Wednesday, December 4, 2019 Edition

Wednesday, December 4, 2019/ Rabi’ul Thani 7, 1441 AH

2060 Days after

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The nation awaits rescue of the remaining abducted Chibok schoolgirls

FG remodeling grazing reserves into ranches in 7 states -Official

INEC indicts states Attorneys-General >>>page 5

Alleges shoddy handling of electoral litigations

>>>page 5

L-R: President Muhammadu Buhari; Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai; Former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon, and Chief of Army Staff; Lt-General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, during the commissioning of 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, yesterday in Kaduna State.

Photo: State House

FG condemns renewed attack on Nigerian traders in Ghana

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US backs Nigeria’s hate speech Some trouble makers plotting Atiku sues Buhari’s aide, Onochie, bill, says it’s impressive to cause mayhem -DSS demands N2.5bn damages pAGE 9

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PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 4, 2019

News CONTENTS News

2-10, 14

Editorial

11

Op.Ed

12-13

Politics 15-17 Health Business

18 19-20

Feature

21

World News

22

Africa News

23

World News

24

Gov. Matawalle presents N182bn 2020 budget to assembly From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

G

overnor Bello Muhammad Matawalle of Zamfara State has presented before the State House of Assembly the sum of N182,752,973,858.00 being appropriation bill for the state’s 2020 budget.

According to the Governor, the 2020 budget which is titled ‘Budget of Peace and Renewal’, consist of 116,399,000,000.00 billion naira as capital expenditure and 65,803,900,367.00 billion

naira as recurrent expenditure.

He said, “As this is the maiden budget of my administration, it is vital to stress that, the proposals have been carefully designed to reflect our new focus of exploring workable alternatives to grow up the state’s economy which has emerged from years of crisis.

“As we know, until the past few months after the advent of this administration, our state was ravaged by a great crisis which had a telling effect on all sectors of our economy. The State became highly prominent on the

international scene for banditry, cattle rustling, kidnapping, and arson.”

Governor Matawalle further recalled that, in the 2019 financial year, a total estimate of N135,326,920,578.00 was presented before the Assembly which was based on the projected capital and recurrent revenues of over 72 billion naira and over 62 billion naira for the year, respectively.

“With the relative peace we have achieved so far, It is therefore a time for renewal of

hope, renewal of determination, renewal of trust, renewal of ability, and renewal of commitment to the cause of development of our dear State and wellbeing of our people,” he said.

The Governor added that, “The budget is prepared taking into account the fact that we cannot adequately address these multiple problems and place the state’s economy on the path of sustainable growth, without correcting the apparent distortions in the structure of the economy.”

Police declare Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer wanted Page 7

L-R: Member Expert Review Committee (ERC), Dr. Steve Cochi, Executive Director National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib and Chairman of ERC, Prof. Oyewele Tomori, during the 37th meeting of the Expert Review Committee on Polio Eradication and Routine Immunization in Nigeria, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Environment 25 Feature

26

Sports 30-31 Back Page

32

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Malami reaffirms FG’s commitment to end impunity

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

T

he Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the fight against impunity, provide recourse to justice for victims and punishment for perpetrators of the crimes.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, gave the assurance on Monday while presenting Nigeria’s statement during the opening of the 5-day 18th session of the assembly of state parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), the Hague, the Netherlands.

The Minister, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, said Nigeria is also committed to criminalization of starvation as a weapon of war crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

While recalling that the idea of criminalization of starvation as a weapon of war crime was

mooted by Switzerland, Malami emphasized the Nigeria’s calls on all State Parties to jointly support the initiative.

The Attorney General of the Federation also decried the numerous challenges the International Criminal Court has been facing including increasing attacks against the ICC and its officials, possibilities of further withdrawals from the Rome Statute, weakening of the Rome Statute system and its support across the globe, retreat in multilateral engagement and rising tides of hostility, discrimination, and repression around the world.

“It is the desire of Nigeria to see ICC overcome all its present challenges and become a global, independent and impartial Court with capability to rid the world of impunity the type that characterized World War one and two,” the Minister has said.

The Minister said Nigeria is also determined to work together with States Parties to oppose efforts to undermine the works of

the Court and its independence and impartiality.

“In particular Nigeria strongly condemns threats made against the ICC in some parts of the world, its officials, and those cooperating with the Court. Nigeria considers such attacks as calculated attempts to undermine and cripple fight against impunity and the laying of a solid foundation for a peaceful and just world, not only for the present generation, but also for the unborn generations”, he said.

The Attorney General of the Federation put forward the Nigeria’s call on all civilized nations of the world to rise up to this critical challenge, “if we must safeguard the present and future generations from extermination,” he said.

Malami said Nigeria is committed to recognizing the Rome Statute system of justice as key in advancing accountability at the international and national level for sexual and genderbased violence and violence

against children as grave crimes, including as war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

Malami informed the gathering that the Boko Haram elements have been considerably decimated through the efforts of the Nigerian Security Forces and the support of our proximate neighbours and other friendly States saying that “gradually therefore, normalcy is returning and Nigeria is coming out of the woods and will indeed also come out of the numerous cases initiated against her at the ICC”.

“Nigeria is not a jungle, it is a peace and justice loving country which is aspiring to develop and create conducive environment for foreign and other investments, thereby generating jobs and other opportunities for the teeming population, Therefore, impunity being a critical element that could prevent this lofty ideas from fruition does not have a place and will never be tolerated in all facets of our criminal justice system,” he said.

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PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 4, 2019

News

Adamawa police parades 319 kidnappers, rapists, others From Umar Dankano, Yola

T

he Adamawa State Police Command has paraded 319 suspected criminals accused of terrorising the people in the state with various criminal offences.

Commissioner of Police, Mr Audu Adamu Madaki disclosed that the suspects were arrested by the detectives attached to the Command from various locations in the state for committing one crime or the other.

Madaki while parading the suspects before journalists at the state Headquarters Tuesday said his Command adopted new strategies in its crime watch which are yielding positive results in the past five months.

Madaki explained that,the suspects comprised of 106 kidnappers, 115 armed robbers/ Shila boys, 61 homicide suspects and 37 rapists,who were apprehended from July to date.

Madaki said items and other exhibits recovered from the suspects included one car, 13 tricycles, six AK 47, 236 cutlasses, 139 knives, 465 loaf of Indian hemp and large quantity of assorted hard drugs among others.

"The Command state CID, special anti-robbery squad (SARS) and other operational outfits of the command in its effort to checkmate the criminal activities were able to dislodge criminal in their hideouts/ blackspots.

"Many of them terrorizing people along Savanna- Lafiya road, Numan-Jalingo road, Ngurore-Demsa road, NguroreMayo-Belwa road, Song-Gombi road, Fufore-Gurin road, Jambutu, Vinikilang, Doubeli and Shinko areas were arrested," the commissioner said.

News Editor, Ese Awhotu

FG condemns renewed attacks on Nigerian traders in Ghana

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

T

he Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri Erewa has condemned the renewed attacks on Nigerian traders in Ghana, describing it as uncalled for.

Dabiri Erewa, in a statement by the Commission Head of Media and Public Relations, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said the reported cases of attacks on Nigerian shops and traders by

Ghanaians was quite unfortunate.

She said the attacks came when xenophobic attacks was becoming unpopular and thought such attacks had been put to the dustbin of history following interventions of Nigerian and Ghanaian leaders.

The NIDCOM boss, however, appealed to Nigerians in Ghana, especially the shop owners, not to take laws into their hands by trying to revenge but to remain calm and allow law enforcement agents to deal with the situation.

According to her, " I hereby appeal for calm from both sides and implore the law enforcement agencies to protect the lives and properties especially that of Nigerians from being attacked pending the resolution of the matter."

On Monday, there were reported cases of clashes between Ghanaian and Nigerian traders which resulted into the arrest of six while others sustained injury.

It was alleged that the fight followed the closure of shops

belonging to some Nigerian traders at Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Ghana.

There has been tension between Ghanaian and Nigerian traders in recent time when over 600 shops belonging to Nigerian traders in Kumasi and other areas were shut this year allegedly by the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA).

Ghanaian traders feel foreigners, particularly Nigerians, Chinese and Lebanese have taken over their retail business.

R-L: Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo received the Ambassador of Kuwait to Nigeria H.E. Abdulaziz AlBasher, at the State House, yesterday in Abuja

NYSC deploys 879 corps members to Borno

A

t least 879 corps members have registered for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation exercise in Borno.

Sada Yahaya, the NYSC Public Relations Officer in Borno, made this known in a statement issued in Maiduguri on Tuesday.

Mr Yahaya quoted the state Coordinator, Rabiu Aminu, as saying that the corps members registered for the 2019 Batch C,

Stream II exercise at the Borno State Temporary Orientation Camp, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Academy, Babbar Ruga, Katsina.

He noted that the registered corps members comprised of 459 males and 420 females.

Mr Aminu urged the corps members to avail themselves the opportunities and learn from activities provided during the orientation exercise.

He sought for the state government’s support in the provision of a utility vehicle to enhance monitoring and supervision, provision of hostels to accommodate the increasing number of corps members posted to the state as well as effective measures to address delays and ensure prompt payment of allowances to corps members.

The coordinator commended the state government and other partners for their support to the

scheme.

Also, Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno called on members of the NYSC to contribute toward promoting discipline and patriotism in the country.

Mr Zulum, who was represented

by Hassan Aminami, the Chairman, NYSC Governing Board, said that members of the scheme served as role models toward promoting discipline and patriotism in accordance with the objectives of the scheme.(NAN)

DSO trial: ICPC fails to produce Lai Mohammed as witness

By Vivian Okejeme Abuja

T

he Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC), yesterday failed to produce the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed in court, to testify as prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of the DirectorGeneral of National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Ishaq Kawu Modibbo, Pinnacle Communications Ltd, and two others.

The trial Judge, Justice Folashade Ogunbanjo- Giwa had on the last adjourned date, threatened to close the case of ICPC against the defendants if it fails to produce Mohammed and a subpoenaed bureau de change

operator in court as witness on December 3.

Despite failure of the ICPC to produce the Information Minister to testify in court, a statement he made to the agency, tendered in court, indicated that he gave the approval for the release of N2.5 billion to the National Broadcasting Corporation as seed grant for the Digital Switch Over project of the Federal Government.

When the matter came up on Tuesday, the prosecution counsel, Henry Emoreh informed the court that though the case was for continuation of trial, however, he said, "we intend to close the case of the prosecution and we are not calling any more witnesses".

Reacting to the sudden

decision of the prosecution to close its case, Akeem Mustapha SAN, counsel to the 1st defendant (Kawu Modibbo) said he would not be calling any witness.

Mustapha said pursuant to section 303 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, he would be asking for the maximum 14 days to file the 1st defendant's no-case-submission.

Similarly, Alex Iziyon SAN, counsel to the 2nd and 3rd defendants, said he would not be calling any witness, and therefore requested for the maximum 14 days period allowed by ACJA to file a no-case-submission.

On his part, counsel representing the 4th defendant, Amah Etuwewe, applied for the maximum 14 days to file a nocase-submission.

Reacting, the prosecution counsel told the court that he needed 21 days to reply to all the proposed applications for no-case-submissions of the defendants.

Similarly, the defendants informed the court that they would need 7 days to reply on points of law.

In a short ruling, Justice OgunbanjoGiwa noted that it would take forty-two days for counsel to file and exchange processes in respect of the application for no-casesubmissions.

Consequently, the court adjourned the matter to January 30, 2020 for adoption.

Meanwhile, Justice Ogunbanjo-Giwa has granted leave to Sir Lucky Omoluwa

(3rd) and Dipo Onifade (2nd) defendants leave to travel abroad for an international conference.

The court therefore ordered the registrar of the Federal High Court to release the international passports of the defendants to enable them embark on the abroad trip.

The court directed them to travel between December 16-18, and January 14-16, 2020.

As part of the conditions, the court directed that one of the sureties of the defendants must deposed to an affidavit that they will return to face their trial, or be made to stand trial should the defendants abscond.

However, Justice OgunbanjoGiwa said that the defendants' passports must be returned back to the court on January 24, 2020.

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News

Gombe magistrates decry inadequacy of facilities to operate From David Hassan, Gombe

M

agistrate Association of Nigeria Gombe chapter has decried that the association lack inadequate facilities to operate carry out its functions.

Chairman of the association in Gombe, Muhammad Tukur stated this at a one- day sensitization workshop organized by magistrates held at High Court complex.

He cited some challenges facing the association, saying that since the creation of Gombe State, no single magistrate court was built by the government.

He also said that, there is no any befitting office or residential accommodation equipped in the state.

According to him, for over 8 years now magistrate court complex under construction which is located at Kasuwan Shanu and Tumfure are yet to be completed which necessitates sharing of courts among chief magistrates in the state and thus affects the productivity of the judiciary.

Speaking at the event, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Gombe State, Barr Zubairu Umar said he has been the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice and will not hesitate to intimate his Excellency, the governor on the need and challenges facing the judiciary.

He said judiciary plays a vital role in governance and there is need for them to have an enabling environment to operate.

Declaring the workshop open, the Ag. Chief Judge Gombe State, Justice Beatrice I Iliya appreciated the conduct of the programme and called on the participants to listen to the resource persons very carefully and tap some experiences and utilize them.

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 4, 2019

6 girls die in Kebbi boat mishap From Ahmed Idris Birnin Kebbi

S

ix teenage girls were confirmed dead yesterday in Kebbi State as a result of canoe mishap in Suru Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

Confirming the incident to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi, the Local Government Chairman of Suru, Alhaji Umaru Maigandi,

said that the incident occurred when the canoe capsized while ferrying the victims across Tindifai River on Monday.

According to him, the canoe left Tindifai village conveying nine girls to a Fadama area where they were going to harvest rice but it capsized along the way.

“The village is close to Bendu in Tundifai; they were going to harvest rice in the Fadama

area when the incident occurred and resulted to the death of six females.

“The deceased were between the ages of 12 years and 15 years.

“The three other victims had been rescued alive by the driver of the canoe, Umar Faruk, a 13-yearold,” he said.

“The deceased had been buried according to the Islamic rites, and we have condoled the families as

well as sympathised with those that survived the mishap,” he said.

Maigari who attributed the incident to overloading, adding that the canoe was overloaded as it had five passenger capacity.

The chairman said the council would sensitize the communities to the dangers of canoes overloading, particularly those in the riverine communities of the state.

L-R: Group Head,Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG),Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON),Engr. Nwaoma Olujie; Director Inspectorate and Compliance,SON,Engr.

Obiorah Manafa; Head public Relations /SA to the DG,SON, Bola Fashina,and Technical Officer,SON,Engr. Osagie Emmanuel during the destruction of substandard Gas Cylinders, yesterday in Lagos. Photo: NAN

HIV: Delta equips more PHC Centers to prevent mother- to- child transmission From Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

D

etermined to prevent the scourge of HIV AIDS in Delta State, more Primary Healthcare Centres were on Monday activated to scale up the prevention of Mother to Child Transmission ( PMTCT) of HIV services.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Ononye Mordi who spoke to Journalists on Tuesday in Asaba, said that more emphasis was also being placed on providing care to children and the adolescent

living with the HIV and to prevent new infections, adding that as a result of the state government's partnership with Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria ( CCFN) , Excellence Community Education Warefare Scheme ( ECEWS), Association for Reproductive and Family Health ( ARFH) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) more adhoc staff were being engaged and they had helped in the extending HIV counseling and testing services to Communities Dr Ononye Mordi explained that due to the importance attached

to the fight against AIDS, the world Health Organization declared every December 1 as the day set aside to mark the World AIDS Day which was one of its eight official global public health Campaigns, adding that the day avails the world Community the Opportunity to unite in the fight against HIV AIDS, show support for people living with HIV and Commiserate with those that died from AIDS related illness In Nigeria, the Health Commissioner said that in 2018, Nigeria AIDS indicator and Impact Survey revealed that 1.9million

people are living with HIV in the Country and the national prevalence is 1.4percent compared to the state prevalence of 1.9percent while the report further stated that 130,000 people were newly infected with HIV in Nigeria of which 53,000 people had died from AIDS related illness, adding that the report also showed that 67percent of people living with HIV knew their status,53percent of people living with HIV were on Anti-Retroviral Therapy ( ART) while 42percent of people living with HIV archived viral suppression.

Lagos: Why we rejected new minimum wage, by Medical Guild

By Ese Awhotu

D

octors in Lagos State, under the aegis of Medical Guild, have have given reasons why they rejected the new minimum wage paid to workers by the state government.

The doctors said that the new minimum wage is below the expectations of civil servants.

Chairman of the Guild, Babajide Saheed, made the doctors’ decision known on Monday at a media briefing on the Scientific Conference scheduled to hold on December 3 and 4 in Lagos.

The Medical Guild is the

association of doctors under the employment of the Lagos State Government.

Mr Saheed said not only was the new minimum wage unacceptable, the Guild was not part of the negotiations which was communicated to government, adding that it was still awaiting response.

“You cannot be talking about our salary when we are not there; and when workers started receiving their salaries over the weekend, they were disappointed and unhappy.

“Not only the doctors, generally, all the civil servants, because the increment was

unimaginable and short of expectations.

“The problem we have identified is high taxation.

“No matter the amount of increment in the minimum wage, which makes the gross high, but the take home after tax reductions is peanuts.

“Government should look at that issue and let workers have the benefits of the new minimum wage, and we hope that the state government will listen,” he said.

Mr Saheed called for the exemption of tax on call duty paid to doctors, saying it would lighten the tax burden on members of the Guild, as was the practice during

the administration of former Governor Bola Tinubu.

He also called for a review in the retirement age of medical doctors to 65 years, adding that the same had been done for teachers.

The chairman said to address issues of shortage of medical personnel, exit replacement of staff should be done in phases, with about 25 per cent done by the end of 2019.

According to him, the remaining 75 per cent should be done before the end of the first quarter 2020.

“This is to reduce the pressure of physical and mental exertion on

health workers,” Mr Saheed said.

He said improvement in welfare of workers would stem the current brain drain affecting the sector.

Mr Saheed said incentives like car and housing loans would help to boost morale in the health sector.

Also, the Lagos State Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Saliu Oseni, urged the public to treat health workers with respect.

Mr Oseni said government should be held responsible and accountable for problems of service delivery in the health sector and not the workers.

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PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 4, 2019

News

INEC indicts states Attorney Generals Alleges shoddy handling of electoral litigations

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

T

he Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, on Tuesday berated some States Attorneys-General for failing to diligently prosecute electoral offenders arrested in their states.

Yakubu noted with regrets that some of the cases were dismissed for want of diligent prosecution, while in some States the Attomeys-General entered nolle prosequi to get the alleged offenders off the hook.

The INEC Chairman said this yesterday in Abuja during his meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners of the commission from all the States of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja.

He lamented that even where the Commission recorded the most successful prosecution of electoral offenders following the violence witnessed in the Minjibir State Assembly bye-election in Kano State in 2016, it was unclear how many of the 40 offenders sentenced to prison with the option of fine actually spent time in jail. The fine, he said, was paid presumably by their sponsors.

In the words of Prof Yakubu, “at the moment, INEC is saddled with the responsibility of prosecuting electoral offenders. We have drawn public attention to our constraint in this regard. “We have no capacity to arrest offenders and conduct investigation without which successful prosecution is impossible.

“Over the years, we have worked closely with the Nigeria Police.

“Since 2015, we have received a total of 149 case files, including 16 cases arising from the 2019 General Election.

“The cases are prosecuted in the States where the alleged offences were committed.

“Unlike pre-election and postelection cases, there is no timeframe for the prosecution of electoral offenders.

A case may go on for several years.

“Some of the cases were dismissed for want of diligent prosecution while in some States the Attomeys-General entered nolle prosequi to get the alleged offenders off the hook.

“Even where the Commission recorded the most successful prosecution of electoral offenders following the violence witnessed in the Minjibir State Assembly byeelection in Kano State in 2016, it is unclear how many of the 40 offenders sentenced to prison with the option of fine actually spent time in jail. “The fine was paid presumably by their sponsors.

“That is why we believe that the Electoral Offences Commission

and Tribunal will dispense justice dispassionately and speedily in the same way that the Electoral Court deals with violators in other countries such as South Africa.

“We also hope that the security agencies will get to the root of all violations and support the Commission to prosecute not just the thugs that terrorise voters and INEC officials, snatch election materials at polling units and collation centres but

their sponsors as well” he said.

Prof Yakubu expressed deep concern that elections in Nigeria, especially for executive positions, are increasingly characterised by brazen acts of impunity. “impunity has become the bane of our elections. The best antidote to impunity is the enforcement of sanctions under our laws without fear and favour. Where offenders are not punished, bad behaviour is

encouraged”, he said.

Speaking generally about the last general elections in the country, the INEC Chairman said, “Arising from the 2019 General Election, a total of 807 post-election petitions were filed at the tribunals. Out of this figure, 582 were dismissed, 183 withdrawn by the petitioners, 30 for re-run election and 12 for issuance of certificates of retum. “This means that the Commission is required by

order of the tribunals to conduct rerun elections in 30 constituencies across 12 States of the Federation involving 2 Senatorial Districts out of 109, 13 Federal Constituencies out of 360 and 15 State Constituencies out of 991.

“In a majority of cases, elections are to be re-run in just a few polling units, some of them in only one polling unit in the entire constituency”, he said.

National Youth Service Corps Members of 2019 Batch C Stream II, Rivers state, during their swearing-in ceremony at the Orientation Camp, Nonwa-gbam, Tai Local Government Area, yesterday in Rivers State. Photo: NAN

FG remodeling grazing reserves into ranches in 7 states -Official

T

he Federal Government has begun remodelling of grazing reserves into ranches in seven states as part of efforts to transform and modernise the country’s livestock industry.

The Executive Secretary, National Commission for Nomadic Education, Prof. Bashir Usman, made this known on Tuesday in Zaria at the opening of a three-day capacity building workshop on the remodelling of grazing reserves into ranches.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the training was organised by NCNE for 120 nomadic education extension agents and other officers of the commission.

Usman, who was represented by the Director, Social Mobilisation and Women Development in the commission, Alhaji Mohammed El-Nafaty, listed the selected states; Adamawa, Taraba, Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue, Kaduna and Zamfara.

He said that the existing grazing reserves had already been carved out, demarcated and gazetted.

He added that 141 out of the 416 grazing reserves, spread across the six geo-political zones of the country with a total of 3.4 million hectares of land have been gazetted.

He stressed that the idea behind developing the grazing reserves into ranches was to provide state-of-the-

art grazing resources for livestock herders in the country.

This, according to him, will curtail the persistent farmer-herder conflicts that are threatening peace and security in the country.

He noted, “This can be achieved through the transformation of grazing reserves into ranches otherwise known as Intensive Livestock Production Systems.

“This entails training and retraining of front line staff and other key stakeholders, effective community mobilisation and sensitisation through extension services.

“It also involves the identification, mapping and clustering of pastoralist

and their communities in the existing grazing reserves as evidencebased data preparatory for the full implementation of ranching concept in the country.

“It equally entails the provision of the requisite resources and infrastructure to serve as a window of opportunities for the livestock producers to have access to improved production facilities and social amenities.

“Other provisions include schools, security, markets, clinics, livestock service centres, access roads, milk and meat processing centres along the value chains as well as other critical infrastructure,” Usman said.(NAN)

Justice Ministry, CSLS set for workshop on ACJA implementation

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

T

he Centre for SocioLegal Studies (CSLS) and the Federal Ministry of Justice, have concluded plans for a workshop on minimum standards for the effective implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) and the domesticated versions in the states The two-days national workshop which is slated for

December 9, is expected to, among other things, promote common standards for assessing the performance of the federal government and the various states in providing sound system of criminal justice in the country.

Addressing journalists yesterday at the pre-event briefing, the convener of the workshop, Prof. Yemi AkinseyeGeorge (SAN), said the workshop would also promote the development of modern system of criminal justice

administration in the country.

He added that the centre has been working since 2006 with stakeholders and development partners for improvements in the criminal justice system.

“Participants will know how to use the criminal justice system to achieve social and economic progress and crime prevention.

The minimum standards agreed will be used to assess the states and the federal government.

“This will create a healthy competition amongst the states.

This will ultimately strengthen democracy by creating an effective system of criminal justice administration,” he said.

The president of CSLS, added that the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Tanko Muhammed would chair the workshop while the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN) would be the chief host and the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu would be the special guest.

Further in his briefing, he said

the participants are expected to include chief judges of various courts and their chief registrars, attorneys-general and solicitorsgeneral of the 36 states, commissioners of police and the officers in charge of legal of the various police commands.

“We played a crucial role in the passage of the ACJA 2015 and we have conducted several training programmes for building the capacity of the criminal justice agencies to effectively implement the Act,” he concluded.

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 4, 2019

PAGE 6

News

Kebbi UBE trains 21 officers on project monitoring

From Ahmed Idris Birnin Kebbi

K

ebbi State Universe Basic Education (UBE) has trained 21 local government education authority officers for the new policy on project monitoring strategies devised.

The training was held at the School of Nursing Birnin Kebbi.

Speaking at the event, the Acting Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Alhaji Bello Ibrahim Yauri said that the training programme for project officer has become imperative in view of the new project monitoring strategies devised by the UBE commission.

He added that this will ensure standards in terms of quality and specification, "gone are the days when poor quality projects are to be tolerated by the government at both state and National levels."

In his response, the Deputy Director in charge of Engineering Services, Mallam Mohammed Bala Nassarawa said that the programme is to ensure the effective and efficiency service delivery in education system.

We don’t pay pension to ex-governors, says Niger govt.

From Yakubu Minna

Mustapha,

S

equel to the rumors going round in some quarters over the payment of pension to former governors and their deputies as well as former speakers and their deputies across the country, the Niger State government has come out categorically that it doesn't pay pension to its former governors.

The state government rather informed that it pays what it

called severance allowance to the departing political heads in the state.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Director General of Niger State Pension Board, Alhaji Ahmed Tinau Mohammed who disclosed that the beneficiaries of severance allowance are political heads at state and local government level, noted that former governor and their deputies, local government chairmen and their vice and state legislators and counselors were

included.

According to him, "The severance allowance is not a recurring perpetual payouts but a onetime payment authorized under extant state law "This payment (severance allowance) are supported by an extant law known as a law to provide special grants/severance allowances to all political office holders in the state including governors and their deputies; 2013" The statement said the

Imbibe developmental journalism, VC Bingham Varsity urges journalists From Gambo Ahmed, Lafia

V

ice Chancellor (VC) of Bingham University Karu, Prof William Qurix has urged media practitioners in Nigeria to imbibe in the practice of developmental journalism in order to promote activities of institutions and the country at large.

The VC made the call yesterday

at the institution in Karu Local Government Area (LGA) of Nasarawa State while playing host to Correspondents' Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nasarawa State Council.

Prof William Qurix maintained that media practitioners are development partners in the area of projecting image of institution and the country as well as promised to

work in synergy with the NUJ chapel in the state.

According to him, “Since I was made the VC of this university. I am highly impressed with media reports on the activities of the institution. That is a good omen for the institution.”

He noted that all over the world the press are great development partners to all institutions and

Journalists set agenda for new UNIBEN VC By Osaigbovo Benin

expressed desire for such partnership to project the university to the world.

Earlier, Mr Isaac Upkoju, Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, said that the visit was to familiarise with the management of the university.

Upkoju added that the chapel would continue to serve as a link between the university and the public.

L-R: Executive Secretary National Sugar Council, Dr. Latif Busari, Director, Finance and Account, Anwalu Abubakar Shira and Director of Procurement, Dr. Ibrahim Ibrahim, during media briefing on the performance of the council in achieving its ten years set goals, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Iguobaro,

T

he Correspondents' Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ), Edo Council on Tuesday congratulated the newly appointed Vice Chancellor of University of Benin, Prof. Lillian Imuetinyan Salami, with a charge to be a team player in actualizing her policies and programmes in the institution.

A statement jointly signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the Chapel, Mrs Nefishetu Yakubu and Mr Osaigbovo Iguobaro, recalled her unblemished record of the 10th substantive Vice Chancellor and professional competence as a launch pad for the job.

"The Correspondents' Chapel of NUJ, Edo Council offers Prof.

Lillian Imuetinyan Salami our most sincere congratulation on her new role as the 10th Vice Chancellor of University of Benin (UNIBEN).

"Certainly, your willingness to volunteer your time and effort, as well as express your opinions, has contributed to your being selected for the post.

"We wish you all the best as you extends your contribution to the development of human and capital resources in the nation’s educational sector especially at the University of Benin.”

clarification had become necessary following the inclusion of Niger state in the list of states owing ex-governors pension Tinau further stated "to the best of my knowledge that there is no state law, past of present that awards a regular pension to be pay to former Niger state governors as pension "The gospel truth is that the state does not pay a dime to our former governors as pension" the statement said.

Tambuwal presents proposed budget of N202.4bn for 2020

G

overnor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State on Tuesday presented N202.4 billion as proposed appropriation for 2020 fiscal year to the state House of Assembly for approval.

Mr Tambuwal said the amount included capital expenditure of N122.8 billion, personnel cost of N32.7 billion, and overhead cost of N46.8 billion.

The governor said the budget, tagged: “Budget of Sustained Socio-economic Development and Inclusiveness,” would focus on completion of projects started in 2019 and the execution of new ones.

He said the budget was carefully formulated in tandem with the state government’s commitment to addressing the fundamental needs of the people in all parts of the state.

“Therefore, I humbly seek the kind collaboration of the Honourable Members as I briefly and summarily highlight some of the provisions and proposals for the incoming year i.e. 2020,“ he said.

Mr Tambuwal said the sectoral allocation for the year 2020 showed that 24 per cent of the proposed total budget would go to education with N47.8.

billion followed by Health with N21.9 billion representing 11 per cent and Agriculture with N12.4 billion representing 6.14 per cent.

“The budget will among others focus on completion of the projects started in the proceeding year and ensure prompt execution of new ones in line with the development policy agenda of the present administration,” the governor said.

It could be recalled that in the year 2019 budget as passed by the Assembly, the sum of N170,802,771,486.00 was earmarked for both Recurrent and Capital Expenditures.

Tambuwal further explained that the policy thrust of the budget was to ensure sustainable economic development through substantial investment in critical sectors.

He listed the sectors as education, agriculture, healthcare delivery, exploration of mineral resources, investment in renewable energy and infrastructure.

The Speaker, Aminu Achida, assured the governor of the lawmakers’ commitment to ensuring speedy passage of the bill to maintain the frequency of development in the state.(NAN)

PAGE 7

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 4, 2019

Police declare Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer wanted

T

he police in Anambra State have declared Ifeanyi Ejiofor, a lawyer, wanted over the clash Monday in Oraifite which left at least four persons dead.

The police commissioner in the state, John Abang, in a video message circulated by the spokesman of the police, Haruna Mohammed, on Tuesday, urged members of the public with any information of his whereabouts to avail the police or any other security agencies of such information.

“Gentleman, I will like to let Nigerians to know that as we speak, Barrister Ejiofor, an IPOB member and his cohorts have been declared wanted by the command”.

“And I will seek the cooperation of law abiding Nigerians from North, South, East and West, wherever they find this individual, they should report to the nearest police station or any other security agency for possible arrest and prosecution,” Mr Abang said.

Also Mr Haruna in an accompanying statement to the video message wrote: “Police in Anambra State have declared wanted one Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor (a member of the proscribed IPOB) and his cohorts over the alleged brutal murder of two Police officers in Oraifite yesterday”.

Mr Ejiofor is one of the lawyers defending the leader of the proscribed secessionist group,Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, in his treason trial by the federal government.

Mr Kanu is on self-exile after the army invaded his residence in Umuahia, Abia State, in 2017.

The lawyer’s country home in Oraifite community of Anambra State was invaded by the police on Monday during which two members of the group were allegedly killed.

Two policemen were also killed during the incident.

While the police claimed IPOB members attacked first and killed the two policemen, IPOB and said the police killed the two of its members first.

The police said they invaded the apartment following a reported case of abduction there.

CRIME News Alleged fraud: Ex-VC University of Agriculture Makurdi gets N10m bail

From Makurdi

Uche

Nnorom,

T

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Makurdi zonal office, yesterday arraigned one Emmanuel Kucha a former Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi on a four - count charge for conspiracy, misappropriation of public funds, abuse of office and gratification.

The former Vice Chancellor, being a public officer of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State was alleged to have been involved with obtaining money as bribe in the course of performing is official duties.

He was arraigned before Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon sitting at Federal High Court Makurdi, Benue State.

One of the charge read, “That you Emmanuel Kucha whilst serving as the Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Agriculture, between 2012 and 2017 in Makurdi within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court did accept the total sum of N70,327,197 (Seventy Million, Three Hundred and Twenty Seven Thousand, One Hundred and Ninety Seven Naira) through several payments into your Guaranty Trust Bank Account No: 0124395144 as a bribe for performing your

official act and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 18(c) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under section 18(d) of the same Act".

The defendant, however, pleaded ‘not guilty to the charges.

Prosecution counsel, Y. Y. Tarfa, prayed for a date to open his case, confirming to the Court that he received a bail application of the defendant.

However, defence counsel,

Timothy Dim, moved his bail application and urged the Court to grant his client bail on liberal terms and also to remand the defendant in EFCC custody pending the perfection of his bail condition which the Court granted.

Justice Olajuwon granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N10 million naira with one surety in like sum.

According to her, the surety must be public servant with the

federal or Benue State government on grade level 17 and must submit two recent passport photographs.

Address of the surety must be verified, and Court must confirm the authenticity of the letter and documents the surety presents to Court.

The suspect was remanded in EFCC custody pending the perfection of his bail condition, while the case was adjourned to January 5, 2020 for commencement of trial.

Adamawa State Commissioner of Police, Mr Audu Madaki, displaying some of the weapons and other exhibits recovered from suspected kidnappers and robbers by the Command. Photo: NAN

Alleged killers of LASTMA official arraigned

By Usman Shauibu agency report

with

T

he alleged murderers of an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) were on Monday arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Yaba.

The LASTMA official, Ola Oyeshina, 31 years old, was attacked at Sifax-Iganmu area of

Apapa on Friday allegedly by two drivers, Abdullahi Akerele, 31, and Nurudeen Ogungbe, 41.

Both defendants were arraigned before the Chief Magistrate, Kikelomo Ayeye, on a two-count charge of attack and murder of a law enforcement officer.

The counts read: “That you Abdullahi Akere, Nurudeen Ogungbe and others now at large on 29th day of November 2019,

at about 1800hrs at Ijora-Badia, Lagos State in the Lagos Magistrate District, did conspire among yourself to commit felony to wit: murder; an offence punishable under section 233 of the criminal law of Lagos state.”

“That you Abdullahi Akere, Nurudeen Ogungbe and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magistrate District, did kill one

Ola Oyeshina, age 40 years by hitting him with stone on his head and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 222 and punishable under section 223 of the criminal law of Lagos state”.

The defendants pleaded not guilty.

Mrs Ayeye ordered that the defendants be remanded in custody. She adjourned the case till January 28 for hearing.

Man bags 2 years imprisonment for fraud From Makurdi

T

Uche

Nnorom,

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Makurdi Zonal Office yesterday secured the conviction of 22 years old Damilola Adeyemo, whose case had been before Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon at the Federal High Court sitting in Makurdi, Benue State.

Trouble started for Damilola Adeyemo when he was arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on the 4th November, 2019 in Lagos in relation to a case of dishonestly

making use of the identity of another and fraudulently obtaining money. The convict was using several accounts to defraud people.

Following a plea bargain agreement with the Commission, Damilola Adeyemo was arraigned on a two- count charge for dishonestly making use of the identity of another man and fraudulently obtained the sum of N230,000 (Two Hundred and Thirty Thousand Naira) only which part of the proceed was used in the acquisition of an iPhone 7.

One of the count reads: "That you, Damilola Adeyemo on or

about 6th of September, 2019 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court without lawful authority engaged in acquisition of an iPhone 7 with IMEI 359465081928295 knowing that the said iPhone 7 was proceed of criminal activity and thereby, committed an offence contrary to Section 18(1) of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004 and punishable under section 18(2) of the same Act".

He pleaded “guilty” to the charge.

In view of his plea, prosecuting counsel, Y. Y. Tarfa,

urged the Court to accept the plea bargain agreement and convict him accordingly.

Justice Olajuwon pronounced Damilola guilty and subsequently convicted and sentenced him to two years imprisonment with an option of fine of N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira).

In addition, the sum of N230,000.00 (Two Hundred and Thirty Thousand Naira only) which he had refunded during the course of investigation is to be paid back to the complainant as restitution.

The convict shall forfeit the said iPhone 7 to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 4, 2019

PAGE 8

News

Minimum wage: Aremu assures of peaceful, just resolution of disagreement From Femi Oyelola Kaduna

A

member of the National Wages and Salary Commission, Comrade Issa Aremu has assured of a peaceful and just resolution that would improve on workers’ pay and enhance the growth of Nigerian economy.

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

According to him, negotiation between labour and government continues on the implementation

of the new minimum wage in the public sector, said minimum wage implementation in the public sector was legitimate and expected and does not in any way mean there was a “crisis” “There is already a subsisting new minimum wage of N30,000 signed into law by President Muhamadu Buhari. It was an

outcome of robust negotiations between organized labour, organized private sector, Federal and states governments. " This is also the 5th National Minimum Wage Act. The first was in 1981. What is at stake is not a renegotiation but implementation.

But as the saying goes, devil is in the details.

"New wage for workers is Godliness. The details are what we are working towards through dialogue with the government. I have no doubt that there would not be any crisis.

"There would be an agreement just the way we negotiated the past minimum wages. The Joint Public Service Negotiating Council

is working with both the NLC and TUC to achieve the goal of a just consequential adjustment”.

He went further to commend governments of Kaduna and Lagos states who he said are “law respecting” in implementing the new minimum wage.

Comrade Aremu said decent employment and living wage are not mutually exclusive adding that decent work is work paid for adequately to ensure productivity.

He said good pay is “smart economics” because workers’ pay increases effective demand for goods and service in a depressed economy like Nigeria.

200 youths for Ize-Iyamu mentorship programme

News

Nigeria’s bill on hate speech impressive, says U.S By Musa Adamu Ikechukwu Okaforadi

and

T

he United States has thrown its weight a Bill to check hate speech in the country.

The Bill currently before the Senate has come under serious criticism from various interest groups and individuals who see as an attempt to muzzle free speech.

But coming from an unexpected quarters, the Bill sponsored by the Deputy Senate Chief Whip, Sen Sabi Abdullahi, has gotten its first major backer yet.

On a visit to the Deputy Senate Chief Whip, the Political Officer of the Embassy of the United States of

America, Jerry Howard, described proposed piece of legislation as an “impressive” needed to address issues of discrimination, hostility and violence in Nigeria.

According to the United States Embassy official, the visit was intended to engage the sponsor of the Hate Speech bill and to seek an understanding into the proposed legislation under consideration by the Senate.

Following explanations by Senator Sabi Abdullahi on the Bill, Mr. Howard described the response of the media as “misleading” and “hysterical” of the contents of the Bill and what it actually sought to achieve.

He, therefore, advised the sponsor of the Bill to engage and educate Non-Governmental Organizations and Civil Society Organizations in the country on its proposed contents so as to muster support for the Bill.

Speaking on the decision of the US Embassy to engage the National Assembly on the Hate Speech bill, Howard said, “We want Nigeria to succeed and we think a prerequisite for Nigeria’s success is successful democracy.

“For democracy to succeed, the people must have a house, the people must have a place where their representatives can argue and complain, come up with new

ideas and come up with solutions to guide the executive branch and lead the country forward.”

He commended the lawmaker for the level of work and research carried out on the Bill.

Abdullahi further stated that the Bill’s introduction by the National Assembly had the backing of Section 45 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

The Section states: “Nothing in Sections 37, 38, 39, 40 and 41 of this Constitution shall invalidate any law that is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society; in the interest of defence, public safety, public order, public morality or

public health; or for the purpose of protecting the rights and freedom or other persons.”

On measures in place to ensure that the Bill is not abused by politicians, Senator Sabi explained that “an Independent Commission shall be constituted and whose membership will be restricted to persons without any history of promoting ethnic or religious causes, or anyone with political affiliations.”

He added that the passage of the Bill by the National Assembly into law would address all forms of discrimination, hostility and violence which are on the rise in the country.

NUC accredits newly mounted degree courses in UNIMAID

By Usman Shauibu The National Universities Commission (NUC) has accredited newly mounted degree courses in University of Maiduguri.

The NUC was at the College last week for the accreditation of the newly mounted Degree Courses (B.A. Ed. {Arb}, BSc. Ed. Bio, Bus. Edu. and Econs.) under its Undergraduate Programme from the 20th22nd November, 2019.

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

N

o fewer than 200 youths are billed to attend Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, former Secretary to Edo State government mentorship programme on Saturday in Benin City, Edo State Capital.

The maiden edition of the monthly mentoring forum which part of his efforts to empower Nigerian youths with strong leadership, political and business skills, is tagged, "POI Mentoring Forum.

One of the organisers, Tinyan Otuamagie of the event, said the platform would afford youths between age 14 and 35 the opportunity to learn Tue rudiments of nation building.

She said, "Pastor Ize-Iyamu who's is the host, believes that youths are an essential part of nation building and are blessed with great ideas and potentials that are needed in our society today, so the POI Mentoring Forum’s mission is to build their capacities".

"POI has witnessed Nigerian youths making great strides in their various Communities. Youths have made great contributions in the narrative within the political space and the redefining of the expectations of leaders in Africa".

"These are Youths who have changed how we do business in Nigeria through innovations and use of technology. This is why Pastor IzeIyamu has created this mentoring forum to meet the needs of our youths".

On the format of the Mentoring Forum, Ms Otuamagie said, " It offers seminars, workshops and interactive training sessions that are targeted at youths who want to be more engaged in their communities" She added that, "in addition the forum will have industry leaders and experts from various fields and other youths on hand to train and share their personal and professional experiences with participants in an interactive atmosphere".

She also said that forum members have been registering online at www.pastorosagieizeiyamu.com/ mentoringforum while many have already been contacted by email with further details.

PAGE 9

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 4, 2019

This was contained in a statement from the university signed by Suleiman Shehu For: Provost, which said that, the programme is being run in affiliation with the University of Maiduguri.

The Commission had arrived along with the Accreditation Panelists for the 3-day exercise and commenced work immediately.

In his welcome address at the Opening Session, the Vice Chancellor University of

Maiduguri ably represented by Professor A.B. Alhassan the Director Affiliated Colleges Unit of the University welcomed and appreciated the August Visitors.

He also urged them to leave no stone unturned in ensuring the successful conduct of the onerous National assignment in the best interest of the System. He further appreciated the efforts of the State Government in providing the conducive atmosphere for the exercise.

. In her speech, the Team Leader of the Penalists r appreciated the College for the warm reception and support accorded them in discharging the assignment. She also expressed their readiness to work diligently with high degree of objectivity and fairness for the success of the exercise.

In his closing Remarks, the Provost Dr. Abdullahi Mohammed Isyaku declared the readiness of the College to cooperate and work closely with the Team.

L-R: Secretary National Judicial Institute (NJI), Mr. Maidama Abubakar, Director of Studies NJI, Mrs. Maryam Kawu, Director of Research of NJI, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, Chairman of Session, Dr. Sam Amadi, and Guest Speaker, Mr. Daniel Bwala, during a two days workshop for judiciary correspondents, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Edo woman killed in road accident

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

A

Benin-based woman on Tuesday morning lost her life in a road crash which occurred on Benin Lagos by Okhoro junction in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State.

Three male adult and one female adult were said to have been

involved in the accident while one other sustained injuries.

A witness who identified himself as Mr Odion, said the articulated truck driver which was coming from Ugbowo Lagos road in Benin, had a break failure, before ramming into an Audi 80 car conveying the injured victims and the late woman to unknown

destination.

The Edo State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Anthony Oko gave the registration number of the truck driver as number AKD 53XP while the marked was marked AT681BKA. Oko attributed the accident to dangerous driving.

He said the injured one was taken to evangel hospital while the dead was taken to University Teaching Hospital's morgue.

According to him, four people were involved in the accident, three male adult and one female adult, adding that one died on the spot while one other sustained injuries.

Bauchi govt: We’ll alleviate suffering of people with disabilities From Ahmad Bauchi

Mohammed

B

auchi State Government has reassured of its commitment towards supporting people with disabilities as part of efforts to alleviate their sufferings.

Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed gave the assurance

while receiving members of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities at Government House Bauchi on the celebration of this year's International Day of People with Disabilities.

The Governor who spoke through the PDP Deputy Chairman in the state, Bala Hadis, said to cater for their needs, his administration

will consider restoring the Agency for the People with Disabilities.

Governor Mohammed who pledged to come up with programmes beneficial to them in order to have a sense of belonging, expressed concern over the challenges facing people with disabilities in the state.

Members of the group who

spoke during the courtesy visit applauded the governor for giving the desired attention to education sector in the state.

They used the medium to appeal to the state government to look into the possibility of restoring the Agency for the People with Disabilities so as to overcome their challenges.

Court remands 6 students accused of raping colleague

A

Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan on Tuesday remanded six students of Lagelu Grammar School at the Agugu Police Station over alleged rape of a female colleague.

The students – Akeem Abee, 17; Olaiya Faruq, 16; Kazeem Awal, 16, Ajao Waris, 17; Alamu Boluwatife,

17; and Dauda Mubarak, 17 – are facing trial for conspiracy and rape.

The court did not take the plea of the defendants.

The Chief Magistrate, Taiwo Oladiran, in his ruling, ordered the students to be remanded at Agugu Police Station instead of a correctional centre because they

were all minors.

Mr Oladiran subsequently adjourned the matter till Friday for mention.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Sunday Ogunremi, had told the court that the defendants conspired to rape the female student.

Mr Ogunremi alleged that the

defendants on November 17 at about 6 p.m at Lagelu Grammar School, Ibadan, had unlawful carnal knowledge of the female student.

He said the offences contravened Sections 360 and 517 of the Criminal Code Cap 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000. (NAN)

L-R: Auditor General, Dala Old Girls Alumni association (DOGAA), Hajia Binta Kashim, (DOGAA) President and Former Member House of Representative, Hon. Saudat Sani and Member of the Association, Hajia Hawau Garba, during the 2019 DOGAA annual general meeting, yesterday in kaduna.

RemTrack technology will enhance transparency, accountability -NEITI boss

By Christiana Ekpa

T

he Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Waziri Adio, has disclosed that the emergence of RemTrack, a mobile application for tracking transparency and accountability issues in the oil and gas sector, will immensely add value to the work of his organization.

This was just as NEITI boss called on citizens of Nigeria to take advantage of the platform for healthy and constructive engagements.

Our correspondent reports

that, RemTrack is a technologyfor-development intervention built to organize the audit reports into user-friendly data on remediation issues, progress and outcomes of reconciliation, and the covered entities.

The app is designed for android and apple devices to be used in mobile phones and other hand-held devices.

Adio’s disclosed this on Tuesday, at the stakeholders gathering for the formal public presentation of the technology tool developed and deployed

by OrderPaper Advocacy Initiative in conjunction with the Civil Society Steering Committee (CSSC) of NEITI.

Delivering a keynote address before the unveiling of the app, the NEITI boss noted that the app is a major milestone in attempts to fix remediation issues arising from his agency’s reports.

He explained that RemTrack has come to simplify the process of tracking issues and implementation of recommendations arising from periodic reports of the agency, and more importantly, to involve all stakeholders, whether players in the sector, journalists, civil society organisations and all citizens who have mobile devices, in the process of remediation.

“This is a major milestone for the

Civil Society Steering Committee but also for us at the level of NEITI and also for the country as other people have mentioned,” he said, adding that “this is something that all Nigerians should take credit for, especially the people who midwifed the process.”

The executive secretary, however, cautioned against viewing remediation in money terms only, while calling for focus on how to fix systematic procedural issues that keep knotty issues from reoccurring.

On his part, Mr. Kolawole Banwo, Chairman of the Civil Society Steering Committee of NEITI, said the

RemTrack tool would enhance easy engagement by all and make accurate information readily available for use at any time.

Representative of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Mr Babatunde Odu, expressed delight about the RemTrack app, saying it would aid the commission to effectively carry out its functions.

Remarking on the app, Executive Director of OrderPaper Advocacy, Oke Epia, assured that the app is not designed to humiliate or deride anyone, but solely for the good of country.

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 4, 2019

PAGE 10

N ews

Absence of effective coordination hindering peace building process – IPCR DG

By Ochiaka Ugwu The absence of effective coordination of each of peace agenda item which has invariably led to the cacophony of intervention with little or no tangible result is a challenge to peacebuilding process, the Director General, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Prof. Bakut T. Bakut has said.

Bakut who made this known yesterday at the National Expert Policy Dialogue on the Nigeria Safe Community Initiative (NSCI) organized by the Institute in Abuja lamented the influx into the engagements, stating that it has been without proper accountability and capacity-check to regulate the activities of quacks.

He noted that,” we have witnessed the abuse of peace work as the country continues to experience rising incidents of violent conflict.”

“The challenge has however, remained the absence of effective coordination of each of these agenda item which has invariably led to the cacophony of intervention with little or no tangible result,” he added.

Continuing, Bakut said that the place of experts in policy formulation cannot be overstated in the conception of knowledgedriven actionable and smart initiative that would address citizens’ concerns.

He informed that the Institute was principally established by the Federal Government of Nigeria, at a time when the country’s constitutional democracy was being threatened by rising incidents of violent conflicts which made the Institute to initiate, design and implement peacebuilding and conflict mitigation programmes that triggered off harmonious coexistence and nonviolent conversations.

Presenting a paper titled “Framework for the Protection of Schools in Nigeria” the immediate past Director of Directorate of Army Public Relations, Brig.

Gen. Kukasheka Usman (Rtd) said in protecting the schools, government should involve the communities, partner with the relevant security agencies, invent new architectural design that will aid security and usenew technology to enhance defensive measures.

Gen. Usman also advocated adopting Ghanaian method of using covert security in protecting schools in collaboration with the host communities.

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 4, 2019

PAGE 11

Letter to the Editor

EDITORIAL

Buhari unveils locally made Nigerian military vehicles

By Lawrence Olaoye

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Kaduna unveiled Made-in-Nigeria Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles for Nigerian Army’s counterterrorism and other operations across the nation.

According to a statement made available to newsmen by his spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, the vehicles named Ezugwu MRAP were produced by the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), an indigenous firm, for the Nigerian Army, and launched by the President at the opening ceremony of the 2019 Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference.

Speaking on the occasion, Buhari praised the gallant efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces in routing terrorists and combating insurgency in the on-going operations in the North East.

He pledged that his administration will continue to

support the military to achieve its goals in addition to prioritising their welfare and that of their families.

On the Ezugwu MRAP, which will be mass-produced by DICON, the President said: ‘‘I note the collaborative efforts of the Command Engineering Depot with relevant indigenous organisations to promote local content towards developing our military-industrial complex. ‘‘I am glad that the production of Ezugwu Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles which I will be unveiling today will join the infantry patrol vehicles that were earlier produced as testimony that our efforts are yielding positive results. ‘‘Additionally, your efforts in terms of capacity building, training and conduct of exercises are quite commendable. ‘‘I am aware that there are ongoing field exercises such as Atilogwu, UDO 1, Exercise Akpatuma 2 and Exercise Crocodile Smile 4, among other civil-military cooperation

activities. ‘‘These are impressive efforts geared at enhancing the operational efficiency of the army as well as facilitating a conducive security environment for social, economic activities to thrive.’’

He also paid tribute to military personnel who had paid the supreme sacrifice in defending the sovereignty of the country.

The President urged the soldiers to abide by the ethics, ethos and code of conduct of the military, while ensuring that human rights and international humanitarian laws are promoted and respected in the conduct of military operations.

Later, the President inaugurated 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna.

The hospital was upgraded to a level 4 United Nations hospital to cater for the medical needs of the military and civilian population in the country.

In his goodwill message, Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna said the

State was privileged to play host to several military formations, units, schools and establishments, adding that this was beneficial in fostering synergy between the military and civilians.

The governor specifically commended the Nigerian Army for their roles in sustaining peace and security in Kaduna State In his remarks, the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (Rtd) thanked the President for his continuous support to the Nigerian Army, adding that the Federal Government would continue to support the military ahead of the final onslaught on Boko Haram in 2020.

Also speaking, Lt. Gen. Buratai emphasised that the current transformation of the Nigerian Army to its current status of a professional, highly-motivated, innovative and people-centric institution commenced in 2015 when the President was sworn in for his first term in office.

L-R: Representative of the Executive director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Oladimeji Olayinka, Permanent Secretary Hospital Management Board (HMB), Dr. Niran Ikuomola and Representative of the Chief Medical Director, Nasarawa State, Dr. Rosha Garba Mohammed, during a meeting of the Technical working group, on Nigerian State Health Investment Projects, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

How Shell bypassed NiMet, pays £79m to UK weather agency -Prof. Mashi

By Miriam Humbe

S

hell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, may have paid about £79 million to the United Kingdom Meteorological Agency for weather information between 2017 and June 2019, findings have revealed.

In view of this development, Nigeria may be loosing millions of pound sterling annually to the outsourcing of weather information to foreign weather service providers by oil companies.

Director General of the Nigerian Metrological Agency, (NiMet), Prof. Abubakar Mashi made this known when he hosted House of Representatives Committee members on Aviation yesterday in Abuja.

Prof. Mashi regretted that the agency has been unable to prosecute the unabated criminal offense against the country.

He noted that despite laws empowering NiMet to provide weather forecast information to agencies and organizations as at when needed, indications have shown that foreign weather service providers have been exploiting the country and taking revenue that should accrue to the nation.

He said: “Our law says that said we should provide weather information, there is no law that states that another organization should do that, had it been the law was clear about the illegality of sourcing weather information from the third party, it would be easy to prosecute the offenders”.

Prof. Mashi said globally the law does not allow meteorology

information to be released by any third party except the meteorological service of the country concede their right to a third party, “but when that is not done but third parties go against the law, its very wrong” he lamented.

He further lamented that the crude oil sector are not in any way assisting them.

“We have been to the Nigeria National Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC), and the Content Development Agency, they told us that though the Content Development law is there, that says certain percentage should go to Nigeria.”

“How can we spend billions of Naira to put in facilities when we know we will not be patronized, we have asked them to challenge us and give us the mandate to

provide weather information, so that we can deploy the facilities effectively, but if we generate nobody will consume. So there is need to do something about the Legal framework; and further disclosed plans to collaborate with the marine sector to curb ship wreckage on the high sea.

Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation, Nnoli Nnaji pointed out that the committee would ensure they improve allocation to NIMET in the 2020 budget, adding that they would review the laws where necessary to ensure the nation is not short changed.

Nnaji further charged them to be more proactive in providing weather information for farmers so that they (farmers) would be able take the necessary precautions.

Still on the stamp duty scam

T

he financial sector committee members were sits in the very highly incensed by that and centre of the market threatened a bench warrant economy. Like the for their arrest. Committee heart, it is supposed to chairman Abubakar Ahmed pump life sustaining blood said the committee, set into the system. But often April 25 this year, was “out it does not; what it does is to determine the amount withhold that blood, leading generated from stamp to an anemic economy. duties, the location of the Recently, 22 banks in money and why it has not Nigeria have been accused been remitted.” of withholding over N70 It is obvious why the banks billion worth of are holding stamp duty since onto what is not 2000. The N50 theirs. They want stamp duty the to steal it, simple.

The illegality banks deducted If the bank chiefs from every deposit continue to shun of their action with a value of the window of caused a N1,000 and above opportunity since January House ad hoc given to them 2000 amounted committee to call to explain their to N100 billion a public hearing illegality, the but they remitted to which the chief House should to government go ahead with executives of coffers only N33bn. the threat to the errant banks The House of order their Representatives first were invited. They arrest for them raised the matter failed to show up to be brought in April this year, in person, sending to account. It followed by a threat may be argued subordinates from the Revenue that the banks instead.

Mobilisation, may have simply Allocation and exploited a Fiscal Commission lacuna they have spotted (RMAFC) to probe the in the Stamp Duty Act. Still affected commercial banks. that does not excuse their The Stamp Duty Act gives action. We urge the National banks the power to collect Assembly to take a second the stamp duty but the look at the law to locate the 1999 federal constitution lacuna and block through provides that federally an appropriate amendment. collected revenues be put We find strange the in the federation account. lackadaisical attitude of That, the banks failed to do. the Central Bank of Nigeria The illegality of their (CBN) to the issue. Rather action caused a House ad than a reprimand, the hoc committee to call a supervisor of the banking/ public hearing to which financial system is giving an the chief executives of excuse. According to it, the the errant banks were non-remittances are due to invited. They failed to “legal reasons” that it does show up in person, sending not explain. This is very subordinates instead. The unfortunate.

“

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Alscon: An economic hub and multi-money spinner now lying fallow

By Musa Ilallah

N

arration of the marathon journey of the setting up of the Aluminium Smelter Company, ALSCON in Nigeria cannot be complete without tracing its roots to the elected government of President Shehu Aliyu Shagari of the National Party of Nigeria, NPN when it initiated talks with various interested bodies. The government commissioned Messrs. W. S. Atkins, a British firm to carry out a feasibility study on the project. With the change in government in 1983, discussions on the project were kept in abeyance until 1986 when the project was resuscitated by the Administration of General Ibrahim Babangida.

Thereafter, Ferrostaal AG of Germany, in conjunction with Reynolds International of the United States of America, submitted a joint proposal to the Federal Government for the establishment of an integrated 180,000-tonne per annum smelter plant. In response, the Government set up an Inter-Ministerial Committee under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Industries to process the proposal.

A consortium of consultants comprising M+F Engineering Consultants, a Zurich-based aluminium consulting firm, FINCO Engineers and Phoenix Investment Services both Nigerian companies, were engaged to assist the InterMinisterial Committee. The Government also appointed a four-man Presidential Task-Force to finalize the articulation of the project and submit recommendations to the Government.

The Task-Force comprised Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji , Chairman; Malam Ibrahim Aliu, then Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industries; Aret Adams, then Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and C. C. Okoye, then Director in the Ministry of Budget and Planning who later became ALSCON’s Deputy General Manager (Planning and Administration as members.

For the purpose of clarity, the Smelter is a joint venture project between the Federal Government of Nigeria and two foreign technical partners, Ferrostaal AG of Germany and Reynolds International Inc. of the United States of America with 70%, 20% and 10% holdings respectively. ALSCON was incorporated in 1989. Ferrostaal is the turnkey contractor while Reynolds, as the supplier of the technology will manage the plant from the start up until Nigerian management takes over. The Smelter is sited at Ibekwe community in Ikot Abasi town in Akwa Ibom state in the South- South region of Nigeria.

The special properties of aluminium, the smelting technology available and the readily availability of abundant natural gas reserves, reinforced the decision of the Federal Government to proceed with the establishment of the Ikot Abasi Smelter Plant. The Government, will by, operating the Smelter, utilize the nation’s abundant gas resources to generate energy for aluminium production and in turn, receive much needed foreign exchange by exporting a large portion of the ingots and billets. Indeed, the whole philosophy of the project is the exportation of gas in embodied form.

It is estimated that ALSCON plant when fully operational will utilise close to 1 billion cubic metres of gas annually.

Similarly, another important objective of the smelter is the supply of the basic raw materials, ingots and billets- to local aluminium rolling mills and extrusion plants.

These raw materials are currently imported.

It will also help Government conserve foreign exchange in addition to supporting expansion of aluminium rolling mills, extrusion plants and down-stream industries making finished products like aluminium kitchen utensils, roofing sheets, deep freezers, van bodies, wires and cables, and wrapping materials among others. Most importantly, the plant is intended to reduce waste in the petroleum industry by

utilising the natural gas now being flared.

The Company was established in order to utilize and enhance the country’s gas reserves and further discourage gas flaring in the Niger Delta. Part of the objectives for setting up ALSCON include; to establish a self-reliant aluminum factory, provide employment to Nigerians, impact technical/develop trained technical manpower, conserve and earn foreign exchange by meeting local aluminum demands and to aid the development of aluminum downstream industries.

With the huge investment lying fallow, the Nigerian government listed ALSCON under the second phase of its privatization agenda and the ball was set rolling in 2002 with a request for investors to express interest.

Available records show that five companies expressed interest were ALCOA Inc of America, Glencore G of Switzerland, UC Rusal of Russia, ALCAN of Canada and Ferrosstaal of Germany submitted their technical and financial bids Eventually, BFI Group emerged as the preferred bidder with a bid offer of $140 million following the disqualification of UC Russal. However, the winner was unable to pay the 10% before take over within the stipulated period prescribed by BPE. With this failure, UC Rusal won the equity and the plant was handed over to it.

BFIG went to court to challenge its disqualification and won its case which made BPE to provide a share purchase agreement, SPA to BFIG for execution. Again, it refused to execute the SPA and BPE terminated the agreement in March 2013 and UC Rusal was again reinstated. BFIG went to court again for the third time to challenge the BPE decision.

This case is still pending in court.

As a result of the uncertainty of the situation, both Rusal and ALSCON have suffered grave damages having to maintain the plant and staff without being in operation. That resulted in staff retrenchment to minimize the losses.

Convinced that BFIG does not seem to have the technical and financial capacity to run ALSCON, the relevant ministry briefed the President on the development and steps taken so far to resolve the contending issues.

President Buhari, who had always been worried with how the impasse had negatively impacted the fortunes of the company and subsequently gave BPE approval to go ahead with the decision of the National Council on Privatization and Commercialization, NCPC which makes Rusal, the owner of the plant to resume production and reap the benefits for the country and the company.

During his recent visit to the Russian federation, President Buhari while discussing issues with his host, President Putin talked on the protracted issue of the Ikot-Abasi based Aluminum Smelter Company of Nigeria, President Buhari said that he had asked the Ministry of Justice, to submit a comprehensive report on the UC Rusal, the Russian owners of the plant matter. The President assured that the aim of our reforms is to ensure such investments are concluded and actualized in a professional and painless manner.

It is therefore my fervent prayer that the issues will be amicably resolved so that Nigeria and Nigerians will stand to benefit maximally from the potentials of setting up the smelter and the subsequent investment provided by Federal government of Nigeria. I have no doubt in my mind that President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to making the smelter work again for the political, financial, economic and social well being of Nigeria and its people.

So far, so good. President Buhari is doing very well on all fronts for the good of Nigeria and Nigerians. He and his government need our support and cooperation.

Ilallah wrote in from EMEKA ANYAOKU STREET, ABUJA musahk123@yahoo.com

PAGE 12

Opinion

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 4, 2019

How we dropped the ball on quality education in Nigeria

By Ayo Olukotun “To ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all” –United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No 4.

The All Progressives Congress, in government, will carry out a thorough review of the education sector, and having established the main causes of the sector’s terrible decline, will create elaborate incentives to attract the best and the brightest to teach in our schools” –All Progressives Congress Manifesto 2014

Q

uality education, which speaks to a threshold of competencies, skills, numeracy, and literacy, acquired through formal education continues to be important in official declarations nationally, and globally. As the opening quotes make clear, the Sustainable Development Goal No 4, and the manifesto of the All Progressives Congress, emphasise the overriding importance of quality education, with the APC manifesto outlining some strategies by which it can be achieved. Nonetheless, no one can pretend that Nigeria has made meaningful progress in the quest to achieve credibility in its educational standard. If we take tertiary education, with which this columnist is more familiar, we find continuous drop in quality, in the capacity of those who are admitted into the universities and polytechnics, as well as those who obtain their certificates from multiplying universities and polytechnics across the country.

For many years now, employers have been speaking about the deluge of unemployed and unemployable graduates, in search of diminishing jobs. So, the point here is that even if those jobs are available, employers have their doubt about whether this emergent labour force can perform

basic tasks, such as writing memos on policy matters, articulating their positions on issues, or having knowledge of events, and personalities which would have been taken for granted some two or three decades back.

In a postgraduate class I taught several years back, I was bemused to find out, that the students could not identify such personalities as Kenneth Kaunda, Julius Nyerere, Kwame Nkrumah. In order to provoke a conversation, I told the class that I knew whom these figures were, and much else as a primary school pupil, without access to the latest gadgets in computer-assisted learning. The students promptly re-joined that I should not forget, that life was much easier in Nigeria in my growing-up years, than now that many youths have to scrounge for survival. I am not persuaded that their complaints, valid as they may be, exhausted the clutch of depressing issues at stake. The fundamental point, however, is whether schooling at the primary and tertiary levels sufficiently enables the students in the wide variety of skills that they need to be economically productive, and to develop sustainable livelihood. It was not long ago, to give an example at the basic levels of education, that the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam el-Rufai, discovered that a disconcertingly high proportion of teachers in the employment of the state government had themselves failed to acquire basic competencies, which would have qualified them to successfully inform and guide their students.

The joke was told recently, concerning a student who came late to school, at the time when the commissioner for education was on an inspection tour. As the student entered the classroom, the commissioner asked, seeking to test his knowledge, “Who wrote Things Fall Apart”. The student, assuming he was going to be punished, and not knowing the answer to the question, screamed, “I am not the one, Sir”. The joke, however, is on society that continues to make the motions of training and education, when the output

of that bustle does not relate to the flurry of activities, taking place without attention.

Considering that the youth now constitute a demographic majority, it is astonishing that quality education, taken for granted in several other climes, including some on the African continent is much talked about, but little implemented. Conference after conference has been held on the status and quality of education, several of them coming out with proposals and recommendations for reform. Regrettably, however, matters seem to go from bad to worse.

To be sure, our youths excel in several departments of life, which include, music, sporting activity, stand-up comedy, fashion, tech start-ups, and to an extent in some entrepreneurial activities. They do this however, for the most part, from inbred and innate skills akin to native intelligence without necessarily acquiring much in the way of formal education. It can be argued that formal education would have broadened their horizon, and their capacity for contributing imaginatively to the national forte. In other words, there is a need to revisit reforms that will reintroduce quality education in the national policy agenda, beyond catch phrases and official clichés that continue to becloud the issue. Were such policy initiatives to be undertaken, it will mean a mark-up in the current lacklustre budgetary allocation, year-afteryear to education. For example, in contrast to the expectation aroused before the 2019 budget was read to the National Assembly, that education would get a commendable share in the budget, it only got N620.5bn, which is only a little above seven per cent of the total budget. This means that, in the last couple of years, the budget for education has hovered between five per cent and seven per cent of annual budgets, failing to break the groove of low budgetary allocation and underfunding, prevalent in the sector. It is unlikely, therefore, at this rate that we will come up with public schools offering credible and respectable educational training that

will constitute a solid improvement on what currently obtains.

As the SDG and other global policy documents reiterate, education is not just another item on the agenda but also a cardinal one that holds the key to success in several other policy areas such as scientific and technological development, industrial growth, as well as social services. That is why for example, the phenomenal breakthrough of the Asian Tigers to modernity is crucially related to long term and sustainable development in the education sector. That is another way of saying that they placed education at the centre of perspective development strategy, that saw them ascending from the Third World to the First World, as the title of a well-known book suggests. This meant that, at every turn, they worked out what impact policies will have on the education sector.

Understanding that educational growth is critical to overall breakthrough, South Korea, for example, ensured that quality education became the catalyst for technological advancement, even as the education sector itself received new boost from new technologies. The other thing that we can borrow from the educational strategy of that part of the globe is to make the welfare and remuneration of teachers the centre of an upward drive in quality. The APC manifesto, quoted earlier, recognised this, when it spoke of making available ‘elaborate incentives to attract the best and the brightest to teach in our schools’. Good policy enunciation, but the question to ask is, when will the implementation of the policy begin? Our political elite admit the overriding value of quality education, which is why they send their children abroad to acquire it. All that they need to do, therefore, is to ensure that their charity truly begins at home, that is in the national policy universe.

The time to begin is now.

Ayo Olukotun is a Public Affairs Analyst.

Accident victims dying at clinic doors for lack of Police reports

By Saidat Akanbi

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hat does one do when institutions entrusted with our very lives betray that trust in one’s most vulnerable moment?

Few months ago in Lagos, a young lady, Ruth, was run into by a speeding car.

She was rushed to the nearest hospital with hopes that she would be saved. That hospital turned her down, not because she was dead already, but because she didn’t have a police report. The good Samaritans pleaded to no avail, the hospital wouldn’t take her. The young lady died before she could make it to another hospital.

For many people like me, it is difficult to draw the link between police reports and accident victims. Why should a police report be needed before an accident victim would seek care? On the other hand, the requirement of police reports before gunshot victims can access healthcare is more popular, though wrongfully so. Is it ethically right to allow a man die for mere lack of a police report? Should hospitals not accept and treat every patient in need?

Treat, save a life first and ask questions later? Even a criminal’s life is worth saving, if not for anything but the wealth of intelligence it holds.

In 2017, Nigeria took a bold step to introduce the National Gunshot Act which was set to turn things around. The Act stipulates compulsory treatment and care of gunshot victims, regardless of money and police report. Unfortunately, two years after many hospitals, particularly

private clinics still reject such victims. In fact, the police report prerequisite seems to have extended to victims of road traffic accidents.

It is easy to surmise that clinic owners and health care workers are callous and inhumane, or why else would they turn victims away? A reactionary measure that many people have suggested is for healthcare regulatory agencies to come forth and enforce punitive measures against such hospitals that are apparently flouting a national policy. In my opinion, that would be superficial and ineffective. If the country is truly willing to solve this problem, a thorough root cause analysis is necessary to understand prevailing circumstances and proffer practical solutions.

In an emergency, the first responsibility of any healthcare worker is to save a life. Even without a national policy to #TreatFirstQuestionsLater, the natural reaction of any healthcare worker is expected to be to save the patient. And that is what many clinics do. But they have landed in trouble many times for doing so. Police officers are known to visit such clinics, harass, extort and sometimes arrest the clinic staff. Hence, clinic managers appear to have set an unwritten counterpolicy against receiving such victims that may cause police hassles. Every staff on duty tries to protect her job and means of livelihood by making sure not to admit such victims.

That is not the only scenario where clinics and their staff face harassments.

They face threats and violence from ruffians

too. If a ruffian who suffered injury during a gang fight dies in a clinic, other members of his gang may decide to rough-handle the staff. If a popular person dies in your clinic, you may be in trouble. Some years back, when an Ibadan political celebrity died in the Accidents and Emergency room of the University College Hospital, healthcare workers had to hurriedly remove wardcoats and uniforms because his thugs became violent against anyone they recognised as such. In fact, there are several reported instances of clinics facing near demolitions and property destruction from ruffians.

Beyond police reports, the Act stipulates treating victims ‘regardless of money’.

Clinic owners and healthcare workers have often wondered how practicable this is especially in Nigeria where there is very little health insurance coverage.

The recurrent question is: if I treat such patients, who will pay the bills? While many of them take the risk to nevertheless accept and treat such patients, others bitterly recount instances where such patients and their relatives refuse to pay (or have difficulties paying) when the patient became stable.

While all these may sound exonerative, they are in no way justifications for a victim to not be able to access care when they need it, especially in their most vulnerable period. That hospital betrayed Ruth.

The healthcare system, Police Force and Nigeria betrayed Ruth. And no one is safe, until every one is safe.

Few weeks after Ruth’s case in Lagos, Jemima died after being turned

down for lack of police report by a hospital in Jos. Through November, a #TreatFirstQuestionsLater campaign was launched (initiated by Caleb Somtochukwu), and a petition signed by thousands of Nigerians. That petition has now been forwarded to the National Assembly.

In a few days, the world will celebrate the Universal Health Coverage Day. But only when everyone is truly able to access quality care, every time they need it, can Nigeria boast of Universal Health Coverage. It is not about what exists in policy documents, it’s about what we do every time to everyone, anyone, irrespective of how they come.

It is important that all stakeholders are made aware of on-ground realities, understand root causes, and reach practical agreement for a standard operating procedure that would truly give access to victims and patients in their moment of dire need.

To mark the upcoming Universal Health Coverage Day on December 12, a non-profit initiative, Afara 360 is holding a first-of-its kind roundtable event that will bring together high-level stakeholders and influencers from healthcare, government, Police Force, health law, and the media, as well as victims’ relatives to decisively deliberate on the steps for actual implementation of the written policy document.

Dr Saidat Akanbi is a public health physician and global health scholar.

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 4, 2019

PAGE 13

Comment

Yusufu: Remembering an elder statesman 10 years after

By Ponfa A. Wuyep

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ate Chief Ezekiel Seizing Yusufu, Ubangari Langtang, who left this world on December 19, 2009, served Nigeria with all he had. Due to hard work and sterling leadership qualities, he held several Federal and State Appointments, which include: Minister (Secretary) of Internal Affairs during the Interim National Government in 1993. He was also the Pro-Chancellor Federal University of Technology Akure and Member National Library Board 1971 —1973.

He was the Chairman, Benue, Plateau Publishing Company, Publishers of the Nigeria Standard from 1972 — 1975, as well as Member of Council, of the University of Jos, and Member University Teaching Hospital Board, Enugu from July 1976 — July 1979.

Anambra Motor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. Board from 1984 -1986.

The late elder statesman was born on 10th September, 1930 to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Yusufu Gosham (of blessed memory) at Mban village in the present day Kuffen District of Langtang North Local Government Council in Plateau State. As the son of an Evangelist he lived in many places together with his parents including first at Baltip (a small village) in Mikang Local Government Council of Plateau State where he, began his educational pursuit and later in Kwalla. In school, the late Ubangari was immediately identified as an exceptional pupil, and these rare attributes attracted him to his late teacher Ponzhi Edward Cirdap Zhattau, OON, the immediate deceased paramount ruler (Ponzhi Tarok) of the Tarok people the world over. The quality in-built in the late Chief E.S. Yusufu prompted his transfer from Baltip to the then Sudan United Mission School, Langtang in 1940.

Between 1944 — 1947, Chief E.S. Yusufu proceeded to the middle school Gindiri, a famous institution in Plateau State which was the preserved of only the children of the Christian converts.

Between 1948 — 1949 he furthered his education at the Teachers Training

College, Gindiri and graduated as the first set of students of the institution.

He taught briefly upon completion of his grade III certificate, between 1952 — 1954. Ubangari went back to Gindiri Teachers college for his grade II Certificate.

Like the saying goes a “golden fish has no hiding place” the Sudan United Missions (SUM), having identified the leadership potentials of the late Ubangari they (Missionaries) appointed him in1955 as the first Headmaster in black skin for the Senior Primary School Langtang. He held that position until 1961, E.S. Yusufu later gained admission at the new Battle Abbey College United Kingdom between 1961 and 1962, he was at the Swansea University College from 1962 — 1965. He crowned his educational pursuit with a post graduate Diploma in Personnel Management between 1965 to 1966and also attended an International Executive Management Course Geneva for a Senior Executive programme in1984.

The late Ubangirin Langtang popularly addressed simply as E.S., was a very familiar name in the politics of the Northern region and later in Nigeria as a whole. Prior to the Nigerian Independence, he indicated interest to go to the House of Representatives in 1959 but this was not to be as Chief Solomon Daushep Lar, his very close political associate was later nominated and elected to represent the Tarok Constituency at the Federal House of Representatives. The Socio-Political Umbrella of the Tarok people (the Yergam Union) which was founded in 1950 had the late Chief E.S. Yusufu as its pioneer Assistant Secretary.

The Yergam Union was a very active political platform for the Tarok Unity, thus the Union went into an alliance with the UMBC, which was known as the “YERGAM UNION — UMBC alliance”. This alliance later produced the late elder statesman in 1961 as the Representative of the Tarok people at the Northern Nigeria House of Assembly. He re-contested the position again for a second term, unfortunately

his opponent was declared the winner and this coincided with a very popular war in Tarok land known as “Ikum alamu”.

He was later elected Councilor in the low land Division in 1976, and was also the Executive Chairman Langtang Local Government Council between 1977 —1978, between 1978 — 1979, Ubangari was Chairman of Nigeria People’s Party (NPP) the Party that produced the likes of Chief Solomon D. Lar in the old Plateau State and Senator Jim Nwobodo from the former Anambra States. In the 90’s Chief E.S. was the State Chairman of the United Nigeria People’s Party (UNPP) and later became the Zonal Chairman of All Nigeria People’sParty (ANPP) for the North Central zone between 1999 — 2001.

The Ubangarin Langtang started his working career as a Primary School Teacher Grade II at SUM Primary School Pilgani from 1952 — 1953.

He later became the Headmaster at Langtang SUM Primary School from 1955 - 1961,Personnel Manager, Nigeria Tobacco Company Ltd.; Zaria from 1967 - 1972 and Chief Industrial Relations Officer, Amalgamated Tin Mines of Nigeria Ltd. Headquarters, Bukuru, Plateau State from July 1972 -1986, Personnel Manager, Jos International Breweries Ltd.; October 1978 -1981.

He became Deputy Managing Director and Head of Personnel Management, of the Jos International Breweries (JIB) Ltd, Jos, from April 1981 - July 1986. The Ubangari ascended the position of the Managing Director of the JIB from July 1986 1990 when he voluntarily retired from the services of the company.

Chief E.S. Yusufu before his demise was a two — star Chieftaincy holder viz, he was the first to be conferred with the title of Ubangarin Langtang by the late Ponzhi Edward Cirdap Zhattau on 29th May, 1986. In the same year he was also conferred with the Chieftaincy of Babalaje of Ibara bestowed on him by the Olubara of Ibara of Abeokuta in Ogun State on August 30th 1986.

The late E.S. could best be described by different people from diverse areas of endeavours as a politician, administrator per excellence and indeed a traditional leader of his native Tarok community. Any of these descriptions can perfectly feed-in for him. He was a very knowledgeable elder statesman in the mastery of his mother tongue the Tarok language and a thorough speaker of the Hausa language too. He was indeed apolitical horse not only for the Tarok people but for the nation at large. He used the different opportunities offered him by God to advance the course of his people and humanity in general.

My personal encounter with him and of course the closet ever was on Monday 14thSeptember, 2009. I went to interview him in the company of Princess Lohna Sambo about his views on the late Ponzhi Edward Cirdap Zhattau OON, each question thrown to the elder statesman was satisfactorily responded to, and in fact each of the answers provided the opportunity to raise the next question. We spent over an hour and as it is usual with PHCN in Nigeria while the interview lasted, electricity went off, and the old man insisted we used a small rechargeable lamp to complete the interview.

Something told me the man was on his way out and we saw wisdom displayed at its best, knowledge was expressed to maximum satisfaction, eloquent spoken English at the highest heights. No wonder some people described him as the Teacher’s Teacher, Encyclopedia of custom and culture, a father to many and a colossus leader.

This great star of the Tarok Nation has fallen; but surely his “ideals” will linger for a very long while in his community, Plateau State and the country at large.

Truly the late Chief E.S.was a blessing to Tarok nation. This was seen in the massive turn out at his funeral on 29th January 2010as a testimony to the good legacy that he left behind.

Adieu Baba E.S. Ponfa A. Wuyep, a commentator, works with Police Service Commission, Abuja, Nigeria

Why we must look the way of Microfinance Bank today By Kehinde Babatunde

O

Oluwatosin

ne of the challenges of banking in Nigeria is the mismatch of customers to the wrong kind of banks. The implication of this is the over crowding of commercial banks and a corresponding decimation of other kinds of banks.

The mismatch in our banking practice may not be disconnected from our class-centric society that often make us believe that the popular is the correct. I have met folks with less than Hundred Thousand Naira in a month patronizing at least three commercial banks with their automated teller machine cards (ATM cards) stacked in their wallets .

This not only translate into a paucity of funds across the three banks, but also poor administration and maintenance of such bank accounts. That is why you find it difficult to question your bank’s

excessive bank charges even when you hardly have activities on such accounts.

Folks who patronizes multiple banks and believe it’s a sign of being upscale are lost on the possibilities other kinds of banks provides , especially the microfinance banks.

The Central Bank Of Nigeria’s (CBN) supervisory and regulatory guideline for microfinance banks in Nigeria defines a microfinance bank thus “A Microfinance Bank (MFB) unless otherwise stated shall be construed to mean any company licensed by the CBN to carry on the business of providing financial services such as savings and deposits, loans, deposit fund transfer, financial and non-financial services to microfinance client.

It further describes microfinance client as “The economically active low income earners , low income household, the un-banked and under-served people, in particular,

vulnerable groups , such as women, physically challenged, youths, microentrepreneurs, informal sector operators, subsistence farmers in urban and rural areas.”

Following the above definition of a microfinance client, one can rightly say that the majority of microfinance clients are wasting as commercial bank customers. Given Nigeria’s economic dilemma, I conservatively put low income earners as those who earn maximum Two hundred thousand naira monthly and below in urban cities in Nigeria .

If you are in this bracket you need to start patronizing a microfinance bank. Recently I was faced with a situation that reinforced my belief that commercial banks are mere deposit haven for low income earners. I needed a loan, I worked into my commercial bank whom I have banked with in the last six years, not only did they start redirecting me from one staff to the other, they

were also lost on the procedures of accesing loans in their bank.

I was later told they can only grant group loan if I can get other loan seekers. I do not blame them, they are not used to granting facilities to earners like me, but rather prefer the blue-chips.

While microfinance banks in Nigeria is still riffed with several challenges ranging from overregulation to poor recruitment and selection procedures of staff to circumvention of internal controls by management, they still remain the best for Nigeria’s low income earners in terms of ease of access and response to needs, also given the object of their establishment,they are dedicated specially to meet the financial needs of low earners in ways commercial banks can’t meet.

Kehinde Oluwatosin Babatunde is a prolific writer and public speaker based in Lagos.

PAGE 14

N ews

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he Department of State Services (DSS) says it has uncovered plots by some groups to cause a breakdown of law and order in various parts of the country through violent protests.

Dr Peter Afunanya, the Public Relations Officer of DSS disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said the plot was to

Dry season farming: Kebbi govt. purchases 250 trucks of fertilizer

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 4, 2019

Some trouble makers plotting to cause mayhem -DSS instigate protests, mass action and violence with a view to causing anarchy and destabilise the country.

According to him, these predetermined actions have been designed to take place simultaneously in major cities across the geopolitical zones in the coming weeks.

He said the plan was to

target the yuletide seasons to accomplish the sinister motives.

“Considering the implications of these on public safety and national security, the service wishes to warn the antidemocratic elements responsible for the plots to desist from their inglorious acts.

“Consequently, parents are advised to rein in their wards

and enjoin them not to allow themselves to be used to foment trouble.

“Heads of academic and public institutions are to warn their students and employees respectively against engaging in any untoward activity against public order,” he said.

He said the service and other sister agencies were at alert and

Chairman, Presidential Committee on Correctional Service Reform and Decongestion, Justice Ishaq Bello (Middle), admiring a cloth made by the inmates of Keffi Medium Security Custodian Centre, during the inauguration of the upgraded skill acquisition centre, yesterday at the Centre. With him are: Representative of the Minister Interior, Peter Pevego; Chairman (left), and Secretary of the Committee, Mrs Leticia Ayoola-Daniels. Photo: NAN

From Ahmed Idris Birnin Kebbi

K

ebbi State Government has purchased 250 trucks of fertilizer to be distributed to the farmers for the dry season farming.

Briefing newsmen yesterday in his office, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Agriculture Mohammed Lawal Sheahu said that the purchase of fertilizer is to support the farmers for the dry season farming and sales at the subsidize rate.

He explained further that the Kebbi State Governor senator Atiku Abubakar Bagudu has put the State on high esteem by promoting agricultural production across the country and globally.

Sheahu stated that recently the State Government has also train 630 youth on farm mechanisation adding that the youth will specializes in different farm mechanisation and other inputs.

"The youth were draw from 21 Local Government areas of the state and they will participate fully on the agricultural production which will support the farmers on how the farms product will be operated" he added.

He then warned all the staffs that will distribute the fertilizer not to divert the materials if found they culprit will be punished.

would ensure peace and security in all parts of the country before, during and after the festive periods.

Afunanya urged law abiding citizens to go about their normal businesses without fear but report any suspected persons or breach of peace to the nearest security office. (NAN)

High prevalence of violence against women, girls in Nigeria worries NGO From Umar Dankano,Yola.

A

n international NonG o v e r n m e n t a l Organisation,EU/UN Spotlight Initiative has observed with dismay the prevalence of traumatic persecution been experienced by women and girls due to ill treatment from male counterparts in Nigeria and Africa at large.

Coordinator of the Initiative, Hadiza Aminu Doroyi made the observation at a two- day media dialogue titled, "Ending violence against women and girls in Nigeria " organised by the initiative in Kano.

She revealed that over 30% of women and girls under the ages of 15--49 have suffered sexual abuse by

men in silence.

Doroyi stated that a survey by the Initiative has also discovered that 43% of girls are married before the age of 18, 17%before they turn 15years while 20,000 new cases of obstetric fistula are recorded annually Doroyi stressed that, violence against women goes beyond domestic and sexual, hence the need for effective engagement of the media in the quest to attain the goal of eliminating violence against women and girl child.

She also divulged that no fewer than 10million dollars is been earmarked for Nigeria per year for this initiative that will run for 4 years noting that states of implementation

in Nigeria includes: Adamawa, Sokoto, Ebonyi, Cross River, Lagos and the FCT. She added that the Spotlight Initiative is geared towards strengthening capacities and support for public engagement, effective advocacy, multi stakeholder dialogue, partnership, knowledge exchange as well as networking.

She therefore enjoined practitioners to be up and doing in getting to the roots of these violence against women and girls with a view to putting a stop to it .

Earlier in his presentation on, 'The Power of the media, Finding the needle in a hay sack, Changing the Narrative of the Rights of Women and Girls, Chatting A New Social

Order In Nigeria' Dr Danladi Bako, a former Commsioner of Information in Sokoto state said the media has a great role to play if the target is to be achieved.

Dr.Bako, described the media dialogue as timely highlighting that awareness and sensitisation using the media as well as our religious and traditional leaders is a key factor towards achieving the desired goal on GBV. However, another speaker on the matter,Barristar James Ibor advocated that When there is conflict between culture and religion, conscious and reason (objectivity) should prevail explaining that security and safety is a constitutional right of everyone.

Delta govt. resolves 21 years leadership crisis in Olomu community From Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

T

he 21 years old lingering leadership feud in Olomu Community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta state been resolved.

It was gathered that Olomu Community had been swimming in leadership crisis over the years following irreconcilable differences , and a situation some persons were allegedly killed including houses razed.

Investigation revealed that the leadership tussle and other issues had threatened to tear the community apart at the

meeting with delegates from Ogbode and Osoro quarters held in Government House recently, but the Special Adviser to the Governor on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, Chief Edwin Uzor, however urged the people to sheath their swords and maintain peace.

He said that peaceful coexistence had remained the threshold for development in any given society and meaningful development to be sustained, stressing that the state Governor Dr Ifeanyi Okowa was irrevocably committed to peace and security in the state, and called on the

people of troubled communities to ensure resolutions were reached.

Chief Uzor after listening to both parties, instructed that One Oyibo Sherriff from Ososo quarters should continue to occupy the position of the President General of the community while Engr Ufuoma Shell Akpeh from Ogbode quarters whose tenure had elapsed should cease to be the President General of the Community, adding that the decision was based on the principle of rotation of the office of the President General of the Community between two quarters.

The Special Adviser also resolved that Moses Adazor should remain the Youth leader till 2020 having assumed office in September 2018, Just as he advised the President General to be honest and transparent and carry everyone along in piloting the affairs of the community, adding that peace was the only way development can take place in the community.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday in the area, the new President General, Mr Sherriff Oyibo appreciated Chief Uzor for resolving the aged long crisis that had bedeviled the community,

saying that there was no victor, no vanguish and promised to carry everyone along in the scheme of things and solicited the cooperation and support of all to achieve the set goals Elders of the community including the Secretary, Olomu Kingdom Traditional Council, Chief Ewenede John Akarua, expressed joy over the peaceful resolution of the leadership crisis and advised both parties to be united and work together, saying that the development of Olomu Community remained a collective responsibility of all in the kingdom.

PAGE 15

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 4, 2019

Hajj Commission: Buhari sacks Muhammad, appoints Hassan As NASS adjourns plenary over death of Reps member

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi and Musa Adamu

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday forwarded to the Senate a request to confirm the appointment of the Chairman and Members of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

The letter dated November 28, 2019, was read during the commencement of plenary by the President of Senate, Ahmad Lawan, before the lawmakers quickly adjourned to morn a member of the green changer who died.

The letter reads: “Pursuant to Section 3(2) of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Act, 2006, I am pleased to forward for confirmation by the Senate the underlisted names of nominees for the positions of Chairman and Members of the National Hajj Commission.”

The names of appointees listed in the letter are: Zikrullah Olakunke Hassan, Chairman, Osun State, South West; Nura Hassan Yakassai, Executive Commissioner – Policy, Personnel, Management and Finance, Kano State, North West, and Sheikh Momoh Suleman Imonikhe, Executive Commissioner, Planning, Research, Statistics, Information and Library, Edo State, South South.

Part-time Members are: Halimat Jibril, Niger State, North Central; Abba Jato, Borno State, North East; Garba Umar, Sokoto State, North West; Ibrahim Ogbonnia Amah, Ebonyi State, South East; Sadiq Oniyesaneyene Musa, Delta State, South South, and Akintunde Basirat Olayinka, Ogun State, South West.

Representatives of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are: Shehu Dogo, Ministry of Aviation; Nura Abba Rimi, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Rabi Bello Isa, Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning.

Others are: Zainab Ujudud Sherrif, Ministry of Health; Aminu Bako

Yarima, Nigeria Immigration Service, and Ibrahim Ishaq Nuhu, Central Bank of Nigeria.

“The Senate may wish to note that the names of the representatives of the Jama’atul Nasril Islam and the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs will be sent to the Senate, subsequently, once the ongoing

consultations are concluded,” the letter read.

Meanwhile, the Senate on Tuesday held a minute silence and adjourned plenary in honour of a member of the House of Representatives, Jafaru Iliyasu Auna, who died on Monday in Abuja.

Until his death, Jafa’aru was a

member representing Magama/Rijau Federal Constituency of Niger State and member of the House Committee on Public Accounts.

The motion for adjournment was moved by Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi and seconded by the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.

L-R: National Commissioner, Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), May Agbamuche Mbu; Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and Commissioner of INEC, Mr. Festus Okoye, during the opening ceremony of the Commission’s meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Dickson seeks support for Bauchi Governor

From Ahmad Bauchi

Mohammed,

T

he outgoing Governor of Bayelsa State, Henry Dickson has expressed confidence that Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed will justify the confidence reposed in him by

Bauchi people, asking the citizens to sustain their support to the Governor.

Henry Dickson was speaking when he paid a courtesy visit to the Governor at the Council Chamber, Government House Bauchi.

The Bayelsa State Governor assured people of the state that

Governor Bala Mohammed will meet their expectations because of his political experience.

He acknowledged the achievements so far recorded by the governor in the last few months of his administration and emphasised the need for citizens of the state to renew their support to the governor.

Dickson who was in Bauchi State to congratulate Governor Bala Mohammed over his victory at the Court of Appeal, described his election as a well deserved.

Responding, Governor Bala Mohammed, who expressed gratitude to the Bayelsa State Governor for the visit, applauded

him for his remarkable achievements in the 8 years of his administration.

The Governor used the forum to assure citizens of the state that his administration will make sure it reduces cost of governance in order to invest in sectors that have direct impact on their lives.

Hate Speech bill: – US wants NASS to consult NGOs, CSOs

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

P

olitical Officer of the Embassy of the United States of America, Jerry Howard, on Tuesday asked the National Assembly to engage the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in the country on the Hate Speech Bill.

He expressed his impression over the Hate Speech bill before the National Assembly, saying it is a piece of legislation that can address issues of discrimination, hostility and violence in Nigeria.

Howard stated this during a meeting with the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate and sponsor of the

Hate Speech bill, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, at the National Assembly.

According to the United States Embassy official, the visit was intended to engage the sponsor of the Hate Speech bill and to seek an understanding into the proposed legislation under consideration by the Senate.

Following explanations by Senator Sabi Abdullahi on the bill, Howard described the response of the media as “misleading” and “hysterical” of the contents of the bill and what it actually seeks to achieve.

He, therefore, advised the sponsor of the bill to engage and educate NonGovernmental Organizations and Civil Society Organizations in the

country on its proposed contents so as to muster support for the bill.

Speaking on the decision of the US Embassy to engage the National Assembly on the Hate Speech bill, Howard said, “We want Nigeria to succeed and we think a prerequisite for Nigeria’s success is successful democracy.

“For democracy to succeed, the people must have a house, the people must have a place where their representatives can argue and complain, come up with new ideas and come up with solutions to guide the executive branch and lead the country forward.”

He commended the lawmaker for the level of work and research carried

out on the bill.

“I’m very impressed with the research you’ve done on the bill. The media has had a field day with this, really.

“You’ve thought it through. I was depending on the media for my education, and it was very misleading.

You’ve done your research and it is very interesting.

“But you have a difficult job selling this to the NGOs, CSOs. You need to talk to them. You’ll need to talk to Civil Society Organizations, you need to educate them. You’ve educated me,” Howard said after Senator Abdullahi explained the contents of the bill.

Earlier, speaking on why he decided to introduce the bill, the

lawmaker said, “Part of the reasons why violence takes place is attributable to discriminatory practices.

“It is discrimination that creates the socio-political imbalance that you see leading to a group feeling shortchanged and marginalised.

“Discrimination is also another very serious matter why I sponsored the bill. This bill basically is about preventing discrimination, and prohibiting people who incite violence,” he explained.

Abdullahi further stated that the bill’s introduction by the National Assembly has the backing of Section 45 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 4, 2019

PAGE 16

POLITICS

Atiku sues Buhari’s aide, Onochie, demands N2.5bn damages

By Vivian Okejeme

F

ormer Vice President Atiku Abubakar has sued President Muhammadu Buhari’s aide, Lauretta Onochie, before the federal high court Abuja, over fabricated offensive electronic messages.

Atiku, the presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, in the last general election, said Mrs Onochie’s fabricated stories caused him mental and psychological trauma.

He demanded for N2.5billion for the damages the post she shared through her twitter handle on May 7 and on Facebook on May 20 caused him.

The former Vice president told the court that Onochie levelled series of “baseless allegations” against him on twitter and facebook, to the extent that his hard-earned reputation and all that he laboured for over the years, was destroyed.

In a witness statement on oath

he personally deposed to before the court, Atiku, decried that all the alleged disparaging social media posts against him came at a time he was challenging President Buhari’s re-election before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal Tribunal, insisting that Onochie’s action was “accentuated by malice and bad faith”.

In a libel suit he filed through his lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, the former VP demanded for N2.5billion representing general, aggravated, punitive and exemplary damages over the untold embarrassment, derision, public ridicule, odium, obloquy, marital disharmony, mental agony and psychological trauma which the Defendant’s publications have caused him.

According to Atiku, Onochie had in the said post, portrayed him as someone on the watch list of security operatives in the United Arab Emirates, and who had travelled to shop for terrorists in the Middle East.

He maintained that his

public image was battered by the allegation to the extent that he was regarded as a security threat both within and outside the country.

He said he would in the course of the hearing, tender call logs showing an avalanche of text messages and calls he received in the aftermath of Onochie’s posts.

“That I am the Claimant in this suit and by virtue of which I am seized with the facts deposed herein.

‘I am an astute politician, a businessman and a philanthropist and former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“That I am a notable and a respected personality in my community, Nigeria and the World at large, a distinguished Elder Statesman, who has served the Nigerian people, the Federal Government of Nigeria and humanity in various capacities.

“I had a sterling career in the political sector.

“That sometime in May 2019, I embarked on a foreign trip to the United Arabs Emirates (UAE), as

I have done over the years.

“That while still in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the said trip, the Defendant on 7th day of May, 2019, through her twitter handle page, which is linked to, and belongs to the Defendant, published a most libellous story about me on her said twitter and also published same globally online on the social and other print media and electronic media, making the following false and unfounded allegations against me.

“Atiku on UAE watchlistSecurity sources Security operatives in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are keeping a close tab on a former Nigerian Vice Pres Atiku Abubakar who has been in the Middle East nation for several weeks now What is he doing there? Me: Shopping for Terrorists?”.

“That in the said defamatory publication against me made by the defendant on 7th May 2019, the defendant amongst other baseless allegations falsely and

maliciously accused me of being on the watch list of Security Operatives in the United Arabs Emirates (UAE).

“The defendant further falsely accused me of shopping for terrorists in the Middle East, thereby portraying me as an evil man, mentor of terrorists, someone who has links with terrorists, and a person who is interested in destabilizing the peace and unity of Nigeria. The publication also portrayed me as a security threat and terrorist to right-thinking members of the public and the society at large.

“That since the 7th day of May 2019, when the said libellous and offensive electronic message vide twitter, was sent and also published globally online `in the social and other print media, the odious publication has clearly rubbished my image and reputation.

“It has caused me national and international backlash and embarrassment and has done incalculable damage to me.

Outrage in Niger over police attack on Channels TV crew From Yakubu Minna

N

Mustapha,

iger State council of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Correspondents Chapel have described the police attack on Channels television reporter and his cameraman as barbaric and totally unacceptable.

According to council secretary, Comrade Abu Nmadu, while reacting to the attack said, “As a Union we condemn harassment of members in totality, this is unacceptable”.

Also, the chairman of the Correspondent Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Comrade Aideloje Ojo, when contacted said an official report had been made to the state Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Adamu Usman, who promised to “look into the matter”.

He described the action of the police as unwarranted and unprovoked saying the attack on the media representatives who were performing their legitimate duties is barbaric.

“This is unfortunate for our democracy. This action of the police is highly condemnable”.

The Channels Television reporter, Emperor Simon and the cameraman, Abdul Egba, who were on the scene were said to have been manhandled by the policemen and their camera seized.

The reporter, Emperor Simon, who confirmed the incident, told reporters in Minna that his cameraman was whisked away along with the camera by the armed policeman.

Consequently, the Local Government elections in Niger state on Tuesday took a different dimension as police teargassed several Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters who were protesting the cancellation of the results for the chairmanship election in Tafa

local government.

Several supporters of the party had taken to the streets and attempted to block the ever busy Kaduna-Abuja expressway when policemen exposed several canisters of teargas to disperse them.

It could be recalled that State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) on Monday announced the cancellation of the Chairmanship election in Tafa, saying that the results could not be collated due to the disappearance of the returning officer.

The commission Chairman, Alhaji Aminu Bala told journalists that the whereabout of the returning is unknown, hence the decision by the commission to canceled the election in the local government.

However our correspondent gathered that the policemen also shot live bullets into the air but injury was recorded.

A Channels Television reporter, Emperor Simon and the cameraman, Abdul Egba who were on the scene were said to have been manhandled by the policemen and their camera seized.

The reporter, Emperor Simon who confirmed the incident told other correspondents that his camera man was whisked away along with the camera.

According to Emperor, “They also beat up myself with stick and gun butts and have taken the Cameraman” he stated.

However, the State Chairman of the PDP, Barrister Tanko Beji had earlier protested the cancellation of the result of Tafa to the state electoral commission, asking It to announce the result or appoint another returning officer to go to Tafa to do so.

Beji said from the results collated by the party agents on the field its candidate Dangana Emmanuel won the chairmanship election.

PAGE 17

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 4, 2019

POLITICS

Election killings: PDP asks police to question APC leaders

By Lateef Ibrahim

T

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on security agencies to question leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), following emerging revelations that certain APC leaders were behind the gruesome killings and bloody violence that marred the November 16 governorship and senatorial elections in Bayelsa and Kogi states.

The PDP made the call in a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan in Abuja.

The PDP’s demand came on the heels of shocking attempts by the APC to dismiss nationwide calls for electoral reforms, with allusions by its spokesperson, Lanre IssaOnilu, that no “amount of reform” can help PDP’s outcry and demand for violence-free election in Nigeria.

The leading opposition party noted that by gloating and interpreting national and international concerns over “bloodletting and violence in our elections as PDP’s “malady”, the APC has further confirmed apprehensions that it is the mastermind of the horrific violence and forceful invasion of polling units to aid their rigging plots”.

Continuing, the PDP said, “Our party invites Nigerians to note that only a mastermind and beneficiary of a crime would seek ways of dismissing, covering or diverting attention from the crime.

“By its statement, the APC has confirmed that it is indeed a soulless mob, a marauder and murderous pillager, which has no iota of regard for the life of Nigerians; thriving only on violence, knowing that there is no way it can win in a free, fair and credible election.

“It is now no longer strange that APC

leaders have been trying every means to frustrate investigations into the bloody brigandage the agents of the APC unleashed in the elections, in which about 10 Nigerians were reportedly beheaded in Bayelsa while over 22 others were felled in Kogi, including an innocent mother, Mrs. Salome Abuh, who was burnt alive in her home by APC agents.

“It is also no longer strange that in spite of the condemnation of the brutal murder of Mrs. Salome Abuh and calls for arrest of the culprits by Nigerians and the international community, the perpetrators are being shielded by the APC. “Nigerians now have more insight into why persons, who were claimed to have been arrested by security agencies in connection with the crime, have neither been paraded nor arraigned before any court of competent jurisdiction.

“While Nigerians are still mourning the gruesome killings of compatriots in the two states, the APC leaders are dancing naked on the graves of the victims by trying to divert public attention from the crime while giving official cover to arsonist and murderers who the APC deployed to kill voters, snatch and stuff ballot boxes.

“By APC comments against genuine effort to end electoral violence in our country, it is clear that certain APC leaders indeed need to come clean on their roles in plotting and executing of violence in the elections”, it said.

The PDP however assured that it will remain a law-abiding party committed to the wellbeing of Nigerians and will continue to support all genuine efforts by stakeholders to end electoral violence as well as bring perpetrators to book.

Israel assists Nigeria with ship to fight marine crime - Navy

By Ikechukwu Musa Adamu

Okaforadi

and

N R-L: Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi with the Political Officer of the Embassy of the United States of America, Mr. Jerry Howard, during a meeting with the Senator on the Hate Speech bill, at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja.

PDP stalwart slams APC for S/Court suit against Bauchi Guber From Ahmad Bauchi

A

Mohammed,

founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi State, Bibi Dogo has said that the decision by the All Progressive Congress (APC) to challenge the election of the State Governor, Bala Abdulkadir was done in bad faith just to distract the governor from carrying out his developmental projects across the State.

Recall that APC had vowed to seek redress at the Supreme Court, following the verdict delivered by the court of Appeal in Jos, that upheld the victory of the Bauchi state Governor, Bala Mohammed and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last 2019 election.

Dogo stated this yesterday when he reacted to the APC’s press conference, in which the party pledged to challenge the appeal court judgement in favour of the incumbent Bauchi governor.

He said “the only option left for the APC is to accept the judgment of the Court of Appeal which dismissed their petition against the election of governor Mohammed and to jettison

the idea of any further legal tussle over the judgment for the sake of Bauchi.”

He said what the PDP expected from the APC is to compel the former governor to explain the allegations against him by various anti-graft agencies, saying that recently, it was discovered that “there is a direct purchase of landed property at No 22 Arrakan road GRA kano State at the cost of over N283, 892,555,00 (Two hundred and eighty three million Naira eight hundred and ninety two thousand five hundred and fifty five Naira only), by the former governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar.

“Let the governor come out and explain the purchase, we have all required documents on the purchase and we have taken them to the appropriate authority for further action, we will not relent until we recover all the items and properties belonging to the state that was frittered away by the ex governor”.

Dogo said protracted legal fireworks over the elections was not in the best interest of the state, adding “even though we are not afraid of litigations with Abubakar after we defeated him five times, first at the polls, second supplementary election,

third in the court, fourth at the tribunal and fifth at the Appeal court and by the grace of Allah we will carpet him again in the supreme court.”

He said if APC is patriotic, they will let go and accept the decisions of the Appeal Court after they suffered defeat five times, saying they should allow the will of Bauchi people to prevail rather that making political attempt to distract the governor by going to the Supreme Court.

Dogo thanked Governor Mohammed for executing viable projects in the area of education, healthcare, road network, commerce, environment and many other laudable projects that will uplift the living standard of Bauchi State.

Efforts to speak to the Special Adviser on Media to the Former Governor, Ali Mohammed Ali, failed, but one of his closest aide said “the former governor has Constitutional right to challenge the election up to the Supreme Court, he is now exercising his constitutional right.

On the issue of the direct purchase landed property, he challenged Dogo to take Abubakar to court if he thinks that he committed any offence while in office.

igerian Navy yesterday informed the senate that Israeli firm, Systems and Technology Limited ( HLSI), provides assistance in terms of Ship to boost security in the Nigeria maritime sector.

The navy clarified that the foreign firm was only contracted to offer it required platforms in terms of vessels for effective policing of the Anchorage Area.

This was sequel to an investigative hearing of the joint committees on alleged Illegal security activities of Messrs Ocean Marine Solutions Limited (OMSL) at the ports.

Specifically, at the investigative hearing, the representative of the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Tarioworio Dick, who is the Chief of Naval Operations, in his submissions, said the Navy was expecting a vessel from an Israeli firm to boost its security operations in the water ways.

The Chief of Naval Operations had told the committee that “I’m aware that there is a contract like that for provision of required facilities”.

He insisted that the involvement of the Israeli firm was for platform provision and not direct security operations on Nigerian water ways.

He said “For me, the aspect I have seen is that they are providing some platforms for the Nigerian Navy which we are going to use. The vessels they are providing for us have not arrived Nigeria, but there will be weapons on these vessels”.

He said the vessels will be manned

by Nigerian Navy personnel.

“As I speak, one of the vessels is on the way. We have nine of our personnel on board that vessel. I am aware that the vessel is on the way.

I am aware that the vessel will be armed but I can’t tell you more than this”.

L-R: President Women in Politics Forum, Hon. Ebere Ifendu, First Lady Ekiti State/President African Women Development Fund, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, Former Senate Minority Leader, Sen Abiodun Olujimi, Former Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon Josephine Anenih during the National Women’s Dialogue, the Womanifesto 2019, theme “The Nigeria Women Want” held on Monday in Abuja.

Emefiele, Tinubu, others bag Aljazirah governance award

By Albert Akota

T

he National Leader of All Progressive Congress (APC), Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emiefele, and Governor of Kebbi State, Abubakar Bagudu Atiku, are set to lead a host of other awardees at the maiden edition of AljazirahNigeria Good Governance and Man of the Year and Democratic Icon awards respectively.

Other awardees on the stable are Lt. Gen. Yusuf Tukur Buratai, Symbol of National Security, and governor of the Year, North-west, respectively.

The award also recognises governors and legislators from each of the six geo-political zones, Brand, Company, Administrator, Public Servant and Federal agencies and Institutions of the year.

Speaking on the awards, the chairman

of the Award Committee, Abdulgafar Yousef Badawi, said “It is pertinent for us as a media house and as an ombudsman of the society to commend those Nigerians and organisations that have done exceptionally well in their endeavours, so as to encourage others to aspire to greatness knowing that their efforts would not go unnoticed.

“We are not only about writing about the ills of society, but we also let the world know those who do well.”

Agencies and companies on the award list include: National Deposit Insurance Commission, NDIC, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Niger Delta Power Holding Company, NDPHC; Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TetFund; BUA Group, Zenith Bank.

Governors of the year include: Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, Chief Willie Obiano of Anambra State, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN

of Ondo State, Darius Dickson Ishaku of Taraba State, and Simon Lalong of Plateau State.

Legislators of the Year from each geopolitical zone are: Hon. Beni Lar, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Sen Magatakarda Wamakko, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, and Sen. Solomon Olamilekan Adeola.

Others who made the list are: Hon, Ajilesoro Taofeek Abimbola, and clerk to the National Assembly, Muhammed Ataba Sani Omolori.

According to Yousef Badawi, AljazirahNIgeria decided to go round each of the geo-political zones because there are governors and legislators who have written their names in gold in each of the zones, The award committee was made up of members of the editorial team, as well as other Nigerians drawn from the civil society and political sectors.

Health PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 4, 2019

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

When health journalists hosted stakeholders to address Universal Health Coverage

Page 19

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 4, 2019

CBN supports creation of over 2.5m jobs across agricultural value chain -Emefiele

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday disclosed how its development finance interventions have help to bolster agricultural production by removing obstacles faced by small holder farmers, and also supported the creation of over 2.5 million jobs across the agricultural value chain.

CBN’s governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele made the disclosure at the 28th Seminar for Finance Correspondents & Business Editors, currently holding in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

Represented by the Director, Corporate Communications, CBN, Mr Isaac Okorafor, Emefiele said, “Our Development Finance interventions have helped to bolster agricultural production by removing obstacles faced by small holder farmers.

“We have also improved access to markets for farmers by facilitating greater partnership with agroprocessors and industrial firms in the sourcing of raw materials.

“So far, the programme has supported more than 1.5m farmers across all the 36 States of Nigeria, in

cultivating 16 different commodities over 1.4 million hectares of farmland. It has also supported the creation of over 2.5m jobs across the agricultural value chain,” he said.

Declaring the Seminar opened, the apex bank governor, noted that it was the bank’s game changing intervention in the rice value chain in Kebbi and other rice-producing states across the country that has increased local rice production from 2.5 million tonnes in 2015 to 5.8 million tonnes in 2017 as well as cotton intervention with the flag-off of input distribution to 150,000 cotton farmers, cultivating 150,000 hectares in 23 States of the Federation.

He said, “Currently the cotton planted by these farmers has begun fruiting, while some are ready for harvest and off-take.

“We are currently also paying additional attention to cassava because the commodity has many different uses along the value chain.

The value chain has enormous potential for employing over 2 million people in Nigeria,” he said.

According to him, the theme of the Seminar: “Galvanizing Development Finance and

Monetary Policy for Growth” was relevant, considering the evolving interconnectedness between development finance and monetary policy, not only in Nigeria, but in other economies across the world.

He said, the bank’s approach to stimulating economic development is three-pronged, centered on Agriculture, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Infrastructure.

“You are no doubt aware that the Central Bank of Nigeria has transcended her core mandate of maintaining monetary, price and financial system stability, to undertake developmental initiatives with a view to spurring economic growth and job creation.

“Our efforts at these development finance initiatives have helped to accelerate the actualization of the Federal Government’s economic diversification programme.

Diversifying our economic base presents a more sustainable and stable option.

“Given the foregoing, it is our conviction that focusing our developmental efforts on sectors with inherent potential for growth, employment and accretion to

foreign reserves, would enhance the fortune of the Nigerian economy,” he said.

Emefiele said, the bank increased its lending to the agricultural and manufacturing sectors, through targeted intervention schemes such as the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, Commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme and the Real Sector Support Facility.

“In particular, we sought to improve domestic supply of four commodities (rice, fish, sugar, and wheat), which consume about N1.3 trillion annually in our nation’s import bill.

“The Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) which was launched in November 2015, was designed to build partnerships between small holder farmers and reliable large-scale agro-processors, with a view to increasing agricultural output, while improving access to credit for farmers.

“Our targeted focus on the agricultural and manufacturing sectors was driven by the vast opportunities for growth in these sectors given our high population.

These sectors have the ability to

NITDA to hold 125 MDAs liable for violation of guidelines

By Etuka Sunday The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire (middle) with other award recipients during the health conference in Abuja.

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

W

orried by health challenges faced by many Nigerians across the country, the Association of Health Journalists (ANHEJ) on Wednesday last week, hosted major stakeholders in the health sector to brainstorm on how best to address the woes in the health sector.

The conference themed; “Nigeria’s increasing population—Any hope to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Strategic Development Goals (SDG) 3?” had in attendance, the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, former Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, other participants at the conference included; Chairman House Committee on Health, Dr. Tanko Sununu; Keynote Speaker, Dr. Gafar Alawode and many other dignitaries.

Organisation represented at the conference included: ISMPH, NPoPC, NIPRD and NYC4UHC. Speaking at the event, the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, said the federal government is committed to institutionalize policies, develop human capacity and improved infrastructure as a means to provide quality health care delivery in the country.

According to him, the policies and improved infrastructure would discourage medical tourism which has resulted to the loss of financial resources to the country to the tune of about a billion US dollars per annual. The Minister added that, “It will also reduce out of pocket expenditure if it is well organised and above all reduce the horrific indexes you hear about Nigeria health system of the various deaths that we hear on daily basis.

“If we have a well functioning universal health system, it will reduce those figures.

It will also be able to better make use of the experts in the health sector, many of whom are known to be leaving the country to go abroad for more and better opportunities.”

Also speaking, Chairman, House Committee on Healthcare Services, Hon. Yusuf Sanunu who faulted governments claim of haven enrolled close to 5 per cent of Nigerians in health insurance, said it was a speculation without genuine statistics to prove it.

“One major challenge in achieving Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria (UHC) is the issue of National Health Insurance Scheme. UHC as initiated is not meant to be sponsored by out of the pocket expenses. It is supposed to be a strategy to pull huge sums of fund to attain health care of every member of a community. Former Minister of Health, Dr. Onyebuchi Chukwu (Third Left), The present Minister of Health (Fouth Left) and other Awardees, at the Conference “When you look at Nigeria right now, we have serious challenges as far as health insurance is concerned. The coverage so far, from data available is less than five per

cent for population of almost 180 million and above, even though there is the issue of which denominator are we using to arrive at the percentage in the country. It is still an assumption.

“That only five per cent are covered by the NHIS doesn’t speak well for the country.”

Earlier in his welcome address, the President of ANHEJ, Hassan Zaggi, disclosed that the annual health conference was part of deliberate effort to stimulate discussions and come up with workable solutions that would bring the needed improvement in the health sector.

While lamenting the poor state of the sector despite the efforts by the federal government and partners, he called on the federal government to continue to provide the enabling environment for medical and health experts in the country to enable them put in their best for the growth of the sector. Meanwhile, the communique urged Journalists in the health sector to hold Nigeria government accountable to ensure establishment of more Primary Health Care Centres (PHC’s) and deployment of ambulances along strategic points on the

“

One major challenge in achieving Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria (UHC) is the issue of National Health Insurance Scheme.

UHC as initiated is not meant to be sponsored by out of the pocket expenses. It is supposed to be a strategy to pull huge sums of fund to attain health care of every member of a community.

highways as contained in the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) before its next health conference.

The communique issued at the end of the ANHEJ conference, which further called on Federal and State governments to prioritise the provision of health insurance for majority of the country’s populace.

Other recommendations called on the Federal Government to fashion out workable modalities to ensure that more Nigerians are covered by health insurance for easy access to health services.

“There is the need to scale up policy thrusts that will improve health insurance coverage and subsequently reduce mortality rates and improve child survival.

Scaling up existing policy thrusts that will improve health insurance coverage and subsequently reduce mortality rates and improve survival e.g. SSHIS, BHCPF “More investment in the health and reduced inefficiencies in health system and raise the accountability bar. Education and empowerment of more women which would engender delayed marriage, childbirth and increase uptake of family planning.”

Highlight of the conference was an award ceremony to deserving Nigerians who have contributed immensely to the growth and development of the health sector over the years.”

Those who received the awards include former Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, Chief (Mrs) Moji Makanjuola, Dr. Lovett Lawson, Dr. Godswill Okara, Prof.

Oladapo Ladipo, Godwin Odemijie and Iliance Hospital, Abuja. Two awardees where however, absent. They are-Dr. Faisal Shuaib, Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency and Kelina Hospital.

T

he National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has initiated enforcement action against one hundred and twenty five (125) MDAs for violation of the directive of the Federal Government issued vide Circular with Ref No. 59736/S.2/C.II/125, issued on 31st August, 2018 which mandates all MDAs and Federal Government Agencies to clear all IT Projects with NITDA before implementation and to comply with the Regulatory Framework for Promotion of Local Content in IT in line with Executive Orders 003 & 005.

To underscore Government’s determination at ensuring compliance to these regulatory instruments, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, in his Speech at the 12th edition of the e-Nigeria Conference, Exhibition and Awards, on Thursday 28th November, 2019, reiterated his directives given at the 2018 edition of e-Nigeria, that NITDA is to work with relevant stakeholders to ensure that all government funded ICT projects are reviewed and cleared by the Agency before implementation.

The Public may recall that NITDA had issued two regulatory instruments for the Promotion of Indigenous Content Development in ICT and the Guidelines for Clearance of Information Technology

Projects by Public Institutions.

These regulatory instruments were issued pursuant to Section 6 (a) (b) (c) of the NITDA Act 2007, therefore violation of these Guidelines constitute an offence pursuant to Section 17(4) of the Act and punishable under Section 18 of the same Act. NITDA has referred this matter to the Nigerian Police Force for appropriate investigation and prosecution in line with the extant law.

The Director General/ CEO, NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi in a statement said, the “Principal and relevant officers of these MDAs will be held liable for violation of these regulations in line Section 17 (3) (a).

“All erring parties are advised in their own interest to comply forthwith by submitting all projects for Clearance with NITDA and to procure IT goods and services in line with the Regulatory Guidelines for Nigerian Content Development in ICT. “NITDA remains resolutely committed to enforcing its guidelines and in discharging its mandate for the development of IT in Nigeria,” the statement said.

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is a Federal Government Agency under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.

absorb the growing pool of eligible workers in our effort to meet local demand and save critical foreign reserves,” he said.

The Governor said, the bank’s recent experience with recession attests to the value of effective implementation of monetary policy.

“Though we adopted unconventional or heterodox monetary policies, they were however, well thought through and have been yielding significant gains for the Nigerian economy.

“Noticeably, the GDP recovery in the third quarter of 2017, which has been sustained for 9 successive quarters after 5 consecutive quarters of negative growth.

“This unconventional monetary policy initiatives have been premised on ensuring credit delivery to critical sectors of the economy.

“This has informed the directive to Deposit Money Banks to maintain a minimum Loan to Deposit Ratio (LDR) of 65% by the end of December 2019.

“The Bank is also creating the necessary eco-system to inculcate a better credit culture among Nigerians,” he said.

L-R: Founder and Chairman, Africa Initiative for Governance, Aigboje AigImoukhuede; President/ CE, Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote; and Dean, Said Business School, University of Oxford, Prof.

Peter Tufano during a courtesy visit by the Dean, Said Business School, University of Oxford to the Dangote Head Office, yesterday in Lagos.

‘Charges against Air Peace CEO not reflection of his personality’

By Miriam Humbe

T

he New Nigeria Project, (NNP), has said that the charges against the Chairman/CEO of Air Peace airlines, Mr. Allen Onyema are irreconcilable with his person.

Addressing a press briefing in Abuja yesterday, National Coordinator for NNP, Alhaji Mohammed Danjuma said, “We are particular about the court of public opinion. Let’s not declare him guilty until the contrary is proved”.

Although relieved that no court in the United States has so far indicted Mr Onyema,

Alhaji Danjuma said, “We are concerned because this is a company that employed more than 4000 Nigerians”.

He said that NNP was lending its voice to save the Air Peace Chairman because “We are concerned about the injury accruing to the image of Mr Onyema and his company which may affect it negatively”.

“Air Peace as a company is a brand which has not only brought pride to Nigerians but continues to provide our country with optimum aviation services, providing unique air travel experience to

Nigerians and foreigners alike.

This service further remains as a powerful contributor to our nation’s GDP as well as providing direct employment to over 4000 Nigerians”.

Recall that the Air Peace Chairman is facing a 27-count charge bothering on money laundering, three counts of bank fraud, three counts of credit application fraud, and two conspiracy charges in the United States.

Mr. Onyema has denied the allegations of bank fraud and money laundering to the tune of more than $20 million (N7.2 billion).

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 4, 2019

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THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. ABU AHMED SANNI (PRESIDENT) 2. ADAMS YUSUF 3. MUHAMMED JAMIU AHMED 4. OZIGI MOHAMMED BASHIRU 5. AHMED OSENI (SECRETARY) THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1.TO PROMOTE AND FACILITATE CAPACITY DEVELOPMENTS OF NIGERIAN CITIZENS AND TO SENSITIZE THE SOCIETY ON THE NEED FOR COMMUNIAL INTEREST ABOVE INDIVIDUAL INTEREST 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.

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THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. usaini dauda 2. alhaji abdu dan daura 3. jazuli ibrahim 4. mohammadu rawilu usman 5. abdulwahab abdullahi 6. muhammad shaaibu 7. abdu musa 8. alasan maigari dahiru 9. abdussalam abubakar 10. muazu usman THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. to promote peace and unity in the area 2. to promote socioeconomic activities in the area 3. to promote education, health and sanitation 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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THIS SPACE IS FOR SALE

Hawkers at Nyanya holdup in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Kubwa: Traffic Task Team dislodges 800 roadside traders

By Stanley Onyekwere

N

o fewer than 800 roadside traders were evacuated from major roads in Kubwa area of Abuja, when Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA ) Traffic Management Task Team took its operation to the area.

In particular, the affected roadside traders were immediately moved into the market, with a strong warning not to return to the roadside.

It was gathered that the dislodged roadside traders were said to have hitherto obstructed traffic flow in all the major roads in the area.

Speaking after the exercise, the

Chairman of the Task Team, Mr. Ikharo Attah said that members of the team were mobilized to keep vigil at the roadsides , in order to achieve a total clean up of the area and ensure that the roads were free from all traffic hassles.

Attah explained that the team decided to commence the removing and burning of all the debris of woods and stalls the traders used in clogging the area around 11pm Sunday night and ran through to early hours of Monday, to avoid creating unnecessary scene that would further compound traffic woes of motorists and commuters going to work .

He also stated that Kubwa being one of the biggest satellite towns in FCT, with

burgeoning population of civil servants and other residents, can't be abandoned to suffer unprecedented traffic mismanagement.

According to him, the roadside traders' activities that stretched up to the NYSC and Kubwa-Maitama ultra modern market have been dislodged to allow free traffic flow along that axis.

He said: "We commenced the operation at about 11pm Sunday night and it lasted to the till the early hours of the morning. " During the traffic clean up exercise we removed sundry nuisances at the NNPC and NYSC Junctions at Kubwa. Specifically we removed wooden slabs used by the roadside that sell on top of drainages." " What shocked me most is the fact that

a good number of the traders selling on the road for years own shops inside the market but prefer to sell on the road which was the what they love doing. " The rot in this area must not be allowed to return since the minister is demonstrating a strong political will to address traffic problems across the city."

Also speaking, the Head, Enforcement operations of the Abuja environmental protection Board ( AEPB), Mr. Kaka Bello expressed concern over the traffic situations in Kubwa.

He reiterated that the operatives of the Board would remain committed to the traffic free flow operations around the FCT.

FCT Minister urges Auditors-General to be more accountable

By Stanley Onyekwere

F

CT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, has charged AuditorsGeneral for Local Governments/Area Councils in the federation to imbibe the culture of transparency and accountability in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The minister gave the charge at the 24th edition of annual conference of Auditors-General for Local Governments/ Area Councils in the federation held in Abuja, the nation's capital.

Aliyu, who was represented by the Special Assistant on Area Council Services, Hon. Muhammad Saba, noted that the task before local governments in Nigeria is enormous hence the need for assurance and performance that will ensure transparency, prudency and accountability in management of resources at the third tier.

Speaking on the theme: "Laying the

Groundwork for Nigeria's Public Sector Transformation; the Place of the AuditorsGeneral," the minister stressed that while government is making great effort towards the sustain ability of its policies at various levels including the Local Governments/ Area Councils, there was the need to ensure that financial rules, regulations and extant circulars are adequately followed in the application of funds at all levels of government.

She also called for close monitoring by the offices of the Auditors-General to ensure the provision of dividends of democracy as well as adequate service delivery at the Local Governments/Area Councils level are achieved.

Accirding to her, "The importance of the Office of the Auditors-General cannot be over -emphasized especially now that the policy of government is geared towards fighting corruption, ensuring good governance, transparency, probity and

accountability.

"This conference is very apt because of the proposed financial autonomy of the Local Governments/Area Councils where financial resource allocations would be channelled directly to them.

"The Federal Government is interested in the development of the grassroot for overall growth and development of the country" The Minister therefore charged participants to come up with a communique that will address contemporary audit issues in line with global best practices as it affects the responsibilities of the offices of the Auditors-General as well as improved public financial management at the thirdtier of government.

On his part, the Chairman House Committee on Public Account, Hon. Oluwole Oke, identifies poor stewardship reporting, administrative interference and inadequate qualified manpower as factors

militating against proper auditing of local government accounts in the federation, just as he called on participants to right the wrongs.

"Local government audit is as important as auditing in every other sector of the economy. This is because the local government being the closest government institution to the people demand adequate financial resources, which if properly controlled would benefit the rural communities," he noted.

Not left out, the Auditor-General FCT Area Council, Hajjiya Kurdirat AbdulHamid, noted that more than 2/3 of Nigeria's population are domiciled at the grassroots, stressing that the welfare of the people at this level is paramount and it is the duty of Auditors to ensure that citizens at that level and the nation get what is best for them in terms of providing basic amenities such as infrastructures, education, health, security among others.

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 4, 2019

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plan for the defence of the Baltic region if it does not back Turkey over its fight against Kurdish groups it considers terrorists.

What did Trump say?

Earlier on Tuesday, at a news conference with Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, President Trump said Nato “serves a great purpose”, but was then asked what he thought about Mr Macron’s statements.

He said he thought the French leader had been “very disrespectful” to other alliance members.

“It is a very, very nasty statement. I think they have a very high unemployment rate in France. France is not doing well economically at all,” he said.

“It is a very tough statement to make when you have such difficulty in France when you look at what is going on. They have had a very rough year. You just can’t go around making statements like that about Nato. It is very disrespectful.”

France has an unemployment rate of about 8.5% - its lowest level in 10 years, although higher than the EU average of 6.3%.

Mr Trump added: “Nobody needs Nato more than France... the US benefits the least. It’s a very dangerous statement for them to make.

“I’m looking at him [Mr Macron] and I’m saying that he needs protection more than anybody, and I see him breaking off [from Nato]. So I’m a little surprised at that.”

Mr Trump also reiterated his longstanding complaint that many other Nato countries were still not contributing enough financially.

Mr Stoltenberg praised Mr Trump’s “leadership on defence spending”, saying it was having a real impact.

international_peoplesdailyng@yahoo.com

“Since 2016, Canada and European allies have added $130bn more to the defence budget, and this number will increase to $400bn by 2024,” he said.

“This is unprecedented, this is making Nato stronger, and it shows that this alliance is adapting, responding when the world is changing.”

President Trump welcomed the extra spending but singled out Germany as still falling short. According to Nato’s latest figures, Germany spends 1.36% of GDP on defence when the Nato guideline is 2%.

On a more positive note, he added: “The world has changed a lot and Nato is changing right now. I’ve become a bigger fan of Nato because they have become more flexible.”

He later added that he did not want countries to be “delinquent” and pay less than their share, adding “maybe I’ll deal with them from a trade standpoint”.

Why is Turkey an issue?

Mr Erdogan joined the dispute by suggesting that Mr Macron was the one who was “brain dead”, and accusing him of having “a sick and shallow understanding” of terrorism.

Last month, Mr Macron angered Turkey by hosting an official from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), key allies of the US-led coalition against the Islamic State (IS) group in Syria.

Turkey views a section of the group the YPG - as terrorists.

Ahead of his departure for London, Mr Erdogan said Turkey would not approve a plan to defend Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in the event of a Russian attack unless Nato recognised the Kurdish YPG militia as terrorists.

“If our friends at Nato don’t recognise as terrorist organisations those we consider terrorist organisations... we will

stand against any step that will be taken there,” he said about the plan.

However, Mr Macron told reporters: “We don’t have the same definition of terrorism around the [Nato] table,” adding that the greatest priority was to fight IS. In October, Turkey launched an operation in Kurdish-controlled areas of northern Syria to create a “security zone” along its border.

That military action deepened fractures between Turkey and other Nato members, and took place after President Trump had controversially pulled US forces out of the region.

Mr Macron and Mr Erdogan will come face to face in Downing Street on Tuesday in a four-way meeting also including German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the host, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

A major problem for Nato Turkey is posing a major and developing problem for Nato, a problem that if not resolved could test the very boundaries of its membership.

It is effectively holding hostage a response plan for the rapid reinforcement of the Baltic region - which must be approved by all 29 Nato members - until it gets what it wants in its own region.

Turkey wants all other Nato countries to regard Kurdish separatist groups in Turkey as terrorists. This would effectively take Nato into domestic security matters, which most allies see as none of their business.

Add to this Turkey’s unilateral actions in Syria; President Erdogan’s recent row with Emmanuel Macron over the Kurds; and Turkey’s purchase of a sophisticated Russian air defence system - an extraordinary step for a key Nato player and you are well on the way to a full-blown crisis between Ankara and the alliance.

the next round of Democratic debates, to be held later this month in her home state.

But polling showed her in the single digits in national surveys as well as those conducted in early-voting states.

After initially raising $12m in the first three months of her campaign, she failed to harness momentum.

Lofty expectations lead to dashed hopes January’s launch event in Oakland felt like the beginning of something big - a presidential campaign with money, national organisation and a young, charismatic candidate whose background was as diverse as the party she wanted to lead.

The former state attorney general and prosecutor from nearby San Francisco gave a speech full of lofty rhetoric, saying that the 2020 presidential election would be about the “right to moral leadership” of the entire planet.

Now her campaign won’t be around to see 2020, let alone the November general election.

Pundits and analysts are already picking apart Harris’s campaign strategy and perceived missteps over the past months.

She tried to walk a line between the moderate and the progressive wings of her party and ended up appealing to neither.

She squandered her surge to near-frontrunner status after a clash with Joe Biden in the June debate with muddled responses to questions on healthcare policy. Her subsequent debate performances were lacklustre. She initially ignored, then made a belated push, to campaign in first-voting Iowa.

At 55, Harris still has a long political career ahead of her. She would be an attractive vice-presidential pick for a candidate like Biden. While her first foray into national politics will be largely remembered for unmet expectations and missed opportunities, she has plenty of time for a second act.

Pundits noted how her original campaign slogan “for the people” - a reference to her career as a prosecutor failed to attract support from younger, more progressive voters.

Kamala Harris: Democrat ends bid for US presidency

D

emocratic White House hopeful Kamala Harris is dropping out of the presidential race.

The California senator’s campaign seemed full of promise when it launched in January, but she struggled to make headway in a crowded field.

In November her cash-strapped bid laid off staff at its Baltimore HQ and in New Hampshire and her home state.

The 55-year-old, a vocal critic of President Donald Trump, was once seen as a rising star within the party.

But she could not establish herself in the top tier of candidates alongside Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.

Ms Harris entered the race as a frontrunner after launching her bid to a crowd of 22,000 in Oakland, California, at the beginning of the year.

She reached double digits in the polls after attacking Mr Biden on the issue of race during a live TV debate in June, but she began to lag in recent months.

“I’ve taken stock and looked at this from every angle, and over the last few days have come to one of the hardest decisions of my life,” Ms Harris said in an email to supporters on Tuesday.

“My campaign for president simply doesn’t have the financial resources we need to continue.

“I’m not a billionaire. I can’t fund my own campaign. And as the campaign has gone on, it’s become harder and harder to raise the money we need to compete.”

She held a conference call with staff on Tuesday to inform them of her decision.

Her husband, Douglas Emhoff, tweeted a message of support to her.

Campaigning in Mason City, Iowa, Mr Biden paid tribute to his former rival.

He said: “My reaction is she is a firstrate intellect, a first-rate candidate.”

He added: “I have mixed emotions about it because she is really a solid, solid person, and loaded with talent.

“I’m sure she’s not dropping out on wanting to make the changes she cares about.”

Ms Harris, a former San Francisco attorney general, had already qualified for

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Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe ‘left $10m but no will’

Nato summit: Trump blasts Macron ‘brain dead’ comments as ‘nasty’ S President Donald Trump has accused his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron of being “nasty” for saying Nato was “brain dead”.

Mr Trump is in London for a summit marking the Western military alliance’s 70th anniversary.

The US president said Nato served a great purpose, and Mr Macron’s remarks had been “very insulting”.

He also said he could see France “breaking off” from Nato, but did not explain why.

However, at a joint press conference with Mr Macron later, Mr Trump struck a warmer tone, stressing that the two countries had “done a lot of good things together as partners”.

Mr Macron said he knew his comments about Nato “shook up” a lot of people, but added that he stood by them.

Why is there a row over Nato?

Nato - the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation - was founded after World War Two to counter the threat of Soviet expansion. The 29 member states pledge to come to the aid of one another should any come under attack.

But speaking last month, Mr Macron complained that Nato members were no longer co-operating on key issues.

He described the alliance as “brain dead”, stressing what he saw as a waning commitment from its biggest guarantor the US. He also criticised the US for not consulting Nato before pulling forces out of northern Syria.

The summit, due to get under way later on Tuesday, has already been overshadowed by a bitter row between member states France and Turkey, and a continuing debate over money.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said he will oppose Nato’s

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 4, 2019

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imbabwe’s former President Robert Mugabe died with $10m (£7.7m) cash in the bank, a legal letter from his daughter quoted by state media says.

But he appears not to have left a will, according to the family’s lawyer.

Mugabe, who died in September aged 95, was ousted in 2017 after 37 years in power.

Separately, the UN has said it is expanding its operation in the country as about half of Zimbabwe’s population faces severe hunger.

Last week, a UN official warned Zimbabwe was on the brink of man-made starvation.

There had always been rumours about Mr Mugabe’s wealth, including him owning a Scottish castle and a $1m property in Asia.

But there was no mention of these in a letter by his daughter, Bona Chikowore, to the high court, quoted by the state-owned Herald newspaper.

Some other assets, including four houses, 10 cars, a farm and

an orchard are listed, but lawyer Terrence Hussein told the BBC “none of the properties... are in his name”.

Two houses in upmarket suburbs of the capital, Harare, are in the name of the governing Zanu-PF party, Mr Hussein said.

“The 10 cars are a vintage car collection which frankly had value only to him,” Mr Hussein added.

The assets will now be divided between the former president’s wife and four children Ms Chikowore’s letter makes no mention of other farms that Mugabe had been reported to have gained ownership of after they were seized during the country’s controversial land reform programme.

This is the first stage of compiling the former president’s assets, but “the suggestion that the Estate has been finalised is untrue and misleading. The long drawn out process has only begun,” the family’s lawyer told the BBC. In Zimbabwe, if a person dies without a will, the assets are

Huge blaze at Sudan ceramics factory kills 23

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he number of people killed in the fire which swept through a ceramics factory in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum has risen to 23, while more than 130 have been injured, the government has said in a statement.

The fire was triggered after a gas tanker exploded, it said.

“There were also inflammable materials improperly stored, which led to the spread of the fire,” the statement added, AFP news agency reports.

Raging flames and thick plumes of smoke billowed into the sky, before firemen managed to extinguish the blaze.

Gabon leader’s ex-aide detained in corruption probe

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he former chief of staff for Gabon’s President Ali Bongo has been arrested along with two other ministers who recently lost their jobs.

The public prosecutor said Brice Laccruche Alihanga and the former ministers of oil and energy were picked up in connection with

a corruption investigation.

There has been no word so far from the three men.

More than 20 other officials have been sacked or arrested.

Nearly $150m (£115m) are reported to have disappeared from the state oil company in the past two years.

President’s blog down after he reveals weight loss

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gandan President Yoweri Museveni’s personal blog site is down after he published a post revealing he had been on a diet to lose 30kg (4st 7lb).

In the post, he dismissed rumours of ill health or being tired and said he lost weight as part of a deliberate attempt to shed fat, the Ugandan news site Soft Power says While the reason for the blog being down is unclear, Soft Power republished it, quoting

the 75-year-old president as writing: “I am not tired at all. I have, however, deliberately lost weight by shedding off that fat that I had allowed to accumulate on my body frame because the doctors had not explained to us clearly the mistake of not fighting fat.”

Mr Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, added that he now aims to stay at his current weight of 76kg because it matched his height of 1.7m (5ft 7ins).

Robert Mugabe was ousted in 2017 after 37 years in power divided between the spouse and children. Mugabe is survived by his wife, Grace, and four children.

The UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) had said it plans to more than double the number of people it helps in Zimbabwe to more than four million. Nearly eight million people overall are in need, it added.

The WFP will provide rations of cereal, pulses and vegetable oil and a protective nutrition ration

for children under five.

“We’re deep into a vicious cycle of sky-rocketing malnutrition that’s hitting women and children hardest and will be tough to break,” said WFP Executive Director David Beasley in a statement.

“With poor rains forecast yet again in the run-up to the main harvest in April, the scale of hunger in the country is going to get worse before it gets better.”

Zimbabwe is currently going

through a severe economic crisis, with rising inflation, compounded by a drought across southern Africa.

It had been hoped that the the post-Mugabe era, under President Emmerson Mnangagwa, would bring a change in the country’s economic fortunes.

But the current government has been accused of economic mismanagement and human rights abuses.

Mugabe ‘owned vintage cars - not homes’

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imbabwe’s late President Robert Mugabe did not own any of the properties listed as being part of his estate in an article published in a state-owned newspaper, but he did own vintage cars, his lawyer Terrence Hussein has said.

Mugabe’s daughter Bona Chikowore wrote to the Master of the High Court in October, listing her father’s estate as including

$10m (£7.7m) in a local bank, 10 cars, four houses in the capital, Harare, his rural homestead, an orchard and a farm, the Herald newspaper reported.

Mr Hussein said none of the properties listed were in Mugabe’s name.

“The Zvimba homestead is communal land and no title exists.

It is state land. The Glen Lorne

and Mount Pleasant properties [in Harare] are registered in the name of Zanu-PF,” he said, referring to the ruling party.

“The 10 cars are a vintage car collection which frankly had value only to him,” Mr Hussein added.

Mugabe - who ruled Zimbabwe for 37 years until he was ousted in 2017 - died in a Singapore hospital in September at the age of 95.

Long-awaited Ethiopia v Eritrea clash delayed again

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he Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) has confirmed that it will not be sending a team to the regional Cecafa Regional Senior Challenge Cup in Uganda later this month.

It means that an expected match against neighbours Eritrea will not be going ahead - the two nations had initially been drawn in the same group for the tournament.

The EFF has also said that it will not be entering a team into the Cecafa Women’s Under-17 Challenge Cup, which Uganda is also hosting.

No official reason was given for the federation’s decision not to send the teams to the tournaments.

BBC Sport understands that financial difficulties are at least part of the reason for the teams withdrawals.

Ethiopia and Eritrea have not played each other at senior level since the two nations became involved in a border war in that began in 1998.

Relationships between the two countries have improved since diplomatic ties were resumed last year.

In recent weeks peace has returned to the area with diplomatic ties being resumed.

Since then both federations have been trying to arrange at least a friendly between the two countries,

Ethiopian football fans will have to wait to see their team play neighbours Eritrea for the first time in more than 20 years however the match is yet to be organised.

Ethiopia did take part in the inaugural Cecafa Men’s Under-15 Championship earlier this year that was hosted by Eritrea, however the two sides did not play each other.

The withdrawal means Group A at this year’s Senior Challenge Cup will feature hosts Uganda, Burundi and Eritrea.

Group will feature guest team DR Congo, who will use the tournament to prepare for the 2020 Total Africa Nations Championship (CHAN),

alongside Sudan, South Sudan and Somalia.

The tournament is due to be held between 7 and 19 December.

The Women’s Under-17 Challenge Cup is due to begin on 9 December with the final also on 19 December.

Without Ethiopia taking part it means Group A will be hosts Uganda with Eritrea and South Sudan while Group B features Tanzania, Burundi as well as Djibouti.

Source: BBC

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PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 4, 2019

Iran protests: State TV acknowledges deaths during unrest

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minister said 731 banks and 70 petrol stations were set ablaze during the unrest Iranian state TV has said security forces killed what it called “thugs and rioters” during last month’s mass protests against a petrol price rise.

Activists have accused the authorities of deliberately covering up the scale of the crackdown on the four days of unrest in more than 100 locations.

Amnesty International has said at least 208 people were killed, but others have put the death toll at close to 400.

A judiciary spokesman has dismissed such reports as “utter lies”.

The authorities have not yet released any overall casualty figures.

The protests erupted in cities and towns across Iran on 15 November, after the government announced that the price of petrol would rise by 50% to 15,000 rials a litre ($0.12; £0.09 at the unofficial market exchange rate), and that drivers would be allowed to purchase only 60 litres each month before the price rose to 30,000 rials.

A sharp rise in the price of petrol caused widespread anger among Iranians The decision was met with widespread anger in a country where the economy is already reeling as a result of US sanctions that were reinstated last year when President Donald Trump abandoned a nuclear deal with Iran.

The authorities’ decision to almost completely shut down access to the internet made it hard to gather information about what was happening on the streets, but the video footage that reached the outside world appeared to show security forces

Jordan farm fire: Pakistanis die as blaze sweeps through makeshift homes

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he labourers had lived in corrugated iron sheds on the farm Thirteen Pakistani nationals, including eight children and four women, have died in a fire at a farm in Jordan, the civil defence department (CDD) has said.

The fire swept through corrugated iron sheds housing labourers at the farm in South Shouna, a rural area west of the capital Amman, early on Monday.

Three other people were injured.

The Petra news agency cited the CDD as saying it believed the fire was caused by an electrical short-circuit.

Prime Minister Omar alRazzaz expressed his condolences to the people and government of Pakistan, and called for an expedited investigation into the incident.

Two families had lived in the makeshift buildings used as housing for immigrant labourers, according to the CDD. Thousands of migrant workers are employed by private farms in the Jordan Valley, many of them housed in poor accommodation.

Saad Hariri (R) urged President Michel Aoun (L) to start formal consultations on a new premier shooting at unarmed demonstrators.

Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli said last week that as many as 200,000 people took part in the protests, and 731 banks, 70 petrol stations and 140 government sites were set ablaze. More than 50 security bases were also attacked, he added.

On Monday night, Iran’s staterun IRTV2 channel broadcast a report confirming that there were fatalities during the unrest, but did not give any figures. It categorised those killed as “armed thugs and rioters”, security personnel, passersby hit by crossfire or victims of “suspicious shootings”.

A correspondent said “rioters” had attacked sensitive or military sites with guns or knives, and taken people hostage, leaving security forces with no choice to “resort to authoritative and tough confrontation” to save lives.

In the south-western city of Mahshahr, the correspondent added, “separatists” armed with machine-guns blocked roads and planned to blow up a petrochemical complex. In an interview, the city’s police chief said “wise” security forces “thwarted” an armed attack by people hiding in a local marsh.

On Sunday, the New York Times cited witnesses and medics in Mahshahr as

saying that members of the Revolutionary Guards surrounded, shot and killed 40 to 100 demonstrators in a marsh where they had sought refuge.

IRTV2’s report also mentioned that security forces had confronted rioters in Tehran and the suburb of Shahriar, and in the southern cities of Shiraz and Sirjan.

Amnesty International said on Monday that it had compiled its nationwide death toll of 208 from reports whose credibility it ascertained by interviewing a range of sources, including victims’ relatives, journalists and human rights activists. But it warned that the actual number was likely to be higher.

Other rights groups and sources inside Iran said the death toll was close to 400.

During a visit to London on Tuesday, President Trump said Iran was “killing perhaps thousands and thousands of people right now as we speak.” He added: “It is a terrible thing and the world has to be watching.”

Judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili told reporters in Tehran that “the numbers and figures that are being given by hostile groups are utter lies, and the [official] statistics have serious differences with what they announced”.

Mr Esmaili also said that most of those detained “during the riots” had been released. The judiciary, he added, was evaluating “efficiently and with precision” the cases of those still in custody, including about 300 people in Tehran.

Hossein Naqavi-Hosseini, a member of parliament’s national security committee, said last week that about 7,000 people were arrested during the unrest.

For Sama: Acclaimed Syria documentary wins British Independent Film Awards

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aad al-Kateab and Sama, who was born during the Syrian conflict For Sama, a documentary about a young mother’s experience of the Syrian civil war, has won the top prize at the British Independent Film Awards.

For Sama picked up four Bifas including best British independent film.

The movies it beat to that prize included Armando Ianucci’s

Charles Dickens-inspired film The Personal History of David Copperfield.

Ianucci’s film, which stars Dev Patel, won five Bifas including best supporting actor for Hugh Laurie.

Speaking at Sunday’s ceremony, Patel, who was nominated for best actor, said the film industry was at the “beginning of a movement” regarding colourblind casting.

“I think wonderful things are

happening,” he said. “The fact that I get to be in a film like this is amazing.”

He was beaten to the best actor award by Only You’s Josh O’Connor, who can currently be seen playing Prince Charles in Netflix’s The Crown.

Elsewhere at the London event, Renée Zellweger won best actress for her portrayal of Judy Garland in Judy.

Waad al-Kateab and Edwards

Watts were jointly awarded best director for For Sama. Al-Kateab shot the footage in Aleppo, where her daughter Sama was born in 2016 and where her husband is a doctor.

The Independent described the documentary as “one of the most profoundly intimate depictions of the Syrian conflict ever put to film”, while The Guardian said it was “profoundly moving and unignorable”.

Iraq unrest: Parliament approves PM Abdul Mahdi’s resignation

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raq’s parliament has approved the resignation of Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi following weeks of unrest.

It is unclear who will take over from Mr Abdul Mahdi. The parliament speaker said President Barham Saleh would be asked to name a new prime minister.

Meanwhile the Pope has become the latest figure to condemn security forces’ use of lethal force.

Some 400 people have been killed since protests began in Baghdad and other cities at the start of October.

Thousands more have been injured. Iraqis are demanding jobs, an end to corruption and better public services.

On Sunday clashes continued in cities including Baghdad and Najaf.

What is happening in Iraq’s parliament?

The decision by parliament to approve Mr Abdul Mahdi’s resignation was made in an emergency session called on Sunday.

Existing laws in Iraq do not clearly set out a way for members of parliament to deal with a prime minister’s resignation, but lawmakers on Sunday acted on the legal opinion of the supreme court, according to the Associated Press news agency.

Under the constitution, the president is expected to ask the largest bloc in parliament to nominate a new prime minister to form a government.

Mr Abdul Mahdi and his government will stay on in a caretaker capacity until a new government is chosen, reports say.

How did we get here?

Mr Abdul Mahdi’s office announced on Friday that he would submit his resignation to parliament in response to a call from Iraq’s top Shia Muslim cleric for a new government.

Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani had condemned the use of force against protesters and called for lawmakers to withdraw their support for the government.

It came a day after more than 40 people were killed in the bloodiest day since the anti-government protests began.

What did the Pope say?

Pope Francis said he was following the situation there “with concern”.

“It is with pain that I have learned of the protest demonstrations of the past days that were met with a harsh response, causing tens of victims,” he said at his weekly Sunday blessing.

The Pope says he wants to visit Iraq next year.

What is the latest?

Anti-government demonstrators took to the streets in the southern city of Basra on Sunday dressed in black to mourn those killed in recent days.

It came as Iraqi media reported that a police officer was sentenced to death for killing protesters in Wasit province, south-east of Baghdad.

Another officer was reportedly given a seven-year sentence.

If confirmed, the death sentence would be the first given to an Iraqi

officer over the two months of unrest.

Why is there unrest?

Mr Abdul Mahdi took office just over a year ago, promising reforms that have not materialised. Young Iraqis took to the streets of Baghdad for the first time at the beginning of October.

After the first wave of protests which began in October, lasted six days and saw 149 civilians killed - Mr Abdul Mahdi promised to reshuffle his cabinet and cut the salaries of high-ranking officials, and also announced schemes to reduce youth unemployment.

But the protesters said their demands had not been met and returned to the streets in late October.

The demonstrations escalated and spread across the country after security personnel responded with deadly force.

Officials say more than a dozen members of the security forces have also died in clashes.

Source: BBC

PROPerty PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 4, 2019

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Fashola task Stakeholders’ on infrastructural devt, job creation

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

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he Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has tasked stakeholders in works sector to find new possibilities on how to establish the link between infrastructure development and job creation.

Fashola made the disclosure recently at the 25th meeting of the National Council on Works which held in Calabar, Cross River State.

He said,his Ministry was strategizing towards playing a vital role in supporting President Mohammadu Buhari’s determination to create 10 million jobs for Nigerians, especially for the teaming youths.

Fashola who was represented by the Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engr.

Abubakar Aliyu,said the theme of the Council Meeting ‘’ Infrastructure as the pathway for prosperity’’ which according to him was carefully chosen to address the complex issues of road infrastructure development in the

country with the view to proffering tangible solutions to some of the problems in Nigeria , thereby giving the good people of Nigeria qualitative services they deserve.

The Minister further explained that his Ministry would effectively collaborate with other relevant agencies saddled with similar responsibilities of monitoring, maintenance and survey of roads network in Nigeria with the view to develop them to the desired standard.

He commended the Government and the good of Cross River State for providing a safe and conducive environment for the 25th Meeting of the National Council on Works., In his address, the Governor of Cross River State,Prof. Ben. Ayade represented by the Deputy Governor,Prof. Ivara Esu urged the Federal Road Maintenance Agency to rise up to the challenge of road maintenance , ‘’ We have thrown overboard our maintenance culture, let us revive our road maintenance culture, let us maintain the roads so that the

failing path will not expand the more’’ he said.

This was contained in a statement signed

by Stephen Kilebi Deputy Director (Press and Public Relations Unit),while commending the Management and staff of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, and all the Stakeholders in the Works Sector for

considering his state worthy to host the 25th Meeting of the National Council on Works.

Ayade called on Federal Government to reconstruct the failed highways in his State with concrete , adding that the Ikom, Itu, Bakasi and Katsina-Ala highways were vital and of Scio- economic importance to Cross River State in particular and Nigeria.

Architects flay 30-year life span for buildings

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he Nigeria Institute of Architects (NIA) has frowned at the low life span and quality of buildings across the country, which in most cases lasts between 20 to 30 years.

The new president of the institute, Sunny Echono who stated this at the weekend noted that a building that is designed and constructed with good materials should last for 100years.

Works, housing celebrates Soyoye

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

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he Personal Assistant to Director of Press (PA) , Federal Ministry of Works and Housing Biodun Soyoye was celebrated by staff of various government ministries and agencies in Ondo State on Saturday during his wedding ceremony.

Biodun who during the celebration charged all government staff to appreciate one another with good moral support when necessary, said this will promote good team work and understanding by keeping morale high in service.

The PA got married to his fiancé Fadekemi Babalola at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Sabo, Ondo Township, Ondo State.

The Pastor of RCCG Justice Akinloroye Williams who officiated the wedding event counseled the bride and groom to respect each other and eschew family interference in their marriage.

Meanwhile,at the wedding reception, the Chairman of the occasion and a staff of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) , Olusola Falaja said “marriage is not a bed of roses and it is complete understanding and obedience from the wife that can sustain it”.

A statement signed by Senior Information Officer, Henry David said Earlier, the traditional phase of the wedding took place in the same town on Friday with all the families and friends in attendance.

Others are Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Information & Culture , Nigerian Civil Defence Corps are among Federal government institutions that had their staff at the event in their various private.

Echono lamented that Nigeria can’t keep replacing buildings every 30years, adding that the country has not been able to judiciously utilise its land resources.

He pledged that the institute would adjust to the changing needs of the younger generation by deploying technology for training of members.

He promised to project the important role that Architects play in every society, galvanize and activate all resources within the economy and channel them properly towards national development.

He said: “Architect are the ones that provides the infrastructure like the hotel’s, hospitals, schools and offices which we work, any program aimed at sustainable development we will be at the cutting edge, we will lead that program because we are not talking about energy efficiency only, we are taking about local contents, use of local materials, sustainable materials.”

“We need to also mold and change the altitude of Nigerians because Nigerians like to defend spaces, they want to say this is my plot, this is my building but we are looking forward to promoting the ideal of multiple complexes like having blocks and flats for mass housing, so with the limited space we can accommodate more people because we have one of the population growth rate in the world currently in the region of 3.2 percent per annum.”

Source :nigeriarealestate

L-R: The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing (FMW&H) Mohammed Bukar , Minsiter of State for FMW& H , Engr Abubakar Aliyu and The Deputy Governor of Cross River State Prof Ivara Esu

Housing coalition urges for VAT cut to encourage green home improvements The groups said reducing VAT from 20% to 5% on home improvement works would unleash investment in housing, stimulate the economy and enable the UK’s transition to net zero carbon.

The groups include the Federation of Master Builders and the British Property Federation.

Melanie Leech, chief executive of the British Property Federation, said: “Reducing the rate of VAT on all repairs, maintenance and management of residential property would support the greening and improvement of our housing stock, and help the build to rent sector deliver more homes.

“We therefore urge the next Government to support the Cut the VAT campaign.”

Brian Berry, chief executive of the Federation of Master Builders, said: “The four main parties must go further in their policy pledges to promote and incentivise energy efficiency works.

“Given that homeowners tend to complete these tasks as a consequence of larger home

improvement works the rate of VAT on repair and maintenance work needs to be reduced from the current 20% to 5%.”

Organisations signing the letter to Westminster Party leaders are: Bathroom Manufacturers Association, British Blind and Shutter Association, British Property Federation, British Woodworking Federation, Builders Merchants Federation, CPRE The Countryside Charity, Civil Engineering Contractors Association, Chartered Institute of Building, Country Land and Business Association, Countryside Alliance, Electrical Contractors’ Association, Federation of Master Builders, The Heritage Alliance, HomeOwners Alliance, Insulation Manufacturers Association, National Federation of Builders, National Home Improvement Council, National Landlords Association, Roof Tile Association, Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, Scottish Building Federation, UK Green Building Council, The VAT Consultancy.

Source : property wire

FG committed to PPP on improve roads infrastructure -Fashola

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

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inister of Works an Housing, Babatunde Fashola has stated that the Nigerian government was committed to entrench the Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement to improve roads infrastructure in Nigeria.

The Minister spoke at a workshop on Nigeria - South Africa Road Transport Infrastructure and PPP Collaboration Initiative which was held in Abuja,recently.

Fashola was represented by the Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engr Abubakar Aliyu.

A statement signed by Salisu B. Haiba Asst Director Press For: Deputy Director Press, said the workshop was organised under the auspices of the office of the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF) in partnership with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA), Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and South African National Roads

Authority (SANRAL).

While commending the ICRC for it's committment to increasing infrastructure investment in Nigeria, Fashola also appreciated other partners for organising the workshop, adding that his ministry is in alignement with the objectives of the initiative He explained that the workshop would provide an opportunity to expand West African roads and rail infrastructure thereby improving the socio-economic well being of the people.

Accordingly, the minister assured that the government of Nigeria will continually support the PPP and improve private sector participation, pointing out that government is already engaged in many PPP investments in the country Earlier the DG ICRC, Engr Chidi Izuwah, had listed the benefits derivable from the provision of roads infrastructure which he said smong others include; creation of jobs, boosting production,, creation of industrial parks, springing of new residential areas and township Engr Chidi explained that the ICRC and FERMA in

Collaboration with the DBSA and various South African entities intend to produce and support a West African focused regional transport and logistics infrastructure development program.

In a good will message, the South African Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Bobby Moore expressed gratitude to the government of Nigeria for the initiative, stating that the swiftness in the take off of this event after the visit of the Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari to South Africa where the matter was discussed, signalled the committment of Nigeria in the collaboration with South Africa on Road infrastructure The Senate President who was represented

by Chairman of Senate Committee on Works , Senator Adamu Aliero, stated that National Assembly is ready to work with ICRC to clear all bottlenecks for it to ddeliver. He explained that National Assembly will look at ICRC Act with the view to amending it to accommodate more of private sector participation in infrastructure investment.

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesday, December 4, 2019

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‘A rich exchange’: The refugees teaching languages in Brazil Heloisa Daher’s family is of Syrian and Lebanese descent but they insisted she only speak Portuguese “Look forward, not backward,” is what farmer Heloisa Daher was often told by her family of Syrian and Lebanese immigrants while growing up in Brazil.

Ms Daher remembers watching her family argue in Arabic over the dinner table, or so she thought. They wanted her to integrate into Brazilian society and so they banned her from learning Arabic. But hunger to better understand her roots lingered despite her parents insisting she grow up speaking only Portuguese.

Fifty years on, the mother of four is now enrolled in Arabic classes at Abraço Cultural (Portuguese for “cultural hug”), a refugee-led language school in São Paulo.

Ms Daher has fond memories of family dinners when her relatives would speak to each other in Arabic After learning the basics of Arabic, she realised that what she had thought had been arguments over the dinner table had instead been friendly chatter. “It was just the guttural ‘r’ sound in Arabic,” she says to explain her childhood misunderstanding.

“It brings me joy to understand that now.”

Abraço Cultural looks like any other language school, complete with scrawled whiteboards and beige school chairs. But it exclusively employs teachers from war-torn and crisis-stricken lands, including Haiti, Congo, Venezuela and Syria.

From war zone to World Cup The school’s main goal is to generate income for refugees. In five years, the school has paid over 2m reais (£370,000) in salaries to 55 refugees and vulnerable immigrants.

Ms Daher’s Arabic teacher, Syrian Ali Jeratli, has been teaching here since 2015.

Ali Jeratli used to work in a hotel in Damascus before fleeing the war When two car bombs exploded in Damascus in December 2011, the year Syria’s civil war erupted, Mr Jeratli was two kilometres away on a bus.

He was on his way home from his job at the Four Seasons hotel. That night, 44 people died and 166 were injured. “My bus was late that day,” Mr Jeratli recalls. “If it had left on time, I would have been at the heart of that explosion. And I might not be alive today.”

The war in Syria caused the tourism industry to collapse so Mr Jeratli tried his luck in Iraq and Turkey before finally moving to Brazil. His decision was practical. The Brazilian government had adopted an opendoor policy for Syrian nationals and his visa was approved in one day.

But starting over was not easy.

“When I arrived here, I didn’t know anyone and couldn’t speak a word of Portuguese,” he recalls.

After a few tough months, his fluency in English and Arabic landed him a temporary job as a translator

during the Football World Cup, a dream come true for the avid football fan. It was during that time that he met people involved with Abraço Cultural, and became one of the first teachers working at the school.

Brazil has taken in just under 5,000 Syrians citizens like Mr Jeratli since 2011.

Plenty of potential Abraço Cultural’s co-founder, Daniel Morais, was volunteering at a local charity when the idea for the school struck him.

He had met refugees who were doctors and polyglots but were struggling to get a job. “I saw they had a lot of potential but didn’t have any help to get started,” he said.

“Syrians spoke fluent English and Arabic. Many Haitians speak up to five languages once they get to Brazil. So I thought: we need to make the most of this and start a language course.”

Genevieve Cherubin came to Brazil from Haiti The non-profit school charges lower prices than other language schools and 5,200 people have signed up to its courses since its inauguration.

Today, the school receives 90% of its revenue from students, and 10% external funding for special projects.

All teachers go through a two-month pedagogy programme to learn how to teach English, Spanish, French or Arabic.

“We talk about giving people opportunities to contribute. These aren’t just people that need help. They have a lot to offer. It’s a rich exchange,” says school director Mariângela Garbelini.

Two-way street French student Victoria Silva enjoys learning from her Congolese teacher, Joly Kayembe. “It’s amazing to learn French from someone who looks like me,” she explains. In Brazil, most French courses are geared towards a largely white elite.

But accessible prices attract some students who do not always appreciate the school’s core goal, says Ms Garbelini. “There is resistance from

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THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. ENOBONG SUNDAY ARCHIBONG - GENERAL OVERSEER 2. ESTHER ENOBONG ARCHIBONG - SECRETARY 3. MRS VERONICA EDET IKOTIDEM - MEMBER 4. IME JAPHET UFOT - MEMBER 5. UDUAK SUNDAY UDOH - MEMBER 6. UDEME ENOBONG ARCHIBONG - MEMBER THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

some students. They want to learn

“

The war in Syria caused the tourism industry to collapse so Mr Jeratli tried his luck in Iraq and Turkey before finally moving to Brazil. His decision was practical. The Brazilian government had adopted an open-door policy for Syrian nationals and his visa was approved in one day.

But starting over was not easy. “When I arrived here, I didn’t know anyone and couldn’t speak a word of Portuguese,” he recalls. After a few tough months, his fluency in English and Arabic landed him a temporary job as a translator during the Football World Cup, a dream come true for the avid football fan. It was during that time that he met people involved with Abraço Cultural, and became one of the first teachers working at the school.

Brazil has taken in just under 5,000 Syrians citizens like Mr Jeratli since 2011.

PAGE 27

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 4, 2019

French to go to Paris. They don’t want

PUBLIC NOTICE VICTORY ARENA CHRIST CHURCH INTERNATIONAL

RITA DANIELS GIRL CHILD AND SINGLE PARENTHOOD INITIATIVE THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART 'C' OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1, DANIELS-CHUKWUJI RITA ONYECHOKIBEDIANMA 2(CHAIRMAN) 2 .OJEOGWU REGINA NNEAMAKA FAVOUR (SECRETARY) 3. CHUKWUJI EMMANUEL EMENIKE, 4. OJEOGWU SAMUEL IWEANANDU, 5. OJEOGWU LAWRENCE EWELUM. THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To promote, protect and project the interest and welfare of the girl child and single parents.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE THE OLD NAME : AUTISM CARE AND SUPPORT INITIATIVE THE NEW NAME : THE ZEEBAH FOUNDATION

CAC/IT/ NO. 63190 THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR CHANGE OF NAME AND CHANGE OF TRUSTEES UNDER PART 'C' OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE OLD TRUSTEES ARE : 1. DR. JULIA EJIOGU - RETAINED 2. MR. NEDUM EJIOGU - REMOVED THE APPOINTED TRUSTEES AND RE-APPOINTED TRUSTEE ARE : 1. NZAN OGBE - APPOINTED 2. MRS. NANA OTEDOLA - APPOINTED 3. DR. MRS. REMI ARIBISALA - APPOINTED 4. EMMANUEL KANABE - APPOINTED 5. GLORY SHAAHU - APPOINTED 6. DR. JULIA EJIOGU - RE-APPOINTED.

to learn African French,” she says.

“But we strive for this to be valued.”

Lessons at Abraço Cultural bring in elements of history, culture, music, dance and food and Mr Jeratli has made it his mission to dispel misconceptions about his home country. “People have such a poor idea about my country. They think Syria is just bombs and desert,” he says.

While continuing to spread knowledge about Syria, Mr Jeratli is also trying to make a new life for himself in Brazil. He has applied for Brazilian citizenship, which he expects to be granted soon.

But it is not just a one-way street.

Through his lessons, Heloisa Daher has fallen in love with her ancestral land and plans to visit it with her children once the war is over.

Source: BBC

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

This is to notify the general public of the loss of letter of offer in respect of plot. 1225of about 1502.28sqm with file number, AD. 10395 in cadastral zone A05 Maitama District, belonging to NAT WILSON YADUMA all efforts made to trace it proved abortive, please if found contact this numbers 08077751511 or 08023616823. General public take note.

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THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. JOSEPH EMMANUEL YABA --chairman 2. LAWI JUSTICE -- secretary 3. YUSUF PRAISE AYUBA 4. YUSUF EMMANUEL 5. ALLAHYAYI BULUS 6. PLANGNAN AYUBA OSAYI THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.TO HELP EMPOWER VULNERABLE AND LESS PRIVILEGED CHILDREN IN THE SOCIETY BY HELPING THEM ACQUIRE SKILLS AND EDUCATION. 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 WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY.

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Saheed Akinade-Fijabi 2.

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Oyindamola Taibat Akinade

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THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To cater for the less privileged women, children and the society in general.

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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THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.Hajia Saratu mama shafii 2.Hajia Hadiza katagum-Tandja 3.Hajia Fatima Umar Shehu 4.Hajia Hajara Umar 5.Nana Aisha Mohammed 6.Fatima laminu Mamadi 7.Hadiza Abdullahi 8.Aisha Ahmad THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE :

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Juvenile Crime PREVENTION INITIATIVE

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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).

1.TO PROPAGATE AND PROMOTE ISLAM (DA'WAH) AND TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THE LESS PRIVILEGED IN OUR SOCIETY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

SUSTAINABLE INITIATIVE FOR PROTECTING AND EMPOWERING THE AFRICAN CHILD

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THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REMAIN THE SAME.

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PUBLIC NOTICE MY FUTURE MATTERS NOW INITIATIVE

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INCORPORATED TRUSTEE'S ARE AS FOLLOWS : 1.it is to enhance and develop the welfare and well-being of the women and children of the community.

2 To utilize state of the art and cutting edge strategies to address human and Development related challenges with positive impact.

3.To carry out tailored capacity building intervention for women and youth to enhance their efficiency and effectiveness.

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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THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.Abah Chinedu Ijomah 2.Abah Chinedu Nneka 3.Egbe Seth Ogahi THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. To institute programmes, events and platforms that are geared towards the propagation of individual and national growth, peace, unity, social cohesion and all spheres of development.

2.To contribute massively to the reduction of poverty and underdevelopment of indigent communities, through wholistic and dedicated empowerment initiatives and projects.

3.To partner with similar organisations, governments , individuals and institutions with common goals , to achieve its objectives.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE Child dream Initiative

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART 'C' OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

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).

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. Esor Ruth - President 2. OGOH Ebah Moses - Secretary 3. Enyong Ifiokobong Ita. 4. Esor, Blessing EKWUE

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1: ADEYEMI Ronke Funke (chairperson) 2: DADA Tolu-Tope Elisha(Secretary) 3:AJAYI Oluwole Olakunle 4:MOGAJI Olusola Oluwaseyi.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.Uge Victor - Chairman, 2.Enweani chukwuemka joses - secretary, 3.Uge Faith Vincent.

4.Okpe Samson.

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.A non governmental organization that tends to prevent the risk of Juvenile Crime to it's minimum.

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To assist and support the development of children and young adults.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. To ensure that every vulnerable child have access to quality education.

2. To create a platform that help children to fulfill their dreams.

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

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.

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 4, 2019

CLASSIFIED PUBLIC NOTICE SANI BROTHERS FOUNDATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART 'C' OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.ADAMU SANI YUNUSA - CHAIRMAN 2.SHEHU SANI INUSA 3.ISYAKU YUNUSA SANI 4.SAMINU SANI YUNUSA 5.ABUBAKAR LUKMAN SARINA 6.GAISU YUNUSA SANI 7.BELLO MUKHTAR MUHAMMAD - SECRETARY THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1.To support educational advancement and development through distribution of schools materials.

Supporting health sector through building primary healthcare and providing hospitals equipment.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE IGBOGADI FRIENDS CLUB OF NIGERIA

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART 'C' OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. MBONU CHIGOZIE HILARY - chairman 2. OTIOCHA IKECHUKWU MOSES - secretary 3. OKORONKWO UCHENNA JOHN 4. UZOMA CHIMA 5. OBIESE STEPHEN CHIDIEBERE 6. MBAMALU EBUKA 7. ADAMA ALFRED SUNDAY 8. EZEDINIRU ONYEDIKA JNR 9. ORJI OBUMNEME CLIFFORD 10. NDUKA CHINEDU QUEENTUS THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : (1) To promote common interest of all members.

(2) To forestall peace and progress of the club.

PUBLIC NOTICE ELANJAY CLOSE MASJID FOUNDATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART 'C' OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Ibrahim, Nasiru 2. Yaro, Isa Musa 3. Habu Suleyman 4. Amshi, Ahmed Kadi 5. Sambo, Abubakar Lawal

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1) BAKREEN MUHEEZ OLUDOLAPO - chairman 2) ADEOLA OLUDOTUN ANUOLUWAPO -secretary 3) BAKARE OLUBODUN MOGBOLADE 4) TIJANI ADESEGUN.

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To promote the tenets of Islamic faith.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE DIVINE SEED COLLEGE FOR MISSIONS

The General public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for Registration under Part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

Trustees 1. KAIGAMA DIO ATSAKAU 2. DIO JEREMIAH KAIGAMA 3. AJI SHATU D 4. DIO JAPHET KAIGAMA Objective Advancing sense of missionary commitment in the sub-region, Africa and World at large upon the strength and contribution of all individual and group.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

Signed: Secretary

CHURCH OF ACTS

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.

MATHEW JIMMY – CHAIRMAN 2.

DEBORAH JIMMY – SECRETARY 3.

MRS. JANET BENARD 4.

MR. MARK OJIMA MATHEW AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To preach and propagate the gospel of Christ in all parts of Nigeria and the world at large.

2. To establish churches and worship centers in furtherance of the spread of the gospel.

3. To engage in community and social development programs.

4. To establish institutions to train ministers and church workers, for the furtherance of the spread of the gospel, within and outside Nigeria.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE RELIEF EFFORTS FOUNDATION

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THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1) OGUNYEMI BABAFEMI AYODEJI. 2) LAWAL FOLUKE VICTORIA. 3) LAWAL OLUGBENGA OLUWOLE. AIMS: 1) TO ASSIST THE LESS PRIVILEGE IN THE SOCIETY. 2) TO PROVIDE ALMS AND OTHER NECESSARIES TO THE LESS PRIVILEGE.

FALILAT FOUNDATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART 'C' OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

Any objection to the above registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent Off Aguiyi Street, Maitama P.M.B. 198, Abuja within 28 days-of this publication.

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PUBLIC NOTICE LOUIS EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVE

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.TO CATER FOR THE WELFARE OF MUSLIM COMMUNITY. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

Aim and objective : To support and care for the welfare of the less privilege Any objection to the above registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent Off Aguiyi Street, Maitama P.M.B. 198, Abuja within 28 days-of this publication.

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PUBLIC NOTICE POWER COURT TRANSITION MINISTRY

AIMS: TO PREACH THE WORD OF GOD

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

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

Signed: Secretary

The Trustees are: 1) ADEDIPE ADEYEMI - PRESIDENT 2) OLANREWAJU GBENGA OJO - SECRETARY AIMS: TO PROMOTE UNITY AMONG MEMBERS

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Signed: Secretary

Taekwondo: Korean centre trains Abuja residents on self-defence

The Trustees: 1. Kingsley Oluwasegun Rehoboth.

2. Oguntoyinbo Lawrence Olukayode 3. Eni-Uwubame Uwubame John

The Trustees are: 1) AKABUOGU FRANCIS UCHECHUKWU - PRESIDENT 2) DEACONESS MABEL MOLOKWU - SEC. 3) GABRIEL NNEKA RITA - TREASURER 4) DEACON EZE NWEKE JOHN. - MEMBER. 5) DEACON EDEONYIA WILLIAMS UWAKWE

This is to notify the general public that the above named, has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, for registration under part 'C' of companies and Allied Matters Act. 1990.

sports@peoplesdailyng.com, SMS- 08142929046

Wednesay December 4, 2019

KINGSLEY SEGUN FOUNDATION

The Trustees are: 1. OKORO ANTHONY CHIZOR 2. CHIJIOKE ANITA AMAOGECHUKWU 3. VICTOR ONUCHE CHAPI 4. AZU CHIMA IBIAM

PROGRESSIVE BARBER'S ASSOCIATION, AKURE

29

The General public is hereby notified that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for Registration under Part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

This is to notify the general public that the above named, has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, for registration under part 'C' of companies and Allied Matters Act. 1990.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Page

PUBLIC NOTICE

This is to notify the general public that the above named, has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, for registration under part 'C' of companies and Allied Matters Act. 1990.

The Aim and objective; To be a unique and well positioned non-profit organization, promoting the support and empowerment of impoverished communities, families and young persons.

Sports

PEOPLES DAILY

PAGE 28

PUBLIC NOTICE IMO IMPROVEMENT UNION

This is to notify the general public that the above named, has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, for registration under part 'C' of companies and Allied Matters Act. 1990.

The Trustees are: 1. DURU JOSEPH NDUBUISI - SECRETARY 2. EBILIEKWE VIRTUES OBIAH 3. AGOMUO THEODORE MGBUEMENEH 4. IBEAGWU CHINEDU JOSEPH -CHAIRMAN AIMS & OBJECTIVES 1. TO CONTRIBUTE THEIR QUOTA IN THE BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT OF IMO STATE 2. TO BRING ABOUT UNITY AMONG IMO PEOPLE 3. TO RENDER HELP TO THE SOCIETY IN GENERAL. 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

Taekwondo in training runts, panting, wheezing were some of the sounds that emanated from the vast training room at the Korean Cultural Centre, Abuja as over 70 adults took lessons in Taekwondo, a defensive martial art.

There were about seven smartly knitted ‘masters’ of taekwondo, who took the adults, a few of them over forty, on basic defence moves to escape physical attacks and also to defend loved ones under attack.

Taekwondo, Tae Kwon Do or TaekwonDo is a Korean martial art, characterised by its emphasis on head-height kicks, jumping and spinning kicks, and fast kicking techniques.

The organisers said the aim of the event was to introduce the defensive arts to Abuja residents in the midst of attacks

G

on them by pick-pockets, armed robbers and kidnappers in the capital city.

In recent weeks, there have been cases of robberies and ‘one-chance’ crimes in Abuja that have led to injuries and even deaths.

A young reporter with one of the electronic media houses was killed in a one chance robbery in Abuja some weeks ago.

At the Korean centre, the trainees, comprising of professionals from diverse fields, were shown basic moves in unarmed fighting and how to escape an attacker’s grip and save one’s lives when confronted by unarmed bandits. ”Remember to play it safe. Self defence is more about doing everything possible to avoid fighting someone who threatens you,” said Abdul-Malik Mohammed, head

coach, Korean Cultural Centre. ”Use your smartness, not your fist. If it happens you have to go physical, then be in control and be prepared to use these techniques effectively.”

Mr Mohammed said self-defence helps someone to remain safe in the midst of danger. ”Knowing self-defence skills helps us to build our confidence,” he said. ”It teaches us discipline and this discipline plays out in other areas of our lives.” ”It also helps us to learn about our environment. it teaches us how to relate with other people we meet in our daily activities,” he added.

Ugo Martins, one of those that attended the training, said he has enrolled two of his kids at the Taekwondo lessons organised

for kids at the centre. He said he was pleasantly surprised when he got an invite to come for the training session, adding that the tips he learnt were useful ”At least I now know how I can defend myself a little bit. We all know how Abuja has become dangerous. The tips will surely become useful,” Mr Ugo, who was the reporter’s ‘sparring’ partner during the training, said excitedly. ”I hope I can remember the tips when it comes to the real life situation when I am confronted with danger.

Nevertheless, the tips are useful,” enthuses another participant, Vivian, as she playfully attempts some of the moves again on her way out of the weaving exodus of residents,”who had just learnt Taekwondo.”

We’ve not done enough to tackle racism -UEFA President

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PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 4, 2019

r t Doubles worry injury We’ve not done Man United ahead Tottenham clash enough to tackle racism -UEFA President M

anchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Scott McTominay and Nemanja Matic could feature against Tottenham Hotspur in Wednesday’s Premier League game after being sidelined with injury.

McTominay has missed United’s last three games since the international break after picking up an issue against Brighton and Hove Albion.

For Matic, he has not featured since the goalless draw with AZ

p

Alkmaar in early October.

And in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday morning, Solskjaer said both players are in line to face Spurs.

“You know I don’t want to talk about these injuries we’ve had, but of course when you get Scott back, when you get Paul back… we have been light in midfield because we had Scott and Nemanja and Paul out for such a long time and that’s affected us,”Solskjaer told reporters.

Nnadozie named best female goalkeeper in Africa

Aleksander Ceferin

U

EFA president Aleksander Ceferin, has admitted the body has not done enough to combat racism in European football.

UEFA has come under criticism amid a spate of racist incidents in recent months, ranging from monkey chants aimed at Romelu Lukaku and Mario Balotelli in Italy, to the abuse that was directed at

England’s black players during their Euro 2020 qualifier away to Bulgaria in October.

After an investigation into the shameful scenes in Sofia, UEFA punished Bulgaria by forcing them to play their next competitive home game behind closed doors with a further match suspended for two years. The Bulgaria football union were also fined €75,000.

However the sanction was criticised by the antidiscrimination network Football Against Racism in Europe (Fare), which said it was disappointed Bulgaria had not been expelled from the competition after being found guilty of a third offence this year, while Kick It Out said Uefa had “missed an opportunity” to send the right message.

New Diamond League format killing athletics -Blake

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Chiamaka Nnadozie

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uper Falcons goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie has been named the best goalkeeper in Africa, and the 14th best goalkeeper in the World by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics.

The 18-year-old who caught the attention of many at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France earlier this year, made three appearances for the Super Falcons at the tournament including the 2-0 win over South Korea, where she became the youngest ever goalkeeper to keep

a clean sheet in a Women’s World Cup. According to the International Federation of Football History and Statistics, Chiamaka and South Africa’s Andile Dlamini are the only Africans on the shortlist.

Netherland’s Sari Van Veenendaal who won the best keeper’s award at the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France, is the Best Goalkeeper of The Year, followed by France’s Sarah Bouhaddi, who have won the award three times (2016, 2017, 2018) consecutively

orld Athletics president Lord Coe is “killing” the sport by taking away disciplines from the Diamond League, says Jamaican sprinter Yohan Blake.

The 200m, 3,000m steeplechase, discus and triple jump will not feature at all meetings from next year.

There will now be 12 disciplines at each of the 15 meetings because athletics’ governing body wishes to cut events for a “90-minute broadcast”.

Yohan Blake is a two-time Olympic relay champion British two-time Olympic gold medallist Coe, who is also Diamond League chairman, feature at 10 meetings, while two will stage has said the “objective is to create a faster- the discus and triple jump. paced, more exciting global league that will None of the four disciplines removed from be the showcase for our sport”. the ‘core’ list will form part of the Diamond The 3,000m steeplechase and 200m will League Final in Zurich in September.

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PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 4, 2019

Redeeming the Education Sector Cont. from back page working with the Ministry of Works and Housing (MOW &H) and other technology based establishments across the nation were predominantly products of the technical colleges. They are ready made and are technically efficient on the work.

The technical colleges hardly exist but only in name again. We now have graduates of mechanical engineering from university who could not change car battery.

One more thing we lost out on was the effective school inspectorate system that was in place till the late 1980s. The inspectorate department of education was so functional that teachers were always on their feet to deliver. Efficiency was properly measured and appreciated. I remember the inspectors coming regularly to our schools then, watched the teachers teaching, go through their teaching plan and then checked our notes. At times they asked us questions about our classes and even about our teachers. Today, while the offices still officially exist, it doesn’t perform the same function any longer. Perhaps this is because of the dormancy of the entire system of state/local government under which they exist.

Not limited to the primary and secondary schools, private universities and polytechnics with quality as unbecoming and semi baked except for a few sprang up all over the nation, even our parasitic neighboring nations take advantage of the decay in our educational sector by setting up glorifying secondary schools as well as universities and offer our citizens easy opportunity to become an undergraduate.

The immediate consequence, we have produced millions of graduates who are equally as unuseful to themselves as they are to the country. Recently, NYSC has been complaining of corps members who could not conveniently compose a straight correct sentence. Some cannot even write their names correctly. The private sector tactically refusing them employment because they’re considered as unemployable; we have nothing to offer outside the paper certificates that are mostly bought.

This got worse to the extent that despite graduating hundreds of thousands technologists and engineers every year, we do not possess the manpower to produce basic products. Our educational systems do not prepare us to become creative thinkers nor producers, no wonder, despite our population; we import virtually every consumables and utensils.

So, where do we begin from? Is it reconsidering the moribund structure of our curriculums and standards that prioritise theoretical discussion and passing examinations as the hallmark of good education, or getting the government to consider total overhauling of the sector funding regime, infrastructural development, practical hand-on teaching and quality of lecturing staff, or to get the Universities administrators to reconsider its present position and embrace a system that allow only qualified persons become tutors, erase the popular and prevailing money and sex for mark syndrome and examinations malpractice in their domains.

Whatever attempt we make at giving the educational sector a rebirth would be fruitless if we also fail to recognize that even among the youths and the young Nigerians, the culture of learning has overwhelmingly weaned. We must engage a massive education on the relevance and need for basic education among the growing population. Our children must know that the essence of education is not the certificate. As a nation our education sector would not begin to produce desirable result until our education system disabuses

Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu the concept of certificate is prime.

The sector is not irredeemable. The problems we face today are self-inflicted and can be undo if we so wish.

Funding the sector must be conscious.

If we want to become globally reckoned with, our annual budget allocations to education at the states and federal level would be the first indicator. Increasing targeted spending on all round education catering effectively and simultaneously for the technical and vocational education alongside conventional education would just do the magic.

Funding is a fundamental problem ( to a large extent) Indisputably, as a nation, compare to what is obtained in other climes where education is given serious priority, education is underfunded in Nigeria, but it is not enough to lay the funding denominator factor at the foot of the government; we must equally ask. How have the school administrators manage the current allocations to the sector overtime?

The ‘little’ we got, how do we utilize it? Do we have any consideration over the year for quality and quantitative research work? Or do we literally expend all allocations to the sector on payments of overheads with little or no infrastructural development But this would not become an issue if the governments at all levels are interested to get committed to the real development of the sector. If Nigerian government chose today to commit resources to the revamping of the sector; given concomitant political will, in a few years, we will begin to tell a new and palatable story. This commitment is beyond financial but all-round. We need a radically committed in all sectors and level of our educational system that will prioritize the effective educational system as the bedrock of national development. A leadership that will genuinely revitalize the nation’s educational policies to align with modern trends If need be, let go all the way to reinvent the wheel. Maybe we should begin by rebuilding the primary school system; we must accessed and engage qualified, proficient and devoted teachers to teach our pupils right from the primary school level. We must turnaround and massively invest in technical education in the country; we must redefine what the objectives of our tertiary education are.

We all know that teachers are the most central factor affecting students’ learning; being responsible for their total achievement to a very large degree. It is therefore imperative that issues concerning teachers’ quality and welfare be considered highly essential as a rally point to stop the decline in our educational system and begin a new phase of educational stability.

If we must do this, then we must ask the question; is the quality of the teacher training receive in our colleges of education

and universities fit for purpose of producing quality tutors? After then we must review the nation plans for on-the-job training for teachers. The teachers, like operators in other professions, must be mandated to attend continuous professional development programs and conferences.

The teachers must be kept updated with current realities and discoveries in their fields and in other skills necessary for total development of their students Beyond training and retraining, developments in technology and ICT as it affect specific disciplines and general subject must be regularly absorbed by teachers at all levels of education. Every teacher must become handy in the use of the instrumentality of the ICT to improve the quality of teaching and assimilation of subject matters I think we also need to push for vital changes and a rewiring of the Nigerian learning method, which undoubtedly only prepare students to write and pass examinations but which does not encourage or result to a smooth transition from education to employment for many graduates. It is very pathetic that every year, our tertiary institutions graduated approximately 180,000 graduates in various fields of learning, a large proportion of which are mostly unemployable as attested to by most employers of labour especially in technologically based jobs.

We must redesign our curricula to guarantee education to employment. We need to call for a conference of education policy makers to emerge policies and framework including curricula that will guarantee the much desire education-toemployability transition in Nigeria. This is about living the theories; we must get to that point when every student becomes eager to practicalise each and every class theoretical teachings. This is called innovative teaching.

We must depart the era of coping, memorizing and imitation. Our teaching methods must encourage the students to be originals; thinking of what they could do with the accumulated knowledge rather than concentrating on what others have done. Our learning environment should also become learner-centered approach instead of the traditional lecturing method). Our teaching method and learning should become active, flexible and technology inclined. There is a designed innovative pedagogy called Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Entrepreneurship Training which are education and training that provide knowledge and entrepreneurship skills for employment using formal, non-formal and informal learning for social equity, inclusion and sustainable development.

This we must adopt across board As necessary as it is that we consider

very important all the raised points, if we fail to decide on what control is acceptable for the guarantee of efficiency of our tertiary institutions, then all our gains whatever they are, would be eroded by unchecked corruption in the system.

Who control the administrators of our government institutions: what aspect of their operations do we oversee? Is it only academics development or inclusive of financial management and probity of the institutions?

We need to frankly ask ourselves, should the government proceed out rightly with its implementation of IPPIS for employees of government owned tertiary schools or exercise some caution. Is their likelihood of possible distortions of negative implications if the government proceeds with its decision? If the government would be made to back down, would that implies that management of the university accounts and financial management is exclusive right and function of its administrators. Does it make management sense that government funds these institutions but could not bring mechanisms to curb endemic corruption in the system?

A school of thought is of the opinion that it is the responsibility of the NUC to regulate, control, supervise and monitor the operations of the universities. Don’t we all know that as it is structured, the NUC does not possess the capacity to perform that function? NUC responsibility must be limited to regulating standard and quality; any attempt to draw the body into financial regulation of the school because we want to escape IPPIS will spell more doom for the sector beginning from the nearest future.

Financial corruption has become a fundamental problem and issue affecting virtually all sector of the nation’s development, education not exempted; so much corruption have crept in to the sector; the story of ghost workers in our institutions is not one within the precinct of the administrators to resolved because they are mostly culprit in the crime.

We just heard the news of hundreds of unconfirmed professors in our universities; yet these one are being paid the wages of professors all along. The story of lecturers working simultaneously in more than one institutions and getting paid by all the schools is another we cannot overlook.

We cannot supply reasons good enough to stop a process good enough to rid a sector as important as education of the malady of corruption. But in fairness to all party, Agreed, the IPPIS as currently designed might not have captured the enumerations of the academia totally; yet rejecting the scheme in its totality would still not be in the interest of the nation’s aspiration to become corruption free. I would suggest the establishment of a joint committee that would review the content of the IPPIS in such a way that would capture all due benefits of university and polytechnic lecturers and staff. We cannot consider throwing the baby away with the bath water I will conclude on this note, Nigerians government commitment to the university education system currently must be geared up . It is not about the money budgeted for the sector but about what we want to achieve from the sector. We cannot give free education to children who would eventually be taught by non-professionals and halfbaked teachers and claimed to have catered properly for the sector. The content of our education must be reviewed; we must ask ourselves what exactly we want those children to come out with; theory as usual or creative thinking minds. It is high time we decided on and agreed to what we want from the sector and begin laying a fresh foundation that would take us there.

God Bless The Federal Republic Of Nigeria!

. . . putting the people first

Wednesay December 4, 2019

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SPORTS Redeeming the Education Sector latest

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Federer to be celebrated on Swiss coins

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witzerland’s 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer will become the first living person to be celebrated on a coin in the country.

The Federal Mint, Swissmint, will release a 20 Swiss francs silver commemorative coin in January.

It plans to add a Federer SFr50 gold coin in May. “Thank you Switzerland and Swissmint for this incredible honour and privilege,” said the 38-year-old world number three.

Richarlison signs new Everton deal until summer 2024

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verton forward Richarlison has signed a new deal that will keep him at Goodison Park until summer 2024.

He joined the Toffees from Watford in July 2018 and has since scored 20 goals in 55 appearances in all competitions.

Richarlison, 22, made his international debut for Brazil two months after joining Everton and now has 19 caps.

“I intend to be here a long time. This was the club which gave me the opportunity to show my football,” he said.

“It was here I managed to get a place in the Brazil national team and it was here I have scored lots of goals in the Premier League.”

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iscussing the current realities of the Nigerian educational system in order to proffer solutions to redeem our educational standard is very important. Over the decades, we have been battling with Universal Basic Education (UBE), resuscitating the standard from primary to the tertiary education strata, attaining necessary and acceptable level that makes Nigerian graduates competitive and employable globally.

We cannot afford to take all the aforementioned point lightly.

However we view it, education remains one of the fundamental factors of state development as it has the potential of stirring people’s understanding of themselves and their environment.

It does possess the capacity to improve the quality of human life and leads to broad social benefits for individuals and society at large. It has the potential to raise national productivity, innovation, creativity and promotes free enterprise and technological advancements.

Our nation cannot progress beyond the level of her education express through its human capital development and political stability. It is a result of these that the underdevelopment of Nigeria, is adduced to the failure of successive governments to invest appropriately in the education sector. Challenges ranging from poor funding regimes, poor and inadequate infrastructures, limited population of qualified and motivated workforce, examination malpractices, nonfunctional curricula and obsolete teaching methods, all capped by the endemic corruption that had been fully ingrained in the nation’s fabric.

After fifty-nine years of independence, it seems we are yet to evolve an acceptable and true development propelling pattern of education that can really propel the nation forward. If we must have any meaningful revival of our educational sector; it is expedient that we engage a comprehensive revamping of the sector That Nigeria education sector need a total rejig is an understatement. But we cannot not begin proffering solutions without dissecting the sector utterly first to know where we are coming from and at what point we started getting it wrong. Up till the 1980s, Nigeria schools at all levels were beautiful and admirable. The school compounds and campuses were well organised. Conscious efforts were made to deliver quality and qualitative education; laboratories were functional with necessary equipment on ground.

Teaching staff and educational

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Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu administrators alike were highly and the regular months-long motivated and committed to strikes finally paralyzed the public the job. The obvious result then schools leading to the birth and was the clear cut high quality proliferation of private schools A pathetic development in of education. Our institutions competed at par with their our education structure is the counterparts all over the globe. accumulation of mushrooms That was the period when the universities across the country university campuses of Ahmadu and in most of our neighbouring Bello University, Obafemi countries. There are universities Awolowo University, University in this country that would admit of Ibadan, University of Lagos students with very low scores in and University of Nigeria, Nsukka UTME and probably with similar were inspiring and Nigerians, O-level results; all that is relevant even the brightest of the students is that the student could afford the undergo their higher education in necessary school payments. Yet, Nigeria and only traveled abroad these schools do not only graduate for courses that are not readily half-baked graduates but graduate them with unbelievable grades. available in the country.

But much more worrisome Is the Nigerian education system beyond redemption? The are the universities in our answer to me is “yes” and “no”. neighbouring nations; you can yes, if we are sincerely ready and get in and get out of the school committed to begin afresh and do within a year fully decorated with all it takes to revamp the sector; a degree certificate that takes four and no, if we chose to continue in to five years to obtain in Nigeria. our pretense that all is well with So it has become a pastime for the system. If we chose the former, student who cannot pass Nigeria’s then we will utterly require universities degree programs sincerity of purpose and efforts or those who are expelled from and/or more precisely political Nigerian universities to cross over will from our leaders and all the to some of these universities and stakeholders in the education bag their degrees in less than a sector. If we are ready to do this; year. These people return into with sincerity of purpose and the country and go for NYSC and commitment (as I mentioned subsequently join the nation’s above), we will ultimately turn workforce.

The plan at the onset was to around the sector for good.

So, what exactly are the create a strong base to supply problems? The entire educational quality pool of teachers for the system of the country had taken total education of Nigerians; we a nose dive and a consistent had teachers training colleges built deterioration since the 1970s across the country with strong and but we become worse in the formidable structures, modules late 80s and early 90s when the and administration and the result government neglects of the sector was marvelous, the teachers in

the 70s and 80s were teachers indeed. The quality of teaching and the students turned out were testimonies of the efficiency of the system. We took out the training colleges, replaced them with colleges of education but we failed to replicate the structure and quality. Teachers’ education is unique and incomparable to all others. Our secondary school curriculum was not designed to supply prerequisite to teachers’ education like it does other disciplines; teachers’ education began with the structured outline of the Teachers Training Colleges; Today we produce a number of teachers who have nothing to offer except for a few because the institution they went through is a system that imitate what was existing but failed to equal its standardization.

The present colleges of education to a large extent lack the in-depth capacity to produce qualify teachers within the period of three years as planned. We cannot denied the fact that quality of teachers we are turning out from these schools are in no way comparable to what we had in the past. Some months ago we heard of the situation in Kaduna state where the state governor had to forcefully disengaged several teachers in the state because they could not pass basic aptitude test. There is a cogent national need to review the content and possibly the duration of attaining the teacher’s certificate via the colleges of educations and reintroducing Teachers colleges As the teachers college was going down so were the technical colleges. The technical colleges’ policy was the ideal plan to supply a formidable and lasting technological know-how for the nation. In the 1970s, almost all the technologists and technicians

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