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THE

DAILY

TIMES

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

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No going back on strike, PENGASSAN insists

90

YEARS OF Ï RƈƋ Ƒ ƈ Ɠ Ɛ ƌƆƆƐ ƓƈƐ 01 L Ɨ ƕ JOURNALISM

Joy Ekeke Lagos

ÏÏÏThe

Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) on Thursday said that there was no going back on its planned strike slated to have commenced by 12 a.m on

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Thursday.

PENGASSAN had ordered its members to leave their duty posts in all oil installations and offices throughout Nigeria as from 12.01hrs on Thursday July 7, 2016.

Mr Francis Johnson, the naContinued on page 6

FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2016 VOL. 2. NO. 148

N150

One Nigeria: MASSOB, Ijaw youths fault Buhari Ï M ƌ ƅ ƅƏƑ ƈ ƇƏ ƄƆƅ Ƒ Ɔ 1 Ɨè ƈ Ɛ Əƕ Ɨ Ƒƌ ƈƐƕ ƏƆ ƑƏ ƈƗƆ – MASSOB 6 Ï ód ƌƆ Ƈ ƗƆƅƈ ƈ Ƈ Ƒ Əƈô Ɨƌƈ ƈ ƐƏ Ɛƈ ƉƑ ƐƈƇƕƈ Ɛ Ɔ ƐƏƑ ƋƆ Ƈ Ə ƈ ƇƏ `ƆƍƑƄƋƈƅô Ï 0ƑƐƑƏƆ Ƈ Mƈ ƆƏƈ ƑƋƗ ƄƆ Ɛ Ə Ƒ Ƌƕ Ɔ Ɛƈ ƐƆƗ Ɛ ƒ ƈƗ ƅ ƆƎƑƆ ƅƆ Ƈ Ƈ ƏƅƆƗ ƌ ƏƏƈ Ɔ – IYC Ï óMƈ ƆƏƈ Ɠ Ɛ ƏƆ Ɔ Ɛƈ ƐƆƗ ƅ Ƒ ƐƏƕ Ɛ Ɛ ƋƋ Ɠ ƍƆ ƍƋƆ Ɛ Ə Ɠ Ɛ Ɛ ƆƈƏ Ɠ ƍ ƅƆô

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NSE QUICK BITE

GAINERS AS AT 4th July, 2016 OANDO

7.37

0.68

10.16%

VANLEER

9.69

0.46

4.98%

LOSERS SKYEBANK

0.95

-0.10

-9.52%

HONYFLOUR

1.51

-0.10

-6.21%

Avengers 6 PDP crisis may be over strike again, 12 blow up 3 soon Chevron êêê L Ɗ ƏƇƈè d ƆƏƈƇƇ Ɨƈ ƅƑ ƈ Ɠ ƕ ƑƐ manifolds

APC, PDP in war of words as anti-Fayose protest rocks Ekiti

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2

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, July 8, 2016

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, July 8, 2016

Page Three

s

3

PHOTO TIMES

Editorial Terrorism and Nigeria’s airports

I

f any issue should be of utmost concern to Nigerians, it is that to do with security at the country’s major airports. Probably, out of ignorance or even wishful thinking, Nigerians could be forgiven for believing that such spectacular terrorist attacks at some major airports around the world will never take place here. Such thinking is definitely misplaced. For example, two weeks ago, a group of terrorists launched a daring attack on Istanbul Ataturk Airport, Turkey, killing 41 people, including 13 foreigners.

As usual, the Islamic State (IS), one of the world’s deadliest terrorist groups, claimed responsibility for the act. In carrying out the assault, the jihadist group was not oblivious to the fact Ataturk Airport is one of Europe’s biggest hubs, and transfer node for travellers from Europe, Asia and Africa.

The Istanbul attack came little more than four months after Islamic State suicide bombers killed 16 people at the main Brussels airport. Such tragedy in Istanbul and the one in Brussels earlier this year highlight the growing challenge for governments to keep people safe in the landside parts of the airport. Until the recent Istanbul tragedy, the world’s deadliest airport attack was in 2011, on Moscow’s Domodedovo International hub that killed 37 people. In that incident, the suicide bomber set off his explosive in the arrival hall, while avoiding the need to go through security checks.

Before then, in 2002, a lone gunman killed two people at Los Angeles International Airport in the United States of America.

Again in 2005, two attackers tried to drive their fuel-filled vehicle into Glasgow Airport but were blocked by barriers.

Incidentally, terrorist incidents on the less secure side of airports are not

new. In fact, they have plagued commercial aviation for decades, although the nature of attacks has varied.

It would be recalled that after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on flights in the U.S., and several subsequent attempts to smuggle bombs onto jetliners, airports around the world have invested heavily in security measures to prevent attackers from bringing explosives and weapons aboard planes. Yet, that has turned arrival and departure hall into attractive targets for attack. Following this, many airports now screen passengers before they enter arrival and departure areas, particularly in locations where threat risks are higher.

Yet, what happened in Istanbul shows that the challenge now is to stop terrorists before they ever reach an airport. It is here that Nigeria’s security agencies must be on the utmost alert. They should do so through improved intelligence and effective information exchange and cooperation between the competent public authorities. Moreover, aviation experts and authorities should recruit, train and deploy behaviour-observation specialists to spot potential threats.

In addition, such measures need to be layered and random to keep potential attackers guessing. However, all is not lost, especially if the recent revelation by the Managing Director of FAAN, Engr. Saleh Dunoma, regarding the improved security arrangement at the airports is anything to go by. According to him, the authority conducts background checks every six months on its staff and other workers at the airports to guard against insider threat.

More than that, it bears repeating that the goal of aviation security is to prevent harm to aircraft, passengers, and crew, as well as support national security and counter-terrorism policy.

Ag Deputy Editor/ Northern Bureau Chief Lateef Ibrahim

Editor Daily Times Biodun Durojaiye

Politics Editor Akintola Akinjide

Deputy Editor/News Editor Sam Nzeh

Head, Graphics/Design King Ododoru

Online Editor Segun Adio

Technical Adviser To Publisher Innocent Nwankwo Group Managing Director Noel Anosike

Group General Manager Human Capital Dev./ Shared Services Judith Udu 08037949700

Asst. Business Dev. Manager Yetunde Oyelude 08033600907

Group Head Commercial & Marketing Konnie Agu 09033765031

Adverts/Partnerships/ Corporate Subscription Laureta Airamoehi 08028554956

L-R: Deputy Vice Chancellor, Account Research, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe; Vice Chancellor, UNILAG, Prof. Rahamon Bello; Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Fola Adeola and Guest Speaker, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, during the presentation of a plaque to Adeola at the annual lecture and launching of Postgraduate Trust Fund, by Dean, School of Post Graduate Studies, UNILAG, Lagos… on Thursday.

STATEMENTS BY THOSE WHO MATTER

Acting Business Development Manager Ifeanyi Emefu 08086296714

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Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu (7th left), flanked by Elder Emma Adaelu, Leader, Nzuko Ohaneze Ukwa Ngwa when he led other members of the organisation on a solidarity visit to Ikpeazu in Umuahia… on Thursday.

Words On Marble :

Publisher/Editor in Chief – Fidelis Anosike Group General Manager Olisa Egbunike 08034004224

L-R: Managing Director, Guinness Nigeria, Peter Ndegwa; Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano and Chief Medical Director, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Anthony Igwegbe at the commissioning of the Guinness Eye Hospital, Onitsha… recently.

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Arthur Nwankwo

Obafemi Awolowo

David Oyedepo

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

“Violence never settles anything right: apart from injuring your own soul, it injures the best cause.”

“Until you are willing to change your approach, you cannot improve on your results.”

4

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, July 8, 2016

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, July 8, 2016

5 News

News Analysis

Dambazau’s costly gaffe Segun Adio

ÏÏÏAgain, advocates of

a comprehensive review of the Nigerian Constitution received a boost this week. If one carries out a survey poll across the length and breadth of this country today, most people would cast their ballot for a change of the laws operating in the country.

People in this school of thought believe that time has come for us as a people to tinker with the letters of the constitution to suit current realities in the country.

Of course, many seek review of the constitution because of perceived injustice done to them, especially when they lose out in political sphere.

Their agitation became more potent this week when a directive of the Federal Government was cancelled out by an individual (a powerful one for that matter).

The Federal Government, through its Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, on Thursday, June 30, declared that Tuesday, July 5 and Wednesday, July 6, would be public holidays. His declaration had been issued on his behalf by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Bassey Akpanyung (one who does not know the working of the Ramadan, it later turned out).

The holiday was to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan for followers of Prophet Muhammed (SAW).

Many Nigerians had prepared their minds to resume work and go back to their businesses on Thursday after the loss of the two days declared by the government, all but to receive another information that the holiday had been extended further to Thursday, July 7.

Gen. Dambazau had to eat his vomit when he reversed himself with another memo to Nigerians on Tuesday, July 5, to the effect that the holiday had been extended for another day. His reason followed a “ directive by the President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto, to the effect that the Ramadan fast continues today (Tuesday) as a result of the non-sighting of the moon”. That was one gaffe, too many, from the minister.

Of course, it is within the purview of interior minister of Nigeria to announce governmentdeclared public holidays and that had been so since James Robertson relinquished power to the Tafawa Balewa. But Dambazau failed

to recognise that his postulation, especially during Ramadan, is not sacrosanct, but subject to the confirmation of Nigeria’s number one Muslim.

The minister’s gaffe has become a subject of analytical discussion especially among economists, academics and many of them seem not pleased with the pronouncement of the foremost Sokoto monarch which occasioned the shift in the holiday.

If you ask me, I think Sultan Abubakar did what he had to do.

As head of the Muslims, his duties also included pronouncing the end of fasting for followers of the Prophet and that was what he did.

The fault, I believe, came from the Federal Government, who took upon itself to declare the Ramadan holiday and failed to realise that there is a superior body in that respect.

Some of the analysts see the misjudgment of the minister from the economic point of view. These people argue that Nigeria for the extra day added, lost billions of Naira in revenue, not to mention the several billions of Naira lost by individuals and private establishments.

The truth it that had Dambazau consulted well, he would have tarried awhile before he directed Akpanyung to issue the first release.

The minister is an expert infantry soldier and not on matters of studying celestial objects.

But we need to learn from history. In order to avert the same mistake in coming years, it may be apt to ask if the legion of meteorologists, astronomers and even astrophysicists in the country can be of help in determining or forecasting the sighting of the moon, so as to avoid this kind of confusion next time.

Nigerians, and indeed deserve an apology from the interior minister over the confusing information from his office. The Sultan should be commended for his courage to stick to his judgment on the matter, thus leading the Muslim Ummah in the right path as demanded of his office.

Ramadan Kareem to my Muslim readers.

Dambazau

NAF jet strikes Boko Haram location in Northern Borno Andrew Orolua Abuja

ÏÏÏThe Air campaign compo-

nent of OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE recorded another major success on Thursday as its 2 x F-7Ni fighter aircraft struck a terrorists’ location at Northern Borno.

The location lies between Tumbum Rego and Malkonory and is about 25km from Kangarwa where own surface forces are currently harboured.

The location, in a statement issued by NAF spokesman, Group Capt. Ayodele Famuyiwa said arbours BHT makeshift

structures and about 4-6 clusters of solar panels which are used by the Terrorists to power communications equipment and for lighting.

The latest strike is part of the air operations conducted by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in support of the efforts by own surface forces and the Multi National Joint Task Force to rid the northern part of Borno of the remnants BHTs in an operation codenamed “OPERATION GAMA AIKI”.

The location, prior to the strike on Thursday, had been under surveillance for sometimes but was reported active by a NAF Beechcraft aircraft on

Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) mission.

Thereafter, the fighter aircraft were immediately scrambled for interdiction. The success of this operation is another major setback for the BHTs even as the NAF intensifies air operations in the Northeast against the insurgents.

More so, it is instructive, he added, to note that the mission on Thursday was conducted by crew amid the Salah celebration. This brings to fore the commitment of NAF personnel towards successfully bringing the hostility in the Northeast to an end within the shortest possible time.

US based group gives financial assistance to 14 undergraduates in Enugu Moses Oyediran Enugu

ÏÏÏ

The Nsukka US INC, a United State of America based indigenes of Nsukka, Enugu State, have given 14 students from Nsukka cultural zone studying in University of Nigeria Nsukka, financial assistance to help them excel in their academics pursuit.

Presenting the certificate of award to the benefiting students on Thursday, the Chairman of Nsukka US INC, Mr. IK Ugbo, said the aim of the award was to encourage undergraduate students take their studies serious and enable them get good grades on graduation.

“The aim of this award is to motivate students from Nsukka

cultural zone to study hard to enable them excel and make either first or second class on graduation.

“In this 21st century, what is in vogue is education, without education you have no place in the world, your beauty or handsomeness doesn’t count.

“In the past years, what we gave to recipients is N50, 000, but we have now reviewed it to N75, 000 due to inflation occasioned by economic crunch “he said.

Ugbo urged youths from the zone to attach special importance to education so as to take the zone to the next level in the state as well as in the country.

“Even if you want to be groundnut seller, you must first be educated to excel more than

others.

“This programme started in 2009 and since then many final year students with good cumulative grades from hundred levels, have benefited from the financial assistance of this body.

“One of the early beneficiaries, Mr. Sunday Asogwa who made fist class in mathematics from UNN is currently doing his masters in US”, he said.

He, however, expressed disappointment in the local government chairmen from the zone who have continued to shun programmes of the body since 2009.

“Almost every year during this award ceremony, Nsukka US usually invite chairmen from the zone but is unfortunate that none has shown any interest.

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, July 8, 2016

L-R: UN Assistant Secretary General, Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for Sahel, Mr. Toby Lanzer; Wali of Borno State, Alhaji Abdullahi Idris; Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima and Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, at the inauguration of a 50,000 capacity solar borehole provided by the Nigerian Army in Dikwa, Borno State… on Thursday.

One Nigeria: MASSOB, Ijaw youths fault Buhari Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

ÏÏÏTwo

self-determination groups, the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) on Thursday faulted President Muhammadu Buhari’s position that the unity of Nigeria is not negotiable.

Buhari had on Wednesday pleaded with Niger Delta militants to “give Nigeria a chance”, vowing to keep the country intact despite widespread ethnic and religious divisions that threaten unity.

The President, who spoke when members of the Federal Executive Council, Service Chiefs, the acting Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris, traditional rulers, reli-

gious leaders and other residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) paid him Sallah visit at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, had repeated former Head of state, General Gowon’s ‘to keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done’ comment and added that `one Nigeria’ is not negotiable and the militants had better accept it.

But MASSOB and IYC, in separate statements on Thursday had insisted that the country’s unity is negotiable, with the former arguing that the President’s view showed that he has not realized that a new trend of resolving such issues had taken over, while the latter said Nigeria as presently constituted would soon ‘suffocate’.

Reacting on the President’s statement, MASSOB leader, Chief

Uchenna Madu said the Movement totally disagreed with the President, describing his statement as an expression of somebody who still believed in old ways of doing things.

He said: “The President, in inner sense of reasoning, believes that he will easily crush Biafra, maybe with his intimidating tendencies over Igbo governors, National Assembly members, religious/ opinion/ political leaders.

“MASSOB views the President’s constant negative comments on Biafra consciousness as a sign he is jittery.

“As every revolutionary struggle has its own methodology, the current Biafran struggle for actualization and restoration will continue to unfold confusing methods to the

President.

“The involvement of Niger Delta Avengers and other Niger Delta freedom fighters in the Biafra struggle will continue to hunt those opposed to the actualization of Biafra”.

Madu said some of the decisions of the present administration in Nigeria were even assisting and justifying the struggle for the Biafra Republic, adding that the consciousness of Christians in the Southern part and Middle Belt of the country had been reawakened.

He boasted that no man can crush Biafra because, according to him, God, history and humanity were on the side of the agitators.

On their part, the the youths argued that as presently constituted, Continued on page 12

No going back on strike, PENGASSAN insists Continued from page 1 tional President of PENGASSAN made assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

He said that the issues had been pending for so long and that the government had not shown enough seriousness over the matters.

However, he also said, in a chat with Daily Times, that PENGASSAN has agreed to meet with the federal government on Monday 11th July 2016, to dialogue.

Comrade Francis Johnson confirmed to Daily Times on Thursday in a telephone chat, that the association received a letter of invitation from the federal govern-

ment requesting a dialogue and that PENGASSAN will honour the invitation on Monday.

“The federal Government wrote to us and we told them that we will meet on Monday with them, so there won’t be any meeting today being Thursday July 7th 2016,” he said.

In the interview with NAN, Johnson said government was trying to apply fire brigade approach to a serious matter. ``We have discussed this matter long enough for the government to address us but it closed its ears, now the authorities are calling for dialogue. ``We are ready to work with Mr President to succeed but other agencies involved in the discus-

sion were not showing serious concern over the matter and we don’t have any choice than to proceed on strike,’’ he said.

Johnson said that the inability of the Federal Government to honour its agreements contained in May 12, 2016 Communiqué was the reason for calling for the strike.

He said that some of the issues included lingering irregular Joint Venture Funding and Cash Call Payment arrears, lack of a clear cut direction on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

Others are forceful co-option of government agencies into the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) and the spate of redundancy and retrenchment in the industry.

The PENGASSAN president said that several efforts to engage the government to forestall the strike were frustrated.

He said that before now, the union tried to engage the government on May 24, 2016, which was inconclusive.

He added that the engagement was later fixed for June 23, 2016, which did not take place and again for June 30, 2016 and which was unceremoniously cancelled with no date given. ``We see this as a deliberate attempt by the government to frustrate the discussion of the myriad of issues raised in the communiqué which are critical to the survival of the oil and gas industry in the country.

Avengers strike again, blow up 3 Chevron manifolds ÏÏÏMilitant

group, Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) late Wednesday night blew up three Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) manifolds in Digbolo, near Dibi in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State.

The incident was said to have occurred at about 11.00 pm on Wednesday.

In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Brig. Gen Mudoch Agbinibo, the group claimed responsibility for the attack, saying: “Between the hours of 10:50pm to 11:10 pm, our (Niger Delta Avengers) strike team blew up Chevron manifolds.”

While wishing Muslims a happy Eid Mubarak, the NDA in the statement said:“The manifolds are RMP 22, 23 and 24.”

The group however, denied attack on the NNPC pipeline in Eleme, Rivers State, posted by on a Niger Delta Avengers Facebook account it described as fake.

The NDA warned the public that it is shutting down all its social media accounts, saying “Niger Delta Avengers is not out to mislead the public. As a result, we are closing our entire social network accounts.”

This Facebook Account/page is an impostor page that was open by fraudster to deceive the general public.”

Speaking further, group said: “We warning any group that wants to do anything to go about their activities without tagging us (Niger Delta Avengers). Instead do your activities and claim responsibility. Niger Delta Avengers is not out to mislead the public as a result we are closing all our Social network accounts and will be using our websites to pass information to the general public”.

7 News

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, July 8, 2016

Briefs

Reps lauded for contributions to revive NSE ÏÏÏThe

Anti Fayose protest in Ado Ekiti… on Thursday.

Ajimobi places N5m ransom as slain Oyo lawmaker buried Remi Oladoye Ibadan

ÏÏÏIt was a moment of

grief and lamentation in Igboho, Oorelope Local Government Area of Oyo state, the hometown of slained lawmaker, Hon. Gideon Aremu, as his body was laid to rest amidst tears and wailing from colleagues, political associate and family.

The Oyo State House of Assembly on Thursday held a valedictory service for late Hon. Gideon Aremu who was killed last Friday by unknown assailant in front of his Alakia home in Ibadan, at about 9:30pm.

Hon. Aremu, who represented Oorelope state

constituency until his death, was the chairman, House Committee on Information, Security and Strategy of the 8th Assembly.

The Speaker of the Oyo state Assembly, Hon. Micheal Adeyemo said the departed Hon. Gideon Aremu will be greatly missed because he was very active in whatever assignment he assigned to him while in the assembly.

In his tribute, the deputy speaker of the state Assembly Hon. Musah Abdulwasil said their friendship was beyond the assembly because he was a rare-gem, and a bridge builder which would be hard to replace.

Also, Hon. Gbenga Oyekola from Atiba state constituency said Labour party has lost a priceless colleague, an epitome of hardwork, a scholar whose assassination was very sad.

Some of his political associates, former honourable members of the Oorelope constituency all said the brutal murder was shocking and charged the state government to put perpetrators to book.

Immediately after the lying- in -state at the parliament building, the body of the legislator was taken to his home town in Igboho for the final burial.

The executive governor of the state, who was

represented by his deputy, Moses Alake said the family shouldn’t be sad because he (Gideon) had gone to join the saints, he then promised that the state government would ensure that the children left behind will be adequately taken care of.

He also urged his colleagues in the Assembly, philanthropists and good people of the state to assist the family with their resources.

In a short sermon by the officiating minister of the Will of God Ebenezer Apostolic Church, Pastor O.E Oyewole, urged his family and colleagues to take solace in God on the demise of late Hon. Aremu.

Customs, smugglers in gun duel in Ogun Abiodun Taiwo Abeokuta

ÏÏÏMen

of the Nigeria Customs invaded Ipokia community, a border town in Ogun State in the early hours of Thursday, shooting sporadically and injuring few people.

Our correspondent gathered that the custom men who drove into Iwaye, palace of the Onipokia of Ipokia land, Oba Raufu Adeole, where they injured a number of people, were on the trail of some rice smugglers.

Residents were thrown into panic as many run into bushes and canals.

A woman was seen running with her nine-day-old baby in escape for her dear live.

Some residents who spoke with our correspondent condemned the actions of the Custom describing it as unbecoming, especially at a time when people were still celebrating Eid-il-fitri.

It was learnt that the Customs officer were chasing rice transporters who they suspected to be smugglers.

Youths in Ipokia were

said to have stood against the Customs, saying it was an aberration to shoot sporadically within a highly populated Iwaye compound, where the Oba’s palace is.

Many parked vehicles and Okadas were said to have been vandalised by the Customs as they shot at them.

A young man was said to have been whisked away by the Customs Officer.

All efforts to get the reaction of the Custom image maker in the state proved abortive as he was not picking calls put across to him.

Amosun

House of Representatives has been applauded over its contributions to revive the ailing Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), even as the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, is scheduled to ring the bell at the NSE today, in Lagos.

A statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs to the Speaker, Turaki Hassan, on Thursday, said Dogara would ring the bell to close activities on the floor of the NSE by 2pm.

He said the Speaker was invited in recognition of his contributions and that of the House of Representatives in deepening of the market through legislation.

Hassan stated that Dogara has been championing

calls for the deepening of the exchange and recently, while declaring open a conference organised by the House Committee on capital market, said the House may pass laws that would compel multinational oil, gas and telecommunications companies doing business in the country to list a certain percentage of their value on the NSE. He had stated further that large companies in the listed sectors must be compelled to list on the capital market in order to deepen the market and make capital available for investors and create employment.

The speaker has also called for severe sanctions against fraudulent stock market players as part of measures to strengthen the country’s financial market.

Nigeria is moving forward – Bishop Oyedepo ÏÏÏPresiding Bishop of

the Living Faith Church (LFC), Dr. David Oyedepo, has described Nigeria as a country that is moving forward, in spite of its present economic challenges.

In a telecast via satellite monitored in Jos, Plateau, Oyedepo said this when he addressed both local and international assembly of the church workers in a broadcast on Thursday morning.

He told the workers that both the nation and the church were in a period of revival and that sacrifices would have to be made.

The bishop said that the era of private universities-- championed by the church-- came to set standards and right moral codes in our educational system to make it thrive better, devoid of cultism and activism.

He noted that academic calendars of private universities had been main-

Oyedepo

tained, even as lecturers and their students in conventional universities go on strike. ``Private universities are here to restore the glory of the nation; it is clear that something is brewing in Nigeria. ``Nigeria’s healing is taking place now, and the health of the nation is being restored now. ``We are pushing darkness back,” he said.

He enjoined Christians involved in fostering the present revival of the nation by God through their prayers and work not to relent as they were entitled to rewards from the Lord.

8

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, July 8, 2016

Politics

NYESON WIKE

s

Wike: We will trounce APC again in rerun polls

Ahead of the July 30 date fixed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the rerun polls in Rivers State, Governor Nyeson Wike has boasted that his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will trounce the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

The governor who expressed the confidence while speaking with the leadership of the party who paid him a solidarity visit

at the Government House, PortHarcourt stressed that no amount of militarisation will prevent the party from winning the election.

He described the state as traditional PDP, boasting: “If they like, let them bring the American Marines or the American Navy Seals, the PDP will win in Rivers State.”

He urged the electoral empire, INEC to maintain its neutrality and further deepen democracy in the state, saying: “The people

must be allowed to choose who they will give their mandate.”

Governor Wike slammed alleged moves by some gladiators in the state who are in Abuja to manipulate, insisting that “All we want is free and fair elections,” which he warned must not be to serve the ego of an individual, because “you don’t allocate mandate.”

He noted that his administraCONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Nigerians may pay for Buhari/ Saraki feud — Balarabe Musa

Former Governor of the old Kaduna State

Former Foreign Affairs Minister, Ojo Maduekwe dies at 71.

JUNE 30

Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu charged before an Abuja High Court for alleged forgery of Senate rules that brought them into office. They were granted bail.

the Second Republic said the situation appears intractable because it was a struggle for power between the President and the Senate President.

His words: “It is struggle for political power, elsewhere, government and National Assembly differ, why should this one be different? Why should this be happening now in the country at the critical period for Nigeria?

“Why now, when the situation in Nigeria is critical? Why are those holding political power unable to resolve it?

“In any other place, it would not be allowed to drag on to this extent before they resolve it.

Crisis in government is inevitable but not intractable”, he stressed.

The former governor warned that if allowed to continue this way, anything can happen and the country will pay dearly for CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

JUNE 29

A financial report listed six states of the federation as going into bankruptcy.

Abuja High Court sacks Abia state Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu as governor ordering Uche Ogah to be sworn in instead.

MUSA

JUNE 28

JUNE 26

Former Governor of the old Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa has warned that Nigerians may pay dearly for the ongoing feud between the Presidency and the National Assembly leadership if care is not taken.

Speaking in an interview with the Daily Times, the former governor who described the development as a battle between the President and the Senate President said it was an unfortunate happening in the political history of Nigeria.

At the moment, both the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu and two others including the former clerk of the National Assembly are being prosecuted by the Federal Government over alleged forging of the Senate rules which was used in the swearing in of the

Senate leadership last year.

Besides, for other three months, Saraki has been facing trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged false declaration of assets when he was governor of Kwara State between 2003 and 2011.

According to Balarabe Musa, the situation shows the weakness in the political leadership of Nigeria, pointing out that the development is not peculiar to the country as it can occur anywhere in the world but will be handled differently.

He said it is normal for crisis to occur between the President and the President of the Senate but that when it does, it would be handled amicably with both of them sitting together and resolving such issues among themselves.

The former governor, who himself was impeached before he completed his term in

JUNE 27

Stories by Akinjide Akintola

Gulf between FG and Nass widens as Senate walks out Presidential aide who came to answer summons in case of Attorney General of the Federation.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, July 8, 2016

9 Politics

You can’t silence me, ex-HOS tells Osun govt

Buhari

Buhari/ Saraki feud: Nigerians will suffer if… Balarabe Musa CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

it.

His words: “If it continues, it will be a fight to finish between the President and the President of Senate and the National Assembly. Both will fight themselves to finish”.

To ward off the impending danger, he counseled that: “Let the President and National Assembly sit down and work out a solution; otherwise, anything can happen.

“Both of them will pay dearly for this. The country and the people will suffer the consequences”, he added.

According to him: “For instance, let’s consider how strong the President is at the moment in the eyes of the public to fight the Senate. Also, how strong is the National Assembly amongst the populace to fight the President of Nigeria”, warning that there is serious crisis ahead if the lingering feud is not resolved.

“Both of them will suffer, the country will suffer, the people will suffer as everything will grind to a halt. There will be waste of time and resources of the country without anything to show for it. It is better both sit down together and sort it out”, he stressed.

Former Head of Service (HOS) of Osun State, Mr. Segun Akinwusi has described a petition against him to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) allegedly masterminded by the state governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola as a great error saying this cannot silence him from pointing out the errors of the government.

Akinwusi in a statement in Osogbo on Thursday, expressed surprise that four years after his retirement, a cooked up allegation of abuse of Office would be leveled against him by Aregbesola’s government.

The former HOS who described the petition as trivial as he faithfully served both Olagunsoye Oyinlola’s and the present state administrations before his retirement in 2012 and a foremost critic of Aregbesola style of government.

His words: “When a government chooses to indulge in trivialities, the end result is for it to be looking for scapegoats to cover its infamy.

“Osun State economy today has collapsed, the debt profile has reduced the state indigenes to beggars and destitute.

Aregbesola

“Recently the state government in its trivial pursuit sent a petition to the EFCC alleging me of “Abuse of office” occasioned by a befitting send-off organised for me on retirement in 2012 by unions in the civil service.

“It was alleged in their let-

ter to the organisation that I forcibly directed civil servants to contribute certain sums of money for me to purchase a vehicle and thereafter took away the remainder of the money so contributed.

“Let me state clearly that the

‘Mr. Fix it’, Tony Anenih at Edo PDP gov rally Chief Anthony Anenih, regarded as ‘Mr. Fix it’, during the Obasanjo era was among personalities that attended the governorship campaign rally of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, in a renewed bid to snatch the state from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

In what is believed to be a strong run for the race by the party, Anenih, former chairman of PDP Board of Trustees, (BOT), was joined by other big wigs like: the Esama of Benin, Gabriel Igbinedion, former foreign affairs minister, Tom Ikimi, PDP Board of Trustees Member, Jerry Gana, and the national caretaker chairman of the party, Ahmed Makarfi, who was represented by Odion Ugbesia.

Speaking at the occasion, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State asserted that the PDP, remains the only party capable of taking Nigeria out of its present

economic situation.

He was in Benin, the Edo State capital, during the official flag-off of the campaign for the PDP governorship flag bearer in the state, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, ahead of the September 10 gubernatorial election.

Emmanuel, who represented PDP governors in the South South, said the party was ready to reclaim the state from the APC, and keep the region as a stronghold of the PDP. Pledging that the party would deliver dividends of democracy and engender steady growth and development in the oil-rich region, the Governor described Pastor Ize-Iyamu as a credible candidate who will reposition Edo State.

Speaking earlier, the flagbearer announced a former chairman of Esan North Local Government Area, John Yakubu, as his running mate.

decision to organise a send-off for me and the gift of a car was entirely that of the union leaders. Thank God most of those involved are still around to corroborate my position. At no time did I demand, request or force anything on any officer”, he stated.

Akinwusi who served as HOS for eight years stated that he had well prepared for his retirement since 2010 explaining that just like the civil service unions others such as the Forum for Administrative Officers, the Forum of General Managers/ Executive Secretaries and the Modakeke/Ode-Omu Indigenes gave him befitting departure ceremonies.

He said those that took decision for the send-off and the organisers especially the erstwhile union leaders of Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) are still available to shed light on the matter.

The ex-HOS who said he served without blessed for 35 years noted that the EFCC is supposed to be a serious organisation and therefore should not be used as agent of blackmail, oppression and vendetta.

“If the government wants to indict me for any wrongdoings the evidence of which had been their greatest headache since my foray into politics and my tireless efforts to make this government truly accountable, they had better looked elsewhere”, he stated.

Wike: We will trounce APC again in rerun polls CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

Anenih

He expressed gratitude to God and PDP supporters for the opportunity given him to fly the ticket of the party, saying the party was blessed with leaders who can change the fortune of the state.

The campaign flag-off was witnessed by the deputy governor of Delta State, Kingsley Otuaro, who represented Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

tion is willing to support INEC and all security agencies, adding that “The APC leaders who claimed that there were no elections are today asking the tribunals to declare them winners of the election.”

The governor also said the PDP would emerge stronger from the crisis rocking the party at the national level, pointing that it emboldens true democracy in the party.

Speaking earlier, the Rivers State Chairman of PDP, Mr. Felix Obuah, said the people of the state are happy with the performance of the governor since his inauguration despite economic straits, which justified the mandate give to him last year.

He assured of the readiness of the party to ensure it emerged victorious in the rerun poll, maintaining the position of the governor that Rivers State is PDP.

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, July 8, 2016

Nigerians mourn Shinkafi, ex-Presidential hopeful Alade Tasma

LATE SHINKAFI

Prominent Nigerians including President Muhammadu Buhari have been thrown into grieve and mourning following the death on Wednesday of Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi, a former Presidential gladiator of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) in the aborted Third Republic.

PRESIDENT Buhari, Speaker, House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara among others expressed grieve over the death of Shinkafi who was also a former Federal Commissioner of Internal Affairs and boss of the defunct National Security Organisation (NSO).

Buhari in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina in Abuja, described the late politician, administrator and technocrat, as an expert whose contributions to the development of the security architecture of Nigeria remains indelible.

He noted that Shinkafi also played frontline roles in the activities leading to the eventual return and enthronement of democracy in the country.

He called on family members, friends and associates of the departed community leader who held the Marafan Sokoto traditional title to take solace in the fact that the late Umaru Shinkafi played the parts assigned to him diligently , conscientiously and patriotically , enjoining them to emulate the good virtues that he left behind.

On his part, Hon.Dogara in a statement issued by his spokesman Turaki Hassan, described the death of the elder statesman as a huge loss to the nation.

“In all his years in the public service, Shinkafi distinguished himself as a patriot, committed and dedicated Nigerian”, he said.

According to him, Shinkafi was a true democrat who contributed immensely towards the restoration of democracy in Nigeria in 1999.

“He served the nation with distinction as a lawyer, Police officer, federal commissioner of Internal Affairs and intelligence chief in the National Security Organisation before joining politics”, he stated.

Umaru Shinkafi was reported to have died on Wednesday in a hospital in London at the age of 79. At the start of the ongoing democratic experiment in the country, Shinkafi was the Presidential candidate of the All Peoples Party (APP). But following a historic alliance between APP and the Alliance for Democracy, (AD), Shinkafi stepped down as candidate and became the running mate to Chief Olu Falae, Presidential Candidate of the AD, in the 1998 Presidential contest that featured Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which he, (Obasanjo) won.

The unusual development which featured just two presidential candidates from the same Yoruba stock was a fallout of the annulled June 12 1993 Presidential election believed to have been won by the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola, a Yoruba who went on to die in detention, throwing the country into a near war situation for almost five years.

FG averts oil workers strike In a bid to avert the planned strike by members of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), billed for Thursday, the Federal Government has met with the oil workers.

The meeting, according to a statement by the Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Samuel Olowookere, discussed the modalities for ending the lingering crisis in the petroleum sector.

The terse statement said the meeting would take place at the Ministry of Petroleum Resources’ Board Room at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Towers in Abuja by 10am.

It further said that the meeting would be attended by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige; and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu.

Others expected at the meeting are representatives of the Organised Labour, including PENGASSAN and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers.

The union had earlier on Wednesday declared that it would halt the supply of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, across the country from Thursday.

It also threatened to ground activities at the NNPC, all PMS depots, refineries and international oil companies where it had members, stressing that Nigeria would face another round of severe petrol scarcity as the strike would be in full force.

The Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Ojugbana, said the strike would hold as the government had not made efforts to address the lingering industry issues despite the notice given by the union.

When asked if the union had met with the government in order to shelve the strike, the PRO replied, “Nothing has changed.

The strike will hold. Actually, it is going to be a total shutdown and, of course, will cause fuel scarcity. Our members at the depots have all shut down and nothing will work once we start the strike in full; you will see. It is going to be another serious shutdown of activities across

the country.”

“There were series of meetings between us and the government, but these meetings did not yield the desired results. The meetings did not meet our expectations; they were not fruitful; they were not productive.

“In fact, up till now, we have not seen any visible commitment on the part of the government to addressing the critical issues that were put on the table. The worst of all was that we were to have a meeting with the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, on June 30, 2016 after two postponements.

“All of our members flew into Abuja for this meeting only for us to be told that the minister was not available. So, we felt they are not taking the issue as seriously as we had discussed in our previous meetings. Therefore, we have no option but to embark on the strike; perhaps they will see reasons with us.”

One of the issues PENGASSAN wants resolved, according to the union, is the settlement of cash call indebtedness by the Federal Government to the IOCs, which has grown to about

Kachikwu

$7bn.

This huge debt, according to Ojugbana, had made it impossible for some of the IOCs to pay the salaries of their workers, while many others had told PENGASSAN that the option before them was to sack their Nigerian employees.

“We are tired of the level of

redundancy in the sector. In fact, our major work in the last two to three months has been to fight against redundancy from one company to the other. And the cause of this is that the government is not keeping to its part of the joint venture funding and cash call obligations with the IOCs,” he said.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, July 8, 2016

11 Politics

Do you support more holidays for Nigerians?

The Federal Government on Tuesday extended by the 2-day public holiday to mark the end of this year’s Ramadan fast to Thursday, making it three days that Nigerians spent off work.

Our Interns, OLUWASEUN AGBATO, MAUREEN ONUIGBO, OMONIYI AYOMIDE, OLUWAGBEMIRO JOEL and UKWUOMA PREECIOUS, sampled peoples’ opinions on development.

Samson George- Sales person It is a general thing, everybody is involved. I don’t think Nigerians should complain. In many ways, it would affect Federal Government even though they have no choice than to please the citizens. You know how much they would have lost in terms of stock exchange and other aspects. It is not affecting anything about me, I don’t know about others. What I just believe is that government should always consider citizens first in anything they do. For some people, it may not be convenient, but as for me, I’m okay with the decision.

Rofiat Oladunjoye- Entrepreneur/Student It is okay, because those who aren’t self-employed will have days to rest with their families.

The holiday is helping. For me, I’m happy because I will have more time to rest and enjoy the celebration.

Peter Ojo Ojerinde- Teacher

Engr. Adebayo

I like the holiday, because it is good for the workers to rest and apply some wisdom in their work. So the holidays does not affect Nigeria negatively.

It depends on how we see it individually. It is a holiday, religious holiday, and the government embraced the religious system. Initially, they thought the festival will hold on Tuesday, since it didn’t hold, so they had to extend. Though there may be other factors they considered, regardless of the implications- financial effects and the revenue they will generate. I believe the Federal Government got it right with that decision.

Raphael The Federal Government has reasons it extended the holidays; maybe it is to allow Muslims to celebrate their festive period. They long holidays have both the positive and negative effects on the government and the country.

Olanrewaju Abdulrasaq AjisegirinIslamic cleric

Akeem Adegoke- Professional Accountant

What the government did is not to benefit the government, but to give citizens enough days to celebrate the festive period. I’m sure if the moon had been sited on Monday, the Federal Government wouldn’t have extended it. I’m sure it must affected many who had plans of going about their daily activities on Thursdays, most especially the business part of it. Now that it is like this, all we need now is to continually pray for this country.

We all want holidays, nobody wants to work without rest. This was not deliberate. Ramadan fasting days are not fixed and by calculation it is either 29 or 30 days. 29 is very common, 30 is not common. As we all know, the moon must be sighted to mark the end of the fasting. Since no one sighted the moon on Monday, the Federal couldn’t reverse the Tuesday again. I think declaring Thursday is to give people who travelled the opportunity to rest and return to their place of work.

Lekan Aro- Marketer Extending the holiday might be convenient for some people and might not be convenient for some others. It is an individual issue. As we have it in our country, people are always busy while some others are not, thereby seizing the opportunity to have their fun whereas those that are business will feel very bad about it. Like myself, I also seize the opportunity to do my marketing as a marketer. It was just a long stretch holiday to mark the festive period. It ought to have been out rightly planned before now, instead of declaring three days. Increasing the days makes it to look as if we are in military era. It is unacceptable.

Alex- Estate surveyor Abraham Awujoola It is for the masses but it will affect the nation’s economy. I’ve never experienced three days public holidays for Eid Mubarat. For the Federal Government extending the holiday is a nice thing but it is not well as it will affect a lot of things.

Miss Kemi- Entreprenuer It is not fair. Businesses are going to be disturbed by the extra holiday.

I feel just two days would have been okay. The extra day for the holiday would benefit Nigerians in no way. It is just another lazy day for Nigerians.

It is an individual thing. Government has the power to take its decision. I believe it will only affect business people who would have things to do and they may lament the decision. But as for those who work in government organisations and other parastatals, they have it as a plus for them. They will see it as an opportunity to do other things.

However, I don’t think the extension of the holiday was necessary.

News 12

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, July 8, 2016

APC, PDP in war of words as anti-Fayose protest rocks Ekiti Gbenga Sodeinde Ado Ekiti

ÏÏÏThe Ekiti State chapter of the

All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Thursday, bickered over the developments following the freezing of Governor Ayo Fayose.

To this end, the APC, joined by the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) and other antiFayose groups, Thursday, trooped to the streets in Ado-Ekiti to protest alleged looting of the state resources by the governor. The group challenged the governor to waive his immunity and submit himself for probe.

But an aide to Governor Fayose, Idowu Adelusi dismissed their alle-

gations as ‘spurious’, saying asking the governor to waive the immunity he enjoys amounts to rantings of an ignorant lot.

Recall that Governor Fayose had challenged the legality of freezing his accounts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti, and following the court’s order to the anti-graft agency to show cause for not upholding an Order of Exparte to de-freeze the governor’s accounts filed by his lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), the EFCC had filed affidavits at the court on July 4, leading to an adjournment of the case as requested

by Ozekhome to enable him time to address the allegations.

Describing the freezing of Fay-

ose’s in connection with the N1.3 billion slush fund from the Office of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki, to fund the governor’s campaign in 2014, as a right step, the protesters passed a confidence vote on the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari and his anti-corruption war. They urged the EFCC to dig deep into the finances of the State and prosecute whoever was indicted in the looting of the state’s treasury.

Acting chairman of APC in the state, Mrs. Kemi Olaleye, said: ““We are tired of immunity clause.

Immunity has become impunity in Ekiti. We condemn Governor Fayose’s corrupt tendencies .Things must change. The EFCC must do its

job and ensure that looters of Ekiti are brought to justice”, she said.

But Adelusi, who is Chief Press Secretary to Fayose, said: “The APC protesters asking Fayose to wave his immunity are doing so out of ignorance and desperation to win the state in 2018 knowing that their aim can only be achieved if Fayose is out of the way. But it is a failed agenda abinitio because we are ever ready for them on daily bases like soldiers guarding entrance of military formation . They should know that this is 2016 and not 2006.

Their whole agenda is about 2018 and their game plans are what we are now seeing using the EFCC to concoct lies and using the media to disparage Governor Fayose, but they can’t go far.

Fun seekers at the Magic Land during the Eid-el-Fitr holiday celebration in Abuja… on Thursday.

One Nigeria: MASSOB, Ijaw youths fault Buhari Continued from page 6 the country would soon ’suffocate’, noting that the future of Nigeria should be thoroughly negotiated to avoid the consequences of a forced political marriage.

In a statement by the IYC’s spokesman, Eric Omare, on Thursday, the youths maintained that such a comment coming from the President was “old-fashioned”.

The group opined that the approach being adopted by the President had never yielded the desired result for the country to excel.

According to the youths, the unity of Nigeria is being suffocated

under the present administration, which they argued had refused to embrace modern trends worldwide.

“The circumstances of the present day Nigeria demand a renegotiation of the future unity and existence of Nigeria”, the group noted.

The IYC explained that it believed that it was the general opinion of all ethnic nationalities in the country that Nigeria’s unity was discussed.

“This demand is not peculiar to the Niger Delta region but cuts across all parts of the country. For Nigeria to make progress President Buhari should dump his old fashioned approach to the unity of Nigeria and face the reality of the

present day situation.

“Nigerians want a renegotiated Nigeria that reflects a true federal state and allow people to grow at their own pace.

“Nigeria as presently constituted is suffocating and the federating ethnic nationalities can no longer bear the suffocating effect of the defective structure which hampers the development of the country. It is in the interest of all Nigerians to renegotiate the future unity of Nigeria”, the IYC held.

It added, “The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) worldwide states that the statement by President Buhari to Niger Delta militants on Wednes-

day, June 6, 2016 that the unity of Nigeria is not negotiable is an oldfashioned approach to the resolution of national problems.

“This is more so as President Buhari in making the said statement quoted former Head of State, General Gowon’s comment in 1967 on the unity of Nigeria.

“Nigerians want a country that is united on mutually agreed terms and not the present defective structure. The IYC calls on President Buhari to wake up and face the reality of the situation and stop relying on outdated notion of Nigeria’s unity.

Nigerians demand renegotiation”, the group noted.

Makarfi

PDP crisis may be over soon Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

ÏÏÏA

strong indication has emerged that the leadership crisis, which has been rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for some months, may be resolved soon.

This is because the two main combatants involved in the leadership crisis within the fold of the opposition PDP-Senators Ali Modu Sheriff and Ahmed Makarfi-have reportedly commenced talks on how to resolve the crisis.

The former National Chairman of the party, Senator Sheriff, it was gathered, has had a change of mind concerning his hitherto hard line stance on the leadership crisis in the party.

The former National Vice Chairman (South-South) of the party, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, confirmed this at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday when he said that Senators Sheriff and Makarfi groups have been discussing.

Sheriff, it would be recalled, has been insisting that he remains National Chairman of the party in spite of the fact that three separate court judgments upheld his removal from office by the national convention on May 21, this year.

Ojougbo, a Medical Doctor and former member of House of Representatives from Delta State, maintained that both groups have been discussing.

His words: “I want to make this point clear, the caretaker committee that is represented and led by Makarfi and Ali Modu Sheriff-led PDP have been discussing.

“We have been looking for ways to make peace,” Dr. Ojougboh said.

The former National Vice Chairman of the PDP, who was recently named by Sheriff as his deputy, however, did not mention the names of members of the reconciliatory committee.

The Sheriff ’s group, he disclosed, has submitted its terms for peace to the intermediary.

Continuing, he added: “We are insisting that Sheriff must be recognised as the chairman. The condition for peace is very interesting.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, July 8, 2016

13

Opinion 14

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, July 8, 2016

Forget the law, take care of the poor

L

agos is a fascinating city that holds immense imaginations, dreams and possibilities for many who encounter it.

It is the place where hopes are born, where hopes die, and dreams yield to the geniuses of those who overcome bitter warts and ends to live the good life and attain the level of grace by merely knowing and encountering the wealthier Lagos.

Ask those, who, having fled the poverty and misery of their birthplaces, are drawn to the klieg lights, welcomed by the statue of the Eyo masquerades to the vast opportunities the city offers. And they seize them. These are the rag-to-riches folks who render testimonies of their conquests, sing and dance to praise songs, roll on altars in appreciation of what God and Lagos have done them in mega churches.

This is the Lagos of Linda Ikeji.

Yet, there are those who fled their birthplaces in search of the Golden Fleece who end in shanties erected on stilts raised above the brackish waters of the lagoon, or in the margins of the metropole that are merciless and punishing.

Lagos isn’t idyllic, even by any stretch of meaning one gives to the adjective, idyllic.

Visit Lagos you’ll find what passes as sad antonyms of the idyllic: the chaos of the Lagos traffic, the Venice of Lagos- the slum dwellings of Ijora-Badiya, Otto Ilogbo and Ajegunle and the floating shanty of Makoko- brackish waters, shunned by sunlight and befriended only by human waste at night. There are criminals, prostitutes, petty thieves, burglars, carjackers, armed robbers, pickpockets, swindlers, money-doublers, area boys- those left behind by the wealthier Lagoshere, who morph into decent beings at dawn, and there are those who simply do their hustles on the streets- they are neither criminals nor area boys- by hawking wares.

God bless their hustles.

This Lagos of Ijora-Badiya is akin to the one that the famous American journalist, John Gunther described in his famous work, Inside Africa, as the “catacombs of filth”.

A word here. One can forgive John Gunther for extrapolating the “cardboard city” he viewed from the old Carter Bridge. Perhaps he didn’t catch a glimpse of Ikoyi of colonial Lagos when he described the city as the catacombs of filth.

The poet, Femi Fatoba, once described Lagos thus: “Lagos is like crab/in a basket/each stepping in the other/each pulling the other down/in order to get up/that is how

Lagos is/tough is Lagos/difficult is Lagos”.

The crab mentality is ever pronounced in places where resources are scarce, where opportunities are limited and folks get by, struggle to climb and arrive the summit of the food chain by pulling each other down, by stepping on each other.

Getting by and surviving Lagos is a bruising experience even in the best of economic times. Climbing to reach the summit of the food chain is even more bruising for those who crouch at the foot of the food chain, without strength, without courage, without belief that they can climb beyond the foot of the food chain and don’t come crashing into their miserable earth like Humpty Dumpty.

Lagos state, for all its claim to excellence, subtly implicated in Fatoba’s poetic rendering, is as guilty as the crab in the basket. The toughness and difficulties of Lagos are often quadrupled by the sinister actions of the government of Lagos state.

Take the decision to forcefully remove traders and hawkers from the streets of Lagos as one of the many difficulties poor folks who fight for better life for their families and dependents by eking out their livelihoods on bitter streets- just to place food on the dinner table- have to contend with.

Lagos is a basket case of how a state becomes repressive, shows no compassion in the way it deals with those who cannot run the rat race, cruel in its public policies, brutal with its legal regimes, when so much is needed to relieve the poor of the pain they feel each day in our country.

When Lagos state chooses to remove beggars from the streets of Lagos, as it shamefully did a few years ago as part of the execution of its environmental law and the beautification of Lagos, and embarks on the more devious task of removing street traders and hawkers from the sources of their livelihoods, one is assured that it is madness that is at work.

The poor of Lagos can only be cautioned, warned to be afraid, be very afraid, here.

Environmental laws proceed from the public policy idea that street trading and hawking blight the beauty of our cities. While it is conceded that street trading and hawking have negative implications for the environment and urban beauty, our public policymakers neglect or willfully refuse to balance the gains of the informal market against social policy needs.

The problem, here, is the lack of creative thinking inside the governments of our country.

Elsewhere, we see how the gains of the informal market are balanced against social policy needs. Take Vietnam, a country with one of the highest FDIs and GDPs in Asia, where public areas, streets and the inner rings of cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Mihn are mapped out and marked for street vendors and traders thereby enhancing great trading experiences, businesses, economic activities, urban and city life. There, deliberate legal and policy regimes allow trading to take place on named streets and fixed sidewalks in a regulated way.

Walk the street of Nguyen Van Chiem in downtown Ho Chi Mihn City, you will witness how the legal regime on street trading makes public health and safety regulations, public policy on streets management more effective.

By allowing street trading in a regulated way, ancillary policies on revenue generation emerge as well.

In England that I am well familiar with, street trading licenses are issued by local councils to traders and it is for this reason one finds street traders doing their hustles during the Nottinghill Carnival and at the prestigious horse racing event, The Royal Ascot, where Kebabs, racing annuals, hats, betting coupons, hospitality packages and sometimes unofficial tickets are hawked and sold under the very eyes and noses of officers of the Thames Valley Police.

Imagine the revenue that accrues to the local councils from licensing and think about the internally generated revenue profile Lagos state would acquire if street traders were licensed. Think: ancillary legal and policy regimes would emerge to safeguard public health and safety.

The regulated regime of street trading is a WIN-WIN for all- the government and the governed, and not the blanket ban Governor Ambode insists on.

Lagos state government, far from the excellence it attaches to itself, is emerging as the most dangerous enemy of the poor- an enemy whose objective is to wipe the poor out of the face of Lagos.

There is no logic in seeking to wipe out poor street traders, or restrict their trade, when the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 ( as amended) provides that “the state shall direct its policy towards ensuring that all citizens, without discrimination, have the opportunity for securing adequate means of livelihood as well as adequate opportunity to secure employment”. The operative phrase here is: all citizens have the opportunity for securing adequate

means of livelihood; but, then, the forceful removal of street traders and hawkers raise the questions: how does the removal of street traders and hawkers enhance the opportunity for securing adequate means of livelihood? What will become of these street traders and when they are removed from their sources of livelihood.

Governor Ambode has not provided identifiable figures of jobs he has created since he assumed office, instead he exhibits a Promethean behavior towards the poor and displays scant regard for the urgency of the problems that confront them.

There is a wider point that touches on the purposes of government here.

Government exists for two important purposes: first, to secure the prosperity of every citizen; and, second, to provide “suitable and adequate food” for all citizens.

For the Lagos state government the best way to secure suitable and adequate food for the poor of Lagos is to remove food from the mouths of those who secure their adequate means of livelihood by hawking wares in the streets. What an irony!

Governmental actions shall be humane, says the Constitution.

Even where governmental laws and policies are less humane, those who run governments in our part don’t have the luxury of enforcing and executing laws and policies in a manner that robs poor citizens of their humanity, nor does power entitle them to turn the arc of governance away from poor folks writhing under the weight of poverty and hunger to wholly evil ends.

The arc of governance should rightly bend towards that benign place where life remains the true living of it and happiness, peace and comfort are purchased at a giveaway price- or for free!

Every anti-people law, every antipoor policy, not only pushes the masses of the people to the wall, it carries with it the danger of revolt.

Remember: when the poor are shoved and pushed, they don’t wait for Moses to help them cross the Red Sea of pain. They seize the moment, parting the Red Sea to reach their destinies.

The Lagos State Street Trading and Illegal Market Prohibition Law does not serve as a source of comfort to those poor street traders and hawkers whose livelihood is ruined when they are forcefully removed from the streets, or jailed.

It is well and good for those who ruin the livelihood of the poor to insist that removal is an inescapable demand of the law.

Forget the law, take care of the poor in our midst.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, July 8, 2016

15 Opinion

Can President Buhari stoop to conquer?

S Williams Bozimo

tooping to conquer is neither a virtue nor a vice. However, in rare circumstances, leaders often find it appropriate to step down from their high horses to ensure that whatever plans he has could be achieved through the bending of certain rules without losing his face and dignity.

It is often in the nature of ossified mental makeup and militarized trainings that certain former military rulers find it difficult to compromise on their austere attitude to life for the sake of wanting to be called a man of integrity.

The present scenario where President Buhari is facing the true test of his life is caught between bending the rules to achieve peace in the National Assembly where the two principal officers Dr. Bukola Saraki, the Senate President and his second in command Chief Ike Ekweremadu would be in court to try and absolve themselves of the twin charges of forgery and corruption in alleged changing of the Senate rules of engagement in

the selection of its leadership.

Bowing willy- nilly to the dictates of the hawks in the APC who may he played a major financial role in funding his presidential elections in 2015, they felt peeved by the fact that the names penciled down for the two positions were never considered. Sot they want to take a pound of flesh from Saraki and push him down the dustbin of political history.

The second, and perhaps, the more pressing brewing revolt on his hands is the arrival of a brand new outgrowth of militants whose major concern is to reduce Nigeria’s oil bearing capabilities from 2.6 million barrels a day to an all- time low of between 750 and 800 million barrels a day.

The President’s initial reaction was a resort to gunboat diplomacy and out- right military action to level the communities, the people and all the pipelines from air and sea since there is no land accessibility to the mangrove swamps.

Agreed, the Boko Haram impasse, though partial nipped in the bud is yet to be fully accomplished.

Occasional snipers still wag their

tails from time to time and Nigerian soldiers still engage them as soon as they pounce and bounce around the spaces in North East.

Recently, the Niger Delta Avengers, the neo- revolutionary group in the Niger Delta, seizing on the heels of the successful referendum by the people of UK to pull out of the European Union did it successfully and the Prime Minister, David Cameron who had described Nigeria and Afghanistan two fantastically corrupt countries in the world had politely agreed to step down from office as Prime Minister

by October.

These seem to be tough demands from a revolutionary group seeking for a Republic within the zone that produces 90 per cent of the wealth of this country.

It is a big bone crossing the throat of Mr. President, which he can neither swallow nor spit out without doing incalculable damage to his health. Secondly, the Oath of office he took on his swearing day to uphold the unity of Nigeria would be difficult to upturn.

President Buhari is between the Deep Sea and the Devil.but surpris-

ingly, he had pleaded with the Avengers to come to the table for a peaceful resolution of the crisis.

On the part of the Avengers, the point had been made sufficiently loud enough to for all Nigerians to appreciate the gravity of their demands and the damage they had caused the oil industry.

Two key demands seem to catch my fancy. The call for the implementation of the conclusions of the Abuja 2014 National Reform Conference is applicable to all parts of the country. In addition, the damming demands for 60 – 40 ratios for the Oil block distribution is fair enough for equity and fair play.

When holding talks there must be some give and take on both sides for the parties to arrive at a a workable and implementable process without rocking the boat.

We all believe in jaw jawing as opposed to war- warring. At the end of the day we need peace to implement some of th agreement and without money in the coffers of the country, even running the Amnesty programme would be a pipe dream, especially, when all the gas and oil pipes are damaged beyond repairs.

Abia: Stoking crisis and anarchy

W

“

Okechukwu Ukegbu

hen evil men plot, good men must plan.

When evil men burn and bomb, good men must build and bind.

When evil men shout ugly words of hatred, good men must commit themselves to the glories of love.

Where evil men would seek to perpetuate an unjust status quo, good men must seek to bring into being a real order of justice”, -Martin Luther King Jr (1929 - 1968).

I made efforts to restrain adopting the above headline to explain the drama going on in Abia State until a friend; Emeka Umuagbalasi called to to register his grievances. He did not hesitate in describing the crisis as “ an invitation to anarchy”.

In Umeagbalasi’s argument,” once a law is written, it defies argumentation”. The summary of his position is that Okezie Ikpeazu remains the Governor of Abia State. The two conditions, which Umeagbalasi posited, that can strip Ikpeazu of this position are: If the Supreme Court says otherwise or he decides not to exercise his right to appeal.

Umeagabalasi’s position came on the heels of a statement from

the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice urging the parties in the crisis to await court’s decisions.

The statement debunked rumours that the AGF was behind the legal logjam, especially that he ordered INEC to issue Certificate of Return to Dr. Uchechukwu Ogah declaring him GovernorElect.

The Abia episode is part of the trial the current democratic dispensation has been subjected to since in 1999. Several attempts have been made to truncate it by some undemocratic forces. Democratic institutions that have the constitutional mandate to protect democracy have abused such mandate. The democratic process has been seriously battered. Mandates vested on leaders have been brazenly truncated.

A sitting governor was abducted by some undemocratic forces. In 2003, a team of police numbering about 200, led by the then Assistant- Inspector General of Police, Zone 9, Raphael Ige, abducted former governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chris Ngige, and held him hostage for five hours after which he regained his freedom.

Anambra State parliament, claiming Ngige had resigned, ordered the Chief Judge to swear

in Deputy Governor Okechukwu Ude, who immediately assumed the functions of the governor.

Since December 31, 2015, there have been attempts by some undemocratic forces to tamper with the mandate of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.The Court of Appeal, sitting in Owerri and headed by Justice Oyebisi Omoleye, had on December 31 last year removed Ikpeazu and declared Alex Otti of the All Progressives Grand Alliance winner of the April 11 and April 25 supplementary elections.

The same judgment also disenfranchised 300,000 voters from Obingwa, Osisioma and Ugwunagbo local government areas.

Thank God, thejudgement could not stand as the Supreme later upturned it. The Supreme Court ruled that Mr. Ikpeazu of the PDP won the lawfully cast votes in the April 11, 2015 election.

Advancing its reasons for the judgment, the Supreme Court led by Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed held that the Appellate Court usurped the power of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

As Abians thought that respite has come their way, another shock was unleashed recently when Justice Okon Efreti Abang of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court delivered, ordered

that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu vacate office for allegedly giving false information to INEC by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Justice Abang failed to invite the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue Services to give evidence.

He also contravened section 141 of the Electoral Act 2014 (as amended), which stipulates that somebody cannot be declared winner when he did not participate in all stages of the election by declaring the plaintiff, Dr. Sampson Uchechukwu Ogah, winner.

The judge violated the right to fair hearing by embarking on judicial investigation without giving Ikpeazu the opportunity to address the court on the issue.

Hardly had the people recovered from the shock, when the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC issued a Certificate of Return to Uche Ogah in defiance of a Notice of Appeal and a Stay of Execution order.

The activities of INEC have put a question mark on its impartiality.

Abians are noted for their peaceful disposition and misinterpreting this may translate to anarchy.

Ukegbu, a public policy analyst, writes from Umuahia, Abia State.

16

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, July 8, 2016

Features

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, July 8, 2016

s

Families groan as Kerosene hits N220 – N300 per litre

NNPC our correspondents While residents of Lagos state are lamenting the seeming unstoppable rise in the price of kerosene as the product hits the N220 per liter mark early in the week, their counterparts in Delta state are groaning as black marketers have hiked the commodity to a record N300 and 350 per litre.

Reports reaching us from our correspondents nationwide state that average families that solely depend on kerosene for domestic energy are the most hit as the alternative source of energy – firewood, has also soared out of reach of many.

Edokpolor Osayande reports that a thoroughly vexed resident in Gbagada, Mrs. Ogbemudia Roseline said she is fed up, tired and frustrated because of scarcity and high cost of kerosene.

“Somebody please help me calcu-

Nigerians in a tight queue to buy kerosene at NNPC station

late it: how can I buy four liters of kerosene for N900 and it will last for only three days?

“I couldn’t cope with the situation anymore, so I decided to change to gas, only to find that the cost of gas has also been increased. I am perplexed,” she lamented.

Chimerije Jonathan, also a resident here, said “I am truly sad about the current increase in kerosene as I sometimes go hungry because I cannot afford the cost.

Most times I depend on NEPA to cook my food with electric stove, but unfortunately, they don’t give light for many days. We the masses are suffering; I wonder what will happen to people like me in a few months if government don’t treat this as emergency.”

A perplexed housewife, Patience Bassey, a resident of Bariga area of Lagos, told our correspondent, “I cannot imagine a litre of kerosene selling for N220 and our government say they are fighting

corruption. See how the price of every commodity has skyrocketed.

“How does government want the common fami ly

Residents in the Local Government town of Obiaruku in Ukwani Local G ove r n ment

like mine to survive?”

D e l t a State

A r e a say their experience is

17

nothing short of a nightmare.

Elder and retired business man, Mr. Sunday Ozhim of Ghana Quarters in a telephone chat with The Daily Times confirmed they are facing untold hardship.

“The filling stations here are selling one litre of kerosene between N160 and N180; but because the stations don’t have it to sell, ordinary retailers who buy from God knows where sell the commodity at between N250 and N300 per litre.

“And the price is escalating almost every day; the price I quoted is as of few days; by the time you go back, the price will not be the same again. Everyone is at the mercy of the black marketers because of the scarcity.”

Confirming the suspicion that the kerosene being sold to members of the public is lighter and suspected to be aviation fuel, Ozhim said there is no doubt that what is sold to the public is not kerosene but something else.

“When we buy five litres before, it used to carry us for five days; but now, it does not go beyond just three days. It is burning so fast that it cannot be kerosene.”

So how are the people taking it?

“Well, those who have been priced out of reach of kerosene resort to firewood, and this has also shot the cost of firewood up.

“The bottom line is that there is not much anybody can do in this circumstance; everywhere you see people just grumbling, but they all continue to weather the situation because we don’t have a choice, and life must go on,” Ozhim said.

A report from Nkiru Nwagbo, our Anambra state correspondent, said kerosene has become a very essential commodity in Awka, the state capital and environs.

“A litre is sold for N200 if you’re lucky to get it at some filling stations. From Awka to Nnewi, people have resorted to using firewood, and as expected, the poor families now comb the bushes in search of firewood because not many families can afford to buy enough firewood to meet their cooking now.”

A retail dealer who spoke with The Daily Times in confidence said that sales have reduced since the scarcity started.

“Customers no longer buy their usual quantity because of the increase. Now that five litres is sold for N1,200, our customers are forced to buy just half of what they used to buy, some buy even less.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

Features 18

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, July 8, 2016

I have reduced my meal to 0-0-1 per day because of kerosene - Ndubuisi CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

BUHARI

Nigeria President

The filling stations here are selling one litre of kerosene between N160 and N180; but because the stations don’t have it to sell, ordinary retailers who buy from God knows where sell the commodity at between N250 and N300 per litre and the price is escalating daily. Everyone is at the mercy of the black marketers because of the scarcity — Elder Sunday Ozhim

The retailer predicts that the way things are going, kerosene may be sold for N250 per liter. Her reason is not farfetched.

“In this business, we make payment to the suppliers to deliver the product and sometimes we wait endlessly for them to deliver.

So whenever the supply is made, the price has to jump up to cover for lost ground.”

Oiza Daudu reporting from Iyana Ipaja area of the state states that scarcity of kerosene is causing untold hardship in many homes.

A widow, Madam Aina Kareem said she is at a loss; “I am a poor widow with five children I’m cater for, but with the current price of kerosene at N220 per litre, how can I cope?

“Now I don’t allow my children to cook anymore so they don’t waste the kerosene in the stove; I now have to cook myself.”

One Miss Gloria Onifade, a petty caterer said she sometimes uses kerosene stove to prepare her chin-chin; “But since the price of kerosene has increased to N220 per liter, I have to raise the price from N50 to N70 and reduce the size a little in other to make a little something for myself and household; but this has reduced sales as customers are complaining. Now, without sales, I will be at a loss. So I don’t even know what to do, sometimes I sell just the transport fare that will take me back home. Where will I run to? I am in my own country,” she said.

“I can’t cook or buy food any

Kerosene lamp now a luxury

more as kerosene and foodstuffs have risen out of my pocket,” a small time washer man, Ndubuisi Okadigwe lamented. “I can’t even make eba because one has to have enough kerosene in his stove, so I have reduced my meal to 0-0-1 per day since I cannot go hungry to bed,” he said.

Officially, Kerosene was meant to sell at N50 per litre, but politics and cartels in the oil marketing had caused the price to rise and had continued rising.

During the Petrol Armada 2011 demonstration by the Save Nigeria Group tagged ‘Kleptocracy Unlimited’, former oil empress, Daziani Alison Madueke was named as the brain behind the cartel that raised the price of kerosene to fund the then ruling party and party elections. Now

at over N220 per same litre, black marketers are even warming up to compound the price crisis.

Sources disclosed that the current situation could lead to deforestation, as low income earners who cannot afford kerosene now depend on firewood as alternative source of energy.

No official reason has been advanced for the scarcity. Some oil marketers who spoke to The Daily Times blamed the scarcity and high cost of kerosene on the pricing and supply of the product.

One of the major oil marketers attributed the problem to nonfunctioning of local refineries to full capacity; the marketers also said that the problem could be best solved by the government if the people responsible for this scarcity can be brought to book.

Resuscitating cocoa production to boost national economy God’s Covenant Snr with agency report The effect of the drop in oil price on the average family brings to mind the adage that says, a bird in hand is worth two in the bush.

It also underlines another that says the devil you know, is better than the angel you do not know.

Since the oil we know has disappointed Nigerians and the economy is now begging for diversification, a nation with good memory should not fail to remember the good old days when the old Western Region rose and

went to bed with cocoa which the earth yielded abundantly.

Now there is a general consensus to look inwards and forget the politics of crude oil and the nightmarish corruption that defeated so great a gift from God to Nigerians, it is now proper to initiate realistic ways of reviving the country’s economy.

Economists point out that the country’s mono-product economy aptly explains why the negative trend in international oil pricing has caused a downturn in national income.

The development has consequently triggered dwindling

Cocoa, abundantly sustainable

monthly allocations from the Federation Account to the three tiers of government.

The experts note that the development is the rationale behind the failure of many states and local governments to fulfill their financial obligations, particularly the payment of workers’ salaries.

As governments are battling to find a lasting solution to the current economic challenges facing the country, analysts underscore the need to diversify the economy.

They insist that increased emphasis should be placed on agriculture, the erstwhile mainstay CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, July 8, 2016

19 Features

Nigeria has no business importing rice Food has been the basic sustenance of man, after air we breathe.

We think food, we talk food and any nation that cannot feed itself cannot claim to be a sovereign nation. If you see the amount of money government is spending on food imports, you will understand why the economy is in serious crisis — Arosanyin

The famed Cocoa House in Ibadan, Western Nigeria

Cocoa production requires no drilling, refinery and no subsidy

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

were making better use of cocoa products like chocolate and cocoa drinks.

“What is government going to do? That is why we talk about off-taker, where government buys from farmers, instead of allowing his produce to waste.

“These were the challenges that led to the nosedive in the production of cocoa and some other crops,” he said.

Arosanyin, who is a former chairman of the All Farmers’ Association (AFAN), urged the government to recruit youths, while giving stipends to them, pending the maturation of their farm produce.

He added that cocoa could also be inter-planted with crops like cowpea, potatoes and soya beans, among others, which would mature earlier, saying that such arrangements would enable young cocoa farmers to eke out a living before harvest periods.

“Also, there must be access to credit at single digit rate of between five and six per cent.

“The issue of moratorium should also be examined because most farmers do not have the wherewithal that would enable them to say `let me take loan today and the interest will start to count tomorrow’.

“So, there must be a morato-

of Nigeria’s economy prior to the discovery of petroleum in the country.

At the recent National Executive Council meeting of Golden Cocoa Growers’ Association held at Ilorin, National President of the association, Chief Moses Aliwa urged government to devise pragmatic ways of boosting the economy via improved agricultural production alternative. Chief Moses Aliwa stressed that Nigeria was going through an economic crisis because of the years of neglect of the agricultural sector.

He said that government should strive to encourage the youth to participate in farming, particularly cocoa cultivation, as part of efforts to guard against the country’s economic collapse and growing army of youth unemployment nationwide.

“We want government to provide credit facilities such as grants and loans, which would encourage our youths to go into cocoa farming.

“We also want government to also provide genuine agrochemicals such as pesticides to protect our cocoa farms from pest attacks,’’ he said.

Aliwa, who decried the inabil-

ity of farmers to get market for their produce, also appealed to government to intervene by getting markets for the farmers’ produce so as to avoid post-harvest losses.

He also expressed confidence in the ability of the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, to turn things around.

Nevertheless, one of the trustees of the association, Mr. Umogbai Benji urged government to make improved seedlings available for cocoa farmers across the country.

“There are varieties of cocoa that can produce within 18 months and replace the old ones which have become aged.

“We want government to make it possible for the reactivation and establishment of cocoa seed gardens close to the farmers.

“If every cocoa grower is sure of getting improved cocoa seedlings from cocoa seed gardens, he will acquire and plant them, while expecting a good harvest,’’ he said.

Besides, Benji advocated the inclusion of cocoa drinks in the Federal Government’s school feeding programme.

He stressed the need for Nigerians to eat what they produced, saying that other countries

rium, at least to defer payment of interest in the first year. Let the farmer invest and make profit before government begins to charge interest.

“The issue of collateral should as well be waived. Most farmers do not have land with C of O (Certificate of Occupancy).

“These are major impediments, and government needs to look at them holistically,’’ he added.

Arosanyin then identified one of the major factors hindering the development of agriculture as inconsistency in agricultural policies due to changes in government.

He said that there used to be a ‘policy somersault’ whenever there was a transition in government.

“Each time one government goes and another comes in, there is always a policy somersault, so we move forward and move backward or remain static,’’ he said.

He therefore, stressed that any new government should always review the policies and programmes it inherited, without any form of prejudice or bias, in order to acknowledge the good ones among them and make good use of them.

Arosanyin particularly ad-

vised the youth to explore and use the existing potential of agriculture to their advantage, urging them to also see agriculture as a worthwhile venture.

We should not forget that agriculture used to be the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy before the advent of oil.

“Food has been the basic sustenance of man, after air we breathe. We think food, we talk food and any nation that cannot feed itself cannot claim to be a sovereign nation,” he said.

“If you see the amount of money government is spending on food imports, you will understand why the economy is in serious crisis.

“Nigeria has no business in importing rice, importing fish and the likes. What needs to be done is for government to improve agricultural production by creating an enabling environment for increased participation of citizens, particularly the youth.’’

All in all, stakeholders, including farmers’ groups, insist that agriculture remains the most viable way of boosting the Nigerian economy.

They therefore underscore the need to initiate pragmatic strategies to diversify the oilbased economy into an agriculture-driven economy.

News 20

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, July 8, 2016

Ikpeazu vs Ogah: Abuja High Court didn’t get it right, says Ohanaeze Ukwa/Ngwa

Suspected kidnapper nabbed in Ilorin

Sunday Nwakanma

Kehinde Akinpelu

Umuahia

ÎÎÎAn all Ngwa socio-cultural organisation, Nzuko Ohanaeze Ukwa/Ngwa has allayed Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu’s fear of removal, stating that the Owerri High Court presided over by Okon Abang did not get the judgment right.

Speaking while addressing Gov. Ikpeazu in Umuahia, the group led by an Ngwa elder and politician, Elder Emmanuel Adaelu and the chairman of the

group, Barr. Saint Moses, urged Ikpeazu not to entertain any fears as the people of Ukwa/Ngwa and the entire Abia is solidly behind him.

Speaking further, Adaelu said the people prayed to God and He gave them victory which one man, who did not contest any election, woke up one morning and headed to the court to truncate the victory.

“The multitude of Abians who believe in the Abia Charter of Equity is asking you to be strong.

The court did not get it right and we know that the higher courts will vindicate him”, Adaelu said.

Also speaking, a paramount ruler of Ntigha and the Ezeamara of Ezima Ntigha, Eze Joseph Nwabekee urged the gods of the land to remove any person who would want to remove Ikpeazu from the seat, pointing out that this is the first time in history an Ukwa/Ngwa man would be the governor of the state.

He prayed God not to al-

low that to happen.

In his speech, the chairman of the organisation, Barr. Saint Moses urged the governor not to fear as the governorship position was not given to him free by anybody, but the entire Ukwa/Ngwa people and Abians, assuring him of the support and loyalty of the Ukwa/Ngwa people.

Responding, Governor Okezie IKpeazu described his mandate as divine, stating that as a civil or public servant, he paid his taxes as at when due,

pointing out that he has no fear as God is in control.

He wondered why the plans to truncate the turn of Ngwa people to produce the governor, even as provided by the Abia Charter of Equity, pointing out that Ngwa land produced Aba which is today feeding the economy of the state and also offering the people hospitable environment.

He assured that the higher courts would confirm his mandate.

Fun seekers at the Millennium Park during the Eid-el-Fitr holiday celebration in Abuja… on Thursday.

Ilorin

ÎÎÎA suspected kidnap-

per was on Thursday, nabbed around Adewole area off Agbo Oba Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

Angry mob who suspected the mode of dressing of the suspect, who disguised as mentally retarded person, attacked his victims and snatch their phones while claiming that he found the phone by the road side.

Speaking with our correspondent, the suspect who gave his name as Akeem Ibraheem said he actually dressed like masquerade in celebration of his family masquerade festival.

The suspect who resides at Aiyetoro area along Asa dam road was, however, handed over to B-division of the Kwara state police command.

Speaking on the development, the state police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police Ajayi Okasanmi said the matter would be investigated as expected, while appealing to Kwaran residents not to involve in jungle justice act which will eventually jeopardise investigation.

Greenpeace lists pathway to poverty alleviation in Africa

10 injured, property destroyed as Hausa, traders clash in Asaba

ÏÏÏ New Executive Direc-

ÏÏÏ Hell was let loose in

Sam Nzeh

tor of Greenpeace International, Bunny McDiarmid, has said that a renewable energy pathway and biodiversity protection is crucial to poverty alleviation in Africa.

McDiarmid stated this during a recent visit to the organisation’s Africa office in Johannesburg, South Africa, adding that keeping dirty fossil fuels in the ground in every corner of the world is no longer a choice but an imperative.

McDiamid, whose visit is the first since taking office in April, said Greenpeace Africa is concentrating

its efforts on promoting sustainable development with particular emphasis on policies that support investment and development in clean renewable energy.

Her words: “I came to meet and support my colleagues here in Africa. Promoting sustainable development is the most viable option for not only driving sustainable social and economic changes but important for protecting our common climate. Keeping dirty fossil fuels in the ground in every corner of the world is no longer a choice, it’s an imperative.”

“A quarter of the world’s population has no access to electricity and most of

these people live in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Access to electricity is key to supporting people out of poverty, she said.

“What I heard is achieving 100% renewable energy by 2050 is absolutely possible in Africa. However, it will require a shift in understanding that renewable energy is already a viable solution but it needs to be backed by the policy makers,” added McDiarmid.

Greenpeace Africa is also working, as part of a global effort for a stronger response to stop illegal and unregulated plundering of its vast natural forests and safeguarding its rich ocean resources.

“Just as collective action on climate change is key to resolving a global problem, Greenpeace Africa is calling on African nations to work together to manage and protect these precious resources so that they are there for future generations” McDiarmid said.

Greenpeace International recently appointed two female International Executive Directors. Jennifer Morgan and Bunny McDiarmid took up the reigns in an innovative sharedleadership role on April 4, 2016. They succeeded South African born Kumi Naidoo who had been at the helm of the organisation for five and a half years.

Nosa Ogiugo Asaba

Asaba on Thursday, when traders clashed with Hausa community in the Delta State capital.

In the end, no fewer than 10 persons were reported injured while property worth millions of Naira were destroyed.

Police spokesperson, Mrs. Celestina Kalu, confirmed the incident.

Reports say that trouble started in the Hausa Community along AsabaBenin Expressway popularly known as “Trailers Parking Quarters” with some Dangote Trailer Drivers and some traders over

parking space, thereby resulting to uncontrollable verbal crossfire, leaving the trailer drivers and the traders in a free for all. Another account said that the fracas was as a result of encroachment in portion of the traders by the lorry drivers.

Six people were arrested in the process. According to Kalu, “Our policemen have arrested the situation and six persons arrested and currently helping the police for investigation”.

It was gathered while the fight lasted, the angry Hausa trailer drivers allegedly pounced on one of the traders, beating and inflicted body injuries on her.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, July 8, 2016

21

News 22

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, July 8, 2016

Abductors of Ondo monarch demand N40m ransom ÎÎÎAbductors of foremost

invaded his palace and whisked him away to an unknown destination.

A reliable source informed that the family was, however, pleading to pay N500, 000 for the release of the Oba but that it was rejected by the kidnappers.

The kidnappers of

the monarch reportedly opened the line of communication through his son, Folarin Oyewunmi, who was in the palace when he was abducted on Monday at about 10pm.

It was gathered that the kidnappers phoned Folarin and requested that a recharge card of N40, 000

value be sent to them as a prelude to open discussion on the release of the Oba. They reportedly insisted that until the recharge card was sent, they would continue to keep the Oba incommunicado from the family.

An unspecified amount of recharge card was sent

by the family, after which the negotiation on the ransom commenced on Thursday.

The Oba’s son was reportedly allowed to speak with him to show that he was with them and was hale and hearty.

It would be recalled that 10 unknown gunmen in-

vaded the king’s palace on Monday and whisked him away to an unknown destination.

The abductors on arrival in the town headed straight to the palace of the Oba and whisked him away without any resistance from palace guards or family members.

YONLONFOUN ELIZABETH MODUPE

MRS. EKWUYASI CHINONSO UCHECHI

ONUKWURI KINGSLEY FEMI DICKSON CHIJINDU

LOUIS OKWUDIRI NDEDIGWE

OJETOLA ALANI ADEKUNLE

I formerly known and addressed as LOUIS OKWUDIRI OKORONKWO wish to be known and addressed as LOUIS OKWUDIRI NDEDIGWE. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

I formely. Known and: addressed as OJETOLA ALANI DAVID now wish to be known and addressed as OJETOLA ALANI ADEKUNLE all Former documents remain valid general public should take note

MRS. ISIOMA KELECHI CLEMENTINA

traditional ruler in Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Abiodun Oyewumi, the Laragunsin of Iyasan, have demanded a ransom of N40 million for his release.

The royal father was abducted on Monday by unknown gunmen who

I formerly known and addressed as OLANREWAJU MODUPE ELIZABETH now wish to be addressed as YONLONFOUN ELIZABETH MODUPE all Former documents remain valid general public should take note

OGUNS ANYACHIOMA ESTERVERA I formerly known and addressed as UMAH CHIOMA ESTERVERA now wish to be addressed as OGUNS ANYACHIOMA ESTERVERA all Former documents remain valid general public should take note

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FIDELIA CHUKWU

I formerly known and addressed as FIDELIA ORJIUGO CHUKWU now wish to be known and addressed as FIDELIA CHUKWU all Former!

Documents remain valid general public should take note

I FORMALLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ONUKWURI KINGSLEY FEMI CHIJINDU, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ONUKWURI KINGSLEY FEMI DICKSON CHIJINDU. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

SEUN-ALADE, ADEBUKOLA OLUWATOBI I Formerly known, called and addressed as OKUNOLA, Adebukola Oluwatobi. Now wish to be known, called and addressed as SEUNALADE, Adebukola Oluwatobi. All documents bearing my former name remain valid, general public should please take note.

MRS IPAYE ADEBUSOLA ADERONKE I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS ADEYEMI ADEBUSOLA ADERONKE AND MRS ADEBAYO ADEBUSOLA ADERONKE GRACE NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS IPAYE ADEBUSOLA ADERONKE ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN? VALID GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE

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ABASUMOHITORO MONDAY

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This is to inform the general public that Deed of Assignment registered as 56/56/1609 at Enugu Land Registry belonging to AG HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC. got lost. If found contact the nearest branch of AG Homes Savings and Loans Plc. Signed Management

UNITED WAY NIGERIA

CRUX OF HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION

KOGL WOMEN MINERS WELFARE ASSOCIATION.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Organization has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Amendment of its Constitution under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

The General Public is hereby notified 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.

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

Trustees: 1. BUKAR MOHAMMED- chairman, 2. Esther Sunday -secretary, 3. Aminu Shehu - member.

TRUSTEES: 1 Ahiaba Janet Ojoru. (president) 2,Ahiaba Abigail ojonekwu. (Secretary) 3.Lgono Eunice Eke.( Vic. President) .

4.lgono Sarah Ebi .

5.Adehi Rosemary lgono

Aims: I. To provide technological solutions to health care challenges. .

.Aims To promote unity among the members..

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

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SIGNED : SECRETARY

SIGNED: SECRETARY

THE SAID OBJECTS TO BE AMENDED ARE: A. ARTICLES 3.2 , WHICH IS TO NOW READ AS FOLLOWS: “Such Trustees (Hereinafter referred to as “The Trustees”) shall be not less than three (3) nor more than Ten (10) in number”.

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PROPHETIC MOUNTAIN OF PRAYER AND DELIVERANCE MINISTRY

THE LIVING WORD INTERNATIONAL GOSPEL CENTRE

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The General Public is hereby notified 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.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES: 1.Gboma Steven Onyeomaka -pastor.

2.Moses Uleko Charity - women leader. .

3.Gbakomi Paul - men leader...

4.Orie Tina Agahogho- secretary

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PASTOR BANKOLE OLAYIWOLA FEMI (PRESIDENT) 2. PASTOR (MRS) BANKOLE EUNICE RASHIDAT AYIVONYI 3. MRS ADEDEJI OLUWAKEMI DEBORAH (SECRETARY).

(TREASURER)

FULL MEASURE GOSPEL MINISTERS ASSOCIATION THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990 TRUSTEES: 1) BISHOP HUMPHREY OJINDUKA ERUMAKA (PRESIDENT) 2) REV. JACK EMMANUEL DAVID (SECRETARY) 3) REV (MRS) HULDA ERUMAKA .

4) PASTOR JOSEPH IFEANYICHUKWU OKORO. 5) BRO ECHEZONA EBELENNA OZUMBA. 6) PASTOR SAMUEL UGWUM IHEANACHO. .

AIMS & OBJECTIVES 1) TO PROMOTE SOUND DOCTRINE. 2) TO TRAIN YOUNG PREACHERS TO RIGHTLY DIVIDE THE WORD OF TRUTH.

Aims And Objectives : 1. To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus christ to all nations.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE:1. TO PREACH THE WORD OF JESUS CHRIST WORLDWIDE 2. DELIVERING THE CAPTIVE FROM THEIR BONDAGE. 3. PROGRAM THE GOOD MESSAGE OF CHRIST JESUS.

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 Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION.

SIGNED BY : SECRETARY

SIGNED: SECRETARY

Signed: secretary

CRIMES AND CORRUPTION SOLUTIONS SENSITIZATION INITIATIVE OF NIGERIA THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990 TRUSTEES: 1. GABRIEL JONATHAN ALEKE -PRESIDENT 2. ABRAHAM YISA -SECRETARY 3. ABIAKA GODSPOWER IKECHUKWU 4. ALEKE JOHN 5. ONWE SABASTINE ONWE 6. IGWE LIVINUS 7. ADAMS OZI-MUSA 8. JUDITH AWOKE 9. MRS FELIZARDA AURELIO TOVELA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO EDUCATE THE YOUNG NIGERIAN CITIZEN IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION THE IMPLICATIONS OF CRIME AND CORRUPTION. 2. CREATE AWARENESS BY PROPER MASS ORIENTATION FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL WHETHER IN POSITION OR NOT IN POSITION OF GOVERNMENT, EDUCATED OR UNEDUCATED. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: BARR. NWANKWO CHINEDU NDUBUISI 08037662644

WORD FOR ALL SOULS CHURCH.

LOSS OF LAND DOCUMENT

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

The general public is hereby notified that the original Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) in respect of property with file number MISC 53826, Plot No. 2362 Cadastral Zone A02, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, belonging to Symbol Fashions Limited is missing.

Anybody who finds it should take it to the nearest Police station. AGIS, general public note.

TRUSTEES: 1. REV. NANIMUNACHISO KELECHI DANIEL (PRESIDENT).

2. MRS. KELECHI CHIDINMA (MEMBER).

3. MR. JONATHAN AKUEGBUONWU (MEMBER).

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES TO PREACH THE GOSPEL IF CHRIST. TO TOUCH LIVES AND HELP THE LESS PRIVILEGES IN THE SOCIETY ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, July 8, 2016

23 News

EID-EL-FITR SPECIAL

Eid-el-fitri: Buhari commends military operations in Borno

ÎÎÎPresident

Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, commended the military for the progress recorded in the clearance operations in northern Borno.

This was contained in his Sallah message to the 119 Task Force and Armed Forces Special Forces Battalions’ temporary harbour at Kangarwa.

The message was conveyed to the troops by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur

Buratai, who visited them at the base.

President Buhari acknowledged the impact of the operations on the North-East, and said that Nigerians were proud of them ``grateful for the sacrifice’’.

He said the entire country was behind the troops and praying for the successful completion of their task in the region.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to

troops’ logistics and other needs required to finally clear the remnant of the Boko Haram terrorists on Nigerian territory.

In his address to the troops, Gen. Buratai commended their efforts and urged them to sustain the tempo as they advanced towards other border communities in northern Borno.

“The president is proud of you; he is satisfied with your progress and he conveys his

greetings to you all.

“Since you advanced from Baga, you have made progress and I must commend you for it.

“I am aware of the challenges you are facing and we will address them accordingly.

“You must continue with the good job that you are doing; the remnant of these criminals must be flushed out as soon as possible,” he said.

The Army chief later told

journalists in an interview that more men and equipment would be sent to the unit as they advanced to other hideouts of the insurgents.

He expressed satisfaction with the troops’ conduct since the commencement of the northern Borno operation tagged “Operation Gaman Aiki”.

He said that the operation in the area would be intensified in the coming days as ground forces cleared remnants of ter-

IDP returnees join others to celebrate Sallah in Yobe ÎÎÎInternally Displaced Per-

sons (IDPs) who recently relocated to Buni Yadi, Yobe State celebrated Eid-el-Fitri for the first time in three years after their community was liberated from Boko Haram terrorists by security forces.

The Sallah was peaceful in other liberated communities including Gulani, Gujba, Katarko, Ngirbuwa and Goniri.

A resident of Buni Yadi, Musa Babale, said; ``this is our first sallah celebration here in the last three years, we are happy to have it here at home and peacefully too.’’

Similarly, residents of Damaturu also commended the Federal Government and the Nigerian security forces for consolidating on security gains in Yobe and the North East.

A cross section of the residents who spoke to NAN on Thursday, lauded the peaceful celebration of Sallah across the state.

Malam Sani Abdullahi, another resident of Damaturu, said ``the Ramadan fast, ‘tafsir’ preaching and midnight prayers were conducted peacefully in various mosques across the state’’. ``For the first time in six years, the people of Yobe enjoyed peaceful Ramadan and sallah festivities without gun shots or bomb attacks,’’ he said.

rorists in northern Borno.

“I am here to further raise the troops’ morale in the fight against insurgency.

“We will ensure that the morale remains high amid the momentum and to also keep the initiative on our side.

“This area extends to the border toward Niger and Chad; this is also where these insurgents sneak into the country whenever they are pushed in Niger, Chad or even in Nigeria.

Lamido of Adamawa wants Nigerians to support Buhari Dan Garba, Yola

ÎÎÎThe Lamido of

L-R: Supervising Archdeacon, Oshodi Archdeaconry, Ven. Kolawole Ariire; Mr. Bayo Olarewaju; Mr. Samuel Idowu; celebrant, Mrs. Victoria Olayinka Idowu; Lord Bishop, Diocese of Lagos West, Rt. Revd. Dr. Olusola James Odedeji; Vicar, Archbishop Abiodun Adetiloye Memorial Anglican Church (AAAMAC), Ven. Adelowo Adesina, at the 50th birthday celebration of Mrs. Olayinka Idowu in AAAMAC, Ajao Estate, Lagos... recently.

Nigerians should tolerate other religions - Abia Muslim cleric Sunday Nwakanma Umuahia

ÎÎÎNigerians

have been called upon to embrace religious tolerance and peace, and jettison divisive tendencies among them.

Chief Imam of Umuahia Central mosque, Alhaji Hamza Goni, handed down this advice in Umuahia on the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Fitri. He urged Nigerians to use the period to live in peace and tolerate

other religions and traditions, stating, “irrespective of religion and tradition, we are one bound to live in one country” Goni also called on Muslim faithful to also pray for others, not themselves alone and to offer gifts with what you have to others.

Speaking with newsmen after the occasion, the Sarki Hausa in Abia, Yaro Danladi harped on the need for the rich to accommodate the poor during the season. He advised that

peace should be a guiding factor in the country.

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s earlier in his Eid-elFitri message to Muslims in the state, wished all Muslims, especially those in Abia and Nigeria, well as they celebrate the Eid. He noted with joy the peaceful relationship between Muslims in Abia State and adherents of other religions and called on all of them to continue to promote peaceful coexistence regardless of faith

or tribe. Inter religious harmony will contribute to better understanding and support government’s effort at ensuring a more peaceful state for all citizens and visitors.

Also in Aba, the Chief Imam of Aba Central Mosque, Alh Idris Bashiru, called for peaceful co-habitation of all religions and traditions in the country, while advising the federal government to make welfare of citizens a top priority agenda

Adamawa, Dr. Muhammadu Mustapha Barkindo, has tasked all Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buhari in fighting corruption and insurgency.

Mustapha said this during a Sallah homage paid to him at the Lamido’s palace in Yola to mark this Eid-el- Fitri.

According to him, Buhari is strongly an enemy of corruption and hate any one perpetrating in the act, he believe is on the right tract to safe Nigerian from the present economy brunch that has been rocking the entire economy of the country.

He commented Governor Muhammadu Umaru Jibrilla Bindow for massively engaging in roads infrastructure all parts of the state, making the state to be having a new look.

The monarch insist that the residents of every community should cooperate with security agencies in fighting insurgency, and should not hesitate in exposing any suspected persons.

I won’t allow Adamawa money to be swindled – Gov Bindow Dan Garba, Yola

ÎÎÎGovernor

Muhammadu Umaru Jibrilla Bindow of Adamawa State has said that his administration was out to work for the people of the state, and all resources belonging to

the state is never for whatsoever reason be shared among some selected individuals.

According to him, some elite in the state are not happy for the level of physical infrastructure development being recorded in the state, and are frustrating his efforts because

he remain adamant on not sharing the state’s resources.

Bindow said this while addressing hundreds of people in the state gathered at the Government House to pay courtesies for the one month Ramadan Sallah’s celebration.

He insist that the state’s

wealth it meant for “work and nothing but work for the people.”

“Some people in the state are not happy and comfortable for my adminstration just because I refused to be sharing the state’s resources (Your monies) are now frustrating

my government with all forms of attacks”. He Said He said despite the fact that the country is suffering from brunch economy, the state has awarded the construction of Shelleng and Ganye roads which suffered years of neglect by previous governments.

Buhari

News 24

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, July 8, 2016

NDLEA arrests 63 drug traffickers in six months at Lagos airport Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

Umahi

Ebonyi to give soft loan to farmers Ogodo Mbam

ÏÏÏ

Ebonyi State Governor, Chief David Umahi, has restated the preparedness of the state government to assist farmers by giving them soft loan, seedlings and fertiliser.

He disclosed this at the agricultural summit organised for civil and public servants in the state, and urged them to key into the programme.

He announced that the state would launch one-man, onehectare by next month, establish six mega rice city and rice mills in all the 500 hectares of land acquired by government in every local government area.

Umahi stated that his intention was to make sure that no land was left vacant, adding that he was committed to ensure that the state y did lose its position as the best rice producer in the country.

ÏÏÏ The Chief Executive of the

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (rtd.), has disclosed that the agency arrested 63 suspected drug traffickers with 484.11kgs of drugs between January and June, 2016.

He also disclosed that suspected drug barons also abandoned 336.090kgs of the seized drugs between the same periods.

Abdallah, who also promised to dismantle drug syndicates in the country, gave the assurance as the agency released its scorecard at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, between January and June 2016.

Abdallah said that Nigeria would continue to subscribe to the principle of shared responsibility and international collaboration in dismantling drug cartels.

In his words, “the agency is maximising the benefits of Airport Communication Programme (AIRCOP) by coordinating joint international operations. We will continue to build capacity in risk analysis, drug detection methodology and tracing of illicit drug proceeds.

This is aimed at identifying and dismantling criminal networks”.

The NDLEA boss noted that the agency reacted swiftly to new tactics of drug trafficking by intercepting 22.530kgs of drugs originating from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

“As an intelligence-driven

agency, we realised the sudden use of Dubai as a transit point for cocaine originating from South America and successfully arrested 13 suspects with 22.530kgs of cocaine coming from Dubai.”

According to the airport commander, Mr. Ahmadu Garba, those arrested included 46 males and 17 females.

He gave the breakdown of drugs are as follows; Cocaine, 35kgs, Heroin 8.460kg, Methamphetamine 54.4kg, Ephedrine 6.120kg, Cannabis 5.470kg and Psychotropic substances 374.630kg.

He hinted that 20 suspects were nabbed attempting to export drugs, while 25 were caught importing drugs into the country, adding that 18 suspects were apprehended during

follow-up operations, while 10 suspected traffickers were caught importing 7.695kgs of cocaine from Brazil and 13 other suspects were arrested with 22.530kgs of cocaine from Dubai.

The Airport Commander listed the three abandoned seizures to include 25kgs of methamphetamine going to South Africa, 311kgs of tramadol originating from India and 0.090 grammes of cocaine from Brazil.

Monthly breakdown, according to the Commander, indicated that January was 6.300kgs and with 12 suspects arrested, February 54.760kgs and 10 suspects, March 39.485kgs and 13 suspects, April 28.035kgs and 13 suspects, May 353.945kgs and 13 suspects while June was 1.585kgs and 2 suspects.

Book launch on veteran actor, Lere Paimo holds today in Ibadan Remi Oladoye, Ibadan

ÏÏÏThe

historical city of Ibadan will today pay host to dignitaries from all walks of life who are expected to grace the official presentation of a biography of veteran actor, Chief Lere Paimo.

The book is titled Lere Paimo : “A Quintessential Thespian” written by a seasoned journalist and author Sayo Alagbe/ The venues of the event is Apex Event Centre, Agodi Gate, lbadan, at 12 noon.

While briefing journalists on the event, Alagbe said that the purpose of the event was to celebrate the story and objectives of Lere Paimo theatre life and messages to serve as reference guide for the audience, the theatre scholars, aspiring theatre students and the film industry at large “Lere Paimo remains the scepter of the old and contemporary theatre industry and has done the nation proud both locally and internationally.

“He has also contributed immensely to the socio-culture and tourism development of Nigeria through his unbeatable records in the theatre and movie industry”.

The ever busy Federal Secretariat , in Abuja completely deserted as a result of Eid-el-Fitr holiday celebration… on Thursday.

Lalong, LG c’ttee didn’t give me money or gift – Plateau Speaker

By Chijioke Kingsley, Jos

ÏÏÏ

The Speaker of Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon Peter Azi, has denied rumour making the rounds in the Tin City that Governor Simon Lalong and the Management Committee Chairmen in the 17 Local Government Councils had bribed him with huge sums of money, in order to secure the extension of the tenure of the local government committees.

He stated this while exclusively answering questions from our correspondent on the competency and credibility issues that rocking the Plateau Assembly as

regards the extension of the LG C’ttee and the recent approval for Lalong to access N14 billion loan.

The Speaker was quoted as saying that he first learnt about the loan when he was in Lagos on a conference and quickly called the Accountant General (AG) and the governor for confirmation.

His words, “I learnt about the loan in Lagos and when I called the AG, he said that it was true and that he was preparing to send the relevant document to the State House of Assembly for approval. When I returned from my trip, I met with the Governor together with all the members of the House and the Governor explained to us that there was

a window to access loan from the Federal Government, which would be closing in less than a week and that if the state government did not get approval from the State Assembly in matter of days, it would lose the opportunity to access the loan”, he said.

He said that Lalong explained that the loan would be used to temporarily solve the financial needs of the state, that of the state Civil Servants’ salaries and the pensioners.

“On the issue of the Management Committee Chairmen, the Governor explained to us that people came to him at the end of every two months to tell him that they were interested in becoming

a Local Government Chairman, so by extending their tenure for six months, instead of the usual two months, no one will come to him seeking for such favour until the expiration of six months”, he explained.

“With my age and experience, I don’t think I will lead the people of Plateau astray; I am here to serve my people and not for personnel gains”, he said.

Meanwhile, some Assembly members from the opposition People Democratic Party (PDP), are not comfortable with the recent tenure elongation of the Management Committee members and the N14 billion loan recently approved.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, July 8, 2016

Syrian army declares 72-hour cease-fire

ÏÏÏThe

Syrian army has declared a unilateral 72-hour cease-fire across the country, coinciding with the festivities that mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

Referring to a statement by the military, the official media said the cease-fire would be in effect from 1:00 a.m. on July 6 to midnight on July 8, local time.

The statement did not give details whether the cease-fire extended to military action against jihadists, such as Islamic State and the al-Qaidaaffiliated al-Nusra Front.

Speaking to reporters in Tbilisi, Georgia ahead of the annual NATO Summit in Warsaw, Poland, U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, welcomed the declaration of cease-fire, saying that it offered “a period of quiet in honour and celebration of Eid,” adding that hopefully it “could perhaps be a harbinger of possibilities to come.’’

Kerry appealed to all parties to honor it to allow for some respite in the country’s ongoing bloodshed.

Kerry also said that the cessation of hostilities in

Syria had been a “matter of discussion” within the International Syria Support Group, which Washington cochairs with Moscow.

There was no immediate indication whether rebel forces opposing President Bashar alAssad’s regime would abide by the new cease-fire.

Previous attempts to implement cease-fires in Syria have failed, as have diplomatic efforts to end a five-year civil war that has claimed more than 280,000 lives and forced millions of people to leave their homes.

25 Foreign

Two Dutch peacekeepers killed in Mali

ÏÏÏTwo

Dutch soldiers were killed and another seriously injured during a training exercise in Mali on Wednesday afternoon, the latest casualties in a mission that has become the most deadly place for United Nations peacekeepers to serve.

More than 11,000 soldiers are serving in the Mali mission, which aims to support the Bamako government in its fight against Islamist militants in northern Mali, who have staged assaults in the capital, as well as in Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast.

Corporal Kevin Roggeveld, 29, and Sergeant Henry Hoving, 24, were killed by an exploding mortar shortly after 1130 GMT, the acting head of the Dutch armed forces told a news conference. At least 103 peacekeepers have died

since the start of the mission in April 2013.

“A terrible accident took place in Mali where our soldiers are participating in the U.N. peacekeeping mission,” Vice-Admiral Rob Bauer told reporters. A 23-year-old soldier was operated on in a field hospital before being evacuated.

Some 450 Dutch soldiers are participating in the mission to the West African country, which is meant to help implement a peace deal signed last year between Mali’s government and separatist groups.

Last month, the Security Council voted to increase by 2,500 the number of peacekeepers deployed to the country, with European countries promising to send Special Forces and intelligence experts to support the operation.

Mauritania imprisons anti-slavery activists property. ÏÏÏA wave of arrests in to The government hasn’t

Bashir Assad

US sanctions North Korea for human rights abuses

ÏÏÏThe newly announced U.S.

sanctions on North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for human rights violations is not expected to have any immediate impact, but advocates say the new measures would increase pressure on the repressive state and continue to isolate its leadership.

South Korea, on Thursday, expressed solidarity with Washington’s decision to blacklist the North Korean leader, along with 22 other entities and individuals, for their role in serious human rights violations, hunting down defectors or censorship in North Korea.

“We are expecting that the sanctions will raise the awareness of the international community about the grave

situation of broad and systemic human rights violations in North Korea, while contributing to strengthening related measures and advancing the discussion on this matter,” said South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman Cho June-hyuck.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, said in a statement, “ These efforts send a clear message – not just to the senior leaders, but also prison camp managers and guards, censors, secret police, interrogators, and persecutors of defectors – the world is documenting your abuses, and they will not be forgotten.”

In 2014, a United Nations Commission of Inquiry issued a report documenting North Korea’s pervasive and systematic human rights abuses, including

extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, beatings, forced starvation, sexual assault, forced labor and torture. Many of these abuses, the reported noted, are committed in the country’s political prison camps, where an estimated 80,000 to 120,000 men, women and children are held.

North Korean leader Kim Jong UN

Mauritania have landed antislavery activists behind bars.

Authorities arrested at least nine activists between June 29 and July 3 and denied them access to their families and lawyers, according to Amnesty International.

The activists are part of the Initiative for Resurgent Abolition Movement (IRA), one of the main organisations that have shone a spotlight on the persistence of slavery in Mauritania.

They were arrested following a protest against the forced removal of a group of about 20 Mauritanians, who had been living in a shantytown on the outskirts of the capital, Nouakchott, and were relocated by security forces to a more remote area. The protests against relocation became violent and resulted in injuries to demonstrators and members of the security force and damage

officially responded, and the Mauritanian Embassy in Washington didn’t respond to request for comment on the arrests. However, one of the governors of Mauritania’s capital, Mahy Ould Ahmed, said the IRA arrests were “provoked by a movement known for its extremism,” according to Reuters.

The people removed are of a darker-skinned ethnic group who have historically been discriminated against in the country, according to Sadibou Marong, Amnesty International’s West Africa press officer.

Marong said the land was private and did not belong to those who were living there, but unconfirmed reports said Mauritanian officials were trying to clean up the capital in advance of hosting an Arab League summit this month.

French court jails Rwanda mayors over genocide

ÏÏÏA

French court has sentenced two former Rwandan mayors to life in prison for their part in the 1994 genocide.

Tito Barahira, 65, and Octavien Ngenzi, 58, were found guilty of crimes against humanity and genocide.

They were accused of playing leading roles in the massacre of 2,000 ethnic Tutsis who sought refuge in a church in the town of Kabarondo.

About 800,000 people, mostly Tutsis, died at the hands of Hutu extremists during the Rwandan genocide.

It is the second case of its kind to be brought in France, after Rwandan army captain, Pascal Simbikangwa, was jailed for 25 years over the mass killings.

Attacks on Tutsis in Kabarondo began soon after

Rwandan President Juvenal Habyarimana was killed in a rocket attack on his plane, the trigger for the violence.

Survivors of the church massacre testified at the two men’s trial. Marie Mukamunana said that she lost seven children and her husband, killed by machetes and grenades.

“Someone said ‘don’t waste the bullets’ and they continued with machetes,” she said.

A lawyer for the civil parties in the case, Gilles Paruelle, said: “To kill one man, hatred is sufficient. To kill 1,000, you need organisation.”

Both men had denied any involvement in the killings.

The pair were arrested separately on French territory a few years ago and have been in custody ever since.

26

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, July 8, 2016

Art Review

Maxwell Oditta: One death too many Agozino Agozino, Nichlas Okeugo Maxwell Oditta, my dear editor and friend, I’m still devastated by the news of your untimely death on Saturday, July 2, 2016. It’s unbelievable. This is one death too many. This is one death, just like that of many hundreds of journalists in Nigeria, that might have been prevented, had some of the publishers/’punishers’ been alive to their responsibility towards their employees.

Journalists in Nigeria are the worst treated of human beings.

Why? They are hated, but, tolerated by the government in power; reviled by the public; cajoled by the so-called publishers/‘punishers’ to blackmail their perceived enemies, despite these, they, still, play a vital role to make the society see itself through their news gathering and dissemination.

Nigerian journalists always experience failed promises on the part of these so-called publishers, who take delight in seeing their employees suffer as a result of unpaid salaries and abominable working conditions, while they spend money as if it’s going out fashion on trivial things like girlfriends and wild parties!

This is one death, just like many others, that could have been prevented IF the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) had taken a FIRM stand to really take this issue of workplace conditions up with irresponsible publishers, who, for their selfishness, refuse to pay living wages to their staff, some even refuse to pay the meagre salary regularly. Even, if necessary, such publishers should be dragged to the law court! It’s on record that some publishers owe their staff upward of 24 months in salary, yet such publishers have the audacity to encourage their staff to criticise state governors that owe workers about five months’ salary. That’s hypocrisy of the highest order!

If you are a practising journalist in Nigeria, it is time you cry out loud and fight for your right in terms of better conditions of service. Maxwell Oditta, like many other diligent journalists, who have died, was being owed upward of between 12-24 months in salary arrears by their publishers.

I pray this will always prick the conscience, if any, of these callous publishers.

Oditta, 57 at the time of death, was a colleague of mine at the defunct Moment Newspapers, where the publisher, Moffat Ekoriko, still owes the former staff. As at this

Oditta

moment, a dud cheque issued by him is still available, according to his former staff who now works with another newspaper. Another publisher, Rita Ngozi Moses, of the defunct Newname Newspapers, would, allegedly, recruit unsuspecting journalists, who, after producing an edition of her titles, would, reportedly, be issued dud cheques. She was reported at the Lagos State Police Command, but the ‘Nigerian Factor’ has not seen

her facing prosecution.

Many untold stories abound concerning the plight of journalists in Nigeria. But, unfortunately, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) seemed to be overwhelmed with the situation, but one prays that the Waheed Odusile administration would find a way out of the situation and make those callous publishers pay their debts to journalists. Even the self-established media houses still owe their staff

salaries presently.

Oditta, a diabetic patient, while working for Jimoh Ibrahim’s Newswatch Times, was only paid two months’ salary out of his 12-month arrears, as the Head of Political Desk, he was said to have been a victim of newsroom politics, which led to his sack, when the paper was shut down and eventual death. This guy needed a regular income to have money to buy his expensive drugs, but, a

so-called publisher, alleged to be a chronic debtor to his employees, never bothered to know that some people, like Maxwell Oditta, still depend on that meagre salary to survive, but, he refused to pay as at when due. This is a man who wants to succeed the hardworking Dr. Olusegun Mimiko as Governor of Ondo State in November 2016! I pity the civil servants!

Oditta exemplifies the dilemma of many Nigerian journalists, who work hard for the non-journalist rich publisher, who slave them to eventual death. Some have been assassinated while doing the publisher’s bidding, some have died through road accidents, at the burial, the publisher promises to take care of the widow and children, but, a few months after the burial, you never hear from the publisher or his ‘lap dogs’ again, that, is the lot of many dead journalists! The case of Oditta is one death too many. It is, indeed, a clarion call to the NUJ, led by Alhaji Waheed Odusile, to seek help from the human rights groups to fight the “work-formonths-without pay’’ syndrome in the industry.

Oditta’s death should never be in vain because nobody knows who will be the next victim of “unpaid-but-dead journalist”. After several months of working for a so-called billionaire publisher, who squanders money meant for his staff, promoting his ego, Oditta got peanuts -- two months’ salary, which he used in paying his house rent for another year. If such callous act by so-called egotistical publishers is left unchallenged by the NUJ and relevant groups, then journalism and journalists are doomed.

Chimamanda unveils Airtel’s reading for leading campaign Tony Nwakaegho Award winning writer Chimamanda Adichie, recently flagged off the Airtel Reading for Leading Campaign aimed at helping underprivileged children in public primary schools and providing them with access to relevant, high-quality text books.

The event held at the Airtel corporate headquarters in Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos, was attended by children of Airtel’s pilot adopted school, Oremeji Primary School 2, Ajegunle, Lagos.

Speaking at the event, the writer encouraged the children to develop a love for reading, noting

L-R: Owolabi, Adichie and Adeniran, during the event.

that reading will make them better, more rounded and improve their vocabulary as well as oratorical skills.

She particularly advised the kids to read story books and other fictional literature, saying that

prose and imaginative narrative play a pivotal role in building, nurturing and developing young minds.

Chimamanda, author of Americanah, Purple Hibiscus, Half of a Yellow Sun and the Thing

around Your Neck, also commended Airtel for supporting primary education and for creating solid educational opportunities for underprivileged children.

Also speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, who was represented by the company’s Human Resources Director, Gbemiga Owolabi, noted that Airtel is not just passionate about education, “we are also intensely interested in helping children especially underprivileged kids to succeed, actualise their dreams and become the true leaders of tomorrow.’’

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, July 8, 2016

27

Art Review

Behold the champions from Sophia

The students at the event

Agozino Agozino Students of Sophia Group of Schools (SGS), Lagos, have confirmed that they always live up to the meaning of the Greek word, which the school was named after, ‘Sophia’, that means ‘wisdom’.

The students held parents and other well-wishers spell- bound with impressive theatrical and music presentations during their 31st valedictory service/ speech and prize giving day, which took place at the school’s premises, 3, Idowu Ajao Street, Anthony Village, Lagos.

Weekend Poem BROKEN HEART Like the strong west wind, It sweeps me off my feet Like a sharp edgy sword, It gives pain hard to endure It could be cruel But not a fool It could be amazing Yet unhealthy Like an unwanted plant, It grows when not wanted Like the morning dew, It lightens the atmosphere It comes so suddenly Disobeys all orders It breaks rules and doesn’t surrender The feeling so strong Its reward intriguing It gets me intoxicated So I dance to its rhythm Forgetting its disappointment Now, I’m left with a broken heart.

Written by Victoria Akuba

Call it by any name, but for the staff, students and parents of the college, the event was not only a dream come true, but one which had promised to continue every year. “The essence of the presentations is because we, as a school, believes strongly that as leaders of tomorrow, our students need to be properly equipped with of holistic knowledge ”, said Mrs. Kofoworola Williams Lawani-Onitiri, the proprietress.

She congratulated the students for their academic outstanding performances in Lagos State, especially, durng a recent Television quiz in which the students performed very well.

Mrs. Lawani-Onitiri also reasoned that the secret behind the school’s success is its philosophy that when a right foundation is properly inculcated in the students, they can become a veritable tool for creativity, adding that Sophia Group of Schools

is working in this direction because it believes in the saying that the ‘’young shall grow.’’

“At Sophia Group of Schools, we are a purpose-built school.

We also believe that every child is a star” she said and that the school did not just embark on the programme by chance, but it was a part of its commitment towards developing a holistic education. She advised schools in Lagos to take serious the issue of laying strong academic and spiritual characters in students, and argued that “no nation can develop if the future talents are neglected, especially at the younger age”.

Sophia Group of Schools, according to her, was established in 1985. Since then, balancing academics and creativity has been one of the school’s primary objectives. “We envision this in our curriculum, and that is what these presentations are all about”.

But for Segun Ikuomola, Vice President (Academics), also a teacher, and one of the core facilitators, the event could not have come at a better time. Ikuomola, said that the curriculum of the school is one every parent should be happy with. “We believe that by exposing our students to wide areas of knowledge, it will help them to develop sound academic balance, this is what you see in other parts of the world”.

He advised families to expose their young ones to the school, believing that this could go a long way in helping the child in future.

Earlier, Monday Akpan, the English teacher elaborated on the school’s beneficial curricular activities which are specifically crafted to develop every aspect of the growing child “these activities are designed to give the pupils a broad and interesting education and an advantage

Chika Unigwe on judging panel of Man Booker Award winning writer Chika Unigwe will serve on the judging panel for the 2017 Man Booker International Prize. The panel was announced on July 7.

Ms. Unigwe is the author of critically acclaimed novels On Black Sisters’ Street and Night Dancer. She is also the creative director of the Awele Creative Trust and

sits on the board of Writivism.

For the Man Booker International Prize, she will be joined by translator Daniel Hahn, award-winning poet Helen Mort, Turkish author, academic Elif Shafak and Edinburgh International Book Festival director Nick Barley (chair of judges).

The prize, reconfigured

last year as a merger between the Man Booker International prize and the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize, was previously awarded for a body of work as opposed to an individual title. It is now awarded for the best translated book of the year published in the UK between May 1, 2016 and April 30, 2017.

Unigwe

Mrs. Onitiri

over their peers elsewhere”.

To add colour to the event, the students presented processional hymns, philosophical talks, songs by the choir, orchestra, counselling with the presentation of awards and prizes to students later.

Islam 28 Islamic

Point of View

Ramadan: What next?

Subair Mohammed Aliamdulilah! for the completion of another journey of soul cleansing and supplication through 30 days of fasting in the month of Ramadan.

May Allah reward us with the best of rewards, amin.

In the course of our fasting, many Muslims have succeeded in guarding against all sorts of corruptions, sinfulness and evils, and attained purity of the soul which have resulted in positive changes in individuals lives, characterised by improved faith, bountiful blessings, perfect worship and good morals.

However, while looking forward to another Ramadan fast Insha Allah, how best should we carry on with our daily activities?

Should all the steadfastness and flawless deeds which we practiced during the month of Ramadan diminished to nothing?

Allah commanded all Muslims in Quran 15:99: “And continue worshipping your Lord, till death comes to you”. This means we should not withdraw from being pious, but should continue with piety as we did during the month of Ramadan. If we withdraw from piety and our duties to Allah, it means we are hypocrites and ungrateful creatures, and an ungrateful soul is a tool of Shaytan (Q17: 26-27).

Also, Allah warned that “If anyone withdraws himself from the remembrance of Allah, (after Ramadan) We shall appoint for him a Shaytan, to be an intimate companion to him”.

Q43:36 There are many lessons contained in the month of Ramadan, and if we want to be successful, we must not forget the lessons, but should let it be our watch-word, and should also reflect in our daily activities. Allah advises us in Quran 47:35: “Be not weary and faint-hearted, crying for peace, when you are upper-most, for Allah is with you and He will never devoid you of the reward of your good deeds” Prophet Muhammed (saw) said: “Every good deed of the son of Adam is multiplied in reward 10 to 700 times except for fasting, for it is for Me and I Allah will grant the reward for it, he leaves his passion and food for My sake…”(Bukhari & Muslim).

However, this will only materialize if we uphold the lessons of Ramadan and worship prescribed by Allah and His messenger and do not forfeit the fast by returning to sinful acts and negligence of ibadah in Islam and disobedience to Allah’s commands and prohibitions which we have guarded against during the month.

And Allah knows best!

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, July 8, 2016

Cleric advises Muslims to desist from misinterpreting teachings of Islam An Ibadan based religious leader and President of Ajagun Esin Consultative Forum(AECF)Professor Sabit Ariyo Olagoke JP has called on Islamic adherents to desist from trivialising the teachings and understanding of Islam.

According to Prof. Olagoke, many Muslims trivialise the cause of Islam to the delight of the people from other religions who are ready to convert them into their own fold.

Olagoke observed this while delivering a lecture titled “Practising Purposeful Islam: An antidote to Islamic Value Erosion” at Apapa Central Mosque Akinyele,Ibadan during a fund raising for the completion of the mosque.

He noted with regret that many Muslims live by mere

conjecture without internalizing the subject matter of the scripture on guidance, clarification, truth, teaching, doctrines, tenets and admonition to stand the test of time against the challenges of office and service in the nearest future.

He said “It is when adherents of Islam become conscious of the pre-requisite demand for Muslims that they would be able to salvage the cause of Islam and resuscitate its glory from the bastardized value erosion state of a non-functional instrument of development amidst us in Nigeria and many of our likes in the world.”

Olagoke believed that practicing purposeful Islam would address and solve problems as well as being an antidote to its value erosion.

SAYINGS OF THE PROPHET “He who observes As-Saum (fast) in the month of Ramadan, and also observes As-Saum for six days in the month of Shawwal, it is as if he had observed AsSaum for the whole year” Source: Muslim

Eid Message: MSSN Lagos urges leaders to be transparent, accountable The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Area Unit has urged leaders in Nigeria to be transparent and accountable in governance.

The Amir (President) of MSSN in Lagos State, Saheed Ashafa, said this in a message to congratulate Muslims on the 1437AH Eid-el Fitri.

Ashafa counselled both followers and leaders in Nigeria to emulate the transparent and accountable attributes of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Upon Him).

The students-leader explained that Nigeria would witness tremendous growth if both leaders and followers were ready to sacrifice for the country.

He said, “We rejoice with all Muslims and thank Allah for making us to witness another Eidel Fitri on earth. In the spirit of celebration, it is important not to forget the essence of Eid-el Fitri, among which is sacrifice. If all and sundry adhere to the teachings and virtues of Eid-el Fitri, Nigeria won’t be in its pitiable state today.

MSSN seeks corporate support for developmental project Stories by Subair Mohammed Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Area Unit has appealed to private organisations to assist in the development of youths in the country.

The Amir (President) of the group, Mallam Saheed Ashafa, made the appeal during a Ramadan visitation to BUA International Limited at Victoria Island, Lagos.

Ashafa, who led a nine-man delegation to BUA, said private companies need to assist the government in empowering the youths and one of the ways to achieve this according to him, was through supporting the actualisation of the Human Capital Development Centre (HCDC) project located at Noforija, Epe, Lagos state.

Ashafa said, “We appeal to private organisations and individuals to support the completion of our HCDC. We believe that when the project is completed, it will help to build youths in key areas that will in turn enhance national development”.

While presenting a short documentary of the proposed HCDC, Chairman of the project, Engr.

Kaamil Kalejaiye, who put the project cost at N1.2billion said supporting the actualisation of the project would help in positioning Nigerian youths to discharge leadership role in the most sublime manner.

He added. “The HCDC is being

General Manager, Cement Expansion, Africa, Mr. Suleiman Ali of BUA International Limited during the presentation of the HCDC documents to the group by President of Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Area Unit, Mallam Saheed Ashafa... recently

developed to provide multidisciplinary leadership training for Nigerian Muslim youths, as a mark of continuous contribution to national and community development in areas of academic excellence, spirituality, intellectualism and morality.

“The centre, when completed will enable the training of 30,000 youths on various skills in a year.

These multi disciplinary trainings include employability skills, vocational skills, leadership skills, Qur’an memorisation” According to Kalejaiye, some of the immediate facilities needed on the site are 5000 capacity multipurpose hall, mosque, female dormito-

ry, perimeter fence, water distribution system, 2000 plastic chairs and four large size tents.

Speaking on behalf of the Chairman, BUA Group of companies, Alhaji Abdul-Samad Rabiu, the company’s General Manager, Cement Expansion, Africa, Mr. Suleiman Ali, commended the effort of MSSN Lagos in youth development.

He said the company would support the development of the youth and contribute its quota after digesting the proposal.

During the visit, members of the MSSN Lagos were attended to by a five-man delegation led by Alhaji Ali while the delegation of

the MSSN Lagos was led by Amir Ashafa.

Earlier, Ashafa presented the society’s major programmes to BUA group which include; Young Managers Quiz competition, Qur’an Memorisation competition, Camps and Iftar5000 among others.

Other members of the delegation from MSSN Lagos are Ishaq AbdulAzeez, Vice President; AbdulKabir Kuye, Financial Secretary; Idris Qasim, Public Relations Officer; Abduljelil Adeosun, Administrative Secretary; Saheed Adigun, a Former Editor; and Shakrullah AbdulFatah, who is the Head of Logistics and Transport.

a

NPFL: Balogun relishes draw at Lobi

I

korodu United forward, Kabiru Balogun is in cloud nine after his vital goal secured a point for the side at Lobi Stars.

The Oga Boys held the Pride of Benue to 1-1 draw in rescheduled Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matchday 23 clash on Thursday at the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi.

The hosts scored the match opener through their talisman, Tony Okpotu while petite goal

king, Balogun even scored for his side in the 61st minute to help claim four points off Lobi Stars in the on-going top-flight.

Balogun said he is quite excited to have provided both goals in Lagos and Makurdi that unsettled the Makurdi-based side.

“Of course, everybody is in a celebration and happy mood over the vital point we claimed at the expense of Lobi Stars.

“I’m particularly excited to have provided the goal that earned us the point in Makurdi as well as the goal that gave us the whole three points in Lagos.

“The away draw against a traditional side like Lobi Stars is an omen that a little further push we can overcome the relegation threat starring us in the face at the moment.

“We are greatly strengthened to come back

home to challenge FC IfeanyiUbah for the three points in matchday 26 clash on Sunday.

“I can tell you that only an outright victory will be acceptable to us against visiting FC IfeanyiUbah on our ground in Lagos,” said the Ikorodu United marksman.

The crucial point at Lobi Stars takes Ikorodu United total earnings to 16 points with a game to spare against the Nigerian champions, Enyimba.

Page 29

Friday, July 8, 2016

N

Musa

igeria international Ahmed Musa is expected to join up with the rest of the Leicester squad at their training camp in Austria next week after he has completed his transfer from CSKA Moscow.

The Russian champions have moved quickly to replace the 23-year-old Musa after they agreed a loan move for Ivorian giant striker Lacina Traore.

Another Nigeria striker, Aaron Samuel, could have been his replacement at the army club, but while on loan at the Russian club he suffered a long-term knee injury, which required surgery and he will be out for close to a year.

Traore has featured for Premier League side Everton and Monaco in France.

Musa’s transfer will be announced at the weekend after he has passed his medical.

His transfer fee is out at between 16 million and 18 million pounds and it is a club record.

Musa joins Leicester in

Austria camp Serena battles Kerber in Wimbledon final H older Serena Williams will play Angelique Kerber in the women’s singles final at Wimbledon on Saturday.

Six-time champion Serena, 34, thrashed Russia’s Elena Vesnina 6-2 6-0 in 48 minutes to reach her ninth final.

Fourth-seeded German Kerber, 28, prevented a fifth all-Williams final by beating Serena’s older sister Venus, who looked out of sorts, 6-4 6-4.

In January, the left-handed Kerber beat Serena in the Australian Open final for her first Grand Slam title.

Serena, who is bidding to

match Steffi Graf’s open era record of 22 Grand Slam singles title, simply had too much firepower for her unseeded opponent.

Vesnina, a two-time Grand Slam champion in doubles, looked overawed from the outset, losing the first four games.

The world number 50, playing in her first Grand Slam singles semifinal, rallied but still lost the first set in 28 minutes.

Things got even worse for Vesnina in the second set, the 29-year-old simply unable to deal with the Serena serve, which yielded only three points in the match.

Taiwo, Akabueze

on target in

Europa tie E

x-Eagles stars Taye Taiwo and Chukuma Akabueze were both on target for their respective clubs to advance to the next round of the UEFA Champions League on Thursday.

Taiwo opened scoring for HJK Helsinki in a 1-1 draw with Atlantas of Lithuania for the Finnish club to advance to the next round of the competition on a 3-1 aggregate.

Taiwo scored from the penalty spot after half an hour, before the visitors equalized after 76 minutes with compatriot Nnamdi Oduamadi, who is on loan from AC Milan, starting from the bench.

Akabueze came off the bench to score an equaliser for Odd Grenland of Norway after five minutes at Mariehamn of Finland.

Odd sailed to the next stage on a 3-1 aggregate as a result.

In another Europa League qualifier, unknown Nigerian midfielder Solomon Udo featured for Shirak of Armenia as they beat FC Dila Gori of Georgia on penalties after aggregate scores stood at 1-1.

Friday, July 8, 2016

30

EXTRATIME

Pogba favours Real move over Man Utd – Balague

P

aul Pogba’s priority is to join Real Madrid over Manchester United this summer, according to Spanish football expert Guillem Balague, but Real Madrid are scared they might be priced out of the transfer of the summer.

The Juventus midfielder has been at the centre of summer transfer speculation after his agent revealed initial talks had been held with Real over a move to the Bernabeu.

Having captured three of their four summer transfer targets, United chief executive Ed Woodward has begun negotiations over a £100m deal for the player who was allowed to leave the club for nothing in 2012.

The 23-year-old is believed to be the fourth addition newly-appointed boss Jose Mourinho wants to sign, but

Balague claims the Frenchman has his heart set on Madrid.

“Pogba has made it very clear, to Real Madrid anyway, that he would like to be a Real Madrid player this summer,” he told reporters.

“He has had conversations with Zinedine Zidane and he wants to play for Zidane.

“The problem is Real Madrid feel the kind of money that Manchester United is willing to pay for him is crazy and they cannot match it.”

While Pogba is still on international duty at Euro 2016 with France, his agent Mino Raiola has appeared keen to whip up a frenzy around his client.

Reports in both the Italian and British press claim a verbal agreement between United and Pogba has been reached.

Liverpool accept Ibe bid Bournemouth have had a £15m bid for England U21 international Jordon Ibe accepted by Liverpool, according to sources. Ibe, who joined Liverpool from

Wycombe Wanderers in 2011, has found first-team opportunities limited under manager Jurgen Klopp and started just 12 Premier League matches last season.

Malaga sign Ramirez after Barca exit

Malaga have announced the signing of forward Sandro Ramirez following his departure from Barcelona. The 20-year-old, who joined Barca’s youth system in 2009, has agreed a three-year deal

with Juande Ramos’ side. The Spain Under-21 international won two Liga titles, two Copas del Rey, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup during his career with Barcelona.

Barrow signs Swansea deal Modou Barrow has signed a new Swansea contract. The winger’s new three-year deal represents a 12-month extension on his previous deal and commits him to City until the end of

the 2018/9 season. The 23-year-old became the first Gambian to score a Premier League goal when he was on target in a defeat at Bournemouth in March.

Nainggolan staying at Roma Chelsea’s hopes of signing Radja Nainggolan have been dealt a blow after the midfielder revealed he has no intention of leaving Roma.

The Belgium international had

been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this summer despite signing a five-year contract extension with the Giallorossi 12 months ago.

Pogba

Middlesbrough

capture Jato

Atletico

sign youngster, Jota A

tletico Madrid have announced the signing of promising teenager Diogo Jota from Portuguese outfit Pacos de Ferreira.

The 19-year-old winger joins the Vicente Calderon club for the next five seasons in a fee reportedly close to €7million.

Jota was named the Portuguese Primeira Liga young player of the month twice in 2015-16 after scoring 12 goals in 31 appearances.

He has represented his native Portugal at various youth levels and is expected to be named in the 18-man squad for the upcoming Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

“To be part of this great club has made me feel very proud,” Jota said.

“He is a young player, very fast and vertical, carries the ball very well and has a great run,” Atletico sporting director Jose Luis Perez Caminero added.

“Diogo has a great projection and stands out for his one-on-one ability and his versatility, because he can play in several positions.”

Jota is Diego Simeone’s fourth signing of the off-season along with Fernando Torres, Nicolas Gaitan and Sime Vrsaljko.

Valdes

M

iddlesbrough have completed the signing of former Barcelona and Manchester United goalkeeper Victor Valdes.

The newly promoted Premier League club have confirmed that the 34-year-old has signed a two-year deal at the Riverside.

Valdes arrives at Middlesbrough as a free agent after his contract with United expired. He fell out with former manager Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford and ended up spending a spell on loan at Belgian club Standard Liege towards the end of last season.

Boro head coach Aitor Karanka said: “You can’t imagine how delighted I am because it’s not usual to bring players like him to recently promoted teams.

“I’m really pleased because he is really committed. All the conversations we’ve had he knows why he is here and he is coming to add to what we have.

“He knows how strong this group is. It’s a privilege for us to be able to bring a player like this to the club.”

Prior to signing a contract with United in January 2015, Valdes had a glittering career at Barcelona. The shot-stopper won six La Liga titles and three Champions League crowns in 12 seasons as a first-team regular at Camp Nou. Valdes earned 20 Spain caps between 2010 and 2014, winning the World Cup in South Africa and Euro 2012 without playing a match in either tournament.

Valdes

I

Friday, July 8, 2016

EXTRATIME

31

EURO 2016… EURO 2016… EURO 2016… EURO 2016… EURO 2016… EURO 2016…

I’m not obsessed breaking records —Ronaldo Bale

C

ristiano Ronaldo said he is not obsessed by breaking records and believes Portugal have reached the Euro 2016 final thanks to a team effort after they beat Wales in the last four on Wednesday.

Ronaldo, Portugal’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped international, equalled Frenchman Michel Platini’s record of nine goals in European Championship finals after scoring his teams’s first in the 2-0 win over the Welsh.

“Records are nice. I have broken many records and I continue to do so, with the club and the national team as well, but I’m not obsessed with them because they happen as a matter of course,” Ronaldo told reporters.

“The most important thing was that the team believed we could get to the final,” added the 31-year-old.

“Nobody thought Portugal could get to the final and but we are there, that makes me

proud and happy.”

The three-time world player of the year has been criticised for hogging free kicks and penalties and for remonstrating with teammates when their passes fail to reach him.

“The national team is everything. I want to help the national team as much as I can, not only with goals but also by running and coming back to defend,” he said.

Ronaldo

Open-top

bus parade for Wales

Portuguese press hails goal-hero Ronaldo P

ortugal’s press gave a big salute to Cristiano Ronaldo and the entire national team on Thursday after their 2-0 win over Wales clinched a return to the European Championship final for the first time in 12 years.

Ronaldo’s impressive header early in the second half put Portugal on their way before the Real Madrid superstar saw his shot turned in by Nani soon

after for the team’s second goal.

Fernando Santos’s side had not won a single game in the tournament over 90 minutes until Wednesday’s dominant performance in Lyon.

Ronaldo scored 51 goals in 48 games in all competitions for Real this season and delivered the decisive spot-kick in the penalties during the Champions League final win against

Atletico Madrid. But he had been under scrutiny after a poor start to the tournament in France.

Wednesday’s goal, his third of the tournament, saw the 31-year-old equal Michel Platini’s record of nine in European Championship finals.

Ronaldo started in Portugal’s 1-0 defeat to Greece in the final of Euro 2004 and also when the team

reached the semi-finals four years ago but were eliminated by Spain on penalties.

The Publico national daily newspaper has a photograph of Ronaldo celebrating with his team mates on its front page with the headline: “All that is left is the Cup.” Portugal will meet hosts

Bale expects Wales

to shine at Russia 2018 G areth Bale believes Wales made a nation proud in their unprecedented run to the Euro 2016 semifinals and backed Chris Coleman’s men to reach the World Cup in Russia in two years’ time.

Bale’s Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo ended Welsh dreams of reaching Sunday’s final as he powered home the opener before teeing up Nani for a quickfire second as Portugal emerged 2-0 victors in Lyon.

However, Bale reflected upon an incredible rise for Wales from 117 in the world rankings less than five years ago to their first ever semifinal in a major tournament.

“It obviously hurts now, because it’s fresh, but we’ve been on an amazing journey, which I think the

whole nation has enjoyed,” said Bale.

“I hope they have enjoyed it as much as us.

We want to thank them all for their support, it’s been incredible, our fans and staff have all been incredible.

“These are moments none of us will ever forget.”

Coleman called on his players to maintain the desire that took them so far in France for a World Cup qualifying group featuring Austria, Serbia and the Republic of Ireland which starts in September.

One of Wales’ few regrets was that they went down without one of their star performers during the tournament as Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey was missing through suspension.

Bale

Wales team at Euro 2016.

W

ales will celebrate their Euro 2016 campaign with an open-top bus parade in Cardiff today.

Wales, competing at their first major tournament since the 1958 World Cup, reached the semi-finals before losing 2-0 to Portugal in Lyon on Wednesday evening.

The parade will begin at Cardiff Castle at 4pm and end at the Cardiff City Stadium at 5.30pm, allowing Wales supporters to show their appreciation to manager Chris Coleman and his side.

Entertainment on stage at the Cardiff City Stadium will begin from 5.15pm - including music from Manic Street Preachers - while the players and staff presentation will begin at 6.45pm.

FAW chief executive Jonathan Ford said: “We feel this event is a great way of everyone celebrating what has been a historic period for Welsh football.

“The scenes we have seen both at home and over in France have been fantastic and we hope that our passionate supporters can enjoy another moment with the players to end a memorable few weeks.”

Published by FOLIO COMMUNICATIONS LTD, Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja. email: info@dailytimes.ng Tel: 018447948.

DAILY EDITOR: BIODUN DUROJAIYE

FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2016

VOL. 2. NO.151

Price: N150

Musa joins Leicester in Austria camp

P 29

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M

ikel Obi’s confirmation for the Rio Olympics may force Belgian club Genk to stop Wilfred Ndidi from next month’s summer games as they insist on guarantees from Coach Samson Siasia their player will see first-team action in Brazil.

Ndidi, 19, is one of several foreignbased stars Siasia is banking on to shore up his team for the Olympics after several other players were stopped by their European clubs.

Siasia has already announced that Chelsea star Mikel has confirmed his participation for Rio, which means he is guaranteed first-team place and with Ndidi also now playing as defensive midfielder, his club do not wish to release him only for him to be warming the bench in Brazil when he could be earning his keep in Belgium.

“Genk want assurances Siasia will use their player, if not they do not see the rationale for him to be at Rio Olympics,” a source said.

But an official has reasoned that room could be created for Watford target Ndidi to revert to his old position in central defence particularly as Siasia is rebuilding that position following the long-term injury of Segun Oduduwa.

Mikel’s Olympic participation puts Ndidi in doubt Maradona demands audit Yusuf

Mikel

EURO 2016 RESULT Germany 0 - 2 France

of Argentine FA

Atletico must win

Champions Maradona

League –Cerezo

D

iego Maradona was left furious after a meeting with FIFA’s normalisation committee in place for the Argentine Football Federation (AFA), with the football great claiming talks “went backwards”.

Maradona arrived at the AFA headquarters on Wednesday to meet with Primo Corvaro and Montserrat Gimenez - who are in charge of the committee - to talk about the recent controversies surrounding Argentine football.

The 1986 World Cup winner hoped to sort out the crisis surrounding the Argentina Olympic team, after doubts were lingering over their participation at the upcoming Games in Rio de Janeiro, before announcing their finalised 18-man squad later in the day.

However, after meeting with Corvaro and Gimenez, Maradona left the AFA headquarters on Wednesday less than impressed.

“The meeting went backwards,” Maradona told reporters. “I do not agree with a lot of things they want to do.

“They want to make a fresh start and I don’t want that yet, I want an audit of the ex-AFA president Julio Grondona, and then we start new.

“We continue to be in the same mafia as under Grondona.

There are even paintings of Grondona there.

“I am going to speak with FIFA president Gianni Infantino and if this is what he proposes to me, I will not accept it.”

Maradona had hoped to be part of the coaching staff for the Rio Olympics, after head coach Gerardo Martino resigned from his role on Tuesday.

But it appears Maradona was denied the possibility to be assistant to newly-appointed Under-23 coach Julio Olarticoechea in Rio, saying: “I am angry. It hurts me in my soul.”

Business Times Daily Times Nigeria Friday, July 8, 2016

CBN warns against speculation, says no bank in distress

FG to train Niger Delta youths on agriculture and construction Page B2

Page B3

SON will soon return to port Page B5 – FG

Telecoms tops Nigeria’s ad spend with N16.7bn in 2015 The telecommunications sector retained its lead position as the highest advertiser in Nigeria in 2015 with a combined total expenditure of N16.7 billion. This information is contained in the just-released 2015 Mediafacts, a key media resource for marketing professionals in West and Central Africa.

According to the report, the figure represents 17% of the total advertising spend in Nigeria out of N97.9 billion in the same year.

The report also identified Personal Paid (N12.2 billion), Corporate Communications (N6.3 billion), Banking & Finance (N5.8 billion), Lager Beer (N4.6 billion), Public Service (N3.8 billion), Soft Drinks (N2.8 billion), Cable TV (N2.5 billion), Milk & Diary (N2.2 billion) and Broadcast (N2.2 billion) as part of other top advertising product categories that contributed to the total ad spend. Others are: Noodles (N2.1 billion), Cocoa Beverages (2.0 billion), Skin Cleansing (N1.8 billion), Nutritional Drinks (1.8 billion), Dental care (N1.6 billion), Seasonings (N1.5 billion), Online mall/ Education imparting knowledge & Skill/Malt (N1.4 billion), NSD Powder (N1.3 billion and others (N22.4 billion). The report stated that these are among the top 20

advertising product categories in 2015.

According to the publication, “The top 10 advertisers in Communication and Telecommunications sector in 2015 include:

Sundry Ad (other Inform. Service) – N13.5 billion, MTN - N4.7 billion, Airtel - N4.1 billion, Etisalat - N3.7 billion and Globacom - N3.7 billion. Others are: Nigerian Breweies – N3.7 billion, The

State Government – N3.1 billion, Sundry Advertisers (Services) – N3 billion, Reckit Benkiser Nigeria – N2.7 billion and Procter & Gamble – N2.1 billion.

The report stated: “The top

20 advertisers contributed 64% of total spend and the top four telecom players contributed 17% of the total spend in 2015.”

It also revealed that the total advertising spend recorded in 2015 represented an increase of N4.8 billion above the N93.1 billion documented in 2014.

According to the report, CONTINUED ON PAGE B2

SES’s first satellite monitor study reveals 2.81m TV homes in Nigeria Tony Nwakaegho

UNILEVER

L-R: Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources Lagos, Mr. Wale Oluwo; Unilever Global CEO, Mr. Paul Polman; Chairman, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu and Managing Director, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Mr. Yaw Nsarkoh during an interactive session with Paul Polman, Global CEO, Businesses in Volatile Times in Lagos… recently.

SES, the world’s leading satellite operator, has declared the results of its first Satellite Monitor study on the Nigerian market, which offers insight on the important role SES plays in the growth of the satellite television reach in the country.

The study highlights that SES reaches 2.81 million TV homes across the country, of which 1.69 million are reached directly by SES satellites 1.12 million cable TV homes are fed indirectly by the SES fleet.

In total, there are 33.9 million TV homes in Nigeria, with 8.98 million of them being served by satellites directly and the rest by CONTINUED ON PAGE B2

N’Delta group disappointed over removal of Kachikwu as GMD NNPC Ïd Ɠ ƍƏ Ǝ ƂƄ Ǝ ƅ ƍ Ƈ Ƃ Opeoluwani Akintayo A Niger Delta group has kicked against the removal of former General Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Dr Ibe Kachikwu by President Buhari.

The Niger Delta Indigenous Movement For Radical Change, (NDIMRC) in a statement by its

President, Nelly Emma; Secretary, John Sailor and Public Relations Officer (PRO), Stanley Mukoro on Thursday, said Kachikwu’s removal is a disservice to the people of Niger Delta, saying that replacing him with former Group Executive Director, Exploration and Production of the Corporation, Dr Maikanti Kacalla Baru, is not good enough.

President Buhari on Monday,

July 4,2016, removed Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu from oil-rich Delta State as the Corporation’s executive head.

According to the Group, Kachikwu’s removal is an unfair treatment not only to the hardworking technocrat, but to the entire people of the neglected oil rich Niger Delta Region.

“The whole world is our witness that we raised the alarm in April this year that Dr Maikanti Baru was desperate to be the

GMD of NNPC and was mounting pressure on the President to sack Kachikwu and now we have been vindicated”.

The oil monitoring group said; “We are sad over the unfair treatment of Dr Kachikwu by the President. The former GMD was committed to the total reforms of NNPC of which Dr Baru was against. By the sacking of the hard-working Dr Kachikwu and replacing him with the desperate Dr Baru, it is now clear to us as a

group and the whole world that the President is not serious about his promise to turn NNPC around for the better. The appointment of Dr Baru by the President is not in the best interest of the nation, but to satisfy the interest of the North. The removal of Dr Kachikwu at a most sensitive time, has raised concerns among stakeholders in the region that the administration of President Buhari has remained adamantly unreCONTINUED ON PAGE B2

Business News B2

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, July 8, 2016

Briefs

Bonga spill: Fishermen commend FG for suit against Shell

AGRICULTURAL SUMMIT

L-R: Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Nweze Umahi; Head of Service, Dr. Chamberlain Nwele and former Nigerian Ambassador to Greece, Franklin Ogbuewu, during an Agricultural Summit for Civil/Public Servants in Ebonyi State in Abakaliki … on Thursday.

FG to train Niger Delta youths on agriculture, construction Joy Ekeke

As parts of efforts to combat unemployment and youth restiveness in the Niger Delta region, the federal government has promised to complete a skills training centre in Rivers state to train youths in agriculture and construction.

Senator Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment, stated this in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State while inspecting the NDE Skills Centre located on the outskirts of Port Harcourt, the State capital.

He said that the social safety net programmes were part of the palliatives under the 2016 budget designed to create jobs and enhance wealth creation for the poor and the unemployed.

This was contained in a statement on Wednesday by Barr.

Nnamdi Asomugha, the NDE River State Coordinator.

“The construction of this skills centre began about 10 years ago and was nearly 90 per cent completed before it was abandoned. The centre has also been vandalised twice because of the insecurity in the area. But I shall see to its completion and training of the unskilled youths in the area of agriculture and construction,” he said.

The minister, who had defied the security threat on the EastWest Road to visit the complex, said that he had decided to take the risk by visiting the centre to demonstrate the determination of President Buhari’s administration to addressing the problems of the Niger Delta region.

He said, “You can see that I am the first Minister to visit this centre and I intend to complete it and put it into effective use.

Ngige further assured that the Federal Government would implement its massive job creation

Telecoms tops Nigeria’s ad spend with N16.7bn in 2015 CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1

“the 2014/2015 electioneering campaigns and the successful change in government may have positively impacted on the advertising spends in 2015 as it records a positive growth of about 4.8% over 2014 total media spend.”

It further revealed that the television stations attracted the highest advertising expenditure of N39 billion in 2015. The report also put the advertising expenditure attracted by the print media, outdoor and radio stations at N23.7 billion, N20.1 billion and N15.1 billion; respectively.

The Artisanal Fishermen Association of Nigeria (ARFAN), Bayelsa chapter, has commended the Federal Government for seeking legal redress over the January, 2011 oil spill at Bonga Oilfields.

The government, through the National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) instituted the suit in May, 2016 against Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, operators of the oilfield.

The matter which is at the Federal High Court, Abuja, took that dimension after Shell failed to honour a demand by NOSDRA to pay 3.96 billion dollars (about N1.13 trillion) compensation for

the spill.

The Director, Oilfields Assessment of NOSDRA, Dr Idris Musa, had said that over 40,000 barrels of oil spilled into the Atlantic Ocean and had polluted the waters, compelling fishermen to suspend fishing.

Chairman of the fishermen’s association, Elizabeth Egbe, told the media on Thursday in Yenagoa, that steps taken by NOSDRA to get redress for communities and fishermen affected by the spill were commendable. ``For the first time, government has taken a giant stride by taking Shell to court to seek compensation for fishermen and communities in the Niger Delta region.

China invests in Africa’s power sector growth, development With over 635m people without access to electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa, the People’s Republic of China and its state-owned companies are investing in Africa’s power sector.

According to a recent report released by the International Energy Agency (IEA) on Tuesday, China is responsible for 30% of new capacity additions in the region over the last five years.

The publication, ‘Boosting the Power Sector in Sub-

Saharan Africa: China’s Involvement’, is part of the IEA Partner Country series and offers the first pan-regional overview of the involvement of Chinese companies in the region’s electricity supply system, the Agency said in a statement.

The report identified project investments estimated at $13 billion between 2010 and 2015 from China, which according to the IEA were financed largely through public lending from China.

SES’s first satellite monitor study reveals 2.81m TV homes in Nigeria Buhari

CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1

programmes across the country especially in agriculture and technical trades.

Earlier Barr. Nnamdi Asomugha, the State Coordinator of the NDE in Rivers State, who conducted the Minister round the skills centre said that the Directorate has begun the resettlement of beneficiaries of the programme in Rivers State.

terrestrial and cable networks.

SES said it has increased their technical reach in sub-Saharan Africa from one million TV households in 2013 to eight million TV households by the end of 2015.

The technical reach of 1.69 million TV households in Nigeria contributes to this increase.

The Satellite Monitor study is an annual market research study commissioned by SES and car-

ried out by various independent institutes.

The study has been conducted for over 20 years in Europe and has now been successfully replicated in Nigeria.

Over 12,000 face-to-face interviews were conducted for this first of its kind study to be carried out by a satellite operator, in this case in a market where digitalisation is a key focus and a national priority.

N’Delta group disappointed over removal of Kachikwu as GMD NNPC CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1

sponsive to the accusations by the militants that some of the local oil firms exploiting the hydrocarbon resources in the Niger Delta Region and polluting the environment belong to non-indigenes of the oil producing communities.”

It added that;” Last April, our findings revealed that the Adviser

On Gas to the GMD of NNPC, Dr Maikanti Baru was behind a devilish rumour that Dr Kachikwu was sacked. He has been very desperate to become the GMD of NNPC and we warned President Buhari to be wary of him,but the President never listened. It is unfortunate that the people of the oil-rich Niger Delta Region are being treated this way. Dr Kachik-

wu brought alot of changes into NNPC and the Cabal in the Oil and Gas Industry never liked him and rather than encouraging him to do more for the sector, the President decided to do otherwise. The President has once again made a big blunder with the appointment of Dr Baru who never wanted the reforms of NNPC embarked upon by Dr Kachikwu.”

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, July 8, 2016

B3 Money Market

CBN warns against speculation, says no bank in distress Stories by Motolani Oseni Following the widely spread speculation that some Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) operating in the country are troubled, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has warned the general public against such rumours.

The apex bank has given commercial lenders in the country a clean bill of health, as it declared that none of them is in distress.

In a recent statement released on its website, the CBN said the clarification had become necessary due to malicious rumours and unfounded speculations that some banks in the country may have gone or may be going into distress.

“The CBN wishes to reiterate in the strongest terms that these rumours and speculations are untrue and do not reflect the actual health of the individual banks and, indeed, the entire banking industry,” the regulator noted last night in a statement signed by its Acting Director Corporate Communications, Isaac Okorafor.

“Going by both the CBN’s Examination Reports as well as analysis from market watchers, International Credit Rating Agencies, and Development Finance Institutions, the Nigerian banking industry remains strong in spite of the global economic challenges emanating from the collapse of global commodity prices,” it added.

Last Monday’s incident which

CBN

saw the CBN dissolving and reconstituting the board and Management of Skye Bank Plc has sent shivers across the industry and fueled fears that a lot more banks were having liquidity challenges and therefore could be on the verge of collapse.

Examination Reports as well as analysis from market watchers, International Credit Rating Agencies, and Development Finance Institutions, the Nigerian banking industry remains strong in spite of the global economic challenges emanating from the collapse of global commodity prices Skye bank’s failure to meet the minimum thresholds in critical prudential, adequacy ratios and its permanent presence at the apex bank lending window, led to the decision to change its board and management.

Skye Bank was said to have an

estimated non-performing loan portfolio of N700 billion, much of which was due to an overexposure in the oil and gas sector.

Some banks have since then taken to de-marketing some other industry lenders, spreading rumours of possible bankruptcy

against them.

In the statement, the CBN explained that the infusion of a new Board and Management for Skye Bank Plc was a proactive regulatory action meant to ensure that the bank does not continue to fail in its relevant prudential ratios.

Heritage Bank’s shareholders flay de-marketing strategy Shareholders of Heritage Bank Plc have refuted reports that their bank is struggling with liquidity issues, and that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is planning to remove its management and board.

The shareholders are particularly worried over what they called “the deliberate falsehood being spread by some local media that Heritage Bank is “coowned” by the former chairman of Skye Bank, Tunde Ayeni, who on Monday resigned as the chairman of Skye Bank and the embattled Senate president, Bukola Saraki.

“This is most mischievous and totally out of order. It is a glaring case of de-marketing and we have since drawn the at-

tention of the CBN to this very dangerous trend,” a leading shareholder of the bank, Musa Ibrahim Misau, said.

Misau explained that the owners and key shareholders in Heritage Bank bought off the defunct Societe Generale Bank (SGBN), which was owned by the Saraki family. “The Saraki family was out-rightly bought out. The family, including Dr. Bukola Saraki does not have a dime in Heritage Bank. We have in just a few years built this bank to a colossus that has become the envy of the sector and we are not going to sit by and allow ill-intentioned persons to de-market Heritage bank. No, it will not happen,” he said.

“It is a lie that can only ema-

nate from persons who do not wish the economy of Nigeria well. For your information, Tunde Ayeni has less than one per cent share in Heritage Bank and Bukola Saraki has no shares or any form of ownership stakes in Heritage Bank,” Misau noted.

“We are thoroughly miffed by the attempt by certain persons or groups, who do not mean well for the economy of our great country and indeed the economic agenda of our dear President, to negatively target Heritage Bank, a bank that the Central Bank of Nigeria and several local and internal rating agencies have ranked among the healthiest banks in Nigeria, as a struggling bank.

“But you are all journalists and have access to the CBN; please go and get the correct facts, figures and data from the CBN. I cannot imagine how normal persons can conceive and concoct such evil,” Misau said.

He said the fact that Tunde Ayeni is a very marginal shareholder in the bank would not mean that what happened at

Skye Bank would necessarily happen at Heritage Bank, saying that the “two banks are not related in any way and do not have similar ownership structure or management model.

Meanwhile, industry sources have confirmed that Heritage Bank remained healthy and not struggling and that it was not in the apex bank’s bad books.

DTN EXCHANGE RATES

7/7/2016

USD

GBP

EUR

INTERBANK

282

364.2495

311.9766

LAGOS

345

469

386

ABUJA

348

480

382

PH

348

488

382

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, July 8, 2016

32,000

Naira Value (m)

NSE All Share Index

14,000

29,500

10,500

27,000

7,000

24,500

3,500

04-Jul

01-Jul

28-Jun

25-Jun

`

22-Jun

19-Jun

16-Jun

22,000 13-Jun

B4

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, July 8, 2016

B5 Industry

SON will soon return to port - FG Stories by Charles Okonji The Federal Government is looking at taking back the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to the nation’s ports, the acting DG has made his request and we are now looking at it, and the government is looking at the best way forward.

The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Hajiya Aisha Abubakar who disclosed during the facility tour to the SON laboratories in Lagos recently, stated that she was impressed with the level of work done so far on the malty million Naira SON laboratories, which is near completion.

She said; “For me, I am very impressed with the level of job done so far on the laboratory, and with this, I can see job creation for our teaming youths and so many more opportunities for the exportation of our products. The National Assembly had a discussion on this issue, a couple of weeks ago, but I hope in the next six months, the story would be different with the issue of standardisation as I know that by that time, this laboratory should have been in operation.

“Basically, we have to set our own standards about what we wear, what we eat and so on, which would benchmark the international standards, so that wherever Nigerian products are

Engineering and technical education experts in the country have advised the government at all levels to hands off technical education and allow the professionals from private sector to manage all technology-based schemes in order to make the programme more effective and helpful to socio-economic growth and development.

They decried poor teachings and dwindling effects of technical education and engineering, stressing the shoddy handling of technology-based teachings and practicals currently undertaken by government-owned secondary and tertiary institutions could not bring about expected results in the twenty first century.

Speaking at the second graduation of Lafarge Africa/ITF/ NECA/Technical Apprentices held at Ewekoro Cement Plant recently, Doyin Ogunbiyi, Chairperson of Ogun State Board for Technical and Vocational Education, noted that private sector should be drivers of technical education in modern Nigeria.

Ogunbiyi disclosed that current experience in terms of poor teachings and failure of public sector to

found, we would not have issues with it. It is all about introducing quality to guide our young people, to guide our professionals services and everybody would be guided in terms of trade facilities that is expected and how much that would be expected with regards to trade facilitation in Nigeria, building and encouraging industries; and we have been working seriously on the local patronage and trying to see whether we can get the permit of including certain percentage of made in Nigeria product, and where is not possible, then we make more flexible arrangement.

“I will appeal to Nigerians to be a little more patient with us, because what we have just passed through is the revamping period, and now we are embarking on the implementation process. Before you see the benefits of all that we have done, it would take some time, but I think the time is near. The difference would be very clear, we are trying to do things that would be very sustainable, though they are not tangible now, but they are beneficial to our economy.

In his speech, Dr. Paul Angia, the Acting Director General, SON, stated that the access of Nigerian products to the international market and its limitations are because the country does not have standards laboratory.

SON

“For me, I am very impressed with the level of job done so far on the laboratory, and with this, I can see job creation for our teaming youths and so many more opportunities for the exportation of our products.

Hands off technical education, experts advice government Ï G Ƈ Ə Ɔ ƇƏƈƅ Ə ƗƑ ƐƆ ƐƆƅ ƈƅƈ provide adequate teaching materials and equipment instrumental to teaching and learning of technology and engineering at every level of education has negatively affected expertise among skilled and semi-skilled labour.

The Chairperson pointed out that the level of unemployment is daily rising in the country due to quackery almost in all the vocations and tradesman-ship, adding; “government cannot handle technical education alone in view of modern development, it can only involve in regulation of exams, certificates and so on.”

In his speech; Oba Jimoh Famuyiwa, Onipapa of Papalanto in Ewekoro Local council, who was trained as a factory technician in Lafarge Africa in 1982, said that unnecessary formalities

which had crept into technical education and failure of government to properly regulate technical education, have been the bane of quality technical education and engineering in Nigeria.

While commending Lafarge Africa for the initiative taken on the technical and vocational education which cuts across main engineering such as electrical, mechanical, civil, maintenance among others, Oba Famuyiwa declared that Nigeria could only grow if government allowed private sector to engage in massive trainings of willing Nigerians.

Speaking on the Lafarge Africa’s Techincal Apprenticeship Scheme, Adepeju Adebajo, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Lafarge Africa declared that the number of intakes to the

Ogunbiyi scheme had increased from 11 students at inception, to 21 in the last one year as the management even considered to increase the cover-

age of the scheme.

Adebajo, who was represented

by Viola Douglas-Graham, Communications Director, disclosed that the scheme is conducted in partnership with Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), and is well-positioned to brighten chances of candidates for admissions in the Nigerian universities.

She said, “Initially, when we started the Diploma programme it was 18 months but, we have decided to make it a 3-year duration, so that students can get a certification from external bodies that can enable them to use the certificates externally and in other places, not just Lafarge, the certificate is recognised everywhere because it is approved by NABTEB.

Capital Market B6 Evans Medical Plc releases 2014 full year results Ï9 ƅƏƆ Ɔ Ƌ Ɔ Ƅƕ ƾƢêƣü Afolabi Adesola Evans Medical Plc has released its full year financials for year ended December 2014, in spite of being named as one of the companies approved by the Quotations Committee of the National Council (QCN) of The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) to undergo delisting.

According to Evans Medical’s results, the company recorded a 23.7 percent increase in losses.

The company’s loss for the year under review stands at N1.03 billion compared to N833 million posted for the same period of 2013.

The company’s directors proposed no dividend to shareholders for the year under review, having transferred the losses to retained earnings.

Revenue declined by N356.9 million or 9.7 percent to stand at N3.3 billion from N3.7 billion in the previous year, while loss before tax increased by N193.98 million or 19.4 percent to N1.2 billion from N1 billion in 2013.

However the company reduced finance cost by 17 percent to

N494.6 million from N596.1 million in 2013.

Operating loss increased to N700.4 million from N404.9 million on account of increased Administrative expenses of N1.3 billion from N1 billion, and Marketing expenses of N900.7 million.

Evans Medical Plc is one of Nigeria’s largest Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Company, It started business in Nigeria in 1954 and has since then been committed to the health of the Nation.

Evans Medical Plc supplies drugs to government hospitals, registered private hospitals and registered pharmacy outlets as well as government parastatals.

The Company has in the past supplied medicines to World Bank Assisted Essential Drugs Projects (EDP) such as Cross Rivers State EDP, PTF, Ondo State Ministry of Health, Primary Health Care Projects and National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), also supply pharmaceuticals to NNPC, Shell, Chevron, Mobil, CBN, State House Clinic, etc. on a regular basis.

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, July 8, 2016

FX Futures market will drive equity market’s growth Investors on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in the first half of 2016 traded a turnover of 61.99 billion shares valued at N312.21 billion in 62,016 deals.

According to statistics released by the Exchange in Lagos, the performance was against a total of 50.71 billion shares worth N557.36 billion achieved in 535,278 deals in the first half of 2015.

The data also showed that the turnover of shares traded inched by 22.24 per cent when compared with the preceding figures of 2015, just as market indices during the review period closed lower due to price depreciation posted by some blue chips.

Specifically, the NSE All-Share Index lost 3,859.04 points or 11.53 per cent to close at 29,597.79 from 33,456.83 recorded in June 2015.

Also, the market capitalisation during the review period shed N179 billion to close at N10.165 trillion, against N10.344 trillion achieved in the corresponding

period.

An analysis of the price movement chart showed that Portland Paints led the losers’ chart in percentage terms during the period, dropping by 51.20 per cent to close N1.83 against the opening price of N3.75.

It was trailed by Fortis MFB which dipped 49.90 per cent to close at N2.58, while Ikeja Hotels lost 49.61 per cent to close at N1.95 per share.

Forte Oil decreased by 42.37 per cent to close at N190.34, Caverton lost 40.89 per cent to close at N1.46 and Skye Bank shed 34.18 per cent to close at N1.04 per share.

On the other hand, Tiger Brands led the gainers’ table in percentage terms, growing by 324.78 per cent to close at N4.80 per share against the opening price of N1.13.

E-Tranzact came second, appreciating by 97.37 per cent to close at N6, while UBA Capital rose by 89.31 per cent to close at N2.48 per share.

AG Leventis improved by 64.52

per cent to close at N1.02, Seplat gained 62.56 per cent to close at N330 and Nem Insurance appreciated by 50 per cent to close at N1.02 per share.

Speaking on the market performance, Mr. Ambrose Omordion, Chief Operating Officer, InvestData Ltd., noted that the delay in the passage of 2016 budget, appointment of ministers and unclear economic policy affected activities during the first half of the year.

Omordion said that slowdown in economic activities led to negative Gross Domestic product (GDP) during the period under review.

He said that implementation of the budget would kick start economic activities that would gradually pull the economy away from recession in the second half of the year.

According to him, the new Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) foreign exchange policy if well implemented will help to make liquidity available in the system.

Academy Press posts N151.9 million loss for FY 2016 Ï ƍƍ ƈ Ɛ 0Ɔƌƈ Ɗƈ ƄƆ #ƈƏƆƅƐ Əè & ƑƗƈƐ Ə Academy Press Plc has announced a loss after tax of N151.9 million for the financial year ended march 2016 as a result of low revenue and increased operating expenses.

The printing press company which recorded a loss of N25.5 million in the previous year, proposed no dividend to shareholders he current year ended, compared to N40.3 million paid as dividend in 2015.

Academy Press also recorded a loss before tax of N184 million, from loss before tax of N9.68 million in prior year financials.

The group revenue dropped by 11.4 percent to N2 billion in 2016 from N2.3 billion in 2015 while total operating expenses rose by 4.5 percent to N447 million from N428 million the prior year.

Breakdown of Academy Press revenue shows that Books sold in 2016 stood at N1.8billion, 11 per cent below N2 billion in 2015.

Revenue generated from annual reports dropped by 27 per cent to N101 million from N138.9 mil-

lion while revenue from diaries moved by 11 per cent from N21.97 million to N19.7 million.

Other breakdowns include 35 percent drop in revenue generated from Calendars that stood at N14.9 million while Labels revenue stood at N62 million from N58 million in 2015.

The 51-year old company’s total assets dip by 1.8 per cent from N3.58 billion in 2015 to N3.5 billion recorded in 2016 as total liabilities up by 3.2 per cent to N2.9 billion as against N2.8 billion recorded in 2015.

Meanwhile, Academy Press Plc has appointed Mr. Femi T. Akingbe as an additional Director, following the company’s last Board meeting held on Thursday 23rd June, 2016.

This was conveyed in a regulatory report filed by the company with the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) which also noted that the Board of Academy Press discussed and approved the appointment of Messrs. Ernst & Young as its external auditors.

50.71B

The Exchange in Lagos, the performance was against a total of 50.71 billion shares worth N557.36 billion achieved in 535,278 deals in the first half of 2015

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, July 8, 2016

This is the concern of AFRICA Sustainable SME Export Trade Solutions (ASSETS), Bank of Industry, who along with others, put together a workshop Wednesday June 29, at Four Points by Sheraton, Victoria Island Lagos. The following is a preamble to the main report which will come your way in the coming week.

Siaka MOMOH Shade Bembatoum-Young, the Ceo of ASSETS has become synonymous with promotion of non-oil and nontraditional export and more. For 26 years to date, she has gained recognition as a strong advocate of non-oil and traditional export, intra-ECOWAS trade, and fighting poverty in Africa by creating sustainable livelihoods for African women and men through the development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Exports. This time around, she is doing what she knows how to do best in partnership with Bellafricana, a company that is into promoting the beauty of Africa.

Folashade Aluko, representing Nigerian Export Import Bank (NEXIM), (money plays a very important part in business transaction, most especially since NEXIM – a development finance institution – comes with lower interest rate which the commercial banks cannot offer) told participants at the workshop that NEXIM complements the efforts of the Bank of Industry, “but the funding done by NEXIM must be for export.” The bank funds insurance too.

“We offer one, five years facilities and serve ECOWAS, Asia, and Africa... We fund manufacturing, agribusiness, solid minerals, services, transport, tourism and entertainment,” she said.

The bank also does direct lending, offer risk-bearing services and takes up to 80 per cent of project cost, Aluko said.

She said the Nigerian creative industry is a big employer of labour employing over two million hands and the Nigerian Nollywood is highly prolific, and that it is world number three.

And coming from Shade Bembatoun-Young is that “production development is more important than market development” –she

B7 Real sector digest

OIL EXPORT Grooming small enterprises for non-oil export This is a project whose time has come especially now that the monolithic oil economy has crashed and every emphasis on everybody’s lips is the diversification of the various subsectors of the economy in order not to get into recession

asked SMEs present to note this and other important points she reeled out. Reeled out, yes. What else do you expect from someone who has spent close to three decades advocating for the best for non-oil and non-traditional export. Hear her telling the small enterprises heads present: “Be competitive locally before going global; if you don’t, you will regret it; you must do SWOT test – how many of you have ever done this?; what’s your company’s greatest strength?; where do you want to place yourself – in raw material supplies, semi-finished products, finished products in bulk, packaging, exporter, export marketer?; No rushing; different markets requires different specifications.

“You can export expertise too”, she advised and the list she offered include expertise, IT, telecoms, transport, financial, legal, marketing, and advertising. And for creative industry she listed film, music, arts and crafts, textile and fashion designing.

And Shade explained: “Our adire is dying out. This shouldn’t be. We should revive it. The finishing for our garments is poor – we don’t have a garment industry.

Product development and adaptation for export is very vital. What adjustments do we need to make to be product export ready? Which market do you have competitive advantage? Note the importance of identifying niche markets for SMEs. U.S. for instance is not one market.

“For luxury bags, we have them.

We are making things happen. But ignorance can ruin business overnight – ignorance of standards required. We must be proactive – we must think out of the box, we must throw away the box. Join and create national networks - chambers of commerce, Interface, African Cotton Textiles Stakeholders.

Buki’s Bellafricana, whose company promotes African beauty, spiced up the Four Points By Sheraton event with her irresistible products.

Then she spoke about coopetition – a rare strategy that several in the hall were hearing of for the first time (me too, I won’t lie).

Coopetition is the act of cooperation between competing companies; businesses that engage in both competition and cooperation are said to be in coopetition. Certain businesses gain an advantage by using a judicious mixture of cooperation with suppliers, customers and firms producing complementary or related products. Shade advised this strategy.

She advised SMES to focus on the bigger picture “whatever your common challenges”. Coming together, staying together and working solve many problems, she said.

Wealth-creation opportunity in Palm oil processing (1) Donald Abraham Introduction: Processing edible palm oil from harvested palm nuts is one of the most lucrative, shortest and easiest routes to creating long-endur-

ing noble wealth. This is because it has many domestic and industrial uses the demand of which is daily and rising. Besides, both the technology and personnel needed to see the project through from the beginning to the end of the processes involved are locally available in abundance. This is a project whose time has come especially now that the monolithic oil economy has crashed and every emphasis on everybody’s lips is the diversification of the various sub-sectors of the economy in order not to get into recession. This write-up therefore briefly highlights the socio-economic benefits of establishing a plant to extract good quality palm oil from fresh fruit bunches (ffb) for both domestic and industrial uses.

Palm oil uses Palm oil is used domestically for cooking and frying and industrially as raw materials in the manufacture of margarine, ice cream, drugs, soaps, detergents, body creams, confectionery, refining deodorised vegetable oil, etc.

Its main by-product, palm kernels, is used to produce palm kernel oil which is a major raw material input in the production of soaps, cosmetics and many others. The palm kernel cake is used in compounding animal feeds. Virtually everything from the palm oil (red gold) extraction process has one important food or industrial use.

Raw Materials The raw material is the harvested fresh fruit bunches (ffb)

sourced from palm groves and estates. Plastic jerry cans and 200-litre drums are used to store and sell the milled oil. Accessories include wheel barrows, machetes, axes, etc.

All these are obtained locally and in abundance. Any one venturing into red gold processing is assured of steady supply of ffb especially now that there is a resurgence of interest in developing hundreds of thousands of hectares of palm plantations of ‘tenera’ palm seedlings by individuals, state governments and corporate organisations. Everywhere in the palm belt ripe palm fruits are awaiting harvesting and milling.

The Market Potentials Nigeria used to be the world’s largest producer of palm oil in the fifties and sixties. Proceeds from the export of palm produce and other agricultural products in heir value chain were used to fund the various development projects that were embarked upon during the period in the southern parts of the country. However following the advent of petroleum oil palm plantation development and processing (as well as other sub-sectors of the economy) were neglected to the extent that Nigeria became a net importer in 1997 of palm oil products and has remained so ever since. . It was widely reported in December 2003 that one of the then big local manufacturers relocated its soap and margarine plant to a neighbouring country because it was unable to source its palm oil needs locally.

Siaka Momoh, a media consultant, is publisher of The Real Sector monthly digital magazine and Realsectornow.com. Contact:siakamomoh@yahoo.com; 08061396410

Entrepreneurship B8

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, July 8, 2016

“The micro, small and medium scale businesses in Nigeria are highly informal in their approach and structures, with little or no record keeping system and structures”

Inadequate business development strategy, bane of informal sector “The spirit, the will to win and the will to excel are the things that endure. These qualities are so much more important than the events that occur’’ - Vince Lombardi.

The current national economic outlook and the impacts to businesses makes it imperative to enlighten and entrench the knowledge of the business community to the realities of the moment, the consequential challenges and more importantly to the opportunities and new developments for innovation and creativity that it has thrown up.

The importance is better appreciated in the informal and import driven sector of our economy which has been negatively impacted with consequential effects; like higher cost of credit and foreign exchange, with lesser patronage arising from the reduced public expenditure (austerity measure), increased duties, other charges, levies, taxes, and other economic policies of the government, the central bank and their effects; which poses enormous challenge to the sector and ultimately portends great danger to the social wellbeing of our society and economy.

The micro, small and medium scale businesses in Nigeria are highly informal in their approach and structures, with little or no record keeping system and structures. They have no established processes and procedures, and maintains minimal banking relationship, with absolutely no insurance cover; these in all threatens their sustainability, efficient management and adequate expansion, which accounts for why sustainability, growth and expansion is uncommon amongst them.

This column therefore through the promotion of entrepreneurship equips the readers with the tools to gradually transform their businesses from informal to formal, operated and managed with global best practices that ensures continuous profitability, growth, sustainability and general business success.

It introduces the readers to the

basic business tools for running an efficient and effective enterprise that will produce and guarantee growth, sustainability and adequate expansions, while generating employment, wealth creation and enlarged opportunities.

These business skills will guarantee a better accountability and management which will open up access to financiers, investors and suppliers to ensure continous access to funding and raw materials.

This column adopts a multidimensional knowledge impartation approach (potpourri of knowledge) that utilizes role modeling style of learning to inspire readers.

It uses the experiential knowledge impartation mode from people that have seen it all and experienced similar situations in business and succeeded, to teach from their practical business experiences, so that we can see how it has been done in the past and align our situation to the same principles for speedy result.

The multidimensional learning includes knowledge impartation from the professionals and the academia: the professional knowledge brings order and procedures in business activities, while the academic, informs and instills insights from the research and development activities to point the way forward in business; it reveals new approaches and methods to solving problems and how it is practiced in other climes, with the localisation and intergration method.

It also adopts group based participation to ensure guaranteed benefits to the readers and on a fundamental basis be able to solve the perceived uniform challenges of the group through the adoption of a systematic approach. Therefore questions and commentaries from the readers would be welcomed, as this would provide an easy method of monitoring achievements and impacts, in order to plan other improvement approaches.

Some of the topics that are reviewed with a revelation of an incisive and in depth insights in-

BIZ

cludes; Business structuring,, Setting up processes and procedures and developing standard operating procedures (set standard of operations) in growing businesses. Business sustainability procedures and diversification strategies. How to set up financial and administrative record keeping in small businesses and the importance. The role of insurance and risk management to the growth and success of your business. The Nigerian economic business outlook and the impact to businesses; the role of your banks and other financial services providers in navigating through the challenge.

Business growth and sustainability through strategic and diversified investments. And so on.

For today we would be sharing thoughts on persistence, the importance of believing (or maintaining a believe system) and when to ignore the financial records.

Vinod Khosla, founder of Khosla ventures, one of the most successful silicon valley venture

People think that business is all about the bottom line, but no, otherwise what is the use of sustainability capital companies, once said that leadership is about having your own view, an inner compass.

Entrepreneurs should be wary of whose leading they are following and whose advice they are listening to. Corporate executives, consultants, financial analysts, the traditional bankers and other experts know little or nothing about startups or small businesses, unless they have had a stint with one; so be careful about who you are listening to. ‘’Pursue your true passion and believe your intuition, then the opportunity will come to you’’ Namiko Kajiwara.

The following are some of the factors to consider in your quest for success in any enterprise: ‘’With enough persistence most things that seem impossible become possible’’ - Vinod Khosla.

Persistence pays off; if you actually believe something, you will try your best to make it work.

Someone said it doesn’t always happen but it does most of the times. The issue is that most peo-

ple accept defeat far too easily.

Consider your input; as entrepreneurs our mission is to make positive changes, even when you get a lower rate of return but a higher impact. Our obligation would be to go with that, knowing that at the end we would be creating a greater public good with more social impact, which makes for more conducive environment for commercial endeavours.

People think that business is all about the bottom line, but no, otherwise what is the use of sustainability. What is the worth of making all the money that can’t be sustained. Creating a balance is the rule and every enterprise is about creating values; which could be tangible or not: and that’s why there’s the profit , nonprofit and charity enterprises. The commercial and social enterprises, and the non government organisations.

We will next week be delving more into this - deepening the discussion and insights. Remain blessed.

Nwaodu Chukwuemeka, is a consultant with IDEAS Exchange Consulting, Lagos. He can be reached at nwaodu.lawrence@hotmail.co.uk (07066375847)

Life&

Times

Pasuma releases new album for eid PL7

Friday, July 8, 2016

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P

Aisha Buhari Foundation pays fines of prison inmates

Otolorin My social life is zero L2,3

P

Interview L2

Daily Times Nigeria Friday, July 8, 2016

Men can control domestic violence if ‌ sense of thinking ...Otolorin ABIMBOLA OBATAYO

Life&

T E A M

Can you tell us about yourself?

Entertainment Correspondent Mutiat Alli

Society Correspondent Abimbola Obatayo

Photography Quadri Olowolagba

Graphics Daniel Ekiye

Friday, July 8, 2016

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Daily Times Nigeria

Friday, July 8, 2016

Ajibade Alabi

L3 Society

Nollwood actor, Daniel K. Daniel in eye of the storm

Chinyere Roseline Chukuma, the widow of popular broadcaster/radio presenter, Charles Bruce Chukuma (Chaz B) who died November 22, 2014 from kidney-related ailment may be dating Nollywood actor, Daniel Daniel.

The late radio presenter, who anchored

reportedly had a successful kidney transplant in 2012 after receiving a kidney donation from his wife, fondly called Chichi.

The same Chichi was in the news in October

gathered that the widow, who is in her 40s, is allegedly having a sizzling romance with award-winning Nollywood actor, Daniel Kanayo Daniel. They have been sighted together for a while.

doctors in the employ of the hospital where her husband died.

Actor in a Drama, is said to be head over heels in love with Chichi. Though younger

Pasuma

was reported to have had a history of health problems related to kidney failure but

festival released his new album was released under the label according to a source was successful as fans of Pasuma within and outside the country embraced the album.

affair is known to their friends.

releases new album for eid

Society big boy tasks government on agriculture provide us with the capital and we shall put in all our best for a better tasked individuals and government on agriculture saying that agriculture the country. The young entrepreneur who said his company is ready to making food available to all and sundry with the help of the populace revealed Times recently.

pineapple, tomato, yam, maize, cucumber, it depends on what the sponsors want to invest in. Cash crops like cocoa and palm tree are what we plant and getting arable land is not a problem. is well known in society circles said, many people who wanted to invest big are cash constrained. business is within three to four

Salami

Zion Praise set to release Ide Mi Ja video out amongst her peers. Zion Praise as she is fondly called has distinguished herself as a Psalmist with pious music albums to her credit in her seven years as a gospel musician, the talented young lady who recently took her cast and crew to location in Ekiti for her video shoot

as choir member of that church and ever since, God has been so wonderful to took to music professionally in 2008, my husband really encouraged me; he

hit Nigeria music scene told Daily Times in a chance meeting that she started music in church.

Zion Praise

Pasoma

Daily Times Nigeria

Friday, July 8, 2016

L4

Society

Mutiat Alli / Abimbola Obatayo

Minister mourns Bukky Ajayi, calls her an iconic thespian The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has described Zainab Bukola Ajayi, who died on Wednesday, as an iconic thespian and a colossus of her time who has left an indelible footprint in the In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, The Minister prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased and for succour for

Late Bukky Ajayi

Creative artist’s work heads to Grammy Museum on our radar after Nike partnered with him on

partnership with BET International, celebrated

Hon. Agunbiade set for Aisha Buhari Foundation pays fines of prison inmates town hall meeting

Aisha Buhari

The Wife of the President, Aisha Buhari

country and she also told the freed inmates

Constituency 1 is set with members in his

Aisha was represented at the occasion

by Alhaji Mustapha Fari, a Chieftain of All The wife of the president also donated

take place at the town hall in Ikorodu later in

inmates of the prison and further enjoined

House of Tara set to add ‘ Gold Collection’ to its line of makeup Durotoye , a top makeup artist in the makeup brand shared a clue at what to expect from the new collection on social It currently has studios in major states

residents in the constituency to come

as what they want

the

majority

leader

House of Assembly,

was a pressed powder sealed in with a clear Agunbiade House of Tara is owned by Tara Fela