Monday, July 2, 2018 Edition

Monday, July 2, 2018/ Shawwal 18, 1439 AH

Oil prospects in Bida basin high -NNPC >>>page 3

Vol. 29 No. 027

1536 Days after

N150

The nation awaits rescue of the remaining abducted Chibok schoolgirls

@pmlonline

peoplesdailyng

. . . putting the people first

2019: You’ll lose in your ward if you confront Buhari, Ganduje tells Kwankwaso >>>page 5

Customs duty:

Reps threatens to arrest 26 firms over waiver scam page 5

President Muhammadu Buhari (3rd left) among other African Leaders during the official opening of the 31st Session of African Union (AU) taking place in Nouakchott, Mauritania .

Photo: State House

Atiku meets IBB behind closed doors pAGE 15

I can make Shekau, others surrender, says ex B/Haram commander pAGE 10

Gas explosion razes 15 shops in Kaduna pAGE 2

PAGE 2

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, july 2, 2018

News

CONTENTS News 2-14 Editorial Op.Ed

11 12-13

Politics 15-17 Feature Business Metro

18 19-20 21

World Analysis 22 Africa News

23

World News

24

Stakeholders harp on gender mainstreaming

By Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

A

head of the forthcoming 2019 general elections, relevant stakeholders at the weekend renewed the call for gender mainstreaming to boost women participation in the decision making process.

The call was made at the inaugural conference and official launch of Women Leadership Institute (WLI), held at the National Universities Commission (NUC) auditorium, Abuja.

Delivering her opening remarks, Founder/chairperson of WLI and former Aviation Minister, Dr. (Mrs) Kema Chikwe lamented what she described as the increasing obstacles on the path of the woman to conquer her fears, noting that until institutional, economic, cultural and political impediments were cast away; the road to national reawakening would continue to be a long one.

The former Ambassador of Nigeria to Ireland equally harped on the need for an elaborate legislative agenda to improve the cause of the woman in her quest to use her potentials for the betterment of the

nation and the society at large.

According to her, “So far, in Africa and in particular reference to Nigeria, no university offers a degree or diploma in Women/ Gender Studies which would have essentially helped to neutralise the perception of African societies about women.

“At best, Women/Gender Studies are subsumed under social sciences,” Chikwe stated, adding however that “The Diploma earned at WLI will go a long way to introducing a new strategy for overcoming the contemporary challenges of women leadership posed by discrimination of any form and thereby acclaiming the assertion that in future, there will be no female leaders; there will just be leaders.”

The WLI founder called on the 8th Assembly not to relent until the passage of the women empowerment bill now before the federal parliament.

In her words, “Only last year in Nigeria, the bill on women could not pass at the National Assembly.

The passage of this wholesome bill is a challenge not only to Nigerian women but also the society at large

who must be united in action and consistent in creating more effective strategies to give women, who constitute more than 50 per cent of Nigerian population, their rightful place in leadership positions”.

She added however, that all hope was not lost, notwithstanding the delay in passing the bill “There is yet a window,” she continued, “to pass that bill especially when the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu while addressing women in parliament recently, lamented that Nigeria ranked 168th in parliament in the index of women development, referring to the situation as abysmal for women representation in governance in Nigeria.”

Recalling her practical experience in politics, the former PDP National Woman Leader counselled intending female politicians to acquaint themselves with the rudiments of the game, starting with the erection of grassroots structures to enable them relate with their roots.

She added, , “Women generally need to have a grasp of the structures of politics and the processes that lead to contesting

Some of the Internally Displace Persons (IDP) queue for food at the IDP Camp, during the presentation of relief materials supply by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Plateau State Government To The Internally Displace Persons (IDP) Camp, on Saturday in Jos

Buhari, Osinbajo pay last respect to Pastor Bakare’s mother Page 4

Education

25

Sports 29-31 Back Page

elections. Many young women who desire to go into politics are not familiar with the idea that politics has a heavy component of grassroots exposure that is no class discriminatory especially if you want to contest elections. “There is no shortcut to it and you cannot discriminate or select the voters,” she added.

Echoing this position, a panel session moderated by Development expert, Anthony Ubani with a thematic focus on “Courage to Lead,” argued that the way to the overall development goal of any nation is for women to be at liberty to pursue their dreams without any form of limitation.

Ifedayo Durosimi, a sales and marketing executive tasked women to believe in themselves, saying, “We as women should know who we are.

Once you start to believe in yourself, not caring what people say about you; the journey has begun for you and the younger ones would begin to emulate you.

The event was chaired by the lawmaker representing Bayelsa East Senatorial District, Ben Murray-Bruce.

32

We want to hear from you The Peoples Daily wants to hear from you with any news and pictures you think we should publish.

You can send your news and pictures to: adverts@peoplesdailyng.com pictures@peoplesdailyng.com contact@peoplesdailyng.com

Phones for News: 08142929046 08024432099

Gas explosion razes 15 shops in Kaduna

A

gas explosion on Saturday evening burnt down 14 shops and a pharmacy with one person injured.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the incident occurred at about 5:40 p.m. on Ibrahim Taiwo Road by Abeokuta street in Kaduna.

NAN reports that residents mobilised to put out the fire before it spread further in the densely populated area.

NAN also reports that most of the shops affected by the gas explosion contained kitchen equipment, gas cylinders and refiling facilities.

The residents chased away fire service personnel from the Kaduna State University who arrived over an hour after the fire started.

One of the shop owners, Ifeanyi Eze said the fire started as a result of electrical surge which led to heavy explosion in one of shops

selling gas cylinders.

An eyewitness, Samuel Emma, said immediately after the explosion, fire emerged from the shop, adding that the owner was slightly burnt and was rushed to hospital.

“We don’t know his situation now, but from there, the fire extended to the rest of the shops and only a few items were salvaged.

“We thank God no life was lost.

We called the fire service but for

close to two hours we didn’t see them until one fire service vehicle from Kaduna State University came and was chased away by angry neighbors,”he said.

A resident, Hamza Ado, said: “we called the fire fighters but they didn’t come and when we called again we were told that they had no water in their vehicles. ”It was the youth that fetched water from all available sources to control the blaze.”(NAN)

Page 3

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, july 2, 2018

News

News Editor, Ese Awhotu

Oil prospects in Bida basin high –NNPC From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

T

he Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Dr. Maikanti Kacalla Baru has said that the prospects of striking oil in the ongoing oil exploration research activities on in the Bida Basin is high.

He made the disclosure at the weekend at the 2nd Combined Convocation ceremony of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai (IBBUL) after he was conferred with the fellowship award of the university.

Baru said that the NNPC was satisfied with the collaborative efforts between the corporation and the university in prospecting for oil adding that “we are hopeful that we will get oil”.

According to him, “the search for oil had reached the fourth stage out of ten stages required in oil prospecting and exploration, adding that the fourth stage include determining if hydrocarbon have been generated in the basin and that IDLS is currently analyzing the basin to determine if hydrocarbons have been generated.

He further said “NNPC recognizes that the Bida Basin exploration is in the fourth stage of these activities. Hense, it is important to state that efforts have not advanced to the level of declaring discoveries talk-less of claiming that the oil and gas present is in commercial quantities”.

He blasted aides of the Niger state government for rushing to the press with reports of discoveries explaining that even after commercial discovery of hydrocarbons it is imperative that pronouncements be made only after due validation of claims by the industry regulator – the Department of Petroluem

Buhari sympathises with Kaduna gas explosion victims

By Lawrence Olaoye

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his sympathy with the gas explosion victims in Kaduna, saying that his heart is with them at their hour of distress.

In a statement made available to newsmen yesterday by his spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, the President said he was touched by the losses of life and economic ruin suffered by these “hard working Nigerians striving to make a living through honest labour.”

“As a human being, I fully understand the economic impact of this accident on the lives of these hard working Nigerians”, the President declared sympathetically.

He however advised Nigerians to pay greater attention to safety procedures and precautionary measures in their business places.

According to him, precautionary measures can help to avert disasters.

Resources (DPR) Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai Professor Mohammed Nasir Maiturare described the IBBULNNPC/FES research project as iconic.

According to him, “we successfully carried out field mapping and geological studies of the Sokoto and Bida basins. Earlier on IBBUL developed a preliminary geological map of the Baida basin which hitherto did not exist”.

Maiturare said that the university has also concluded research assignments to develop the blueprint for Science Technology and Innovation (STI) for Nigeria’s prosperity in 2050, adding that the university was

selected by the National University Commission (NUC) to be the lead institution for the sector.

He, however, expressed appreciation to NNPC for collaborating with the university in the search for oil in the basins.

…Donates N50m to Bauchi windstorm victims From Ahmad Bauchi

Mohammed

T

he management of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has donated the sum for fifty million Naira to the victims of the recent windstorm and fire incident in

Bauchi State.

The Group Managing Director of the Corporation, Dr Maikanti Baru Kachalla made the donation yesterday when he led management of the Corporation on a sympathy visit to the Emir of Bauchi in his palace.

Dr Baru described the disasters

as an act of God, expressed concern over the number of properties affected by the disasters.

The Group Managing Director used the medium to condole the Emir over the demises of Katukan Bauchi, and Alhaji Ahmadu Yari.

Responding, the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Suleimanu

Adamu commended the Corporation for the huge donation and prayed Allah to reward her abundantly.

The Emir reemphasized the need for close collaboration with the Corporation and the Emirate for the speedy development of the state and the country in general.

President Muhammadu Buhari, left and Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State at the palace of the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji AbdulMumin Kabir Usman, seated when the President went to commiserate with the monarch, the Governor and people of Katsina state over the recent rainstorms that caused havoc in some communities in the state.

2 Nigerian schools qualify for SAGE World Cup in S/Africa

By Lawrence Olaoye Abuja

T

wo schools have qualified to represent Nigeria at the Student for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship (SAGE) 2018 World Cup scheduled to hold in Durban, South Africa from August 8th to 14th.

The winning schools are Government Secondary School, Garki, Abuja and the Government Girls Secondary School, Abaji.

The winners were unveiled at the 2018 National School Entrepreneurship Exhibition and Award at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.

The event was also used to officially launch the National School Entrepreneurship Programme (N-SEP).

While the Garki school came first on the Socially Responsible Business category, the Abaji school did on the Social Enterprise Business Category.

Apart from heading to South Africa to represent Nigeria, the two schools also got N500,000 prize

money from the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).

Vice President,Yemi Osinbajo in his speech at the occasion said the increasing influence of globalization and emergence of knowledge based economy have led to the adoption of entrepreneurship education as a means of linking knowledge and skill with learning for developing critical human capital and mitigate social consequences of unemployment.

He said that socio-economic implications of entrepreneurship and human capital development all over the world is seen as booster for wealth creation, employment generation, living standard, poverty and crime reduction which have direct impact on the national economy.

He said “This programme we are launching today is aimed at encouraging an innovative/ skills among basic and secondary schools pupils/students as this will enhance entrepreneurship and enterprise development towards

poverty reduction and employment generation.

“They should cultivate the culture of being their own bosses and not job seekers right from primary and secondary schools.

“The development of any nation depends mainly on the creative capacity of the citizens to be capable of effectively exploring and exploiting the country’s natural resources and transforming them into finished products and services through value addition.

“The main purpose of entrepreneurship for children in primary/secondary education is to encourage them to think of creativity and innovation,” he stated Director General/CEO of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Dr. Dikko Umaru Radda, said “The development of entrepreneurial mind-sets among pupils/students in primary and secondary schools in Nigeria is becoming increasingly important in

preparation for catching them young for improving employment generation through wealth creation and selfreliance.

“N-SEP is set to provide access to functional and hand-on entrepreneurship and community service education to every primary and secondary school students in Nigeria.

“This is to reduce poverty and massive youth unemployment.

Also to create a network of leaders who will see the challenges in their communities as their responsibilities.

“SMEDAN is mindful of the paradigm shift in today’s education, it is no longer ‘go to school, get a good grade and work in a reputable organization. It is now go to school, get a good grade, acquire the skill and knowledge that will enable you to start your own business’ “The era of brilliant curriculum vitae is over, this is the era of crafting a bankable business plan that will launch the students into being their own bosses.” he said

PAGE 4

News

NBA urges lawyers to ensure success of 2019 polls

By Vivian Okejeme Abuja

T

he Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called on lawyers in the country to leverage on the 2018 Annual General Conference, to ensure the success of the 2019 election as it unveiled the year’s logo and website.

The President of the association, Mr Abubakar Mahmoud, (SAN) while unveiling the logo, said that the 2018 conference would focus on evolving solutions to address the current and contemporary issues affecting the country.

The theme for the 2018 conference: “Transition, Transmission and Sustainable Institutions” according to Mahmoud, was apt considering that the country was preparing for elections in 2019.

He said, “Last year’s conference had the theme African Business: Penetrating through Institution Building, so we are building on the theme of last year.

“We are however, trying to address the more current and more contemporary issue of transition and transformation and we are not only focusing on local transformation but global trends,” he said.

Further in his speech, Mahmoud said that they were expecting over 10,000 lawyers to attend the conference and urged all lawyers to log onto the website and register adding that registration would only be via online.

Also speaking, the Technical Committee on Conference Planning, Mr. George Etomi, said that the NBA annual conference was the largest gathering of lawyers in the world.

According to him, the body of lawyers gathered to play a pivotal role in reshaping and reforming the nation by analysing burning issues and evolving possible solutions.

He added that the theme for the 2018 conference was carefully chosen to afford the lawyers the opportunity to x-ray the role of lawyers in the country and on the continent as a whole.

Concluding, he said that 2018, being the penultimate electioneering year, the conference will afford lawyers the opportunity to set an agenda to help the country achieve successful elections.

He said that the Ghanian President, Mr Nana Akufo-Addo is expected to give the keynote address at the conference which would hold from Aug. 26 to Aug. 30 in Abuja.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, july 2, 2018

Unemployment: ITF mulls ‘accelerated’ vocational training for 30,000 youths

By Stanley Onyekwere Abuja

I

n order stem the rampant unemployment especially among the youths, the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has upped its accelerated skills acquisition scheme.

In particular, Fund is set to train thirteen thousand Nigerians across the country in eleven vocational skills, in what seems as a renewed efforts to equip Nigerians with skills in line with its mandate and to ensure the achievement of of the Federal Government policy on job and wealth creation.

ITF Director General and Chief Executive, Sir Joseph Ari who made this disclosure, explained that the implementation of the programme

would commence on various dates between July and August and terminate in November this year.

Ari noted that governments all over the world have turned to skills acquisition which the universal currency of the 21st century to arm their citizenry with skills for employment and growth.

He made the assertion while addressing a meeting of Area Managers of ITF Area Offices and Managers of the Fund’s Training Centres, at the ITF Centre for Excellence, Bukuru, Jos, Plateau State.

According to him, the skills programmes billed for implementation to include the National Industrial Skills Development Programme,

NISDP, the Women Skills Empowerment Programme, WOSEP, Skills Training and Empowerment Programme for the Physically Challenged, STEPC, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration and Designing and Garment Making.

Ari added that within the same period five other training programmes including PostHarvest Techniques and Product Development, Aqua-Culture/Fish Farming Manure Production, Crop Production/Greenhouse Technology and Poultry Farming that are aimed at equipping Nigerian farmers with requisite skills for improved farm yield would be implemented using the

Galilee International Management Institute (GIMI) Model.

The ITF boss said the programmes which are mostly targeted at the youths, women and the physically challenged were carefully selected based on projected value addiction of to the nation’s economy and individual beneficiaries.

He explained that apart from NISDP that would be implemented in all the states of the Federation and the FCT, the other training programmes would only be implemented in some selected states.

Ari therefore called on the states and local governments to collaborate with the Fund for a multiplier effect of the programmes.

Vice President prof Yemi Osinbajo with Gov. Ogun State, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun (1st right); Wife Gov. Ogun State, Mrs. Olufunsho Amosun (2nd right); Wife of Fmr. President, Chief Mrs. Bola Obasanjo (3rd right); Fmr. President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (4th right); President African Development Bank, Dr.Akinwumi Adesina (5th right), during the funeral service of Late Chief. Roland Folorunso Adesina, weekend at the Diocese of Ijebu North, Cathedral Church of St. Matthew, Ogun State.

Photo: State House

Buhari, Osinbajo pay last respect to Pastor Bakare’s mother

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Saturday in Abeokuta bade farewell to the mother of the Senior Pastor, Latter Rain Assembly, Tunde Bakare, Abigail Bakare.

Mr Buhari was represented by the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, at the funeral service held at the Victory Life Bible Church, Ajebo, Abeokuta.

Delivering a sermon at the ceremony, the Senior Pastor of VLBC, Lawrence Achudeme,

described the late Mrs Bakare as a caring and strong disciplinarian.

The cleric, who spoke on the theme “What will you be remembered for?’’, said mama lived a very good life and had no reason to regret in life.

He said all mortals must die irrespective of status, creed and age, saying “no matter how long you live, you will surely taste the bitter pills of death when it come calling.

“What will people say after your death because in life you will

always be remembered for either good or bad.

“We must learn to do good all the time. Mama was a mother indeed. She was meticulous in everything she does.

“Death feared her when men are afraid of death. She conquered death and that is why we are celebrating her life.”

While appreciating the gathering, Mr Bakare said he would miss his mother dearly because of the role she played in his life.

“My mother carried a very heavy load of intercession on my behalf. I will definitely miss her.

“I am very grateful because we are giving her a befitting burial.

I will continue to cherish her memories forever. No one can replace her in my life,” he said.

Other dignitaries present at the funeral were Governor Ibikunle Amosun and his wife, Olufunso; Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Ogun; Bola Tinubu; and former governors of Ogun, Olusegun Osoba and Gbenga Daniel.(NAN)

Notorious bandit terrorising Zamfara arrested – Police

T

he Zamfara State Police Command said it has arrested a suspected notorious bandit (name withheld) in Gurusu town in Bukkuyum local government area of the state.

The Public Relations Officer of the Command, Muhammad Shehu, stated this in a statement

in Gusau on Saturday.

Mr Shehu said the arrest was made on Friday after receiving information on presence of bandits in the area.

“We received distress call from the area that there was presence of bandits in the bush near Gurusu village.

“The area commander of Anka

police area command mobilised and led a team of police mobile men for bush combing operation in the area which lasted for hours and led to the arrest of the suspect.

“A locally made gun with two live cartridges and one operational motorcycle were recovered from the suspect”, he

said.

Meanwhile, the command said it had also arrested a woman, Salamatu Shehu, from Rafin-Gona village in Anka local government area, for allegedly killing her husband.

He said the incident occurred on June 27, when the suspect and her husband were fighting and

she was alleged to have used a stool to hit her husband to death.

According to him, all the suspects are in police custody and will be charged to court after investigation.

He appealed to communities in the state to always provide information to assist the security agencies to fight criminals.(NAN)

Page 5

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, july 2, 2018

News

Customs duty: Reps threaten to arrest 26 firms over waiver scam

By Christiana Ekpa Abuja

T

he House of Representatives Committee on Customs has threatened to issue Bench Warrant to 26 firms that failed to submit relevant documents over Customs duty waivers they were granted by the Federal Government.

Recall that the committee chaired by Rep Abiodun Faleke, APC, Ikeja Federal Constituency, Lagos, had summoned fresh 41 companies which led to the recovery of N400m; but 26 failed to honour its invitation despite several letters sent out to the erring companies.

A source privy to this development told Peoples Daily that “Some of these companies that failed to appear have enjoyed customs waivers running into several billions of naira as they imported far and above what is required for the waivers they were granted.

“A particular company imported tiles for over ten hectares of land in the name of building a five star hotel; and so many infractions that the Customs Committee has unearthed since the investigative hearing started in March.

“We also discovered that most of the erring companies have too many things to hide; and the committee members have all vowed to unravel all those involved and dig deeper into the probe.”

When contacted, Chairman of the committee, Rep Faleke confirmed the non-appearance of the companies and vowed to fish them out saying, “Our efforts are simply geared towards ensuring we support the anti-graft war of this administration.

“You recall the House, in plenary on December 9, 2017, mandated the committee to investigate these alleged infractions of import procedures leading to monumental loss of revenue to the nation.”

He said that some of the indicted firms, upon appearing before the House committee at an investigative hearing, admitted their guilt and agreed to pay the duty on the imported items.

“As you can see, we are not only

concerned about how appropriated funds are utilized, but we are backing the government’s anticorruption war by action of our own.

“We’ve gone out of our way to be revenue earners for the government; and l can confidently inform you that companies that abused import duty waivers granted them have paid over N400million into government coffers.”

Faleke revealed that the committee summoned an additional 41 companies to appear before the House committee in

relation to the import duty waiver abuse and 26 so far are yet to appear.

Among the companies summoned previously are: Dana Air and Bristol Helicopters, S V Hotels ltd Abuja and Top Rank Hotel Abuja, that still failed to show up.

Before the current revelation, Rep. Faleke had disclosed that 29 firms involved in the import duty scam have earlier been summoned to appear before the committee, to enable them clear the charges against them or face the wrath of

the law.

He warned that all the companies invited are expected to appear on the date allotted to them, unfailingly, or risk sanctions by the House committee by next week Wednesday.

Some of the companies the House committee summoned in connection with the import duty waiver alleged fraud are: Seaview Emporium Limited, Pancham International Limited, Alfatek Integrated Ventures, Verona Industries Limited, Vital Products Limited, Odun & Remy Trading

Company, Mac Resolute Service Limited, Viscous Global Investment Limited and Fadobra Ventures Limited.

Others include: China Homes and Office Equipment, Links World Redemption Enterprises, SCC Nigeria Limited, J.I. Ejison International Nigeria Limited, Tak Continental Limited, Metal African Steel Products Limited, Sunshine Guest House & Hotel Limited, Elim Top Suite Limited, Noktel Resort Hotel, Naks Hotels & Tower Limited, Luxurium Leisure Service and Chelsea Hotel.

4 killed, 4 others arrested in fresh Plateau attack From Ado Abubakar Musa, Jos

N

o fewer than four people were reported to have been killed in another round of attack in Mararaban Kantoma village of Barikin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau state by suspected armed bandits.

Major Adam Umar, media officer of the Operation Safe Haven ( OPSH) in the state, confirmed the attack in a statement made available to journalists in Jos, adding that four

suspects were arrested in connection to the attack.

According to Umar, the arrest of the four suspects followed distress calls from residents of the attacked village that they were under attack.

The statement reads in part: ‘’We regret to say that at about 0300 hour this morning ( Sunday), 1st July 2018, our men at Dorowa received a distress call from a resident of Mararaban Kantoma in Barikin Ladi LGA of the state that they were under attacked.

“It is regrettable that before our men could get to the scene of the attack, four people had already been killed by the attackers. Four were arrested in connection to the attack, “Umar added.

Meanwhile, the OPSH has relocated its headquarters to Barikin Ladi Local Government Area of the state. This development came hours after the attack in Mararaban Kantoma.

This was also contained in a statement signed by the Media

Officer of the operation.

According to him, the directive of the relocation was given by the Commander of OPSH , Major General Anthony Atolagbe.

The statement added that, “All principal officers of the operation have also been moved to the epicenter of the renewed attack.”

The OPSH, however, called on all and sundry in the state to continue to have faith in the operation, assuring to end any renewed attack in the area.

R-L; President Muhammadu Buhari chats with Chadian President, Mr Idriss Deby and Niger President Mr Mahamadou Issoufou during the official opening 0f the 31st Session of African Union (AU) taking place, yesterday in Nouakchott, Mauritania . Photo: State House

2019: You’ll lose in your ward if you confront Buhari, Ganduje tells Kwankwaso From Edwin Olofu Kano

K

ano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has warned his predecessor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso not to waste his resources in contesting against President Muhammadu Buhari who he said will defeat the former Governor even in his ward come 2019.

Ganduje, who was reacting to Kwankwaso’s claim that he can defeat President Buhari if the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gives him ticket in 2019, said Kwankwaso’s political structure has been squarely dismantled in Kano, so much that he has lost grip of the realities of Kano politics.

Speaking to journalists through the

state Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba on Sunday in Kano, Ganduje described Kwankwaso as, “a political fugitive who does not have the platform, the intellectual capability and mental ability to manage the affairs of Nigeria.”

“Senator Kwankwaso’s latest utterances have confirmed the fact that he is now a confused politician who is grabbing every opportunity to re-launch himself back to relevance.

“For over three years, he has been sleeping at the Senate without sponsoring even a bill that will positively impact on the lives of Nigerians.

This is a clear indication that he has nothing to offer. He is just being boastful.

“For over three years, Kwankwaso has been

at the Senate, he has not visited Kano Central, his senatorial district. He has not executed any tangible constituency project for his people.

“Since then, he has not been around; and we have been here in Kano playing the game of politics the way it should be done.

The good people of Kano are appreciating our modest achievements and they have expressed confidence in us.”

He further added that, “Senator Kwankwaso’s dream to get the PDP presidential ticket remains a tall one that can never see the light of the day, because those he is going to meet there are familiar with his antics. They have not forgotten, in a hurry, the role he played in destroying the same PDP he wants to return to.

“I am surprised that Kwankawso is now talking about people like Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, a man he persecuted and betrayed in many occasions. I am surprised he is talking about the PDP, a party he destroyed and betrayed. Many of the chieftains who are still there today will pay him back in his own coins.”

Ganduje taunt Kwankwaso, starting that those who know him will understand that he is overrating himself; and cannot be seen as a major contender in the 2019 presidential election.

“He is a usurper who wants power by all means. Here in Kano, the support for President Buhari and the APC is non-negotiable,” says Ganduje.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, july 2, 2018

PAGE 6

News Ajimobi directs reopening of Bodija market

G

overnor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State on Saturday ordered the immediate reopening of Bodija market in the state.

Mr Ajimobi gave the directive in a statement signed by the State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun in Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the state government had on Thursday shut down the market due to mayhem between security agents and butchers, which led to loss of lives and property.

The governor said the decision to reopen the market was taken after due consultation with security agencies and other relevant stakeholders of the market.

Mr Ajimobi stated that adequate security measures had been put in place by the government to ensure people go about their normal businesses as well as forestall further crisis.

“Our government will not hesitate to close the market for unhygienic and unsanitary conditions.

“We will also not hesitate to close it in case of violent and chaotic conduct, including such acts that may threaten the security of not just the market but the entire state,” he said.

He, however, urged the people to go about their normal businesses, praying that God would comfort the families of the victims of Thursday’s mayhem and grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.

The governor reiterated that the perpetrators of the Thursday crisis would be fished out and made to face the wrath of the law.

(NAN)

Wind storm: Katsina loses N2.3bn, says Masari From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua Katsina

G

overnor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina state has disclosed that the recent windstorm that ravaged parts of the state had destroyed property worth N2.3 billion.

Masari made the disclosure, weekend, while speaking at the Katsina emir’s palace when

President Muhammad Buhari paid a sympathy visit to the victims in Katsina.

He noted that the windstorm has destroyed buildings in public schools valued at the cost of N200 million.

The governor added that when the incident occurred the state government had dispatched officials of the state disaster management agency to conduct a

census of the affected persons.

Masari said the government has offered assistance to the affected persons, appealing to the federal government to come in and assist the victims. “ The victims should not blame anybody for the disaster. It is an act of God that nobody can prevent or has power over it”, he stressed. In a remark, President Muhammad Buhari has sympathized with the

victims and urged them to take the incident as an act of God. Buhari said the federal government would send a team of expert to Katsina to assess the disaster and find ways of assisting them.

Similarly, the emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman has thanked the president for the visit which he said is a sign of good leadership.

L-R: Commander, Operation Safe Haven Plateau State, Maj-Gen. Anthony Atolagbe; Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abdullahi Muhammadu and Commandant of Plateau State Command, Mr Solomon Olasupo, during the Commandant General’s visit to Plateau State to commiserate with the State Government over the attacks and killing in the State, yesterday in Jos .

Photo: NAN

Cleric condemns Plateau attacks, commiserate with victims From Ado Abubakar Musa Jos

T

he Chairman Ulama’u Counsil of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’a Wa’ikamatis Sunnah, Sheik Sani Yahaya Jingir, has condemned the recent killings and destruction of properties that erupted some villages in Plateau state.

The cleric equally condemned the blocking of highway and killing of travellers , and commiserated with the state government and families of victims who were injured or killed in the carnage.

Jingir who made the condemnation over the weekend at the headquarters of the group called on both federal and state

government to strengthen the security forces in the state and other trouble states across the country to avert the recurrence of the carnage.

The Islamic cleric further accused politicians of being responsible of the crisis.

He said , “Politicians should be held responsible for the killings. People should not be

allowed to be used by anybody for surreptitious objectives.”

Jingir, however, said that, “ it is not good for religious leaders or group to be organising protest because that would not help the situation.”

He further called on government to investigate the matter and brought the perpetrators to book.

Corruption: Special Courts deliver judgement on 324 cases in 6 months - COTRIMCO

By Vivian Okejeme Abuja

T

he Corruption and Financial Crime Cases Trials Monitoring Committee, (COTRIMCO), has said that the Special AntiCorruption Courts has delivered 324 judgements, struck out 12 cases and reserved 62 cases for judgement.

The Justice Suleiman Galadima-led Committee, has, in the last six months, crisscrossed the country to monitor and ensure compliance with the directive of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Walter Onnoghen, to ensure speedy dispensation of the cases.

In a statement signed by the Director of Information,

National Judicial Counsel (NJI) Soji Oye, this was contained in the report card of released by COTRIMCO. It will be recall that the Committee was inaugurated in November 2017, by Justice Onnoghen, to tour the six geopolitical zones of the country to determine the causes of slow pace of corruption and financial crimes cases in the country’s courts.

Sequel to the inauguration, the CJN directed the Heads of Court, at a Special Session of the Supreme Court to mark the commencement of the 2017/2018 Legal Year, to designate special Courts solely for the purpose of hearing and speedy determination of corruption and

financial crime cases.

The statement reads in part, “A total number of 324 judgements has been delivered, the Supreme Court, in Zone A, delivered 52 judgements and reserved seven cases for judgement from the list of 125 cases pending before it, leaving an outstanding number of 73 cases.

“The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, within the period, also disposed of 74 appeals and reserved 11 for judgement from the list of 137 cases in its docket.

“The Federal High Court delivered two judgements from the 91 pending cases before it, while the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory likewise delivered three judgements and reserve one case for judgement

thereby leaving an outstanding number of 178 cases pending.”

Going further, the statement said, “In Zone B, Northern Zone, 62 judgements were delivered by the six Court of Appeal Divisions, 19 Federal High Court Divisions and 19 High Courts of various Northern States from the total number of 425 cases pending in the Zone, while 12 cases were struck out.

“From the 12 cases struck out, five are from the Court of Appeal and seven from High Courts of three States.

The designated Courts in Zone C, (Southern Zone), have delivered judgements in 131 out of the 952 corruption and financial crime cases on-going at the various Courts and reserved

43 cases for judgements.

“From the total number of judgements delivered in the zone, the Federal High Court delivered seven judgements out of a total of 304 cases pending before it; while the High Courts of 17 States delivered 124 cases from the 524 on-going in their various Courts.

“The Court of Appeal in the zone has reserved 31 out of 121 appeals pending in the Court for judgement. The Federal High Court, on its part, reserved three cases for judgement while the various State High Courts in the Zone have reserved nine cases for judgement,” it concluded.

Meanwhile, the Committee said it will continue the exercise after the courts’ vacation.

PAGE 7

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, july 2, 2018

Attacks: Red cross trains doctors, nurses in Plateau, Benue From Mohammed Kaduna

T

Ibrahim

he International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said it has trained nearly 70 health care staff in troubled Benue and Plateau states to respond to situations of mass casualties since 2015.

ICRC said this became paramount in the wake of communal violence affecting Nigeria’s northcentral states.

The humanitarian agency also said nearly 20 doctors and nurses in Makurdi, Benue state alone completed a three-day training in trauma care at the weekend.

Eloi Fillion, ICRC’s Head of Delegation in Nigeria, said “ Timely and efficient care for patients suffering from trauma wounds can make the difference between life and death.

“Our ultimate goal with this training is to increase the chance of survival for anyone who enters the hospital.”

The ICRC head in Nigeria said in first quarter of 2018, more than 400 people living in areas impacted by the violence in the north-central areas have received first aid training and are now serving as first responders in the wake of armed violence.

Armed violence has increased in Benue, Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa and Taraba states in recent months and Civilians have been injured and killed and thousands of families have been forced to flee their homes and are now living in host communities or makeshift camps.

The agency said in Benue state, a predominantly agrarian society, the violence has also disrupted their ability to farm and earn a living, leaving many to depend on humanitarian assistance to meet their basic needs, from food and water to shelter and medical care.

“ICRC also provides maternal health care and emergency medical supplies to health facilities in the violence-affected areas, including Benue and Plateau states.

“Since May 2018, an ICRC emergency health response team has responded to almost 90 cases of severe acute malnutrition among displaced children under five years old,”.

One of the course participants, Dr Amina J. Onyewuchi said: “I would recommend this course to every medical practitioner and paramedic because the knowledge of trauma management is very useful to us.”

The training, organised by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, aimed to help health care workers better assess and manage gunshot wounds and other trauma cases.

It was facilitated by two specialist surgeons, Dr Lama Dipta from Nepal and Dr Kenneth Ozoilo from Jos, Nigeria and focused on life-saving techniques to care for patients with trauma injuries.

In cooperation with the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), the ICRC has also been training communities affected by communal crisis in first aid.

News

Troops commended over handling of Benue attacks From Uche Makurdi

Nnorom

B

enue State Government has lauded security agencies involved in Operation Whirl Stroke particularly troops of the armed forces for their effectiveness in curtailing the menace of killer herdsmen in the State.

The state government also observed with dismay the new tactics employed by some persons or groups particularly the Miyetti Allah to discourage the troops from the onerous task

of protecting lives and property of Nigerians killed and displaced by these bandits through frivolous publications and interviews using print, electronic and online media.

Commissioner for Information of the State, Lawrence Onoja as well as a political commentator, Moses Aondongu who made these observations at separate briefings over the weekend in Makurdi, noted that these gallant troops should be commended, and not maligned as Miyetti Allah has chosen to do through falsehood

and mischief.

Onoja said this no mean feat is being achieved at great expense with some of those involved paying the supreme sacrifice while others have suffered various degree.

“Our hearts go to these gallant patriots who have demonstrated unequaled commitment to providing security for their fatherland as well as the families who have lost their loved ones”, Onoja said. He averred that since the commencement of the military operation on May 18, 2018, the spate of attacks

have been reduced with the invaders chased away in several communities enabling some of the displaced to return to their homes even though reduced to rubble and their means of livelihood completely destroyed While urging Benue people with information and intelligence that would be useful in delivering the mandate of the operation to make them available, the State government task the troops not to relent in tracking, fishing out and coming heavily on camps of the militants as well as shoot and kill any cow used as shield.

--L R --President Ahmadu Bello University Postgraduate Representative Council (ABUPRC) Comrade Isa Nuhu, Katsina State Chairman PDP, Hon. Salisu Yusuf,and Former governor of Katsina State Ibrahim Shema, during the Award Presentation, Great Grand Patron of Postgraduate Students (GGPPS), at the weekend in Abuja.

PHOTO: Mahmud Isa

Lack of public trust major problem facing Police –Ex-IG

A

former Inspector General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba, said on Sunday that one of the major problems facing Nigerian policemen is that members of the public don’t trust them.

He noted that what men and women of the Nigerian Police Force urgently needed was more than their remuneration.

Abba told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that the immediate payment of the salaries of the Nigerian Police Force should not be reasons for disregarding their needs

during service and after their retirement.

“Remuneration is not a major problem of the Nigerian Police today. One of the major problems of the Police is getting the trust of the public, so that they can work together in fighting the common enemy, which is crime.

“As the largest Police Force in Africa, remuneration should not be used in assessing the welfare of the Nigerian Police.

“Take care of their fall-back positions when they retire; take care of their children’s education, take care of their

accommodation while in service and after service,’’ he said.

Abba said that it was imperative for someone who was or had been engaged in crime prevention, like the Police, to work in service and retire with confidence and empowerment.

The former IGP said that the necessary equipment, benefits and work conditions should be given to men and women of the Nigerian Police, as was being done in other parts of the world.

Abba, who maintained that the current salaries of the Nigerian Police could not

provide their needs, said that the provision of their additional needs would make them more efficient.

He enjoined States agitating for State Police to know that the Police all over the world was expensive to maintain, adding that there was nothing wrong in establishing State Police if such states could maintain them.

Abba said that it was only Lagos State that had showed signs of operating a State Police, and not some other states that could not even pay teachers’ salaries.(NAN)

Police arrest Zamfara woman for killing husband with stool

T

he Zamfara State Police Command said on Saturday that it arrested a woman, Salamatu Shehu, from RafinGona village in the Anka Local Government Area for allegedly killing her husband.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Muhammad Shehu, stated this in a statement in Gusau on Saturday, the News Agency of

Nigeria reports.

He said the incident occurred on June 27, when the suspect and her husband were fighting and she was alleged to have used a stool to hit her husband to death.

Also, the command said it arrested a suspected notorious bandit in Gurusu town in the Bukkuyum Local Government Area of the state.

Shehu said that the arrest was made on Friday after receiving information that bandits were in the area.

He stated, “We received a distress call from the area that there were bandits in the bush near Gurusu village.

“The area commander of Anka police area command mobilised and led a team of police mobilemen

for bush combing operation in the area which lasted for hours. The operation led to the arrest of the suspect.

“A locally-made gun with two live cartridges and one operational motorcycle were recovered from the suspect.”

According to him, all the suspects are in police custody and will be charged to court after investigation.

PAGE 8

news

Kebbi Govt, UNICEF, NISONM train health workers on newborn babies From Ahmed Idris Birnin Kebbi

K

ebbi State Government in collaboration with National Society for Neonatal Medicine (NISONM), and UNICEF has trained over 1000 doctors and midwifery on essential newborn care with the course sought to improve the capacity of the community health extension workers and ensure newborn babies receive critical quality care at birth by a skilled pair of hands in a safe environment.

The training which took place in Birnin Kebbi was organised for three days.

Delivering his speech, the UNICEF Chief of Health, Sanjana Bhardwaj said the training was part of a series of newborn health related activities executed in Kebbi during the last week of June. He said, it preceded the annual conference of the NISOMN to be held from 28 to 29 June and it is another crucial step in reducing preventable newborn deaths in the state.

He said the commitment is critical as many babies born in Kebbi State do not survive their first month of life and many of them die on the day they are born.

The Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey conducted by the Government of Nigeria in 2016/17, indicates that the rate of newborn deaths per 1000 births is 55 in the state. This is drastically higher than the national average of 37 deaths per 1000 births.

“More than 80 per cent of these deaths are due to prematurity, asphyxia, complications during birth or infections such as pneumonia and sepsis,” said Sanjana Bhardwaj, Chief of Health, UNICEF Nigeria.

“Simple, affordable solutions exist, but they are often not reaching the children and mothers who need them most, those living in the most disadvantaged areas and enduring the harshest conditions.”

Many of the newborn deaths can be prevented with access to well-trained midwives during antenatal and postnatal visits as well as delivery at a health facility, along with proven solutions like clean water, handwashing, disinfectants, breastfeeding within the first hour, skin-to-skin contact, proper cord care, and good nutrition.

“UNICEF is proud to partner with the Kebbi State Government and stands firmly with it and the key stakeholders to ensure all girls and boys in Kebbi have a fair chance from the beginning of their lives,” said Bhardwaj.

In her remarks, Dr Zainab Atiku Bagudu, wife of the Executive Governor of Kebbi State, who also launched the

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, july 2, 2018

FG pledges commitment to dev’t of power infrastructure

T

he Federal Government has pledged commitment to the development of infrastructure in the power sector, to improve the power situation in the country.

The minister of state for Power, Works and Housing, Suleiman Hassan, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Cotonou, Benin republic, on the sidelines of the launch of the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Market (REM).

He said that toward realising

the objective, the government had commenced work with relevant stakeholders to ensure professionalism and efficient service delivery in the power sector of the country.

On the coming on stream of the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Market, he expressed optimism that the project would help regional economic integration.

He said that Nigeria, as a major player in the regional electricity market, would further boost its infrastructure and revenue through the sale of

electricity to ECOWAS member states.

“It will interest you to know that Nigeria sells power to some brother countries in the region.

“So, this meeting and launch of the market are about the integration of not only the marketing, but also the standardisation of generation, transmission and distribution of energy across the sub-region,” he said.

NAN reports that the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Market was officially inaugurated

on Friday in Cotonou, Benin to address power challenge and fast-track efficiency cross-border electricity trade among member states.

The REM is planned in three phases with the first phase being transitional for two years while the second phase will kick-start in 2020 with a competitive market.

The third phase is a long term vision depending, on the availability of adequate regional transmission capacity and enough generation reserve in member States.(NAN)

L-R: Chairman Emeritus Daar communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, The President, Soroptimist International Abuja, BS. Ambassador Esther Audu, Chairman of the Occasion, Prince Gbenga Olawepo –Hashim and the Husband of the newly installed President, Mr. John Audu, during the change of Insignia of the 15th President of the Non Governmental Organization, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

El-Rufai launches Kaduna residency card registration programme From Femi Oyelola Kaduna

K

aduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai has launched the Kaduna State Residency Card registration programme to register all citizens residing in the state.

Launching the programme last Wednesday in Rigasa, Kaduna, El-Rufai stated that the programme will provide concise data for development planning.

The Kaduna State Residency Card Programme (KADRES) will enable the state government to capture biometric data of all people residing in the state and issue them with a unique identification number and card.

The program is being implemented in collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

KADRES is a part of the ongoing data revolution initiated by the Kaduna State Bureau of Statistics, adjudged to be one of the best in the country, and is aimed at building a database for the State to aid in planning, governance, implementation of projects and programs. It will provide the state accurate records of its population and present platforms for ensuring better security in the state. All people residing in the State, including newly born children, are required to be captured and issued a temporary card at

the point of registration at any designated registration center.

The residency card registration has commenced in selected locations all the 23 LGAs in the state. NIMC and the Kaduna State Government have opened 58 registration centres in the 23 Local Government areas of the state.

While the program requires all residents, including the newly born to be registered, the Kaduna State residency card will only be issued to those who are 16 years and above.

Every resident will be given a unique National Identity Number (NIN) embedded on his card together with their photograph. KADRES goals and benefits include:

The data collected can be modified for tax services, and for accessing other social services such as education, health care delivery systems, fertilizer distribution, salary payments and even voter identification and validation during general or State elections. Verification of identity to mitigate corruption challenges in the society.

The card generated for the citizen shall serve as an allin-one multi-purpose card for identity, bank debit card for financial transactions, payment of salaries, payments of taxes and means of social services delivery. Detection, prosecution and effective law enforcement activities in the state among other things.

Page 9

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, july 2, 2018

Benue IDPs returning home – Official

T

he Benue State Government has confirmed that some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state have started returning to their homes.

The state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Lawrence Onoja, made the confirmation on Friday at a news conference in Makurdi. ”Since the commencement of the military operation on May 18, the spate of attacks has reduced, with the invaders chased away, allowing some of those displaced to return to their homes, though their homes were reduced to rubble and their means of livelihood destroyed. ”This feat is being achieved at a great expense, with some of those involved in the operation paying the supreme sacrifice while others have suffered various degrees of injuries. ”Our hearts go out to these gallant patriots, who have demonstrated unequalled commitment to providing security for their fatherland, as well as all the families who have lost loved ones,” the official said.

He also expressed appreciation to security agencies involved in the operation for effectiveness in curtailing killings in the state. ”We wish to commend President Muhammadu Buhari for responding to our call to upgrade and replace the military exercise, Ayem Akpatuma, with a full scale military operation. ”Our call was necessitated by the need to flush out blood- thirsty herdsmen militia who invaded several communities in the state since January. ”The Benue State Emergency Management Agency registered more than 180, 000 displaced persons which it has been catering for in eight camps while over 500, 000 IDPs are taking shelter wherever they find space,” he said.

He appealed to Benue people and others with information useful for the operation to make it available.(NAN)

News

Ameachi condemns slow work on Lagos-Ibadan railway T

By Albert Akota Abuja

he Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Ameachi has condemned the current low pace of work at the Lagos-Ibadan rail line.

The Minister, who made the observation at the monthly inspection of the rail project in Ibadan, Oyo state said the continuous rainfall has delayed the work and made it impossible to achieve the 11m track laying daily.

Amaechi, who stated that the company handling the project, the CCECC has the ability to achieve the daily target, insisted that the dealing of December, 2018 to January, 2019 is still on track.

The minister, who had maintained that as the scope of the project was getting wider on daily basis, it was important to employ various artisans and technicians on the field to handle some areas of the project, insisted on meeting the qualified engineers, employed to understudy the CCECC by next

month.

Commenting on other issues such as buildings standing on the project’s right of way, Amaechi said solutions had been found; even as he directed the remodeling of a primary school alone the track line to be reflected modern.

He said, “We are satisfied with the project. There are hitches here and there as you have already known. We have found solutions to some of them.

On plans to relocate the military barracks on the track

route, Amaechi said, “The funds will be disbursed to the military after which they will relocate and we will find a suitable permanent place for them.”

The new rail line, when completed, would be traveling at about 100 to 150 kilometers per hour, as the case may be.

The standard gauge which is expected to entice lots of investors to the states as a result of its efficiency and timeliness would also create about 7,000 jobs for the teeming youths.

Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Winifred OyoIta (L), with the Permanent Secretary, Federal Civil Service Commission, Mrs Ekaro Comfort (R), at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Air Port in Abuja at the Weekend, during her Bench-Marking and Study visit to Malaysia and Singapore.

Journalists want service providers on child spacing trained From Femi Oyelola Kaduna

J

ournalists under the auspice of issue of Child Birth Spacing Media Forum has called fort training and retraining of service providers in child birth spacing in other to provide effective services.

They stated this during a

meeting held in Kaduna yesterday The meeting also frowned at several cases of failed child spacing, and the negative impact it is having on the campaign which the forum is championing.

The Forum gave example of a client who was accessing the service at the Sabon Tasha

General Hospital in Chikun Local Government Area , but took in six months after being delivered of a baby.

She was said to have experienced bleeding shortly after the insertion of one of the methods of child spacing.

When she was said to have

visited the hospital in Sabon Tasha and complained of bleeding, the service provider told her it was normal, without providing any treatment or even checking her.

“Training of those to handle the clients required and it costs money.

“If you are sending a service provider to go and supervise, who

takes care of the transportation, accommodation and other logistics? ” a member of the forum said.

The forum noted that it was important that service providers from the 530 service points for family planning in the state are trained and retrained.

Handle Plateau attacks with wisdom, PFN scribe urges Buhari From Femi Oyelola Kaduna

P

resident Mohammadu Buhari has been urged to employ wisdom in tackling the issue of insecurity so that the killings in parts of Nigeria do not degenerate into a complete security collapse for the nation.

Apostle Emmanuel Kure of the Throneroom Ministry in Kafanchan, Jema’a Local Government Area, who gave this advice yesterday during a special prayer programme for Nigeria, further urged the Kaduna State Government to take pre-emptive measures at ensuring that the attacks do not spread to Southern

Kaduna.

In his message to the President, Kure who doubles as the Secretary-General of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria said the Plateau attacks should be a wake-up call to president Buhari in view of the dozens of lives that got lost in a single day. He added that Nigerians are desperate for pragmatic security measures that would stem the killings across the country and the President has to provide that security.

He appealed to the youths in Plateau state to hold their anger and refrain from venting it out as it would only result in more bloodshed.

He also appealed to all the stakeholders in Plateau State to unite for the sake of their survival.

While asking the President to resign if the task of presiding over the affairs of the country proves too difficult for him, Kure went ahead to tell the All Progressive Congress (APC) party to choose another presidential candidate in 2019 or face the consequences.

On his advice to the Kaduna state government, Kure said the pattern in previous attacks is that once communities in Plateau state get attacked, then villages in Southern Kaduna start getting attacked too.

He then calls on the security

agencies to stay alert and do all that is possible to ensure nothing happens in Southern Kaduna.

In his sermon, the former chaplain of the Aso Rock Chapel, Reverend Williams Okoye, who spoke on the topic: thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven,’ said the Church is expected to play a prominent role in the rebirth, reformation and reconstruction of the country through a redefinition of the nations’ morality, code of conduct and discipline.

“We must, therefore, strive to make the fear of God and righteousness the foundation upon which this nation is built if we expect to see the turn-around

in the fortunes of our beloved nation,” he noted.

The monthly prayer programme tagged ‘wings of the spirit’ had in attendance, elder statesman, Professor Jerry Gana, former Minister of Communication, Labaran Maku, former governor of Plateau State, Senator Jonah Jang, some Senators, House of Representatives and State Assembly lawmakers from Kaduna, Plateau, Taraba and Nasarawa states. The programme also had in attendance guests from Zimbabwe, Cameroun and other African and Caribbean countries.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, july 2, 2018

PAGE 10

news

I can make Shekau, others surrender, Ex-Boko Haram commander says A

32 year-old former Boko Haram Commander, Rawana Goni, has appealed to the Nigerian military authorities to allow him make a phone call to the elusive leader, Abubakar Shekau and at least 137 other terrorists to make them surrender.

Mr Goni, who is undergoing rehabilitation at a military detention camp in Maiduguri, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The former Boko Haram commander is an indigene of Bama in Borno state.

He surrendered to the military in Cameroon after escaping from Sambisa Forest eight months ago.

He claimed to have held several positions in ten different cells of Boko Haram in Sambisa. He said the last position he held was as the chief officer of dispute resolution for the group. He explained that many militants came to him to settle problems ranging from family matters. He also reconciled

Boko Haram factions.

“I rescued people sentenced to death and minimised punishment of those who committed crimes.

I am one of the most influential persons in the group and they always listened and abided by what I said.

“I joined Boko Haram because of the condition I found myself in the last five years. When the insurgents invaded Bama town, I ran with my family to Cameroon thinking I was in a safe destination.

But on reaching Cameroon, I was shocked to realise that I brought myself into another Boko Haram camp. By that time, I knew I would not survive without joining the group.

“Days after my induction, we opened a permanent camp at the Cameroon border and named the forest “Aluska”. It was in that camp that I learnt all types of trainings including handling weapons.

“After the training, we embarked on our first mission.We

invaded a military formation in Cameroon, dislodged the soldiers and took many weapons from their armoury. We couldn’t take any vehicle because the area was surrounded by river.

“We took the weapons we recovered to our leader Abubakar Shekau and briefed him on our success. He was happy that five of us could dislodge a military formation. After congratulating us, he appointed me to lead the group and returned our weapons to us.

“Few days later, I recruited many fighters, because as a commander, you are expected to have no fewer than 250 fighting troops.

“With the new fighting force, we invaded Waza village, Damaga and Banki. We also invaded Bama which is my hometown.

“I was touched to see my people being tortured and killed, while many women and children were living in excruciating hardship. So I decided to pass a message to my

fellow insurgents from Bama and we formed a group comprising of about 137 persons to help our people in prison to escape.

“I was able to rescue about 300 hostages at the prison facility in Bama. I usually lied to the guards at the prison that I was going to kill the inmates. But I would take them to a safe place in Konduga and ask them to run to a safer destination.

“Many of the prisoners were exposed to hard labour while some were used as guinea-pigs at shooting range by new arms handlers among Boko Haram,”he said.

On Abubakar Shekau’s health status, Goni told NAN that the insurgents’ leader was healthy as against a report that he was ill.

“Nothing happened to him. He broke his leg five years ago while riding on a horse. But he had since recovered. Any one saying Shekau is sick is only deceiving himself.

We used to communicate through radiophone but not any more,” he

said.

Mr Goni, who said believed that the war was coming to an end, urged the military to let him tell Mr Shekau and other insurgents that he is still alive.

“My 137 boys are on standby to hear I am still alive and I can assure you they will run out of Sambisa Forest and surrender to the military.

I once told them to surrender and they said we shall all get killed.

But I told them that I will surrender and they said if nothing happened to me, they will all come out,” he said.

Mr Goni commended the military for the special treatment given to inmates who surrendered.

“They received us with joy and interact with us at all time. They feed us well and always want to know our problems. If other Boko Haram members knew how we are being treated, they will never want to remain where they are,”he said.(NAN)

Lagos announces traffic diversion as French president, Macron visits

T

he Lagos State Government on Sunday said there would be traffic diversion and restricted movement from 12 noon to 12 midnight on Tuesday, July 3, around Alausa, African Shrine and Agidingbi axis in Ikeja.

The state government will receive the President of France, Emmanuel Macron.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Dr. Taiwo Salaam, appealed for the understanding of residents and urged motorists to make use of alternative routes provided.

“While we regret the inconvenience that this might cause the public, especially those who live and work in the area, we appeal that you kindly bear with us during this period and make use of the alternative routes provided,’’ Salaam said in a statement.

Macron is expected to be hosted by the state government at the African Shrine on Tuesday.

He would also be attending the opening of the French Cultural Centre and the African Business Forum.(NAN)

Aspirant Kaduna State, House of Assemble Igabi West Constituency, Hon Ibrahim Usman Kwarau (2nd R) submitting his letter of intend to the Chairman PDP, Igabi Ward, Hon. Yusuf Danbala Sufiyan (2nd R) in Kaduna yesterday.

Photo: BASHIR BELLO

Polio: Cross River govt targets 808,470 children for immunisation

T

he Cross River Government on Sunday said it is targeting about 808,470 children across the state for the second round of the 2018 National Immunisation Plus Days (NIPDS).

Betta Edu, Director-General, Cross River Primary Healthcare Development Agency, made the disclosure in Calabar during the flag-off of the programme by the state’s Deputy Governor, Ivara

Esu. Mrs Edu said the state government had mobilised 7, 588 health workers to ensure the success of the exercise in the 18 local government areas of the state.

“The agency is working tirelessly in ensuring that children between zero to five years have unhindered access to polio vaccine.

“We need a 100 per cent

coverage of this four-day immunisation across the state.

“We are targeting no fewer than 808, 470 children across the state and we have equally mobilised 7, 558 health personnel for the exercise.

“Our dream is to see a Cross River and Nigeria that is certified polio free; we must fight anything that is fighting to destroy the future of our children.

“Polio vaccines are safe and

free; the state and development partners have paid for everything”, she said.

Also speaking, the Deputy Governor, Mr Esu, said every child in Cross River deserved the right to be immunised against polio.

He explained that the policy thrust of the Governopr Ben Ayade-led administration was to have a zero per cent of childhood diseases in the state and this has benefits.

“When a child is fully immunised against childhood diseases, he or she will grow healthy, stronger and happier.

“The exercise is totally free; I urge parents to bring their children out to benefit from the exercise”, he said.

Inyang Asibong, the State’s Commissioner for Health, said it was important for mothers to always vaccinate their children against childhood diseases.(NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, july 2, 2018

PAGE 11

Letter to the Editor

EDITORIAL As governors lose control of legislature, judiciary

S

tate judiciaries and houses of assembly are now truly financially independent.

President Muhammadu Buhari recently made sure of this by signing into law a bill passed by the two houses of the National Assembly. It is called the Constitution Fourth Alteration Bill.

It grants “financial authonomy and independence to the Houses of Assembly and judiciaries of the respective states”.

governments.

The effect of lack of financial independence was that the chief judges of the states became beggars, taking the beggar’s bowl to their governors to receive miserly donations to pay judicial staff and buy operational vehicles and stationery. It also meant governors often decided who became a chief judge. This way, the legtimacy and credibility of the chief judge was eroded.

He dared not make a judicial decision that went against the government.

Lack of funds hindered quick dispensation of justice too. Cases already in court went on interminably.

Announcing the President’s assent to the bill, his senior special assistant on National Assembly matters, Mr. Ita Enang, said, “upon this signature, the amounts The effect of standing to the credit of lack of financial We recall a scandalous the judiciary are now to be paid directly to the situation in Adamawa independence judiciary of those states, was that the chief State few years ago no more through the where the governor judges of the states kept governors and no more reappointing from the governors became beggars, the chief judge in and then the amounts taking the beggar’s acting capacity, after standing to the credit of every three months bowl to their the Houses of Assembly until the office of governors to receive the Chief Justice of of the respective states are now to be paid miserly donations Nigeria intervened. directly to the Houses to pay judicial staff The same thing of Assembly of that and buy operational happened in several state for the benefit other states. Recall vehicles and of the legislators and also the problem stationery the management of Rotimi Amaechi, then the State Houses of as governor of River Assembly. This grants full State, had with the National autonomy now to the judiciary at Judicial Council. He did not the state level and the Houses of want the woman appointed by Assembly at the state level.” the NJC to be the CJ of the state and named his own. That matteŕ We, at Peoples Daily, welcome this was not resolved until after he development which has been left office. Today Amaechi is a long in coming. Until now, only federal minister. the federal judiciary enjoyed this autonomy and independence. Hopefully, this new law will end One Chief Justice of Nigeria interference by governors in the after another, in the past, had way and manner state judiciaries made a strong case for financial are run. It also means a heavier autonomy and independence for burden on the shoulders of state state judiciaries to no avail. The judicial staff led by the chief opposition had come mainly judge. The saying that to whom from state governors who also much is given, from them much are against autonomy for local is expected is apt in this case.

“

OUR MISSION

OUR PEOPLE

Chairman “To be the market Malam Wada Maida, place of ideas and Oon, Fnge the leading player in the industry by putting the people first, upholding the Chief Operating Officer (Ag) truth, maintaining the Editor, Daily highest professional Hameed M. Bello and ethical standards while delivering value to Manager, administration Hassan Hammanyaji our stakeholders”

OUR VISION

“To be a reputable, profitable, innovative and technologically reliant media company offering world class services and products”

New wave of drug abuse

By Rasak Musbau

D

espite efforts to prevent substance abuse and the laws that regulate drugs in the country, the use, misused and abuse of drugs is on the rise in Nigeria. Suddenly, the lists of drugs that youths now take has expanded and now include such substances as: Lipton soaked with Regal gin, Tramadol, Codeine, Dry pawpaw leaves, Hypo in Lacasera, Tom Tom in Lacasera, Spirogyra, Rephnol, Gum, 10 days Urine and Methylated spirit in codeine. Others are Methylated spirit in coke, Dry plantain leaves, Cannabis (Marijuana) in Regal gin, Burnt Tyres and Burnt Bitumen among others.

Considering simultaneous rise in crime and social problems affecting the entire country, the new wave of drug abuse has really become a bigger problem, and experts rightly believe the problem is grossly underestimated.

Even in the absence of statistics and the recent investigative documentary by BBC on illicit drug deals in Nigeria, observation of happenings on the streets and reported cases of drug usage by school children will reveal that young people today are exposed earlier than ever to drugs. It is now beyond, “taking drugs off the streets”, but ‘’off the schools as well’’.

Or, what do we think of such recent reported case of a Junior Secondary School student in Ohafia, Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State who was reported to have died after he allegedly took ten tablets of Tramadol tablets? He purportedly took the tablets to enhance his performance during his school’s interhouse sports competition where he was billed to compete. He could, however, not live to see the event as he died shortly after taking the drugs.

On March 2, 2018, a father and his son were arrested by the Lagos Police Command (Rapid Response Squad) for selling Tramadol and other hard drugs to primary and secondary school pupils in Itire area of Lagos. The arrest was effected after officials of the Office of Education and Quality Assurance, Lagos State alerted officers of the Rapid Response Squad about the incident. Their arrest was necessitated after officials of the Ministry of Education learned that students in the area were exhibiting a strange attitude.

There are several other cases relating to use of Tramadol by students across the country. We have had cases of boys using it to enhance sexual performance, including raping of female colleagues to sign off the end of their secondary school years after WAEC final papers.

Perhaps, more horrifying is the rate at which drug abuse has broken gender, class and religious barrier and threatening generation of young ladies. Surprisingly, the presumed modestly dressed Northern Nigerian women are not an exemption.

There is no need to pretend, the potential for increase in drug abuse is apparent. Cultism and gang violence have permeated schools from secondary, if not primary schools, to higher institution. Do we also need to put into debate whether Boko Haram and killer herdsmen are induced by drug or not?

From time immemorial, the use of drugs has always been an inseparable part of occultism and youth in tertiary institutions are deeply involved in this harmful practice.

The criminal activities of drug users are now becoming too frequent for comfort. At most of the dark spots in major cities, banned drugs are regularly and defiantly being used.

To worsen the situation, some of drug users operate like cults, carving out territories of influence where they intimidate, rape and rob innocent residents at will.

It is important to also illustrate what drugs do to the body and minds of the

users from public health perspective. For instance, some of the drugs especially marijuana is toxic and can lead to cancer.

The negative effects also include confusion, acute panic reactions, anxiety attacks, fear and loss of self-control. Chronic marijuana users may develop a motivational syndrome characterized by passivity, decreased motivation, and preoccupation with taking drugs. Like alcoholic intoxication, marijuana intoxication impairs judgment, comprehension, memory, speech, and problem-solving abilities.

Meanwhile, the reality in Nigeria today is that since the abusers are not limited to street urchins, bus conductors as well as okada riders as many still assume. Youths from with respectable upbringing are now quite involved. There is, nevertheless, need for change of attitudes and campaign against the substances. Knowledge of communication for development should make us to understand that all drug addicts are not necessarily criminals and should not be addressed and relate with as such.

Some are misguided teenagers who have made wrong choices. Here, the suggestion is that we should have separate messages and approaches targeting soft to extremely potent drugs with evil effects of all professionally communicated by experts in behavioural change communication field.

Secondly, tackling drug problem needs a multi-sectorial approach. We are all in the same boat. Families, educational institutions, traditional body, religious organisations, the public and the private sectors should work together to fight this menace. Though our children spend more time in the schools, it is advisable for parents to keep the lines of communication open with their children and teach them spirituality, and responsibility in a positive home atmosphere. Yes, creating positive home atmosphere that prevent youths from taking to drug is sacrosanct as drug addiction is a chronic relapsing disease.

Rather than going on social media to abuse political opponents of using Tramadol or codeine for expressing views contrary to ours, it will be more beneficial to be illustrating what those drugs can do to body and minds of young users. They need to be educated that it is a choice that could eventually land them in jail or destroy their personalities, and their inter-personal relationships.

According to a latest research, drug problem in the country is more complicated under the current democratic disposition because of the alleged usage of thugs by politicians. This partly explains difficulty in implementing laws that ban smoking in open places. It is no longer a secret that political thugs smoke hard drugs openly at political rallies.

Drug is really a problem that should be on top of everyone’s radar. It is a social responsibility none should run away from.

We all have the power in us to make a difference in somebody else life despite our own challenges. This is why the theme of International Day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking 2018: “Listen First – Listening to children and youth is the first step to help them grow healthy and safe”, is quite apt as it will further promote initiative to increase support for prevention of drug use, especially among the youths.

By listening to the needs of children and young people, prevention can contribute to their safety, health and well-being, and enable them realize their potential. All our societies would be better off if more resources were devoted to supporting evidence-based drug prevention strategies, which are a sound and effective investment in families, schools and communities.

Musbau is of the Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy

PAGE 12

Opinion

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, july 2, 2018

Jailing of Dariye, Nyame proves that EFCC not selective

By Wilson Uwujaren

T

he conviction of two prominent members of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Jolly Nyame and Joshua Dariye in quick succession by a Federal Capital Territory High Court has put a lie to the often repeated charge by critics and cynics that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, is lukewarm in prosecuting chieftains of the ruling party for corruption.

Nyame and Dariye, both former twoterm governors of Taraba and Plateau State respectively, were convicted and sentenced to 14 years in prison on corruption charges.

Nyame, was convicted for criminal misappropriation, diversion of public funds, and breach of public trust; and Dariye, criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of public funds.

In the course of Nyame’s trial, the prosecution called 14 witnesses and presented documentary evidence, which among other things revealed that the N250 million was shared and never utilised for the purpose for which it was approved. A total of N180 million was diverted to the bank account of Salman Global Ventures Limited, which provided no services for the state.

On his part, Dariye diverted about N1.16 billion Ecological Fund meant for the state, to his personal use, including transferring

monies to Ebenezer Retnan Ventures (an unregistered company managed by him) and Pinnacle Communications Limited.

In proving its case against Dariye, EFCC called 10 witnesses, including Peter Clark, a detective constable with the UK Metropolitan Police in London, who investigated Dariye in the UK for money laundering offence.

Both trials had been ongoing for 11 years and towards the end of the proceedings, the two convicts changed their political camps, moving from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling APC. Dariye who won election into the senate on the platform of the PDP decamped to the ruling APC, at a critical phase of his trial, when the prosecution had called all its vital witnesses and conviction

appeared imminent. Not surprisingly, this fuelled speculation that the gambit was a calculated move to stave off imminent conviction.

But rather than slow proceedings, his trial accelerated, forcing the defence to close its case, thus setting the stage for the judgment of June12.

Also, Mohammed Dakingari, former accountant general of Kebbi state and member of the APC was convicted of corruption and sentenced to 70 years in prison.

Former governor of Abia state, Orji Uzor Kalu is still being prosecuted in court by the EFCC despite crossing over to the APC. Indeed, the Commission has closed its case in that matter after calling several witnesses.

But rather than open his defence,

“

In the course of Nyame’s trial, the prosecution called 14 witnesses and presented documentary evidence, which among other things revealed that the N250 million was shared and never utilised for the purpose for which it was approved

Kalu elected to file a ‘no case submission’.

It will be up to the court to determine whether the Commission has presented enough evidence to warrant him to enter his defence.

From these cases, Nigerians can now appreciate the fact that the EFCC is apolitical, blind to the political colours and affiliations of crime suspects. It will be foolhardy for any politically exposed person under prosecution to think that mere change of political affiliation will guarantee immunity from prosecution.

Rather than entertain idle gossips who thrive on haranguing the EFCC with charges of selectivity, these two recent convictions offer Nigerians the opportunity to better appreciate the efforts and sacrifices of the Commission, given the enormous resources in cash and manhours that went into proving the cases against the two former governors, both of which went up to the Supreme Court on preliminary issues.

Particularly in the case of Dariye , one of the witnesses, Peter Clark , a former detective of the Metropolitan Police, came several times to give evidence only for proceedings to be frustrated with forced adjournments by Dariye’s Lawyers.

His transport cost from the UK to Nigeria and back was at the expense of Nigeria tax payers.

Uwujaren is the Spokesperson of the EFCC

Sango and Sate: A Metaphor for Politics in Nigeria

By kola Ibrahim

J

ust recently I watched a Yoruba home video, and I got caught up in a short but very penetrating scene of the film which depicts the indispensability of two great men – Sango (a great warrior and dancer) and Sate (a great bata drummer). And in my ruminations over the parlous state of the country and the nature of unproductive debates going round about who is contesting or not among various anti-poor, corrupt and over-recycled politicians, I was able to draw out a lesson for my poor, suffering but hardworking masses. I am not a Yoruba and may not be able to give the beautiful poetic lines used, but the message is apt.

The mass of working but poor people, students, youth, peasants, women, artisans, etc are to Labour Party just like what the Yoruba legend Sango was to Sate, the bata drummer, in the Yoruba folklore tradition.

Yes as we know that Sango was a good entertainer and dancer; and Sate himself a great and talented drummer but when the duo came in contact with each other, they started doing well and much better but when anger and misunderstanding came between them, they separated but both discovered that they can’t do without each other. Sango could not dance well without his bata drummer and as well as the Sate, who could not do well without Sango his dancer but when they got back together they discovered that the acts of drumming and dancing are just intertwined.

Anyway we know that both may succeed on their own but there is need to merge them together for a better entertainment and an appreciable audience. But where exactly am I going with this analogy? How can we have a political party without an ideology directing us to the right path telling us that the means of production (industries, national wealth, mineral resources and land) and distribution (governance and administration) will no longer be in the hands of a very few individuals but in the hands of the masses, the working class, the proletariat, who actually create the wealth …And exercising of power itself will

not be by the so-called ‘heavy weight’ (but intellectually barren) corrupt capitalist politicians of all shades, including those in the so-called opposition (majority of whom are only junior partners to their brethren in power) but the people will decide how the country will be run through a democratic process including right to vote on fundamental economic policies and recall any official who err against public good.

In Nigeria today, amongst all existing political parties, the Labour Party still, despite its present amorphous state, has the potentials of becoming poor people’s alternative party and to refocus the party, all genuinely minded activists, ideologues, radicals and all change-seeking elements not run away from the party but as much as possible to transform it to what it was establish for: a mass party of the working but poor masses and youths for an egalitarian society, where people’s interests and welfare will form basis of governance.

Just as the narration about how Sango could not do without Sate his bata drummer so we see that left-wing movements and mass organizations of the working masses need to be in collaboration with a political party: a platform for people to see themselves as one to come together for a

change that the society has been longing for. There is no space to go over the history of how labour and social democratic parties all over the world succeeded but was shortlived, but it is apposite to state that we need not give up because of their failings because we are in the verge of succeeding, only if we get the perspectives right, and learn from the past failings of these former mass based parties in other climes. It is high time the leadership of the Labour Party redirected the party from the policy of wooing fraudulent heavyweights (but actually intellectual and political lightweights) to mobilizing the mass of youths and students, workers, artisans, women, peasants, professionals, academics, etc, who are the real change makers.

It is erroneous to believe that Nigerians are not prepared for change. It is the chameleonic nature of the so-called radicals and progressives in the opposition parties and civil society, who will mouth the policies of the ruling party using different terminologies that have let the people down. If Labour Party popularize the party’s welfare programmes and lead mass actions from local to national levels on failing infrastructures, poor services, retrenchments, etc, it will win the heart

“

It is erroneous to believe that Nigerians are not prepared for change. It is the chameleonic nature of the so-called radicals and progressives in the opposition parties and civil society, who will mouth the policies of the ruling party using different terminologies that have let the people down

of millions. The labour movements (NLC, TUC, ASUU, NUT, etc), students’ movement, etc also need to realize that their immediate and long term demands cannot be met without using their numerical and unexploited political potentials to build the Labour Party, and take it away from the ruinous path of being the dumping ground for anti-poor politicians. There are over 5 million members of NLC alone. If, through referendum, the NLC adopt Labour Party and just 3 million workers join the party, even on the basis of N10 per month per head, the party can financially sustain itself.

With a socialist and democratic approach of running the party, the party will, within few months, become the real mega-party of the working and poor people.

But this will mean that the party must adopt a socialist programmes of public ownership and control of the mainstay of the economy under the democratic control of the working and poor people from grassroots, communities, workplaces and regions to national level, coupled with massive development of the social infrastructures – free and quality education at all levels, free health care at the point of use coupled with nursery for children, massive transport and communication networks, all of which will provide decent and secure jobs for all, while developing the economy. Despite the enormous resources of the country, none of the politicians in power or in opposition can do this as it will encroach on their profit interests. Only those suffering from this corrupt arrangement can do this. But they cannot until they realize the synergy between Sango (the great dancer) and Sate (the great drummer).

Just as the Yorubas always say “what is the essence of a big eye when you cannot see with it”, we have our minds and voices and that is enough for us to effect change in our land. Let us chase after the black goat during the day as there is no difference between the blackness of the goat and night.

Time to act is now!

Ibrahim can be reached via email: kmarx4life@gmail.com

PAGE 13

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, july 2, 2018

Comment

How can God heal Nigeria when we have hypocrites as prayer warriors?

By Akukwe Obinna

I

n Nigeria it is prayer everywhere. The Churches, the Mosques, the Shrines, the forests, mountains, rivers, trees and every available space have been turned to prayer centers and yet the most insensitive governance is hoisted on the nation. Armed robbery, ritual killings, kidnappings, rape and injustice abounds everywhere. Poverty, sickness, despair, frustration and attendant mediocrity, loss of confidence and resort to negative tendencies are the results of all our prayers. Now we have the newest addition, suicide bombings and reckless waste of human lives. A lot of people of people have asked the question . Where is God when all these happens everyday?

Nigerians pray all manners of prayers70 day fasting, 70 day deliverance, 40 day Sallat, Sallah fast, pilgrimage to Jerusalem, pilgrimage to Mecca and other dedicated sites of worship and yet you cannot entrust an adherent with your spouse for 24 hours.

During General Sanni Abacha military regime, prayer marabous were imported from Mali, Siera-leone and Senegal when their Nigerian counterpart failed to kill NADECO with prayer. These professional prayer warriors couldn’t tell Abacha that Nigerians were tired of his dictatorship.

During Olusegun Obasanjo civilian

Presidency a lot of prayer warriors in the villa were busy impregnating youth corpers serving in the villa in the guise of securing permanent employment for them, while the tenure elongation wanted to tear the polity. Obasanjo saw so much prayer hypocrisy that he had to resort to a combination of Africana and his faith to survive. Another group of prayer warriors have held President Goodluck Jonathan hostage in the villa. They frighten him every time with gory prophecies while smiling to the banks.

Everywhere people are praying. All these prayers are hypocritical prayers.

The Bible says in 2chronicles chapter 7 vs 14 thus “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” The prerequisite for God to answer these prayers and heal Nigeria is repentance. David humbled himself when he was told by Prophet Nathan in the Bible that he had sinned. He tore his clothes and wept for many days until God had compassion. His Nigerian counterpart will do the opposite.

The impoverished parishioner or mosque member knows that his religious co-member was part of the people who directly or indirectly put him in a state of poverty, insecurity, hopelessness and

helplessness and therefore he equally begs God to give him the opportunity to partake of the looting of the national wealth since the congregational leader have not cared to query his thieving but important member on the source of the loot.

The prayer warrior in Nigerian church or mosque is a hypocrite. Let his congregational priest or Malam sermonize against sin, corruption, greed, inhumanity to man and disrespect for the feelings of others and he will get offended and leave the congregation while withdrawing his much needed funds. However, call for prayer that all his enemies will die including the members of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices Commission and Justices about to reverse stolen electoral mandates and you will see all sorts of acrobatics, gymnastics, incantations, invocations and madness all in the name of prayer.

There is no doubt that ‘he that comes to equity must come with clean hands’.

A thousand noise makers may be in a church but God hears only the ten who have decided in their heart not to follow the bandwagon if given the opportunity.

If the combined prayer inertia of these ten men cannot move God or ward off the impending evil, then calamity is visited on everybody. That is the problem the nation

is having with this Boko Haram and other problems plaguing the nation.

The dynamics of prayer is such that if your prayer is for personal or family matters, you could easily connect into the remote sites where the angels will attend to you on behalf of God. However, if your prayer were of general application, corporate in nature and of concern to the masses of people in your territory then another dynamics will apply. You must be sufficiently qualified before you can represent a state, region or nation in a prayer bouquet. A hypocrite could pray personal prayer and God will still answer because he is stirring personal spiritual space, however you must have enough locus standi before you stir a communal spiritual space in a prayer session. You must be potentially better than those you are praying against.

Let the Nigerian prayer warrior decide to live by the tenets of his faith which is “do unto others as you wish others do unto you” and before you raise your voice louder (even in a bush or batcher or atop mango tree) the Almighty God will answer and drive off those evil rulers who refuse to change for the better, out of our political space on their way to perdition.

Obinna Akukwe, a Financial/ IT consultant, can be reached via email: profetobinna@yahoo.com

Nigerian Civil Society Organisations: How well and how right?

By Salihu Moh. Lukman

G

eorge Soros, in his book The Age of Fallibility, made the point that ‘society is suspicious of those who claim to be virtuous and not without justification’. The claim of being virtuous is very conventional and inherent with civil society actors. Whether they live up to this virtuous claim or not, is open to value judgement, subjectivity and like Soros assert, the burden of proof is certainly that of the claimant.

It is quite unfair to come to generalised conclusions regarding assessment of the work of civil society organisations.

However, it is very valid to check the extent to which they, through lived reality and based on combination of both impact and demonstrable commitment to improved public welfare, strengthen cultural, social, economic and political life of society. Impact presupposes reference to some standards and values. This could be a problem. In the first place, do we have standards or values? If we do, are they shared or do they in anyway aggregate to some form of expectations?

Do these standards or values by whatever estimation determine public perceptions, and more specifically the orientation of the work of civil society actors? Who are these civil society organisations, anyway?

Civil society organisations include trade unions, professional associations, faith-based groups, media organisations, community-based groups and other forms of non-governmental organisations. In the Nigerian context, it is a far cry to claim any known shared standard or value with respect to activities of these organisations.

At best, regressive trend in our societal life, which accounts for crashed standards

and value system, tend to strengthen the rise of these organisations based on the need to raise the capacity of citizens to address social, economic and political developmental challenges.

A second factor is a combination of declining public and private sector services coupled with inflexible and shrinking employment environment. This made the work of civil society organisations to serve as alternative source for income earning opportunity besides providing services. Thirdly, the existence of repressive and unpopular governments for more than twenty years in the country also serve as impetus for the proliferation of organisations that seek to challenge the legitimacy of policy, programmes and ultimately the existence of these governments.

Key assumption that connotes legitimacy to the existence of civil society organisations is that they are expected to be knowledge driven. Which means that actors, or at least leaders, have requisite skills to investigate problems of society, proffer solutions and develop plan to facilitate buy-in by other segments of society and government. This bears certain presuppositions to the effect that the organisation also has capacity to mobilise the needed resources for its activities and to that extent, it will restrict the scope of mobilisation of resources to implement activity and the operational cost that comes with it.

Regulation would be needed to firstly test the assumption. Secondly, to provide conditions for validating the assumptions.

And thirdly to ensure that such conditions are upheld and respected by actors who seek to voluntarily engage in this mode of organising. Unfortunately, given

potentials for instituting frameworks that leads to repressive and authoritarian practices, which could emasculate genuine organisations of the people, discussion of regulation as far as matters of civil society organisation is concerned appears to be very unpopular and in some cases offensive, perhaps legitimately so. But for how long should we continue to shy away from open discussions and debate about the need to establish clear and shared national standards regarding the work of civil society organisations, which is what the whole debate about regulation is about?

It is important however that we quickly recognise that the context of the debate is not to suggest the complete absence of standard but basically to highlight the existence of very low regulatory requirement and standard, which is today responsible for a situation that portends legitimacy and accountability problems.

Legitimacy here basically refers to question of justification for the existence of these organisations while accountability deals with responsibility of these organisations to be answerable to the citizens or groups they seek to serve.

In terms of legitimacy, the best way to present the argument is to say that there are many civil society organisations that would not be missed by Nigerians if they are to close shop. These organisations are predominantly bureaucracies and have no direct bearing to the people and their activities not designed to primarily meet the immediate needs of the people. Where there is any correlation between these activities and the needs of the people, it could as well be coincidental.

There are of course very ridiculous cases where activities are designed purely based

on the availability of funding. This brings us to the problem of accountability. There are two sides to this issue, i. e. financial and programme accountability. The easiest is financial accountability, which is just to ensure proper book keeping and expenditure based on approved budget. The second has to do with structures of debate, consensus, planning, implementation, monitoring and report.

This is the democratic ethos that validates and emphasises the authority of civil society organisations to the struggle for democracy. A very glaring issue here is that the dominance of bureaucracy in the life of any organisation, particularly in situations where such a bureaucracy is the central pillar and perhaps the only existing locus of power and given complete absence of membership, subscription or any form of affiliation, the moral authority and claims to democratic principles is weakened.

With respect to setting or raising standards or values through regulation, it is important that Nigerians, in particular civil society organisations, engage these issues and begin to concretely raise standards.

The starting point is basically what can be called advocacy for-self and against self-degeneracy. Advocacy for-self would be to come up with those proposals that would strengthen democratic ethos but Advocacy against self-degeneracy would be to establish basic principles of dos and don’t. The challenge is basically a question of developing the democratic mechanism for enforcement, including that of selfregulation.

Lukman, a public commentator and analyst, writes from Abuja. slukman45@ gmail.com

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, july 2, 2018

PAGE 14

News Audu resumes as Soroptimist Int’I president, pledges upliftment of women, children

By Paul Effiong Abuja

T

he newly appointed President of a Nongovernmental Organization, Soroptimist International Abuja, Ambassador Esther Audu has pledged her commitment towards making women and girl her priority as she assumed presidency as the 15thpresident of Soroptimist international Abuja.

Speaking during the (Change of Insignia) handover ceremony, Ambassador Audu vowed to take the organization to a greater height during her reign.

According to Audu, “Soroptimist International, Abuja today Stand tall to say we have successfully given birth to two new clubs that of Gwarimpa and Asokoro to bring relief and succor closer to the venerable people in our society.

“We are women at our best in our community as we are international volunteers who use our collective power to Provide for women and girls, I say “Dream It Be It” as we are ready to support your career.

The President thank guest that attend the ceremony and them to join them in the volunteer service to humanity and to learn more about serving opportunities in the organization, she promise to focus on the following areas , Career support for girls, Education, Food Security, Conflict resolution/ peace [promotion, Environmental sustainability, Economic Empowerment, Healthcare, Elimination of violence and Disaster mitigation etc.”

She promised to have general membership meeting in July August, September, October, November and December even as she solicited more unity and support from her members and other philanthropist.

She equally charged her members to continue be a global voice for women and girls.

Soroptimist International is a Nongovernmental Organization committed to a world where women and girls together achieve their individual and collective potential, realize aspirations and have equal voice in creating strong, peaceful communities worldwide.

Integrate ICT into education reforms, Don urges FG

By Usman Shuaibu Abuja

A

lecturer at the University of Abuja, Prof. Christopher Ogockukwu Okwudishu, has called on government at all levels to integrate Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) into education reform in order to enable the teachers move from analog to digital.

He said: “Our efforts had failed so far , because we had not considered integrating technology into education reform.”

Okwudishu, made the call in an interview with newsmen after he presented the 30th inaugural lecture with theme “Motion Without Movement: The Case of Education Reform and the Imperative of Technology Integration in Teacher Education” which took place

at the permanent site of the University on Thursday.

According to him, “we have been talking education reform without thinking about technology integration the world over nothing that education systems were neglected by the government in terms of ICT compliance.”

He appealed to the stakeholders in education sector to deem it necessary to integrate technology into education reforms in the interest of teacher education.

He also suggested that the stakeholders in education sector should redesign the curriculum for teacher education so that the in-service teachers could be incorporated into technology in order to put a stop to analog teachers in the

teaching profession, and called on government to use the Teacher Professional Development (TED) for those teachers who were already in the field.

While delivering the inaugural lecture, he said the business of education as well as the education reform should not be left for the government, noting that education reform required a multi-sector approach that involved business and industry, government as well as the civil society.

“The full impact of education reform through technology integration will be felt only when education policies and programme are co-ordinated with those in other ministries such as telecommunication, economic development and rural and urban development” the professor said.

According to okwudishu, the failure of past education reforms in Nigeria is to be attributed to the failure to consider the role of technology in education reforms at a time when education systems all over the world are under increasing pressure to use the new information and communication technologies to teach students the knowledge and skills they need in the 21stcentury.

Speaking earlier, the ViceChancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof. Michael Adikwu who was represented by the Vice-Chancellor Academic prof.

E.J.C. Nwana, commended the inaugural lecturer for a wellresearched work.

Meanwhile, the plague was presented to the inaugural lecturer by the vice-chancellor after the lecture.

L-R; Chairman, Public Service Matters, House of representative, Rep. Gogo Bright; Director General, Public Institute of Nigeria, Dr AbdulGaniyu Obatoyinbo; and Head of Establishment, Public Service Katsina, Mr Lawal Ado, at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Air Port Abuja on her way to the visit of Head of Civil Service Bench-marking and Study to Malaysia and Singapore in Abuja.

Photo: NAN

MeDSABAMS wants full salary for doctors teaching in varsities

By Usman Shuaibu

T

he leadership of the Medical and Dental Specialists in Basic Medical Sciences (MeDSABAMS) has called on the Federal Government to implement full salary for the medical doctors who are teaching in Nigerian universities.

The chairman of the local organizing committee of the first national meeting/ scientific conference of the association, Prof. S.A. Asala who made the call in an interview with newsmen at the physics lecture complex, University of Abuja permanent

site, also urged the government to give the necessary recognition to the doctors in the teaching profession.

Asala, who is a lecturer at the University of Abuja, expressed dismay that the basic medical specialists were not treated fine by the government because they were not practicing in the hospitals setting.

He said: “There are group of people who are called basic medical specialists. We are not be so recognized, but these are groups who established the foundation of medical training”.

He added: “In this country

today, if you are not Gynecologist or pediatrician people think that you are not doctor (s) and do not have much to contribute”.

Asala said the conference was being organized in order to champion the way forward for the basic medical specialists in the country.

Presenting the conference’s lecture entitled “The Dearth of Medical Specialists in Basic Medical Sciences: Challenges and Way Forward”, the guest lecturer from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Prof.

Taiwo A. Adewole, said the lecture centred on the dearth of medical

doctors in academic.

He further said the lecture focused on how the challenges facing the medical doctors in academic would be addressed in terms of their demands in the universities.

He suggested that the doctors in academic should encourage the students to be interested in the medical profession, noting that doctors are the best to teach doctors.

Adewole, however, advised the graduands of medical profession to pick up jobs in the universities, instead of wasting time to search for work in the hospitals or

teaching hospitals.

Speaking earlier, the Vicechancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof, Michael Adikwu, commended the leadership of the association for the zeal and encouragement to organize this meeting/scientific conference.

Our Correspondent reports that the other dignitaries who presented the speeches were the chairman of the occasion, the National President of ASMeDA, the provost College of Health Sciences, University of Abuja and the Dean Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences of the University of Abuja.

PAGE 15

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, july 2, 2018

Clerk of Senate has no power to swear in lawmaker, Lawyer argues Asks Senate to reject Alfa and ignore Court order

By Musa Adamu and Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

here are strong indications that the Senate, upon resumption tomorrow, may reject the Court’s judgment on the Kogi East senatorial seat presently occupied by Senator Attai Aidoko Ali. The likely rejection of the Court judgment by the Senate stems from an order of Court asking the Clerk of Senate, as against the Senate President, to swear in Air Marshall Isaac Alfa as Senator representing Kofi East.

Atai Aidoko Ali, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator representing Kogi East in the upper legislative chamber, was recently sacked

by Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the

Federal High Court, Abuja.

Delivering judgment on June 13, the Judge held that Aidoko was not properly nominated by the PDP for the March 2015 election.

He also ordered that the Clerk of the National Assembly should immediately swear in Aidoko’s challenger, Air Marshall Isaac Alfa.

But, according to legal experts, the order by the Court is capable of triggering constitutional crises in the National Assembly over the engagement and disengagement of lawmakers.

A Lawyer, Barr. Abdul Sadiq, therefore, urged the Senate to reject the judgment of the Court.

He also cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

on

the consequences of issuing a Certificate of Return before studying the implication of the judgment.

Speaking in Abuja, he said the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), was unambiguous about the provisions of the law relating to the procedure of engagements and disengagements of members of the National Assembly and lawmakers.

His said: “The ambiguity occasioned by the judgment of the federal high court by giving order of judgment to the Clerk of the Senate, will trigger another lacuna and constitutional crises when carefully studied; and only its unapplicability will give a leeway to legal interpretation on the Kogi East Senate

judgment properly.

“According to the provisions, the Clerk of the Senate is the head of management; he or she has nothing to do with administering the oath of office of/on any senator; hence, the order of the federal high court was given to a wrong person.

“Further to these, Chapter 1 Order 7 of the Senate Standing Rules 2015, derived from section 60 of the constitution, obeying such order amounts to violating the constitution, as the Clerk of the Senate is not party to the case; and such an order of the court cannot be binding on him.

“You cannot give an order against someone who is not a party to the suit.

The constitutional provision lies with the Senate President, and not the

Atiku meets IBB behind closed doors in Minna From Minna

Yakubu

Mustapha,

The Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has yesterday paid a visit to former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, at his Hill-top residence in Minna the Niger State capital.

Atiku arrived at the Minna airport drove straight to IBB’s hill top mansion around 12:35pm and left 3:26pm to the airport for his return.

It was reliably gathered that the meeting, which lasted over 3 hours, may not be unconnected with his presidential ambition which has started gaining momentum.

However, the former Vice President (VP) after the meeting shunned supporters and Journalists who were curiously waiting at the uphill to speak with him as they were denied access to him.

Though an insider source told our Correspondent that Atiku’s visit was a private one, the entrance gate of IBB’s mansion was turned to a mini political carnival as his Niger State supporters and other political jobbers laying siege at the gate.

The supporters, who had various placards with inscriptions calling for Atiku’s emergence, were prevented from gaining entrance to the uphill mansion . The supporters who have waited for over two hours were disenchanted when Atiku and his over 15 convoy vehicle zoomed off straight to the airport without acknowledging their presence.

One of the aggrieved supporters, Nabila Mohammed, said she was disappointed, adding that, “I am not happy at all, because we have been waiting here for the past 4 hours. He could not even wave at us.

Clerk, who without an order of the Senate can’t administer an oath of office on a senator, this has never been done anywhere.

“However, INEC’s decision on the issuance of certificate of return is a misnomer and the implication of the certificate issued to him was in bad faith.

“Conversely, this is not new as Senator Albert Bassey, Akwa-Ibom North, is still in the Senate representing his constituency in spite of such certificate issued to Bassey Etim Akpan from the same area.”

He further pointed out that in accordance with a subsisting Supreme Court decision, once there was a stay of order, an application for stay and notice of appeal, no party was allowed to take further action.

Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed(middle) with ( L-R-), former Special Adviser ( Security) to the Executive Governor, Alhaji Yinka Aluko; former Member, Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Moshood Mustapha, and father of the bride, Oloriewe Raheem Adedoyin and the couple (Habeeb and Taibat Olaribigbe) at the Nikkah of Adedoyin’s daughter in Ilorin at the weekend.

“This is a man we have been fighting for his cause; he just came out and ignored us. He is not fair to us, but we will support him.”

Equally disappointed were journalists when a message came from IBB son, Mohammed Babangida asking them to leave, saying, “This visit is a private one; and, therefore, he cannot talk to journalists.”

Earlier, Media Assistant to Atiku, Mr. Paul Ibe called to inform the Correspondent Chapel of the State NUJ waiting for the PDP stalwart that the visit is a private one, saying, “Atiku will not speak to anyone.”

Another chieftain dumps APC in Kaduna From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

B

arely 48 hours after former Kaduna gubernatorial aspirant of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Isa Ashiru Kudan picked membership card of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), another APC chieftain in the state, Alhaji Lawal Adamu Usman popularly known as ‘Mr LA’ has dumped the party.

Usman, an acclaimed founding member of the party in Kaduna, gave what he described as, indiscriminate persecutions of many party members with the aim of restricting the space for their aspirations, as well as his suspension from the party alongside other chieftains as his reasons for dumping APC. In a resignation letter to the APC Chairman in of Ungwar Dosa Ward in Kaduna North Local Government, his constituency, and copied to the state Governor Nasir El-Rufai, National Chairman of APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and President Muhammadu Buhari, Usman said, resigning from APC was the only principled decision that can be made in the circumstances of the many crises rocking the party in Kaduna State.

“It is with regret that I write to inform you that I have decided to resign my membership of the All Progressives Congress as from today. As you will know, I have been a member of the APC since its inception four years ago. I was one of its original founders back in 2014. I have since that time deployed ample energy, precious time and enormous resources towards the growth of the party and its eventual victories at state and federal levels.

“But here we are in 2018, just three short years after the APC’s electoral high point, and everything has gone belly up in Kaduna state.

“A party that was once composed of committed comrades and loyal friends united in the struggle for change, fairness, justice and national progress - has now turned into a party at war with itself.

“Bitter recriminations, acrimonious rancour and false accusations have been bandied about leading to unfair and unjustifiable persecution of loyal members by a handful of favoured government cronies. The atmosphere inside the party has today turned ugly and toxic.

“A rigorous and critical analysis of the party’s internal structures and culture, of key tactical decisions, and of the party’s

overall political orientation would prove that the cracks had appeared soon after the inauguration of the Malam Nasir ElRufai’s administration when collective responsibility was jettisoned in parochial individual ego massage.

“Since that time, all known democratic norms were thrown to the winds and any form of counsel, no matter how sensible, was not tolerated. The situation degenerated steadily into a glaring rape of the sanctity of democracy as demonstrated throughout the processes leading up to the ward congresses to the local government elections and to the imposition of party executives from wards to the state levels as well as delegates to the national convention.

“These undemocratic processes were preceded by a spate of indiscriminate retributions and unfair, unjustifiable suspension of major stakeholders of the party without regards to due process and in utter disregard for the APC constitutional provisions.” said Usman.

While giving his reasons to dump APC, the party Chieftain said, “firstly, is the vexed issue of my puported suspension along with several other eminent party members across the state, without first organising a proper credible internal party inquiry or

commission to determine our culpability or lack of it as stipulated by the party constitution. Politically and legally, we are entitled to this much, at least after all the work we have done for the party and for the sake of natural justice.

“My decision to resign from the APC is however not entirely a result of political and personal considerations, but out of conviction that this is not the party that I was involved in creating and nourishing.

Nor is it a party that I want to continue to participate in. I have carefully weighed this decision and made far reaching consultations in the few months since the resort to these indiscriminate persecutions as a means of restricting the space for the aspirations of many of us.

“It seems to me that out of respect for the Kaduna state electorates and my numerous supporters, my own political integrity and my concern for the development of democracy as a whole, it is the only principled decision that can be made in the circumstances. I am therefore leaving without any bitterness towards anyone. I value the many good friends I have made in the APC over the years– on both sides of the current divide,” he stressed.

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, july 2, 2018

POLITICS

INEC not aware of vacancies in NASS T he Independent National Election (INEC) said it was awaiting formal communication on the existing vacancies in the National Assembly (NASS).

INEC Chairman, Prof.

Mahmood Yakubu disclosed this during an interaction with political editors of media organisations at the weekend in Lagos.

Yakubu said that the commission had five byeelections to conduct, to fill the existing vacancies, but it was still awaiting official communication from the National Assembly to declare the seats vacant.

He said while the law compelled INEC to conduct byeelections within stipulated time, it was the presiding officers of the National Assembly or State House of Assemblies that could declare any seat vacant.

“We don’t have any power to declare the seat of any lawmaker vacant.

“The moment the returning officers make announcement declaring a candidate winner, only the court of law can reverse it.

“We cannot declare vacancy and conduct bye-election unless there is a formal communication from the presiding officers of that Assembly.

“So this is not a matter under the control of the commission.’’

Yakubu also disclosed that the commission had slightly redesigned its voter register to take care of incidence where

the smart card readers could not read the fingerprints of the owner.

Answering a question on the challenge of insecurity and registration of voters, Yakubu said despite the security situation, the commission had high number of registered voters in some states with security challenge including Benue and Borno.

He said that was possible as it was easier to register people in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps than to register

people who go individually to various registration units.

“Most interesting for me is that Benue has also recorded one of the highest numbers of registrants in the ongoing CVR. “What I find most reassuring in Benue is that in spite of the security challenge people are still interested in voting.’’

Speaking on INEC preparation for Ekiti governorship election scheduled for the July 14, Yakubu said that the commission was working with security agencies to have

peaceful election.

Yakubu also disclosed that a new design of voter register with a provision for a column to take care of cases where the smart card reads could not read finger prints of the owner would be deployed for the election.

This according the Yakubu would speed up the voting process, compared to old system where people have to queue to fill a form, thereby delaying the process.

The chairman pledged that he would do whatever it takes to

improve on the electoral process of the country to protect his name and reputation.

“If there is anything I am going to leave INEC with, it’s my reputation. I am going back to my academic profession where I came from.

“So, whatever it takes to earn a good name for this country, for myself and my family, I will do so.

“The only thing we have is our values and we work very hard to ensure that we leave with our values intact.’’ (NAN)

L-R: National Chairman of APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole chatting with President of NLC , Ayuba Wabba and Former Deputy NLC President, Comrade Isa Aremu, during visit of NLC leadership to Former President of NLC/National Chairman of APC Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, at the weekend in Abuja.

Photo; Mahmud Isa

Ekiti: Reject PDP continuity of poverty, Fayemi charges voters From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

I

n the final leg of his campaign visits across Ekiti State, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Kayode Fayemi, addressed rallies in Oye Local Government with the message to reject PDP’s continuity agenda to sustain poverty.

A statement by Director, Media and Publicity of the Kayode Campaign Organisation, Wole Olujobi, said Fayemi was accompanied by the deputy governorship candidate, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi; State Chairman of APC, Jide Awe; Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, former Speaker Adewale Omirin, Senator Ayo Arise and Dayo Adeyeye, among other leaders, who were joined on the campaign trail by Senator Tayo Alasoadura from Ondo State, to visit the communities.

Fayemi and party leaders told voters that July 14 offered best opportunity to reverse the misfortunes into which they had been forced in the last three years.

They all urged voters to reject PDP’s continuity agenda to perpetuate poverty.

The APC candidate assured voters that

all his empowerment and development schemes that Governor Ayodele Fayose cancelled will return if he wins the election.

He urged voters to vote for APC for their liberty and regular payment of salary, even as he assured that the Youth in Commercial Agriculture Development (YCAD), social security, scholarship, free education, and free health for the elderly will be resuscitated to protect the poor.

Fayemi regretted that since he left the office as governor, no single development project had come to the local government.

He debunked propaganda that he will sack teachers and local government workers, assuring that besides allowing them to keep their jobs, he will create conditions that will allow them to work in a conducive environment, including regular payment of their salary.

“Why will I sack teachers when they have not offended me? Instead of sacking teachers or any category of workers, I will develop employment strategies that will create more jobs for the people.

“I was the first in this state to pay core subjects and rural posting allowances, including payment of fattest Christmas bonus to workers and I increased

teachers’ salary three times within four years.

“We will continue in this direction to secure our people from poverty and disease,” he said.

He urged residents to vote against continuity of poverty, hunger and suffering, saying that he had records of achievements in promoting education, paying for public school fees, appointment of 2,000 fresh teachers, including payment of core subjects and rural posting allowances, all of which had been cancelled by Fayose.

He said his records of performance in health sector are contained in the records of the World Health Organisation and listed rehabilitation and equipping of health institutions with facilities to deliver quality health services as part of his health delivery system.

At Isan-Ekiti country home of Fayemi, huge crowds of exciting residents gathered at the entry point of the town to give the home-boy a rousing welcome.

Fayemi thanked the residents for their support at all times.

An old woman, who presented a goat to Fayemi in appreciation as a beneficiary of the APC candidate’s social security

scheme, thanked Fayemi for giving her life and hope when she was in the most difficult time of her life, explaining that she saved Fayemi’s monthly stipends to finance a trade that restored her hope of living.

Fayemi said he was motivated to come back to the governorship seat to rekindle hope for survival among the poor, citing the woman that gave testimony on the sufferings she had endured since Fayose assumed office in 2014.

He condemned Fayose for cancelling empowerment schemes that support the weak, asking: “How can a man who relishes in mass suffering be a friend of the masses”?

He said in any of the 133 communities visited, including Afao-Ekiti country home of Fayose, there was no town he could not point to at least four projects he executed in those communities.

The visits were also characterised by massive defections of PDP members to APC. At Osin-Ekiti Ekit, where scores of PDP members defected to APC, they said they were joining APC because the party represented light that can brighten their future.

PAGE 17

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, july 2, 2018

POLITICS

Stay clear of Taraba, Delta, PDP cautions Oshiomhole

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

T

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has told the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, to wake up from his pipe dream of thinking that his party can forcefully take over Taraba and Delta States in 2019.

The party said Oshiomhole should concentrate his energies on saving his APC from imminent collapse rather than attempting to bully and override the people of Delta and Taraba states ahead of 2019 elections.

The opposition PDP said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan.

Accordingly to statement, “Perhaps Oshiomhole mistook Delta and Taraba states 2019 elections for the APC 2018 national convention where President Muhammadu Buhari bullied and intimidated delegates to foist him as National Chairman, without proper election.

“Nigerians know that Delta and Taraba states are major strongholds of the PDP for which we clearly won the 2015 governorship and presidential elections in the states.

“The PDP, in 2015, enjoyed overwhelming followership which has now tripled in the last three years, signposting our inevitable victory in 2019, particularly due to the sterling performance of Governors Ifeanyi Okowa and

Darius Ishaku in delivering good governance and development to the people.

“Furthermore, it is an unpardonable assault on the sensibilities of the people of these states for Oshiomhole to mute that they will vote for the same APC, which has failed to protect their lives and has continued to play helpless while marauders slaughter their brothers and sisters and ravage their communities.

“We are however not unaware of Oshiomhole’s pattern of deploying false assertions, propaganda and instigating confusion, but we assure him that such cannot work in Delta and Taraba states, no matter the machination, as the people are solidly behind the PDP in our

quest with majority of Nigerians to rescue our nation from the clutches of the APC. “Instead of wasting his time fixating on PDP states, we advice Oshiomhole to direct his energy on how to save his crumbling party from the misfortune of being stuck with an unpopular candidate in President Buhari, who has become the fixed omen of inescapable electoral humiliation of the APC in 2019.

“Even Oshiomhole, who by now ought to have surrendered himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of humongous corruption and stealing of public funds hanging on his neck, knows that he is a derelict salesman of a very bad

product, but had to believably take up the job to save himself from prosecution.

“We know that Oshiomhole, in the excitement of his prosecution cover, would do everything to please his benefactor, but rather than seeking to distract our governors, who are busy delivering and commissioning projects, he should direct attention to President Buhari and APC governors who cannot boast of any serious achievement upon which they can campaign in 2019”, it said.

The PDP therefore cautioned the APC to perish the thoughts of muzzling the electoral process at any level in 2019, as such will be stiffly resisted by Nigerians across the country.

CSO sponsors Bill on accessible renewable energy

By Musa Adamu

A

n environmental civil society group, Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has kickstarted the process of sponsoring a Bill on Renewable Energy (RE).

It said the Bill being a private one would be sponsored on the floor of the Senate by Sen. Bukar Abba Ibrahim, Chairman, Senate Committee on Climate Change and Ecology.

The group kickstarted the process by launching a manifesto on Just Energy Transition for Nigeria in Abuja.

Explaining the aim of the move, Executive Director, ERA/FoEN, Dr Godwin Ojo, said it was aimed at providing legislative backing by an Act of the the National Assembly for improved RE access to all.

He further said the process was aimed at democratising energy access and sources in the country as well as transiting from fossils to RE sources.

He called on the government to put in place an RE policy framework backed by an Act of the parliament which recognises state and non state actors roles and responsibility in RE development.

He further called for divestment from fossil fuels such as public finance, loans and subsidies and invest in RE development to prioritize efforts and financing.

According to him, government should set target for national energy access and decentralized RE and task the federal, state and LG with responsibility and annual budgetary allocations.

He also asked government to provide zero percent tariffs and Value Added Tax (VAT) on a full range of decentralized RE products and components.

In his response, Sen Ibrahim, who described RE as a very important chapter to Nigeria quest for greatness, said he was ready to get involved and ensure the success of the process.

He further described the Just Energy Transition “as a must” which the country can not run away form.

He said the Senate would ensure the actualisation of the Bill so that the country would do better in the area of RE. He said he was prepared and committed to push the Bill to its logical conclusion, further pledging that “this Bill will not go the way of others before it” which did not see the light of day.

An elated party supporters during the campaign tour of the APC Governorhsip Candidate, Dr Kayode Fayemi, recently in Ise Ekiti

Economy: PDP pledges to engineer single digit lending, boost local content

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

T

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday declared that its blueprint for economic recovery includes pursuing deliberate policies that will guarantee single-digit commercial lending rate across all productive sectors, immediately it is re-elected into office in 2019.

The party assured that its economic blueprint will make a turnaround of the prevailing double digit permitted by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan stated this when a delegation from a coalition of small and medium enterprise owners paid him a visit in his office in Abuja, at the weekend.

Ologbondiyan further disclosed that the party plans to push policies that will engender increased local content in all critical sectors.

The party’s spokesman said this initiative is targeted at providing the much needed interventions

in key sectors including power, agriculture, manufacturing, construction, real estate, transport, solid mineral mining, oil and gas, education, retailing, among others, without which the economy cannot rebound.

According to Ologbondiyan, “there is no way economic activities can rebound unless we put our people back to work. Over 20 million Nigerians have been put out of work by the APC and many more are underemployed. Families are under stress and citizens have been subjected to abject poverty by the Buhari administration.

“Our recovery plan involves a concerted effort to reopen the market and encourage economic environment that will grant our investors and entrepreneurs affordable credit facilities to favourably compete and thrive.

“Our blueprint includes the formulation and implementation of policies that will guarantee single digit commercial lending rates as well as increased local content in all

critical sectors.

“These will be targeted at boosting economic activities, revamping our industries and reopening the space for massive investment and employment opportunities for millions of Nigerians across all sectors.

“This will involve an immediate review of all tight monetary policies of the APC, including obnoxious foreign exchange and import regulations, multiple taxation, exorbitant tariffs on essential services, particularly in power and communication, as well as other unnecessary economic bottlenecks that are currently stifling small scale entrepreneurship, industrial activities and general economic growth.

“Unlike the APC’s exclusionist style, the PDP will run an allinclusive economic system that guarantees an open market operation and return a peoplefocused pricing regime.

“This was part of the policy thrust with which the PDP grew

our economy to become one of the fastest growing in the world before the unfortunate incursion of the APC. “Come 2019, the PDP will revamp our economy and put our citizens back to the path of prosperity”, he said.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Engr. Tosin Olaoye, commended the PDP for its rebuilding effort adding that Nigerians are eager for the return of the party to governance in 2019.

He said Nigeria as a nation fared better under the PDP due to its economic initiatives and peopleoriented policies, all of which, he emphasized, are lacking under the APC. Engr. Olaoye said the APC has shown that it has no capacity and competence to run an economy as resilient as Nigerian but thrives on false promises, deceit and propaganda, which has brought the nation to its knees in the last three years.

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, july 2, 2018

Stock Watch: Friday, June 30, 2018 Low

OPEN Volume Close High

Symbol CHANGE

Trades

0.50 0.50 0 0.50 0.50 ABCTRANS 0.00 12.50 12.60 0 12.97 13.23 ACCESS 0.37 4.40 4.55 0 4.42 4.55 AFRIPRUD -0.13 0.66 0.66 0 0.66 0.66 AGLEVENT 0.00 0.61 0.62 0 0.62 0.63 AIICO 0.00 5.66 5.66 0 5.66 5.66 AIRSERVICE 0.00 10.08 10.08 0 10.08 10.08 BERGER 0.00 59.38 56.56 0 59.38 59.38 BETAGLAS 2.82 15.50 15.81 0 15.99 16.44 CADBURY 0.18 38.86 38.86 0 38.86 38.86 CAP 0.00 2.25 2.33 0 2.44 2.44 CAVERTON 0.11 17.33 17.99 0 17.37 17.90 CCNN -0.62 3.04 3.19 0 3.04 3.04 CHAMPION -0.15 1.57 1.57 0 1.57 1.57 CILEASING 0.00 41.38 41.38 0 41.38 41.38 CONOIL 0.00 1.50 1.52 0 1.50 1.59 CONTINSURE -0.02 0.50 0.50 1 0.50 0.50 CORNERST 0.00 4.17 4.00 0 4.17 4.20 CUSTODIAN 0.17 2.16 2.27 0 2.20 2.27 CUTIX -0.07 273.00 273.00 0 273.00 273.00 DANGCEM 0.00 15.00 14.97 0 15.40 15.40 DANGFLOUR 0.43 19.88 20.00 0 20.00 20.00 DANGSUGAR 0.00 0.50 0.50 1 0.50 0.50 DEAPCAP 0.00 3.40 3.57 0 3.40 3.73 DIAMONDBNK -0.17 0.50 0.50 0 0.50 0.50 DUNLOP 0.00 0.50 0.50 0 0.50 0.50 EQUITYASUR 0.00 5.76 6.04 0 5.76 6.04 ETERNA -0.28 19.55 19.66 0 19.55 19.90 ETI -0.11 13.21 13.90 0 13.75 14.00 FBNH -0.15 3.47 3.65 0 3.59 3.65 FCMB -0.06 87.28 91.60 5 87.28 87.28 FGS201910 -4.32 88.81 87.68 0 88.81 100.00 FGS2019S1 1.13 87.56 73.81 100 87.56 87.56 FGS2019S4 13.75 100.00 70.24 14 100.00 100.00 FGS202011 29.76 100.00 102.35 15 100.00 100.00 FGS2020S5 -2.35 100.00 100.00 48 100.00 100.00 FGS2020S7 0.00 102.88 70.12 150 102.88 102.88 FGS2020S9 32.76 3.80 3.99 0 3.93 4.00 FIDELITYBK -0.06 4.53 4.76 0 4.75 4.90 FIDSON -0.01 0.54 0.54 0 0.54 0.54 FIRSTALUM 0.00 29.50 30.00 0 30.00 30.00 FLOURMILL 0.00 50.00 51.78 0 50.00 50.00 FO -1.78 0.50 0.50 1 0.50 0.50 FTNCOCOA 0.00 20.90 20.90 0 20.90 20.90 GLAXOSMITH 0.00 6.33 6.33 44 6.33 6.33 GSPECPLC 0.00 53.00 54.71 0 53.51 57.00 GUARANTY -1.20 118.00 120.25 0 120.25 120.25 GUINNESS 0.00 0.50 0.50 0 0.50 0.50 HMARKINS 0.00 3.01 3.16 0 3.01 3.09 HONYFLOUR -0.15 63.00 63.00 0 64.00 64.00 INTBREW 1.00 1.18 1.18 0 1.23 1.23 JAIZBANK 0.05 32.00 32.00 0 32.00 32.00 JBERGER 0.00 0.50 0.50 820 0.50 0.50 JOHNHOLT 0.00

Top Gainers

Stock Close Gain FGS2020S9 102.88 32.76 FGS202011 100.00 29.76 FGS2019S4 87.56 13.75 PZ 23.10 1.10 BETAGLAS 59.38 2.82

Low 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

OPEN Volume Close High

Symbol CHANGE

Trades

1.67 1.67 1 1.67 1.67 JULI 0.00 0 0.50 0.50 0 0.50 0.50 LASACO 0.00 0 0.96 0.97 0 0.96 0.96 LAWUNION -0.01 0 0.95 0.92 0 0.96 0.96 LEARNAFRCA 0.04 0 0.80 0.80 0 0.80 0.80 LINKASSURE 0.00 0 1.01 1.04 0 1.03 1.09 LIVESTOCK -0.01 0 2.94 2.94 0 2.94 2.94 MANSARD 0.00 0 2.87 3.01 0 2.87 3.00 MAYBAKER -0.14 0 2.17 2.07 0 2.17 2.17 MEDVIEWAIR 0.10 0 0.61 0.61 0 0.61 0.61 MEYER 0.00 0 216.00 216.00 0 216.00 216.00 MOBIL 0.00 0 27.46 27.46 0 27.46 27.46 MRS 0.00 0 4.27 4.38 0 4.27 4.27 NAHCO -0.11 0 19.51 19.00 0 19.51 19.90 NASCON 0.51 0 142.00 142.19 0 143.00 143.00 NB 0.81 0 0.88 0.92 0 0.96 0.96 NEIMETH 0.04 0 1.82 1.83 0 1.92 1.92 NEM 0.09 0 1,470.00 1,500.00 0 1,470.00 1,470.00 NESTLE -30.00 0 5.70 5.70 0 5.70 5.70 NNFM 0.00 0 1.63 1.71 0 1.63 1.63 NPFMCRFBK -0.08 0 5.99 5.99 0 5.99 5.99 OANDO 0.00 0 71.62 71.62 0 71.62 71.62 OKOMUOIL 0.00 0 68.69 68.69 0 68.69 68.69 PRESCO 0.00 0 23.10 22.00 0 23.10 23.10 PZ 1.10 0 6.00 6.00 0 6.00 6.00 REDSTAREX 0.00 0 0.50 0.50 0 0.50 0.50 RTBRISCOE 0.00 0 675.01 675.01 0 675.01 675.01 SEPLAT 0.00 0 1.36 1.35 0 1.41 1.41 SKYEBANK 0.06 0 45.03 46.00 0 46.00 46.12 STANBIC 0.00 0 2.18 2.29 0 2.18 2.38 STERLNBANK -0.11 0 1.99 1.90 0 1.99 1.99 STUDPRESS 0.09 0 231.00 231.00 0 231.00 231.00 TOTAL 0.00 0 7.20 7.20 0 7.20 7.20 TRANSCOHOT 0.00 0 2.27 2.38 0 2.27 2.49 TRANSCORP -0.11 0 0.78 0.75 0 0.78 0.78 TRANSEXPR 0.03 0 17.10 17.70 0 17.10 17.10 UACN -0.60 0 3.00 3.00 0 3.00 3.01 UAC-PROP 0.00 0 12.50 12.99 0 12.89 13.10 UBA -0.10 0 7.65 8.00 0 8.00 8.00 UBN 0.00 0 3.93 3.93 0 4.12 4.12 UCAP 0.19 0 43.16 44.65 0 44.20 44.20 UNILEVER -0.45 0 1.18 1.24 0 1.30 1.30 UNITYBNK 0.06 0 2.38 2.50 0 2.40 2.40 UPL -0.10 0 9.09 9.09 0 9.09 9.09 VANLEER 0.00 0 10.33 10.41 0 10.33 10.33 VETGOODS -0.08 0 2.90 3.00 0 3.03 3.03 VITAFOAM 0.03 0 51.99 51.99 0 52.00 53.97 WAPCO 0.01 0 0.53 0.55 0 0.57 0.57 WAPIC 0.02 0 1.27 1.22 0 1.28 1.28 WEMABANK 0.06 0 32.00 32.00 0 32.75 33.00 ZENITHBANK 0.75 0 Copyright © 2018 NgTradeOnline

Top Losers

Stock Close Loss STERLNBANK 2.18 -0.11 DIAMONDBNK 3.40 -0.17 HONYFLOUR 3.01 -0.15 FGS201910 87.28 -4.32 CHAMPION 3.04 -0.15

Page 19

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, july 2, 2018

NNPC/FIRST E&P JV finalize $724m Schlumberger Oil Finance Deal

By Etuka Sunday

O

ne year after signing the tripartite term sheet for the financing and technical services arrangement between NNPC/FIRST E&P JV and Schlumberger for the Anyalu and Madu fields under Oil Mining Licence, OML 83 and OML 85, offshore Nigeria, a final nod was given to the package over the weekend in London with the execution of the final contractual agreement.

Under the agreement, global oil services giant, Schlumberger would provide $724.14m out of the required project cost of $1.082bn while the balance of $358.79m is to be funded with cash flows generated by the project.

The Anyala and Madu fields are projected to have 193 million

...says Nigeria to earn $5.60bn in Taxes, Royalties barrels of crude oil and 0.637 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves with production plateau of 50, 000 barrels of oil per day and 120 million standard cubic feet of gas per day.

The Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, NNPC, Ndu Ughamadu in a statement said,speaking at the signing ceremony which was also attended by chief executives of the other parties to the deal, Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, said in arriving at the innovative alternative funding package, the corporation was guided by the need to instill transparent and accountable processes.

He further added that NNPC also followed strict compliance with all extant laws, regulations and established governance protocols as well as overriding national interest and drive to achieve competitive market pricing for such a greenfield project.

Dr. Baru explained that the NNPC/FIRST E&P JV project financing formula came as a creative approach to funding JV operations in response to the realities of the prevailing operating environment.

According to the GMD, “apart from aligning wholly with government’s aspiration of increased crude oil and gas

production, reserves growth and monetization of the nation’s enormous gas resources, the model is in tandem with one of the corporation’s 12 Business Focus Areas (BUFAs); ramping up crude oil & gas reserves & production which also supports Government’s 7 Big Wins aspirations’’.

He said the Schlumberger financing package covers preFinal Investment Decision (FID) funding, 100 per cent of capital expenditure for three years and pre-production operating expenses.

He added that the package would enable the country to generate $5.60bn in taxes and royalties and $1.32bn in net cash

Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue State (4th, L); Commandant, Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN), Amb. Dickson Akoh (3rd, L); Chairman, Otukpo Local Government Area, Mr George Ali (L); member, representing Adoka/Ugboju Benue State Constituency, Mr Adams Okloho (4th, R) Deputy Commandant, Finance and Account, PCN, Mrs Amao Omolola (2nd, L) and other dignitaries during the inauguration of the Ambassador’s Resort and Gardens, yesterday in Otukpo, Benue State .

Photo: NAN

FOREX: CBN boosts Retail Segment with $318.73m

By Etuka Sunday

C

ustomers in the retail segment of the Nigerian inter-bank foreign exchange market received a $318.73m boost from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Friday, June 29, 2018.

Information obtained from the CBN on Friday indicates that the deals in the retail window represent requests from the various sectors in the Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS), thereby providing a boost to the respective sectors.

The Acting Director, Corporate Communications at the CBN, Isaac Okorafor, while confirming the forex sales, explained that $318.73m sold was for companies in the raw materials, agricultural, airline and petroleum industries.

It will be recalled that last Tuesday, June 26, 2018, the CBN had intervened to the tune of $210 million to cater for requests in the wholesale segment of the forex market.

Speaking further, Okorafor said the CBN remained very committed to ensuring that all the sectors continue to enjoy access to the foreign exchange required for their business concerns.

Meanwhile, the naira, on Friday, June 29, 2018, exchanged at an average of N360/$1 in the Bureau de Change segment (BDCs) across major trading points in Lagos, Abuja, PortHarcourt and Kano.

flows after Schlumberger’s cost recovery & compensation in line with the terms of the agreement.

The OMLs 83 & 85 are in shallow waters 40km offshore in the Niger Delta. NNPC holds 60 per cent interest in the licences while, FIRST E&P, the operator of the JV, holds the remaining 40 per cent interest. Apart from providing funding for the development of the fields, Schlumberger would also provide other oilfield services to the JV on a limited exclusive basis. A joint project team would drive technology transfer whilst leveraging on the global technical expertise of Schlumberger and the extensive local knowledge of the JV partners.

Gwarzo collected grants as SEC Commissioner, DG, Witness tells Court

By Etuka Sunday

H

earing in the five-count charge bordering on fraud brought by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) against Mounir Gwarzo, the suspended Director-General (DG) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), was on Thursday adjourned to September 20 and 21, for further hearing, SEC in a statement has said.

The statement said, adjournment of the suit brought against Gwarzo before Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf of the FCT High Court Maitama, was at the instance of the prosecution.

It said, while being led in evidence by Prosecution Counsel, Adesina Raheem, Ajao Akintade, second Prosecution Witness in the trial, admitted that Gwarzo collected a car grant of N49,425,700 as an Executive

Commissioner in SEC, and was paid another N84.388million as DG. He said that although SEC’s Human Resources Department initially computed the sum of N73, 405,397.12 as the grant receivable by the DG. He wrote a memo for the purpose, dated June 1, 2015, which was however rejected by the second Defendant, necessitating his writing another on the following day, conveying the new amount, which was paid to the DG. While being cross examined by Gwarzo’s counsel, Abdulhakeem Mustapha (SAN), the witness said the first defendant held different positions as Executive Commissioner and DG, and that the terms and conditions of both offices were different.

He admitted that as an Executive Commissioner, Gwarzo was entitled to the items listed for the office by the board resolution.

“It is correct that anybody

holding the office of DG is also entitled to the items listed for the office,” he stressed, recalling that he wrote the June 2, 2015 memo based on the board’s resolution, which had been tendered by the Prosecution as Exhibit before the court.

According to him, no Executive Commissioner had been denied from benefiting the monetised vehicle policy since it was introduced, adding that past DGs had also benefited from the policy.

The witness told the court that some of the beneficiary DGs even retired before the three-year window provided, saying that when they retired, none of them made any refund of the grant they collected.

He confirmed that a former Head, Human Resources Management of SEC, Mrs Mary Ekpo, retired before the threeyear period but she did not refund the grant, because she was not

asked to do so.

In the suit, the ICPC is accusing Gwarzo, who was granted bail at the June 5, 2018 hearing, of committing fraud to the tune of about N115 million in June 2015, when he was SEC Director-General.

It also alleged that the suspended DG received the sum of N104,851,154.94 as severance benefits when he was yet to retire, resign or disengage from the service of SEC. It further alleged that Gwarzo conferred a corrupt advantage upon himself when he received the sum of N10,983,488.88 in excess of car grant payable to him.

Akintade said the monetised car grant collected by Gwarzo was in compliance with the resolution of the SEC Board, which was based on the then market value of a new vehicle. The grant, he added, was given every three years and nonrefundable.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, july 2, 2018

Page 20

BUSINESS

CBN directs banks to resolve USSD disputes in three days From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

T

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday directed all commercial banks to resolve disputes arising from use of Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) channel within three days.

Speaking at the ‘Meet The Executive’ forum organised by Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) in Lagos, CBN Director, Banking & Payment Systems Department, ‘Dipo Fatokun, said such resolution will help build more confidence in the payment system and bring more people into the financial services net.

He said some provisions of the regulatory framework for USSD such as the authentication measures for

transactions, International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), Date of SIM Swap, Date of Device change, International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) among others were meant to make the channel more effective.

Fatokun, who was represented by Assistant Director, Banking & Payments System Department, Taiwo Oladimeji, said maximum USSD transaction limit remains N100, 000 per customer per day adding that any amount above that requires customer to execute indemnity at the bank.

Speaking on the theme: HalfYear Review of Developments in the E-Payment Industry and Customer Protection, Fatokun said: “USSD transactions above N20,000 require two-

factor authentication (2FA). No USSD financial service should be activated for customer unless the deactivation mechanism is put in place with effect from October, 2018. In addition, the CBN is currently working to properly structure and formalize the sandbox arrangement in Nigeria by collaborating with some infrastructure providers like the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) to interact with FinTechs”.

Fatokun dded that the financial system is undergoing transformation through technology, adding that it is not only peculiar to the financial services sector, but all sectors of human endeavours.

“We are seeing new operators with technology savvy, more efficient models, and collaborations among new entrants

as well as established participants in payments systems in ways that exhibit regulatory challenges. To meet up with the challenges, some countries have adopted regulatory sandbox approach which is not totally novel to the CBN. We are however working to properly structure and formalize the sandbox arrangement in Nigeria by collaborating with some infrastructure providers to interact with FinTechs,” he said.

He said a well-functioning National Payments System (NPS) is crucial to the financial sector development as it increases confidence in the financial sector by ensuring a credible, reliable and efficient payment system.

He added that in recent years, the Nigerian payment landscape has experienced a lot of innovation, bursting

with enterprise and reaching the unbanked and undeserved.

Speaking further, he said consumer protection, involves a whole range of laws, policies, structures, actions and behaviours designed to protect consumers from the abuse and exploitation of service providers.

“Consumer protection is critical in improving access and usage of financial products and services. Ensures that increase access and usage of financial services, translate into benefits for the economy and individuals. Helps protect consumers from probable market abuse and exploitation. Helps consumers benefit from well informed decisions.

Helps consumers appreciate how best to use and manage financial products and services,” he said.

Wema Bank Appoints Adebise Managing Director From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

W

ema Bank Plc has announced the appointment of Ademola Adebise as its new managing director and chief executive officer following the retirement of Segun Oloketuyi taking effect July 1st.

Adebise, until his appointment is the Deputy managing director of the bank.

His appointment is subject to approval by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN. Adebise has been part of the Bank’s Executive management team since 2009 and has played a pivotal role in the execution of the Strategic turnaround plan of the Bank.He has over 28 years’ experience in the banking industry (inclusive of 4 years in management consulting), and has worked in various capacities in Information Technology, Financial Control & Strategic Planning, Treasury, Corporate Banking, Risk Management and Performance Management.

Before joining Wema Bank, Adebise was Head, Finance & Performance Management Practice at Accenture (Lagos Office) where he led various projects for banks in Business Process Reengineering, Information Technology and Risk Management.

He is an alumnus of the Advanced Management Program (AMP) of the Harvard Business School and a holder of a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Lagos. He also holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the Lagos Business School.

Adebise is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).

He is also an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation and Computer Professionals (Registration Council of Nigeria). He is an honorary Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (HCIB) and a member of the Institute of Directors.

The Board of the Bank expressed confidence that Adebise’s appointment will lead to the continuedtransformation and growth of the Bank as it positions itself as a market leader in Nigeria’s retail banking segment through technology and innovation.

National Vice President, Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria(TOAN), Alhaji Shehu Sulaiman; National Treasurer of TOAN, Mr Ike Samuel; and the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, during the visit of the TOAN delegation to the minister’s office in Abuja at the weekend.

Photo: NAN

Heritage Bank partners NEFF on prevention of e-fraud

From Lagos

H

Ngozi

Onyeakusi,

eritage Bank Plc, one of Nigeria’s most innovative banking services provider, has partnered the Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum (NEFF) on the prevention of fraud in the Nigerian banking system.

MD/CEO of the bank, Mr. Ifie Sekibo said at unveiling of the 2017 NEFF annual report in Lagos recently that the bank was very proud of successes recorded by the forum, remarking that the advent of the forum has undoubtedly created revolutionary effect in the conception of banking services in the industry.

Sekibo who was represented

by Mr. Ike Williams, Executive Director, Services and CIO of Heritage Bank said financial institutions in the country had exploited these successes to

introduce innovative banking products, especially e-products.

He said Heritage Bank would continue to support the forum and advised NEFF not to rest on its oars.

The Heritage Bank helmsman also commended Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, the out-going deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), operations as an exceptional leader who made invaluable contributions to the success of the forum, remarking that it will be difficult for any to surpass the achievements he recorded for the forum.

While unveiling the NEFF 2017 annual report, titled “Tightening the Belt of e-fraud Prevention: A 4 sided approach,” Adelabu, noted that in an environment that has witnessed fast-paced growth in both volume and value of electronic transactions, it would not be out of the ordinary if fraud

attempts are also on the increase.

Adelabu who was represented

by Mrs. Tokunbo Martins, Director of other Financial Institutions Department of the CBN added that a true test of resilience security and strength of a payments system is where losses were minimized, and measures taken to learn from those losses to forestall a recurrence.

According to him, in the last six years of the forum existence, NEFF has consistently acted as a catalyst in the formulation of cohesive and effective fraud and risk management strategies.

He said the forum has contributed to a year on year reduction in actual losses from e-fraud as reported by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc (NIBBS), which accounted for the 25.71 percent in actual loss value in 2017 when compared to actual loss figures for 2016.

Adelabu also commended NEFF for its decision to focus on fraud mitigation by engaging all stakeholders from banking, other eco system players, law enforcement agencies and telecommunication operators which has been put together to form the acronym BELT, from which collaboration should be tightened always.

In her contribution, Mrs. Christabel Onyejekwe, Executive Director, Technology & Operations, NIBBS, said the organization has been adding value to the eco-system through the deployment of electronic banking and formulation of measures to monitor fraud.

She said NIBBS would continue to collaborate with other stakeholders in the continued effort to reduce e-fraud in the system.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, july 2, 2018

METRO

Page 21

Apo-Karshi road for completion soon –Yamawo Stories by Onyekwere

A

Stanley

pparently disturbed by the plight of commuters on the Abuja-Nyanya expressway, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has again declared its determination to hasten completion of the ongoing ApoWasa-Karshi road.

The Administration specifically reiterated that it’s resolute in permanently tackling the perennial traffic congestion commuters suffer daily on the Nyanya axis.

The Coordinator , Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD), Isiyaku Tanko Yamawo gave this assurance during a recent chat with some journalists, on the state of the road.

He said: “The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello “has given us (Federal Capital Development Authority, Satellite Towns Development Department and others) marching orders to complete the Apo-Wasa-Karshi road, what others call ApoKarshi road.

“A very essential portion of the road, connecting Apo and Wasa, which was not initially conceptualized in the project, has now been awarded by the current administration and work is on.

“Without this portion of the road, it was actually a road terminating somewhere in the bush without access to the city.”

Referring to a previous forfeiture of the contractor’s account, he explains that everything is resolved now, adding “the contractor is back on site and we will ensure we work in line with the timing of the Minister who believes that the road will provide immediate relief on this axis (AbuaNyanya).”

The STDD Coordinator also revealed that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) recently approved about N2 billion for the Wasa resettlement scheme, adding that contractor has been mobilized to site and preliminary work began.

Yamawo assured that just as the Gbagalape road is a success story today, so would the ApoWasa-karshi road and others be soon.

He therefore called on

residents and commuters to exercise more patience with the FCT Administration on the conditions of some roads especially those linking satellite towns and city centre.

Meanwhile, it was gathered that procurement has already gone far as the FCT Administration expressed determination to ensure completion of another major

bypass behind Mpape, traversing Nyanya, Gitata Panda, terminating at Gurara, in Kaduna state.

Further checks reveal that the bypass is a “dedicated dual

carriageway on the eastern carriage way which would ease traffic on the Nyanya-Karu and Kubwa expressways, thereby easing entry and exit to the nation’s capital.

Cross section of some pilgrims rejoicing during the Flag off Ceremony of this year Pilgrimage to Israel at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Bwari mayhem: FCTA ups measures to curtail breach of peace The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) through its Area Council Services Secretariat (ACSS) has upped measures towards forestalling further breach of peace in the ancient town of Bwari in the nation’s capital.

This is coming in the wake of the recent resurgence of crisis, that wan imposition of curfew on the town by the Minister, Mallam Mohammad Musa Bello.

Making the disclosure, ACSS Mandate Secretary, Adamu

Bappah, revealed that the administration had achieved considerable success in restoring peace and order in the area, and cannot allow any of the processes to be truncated by any group.

Bappah, who spoke during a chat with select journalists in his office, last week, said the secretariat was also taking the sensitization campaigns to other area councils apart from Bwari, that has become a flash point for crisis in the Territory.

Stressing that as 2019 general

elections approach, Bappah opined that there was need for sensitization campaigns to create awareness among residents of the rural communities on the need to live peacefully with each other and avoid any action capable of causing trouble.

He explained that the campaign became necessary, considering the heavy concentration of rural people in the Area Councils where most politicians go to solicit for votes during elections.

“We are carrying out the sensitization campaign to let our people understand that they have to live in peace and harmony with one another.

“I don’t know the actual cause of the resurgence of the crisis in Bwari, the police is still investigating and we will allow the police to complete their investigation.

“The responsibility of the secretariat is to always call on the people to ensure that they live,” the ACSS boss reiterated.

Page 22

world news

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, july 2, 2018

international_peoplesdailyng@yahoo.com

Iran vows to thwart US efforts to block its oil exports

I

ran has vowed to thwart US efforts to block its oil exports by allowing private companies to export crude oil.

Eshaq Jahangiri, Iran’s first vice president, also warned rival OPEC producer Saudi Arabia that it would never take Tehran’s “place” on the international oil market.

“We will surely do something to thwart the US rallying cry that Iranian oil [exports] must be stemmed,” Jahangiri said in a speech during an economic event broadcast on state television.

“The [Iranian] government has a plan ... and God willing we are certain that we will be able to sell as much oil as we want,” Jahangiri added.

Iran is looking at ways to keep exporting oil after US President Donald Trump’s administration threatened to impose sanctions on Iran’s business partners if they do not cut Iranian oil imports to “zero” by November 4, in an attempt to further isolate Tehran politically and economically.

India, the biggest buyer of Iranian oil after China, already asked refiners on Thursday to prepare for a “drastic reduction or zero” of Iranian oil imports in order to protect its exposure to the US financial system.

“Iranian crude oil will be offered on the bourse and the

private sector can export it in a transparent way,” Jahangiri said at the event.

“We want to defeat America’s efforts ... to stop Iran’s oil exports.

“Oil is already being offered on the bourse, about 60,000 barrels per day, but that has been only for exports of oil products,” Jahangiri said.

Iran has an oil and petrochemicals bourse as part of its mercantile exchange.

Referring to reports that Saudi Arabia may increase its oil exports to replace Iranian oil in world markets, Jahangiri said: “Anyone trying to take away Iran’s oil market [share] would be committing great treachery against Iran and will one day pay for it.”

The US-led sanctions are aimed at pressuring Iran to negotiate a follow-up agreement to halt its nuclear programme, following Trump’s withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal agreed between Iran and six major powers.

On Tuesday a senior State Department official described tightening the noose on Tehran as “one of our top national security priorities”.

European countries have been attempting to negotiate exemptions for their firms, but the official confirmed that Trump

intends to stick to his deadline.

“We’re not granting waivers,” the official said.

Jahangiri’s remarks come a day after Trump said that Saudi Arabia’s King Salman had agreed to his request to ramp up oil production, “maybe up to 2,000,000 barrels” to offset anticipated losses in production

by Iran and Venezuela.

Just spoke to King Salman of Saudi Arabia and explained to him that, because of the turmoil & disfunction in Iran and Venezuela, I am asking that Saudi Arabia increase oil production, maybe up to 2,000,000 barrels, to make up the difference...Prices to high! He has agreed!

For the record: the oil price hike associated with Iran is not due to “turmoil & dysfunction” in Iran, it is due to the turmoil & dysfunction of Trump’s own decision to reimpose sanctions on Iran in violation of the 2015 nuclear accord.

Just spoke to King Salman of Saudi Arabia and explained to him that, because of the turmoil & disfunction in Iran and Venezuela, I am asking that Saudi Arabia increase oil production, maybe up to 2,000,000 barrels, to make up the difference...Prices to high! He has agreed!

“They’re begging the Saudis to raise their output so that if

Jahangiri : ‘Anyone trying to take away Iran’s oil market [share] would be committing great treachery against Iran’ [Ebrahim Noroozi/Associated Press] Iran’s quota decreases nothing will happen to the markets,” said Jahangiri.

“In this battle, any country that tries to take Iran’s place on the oil market will be guilty of treason against Iran... and surely

Redoine Faid: Paris helicopter prison break for gangster

A

notorious gangster has escaped by helicopter from a prison in the Paris region, the French authorities say.

Redoine Faid was helped by several heavily armed men who created a diversion at the prison entrance while the helicopter landed in the courtyard.

The helicopter flew to the nearby Gonesse area, where it was found by local police.

Faid, 46, has been serving a 25-year sentence for a failed robbery during which a police officer was killed.

This is his second prison break: in 2013, he escaped after seizing four guards as human shields and blowing several doors off with dynamite.

He staged that escape less than half an hour after arriving at a prison in northern France.

In 2009 Faid wrote a book about his experiences of growing up in Paris’s crimeridden suburbs and graduating into a life of law-breaking.

He claimed to have turned his back on criminality, but a year later was involved in the failed robbery for which he was serving a sentence at the prison in Réau in the Seineet-Marne region.

Faid and his accomplices escaped from the prison courtyard - which was not protected by a net - without injuring anyone Gunmen took the prisoner from the visitors’ room before fleeing by air, according to security sources cited by Reuters.

French outlet BFMTV reports that the

This is the second prison break pulled off by Redoine Faid (pictured in 2010) men, hooded and dressed in black, burst into the room at around 11:20 local time (09:20 GMT) on Sunday, demanding Faid’s release.

They had earlier taken a helicopter instructor hostage while he was waiting for a student, and ordered him to go to the prison. Reports suggest the pilot has been released and is safe - if shocked.

Faid got out of the helicopter and into a black Renault Megane which was seen heading for the A1 motorway, BFMTV reports.

Early on Sunday afternoon, police sources told news channel France 3 that he had switched vehicles and was now in a white van.

Redoine Faid was placed on Interpol’s most-wanted list after his 2013 escape A police search is under way across the whole Paris region. “Everything is being done to locate the fugitive,” an interior ministry official said.

Gangster who loves Hollywood crime Born in 1972, Faid grew up in a notoriously rough part of Paris.

In the 1990s, he ran a gang involved in armed robbery and extortion in the French capital. He has previously said his lifestyle was inspired by Hollywood gangster films, including the Al Pacino thriller Scarface.

He is said to be devoted to Robert De Niro movies and the stylised crime thrillers of US director Michael Mann.

Faid is nicknamed “L’Écrivain” - “the writer” - by French police.

In 2001, he was sentenced to 30 years in prison for armed robbery.

In April this year, he was convicted on appeal of masterminding a 2010 robbery in which a young policewoman, Aurélie Fouquet, was killed.

He had been returned to prison in 2011 for breaching parole conditions relating to earlier convictions.

In 2013, he escaped from the northern French prison of Sequedin, outside Lille, by taking four guards hostage, but was recaptured six weeks later.

one day it will pay the price of this treason,” he said.

Iran possesses the secondlargest gas reserves on the planet after Russia and the fourth-largest oil supplies, while Saudi Arabia is the world’s biggest oil exporter.

Plastic bags: Shop assistant ‘grabbed by throat’ as Australia ban starts

T

empers flared in Australia over the weekend as retailers implemented a ban on single-use plastic bags.

One customer reportedly grabbed a shop assistant by the throat, while another called staff “money-grabbing scum”.

The ban on single-use bags is part of a national push to reduce waste. Retailers in four of six Australian states now face fines for using them.

More than 60 countries including the UK have now introduced bans or levies on single-use bags, according to the UN. The UN environment agency estimates that up to 5 trillion single-use bags are consumed worldwide each year.

Australian chain Woolworths introduced a ban on the bags on 20 June, ahead of the 1 July deadline, offering reusable bags for 15 cents (£0.08; $0.11) instead.

But customer “bag rage” pushed the chain to reverse the policy and offer the reusable bags for free until 8 July.

“They just want a little extra help from us to get through the transition,” said Claire Peters, Woolworths managing director, in a statement.

Another chain, Coles, said it would open every checkout lane on Sunday to reduce queue lengths and put on extra staff to explain the change to customers.

“We are taking a proactive step,” a Coles spokesperson said.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, july 2, 2018

N e w s F South Sudan ceasefire violated hours after taking effect

S

outh Sudan’s latest ceasefire has been violated hours after it began with the government and armed opposition trading blame.

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and his opponent Riek Machar agreed, at talks in the Sudanese capital Khartoum on Wednesday, to a “permanent” ceasefire to take effect within 72 hours, raising hopes of an end a devastating civil war.

The conflict erupted in 2013, around two years after South Sudan won independence from Sudan, when Kiir accused his then-deputy Machar of plotting a coup. It claimed tens of thousands of lives, displaced four million people and left the newly created country’s oil-rich economy in tatters.

The “permanent” ceasefire had gone into effect at midnight.

But later on Saturday, rebel spokesperson Lam Paul Gabriel said government forces and Sudanese rebels launched a “heavy joint attack” in Mboro, Wau County around 7am (04:00 GMT) on Saturday, arriving in armoured personnel carriers, trucks and four-wheel drive vehicles.

The Associated Press news agency quoted Gabriel as saying “the fight is still ongoing as I write”. He called on the UN peacekeeping mission and ceasefire monitors to investigate, adding that the opposition reserves the right to selfdefence.

“This is disappointing that even when their president and commander-inchief Salva Kiir declares a ceasefire, the regime’s forces still violate it,” Gabriel told AP. “There is the possibility Salva Kiir is not in control of his forces or he doesn’t want peace to come,” he added.

Government spokesperson Ateny Wek Ateny told AP the opposition attacked instead.

“They have a loose leadership; they’re not being controlled by anyone. The people of South Sudan should be given a chance to lead a peaceful life, and the army is observing the order of the president.

It’s very sad,” Ateny was quoted as saying.

The previous ceasefire in December was violated within hours as well, prompting a new push by the international community to threaten UN and regional sanctions against those blocking the path to peace.

“Regardless of who started the attack it shows that the order that was given by the president and the order that was given by the head of the opposition to their forces, is not fully implemented,” said Al Jazeera’s Hiba Morgan.

“So, either it has not trickled down to the commanders on the ground or it did and no commander is listening.”

Page 23

r o m

A

f r i c a

Two French Soldiers Killed in North Mali T wo French soldiers were killed in an attack in Mali Sunday, according to the Defense Ministry.

At least a dozen others were wounded, including between four and eight French soldiers, when a car bomb detonated, reportedly targeting a French and Malian patrol which then came under fire.

The attack comes just days after Islamist militants raided the headquarters of a five-nation African force in Bamako, leaving six people dead.

The upsurge in violence comes as Malians prepare to head to the polls on July 29.

Smoke billows from an army armored vehicle in Gao after and explosion

African Union leaders set to meet to review free trade, crises

A

frican Union (AU) leaders are set to meet in Mauritania for a twoday summit focusing on free trade, tackling corruption and dealing with the continent’s humanitarian and security crises.

The theme of the meeting, which starts on Sunday in Mauritania’s capital, Nouakchott, is Winning the Fight against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation.

Delegates are expected to review the peace process in South Sudan and the reconciliation plans between Ethiopia and Eritrea, whose relations have been severely strained for decades.

Other issues high on the agenda are likely to be the upcoming elections in countries such as Cameroon, Mali, Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Joseph Kabila, the DRC president who is constitutionally ineligible for December’s poll after his second term officially ended in 2016, is not expected to join the summit.

French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to join the attending African heads of state and government and push for a security initiative in the Sahel.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who holds the presidency of the AU, will make a call to promote free trade.

In March, representatives of 44 of the 55 AU member states signed an agreement in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, to set up a massive free-trade area to

The theme of the meeting is Winning the Fight against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation [File: Tiksa Negeri/Reuters]

improve regional integration and boost economic growth across the continent.

Currently, African countries only conduct about 16 percent of their business with each other, the smallest amount of intra-regional trade compared with Latin America, Asia, North America and Europe.

The free-trade agreement commits countries to remove tariffs on 90 percent of goods, with 10 percent of “sensitive items” to be phased in later.

It will also liberalise trade in services and might in the future include free movement of people and a single currency.

By creating the African Continental

Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), African leaders hope to boost intra-continental trade, which stands at around 10 percent of all trade across the continent.

It will create a bloc with a cumulative GDP of $2.5 trillion and cover a market of 1.2 billion people, if all 55 African Union members eventually sign up.

The free-trade deal will now have to be ratified by individual countries.

But two of the continent’s economic heavyweights, South Africa and Nigeria, have not signed the agreement.

South Sudan’s government and armed opposition trade blame as the latest ceasefire is violated hours after it began

DR Congo: Oil drilling allowed in wildlife parks

T

he government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has decided to allow oil exploration in two protected wildlife parks, Virunga and Salonga.

The move is strongly opposed by environmental activists, who say drilling would place wildlife at risk and contribute to global warming.

Around one-fifth of Virunga national park will be opened to oil drilling.

The parks are home to bush elephants, critically endangered mountain gorillas

and the bonobo, an endangered ape.

Both parks are Unesco World Heritage Sites, with Salonga national park covering 36,000 sq km (13,900 sq miles) of the Congo Basin - the world’s second-largest rainforest after the Amazon.

The government has defended its right to authorise drilling anywhere in the country, saying in a statement that it is mindful of protecting animals and plants in the two parks.

The cabinet said it had approved commissions charged with preparing

plans to declassify parts of the parks, including 1,720 sq km (664 sq miles), or 21.5%, of eastern Congo’s Virunga, the continent’s oldest wildlife reserve.

Earlier this year, park authorities decided to close the park famous for its volcanoes to visitors until 2019 after two British tourists were kidnapped and a female park ranger was killed.

The region has suffered rising instability and violence, with at least 12 rangers killed in clashes with armed groups and poachers in the past year.

PAGE 24

N

e w s

F

India bus crash: More than 40 dead in northern Uttarakhand state

r o m

A SI A

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, july 2, 2018

Deadly blast hits Afghanistan’s Jalalabad

In India, a person is killed in a road accident every four minutes, according to government data [KK Production via AP

M

ore than 40 people have died when a bus fell into a gorge in a mountainous region of northern

India.

The incident on Sunday occurred in Nanidhanda area of Pauri Garhwal district in the state Uttarakhand.

“The bus lost control and swerved off the road, into a deep valley. It broke into two pieces on impact and it is now in a small river at the bottom of the valley,” disaster management official Deepesh Chandra Kala told AFP news agency.

“As per official records, 45 people are dead, while many are injured,” Surendra Agrawal, official at the Chief Minister’s Office in Uttarakhand told Al Jazeera.

“Over 50 people were travelling in the bus,” he added. “A probe will determine the reason of the accident, it could be human error or a technical snag.”

India’s National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) was called to the crash site and is continuing its efforts to reach any passengers trapped in the wreckage.

The injured have been rushed to hospital.

The chief minister of the state of Uttarakhand said a “magisterial inquiry has been ordered”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office tweeted that Modi was “extremely saddened” by the news of the deaths.

Road accidents are frequent in India, with uncontrolled traffic junctions, badly maintained vehicles, poor driving standards blamed for most incidents.

In India, a person is killed in a road accident every four minutes, according to government data.

In April this year, 24 children and three adults were killed when a school bus plunged off a mountain road in Himachal Pradesh.

In the same month, 21 people were killed and many others suffered serious injuries after a mini-truck they were travelling in fell off a bridge over the Son river in Sidhi district of Madhya Pradesh.

“It’s a combination of factors - roads are not in good condition, drivers are not trained, vehicles are not road-worthy,” Harman Singh, of safety campaign group Arrive Safe, told Al Jazeera.

“New set of rules are no good unless we think of ways to ensure implementation. It was, still is and would probably remain one of the biggest challenges,” he adds.

A total of 480,000 road accidents took place in India in 2016, which resulted in the loss of 150,000 lives and injured 494,000 people.

A planned law with tougher rules intended to improve one of the world’s worst road-safety records is yet to pass muster through India’s parliament.

About 1.2 million Indians were killed in car accidents between 2004-2014, while 5.5 million were seriously injured.

Afghan security forces inspect the site of the blast [Parwiz/Reuters]

A

t least 19 people, including 10 members of Afghanistan’s Sikh minority, have been killed in a suicide bombing in the eastern city of Jalalabad, according to officials.

The blast on Sunday damaged shops and buildings around Mukhaberat square, said Attaullah Khogyani, the provincial governor’s spokesperson.

The bombing came hours after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani inaugurated a hospital in the city, the provincial capital of

Nangarhar.

Ghulam Sanayi Stanekzai, Nangarhar’s police chief, said the explosion was caused by a suicide bomber who targeted a vehicle carrying members of the Sikh minority who were travelling to meet the president.

Inaamullah Miakhel, a spokesman for the provincial health department of Nangarhar, said 19 people had been killed and 20 wounded. Officials said at least 10 of the dead were Sikhs.

The casualty total might have been much higher had much of the city not been blocked off for the visit by Ghani, who was not in the area when the blast occurred, according to officials.

Local media reported that security forces immediately cordoned off the site of the explosion as ambulances transferred victims to hospital.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Mexico election: Polls open in country’s largest election

Four candidates are vying for the presidency on Sunday [Handout/National Electoral Institute/Reuters]

P

olls have opened in Mexico in what is being billed as the largest election in the country’s history.

More than 3,400 posts are up for grabs on Sunday, including the presidency and all the seats in the two houses of Congress.

Polls opened at 13:00 GMT and the last polls are set to close at 01:00 GMT on Monday.

Results are expected later on Monday.

Three issues have defined the landmark race: security, corruption and poverty.

Mexico has slipped to 135th out of 180 countries in the Transparency International Corruption index.

A 2018 poll showed that 64 percent of the country’s population believes the government isn’t doing enough to combat corruption, and many Mexicans are sick of a political class that has become

synonymous with pocket-lining and impunity.

Many are also becoming increasingly concerned about the country’s crime rates.

Last year was the most violent on record and 2018 is set to surpass that with four people killed every hour in the month of May alone, according to government figures.

Poverty levels are also topping voter’s minds. More than 50 million of the country’s 127.5 million people live below the poverty line. About one percent of the country’s population holds a third of its wealth, according to a 2017 study by CEPAL - a regional economic commission of the UN. Concern over these issues has seemingly helped frontrunner Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

Known as AMLO, Lopez Obrador finished the campaign just as he started it: with clear daylight between himself and his rivals.

A silver-haired, left-leaning populist who wows supporters at rallies with promises to fighter “the power mafia” and eradicate all graft, Lopez Obrador had a 22-point lead in an aggregate of the final opinion polls on June 27.

The 65-year-old spent time in both Mexico’s ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) and the Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD) before veering off to form his own party, the National Regeneration Movement (Morena).

Despite his long career in politics, he bills himself as an outsider, and promises to bring wholesale change to the country from the top down.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, july 2, 2018

PAGE 25

eduction

Why I accepted ABU’s GGPPS award - Ex Gov. Shema

By Vivian Okejeme Abuja

T

he former governor of Katsina state, Dr. Ibrahim Shehu Shema, over the weekend explained why he accepted the award of Great Grand Patron of Postgraduate Students of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Last weekend, a delegation of Ahmadu Bello University Postgraduate Representative Council, led by its President, Comrade Isah Nuhu bestowed the prestigious award on the former governor.

Dr. Shema said, “I decided to accept the award because the last recipient of the award, Dr. Maitama Sule, was a very eminent personality in the society before

his demise.”

He said education was his focus when he was in offices as the Executive governor of he state.

“When I got into office, my focus was to serve the people.

Education remains the best legacy you can give to the youth.

Education has the capacity to open doors.

“In my mind yesterday, today and tomorrow, education is the best legacy one can give to a child or the youth. When I took up office my focus is to serve, we made it clear that we will focus on education. I remembered taking a trip about two weeks after assuming office to a school, and I found out that two weeks after the school had resumed, student are yet to resumed school.

Upon enquiry , I was made to understand that the parents are yet to pay school fees of about N7,000”, he said.

He told the audience during the ceremony that when he got back to his office, he asked for the total amount of all the fees and tuition every child in Kastina state needed to pay per annum.

He said the total amount stood at a little above N400m and his government decided to set aside 100miilion every month.

“At the end of the year, I have N1.2 billion from which N400m was used to pay school fees and tuitions of every student without collecting any kobo from anybody.

From that day, we declared education free at all levels.

“Out of N1.2b of our savings,

we are clearly left with N800m.

Apart from school fees, and another hurdle is external examination fee (WAEC NECO, NABTEB) which stood at N900 million per annum was also paid and every child in kastina state throughout my tenure as the governor of the state was writing all external exams for free.

“We started expansion of school and built over 260 schools and set up a section of girl child education which is the first in the whole country. A special department for girl child education in each of the primary school which makes it convenient for our girls to be trained”.

Comrade Nuhu, while bestowing the award on Dr. Shema, said many indigenes of

the state are still talking about the legacies he left behind after his tenure as governor of the state.

In a letter dated 16th April, 2018, the ABU postgraduate students had requested for a courtesy visit and award presentation on Dr. Shema.

Part of the letter signed by Comrade Nuhu reads,”In lieu of the above and many more the council has sought the support of its members and the University Management in honouring you with titled Great Grand Patron Postgraduate Student (GGPPS) of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

The award was last. Received by Dan Masanin Kano, late Yusuuf Maitama. We see you with this indispensable quality and we will always champion your cause.

Expert calls for introduction of drug policy in schools From Femi Oyelola Kaduna

A

s a way of checking the of menace of drug abuse and addiction among students in the country, Dr. Hasheem Saidu of Health and Happiness Foundation, Kaduna has called for the introduction of drug policy in schools.

He made the call while delivering a lecture yesterday at the TEWORH Sports and Skills Centre Fighting Drugs Abuse Multi Events, held in Kaduna.

He said that drug policy is expected to check abuse of not just illicit drugs, but even those prescribed to treat ailments like malaria or headaches.

“How many schools have drug policies? No child should be allowed to take any kind of drugs, not even paracetamol, within any school premises without supervision of staff nurses or their teachers, ” he stressed.

He explained that drug abuse starts when you start taking even prescribed drugs wrongly.

“Parents should also let the school know when their children or wards are going to school with prescribed drugs and the time they are to be administered. This should check abuse of drugs, not just illicit drugs.,” he said.

Speaking further, while highlighting risk factors that contribute to drug addiction, he said that parents should create bonds with their children.

“Preventing drug abuse starts from the home.

Anxiety can lead to depression and drug addiction. When your children don’t feel free to share what they are feeling with family team, they end up seeking advice elsewhere. If they fall into wrong hands, they may be introduced to drug as a temporary escape from anxiety,” he said.

Pupils of LEA primary school Kutunku in Gwagwalada Area council waiting for UBEC management staff visiting the school for the ongoing National Schools Personnel Audit, recently in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Professor Ezemonye replaces Osaghae as Igbinedion Varsity VC

By Osaigbovo Benin

Iguobaro

I

gbinedion University, Okada, Edo state, has unveiled Professor Lawrence Ezemonye as the new Vice Chancellor of the nation’s

premier private institution.

He took over from Prof. Eghosa Osaghae who presided over the institution for fourteen years as Vice Chancellor.

Before his appointment, Prof.

Ezemonye was a

former Deputy Chancellor (Administration) University of Benin and a visiting professor to Lancaster University, United Kingdom.

The new Vice Chancellor assumed duty amid high expectation from the

management of the Institution, students and the government.

The new VC who is an allround scholar, had established university research linkages in Africa, Asia, Canada, United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

IBB varsity promotes 104 staff From Yakubu Minna

I

Mustapha

brahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, has promoted 104 academic staff out of which 37 were elevated to the rank of professors in the last three years of the current administration.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof Mohammed Nasir Maiturare stated this at the weekend at the second combined convocation of 6,348 grandaunts of the institution at Lapai.

According to him, “Promotions at IBBUL are up

to date with no backlog. Over the last three years the council has approved the promotion of 104 academic staff comprising 37 professors, Senior lecturers and lecturer cadres. For the non-teaching staff, 558 staff comprising 197 senior and 361 junior staff were promoted during the same period”.

The Vice Chancellor of the Niger state owned university said that regular promotion of staff was essential for the institution to attract and retain high quality staff in the face of increasing competitive university landscape.

He informed that over 161 staff have also benefited from the TETFUND grants for Academic Staff Training and Development (ASTD) adding that “92 academic staff were trained for PhD, while 69 other staff went for Masters Degree training in the country and overseas.

Maiturare however, appealed to the National Assembly to expedite action on the passage of the students loan and scholarship bill aimed at increasing access into higher education by students without financial hindrances, Professor Maiturare said that over 200 students were currently

benefiting from the sponsorship and support of the university to complete their studies.

He decried the acute shortage of accommodation for both staff and students of the university, explaining that less than 20% of students were not accommodated due to lack of adequate hostels while only 40 blocks of houses were available for over 1000 staff.

The Governor of Niger state and visitor to the university, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello in his remarks said his administration was going to establish special fund for state tertiary institutions.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, may 21, 2018

26

Feature

Benin's start-ups overcome 'scammer' stigma and hit global market

By Joy Notoma

A

ssiba Bokon had seen moringa trees when she was growing up in Cotonou, Benin, but she didn’t learn of their worth until she attended a workshop in her 30s.

She learned how to make moringa powder. Then, she perfected a juice recipe and began selling it locally. Next, she learned how to make pasta, pastries, syrup and cheese with moringa. By all counts, she was thriving thanks to making use of this socalled “superfood”.

But her business could never reach further than neighbouring countries Burkina Faso, Togo, and Niger.

For Bokon, online retail usually meant receiving a direct message on Facebook, followed by the challenge of figuring out pricing and delivery.

“How could I know what to charge because the shipping rates could change every day? It is hard to say what money I will spend and what money I will make,” she told Al Jazeera.

West Africa is in the middle of an economic genocide.

Vital Sounouvou, Founder Of Exportunity While Bokon and countless small vendors across Benin grappled with the reality of doing business in West Africa, the question of how to put his country on the map of international trade haunted Vital Sounouvou, a 27-year-old from Porto Novo.

There was another problem - West Africa’s online reputation is widely associated with scams, which effectively blacklists it from global trade. Transparency International placed Benin 85th of 180 countries in its 2017 Corruption Perceptions Index.

With this stigma, how could small enterprises make the leap from local clientele to global commerce?

The payment problem Six years ago, Sounouvou started developing an online platform called Exportunity to put local vendors in contact with large-quantity buyers anywhere in the world.

The platform is a rare opportunity for businesses in the small West African country, but confronting a deeply entrenched international reputation means working twice as hard.

“West Africa is in the middle of an economic genocide,” Sounouvou said.

Virtual payments are not new in the region.

Western Union, which has existed for decades, has given way to the convention of mobile money - a service that allows a person to send money using a phone number and cash. But mobile money is of no use in reaching international consumers.

Paypal extended service to Nigeria, Benin’s largest trading partner, and nine other countries in Africa in 2014, but the stigma remains.

Benin’s trade profile on The International Trade Administration of the US government associates the country with”419 scams”

Assiba Bokon prepares to make moringa juice in her workshop behind her home in Cotonou, Benin [Joy Notoma/Al Jazeera]

named after a Nigerian law that addresses financial crime.

Sounouvou not only needed to make it easier for vendors to sell online, he needed buyers to purchase without any glitches.

He caught the attention of renowned Nigerian economist Tony Elumelu, who is a chairman at United Bank for Africa, after attending Elumelu’s entrepreneurship programme as an invited fellow in 2015.

Impressed by his confidence, Elumelu introduced him to the CEO of United Bank for Africa (UBA) in Cotonou, Ellis Nzo Asu. Sounouvou proposed a partnership with UBA that would allow Exportunity to use the bank’s secure payment system.

Each Exportunity vendor would be given a secure website that would allow online payments.

Sounouvou required proof that they legally exist and listed additional information, beyond what is usually required by similar sites in the region, about each product on the platform.

United Bank for Africa was attracted to the possibility of bringing small businesses into the formal economy, according to Nzo Asu, the CEO. The World Bank estimates that more than 90 percent of the labour force and 65

“

percent of Benin’s economy is informal, with workers paying little to no government taxes or using banks to invest and save money.

Shipping woes Benin’s government-run postal service charges customers high prices to ship large volumes.

With no postal subsidies provided to start-ups and little delivery assurance, most small businesses relied on taxis and buses for shipping between neighbouring countries.

To address these challenges, Exportunity pursued a partnership with Benin’s postal service, enabling the company to offer standard shipping rates to its member businesses.

In 2013, Regis Ezin started his business, Dayelian, selling traditional Beninese snacks in modern packaging made with natural ingredients. Hoping to capitalise on the fact that “natural products are trendy in the Western world”, Ezin found it appealing that Exportunity focuses on export.

The business has ambitions of expanding to international markets, and using Exportunity allows Ezin to reduce the costs associated with accessing a new market.

International exposure

Sounouvou required proof that they legally exist and listed additional information, beyond what is usually required by similar sites in the region, about each product on the platform

Steve Hoda, an agricultural engineer from a village outside of Cotonou, has a startup called AgriBusiness, which specialises in making environmentally conscious farm equipment that automates manual tasks.

But the problem of attracting international investors stifled Hoda’s progress from the start.

“Many Beninese farmers can’t afford to invest in new equipment, even if they understand the benefits,” said Hoda.

Hoda joined Exportunity last year using a free trial membership in the hope that his page on the site will legitimise his business to international investors.

Without a presence on a secure site online, he believes that investors won’t feel confident enough to give him a chance.

The most common complaint Exportunity receives from users are about its extra security measures, according to Didier Amouzounvi, Exportunity’s director of operations.

The extra security measures, he says, are not negotiable.

Exportunity is a part of a wave entrepreneurship in Benin that intends to engage the international audience and the necessity of debunking the stigma of illegitimacy is irrefutable.

Last year, Benin launched a governmentsupported initiative called Seme City, in search of the most innovative ideas that would enhance the tourism sector.

One application question asked whether the idea was replicable in a global context.

For new businesses in Benin, competing globally is a lifeline as important as the idea itself.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, july 2, 2018

PUBLIC NOTICE

TELECOM EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : (1) ADEYEMI SURAJUDEEN ADEKANBI (2) AJAWUIHE (3) GASALI IBRAHIM ABOLADE (4) JIBRIN MAMMAN G. (5) LAAWAL NASIRU (6) SAIDU HAMZA AUWALU. THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.TO PROMOTE AND PROTECT THE INTEREST OF MEMBERS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY

PAGE 27

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

STEP BY STEP FRIENDS CLUB

CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN NIGERIA

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CLUB HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. ONYEBUCHI FRANCIS - CHAIRMAN 2. NWOBODO ANTHONY UCHE - SECRETAR 3. IKE OKECHUKWU EMMANUEL - TREASURER 4. IFEANYI AFAM EGBO - PIONEER 5. NWINYI PATRICK EJIMKONYE - PIONEER THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. To cater for the welfare of the members.

2. To promote love, peace and unity among the members.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. MR. IBRAHIM PETER IGOMU - CHAIRMAN 2. HAJIA BINTA SIDI 3. MR. KOLAWOLE ASAJU 4. BARR. AISHA TIJJANI 5. MR. SAMUEL ADENIYI AREMU - SECRETARY 6. MR. ADIO GAFARI 7. MR. STEPHEN AROME OKPANACHI THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. TO PROVIDE PLATFORMS FOR AWARENESS CREATION FOR THE PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF CONFLICTS THROUGH PEACE BUILDING AND NON VIOLENT EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS AND PUBLIC PLACES .

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : LEX HABITAE SOLICITORS LEXHABITAENG@GMAIL.COM

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

WAKATIADURAMI CHURCH OF CHRIST

ABE FARMERS WELFARE FOUNDATION

AMU EZE HOUSE OF GRACE FOUNDATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. AGUN BABATUNDE JACOBSON - CHAIRMAN 2. OMOTAYO KAYODE FOLUSO 3. AYELEGUN TOPE ALFRED 4. OYEDELE OYELAYO AJAMU 5. AJEWOLE PETER OLUWOLE - SECRETARY THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1. TO TAKE CARE OF THE WELFARE OF FARMERS WITHIN THE GROUP IN TERMS OF AGRICULTURAL INPUT.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. SABENA CHINYERE ODJEGBA 2. LOUISA CHINAZO OKECHUKWU-ODJEGBA 3. IRORO CLEMENT ODJEGBA 4. PATIENCE CHIOMA JOHN-MUSA 5. MELISSA UZOMA ODJEGBA

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED : SECRETARY

SIGNED : SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

Niger delta grassroot mobilization forum

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. ADEBAYO SAMUEL OLUTOBI - PRESIDENT 2. ADEBAYO TEMITOPE OLUWAYEMISI- SECRETARY 3. ADOBOR EMMANUEL KWAME - MEMBER 4. ADESANYA ADEBOWALE OLATUBOSUN 5. AYODELE AHMED THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.TO HELP THE LESS PRIVILEGED.

DIVINE FAVOUR MINISTRY BENIN-CITY

METRO-CITY RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION ABUJA

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.EDOSOMWAN UYI (Founder) 2.OSAGBOVO BLESSING (Secretary)

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.ENI KALU 2.IFY MALO 3.AMANORITSEWO ESISI 4.MIKE BALAMI 5.ZAKKA AUDU 6.AUDU IBRAHIM 7.JUMOKE AKINWALE THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1. TO CATER FOR THE WELFARE OF ITS MEMBERS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : (1) dagere bomadi - Chairman (2) Alex omobo (3) Stanley ebi nii (4) john ugori (5) bossman timinepere - Secretary

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1.To preach the gospel of christ to the whole world.

2.To take gospel mission to the unreached and to convert them to Christ.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : Starlion Legal 08130953118

PUBLIC NOTICE CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA. CAC/IT/NO. 4314 The general public is hereby notified that the above named body has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for change of Trustees Under Part ‘C’ of the companies and Allies Matters Act, No. 1 of 1990.

THE NEWLY APPOINTED TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Rev.Dr. Samson Olasupo Ayokunle.

2. Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor: 3. Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Dziggau.

4. Elder Dr. Napo Emuchay THE REMOVED TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Pastor I. G. Sakpo 2. Charles Obasola Williams.

3. Rev. MSGR John N. Ogbonna.

4. Chief Clifford Molalaji.

The retained trustee is; 1.Anthony Olabunmi Okogie.

The aim and objectives the Organization: To propagate the gospel of Christ and serve as a common front for the unity of Christians faithful in Nigeria.

Any objection to this changes should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P. M. B. 198, Garki Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed : Barr. Kwamkur Samuel Director, Legal and Public Affairs, CAN. Signed NWABEKE SUNDAY 08165836609

SIGNED : SECRETARY

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. To empower the less privilege in the society.

2. To promote unity in the society .

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

WIGATAP MINISTRY VINEYARD

DISCLAIMER! DISCLAIMER!!

DISCLAIMER!!!

TREFOIL NETWORKS LTD

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004.

NEW TRUSTEES : 1. Pastor Best Christian Boy Towuru - President 2. Pastor Esther Ogugua Towuru - Secretary THE AIM AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To preach the gospel of our lord Jesus Christ throughout the world.

2. To teach the people of God about the Christian faith.

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

SIGNED : SECRETARY (SOLICITOR)

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT YUSUF ISMAILA ADDY RESIDENT OF FLAT II, FIRS QTRS, KUBWA VILLAGE, ABUJA IS NO LONGER IN THE EMPLOYMENT OF OUR COMPANY WITH EFFECT FROM 23RD APRIL, 2018. HE IS NOT AUTHORIZED TO REPRESENT THE COMPANY IN ANY MATTERS WHATSOEVER AND HOWSOEVER. ANY PERSON DEALING WITH HIM SHALL DO SO AT HIS OWN RISK AND RESPONSIBILITY. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

PAGE 28

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, july 2, 2018

PUBLIC NOTICE

SKAL INTERNATIONAL CLUB PORTHARCOURT, RIVERS

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

GAKK INDIGENOUS YOUTHS FORUM

Manpower And Community Development Initiative

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. MRS TARIBOBA WENIKEBA MEMBERR-ENIOLA - PRESIDENT. 2. MR CHIMA JAMES IHE - VICE CHAIRMAN. 3. MRS VITORIA JOHAN - SECRETARY. 4. MR EUGENE NWAIZU - ORGANIZING SECRETARY 5. MRS IHUOMA UBANI - TREASURER. 6. MR JUDE IFECHUKWUDE NWANZE - MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY. 7. MRS CHINYERE STANLEY - PUBLICITY SECRETARY. THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.TO ENCOURAGE AND ASSIST IN THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF ALL, ESPECIALLY YOUNG PEOPLE WORKING IN OR TRAINING FOR THE TRAVEL AND TOURISM INDUSTRY. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : BARR. D.A MOMOH

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. PROF. SHUAIB HASSAN - CHAIRMAN 2. DR. ABOKI ZHAWA 3. DR. SANI YAHAYA - SECRETARY 4. HON. ZAKARI SHEMAZA KUTUNKU 5. ABAYI MAIMATO 6. HON. YAKUBU SAIDU 7. UMAR SHUAIBU 8. NASIRU TANKO JIBRIN THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1. TO PURSUE AND PROMOTE THE COURSE OF DEVELOPMENT OF THE GAKK COMMUNITY INDIGENOUS YOUTHS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE OSCAR N. ONYEMA FOUNDATION

GUIEX FASHION AND SKILL EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVE

Centre For Value Reorientation And Peace Advocacy

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Abie John Jerry Lebari -- Chairman 2. Hyacinth-Dike Gift Nkesi -- Secretary 3. Nmekele Vincent -- Member 4. Adeyemo Johnson Babatunde -- Member Aims and Objectives 1. Promotion of peace through Advocacy 2. Promotion of value system and reorientation ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. MR. ONYEMA OSCAR NDUKA - OON - CHAIRMAN 2. MR. AYERE SONNIE OSAGIE BABATUNDE 3. MRS. ORAKWUSI MARGARET NKEM - SECRETARY 4. MR. FOLAWIYO TIJANI BABATUNDE 5. MISS. OTEDOLA FLORENCE IFEOLUWA THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. TO SET UP AN EDUCATION ENDOWMENT FUND FOR INDIGENT YOUTHS PROVIDING THEM WITH FORMAL EDUCATION, FUNDING FOR PRIMARY, SECONDARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATION .

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

NIGINSTEM FOUNDATION

This is to in the general public of loss original R of O bearing Sunday Osoba with plot no 127, FOI Kubwa, Size: 777.31sqm with file no. ED21288 belonging to Alh. Yunusa Jibrin of block 27 Shagari quarter G.SRA Suleja got missing on transit along kubwa expressway on february 12, 2018. All efforts made to trace the said documents prove abortive. If found kindly return to the nearestpolice station. All authorities concerned and general public should please take note.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Chuka Ebi 2. Princess Adaeze Ebi 3. Ikaay Ikechukwu Ebi 4. Chiaka Okoye THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To develop girls (6 to 18yrs old) in rural areas interest in STEM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS).

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : Barr. Akporeha Emonena F.

IMUMOREN I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS EBE JOYCE OWATSOZI. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS IMUMOREN JOYCE OWATSOZI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Emesiobi Ugo First 2. Emefiena Kenneth Onyisi 3. Chinah Sampson Chigozilem 4. Ndorkekor Lekue Joseph

-- Chairman -- Secretary -- Member -- Member

Aims and Objectives : 1. Development of society and welfare of members.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Gladness Iniobong Daniel 2. Iniobong Victor Daniel 3. Esther Asupuo Edet THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To impart enterpreneurial skills and mindset towards productivity.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : Barr. Akporeha F.

OMOTOSHO I, formerly known as ABBA MUSTAPHA now wish to be known and addressed as OMOTOSHO AYODELE SAMUEL. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

Ruth I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS Omoh Ediah. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS Ruth Ibitayo Omoh. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

NWANKWO I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS NWANKWO KELECHI CECELIA. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS NWANKWO KELECHI STEPHANIE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

MOHAMMED

jonathan

ISA

I, formerly known as Mohammed DALHATU UMAR now wish to be known and addressed as MOHAMMED DALHATU. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS yaden mercy inusa.

NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS jonathan mercy inusa. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I, formerly known as ISA OSABO ODEH now wish to be known and addressed as ISA OSIBO. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

HAJARA

MARY

MOHAMMED

I, formerly known as HAJARA OSHEKA MOHAMMED now wish to be known and addressed as HAJARA YAHAYA. All former documents remain valid.

Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

I, formerly known as MARY SILAS now wish to be known and addressed as MARY AMINA ADAMU. All former documents remain valid.

Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

I, formerly known as MOHAMMED DALHATU UMAR now wish to be known and addressed as MOHAMMED DALHATU. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

MUSLIMAT

asREGINA

BLESSING

I, formerly known as MUSLIMAT ABDULLAHI now wish to be known and addressed as MUSLIMAT ABDULLAHI WAZIRI. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

I, formerly known as REGINA TERNENGE YAWON now wish to be known and addressed asREGINA ALUKU. All former documents remain valid.

Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

I, formerly known as ROSEMARY OKOYE now wish to be known and addressed as BLESSING SAMUEL. All former documents remain valid.

Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, july 2, 2018

PAGE 29

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF NASARAWA STATE OF NIGERIA IN THE PROBATE DIVISION

WHEREAS the person whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date place stated in the said in the column.

AND WHEREAS the person(s) whose name (s) and address(s) and relation(s) to the deceased are set out in the second column hereto has/ have applied to the High Court of Justice, Nasarawa State for the grant of Letters of Administration of the Real and personal properties/ estate of the said deceased.

NOTICE: IS HEREBY GIVEN that Letter of Administration will be granted to such applicant/applicants unless a “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT” the grant is file in this Registry within Twenty- One (21) days from the date hereof.

SCHEDULE

PUBLIC NOTICE

SISTERS OF THE TWO HEARTS OF LOVE CONGREGATION This is to notify the general public that the above named, has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Restoration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Iheanacho Roseann Amuche - President 2.Olajide Stella Olanike - Secretary 3. Amadi Stella Nnenna - Treasurer

NAME OF DECEASED PERSON S/N 1 Aboki Usman late of Lafia, Died on the 8th day of July, 2017 at Lafia 2 Habila Isaac Gambo late of Keffi, Died on the 4th day of May, 2014 at Gambo 3 63NA/236883 WO Kuje Sunday late of Akwanga, Died on the 15th day of August, 2015 at Alushi 4 Usman Abu Ibrahim late of Toto, Died on the 17th day of March, 2018 at Toto 5 James Aruwa Bako late of Tammah , Died on the 19th day of October, 2017 at Nasarawa 6 Larry Iya late of Masaka, Died on the 28th day of May, 2015 at Mararaba 7 Musa Bala late of Akwanga, Died on the 13th day of March, 2018 at Lagos 8 Nnaji Kenechukwu Solomon late of Lafia, Died on the 9th day of March, 2018 at Lafia 9 Ibrahim Gaji late of Akwanga, Died on the 6th day of February, 2018 at Akwanga 10 Adi Usman late of Obi, Died on the 29th day of December, 2014 at Obi 11 Idrisu S. Mohammed late of Nasarawa, Died on the 20th day of June, 2013 at Nasarawa 12 Iya Zakaria late of Gurku, Died on the 26th day of November, 2016 at Mararaba 13 Mohammed Anas Ahmad late of Keffi, Died on the 19th day of April, 2018 at Yaba 14 Fatima Suleiman Dikko late of Shabu, Died on the 1st day of February, 2018 at Abuja 15 Akwara Daniel late of Duduguru, Died on the 20th day of April, 2018 at Lafia 16 Ikemefuna Chukwuma Immanuel late of Nasarawa, Died on the 27th day of August, 2017 at Nasarawa 17 Musa Bala Muhammed late of Keffi, Died on the 1st day of September, 2017 at Keffi 18 Justice Timothy Njaru late of Akwanga, Died on the 28th day of February, 2018 at Wamba 19 Abdulazeez Mohammed late of Lafia, Died on the 29th day of January, 2018 at Lafia 20 Paul Noah late of Shafa Abakpa, Died on the 4th day of September, 2016 at Abuja 21 Hajara Dauda late of Agwatashi, Died on the 15th day of March, 2018 at Lafia 22 Usman Lawal late of Keffi, Died on the 10th day of November, 2017 at Keffi 23 Alli Rufai late of Akwanga, Died on the 25th day of November, 2017 at Akwanga 24 Iti Matthew Oravee late of Abuja, Died on the 12th day of February, 2016 at Abuja 25 Abdullahi Hafasat late of Lafia, Died on the 18th day of April, 2018 at Lafia 26 Bala Maina Amos late of Lafia, Died on the 27th day of December, 2017 at Lafia 27 Charity Ezeohiaburu late of Nasarawa, Died on the 12th day of February, 2018 at Nasarawa 28 Larai Yahaya late of Lafia, Died on the 24th day of November, 2017 at Keffi 29 Juliana Akuki late of Garaku, Died on the 20th day of March, 2017 at Akwanga 30 Iliya Sabak Emmanuel late of Lafia, Died on the 21st day of July, 2017 at Lafia 31 Amos Rose late of Lafia, Died on the 30th day of April, 2018 at Lafia 32 Esther Yakubu Akabe late of Doma, Died on the 5th day of March, 2018 at Doma 33 Doma Akwe Aliyu late of Doma, Died on the 6th day of March, 2018 at Israel

change of name Ukwune Emmanuel late of Nasarawa, Died on the 17th day of July, 2000 at Ideh X Chibuzor Anyiechie late of Lafia, Died on the 26th day of December, 2017 at Anambra X Wakili Dauda late of Keffi, Died on the 21st day of May, 2014 at Keffi XX Banjo Madu late of Lafia, Died on the 16th day of October, 2014 at Lafia X

space for sale

SIGNED: SECRETARY

Shekwoduza Jerhi Gambo & Akpajeshi Ruth Zakarita both of Masaka the lawful Cousin & Daughter of the said deceased

Haruna Mohammed of F.M.C Keffi the lawful Mother of the said deceased Garba Umar Bida of Shabu the lawful Widower of the said deceased Julius Daniel of Duduguru the lawful Son of the said deceased Comfort Emenanjor Chukwufumanya of Nasarawa the lawful Widow of the said deceased Bala Ibrahim Muhammed of Keffi the lawful Brother of the said deceased Precious J. Njaru of Akwanga the lawful Widow of the said deceased Mohammed Usman Gwani of Lafia the lawful Brother of the said deceased Noah Ohikwo Deborah of Akurba the lawful Daughter of the said deceased Dauda Angulu Musa of Lafia the lawful Son of the said deceased Usman Yakubu Lawal & Usman Abubakar Lawal both of Keffi the lawful Sons of the said deceased Rufai Samson Yando of Akwanga the lawful Son of the said deceased Iti Eliza of Keffi the lawful Widow of the said deceased Ahmed Ibrahim of Lafia East the lawful Widower of the said deceased Bulus M. Mercy of Akwanga the lawful Widow of the said deceased Eze Christiana Onyinye of Keffi the lawful Daughter of the said deceased Ahmed Shehu Usman of Lafia the lawful Son of the said deceased Anthony Noel of Garaku the lawful Son of the said deceased Venkpane Zachariah Kpontsen of Lafia the lawful Son of the said deceased Monday Amos Eku both of Lafia the lawful Brother of the said deceased John Akabe Yakubu of Doma the lawful Brother of the said deceased Fatima Aliyu Doma Iyimoga, Hauwa Aliyu Oga, Ralia Aliyu Doma & Yakubu Aliyu Doma all of Doma the lawful Daughters & Son of the said deceased Philomina Ayah & Edward Anone Ejima both of Nasarawa the lawful Widow & Son of the said deceased Faith Ebere Ibenema both of Lafia the lawful Widow of the said deceased Jeremiah Dauda of Angwan Kade the lawful Son of the said deceased Madu Zarah of Awe the lawful Widow of the said deceased

(Sunday B. Bawa Esq.) PROBATE REGISTRAR NASARAWA STATE OF NIGERIA, LAFIA

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To preach the gospel of Christ to the whole world Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication

NAME(S) AND ADDRESS (ES) OF Aliyu Aboki & Adamu Aboki both of Abuja the lawful Brothers of the said deceased Nanah Habila of Keffi the lawful Widow of the said deceased Kuje Alexander Sunday of Asokoro Abuja the lawful Son of the said deceased Haruna Musa of Toto the lawful Son of the said deceased Monica Sale of Nasarawa the lawful Widow of the said deceased Sarah Samson of Aso Pada the lawful Sister of the said deceased Musa Dalhatu Bala of Akwanga the lawful Son of the said deceased Nnaji Mary Ann of Lafia the lawful Widow of the said deceased Lisa Ibrahim of Akwanga the lawful Brothers of the said deceased Adi Markus Akoshi of Owolosoho, Obi the lawful Son of the said deceased Idris Muhammad Sani of Nasarawa the lawful Son of the said deceased

change of name

change of name

space for sale

space for sale

PEOPLES DAILY

Sports

monday, july 2, 2018

Page

30

sports@peoplesdailyng.com, SMS- 08142929046

Football fans want Africa to boycott World Cup

Fans Albert Akota with agency report

F

ootball fans in Nigeria have called on African countries to boycott subsequent World Cup competitions in resentment to the manner its representatives exited the ‘Russia 2018’ edition.

Football fans across the continent were utterly displeased with the officiating against Africa’s representatives, especially Tunisia, Nigeria and Senegal which ensured their elimination.

“Tunisia had a clear penalty call against Belgium, Nigeria had such against Argentina with the most bizarre, being that of Senegal against Colombia after the referee had initially pointed to the spot,’’ the fans who spoke with NAN said.

Julius Nlemadim, a defunct JIB Rocks of Jos player, alleged a high level of conspiracy among FIFA officials to ensure that African

countries never excelled at the World Cup. “The referee that officiated Nigeria’s match against Argentina denied the Super Eagles a clear penalty but several European teams earned penalty kicks in such circumstances at the competition.

“The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) has been used against unfavoured countries such as the Africans because a referee cannot signal for a penalty for Senegal against Colombia only to reverse the decision after consulting the VAR,” he said.

Supporting this assertion, John Nwude, River Lane FC of Enugu player, noted that if such occurrences were not adequately addressed, Africa would never reach the semi-finals of the World Cup. “FIFA big wigs are always jittery when African teams progress considerably at the World Cup and they decided not to allow them go beyond the first round in Russia 2018.

“I was sceptical when I read an acronym for (FIFA): Football Is not For Africa, but believed strongly in it after the bizarre officiating against Nigeria and Senegal,” he said.

Pius Nwankwo, Proprietor of Pino Sports International Soccer Academy Abakaliki, said that Africa had its own share of blame in the officiating debacle.

“It is true that African teams recorded several biased officiating at this World Cup but the question is: what were its officials in CAF and FIFA doing?

“Instead of uniting to fight a common cause for Africa in international competitions, they only feed fat on estacodes and thrive on the Anglo and Franco-phone dichotomy,” he said.

Ebere Njelita, a soccer historian, said that the solution rested on reactions of African bigwigs in CAF and FIFA. “Cameroon failed to reach the semi-

finals of ‘Italia ’90 when the referee awarded two late, dubious penalties to England, Nigeria suffered the same fate against Italy at ‘USA 94’ and among others, yet our officials keep mute.

“The major challenge before the new CAF executive therefore, is to close ranks and take drastic decisions on such matters with a boycott, a possible option,” he said.

A teacher, Mrs Rita Oge-Ali, however, said that the problem of African teams at the World Cup went beyond biased officiating.

“Africa should evolve a viable system of football and others sports development which would prepare its teams adequately to surmount officiating and related antics.

“There is a level of performance on the pitch that cannot not be derailed by poor officiting; how can one explain that Nigeria, for instance, tookik a team of rookies to the World Cup and expect to excel,” she said.

FIFA sanctions Russia, 3 others for discriminatory banner display

>>pg 30

PAGE 31

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, july 2, 2018

S

p

Pinnick, board members spend N3.15m each on NFF Election form

NFF President, Amaju Pinnick

By Amaechi Agbo

A

head of the September 29 Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) election slated for Katsina State, incumbent President, Amaju Pinnick, has orchestrated plans to remain in office by purchasing forms for 12 (twelve board members at the cost of N3.15 million (Three million one Hundred and fifty thousand Naira),each.

The purchase of the forms was outside the $4, 000 dollars he had earlier doled out to the state Football Associations Chairmen and other delegates while they were in Russia for the World Cup. As the NFF election date draw closer, news from the glasshouse will continue to get to the public through our reliable source and platform. Thus, the last has been heard about the NFF September election slated for Katsina state as BSN Sports correspondent close to the glass house stumbled on a newsworthy report from NFF headquarter in Abuja.

Bsnsports findings at the Secretariat of the NFF revealed that the amount is being expended in the procurement of electoral forms for all the current board members.

Pinnick, it was gathered, paid Two million and five hundred thousand (N2.5 million) for the ten (10) ordinary members in the board, for ten forms at Two hundred and fifty thousand (N250,000) naira each, while that of the Vice president and President went for N300,000 (Three hundred thousand) and N350,000.00 (Three hundred and fifty thousand) respectively.

However, two members Otunba Dele Ajayi from Ekiti State and Christopher Green from Rivers State rejected the forms, while Nigeria National League (NNL) Chairman, Chidi Offor Okenwa jettison his position in the League body and picked one of the forms rejected by the two above mentioned members.

Otunba Dele Ajayi has decided to give the incumbent Seyi Akinwumi from Lagos State a fight alongside Anambra State FA Vice Chairman Barrister Kingsley Obienu for the post of the first vice president.

Bsnsports further gathered that the likes of Ahmed Yusuf Fresh and Suleiman Kwande are trying to reach out to other aspirants from the North Central to allow them only this one more tenure alone, after serving eight (8) years each.

But there appear to be stumbling block they need to surmount as the likes of FCT FA Chairman Musa Talle and his counterparts from Benue and Kwara FAs are not ready to step down because they want to also vie for the office and of which forms they have submitted.

The three North Central FA chairmen insisted that Ahmed Yusuf Fresh and Suleiman Kwande should also step down for them because they have already enjoyed the post for eight years as board members.

r

t

FIFA sanctions Russia, 3 others for discriminatory banner display

T

he Disciplinary Committee of world football governing body FIFA has warned and imposed fines of different sums on the Football Associations of four countries at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

In a circular it put out yesterday in Moscow, FIFA imposed a fine of 10,000 Swiss Francs on and handed a warning to the Football Union of Russia.

The disciplinary measures were for the display of a discriminatory banner during the match between Uruguay and Russia.

FIFA also warned and imposed a fine of 20,000 Swiss Francs on the Football Association of Serbia for the display of a political and offensive banner.

The offence was committed during the match between Serbia and Brazil.

The Mexican Football Federation was also fined 15,000 Swiss Francs and warned for crowd disturbance by its team’s supporters.

The supporters had thrown objects during the match between Mexico and Sweden.

A hefty fine of 65,000 Swiss Francs, as well as a warning, was handed to the Moroccan Football Association for some incidents recorded during the match between Spain and Morocco.

“Six members of the Morocco technical staff forced their way into the pitch after the final whistle; 13 officials were present in the technical area, even when the maximum allowed is 11.

“There was also crowd disturbance by Moroccan fans who threw objects during the match,” the committee said.

Abuse was audible on a TV broadcast after Paul Pogba scored France’s second goal against Russia

FIFA to pay Super Eagles £6.1m

D

espite being eliminated at the group stage of the Russia 2018 World Cup, World football governing body, FIFA, would pay the Super Eagles and other teams that crashed out at the group stages of the 2018 World Cup £6.1 million each.

The Super Eagles would have received

£9.1 million if the match against Argentina ended in their favour. Any team eliminated from the round of 16 stage will receive £9.1million.

The World Cup winning team will receive £28 million in prize money from FIFA, with 2nd, 3rd and 4th place teams

receiving £21million, £18million and £16million respectively.

This means that for the World Cup winners, each player in the 23 man squad would pocket £1.2million.

The 32 teams were also given £1.1million each to prepare for the tournament.

Russia knocks Spain out of World Cup

T

he fairy tale run of Russia at the 2018 World Cup continued yesterday as the hosts held their nerve to beat Spain to a ticket to the quarterfinals of the competition.

After playing a 1-1 draw right from the first half, Russia and Spain went all the way through extra time and there was nothing to separate the duo except penalty kicks.

As it turned out, the host were better prepared for that; scoring all their kicks.

The 2010 champions could not do same; a development which has now seen Spain emerges as the latest big-name casualty at Russia 2018, after Germany and Argentina.

It was Spain that scored first in Sunday’s Round of 16 clash as they went ahead in the 12th minute. A free-kick from the right was heading for Sergio

Ramos, but Russian defender Ignashevich was focused on grappling with the Spain skipper and ignored the ball, which bounced off his heel and went into the far corner of the net.

The equaliser came for the hosts late in the first half.

Russia were given a penalty when Gerard Pique put up a hand to block a header from Dzyuba.

Blame Ighalo, not ref, for Nigeria World Cup ouster -Lawal

F

ormer Super Eagles midfielder Garba Lawal has blamed striker, Odion Ighalo for Nigeria’s elimination at the Russia World Cup. The former Golden Eaglets Team Coordinator noted that the referee in the Nigeria Argentina match, Cuneyt Cakir got his decision not to award the Super Eagles a second half hand ball penalty, right.

The Nigerian side fell 2-1 to Argentina and ended in third place in Group D with three points.

“We should not criticise the referee but the players who missed good opportunities. The referee was fair enough,” Lawal, who played for the Super Eagles at the 1998 World Cup in France.

“When the incident happened, he wasn’t sure so he went to check the VAR before making any decision. On getting

there he saw that the ball touched Rojo’s head before hitting his hands.

“If the ball had touched his hand alone it’s a penalty. But at the end of the day, the ball dropped but Ighalo couldn’t convert his chance, instead he missed the ball. Ighalo had two clear chances to bury the match but could not utilize them.

Lawal is however mostly satisfied with the Super Eagles performance in Russia and advised that players should be retained.

Many Nigerians felt the Turkish official favoured Argentina, especially after refusing to give a penalty for Marcos Rojo’s handball after Video Assistant Referee review.

Argentina, however, was eliminated at the Round 16 by 1998 winners, France in a seven-goal thriller that ended 4-3 in favour of France.

QUOTABLE QUOTE “According to the provisions, the Clerk of the Senate is the head of management; he or she has nothing to do with administering the oath of office of/on any senator; hence, the order of the federal high court was given to a wrong person. The ambiguity occasioned by the judgment of the federal high court by giving order of judgment to the Clerk of the Senate, will trigger another lacuna and constitutional

. . . putting the people first

monday, july 2, 2018

SPORTS latest

Azpilicueta set to leave Chelsea

C

helsea are ready to grant Cesar Azpilicueta a cut-price return to his homeland this summer – if reports in the Spanish media are to be believed.

El Gol Digital claims the fullback wants to return to his native Pamplona and will be sold for just €20million this summer with a switch to Athletic Bilbao in the offing.

The report also claims the incoming Blues boss Sarri will replace the departing Azpilicueta with Inter Milan veteran Miranda, who played a starring role in Brazil’s 2-0 win over Serbia on Wednesday evening.

The Brazilian turns 34 in September and bringing him in at this stage of his career would appear unlikely, despite his apparent authority in the centre of defence.

Emmanuel emerges champion of CBN Tennis in Abuja

S

pain based Nigerian Tennis player, Sylvester Emmanuel, yesterday, dethroned the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) men’s singles defending champion, Abdulmumuni Babalola when he came from one game down to beat him 3-6,7-6 on 3, 6-4 in the final to emerge as the new champion.

In the same vein, Sarah Adegoke outclassed former champion, Christy Agugbom by beating her 4-6, 7-6, 6-0 to retain the trophy she also won last year.

Both champions smiled home with N700,000 each plus the 40th edition giant trophy that goes with it.

Agugbom paired with Blessing Samuel to win the women’s doubles title by beating the duo of Rose Abu and Bukola Olowu 6-3, 5-1.

Babalola and Shehu Lawal combined effectively to win the men’s doubles tile at the expense of Philip Abayomi and Michael Osewa whom they defeated 6-2,and 6-1.Oduamadi Taye Taiwo

Advert: business: news: lagos:

crises when carefully studied.”

—Barr. Abdul Sadiq urging Senate to reject Court order to Clerk of the Senate to swear in Marshall Isaac Alfa as Senator representing Kofi East

JAMB at 40 T

he military government of General Olusegun Obasanjo raised a national storm in 1978 when it set up the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board, JAMB. Since the first University was set up in Nigeria in 1946, admissions into universities were squarely the responsibilities of the various universities. The idea of a regulatory body to conduct admissions was strange and resisted in many quarters.

“A university that cannot be trusted with the responsibility of admitting its students cannot also be trusted with the responsibility of deciding which of its students should pass its examinations or fail,” complained Ade Ajayi, erudite professor of history and Vice Chancellor University of Lagos at the time. His views represented a broad spectrum of those who believed setting up JAMB would interfere with the academic independence of the universities.

Professor Shamsudeen Amali is an academic and university administrator of international repute. Trained at Nigeria’s Premier University in Ibadan and in the United States, he has been a Vice Chancellor of two Nigerian Universities – the University of Ilorin and the Nasarawa State University.

He served for four years from 1978 as a founding Board Member of JAMB. Today he remembers vividly even if emotionally the teething problems of JAMB. “Forty years ago, I was appointed to serve on the first Board of JAMB. The late Michael S. Angulu was the first Registrar and we struggled hard as pioneers to lay the foundation on which our successors have built.”

He revealed that the task before them was not easy because right from the start, JAMB had many enemies who wanted to pull it down.

Often, he threatened to resign from the Board because of the work load and the antics of JAMB’S opponents but was urged to stay on by Michael Angulu.

Even within the universities, there was some subtle hostility towards those who gained admission through JAMB. I was a final year student at the university of Ibadan in 1978 when the first set of those admitted via JAMB arrived.

We had a suggestions box placed at the Students Union building outside the cafeteria. It was meant for suggestions on how to improve services at the cafeteria. On this day when the box was opened, there was a sealed letter inside, addressed in fine handwriting to a parent, with the appropriate postage stamp on the righthand corner. It was posted there by one of the newly admitted

0806 564 8620 0704 385 9705 0814 292 9046 08074420617

continue to be the forum where the agenda, guidelines, modalities, and timelines would be set for the purpose of admissions to Universities, Polytechnics, Monotechnics and Colleges of Education in Nigeria and for all modes of study including Full Time, Distance Learning, Part Time, Outreach, Sandwich and other related programmes.”

Monday Column

Emmanuel Yawe royawe@yahoo.com 08024565402

students who came through JAMB. From that day, ‘Jambite’ became a synonymous word for any foolish act on the part of a student.

Even today as JAMB marks its four decades of existence, there are still some acts associated with the board that tend to not only ridicule and call to question its relevance but also impinge its credibility. The most celebrated case is the scandalous claim by a staff of JAMB that a huge amount of money, running into millions of Naira put in her trust by the board was swallowed by a snake.

At 40, JAMB has come a long way – from controversy to sublime; from the ridiculous to scandalous.

Since his appointment as Registrar in 2016, Professor Is-haq Olanrenwaju Oloyede has worked hard not only to reposition JAMB but to build on the foundation that was laid by its founders.

One of the innovations he has put in place is to convoke a policy meeting of all stake holders drawn from the academia, all former Registrars of JAMB, human rights activists, Labour organizations, media, administrators etc. He defines it as “a most potent strategic platform to share and validate the Board’s vision, solicit and obtain feedbacks and input”.

The Stakeholders Meeting and other forms of engagement are held periodically to exchange information and create awareness; they have thus become ingrained in all facets of the Board’s activities as it strives to achieve its mandate.

This novel experiment of democratizing the policy formulation and operations of JAMB he further said is paying great dividends. The achievements of the Board in the 2017 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) according to him would have been less spectacular

“

without the benefits of involving stakeholders of JAMB. The 2017 UTME, he said was significant in many respects for it recorded the highest number of candidates, even with the registration period being essentially for one month; an optional Mock Examination was conducted for the candidates for the first time; introduction of 8-Key Keyboard to minimize the challenge of use of Mouse for candidates during the Examination; expanded and active involvement of stakeholders throughout the Exercise; domestication and better control of Examination Infras.

Today JAMB has not only improved on its service delivery, it has enhanced the credibility of all examinations conducted by the body.

Professor Oloyede as Registrar of JAMB has done more for the organization. He has brought credibility to the government that gave him the chance through prudent management of resources. In the words of Adamu Adamu the Minister of Education: “Since JAMB was established more than 40 years ago, the total amount it has given government was N200 million; but in one year, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede has remitted N5 billion to government. The new JAMB registrar has been correcting many anomalies in the board. Within a year, he has been able to stop all the untold things that were happening there.”

There cannot be a more positive endorsement of the efforts by Prof Oloyede than this.

Last Tuesday June 26, the policy meeting of all stake holders was held at the Bola Babalakin Auditorium, Gbogan in Osun State. Adamu Adamu the Minister of Education who chaired the meeting said it “shall

The unprecedented returns of billions of Naira to the Public Treasury further testifies to the ability of Mr. President not only to be honest but also to fish out and entrust honest persons with strategic public office

He warned that no admission to any Tertiary Institutions should be announced before the Policy Meeting.

He directed that the meeting is held not later than June each year, early enough for the commencement of the new session.

Chairman of the JAMB Board, Dr Emmanuel Ndukwe commended the leadership skills of the current Registrar of JAMB for the achievements he has recorded since his appointment.

“The unprecedented returns of billions of Naira to the Public Treasury further testifies to the ability of Mr. President not only to be honest but also to fish out and entrust honest persons with strategic public office. The Governing Board under my leadership with the support of our upright and unassuming Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu will further add rigour to transparent and honest services of the Board.”

To demonstrate the current level of transparency and consensus building in JAMB, the Registrar took time to brief the meeting on all issues to be tackled in this year’s admission exercise. All conclusions at the meeting were reached democratically.

For this reporter who witnessed the meeting last Tuesday at Gbogan, it was a worthwhile exercise. At 40, JAMB is certainly not the foolish Jambite we had at the university of Ibadan in 1978 who mistook a suggestion box for a post office and posted a letter to his father there.

DAN GAYE 2019: You’ll lose in your ward if you confront Buhari, Ganduje tells Kwankwaso

A word is enough for the wise!

Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza, Utako, Abuja. Kano office: Plot 3, Zaria Road, Opposite Kano State House of Assembly. Lagos Office: No.8 Oliyide Street, off Unity Road, Ikeja, Lagos. Tel: +234 814 292 9046. Cell: +234 802 443 2099; 803 7007 759. e-mail: contact@peoplesdailyng.com; pmlnewseditor@gmail.com ISSN: 2141– 6141