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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2017 VOL. 3. NO. 462

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Asaba-Benin Expressway

Behold! Nigeria’s Expressway of death, sorrow

Ï Multiple potholes cause 127 deaths on Benin-Asaba Road Ï253 accident cases recorded, 46 cars razed Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

ÏÏÏAbysmal

multiple potholes on Benin-Asaba Expressway have continued to wreak havoc on motorists, especially truck drivers, as no fewer than 127 persons were killed on the road in the last one year.

Investigation revealed that pitiable state of the Benin-Asaba/Ughelli/Ebu/Abuja/Agbor/Abraka federal roads portend sorrows as it records almost every day pathetic death of motorists including their passengers after being bedeviled in attempts to escape the death traps.

CBN sustains Forex supply, uplifts market with $308.5m 5

While several motorists including Sunday Eboh, who spoke to our reporter, flayed Federal Government’s alleged neglect, they however called for urgent steps to the situation, adding that failure might result in the continued death toll.

But the Delta State Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr. Random Kulven, confirmed that 253 cases of accidents were recorded in the last one year while 46 cars were razed in the period under review.

Noting that most of the accidents were caused as a result over speeding by drivers, Commander Kulven, who spoke to Continued on page 6

Married man’s lover dies during sex romp in Lagos 22

I can kiss in movies but ...

–Belinda Effah L2

IPOB leader, Kanu not in military custody, says DHQ 7

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday September 30, 2017

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 30, 2017

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 30, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 30, 2017

5 News

Ensure confidentiality, human relations to rebrand Nigeria Police -Awofadeji tells PPROs Samuel Luka, Bauchi

ÏÏÏThe Chairman of the

Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Nigeria, Moha-ouali Tagma (right), presenting an electronic quran to the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, during the Islamic public lecture, to mark the 57th Nigeria Independence Day Celebration in Abuja…on Friday.

CBN sustains Forex supply, uplifts market with $308.5m Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

ÏÏÏ

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has continued to sustain liquidity in the Foreign Exchange (FOREX) market as it boosted the market on Friday with $308.5m.

This move is expected to further ensure liquidity and stability in the FX market.

The Daily Times recalls that the apex bank opened the week with a boost of $195m ahead of

MPC decisions. A total sum of $195m was offered in three segments of the market.

In the wholesale Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS) of the inter-bank Foreign Exchange market, it auctioned $100m and also intervened in the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and invisible segments, with the sum of $50 million and $45million respectively.

This brings the to-

tal intervention for the week to a sum of $503.5million.

The CBN Acting Director, Corporate Communications Department, Mr. Isaac Okorafor who gave the figures, announced that the latest intervention of the CBN in the retail segment was part of the regular interventions of the apex Bank, in line with its commitment to sustain liquidity to meet genuine requests in the market.

While warning against speculations in the market, Mr. Okorafor said the CBN had put necessary checks in place to guard against the activities of speculators.

He stressed the determination of the Bank to continue its forex intervention.

He encouraged genuine users of foreign exchange to approach their banks, as the banks had enough forex to meet their demand.

October 1 Quit Notice: CAN appeal to traders to close shops, call for prayers Kingsley Chukwuka, Jos.

ÏÏÏ

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has appeal to traders in Plateau to close shops half day in other to observe the praying and fasting instituted by the Christian body which began on the 25th of September to end on Saturday

30th September 2017.

In a Statement signed by the Plateau State Chairman, CAN, Rev. Soja Bewarang, and made available to our correspondent, it read that “CAN on behalf of the Church on the Plateau has declared Six Days of Prayer on the prevailing circumstances in our State and

Nation: Monday Sept 25th – Sat 30th, 2017.

“Day 6 - Sept 30th: Prayer for Healing of the Nation, Reconciliation, a UNITED Nigeria for Peace, Justice and Development, peaceful celebration of Nigeria’s 57th Independence.

“CAN Requests All Traders on the Plateau to CLOSE their Shops

on Saturday September 30th 2017, and FOCUS on PRAYER as DIRECTED”.

The statement included that the State Governor, Simon Lalong will visit Igbo Communities on the last day of the fast to reassure them of their safety, adding that peace and justice will prevail in the State.

Correspondents’ Chapel, (NUJ) Bauchi, Mr Segun Awofadeji has admonished all Police Public Relations officers (PPROs) working under various police headquarters, divisions and stations in the country to imbibe good human relations, and allow members of the public to provide information to them under confidentiality and protection that could help in crime control and to also make good use of the media in order to keep people abreast with the activities of police.

Mr Segun Awofadeji gave this advice yesterday while presenting a paper titled’ Effective Communication Practices as a prerequisite for Successful Policing’ at the opening ceremony of a two day training workshop organized by CORART Ventures Limited to officers and men of police

public relations and human rights departments drawn from the north eastern part of the country with the theme: ‘Policing in a post insurgency era’ held at Larema Hotels and Suites, Bauchi.

Awofadeji who pointed out that police spokespersons have pivotal roles to play in re-branding of the Nigerian police and restoring people’s confidence on the force urged police image makers to make good utilization of both print and electronic media to disseminate information on their activities, operations and warnings of potential crimes on regular basis to the public.

He said “rebuilding trust and confidence in the police will be difficult because of the department’s secrecy. Providing information to and seeking information from the public on matters of terrorism requires an especially thoughtful approach.

CAVEAT EMPTOR

x

This is to inform the general public that the below stated plots of land belonging to Late Mr.& Mrs. Stephen Chima Emefu of Umuagbavu, Umuokrika, Ahiazu Mbaise, Imo State are not for sale.

Any person(s) engaging in any transactions in respect of the said lands does so at his or her own risk.

The properties are situate at: AZU ULO ADIUKWU, AZU ULO ANAMELECHI, UZO TOWN SCHOOL UMUOKRIKA, UZO UMUNWEZE, AZU ULO FRANCIS ELIGWE, AZU ULO ANDREW AKO, MBARA AMA NWOGA, MBARA GENERAL HOSPITAL, BESIDE FRSC OFFICE, OPPOSITE PADDYMOORE FILLING STATION, AZU ULO KORIE, AZU ULO LASERIAN OKORO, AZU ULO EURIANUS OKORO, AZU ULO EMEFU AND AZU ULO IKENYIRIMBA. General public take note.

SIGNED: IFEANYI EMEFU

RAZAQ FATAI ADEWALE

Formerly known and addressed as RASAKI FATAI ADEBOWALE, now wish to be known and addressed as RAZAQ FATAI ADEWALE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OGUNDIYAN OLUWAYEMISI KOMOLAFE Formerly known and addressed as KOMOLAFE OLUWAYEMISI MORONKEJI, now wish to be known and addressed as OGUNDIYAN OLUWAYEMISI KOMOLAFE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ORIAZOWAN PRECIOUS Formerly known and addressed as MICHAEL PRECIOUS, now wish to be known and addressed as ORIAZOWAN PRECIOUS. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

RAMOTA FUNKE ADESANYA

Formerly known and addressed as FUNMILAYO YINUSA, now wish to be known and addressed as RAMOTA FUNKE ADESANYA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

ALAPAFUJA BABATUNDE

Formerly known and addressed as ALAPAFUJA ISA BABATUNDE, now wish to be known and addressed as ALAPAFUJA BABATUNDE. That my date of birth is 16 June 1979. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

ENWEREM CHRIS UGOCHUKWU

Formerly known and addressed as ENWEREM CHRISTIAN UGOCHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as ENWEREM CHRIS UGOCHUKWU. That my date of birth is 15/08/1957 and not 06/08/1958. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 30, 2017

Nigeria’s Expressway of death, sorrow Continued from page 1 journalists in Asaba, the Delta State capital, however warned against the use of Tokunbo tyres, saying that the durability of tokunbo tyres were not guaranteed.

Expectedly, 24 hours presence of heavy vehicular movement, particularly heavily loaded trucks, conveying goods to the

South-South/South East regions had degenerated the deplorable condition of the roads.

For instance, the Asaba portion of the Benin/Asaba Highway currently portends death trap for motorists including other road users, especially with the presence of multiple failures recorded between Okpanam/ Asaba Airport tollgate U-turn portions as it has continued to

attract condemnations.

The Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah, told journalists that it will be difficult for the state government to take responsibility of the Federal Government considering the current recession sweeping across the globe.

Ukah further explained that the inability of Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA)

L-R: Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige; Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano and Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo, at the Funeral Mass for late Mrs Roseline Ezinma Akabueze at the St Gabriels Catholic Church, Ifitedunu, Anambra State… on Friday.

to effectively handle its statutory works to specification and time had remained the primary challenges staring the state government including motorists/ commuters plying the road.

Worse still, the seemingly neglected erosion sand (Local Sharp) piling off at the Okpanam T-junction, at present, has constituted a deadly accident prone spot, but FERMA officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said “Paucity of funds is reason why the potholes on Benin-Asaba Road had not been fixed; we have written several memos to no avail, and we cannot do otherwise”.

Further investigation showed that another bad area prone to motor accidents along the Benin-Asaba road is between Okhae and Ugoneki community in Edo and Asaba Airport, a few meters away from the NNPC currently being destroyed by gully erosion.

The gully erosion sites emerging along the Iyi-abi stream course/valley in Okpanam beside NNPC station, develops wider as it approaches the Benin/ Asaba Expressway, collapsing the concrete walls of the drainage system and is threatening to cave into the portion of the dual

carriage road of old Ibusa Road, Asaba/Ughelli Road.

Motorists who bared their minds on the current deplorable condition of the roads, decried the pace at which the federal roads are collapsing across the state, adding that the development was a total contradiction to the “Change mantra of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration”.

To deepen the road users’ worries, the Federal Government’s body movement it allegedly displays each time the state government wants to repair the failed portions of federal roads within the state, had been worrisome.

One of such alleged frustrations displayed was the attempts made by Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to repair the damaged portions of the Benin-Asaba Expressway around Okwe, near Asaba. The role allegedly played by the construction company assigned to handle the contract award, was not only discouraging but humiliating.

During nightfall, unsuspecting motorists often drive into the potholes, leaving their vehicles to somersault consistently and in most cases either the driver or the passengers are killed on the spot.

Metuh: Appeal Court orders UNICEF: 3m children need emergency DSS to produce Dasuki education support in N’East

Andrew Orolua, Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

Court of Appeal in Abuja on Friday ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to produce former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), at a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Delivering the ruling, a three-man panel led by Justice Peter Ige held that the order was to enable Dasuki to testify in the N400-million-fraud suit brought against former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spokesman, Olisa Metuh.

The other members of the panel were Justice Emmanuel Agim and Justice Mohammed Mustapha.

The panel ordered the trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, of the Federal High Court, Abuja, to without delay, sign the subpoena filed by Metuh to compel DSS to produce Dasuki in court.

The panel also directed Abang to indicate the date which DSS must produce Dasuki in court.

“Once subpoena is signed by the judge and served, the

person has statutory duty to appear before the court or tribunal unless such person could convince the judge otherwise.

“It is an order of the state against who it is issued,’’ Ige said.

The appellate court upheld Metuh’s appeal and nullified the ruling delivered by Justice Abang on February 23 when he refused to grant Metuh’s application.

The PDP former spokesman had approached the appellate court with the interlocutory suit challenging the refusal of the Federal High Court to issue a subpoena to the DSS to produce Dasuki to testify in his case.

Metuh is standing trial before Abang for allegedly receiving N400 million from the funds meant for the procurement of arms allegedly diverted from the Office of the NSA. Dasuki is currently in detention having failed to perfect his bail terms in alleged misappropriation of $2.1 billion meant for procurement of arms to fight the Boko Haram insurgents.

Andrew Orolua, Abuja

ÏÏÏThe

United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF) on Friday said an estimated three million children need emergency education support occasioned by the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East.

UNICEF’s Deputy Director, Justin Forsyth, told newsmen in Maiduguri that urgent interventions were necessary to address the situation.

Forsyth said that over 57 per cent of basic and post basic schools in Borno were closed down due to the crisis caused by the Boko Haram insurgency.

He disclosed that 1,400 schools were destroyed; 2,295 teachers killed, while 19 000 teachers were displaced by the insurgency in the region.

“An estimated three million children are in need of emergency education support at the start of the new academic year.

“Children in the North East are living through so much horror; in addition to malnutrition, violence and outbreak of cholera.

“The attacks on schools is in danger of creating a lost generation of children threatening their future and countries.

“To date, nearly one million children have been displaced by the crisis and 450,000 of them under the age of five are expected to suffer from severe acute malnutrition this year,” he said.

Forsyth explained that UNICEF in collaboration with government and partners were working to rehabilitate schools, classrooms and training of teachers to build a stronger education system.

The UNICEF official disclosed that the organisation in concert with development partners had so far enrolled 750,000 children in schools, established 350 temporary learning centres and distributed 94,000 packs of instructional materials to the displaced children in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.

“However, some children living in displaced camps in Borno state are actually benefitting from education for the first time in their lives.

“At Muna Garage Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Maiduguri, an estimated 90 per cent of children were enrolled in schools for the first time,” he said.

Forsyth noted that the prompt interventions by the government and humanitarian organisation had assisted to mitigate

malnutrition and famine in the war ravaged region.

The director stressed the need for a more comprehensive approach and greater commitments to address education, malnutrition and health needs of children affected by the insurgency in the region.

Forsyth also commended the Federal and Borno Governments over their commitment to reinvigorate the education sector and address the humanitarian crisis in the state.

He said that he would report to the organisation’s headquarters on the situation to enable it scale up activities in the region, adding that UNICEF is committed to the protection of children fundamental rights.

Forsyth is in Borno State for a three-day working visit, to appraise the UNICEF humanitarian interventions in the region.

The UNICEF chief visited IDP camps in Banki and Maiduguri where he interacted with families and children displaced by the insurgency.

UNICEF operates in 190 countries to promote the rights and wellbeing of children, safeguard and guaranty their rights to education and health as well as protection from violence and abuse.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 30, 2017

News 7

IPOB leader, Kanu not in military custody-DHQ Andrew Orolua, Abuja

ÏÏÏThe Defence Headquarters

said on Friday that the Leader of the proscribed Indigenous peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu is not in the custody of the military.

IPOB had on 15 September said that its leader Nnamdi Kanu is in the custody of the military following a raid in his house by troops on exercise Egwu Eke 11 .

But the Director of Defence Information, Major General John Enenche denied the allegation yesterday during the monthly press briefing when he was asked whether IPOB leader is in custody of the military. “Kanu is not in the custody of the military,” he said.

General Enenche also said that it is not the responsibility of the military to declare Kanu wanted.

Defence spokesman clarified that the DHQ statement on the activities of IPOB has been misconstrued to be a proscription when in fact the military merely diagnosed the security situation. “I did not say IPOB is proscribed. I stated in the statement that I saw IPOB members blocking the road and attempting to snatch a rifle from a soldier at checkpoint.”

He said the military is investigating alleged complaints and alleged abuses during the exercise.

On Herdsmen and farmers clashes , General Enenche

said that the clashes are under the watchful eye of Operation Missile. He said however, that it is difficult to categorise those faceless attackers whose identity remain unknown.

On the security apprehension lingering in the country despite the suspension of Arewa youth’s threat to Igbo to leave the North, General Enenche said that as usually with the military it feels the pause of each geopolitical zone.

“We are confident about the withdrawal and the various movements and initiatives recently embarked upon by the political class and concern citizens.” “ But that not withstanding, in case they renegade, it will be countered affectively. Nothing will happen and the military is assuring all citizens and foreigners to remain where ever they are because nothing will happen.”

He appealed to the public to furnish the security agencies with information on suspicious activities of individuals ,groups or organisations that are contrary to Nigeria’ s national security.

General Enenche maintained that the various military operations in the country under the Defence Headquarters are being sustained to ensure peace.

He said that the military is not alarm that its men are in one operation or the other in 24 states of the federation.

The Defence Headquarters reaffirmed the dedication of

EFCC, Magu deserve commendation on anti-graft war, says Utomi Andrew Orolua, Abuja

ÏÏÏPromoter

of the Lagos Business School and founder of the Centre for Values in Leadership, Prof Pat Utomi, has said that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and its Acting Chairman, Mr Ibrahim Magu, deserve commendation for their sacrifice and commitment to the fight against corruption in Nigeria.

Utomi, who stated this during an unscheduled visit to the Commission on Wednesday, also commended the vigour with which Magu is waging the war against corruption.

The renown political economist who is “passionate about anti- corruption issues”, observed that corruption remains the greatest threat to Nigeria’s development.

He pledge to support the efforts of the Commission in changing the narrative as far as the fight against corruption was concerned.

He explained that part of the reason for his visit was to explore how he could engage the Commission in bringing antimoney laundering knowledge and practices to players in the private sector of the Nigerian economy.

He also expressed willingness to lend support to the Commission’s prevention efforts by engaging youths in the states, particularly Delta state where he hails from.

In his response, Magu praised Utomi consistency in espousing positive values as catalyst for change and added that the country will be a better society if citizens learn to emulate role models like Utomi.

the Armed Forces to the protection of lives and property of all peace loving people where ever they live in Nigeria.

Military also reaffirmed its unalloyed loyalty to the Commander - In- Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal

Republic of Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari and their total subordination to constituted civil authorities.

Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (2nd left); Senator Peter Nwaoboshi (right); Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah (left) and others, during the People Democratic Party (PDP) Delta North Senatorial District meeting at Akwukwu-Igbo, headquarters of Oshimili North LGA, Delta State… on Thursday.

ASUP appeals to Buhari, Buratai to investigate Military invasion of Kogi Poly

Idris Ahmed Lokoja

ÏÏÏ The Academic Staff Union

of Polytechnics, (ASUP) Kogi state Polytechnics chapter has condemned the recent Military invasion of the institution and called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the chief of Army Staff Lt. General Tukur Buratai to institute a high power investigation.

The invasion and brutalisation of both students and staff of the institution by some soldiers on the alleged order of the state government was not only cruel,but inhuman.

The soldiers were alleged to have been drafted by the state government to quell the students protest over the killimg of their colleagues by the Dangote truck which was involved in an accident near the gate of the main campus in lokoja on wednesday The truck which was loaded with Dangote cement rammed into some bystanders and some oncoming vehicles killing about three students and some other unidentified persons Some students were alleged to have rushed to the gate of their school to protest the killings of their colleagues to the management for appropriate action, while hoodlums from outside the campus also took over Lokoja. - Abuja road de-

stroying other Dangote vehicles on sight Speaking to the press yesterday in lokoja, the chairman of ASUP of the school Mr. Gboloromi Sunday Samuel condemned the action of the Army whom he alleged stormed the campus searching every nook and crany, brutalising students and staff who were supervising semester examinations.

According to the union leader, “ Soldiers who were armed to the teeth stormed the campus, entered every corner even our bedrooms arresting both students, lecturers and non academic staff, hounding them into detention, even as they were shooting teargas sporadically, into classrooms and offices . “ Infact, two heavily pregnant female students were forced to lay down on their tummies until they fainted before they were rushed to the hospital. Many of our colleagues were hospitalized, as the soldiers went from campus churches to mosque to arrest even the worshippers. “ It is barbaric and those soldiers involved should not only apologize but should be brought to book . It is unfortunate that in a democratic setting, soldiers would storm an academic environment to brutalise and humiliate and arrest students who were protesting the death of their colleagues. “ Even in a war situation ,

once one run into a church or mosque, one will be left alone but these soldiers violated rules of engagement by brutalizing and arresting hapless students, they should be condemned by all well meaning Nigerians.”

He demanded.

While appealing to the president Muhammadu Buhari to wade into the barbaric acts of the military on hapless students and lecturers , called for caution in using the military in a civil or students protest, stressing that the police which is constitutionally empowered should be used in civil matters to prevent the loss of lives of the innocent future leaders.

In a swift reaction , the Special Adviser to the governor of security matters, Navy Commander Jerry Omodara (rtd) blamed the students for invading the highways vandalising and burning three trucks belonging to Dangote cement company.

According to the special adviser , “ When I got the report that the students were rioting , although , the incident was regrettable, as you know government wouldnt send trucks to go and kill the students. We moved in swiftly, to curtail the excesses of the students who had taken to the highways barricaded and burning tyres and harrassing and injuring commuters and passersby.

8 News

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 30, 2017

T.Y. Danjuma tasks Mambilla Plateau on peace building

Okerafor Athanatuus, Jalingo.

ÏÏÏThe

Chairman, Presidential Committee on Northeast Initiative (PCNI), Lt. General Theophilus Y. Danjuma has urged the people of the Mambilla Plateau of Sardauna Local Government Area of Taraba State to eschew violence and build peace to foster development.

Danjuma made the call at a Peace Building Town Hall meeting organised by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) in partnership with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee (UNHCR) in collaboration with PCNI in Gembu, headquarters of Sardauna Local Government Area of the state.

The PCNI Chairman noted that the resuscitation of the Mambilla Hydro-Power

project by President Muhammadu Buhari would be stalled if the people failed to build peace.

Represented by Brig Gen Habila Vintenaba, Chairman, Security sub-committee of PCNI, Danjuma appealed to the various ethnic groups on the plateau to give peace a chance to enable government achieve the hydro power project for economic development of the country.

“Conflict often leads to stagnation which further retards development anywhere in the world.

“The resuscitation of the Mambilla hydroelectric power project by President Buhari should be a strong reason why peace should be preferable to violence on the plateau.

“PCNI is committed to whatever initiative by the people that will ensure a

peaceful Mambilla plateau, Taraba and the North East,” he said.

He called on the Mambilla, Fulani, Kaka, Panso, Kambu Igbo,Yoruba among other ethnic groups on the plateau to respect each other’s culture and stay united for economic and social development.

Earlier, Prof Oshita O Oshita, the Director General, IPCR had said that the beautiful scenery of Mambilla plateau can no longer accommodate violence.

Oshita, who was represented by Mr Mbah Chukwuemeka, the project Coordinator, told the people to break the wall of hatred and build a future for their children through peaceful coexistence.

In his remarks, Mr Daniel Bisu, the Taraba Coordinator of UNHCR decried the recent crisis on the pla-

teau despite UN efforts by constructing Tonga dam that was supplying 4,00 kilowatts of electricity to Kakara community to engage the people in productive ventures.

Bisu recalled that UN intervened after the 2002 crisis on the plateau that rendered so many people as refugees to the Republic of Cameroon by helping in resettling the people.

He urged the people to support the peace process to enable their brothers and sisters currently taking refuge in Cameroon due to the recent crisis return home.

Rev Godwill Sol, the Acting Chairman of Sardauna Local Government Council thanked PCNI, IPCR and UNHCR for taking practical steps to find lasting solutions to the recurrent crisis.

Agric commissioner calls on youth to embrace farming John Ndu, Awka

ÏÏÏThe

Commissioner for Agriculture in Anambra State Mr Afam Mbanefo has emphasised the need for the youths to take agriculture as a means of livelihood and to achieve food security in the country.

Mr Mbanefo made call the call during a two-day Agro-Allied Entrepreneurship Training for all secondary schools in Awka North local government area of the state organized by a corps member,Mr Mark Iniobong.

Represented by the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry,Mr Michael Afam,Mr Mbanefo,observed that agriculture had attracted many investors to the state as well as generated huge employment opportunities to the youths.

He explained that the state was currently exporting some agricultural produce to the outside world.

The Commissioner who maintained that agricul-

ture had taken its pride of place in the state,stressed that the state government had provided agro-equipment to farmers to make farming easy in the state.

Mr Mbanefo therefore commended the corps member,Mr Mark Iniobong for the gesture and gave the assurance that the Ministry would continue to collaborate with people who were interest in agriculture..

In a speech,the organizer and corps member Mr Mark Iniobomg observed that the event was another mile stone in raising a self-reliant generation of youths through AgroAllied entrepreneurship which would end hunger and eradicate poverty in the country.

Mr Iniobong said the idea of the event was to impact the community in which he was doing his primary assignment.

Two students Master Emmanuel Agba and Miss Mary-Jane Ekweanya thanked the organizer for the event and expressed their interest in agriculture because of its employment opportunities.

FMC Yola settles medical bills of 140 patients through its pauper fund Tom Garba, Yola

ÏÏÏFederal medical cen-

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (middle), Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs.) Yetunde Onanuga (left) and the Minister for Health, Prof.

Isaac Adewole (right) at the launching of the Wellness on Wheels (WOW) campaign, to accelerate the detection and treatment of Tuberculosis held in Abeokuta...yesterday

ter, Yola, through its pauper fund had spent over N6.2million to treat over 140 patients on admission who were unable to pay for their medical bills at the FMC Yola.

Chairman of the FMC

Anambra election: Chidoka, UPP candidate flags off campaign today ÏÏÏLead Contender and

candidate of the United Progressive Party (UPP) in the November 18, 2017 Anambra governorship election, Chief Osita Chidoka, will on Saturday, September 30, 2017 officially flag-off his campaign for the election.

This epoch-making event which holds in Amorka in Ihiala Local Government Area, signals a major milestone in the inevitable march by the people; a political resurge to enthrone a government they can truly call their own as now embodied in Chief Osita Chidoka and our great party, the UPP. The symbolic flag-off is

dedicated to all the people of Anambra particularly the downtrodden, the poor, the forgotten and the voiceless whose prayers and goodwill for our candidate have continued to inspire our campaign towards victory.

As we lift up the “isi agu”, the UPP logo of the brave tiger with Ndi Anambra, we lift up our collective consciousness and heroic essence as a people, and set the pace for the preordained rebirth of our glorious state, which Chief Chidoka represents.

Without argument, Chief Osita Chidoka has since shown to be the only candidate in this race with a clear message and

vision for a new Anambra. In the same vein, our party is the only one with a clear vision and ideology to stand in cognizance with the yearnings and aspirations of the people and nothing more.

In the coming days we will marshal out our issue-based and very robust campaign. We will continue as is in our character to keep it clean and engage in constructive debates on all issues. With the people, we will ask very pertinent questions and demand answers for them all. This campaign will bare it all.

Our strength in this election is a product of enduring prayers, abid-

ing faith in God, painstaking planning, extensive mobilization and widespread all-inclusive consultations and bonding among our people without barriers, for which we now have the highest demography of volunteers and supporters across the state.

We will continue to however work even harder and ensure that no corner of our state is left unreached as we scale up our door-to-door and person-to-person campaign, to further consolidate our march with the people.

We therefore thank all our volunteers, youth groups, women groups, the various trade unions,

our revered spiritual leaders across all denomination for their support and contributions, and indeed our royal fathers, who have significantly transferred the Ofor Igbo, the very Igbo symbol of authority from Governor Wille Obiano to Chief Chidoka.

Once again we salute the people of Anambra for their courage, determination and resolve to work and march with us to reclaim and reposition our dear state. We appreciate their unrelenting support for our candidate and our great party, and together we will enthrone the people’s government come November 18, 2017.

Hospital Paupers fund, Alh. Suleiman Abdullahi disclosed this in Yola.

The chairman who was a gubernatorial aspirant under the defunct ANNP said the pauper fund was an initiative of the management of Federal Medical Center Yola to carter for the increasing cases of patient who could not pay for their medical bills particularly by those affected by the insurgency.

The retired managing Director of Savannah Sugar Company said the members of the Pauper fund committee members are drawn from the public with impeccable characters and can encourage donation from individuals, cooperate organization and NGOs. Alhaji Suleiman Abdullahi Added that the money realized is used to pay medical bills of those admitted in FMC Yola and cannot pay for the treatment stressing that the funds is not meant to pay bills of Adamawa state indigene alone but to all Nigerians including foreigners who cannot pay his/her medical bills in FMC Yola but must be on admission in the hospital.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 30, 2017

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Restructuring: FG must create room for discussion to move Nigeria forward –Mogaji ≥≥≥10&11

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Rivers APC stakeholders endorse Abe for 2019 governorship Amaka Agbu, Port Harcourt

*As group extols his virtues

Stakeholders of the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), have endorsed the candidature of Senator Magnus Ngei Abe for the governorship race of the party in the 2019 election in the state.

The group known as “The Meeting” made up of party faithful on Thursday, in Port Harcourt, unanimously called on Senator Abe to offer himself for the party’s governorship primary, stressing that “Senator Magnus Abe is the candidate with the temperament, courage, honesty, integrity and capacity as a bridge builder across ethnic, social and party lines to lead the party to actualising its resolve to win the 2019 governorship election.”

The group in a six-point communiqué issued at the end of the expansive meeting stated: “Without equivocation and with the power and support of both the APC constitution and the Nigerian constitution, we state that Senator Magnus Ngei Abe’s eminent qualification to aspire to the office of the governor of Rivers Stated under our party could not be questioned.”

The group declared: “Accordingly, ‘The Meeting’ call on him to present himself for the 2019 gubernatorial under our great party, APC, as he clearly has the support and approval of a vast majority of our party faithful across the state.”

The stakeholders in endorsing Senator Abe for the Rivers State 2019 governorship election insisted that its position was in tandem with the stipulations of the APC constitution and the Nigerian constitution that sanctions the right of individuals and groups to freedom of choice, speech, association and assembly.

ABE

“The Meeting affirmed the right of all party members to have ambition within the party, openly express it and canvass and lobby and rally support for its actualisation without fear and within the laws and constitution of the party.

The Meeting insists that it was only thereby that the party would be built rather than through the handpicking of candidates as was done in the past in line with the change agenda of our great party.”

The stakeholders appealed: “The Meeting strongly urged the State Working Committee to strive for independence, impartiality and inclusiveness if the party must come out of the present low morale of members.”

On the sudden changes made to the leadership of local government caucuses of those perceived to be sympa-

AMAECHI

thetic to Senator Abe’s governorship ambition, by the leader of the APC in Rivers State and Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the group said: “The Meeting expressed its gratitude and appreciation to all honesthearted members of the party who are currently dismayed and broken-hearted and fiercely discriminated against in the party on account of their political orientation and the style of leadership which instills fear and threats for associating with Magnus Abe for not leaving the party, but have continued to stay on and contribute meaningfully for the advancement of the party.”

The stakeholders concluded: “Finally, we thank Almighty God for the health of the President and his triumphant return home to contribute to the historic task of building a new Nigeria where

Olulade commends Lagos Speaker, members over Cancer Institute Bill

no man will be oppressed so that we can hand over to our children a banner without stain. The Meeting pledged its unalloyed loyalty to and cooperation with the party and the President in this onerous task even as we congratulate His Excellency on the country’s independence anniversary.”

The motion for the adoption of Senator Abe was moved by Elder Chidi Wihioka, member of the House of Representatives, representing Ikwerre Federal Constituency and supported

by Hon. (Mrs) Shedrack Wenzu. The motion was unanimously supported by a voice vote by stakeholders from the 23 local government areas in the state.

The stakeholders meeting was attended by former councilors, local government chairmen, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, members of the House of Representatives, commissioners, chief of staff government house, Chief Tony Okocha, Senator Wilson Ake and different groups under the APC in the state.

Speaking at the event, Chief Allwell Onyesoh, a former commissioner said only Senator Abe could defeat Governor Nyesom Wike in the 2019 gubernatorial election. Two former commissioners in Amaechi’s administration, Dr. Ipalibo Harry and Worgu Boms declared that Senator’s Abe’s gubernatorial ambition was not an act of betrayal but a courageous act and mission to rescue the APC the Rivers APC from the jaws of defeat in 2019.

The event represents the largest gathering of APC stakeholder since the 2015 general election which the APC lost to the PDP when it fielded Dr. Dakuku Peterside as its governorship candidate who contested against Nyesom Wike of the PDP.

LG poll: AKISIEC directs staff to liaise with NOA, security agents

Patrick Okohue, Lagos

Patrick Okohue with Agency Report

Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Health Services, Hon. Olusegun Olulade has commended the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa and his colleagues for adopting his Committee’s report on the ‘Lagos State Cancer Institute Bill, 2016’, which was presented on Tuesday on the floor of the House.

The House, had at Tuesday’s plenary session took the report of the Health Services Committee on the Lagos State Cancer Institute Bill, 2016, adopting the report as the resolution of the House after some amendments were made.

Olulade while noting that the bill when eventually passed into law, would bring succor to Lagosians who have cancer related issues, thanked the Speaker for initiating such a bill, which will provide for the promotion, aid and coordinate researches relating to cancer and cancer related illness.

According to the lawmaker, the World Health Organisation (WHO) few years ago stated that about 10,000 cancer deaths are

The Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) has directed the electoral officers in the local government areas to work with security agents during the forthcoming council election in the state.

The Chairman of AKISIEC, Mr Aniedi Ikoiwak, gave the directive on Thursday when he inspected facilities in the commission’s offices in Eket, Esit Eket, Ibeno and Onna local government areas.

Ikiowak said that the commission needed collaboration with security agents to ensure hitch-free local government poll scheduled to hold on Dec. 2.

He told them to also work with officers of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in the areas to ensure effective mobilisation of the electorate.

“It is necessary that you maintain contact with the officers in charge of National Orientation Agency (NOA) and security agents in your local government areas.

OBASA

recorded annually in Nigeria, while 250,000 new cases are recorded yearly.

“It is also worrisome that only 17 per cent of African countries are said to have sufficiently funded cancer control programmes, while less than half of all countries in the world have functional plans to prevent the disease and provide treatment and care to patients.

OLULADE

“According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IAPC), as at 2008, 7.6 million people have died globally from cancer. Indeed, it has become a major source of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In addition, the global burden of cancer is set to double by 2020 and almost triple by 2030 when one out of every two persons is expected to be diagnosed of cancer in their life time.

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 30, 2017

Restructuring: FG must create room for discussion to move Nigeria forward–Mogaji President Muhammadu Buhari recently returned from his medical vacation and as happy as many Nigerians are they had expected that his first broadcast to the nation will contain plans for the health sector and how he plans to stem medical tourism abroad by improving on critical health infrastructure, but that didn’t happen, what is your view of that?

First of all, it is the wish of every Nigerian that the President come back hale and healthy and have been praying for him and we are happy that he came back strong, because we were really afraid if the ill health will allow him complete his tenure. But to the glory of God he was able to overcome the ailment and when he came back he addressed the nation and harped on the need for Nigerians to remain united. I was quite happy because it touched on those making inflammatory statements and creating tension on the political situation in the country.

However, since we are already in the mid year of the budget, I tend to believe that any reasonable person will have it at the back of his mind the need for us to further improve on our health institutions, because I don’t think that it is in our interest, rather it is embarrassing for every high level persons to always travel out before they can get quality treatment, whether we like it or not we cannot deny we don’t have quality institutions here and whether we like it or not, for life threatening ailments like that you have to travel abroad before you can find a way out. So, travelling abroad is not something that is frivolous, it is something that is inevitable if we have any precarious situation at hand.

We must also appreciate one thing, look at the person of Buhari, he is not a reckless person, he is not somebody that believes in frivolities, nevertheless it also calls for caution on our part and requires us to go back to the drawing board and look at what is in our interest, because it is even disgraceful as a nation that unless you travel out you cannot get good health services.

This is a time to listen to the voice of reason and clamour in the health sector for better facilities, better welfare, to ensure that the average Nigerian have access to good health care.

In major countries of the world and even for campaign issues health is number one, they say health is wealth and no amount of investment that you put into it that will be too much. So, one will expect that that though resources is always a challenge that effort is made to improve on the budget of the health sector. It will not be a one programme but make effort to ensure that most of these obsolete equipment are upgraded, because if you don’t have the right equipment there is no way you can provide better service, that is why the government must discourage this idea of importing obsolete equipment, because if you don’t have the right equipment there is nothing much you can do to provide better service, look at some of these world class institutions, many Nigerians are doing well there. It is not as difficult, go to Dubai and see some of these health facilities, I believe we too can have equipment that can match some of those.

Nigeria is just trying to come out of series of strikes, with resident doctors, ASUU, NASU and the rest just calling off its strikes after many weeks, with the current economic situation in the country, do you think strike is a good option now or you agree with some persons that say the unions are just trying to blackmail the government?

MOGAJI

Chief Wale Mogaji is the chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Service Commission (LAHASCOM). An insurance expert and an experienced politician, Mogaji is of the belief that the Muhammadu Buhari led All Progressives Congress (APC) Federal Government is on course in its anti-corruption war, though, he wishes the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will be more open about its activities. In this interview with PATRICK OKOHUE he also speaks on why he believes there is known crisis in APC and what he is doing to properly position LAHASCOM. To me those going on strike also have to take cognizance of the fact that there are challenges, because whatever we are doing we must realise the state of the economy and how things can be better. There is no sector that should be neglected, but you can’t have it all, you must strike a balance whereby there will be an understanding between you and government to look at the best way to get out of this logjam. You cannot expect that if you present a 10 point demand all must be met before you call off, it cannot work out like that. Government itself does not even have enough to fund this years’ budget, part of it has to be sourced externally, so whoever is leading all those negotiations must bear that in mind and relate it with the economy and see what is affordable and government should also prioritise and structure, there should be at least three to five years plan to ensure some of these issues are seriously addressed.

But what happens in most cases is that once they agree on everything after that they just abandon it and we don’t seem to bother again until those people starts another agitations and issuing another strike threat before they start listening to them,

that is not in the best interest of the nation.

However the unions must take cognizance of the fact that there are too many people asking for the same thing and the government cannot fund them all at the same time.

But, we also must appreciate that some of these things are not for their personal benefits alone, but then they must not overheat the polity, considering that there is limited funds and government is doing everything within its reach to address the issues.

Government can’t afford to close its eyes and ears to these hues and cries, because it needs to listen to them and create a platform for people to come together and discuss it, it is better. But for those campaigning for disintegration, they should also be mindful that you don’t gain anything through crisis.

There have been many agitations across the country, the Arewa Youths only recently withdrew the quit notice it served Igbos in the North, same thing with Niger-Delta groups that also withdrew the notice on Yoruba and Hausa in the South South, all heating up the polity, how do you view this kind of action within the same country?

Really it is heating up the polity, we must realise that there is strength in our coming together, the only thing is that one cannot play down the fact that there is need for government or the nation to look at the present structure and how suitable it is and also create a platform for discussion.

Because whether we like it or not we have a sovereign nation, we have the National Assembly and so all these issues must be channeled through them. The government can also send a bill after the discussion to the National Assembly to address some of these agitations. The main focus is that people believe that there is too much power at the center and they are calling for the devolution of power. I believe that it is also important in addition that the little ones that is available it is used judiciously. It is good now that most of the states are trying to compete among themselves. But by and large government can’t afford to close its eyes and ears to these hues and cry, because it needs to listen to them and create a platform for people to come together and discuss it, it is better. But for those campaigning for disintegration, they should also be mindful that you don’t gain anything through crisis. If you look at what is happening throughout the world, it is an indication, look at Iraq, Libya, Syria and the rest, look at how they are destroying their own nations, properties and human lives being destroyed, so you have to be careCONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 30, 2017

11 Politics

Restructuring: FG must create room for discussion CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

ful for it not to get to that point with some of these issues, because it is the beginning that you know you cannot predict the end result, so we have to be careful not to create a problem for ourselves and destroy our country because of some of these issues by mischief makers, but we have to look at what is good for us.

I think the government is listening, it has set up a committee at APC level to look at these issues, they will also set up their memoranda and make their submissions, because if the government is not ready to do anything about it based on the clamour for it they won’t set up that committee. So, by the time they come up with their report let us see what happens. However, whatever we agree let us do it with the understanding that we are one nation and there is strength in our coming together, it is just for us to harness it and reduce the divisive tendencies in it.

Some people are saying that despite the committee set up by the APC that the government should look at the 2014 CONFAB report, which they believe addressed most of the salient issues which will be very useful for the continued peaceful co-existence of the country, do you think there is need to look at that CONFAB report?

You know that at that time some people did not participate, but that does not diminish the fact that some issues raised at that conference are valid. I am sure when there is need for it they will find a way to incorporate it, because we can’t waste such resources not minding the composition and think that there won’t be some salient points that will come out of it. But you know there are a lot of political undertones in some of these issues, you can’t force people, talking sense to one another and learning to appreciate one another. It may not be all encompassing, but the fact still remains that some sections of the country met and what they came up with in that report and the government should still look into it, but that still does not stop them from having their own conference to look into this issue of agitation that is tearing the country apart. It is an issue that is volatile, but people should just ensure that whatever they are doing they preach peace, because for all those stalking crisis, they need to know that crisis is not something that is palatable. They should look at ordinary hurricane or flood, despite the sophistication of the cities affected, look at the level of devastation, both in terms of properties and human lives. I believe that now that the President is back, some of those issues will certainly be addressed.

Nigeria is said to be out of recession, but some people are wondering if it is true, because it is not being felt yet, do you think it is time to celebrate yet?

I think the government itself is carried away with that announcement, because they have also said that the only way the average person can know that we are out of recession is when they feel the impact and feeling the impact has to reflect on the price of food stuffs, accommodation, transport system and many other things that affect their daily lives which we cannot feel now.

So, they themselves are even trying to play it down, that we should not put too much emphasis on it, the only joy is that it will be in the mind of investors because it has its own positive impact there, it will boost the confidence that things are not as bad as is being portrayed, but that does not mean that we are there. In many government parlance, reports of this nature is a regular thing, if you remember when the country

MOGAJI

was in recession it was they themselves that came out to say we are in recession and now that things are getting better there is nothing bad for them to again come out to say it is over, but the euphoria with which we go about it is another thing. There is still a lot of unemployment and many issues, it is when some of these issues are addressed and there is less unemployment that we can say in practical terms that we are out of recession.

Anti corruption war which formed the nucleus of its campaigns was the reason many people supported this government, but some people are not convinced that it is working, despite some revelations and a few arrests and so much money is said to be recovered without making open the identities of those behind it, do you think the war on corruption is going the way it should?

They are making progress, I don’t know why some people are thinking that they are not making progress. Some of these issues are being discussed even on the electronic media, a lot of people are being prosecuted, the only thing is that they are not giving the people enough details as to how much and from who and who they are being recovered, but then I think they are being careful, because making some of this announcement could jeopardise the judicial process.

But, that does not matter, since we have recovered so much amount there is the need to know what is its impact on the budget, the amount collected what are you using it for, is it to supplement the budget. There is the need to seek for more explanation, but despite that they are making progress, we are not where we were before, they are making progress, there is no environment that is perfect, but you cannot compare it to the time when we didn’t have these agencies, they are trying to a certain extent, it is a gradual thing, we cannot say they are not making progress at all, no, they are making progress. Maybe we need more information on the nature of their activities. It is natural for the people to be curious, so they need to give more information about what they are doing and their activities.

Many people see the APC as a party at war with itself, till now it has not been able to hold its convention, that is one,

There is no political party that is free of crisis and APC is not an exemption, but I think what had made them delay the convention is because of the health of Mr. President, now that he is back I am sure they will put in process the methodology of going about the convention. Politics is about crisis resolution, you cannot rule out crisis and intrigues in any political system and some of these issues I believe will come to the front burners next year then while some are calling for the head of the chairman of the party others are saying the President should forget about the 2019 election because of his health, with all these will you say there is cohesion within the APC? There is no political party that is free of crisis and APC is not an exemption, but I think what had made them delay the convention is because of the health of Mr. President, now that he is back I am sure they will put in process the methodology of going about the convention. Politics is about crisis resolution, you cannot rule out crisis and intrigues in any political system and some of these issues I believe will come to the front burners next year. Whether Mr. President is going to run or not, it is his inalienable right, it will be based on so many factors, health issues and many other others. It will all depend on what happens between now and then, but what is important is the successful completion of what they are doing now, that is what should interest us, the fact of the economy and ensuring adequate security and the protection of lives and property, those are the things that are germane now that we need to concentrate on, but when issues surface you face it, you cannot rule out crisis in political arena. They have that challenges, but I am sure they also have a way of managing it, we should allow them more time, they just took over at the federal level, after 16 years of the PDP, it will take a while before we will be able to do a proper assessment. What is happening now is that there is scheming, everybody is trying to scheme and position himself.

You have been chairman of the Assembly Service Commission for some time now, what difference will say you have made and what changes have you brought into the way things are done in the Assembly?

Being a new commission our first objective was to first of all in line with the principles and prayers of those who set up the commission ensure that we have a commission that will provide good, qualitative service. Ensure that we have professional staff who will assist the legislators in the discharge of their duties to ensure that they assist them in providing qualitative service to their various constituents. When we came we were faced with so many issues, the old staff were assumed to be the staff of the mainstream, so we had to first of all engage in the issue of transfer of service and you know government bureaucracy, it doesn’t work fast like that, but we are lucky, being that some amenities have been provided for us, it made it easier for us to take off well.

We also made consultations with older commissions both within and outside just to be exposed to the nitty gritty of the rules and what is expected of us. So far as at today we have also become a reference point, because we have been able to have full staff of the Assembly and the Commission. We have also put in place a training programme, to enhance on the work schedule of the various cadre of staff and there is something we call bridge the gap which was introduced for staff having promotion to go to higher level, to help prepare some background courses for them to prepare them for leadership.

Those are some of the things that we have put in place and so far the commission is stable compared to when we started and a lot of things are also coming here. If you look at our structure, everything is working fine, that does not mean that we are 100 percent, that we are there, but we have financial autonomy. But our financial autonomy only covers our running cost, we don’t have capital projects, because in Lagos we have a sort of centralised budget for projects and personnel.

It is not like the National Assembly Commission, they have their budget separate, when a budget is approved and they start giving them their envelop they have the powers to recruit and do other things without going back to the executives. Here we cannot do that, we have a central pool whereby if we want to do any major recruitment or personnel, after doing the due appraisal that we have done, we still have to push our paper to the governor for approval.

So it is still a limited autonomy, but so far so good, in all the 36 states it is only about six states or seven that have financial autonomy and we are one of those that enjoy that autonomy on our imprest, which has helped us to have some level of independence and be able to do a few things from the amount approved for us.

There is still a long way and a lot of things are yet to be done, but whatever you are doing must be confined to the amount approved for you. For instance the civil service rule that we are using is still the one that is from the mainstream, but we are supposed to have our own legislative service rules, even though some of it will be based on the civil service rule, there are still things that are peculiar to the legislative arm and need to be documented and entrenched, we are looking into that, we are have a committee for that and getting submission from both within and outside the state and hopefully, if we are able to enjoy second term we should be able to do that before we leave.

12 Politics Patrick Okohue with Agency Report A former Minister of Education, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, has said that reconciliation and unity were imperatives needed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to reclaim power in 2019.

Adeniran stated this while declaring his interest in the national chairmanship seat of the PDP in Abuja.

He said that reconciliation, unity and rebuilding were keys for consolidation of the party after the 23 months leadership crisis it contended with.

Adeniran, also a former Nigerian Ambassador to Germany, expressed confidence in the leadership of Sen. Ahmed Makarfi to conduct a credible national elective convention of the party.

He said that the convention scheduled for Dec. 9 remained an opportunity for the party to regain power.

“Now it is time for a new beginning for our great party. We must reconcile, unite, rebuild and we must reposition to face the challenges that lay ahead.

“These are, indeed, the imperatives before us as a party.

“I have full confidence in the present leadership of the party, ably led by Sen. Makarfi to conduct a credible and transparent national convention to usher in a new leadership of the party.

“This will guarantee the survival of the party for the years to come,’’ Adeniran said.

Soliciting support across the six-geopolitical zones, the aspirant pledged to

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 30 2017

Reconciliation, unity imperatives for new PDP – Prof. Adeniran …Declares ambition to chair the party

ADENIRAN

lead in the task of making PDP a strong, credible, reliable and leading political party again.

He promised that if voted in, he would restore the sanctity of internal democracy and rule of law within the party.

He added that he would also work with stakeholders to return the party to the people in tandem with the spirit and intent of its slogan – “power to the people.”

“My team shall work to reaffirm and entrench the founding principles of our great party and rejuvenate it to original state of strength, devoid of impunity, imposition and subversion of the will of

GEORGE

the people.’’

In his remarks, a former Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ibrahim Mantu, urged PDP members to rally support for Adeniran in the December convention.

Mantu described Adeniran as God’s choice for the national chairman of the party, saying that God revealed the professor as the right candidate when he fasted and prayed about it.

“I fasted for 30 days and nights, asking God to show me who would lead the party. God showed me Adeniran.

“Let’s now look forward and make sure that we elect a credible chairman.

DANIEL

We should make sure that nobody shortchanges us at the national convention,” he said.

He said that time had come to take PDP back to the people, adding that some people came to the PDP with nothing and left with billions. We need to bring the party to the people now.

On his part, a former Minister of Police Affairs, Adamu Waziri, urged party supporters to work assiduously for the task ahead, saying that the road to the Villa in 2019 would not be an easy one.

He urged members of PDP to support Adeniran as he had proven to be a loyal party man since the formation of the PDP in 1998. (NAN)

Anambra election : PPA presents deputy governor

Restructuring: APC holds public hearing in Yola

John Ndu, Awka

Tom Garba, Yola

The Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) has presented its deputy governorship candidate for the November 18th gubernatorial election in Anambra State.

The event which took place at the party’s campaign office, Awka attracted the party stakeholders across the state.

Announcing the deputy as Mr Nkwoka Chigbo Stanley, the governorship candidate, Ezeemo said PPA had confidence to clinch the governorship election due to formidable structures the party had put in place.

Mr Ezeemo who doubles as Chief Executive Officer of Orient Group noted that PPA had several plans to involve the youths in the administrative process of the state, visa-vis decision making.

He described his deputy as a vibrant youth who had acquired several experiences in administration.

“PPA has what it takes to govern the

state. It has consolidated its structure for the growth of the party and state at large.

We are determined to cater for the youths and give them sense of belonging,” Ezeemo added.

It was gathered that the deputy, Chigbo Stanley Nkwoka, 36, is from Abetete in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State. He is an environmental and social expert. A consultant in different international organisations, such as World Bank and many more.

Responding, the deputy governorship candidate, Nkwoka regretted that youths have been relegated to the background by the previous administration, giving assurance that PPA would restore their lost hope.

The State Coordinator PPA, Chief Ameke Matthias commended Mr Ezeemo for his wealth of knowledge in piloting the party, which when elected would take the state to limelight.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has reiterated its determination to ensure true federalism and restructuring in line with its promise to the people.

Former Governor of Edo State, Professor Oserheimen Osunbor, who led members of the Consultation committee to the governor of Adamawa State, Sen Muhammad Umaru Jibrilla Bindow in Yola, explained that the consultation is to hear opinion of the people, with a view to finding common ground for unity and peace in the country.

Professor Osunbor said the consultation is for members of the party in Adamawa and Taraba states, emphasising that true federalism and restructuring is an integral part of the policy thrust of the Buhari led administration.

He said the committee was constituted

Lawmaker offers free medical services to 200 constituents Patrick Okohue with Agency Report A member representing Doma South constituency at the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Hon. James Dangana, says more than 200 people of his constituency have benefitted from his free medical outreach.

He told newsmen at Rukubi, Doma Local Government Area of the state, that he spent N1 million to provide the services to boost the health status of his constituents.

Dangana (APC) is also the Chairman, House Committee on Information.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the free healthcare services

featured free medical consultation on eye, diabetic and other diseases.

According to him, he partnered the National Youths Service Corp (NYSC) Medical and Community Health Service Group in the state to deliver the service.

The lawmaker expressed his determination to sponsor the free medical services in order to better the lives of his constituents for the overall development of the country.

“I have decided to sponsor the free medical services as part of my commitment as well as in fulfillment of my campaign promises so as to better the health and the standard of living of my constituents.

“Rendering services to humanity is just a privileged, so I count myself as one of those people that God favoured to partner NYSC to bring humanitarian services to my community and to my constituency.

“The free medical service will go a long way in improving the health and standard of living of the people of my constituency,” he said.

“Everybody is aware of what I have done so far to better the standard of living of my constituents and I promise to do more through initiating people oriented projects in order to better our standard of living,’’ he said.

OSUNBOR

by the National Chairman of APC to take the view of Nigerians on the burning issue of restructuring and true federalism, adding that the committee would forward the outcome of the consultation to the National Secretariat of the party.

Zonal Chairman of APC, Alhaji Abdullahi, who welcomed the delegation to the state, thanked the National Working Committee for considering the aspirations of members of the party in a bid to improve on the prevailing situation in the country.

Responding, Governor Muhammad Umaru Jibrilla Bindow, said the state government is doing everything possible to improve on the security situation in the state.

The governor explained that the state is secure and stable and appreciated the determination of President Muhammadu Buhari to restore peace to the North East.

In a short remark, Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Comrade Ahmad Ibrahim Sajo, explained that the meeting was to seek opinion of the people with the aim of producing a working document for the party.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 30 , 2017

2nd Niger Bridge will be actualised - FG John Ndu Awka

ÏÏÏ

The federal government has assured that the Second Niger Bridge as well as other federal projects in Anambra and South East will receive federal boost.

The Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo gave the assurance during a Funeral Mass for late Mrs Roseline Ezinma Akabueze (Mother of Hon Ben Akabueze DG, Budget Office, Abuja) at St Gabriels Catholic Church, IFITEDUNU, Anambra State.

Prof Osinbajo stressed the measures the federal government had put in place to reconstruction and complete every Federal projects in

the South East.

According to him “ President Buhari has went to China to negotiate with them about the second Niger Bridge and other roads in East, West geo political zone . All these are put in place to ensure the completion of Onitsha express road.”

The V. P urged the National Assembly to put into consideration and accommodate all the federal projects in their deliberations.

He revealed that one of the cardinal principles of Buhari administration was fairness which according to him had offered every political zones opportunity to benefit in his government.

On his part, the State Governor,

Chief Willie Obiano recalled that Ifitedunu community had benefited immensely from his administration, especially in the area of appointments.

Obiano urged the people to apply for the second phase of his N20 million initiative which was geared towards developing every community simultaneously and empower the youths .

Dignitaries present were His Excellency, the Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Nwabueze Ngige, the Minister for Budget and National Planning, Senator Udo Udoma.

Others were Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment , Dr Okey Enelama, and Former Senator Uche Ekwunife,

13 News

Nigeria, China to promote cultural diplomacy Azubike Nnadozie

ÏÏÏ

Director General of National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Segun Runsewe has solicited for more cultural collaboration with the Peoples Republic of China.

Runsewe made the request while on a courtesy call to the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Zhou Pingjian in Abuja on Friday.

The number one promoter of culture in Nigeria thanked the Chinese for always supporting Nigeria in areas of human capital development and presently, the area of rail system construction. ‘’It is on record that about seven states in Nigeria are currently understudying your rail system’’, Runsewe said praising the ambassador for giving the staff of the Council capacity building and also making Nigerians living in China feel welcome.

Runsewe intimated the Ambassador on the plan of the Council to take the thirty-six Commissioners of various states of the Federation to China to understudy the Chinese cultural content in order to replicate it in Nigeria. he said, “We will also like

to formally invite you to next year’s AFAC which will come early in the year”.

On his part, the Ambassador stated that Nigeria and China have a of similarities in terms of population and economy asserting that while Nigeria has the largest population in Africa, China has the largest population in the world.

He also mentioned that both countries are the major forces in economy in their respective continents saying Nigeria stands tall in Africa while China is a force to reckon with in Asia continent. He was also emphatic that both countries enjoy a very big cultural diversity. ‘’Nigeria’s tradition is awesome, we can truly work together”, said the Ambassador who reiterated that China’s government is ever ready to explore the various areas of collaboration in terms of cultural exchanges, capacity building and many other areas of opportunity.

The envoy noted, “It is on record both countries are major players in the world, if we build on our existing bilateral relationship, both nations will further make huge impact in the world as a whole”.

FG kicks off WOW Initiative towards eradicating TB L-R: Awardees, Chairman and Chief Executive, Kikis Beauty Supply, Alhaja Kikelomo Olarinde and Alhaja Muibat Oseni-Ejire, displaying their Award plaque in Ogun State… recently.

Anambra 2017: INEC, security agencies determine success -Umeh Alphonsus Nweze

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Governor Obiano Re-election Campaign Organisation has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security operatives to ensure that the November18, 2017 Anambra State governorship election was successful.

The chairman of the Campaign Organisation and former national chairman of All Ptogressives Grand Alluance (APGA), made the call yesterday while addressing newsmen on their campaign flag-off Monday.

Umeh said two groups will make for the success of the election and that is the impartiality of the umpire and the conduct of security operatives Umeh said “Allowing the votes of the people to count is the major ingredient for the success of the election.

INEC will make or mar the election.

If INEC wants to be impartial, this election will be successful”.

He said the security operatives should allow the election to be conducted under peaceful atmosphere and protect the integrity of the election. “Don’t allow politicians to intimidate the electorates. Politicians should eschew desperation”, said Umeh who condemned the alleged utterances of the National Chairman of APC, Chief Johm Oyegun, who allegedly boasted in a media report that APC must win the forthcoming governorship election. He said such statement coming from Oyegun is not democratic, saying that with what APGA has done in the State, they were sure of victory at the poll.

Umeh dismissed the alleged N7billion campaign expenses for Obiano, by the former Governor, Peter Obi,

in 2013 governorship election, saying that neither Obiano nor APGA is owing Obi any money. He said Obi who made about N50billion from security votes in eight years could have sold his property to fund Obiano’s election. He said they had fundraising in Lagos, Abuja, Porthacort and Enugu for Obiano campaign but Obi up till now has not rendered account of the money realised in those fundraising. Umeh said Obi left a total debt of N185 billion on road construction alone and employed 6000 workers at the twilight of his administration. “ This is the time to tell the truth.I was there at Governor’s lodge where Obi gave Obiano handed over note to Obiano. There was no issue of N75 billion left for Obiano. Some of the money left include bonds, some of them cannot be accessed until 2030” said Umeh.

ÏÏÏ

The Federal Government, yesterday, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, kicked off the Wellness on Wheels (WOW), initiative, to provide a state of the art efficient diagnosis and treatment of Tuberculosis (TB) on wheels in the country.

Minister of Health, Prof.

Isaac Adewole, who was joined by the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, at the event, commissioned the 20-feet truck, equipped with diagnostic equipment, which will serve as one-stop-shop for the diagnosis and treatment of ailment.

Adewole said the initiative, is in line with the President Muhammadu Buhari led government’s agenda, to bring healthcare delivery to the door step of every Nigerian.

He revealed that about 600,000 cases of TB are recorded yearly, with only a 100,000 being detected in the country, adding that this necessitated the urgent and intentional in-

tervention of the Federal Government.

Assuring that cases of TB will soon become a thing of the past in the country, the minister stated that the WOW initiative would drastically reduce it’s treatment period from the usual 20 months.

Describing the initiative as a unique collaborative project, the minister thanked Amosun for helping to improve the health of the citizens of the state as well as supporting and developing the medical facilities across the state.

In his speech, the governor pledged his administration’s commitment at ensuring zero TB case in the state, charging health workers to properly maintain the mobile laboratory, for its purpose not to be defeated.

He appreciated the Federal Government, for the confidence reposed in Ogun, by kicking off the campaign, scheduled to be carried out in other parts of the country, in Ogun.

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 30, 2017

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 30, 2017

ƏƐ `ƆƒƈƆƓ Art Review

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Of Ori and human destiny in traditional Yoruba thought Ï ƇƐè ƗƆƐƆƏƌƈ ƈ Ɛƈƅ ƈ ƐƆƏƍƏƆƐ Ɛƈ

Oladele Abiodun Balogun ABSTRACT The debate on the philosophical nature of the beliefs in Ori and human destiny in traditional Yoruba thought has for sometimes now, been controversial.

INTRODUCTION The Yoruba constitute one of the major ethnic groups of modern Nigeria and they effectively occupy the whole of Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Ekiti, Lagos and a substantial part of Kwara State (Atanda 1980: 1) Besides Nigeria, the Yoruba are also found in sizeable numbers, in South-eastern part of the Republic of Benin, Togo and Dahomey in West Africa, the West-India and South Africa. There is also a thriving Yoruba culture in South America and the Caribbean, especially Brazil and Cuba where the descendants of the unwilling immigrants to the new world have been able to keep their identities and guard their cultural heritage (Gbadegesin 1983: 174).

While the Yoruba are dispersed throughout the world, this paper focuses on the Nigerian Yoruba.

The reason for this choice is that the ancestral home of the Yoruba is in Nigeria and each of the Yoruba in the Diasporas still traces its origin to this home where the culture thrives best. The Yoruba, whether at home or in The Diaspora, have a unique and distinct cultural life and their lineage can be traced to Oduduwa, with Ile-Ife as the cradle of (its) civilization.

The traditional Yoruba are associated with various beliefs that cut The Concepts of Ori and Human Destiny across different strata of human existence. Pertinent among such beliefs, are the beliefs in ori (1) and human destiny.

There is a well-developed body of literature in Yoruba philosophical studies, which have dealt with the concepts of ori and human destiny. The polemics surrounding the meaning, nature, relevance and reality of the dual concepts of ori and human destiny have for long instigated philosophical interest.

The philosophical problem surrounding ori and human destiny in Yoruba thought has nothing much to do with either the meaning or relevance of the knowledge of the concepts.

Clearly, there is no controversy on the conceptual meaning and importance of the concepts. The controversy has not even much centered on the metaphysical reality of the traditional Yoruba belief in ori and human destiny.

Though, while discussions on their metaphysical reality are not conclusive, and are essentially un-

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controversial, many of the philosophical literatures are apparently in agreement on the reality of the belief in ori and human destiny among the traditional Yoruba. The problem surrounding the concept of ori and human destiny in Yoruba philosophical discussions centers on the philosophical nature and understanding of the concepts. Such a problem has much to do with the metaphysical interpretations which will be reflective of, consistent and coherent with the traditional Yoruba belief in ori and human destiny.

Such works as Wande Abimbola, “The Yoruba concept of Human Personality” (1971), Olusegun Gbadegesin, “Destiny, Personality and the Ultimate Reality of Human Existence: A Yoruba perspective” (1983), M.A. Makinde, “A Philosophical Analysis of the Yoruba Concept of Ori and Human Destiny” (1985), O. Oladipo, “Predestination in Yoruba Thought: A Philosopher’s Interpretation” (1992), S.A. Ali, “The Yoruba Conception of Destiny: A critical analysis (1995), E. O. Oduwole, “The Yoruba concepts of Ori and Human Destiny: A Fatalistic Interpretation” (1996), are pioneers and instances of volumes written on the Concepts of ori and human destiny. While it will be a rewarding intellectual exercise to x-ray their contribu-

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tions to an understanding of the crucial issues surrounding the concepts of ori and human destiny, the paper will in addition, examine their areas of agreement and points of departure. My concern in the paper goes beyond mere analysis of the conceptual puzzles or reviews of literatures on the theme, but to establish and strengthen the argument that the Yoruba are soft-determinists in their understanding of, and belief in the concept of ori and human destiny. Though the plausibility of this thesis may first appear absurd and bizarre to critics who had earlier believed or situated the Yoruba concepts of ori and human destiny within the framework of fatalism and hard-determinism, this type of 1 The Yoruba word, ori, literally translated, simply means ‘head’ (as in the physical head of a human or an animal). However, giving concession to our discussion on destiny (which in Yoruba language means ori-inu and translated, inner or spiritual head) in the paper, our contextual usage, meaning and understanding of ori throughout the course of the paper should be construed as meaning the spiritual head, which symbolizes human destiny. 117 Nordic Journal of African Studies metaphysical understanding of the nature of ori

and human destiny in traditional Yoruba thought has been widely applauded and accepted even by many of the pioneering works on the theme. However, while the paper holds a contrary position, it is hoped that upon critical reflections and convincing arguments, such critics will at the end come to terms with the paper’s submission that soft determinism is more consistent and coherent with the Yoruba belief in the concepts of ori and human destiny than any other metaphysical interpretations.

1. A CONCEPTUAL DEFINITIVE ANALYSIS OF THE CONCEPTS OF ‘ORI’, HUMAN DESTINY, FATALISM AND DETERMINISM Before delving into a critical exposition of the metaphysical nature of the Yoruba concepts of ori and human destiny, there is need to make explicit, such metaphysical concepts that will subsequently enhance our understanding on the theme. Hence the clarifications of concepts like ori human destiny, fatalism and determinism (or predestination).

A person in Yoruba thought is according to Hallen and Sodipo (1986: 105) made up of three important elements: ara (body), emi (life giving element) and ori (Spiritual head, which is thought to be responsible for human destiny).

In the Yoruba concept of person, ara (body) refers to all the tangible elements that make a person both externally and internally such as the brain, kindly, intestine, heart etc. and not just the body frame which houses other constituents of a person. (Balogun 1997: 333).

Emi (the life giving entity), the Yoruba believe, is an immaterial element that provides the ‘animating force’ or energy without which a person cannot be said to be living at all, talk less of being conscious (Oladipo 1992: 19). It is according to Bolaji Idowu (1962: 169), “closely associated with the breath and the whole mechanism of breathing which is its most expressive manifestation”. In other words, emi (the life giving entity) is regarded by the Yoruba as the lifeforce of a person; its presence or absence in a person makes the difference between life and death2. The third element, Ori which is of immediate concern to us in this paper, represents the individuality element in a person.

Ori is the element responsible for a person’s personality and represents human destiny. Ori, an immaterial entity, otherwise called ‘inner-head’ is intractably connected with human destiny.

It is responsible for the actuality and worth of man in the material world.

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 30, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday September 30, 2017

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 30, 2017

FEATURES

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Jail term or death: Poor pregnant women in Nigeria face unlikely sentences in hospitals Mercy Abang Mrs Audu, 33, had just given birth to her first child at the Asokoro General Hospital. She was ecstatic and could not wait to take her newborn home, but her joy was short-lived.

“We’ve been asked to stay here until we can pay”, looking at her newborn, she said, feigning indifference.

“I need Nigerians to help me out”, she said into the voice recorder and looked resigned again. Audu is a low-grade civil servant in the nation’s capital.

Mrs. Audu is one of many new mothers under detention in Nigerian hospitals for inability to settle their medical bills. Her case was quite serious. She suffered postpartum haemorrhage and had received two pints of blood shortly after giving birth.

Up the aisle at the maternity ward of the Asokoro Hospital, a stretch of pregnant women are seen groaning under labour pains and awaiting available beds for delivery. “All the beds have been occupied in this hospital, the women queue until there’s a bed space available”, a matron who asked to remain anonymous said.

“As soon as you born your baby, you are discharged to go home, we need space for others”, the matron added.

The non-implementation of the 2014 National Health Act is a major drawback and reason for the collapse of health facilities, which have turned into trauma centers for most pregnant women. The Act mandates a 1% contribution by the Federal Government from the Consolidated Revenue Fund that will help guarantee a basic minimum health package, which includes free health coverage for pregnant women and children less than five years.

A coalition of about 30 civil society organisations and the ONE Campaign, in an open letter to Nigeria’s president, Muhammadu Buhari called for more investment in the healthcare sector in Nigeria.

“There is an urgent need to make a quantum leap investment into the health sector in the 2018 budget to at least 7.5% of the national budget and demonstrate good faith in implementing the 1% Consolidated Revenue Fund towards the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), as stipulated by the National Health Act 2014.”

Nana Aisha, 34, would be spending her third night at Asher hospital, where she was delivered of twin babies. The hospital, which was situated in Kubwa, Abuja, the largest satellite town in Nigeria, and under Bwari Area Council in Abuja, has an emergency ward, a maternity ward and a small pharmacy unit.

She is being held against her will due to her inability to pay after a caesarean

Mother and child detained after delivery

section arising from complications. She has been abandoned, and yet to hear from her husband ever since he pledged to return to make payments.

Nana Aisha eventually got bailed through the contributions of a female empowerment group, called Ejilogwu Women Association, she has ceased to become a member for about four months before the incident. This was due to her inability to keep up with the required monthly contributions.

Hajiya Jummai, who runs the women empowerment group bailed Nana through a micro-finance model where women contribute on a monthly basis to help each other finance their individual businesses or problems.

“We see a lot of this type of situations that is why we organised ourselves to help each other. We raise money for naming ceremonies, burials and other problems that women face” The hospital was charging her for the equipment used during her treatment such as bandages, bed-space, hand-gloves and gown. The total amount reached N16,000 (less than $50). The doctor had instructed the gateman and the night nurse on duty not to let her out of the hospital. Nana only realised this when she tried to escape!

“We heard that she was detained and her husband had run away because he could not pay the four-thousand-naira hospital bill after her delivery, so we gathered money that afternoon and went to bail her.”

At the government owned Gwagwalada specialist hospital, this correspondent spoke to Ifeanyi Anih, a medical intern who said that the hospital management has created a deferral scheme.

“We handle all female genital tract issues, and there are lots of cases where women come in pregnant and require surgery. We have a system that allows them do it on credit to enable them pay afterwards, but the more prevalent case is that they don’t return, so we turn it into a bad debt. The finance department actually raises some money as a provision for this.”

This is not the same for private hospitals. Folake Animashaun (real name withheld) who works at one of the private clinics told our correspondent that sometimes, they gauge the patient before treatment.

“When we give the patient the cost of the treatment, and we realise the patient cannot pay, we don’t treat them. Sometimes you can tell by their body language, the way they begin to look at each other or complain. In cases like this, we just refer them to a general hospital.

“Sometimes, in is a critical emergency, we just pad the patient, give them pain-killers and wait for them to leave.

It’s easier to bear a cost of roughly N2,000 free medications than to conduct a N150,000 surgery and not get the money back.”

Ifeanyi explained that the most prevalent cases are pregnant women with complications who have been turned

away by the privately owned health centers.

“The largest cases we face here are mostly obstructions during pregnancy.

Like when the baby is in the wrong position. We ask if they can pay for it; and they started looking at themselves, we get the message. The challenge here is that you really can’t treat them for free.

“There is a framework that comes from the Ministry of health which serves as a guideline for billing patients, and a surgery like that costs about N85,000. Private hospitals collect almost three times that rate.

“The private clinics don’t handle patients who cannot pay. In one case we faced here, they went as far as padding the bleeding woman, gave her one pint of blood and waited for her to leave. She still came here, and yet had no money.”

Audu and Aisha consider themselves lucky to be alive in debt as other women in similar situations are never admitted. Most of them die from complications trying to birth their babies.

This article was written as part of the 2017 BudgIT Media Fellowship Mercy Abang is a Freelance Journalist, focusing on development Journalism – She doubles as a media fixer with Sunday Times of London, BBC, Aljazeera and a former Stringer with the Associated Press – She tweets at @ abangmercy.. She is the 2017 United Nations Journalism Fellow and budgIT Media fellow for 2017.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 30, 2017

Features 19

Eating according to blood group key to married life - Scientists

Franca Sulem-Yong, Lagos Research has revealed that your blood type determines so many factors that influence your everyday life. According to scientists, eating according to your blood types could be the key to wellness, knowing your susceptibility to certain illnesses and blood types even portray people’s personalities.

There are mainly four types of blood group-A, B, O, and AB. A 94-year-old Lagos based woman who revealed she belongs to the Type A blood group but chose to remain anonymous told The Daily Times she used to suffer constant sickness until she came across the book - Eat Right For Your Blood Type, by Dr. Peter J. D’Adamo written some 50 years ago.

“This book changed my life,” she said “I credit my health and long life to the Almighty and more specifically to this book.

Eating according to my blood group has spared me all the time, energy and money I hitherto used for hospital runs and sorts. It is known that we have to eat food as medicine or we would end up eating medicine as food. Yet, many youths of nowadays do not pay attention. Some do not even border to find out their blood group type although it may solve many a problem,” she lamented.

According to the aforementioned book, blood type can be a valuable clue to understanding your own uniqueness. It reveals that it is very important to take diet according to the blood type because people with different blood groups digest lectins in different ways.

Some people have the tendency to lose weight easily while some others face a fierce battle. Also, some people suffer from chronic illnesses frequently while others stay healthy. Based on blood type, the mood swings and temperament of a person fluctuates and differs from person to person.

The works of Dr. Peter D’Adamo and his father, Dr. James D’Adamo, both Canadian naturopathic doctors, further suggest that the personality traits of each blood type explain why they should eat in a certain way.

Drawing from the book, Eat Right For Your Blood Type, we can summarise the blood types, personality traits and recommended diet as follows: The A blood Group type, which happens to be the most common these days, tend to be cooperative, sensitive, clever, passionate and smart. Often bottling up anxiety in order to get along with others, they may hold in their emotions until they explode. Many are tense, impatient and unable to sleep well.

While they are capable of leadership positions, they may not take them because the stress is not good for their tightly wired systems. They are perfectionists to say the least and this explains why most of them find themselves in research oriented fields.

The blood type A category does tend to have more sensitive constitutions. Too much stress weakens their immunity more quickly than other blood types. Low stomach acid is common among them, even from birth, so special care should be taken when eating animal proteins.

Using digestive enzymes, like Assist Dairy and Protein, along with consuming fermented foods and drinks is really a must for A’s. Highly recommended foods include rice, oats, rye, pasta, pumpkin, seeds, peanuts, apricots, figs, lemons, raisins, amaranth, buck wheat. More of wheat-based, roughage-based vegetarian food is equally good for them.

Blood type B: Individuals on their part tend to be balanced, thoughtful like A’s and yet ambitious like O’s. They are empathetic, easily understanding others’ points of view, yet often hesitating to challenge or confront.

Chameleon-like and flexible, they make good friends.

Peter D’Adamo found that while their immunity is strong, they are more prone to slow-growing viral infections like lupus and chronic fatigue. A healthy diet for them entails green vegetables, eggs, low fat dairy.

More of oats, milk and product of animal protein are good whereas wheat does not suit that much.

Blood Type O is the oldest blood type. Persons of this type tend to be loners or lead-

ers. They are intuitive, focused, self-reliant and daring. They handle stress better than other blood types and have strong immune systems, a well developed physique and a physically active nature. Blood type O’s tend to have sluggish blood flow and need vigorous exercise to feel better. They are best suited for meat, fish, eggs, kale, lettuce, onions, pumpkins, red peppers, okra, garlic, ginger, plums, prunes and gooseberries.

They should avoid spinach, cabbage, corn, cauliflower, eggplant, mushrooms, oranges, kiwi, strawberry, blackberry, coconut, green peas, peanut, butter and wheat.

Blood Type AB are free-spirited and versatile. Only about 2 - 5% of the world’s population is blood type AB. There is never a dull moment in an AB’s life but like blood type A’s, AB’s react to stress poorly. When it comes to food choices, AB must discover when they are more B-like or A-like.

For example, dairy foods like milk kefir can be excellent for them or not good at all.

Generally recommended foods include seafood, yoghurt, goat Milk, egg, walnuts, millets, oats, rye, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumber, plums and berries.

Throwing light on the relationship between the blood group and its effect on nutrition, an Indian Dietitian, Dr. Deepika Dua Arora, notes that the ‘Blood Type’ diet is based on eating specific foods that allow better digestion, increase the energy levels, and prevent disease and illnesses, in addition to helping in losing or gaining weight.

Blood group, on the other hand, determines how the body deals with different nutrients. Blood group diet differs from the body type genetically - but it is not 100% share theory. The blood group diet helps us to control our hereditary medical problems like diabetes, kidney problem, GIT, cholesterol, and hypertension, amongst others.

20 Foreign

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 30, 2017

Women ‘more likely to lose interest in sex than men’ A recent report has shown that women are more than twice as likely as men to lack interest in sex when living with a partner, a study of British sexual attitudes suggests.

It found that while men and women lost passion with age, women were often left cold by longer relationships.

BBC recent report told that the researchers, from the University of Southampton and University College London, said there was no evidence that the menopause was a factor for women losing interest in sex faster than men. However, they did find that having young children at home was a particular turn-off for women.

Poor physical and mental health, poor communication and a lack of emotional connection during sex were the main reasons why men and women lost interest.

Overall, poor health and a lack of emotional closeness affected both MRS. OLADAPO OLUWAFUNMILAYO ABIDEMI

Formerly known and addressed as OdetayoOluwafunmilayo Abidemi now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oladapo Oluwafunmilayo Abidemi All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

BASIRU GARBA. GARBA: I, formerly known and addressed as GARBA IBRAHIM, now wish to be known and addressed as BASIRU GARBA. All former documents remain valid.

General Public should please take note.

SARAH CHIAMAKA ONU ONU: I, formerly known and addressed as SARAH CHIKAODINAKA ONU and SARAH AMAKA ONU, now wish to be known and addressed as SARAH CHIAMAKA ONU. All former documents remain valid. General Public should please take note.

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ADEJUMO ADEKUNLE OLUSEGUN

. I formerly known and addressed as ADEJUMO ADEKUNLE JOHN and ADEJUMO ADEKUNLE wish to be known and addressed as ADEJUMO ADEKUNLE OLUSEGUN. All former documents remain valid.General public to please take note.

MRS ADESOLA FOLASHADE I formerly known and addressed as OGUNNUSI FOLASHADE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ADESOLA FOLASHADE. All former documents remain valid.General public to please take note.

men’s and women’s desire for sex.

According to the report, the findings are based on the experiences of nearly 5,000 men and 6,700 women, published in BMJ Open.

The UK researchers said problems of sexual desire should be treated by looking at the whole person, rather than simply resorting to drugs.

According to recent BBC report, relate sex therapist Ammanda Major said losing interest in sex wasn’t necessarily abnormal, and there were many different reasons why men’s and women’s needs changed.

“For some, it is a natural and normal place to be, but for others it causes pain and misery,” she said.

In total, 15% of men and 34% of women surveyed said they had lost interest in sex for three months or more in the previous year.

For men, this lack of interest was highest at the ages of 35-44 while for women it peaked between 55 and 64.

Poor physical and mental health, poor communication and a lack of emotional connection during sex were the main reasons why men and women lost interest.

OSOGWU KENNETH CHIKWENDU.

EVERESTUS: I, formerly known and addressed as EVERESTUS KENNETH CHUCKS, now wish to be known and addressed as OSOGWU KENNETH CHIKWENDU. All former documents remain valid. FIRST BANK and General Public should please take note.

MRS ANAGOR CHIDIEBELE ANGELA

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CHISOM KING IDIMMA

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EZIEKEL SUNDAY NWANLI.

I formerly known and addressed as SUNDAY EMEKA CHIMA now wish to be known and addressed as EZIEKEL SUNDAY NWANLI. All former documents remain valid.General public to please take note.

IMADU FOLASHADE ROSELINE

I formerly known and addressed as AJEWOLE FOLASHADE ROSELINE now wish to be known and addressed as IMADU FOLASHADE ROSELINE .This is due to change in marital status.All former documents remain valid.General public to please take note

Playboy founder to be laid beside sex symbol Mag’ 1st edition cover girl Bonny Amadi with agency reports

The Business Year (TBY) has awarded Nigerian entrepreneur, investor, philanthropist, and Chairman of Coronation Capital, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede with its Entrepreneur of the Year 2017 award in recognition of his entrepreneurial drive and visionary leadership in Nigeria’s business scene.

Founder of playboy magazine, men exclusive monthly, Playboy Magazine, Hugh Marston Hefner who died on September 27, will be buried beside the beautiful model Marilyn Monroe’ who graced his magazines first edition cover page in 1953.

Agency reports said that Hefner had wished in his life time to be buried beside the world’s most iconic sex symbol, Marilyn Monroe.

“I’m a believer in things symbolic,” Hefner, who died aged 91 Wednesday, once told the LA Times.

“Spending eternity next to Marilyn is too sweet to pass up.”

Hugh Marston Hefner was an American businessman, magazine publisher MUSTAPHA KEHINDE AFUSAT. I formerly known and addressed as SIKIRULLAHI KEHINDE AFUSAT now wish to be known called and addressed as MUSTAPHA KEHINDE AFUSAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OLORUNTOBA. OLUWASEUN OLAYINKA

I formerly known and addressed as olumide oluwaseun olayinka now wish to be known called and addressed as oloruntoba.

Oluwaseun Olayinka. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAMES

This is to confirm that LISA CHINONYEREM FREDRICK .A., ACHILIKEFREDRICK LISA CHINONYEREM and LISA CHINONYEREM FREDRICK refers to one and the same person , now wish to be known and addressed as ACHILIKEFREDRICK LISA CHINONYEREM. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

UDEOGU SILAS ODO. UDEOGU:I, formerly known and addressed as UDEOGU CHINEDU SILAS, now wish to be known and addressed as UDEOGU SILAS ODO. All former documents remain valid.

Banks and General public should please take note.

AZIUDE CHUKWUEMEKA KINGSLEY.

AZIUDE: I, formerly known and addressed as AZIUDE CHUKWUEMEKA VICTOR now wish to be known and addressed as AZIUDE CHUKWUEMEKA KINGSLEY. All former documents remain valid.

Banks and General Public should please take note.

Hugh Marston Hefner

playboy magazine

and playboy. He was the editor-in-chief of Playboy magazine, which he founded in 1953, and as chief creative officer of Playboy He was born in Born on 9th April 1926 in Chicago, Illinois, United States and married three different women in his life time, his spouses were Crystal Harris whom he married in 2012 till date. He had earlier married Kimberley Conrad CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm and certify that OGUNDEJI JOSEPH OLUWAFEMI, OGUNDEJI JOSEPH OYELAMI and OGUNDEJI JOSEPH is one and same person but now wish to be known called and addressed as OGUNDEJI JOSEPH. General public take note.

MISS. FUNMILAYO AJIKE AKINYELURE.

I Formerly known called and addressed as MRS. FUNMILAYO ADEMOSU, Now wish to be known called and addressed as MISS. FUNMILAYO AJIKE AKINYELURE. All former documents remain valid, authorities concerned and general public should please take note.

MRS OBI JOY CHIKAODILI.

EZEMA: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS EZEMA JOY CHIKAODILI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OBI JOY CHIKAODILI. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

MRS OKAFOR IFUNANYA PRECIOUS

OKAFOR: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKAFOR IFUNANYA PRECIOUS now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OKAFOR IFUNANYA PRECIOUS. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

AGU FREDRICK ONUIGBO

AGU: I, formerly known and addressed as AGU KENNETH CHUKWUDI, now wish to be known and addressed as AGU FREDRICK ONUIGBO. All former documents remain valid. BANKS and General Public should please take note.

in 1989 and divorced her in 2010 and Millie Williams in 1949–1959. He had four children.

Marilyn Monroe was one of the most popular sex symbols of the 1950s and was emblematic of the era’s attitudes towards sexuality. Her nude image occupied the centerfold of the first ever edition of Playboy magazine in 1953.

FAGBOLA ADEFUNKE FATIMAT I formerly known and addressed as SALISU ADEFUNKE FATIMAT now wish to be known called and addressed as FAGBOLA ADEFUNKE FATIMAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

MRS. CHIEKEZI LYDIA NKIRU I formerly known and addressed as MISS OGBUEHI LYDIA NKIRU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. CHIEKEZI LYDIA NKIRU. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take

MRS OBIKELI CHIDIMMA AGNES NNOTUM: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NNOTUM CHIDIMMA AGNES, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OBIKELI CHIDIMMA AGNES. All former documents remain valid.

Banks and General public should please take note.

CHIDIOBI GENEVIEVE EGONAEKWU.

CHIDOKA: I, formerly known and addressed as CHIDOKA GENEVIVE, now wish to be known and addressed as CHIDIOBI GENEVIEVE EGONAEKWU. My correct date of birth is 15th August 1980. All former documents remain valid. General Public should please take note.

MRS OLUCHI ORI OKENWA UCHENWAOGU.

OKENWA: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKENWA OLUCHI ORI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OLUCHI ORI OKENWA UCHENWAOGU. All former documents remain valid. NIGERIA PRISONS SERVICE, ESUT and General Public should please take note.

And now Hugh Hefner, the man who put it there, is going to be buried beside the Hollywood icon that jumpstarted his career.

Marilyn Monroe, born as Norma Jeane Mortenson on 1st June 1926 and died 5th August 1962, was an American actress and model. Famous for playing comic “dumb blonde” characters, she became one of the most popular sex symbols of the 1950s and was emblematic of the era’s attitudes towards sexuality.

Although she was a topbilled actress for only a decade, her films grossed $200 million by the time of her unexpected death in 1962.

[1] More than half a century after her death, she continues to be considered a major popular culture icon.

ADEOYE ABIDEMI ADUNOLA

I formerly known and addressed as OBILEYE ABIDEMI BALIKIS now wish to be known called and addressed as ADEOYE ABIDEMI ADUNOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note IHEKOROMADU CHIOMA CONSTANCE

I formerly known and addressed as NWOKEOCHA CHIOMA CONSTANCE, now wish to be known and addressed as IHEKOROMADU CHIOMA CONSTANCE. All former documents remain valid. Banks and the general public should please take note.

EKWERIBE LOVETH CHINONSO

OWUNNA: I, formerly known and addressed as CHIAMAKA .L. OWUNNA, now wish to be known and addressed as EKWERIBE LOVETH CHINONSO. My correct date of birth is 20/9/1992. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ALINA ANTHONY CHUKWUEMEKA

OKE: I, formerly known and addressed as OKE ANTHONY, now wish to be known and addressed as ALINA ANTHONY CHUKWUEMEKA. All former documents remain valid.

BANKS and General Public should please take note.

NWOBU UCHENNA MARY

OKAFOR: I, formerly known and addressed as OKAFOR UCHENNA MARY, now wish to be known and addressed as NWOBU UCHENNA MARY. All former documents remain valid. General Public should please take note.

21

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 30, 2017

Crime

s

Police honour fallen officers

Joy Anyim with Agency report

In remembrance of the significant role played by two Gallant Mobile Police Officers Chukwudi Iboko, and Sunday Agbo, who lost their lives during a robbery attack in Owerri, the InspectorGeneral of Police IGP Ibrahim Idris has named a new office complex in Lagos Police Mobile Force Headquarters Squadron 20 (MOPOL 20), Ikeja Lagos after the two.

The IGP said Chukwudi Iboko and Sunday Agbo who died while repelling a robbery attack in one of the Zenith Bank branch in Owerri Imo state earlier in February this year were immortalized as a result of their selfless service in the Nigeria Police force to inspire other officers to put more effort at the discharge of their various duties.

According to IGP Idris, the officers were honored because they are patriotic to the discharge of their duties. “The officers have shown serious Commitment in delivering their gallant duty while they are on duty and the Nigeria Police force will never forget them”.

IGP Idris Ibrahim also added that the Mega Office Complex which is situated at the Police Mobile Force Headquarters, Squadron 20, Ikeja GRA, Lagos, has been erected to enhance the smooth discharge of officers’ duty to gallantly combat crime to the barest minimum.

In reactions to the honorary

kind gesture, the families of the deceased officers expressed their gratitude to the Inspector General of Police for remembering the fallen heroes who died while gallantly combating crime in their nation, they urged IGP to help

in facilitating all the financial benefits of the falling officers.

Recall that the two policemen who have also been pronounced heroes by many Nigerians after the video of the shoot-out with the robbers went viral on the Internet have

also been recommended for a post-humous promotion by the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike, to encourage other officers in actively discharging their duty to serve and protect Nigerians Also, in attendance at the

commissioning of the Office complex are DIG: NorthWest Zone- Magairi Dikko, DIG Folusho Adebanjo, Ag. Commissioner of Police, Lagos Police Command- CP Imohim Edgal, amongst several other senior officers.

Police,VGN disagree over arrest of informant Police arrest 23 suspected Joy Anyim

The circumstances surrounding the arrest of a young man simply identified as ‘Egbon’ by the Igando Police Division is one that residents of the area are yet to unravel.

‘Egbon’, it was gathered is an informant to men of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) who had successfully led the group to the creek and exposed the kidnappers den which led to the rescue of seven victims.

The arrest and detention of Egbon (real name not yet known) had triggered negative reactions especially from those living in Akesan, Egan Igando and Badore areas who knew the role he played in unmasking the criminal hide out in the river line.

Sources have it that the Police

who had discovered that Egbon was relating more with the men of the vigilante were unhappy.

During the said operation by the vigilante group, some arms, were recovered and handed over to the police and the kidnappers were temporarily dislodged.

The police therefore turned to allege that Egbon knew too much about the activities of the kidnappers and therefore must be among those who collect ransom for the kidnappers.

A police source confirmed that Egbon was arrested as a suspect.

The source also said he will be transferred to the State AntiRobbery Squad, SARS at Ikeja for interrogation.

The Area Commander, Area M Idimu Command, ACP Austine Akika was contacted and he said he would contact the DPO to find

out the facts and get back to the reporter but did not.

The VGN Lagos State Deputy Commander, Mr Adeye Santos confirmed the development and explained what happened. He said Egbon was one of the key informants the vigilante group was using to unmask the criminal hideouts mostly in the riverine areas because of his deep knowledge of the water ways.

He said “in the last operation which led to the rescue of the seven victims, he was fully involved and even led the operation in the creek. He was therefore surprised when he was told that Egbon has been arrested and detained by the police as one of the kidnappers.”

He said he was still surprised as to how he would be chasing the kidnappers and at the same time be among the kidnappers.

cultists at initiation ground

Nosa Akenzua, Asaba Determined to make the state crime free, the Delta State Police Command said it has arrested twenty three cultists during their alleged initiation in the forest of Ughelli.

The Police Commissioner in the state, Mr. Zanna Ibrahim who confirmed the arrest of the suspects to journalists in Asaba yesterday, disclosed that operative of the Anti-cult acted on a tip off during its routine operation, adding that the suspects were arrested with battle axes, including cut to sizes guns.

Saying that investigation was on going, the police boss further disclosed that upon interrogation,

many of the suspects confessed to be members of the vickings.

He said “the suspects were arrested at the peak of their initiation, and upon interrogation, they confessed to be members of the Vikings confraternity, we are still investigations are concluded”.

Meanwhile, the police commissioner has called parents to protect their children against cult activities, warning that anybody caught will be made to face the wrath of the law.

He said that cultism as a training platform for robbers, kidnappers will not be allowed to exist in the state, warning that that police will not tolerate activities of cultists breaching the public peace, and called on members of the public to be security conscious.

The Suspects

22 Crime

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 30 2017

Married man’s lover dies during sex romp in Lagos

Joy Anyim, Lagos

A married man whose name is given as Tolu is currently being interrogated by the Police at Oke-Odo Police Division over the death of his female lover.

It was gathered that Tolu and his epileptic lover were having a sex romp when his lover gave up.

Investigations revealed that the duo had been lovers for about a year before the unan-

ticipated incident happened.

On the day of the incident, the suspect had secretly invited the deceased when his wife was not around and engaged her in sex romp that lasted for hours.

However, during the romp, the lady started breathing heavily and became unconscious on the bed.

An eye witness who chose to be anonymous said, “we only noticed

that Tolu rushed out of his room and started shouting for help. We his neighbours quickly rushed out and asked what it was and he led us to his room. “ when we saw the lady laying on his bed almost lifeless, we asked him what was wrong and he told us they were having a nice time when she suddenly started gasping for air.

We just assisted him to rush him to a hospital.

“However, before the doctors would attend to her she passed on.

The doctors only certified her dead and her corpse was deposited at the morgue for autopsy report.”

The neighbours quickly reported the incident to the police and the suspect was arrested and detained.

It was also gathered that the deceased’s family was contacted, they confirmed that she had

epilepsy and she might have died due to suffocation during the romp.

However, the police insisted that the suspect was culpable until the autopsy report proves otherwise.

A police source at the Division where the suspect was detained said said the will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigations and Intelligence Department, Panti in Yaba for further investigation.

Fraudster bags 2 years jail term for STF parades two suspects in connection with IPOB N.1m scam reprisal attack in Jos

Andrew Orolua, Abuja.

The Kano State High Court has sentenced one Ojotomobor Ovuakponye to two years imprisonment or a fine of N200, 000 for fraudulently using a girl friend bank account to perpetuate cyber crime.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) secured Ovuakponye’s conviction on Wednesday before Justice Mohammed Yahaya of the Kano State High Court sitting in Gezawa after the accused reversed his earlier plea.

According to a statement issued by the Head, Media & Publicity of the (EFCC) Mr. Wilson Uwujaren the convict fraudulently obtained the sum of N100,000 from the account of one Jummai Ruqayya Mohammed through the bank account of his girlfriend.

“Acting on the guise that he is a staff of Guaranty Trust Bank, he sent fraudulent SMS to the complainant, informing her that her account had a problem and that she should contact her bank. She ended up contacting the convict.”

“After his arrest in 2017, further investigation revealed that the convict was coordinator of a crime syndicate in four countries- Ghana, Malaysia, Australia and United Kingdom,” the statement added.

EFCC also stated that the accused person specializes in hacking the account of potential victims, harvesting and transferring their financial

Kingsley Chukwuka, Jos

Lagos CP, Edgal

information to accomplices in the aforementioned countries.

Upon his arraignment he pleaded not guilty, but when the case came up on September 27, 2017 the convict dramatically changed his plea to an amended one count charge of cheating contrary to section 320 of the Penal Code Law and punishable

under section 322 of the same law.

In view of his new plea, prosecuting counsel Musa Isah asked the court to convict him.

Consequently, Justice Yahaya convicted Ojotomobor and sentenced him to two years imprisonment with option of N200,000.

Two out of numerous notorious gangsters who unleashed havoc in Jos, two weeks back, as a result of the agitation in the southeast by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was on Friday paraded along with 15 other armed bandits, by the Special Task Force code name Operation Save Haven (OPSH).

The suspects were found with two Ak47, four locally made rifle and 1 locally made pistol, as narrated by the Spokesperson for the Special Task Force, Captain Adams Umar.

Umar said the 15 other suspects paraded were involved in various criminal activities within the state, especially at the popular Hawan-Kibo express way leading to Abuja and Nasarawa State, where bandits has constantly robbed commuters daily.

His words, “we have

arrested two persons in connection to the tension experienced in Jos and Bukuru axis two weeks ago, alongside with other 15 armed robbers unleashing terror in the State.

“The 15 suspects were arrested between August and September in connection with various criminal crime within Plateau ranging from rape, abduction, burglary, extortion and cultists popularly known as Sara-Suka in Hausa (Cut and Kill boys), terrorizing the city of Jos, with specialty in using locally made weapons to unleash terror on their victims”, he said.

The STF Spokesperson also use the opportunity to warn trouble shooters who would want to ferment trouble during the 1st October celebration to refrain from doing so as the task-force will not spare anyone who is caught in trouble

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, September 30, 2017

Val Okara Owerri.

ÏÏÏ

Speakers of the 36 Houses of Assembly have condemned the violent agitations and hate speeches which has been creating tensions in the country, stating that the country must remain one indivisible country where every Nigerian has an inalienable right to reside in any part of the country and do their business without any fear of intimidation, molestation .

The state lawmakers also urged aggrieved ethnic groups to channel their grievances and complaints through their elected representatives at the Federal or state levels The Speakers made their position known on Thursday in a resolution reached after their joint session presided by the Imo state Speaker, Hon . Acho Ihim and which held at the Imo state House of Assembly to address the rising tension in the country occasioned by hate speeches .

Nigeria must remain indivisible - Speakers The majority leader of the Imo state House of Assembly, Hon . Lugard Osuji moved a motion against Hate Speeches and violent agitation which was supported by all the members.The lawmakers resolved that , “ the violent approach adopted by members various ethnic, political and religious groups whose actions are threatening the unity of oneness and territorial integrity of Nigeria is hereby condemned .

That any ethnic group or persons that have complaints or grievances should be channeled through their elected representatives at both the state or the federal level .

That all Nigerians have the inalienable rights reside in any part of the country and do business, without fear of intimidation, mo-

lestation, injury or seizure of movable or immovable properties” They equally called on the federal, state, local and traditional rulers to be alive to their responsibilities to protect lives and properties of citizens regardless of where they come from as a way of improving governance and that religious leaders should guide and advise their members to tow the part of peace and mutual co- existence.

The state lawmakers, called on the President Mohamed Buhari to direct all security agencies to monitor the activities of the groups to ensure that the perpetrators of violence and breach of peace are promptly and decisively dealt with in accordance with the law of the country.

News 23

Community calls for government presence Sunday Nwakanma, Umuahia

ÏÏÏ

The Ezeleke community of Umuopara in Umuahia south LGA has urged governments at all levels to come to their aid, just as the community celebrated its 2017 annual new yam (iri ji) festival last Wednesday.

Speaking with Daily Times in his palace, the President General, Ezeleke community, High Chief Godwin Nwosu said the massive votes and support given to governments at all levels in the country, Ezeleke community has nothing to show for that, regretting that politicians are yet to make good their electioneering promises to the community and people of the area.

According to him “We are not happy with the government at all levels in this country. There are many promises which they are yet to be fulfilled.

“There is no government presence in Ezeleke. Our secondary school, Umuopara Seconday school is dilapidated and now a desert today.

“Such promises include the reconstruction of Umuopara Ring Road, other rural roads,

including the rans-community road of Nkwoha market (Ezeleke Umuopara Umuahia South LGA)- Umuohuru Nkwoegwu (Umuahia North LGA) which was a project under the defunct DFRRI (Directorate for Rural Roads and Infrastructure) among others.

“Governments should come and fulfill their promises during the campaign promises.

They should come in and do our market square for us as they did in other places”.

On the new yam celebration, High Chief Nwosu said the occasion was their yearly festival that reminds them of how their yams and other products did well and to thank God who made our new yam to do well”, pointing out that in Ezeleke community, the festival is not fetish and transcended from their forefathers to them.

He disclosed that many Christians celebrate with their minds because of financial incapacitation.

He expressed his view that the festival as well as other cultural festivals can be made to be tourist attract and urged Christians to avoid double standard in their view of cultural activities.

INEC officials arraigned for N362m Diezani bribe

Tom Garba, Yola

ÏÏÏ

L-R: Technical Director, National Basketball Association (NBA) Africa, Franck Traore; Associate Vice President, NBA Africa, Mark Leiburne; Country Director, Africa, Dr. Orode Doherty; former NBA Coach, Oliver Johnson; NBA Legend, Jerome Williams and Manager Government and Business Relations ExxonMobil, Nigl Cookey Gam, during the Power Forward Milestones Final event in Abuja… on Thursday. Photo: TEMITOPE BALOGUN.

Group advocates solar energy access for all Subair Mohammed

ÏÏÏ

Nigerians have been advised to adopt the use of solar energy as an alternative power source for productive use by micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria as it is a very affordable and an environmentally-friendly means of power production.

This advice was given recently by Olakunle Owoeye, the Convener of a productive use of solar energy awareness project held in Lagos. This event was sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Olakunle disclosed that a 2013 SMEDAN survey report revealed that MSMEs, contribute 84per cent of the total labor force in Nigeria, but however lamented that poor power supply is one of the critical challenges facing the MSMEs. Speaking with reporters on the cam-

paign project, Olakunle, a sustainable energy professional, shared that Nigeria receives an average solar radiation of about 5.5kWh/m2 on a daily basis.

According to him, this is adequate to power MSMEs effectively with Solar PV generator at a far lower cost than the available means MSMEs presently use to generate power (NEPA & generator). This will eventually make MSMEs more productive, save on the cost of energy, and improve MSMEs business bottom line.

He stated that, “The awareness campaign project was developed from the Alumni TIES ‘Energy Access for All’ seminar last April in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The solar energy awareness campaign is funded through a small grant from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State and administered by World Learning through a cooperative agreement. This campaign will bridge the gap of energy access

through the provision of affordable, safe, and clean energy in Africa.

This campaign aims to create awareness and mobilize support for the promotion of productive use of solar energy in Nigeria, especially in the MSMEs. Take for instance a phone charging business, a boutique, a small salon, a small restaurant that needs just light and fan, a small shop that operates until night, or a mini business center, these businesses still use the ‘I better pass my neighbor’ and other bigger sized generator to power their businesses. An affordable solar generator can rescue these businesses from the snare of daily petrol cost and create their freedom from noise and air pollution.

A small-scale business owner, Tajudeen Abiodun, who also participated in the campaign argued that the epileptic power supply in the country would be a forgone issue if solar energy could be prioritized.

The Gombe zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, on Friday arraigned the duo of Ibrahim Muhammed Umar and Sahabo Iya Hamman, both serving and retired staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, respectively, before Justice Nathan Musa of the Adamawa State High Court, Yola on a 3-count charge bordering on conspiracy , corrupt procurement and receipt of monetary benefit.

Ibrahim, the electoral officer in charge of Yola South Local Government Area of Adamawa state, allegedly conspired with Sahabo, a retired INEC staff and Adamawa state coordinator of West African Network of Election Observers (WANEO) during the 2015 presidential election, to receive the sum of N362m, part of the N23b bribe allegedly distributed by Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, former Petroleum Resources Minister to influence the outcome of the 2015 presidential poll.

Investigation revealed that

N65.2m from the money collected was shared among INEC officials in the state while N281.9m could not be accounted for by the accused persons.

Count two of the charge read, “That you, Ibrahim Mohammed Umar, Sahabo Iya Hamman and Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke (now at large) sometime between March and May, 2015 at Yola, Adamawa State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, while being a public officer working with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), retired public servant and former Minister of Petroleum Resources (now at large) and in capacities, did corruptly procured monetary benefit of Three Hundred and Sixty Two Million Naira, (N362,000,000.00) in favour of Public Officer and staff working with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Adamawa State contrary to and punishable under Section 9 (1) (a) & (b) of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.”

Saturday, September 30, 2017

EXTRATIME

24

Stories by Andrew Ekejiuba with Agency Report hristopher Bulus of Nigeria shocked second seed, Delmas N’tcha of Benin 6-4, 6-3 to qualify for the final of the ITF U18 Circuit which will end this weekend in Lome, Togo.

The win ensured Bulus, the world no 621, took his pound of flesh on N’tcha who triumphed when both players met

C

Bulus qualifies for ITF U-18 Circuit final at the same stage in the latter’s home country where the three-leg tournament served off about three weeks ago.

Third-seeded Bulus, 16, was a finalist in the point-earning event last week succumbing to a denting 0-6, 1-6 defeat to Eliakim Coulibaly of Cote d’Ivoire and will now face N’tcha’s compatriot Sylvestre

Monnou; the number six seed bagged a 6-4, 7-5 win over India’s Aman Patel.

The 2017 CBN Open quarter finalist would be hoping to be third time lucky having ended as runner up last week and in April where on both occasions, Coulibaly stood between him and glory.

The Aces Tennis Academy of Lagos

player is also in the final of the doubles where he will be partnering Darrshan Suresh of Malaysia to battle French duo of Hugo Jarden and Raphael Perot.

Bulus is quite familiar with the French opposition having beaten them both at different stages of the tournament in the singles.

Bulus

FG, state govts charged to make sports attractive Kehinde Akinpelu, Ilorin

T Atebo

Nyirenda

WCQ: Zambia’s Nyirenda names 23-man squad against Nigeria

Andrew Ekejiuba with Agency Report

Z

ambia coach Wedson Nyirenda has called up 23 players for a critical World Cup qualifier against Nigeria next Saturday, October 7 in Uyo, with eleven foreign-based professionals making the cut.

The in-form Spartak Moscow striker Fashion Sakala has been recalled to the Copper Bullets after serving a one-game suspension on match day four against Algeria.

Other foreign-based professionals invited include Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene, highly-rated Arsenal Tula defender Stoppilla Sunzu, and striker Patson Daka of Red Bull Salzburg.

One of the stars of the 2017 Africa U20 Cup of Nations, Djurgårdens midfielder Edward Chilufya, has been included in the Zambian senior squad for the first time.

In preparation for the World Cup qualifier against the Super Eagles, the Zambian national team will hold a get-together in Accra, Ghana for three days before flying to Uyo on Wednesday.

Etebo, Akpeyi hit Eagles’ camp Oct. 1

C

hristopher Bulus of Nigeria shocked second seed, Delmas N’tcha of Benin 6-4, 6-3 to qualify for the final of the ITF U18 Circuit which will end this weekend in Lome, Togo.

The win ensured Bulus, the world no 621, took his pound of flesh on N’tcha who triumphed when both players met at the same stage in the latter’s home country where the three-leg tournament served off about three weeks ago.

Third-seeded Bulus, 16, was a finalist in the point-earning event last week succumbing to a denting 0-6, 1-6 defeat to Eliakim Coulibaly of Cote d’Ivoire and will now face N’tcha’s compatriot Sylvestre Monnou; the number six seed

bagged a 6-4, 7-5 win over India’s Aman Patel.

The 2017 CBN Open quarter finalist would be hoping to be third time lucky having ended as runner up last week and in April where on both occasions, Coulibaly stood between him and glory.

The Aces Tennis Academy of Lagos player is also in the final of the doubles where he will be partnering Darrshan Suresh of Malaysia to battle French duo of Hugo Jarden and Raphael Perot.

Bulus is quite familiar with the French opposition having beaten them both at different stages of the tournament in the singles.

he federal and state governments have been charged to make the sports sector attractive for corporate bodies and private individuals to key into.

The President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Mr. Francis Orbih made the call in Ilorin while featuring on a Radio Kwara Personality Interview Programme “Playing Host”.

Orbih also stressed the need for government to create enabling environment for the sector by ensuring adequate maintenance culture of infrastructural facilities in the country’s stadia to secure the confidence of would-be private investors and corporate bodies.

According to him, “government funds sports in Nigeria, but we realized that government cannot solely fund sports, hence the need for the private sector to take over the sponsorship. There is need government to however create the enabling environment for the private sector by maintaining the existing infrastructure and facilities in all our stadia.

Private individuals cannot afford the cost of building stadium, so we need to maintain the existing ones”.

The President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria noted that the federation would commence its activities next month by organizing a retreat towards mapping out strategies to make badminton popular like football and basketball.

Orbih, who is also the Chairman of Lagos State Badminton Federation, added that as part of efforts geared towards repositioning badminton in Nigeria, the federation would create awareness and value for the sport in partnership with the media.

He assured that more sporting events would be organized in line with sports entertainment to attract investors and stakeholders.

Orbih explained that when he assumed office, the federation adopted a mantra aimed to repositioning badminton for sustainable development and growth.

The BFN boss further revealed that they will soon create a badminton Hall of Fame to celebrate key stakeholders in the administration of the sport, past heroes and heroines as well as veterans in badminton.

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Kallon bags UEFA coaching license

Stories by Andrew ekejiuba with Agency Reports

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ormer Leone Stars captain Mohamed Kallon is aiming to improve coaching back home in Sierra Leone after he acquired his Uefa A License coaching qualification.

It is the second highest coaching qualification given by European football’s governing body.

The 37-year-old aims to earn his Uefa Professional License in 2019 and ultimately return home to share his experience and knowledge.

The ex-Inter Milan and Monaco striker is currently working with the academy teams at Major League Soccer club Houston Dynamo in the USA. “I intend going back to my country and continent and impart the knowledge acquired over the years to the young coaches as well as the young athletes whose sole aim is to succeed in their careers,” Kallon told reporters.

“It has always been my dream to make a landmark in football after active service on the pitch because everything about me is centred around football.

“I would love to take up the challenge to coach in and out of Sierra Leone particularly the national team Leone Stars if given the opportunity.”

Kallon has been working on his coaching qualifications since 2013 and has earned them from the Confederation of African Football, the US Soccer Federation and Uefa.

He completed his Uefa A License earlier in September after a three-month course in Florence, Italy.

Kallon

Hayes vows to crush Bellew in rematch

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avid Haye has vowed not to make “the same mistake twice” in his rematch against Tony Bellew, which he describes as his “last chance”.

Haye was beaten in the 11th round of their first meeting after suffering an ankle injury but concedes that he must make tactical improvements before meeting Bellew again on December 17.

“I need to raise my game. If I show up in the same condition, if I turn up with the same tactics and the same mind-set then he’s correct - he could walk away with the victory,” Haye said. “But I’m not a stupid fighter.

“Maybe tactically, I went about it incorrectly.

I’ve made mistakes in the past and learned from them.

“I don’t believe I was complacent. I trained very, very hard. It wasn’t down to not putting in the work. As you saw, I was swinging until the bitter end and if I wasn’t in good cardiovascular condition I wouldn’t have been able to do what I did.

25

“I reviewed the fight and I know what happened - I understand his strengths, and I understand my strengths and weaknesses. He showed me something that I didn’t believe he had.

“By the time I get into the ring for the rematch I’ll be 37 but I haven’t won multiple world titles in multiple weight classes by making the same mistake twice.”

Haye has spent the past few months recuperating the ankle injury that he sustained in the first fight but insisted that he is fully healed: “I’m in a good physical place. My recovery from a ruptured Achilles has gone fantastically well. I’ve spent hours every day working behind the scenes so when I step into the ring, there will be no excuses.

Nothing will break down.”

Alli handed one-game England ban

E

ngland will be without Dele Alli for their upcoming World Cup qualifier with Slovenia after the Tottenham midfielder was banned for one game by FIFA. Alli was charged by the world game’s governing body after being caught on camera making a onefingered salute during England’s qualifying win over Slovakia at Wembley earlier this month.

It was initially thought the signal was aimed at referee Clement Turpin, but Alli and Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate claimed it was actually directed towards his former Spurs team-mate Kyle Walker.

The midfielder could have been handed a twogame ban, but FIFA has opted to impose just a onematch suspension having been unconvinced the act was aimed at Turpin.

The news will be a relief to Southgate, who admitted on Thursday England risked “being a shambles” by selecting him when he could have missed both of his side’s qualifiers.

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EURO…EURO…EURO… EURO…EURO…EURO… EURO…EURO…EURO… EURO…EURO…EURO…

Stories by Frank Jumbo with Agency Reports

Ancelotti

How it went all wrong for Ancelotti

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arlo Ancelotti has paid the price for Bayern Munich’s stuttering form, with the head coach sacked on Thursday following defeat to Paris SaintGermain in the Champions League.

The ex-Real Madrid boss had been brought in to build on the fine work of Pep Guardiola, who departed for Manchester City, but he ultimately failed as Bayern drifted further away from Europe’s elite evidenced in the reverse at the Parc des Princes.

While Ancelotti’s reign was not without its successes, his side could not live up to the standards set under Guardiola as Bayern won three straight Bundesliga titles.

Ancelotti, of course, did win a Bundesliga title in his first season in charge - by a considerable 15 points - but Bayern’s standards have gradually slipped under the former AC Milan coach.

Guardiola’s side dominated German football, winning 80.4 per cent of their league matches, but that record has dropped to 72.5 per cent with Ancelotti.

Bayern’s points-per-game average was also down - from 2.39 to 2.25 - while their overall record, in all competitions, saw a 75 per cent

win rate fall to 70.

The main criticism of Guardiola’s time in Germany was his failure to deliver a Champions League title in three years, having taken over the reigning European champions.

It had been hoped Ancelotti - a three-time winner of Europe’s top prize as a coach - would help to return Bayern to their former glories on the continent, winning the biggest games.

However, Bayern instead repeatedly fell down against the better sides. Of Ancelotti’s nine defeats, five came in European competition - including both legs of a quarter-final against Real Madrid - and the other four were all in clashes with genuine domestic contenders.

Bayern are third in the Bundesliga and just three points off leaders Borussia Dortmund, but the club’s dominance in recent years means that such a start is surely considered a failure.

Indeed, this represents Bayern’s worst start to a domestic campaign since the 2010-11 season.

Ancelotti’s men mustered 13 points from six league games, with Louis van Gaal’s side managing just eight as they ultimately finished third.

Sneijder dropped from Netherlands squad

R

ecord caps holder Wesley Sneijder has been left out of the Netherlands squad for the crucial World Cup qualifying double-header against Belarus and Sweden. Sneijder has scored 31 goals in 132 international appearances, but has not been called up by manager Dick Advocaat for the crunch games.

The Netherlands are third in Group A, four points behind leaders France and three points adrift of second-placed Sweden.

Wesley

They travel to Belarus on 7th October before hosting Sweden in Amsterdam three days later as they look to qualify for the World Cup in Russia next year.

There is also no place in the squad for Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Robin van Persie, but Ryan Babel will be hoping to make a first appearance for his country since 2011 after his fine recent form for Besiktas. “If you have a career such as Wesley Sneijder, you have to take off your hat, but I’ll see if he is playing or not, and that’s not the case,” said Advocaat. “Since our last international he’s no longer playing with Nice.”

Netherlands squad Jasper Cillessen (Barcelona), Maarten Stekelenburg (Everton), Jeroen Zoet (PSV Eindhoven); Nathan Ake (Bournemouth), Daley Blind (Manchester United), Wesley Hoedt (Southampton), Daryl Janmaat (Watford), Matthijs de Ligt (Ajax), Karim Rekik (Hertha Berlin), Kenny Tete (Lyon), Joel Veltman (Ajax); Donny van de Beek (Ajax), Marco van Ginkel (PSV Eindhoven), Davy Klaassen (Everton), Davy Propper (Brighton & Hove Albion), Kevin Strootman (Roma), Tonny Vilhena (Feyenoord), Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool), Ryan Babel (Besiktas), Memphis Depay (Lyon); Bas Dost (Sporting CP), Vincent Janssen (Fenberbache), Jurgen Locadia (PSV Eindhoven), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich).

Messi has his boot kissed during the match with Sporting Lisbon

Bosz offers sympathy to axed Ancelotti

B Ancelotti

orussia Dortmund manager Peter Bosz put club rivalries to one side on Friday to declare his sympathy for the out-of-work Carlo Ancelotti.

Bayern Munich sacked Italian Ancelotti on Thursday, less than 24 hours after a 3-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

The result in Europe proved to be the last straw for the Bavarian club’s board, particularly after they’d suffered their worst start to a domestic campaign since 2010-11.

“First of all it is always disappointing when a colleague gets sacked,” Bosz told the media.

“I feel for my colleague.

I don’t know exactly what happened there and I also don’t know the reasons why

he was fired.

“For me, as a coach and a human being, it is just disappointing when a colleague gets fired. I don’t have to say more than that.”

While upheaval at Bayern could work in Dortmund’s favour, Bosz insists events elsewhere won’t alter his squad’s mindset.

“If we have to get the motivation from a coach getting fired, then this wouldn’t be good,” he added.

“The motivation always has to be there and is always there. We don’t need a firing of a Bayern coach. We don’t need that.”

Dortmund lost to Real Madrid in Champions League action in midweek but will look to maintain their unbeaten Bundesliga record when they travel to Augsburg on Saturday.

Kompany

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Martinez invites injured trio to Belgium squad

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njured Premier League trio Vincent Kompany, Marouane Fellaini and Nacer Chadli have all been named in Belgium’s squad for their final two World Cup qualifiers.

Kompany has not played for Manchester City since suffering a calf injury in his country’s 9-0 win over Gibraltar last month, while Fellaini missed Manchester United’s midweek Champions League victory against CSKA Moscow with an ankle problem.

Chadli, meanwhile, has not featured for West Brom this season due to a muscle injury.

Belgium have already secured their spot in Russia next year, but manager Roberto Martinez wants his strongest available squad for the double header against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Cyprus.

“It is true that there are three players in the squad on their way back from injury,” said Martinez, whose side have scored 35 goals en route to sealing top spot in Group H. “Every day is important to get more information so that means

that everyone will report on Monday and then we’ll assess them.

“I’m not certain if Kompany is going to stay in the camp like the other two players, but the reason they are in the squad is because we need to check them and give them as much time as we can.”

Martinez has resisted the urge to experiment for the final two group games, citing the importance of being a top seed for the World Cup draw as the reason.

“It is very important to keep continuity and not use the games to experiment,” he added.

“We need to preserve our worldranking position in order to be a top-seeded team for the World Cup draw. It’s not the time to change things. It’s important for us as a team to work on what we’ve already achieved.”

Belgium squad Koen Casteels (Wolfsburg), Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea), Simon Mignolet (Liverpool), Matz Sels (Anderlecht); Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham), Dedryck Boyata (Celtic), Laurent Ciman (Montreal Impact), Leander Dendoncker (Anderlecht), Vincent Kompany (Manchester

Mexico at full strength for final qualifiers

J Ozil missing for Germany as Boateng and Sane return

uan Carlos Osorio has opted against resting some of Mexico’s star names for the next round of World Cup qualifiers, despite El Tri having already qualified for Russia 2018.

Mexico are unbeaten in their eight matches in the final round of qualifying and sit top of the table with two games to play.

With qualification already assured some had expected Osorio to rest the likes of Javier Hernandez and Miguel Layun, but he has named a fullstrength squad for the matches at home to Trinidad and Tobago and away at Honduras next month.

That means Europeanbased Hernandez and Layun will feature, along with the latter’s Porto team-mates Hector Herrera, Jesus Corona and Diego Reyes.

MLS stars Jonathan and Giovani dos Santos are also included, but Rafael Marquez remains absent.

Marquez did not feature in Osorio’s previous squad despite support from the Mexican

Football Federation after being sanctioned by the United States Department of the Treasury for his alleged support of a drug trafficking organisation – a charge he denies.

Mexico squad: Rodolfo Cota (Chivas), Guillermo Ochoa (Standard Liege), Jesus Corona (Cruz Azul); Nestor Araujo (Santos Laguna), Diego Reyes (Porto), Edson Alvarez (Club America), Hugo Ayala (Tigres), Jesus Gallardo (Pumas), Hector Moreno (Roma), Oswaldo Alanis (Chivas), Carlos Salcedo (Eintracht Frankfurt), Miguel Layun (Porto); Jonathan dos Santos (LA Galaxy), Andres Guardado (Real Betis), Hector Herrera (FC Porto), Erick Gutierrez (Pachuca), Giovani dos Santos (LA Galaxy), Elias Hernandez (Leon); Javier Aquino (Tigres), Jesus Manuel Corona (FC Porto), Javier Hernandez (West Ham), Raul Jimenez (Benfica), Hirving Lozano (PSV Eindhoven), Carlos Vela (Real Sociedad), Oribe Peralta (Club America).

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The worlds’ richest athletes

Arnord

By Oyedemi Qudus

T

hey excelled in their various sports and were richly rewarded for their hard work. They drive luxury cars, live in massive mansions, fly in private jets and generally lack nothing.

Below is a list of the wealthiest sports people of all time Michael Jordan (1.31billionUSD) Michael Jeffrey Jordan was born in February 17,1963.He is an American retired professional basketball player, businessman,and principal owner and

chairman of the Charlotte Hornets. Jordan played 15 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Chicago Bulls and Washing Wizards.

His biography on the NBA website states:”By acclamation, Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all times”. Jordan was one of the most effectively marketed athletes of his generation and considered instrumental in popularizing the NBA around the world in the 1980s and 1990s.

Jordan was born in Brooklyn, New York to Deloris, who worked in banking and James R. Jordan Jr., an equipment supervisor. He is married to Juanita

Tiger Wood

Jack

Vanoy in September 1989,and they had two sons.

On October 6, 1993, Jordan announced his retirement, citing a loss of desire to play the game. And he later stated that the death of his father earlier in the year also shaped his decision.

Tiger Woods (740 millionUSD) Eldrick Tont Woods was born on 30th of December, 1975 at Cypress in California, USA. He is an American golfer who is among the most successful golfers of all-time. Woods was born to Earl and Kultida Woods. He is the only child of their marriage.

Woods grew up in Orange County, California. He was a child prodigy who was introduced to golf at the age of two by his athletic father, Earl Woods. Following an outstanding junior, college, and amateur career, Woods was 20 years old when he turned professional at the end of the summer in 1996. By April 1997, he had already won three PGA tour events in addition to his first major, the 1997 Masters . Woods won this tournament by 12 strokes in a record-breaking performance and pocketed $486,000. He first reached the number one position in the world rankings in June 1997, less than a year af-

ter turning pro. Throughout the 2000s, Woods was the dominant force in golf.

He was the top-ranked golfer in the world from August 1999 to September 2004 (264 weeks) and again from June 2005 to October 2010 (281weeks).

Jordan won 79 official PGA Tour events, including 14 makes. He was 14-1 when going in to the final round of a major with at least a share of the lead.

Arnold Palmer (675 millionUSD) Arnold Daniel Palmer was born on the 10th of September 1929 in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. His career as a golfer started in 1955, he won The Canadian Open and earned $2,400 for his efforts. He raised his game status for the next several seasons.

Palmer’s charisma was a major factor in establishing golf as a compelling television event in the 1950s and 1950s, which sets the stage for the popularity it enjoys today. He was married to Winifred Walter, and they had two daughters. His wife died in the year 1999, later he met Kathleen Gawthro in 2005. Palmer died on September 25th 2016,shortly after his 87th birthday.

While awaiting heart surgerg at the

Saturday, September 30, 2017

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Kobe

Jordan

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he was admitted for three days earlier to undergo a test on his heart.

were blessed with five children. Nicklaus finished his professional career at the Open Championship played at St Andrews on July 15, 2005.

Jack Nicklaus (560 millionUSD) Jack William Nicklaus was born on the 21st January, 1940 in Columbo,Ohio.

He is a retired American professional golfer. Nicklaus is widely regarded as one of the greatest golfer of all time, winning a record of 18 career major championships, while producing 19 second-place and 9 third-place finishes over a span of 25 years.

After winning the U. S Amateur in 1959 and 1961, and challenging for the 1960 U. S Open (he finished in second place, behind Arnold Palmer), Nicklaus turned a professional at age 21 towards the end of 1961.

Nicklaus attended Ohio State from 1957 to 1961. He married Barbara Bash at age 20 in July 1960 and they

Michael Schumacher (350millionUSD) Michael Schumacher was born on the 3rd, January, 1969 in Hurt, West Germany. He is a retired German racing driver, who raced in Formula One for Benetton and Ferrari, where he spent the majority of his career, as well as for Mercedes upon his brief return to the sport.

Michael is widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time, he is also the only driver in history to win seven Formula One World Championship, five of which he won consecutively.

Schumacher made his Formula One debut with the Jordan- Ford team at the 1991 Belgian Grand Prix , driving car number 32 as a replacement for the

Jordan

imprisoned Bertrand Gachot . Schumacher, still a contracted Mercedes driver, was signed by Eddie Jordan after Mercedes paid Jordan $150,000 for his debut.

Schumacher was born to Rolf Schumacher, a bricklayer, and his wife Elizabeth. He got married to Corina Betsch in August 1995 and they had two chil-

dren.

In 2004, Forbes magazine listed him as the second highest paid athlete in the world. Schumacher retired from the inaugural race of the season Australian Grand Pix, and scored a point in the second race in Malaysia.

Kobe Bryant (320millionUSD) Kobe Bean Bryant was born on the 23rd of August, 1978 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is a retired American professional basketball player and businessman. He played his entire 20year career with the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Kobe entered the NBA directly from high school and won five NBA championships with the Lakers. He is an 18time All-star, 15-time member of the All-NBA Team, and 12-time member of the All-defensive team.

Kobe also led the NBA in scoring during two seasons, and rank third on the league’s all-time regular season scoring and fourth on all-time postseason scoring list. He holds the NBA record for the most seasons playing with one franchise for an entire career.

In November 1999, 21-year-old Kobe met 17year-year-old Vanessa Laine, and they got married on April 18th, 2001, at St Edward the Confessor Catholic Church in Dana Point, California. Kobe and his wife have three daughters.

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Benteke sidelined as Palace’s woes grow

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Benteke

Aguero

Guardiola

Guardiola confirms Aguero rib blow

rystal Palace’s goalscoring woes were dealt another blow on Friday as Roy Hodgson confirmed Christian Benteke will miss at least six weeks through injury.

Benteke hobbled out of last weekend’s 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Manchester City, the striker replaced by Bakary Sako with 18 minutes to play.

And Palace’s worst fears were confirmed when he was diagnosed with a knee ligament injury, which Hodgson expects to rule the Belgium international out for a significant period.

“He’s got ligament damage which will keep him out for a minimum of six weeks,” the new Palace boss told a media conference.

“We don’t think he’ll be able to train for six weeks.”

In their opening six matches, Palace are yet to pick up a point or even score a goal, leaving them rooted to the foot of the table.

They face Manchester United this weekend before welcoming Chelsea to Selhurst Park after the international break, and Hodgson has warned it may take some time to turn the Eagles’ fortunes around.

P

ep Guardiola has confirmed Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero suffered a suspected broken rib in a car accident in Amsterdam on Thursday.

Leaders City travel to champions Chelsea today aiming to extend a run of seven consecutive wins in all competitions but their preparations have been dealt a double blow this week.

In a statement on Thursday, the club announced Benjamin Mendy sustained a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament during last weekend’s 5-0 home win over Crystal Palace, while news broke on Friday that Aguero had been involved in a car crash after attending a concert by Colombian pop star Maluma.

Initial reports suggested the 29-year-old, who has seven goals this season and is within one of City’s all-time record mark of 177 set

by Eric Brook, would be sidelined for around two months due to the incident, which occurred on Amsterdam’s De Boelelaan road.

City issued a statement acknowledging Aguero had “sustained injuries” while in the Netherlands on his day off, without commenting on the nature of the problem, but Guardiola told a pre-match news conference his understanding was his top striker had suffered a broken rib.

“Sergio had an accident, his still in Amsterdam and he’s coming back today,” he said.

“I don’t know, I’m not a doctor, I don’t know exactly what he had. It was an accident but fortunately he can come back and I hope he recovers.

“The first impression we have is he has broken the rib, but exactly how long he will be off, we don’t know.”

Aguero’s absence means Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus is likely to lead the line for City at Stamford Bridge, where they have won only once in their previous seven attempts, and for much a busy schedule that currently packs in 12 fixtures over the next two months at home and abroad.

Mourinho

Mourinho bemoans Pogba’s absence

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ose Mourinho compared Paul Pogba’s injury lay-off to that of Zlatan Ibrahimovic after confirming the France international is now a “long-term” absentee for Manchester United.

Pogba has not featured for United since their 3-0 victory over Basel in the Champions League on September 12, hobbling off after 19 minutes at Old Trafford with a hamstring problem.

Updates on his condition have been scarce but Mourinho confirmed on Friday that his star midfielder is not expected back any time soon.

“He’s injured, he cannot play today,” Mourinho told a media conference ahead of today’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace.

“His injury is not one that I can have the hope like I can have with Antonio Valencia or Phil Jones.

“With them, I have the hope to see them training and to have a positive answer on their availability.

“But with long-term injuries, I don’t speak about them, so Ibra, Pogba, Marcos Rojo and these players, I don’t think about them.”

United will be without Jones for the visit of Palace, while Michael Carrick is also unlikely to feature as the pair battle to regain fitness.

Kane

Redknapp: Spurs can keep Kane happy!

H

arry Redknapp believes Harry Kane will remain loyal to Tottenham Hotspur even if they do not win any silverware this season.

Kane has firmly established himself as one of the top players in Europe this season with a stunning September that has seen him score 11 goals for club and country.

A perfect hat-trick against APOEL in the Champions League on Tuesday helped Spurs keep pace with Real Madrid in Group H, his treble coming on the back of braces against Everton, Borussia Dortmund and West Ham. Former Spurs boss Tim Sherwood has suggested that Kane may leave Tottenham if they fail

to win a trophy, but Redknapp disagrees.

“I don’t see why he should leave, he’ll be captain eventually, he’s loved there,” Redknapp, who managed the club between 2008 and 2012, told reporters.

“He’s come from the youth team, at a great club, great training ground, with a great stadium when the new one is done.

“I’d like to see him stay there long-term. He’s old school, and old school meant you went to a football club as a kid and you never thought about leaving.

“That was your club. It’s changed now, but Harry Kane is old school so I think he’ll know when he’s well off and stay at Tottenham.”

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Bournemouth wary of ‘deadly’ Vardy

Bournemouth are prepared to deal with the threat provided by Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy, even though he is doubtful for today’s Premier League game due to a hip problem, manager Eddie Howe said on Friday.

England international Vardy has scored twice in four league appearances against Bournemouth and Howe is taking no chances as his team look for their second league win after a poor start to the campaign.

“The games don’t get any easier and Leicester come here eager themselves to win,” Howe told reporters on Friday.

“They have a huge counter-attacking threat and Jamie Vardy is essential to that.

He’s got pace that all good No 9s have and he’s a real handful.

“We’ll be preparing as if he’s going to play, he’s done very well against us in previous games but he’s not their only threat for sure.”

Bournemouth are second-bottom in the table after losing five of their opening six games, the latest a 2-1 defeat at Everton.

Klopp unconcerned by goal-shy Liverpool

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urgen Klopp has backed his faltering forwards to come good as Liverpool aim to rediscover their scoring touch at Newcastle United.

Despite creating plenty of chances, Klopp has seen his side find the net just seven times in six outings since the last international break.

A failure to turn their dominance into goals proved costly against Sevilla and then Spartak Moscow in the Champions League, albeit Liverpool did pick up a point on each occasion.

However, a relaxed Klopp – who quipped how he “cannot shoot from the bench” – is unconcerned by the issue ahead of Sunday’s trip to St James’ Park.

“Like it is in life and in football, you have to keep on going,” said the German.

“We speak about the things we have influence on. But do you think I should speak about the two headers, the one Roberto Firmino had and the one Mo Salah had, during the game against Moscow? Tell them ‘look, if you hit it a little bit more’, or whatever. That’s not how it works.

“We all know these boys will score. The difficult thing in a situation like this is to stay confident.

“My work is to make sure the boys do it better. It makes no sense to criticise finishing. It’s about creating and using the quality of the players we have.

It’s about how we can create more.

“It’s still my responsibility, but I cannot shoot from the bench.”

Klopp fielded Liverpool’s newest fab four in Moscow on Tuesday, as Philippe Coutinho, Sadio Mane, Firmino and Salah all started in the 1-1 draw.

Klopp

Klopp: Coutinho ‘100 per cent with Reds’ Fit-again Wilshere is ‘on the way up’—Wenger

A

rsene Wenger believes Jack Wilshere is “on his way back to his best” after the midfielder impressed in Arsenal’s 4-2 Europa League victory over BATE. The England international played the entire game in Belarus on Thursday, as the Premier League club made it two wins from two in the group stages of the competition.

Wilshere is in the final year of his contract with Arsenal, having spent last season on loan with Bournemouth after a series of injuries stalled his career at the Emirates Stadium.

However, Wenger believes the future remains bright for the talented 25-yearold – provided he can stay healthy.

“He had an outstanding first half,” said the Gunners boss.

“He fights until the end. He’s on his way back to his best and showed that.

“He’s at an age where a player normally gets to the best of his career. He’s on the way up. He’s only been stopped by a series of injuries.

“Hopefully, I just pray, he is not hampered by any more problems and that will see him getting stronger and stronger. He’s shown again that he’s not lost his football.”

Wilshere has not made a Premier League appearance this season, but was an unused substitute for Monday’s 2-0 home win over West Brom.

J

urgen Klopp says Philippe Coutinho ‘100 per cent’ committed to Liverpool Coutinho heads to Newcastle on Super Sunday having scored in back-to-back games - his first goals since Liverpool blocked a move to Barcelona.

The Brazil star this week said he had consigned his summer flirtation with Barca to the past and promised to give “the maximum” in a Reds shirt.

And Klopp told his weekly press conference he has no concerns Liverpool are still getting the best of Coutinho.

“It’s just good to have him here,” Klopp said. “I don’t think we have to talk about who handled which situation what way - at the end we are professionals and we take it like it is.

“He’s obviously in a really good shape. That’s good for us and the only thing that’s important.

“The team was really happy when he was back, no discussions about why and what. That’s professional football, we’re not nonleague anymore.

“There are offers for different players, sometimes people think about it and sometimes not. That’s absolutely normal.

“But being 100 per cent with where you are when decisions have been made - that’s the only way life works, and football is no different. He is here with us 100 per cent and that’s really cool.”

Klopp this weekend goes up against Rafa Benitez, still revered at Anfield after leading the club to a fifth European title in 2005.

Liverpool ended a run of four games without a win at Leicester last weekend only for their problem converting chances to resurface at Spartak Moscow, where Roberto Firmino and Mo Salah were among those guilty during a 1-1 Champions League draw.

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Business & Economy Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 30, 2017

Better days for air travel, as Nigeria marks 57 years of nationhood Page B2

Akwaaba: Stakeholders chat way forward for domestic tourism

Page B3

NOTAP arrests N192bn ICT capital flight Tony Nwakaegho

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Following the resilience and vigilance of National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) in enforcing local content inclusion in information and communication technology (ICT) related businesses, the Agency has wedged N192billion capital flight from the country.

The director general, Dr. DanAzumi Ibrahim, who made this disclosure said that this was achieved through NOTAP’s refusal to approve for importation of technologies and services that

could be rendered by Nigerians.

Ibrahim explained that the measure was to ensure the acceleration of Nigeria’s drive towards a rapid technological revolution by an efficient assimilation and/ or absorption of foreign technology and a concerted development of indigenous technological capacity through a proactive commercialisation and promotion of locally motivated technologies.

The DG NOTAP lamented that about 90 per cent of technologies used in Nigeria are still import-

that the situation is improving as patents for agencies and private researchers in the first half of 2017.

He noted that the patents were delivered to the researchers’ institutions at no cost to the owners.

‘NOTAP is not resting on its oars to ensure the acceleration of Nigeria’s drive towards a rapid technological revolution. In carrying out our statutory function of registration of Technology Transsaved the Country the N192billion between 2010 and 2016.

‘This sum, if not for NOTAP intervention would have left the country as capital flight. This is achieved through refusal to approve for importation of technologies as well as services that could be rendered by Nigerians’, he said.

He posited that with the assistance of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), the Agency established Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Offices (IPTTOS) in some pioneer Nigerian knowledge institutions to first of all create the awareness on the importance of intellectual property protection (IPR).

L-R: Skye Bank’s Executive Director, Technology & Service, Innocent Ike, Samuel Ajayi, 1st Prize Winner; Chiemeta Pascal, 2nd Runner Up; Chukwuemeka Michael, 1st Runner Up, and Directorate Head, Lagos Commercial, Segun Opeke, at the prize giving ceremony of the Winners in the just-concluded Skye Rainbow Essay Competition to Mark 2017 Children’s’ Day, held in Lagos on Thursday.

Nigeria can save $5.6bn on digitisation of public sector annually – Don Tony Nwakaegho Prof Joy Emagbetere , a lecturer from the Department of Electronic / Electronic Engineering, University of Benin, has said that $5.6b will be saved annually if Nigerian implements digitisation of public Sector.

The Professor Emagbetere

BUSINESS TIMES Business Editor Ganiyu Obaaro

Deputy Business Editor Azubike Nnadozie Asst. Business Editor Simon Ugwu Capital Market Editor Bonny Amadi

stated this while giving a review of the book publicly presented in Abuja, recently with the title “Digital Transformation: Evolving a Digitally Enabled Nigerian Public Service.”

She described digital transformation as the process that has a transforming ability to make the system more open and accessible to the citizens.

“We can save $5.6b annually in ICT investment, if we can transform our public sector through digital transformation processes.

Digital transformation is not all about buying computers or having internet, but about integrating the system to avoid duplicity,” she added.

Commenting on the book, she said “The book centers on an enabled digital Nigerian Public ser-

vice. The aim is to digitally transform the public service institutions for improved service delivery and empowerment”, adding that the book strives to answer the questions of “why” and “how can” Nigeria start its Digital transformation process.

According to her, the book underscores the present challenges, develops a strategic plan, and assesses its implementation for Nigeria based on digital key performance indices.

“The book which is divided into three sections gives the basis for the authors writing, outlines the strategy and plan for the concept of digital transformation as it relates to Nigeria’s future and evaluates the performance of the developed strategy for digital transformation using the Nigerian public service as a case study respectively.

MPC: CBN committed to promoting macroeconomic stability – Emefiele Page B7

Nigerian Breweries supports Immigration with medical equipment Motolani Oseni The Nigerian Breweries has commissioned a Clinic, medical equipment and 100KVA generator to the Nigeria Immigration service as part of its Corporate Social Responsibly (CSR) to the country.

The newly constructed furnished Clinic, and the 100KVA Generator donated was recently commissioned at the Nigeria Immigration Passport Office, Ikoyi, Lagos by Mr. Johan Doyen, the MD/CEO. The CEO, who was represented by the Director of Corporate Communication for Nigeria Breweries, Mr. Patrick Olowookere, in his speech, said the initiative was executed in line with the philosophy of winning with Nigeria and to confirm the company identities with the vision and mission of key stakeholder in the Nigeria project.

He explained that the philosophy has guided relationship the company have been nurtured and the partnerships the company have built within and outside government.

According to him, “In the last ten years, we have shared the vision of safer road in Nigeria with the Federal Road Safety corps through our Don’t Drink and Drive (DDD) campaign; we have also worked with the Nigeria Customs Service in its drive to improve government earning in Nigeria with our contribution to overall GDP by way of exercise payments and we have also seen contributes security patrol vehicles to the Nigeria Police Force as well as Nigerian Army by way of annual sports sponsorship among others.

FAAN assures travelers on safety Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has assured air travellers and other airport users of safety, security and comfort at her airports across the nation, as Nigeria celebrates her 57th independence anniversary.

According to the General Manager, Corporate Affairs of the Authority, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, in anticipation of the annual surge in passenger traffic that is usually the experience during this celebration, all necessary safety and security facilities and arrangements

needed to ensure the seamless facilitation of travellers have been put in place at the airports.

Our aviation security, fire and other operations officers at the airports are fully ready to play host to our highly esteemed guests, who would be travelling through our network of airports to celebrate with Nigeria.

While wishing the nation a happy independence anniversary celebration, FAAN remains committed to her core values of Safety, Security and Comfort.

Business Review B2

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 30, 2017

Better days for air travel, as Nigeria marks 57 years of nationhood Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo The recent pronouncement by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), confirming that Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) still maintains its category one status, and the certification of FAAN as the aerodrome operator, is a clear indication that better days are ahead in the aviation industry.

This declaration was made after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), left the country, having toured major facilities at the premier gateway. This also confirms that all the facilities and infrastructural upgrade at MMIA is of international acclaim. FAA is a global aviation body, saddled with the responsibility of airport certification across the globe.

FAAN is in charge of all the airports in the country and it performs its statutory duties, according to the policy guidelines provided by the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Transportation. With their efforts and energy put in airports transformation in the last few years, the airports are now wearing better outlook. The airports, numbering over 25 including local and international airports have witnessed positive changes over time.

The airports Authority was established in 1976 as the Nigerian Airports Authority (NAA) which later became Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN was set up by the Nigerian government by Decree 45 of 1976, to oversee the operations and maintenance of all Federal airports.

The aviation agency was renamed, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN in August, 1995, following a major restructuring and reforms of the Nigerian Aviation sector by the Federal Government.

In 2013, the Federal Ministry of Aviation launched the most ambitious rehabilitation programme that the aviation industry has experienced since inception.

The upgrade and rehabilitation programme involved the remodvelling and rehabilitation of 22 Federal governmentowned airports around the country. During this phase, many of the country’s airport terminals that had not been refurbished for long were rehabili-

DUNOMA tated and remodelled to increase their capacity. That programme is 90 per cent completed.

In 2015 FAAN got US FAA’s Category One Re-Certification.

The audit assessed the country’s aviation safety rules, procedures and available facilities, giving them a pass mark.

Aside MMIA, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport(NAIA),

Abuja, is also on the priority list for re-certification which may crystallize soon, few months after its runways was resurfaced at record time of six weeks, courtesy the full support of the federal government that rose to the occasion.

The authority’s laudable achievements and still counting is simply attributed to the deter-

MMIA, Lagos LabourMM Minister

mined effort of FAAN management under Engr. Saleh Dunoma, who has left nobody in doubt on the commitment of his management on the development of the aviation industry better than he met it.

Before now, FAAN has continued to demonstrate brilliant show as a professional government establishment, with an eye on daily improvement in every facet of its operations, with a view to making air travel business for Nigerians and Foreigners alike a worthwhile experience.

That the air travelers are savoring the courteous and efficiency service delivery by the Authority is an understatement, what is more striking is that, FAAN has remained focused at every inch of its operations which is: safety and security of lives and comfort.

Committed also in line with its vision to becoming among the best 50 airport groups in the world, FAAN has also not relented on its oars by enlightening the general public particularly the passengers on its service through the Servicom Unit and this crucial role of safety and security at the airport environment which is the summation of the Authority’s primary responsibility.

In addition to remodeling and upgrading some of the airports, the authority has also done excellently well in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Universal Safety Oversight Audit and other sundry ratings, necessary for smooth landing and take-o ff, of aircraft, devoid of any short coming on the recommended standard

practices.

On the same stroke, the training and re-training of members of staff all the same has equally been applauded by watchers of the industry especially the security personnel aerodrome fire fighter services (ARFFS), and this has led to complete eradication of undesirable elements coming close to the airport. Not done yet, FAAN management has continued to inspire its workforce on the need to build a Nigerian brand that will evoke trust and confidence among passengers who undoubtedly are the lifeblood of the aviation industry.

This was further demonstrated recently following the promotion of some members of whose promotions were very vital for the realization of the authority’s dream. Again the launch of aviation service portal in the past which allows easy access on the services of the authority further demonstrates the enthronement of total sanity in the overall services in the authority day by day activities.

That, the MMIA scaled through the certification hurdle is a sign of good omen especially now the country is basking on the euphoria of yet another independence anniversary which marks the 57 years of our nationhood. As expected, the landmark achievements currently billowing in FAAN is also a lesson for other aviation agencies, moreso now the government is determined to diverse every sectors of the economy, for economic prosperity for the growth of the country and for the common good of every Nigerian.

Tours&Travels

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 30 , 2017

Akwaaba: Stakeholders chat way forward for domestic tourism FACTS BOX * Uko said, the need to create sustainable innovation in tourism in Africa informed the decision to start Akwaaba African Travel Market. * Uko said that Lagos State Government has really done so well for staging a come-back at Akwaaba after a long absence. * Akwaaba youth in tourism congress unanimously identified security issues, information management negative, canceled flights, lack of basic infrastructure * Mr. Tony Okonjo from Lagos Tourism Office, Ministry of Information and Culture, described Youth in Tourism Conference as well packaged program * Director General of National Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe has applauded the organisers of the fair for building and sustaining a big brand in Africa; *Akwaaba reached its climax when Anthonia Tinuoluwa soon to be spouse, a tour student, Mr. Samuel Abiola proposed to her and placed an engagement band on her left hand.

Ikechi Uko The 2017 Akwaaba African Travel Fair has come and gone, but the memory will remain in the minds of all the participants. One unique feature of this year’s event is the cross-fertilization of ideas amongst stakeholders who were present at the August event. EBERE CHIBUZOR who was at the event highlights some of the suggestions and plans proffered for the development of the domestic tourism industry.

CONTINUES ON PAGE B4

Exploring top vacation and sightseeing attractions in Nigeria.....

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Awolowo’s statue: Honouring legend, promoting domestic tourism

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Daily Times Nigeria Satrurday, September 30, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria Satrurday, September 30, 2017

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Tours & Travels

Akwaaba: Stakeholders chat way forward for domestic tourism Continued from Page B3 Key players in the nation’s tourism sector have used the recently held Akwaaba African Travel Fair to seek better ways of developing the local tourism industry.

Director General of National Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe applauded the organisers of the fair for building and sustaining a big brand in Africa; and called for continued support for the fair.

Nigeria, he said, would soon give oil a break, while culture would become the country’s new oil revenue dHe said Africa is great, but yet-to-be tapped tourism potential to help develop the economy, courting stakeholders to key into efforts aimed at moving the sector forward.

Also, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Mr. Ashimi Jamiu Adewale, pointed out that Lagos State Government is investing a lot in the area of tourism- environment and improvement in infrastructure -to promote the growth of the sector in the state.

He said that the state would take participants on a tour of the city of Lagos to showcase the beauty of the ‘mega-city;’ and to take guests to places of interest which they never knew existed in Lagos.

Mr. Ikechi Uko, Founder Akwaaba African Travel Fair, while speaking during the opening session of the fair at the prestigious Eko Hotel &

Ikechi Uko

Suites, Lagos, recently said that the need to create sustainable innovation in tourism in Africa informed the decision to start Akwaaba African Travel Market.

Uko said that the Travel Market is a veritable platform for travel practitioners to interact

Exploring top vacation and sightseeing attractions in Nigeria.....

Abuja: A world class capital state with a grand master plan of its outlook, is a beautiful Nigerian city to visit or live in.

The nation’s seat of power considered a highly business destination is an affordable place for all – rich, middle class or poor. Being a developed and organised city, it has many recreational centres, five-star hotels, and shopping malls that are lusciously built to world class standards. The city is the haven for luxury real estates in Nigeria.

with their prospective clients.

He informed the audience that Akwaaba started 13 years ago with only six exhibitors; and that it is the only travel event that is solely private- sector driven and without hosted buyers.

He commended Lagos State Government, stressing that they

have really done so well for staging a come-back at Akwaaba after a long absence.

He said that the Jollof contest was not actually a competition, but a hype to create something unique in a cuisine prepared differently in West Africa and there are about 25 versions of Jollof

rice in West Africa.

According to him, the 100 Africa women in travel award became necessary considering the role of women, who constitute 70 per cent of the workforce in the tourism industry He however, pointed out the greatest challenge facing tourism sector and how it can be solved Speakers at the Akwaaba African Travel Market, speakers unanimously identified security issues, information management negative, canceled flights, lack of basic infrastructure among others. These challenges according to experts have never been taken serious by any government, and not until it’s addressed, they said, these problems would continue to manifest themselves.

On the solutions to these challenges, the stakeholders stated that “the most fundamental issue is the government’s attitude, adding that “they should address the issue of traffic.

Experts also said government needed to delegate private sector to sell and package domestic destinations, and it would help to market Nigeria. We need more of people that are tourism inclined in government for tourism to thrive”.

They added that, to drive domestic tourism in Nigeria, there is need for national career, registration backup to create opportunity for youth, and this backup will provide employments.

According to them, “We are

A cross section of 100 Africa women in travel award at the Akwaaba African Travel Fair event, held in Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos ...recently. starting and we want the government to complements. There should be formula sharing; that means government should contract those tourism sites out to individuals; and what could be done to promote other means of transportation in Nigeria, beyond road and offshore. We need to develop sporting tourism, religion tourism, while they charged the stakeholders to encourage other aspect of tourism.

In light of the government’s failure to fulfill its side of the bargain to ensure tourism industry runs smoothly, Mr. Tony Okonjo from Lagos Tourism Office, Ministry of Information and Culture, advised the youth in tourism to take the bull by the horns youth to ensure it is promoted; and there are lot of activities to ensure domestic tourism thrive. He said media have great role to play in projecting Nigeria tourism to positively drive international tourists into the nation.

According to one of the tour operators from South Africa, government has no business in tourism, tourism for her is not about creative institution, but tourism is everything.

The youth in tourism which included Chidimma Obiekwe of Social Perfect, Pelu Awofeso of next door travel, Omololu Olumuyiwa of Travelscope, Twins tourism and Ibom Tourism.

This was later followed by destination marketing with Nigeria’s destination wedding expert, Seyi Olusanya, moderating the session, which had such travel operators as Stella Obinwa of Dubai Tourism, Lara of Jumia Travels, Odion Chigbufue of Tour Broker International (TBI) and a representative of Travelstart Nigeria.

The just concluded Akwaaba exhibition featured a number of line up strategies to aid African unity and to move them to the permanent site such as Ghana top chefs

Most times Nigerians travel out to see the world, visiting beautiful, breathtaking places in other countries and continents. It can be such an amazing thing, being a tourist within Nigeria. However, we also have some amazing places in this beautiful country of ours that we can visit.

Calabar: Calabar is a beautiful city endowed with a rich culture and natural attractions. The city is a major travel destination in Nigeria. Not only is it a beautiful city, it is a peaceful city with diversity in landscapes. Tasty delicacies, beautiful architecture and festivals are what attracts visitors to the city.

Every year, the biggest street party, Calabar Carnival is hosted in the street. The festival displays diverse colourful cultural costumes and dance which tourists from all over the world participate in.

who were proud to offer visitors plenty of opportunity to sample many locally prepared dishes aimed at showcasing the best of Africa’s hospitality.

In this year’s event which is the 13th in the series, Rwanda Cultural Troupe thrilled guests with cultural dances as their fascinating costumes and throbbing drums made the fair colorful while Carnival Calabar performed at the event to the delight of the guests apart from the highly skilled performer, Ire D Stage Devi, who has become the signature entertainer for Akwaaba.

She put up a definitive seal to this year’s Akwaaba. Also, a conference on Aviation in Africa with the theme: “One-year commercial aviation accident free year and the award for Top 100 African Women in Travels.

Participants include, South Africa Tourism led Pitson Hloni , the regional manager of South African Tourism for West Africa with a base in Lagos, Nigeria, Rwanda Development Board, Nike Lake Resort in Enugu, Dubai Tourism among others.

Also, Dubai Tourism clinched the best exhibitor stand overall title with South African Tourism as the first runner up and the best from Africa followed by Ghana while Travelstart Nigeria emerged as the best corporate stand.

Meanwhile, Akwaaba Travel Market is the biggest travel and tourism in West Africa. The fair is the sub region’s largest gathering of tourism authorities, airlines, tour operators and other players in the tourism sector.

S’Africa’s stand at Akwaaba African Travel Fair event, held in Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos ...recently.

Enugu:

Port-Harcourt: Port Harcourt can be best described as a beautiful Nigerian city with lush greenery and aesthetic landscape. Loved for numerous reasons but mostly for its wealth as a result of oil, the beautiful city is the home to many multinational companies, especially those affiliated with oil and gas. Port-Harcourt being a coastal city has scenic shorelines.

Enugu which bears the same name with the capital is a very beautiful city with nice topography and attractive structures.

The road network in Enugu is well designed with so many states of the art buildings. Enugu is the most beautiful city in Igbo land with an exciting social life.

Enugu has been argued to be one of the best well-planned cities in Nigeria. Luxury, se-

renity and security describe the lifestyle of residents in Enugu.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 30, 2017

Ebere Chibuzor In a bid to preserve history and to encourage domestic tourism, Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, early this week, unveiled the new 20-feet statue of the late sage and nationalist, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in Ikeja.

The location in the heart of the headquarters of Lagos and commercial city centre, has since been drawing Lagosians and visitors alike.

Speaking at the unveiling of the statue, located on Obafemi Awolowo Way by the Lagos Television (LTV) junction, in Ikeja, Ambode aid the state has synchronized with the position of the All Progressives Congress, APC, on restructuring and devolution of powers.

B6 Tourism

Awolowo’s statue: Honouring legend, promoting domestic tourism

He recalled that that Pa Awolowo, during his time, had charged leaders in the country to rise up to the occasion to engender true federalism and devolution of powers, saying that it was only in such circumstance that can prevent the country from disintegration.

He said the party’s position, as stipulated in its manifesto, seeks to amend the Nigeria constitution with a view to devolving powers to states and local governments in order to entrench true federalism, adding that the state supports the restructuring committee of the party going round the country to achieve same.

The governor, who also spoke when he hosted members of the Awolowo dynasty at the Lagos House residence in Ikeja, said like himself, new generation leaders have a lot to learn from the ideals and principles of Awolowo if they intend to impact positively on the lives of the people they govern.

Ambode said that own his vision, through his political journey, was particularly motivated by Awolowo’s principles, which were basically anchored on the improving the welfare of the people and reviving the South-west region, as the economic basin of the nation.

Similarly, a Lagos base Civil Servant Olaide Olaitan told our correspondent that the statue was launched for history purposes, more especially for the benefit of younger

generations. “This statue is laudable. Awolowo died in 1987, which is 30 years now .

A lot of international societies have statues and figures of their heroes, more especially, if the heroes had done something good.”

According him, “A lot of younger ones would be wondering why Awolowo is every where. The only thing that is wrong is the way they just put Awolowo, they would have put some information at the base of the statue as a direction,

especially for the benefit of foreigners. If there are some information about him, it will benefit the foreigners, Olaitan noted.

Explaining further, he said out that unveiling of Awolo-

wo’s statue was one of the ways of promoting domestic tourism, stressing there are more lot heroes that are needed to be preserved and presented to the public for the benefit of younger generations.

Business Interview B7

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 30, 2017

MPC: CBN committed to promoting macroeconomic stability – Emefiele The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) held its meeting on September 25-26, 2017 and issued its 115 communiqué. The CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele spoke on all the decisions of the committee in the communiqué. SIMON UGWU reports….

Background The Monetary Policy Committee met on the 25th and 26th of September, 2017 against the backdrop of a relatively optimistic global economy. The Committee examined the global and domestic economic and financial environments up to the third quarter of 2017, and the outlook for the rest of the year. The recent spate of flooding and hurricanes in some parts of the globe; the flooding in Nigeria; the increasing tension between the US and North Korea, and the perception of hostilities on the Korean Peninsula as well as the associated geo-political tensions, were identified as key risks to global output growth. On the domestic front, the economy exited recession (which began in the first quarter of 2016) in the second half of 2017, with a modest positive short to medium-term outlook, resulting largely from deliberate macroeconomic stimulus and a stable naira exchange rate. Inflation expectations also appeared anchored on the strength of prevailing tight monetary policy stance.

It is worthy of note that the MPC voted to retain the MPR at 14.0 per cent; retain the CRR at 22.5 per cent; retain the Liquidity Ratio at 30.0 per cent; and retain the Asymmetric corridor at +200 and -500 basis points around the MPR. External Developments The MPC, however, noted some headwinds confronting the optimistic global growth prospects to include: recent developments on the Korean peninsula; the damage to infrastructure caused by hurricanes - Harvey, Irma and Maria; the lull in BREXIT negotiations and the normalization of monetary policy by the US Fed, which is expected to instigate global capital flow reversal. Other challenges include the continued slow pace of recovery in global oil and other commodity prices and China’s reduction in uptake of global commodities. In addition, The trend towards convergence The Committee noted the trend towards convergence between the rates at the bureau-dechange (BDC) and the Nigeria Autonomous Foreign Exchange

(NAFEX) segments, as well as the stability of the exchange rate at the inter-bank segment of the 7 foreign exchange market during the review period. Similarly, the Committee noted the success of the Investor and Exporters’ window (I &E) of the foreign exchange market and traced this not only to foreign investor confidence but also to the zeal and commitment of Nigerian exporters who have demonstrated preference for the window to the parallel market.

The Committee observed that the I&E window has increased liquidity and boosted confidence in the market with over US$7.0 billion inflow in the last five months. The Committee will continue to introduce policies that will improve the confidence of foreign investors in the country’s macroeconomic management regime.

Overall Outlook Overall Outlook and Risks Available data and forecast of key macroeconomic variables indicate a relatively positive outlook, predicated on existing policy initiatives including the ERGP. Other potential drivers of economic recovery are; the expected increase in government revenue arising from favourable crude oil prices, stable output, and general improvements in the non-oil sector, especially, agriculture, industry and construction. The intervention by the CBN in the real sector is expected to continue to yield positive results in terms of output and lower consumer prices. The Committee, however, noted some downside risks to the overall short- to medium-term positive outlook for the economy.

These include; flooding which displaced farming communities and 8 political agitations. On the external front, the hawkish policy stance in the United States, rising geo-political tensions and sluggish output recovery in the Euroarea and Japan, could slowdown the momentum of global output growth, with significant spillovers to emerging markets and developing countries, including Nigeria.

Considerations of the Committee The Considerations of the Committee The Committee ap-

Godwin Emefiele plauded the exit of the Nigerian economy from recession but observed that the growth remains fragile and, therefore, hopes that complementary fiscal and monetary policies would sustain the growth momentum. The Committee further expressed satisfaction with the gradual, but consistent decline in inflation, noting, however, the substantial base effect in addition to the continuous improvement in the naira exchange rate across all segments of the foreign exchange market; and considerable improvement in foreign capital inflow. The Committee welcomed the steady implementation of the 2017 Budget, especially, the capital component of the budget, and urged increased momentum in expenditure directed at the growth-stimulating sectors of the economy in order to reduce youth unemployment and restiveness.

Expression of concern The Committee, however, expressed concern on the sustained pressure on food prices, noting risks posed by floods, strikes and insurgencies in various parts of the country to food production and 9 distribution. Regarding the tepid turnaround in economic activities in the second quarter of 2017, the Committee emphasized that the employment gains of re-

covery were still minimal, noting that a number of important job elastic sub-sectors were still weak and may require more fiscal support to regain traction.

The Committee restated its commitment to maintaining stability in prices, without which meaningful recovery cannot be achieved. In this regard, members welcomed the gradual narrowing of rate spreads in the foreign exchange market and urged the Bank to continue to monitor and respond proactively to threats and vulnerabilities in the foreign exchange market. On the outlook for financial stability, the Committee noted that, in spite of the banking sub-sector’s resilience, the weak macroeconomic environment has continued to impact negatively on the stability of the sub-sector.

The Committee reiterated its call on the Bank to sustain its surveillance of deposit money banks (DMBs) activities for the purpose of prompt identification and mitigation of potential vulnerabilities. The Committee also called on the DMBs to support the quest to move the economy forward by extending reasonably low priced credit to the private sector.

Committee’s Decisions in arriving at its decision The Committee’s Decisions In arriving at its decision, the Com-

mittee took note of the gains so far achieved as a result of its earlier decisions; including the stability in the foreign exchange market and the moderate reduction in inflation. The option was whether to hold, tighten or ease.

These were subjected to extensive debate. As in previous meetings, although tightening would help rein in inflation expectations and strengthen the stability in the foreign exchange market, the Committee felt that it would further widen the income gap, depress aggregate demand and adversely affect credit delivery to the private sector.

The Committee also noted that tightening may result in the deposit money banks re-pricing their assets and loans, thus raising the cost of borrowing and therefore heightening the already weak investment climate and nonperforming loans. With respect to loosening, the Committee believed that although while it would make it more attractive for Nigerians to acquire assets at cheaper prices, thus increasing their net wealth, and therefore stimulate spending as confidence rises, it nevertheless, felt constrained that loosening at this time would exacerbate inflationary pressures and worsen the exchange rate and inflationary conditions.

Personal Finance B8

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 30, 2017

Portfolio and Asset allocation in personal finance Bonny Amadi In personal finance, you begin to save and grow funds which are later invested in instruments either money market, capital market or debt instruments to further create wealth that will enable you meet your future need(s).

This is where portfolio and asset allocation comes in.

What ‘Portfolio’ means Investopadea defines portfolio as a grouping of financial assets such as stocks, bonds and cash equivalents, as well as their funds counterparts, including mutual, exchange-traded and closed funds.

Portfolios are held directly by investors and/or managed by financial professionals.

Prudence suggests that investors should construct an investment portfolio in accordance with risk tolerance and investing objectives.

Risk tolerance Risk tolerance could simply be defined as the level of risk the investor or portfolio holder is able to tolerate. It is therefore, the degree of variability in investment returns that an investor is willing to withstand. ... You should have a realistic understanding of your ability and willingness to stomach large swings in the value of his investments; if you take on too much risk, you might panic and sell at the wrong time.

Investment objective Investment objective is the purpose the investor hopes to achieve from embarking on the investment. A conservative investor’s primary objective is to preserve the capital and receive regular income.

Such investors have a low tolerance for risk and hence a major chunk of their investment should be allocated to debt or money market mutual funds like income schemes amongst few others.

Investment portfolio Investment portfolio is defined by Investopadea, as a pie that is divided into pieces of varying sizes, representing a variety of asset classes and/or types of investments to accomplish an appropriate risk-return portfolio allocation. Many different types of securities can be used to build a diversified portfolio, but stocks, bonds and cash are generally considered a portfolio’s core building blocks.

Other potential asset classes

equivalents, which will be the principal determinants of your investment results.

Using different asset allocations for different objectives Investors may use different asset allocations for different objectives. Someone who is saving for a new car in the next year, for example, might invest her car savings fund in a very conservative mix of cash, certificates of deposit (CDs) and short-term bonds.

Another individual saving for retirement that may be decades away typically invests the majority of his individual retirement account (IRA) in stocks, since he has a lot of time to ride out the market’s short-term fluctuations. Risk tolerance plays a key factor as well. Someone not comfortable investing in stocks may put their money in a more conservative allocation despite a long time horizon.

include, but aren’t limited to, real estate, gold and currency.

Impact of risk tolerance on portfolio allocations While a financial advisor can develop a generic portfolio model for an individual, an investor’s risk tolerance should have a significant impact on what a portfolio looks like.

For example, a conservative investor might favor a portfolio with large-capitalised blue chip stocks like Nestle Plc or Nigerian Breweries in Nigeria for instance, broadbased market index funds, investment-grade bonds, and a position in liquid, high-grade cash equivalents.

In contrast, a risk-tolerant investor might add some small-capitalised growth stocks to an aggressive, largecap growth stock position, assume some high-yield bond exposure, and look to real estate, international and alternative investment opportunities for his portfolio.

In general, an investor should minimize exposure to securities or asset classes whose volatility makes him uncomfortable.

Time value of money in portfolio allocation The investor should know the value of money over a given period of time and the impact of inflation or volatility on the investments.

Impact of Time Horizon on Portfolio Allocations Similar to risk tolerance, investors should consider how long they have to invest when building a portfolio.

Investors should generally be moving to a more conservative asset allocation as the goal date approaches, to protect the portfolio’s principal that has been built up to that point.

For example, an investor saving for retirement may be planning to leave the workforce in five years. Despite the investor’s comfort level investing in stocks and other risky securities, he may want to invest a larger portion of the portfolio’s balance in more conservative assets such as bonds and cash, to help protect what has already been saved.

Conversely, an individual just entering the workforce may want to invest his entire portfolio in stocks, since he may have decades to invest,

and has the ability to ride out some of the market’s shortterm volatility.

It is necessary for the investor to note that, both risk tolerance and time horizon should be considered when choosing investments to fill out a portfolio.

Asset allocation Asset allocation is an investment strategy that aims to balance risk and reward by apportioning a portfolio’s assets according to an individual’s goals, risk tolerance and investment horizon. The three main asset classes - equities, fixed-income, and cash and equivalents - have different levels of risk and return, so each will behave differently over time.

It has consistently been emphasized that there is no simple formula that can find the right asset allocation for every individual.

However, the consensus among most financial professionals is that asset allocation is one of the most important decisions that investors make. In other words, the selection of individual securities is secondary to the way that assets are allocated in stocks, bonds, and cash and

Age-based asset allocation In general, stocks are recommended for holding periods of five years or longer.

Cash and money market accounts are appropriate for objectives less than a year away.

Bonds fall somewhere in between. In the past, financial advisors have recommended subtracting an investor’s age from 100 to determine how much should be invested in stocks.

For example, a 40-year old would be 60% invested in stocks. Variations of the rule recommend subtracting age from 110 or 120 given that the average life expectancy continues to grow. As individuals approach retirement age, portfolios should generally move to a more conservative asset allocation so as to help protect assets that have already been accumulated.

Achieving asset allocation via life-cycle funds Asset-allocation mutual funds, also known as life-cycle, or target-date, funds, are an attempt to provide investors with portfolio structures that address an investor’s age, risk appetite and investment objectives with an appropriate apportionment of asset classes.

However, critics of this approach point out that arriving at a standardized solution for allocating portfolio assets is problematic because individual investors require individual solutions.

Life&

TIMES Saturday, September 30, 2017

I can kiss in movies but ... –Belinda Effah L2

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Interview L2

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, September 30, 2017

Lazy men turn me off –Belinda Effah How has the year been for Belinda?

I am very grateful and thankful to God for a good year. It started

How challenging has it been for you as an actress?

What would you say is your best achievement in 2017?

Do you intend producing your own movies?

What has fame deprived you of? the ranks.

You recently launched a food stuff store, what prompted such move?

If you have an opportunity, what would you change about yourself?

Tell us your kind of man?

Unlike most colleagues of yours who would rather go into fashion, beauty, hair businesses, why did you go for food stuffs?

Would you say you are a jealous lover?

What far would you go to protect your relationship?

What do you look out for in your ideal man?

How has it affected your acting career?

Are there chances you would leave acting for the business full time?

Life&

What inspires you?

You have been sounding very spiritual, does this your spirituality also affect the kind of roles you play?

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, September 30, 2017

Interview L3

Mutiat Alli

Idyl, season two Voice winner, gets SUV, all-expense paid ticket to Dubai

Iyanya pays tribute to Nigerian heroes in ‘Not Forgotten’ music video -

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Toyin Abraham insists she is still legally married to ex-actor husband

Rising singer, Kelechi makes debut with Gini

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Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, September 30, 2017

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, September 30, 2017

L5

Society Circle L6

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, September 30, 2017

Isaac Oguntoye

How Aunt Landa, Alibaba provided for over 14,000 Lagosians in one day

IGP Ibrahim Idris honours rank and file, officers

Humanitarian Dr Yolanda N. George-David, popularly known as Aunt Landa, and comedian Alibaba provided over 14,000 Nigerians with their basic needs at the Aunt Landa Market Square which took place last Saturday, 23rd of September, 2017 at Havilah

gallantly combat crime to the barest minimum.

In reactions to the honorary kind gesture, the families of the their gratitude to the Inspector General of Police for remembering the fallen heroes who died while gallantly combating crime in their nation, they urged IGP to help in facilitating all the

The Inspector-General of Police IGP Ibrahim Idris has in Lagos Police Mobile Force Headquarters Squadron 20 (MOPOL 20), Ikeja Lagos after two Gallant Mobile Police SundayAgbo, who lost their lives during a robbery attack in Owerri.

The Inspector General of and Sunday Agbo who died while repelling a robbery attack in one of the Zenith Bank branch in Owerri Imo state earlier in February this year were immortalized as a result

Nigeria Police force to inspire at the discharge of their various duties.

According to IGP Idris, the cause they are patriotic to the discharge of their duties. “The

gallant duty while they are on duty and the Nigeria Police force will never forget them”.

IGP Idris Ibrahim also

the Police Mobile Force Headquarters, Squadron 20, Ikeja GRA, Lagos, has been erected to enhance the smooth

towards putting smiles on the faces of the under-privileged, especially school kids whose parents cannot afford to send them to school.

The organisers of the event saw to it that attendees were properly fed and provided adequately with food items, medical check-up, hair clippers, sewing and grinding machines to startup businesses, clothes, laptops, all for free. Back-to-school items such as sandals, bags, and stationery were given to the

Recall that the two policemen who have also been pronounced heroes by many Nigerians after the video of the shoot-out with the robbers went viral on the Internet have also been recommended for a posthumous promotion by the Imo

their duty to serve and protect Nigerians Also, in attendance at the

kids were awarded with scholarships.

Yolanda N. George-David) Speaking on the number of people that showed up at the Dr Yolanda remarked; “Words how I feel. The fact that every single person that came to the market square left with a smile is quite satisfying and I can only be grateful to God” ment, the fair chairman of

the market square, Alibaba, remarked; “The Aunt Landa Market Square was a huge success. Over 14,000 people came out to shop, all for free. Even though I was part of the planSome of the dignitaries that were present at the market square include Alibaba, Lolo, Bose, Nikki Laoye, and many more.

Between Gov Aregbesola and Kanu Nwankwo

Zone- MagairiDikko, DIG FolushoAdebanjo, Ag. missioner of Police, Lagos Edgal, amongst several other

Osasu Igbinedion’s Heart of Gold endless anytime they cry to her for assistance.

Just recently, the delectable woman gathered top personality in the country Abuja for her maiden edi-

various top speakers from different walk of life delivered a public lecture on the and its Impact On the Less Osasu

for someone with large heart and whose ability to give knows no bocomes to your heart is no other person than, Osasu Igbinedon who does not Aside being born with silver spoon by the former, Governor of Edo State and Esama of Be-

binedon, she still made the act of giving her topmost priority. She has been on the forefront of champaign for the female gender.

Osasu believes her background is a privileged that wealth comes from God. Her philanthropic gesture has seen those around her smile

Meanwhile, the light skinned woman has been using her wealth of knowledge to impact her immediate environment positively.

She launched her TV show on AIT, BenTv, ITV

the show has been used to preach against female related issues like rape, forced marriage, genital mutilation among other issues affecting the girl child.

Gov Aregbesola & Kanu Nwankwo

Despite the strong rivalries be- Arsenal fan met one of the club legtween fans at local and national levels, football still unites people also overwhelming that the governor irrespective of your status and posted the picture on his Instagram tribes. The passion, emotion and stun Arsenal fan meeting one of the - club fineness saying “Football is a ings and behaviour revealed we love language spoken worldwide. A all speak one language which is true Arsenal fan meets a legendary the language of football. This be- arsenal player.” lief is what best described what Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola remains the incumbent governor of the state governor of Osun State, Ogbeni of Osun while Kanu is a retired NigeRauf Aregbesola and one of the rian footballer who once played for top most striker, Kanu Nwankwo Arsenal football club as a forward. when the two big horn met. Many He was a member of the Nigerian people would have thought the national team and later captained governor who is a devoted Muslim the Eagles for 16 years from 1994 until 2010.

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, September 30, 2017

Society Circle L7

Isaac Oguntoye

CHURCHILL celebrates again...

Festus Keyamo’s new status Anyone who work hard they say

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Dr Olakunle Oladunni Churchill, the Chief ExecuHeaven is a man with a

for his or her achievements, renowned lawyer, Festus Keyamo nised amidst his contemporaries

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ture, entertainment, propsistance to the needy and

of those who are less priviNext month, the astute Churchill foundation recently donated

terpiece edifice of Civic Centre,

the company of friends and

Hotels is expected to have in attendance of top compadonor ever in the history

quietly visits a motherless In a quest to keep touch-

sonalities from all spheres of life He has also carved a niche for -

What’s Happening to Kwame of Nigezie?

tion of Teachers Pensioners for his Keyamo was also award a record The well attended event entered Festus

supply of sumptuous meal and

Paddypaddybet debut with best betting odds -

license to opera all over the country and should in case you are consider-

development to the situation of the country -

you covered as your satisfaction is sports lovers even richer than they

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with varieties of sports to choose from a telecommunication company until it

customer i

you can place a little money and earn

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Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, September 30, 2017

Pete Edochie, Ernest Obi turned my life around –Nani Boi, movie producer The name Nnaemeka Charles Eze, might not ring bell but his nickname, Nani Boi has become a household name for lovers of books and Nigerian movies.

The Enugu State born graduate of Geology from producer and author, who boasts of over 50 story books, with over 10 of them adapted into movies.

In this interview with MUTIAT ALLI, Nani Boi reveals how the journey to stardom started for him and how veteran actors, Pete Edochie and Ernest Obi turned his career around. Excerpts; Can you tell us more about Nani Boi? My full names are Nnaemeka Charles Eze. A native of Geology from University Of Nigeria, Nsukka. A writer and publisher of over 50 story books/novels for children and music for fun and as an artiste, I have worked with Mr. Raw, Kcee, Storm Rex, Zoro, Dekumzy, Splash, Slow Dog etc. I am an On Air Personality with Dream 92.5fm Enugu. I own and anchor a local program, Ogabuagaa. people of all classes movies for them.

As an author, I think my books are among the most read books by primary and secondary school students in Nigeria.

How long have you been writing and doing movies?

(William Charles Agbo) used to write and produce

else, lack in-depth; what do you think should be done?

We are trying but we still have a long way to go. We need good stories, we need sponsors, we need to put an end to piracy, and we need to spend more time shooting our movies. We need to work with cast and crew that are good for the job and not with sentiment. And the government should come in at this point in time.

Which movie brought you to limelight?

Mummy Why which is an adaptation of one of my books. I receive calls every day from people even family movie with a difference. I wrote it, produced and sponsored it. Ernest Obi directed it and it featured Pete Obi, Harry B, Uncle Jude, Chinwe Owoh, Uloma Eze

know about?

Where I am today is not where I thought I would ever be. As a very good footballer, my dream was to become a professional footballer but knee injury killed that dream.

How then do you get your inspirations? inspire me. I also observe them closely and I am always thinking of what to do to help groom our young ones

Everything that gives me money has nothing to do with what I studied in the university. But my course of study (Geology) made me strong and resilient. I believe I can do anything through God who created and strengthens me

So you turn most of your novels into movies?

Yes. Mummy Why opened my eyes. It made me realise that parents want movies that they can proudly watch with their kids without skipping any scene. I am shooting the sequel next month.

I write my movies by myself and I am happy many

married and my wife acts.

Edochie, Ernest Obi, Uncle Jude, Saint Do, Nnamdi Mezue etc.

families and of course have their own family issues like every other family.

So why do you think marriages are crashing?

You have worked with several movie stars, who are your favourites?

All of them are my favourites oh. But I have so much love and respect for Ernest Obi and Pete Edochie.

Have you ever had a crush on any female celebrity?

Yes. I crushed on Chidimma after watching her

Do you have a new project?

How has it been married to an actress?

marriages crash because the people involved allow it to crash instead of putting their heads together to make it work. Na Internet dey help crash celebrity marriages more.

doing a wonderful job.

I learnt you are very popular in your state, are you planning to join politics? governor, His Excellency Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and the good people of Enugu state want me to work for them, I am ready to help build Enugu of our dream. But I can never be a do or die politician. I want to serve and not the other way round because Enugu state is truly in the hands of God.