years, Okewu appreciated the contributions of various agencies towards the realization of the completion of the edifice.

Also speaking, the sole administrator of the project Comrade Ahmed Danjuma said it took about two months to get the National secretariat put in place stressing that it was not in the

Benjamin Okewu, Atsssan President

the interest of the union not to have a befitting office.

Danjuma, who is also the branch chairman of ATSSSAN FAAN, used the occasion to call

on all debtor airlines and other concessionaires to settle their debts to avoid the wrath of workers.

He noted that the industry was passing through a lot of challenges especially that of regulation and taxes but expressed optimism that the situation will get better if the government will implement all the proposals sent by the union as measures to revive the industry.

According to Danjuma, the secretariat which has three sections, conference, administrative and technical will also have the business section to raise revenue for the union.

The managing director of Aero Contractors, Capt Fola Akinkuotu says there is no point hiring contract staff if the need does not exist.

Speaking with aviation correspondents at the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria ATSSSAN Secretariat in Lagos to mark the May Day celebration, Capt Akinkuotu said the services of the 100 contract workers sacked last week were no longer required.

According to the Aero Contractors boss, the airline was planning on long term measures aimed at bring back the airline to glory adding that real staff will be used as much as possible to reposition the airline and to avoid duplication of effort.

On how to revive the aviation sector, Capt Akinkuotu expressed optimism that the industry will bounce back as he does not believe that the present government was doing a cosmetic job.

Last week Aero Contractors announced that it was laying off 100 contract staff. A source told Daily Times that most of those affected by the sack were support staff, who had spent few years with the airline but that majority of the affected workers were not original staff of the airline.

According to the source, those affected by the development were contract staff, whose contract had expired with the company.

The source added that some departments and workers were outsourced by the management and that since the airline no longer required their services, there was no point keeping them.

He reiterated that no staff of the airline was affected by the management decision.

The source added that what Aero did not sack workers, but stylishly reduce its workforce, particularly workers whose services were no longer required by the airline and that exercise cuts across departments.

“Those laid off were not staff of our airline. You know in Aero, some departments and duties are outsourced. Son what the management did was not to renew their contracts once it expired.

& Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Denrele: Nigeria’s weird but beloved personality

L2,3

P

Interview L2

Daily Times Nigeria

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

My biggest fear is running out of work Known for his weirdness, Adenrele Oluwafemi Edun, popularly known as Denrele, is one of Nigeria’s best TV personality who has represented the country both home and abroad with his distinctive style and figure. Denrele was born in Hamburg, Germany to a Yoruba father and an Indian-Mauritius mother. He is the only son and has two sisters. He grew up in Germany and came to Nigeria when he was five where he attended St Gregory’s College, Ikoyi and the University of Lagos. Denrele has however grown big in the industry having shared stage with top notch crème de crème personalities in the showbiz business and society at large. His supposed controversial lifestyle has earned him fame many can only dream about. In this chat with MUTIAT ALLI, Denrele speaks about plans of getting married this year, dealing with criticism, work, fashion amongst others. Enjoy…

When you came into showbiz, did it occur to you that your personalities would make you famous?

Somewhere inside my head I knew it would pay off, but I didn’t know how long and it took a while. It took lots of criticisms and negative reception.

I just made use of every opportunity that came my way.

Why does it appear as if you enjoy negative criticisms?

I always tell people that there is nothing like bad publicity. I am not misleading

Adenrele

people; I am just living my life and doing what I know how to do best. I don’t read the news because we make it.

Do you feel hurt when you read negative things about yourself?

No doubt, I am human after all. It was a different

Continued on L2

Oluwafemi

T E A M

Life&

Edun Entertainment Correspondent Mutiat Alli

Society Correspondent Abimbola Obatayo

Photography Quadri Olowolagba

Graphics Daniel Ekiye

Daily Times Nigeria

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

‘Fashion is pain’ Continued from L2 case when I was younger. Regular comments used to get to me while growing up and trying to find my foot in the industry. On the streets, people would tell me to behave like a boy even when I was not standing on their way. But right now, my skin is very tick and I am not bothered. I need new haters because the old ones are in love with me right now. If I put just a picture on Instagram, there is always a big deal around it. I also feel that if people don’t talk about you, it means you do not exist.

A picture where you were injured went viral recently. Did you actually sustain a cut?

It was actually real. We were on set and my director pushed me too hard. I fell on a rod and it injured me. I decided to be calm because I saw that people felt it was the end of the shoot. It was my first scene that day and I had not collected my money. There was a lot of fear because it was so close to my eyes and blood was gushing out.

Are you not concerned that your style would be outdated eventually?

I know what you mean.

I started this in 1995 with Kiddie Vision 101 and that is quite some time to get tired of someone. Overtime, I have met people in the industry who used to watch me when I was on Kiddie Vision 101.

I was with Tu-baba over recently and he told me that they used to argue if I was a boy or girl. People still make references to that. I don’t think it is about people getting tired of one; it is about rebranding and keeping one out there.

What is your biggest fear?

I think my major fear is running out of work because I don’t like to be idle. If I am idle, I could run mad. I don’t know how to sit in a place without doing anything; I like to make things happen.

What happened to your planned marriage?

Honestly, I planned to get married last year,

though I didn’t intend to make noise about it. I just wanted to invite everyone to the wedding on that day to see things themselves.

I think there was just too much media buzz around the whole thing and it looked like a fabrication. It looked as if I just I wanted to be in the news, but it was a real deal for me. I am still working on that and it would happen this year, but I won’t mention when. People would get the invites at the right time. I am doing it in Nigeria; I am not interested in going outside the country because I have discovered that I am not just loved by a certain people, but everyone. I want a wedding where I can invite everyone.

Is the lucky lady into entertainment too?

She is not an industry person.

Although she used to be, she really didn’t understand the industry and later decided to do a regular job.

Don’t you feel marriage could change who you are?

Relationship is all about cordial communication. In the case any woman tries to change me, I would just send her back to the parents and collect my bride price. At the end of the day, we would be hungry at home and things won’t go well. I would still remain the person I am. Again, I value the notion of staying true to one person.

What happens if none of your children takes after you?

As long as my children can differentiate between mummy and daddy, I am cool with them. I can always trace my family background to the fact that my father allowed me to express myself as a kid. I would definitely give my kids freedom to express themselves.

If I don’t give them free room, I am a hypocrite and that would be disastrous. It is no big deal if they don’t toe my line.

How has featuring in musical videos helped your growth?

I am not necessarily putting myself on the map,

but I was one of the first vee-jays (VJs) to start featuring in musical videos. But the truth is that the brand I used to represent then, Sound City, did not like the fact that I dance in videos. I was doing it behind them. Artistes now felt that since I featured in D’banj’s ‘Why Me,’ and it got massive airplay, using me in their videos would be helpful as well. Everyone kept calling me to feature in musical videos. I had never met the late Goldie Harvey, but she offered to pay me N50, 000 to feature in her video. The money was bigger than my salary. The only video I didn’t feature in that pained me was Faze’s ‘Kolomental’. They were shooting at Festac and I was at Lekki phase 1, Lagos. I think visibility is key. When I started, we didn’t have social media; it was just television, editorials and magazines. So if music videos enhance your visibility, why shouldn’t you embrace it?

Would you like to go into music someday?

I am not sure because I cannot sing to save my life. I used to be in the choir. I was asked to take alto at some point, but I couldn’t deliver at all. Since I was a very good dancer, they thought I was good at singing too. I would not be a hypocrite to say I want to sing except I go for voice training lessons. I visited Terry G in the studio and he said he would feature me in a song. I was just screaming in his studio. But I don’t think I have that ability to be a musician. I feel anything you do you should do it well.

How would you feel when you wake up and your hair has been shaved?

Nobody has asked me this question, but it is something I had played in my heart. I thought all I would do is to invest in plenty wigs. I always try to turn negativity to positivity. It would be painful though, but I must survive, the hair is my saving grace; I am really tiny.

If I take off all these shoes, my hair and my dress, it would be hard to recognize me. This hair holds me together.

Are you not feeling pains with your hairstyle?

Trust me, fashion is pain. As I speak to you, my head is hot. I underestimated the heat today; I am feeling so hot.

Why don’t you wear flat shoes?

I am not comfortable with flat shoes and I don’t know how to walk wearing flat shoes. There has

L3 Interview

L4

Daily Times Nigeria

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Daily Times Nigeria

Wednesday, April 4, 2016

L5

Ladies World L6

Daily Times Nigeria

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Mutiat Alli

hair gang is back Natural

Natural hair is one of the fastest growing trends amongst ladies. It is very old fashioned. One was considered to be unfashionable, unattractive, if you rocked natural hair back then. Currently, natural hair is every girl’s wish.

However, maintaining the natural hair is not an easy or cheap task. It is quite demanding and could look very rough when not properly cared for. It takes a lot of grooming and extra effort to have that stunning natural hair.

Basic tips for keeping natural hair: • • • •

Wash your hair regularly to give it a clean scalp and prevent it from smelling/itching.

Use organic products and natural oil like coconut, almond, avo cado, olive and Castro oil.

Trim your hair regularly.

Get to know your hair. This way you can know the products that are good or bad for your hair.

Remember to keep a comb handy to keep it neat. You can also style your natural hair with hair accessories to give it a redefined look.

Add colour to the tip for that funky look.

Daily Times Nigeria

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

L7 Men’s World

Anthony Onjeh

Clean up your act

Males tend to joke about how long a woman takes to get ready when they groom themselves, but in reality, male grooming is becoming more and more common. The term ‘metro-sexual’ was developed to categorise males that take their grooming seriously and spend a large amount of time, effort and money to look good and be taken seriously as well. And why not? If you want to look good.

Clinique exfoliating scrub

Nubo exfoliating cleanser

To achieve this, you have to indulge in a two-step grooming regime:

1

Cleansing

This should be kept simple and followed religiously morning and evening with a face wash.

There are basically two types of face wash you must use: 1. The blemish control face wash which helps to reduce the appearance of blemishes, brightens and evens the skin tone.

2. Oil control face wash which ensures the skin stays oil free and controlled throughout Why you should use a face wash • It cleans and refreshes the skin • Removes dirt and dead skin cells without strip ping the skin of its natural oils or drying the skin like a soap bar does • To maintain the health of your skin.

2

Exfoliation

Exfoliation is the process of scrubbing off dead skin cells to reveal and expose ‘younger,’ fresher skin. It is the first step in cleaning your face before washing it.

Why men should exfoliate •

Steps to using a face wash • •

•

Start by washing your hands to remove any grease, grime and germs Splash warm water on your face and squeeze a coin sized amount of face wash onto the fin gertips and apply onto the skin in gentle circular motions.

Finish by rinsing the face with cool water to close pores and then dry off with a clean towel.

Exfoliating hand glove

• • •

Because the skin on your face is quite different from that of a woman’s. It contains larger pores, whiskers and produces more sweat. Put all these factors together and your face can attract a fair amount of dirt.

It exposes the face’s hair follicles, allowing for a better shave The shedding process unclogs pores, keeps skin clean and helps reduce acne breakouts It is the secret to better looking skin.

exfoliating mask for men

There are basically three ways to exfoliate the skin on your face: 1. Using a cleanser/foamer 2. Using granular exfoliating scrub 3. Using an exfoliating mask These products contain some combination of granulated pumice, sea salts, fruit seeds, salicylic acid, alphahydroxyl acid, and beta hydroxyl acid, all of which serve to loosen and slough off dead skin cells.

How to exfoliate •

•

• • Blemish control face wash • •

Nivea deep cleansing face wash

•

With the cleanser/foamer or granular exfoliating scrub, use exfoliating gloves or sponge that isn’t rough.

Wet the gloves and your skin with warm water.

Add a few drops of the exfoliant directly to the gloves or the sponge. Add more water if necessary to form a lather.

Massage your facial skin using gentle pressure.

Finish by rinsing the gloves or the sponge and your face with cool water to close pores and then dry off with a clean towel.

With exfoliating mask, wash face with warm water to open up pores Put the plaster-like concoction which comes as a liquid goop on your face. It hardens as it goes on the face.

After 10 to 15 minutes, peel off to remove dead skin cells, dirt and whitehead.

Exfoliating sponge

Daily Times Nigeria

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Showing on

Showing on

150 Africa Magic Showcase

140 AMC Channel

00:05

06:00

Wed, 4 May | 18

Wed, 4 May | PG13

A special military unit ventures into the Demilitarised Zone of Korea to destroy a North Korean nuclear power plant slated to start producing nuclear weapons. Adrian Paul, Michael Biehn, Mark Edward Anderson. (1997) Stephen Milburn Anderson.

101 M-Net West

00:00 Plastic 02:00 Crush 04:00 The Voice 05:00 Ellen’s Design Challenge 06:00 The Goldbergs 06:30 Grey’s Anatomy 07:30 Grey’s Anatomy 08:30 Salmon Fishing In The Yemen 10:30 Mike & Molly 11:00 Ellen’s Design Challenge 12:00 The Voice 13:00 Battle Creek 14:00 Elementary 15:00 Chicago PD 16:00 Ellen’s Design Challenge 17:00 The Middle 17:30 The Voice 18:30 Modern Family 19:00 Two And A Half Men 19:30 The Blacklist 20:30 CSI: Cyber

154 Africa Magic Family 00:00 Tinsel 00:30 Star Gist 01:00 At Home With Michelle Attoh 02:00 Music Block 03:00 Good Morning Africa 04:00 Music Block 05:00 At Home With Michelle Attoh 06:00 Good Morning Africa 07:00 Star Gist 07:30 Days Without Rain 08:55 Living With Trisha 10:00 Good Morning Africa 11:00 Tinsel 11:30 Star Gist 12:00 Music Block 13:00 At Home With Michelle Attoh 14:00 Jara 14:30 Family Ties 15:00 At Home With Joselyn Dumas 16:00 Prem

16:30 Living With Trisha 17:30 Mary Slessor 18:00 Meet The Adebanjos 18:30 Jane And Abel 19:00 Tinsel 19:30 Star Gist 20:00 Airtel Touching Lives 20:30 President For A Day 21:25 Family Ties 22:00 Tyme Out With Tee-A 22:00 Tyme Out With Tee-A 23:40 53 Extra

‘S3/E779 - 3/779’. Star Gist shines the spotlight on African and international celebrities. The show also features the latest news and takes you behind the scenes of magazine, movies and music video shoots.

120 BBC Entertainment

118 Telemundo

00:30 The Del Monte Dynasty 01:20 The Impostor 02:10 Labour Of Love 03:00 Part Of Me 03:50 Queen Of Hearts 05:20 The Del Monte Dynasty 06:10 Labour Of Love 07:00 Part Of Me 07:50 Queen Of Hearts 08:40 The Impostor 09:30 Forbidden Passions 10:20 Labour Of Love 11:10 Part Of Me 12:00 Queen Of Hearts 12:50 The Impostor 13:40 Forbidden Passions 14:30 Labour Of Love 15:20 Part Of Me 16:10 Queen Of Hearts 17:00 The Impostor 17:50 Forbidden Passions 18:40 Labour Of Love 19:30 Part Of Me 20:20 Queen Of Hearts 21:10 The Impostor 22:00 Forbidden Passions 22:50 Labour Of Love 23:05 QI

L8 TV guide

128 SONY MAX

00:25 Most Shocking 01:20 Sexy Car Wash 01:50 Rude Tube 02:20 Poorman’s Bikini Beach 00:30 The Weakest Link

11:00 My Family

01:20 Silent Witness

11:30 Hell’s Kitchen USA

02:15 Total Wipeout UK

12:20 Top Gear

03:10 EastEnders

13:15 Come Dine With Me

03:40 QI

14:15 Hell’s Kitchen USA

04:10 Top Gear

15:05 The Weakest Link

05:00 Mr. Bean: The Animated Series

16:00 EastEnders

05:25 QI

16:30 Deal Or No Deal

06:00 The Thin Blue Line

17:10 The Cube

06:30 EastEnders

18:00 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

07:00 Antiques Roadshow

19:00 Dragons’ Den

07:55 The Weakest Link

20:05 Top Gear

08:45 The Cube

21:05 Hell’s Kitchen USA

09:30 Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

22:00 Live At The Apollo

10:20 Deal Or No Deal

22:50 QI

155 AfricaMagic World 00:00 Music Block 01:00 Good Morning Africa 02:05 Deal Or No Deal SA 03:00 Music Block 04:00 The Dzigbordi Show 05:00 Good Morning Africa 06:00 The Bleeding Heart 07:30 Star Gist 07:55 Star Gist 08:25 Star Gist 09:00 Good Morning Africa 10:00 The Dzigbordi Show 11:00 Deal Or No Deal SA 12:00 Deal Or No Deal SA 13:00 Music Block 14:00 Star Gist 14:30 Star Gist

02:45 Upload With Shaquille O’Neal 03:10 Hip Hop Squares 03:35 Most Shocking 04:30 South Beach Tow 05:00 Criss Angel Mindfreak 05:25 Exposed 05:50 Exposed 06:15 Video Zonkers 06:40 Video Zonkers 07:05 World’s Wildest Police Videos 08:05 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 09:05 South Beach Tow 09:35 Most Shocking 10:35 Most Shocking 11:35 Video Zonkers 12:05 Video Zonkers 12:35 World’s Wildest Police Videos 13:35 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 14:35 South Beach Tow 15:05 Most Shocking 16:05 1000 Ways To Die 16:30 Video Zonkers 17:00 Video Zonkers

15:00 Star Gist 15:30 Lies That Bind 16:00 The Dzigbordi Show 17:00 So Wrong So Wright 17:30 So Wrong So Wright 18:00 The Dzigbordi Show 18:55 Kumwesu 19:25 Kumwesu 20:00 The Mastermind

17:30 World’s Wildest Police Videos 18:30 South Beach Tow 19:00 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Patrol 20:00 Jerks With Cameras 20:30 Impractical Jokers 21:00 Rude Tube 21:30 Poorman’s Bikini Beach 22:00 Sexy Car Wash