Wednesday, December 11, 2019 Edition

Wednesday, December 11, 2019/ Rabi’ul Thani 14, 1441 AH Vol. 33 No. 012 N150

2067 Days after

Kogi guber: I slapped Salome but didn’t kill her - Principal suspect >>>page 3

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The nation awaits rescue of the remaining abducted Chibok schoolgirls

Court halts Ganduje from inaugurating Kano council of chiefs >>>page 5

Nigeria needs $22.7b loan to fund infrastructure -Ministers >>>page 5

Residents of Yelenguruza assisting firemen to put out fire on a building , yesterday in Gombe .

Photo: NAN

Buhari seeks Senate’s confirmation of Adamu, Nami as AMCON, FIRS chairmen

pAGE 6

Alleged homicide: Court remands 60 Shi'ite members pAGE 3

Again, TI rates Nigeria 144th Sowore’s re-arrest: Reps probe DSS on World Corruption Index invasion of court pAGE 4

pAGE 7

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PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 11, 2019

News CONTENTS News

2-10, 14

Editorial

11

Op.Ed

12-13

Politics 15-17 Health Business

18 19-20

Feature

21

World News

22

Africa News

23

World News

24

Insurgency: 1,727 children reunite with families in Borno – UNICEF

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he United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says it has supported rehabilitation and reintegration of 1,727 children cleared of links with Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in the past two years in Borno State.

Geoffrey Ijumba, the Chief of UNICEF (D) Field Office in Maiduguri, made the disclosure at the formal separation of 461 children from rank and file of the CJTF in Maiduguri.

Mr Ijumba said the UN agency supported the separation since the commencement of the programme in September 2017, adding that the children were rehabilitated and trained on various trades before formal reintegration as well as reunification with their families.

He revealed that 3,737 children were identified of links

with the CJTF in Maiduguri and other 20 local government areas of the state.

Mr Ijumba lamented that thousands of children were either killed, maimed, displaced, assaulted or forced into the service of armed groups in the decade-long conflict in the North East.

He added: “These horrific acts are not only a violation of international and human right laws, they are a violation of our common humanity and the human costs of the attacks are beyond statistical calculation.

“Children have been taken from the classroom to battlefield, their childhood interrupted and taken at gunpoint.

“Although children are not responsible for the conflict, they are most affected. It is our duty and moral obligation to protect them and enable them

to fully access their rights.

“Children belong to the school and not the frontlines; the event reminds us of our obligations toward children affected by armed conflict.”

He said the UN is committed to end and prevent recruitment of children through the implementation of an action plan aimed at providing support to the CJTF against recruitment and violation of the rights of children.

Mr Ijumba commended the Borno State Government, European Union (EU), U.S. and Swiss Governments for their support to the programme and reintegration of children into the society.

The UNICEF official also called on the CJTF to be committed to facilitate successful implementation of the programme.

Also speaking, Governor

Babagana Zulum of Borno State, lauded UNICEF for the gesture, describing it as a positive step towards ensuring protection of children’s rights.

Represented by Zuwaira Gambo, the Commissioner of Women Affairs, he said measures are in place to fast track Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement of persons affected by insurgency.

Mr Zulum added that the state government had accorded priority to security, youth and women empowerment as well as job creation and livelihood support to displaced persons.

In his remarks, the Coordinator of the action plan committee, Abdullahi Izge, said 833 children were integrated in October 2018 and 894 in May this year, while 464 reintegrated with their families on Thursday.(NAN)

Katsina pays N629m WAEC, NECO, NABTEB fees for final year students Page 4

Environment 25 Feature

26

Sports 30-31 Back Page

32

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L-R: Minister of Finance, Mrs. Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed; minister of works, Babatunde Raju Fashola and representative e of the minister of Agriculture, Prof. murtala Sagagi, during a public hearing with House of Representatives Committee on Rules and Debt Management, at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Mother of 9-year old rape victim infected with HIV demands justice From Uche Uche, Damaturu

A

9-year old primary 2 girl has been confirmed HIV positive by Damaturu Specialist Hospital after seven persons led by her stepfather raped her severally.

It was gathered that the victim was lured into a house

at Babban Tsangaya area of Damaturu belonging to the stepfather, one Yerima Yakubu where she was raped on several occasions.

The victim’s mother who is now a divorcee after they separated with the prime suspect said the girl has stopped going to school since

the incident happened about a week ago.

“Because of my poor condition, I cannot even do anything on the matter except to leave things for God. But I want Yobe State Government to take over the case,” the woman said.

It was learnt that four

of the suspects have been arrested by the police and are being detained at CID office Damaturu while the remaining three suspects are still at large.

The stepfather, Yerima Yakubu, a traditional medicine seller has three children with the victim’s mother before he divorced her in June this year.

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PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 11, 2019

News

From Ahnad Ibrahim Lokoja

T

he principal suspect in the killing of late Mrs Salome Abuh, the women leader of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ofu local government area of Kogi State, Ocholi Edicha has confessed to slapping her on the day of the state governorship election due to party differences.

However, the suspect has denied being responsible for the gruesome murder of the fallen politician.

Ocholi Edicha made this known to newsmen yesterday at the headquarters of the state Police Command in Lokoja, the state capital.

Edicha who claimed to be a member of the ruling All Progressives

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

J

ustice Sulaiman Bolaji Belgore of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Apo, yesterday, remanded 60 members of the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), known as Shi’ite Group, in Kuje prison in Abuja and Suleja prison in Niger State.

They were arraigned before the court on November 27 by the Police command on charges bordering on homicide, disturbances of public peace and destruction of government properties.

The accused were arrested during the July 22, protest at the Federal Secretariat area of Abuja, led to the death of Deputy Commissioner of Police Usman Umar and Precious Owolabi, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member with Channels Television.

The members of the EL Zakzaky religious sect however, They pleaded not guilty to the charges when read out to them in court.

When the matter came up yesterday, counsel for the defendants, Bala Dakum, informed the court that he filed a bail application on behalf of the Shi’ite members.

However, the court informed him that he filed only one bail application for the 60 defendants, which was brought by way of summon.

Subsequently, he withdraws the application in order to file separate applications for the defendants.

News Editor, Ese Awhotu

Kogi guber: I slapped Salome but didn’t kill her - Principal suspect Congress, APC said “It’s true that we had issues on the day of the election, and I slapped her, but I did not partake in her killing”.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Busari had earlier told journalists how the suspects were rounded up by the men of the state command.

According to him, on the 18th November, this year, at about 1630

hours, one Musa Etu of Ochadamu, in Ofu local government area of Kogi State, reported at Ofu police Station that at about 1030hrs of the same date,there was a misunderstanding between one Awolu Zekeri ( late) and Gowon Simeon both of Ochadamu.

In the process, the police boss further revealed, Gowon Simeon stabbed Awolu Zekeri with a knife on his lap and that the latter later

died on his way to the hospital.

He said that angry youths in the area mobilised to the house of one Simeon Abuh who is an uncle to the suspect and set the house ablaze, thereby burnt Mrs Salome Abuh, aged 60 to death.

The commissioner said the police launched a manhunt for the suspects and arrested six in connection with the killing.

According to him, those arrested are Ocholi Edicha, Adamu Haruna,Onu Egbunu,Musa Alidu, Atai Haruna Egwu and Attach Ejeh.

The commissioner said that all the suspects have confessed to their involvement in the killing of late Salome Abuh and would be charged to court as soon as investigation into the matter was concluded.

Alleged homicide: Court remands 60 Shi’ite members Sequel to the withdrawal, the judge struck out, having been withdrawn by the defence counsel with no objection from the prosecution.

Consequent upon this, the counsel for the prosecution, Simon Lough, requested that the defendants should be remanded in Kuje and Suleja prison yards The counsel, who is a Deputy

Commissioner of Police (DCP), asked that 54 male defendants should be remanded at Kuje, while the remaining six defendants, who are females, be sent to Suleja on remand.

He also applied that trial of the defendants be held where they are remanded for convenience, adding that the trial should be given an accelerated hearing considering

their number.

The prosecution’s oral applications for the remand of the defendants and trial being held at where they are being remanded were, however, not opposed by Dakum.

Ruling on the applications, Justice Belgore held that having not been opposed by the counsel for the defendants, the court was minded

to remand the defendants at prison yards.

He then ordered that, “the defendants be remanded at correctional facility. They are to be remanded at Kuje and Suleja correctional yards. Trial to be held in Kuje correctional yard.”

The judge then adjourned till February 5, 2020 for commencement of trial.

.L-R: Resident Representative in Nigeria, United Nation Development Programme (UNDP, Mohamed Yahya and Chief of Army Staff, LT. Gen. Tukur Buratai, during the UNDP’s official visit to the Nigeria Army , yesterday in Abuja. Photo; Justin Imo-owo

Peace capacity building will aid conflict prevention, says NPA boss

By Ochiaka Ugwu

B

uilding capacity for peacebuilding and conflict resolution will in great measures promote conflict prevention in Nigeria, Coordinator of the National Peace Academy (NPA) a training arm of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr. Bosede Awodola has said.

Dr. Awodola who made this known in Abuja while speaking during a validation workshop on baseline studies in the North Central geopolitical zone said there is need to talk about capacity building as it relates

to peacebuilding and conflict Resolution in Nigeria.

“You know there are a lot crises, animosity and conflict going on in our society. This makes it imperative for people to sit down and settle these issues without much problem.

That is why we started building capacity for peacebuilding.

“When we do that, is all about prevention of conflict so that it doesn’t escalate. Capacity building will certainly enable people to know when issues are gathering and the best way to handle it for it not to exacerbate.

That is why we are focusing on capacity for peacebuilding in

Nigeria.

“Although, there are NGOs that said they are doing capacity building, but their works seem not to have much impact on the populace. That is why we are here to know what capacity they have on their own, because there is this popular saying that “You can’t give what you don’t have” she noted.

Also speaking, Helen Teghtegh of Community Links and Human Empowerment Initiative said that Nigeria has a lot of open borders that are not manned which heightens insecurity.

He also lamented that must

workers she trained on capacity building always seek for better paid NGOs in North East leaving her with the option of struggling to train new ones.

Adding to this, Jonathan Duku of the Civil Organization Research Advocacy Funding Initiative (CORAFIDA), a Benue State based NGO expressed the need for more collaboration with IPCR to build a better and sustainable human capacity that will meet the challenges of peacebuilding.

Christopher Isike of the University of Pretoria, South Africa suggested that capacity building for peacebuilding

process should be taken back to the communities in a form that facilitators would be made to visit the people for direct conversation.

It should be known that base line survey for capacity building was done to know the kind of capacity building the civil society groups indulge in and the kind of audience they are relating with.

The baseline commenced with the North Central geopolitical zone which comprises six states, Benue, Kwara, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau States, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

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News From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

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igeria is said to currently occupy 144th position out of 180 counties on the World Corruption Index produced by Transparency International.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA), Bwari Branch and made available to the media in Kaduna yesterday.

Yuletide: FRSC warns against speeding, overloading

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 11, 2019

Again, TI rates Nigeria 144th in World Corruption Index The statement signed by Paul Daudu, and Monday Adjeh, Chairman and Secretary, Anti-corruption/Rule of Law Committee of the group respectively revealed that a cursory examination of the said index showed that there has been little of no improvement in Nigeria’s ranking over the past 4 years.

The statement added that this it is painful that despite the Anti-corruption mantra/policy

of the party in power.

According to the statement, people erroneously think that corruption is a way of life, but the fact remains that every society, sector and individual would benefit from standing against corrupt practices.

“It is our view that the continued failure of most countries to significantly control corruption is contributing to crisis in democracy around the world.

“This awareness walk is aimed at promoting rule of law which essentially means that nobody in society whether highly or lowly placed is above the law.

“Today is an important day as it is normally marked both by high-level political conferences and meetings and by cultural events and exhibitions dealing with human rights issues.

“Many governmental and non-governmental organizations active in the human rights field

L-R: Director, Education Office, USAID Nigeria, Denise O’Toole, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Education, Mr. Fela Bank-Olemoh, Minister of State for Education, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba and the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Arc. Sunny Echono, during the Minister’s interactive meeting with National and International development partners in Education Sector, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

From Ahmed Idris Birnin Kebbi

T

he Zonal Commanding Officer of RS 10 HQ Sokoto, Assistant Corps Marshal Kayode Olagunju has advised people against using expired tyres, speeding and overloading during the yuletide.

He gave this advise yesterday at the lunching of 2019, Ember months Road Safety Campaign held at the Center Garage Birnin Kebbi.

He said that there is need for the drivers to go for eye tests regularly.

He urged the stakeholders in the state to join hands together in order to reduce the crashes while the Crashes kill more passengers than drivers.

In his remark, the State sector Commander of Federal road safety Corps, Mr. EA Asaniyan said that for this year coming end of the year festivities drivers should avoid use of drugs and they should not also drive when they are tired.

He also said that the uses of seatbelt and obey of all traffic laws is very important and also they should avoid overloading among the others.

He thanked the Kebbi State Government for always being there for them in terms of advocacy and other needs.

also schedule special events to commemorate the day, as do many civil and social-cause organizations.

“The Nigeria Bar Association is one of the champions of the civil society uses today’s occasion to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity,” the statement reads.

IBB Varsity, Lapai gets new VC From Yakubu Minna.

Mustapha,

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overnor Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State has approved the appointment of Professor Adamu Abu Kasim as the new Vice Chancellor, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL) with immediate effect.

This was contained in a statement issued by Secretary to the Government of Niger State (SSG), Ahmed Ibrahim Matane.

The statement said, the appointment of Professor Adamu Abu Kasim was in recognition of his track record of achievements

as the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, a position he occupied until his appointment.

According to the letter, “acting on the powers conferred on him by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and the Law establishing Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai No. 8 of 31st March, 2005, section 6 a and 4 a-d, His Excellency, Alhaji (Dr.) Abubakar Sani Bello, the Executive Governor of Niger State has approved your appointment as Vice Chancellor of the University with effect from 1stJanuary, 2020.

This appointment is for a single term of five years.”

The statement added that Professor Adamu Abu Kasim is expected to bring his knowledge, administrative skills and wealth of experience to bear in the performance of his new assignment by working assiduously to justify the confidence reposed in him.

The new Vice Chancellor urged to focus on full accreditation and physical development that would transform the University into a world class Institution.

Ahmed Matane pointed out that the new Vice Chancellor is enjoined to replicate and even surpass his performance

as the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration of the Institution, where he recorded tremendous achievements.

The Governor congratulated Professor Adamu Abu Kasim on the appointment and wishes him success and God’s guidance in the performance of the arduous duties of his Office, the statement stressed.

Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello however commended the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Professor Nasiru Maiturare for a successful tenure and enjoined him to give the new Vice Chancellor the necessary support to move the institution forward.

Katsina pays N629m WAEC, NECO, NABTEB fees for final year students From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

T

he Katsina State government have settled the external examinations fees for final year students in the state to the tune of N629 million.

Of the total sum, N208 million was paid for West African Examination Council, WAEC, NECO - N397 million, NABTEB - N10 million and NBAIS - N14 million.

The Commissioner of Education, Professor Badamasi Lawal Charanchi who disclosed this while speaking to newsmen yesterday, said the amount was for the year 2019.

Lawal said out of the 21,589 candidates who sat for the examination, 7,276 scored five credits and above including Mathematics and English Language, which represents 50 per cent while other 14,481 candidates also scored five credits

and above in other subjects, representing 66 per cent.

He said the performance of candidates in the state has been improving since inception of the present administration in 2015.

To this end, the Commissioner attributed the performance recorded to the commitments of the administration in the areas of infrastructural development, recruitment of teachers and training as well as provision of instructional materials, among

others.

Prof. Lawal, however, hinted that the state government had earmarked over N20 billion for education sector in the 2020 budget.

The new Vice Chancellor who is an indigene of Niger State was born in Dukku, Rijau Local Government Area of the State.

He received his early education at Central Primary School, Dukku, he had his Secondary education at Government Science College,

Kagara before proceeding to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he obtained B.Sc. Botany, M.Sc Botany and Ph.D, crop breeding from the same Institution.

Professor Adamu Abu Kasim is a member several professional bodies such as Botanical Society of Nigeria, Genetic Society of Nigeria, National Association of Nuclear Scientist and Science Teachers Association of Nigeria among others.

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PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 11, 2019

News

Nigeria needs $22.7b loan to fund infrastructure -Ministers

By Christiana Ekpa

T

hree ministers from President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet, have said that for the government to meet up the infrastructural needs of the people, the $ 22.7 billion borrowing fund is inevitable.

Finance Minister, Zinab Ahmed; Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, the Minister of State for Transport, Gbemisola Saraki as well as the DirectorGeneral of the Debt Management Office, DMO, Patience Oniha made the submission at a session with the House of Representatives Committee on Aids, Loans and Debt Management headed by Rep Safana Dayyabu (Kano, APC).

The ministers appeared before the committee yesterday to defend the loan request of $22.718 billion made by President Muhammadu Buhari to the Senate specifically.

The ministers underscored the urgent need to fund the budget, improve on infrastructure development and create jobs with the loan.

Making her presentation, the Finance Minister, Ahmed said “We need to invest in roads, rails, and to be able to grow at a growth better than we are growing now.

They are strictly for infrastructure development. So that we can address the deficit that we have.

We know we must comply with some criteria.”

Placing the borrowing figure at $22.718 billion, the minister said that “Nigeria does not have a debt sustainability problem but revenue challenge.”

She added that “Every Kobo borrowed will be judiciously used.”

Also speaking, the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola said that the government cannot ignore the demands for infrastructural sustainability.

“It is right to have this hearing because we cannot ignore the concerns of the members of the public, the debt profile of the country.

“As we cannot ignore the concerns about debts, so we cannot ignore the concerns and demands for the provision of life sustaining infrastructure.

“So, everybody wants a road, everybody wants a rail project, everybody wants a port and efficient airports. They want to ensure that our ports are efficient so that business can function more effectively, so that clearing of goods can happen more quickly and cheaply.

“And it is in the midst of these physical challenges that she (the Minister Finance, Budget and National Planning) have identified, the revenue are not just enough to meet these challenges.”

Fashola said that there are a total of 524 ongoing road projects across the country but there is no money to execute them.

He said: “524 roads projects are currently being executed. 73

billion released this year. We have contractors willing to do the work but we cannot pay them.

“We have had deficit budgets for a long time and so we have to borrow.

“Over 4 years, we have never received full funding for any budget. There is deficit and we cannot finance it. We must find a way to finance these assets. We will be spending today’s money to secure tomorrow assets.”

Asked to speak on the current status of East -West Road, the minister said it was not under his ministry.

But attempting the question, Fashola said that a substantial part of the road had been completed.

“East west road not under my ministry. It is under Niger Delta Ministry. I can say here, that a substantial part of that road has been executed. I drove through the stretch in 2016. Large part of it has

been completed”, he said.

On Benin-Auchi-Okene road, the minister also said: “From the briefings from ministry of finance, there are external borrowings.

There are also internal borrowings.

The road is being funded under SKUUK which is local borrowing.

The SKUUK is not enough to fund all the toads. We get N100b, we shared it across all the 6 zones”.

He also denied insinuations that Nigerian roads were not built

up to the standard.

“Nigerian roads are designed to global standards. We are not having things as we want but according to global standards”, Fashola said.

The view of Minister of State for Transport, Gbemisola Sakari was no different on why the federal government needed to borrow as she pointed out the need to complete Kano -Lagos and Niger Delta coast rails.

L R Prof. Afolayan A. Obiniyi, President Academia in information Technology profession (AITP) Representing Nigeria Computer Society, Helen Obi, Head Research and Emerging Technologies, Nigerian Communications Commission NCC, Engr Haru Alhassan, Director New Media and information Security NCC, representing the Executive Vice Chairman NCC, Prof Umar Garba Danbatta, Engr Bako Wakil, Director Technical Standards and Network Integrity NCC, Mr Chinenye Mba Uzoukwu, Lead Paper Presenter, during the Emerging Technologies Research and ICT Innovation Forum, held yesterday at New Keffi, Nassarawa State.

Court halts Ganduje from inaugurating Kano council of chiefs

By Ese Awhotu

A

High Court in Kano has granted an interim injunction to halt the Kano State Government from constituting the new council of chiefs and appointing its members.

The presiding judge, Ahmed Badamosi, on Tuesday ordered a stoppage of the council of chiefs.

He also granted an order restraining Governor Ganduje from taking away the functions and powers of the applicants.

He then adjourned the case to December 17.

The plaintiffs in the suit are Kano kingmakers headed by the Madakin Kano, Yusuf Nabahani, and Muktar Adnan.

The defendants are the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly as the first respondent, Kano State House of Assembly as the second respondent, Governor of Kano State as third respondent, Attorney General of Kano State as fourth respondent and the four newly appointed emirs of Rano, Karaye, Gaya and Bichi.

Recall that Governor Ganduje had last week signed a new law in Kano approving the creation

of four new emirates and the appointment of first-class emirs for each of them.

The law also establishes the council of chiefs.

Governor Ganduje had also appointed the Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi, as the head of the council of chiefs, while the four newly appointed emirs are members.

The governor consequently ordered Emir Sanusi, to call a meeting of the council.

Before the new law, the emir of Kano was the only first-class emir in the state.

However, aside the court tussle, Ganduje’s new emirates did not seem to go down well with the Kano Elders otherwise called Advocates For United Kano.

The elders group had on Sunday called on Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje to repeal the Kano Emirate law that created four additional Emirates in the state.

A statement signed by Alhaji Bashir Tofa alongside ten others and made available to newsmen in Kano frowned at the creation and the attempt to destroy 1,000 years old heritage.

The elders stated that, “The

Advocates for United Kano is a non-partisan group of citizens from all professions and backgrounds, who are law-abiding and irrevocably committed to the peace and progress of our dear State.

“Consequently, we hereby express deep concern about the persistence of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje at the destruction of the Kano Emirate, a product of the efforts of our forefathers, which has survived for centuries championing purposeful administration and scholarship in Kano State and beyond.

“It is without doubt that the Kano Emirate has, for centuries, been a formidable force in shaping the character and economic outlook of the Kano society in particular and Nigeria as a whole.

Unfortunately, however, the actions of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje which, to a greater extent, borders on personal margins, are unequivocally bent on destroying that legacy.

The statement further lamented what it described as the Governor’s deliberate attempt to politicize the creation of emirates, therefore ignoring every effort of well-meaning individuals that

have cautioned him.

“Well-meaning citizens cutting across various spheres of endeavour (religious, political, academic, legal, judicial etc) have expressed views that despite the illconceived action of the Governor, Kano Emirate “has remained the most influential emirate in the Sokoto Caliphate under the control of the Emir of Kano, traversing the entire territory that is now known as Kano State.”

The Governor has severally been cautioned to apply reason and rectitude in contemplating dissecting the Kano Emirate to meet certain political ends. But political impunity and vendetta have beclouded his good senses of reasoning and judgement. Clearly, he is resolute in the mission of destroying the legacy of Sheik Usman Dan Fodio, which Kano Emirate duly represents.

But, Ganduje has swiftly called the Kano elders bluff, saying that the group cannot change his decision on the appointment of the additional Emirate councils in the state.

According to him, the creation of new Emirates in the state which followed due process has come to stay.

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 11, 2019

PAGE 6

News

Emir of Lafia urges journalists to project Nigeria’s image

From Gambo Ahmed, Lafia

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mir of Lafia, Honourable Justice Sidi Bage I has implored media practitioners in the country to always project the image of the nation positively to the outside world in order to sustain peaceful coexistence.

The emir made the plea while hosting members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists Nasarawa State in his palace in Lafia, the state capital yesterday.

He added that journalists play a significant role in the development of every society as well as called on them to always maintain the culture of balancing their reportage on daily basis for the development of the great nation.

According to him, “You are a very important organ all over the globe. No nation can strive in the sphere of development without the contribution of the media. No nation can relegate the press to the background. You are a critical stakeholder. Project the image of this country. I know the country is passing through difficulties.”

He continued “I am glad with your tremendous contributions to the development of Nasarawa State and the Lafia Emirate Council. Continue to do the good work to our communities in the country. The Emirate Council is fully ready to support you journalists in the state.”

In his remark, the Chairman Correspondents’ Chapel Mr. Isaac Ukpoju commended the Emir for his fatherly role towards maintaining harmonious coexistence among the diverse ethnic nationality in the state, added that media practitioners in the state are fully committed to contribute their quota for the development of the state.

Buhari seeks Senate’s confirmation of Nami, Adamu as FIRS, AMCON chairmen By Musa Adamu Ikechukwu Okaforadi

and

T

he Senate yesterday received a formal request from President Muhammadu Buhari for the confirmation of Muhammad Mamman Nami as the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

The request, which was contained in a letter dated December 9, 2019, was read on the floor by the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan.

The letter reads: “Pursuant to Section 3(2) of the Federal Inland

Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2007, I am pleased to forward for confirmation by the Senate, the underlisted names of nominees as the Chairman and Members of the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

Those appointed by President Buhari alongside the Chairman, Nami (North Central) are: James Yakwen Ayuba, North Central; Ado Danjuma, North West; Adam Baba Mohammed, North East; Ikeme Osakwe, South East; Adewale Ogunyomade, South West, and Ehile Adetola Aibangbee, South South.

Representatives of Ministries,

Departments and Agencies (MDAs)of government on the board are: Ladidi Bara’atu Mohammed, Office of AttorneyGeneral of the Federation; Godwin Emefiele, Central Bank of Nigeria; Fatima Hayatu, Ministry of Finance; Maagbe Adaa, Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission; Umar Ajiya, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation; DCG Isah, Nigeria Customs Service, and Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission.

The President also wrote the Senate seeking the confirmation of Edward Adamu as Chairman of

Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

Buhari said: “In accordance with Section 10(1) of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) Act, 2010, I hereby present Mr. Edward Lametek Adamu for confirmation as Chairman of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria by the Distinguished Senate.

“While hoping that this request will receive the usual expeditious consideration of the Senate, please accept, Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration.”

L-R; Wife of Diocesan Bishop of Lagos Anglican Communion, Prof. Mrs. Motunrayo Olumakaiye; Wife of Centenary Grand Patron, Sen. Daisy Danjuma; Centenary Grand Patron, Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (Rtd.) and Diocesan Bishop of Lagos and Missioner, Rt. Rev. Dr. Bamisebi Olumakaiye, during the Diocese of Lagos Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion Award and Gala Night for the Centenary Celebration and Fund Raising yesterday in Lagos.

Photo; NAN

I am not behind arrest of ex-Gov. Yari’s loyalists - Matawalle From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

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overnor Bello Muhammad Matawalle of Zamfara State has denied having hand in the recent arrests of members of the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC who happened to be loyalists to ex-Governor Abdulaziz Yari.

In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media to Governor Matawalle, Malam Zailani Baffa,

said” it has come to the notice of Governor Matawalle that some mischievous persons were attributing the arrest of offenders to his person, or his office, or both.”

According to Zailani Baffa, “the Governor wishes to draw the attention of all and sundry to the formidable fact that, he has no hands in the arrest of any offender be it politician or non partisan in that aspect within and outside the state.”

He however, warns that, “Anyone

who finds himself in collusion course with the law should courageously face his travails with the law of the land and desist from blame game on the office of the Governor.

“The Police and, indeed, all other Security operatives are not my property, nor are they working for my personal interest but for the wellbeing of Zamfara State and Nigeria as a whole. “ He further lamented that, after the attainment of peace in the state,

some enemies of the State and Nigeria have indulged themselves in making inflammatory statements and sometimes actions aimed at reversing the hands of the clock.

“Those arrested and taken to court have willingly broken the law and are apprehended by the law, not

by Governor Matawalle. They should be courageous enough to own up their mischief and defend themselves before the law,” the Governor said.

Yobe: Construction of 3,600 houses commences in 3 weeks, says Commissioner From Uche Uche, Damaturu.

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he construction of 3,600 housing units across the 17 local government areas of state is to kick off in the next three weeks in fulfilment of the governor’s promise to provide standard and affordable houses for the benefit of citizens in the state.

The state Commissioner of Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Bukar

Alhaji Dauda, stated this yesterday during a formal duo taking and handing over ceremony of the ministries of housing and urban development and the ministry of land and solid minerals which took place at the conference hall of the former ministry of land and survey.

The commissioner who commended the state governor for his foresight in separating the former ministry of land and survey into two ministries pointed out

that this development would enhance the proper management of the resources and proper development of the state.

He called on the staff of the ministry to give adequate support to the commissioner of land and solid minerals as they have given him when he was the sole commissioner of the ministry of land and survey.

Speaking also during the occasion, the Commissioner of Land and Solid Minerals,

Hon. Mohammed Lamin, who was before his appointment, the state Commissioner of Education, stated that there is a synergy between the two ministries working together for the development of the state, assuring that they are committed to that course.

He urged the staff of the two ministries to also be committed towards achieving such goals with the understanding that Yobe is for Yobeans.

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PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 11, 2019

Director, 3 others kidnapped in Adamawa From Umar Dankano, Yola.

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he Director of Litigation attached to Adamawa State Ministry of Justice,Mr. Samuel Yaumanda and three others have been abducted at their homes in the late hours of Monday night.

An impeccable source who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent in Yola Tuesday that the incident occurred at Sangere Quarters of Girei Local Government Area where the victims were forced out of their homes individually around 11: 30 pm before they were whizzed away to undisclosed location.

Our source said the gunmen stormed the area around 11:30pm Monday, and abducted the director, his neighbour who is a principal and two others.

“The gunmen apparently know the house of the victim as they went directly to his house and forcefully snatched him.

They also kidnapped his neighbor who is a principal as well as two others,” the source said.

Confirming the development, spokesman of the Command, DSP Sulaiman Nguroje said the assailants stormed the resident of the director, at Sangere in Girei local government, and abducted him as well as three others. “ We got a report that one director with the Ministry of Justice was kidnapped. On reaching there, we learnt that three others were also kidnapped.

“We have deployed men of operation Farauta to comb the area and are currently on the trail of the kidnappers,” Nguroje said.

Kidnapping for ransom has in recent times gained prominence in Adamawa State despite the effort of the police in tackling the menace.

The police have last week paraded 319 criminals including 106 kidnappers as well as armed robbers in its effort to rid the state of violent crimes.

CRIME News

Sowore’s re-arrest: Reps probe DSS invasion of court

By Christiana Ekpa

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he House of Representatives yesterday resolved to investigate the recent invasion of the Federal High Court premises in Abuja while attempting to re-arrest the Convener of the ‘Revolution Now’ movement, Omoyele Sowore.

DSS operatives had stormed the court premises to re-arrest Sowore, who was appearing for his continued trial.

The resolution of the House followed a motion introduced during Tuesday’s plenary session by Ndudi Elumelu, minority leader.

The arrest, which took place less than 24 hours after he was released by the secret police, was widely condemned by many Nigerians and groups.

Elumelu said the lawmakers need to investigate the incident which he describe as an attempt to overpower the judiciary.

He condemned the “exhibition of thuggery, brute force, lawlessness, contempt and disregard for the rule of law” during the incident within the court premises.

“A situation where one arm (of government) is seen to be overpowering another in the course of dispensing her duties, will definitely spell doom for the separation of powers as enshrined in the constitution,”

he said.

“The actions of these unidentified persons disrupted judicial proceedings on the 6th day of December 2019,and made the presiding judge to abandon her duty post because of safety concerns.

“This is a complete desecration of the temple of

justice and such an action should be completely discouraged.”

He said if the “abuse” is not checked, the national assembly “may one day be invaded and the relevant security agencies will claim not knowing who the offenders are.”

The matter was subsequently referred to the relevant house

committees to investigate the matter and report back within two weeks.

In his ruling, Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila who presided over the plenary, subsequently referred to the relevant House Committees to investigate the matter and report back within two weeks.

Some of the seized items by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), yesterday in Sokoto . Photo: NAN

Activist seeks amnesty for cultists in Edo By Osaigbovo Benin

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Iguobaro,

uman rights activist, Marxist Kola Edokpayi on Tuesday advocated for amnesty for cultists towards ending the killings in some parts of Edo State.

He berated the State Governor, Godwin Obaseki for failing to utilise his N4 billion yearly security vote for the safely of lives

and property in the state.

The activist and the Speaker of Talakawa Parliament made the remark while delivering a public lecture to mark the United Nations World Human Rights Day Celebrations in Benin.

He wondered why the Governor had to fold his arm and allow cult-related killings to persist.

He urged the Governor to immediately convoke a meeting

of heads of the various cult groups for dialogue towards roadmap to peace.

According to him, “we are living in a society where goats are killing lions. Today, the streets of Benin is littered with blood. Despite the huge amount of money he collects as security vote. Today, we now rely on God for protection. Cult killings are so rampant in Benin now.

“We want to use this

opportunity to appeal to him not to fold his hands while youths are dying in Edo State.

“The leaders of these cult groups are not faceless He (Obaseki) should grant amnesty to them. The Governor should release funds from his security vote instead of diverting it...He should dialogue with them. Let us stop bothering God with trivial things that can be achieved with cooperation.”

Ihedioha to sanction Imo health workers charging fees for HIV services

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overnor Emeka Ihedioha of Imo State says the state government would sanction any of its health workers found charging fees for HIV services in the state.

The governor gave the warning in Owerri on Tuesday at the official launch of the AntiRetroviral Therapy (ART) Surge Response organised by the state government in collaboration with the United States Embassy in Nigeria and Caritas Nigeria.

Mr Ihedioha, who reiterated his commitment to the welfare of Imo people, expressed regret that Imo was one of the seven states contributing over 60 per cent of Nigeria’s HIV burden.

He pledged to pay prompt attention to the recommendations of the HIV/AIDS consortium so as to find the yet to be identified victims of the pandemic and put them on ART. The governor urged the people of the state to endeavour to know their HIV status, promising to provide funds for the purchase of additional test kits for hospitals in the state.

In a welcome address, Imo Commissioner for health, Vin Udokwu, said the state had 54,000 HIV patients with 16,000 of them currently placed on treatment.

He, however, added that Imo was the

only state to have met its weekly target of finding 112 yet to be identified carriers of the virus and placing them on ART with a view to achieving the epidemic control target of September 2020.

Also speaking, the Imo Programme Coordinator, Nigeria AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS), Desmond Emeh, said that 4,700 new cases were expected among persons 15 years and above in 2020.

He described as `unfortunate’ the HIV prevalence rate of 1.8 per cent among persons aged 0 to 64, while thanking Samuel Ohiri, the chairman, Imo Council of Traditional Rulers for donating 1,000 test kits to the state.

In her contribution, Kathleen FitzGibbon, the US Deputy Chief of Mission in Nigeria, commended the governor for his proactive efforts in the fight against HIV in the state.

Ms FitzGibbon promised that the U.S. would continue to provide the necessary support to Nigeria and other countries with HIV needs adding that the USA had spent over 60 billion dollars in fighting the disease since 2004.

She, however, urged people living with HIV to act as ambassadors to the rest of society and shun stigmatization as according to her, HIV is not a death sentence.(NAN)

AUDA- NEPAD Nigeria holds capacity building workshop, assures on poverty reduction

By Ese Awhotu

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he African Union Development Agency AUDA -NEPAD Nigeria has organized a capacity building workshop which is designed to facilitate wealth creation job to curb youth restiveness.

The workshop held in Abuja is also meant to improve knowledge and skills of individuals with a view to preparing them to establish small businesses for

sustenance.

According to the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of AUDA- NEPAD, Hon. Princess Gloria Akobundu, the overarching objective of the workshop is to empower the youths and Representative of women Cooperative namely: To Crest job opportunities for the youths and women; To acquire skills that will give rise to the emergence of new generation of entrepreneurs; To empower

youths and women with information necessary for driving economic development and to reduce the global maladies of poverty and hunger She noted that addressing unemployment in Nigeria is of paramount importance to this present Administration.

“This workshop is therefore very crucial because it will provide us with the necessary information and knowledge needed for future business activities. To this end,

it is my honour to declare this capacity building workshop open for the economic growth and profitability of Youths and Representatives of women Cooperatives.”

Also speaking at the workshop, Director, Programmes Development and Implementation, AUDA-NEPAD, Mr. Akrejola Zacheous, said AUDA- NEPAD is irrevocably committed to poverty reduction.

“And as we all know, the need

to reduce poverty in Nigeria is of paramount importance to the present Administration.”

According to her, “This capacity building workshop has therefore, been tailored towards facilitating wealth creation that would alleviate the rate of poverty among youths and the women segments of our society.

“Similar poverty alleviating programmed also being driven

by AUDA- NEPAD include youth vocational education and skill Aquisition for artisans and other less privileged members of the society.”

She urged the participants to pay special attention to the topics of the workshop in order to derive the maximum benefits that will prepare them for tomorrow.

It’ll take 25 years to reduce doctors’ shortage, says NMA President

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he Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) says with at least 3,000 doctors graduating yearly, it would take about 25 years to produce adequate numbers of doctors to cater for the country’s population.

The president of the association, Francis Faduyile, said this on Tuesday at the ongoing week-long Annual Symposium organised by the Health Writers Association of Nigeria (HEWAN) in Lagos.

The theme of the symposium is: “Curbing the High Rate of Brain Drain in the Nigerian Health Sector.’’

Mr Faduyile said the few healthcare practitioners in Nigeria were overwhelmed as a doctor caters for about 10,000 to 22,000 patients, instead of the World Health Organisation recommendation of a doctor to 600 patients.

He said currently, the nation’s education institutions graduates about 3,000 doctors yearly, and with such number, it would take about 25 years to produce the adequate number of doctors required to cater for Nigeria’s increasing population.

“Like in the UK where many of our doctors are migrating to, the ratio of doctors to the populace is about zero point eight.

“It means that they have so many doctors, whereas Nigeria is in deficit when it comes to numbers of doctors,’’ he said.

Mr Faduyile, however, said that there was a huge deficit in the nation’s health sector due to brain drain as some of the best healthcare practitioners were leaving the country through migration to more favourable countries.

“Nigeria is losing some of its most educated, talented and professional healthcare practitioners to countries such as Namibia, Senegal, Ghana, U. K, South Africa and many others.

“This is because the government is not interested in giving adequate priority to health, low funding, no appropriate employment, low remuneration, lack of equipment to intervene and save lives, insecurity, bad roads, among other problems.

“Now, it is taking a toll on

the country as our people are suffering due to the shortage of workers, people are dying due to lack of effective healthcare system and Nigeria has one of the worst health indices in the world,’’ he said.

The NMA president urged journalists to report the problems in the health sector objectively to make government accountable and make things right.

Also speaking, Anthony

Omolola, a former President of the Association of Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, said there was a need for the declaration of a state of emergency in respect of inadequate numbers of doctors in Nigeria.

Mr Omolola said it was disheartening to note that with about 72,000 registered doctors, less than half were practising in Nigeria.

“We need committed leadership to curb the challenge of brain drain in this country.

“Government needs to increase budgetary allocation to health and invest hugely in the private sector.

“The education sector is the bedrock to make our healthcare system function optimally,” he said.

In his remarks, Sam Ohuabunwa, President,

Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), said the media have a role to play, urging them to collaborate with healthcare professionals in the form of advocacy for better healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

Mr Ohuabunwa also called for the education of prospective healthcare practitioners on the need to stay and practice In Nigeria to fill the huge deficit in the nation’s health sector. (NAN)

R-L: Minister of Environment, Dr. Mohammed Mahmood Abubkar, with Director Climate Change/UNFCC focal person, Dr. Yerima Tarfa, during the COP25 International Conference in Madrid, Spain yesterday

Don harps on promotion of African literature From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

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Professor of Literature, Department of English and Drama, Kaduna State University, (KASU), Ahmad Kofa Babajo, has called on African writers to research and produce more literatures that will promote the culture and behaviors of Africans.

He stated this in his inaugural lecture held in Kaduna yesterday.

According to him, every culture has a literature, hence, it is a wrong insinuation to

think that African literatures are imported into the continent.

Speaking on the topic of his lecture: ‘Orature and Literature in Northern Nigeria in the Quest for Integration and Development’, Professor Babajo said Orature is the oral analogue of Literature, and it is erroneous to refer it to ‘folk literature’.

He explained that some ancient stories form traditions were not written down as literary work until 19th century, such as those collected in Germany by the Grimm brothers also came

into this category.

“Orature was itself coined from the term “oral literature”.

The ‘Ora’ has to do with the spoken and the ‘ture’ from the Latin word “literature” which means “that which is written”.

“Literature” is from the Latin word “littera” which means “a letter of the alphabet”.

“Orature is a living, flourishing literature which stores the wealth of Africa’s literary heritage and for generations have been handed down since antiquity.

“It is a very complete

literature with diverse genres, perfectly constituted, including epics, like those of Sundjata,” he said.

Prof. Babajo said northern literature is so great in humour and poetry displayed in African proverbs that they merit a place in literature.

“As for enigmas and riddles, Africans have raised them to the level of a literary genre; they are tantamount to metaphor on which great and small are exercised each day, during the night watches.”

www.cbn.gov.ng

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PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 11, 2019

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News

Int’l Human Rights Day: Jigawa to construct more Upper Sharia courts From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

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n an effort to ensure access to justice for women and children, the Jigawa State government said, it will look ‎into the possibilities of constructing more upper sharia courts in some parts of the state.

This was disclosed by the state Deputy Governor, Alhaji Umar Namadi while responding to questions on a paper presentation to mark the International Human Rights day held at Sir Ahmadu Bello Hall yesterday in Dutse, the state capital.

The effort of providing the additional courts in the state, followed the paper presentation

by Barrister Baffa Alhassan where he stressed the need for more Upper Sharia Courts to ensure more accessibility of justice to less privilege people particularly women and children in the state.

Barrister Baffa explained that, more than 80 percent of Jigawa cases is in Sharia court and the cases involving women whom majority of them are victims on lack of access to justice.

He maintained that, some of this women lack adequate fund for transport to attend cases in state capital and to request for lawyers services and this forced them to remain victims of such cases.

Barrister Baffa also charged the general public particularly the elites to treat house help women and nannies with fair by allowing them to have access to education.

While making his remarks, the Chairman Jigawa State Human Rights Network, Comrade Musbahu Basirka said, their network is busy creating awareness on human rights to teeming populace in the state as well as to expose the various channels of reporting human rights violations for appropriate action.

PAGE 11

Letter to the Editor

EDITORIAL

NOCSON alleges human rights abuse in Edo waste management

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

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he Network for Civil Society Organizations (NOCSON) has accused Edo State Waste Management Agency of human rights abuse, alleging extortion and misconduct in its operations.

Secretary General of the group, Mr Ogbidi Emmanuel said this while delivering a public lecture to mark the 2019 anti-Corruption and Human Rights Day Celebration on Tuesday in Benin City, Edo State capital.

According to Ogbidi, “The

reckless and unguided activities of the current Edo State Waste Management board has also become rampant in recent time, with cases of extortion, over blotted bills, high handedness and oppression with the instrumentality of the Nigeria Police Force.”

He also called on the state government to reorganise the Board for better service in with acceptable norms.

Speaking on the theme, “stand up for your rights, Marxist Kola Edokpayi, Speaker of the Talakawa Parliament who relied a plethora of

authorities since the United Nations resolution of 1948 was passed after the World war II, said, “no nation can make progress without respect for human rights”.

He alleged that Nigeria civil space for human rights has shrunk both in practice and principle under President Muhammadu Buhari watch.

Edokpayi said: “ It is so painful today that Nigeria is exhibiting the practice of despotism and totalitarianism by vandals in power.”

The Benin-based activist who

was earlier framed for alleged treason charges by Edo State government, said, “today, it is Omoyele Sowore, Owolabi Bakare and Agba Jalingo who were thrown into prison in defence of human rights.

“They charged me before for unlawful assembly, conspiracy and unlawful assembly. The question is, is this the country, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and late Anthony Enahoro fought for?

“We must fight for our rights” in defence of our democracy and the rule of law”, he stressed.

Cross section of participants during a Capacity building workshop for youths and Representatives of women cooperatives and summit on Entrepreneurship development in collaboration with Abuja chambers of commerce,organized

by AUDA- NEPAD, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Peacebuilding, promotion should be continuous – Perm Sec

By Ochiaka Ugwu

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eacebuilding and peace promotion should be a continuous process for us to achieve greater peace in our society, the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Gabriel T. Aduda has said.

Aduda who made this known in Abuja yesterday in a seminar on Building Capacity for Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution organized

by National Peace Academy (NPA),

a training wing of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) stated that capacity building for peace is important as it will help to promote peace and stability in the society.

His words, “It is important we engage in capacity building for peacebuilding and prevention as it will promote peace in our society.

We have missed peacebuilding processes because we always base on short term and microwave approach”.

Aduda said that Peacebuilding is a continuous process and as a

nation we need to move very fast to make sure that conflict does not escalate beyond reach.

“We need peace building in our communities, families, towns, village squares and schools.

Conflict has gone beyond what we know and we must adopt updated method to tackle it. We must be passionate about peacebuilding to see beyond every other person in solving our problems” he said.

Also speaking, Director General of the Institute, Prof. Bakut T. Bakut who was represented by a Senior Research Fellow at the

Institute, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu said the objective of the program was to meet Nigeria national capacity for peacebuilding and is important we build the capacities of these people to meet up with the new challenges.

Executive Director, Centre for Democracy and Development, Ms Idayat Hassan who was represented at the event noted that concerted efforts are required by all to achieve peace and development.

She said there must be evidence based peace capacity to will aid peace promotion.

Katsina hosts 4th Northern Nigeria agric. summit From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

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PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 11, 2019

atsina State yesterday hosted the 4th Northern Nigeria Agricultural Summit with deliberations focusing on making livestock viable for the socioeconomic development of region and country in general.

The summit, which is a three-day event, has Northern Nigeria Livestock, Transformation Agenda, as theme of the programme.

Speaking, Governor Aminu Masari said 80 percent of the state’s population was into livestock production, which has

made the sector a development priority for government.

Masari, however, said security was major challenge facing livestock production in the state, but that efforts were being made in collaboration with security agencies, to address the problem.

He also said that government’s intervention in the agricultural sector in the last four years had yielded fruit and that productivity had risen by as much as 40 percent within the same period.

He added that government plans to increase the productivity to 100 percent in the next four years, and that the effort

was part of the Restoration Agenda of the All Progressive Congress-led (APC) administration.

On his part, the state Commissioner for Agriculture , Mannir Yakubu said the state has a livestock population of about 21 million, including cattle, sheep, goats and poultry.

Mannir, who doubles as the Deputy Governor of the state, said the state highlighted some of the efforts made to improve the agricultural sector.

He said government had procured and distrubuted153,360 metric tonnes of assorted fertilizers to farmers at subsidised

rate of N5,000 per bag.

He said 29 weather stations had been established to support precision agriculture, and N150 million expended to support an irrigation project in Jibia council area.

He added that 150 tractors were procured and distributed for mechanization of agriculture, and 361 motorcycles bought for agriculture extension workers.

The commissioner expressed confidence that the summit would enable for inputs that would help improve the livestock development for the benefit of the state and country as a whole.

New Abuja bishop’s homely

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he Catholic Archdiocese of the Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis.

Abuja has a new bishop. With your pedigree as a priest and He is Rev. Ignatius Ayau administrator, I have no doubt Kaigama. He replaces John that you will make an impressive Cardinal Onaiyekan who retired in success of your new office.”

November, aged 75. Kaigama was Other personalities that formally installed in his new office felicitated with the cleric included Dec. 5 during an elaborate and well Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, attended ceremony at the Catholic as well as governors Kayode Cathedral of the Twelve Apostles, Fayemi of Ekiti, Solomon Lalong Abuja. He becomes Abuja’s third of Plateau and Darius Ishaku of archbishop since the creation of Taraba. the archdiocese 25 years ago.

They described him as a man of In his speech, the 61-year-old noble character and outstanding Kaigama assured, “I humility who played will continue to stress a tremendous role the need to protect the in ensuring peace lives and property of all and harmony in the Nigerians and to provide Osinbajo prayed country. jobs for our teeming Osinbajo prayed youth used by ethnic, that the Catholic that the Catholic religious and political community and community and bigots for violence, the nation at large the nation at large cultism and other antiexperience peace all social practices.” He experience peace through his tenure. all through his challenged political He also prayed God leaders to be faithful to tenure. He also give to give the their oath of office “to Prelate wisdom and serve rather than be prayed God give good health to enable served; to be closer to to give the Prelate him lead the church their people not only wisdom and good on the right path. during election times, Lalong noted that but to always feel their health to enable Kaigama, who until him lead the pain and agony rather his appointment was than being tucked away church on the right the Catholic Bishop in air-conditioned offices of Jos, laid the path or travelling in jets or foundation for peace helicopters to avoid in the state. “I will the deplorable roads that are left lose a spiritual guardian. He laid unmaintained for years or just the foundation of peace in Plateau simply poorly built.”

State and I pray God to give him He went on to urge leaders to the grace to lead the flock.” avoid the tendency to “surround Governor Ishaku of Taraba, themselves with weapon- where Kaigama was born 58 wielding security personnel or years ago, observed that the new trained security dogs” as doing archbishop was wearing two so makes them “inaccessible and shoes, including “the shoe of peace insensitive” to the struggles of the and that of unity”, and asked God common people who are at risk of to guide him to do the work he had being unjustly treated. been called to do.

President Muhammadu Buhari, Kaigama’s acceptability across while congratulating the new the religious divide places him Abuja archbishop, transferred in good stead to lead the Church from Jos, said he rejoiced with the of Christ. It also gives him an archbishop and wished him well in authoritative voice to speak truth his new spiritual assignment. In a to power in the manner he has letter he personally signed, Buhari always done since his ordination stated, “I rejoice with you on your as a priest. Leaders may find his appointment as the Archbishop of home lies a little prickly but would Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja by do well to take heed.

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

By Musa Ilallah

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

These raw materials are currently imported.

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

utilising the natural gas now being flared.

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

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

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

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

This case is still pending in court.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PAGE 12

Opinion

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 11, 2019

I

t is neither a bad idea for the Federal Government to take measures aimed at bolstering the total revenue accruable to its purse, nor was it ignoble or less productive for its Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to compete and struggle to outdo one another. However, all competitions for relevance by the MDAs must be done in accordance with the stipulated laws of the land. A case in hand is the Stamp Duty collection which, if not well-managed, may set two prominent agencies of the government on the warpath.

The cost of collection is the issue here!

Conservatively, government expects to generate about N2.5 billion daily from Stamp Duty collections, provided there is full compliance with the condition of disclosure and transparency. While the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) maintains that it is “the traditional custodian of the proceeds from stamps, thus, stamp duty”, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) is insisting that it is its duty to “superintend over the stamp duty fee collection as it has always done over other duties and taxes imposed by the Federal Government.”

Between February 2016 and November 9, 2019, NIPOST was reported to have collected N43.6 billion as stamp duties.

Little wonder the-then Yakubu Dogara-led House of Representatives at a time resolved to probe alleged non-remittance of monies collected in the name of Stamp Duty into the Federation Account by Deposit Money Banks. So, one is tempted to rationalize reasons for the conflicting dialogue between NIPOST and FIRS over the soul of this ‘mine of gold.’

For the sake of clarity, collection of Stamp Duty dates back to April 1, 1939, when the British Colonial Government introduced it into the country. Its payment is backed up by the “Stamp Duties Act 1939 (as amended by numerous Acts and various resolutions and contained in Vol. 22 CAP 411 L.F.N 1990).Last year, the Stamp Duties Amendment Bill 2018 was passed by the National Assembly. The Bill, in part, seeks to expand the scope of the extant Stamp Duties Act CAP S8 L.F.N 2004 (“SDA”) as well as “increase the respective fines that will be meted to persons that contravene provisions of the SDA.” Being that as it may, the enveloping ecology of poverty, corruption and maladministration happened to Nigeria; and NIPOST paid its dues like others. The Post was incapacitated at the duty front of Collection of Stamp Duties, and, from the blues, the hawks showed-up, fiercely contending on the tuff which is traditionally reserved for the NIPOST. There and then, what used to be ‘Post Office Money’ became an all-comers affair. Now, even Banks are deeply involved in it! Unfortunately, revenues generated from such collections are never remitted into the Federation Account, thereby depriving the government of huge sums of revenue. And these run into trillions of naira. But now that NIPOST seems to have woken up from slumber, there are desperate attempts to “divert”its “core duty of stamp duty collections, both physical and electronics, illegally from” the Post “to FIRS.”This is unacceptable!

In 2016, this contentious issue between NIPOST and FIRS was resolved in favour of the former and hopes were high that the Post would soon be classified as a revenue

generating agency. So, what has changed between then and now? What is delaying the Post’s induction into the elite club of the Federation Accounts and Allocation Committee (FAAC)? In the exact breath, why has the quest to government revenue suddenly turned into a ‘do-or-die’ of sort between sister government agencies?

Again, what is the role of the Ministry of Communications in all of this? For how long will it look the other way while a sister Ministry is being seen as legitimizing this illegitimacy with unrivalled artificiality and unmistakable lack of creativity? Well, though finding answers to these riddles may end up throwing up more questions, efforts must be made to interrogate some polarized positions of our national life.

Otherwise, we run the risk of mistaking the shadow for the substance!

Whatever may be its good intentions, development suffers when leadership becomes a dilemma and an imposed compromise. A time like this therefore demands that government at various levels get used to the fact that times and things are not what they seem! With the advent of the mobile telephony system, postage stamps business is no longer lucrative. With a staff strength of over-12,000 and, at least, 1,400 postal outlets across the country, isn’t it disappointing that a typical NIPOST officer is about the least paid, when placed sideby-side his or her contemporary elsewhere on Nigeria’s salary scale? And, that has been the sad story for long! Except the government is wishing one of its agencies dead; and an integral part of the governed thrown into the labour market, the incumbent administration of NIPOST must be commended, not only for its ingenuity,

but also for giving the workers satisfactory motivation and a hope of better days ahead.

NIPOST is a Federal Government-owned institution. As such, it must be empowered to carry out its statutory Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSRs).

Lastly, let FIRS be informed that, until the Acts of Parliament that established NIPOST are changed, nothing can alter the situation on ground. So, rather than dabble into areas that are currently outside its statutorily prescribed schedules of duties, FIRS should try and be more efficient in the delivery of services in its chore and functionally ascribed duties. It should also encourage deep and interesting collaborations with the other agencies of government towards improving on the revenue generation profile of the government, instead of interloping in the legitimate schedules of businesses of other government agencies.

Considering the current drift, it may be necessary for President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene. The presidency must recognize that both the Federal Ministry of Finance and its collaborators will be doing posterity the greatest good if they can desist, henceforth, from spreading conflicts, rather than settling them, thereby exacerbating inter-Ministerial tensions and fueling divisions among Nigerians. That’s how nations are run. That’s how Nigeria ought to be run!

May the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us peace in Nigeria! *KOMOLAFE writes in from IjebuJesa, Osun State, Nigeria (ijebujesa@ yahoo.co.uk)

Lawan: A Senate President in hurry for next level

By Abubakar Abdulrahman

H

is capacity to provide the much needed legislative impetus needed to take Nigeria to the next level was never in doubt. From the onset, most keen observers of Nigeria’s polity had envisaged a highly productive Senate under the leadership of Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan. Six months down the line, such predictions are been realized with landmark legislations and prevailing harmonious working relations between the Executive and Legislative Arms of government.

Since the return to democracy in 1999, the familiar approach to separation of power had been consistent face-off involving key officials in the Executive and Legislative arms of government.

It was obvious that such altercation didn’t augur well for democracy, as it impeded delivery of dividends to the people. Memories are still fresh of the consequences of rifts between the Obasanjo presidency and successive leaderships of the National Assembly.

A similar scenario played out during the first term of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Very little was achieved due to irreconcilable political differences that caused a gulf between former Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker Yakubu Dogara on one hand and the presidency on the other. Many bills that are now being reintroduced in the National Assembly were passed during

the 8th National Assembly but vetoed by Mr. President. The frosty situation was in spite of their being initially elected on the platform of the ruling APC. There was a total breakdown of reasonable collaboration between Buhari, Saraki and Dogara to the detriment of growth and development of our democracy.

To reverse such unwarranted bickering, the current President of Senate, resolved to strictly adhere to the positive side of the principle of separation of powers. The real import of the principle as understood by Lawan is not to pitch the arms of government one against the other, but to engender division of labour as well as checks in governance. The principle allows for each of the arms to play specific roles without any becoming unwieldy. The Legislature makes the laws, the Executive implements, while the Judiciary interprets. These roles are clearly spelt out in the Constitution, it was never prescribed that the arms of government should be at war.

In this regard, Lawan-as a man in haste for actualization of the Next Level agenda of President Buhari, believes that the primary responsibility of the legislature is to strengthen the hands of the executive with viable laws that will deliver the much needed Change to the people. For Lawan waging a war against the executive had been a failed approach by successive leaderships of the legislature, hence the need for fresh tactics. For him differences between the arms of government, when they occur

should and must be settled amicably through the laws and not in the public square.

Consequently, the two arms collaborate on proposed piece of legislations, which are scrutinized and collaboratively considered before they are tabled for progression and public scrutiny. Many of the laws that could not complete legislative due diligence in the last Senate have already been concluded with some signed by Mr. President.

This is a commendable development and a clear indication that the ‘Lawan formula’ is working. Lawan’s objective is delivery of dividends of democracy to the Nigerian people and not needless dispute with other arms of government.

The Senate president had before his election pledged to return the country to a more productive budget cycle that run from January to December. Such could only be possible through partnership with the Executive arm towards stabilizing the budgetary process. That promise has been kept, for the first time in many years the annual budget has been passed by the Senate before Christmas. The ball is now in the court of the executive, whose responsibility it is to ensure full implementation of the fiscal law. More instructive is the fact that the 2020 budget process was devoid of the usual drama that greeted past budget consideration. This year, the exercise was smooth with ministers and heads of agencies trooping to the National Assembly to face various

PAGE 13

Comment

Saving innocent lives: Witchcraft allegations and native medicine

NIPOST, FIRS, and Stamp Duty collection

By Abiodun Komolafe

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 11, 2019

standing committees.

Lawan has maintained stability within and outside the National Assembly. He has placed premium on productive checks and balances with the executive arm, which is intended for smooth running of government and not otherwise, as witnessed in the recent past. Lawan has clearly demonstrated how the executive/legislature can work in harmony, while each played its constitutional roles. ‘It is not about faceoff, it is about constructive engagements’ he always maintained.

The Senate president has also made constructive overviews on how improve critical sectors of the economy. He recently suggested ways for the Federal Government to improve the power sector, which is key to growing the economy.

To his primary constituency in Yobe North, Lawan has remained a pillar and dependable servant of his people. In recent times, the Senate president has sponsored various activities in health care, youth empowerment, education and infrastructure development. He recently sponsored free vaccination for cattle in his constituency. The 9th Senate under Lawan is clearly about delivery and not political confrontation. Kudos to Ahmad Lawan.

Abdulrahman, a public affairs analyst sent this piece from Kurmin Mashi, Kaduna.

By Leo Igwe

I

ntervening in cases of witchcraft allegations and witch hunting is a moral duty. It is a social obligation that should be fulfilled.

Victims of witchcraft allegations are usually defenceless, helpless vulnerable members of the population, children, elderly persons and people living with disabilities. Witch persecution takes various forms: torture, banishment and trial by ordeal. Witchcraft accusation is a form of death sentence. Witch hunters want to avenge the harm that the accused have supposedly done. If the accusers do not immediately kill the accused, they murder them at a later date. If they do not get the accused to quickly die, they make sure that they die slowly. Alleged witches have limited options.

On June 30, 2019, someone sent me this message via the Facebook drawing attention to the plight of an accused woman: “Hello Sir, my name is Ben. I need you assistance for an Auntie at my maternal side called Idumoza-Irrua in Esan Central LGA of Edo State, being accused of witchcraft and whose fate is hanging on the balance for life/ death decision tomorrow 1 July 2019. Kindly give your number to brief you and get support from you. Please help to save another innocent life”.I do not visit my Facebook messenger very often. I read the message on July 4. I contacted Ben, via the telephone number that he left on the message, and he confirmed the story. I have been discussing details of a new role as the campaigns director with a Non Governmental Organization, Witchcraft Human Rights Information Network. Due to limited funds, such interventions could not be done. So I was unable to travel to Edo state in July. I could not do much to respond to the urgent request. And my inability to do so haunted me.

Meanwhile, I never gave up exploring ways of intervening in this case. I continued to explore every opportunity to visit and support the woman. I wanted to use this accusation as a test case. I wanted to send a message of hope and solidarity to alleged witches and their families. I wanted to notify all witch hunters and their enablers that their days of operation are numbered. An opportunity came late in November. I was returning from the controversial ‘witchcraft’ conference in Nsukka and decided to stop over in Edo state to visit the accused. Meanwhile, in the past months I have tried to address issues related to my personal security.

Intervening in cases of witchcraft allegations

is associated with risks. A witch is perceived as the enemy of the society. And anyone who tries to save or support an alleged witch is equally seen as an enemy. People usually refrain from getting involved in witch hunting cases due to fear of being implicated and subsequently killed by the accusers. I was warned to stay away and not to make the trip to Idumoza.

But I wanted this culture of impunity to end and for alleged witches to receive the support that they desperately needed. Ben gave me the contact of another relative who would guide me to the village. I called him and he said that Idumozza was a rural community that could easily be accessed with a moto bike, or Okada as popularly known in Nigeria. Some of the friends that I told that I would be visiting this village to try and save the life of the accused woman asked me: What if this was a set up? What if they overpowered and killed you there? There were so many questions regarding my personal safety and security. I had to reasonable replies or explanations. Risks and concerns over my safety did not perturb me more than the dangers that I believed that this alleged witch faced. I have always known that such missions would be associated with risks. The only thing in my mind was to do all I could to see this woman and be sure that she was safe.

Ben gave me another contact of a lecturer at Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma. He said the lecturer hailed from a neighbouring community and could provide me some information on allegations of witchcraft and also some assistance. I called the lecturer and explained my mission. But he denied knowing anything about witchcraft accusations in the community. He is from a neighbouring village, Ozalla where some years ago over 20 suspected witches died after taking some concoctions. I rang up another university teacher in Abuja who used to lecture at AAU. I have known him for so many years. I asked him to link me up to someone who could accompany me to Irrua. He asked me the purpose of my mission. I told him that I was going there to intervene in a witch hunting case. He remarked: Hia! He said that he would get back to me. And he never did. After the attempts to get more people to support my mission failed, I decided to go it alone relying on the contact that Ben sent me. I bought a bottle of whiskey, which I planned to give to the head of the Idumoza community or the King (Onojie) of Irrua.

Planning a tripMy contact person, Austin, is in his 30s. He is an electrician. Calm and softspoken, Austin studied electrical engineering at

the polytechnic. He asked me to alight at Uromi, not Ekpoma as I had intended. He said Uromi was nearer to the woman’s village. I checked into a hotel and waited for him. He came to see me about 7 pm. We discussed and firmed up our trip to Idumoza the following day. Austin advised that we go there in the evening because people used to go to the farm in the morning. He did not have the telephone contact of anyone. He noted that it was in the evening that we would likely see the woman. I was actually happy that the woman was able to go to the farm, at least he could ‘freely move around’.

I had nothing to do in the morning of the day that we were to visit Idumoza. I decided to go to the nearby market to converse with people and to understand the local notion of witchcraft.

I went to a book shop and after purchasing an exercise book and a pen, I asked the sales boy what they call a witch in the area. He looked at me and smiled. He then looked in the direction of some elderly persons sitting beside the shop as if he was telling me: “Ask them”. I repeated the question looking at one man who was repairing a footwear. The man was also slow to answering my question. Another man in his company, who retired from the military said: It is Azen. I repeated it several times to make sure that I correctly got the pronunciation .

According to him, these are people who fly like birds at night; they beat and press people while they are sleeping. He recounted a personal experience where witches attacked him. He claimed that witches hit him on the arm at night and he had pains for a long time. The man later went to an Oboh (native doctor) who gave him something that he applied on that part of the body and also something that he tied and placed in his house. And since he did that, the man said, the witches had not come again. I inquired to know the Oboh that gave him the anti witchcraft medicine. He said the doctor was based in Uzea, a distant rural community. I told a motorcyclist to take me to Uzea but he said it was far from Uromi. I wanted to know how native doctors in the area detected and treated witchcraft. The motorcyclist said we should visit native doctors that were within Uromi town. I agreed and we took off.

We moved about 500 meters and left the tarred road, and started driving on a dusty footpath. I was wondering why the native doctors seldom live and operate in decent areas and estate. The motorcyclist suddenly stopped beside a haggard looking man who was coming in the opposite direction. The man spoke threateningly in the local esan language to the

motorcyclist as if they were quarreling. As if he was saying “I don’t want to see you in my place again!”. I kept quiet. The motorcyclist did not say anything. He quietly turned back. We drove a few meters and I asked him what was wrong. And he said: “That was the man we wanted to see”.

“We had some misunderstanding sometime ago, I thought he had forgotten but he’s still bearing grudges”. What was the misunderstanding about? I inquired. The motorcyclist hissed as if he was experiencing some emotional pain. I asked him to take me to a nearby restaurant. I offered him a bottle of beer and asked him to tell me what transpired between him and the Oboh. He said that it was a misunderstanding in connection with some medicine he asked the man to prepare when he was traveling to Europe. The native doctor asked him to pay 30,000 naira for the medicine that will enable him prosper in foreign lands. Unfortunately he could not afford the money. He travelled without the medicine, went up to Senegal and from there he was repatriated. He recounted the story sighing and hissing intermittently.

After narrating his experience, the motorcyclist asked if I was interested in visiting another native doctor, and I said: Yes. I told him that I wanted to find out how native doctors in Uromi detected and treated witchcraft.

He suggested that the best way was to tell the native doctor that I wanted to examine my life.

I agreed.

We eventually arrived at the home of a native doctor after traveling down another potholed, dusty road. It was a two-room apartment. In front of the house was a carved piece with some red and white cloth, some needles and sprinkled blood that had turned black due to the heat from the sun. As soon as we arrived I heard some noise at the backyard. The motorcyclist said that the Oboh was busy attending to someone. As we were waiting for somebody to come and direct us on what to do I peered into one of the rooms and it was filled with all sorts of things, white and red cloth, black and white stones, pieces of metals, bones and sticks etc. A young man in his late 30 came from the backyard and told us to follow him. We sat briefly under the shade where he welcomed us. I was later ushered into a room where the native doctor, another young man in his late thirties was sitting on the floor.

He asked me to pay 1000 naira for consultation.

I hesitated and waned to pay less but he refused.

And I paid. He gave me a black stone and asked me to speak to it, to say my name and my mission.

Leo Igwe is a Public Affairs Analyst.

The role of museum education on child’s knowledge

By Ikekwem Lilian A

T

eaching itself is according to Onwuka 1981 an attempt to help someone to acquire or change an attitude, knowledge, and skill.

Therefore, the Museum Educator simply put is a bridge or link between the Museum and the public. He is a professional responsible for transferring knowledge to the child through various educational enlightenment activities or programmes organized by Museum through the Education Department.

The Museum Educator plays important roles in the life of the child within the context of developing his skills in the changing society.

This is because the child occupies a unique position in the society and the future of every society rests on him.

The Museum Educator does this through the Museum’s Educational Unit activities by involving the child in the preservation of natural and cultural heritage that is the bedrock of development effort.

Some of these educational enlightenment programmes are: CHILDREN LONG HOLIDAY PROGRAMME: This programme is open for

Primary and Secondary School children which normally takes place in every Museum during their long term holidays.

The Museum Educator through this programme helps to: i. Inculcate the knowledge of cultural heritage to the child both the tangible and intangible heritage; ii. Keep the child busy all through the holiday by engaging him arts and crafts work; iii. Encourage the child to be useful to himself and the society by developing his latent ability.

Activities perform during this programme are: Tye and Dye, acquamono or greeting cards, basket weaving, bead making etc.

SATURDAY ART CLUB: Art Club is as old as Museum and it is being practiced in almost every Museum. This programme is meant for a child between the age of 3 to 18 years He is taught from infancy to develop his inert quality in art both traditional and modern art.

The Museum Educator, through this programme: i. Encourages the child in nursery, Primary and Secondary School to be creative; ii. Brings the child closer to the Museum

World knowledge; iii. Encourages the child to be initiative, resourceful and self reliance.

Activities perform during this programme are: Broom Production, Painting/Drawing, Hair Net Making, Thatch Making, Choral, Current Affairs Cultural Dance, Bead Making, quiz etc.

SCHOOL OUTREACH/VISIT: This is an important programme, programmed by the Museum Education Unit to reach out to the child in school. Through this, the Educator brings to the door step of the child the Museum World those activities around which the life of a Museum is built. It represents a conscious decision to make the young people (Child) special partner.

The Museum Educator organizes educational outing for schools. The first experience of an educational outing to the Museum will enable the child to gain a better understanding of the content and importance of Museum; whet the scientific Curiosity and develop the powers of observation and description even analysis of the child.

CHILDREN MAGAZINE: This is another programme if well co-ordinated by the Museum Educator, helps in developing the Child’s latent

ability especially in literally art examples in writing, drama stories folklores, tongue twisting, idioms and cartoons.

The Museum Educator after showing the child how to write, draw and paint gives the child the opportunity to express his/her ideas in writing which could be folklores, tongue twisting etc. that could be compiled alongside with other children magazine by the Museum Educator in the Museum.

FUN FAIR: The Museum Educator employs funfair which is a collection of both outdoor and indoor entertainment to create awareness and publicize Museum Education programme. This programme offers the child an opportunity for socialization and education. Examples of such fun fair are organizing Father Christmas shows during December period.

In a nutshell, each programme mentioned above is adapted to the level of the child’s maturity and capacity. The principal goal for all the programmes is to awaken the child’s critical capacity in indigenous affairs equipping him to appreciate the diversity nature and characteristic of Nigerian Culture and ethos.

Ikekwem Lilian A writes in from Abuja.

PAGE 14

News From Edwin Olofu, Kano

K

ano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has lambasted Elders Advocates For United Kano, that demanded for the revocation of the New Emirate Law that created four additional emirates.

Ganduje insisted that the creation of new emirates in the state

World Bank reaffirms support for Bauchi on health projects From Ahmad Bauchi

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 11, 2019

Creation of new emirates remain, Ganduje replies Kano elders which followed due process has come to stay, which is part of effort to reform obsolete laws guiding the existence of the traditional institution to tally with existing reality.

Our correspondent reports that Kano Elders under the auspices of Advocates For United Kano had called on Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje to repeal the Kano Emirate law that created four additional Emirates in the state.

Ganduje who spoke through his Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba said for a traditional institution to stand the test of time and move in pace with global world, it will have to be finetuned and restructured in such a way

that it can help in accelerating the development and socio-economic reality of the people.

He added that following the signing into law bill for the establishment of the new Emirates of Bichi, Rano Gaya and Karaye, a bunch of partisan and self-appointed elitist group, Advocate for United Kano, claiming to be speaking on behalf of the people of Kano sprang up, spreading fib on government’s decision to create additional Emirates in the state.

He said whereas the people of Kano overwhelmingly welcome the development, the group, which membership is more of an opposition, is trying to, at all cost, depict that old heritage is being

destroyed but could not say exactly how.

“From what we have understood, it is a group of people with inclination to the opposition party in the state.

They do not represent anyone but themselves and just trying desperately to become relevant in the scheme of things,‘’ he said Malam Garba further explains that the establishment of additional Emirates in the state is aimed at bringing more development to the people of the new Emirates and also the need to bring traditional institutions closer to the people in addition to facilitating speedy socioeconomic development and security in the state.

He said that to demonstrate

Mohammed,

L-R: Representative of Chairman, Lagos State Task Force, Mr Erikitila Segun; National Coordinator All Electricity Consumers Protection Forum, Mr Adeola SamuelIlori; Chairman, Committee of the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Mr Alex Omotehinse and Representative of the Head of Human Rights Resources Centre, Nigerian Police Ikeja, Mr Adeyinka Bilawu during the 2019 Annual World Human Rights Day, yesterday in Lagos. Photo; NAN

T

he World Bank has renewed its support for Bauchi State Government on effective implementation of health projects in the state.

The team leader for the Joint World Bank Support Mission from Federal Ministry of Health on the implementation of the Nigeria State Health Investment Project, Fatima Mustapha disclosed this when she led members of the team on an advocacy visit to Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed.

Fatima Mustapha said the move followed the successes recorded in the ongoing implementation of the Nigeria State Health Investment Project in the state.

She expressed satisfaction that the implementation of the project has improved healthcare delivery in addition to other achievements recorded in the health sector.

The team leader who said the project is to be ended in June 2020, noted that the World Bank has invested huge amount of money in the health sector in order to overcome some of the challenges facing the sector in Nigeria.

Responding, Governor Bala Mohammed expressed gratitude to the World Bank for coming up with initiative, and requested for the extension of the project.

He said to compliment the efforts World Bank at ensuring effective healthcare delivery, in next year, the state government will embark renovate 50 percent of Primary Healthcare Centers across the state.

Governor Bala Mohammed while describing their visit as a morale booster, said the prompt payment of the outstanding counterpart funding was in appreciation for the services rendered to the state by the global bodies.

Earlier, the State Commissioner for Health, Auwal Jatau informed the Governor that the team was in the state as part of the routine assessment on NSHIP project in the selected local government areas of the state.

his sincerity, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje appointed Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II as the new Chairman of the Kano State Council of Chiefs.

Malam Garba said there are some policies and programmes on health, security and the recently introduced Free and Compulsory Education at Basic and Secondary level that will require active participation of the community especially the traditional institution which has now been decentralized for effective implementation and coordination.

He urged the people in the state to remain calm, law abiding and resist any temptation by some group of people to plunge the state to undue tension.

Niger gov. presents N148.2bn 20202 budget to assembly From Yakubu Minna

Mustapha,

T

he Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has presented a budget appropriation of N148,211,929,549.82 to the state House of Assembly for scrutiny and consideration for the 2020 fiscal year.

He allocated the highest allocation of N9.2 billion to education.

This indicated a decreased of 13 percent of 2019 budget of N194, 698,816,253.00 of the

outgoing year.

Presenting the budget before the state house of assembly in Minna on Tuesday, Governor said that the decrease is an “indication our readiness to adjust our responsibility to the current economic realities in the management of the state resources”..

The budget proposal consists of Recurrent Expenditure of N69,968,379,598.50, representing 47.2 percent and Capital Expenditure of N78,243,549,951.32, representing 52.79 percent of the

budget.

The governor pointed out that the budget will be finance through statutory Allocation from Federation Account., Value Added Tax, Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), and Capital Receipts.

Consequently, he said the proposed Budget is anchored on a statutory allocation of N66,790,517,202.00 representing 45.06 percent of total Revenue, and Value Added Tax of N14,377,012,200.00, representing 9.70 percent of the total revenue.

in addition, the Internally Generated Revenue is expected to contribute N11,270,321,631.00, representing 7.60 percent of the total revenue, while N46,065,534,731.82 which is 31.08 percent of the total revenue is expected from capital receipt.

The governor however said that the above estimates were arrived at based on certain economic parameters, “which include the Statutory Allocation based on the Bench-mark price of crude oil of $56.00 per barrel and production bench mark of 2.10 million barrels per day”,

Court remands labourer for alleged murder in Kaduna

A

Kaduna Magistrates’ Court, on Tuesday, ordered the remand of a 30-year-old labourer, Inuwa Yunusa, for alleged murder.

The Magistrate, Umar Ibrahim, who did not take the plea of the defendant, ordered that he be remanded pending legal advice from the Kaduna State Director of Public Prosecutions.

Ibrahim adjourned the case until January 14, 2020, for further mention.

Yunusa, who resides in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, is standing trial for criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide.

The Prosecutor, Inspector Chidi Leo, told the court that the case was transferred from Kauru Divisional Headquarters of the

state, to the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, on November 12.

Leo said on the same date, at about 2:00 p.m., the defendant and two others now at large, had a misunderstanding with one Adamu Dogo, which led to a physical brawl.

The prosecutor stated that during the fight the defendant

and his friends used a log of wood and hit Dogo on his head and he slumped.

Leo added that when the victim slumped, the defendant and his friends took to their heels before he was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened sections 59 and 190 of Kaduna State Penal Code, 2017.

PAGE 15

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 11, 2019

Senate probes N20trn unremitted stamp duties

By Musa Adamu

T

he Senate has mandated its Committee on Finance to investigate the nonremittance of over N20 trillion into the Federation Account by Central Bank of Nigeria, an amount collected as stamp duties from Banks and Financial Institutions in the country.

The decision to probe the nonremittance of stamp duties was reached sequel to the consideration of a motion on “The need to improve Internally Generated Revenue of the Federal Government of Nigeria through non-oil revenue”.

Sponsor of the motion, Senator Ayo Akinyelure (PDP, Ondo Central), said that the Central Bank had in January 2016, issued a circular directing all banks and financial institutions to charge stamp duty of N50 on lodgments into current accounts against revenue projections by the Federal Government of N2.5 trillion annually.

He noted that after the issuance of the said circular by the CBN, all deposit money banks and financial institutions effected N50 per eligible transaction in accordance with the provisions of the Stamp Duty Act 2004 and Federal government Financial Regulations 2009.

According to him, despite efforts by the Federal Government to recover over N20 trillion from Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement Systems (NIBBS) to the Federation Account, “the Central Bank of Nigeria and NIBBS have technically refused to comply with the Presidential directives for the recovery of over N20 trillion revenue into the coffers of government.”

Akinyelure added, “The CBN and NIBSS deliberately failed to cooperate and comply with the directives of Mr. President for the realization of over N20 trillion revenue due from stamp duties collected for 2013 to 2016 and subsequently over N5 trillion minimum revenue due to be collected annually to the Federation account to be shared among States of the Federation for infrastructural and economic development.”

The lawmaker lamented that since the implementation of the collection of stamp duties, “accountability by banks has not been transparent and no report

by CBN or its subsidiary (NIBSS) to the Nigerian public to know the actual revenue generated, collected and transferred to the Federation Account.”

Akinyelure recalled that the House of Representatives and National Economic Council had in May 2019, waded into the matter and recommended all agencies to support the Federal Government recovery mandate on the over N20 trillion stamp duty.

He stated that the Special

Presidential Investigation Panel on Recovery of Public Property (SPIP) and Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) have adopted the combined resolutions of the House of Representatives and National Economic Council.

The lawmaker lamented that before the Joint Task Force could swing into action to recover the unremitted amount, the CBN in August 2019 released a report that its borrowings to banks will hit N23 trillion by the end of this year.

“The Senate must consider whether the target N20 trillion fund is being recycled into private banks (with impunity) when Federal Government had directed its recovery.

“Section 111 of the 1999

Constitution (as amended) has empowered all 36 State AttorneyGenerals and Commissioners for Justice to shut-down any banking operation nationwide for ‘summary recovery’ of stamp duty revenue accruing to them by a further provision of Sections 163 of the same Constitution, and we should not fail in our collective role as Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to stem the looming crisis for our various constituencies and the nation in general,” Akinyelure said.

In his concluding remarks, the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, said, “I engaged the Ministry of Finance and CBN for an interaction, and I discovered that what we have been expecting to be available as stamp duty is not so.

“I was under the impression that we had over N20 trillion somewhere. It will interest you to know that we don’t even have N1 trillion.

“What has happened is because those that are supposed to collect the stamp duties were taking advantage of the non-electronic transaction.

“With the passage of the finance bill, this is an opportunity we have to start getting what ordinarily should go to the government.

“The banks and many private organizations have taken advantage of the way the stamp duties have been.

“I want to believe that from January 2020, when the Finance Bill will start being effective, the stamp duty collection will be

significantly improved.

“It is for our Finance Committee to monitor closely what the collection should be.

“We have also come up with another idea of engaging all the revenue generating agencies on a quarterly basis.

“We have got already a list of all of them from the Federal Ministry of Finance. We will put them into maybe four groups, and the first meeting for evaluation of their collection will be sometime in March.

“We would like to know in the first quarter how much they have collected, and if they have not met targets; if they have met targets, how do we do better than that? The idea is not to slow agencies to do whatever they want.”

Governor of Niger state Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello laying the 2020 Budget proposal before the House, at the Usman Jikantoro Assembly Complex, yesterday in Minna.

Senate to immortalise late Bukar Mustapha with Daura poly

By Musa Adamu

T

he Senate on Tuesday passed for second reading a bill which seeks to rename the Federal Polytechnic in Daura, Katsina State, to immortalise late Senator Mustapha Bukar.

Late Bukar represented Katsina North in the 8th Senate and sponsored the bill that established the Federal Polytechnic Daura.

Bukar’s successor in the Senate, Senator Ahmed Babba Kaita, is the sponsor of a “Bill for an Act to amend the Federal Polytechnic Daura, Katsina State, to make provision for a change of name of the Federal Polytechnic Daura, Katsina State, to Mustapha Bukar Polytechnic Daura, Katsina State and for related matters 2019.”

Senators took their turn to

eulogize their late colleague and recalled memorable moments they had together in the upper legislative chamber during his life time.

All the speakers were in one accord that immortalising Bukar would be an encouragement to public office holders to strive to leave a legacy.

Leading the debate on the bill, Kaita said it was principally motivated by the need to immortalise his predecessor for his contribution to the Nigerian Public Service and in particular his indelible legacies in the education sector.

He recalled, “During his lifetime, he was not only an engineer cum public servant of repute but was also an educationist who was passionate about quality

education and improving access to education for the less privilege.

“Upon his election into the Senate, late Mustapha Bukar further demonstrated his commitment to education by sponsoring a bill to establish Federal Polytechnic Daura which was passed by the 8th Senate and graciously assented to by the President.

“As successor to the late Mustapha Bukar, I did my best and with the cooperation of the Senate to ensure that the Federal Polytechnic Daura as envisioned and conceived by the late Senator becomes a reality.”

In his remarks after the bill was read the second time, President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan said, “All of us who interacted with late Bukar know how deep he was,

how committed and dedicated he was to a good cause and to this institution of the Senate.

“One thing to take away here is the renaming of Federal Polytechnic, Daura to Mustapha Bukar Polytechnic, Daura and like all our colleagues have said, this is a good example of what a good thing can bring.”

While thanking Kaita for sponsoring the bill, the Senate President said “It is a very good example of the kind of attitude politicians should have.

“We are normally seen as bad people because people hardly understand us even though they trust us as we are always elected.

This time around we will go further in giving a positive impression that we should give Nigerians and people we represent.”

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 11, 2019

PAGE 16

POLITICS

Petroleum Tankers Safety Bill passes 2nd reading in Senate

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

A

bill seeking to reduce frequent accidents by petroleum trucks on Nigerian roads on Tuesday scaled through the second reading in the Senate.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Ifeanyi Ubah (YPP, Anambra South), seeks to make consequential provisions towards safe transportation of petroleum products across the country.

In his lead debate, Ubah said the bill became necessary

to provide a legal framework peculiar to that segment of the transport sector, and to further strengthen existing collaborations between government agencies on transportation of petroleum products by roads.

He said the bill was inspired by the urgent need to promote safety in the transportation of petroleum products using trucks, and eliminate practices inimical to freight traffic and petroleum haulage in Nigeria.

“It also seeks to promote the welfare of tanker drivers by

ensuring investments in Truck Transit Parks (TTPs) and related transport infrastructure,” he said.

The lawmaker recalled the high incidences of crashes by petroleum tankers over the years that often resulted into loss of lives and properties.

“According to a study by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), between 2007 and 2010 alone a total of 4,017 tanker/ trailer crashes were recorded on Nigerian roads with the yearly average of 1,148 cases and

monthly average of 96 crashes,” Ubah said.

The bill, he said, introduced a novel provision which is the recognition of TTPs in selected locations across the country.

It also proposed the establishment of Freight Traffic Liabilities Claim Tribunal to handle civil claims arising from petroleum tanker crashes to ensure speedy dispensation of justice to the victims.

Senators who spoke on the bill were unanimous on the urgent need for legal framework

to curb the menace.

Senator Chukwuka Utazi (PDP, Enugu North) said the bill provided for a short term solution to the problem and called for resuscitation of oil depots across the country to allow for the delivery of petroleum products through pipelines as a long term solution.

Utazi equally called for the rehabilitation of the nation’s railway network as another safer alternative of transporting petroleum products across the country.

Omo-Agege mourns late Aide

By Musa Adamu

T

he Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege has expressed shock over the demise of one his legislative aides, Mudiaga Asagba.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga, Senator Omo-Agege described the aide’s death as “a very sad loss”.

According to him, the former broadcaster was a dedicated staff who gave his all in the discharge of his duties during his brief time as a legislative aide.

Until his demise, Mudiaga Asagba, an ace broadcaster whose professional experience traversed both radio and television, was a Special Assistant on Media to the Deputy President of the Senate.

While praying for the repose of the soul of Asagba,

Omo-Agege prayed God to grant his family and loved ones the fortitude to bear such irreparable loss.

“I receive the news of the sudden death of Mr. Mudiaga Asagba with a heavy heart; he was not only passionate about the job but also gave his all.

“He will be greatly missed.

My thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this trying time,” Omo-Agege said.

Mudiaga Asagba passed on in Abuja in the early hours of Monday at the age of 52.

Asagba was a former broadcaster with the Delta Rainbow Television (DRTV) in Warri, before he voluntarily resigned and joined the services of Quest FM and Television Station in Otor-Ogor, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.

He also worked with WE FM and Classic FM stations in Abuja.

Senate putoff motion to pass vote of confidence on NASS leadership

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

S

enate yesterday withdraw a motion seeking to pass vote of confidence on the senate President, Ahmad Lawan, amidst speculations that some senators were worried over how their names got into the list of senators who are in support of the motion.

The motion titled “Vote of confidence on the leadership of the National Assembly”, which was sponsored by the immediate past Governor of Borno state, Kashim Shettima, has a list of other thirty five senators as supporters.

However, during the plenary yesterday, when the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Sabi Abdullahi, called up the motion for debate, it

was quickly dropped by the senate, even though no reason was given by the senate for the abrupt withdrawal.

The motion seeks prayers to pass vote of confidence in the leadership of the 9th National Assembly and particularly commend the President of the senate and urge all senators to endeavor to sustain the present goodwill of the senate under the leadership of senator Ahmad Lawan.

It also seeks to call on Nigerians, the federal government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) to support the 9th National Assembly in its determination to pass legislations that will impact meaningfully on Nigerians and take it to the next level.

Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State (first right) watches as newly appointed commissioners take their oaths of office in a ceremony at the recently in Damaturu

Defray existing liabilities with 2019 budget proposals - Reps ask NDDC

By Christiana Ekpa

T

he House of Representatives yesterday asked the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to defray its existing liabilities through the implementation of its 2019 budget.

The house disclosed this when the NDDC Interim management led by thousee Acting Managing Director presented the Commission’s 2019 budget before the House Committee on NDDC on Tuesday.

It could be recalled that, the House had resolved that, it will only consider its 2019 budget for implementation and later act on its 2020 budget proposal.

Speaking, Chairman of the Committee, Olubunmi Tuni-Ojo (APC, Ondo) lamented that, the Committee has failed to implement its 2019 budget due to widespread infractions and untoward practices by its former management.

He said that, although it was no fault of the new management, but the House is concerned with the rot in the Commission which has deprived the people of Niger Delta of the needed development.

He said that, as part of the measures to implement the recommendations made by the committee on the NDDC 2019 budget, the Commission must present the list of all contractors being owed.

Tunji-Ojo however disclosed that, payment to claims would only be made after a through verification and approval of the committee.

The chairman of the committee also said that, the NDDC must also recover the over N1 trillion it is being owed by various entities to help it offset the liabilities.

He informed the management that, the committee will present the findings of the public hearing to the House.

He added that, when approved by the House, all ongoing projects in the NNDC 2019 budget will be rolled over to the Commission’s 2020 budget which will be considered after the approval of its 2019 budget.

The Committee chairman lamented that, due to the mess in the NDDC, the commission was 14 months behind schedule in its 2019 budget implementation which he said was a huge drawback.

In her presentation to the committee,the Acting NDDC Managing Director, Mrs Osato Iyasere Arenyeka disclosed that, N346,513,046,220 was proposed by the NDDC as 2019 budget based on assumption of improved revenue inflow.

She however disclosed that, as at December 2018, the aggregate revenue inflow was N291.47 billion.

“The Overhead expenditure (Personnel, Recurrent and Internal Capital) elapses December 31st similarly, (N35.07bn) N35,079,320,850 representing 99.8% was spent. The Capital expenditure (Development Project) elapsed July 31st 2019 while (N255.09bn) N255,096,800,000 representing 82% was spent during the review year.

The Commission recorded 83% on its performance for 2018”.

Shedding more light on the findings about infractions in the NDDC, the Acting MD informed that, the new management has uncovered bogus claims on projects by various contractors.

Mrs Ayenreka noted that, many fake IOCs were discovered by the Commission in the course of its investigations adding that many contracts were duplicated through state governments, NDDC, FERMA and other agencies.

She said that many contractors have also been issued certificates for projects not executed saying that, the Commission will fish out persons that authorised or issued the certificates.

She said that, the NDDC has resolved to suspend all emergency contracts awarded by the NDDC as most of them did not follow the laid down procedures and due process.

She added that, reforms to involve the people of the region to take ownership of the projects and ensure their proper execution is underway as people are being encouraged to go back home to invest and be involved in the development of the region.

According to her, the move was to aligned with President Muhammadu Buhari’s reforms to ensure transparency in the activities of the NDDC to serve the people of the Niger Delta region.

Speaking after the budget presentation by the Acting NDDC MD, Chairman of the committee advised the Commission to lower its revenue projection in its proppsed 2020 budget to make it realistic.

PAGE 17

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 11, 2019

POLITICS

Bill to fight hunger passes second reading in Senate

By Musa Adamu

T

he Senate on Tuesday commenced legislative action to address the country’s food security problems when it considered a Bill to that effect.

The bill, which was sponsored

by Senator Theordore Orji (PDP, Abia Central), is for an Act to make Provision For Freedom From Hunger and the Right to Adequate Food of Acceptable Quality.

Senator Orji, in his lead debate on the bill which scaled Second Reading on the floor, said the piece of legislation before the National Assembly seeks to create basic right to food of acceptable quality and the right of every child to basic nutrition.

The lawmaker pointed out that the passage of the Bill by the legislature and its eventual assent by the President will address issues of hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition.

“It is important to point out that Food Security means far more than having sufficient food to meet human needs on a national basis.

“Other very important factors include access to safe drinking water, primary health care and environmental hygiene,” Orji added.

According to the lawmaker, developing countries have been enacting laws aimed at food security after the World Food Crisis in 2008.

Citing Mauritius as an example, Senator Orji said that the country enacted a Food Security Fund to enhance local production of food by tackling all the problems militating against it.

He added that the bill, among other things, seeks “to provide a framework that promotes the elimination and prevention of discrimination of marginalized groups in the access and distribution of food.”

The bill also seeks to establish an Agency as well as stipulates provisions for Chairmanship, membership of the board, tenure of office, amongst others.

It also proposes the establishment of a Food Security Committee in each State of the Federation, whose functions shall include: implementing food security policy and programmes, participating in collection, preparation and dissemination of data on food security and nutrition in the State.

The Committee shall also be charged with identifying food insecure areas, appropriating programmes and eligible beneficiaries in relation to food security.

Clause 35, Part VII of the Bill establishes a “Food Insecurity and Information Mapping System”, making it mandatory

for the Agency to work in collaboration with Ministries of Finance, Disaster Management, Planning and National Security to provide the information needed to develop and strengthen the capacity to respond to food emergencies.

The bill also gives the President the power to declare a

food emergency if in his opinion there is a major shortfall in the domestic production or availability of a designated Agricultural commodity.

In a related development, the Senate also on Tuesday considered the Rice Development Council Bill, 2019.

Sponsor of the bill, Senator

Enagi Bima, in his lead debate, said the proposed legislation seeks to establish a Council that will revolutionize the entire value chain on rice.

According to the lawmaker, the establishment of a National Rice Development Council will transform the activities of rice farmers, rice processors, millers,

researchers, marketers and other important stakeholders across the entire rice value chain in the country.

The two bills after consideration were referred by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, to the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development for further legislative work.

L-R: Director, Planning and Research, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Jide Ode-Martins, Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Youth and Sports, Dele Oyadeyi; representative of Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Adesola Olusade; and Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Seun Fakore, during a capacity building workshop for Nigerian Youth by the Ministry, yesterday in Ibadan . Photo: NAN

LG poll: Don’t give allocation to Adamawa chairmen, APC candidates beg FG From Umar Dankano, Yola

A

ll the 21 Local government chairmanship and 209 Councillorship candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa state have urged the Federal government not to disburse any allocation to the newly elected officials at the councils.

The aggrieved candidates disclosed their position at a press conference in Yola Tuesday, accusing the Adamawa state Independent Electoral Commission (ADSIEC) and the People Democratic Party (PDP) in the state of connivance to rig the purported last Saturday’s councils poll.

Spokesman of the group, Honourable Umar Hammanjoda demanded total cancellation of the acclaimed election, alleging that neither men nor materials were sent to the 2,609 polling units in the state last Saturday.

“We call for an outright cancellation of the council elections conducted on December 7, 2019.

“Should this demand be disregarded, we call on the government of the federation not to disburse funds to these non-elective and therefore nondemocratic councils having due regards to section 7(I) of the 1999 constitution as amended which clearly states that “system of local government by democratically elected local government councils

is under this constitution guaranteed.

“In view of the foregoing, the purported declaration by Adamawa State Independent Electoral Commission and issuance of certificates of return to 21 chairmanship candidates of the People’s Democratic Party and councillors as having won council election is gross injustice, violation of electoral law and illegality and therefore unacceptable to us, our party and its teeming supporters in all the 21 local government areas of the state”, they lamented.

Hammanjoda who was the Jada local government chairmanship candidate added that the party has invested seriously in the election only for the electoral umpire to sabotage the process criminally in favour of the ruling party(PDP) in the state.

“The Adamawa State Independent Electoral Commission (ADSIEC), released a time table for the conduct of councils election on December 7, 2019 in Adamawa State.

“We complied by expressing interest to contest for chairmanship and councillorship seats on the platform of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). All of us went through the process of our party’s nomination by purchasing express of interest and nomination forms. We were screened and cleared, participated in party primaries and emerged as our party’s candidates for the council

elections.

“Thereafter we fulfilled all the requirements of ADSIEC notably; 1. Purchase of nomination forms at the rate of N250,000 for the chairmanship and N50,000 for the councillorship candidate.

“Paid the mandatory exorbitant fees for tax clearance certificate, N250,000 for the chairmanship and N50,000 for the councillorship candidate irrespective of whether you had earlier obtained such a tax clearance certificate under normal circumstances.

“We were all screened and cleared for the council elections

by ADSIEC. Surprisingly, when electoral materials were released on December 6, 2019 to the 21 local governments area, only 60 percent of the requirement of ballot papers were given and not a single result sheet was issued,” he said.

The chairmanship candidate added that the returning officers of the party waited in all the 21 ADSIEC local government offices from 6:00am to 6:00pm on December 7, 2019 the scheduled election date adding that no results sheets were supplied.

“ADSIEC presiding officers and returning officers failed to turn-up for the elections at the 2,609 polling units of the state.

“The ADSIEC, by its acts of commission deliberately scuffled the councils election it set out to conduct thereby mismanaging huge tax payers money entrusted

to it to conduct the elections.

“The ADSIEC charges unprecedented high fees for its nomination forms, imposed illegal charges for tax clearance certificates with the tacit support of the state “Board of Internal Revenue just to defraud all candidates that indicated their intention to contest council elections.

“Let it be known that no council elections took place in all the 2,609 polling units of Adamawa State. The Adamawa State Independent Electoral Commission denied the good people of this state the right to exercise their civic responsibility to vote for the candidates of their choice to democratically manage the affairs of their local government councils”, he reiterated.

However, the Chairman of the ADSIEC, Alhaji Isah Shettima has earlier denied any rigging insisting that his commission has conducted a free,fair and credible elections.

Also, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, as well as his party (PDP) have vehemently denied rigging the local government polls saying that it was the best in the history of the state.

The governor during the swearing in of the local government chairmen on Monday said despite the little hitches in the conduct of the election, it was the best election so far conducted by the state electoral umpire.

Health PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 11, 2019

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

When Minister, stakeholders jaw jaw on better primary healthcare in Nigeria I n their determination to get the country’s health sector back on track, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire and stakeholders in the health sector met to rub minds on on how to improve the primary healthcare in the country.

At the meeting on recently in Abuja, to commemorate the World Pneumonia Day and World Prematurity Day organized by Save the Children, the stakeholders expressed concerns over the lackadaisical attitudes of government towards improving the primary healthcare centers across the country.

They charged the government to revamp health centers across the country to cater for the needs of people at the grassroots.

Assuring the stakeholders on a renewed effort of government, the minister said the ministry was working to establishing primary healthcare centres in every political ward to increase access to health services in the country.

He said World Pneumonia Day was set up by the Global Coalition against Child Pneumonia as far back as 2009, to raise awareness on the underrated childhood killer disease and advocate for affordable solutions that will save millions of young lives from Pneumonia.

According to him, pneumonia takes the life of one child every 20 seconds somewhere in the world; an even more potent killer than mortality from HIV/ AIDS, malaria and measles all combined. `` While most deaths from Pneumonia occur in developing countries, up to three-quarters of the global mortalities is thought to occur in Nigeria and fourteen other countries. `` Indeed, WHO estimates Nigeria witnesses about 143,000 under-five deaths annually, due to this disease which translates to 392 under-five deaths per day. ``Most of these deaths occur in Nigeria due to ignorance or lack of access to healthcare facility ;that is why we decided to establish primary health care centres in all political wards so people won’t have to go up to five kilometer to access a hospital. ``If this strategy is worked out and if stakeholders too can help us build primary healthcare centres it will benefit everyone and bring services to people since that is the challenge .’’

Ehanire said that the ministry was also working on introducing community health advisers who would be recruited from communities and assigned to households to care for them.

He said these advisers would always visit homes to ensure people were healthy and make referrals in case of emergencies thereby curbing deaths .

Page 19

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 11, 2019

By Etuka Sunday

T

he electricity distribution companies (DisCos) have raised revenue collection by N43 billion in the last one year, while reducing their Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) losses to 45 percent.

A statement by the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) on Tuesday said from October 2018 to June 2019, the 10 DisCos raised their energy revenue collection to N466bn.

They also raised their collection efficiency (capacity to collect money for energy supplied to customers) by 67 percent.

This was higher than the

DisCos up revenue collection by N43bn, reduce losses to 45% N423bn they collected from their customers between October 2017 and September 2018 when the collection efficiency was 65 percent.

ANED’s Director of Research and Advocacy, Barrister Sunday Oduntan stated that, “This is a reflection of DisCos’ commitment to reduce losses, even within the context of the financial crisis of the power sector.”

Barr. Oduntan noted that the

DisCos, while increasing their collections by N43bn in a year, by a rate that represents over 10 percent of improvement, also raised billing efficiency by 5 percent during the period under review.

An analysis of the Key Performance Indicators (KPI) Report the DisCos submitted to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) shows that the DisCos reduced their Aggregate

Technical, Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) losses by 3.6 percent within one year - ATC&C was 49 percent in 2018 and has been reduced to 45 percent in 2019. The reduction is even more significant, relative to a starting point of 54 percent, at handover, and within the context of liquidity challenges and lack of access to capital for investment.

On the energy delivered to

CBN targets 38% GDP growth by Q4, 2019

By Etuka Sunday Onyeakusi, Yola

$

Chief Timipre Sylva (M), Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and the President of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO); SecretaryGeneral of APPO, Mahaman Gaya (R) and other executive board members and experts of APPO Member Countries, at the opening of the Extraordinary Meeting of the Executive Board of APPO, yesterday , in Abuja .

Photo: NAN

Ngozi

T Stakeholders recently during the World Pneumonia Day and World Prematurity Day organized by Save the Children in Abuja.

He said that their services included ante-natal among others adding that the ministry was also looking at working on efficient transport system and mapping out ambulance services in the country to help convey sick people to the hospital .

The minister said that mapping of ambulance was ongoing adding that the private sector would also be drawn into this to assist and then be refunded later .

He said that all accredited and assigned ambulances would be paid ``with this strategy,number of deaths would be reduced as most people dies due to delayed access to healthcare .’’

He said that as deadly as the conditions could be, pneumonia and prematurity could be defeated if consistent and integrated approaches were adopted to prevent, protect and care for the children.

He said that the Nigeria Integrated Pneumonia Control Strategy and Implementation Plan, brought together all critical services and interventions to create healthy environments, promote best practices proven to protect children from pneumonia.

He said that the ministry remained committed to scaling up high impact

interventions and advocacy, like routine immunization, perinatal care, exclusive breast feeding, Kangaroo Mother care, human resource and capacity development, to curtail major childhood killer diseases.

While expressing worry about the healthcare system in the country, Save the Children’s Chief of Party, Dr. Isa Adamu, specifically said health care financing is necessary in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

“Pneumonia has direct relationship with immunization and the environment.

Government at all levels must find way of reaching out to address these challenges. We should work towards ensuring that our small communities hospitals are providing health services to the people in the rural areas. We should ensure that people have the best care they need at all times.”

While speaking on nutrition, the Chief of Party called on government to implement policies that are aimed at sensitizing the people and giving them the right information about nutrition.

“Women must be sensitized on the kind of food to eat when pregnant and how they can feed their children. We

“

Pneumonia has direct relationship with immunization and the environment. Government at all levels must find way of reaching out to address these challenges. We should work towards ensuring that our small communities hospitals are providing health services to the people in the rural areas.

must sensitize them on exclusive breast feeding and the kinds of food that is necessary for them.

Also speaking, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Chief of Health and HIV, Dr. Sanjana Bhardwaj, said Nigeria contribute to the highest number of global pneumonia child deaths.

She addd that Nigerian children made up the highest number of those who died, with an estimated 162,000 deaths in 2018 – 443 deaths per day, or 18 every hour.

“In Nigeria, 19% of child deaths were due to pneumonia in 2018, and it was the biggest killer of children under-five in 2017.”

Bhardwaj said pneumonia claimed the lives of more than 800,000 children under the age of five last year globally, with one child every 39 seconds, according to a new analysis.

On his part, President of the Peadiatric Association of Nigeria, Dr. Eki-Udoko Fidelis, expressed worry over Nigeria’s growing population.

“We need to plan for our population.

You cannot develop when you don’t plan for your population. Government need to develop policies that takes care of our growing population.”

Fidelis also expressed worry with out of pocket payment at the hospitals.

“In develop nations like United Kingdom, government pays part of the bill for its people. So long as we maintain this system of payment, people will keep dying. We need to redirect our efforts and priorities towards developing the healthcare centers to provide care to people at the grass roots.”

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said it is targeting a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth to the tune of 2.38 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2019.

This was disclosed by the Deputy Director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department in CBN, Dr Hassan Mahmoud, at the ongoing 2019 Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) workshop for financial journalists in Yola, the Adamawa State capital.

Dwelling on the paper titled, State of the Nigerian Economy & Implications for the Stability of the Banking System’ Mahmoud said that the GDP growth target would be an improvement over the third quarter growth rate of 2.28 per cent.

“If you are looking at the 1.1 per cent that we did in 2015/2016, and 2.28 per cent that we did in the third quarter of 2019, we will see that we have really moved substantially.

“It is difficult to sustain positive rate GDP growth rates that we are projecting that by the fourth quarter of 2019. We are going to be doing 2.38 per cent, that is CBN projection, the IMF is projecting the same growth of 3.31 per cent.

On the wide gap between lending and saving rates in banks, he said that was dependent on customers’ negotiation skills.

He, however, said that it was the responsibility of CBN and NDIC to ensure that customers were not ripped off by the excesses of banks.

According to him, CBN is, however, creating ways to discourage the trend.

Mahmoud commended the permanence of some fixed income instruments in the financial market, saying that their yield rates had improved.

He, however, cards that yield rates on treasury bills had dropped to as low as eight per cent of recent.

On pension funds, he said the stock had increased to about nine trillion nairas of which the bulk could be invested in non-risky assets.

the DisCos, ANED stated that customers were billed for 20,600 gigawatts hour (GWH) of energy from 2017 to 2018, amounting to N650bn, of which N423bn was collected.

However, for the period of 2018 through 2019, the DisCos recorded huge improvement in billings they billed 21,650GWH of energy totalling N693bn, and collected N466bn.

ICAF: NCC restates commitment to curb financial fraud

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), yesterday restated commitment to curb financial fraud using telecommunications platforms.

NCC’s Executive Commissioner, stakeholder Management, Mr. Adeleke Adewolu disclosed the commission’s commitment at the 4th quarter 2019 Industry Consumer Advisory Forum in Abuja.

The meeting was opened to critical stakeholders responsible for combating financial fraud committed using telecommunications platforms.

Speaking, Adewolu decried the rising trend of electronic fraud across key sectors of the Nigerian economy through electronic banking such as debit Cards, Mobile Money and e-payment systems.

He said, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) rates e-fraud as the biggest risk in the financial sector which has widely incorporated electronic payment solutions such as Automated Teller Machines (ATMS), Nigeria InterBank Settlement System (NIBBS) Instant Payments and Mobile Banking, adding that the telecommunications sector was also not immuned from the scourge of cyber fraudsters across the country thus the need to curb the menace.

“Attackers are now targeting Telecom networks with the intent to disrupt service delivery and infiltrate their data banks. Illegal SIM Swaps

and Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) e-payment frauds, are currently some of the most serious cyber threats in the telecom industry. “fraudsters conduct illegal SIM swaps of targeted individuals and then, conduct USSD-based transactions which cost the unlucky victims huge losses. This malevolent use of modem technologies is taking its toll on the Nigerian telecoms industry, as some subscribers have reportedly lost huge sums of money to telecom related financial crimes since the emergent use of smartphone technology in the country”,he said.

He said, the NCC’s is collaborating with relevant stakeholders to protect the interests of consumers by implementing technical and operational solutions to curb the scourge.

He listed other critical stakeholders to include: the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigerian Police Force, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (iCPC) and other relevant offenses.

He recalled that the Commission held a Stakeholders Forum on Financial Fraud using Telecoms Platforms, on the 29th of January, 2019 and came up with fourteen (14) far ranging resolutions one of which was that the NCC and all other stakeholders should sign an MOU with the Security Agencies.

“Just recently the National Assembly through the House of Representatives set up an Adhoc Committee on the increasing incidents of SIM Swap Fraud. The NCC, security agencies and other stakeholders were invited by the Committee to deliberate on the issue and we discussed various ways of curbing this and other cyber crimes.

“Permit me to emphasize that effective collaboration between government agencies, private organizations and individuals is pivotal in tackling this scourge of electronic fraud.

“A prominent example of this collaboration is the Committee on Electronic Banking Fraud whose drivers comprise of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mobile Network Operators (MVOs), Banks, the Nigerian lnterBank Settlement System (NIBBS), the Wireless Applications Services Providers Association of Nigeria”.

On her part Mrs Felicia Onwwuegbuchulam Director Consumer Affairs Bureau NCC said the theme “Financial Fraud Using Telecoms Platforms What Consumers Need to Know”, is apt as Financial fraud using telecoms platforms has been on the front burner for both the financial and telecoms sectors in recent time. “ The negative implications of such frauds are not only huge in financial losses but also high in reputational damage to telecoms

operators, financial institutions, the regulators (NCC and CBN), Security Agencies and the nation at huge.

The Consumer is one of the major stakeholders in the telecoms industly.

It is our desire as a Commission to ensure that they enjoy primary focus”.

According to her adequate education, information sharing and the provision of an array of channels for redress, will safeguard telecom consumers and innovatively promote the prospect for greater consumer Experience.

She revealed that the Commission has put in place education of consumers on financial frauds through its various outreach programmes;Telecom Consumer Parliament, Consumer Outreach Programme, Consumer Town Hall Meeting, Elite Enlightenment Programme, Collaboration with various advocacy groups, Participation at Trade Fairs, amongst others.

The forum had papers presented themed”Detecting Telecommunications Frauds by Understanding the Contents of a Call, Text or Email” and “Data Depletion Causes and Recommendation” by Prince Majemite, Chairman Industry Consumer Advisory Forum (ICAF) and Mr Ben Anyalenkwe, MD New Capital Cooperative amongst other stakeholders who outlined the efforts currently ongoing in promoting cyber security and use of data education.

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 11, 2019

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Pension/Insurance

METRO

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 11, 2019

Insurance Industry Recapitalization to protect Policyholders, boost Financials of Firms -Ahmed

From Ngozi Onyeakusi. Lagos

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he Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, has said that the recapitalization in the insurance Industry was necessary to ensure protection of policyholders even as strengthen the financial position of the companies.

Speaking in Abuja at the opening session of a meeting of the Association of African Insurance Supervisory Authorities, the minister noted that the recapitalisation of the insurance industry was one of the many initiatives the Federal Government was implementing to reposition the sector to boost economic growth.

In view of the objectives of government for the sector, she said the recapitalisation was necessary to increase safety and soundness of the system as well as strengthen the financial position of the companies.

She also said the government was implementing the ‘no premium no cover’ policy to facilitate reduction in outstanding premium, improve liquidity position of insurance companies and ensure prompt payment of claims.

Ahmed said a financial inclusion initiative was also being implemented through microinsurance and Takaful insurance products.

This, according to her, wss intended to

bring insurance services to the underserved segments of the society.

She said, “It is informative to state that a veritable approach towards a healthy competitive private sector economy is the enhancement of the structure of governmentled supervisory framework.

“In other words, it is believed that where supervisors are ahead of the institutions they regulate in relation to operations and conducts, then achieving growth, volumes and impacts on the economy becomes easier.

“For us in Nigeria, one of the priority sectors in the diversification strategies of the economy from an oil-dependent economy is the agricultural sector which has also recorded

sustainable growth and development.

“It is therefore commendable to note that this annual meeting also flanks a workshop on index-based agricultural insurance which I hope will be beneficial to the agricultural value-chain of our various countries” Recall that the National Insurance Commission had in a circular announced new capital requirements for operators in the insurance industry.

In the circular to its regulated entities, life insurance companies’ capital was raised from N2bn to N8bn, general companies got a raise from N3bn to N10bn, while composite insurance companies’ capital was raised from N5bn to N18bn.

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Niger Insurance pays N1.4bn claims in Nine Months From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

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iger Insurance Plc, one of the foremost composite insurance companies in Nigeria has paid claims worth over N1.4bn to customers in the past 9months.

The company new MD/CEO Mr. Edwin Igbiti who made this known during media parley in Lagos, assured the firms resolve to settle all other outstanding claims. He thanked all of its customers for their patience, trust and understanding during the challenging period in its long and otherwise stellar history while reaffirming the company’s renewed sense of responsibility and commitment to excellence.

According to him, “There is a growing sense of purpose at Niger Insurance Plc these days; it feels like a new dawn with management, staff and shareholders all working with passion and a common intent to write a great story in this new chapter of the company’s long and chequered history.

He noted that to reposition the well-known company for service excellence and competitiveness in a rapidly changing operating landscape, the company has designed a five year transformation blueprint (2020 to 2024) which focuses on operational and technological advancements in delivering bespoke Insurance solutions to businesses, institutions and the growing populace of Nigeria.

The implementation of the transformation plan, the firm said in a statement already began in the fourth quarter of 2019 following the appointment of the company’s new MD/CEO – Mr. Edwin Igbiti, a vastly experienced and wellrespected business leader who recently completed five meritorious years as MD of AIICO Insurance Plc. “The need for Niger Insurance Plc’s transformation is underscored by a combination of market & regulatory changes. Having been in operations for 57years, it had become imperative to address legacy challenges as well as innovate to achieve service excellence, agility and & competitiveness” it stated.

Igbiti further noted that the three pillars of the transformation plan are: “1. Strengthening our balance sheet (financial strength) 2. Strengthening our People (Talent & Innovation)

3. Strengthening our business model (Sustained growth & Profitability)”.

He pointed out that in order to ensure a successful execution of this plan, the company recently reconstituted a new Board-ofDirectors, a new management team and an array of strategic partnerships.

He said that at its 49th AGM which held on 21 November 2019,

the company’s shareholders approved its recapitalization plan to meet the new regulatory capital requirements through (i) an equity capital raise via rights issue and/or private placement and ii) a business combination by way of merger or acquisition, which must all be completed by 30 June, 2020.

Mr. Ademola Salami, the company’s new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) while providing a

progress update said “Working with our Financial Advisers, the Board and Management of the company are already engaging with foreign and local investors that have shown interest in the company. High-level negotiations are on-going and we expect to secure substantive offers for investment in the coming weeks.”

In response to the situation regarding unpaid claims & outstanding customer benefits, the

MD expressed regret and attributed the delay to the company’s large asset portfolio which is skewed towards fixed assets.

He however assured the audience that the company’s assets are more than sufficient to settle all its liabilities and that it has made significant progress towards liquidating some fixed assets to unlock cash and pay down all outstanding obligations soon..

Participants, at the 2019 Workshop of Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN)” Them: Nigerian Financial System Stability: Tackling Emergency Issues, organized by NDIC, yesterday in Yola Adamawa state.

Gbagi natives Children performing their traditional dance, during the commissioning of FCT Teachers House, recently in Gwagwalada, Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Foundation cautions FCT youth against irregular migration

By Stanley Onyekwere

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Africa Re, IFC lauded on contributions to agric business From Ngozi Onyeakusi. Lagos

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frican Reinsurance Corporation and International Finance Corporation (IFC) Agriculture Insurance have commended for their contributions toward the growth of agriculture in Nigeria.

Participants, mainly farmers at the just concluded agriculture workshop in Lagos, expressed their appreciation for the two for putting together the workshop, which according to them would helped to brought to fore all that are needed to take agriculture business to lofty heights.

Head, Licensing & Regulations Insurance/Reinsurance Companies, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) Mrs. Vera Aimufua, speaking on the programmes, said it helped exposed the challenges faced by operators, in terms of

index and weather based insurance programmes, stressing that one of the take aways from the event was that there are still a lot of challenges to be addressed.

She noted that from interactions she had with delegates from insurance companies, it was observed that the support from the Nigeria IncentiveBased Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) still remains inadequate as there is still a lot of gaps to cover.

She posited that to achieve the set objectives in the agric space, the government and underwriters should work closely to ensure underwriters are not be left to burn their fingers, adding that stakeholders need to play the game according to the rules.

Head, Agriculture Insurance, AIICO Insurance Plc, Leonard Okereafor, said he is optimistic that the potentials in agric sector would be

fully harness by underwriters.

He noted that with the lesson drew from the programme, insurance operators licenced to do agric business will up their games, adding that having knew how farmers and other stakeholders feel, there would not be any room for excuses going forward.

Head, Agribusiness, Royal Exchange Plc, Chukwuma Kalu, posited that the programme was well done, as relevant stakeholders were brought together to share their experiences from their different stand points. “It is really interesting for us to see things from a business stand point. It was a very good forum to educate us on different aspects of risk management and also looking at the real business. The programme helped us understand how products could be designed and finance channeled appropriately.

“I think with the right engagement, we could achieve more.

Kudos to the organisers, participants for the ideas that were brought forward. I think we can always get better, as there are a lot of room for improvement,” he said.

He noted that the programme is getting better, as the first round of the programme organised by the IFC was in 2016 in Johannesburg, South Africa. According to him, the South Africa event was very technical and meant especially for for insurers, actuarists.

“That programme was not market facing but now we are getting interaction from the real market players, policy makers which is the real blend of stakeholders.

The programme is getting more robust and the engagement more impactful, we need many more of this programme,” he added.

outh in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been urged to always go through the proper channel, if they must migrate from Nigeria, to escape dangers associated to irregular migration.

This caution was given by the founder of the Mothers Earth International

Foundation, Hafsatu Yusuf while addressing journalists in the nation’s capital, recently.

She opined that because of illegal means of traveling, several youths have died while others have been abused and molested by traffickers in their bids to flee the country.

Yusuf added that most people have been brainwashed into believing that they

could sell their possession and give the money to traffickers to get away from the country.

She urged youth that instead of risking their lives, they should contact the migration office of the Nigerian Immigration Service or search on the internet on the proper means and channels of getting into their choice countries.

According to her, the Foundation had concluded plans of engaging youths and sensitising them on the need to desist from irregular migration during its conference on women migration to be held in 2020.

She equally called on the governments to have a displacement tracking system and also rejig social intervention programme to cover the most vulnerable people in the society.

Environment: Attah explains demolition of 25 shops in Kubwa

By Stanley Onyekwere

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hairman of the Federal Capital Territory Administration Traffic Management Team, Comrade Ikharo Attah has said that his team pulled down makeshift shops around Maitama Market, Kubwa because they were illegal and constituting huge traffic congestion in the area.

Attah who gave this explanation while conducting journalists on inspection of the exercise last week in Kubwa, said that the action was part of efforts by the FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, to ensure residents enjoyed free flow of traffic across the Territory at all times.

His words: “What we did was to free

traffic here. The congestion was caused by illegal transporters, illegal motor parks and roadside trading. And we demolished about 25 makeshift shops to clean up this place.

“Some of those transporters were evening operating in residential areas; all the traders have been moved into the market and we expect the inter-state transport companies to remain in the new Park which government has spent a lot of resources to construct in the Kukwaba area of Kubwa.

“As soon as we got the directives from the Hon. Minister, we moved them in.”

Attah further disclosed that his Team arrested two of the inter-state transporters (Peace Mass Transit and

Abia Line) for abandoning the park built for them and operating illegally by the roadside and residential areas, and handed them to the Directorate of Road Traffic Services.

“As you can see, the road is now free.

The road was never used in the last four years and everyone is happy because there is now free movement of persons.

“That is why we plead with those affected to bear with us, it is an exercise for the generality of the public good,” he stressed.

On his part, Head of monitoring unit of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), Bello Kaka explained that the exercise was an answer to a call by the Bwari Area Council, even as he urged leadership of the Council to carry

on with enforcement and ensure 24/7 clean up of the area.

Similarly, Mrs. Hannatu Ibrahim who represented Bwari Area Council, expressed appreciation to the FCT Minister for the job, and pledged that the Council would make sure there was no return of illegality in the affected areas.

Ibrahim also disclosed that in addition engaging in enlightenment of the people against such practices, Bwari would also put in place measures to enable the it generate revenue for the Council.

“We will clean up al the dirts and landscape it because if we do not, they will come back. We will also intensify monitoring,” she added.

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 11, 2019

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world news Trump impeachment: House Democrats to unveil formal charges

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S Democrats are expected to unveil formal charges against President Donald Trump, a key move in the impeachment procedure against him.

A Democratic Party aide said the articles of impeachment would focus on abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

Mr Trump is accused of withholding aid to Ukraine for domestic political reasons.

He insists he has done "nothing wrong" and dismissed the process as "madness".

The expected announcement by the House of Representatives judiciary panel would lead to an impeachment vote by the full lower chamber.

If the articles are approved by the House - which is controlled by the Democrats - a trial in the Republicanheld Senate will take place, possibly early in January.

The House Judiciary Committee is believed to have drawn up articles of impeachment, following two months of congressional hearings.

The impeachment process was launched after an anonymous whistleblower complained to Congress in September about a July phone call by Mr Trump to the president of Ukraine.

What is Mr Trump accused of?

In the phone call, Mr Trump appeared to tie US military assistance

to Ukraine launching investigations which could help him politically.

In return for those investigations, Democrats say Mr Trump offered two bargaining chips - $400m (ÂŁ304m) of military aid that had already been allocated by Congress, and a White House meeting for President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Democrats say this pressure on a vulnerable US ally constitutes an abuse of power.

The first investigation Mr Trump wanted from Ukraine was into former Vice-President Joe Biden, his main Democratic challenger, and his son Hunter. Hunter Biden joined the board of a Ukrainian energy company when his father was President Obama's deputy.

The second Trump demand was that Ukraine should try to corroborate a conspiracy theory that Ukraine, not Russia, had interfered in the last US presidential election. This theory has been widely debunked, and US intelligence agencies are unanimous in saying Moscow was behind the hacking of Democratic Party emails in 2016.

Impeachment is the first part the charges - of a two-stage political process by which Congress can remove a president from office.

If, following the hearings, the House of Representatives votes to pass articles of impeachment, the Senate is forced to hold a trial.

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international_peoplesdailyng@yahoo.com

about why tourists were allowed to approach New Zealand’s most active volcano three weeks after seismologists raised its alert level, describing the situation as “moderate to heightened volcanic unrest�. “These questions must be asked and they must be answered,�

Ms Ardern said in parliament on Tuesday. A police investigation is under way.

Geological hazard monitoring group GeoNet warned last week that White Island “may be entering a period where eruptive activity is more likely than normal� - but it also said “the current level of activity does not pose a direct hazard to visitors�.

Currently, the alert level is at three, indicating the risk of a “minor volcanic eruption�.

How serious are the injuries?

Thirty-four people were rescued, one of whom later died.

Most of the victims are still receiving treatment in hospital.

Officials say they have burns to more than 30% of their bodies.

Several others are also suffering from inhalation burns.

Police said they were “unsure� what state the bodies that remained on the island were in, saying they were probably “covered in ash�.

White Island remains too dangerous to access, but reconnaissance flights conducted earlier on Tuesday saw no

survivors.

Ms Ardern said there were no signs of life and that the focus was now “on recovery�.

Who was on the island?

There were 24 visitors from Australia, nine from the US, five from New Zealand, four from Germany, two from China, two from the UK, and one person from Malaysia.

The first victim to be identified was tour guide Hayden MarshallInman, a local of nearby town Whakatane, who according to New Zealand media has been named by his brother on Facebook.

The second person confirmed to have died is from Malaysia, the country’s High Commission said.

Another tour guide from New Zealand, 23-year old Tipene Maangi, is among the missing.

His family told media he had been called in on his day off.

Two British women were among those receiving treatment, said the UK High Commissioner to New Zealand, Laura Clarke.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he “feared� three of the five confirmed dead were Australian.

Mr Morrison said that 24 Australians were on board a cruise ship exploring the island in the Bay of Plenty when the volcano erupted. Of those, 13 were in hospital and 11 were unaccounted for, he said.

Myanmar Rohingya: Suu Kyi to defend genocide charge at UN court

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ung San Suu Kyi is due to appear at the UN’s International Court of Justice in The Hague to defend Myanmar against accusations of genocide.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate will hear allegations that Myanmar committed atrocities against Muslim Rohingya.

Thousands of Rohingya were killed and more than 700,000 fled to neighbouring Bangladesh during an army crackdown in the Buddhist-majority country in 2017.

Myanmar has always insisted it was tackling an extremist threat.

The case has been brought by the small African nation of The Gambia.

In the initial three-day hearing at the ICJ, it will ask the court to approve temporary measures to protect the Rohingya.

What are the accusations?

At the start of 2017, there were one million Rohingya in Myanmar (formerly Burma), most living in Rakhine state.

But Myanmar, a mainly Buddhist country, considers them illegal immigrants and denies them citizenship.

Will Omar get justice for his murdered family?

The Rohingya have long complained of persecution, and in 2017 the military - the Tatmadaw - launched a massive military operation in Rakhine.

According to the ICJ documents, the military stands accused of “widespread and systematic clearance operations� against the Rohingya, beginning in October 2016

Aung San Suu Kyi remains hugely popular with many people in Myanmar In May, seven Myanmar soldiers jailed for killing 10 Rohingya men and boys were released early from prison.

Myanmar says its military operations targeted Rohingya militants and the military has previously cleared itself of wrong doing.

Who is making the accusations?

The ICJ is the UN’s top court, and cases must be submitted to it by countries. This one is being brought by The Gambia - a small, Muslim-majority country in west Africa.

It has the support of the the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)

and expanding in August 2017.

It will hear allegations that the clearances were “intended to destroy the Rohingya as a group, in whole or in part�, via mass murder, rape, and setting fire to their buildings “often with inhabitants locked inside�.

UN fact-finding missions have seemingly verified many of the allegations.

In August, a report accused Myanmar soldiers of “routinely and systematically employing rape, gang rape, and other violent and forced sexual acts against women, girls, boys, men and transgender people�.

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Tanzania president pardons more than 5,000 prisoners

White Island volcano: Rescuer tells of ‘Chernobyl’-like scene

paramedic who flew to New Zealand’s White Island to rescue tourists after Monday’s volcanic eruption has said the scene was like something out of “the Chernobyl mini-series�. “Everything was blanketed in ash,� Russell Clark told TVNZ. Dozens of tourists were on the island at the time. Six have been confirmed dead. Eight others are feared to have died and about 30 have serious burns.

New Zealand’s PM Jacinda Ardern praised the crews of four rescue helicopters. “Those pilots made an incredibly brave decision under extraordinarily dangerous circumstances in an attempt to get people out,� she told reporters on Tuesday. “To those who have lost or are missing family and friends, we share in your unfathomable grief and in your sorrow.�

In his interview, Mr Clark said he and his fellow rescuers had found a “devastating scene� when they landed. “There was a helicopter on the island that had obviously been there at the time and its rotor blades were off it.�

At least 47 people from around the world were on the island at the time of the eruption.

Why were tourists allowed near the volcano?

Questions are being asked

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 11, 2019

and a team of international lawyers.

In October, The Gambia’s attorney general and justice minister, Abubacarr M Tambadou, told the BBC he acted after visiting a Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh and hearing of killings, rape, and torture.

What is Aung San Suu Kyi’s role?

The case is being brought against Myanmar, not Aung San Suu Kyi. The ICJ cannot punish individuals in the way that, for example, the International Criminal Court can (separately, the ICC is investigating the Rohingya case).

But the case is, to some extent, about the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize winner herself.

The democracy icon who fell from grace Is refugee crisis ‘textbook ethnic cleansing’?

Ms Suu Kyi has been de facto leader of Myanmar since April 2016 - before the alleged genocide began. She does not have control over the army but has been accused by the UN investigator of “complicity� in the military clearances. “I implore you to open your eyes...and please use your moral authority, before it is too late,� Yanghee Lee said in September.

Ms Suu Kyi announced in November she would personally lead her country’s defence at the Hague - in her role as foreign affairs minister - alongside “prominent international lawyers�. She will address the court on 11 December.

Source: BBC

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anzanian President John Magufuli has pardoned more than 5,000 prisoners in a move aimed at reducing congestion in prisons.

The president made the announcement on Monday as the country marked its 58th anniversary of independence.

He ordered that 5,533 prisoners be should released with the process starting on Tuesday.

This is the highest number of prisoners to be freed in this way and accounts for about 15% of all prisoners in the country. “Some of these prisoners have been jailed over minor

offences: stealing chickens, insulting his friend, having an argument with a lover,� the president explained. “But some were detained because they lacked lawyers to defend them well in their cases, while others for a failure to pay fines,� he added.

Among those who are set to be pardoned include those given a one-year jail term and those with only one year left on their sentence.

President Magufuli said the country’s jails had 35,803 inmates and more than half of those were still waiting to go on trial.

The Gambia’s case against Myanmar opens in The Hague

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he International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague is hearing opening arguments accusing Myanmar of genocide.

The case was brought by The Gambia. Its justice minister, Aboubacarr Tambadou, said he wanted to awaken the conscience of the world to stop the senseless killings of Muslim Rohingyas.

Myanmar’s de facto leader, Nobel peace prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, is present in court to lead

the defence.

She is not expected to speak until Wednesday, when she will argue that the court has no jurisdiction and that Myanmar was targeting Rohingya militants.

More than 700,000 Muslim Rohingya fled Myanmar in 2017 following a military operation that the UN concluded included systematic rape, murder and torture.

International lawyer Philippe

West Africans row over who was best host to Cardi B

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he hashtag #GhanavsNigeria is trending on Twitter, but this time it’s not about jollof

rice.

Barely a day after US rapper Cardi B ended her West Africa tour, Nigerians and Ghanaians have been poking fun at each other over who hosted the celebrity better than the other.

The US star performed in both Nigeria and Ghana over the weekend, but there was outrage in Ghana after the rapper failed to meet local celebrities who had

gathered at her hotel in the capital, Accra, on Sunday.

Cardi B performed in Nigeria on Saturday and then headed to Ghana. .

Nigerians getting happy because Cardi B said she missed Nigeria .

That is ONE person. Most people are going to Ghana and loving it cause of #YearOfReturn2019 #ghanavsnigeria “The hustleâ€?đ&#x;¤Łđ&#x;’”...No road leads to your airport unless that person passes your Market area...

Eiiiđ&#x;¤Łđ&#x;’” #GhanaVsNigeria.

Kenya officials hunt lion which mauled man to death

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he Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is tracking a lion which has eaten a man in a residential area on the outskirts of the capital, Nairobi.

Residents have been warned to stay indoors while the hunt continues.

Anxiety is spreading in the Rongai area where the mauled remains of a man were discovered on Monday morning.

He had been partially eaten by a lion, which is believed to have strayed from the adjacent Nairobi National Park.

KWS has said in a statement that it is saddened by the tragic death and has sent a team of rangers and a vet to locate and tranquillise the lion.

Members of the public have been cautioned to stay indoors at night until the lion is captured.

It is not uncommon for lions to stray from Nairobi National Park, or from other wild animal reserves across the country, but the proximity to the capital has sometimes led to tragic encounters.

On some days, animals have blocked highways to the amusement of travellers who share the images on social media.

But on others, people have either been killed or injured with locals often rallying to kill the animals in retaliation.

It’s a human-wildlife conflict that the authorities are yet to resolve.

President John Magufuli led the country’s independence day celebrations

Algerian ex-PMs get long jail sentences for corruption

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n Algerian court has sentenced two former prime ministers to long jail terms amid a huge corruption investigation.

Ahmed Ouyahia was sentenced to 15 years in prison and Abdelmalek Sellal got a 12year sentence.

They were accused of abusing

authority in a car manufacturing embezzlement scandal, AP news agency reports.

They are two of 19 defendants caught up in the corruption investigation, which was launched after ex-President Abdelaziz Bouteflika was forced from power earlier this year by protesters who were against

him running for re-election.

The verdict comes two days before an election intended to find his successor.

Activists, who continue to organise weekly demonstrations, do not want the poll to go ahead as they say the candidates held power under Mr Bouteflika.

Detained Nairobi governor admitted to hospital

M

ike Sonko, the county governor of the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, has been taken from prison to hospital, health officials have confirmed.

They did not say what he is being treated for but said that he had been admitted and a prison guard is on watch.

He was in Kamiti Prison awaiting trial for money laundering and unlawful acquisition of public property.

He is accused of irregularly awarding tenders to his close aides, forging documents and misappropriating county funds.

He pleaded not guilty on Monday.

Mr Sonko is a divisive politician who has previously faced allegations of drug trafficking and money laundering, which he denied.

Recently prison authorities accused him of escaping from a maximum facility 20 years ago.

Mr Sonko's bail application is due to be heard on Wednesday.

Protesters say Abiy wrongly awarded Nobel prize

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group of Eritreans living in Scandinavia have taken to the streets of the Norwegian capital, Oslo, to protest against Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed being awarded this year’s Nobel Peace Prize.

The award ceremony is due to start at 13:00 local time (12:00 GMT).

The Nobel Committee gave him the prize mainly for efforts at ending the two-decade long hostile relationship between Ethiopia and neighbouring Eritrea.

But the protesters in Oslo have said that the benefits of the peace process between Eritrea and Ethiopia have never materialised and that the prime minister should not have been given the prize.

Around 250 protesters marched through Oslo city centre holding placards saying things like: ‘’Nobel Prize is for concrete peace, not rhetoric.�

One demonstrator told the BBC that since a peace deal was signed last year the political situation within Eritrea has not improved. Furthermore, the border between the two countries, which is closed to traffic, has still

Ethiopian football fans will have to wait to see their team play neighbours Eritrea for the first time in more than 20 years not been demarcated.

Human rights groups have frequently criticised the Eritrean government, which has never been elected.

Another activist said that a letter of protest had been sent to the Nobel Committee.

The protesters also met a representative of the Norwegian parliament.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed

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PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 11, 2019

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Czech shooting: Gunman kills six at hospital in Ostrava

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gunman has killed six people in a hospital waiting room in the Czech city of Ostrava before shooting himself in the head, police say.

Armed police found the suspect dead from a self-inflicted gunshot in a vehicle three hours later.

The gunman was believed to be a patient at the hospital, one unconfirmed report said. His motive remains unclear.

Officers said they were called to the hospital in the north-eastern city at 07:19 (06:19 GMT).

The shooting took place in a matter of moments at Ostrava university hospital’s trauma clinic. Hospital director Jiri Havrlant told Czech TV the gunman opened fire without warning, hitting nine patients.

Four men and two women were killed and three other people were wounded, two seriously. All of the victims were patients at the hospital.

The hospital was initially locked down.

A doctor inside the hospital told the Aktualne website that staff had been locked in a hallway waiting for the emergency to end.

Police earlier asked for help in their search for the gunman, but warned people not to approach him, adding that the site in the Moravian-Silesian region had been “secured”.

The suspect had used a handgun and had driven off in a silver Renault Laguna

Ukraine and Russia agree to implement ceasefire

U

kraine and Russia have agreed to implement a “full and comprehensive” ceasefire in eastern Ukraine by the end of 2019, after top-level talks.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky met face to face at a Paris summit on Monday.

Mr Zelensky was downbeat, saying little had been achieved at the meeting and he had wanted to see more resolved.

Five-and-a-half years of fighting between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed rebels have cost 13,000 lives.

The negotiations were brokered by the leaders of France and Germany.

They follow a big prisoner swap and the withdrawal of Ukraine’s military from three key areas on the front line.

What was agreed?

In a written statement, the countries agreed to the release and exchange of all “conflictrelated detainees” by the end of the year.

The two sides also pledged to disengage military forces in three additional regions of Ukraine by the end of March 2020, without specifying which regions would be affected.

Additional talks will be held in four months to take stock of the ceasefire’s progress.

At a press conference after the talks in France’s Elysée Palace, President Putin hailed them as an “important step” towards a deescalation of the conflict.

The hospital in Ostrava is about 300km (190 miles) east of Prague car, according to police. They said they had established the 42-year-old man’s name, had photographs of him and had obtained his vehicle licence plate number.

Police said that once they had obtained pictures of the suspect from security cameras they launched two helicopters to search for him. When one of the helicopters was flying over the car some 5km (3 miles) north of the hospital, the man shot himself in the head and later died of his injuries.

The gun used in the attack was described as a 9mm Czech-made handgun, which the suspect did not have a licence for.

Police initially posted an image of a man they said they needed to trace and said later he was the man behind the shooting, but they later removed the picture from their social media feed after he was found.

Patrols were stepped up at what police described as soft targets, such as schools, shopping centres and other hospitals.

Colleagues of the suspected gunman told Czech media that he had recently gone on sick leave, declaring he was seriously ill.

He was said to be a construction engineer who had been treated at the hospital’s haemato-oncology department.

Prime Minister Andrej Babis confirmed that six people had been killed and that the shootings occurred at close range. He cancelled a foreign trip and was preparing to travel to Ostrava, reports said.

The governor of the Moravian-Silesian Region, Ivo Vondrak, said the shooting was “a great tragedy”.

Police said that officers responding to reports of a shooting had arrived at the scene within five minutes. Ostrava is about 300km (190 miles) east of Prague.

Gun attacks in the Czech Republic are rare, although gun ownership is relatively high for Europe because of the popularity of hunting.

In 2015, a man opened fire in a restaurant in the eastern town of Uhersky Brod, killing eight people before turning the gun on himself.

Last week, the Czech government lost a legal challenge to an EU law restricting private use of semi-automatic rifles. It was introduced by the European Union in 2017 after a spate of militant Islamist attacks in 2015.

The government in Prague said the law would do nothing to increase security.

Syrian president’s uncle on trial in France for money laundering

T

he uncle of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has gone on trial in Paris for allegedly laundering money to build a French property empire.

Rifaat al-Assad is accused of embezzling Syrian state funds to buy homes and offices worth €90m (£76m).

The 82-year-old former vicepresident, who will not appear in court for medical reasons, denies any wrongdoing.

He has lived in exile since he unsuccessfully tried to seize power from his brother, Hafez, in 1984.

He is known as the “Butcher of

Hama” by some Syrians because of his alleged role in the bloody suppression of an uprising in the city in 1982.

After the outbreak of Syria’s civil war in 2011 he called on his nephew to step down.

Rifaat al-Assad has been under investigation in France since 2014, when the legal NGO Sherpa, which defends victims of alleged economic crimes, filed a complaint saying the value of his property empire far exceeded his known income.

Five years later, the French judicial authorities decided that he should stand trial for crimes

allegedly committed between 1984 and 2016, including organised money laundering, aggravated tax fraud and misappropriation of Syrian state funds.

Investigating magistrate Renaud Van Ruymbeke alleges that Mr Assad bought properties with hundreds of millions of euros of Syrian state funds transferred as part of a settlement with his late brother, AFP news agency reports.

Mr Assad denies the charges, saying he was given gifts by the Saudi royal family.

His lawyers produced records showing that he received four

Saudi payments worth about €23m in total between 1984 and 2010. But Mr Van Ruymbeke says he considers them “insufficient”, and that three of the payments arrived after Mr Assad made his fortune, according to AFP. Mr Assad and his family also have a portfolio of 507 properties in Spain valued at around €695m (£585m).

The properties were seized by the Spanish authorities in 2017 as part of a separate investigation into alleged money-laundering activities by Mr Assad and 13 other people, who have again denied any wrongdoing.

Australia bushfires: Sydney gets toughest water restrictions in a decade

S

ydney residents are facing the city’s toughest water restrictions in more than a decade amid a severe drought and deadly bushfires in eastern Australia.

On Tuesday, level two restrictions were enacted in the capital of New South Wales (NSW), a state 99.9% in drought.

These could be increased to level three within months, local media report.

Temperatures are predicted to soar above 40C (104F) from Tuesday, worsening fires which have already killed six people since October.

Which animals fare best and worst in fires?

There are now more than 100 fires in NSW and Queensland states, many of which have been burning for several weeks.

What are the water restrictions?

Under the new rules, people in Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains and Illawarra are not allowed to water their gardens between 10:00 and 16:00.

When they do water their gardens, they can only do so with a bucket or a watering can - hoses and sprinklers are banned.

Cars can only be washed with a bucket or at a commercial car wash, and swimming pools of any size cannot be filled unless the owner acquires a special permit.

The rules apply to everyone in these areas, and residents caught breaking the restrictions face fines of A$220 (£114, $150). Businesses will be fined A$550.

Under level three restrictions, people will only be able to water their gardens before 09:00 and after 18:00, and will be banned from taking showers longer than five minutes.

Officials plan to implement level three rules when Sydney’s dam levels hit 30% - a critical low. This was originally predicted to happen in July, but could now be much earlier due to the worsening bushfires and drought.

Several rural towns have already run out of tap water and are relying

on bottled supplies and trucked-in cartons. A number of inland centres have endured water restrictions for months.

How intense is this drought?

The crippling drought affecting eastern Australia is one of the worst on record, officials say.

‘It’s cheaper to shoot the cows’ Almost all of NSW - Australia’s most populous state - has been officially drought-affected since 2017. Some regions have suffered little or no significant rainfall for even longer than that.

Farmers and residents in inland areas have felt its impacts most acutely - NSW typically produces a quarter of Australia’s agricultural output.

What is the latest with the fires?

The tinder-dry environment has created nightmarish conditions for sparking and sustaining bushfires.

With rising temperatures and increased wind speeds expected to exacerbate the blazes on Tuesday, firefighters have been carrying out the controlled burning of grassland

around homes to remove fuel, officials said.

NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said firefighters had been trying to establish fire containment lines in previous days.

“It is an enormous amount of work, with more than 2,000 people out in the field,” he told reporters.

Last week, several smaller fires in a national park north of Sydney combined to form a “mega blaze”, which now stretches more than 60km (37.2 miles). It has grown to more than 320,000 hectares in size.

The fires have blanketed Sydney in smoke for weeks and sent ash falling, causing a surge in respiratory issues.

The city’s air quality again deteriorated beyond “hazardous” levels on Tuesday.

How bad is bushfire smoke for health?

Since October, bushfires across Australia have killed six people and destroyed more than 700 homes.

Source: BBC

PROPerty PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 11, 2019

Page 25

Fashola urges Nigerians to be patient with road conditions

By a Mashe Umaru Gwamna

T

he Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has called on Nigerians to be patient and show understanding on the condition of the roads as a lot is being done to ease the pain Nigerians go through.

The Minister made this call when he granted audience to the executive and trustee members of the Public Transport Owners of Nigeria Association [PTONA], in his office recently in Abuja .

Fashola said, “The entire transportation network of road, sea and air is important to the government. We have been having meetings with various stakeholders in the

transport sector to make life easier for the people.”

A statement signed by Stephen Kilebi DD Press and Public Relations,said the Minister further stated that “We met with our contractors and work is ongoing in many roads.There is a distance between approval and construction of roads, by the time all these work is completed all we are saying will be a thing of the past, please be patient.”

He expressed his readiness to work closely with all stakeholders. He said “We are stakeholders, we need to work together, if it works for you, it works for us”.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation Engr. Isaac Uhunmwaghu disclosed that

all major transport owners belong to the association which he said was formed to work closely with government to make life easier for road users.

Engr. Uhunmwaghu praised the Minister saying, “We in PTONA thoroughly appreciate you for what we know about you in the past 12 years.

We are however sad that despite all your efforts and best intentions, the perception

by Nigerians about travelling on the road is extremely negative presently.”

He attributed this negative perception to insecurity and bad roads and expressed the support of his association for the recent demand by the Minister for additional funding of N255.6 bn for roads.

The group also expressed their support for the re-introduction of tolls on all highways in the country.

The association suggested that vehicle sensor embedded to it should be used.

Uhunmwaghu said toll gates will not only generate virtually all the funds for roads constructionand maintenance but have punitive charges for excessive load carrying vehicles responsible mostly for the quick destruction of our roads.

He urged the Minister to give special attention to the following roads: LagosAbuja, Lagos –Port-Harcourt, PortHarcourt to Abuja and Abuja to Kano road.

He also urged the Ministryto give priority to major arterial roads.

Works, housing celebrates Soyoye ...calls for good team spirit

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

T

he Personal Assistant to Director of Press ( Works and Housing Biodun Soyoye was celebrated by staff of various government ministries and agencies in Ondo State on Saturday during his wedding ceremony.

Biodun who during the celebration charged all government staff to appreciate one another with good moral support when necessary, said this will promote good team work and understanding by keeping morale high in service.

The PA got married to his fiancé Fadekemi Babalola at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Sabo, Ondo Township, Ondo State.

The Pastor of RCCG Justice Akinloroye Williams who officiated the wedding event counseled the bride and groom to respect each other and eschew family interference in their marriage.

Meanwhile,at the wedding reception, the Chairman of the occasion and a staff of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) , Olusola Falaja said “marriage

is not a bed of roses and it is complete understanding and obedience from the wife that can sustain it”.

A statement signed by Senior

Information Officer, Henry David said Earlier, the traditional phase of the wedding took place in the same town on Friday with all the families and friends in attendance.

Others are Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Ministry of Women Affairs

JIGAWA STATE GOVERNMENT MINISTRY OF HEALTH ADENDUM INVITATION TO TENDER FOR CONSTRUCTION OF 23 LI BLOCKS AS MATERNITY WING IN BASIC HEALTH CLINICS ACROSS THE STATE.

L-R : Dan Okemuo , Minister of Works and Housing Babatunde Raji Fashola and Chairman of Public Transport Owners of Nigeria Association [PTONA) and Chief Executive of Efex Executive Transport Engr. Isaac Uhunmwaghu

Builders and roofers among most ‘unprofessional’ tradespeople

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

T

wo thirds (65%) think builders are unprofessional, with three in five (60%) feeling the same way about roofers.

Kitchen fitters were deemed the most unprofessional tradespeople (73%).

Martin, managing director of Showerstoyou.co.uk, said: “For many, the home is one of the most important aspects of their life. So

and Social Development, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Information & Culture , Nigerian Civil Defence Corps are among Federal government institutions that had their staff at the event in their various private.

naturally it takes a lot of faith for them to allow tradespeople to come into their living environment and carry out desired improvements/ changes.

“This research certainly shows that this trust is not always being reciprocated, with certain tradespeople more culpable than others.

“It certainly shows that Brits are very perceptive of the way tradespeople hold themselves as well

as their work ethic. Consequently, it’s very important for a tradesperson to maintain professionalism at all times and deliver the highest possible level of customer service.”

A tradesperson not turning up when arranged/agreed (81%) is the most unprofessional thing they could do.

Meanwhile 76% do not appreciate being overcharged, while 73% take issue with poor workmanship.

Source : property wire

Refer to our invitation to tender published in People's Daily and Blue Print newspapers dated December,3rd 2019. The Ministry now intends to construct additional 12 No. LI blocks making a total of 35 instead of 23 earlier published.

The locations of additional facilities are : Gatafa, Dorawa, Birniwa Tasha, Kudai, Garin Gambo, Zandam ta Gabas, Farin Dutse, Sarawa, Ba'auzini, Mairakumi, Zareko and Karwai.

Other details remain as in initial advert.

Bid submission will now be closed on Tuesday 24th December,2019. Bids will be opened on the same date by 12:00 noon. For more information, contact: 08032890981,0806151193 and 08032079444 please.

SIGNED: BAYERO KYAMBO DIRECTOR PLANNING, RESEARCH AND STATISTICS.

PAGE 26

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 11, 2019

PAGE 27

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 11, 2019

CLASSIFIED

CLASSIFIED PUBLIC NOTICE NURUL HUDA ISLAMIC MULTI-PURPOSE CENTER PUBLIC NOTICE: APPOINTMENT AND REMOVAL OF TRUSTEES AND AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION The General Public is hereby notified that the above named Center has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for the change of trustees and Amendment under part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990 OLD TRUSTEES ARE 1. DR. BALARABE MUHAMMAD SANI - RETAINED 2. ISMAILA ALIYU NUMAN (TURAKIN NUMAN) - RETAINED 3. ALH. MUSA IJAKORO - REMOVED 4. PROF. ABUBAKAR ALIYU GWANDU - REMOVED 5. ALH. HAMANJODA USMAN TOUNGO - REMOVED APPOINTED TRUSTEES 1. ALIYU IBRAHIM AGWAI 2. MAHMUD MOHAMMED SANI 3. GARBA ABDULATEEF BABA 4. ABDULLAHI ISA IDRIS 5. HADI YAHAYA 6. BALA SHEHU AHMED 7. SANI ABUBAKAR 8. AHMED SUKA IBRAHIM AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION THIS IS TO ADOPT THE NEW STANDARD OR FORMAT OF CAC APPROVED FORM OF CONSTITUTION. THE PROSPOSED CHANGE AFFECTS ALL THE PROVISIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE SPECIAL CLAUSE Any objection to this Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 240 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, P.M.B.198, Maitama, Abuja within twenty-Eight (28) days of publication.

Signed. AHMED SUKA IBRAHIM

PUBLIC NOTICE NOVEL BADMINTON CLASSICS ORGANISATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART 'C' OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Mohammed Maina,..,.. Chairman 2. Usman Muhammed Ahmed,...... Secretary 3. Sani Bala Yusuff,..... Member 4. Dr. Hassan Ibrahim,...... Member 5. Olukayode Agboola,.... Member 6. Emmanuel Zira,... Member 7. Abubakar Abdullahi Dutsinma.... Member AIMS/OBJectives:Promoting veterans badminton through collaboration with BFN 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 ALTAR OF VICTORY 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, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Barrow Mary Adiasim 2.Silas Dorcas mfonobong 3.uyeh ukeme Solomon 4.Tom David Coleman THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 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 AL HIKMAH CENTRE FOR EXCELLENCE THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.HARUNA MUHAMMAD KABIR 2.BELLO HARUNA GELENGU 3.SULEIMAN IBRAHIM BABA 4.YAHUZA ABDULHAMID. THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1.TO EMPOWER THE YOUTH IN THE AREAS OF EDUCATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP. 2.TO ASSIST, MEDICALLY, FINANCIALLY AND EDUCATIONALLY, THE VULNERABLE MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY ESPECIALLY WOMEN AND CHILDREN. 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 RIYADUL WIDOWS & ORPHANS EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART 'C' OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Mohammed Shafiu Aliyu.

2. Aliyu Abdulhadi.

3. Umar Abubakar Garba.

Aim and objectives.

To provide vocational skills acquisition.

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.

CARE FOR OGONI FUTURE FOUNDATION

SOLOMON ISLAND FOUNDATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART 'C' OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. MR. OGAR SOLOMON OGAR CHAIRMAN 2. MRS. BETTY SOLOMON OGAR SECRETARY 3. CHIEF JUDE OGBECHE NGAJI 4. AMBASSADOR SUNNY OMAGU OGAR 5. BARR. GODWIN OKUJA 6. REV. DR. ESTHER MAIWAAZI 7. MADAM VICTORIA OTANYA ODEY 8. MRS. KASHAM IZIBILI 9. DELPHINE LEHIYOWO OGAR 10. DANNIELLA NDORTUCHOWO OGAR 11. DIAMOND SOLOMON OGAR. AIMS/OBJectives:To present awards of Excellence to indigenes of Yala and Cross River State...

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. OKUJA GODWIN

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CHAIRMAN

SECRETARY

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. To promote peace, unity and love among members 2. To care for one another in times of need.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

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THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. ABEL MUSA ONUKPO (CHAIRMAN) 2. AUDU SABO ODU (SECRETARY) 3. LUKA AFAKA AZAMU (MEMBER) 4. OSUERIGO AHMED (MEMBER) 5. UMAR ZUBAIRU ODU (MEMBER) 6. ONUKPO MUSA ILIYA (MEMBER) 7. EMMANUEL SUNDAY ODUMU (MEMBER) 8. ABDULLAHI OGELEBE (MEMBER) THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.TO PROMOTE UNITY, GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT AMONG 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 : BARR. OPAOLA OLUWAGBEMIGA .

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LOSS OF DOCUMENT Humanity access centre

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THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. BADOM BARIDOR 2. DEEMOR GIDEON BARILEELA 3. NWIBANI ERIC SORBARI 4. SANWI SYLVANUS OBARI 5. BAKOR SECOND BARIDOMA

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. FUNMI CHRISTIANA FAPETUS 2. OSEGHALE PATIENCE AKHADWANU 3. FLORENCE IMOLEAYO AKEREMALE 4. ADAMU MAMMAN VATSA

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Mrs Comfort Ewomazino Okuna. - Chairman 2.Mrs patience Ejehiyoakhia Oboh. - Secretary

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. TO FOSTER UNITY IN ALL OGONI COMMUNITIES 2. TO ENCOURAGE THE DOMESTICATION OF OGONI LANGUAGES TO THE YOUNGER GENERATION

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1. TO PROMOTE MARTIAL ARTS SPORTS IN NIGERIA.

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To serve humanity through rendering a helping hand to the needy in the society through free skill acquisition program.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. EZE DENNIS CHINWEOKWU - 2. AMAECHINE DONATUS MICHAEL 3. ANYAROGBU EDMOND 4. OGBONNA KENNETH CHIGOZIE -

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE Lovely Lilies Foundation

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART 'C' OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Olumuyiwa Fidelis Dada 2. Olufunmilayo Dada 3. Oluwatimilehin Joshua Dada.

AIMS/OBJectives:1. To provide support to orphanages generally, (one at a time).

2. To Provide nutritional support to vulnerable children/ youths. Specially foodstuff, drinks and provisions.

3. To provide beddings for the children. Supplies include but not limited to mattresses, pillows, blankets, bedsheets, pillow cases, mosquito nets, wooden beds or iron beds, lockers, wardrobes and any other such supplies..

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

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN I, Onyemauche Onyeukwu Ihemenandu, wish to inform the general public that name appeared in my Int’l passport as “Ihemenandu Onyema Okechukwu” But the Correct order is ONYEMAUCHE ONYEUKWU IHEMENANDU. That Onyemache Onyeukwu Ihemenandu is one and the same person as Ihemenandu Onyema Okechukwu. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

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THE RETAINED TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Aboluwarin Olaoluwa David 2. Banjo Mofesola Paul THE REMOVED TRUSTEE IS : 1. Watti Boaz Olorunjuwon ANY OBJECTION TO THIS APPLICATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : Adewale Odeleye, Esq.

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THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. ABAKHAHDARABAD AMIN Mohammad - CHAIRMAN 2. OSOOLI MOJGAN MASHALLAH 3. ASHOURI TAHEREH HOSSEIN 4. ZARRAZVAND ARASH ALIREZA 5. AKHAVAN BEHBAHANI AMIR MOHAMMAD EBRAHIM 6. KAMYAB AGHDAM MARYAM 7. RAHIM JAAFAR HASAN. 8. AMANI FATEMEH ALI 9. ZAYANDEH ROUDI FERESHTEH ABBASALI. 10. EZE CHIKAODIRI CYRIL - SECRETARY THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: 1.TO ASSIST THE LESS PRIVILEGES CHILDREN 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 : ABAKHAHDARABAD AMIN Mohammad - CHAIRMAN

PUBLIC NOTICE THE OLD NAME : INITIATIVE FOR AFRICA MEDIA CHARITY AND AWARENESS CAC/IT/No. 69358 THE NEW NAME : ADVANCE AFRICA FOR DEVELOPMENT & GOOD GOVERNANCE FORUM THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR CHANGE OF IT NAME, APPOINTMENTS OF TRUSTEES (CHANGE OF TRUSTEES ) AND AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE OLD TRUSTEES ARE : 1. ABRAHAM SULE AWODI (MR) 2. HASSAN GALADIMA (MR) 3. JAMES HENRY APOCHI (MR) 4. ENE EDE (MRS) THE NEW TRUSTEES ARE : 1. RUTH STEPHEN CHOJI 2. MARYAM ABDULMALIK .

AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION TO REFLECT THE NEW NAME AND THE TRUSTEES. THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REMAIN THE SAME. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS APPLICATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

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THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. ALEXANDER EGBEABA 2. OSAGIE RUBSON E. 3. UWA STEVE AYOBAHAN 4. IRABOR ADEBAYO STEVERT THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1. TO AID, SUPPORT AND INITIATE WELFARE PROGRAMS THAT EMPOWER THE OPPRESSED CLAN OF THE COMMUNITY .

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : OSAGIE RUBSON SECRETARY.

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THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.OGOH ALUBO-CHAIRMAN 2. MATTHEW OLUSEGUN ADEJUMO-SECRETARY 3. MUSA EMMANUEL UMAR 4.DOROTHY DONGNAAN GIMBA 5PAM DUNG SHA 6.DANIEL DANJUMA LONGJI THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. To empower the less privileged in the society.

2.To identify the special needs of people living in rural areas and give support through empowerment.

3. To establish a special centre for empowerment.

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 : D. P. Dusu. 08036812609.

PUBLIC NOTICE ENCOUNTER BIBLE CHURCH INTERNATIONAL. CAC/IT/NO: 115870.

THE OLD NAME : ENCOUNTER BIBLE CHURCH INTERNAL. THE NEW NAME : ENCOUNTER BIBLE CHURCH INTERNATIONAL. THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR Amendment of Constitution To Change The Name of Incorporated Trustee ( CHANGE OF IT NAME ) UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES REMAIN THE SAME. THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REMAIN THE SAME. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS APPLICATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

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THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. ENGR OKON UDO AKPAN 2. REV NNAMSO OKON AKPAN 3. EMEM CHINEDU EMEKA 4. LARRY UGO HYCINTH 5. CYNTHIA OMOROGIEVA 6. MR IME OKON 7. MR ETIM ISONG 8. Mr FRANCIS ABASIUBONG AKPAN THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To reach the younger generation with the same old unchanging message of 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 SOCIETY FOR SOCIAL REFORMS AND ADVANCEMENT

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Ahmed ibrahim 2. Abdullahi Sarkin Gulabi 3. Yahaya Atiku Madawaki 4. Haruna Sani 5. Haruna Adamu THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. to promote social awareness, rekindle hope, encourage accountability and sustainable community development.

2. To cooperate in furtherance of its objectives with other institutions, Agencies, Societies, Association, Groups or individuals having similar objectives wholly or in part.

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 NATIONAL POTATO MULTI-STAKEHOLDERS AND INVESTORS PLATFORM

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. STEVE BAWA 2. SATLEY DAZE 3. MATHEW ZIYOK 4. PENINA HOSEA MATUR 5. EMMANUEL SHIPI 6. SARAH KWARPO 7. DAHWEI DICKS DUNG 8. YAKUBU NYAM LOMAK THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. TO TRANSFORM POTATO SECTOR INTO A VIABLE AND SUSTAINABLE INDUSTRY FOR INCOME GENERATION, EMPLOYMENT, FOOD AND NUTRITION SECURITY. 2. TO CREATE A PLATFORM FOR INFORMATION MANAGEMENT, EXPERIENCE SHARING AND CAPACITY BUILDING FOR THE VARIOUS POTATO VALUE CHAIN ACTORS .

3. TO PROMOTE BEST PRACTICES FOR QUALITY STANDARD, IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY AND ENHANCE VALUE ADDITION IN ORDER TO THRIVE IN LOCAL, REGIONAL AND GLOBAL MARKETS. 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 OCHIAGHA GBURUGBURU FOUNDATION THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. ANYIM DAVID CHIECHEZOLAM - PRESIDENT 2.ANYIM VICTORIA ONYINYECHI - SECRETARY 3. ANYIM NKECHI - MEMBER THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. TO PROMOTE AND FOSTER GOOD CORPORATE RELATIONSHIP IN ORDER TO AVAIL NUMEROUS INDIGENE/CITIZEN OF SKILLS ACQUISITION, PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION. 2. INVOLVE IN IMPROVEMENT OF LOCAL ENVIRONMENT BY APPLYING AVAILABLE FINANCIAL AND MANPOWER RESOURCES. 3. TO ENCOURAGE ANF SUPPORT THE LOCALS IN BUSINESS SEMINARS AND WORKSHOP BY COLLABORATING WITH STATUTORY AND NON-STATUTORY AGENCIES. 4. TO PROMOTE TALENT ENHANCEMENT SUPPORT PROGRAMS. 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 TOTAL SERVICES TO GOD AND HUMANITY WORLD OUTREACH FOUNDATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. IGWE EMMANUEL NJOKU 2. NWEKE SCHOLASTICA OLEJURU 3.CHUKWUYERE FELICIA 4. EMEKOBA EDMUND N.C 5. IGWE NKECHINYERE THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST (THE MESSAGE OF FREEDOM SALVATION ENTERNAL LIFE ALL OVER THE WORLD).

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 11, 2019

CLASSIFIED Loss of document

This is to inform the general public of the lost of the Original Right of Occupancy (R of O) in respect of Plot No. 276, with File No. MISC 50368 of Cadastral Zone C16, Industrial Area 1 and Ext., FCT Abuja. File Name: SYSTEM PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CONSORTIUM LIMITED of No. 1154, SIRASS CRESCENT, WUSE II, ABUJA. All efforts made to trace the missing documents prove abortive. Please the AGIS and Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) should take note.

CHINENYE I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS MISS ROSE CHINENYENWA OSUJI. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS CHINENYE NJOKU. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE. Unegbu I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS Unegbu Ethel. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS Unegbu Ethelbert Chuka. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE. Wakili I, formerly known as Hassan Wakili Mohammed now wish to be known and addressed as Wakili Mohammed Hassan. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

Ekwueme

PUBLIC NOTICE DAAWAH ISLAMIC PREACHERS FOR PEACE INITIATIVE

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. SULEIMAN AYUBA CHINOKO 2. SALIM AYUBA CHINOKO 3. SALIHU ABUBAKAR BAGMAMA 4. HUSSAINA AYUBA CHINOKO THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. To promote religious awareness and education among the society.

2. To empower skills acquisition, vocation and empowerment 3. To empower the less privileged, widow, orphanage and internally displace People in the society 4. To promote humanitarian service, safety, hazard and disaster management in the society.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE SA'ADAH NETWORK FOR SOCIAL MOBILIZATION This is to notify the general public that the above named, has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, for registration under part 'C' of companies and Allied Matters Act. 1990.

The Trustees are: a). TANIMU YAHAYA b). SHEHU UMAR ALIYU. c). MUHAMMAD DAUDA ABUBAKAR. d). ABDULLAHI MUHAMMAD ABDULLAHI. e). HARUNA AHMAD MUHAMMAD AIMS and objective: a). To promote and Educate the Community on Important of Health Care in Different Areas of Human Endeavour. b). To provide emergency response to disaster victims. c). To Educate the on the Importance of Education as well as the adverse effect of illiteracy.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication Signed: Secretary

Loss of document

Loss of document

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC OF LOSS OF ORIGINAL LETTER OF OFFER OF STATUTORY RIGHT OF OCCUPANCY (R OF O) IN RESPECT OF PLOT NO.410 WITH FILE NO. MISC 52962 LOCATED AT CADASTRAL ZONE B02 DURUMI DISTRICT, ABUJA. BEARING AMINU AND CO NIGERIA LIMITED. BELONGING TO AMINU DABO SADIQ. ALL EFFORTS MADE TO TRACE THE SAID DOCUMENTS PROVED ABORTIVE, IF FOUND, KINDLY RETURN TO THE NEAREST POLICE STATION OR AGIS. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

This is to inform the general public of the loss of C of O in respect to plot No 7 road ‘F’ TPO 464 zaria sheet 26 nc. 4021 belonging to Alh. Hafizu Iliyasu of No 7 low cost kofan gayan zaria. All efforts to trace the said decument proves abortive.

General public and authority concern to take note.

BALKISU

Sports

PEOPLES DAILY

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sports@peoplesdailyng.com, SMS- 08142929046

Wednesay December 11, 2019

Why we want autonomy for AFN –Gusau

JOHN

I, formerly known as Offie Anayochukwu now wish to be known and addressed as Ekwueme Helen Anayochukwu. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

I, formerly known asBALKISU UMAR MUSTAPHA now wish to be known and addressed as BALKISU UMAR LIMAN. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

I formerly known as DANISON BEKWELA now wish to be known and addressed as JOHN NICODEMUS. All former documents remain valid.

All authorities concerned and general public take note.

NASIRU

PETER

JAMILA

I, formerly known asNASIRU KASIMU now wish to be known and addressed as NASIRU KASIMU AGYE. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

I formerly known as BITRUS YOHANNA MAKARFI now wish to be known and addressed as PETER YOHANNA MAKARFI..

All former documents remain valid. All authorities concerned and general public take note.

I, formerly known as Jamila Jibrin now wish to be known and addressed as JAMILA MUKAILA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE

Janet

muhammad

AWUA

I, formerly known Godwin Janet Ogaye now wish to be known and addressed as Janet Ogaye Ogwuche. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

I, formerly known aminu muhd m b s now wish to be known and addressed as muhammad tukur aminu my date of birth is 15 -6-1997. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

I, formerly known as TYOBAN ISHOIN FAITH now wish to be known and addressed as AWUA ERDOO EUCHARIA. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

Emmanuel

ahmad

I, formerly known Emmanuel Echobu Jacob now wish to be known and addressed as Emmanuel Echobu Agbo. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

I, formerly known nura rabiu maikudi now wish to be known and addressed as ahmad idris ahmad. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

MUHAMMED

aminu

I, formerly known MUNIR - ABBAS now wish to be known and addressed as MUHAMMED GADARA. All former documents remain valid.

Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

I, formerly known aminu hassan bichi now wish to be known and addressed as aminu hassan. All former documents remain valid.

Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

musa

kabiru

I, formerly known musa ibrahim now wish to be known and addressed as musa ibrahim bichi my date of birth is 20-12-1994. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

I, formerly known kabiru nura now wish to be known and addressed as kabiru nura sani. All former documents remain valid.

Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE The Association Promoting Learning and Farming Process of Borno THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : (1) El Ibrahim Ahmad (2) umar salah Abba (3) kyari maidugu sheriff (4) Ibrahim tijjani (5) usman Adam (6) Ali mustapha bakura (7) kasim Adam Ali. THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : To promote and awareness on education and farming sector 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.

Athletes

T

he embattled President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Ibrahim-Shehu Gusau, has said that the recent call by the federation at its congress in Awka, Anambra State, for autonomy from the Ministry of Youth and Sports was not made in bad taste.

Mr Gusau while speaking with journalists in Lagos, noted that his board since inauguration has been faced with different problems but has been able to make some gains.

The AFN boss said he is positive that with the requested autonomy, more gains will be achieved.

He said: “Let me make it abundantly clear that everything we have done has been with the best interests of athletes in mind and an innate desire to develop

athletics in Nigeria.

“We believe that without athletes, there will be no sports and without sports, there will be no Sports Federation.”

The AFN boss said though President Muhammadu Buhari has been doing everything possible to attract foreign investments, securing alternative means of funding the federation will ease the pressure on the government.

“This is part of the reasons we seek autonomy to enable us to increase the funding base of the federation. The sponsorship deal signed with Puma attests to the capacity of this board to attract private funding for sports from within and outside the country.

“The autonomy we are talking about is in so far as administering the federation

is concerned and had always been in existence in the statutes of the AFN, the CAA and the WA. “We have always borne all expenses associated with the administration of the federation.

“This does not, however, preclude the government, through the FMYSD, from meeting its obligations to the athletes.

“If athletes are representing Nigeria in a competition, it behoves on the government to take care of them because they are representing the country, not the federation,” Mr Gusau said.

He warned that if the crisis rocking the AFN is not quickly nipped in the bud, it may be a clog in the wheel of progress ahead of the Olympic Games.

He said: “The world is fast moving

towards the independence of sports federations.

“We must join or risk being left behind.

The Olympic Games is barely 6 months away.

“While other countries are consolidating on their plans to excel at the Games, our administrators are busy hounding the Federations.”

Two parallel congresses of the AFN were held last week with one controversially suspending Mr Gusau as the president of the Athletics body in Nigeria. The other congress announced the autonomy from the sports ministry.

The sports ministry has since recognised the congress that suspended Mr Gusau.

Tomori closes to signing new Chelsea deal

>>>Page 30

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PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 11, 2019

p

r t Invest in youths to Tomori closes to signing avoid corruption, says minister new Chelsea deal C

Sunday Dare

By Albert Akota

T

he Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, has described the failure of successive past administrations to invest in youth development as a key reason why the fight against corruption remains a daunting task.

He made this assertion while delivering his goodwill message during the one day summit on anti-corruption in the Transport and Maritime Industry, held at the Aso Villa Banquet Hall, Abuja.

The event was part of the activities organised by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to celebrate Anti-Corruption Day. The event followed a 7km walk to raise awareness on zero tolerance for corruption, which the Minister took full part in.

Responding to a question raised by Nobel Laureate, Prof.

Wole Soyinka, the Minister said it was time to find and fix the missing link between youth development and corruption.

“Between a wasted generation and a lost generation, something is still lost. What should be our

concern is how we can restore that which is lost,” he said. “We are losing the mass of our youth because the appropriate and timely investment in our youth is not taking place.

The kind of leadership orientation they need is not available and the critical numbers we need amongst our youth in terms of providing skills and jobs they need is not taking place at the required level” he added.

He further added that if the fight against corruption must succeed, Nigeria domicile it among the youth of this country.

Mr. Dare then offered the service of all serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members as “foot soldiers and ambassadors for the fight against corruption. “ He also described the idea of the Corruption Busters by Prof.

Soyinka as noble, pledging that his office will connect with the group to expand deepen their work.

The Minister urged the EFCC to shine more light on the sports sector in the country acknowledging that this was already ongoing.

Russia bans for 2020 Olympics, 2022 World Cup

R

ussia has been handed a four-year ban from all major sporting events by the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada).

It means the Russia flag and anthem will not be allowed at events such as the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics and football’s 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

But athletes who can prove they are untainted by the doping scandal will be able to compete under a neutral flag.

Russian prime minister Dmitry Medvedev said the ban was part of “chronic anti-Russian hysteria”.

“It is obvious that significant doping problems still exist in Russia, I mean our sporting community,” he said. “This is impossible to deny.

“But on the other hand the fact that all these decisions are repeated, often affecting athletes who have already been punished in one way or another, not to mention some other points - of course this makes one think that this is part of anti-Russian hysteria which has become chronic.”

Russian president Vladimir Putin said the country had grounds to appeal against the decision.

helsea defender Fikayo Tomori is close to renewing his contract with the club after talks entered an advanced stage.

Tomori has featured regularly under Frank Lampard this season having been away on loan with Hull City, Brighton Hove & Albion and Derby County in the past.

The 21-year-old has made 16 appearances in all competitions for the Blues during the current campaign.

Tomori will join Mason Mount, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Billy Gilmour and Jamie Cumming in having signed new deals under the new regime.

His performances have also seen him gain recognition at full international level, with Tomori earning his first cap for England in their 4-0 win over Kosovo.

Tomori has been at Chelsea since the under-8 age group and

Fikayo Tomori he saw a potential loan move to Everton blocked in the summer

after David Luiz was sold to Arsenal.

Cricket U-19 World Cup: Team Nigeria departs Lagos for South Africa

T

he Nigeria Cricket Federation on Sunday presented players that will represent the country at the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup 2020 taking place in South Africa from January 20 to February 8, 2020, to the media.

The Nigerian team will participate at the tournament for the first time.

The vice president of NCF, Uyi Akpata, who made the presentation, said the team had been psychologically and mentally prepared for the 20-day event.

“Never before has a Nigerian cricket team been shaped the way these players have and I believe they are ready to make Nigeria proud in South Africa,” Akpata said.

“The fact that the team is departing Lagos today (Sunday) for Johannesburg to embark on a 50-day preparation for the World Cup says everything about our ambition to excel there,” the NCF official also said.

According to Mr Akpata, the team will play several pre-tournament matches against some South African top clubs to put the players in top shape ahead of the World Cup. “Initially, we planned a training tour of India. But we shelved it because of the

Cricket team logistics and its closeness to the World Cup and the fact that we are sure we would still get what we desire at our South African camp,” Akpata further said.

The team captain, Sylvester Okpe, said the squad would get into the World Cup mindful of the hopes of 200 million Nigerians back home.

“From the day we qualified for this World Cup, myself and teammates knew we must not disappoint Nigerians and I can only say they should expect the best performance from us at the tournament,” Okpe said.

The 2020 U-19 Cricket

World Cup will be the 13th edition and the second to be held in South Africa. Sixteen teams will be taking part in the tournament, split into four groups of four.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super League, with the bottom two teams in each group progressing to the Plate League.

Nigeria will be campaigning from Group B where they have been housed with Australia England and the West Indies.

India are the defending champions of this competition.

PAGE 31

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay December 11, 2019

Sowore Drama and Sundry Matters Cont. from back page the entire ordeal; so many would feel offended but for posterity, we must do what must be done. According to Booker T Washington, “A lie doesn’t become truth, wrong doesn’t become right and evil doesn’t become good just because it’s accepted by a majority” Sowore story is a two part story; the earlier part began with Sowore as a presumed secretcult member turned UNILAG students union president and then an online publisher who specialized in selective “gorilla journalism”; one that chose story that are more sellable and not the one that positively better the societal interests; one that improve his political relevancies and not the wellbeing of Nigerians.

We listened to the outburst of a lady who berated Mr. Sowore for ignoring the plights of dying children and raped teenagers even when he was given recorded video of the maladies because he wasn’t going to get richer or more popular taking up the fight or because he was probably offered better offer to drop the investigation elsewhere.

The second part of the story began with Sowore having his name on the ballot paper during the 2019 presidential election. Perhaps one of the youngest contestant for the exalted office; he came on the back of the not-to-youngto-run act signed into law by President Buhari but unfortunately came a remotely far distant fourth with a mere 33,953 votes to the winner and incumbent president. Just two months into the inauguration of the new administration, Mr. Sowore had reasons enough to conclude that the fresh administration is already a failure and must be forced out.

Having contested the election, he had all the legal opening to contest the result in court but he didn’t, rather he vocally planned an illegal process to oust the president; termed the “#RevolutionNow”. He stated unequivocally, his desire to effect a government change and out right dismemberment of certain agencies including the DSS. While drumming support for his planned outing, he travelled to the UK to meet Nnamdi Kanu, a fugitive from the Nigeria law , and he boldly said he had perfected plan with Kanu to achieve his goal. That action alone was sufficient base for arresting him; no nation in the world including the “Powerful ” USA and UK would let that pass. Days ago, a Federal Judge in the USA refused to set bond for 31 years old Friedrich Ishola, for threatening President Donald Trump via social media and that was legally admissible; but it happened in Nigeria, it is wrong.

Sowore planned outing had a semblance of a coup d’état and all he needed to do to save himself was rephrasing his intention but instead he said “I am not talking of protest. I’m embarking on revolution. 85% of Nigerians are in support. Don’t tell me about the legal implications or what a judge will say. I don’t care. We must bundle Buhari out of that place… the DSS shall seize to exist…..” that was on July 25, 2019. Unlike his few but exaggerated followers, he knew there are consequences for his actions. He knew, his lawyers knew but chose not to prevent the obvious.

I don’t know what Falana was up to; he understand the process, he knew the legal implications and yet chose the path of allowing his client to go for popularity chase at the expense of what he is currently undergoing.

I know this is all about 2023; surfing up popularity perhaps to qualify at the least for a candidacy of certain political position, if not taken all the way to pick juicy political ticket on the platform of a major political party. Paving a way for him but deceiving his followers, the haters of the incumbent president. The Sowore story is bigger than we all know. It is a script playing out and those playing the drum at the background are the real deal. There is more beyond what is seen.

The DSS made a very serious error charging Sowore with treasonable felony and thus given him opportunity of a bail condition; no nation in the world would play with and

allow such an attack on its constituted system go with flimsy game plays. I read of someone saying the government could have overlook Sowore and his #RevolutionNow outing; that he doesn’t have the followership and clout to pull of what he claimed and I am still amazed; during a period when he El-zalzalky movement is becoming uncontrollable and leading to death of innocents; at a time when the IPOB were making threats from all angles that recently led to the death of a police ACP and DPO in Anambra State and he, Sowore just met with leaders and representatives of all these Proscribed Organisations, not to talk of politicians who had not in the recent time hide their readiness to allow the country boil; we should ignore him. In what part of the world do they do that? Sowore made it clear from the onset he wanted to forcefully remove a constitutionally elected president and do not care about what the consequences are; that is treason and it is not bailable. The DSS must have to correct its error in the charges against Sowore.

Picked up by the DSS, the drama and counter drama of bail application and his release unfold. Mr. Sowore was granted bail with specified surety commitments and conditions; the bail commitments were met, remaining for his surety to pick him up by signing necessary documents but no one showed up. Falana wanted Sowore to be released on his own merit, so that when he run to evade his continued trial, the surety would declare the DSS did not release him to them.

Well finally, he was released and expected to return to the court the following day for the continuation of his case. The next season of the Sowore drama began the moment he was released; in defiance of his bail conditions, the first thing he did was granting an interview with some Journalists and when he came out was to go into a meeting at Transcorp Hilton ( that was the day he was released); he was caught on camera still talking about revolution.

Then he came to court as required and the current Sowore episode began.

The summary of what happened after is that he was re-arrested on the different charges but there are questions that must be answered; does the DSS have the legal right to rearrests him after releasing him less that 24 hour earlier? Section 43(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 provides and I quote: “A warrant of arrest may be executed by any police officer at any time and in any place within other than the actual court room in which the court is sitting” and there are a number of precedence for that; a judge of the Supreme Court standing trial and who was just granted bail but was rearrested outside the court room in Lagos not too long ago and all those online activists went to sleep.

Was Mr. Sowore rearrested inside the court room? I read and cross-analysed the reports of a couple of eye witnesses to the whole drama of Sowore re-arrest (some of these witnesses are lawyers, clergy and observers who were representing their organization interest in the court); and I came up with a summary of what transpired.

Sowore case was heard and adjourned till February 11, 2020 and the court got busy with a fresh case called. Sowore came out of the court room and it became clear to him and his lawyers that he was to be re-arrested on fresh charges; most definitely pre-planned, he ran back into the court room creating scene with “leave me alone, they want to kill me (rhetoric)” his own surrogates dragged him back into the court room, disrupted the ongoing session and force the judge to excused herself. While inside, the video on circulation was quickly made then he came outside and surrendered himself for arrest led by his lawyer (Falana).

When we understudy antecedents of dramas coming from the camp of desperate Nigerian politicians most especially, those who felt they must permanently have access to power but had been booted out, it wouldn’t be a major task disregarding the recent and

Sowore current Hollywood display by Sowore crew.

They had their tutorage from the master and grandmaster of public deceptions.

We cannot forget too soon Dino Melaye many acts to deceive the public into supporting him in recent past; the shameless brigandage on the road, in the chamber, on the tree and even on wheel chairs this has also been the practice of so many politicians standing trials Fayose film clip of severe pain is still in much circulation; the broken neck and the tear gas scenes. Saraki once cried the police were after him to arrest him in the midst of his massive security when nothing of such was happening. In the last one month, we have seen them coming to court in stretchers and wheel chairs of several design; all for two reasons, one, to deceive both the court and the Nigeria people and secondly to derail the course of justice Before taking my final position on the matter, I opted to know if the DSS legally informed Mr. Sowore and his legal team of their intention to invite or re-arrest Sowore before the incidence and I discovered that his lead lawyer, Falana was duly informed after the court case and outside the court room (this much Falana admitted to in his released statement later).

Then I ask where the online video originated from? How could the DSS team be outside while one of them is been mauled inside? That doesn’t make professional sense.

At this point, I will employ everyone who is not blinded by emotional sentiment to re-watch the video and it will immediately become that there was no DSS officer in the video; the so called DSS officer in the video is actually one of Sowore men. The video was definitely staged; juxtaposing the videos and pictures clearly show that the same crowd cheering Sowore earlier in the court room is the same that acted the false arrest.

In a viral picture and even in that same video, we see some lawyers trying to cautioned Sowore and stop him from addressing the press while others were just watching in surprise the whole drama. It is again alarming the insinuation of his lawyer, Mr. Falana, that DSS agents were dressed as lawyers to carry out the act when we did not see any lawyer getting involved beyond watching the scene as we all saw in the circulating video. We must remember that this is not a first for Sowore; his students’ unionism days in UNILAG and the poisoning claim drama readily come to mind and his very many other atrocities including his extortion and blackmail of Lekan Fatodu leading to his arrest then.

So I asked, was the entire episode preplanned? Yes it was and a near successful blackmail it was. My next question is to what end? I cannot say for sure but it is either Sowore, Falana and the real people behind the scene were bent on forcing the government to take decisions that will force the masses to the street or wanted to reenact the Nnamdi Kanu escape strategy, create a scene and smuggle him out and claimed later he must have been

abducted by the government.

How culpable in the entire game is Falana; after the El-zalzalky is dying episode that came out a lie, but I don’t want to believe Falana was in the full know. He couldn’t risk his many years of achievements for a game he knows is bound to boomerang. I assumed Mr. Falana is being played and used by people politically smarter than he is. I am sure he is equally digesting the veracity of those video as well as the implications on himself.

More worrisome are the statement credited to individuals like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on the entire issue. These are men who having been in government ought to understand the realities of the Sowore saga but chose to take the side of unfolding lies and deception by the enemies of the state. These are men who in certain past watch one of their own; Fayose slapped a sitting Judge right in the court room and they did not raise a voice.

The same individuals are quick to heat up the country even when they know the story is wrong. So much I am tempted to conclude on who are the ones drumming for Sowore ?

This is a time, we must really wake up as a nation to the scheming of elements within our political space who are hell bent of making the nation ungovernable; individuals who are ready to go all the way to incite the citizens against the government. Whatever Sowore is doing is part of a grand plan by these people.

Whatever angle it comes from and the actors behind it, the symptoms’ are the same; we are currently seeing Fani Fakayode creating a diversion to heat up the polity ahead of his possible conviction.

Over the last few years under the current government, we have had a list of 22 exgovernors from states across the country and cutting across all religion and ethnic affiliation under investigations and trials, yet Fani kayode instead of answering to his case is already doing what they know how to do best.

Fani Fakayode said the administration anticorruption fight is aimed at only Christians and that the entire individual on trial and already convicted are Christians. But how does he explain the coincidences of all the ex-governors currently in jail being APC members; how does he explain Dasuki elder sister being Mallam Mamman Daura wife and El-zalzalky and wife, a Muslim Cleric in custody The question ought to have being, did Fani Fakayode committed the offence he is being tried for? But in our clime, we hardly bother about that facts, we listen to these self-made public speakers and commercial activists for directions to our responses to national issues.

God Bless The Federal Republic Of Nigeria!

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ABBA I, formerly known ABBA SA'EED ABDULLAHI now wish to be known and addressed as ABBA SULAIMAN. All former documents remain valid.

Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note. muhd I, formerly known mohammed shuaibunow wish to be known and addressed as muhd shuaibu inuwa.

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Wednesay December 11, 2019

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orld Cup-winning coach Didier Deschamps has extended his France contract until the end of the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

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French football president Noel Le Graet called it “logical decision”.

Le Graet previously said Deschamps’ contract would be extended if France qualified for the 2020 European Championships.

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nlike so many other denominators that are relative, and selectively affect individuals and groups, security isn’t relative. It is every one problem and challenge alike.

Discussing the current state of our national security is a foremost obligation. Security is a broad topic and multifaceted. Providing adequate security for the citizens implies giving them an all-round and encompassing security covering a broad range of fields and dealings.

While we strive for and lead dialogues and protest for a better life, we fail to recognize that the social, economic and physical wellbeing that we crave for are outcomes premised on available security which is far beyond physical security as play by most Nigerians.

We must discuss the necessities of guaranteeing the speech security of Nigerians as well as state the limit of enjoying the freedom of such; when we all, government and citizens alike without pressure understand fully the spirit and soul of the freedom of speech as a fundamental human right. When we captured the inalienable freedom possess by the ruled to constructively despise, challenge and criticize their rulers and create ample space to accommodate it. When the citizens come to the realization of the limits of the freedom of speech; knowing that talk is cheap but yet could come with divisive and destructive consequences both to the source and the community; when our outbursts on all media produce only one result; force the government to sit up; when we abolished the age long conception of getting politically and socially popular on the back of activism that berate the system only for the fame that come from it.

We should therefore mirrored the overall security concept and realities of our nation with a view to understand where we are coming from, where we are now and where our present efforts and actions as it relates to procuring security for Nigerians are capable of taking us to tomorrow.

From Boko haram, to kidnaping to herder/farmers conflict, political thuggery, socio political violence and the likes, we lost out on the real causes of almost all these failure of security. Boko Haram, ravaged our land, killed thousands of innocent Nigerians without selecting tribe or religious affiliation or location.

The group literally brought us to our knees years back; nowhere was safe, not even the Federal Capital Territory. We had and are still spending billions of Naira to keep the sect at bay while we rebuild the devastated territories and lives. The sudden proliferation of the invasion of kidnappers, killer “ militants ” and high way robbers and bandits were not totally different from the

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USSIJU MEDANER info@medaner.com, justme4justice@yahoo.com insurgent attacks. We get decimated from all corners and our sense of insecurity heightened by the day.

In all these, we have not until now become sensible enough to consider what is more important as a people; the insecurity that breed insecurity.

Why do we have the Boko Haram?

Why the increased in kidnaping?

Why the herdsmen-farmer clashes? We have not discussed the inordinate activism and socioeconomic insecurity that grew into physical assaults manifested in the aforementioned.

In the recent past and till now, the activities of Sowore and those drumming for him even those financing his activities(for political gains), if not properly managed would have caused the nation a major security problem. What I am trying to say is that discussing our physical security challenges must begin with discussing the seemingly intangible but more important mental security challenges like what the planners of the ongoing Sowore saga want.

We should as a matter of fact, grow beyond emotional sentiments and biases to understudy the links between our very many insecurity manifold and the many inhuman and untamed ambitions of politicians seeking political elevations. It is almost impossible to discuss any major crime and insecurity in Nigeria without mentioning a political interest, therefore, must of our crimes and criminalities are socio-politically related.

Not too long ago, the dastard Offa robbery dealt a blow to all of us; but we all are in the know that ongoing investigation is revealing how the perpetrators were an arm thugs of a highly Kwara politician operation unit. Lives were wasted in the build up to the 2019 elections by the “ panthom killer herdsmen” that suddenly evaporate after the elections; words around the corners are saying the menace could only vapourise that way if it was politically planned for the period it lasted only, and I cannot not agreed any less.

Rivers state was turned to a killer den because politicians needed to take control of territories and criminals were born and replicated in their thousands.

We must grow to realize that activism in Nigeria has been taken to a new level; a level that has not only become dangerously responsible for growth of insecurity in the country

but is grooming more active and deadly consequence of hatred towards the system and also, this has sharply divided the citizens along ethno-religious and regional lines . Individuals and groups have overtime become commercial activists, feeding robustly on the ignorance and desire of the suffering masses to have someone speaking for them. These elements, further populated by desperate politicians who would do anything to get power, this ugly trend must be stopped by all legal means possible if we really want this country to be safe.

I will give a summarised view of the Sowore drama before taking time to discuss details: For most of us Nigerians, because facts are irrelevant when we need to feed our negative biases and emotional sentimental inclinations.

Most of us did not even bother to see and carefully analysed the circulating videos, but rather rely on hearsay coming mostly from our social media handles which already is begging for regulation as it’s done in other developed climes.

The DSS complied with earlier court ruling to release Sowore but that ruling did not say that he must not be rearrested and of course no law of our land prevents an arrest at any time or at any location if there is proper documented permission for the arrest. So the DSS decision to arrest him cannot be a subject of public ridicule because it is legally in order.

Whether you are innocent or otherwise, the law does not give anyone the liberty to resist arrest.

Resisting or attempt to resist an arrest being executed by any security agency is a serious offence on its own. Senator Melaye is currently in court answering to that offence.

We should all be expecting fresh or amended charges against Sowore within 48 hours of his re-arrest, this is because the law permits the enforcing agency that space.

There were so much drama that day, but that can be fed to us because we already have chosen the path of accepting anything as long as it is against the one we hate. DSS wearing native apparels to effect an arrest, no, some of us are not fooled by that drama, in fact no Nigeria is fooled but for those who preferred what they are propagating as what they want.

Now, to my personal submission;

the current Sowore travail is a figment of the Nigeria security stature.

Building the premise for discussing the ordeal, I would make a detour to present the scenario of the Senator Orji Uzor Kalu court conviction; in 2007, a petition written and signed by a group led by Senator T A Orji was submitted to the EFCC. The petition detailed corrupt practices of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu while serving as Abia state governor. Though the offense is against the Nigerian state, the petition was written by his fellow Easterners who equally came to court to testify against him. Days ago, the former governor was convicted and suddenly a new narrative emerged; that the Buhari government has used and dumped Kalu. A section of the country are already angered that it is a calculated attempt by another section to annihilate their region political bigwigs in preparation for 2023( these are the views of the likes of Fani kayode); yet these same people had been busy abusing the same government of shadowing and protecting corrupt politicians who cross-carpeted to its party.

Why the detour? We cannot effectively discuss any issue in Nigeria without factoring the sentimental inclinations of the issue. In the present Nigeria, most citizens react to emotional sentiments and not realities. We react to our pre-biases rather than presentable facts of issues. As long as it is the Buhari administration that got the conviction, it is wrong.

So, not beginning with Sowore rearrests, whatever Sowore did in the first place is okay to a section of the populace just because it is against a government they have aversion for; and they would support and create excuses for whatever happen or would still happen.

The government would always be wrong. So, it would be difficult to make attempt at taking a neutral position and objectively scrutinize

Cont. on page 31

DAN Dan GAYE gaYE

FG condemns renewed attack on Nigerian traders in Ghana - News

Have they forgotten Ghana must go?

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