Monday, August 20, 2018 Edition

Monday, August 20, 2018/ Zhul Hajj 9, 1439 AH

Air Force busts bandits kingpin’s hideouts in Zamfara forest >>>page 2

Vol. 29 No. 057

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1586 Days after

The nation awaits rescue of the remaining abducted Chibok schoolgirls

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252 Tambuwal’s aides reject PDP, resign >>>page 5

How we’ll deliver Adamawa for Buhari in 2019 - Bindow Says no plans to leave APC

page 5

President Muhammadu Buhari with Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and SGF Boss Mustapha as he returns to Abuja after 10 working days holiday to an enthusiastic reception from Nigerians, on Saturday in Abuja.

Photo: State House.

Count me out of attack on Aisha Alhassan’s convoy-Taraba gov. pAGE 10

Sallah: Ram dealers lament low patronage pAGE 8

Hajj 2018: Don’t patronize local food vendors, NAHCON cautions pilgrims pAGE 6

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, august 20, 2018

News

CONTENTS News 2-14 Editorial Op.Ed

11 12-13

Politics 15-17 Feature Business Metro

18 19-20 21

Air Force bust armed bandit’s hideouts in Zamfara forest

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam Abuja

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he Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said its Air Task Force (ATF) for Operation Diran Mikiya, at the weekend, degraded several identified hideouts of a notorious armed bandit kingpin in a forest in Zamfara state.

The Air Force in a statement issued yesterday by Ibikunle Daramola, its Director of Public Relations and Information, said the attacks, which were executed

in support of ground troops in Sector 2 of Operation ShaRan Daji, were planned based on credible intelligence that the kingpin and his group of armed bandits were using an abandoned primary school in Shamashale as well as some makeshift settlements in nearby Rugu Forest in the Eastern part of Zamfara State as bases for their operations.

“The attack at Shamashale was conducted on 15 August 2018, following further confirmatory Intelligence Surveillance and

Reconnaissance (ISR) missions that revealed the presence of several armed bandits in the area.

“Accordingly, the ATF dispatched 2 combat helicopters to attack the location. During the attack, some bandits carrying sophisticated high caliber weapons were seen trying to flee the area. Some were on motorcycles carrying AK-47 rifles and, rather than dropping their weapons and surrendering, attempted to shoot at the helicopters; hence they were

neutralized.

“Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) conducted on 16 August 2018 confirmed that the kingpin’s main hideout had been severely degraded and human intelligence (HUMINT) sources later availed pictures of some of the slain bandits”.

It said some of the items recovered from the armed bandits include 2 General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), 2 AK 47 rifles, 100 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and 2 mobile phones.

World Analysis 22 Africa News

23

World News

24

NYSC D-G advises corps members to respect culture of host communities Page 28

Education

25

Feature

26

Sports 30-31 Back Page

32

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Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Plateau State Command, Mr Solomon Olasupo (L) with Commander, Operation Safe Haven Plateau State, Major-General, Augustine Agundu welcoming the community leaders during the peace meeting with the community leaders, yesterday in Jos. Photo: NAN

2019: Aremu calls for issues-based politics From Femi Oyelola Kaduna

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frontline governorship aspirant for Kwara State in 2019 elections under the platform of the Labour Party,LP and a NEC member of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Issa Aremu has said the 2019 election should be about issues of development and security not about persons and individuals including himself Addressing the mammoth crowd that gathered at the Kwara Airport, Ilorin to receive and welcome him for the Sallah break, Aremu said the critical issues at stake in Kwara elections are poverty eradication, diversification of the economy, re-industrialisation, abolishing elite greed, jobs creation, provision of good road, water and other social amenities.

The LP chieftain who

commended the party supporters for their peaceful conduct at the reception said political campaigns should be devoid of hate speech adding that it was time politicians and their supporters were “ hard on the problems confronting the state and the country rather than being hard on themselves” through name “callings and unnecessary diatribes”.

Unveiling his campaign slogan under the banner of “ SAI KWARA,” the labour leader said the main challenge of governance was wealth generation, confronting poverty, elitist greed, unemployment, nonpayment of salaries, among others in kwara state.

At a brief stopover at Ilorin Grammar School (IGS), Comrade Aremu who was received by his fellow old students and staff of the college, promised

to reinvent public education by urgently rebuilding dilapidated public primary and secondary schools in the state if elected governor in 2019 observing that development is only possible with public schools to educate critical mass of citizens.

Meanwhile, the governorship aspirant has hailed the Hounarable Minister of Works, power and housing, Babatunde Fashola for what he called “singular transformation” of Ilorin-Jebba-Mokwa-Bida road into a world class road in record time.

While on an inspection of the Ilorin - Jebba Road which was recently completed by the Federal government, Aremu commended President Buhari and the Honourable Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola for completing the construction and rehabilitation of the abandoned

Ilorin-Jebba federal high way.

He commended the quality of the road which he said meets international standard.

He noted that if the Federal Government can do the road, states have no excuse turning intra state roads to pot holes.

He promised to embark on massive road construction and rehabilitation if elected governor of Kwara State in 2019.

He called for what he called a non-partisan alliance for development between the states and federal government.

Comrade Aremu who also commended the CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele for promoting development financing promised to partner with Federal government for development just like Kebbi and other states under the CBN anchored borrowers programme for rice production.

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, august 20, 2018

News

LAUTECH: ASUU asks Govs. Ajimobi, Aregbesola to resign

By Osaigbovo Igupbaro Benin The Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU) has demanded the resignation of Oyo State Governor Ajimobi Abiola and his Osun State counterpart, Raul Aregbesola over unpaid salary arrears of Ladoke Akintola University (LAUTECH) staff in Ogbomoso.

The Benin Zonal Coordinator, ASUU, Prof. Fred Esumen made the call while briefing newsmen on the state of the University in Benin City.

He said every worker is entitled to his wages and that when such is not forthcoming, the worker lacks the attitude to work.

Esumen said one who employs staff and cannot pay for the services rendered to him by his employee has no business in employing a staff.

According to him, “one would have thought that in an ideal situation, when a government and indeed any establishment engage workers, the workers deserve to be paid their wages.

“This is not the case in LAUTECH where the two visitors to the Universities have shied away from their responsibilities and have conspired to deny the workers in that university their rights to wages.

“It is therefore our view that what is left for these visitors is to honourably resign for not meeting up with what is expected of their offices”, he said.

He decried the high level of neglect meted to the university co-owned by both states pointing that for both to have come together to resuscitate the institution from total collapse, they have chosen to establish additional universities in their own states respectively.

“For the umpteenth time, our union ASUU, emphasized tha education is the fulcrum upon which growth and development of any nation revolves.

Yet, education, is brutally neglected by our leaders in Nigeria.

“The case of LAUTECH is very pathetic; owned by the two states of Oyo and Osun, yet lacks so much especially at the level of funding.

“In fact, the chronic underfunding of LAUTECH has manifested itself in so many ugly forms; viz, over-bloated students population, outrageous fee regimes, poor state of infrastructural facilities, inadequate staff development programme, unpaid promotion arrears and unpaid salaries of workers running into 10 months, etc”.

News Editor, Ese Awhotu

Kofi Annan was a promoter of global peace, says Jonathan, Atiku, Gambari

By Ese Awhotu and Ibrahim Abuja

Lateef

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x -President, Goodluck Jonathan, former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and a former Minister of External Affairs and one-time under-secretary general at the United Nations, Ibrahim Gambari, have mourned the passing on of Mr. Kofi Annan, a former Secretary General of the United Nations.

Jonathan has described the former UN scribe as a renowned icon of peace and a great son of Africa.

In a tribute to Mr Annan who died Saturday at the age of 80, Mr. Jonathan noted that his extensive reforms reinvigorated the UN systems and positively impacted international relations.

“I am deeply saddened by the death of Kofi Annan, a world renowned icon of peace and diplomacy. He was a distinguished and accomplished international public servant and one of Africa’s most prominent diplomats,” Mr

Jonathan said in a statement by his spokesperson, Ikechukwu Eze. “As the United Nations Secretary-General, Annan introduced far-reaching reforms that reinvigorated the UN systems and positively impacted international relations.

“A consummate diplomat, Annan successfully managed the contending powers in the UN and stood firmly for development, human rights and a peaceful world; a commitment that earned him the Nobel Peace Prize.

“Even after leaving active service, Annan remained robustly engaged in promoting good governance, diplomacy, mediation, and humanitarian services. His demise is a sad loss to Africa and the World.”

In a press statement by his media office in Abuja, the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described Mr. Annan as a quintessential promoter of global peace; a great African, an astounding diplomat and one of the leading lights in the African continent of this century.

Atiku lamented that a leading light has passed out of Africa and called on Africans of the present generation to emulate the late Anan’s commitment to the wellbeing and development of the African continent while serving as Chief Scribe of the United Nation’s Organisation.

The PDP presidential aspirant recalled that during his days at the United Nations, the great African diplomat and Ghanaian citizen, served the international community with distinction and for this reason, his period of service as UN Secretary General was to a large extent peaceful internationally because of his wisdom, patience, persistence and integrity.

“For this reason, Kofi Annan was bestowed with the Noble Prize for Peace, in 2001 by the Alfred Noble Foundation, an award he shared with the UN, which he led,” Atiku recalls.

Atiku stated further that the late Kofi Annan was much respected and trusted by members of the UN who took his position and counsel

on issues seriously.

The Waziri Adamawa said further that even after retirement from the services of the UN, Kofi Annan, never indeed retired from playing critical international roles that advanced the well- being of Africa and the world.

According to Atiku, the late UN Chief Scribe set up the Kofi Annan Foundation which he employed as a platform to keep alive, public discourse on issues that affect Africa and the World as well as lend a hand to promote better global governance and strengthen the capacities of people and countries to achieve a fairer and more peaceful world.

Atiku therefore conveyed his deepest condolences to the Annan family, the Kofi Annan Foundation, the international community, the government and people of Ghana and all Africans on the passing on of this global statesman.

In his reaction, Ibrahim Gambari, expressed sadness on the death Mr Annan whom he described as a friend, brother and former boss.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo being welcome to the EYN Church of the Brethren Utako by the Assistant Pastor 2 and 1, Pastor Fatuwa Yusuf Kwagya , Pastor Karimu Tela and others during the Church, Sunday School week Annual Programme , yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: State House

Third Mainland Bridge to be temporarily shut for 4 days —LASG

T

he Lagos State Government has said that the Third Mainland Bridge will be temporarily shut down for four days starting from midnight of August 23 to midnight of August 26, 2018 for Investigative Maintenance Test to be carried out.

A release signed by the Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Ministry of Works & Infrastructure, Sina Thorpe, states that Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr.

Ade Akinsanya, said the decision was taken after due consultation with the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing.

The four-day closure, according to Akinsanya, will enable the contractors assess the true state of the bridge after which works would commence by the end of the year or early in 2019.

It would be recalled that the Federal Government had earlier announced plans to shut the bridge in July, but had to be

shelved after due consultation with the State Government and wide deliberations with other stakeholders, who expressed concern about the indiscriminate parking of articulated vehicles on other alternative routes which would have adversely affected traffic.

Subsequently, a Joint Task Force set up to remove the articulated vehicles from the highway was able to achieve tremendous success.

Justifying the need for the

closure, Akinsanya said: “The 3rd Mainland Bridge which was opened about 30 years ago by the then military government has had haphazard maintenance and repairs in the past which the present Federal Government is committed to correct by carrying out proper and continuous maintenance and repairs on it.”

Consequently, the State Government appealed for the cooperation, support and understanding of all motorists and residents, advising them to

minimize non-essential travel and movements during the fourday closure.

Besides, Akinsanya said all traffic management agencies including the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Federal Road Safety Corps and the Police, among others, have been mandated to ensure smooth flow of traffic on all the other alternative roads and traffic corridor across the metropolis to ensure free flow of traffic.

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, august 20, 2018

Discourse

FOCAC a Major Platform for Belt and Road Cooperation

By Zhou Pingjian

T

he capital city of China is embracing Africa time soon.

Early next month, the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will be held under the theme of China and Africa: Toward an Even Stronger Community with a Shared Future through Win-Win Cooperation.

President Xi Jinping is looking forward to participating in the Beijing summit with African leaders to discuss plans for the development of China-Africa cooperation so as to improve the well-being of the Chinese and African peoples and promote world peace and development.

We Chinese appreciate the African wisdom, “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” Indeed, similar historical experience, common development tasks and shared strategic interests have bound China and Africa together. China and Africa have always been a community with a shared future. In today’s world, China-Africa relations have become more important with increasing common interests. Advancing China-Africa cooperation represents the trend of the times and the will of our peoples.

The FOCAC is 18 years old this year.

Since its inception in 2000, remarkable progress has been made in ChinaAfrica cooperation across-the-board.

Two-way trade and China’s total nonfinancial investment in Africa in 2017 were 17 times and around 100 times that of 2000 respectively, which shows China’s contribution to Africa’s economic development has risen significantly. As a key platform for the collective dialogue and cooperation between China and African countries, the FOCAC has become a model of South-South cooperation and a banner of international cooperation with Africa.

“We are confident that China, as a strategic and dependable development partner, will always stand shoulder to shoulder with us in our quest to fulfill the aspirations of our people to propel them to prosperity,” said President Muhammadu Buhari in his remarks at the Plenary Meeting of the FOCAC Johannesburg Summit in December 2015.

China has proved itself to be a reliable partner of Africa by always walking the talk. The follow-up actions and the implementation of the outcomes of the Johannesburg Summit, including the “ten cooperation plans” and the FOCAC Johannesburg Action Plan (2016-2018), have produced fruitful results as expected.

The implementation work of the FOCAC Johannesburg summit has been going smoothly with prominent achievements in Nigeria.

The remarkably deepened political mutual trust. The robust bilateral trade and investment relations. The Naira/RMB currency swap. The strong Made-in-Nigeria with China initiative. The flourishing Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone and the Lekki Free Trade Zone. The offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) delivery. The emergency food aid. The agricultural science and technology demonstration parks. And early this month, Anthony Ekwensi, the

Dr. Zhou Pingjian, Ambassador of China to Nigeria

21-year old Nigerian student from UniZik, was crowned the African champion at the 17th Chinese Bridge Chinese Language Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students in China. The list could go on and on.

Let me go further on infrastructure, a key execution priority of Nigeria Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

The Abuja-Kaduna railway, Africa’s first modern railway with Chinese technology and standards, was commissioned in July 2016. The Abuja rail mass transit project, the first urban railway in West Africa, was commissioned in July 2018. The LagosIbadan railway broke ground and started building in March 2017. The construction of the Lekki deep water port, the largest port in West Africa, and the Zungeru hydropower station, the largest hydropower station in Nigeria, are well under way. In the past year alone, both sides of China and Nigeria have concluded the concessionary financing arrangements to support more infrastructural development projects in Nigeria, namely, the Nigerian railway modernization project (Logos-Ibadan section), the expansion of 5.4 KM of AbujaKeffi expressway and dualization of KeffiAkwanga-Lafia-Makurdi road, the Greater

Abuja water supply project, the supply of rolling stocks and depot equipment for Abuja rail mass transit project phase I, and the national information and communication technology infrastructure backbone project phase II. Tens of thousands of jobs have been created for Nigerians by projects contracted by Chinese enterprises or partly financed by the Chinese side.

When President Buhari received the board of directors of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group in January this year, he said, “We send our gratitude to the Chinese for all their support to Nigeria. Since independence, no country has helped our country on infrastructural development like the Chinese. In some projects, the Chinese help us with 85 percent payment, and soft loans that span 20 years. No country has done that for us.”

As the largest developing country in the world, China takes deep pride in its ever stronger partnership with Nigeria, the largest developing country in Africa.

It is our firm belief that the China-Nigeria cooperation is brotherly South-South cooperation between two equal partners and is indeed mutually beneficial. China remains committed to stepping up its

“

As the largest developing country in the world, China takes deep pride in its ever stronger partnership with Nigeria, the largest developing country in Africa. It is our firm belief that the ChinaNigeria cooperation is brotherly South-South cooperation between two equal partners and is indeed mutually beneficial

cooperation with Nigeria in agriculture, manufacturing, industrial capacity and investment, infrastructure, energy, and other areas.

We now face new opportunities to grow our bilateral relations.

Five years ago, President Xi Jinping proposed the initiative of building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road. The Belt and Road Initiative emphasizes on integrating the development strategies and complementary advantages of the partnering countries with a view to promoting high-quality and sustainable development for all in a spirit of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits. The past five years have witnessed that the Belt and Road Initiative has transformed itself from a vision to practical actions with fruitful cooperation results.

The Belt and Road Initiative is open to all countries. Though originating from China, it belongs to the whole world. Africa, being part of the historical and natural extension of the Belt and Road, has been an important participant in this initiative.

The cooperation between China and Africa under the Belt and Road Initiative will generate more resources and means, expand the market and space for African development, and broaden its development prospects.

Coming the FOCAC Beijing Summit, Both sides will endeavor to combine the theme of the summit with the joint construction of the Belt and Road between China and Africa, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations, the Agenda 2063 of the African Union as well as the development strategies of various African countries such as Nigeria’s ERGP to make new planning for win-win cooperation and open up new prospects for common development. The closer connectivity in policy, infrastructure, trade, finance and people-to-people ties, strengthened industrial capacity cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, and the greater cooperation in the planning of African infrastructure and industrial development will lend new impetus to the win-win cooperation and common development between China and Africa. Making the FOCAC a major platform for China-Africa cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative with concerted efforts will surely further strengthen the ChinaAfrica solidarity and cooperation in a new era.

In April 2016, President Buhari became the first head of state from Africa President Xi received in Beijing shortly after the FOCAC Johannesburg Summit. The ChinaNigeria relations have since entered a new stage of rapid development. It is our firm belief that President Buhari’s attendance at the upcoming FOCAC Beijing Summit will make important contribution to China-Africa cooperation and bring about new opportunities to grow China-Nigeria strategic partnership.

Beijing warmly welcomes Nigeria and Africa.

(Dr. Zhou Pingjian is Ambassador of China to Nigeria)

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, august 20, 2018

News

2019: How we’ll deliver Adamawa for Buhari - Bindow Says no plans to defect from APC to PDP

By Umar Dan-Kano Yola

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head of the 2019 general elections, Adamawa state governor, Muhammad Umar Jibrilla Bindow has expressed commitment to the reelection bid of President Muhammadu Buhari, saying Adamawa state under his watch will not waver in that commitment.

Bindow “remains steadfast in the bid for President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election come 2019 and is fully committed to the APC ideals,” a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Macaulay Hunohashi said yesterday.

“At the national level, President Muhammadu Buhari has done tremendously well for this country in security, economy, fight against corruption, employment, health, education and infrastructural

development.

“Like I have said many times in the past, President Buhari is the best thing to happen to this country. He means well for Nigeria. He is passionate about this country. He is trying to get a great future for Nigerians. So what reasons do I have to defect,” Bindow questioned rhetorically in the statement.

The former Senator also dismissed unconfirmed reports suggesting he plans to defect from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as “malicious and baseless.” He debunked claims that he has given the PDP his conditions for joining the party and that talks are in advance stage about a possible defection.

According to the statement, “Governor Bindow said his loyalty to his party and the Buhari-led

administration is unshakable and it will be obtuse for anybody to believe such false defection plan reports, which is clearly intended to malign him and cause mischief.

“Over the last three years, we have shown commitment to the yearnings of the good people of Adamawa State to improve their standard of living through progressive implementations on agriculture, health, education, peace and security, water supply, youth and women empowerment as well as infrastructural development.

“And what is especially pleasing for me is that the people of the state recognize and appreciate our efforts to make Adamawa a better place for them and therefore they have supported this administration in every way possible.

The Governor further stressed

that the news reports making false claims about his defection are plotted by some politicians who desperately want him to join the opposition. “He then called on them to dump the opposition parties and join him in the APC as they are so fixated to be in the same party with him. “They are always welcome to join me in the APC”, the statement said.

On his part, the Adamawa State APC Organising Secretary, Ahmed Lawal, said Governor Bindow is the most loyal member of the APC in Adamawa State and it is worthy of note that he is the first Senator to join the APC from the PDP over four years ago.

Lawal added that, Bindow has done so much to move the party forward and he has made Adamawa State a better place for all, therefore he has the confidence of every party member as well as

the good people of the state.

“His transparency and accountability to the people of Adamawa state on how financial and material resources were expended as well as the distribution of projects across the states is almost perfect. No Governor has done so much for Adamawa like Bindow has in three years.

“It is so unfortunate that we are our own enemies. What exactly do we want In Adamawa.

If some people cannot for once appreciate the efforts of Bindow s administration. I don’t know their own definition of development.

We are proud of Adamawa under this administration and we will do our best for continuity.

“Come 2019, the party and the people will ensure that this true democrat returns as governor of the state with a landslide victory,” the statement said.

FG urged to use recovered looted funds for agric devt From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

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he federal government has been urged to use the chunk of money recovered from looters by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the agricultural research sector of the economy to actualize food security and boost the economic base of the country.

The Executive Director of National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI), Badeggi Dr Aliyu Umar made the appeal in a chat with journalists at the weekend in Bida, Niger State, saying that this will go a long way in enhancing government’s diversification policy.

Dr Umar said that research in developed countries of the world usually received huge amounts of money to get results actualized, noted that the institute would soon release cereal varieties of about seven (7) that can adopt and suitable for climatic conditions with improved seeds and high yield compared to the current seeds.

He advocated for farming integrated system to minimize the current farmers and herder’s clashes in Nigeria.

He appreciated the federal government’s diversification efforts especially in agriculture where the resources of the country can be harnessed.

The Executive Director reaffirmed the institution’s determination on modern farming technologies like irrigation facilities, infrastructure and improved seedlings that will fast rack the federal government’s quest for food sufficiency in rice production and reposition agriculture in the country.

Umar further enumerated some of the institute’s challenges to include; paucity of funds, lack of adequate infrastructure, lack of private sector participation, energy (power supply), unstable social economic exchange as well as lack of extension to pass relevant information to the farmers.

Travelers at Apapa Ijora Park area, ahead of Eld-el-Kabir celebration, yesterday in Lagos .

Photo: NAN

252 Tambuwal’s aides reject PDP, resign From Raji Bello Sokoto

2

52 Special advisers and Special assistants appointed

by Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state have resigned their appointments.

Alhaji Ibrahim Haske, a special adviser to the governor and spokesman for all the aides, announced this at a news conference in Sokoto yesterday, saying that their resolve to resign followed Gov. Tambuwal’s defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“Our appointment is based on the position that APC is the

political party governing the state and now that the government belongs to PDP, we have no option other than to resign.

“We are bonafide members of APC and our position has always remained same; we therefore resign voluntarily from the PDP government ,” Haske said.

Addressing journalists in Sokoto, Hon. Dasuki Haske also said their decision was hinged on their loyalty to the party.

“We deem it fit to state categorically that we are not ready to join Governor Tambuwal in his new party (PDP). That was what informed our decision to resign.

We will remain in APC and there

is no going back.

“We are members of APC before taking up our appointments as SAs and it was based on our membership values that we were given such positions.

Now, we have resigned because the governor has not performed well since inception to justify our support for him.

“We want to assure that we will work for the success of APC in the state come 2019 general election.

We will work for the reelection of President Muhammadu Buhari and our state party leader, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko,” Haske said.

Another speaker, Alhaji

Abdullahi Ahmad Sokoto said all the resigned aides will work for the success of APC in the state.

He added that the party remained undisputed to beat in any election.

Responding, the State APC Chairman, Hon. Isah Achida thanked the affected Special Advisers and Assistants for their loyalty to the party.

He also promised them rewards for their steadfastness and commitment to the party.

“We thank you for being loyal to the party and we are assuring you of equal treatment as loyal party members. We have taken cognizant of your loyalty and commitment,” Achida assured.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, august 20, 2018

PAGE 6

News

IPI condemns forcing journalists to reveal their sources

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he International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists, while welcoming the release of Nigerian journalist, Samuel Ogundipe on bail and demanding that all charges against him be dropped, also condemned forcing journalists to disclose source of their information.

Ogundipe was arrested by the police on August 14 after the his newspaper, the Premium Times, published a report sent by the country’s inspector general of police (IGP) to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who is currently serving as acting president. The report detailed the actions of the former director of Nigeria’s State Security Service (SSS) in relation to an incident in which SSS operatives blocked lawmakers from entering the National Assembly on August 7. The police are demanding that Ogundipe reveal his sources for the IGP report.

The Premium Times reported that Ogundipe was released yesterday morning after posting bail in the amount of N500,000 (around 1,215 euros).

“The prosecution of Samuel Ogundipe is a form of harassment against a journalist who has been carrying out his work professionally and in full respect of the principles included in the Code of Ethics of the Nigerian Press Council”, IPI Executive Director Barbara Trionfi said.

“The confidentiality of sources is universally acknowledged both as a duty and a right of journalists, as it is a necessary precondition for journalistic work.”

She added: “International principles and treaties, including the 2002 Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa adopted by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in 2002 and which represents an important milestone for media freedom in Africa, sets clear obligations on African Union member states to guarantee the confidentiality of journalistic sources.”

In arresting and prosecuting Ogundipe, the Nigerian government has also violated Article 66 of the Treaty of ECOWAS signed in Lagos in 1975, which requires member states to “ensure respect for the rights of journalists”, Trionfi added.

In June of this year, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, inaugurating the 67th IPI World Congress in Abuja, said that “good journalism promotes good governance”. He added: “In an environment wherefake news dwarfs investigative reporting, good journalism matters”.

Hajj 2018: NAHCON cautions pilgrims against patronizing local food vendors

By Umar Muhammad Puma Abuja

A

s Nigerian pilgrims joined their counterparts from across the world for this year’s hajj, a call have been made to the pilgrims to avoid eating from local food vendors popularly known as Tikari .

Tikari are mostly from west and central Africa, who live illegally in Saudi Arabia and at most times engage in selling of local foods that the pilgrims are familiar with in an unhygienic environment during hajj and Umrah.

Chairman National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Abdullahi Muktar who stated this in Makka at the 2018 pre-Arafat meeting with stakeholders, said it is imperative

that Nigerians should avoid such food vendors because of the danger of outbreak of diseases, as according to him most of them cook their food in an unhygienic conditions.

“For the fear of contacting diseases our pilgrims should not engage in buying their food, we have it from good authority that some of the food vendors cooked their food in toilets and other unhygienic environment and bring it out to sell it to the pilgrims.

He advised pilgrims to remain in their tents in Muna and Arafat, since adequate arrangements have been made to provide enough food and drinks throughout their period of stay in the area.

The Commission also said it has concluded arrangements to monitor

the slaughtering of Rams popularly referred to as Hadaya paid in Nigerian by pilgrims to ensure rancor free exercise.

Director Planning Research and Logistic Services, Sulaiman Usman started while briefing stakeholders at the pre-Arafat meeting of the tents arrangements for Muna and Arafat, said the aim is to ensure that no pilgrim was shortchanged and to also gain the confidence of pilgrims paying their Hadya in Nigeria before coming to Saudi Arabia.

NAHCON has also revealed that more than two million pilgrims from across the world have begun their lifetime spiritual journey to vast tent city of Mina for this year’s hajj.

The Saudi base Newspaper, Saudi Gazette reports that , the pilgrims

have started converging on the vast tent city of Mina since last evening. As the night wore on Saturday, all roads and highways leading into Mina were filled with pilgrims, most of whom traveled in buses and other vehicles while some others on foot.

Addressing a press conference at the Public Security headquarters in Mina on Saturday, Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki, security spokesman at the Ministry of Interior, said that the number of pilgrims from within the Kingdom and abroad for this year’s Haj has exceeded two million.

All the concerned authorities and agencies have completed their preparations and arrangements to facilitate the smooth flow of pilgrims between Makkah and the holy sites of Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah.

Permanent Secretary Ministry of Science and Technology Mr. Bitrus Bako Nabasu, (middle) Chairman Governing Board Nigerian Institute for Typanosonmiasis Research (NITR) Hon. Shehu Haruna Lamso (right) and Director Science Technology and Promotion Dr. Ekanem Udoh (left) during the North-West Dialogue on the Presidential Executive Order No.5 and Sensitization on the National Science, Technology Innovation Roadmap (NSTIR) 2017-2030 at the Nigerian Institute for Typanosonmiasis Research unguwar, at the weekend in Kaduna State.

CBN anchor- borrowers’ scheme: 6, 670 Plateau rice farmers receive farm imputes From Ado Abubakar Musa Jos

N

o fewer than 6, 670 rice farmers in Plateau State have received fertilizers, seedlings, herbicide, water pumping machine and other rice

farming inputs from the ongoing Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Anchor Borrowers Scheme of the Federal Government.

The State chapter of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) told journalists in Jos that farmers have started

receiving the imputes since last month at the Plateau Agricultural Development Programme( PADP) Secretariats of Shendam Jos and Mangu local government areas.

Mr. Dauda Aku who is the secretary of the association said, “6,670 people were approved in

3 geo political zones of the state and about 36 trucks each loaded with 600 bags of fertilizers were allocated to the rice farmers in the state. The beneficiaries were drawn from all the 17 LGAs of the state.”

Ganduje empowers 8,800 youth with N275 m From Edwin Olofu Kano

I

n his effort to alleviate the sufferings of youths in Kano state, the state Governor Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has launched another empowerment programme for 8,800 youth across the 44 local government

areas of the state.

Ganduje who was speaking during the flag off of the empowerment programme at the Government House Kano, said his administration will provide them with a working capital of N20, 000 each as startup capital for them to assist

them in their businesses.

“It is with great pleasure to be here in your midst for the issuance of start-ups capital in the sum of Twenty Thousand Naira (N20,000) each to a total of 8,800 males drawn from the 44 local governments thus, 200 per each local government area.”

He equally hinted that not only males are to benefit from the empowerment programme, “Similar programme will be launched for females tomorrow.

Ours is to make sure that families become happier and self-reliant.”

commendation while speaking with our correspondent in Jos, started that, the training of the teachers will address trauma counseling and psychosocial support, security and safety as well as teaching techniques among others.

According to him, the collaboration with Yobe state university for five days capacity building workshop for primary school teachers is great achievement

and promoted the education sector under the leadership of PCNI. He urged the teachers who participated in the training to use the knowledge they gain to impact positively on their students. “Education is key of life, education is backbone of any society” he emphasized.

Amshi said “ the training will benefit the students in the area of learning

because teachers have learned new ways of making classrooms conducive for them to learn,” he said.

He also commenting on the activities of the committee for presently transiting from humanitarian intervention to real aspect of development of the programmer among the town and village in our state and region at large.

Yobe UPP chair lauds PCNI over training of teachers From Ado Abubakar Musa JOS

T

he Yobe State Chairman of the Unite Progressive Party (UPP), Hon Aliyu Buba Amshi, has commended the Presidential Committee On North East Initiative (PCNI) for training over I000 primaries school teachers in the state.

The State Chairman, who made the

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, august 20, 2018

News

Gombe Police nab notorious armed robbers From David Hassan Gombe

G

ombe state Police Command has confirmed the arrest of notorious armed robbers who usually terrorize the peace of citizens in the state.

Parading the suspects at the Police headquarters in Gombe, the state Commissioner of Police Mr. Shina Olukolu told journalists that the arrest of the suspects came as a result of useful information made available to the Police by concerned citizens that led to the arrest of the suspects.

According to him, nemesis caught on the suspects when they robbed an Okada Rider who pretending to be Police officers on duty along Pindiga Kashere road.

He said the robbers arrested the Okada Rider pretending to be Police officers which according to CP threaten to take his motorcycle to police station without him accompanying them.

In his wise decision, the Okada Rider made some observations and asked questions which he said since he was arrested he will

ensure that he follow them to the station but the robbers insisted not to go with him, attempting to join the robbers vehicle they pushed him away and zoom off where some good Samaritan who saw what happened quickly informed the police that led three teams of police pursued them and they were arrested he said.

He said even though one of the robbers escaped with the motorcycle to Lafiya Lamurde in Adamawa state investigation is ongoing with the hope the robber who is at large will be arrested.

Police, NSCDC move to ensure hitch-free Eid-El Kabir From Femi Kaduna

K

Oyelola

aduna state Police Command said it has put in place comprehensive strategies for a hitch-free Eid-El-Khabir celebration in the State.

This is just as the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp, NSCDC has declared the operational readiness of the command to deploy over 3,000 personnel in the state to tackle security issues during the festivity The Police Public Relation Officer of the Command DSP Yakubu Sabo disclosed

this in a statement made available to the media in Kaduna yesterday.

The statement stated that,” In this furtherance of the Community Safety and Crime Prevention Strategy of the Command, before, during and after the celebrations, members of public are hereby advised to take exercise caution and celebrate in moderation.”

The Command also called on residents to be wary of sharing gifts with unknown person and be cautious of unknown persons that come around in the name of felicitation; “Pay

PAGE 7

extra attention to Children/ ward as they go about during the period; be vigilant of your surrounding when making withdrawals for the period especially at ATM; “Be very sure of your safety before embarking on a visit to new places; and do not leave the entire house empty as you go out to celebrate but ensure that at least one adult is left at home to prevent criminal cashing on your absence; “Ensure all electrical sockets are switched-off when not in use especially when leaving the house, markets or shop,” the Police cautioned.

THE FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC, OKO P M B 021, AGUATA, ANAMBRA STATE

INVITATION TO TENDER FOR EXECUTION OF YEAR 2017 ZONAL TETFUND INTERVENTION, 34F2Y/2017.

1.0 INTRODUCTION: The Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State hereby invites reputable and interested contractors, suppliers and manufacturers with relevant experience and good track record of performance to submit prequalification/ financial bids for the year 2017 ZONAL TETFUND Intervention projects listed below: 1.

2.

LOT

PROJECT Procurement, Installation, Testing & Commissioning of Chemistry Laboratory Equipment, etc Procurement, Installation, Testing & Commissioning of Food Microbiology/ Food Processing Equipment, etc

2.0 PREQUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To be eligible, potential companies are required to submit all the under listed verifiable documents: i. Evidence of Registration with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), including forms CAC02/ CAC07. ii. Current Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) for the last 3 years (2015, 2016 & 2017) valid till 31st December, 2018 iii. Current Pension Compliance Certificate (PENCOM) valid till 31st December, 2018. iv. Evidence of Current Compliance Certificate of Industrial Training Fund (ITF), valid till 31st December, 2018. v. Evidence of Registration in the National Database of Federal Contractors, Consultants and service providers (NDCCSPs) Interim Registration Report (IRR) expiring on 1/1/2019 or valid certificate issued by BPP. vi. Verifiable documentary evidence of relevant / cognate experience on at least 3 (three) similar jobs executed in the last 5 (five) years, (including letters of awards and completion certificates). vii. Letter of Authorization from Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) or their accredited dealer in line with Federal Government Policy on procurement of equipment from OEM. viii. Evidence of financial capability to execute the job including reference letter from a reputable commercial bank indicating willingness to provide credit facility for the execution of the job when needed. ix. Comprehensive Company profile with the curriculum vitae (CV) of key staff indicating professional and technical qualifications of Personnel required to carry out the procurement. x. Evidence of availability of equipment and other relevant Infrastructure required to execute the job. xi. A sworn affidavit by a Director of the Company certifying that: a. The Director of the Company seeking prequalification have never been convicted by any court of law. b. The company is Not in receivership, subject of any form of Insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings or the subject of any form of winding up petition or proceedings, c. None of the officers of the relevant Committee of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko or Bureau of Public Procurement is a former or present Director, shareholder, or has any pecuniary interest in the company and to confirm that all information presented in its Bid are true and correct in all particulars. xii. Company’s registered office address, functional contact address, GSM phone nos and e-mail address.

3.0 COLLECTION OF TENDER DOCUMENTS Interested Companies are to collect the Bidding documents from the office of the Director Physical Planning, Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra State upon presentation of evidence of payment of a non refundable Tender Fee of #10,000.00 (Ten Thousand Naira) only, paid into the Federal Polytechnic Oko Remita account in any reputable bank in Nigeria.

4.0 SUBMISSION OF BIDS Prospective bidders are to submit their completed Technical and Financial bids packaged in separate sealed envelopes clearly marked” TECHNICAL BID” and “FINANCIAL BID” respectively and thereafter, put the two separate sealed envelopes together in a bigger envelope, sealed and marked “TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL BIDS”, stating the specific LOT No (s) on the top left hand corner of the outer envelope and addressed to: THE REGISTRAR, FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC OKO, PMB 021 AGUATA, ANAMBRA STATE. The Reverse side of the sealed envelope should have the name, address, GSM No and Email address of the bidder. All bids are to be inserted into the tamper proof Tenders Box kept in the office of the Director of Physical Planning, Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra State not later than 12.00 noon on Tuesday, 2nd October, 2018.

5.0 OPENING OF BIDS The Technical Bids will be opened immediately after the deadline for the Submission at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, 2nd October, 2018 in the presence of the Bidders or their accredited representatives at the MultiPurpose hall, Federal Polytechnic Oko. Only shortlisted bidders in the Technical prequalification evaluation shall be invited for the Financial Bids opening on a later date while the unsuccessful bidders will have their financial Bids returned unopened.

GENERAL INFORMATION: i. All shortlisted, prequalified bidders will be contacted at a later date for financial bid opening. Bids of unsuccessful bidders will be returned unopened. ii. All bids submitted after the deadline will not be accepted. iii. Bidders are requested to sign the register of bidders on submission of the bids. iv. The Federal Polytechnic Oko is not bound to shortlist any bidder and reserves the right to annul the procurement process at any time without incurring any liabilities.

Signed MANAGEMENT

PAGE 8

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, august 20, 2018

news

2019: Savanna Centre warns against heating polity

By Tobias Abuja

T

Lengnan

Dapam

he Savannah Centre for Diplomacy Democracy and Development (SCDDD) has warned politicians against heating the polity, just as it urges security agencies not to be attached to government.

The Centre in a statement issued yesterday by its Executive Director, Ambassador Abdullahi Omaki, said “As we approach the general elections of 2019, the country has begun to see activities largely consistent with democratic norms yet full of aberrations that threaten democracy itself and our collective aspiration for a stable and progressive nation. If the path of development through democracy is to be guaranteed, recent developments in the polity portend dangers that all men and women of goodwill must strive to avert.

“In 2014, elements of the nation’s security agencies invaded the sanctity of our National Assembly without consequences. Not long ago, the houses of some of our judicial officers were invaded at will.

Only last Tuesday (August 7, 2018), some DSS operatives repeated such a brazen act of invading the National Assembly.

This time around however, there were consequences: the removal of the DG, DSS and an ongoing investigation to unravel, hopefully, the true circumstances behind such an act to permit appropriate sanctions to be taken against all those found culpable to avoid future reoccurrence”.

The statement said “the background of these two separate invasions of NASS is similar: re-alignment of forces by the political actors, jostling for elective political positions in the 2019 elections whose lack of ideological and transparent internal democracy by Political Parties threw up the issue of massive defections in the different political platforms.

The resultant outcomes of such acts, including the fear of the possibility for leadership changes in the two chambers of NASS, are at the core of current events, which have heated-up the political temperature across the country.”

Omaki in the statement also expressed worry over the lack of cordial relationship amongst security agencies and urged them not to be attached to the government but represent the interests of the country.

Sallah: Ram dealers lament low patronage

S

ome cattle dealers in Kano who had stocked domestic animals such as goats, rams and cows for sale ahead of Sallah, are complaining of low patronage.

Some of them who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Kano lamented that their hopes for brisk business had been dashed as a result of the poor state of the nation’s economy.

Ali Sani, a dealer at Yanawaki market in Kumbotso Local Government Area, said they had been forced by the situation to be selling some of the rams on credit due to slow pace of business.

Another livestock seller, Haladu Yusuf, in Gama cattle market of Nasarawa Local Government area

in Kano, lamented the situation and attributed the development to non-payment of salaries by many employers, resulting in low purchasing power of potential customers He said although similar development was experienced the previous years, that of 2018 is the worst.

A livestock dealer in Tarauni cattle market, Sani Ali, also said business was not moving as expected. He said the biggest ram cost about N110,000 while the smallest was N30,000.

Mr Ali, however, said that the prices of the animals had increased by an average of 40 to 80 per cent compared with what obtained last year, adding that the same size of ram, which now sells for N100,000, was sold for about N70,000 last year.

Saidu Bako, a dealer, also said that it might not be possible to get huge returns from the business this year due to low sales, but was hopeful that the situation might change.

“People are coming to buy rams and goats; some came in groups and bought cows to be shared among themselves.

“By this time last year, I had sold about over 45 rams few days to Sallah, but as I am talking to you now, I have only sold 15,” he lamented.

Tajudeen Sule, buyer at Yanawaki cattle market, said he was at the market for the second day but could not afford the price.

“I was here on Saturday but I cannot buy because the same size I bought last year at N30,000 is being sold for N40,000. I am here today

prepared to see that I get one,” he said.

Another buyer, Garba Dauda, expressed hope that the prices would fall when more rams flooded the markets between today and tomorrow.

He said that medium and big rams now sold at higher prices when compared to last year.

Meanwhile, prices of chicken, fruits, beans, cooking oil, rice and perishable items did not record any significant increase.

NAN observed also that chicken sellers were, however, making brisk sales as many people now go for it.

Several rams were seen being dragged about in Kano metropolis by sellers, who were also seeking potential buyers. NAN

NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR ARTS AND CULTURE PLOT 1370 UKPO CLOSE, OFF ORO AGO CRESCENT, OFF MUHAMMAD BUHARI WAY, (BY OLD CBN), GARKI II DISTRICT, P.M.B. 252, GARKI – ABUJA

INVITATION TO TENDER FOR GOODS, WORKS AND EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EoI) FOR CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR THE EXECUTION OF 2018 APPROPRIATION 1. INTRODUCTION: 1.1 The National Council for Arts and Culture, Abuja is desirous of carrying out the under-listed programmes and projects as contained in its 2018 budget and Zonal Intervention Projects.

1.2 The Council is therefore, inviting experienced and competent contractors/suppliers, consultants and event managers to submit bids for these programmes/projects.

2.

SCOPE OF WORKS AND SERVICES 2.1 CATEGORY A: (PROGRAMMES) LOT NO. LOT 1: LOT 2: LOT 3: LOT 4: LOT 5: LOT 6: LOT 7: LOT 8:

2.2

LOT 11: LOT 12: LOT 13: LOT 14:

Ban unemployed Nigerians from travelling to Saudi Arabia, Envoy urges FG

M

uhammadu Modibbo, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, has urged the federal government to ban unemployed Nigerians from traveling to the Kingdom in search of jobs, to save Nigeria’s image.

Mr Modibbo made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. ”I have sent a letter through the Foreign Affairs Ministry for government to ban such people from coming here (Saudi) because they are

suffering.

“I am also appealing to Nigerians to try as much as possible to get something doing in Nigeria instead of coming here because it is not easy.

“Thousands of people from various countries have left here,” the envoy said.

He said that the embassy was also concerned about the increasing cases of women working as maids that are being abused, and some unscrupulous Nigerians involved in drug trafficking.

According to him, the embassy has been intervening in cases of drug

pushing by some Nigerians, adding “there are many Nigerians on death row for the offence”. ”There are many cases before I assumed office eight months ago; I always intervene but there is not much I can do even though we have some little successes.”

On the prevalence of Nigerians illegally residing in the Holy land, known as Tukaris, widely believed to be involved in shady businesses, the envoy said most of them refused to return home after the expiration of their entry permits.

Agency holds baby show to encourage breastfeeding From Femi Oyelola Kaduna

T

he Kaduna State Primary Health Care Development Agency, yesterday organised a Baby Show as part of efforts to sensitise and promote exclusive breastfeeding among nursing mothers at Kaduna Primary Health Care, Badiko, Kaduna South Local Government Area of the State.

In her remarks, the Executive Secretary of the agency, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, represented by Dr Neyu

Iliyasu, Director Primary Health, explained that the baby show was part of activities to mark the 2018 World Breast Feeding Week.

Balarabe said that the celebration tagged, “Breastfeeding: Foundation for life”, was being celebrated in the state to promote exclusive breastfeeding and adequate infant and young child feeding.

According to her, the competition is organised to honour nursing mothers that exclusively breastfeed their babies.

“Many of them have been here for many years working and will not return home but if they are arrested, they are deported instantly.”

He blamed some agents for the woes of many Nigerians working in Saudi companies and other organisations.

He, however, commended the cordial relationship between Saudi Government and Nigeria, adding that Nigeria recently got a $10 million donation from the Kingdom to assist Boko Haram victims.(NAN)

2.3

LOT 16:

LOT 20: LOT 21: LOT 22: LOT 23: LOT 24: LOT 25: LOT 26: LOT 27: LOT 28: LOT 29:

PROJECT Supplies of Cultural Empowerment Materials for Youths in Ovia Federal Constituency, Edo State Supplies of Electricity Generating Set, Television Sets and Furniture for Viewing Centres in Adamawa South Senatorial District.

CATEGORY D: (CONSULTANCY)

LOT NO. LOT 17: LOT 18: LOT 19:

PROJECT Construction of Cultural Village and Community Centre at Gwagwalada, FCT Construction of Gbagyi Traditional Cloth Weaving Centre, Taiko Village, Paikoro LGA, Niger State Embellishment of Nigerian Embassies Abroad where we have Cultural Attaches Constructions of Rural Roads in Ekiti East LGA, Ekiti South Federal Constituency ll, Ekiti State Construction of Rural Road in Emure LGA, Ekiti South Federal Constituency II, Ekiti State Provision and Building of 5Nos. 20 Unit Market Stalls in Ado Ekiti, Irepodun/ Ifelodun, Ijero, Ekiti West LGAs of Ekiti, Central Senatorial District, Ekiti State

CATEGORY C: (GOODS)

LOT NO. LOT 15:

2.4

PROJECT National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) 2018 International Arts and Crafts (INAC) Expo 2018 Nigerians Participation in Arts and Crafts International Exhibitions Collaboration with Ososo Festival in Akoko-Edo, Edo State Collaboration with Obodoukwu New Yam Festival in Ideato North of Imo State Showcasing of Nigerians Unique Arts and Cultural Pride at 2018 World Cup Russia Embellishment of Nigerian Embassies Abroad where we have Cultural Attaches Made-in-Aba Exhibition in Abuja: a) Publicity/Media Campaign for Made-in-Aba b) Logistics/Welfare c) Event Management

CATEGORY B: (WORKS)

LOT NO. LOT 9: LOT 10:

Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mustapha Maihaja (7th L), Permanent Secretary, Economics and Political Affairs office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Gabriel Aduda (8th L) representative of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Ngozi Azodoh (6th L) and Head of office UN- OCHA Nigeria, Ms Edem Wasornu (5th L) , the Reprehensive of Hon. Federal Commissioner ,National Commission for Refugees and Migrant , Suzan Badda (6th R) and others, during the 2018 World Humanitarian day commemoration, organized by NEMA and other organizations, at the weekend in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Page 9

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, august 20, 2018

PROJECT Equipment and Training of Youth in Video Coverage and Photography in Adamawa South Senatorial District Capacity Building for the Youth in Ekiti Central Senatorial District Training and Empowerment of youths and women in Arts and Crafts in the six (6) Geo-political Zones: 8A: South East 8B: South South 8C: South West 8D: North East 8E: North Central 8F: North West Security Training Awareness and Community Dialogue for Peaceful Co-existence in Ajaokuta Federal Constituency in Kogi State Waste to Wealth Training of Women and Youths in North East Training and Empowerment of Youths in Etsako Federal Constituency, Edo State Capacity Building for Youths and Women in Ekiti Senatorial District Women and Youth Empowerment/Training Programme for Abudu in Orhionmwon Federal Constituency, Edo State Women and Youth Empowerment/Training Programme for Orhionmwon/ Uhunmwode Federal Constituency, Edo State Training and Empowerment of Youths and Women on Fishery and Poultry Farming and for Medical Outbreak in Etsako Federal Constituency, Edo State Workshop, Seminars and Exhibitions for the Promotion of Nigerian Culture Wastes to Wealth Empowerment Program in Iyekogba, Oredo Federal Constituency, Edo State Vocational and Skill Acquisition Training in Emure/Gboyin/Ekiti East, LGA, Ekiti South Federal Constituency II, Ekiti State

3.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS All bidders must meet the following minimum qualifications: a. Evidence of Certificate of Incorporation/Registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) including Form CAC2 and CAC7. b. Evidence of Company Income’s Tax Clearance Certificate for the last three (3) years (2015, 2016 and 2017) valid till 31st December, 2018. c. Evidence of current Pension Compliance Certificate valid till 31st December, 2018 d. Evidence of current Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Compliance Certificate valid till 31st December, 2018. e. Evidence of current Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) Compliance Certificate valid till 31st December, 2018. f. Evidence of Registration on the National Database of Federal Contractors, Consultants and Service Providers by submission of Interim Registration Report (IRR) expiring on 1st January, 2019 or valid Certificate issued by BPP. g. Sworn Affidavit disclosing whether or not any officer of the National Council for Arts and Culture or the Bureau of Public Procurement is a former or present Director, Shareholder or has any pecuniary interest in the bidder and to confirm that all information presented in its bid are true and correct in all particulars. h. Company Audited Accounts for the last three (3) years (2015, 2016 & 2017); i. Evidence of Financial Capability to execute the project including Reference Letter from a reputable commercial bank indicating willingness to provide credit facility for the execution of the project when needed; j. Company Profile with the Curriculum Vitae of Key Staff to be deployed for the project, including copies of their Academic/Professional qualifications (in case of construction: COREN, QSREN, ARCON, CORBON; NSCDC (Security), etc.); k. Verifiable documentary evidence of at least three (3) similar jobs executed in the last five (5) years including Letters of Awards, Valuation Certificates, Job Completion Certificates and Photographs of the projects. l. List of Plants/Equipment with proof of Ownership/Lease (where applicable e.g. for Lots: 3, 6, 25, 26 and 29). m. For Joint Venture/Partnership, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) should be provided (all the eligibility requirements are compulsory for each JV partner) n. All documents for submission must be transmitted with a Covering/Forwarding letter under the Company/Firm’s Letter Head Paper bearing amongst others, the Registration Number (RC) as issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Contact Address, Telephone Number (preferably GSM No.), e-mail address. The letterhead Paper must bear the Names and Nationalities of the Directors of the Company at the bottom of the page, duly signed by the authorised officer of the firm.

4.

COLLECTION OF TENDER DOCUMENTS Interested companies are to collect the Standard Bidding Document (SBD) from the office of the Head, Procurement Unit, Directorate Office, Room 2, 1st Floor, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Plot 1370, Ukpo Close, Off Oro Ago Crescent, Off Muhammad Buhari Way, (by Old CBN), Garki II, District, Abuja on evidence of payment of a non-refundable fee of N10,000.00 per Lot, paid into the National Council for Arts and Culture’s Remita account in any commercial bank.

5.

SUBMISSION OF TENDER DOCUMENTS Prospective bidders are to submit bid for each of the Lot desired, two (2) hard copies each of the technical and financial bids with softcopy of financial bid only in MS Excel format, packaged separately in sealed envelopes and clearly marked as “Technical Bid” or “Financial Bid”. Thereafter, put the two sealed envelopes together in a bigger sealed envelope addressed to the Director General/CEO, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), 1st Floor, Plot 1370 Ukpo Close, Off Oro Ago Crescent, Off Muhammad Buhari Way, (by Old CBN) Garki II District, Abuja and clearly marked with (the name of the project/ programme and the Lot number). Furthermore, the reverse of each sealed envelope should have the name and address of the bidder and drop in the designated Tender Box (located at Room 2,1st Floor, Procurement Unit, NCAC Office) not later than 12 noon of 2nd October, 2018.

Interested Firms are to submit two (2) bound copies of Expression of Interest (EoI) documents, separated by dividers. The documents should be submitted in a sealed envelope and addressed to the Director General/CEO, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), 1st Floor, Plot 1370 Ukpo Close, Off Oro Ago Crescent, Off Muhammad Buhari Way, (by Old CBN) Garki II District, Abuja and clearly marked with (the name of the project and the Lot number). Furthermore, the reverse of each sealed envelope should have the name and address of the Bidder and should be deposited in the Tender Box at the address above, not later than 12.00 noon on Monday, 3rd September, 2018.

6.

OPENING OF BIDS The technical bids will be opened immediately after the deadline for submission by 12 noon on 2nd October, 2018 in the Board Room, NCAC Office, Abuja, in the presence of bidders or their representatives, while the financial bids will be kept un-opened. Please, ensure that you sign the Bid Submission Register in the office of the Head, Procurement Unit, Directorate Office, 1st Floor, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Plot 1370, Ukpo Close, Off Oro Ago Crescent, Off Muhammad Buhari Way, (by Old CBN), Garki II, District, Abuja, as the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) will not be held liable for misplaced or wrongly submitted bids. For further enquiries, please contact the “Head of (Procurement)” on e-mail Ibnmasud65@gmail.com.

Expression of Interest (EoI) documents will be opened immediately after the deadline for the submission by 12.00 noon on Monday, 3rd September, 2018, at the Council’s Board Room, 1st Floor in the presence of Bidders or their representatives. Please, ensure that you sign the Bid Submission Register at the address stated above, as the Council will not be held liable for misplaced or wrongly submitted bids.

7.

GENERAL INFORMATION a. Bids must be in English Language and signed by an official authorized by the bidder; b. Bids submitted after the deadline for submission would be returned un-opened; c. Bidders should not bid more than two (2) Lots; d. All costs will be borne by the bidders; e. All pre-qualified bidders will be contacted at a later date for financial bid opening, while bids of unsuccessful bidders will be returned un-opened. f. The National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) is not bound to pre-qualify any bidder and reserves the right to annul the Procurement process at any time without incurring any liabilities in accordance with Section 28 of the Public Procurement Act 2007.

Signed Director General/CEO National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Abuja

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, august 20, 2018

PAGE 10

news

Sokoto flood victims get N1m life wire From Raji Bello Sokoto

A

member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki, on Sunday donated the sum of N1 million to support victims of a recent flood disaster in Kebbe Local Government area of Sokoto State.

Dasuki is representing Tambuwal/Kebbe Federal Constituency of the State and Chairman, House Committee on Navy.

It was gathered that the disaster which occurred on Friday left many homeless, destroyed farms, animals and other valuables.

Dasuki, who was represented

by Alhaji Attahiru Dan-Madi also commiserated with the victims.

He urged them to take the disaster in good faith.

“As your representative I want to assure you that I will forward this incident to the National Assembly for immediate support and assistance by relevant Federal Government agencies,” he said.

In his remarks, the District Head of Kebbe Alhaji Abubakar Kasimu, commended the lawmaker for the support.

Kasimu represented by Alhaji Labbo Kabi said the flood had destroyed many houses and caused a lot of other damages.

“We are presently taking the number of victims and extent of damages;I assure you that the assistance given will be channeled to the right beneficiaries,” the District Head said.

Some of the victims in an interview commended the lawmaker for the donation.

Count me out of attack on Aisha Alhassan’s convoy-Taraba gov.

By Ese Awhotu with agency report

T

araba Governor, Darius Ishaku, has denied links to attack on the convoy of the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Senator Aisha Alhassan, during weekend’s Assembly byeelection in Takum.

Ishaku who distanced himself from the attack , spoke through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Bala Dan-Abu. He said that, the allegation that he sponsored thugs to attack the minister was very malicious.

Recall that, the convoy of the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Senator Aisha Alhassan, was on Saturday attacked by hoodlums alleged to have been sponsored by the Governor.

Reports said youths in Takum had pelted the minister’s convoy with stones, shattering windscreens of two vehicles in her convoy.

However, speaking to journalists in an interview in Takum, Aisha Alhassan had alleged that people were hired outside Takum to attack her convoy as Takum people accommodated her even in the

governors ward.

“They brought thugs yesterday; and thank God, when I heard the information, I reported to the Police Commissioner, who was also in Takum, that we had reliable information that PDP was bringing thugs from Wukari, Jalingo and Bali local government areas and he said they were going to monitor the situation.

“But we discovered that the people sneaked into this town and gathered stones in a Hilux vehicle and waited for us at the route we were to follow.

“While we were moving, we started seeing stones coming

from one direction and the security officers on the convoy advised that we go back to avoid clash between our supporters and theirs.

“Immediately we made a U-Turn, they also moved along with us in their Hilux and were stoning our convoy.”

According to her, they broke the rear windscreen of the state APC chairman’s car and broke that of her own car which did not scatter because of the way it was designed.

Meanwhile, Governor Ishaku, who condemned the attack, said it was wrong and wicked to associate him with the attack.

Photo Journalist taking pictures during the 2018 World Photo Day , yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: NAN

Outrage as Oyo govt demolishes Yinka Ayefela’s music house

From Ayodele Samuel Lagos

D

espite public outcry, the Oyo state government yesterday went ahead with its planned demolition of popular singer Dr Yinka Ayefela Music House in Ibadan, housing Fresh FM radio station owned by the musician.

The demolition commenced in the early hours of Sunday morning by agents of the Oyo state government with armed security agents.

The demolition came days after Ayefele dragged the state government to court over the matter.

He had also approached an Oyo state High Court on the condition that the government does not have any right to demolish his property.

Ayefele on his Facebook page wrote that the Oyo state government did at last…my pains my sweat,

“I greet the entire Fresh FM fans both home and abroad.

I wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude for this opportunity and experience. As we all know, Fresh FM is not an Ayefele owned company but a company owned by the general public. I will like to plead with everyone not to cause any casualty especially on the Ajumose bus packed around Music House. Please and please do not destroy any government property. This happened for a reason. Let’s leave everything in God’s care. And I’ll like to thank the government of Oyo state for what they have done.Where they began and where they are at the moment.

Fresh FM’s director of corporate affairs and promotions David Ajiboye said last week that the government wanted to demolish the building because the staff canteen, a spiral staircase, the mast and the fence were not in the approved plan.

Symphatisers who gathered in large numbers as soon as Ajimobi’s demolishing bulldozers got to the house worth several millions amidst tight security could not hold back their tears as they watched the edifice being pulled down.

There has been skeptism about the demolition since Governor Ajimobi made his intention known that he would demolition the house.

The Nigerian Union of Journalists has described as an executive lawlessness the demolition of the Music House building that houses Fresh FM by the Oyo State Government during the pendency of a suit in court of competent jurisdiction In a statement in Abuja, the immediate past Vice President of Zone B of the NUJ Prince Dele Atunbi said the action of the Oyo State Government is against the rule of law.

Prince Atunbi cautioned that

the government would have waited for the outcome of the matter before the court before carrying out any action.

The labour leader pointed out that the action of the Oyo State Government smacks of a serious attempt to gag the press.

The former Vice President solidarised with the management and staff of Fresh FM and equally saluted their courage of coming back on air few hours after the assault.

Prince Atunbi advocated the need for both the government and the governed to always respect the rule of law.

It would be recalled that the government had earlier issued a three-day notice for the demolition of the building, accusing the property owner of not receiving approval for the construction.

According to a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Toye

Arulogun, the demolition notice to the music House Fresh FM 105.9 Ibadan was not based on sentiment or witch-hunting.

It said contravention notices were served to different organisations since June 13 last year including all radio stations in the state.

According to Arulogun, the Music House ignored his request for an application for a new building plan having established through an inspection that the building violated its original plan without seeking physical planning approval from the state Bureau of Physical planning and development control.

He stated that several companies and institutions such as the University of Ibadan, UI, Kola Daisi University, University College Hospital, UCH, Banks and radio stations were similarly asked to provide their approved plans.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, august 20, 2018

PAGE 11

EDITORIAL The death of deadly SARS

O

ur editorial of December opetatives of the new unit 12, 2017 commented that “adhere strictly to the anything short of the rule of law, International disbanding of the notorious Human Rights Law and SARS would not please the constitutionally guaranteed majority of Nigerians. It was rights of suspects.” They must our reaction to the decision of bear proper identification the Inspector General of Police whenever they are on duty.

Ibrahim Idris to “reorganise” Besides, he asked the Human the SARS following public Rights Commission (NHRC) complaints of excessive use of to “set up a special panel to force and extortion against the conduct an investigation into agency. Our comment said in the alleged unlawful activities part: “Indeed, if anything, what of SARS in order to afford the police authorities have done members of the general public is provide a smokescreen under the opportunity to present which SARS will operate using their grievances with a view to the same methodology ensuring redress.” of brutality and killing in a different name.

The government’s We doubt that the move against SARS authotities want a came shortly after The new look SARS with Osinbajo sacked a truly human face. government’s the head of the In this light, we urge move against Department of State the campaigners to Services (DSS), SARS came go to work on the Lawal Daura for shortly after Senate to hold public overstepping his hearings on SARS. Osinbajo sacked bounds. A week If the senators find the head of the earlier, he had a preponderance of ordered the invasion views in support of Department of of parliament - the scrapping SARS, it State Services National Ašsembly. must go.”

That quick action (DSS), Lawal of the acting Daura for We want to commend the president helped federal government overstepping his to put the heads for seeing the point of other security bounds we made in that organisations on editorial and doing the right their toes. thing. Last week, precisely August 14, Acting President For instance, IGP Ibrahim Idris, Yemi Osinbajo asked the IGP notorious for disobeying to “overhaul the management presidential orders, and functions” of SARS. He immediately went to work said the new agency that would as the acting president had result from the overhaul “must ordered. Now we have a new be intelligence-driven and anti robbery apparatus, no restricted to the prevention and longer manned by hooded, detection of armed robbery and blood thirsty gunmen but kidnapping, and apprehension trained Nigerians with an of offenders linked to the stated identifiable human face. Their offences, and nothing more.” job is much more focused this time, This is thanks to VP Osinbajo also instructed that Osinbajo.

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“To be the market place of ideas and the leading player in the industry by putting the people first, upholding the truth, maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards while delivering value to our stakeholders”

Chairman Malam Wada Maida, Oon, Fnge

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Letter to the Editor

Don’t demonize National Assembly

By Dr. Bisi Olawunmi

F

or some time now, the National Assembly and its members have again come under strident public criticism over various charges, ranging from bloated salaries, appropriated constituency projects, defections, and being anti presidency. The occasional drama, including the snatching of the mace, are latched on as unacceptable shenanigans by the members. It got to a point that some were even questioning the relevance of the National Assembly. It would seem that ignorance and mischief on the role of the National Assembly in a democracy rule the land, particularly among vocal commentators who have seized the pubic communication platform.

The very thought of the National Assembly, the legislative arm of government, being dispensable is the height of paranoia and delusion.

It is worth emphasizing the established fact that without the National Assembly there cannot be democracy. It differentiates it from other forms of government which all have the executive and the judiciary.

What is playing out is basically the inherent conflict embedded in democracy under its doctrine of separation of powers, checks and balances. But that doctrine is a myth because in practice, the executive arm is primus inter pares – first among equals - and universally tries to subjugate the legislative arm, with varying degrees of success, hence the perpetual tussle between the two. This is what is playing out but with the dice loaded against the National Assembly.

Let us begin with the latest face-off between the executive and the National Assembly over the approval of the Supplementary Budget, including budget for Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Should the executive have delayed presentation of INEC budget this late, barely six months to the 2019 general elections knowing that it has to undergo processes necessary for lawmakers’ approval ? As explained by spokespersons of the Senate President and Speaker of the House, relevant committees of both chambers of the National Assembly have to work on the estimates, meet in joint committee sessions before final presentation to plenary for approval.

These processes will have to be concluded before reconvening the plenary session.

So, is the executive intent on shortcircuiting these processes and stampeding the National Assembly into approving INEC budget without proper scrutiny?

This cannot be in the national interest.

With regard to the snatching of the Mace, the blame cannot be on the Senate but rather on the security agencies. For some people to burst into the Senate chamber, snatch the Mace and still exit the National Assembly complex where police personnel are expected to be fully on ground, makes a mockery of policing in the country. It explains why violent criminals are having a field day.

Before now, the salaries, emoluments and constituency projects of National Assembly members brought them into public condemnation.

There were comparisons with earnings of parliamentarians in other democratic countries. These comparisons are out of context, given the peculiarities of the Nigerian situation. Unlike other climes where constituents contribute to campaign funds of candidates, in Nigeria, constituents turn candidates and elected members into ATM machines for endless cash calls. Elected representatives are

the closest to the grassroots and subject to intense pressure to provide dividends of democracy. This pressure justifies constituency projects being implemented directly by legislators as proof of their contribution to their constituencies’ development. A federal lawmaker established a health facility in my village, Ijebu-Isiwo in Ijebu-Ode local government area of Ogun state, to the gratitude of the people. It would seem that the executive leadership at state and federal levels do not want legislators to claim provision of such facilities so as to project the governor or the president as the sole fountain of democracy dividends. The amount of money appropriated for constituency projects is therefore a non issue, but rather their judicious application. In this regard, the increasingly sensitized constituents use provision of constituency projects as one of the considerations in re-election of incumbents.

The National Assembly should ordinarily be mobilized as an ally of President Muhammadu Buhari’s very laudable anti corruption campaign through its oversight function in making sure monies appropriated are expended as prescribed. But here again, legislators come under undeserved criticism being labeled as witch-hunting when they expose financial frauds in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) or alternatively lampooned as bribe takers where they give clean bills of financial prudence. So, head or tail, they lose.

On corruption, it is instructive to note that revelations of unimaginable looting of the public treasury, so far, revolved mainly around people in executive positions, security agencies and MDAs, not legislators.

The weapon of impeachment by the legislative arm of government is a potent one. Of course, it is not expected to be deployed frivolously but can compel sobriety in Governors and Presidents to take needful steps in situations of critical crisis. Every one cry today about the grave state of insecurity in the land – with violent criminals holding sway.

The president has come under virulent criticism, especially with regard to the murderous onslaught of herdsmen across several states in the country and rampaging bandits. Isn’t it just possible that an impeachment threat against the president on failure to adequately tackle insecurity may have the salutary effect of jolting him to take necessary measures to stop the carnage to the relief of us all ? But then the strategic value of such a move to nudge the president to ACTION STATION in combating insecurity will be lost on hypocrite, do-gooder sympathisers of the executive who will descend on National Assembly members as enemies of the nation ! ! The illogic stance will be : How dare them ?. It is unfortunate that a soldier, Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, was foisted on the nation as president on return to democratic governance in 1999 who deployed jackboot strategy to overrun the party, of which he was a late joiner, and crush the National Assembly by indiscriminately changing the leadership of both institutions. He emasculated these institutions and ran an Imperial Presidency, the legacy of which is the continued demonization of the National Assembly. It is an approach to governance in a democracy that is counter-productive and cannot serve the public good.

Dr. Bisi OLAWUNMI is former Washington Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Email: olawunmibisi@yahoo.com

PAGE 12

Opinion

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, august 20, 2018

O

nce upon a time, there was a society where family values were not only upheld with utmost integrity and consciousness but also celebrated — a period in history when young men and women had had to transfer values inherited from their parents onto the generation coming after them. Even though there were no ‘modern aesthetics’, the young men and women living in this period could only recognise and appreciate values and not ‘things’; family names were pearls and every family member (either home or abroad) made conscious effort to protect their names. A man would rather die than being alive to witness his family name dragged through the mud by his children. Hence, parents were involved in every developmental stage of their children through effective mentoring and strict parental guidance.

The schools also helped in upholding these values by ensuring there was discipline acrossthe-board. If any child broke the regulation, the appropriate punishment would be applied regardless of the status of his/her parents. In fact, parents and guardians always got agitated should their ward be reported to have erred with regard to the school regulations. This was as a result of the orientation that held family names on high esteem and the fact that same must always be protected.

There was no apparent difference between the affluent and the poor in the society because every home had ‘contentment’ boldly written on the family plaque and beside strict adherence was no other choice available.

Of course, there is no doubt that cultural background does play very important roles in the outlook of any society, nonetheless there is a goal that is common to all societies of the world, irrespective of cultural, political, economic or social differences and that is, to achieve and maintain peace, security and sanity at all times!

This explains why regulations and the various laws are in place — they help check anti-social behavioural patterns, especially those considered dangerous or disruptive where peace, sanity and unity are concerned. History revealed how the various societies, within the context of their norm, had reacted to social ills or behaviours that are considered unacceptable and, these had attracted different degrees of penalties, even the dreadful capital punishment. For example, there

was a time in history when simple act of stealing, indecent dressing, speaking words of profanity, wrong accusation, practice of witchcraft and act of sorcery. were offences punishable by death.

Even now in the new age, some countries are yet to completely repeal capital punishment which is still applicable in their law courts should the degree of offence demands it. The various societies worldwide have operated strictly on moral codes so as to always sustain value systems. Therefore values define humans — humans are humans because they live by societal value system and/ or moral codes. Nevertheless, in every society, there are always individuals who are considered iconoclastic — this could be due to abstraction, in other words, their views or actions are portrayed as deviant demeanour. This is a different angle to this discussion for such individuals are indeed needed in the society because their ideologies and constructive arguments often times help formulate new social policies or ameliorate the existing ones.

Hence these ideologies have also been scientifically proved to be key factors in the promulgation of the various social theories by which people understand, relate and interact with one another in the milieu.

Therefore, in the light of the issue under discussion, it is pertinent to elucidate what corruption is, and this may only be appreciated by a very simple but explicit definition curled from the free online encyclopedia — Wikipedia, which says, corruption is a form of dishonest or unethical conduct by a person entrusted with a position of authority, often to acquire personal benefit. In more simplified terms, corruption is established when everything or anything acquired by anyone who is in a privileged position comes through an avenue of dishonesty or unethical approach. The peculiarity of the Nigerian society with regard to corruption is a contributory factor to the poor international imagery and wrong perception of the citizens whereby foreigners become unnerved to deal whenever the word Nigeria or Nigerian is flagged. And unfortunately the role of the foreign media in this regard is also very horrendous but, be that as it may, there is an urgent need for the country to review its penal codes in the context of its judicial system in order to alleviate the dented image of the country in the eyes of the international communities as well as initiate a systemic process of internal restructuring. This may help to mitigate the bad effect of the foreign media on the economy,

and not only that, the process of economic recovery would be smooth and effective even in recession.

It is bad enough to note that Nigeria as a country may not have been so fortunate in terms of good leadership; leaders who are selfless, accountable, loyal, patriotic, sincere, truthful and people-focused have been proved to be a desideratum over the years, more especially under the various administrations that have existed since independence. For example, government officials would expect kickbacks on approved projects; hence many of these projects get abandoned by the poor contractors due to insufficient funds because chunks of the money allotted for such projects have gone into the hands of the officials as kickbacks. However, the situation has further deteriorated when leaders (government officials and certain politicians alike) are now directly involving close relatives or family members in their corrupt practices. In other words, family members’ account and private companies are now being used as instruments to siphon the nation’s resources into private pockets.

Nevertheless, the bulk of the mess is reflective of the disturbing state of youth unemployment in the country. Now, whether these youths are actually employable is a totally different argument altogether; this is also because the government has seemingly lost focus on the importance of quality education for an average Nigerian youth.

The reluctance of the lawmakers to put forth a strong and constructive debate in order to come up with good idea or programme so as to save the situation remains a mystery. Hence, chunks of unemployable graduates are rolled out on a yearly basis while the situation deteriorates by the day. The fact that the government has not paid adequate attention to the public schools in terms of infrastructure and manpower, has made many business-oriented folks to take advantage of the situation and, this may explain the proliferation of private schools all across the country in the recent times; not in the history of this country have there been such huge number of private schools even up to tertiary level. This does not make a proud and healthy country in terms of its educational system. It is also observed that many civil servants, especially those at the public tertiary institutions have shown less commitment as they get enticed by these ‘private enterprises.’

And because of the government apparent

abandonment of public schools and subsequent decadence of this institution focus has been shifted to private schools, hence only those with higher financial status engage in the patronage of private schools in Nigeria while the poor remain in the abandoned public arena. As a matter of fact, it is to be regretted that many government officials as well as serving politicians have also ventured into the private school business. And now the question is; how can these people really advocate for a policy that is counterproductive where their personal interests are concerned? This explains why the leaders may not be keen on advocating for upgrades of the public institutions. Therefore, youth unemployment in Nigeria, more especially under the prevailing economic condition, is a premonition more especially where the future of the country is concerned. The government had better do something quick!

The government has a big role to play in all these. First, the criminal justice system in Nigeria is perceived weak due to the fact that many corrupt individuals who should be in jail are fighting the government with their ill-gotten wealth. Many of them have infiltrated the various systems of government. They hold political offices and dictate the direction of power in the country.

There is no doubt that corruption disconnects from core social values. The burden of oppression, impunity and intimidating image laundering by individuals with ill-gotten wealth in the society are luring the vulnerable youths into becoming ‘desperados’ who would rather have money at all cost. More unfortunate is the role being played by the 21st century parents who would rather give their children unhealthy orientation and expose them to unrealistic lifestyles — the orientation their own parents never gave them, all in the name of ‘my child must not suffer what I suffered.’ Many of the things children are exposed to nowadays are not sustainable in futuristic terms, hence these children would grow up craving for what they could not afford and, of course eventually get their fingers burnt when they become desperate. So, the question remains; where is our value as parents or guardians?

Adeparusi is a member of the British Society of Criminology.

FCT Minister: Working within limits of available resources

By Rogers Edor Ochela

S

ince he was plucked, in a manner of speaking, from the National Hajj Commission and invested with the back-breaking task of overseeing the affairs of the nation’s capital city, Abuja, Mohammed Musa Bello, through admirable husbandry of scarce sources, is gradually redefining the art of governance in the territory.

Though, things are not working perfectly like the Swiss wristwatch, the truth is that the Minister is doing everything humanly possible and within the permissible limits of available resources to positively alter the equation in the territory.

That Nigeria is experiencing economic recession, the worst of its kind since independence is no longer news. The reason for this current recession is not far-fetched—fiscal irresponsibility coupled with unprecedented thievery of public resources by past successive administrations preceding the incumbent Buhari administration. If the past administrations had been a little bit frugal with resources, the nation would have averted the prevailing crippling recession that has rendered virtually everything prostrate.

Even under this dispensation, several state/local governments, federal ministries and parastatals that have refused to imbibe the spirit of frugality, are economically asphyxiating, a development that has made it practically impossible for them to deliver the much-needed democracy dividends to the people, with several of them finding it extremely difficult to pay salaries.

It is gladdening to note that the FCT Minister realized early enough that if prudence is not applied to the little resources trickling in to the coffers of FCT, it will be practically impossible for him to discharge the mandate that his boss, President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB), has entrusted into

his laps and worse still, he stands the risk of being stoned on the streets should he fail to deliver on the promises he made to the people.

So, through a combination of prioritization of values and professional judgment, Bello has gradually been facilitating an appreciable improvement in service delivery in the territory much to the discomfiture of those who do not wish him well.

If critics find this conclusion on the almost three-year administration of Bello Administration rather unsettling and even regard it as a backhanded attempt to curry favour from the minister, it is understandable. In a nation where cynicism has been elevated into an art and giving an achiever a pat on the back is equated to sycophancy, those who tend to disagree with me on this favourable judgment that I have passed on the minister deserves nothing but understanding.

All over the world, it has been proven beyond reasonable doubt that development or service delivery is not contingent on the cornucopia or surfeit of resources available to the office holder officer, but prudent administration of such resources.

It is within this context that Bello’s accomplishments so far in the midst of critical financial challenges should be appreciated. It is equally important to stress here that the minister and his team at the FCTA, through abiding fidelity to the regime of fiscal responsibility, are gradually repositioning the FCT with a view to meeting the ever-increasing needs of the territory and the interests of the people, including the staff of FCTA. At least, to the best of their ability!

Even in the face of several competing needs in the midst of dwindling allocation from the federation account, Bello and his lieutenants, including the Permanent Secretary, Mr.

Chinyeaka Ohaa, has not allowed the unfortunate development to deter them from their focus of improving the fortunes of the territory.

Those who have been following the trajectory of his life, both public and private, aver that Bello, a political appointee and protégé of President Muhammadu Buhari is on the same page with his principal in his strong aversion for corruption and anything that is either directly or remotely connected to it.

The minister has been severally pilloried, ostensibly because the hitherto illegal free goodies that sycophants and hungers-on enjoy from the treasury are no longer available unlike what was obtainable under the past wasteful and corrupt administrations. This is understandable considering Nigerians’ propensity for extravagant living. For his refusal to allow some people have a bite of the cake that is meant to develop the territory, Bello must be barbecued.

Because of the enormous competing needs begging for his attention and the limited resources available, the minister, most times, has to draw up strict programmes of action in order of priority, with people-oriented ones coming tops. Though, the impact of some of the things he has done might not be immediately felt or noticed now since they require a long period of gestation, but with time, residents of the territory will begin to experience them as they begin to bear fruits.

While some public officials with unlimited access to a large quantum of money have been finding it difficult to deliver on their mandate, Bello, in spite of the paralyzing effects of dwindling resources, is arguably working assiduously to leave an indelible imprint on the canvass of history.

Dear reader, this piece is not about the achievements of the minister per se, it is only about how he and his team have used fiscal discipline as

Comment

Feminism: A wrong perception of equality

Corruption versus family values in Nigeria

By Tunde Adeparusi

PAGE 13

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, august 20, 2018

a handmaiden to navigate their way through the labyrinth of series of challenges to put FCTA on the path of socio-economic cum political sustainability, which only sticklers for fiscal responsibility can attain.

Through a courageous display of sense of responsibility, the minister has so far put his professional expertise at the services of the Administration. And it is also quite encouraging the way and manner he has been responding to criticisms of his administrations, believing that constructive criticisms trailing some of his actions are simply a wake-up call to apply the brakes where necessary in order to realize his noble objectives for the territory. As he soldiers on in this last lap of the Buhari Administration, he should adopt carrot and stick policy with a view to breasting the tape of victory without any encumbrance.

It is however sad to note that even with this impressive concern for the welfare of the people, a few spoilsports have refused to see any redeeming feature in what his Administration is doing to put the FCTA on the path of accelerated development. The good news is that it is glaring even to a drooling imbecile that if not for fiscal prudence, the Administration would not have been able to deliver what it has been able to achieve so far. The credit, of course, should go to Bello, who unlike his counterparts in other ministries, has painfully decided to vacate his personal interests to attain the present level of accomplishments. For a better appreciation of the minister, I have resolved to exhaustively dwell on his achievements in my next write-up. This captain aboard the FCT ship deserves the support of all and sundry!

Ochela is based in Abuja and can be reached via edorochela@yahoo.co.nz

By Uchegbu Ndubuisi

W

ITH every big, historical movement comes the danger that we will swing too far to the other extreme, tipping the balance unhealthily in the other direction, says Anya Briggs, an essayist.

Feminism is a movement that has over the years been introduced and widely adopted in Nigeria and the world at large as a mechanism that seeks justice for women and end sexism in all forms. In many of its contexts, feminism seems to involve at least two claims, one normative and the other descriptive. The normative claim concerns how women ought (or ought not) to be viewed and treated and draws on a background conception of justice or broad moral position. The descriptive claim concerns how women are, as a matter of fact, viewed and treated, alleging that they are not being treated in accordance with the standards of justice or morality invoked in the normative claim.

Together, the two claims provide reasons for working to change the way things are; hence, feminism is not just an intellectual but also a political movement.

This movement has been propagated by so many illustrious personalities all over Africa such as Ghanaian-British documentary filmmaker, producer, and writer, Yaba Badoe; Liberian peace activist, women’s rights advocate and Nobel Peace Laureate, Leymah Gbowee; and Nigeria’s acclaimed author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie; who have all identified themselves as feminists and have written and given speeches on various current topics relating to women’s issues in Africa and beyond.

In a personal, eloquently-argued essay adapted from her much-admired TED talk on “we should all be feminist” and sampled

by Beyonce in her track, “Flawless”, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie defined a feminist as a “person who believes in the social, political, and economic equality of

the sexes.” Does this definition reflect its true meaning? This question continues to be a boggler while observing the situation of things currently faced by men in the society.

Whenever gender inequality is mentioned, our focus is usually on women; that women should receive equal respect, opportunities, and payment as men, and have the right to choose what happens to their bodies. These are terrible problems that women face to some degree in most countries around the world. However, gender inequality is an issue that affects men too. According to Emma Watson, an actress and Goodwill Ambassador for United Nations, in a speech at the UN General Assembly, “fighting for women’s rights has become synonymous with man-hating”. I may be wrong, but feminism has been so over flogged that women in some countries are now seen as superior beings entitled to some privileges when compared to men, thus losing the true essence of equality between sexes.

For recruitment in a banking sector, statistics have shown that banks prefer attractive women (and in few cases, attractive men) for posts which involve direct interactions with medium to highprofile clients. I have never been to a bank and seen more men than women on the counter accepting money and paying cheques given by the customers. I agree that this may be uncomfortable for some attractive women in question especially

those who are not aware of the hidden purpose for their recruitment. But even among those who are aware, many are offended. Only few are concerned. On one side, the banks are not necessarily at fault for being capitalistic and business minded, but it is discrimination nevertheless because there are male graduates who are good at sales and communication but left to roam the streets with their certificates all because they are not women.

Face the facts: Nowadays, women are paid more, given more second chances, sided more and are gaining too much of advantage over men. A skinny guy can be ridiculed by girls, called a wimp, unmanly, womanly and every other thing you can imagine but if he dares open his mouth and point out a fat girl eating McDonalds, he will be flamed to high hell. When relationships fail, it’s a fact that men get tragically overlooked when it comes to getting custody of their children. According to statistics, women receive custody of children 92% of the time in cases of divorce and illegitimacy. People will argue that the children needs to stay close to their mothers but this astoundingly high number means that men are being denied the opportunity to become positive role models in their children’s lives. Consider as well that the average child support payment due from women is half the amount due from men. And despite this fact, women are

“

Nowadays, women are paid more, given more second chances, sided more and are gaining too much of advantage over men

twice as likely as men to default on child support payments. Unlike women, society prevents men from showing emotions and vulnerabilities. While it’s perfectly permissible for women to be aggressive, the moment men let down their guard and cry they are accused of being effeminate.

They have real feelings as well, but unlike women, they don’t have the freedom to express them openly without having their masculinity and even their sexuality fall under question. Women have been in space, fought in wars and have served as heads of state, so why is it that men are termed the bad guy if they fail to hold a door open for a woman? Has it ever occurred to you that the guy who devised the “ladies first” policy may have created it just to check out his girlfriend’s ass? When it comes to equal treatment and equal rights for equal pay, women make more noise than a backfiring Bulldog. So why is it that when it comes to picking up a dinner bill, these same women suddenly become mute? Ladies can’t have it both ways. Being equal means assuming equal duties. With great paychecks come great responsibilities.

Even in television series, men are mostly depicted as grossly incompetent.

From Family Guy to the Simpsons to King of Queens. According to Marge, Homer “chews with his mouth open, hangs out at a seedy bar with bums and lowlifes, blows his nose in towels and puts them back, and scratches himself with his keys”. Similarly, Family Guy’s Peter Griffin is a lovable oaf who “isn’t afraid to say what’s on his mind; usually the wrong thing at exactly the wrong time”. The women in these same series, meanwhile, project an almost saintly glow as long-suffering wives and dedicated mothers. It’s a sad fact that we’re living in a world where unsubstantiated statements can be made about men, when these same claims would never be tolerated if they were directed at women.

Uchegbu Ndubuisi is a Public Affairs Analyst

Attractiveness: Necessity or prerequisite for dating?

By Elijah Akoji

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onsidering the characteristics that are often considered desirable in a mate—a sense of humor, intelligence, kindness, understanding, a family orientation, good looks. Which would you rank as most important in a romantic partner? Which is least important to you? Research consistently shows that we rank most or all of these traits as more important than good looks.

However, consciously ranking traits as more or less important may not reflect the way we make our real-life dating and mating decisions. sometime ago I sat down with my woman Prisca, she scanned through an online dating profiles. She told me that looks were not that important to her, but that a good sense of humor was a must. While she certainly values all of the characteristics I listed above, not once did we say, “This guy seems like he has a great sense of humor,” or, “This man has very kind features.” We only stopped to further investigate the profiles of men who seemed physically attractive.

Physical attractiveness may serve as a gatekeeper directing us toward partners who are healthy, age appropriate, and able to reproduce, and when we make real-life dating and mating decisions, research indicates, physical appearance dominates: We choose to pursue relationships with those who are attractive to us.

Men (both gay and straight) seem to

consciously recognize the importance of physical attractiveness more than women.

However, experimental research, as well as evidence from online dating and speed dating, shows that physical attractiveness is equally important to men and women.

Further, attractiveness tends to be a more important factor in our dating decisions than traits like personality, education, and intelligence.

Physical attractiveness may be so important to us because we associate other positive qualities with a pleasing appearance. For example, attractive individuals are expected to be happier and to have more rewarding life experiences than unattractive individuals, This tendency to associate attractiveness with positive qualities occurs cross-culturally Is Physical Attractiveness Less Important?

One reason we may not consciously realize the importance of physical attractiveness is that we don’t necessarily want partners who are extremely attractive—we just want partner who are attractive enough, both attractive and moderately attractive individuals are viewed more positively than less attractive counterparts.

A lack of attractiveness was associated with negative qualities, but only a moderate level of attractiveness was necessary to make one’s associations positive. To interest us, then, potential mates do not need to be exceptionally attractive, only moderately so.

The distinction between necessities and luxuries, can help us understand the importance of a moderate level of physical attractiveness. “a necessity is something that is initially extremely desirable…but

“

But no matter our personal level of attractiveness, or our partner’s, as we get to know, like, and respect each other more, our attraction naturally grows and deepens

as more of it is acquired, it diminishes in value. A luxury, in contrast, is not important when necessities are lacking, but becomes more desirable once basic needs have been met” A research once suggests that most of us, consciously or not, view a moderate level of physical attractiveness as a “necessity,” while a higher level of may be a “luxury.”

When we say that physical attractiveness is not important to us, we are likely referring to the luxury of exceptional attractiveness and not the necessity of a minimum level of attractiveness.

But how attractive is “moderately” attractive? We don’t need to be supermodels to find a mate, but whom we consider to be “moderately attractive” varies from person to person. More attractive people tend to perceive fewer others as physically attractive while less attractive individuals may consider a broader range of others appealing and looking for someone who shares a similar level of physical attractiveness to your own can enhance your long-term relationship success.

But no matter our personal level of attractiveness, or our partner’s, as we get to know, like, and respect each other more, our attraction naturally grows and deepens .The longer we know each other, the less important physical attractiveness becomes to beginning and maintaining a long-term relationship .

Beauty attracts our emotion while character retains it.

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news

Presidency to Saraki: You’re responsible for delay in INEC supplementary budget late submission

By Lawrence Olaoye

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he Presidency has alleged that the Senator Bukola Saraki led National Assembly was responsible for the delay in the submission of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s supplementary appropriation bill to the lawmakers by President Muhammadu Buhari.

In a statement made available to newsmen yesterday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on media and publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, the Presidency debunked Saraki’s allegation that Buhari should be blamed for the delay in approving

the supplementary budget for INEC. Shehu wrote “On the contrary, the Senate President should look into the mirror and what he will see is his own face.

He is solely to be held responsible for deliberately driving the nation to this cliff edge as far as the preparations for next elections are concerned.

It is not true that INEC submitted their draft budget to the Presidency in February. No, it came much later but even then, this is not the real issue.

The fact that their proposals came well after the President had laid his budget for the year 2018 before the National Assembly

meant that their own will be sent as supplementary budget. This was clearly stated to them by the Minister of Budget and National Planning.

A supplementary budget cannot be submitted until the main budget is passed, and so the delay in passing the main budget was the reason for the delay. The National Assembly passed the 2018 budget seven months after the document was submitted to the National Assembly by President Buhari.

Unless someone has forgotten, the budget was submitted to the National Assembly and it took the Saraki-led National Assembly seven months to release it. There is no way President Buhari could

have submitted a supplementary budget while the main one was still pending. It is never done.

Because Saraki did not return the main budget, we could not have submitted the supplementary one.

After the long delays, the President was pained to sign the much distorted, butchered and debauched document. In giving his assent, President Buhari said that he was compelled to sign the budget so as not to keep the economy continuously on a standstill.

In his words: “When I submitted the 2018 Budget proposals to the National Assembly on 7th November 2017, I had hoped that the usual legislative

review process would be quick, so as to move Nigeria towards a predictable January-December financial year.”

It is also worthy of note that this is the first time in Nigeria’s history that a government would bring together the cost of an election in one budget, with each agency involved invited to defend their portion of the budget before the National Assembly.

It is all part of the transparency that this government is known for. In the past, governments would approve INEC budgets and funding without a breakdown, often using ways and means to fund it. Not so under President Buhari.”

Maina donates vehicle to APC in Gwagwalada

By Usman Shuaibu Abuja

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senatorial aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Isah Maina, has donated a vehicle to the chairman of APC in Gwagwalada Area Council, Alhaji Husseini Deze, saying that the vehicle should be used to campaign for President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 general elections in the area.

The aspirant, who made the donation while addressing the party’s executives and members at the APC Secretariat in Gwagwalada to declare his intention to contest for the senatorial seat in the FCT. He called on both the executives and members of APC to continue to support the party in all ramifications, urging them not to allow influential people in the society to impose candidates on them.

He stressed the need for members of the party to remain loyal and shun anti-party activities in 2019 general elections.

Demolished Yinka Ayefele’s Fresh FM building by Oyo State Government, onLagos By-pass, Challenge,Felele Road, yesterday, in Ibadan.

Photo: NAN

2018 World Humanitarian Day: Stakeholders call for more support

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna Abuja

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takeholders have called for more support for humanitarian workers across the globe.

The call was made during the celebration of 2018 World Humanitarian Day yesterday in Abuja, with the theme : “Not A Target: Protection of Civilian”.

Speaking, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha said that “ in Nigeria alone we have up to 50 names that have lost their lives in 2007 to 2009 that is huge lost.”

Represented by the Permanent

Secretary Special Duty in the office of the SGF William Alo, Mustapha stated that “this is not just something that happens far away from home but we are having to deal with lives and produce humanitarian services in the Nigeria, the contient.

Africa but the world at large.

He urged that “it is therefore apt that we create awareness in such a way that more people can be involved and get engage in humanitarian services, you don’t have to be a commission humanitarian”.

“Before you act, whenever there’s a crisis around you, your instincts within you should move

you to do something. Yes there are people that are trained to provide such services in which we are happy about but I also urged volunteerism in each and every one of us is call to duty “.

He maintained the need to demonstrate as well as that demand a greater humanity and create a wide spread to spot humanitarian action across the globe.

“In Nigeria the government has taken steps to see how we can preempt and try to prevent especially numbers of human initiative forms of crisis neither sometimes physical weapons, chemical weapons, biological

weapons, radiological or nuclear weapons to help the government “With this ,we seen to criminalised the use of chemical and biological weapons for wrong purpose but only for peaceful purpose.”

Also, speaking the Director General National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Engr. Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja ,said the celebration of 2018 World Humanitarian Day, was a day to rally support for humanitarian workers, a day to pay tribute to aid workers, it is a day to remember those that have lost their lives while providing humanitarian services

to the vulnerable, a day to honour those that have survived various .

Maihaja who emphasised that the Theme for this year celebration is “Not A Target: Protection of Civilian”, said humanitarian workers should not be the target of any form of attack.” They are working for humanity, they are neutral and impartial. But since 2003, many more humanitarian and aid workers have been killed, and attacked all over the world in the course of their duties. In 2017 alone, major incidents of violence against humanitarian operations were recorded in 22 countries affecting 313 aid workers”.

2019: CESJET condemns foreign interference

By Stanley Onyekwere Abuja

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he Centre for Social Justice Equity and Transparency (CESJET) has demanded a written apology from the UK, United States, Saudi Arabia and other

foreign bodies allegedly interfering in the forthcoming Nigeria’s 2019 election.

CECJET wants the apology to include an undertaken not to resume interference in Nigeria’s elections directly or indirectly using local or

international groups or proxies.

CESJET Executive Secretary, Isaac Ikpa who briefed newsmen in Abuja, wondered at what point it became fashionable for the same US to become part of an axis of evil asking President Buhari not to seek

re-election to serve Nigerians that are asking him to remain their leader.

It will be recalled that a national Newspaper had in its Tuesday August 14, 2018 edition published a lead story on its front page with the headline: “Pressure Mounts On

Buhari Not To Seek Re-Election.”

Ikpa said CESJET count it as fortunate that the Federal Government of Nigeria has refuted the “fiction parading as news” which that story was reported in the news story.”

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Niger APC advised to ensure fairness during primaries From Yakubu Minna

Mustapha,

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chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Adamu Ahmed Erana, has urged the party faithful to avoid acts capable of tarnishing the image of the APC in Niger state.

The APC chieftain from Shiroro Local Government Area gave the advice at the weekend in Minna, the state capital, while reacting to activities of the party, especially ahead of the party’s forthcoming primaries that is around the corner.

Erena described as shameful and very unfortunate the recent actions of some members of the party in the area who selected a candidate on consensus to contest for Rafi, Shiroro, Munya federal constituency as unacceptable.

He warned that only credible primaries conducted by the leadership of the party would be recognized for the eligibility of candidates to contest for any elective office in the area, saying that anything contrary will be resisted forthwith.

According to him, “What the APC needs now is unity of purpose and credible individual that would ensure the success of the party and of President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Abubakar Sani Bello in next year’s general election”.

Erana who is also an aspirant for the House of Representative seat, further advised the public to disregard the so called ‘consensus posturing’ and await the party’s guidelines on the conduct of the primaries.

He urged his supporters to remain calm, be law abiding and have faith in the party, saying he was sure it will not contravene the guiding principles of the party in any way by allowing the peoples choice to prevail.

Jigawa Gov moves to reconcile Dogara, Gov. Abubakar From Ahmad Mohammed, Bauchi

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ll Progressive Congress (APC) Stakeholders have hailed Jigawa State Governor, Badaru Abubakar, for making effort to retain Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, and Bauchi elders, under the auspices of Wazirin Bauchi, Alhaji Muhammadu Bello Kirfi, in the party.

Leader of the Group, ElFaruk Gadon Bauchi, stated this when he addressed reporters at the Secretariat of the Nigerian Union of Journalist in Bauchi, where he said “When Governor Badaru came to Bauchi during the just concluded Bauchi South Senatorial bye election,

he make the best use of the visit to meet with the aggrieved APC stake holders in the, State especially Dogara, BelloKirfi and other prominent people.

“He clearly told them that the APC at the National level and the Federal Government were seriously concerned with the differences and disagreement among APC stakeholders and leaders in the State, and they are willing to ensure justice and reconcile all of them in the best interest of the party and the country at large”, he said.

El-Faruk who is a close associate of Alhaji Abdulmumini Shafa, said “Shafa represented Dogara during the discussions and all their discussions were fruitful, all of them have no problem whatsoever with

President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC at National level, in fact they support all efforts of President Buhari in the fight against corrupt practices and his effort to bring the required development to all parts of the country”.

He said the stakeholders pledged to remain in the party and support whatever effort the national leadership of the party will do to look into their grievances and treat them with justice and fairness.

During the meeting, Gado said the representative of Dogara, Alhaji Shafa, commended the Federal Government for their cooperation to the Speaker that enabled him deliver dividends of democracy to the people

of Dass, Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro Federal Constituency.

El-Faruk said the beauty of politics is dialogue, saying that through dialogue, people will treat people of different opinions who will agree and disagree, and that at the end, solutions will come and the duo will come out stronger.

He commended Governor Badaru for extending olive branch to strong APC leaders and prayed to almighty God to reward him and to guide him in his effort to see to the success of APC. Elfaruk commended Dogara, Bauchi elders and other APC stakeholders for their cooperation and for making effort to speak the truth in their quest for justice and fairness.

L-R: Board Chairman, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Chief Ezekiel Irmiya; National Coordinator, Buhari/Osinbajo Mandate Group, Prince Ebunoluwa Martins; Senior Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Mr. Gideon Samani; Chairman Presidential Support Committee 2019, Alh. Kabir Nakaria, and Secretary of the group Dr. Rachael Akpabio, during the group support to welcome the President Mohammadu Buhari that returns to the country after vacation, on Saturday at the presidential wing of Abuja airport . Photo: Justin Imo-owo

APC fires back at PDP on sacking of defected member

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he Niger State All Progressives Congress (APC) has challenged the State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman on a statement credited to him on the State Assembly, declaring vacant the seat of a defected House of Assembly member representing Tafa constituency.

The State APC legal adviser, Bar. Khaleed I. Yusuf, while reacting to Barrister Tanko Beji statement at the weekend in Minna, described the statement as frivolous and not

authoritative.

He said that the PDP Chairman did not make recourse to section 109, sub section 1, paragraph D of 1999 constitution of Nigeria in his argument.

“A member of a House of Assembly shall vacate his seat in the house if being a person whose election to the house of assembly was sponsored by a political party, he becomes a member of another political party before expiration of the period for which that house was elected,

“Provided that his membership of the later political party is not as a result of a division in the political party of which he was previously a member or of a merger of two or more political parties or factions by one or which he was sponsored”, he quoted to back his argument.

Khaleed stated that the party took the decision to declare the seat of the member vacant based on the constitutional provision, hence the decision of the House of Assembly on the matter.

He added that the party has the power to checkmate and oversight such members on the total romance or submission to other political party in which the said member was found wanting.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) recently told the Niger state House of Assembly to immediately reverse its decision declaring the seat of the member representing Tafa constituency Alhaji Danladi Iyah vacant.

The party said in a statement signed by its chairman, Bar.

Tanko Beji, that if the decision was not positively changed within two weeks, it would have no option than to seek redress in the courts.

Following a letter from the state chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jibrin Imam, the Assembly, at its sitting last week Wednesday, unanimously declared the seat of Danladi Iyah vacant after he (Iyah) had written to the All Progressives Congress (APC), resigning his membership of the party.

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, august 20, 2018

POLITICS Former Chief of Staff to Saraki joins Kebbi guber race From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

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he Former Chief of Staff to the Senate President, Senator Issa Galadu, has picked the Governorship form of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to contest the exulted position of the state in the 2019 general election.

He picked the form yesterday at the party secretariat in Birnin Kebbi, with aimed to contest for the Governorship in the forthcoming 2019 election in the state.

Delivering a speech, the Kebbi State People Democratic Party (PDP) chairman, Haruna Saidu, thanked the aspirant for declaring his governorship ambition, assuring him of their support and cooperation towards achieving his objective.

He said further that the present administration of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has failed the people of kebbi state by not providing them with the dividend of democracy, saying the only remedy is to rescue the masses by bring out a credible candidate that will defeat the present Governor.

“You are a good candidate and a material that will collect power from APC Government, we are ready to support you and to make you win the 2019 election”, he added.

In his response, the Governorship Aspirant, Issa Galadu, also thanked the party executive and supporters, and assured them of good governance if elected.

“My mission is to rescued the state from the ruling party, I am going to develop kebbi state, and provide them with all social amenities such as: portable water, good roads, construction of housing estates, good health care service delivery and other needs” he said.

Recall that Issa Galadu, last two weeks, defected from APC to PDP in order to get the governorship ticket.

UPP zones 2019 presidency to north

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

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nited Progressive Party (UPP) has disclosed that in the 2019 presidential election, the party will adopt from the northern region a presidential candidate who has a progressive approach to the challenges facing the country, in line with the party’s manifesto and agenda.

Briefing journalists yesterday at the party’s headquarters, Chairman of the party, Chekwas Okorie, who was flanked by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party, said categorically that the party will not field a presidential candidate in the next year’s general election.

“UPP shall not sponsor a presidential candidate for the 2019 presidential election.

The party shall use the period

between now and 2023 general election to consolidate its nationwide political structures and concentrate energy and resources in active participation in other elective contests, namely: governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives, and state assembly elections in Nigeria”, Okorie said According to him, the NEC of the party took the decision given that there is an unwritten agreement on power rotation between the northern and southern Nigeria, adding that since the tide of power shift is clearly in favour of the north, field a presidential candidate from southern region will mean swimming against the tide.

While citing instance with both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples

Democratic Party (PDP); which he said lost the 2015 presidential election because it flouted the zoning arrangement, he said no serious political party will field a presidential candidate from another region other than north.

However, he place a caveat that the UPP will only adopt a Presidential candidate who has a progressive solution to the challenges facing Nigeria, adding that such candidate must be ready to adopt some of the cardinal principles of the party as enshrined it its manifesto, including restructuring, right to self-determination, freedom for political prisoners, among others.

Speaking further, the UPP chairman said the party will continue to explore the possibility of a constructive engagement with a political party or parties

through alliance for electoral leverage and enhanced advantage in the democratic contests.

At this juncture, he disclosed also that the NEC of the party has approved exemption on the payment of nomination fees for youths from age thirty downwards, women and physically challenged, for all elective offices, saying this is in the spirit of #Not Too Young To Run Law, recently signed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

However, he said the NEC of the party has mandated the National Working Committee (NWC) to review the reports of the various committees that have attended meetings on alliance/ coalition with other political parties and take appropriate decisions in the best interest of the party.

Ag. President Yemi Osinbajo with Minister of FCT, Mohammed Bello (left) FEMA official (1st right) and Secretary to Government of the Federation; Boss Mustapha, during the Acting President visit to the collapse building site on Friday in Utako,

Abuja. Photo: State House

What Buhari must do to win 2019 - Bakare Ayodele Samuel, agency report

Lagos

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onvener of Save Nigeria Group, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has highlighted some major actions to be taken by President Muhammadu Buhari if he must win the next general election.

Bakare who was the Vice Presidential candidate to General Buhari in 2011 general election, said with the present system in Nigeria, President Buhari must repackage himself and government before the end

of the year to get more Nigerians on his side.

Speaking with Scotland-based Nigerians on the platforms of African Forum Scotland and Association of Nigerians in Scotland, Glasgow, at the weekend, Bakare added that President Buhari must also sack some bad eggs in his government to win the hearts of Nigerians for 2019 election.

According to Pastor Bakare, currently there is no politician that is qualified to stand against President Buhari in any election.

“How can you defeat a current

President with 25 governors as loyal supporters in 2019? All these governors want to win their re-election next year.

If you sack Buhari, tell me the qualified Nigerians to take over from him? Please mention a single name and I will tell you what I know about them. Buhari has challenged Nigerians many times to point out anywhere his name is linked with corruption but nobody has ever come forward to prove any allegation against him.”

“I may have only one vote but I have many followers’ not just on social media

who will listen and follow my advice on whom to vote for in 2019,” Bakare said.

Bakare debunked speculation that he might contest the 2019 Presidential election, saying it is morally wrong.

“It is morally reprehensible for me to contest against Buhari in 2019; it is like destroying the house that I built with my hands. Buhari must be repackaged because the North wants to use their two terms as President.

Olusegun Obasanjo got elected two times and he nearly got the third term in office. Jonathan also tried to get a second term in 2015.

“I am giving Buhari till September ending for him to repackage and sack some bad eggs in his government and on October 7, I will declare my intention for all Nigerians”, he said.

Pastor Bakare argued that it is practically impossible for Buhari or any leader to Islamize or Christianize Nigeria; even as he passionately advised Nigerians in the diaspora to always think of how to contribute to the development of the country and not to get involved in illegal things that can lead to imprisonments and criminal records.

APGA chieftain raises concern over executive/legislature feud

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

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chieftain of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Willy Ezugwu, has expressed concern that the continued feud between the executive and the legislature is a sign of an impending anarchy in the country, which he said is

capable of derailing the nation’s democracy.

In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, Ezugwu who is also the Secretary General of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) noted that “the current bickering over the delayed passage of the 2018 budget and the cat and mouse game between

the two arms of government over the supplementary appropriation bill by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is a mere symptom of a catastrophic consequences of the ongoing altercation between them.”

“The unending dispute is egoistic, unnecessary and unhealthy for democracy in any

society, resulting in the ongoing defections with the people’s mandate. The Nigerian people are the greatest losers in this selfish political gangsterism. And I urge every lover of democracy in the world to speak up now in defence of the Nigerian democracy because a stitch in time saves nine.

“As a Nigerian, I have watched with dismay as our hitherto exulted leaders are sacrificing our hard earned democracy on the alters of ego, nepotism and greed for power at the expense of the suffering masses who elected them with hope of a better wellbeing.”, he said.

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POLITICS Guber aspirant condemns sack of Kaduna Assembly Deputy Speaker

From Mohammed Ibrahim, kaduna

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gubernatorial aspirant of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna State, Isa Ashiru, has described the decision to declare the seat of Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly as political victimization According to him, the Assembly’s decision showed clearly the penchant of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the violation of the constitution in its bid to retain power by all means.

Ashiru, who was the Chairman of the House Committee on appropriation at the Kaduna State House of Assembly from 19992007, made the comment in a statement signed by his campaign Media Team Chairman, Murtala Abubakar.

The Governorship aspirant declared his intention to run for the state’s number one seat in June, 2018.

He said the defection of the Deputy Speaker, who is also a member representing Kachia, John Audu and another member representing Kudan constituency, Junaidu Yakubu, respectively from the APC was based on the existence of strong factions in the party.

“By declaring their seats vacant on the basis of the defection of the two members, the House had shown total contempt for the constitution of the country.

“The house, by this action had only demonstrated another attempt to subvert democracy as it earlier suspended two PDP lawmakers, Danladi Kwasu Angulu (Zangon Constituency) and Yakubu Bityong (Kaura Constituency) without recourse to due process,” he said.

Ashiru who expressed dismay over the refusal of the House to recall the members even after a court of competent jurisdiction ruled on their favour, called on the leadership of the PDP at the State and national levels to take necessary constitutional actions against the State House of Assembly in the interest of democracy.

Zamfara: Coalition passes vote of no confidence on Rep Ruwan Doruwa From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

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coalition of youths, women and elders organizations under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara state, have passed a votes of no confidence on a current member, Honorable Isa Ibrahim Ruwan Doruwa, representing Gusau/Tsafe Federal constituency in the House of Representatives.

Hundreds of people who converged at the Gusau Airstrip at the weekend for a grand rally,

urged the electorates from the two effected local governments to rethink and take a decision for a better and focused politician to vote for in 2019 to replace the present member representing the constituency, whom they alleged, could not drive dividends of democracy for his people.

Speaking at the rally, one of the coalition leaders, Alhaji Nasiru MO, explained that the rally was organised in order to register concern over the present situation the Gusau/Tsafe Federal Constituency found itself in the hand of the incumbent

member, saying the area has been left behind in terms of benefiting expected dividends of democracy.

“We are rest assured that should somebody like Darma of Gusau, Mukthar Ahmed, be elected to represent Gusau/ Tsafe Federal Constituency, definitely there would be a positive change for the masses in the area in terms of most needed development”, Nasiru MO has said.

Also in her speech, women leader of the coalition, Hajiya Nana Tsafe, insisted that there is

no effort whatsoever witnessed from the embattled lawmaker representing the constituency in any way to touch the lives of people across the two affected local governments.

“It is time for electorates to stop money-based elections but rather embark on personality assessment, a politician’s developmental background and exposure and the zeal towards moving his people to the next level, I call on you women to ensure that all self-centered politicians are pasted out”, Nana stressed.

All Progressive Congress (APC), Aspirant Member, Kaduna State House of Assembly Representing Ungwan Sanusi Constituency, Hon. Adamu Kabir Umar, (left), Addressing Journalists on Intent to Contest for State Assembly, during a press conference, while his director of campaign Lawal Zubairu Ahmad El-rufai, watches, recently in Kaduna

Senators say Saraki not cause of APC failure

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi and Musa Adamu

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hairman, Senate Committee on Navy, Senator Isah Hamma Misau and his counterpart in the Committee on Banking, Finance and Other Financial Insitutions, Senator Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim, have advised the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its leaders to desist from looking for scapegoats for their failure to fulfill their promises to the electorate by constantly blaming Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

Misau and Rafiu, in a statement in Abuja yesterday, stated that the

APC leaders have continued to whine about what Saraki did or did not do to ensure the Buhari government failed without caring whether it was reasonable to believe that one single individual who had been continuously assailed by the government would at the same time be in a position to ground the government.

“APC leaders are being clever by half. They have spent most of the last 38 months harassing Saraki and sponsoring media attacks against him. Now that the man has been vindicated by the courts and he has decided to leave their party, they have devised another propaganda stunt to start heaping the blames of their failure

to bring positive change to Nigeria on Saraki.

“For three years of the APC administration, former President Goodluck Jonathan was the scapegoat they blamed. Now that it dawned on them that nobody is listening to that tale by moonlight again, their propaganda machinery has shifted focus to Saraki as the new man to blame. These are characters who cannot take responsibility for their inability to provide good governance as they promised.

“Must these people blame somebody all the time? Were they elected to bring in positive change or to shift blames? It is irresponsible for people invested

with popular mandate to always look for somebody to be held responsible for their failure to fulfill their promises and give expression to the mandate they were given.

“Instead of concentrating on how to use the next six months before the general elections to hasten the completion of infrastructure projects, enunciation of policies and initiation of programmes which can improve the standard of living of the people and ameliorate the consistent failure of the last three years, the APC is now led by demagogues who seem not to care if they bring the entire country down”, the statement said.

Aspiring lawmaker pledges scholarship to Kaduna indigent children

From: Femi Oyelola, kaduna

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ne of the aspirants for the Kaduna State House Assembly on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Malam Adamu Kabir Umar, has promised to channel his energy to ensuring that children of the poor and less privileged are educated.

Adamu, who wants to represent the people of Ungwan Sunusi Constituency of Kaduna North of the State, also promised to operate an open door policy if he wins the ticket during the party primaries and subsequently the general elections.

Addressing journalists at the Secretariat of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna

State Secretariat yesterday, Malam Adamu Kabir Umar, said anyone seeking to be elected as a lawmaker must be fully prepared to understand needs of the people and make laws that will better their lots.

He said part of the duties and responsibilities of a lawmaker is to scrutinize government policy, existing laws, make new laws,

oversight function, protecting the Rights of Citizens, inhabitants etc.

“While discharging all these I shall reckon with the need to support the government by both being supportive on the floor and of course by extension, working for the best interest of the people that elected me to simply and seriously represent their interest.

“Healthcare insurance is of priority to my membership and stewardship. The people deserve comprehensive healthcare system that takes away 95% or 100% of their financial burden. I will support springing of recreational centers, meaning our public schools premises ought to be protected”, he said.

METRO

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, august 20, 2018

NATIONAL TEACHERS INSTITUTE, KADUNA KM 5 Kaduna-Zaria Road,Rigachukun, P.M.B. 2191, Kaduna State of Nigeria

INVITATION TO TENDER FOR YEAR 2018 CAPITAL AND SUSTANABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGs) PROJECTS

AMMC probes Jabi building mishap Stories by Stanley Onyekwere

A

buja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) has declared resolve to swiftly and thoroughly investigate the latest incident of building collapse in the Federal Capital city.

This, the Council said would be the next phase of clearing the rubbles after which it will begin investigation into why the building collapsed.

Recall that an uncompleted building collapsed, trapping many under its rubbles, in Jabi area of the nation’s capital, on Friday.

According to the AMMC Coordinator, Umar Shuaibu disclosed that all trapped victims of the Jabi building collapse have been rescued with no deaths recorded.

“We are going to commence our investigation now and where there is any lapse, you are going to be informed and we are going to take adequate measures in order to prevent future occurrence,” Shuaibu revealed, while speaking to journalists in Abuja, shortly after touring the site of the collapsed building.

On whether the building actually passed through integrity test after about “15 years of being abandoned before the commencement of work”, he said that is an aspect that the Council will now delve into to identify the lapses.

“What happened is an unfortunate incident. This incident of building collapse happens all over the world not only in Nigeria.

“No matter how perfect you think you are, it is only God that is perfect, but there is still room for improvement.

“When you have this type of emergency, the first thing you concentrate on is saving people’s lives and I assure you that nothing is going to be hidden from you,” he stressed.

He recalled that the FCT Administration and other stakeholders responded promptly and worked overnight with floodlights and other equipments to pull out the rubbles in record time and have referred the injured persons to the hospital for medical attention.

He said apart from the initial six persons that were wounded, no other casualty figure has been recorded.

“We were very promptly to address the matter and all the stakeholders, those that we invited and those that we did not even invite, they came here because people’s lives are involved.

“We worked overnight with all floodlights, all equipments and everybody was here and in a record time, we were able to pull out everything and we made sure that there is no single person that is buried under the rubble.

“We combed everywhere. Even where we were expecting to have people, the machines went and did professional jobs,” he explained.

Shuaibu however advised the general public to stay away from the site of the collapsed building.

He warned that security agencies have been instructed to arrest those who flout this directive.

He said the site is now an emergency area and has been cordoned off to enable the Council clear the rubbles and handle other issues efficiently.

FCTA reels out measures to boost MSMEs

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he Federal capital territory Administration (FCTA) has reiterated it commitment in creating an enabling environment, through provision of the necessary logistics for growing Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMES) and encouraging stakeholder engagement in the sector.

The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, made this assertion, while inaugurating the eleven member FCT MSMEs Council, in Abuja.

The membership of the FCT Council on MSMEs were draw from both the public institutions and credible privates sector institutions in the FCT. The FCT MSMEs Councils member were draw from BOI, CBN, SMEDAN, CAC, SON, ITF, NAFDA, AEA, AWEP, FCT planing Research and Statistics Department with FCT Permanent Secretary serving as the Chairman.

The Minister noted that the setting up of the MSMEs Council is the pursuant to Federal government policy requiring states and FCT to set up Councils which are to serve as institutional frameworks for driving small and medium enterprises across the federation.

Bello said that the Council comprise relevant parastatal and stakeholders in the sector.

He added that the establishment of MSMEs Councils became necessary because of the unhealthy consequences of the fragmented approach to MSMEs development in the country.

He therefore tasked the Council to act as aggregators across the states, coordinate the implementation of the Nigerian policy on MSMEs as well as provide linkages and synergy among all stakeholders.

Malam Bello further said that the establishment of MSMEs Councils, will give greater impetus to the economic diversification agenda of the Muhammad Buhari Administration.

“It would facilitate effort by the current Administration to improve it’s Nigeria’s rating in the “Global Ease of Doing Business “ scale and also drive poverty alleviation and create jobs.

“To this effect we are strengthening the capacity of the Abuja Enterprises Agency, AEA, to drive the sector in the FCT as well as to effectively function as the secretariat for the Council”, he stated.

The Minister, commended the efforts of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, SMEDAN, Abuja Enterprises Agency, AEA, and all other stakeholders for the successful constitution of the FCT MSMEs Council.

“I have implicit confidence in the ability of Council Members to ensure that the intentions of the Federal Government as well as the FCT in constituting the council are actualized” he added.

Also speaking, the Director General of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, Mr Dikko Umar Radda, who explained that the MSMEs are the bedrock for Nigeria’s industrialization and inclusive economic development also said that MSMEs are considered very relevant in the achievement of the recently launched Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, ERGP. Mr. Radda, who was represented by the Director, Policy and Coordination, Mr Monday Ewans said that, so far, the State Councils on MSMEs have been inaugurated in fifteen States across the federation, namely, Kano, Kaduna, Ogun, Edo, Bauchi, Plateau, Ebony, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Kogi, Ekiti, Taraba and Ondo state.

He hinted that with the continued support of the FCT Administration, MSMEs development projects will be effectively implemented in the FCT towards achieving the objectives of jobs creation, wealth creation and poverty alleviation in tandem with the change agenda of the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration.

Federal Constituency

1.0 INTRODUCTION The National Teachers’ Institute, Kaduna is in the process of implementing the 2018 capital projects as well as Teacher Training Programmes for Teachers in Primary and Junior Secondary School in 36 states and FCT with funds provided by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Support Intervention Project, Consequent upon the forgoing, interested competent and reputable companies with expertise in the relevant fields are hereby invited to submit tender for its Invitation to Tender Notice (ITN) in the following; 2.0 SCOPE 2018 CAPITAL PROJECTS; 2.1 Capital ProjectS; Works: Lot 1: Construction of NTI Benue State Office; Lot 2: Construction of NTI Kebbi State Office; Lot 3: Construction of NTI Taraba State Office; Lot 4: Construction of NTI Borno State Office; Lot 5: Construction of Perimeter Fencing for NTI Ebonyi State Office; Lot 6: Construction of Perimeter Fencing for NTI Cross River State Office; Lot 7: Construction of Perimeter Fencing NTI Zamfara State Office; 2.2 2018 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGS) SUPPORT INTERVENTION PROJECTS Goods: Lot 8: Printing of training manuals and customized Stationary items for participants in the 36 States and FCT;

Consultancy: (Submission of Expression of Interest (EOI) for Consultancy Services) Lot 9: Event managers; Lot 10: Training Component “A” Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SENDs) and Awareness on Early Childhood Intervention Training for Primary and Junior Secondary School Teachers in the 36 states and FCT. Lot 11: Training Component “B” Moral HIV and AIDs Awareness for Junior Secondary School Teachers in the States and the FCT. Lot 12: Training of Head Teachers and School Administrators on Academic Leadership in the 36 states and the FCT. Lot:13: Training of Teachers on Digital Literacy in the 36 states and the FCT. 3.0 Eligibility Requirements: Interested firms should submit their bids along with the documents mentioned hereinafter in a sealed envelope to the address indicated below. Failure to submit any of the under listed documents may lead to the disqualification of the bid: a. Evidence of Certificate of Incorporation with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) including Form CAC2 and CAC7; b. Evidence of Company Income’s Tax Clearance Certificate for the last three (3) years valid till 31st December, 2018; c. Evidence of current Pension Compliance Certificate valid till 31st December, 2018; d. Evidence of current Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Compliance Certificate valid till 31st December, 2018; e. Evidence of current Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) Compliance Certificate valid till 31st December, 2018; f. Evidence of Registration on the National Database of Federal Contractors, Consultants and Service Providers by submission of Interim Registration Report (IRR) expiring on 1/1/2018 or valid Certificate issued by BPP. g. Sworn Affidavit disclosing whether or not any officer of the relevant committees of the National Teachers’ Institute, Kadunaor the Bureau of Public Procurement is a former or present Director, shareholder or has any pecuniary interest in the bidder and to confirm that all information presented in its bid are true and correct in all particulars; h. Company’s Audited Accounts for the last three (3) years -2015, 2016, 2017; i. Evidence of financial capability to execute the project by submission of Reference Letter from a reputable commercial bank indicating willingness to provide credit facility for the execution of the project when needed; j. Company Profile with the Curriculum Vitae of Key Staff to be deployed for the project, including copies of their Academic/ Professional qualifications (in case of construction: COREN, QSRBN, ARCON, CORBON etc.); k. Verifiable documentary evidence of at least three (3) similar jobs executed in the last five (5) years including Letters of Awards, Valuation Certificates, Job Completion Certificates and Photographs of the projects; l. List of Plants/Equipment with proof of Ownership/Lease (where applicable); Additional Requirements for LOT 10,11,12,13 and 14 only;: m. Evidence of past experience in implementing teacher development workshops at a national capacity (across the 36 states and FCT); n. Prior implementation of academic leadership & digital literacy; adopting a curriculum based approach will be an added advantage; Ability to organize and effectively deliver training and capacity development on a large scale; and o. Ability to combine traditional facilitation techniques with ICT to enhance learning and knowledge transfer. p. All documents for submission must be transmitted with a Covering/Forwarding letter under the Company/Firm’s Letter Head Paper bearing amongst others, the Registration Number (RC) as issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Contact Address, Telephone Number (preferably GSM No.), and e-mail address. The Letterhead Paper must bear the Names and Nationalities of the Directors of the Company at the bottom of the page, duly signed by the authorised officer of the firm.

4.0 COLLECTION OF BID DOCUMENT Interested and eligible bidders may obtain further information and collect bidding documents from the procurement unit between 9:00am to 4:00pm (Mondays to Fridays) upon submission of evidence of payment of a non-refundable fee of (N10,000.00) only for each LOT to the National Teachers’ Institute, NTI Treasury Single Account (TSA) using remita platform to any bank and present the REMITA RetrivalReferrence RRR and Bank teller receipts to Office No:DR 13, Directorate Department, National Teachers’ Institute, (NTI) Headquarters KM 5 Kaduna-Zaria Road, Kaduna. Consultants interested in Consultancy Service are not expected to pay at this stage until after EOI short-listing.

5.0 SUBMISSION OF TENDER DOCUMENTS Completed Technical and financial bids shall be submitted in two separate envelopes, clearly tape sealed and clearly marked “ Technical Bids for Lot Number. and Financial Bid for Lot Number Inserted in a bigger 3” envelop. The Project titles, Lot number and contractor’s name must be clearly written on top of each envelop. Tender shall be addressed to theDirector General and Chief Executive, National Teachers’ Institute, (NTI) KM 5 Kaduna-Zaria Road,Rigachikun, P.M.B. 2191, Kaduna.

Between the hours of 10:00am and 4:00pm, Mondays to Fridays. The bids should be dropped in the Tender Box at the office of the Registrar National Teachers’ Institute, (NTI), not later than 12:00 noon on Tuesday, 2nd October, 2018. Bidders are to ensure that they also sign the Submission Registerin the Registrar’s office.

6.0 SUBMISSION OF EOI DOCUMENTS Interested firms are to submit two (2) bound of Expression of Interest (EoI) documents separated by dividers and arranged as indicated above. The documents should be submitted in a sealed envelope and addressed to Director General and Chief Executive, National Teachers’ Institute, (NTI) KM 5 Kaduna-Zaria Road,Rigachikun, P.M.B. 2191, Kaduna. Between the hours of 10:00am and 4:00pm, Mondays to Fridays. The bids should be dropped in the Tender Box at the office of the Registrar National Teachers’ Institute, (NTI), not later than 12:00 noon on Monday, 3rd September, 2018. Bidders are to ensure that they also sign the Submission Registerin the Registrar’s office.

6.0 OPENING OF BIDS/EOI Technical Bids will be opened immediately after the deadline for submission at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, 2nd October, 2018 in the SMASE Complex Building National Teachers’ Institute, (NTI) headquarters Kaduna.

Also, EOI will be opened immediately after the deadline for submission at 12:00 noon on Monday, 3rdSeptember, 2018 in the SMASE Complex Building National Teachers’ Institute, (NTI) headquarters Kaduna.

Late submission will be returned un-opened.

7.0 IMPORTANT INFORMATION i. Bidders are instructed not to apply more than one (1) LOT. ii. Only companies who’s Technical Bids are successful will be invited to witness the opening of their financial Bids while financial bids of unsuccessful bidders will be returned un-opened. iii. Only shortlisted Consultants will be invited at a later date for collection of Request for Proposals. iv. All bids send by post/e-mail will be rejected. v. Late submission will not be entertained. vi. Failure to comply with the instruction(s) and non provision of any required documents may automatically result in disqualification. vii. This advert shall not be construed to be a commitment on the part of NTI nor shall it entitle the bidding companies to any claim whatsoever and/ or seek indemnity from NTI by virture of such company’s having responded to the advert.

9.0 DISCLAIMER: NTI reserves the right to Reject/Accept any/all applications/proposals without assigning any reasons whatsoever.

Sign: Management.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, august 20, 2018

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World Bank boosts health study in Uniben Mariam Sanni, Abuja

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n a bid to enhance reproductive health study in the country, World Bank has established the Centre of Excellence in Reproductive Health Innovation (CERHI) at the University of Benin to help provide reproductive health education and related social service.

Part of the mission of CERHI is to implement high quality training and applied research for reproductive health professionals needed to build a new cohort of human resource for reducing the regions high burden of fertility, unsafe abortion and maternal mortality.

Leader of UNIBEN CERHI centre, Prof. Friday Okonofua, who spoke at the unveiling of CERHI centre said part of its vision is to be a leading institution providing innovative and transformational changes on matters relating to population and development.

Prof. Okonofua said the centre would provide short courses in productive health policy in West and Central Africa as well as post graduates in reproductive health, public health, health economics and nursing.

Okonofua stated that the centre has recruited a total of 252 Masters students, 36 PhD students and 569 students in short courses on reproductive health.

He disclosed that the centre has also received grant from the Ford Foundation and the African Research Excellence Fund for staff training and program expansion.

education

FG partners Chinese firm on smart classrooms, digital education Mariam Sanni, Abuja

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he Federal Government has launched a smart classroom digital education to link up children and schools to digital learning.

Already, the Federal Government has commenced a process for the implementation of a partnership strategy between Nigeria and a Chinese firm for the establishment of digital education institute and provision of smart learning classrooms across the country.

Speaking at the launch of the programme at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals stated that the Smart Classrooms and Digital Education initiative, which will be implemented in partnership with a Chinese Digital Technology giant, NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited was in

line with the commitment of the government to continue to provide quality education to Nigerian children as stipulated in Goal 4 of the Sustainable Development Goals.

She also said that it was also designed to facilitate investment in the ICT industry by building IT Incubators, Digital Studios and Software Outsourcing and Training Hubs, towards to the creation of new jobs in the area of Technology and Innovation.

Orelope-Adefulire noted that in the pilot phase of the project, her office was collaborating with NetDragon to provide a smart classroom to the Pilot Science Nursery/Primary School in the Federal Capital Territory.

She said, “The Initiative of Digital Education in Africa otherwise known as “IDEA” was initiated by the Nigerian Government and NetDragon through the Public Private Partnership and direct Foreign

Investment that will facilitate the setting up the National Education Resource Public Service Platform, National Education Community Network Platform, National Digital Talent Training Platform, and National Future Education Experience Centre.”

The SSAP-SDGs further added that with the initiative, the government aims to provide high-quality digital education resources and a new teaching and collaboration model for basic education in Nigeria, thereby promoting education equity and improving teaching quality.

In terms of lifelong education, the Talent Training Platform will carry out lifelong skills training and intelligent management of talents in Nigeria to help Nigeria achieve talent upgrading and optimal allocation of social resources.

“With the initiative, our aim is to use technology to drive the realization of the

Sustainable Development Goals 4, 8 and 9 regarding Quality Education, Economic Growth as well as Industry & Innovation, thereby creating jobs through the E-Learning Platforms, Educational Software and Apps as well as other innovations.

By 2030, we want to ensure all learners acquire knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development.”

The initiative according to the SSAP-SDGs will also facilitate and promote investment in the ICT industry by building IT Incubators, Digital Studios and Software Outsourcing and Training Hubs, towards to the creation of new jobs in the area of Technology and Innovation.

It is also expected that as part of the former launch, an Agreement of Cooperation (AoC) will be signed between the Federal Government and NetDragon, represented by its chairman, Dejian LIU.

L-R: Minister of Communications, Barr. Adebajo Shittu, Member, Presidential council on Sustainable Development Goals, Prof.

Banji Oyeyinka and the Minister of State for Education, Prof.

Anthony Anwukah, during the Launch of Digital Smart Classroom by NetDragon Holdings , recently in Abuja.

Photo: Justin ImoOwo

NYSC D-G advises corps members to respect culture of host communities Mariam Sanni, Abuja

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he National Youth Service Corps, (NYSC) DirectorGeneral, Brig.-Gen. Sulaiman Kazaure, has advised corps members to respect the culture and tradition of their host communities.

The NYSC DG spoke at the Ekiti State Permanent Orientation Camp, when he visited to educate corps members on the dangers of treating their health and security

with levity.

According to him, the rule of the agency was being ignored in a manner that suggested that authorities had abdicated their roles of looking after the wellbeing and welfare of the corps members.

Kazaure said it is an offence for any corps member to travel out of camp or places of primary assignment without permission.

“You all have to avoid night journeys and other unnecessary journeys for that matter.

“Remember that before you embark on any journey, the need arises that you first inform your immediate supervisors and obtain necessary permit.

“A graduate is expected by the society to be above board. I therefore want you to please join hands with me to ensure that the tragic incident in Taraba is the very last of such,” he said.

Kazaure regretted the death of nine corps members in Taraba last week, describing it as huge loss to

him, and the nation in general.

The DG, who disclosed that he underwent the mandatory oneyear national service over 30 years ago, with graduates as children said he was saddened by incident.

He advised a section of Nigerians accusing the NYSC of negligence to know that the standing rules banning youth corps members from unauthorized journeys are more implementable when they are in orientation camp, than when serving in places of

primary assignment where they are treated as independent adults.

Kazaure said any corps member was free to call his phone number, 07042542779, in case of any emergency they felt their immediate supervisors could not handle.

He warned them, particularly the females, to avoid dressing irresponsibly and keep away from sharp practices, such as engaging in Internet fraud.

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, august 20, 2018

ANED faults FG’s N72bn plan investment in Distribution Assets

By Etuka Sunday

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ssociation of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) has questioned the motive of the Federal Government to invest the sum of N72billion in the distribution networks, therefore, called for it to be revisited together with the challenges associated with its potential implementation.

The Association however, advised that the N72 billion be directed towards filling the tariff gap, providing the commercial framework that will ensure that Nigerian electricity customers receive the benefits of increased and stable power supply.

ANED in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja said,” the Company and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) guidelines stipulate a process by which companies make investments. The guidelines for good governance require that any such investments be considered by the Boards of the respective DisCos, relative to, and prior to the implementation of projects that may, potentially, result in adverse outcomes for their financial books and, ultimately, the shareholders.

In this instance, it seems that the government’s ownership of 40% of the DisCos seeks to unilaterally impose projects that have not been reviewed or deliberated by the Board, on the 60% majority ownership.

Additionally, each DisCo has unique distribution network needs that must be addressed specifically.

Lack of detail, beyond newspaper references or information, will not provide the best-value results that are associated with a tailored approach to such uniqueness. We believe that an initiative, however well-intentioned, should not result in a potential illegality.”

ANED said, ”the premise or basis for the N72 billion investment, as proposed by the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing (MoPWH) has been the need to evacuate the “stranded” 2,000 MW of electricity that is constrained by distribution network limitations. As we have stated in a previous press briefing,

there is no such thing, as painted by TCN and MoPWH”.

It said, “ordinarily, any attempt to improve any aspect of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) value chain - a value chain that was mostly neglected and inefficiently operated for the 62 years prior to the November 1, 2013 handover to private investors - would be praise worthy.

“Particularly laudable is when such investment is coming from the government, as is the case now, establishing its determination to have “skin-in-the-game” and explicit acknowledgement of the urgency of turning around a sector that is a vital contributor to the national economy.

“Unfortunately, in this instance, the N72 billion initiative is one that, potentially, holds pitfalls that will undermine any expected positive outcomes that were the genesis of the government’s planning for it.

The following are several concerns associated with the initiative – “Government funds, albeit, based on a stranded 2,000 MW capacity that is constrained largely by factors other than distribution limitations (gas, frequency, line, hydro), should not be invested in a sub-sector that has been privatized.

It is the obligation and business of the investor to access debt financing for any such investments, freeing government funds for other more urgently needed social investments.

“Given the heavily regulated nature of the distribution sub-sector and that this planned expenditure falls outside of the legal/regulatory requirement that capital investment must be recovered through the tariff (based on DisCo cost submissions to the regulator, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and after mandatory public consultations), failure to adhere to this requirement will cause a problem of lack of recovery of the N72 billion.

“To ensure that electricity customers do not unduly bear the cost of electricity inefficiencies, fundamentally, all related procurement is required to be

Guest Speaker, Mohammed Garba (middle), delivering his Professional Talk at the Monthly General Meeting of the NIPR Kaduna state chapter. He is flanked by the Assistant Secretary of the Chapter, Abdulazeez Abdullahi (left) and the Chapter Chairman, Bashir Chedi (right) at the Chapter secretariat weekend. implemented efficiently and on a “best-value” basis.

The implementation of this N72 billion initiative by TCN, outside of the regulated procurement requirements that the DisCos are subjected to, will leave the bestvalue requirement wanting.

“It is not likely that TCN, a legacy Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) entity, with its historical contracting and project management limitations will implement electricity distribution projects better than DisCo investors that have N427 billion ($1.4 billion) of equity and debt invested in the sub-sector, with a motivation to recover their investment.

The premise of the privatization was the need to bring in private sector expertise, while removing from the government balance sheets, the potential for outcomes of cost overruns, inefficiency and white elephant projects. This initiative creates the potential for a return to the old days of the government trying to implement projects that it is not suited for.

“It will be difficult for the DisCos

to acquiesce to TCN/MoPWH adding a further N72 billion of debt to the N1.3 trillion of debt (and growing) already on their financial books, given a) the DisCos’ inability to access debt financing required to address massive capital expenditure requirements that far exceed the N72 billion initiative, that is required to inject the efficiency that electricity customers demand; b) the DisCos’ regulatory constraints; and c) the uncertainty of projects built by an entity that is licensed only to transmit energy and not distribute energy. It should also not be forgotten that the DisCos are already carrying, out of the total sum of N210.61billion, 72.25% or N152.16 billion of legacy gas and energy debt (incurred by PHCN) associated with the Central of Nigeria’s Nigerian Electricity Market Stabilization Facility (NEMSF), a debt unconnected with the DisCos, a contravention of the debt-free requirement, that was a fundamental contractual requirement of the sale of the distribution assets.

“The most important objective, that can help NESI achieve the

privatization objectives of efficiency; improved and increased power supply; national economic growth, etc., is the attainment of an alignment of the gas-to-power, technical, commercial and risk frameworks.

Without such an alignment, interventions such as the N72 billion investment in the distribution network will, unfortunately, continually come to naught. It is also our strong belief that until all the stakeholders, collaboratively and in partnership, begin a dialogue in good faith, without pre-determined agendas, our ability to move the sector forward will continue to be limited”.

ANED said, of significant and related note is that the central tenet of the National Electric Power Policy, 2001 (NEPP) that states“The priority is to create efficient market structures, within clear regulatory frameworks, that encourage more competitive markets for electricity generation and sales (marketing), which,at the same time, are able to attract private investors and ensure economically sounddevelopment of the system.”

Kachikwu inaugurates Committee for $20bn Gas Industrial Park

By Etuka Sunday

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he Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, has formerly inaugurated the Technical Working Committee for the $20billion Ogidigben Gas Revolution Industrial Park project.

The inauguration was done during the Steering Committee session for the project held recently in, Abuja.

The technical working

committee comprises of representatives from the developer consortium Alpha Grip Management Company (AGMC) led by Alpha Group from UAE including its consortium partners such as Power China and other leading energy companies from Korea and China along with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and the Delta State Government. The

committee was tasked with fast tracking the project by identifying the major issues surrounding the development process and proffering solutions to present to the steering committee enabling execution of the project.

Dr. Kachikwu emphasized the importance to identity the issues that are delaying the project and tasked the committee to jointly find a solution to resolving those issues to realize the project as quickly as possible.

Sheikh Mohamed Bayorh AGMC- Executive Managing Director, who led the developer consortium, thanked the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources for his vision and leadership in his desire to see the project’s realization quickly and noted that it was very critical for all the stakeholders to work closely together to resolve some of the major key issues delaying development such as adequate gas allocation and sand filling of the site required for the

project.

AGMC presented its development and implementation plan for the Gas Revolution Industrial Park to the Steering committee in which the Minister expressed his satisfaction in the capacity of AGMC, in which the developers consortium have attracted and mobilized over $10billion of investment for the successful first phase take off of the project.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, august 20, 2018

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, august 20, 2018

INDUSTRY

Stock Watch: Friday, August 16, 2018

India to SON harps on need to halt manufacture, transform importation, supply of substandard transformers economic o curb the high incidence to the consumers in a safe DISCOs and the consumers on products into the country, he of transformer explosion manner, but a situation where the need to stop the overloading charged them to always ensure in the country, Standards transformers keep exploding of transformers which he stated testing their products through cooperation Organisation Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) around our communities is no also causes the explosion of the Nigerian Conformity transformers: According to him of a stake-holders forum of longer acceptable”. with Nigeria convened “That is why Standards “transformers by rating are not Assessment Program(SONCAP) Transformer Dealers Association DISCOs and other Organisation of Nigeria has expected to be loaded more and the International Electric from trade to (TDA), regulatory agencies to enlighten taken the initiative to parley than 60-70 percent of their Commission (IEC) requirements them on the need to eschew with the relevant stakeholders capacities, however because of before importing into the country investment the manufacture, importation in the manufacture, importation illegal connections you discover to ensure the quality of their

T

I

ndia has said that it is working to transform its economic cooperation with Nigeria from trading to investment as no fewer than 135 Indian companies are in operation in Nigeria.

Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, B.N Reddy, who disclosed in Abuja at the flag hoisting ceremony held to mark the 71st Anniversary of India’s Independence further said that Nigeria remains India’s strategic partner both in Africa and globally, as the investments of Indian companies in the Nigerian economy stands at $10 billion.

“We want to bring about a transformation in our engagement.

Nigeria is the fourth largest supplier of crude oil to India and the second largest in gas supply last year. This alone cannot define our relationship.

So we are looking at many Indian companies coming to Nigeria and not to look at only the buyers and sellers’ arrangement, but to do more in investment.

“I am happy to tell you that as at today, Indian companies have invested about $10bn and there are about 135 Indian companies spread all over Nigeria,” the envoy said.

Indian investments, according to him, were in the field of pharmaceuticals, electrical manufacturing and assembly lines for automobiles; particularly agricultural machinery.

He said the volume of Nigeria-India bilateral trade reached $12bn in the last financial year-April 2017 to March 2018, stressing that it was an increase of 26 per cent from the previous year; adding that his government would continue encouraging more Indian companies to invest in Nigeria.

“Our efforts will be building investments with a view to creating employment and bringing along the growth of the industry,” he said.

He also highlighted the 10 guiding principles of India’s engagement with Africa which was recently unveiled by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.

He said India, over the years, achieved a lot and was ready to share its experience to help develop African countries through investment, technology and capacity building.

“The whole emphasis on this is how India can work with friendly African countries; which means looking to a commitment to bringing more investment and technologies and at the same time being guided by the aspirations and the needs of the African countries rather than anything else and there will be no strings attached to the whole process,” he said.

He said about 500 Nigerians benefitted from India-sponsored capacity building training in 2017, as India has been offering concessional loans to many African countries amounting to $11bn, and there is a renewed commitment to offering another $10bn.

and supply of substandard transformers in Nigeria.

SON’s Director General, Mr. Osita Aboloma who was represented at the event by the Director of Operations, Eng. Felix Nyado said “transformers are used for lower voltage distribution networks for end user connectivity, they are also essential for getting electricity

and distribution of transformers alongside the regulators to proffer solutions for the purchase, installation, maintenance and distribution of transformers that will be reliable and guarantee the continuous supply of electricity to consumers,” he stated.

The Head Electrical Engineering SON, Eng. Richard Adewumi at the event challenged

transformers are loaded more than 100 percent which causes over heating and that is when you start having problems”.

Adewumi also charged the TDA members to be weary of the trickery of some manufacturers abroad when sourcing transformers for supply into the country, this is to forestall the importation substandard

transformers.

The event which was attended by members of the Transformer Dealers Association also had regulators like the EKO Distribution Company and the Nigerian Energy Management Service Agency (NEMSA) and was hosted by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria’s Lagos III office in FESTAC Lagos.

L-R; Representative of the Speaker, House of Representatives, Rep. Prestige Ossy; representative of the President, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Hajia Saratu Yale; Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Nigeria-China Relations, Rep. Buba Yusuf-Yakub; representative of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Gabriel Aduda; representative of the FCT Minister, Mr Umar Jubril; Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Zhou Pingjian; and President of China Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria (CCCN), Mr Ye Shuijin, during the 2018 China-Nigeria Production Capacity and Investment Cooperation Forum, at the weekend in Abuja .

Photo: NAN

Censors Board approves 31 home movies, 20 cinema movies for July

T

he National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has verified and approved a total of 51 movies for the month of July 2018, for public and home viewing.

Of this number, 31 movies are approved and verified for home consumption while 20 movies are for public consumption, that is, cinema exhibition.

The NFVCB advised consumers that the 45 approved movies contains fetish practices, imitable technique, fetish ritual, moderate ritual practices, animated violence, violence, drug use, nudity, and coarse expressions.

The Head, Corporate Affairs Unit of the board, Mr Martins

Page 31

Etuechere advised parents and guardians to ensure that their wards do not have access to movies classified above their ages, adding that the Board is working hard towards removing unclassified and uncensored movies from the market.

The classification rating of the 51 approved movies are as follows; “G” – General viewing indicating for the General Audience, “PG” – Parental Guidance indicating for children with the need of an adult or Parent Guidance, “15” – Indicating for persons 15years and above15, “18” – Indicating for matured audience, “12A” – Indicating for persons under 12years accompanied by an Adult.

Out of the 51 movies approved and verified, 40 are English language movies and they are: Sent Stones (PG), A Mission (15), Beyond Trust, Hearts Of Mercy (15), Moving On (15), Omenka (15), Spirit Of Music (15), Tailor My Heart (15), A Bag Of Rice (18), April Season 1 (18), April Season 2 (18), Family Enemies (18), Last Confession (18), Masquerade In Court (18), Painful Word (18), Queen of The Sun (18),Quite Storm (18), Royal Scandal (18), The Diamonds (18), The Messenger (18), The Outcast (18), Throne Of Terror (18), True Vision (18), Virtues Of Ignorance (18), Mission Impossible (Fallout) (18), The Darkest Minds (12A),

Ant Man And Wasp (12A), The Washerman (15), Klippers (18), Teen Titans Go (G), Skysrapper (15), Hotel Transylvania 3 (G), Fantastic Numbers (15), Tag (15), Equalizer 2 (18) Dead Pool 2 (18), Incredibles 2 (PG) amongst others Four are Yoruba language movies and they include; Ero (15), Iyawo mi (18), Oore Ojokan (18) and Obun Sengese (18).

Two movies are in Hausa language respectively and they are Matar Uba (15) and Rana Tara (18).

Three movies are in Hindi language, and they are Ohadak (15), Sanju (18), and Race 3 (18).

Only one movie is in Bini and it is Owa {15).

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world news

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, august 20, 2018

N international_peoplesdailyng@yahoo.com

China takes deep pride in stronger partnership with Nigeria – Zhou T

he People’s Republic of China as the largest developing country in the world takes deep pride in its stronger partnership with Nigeria as the largest developing country in Africa, the Ambassador of China to Nigeria, Dr. Zhou Pingjian has said.

Ambassador Zhou who made this known on Friday at the Forum on China-Nigeria Production Capacity and Investment Cooperation in Abuja stated that China-Nigeria cooperation is brotherly South-South cooperation between two equals and mutually beneficial.

He said that China is committed to stepping up its cooperation with Nigeria in agriculture, manufacturing, industrial capacity and investment, infrastructure, energy, culture and people-to-people exchanges and other areas.

His words, “As the largest developing country in the world, China takes deep pride in its ever stronger partnership with Nigeria, the largest developing country in Africa. It our firm belief that the China-Nigeria cooperation is brotherly South-South cooperation between two equals and is indeed mutually beneficial. China remains committed to stepping up its cooperation with Nigeria in agriculture, manufacturing, industrial capacity, investment, infrastructure, energy, culture and people-to-people exchanges and other areas”.

Zhou noted that though, Belt and Road Initiative originated from China but now belongs to the world as its open to all countries.

He said that Africa being a natural extension of the Initiative has been an important participant, stressing that the cooperation will generate more resources and means, expand the market, space for African development and broaden its development prospects.

“Five years ago, President Xi proposed the initiative of building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the

21st Century Maritime Silk Road. The Belt and Road Initiative is open to all countries. Though originating from China, it belongs to the whole world.

Africa, being part of the historical and natural extension of the belt and Road, has been an important participant in this initiative.

“The cooperation between China and Africa under the Belt and Road Initiative will generate more resources and means, expand the market and space for African development and broaden its development prospects”.

Zhou said that President Xi is looking forward to participating in the FOCAC Beijing summit with African leaders to discuss plans for the development of China-Africa cooperation so as to improve the well-being of the Chinese and African peoples and promote world peace and development.

He said that with China and Africa joint efforts, the FOCAC Beijing Summit will surely become historic event to strengthen China-Africa solidarity and cooperation.

Zhou noted that FOCAC which started in 2000 was no talk shop as the past 18 years of its existence has seen remarkable progress in ChinaAfrica cooperation across-the-board.

He stated that two-way-trade and China’s total non-financial investment in Africa in 2017 were 17 times and around 100 times that of 2000 which shows China’s contribution to Africa’s economic growth has risen greatly.

He said the follow-up actions and implementation of the outcomes of the FOCAC Johannesburg Summit have produced fruitful results as expected.

“In Nigeria, the Abuja-Kaduna railway, Africa’s first modern railway with Chinese technology and standards, was commissioned in July 2016. The Abuja rail mass transit project, the first urban railway in West Africa was commissioned in July 2018. Lagos-Ibadan railway broke ground in March 2017. Construction

T

which saw Donald Trump defeat Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.

What’s in the New York Times report?

Citing a dozen current and former White House officials, the paper says White House counsel Donald McGahn gave at least three voluntary interviews to investigators totalling 30 hours over a ninemonth period.

During this time, he gave “a clear view of the president’s most intimate moments with his lawyer”, sharing information the paper says investigators would not have previously known about.

It said he had recounted Mr Trump’s comments and actions “during the firing of the FBI director James Comey, and Mr Trump’s obsession with putting a loyalist in

e w s

EgyptAir hijack: Cyprus extradites suspect Seif al-Din Mustafa

Mr Mustafa fought extradition to his home country for more than two years

A

Dr. Zhou Pingjian, 6th from Left and other dignitaries during the event of the Lekki Deep Water Port, the largest port in West Africa and the Zungeru hydropower station, the largest hydropower station in Nigeria, are well under way. In the past year alone, the two sides have concluded concessionary financing arrangements to support five more major projects in Nigeria. Tens of thousands of jobs have been created for Nigerians by projects contracted by Chinese enterprises or partly financed by the Chinese side”.

“The list could go on and on.

The remarkably deepened political mutual trust, robust bilateral trade and investment relations, Naira/ RMB currency swap, strong Madein-Nigeria with China Initiative, flourishing Ogun, Guangdong and Lake Free Trade Zones, offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) delivery, emergency food aid, agricultural demonstration parks and two week ago, Anthony Ebuka Ekwensi, a Nigerian student from Nnamdi Azikiwe University,

Awka (UNIZIK) was crowned the African champion at the the 17th Chinese Bridge Chinese Language Proficiency Competition for Foreign Students in China”.

Also speaking, Chairman House of Representatives Committee Chairman on Nigeria-China Relations, Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub said that Nigeria values its relation with China which explains its active participation in the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Yakub said the Johannesburg Summit in 2015 opened a new chapter for China-Nigeria relations with the signing of 10 cooperation areas as an outcome of the meeting maintaining that China has demonstrated its sincerity and commitment to the full implementation of the outcomes of the FOCAC Summit.

He said China-Nigeria relations have attained an enviable height and has become a pace setter for other

developing nations in the world.

Yakub stressed the need to sustain the momentum, scale up the heights of the achievements and refine the vision of the future cooperation of both nations.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Muhammad Bello who was represented by the Executive Secretary of Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Mr. Jubrin said the event wouldn’t have come at a better than this given the fact that China Company recently handed over the Light Rail project to Nigeria government and currently helping FCT Authority to get funding from China’s EXIM Bank for water project in the territory.

Bello while urging the participants to use the forum to exchange ideas informed that China recently donated 2-classrooms to China Model School, Nyanya which is situated in the outskirt of the territory.

Mueller inquiry: White House lawyer McGahn co-operating with probe

he top lawyer in the White House is “co-operating extensively” with the Russia inquiry into election meddling, the New York Times reports.

Donald McGahn has spent 30 hours sharing detailed accounts of episodes at the heart of the probe, it says.

President Donald Trump later said he had authorised Mr McGahn’s co-operation with special counsel Robert Mueller.

Mr Mueller is investigating possible collusion between Russia and Mr Trump’s team in the 2016 US election.

The president denies any collusion, and has repeatedly called the Mueller probe “a witch hunt”. Russia also denies claims it interfered in the polls two years ago,

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, august 20, 2018

charge of the inquiry, including his repeated urging of Attorney General Jeff Sessions to claim oversight of it”.

As well as collusion, the special counsel is scrutinising whether there were any attempts by the president to obstruct justice. Just last month, Mr Trump demanded Mr Sessions fire Robert Mueller and end the probe “right now”.

A source close to the probe told Reuters they did not believe Mr McGahn had provided any incriminating information.

What does Trump have to say?

After the report was released, President Trump confirmed in a tweet that he had allowed Mr McGahn and other White House staff “to fully co-operate with the special counsel”.

Mr McGahn’s own lawyer on Saturday said his client had “answered the Special Counsel team’s questions fulsomely and honestly”.

The New York Times said in its report that it was rare for a lawyer to be so open with investigators, but he may have been motivated out of fear of prosecution over White House decisions that might have been construed as obstructing justice.

President Trump launched a fresh attack on the newspaper on Sunday, describing its report as “a fake piece” for implying Mr McGahn had incriminating information to share.

What is the Russia investigation?

Special counsel Robert Mueller is investigating whether President Trump’s campaign team colluded

with Russia to influence the outcome of the presidential election.

In 2016, US intelligence agencies concluded that Russia had used a state-authorised campaign of cyber attacks and fake news stories planted on social media in an attempt to turn the election against Hillary Clinton.

Thirty-two people have now been indicted, including four members of Mr Trump’s campaign team and 25 Russians.

The president’s former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, is the first person to go on trial as a result of Mr Mueller’s investigation. However, the charges are not related to the US election but instead to tax evasion and money-laundering stemming from his political consultancy work in Ukraine.

Source: BBC

n Egyptian man who hijacked a plane and diverted it to Cyprus has been deported to his home country after a two-year extradition battle.

Seif al-Din Mustafa is accused of using a fake suicide belt on an internal EgyptAir flight and forcing it to land in Larnaca in Cyprus in March 2016.

He said his motivation had been to seek asylum and highlight what he called repression by the Egyptian government.

He resisted extradition, arguing he would not face a fair trial in Egypt.

No-one was hurt in the hijacking.

At the time, Cypriot authorities said the incident was not terrorism-related.

It was believed to have been sparked by a row between Mr Mustafa, now 61, and his ex-wife, who lives in Cyprus.

But Egyptian prosecutors had urged Cyprus to hand Mr Mustafa over under a 1996 bilateral extradition treaty.

Last year the Cypriot Supreme Court rejected his appeal against the move.

He arrived at Cairo airport amid tight security late on Saturday, officials say.

EgyptAir flight MS181 was carrying 56 passengers from Alexandria to Cairo, along with six crew and a security official, when it was diverted.

During a stand-off lasting more than six hours, almost all passengers and crew were freed as authorities negotiated with Mr Mustafa.

F

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Kofi Annan death: World leaders honour former UN chief W

orld figures have been paying tribute to former UN secretary-general and Nobel laureate Kofi Annan, who has died at the age of 80.

Current UN chief Antonio Guterres hailed him as “a guiding force for good” and Russian President Vladimir Putin described a “remarkable person”.

Ex-US President Barack Obama said Annan had always pursued “a better world”.

The Ghanaian national served as UN chief from 1997 to 2006 and is the only black African ever to hold the post.

Since then he has served as the UN special envoy for Syria, leading efforts to find a solution to the conflict.

The career diplomat died in hospital in the Swiss city of Bern. He had been living near Geneva for several years.

He “passed away peacefully on Saturday after a short illness”, the Kofi Annan Foundation said.

He was a “deeply committed internationalist who fought throughout his life for a fairer and more peaceful world”, the statement added.

Mr Guterres led the tributes to his predecessor. “In many ways, Kofi Annan was the United Nations. He rose through the ranks to lead the organisation into the new millennium with matchless dignity and determination,” he said in a statement.

UN high commissioner for human rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said in a tweet he was grief-stricken over Annan’s death: Mr Obama, the first African American to win the White House, said: “Long after he had broken barriers, Kofi never stopped his pursuit of a better world.”

President Putin said the memory of Annan would “forever live in the hearts of Russians”.

Meanwhile, Indian PM Narendra Modi said “the world has lost not only a great African diplomat and humanitarian but also a conscience keeper of international peace and security”.

Remembering Kofi Annan

Kofi Annan’s wife, Nane, was by his side when he died Kofi Annan will be remembered for the way he drew attention, over and over again, to the plight of those caught up in war, environmental disaster, or simply grinding poverty.

The way he quietly but firmly reminded world leaders, however powerful, that they needed to put their duty to their citizens above their political careers.

UK PM Theresa May and Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg were also among those who paid tributes.

Ghanaian President Nana AkufoAddo announced a week of national mourning, calling Annan “one of our greatest compatriots”.

Kofi Annan described his greatest achievement as the Millennium Development Goals, which - for the first time - set global targets on issues such as poverty and child mortality. The drive is widely regarded as a success.

However, Annan was not immune from criticism. Some blamed him for the UN’s failure to halt the genocide in Rwanda in the 1990s when he was head of the organisation’s peacekeeping

operations.

He later clashed with America and the UK over the Iraq war after 2003, calling the US-led invasion illegal.

But despite their past differences, former US President George W Bush was among those paying homage to Annan on Saturday, calling him “a tireless leader of the United Nations” whose “voice of experience will be missed around the world”.

After the invasion of Iraq, Annan and his son were accused of being involved in the “oil for food corruption scandal” that led some to call for his resignation, though he was later exonerated.

The diplomat’s career continued after retirement from the UN, and in 2007 he set up his own foundation aimed at promoting global sustainable development, security and peace.

A year later, his reputation was boosted after he successfully helped negotiate a power-sharing deal to end post-election violence in Kenya.

In a Facebook tribute, Raila Odinga, the opposition leader who signed the

agreement, called Annan “the man who stepped in and saved the country from collapse”.

In an interview with the BBC’s HardTalk to mark his 80th birthday in April, Annan acknowledged the UN’s shortcomings, but said that “if it didn’t exist you would have to create it”.

“I was born an optimist and will remain an optimist,” he added.

In 2012 he was made chair of The Elders, a peace and human rights advocacy group started by South Africa’s Nelson Mandela.

The same year, he quit his post as UN envoy to Syria after only six months, citing the failures of world powers to fulfil their commitments. He was later quoted as saying: “I lost my troops on the way to Damascus.”

His most recent role was chairing an independent commission investigating Myanmar’s Rohingya crisis.

Annan’s wife, Nane, and three children were “by his side during his last days”, the Kofi Annan Foundation said.

Ancient Egypt: Cheese discovered in 3,200-year-old tomb

A

substance found by archaeologists working in an Ancient Egyptian tomb has proved to be one of the oldest cheeses ever discovered.

Several years ago, the team discovered broken jars in the tomb of Ptahmes, a high-ranking Egyptian official.

The archaeologists found a “solidified whitish mass” in one of the jars which they suspected was food but were unsure which kind.

Now a study has identified it as cheese, dating from 3,200 years ago.

The discovery is significant as there has been no previous evidence of Ancient Egyptian cheese production, authors of the report, published in the journal Analytical Chemistry, said.

“The material analysed is probably the most ancient archaeological solid residue of cheese ever found to date,” said Dr Enrico Greco, from the University of Catania, who worked with colleagues at the Cairo University in Egypt to determine its identity.

“We know it was made mostly from sheep’s and goat’s milk, but for me it’s really hard to imagine a specific

flavour.”

The ancient cheese would have had a “really, really acidy” bite, cheese historian and chemistry professor Paul Kindstedt told the New York Times.

The researchers say they also found traces of a bacterium that can cause an infectious disease known as brucellosis, which comes from consuming unpasteurised dairy products.

Symptoms include fever, sweating and muscle aches, and the disease still exists today. If confirmed, it would be the oldest evidence of such a case.

The tomb where the cheese was found belonged to Ptahmes, an Egyptian official who was mayor of the ancient city of Memphis.

The burial site, at the Saqqara necropolis near Cairo, was first unearthed in 1885. But, after being lost to shifting sands, it was rediscovered in 2010.

‘Save trees when roasting Eid sheep’ in Niger People in Niger are being urged to curb their use of firewood at next week’s Eid al-Adha Muslim festival.

It is an occasion when families often

sacrifice sheep before roasting and eating them.

The capital, Niamey, is expected to burn around a fifth of the amount of the wood normally used in a whole year.

The chopping of trees is linked to desertification, which in recent decades has had a drastic impact on Niger.

During Eid, known locally as “Tabaski”, the authorities in Niger expect close to 400,000 sheep to be sacrificed in Niamey alone.

To roast them, almost 50,000 tonnes of firewood will be used.

What is Eid al-Adha?

• Eid al-Adha is a public holiday in Muslim countries • During festivities, Muslims all over the world who can afford it sacrifice a sheep - sometimes a goat - as a reminder of Ibrahim’s obedience to Allah • According to the Muslim, Christian and Jewish faiths, God appeared to Ibrahim (Abraham) in a dream and asked him to sacrifice his son Ishaq (Isaac) as an act of obedience • The devil is said to have tempted Ibrahim by saying he should

disobey God and spare his son • As Ibrahim was about to kill his son, God stopped him and gave him a lamb to sacrifice instead • Families share out the meat among family, friends and the poor, who each get a third • Eid usually starts with Muslims going to the mosque for prayers, dressed in their best clothes, and thanking Allah for all the blessings they have received • It is also a time when they visit family and friends as well as offering presents • At Eid, it is obligatory to give a set amount of money to charity to be used to help poor people buy new clothes and food so they too can celebrate ‘Use coal instead’ The head of Niamey’s environment agency, Col Oumarou Alou, called on people to use coal instead and said officials would be stopping trucks, donkeys and camels to prevent excessive loads of wood being brought into the capital.

“We are looking for ways to reduce

consumption [and] have developed other means of conducting heat, by using metal equipment as well as coal,” he told BBC Afrique.

“We are trying to get the message across to various groups that could sway opinion, so that we can preserve our forests.”

Niger, one of the world’s poorest countries, is situated on the edge of the Sahara.

Source: BBC

University of Catania and Cairo University Image caption The ancient cheese was reportedly contained in broken jars

PAGE 34

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Australia drought: New South Wales town ‘mobbed’ by thirsty emus

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arge numbers of emus have been flocking to an outback mining town in New South Wales as Australia continues to struggle with extreme drought.

The flightless birds are desperately searching for food and water in Broken Hill, local animal rescue services say.

“They’re actually walking down our main street. We’re seeing mobs of them,” wildlife worker Emma Singleton said.

Separately, the Australian PM has announced extra aid for farmers hit by the drought.

“I want to say to our farmers, we have your back,” Malcolm Turnbull told reporters, as he announced a A$1.8bn (US$1.3bn; £1.03bn) increase in funds to help deal with extreme aridity in New South Wales.

Australia’s most populous state, which produces about a quarter of the country’s agricultural output, was officially declared entirely in drought on 8 August.

In Broken Hill, 935km (580 miles) west of Sydney, groups of emus have been seen “running laps of the main street, eating gardens and gate crashing football matches”, ABC News reports.

Ms Singleton, who works for the Rescue and Rehabilitation of Australian Native Animals, said: “We’ve had 14 on a sporting oval.

They’ve been out there for weeks - the locals in that area are giving them food and water.”

She told ABC her organisation had been averaging two or three calls from concerned residents a day.

According to Reuters news agency, five emus have been hit by cars in the past week alone.

But Ms Singleton said their biggest concern was possible dog attacks.

Parts of New South Wales have had the lowest rainfall on record, with less than 10mm of rain recorded in some areas in July.

As well as failing crops, farmers there have been struggling to feed and water livestock. Mr Turnbull said some had spent as much as A$10,000 per truckload of hay just to feed their animals.

On Friday, a convoy of 23 trucks carrying 2,300 bales of hay for more than 200 farmers arrived in New South Wales from Western Australia, some 3,500km away.

The problem is not confined to the state, with more than half of neighbouring Queensland in drought and parts of Victoria and South Australia also experiencing dry conditions.

The dry spell has also led to dozens of unseasonal bushfires across New South Wales.

Source: BBC

F

r o m

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, august 20, 2018

A SI A

Kerala floods: Rescue efforts step up as rains begin to ease

R

escue efforts are being stepped up in the flood-hit Indian state of Kerala, where monsoon rains have eased for now.

The India Meteorological Department has removed a red weather alert from all districts, though some areas are still under water.

India’s air force and navy helicopters are airlifting stranded people from rooftops, and dropping food supplies to those they cannot yet reach.

More than 350 people have died in the floods. Thousands remain marooned.

Officials said rescue teams are focused on the riverside town of Chengannur, where as many as 5,000 are feared to be trapped.

A local politician, Saji Cherian, broke down in tears on TV on Friday describing the crisis there. “Please give us a helicopter. I am begging you. Please help me, people in my place will die. Please help us. There is no other solution, people have to be airlifted,” he said.

Hundreds of government boats have been deployed across Kerala to aid the rescue. The BBC’s Yogita Limaye, in Kerala, says the coastal state’s many fishermen are providing valuable support, using their own boats to help the relief mission.

As of Saturday, mobile operators are offering free data and text messages for people in Kerala to help those in distress.

Entire villages have been lost to landslides, and soldiers are now clearing the debris and building temporary bridges to help restore transport links.

Authorities are concerned that relief camps which are sheltering

those left homeless could be hit by an outbreak of water-borne diseases, or other contagious sickness. Three people with chickenpox have reportedly been isolated at a camp in the town of Aluva.

More than 200,000 families have taken refuge in the camps, an official at the Kerala State Disaster Management office said.

Image copyright Reuters Image caption This woman and her young son were rescued from a flooded area of Aluva The state’s chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan tweeted on Friday that 314,391 people were being housed in 2094 camps across Kerala.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi surveyed the state from the air on Saturday, and has promised a relief fund of 5bn Indian rupees (£55m; $71m).

Torrents of water have rushed through towns and villages in the southern Indian state of Kerala

People wait for rescue next to makeshift raft

T

Sunday’s earthquake caused people to panic and flee their homes, officials said In Mataram, the island’s capital in the west, lights went out in a shopping centre and people ran from their homes for open fields, eye witnesses said.

Endri Susanto told AFP: “People are traumatised by the previous earthquakes, and aftershocks never seem to stop.”

Officials said they were still assessing the situation following the latest quake on Sunday.

“The earthquake caused

35

Feature

They lost fingers entering Canada.

Then what happened?

S

Lombok earthquake: Strong tremor shakes Indonesian island he Indonesian island of Lombok has been shaken by another strong earthquake, after weeks of tremors that have killed more than 476 people.

Sunday’s quake measured magnitude 6.3 and was at a depth of 7.9km (4.9 miles). It caused landslides but it is not known if there are any casualties.

Residents said the tremor was felt strongly to the east of the island, and sent people fleeing into the streets.

The island has been rocked by hundreds of quakes and tremors since 29 July.

The biggest quake - of 6.9 magnitude - was on 5 August, and killed more than 460 people.

It levelled homes, mosques and businesses, displacing hundreds of thousands of people, including many tourists.

In the first in the series, on 29 July, a 6.4 magnitude quake trigged landslides in the mountain region of the island and killed at least 16 people.

What happened on Sunday?

“I was driving to deliver aid to evacuees when suddenly the electricity pole was swaying,” East Lombok resident Agus Salim told news agency AFP. “People started to scream and cry. They all ran to the street.”

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2018

people to panic and flee their homes,” the national disaster agency spokesperson Sutopo Purwo Nugroho told local media.

“There have been no reports of death or (serious) damage but people are traumatised.”

He added that landslides were reported in a national park where hundreds of hikers had been trapped after the first quake.

Lombok has suffered more than 5 trillion rupiah ($342

million; £268 million) in damages following the 5 August earthquake, authorities said last week.

Lombok is a roughly 4,500 sq km (1,700 sq miles) island east of the slightly larger island of Bali.

Indonesia is prone to earthquakes because it lies on the Ring of Fire - the line of frequent quakes and volcanic eruptions that circles virtually the entire Pacific rim.

eidu Mohammed and Razak Iyal nearly died in 2016 while sneaking across the Canada-US border during a frigid late December, hoping to gain asylum. Their experience made them the public faces of a wave of migrants to Canada who followed soon after.

It’s a warm, late summer evening under a wide prairie sky, and Seidu Mohammed is in his element.

The 26-year-old is on a football pitch, a defender at ease on the field, playing on a high-level amateur team in the Manitoba Major Soccer League.

A one-time professional player from Ghana, his career was derailed when he was outed as bisexual while training in Brazil in 2014.

He never returned home, fearing persecution for his sexuality in his country, and instead starting on a fateful journey that brought him to a Minneapolis bus station on Christmas Eve, 2016.

There he met Razak Iyal, 36, a fellow Ghanaian who had fled the west African nation when a family dispute over his father’s estate turned violent.

Both men were facing deportation back to Ghana after being denied refugee status in the US. Instead they risked crossing into Canada, finding themselves struggling through a waistdeep field of snow in the night-time bid to cross the boundary between southern Manitoba and northern Minnesota.

They spent 10 hours outside, poorly dressed for the brutally cold winter landscape, wandering near a single-lane highway surrounded by farm fields, until a transport truck stopped to offer assistance.

Both had their fingers amputated due to frostbite and spent the next three months in hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The experience has brought the one-time strangers, born ten years apart in Accra, Ghana’s capital, close.

“It’s coincidence we are from the same city, same area, same community, but we never met before [that night],” Mohammed says, sitting on a sofa in Iyal’s modest apartment in central Winnipeg.

“We are like brothers, not friends.”

Says Iyal: “We go beyond friendship now.”

Over 30,000 other asylum seekers have followed in Mohammed and Iyal’s footsteps, illegally crossing the border before turning themselves over to authorities to make refugee claims.

The vast majority crossed at Roxham Road, a dead-end rural road in upstate New York that ends in a ditch and thin brush and, through that, the province of Quebec. The number of migrants has dropped since last summer, though just over 1,600 people still crossed in July.

The sheer number of asylum seekers coming in over roughly the last 18 months has strained the resources of government and community organisations, especially in Quebec and Ontario.

Ontario is demanding C$200m ($152m; £119m) from the federal government to cover related costs. In Toronto, thousands are being housed in emergency shelters and some 400 asylum seekers have been temporarily placed in hotels and motels in and around the city.

A recent poll indicated that two-thirds of

Razak Iyal (L) and Seidu Mohammed (R) frequently attend community events

The pair, seen with a friend (C) were recently fitted with prosthetics Canadians felt the current situation constituted a “crisis” - that the country’s ability to handle to newcomers was stretched to the limit.

There are over 200,000 pending asylum claims, and the wait for hearings by Canada’s refugee board have edged up to an average of twenty months.

Of the fraction of cases that have been processed, just less than half have been accepted by Canada as refugees.

The Trudeau government has always openly welcomed refugees and immigrants into the country. But they began to temper their message, warning that seeking asylum is not a “free ticket” into Canada as more and more migrants began arriving at the border.

Both Mohammed and Iyal were granted refugee status last year.

They worry about the growing fractious debate about the migrants crossing into Canada, about

related costs and the need to do more to secure the borders. “[Immigrants and refugees] are hardworking people,” says Mohammed. “We are not criminals.

We are here for a new life.”

The federal government is under pressure to suspend the Safe Third Country Agreement with the United States, under which refugee claimants are required to request protection in the first safe country they arrive in.

Crossing between border points allows asylum seekers to circumvent that part of the agreement and to ask for refugee status in Canada.

Both Mohammed and Iyal were in the US before travelling to Canada and, under the accord, couldn’t request asylum at an official border crossing. But there is a loophole: a claim can be treated by Canada once the asylum seeker is on Canadian soil.

Iyal says without the programme - which

is meant to avoid so-called “asylum shopping” between countries but is also the reason asylum seekers are avoiding formal border points - it would be safer for refugees crossing into Canada.

“We could have gone straight to the border, without struggling, without [almost] freezing to death,” he says.

The pair are adapting to life with the limitations of having lost fingers to the cold.

Eating, dressing, paying for the bus, signing documents - these are all small daily challenges.

Mohammed has switched to snap-button over button-up shirts He practiced putting on socks over and over until he could do it on his own.

He is considering an additional surgery offered by his doctors to open up part of his hand to allow him some grip.

Both still need help lacing their shoes, Iyal at the mosque, or Mohammed on the pitch.

Iyal is thankful he still has one thumb, which gives him some dexterity.

“Don’t think about what happened to you,” he says. “Think about your future. We always think about our future, what we can do to contribute to this country.”

Mohammed still finds himself in shock at the loss of his fingers.

“That time when we were in the hospital, we were crying, we were feeling sad, like ‘how are you going to survive like this?’” he says.

“But God has done a lot for us in our life for the past-year-and-a-half.”

Much has happened in the months between since their release from hospital.

Both were recently fitted with prosthetics, which they are learning to use.

Mohammed attended his first Pride parade, where he said seeing the LGBT community gathered together made him feel like “this is a safe place”.

He has spent some time coaching youth football.

Iyal is taking business classes, hoping to launch an electronics business, like the one he had back in Ghana, and hire refugees, and he hopes to one day reunite with the wife he left behind.

They have found a close community of friends in Winnipeg, many of whom are also immigrants or refugees.

A play, “Boundary Avenue”, was produced based on their journey. A poster signed by the cast hangs on Iyal’s wall.

One Trunk Theatre artistic director Andraea Sartison told the BBC that the issue of asylum seekers has been “at the forefront of a lot of people’s minds and the media here”.

After being introduced to the pair, the team behind the play felt compelled to tell their story.

They spent hours interviewing them, and Iyal and Mohammed eventually collaborated on the final script and production of the piece.

Iyal is a frequent volunteer at the Canadian Muslim Women’s Institute, which has a donation centre that many asylum seekers visit for basic necessities, from clothing to furniture.

Source: BBC

NWORGU

AMAKA

CHIDINMA

I, formerly known as NJOKU EVELYN OCHEZE Now wish to be known and addressed as NWORGU EVELYN NJOKU O. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS AMAKA CLEMENT EZIOKWU. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS AMAKA CLEMENTINA EZIOKWUN. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS CHIDINMA LAURA NGOZI EDEH . NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS CHIDINMA LAURA N. EDEH MADU . ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

rukaiya

mrs lami

FUCHONG

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS rukaiya ibrahim lailu, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS rukaiya ibrahim.

ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC, PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS lami wamu thomas. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS mrs lami wamu tompey.

ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS FUCHONG JONATHAN MOPKI. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS FUCHONG APPOLOS TITUS. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

PAGE 36

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, august 20, 2018

PUBLIC NOTICE

BUHARI YOUTH ORGANISATION CAC/IT/NO: 63673

PUBLIC NOTICE

ORSUMOGHU TIPPER, STONES AND SAND BEACH WORKERS ASSOCIATION

Association of Ikota Shopping Complex Stakeholders

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART 'C' OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

GOSHEN OF ROSE GLOBAL CARE FOUNDATION

Ogbaru di uso youth welfare Association

DIMENSIONS OF MIRACLES SIGNS AND WONDERS CHURCH WORLDWIDE

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To promote the welfare of members.

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

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART 'C' OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Mr Hassan Ogwu-aku (Chairman) 2. Mrs Adebola Ajao (Secretary) 3. Mr Christopher Nwaiwu (Member) THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. To make Ikota Shopping Complex a decent, serene, the and orderly environment with adequate security and amenities for commercial pursuits and generally to foster a spirit of good neighborliness among the shop owners and operators.

2. To provide, engage and disengage facility's Managers for the management of Ikota Shopping Complex.

3.To promote competitiveness for businesses in Ikota Shopping Complex, while foistering peace and unity among members.

4. To promote the image, interest, and integrity of the Association 5. To initiate, plan and execute actions which will be beneficial to the progress of the Association.

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

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART 'C' OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART 'C' OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.OGU VICTOR UGOCHUKWU

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. NWOBA RAPHAEL IKENNA 2. IFEACHOR CHIDOZIE STANLEY 3. DURU ONYINYE LILIAN 4. NWABUEZE CHIGOZIE E 5. NNAMDI ONYIA.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. OGEDENGBE JUDE ETANAMI- CHAIRMAN 2. LAWANI MARIAN OCHANYA 3. OGEDENGBE FIDELIS- SECRETARY

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1. To help the downtrodden, widows, poor in the society, less privileged, orphans and also help send the uneducated to school.

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

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To promote the welfare of members.

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

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1. TO PREACH THE THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

HIS GRACE EVER LIFE ASSEMBLY

AR RIDHA ISLAMIC FOUNDATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

AFRICAN CENTRE FOR YOUTH EMPOWERMENT AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1) APOSTLE EJIRIBE CHRISTIAN EKENURUNKPE - CHAIRMAN 2) EVANG NZEH VICTORY - SECRETARY 3) EVANG IFEOMA EJIRIBE FAVOUR 4) BRO CHIMGOZIRIM JUDE IGBO 5) BRO CHIGOZIE EZEIBE 6) BAR VICTORY OFFOR OGUEJI 7) BRO EKEMEKA GREAT CHIMBUCHI. THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1. PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. SULEIMAN RIDWAN 2. ADAM FARIDA

SIGNED : CHAIRMAN.

- Chairman - Secretary

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. To teach the word of God (Quran, Sunnah and Hadith).

2. To assist the needy and less privileged such as IDPs and orphanage 3. To establish marriage counseling units 4. To inculcate morals and ethic values in the community.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : ADAM FARIDA Secretary

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. YOMI-SHOLOYE, OLUWASEYE 2. YOMI-SHOLOYE, DAPO YOMI - CHAIRMAN 3. YOMI-SHOLOYE, SIMISOLA ADEOLA 4. MS ADEJUMOKE OSHIN WRIGHT 5. ADEYEMI ADESOLA OLAMIDE - SECRETARY THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To positively and economically empower the youths, the poor and less privileged in the society.

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

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

GAANIRU EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVE

STEM AFRIQUE INITIATIVE

NEW UMUAKA PROJECT INITIATIVE

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. ANIGBO PATRICK MMADUAKONAM 2. IKE ULOMA AFORJI 3. OZOEMENE CHUKWUJEKWU THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1. TO EMPOWER THE YOUTH IN NIGERIA .

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : LEX HABITAE LA lexhabitaeng@gmail.com

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.Onochie Henry Aroh - CHAIRMAN 2.Kossy Onwughalu - SECRETARY THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1. TO HELP THE LESS PRIVILEGED. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. DURU JOHN UGO 2. NWANYANWU JAMES OKEY 3. AGBAHIWE AUGUSTINE CHIDI 4. ONYEMEPU VITUS UBANWA 5. AKUTA GODWIN CHUKWUEMEKA 6. GODWIN CHIZOBA AMADIKE 7. NWAKA BONAVENTURE 8. GEORGE NWACHUKWU. NWAHAJIOKE 9. IKWUBUO CHIDI EDDY 10. BENJAMIN UWAKWE ANOZIE 11. EGEOLU IYKEi KENNETH 12. IKEME ANGELA NWABUZOR 13. OBIOHA KENNETH THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY

PAGE 37

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF NASARAWA STATE OF NIGERIA IN THE PROBATE DIVISION

PUBLIC NOTICE

The General Public is hereby notified that the above mentioned ORGANISATION is hereby applying for the additional and removal of trustees to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) Abuja for registration under part 'C' of the Companies and Allied Matters Act,1990 OLD TRUSTEES: 1. ALI BARAKAT MOH - RETAINED 2. MUSA HARUNA - RETAINED 3. ABUBAKAR ABDULLAHI MAIKANO - RETAINED 4. AISHA SHATTIMA ABBA - RETAINED 5. UKASHATU HADI GUMEL - RETAINED 6. NASIRU BABALLE ILA - REMOVED 7. YUSUF MUSTAPHA YAKUBU - REMOVED APPOINTED TRUSTEES ARE 1. AMINA SULEIMAN AMIN - APPOINTED 2. SULEIMAN ALI BARAKAT - APPOINTED REASON FOR ADDITION: FOR THE GROWTH OF THE ORGANISATION AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REMAINS SAME Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 240 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, P.M.B.198, Maitama, Abuja within twenty-Eight (28) days of publication.

Signed.: SECRETARY

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. UCHEGBULEM CHIDUBEM CHRISTOPHER 2. EZEFUNAMBA HYGINUS UGWUE 3. NNAMELE MARTINE CHIMEZIE 4. EZEBILIE CHUKWUDI CYRICA 5. OZODIUGWU CHINONSO PASCHAL

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, august 20, 2018

WHEREAS the person whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date place stated in the said in the column.

AND WHEREAS the person(s) whose name (s) and address(s) and relation(s) to the deceased are set out in the second column hereto has/have applied to the High Court of Justice, Nasarawa State for the grant of Letters of Administration of the Real and personal properties/estate of the said deceased.

NOTICE: IS HEREBY GIVEN that Letter of Administration (without will)will be granted to such applicant/applicants unless a NOTICE TO PROHIBIT the grant is file in this Registry within Twenty- One (21) days from the date hereof.

SCHEDULE S/N 1 2 3 4

NAME OF DECEASED PERSON Tsaku Baba Emmanuel late of Agyaragu, Died on the 9th day of May, 2018 at Jos Manu Adamu late of Keffi, Died on the 9th day of November, 2016 at Keffi Haruna Tanko late of Keffi, Died on the 15th day of January, 2016 at Keffi Dogara Omaku late of Doma, Died on the 11th day of August, 2017 at Doma

5 6 7 8

Abdullahi Musa late of Gadabuke, Died on the 20th day of November, 2017 at Keffi Okama Haruna late of Oddori, Died on the 20th day of July, 2018 at Ondori Hassan Ramalan late of Nasarawa, Died on the 18th day of February, 2017 at Nasarawa Danjuma Ali late of Loko, Died on the 14th day of November, 2014 at loko

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

Idris Usman Egba late of Lafia, Died on the 10th day of July, 2017 at Lafia Audu Kaika late of Udege, Died on the 15th day of October, 2015 at Nasarawa Moyi Ayiteya late of Lafia, Died on the 12th day of April, 2017 at Lafia Ibrahim Haruna Dalhatu late of Garaku, Died on the 5th day of December, 2017 at Lafia Kaya Saka late of Akwanga, Died on the 20th day of August, 2016 at Akwanga Anna Obadiah late of Agyaragu, Died on the 29th day of August, 2017 at Doma Okeze Christian C. late of Akwanga, Died on the 18th day of April, 2018 at Ogrute Paul Aguma Sokwo late of Shamagye, Died on the 24th day of October, 2015 at Nasarawa Esther Samaila late of Akwanga, Died on the 4th day of October, 2016 at Akwanga Agbo Umaru Tudu late of Giza, Died on the 15th day of May, 2018 at Giza 14NA/72/15783 PTE Mohammed Suleiman late of Mada Station, Died on the 25th day of July, 2017 at Damasak Justina A. Allan late of Keffi, Died on the 6th day of November, 2005 at Keffi Umbugadu Aboki late of Keffi, Died on the 10th day of May, 2017 at Keffi Ishowua David Terhemba late of Ombi II, L:afia, Died on the 12th day of January, 2018 at Lafia Abubakar Umar late of Lafia, Died on the 9th day of March, 2018 at Obi Mohammed Bako Madaki late of Gadabuke, Died on the 5th day of November, 2014 at Toto

20 21 22 23 24

49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61

Bawa Adamu late of Risha, Died on the 24th day of May, 2015 at Akwanga Julie K. Embugu late of Akwanga, Died on the 25th day of April, 2018 at Alushi Nasiru Lawal late of Keffi, Died on the 14th day of April, 2018 at Keffi Salihu M. Aruwa late of Jama’a Gayan, Died on the 27th day of July, 2018 at Jama’a Gayan Yakubu Omaku late of Doma, Died on the 20th day of December, 2016 at Doma Dogo Mallo late of Anguwan Zariya, Died on the 23rd day of July, 2018 at Keffi Adama Ahmed late of Small London, Wamba Died on the 23rd day of April, 2018 at Akwanga Akwae A. Nehemiah late of Wamba, Died on the 16th day of April, 2018 at Wamba Lawrence Longban late of Nassarawa Eggon, Died on the 4th day of March, 2017 at Jos James Ube Agiduson late of Panda, Died on the 10th day of July, 2018 at Panda Omame Ibrahim Dan- Wasa late of Doma, Died on the 28th day of June, 2016 at Doma Ezekiel; Enjugu late of Arikpa, Died on the 16th day of June, 2018 at Nassarawa Eggon Dogo Tanko Ashikabu late of Lafia, Died on the 7th day of November, 2017 at Lafia Christopher Alaku Ennon late of Nassarawa Eggon, Died on the 13th day of August, 2016 at Nassarawa Eggon Abdullahi B. A. Ebbe late of Ungwan Zaria, Died on the 4th day of September, 2015 at Ungwan Zaria Ibrahim Charity late of Gidinye , Died on the 13 day of March, 2018 at Lafia Waide Waya late of Panda, Died on the 20th day of March, 2016 at Panda Usman Ahmed late of Loko, Died on the 15th day of August, 2014 at Loko Agi Maikoto late of Panda, Died on the 22nd day of June, 2015 at Asokoro Dauda Bawa late of Karshi, Died on the 17th day of July, 2014 at Lafia Audu Vincent late of Akwanga, Died on the 22nd day of February, 2018 at Jos Jonathan Mary late of Lafia, Died on the 8th day of July, 2018 at Lafia Akwe Isa late of Doma, Died on the 29th day of June, 2014 at Doma Samuel Sammy Samu late of Akwanga Died on the 1st day of February, 2017 at Akwanga Isiaka Jibrin late of Daddere, Died on the 28th day of June, 2018 at Daddere Adudu Rabi Matashi late of Giza, Died on the 15th day of July, 2016 at Giza Oben Sabo Kigbu late of Iggah, Died on the 29th day of March, 2018 at Mada Station Omale Oriri late of Nasarawa, Died on the 16th day of August, 2016 at Nasarawa Mr. Joseph Jatau late of Garaku, Died on the 12th day of July, 2015 at Garaku Wamba Yaro late of Akwanga, Died on the 24th day of February, 2018 at Keffi Mary L. Bulus late of Akwanga, Died on the 20th day of November, 2017 at Akwanga Corporal John Jerome late of Lafia, Died on the 16th day of June, 2018 at Umuahia Ibarhim Danlami late of Togo Died on the 20th day of January, 2018 at Suleja Ladi Abubakar Amaks late of Doma, Died on the 26th day of July, 2015 at Lafia Yakubu Chude Habu late of Panda, Died on the 5th day of April, 2018 at Keffi Danladi Rinta late of Garaku, Died on the 28th day of May, 2012 at Moroa River Willson Tanko late of Keffi, Died on the 9th day of June, 2018 at Keffi

62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69

Adamu Bawa late of Gadabuke Died on the 3rd day of June, 2018 at Umaisha Stephen Kato late of Panda, Died on the 22nd day of October, 2017 at Panda Muhammed Usman late of Laminga, Died on the 23rd day of April, 20178 at Laminga Ali Mohammed late of Lafia, Died on the 17th day of January, 2018 at Lafia Kuburat Lawani late of Keffi, Died on the 1st day of October, 2017 at Keffi Alkali Ladan Nwanja late of Akwanga, Died on the 27th day of October, 2017 at Akwanga Edamaku Helen Ladi late of Lafia, Died on the 30th day of January, 2018 at Lafia Isah Yahaya Oseweshi late of Obi Died on the 7th day of July, 2018 at Mubi

X

Emmah Musa late of Azuba Bashayi Died on the 22nd day of February, 2016 at Agyaragu Angbashum Makah Mailafia late of Alushi, Died on the 4th day of October, 2012 at Alushi Shehu Ibrahim Alhaji late of Lafia, Died on the 27th day of January, 2018 at Lafia Mrs. Christiana John late of Kantsakuwa, Died on the 27th day of March, 2015 at Assakio

25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48

X X X

NAME(S) AND ADDRESS (ES) OF Jummai Emmanuel of Agyaragu the lawful Widow of the said deceased Adamu Buhari of Keffi the lawful Son of the said deceased Ali Haruna of Ang. Jaba, Keffi the lawful Son of the said deceased Latifatu D. Abubakar & Sunday Dogara both of Doma the lawful Son & Daughter of the said deceased respectively.

Yakubu Abdullahi of Gadabuke the lawful Son of the said deceased Ngbede Haruna Abubakar of Ondori the lawful Son of the said deceased Hassan Amina Ramalan of Nasarawa the lawful Widow of the said deceased Aishatu Danjuma & Aliyu Danjuma both of Loko the lawful Widow & Son of the said deceased respectively.

Jamila Usman of Lafia the lawful Widow of the said deceased Hauwa Audu of Udege the lawful Son of the said deceased Faiza Salisu of Abuja the lawful Daughter of the said deceased Aisha Haruna of Abuja the lawful Daughter of the said deceased Jummai Kaya of Wube, Akwanga the lawful Daughter of the said deceased Obadiah Bibiana Lago of Agyaragu the lawful Daughter of the said deceased Chritain Edith Chinyere of Akwanga the lawful Widow of the said deceased Nicodemus Paul of Nasarawa the lawful Son of the said deceased Kefas Samaila of Akwanga the lawful Son of the said deceased Umar Hussaini Magaji of Giza the lawful Son of the said deceased Idris Usman of Mada Station the lawful Brother of the said deceased Allan Jude Ovey of Akurba the lawful Brother of the said deceased Ishaku Umbugadu of Keffi the lawful Son of the said deceased Agatha Ishowua Nyimtem of Ombi II, Lafia the lawful Widow of the said deceased Ogbole Idris of Agwatashi the lawful Brother of the said deceased Alhassan Mohammed & Mohammed Idris of Gadabuke the lawful Sons of the said deceased Hamza Bawa of Ang. Zaria, Akwanga the lawful Son of the said deceased Yakubu Embugu Adzigi of Akwanga the lawful Widower of the said deceased Adama Ibrahim of Keffi the lawful Widow of the said deceased Suleiman Mohammed Aruwa of Jama’a Gayan the lawful Son of the said deceased Mohammed Usman Bawa of Doma the lawful Son of the said deceased Ali Mallo of Anguwan Zariya the lawful Son of the said deceased Ahmed Suleiman Dogara of Wamba the lawful Son of the said deceased Paul Amazi Nehemiah of Wamba the lawful Son of the said deceased Ignatus B. Dalla of Jos the lawful Son of the said deceased James Ewa Emmanuel of Panda the lawful Son of the said deceased Aliyu Ibrahim of Doma the lawful Son of the said deceased Ayuba Ezekiel Enjugu of Arikpa the lawful Son of the said deceased Tabitha John of Lafia the lawful Widow of the said deceased Liatu Christopher Ennon of Nassarawa Eggon the lawful Widow of the said deceased Zubairu Abdullahi of Ungwan Abdullahi the lawful Son of the said deceased Luka Nuhu Agida of Gidainye the lawful Son of the said deceased Wayas Emmanuel Waide of Panda the lawful Son of the said deceased Abas Shehu of Lafia the lawful Cousin of the said deceased Markus Maikoto of Panda the lawful Son of the said deceased Ezra Dauda of Karshi the lawful Karshi of the said deceased Stephen A. Joggo of New Karu the lawful Brother of the said deceased Jonathan Raymond Aren of Lafia the lawful Son of the said deceased Yahaya Isa Akwe of Doma the lawful Son of the said deceased Laraba Samuel of Akwanga the lawful Widow of the said deceased Mohammed Isiaka Okaku of Daddere the lawful Son of the said deceased Osekigu Isa Mohammed of Giza the lawful Widow of the said deceased Sabo Kigbu Damalu of Iggah the lawful Son of the said deceased Lade Dogo of Nasarawa the lawful Widow of the said deceased Ovey Joseph of Garaku the lawful Son of the said deceased Felicia Ahmed Ibi of Jos the lawful Daughter of the said deceased Benjamin Nkorian Bulus of Akwanga the lawful Son of the said deceased Elizabeth John Audu of Mararaba the lawful Sister of the said deceased Ahmed A. Muhammed of Toto the lawful Son of the said deceased Najib Abubakar Amaks of Doma the lawful Son of the said deceased Joel H. Chude of Masaka the lawful Son of the said deceased James Danladi of Moroa River the lawful Son of the said deceased Wilson Stephen Tanko & Amos Tanko both of Keffi the lawful Sons of the said deceased Aminu Labaran Zubairu of Gadabuke the lawful Son of the said deceased Aaron Stephen of Panda the lawful Son of the said deceased Mu’azu Usman of Laminga the lawful Son of the said deceased Zainab Mohammed of Bukan Kwato the lawful Widow of the said deceased Lawani Mahammed Brimah of Keffi the lawful Widower of the said deceased Alkali Luka Ladan of Akwanga the lawful Son of the said deceased Edamaku Ayuba O. of Lafia the lawful Widower of the said deceased Sadiq Yahaya Ladan & Rabi Ishaleku Madara both of Obi the lawful Brother & Widow of the said deceased respectively.

Mr. Ekpa E. Musa & Mr. Emmah A. Bitrus both of Lafia the lawful Son & Daughter of the said deceased Makah Justina Ashehen of Kokona the lawful Daughter of the said deceased Shehu Muhammed Abdullahi of Lafia the lawful Son of the said deceased Albert John Rwang of Barkin Ladi the lawful Son of the said deceased

(Sunday B. Bawa Esq.) PROBATE REGISTRAR NASARAWA STATE OF NIGERIA, LAFIA Tony I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS lsah Loveth khadijat. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS Tony Loveth Faith. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

Abiola I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS BANKOLE OLUBUNMI KAFILAT. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS Abiola Olubunmi Kafilat. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Keer quora community initiative THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1) Oghenevwoke Lenny-Ogbeifo (Chairman) 2) Pastor (Dr) David Okiemute Ojegba (Treasurer) 3) Rita Anetor (Financial secretary) 4) Roseline Omosun Ogbeifo (Secretary) THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To promote peace and unity among members .

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : Barr Obinna Mbuko

PUBLIC NOTICE NORTHERN YOUTH INITIATIVE FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. HARUNA A. ILIASU 2. ABRAHAM B. VINCENT 3. EFFIONG EMMANUEL OKON 4. FRANCIS SUNDAY THOMAS 5. EMMANUEL VINCENT BOUTSA 6. MOHAMMED Y. SAFIYA 7. IBRAHIM M. HAYATUDEEN THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1. TO PROMOTE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AND ITS SUSTAINABLE. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

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THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. MR. KUTA OYE GABRIEL - CHAIRMAN 2. MR. OYEWOLE SUNNY AUGUSTINE 3. MRS. MAILUMO HALIMA 4. MRS. WONSU GIFT THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1. TO HELP THE ORPHANS AND MAKE PROVISION FOR THEIR LIVELIHOODS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

ARTISANS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. ODENEYE KEHINDE OLUSEGUN - CHAIRMAN 2. ADEDEJI OLUSOLA - SECRETARY 3. OBE AYODELE JOHN THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1. TO EMPOWER ARTISANS BY MAKING THEM ACTIVE ENTREPRENEURS ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : NWABEKE SUNDAY 08165836609.

PEOPLES DAILY

Sports

monday, august 20, 2018

Page

38

sports@peoplesdailyng.com, SMS- 08142929046

Qualifier: Rohr to release Super Eagles list for Seychelles clash on Friday

PAGE 39

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, august 20, 2018

S

p r t Manu submits We are not in support of Eaglets’ provisional list FIFA ban-Giwa to CAF

By Albert Akota

T

Manu Garba

By Albert Akota

C

adet national team, Golden Eaglets’ coach, Manu Garba has submitted a provisional list of 25 players to Confederation of African Football (CAF), ahead of next month’s outing in the African U-17 Nations Cup zonal qualifiers.

Manu barely beat the deadline to submit his provisional list, as he had to get 10 more players to undergo the mandatory MRI test, after 15 failed the original scans.

Manu team will begin their qualifying campaign on September 3, when they take on Burkina Faso in Niger Reopublic, ahead of which he will announce his final 20-man squad on Friday, August 24.

Benin Republic and Cote d’Ivoire are the other teams in their group, while hosts Niger head Group A along with Ghana and Togo.

Winners of this zonal qualifying tournament will advance to the final championship in Tanzania next year.

he President of Nigeria Football Federation, Ambassador Chris Giwa has reiterated that nobody wants the country suspended by FIFA from global football activities, contrary to insinuations by some persons.

Amb. Giwa argued that Nigeria has not erred in anyway to deserve any sanctions from the global football governing body, despite its threat to axe the country.

“In any case, nobody wants Nigeria to be suspended or banned, as efforts are being made to avoid it, even as we know some people instigated it.” “ We hope to resolve this unfortunate development caused by people, who think they are bigger than the country and its laws, but no matter how far they go, the long arm of the law will catch up with them, some day”he pointed out.

He further stated : “ It’s unfortunate that the government has been dragged into this whole leadership tussle, even when it was glaring it had no involvement in the crisis,but it suits the narrative of those beating the drum of FIFA ban” Amb. Giwa noted: “We hope all this will be resolved, and the country, comes out the winner, as against the posturing of ‘we can do without the government’ because sports cannot grow and develop without the active involvement of government of Nigeria” “For the avoidance of doubt, Nigeria has not done anything to deserve any suspension because, the law of natural justice expects you hear from parties in disputes and not just from one party. Even an armed robber caught in the act is also given a fair hearing, but regrettably FIFA has failed to do in this instance, “ Amb.

Chris Giwa Giwa argued.

The NFF President, asked rhetorically :”Can we resolve this matter without any input from the government? How do you reconcile that the same people, who accuse the government of partisanship, when it suits them, also runs to the same government for intervention?”

“We have done everything with respect to the laws of the land, walking the path of justice and peace, and believe the country has been unfairly portrayed global for personal gains, which, for us is condemnable,” Amb. Giwa submitted.

The NFF President expressed disappointment with misinformation in some quarters that the August 26th,2014 congress was not an elective congress.” In November 2013 in Warri, the road map for the 2014 election was drawn with 26th August, 2014 as date for elective congress

and the electoral and appeals committees for the election constituted.

If the date was to be changed, there are procedures, and if the election was flawed in any way, there is an appeals committee.

Why should people continue to deceive and misinform Nigerians”.

“We must not forget when one of the most successful NFF President, Aminu Maigari resigned, his first Vice President, Chief Mike Umeh took over power ahead of the August 26, 2014 elective congress, which Umeh was a co-contestant, with Amb. Chris Giwa. Alhaji Aminu Maigari coordinated the emergency and elective congresses in Warri that produced Amaju Pinnick group, despite the restriction by the Federal High court against the 30th September, 2014 election,” Amb. Giwa further explained.

Aguero scores hat-trick FIFA may ban Nigeria today to rout Huddersfield

By Albert Akota

S

Eagles in training

By Albert Akota

S

uper Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr is expected to release the team list for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier against Seychelles this week.

The German tactician, who is scheduled to arrive Nigeria today to begin preparation for the AFCON qualifying match against Seychelles on September 7, would meet with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officials including the Technical department to vet the Super Eagles team list.

Nigeria are third on the table with zero

points having lost their opening fixture against South Africa 2-0 and would be desperate for three points in their next game.

Some of the regular players such as Alex Iwobi, Leon Balogun, William TroostEkong, Odion Ighalo, Ogenyi Onazi, Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho are expected to be in the team.

One player that would be missed is Super Eagles and Chelsea winger, Victor Moses who early last week announced his retirement from the senior National team.

Information on offer from sources close

to the Franco-German tactician indicates that Rohr will arrive in Abuja next week to commence preparations for the match against Seychelles.

Rohr has not been in Nigeria since the Eagles failed to go beyond the group stage at Russia 2018 World Cup, but he has been actively involved in FIFA-organized seminars and meetings.

However, Rohr had disclosed along the line that he has been travelling round Europe to monitor Nigerian players doing well with their various clubs during preseason.

He will be in France this weekend to watch new arrival at Girondins-Bordeaux, Samuel Kalu debut in Ligue 1, after arriving this summer from KAA Gent of Belgium.

Speaking of his plans, Rohr confirmed that he will be in Nigeria next week and would likely release his team list for the Seychelles match on Friday.

He said: “I will be in Nigeria next week.

We will announce our list for Seychelles when I arrive. This week end I will watch the first appearance of Kalu with Bordeaux.”

We are not in support of FIFA ban - Giwa

Sergio Aguero

>>pg 30

ergio Aguero netted his 13th hattrick for Manchester City as the champions made light of the absence of the injured Kevin De Bruyne to thrash Huddersfield Town 6-1.

The prolific Argentine scored on 25, 35 and 75 minutes, also hitting the post in a devastating display.

Huddersfield were the only side to stop City scoring in the league at home last season, but this time they had no answer.

Gabriel Jesus also netted, along with David Silva on his 250th league appearance for City, with the rout completed by a Terence Kongolo own goal late on.

“I am happy,” said man-of-the-match Aguero, who was about to be replaced when he scored his third.

“I was a little bit tired. I try two or three times to get the third goal,” said he.

For once, Pep Guardiola chose to pair Aguero with Jesus up front and such were the array of City attacking options that Huddersfield were simply pulled apart.

After the visitors rode their luck for 25 minutes, City keeper, Ederson, found Aguero with a perfect through ball and the Argentine kept his cool to finish cleverly.

Jesus was next on the scoresheet after exchanging passes with Benjamin Mendy and firing past Ben Hamer.

N

igeria may ban by the world football governing body, FIFA today.

An attempt by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, to meet with the FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Zurich has been met with a brick wall.

This development many fear could culminate in Nigeria getting the dreaded FIFA hammer as the world body gave the country until Monday, August 20, 2018, to hand over the administration and offices of the Football Federation to Amaju Pinnick and Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, or get banned.

It is understood that Mr Dalung is seeking to discuss the ongoing leadership tussle rocking the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) with FIFA but his request has been turned down outrightly.

As reported by ACL Sports, Mr Dalung wrote to FIFA on Wednesday, August 15, through the office of the Nigerian Ambassador to Switzerland, seeking to meet with Infantino alongside members of his reconciliatory committee and Chris Giwa, head of the other faction.

However, FIFA, in a swift reply to Mr Dalung’s request, signed by its SecretaryGeneral, Fatma Samoura, rejected the idea while reiterating the stance of the Bureau Council of FIFA to ban Nigeria on Monday if they fail to do as requested.

“While we are aware of the seriousness

Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung and urgency of the matter, we regret to inform you that we are not in a position to respond favourably to your request for an appointment with the FIFA Leadership. In fact, the FIFA President is indisposed during the proposed period,” stated FIFA in their response.

Those on Mr Dalung’s proposed delegation to Zurich include, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Sports Olusade Adesola; former NFA Chairmen, Ibrahim Galadima and Anthony Kodjo Williams; former NFF Secretary General, Bolaji Ojo Oba; Amaju Pinnick, Mohammed Sanusi and Chris Giwa.

FIFA also pronounced a provisional suspension on Nigeria in June 1992 for government interference in the composition of NFA (now NFF) The FIFA hammer also fell on Nigeria in October 2010 on an account of government interference in the NFF.

QUOTABLE QUOTE

. . . putting the people first

monday, august 20, 2018

SPORTS latest

Fury will face Wilder in November or December-Warren

T

yson Fury will fight Deontay Wilder for the WBC heavyweight title in “November or December”, according to promoter Frank Warren.

Fury, 30, registered a unanimous points victory over Francesco Pianeta on Saturday in only his second fight since returning from a two-and-a-half year spell out of the sport.

The Mancunian is now set to challenge world champion Wilder in the USA. “All of the terms are agreed,” Fury’s promoter Warren, We’re working at the moment on the date and the venue.

“We have another unification match with Josh Warrington and Carl Frampton and we don’t want a clash on those two dates.

“One of those fights will be in November, and one will be in December.”

Warren said “quick and smooth negotiations” between the two camps had led to a “50-50” purse split, adding that American Wilder’s team recognised Fury’s worth.

Murray, Soares win doubles final at Cincinnati Masters

B

ritain’s Jamie Murray and Brazilian Bruno Soares won their second doubles title of August with victory in the Cincinnati Masters final.

Murray and Soares beat Colombians Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah 4-6 6-3 10-6 in one hour and 25 minutes.

It was their first ATP Masters 1,000 title as a pair.

Murray and Soares won the Washington Open two weeks ago for their third victory this year, having defended their Acapulco title in March.

Scot Murray. 32. and Soares, 36, have won nine titles since they joined forces in 2016, including Taye Taiwo and Oduamadi the Australian Open and US Open.

Advert: business: news: lagos:

“I’ll not forget one day when I thought we could do things properly, when I thought things happening were not quite in keeping with the integrity that is supposed to govern the affairs of the Senate, I was talking with the Senate President. Some of the things I was pointing as example was that kind of behaviour. He said to me ‘no, forget Dino is a clown.’ That’s what Saraki said to me. He’s alive, let him come out and deny saying that to me. Dino is a clown, so what do you do with clowns? And he was using him up to that day.”

—Senator Abdullahi Adamu, representing Nasarawa West in the National Assembly

25 years after IBB I dreaded meeting my mother in the last days of her life. Often, she would ask me why the government had jettisoned the Better Life for Rural Women program introduced

by Maryam Babangida, to which I had no answer. She kept asking me that question until she died about two years ago.

Given out in marriage to my father at the tender age of thirteen, she never had the luxury of western education, let alone urban dwelling.

She lived all her life after marriage with my father in our rather remote village. In her 82 years on earth, she witnessed different systems of government: colonial rule, independent democratic Nigeria, military dictatorship; back to democracy and then back to military dictatorship yet again. At the time of her death in 2016, Nigeria was again under democratic rule.

For all these forms of government, none ever came up with a program that touched her life and that of the rural community in which she lived like the Better Life for Rural Women. She lived in a community that had no electricity, no pipe borne water, no tarred road, no medical facility to complement the services of the quack native doctor, no telephone services – nothing.

The only visible government presence in her environment was the tax collector – often cruel and inhuman in the exercise of his duties.

When community taxation was abolished all over the north in 1979, even this lone symbol of government - the tax man - also evaporated.

That meant a complete absence of government in her environment even as her community felt relieved to see an end to the powers of the tax man with his highhandedness and cruelty.

The Better Life program changed everything. Before the program was introduced, my old man died and my mother used her initiative to arrange an Association of Widows in her immediate community.

They elected her as their leader.

It was nothing big. Often when I went home, I found them sitting tamely under the mango tree in our compound, holding meetings after Sunday service. I was not a member, I couldn’t have been. I do not know what were the issues that were up for discussion at these meetings.

I could only guess that as women, they gossiped and bemoaned the hard, melancholic life they were living without husbands.

Then came the Better Life for Rural Women – with a bang.

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Monday Column

Emmanuel Yawe royawe@yahoo.com 08024565402

Her Association of Widows was identified as the most visible women non- governmental body in the Ward.

She was delegated to represent the Ward at the meeting of the Better Life at the Local government. She must have made some impact at the Local Government because she was subsequently made a delegate of the Local Government when meetings were held at the state headquarters.

Overnight, she became a super star.

Her Association was the better off for her stardom. They metamorphosed into a registered Cooperative Society. With their new status, they met every Sunday not only to gossip and bemoan their fate this time, but to distribute fertilizers, improved seedlings and even credit facilities which they now enjoyed from the Peoples Bank of Nigeria.

The impact of the program on her life and that of her fellow widows was very positive. That explains why she was so puzzled until her death that a program like that could be jettisoned by succeeding governments – just like that.

Sadly, I could not lay bare to her the reality of our national life which is the lack of continuity in governance.

Every government that comes to power tries to first of all demolish or kill the previous government.

Then they engage their energies in building on the carcass of the dead government. But how was I going to explain this complex situation to my old, illiterate mother? It was hard.

Look at the toll gates erected under the Babangida administration to raise funds for the maintenance of our high ways. They did not only raise funds but were some form of security checks. A succeeding government woke up one day, contracted bulldozers and got them all demolished. In return for what?

“

Now there is no money to maintain our highways which have been taken over by armed robbers and kidnappers.

Thank God for little mercies.

Twenty-five years after Babangida stepped aside, there are some legacies he left, solid legacies that have defied even the vagaries of some of the demolishing squads that succeeded him. I have often asked myself; Why can’t they for instance go and demolish the Third Mainland Bridge which his government built in Lagos? Since some people believe IBB is all evil, let them go and do it and face the people of Lagos.

Are they scared of the volatile and restless Lagos crowd? Then let them come to Abuja. Here people are somehow docile and restrained.

Let them demolish the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, International Conference Center, ECOWAS Secretariat, the fly overs and the major highways that have given Abuja its beauty. Or better still since it was IBB that had the spleen to physically move the office of the President from Lagos to Abuja, let them just take the office back to Lagos.

It is not only the physical innovations that are evidence of the farsightedness of the IBB presidency.

It was IBB who assembled a galaxy of brains, arcane, deep intellectuals and high achievers to set up a cabinet - the type this country had not seen before and has never seen since then.

These exemplary patriots conceived and implemented the policies that have outlived his government for twenty-five years.

It was IBB who liberalized the economy from the medieval chocking grip of governmental control. The NNPC was restructured to give indigenous entrepreneurs

If my mother, an accomplished rural woman celebrated IBB’s wife because she brought Better Life to the rural folk, I as a journalist should celebrate the man himself because he freed the media in Nigeria

an opportunity to participate in oil prospecting and production. For the first time, the oil producing communities got a sympathetic ear with 13% derivation; the banking sector got liberalized and agriculture too. Farmers got a better deal for their products now that the corruption besotted commodity boards were disbanded. Import licensing, another hub of corruption and racketeering was abolished.

Beyond Nigeria he conceived and invented ECOMOG, a multinational force for conflict resolution in the West African sub region. President Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana had harangued Africa on the need for an African High Command in the 50’s and 60’s. For the first time, a Nigerian president delivered something close to the visionary dream of Nkrumah.

The United Nation has adopted ECOMOG as a model.

If my mother, an accomplished rural woman celebrated IBB’s wife because she brought Better Life to the rural folk, I as a journalist should celebrate the man himself because he freed the media in Nigeria.

Could you imagine a Nigeria today where all the Television and Radio stations and even most of the newspapers are owned by state and federal governments? And then NITEL, with her monopoly on telecommunications, making sure only the rich have telephone lines? Was IBB not the first person to liberalize media ownership in Nigeria and create the national communications policy that paved the way for GSM? It is twenty- five years – a quarter of a century - since the man stepped aside. If he was as bad as some people would want us to believe, why have his legacies survived for this long?

DAN GAYE

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