Tuesday, May 7, 2019 Edition

Tuesday, May 7, 2019/ Ramadan 2, 1440 AH

Vol. 31 No. 061 N150

1842 Days after

Tanker truck explosion kills 55 in Niger pAGE 6

@pmlonline

peoplesdailyng

. . . putting the people first

The nation awaits rescue of the remaining abducted Chibok schoolgirls

APC debunks Akeredolu’s planned defection to PDP pAGE 6

Prisons dismisses officer for drug trafficking pAGE 6

Banks face FG sanction over illegal LG funds withdrawal

page 5

Officials of Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property sealing off the Murjanatu House, yesterday in Abuja .

Buhari greets Muslims at Ramadan

>>>page 4

Photo: NAN

Court refuses to stop swearingin of Muhammad as CJN

>>>page 5

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, may 7, 2019

News CONTENTS News 2-14 Op.Ed

12-13

Politics 15-17 Stock Watch Business Metro

18 19-20 21

World Analysis 22 Africa News

23

World News

24

Group: Media commitment critical in fight against malnutrition From: Femi Oyelola, kaduna

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group, the ‘Save the Children’ has said media commitment is critical in mobilising support for the defeat of the menace of malnutrition in Nigeria The Country Director of the Grou, Ben Foot stated this at a one- day parley with Head of Media Organisations held in Kaduna yesterday.

Mr. Foot said it is time the issues of malnutrition be put in the front burner and this is where the media has a great role to play.

The Country Director represented by the Advocacy and Campaign Manger Oluseyi Abejide lauds kaduna State Government intervention in

malnutrition.

In her remark, Hajiya Aisha ElRufai, wife of the state governor, said poor knowledge about early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding and appropriate complementary feeding has remained a major challenge in the fight against malnutrition She therefore called for a holistic approach by the media to create the needed knowledge on IYCF to increase demand for nutrition services as well as good IYCF practices among parents and caregivers.

Represented by the Project Manager Zainab Kwaru Muhammad said because of the important of Media KADENAP had trained journalists in the state

on issues around nutrition and malnutrition and the situation in the state.

She assured that several of such training would be organised, particularly on IYCF messages, to properly equip the media with the needed information for the campaign.

In his paper, “ The role of Media Organisations on Nutrition Intervention” the Nutrition Advocacy Adviser to Save the Children Mallam Isah Ibrahim said three out of ten children in Kaduna State suffers from malnutrition.

He added that the way media reports nutrition situations influences how decision makers think about it and more important what they do about it.

He further said the media are important in the nutrition intervention because of its visibility, creating awareness and perceptions.

Media participants at the meeting pledged to actively play their role in prioritising nutrition agenda at the policy and programme levels in their reportage.

They agreed that media has an extremely powerful and challenging role to play when it comes to disseminating information to the vulnerable sections and catalysing political ownership to highlight the issue of malnutrition for guiding public opinion and actions for prioritising the issue at policy level.

. Coalition of Northern Nigerian Youths Association under the umbrella of Arewa Youths Federation protesting over incessant killings in Zamfara State , yestday in Gusau .

Registrars task FG on provision of facilities for universities Page 6

Digest

25

Feature 26 Sports 30-31 Back Page

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Illegal arrest: Call Civilian JTF to order, Rights Commission tells El-Rufai From: Femi Oyelola, kaduna

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ational Human Rights Commission, (NHRC), has expressed dismay over alleged illegal activities of Kaduna State Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) which rather than protecting the citizens is bringing hardship and pains to them.

The State Coordinator of NHRC, Mr. Gwar Terngu stated this while briefing the media in Kaduna yesterday.

According to him, the illegal activities meted on the citizens by the Civilian JTF includes; illegal arrest, torture, inhuman and degrading treatment, beatings and body injuries.

He therefore called on the State Government to as a matter of urgency call the Civilian JTF to order, saying the Commission had

received several reports of it illegal activities.

Mr. Terngu also said that the latest complain brought before the Commission is that of a 14 year-old Al-Amin Yahaya who was illegally arrested and severely beaten by the Civilian JTF and this resulted to injuries inflicted on his right arm.

He further explained that the Primary six pupil of Yusuf Dantsoho Memorial Primary School was picked up because someone dropped a bag in front of his house, and he was given 30 lashes to accept that he is the culprit.

“This pupil was arrested by the CJTF, tortured as you can see, he can’t moved his right arm by the result of this X-ray. So we want to draw the public attention to this.

“This act by the CJTF is commendable and not in public

interest, and we hope the government will take action to seriously address and call the task force to order.”

Terngu said further that this was not too good especially when the State Government has recently passed the Child Rights Act to law, saying activities of the CJTF was against the provisions of the Law and several human Rights principles.

“We want the KDSG and Police to take action including every other security agencies working with the CJTF to call them to order.”

On the next line of action by the Commission, the State Coordinator of NHRC said, “We’ll make sure that justice prevail, that those found culpable in this act are brought to to justice.

‘We can’t continue to tolerate this act of cross violation of peoples’

rights. And one of the mandates of the Commission is to support victims seek redress,” he said.

Also, Mallam Aminu Shawai, an Uncle to the victim, said the Teen was brought to him at home and when he enquired to know what happened they narrated the story.

According to him, assuming the pupil actually carried the bag as he was being accused of, is that enough for them to afflict him with injuries?

“Al-Amin can’t move his right arm because both hands were tied together and beaten.

“When they brought him to my house the father said he wanted to go to court, I said no that there is the National Human Rights Commission, that is where we will take our case to and they will fight for our right. That’s why we are here,” Mallam Shawai said.

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, may 7, 2019

News

KCCN holds poetry fiesta to mark centenary of Korean independence

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he Korean Cultural Center in Nigeria (KCCN) has organized the 9th edition of the Korea-Nigeria poetry fiesta in Abuja to mark the centenary of the Korean independence movement.

The poetry feast, also featured photo exhibition and short Korean drama by Arojah Theater, to the admiration of the audience, who are mainly students and friends of the Korean people.

In particular, there were three categories of awards for the poetry competition, ranging from the adult and student category to Ambassador’s prize.

Speaking at the event, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, Lee In-tae, revealed that the theme for this year’s KoreaNigeria poetry competition was ‘Decided for Independence’.

Represented by Counselor Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of the Republic of Korea, Dohwan Kim, he explained that all the talented poets were assembled to reflect and express their thoughts to full on the meaning of freedom, liberty, and self-determination, along with the noble sacrifice compatriots made to entrench these values in both Korean and Nigeria.

He added that alongside with short play, the photo exhibition will help to call to everyone’s mind, the whole timeline and stories of the March 1st 1919 movement.

“Korean people will always remember the noble sacrifice of our parents’ generation, who independent ardently wished free, peaceful and independent nation and courageously raised their voice and stood up against any unjust suppression,” he stressed.

Similarly, the KCCN Director, Lee Jin Su, recalled that the March 1st movement laid the foundation for Korea’s Independence in 1945.

He explained that a young woman named Yu Gwan-sun was notable among the characters depicted in the short drama by Arojah Theater, who was arrested while leading a demonstration but kept shouting”long live independent Korea” even in prison, and eventually died in prison from injuries caused by torture.

Highlights of the event included presentation of awards to recipients, who came first, second and third.

News Editor, Ese Awhotu

Court orders Sen. Adeleke to honour fresh police invitation

By Vivian Okejeme Abuja

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ustice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court in Abuja, has granted permission to the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate in the last governorship election in Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, to travel to

the United States of America for medical check-up.

Also, the judge ordered him to honour a fresh police invitation on May 6, before travelling the next day.

In his ruling on the request of Adeleke to travel abroad for medical treatment, the court

directed the Police not to prevent the senator from embarking on his scheduled trip on May 7 as he honours the invitation on May 6.

In granting the senator permission to embark on the trip on May 7, the judge ordered him to return to the country on June 9.

Adeleke’s passport had been

in the custody of the court since last year as one of the the bail condition granted him, following his arraignment before the judge on charges of examination malpractices.

The court ordered the Chief Registrar of the court to release his passport to him.

Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo , flanked by President of African Court of Human and Peoples’ Rights, Justice Sylvain Ore (2nd left); Judge of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Justice Suzanne Mengue (Left); Judge of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Justice Stella Anukam(2ndright); Judge of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Justice Imani Aboud (R). delegation from African Court of Human and Peoples’ Rights led by President visit to Vice President , yesterday in the State House, Abuja.

Photo: State House

NiMet pledges support for Liberian meteorological services

By Miriam Humbe

T

he Director General/CEO of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, Prof.

Abubakar Sani Mashi, has assured that the Federal Government through his agency is ready to assist the Liberian Meteorological Services in strengthening its capacity to deliver efficient services.

A statement from the Corporate Communications Unit of the agency in Abuja yesterday, said Abubakar Mashi disclosed this while addressing representatives of the Liberian students from the World Meteorological Organisation Regional Training Centre, Oshodi, who were on courtesy visit to his

office in Abuja.

Prof. Mashi explained that within the West African context, Nigeria (NiMet) is a big brother to Liberia and is willing to give all the necessary support and assistance that Liberia needs. He affirmed that Nigeria and Liberia share a cordial relationship in terms of provision of weather services adding that presently NiMet produces daily weather services to Sierra - Leone and Liberia and some other sister nations within the West African region.

He explained that, it’s at the instance of the WMO’s request for West African countries should support one another, especially in weather related areas, that

NiMet has given assurance and commitment to train and retrain the students on aspects of meteorology.

He envisioned that by the end of the training they will be in a better position to assist their country in generating weather information and services and expressed optimism that Liberia will be strong enough to help others just the way they had been assisted.

In his response, the leader of the students, Lemuel Kleeme, Deputy Director for Public Affairs, Ministry of Transport Republic of Liberia, expressed appreciation for the partnership and support they enjoyed from NiMet especially in meteorology and promised they would utilize all that will be learnt to

the fullest to get to par with the rest of the world.

Speaking earlier, Director, Research and Training Prof .Oniyonuoye. Ojugo, explained that part of the students training was to be in the headquarters for three weeks on practical aspects of Public Weather Presentation.

The twenty eight students are the second set to embark on the training which will cover Agrometeorology, Data Processing, Forecasting as well as Public Weather Presentation.

The training varies from one month to one year depending on the curriculum. The first batch of students from Liberia was trained in 2016.

Absence of judge stalls trial of Dino Melaye, Maryam Sanda

By Vivian Okejeme Abuja

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he trials of Senator Dino Melaye and an alleged husband killer, Maryam Sanda, was yesterday, stalled due to the absence of the trial judge, Justice Yusuf Halilu.

The trial before the federal capital territory high court, Maitama, couldn’t hold, due to justice Halilu’s official engagement on election tribunal duty in Ogun State.

The senator representing Kogi West, was arraigned on an eightcount charge bordering on alleged conspiracy, resistance to arrest, failure to honour police invitation

and intentionally giving false information to the public.

The police had alleged that the senator conspired with one Silas Omenka on December 28, 2018, to commit an offence of illegal obstruction to a lawful arrest, thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 97 of the Penal Code.

Melaye was said to have intentionally resisted lawful arrest, thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 172 of the Penal Code.

The police also claimed that the descendant, intentionally tweeted, with the intention of inciting the public against the police.

According to the prosecution, Senator Melaye tweeted that the Inspector-General of Police planned to arrest and inject him to death, which was false. This the police said this was an offence punishable under Section 416 of the Penal Code.

The senator, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him by the police.

Also yesterday, the trial of Maryam Sanda, alleged to have killed her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, was also stalled.

Justice Halilu on April 4, ordered Maryam Sanda, who was charged with culpable homicide punishable with death for allegedly

killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, to open her defence, stating that she has a case to answer in the case brought against her.

Ruling on a no-case submission filed by Sanda and her codefendants, thr court discharged Maryam’s mother, Maimuna Aliyu; brother, Aliyu Sanda and housemaid, Sadiya Aminu.

They were charged with concealment of evidence by cleaning the blood of the late Bilyaminu from the scene of the crime.

The court in Sanda’s case rescheduled trial until June 11, while Melaye’s case was fixed for June 17.

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, may 7, 2019

N EWS

Buhari greets Muslims at Ramadan P resident Muhammadu Buhari has sent greetings to Nigerians in general and Muslims in particular as they commence the month-long Ramadan fast.

Mr Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in a statement in Abuja on Sunday said the president’s greetings followed the sighting of the lunar month

of Ramadan.

Mr Buhari called for continued peace, progress and prosperity of the country.

According to the president, Islam is a religion of peace that upholds the

values of tolerance and mutual coexistence, without a place for hatred and violence.

He, therefore, urged Muslims to use the period to build a relationship of

friendship and harmony with fellow citizens of other faiths.

The president prayed to Allah for the continued peace, progress, and the wellbeing of the country.

(NAN)

Olatunbosun joins race for Reps Speakership

By Lawrence Olaoye

H

onourable Jide O l a t u n b o s u n representing Saki West/Saki East/Atisbo Federal Constituency has declared his intention to contest for the

position of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The second term lawmaker notified his colleagues in a viral text messages to them yesterday seeking their support for his ambition joined the race.

The message, which was

made available to newsmen yesterday read: 9th Assembly: My intention to contest for the office of the Speaker.

My compliments, dearest colleagues, With utmost sense of responsibility, I write to humbly notify you

of my intention to vie for the Office of the Speaker, House if Representatives.

In realization of this, I hereby solicit your kind support. Yours in service of the nation.”

With this declaration, Olatunbosun will be slugging it

1m species threatened with extinction, UNbacked report says

L-R: College Secretary, National Defence College , Air Commodore Pam Chollom; Deputy Commandant of the College, Maj.-Gen. Peter Dauke; the Commandant, Rear Adm. Mackson Kadiri and Minister of Defence, retired Brig.-Gen. Masur Dan-Ali, during the Minister’s visit to deliver lecture for Course 27 Participants of College, yesterday in Abuja.

T

he United Nations and over 130 governments on Monday said up to a million species are threatened with extinction as nature suffers an “unprecedented’’ decline.

“Humankind needs to make transformative change if the negative trends are to be arrested,’’ the intergovernmental panel on biodiversity and ecosystems, known as IPBES, said.

IPBES head Robert Watson said that the report presented an “ominous picture’’.

“We are eroding the very foundations of our economies, livelihoods, food security, health and quality of life worldwide.

“The biggest cause of the decline was change in land and sea use, with direct human use of plants and animals in second place,’’ Watson said.

Climate change was the third-biggest driver of species loss, however was likely to have an increasing impact in coming decades.

It was already impacting nature at all scales from genetics up to ecosystems.

“The rate of species extinction is accelerating, and is tens to hundreds of times higher than the average of the last 10 million years, the report said.

The one million species at risk represent an eighth of the estimated total number of plant and animal species thought to exist.

Over half a million of them no longer have enough habitats for long term survival without habitat restoration.

“It was not too late to make a difference, but only if we start now at every level from local to global,’’ Watson said.

He added that through “transformative change,’’ nature could still be conserved.

“That would mean a fundamental, system-wide reorganisation of technology, economics and society,’’ he warned.

The report said global financial and economic systems would have to evolve to build a global sustainable economy, steering away from the current limited paradigm of economic growth.

A summary of the report aimed at policymakers said efforts to lower total consumption of goods and waste were essential.

But so too were changing attitudes, including “enabling visions of a good quality of life that do not entail everincreasing material consumption.’’(dpa/ NAN)

out with the incumbent Majority Leader of the House, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Ado Doguwa, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Abdulrazak Namdas and Bego to succeed the incumbent Speaker, Yakubu Dogara.

Photo: NAN

Experts urge FG to regulate forex market From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

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xperts from leading foreign investment firm, MBA Forex International, its partners AFX Group UK and Fintec Global Markets have called on the Federal Government to step-in in regulating the Foreign Exchange Investment Market in Nigeria.

Speaking at a panel session at a One- day Financial Investors Summit held in Lagos on Saturday, the panelists said to keep risk level minimal and to control people’s investment, government has to come in to regulate the Forex sector.

The panelists include - Chief Executive Officer MBA Forex International Mr. Maxwell

Odum; AFX Group UK Business Development and Sales associate, Mr. Claude Harvard; its Head of Back office and Trade Desk Mrs. Natalia Stetco and- Country Manager, Fintech Global Markets Engr. Joel Adoki.

“If people see government involvement in it they will want to come in because the regulatory body can stand as the middle man between the broker and the investors and the regulatory body will ensure also that the brokers do not use investors money to run their own personal affairs,” said Engr. Joel Adoki.

On his part, Mr Claude Havard noted that investors’ money can only be protected better by government regulatory body to ensure a stable and fraud free

market.

“Investors money can only be protected by government regulatory body. The body becomes the middleman between the brokers and investors.

Most times, investors cheat the brookers by using anonymous software and all other forms of fraudulent applications. The only common ground is the regulatory body to ensure protection, “ he said.

Natalio on her part said government must ensure the market is protected from the inside.

“We should all work to ensure that everything is fully regulated.

It is important for the government to know that the industry must be protected from inside.” She said.

MBA Forex International Chief Executive officer, Maxwell Odum in his submission stressed the need to push for the Nigerian currency to be quoted in the forex market, saying that “The summit is timely when we need to give financial stability in our economy, to individual’s life and making sure everyone have opportunities to gain financial freedom.”

Odum said the whole the financial investment plans which is in the area of Foreign Exchange (Forex) trading is quite expedient at a time when many Nigerians are complaining about financial difficulty but will not mind exploring opportunities that can guarantee stable means of livelihood.

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, may 7, 2019

Court quashes appeal against Ogun Gov-elect Abiodun

By Vivian Okejeme Abuja

T

he Court of Appeal Abuja, has dismissed the appeal seeking the disqualification of the Ogun State governor-elect, Adedapo Abiodun, over alleged false information.

Dismissing the appeal, the three-member panel of the appeal led by Justice Datti Yahaya, held that the appeal is unmeritorious.

The appellant, Abdulrafiu Adesina Baruwa, approached the appellate court, seeking it to dismiss the decision of the FCT High Court.

The lower court, in its decision, dismissed the suit challenging the non-disqualification of Gov-elect Abiodun for failure to declare his full academic qualifications and failure to participate in the NYSC programme.

In his argument, counsel to Baruwa, Kanu Agabi, SAN posited that the lower court erred in law by not disqualifying Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress, APC, on March 7, 2019 for false information to INEC. Reacting, counsel to the APC, Damian Dodo, SAN, argued that the high court lacked the territorial jurisdiction to entertain the suit from the beginning.

Counsel to Abiodun, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, argued that the suit was filed outside the 14 days provided by the 4th Alteration of Act of 2017.

Ogunwumiju further submitted that the refusal by the Gov-elect to include his qualification is not a breach of Section 31(6) of the Electoral Act, 2010.

He added that Abiodun was qualified to contest the election based on the provision of sections 177 and 182 of the 1999 Constitution, adding that “how can he have been obligated to disclose what he is not obligated to possess?”

News

NFIU to sanction banks over illegal withdrawals from LG funds

By Ese Awhotu with agency report

N

igerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) has announced the issuance of guidelines to stimulate the reduction of crime vulnerabilities created by cash withdrawals from local government funds across states.

Ahmed Dikko, Acting Chief Media Analyst of NFIU, who announced the development in a statement on Monday in Abuja, said the effective date for operation of the guidelines was June 1.

Dikko called on all financial institutions, relevant stakeholders, public servants and citizens to ensure full compliance with the

provisions of the guidelines which had already been submitted to the institutions.

“The guidelines include full enforcement of corresponding sanctions against violations,” he stated.

He noted that cash withdrawal and transactions from State Joint Local Government Accounts (SJLGA) “posed (the) biggest corruption, money laundering and security threats at the grassroots and to (the) entire financial system and the country.

His words: “with this analysis, the unit decided to uphold the full provisions of Section 162 (6) and (8) of the 1999 Constitution.

“State Joint Local Government Account shall be paid in, allocations to the local

government councils of the state from the Federation Account and from the government of the state.

“The amount standing to the credit of local government councils of a state shall be distributed among the local government councils of that state and not for the other purposes.

“As far as the NFIU is concerned, the responsibility of the account as a collection account is fully reinstated.”

Dikko explained further that the measures were necessitated by reasons on the NFIU to respond to threats of isolating the country’s financial system by international financial systems due to deficiencies in anti-money laundering.

He said it was no longer

possible to allow the entire system to suffer deliberate and expensive infractions or violations by public officials and business interests.

“With effect from June 1, any bank that allows any transaction from any local government account without monies first reaching a particular local government account will be sanctioned 100 per cent, locally and internationally.

“In addition, a provision is also made to the effect that there shall be no cash withdrawal from any local government account for a cumulative amount exceeding N500,000 per day.

“Any other transaction must be done through valid cheques or electronic funds transfer,” He further explained.

Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral IbokEte Ibas presenting a souvenir to the governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Dicson during the governor’s courtesy visit to the Naval Headquarters yesterday in Abuja.

Court refuses to stop Buhari from swearing-in Justice Muhammad as CJN

By Vivian Okejeme Abuja

J

ustice Inyang Ekwo of the federal high court sitting in Abuja, has declined to grant an ex-parte order to stop President Muhammadu Buhari, from swearing in Justice Tanko Muhammad as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria.

The Judge, however, ordered President Buhari, the Attorney General of the Federation, the National Judicial Council, NJC, as well as the Federal Judicial Service Commission, FJSC, to appear before it on May 13th, to show cause why the acting CJN should not be declared unfit to finally take over as the CJN. In a suit marked FHC/ABJ/ CS/420/2019, the plaintiff, Chief

Malcolm Omirhoba, prayed the court to declare that Justice Muhammad who is currently the most senior jurist at the Supreme Court, is unfit to replace the sacked CJN, Justice Onnoghen.

The human right lawyer, also prayed the court to declare that the Acting CJN, having made himself available as a tool that was used in the violation of the Constitution, especially with regards to the “illegal” removal of the former CJN, is therefore not a proper and fit person to be recommended for appointment to head the judiciary.

The court had earlier rejected and exparte motion seeking to stop substantiating Muhammad as the CJN. The court in its ruling, however,

ordered the Plaintiff to serve all the Defendants with the court process to enable them to appear and show cause why the relief should not be granted.

The court gave them seven days upon being served with the processes, to appear and show cause why the application of the plaintiff should not to be granted.

The Plaintiff is asking the court to declare that the suspension and/ or removal of a CJN from office, is a shared responsibility of the 1st Defendant (NJC), 5th defendant (Buhari) and 7th Defendant (National Assembly).

He argued that President Buhari lacked the constitutional powers to unilaterally suspend and/or removal a sitting CJN from office, as was done in the case of Onnoghen.

He also asked the court to declare that by combined interpretation sections 1(1 )(2), 231(4), 292(1)(a)(i) (b), 153(1)(i), 158(1) and paragraph 21 (a)(b) of Part 1 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, “it is unlawful and undemocratic for the 4th and 5th Defendants (Federal Government and President Buhari), to declare the office of the CJN vacant on January 25, 2019 and consequently appoint and swear in the 3rd Defendant as the acting CJN”.

Upon declaration of the aforementioned relief, he, therefore, asked the court for anp order to restrain the National Assembly from confirming any appointment of Justice Muhammad as the substantive CJN. It will be recalled that President

Buhari had on January 25, appointed Justice Muhammad to replace the former CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen who was suspended from office over allegation that he breached the code of conduct for public officers by failing to properly declare his assets as prescribed by the law.

President Buhari had since extended Justice Tanko Muhammad’s initial three months tenure as the Acting CJN, based on NJC’s recommendation.

The Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, in Abuja, on April 18, declared Onnoghen guilty on all six-count charge the Federal Government preferred against him.

The CCT in its decision, directed his removal as the CJN and head of both the NJC and the FJSC.

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, may 7, 2019

PAGE 6

News Prisons dismisses officer for trafficking

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

T

he Controller General of the Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS), Ja’afaru Ahmed has approved the recommendation of Zone ‘C’ Disciplinary Committee for the dismissal of Prison Assistant 1, Umar Adamu from the Nigerian Prisons Service for the offence of trafficking (smuggling) illicit drugs into the prison yard for prisoners.

The Prisons boss in a statement issued yesterday by the spokesperson of the service, Francis Enobore said it was part of a concerted effort by the administration to continue to maintain discipline and ensure that mal-adjusted inmates in Prison custody are only handled by those with the required rectitude to do so.

“There is no gainsaying that exposing inmates to the use of hard drugs is an anathema to the reformation goal of the Prisons Service as it does not only precipitate health complications but also constitutes security risk to innocent lives in and around the prison.

“Mr. Ja’afaru therefore warn that any officer caught in such an ignoble act will be shown the way out of the Service as they have no business being in a character reformation agency,” the statement added.

He assured the public that the management of the NPS remains irrevocably committed to sustain the peace and calm now existing in prisons across the country in order to enhance reformation and rehabilitation of offenders in prisons custody.

Tanker truck explodes in Niger, 55 persons die

A

t least 55 people were killed on Monday in Niger when a tanker truck exploded near a petrol station in the capital Niamey, Interior Minister Mohamed Bazoum said.

The explosion happened as some residents were trying to siphon fuel from the tanker near the airport, the minister wrote on Twitter.

At least 37 people were injured and taken to hospitals. (dpa/ NAN)

Registrars task FG on provision of facilities for universities

By Usman Shuaibu

T

he Association of Registrars of Nigerian Universities (ARNU) has tasked the Federal Government on the provisions of world class training and retaining for Nigerian Universities in the interest of the workers.

The Registrar of the University of Abuja, Mrs Rifkatu Hoshen Swanta who made the call while presenting her welcome address on the occasion of the 66th business meeting of the association which took place at the University of Abuja Library Complex.

Rifkatu Swanta who was the

host Registrar of the day, said the leadership of the association would discuss the major aims and objective of the ARNU meeting/ retreat.

Her words: “This forum primarily avails the University Administrators the platform to discuss topical issues affecting University Administration that will enhance efficient and effective service delivery in our universities”.

She further added: “During such meetings, this assembly of professional Administrators of University, brainstormed and come up with solutions towards effective service delivery”.

“Iam confident that this

meeting will remind “the old and not too young to be professional Administrators” that the Registry is the “Engine Room” of the university and that this engine requires urgent attention of the revitalization of Universities in Nigeria”, Swanta said.

Also speaking at the occasion, the chairman of the association, John Nnabuihe, said the leadership of ARNU would continue to provide purposeful leadership capable of satisfying aspirations of Nigerian universities.

On his part, the Vicechancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Michael Adikwu, pleaded with the Registrars of Nigerian universities who were

having rough times with their Vicechancellors to deem it necessary to maintain good relationships and make corrective moves in the interest of the University as well for the benefits of the students.

Adikwu, therefore, urged the Registrars to always relate well with their Vice-chancellors for the overall development of the universities.

Meanwhile, Chief (Mrs) Mojisola Ladipo presented the business meeting /retreat of ARNU with the theme “Repositioning the Registry to Meet the Challenges of the University Administration in the 21st Century”. Also other papers were presented by the scholars.

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, may 7, 2019

CRIME News

NDLEA seizes 10,000 bags of cannabis in Delta

From Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

O

peratives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA) Delta State Command has confiscated 10,000 cannabis, popularly known as Indian hemp in Kwale, Ogume , and other communities in the State during its routine intelligence operations.

Chidi Obiefulu, Commander of the State NDLEA Command who confirmed this to journalists, said during operations by operatives of the Command, the Illegal products were uncovered and confiscated the suspects claimed

to be farmers, adding that the suspected owners of the cannabis are currently being prosecuted.

Recall that few days ago, the Command in Ogwashi Uku Community destroyed over 89,652 kilogrammes of Illicit drugs impounded in the State as Commander Chidi Obiefulu regretted what he described as the high recruitment of indigenes of the state in various states across the country for the cultivation of cannabis farms, disclosing that Kwale, Ogume, Obiaroku and Abbi are worse hit in production of cannabis at various farms.

Commander Obiefulu said that

the Command was committed to doing its best possible in ensuring those involved in Illicit drugs activities are brought to book and their products burnt, and called on the people of the State, especially unemployed youths to desist from act capable of Jeopardizing their future.

He said, “those who are more affected are the under aged who ordinarily should be in school or learning one trade or the other, these young ones are recruited to help tender cannabis farms in Delta State,” and lamented the high level of drug trafficking and abuse in the country, noting that

unless something urgent was done, the situation has reached an alarming proportion.

According to the NDLEA Boss” the reality is that some drug dealers have gained notoriety in the cultivation and production, importation and warehousing of illicit drugs and controlled sustenance, these people are only driven by profit motive, they do not care about the consequences of their actions on the people and the society at large” and appealed for the support and cooperation of members of the public to assist the agency towards curbing the menace.

Meanwhile, moves are ongoing with proposals from organization for the floating of industries in Nigeria that use cannabis, popularly known as Indian hemp for the production of medical oil and other industrial purposes.

Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency,(NDLEA) Col Muhammad Abdallah whole spoke to journalists at the weekend in Asaba disclosed that the proposals was being studied by all necessary stakeholders while legal consultation and procedures were being worked out for the project.

NYSC confirms abduction of corps member in Borno

T

School Resumption: Proprietress of Great Light Scholars Academy Mrs Boluwatife Olamikan addressing Students and Pupils of the School during school resumption, yesterday in Nassarawa State.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

APC debunks Akeredolu’s planned defection to PDP

T

he Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Monday, said Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu was not hobnobbing with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with a view to defecting to the party.

The Publicity Secretary of APC in the state, Alex Kalejaye, stated this in a statement in Akure, the state capital.

An online publication had reported the purported plan of the governor to defect to PDP to get the governorship ticket of the party for the 2020 governorship election in the state.

“The state Chapter of the party, considers this rumour as wicked and a complete lie, and we

urge the public to disregard it,” Mr Kalejaye said.

According to him, the party would have preferred to ignore the rumour, but it is expedient to dispel it, so it will not pollute the minds of its members, and mislead the public.

“The governor has never contemplated joining a party of the conservatives, let alone contesting election on its platform.

“He hails from the bedrock of progressives in the state, and has always been a progressive,” he said.

The publicity secretary said it was also imperative to inform the rumour mongers that the governor had invested so much into the development of the party

in the state.

“Today, he is well respected and appreciated in the party, so, he has no reason whatsoever to flirt with another political party.

“We are not unaware that some opposition parties are feeling intimidated by the sterling performance of the Akeredolu-led administration, and are planning to distract him through whatever means, but it is a mission in futility,” he said.

According to him, the government is not perturbed about this or any other ploy by the opposition and their co-travelers.

The scribe noted that the revolution in the infrastructure development by the present

administration would be sustained, while massive investment drive and commitment to workers’ welfare remain a top priority.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the good people of the state, who are the ultimate beneficiaries of these initiatives, have consistently maintained that they are comfortable with the present administration, and will always support it,’’ he said.

Mr Kalejaye said the party would continue to fortify its strength and support the government in its development drive.

He, therefore, appealed to the party’s supporters to disregard the misleading publication.(NAN)

he National Youth Service Corps on Monday confirmed the abduction of a male corps member, Abraham Amuta, by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Borno State Coordinator, Mr. Rabiu Aminu, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Maiduguri.

Aminu disclosed that the corps member was abducted alongside a pastor with the Living Faith Church, simply identified as Oyeleke, in an attack coordinated by the insurgents against motorists on Maiduguri-Chibok road on April 10.

He disclosed that the corps member with Registration Number: BO18b/067; was deployed to Borno State Council of Arts and Culture, located in Maiduguri.

The coordinator lamented that the corps member was abducted while travelling together with his pastor and other members of the church.

“The church claimed that the corps member was abducted alongside his pastor.

“NYSC deploys corps members to only four of the 27 local government areas in the state. The councils are: Jere, Bayo, Biu and Maiduguri Metropolitan Council.

“For any corps member to travel, he has to apply through proper channel and this involves formal request from his employer, through the zonal inspector and then channeled to the state coordinator, where we look at it, endorse or approve the request.

“It was unfortunate that the said corps member traveled on his own; we have been having sleepless nights over the issue, because he is under our custody.

“We visited the Church, and the Commissioner of Police called us on Friday over the incident and assured us of their total support to address the situation,” he said.

Aminu sympathised with families of the abducted corps member and called on Nigerians to pray for his release from the insurgents’ captivity.(NAN)

Cross-section of participants at a security meeting between Gov Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and Traditional Rulers and Youths in Rivers State on Monday in Port Harcourt .

Photo: NAN

Boko Haram afflicted with hunger, starvation, says BMO

By Umar Muhammad Puma

C

ontrary to the fake news that Boko Haram members receive as much as $3000 daily as against what Nigerian troops receive, the true situation is that the insurgents are in disarray, lacking in supplies, foodstuffs and logistics.

The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) in a press statement in Abuja said that the current unenviable state of the terrorist is due mainly to the renewed offensive by the Nigerian military.

In the statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and

Secretary Casidy Madueke, the group said reports emanating from the theater of war indicate that the terrorist have being decimated and incapable of committing atrocities like before.

“Obviously these deficiencies do not support the reckless views expressed in some quarters about the lucrative pay of the insurgents. A terrorists group that is buffeted with hunger and starvation can definitely not be in a position to withstand the unrelenting bombardment by the Nigerian military.

“We also note that based on the renewed firepower of the Nigerian military, the

Boko Haram terrorists are now scattered and scampering for their own safety, as survival has become almost impossible.

Dozens of the insurgents were recently killed by Nigerian troops within the Kimba-Sabon Gari-Damboa axis in Borno State.”

The group therefore commended the Nigerian military for their commitment towards eradicating the scourge of insurgency in the North-East of the country, in line with the policy of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

“Presently the Boko Haram Insurgents are suffering from

the depletion of their number of fighters following the ceaseless bombardment of their enclaves by the Nigerian military, with the air support by the Nigerian Air Force.

“We therefore appeal to Nigerians to disregard the rumours being peddled about Boko Haram terrorist receiving mouth-watering pay. This is a huge joke taken too far by the unpatriotic sympathisers of the notorious sect, and meant to cause disaffection in the country. We also urge the military not to relent but to sustain their tempo of activities in the North East with the Operation Lafiya Dole.”

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, may 7, 2019

PAGE 8

News

Osinbajo assures on completion of 2nd Niger Bridge

V

ice President Yemi Osinbajo has given an assurance that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration will bring the Second Niger Bridge project to fruition.

Mr Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, in a statement over the weekend in Abuja, said the vice president fielded questions from journalists shortly after an inspection of the progress of work at the Asaba end of the Second Niger Bridge project on Friday.

According to Mr Osinbajo, the bridge is not only important for the economy of the Southeast, but for Nigeria’s economy in general.

The vice president said that strategic infrastructure projects such as the bridge were critical to the administration’s economic agenda, as it would improve socio-economic opportunities and benefit all Nigerians.

Mr Osinbajo expressed optimism that the project would be delivered on schedule as President Buhari was personally committed to completing the project. ”The Second Niger Bridge is so important for the economy of the South-east and for the Nigerian economy, and of course, it is not just the bridge, there are the access roads, which are also very important.

“It is obvious so much progress has been made here; it is an important project that the president is committed to completing.

“In the past 18 months or so, a lot of work has been done and I came to see for myself.

“As you can see, the foundation goes all the way down, and this is just the Asaba end of the bridge.

There is also the Anambra end of the bridge, so it is a lot of work.

“There is a huge number of people who are also benefiting in various ways as the project progresses.”

Mr Osinbajo said that the commitment of the Buhari administration to complete strategic infrastructure projects

L-R: Nigerian Consul General in New York; Mr Benayaogha Okoyen; Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Mrs Abike DabiriErewa and Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Prof.

Tijani MuhammadBande during the Nigeria Diaspora Leadership Conference organized by the Consulate General of Nigeria, on Saturday in New that would improve the nation’s economy necessitated the creation of the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF).

The PIDF is an initiative of Buhari administration which is to be invested specifically in critical road and power projects across the country.

According to him, there are some critical infrastructure considered very strategic to Nigeria’s economic plan and which, through PIDF, will hopefully be completed.

He said that one of the reasons why projects were hardly ever completed was because there was not enough money going into the projects, adding that Mr Buhari had decided that there must be a fund for all of the project; hence PIDF. Mr Osinbajo said projects

being executed under the PIDF included the Kano-Abuja expressway, the Lagos-Ibadan expressway and the Mambila hydro project, among others.

“The good thing is that the President has set aside the funds, the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund, which is a fund dedicated to certain strategic projects, including the Second Niger Bridge.”

Earlier before embarking on the tour of the Second Niger Bridge project, the vice president paid a courtesy call on the Obi of Onitsha, Alfred Achebe, at his palace in Onitsha. Mr Osinbajo assured the monarch of the federal government’s commitment to be fair and just in the execution of projects across the country.

He said that there were other initiatives being implemented

by the federal government in Anambra State in partnership with the state government.

“Anambra State was the very first state to accept what we call the HomeGrown School Feeding Programme, which is a federal government programme.

Anambra State was the very first state to accept and implement it the way we wanted it to be implemented,” he said.

While in Anambra State, Mr Osinbajo also visited the EkeAwka market in Awka, and the Ochanja market in Onitsha, to monitor ongoing disbursement of the TraderMoni to over three thousand petty traders at the markets So far, over 30,000 persons have been enumerated in Anambra State while about 27,000 loans have been disbursed

and over 18,000 cashed out.

No fewer than 2 million petty traders nationwide are currently benefiting from the microcredit scheme.

The Buhari administration’s N10,000 TraderMoni loans is a part of its National Social Intervention Programmes (N-SIP).

It is designed to assist petty traders across the country expand their trade through the provision of collateral and interest-free loans from N10,000.

The loans are repayable over a period of six months, after which the traders get an improved loan of N15,000.

The traders get additional sums up to a N100,000 along the way as they repay the loans.

(NAN)

UniAbuja Centre for Asian Studies holds International conference

By Usman Shuaibu

T

he Centre for Asian Studies, University of Abuja on Monday kick-off the 1st International Conference for two days which took place at the Faculty of Arts Auditorium, main campus of the University.

In his speech at the occasion, the Vice-chancellor of the University, Prof. Michael Adikwu who was the chief host and represented at the occasion, urged the participants to contribute immensely for the progress of the conference.

Adikwu commended the organizers for the steps being taken to make the conference a reality.

On his remarks, the director

in charge of the centre, Dr Musa Olaofe, told the gathering that the conference would be an annual event.

Also on his remarks, the chairman of the occasion Prof.

Kemal Ozden, charged Nigerian Government to work hard in order to be out of the Third World countries.

On her part, the mother of the Day, her Excellency, Hajiya (Dr) Aisha Muhammadu Buhari who was represented at the conference, said the government of the day was making concerted efforts to move Nigeria economy to the next level.

She said the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari would continue to focus on development of the

country, noting that the Federal Government had done a lot in area of Youth Empowerment/ Poverty Alleviation among other programmes.

Not left out, the chairman of Police Service Commission, Alhaji M. A. K. Smith, who was the special guest of honour, in his speech, said there was no doubt that our country and Nigerians have many lessons to learn from the successful transformation of the many Asian countries.

His words: “At a point in the history of two continentsAsia and Africa, most of their countries belong to the nations referred to then as Third World or undeveloped. While many of the Asia countries have worked hard and planned well to be out

of the group, majority of the African countries have remained in the group of slowly developing countries of the world”.

He further added: “It is no exaggeration said that for over fifty (50) years when the economy of our country was promising, most of the Asian giants of today were not in any respect near Nigeria”.

Presenting the conference’s lecture with the theme “Development and Industrialization Miracles in Asia: Lessons for Africa in the 21stCentury”, a lecturer with the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Prof. Eugene T.Aliegba, urged the Federal Government to deem it necessary to place value on the infrastructural development

of the country for the benefit of Nigerians.

Aliegba also, charged Nigerian Government to give priority attention to education as well as jobs creation so as to arrest the problem of unemployment facing the citizens in the country.

The Dean, Faculty of Arts in the University, Prof. Effiok Bassey Uwatt thanked all the dignitaries who graced the occasion and contributed positively to the conference.

Meanwhile, the South Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, Maj. Gen. Lee in Tae (Rtd) and the Bangladesh High Commissioner to Nigeria, H. E. Mr Md. Shameem Ashan among other Ambassadors presented their speeches during the conference.

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, may 7, 2019

NCAC, stakeholders move to rebrand Nigeria’s culture, tourism sector

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

I

n order to take Nigeria culture and tourism sector to next level of success, the Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Runsewe and the organised private sector in tourism have agreed to set a new agenda to rebrand Nigeria culture and tourism sector that will drive the industry in to realising its full potential.

Runsewe who is the chief advocator of the initiative made this known during an interactive session with stakeholders in the travel and tourism industry in Abuja with the theme; “Rebranding Culture and Tourism in Africa: The Nigerian Vision.”

He said, “We need to talk to ourselves in this industry on practical ways to reawaken the consciousness of Nigerians and what this industry can do grow”.

The DG alongside with his management team hadlast month undertaken a famaliarisation trip to Dubai to exposed his team to best practices on culture tourism management and to understand the country and see how his agency can work with the private sector to inspire a transformation in Nigeria.

He said Dubai only had handmade tourism destinations unlike Nigeria blessed with rich culture and tourism destinations and potential yet to be tapped. ”A new chapter has been opened,We will be rebranding culture and tourism in Nigeria and Africa. I think it’s time for us to all wake up after the trip to Dubai.

We must find the solution,” The high point of the event was the signature signing of NCAC boss and tourism stakeholders for the development, promotion and sustainability of vision.

The President of Federation of tourism association of Nigeria, Rabo Saleh lauded the DG for the initiative assured him of the support and willingness of the private sector to play a key role in this new move Saleh stated,there is a need for enabling environment and basic infrastructure needed to be in place to achieve it.

Similarly, the President of National Association of Nigeria Travel Agency, Mr Bankole Bernard who commended the NCAC boss for vision, emphasised that, the government needs to be reminded on the importance of tourism to any country.

Page 9

News

Kaduna women hail El-Rufai over female deputy, demand 40% affirmative action From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

G

roups of Kaduna women under the Women Mentoring and Leadership Initiative (WAMFOI), on Monday, lauded the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai for choosing a woman as his deputy in the recently concluded election.

The women, who are members of different political parties, market associations and nongovernmental organisations, also called on the governor to consider 40 percent affirmative action in his planned cabinet as he promised

during campaign.

Addressing newsmen in Kaduna, a former member of House of Representatives and President of WANFOI, Hon Florence D. Aya, said, her organisation would continue to support government in nurturing and mentoring women for political and leadership participation.

Florence, who was also a former Chief Whip of Kaduna State House of Assembly said, unlike before, when women don’t support their fellow women in elections, they have beginning to see reasons to do that due to

awareness by concerned women groups.

According to her, “FAMWOI congratulates Governor El-Rufai and most importantly, for being gender sensitive in chosen a woman as a running mate to serve as deputy governor.

“We also commend your effort at ensuring that, women played vital roles in the outgoing dispensation by appointing them as commissioners of some key ministries before the dissolution of the state cabinet.

“However, as a gender sensitive governor, we urge you to keep

your promise of affirmative action on 40 percent women and people living with disabilities, especially, by giving appointment to women who did well but lost elections.

Sharing her personal experience, Comr Cecelia Musa, who contested the position of Chairmanship of Jema’a local government Council of Kaduna State under the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) said, time has come for political parties to give women certain percentage of representation both within the party and elective and appointive positions.

Regional General Manager South South/ South East Portharcourt International Airports , Akinbinu Felix, ( left ) , Executive Secretary of Nigerian Christians Pilgrims Commission ( NCPC ) , Uja Tor Uja ( middle ) , NCPC South South Commissioner , Forgiven Amachree during a visit by the NCPC to the Port harcourt International Airport, yesterday

Ex presidential candidate, Okereke refutes his detention in Kuje prison

By Paul Efiong, Abuja

F

ormer presidential candidate and Director General National Task force on Prohibition of Illegal Importation/Smugling of Arms, Ammunition and Light Weapon,(NATFORCE),Chief Osita Okereke Emmanuel(OON) has debunked his alleged detention in Kuje prison along with 22 of his personnel as recently published in a National Daily.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja yesterday, Chief Okereke described the said publication in Punch Newspaper of Thursday May 3,2019 as “ a handiwork of his enemies, carefully drafted to tarnish his hard earned image “ this publication is rubbish, nonsense and a calculated attempt to smear my image and that of my organization, it was drafted to destroy us”.

He wondered how a high

ranking police officer who doubles as the spokesman of the force in the person of Mr Frank Mba who he has great respect for,would suddenly wake up and begin to dish out false information to the Nigeria public on a matter he has no knowledge of just for the purpose of rubbishing his name to please his paid masters, adding “ I don’t have anything against the Nigeria Police Force but its Spokesman’.

Okereke who vowed to seek justice on the matter until the force Image maker retracts the story also promised not to give up with his objectives of sanitazing Nigeria from all form of Ilegal importation of small arm, ammunition and light weapons.

He further explained why he was arrested by the police recently, stating:”I went with my boys to pay courtesy visit on the Inspector General of Police because we had received signal to that effect, only for me to see

two men without uniform who claimed they were sent to arrest me base on an alleged petition against me.I told them that I had an appointment with their boss but they refused and were already embarrassing me in the present of my boys.I resisted it and went with my boys to honour a scheduled appointment I had with IGP’s office where I was arrested based on false information given to the Police authorities by the officers who not only claimed that they were attacked by my boys and that their identity cards, the sum of N33,000 and a wrist watch worth N700,000 was removed from one of them in the cause of the fight.

“The Police authorities detained me at Special AntiRobbery Squared( SARS) for 10 days and later dragged me to Wuse Magistrate court on account of an alleged assault on the two officers sent to arrest me and the Court granted me bail that same day on April 28,2019 with some

of my boys. I was never taken to Kuje Prison on account of this, yet the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr Frank Mba was quoted to have granted an interview to Punch Newspaper Correspondent on Wednesday, May 2,2019 alleging that I was held in prison custody in Kuje along with 22, of my men based on the allegation against me.

“It beats my imagination on how a deputy Commissioner of Police who doubles as the image maker of the Force in the person of Mba would exhibit this level of ignorance in the discharge of his duties on a matter as sensitive as this just to please his sponsors.

“I respect the current IGP, he is my friend and our work in NATFORCE brought him to limelight but I would not like this wicked action of Mba to be swept under the carpet. He must retract the false publication otherwise I will sue him for damages to my person,” he cautioned.

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, may 7, 2019

PAGE 10

News Kajuru crisis: Group harps on forgiveness, tolerance From Femi Oyelola Kaduna

I

n order to put to an end the crises bedeviling Kaduna state especially Kajuru Local Government Area, a group under the auspices of our peace initiative had called on residents of the state to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness and tolerance.

Founder of the group, Mr Ibrahim Yarison made the assertion while speaking to the media in Kaduna yesterday.

According to him, residents of the crisis ridden area are known to practice the two major religions: Christianity and Islam which both preaches love and peace.

He further stated that from the adherents, it is said Islam is peace, forgiveness and love. While on the other hand Christianity is all about love.

However, Mr Yarison said it was surprising that the same adherents of both religions go about in reprisal attacks and revenge which God Almighty said He would do in their behalf.

“We applied this theory of not going on reprisal attacks in my community, Anguwan Maisamari in Malali/Badarawa District in Kaduna North Local Government Area after the post-election violence of 2011.

“From then no crises that erupted in Kaduna state find its way into the community, despite that residents are multi-religious and multi-ethnic.

“We see ourselves more as brothers and neighbors which should not be hurt, rather be protected.

“I am of the Christian faith, but I must say we Christians have failed by not being faithful to the tenets of our religion because if the Almighty God said, ‘Vengeance is Mine’, so why should we want to revange in His behalf?

“We should rather be afraid of the One who can destroy the body and soul, and put it in hell fire; not the one that can destroy the body alone.

“If we really practice our religion faithfully the crises bedeviling Kaduna and Nigeria in general will be reduced to the barest minimum,” he said.

Yarison called on religious leaders of the two faith to preach the principles of forgiveness and tolerance to their members for peaceful coexistence.

He however, called on the government to be sincere in its approach to matters that can lead to crisis, because in a state that a people or group are cheated and government refused to do justice to it, such people and group might feel betrayed and compelled to take laws into their hands.

Don’t assent to Death Bill, monarch urges El- Rufai From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

T

he Chairman of yoruba Council of Chiefs and Obas in Abuja and 19 Northern States, Ambassador Mohammad Arigbabuwo has pleaded with Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El Rufai not to assent to the Burial Bill currently being deliberated at the Kaduna state House of Assembly.

He made the appeal while speaking to the media in Kaduna yesterday.

According to him, the Bill will bring more problem to the crisis

ridden state.

He called on El Rufai to seek for proper advices from the leader of the two religious group in the state.

Ambassador Arigbabuwo said death is a sad situation when people are mourning the departure of their loved one and asking them to pay before laying them to rest is adding to their burden.

The monarch said El Rufai should try and emulates past leaders like Othman Dan Fodio,Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa,Sir Ahmadu Bello and Shehu Zulu

Kalahi Al-Hory who all rules with wisdom.

He called on the Sultan Abubakar Sa’ad to intervene in the matter to ensure that the state is not ploged into more crisis.

He said Dr, Sa’ad is respected for his God-fearing, courage and fatherly role and this is the time his intervention is necessary.

The royal father said from his interaction with leaders of the Islam and Christian faith in the state they expressed dismay about the bill.

He therefore called on the governor the needful by not

signing the Bill.

The State burial law seek to designate effective control and manage public burial grounds and cemeteries, which when it becomes a law, will empower the state government to make other regulations to ensure safe and ethical burial practices in the state.

Ambassador Mohammad Arigbabuwo thanked all security agents in Nigeria for the great sacrifices they are making to secure the country. He called on the government to take their Warfare very serious.

Edo LG tasks workers on productivity

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

O

rhiomwon Local Government Area of Edo State has tasked workers in the Council on productivity which is the main driver of economic growth and wellbeing their watchword.

The Chairman of the Council, Hon. Sylvester Okoro in his goodwill message to mark the 2019 Workers

Day Celebrations, said workers are supposed to see their wages match in lockstep with productivity gains, following the upward adjustment of monthly minimum wage of the Nigerian worker from N18, 000 to N30, 000.

His advice was contained in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Roy Osariemen, which was made available to

newsmen in Benin.

Okoro, pledged that the government under his watch will fulfill her obligations to workers including prompt Council workers payment of salaries.

He revealed that the increase in their living standard will correct the troublesome reality of economic hardship.

According to the statement, “we

urge workers to shun lackadaisical attitude to to duty, absenteeism and sharp practices.

“We will keep our own bargain and create workers friendly environment for optimal performance”.

He also promised to prioritize “re-training of workers by ensuring that salaries are paid as and when due.”

L-R: Deputy Corps Commander, Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC) Enugu State Command, Mr Jude Eke; Enugu Sector Commander, Mr. Ogbonna Kalu and Enugu State Commissioner for Transport, Mr Vitus Okechi during a news conference on the 2019 Global Road Safety Week, yesterday in Enugu .

Photo: NAN

Female student defaces boyfriend with hot water From Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

A

female student in Sapele, Delta State identified as Chiwendu Nwanchukwu at the weekend allegedly defaced her boyfriend with hot water for allegedly cheating on her and escaped into the thin air.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the State,DSP Onome Onovuwakpoyeya who confirmed the incident to journalists said that the suspect, a student of the State owned College of Education in Mossoga Community is currently on the run after she had allegedly committed the crime, adding that the Police have intensified efforts

to bring her to book as soon as possible.

She was alleged to have launched the attack on her boyfriend (name withheld) after minor disagreement over the alleged randy activities as the incident occurred at Junice hostel,a walkable distance from the School where she allegedly emptied a bowl of hot water on the boy unsuspectingly.

Chiwendu is currently on the run while her parents are now arrested and are being detained at the Sapele Police Station for further investigation but however, the victim is on admission receiving treatment at the Sapele General

Hospital while investigation by the Police is ongoing .

Meanwhile, barely 12 years after major communal crisis claimed the lives of six persons and 12 buildings razed, the oil rich Okpai Community in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State is at the verge of another chaos as the authority of the monarch, His Royal Majesty ( HRM) Goldring Ugbome 11, is being challenged by some of his subjects who accused him of dictatorship with a two -day ultimatum to rescind the decisions taken concerning the composition of the newly constituted Community Development

Committee (CDC) or face the consequences of his actions.

Chiedu Ofulu, one of the leaders in the community in a press release made available to Journalists said. “We are set to do battle with the monarch because he refused to carry us along, another bone of contention is one of the clauses that empowers the monarch to own 20 percent of whatever is accruable to the oil rich Kingdom that is hosting the multi billion dollars Okpai gas plant, We are pleading with the Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa to intervene to avert another blood bath, especially with the greedy activities of the monarch at present.”

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, may 7, 2019

PAGE 11

EDITORIAL

World Press Freedom Day 2019

W

orld Press Freedom Day development, as a watchdog fostering 2019 was celebrated may 3 transparency, accountability and the in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. rule of law, we reiterate the fact that it The United Nations General Assembly is the responsibility of governments inaugurated the Day in December and relevant institutions to protect 1993, following the recommendation journalists from physical harm and of UNESCO’s General Conference. The intimidation”. objective was to raise awareness about the importance of freedom of the press Obstacles to Press Freedom in and remind governments of their duty this country do not come from the to uphold the Right to Freedom of government alone. Often they are Expression, enshrined under Article the consequences of an unfavourable 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of economic environment such as the Human Rights. Since the Declaration of recession from which we emerged only Windhoek, the anniversary recently. Many media has been observed annually houses have been forced worldwide. The theme of this to shut down due to year’s celebration was “Media huge operational costs. for democracy: Journalism The few that are still and elections in times of afloat have accumulated disinformation”.

Obstacles to Press years of unpaid salaries.

As the NGE said, “This Freedom in this We admit that in Nigeria, development has created country do not Press Freedom is not just a an atmosphere of come from the Constitutional stipulation; it uncertainty and in effect, is there in practice, largely. government alone. reduced the general We know of no institutional Often they are the morale of journalists in inhibitions against the right consequences of the country.” of journalists to gather an unfavourable and disseminate news and This situation does information. This is not to not bode well for not economic say overzealous government environment such only the media industry, officials have not been a pain also the health of as the recession but in the necks of professional our democracy. Again from which we journalists. We join the to quote the NGE, “It Nigerian Guild of Editors is important to call the emerged only (NGE) that ended its attention of all on a day recently delegates’ conference over the like this that a nation weekend in Lagos in calling whose economy does for a stop to impunity. A statement the not and cannot support the economy Guild released during previous meeting of its Media industry cannot thumb its also in Lagos said: “More importantly, chest that its press is free. A broke Media governments must begin to treat the industry has no press freedom and is, Media as an ally in development and therefore, far from being free, for as long nation building. as the economic shackles are firmly in place.”

“As a matter of fact, the history of Nigeria cannot be written without a However, we must soldier on no mention of the role the Media played matter the adversity that confronts us. in the struggle for independence, Once again, the NGE, “On our part as enthronement of democracy and members of the Fourth Estate of the promotion and propagation of social Realm, we must collectively play our justice and human rights. Having role in the interest of the generality acquitted itself thus, its operators and of Nigerians whose trust we hold by indeed, journalists, do not deserve to be maintaining and observing the highest treated with anything less than respect professional and ethical standards and decorum in the course of performing in total compliance with the Code of their Constitutional responsibility.

Ethics of the Journalism profession. We must not allow agents of retrogression “While we call on governments to use our platforms to preach hate and the political class to recognise and extremism under the guise of free the role of the Media in sustainable speech”.

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Letter to the Editor Africa’s harvests of China’s Belt and Road strategy

By Charles Onunaiju

S

ix years after it was announced as a new strategy of international cooperation that would engage the practical issues of connectivity within and across nations of the world, the “Silk Road Economic Belt,” and “21st Century maritime Silk Road,” otherwise known as the “Belt and Road Initiative,” which negating the revisionist “end of history” mantra opens humanity to new historical process of not only inclusion but harnessing extant achievements in science and technology to fill the gaps of developments needs across all countries and regions in the world. Africa is at the epicenter of the emerging global trends where resources will be put to fill the existential deficits of critical development needs such as transport, power and telecommunication infrastructures. Africa also stands at the historical juncture of leveraging China’s excess industrial and production capacity that would constitute a major shake-up of global industrial value chain. The Belt and Road strategy of international cooperation already up and running and phenomenally redrawing the global development map with outlaying economic corridors and tremendous added value is also putting Africa in the front-line of emerging global economic hubs.

Since the action plan of the Belt and Road strategy was rolled out, key infrastructure projects have sprung up in Africa taking shape from its concessional funding support and inspirations of facility connectivity.

In respect of overland construction, Chinese companies through concessional financial support have built Addis Ababa – Djibouti Railway in Ethiopia which is the first electrified railway in Africa, Mombasa – Nairobi Railway in Kenya, Abuja – Kaduna Railway in Nigeria and Benguela railway in Angola and many others, including Lagos-Ibadan-Kano-Abuja under construction.

With regards to the maritime component of Belt and Road initiative, Africa features eminently in the key infrastructure projects. So far, Chinese companies have constructed port of Bagamoyo in Tanzania, No 19 berth of port Mombasa and three berth of port Lamu, both in Kenya, New port of Pointe- Noire in the Republic of ongo or Congo Brazzaville, Lekki Deep Seaport in Nigeria, Kribi Deep seaport in Cameroun and port of Tamatave in Madagascar.

Under the framework of the Belt and Road strategy of international cooperation port of Cherchell in Algeria has been built and under operation while the Port of Iuanda in Angola is under construction.

The distinct feature of each of these ports is that they either have access to major road connections or seat near the sites of industrial parks, thereby having significant impacts on economic development of the coastal areas of Africa.

Still under the auspices of the Belt and Road International development strategy, a number of power generation plants have been built in Africa.

Another core area of Belt and Road initiative which is strategic to Africa’s economic recovery and sustainable growth is the construction of industrial parks. By the end of 2016, China has set up 20 industrial parks in 15 African countries, including Nigeria, with accumulated investments of 5.38 billion U.S dollars, attracting more than 450 enterprises with accumulated value output of 19.35 billion U.S dollars that contributed 1.62 billion U.S dollars to the revenues of the hosting countries in taxes and fees.

These activities have created over 33, 534 jobs and brought about industrial clustering in pertinent area.

Through the construction of industrial parks in Africa, China has made significant contributions to the host countries in helping them attract direct foreign investment in real strategic sectors of manufacturing, promoting industrialization process, increasing revenue, creating jobs, improving living standards and generally spurring socio-economic development.

The Belt and Road framework of International cooperation brings dynamism and opens a fresh vista in the already phenomenal cooperation between China and Africa. The historic deficit in Africa’s regional efforts to build economies of scale and find a niche in the global industrial value chain has found complementary response in the mechanism of the formidable Forum on China Africa Cooperation but would more strategically absorb the opportunities of China’s global distribution of industrial production capacity under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. The African and Chinese leadership that gathered in Beijing last September, captured very succinctly the strategic vigor unleashed in their extant cooperation by the dynamic component of the Belt and Road Initiative and therefore, went on, to integrate it in their existing mechanism of multilateral engagement.

But the Belt and Road Initiative is beyond the tangible connectivity. It offers to systematically and inclusively channel global disparate trajectories to more coherent, intelligent and optimal use for the benefit of humankind through networks of mutually

aligned national priorities, synthesized and blended to common global public goods that redefines the international system not just as a platform of the “games, nations play, but as framework for joint efforts to find a common ground to tackle humanity’s most existential challenges.

Combining the ideal with the practical, Belt and Road Initiative offers a practical framework to inclusively negotiate the outcome of international cooperation on the basis of extensive consultations, joint contributions and shared benefits Since the announcement of the “Silk Road Economic Belt and the “21st Century Maritime Silk Road in 2013 and followed subsequently with the release of the “vision and action plans in 2015, it has considerably evolved. The scope has moved beyond the initial over 70 countries in the original Silk Road across Asia, Africa, Europe and Oceania. As President Xi Jinping said in his keynote speech at the first Belt and Road forum for international cooperation in 2017, “the BRI is rooted in the Ancient Silk Road. It focuses on the Asian, European and African continents but is also open to all other countries,” adding that “all countries, from either Asia, Europe, Africa or the Americas can be international cooperation partners of the Belt and Road Initiative,” and pledged that “the pursuit of this Initiative is based on extensive consultation and its benefits will be shared by all.”

As an international framework of cooperation to be driven by “extensive consultation” and whose beneficial outcomes “will be shared by all,” many African countries have become cooperation partners of the BRI. At this second Belt and Road forum, nearly 40 African countries participated and worked with other international partners to “shape the brighter future” which BRI offers.

The issues at the core of the Belt and Road International cooperation ranging from infrastructure connectivity, industrial cooperation, financial integration, policy coordination and others are already well known and are now subjects of intense scholarly and political analysis with all details been critically examined.

With the Belt and Road Initiative emerging as core subject of international relations and studies, its central paradigm of cooperation, consultation and consensus-building will struggle with the traditional theoretical approach of international studies that focus on conflict-management and power politics of the so-called realist school.

The Belt and Road framework of international cooperation is not just a happenstance but a scientific response derived from acute theoretical exploration and innovations of the vexed contradictions of the accelerating convergence of human interests across national borders and the iron-clad national sovereignty by State actors. It therefore, seek to harness the contemporary convergence of human shared aspirations across state boundaries towards a community of shared future, without disrupting or harming the core value of the international system which is the sovereign status of State actors.

For a traditional international system where historically, no powerful nation has extended benevolence without drawing her beneficiaries into its orbit or spheres of influence, China’s initiated Belt and Road, with which China has expressed readiness to share the fruits of her development and engage her over-capacity to where it can contribute optimally to the improvement in the quality of lives, naturally draws concerns and curiosity about Beijing intentions.

But, the context of the nature, structure and orientation of China’s contemporary state as transitional proletarian state puts considerable constraints on any metamorphosis to a super power that must feed on imperialistic global expropriation to sustain the hegemony of national ruling clique. When Chinese leaders makes clear that no matter how big or influential China becomes, it will never seek hegemony or domination of others, they are factually explaining the inherent nature of a proletarian State un-encumbered by ruling class hegemony. The Belt and Road Initiative in the context of China-Africa cooperation brings to the fore, all major issues relating to Africa’s strategic trajectories to inclusive and sustainable growth. From infrastructure connectivity, industrialization, capacity building, peace and security along with cultural advancement seamlessly integrates to the core issues of the Belt and Road construction.

As a new framework of international cooperation, and inclusive global governance process, the Belt and Road meets the earnest striving and historic struggle of African nations to overcome the prejudice of the old bipolar international system, while engaging to the emerging participatory multi-polar structure of international relations.

Charles Onunaiju is the director , Center for China Studies, Utako, Abuja.

PAGE 12

Opinion

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, may 7, 2019

Youths’ quest for a new order

By Jerome-Mario Utomi

I

n the words of Buzz Hargrove, a Canadian Labour leader, the future strength of every nation depends on its young people as their generation will provide the next leaders.

Given this preceding position, it will not be an overstatement to characterize the recent gathering of about four thousand Nigerian youths at Ikeja, Lagos where they among other things condemned youth’s involvement in criminal activities and demanded good governance from our leaders.

Essentially, aside from expressing their greviences about youth’s involvement in criminal acts such as; drug abuse, murder, insurgency militancy, armed robbery, participant at the event which was put together by the Catholic Youths Organization of Nigeria (CYON) ,Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, and had as topic; Drug and Criminality among Our Youths; Mortgaging Our Future, were not particularly happy with governments attitude of clarifying problems without providing solutions- a state of affairs that prepares the ground for the leaders inability to provide good education, employment opportunity and security for its citizenry.

From commentaries, the frustration of these young victims of our nation’s socioeconomic challenge was not only fueled by the gap between the extravagant promises made in the past by the Government and its high unfulfilments. But predicated on the Government’s timidity in implementing policies that will create jobs for the teaming unemployed Nigerians and curb corruption that has become both nepostic and supportive in outlook.

As we know, while ‘nepotistic corruption involves unjustified and often unqualified appointment of friends or acquaintances to

public offices in violations to the established norms (federal character), supportive corruption on its parts refers to actions undertaken to protect the existing or already done corrupt practices particularly when the person(s) involved belong to the same group or party.

Certainly, these move by the youths to help install a new order is admirable and deserve our praise particularly when one remembers that the latest data released by the National Beaureu of Statistics (NBS) indicates that Nigeria’s unemployment rate may reach an all time height of 33.5% by 2020.

And there is something else.

The action of these youths has again brought to the fore the ills that flows from bad leadership but overshadowed by other events.

To explain; today, it is accurately documented that many Nigerian children are out of school not because they are not willing to be educated but because the cost of education is beyond the reach of their parents. The public schools are short of teachers with dilapidated buildings. The private schools on the other hands where the environment are onducive for learning are cost intensive.

Scholars have also argued that leadership crisis in Africa as a continent has its origin in a time-honoured tradition of leading without recourse to transparency and accountability. Which as a consequence, ‘stifles development, siphones all scarce resources that could improve infrastructure, bolster education system and strenghten public health and stack the deck so high against entrepreneurs that they cannot get their job creating ideas off the ground’.

This ‘ghasty account’ further supports what the youth’s suggests; that we have a duty to deliver our nation from leadership

A

ll human beings will live until a certain day and then die; God in the Quran gives an account of the attitude commonly shown towards death in the following verse: Say: “The death from which you flee away will truly overtake you : then you will be sent back to the Knower of things secret and open : and He will tell you (the truth of) the things that you did!” (Suratul Al-Jumu’ah:8).

It is exactly 9 years on Sunday 4th May 2019 since the demise of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mallam Umaru Musa Yar’adua who died after a protracted illness on 4th May 2009. He became the first civilian president to replace another since independence in 1960. Another unique feature about President Yar’adua was that he was the first President with a university degree –a degree in chemistry, masters in analytical chemistry and proud teacher of reputable standing. He come into office after a hotly contested election marred by fraud and violence.

He took office as president promising to pursue electoral reforms and listing the seven point agenda including improving power supply, boosting agriculture, reducing food insecurity, fighting corruption and raising education standards. Yar’adua also proposed government of national unity where two opposition parties , the ANPP and the PPA agreed to join his government.

The late President’s frugality and incorruptibility are well known .Here is a man who won election with 70% of votes cast in a fraudulently poll but promptly declared it flawed. He is the first Nigerian President both military and civilian to publically declare his assets on assumption of office

unlike some who preached transparency and accountability but later proved to be cesspools of sleaze. The declaration showed that he had N856,452,892 in assets ,N19 million belonging to his wife , and N88,793,269 in liabilities .

He also cancelled the sale of Kaduna Refinery to a company largely owned by business moguls Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedol as well as inaugurated Justice Muhammad Uwais –led electoral reform committee to purify the electoral system according to global standards.

Yar’adua, no doubt, performed creditably both as Governor of Katsina and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He was servant leader with a legacy of a seven-point agenda as well as apostle of rule law and due process.

Even though, he could not achieved all the 7point agenda, All that could pass for his legacy is the creation of the Niger-Delta Ministry and the amnesty he offered militants

Comment

Readdressing Life Pension Bill for governors, deputy governors, lawmakers in Bayelsa “snares and delusions”.

But, considering the fact that we are in a nation where tribal loyalty is stronger than our common sense of nationhood, can the youth effectively gird their courage?

How far can the youths go as changeagents in a country where iliteracy and excruciating poverty and starvation continues to drive more people into the ranks of beggars, whose desperate struggle for bread renders them insensible to all feelings of decency and self-respect?

In a society where the majority of the youths can easily be induced to work across purpose; and in political space where high density of the youth’s population reside in various villages with no access to information or livelihood, Can they truly create any impact?

The answers to the above beginning with last lies in a scholarly report which stated thus; youths coming from the extreme rural or tribal background are placed at a severe disadvantageous position because of their traditional background, limited exposure and orthodox believe.

Even if the tribal and limited exposure challenge is solved, statistics has made it abundantly clear that the greatest weakness associated with youth related gatherings is their inability to remain united for every long time.

This fears cannot be described as unfounded as what played out during the 2019 general election remains a pointer to the reality that majority of our youths are ready to compromise their position for pecunary gain .

However, confronted with this condition, the youths must recognize that to produce change, they must be organized and work together in their units of powers.

Another popular erroneous beief advanced by the supporters of the government, that Nigerians must face

actual and potential difficulties since there is no easy way to create a nation where each has his own job and house, and where all children receive as much education as their minds can absorb, is not only ‘rationally inexplicable but morally unjustifiable’.

It is a fact that government lacks capacity to fix socioeconomic challenges singlehandedly. But any government with goodwill and sincerity to save and serve the people must develop creative and innovative channels to promoting sustained and inclusive economic growth, social development, environmental protection and job creation.

Talking about the youth unemployment in Nigeria, ‘we are in daring state of strait because unemployment has diverse implications. Security wise, large unemployed youth population is a threat to the security of the few that are employed.

Any transformation agenda that does not have job creation at the centre of its programme will take us nowhere’ Very instructive also, a point we must not fail to remember is that the solution to corruption is invariably the solution to poverty and must start with public enlightenment and education of individuals and the public on the importance of rejecting corrupt practices.

Finally, while we await these politically skillful youths to bring a new order in our slow economy but high population growth nation, the present administration must recall that ’the way that leads to future termination of corruption is the correction of past corruption, For when it is known that those who cheated did not get away with it, prospective cheats should think twice before embarking on the negative venture’ Jerome-Mario Utomi (jeromeutomi@yahoo.com) writes from Lagos.

Yar’adua: Nine Painful years without Servant Leader

By Ahmad Muhammad Danyaro

PAGE 13

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, may 7, 2019

in the restive Niger Delta, which restored peace and stability in the oil-rich area almost miraculously.

Late President Umaru’s dispositions exude discipline, absolute humility and simplicity not readily associated by Nigerian politicians.

Under his presidency, extensive banking reforms were introduced under Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (Now Emir of Kano). In these reforms, the rot in the industry become apparent. Powerful and influential names in the banking industry found to have abused customer confidence and mismanage depositors funds were fired and prosecuted for their role in various alleged scams of the industry.

To the credit of President Yar’adua was the bold step in approving a long standing government plant to dredge the River Niger .The project with huge economic potentials for the country , the plan had been o drawing boards of successive administrations since independence, but no concrete decision was

“

He also cancelled the sale of Kaduna Refinery to a company largely owned by business moguls Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedol as well as inaugurated Justice Muhammad Uwais –led electoral reform committee to purify the electoral system

taken to advance it until Yar’adua make the courageous move.

President Yar’adua’s profound decency and integrity, his deep commitment to public service and his passion belief in the vast potential and bright future of Nigeria’s People is amazing. He worked to promote peace and stability in Africa through his support of Nigerian peacekeeping mission efforts as well as his strong criticism of undemocratic actions in African region.

Yar’adua’s greatest strength lies in his love for peace in Nigeria and Africa. As President he chose dialogue, peace and worked to resolve the lingering crisis in the Niger-Delta region, the same way he chose peaceful method in resolving other political crises that have erupted in parts of the West African sub-region. During his tenure as Chairman of Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS between 2009and 2010, he was very active in spearheading regional efforts towards ensuring that the goals of regional integration, in particular, peace and security, were achieved.

His 30 months tenure was marked by a sense of national rebirth and development as a committed patriot and true servant of the people who believed strongly in peace and equity as key panacea for national development. His commitment to vision 20:2020 was aimed at giving Nigeria and Nigerians a new lease of life.

As you marked nine years in the great beyond, May Allah forgive all your sins and reward your good deeds with Jannatul –FirDaus .Amin.

Danyaro wrote in from Abuja and can reached on ahmaddanyaro 2017@ gmail.com

By Fortune Godson Alfred

S

omething very funny and equally ridiculous, yet mischievous and dangerous is currently happening in my beloved State, Bayelsa.

I don’t know what exactly is responsible for the phenomenon I am about to explain to us. I don’t know if there is something in the air or water in the State that could be blamed for it or (to take it extremely far) if it’s some sort of diabolical influence that has bewitched my people into the state I will depict for us later.

In the meantime, however, suffice to say there is presently some sort of collective delirium in Bayelsa State.

I do not remember any other time that a large number of people have been deceived or allowed themselves to accept a lie staring at them starkly like the present drama surrounding the decision of the Governor Henry Seriake Dickson to withhold assent to an Executive Bill that proposes a Pension for the leaders of the Executive branch of government and the Members of the State House of Assembly, entitled “PENSION BILL FOR GOVERNORS, DEPUTY GOVERNORS AND MEMBERS OF THE STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY 2019”.

For the sake of absolute clarity let me start by reproducing the provisions of very first section of the Bill, section (1). It reads, “any indigene that has served as GOVERNOR, DEPUTY GOVERNOR or Member of the House of Assembly of Bayelsa or the Old Rivers State shall be entitled to a Pension for life as provided by this law.”(Emphasis mine) At this juncture I implore you to pause a little bit to take another look at the words I have highlighted in the above cited provisions of the Bill, namely “Governor” and “Deputy Governor”. As you read on, I want you to have those two words at the back of your minds because it is only by doing so that we can put this discuss in its proper perspective and understand the reason for the alarm I raised in my opening sentence.

Having said that, at this point, I want to assume that there are still some people who are not familiar with the drama surrounding the Bayelsa Pension Bill for Governors, Deputy Governors and Members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly 2019. So on the basis of that assumption I want to take you through a brief overview of the matter.

Last week out of the blues, the Bayelsa State social media space was inundated with reports from members of the Social Media team of the State Government and some principal officers about a Bill in the floor of the House that provides pension for the Governor, Deputy Governor and Assembly members. While members of the public were still trying to clean their eyes to be sure that they have seen clearly and are not mistaken about what they have read, they got more reports from the same sources that the bill – that was just read in the House for the very first time that day – has already been passed by the Kombowei Benson led 24 member Bayelsa State House of Assembly. With this announcement came many justifications and high praise for the bill from the same set of mostly young people who broke the news. But things did not go exactly as planned as Bayelsans from all walks of life took to the Social media to express their unequivocal opposition to the bill and called on the Governor to withhold assent to it.

A huge percentage of the people’s anger was directed

at the House of Assembly and the Leader of the House and named sponsor of the Bill, Dr Peter Akpe who is also a member representing the Governor’s Constituency in the House. I remember imploring Bayelsans not to crucify Pastor Akpe giving that the said Bill is an Executive Bill that emanated from the Executive and not his private member bill. My exact words were “I know many would want to crucify Dr Peter Akpe for being the named sponsor of the Pensions Bill that gives the Governor, Deputy Governor and Assembly people pension for life.

However, I want you to know that as Leader of the House, a vast majority of the Bills he presents or ‘sponsors’ are not his but the Executive’s. It is the duty of the Leader of the House to sponsor Executive Bills.

So before you vent your hanger on Pastor Akpe know that he is only the messenger who carried the bad Law to the House and had the dishonour to be named as its sponsor.

Therefore, in closing, even though I believe that he should have had the moral courage to not sponsor this bill – especially given the fact that he is not even returning to the House and ordinarily should have nothing to fear – if my little knowledge of legislative proceedings is anything to go by, then he is not the author of that law and should not be crucified for it.

If you have beef with the Law, you know the head of the Executive branch of government in Bayelsa State where Executive Bills emanate from.”

My plea obviously fell on deaf ears because Bayelsans were very angry at the Assembly members for having the effrontery to dare to make a law that pays them pension to the tune of Five Hundred thousand Naira for Speaker, Three Hundred Thousand Naira for Deputy Speaker, Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira for the Leader and Chief Whip of the House and One Hundred thousand Naira for members of the Assembly.

It is therefore not surprising that before long ordinary Bayelsans and the Civil Society began to plan protest matches to the Assembly to get them to abrogate the bill they have passed.

I still remember writing via my Facebook timeline to advise those opposed to the Bill to realise that contrary to what its supporters may say there is no Pension Law in the land for the Governor, Deputy and Assembly members until the Governor signs the bill. I therefore urged them to direct all pressures at the Governor rather than the Assembly that has already done what they deemed fit to serve their interest while pleasing the Restoration Government.

It was during this time that I saw the open letter written

by SERAP to the Governor urging him to withhold assent to the Bill at the same time Bayelsa State was trending on Twitter with people everywhere condemning the bill and ridiculing the lawmakers.

It was therefore not much of a surprise to me when reports started trickling in on the eve of various planned massive Anti-Pension Law protests, that the Governor has declined assent to the bill citing its inconsistency with Section 124 of the Constitution of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and aim “to expand and consolidate the class interest of a privileged few.” as reasons for his decision.

Since the Governor withheld his assent to the bill, there has been a masterful effort by the Governor and his

handlers to extricate and isolate the Executives and to place all blame for this Bill squarely and entirely on the doorsteps of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly with Dr Peter Akpe and possibly the outgoing Speaker and other members of the House to be the fall guys for the entire affair. This much could be deciphered from the headline and general diction of the Press Statement released by the Governor’s media Aide, Fidelis Soriwei announcing the Governor’s decision to decline assent to the bill. The headline screamed “Governor Dickson Declines Assent to Bill Seeking Pension for former Bayelsa Legislators”. Do you still remember the title of the Bill and the words I highlighted and asked you to pause to remember to put this discuss in its proper perspective?

Before this statement there was a similar post from members of the Bayelsa State Government Social Media Team that reads “Breaking News!!! Gov Dickson Declines Assent to Bill Seeking Life Pension for Former Bayelsa State Legislators.”

Some people have hailed the Governor’s decision to decline assent to the bill. However others have continued to lampoon the Assembly members. One of the most iconic disses was from the respected Ijaw leader Joseph Evah of the Ijaw Monitoring Group, who is seen in a video interview proposing the whooping of the Assembly members he called “Cowboy Politicians”.

In all of the public outcry before and after the Governor declined assent to the bill, I am yet to see anyone calling out the Executive who are the sponsors and the real source of the bill. That is the unexplainable phenomenon I referred to in my opening sentence. It seems someone cast a spell on everyone to forget or just ignore the role of the executive in this whole mess.

At this point, I implore you to once more pause and reflect on the title of this obnoxious and contentious bill that I highlighted above. Remember the Bill was for the Governor, Deputy Governor and the Assembly members?

So why is no one talking about the fact that the EXECUTIVE BILL in question was not only meant for the Assembly members but also has the Governor and Deputy Governor as senior named beneficiaries? Isn’t because people are ignorant of the content of the Bill or the Governor’s handlers have succeeded in isolating his office from the mess and pushed the Assembly members to the forefront since the shit hit the pan? Or are Bayelsans aware of the fact that this Executive Bill was initiated by the Executive to benefit its honchos and the Assembly members but are more angry at the Assembly members for not having the good sense to see this anti-people law for what it is and reject it at First Reading? Perhaps Bayelsans are expressing their anger solely at the Assembly because they have for long perceived the House as a rubber stamp that exists solely do pander to and do the bidding of the Restoration Administration.

Nonetheless, for the sake of posterity and in order to set the record straight I want to drag the attention of all Bayelsans to two facts about that Bill that we should not ignore or forget in a hurry.

The first of these two facts to specially note and give deeper thought is the point that section 10 of the Bill under review says that “This Law repeals the Bayelsa State Pensions for Governor and Deputy Governor Law, 2003.”

Do you see what I am saying? What this means is that there is already a 2003 Law that provides Pension for the office of Governor and Deputy Governor that a vast majority of

Bayelsans have never heard of, let alone know about. This Law hoped to repeal or better put amend the said 2003 Law. Thus the decision of the Governor to decline assent to this 2019 Law preserves the former in its current form.

I am of the opinion that beyond the euphoria of defeating the self-serving Law, Bayelsans should search for, read and demand for the abrogation of the Bayelsa State Pensions for Governor and Deputy Governor Law, 2003.

This is because there is presently no reason whatsoever for any public office holder in Bayelsa from the Governor (past and present) to appointed Local Government Officials to receive any form of pension from the State. The level of backwardness in the state despite the huge human and material resources in the state requires that those who have presides over thus far should apologize to the state and its people for squandering many opportunities to make her great.

So the next and most important phase in the struggle to check the excesses of public office holders in Bayelsa State is to push for the abolishment of the 2003 pension Law. This call is even in sync with Governor Dickson’s advertised reason for declining assent to the 2019 Bill.

According to the aforementioned statement from Fidelis Soriwei the Governor was quoted by the Commissioner for Information Daniel Iworiso Markson to have said “It is my philosophy that government should not be for a select few. In the last seven years, my actions and decisions which have sometimes elicited opposition from the elite who have been feeding fat on the resources of our State, have been marked by this singular disposition of mine.” The time has come for the Governor to prove his anti-oligarchic credentials by transmitting another Executive Bill to the Assembly that repeals the 2003 pension for Governor and Deputy Governor which fits perfectly into an instrument that transfers the resources of the State to a select few to feed fat at the expense of others.

My call for the abrogation of the 2003 Law is inspired by my conviction that aside being a source of additional financial burden to the State, the knowledge of its existence increases the premium politicians would place on seizing State power by all means. The knowledge that by becoming Governor of Bayelsa State, one is made for life would increase the maniacal zeal with which politicians would fight to capture the office of Governor. Little wonder Governorship elections in Bayelsa State have been characterised by warlike violence and bloodbath. So if for nothing else, for the sake of developing a viable and virile democratic culture, the Assembly has to abrogate the 2003 Pension Law for Governors and Deputy Governors.

It must be added that the above mouth watering pay package for the Governor and Deputy Governor is not static; as the Bill provides that the above amounts “shall be reviewed from time to time to reflect 100 percent of the Annual Basis Salary (ABS) incumbent Governor or Deputy as provided by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission. What this means in simple terms is that a former Governor and Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State would receive the same salary as any incumbent Governor and Deputy Governor at all times. But that’s not all.

Fortune Godson Alfred, Political Scientist writes from Yenagoa.

Debt and the environment: Financing ecocide

By Kehinde Oluwatosin Babatunde

Introduction n the distant past, debt was viewed as shameful by our puritan ancestors, over the years debt has become famous, the modern world couldn’t function without debt. Not holding debt should be a real cause for concern – it would mean that a nation or a firm has no valuable assets, that its signature is worthless. In the rarefied spheres of corporate or state power, lack of credit worthiness, not borrowing is the cardinal sin. Following the above prelude, one might ask why is there so much hue about Nigeria’s foreign debt especially when compared to other debtor Nations? Following the recent submission of the Finance minister that Nigeria is mindful of its debt and its yet to reach its borrowing threshold, one might easily conclude that a debt position of $US 21million as at the 4th quarter of 2018 is not a big deal. The debt burden of Nigeria is often underestimated given our penchant to often align with metrics set by the world Bank and other multilateral organizations. The World Bank pegged the debt to GDP ratio to 52% hence we often don’t see the need to borrow less if we haven’t surpass this threshold however to rely on the debt to GDP metric is like enjoying a sleep via a sedative, one might not appreciate the realities of the debt position.

The debt to revenue metric is a more appropriate metric to measure our debt burden and this is where the cookie often crumble as a report in November 2018 from the international monetary fund (IMF) claims that 50% of Nigeria’s revenue is used to service debt.

I

Nigeria as the creditor’s dummy Creditors don’t really care if sovereign borrowers ever pay off the loans. So long as bankers maintain confidence in a country’s ability to pay interest on its debt, they can afford to be magnanimous where principal is concerns. If countries aren’t paying their debt it means, among other things, that the money they borrowed has not been used productively. Debts should be used to generate new wealth, however we have seen situations where there is an investment mismatch where short term funds are invested on capital infrastructures leading to a mismatch in maturity of the loans. We have also seen cases in Nigeria where we borrowed for engagements that do not have capacity to pay back, an instance is the One million dollars borrowed under the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) administration to combat Boko Haram.

A vestige of underdevelopment Following a history of being consistently tagged as a Third World nation, the urgency of development is inspired on every successive leadership in Nigeria howbeit a rather opaque ideology to achieving these development goals. This quest for development often justify all manners of borrowings and wasteful spendings from third world governments. A great deal of costly infrastructure has already been purchased with borrowed money, on which interest must be paid. All the investment in our rail system, irrigation and transport were supposed to fan industrialization.

But as external market for Nigeria’s major exportoil shrinks, the expensive infrastructure gradually becomes redundant and starts to function at a fraction

of its real capacity. Meanwhile thanks to long neglect, the internal market is in no shape to take up the slack -salaries are low and many youths lack jobs, so there is a scant purchasing power to buoy up the economy, hence we pay foreign debts without a support system at home to fan growth.

Debt in financial terms Debts can be paid only by earning currency on international markets, and the most obvious way to remain competitive when one has a wholly extraverted economy is to keep wages low. Workers, unfortunately still insist on eating, at least the basic foodstuffs at prices commensurate with their earnings. As a growing population consumes more food or fuel, more difficult choices has to be made.

If the Nigerian government pass on to the consumer the real cost of food or fuel in the form of high prices, workers will immediately demand higher wages.

Higher wages, in turn will automatically mean even less ability to compete in already dwindling international market. The only solution is subsidy, add the subsidy to be paid on petrol and food to our debt service payment and you will not be surprised why we have underperformed economically and in our infrastructures.

Debt and the ecosystem Every activity of a nation including debt leaves a footprint. While other economic and financial implications of debts are easily noticed, the environmental implications are seldom spoken of.

Indebted countries have not just borrowed money -they have mortgaged the future. Nature puts up

the collateral. There are two debt/environment relationship. The first is borrowing to finance ecologically destructive projects, the second is paying for them and all the other elements of debt financed modernization by cashing in natural resources. Many of the grandiose projects that have taken Nigeria on the debt tread mill are environmental disasters in their own rights. The burden of servicing these debts imposes on the oil companies the obligation to continue the exploration of crude oil in order to generate revenue for the government. In a United Nations report in 2017, it was reported that it would take over 30 years to reverse the damage the oil spillage has caused on the Niger Delta environments.

The oil spillage depletes aquatic life. Climate change, habitat loss and pollution all contributes negatively to the environment. The relationship between a nation’s environment and its debt seem like separate issues at first glance, but debt and the environment are related, the more the developing countries stay in debt, the more they will feel the need to milk earth’s resources for the hard cash they can bring in. This is apparent from Nigeria’s massive deforestation which is stated to have increased at an annual rate of 3.5% per annum since 2005. This has overwhelmingly contributed to the trend of desertification. In a study conducted from 1901 to 2005, it was observed that there was a temperature increase in Nigeria of 1.1°C while the global mean temperature increase was only 0.74°C, this is strongly connected to the massive deforestation and we are yet to even connect this bogeying statistics with the recent intense heat across the country.

Conclusion

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, may 7, 2019

NEWS

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, may 7, 2019

Saraki, Dogara, Shehu Sani bag Arewa online publishers award From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

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he Arewa Online Publishers Forum’ is set to present exemplary leadership award to the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Speaker of House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara and three others.

The chairman of the forum, Mordecai Ibrahim disclosed this in a statement made available to the media in Kaduna yesterday.

The statement added that the Senate President would be honoured with Arewa online publishers forum’s exemplary leadership award while the Speaker Yakubu Dogara is to be honoured for purposeful and transparent leadership.

Others to be honoured includes: Senators Magnus Ngei Abe, APC, Rivers South-east; Shehu Sani, PRP, Kaduna Central, and Kabir Garba Marafa, APC, Zamfara Central .

The statement further stated that the awardees were unanimously selected on merit at the last Annual General Congress of Arewa Online Publishers Forum for their loyalty and commitment.

“Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki and Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara are being honoured specifically for providing decisive, purposeful and effective leadership that helped check the excesses of the Executive arm from turning Nigeria’s fragile democracy into a dictatorship.

“Notwithstanding the distractions, the leadership of both chambers provided quality leadership that culminated in landmark legislations which made the 8th Senate and the House of Representatives the most productive since 1999.

“For example, the Senate passed an unprecedented 213 Bills, the highest since 1999. The Bills included the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB; Not Too Young to Run Bill (now an Act); Electoral Act Amendment Bill; National Housing Fund Bill, and the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria Bill 2018, amongst others.

“There is no doubt these will impact positively on Nigerians in the near future.

“For his commitment, sterling qualities and leadership, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe is being honoured with the Forum’s Internal Democracy Champion’s Award. In the last two years, Senator Abe consistently championed the cause of intra-party democracy in the All Progressive Congress (APC), which resulted in Rivers State being the shining light of democracy in the lead-up to the 2019 election.

“He has consistently been one of the most active senators of the

outgoing 8th Senate through his quality contributions.

“Senator Shehu Sani is being honoured for Genuine Populist Representation and unalloyed loyalty to the electorate by insisting that Kaduna State did not

secure a $350 million loan which could have been used to enslave children and unborn generations.

“He is also being honoured for his quality contributions in helping to give direction to Nigeria’s pan-African, Africa-

centric foreign policy, and for his true revolutionary leadership.

Meanwhile, his open door policy made him accessible to his constituents.

“Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa is being appreciated for his

Doggedness and Perseverance in the struggle for democracy which has served as inspiration and encouragement to his constituents, Zamfara State and lovers of democracy in the country,” the statement reads.

Funke Egbemode re-elected NGE President

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he Managing Director/Editorin-Chief of New Telegraph Newspapers, Funke Egbemode, has been re-elected President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).

Ms Egbemode won the position unopposed at the guild`s 2019 Biennial Convention on Saturday at Ikeja, Lagos.

The convention with theme: “Media Convergence as Strategy for Survival,’’ had hundreds of editors in attendance.

Other people returned unopposed at the event are Umaru Tudunwada, Deputy President; Mustapha Isa, Vice-President West and Mary Atolagbe as the General Secretary.

Victoria Ibanga clinched the position of Treasurer, Ken Ugbechie is Social/Publicity Secretary, while Austeen Elewodalu was also returned

unopposed as Assistant General Secretary.

Five positions were later contested for with Hajia Sani emerging Vice-President (North), while Samuel Egbala emerged VicePresident (East).

Steve Nwosu and Eze Anaba emerged as Standing Committee members for the (West).

Similarly, Ngwoke Ngwoke and Freston Akpor emerged Standing Committee members (East) while Catherine Agbo and Husseina Ibrahim emerged Standing Committee members (North).

The election committee was presided over by veteran journalist, Ray Ekpu, who supervised the hitchfree exercise and announced the winners.

Earlier, there were complaints by some disqualified aspirants, who

were not cleared to contest, based on the provisions of the guild’s constitution.

The disqualified candidates called for a review of the electoral laws provided in the constitution.

But Ekpu apologised to the disqualified members, saying that the electoral provisions in the constitution would be looked into before future elections.

He described the NGE as an association of equals.

In her acceptance speech, Ms Egbemode thanked the guild members for trusting her to serve a second term.

“Everybody agreed that I, Funke Egbemode should serve a second term. While accepting to serve, I want to thank you for your trust.

“I will never forget or betray this trust.

“Although I have ideas, I promise that the next two years will be about what you want and what needs to be done and the integrity of the guild will be protected,’’ she said.

Egbemode was confirmed substantive president of the NGE at the 12th All Nigeria Editors’ Conference in 2016 in Port Harcourt, Rivers.

She emerged acting president of the NGE at the second quarterly meeting of the association’s standing committee meeting, held in Abuja, following the vacancy created by the exit of the former President of the guild, Garbadeen Muhammad.

Mr Muhammad was appointed Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

Ms Egbemode was re-elected president of the guild in 2017. (NAN)

Some of the Matriculation students of School of Continuing Education of Kaduna State University during matriculation in Kaduna recently .

Photo; BASHIR BELLO

Continuing education: Kaduna varsity matriculates 450 students From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

T

he Kaduna State University’s School of Continuing Education on Saturday matriculated 450 freshmen and women for the 2018/2019 academic session.

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Muhammad Tanko, said during the matriculation ceremony at Kakuri, Kaduna, that the school was established to increase access to quality education for national development Tanko urged the students to count themselves lucky for having been selected from thousands of qualified candidates.

“I urge you to study hard, be

creative, and innovative, so as to be able to graduate with the necessary skills and become job creators.

“You can only make a difference and contribute to national development if you study hard. I equally advise you to stay away from cultism and all forms of examination malpractices.

“The university does not condone such acts, and I assure you that you will be expelled with immediate effect, if caught,” the vice-chancellor warned.

Tanko said that the University would continue to work towards increasing access to quality education for teeming youths in the state, and introduce relevant academic programmes needed to

transform the society.

Also speaking, the Director of the School, Hajiya Maryam Ahmed, explained that it offered part-time programmes specifically to provide opportunity for working class adults to update their qualifications and skills.

“It is also open to adults, who are unable to secure admission into a tertiary institution on time, but are ready to pursue university education,” Ahmed said.

She said that the school, with about 800 students, was currently running eight programmes namely, accounting, business administration, sociology, geography, political science, international relations, criminology and economics.

One of the matriculating students, Dinah Dauda a civil servant, commended the University for establishing the school to serve the interest of working-class people.

Dinah who secured admission in 200 level to study Sociology the the programme had provided him with an opportunity to update his qualifications with ease.

“I have been hoping to upgrade my qualifications from ND to a Bachelor of Science degree, to ensure career progression .

“But now, I have the opportunity to do so.

“I am so happy and looking forward to my graduation day,” She said.

Kogi guber: allow our votes to count- nlc pleads with INEC

From Lokoja

T

Ahmad

Ibrahim,

he Kogi State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Onuh Edoka has pleaded with the Independent Electoral Commission to allow the votes of the people of the state to count, ahead of the November governorship election.

He was addressing members of the organized labour at the Confluence Stadium in Lokoja yesterday, during the commemoration of this year’s Workers’Day celebration.

He pointed out that the people of the stated have decided to put their destiny in their own hands, asserting that if the votes of the people were allowed to count, the organized labour would decide who governs the state in the next political dispensation.

He further stressed the need for the members of the NLC in the state to be wary of politicians who are always pursuing their selfish interests, even as he called on the state governor, alumni Yahaya Bello, to settle all workers’ entitlements, to enable them stand by him in the coming election.

The labour leader therefore called on the state government to settle the arrears of workers% salaries before it is too late, disclosing that the organized labour might be forced to hit the streets if nothing was done to resolve the matter.

He insisted that the state government is owing between seven to thirty months, depending on when some workers were cleared by the screening committee, revealing further that the immediate past administration of Captain Idris Wada was owing only two months when he left the office in January, 2016.

In her speech, the secretary to the state government, Mrs Folashade Ayoade Arike, who represented the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, averred that the workers kept the engine of governance moving, and appreciated them for their contributions to the growth of the state.

She disclosed that the government was owing about five months salaries, insisting that only those who had problems during the screening exercise were being owed more than five months, promising however to sit with organized labour to fashion out modalities for the newly approved minimum wage for the workforce.

Ramadan: Saraki Urges Muslims to Pray for Peace, Security, Economic Prosperity

By Ikechukwu Abuja

Okoroadi,

P

resident of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has called on Muslim faithful to pray for a positive turn around in the fortunes of Nigeria as they join their counterparts across the world to observe this year’s Ramadan fasting.

Saraki, in a goodwill message, to mark the beginning of the holy month, signed by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity),

Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, noted that since fasting symbolizes internal cleansing and spiritual renewal, the country can benefit tremendously from the prayers of the faithful during the period.

He said: “It is my prayer that Allah accepts the earnest prayers and sacrifices of the Muslim Ummah during this Holy Month.

May we emerge better, both at the individual and national levels, after this spiritual exercise.

“Let’s us seek an end to recurring killings, kidnapping

and all forms of insecurity in our country. As community leaders and members of the Islamic faith, we have a responsibility to work for peace in our communities in particular, and the country in general.

“We cannot afford to gloss over the present level of insecurity and harsh economic realities in our country. Therefore, let us pray earnestly for Allah’s intervention in the socio-economic life of our people,” he stated.

Saraki also called on all leaders

both at the national and state levels to put in place policies and programmes that would directly benefit the people and gainfully engage the nation’s growing youth population.

He added that the high youth population in the country is a blessing as the young people can hasten the development process if positively engaged but that the advantage can also become a time bomb if they are not well managed and deployed for good causes.

Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers State (M) with members of House of Representatives Committee on Army during their visit to Government House, yesterday in Port Harcourt .

Photo: NAN

Akwa Ibom guber: INEC denies refusing APC access to inspect election materials

By Usman Shuaibu

T

he Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has denied refusing the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Obong Nsima Ekere, access to inspect electoral materials as ordered by the tribunal.

The APC legal team had alleged that the Commission was denying them access to election materials against the order of the tribunal A statement by Don Etukudo, PAO, INEC Akwa Ibom State, made available to Peoples Daily yesterday, said that, “ The Commission is a law abiding organization. It had at no time denied anyone with a valid order from the tribunal access to election materials.

“With respect to the Governorship and House of Assembly petitions in which inspections are expected, the APC legal team has proposed four to five days for Governorship, five to six days for House of Representatives and five days for House of Assembly maters, all inspections to run concurrently for ten days.

Subject to the availability of space and manpower, the Commission will expeditiously oblige this request.”

It said that, “As a serious minded organization, we do not deign to dignify cheap infantile pranks with replies. If the APC legal team is convinced the Commission is denying them access to election materials against the order of the tribunal, as lawyers, they know the proper

thing is to report back to the tribunal instead of rushing to the social media.”

The statement explained further that, “The lawyer for the APC governorship candidate, Obong Nsima Ekere, came to the Commission with the order from the tribunal for the first time on Thursday the 25th of April, 2019.

“He did not come to inspect the materials on that day. He came to inform the Commission of the order and to get it to prepare for the inspection.

“The lawyer was told to return the next day so that the INEC legal team could jointly work out the schedule for the inspection. He did not return. He only came back on Tuesday, the 30th of April, 2019. But between Thursday the 25th of April and Tuesday the

30th of April, 2019, before we could work out the modalities for the inspection, the legal team for Nsima Ekere led by Chief Victor Iyanam had convened a press conference at where they accused INEC of denying them access to election materials and threatened to press for contempt against the Resident Electoral Commissioner.

As always, they ensured the social media was awash with the fake story.

“Other than pure mischief or perhaps trying to elicit sympathy from some quarters for political reasons, we do not understand the motive of the APC legal team.”

The Commission therefore assured the general public that it has nothing to hide and will at all times obey valid orders from the tribunal.

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, may 7, 2019

POLITICS Corruption Is The Major Obstacles To Democracy In Nigeria - Don From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

A

n Associate Professor with the Nigerian Defence Academy, (NDA), Kaduna, Dr. Ahmed Yahaya has said corruption is the major obstacle to democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria as offices and institutions lose their legitimacy because they are misused for private advantage.

He stated this during a Town Hall meeting on,”Anticorruption and Promotion of Good Governance Across the SixGeo-Political Zones” organized by Wadata Communication Nigeria Limited and supported by the MacArthur Foundation held in Kaduna yesterday.

Dr. Yahaya also said that corruption corrodes the fabric of society, and it undermines people’s trust in political and economic systems.

The Don who defined corruption as the abuse of entrusted power for private gain, said the menace can depletes national wealth, and encourage politicians to invest scarce public resources in projects that will line their pockets rather than benefit communities.

On how to fight corruption , Dr Yahaya said populace must pressurize governments, businesses and the powerful to take strong action against corruption.

He also said that victims of corrupt practices must be encouraged to come out and witnessed against perpetrators, saying the good news is that everyone can stop corruption.

Speaking earlier, the Project Manager of Wadata Communication Nigeria Limited, Zubair Abdurra’uf said Nigerians must demand for good governance and accountability from every public office holder.

He said the menace of corruption that thrives within our society and chain of governance as well as public and private enterprises has risen to an immeasurable level.

“Communities now glorified and adorn questionable elements within their domain with honors’and chieftancy titles without proper scrutiny to their sources of wealth.

“These trends need to be reverse and the narratives should be change for the development of our nation.

“We at Wadata Communications with active support of MacArthur Foundation ventured into the fight against corruption in our various communities for accelerated development,” he said According to Abdurra’uf, the essence of the town hall meetings is to make appraisal of the new concept of fighting corruption with a view of reducing corruption in Nigeria, through citizen participation in governance and enhancing community practice on investigative Journalism.

Former Senate President Heads Gov. Ortom Transition Committee

Att: Editor from Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

G

overnor Samuel Ortom of Benue State yesterday, inaugurated a 45 man State Transition Committee, with a charged on them to study the present structure of government as regards it’s adequacy or otherwise and recommend way forward.

Ortom while inaugurating the committee at Government House Makurdi, said that the committee is expected to provide further impetus for his administration to re-organize and re-energize the machinery of government in order to consolidate on the gains it has achieved in its tenure.

Ortom noted that the important Committee comprised of distinguished ladies and gentlemen who have excelled in their various

careers and professions whose capabilities and wealth of experience is not in doubt.

He however, advised them to work collectively as a team so that their individual capacities can be fully harnessed with a view to come up with a comprehensive document that will guide the government towards providing improved services to the citizenry in the State.

He said the Committee has as its terms of reference to evaluate the number, composition and membership of the Statutory Commissions in the State and also review the Benue State Development Plan: “Our Collective Vision for a New Benue”.

He further charged the members to suggest alternative ways of funding development projects and

payment of Arrears of Salaries, Pensions and Gratuity of Public Servants in the State as well as suggest ways of revenue generation in the State.

Ortom equally urged them to review existing youth development programmes and suggest ways of assisting development of youths of the State and ways of productively engaging the youth and women in the State.

According to him, the committee should also proffer suggestions that could afford farmers in the State to add value to their farm produce and suggest ways of giving the Benue people new orientation and social values.

“You must offer suggestions that will further strengthen, enhance and position the present Administration in the State to effectively fulfill its mandate to the people as it

commences its 2nd Term in Office”. “it is our expectation that members of the Committee are aware of the sensitivity of their assignment in providing a roadmap for our Government to operate in its Second Term in office. We are therefore confident that you will live up to expectations by fully giving your time and energy in this all-important assignment”, Ortom said.

He maintained that his government was determined to meticulously follow the document that would be produced by the committee in guiding in them in their developmental stride.

The committee has the former president of the Nigerian Senate, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu as chairman while the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Tony Ijohor is to serve as Secretary

Wife of the Governor of Oyo State, Mrs Florence Ajimobi (3RD L) distributing Ramadan food items to representatives of 33 LGA women groups, yesterday in Ibadan .

Photo: NAN

Leave Sen. Adeleke alone, PDP cautions Police, APC

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

T

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alerted of a fresh plot by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to use some elements in the Police to hound and incarcerate its Osun State governorship candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke, all in the bid to browbeat him to relinquish his mandate.

The party said it already has a new information of how the APC, having seen that there is no way it can stop Senator Adeleke at the courts, now seeks to forcefully hound him into a police station where he will be incarcerated and put out of circulation before the determination of the matters in court.

The leading opposition party said this in a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan.

The PDP explained that apart from executing this script of the APC, “these elements in the police have no other reason for

continuously hounding Senator Adeleke, as he is already in court for all the frivolous allegations preferred against him”.

It added, “If they truly want Senator Adeleke for any new issue connected with the charges for which he is already in court, it should present such before the court instead of resorting to bullying”.

Nigerians, the party said, will recall that the PDP had earlier alerted of threats to Senator Adeleke’s life, stressing that the threats have not only continued unabated but have heightened with this renewed hounding by these elements in the police, who are being used by the APC. The PDP cautioned that Nigerians are not ready to accept any excuse from anybody should Senator Adeleke suddenly becomes a victim of accidental discharge, sudden disappearance or failed health. They know whom to hold responsible.

The statement reads, “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) alerts of a fresh plot by the All

Progressives Congress (APC) to use some elements in the Police to hound and incarcerate its victorious Osun state governorship candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke, all in the bid to browbeat him to relinquish his mandate.

“The PDP already has a new information of how the APC, having seen that there is no way it can stop Senator Adeleke at the courts, now seeks to forcefully hound him into a police station where he will be incarcerated and put out of circulation before the determination of the matters in court.

“Apart from executing this script of the APC, these elements in the police have no other reason for continuously hounding Senator Adeleke, as he is already in court for all the frivolous allegations preferred against him.

“If they truly want Senator Adeleke for any new issue connected with the charges for which he is already in court, it should present such before the court instead of resorting to bullying.

“Nigerians will recall that the PDP had earlier alerted of threats to Senator Adeleke’s life. These threats have not only continued unabated but have heightened with this renewed hounding by these elements in the police, who are being used by the APC. “Our party cautions that Nigerians are not ready to accept any excuse from anybody should Senator Adeleke suddenly becomes a victim of accidental discharge, sudden disappearance or failed health. They know whom to hold responsible.

“The APC should end this siege on Senator Adeleke and accept the fact that he has the mandate of the people of Osun state as their governor and no form of machination will subvert this reality.

“The PDP therefore charges the Inspector General of Police, Adamu Mohammed to rein-in his men on issues related to Senator Adeleke’s determination to retrieve his governorship mandate, which was stolen by the APC”, it said.

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, may 7, 2019

Northeast group solicits support for Senator Lawan

By Usman Shuaibu

A

pressure group from the northeast geopolitical zone, the Northeast Concern People’s Forum for Good Governance, has thrown its weight behind the candidature of Senator Ahmed Lawan and resolved to canvass for support from all the 18 senators from the northeast geo-political zone across parties.

This was made known to newsmen by the Chairman of the Northeast Concern People’s Forum for Good Governance, Alhaji Abdullahi Lawal Dass shortly after the Forum’s meeting in Abuja.

Abdullahi Lawal Dass said that in view of Senator Ahmed Lawan’s long stay in the National Assembly and his contributions to the development of northeast geopolitical zone as well as finding the lasting solution to the lingering insecurity in the zone, saying that it become necessary for the forum to support the candidature of Senator Ahmed Lawan.

Dass added that Senator Lawan stay in the legislature for this long, he knows the Intrigues and workings of the senate like the back of his palm, and also knows what the party policies are and certainly knows how he could set this passed on the floor, with ease and also what should be done by ensuring that the chairman of business committee and leader of the senate would be people he has to work with to ensure every bill brought by the Executive has easy sail.

Dass also called on the senators in the 9th senate to rally round and thrown their weight behind Senator Ahmed Lawan’s candidature.

On the issue of senators who are vying for the plum job from northeast geo-political zone, he said a powerful delegation from the forum was appointed to seek for their indulgence to shield their swords and support the candidature of Senator lawan.

He said the forum added that two prominent persons in the forum from the 18 senatorial district made up of the northeast geo-political zone, have been carefully selected to lead the delegation that will canvass for Senator Ahmed Lawan’s candidature.

POLITICS

Governorship Election Tribunal: Benue PDP Files Defence From Uche Makurdi

Nnorom,

T

he Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Benue State yesterday filed a defence of its victory in the 2019 governorship election in the state at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Makurdi.

The defence is sequel to the petition filed by Governorship candidate of the All Progressives

Congress, APC and the party challenging the victory of Gov. Samuel Ortom of the PDP at the polls.

Mr. Jime, candidate of the APC at the recent governorship election, was defeated by Governor Ortom but had gone ahead with his party, APC, filed a petition at the tribunal alleging irregularities in the polls, the outcome of which they refused to accept.

The Jime/APC petition has the National Independent Electoral

Commission INEC, Gov. Samuel Ioraer Ortom and PDP as the 1st, 2nd and 3rd respondents respectively.

Filing the PDP defence yesterday at the tribunal, counsel to the party, C.T. Mue Esq, expressed optimism that his client’s victory at the election will be upheld by the tribunal.

The PDP Governorship legal defence team is headed by Chris Uche SAN with Oba Maduabuchi SAN, Emeka Okoro, Agbo

Johnson Madaki, P.S. Abaagu, T.T. Hyundu, C.T. Mue, Nathans Gwebe, T.D. Sorkaa and Raphael Gabriel Okplogidi also on the team.

The team of highly experienced lawyers also has on it John Tyokegh, T.T. Igba, M.L. Ianna, Chris Alechenu, M.T. Nyiutsa, Donald Ierkwagh, Mercy Tule, Owulo Omenka Owulo, I.S. Kajo, J.K. Ishember, J.I. Ioryina, C.A. Gbehe, Terwase Gbasha and S.A. Udaga, among several others.

L-R: Rule of Law Advisor to the Vice President, Dr Fatima Waziri-Azi; Director General, Plateau State Peace Building Agency, Mr Joseph Lengmeng and Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA) Plateau State, Mr Bulus Dabit during a capacity building workshop for community and religious leaders on conflict prevention and alternative dispute resolution in Jos .

Photo: NAN

Corruption Is The Major Obstacles To Democracy In Nigeria - Don From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

A

n Associate Professor with the Nigerian Defence Academy, (NDA), Kaduna, Dr. Ahmed Yahaya has said corruption is the major obstacle to democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria as offices and institutions lose their legitimacy because they are misused for private advantage.

He stated this during a Town Hall meeting on,”Anticorruption and Promotion of Good Governance Across the SixGeo-Political Zones” organized by Wadata Communication Nigeria Limited and supported by the MacArthur Foundation held in Kaduna yesterday.

Dr. Yahaya also said that

corruption corrodes the fabric of society, and it undermines people’s trust in political and economic systems.

The Don who defined corruption as the abuse of entrusted power for private gain, said the menace can depletes national wealth, and encourage politicians to invest scarce public resources in projects that will line their pockets rather than benefit communities.

On how to fight corruption , Dr Yahaya said populace must pressurize governments, businesses and the powerful to take strong action against corruption.

He also said that victims of corrupt practices must be encouraged to come out and

witnessed against perpetrators, saying the good news is that everyone can stop corruption.

Speaking earlier, the Project Manager of Wadata Communication Nigeria Limited, Zubair Abdurra’uf said Nigerians must demand for good governance and accountability from every public office holder.

He said the menace of corruption that thrives within our society and chain of governance as well as public and private enterprises has risen to an immeasurable level.

“Communities now glorified and adorn questionable elements within their domain with honors’and chieftancy titles without proper scrutiny to their sources of wealth.

“These trends need to be reverse and the narratives should be change for the development of our nation.

“We at Wadata Communications with active support of MacArthur Foundation ventured into the fight against corruption in our various communities for accelerated development,” he said According to Abdurra’uf, the essence of the town hall meetings is to make appraisal of the new concept of fighting corruption with a view of reducing corruption in Nigeria, through citizen participation in governance and enhancing community practice on investigative Journalism.

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, may 7, 2019

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, may 7, 2019

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L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc, Mr. Austin Avuru; with Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, at the inauguration of the Board of Directors of Anoh Gas Processing Company Limited, recently in Abuja

CBN to blacklist individuals, companies involved in textile smuggling

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele has disclosed the plan of the apex bank to blacklist individuals and companies involved in the illicit trade of textiles in the country.

Mr. Emefiele, who spoke at the national flag-off of distribution of cotton seeds/inputs to farmers for the 2019 planting season in Katsina said, the Bank was currently gathering data about, and investigating the accounts of individuals and corporates currently involved in smuggling and dumping textile materials into Nigeria with the ultimate aim of blacklisting individuals and companies involved in the illicit trade, adding that all banks in Nigeria would be barred from conducting any banking business with the companies, their owners and top management .

He was supported by the governors of Katsina State, Rt. Hon. Bello Masari and Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, as well as the Minister of Agriculture Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, also reiterated that the foreign exchange restriction on finished textiles and other 42 items remained in force.

The flagged-off was done with the aim of reviving Nigeria’s cotton, textiles and garments sector and improving cotton production from 80,000 tonnes produced in 2018 to over 300,000 tonnes by 2020.

Prior to the flag-off, he noted that the CBN had identified insufficient cotton seeds as one of the major challenges facing cotton farmers, hence the Bank sought to change the narrative on the cotton and textile industry in Nigeria through the distribution of high yielding cotton seeds to farmers.

According to him, the provision of seedlings to more than 100,000 farmers cultivating over 200,000 hectares of farmland, along with extensive training on proper farming techniques, will boost production of high grade cotton lint at much improved yields of up to four tonnes per hectare, from the current cultivation rates of less than one tonne per hectare. He said the move would also reduce the amount spent by Nigeria on imported textiles and ready-made clothing estimated at about $4billion annually.

Mr. Emefiele also disclosed that the package included fertilizer, pesticides and knapsack sprayers, adding that the National Cotton Association of Nigeria will ensure compliance of its members with the stipulated terms for the support that will be provided to farmers.

He further disclosed that the choice of Katsina was based on the immense potential of the State as the leading cotton producing State in Nigeria. He also noted that the Bank was committed to the revamp of the cotton and textiles industry, given its immense potential to Nigeria’s growth objectives as well as the

Bank’s efforts at creating jobs for a large number of Nigerians.

Recalling the glory days of the textile industries in Nigeria in the 1970’s and early 1980’s, Mr. Emefiele noted that Nigeria was home to Africa’s largest textile industry, with over 180 textile mills that employed over 450,000 people, representing about 25% of the workforce in the manufacturing sector.

He also recounted that the industry was supported by the production of cotton by 600,000 local farmers across 30 of Nigeria’s 36 states, thousands of ginnery workers who processed the cotton from farmers, and a large number of distributors that sold the finished cloths to consumers.

He, however, expressed regrets that farmers and processors have had to deal with low quality seeds, rising operating cost and weak sales due to high energy cost of running factories, poor access to finance and smuggling of textile goods, which he estimated cost Nigeria over $2.2bn annually.

He lamented that only 25 textile factories were currently operating in Nigeria with a workforce of less than 20,000 people, stressing that a large proportion of clothing materials were now being imported from China and countries in Europe While acknowledging the support and leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, he said the Bank had placed considerable emphasis on

addressing impediments to the growth of Nigeria’s agricultural and manufacturing sectors, as both sectors represent over 52% of Nigeria’s GDP. “If we are able to drive productivity gains in these sectors, it will undoubtedly translate to higher growth rate for the broader economy, result in increased rural incomes, and improvements in living standards for a majority of Nigerians,” he noted.

On the restriction of foreign exchange to 43 items, Mr. Emefiele said the measures taken by the CBN were yielding the desired results and had helped in driving interest by potential investors who are seeking to make investments to support improved production of textiles in Nigeria.

To reverse the trend of smuggling, the CBN Governor said the Bank was currently gathering data about, and investigating the accounts of individuals and corporates currently involved in smuggling and dumping textile materials into Nigeria with the ultimate aim of blacklisting individuals and companies involved in the illicit trade, adding that all banks in Nigeria would be barred from conducting any banking business with the companies, their owners and top management .

“With a population of over 190 million people, Nigeria clearly stands out as a virgin market that must be tapped. If we are serious or determined in our drive to create jobs on a mass scale and reduce

youth restiveness in Nigeria, the cotton, textiles and garments industry cannot be ignored,” Emefiele added.

He therefore urged all hands to be on deck to harness the potentials in the agricultural sector.

In his remarks, the Katsina State Governor, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari said the Federal Government initiative to promote cotton production under the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme of the CBN was a welcome development as such would support the textile industry in the country by encouraging local production.

Also speaking on behalf of other State Governors in the North-West geopolitical zones, the Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje equally commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the administration’s effort in agricultural development. While lauding the CBN for its initiatives, Gov. Ganduje stressed the need for strong institutions to complement monetary and fiscal policies aimed at developing the Nigerian economy.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, who stood in for President Buhari, emphasized that agriculture was solving many of the country’s challenges. While lauding the CBN for providing cheap credit for stakeholders in the agricultural sector, the Minister urged Nigerians, especially youth, to embrace agriculture.

Aiteo shuts down barely 24hrs after re-opening Nembe Creek Trunk Line

By Etuka Sunday

A

iteo, less than 24hrs after starting up the NCTL from repairs of identified leak points occasioned by activities of oil thieves, has announced a shutdown.

The company in a statement

said that two (2) new leak points were reported along the line near Awoba Riser Manifold.

“Our emergency response process was immediately activated, and containment boom deployed to limit oil spread on bodies of water whilst efforts to

identify cause of incident/repair has been initiated.

“Consequently, all injectors have been advised in accordance with NCTL shutdown procedure to shut-in production into the NCTL immediately.

“Appropriate Oil Leakage/

Spillage Notification Report will follow shortly to DPR/NOSDRA. “Further updates would be communicated as they become available,” the statement said.

Recall, Aiteo announced at the weekend that its Emergency Pipeline Repair teams have

successfully completed leak repair activities on all reported leak points on the NCTL. Consequently, confirmed that all injectors have been advised to re-align and commence startup formalities immediately and advise on their start up times.

Page 20

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, may 7, 2019

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, may 7, 2019

METRO

Page 21

Representative of the Director General, Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Dr Theresa Omara-Achong (3rd, R); Chairman, Sport Club, RMRDC, Mr Lapai Batako (4th R); Director of Planning, RMRDC, Mrs Hajar Tanko (6th, R) and other staff of RMRDC during their monthly road walk and jogging for total good health, in Abuja. , Photo; NAN

Ramadan: AMAC Chairman implores Muslims to pray for peace, unity

By Stanley Onyekwere

T

he Chairman Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Abdullahi Adamu Candido has urged Muslims in the FCT and across the country to use the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan and pray for peace and unity of the country.

Candido in his goodwill message to the Muslims, said he sees the month as a month of reconnection between Allah and His servants to seek for forgiveness and Allah’s Mercy through commitment and dedication to worship.

He urged the Muslims to feed the poor, the needy and the Orphans as one of the practices of the Noble Prophet Muhammad ( SAW) even if it’s with half a date (Dabino ).

The AMAC Chairman through his Chief Press Secretary, Jibreel Muhammad Babangoshi assured the people of the council that with their prayers, his Administration will perform better than he did the first tenure.

Candido who thanked residents of the Council for their unflinching support during his first tenure in office and gave him another three-year mandate.

He therefore promised to take AMAC to the NextChapter by 20th of may, 2019, when the first tenure elapsed which will usher in a new chapter.

DRTS begins clampdown on mini-bus operators

By Stanley Onyekwere

I

n what seems as reinvigorated clampdown on mini and medium capacity buses, officers and men of the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS) otherwise known as Vehicles Inspection Officers (VIOs) are set to arrest those operating within the city centre.

This was sequel to a clear directive by the Secretary,

Transportation Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Comrade Kayode Opeifa.

Opeifa reiterated that operation of such vehicles that the ban on the use of mini and medium capacity buses, popularly known as coaster buses, within the city centre remains in force.

He explained that the directive had become necessary, following the number of such buses that

presently ply roads in the FCT most of which are rickety.

The Secretary noted that the recent meetings with the leadership of the Bus Drivers’ Association and other relevant unions are enough sensitisation.

He added that the operators need to show a little patriotism to understand that government has done its part, which is why they must comply with the directive.

Kayode further explained

that laws are made to be obeyed, adding that the administration in its wisdom to outlaw the use of mini and medium capacity buses in the city centre has to be respected.

He however subtly indicted the leadership of the directorate for not sustaining the ban, even as he urged them to work closely with other relevant security agencies to ensure that these classes of buses are removed from the city.

NGO advocates improved healthcare, education for children

By Stanley Onyekwere

A

n Abuja-based NonG o v e r n m e n t a l Organisation, Teenz Global Foundation (TGF) has called for more friendly environment for special needs children to have improved access to education and mainstream basic healthcare amongst others in the society.

Making this point, Founder of the Foundation, Ijeoma IdikaChima, said there is need to make schools, caregivers like parents and teachers become more receptive towards children

with special needs, in providing care that they will need to live a productive life.

She spoke during a dialogue on special needs children and education in Nigeria, held recently at the American Corner, inside the premises of the National Centre for Women Development, Abuja.

Our correspondent reports that teachers, parents and teenagers especially those with disability drawn from twelve were part of the dialogue, which looked at identifying the different categories of disabilities among

children.

According to the TGF Founder, Nigeria leads as the top three in the world having people living with disabilities, hence the need to ensure a very friendly environment for these persons.

“All hope is not lost, looking at the recently signed Disability Prohibition Bill that was signed into law by the president, aimed at enhancing the welfare of persons living with disability.

“We are evaluating the how impactful the Disability Act will help in making schools, caregivers like parents and

teachers become more receptive towards children with special needs, in providing care that they will need.

“The Dialogue is like a collaboration between parents (who are the caregivers at home) and teachers (who are the caregivers at school), because they actually help to form the children.

“Our focus is on advocating for the right and accessibility for these children to have improved access to education, mainstream basic healthcare amongst others,” she stated.

Page 22

world news

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, may 7, 2019

N international_peoplesdailyng@yahoo.com

China Focus: Unveil the truth of Xinjiang vocational, education centers T ursun Kurbanjan shed tears and showed remorse when talking about his actions while under the influence of religious extremism.

He had cursed his parents as he believed they contacted pagans, and angrily tossed a chair at his 11-year-old brother who was watching an animated cartoon featuring pagans, fracturing the child’s hands.

Kurbanjan, 23, a trainee at the Shule vocational training and education center in Kashgar, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, said he feels very remorseful about his previous attitude toward his family.

Like Kurbanjan, Arzegul, a female trainee at the same institution, realizes the harm that her “fatuous” and “foolish” behavior has done to her family.

Influenced by religious extremism, she once prevented her family from receiving government subsidies. After being refused, she quarreled with her parents and cursed them. Thinking her family had become infidels, she cut ties and rented a house to live in on her own, Arzegul told Xinhua in her classroom.

“I learn Mandarin and laws here. I deeply realize my mistakes.

The Party and the government give me the opportunity to study here. I am very proud to be Chinese,” Arzegul said. She is learning sewing skills and plans to open a sewing shop after completing the courses.

Incomplete statistics show that from 1990 to the end of 2016, separatist, terrorist and extremist forces launched thousands of terrorist attacks in Xinjiang, killing large numbers of innocent people and hundreds of police officers, according to a white paper released by the State Council Information Office in March.

An exhibition in Urumqi, the regional capital of Xinjiang, shows some major incidents of violence and terror between 1990 and 2015 in Xinjiang, with horrific pictures and videos about the scenes of such anti-human crimes as well as large amounts of seized explosives, knives and guns.

Adopting a boarding school management system, free education and training centers have been established in the region according to law, with the goal of educating and rehabilitating people guilty of minor crimes or law-breaking and eradicating the influence of terrorism and extremism, in order to prevent them from falling victim to terrorism and extremism, said the white paper titled “The Fight Against Terrorism and Extremism and Human Rights Protection in Xinjiang.”

Foreign journalists interview students at Kashgar vocational education and training center in Kashgar, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Jan. 13, 2019. (Xinhua/Yu Tao) VOLUNTARY, HAPPY LEARNING The Shule vocational training and education center also provides free training for practical skills such as e-commerce and becoming an electrician. In one classroom, trainees in traditional costumes danced while others played music. On the playground near the teaching building, dozens of people played basketball. Two banners hung on the walls of the center read “rigorous scholarship, strict teaching” and “teaching others as a model.”

“The food tastes very good.

The school respects our dining habits,” said Memet, a trainee from a painting class at the center.

Another trainee, Semet, has been taking courses at the center for 10 months. Before his training, he hardly spoke one word of Mandarin, and now he speaks the language fluently. He learns e-commerce and hopes to sell produce from his hometown via opening an online store in the future.

“In the past, I had little legal awareness and did not know what was legal and what was illegal. I was unable to speak Mandarin and had no skills. My family lived a hard life,” said the 27-year-old man.

In 2015, he was influenced by extremist thoughts on the internet. He would not buy or use any item from furniture to food if they did not have a halal label.

He threatened divorce to prevent his wife from joining the Party. He fought with the owner of a shop in his village because the man was not a Muslim, Semet told Xinhua about his story. Once he was reported to police, he realized that he had violated the law.

After consulting with his family, Semet volunteered to study

“

Trainees study for five months to one year to complete the training at this institution. They are not allowed to bring mobile phones with them to class. The phones should be left in the dormitories. Each classroom has a fixed telephone for trainees to contact families, the principal said

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, may 7, 2019

at the free training school and chose to learn e-commerce skills based on his interests, hoping to change his life.

“Life in the center is good. We are happy to study here. I go home once a week. Teachers are very concerned about us,” Semet said.

“It is the Party and the government that have pulled me back from the brink in time. Without the Party’s policies, I might have become an accomplice to violent terrorists.”

Erkin Tuniyaz, vice chairman of Xinjiang regional government, said Xinjiang has achieved remarkable results in deradicalization, and that there have been no violent and terrorist cases for 28 consecutive months.

“The education and training centers integrate the learning of Mandarin, laws and skills as well as de-radicalization with employment and poverty alleviation, which promotes the overall quality of students’ lives,” said the senior regional official.

NEW CHAPTER OF HOPEFUL LIFE At the culinary training hall of the Moyu County Vocational Training and Education Center in Hotan, dozens of trainees learn cooking skills such as turning the pot, cutting vegetables, carving fruit, and making pastries through teacher instruction.

Abduhelil Haliq, a 29-year-old trainee, said he has loved cooking since childhood, so he chose to take the cooking skills course at

the center. He has already learned to cook several stir-fried dishes including shredded potatoes and spicy chicken.

“I will open a restaurant after finishing my studies,” Haliq said. He returns home once a week to see his wife and five-year-old daughter who attends a free kindergarten in the county.

Buayshem Abliz, principal of the institution, said the trainees come from different townships of the county and volunteer to receive training. They choose majors according to their interests and are active in class.

The education and skill training could effectively help them eradicate extremist thoughts, realize previous mistakes and have a correct attitude toward life and society, she said.

The center provides training in 15 types of skills, including music, fine arts, dancing, cooking, flower arrangement, hairdressing, massage, housekeeping, and car maintenance. Students apply for entry via village committees. After passing physical examinations, they can sign training agreements with the centers.

Trainees study for five months to one year to complete the training at this institution.

They are not allowed to bring mobile phones with them to class.

The phones should be left in the dormitories. Each classroom has a fixed telephone for trainees to contact families, the principal said.

“Some of the female trainees in the center like and know how to dance. But after being indoctrinated with religious extremism, they felt that women shouldn’t dance and can’t go out,” Abliz said. “With the school’s mental guidance, these learners have turned open, lively, sunny and self-confident.”

With government financial help, Tunisa Metruzi, who graduated from the Moyu vocational training and education center last year, opened a beauty salon in the county. She earns a monthly income of 6,000 yuan (890 U.S. dollars).

“I have gotten rid of the grip of extremist ideology, and I feel like a whole new person,” she said.

“The education and training gave me the opportunity to learn what I always wanted to do and do what I want to do. My family supports me. I am very happy now.”

When she was affected by extremist thought, she was not able to wear makeup or jewelry.

Now, Metruzi loves makeup and she wears it every day. She visits an experienced hairdresser twice a week in the county to continue learning and hone her skills.

(Xinhua)

Page 23

e w s F r o m Cameroon’s Andre Onana: ‘Black keepers have to work Protesters (pictured on Thursday) have been cleared harder’ from the streets of

Gabon court dismisses Bongo fitnessto-serve case

A

court in Gabon has rejected a case filed by a group of activists seeking to compel President Ali Bongo to undergo a medical evaluation to determine his fitness for office.

In the ruing dated 2 May the court said that there was no basis to bring the matter to court.

It, however, ruled that only the two houses of parliament can apply to the constitutional court to declare the office of the president vacant.

Questions about Mr Bongo’s health have been raised since after he suffered a stroke in October last year while visiting Saudi Arabia and subsequently convalescing in Morocco.

“This decision by the court only increases our doubts about [President] Bongo’s ability to continue to perform his duties,” said Marc Ona Essangui, a civil society representative and a member of the Call to Action group, which is close to the opposition.

Source: BBC

f r i c a

How Benin’s democratic crown has slipped

A

jax Amsterdam and Cameroon’s Andre Onana says black goalkeepers have to work harder than white stoppers to make it to the top of European football.

The 23-year-old believes there is a misconception that black keepers make too many mistakes.

“I don’t see the difference between white and black goalkeepers,” he said.

“They’re the same - they make mistakes. I make mistakes, everyone makes mistakes. Black keepers need to prepare well because it’s not easy for us.”

Onana’s Ajax could reach the Champions League final on Wednesday, as they protect a 1-0 lead at home against Tottenham Hotspur, whereupon he could become the first black goalkeeper to contest the final since Brazil’s Dida, who played for Milan in 2007.

The Cameroon international has played every minute of Ajax’s Champions League campaign, which began in the second qualifying round in July 2018.

“We don’t have a lot of black goalkeepers at the top and people already have in their mind that black goalkeepers are not confident or they make too many mistakes,” Onana told BBC Sport.

A

Cotonou by a heavy security presence

Voters were given ballots which featured no opposition parties

T

he small West African country of Benin was in the vanguard of a new wave of multiparty democracy which spread across the continent since 1991 but its most recent elections have tarnished its image, analysts say, after the opposition were barred, and the military opened fire against protesters.

What happened?

The army is still patrolling the streets of Benin’s main city, Cotonou, days after deadly force was used against protesters who had gathered close to the home of opposition leader and former President Thomas Boni Yayi.

No official death toll has been given but the opposition says seven civilians were killed.

Their anger was sparked by the exclusion of all opposition parties from parliamentary elections on 28 April. Turnout was at a record low, at only 27%.

Internet access was restricted on the day of the polls, a move that rights groups and civil society organisations roundly condemned.

“A blunt violation of freedom of expression,” is what Amnesty International called it, adding it showed an “alarming level of repression”.

“This situation did not start with the elections,” Adeline Van Houtte of the Economist Intelligence Unit told the BBC. “Over past year we have seen the constraining of civil liberties and crackdowns on protests.”

“Democracy has been planted in minds of citizens and has been for a long time, so this was a final blow. It has ruined Benin’s image at the national and international level.”

What does it mean for democracy in Benin?

After a Marxist-Leninist regime and a series of coups d’etat, Benin along with Zambia became one of the first African countries to introduce multiparty elections in 1991.

Those polls saw Benin’s former President Mathieu Kerekou become the first West African leader to admit defeat in an election.

Since then Benin has been regarded as a democratic model, said the BBC’s Rachida Yénoukunmè Houssou in Cotonou, with several African nations replicating its reconciliation body, the National Conference of Active Forces of the Nation.

But new electoral laws introduced this year mean that a political party had to pay about $424,000 (£328,000) to field a list for the 83-seat parliament.

“What’s happening doesn’t honour the democratic image of Benin,” the president,

Patrice Talon, admitted on state TV in April.

“This situation brings discredit on our democracy and on me.”

Yet the presidency last week dismissed calls from the opposition to invalidate the results and start again - calls which they repeated at the weekend.

Presidential spokesman Wilfried Léandre Houngbedji had labelled their actions “fearmongering” and said the polls were conducted in line with the law, RFI reports.

Analysts say this is a turning point for Benin.

Gilles Yabi of Dakar-based think-tank Wathi, said Benin was in a “deadlock” that was tarnishing its image.

“We’re tipping over into violence,” the Beninese analyst said. “It damages the image of the country, where political dialogue meant violence was avoided in the past.

“With high numbers of people not turning out to vote, the National Assembly will lack legitimacy.”

It is also likely to see the government “ruling without checks and balances,” Ms Van Houtte of the Economist Intelligence Unit said, “opening the way for further weakening of Benin’s democratic credentials”.

“President Talon will have a free a hand now to pass through the constitutional changes that he has wanted to make over the past two years. Policy-making will be faster but on the other hand his cherished image of a modern president will be damaged.”

Why has it come to this?

Five years ago voters in Benin could chose from 20 parties for the 83 seats in parliament, AFP news agency reports.

The number of political parties has since risen to more than 200, which President Patrice Talon has sought to reduce ostensibly as part of a reformist agenda.

MPs loyal to the president initiated two laws to this end - a new electoral code and a new charter for political parties.

Under these new terms, all political parties have had to file administrative documents in order to be approved by the Interior Ministry.

Only two parties met the criteria Republican Bloc and the Progressive Union both of which are loyal to the president.

All the others were deemed inadmissible and so excluded from the legislative elections.

Opposition figures said it showed that President Talon simply wanted control over parties and institutions.

The African Union observer mission

concluded that the “apathy of the Beninese people” was a result of the opposition ban.

US Ambassador Patricia Mahoney said the polls were “neither fully competitive nor inclusive and do not reflect the Benin that we know”.

Who are the political rivals?

Former President Thomas Boni Yayi and President Patrice Talon are old friends, said the BBC’s reporter in Benin.

Nicknamed the “king of cotton” thanks to the wealth he amassed in that sector, former businessman Mr Talon financed Mr Boni Yayi’s successful 2006 and 2011 presidential campaigns.

But relations between the two men had soured by the time of President Yayi’s second term in office.

First, a corruption scandal saw Mr Talon accused of misappropriating more than 18.2m euros ($20.4m; £15.5m) in 2011, then a year later, the businessman fled to France and was linked to a plot to poison President Yayi.

France resisted an extradition order. But Mr Talon was later pardoned by the president in 2014, paving the way for his return to Benin.

However, Mr Talon harboured political ambitions and their apparent reconciliation didn’t last long.

There were fears that Mr Yayi would defy constitutional term limits and stand for a third term in office.

But in the end he didn’t, and the 2016 presidential election saw Mr Talon defeat Mr Yayi’s preferred candidate Lionel Zinsou.

Now in opposition, Mr Yayi has been at the forefront of the demands to re-run the latest parliamentary elections, along with another former President, Nicéphore Soglo.

What does the future hold?

With the election results validated by the constitutional court, MPs are to be formally sworn in on 15 May. The opposition maintains that the results should be annulled and the elections reorganised. But so far their calls have been ignored by Mr Talon’s government.

“According to the courts in Benin they [the polls] were in conformity with electoral law,” said Ms Van Houtte of the the Economist Intelligence Unit.

“That’s not something anyone outside the country can do anything about - other than condemn the use of force against protesters and the internet shutdown.

“Anything else would be seen as interference.”

Dozens killed in Niger fuel tanker blast

A

t least 50 people have been killed in Niger’s capital, Niamey, after a fuel tanker exploded early on Monday morning.

The tanker overturned near the main

airport and the victims were siphoning fuel when the explosion occurred, the director general of Niger’s civil protection, Col Maj Boubacar Bako, told the BBC. At least 30 people have been taken to

hospital, he added.

The prime minister and several other ministers visited the scene this morning and went to see some of the injured in hospital.

PAGE 24

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, may 7, 2019

N e w s F r o m A SI A Gaza conflict: ‘Ceasefire’ after days of violence

T

here has been a lull in hostilities in the Gaza Strip after Palestinian militants said that a ceasefire with Israel had been agreed.

It comes after a weekend during which Palestinian militants launched hundreds of rockets into Israel prompting retaliatory air and artillery strikes.

At least four Israelis and 25 Palestinians were killed.

Israel has not confirmed the truce, but its military has lifted emergency measures in place in southern Israel.

The violence flared up on Friday during a protest against the blockade of Gaza.

What do we know about the ceasefire?

A TV station run by Hamas - the militant movement which controls Gaza - announced that both sides had agreed the ceasefire, beginning at 04:30 local time (01:30 GMT) on Monday.

Egypt is said to have brokered it - assisted by the United Nations and Qatar.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has not mentioned the truce, though the military said it had lifted protective restrictions imposed on residents in southern Israel since the flare up began, including schools close to the strip reopening.

Shortly after the ceasefire reportedly went into effect, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement : “The campaign is not over...we are preparing to continue”.

Early on Monday the IDF said militants had fired 690 rockets into southern Israel during the past 48 hours - 240 of which had been intercepted by the country’s Iron Dome missile defence system.

In response, Israel had targeted 350 sites belonging to Hamas and Islamic Jihad, the IDF said.

Mr Netanyahu had earlier warned that forces around the strip would be “stepped up with tank, artillery and infantry forces”.

Timing is key This intense surge in violence

People are seen crouching amid a siren warning in the Israeli city of Ashkelon appeared to peter out early on Monday.

Once again, the mediation of Egypt seems to have been key.

Palestinian reports suggest that an understanding previously brokered by Cairo will now be implemented. That was meant to see an easing of the tight blockade on Gaza with the transfer of millions of dollars of Qatari aid money - in return for calm.

Islamic Jihad and Hamas may have calculated that this was a good time to pressure Israel - as it prepares to mark two national holidays - its memorial day and independence day - and host the Eurovision song contest.

Next week, will be the anniversary of the deadliest day of protests along Gaza’s boundary fence with Israel and Hamas, in particular, wants to show achievements. Palestinian Muslims are now beginning the holy month of Ramadan - a time when they strongly feel the economic crisis.

What do we know about casualties?

Four people have so far died from the violence in Israel: • A 58-year-old man died from injuries in a rocket strike on a house in Ashkelon on Saturday night • A worker died in Ashkelon on Sunday when a rocket hit a factory • Another man, 67, was killed when his car was apparently struck by an anti-tank missile • A fourth man, who was 21, was killed in the southern city of Ashdod The Gaza health ministry says 25 Palestinians have died across the weekend. The Islamic Jihad group said seven of the dead were its members.

Civilians, including a 12-year-old boy and two pregnant women, were also among those reportedly killed.

Israel has contested the account of the death of one woman and her 14-month-old niece on Saturday. They blamed their deaths on a Palestinian

rocket that fell short of its target.

On Sunday, the Israeli military admitted a targeted assassination of a Hamas commander named Hamed Hamdan al-Khodari - sharing a video of the apparent moment they hit his car.

The sites Israel says it has destroyed include a multi-storey building in Gaza City, which it said included Hamas intelligence offices.

Turkey said its state news agency Anadolu had an office there.

The latest violence began during protests in Gaza on Friday against the blockade of the area - which Israel says is needed to stop weapons reaching militants.

A Palestinian gunman shot and wounded two Israeli soldiers at the boundary fence. Israel retaliated with an air strike that killed two militants.

The rocket barrage from Gaza began on Saturday morning, hitting a number of homes in Israeli towns and villages.

How does the flare-up compare?

It has been one of the biggest surges in violence since the conflict of July and August 2014, when Israel launched a ground offensive on Gaza following the kidnapping and killing of three Israeli teenagers.

The conflict resulted in the death of 67 Israeli soldiers. Hamas and its allies launched more than 4,500 rocket strikes that killed six civilians in Israel.

On the Palestinian side, 2,251 people, including 1,462 civilians, were killed in the seven-week conflict, according to the UN. Since then, Palestinian militants have continued to carry out sporadic strikes on Israel.

In March this year, several rockets were fired into southern Israel, triggering raids on Gaza by the Israeli air force. No fatalities were reported on either side.

In early April a ceasefire was brokered by Egypt, but Hamas and allied militant groups later accused Israel of violating its terms.

What has the reaction been?

Nickolay Mladenov, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, has condemned the recent violence and said the UN is working with both sides to restore calm.

President Donald Trump said the US supported Israel 100% and warned Palestinians that “these terrorist acts Israel will bring you nothing but more misery”.

Iran’s foreign minister condemned what he labelled as Israel’s “savage” attacks on Gaza, while also hitting out at “unlimited American support” of Israel.

Save the Children has said it has had to suspend all but essential programs in the Gaza strip.

How does Israel’s Iron Dome missile shield work?

1. Enemy fires missile or artillery shell 2. Projectile tracked by radar. Data relayed to battle management and control unit 3. Data analysed and target coordinates sent to the missile firing unit 4. Missile is fired at enemy projectile

US sends aircraft carrier and bomber task force to ‘warn Iran’

T

he US has deployed an aircraft carrier to the Middle East to send a “clear and unmistakable message” to Iran.

National Security Adviser John Bolton said the administration was acting “in response to a number of troubling and escalatory indications and warnings”.

The deployment of the warship was based on claims of a possible attack on US forces stationed in the region, unnamed US officials are quoted as saying.

Mr Bolton added that they would counter any attack with “unrelenting force”.

In a statement, Mr Bolton said: “The United States is deploying the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and a bomber task force to the US Central Command region to send a clear and unmistakeable message to the Iranian regime that any attack on United States interests or on those of our allies will be met with unrelenting force.”

He added: “The United States is not seeking war with the Iranian regime.

But we are fully prepared to respond to any attack, whether by proxy, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps or regular Iranian forces.”

The ship was already in Europe for war games with US allies that have been taking place since the end of April.

Preparing for war?

So far there is little detail from the Americans of the alleged Iranian actions that have prompted this warning nor of

the specific US deployments under way.

It is not unusual for an aircraft carrier and its battle group to be sent to the Gulf. Reinforcing US land-based air assets in the region, albeit temporarily, is less routine.

Washington has itself been turning up the pressure on Iran over recent months; designating the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist entity; toughening up oil sanctions and so on.

But the Trump administration’s goal is unclear. Its spokesmen insist that they do not want war with Iran but they can also barely hide their enthusiasm for regime change in Tehran.

So is this US move an attempt to guarantee the existing, uneasy status quo ? Or is it an attempt to turn the screw even tighter?

Many critics of the administration fear a developing drumbeat towards a conflict which, they fear, could erupt either by accident or by design.

The deployment comes amid growing tensions between the US and Iran.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters on a trip to Europe: “It is absolutely the case that we have seen escalatory actions from the Iranians and it is equally the case that we will hold the Iranians accountable for attacks on American interests.”

He did not explain what he meant by “escalatory actions”, however he added: “We have good reason to want to communicate clearly about how the Iranians should understand how we will

respond to actions they may take.”

What’s the state of relations between America and Iran?

Last year President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from a landmark nuclear deal the US and other nations had agreed with Iran in 2015.

Under the accord, Iran had agreed to limit its sensitive nuclear activities and allow in international inspectors in return for sanctions relief.

And last month the White House said it would end exemptions from sanctions for five countries - China, India, Japan, South Korea and Turkey that were still buying Iranian oil.

At the same time the US also blacklisted Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guard Corps, designating it as a foreign A file photo from 2004 of the USS Abraham Lincoln, which is terrorist group. currently on its way to Iran The Trump administration hopes to compel Iran to negotiate a “new deal” that would cover not only its nuclear activities, but also its ballistic missile programme and what officials call its “malign behaviour” across the Middle East.

The sanctions have led to a sharp downturn in Iran’s economy, pushing the value of its currency to record lows, driving away foreign investors, and triggering protests.

Iran has repeatedly threatened to retaliate to the US measures by blocking the Strait of Hormuz - though which about a fifth of all oil consumed globally pass.

Source: BBC

John Bolton said the US was “not seeking war” with Iran

Digest

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, may 7, 2019

25

Walk your brain younger: As little as one hour of exercise a week ‘could reduce the risk of dementia and improve mental fitness’

By Sam Blanchard Health Reporter For Mailonline

R

egular exercise could boost your mental fitness as well as physical, and reduce your risk of developing dementia, scientists say.

A study has found people who do more physical activity – even if it is as light as just walking – slow their brains’ ageing process and are less likely to get dementia.

The findings are good news for people who try to stay fit but aren’t marathon runners or Tour de France hopefuls.

The researchers say all exercise, even if it’s less than the two-and-a-half hours per week recommended by the NHS, could be enough to build up and have benefits. Scientists at Boston University studied data from an ongoing heart health study in the US to delve into the benefits of exercise.

They found every extra hour of physical activity in an average week corresponded to a brain age 1.1 years younger.

So someone doing three hours of exercise each week could, over time, maintain a brain effectively three years younger than the average for their age. ’We have really only just begun to uncover the relationship between physical activity and brain health,’ said researcher Dr Nicole Spartano.

The research showed lower intensity exercise, as long as it was enough to get the heart, lungs and muscles working harder, could be beneficial.

Dr Spartano added: ‘Every additional hour of light intensity physical activity was associated with higher brain volumes, even among individuals not meeting current physical activity guidelines.

‘These data are consistent with the notion that potential benefits of physical activity on brain aging may [build up] at a lower, more achievable level of intensity or volume.’

Even exercise as light as walking, as long as you do it regularly, could be enough to boost your brain power and slow down the mind’s ageing process, experts say (stock image)

The team said it was not clear how much exercise could be enough for ‘optimal’ protection against dementia, but recommended people do at least 250 minutes per week.

There are various mechanisms through which exercise can help the brain, including improving blood flow and encouraging better sleep.

which can have positive effects on mental health and thinking power.

The Boston team’s research was

published in the journal JAMA Network Open by the American Medical Association.

HOW IS EXERCISE GOOD FOR THE BRAIN?

Scientific studies have in the past found people who do regular aerobic exercise – that which is focused on cardiovascular fitness such as running, swimming and cycling – have more volume in certain parts of the brain.

Many scientific studies encourage people to exercise by touting the benefits it could have on their brains – but what exactly does it do?

The hippocampus, which controls learning and emotions, and the prefontal and medial temporal cortexes, which affect thinking and memory, have been found to be larger in fitter people.

Research by the University of British Colombia showed people who did regular aerobic exercise – such as running, swimming or cycling – have larger and more active hippocampus regions of the brain, which are associated with learning and emotions.

Exercising often also improves people’s sleep and reduces stress, both of

Other research adds that the prefrontal cortex and medial temporal cortex tend to be larger in people who exercise more often – these regions control thinking and memory.

“

Dr Spartano added: ‘Every additional hour of light intensity physical activity was associated with higher brain volumes, even among individuals not meeting current physical activity guidelines

In a round-up of recent research, Harvard Health Letter’s executive editor, Heidi Godman, explained it can boost the size of certain parts of the brain, improve sleep and stimulate healthier brain cells.

Exercise can also reduce inflammation (swelling), which can damage cells if sustained, throughout the body, including in the brain.

It can also stimulate the production of growth factors, which are chemicals affecting the health of brain cells and the growth of new blood vessels to provide more oxygen to the organ.

Exercise also helps people to sleep better and have reduced stress and anxiety, all of which have been shown to have positive effects on brain power and mental health.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, may 7, 2019

26

Feature

CLASSIFIED PUBLIC NOTICE

Nature crisis: Humans ‘threaten 1m species with extinction’

O

n land, in the seas, in the sky, the devastating impact of humans on nature is laid bare in a compelling UN report.

One million animal and plant species are now threatened with extinction.

Nature everywhere is declining at a speed never previously seen and our need for ever more food and energy are the main drivers.

These trends can be halted, the study says, but it will take “transformative change” in every aspect of how humans interact with nature.

From the bees that pollinate our crops, to the forests that hold back flood waters, the report reveals how humans are ravaging the very ecosystems that support their societies.

Three years in the making, this global assessment of nature draws on 15,000 reference materials, and has been compiled by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). It runs to 1,800 pages.

The brief, 40-page “summary for policymakers”, published today at a meeting in Paris, is perhaps the most powerful indictment of how humans have treated their only home.

It says that while the Earth has always suffered from the actions of humans through history, over the past 50 years, these scratches have become deep scars.

To feed, clothe and give energy to this burgeoning world, forests have been cleared at astonishing rates, especially in tropical areas.

Between 1980 and 2000, 100 million hectares of tropical forest were lost, mainly from cattle ranching in South America and palm oil plantations in South East Asia.

Faring worse than forests are wetlands, with only 13% of those present in 1700 still in existence in the year 2000.

Our cities have expanded rapidly, with urban areas doubling since 1992.

All this human activity is killing species in greater numbers than ever before.

According to the global assessment, an average of around 25% of animals and plants are now threatened.

Global trends in insect populations are not known but rapid declines in some locations have also been well documented.

All this suggests around a million species now face extinction within decades, a rate of destruction tens to hundreds of times higher than the average over the past 10 million years.

“We have documented a really unprecedented decline in biodiversity and nature, this is completely different than anything we’ve seen in human history in terms of the rate of decline and the scale of the threat,” said Dr Kate Brauman, from the University of Minnesota and a co-ordinating lead author of the assessment.

“When we laid it all out together I was just shocked to see how extreme the declines are in terms of species and in terms of the contributions that nature is providing to people.”

The assessment also finds that soils are being degraded as never before. This has reduced the productivity of 23% of the land surface of the Earth.

Our insatiable appetites are producing a mountain of waste.

Plastic pollution has increased ten-fold since 1980.

Every year we dump 300-400 million tonnes of heavy metals, solvents, toxic sludge and other wastes into the waters of the world.

What’s behind this crisis?

The report’s authors say there are a number of direct drivers of which land use change is the primary one.

This essentially means the replacement of grassland with intensive crops, or replacing ancient woodland with a plantation forest, or the clearing of forests to grow crops.

This is happening in many parts of the world, especially in the tropics.

Since 1980, more than half of the increase in agriculture has been at the expense of intact forests.

It’s a similar story at sea.

Only 3% of the world’s oceans were described as free from human pressure in 2014.

Fish are being exploited as never before, with 33% of fish stocks harvested at unsustainable levels in 2015.

Live coral cover on reefs has nearly halved over the past 150 years.

Pushing all this forward, though, are increased demands for food from a growing global population and specifically our growing appetite for meat and fish.

“Land use now appears as the major driver of the biodiversity collapse, with 70% of agriculture related to meat production,” said Yann Laurans from IDDRI, the French policy research institute.

“It is time to reconsider the share of industrial meat and dairy in our diet.”

The other key factors are the hunting and the direct exploitation of animals, climate change, pollution and invasive species.

The report finds that many of these factors work together to make matters worse.

At the report’s launch, Kai Chan, a co-ordinating lead author from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, said: “No previous assessment has considered at this scale the simultaneous challenge of protecting nature, maintaining water, feeding the planet, supplying energy, while mitigating climate change... this is the most exhaustive report to have ever done that.”

The decline in numbers Species extinction risk: Approximately 25% of species are already threatened with extinction in most animal and plant groups studied.

Natural ecosystems: Natural ecosystems have declined by 47% on average, relative to their earliest estimated states.

Biomass and species abundance: The global biomass of wild mammals has fallen by 82%. Indicators of vertebrate abundance have declined rapidly since 1970.

Nature for indigenous people: 72% of indicators developed by

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for some time.”

The report’s authors hope that their assessment becomes as critical to the argument about biodiversity loss as the IPCC report on 1.5C has done to the debate over climate change.

What can I do?

The idea of transformative action is not just confined to governments or local authorities. Individuals can certainly make a difference.

“We know that the way people eat today is often unhealthy for them and for the planet,” said Dr Kate Brauman, one of the report’s authors.

“We can become healthier as individuals by eating more diverse diets, with more vegetables, and we can also make the planet healthier by growing that food in more sustainable ways.”

As well as consumer and lifestyle choices, other authors believe people can make a difference through politics.

“It might be more important for society to invest more in renewables than coal,” said Dr Rinku Roy Chowdhury, from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts.

“So how do you that? Through individual behaviour, through the polling booth.

“Rather than just conserving energy by turning my lights off, some other less obvious means might be through political action.”

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a third of our lands need to be preserved.

“We need to secure half of the planet by 2050 with an interim target of 30% by 2030,” said Jonathan Baillie, from the National Geographic Society.

“Then we must restore nature and drive innovation. Only then will we leave future generations a healthy and sustainable planet.”

Is this worse than climate change?

Climate change is a crucial underlying factor that’s helping to drive destruction around the world.

Greenhouse gas emissions have doubled since 1980 and temperatures have gone up 0.7C as a result. This is having a big impact on some species, restricting their ranges and making extinction more likely. The global assessment finds that if temperatures go up by 2C, then 5% of species are at risk of climate-driven extinction, rising to 16% if the world warms by 4.3C. “Of the prioritised list of proximate drivers of biodiversity decline, climate change is only number three,” said Prof John Spicer from the University of Plymouth.

“Climate change is certainly one of the greatest threats that face humankind in the near future - so what does that tell us about the first and second, changes in land/sea use, and direct exploitation? The current situation is desperate and has been

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Pollination is vital for food production

PUBLIC NOTICE

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. IYINOLUWA SAMUEL ABOYEJI, 2. MODUPEOREOLUWA ADETOLA ADEFESO, 3. ALERO ABOYOWA AYIDA-OTOBO, 4. ABISOLA OLANREWAJU OBASANYA - SECRETARY 5. ORONDAAM HARMONY OTTO, 6. ABOLAJI ADEYEMI OSIME - CHAIRMAN 7. OLAYINKA ADEJOKE OGUNDE, 8. OMOBOLANLE MOROUNMUBO KALEJAIYE, 9. CHINENYE CHIJIOKE MBA-UZOUKWU, 10. FOLASADE OMOBOLA ADEFISAYO. THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. To provide educational financial support to individuals who are indigent and less privileged 2. To encourage and promote the study of African Language in Nigeria and elsewhere.

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.

BETHEL THE LIGHT EVANGELICAL CHURCH

local communities show ongoing deterioration of elements of nature important to them.

What does the future hold?

It all depends on what we do.

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Researchers say the loss of nature will have major implications for humans The authors looked at a number of scenarios for the future, including business-as-usual, but also examining options that were more based on sustainable practices.

In almost all cases, the negative trends for nature will continue to 2050 and beyond.

The only ones that didn’t continue towards ecological disaster involved what the scientists term “transformative change”.

What does transformative change actually mean?

The study doesn’t tell governments what to do, but gives them some pretty strong hints.

One big idea is to steer the world away from the “limited paradigm of economic growth”.

They suggest moving away from GDP as a key measure of economic wealth and instead adopting more holistic approaches that would capture quality of life and long-term effects.

They argue that our traditional notion of a “good quality of life” has involved increasing consumption on every level. This has to change.

Similarly, there must be change when it comes to financial incentives that damage biodiversity.

“Crucially, governments must end the destructive subsidies, including for fossil fuels and industrial fishing and agriculture,” said Andrew Norton, director of the International Institute for Environment and Development.

“These drive the plundering of the land and ocean at the expense of a clean, healthy and diverse environment on which billions of women, children and men depend now and in the future.”

The amount of land and sea that is under protection needs to increase rapidly, with observers saying that

PAGE 27

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, may 7, 2019

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.SEGUN OBAYENDO 2.MICHEAL OBAYENDO 3.SEMA ORUC OBAYENDO. THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To promote national unity and patriotism through the instrumentality of language.

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.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. HELEN ESE EMORE - CHAIRMAN 2. FRANK CHIKEZIE - SECRETARY 3. TONY ANONYAI - MEMBER 4.VANESSA TOCHUKWU KEMAKOLAM - MEMBER THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. TO ACTIVELY PROMOTE THE UNIVERSITY’S MISSION AND VISION, ENCOURAGE FRIENDSHIP AND COMMUNICATION AMONGST ALUMNI, STUDENTS AND FRIENDS IN NIGERIA. 2. TO PROMOTE FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF THE UNIVERSITY, ENCOURAGE ALUMNI PARTICIPATION IN SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. 3. TO SUPPORT THE UNDERPRIVILEGED .

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.

Exceptional Girls Empowerment Network THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1 . Nnamani Nonso John 2. Aliyu Abdullahi Danasabe 3. Ndaks Lilian Owanpa 4.Nmadu Phoebe Katako.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. To empower adolescent girls and young women by providing access to quality and inclusive education(formal and informal)in rural, peri- urban and urban communities thereby promoting opportunities and supporting their development and advancement.

2. To create awareness on sex education, sexual reproductive health management and other health related issues on the part of adolescent girls and young women 3. To create a conducive environment where adolescent girls will be equipped on information technology (ICT) regardless of their background to meet up with the global economic system.

4. Reduce and mitigate poverty through small scale enterprises and agriculture for young women.

5. To create safe environment by providing metorship opportunities and creating contents that inspires girls to discover their innate worth and purpose irrespective of their religion, ethnic affiliation, physical and mental abilities and disabilities and other cultural dissimilarities.

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 : FESTUS ALIKA

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

EDUCATE FOR BETTER LIFE FOUNDATION

EARLS COURT ESTATE RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Mrs Ekama Emilia Akpan - Chairman 2. Mrs Anthea Aladi Ogenyi -secretary 3. Dr. Sam Edu Ntem-financial secretary 4. Mrs Iboro Toni Anthea Anthony 5. Dr. Emame Ifiok 6. Mr. Anthony Atang 7. Mrs Enangha Michael Akpan 8. Mr. Ignatius Nwachukwu 9. Judith Ibor Akpan THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. To provide a quality and sustainable educational platform where indigent brilliant students can be given qualitative education.

2. To increase the population of educated Nigerians especially of children, youths and women, as a means to eradicate poverty, reduction of child labour and gender inequality .

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : Barr. Chinwedu Okoroma 07032070802.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. UWA ABIOLA OHIKU 2. OLUWOLE ALBERT AJIMISINMI 3. BABAJIDE OYETUNDE 4. OLUMIDE AYO-VAUGHAN 5. YUSUF ASAMAH KADIRI THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. TO PROMOTE AND PROTECT THE INTEREST AND WELFARE OF MEMBERS .

2. TO FOSTER COOPERATION AMONG RESIDENTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF CREATING AND MAINTAINING A FIRST-CLASS RESIDENTIAL ESTATE. 3. TO ENSURE THAT THE RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGS OF MEMBERS AS ENTRENCHED HEREIN ARE PROTECTED. 4.TO PROTECT DECENT, PEACEFUL AND ORDERLY ENVIRONMENT FOR RESIDENTS. 5.TO CO-OPERATE AND LIASE WITH GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES FOR THE REALIZATION OF THE OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSOCIATION. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

AMAZONS SOCIAL CLUB THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. IFEYINWA ISRAEL - CHAIRMAN 2. ADAEZE NNAMA - SECRETARY 3. MOJISOLA OSIYEMI 4. OLUWATOYIN ISRAEL 5. OKECHUKWU ESIMOGU THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. TO ENABLE FRIENDS OF LIKE MINDS COME TOGETHER TO ASSIST EACH OTHER. 2. TO ASSIST THE LESS PRIVILEGES IN THE SOCIETY ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : ESSELL ATTORNEYS 08173708203

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, may 7, 2019

CLASSIFIED PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

KEEP A CHILD IN SCHOOL INITIATIVE

THE OYEYE 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.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Victor Okon Enema - Chairman 2. Tamunoene Stella Nonju 3. Itam, Kokei Possible 4. Ekuri, Ekuri Asu 5. Ido Sunday Ekpa 6. Josephine Adwubi Enema THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. To provide financial support for educational needs of underprivileged children.

2. To provide counseling and career guidance to young people in schools.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

Garri Dealers Association Port Harcourt

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

2. To cater for the welfare of its members.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : Arnold Ushiadi Esq. No. 6, Usuma Close, Off Gana Street, Maitama. 08113040880.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

auction! auction!! auction!!!

INCREDIBLE WORSHIP TOUR INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY

The general public is hereby notified that there will be public auction sales of unserviceable, obsoletes and scrapped vehicles, equipments and store materials at Ukwuani local government council head quarters delta state.

Data: Thursday 2nd may 2019 Time: 10am for enquiries contact Auctioneer vicmund ventures ltd.

07039033402

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.Okposio Desmond Oyeye- chairman 2. Charisa Aghogho Oyeye - Secretary 3.Henry Oyeye- PRO THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1.TO PROVIDE FOR THE DISABLED AND LESS PRIVILEGE IN THE SOCIETY. 2.TO TRAIN, BUILD, EQUIP AND EMPOWER YOUTHS IN THE SOCIETY. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.Oke Emmanuel Oluleke 2.Oluleke-Oke Anposola Oluwafunmilayo.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1.To organize crusaders,seminars, 2.To promote the gospel of peace and reconciliation in Jesus Christ and demonstrate His healing power.

3.To establish branches for the expansion of the gospel.

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.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Mr Nwali Innocent Odagu - Chairman 2. Mr Ugwu Abuchi - Secretary; 3. Mr Eze Hillary Chibuzor - Treasurer; 4. Mr Ogbonna Victor .U. - PRO; 5. Mr. Ukeagu Innocent - Fin. Sec. THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. To promote the business of its members.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

PUBLIC NOTICE

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS YAKUBU AKYEM HANANIAH. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AKYEM HANANIAH. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

linda I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS rinder guadias. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN and addressed AS linda gadiel. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE. usman I, formerly known as abdu usman date 12th december.

1978 now wish to be known and addressed as usman abdullahi. and new date of birth is 25th Feb. 1973. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

AMINU I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS AMINU AHMED AUWAL. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS AMINU AUWAL. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

loss of document

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC OF THE LOSS OF ORIGINAL ALLOCATION LETTER ISSUED TO HIM BY THE OFFICE OF THE MANAGING DIRECTOR/CHIEF EXECUTIVE FEDERAL HOUSING AUTHORITY JULIUS NYERERE CRESCENT, OFF ECOWAS SECRETARIAT ROAD, ASOKORO GARKI ABUJA F.C.T, THAT THE ORIGINAL LETTER WAS DATED 14TH JULY, 2003; THAT THE LETTER WAS FOR ALLOCATION OF A HOUSING UNIT AT LUGBE ESTATE, ABUJA F.C.T, HOUSE NO. 27, 1(Q)2 ROAD. ALL EFFORT MADE TO TRACE THE SAID DOCUMENT HAVE PROVED ABORTIVE. IF FOUND PLEASE, KINDLY RETURN TO THE NEAREST POLICE STATION.ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

We will miss Jide Fashikun for a long time – Sports Minister, Dalung

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. To help the less privileged in the society.

2. To cater for the welfare of its members.

PUBLIC NOTICE

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS sammy gadiel. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN and addressed AS samson gadiel. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

sports@peoplesdailyng.com, SMS- 08142929046

tuesday, may 7, 2019

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Khoder Mazloum (Chairman) 2. Ahmed Mazloum (Vice Chairman).

AKYEM

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1) PASTOR EMMANUEL ARINZE NKEMAKOLAM- GENERAL OVERSEER. 2)CHINEDU -OGUGWA. 3)STEVEN CHIBUZOR. 4)ONYEBUCHI NKEMAKOLAM-SECRETARY. 5) ENGR. JOSEPH FATOYINBO

29

Mazloum Foundation

SIGNED : Arnold Ushiadi Esq. No. 6, Usuma Close, Off Gana Street, Maitama. 08113040880.

samson

Page

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.

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

GOD OF DIVINE FAITH GLOBAL MINISTRY

Sports

PEOPLES DAILY

PAGE 28

Prayer and power deliverance ministry THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.OBI Stephen Nkemakonam( president Board of Trustee) 2.OBI Blessing Igbe ( Secretary) THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To propagate the gospel of Jesus Christ.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE Ministry of the holy spirit THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Dr. Olubunmi Sybil Usim Wilson President /Founder 2. Pastor Emmanuel Akor.

3. Prophet Chinaye Ukachukwu 4. Mrs Lola Ezerioha.

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.

From R-L: Chika Nwankwo, Director NSDFI; Barr Solomon Dalung, Hon. Minster of Youth and Sports; Engr. Samuel Fashikun, younger brother to Jide and DG, NSDFI, Mary Onyali during the visit yesterday

By Amaechi Agbo

T

he Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon Selcap Dalung has stated that the sports sector and indeed everyone that had come in contact with former award-winning investigative journalist, Olajide Fashikun who died early this year.

The minister stated this on Monday when the management of Nigeria Sports Development Fund Incorporated visited him in his office in Abuja.

The team led by former Nigeria Olympic gold medallist, Mary Onyali was at the minister’s office to pay appreciation visit and thank him for his support to the organisation and most importantly to late Jide Fashikun’s family before, during and after the death of the former DirectorGeneral of the NSDFI. Addressing the management, Barr Dalung thanked them for the visit which he said he did not expect and encouraged the organisation which Jide worked tirelessly for as well as the family he left behind to be strong.

The minister added that even though Mr Jide is dead and gone, all he believed in and worked for still remains alive.

The minister described the late publisher of Gongnews and a fighter for justice, a patriotic and committed Nigeria who will be missed by all for a long time to come.

“I want to thank you the members of NSDFI, the organisation through which Jide Fashikun launched his struggle for our athletes so that they can recover the lost sports glory of this country.

“Let me thank you for finding time to come. Of course, I did not expect you people to do what you have done this morning.

This is not because I am unaware that you can do it, but I have been looking at it from the perspective of the very weight of burden that the departure of late Jide left not just to his family, friends but also to those who believe in the course of justice. To those who have been struggling for and fighting for what is right. Of course, his exit was quite unceremonious because as humans, we did not even anticipate any signal that he was going to depart at that time.

“But as mortals, we are all victims of that particular situation. So we will be incompetent to question it. However, we will still miss Jide and we will miss Jide for a very long time. Jide Fashikun was such a courageous, personality; very intelligent and very patriotic. He knew the consequences of standing for rights and justice. It was not that he did not know what could likely befall him, he knew. He opted to stand for justice even if it demands sacrificing his own life, he was willing to offer such a sacrifice.

“The blood of Jide Fashikun will remain an inspiring consolation in the minds of Nigerians who believe in this country and love justice and what is right and good.

“For Jide’s family, I think he grew beyond the family definition because he built for himself a reputation, a network of friendship not limited only to Nigeria nor Africa but globally. While on vacation in USA, somebody got across to me was commiserating with me over the demise of Jide. So that is how far jide has gone.

“I want encourage the immediate family to be strong. Jide had gone but what he

believed in is still living. Jide’s spirit and soul is still living within those who believe in him. For those he left behind, in fact, the exit of Jide should not scare anybody.

“Right people should think rightly and defend what is right, what is wrong, is wrong and there is no way you can augment it.

“I celebrate Jide every time; as a great man, a patriot, his love for his country and justice was iconic. He died fighting and it is the aspiration of everybody in the struggle to die fighting. The worst thing that would befall anybody involved in the struggle is for history to record it for him that this is where he abandoned the struggle. It is our dream that it should be recorded in our favour when we are long gone that this is the print where he died fighting. And we can say it repeated without fear of contradiction that Jide died fighting.

“I welcome you to my office and I will say Jide Fashikun soldier on. Thank you for coming, God bless Nigeria,” the minister said Veteran journalist, Olajide Fashikun died on January 27, 2019 after a brief

Dalung gives three Federations deadlines to ratify their constitutions 32 pupils shortlisted for Sani Lulu’s football/education scholarship>>pg >>pg30 30

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, may 7, 2019

S p

Super Falcons Fly out to Abidjan today for WAFU Cup

S

uper Falcon of Nigeria will today fly out of the country for the 2019 West Africa Football Union, (WAFU) Women Zone B competition holding in Ivory Coast Head Coach Thomas Dennerby included defender and former team captain Evelyn Nwabuoku and midfielder Amarachi Okoronkwo in the list of 20 Super Falcons to represent Nigeria in the WAFU Women’s Cup Tournament in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire 8th -18th May 2019.

Nigeria, who finished in third place at the last edition of the competition in 2018, will play in Group B alongside Burkina Faso, Niger Republic and Mali. Host nation Cote d’Ivoire will tackle Senegal, Togo and Ghana in Group A. Officials confirmed on Monday that the Super Falcons delegation will fly out of Nigeria on Tuesday aboard an Air Ivoire flight, to arrive Abidjan in the afternoon.

Dennerby stated last week that the WAFU Women’s Cup Tournament is important for the home –based professionals, as it will determine the number of them that

he will include his list for the final training camp at the Avita Resort in Bad Tatzmannsdorf, Austria ahead of the 8th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals taking place 7th June – 7th July in France.

The Falcons will take on the Senior Women National Team of Burkina Faso in their first match of the WAFU Cup Tournament on Thursday, 9th May, before tackling their counterparts from Niger Republic on Saturday, 11th May. Their last match of the group phase, against Mali, comes up on Tuesday, 14th May. 20 SUPER FALCONS FOR WAFU CUP Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie; Christy Ohiaeriaku; Alaba Jonathan Defenders: Glory Ogbonna; Chidinma Okeke; Mary Ologbosere; Mariam Ibrahim; Evelyn Nwabuoku Midfielders: Osarenoma Igbinovia; Amarachi Okoronkwo; Cynthia Aku; Adebisi Saheed; Peace Efih Forwards: Uchenna Kanu; Alice Ogebe; Chioma Wogu; Esther Sunday; Rafiat Sule; Joy Bokiri; Rita Okoro

Etebo In Cloud Nine After winning Stoke City Player of the Year

Etebor with his award

By Amaechi Agbo

S

uper Eagles midfielder, Oghenekaro Etebo has expressed joy after he was named South West Stoke City Player of the Year in his debut season for the Championship side.

The 23-year-old who joined the Potters from Portuguese outfit CD Feirense last summer was beaten to the club’s best player award by goalkeeper Jack Butland, but took home SW Stokies’ top gong.

The excited combative playmaker took to Twitter to

revel in his ecstasy and thanked the Potter’s fans for their support.

“It’s a thing of joy winning the SW Stoke City player of the year and I just want to use the opportunity to appreciate the fans for their support, though we didn’t achieve our main target for the season,” Etebo tweeted.

On Sunday, Etebo was in action as Stoke played out a 2-2 draw with Sheffield United in the season finale, with the Potters ending in a disappointing 16th position and set for a second straight season in the Championship.

r

t

Dalung gives three Federations deadlines to ratify their constitutions

Honourable minister, youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung (In red beret) during the meeting

By Amaechi Agbo

T

he Ministry of Youth and Sports has given three National Sports Federations deadlines to hold their Congress to adopt and ratify their Constitutions.

In a press release made available to our correspondent, the Special Assistant to the minister, Nneka Anibeze said that the minister, Barrister Solomon Dalung, gave the charge at a meeting in Abuja with Federations’ Presidents, Secretaries and Technical Directors which deliberated on issues affecting the governance of National Sports Federations and Nigeria’s preparations and participation in the 12th African Games in Morocco and the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

The Handball Federation of Nigeria was given up till October 31, 2019 to hold its Congress to ratify its Constitution and submit same to the Ministry while the

Hockey Federation has up till May 18, 2019 to do same.

The Kickboxing Federation of Nigeria was given till July 31, 2019 to hold its Congress, ratify its reviewed Constitution and submit.

The Minister however commended Federations which complied, urging those yet to meet the deadline to ensure that they keep the dates approved for their Congresses as requested by them.

“I want to ensure that as we wind down in this administration, all Federations submit their duly ratified Constitutions to the Ministry after a Congress. Those Federations which fail to comply with the deadline to submit their Federation’s constitution have automatically applied for the dissolution of their boards. We will extend the date according to your request for grace and hope that all Federations comply with the deadline”.

Barrister Dalung advised Presidents of Federations to lead

by example, cultivate team work and build trust amongst their Board members and Secretaries.

He also reminded them of the need to adhere strictly to democratic ethos by putting in place Constitutions in line with an earlier directive on the matter.

In other decisions taken, Chess was added to the 23 sports to be participated in by Nigeria at the African Games while a closed camping for the Games will commence on July 5, 2019.

Following a plea by the President of Nigeria Golf Federation for the inclusion of the sport at the 20thNational Sports Festival, all other interested National Sports Federations were advised to forward their requests for consideration and possible inclusion in the Festival.

Highlights of the two-day seminar was an enlightenment course by the National AntiDoping Committee for the Federations on Anti-Doping compliance

Aigbogun believes Flying Eagles learnt lessons in Saudi loss

H

ead Coach Paul Aigbogun stated on Monday that his Nigeria U20 boys learnt some vital lessons in their 1-2 defeat by their Saudi Arabia counterparts in a friendly in Vienna, Austria on Sunday.

“We were unlucky to have lost against the Saudis. We created a lot of chances but failed to put them away. Our focus will shift to conversion of opportunities because we want to make an impact at the FIFA World Cup. “There are a few other areas that myself and my assistants noticed and we will work hard at these when we get back to our training camp in Germany.”

A second string side put out

by Aigbogun lost 1-2 to the equally World Cup –bound Saudis in a game of few clear –cut chances.

After a goalless first half, Saudi Arabia midfielder Khalid AlGhannam put the Asians ahead in the 56th minute beating goalkeeper Detan Ogundare with a low shot.

After some sustained pressure, Henry Offia got the Flying Eagles back on level terms in the 65th minute. Despite creating a couple of chances and looking likely to score, the Flying Eagles did not, and the Saudi Arabians were the ones who eventually did.

Hamed Al-Ghamdi found space in the Nigeria box to slot home with 12 minutes left on the clock and condemn the Flying Eagles to defeat.

The seven –time African champions and two –time FIFA World Cup runners –up have headed back to their base in Bad Goegging Munich, Germany to continue preparation for the FIFA U20 World Cup that starts on 23rd May in Poland.

The team will have further test games against German clubs TSG Hoffenheim and Red Bull Leipzig, as well as Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg, before heading to the Polish city of Tychy where they play Qatar in their opening match of the competition on 24th May. Nigeria will contest Group D of the biennial tournament alongside Qatar, Ukraine and the United States.

NFF mourns former internationals Omokaro, Oboh

T

he Nigeria Football Federation has described as deeply shocking the passing, within a few days of each other, of former Nigerian international players George Omokaro and Wilson Oboh.

Omokaro, a member of the respected Bendel Insurance FC squad of the 1970s and early 1980s (which among other accomplishments walloped 1977 Africa Cup Winners’ Cup champions, Rangers International of Enugu 3-0 in the final of

the FA Cup in 1978), was reported to have passed on in Benin City in the early hours of Monday, 6th May 2019.

Oboh, who represented Nigeria at U20 level, died on Thursday last week of complications from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

“We are shocked by the deaths of George Omokaro and Wilson Oboh, coming within a few days of each other.

We remember Omokaro and his yeoman efforts in the midfield,” said NFF General

Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.

“We also remember Wilson Oboh and his contributions to the U20 National Team of 1995 which finished in third place in the then African Youth Championship, now known as the Africa U20 Cup of Nations.

“Our hearts are with those they have left behind. We pray that God will grant them eternal rest, and also grant those they have left behind the fortitude to bear the big losses.”

PAGE 31

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, may 7, 2019

CLASSIFIED LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE PROBATE DIVISION BIRNIN KEBBI, KEBBI STATE

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE PROBATE DIVISION BIRNIN KEBBI, KEBBI STATE

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE PROBATE DIVISION BIRNIN KEBBI, KEBBI STATE

Whereas the person whose name is set out in the first column here under died date and place stated in the said column. Whereas the person whose address had claimed relationship with the said deceased is set in the second column here under has applied to the High Court of Justice for GRANT OF LETTER OF ADMINISTRATION of the personal property.

Notice is hereby given that the said LETTER OF ADMINISTRATION will be granted to such person unless a notice to prohibit the grant there of is filed in the Probate Registry High Court of Justice Birnin Kebbi, within TWENTY ONE DAYS from the date of publication of this notice.

SCHEDULE Name and Address of Deceased Applicant Name and Address MALAM MUSA BALA AHMAD BALA USMANU DANFODIYO UNIVERSITY NO. 5 GRAFSHE ROAD, SOKOTO STATE GIDAN IGWAI AREA, SOKOTO STATE Who died on the 10TH APRIL, 2015 Dated at Birnin Kebbi on 23RD day of APRIL, 2019 MOHAMMED ADAMU YELDU Probate Registrar

Whereas the person whose name is set out in the first column here under died date and place stated in the said column. Whereas the person whose address had claimed relationship with the said deceased is set in the second column here under has applied to the High Court of Justice for GRANT OF LETTER OF ADMINISTRATION of the personal property.

Notice is hereby given that the said LETTER OF ADMINISTRATION will be granted to such person unless a notice to prohibit the grant there of is filed in the Probate Registry High Court of Justice Birnin Kebbi, within TWENTY ONE DAYS from the date of publication of this notice.

SCHEDULE Name and Address of Deceased Applicant Name and Address ASP. YAKUBU YAHAYA MUDASSIR YAKUBU A. STATE INTELIGENCE BUREAU, ANDARAI TOWN, STATE HEADQURTERS, MAIYAMA LOCAL GOVERNMENT KEBBI STATE KEBBI STATE Who died on the 16TH DECEMBER, 2017 Dated at Birnin Kebbi on 23RD day of APRIL, 2019

Whereas the person whose name is set out in the first column here under died date and place stated in the said column. Whereas the person whose address had claimed relationship with the said deceased is set in the second column here under has applied to the High Court of Justice for GRANT OF LETTER OF ADMINISTRATION of the personal property.

Notice is hereby given that the said LETTER OF ADMINISTRATION will be granted to such person unless a notice to prohibit the grant there of is filed in the Probate Registry High Court of Justice Birnin Kebbi, within TWENTY ONE DAYS from the date of publication of this notice.

SCHEDULE Name and Address of Deceased Applicant Name and Address YAHAYA MOHAMMED RAUF AISHATU SALIHU YAHAYA NIGERIA IMMIGRATION SERVICE 1 BATTALION DIKKU BARRACKS JIGAWA COMMAND BIRNIN KEBBI JIGAWA STATE KEBBI STATE Who died on the 20TH NOVEMBER, 2018 Dated at Birnin Kebbi on 02ND day of APRIL, 2019

MOHAMMED ADAMU YELDU Probate Registrar

MOHAMMED ADAMU YELDU Probate Registrar

LEGAL NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE PROBATE DIVISION BIRNIN KEBBI, KEBBI STATE

ESTEEM INDISPENSABLE CHRISTIAN CENTRE WORLDWIDE

MOHAMMED ADAMU YELDU Probate Registrar

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. DANIEL HEPHZIBAH IKECHUKWU 2. ADEYEMI ROLAND IFEOLUWA THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL AND LOVE OF CHRIST 2. TO REACH OUT TO THE NEEDY THROUGH EVANGELISM 3. TO ENGAGE IN YOUTH CAPACITY BUILDING TOWARDS ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT 4. TO OFFER EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT TO THE LESS PRIVILEGE 5. TO ORGANISE CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS TOWARDS A PEACEFUL SOCIETY 6. TO ESTABLISH PLACE(S) OF WORSHIP 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 Gloria Amarachi Daniel

Whereas the person whose name is set out in the first column here under died date and place stated in the said column. Whereas the person whose address had claimed relationship with the said deceased is set in the second column here under has applied to the High Court of Justice for GRANT OF LETTER OF ADMINISTRATION of the personal property.

Notice is hereby given that the said LETTER OF ADMINISTRATION will be granted to such person unless a notice to prohibit the grant there of is filed in the Probate Registry High Court of Justice Birnin Kebbi, within TWENTY ONE DAYS from the date of publication of this notice.

SCHEDULE Name and Address of Deceased Applicant Name and Address AISHA LADI BAWA ABUBAKAR SULEIMAN NATIONAL IDENTITY MANAGEMENT COLLEGE OF AGRIC. 1018 ZURU COMMISSION, ZURU LOCAL GOVERNMENT ABUJA KEBBI STATE Who died on the 03RD NOVEMBER, 2014 Dated at Birnin Kebbi on 23RD day of APRIL, 2019

AHMED ARDO SAMBA FOUNDATION

The General Public is hereby notified that the above named Foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for Registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.AHMED ARDO SAMBA - PRESIDENT 2.MUSA ABDULLAHI GARBA GOKARU 3.JAMILA SAMBA THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE IS: 1.To promote unity, love and peace among every tribes and the society in general.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, P.M.B. 198, Maitama, Abuja within Twenty-Eight (28) days from the date of this publication.

SIGNED: BALA DAKUM ESQ. (Solicitor).

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. . . putting the people first

TuesDAY, may 7, 2019

SPORTS latest

Gateway United FC Appoint Akeem Adaranijo As Chief Coach

Akeem Adaranijo

By Amaechi Agbo

G

ateway Football Club has confirmed the appointment of Akeem Adaranijo as a caretaker coach until the end of the 2018/2019 NNL season, Bestchoicesports. com.ng can report According to the media officer of the club, Moses Ojewumi in a release, Adaranijo will be assisted by a yet to be named technical consultant.

Adaranhijo’s appointment came after the management made a u-trun and accepted the resignation letter of former coach Akeem Busari which it had rejected few hour ago Akeem Adaranijo was part of the technical crew of Gateway FC during 2017/2018 NNL season and was found suitable to be in the dugout for the remainder of the season.

Gateway United FC who are placed fifth in group B3 with two points are yet to secure a win in the current campaign.

With back to back losses to Nnewi United at home and Rovers FC in Calabar, the task for Adaranijo is to get the team back to winning ways and ensure their survival in the NNL. Gateway United are next in action against Rovers FC on May in and Abeokuta.

Taye25th Taiwo Oduamadi

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Supplicating for divine wisdom at Ramadan T

his year’s Ramadan, the “holy month” of the Islamic calendar during which the faithful basically gaze upwards in supplication to the Almighty God comes at an auspicious time when our country is beset with a plethora of problems, political, economic and social that are seemingly defying solutions. Consider that though government avers that the dreaded Boko Haram militant sect is technically defeated in that they no longer hold on to any Nigerian territory, they have been subsumed and assimilated into the Islamic state of West Africa that are now terrorizing parts of Nigeria; not to mention the pervasive banditry, kidnappings, etc; In the economic field, our purchasing power continues to decrease, notwithstanding that government is dishing out more money to public sector workers. And in politics inter and intra party dissentions are growing louder…

Now at our wit’s end, the only option is for us to turn contritely upwards to the Source of all Life, Knowledge and Wisdom, the Almighty Creator of the Worlds to imbue our leaders with the wisdom to govern aright and the followers to live aright. Noteworthy is that this year’s Ramadan is coming at a time when our politic as leaders are about to be sworn in for a new term, when our nation is about to begin a new journey in its political history.

It is also coming just about when the Christians had just finished their own fasting last month that lasted for over 40 days, culminating in the Easter festival. But for us to be pleasing to the Lord and enjoy his Grace we must sustain the lesson which the period demand of us, viz, being pious at all times, not simply during Ramadan or Lent. This requires that we keep our thoughts pure, shorn ourselves of conceit and selfishness. Love is the greatest weapon for fighting evil. ‘Do unto others what you wish them to do for you’, is a guiding principle of life.

Nigerians are said to be a religious people which is true but whether we are really spiritual is another matter altogether. Being religious means observing the doctrines and practices; while being spiritual means making the divine messages part and parcel of your life, living them at all times and in everything. If we actually live the tenets of our religions,

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Tuesday Column

By VICTORIA NGOZI IKEANO vikeano@yahoo.co.uk 08033077519 thus becoming spiritually active, we would not be grappling with the varieties of hatred that suffuse our world, resulting in mindless murders, violence and wars (big and small) that envelope us. Alas, for most of us, we labour to be pleasing in the eyes of the Lord during Ramadan and the Lenten season.

But soon after, we get carried away by the hustle and bustle of everyday living, soon relapse into our old ways, gel with the noisy crowd for whom nothing is sacred anymore, and soon forget the enduring Truths which our quiet reflections during the important periods of Ramadan and Lent bequeath on us. These droplets of truths are like spiritual seeds within us which need to be constantly watered by us, (through vigilance) leading us step by step to All truths; whereby, we come to the certainty of the demand, “The Wisdom of the Lord rules the World, strive you men to perceive His magnitude”. Some people are led to recognition at these times.

“Watch and Pray”, is an admonition from above. However, as with everything with us, we concentrated mostly on the word ‘pray’, forgetting the twin part ‘watch’ which requires of us to exert ourselves, to constantly see to it that we are on the right path and toe it.

We may now say there are many distractions in today’s world that retard us from keeping our gaze and feet on the path shown. That is why we have to bestir ourselves and stand

“

up against the darkness. But when once we evince an honest, earnest volition in that regard, we can be sure of help from the Lord, but not before. Apparently, it is to remind us of the need to have our gaze upwards, to heaven, paradise, that religious institutions introduced a fasting period, as we often bury our heads literally downwards, engulfed in earthly pursuits. Were we to continue like this – concerned only with food, drinks and entertainment the little flame or droplet of Truth within us would soon wither off and we shall lose all support from Above, the source of all Life. ‘Seek you first the kingdom of God and all other things shall be added unto you’.

The aim of fasting is to make us concentrate on matters celestial.

In depriving ourselves of food and water, which maintains the body, the magnet that gels the physical body and the spirit or soul (according to our level of understanding), together, is a little bit loosened and so we think more of spiritual things for the time being. We have to go about it this way because of our level of spiritual immaturity. If we were spiritually more mature, we should be able to think of God at all times whether on an empty or full stomach. It is just like praying; most of us are able to concentrate with our eyes closed; whereas a few others are able to pray just as fervently even with their eyes open, oblivious of their surroundings in their state of concentration.

The aim of fasting is to make us concentrate on matters celestial. In depriving ourselves of food and water, which maintains the body, the magnet that gels the physical body and the spirit or soul

Will those people who have taken up arms against their fellow human beings, engaging in various atrocities, especially in northern Nigeria be partaking in the Ramadan fast and declare a ceasefire? If they profess to be adherents of the religion, they should, should they not? Then, should they undertake this sacred obligation genuinely, steadfastly and humbly – fasting, praying, seeking to better understand the message of Prophet Muhammed (SAW) by digging into his words, then they should come to a better recognition. My loving thoughts and prayers to them in this holy month of Ramadan are for them to come to true recognition and turn a new leaf. Should they continue with their mindless killings then be it known that they are not true Muslims. You do not simply become a ‘Christian’ or ‘Muslim’ by the name you bear or by regularly going to the Mosque for prayers or attending church services. What makes you a Christian or Muslim is living the teachings which preach love, peace and justice.

All the spiritual messages that have come down to us were willed by the Almighty and given to the various peoples according to their levels of spiritual maturity at the time, by the Messengers and Prophets of God. As issued from the mouths of the Messengers and Prophets, they were pure. But they were distorted by human beings once they left us upon their demise. Hence, the seeming confusion today…

RAMADAN KAREEM

DAN GAYE

Governors hint of impending economic recession --News

...Are they broke and in need of bailout?

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