Tuesday, March 3, 2020 Edition

Tuesday, March 3, 2020/ Jumadal Thani 30, 1441 AH

2145 Days after

Muslim Lawyers fault restriction of Shari’a scope in Constitution

Vol. 33 No. 066 N150

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peoplesdailyng

. . . putting the people first

The nation awaits rescue of the remaining abducted Chibok schoolgirls

FG orders Police to unseal Peace Corps Hqtrs

Gombe constitutes task force on mineral resources

No new coronavirus case in Nigeria - FG pAGE 8

pAGE 2

pAGE 3

page 5

Agro Rangers Squad of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Cross River State showcasing their skills during the celebration of the 2020 International Civil Defence Day, yesterday in Calabar.

Photo: NAN

Senate, Reps committees to partner INEC on electoral legal framework >>>page 8

Stop beating drums of war, Buhari group tells Obasanjo

>>page 5

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, march 3, 2020

News CONTENTS News 2-14 Op.Ed

12-13

Politics 15-17 Stock Watch Business Metro

18 19-20 21

World Analysis 22 Africa News

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World News

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FG orders Police to unseal Peace Corps headquarters

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

A

fter three years of siege on the corporate headquarters of the Peace Corps of Nigeria, (PCN) the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Malam Abubakar Malami SAN has ordered Police to unseal the office with immediate effect.

The office located at the Jabi District of Abuja was ordered by Malami to be re-opened by police in compliance with subsisting two judgments of the federall high court.

A letter directing Police to obey the court verdicts and sighted at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, directed police to vacate the office in the absence of any pending appeal or stay of execution of the two judgments delivered against police.

The Headquarters of the Corps at 15, Iya Abubakar Crescent, off Alex Ekwueme street, Jabi, Abuja, was sealed off by the former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Kpotun Idris, the day it

was commissioned on February 28, 2017.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole had in a landmark judgment delivered on November 9, 2017, upheld the legality of the Corps and declared the closure of the office by police as illegal, unconstitutional, null and void.

Consequently, the court ordered the security agency to unseal the Headquarters and also awarded damages to the tune of N11.5m against police for infringing on the rights of the Corps members.

However for three years, the court order was not obeyed.

Also in a ruling on a motion on notice delivered on January 15, 2018 by Justice John Tsoho, now the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, the police was ordered to unseal the office but the order was not obeyed.

In the same vein, the House of Representatives had in a unanimous resolution in 2018, after summoning ex IGP Idris in an investigative hearing, ordered that the Peace Corps office be unsealed,

while condemning the incessant harassments of members and officers of the Corps; but the Police did not respect the directive.

However Malami in the latest directive, asked police to forthwith obey the subsisting court orders standing against police and unseal the PCN office, “in the absence of any pending appeal or stay of execution”.

Relying on section 150(1) of the 1999 constitution of Nigeria, a former AGF, Chief Kanu Agabi SAN had, in one of his letters to Malami on January 16, 2020, urged him to direct the police boss, who is the Chief Law Enforcement Officer, “to comply with the subsisting and valid orders of courts in respect of this matter but not limited to the unsealing of his client’s offices nationwide”.

A source at the Force headquarters hinted our reporter that, IGP Muhammad Adamu would not hesitate to comply with the instruction of the AGF, saying the current police boss respects the rule of law.

Gombe state Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, assisting the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa in cutting the tape to mark the official commissioning of the Gombe Division of Court of Appeal. With the are: Acting Chief Judge, Gombe state, Justice Muazu Pindiga (right), Senator Adamu Bulkachuwa (2nd right) and Grand Khadi, Hon. Abdullahi Maikano Usman (2nd left), during the ceremony, recently in Gombe State.

Ondo needs more devt, harness of resources, says Oyedele Page 9

Digest

The PCN has been having running battles with police and other security agencies, winning all the 15 legal actions instituted against them with over N50m standing against various agencies as cost awarded in favour of the Corps.

IGP Adamu had at the annual conference of the police lawyers held at Force Headquarters Abuja recently, lamented on the increasing judgment debts against police and directed police lawyers to ensure that court orders are at all times obeyed and enforced and that constitutional safeguards of both the suspects and citizens are protected.

Also, AGF Malami had recently passed a similar order to the Department of State Services (DSS), that Mr. Omoyele Sowore and Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) under its incarceration be released in obedience to court orders.

The DSS complied with the AGF’s directives and the duo was released immediately.

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Feature 26 Sports 30-31 Back Page

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Judgment review: Supreme Court fixes March 17 for Zamfara hearing

By Vivian Okejeme Abuja

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he Supreme Court, has again, adjourned till March 17, to hear the application asking it to review its judgment that sacked all candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC that won various positions in Zamfara State in the 2019 general elections.

A five-man panel of Justices of the apex court headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Tanko Muhammad, adjourned the matter to enable the Applicants to effect service of all the processes on some of the Respondents,

adding that there was no evidence that they were duly served with all the processes and the hearing notice.

Counsel to the faction of the state’s APC, led by the former governor, Abdulaziz Yari, Chief Robert Clarke, posited that the matter could go on and decided in the absence of the affected Respondents The very senior learned silk insisted that the Respondents are in one accord with the party praying the Supreme Court to reverse its judgment.

He, therefore, pleaded for an

adjournment to enable him to either serve them or to apply for leave to delist them as parties to the action.

On his part, counsel to Senator Kabiru Marafa-led APC faction, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, who stand for 1st to 140th Respondents, told the panel that lawyers that previously represented the other Respondents, declined to accept service on their behalf.

Meantime, after it listened to the parties, the apex court adjourned the matter till March 17 for hearing.

The apex court had in its

judgment last year voided the participation of the APC in the 2019 general election in Zamfara State due to the party’s inability to conduct primary election as required by the law.

The court having declared all votes cast for the APC in various elective positions in the state as wasted votes, ordered that candidates of the party with the highest number of votes and spread be sworn in as Governor, Senators, House of Representatives members as well as members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly.

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, march 3, 2020

News

News Editor, Ese Awhotu

Gombe constitutes taskforce on mineral resources From David Hassan, Gombe

G

ombe state Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has approved the constitution of Mineral Resources and Environment Management Committee ( MREMCO) , with Engr. Sanusi Jibrin Gwani as the Chairman.

A statement signed by Ismaila Uba Misilli, Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity) to the governor, said: Members of the Committee include: 1. Alh. Shehu Ibrahim Madugu Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources 2.

Mr. Bitrus Bako Environment Officer, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources 3.

Yambiu Idris Buba Director, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources 4. Surv. Zakari Abubakar Difa Ag. Surveyor-General, Ministry of Lands 5. Mr. Absolom Baba H.O.D Sanitation/Chief

Environmental Health, GOSEPA 6.

Ishaku Kure Deputy Director, Ministry of Environment 7. Mr. Yunusa Mele, Deputy Director Ministry of Agriculture 8. Mr. Adamu Emmanuel Yakubu Senior Forest Officer, Ministry of Agriculture and 9. Mr. Gregory Achi will serve as Secretary The Terms of Reference (TOR) of the Committee are as follows: I. Consider and advice the Minister on issues affecting returns of necessary reports affecting grants of mining titles; II. Consider issues affecting compensation and make necessary recommendation to the Minister; III. Discuss, consider and advice the Minister on the matters affecting pollution and degradation of any land on which any mineral is being extracted; IV. Consider such other matters relating to mineral resources development within the state as the Minister may, from time to time, refer to the Committee; V. Advice the Department

established in accordance with the provision of the NMMA, 2007 for the supervision of Mineral Exploration and implementation of Social and Environmental Protection measures; VI. Advice the Local Government Areas and Communities on the implementation of programmes for environmental protection and sustainable management of Mineral Resources; VII. Advice and other necessary assistance required by holders of Mineral Titles in their interaction with State Governments, Local Government Councils, Communities, Civil Institutions and other stakeholders; VIII. Advice the Minister in resolving conflicts between stakeholders; and IX. Advice the Minister in respect of matters connected with the implementation of NMMA, 2007.

Similarly, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has approved the constitution

of a joint Special surveillance Taskforce ( SMSTF) against illegal mining and and relevant activities.

The committee is to chaired

by Col. Sani Adamu Depsia ( Rtd) Special Adviser on Security matters (Rtd) Members of the Taskforce include: 1. Commissioner Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources 2. Representative of Ministry of Mineral Resources 3. Representative of Ministry of Lands 4. Representative of Ministry of Environment 5. Representative of Ministry of the Surveyor Gen. 6. Representative of Federal Ministry of Environment 7. Representative of the affected Local Governments 8.

Representative of Commissioner of Police 9. Representative of 301 FAR 10. Representative of Nigeria Immigration services.

11. Representative of DSS 12. Representative of EFCC

13. Representative of NSCDC 14. Representative of Security Agencies 15. The State’s Federal Mines Officer will serve as Secretary I 16. Representative of State’s Mine Inspectorate will serve as Secretary II The Terms of Reference (TOR) of the Committee are as follows: I. Develop the inventory of flash points of artisanal and small scale mining sites and mineral processing points across the state.

II. Undertake several unscheduled visits to all the flash points with a view to combating the illegal mining Activities; III. Make arrest and prosecute all illegal mining operators in accordance with provision of the Nigeria Mineral and Mining Act, 2007 and it regulation 2001; and IV. To develop a strategy to control/monitor the export of mineral commodities from the country.

The two committees were to be inaugurated ton Monday at the Exco Chamber, Government House.

Young Nigerians’ Interest in Science Decreasing-Onu

T

he Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, said that the Ministry has discovered a decreased interest by Nigerian Youths to study Science and Science related courses.

Addressing young scientists at the final examination of the Young Nigerian Scientists Presidential Award on Monday, Dr. Onu said the Ministry is poised to redress this affair through the ‘’Catching them Young’’ initiative of the Ministry.

Dr. Onu said YONSPA is a deliberate programme of the Ministry to take Science to the grass root and encourage Nigerian Youths to participate in Science and Technology.

Dr. Onu also said the YONSPA is aimed at making Young Nigerians to develop interest in Science and Mathematics early in life.

The essence of the programme, he added, is to dispel fear amongst students who had the notion that science is a difficult subject to study, assuring that the future is now bright for those who embrace career in Science, Technology and Innovation.

In his words ‘’ The programme will help them to explore the moon, heavenly bodies, ocean wealth in order to reduce poverty and contribute to solving major national regional and International programmes’’ Dr. Onu used the occasion to further challenge Nigerian Scientists to find cure for the dreaded corona virus (CONVID-19) which is rampaging many countries across the globe.

He urged the Youths to strive to be solution providers by aiming high and dreaming big.

He further said the excellent ones among them in the examination will be presented with a Presidential Award by the President, Commander –in- Chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari at the 4th coming Technology and Innovation Expo, scheduled to hold in Abuja this month.

The three best students at the 2nd and 3rd edition of the programme are now enjoying Scholarship up to Phd. Levels, he added.

L-R: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffery Onyeama; Minister of Justice and Abubakar Malami (SAN); Chairman of Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons, Amb Emmanuel Imohe and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, during a meeting of members of Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons at the Presidential Villa, yesterday in Abuja

Nigerian Professor claims discovery of Covid-19 cure

By Our Reporter

N

igeria has recorded significant progress towards finding a cure for the much-dreaded coronavirus or Covid-19 as a Nigerian Professor of Pharmacognosy, Prof. Maurice Iwu has claimed discovery of a drug with a potential treatment agent for coronavirus infections.

Professor Iwu disclosed this while briefing the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu in his office on Monday in Abuja.

The Minister of state for Health, Sen. Dr. Adeleke Mamora and the Minister of State for Science and Technology, Barrister Mohammed Abdullahi were also at the briefing.

According to professor Iwu, his institute, the Bio-Resources Institute

of Nigeria (BION) has concluded arrangements with the Anti-viral programme of the United States of America National Institute of Health to subject compounds from Nigerian plants against the Wuhan coronavirus or Covid-19.

Prof. Iwu further said that his research group had identified and patented a possible treatment for coronavirus as far back as 2015, adding the world must remain ahead of these emergent infections through research.

In his words, “our approach is the use of a network of eminent scientist and leading laboratories to target particular diseases, especially neglected tropical, emergent diseases and orphan diseases such as Ebola virus, Dengue Fever etc.”

In his response, Dr. Onu commended Prof. Iwu for his discovery and said that it

was a welcome development, adding no single Nigerian life should be lost to the Covid-19. He also praised the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Health since the outbreak of the first case of the Covid-19 in Nigeria.

He added that Nigerians are now more assured and encouraged with the fast recovery of the index patient.

Dr. Onu further told Prof. Iwu that the Ministry has set up a Committee under the aegis of the Nigerian Academy of Sciences to look into cases of vaccine or cure for the dreaded Covid-19 and Lassa fever.

He therefore advised Prof. Iwu to make available his research findings to the Committee for verification.

Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu further said that for Nigeria to gain its pride of place among the comity of nations, she

must contribute to finding solutions to challenges affecting the global community.

Dr. Onu, said the country cannot afford to lag behind, especially as the most populous black nation on earth.

Nigeria, he added, must contribute to finding cure to global diseases. He appealed to the Nigerian Academy of Sciences, to help the nation in its fight against prevailing and not-yet discovered diseases.

Dr. Onu assured the Federal Ministry of Health of continuous support and cooperation of his Ministry in helping to combat further emergence of communicable diseases.

He reiterated the commitment of the Ministry to reward scientist, who develop vaccines or cure for Covid-19 and lassa fever.

The Minister of state for Health, Sen. Adeleke Mamora thanked Prof. Iwu for coming up with his discovery, adding that Nigeria can only develop through the efforts of its citizens. He added that the best time for war is now and Nigeria must be well prepared.

He emphasized the need for Nigeria to prepare for endemic diseases in times of normalcy. He urged Nigerians to guard against indiscriminate use of drugs to fight prevalent diseases.

Dr. Mamora said from the grapevine some Nigerians have started stockpiling Chloroquine Phosphate as an antidote to Covid-19 and warned against indiscriminate use of drugs to fight diseases without proper prescription.

He said his Ministry will continue to collaborate with that of Science and Technology.

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News

Ending Violence: Cleric advocates proper parenting, love

By Ochiaka Ugwu

R

ev. Ijeoma Emeribe, the founder of Woman Africa, an international Non Govermental Organization, has called for proper parenting and adequate show of love in the society to end the domestic violence in Nigeria.

She made this known at the weekend in Abuja during the February edition of the Young Journalists Forum, monthly Youth Dialogue, insisting that a child that grows with love cannot profess violence at any level.

Emeribe said, “To end violence in Nigeria proper parenting and show of love at the family unit is key, adding that according to Bible if you teach a child the way to go, when he or she grows up he would not depart from it, and that it is the responsibility of the parents to teach the children the way of love”.

She said communication is key in every relationship, especially between husband and wife, because when proper communication is not there it becomes a problem and violence may set in and children who grow up in homes where violence occurs are prone to be violent when they grow up.

Also speaking at the event Managing Director, of Making A Difference, Lemmy Ughegbe, said Nigerians should all speak out when violence occurs anywhere to condemn it because the kind of silence amongst most Nigerians is what is breeding the increased violence in the country.

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, march 3, 2020

Governor Ortom calls for strengthening of military operation in Benue From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

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orried by the high influx of herdsmen into the state, Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has called for strengthening of the capacity of Operation Whirl Stroke, OPWS. Governor Ortom who made the call yesterday while speaking

with newsmen at Government House,.Makurdi, raised the alarm that the State has come under siege and attack again, adding ‘we are helpless’ .

He lauded the effort of OPWS in curtailing the security posed

by Fulani herdsmen invasion, averring that the troops have been overstretched.

“OPWS are still in town and they have been doing

their best but they are overstretched. They have been overwhelmed. They need more personnel and equipment because of the superior power force of the herdsmen. The advantage OPWS have is that they have capacity on land, air and sea.

“Our intention is to see all the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs go back home but we are

faced with security challenges.

Uptil today, there are attacks in different communities in the State.

“But our law is still in place and nobody will stop us from implementing it.

Any herdsmen who violate the law will be apprehended.

Already more than 400 have been arrested with 100 facing prosecution”,Ortom said.

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overnor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed of Bauchi State has empowered Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association of the 33 Artillery Shadawanka Barracks Bauchi with 10 million naira.

The governor made the donation over the weekend at the Nigerian Army 2019 West African social activities at Shadawanka Barracks Parade Ground Bauchi, said the empowerment support

News No new coronavirus case in Nigeria - FG

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

T

he federal government yesterday declared that there is no new confirmed case of coronavirus in Nigeria.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja while giving update on the situation in the country, the Minister of Health Osagie Ehanire said tests conducted on 14 people during contact tracing of first case of (COVID-19) proved negative.

The Minister said those who contacted the Italian man are under self-supervised isolation

and have been provided with temperature monitoring tools.

“Currently, the contact tracing of the index case has identified 19 contacts in Lagos, 29 contacts in Ogun, including the driver that picked him (the Italian) up from the airport. There is no fresh case.

“We are in touch with these contacts that are under selfsupervised isolation and the states have provided them with temperature monitoring tools.”

The minister explained that the Italian was being treated at the holding facility in Yaba, Lagos.

He explained that the Italian was stable and was seen walking around his room at the medical facility.

He said the facility at Gwagwalada is still under construction and will soon be finished.

Speaking further, he said the ICU in Gwagwalada hospital will be used if the need arises.

He also warned the public against creating unnecessary panic or stock mask as it is not necessary because the case is still just one.

The minister also cautioned

schools to detest from enforcing parents to buy masks for the wards as they have no need for it.

“It is important for Nigerians to focus on facts and not on fear so as not to generate panic. The citizens should also desist from spreading fake news, especially on social media.”

He said screening is in place at the international airports.

He explained that the reason some people believe they are not being screened is because they are not screened with the hand-held thermal machine.

Mr Ehanire also added that people do not need to mask, especially when they are not coughing, sneezing or ill.

Coronavirus first case in Nigeria was brought by an Italian citizen who entered Nigeria on Feb. 25 from Milan, Italy for a brief business visit.

The case is being managed at the Infectious Disease Hospital in Yaba, Lagos.

Ehanire said “The ministry is working with the Lagos and Ogun state governments to carry contact tracing and other response

Stop beating drums of war, Buhari group tells Obasanjo

By Miriam Humbe

F

L-R: Medical Director, Mainland Hospital, Dr Abimbola Bowale; Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat; Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, Prof. Akin Abayomi and Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu , during an inspection visit to the Emergency Operations Centre and Bio-security Unit at Mainland Infectious Disease Hospital, yesterday in Lagos.

Photo: NAN

Bauchi governor donates N10m to army wives From Ahmad Mohammed, Bauchi

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, march 3, 2020

is to assist the beneficiaries to be self-reliant.

Governor Bala said that his administration is ready to support all the security agencies to sustain peace in the state and engender good governance.

He said the administration has come up with many strategies aimed at dousing tension, erasing suspicion and uniting the people of the state in collaboration with the security agencies so as to find lasting solutions to the lingering criminal activities of banditry

and kidnapping.

“On assumption of duty, I resolved to find lasting solutions to the lingering criminal activities of banditry and kidnapping.

We have come up with many strategies aimed at dousing tension, erasing suspicion and uniting the people of the state in collaboration with the security agencies.

“I have mobilized traditional institution and populace in general to avail security agencies with all information needed to enable them conduct

intelligence- led operations in the state. Here in Bauchi, we still experience occasional altercation in the rural areas by criminal’s due to Bauchi state being a gate way to the North East and having forests and games reserves bordering these states.”

Governor Bala said with satisfaction the sacrifice and efforts of security agencies towards sustainable peace in the state, assured them of his support for effective service delivery.

Earlier in a welcome address, the Commander, 33 Artillery Brigade Bauchi, Brigadier General Mechiel Durowaiye said the West African Social Activity is an annual event held in the Nigerian Army to mark the end of the training year and to usher in a new year.

Brigadier General Durowaiye however said the event would afford officers, soldiers, their families and friends from the larger society the opportunity to celebrate in a condusive atmosphere

ormer President Olusegun Obasanjo has been called upon to demonstrate his elder statesmanship by doing and saying things that will help build a strong and united nation, rather than beating drums of war or inciting the populace against the government.

The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) which made the statement yesterday said Chief Obasanjo’s comment at the first memorial lecture of Dr Frederick Fasehun, the founder of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), was not the kind of things one would expect from a man who had been at the helm of affairs of this nation on two different occasions.

The group noted that Obasanjo’s comments during the lecture amounted to a call for anarchy and must be condemned.

The BMO statement was signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke.

BMO stated that the comments made by the former President, were nothing short of hypocritical and inciting, coming from a man who had the opportunity to make some of the changes he was proposing but failed to do so.

“Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo spoke on the issue of restructuring and asked the Executive and Legislative institutions to work towards this.

He refused to acknowledge that this matter is currently before the National Assembly of which a Restructuring Committee chaired by the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, was inaugurated only recently.

“But it has always been the practiced style of Obasanjo to play the ostrich, especially when it involves matters related to the President Muhammadu Buhari administration. He consciously takes effort not to see anything positive in the Buhari led administration.

“The most pretentious, and in fact where Obasanjo’s hackneyed hypocrisy came to play, was when he did not admit his failures as President when he held the reins of power.

“Obasanjo as President had the opportunity to work with the National Assembly to bring about the reforms he is suggesting today; but rather than do this, he chose to manipulate the National Assembly at every point for his selfish ambitions, and whenever they did

R-L: Minister of State for Environment, Sharon Ikeazor presenting the 2018 Nigeria’s First Biennial Update Report to the Commonwealth Envoy, Mr Philip Parham, during his courtesy visit to the Minister, yesterday in Abuja.

not toe his line he used all manners of subterfuge, including, as alleged by many, bribing officials to sack the leadership of the National Assembly.

“This same Obasanjo, when he had an opportunity to work with the National Assembly to change Nigeria for the better, rather sought tenure elongation - a sinister move that fell flat and failed.”

BMO said Nigeria is a peaceful state and this may not be what Obasanjo wants; “hence his irresponsible remarks subtly calling on self-determination groups to take up arms against the state. Such calls will not be tolerated by peace-loving Nigerians.

“Obasanjo pretended to mean well when he claimed that he would die for the unity of Nigeria. But in another breath, he urged that elements seeking self-determination take up arms against the Nigerian state.

“We believe that the former President was only using the restructuring conversation to sneak in his sinister agenda and find himself relevant among Nigerians.”

BMO then asked the former President to caution himself and refrain from conducting himself like a war-monger, subtly preaching violence from place to place.

The BMO in a separate statement also faulted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP’s) comment that

Nigeria is sliding into bankruptcy under President Muhammadu Buhari, describing the statement as baseless, ill-founded sheer noise making and irresponsible because it lacks substance.

According to the BMO, it is unfortunate that PDP still has the effrontery to speak on the Nigerian economy, given the mess created by the same party while it was in power.

“It was under the yoke and burden of 16 years of the PDP rule that Nigeria almost became bankrupt, chiefly because of corruption and incompetence, the root of what we are contending with at this time.”.

BMO said PDP’s corrupt, inefficient and undisciplined attitude towards governance led the country into almost becoming a failed State.

“Fact is, Nigeria would have become a failed state if President Buhari had not been elected in 2015.

“Crude oil was selling for over 100 dollars per barrel over a period of 3 years ( 2011 - 2014), we were producing more than 2.2 million barrels of crude oil per day and Nigeria was making a lot of money, but the PDP government wasted the billions of dollars from the oil boom of that era without tangible infrastructure to show for it.

“It is the same government PDP claims is sliding Nigeria into

bankruptcy that is completing PDP abandoned projects. PDP could not complete even its own headquarters, for which it raised over N26b naira, due to its corrupt practices.

“It is this same Buhari administration that has now commenced legacy projects that had been on the drawing board, some for more than 40 years. Among these projects is the 2nd Niger Bridge which is now certified to be at more than 30 percent completion, Ajaokuta Steel Complex is also nearing completion and Mambila power project has now taken off because there is the fund for it.

“We are not saying there is so much money, but that the little we have, government is delivering more efficiently.

“On the other hand, PDP could not even pay salaries, President Buhari had to come to the aid of 27 States that could not pay staff salaries. Now those states are not only paying salaries but actually paying the new minimum wage. It is this same government they claim is bankrupt that has approved a new minimum wage and paying not just to workers but also to youth corpers”.

“PDP can not even pay its staff salaries regularly and when it does, tax deducted from salaries they have refused to remit. Nothing can be

more criminal than this, as it talks to how irresponsible this party is.

“PDP as a party is morally and financially bankrupt because it holds the records in looting Nigeria and this is an established fact as seen in the case of their former National Publicity Secretary Olisa Metuh who has just been sentenced to 29 years imprisonment”.

According to the BMO, the implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) is giving looters like PDP sleepless nights, financial sanity had been restored and several loopholes and avenues for looting have been blocked.

“If PDP is knowledgeable enough in economic matters, it would be talking about the Finance Act where so many cushions were provided for Nigerian people and for Nigerian businesses. For the first time, Nigeria businesses that have a turnover of less than N25m are exempted from paying tax, and this is a huge incentive”.

The group said President Buhari will not be distracted by the antics of noisemakers, “the President has a mission to fulfill because the 16 years of PDP’s rule were years of waste. President Buhari is currently managing the crisis the PDP threw Nigeria into. Buhari is seriously working to fix Nigeria”, the statement added.

PAGE 6

News COVID -19: A National challenge that requires extra vigilance, collaborative effort - Elumelu

By Christiana Ekpa

T

he Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, has called for extra vigilance and aggressive multi-sectoral collaborative effort against the dreaded Covid-19 in the country.

Elumelu described the confirmation of Covid-19 in the country, as a national challenge which requires an accelerated collaborative effort by all government agencies, the organized private sector and all individual Nigerians to overcome.

The minority leader urged a multi-layered collaborative effort involving healthcare, transport and border control agencies, schools, faith-based and community organizations as well as other social service delivery outlets to step up awareness and control interventions to effectively check the spread of the disease.

He further urged the Federal Government to engage in more sensitization as well as open more testing and treatment centers across the country.

The minority leader also called on members of the National Assembly to ensure more sensitization in their constituencies to guarantee a wider enlightenment on issues related to the disease at the grass root level.

Elumelu expressed optimism that the COVID-19 will be checked and encouraged Nigerians not to despair but brace up to the challenge by strictly following the instructions, directions and advisory on safety and control measures issued by relevant agencies.

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, march 3, 2020

2023: Group faults media report on El’rufai supporting zoning From Femi Oyelola, kaduna

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pro- El’rufai group under the auspices of The Nasiriyya of Nigeria has faulted the media report that said Governor Nasiru El-Rufai has supported Zoning for presidency.

The group described such report by the media as false because the Governor always advocated for competency not zoning for presidency.

This was contained in a

statement signed by the group’s president and Secretary General Dr Modibbo Yakubun Farakwai and Dogara Ibrahim Aliyu respectively, issued to newsmen in kaduna.

The group said every Nigerian must have the inalienable right to the presidency irrespective of the region he or she comes from. “ The attention of National working Committee of the Nasiriya of Nigeria has been drawn to a widespread story, mischievously peddled on the social media and

some fictitious media organisations that Nasir El’rufai has endorsed rotational presidency (Zoning); essentially supporting a Southern Presidency in 2023. Every claim made that is made to suggest that the governor support rotational presidency is false,” he said.

The group said the issue of presidential rotation is just an intellectual aberration and that Nigeria will not accept a situation where a full- blooded free-born Nigerian cannot aspire to be

president throughout his life time due to reason that it’s not the turn of his zone to present a candidate for presidency.

The group said they will continue to support good governance and sustain a genuine and democratic values, equality and diversity, inclusiveness, peaceful co-existence and national development as they enjoined Nigerians to disregard the misleading report.

T

he National Examination Counthcil (NECO), has concluded plans to arraign four students of the university of Abuja for allegedly forging the certificate they used in gaining admission into the institution.

The suspects are: Effiong Theresa Etim, Solomon Victor, Abdulkabir Mohammad, and Yakubu Joy Adama.

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

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et to be identified bandits yesterday stormed five villages in Igabi local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing over fifty persons.

The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Muhammed Jalige confirmed this while speaking to the media in kaduna yesterday.

According to him the bandits invaded the five villages namely Hashimawa , Marina,Kerawa Unguwan Musa and Zariyawa between the hours of 6: 00 am and 8: 00 am of Sunday morning.

ASP Jalige said the police has launched manhunt for the fleeing bandits. He assured that security has already been beefed up and the perpetrators will soon be brought to book.

However Kaduna state

News

Bandits kill over 50 villagers in Kaduna

Governor, Malam Nadir Elrufai has reiterated that the state Government have a zero tolerance to banditry.

The governor who visited the scene of the yesterday attack in company of the heads of security apparatus in the state said kaduna state neither gives amnesty nor negotiate with bandits.

“And we have ask the security agency to just wipe them out and we will not rest until the bandit are

completely wiped out “It is our duty to wipe them until we send them to their Maker, the security agencies are taking the war to the forest and we are eliminating them “, he said The governor explained that shortly after the bandits start the attack, the security agents responded both on ground by air and wiped out the bandits.

Elrufai stressed, many people were killed during the attack which

includes loss of lives and property “The security are doing the best they can but they find it difficult to get remote area in good time due to poor access road while the native also find it difficult to get to security due to poor GSM network “But I am grateful to Air force, Army, police, DSS for always being prompt, it would have been worse if not for the security prompt intervention they would have wiped out the entire villages ,but

people are still here “I also come to apologize for failure to protect you fully ,we are doing our best to minimize such attacks and we are hoping that this banditry issue will be addressed because security are on ground to manage the situation The governor prayed for the soul of the departed adding that, SEMA was also on ground to provide relief materials for the victims.

Alleged assault: Police arrest vigilante boss, four others in Asaba Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

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L-R: Chairperson, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Women Commission, Comrade Rukayat Afonja; wife of Oyo State Deputy Governor, Prof. Bolanle Olaniyan; wife of Oyo State Governor, Mrs Tamunominini Makinde and Oyo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Alhaja Faosat Sanni during a walk for fitness, organized by Trade Union Congress and NLC, Oyo State Women chapter, to commemorate 2020 International Women’s Day, yesterday in Ibadan

NECO to arraign four Varsity students over certificate forgery Maryam Abeeb, Abuja

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, march 3, 2020

According to the prosecutor, Chijioke Chigozie, about 9 students of the university have so far been arrested but the remaining nine were still under investigation.

The arrest followed an ongoing screening execise embarked upon by NECO on all the higher institutions in Nigeria which led to the arrest of the suspects in October 2019.

The examination body said that the move was to overhaul

the institutions and its certificate issuance in order to ensure that only credible certificates are issued to the public.

This is to send a strong message to students out there using fake NECO certificates”, a source from NECO said.

Meanwhile, a one count charge has been preferred against the students by the police.

According to the charge sheet sighted by our reporters, the

offence contravened section 364 of the penal code.

The one count charge read: ‘’ On the 18, October, 2019, the registrar of the university of Abuja laid a complaints to the AIG zone 7 headquarters Abuja for investigation.

“It revealed that you Effiong Theresa Etim with June 2017 NECO SSC no 501569013, Solomon Victor June 2017 NECO SSC no: 10506512111, Abdulkabir

Mohammad with June 2012 NECO SSC no: 105016543 and Yakubu Joy Adama with June 2016 NECO SSC no:597472720.

“That these certificate upon which you gained admission or sought admission into university of Abuja are forged certificates. you are thereby suspected to have committed the above offence’’.

The case is yet to be assigned to a judge.

he Police in Nsukwa Community in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta state on Monday arrested Vigilante group Boss in the area with four others for alleged unlawful brutality of one Nkemdili Asalimnwa after inexplicable issues.

The Police Commissioner in the state, Hafiz Muhammed Inuwah who Confirmed the arrest of the Suspects to Journalists in Asaba on Monday, said that the leader of the Vigilante group, Chief Felix Bolu, a retired Superintendent of Police and his team members were arrested in Connection with the alleged attempt to homicide/ murder the said Nkemdili Asalimnwa also known as Chal Chala, in the area, adding that upon completion of investigation, the Suspects might be Charged to Court.

It was gathered that the Police Special Crack team attached to the Nsukwa Community Police Division Swooped on the Suspects on Intelligence gathering in their homes, throwing the entire Community into Confusion as they recovered unlicensed pump action and eight live Cartridges from the Suspects who tried resisted their arrest but were bundled away in Shame.

Narrating his ordeals to Journalists in Asaba, Nkemdili Asalimnwa said that he had a Close shave with death on the account of fatal beating after which members of the Vigilante group made away with his personal properties, adding” a Community known for peace and harmony has now become Violent due to a rampaging Vigilante group that has become the Proverbial Lord of the manor, Nsukwa Community now live in fear and intimidation by gun wielding men, Killing after Killing in the Community forcefully land grabbing, I was beaten and only God returned me from the world beyond, How Can we be living now in fear of violence from our once peaceful Community, I am Praying that the Police and the law enforcement Institutions help us rid

the Community of this nightmare” Meanwhile, Former Police Commissioner in Delta state, Chief Ikechukwu Aduba has said that no Civilized Country could guarantee the Security of her Citizens without a clearly defined national Security Policy which was largely responsible for why Nigeria’s

Security architecture was in tatters Chief Aduba said that the Army that was supposed to have taken Charge of defending the territorial integrity of the Country, had largely assumed the responsibility of managing Internal Security which is the Constitutional responsibility of the Police force,

has abysmally failed, adding” it’s bad to extend that most of the Police training Institutions in the Country have been abandoned as if to say the Army is the alpha and Omega in Security Management” Chief Aduba expressed worries that the absence of a National Policy on Security had Created a situation

where Security agencies in the Country don’t seem to be working on the same page thus resulting in a silent but dangerous rivalry and Competition among them and with each other hoarding vital and strategic Security Information which was not good for a healthy national security.

L-R: Acting Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Ibrahim Mammaga; Minister of State for Health, Dr Adeleke Mamora; and Deputy Editor in-chief of NAN, Mr Felix Ajide, during the minister visit to Headquarters of NAN, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: NAN

Alleged N700m fraud: Case against Ize-Iyamu, others moved to March 26

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

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federal High Court, Benin Division on Monday reserve ruling on the competence of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) N700 million money laundering charges preferred against the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship aspirant in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the State Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Dan Orbih and others to March 26, 2020.

Other defendants in the suit marked FHC/B51c/2018, are former Deputy Governor of the State, Mr Lucky Imasuen, a former member of the House of Representatives, Tony Azegbemi and Efe Anthony.

The presiding Judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, fixed the date for ruling on the competency of the

charges on Mondays after listening to the various submissions of the parties in the case.

The EFCC alleged that the defendants received N700 million from former Minister of Petroleum, Mrs Deziani Alison-Madueke prior to the 2015 general elections.

At resumed hearing on the case on Monday for all the parties to adopt their written addresses on the defendants’ claim that the charges against them were incompetent haven included late Chief Anenih as a principal actor in the alleged illegal transaction, the EFCC said that it never charged Chief Tony Anenih along others.

Counsels to the defendants, in the suit are Chief Ferdinand Orbih (SAN), Kingsley Obamogie, Professor George Izevbuwa, Paschal Ugbome and Ikhide Ehighelua, all posited that the case against their clients should br dropped arguing

that Anenih that was conspicuously mentioned in all the charges was dead.

Obamogie also informed the court that the document presented by the EFCC was not properly signed as he said signature in the document was different from seal contrary to court practices which he said no insist on signing and stamping with a seal.

“This new practice”, according to him, has taken precedence over the previous of judicial notice.

He said the improper signing and stamping queries the credibility of the charges.

On his part, Professor Izevbuwa pointed out that the EFCC lawyer; Aso Larry Peters went out of his way to formulate four issues whereas the court had earlier brought out one issue for determination.

But Larry while adopting his written address said only five

persons were charged and that the name of Chief Anenih only appeared to enable it present the facts the way it is.

He they were arraigned on an Eight-count charge of conspiracy with themselves to commit money laundering to the tune of N700 million, an offence contrary to section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 as amended which is punishable under section 15(3) of the same Act. He said the defendants were alive to face trial and that the argument was a ploy to delay taking of plea by the defendants.

According to him, “We have a right to fair hearing. The proof of evidence is before your Lordship.

Chief Anenih is not charged. His name appearing does not affect them taking plea. Our duty is to present the fact the way it is”, he said.

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, march 3, 2020

PAGE 8

News

Senate, Reps’ committees to partner INEC on electoral legal framework

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

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embers of the Senate Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters have agreed to join the electoral umpire (INEC) in the concluding part of its proposed amendment to the electoral legal framework.

The Chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu confirmed this yesterday at opening of a retreat on the review of the electoral legal framework in Lagos.

Yakubu disclosed that members of the Senate Committee on INEC and House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters will be joining the Commission at the retreat on Thursday and Friday this week in Lagos for in-depth review of

both their proposal and our input.

According to him, this is the first time that the National Assembly and INEC are coming together on electoral reform, stressing that the Commission looks forward to the opportunity to serve Nigerians better.

In the words of Prof Yakubu, “I am glad to know that members of the Senate Committee on INEC and House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters are joining us on Thursday and Friday for in-depth review of both their proposal and our input.

“This is the first time that the National Assembly and INEC are coming together on electoral reform. We look forward to this opportunity to serve Nigerians better”, he said.

Going down the memory lane, the Chairman said, “Late last year,

the Commission received from the Senate Committee on INEC a modified version of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill which the National Assembly had presented to the executive for assent before the 2019 general election.

“The revised Bill has amended several sections and subsections of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended). In presenting the draft Bill to the Commission, the Senate Committee specifically requested for the Commission’s input into areas that will strengthen the proposed legislation.

“In turn, the Commission shared the draft Bill internally with the National Commissioners and Directors at the Headquarters as well as the Resident Electoral Commissioners and senior officials in the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory

(FCT) for comments.

“These comments have now been compiled into a draft document that this retreat will discuss and validate as the Commission’s position on the electoral legal framework.

“The Commission’s draft document has also taken the comments and suggestions by stakeholders into consideration, especially following the conclusion of the 2019 general election. “You will recall that the Commission had organized a series of postelection review meetings ending with a retreat here in Lagos in July last year. Participants in the series of consultative meetings strongly canvassed for electoral reforms at the heart of which is the review of the electoral legal framework.

“For an enduring review, the Commission looked at the electoral legal framework comprehensively.

Okowa celebrates Ayade at 52

R-L: Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Science and Technology Dr. Mohammed Bello, Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister of State for Science and Technology, Barr. Abdullahi Mohammed , Director Science and Technology Promotion, Mr. Ekanem Udo with best Science Students representing 36 State of the Federation, during the final examination of the Young Nigerian Scientists Presidential Award , yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin ImoOwo

From Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

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elta Governor, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has congratulated his Cross River counterpart, Prof Ben Ayade, as he turns 52 years on March 2.

In a statement in Asaba by Mr Olisa Ifeajika, his Chief Press Secretary, Okowa described the Cross River Governor as a “brilliant and courageous leader with great accomplishments”, recalling that he won the Best Doctoral Dissertation Award in Environmental Microbiology from the University of Ibadan in 1994.

He said that the contributions of Ayade to academics, especially in his work in groundwater remediation in Nigeria, where he invented a sewage treatment plant powered by solar energy, had remained remarkable.

Okowa said “as an academic, you saw it all having risen to the rank of a Professor and as a lawmaker, you were outstanding as Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“As a Governor, you are a leading light and a role model for upcoming politicians.

“My brother governor is a man of many parts. He is a lawyer, an administrator, a Professor and a leader of impeccable character.

“There is no doubt that he is doing great things for the people of Cross River and I am glad about his bullish drive for the industrialisation of his state.”

“On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta, I write to felicitate with you, Prof.

(Sen.) Benedict Bengioushuye Ayade on the occasion of your 52nd birth anniversary, today, March 2, 2020.

“It is our prayer that God will continue to bless you with good health and many more years of great accomplishments,” he added.

“The Commission reviewed existing provisions with regard to elections in both the Constitution and the Electoral Act, although for the purpose of this retreat the focus of attention is on the Electoral Act. “The procedures for constitutional alterations are handled separately, including a different procedure for harnessing citizens’ input.

“Our draft is ready but requires further internal review ahead of submission to the National Assembly, he stated.

The INEC Chairman however thanked the Commission’s development partners-the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES) and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)-for their untiring support to “our electoral and democratic processes”.

Muslim Lawyers decry restriction of shari’a scope in Nigeria constitution From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

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uslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria (MULAN) has called for the expansion of the Sharia scope in the ongoing Nigerian constitutional amendment.

The call was made at the opening ceremony of the MULAN National Executive Council meeting held in Dutse, Jigawa state, with theme “Catalyzing the Attainment of Justice Through the Use of Sharia in Nigeria” In a paper presented at the occasion, Professor Kamluddeen Daudu said, the scope given to customary law by constitution is wider than that of Shari’a which is

narrowed to personal law despite being a total way of Muslim life.

“Sharia is a complete way of life, encompassing all aspects of human life, the religious, social, legal, economic, political and intellectual spheres”.

“The Sharia upholds justice, fairness and tolerance and therefore application of its legal aspect to Muslim social life is considered mandatory” He said, an absolute application of justice is only found in Shari’a legal system which is divine, he therefore pointed out that, allowing Muslim to practice full scale of Shari” a system up to supreme court will surely help in attainment of justice in Nigeria.

Professor Daudu added that, plan to prostrate Nigerian Muslim from enjoying full scale of Shari”a was hatched since free independence and as the country is about to embark on constitutional amendment. It is a duty bound upon all Muslim leaders to resist any provocation and smearing campaign to ensure Muslim freedom are protected by expanding the scope of Shari”a legal system in the constitution.

In his remarks at the occasion the emir of Dutse Dr Nuhu Muhammad Sunusi described the failure of family values as the main causes of moral decadent in

the society.

The emir who was represented

by Madakin Dutse Alhaji Tijjani Inuwa Dutse said, upholding Shari”a family values will help in inculcating fear of Allah in the minds of our youth and the general Umma.

“When there is fear of Allah in the minds of people surely they will not cheat, kill, take or give bribes, they will defiantly guided to be human, tolerant and peace loving”.

He then called on general Muslim ummah to support MULAN in its struggle to ensure the promotion of justice and freedom in Nigeria. Qur” an says “In the application of Justice there is peace”.

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, march 3, 2020

Page 9

News

NSCDC harps on synergy to curb disaster, crimes

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

T

he Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has identified synergy as a veritable tool in curbing all forms of disaster and insecurity in the country.

The NSCDC boss, Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu stated this yesterday at the headquarters of the corps in Abuja, during an event

to mark the International Civil Defence Day. Represented by Deputy Commandant General, Nathaniel Ubong, the CG said the essence of the celebration was to bring to the attention of the world public the vital importance of civil protection and of raising the awareness of the preparedness for prevention and self-protection measures in the event of accidents or disasters.

“The celebration is also important to enlighten people on the need to ensure security in their homes. Every home needs to be protected and we must continue to work together to ensure safety for people in homes and outside homes”.

He said “the Corps is a major stakeholder in Disaster Management in the country; and we work in collaboration with NEMA

Fire Service, FRSC, Police and other emergency responders. We will continue to improve the synergy and collaboration so as to enhance the coordination efficiency of the service deliverables.

The NSCDC boss said the event this year themed; “Civil Defence and a First Aider in Every Home” underscores the indispensable role of the agency interface with the general

public in the homes, offices and public places.

On the security challenges in the country, he said only synergy amongst sister agencies could help combat the various security challenges.

He urged members of the public to always volunteer information to the security personnel on movement of criminal elements within their environments.

Ondo needs more devt, harness of resources, says Oyedele From Raji Bello, Sokoto

E

xecutive Director (Technical) Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Engineer Ife Oyedele has called for the harnessing of Ondo State resources for the betterment of the good people of the state to ensure sustainable livelihood.

Oyedele stated this in an interview with our correspondent. According to him, the slow pace of development in the State calls for concern from all and sundry.

“It is unfortunate that Ondo state is still where it is today, in terms of development. It is the duty of all men of goodwill to begin to work to turn things around. As of the present moment Ondo State is littered with several kilometers of bad roads”.

“The state after 44 years of its creation does not have pipe borne water connected to any house, yet we celebrate the digging of boreholes everywhere which have adverse effects on the future of our environment”.

“Rather than over celebrate the construction of flyover bridge which is meant to ease traffic flow in other climes, the state government should rather engage in the construction and rehabilitation of dilapidated roads littered all over the state”.

He said, “There is still a lot of works to do in order to move the state to enviable heights. This could only be achieved, if a technocrat is put in place government to change the narratives.

Therefore, it is not strange that an administration may be under performing in a state, but the APC as a party has fulfilled its promised to the electorates in recent times”.

“Therefore, when a government is under performing, it is the duty of the party to change its leadership to ensure that it fulfills its promises to the electorates,” Oyedele further explained.

R-L: President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan with the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, His Grace Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, during the funeral mass for late Senator Ignatius Longjan, at the St. Louis Catholic Church, yesterday in Jos.

Investment in older persons’ products will enhance youth employment

By Miriam Humbe

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ompanies must invest in producing products beneficial to the older persons, as this tends to provide new entrepreneurial opportunities for the youth in view of the fact that the older population are assets and social capital to every nation.

This is because the ageing

population represents an opportunity for economic growth in products and services that cater to the needs of older adults.

This drives goals, policy and practice, social developments and innovations required to support and release healthy and active agency and the enabling environment.

Executive Director, Dave

Omokaro Foundation, Dr. Emem Omokaro said these while presenting a paper at the five-day training for Journalists and other stakeholders in Abuja.

The training was organized in collaboration with the United Nations International Institute on Ageing in Abuja.

Dr. Omokaro said that ageism denies a nation its

conceptual framework that unlocks hidden treasure, adding that the nation can harness gold out of its silver haired citizens.

She said: “The central challenge to the broader intersectoral efforts is finding answers to these questions; therein lays the path to innovation and discovery of new entrepreneurial opportunities.”

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, march 3, 2020

PAGE 10

News

Centre partners Malala Fund on out of school, girls’ education From Umar Dankano, Yola

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he African Center For Leadership Strategy and Development (Centre LSD) in collaboration with the MALALA Fund have trained one hundred and fifty(150) education stakeholders on how best to address the challenge of out of school children especially girls in Adamawa state.

Executive Director of the Centre(Centre LSD), Mr. Monday Osasah made the disclosure at a one day media engagement in Yola Friday stressing that the rationale behind this encounter was for attention seeking or constantly reminding governments and the public on the concerns of out of school children especially girl child.

Mr.Osasah said recent statistics available to the centre has shown that Nigeria has approximately 13Million out of school children and that 60% of this number is located at North Eastern part of the country.

He added that in a bid to change this narrative,the centre with support from MALALA Fund organization engaged stakeholders comprising of traditional leaders,Religious leaders,Parents Teachers Association as well as SBMC in three pilot local government ares in the state.

“The situation is exacerbated by the insurgency and the insecurity in the region as the baseline studies conducted by the centre which heralded the implementation of the C-CAGE project indicated that Adamawa state has 51 % ( 886,634) out of school children.

“In the 3 focal local government areas where the project is being implemented; Maiha LGA has the highest out of school girls with 66.7%,Followed by Song LGA with 63.3%and Numan LGA with 45% respectively.

“This implies that on the average over 50% of the girls of the age are not in school and the effect on the state and country is huge which can be problematic. Osasah points out .

According to him, the Centre has rehabilitated and took back to school 104 girls through sensitization by those trained members of the education committee with contact to their neighbors and relatives in their respective communities.

“This effort led to increased enrollment of girls back to school including those who dropped in the past due to pregnancy totaling 104.

“The creation of safe spaces also contributed a major source of motivation for the upsurge in the number of enrollments as safe space are platforms deliberately conceptualized to pave way for peer learning between in-school and out of school girls.

“Seven (7) peer learning club called Masu so ilimi (Advocates for education) were established and inaugurated with in the last six months with 254 girls membership in each club and are thought basic mathematics,English and skills training for societal development.”

Osasah stressed The centre commended the state government under the leadership of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri for the declaration of state of emergency on education sector and for payment of WAEC/NECO examination fees suggesting that more need to be done in the sector.”

BCO slams PDP over comments on Covid-19

From Yusuf Shekarau, Jos

Mairiga

T

he Buhari Campaign Organization (BCO), said the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), criticisms of President Muhammadu Buhari, on the issue of Coronavirus is unpatriotic and unfair to Nigerians.

The BCO described as ”unfortunate that the PDP, is politicising the issues of national security, stability and health matters, nothing, it’s a great disservice to humanity”.

The National Coordinator of BCO, Alhaji Danladi Pasali,

made the condemnation in a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists in Jos. The statement reads in part, “The PDP’s politicization of every issue of national importance ranging from security, health and other matters of national stability is evidently signaling the party’s least determination in respect of defense, public safety, public morality, public health and the socioeconomic growth and development of the country at large.”

The BCO stressed that Nigerians are brave enough to

understand and identify the regimes that misappropriated their wealth in the interest of their own selfishness which should have effectively been utilized to improving the general well-being.

The statement holds that, “the woes in Nigeria’s health sector, was the repercussions of the PDP’s failure, regretting that the Party, has failed to led Nigeria well in its 16 years of misruled and inaptitude to prudently utilized Nigeria’s resources, to put up the required facilities across public sectors”.

It further said that the federal

government through the Ministry of health and National Center for Disease Control have been making good efforts to prevent further outbreak and spread of the Covid-19.

While calling on Nigerians to continue to support the government efforts in dealing with the issue at hands, we equally enjoined the PDP, to understand that having a prosperous Nigeria shall remain a byproduct of sincerity of purpose and political will, without which the country will continue to encounter serious calamities, the statement added.

L—R: Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, Kaduna State Commissioner of Business, Innovation and Technology, Mr. Idris Nyam, National President of Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Hajiya Saratu Iya Aliyu and President of Kaduna Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Hajiya Muheeba Farida Dankaka, at the opening ceremony of 41st Kaduna International Trade Fair on Sunday in Kaduna.

Photo; BASHIR BELLO

Journalists tasked on sensitive conflict reportage From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna,

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ournalists in the country have been encouraged to douse conflicts via their reportage instead of escalating them.

A Senior Lecturer at the Department of Journalism, Lagos State University, (LASU), Dr. Jide Jimoh, stated this during a one-day sensitization training for Journalists in Kaduna on Friday.

The Don said Journalists, can contribute their quota positively in curbing conflicts ” by first recognizing the fact that during conflicts all the conflict parties will like to use Journalists to further their agenda and most of the time the agenda they have is inimical to the welfare of the society Dr Jimoh in his presentation

titled: ‘An Overview of Conflict’ defined conflict as an inevitable reality of life and it occurs within individual, between individuals, groups and nations, saying the dilemma is not managing conflict before it turns into crisis.

He said in view of this, media practitioners has a great role to play in the management of conflicts , encouraging the participants to be more robust in conflict analysis in order to assess the nature of the conflict.

Dr Jimoh however warned Journalists that in as much as they are duty bound to report conflicts; they should put their own personal safety first, as it is only the living that could tell any story.

He said the participants should be grateful for being part of the

training facilitated by, Community Initiatives to promote peace, (CIPP), funded by USAID, in collaboration with ARDA,MERCY CORPS,IMC,SCDDD and PARE. The trainer also advised Journalists to guard against trauma as many world class award winning Journalists have lost their lives due to trauma they suffered from their reportage.

Speaking earlier the Media and Public Outreach 0fficer, of CIPP Priscilla Fibereima, said the essence of putting the project/ Training together is to sensitize Journalists on how to report on conflicts issues without contributing negatively to it, but rather proffering solutions.

While describing the Training

a success, she called on trainees to put to action what they have gathered to ensure a better society considering their invaluable role in ensuring a peaceful society which in turn she noted will make people to begin ” to see reasons why they shouldn’t fight in the first place and why they should resolve conflicts amicably without involving violence ” “The Project is aimed at empowering communities to prevent and respond to violence and violent extremism by strengthening key skills and relationships in communities and harnessing the role of Women in peace building in conflict communities in Plateau, Kogi, Benue ,Kano, Katsina and Kaduna States” She said

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, march 3, 2020

PAGE 11

EDITORIAL

Bravo, Kano gov’t

K

ano State government enrollment and teacher training recently approved N100 and remuneration. The number of million for French lecturers PhD holders the state has produced in universities owned by the state to over time is unrivalled by any other undergo postgraduate programmes states in the country. in selected French universities.

The beneficiaries teach in the Now the state has gone a notch Kano state University of Science higher with this French training and Technology (KUST), Wudil; scholarship programme. It is a Yusuf Maitama Sule University shame that Nigeria, surrounded as and Kano State Polytechnic. The it is by French speaking neighbours, French universities has very few French include University of speakers.

These Lyon, Ecole Central, our neighbours, Nantes, University of on the other hand, Bourgogne, Nice Sophia aggressively push for Antipolis, EPITA, Paris, Now the state the teaching of the University of Paris Sud language in has gone a notch English and University of Paris their schools. This Sacley. The courses of higher with this bilingualism enables study are run under French training them to take up the Kano/France Joint plum jobs in regional scholarship Scholarship Programme. organisations of programme. which Nigeria is a Beneficiaries are sent for their Masters and It is a shame member, including the PhDs. Economic Community that Nigeria, of West African States Explaining the surrounded as (ECOWAS).

This programme, Gov. body is quartered in it is by French Ganduje’s chief press Abuja but 80% of its speaking secretary Abba Anwar staff is non-Nigerian. said Wednesday in neighbours, has Every candidate that Kano that the approval Nigeria had put up very few French of the disbursement for President of the speakers was meant to help the African Development beneficiaries go through Bank (AfDB) had their courses of study failed until Dr. without any form of stress. He said Adewunmi Adesina came along in while the government would respect 2015. He was elected May 10 of that the terms of the agreement with the year mainly because he is fluent in French government, it expected both English and French. the beneficiaries to be focused and diligent so as to “give value for the It is in Nigeria’s national resources invested in sustainable strategic interest to popularize the development of education in the teaching and speaking of the French state.” language. It will earn us the respect of our Francophone neighbours It must be said that Kano’s who right now are not comfortable commitment to sustainable with our numerical and economic improvement in the quality of strengths. Again, their combined education has received global population will assure for us a attention and commendation. The captive market for our exports. So, improvements are noticeable in let’s go for French. Parlons nous physical infrastructure, school child Francais. Pourquois non?

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Letter to the Editor

Controversy as Oluwo disciplined errant ‘Oba’

By Bisi Olawunmi

T

he Oluwo of Iwoland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, has been in the news, again, and as usual in controversial circumstances.

Newspaper headlines were generally to the effect that the paramount ruler of Iwoland beats up a fellow monarch. I beg to differ. In contextual news reporting, the headline should appropriately be : Oluwo disciplines errant ‘Oba’. The headlines of many of the newspapers betray cultural ignorance and the writers were rather eager to feed the public perception of the Oluwo as an irascible and unconventional king who seem to deliberately court controversy, as with declaring himself ‘Emir’ of Yorubaland and usurping the Chief Imam’s role by leading Jumat prayer at Iwo Central mosque. Maybe, and maybe not. But that is not the issue in this particular situation.

The subject ‘Oba’, the Agbowu of Ogbaagba, Dhikrulahi Akinropo, allegedly beaten by the Oluwo exceeded himself, going by media accounts. According to the reports, there has been the lingering problem of some of the junior monarchs allegedly selling land belonging to Iwoland without the authority of the Oluwo, who is the paramount ruler of the kingdom. All the monarchs involved in the issue are from the three local government areas of Iwoland – Iwo, Aiyedire and Ola Oluwa.

The issue had become intractable , having dragged from the local government level to the state government and then to the office of the Assistant InspectorGeneral of Police in charge of Zone 11 in Osogbo. It was at the meeting in the Police AIG’s office on Friday, February 14, 2020 that all hell reportedly broke loose.

The Olu of Ile Ogbo, Oba Habeeb Adetoyese, a co-accused with the Agbowu and the Onigege of Igege on the charge of illegal land selling, sold the improbable tale of the Oluwo just springing up and attacking the Agbowu.

Other accounts, and also that of the Oluwo, indicated that HRM Oba Akanbi got provoked when he was interrupted by the Agbowu while speaking at the meeting with the Ogbaagba monarch menacingly pointing his staff office to his (Oluwo’s) eyes.

Apparently, the Oluwo saw red at that sacrilegious assault, had a rush of adrenalin and responded with the ferocity of a wounded lion.

The Oluwo has an athletic build and all accounts were unanimous, including that of Oluwo himself, that he made a punching bag of the fatty Ogbaagba ‘Oba’ who

had to be rushed to the hospital for treatment. It sure was an ugly scene. But what effrontery could have informed the Ogbaagba monarch to assault his paramount ruler, in the first instance ?

Should he not have known that the Oluwo is not the regular orthodox monarch and that he is not likely to take such an aberration with equanimity ? Or was it a case of cultural amnesia that he forgot that the Oluwo is his royal father ? How dare a free born assault his father ? A major problem of this country, which has negatively affected all aspects of our lives, is disregard for culture and its restraining precepts. And come to think of it, all the towns of the seven Obas in tussle with the Oluwo combined are not more than half of Iwo. For instance, Igege is majorly a one street town – some Onigege, indeed ! I cannot imagine my paramount ruler, the Awujale of Ijebuland, HRM Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, suffering the kind of Agbowu insolence from any of the Obas in Ijebuland.

There is a hierarchy in the traditional kingship institution such that Obas are not of equal status. Unfortunately, traditional kingship institution has suffered much assault, first from the racist, colonial masters and latterly from politicians, the native power elite, who seem to take morbid pleasure in humiliating traditional rulers, especially the commoners among them from humble background who get intoxicated with their temporal political power.

They make, or elevate, all kinds of characters into kings, cheapening the institution and inducing arrogance by such political Obas. We are witnesses to former Oyo state governor, Abiola Ajimobi, the ‘Constituted Authority’, creating emergency Obas in Ibadan to slight the Olubadan while his in-law, the Kano state governor, Ganduje, is turbaning his own Emirs in Kano emirate. Well, I sympathise with the Agbowu of Ogbaagba for the physical discipline he suffered from his ‘father’ . Some may scream : child abuse – Well, this is culture-ruled Oduduwa land, not laissez faire Yankee land. Oba Akinropo should see the incident as a family affair and resist the temptation of being goaded by his fellow alleged land grabber Obas, to escalate matters by seeking the Oluwo’s suspension. As for the Osun state government, it needs the wisdom of Solomon in resolving this delicate conflict, considering that land matters can easily turn explosive.

Dr. Bisi Olawunmi, a media scholar and public affairs analyst, is a former Iwo resident.

PAGE 12

Opinion

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, march 3, 2020

Abacha Loot: Situating the U.S. anger correctly

By Yemi Adebowale

L

ast Sunday, the media was awash with reports that the federal government had denied entering into any agreement to pay the Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Bagudu, or any other third party, $100 million from funds recovered from the family of the late Nigerian head of state, General Sani Abacha. According to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, the Nigeria government remains committed to working with the United States and other countries to recover the country’s assets stashed abroad.

Malami said: “It is pertinent to recall at this juncture that prior to the 2020 agreement with the United States and Island of Jersey; the federal government signed an agreement for the return of over $300 million in 2017, which was effectively deployed for the purpose for which it was agreed to be applied without any issue of reputation. The FGN is also negotiating the recovery of assets from several countries and the agreements for the recoveries and the procedure for recoveries are always presented to Federal Executive Council for approval and duly made public once the processes have been concluded. No thirdparty interest was captured in the Council memo that was approved by the Council.”

The red flag raised by the United States over the alleged planned payment of $100 million to a 3rd party, has nothing to do with the $308 million forfeited Abacha loot, for which an Asset Recovery Agreement was recently signed with the government of Jersey and the U.S. According to the treaty, the $308 million will be used to expedite work on three major infrastructures i.e.

Lagos – Ibadan Expressway, Abuja – Kano Expressway and the Second Niger bridge.

The red flag also has nothing to do with the $300 million returned to Nigeria in 2017, which the Buhari government said it utilised for social safety for Nigerians.

The red flag raised by the U.S. has to do with additional funds traced to Bagudu.

Malami admitted that the USA and the Bagudu family had been in court since 2014 over assets already rescinded under a 2003 agreement. He said the matters are to be determined by courts in the United Kingdom and the U.S., adding: “The Bagudu family

assets in contention, which constitute a distinct and separate cause of action, do not have anything to do with the assets already recovered and being recovered under the Abacha 2014 non-prosecution agreement.

It is, therefore, mischievous and pedestrian for anyone to seek to turn the law and the facts on its head on the matter of repatriation, whose terms are clearly spelt out and agreed among the parties.”

Malami did not fully address the issues being raised by the U.S. government. The red flag evidently has nothing to do with assets already recovered. Now, here is the truth that must be told. Back in 2013, the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) initiated a forfeiture action against a host of assets, including four investment portfolios, held in London in trust for Bagudu, and his family.

This is according to U.S. district court filings.

The United States is seeking forfeiture of over $177 million from Bagudu. It is raising a red flag in connection with this, by accusing the Nigerian government of planning to pay Bagudu €98.5 million (about $100 million) from this $177 million.

How and why? According to the court filings, despite the forfeiture action initiated by the U.S., following a request by the Nigerian government in 2003, “Buhari’s government says it can’t assist the U.S. because it’s bound by a settlement Bagudu reached with the administration of then-President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2003.” According to a December 23, 2019 memorandum by U.S District Judge, John D. Bates, in Washington D.C., under the terms of that accord, which was approved by a U.K. court, Bagudu returned $163 million of allegedly laundered money to the Nigerian authorities, which in exchange dropped all outstanding civil and criminal claims against him “stemming from his involvement in government corruption”. That meant “Nigeria renounced any interest whatsoever” in Bagudu’s trust assets, including those the U.S. is attempting to recover for our country, the memo stated.

Bagudu allegedly successfully sued Nigeria for violating the 2003 settlement and the U.S. is now claiming that the Buhari administration reached a new agreement with him in 2018, according to the court filings in Washington. That would allegedly result in the transfer of ownership of the investment portfolios, worth €141

million ($155 million) to the Nigerian state, which would then pay €98.5 million to Bagudu and his affiliates, according to Bates’ December 23 opinion. The funds are currently restrained by the U.K. at the request of the U.S. According to the U.S., the Nigerian government claims the updated 2018 agreement with the Kebbi governor, which requires court approval in the U.K., will “curtail and mitigate its looming exposure” from the judgment in Bagudu’s favour. The American DoJ alleged that the Buhari’s administration submitted the 2018 deal to the U.K. court last September to support its application to unfreeze the assets so they can be sent to Nigeria. The court is yet to make a decision.

The U.S. is further claiming that the Buhari administration is saying a 17-yearold agreement entitles Bagudu to the funds and prevents Nigeria from assisting the U.S., according to filings by the US DoJ, at the District Court for the District of Columbia in Washington, United States. The DoJ alleged that Bagudu, 58, was part of a network controlled by Abacha that “embezzled, misappropriated and extorted billions from the government of Nigeria.”

Matthew Page, an associate fellow at London-based Chatham House and former Nigeria expert for U.S. intelligence agencies said: “This case illustrates how complex and contentious repatriating stolen assets to Nigeria can be. Instead of welcoming U.S. efforts, Nigeria’s lawyers appear to be supporting the interests of one of the country’s most powerful families.”

A visibly angry U.S. government remarked in a February 3, 2020 statement issued by its DoJ: “In addition to the more than $308 million forfeited in Jersey, the Department of Justice is seeking to enforce its forfeiture judgment against approximately $30 million located in the UK and over $144 million in France. The United States is also continuing to seek forfeiture of over $177 million in additional laundered funds held in trusts in the name of Abacha associate, Bagudu, the current governor of Kebbi State, and his relatives as beneficiaries. The United States has asked the government of Nigeria to withdraw litigation it has instituted in the UK that hinders the U.S. effort to recover these additional funds for the people of Nigeria. The United States

entered into the trilateral agreement to repatriate the Jersey assets because of its longstanding commitment to recover asset for the benefit of those harmed by grand corruption and because of the important safeguards embodied in the agreement.

“This case was brought under the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative by a team of dedicated prosecutors in the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section working in partnership with the FBI. Through the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative, the Department of Justice and federal law enforcement agencies seek to safeguard the U.S. financial system from criminal money laundering and to recover the proceeds of foreign official corruption. Where appropriate and possible, the department endeavors to use recovered corruption proceeds to benefit the people harmed by acts of corruption and abuse of public trust.”

These are the questions Malami should address: Did the Nigerian government institute litigation in the UK, hindering the U.S. efforts to recover these additional funds for the people of Nigeria? Did the Nigerian government get a memo from the United States’DoJ, asking it to withdraw litigation it has instituted in the UK that hinders the U.S. effort to recover these additional funds?

Was there any judgment in Bagudu’s favour in the UK? Did the Nigerian government sign an updated agreement with the Kebbi governor in 2018, which it said would curtail and mitigate its looming exposure from the judgment in Bagudu’s favour? Did the Nigerian government, at any point, tell the U.S. government that it could no longer assist the U.S. to recover the fresh funds traced to Bagudu because it is bound by a settlement Bagudu reached with the Obasanjo administration in 2003? Did the Nigerian government submit a 2018 deal with Bagudu to a U.K. court last September to support its application to unfreeze the assets so that they can be sent to Nigeria?

These are the pertinent questions awaiting Malami’s response. I sincerely hope that he would respond appropriately this time around.

period under review, it provides a canonical proof that democracy just like every other system lacks capacity for producing a definite outcome as it depend largely on how they are employed.

As an illustration, comprehensive evaluation of the machanics of power, its acquisition, and its exercise in Nigeria which has resulted in fractured the political geography into polarised ‘ethnosyncrasies’ and idiosyncrasies, coupled with recent fiscal, sociological, political and communal happenings in the country; coupled with the pockets of Ethnoreligious upheavals and misgivings from one region against another,bring agitation of different forms and shapes, its enough to feel concerned and look differently at our system and method.

Separate from the believe that since the return of democracy in the country, the nation has conducted different elections that cannot be characterized as credible because they were never organized in an atmosphere of peace, devoid of rancor and acrimony, there have been so many sad chapters of democratic practice that sets it apart from that of the wider world.

These include; elected officials use of office as an opportunity for private gain instead of avenue for public good. Others includes but not limited to; poor leadership; poor strategy for development; lack of capable and effective state and bureaucracy; lack of focus on sectors that will improve the condition of living of citizens such as education, health, agriculture and the building of infrastructure; corruption and undeveloped.

A painful example of these failures and its impact on the nation’s economy is the national carrier, Nigerian Airways. It was factually supported that as at 1972, Nigerian Airways used to be a super continental airline, traveling to over 1,500 destination across the globe, generating 150 billion naira profit yearly, and providing jobs to about 10,000 Nigerians, Kenyans,

Ethiopians and South Africans, to the admiration and amazement of foreign nations. In the same, style, when Nigeria lunched her first television in 1959, under the watch of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, it did that ahead of China, Canada, Netherlands, and a lot of other Europeans, Asia and South American countries today.

To find solution to this situation that have persistently occurred for two decades unabated, two vital points need to be underlined.

First and fundamental, is that to enjoy good governance, we need not just democracy as a system of government but good people (both leaders and followers) who understand public order, personal and national security, economic and social programmes, and prosperity is not the natural order of things but depends on the ceaseless efforts and attentions from an honest and effective government that the people elect. That, however, good the system may be, bad leaders will bring harm to their people-but several nations, such as China without democratic ethos have been well governed despite poor system because good and capable leaders were involved.

To explain the above fact, China, aside from being ruled, ‘increasingly dictatorially by an unelected communist party that puts people in prison for their convictions and limits all forms of free expressions and associations’, the country economic and scientific achievements supports the claim that not the system of government but the quality of leaders in charge that determine the height a state or society could go. it is a country that has just experienced a period of economic growth, the likes of which the world had never before seen. Its model, says a report blazes a new trail for other developing countries to achieve modernization and offers a new option for other countries and nations who want to speed up their development.

The second concern is that until Nigerians develop the freedom of conscience and religion, freedom of thoughts and belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication, freedom of peaceful assembly, freedom of association and political/ electoral sovereignty reside in, take actions that will change the narrative, no reform, measures or intervention coming from other quarters will reverse the shocking infrastructural decay and degradation on the nation’s space, or save this suffering democracy. Until Nigerians themselves reexamine their roles in allowing and not preventing the dangerous imbalance that has emerged with the executive branch dominating the constitutional system.

Viewed differently, this worries may not be in any way unique to Nigerians as Samuel Bagg of McGill University in a recent report expressed similar worry about democracy when he passionately submitted that; political ignorance, shortsightedness, and irrationality of the ordinary citizens are the major challenges confronting democracy; warning that for a nation to have a responsible government, such a decision must not be left in the hands of political ignorant or the ordinary citizens or given freely to everyone.

In absolute terms, the above argument may not be wrong as; political ignorance, shortsightedness, and citizen’s non-possession of action logic to study the various propositions presented by the leaders in the past, has resulted in situations where politicians persuaded electorates to endorse and applaud policies that were harmful to their interest.

Yemi Adebowale is a Public Affairs Analyst.

Innocent democracy in a guilty nation

By Jerome-Mario Utomi

P

rior to the re-emergence of democracy in Nigeria in May,1999, political pundits specifically blamed the socioeconomic and political instability on the military.

Specifically, while many at that time roundly accused the military of intolerance, immature, corrupt, and seriousness, unpatriotic and tribalistic, some were of the view that until the plundering and debilitating hands of the military are removed from governance, and replaced with democracy-that guarantees rule of law- and ensures decision will be tested, studied, reviewed, and examined through the processes of government that are designed to formulate and implement such policies,the nation’s infrastructures, education, health and power sectors can never be reconstructed and Nigerians will not enjoy a boom of creativity and productivity, others vividly castigated the military for terminating democracy and its elements-popular sovereignty, political equality, political freedom and majority rule.

Indeed, for ‘clarity and clarification’, no development-minded Nigeria, looking at their past records here and at global stage, will support a military or any undemocratic forms of government.

As mountains of evidence attest that such leadership styles are often always reputed for putting people in prison for their convictions and limit all forms of free expressions and associations.

However, for the past two decades, I have followed with curiousity news reports, commentaries, opinion articles and street reactions for and against different political decisions, policies and actions of the nation’s democratically elected officials.

And, a careful analysis of democracy as a system of government in relation to various political and socioeconomic occurances in the country within the

Jerome-Mario Utomi, Lagos. In my objective views, democracy is not the problem but Nigerians.

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, march 3, 2020

PAGE 13

Comment

Religiously, socially and morally street begging is wrong

By Abba Dukawa

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treet begging cuts across gender, tribes and age groups, with young children and babies in this ignoble trade. Street Begging seen as a new form of slavery, as stories abound of organized gangs sometimes forcing vulnerable children and women into begging. Even though some peoples related street begging to Muslims or certain tribe. There is no other religion or moral system which teach humans the ways to preserve their integrity, morality and honor as much as Islam does. In Islam, the future of the community and its honor and integrity are important; similarly the honor of one’s self is important and must absolutely be preserved. In islam each Muslim is responsible to preserve that valuable trust.

So, in order to preserve that trust, people are shown all the ways of virtue and are commanded to abstain from evil. Islam commands and encourages working and views it as a high virtue; it forbids and disapproves laziness and begging. This street begging and other forms of begging has serious implications and consequences for big towns and cities. Considered to be economically unproductive they are also believed to constitute threat to national security.

The increasing population of beggars in most Nigerian cities and towns is becoming alarming with different categories of beggars at road junctions, markets places, motor parks, religious worship centres and so on. In fact religiously Begging in whatever form Is Wrong. However, begging, which impairs human honor and virtue, shatters personality and leads to the exploitation of benevolent people’s pure feelings, is regarded as an ugly act.

Now kano state government outlawed street begging in the state which its a welcome development

but some peoples with cynical interest strongly criticised Ganduje’s adminstration policy despites knowing each day where hundreds of thousands of school age children roam about the streets begging. Even those that criticising the ban knowing its right time for the government to avert an impending catastrophe. After all, some of us are aware that there is nothing Islamic about the Almajiri system; it’s a mere product of the tradition of sort in the north.

Even before outlawed street begging Ganduje’s administration has shows its political will by integrated the Almajiri system into its education policy. With this integration, the Almajiri schools are expected to include English and Arithmetic in their curriculum to enable the children to acquire the knowledge of the Holy Qur’an and other types of education, to be able to continue their education to secondary schools and beyond.

As it is, Ganduje government‘s new policy seems to be a win-win for everyone as the children will have access to both Islamic and western education. This is good policy and there is need for him to use all the executive power at his disposal to end this crime against children.

Similarly, To end this child abuse any Almajiri teacher that thinks he cannot cope with the new system has been asked to leave the state whereas the parents and guardians of such children will be taken to court to face the wrath of the law. In according to UBEC act Every child by law is entitled to compulsory education of six years in primary school and three years of junior secondary education.

But In other way Ganduje make it up to senior secondary school level with promise to subsidised tertiary education. As the future of any society can only be guaranteed if it takes adequate care of its youthful population or future generations

To even those that seeing the outlawed in other ways knowing It is unfathomable that in this age and time when kids who should be in school or doing something positive with their lives are left to roam about the streets, all in the name of whatever social/cultural/religious or political nuances. The outlawed Almajiri begging toward this untoward social behavior, on the need to put a stop to this practice.

An Islamic scholar and Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, faulted the position taken by some Islamic scholars as they rejected the position, “We all have children. My children are with me. I feed them myself.

You know feeding of children is the responsibility or their parents. If there are orphans we know how our society is concerned and considerate to them and their condition of living. I was raised in my father’s home. I saw how orphans were also fed and being taken care of by our parents. First and foremost we all know that begging is not a religious activity or obligation.

It is just something of necessity, for somebody to say he doesn’t have anything to feed himself. And as I know how concerned the governor is, he will not come up with a policy that will harm or destroy the life of beggars.

I am sure there is a plan in place on how to assist such kind of people.”

Calling on the scholars to understand that, if there is anything new or strange, then create a way of sitting to discuss it and see how to clear away the problem. “It is just an advice,” argued that, “Because there is no doubt that taking those children back to school is the right thing to do.

And is beneficial to the Almajiris, their parents and the society at large. From the part of the government, as a leader he has the responsibility of seeing how to make his people live well.”

Peoples aware that unconfirmed reports have it that an average of 65 per cent of beggars from the northern part of the country flock into Lagos to beg every year, with the Federal Capital Territory battling similar statistics. For long every concerns Nigerians expresses worrisome that street begging is a worrisome socioeconomic challenge, in addition to being a serious menace and liability on the Nigerian populace, as it takes a heavy toll on the lives of teenagers who either act as guide to beggars or even engage in the act themselves and therefore were out of school. Where these out of school children are prone to all kind of insecurity and also joint any criminals gangs as sort of fitted of survival as we seen. Whichever school of thought one belongs to, it is pertinent to support the recent action of kano state government of outlawed street begging. it is common known that street begging affects not only the geographical and social structure of urban areas, it also portrays the region in a bad light because some of the women who engage in street begging also reportedly practice prostitution on the side, thereby leading to unwanted pregnancies and the bearing of even more child street beggars, while some hoodlums even hide under the guise of begging to carry out evil/criminal deeds. These Almajiris are engaging into substance abuse.

With this outlawed street begging in Kano there is need for the Kano state government to strengthen extant laws on Quranic Schools registration and movement edit 1988.Even though the street begging prohibition law exists, it is not being enforced. At this juncture that laws that regulate the Almajiri school system must be enforced as required either.

Dukawa can be reach at abbahydukawa@gmail.com

Is President Trump right on Corona Virus assessment?

By Benjamin Obiajulu Aduba

I

n many Christian Churches this first Sunday in Lent, communion was offered quite differently. In some churches it was served as a buffet. Communion bread was placed on a table with disposable forks and wine was purred into small individual cups for communicants to take a cup and drink. The wine and bread were blessed amass. All these were measures to calm the fears in the congregation. Some people are forecasting a slow and steady decline of worshippers in an already declining Christian Churches.

The impact on churches is nothing compared to the panic at Wall Street and global businesses.

Wall Street lost 14% of its portfolio an amount that is equal to trillions of dollars as investors pulled back from investing following downturns in airline, hotel, tourism, etc.

Supply chains have been disrupted to the extent that even industries not directly affected are no longer able to produce because of lack supplies.

Corona Virus hysteria has also reached sporting events. In Italy many stadia are off limits to sporting fans. Footballers play in empty stadiums and fans watch from their TVs at home. Consider the impact on beer and snack sales. It is no just football but also hockey, track and fields, basketball, movies etc. China and several countries have closed down schools, including some schools in

California and Washington states in US. The guess is that there will be more lockdowns that might include grocery shopping and malls.And there is no end in sight.

President Trump in his national broadcast said the Corona Virus risk is very low. Could he be right for the first time in his presidency?

Facts seem to support his position. Here are some facts: Disease No of Cases Deaths, Corona Virus 90,000 3,000, 2018/2019 Flu 43 million 61,200Ebola 28,600 11,325 Of course Corona Virus has not run its course so we do not know how many case there will be nor how many deaths. But given the available data President Trump may be right.

That Mr. Trump could be right

should not be interpreted to mean that no preparation is needed.

Far from it. It is better to be over prepared than to be unprepared.

Countries that have weak health care system like Nigeria should be on the ready so that they can move to go if the virus spreads as it is being forecasted. One cannot be too careful.

There are many Solutions being peddled. This may well be the more dangerous problem. One that came across my desk was that some foods like onions, garlic, etc. can cure the virus. In addition to getting prepared efforts must be made to minimize the impact of peddlers of false cures.

Benjamin Obiajulu Aduba, Boston, Massachusetts.

PAGE 14

NEWS

Niger Assembly assures of oversight on projects From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

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he Niger State House of Assembly has assured the citizens of carrying out a sustainable oversight function to ensure contracted projects meet its required standard specification to avoid being shortchanged by contractors handling works in the state.

Speaker of the state assembly, Hon. Abdullahi Bawa Wuse gave the warning while speaking newsman after the flagging off ceremony of Minna - Bida road 86 kilometers reconstruction project at Kpakungu, Minna the state capital.

Represented by member representing Lavun who is the House Committee Chairman on Works, Hon. Ndagi Jibrin Baba stated that the era of contractors surcharging the Niger state citizens is over just as the current lawmakers will not relent in carrying out its legislative mandate for ensuring that the right thing is done according to contractual specifications or face the wrath of the law.

The lawmaker assured of sustainable oversight function especially on the Multimillion Naira Minna, Kataeregi and Bida road project to ensure the durability of the work after its completion hence the project standard must be maintained.

He reiterated the commitment of the assembly for given its full support to the executive in the provision of dividend of democracy through its social amenities provision to the electorates.

While appreciating the Niger state government for the project on the reconstruction of Minna to Bida road awarded to Dantata and Sawoe at the sum of N23.9 billion to be completed within 18 months however urged for the cooperation, support and understanding of the benefiting communities and their leaders for a hitch free of the entire project.

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, march 3, 2020

Fire razes Freedom Radio office in Kaduna From Femi Oyelola, kaduna

T

he kaduna office of Freedom Radio was yesterday gutted by fire in the early hours of the day.

The incident happened at the wee hours when the fire was said to have emanated from the inverter room that houses the station’s

electrical equipment.

It was gathered that the offices affected were inverter room or engineering room, Head of Marketing office, conference hall, security office and driver’s room.

It was further gathered that the private station went off air temporary before it resumed transmission around 10:45 am

yesterday The Station Head of Operations Abubakar Jiddah Usman who confirmed the incident in a phone interview said the fire started around 2:30 AM from the inverter room which houses so many equipment while the power supply passes through the inverter to the station’s transmitter.

“I think it could be heat or some kind of electric fault which cause the fire and consumed about five offices which was why we went off air but resumed around 10:45 am and God willing we will continue with out transmission” he said.

Our reporter observed that the properties and equipment destroyed ran into millions.

L-R: Chief Medical Director, University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, Prof Abiodun Otegbayo; his wife Bolanle Otegbayo; Chairman, UCH Health Foundation, Dr Toyin Okeowo; Member, UCH Health Foundation, Mrs Seyi Afolabi; Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, Dr Victor Akinmoladun at the inauguration of renovated UCH PPP Blood Bank marking one year anniversary in office of CMD, UCH, yesterday in Ibadan. Photo: NAN

NDE trains 460 Women in Cosmetology in Benue From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

T

he National Directorate of Employment, NDE Benue State is to empower over 460 women under the Vocational Skills Department, VSD.

Head of Department, VSD Mrs. Hilda Lawani disclosed this Peoples Daily at the weekend.

Mrs. Lawani said the women will be trained in cosmetology, adding that the training will last for two (2) weeks.

She noted that the training is part of NDE ‘s policy in reducing the rapid unemployment rate in the State and country.

“We will train them in the area of soap making, disinfectants, household daily needs and

production of perfumes. It is expected that after undergoing the training, the women will apply the knowledge acquired to generate wealth for themselves and the society”, she said.

Kebbi NLC suspends warning strike From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

N

igeria Labour Congress (NLC) Kebbi State chapter has suspended their indefinitely warning strike over the non-implementation of the new minimum wage.

The suspension was done based on the sequel to the agreement reached between the labour and State Government yesterday.

Addressing Press Conference yesterday the State Chairman of the Union comrade Umar Alhassan said that out of the

four Issue they demands, the State Government was able to approved some while the negotiation will continued.

He explained further that the Government has inaugurated the committee for the implementation of the new minimum wages while promised

to commence the payment of last year leave grants. “they will commence the payment of the leave grants from level 1 to 6 this month while from level 7 to above will be pay by next month” he added.

He added that others demand such as the implementation of

the annual salary increments and also died gratitude for the retired Civil servants will also be paid very soon.

He then appealed to the Civil servants to remain calm as the Union is working hard to ensured that justice has been done to the workers in the State.

PAGE 15

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, march 3, 2020

Kashamu group can’t suspend me - Ogun PDP Secretary

By Lateef Ibrahim

T

he suspended Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Semiu Sodipo, has faulted his suspension by the leadership of a faction of the party loyal to Senator Buruji Kashamu.

Sodipo said he and 10 other members of the party’s executive had joined the other faction loyal to a former governorship aspirant, Oladipupo Adebutu.

He described the process that led to his suspension as faulty and unconstitutional.

The embattled secretary said this while addressing journalists in Abeokuta.

The Chairman of the Kashamuled faction of the PDP, Bayo Dayo, last week announced the suspension of Sodipo while saying other members of the executive, resigned their appointments.

However, Sodipo explained that the Kashamu group lost a large chunk of the state working committee members to the Adebutu group.

According to him, out of 14 members of the State Working Committee in the state, 10 members had dumped Kashamu for Adebutu.

Sodipo said, “They said I was suspended, can they suspend anyone at a stakeholders’ meeting?

“The stakeholders’ meeting is not known to our constitution and they can’t call it a meeting of the working committee because they don’t have members of the working committee with them anymore.

“My suspension doesn’t exist and it cannot exist.

“They don’t have a working committee at all, the entire members of the working committee are 14 in number and they have only two while we have 10, and just two of them can’t call a working committee meeting.

“Bayo Dayo said he will go on with the congress, we won’t, we will wait for the national leadership’s direction since they have told us to give them more time to make peace with the other people.

“On the Abuja meeting, when we look at the totality of everything, as working committee, we called ourselves, look at things and think of this storm that had fallen on us three times in 2011, 2015 and 2019.

PDP congress: Stakeholders endorse Fayose candidate T

By Musa Adamu

he Ekiti State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship contest has taken a new turn as elders and stakeholders in the party endorsed Bisi Kolawole, the anointed aspirant of former Governor Ayodele Fayose, for the position.

They also endorsed the candidacy of Joseph Omolase as the preferred Secretary in the congress which would climax on April 2.

The PDP State Working Committee had in a statement last week dissociated itself from any consensus arrangement, saying aspirants for positions in the congress would be elected through transparent democratic exercise.

But the party elders and leaders, in a communiqué at the end of their meeting in Ado Ekiti, stated that “the decision to endorse Kolawole was taken after consultation across the length and breadth of the state.”

An elder, Chief Idowu Odeyemi,

who read the communiqué, said the step taken did not amount to imposition.

The communique added, “We have only expressed our right to endorse our preferred candidate, which means other groups can also endorse their own as well.

“We have to say, however, that this endorsement by the elders does not foreclose the right to participate, which means the race is still open.

“The elders are aware that other groups within the

party have also endorsed their preferred candidates. We will meet them at the congress. We are not imposing candidates, we have only expressed our right.

The party is one and after the congress, we shall remain one.”

Reacting to the endorsement, Fayose, who said his open support for Kolawole was to move the party forward, said, “We are not doing this to score any point, we are only looking for somebody who can manage our party, especially that we don’t have a sitting governor.”

L-R: Chairman, Nigeria Governor’s Forum (NGF)and Ekiti state Governor, Kayode Fayemi (centre), Minister of Finance, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed listening to the Kogi state Gov. Yahaya Bello (left), during the Nigeria Governor’s ‘Meeting on national issues, recently in Abuja

Gov Akeredolu declares for second term

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has announced his preparedness to contest the forthcoming governorship election slated for October 2020.

Akerodolu said he had accepted the calls from the people of the state to seek a second term in office on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said this at a dinner organised by the state

government as part of the activities marking the thirdyear anniversary of his administration, held at the International Culture and Event Centre, Akure, the state capital.

The governor said, “In the past, I have not declared to contest but most of you people do say 4+4, that 4+4 is for me, therefore I have accepted the challenge to contest for the governorship again. I know you will vote for me; we will do it together.”

Akeredolu expressed gratitude

to members of the state executive council, traditional rulers, religious bodies, party members and supporters, family members, civil servants and labour leaders, friends and well-wishers and others for their support over the last three years.

Meanwhile, the immediate f orme r c hai rman of t he A ll Progressives Congress in Ondo State, Isaac Kekemeke, on Sunday declared that no party could defeat the ruling party in the October governorship election in the state.

Kekemeke, who expressed displeasure over the yet-to-be resolved internal crisis in the party, however, warned the party leadership against going into the election in a divided house.

He stated this in a chat with journalists in Akure, the state capital.

The former chairman, who is a governorship aspirant in the party said, “And that is the reason we have been advocating that members should sheathe their swords.”

Zamfara commissioner urges Matawalle to defect to APC

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

heZamfaraStateCommissioner for Rural Development and Cooperatives, Alhaji Abubakar Tsafe, has appealed to his principal, Governor Bello Matawalle, to defect to the All Progressives Congress

(APC).

Matawalle is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who became the governor of the state following a Supreme Court judgment that nullified the victory of the APC. Tsafe, is one of the APC stalwarts appointed by Matawalle into the

state executive council in line with his all-inclusive government philosophy.

In a statement issued in Abuja, the Commissioner enjoined his principal to join the party at the centre to enable him to consolidate the successes being recorded in the state.

The statement quoted the commissioner, who was addressing a crowd of supporters, in Tsafe, on Saturday as saying “We are using this medium to call on His Excellency, Dr Bello Matawalle, to dump the PDP. “If he joins, more attention would be given to the state by the

Federal Government. He should join our camp. Our leader is anxiously waiting for him.”

Chieftains of the APC at the gathering, included among others: the state chairman, Alhaji Surajo Maikatako, Alhaji Ahmed Maiaya Tsafe and Salisu Musa Kainuwa.

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, march 3, 2020

politics

Asking S/Court to review Imo judgement not confrontation - PDP

By Lateef Ibrahim

A

s the Supreme court rules on the Imo State governorship election today, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that its decision to go back to the apex court for the review of the judgement is not, in any way, aimed at confronting the court.

Rather, the PDP said that the decision is aimed as helping the course of justice in the nation.

The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan said this yesterday in Abuja while responding to a question on the issue.

The Supremes court, it will be recalled, had sacked Hon. Emeka Ihedioha of the PDP as the Governor

of the state and declared Senator Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as the Governor.

However, Ihedioha and PDP later returned to the same court asking for the review and reversal of the case.

The PDP insisted yesterday that it is not confronting the Supreme court, whichever way it is looked at at.

The party equally expressed the optimism that its lawyers will not be sanctioned for asking for the review.

According to Ologbondiyan, “We are not confronting the Supreme court, we are presenting our case before the supreme court for them to understand that they were misled into taking a decision.

“We hold firmly that there will

be no sanctions against our lawyers.

Because the reason we went to the supreme court is to state clearly that they were misled by the All Progressive Congress (APC) into their judgement.

“We are at the Supreme to state clearly that the result of votes the Supreme court declared for the APC is even more and larger than the total number of registered votes.

And that the highest court in the land was misled into taking that decision.

“So, we are not confronting the supreme court as a political party, No. The PDP and our candidate Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha ,who has chequered of political participation in Nigeria, who has had the opportunity of

leading the house that has constitution responsibility to make law, will not go like that.

“Our party that nurtured democracy for over 20 years will not confront the supreme court.

“There is nowhere that the PDP has sat down to contemplate or express fear over our decision to ask the Supreme court to guard its own infallibility. No where.

“What we are going back to say is that in your judgement you were misled and these are the facts.

“So, are we not helping the course of justice by so doing? The PDP is helping the course of justice by so doing. And it is helping the Supreme court to further strengthen it’s infallibility.

“We understand democracy better than the APC, we know the import of democracy, we know our right within the confines of democracy. And such we owe it a responsibility to our country because we all belong to the same nation.

“So, if there are errors in what the APC and its candidate Hope Uzodinma had deliberately laid before the supreme court and push the Supreme court into taking the wrong decision, we have a responsibility, as a party that brought democracy to Nigeria, to point out those errors to the Supreme Court.

“Do not think we have acted wrong, rather we have acted on the part of justice” the PDP said.

L R: National Chairman, Alliance National Party (ANP), Asiwaju Mashood Shittu receiving membership foam of Liberty Radio/TV listeners forum from the chairman of the Forum, Sa’adu Maimagani; PRO Musa Ismail Mahangi and Women Leader of the Forum, Balara Abdullahi, during a courtesy visit to the ANP National Chairman, yesterday in Abuja..

Photo: Justin ImoOwo

Longjan legacy will continue to unite Nigerians - Lawan

By Musa Adamu

P

resident of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has called on religious leaders in the country to pray for Nigeria and its leadership, saying that the country will eventually overcome its tribulations.

Lawan stated this in a speech delivered at the funeral mass held for the Late Senator Ignatius Dantong Longjan at St. Louis Catholic Church, Jos, Plateau State.

The funeral mass was officiated by the Archbishop of Abuja Catholic Diocese, Most Reverend Ignatius Kaigama.

“We need prayers as a country and a people. We cannot ask for

this at a better place. We need to have a very peaceful, secured and safe country.

“Prayers can do a lot of things.

Prayers can make leaders to perform. So, Nigerian leaders need prayers so that we remain focused on ensuring that we discharge our obligations and mandates to create the kind of country that all of us desire,” Lawan said.

Speaking on the challenges faced by the country in several states, the Senate President added, “We may see things we don’t want to see today, but the power of prayers can change so many things for the better. We shouldn’t despair.

“It is sad we are going through this, but we can overcome it. May

Almighty God help us overcome our tribulations.”

Lawan, while paying tribute to the deceased lawmaker who represented Plateau South until his demise, said Longjan’s quest for unity and peace are lasting legacies that will continue to unify Nigerians.

According to the Senate President, the National Assembly will work concertedly at building on those ideals the deceased lived for, so as to attain peace and progress for Nigeria.

“We met him (Ignatius Longjan) only in 2019 when we went to the Senate, but he was already an accomplished human being, not only in terms of what he was able

to achieve in public service, but in terms of what he was as a person.

“He was at peace with everybody, and all of us saw a man who wanted to see not only Plateau being peaceful, but our country Nigeria being in peace.

“The task before the rest of us, especially in the Senate and in the National Assembly, is to continue to work on those ideals, those things he believed in, those dreams he had for Nigeria, that we live in trust and have faith in ourselves for a progressive and peaceful Nigeria.

“This is one loss that is for all of us, this country will miss him.

He was one gentleman that made a difference.

We pray that this death that has brought so many together will continue to unite people, and of course, this country need unity,” Lawan said.

Among dignitaries present are: the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Idris Wase; Governor of Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong; Deputy Governor, Sonni Tyoden.

Senators who accompanied the Senate President include: Rochas Okorocha (APC – Imo West); Philip Aduda (PDP – FCT); Uche Ekwunife (PDP – Anambra Central); Haliru Jika (APC – Bauchi Central); and Aisha Dahiru Ahmed (APC – Adamawa Central).

PAGE 17

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, march 3, 2020

politics

Bayelsa Gov says appointing commissioners to take 3 months

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

G

overnor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has said it will take him about three months to appoint people into the state executive council.

He also announced that he had donated the N40 million awarded by the Supreme Court to him and his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, to the church to promote the work of God. A statement by the Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as having said this during a special thanksgiving service at the King of Glory Chapel, Government House, Yenagoa.

Diri said he took the decision to donate the money without consulting the deputy governor.

He appealed to the people of Bayelsa State to be patient with him to “assemble a crack team that would drive the three-point agenda of the Consolidation Government.”

Di ri was i n au g u rat e d on February 14 following the apex court’s judgment which voided the election of the former governorelect David Lyon and his deputy Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo of the All Progressives Congress.

He assured the people that those to be appointed as commissioners would enjoy autonomy in awarding of contracts while he and his deputy would perform supervisory roles.

Diri, who was full of gratitude to God and Bayelsans for their support and prayers, described Wednesday’s Supreme Court

review verdict as “an act of God that became a reality through the wisdom and courage of the apex court.”

He said, “What has happened only proves the fact that there is a God that rules in the affairs of men. His decisions are final and supreme. There is no Supreme Court greater than the Supreme Court of God. “He gave that judgment through the learned justices and some people felt they had to question Him. And God spoke through that woman that delivered the judgment. According to her, who are you to question the supremacy of the Supreme Court?

“And so for desecrating the temple of justice, a cost of N10m each was imposed on two of the

senior lawyers that represented the other party to be paid to three of the respondents, which included me and my deputy. Without even consulting my deputy, I have decided that both of us will surrender our N20m each, that is N40m, to the work of God in the church.”

He underscored the need for the opposition APC in the state to embrace the olive branch extended to it for the sake of peace and sustainable development of the state.

He, however, said that intelligence report at his disposal indicated that some opposition elements were still bent on fomenting trouble over the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party at the Supreme Court.

Members, enemies colluding to destroy our party - Rivers APC

Gov Babajide SanwoOlu of Lagos State, (right), washing his hands during an inspection visit to the Emergency Operations Centre and Biosecurity Unit at Mainland Infectious Disease Hospital, yesterday in Lagos. Photo: NAN

By Musa Adamu

A

ll Progressives Congress (APC) has said some of its members were conniving with its enemies to destroy the party in Rivers State through judicial manipulations and betrayal.

The Publicity Secretary of one of the factions of the APC in Rivers State, Chris Finebone, said such members claimed to be the APC members in the media by day and in another political party at night.

Finebone spoke on backdrop of the defection of a former commissioner for education in the state, Allwell Onyesoh from the APC to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The state APC spokesman said Onyesoh was only exercising his right to free association, adding, “My reaction to Chief Allwell Onyesoh leaving the APC to the PDP is that he simply exercised his right to free association and none can fault that.

“Some are in the APC on television and in the newspapers by day and in another party by night. They are the ones, who connived with the adversaries to destroy the party through judicial manipulation and outright betrayal. Placed sideby-side, Chief Onyesoh towers above them in principle,” Finebone added.

The ex-commissioner for education described his defection to the PDP as homecoming.

Diri warned them to desist from all unwholesome activities as his government would not hesitate to deploy the full weight of the law to maintain peace and order in the state.

He added, “As a people, let us learn to move ourselves upward.

We need to build on the prevailing peace in this state so that investors can come in and we can also create employment for our young ones who want to work.

“That is why we have offered the olive branch and we expect them all to accept it. But for those who refuse to accept it, but rather are planning evil, they should realise that we are now on the seat of power. We have information at our disposal.”

I did no wrong in Bayelsa judgement - Olanipekun

By Vivian Okejeme

L

egal luminary, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), said he did no wrong in the suit by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, David Lyon, to seek review of the Supreme Court judgment on Bayelsa State governorship election.

Olanipekun and another legal icon, Chief Afe Babalola, who represented the APC and Lyon respectively in the review case, were fined N30m each by the Supreme Court for filing the review seeking suit on behalf of their clients.

The su it had p raye d t he

Supreme Court to review its judgment which declared the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Chief Duoye Diri, winner of the Bayelsa State governorship poll following disqualification of the APC candidate, who was governor-elect, on the basis of the academic certificates of his running mate, Chief Degi BiobarakumaEremionye.

The former NBA chairman, who spoke at Ikere Ekiti during a thanksgiving service in commemoration of a multi-million naira ultra-modern 1,600 capacity church auditorium that he donated to the St. Peters Anglican Church, Ikere Ekiti, said the truth of the matter would be revealed with

time.

Olanipekun said, “I have not had any regret, I can tell you, in the profession of law that I have practised since 1976 when I was called to the bar, I thank God for what he has made out of me. I see it as a ministry.

Forget about what you read, I have done no wrong. Truth will come out.

“I haven’t done any wrong. I would be one of the few lawyers in Nigeria, who would say that I tried as much as possible to practise the profession in the best tradition of the bar, the best tradition of the legal profession.

“At the end of the day, truth will come out. We thank God for

everything. I won’t say more than that now,” the senior advocate said.

Olanipekun said the church auditorium which he built and donated to the Anglican Communion was part of his contributions to the spiritual growth of his people and as well for the development of tourism potential of the state.

According to him, his decision to locate his radio station which test transmission is ongoing at Ikere Ekiti, was borne out of his belief in the need to invest back home to “let Ikere people feel the ambience, let them feel the joy that they have the radio station around them.”

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, march 3, 2020

Page 19

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, march 3, 2020

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Obiora assumes duty as New CBN Deputy Governor

By Etuka Sunday

D

r. Kingsley Isitua Obiora has formally assumed office as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), replacing Dr. Okwu Joseph Nnanna, who exited from the Bank on February 2, 2020.

Welcoming Dr. Obiora on board, on Monday, March 2, 2020, the Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, congratulated him on his appointment, noting that he was assuming duty at a time when his experience was needed to ensure

stability in the Nigerian economy.

Assigning the new Deputy Governor to the Economic Policy Directorate, Mr. Emefiele charged him to go beyond upholding the interest of the CBN to upholding the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians, majority of who he said desired positive impact in their daily lives.

The Governor, who alluded to the youthfulness of Dr. Obiora and some new Directors in the Bank, said deliberate effort was being made by the Management of the Bank to assign more

responsibility to the youth, who he noted possessed energy that must be put to positive use for the good of Nigerians.

While urging all present to work together to enable the Bank to achieve its objectives, Mr. Emefiele charged them to strive to etch their names in the annals of the Bank as having contributed their quota to the overall development of the country.

According to the Governor, who was flanked by Mrs. Aishah Ahmad and Mr. Folashodun Shonubi, the Deputy Governors in charge of

Financial System Stability (FSS) and Operations, respectively, members of staff of the Bank were part of the monetary policy team that had to play the role of upholding the integrity of the Bank and policies that translate to making lives better for most Nigerians whom they represent in the Bank.

In his remarks after subscribing to the relevant oath administered by the CBN Board Secretary and Director, Corporate Secretariat Department, Mrs. Alice Karau, the new Deputy Governor

expressed joy to be back at the CBN, promising to add value to the processes even as he solicited the cooperation of all in achieving his tasks.

Dr. Kingsley Isitua Obiora was nominated Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria on Thursday, January 16, 2020 by President Muhammadu Buhari and his appointment was confirmed by the Senate on Thursday, January 30, 2020 paving his replacement of the Dr. Joseph Okwu Nnanna who retired from the services of CBN on February 2, 2020.

Investment in older persons’ products will enhance youth employment

By Miriam Humbe

C

ompanies must invest in producing products beneficial to the older persons, as this tends to provide new entrepreneurial opportunities for the youth as the older population are assets and social capital to every nation.

This is because the ageing population represents an opportunity for economic growth in products and services that cater to the needs of older adults.

This drives goals, policy and practice, social developments and innovations required to support and release healthy and active agency and the enabling environment.

Executive Director, Dave Omokaro Foundation, Dr. Emem Omokaro said these while presenting a paper at the five-day training for Journalists and other stakeholders in Abuja.

The training was organized in collaboration with the United Nations International Institute on Ageing in Abuja.

Dr. Omokaro said that ageism denies a nation its conceptual framework that unlocks hidden treasure, adding that the nation can harness gold out of its silver haired citizens.

She said: “The central challenge to the broader intersectoral efforts is finding answers to these questions; therein lies the path to innovation and discovery of new entrepreneurial opportunities.”

L-R: Executive Chairman Federal Inland Revenue Services, (FIRS), Mr. Mohammed Nami; Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Public Account, Hon. Oluwole Oke; Chairman House Committee on Airforce, Hon. Shehu Koko Mohammad and the deputy Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Public Account, Hon. Abdulkareem Sa’ad, during the continuation of the investigative hearing of the committee at the National Assembly, recently in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

NNPC wins Nigeria Oil Industry Games

By Etuka Sunday

A

thletes representing the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) saw off stiff competition from Industry counterparts to emerge champions at the 2020 edition of the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Games (NOGIG) which came to a scintillating climax over the weekend at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

To achieve the feat, the NNPC amassed 48 medals, including 13 Gold, 16 Silver, and 19 Bronze to narrowly beat Shell to second position with 13 Gold, eight Silver, and ten Bronze, for a haul of 31 medals.

The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) finished third with 23 medals, including six Gold, seven Silver and 10 Bronze to complete the top three standing out of the thirteen participating teams.

Speaking shortly before performing the ceremonial kickoff for the final football match, Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva said NOGIG overtime had emerged as a veritable platform for healthy competition among the Industry workforce, noting that government would continue to support such positive engagement.

In his remarks, the Group Managing Director, GMD, NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari, assured guests that the corporation would continue to give attention to sporting activities in a bid to foster unity among the workers in the Oil and Gas Industry.

Kyari informed the audience that Industry stakeholders placed a lot of premium on the games because it serves as a platform to promote sportsmanship, friendship and networking opportunities among management and staff of

the Industry.

The NNPC GMD reserved special commendation for team NNPC for the hard work that went into their emergence as the best team in the most prestigious game for the Oil and Gas Industry in Nigeria.

“Looking at the amount and quality of time, interfaces, logistics, facilities and the general coordination of sportsmen and women across the entire Oil and Gas Industry, I can confidently say that it is a huge feat. ``I understand that since 1986 when this competition was started by a group of sportsmen and women in Eket, Akwa Ibom State, the biennial tournament has grown to become a formidable platform for the promotion of healthy competition. ``Although there is a stiff competition (among participants) the underlying principle of the

games has always been hinged on exhibiting friendship, sportsmanship, and networking where fruitful partnership and collaboration are taken beyond showpiece, he said.’

The climax of the closing day of competition was the final of the football event which saw NNPC football team beat the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR 2-0 in a pulsating encounter in the main bowl of the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

The captain of Team NNPC NOGIG 2020, Ogechi Anusionwu, commended the performance of her team, adding that it would serve as motivation for better productivity. ``I am so happy winning this 18th NOGIG, it has been a great collaboration of all the team members and the management of the NNPC. ``This feat will serve as

motivation to us to continue to give our best in the workplace and I thank the management immensely for their supports and cooperation, she said.

Tagged Celebrating Champions in the Oil and Gas Industry, NOGIG 2020 was attended by Industry giants such as NNPC, Chevron, Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Department of Petroleum Resources, (DPR) ENI Agip, Exxon Mobil, Eroton Exploration and Production and Seplat.

Others are, TOTAL, Liquefied Natural Gas Limited, (LNG) and Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).

Dignitaries at the closing ceremony included the representative of Lagos State Governor and the Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission, (LSSC), Sola Ayepeku, and other captains of the Oil and Gas Industry among others.

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, march 3, 2020

Page 20

ICT

NCC to mark World Consumer Rights Day, says Consumers remain focal point

By Etuka Sunday

W

ith consumers’ interest and how they could get better quality of services as its focal point, Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, says “we will abide by all the tenets of consumer rights in our day to day activities at the NCC”.

The EVC’s statement underpins activities of the regulatory agency which has manifest oversight functions over the various network operators in Nigeria.

As Nigeria joins the rest of the global community to mark the World Consumer’s Right day on March 15, 2020, the EVC said the NCC had put in place a series of initiatives to always cushion and protect the interest of the consumers.

The theme for this year’s event is ‘The Sustainable Consumer’.

For instance, it has over the years hosted the flagship Telecom Consumer Parliament (TCP) where consumer issues are discussed extensively in a high profile session where the regulator, operators and consumers interact and answers got in the process.

Eighty-eight of such parliaments have been held so far in the major cities across Nigeria.

Besides this, no fewer than 110 Consumer Outreach Programmes (COPs) have been held. The event holds monthly in urban centres in the country.

Consumer Town Hall Meetings (CTM) which exclusively hold in rural communities have been well received across the land. So far, 53 of such events have taken place.

There have also been Elite Enlightenment Campaigns targeted at professional organisations during their yearly conferences.

This is done to carry along the

high profile professionals who may not have enough time to participate in the TCP, COP and CTMs which hold regularly.

There are campaigns too to empower the Nigerian Youth through information and awareness creation regarding their rights and obligations within the Nigerian telecom industry as well as apprising them about the consumer protection initiatives of the Commission.

“We participate in trade fairs where we engage the consumer on one-on-one basis”.

According to the EVC, the Commission has developed and produced Consumer Education materials on major telecom issues for distribution.

The developed factsheets are translated into the three major

languages (Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba) including Pidgin.

Such materials cover the DND Campaign, SIM Registration and Replacement, role of NCC in consumer protection among others.

The Director Public Affairs, NCC, Dr. Henry Nkemadu in a statement said, the Commission has in place different channels for lodging Consumer Complaints.

These include: The NCC 622 Toll Free number for escalating unresolved complaints and for seeking redress is working. The centre is open 8am 0 8pm Mondays to Saturdays. There has been consistent campaign on the 622 NCC Toll Free Line. ·Web Portal – The web portal is an alternative online channel for lodging complaints and making

enquiries. The portal is available 24 hours and can be accessed via www.ncc.gov.ng/consumer .Management of twitter account (@consumersncc) for disseminating information to consumers. The CAB Twitter account (@Consumersncc) is updated with current topical issues of interest to consumers and it currently has 10,700 followers (Consumers). · Consi ste n t ca mpa i gn on DND has attracted 22,487,849 subscribers on DND services as at December 2019. ·Regular monitoring of service providers helplines to ensure that the threshold set by the Commission is met 1.e number of rings before connecting to Interactive Voice Response (IVR), connection of calls to live agents,

percentage of failed attempts to customer care helplines etc. ·Review of the Complaint Categories and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) on Complaint Management in view of recent technological advancements.

Coordination of Consumer Protection Special Intervention Initiatives such as: a Strategic Bi-Annual Meeting with Senior Executive Directors of Telcos on Complaint Management. b.

Constitution of a Multi-Sectorial Working Group on E-Fraud. c.

Development of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with relevant Stakeholders on E-Fraud.

Periodic visits to Service Providers call centres to monitor real time handling of consumer complaints on quality of service and assurance, among others.

Champion at the LG OLED TV Gaming Challenge in Lagos at the Weekend.

Junior Imaji, Pro-Gamer emerges Winner In OLED TV Gaming Challenge

From Etuka Sunday

J

unior Imaji, Pro-Gamer has emerged the grand winner in OLED TV Gaming Challenge season seven.

He bagged the first position, which has a cash prize of N1 million at the grand finale and prize giving ceremony of the game held on Saturday at Eco Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, where LG thrilled its teeming customers with its newest OLED TVs which offer blazing speed and stunning colour reproduction through NVIDIA G-SYNC. Speaking at the event, the General Manager, Home Entertainment Division, LG Electronics West Africa, Vanjamin Kim stated the LG Electronics initiated OLED Gaming Challenge for lovers of video game to demonstrate the beauty and the uniqueness of the ‘depth of black’ in

OLED TV, especially when gaming on it.

According to him, Video gamers have been a large and growing part of the firms culture for a long time.

“Whether you are eagerly awaiting the next Call of Duty release or trying to beat the next level of Candy Crush on your lunch break, you are part of the gaming world. Over the years this world has had to deal with a lot of stereotypes and false claims.

Just as physical exercise helps in improving and strengthening your muscles, cognitive games help to indulge one’s brain in constant stimulation, thus improving the brain’s performance”, he said.

He noted that LG OLED Gaming challenge was one of the biggest e-sports competition in Nigeria, adding that part of the brand strategy, LG has initiated this platform for young minds by channelling their positive energy towards intellectual enhancement

and innovation to further equip and keep them abreast of technological innovations globally.

He said, “The grand finale event of LG OLED Gaming challenge has today gathered winners of the game competition which has been held in Nigeria’s major cities since last year.

LG’s OLED TV Gaming has staged 6 seasons with over 600 entries received online.

LG is the frontier of OLED technology globally as the brand is responsible for the production of OLED panels of all other players in the TV display market.

LG Electronics is focused on developing new innovations across Sustainability. We are committed to providing electronic products that help customers live better.

To support this, we are constantly developing new initiatives to support our Sustainability Commitments. We offer a range of TV product categories such as

OLED TV, NanoCell TV, Ultra HD TV and LED TVs.”, he assured.

Also speaking at the event, the Head of Corporate Marketing, LG Electronics West Africa Mr. Hari Elluru, stated “the addition of NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatibility raises the bar once more, guaranteeing even more immersive big-screen PC gaming on the company’s industry-leading 4K OLED models, available in 55 to 77 inch screen sizes. G-Sync and other VRR technologies help eliminate flicker, tearing or stuttering on displays when used to play games that are built using VRR”.

The company’s latest OLED TV models support a variety of popular HDR formats that further elevate the gaming experience. Users can play compatible titles in dynamic HDR10 or Dolby Vision (at up to 120 frames per second for Full HD content) taking advantage of HDMI 2.1 specifications such as auto low

latency mode (ALLM), enhanced audio return channel (eARC), and variable refresh rate (VRR).

“With the G-SYNC firmware there is no lagging, tearing or stuttering while playing super-fast Games and watching fast moving contents”, he mentioned.

The grand winner, Junior Imaji, Pro-gamer said, “ It was quite tough and an interesting battlefield but I am elated to emerge as the winner. The 0ne million naira cash is the in-thing and the OLED TV is dope! I hope this platform that LG has created for gamers continue to grow stronger and birth more opportunities for professional gamers and amateurs.

The OLED TV Gaming Challenge has been held in different states - Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan and Port Harcourt and the season 7 ended in style as winners exalted LG for creating such exciting platform for gaming and TV lovers.

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, march 3, 2020

FCTA to support states improve land administration

By Stanley Onyekwere

T

he Federal Capital Territory Administration has pledged its support for States in their efforts to upgrade their Geographic Information System (GIS) for efficient land administration.

This pledge was made by the FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, when a delegation led by the Commissioner of Lands and Survey of Adamawa State paid a courtesy visit to the FCTA. Bello noted that i has been the policy of the FCT to assist other sub-nationals in the country in the upgrade of their land management processes.

“The issue of digitalization and modernizing the land system has already been agreed by the National Council of Land, Housing and Urban Development and many states have gone very far. In the FCT, it’s common knowledge that we are now at a very advanced stage.

“So it has always been a policy of the FCT Administration to support other sub-nationals within the Nigerian federation to be able to upgrade their system. So, I assure you that we will also continue with that policy and provide you all the needed support,” he stressed.

According to him, land was one of the greatest assets that all governments across the country have by virtue of the Land Use Decree, it was very important that all land issues were well documented and digitalized.

Speaking earlier, the Adamawa State Commissioner of Lands and Survey Alhaji Ibrahim Mijinyawa Yayaji, said that his delegation was in the FCT to seek for technical support for the upgrading of the Adamawa State GIS. According to him: “we have our own baby GIS but we feel that definitely, we need to upgrade and there is no other place that we feel we can get this kind of assistance better than here in the FCT. That is why we are here to pay this call and also to make a plea to the FCT Administration so that we can have that assistance from you.”

Also present during the courtesy visit were the Director Urban and Regional Planning FCTA, Zaliha’u Ahmed, Director, AGIS, Dr Isa Jalo and other Directors of the FCTA.

METRO

Page 21

Minister hails NGO over fight against Sickle Cell anaemia

By Stanley Onyekwere

T

he Minister of special duties and intergovernmental affairs, Senator George Akume, has commended a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), LA’ Grace Sickle Cell Foundation (LGSCF), for taking up the initiative to mitigate the increasing rate of Sickle Cell anaemia in the society.

Akume also praised the NGO for ensitising people on the need to be more conscious of their genotypes and medical status before marriage.

Represented by a senior

staff of the ministry, Dr Lilian Ogbole, the Minister said that although the fight against sickle cell disease is not the primary role of the ministry, but it would collaborate with other ministries to ensure that Nigerians have nothing than the best in every aspects of life.

Making this assertion at the launch of LGSCF, in Abuja at the weekend, Akume reiterated that the government is worried that Nigeria has remained the country with the highest number of sickle cell disease in the world.

According to him, in the past, a lot of attention has not been

attached in creating the needed awareness and sensitization about the diseases in Nigeria, which he noted was responsible for the rising case of the disease in the country.

“We are concerned about sickle cell anaemia because as you are aware, right now Nigeria is ranked as the country with the highest rate of sickle cell patient in the world.

“So, we in the ministry have roles to collaborate with other ministries to bring the menace of sickle cell disease to an end,” he stated.

Earlier, the founder of the NGO, Abdulrazeez Abdul, had stressed

the need to take the awareness and sensitisation campaign on the disease to the rural areas, where people are not aware of what sickle cell is all about.

Abdul frowned at the little attention being given to the menace of sickle cell disease in the country, which he noted was responsible for placing Nigeria as the highest case of the disease in the world.

He noted that sickle cell disease deserves much attention, because so many Nigerians are suffering from it, but government and Nigerians do not know about this disease.

FCT Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Mr Patrick Ukpan (2nd L), inspecting Guard by the personnel of Corps, during the 2020 International Civil Defence celebration Day, yesterday in Abuja

Flood: Dev’t Control intensifies removal of structures in Logoma

By Stanley Onyekwere

A

s part of proactive measures to avert devastating flooding in Lokogoma District of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) officials of Development Control Department has increased tempo in demolition activities of obstructing structures in the area, even as the rainy season sets in.

In particular, the continued intensive demolition exercise planned for this week mainly affects structures built on sewage lines, road corridors, power lines

and green areas, in resulting to reoccurring flooding and death especially during rainy season in the District.

Recall that no fewer than one hundred and twenty one building situated in water ways through which Rivers Wumba and Kabusa navigate were marked for demolition by the FCT Administration which commenced in July last year by was stop as a result of heavy down pure.

However, the removal of illegal structures in the area was suspended by the development

control department last year due the heavy rains.

Several developers in Lokogoma District had allegedly built houses on flood plains and water channels, which often lead to severe flooding that affect lives and property.

Explaining the resumption of the removal exercise in Lokogoma, Director, Department of Development Control, Muktar Galadima noted that adequate sensitisation has been carried on the exercise.

Galadima noted that after the sensitisation the FCT

Administration is receiving adequate corporation from the residents noting that the demolition exercise will be completed before the rain commences fully.

He further explained that the clearing exercise which also affected structures around Galadima Roundabout was meant to make way for an ongoing expansion project of Ring Road 2, where there is are provisions for interchanges.

He added that the ongoing projects was also meant to make the area accessible and to make it

possible for the construction firm handling the project to continue with their project in safely and orderly manner.

He added that the exercise would be extended it up to Suncity and Sunny Vaile estates, to make sure that the corridor is free from all informal activities.

Not left out, one of the owners of recreational Parks, where structures were demolished in the area and Former International Footballer, John Fashnu noted that he requested for the exercise to enable better structure put in place.

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, march 3, 2020

Page 22

world news

N international_peoplesdailyng@yahoo.com

Jack Welch: Legendary General Electric boss dies at 84

J

ack Welch, a titan of American business who transformed General Electric (GE) into America’s most valuable company, has died aged 84.

He ran the US conglomerate from 1981 until 2001, and was once named “manager of the century” for his achievements.

Nicknamed “Neutron Jack” for his cost-cutting, he became a best selling author and confidante of US presidents.

President Donald Trump Tweeted that Mr Welch was a business legend and friend.

Mr Welch joined GE as a chemical engineer in its plastics division at Pittsfield, Massachusetts, before being elected the company’s youngest vice-president in 1972.

In 1979 he became vicechairman and by the end of 1980, it was announced that he was to become chairman and CEO of the firm, a position he held for 20

President Donald Trump tweeted a tribute to Jack Welch after hearing of his death years before retiring in 2001.

While at the helm in the 1980s and 1990s, he bought and sold scores of businesses, expanding

GE into financial services and consulting. He was also known for his focus on efficiency and streamlining management. He

would regularly cull the lowestperforming 10% of staff each year.

“The underperformers generally had to go,” he wrote in one of his

books.

But this ruthless approach help grow GE’s market value from $12bn to $410bn (£321bn). In 1999, Fortune magazine named him the “Manager of the Century”.

A guru to thousands of management hopefuls, his books “Winning” and “Jack: Straight from the Gut” were bestsellers during his retirement.

More recently, a turn for the worse in GE’s fortunes has prompted a second look at Mr Welch’s accomplishments.

During the 2008 global financial crisis, losses at the firm’s financial services arm delivered a body blow to the firm, which subsequently scaled back its operations, selling off many of its less profitable or ancillary businesses.

Mr Welch’s generous retirement package also drew controversy as an example of excessive executive compensation after details of it aired during his divorce settlement.

Afghan conflict: Taliban to resume attacking local forces after deal with US

T

he Taliban are to resume attacks against government forces, just days after signing a deal with the US aimed at bringing peace to Afghanistan.

The hard-line Islamist group had observed a “reduction in violence” in the week leading up to the agreement.

The deal included a commitment to hold peace talks with the Afghan government.

But the group’s spokesman said on Monday the talks would not go ahead if 5,000 Taliban prisoners held by the government were not released.

The release formed part of the agreement signed on Saturday in Qatar with the US. But on Sunday, Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani told reporters his government had agreed to no such release.

“There is no commitment to releasing 5,000 prisoners,” Mr Ghani said. “This is the right and the self-will of the people of Afghanistan.

It could be included in the agenda of the intra-Afghan talks, but cannot be a prerequisite for talks.”

The Taliban have previously refused to negotiate with the Afghan government, so Saturday’s deal was just with the US, which invaded Afghanistan weeks after the September 2001 attacks in New York by al-Qaeda, then based in

Taliban militants and villagers were pictured celebrating the peace deal on Monday Afghanistan.

The Taliban were ousted from power but became an insurgent force that by 2018 was active in more than two-thirds of the country.

What have the Taliban said?

The Taliban said they would resume fighting Afghan forces, but would not target international troops.

This contradicted Mr Ghani’s comments on Sunday. He had said

the partial truce was set to continue “with a goal to reach a full ceasefire”.

Meanwhile, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told news agency Reuters they would not take part in talks with the government unless the release went ahead.

“We are fully ready for the intraAfghan talks, but we are waiting for the release of our 5,000 prisoners,” he said. “If our 5,000 prisoners - 100 or 200 more or less does not matter

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, march 3, 2020

- do not get released there will be no intra-Afghan talks.”

An estimated 10,000 captured Taliban are being held in Afghanistan.

The BBC’s Secunder Kermani says it’s not yet clear if the Taliban will now resume fighting - or if this is an attempt to pressurise the government into releasing the detainees.

How has the US reacted?

General Scott Miller, the US forces commander in Afghanistan, said the reduction in violence “was a confidence builder”, adding: “We’re very serious about our obligations and we expect the Taliban will be serious about their obligations.

“The United States has been very clear about our expectations - the violence must remain low.”

Saturday’s agreement included the withdrawal of US troops and its Nato allies from Afghanistan within 14 months - if the militants hold up the deal.

About 12,000 US troops are still stationed in the country.

US President Donald Trump, who had promised to end the Afghan conflict, said on Saturday that it was “time to bring our people back home”.

Mr Trump said 5,000 US troops would leave Afghanistan by May and he would meet Taliban leaders in the near future.

He added that US troops had been killing militants in Afghanistan “by the thousands” and now it was “time for someone else to do that work and it will be the Taliban and it could be surrounding countries”.

On Sunday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told CBS news that he hoped negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban would begin in the coming days.

Source: bbc

e w s

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r o m

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f r i c a

‘Why I made Guinea-Bissau’s Cipriano Cassamá quits amid ‘death threats’ a film for O £5,000’

O

livier Assoua’s first feature film was shot on a shoestring budget in the small Cameroonian town where he was born.

He wrote, directed, shot and edited La Vallée des Aigles (“The Eagle’s Nest” is its English title) himself.

“I made the film for £5,000 ($6,400).

If I had paid myself market rate for each role, I would never have been able to make it,” Assoua says.

The low cost ensured the movie got made - and this is why his long-held dream is set to be realised when it is released in the coming months.

“My film La Vallée des Aigles is about two female friends in a small town where many young people emigrate to bigger cities or Europe in search of a better life.

“In this film, the two main characters stumble upon a large sum of money. One of the friends decides to go to Europe with the money, whilst the other wants to stay in Cameroon and make something of herself.”

Assoua regards migration, economic or forced, as a hugely important subject.

“Many Africans are dying trying to get to Europe,” he says. “There is a belief that going to Europe will make their lives better.”

B

ne of the two men declared president of Guinea-Bissau has resigned from the post after just one full day in office, saying his life was in danger.

Cipriano Cassamá was chosen by lawmakers as president following disputed elections in December.

This was despite the fact that former army general Umaro Cissoko Embaló had already been sworn in as president at a hotel in the capital, Bissau.

Guinea-Bissau has had nine coups or attempted coups since 1980.

A former Portuguese colony in West Africa, it has also become a key trafficking point for drugs from South America on their way to Europe.

What is happening today?

By Ricci Shryock, Bissau Ministries are closed and surrounded by armed guards, as the country lurches through a protracted crisis that some parliamentarians are calling a coup.

A truck of soldiers from a regional force, deployed to Guinea-Bissau about eight years ago, are guarding the home of Aristides Gomes, one of two men laying claim to the post of prime minister.

The soldiers are perched on their white truck, with a mounted machine-gun pointed outward and at the ready.

Mr Gomes’ home is just a few hundred metres from the presidential palace.

On the same street, the Ministries of Finance, Justice and Fisheries are all closed and guarded by armed officers.

But residents appear to be continuing with their daily lives - cashew vendors are still on the streets, and residents are still withdrawing money from cash machines along Avenue Amilcar Cabral, named after the revolutionary who led GuineaBissau’s campaign for independence.

Why did Guinea-Bissau have two presidents?

The poll was intended to draw a line under the past, but it has triggered a new political crisis in a nation where the military wields huge political influence.

The national electoral commission declared that Mr Embaló had beaten his main rival, Domingos Simoes Pereira, by 54% to 46% in the 29 December run-off election.

Outgoing President José Mário Vaz handed power to Mr Embaló at a ceremony at a luxury hotel on Thursday.

But Mr Pereira’s PAIGC party, which led Guinea-Bissau to independence and was the only legal party until 1990, rejected Mr Embaló’s inauguration, saying the election was marred by fraud.

It then used its parliamentary majority to swear in Mr Cassamá, the parliamentary speaker, as interim president, until the Supreme Court ruled on its bid to annul Mr Embaló’s victory.

What did Mr Cassamá say?

Cipriano Cassamá was speaker of parliament until he briefly became president

Regional troops have been in Guinea-Bissau for years to prevent conflict Mr Cassamá said he had no choice but to give up the post because he had received death threats.

“I have no security... My life is in danger, the life of my family is in danger, the life of this people [nation] is in danger. I cannot accept that, that is why I took this decision,” he told reporters.

Mr Cassamá did not say who had threatened his life.

Guinea-Bissau still has two rival prime ministers.

On Sunday, one of them, Aristides Gomes, said military officers had invaded his private home in Bissau in a bid to force him to resign.

“They threatened to kill the security officers in my service if they do not resign, and threatened to kill me if I do not resign from the office to which

I was legally appointed,” he said.

Mr Gomes has refused to recognise a decree

by Mr Embaló, which replaced him with Nuno Gomes Nabiam, a former presidential candidate who threw his weight behind Mr Embaló in the run-off election.

The West African regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), has called for an end to the turmoil, and has warned that a military force is on standby to “re-establish order” in the event of a coup.

Mr Embaló has said he wants to resolve tensions and modernise Guinea-Bissau - one of the world’s poorest nations, which is home to some 1.6 million people.

Source: bbc

UK military gears up for deployment in Mali

ritain is significantly stepping up its military support in West Africa to help combat the world’s fastest growing Islamist-led insurgency.

Over the past month, British troops have been helping train local forces to fight extremism in the Sahel.

The region, a semi-arid stretch of land just south of the Sahara Desert, has been a frontline in the war against Islamist militancy for almost a decade.

Later this year, 250 British soldiers will join a UN mission in Mali.

It has been described as the most dangerous peacekeeping operation in the world.

In Senegal, a team of around 30 UK soldiers and Royal Marines have been training special forces from a number of West African nations in a US-led counter-terrorism exercise involving more than 1,600 troops.

Maj John House has been leading the British element of the training in Senegal

with the focus on infantry skills and counterterrorism operations.

He said it was in Britain’s interests to get more involved in the region.

“If we don’t act we may find the problems getting closer to our door,” he said. “The more they have a presence in the region, the more we can feel the effect back in the UK.” Officers from US Special Operations Command Africa, which has been responsible for overseeing the exercise, are just as blunt.

US Maj Chris Giaquinto said the extremists “want to create a safe haven in Africa in order to grow and facilitate attacks, possibly in Europe or the United States”.

There are now multiple extremist groups operating across the sub-Saharan region known as the Sahel. They include ones linked to the so-called Islamic State and al-Qaeda.

Commander Djibril Diawara, of the Senegalese Armed Forces, described the situation as “alarming”.

Over the past year the extremists have

spread south from Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.

The exercise culminated with special forces troops from Cameroon, Morocco and Nigeria conducting a raid on a village to take out an unspecified group of extremists.

Some of those involved have already been doing this for real. Lt Unyine Collins, of the Nigerian Special Boat Service, has spent seven months on the frontline fighting Boko Haram.

He described a ruthless enemy using brutal tactics. “They use suicide bombers, improvised explosive devices, mines, basically they use the same tactics as ISIS,” he said.

It’s an indication of the potential threats that 250 British troops will be facing when they enter Mali later this year.

They may be part of a peacekeeping mission, but the British will be conducting long-range reconnaissance patrols into hostile territory.

Nearly 200 UN peacekeepers have already lost their lives in Mali. France, which has more than 5,000 troops in the country, has also suffered casualties there.

So is Britain about to become mired in another long-drawn conflict?

Brig Gus Fair, commander of the Specialised Infantry Group, insisted it would not become another Afghanistan or Iraq for the British Army.

He said that “we are up front in seeing this as a regional problem for a regional solution”, adding that it involved partnering nations rather than taking direct sovereign intervention.

Nevertheless, the British Army’s peacekeeping mission in Mali will probably be the most dangerous task it has faced since the end of combat operations in Helmand.

The harsh reality is that, so far, Western support - along with international troops and peacekeepers - has been unable to turn the rising tide of extremism in the region.

PAGE 24

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, march 3, 2020

N e w s F r o m A SI A Turkey says millions of migrants may head to EU

T

he Turkish president has warned that “millions” of migrants and refugees will soon head towards Europe.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan was speaking after announcing Turkey could no longer enforce a 2016 deal with the EU to prevent migrants entering Europe.

Greek police have used tear gas to stop thousands of migrants entering and the country has asked the EU border agency Frontex for urgent help.

Mr Erdogan said Turkey could not cope with a new wave of Syrian refugees.

Nearly a million Syrians have fled to the Turkish border from the Idlib area, amid heavy fighting between Turkish-backed rebels and Syrian government forces.

Turkey is already hosting 3.7 million Syrian refugees, as well as migrants from other countries such as Afghanistan - but previously stopped them from leaving for Europe.

In a televised speech, Mr Erdogan said the EU had provided no help for resettling Syrian refugees in “safe zones” inside Syria.

After Turkey opened its doors

Groups of migrants are sleeping rough near the Greek land border for migrants to leave its territory for Europe last week, he said, “hundreds of thousands have crossed, soon it will reach millions”.

The Turkish leader gave no evidence for his figures while Greece said about 1,000 migrants had reached its eastern Aegean

islands from Turkey since Sunday morning.

In addition, Greece said it had stopped almost 10,000 migrants from crossing its land border in 24 hours. Some migrants tossed stones and metal bars when stopped, and Greek border guards

fired tear gas.

Besides Syrians, there are Afghans and West Africans among the migrants at the border.

EU Council President Charles Michel and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will go to the border with Greek Prime

Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Tuesday.

“Either we bring these people to a dignified life in their own land, or everyone will get their share of this burden. Now the unilateral sacrifice period is over,” Mr Erdogan said.

In a statement on Monday, the Greek government said, “Turkey, instead of curbing the traffickers’ channels of migrants and refugees, has itself turned into a trafficker.”

Greece has blocked any new asylum applications for the next month, because of what it calls the “coordinated and massive nature” of illegal migration from Turkey.

“This relocation of people has nothing to do with international law regarding the right of asylum, which concerns only individual cases,” the statement said.

Frontex says it is examining how best to help Greece with a rapid deployment of EU border guards.

Frontex already has nearly 400 personnel in and around the Greek islands, 60 officers in Bulgaria and a smaller contingent in the Evros region, at the Greek-Turkish border.

Coronavirus: South Korea church leader apologises for virus spread

T

he head of the religious sect that has been at the centre of the coronavirus outbreak in South Korea has apologised to the nation for the disease’s spread.

Lee Man-hee, the leader of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, got on his knees and bowed at a news conference.

About 60% of the country’s more than 4,000 confirmed cases are sect members.

Deaths nationwide now stand at 28.

Fatalities globally have now passed the 3,000 mark, although the vast majority are in China, where the outbreak began.

Worldwide, there have been almost 90,000 confirmed cases, with the numbers outside China now growing faster than inside China.

Prosecutors in South Korea have been asked to investigate Mr Lee on possible charges of gross negligence.

“Although it was not intentional, many people have been infected,” said the 88-yearold leader. “We put our utmost efforts, but were unable to prevent it all.”

Of the confirmed cases, about 75% are from the southern city of Daegu and 73% of those have been linked to the Shincheonji Church.

In the capital, Seoul, the mayor urged the city’s 10 million residents to work from home and to avoid crowded places.

In other developments: The European Centre for Disease Control has confirmed the risk level in the EU has increased from “moderate” to “moderate to high”. It was clarifying a comment from EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who had said the level had been changed to “high”. Several European countries have confirmed cases, with Italy the worst affected with more than 1,500 infected and 34 deaths In the UK, where there are 40 confirmed cases, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the virus was “likely to become more significant in the days and weeks ahead”, after holding a meeting of the emergency Cobra committee Indonesia - one of the world’s most populous countries - announced its first confirmed cases of coronavirus, a 64-yearold woman and her 31-year-old daughter, currently being treated at a Jakarta hospital

Lee Man-hee is the founder of the Shincheonji Church Portugal, Iceland, Jordan, Tunisia, members,” Mr Kim said.

Mr Lee claims he is the second coming of Armenia and Andorra also reported their first Jesus Christ and identifies as “the promised confirmed cases on Monday The global economy could grow at its pastor” mentioned in the Bible who will take slowest rate since 2009 this year due to the 144,000 people to heaven with him.

The Shincheonji Church is labelled as outbreak, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development warned. a cult within South Korea and also in the Markets had a rollercoaster ride in Europe Christian community, which results in the and in initial trading in New York on Monday. group often being discriminated against, Concerns about the outbreak last week wiped persecuted or criticised, Mr Kim told the BBC. What’s the global situation? more than $5tn (£3.9tn) from global stocks Iran reported another 12 deaths on US sportswear giant Nike has closed its European headquarters in Hilversum in the Monday, taking the total there to 66. They Netherlands after an employee tested positive include Mohammad Mirmohammadi, a highranking adviser to the country’s Supreme for the virus Why is the Shincheonji Church of Jesus Leader Ali Khamenei, Iranian media reported on Monday. in the spotlight?

Qatar, Ecuador, Luxembourg, the Czech Members of the fringe Christian group are believed to have infected one another and Republic and Ireland were among countries then travelled around the country, apparently that confirmed their first cases over the undetected. The group has been accused of weekend.

Ecuador on Monday reported five new keeping its members’ names secret, making cases of the disease, bringing the total number it harder to track the outbreak.

But church spokesman Kim Shin- of infected patients in the country to six.

The US state of New York also confirmed chang told the BBC they had provided a list of members, students, and buildings to its first case. The patient is a woman in her 30s who contracted the virus during a recent authorities.

“We were worried about releasing this trip to Iran. Two people have died in the US, information because of the safety of our both in the state of Washington.

What’s the situation in China?

China on Monday reported 42 more deaths, all in Hubei. The Chinese province was where the virus emerged late last year and it has registered more than 90% of the global fatalities.

There were 202 confirmed new cases on Monday - only six of which were outside Hubei. A total of 2,912 people have died inside China, with more than 80,000 confirmed cases of the virus.

A spokesman from China’s National Health Commission said the next stop would be to “focus on the risks brought by the resumption of work”.

China’s economy has taken a hit - with factory activity falling at a record rate.

On Monday, a man was sentenced to death by a Chinese court for fatally stabbing two officials at a virus checkpoint, news agency AFP reported.

Ma Jianguo, 23, refused to co-operate with officials - though it is not clear what he was told to do - and stabbed two checkpoint officials.

What has the WHO said?

On Sunday, the World Health Organization (WHO) said the virus appeared to particularly affect those over 60, and people already ill.

It urged countries to stock up on ventilators, saying “oxygen therapy is a major treatment intervention for patients with severe Covid-19”.

In the first large analysis of more than 44,000 cases from China, the death rate was 10 times higher in the very elderly compared to the middle-aged.

But most patients have only mild symptoms and the death rate appears to be between 2% and 5%, the WHO said.

By comparison, the seasonal flu has an average mortality rate of about 0.1%, but is highly infectious - with up to 400,000 people dying from it each year.

Other strains of coronavirus, such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Mers), have much higher death rates than Covid-19.

Source: bbc

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2020

I

n our series of letters from African journalists, Ismail Einashe takes a trip to Ethiopia to find out about a lost community.

My search for the last Armenians of Ethiopia began in Piassa, the bustling commercial centre of the old part of the capital, Addis Ababa.

On previous visits to the city, I had always been intrigued by the snippets I had heard about the community and its history.

There had long been a connection between Ethiopia and Armenia through the Orthodox Church. But this developed beyond priests, to bring in diplomats and traders.

In the 19th Century, a handful of Armenians played a vital role in the court of Emperor Menelik II. And later, in the early 20th Century, a community settled that went on to have an economic and cultural impact in the country.

There are still church services on special occasions On a sticky afternoon, I stood outside the gates of the exquisite St George Armenian Apostolic Holy Church that was built in the 1930s.

It looked closed but I called out “selam” - “hello” in Amharic.

A confused-looking elderly security guard came out and after I explained that I wanted to look around, he went to fetch Simon, the Armenian-Ethiopian caretaker.

The quiet, dignified man came out and told me that they do not get many visitors.

Haile Selassie’s influence The church is rarely open, as there is no priest these days, and the community, of no more than 100, is mostly elderly.

Inside the church, the altar is ornately decorated and red Persian rugs cover the floor.

This was the heart of the community that began to grow in numbers during the rule of Haile

feature

25

Letter from Africa: Ethiopia’s lost Armenian community

Selassie who, as Ras Tafari, became prince regent of Ethiopia in 1916 and Emperor from 1930 to 1974.

Under his leadership, Ethiopia began to rapidly modernise and Armenian courtiers, businessmen and traders played an important role in this transition.

In 1924, Ras Tafari visited the Armenian monastery in Jerusalem,

where he met a group of 40 children who had been orphaned by the mass killing of Armenians by Ottoman Turks during World War One. Moved by their plight, he asked the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem if he could take them to Ethiopia and look after them there.

The 40 orphans, or arba lijoch in Amharic, were all trained in music and went on to form the imperial brass band of Ethiopia.

Ismail Einashe Despite their small numbers the Armenian community had a crucial role in ushering Ethiopia into the

“

modern world” Ismail Einashe Journalist They were led by an Armenian, Kevork Nalbandian, who composed the imperial anthem.

The community reached its zenith in the 1960s when it numbered 1,200.

Despite their small numbers they had a crucial role in ushering Ethiopia into the modern world - from helping to develop the distinctive Ethiopian jazz style to working as tailors, doctors, business people and serving in the imperial

The church is rarely open, as there is no priest these days, and the community, of no more than 100, is mostly elderly.

Inside the church, the altar is ornately decorated and red Persian rugs cover the floor.

This was the heart of the community that began to grow in numbers during the rule of Haile Selassie who, as Ras Tafari, became prince regent of Ethiopia in 1916 and Emperor from 1930 to 1974.

Under his leadership, Ethiopia began to rapidly modernise and Armenian courtiers, businessmen and traders played an important role in this transition.

In 1924, Ras Tafari visited the Armenian monastery in Jerusalem, where he met a group of 40 children who had been orphaned by the mass killing of Armenians by Ottoman Turks during World War One. Moved by their plight, he asked the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem if he could take them to Ethiopia and look after them there.

The 40 orphans, or arba lijoch in Amharic, were all trained in music and went on to form the imperial brass band of Ethiopia.

court.

Emperor’s overthrow But as the Armenian community was tied to the imperial history of the country, once the emperor fell the community declined.

Haile Selassie was overthrown in 1974 by the Marxist Derg junta, which went on to seize businesses and property, including that of the Armenians.

Their numbers tumbled as many fled to North America and Europe.

But a few stayed and some married within the local community, creating a unique blend of Armenian and Ethiopian cultures.

They can still be seen in the church for special religious celebrations.

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption The Armenian social club still serves traditional food But there is also the Armenian social club, which has a restaurant that reminds people of the taste of home.

Simon, the church caretaker, told me that I should go.

Delicious food It was a Tuesday night and, apart from my friend and myself, there was a group of three Armenian-Ethiopian women who were delighted to see strangers in the restaurant.

They admitted that the community was not what it used to be. But the social club remained as a way to keep it alive.

That night, as I tucked into delicious and sumptuous börek and lyulya kebabs, I felt I was tasting the history of the Armenians in Ethiopia.

Source: BBC

PAGE 26

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, march 3, 2020

PAGE 27

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, march 3, 2020

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Aims and objective (1)A place where the hurting, rejected, oppressd, depressed and the confused are given hope,love and Divine guidance..(2) A place for prayer and deliverance of those oppressd by the enemy.(3)A place for the sound teaching of the word of God redeeming the sinner to Christ.

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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, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. DR DEBO ADEGBOYE - PRESIDENT/CHAIRMAN 2. MRS RACHEAL OLUWATOYIN ADEGBOYE 3. ADEBUSOLA ABIOLA ADEGBOYE 4 ABIMBOLA ADEJUMOKE ADEGBOYE - SECRETARY 5. AYODEJI ABIDEMI ADEGBOYE 6. PROF. ADEKUNLE OKESINA 7. VEN . PADE OMONIJE

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Mr Tayo Ayinde - Chairman 2. Bob Olukoya Esq. - Secretary 3. Okoroma James - Board member 4. Alhaja Mistura Giwa - Board member 5. Dr Adebayo OluGbenga Adams - Board member

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CENTRE FOR PROTECTION OF PRIVATE ESTATES & UTILITIES 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, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.ADENODI ISRAEL OLU 2.EWEMEN EBHOGHOMON PETER 3.ARCHIBONG VICTORIA UZOAMAKA

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1.To support pupils and staffs of OGS in achieving excellent academic standards.

2.To support the efforts of government in ensuring modern learning and sporting infrastructures are established and maintained in the school.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

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DODO WOMEN INTERVENTION FUND 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, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

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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 AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To support women, children and vulnerable persons in education, health, skills acquisition and empowerment.

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GOD’S WILL BIBLE CHURCH

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PROPHET. ADEBIMPE ADEGBENRO .A. 2.

OMOLADE SUNDAY PHILIP 3.

KAURA OLUWATOSIN CAROLINE THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

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2. To assist in improving the standard of education in Nigeria.

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THE TRUSTEES ARE: (1) OBOH MOSES - CHAIRMAN (2) OBOH DENNIS AKHIGBE - SECRETARY.

Aims To promote unity among gas marketers of Nigeria

Signed: ABUBAKAR ALIYU KOTO

THE TRUSTEES ARE : (1)Chief Barr Emmanuel Ekenechukwu Egbunonu (2) Chief Christian Ohazurume (3)Barr Izuchukwu Clifford Nsofor.

(4)Mr Marcel Esiobu.

(5)Mr Okechukwu Mbakpuo, (6)Mr Joseph Egwutuoha,.

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THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.Mr. Ifeanyi Eze 2.Mr. Ike Ugochukwu 3.Mr. Iloka Henry 4.Mr. Eze Uchenna 5.Mr. Nwonu Onyeka THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.Help the less privileged in the society.

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4.To rally round support and good will among her members in times of need.

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The general Public is hereby notified that the above names organization has applied to the CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,ABUJA for registratioñ under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act no. 1 of 1990.

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.

PUBLIC NOTICE

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Public Notice UWEN OSOGBO UKPOKE AMEDOKHIAN 11 COMMUNITY UROMI

The general Public is hereby notified that the above names organization has applied to the CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,ABUJA for registratioñ under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act no. 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Ihuezor Godfrey- President 2. Azeke Saturday- Secretary 3. Oseghale Peter Orianegbena 4. Ehikpehale Vincent Aims To foster peace and unity among members Any objection to this application should be forwarded to the Registrar- General, Corporate Affairs Commission , Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama , Abuja SIGNED: J. E. Obasuyi Esq. 08024729418

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: (1) To do charity to the needy in the society.

(2) To empower and support the less privileged in the society.

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Public Notice BEAUTIFUL BEGINNING ACADEMY FOUNDATION

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Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

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OLUFEMI I formerly known as Oyedeji Taiwo Grace now wishes to be known as Olufemi Taiwo Grace.all former documents remain valid general public take note.

Public Notice

SHEKINAH GLORY RESURRECTION REVIVAL OUTREACH MINISTRY The general Public is hereby notified that the above names organization has applied to the CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,ABUJA for registratioñ under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act no. 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PASTOR GODWIN ELIJA CHUKWUEKWE 2. KEVIN NWABUEZE CHIAWA AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: a. To preach teach and propagate the gospel of Christ the son of God b. To spread the word of God to all corners and crannies of the world including but not limited to the hinterlands, creeks,forests, etc.

Any objection to this application should be forwarded to the Registrar- General, Corporate Affairs Commission , Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama , Abuja Signed: IFEANYI UDENZE. ESQ Solicitor & Advocate

Public Notice

INDIGENOUS GAS TRADERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA

The general Public is hereby notified that the above names organization has applied to the CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,ABUJA for registratioñ under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act no. 1 of 1990.

Board of Trustee(1) NAOR TERDOO - CHAIRMAN (2) IORSHAGHER AONDONGU EMMANUEL (3) MHIR MSON - SECRETARY (4) IORKYAAN TERVER NATHANIEL (5) MNYIM SAMUEL TERNA (6) AONDOAKAA FABIAN TERDOO (7) YACHIGA TERHEMBA KENNETH (8) SAMUEL TERSOO SOUGHOL (9) IERVE GABRIEL TER (10) NYAGBA TERKAA (11) GYE GWE SAMUEL (12) COSMOS SHILGBA (13) FELIX IORKOHOL PILA (14) SOLOMON IGYU NDER. AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: (1) Unity and progress among members.

(2) Equity treatment (3) To shrive to empower the down trodden (4) Co-operation and solidauty among members (5) To enhance human capital development.

Any objection to this application should be forwarded to the Registrar- General, Corporate Affairs Commission , Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama , Abuja Signed: SECRETARY

Public Notice DUTSE OLD GIRLS ASSOCIATION

The general Public is hereby notified that the above names organization has applied to the CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,ABUJA for registratioñ under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act no. 1 of 1990.

The general Public is hereby notified that the above names organization has applied to the CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,ABUJA for registratioñ under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act no. 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: (1) ENGR. CHINASAOKWU INNOCENT OKOLIE (2) LOLO ROSEMARY KOKOEKA NASA-OKOLIE (3) AMARACHI IRUOMA NASA-OKOLIE (4) MR. IZUNDU CHIKE NASA-OKOLIE (5) KAMSI IFECHUKWU NASA-OKOLIE (6) KENE KAELO NASA-OKOLIE.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: (1) EMENALO JUDITH CHIDIOGOR (2) WUCICI TANZE (3) EKWUEME BLESSING CHINASA (4) HADIZA YUSUF SULEIMAN (5) MARYANNE INENOVO AFOLABI.

AIMS/OBJECTIVES (1) To assist with training and award of scholarship.

(2) To orhans and less privileged children.

Any objection to this application should be forwarded to the Registrar- General, Corporate Affairs Commission , Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama , Abuja SIGNED: cHRIS & CHRIS SOLICITORS. 08037308539.

Aims: to care for the welfare of its members Any objection to this application should be forwarded to the Registrar- General, Corporate Affairs Commission , Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama , Abuja SIGNED: Secretary

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, march 3, 2020

CLASSIFIED Public Notice ENGR. KEN-OYIBE FOUNDATION

The general Public is hereby notified that the above names organization has applied to the CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,ABUJA for registratioñ under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act no. 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: (1) ERUEKE PETERS SMART (2) ECHIEGU PHILIP UCHE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: (1) To empower the less privileged persons in the society.

Any objection to this application should be forwarded to the Registrar- General, Corporate Affairs Commission , Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama , Abuja SIGNED: SECRETARY

Public Notice KIVA DESCENDANTS WELFARE 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 THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE 1. Ibrahim K. Abdullahi - Chairman 2. Joshua Manye Duppe - Vice Chairman 3. Adamu Umaru Langa - Secretary 4. Abubakar Isa - Assistant Secretary 5. Yakubu Idris - Treasurer 6. Faty Bello Salisu - Assistant Treasurer 7. Alaji Umar Saidu - Financial Secretary 8. Ibrahim Duppe - Publicity Secretary 9. Buba Umaru - Social Welfare Secretary 10. James Naga - Internal Auditor 11. Barr. Adamu Ishaku Musa - Legal Adviser 12. Ibrahim Adamu - Youth Leader 13. Yaganama Biye - Women Leader 14. Hajja Zainab Buba Manye - Assistant Women Leader AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To promote the welfare of Kiva descendants.

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 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

Public Notice MOUNTAIN OF ENOUGH IS ENOUGH INTERDENOMINATIONAL OUTREACH PRAYER MINISTRY

The general Public is hereby notified that the above names organization has applied to the CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,ABUJA for registratioñ under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act no. 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Prophet (Dr) Matthew Olanrewaju - Chairman 2. Lady Evangelist Joke Olanrewaju - Secretary 3. Deacon Benjamin Akinyemi 4. Deaconess Florence Olanrewaju 5. Evangelist Abayomi Balogun AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1 To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ through the help of the Holy Ghost 2 To organize crusades, help the needy and to touch the minds of the people through prayers 3. To win souls for Jesus Christ and reconcile men and women to God

Public Notice THE GREAT HOUSE CHARITY FOUNDATION

The general Public is hereby notified that the above names organization has applied to the CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,ABUJA for registratioñ under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act no. 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Chukwuonye Kennedy Nnamdi 2. Azubuike Charles Emeka 3. Egwuasi Kennedy Prof. Martins Uchenna Nwankwo 4. Kenechukwu Dozie Nwereuzor 5. Chukwuemeka Emeka Duruaku 6. Nnanta Andy O ObjectIVE: To provide charity support (including scholarships, medical treatment, peaceful mediation, and other welfare packages) for children, widows, and poor families in rural arears across the country.

Any objection to this application should be forwarded to the Registrar- General, Corporate Affairs Commission , Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama , Abuja

Any objection to this application should be forwarded to the Registrar- General, Corporate Affairs Commission , Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama , Abuja

SIGNED: SECRETARY

SIGNED: Ambrose Chidi Duru

AUGUSTINA I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS AUGUSTINA OBADIAH BAKO. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS AUGUSTINA JACKSON BAKO. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

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Sports

PEOPLES DAILY

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sports@peoplesdailyng.com, SMS- 08142929046

tuesday, MARCH 3, 2020

Why I’m not happy with my 100m African record – Fasuba I

n a few months time, it would be 14 years since Nigerian sprinter Olusoji Fasuba set an African record in the 100m event.

The 9.85s mark achieved by Fasuba in Doha on May 2006 makes him the fastest African runner ever.

While he understandably enjoys this great honour, Fasuba who has since joined the British Royal Navy reveals he is pained others are finding it difficult to surpass his impressive mark several years after.

He also speaks on why he quit athletics abruptly and other issues around the sports…

Excerpts: It’s been some years that you retired from athletics, what have you been up to and do you agree in any way with those that argue that you left the sports quite prematurely I would truly admit that I stopped running quite early. As at the time I stopped, I was angry and frustrated and just wanted to forget all about athletics so I could pursue a career in the Royal Navy where I am now.

My retirement did come early and I admit it because I knew I still had a lot left in me when I chose to retire.

When I look back at most of my achievements and the sacrifices I made for the country (Nigeria), it hit me hard that I had done a lot with virtually nothing to show back from the country in terms of what I can fall back on when I want to retire.

So I decided I had to secure my future and that was why I started another career (in the Royal Navy) while I was still young.

Proudly you remain Africa’s fastest man ever, how does that make you feel I feel very proud but sad at the same time because if my record after almost 14 years has not been matched or broken, it means we as African nations are not progressing the way we should.

Though some of have come quite close, your record is still standing, why has it been so difficult to equal or break your record?

Things are changing now and we now have more 9-sec runners with more coming from our great Nation Nigeria.

It is quite hard to predict the circumstances affecting the athletes because of the generation changes that would have happened as well as the current problems they are having in the athletic world.

Looking at the present crop of athletes in Africa, who do you tip to break your record soonest?

Fasuba Olusoji in British Navy training

Fasuba Olusoji Samson Siasia I have a lot of faith and believe in our current sprinters both at home and abroad. To pin point any one of them as the likely candidate to break that record is really hard because they are all improving greatly and I see better days to come and the record falling soon.

That said, I think the athletes should be preoccupied with getting medals in the championships ahead of record or no record.

After a long wait, Nigerian sprinters are now running sub 10 in 100m. How do you feel about that and what can be done to sustain the tempo With the quality of athletes around, what I can say is that these athletes don’t

run on pure water in their body. The country needs to invest in its assets and this is the time to do it.

In summary, these athletes need the money and not just peanuts to keep improving.

The crisis in Athletics Federation of Nigeria; what is your advice especially as we are in a crucial year for Olympics The crisis is unfortunate and should not have happened at all in the first place.

For now, I believe the new president will now do a good job in trying to bring athletics back to the glory days.

Any plans to go into coaching or administration in athletics anytime soon I see myself in the distant future

trying to go into administration but for now, I have no immediate dream to do that.

What do you miss most since quitting Athletics Fasuba: I miss the thrill of standing at the start line not knowing what I could do that day but hoping a surprise would happen so I could make my country and family proud.

What do have to say to your fans across the globe?

To all my fans out there, I want to thank them for the support I got from them when I competed, for the support I got when I finally retired till date. They have been wonderful.

FG commends Edo state readiness to host NSF

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, march 3, 2020

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Wilder to re-fight Fury before FG commends Edo state readiness to Olympics Games- promoter host NSF

D

eontay Wilder will fight Britain’s WBC heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury for a third time this summer, according to promoter Bob Arum.

The pair drew their first fight in 2018 and last weekend Fury stopped Wilder in the seventh round to win the title.

The American had 30 days to call a rematch and Arum, Fury’s US promoter, says he has been “formally notified” by Wilder’s team that they are doing so.

Arum told Ringside Reporter the bout will be “before the Olympics -

July”.

On Thursday, Anthony Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn said talks for a heavyweight unification fight between his fighter and Fury were under way.

But with the rematch clause triggered, Briton Joshua, who holds three belts, is now expected to fight Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev in a mandatory IBF bout in London in June.

And Arum said he could “guarantee Pulev will knock out Joshua like Fury knocked out Wilder”.

“I will look at a Pulev/Fury fight to unify the belts at the end of the year,” he added.

Minister hits Anambra for opening ceremony of Nigeria Police Games

Dare and other officials

By Albert Akota

T

he Minister of Youth and Sports Development Mr. Sunday Dare is in Anambra state for the 12th edition of the Nigerian Police Games which will run till the 7th of March, 2020.

In his address, the Minister said he was excited to be in the State for the Biennial sporting event and expressed optimism that the competition would discover talents as it had done in the past for the country.

“I am pleased to be in Anambra State to witness the biennial games of Nigerian Police. It is really a laudable achievement to see the Police who who are charged with the security of lives and property, finding time to organize sporting activities.

“It is s quite commendable and I want to urge other sectors to emulate this because it

promotes unity, culture, values, and community safety.

“We do hope new talents emerge from the Police Games so that we can have talents who can take over from our sports men and women who are ageing,” the Minister added.

It could be recalled the Nigerian Police Games has produced the likes of Chioma Ajunwa who is presently an Assistant Commissioner of Police.

Others discovered through the Police Games are former Super Eagles player Julius Aghahowa, the late Sunday ibada, as well Samuel Peter A K A Nigeria nightmare.

Notable dignitaries in attendance were the host Governor Chief. Willie Obiano, Deputy Governor of Ebonyi Dr. Kelechi Igwe, Commissioner of Police Garba Baba Umar and the NFF president represented by ex international Chikelue Iloenyosi.

Mr Gabriel Tanimu Aduda and other officials during the inspection

By Albert Akota

T

he Federal government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has commended the Government and good people of Edo state for their readiness to host a hitch free and successful 20th National Sports Festival in Benin-city, come March 20th to April 2nd when the games village will be open and closed.

The Minister, Mr Sunday Dare while on the final inspection facilities tour represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Gabriel Tanimu Aduda, who also doubles as the chairman of the Main Organising Committee ( MOC ) alongside the Deputy Governor of Edo state Philip Shaibu, who is ably piloting the affairs of the Festival’s LOC, went hand in hand through all the

facilities for use during the games to ensure its perfect condition and to plug in any necessary holes before the commencement of the games.

Earlier, the Governor, H.E, Mr Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki who has not left any one in doubt of his promise of giving the festival the utmost attention it deserves, goes round the facilities to hasten contractors to tidy up work in these facilities, his visit to the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium is one of such visit, this has endeared him to his Edo people who now refers to him as “wake and See”.

The FG is confident that the assurance of Edo state to host a memorable 20th festival with facilities comparable with other internationally renowned competition, there shall be no

renege on that promise. It is also hoped that the over eleven thousand, five hundred ( 11, 500 ) athlete and officials shall be housed in a conducive Games Village equally meeting the internationally accepted standard which will greatly enhance the required Podium Performance of our athletes both home and abroad.

The facility inspection was rounded off in a round table meeting of the MOC and LOC which thereafter resulted in reports from the secretary of the MOC, Mr Peter Nelson, the Director Planning Monitoring and Information of the Ministry and that of LOC, Dr Emmanuel Igbinosa and further necessary actions are expected to be taken to truly ensure a laudable 20th NSF tagged “ Edo 2020 “ in Benincity, the Edo state capital.

63 year old man participate in Tito marathon in Benue ...As Plateau, Nasarawa, Kaduna cart away prizes

By Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

A

63years old man, John Igbokwe at the weekend participated in the second edition of the Tito Marathon in Makurdi, Benue State capital Mr. Igbokwe started and finished the 32km race though he did not win, but received high commendation from the organizer, Tito Group of Companies Asiwaju Isaac Akinkunmi for his efforts.

Athletes from Kaduna, Plateau and Nasarawa States carted away majority of the prizes.

Adamu Shehu Muazu from Kaduna State, won the national men’s category in a time of 1 hr 30 mins to take home the cash prize of N100 ,000, while

Raymond Simon and Daudu John all of Kaduna state, clinched second and third to win cash prizes of N50,000 and N30,000 respectively in the same category.

Elizabeth Nuhu of the Nigeria Customs Service, Abuja emerged winner in the female national category returning a time of 1 hr 46 mins to win N75,000 cash prize with Jamila Aminu and Lovina Audu from Nasarawa State winning the second and third prizes of N50,000 and N30,000 respectively in the same category.

Speaking during the presentation of prizes to the participants, the organizer of the event and Managing Director Tito Group of Companies, Asiwaju Isaac Akinkumi, explained that the aim of organizing the athletics activity,

was to build a sense of competitive mind amongst athletes so that they could win laurels and make positive names for themselves.

Chief Akinkumi passionately appealed to Benue state government to take keen interest in sports development and encourage youth participations to keep them out of crime.

Also speaking, the Benue state director of sports, Philip Nongu represented by the Head of Coaching and Training Jonathan Wombo commended the management of Tito Group of Companies for consistently putting the event together for Benue and Nigeria athletics, saying it would encourage the participants to compete for other major marathon race.

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, march 3, 2020

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TuesDAY, MARCH 3, 2020

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SPORTS From Ebola to Lasa fever to Coronavirus latest

Coronavirus: Inter Milan v Ludogrets in Europa League to be played behind closed doors

I

nter Milan’s Europa League last-32 home match against Ludogorets will be played behind closed doors because of fears about the spread of coronavirus.

Inter were one of four Serie A clubs to postpone their weekend game.

Talks have been taking place between the club, Italian government officials and European football’s governing body Uefa about Thursday’s fixture.

With 165, Italy has the largest number of cases of the virus in Europe.

Many schools and colleges have been closed in Milan on Monday, although the local transport system is operating.

More than 600 Ludogorets fans were due to travel from Bulgaria for Thursday’s Europa League last-32 first-leg match at the San Siro (20:00 GMT kickoff).

It is not known whether any restrictions will be applied to Sunday’s Serie A match between Juventus and Inter in Turin.

The teams are first and third respectively in Italy’s top flight.

However, after a meeting of league officials on Monday, Italian football federation (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina said: “For our Serie A championship we have planned for and asked to play the games behind closed doors.

“That could happen as early as Sunday.”

Speaking on television on Sunday Italian prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, discussed the possibility of postponing more matches: “I too am a sports fan, and we will have to suffer a little bit, but at this point in time I wouldn’t even know whether these measures [prohibiting large gatherings] will continue to be enforced into next week.”

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I

n just relatively few years, Nigerians have had to contend with three strange and dreaded diseases. So much so that they appear to have eclipsed the once feared HIV/ AIDS. HIV AIDS no longer holds same dread as these new entrants. It appears the world has finally got around it and now it is less talked about.

When the HIV/AIDS disease was first reported in Nigeria, only the medics really believed it. The majority of Nigerians were skeptical of its veracity because they hardly saw a victim so to speak. Soon the afflicted were no longer a rarity or ‘ghosts’ but were actually seen in flesh and blood in hospitals and in neighborhoods.

People began to talk about it not in whispers anymore but freely.

The death of afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti allegedly from the disease, put any doubts about its existence and dreadfulness out of the window.

People then began to seriously abide by advice on how to prevent it, particularly on use of condoms. Luckily the United states and other western countries invested heavily on research/medication for HIV/ AIDS. They donated testing kits, medications and even condoms to many countries, including Nigeria. Condoms were even distributed at HIV/ AIDS gatherings. They became very cheap, affordable by all while protestations of ultra conservatives that this could promote promiscuity were drowned by the argument about the urgent need to curtail further spread of the disease which was reaching pandemic levels. It was seen as a scourge of humanity. In fact some believed that the AIDs pandemic was a punishment from Above for the world’s wayward ways. Truth is that the Almighty does not punish as such, humanity brings about evil on itself when it disobey the Laws of God, the Laws of Nature… Well, it appears the world has been able to rally round and checkmate the HIV/ AIDS disease somehow.

Enter Ebola virus disease.

This was another dreaded ailment in that it had no cure.

Ebola sounds like an African name which indeed gives an indication of its origin.

It originated in Congo, East Africa. But some years ago, it resurfaced in West Africa, notably Sierra Leone and Liberia, killing thousands of people. In certain instances

0806 564 8620 0704 385 9705 0814 292 9046 08074420617

Tuesday Column

By VICTORIA NGOZI IKEANO vikeano@yahoo.co.uk 08033077519 whole families were wiped out by it. What makes Ebola like the current Corona virus dangerous is that it can be spread by air (Sneezing and coughing by victim) as well as any form of contact with the infected. Thus it can easily engulf several persons, posing a big challenge for affected countries with weak containment facilities/medical institutions, not least in a largely uneducated community.

Even more dangerous is that the victims appear physically well initially and only begin to show symptoms of the disease after some days.

Liberia and Sierra Leone ravaged by Ebola became a killing field of some sort. Funeral obsequies and mass burials by medics became the order of the day.

Nigeria should be very grateful to Dr. Stella Adadevoh who quickly got the Liberian, Dr. Sawyerr, that came to Nigeria with the disease quarantined upon noticing that he was infected. All those that had contact with him were quickly traced and isolated, including Dr. Adadevoh herself who later died. If she had succumbed to the Liberian’s request to be released from his hospital bed to go attend an ECOWAS conference for which he came to Nigeria, many Nigerians may not have lived to tell the story as far more people would have been infected and killed by it.

Outbreak of current Corona virus now ravaging the world should make our government better appreciate the sacrifice of Dr. Adadavoh. For, it was her alarm that gingered federal and state governments to put in

“

place necessary measures for containing such viral diseases; measures and experiences that have now come in handy in handling the Italian that came to Lagos/Ogun with the disease.

However, the Ebola scare in Nigeria was not without a comic aspect albeit sad commentary, such as people avoiding handshakes with even their bosom friends; so much so that even the administering of ‘holy communion’ in churches was done with no contact between the priest and the recipient.

Being Africans who are a largely superstitious people, the news went viral (without any scientific or logical reasoning) that bathing with salt could protect one from catching the disease. And so, many, many people woke up in the middle of the night to bathe with salt mixture. Expectedly, the price of salt increased. And because Ebola is exclusive to Africa, many Africans believed it was a curse from the gods.

I have already dismissed this viewpoint. It is true that the disease is more or less exclusive to Africa because the only people who contracted it outside the continent were, as in the United states, medical volunteers that returned from West Africa.

I believe that it was because Ebola was largely confined to African soil that finding a cure for it has been rather slow. Some drugs are being developed but none has been approved by the appropriate scientific/regulatory bodies for marketing.

It is noteworthy that corona virus that is getting the

However, the Ebola scare in Nigeria was not without a comic aspect albeit sad commentary, such as people avoiding handshakes with even their bosom friends;

world’s attention now started off from China; a country with the world’s largest population which also ranks among the world’s largest economy. This could have ramifications for global economy, particularly for developing countries like Nigeria that are dependent on China for most of their imports.

Some 60 countries are said to be affected with over 3000 deaths.

Scotland is the latest country to be hit by the Corona virus.

The Chinese town from where it emanated was on lockdown with everybody staying indoors.

In European countries such as Italy that are batting with it, sporting events have had to be postponed or played behind closed door doors– without fans/audience.

People are being advised to avoid large gatherings as well as adhere to personal and environmental hygiene.

Also noteworthy is that the virus is receiving highest level attention among industrialized nations generally. For example, the US President, personally addressed his people on the matter and has nominated the vice president to chair a committee to monitor the disease in the USA. The committee is of course made up of various experts. Scientists are literally racing against time to find a solution for corona virus.

With rich countries affected and involved, a cure would surely come sooner than later. If only these rich nations could equally expend such energy, time and money on finding a cure for diseases that black people have been battling with for ages (which affects only the black race) such as sickle cell or latter day ones like Lasa fever. Our world would be a happier place.

Dan GAYE gaye DAN

Stop beating drums of war, Buhari group tells Obasanjo - News

Bad belle!

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