Thursday, April 12, 2018 Edition by Peoples Media Limited

Thursday, April 12, 2018/ Rabaj 25, 1439 AH

Vol. 28 No. 072 N150

1455 Days after

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. . . putting the people first

The nation awaits rescue of the remaining abducted Chibok schoolgirls

N1.5bn suspicious NEMA Buhari extends 257 killed in contracts awarded by Algeria military VAIDS deadline previous mgt -DG plane crash to June 30 pAGE 23

pAGE 9

Buhari to Archbishop of Canterbury:

pAGE 3

I declared for reelection to avoid distraction page 5

R-L: President Muhammadu Buhari with Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, as the presidentÂ receives in audience the Archbishop and the High Commissioner of Nigeria to the United Kingdom, yesterday in London. Photo: State House

Zamfara Police arrest 35 bandits, cattle rustlers >>>page 7

FG approves Army varsity in Biu, okays N47bn for roads, N13bn for Warri seaports page 5

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PEOPLES DAILY, Thursday, APRIL 12, 2018

News CONTENTS News 2-10 Editorial 11 Op.Ed 12-13 Politics 15-17 Business Health

19-20 18

Corrupt Nigerians protested against Buhari in London - Presidency By Lawrence Olaoye

he Presidency has alleged that corruption is fighting the administration of President Muhammad Buhari barely 24 hours after he declared his intention to run for a second term in 2019. A source in the Presidency alleged that suspected treasury looters and corrupt elements within and outside the country were behind the organised protest against the President yesterday in London, United Kingdom. According to the source, the motley crowd that welcome the President in the UK were engaged by discredited looters who felt uncomfortable with the possibility of Buhari’s second term Sources in Aso Villa and Britain alleged that extremely corrupt Nigerians who are custodians of slush funds stolen from Nigeria, and hiding in UK or are resident cronies of

such elements, have colluded to form a league of protesters with a singular aim of distracting and disorganising the scheduled state visit of the President to England, for bilateral talks with Prime Minister Theresa May and other dignitaries. “Esteemed Nigerians home and abroad, friends and business investors in Nigeria, should please see through the veil of the motive behind the Abuja House, Kensington London demonstration. It was an orchestrated act of desperation and a ploy to blackmail and hoodwink the President from concentrating on his anticorruption campaign, which is fast gaining grounds locally and internationally,” the source stated. “This unpatriotic act is not unconnected to the Federal government policies to name and shame corrupt citizens and looters; to collate database of

Nigerians with homes in UK who are not paying the right taxes, and the hot drive to prosecute all financial defaulters through bilateral and multilateral means.” A public affairs analyst who prefers anonymity also said “the protest was benchmarked on an assemblage of local grievances and national challenges which the government is already tackling head on. Such as the herdsmen versus agrarian farmers clashes, fuel scarcity which no longer exists and trumped up charge of hunger in the land at a time when prices of food items are beginning to drop and inflation on the decrease.” His view was buttressed by Presidency sources who further repeated the position of Mr. President who famously said that corruption is endemic and Nigerians need to kill it before it kills Nigerians. “It is obvious that this is a clear cut incident of corruption fighting

L-R: Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano state presenting a document on investment potentials in Kano to UAE Undersecretary, ministry of economy Investment, Abdullah el Sale, during the Annual Investment Summit, at world trade centre, yesterday in Dubai.

Tambuwal swears-in 4 new judges Pgae 4

Metro

back. Many of the beneficiaries of corruption and slush funds cannot withstand another devastating blow of Buhari’s anti-corruption sledge hammer. Hence, they are resolute to derail the apple cart in order to save their ugly faces and sit back to enjoy the loot in their personal banks. Some of the protesters are not even Nigerians but hired hatchet men paid to do the dirty job,“ it was gathered. According to security sources, the protesters are said to be bent on embarrassing and humiliating the President throughout his stay in the UK. An insider vowed that they will take their demonstrations to the venue of CHOGM holding later in the month in Britain, which President Buhari is attending as a Commonwealth Head of State. Senior Special Assistants, Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu in his reaction said that the President will not be distracted from his mission in the UK.

Int’l 23-24 Environment

Feature

Sports 30-31 Columnist 32

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El’ rufai approves 10,000 monthly allowances for 17,139 ward heads From Mohammed Ibrahim Kaduna

aduna State Government has approved a monthly allowance of 10,000 naira for 17,139 Ward Heads (Mai Ungwas) in the state. The ward heads are from the 34 chiefdoms of the state and the monthly allowance was in an effort to strengthen routine immunization against killer diseases. Commissioner of Local Government, Prof. Kabiru Mato disclosed this yesterday at a news briefing held at the Local

government ministry. Mato said Kaduna state will spend over N170m monthly in paying each ward head N10,000 as an incentive to encourage them to sustain their roles against polio. “As you are aware, repeated immunization campaigns have and continue to be conducted to protect our young children against polio and other diseases. “Again the governor has led by example, making his children available to front the vaccination campaigns” “the government, with the support of its partners, is steadily institutionalizing

routine immunization as a wide spread, accessible and primary framework for immunization. This means that the necessary vaccines are available all year round.” “The success of these health protection initiatives for our children at the grassroots depends on the active involvement of village and ward heads. These layers of traditional ruler ship know the residents of their communities, including the infants and other vulnerable persons,” he said. Mato added that their unique location makes village and ward

heads such valuable partners in increasing immunization coverage, and improving recordkeeping at the grassroots.” They can mobilise communities to participate in immunization, and to register births and deaths. “For these roles,the state government has decided to pay a monthly allowance to 17,139 ward and village heads. This allowance represents a token of appreciation for their roles in complimenting formal government efforts to deliver public goods in the health and security sectors,” Mato explained.

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PEOPLES DAILY, Thursday, APRIL 12, 2018

News

By Lawrence Olaoye

resident Muhammadu Buhari has approved the extension of the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) to June 30, 2018. According to his spokesman, Femi Adesina, the short extension after the original March 31 date was based on the appeals of professional bodies and individual taxpayers. He stressed that the government would no longer grant further extension beyond June. The President added that a new date was also given, based

News Editor, Ese Awhotu

Buhari extends VAIDS deadline to June 30 on the conviction of the Ministry of Finance that the overall objective to increase compliance will be attained, and additional revenue will accrue. A fresh Executive Order will be made to give legal backing to the new timeline. According to the President , “For a nation of people who are competitive and driven, it is not a pride that we are the lowest performer in tax to GDP, not just in Africa, but in the world. “Nigeria’s growth needs are such that every Nigerian must do his duty to his nation, to his neighbour, and to himself.

“Hiding monies overseas, evading taxes by manipulation, and other unwholesome practices, have never developed a country, and for Nigeria to attain her true potential, these must stop.” Buhari urged Nigerian companies and individuals to join government in the rebuilding mission, “and do the right thing by taking this window of extension to regularize.” He added that the right thing may not be convenient or comfortable, “but in the long run, we will all have a nation we can be proud of.”

The President further urged tax authorities to use the extension window to perfect plans to prosecute those who fail to regularize their tax status. VAIDS is one of the key policies being used by the Federal Government to reposition the Nigerian economy and correct inherited underdevelopment. The country has one of the lowest tax collection rates in the world at just 6% of GDP. This was partially a function of the reliance on oil that saw us abandon the historical revenue collection systems and switch to a culture of sharing resources,

rather than generating them. Buhari had last year launched the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), and the VAIDS tax amnesty is first in the series of reforms that will transform our tax system and provide sustainable predictable funding for all tiers of government. Tax revenues will ensure that public infrastructure is provided, and public services are funded to improve the lives of the people. Taxes redistribute wealth from those who have more to those who have less, and VAIDS is one of the windows to achieve such.

Gunmen attack Benue communities, kill 10 From Uche Nnorom Makurdi

en persons were yesterday reportedly killed in two separate attacks on Gbeji in Ukum local government area and Tswarev in Logo government area by suspected armed herdsmen The attack, it was gathered occurred in the evening and left several persons injured and many properties destroyed. Amongst those killed in Gbeji were two elderly men, two children, two women and one young man while three. A resident of Gbeji Mr Abraham Ngyenev who spoke to our correspondent, said the attack started at about 6pm when people were coming from their farms and lasted for more than three hours. He said area attacked include, Channel One,Orveren and and Ajura villages, Tombo community, Ukemberagya, Mbagber especially at Anyiin, Anyibe, Azege, Tsukwa leaving Tor Imbor, Aondowua Mnyor and Msugh Ajura dead. Names of those killed were given as Mtserkyaa lgbugh, Kananfa Amarfu Tyavyar Akau, Orfega Hiikyaa, Kanyitor Uor a well as a passer-by aged around 75 years whose identity is yet to be

ascertained. Another eye witness Mathias Azawe said the attack was devastating as it came when people were planting their crops. Both Chairmen of Ukum and Logo local government areas Mr Iberlogo Tortyokyaa and Richard

Njayo who confirmed the incident lamented over the wanton killing of innocent people in their areas and called on security agencies to live up to its responsibility of protecting lives of its citizens. Meanwhile, two trucks conveying mobile policemen were

said to have arrived the town and were patrolling the place and its environs even as hundreds of people have fled the area for safety. Confirming the incidence, Benue State Commissioner of Police Fatai Owoseni said, “there was an incidence in Gbeji and

we are investigating it. There is said to be an attack by suspected herdsmen in the area but we can confirm that as at this morning (yesterday), four dead bodies were recovered there. We have stepped up security in the area and we are investigating.

R-L: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha and Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari, during the Federal Executive Council meeting presides over by President, at the Presidential Villa, yesterday in Abuja.

How corruption is fighting back in NPA, by MD By Lawrence Olaoye

anaging Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mrs Hadiza Bala Usman, has said that corruption is fighting back in her agency. Usman who spoke to newsmen yesterday after briefing the Federal Executive Council (FEC) chaired by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo also said she had been able to save the country billions of dollars by removing monopoly in movement of oil and gas cargo. Asked whether corruption is fighting back in her organisation, she said “Oh definitely corruption is pushing back, its faiths back all

the time. We have had instances where corruption is pushing back and we have remain resolute with the support of Mr. President in assisting us to fight corrupt practices in Nigerian Ports Authority.” On the works done in NPA, she said “we have been able to execute transparency and elimination of corrupt practices, we serve the need to ensure that whatever government legal with an entity there is full compliance. We have noted the Treasury Single Account, we have had entities complied to the TSA, we have also made our budget very transparent. We believe in building

institutions and we have done tremendous work in deploying Human Resources capacities within our systems.” On now much had been saved so far, Usman said “I will say we have saved billions of dollars in terms of ensuring that corrupt practices are eliminated. One of the key things the government has been able to do is to remove the monopoly of the oil and gas cargo, now in the Nigerian oil and gas you are able to take cargoes anywhere leading to any location in the country. Hitherto designated terminals got priority considerations to the extent that only those terminals had access to oil and gas cargo which made

exploration of oil and gas in the country very expensive. This has tremendously assisted, we have saved billions and billions of dollars in crude exploration following the removal of the monopoly by President Muhammadu Buhari of oil and gas cargo designation.” On the sudden rise in revenue generated by the NOA, she said “It has to do with ensuring that debts are paid, ensuring that there is full compliance and deployment of the Treasury Single Account, these are the things we have been able to do to block revenue leakages and ensure that we have seamless accounting processes. Asked for her mission at the

Villa, she said “I am at the State House today requesting FEC to approve the dredging works for escravos channel in Warri and its navigation. Is a challenge we have had in the Nigerian ports we need to ensure that the the channels into the Warri ports are dredged.” She explained the economic implications of her request thus “It will fundamentally change the fortunes of Warri ports, it will expand the utilization of our eastern ports, we believe in the need to ensure that all ports locations are given the seamless access by providing dredging works and that is what we are here to do today.”

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PEOPLES DAILY, Thursday, APRIL 12, 2018

News

Katsina, Alleged money laundering: Ex-PDP chair, Jigawa, son face fresh EFCC evidence Bauchi, Benue get J N70m loan for toilet construction By Vivian Okejeme Abuja

he United Nations Children’s Fund has said it has disbursed N70 million to 3,000 households in four states in Nigeria as a loan to construct improved toilets, under its Sanitation Marketing Programme. The UNICEF International Consultant on Sanitation Marketing, Mr. Amir Syed, disclosed this in a news conference on Wednesday in Katsina. According to Syed, the loan is to assist Nigeria to attain Open Defecation Free status by 2025. The international consultant listed Katsina, Jigawa, Bauchi and Benue states as the states that benefited from the loans. He said that the loan was disbursed through some Micro Finance Institutions in the participating states. Syed further said the programme had been extended to Zamfara State. Seyd said 18 local government areas in Nigeria were currently participating in the programme. The international consultant explained that Toilets Business Owners, trained on toilet technologies were engaged to construct the improved toilets for the affected households. In his contribution, the Executive Director, Katsina State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Alhaji Aminu Dayyabu, said the programme was being implemented in five local governments in the state. According to him, the local governments are Bakori, Mai’adua, Sandamu, Safana, and Dutsin-ma. (NAN)

ustice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday, admitted as exhibit, another set of evidence tendered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, against former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Haliru Bello and his son. Bello, his Son, Abba and their firm, Bam Projects and properties Ltd, is facing four-count charge of money laundering brought against them by the EFCC. The court had earlier granted the defendants bail to the tune of N600million with two sureties each, in like sum. According to the anti-graft agency, the defendants had through the firm, received the sum of N300million from an account the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, operated with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

The fund was said to have been transferred to the defendants 11 days to the 2015 presidential election, by the detained former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki, rtd, under the guise that it was meant for “Safe Houses”. The commission maintained that the offence the defendants committed was contrary to sections 15(2) (d), 17(a), and 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishable under Section (15) (3) of the same Act. At the resumption of trial yesterday, justice Mohammed admitted four documents which detailed how funds were transferred and withdrawn from an account the defendants operated with Ecobank Plc, and marked them as exhibits PL-11, PL-11a, PL-11b and PL-11c. Meanwhile, the documents the court admitted into evidence on Wednesday included a letter from Ecobank in response to

EFCC’s enquiry, the statement of account of the company, the account opening statement, as well as the Certificate of Identification. Justice Mohammed dismissed objections the defendants raised against the admissibility of the documents. The defendants had through their lawyers led by Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, and Mr. Solomon Umoh, SAN, queried the admissibility of the documents which they argued was not frontloaded by the EFCC as prescribed in section 379 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015. The prosecution counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, however urged the court to dismiss the objection, even as he contended that admissibility of documents in a criminal trial was guided by the Evidence Act and not the ACJA which the defendants relied upon. In a short ruling Justice Mohammed said he was minded

Controller of Customs, Federal Operation Unit, Zone A, Muhammed Uba (left), showing to newsmen some of the 6,003 smuggled bags of foreign rice, equivalent to 10 trailer loads, which were intercepted by the unit, yesterday in Ikeja, Lagos State. Photo: NAN

Tambuwal swears-in 4 new judges From Raji Bello Sokoto

to admit the documents into evidence since they are relevant to the charge against the defendants. “The non-compliance to section 379 of the ACJA is not enough ground to make a relevant document irrelevant”, the court held. In another ruling, the court granted an application the former PDP boss filed to be allowed to travel to the United Kingdom for medical checkup. EFCC did not oppose the application which was filed on April 10. Though Justice Mohammed directed the deputy registrar of the court to release the international passport the defendant surrendered as part of his bail conditions, he held that Bello should not travel out of the country till May 22 which is the next adjourned date. He held that documents before the court showed that Bello was billed to see his Doctor in London on June 5.

overnor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal Wednesday swore-in four new judges that will serve in the state high court and the Sharia Court of Appeal. Those sworn in as High Court Judges were Kabiru Ibrahim Ahmad and Isah Mohammed Bargaja while Kasimu Yusuf and Umar Liman Sifawa were swornin as Khadis of the state Sharia Court of Appeal.

Speaking at the ceremony held at the Government House, Tambuwal said the appointment followed due process and all those appointed were qualified legal representatives who merited their positions on the Bench. He said judicial officers in the state have shown great determination to ensure effective service delivery. He said since the inception of present administration, he has not received any complaint against judicial officers directly

or indirectly from the National Judicial Council (NJC) or the state Judicial Service Commission (JSC). “For about a decade now, there was no appointment of judges in Sokoto state. So for us, today’s event is a milestone which will help in strengthening the judiciary. “I want to assure you, and indeed the legislative arm of government, of our continued support and cooperation. This is essential if we hope to ensure rapid development of democracy in the

country,” the Governor added. While congratulating the new appointees on their appointments, Tambuwal expressed confidence that they will approach their new responsibilities with due dignity, integrity and commitment. The event was witnessed by the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon Salihu Maidaji, Chief Judge of the state, Justice Bello Abass and the Grand Khadi, Abdulkadir Saidu.

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PEOPLES DAILY, Thursday, APRIL 12, 2018

News

Buhari to Archbishop of Canterbury: I

declared for reelection to avoid distraction By Lawrence Olaoye

resident Muhammadu Buhari has told the Bishop of Canterbury, His Grace Justin Welby, in London that he declared his intention to recontest the Presidential election in 2019 because he felt that politics should not be allowed to distract his administration. The President is currently in the United Kingdom on a state visit ahead of Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting scheduled for 18th-20th of this month. In a statement made available by his Spokesman, Femi Adesina, yesterday, the President said, “I declared before leaving home because Nigerians were talking too much about whether I would run or not. So, I felt I should break the ice. We have many things to focus on, like security, agriculture, economy, anti-corruption, and many others. We needed to concentrate on them, and politics should not be a distraction. The majority of Nigerians appreciate what we are doing, and that is why I am re-contesting.” The President also gave the assurance that his administration is still working on the release of the Leah Sharibu, the only victim of the Dapchi girls still in the custody of the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents. “We are managing the matter quietly. Making noise would not help. We are collecting as much intelligence as possible, working with the Red Cross and other international organizations. There are too many fraudulent

people around, who claim they can do this and that. We won’t deal with them. That was how we got the Dapchi girls back, and the Chibok girls.” Responding to his guest’s comment on the clashes between herdsmen and farmers in different parts of Nigeria, the President submitted: “The problem is even older than us. It has always been there; but now made worse by the influx of armed gunmen from the Sahel region into different parts of the West African sub-region. These gunmen were trained and armed by Muammar Gadaffi of Libya. When he was killed,

the gunmen escaped with their arms. We encountered some of them fighting with Boko Haram. Herdsmen that we used to know carried only sticks, and maybe a cutlass to clear the way, but these ones now carry sophisticated weapons. The problem is not religious, but sociological and economic. But we are working on solutions.” President Buhari lamented that “irresponsible politics” has been brought into the farmers/ herders’ crisis, but assured that enduring solutions would be found, and justice done to all concerned. The President recounted some

successes of the administration to his guest, with whom he has built a deep friendship in recent times, and was quite particular about strides in agriculture. “We have cut the importation of rice by about 90%, saving billions of dollars in the process. People who rushed into petrol money have now gone back to agriculture. Even professionals have gone back to the land. Nigeria should be able to feed itself comfortably soon. I am so pleased,” the President said. On the war against insurgency, he stressed the need for continuous education of the people, “so that they can be free

from religious manipulation,” adding that no true religion advocates the hurting or killing of the innocent. The Archbishop said it was always a delight to see President Buhari, “whom I have tremendous respect for,” adding, “You have my best wishes on your recent decision. I read your declaration speech. We are neutral as a church, but we will pray for you. Great statesmen are those who run for the good of their country. We will be praying for you.” He, thereafter, presented Buhari with a copy of his recent book, ‘Reimagining Britain: Foundations for Hope.’

L-R: Chairperson, Electoral Commissions Forum South Africa, Development Community, Namibia, Mrs. Notemba Tjipurena, Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and President, European Centre for Electoral Support, Mrs. Monica Frassoni, at the press conference after the international conference on ‘Opportunities and Challenges in the Use of Technology in Elections’, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

FG approves Army varsity in Biu, okays N47bn for roads, N13bn for Warri seaports By Lawrence Olaoye

he Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the establishment of Army University in Biu, Borno State. The Council chaired by the Vice President, YemiOsinbajo, also approved the sum of N47 billion for the completion of road projects in Plateau, Lagos and Ogun states; just as it okayed N13 billion for the dredging of the Excravos and Warri port. The Council equally set up a panel to advise government on ways to disseminate its policies to the populace. Briefing newsmen after the weekly meeting, Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu said “Council approved establishment of the Nigerian Army University in Biu, Borno State.” Senior Special Assistant to the President on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, who spoke earlier, said “The minister of women affairs briefed council on women empowerment programme undertaken, capacity development for women, promotion of human rights, fighting violence against women, rehabilitation of victims of gender violence, promoting the health of women and children, and of course the efforts on the rescue of Chibok and Dapchi girls. Council commended the women affairs ministry for a job well done. “Ministry of Information spoke on achievements made which include bringing down the wall that screens out Nigerians in the military engagement in the North-East, the role played in

the prompt release of the Dapchi girls and have instituted town hall meetings, 11 of which have been held so far across the country. He said the town hall meetings are ways of getting feedback from the country. He also spoke about the national sensitization campaigns on insecurity in the country. He spoke about the institution of regular interaction with Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria, Nigeria Union of Journalists and other relevant bodies. He also spoke on interaction with International Press Institute personnel who are coming into Nigeria for their World Congress in June this year. They have made progress with the digital switchover campaigns. At the end of the day, the council decided to set up an inter-ministerial committee to fashion out a marshal plan for the communications for the ministry to sit down and advise government on how policies and programmes can be better disseminated. In particular, the committee will advise government on how the ministry and its agencies can deliver on its own mandate. The ministers on the committee are those of finance, agriculture, budget and national planning, power, works and housing, transportation, communications, Information and Culture, petroleum and Niger Delta. Minister of Transport, RotimiAmaechi, revealed that “FEC gave approval for the dredging of the Escavos and then the Warri Seaport and the replacement of the bad navigational aids. The total

cost of the contract is N13 billion.” The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola said his ministry got approval for three memos. “One was for BabanLambaSharam Road in Plateau state, for the contraction of 44.625 kilometers at N19.392 billion. The second was for Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta Road 81 kilometers. That road was first awarded in year 2000, and it has since been left uncompleted because there was no budgetary provision for it. This administration in trying to move this contractor to site; and stated the revision of the rate. So, the revised rate were brought to council today, and a revision of N22 billion was approved for the 81 kilometers road, bringing the total contract price to N56.701 billion. “The third approval was for the section four of the Enugu Port Harcourt Road, the part between Abia and Port Harcourt, particularly in Port Harcourt that has been problematic and has failed severally. We have a contractor there; but we needed to change the design because of the storm water drainage needs and the high water tables there so that the road does not fail. That requires a revision of the scope of work to include retaining side lanes, and also drainage facilities, in the sum of N6.309 billion.” Minister of Water resources, Suleiman Adamu, said “We presented a Policy memo highlighting the crisis facing water and sanitization in the country and the need for government to take action. “We highlight the fact that urbane water supply is regressing, access to improve sanitation has also decreased over time that we have not be able to

meet the Millennium Development Goals and that works services in the rural areas are unsustainable, and spending on water sector has declined by .7% to .72% of the GDP in 2010. “We submitted a memo to council to approve an action plan on how to address these issues. We had three prayers for the council to approve the action plan: to declare a state of emergency on water and sanitation sector; to approve the establishment of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Fund for the country. This fund will be one that federal, states and international donors can put in money so that we can begin to address the crisis water and sanitation sector in the country. We also requested that, henceforth, the budget for water and sanitation in the country to be significantly increased so that we will be able to face these challenges. Council accepted our prayers and we will move on.” Gen. AbdulrahmanDanbazzau, Minister of Interior, on his own said, “FEC approved contract for the completion of two faculty buildings and Cadet Mess and Cafeteria for Police Academy in Kano. The reason being that there is minimum requirement to be met by the academy before accreditation of programmes. “In May 2010, a memo was submitted for the approval of a draft bill when it was upgraded to a degree awarding institutions. So the total amount of the contract is about l N234 million. “Once it is completed, we will invite the NUJ to have a look at some of the programmes that are yet to be accredited.”

PEOPLES DAILY, Thursday, APRIL 12, 2018

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News

60 years after, community laments health hazards of refuse dump From Femi Oyelola Kaduna

he Anguwan Shanu Community in Kaduna North Local Government Area of Kaduna State has expressed dismay over the huge refuse dump site located along the Sadiq Mamman Lagos Road in the area which has become health hazard to residents. The residents made these assertions when a team of climate and environmental reporters visited the community yesterday. A resident, Mallam Aliyu Kaya

said he was 55 years old and grew up to meet the dump site which is about 60 years old. According to him, the site is oozing out offensive odour which is not pleasant to the community. Speaking on the origin of the refuse site, Mallam Kaya said refuse collectors from within Kaduna metropolis always dump the refuse collected from various axis on the site. He added that the situation became worse when some residents began to use the site for open defecation.

Mallam Kaya said past governments in Kaduna state have made efforts to clear the site but all to no avail, he however commended the government of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai for constructing drainage on the Sadiq Mamman Lagos road which has stopped the refuse during the raining season from being flushed into the community. He added that the burning of the refuse by scavengers is becoming a climate challenge to the environment as thick smoke takes over the community every

day from around 12noon – 2pm. Mallam Awwal Ali said the residents of Anguwan Shanu are the architect of their own fate because they were careless about their environment and they refused to maintain the standard order of cleanliness. According to him, no demarcation for refuse dump in the area as every available roads are refuse sites. He said this is bad for a community located within the Kaduna metropolis. “You can see the drainage government is constructing in

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Mrs Nuratu Batagarawa; Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas and Chief of Logistics, Naval Headquarters, Rear Adm. James Oluwole, inaugurating the Navy Officers’ Quarters at Kubwa, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: NAN

Father of slain man, 29, urges army to release corpse for burial From Femi Oyelola Kaduna

businessman, Mr. Andy Ita Ukpe has called on the authority of the Nigerian Army to release the corpse of his 29 years old son, Solomon Ukpe who was killed while collecting sand in front of Command Secondary School, Kaduna in June 2017. The depressed man made the call while speaking to the media in Kaduna yesterday. Mr. Ukpe also said he is demanding a compensation of N700m from the Army authority in order to care for the two children left behind by his deceased son. He said he decided to visit the Nigeria Union of Journalists’ Secretariat to cry out to Nigerians to impress on the Army to release the corpse to him for a befitting burial. He alleged that his slain son was shot dead by private soldier ‘names withheld’ who was

recruited into the Army in 2016. He narrated that his son who was a carpenter went to the site to collect sand for block making when the soldiers attached to the Command Secondary School asked him to stop which he obliged. “He tried to explain himself and the soldier pretended to have agreed with him and gave him money to go and buy cigarette. But as he turned around to go and get the cigarette, the soldier shot him from back killing him instantly. “The police came to the scene and picked the corpse to Gwamna Awan Gneral Hospital where the deposited it. But to our surprise, the Army went and collected the body of my son from the mortuary without notifying me. “They did that under a false personality because when they went and took the body, the paper that enabled them to take his body away read civilian identity. But when I called the contact

line that was on the paper, the respondent said he was a goat seller at Tudun Wada. “So I called the 1 Division and no response for two days. But on the third day, one Captain eventually picked the call and confirmed taking the body from Gwamna Awan General Hospital but declined telling me where it was taken to for one week. “It was at that point I contacted the Human Rights Commission and I was told to visit the 44 Army Reference Hospital Kaduna which I did even though I was not comfortable with the mutilated body of my son. I saw him and 21 others not properly kept. “The reason for transferring the body from Gwamna Awan General Hospital to 44 Army Reference Hospital was to retract the bullet from his body so they would know whether it was from their soldier. This is surprising even when the soldier in question had admitted committing the

crime. Since June last year, we are still where we are in a country that is guarded by a constitution. “The Human Rights Commission later went to the 1 Div and said the GOC wanted to see me. But each time I went there, it is either the GOC is on one assignment or the other. We have not been able to see to discuss. “We have even written to the Chief of Army Staff but no response in any way. They are saying order has to come from above and that is where we are today. Mr. Ukpe however said, if after exploring all the available avenues to resolve this matter amicably, the family would be left with no option than to seek legal redress. When contacted, the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 1 Division Mechanized Nigerian Army, Kduna, Colonel Dole declined to comment on the allegation, saying, “He could not make any comment on the matter.”

this community is being blocked with refuse. If residents of the community help themselves they will caution others not to block the drainage, but they don’t care. Residents hardly carry out sanitation exercise. “Whoever passes this road will perceive the stench emanating from the dump site and also testify that the community is hot. All kinds of diseases occur here due to inhaling of this stench emanating from this dump site which has been for so long. “Well the government on their part are trying, however government did not demarcate site for dumping of refuse. But if that is done government do not clear the site as at when due,” he said. The Anguwan Shanu community with a population of about 300,000, according to a staff in a Primary Healthcare facility (PHC) within the community because of the offensive odour from the refuse, frequently received complains of Diarrhea, Typhoid, Malaria and Cholera. She added that the Facility was not spared because the refuse dump is located behind it. A community leader in the area, Comrade Usman Gwada said the government has been trying it best, but it needed to do more in order to avoid catastrophe. He called on the community members to help themselves, corporate with community leaders and the government so as to find a lasting solution to this matter.

7 dead in multiple auto crash in Enugu

he police in Enugu has commenced investigation into a multiple motor accident that claimed seven lives in Ugwuoba Community, Oji-River Local Government Area, along Enugu-Onitsha Expressway. The Command’s spokesman, Ebere Amaraizu, said in a statement on Wednesday that the incident, occurred on Sunday, April 8 at about 8 p.m. “No fewer than seven passengers were confirmed dead including an eight-monthold baby who later died at a nearby hospital during medical attention,’’ he said. Mr. Amaraizu noted that the identities of the deceased persons were yet to be ascertained. According to him, other victims who sustained various degrees of injuries were rushed to Salvation and Faith Hospitals in Oji River for treatment. “The deceased bodies have been deposited at the General Hospital Mortuary in Oji River,’’ he added. (NAN)

PAGE 7

PEOPLES DAILY, Thursday, APRIL 12, 2018

crime News

Police, Ali Kwara kill 3 armed robbers, recover illegal arms, ammunition

Zamfara Police arrest 35 bandits, cattle rustlers

From Bauchi

Ahmad

Mohammed

auchi State Police Command in collaboration with Ali Kwara team has killed three armed robbers in Maladumba area of Misau Local Government Area of the State and recovered arms and ammunitions. Addressing journalist at the police headquarters in Bauchi , the Command’s spokesman, DSP Kamal Datti Abubakar stated that the illegal arms recovery was a concerted effort following the 21 days ultimatum given by the Inspector General Of Police (IGP), Ibrahim K. Idris in February. He said,” that a combined team of IGP Monitoring Unit in conjunction with Bauchi renowned hunter, AliKwara trailed three suspected armed robbers to Maladunba forest in Misau LGA while planning to attack unsuspecting members of the public, on sighting the team, the suspects engaged them on a fierce shoot out which lasted for some minutes. As a result, the three (3) suspected armed robbers sustained fatal injuries and were taken to General Hospital Misau and Medical doctor certified them dead.” Kamal said , three AK47 rifles, one locally fabricated Double Barrel gun, 210 live ammunition of 7.62mm caliber, six catridges and six empty AK47 riffle Magazines were recovered from the suspects. Other exhibits recovered according to DSP Datti were a Silver Coloured Golf 3 Station Wagon with registration number AH 471 GWA, one Cutlass, two pairs of police uniform and N16,900. He said that the case is under investigation. Similarly Police Spokesman said Police in Bauchi state have recovered a catcher of illegal firearms and ammunitions from bandits and other suspects across the state and therefore stated that the command is calling on members of the public to surrender the illegal arms and ammunitions in their possession. Kamal said “The command calls on the general public to avail the police with useful information on persons in possession of firearms or where such firearms are kept or any information that will assist the command in the fight against crime. Kamal said “ In compliance with IGP directives, the commissioner of Police Bauchi State Command, CP Sanusi Lemu, psc inaugurated Police Joint Task Enforcement Team to that effect, Consequently, the command has so far successfully recovered a total number of Eighty Three (83) prohibited/ illegal firearms and seven hundred and two (Z702) live ammunition from suspected criminals and persons that voluntarily surrendered their firearms to the command.” DSP Datti disclosed that the arms recovered were; 30 AK47 rifles, One AK49 rifle, Five Single Barrel Guns, 20 fabricated guns and two Double Barrel guns. Other arms recovered include; Four Pump Action guns, One K2 rifle, 20 Pistols, 702 live ammunitions and 70 cartridges.

From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d Gusau

he Zamfara state Police Command said it has succeeded in the arrest of 35 notorious criminals involving armed bandits, cattle rustlers, kidnappers and hoodlums popularly known as’Sara-Suka terrorizing the state. The Command, said it also recovered 89 assorted firearms in the possession of the bandits. Parading the suspects at the state Police Command in Gusau yesterday, the Commissioner of Police, CP Kenneth Ebrimson explained that, the recovery of firearms

and ammunitions was successful during encounter with the bandits. CP Ebrimson further announced that, others were the arms and ammunitions surrendered within the period of 21 days ultimatum as directed by the IGP Ibrahim Idris, while the third category were the arms and ammunitions recovered through Police Information network and complaint boxes. The Commissioner said, the tactical Police team on Fear Reduction Patrol has foiled a planned attack on Mada town by the armed bandits and was successful to have accosted and arrested two notorious

bandits who have been recorded terrorizing the area and its environs with the recovery of 25 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition and assorted dangerous charms. In the same light, the Commissioner has paraded three notorious cattle rustlers who were arrested in Bukkuyum local government area, saying, “They were also suspected to have perpetrated several heinous crimes in the state”. He said they will be charged to court as soon as investigation is completed. In another development, a notorious armed bandit terrorizing Katuru axes under Shinkafi local government area

identified as Idris Arzika was also arrested in possession of two locally made guns, and is currently helping the Police with information with a view to making more arrest and recovery of arms. “In a sustained raid at various criminal hideouts within Gusau metropolis and it’s environs, twenty members of the dreaded group of Sara-Suka who have been terrorizing people with their nefarious activities have been arrested with their tools of trade comprising, dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, tramadol tablets and 3 bottles of shooter intoxicant,” CP Ebrimson added.

A cross-session of six members of a family who are all suffering paralysis in Gitata, Panda, yesterday in Nasarawa State. The six are the children of the late Danladi Bawa and each usually suffers the affliction after turning 18 years. Photo: NAN

Court remands 7 for setting man ablaze

n Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan, on Wednesday, ordered the remand of seven men in Agodi Prison, over the alleged murder of one man known as Ojo. The defendants, Akeem Mudasiru, 30; Saheed Mufutau, 22; Waliu Adeniji, 20; Saheed Ganiyu, 21; Muideen Tajudeen, 31; Toheeb Adeleke, 27; and Akeem Isiaka,

32, are of unknown addresses. The accused persons are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and murder. The Chief Magistrate, Mr. Muideen Salami, said that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case. “This court lacks jurisdiction to hear this case. The defendants should be remanded at Agodi prison, pending the advice of the

Oyo State Directorate of Public Prosecution,’’ Salami ruled. He adjourned the case till April 27, for a mention. Earlier, the Prosecutor, Inspector Samad Aliu, had told the court that defendants and others now at large, allegedly conspired to commit the offence of murder. Aliu said that the victim was set ablaze by the defendants over

an alleged cult rivalry. He alleged that the defendants and their accomplices and miscreants (area boys), on March 23, committed the offence at about 3 am, at Orita-Merin area, Ayeye, Ibadan. The prosecutor said the offence contravened Sections 324, 316, 319 of the Criminal Code Cap 38, Vol. II Laws of Oyo State, 2000.(NAN)

Dane accused of killing Nigerian wife docked

53-year-old Dane, Peter Nielsen, who allegedly killed his wife, Zainab, and her three-yearold daughter, Petra, was on Wednesday remanded in Ikoyi Prisons on the orders of a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos. Zainab, a musician popularly known as Alizee. The Magistrate, K.B. Ayeye, who gave the ruling, said the accused should be kept behind

bars pending advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Mr Nielsen, a Danish citizen, is being tried on a two-count charge of murder. He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him. But Effiong Asuquo, the prosecutor, told the court that the accused committed the offences on April 5 at his

residence at Block 4, Flat 17, Bella Vista Tower, Banana Island, Ikoyi. He alleged that the accused killed his wife, Zainab, 37, and her daughter, Petra, in the house. “The accused who was always at loggerheads with his wife had hit her head on the wall several times leading to her death; he also proceeded to poison his daughter. “He had dragged their lifeless

bodies under the gas to create the impression that they suffocated to death as a result of a gas leakage,” the prosecutor, a chief superintendent of police, said. The offences contravened Sections 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 which prescribes death sentence for offenders. The case has been adjourned until May 8 pending DPP’s advice. (NAN)

PAGE 8

News

NBTE trains polytechnic officers on exam integrity From Femi Oyelola kaduna

he National Board of Technical Education (NBTE) on Wednesday began a two-day training for examination officers of Nigerian Polytechnics and other allied institutions on examination and record integrity to stamp out corruption. The Executive Secretary of the Board, Dr Masa’udu Kazaure, said the training organised in collaboration with Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN) was designed to improve the integrity in examination and certification in polytechnics. According to him, the goal is to ensure that all manner of examinations corruption are stamped out in various Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions in the country. Kazaure said the training with the theme, “Advancement of the Human Capital in the Polytechnics and other Allied Institutions’’, would help to strengthen the belief in the Nigerian Project. He also said that rectors, provost and officers in-charge of assessment and issuance of certificate had been instructed to maintain high ethical standard. “Our collaboration with ACAN will yield inestimable value in strengthening characters of officials of examination administration and records, obedience to examination rules, beliefs and norms in all TVET institutions. “NBTE doors are wide open to receive all partners of technical and vocational education who want to support us to ensure stability, advancement to revamp the decaying state of TVET institutions.’’ The NBTE boss said that at the end of the training, the participants were expected to replicate the training at institutional levels. On his part, ACAN Provost, Prof. Sola Akinrinade, noted that developments in higher educational institutions, including polytechnics and colleges of education needed aggressive response to the unethical practices bedeviling them. Akinrinade said corruption had taken up residence in most of the country’s higher educational institutions and found comfort and companionship from those who were supposed to repulse it. According to him, corruption in any form is unacceptable, but corruption in our higher educational institutions strikes at the very heart of the future of this country. “The extent to which the qualifications and the class of degrees being awarded by these institutions has been called into question by the corrupt activities associated with the process which produce them. “This became evident when achievement levels hardly represent actual capacity of those parading the certificates and other qualifications awarded by our educational institutions,’’ he said. The provost applauded the NBTE’s efforts toward stamping out corruption in TVET institutions under its purview.

PEOPLES DAILY, Thursday, APRIL 12, 2018

Financial recklessness: Adamawa Assembly wants C.O.E Hong provost sacked By Dankano Umar Adamawa

he Adamawa state Legislature has urged Governor Muhammadu Umaru Jibrila to sack the provost of College of Education Hong, Dr. John Pongri for gross financial misconduct and maladministration. It could be recalled that the lawmakers had in February 2018 invited and interrogated Dr. Pongri over allegations of financial embezzlement and mismanagement as a result of a petition written against him from the college.

However, the legislators at a plenary on Tuesday resolved that findings of the committee saddled with investigation of the matter had found Pongri wanting and therefore recommended for his removal with immediate effect. The House through a motion by member representing Shelleng constituency,Honourable Umar Abubakar unanimously adopted the resolution of the sack directing the commissioner of higher Education to remove Dr Pongri as his continuous stay in the institution is inimical to the

development of education. Part of their findings was that ,Dr Pongri was found to have fraudulently mismanaged over N300million being proceeds from Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, in the institution. Dr Pongri was also found to be wanting in other serious cases of abuse of office, official misconduct and malfeasance. The House further stated that Dr Pongri has issues of integrity maintaining that,he has been addressing himself as Professor, while in fact he is not on any professorial

chair of any institution. He is also said to have exceeded the number of years in service in accordance with public service act, been above 65 years of age. It was also stated in the petition that the college provost recruited over 200 persons including his wife , children, and close relations. He was also said to tempered with TERTFUND funding of projects in the institutions When contacted, the Provost , Dr Johnson Pongri refused to comment on the allegations.

Gov. Muhammed Abubukar of Bauchi State (left) presenting a souvenir to team leader of Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC) 11, Mr Mathew seiyefa, during participants of executive intelligence management course 11 courtesy visit to Government House, yesterday in Bauchi. Photo: NAN

Gombe N-Power beneficiaries disagree with Goje over comment From David Hassan Gombe

eneficiaries of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration N-Power programme in Gombe state yesterday disagreed with Senator Muhammad Danjuma Goje over his call to scrap the Federal Government Social Investment Programme SIPs. The beneficiaries who gathered in their numbers at the Education Resource Centre Gombe disagreed with the statement made by the

senator. Goje who represents Gombe Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly called for the removal of N-Power Programme by the federal government saying the programme has nothing to show in Gombe state. While refuting the alleged statement by the senator, the beneficiaries said his comments were not only untrue but are baseless. Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, N-Power Ambassador

in Gombe state, Muawiya Abdulhamid who was represented by Muhammad Wakili said based on record, no fewer than 2,900 people currently are benefiting from the N-Power initiative in Gombe state. According to him, a total of 21,000 people applied for the second batch of the 2017 Programme, adding that a total of 8,251 people were preselected out of which 7,300 people were verified and send to the National office saying that if the 2018 is not approve the fate of this person will be uncertain.

Speaking further, he said record has shown that a total of 548 people were from Gombe central where Senator Goje represent at the the National Assembly 594 from Gombe South while 1,692 people are from Gombe North. He revealed that out of the 446 beneficiaries came from Akko local government area, 30percent of the number are from Goje’s electoral ward adding that some Secondary Schools in Kashere are currently enjoying the SIPs schools feeding programme.

Ganuwa Film production honors orphans, drama stars

From Ahmad Bauchi

Mohammed

popular drama group Ganuwa Film Production in Bauchi State has honoured orphans and vulnerable children and Hausa drama stars. Other beneficiaries of the award and assistance by the group includes traditional and community leaders, musicians, Politicians and Security

Personnel. Speaking at the Bauchi Children Nursing Home, the Chairman of the Group Alhaji Bala Hussani DDK said the aim of their visit was to interact with the orphans and vulnerable children so that they will feel they are part of the society and to encourage them to work hard in order to explore their potentials so that they can contribute to the development of the Society when

they grow. Bala said they also intend to present a drama to them and entertained them to make them happy and teach them important of good manners of living in the society which is the root for growth and development. He announced Plan of the Ganuwa production to organize a football match for orphans and vulnerable children to enable

them interact more with their counterparts and pledged to provide all that is needed to the success of the event and donated drinks and food items to the children. Similarly the group has presented award and food items to the traditional and community leaders and drama presenters and musicians from within and outside the country.

PEOPLES DAILY, APRIL 12, 2018

News

Gunmen attack Nasarawa community, kill 5

he Police Command in Nasarawa State has confirmed five persons killed in a fresh attack on Kadarko village and environs in Obi Local Government, on Tuesday. Kennedy Idirisu, the command’s spokesman, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lafia that the attackers invaded the village at night and shot everyone on sight. He said the command had deployed adequate personnel to quell the attacks, adding that relative normalcy had returned to the area. He said that the command had arrested three suspects in connection with the Kadarko attacks, but explained that the situation was “a bit tense.” According to him, the State Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Bello, is already on his way to the affected areas for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation. A resident of Kadarko village, who spoke on the Tuesday attack, told NAN that the trouble started when a 17- year-old boy had his arm chopped off by unknown persons suspected to be herdsmen. The source, who craved anonymity, said that the attackers later stormed the village at night, shooting sporadically at anyone on sight. “Even the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp was not spared,” he said, adding that many people were injured in the stampede as women and children scampered for safety. NAN recalled that Kadarko village was attacked on January 29 by gunmen that killed seven persons. (NAN)

Page 9

N1.5bn suspicious NEMA contracts awarded by previous mgt -DG By Mashe Umaru Gwamna Abuja

he Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Engr Mustapha Maihaja yesterday said N1.5billion suspicious contracts were awarded in the agency before his assumption of duty. He said he inherited some rot in the agency and he was doing his best to correct it. On the N1.6b contracts for the supply of materials to flood victims in 16 states in the last one year were in compliance with the Public Procurement Act. But the House of Representatives has asked the suspended personnel of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) as well as present and former Procurement officers to appear before its panel investigating the agency today. Maihaja made the disclosures

while appearing before the Ali Isaled ad hoc investigative panel of the House of Representatives on the activities of NEMA. He said: “When I came on board in late April, 2017, I met N4.6m in our coffers and liability of N1.5b and our monthly allocation of N500m cannot go a long way in procuring these materials. “This was also the time when the international agencies announced the scaling down of their funding by 80 percent. That was the situation on ground when u came on board”. “Before I came contracts were paid for without proper documentation and that is why N1.5billion is unpaid till date because there was no certificate to prove that. “A memo was just submitted that due diligence process be instituted and that is what we are doing “We now have Maintenance and Operation unit and make sure

we implement as approved. There was no Human Resources, no Verification Unit and this applied to everything across board, all we are doing is to put things in place”. On the N1.6billion contracts for the supply of relief materials to 16 states affected by flood, Maihaja insisted that the agency did not breach Procurement laws in the award of the contracts f and delivery of the items. . The Ad-Hoc Committee accused NEMA of breaching due diligence on the N1.6b contracts. The DG was also accused of commencing distribution of relief materials six months after release of funds, while also engaging companies that have tax issues. But Maihaja said due diligence was strictly followed by the agency under his management after realizing that the system he met on ground was flawed on procurement as well as administrative matters. The DG said the Bureau of

Public Procurement (BPP) did not find fault with its Procurement procedure after which Certificates of no objection were released. Concerning the allegation that some companies were not eligible for contract for failing to meet due requirement on tax and pension clearance as provided by the Procurement Act, the DG said no law was breached because steps were taken to adhere to the Procurement Act. He said: “We adhered to the Procurement Act, to the best of my knowledge we complied, we did not violate the Act.” He said the agency did not commence distribution of relief materials to 16 states affected by flood in 2017 because the financial and administrative conditions of the agency were not encouraging as at April, 2017 when he assumed duty. The hearing continues today with the appearance of the suspended personnel.

L-R: Minister for Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun; Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. Ade Ipaye; Minister for Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu and Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachukwu, discussing during the Federal Executive Council chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, at the Aso Chambers, State House, yesterday in Abuja.

Niger govt bans media officers, civil servants from press interview From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

he Niger state government has prohibited all civil servants in the state from speaking with the press or expressing their view on any media without authorization from their respective organizations. It was gathered that the Information Officers in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies are also affected by the ban. They are to seek authorization from their Chief Executives before speaking to any journalist. Our correspondent, however,

stumbled on the circular signed by the Head of Service, Yabagi Alhaji Sule which was sent to all MDAs in the state while trying to get some clarification on an ongoing investigation. According to the circular, the state government was reacting to the participation of some civil servants, employed in one of the state media houses, on a radio programme tagged ‘Journalist Hang Out’ in a private FM station in the state. The programme criticized the inability of the government to meet up with its promise to the people and

pointed out some areas which the government have failed to address. The circular read, “The Niger state Head of Service has in accordance with the provisions of section 04436 (1C) warned in very strong terms that any civil servant caught granting interviews to Press without express authorization of his or her Chief Executive will face the wrath of the law. “The Head of Service stated that extant rules in the service prohibits civil servants from speaking with the press without authorization is still in force. Severe disciplinary measures await

all defaulting officers, no matter how highly placed. “ Citing the term, ‘He who pays the piper dictates the tune’, the Head of Service called on all civil servants to remain loyal and law abiding because according to him, “in the day of reckoning, obedient officers will be appropriately rewarded.” Efforts to get the Head of Service, Yagbagi Alhaji Sule to clarify the issues raised in the circular proved abortive as reporter was denied access into his office by his Personal Assistant when she went to his office to seek clarification.

PEOPLES DAILY, Thursday, APRIL 12, 2018

PAGE 10

News By Ese Awhotu

s the country makes steady progress with the implementation of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), the leadership of European Union (EU) in Nigeria has re-iterated that for Nigeria to reposition its economy for sustainable growth and development, the non-oil export sector is key to the diversification agenda of the present administration. This was disclosed yesterday in Abuja by the Head of EU Delegation in Nigeria, His Excellency, Amb Ketil Karlsen during a courtesy visit to the Executive Director/CEO of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. Olusegun Awolowo. A statement by Joe Itah Head, Corporate Communications NEPC, Headquarters, Abuja quoted Awolowo as saying that, “ED, you have one of the most important jobs in Nigeria today given the enormous task and mandate of the Council to drive the diversification of the economy from oil using the Zero Oil Plan (ZOP), as your government looks to stabilizing the economy, its democratic governance and processes through diversification from dependence on oil as a major source of revenue” said Mr. Karlsen. While acknowledging the strong partnership between NEPC and the EU Commission, the Ambassador who said he was keen to learn about the progress of the Zero Oil Plan also touched on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which he said has mutual beneficial opportunities for Nigeria and the EU. He solicited the support of NEPC as a strategic partner in advancing wider understanding on the benefits of the EPA and in the same vein expressed that the Continental Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) was also germane for increased trade among African countries and the EU, as it seeks to create a single continental market for goods and services, with free movement of business persons and investments.

Non- oil export sector key to Nigeria’s economic growth – EU reiterates Responding, Mr. Awolowo disclosed that the Council is more than ever before positioned to drive the diversification agenda of the present administration using the Zero Oil Plan. To underscore this, a National Committee on Export Promotion has been set up by the highest economic advisory body in the country, the National Economic Council headed by the Vice President. He also said that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Budget and National Planning

has mainstreamed the ZOP into the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan with particular emphasis on boosting supply of foreign exchange from non-oil sectors by driving growth in five key areas. These, Awolowo said are: Concentration on generating US$30billion from 11 strategic products, exploring the competences within the comparative and competitive advantages of States through One State One Product (OSOP) programme, review of Trade Agreements to prioritize Nigerian

exports to 22 newly targeted Export destinations, domestic sourcing of products through launch of first National Export Aggregator and strengthening of Export Development Fund (EDF) scheme to enhance competiveness of locally produced goods. Besides, he disclosed that the Council along with UNIDO and other relevant government Agencies is on the verge of testing the outcomes of the National Quality Infrastructure Project (NQIP), which is aimed at improving quality, safety, integrity

and marketability of Nigerian goods and services as well as removing technical barriers to trade. This testing will be a trial export of Nigerian beans following extensive work carried out by UNIDO and the Federal Government Interministerial Committee on Zero Rejects, midwifed by NEPC in response to the EU’s ban on importation of Nigerian beans. It a pilot of the Conduits of Excellence programme of the National Quality Infrastructure, consistent with international best practices.

L-R: Gov Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Mr Hassan Bello; Director, Inland Transport Services, Mr Akintunde Makinde and Director, Special Duties, Mr Ignatius Nweke, during the visit of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council Boss to the Governor, yesterday in Ibadan. Photo: NAN

Cereal Institute, NASS partner to empower rice farmers From Ahmed Idris Kebbi

Birnin

he National Cereal Research Institute (NCRI) Badegi in collaboration with National Assembly Abuja has organized a three days training workshop on Agri-business and empowerment for rice farmers, youths and women in Rice Value Chain for states in the northern region.

The workshop which took place yesterday in Birnin Kebbi was held at Far Hostel Bardariya with the aim to support the youths and women farmers across the northern region. Delivery his speech, the Kebbi State Governor Senator Atiku Abubakar Bagudu said that the massive rice production is the only remedy in reducing unemployment

youth in the country, adding that agriculture is a lucrative business which earns people a lot of money. The Governor who was represented by the Hon. Commissioner of Agriculture Alhaji Mohammed Garba Dandiga said that the present government is ready to provide all the necessary tools and enable environment

for the sustainability of rice production in the country. The commissioner was also represented by the Director Produce Alhaji Adamu Dankawu Rice has become an International commodity and called on stakeholders to complement government effort in promoting rice production. In his remarks, the Head of Station National Cereal

research Institute Gwadangaji Dr. Philip Audu said that the training would give them more opportunities in their farm production, adding that agriculture is way of reducing unemployment and increase food stuffs in the country. The participants were drawn from Borno , Katisna, Sokoto Kano, Jigawa states among others.

Oba of Benin pays N20,000 stipend to each Libya returnee By Osaigbovo Iguobaro Benin

n fulfillment of is earlier promise, the Benin monarch, Oba Ewuare II on Wednesday began the payment of N20, 000.00 (Twenty Thousand Naira) monthly stipend for Libya returnees in Edo state. The traditional ruler, during a courtesy call by a cross session of Libya returnees, promised to place

178 survivors on monthly stipends for three months. The returnees were among illegal migrants from troubled North Africa countries from the state in search for greener pastures. Oba Ewuare II Foundation was the clearing house for the gesture. Secretary of the Foundation, Esosa Eremwanarue gave the N20, 000 stipend on Wednesday

in Benin City on behalf of the Oba of Benin . The Secretary of the Foundation in an interview with journalists after the event stated that the money given to the returnees was in fulfilment of the Oba of Benin gestures he promised them the last time they visited him at the palace. Esosa, who also is the private Secretary to the Oba Ewuare II

noted that the exercise would be done monthly as pronounced by the Oba for a period of three months. He revealed that the Foundation would empower the returnees in various skills acquisition programme as part of efforts to reintegrate them into the society and discourage future prospective migrants from embarking on such deadly

adventure. The beneficiaries implored corporate organizations to emulate the monarch gesture by engaging youths in meaningful ventures. The event was the Secretary of Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabor, Broadcaster, Habiibah Oyarekhua, and Queen of the Face of Edo Beauty Pageant, Miss. Ifueko Aideyan and among others.

PEOPLES DAILY, Thursday, APRIL 12, 2018

PAGE 11

EDITORIAL ierra Leone, a tiny West African nation, on the Atlantic coast, has a new president. He is Julius Maada Bio, the candidate of former opposition party, the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP). In a run-off vote March 31, Bio narrowly defeated the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Samura Kamara, 51.81 per cent to 48.19 per cent. Bio was sworn in few hours after the national election body announced the final vote tally. The new president, a former junta leader who briefly held power in 1996, is his country’s second post-civil war elected president after Ernest Bia Koroma, who enjoyed two terms of five years each. Constitutional term limits stopped him from running for a third term. Bio won the presidency, but his party is a minority in parliament, winning only 47 of the total 132 seats; the now opposition APC has 67. Bio knows his parliamentary deficit or handicap, and this is why he has asked his rival to support the new government in Freetown, the capital. Kamara has accepted, after initially contesting the election outcome and threatening to challenge Bio’s victory in the courts. It is believed that Kamara caved in to pressures from Sierra Leone’s African neigbours and international election observers who had declared the vote generally credible. By conceding, he hoped that it would help lower post-election tensions. However, he pleaded that

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APC supporters be not persecuted. Africa.” “With the elections concluded “No Sierra Leonean should suffer for and following the trend of recently held peaceful elections in West belonging to any party, no one should shed blood for politics,” he said. Africa”, Buhari urged all stakeholders The change of baton in Sierra Leone is in Sierra Leone to work together for the third in West Africa in three years. the peace, security and development It happened in Nigeria in 2015, Ghana of the country. He enjoined all those last year and Liberia in February with grievances over the outcome of 2018. It means the wind of democratic the elections to seek constitutional change is gathering pace in the Ecowas means of resolving them. sub-region. This is good for the region There are too many coincidences in the Sierra Leonean and Nigerian elections for the APC federal government in Abuja not to notice. Both nations are former British colonies; both fought a civil war, Nigeria from There are too many 1967 to 1970 and Sierra Leone 19912002. Nigeria’s Buhari is a former coincidences in the Sierra junta leader and so is Bio, a retired Leonean and Nigerian Brigadier General. And both defeated elections for the APC federal the candidates of ruling parties. There is a small irony though. In Nigeria, government in Abuja not an All Peoples Congress defeated to notice. Both nations are a ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while in Sierra Leone, former British colonies; both APC is the loser. These parallels can fought a civil war, Nigeria only suggest one thing. Very soon, small brother will come running to from 1967 to 1970 and Sierra Big Brother to show his appreciation Leone 1991-2002 for helping to end Sierra Leone’s civil war and stablilzing the country and Africa generally. Not unexpectedly, afterwards. There will follow a plea Nigeria’s President Muhammadu for further assistance now that the Buhari has been one of the first foreign country is reconstructing. We should leaders to congratulate the new Sierra listen, show understanding, offer help Leonean lpresident. Buhari said where we can. But at the same time, he looked forward to working with Buhari must be firm in telling small President Bio for the “growth, prosperity brother that we have been through a and stability of both nations, and West bad patch ourselves.

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Beyond the coincidences

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Opinion

PEOPLES DAILY, Thursday, APRIL 12, 2018

The implications of Buhari’s second term declaration By Muhammad Ajah

nother historic event occurred in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria, on Monday April 9, 2018, at about 11 am, when the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari declared at the meeting of the national executive committee (NEC) of the ruling All Progressives Party (APC) his intention to run for a second term in the 2019 Presidential polls. The wide jubilation that followed this episode across the country, though expected, has rung a bell of confidence the Nigerian populace has in the President. It has also sounded a warning to those who are hell-bent in causing harm to Nigeria. I could not hold my emotion as I immediately posted the news to the many Whats App groups I belong to and received within few hours over a thousand responses. I will relate some of these responses from friends across the country later. Due to official workload, I could not read them during office hours but I must confess that it took me over two hours at home to go through the messages many of which were from whom I do not personally know. The choice of this topic was quite difficult for me, especially considering the situation Nigeria finds itself. It is clear that there is unabated advocacy between the Nigerian people and a Nigerian powerful political group. So, I was in a fix to choose from the words “complications, juxtapositions or lamentations” of Buhari’s declaration. Whichever of the words that fits the article is apt, so long the end is justifiable. The declaration has complicated issues for some people. It has been juxtaposed with great events happening around. And it is serious lamentation for others. Generally, the implications of the declaration have far-reaching effects and results under our present circumstances. Though having long been awaited by compatriots, it is coming at a time when some disgruntled prominent citizens have decided to mislead citizens from the good path to development which Nigeria is currently towing and disabuse the minds of patriots against the pilot of this new dawn democracy in Nigeria. Of most prominence against the reelection bid of the President are Chief Olusegun Obasanjo who sought, against constitutionality, for a third term but was frustrated out, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida who stepped aside from military rule with glaring hope of coming back to power under democracy, Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma whose tenure as minister of defence witnessed unprecedented massacre of armless citizens and some others who are being relieved by the current government of some assets and

properties belonging to Nigeria. Now that the die is cast, we must pray harder for Mr. President, for Nigeria and for the will of God and the masses to prevail. Those threatening brine and stone will be put to shame because the general elections will come and pass and Nigeria will remain intact, stronger and united. After all, the pastors of doom who wished Mr. President death before 2019 have started falling. Immediately after the declaration, I posted “President Muhammadu Buhari has officially declared interest to run for second term today Monday 09 April, 2018. It is very good news for Nigerians. May God Almighty make it come true. Join the winning train!” This was the simple message that generated traffic in my Whats App hubs, with majority replying to my prayers with ameen, repeated more than once by my respondents. Unlike the former Presidents who preferred rented crowds for their declarations, President Buhari did it in a small hall before people he need not pay because they are patriots and the progressives. The President, in his wisdom, was sure that members of his party needed to have the honour of having the great news first. That is why when people were speculating that things had fallen apart between Buhari and APC because of appointments, I was confident that all fences will be mended in due course, mostly at the right time that will please every party member. And here the time has come. The humble leader has made the executives even happier because, as the leader of the party, he pleaded for waiver for any outgoing exco member who may wish to recontest for any position in the party’s forthcoming congresses at all levels. But the aspirant must follow the constitution by resigning the current position one month before the congress. Again, unlike other past Presidents who would have preferred to announce such sensitive national statement in worship places, Buhari, who is accused by unrepentant religious bigots, did it in an open place where all cultural and religious interests are represented, at a closed-door meeting of the APC . And lastly, unlike other former President who used to keep Nigerians waiting with claims, through paid broadcasts and media decorations, of consulting God, President Buhari did his consultations silently without bordering the Nigerian citizens. In mid February, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, hinted that the President will seek re-election in 2019. Though the engine room of the federal government, he spoke unofficially on the matter at the Unity Fountain in Abuja, while addressing

Guns in the USA By Minabere Ibelema

hen a few minutes after 5 am. on Monday I reached for the power switch on my radio, I couldn’t have been more than 30 per cent awake. And so when there was a passing reference to a mass shooting at a Las Vegas hotel, I couldn’t process it well. In the haze of a mind that was still largely asleep, it occurred to me that my daughter was on vacation there. And that thought jarred me to full wakefulness. No, my daughter wasn’t there. She was the weekend before. Still, I was reminded of how tragedies that seem so far away can be so close to home. For at least nine minutes of hellfire, a gunman lodging at the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel had trained his rifles on the thousands of fans of the Country Music Festival, killing 58 and injuring about 500. It is said to be the largest casualty from such an incident in modern American history. My daughter told me later that she and friends lodged in a nearby hotel and passed by the Mandalay a number of times. In fact, they received an invitation to an event there, but didn’t attend. Even then, I still think of it as a close call. Had my daughter gone to Vegas a week later or had the shooter finalised his murderous mission a week earlier, she might have been one of his casualties. Though she is not a country music fan, she still might have attended the festival. Vacationers go for the fun, regardless of usual preferences. Now, the focus of the investigations is on what motivated Stephen Paddock, a 64-year-old

wealthy businessman to plan and execute the murder of many. Much is now known about his meticulous preparations for the operation, but little is known about his motivation. It is known that he checked into the hotel three days before the shooting and turned his hotel room into an armoury of 23 guns and thousands of ammunition. It is known that for several years he had stockpiled weapons, buying on a particularly frenetic pace in the months leading up to the shooting. It is known also that he sent his live-in girlfriend to her native Philippines and wired her $100,000. And the investigations of motives continue, as they always do after every carnage. There is also an investigation into how Paddock amassed so many weapons. And so far the evidence is that he acquired them all legally. The law of the land permits him to do so. Though it is illegal to own automatic rifles, the ones Paddock used are semi-automatic rifles that he legally converted into automatic rifles. Yes, on the one hand fully automatic rifles are illegal. On the other hand, they are legal. Such inanity is possible only because of the fierce opposition to any attempt to regulate gun ownership. It took much legislative battle to pass a ban on fully automatic rifles, but opponents of the restriction extracted a claw-back clause that essentially negated the ban. Had Paddock used his semi-automatic rifles, he would have killed many people anyway, but probably not as many as he did with his converted fully automatic rifles, which discharge many more bullets per second. Just like the national anthem and flag,

a rally organized by the Democratic Youth Congress (DYC). He was certain that there was no alternative to Buhari whose stance against corruption and indiscipline, he said, was the main cause of panic from many people. Buhari said he was seeking reelection on the accounts of the clamour by Nigerians. In his last visits to some states ravaged by herdsmenfarmers clashes, despite the situations, people of the state turned the visits to rallies as expressions of their supports for him. Furthermore, many groups, including blocs from amongst the governors and members of the national assembly had mounted pressure on him to declare for the second term. In addition, over three hundred non-governmental organizations had been holding rallies in Abuja and across the country in solidarity of the continuity of the federal administration. In another twist, some groups had threatened to drag the president to court if he refused to recontest for the president. And there had been speculations that he may anoint a success, though that was an unpopular view. Senior special assistant to the President on media and publicity, Garba Shehu had proclaimed severally that the continuity of this administration will fast-track the nation’s development as Nigerians had waited eagerly for Buhari to run again. He lamented the huge resources wasted by the past administration and reasoned that Nigerians were eager for continuity for this administration that is providing massive infrastructure, power, railway, road and national security. “We are getting money and spending it on right priorities, maximizing Nigeria’s wealth”, he boasted, adding that efficient utilization of the nation’s resources will continue with the peoples’ endorsements of the President. In November 2017, President Buhari gave an inkling of his interest while addressing the Nigerian community in Cote d’Ivoire. He made same clue in Kano in December last year. Many APC governors, ministers and party heavy weights like Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano, Rochas Okorocha of Imo, Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna, Rotimi Amaechi, Ogbonnia Onu, Orji Uzor Kalu, amongst others, have shown unhidden love for Buhari’s reelection. Against stiff opposition from Ekiti state governor, Kalu landed the state recently to campaign for Buhari’s continuity. This declaration should relieve those who were interested in the position or make to rethink and join hands to uplift Nigeria with the trusted leader. The cabal in the government should accept the ideal. The likes of former

SGF, Babagana Kingibe, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and even some governors have no option than to swallow their presidential ambitions. Undoubtedly, President Buhari has all it takes to contest and coast to victory next year. His health is now sound. He is being encouraged by the local and international accolades over his fight against corruption and hot zest for development. We are glad of his recognition by the African Union which recently declared him AU’s Anti-Corruption champion. Nigerians know Buhari for transparency, honesty and integrity. This declaration, I am sure, will propel him to fulfill most, if not all the promises he made in 2015. His change mantra will be translated into huge actions and development in the next few months. His uncompromising stand against corruption will never change despite the outcry from the affected looters. Though not of the talkative, he must not be cowed by the corrupt people who are afraid to be brought to book. And those who have looted the treasury of the nation should be followed by the security agencies. By God’s grace, Buhari will perform maximally in his second tenure and clear the criminals who are killing Nigeria. Already the APC United Kingdom chapter has promised to pay for expression of interest and nomination form for the President to recontest. Its spokesman, Jacob Ogunseye, in a statement in Abuja thumped up the declaration as the second term will make Nigeria stronger and preserve the tenets of democracy in the country. They group assured of working for the electoral success of the APC at all levels to consolidate Buhari’s achievements. “He deserves a second term and we are proud that he has declared to re-contest”, they said. While the jubilations in Kano, Kaduna, Abuja, Nasarawa and many other states continue, many of my followers on the facebook and other social media are full of hopes that God has answered the prayers of Nigerians and are ready to cast their votes for Mr. President, while few are yet undecided, even as the opposition citizens say it is not going to be easy for the APC. And as the special adviser to the President on media, Femi Adesina puts it, “there are two options for those in contention for the presidency in 2019: run or run away”.

guns have long attained a fetish status in American political culture. Opposition to sensible restrictions in ownership is typically not related to any practical necessity. It is based on a reverential obsession with a particular interpretation of a constitutional clause. According to the Second Amendment to the U.S. constitution, “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” Exactly what the authors meant by “militia” is not clear. Adopted in 1791 as part of the bill of rights, the Second Amendment was relevant at a time of wide dispersion of the U.S. population; hence, the greater need for individual and communal self-protection. In any case, it would seem that the operative phrase is “well-regulated.” Yet opponents of regulation cling only to the rather contradictory phrase “shall not be infringed.” It is not possible to regulate without infringing. Yet it is the anti-regulation advocates that hold sway, led by the National Rifle Association. Though its power has waned somewhat, it is still a major force in electoral politics. It rates candidates on their commitment to the “rights” interpretation of the Second Amendment. And a low score is an electoral impediment, especially in the South. In fact, candidates go out of their way to tout their high NRA ratings. Some even brandish guns at campaign rallies to buttress their progun credentials. President Donald Trump does it, as does Roy Moore, a two-time chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, who is now running for the U.S. Senate after being

dismissed a second time from the state supreme court for defying U.S. Supreme Court rulings. And so individuals are free to acquire as many guns and ammunition as they wish. As of Wednesday, 47 weapons belonging to Paddock had been recovered at three locations, including the hotel. Why an individual should be allowed to own that much firepower is something that even advocates of gun rights cannot plausibly explain beyond citing the “wisdom of the Founding Fathers.” Whenever there is a massacre, such as in Las Vegas, there is much soul-searching and hand wringing. But no sooner has the sense of horror faded than the anti-gun control movement asserts itself. (Oh, I have written a column with the same title before). The success of the progun advocacy in stymying logical checks on gun ownership demonstrates how polities get to embrace ideological commitments that are at odds with their own interests.

Muhammad Ajah is an advocate of humanity, peace and good governance in Abuja. E-mail mobahawwah@yahoo. co.uk.

Three days after the massacre, NPR interviewed a Texas man whose daughter was seriously wounded at the Las Vegas shooting. He sounded very emotional at the thought that he could have lost his daughter. Yet, when asked whether the incident will soften his stance against gun control, he didn’t hesitate to say, “No.” That political indoctrination can be so set on matters of gun control provides much insight into the intractability of global conflicts. Minabere Ibelema is a Public Affairs Analyst.

PEOPLES DAILY, Thursday, APRIL 12, 2018

PAGE 13

Comment

Religious intolerance, ethnic cleavages, bane of our dev’t By Abdulsalam Jubril

he recent tirade by a certain pastor brought to the fore once again the salient ethno-religious gulf that is and has been tearing us apart as a nation. The pastor’s malignant rant as usual, elicited condemnation and acquiescence from various quarters within our clime. In many instances, many of our comments on the issue sentimentally tilted towards our ethno-religious background. However, objectively and discerningly perusing the pastor’s harangue, in any sane and unbiased society, such a statement would be seen as inciting as well as seditious. Also, for a preacher who should be seen as an epitome of peace, to be seen and heard making such statements does not portend well for our religious institutions. However, with unobjective and prejudicial comments over the issue thus far, perhaps ours is not a sane clime. Without dwelling too much on the pastor’s comment as more supposedly religious men and women of the two major faiths in our country would continue to make such seditious comments, the underlying problem is our ethno-religious divide. Since pre and post-independence years, ethnic and religious sentiment has always been an obstacle to our progress as a nation and stunted our growth and development. On topical national issues, we tend to look at them based on our ethnoreligious discernments. We look at speakers on such issues by what tribe or religion they belong to rather than the issues they are raising or critiquing

or the solutions they are proffering. “Oh na Ibo man that’s why he is supporting his brother. Na Hausa man and they like to support themselves. Na Christian, na Muslim…” are some of what you hear when topical national issues are brought to the fore. I wouldn’t be surprised if this piece is similarly looked at based on ethno-religious sentiments. While everyone has a right to their opinion, prejudicial and biased opinions/ comments have led us to the dismal state we are as a nation presently. The political elites have since recognized this and most have been using it to advance their own selfish interest and agenda. They have been subtlety fueling such ethnoreligious comments and crisis in other to remain relevant and at the helm of affairs. Curiously, when “Ghana-mustgo-bags” is shared especially among them, ethnicity and religious is relegated and hardly ever pops up. The money (in most case ours as a nation) is secretly and judiciously shared and as it is said in our local parlance, “dem go chop clean mouth”. Yes, the colonialist lumped us together without recognizing our tribal and religious differences. However, they have since gone and we have sadly not been able to truly forge ahead as a nation. We prefer especially when it is convenient for us; see ourselves more as ethnic and tribal entities rather than as a nation. Hit the streets and ask people what it is to be a Nigerian, you will hardly get an articulate answer. The answer you will get is that they see and identify more with themselves as “an Urhobo man, a Yoruba man, an Ijaw man, etc.” Curiously also, within many of

our ethnic groups, prejudice still exists; however, I wouldn’t want to dwell on that. Most of us do not know this, but religion, religious strife and religious differences has been the leading cause of deaths since the world began as we know it. People have been committing atrocities and killings all “in the name of God”. In our clime, there is a burgeoning superiority battle between the two major religions. Hence, we seem to dwell more on the few dissimilarities and dwell less on the many similarities of both religions. I have always maintained that there is nothing fundamentally wrong with the religions. What is wrong however is us the human beings who practice and interpret their teachings and laws to suit our selfish interest. We tend to see and ascribe the title of “very religious” to ourselves and certain persons, forgetting that it is God that knows who is religious. Essentially, we have somewhat become “more religious” than the folks who brought the religion to our shores. Instead of dwelling on ethnoreligious sentiments, what we need to be clamoring for and demanding as a people from our leaders is infrastructural development and viable institutions. Presently, the lack of power supply we have been facing since time immemorial doesn’t discriminate based on tribe and religious. If no matter what tribe or religion the person at the helm of affairs is able to fix the power situation once and for all, every region, area and tribe would be lighted up. Entrepreneurship will pick up. Industrialization would take-off and small and medium scale industries will begin to flourish. This on its own is

a long-term solution to our perennial unemployment problem. If the roads in all 774 local government areas are paved and motorable, and the economy is truly diversified with agriculture, rather than the lip-service successive governments have been playing to the gallery with, there would be food sustainability within the country and the movement of food and cash crops from one part of the country to another. Export such agriculture produce translates to foreign exchange earnings that could be used to develop other sectors within the country. If the anticorruption agencies are strengthened and severe penalties meted out to erring individuals, this pervasive corruption that is currently bedeviling our country will be curbed to the barest minimum. Likewise all other institutions that have been dilapidated over time needs to be strengthened. We need to begin demanding “as one” for these institutions to be fully operational. We need to begin to see ourselves first as Nigerians before our ethno-religious proclivity. The Nigeria project should be the foremost in our consciousness, utterances, actions and comments. Just like the story of the Tower of Babel, if we can come together as one people, one nation, regardless of our ethno-religious differences, then we can achieve anything we want to achieve as a nation. We constantly pride ourselves as the most religious nation on earth, however, most of our actions and utterances say otherwise. Abdulsalam Jubril is a Public Policy Analyst.

Youth empowerment, panacea to nation Development By Ifemosu Michael Adewale

igeria Youth must reject the cliché of being the leaders of tomorrow, because That tomorrow may never come. In the last few decades, youth in Nigeria have been neglected and relegated to the background, All facets of life including family, schools, religious organisations and government have neglected youth developments Youth constitutes the backbone and the future of any nation. The progress and future development of any nation depends to a large extent on the youth. This is why most nations have concrete development programmes for their youth. The place and importance of the Youth in society cannot be overemphasized. This was adequately captured in Nigeria Youth Policy which stated that: ” Youth are of great asset to a nation. Not only are they legitimately regarded as the future leaders, they are potentially and actually the greatest investment for a country’s development” From the above, it is clear that young people are the greatest asset of any nation. They are the future of any nation and serve as the bridge that link the present to future generations. They are

active, dynamic, and adventurous and can serve as agents of social action and social change. Any serious country should devote a lot of energy and resources to building the youth to be productive. Any country that refuses to develop its youth will endanger its future. When the leadership potentials of young people are not developed, the seeds of failure are being sown. We cannot really talk about democracy and development without the participation of citizens including young people. Government has a great role to play in youth development. It is not enough to formulate a youth policy and do virtually nothing about its systematic implementation at all levels of government. However, there is no doubt that the elders have failed to put in place effective development programmes for the youth. It remains to be seen whether the youth will fail themselves and refuse to develop themselves and become agents of change. It was Frantz Fanon who said “every generation must out of relative obscurity must discover its mission, fulfill it or betray it.” If the country I yearn to see an emancipation from the shackles of political subjugation that has been our lot for donkey years. I believe so much in

balance in governance. I have faith in the strength of youth, our power and vigor. Our country today is suffering from a deficit of ideas that are reflective of the dynamics of growth and development because we continue to place it’s progress in the hands of burned out, old and recycled policy makers. The disaster in this is the retrogression in just about every sphere of our engagements as a country that we see, From failing infrastructures to nonexistent utilities, poverty of ideas and effete policies. Recently, the whole world looked on in dismay as an alarming number of our lawmakers and ministers slept through the 2017 Budget Presentation on National Television. There can perhaps be no better symbolic expression of their lack lustre and inattentive attitude to the affairs of the nation. Nor, could a better statement be made as to how worn out these individuals are. Not surprisingly, they still hold on tenaciously to power out of avarice and because WE let them. Yes, we do.. Those who share this perception of progress have laboured and settled on the choice of incorporating Young Minds where intellect dwells, where instinct is their abode, where wisdom is their

bedrock, a Youth with an extremely functional creative instinct whose iron cast commitment to the service of his country is not in doubt. We cannot continue to cry foul while in implicit in the political exclusion that prevails in the state and country. The entire state and the body of Nigerian Youths and Students across board must rise to this opportunity before us. The time to stand up for something is Now, Actions more than words is our identity, if it is to happen, it is up to us. We must not be afraid to take the right chances as opportunity thrusts it on our path. I also remain convinced that no custodian of history and Lover of Peace in Nigeria can argue against the need for fresh breath in our political whirlwinds which will give our nation a new face May right prevail over wrong, equity over inequity, fairness against travesty and us all against the traducers of our will. God bless the Nigerian Youths Constituency. Ifemosu Michael Adewale is a writer, public speaker and founder Youth In Good Governance Initiative (YIGGI).

PEOPLES DAILY, Thursday, APRIL 12, 2018

PAGE 14

News

Ike Foundation for Autism and Our Lady of Guadalupe Health Foundation and Autism Centre in One-Day walk campaign awareness for Autism, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Police uncover illegal brewery in Ikorodu

he Lagos State Police Command says it has uncovered an illegal brewery at Egbe-Afa in Igbogbo area of Ikorodu, Lagos State, while five suspects have been arrested. Edgal Imohimi, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, made this known to journalists at the scene on Wednesday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the illegal brewery was producing malt drinks, stout and ethanol which they pumped into trucks to bottle at another location. Mr Imohimi said that the suspects would be subjected to further interrogation to know where the drinks were bottled and sold. He said that the illegal brewery would be sealed and samples of the drinks would be sent to the laboratory for test. The police chief attributed discovery of the illegal brewery to the efforts of community policing and partnership. According to him, the people of Lagos are showing increasing confidence in the police. Mr Imohimi urged residents to know their neighbours, saying that vigilance was the only way to have a crime-free society. (NAN)

Group wants analyst arrested over comment on Buhari By Umar Muhammad Puma

he Buhari Media Support Group has called for the arrest and interrogation of politician cum activist Deji Adeyanju for crimes of sedition allegedly committed during his

appearance on a Channels TV Programme, Sunrise Daily on Tuesday. The group, in a statement signed by its chairman and secretary, Austin Braimoh and Cassidy Madueke respectively, noted that during the programme,

the politician claimed that President Buhari upon landing in the United Kingdom, was immediately whisked to a hospital. BMSG noted that such mischievous and obviously false statements were capable of

inciting unrest and instability in the country. The group called on all security agencies to act swiftly, and compel him to produce evidence for the many claims he has made that are capable of inciting the public and causing disharmony.

2018 NASS Budget will be made public – Senate Leader

he Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan, on Wednesday said the 2018 Budget of the National Assembly would be made public. Mr Lawan said this while briefing newsmen journalists on the objectives of the “Open NASS’’ initiative designed to increase public access to the operations of the national assembly. Mr Lawan heads the Special Committee set up to organise “Open Week Event’’ which is scheduled from June 25 to June 29 at the National Assembly Complex. He described the initiative as an evolving one, adopted by parliaments all over the world. “Increasingly, governments around the world are promoting initiatives in transparency. “Governments that are open and transparent are more accountable to their citizens and are less likely to be corrupt. “Openness generates trust in government and also paves the

way for meaningful participation by citizens and more informed and better policies. “Around the world, an increasing number of parliaments are being more proactive in the provision of information. “This has become easier with the proliferation of the internet and access to Information Communication Technology (ICT). “Many parliaments are now uploading significant documents such as daily order papers, draft laws and committee reports for distribution. “It is against this background that the National Assembly has initiated the Open Week to open the National Assembly to the public,’’ he said. Mr Lawan emphasised that the event would broaden public understanding of legislative functions and processes and engender interactions between legislators and key stakeholders. “Series of activities during the `Open Week’ will include interactive

sessions with various interest groups, question and answer sessions. “It also includes exhibitions and tours, planned over a four-day period to raise awareness on legislative initiative and activities,’’ Mr Lawan said. He said that the interactive sessions would feature members of the executive arm of government on the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) and the Judiciary on pre- and post-elections adjudication. “Others are constitutional separation of powers, a session with state assemblies and a session with trade unions on economic growth and industrial relations. “Also, there will be sessions with traditional rulers and pressure groups, civil society organisations on accountability and service delivery in governance as well as sessions with women, youth, and student bodies. “The exercise will feature daily exhibitions for National Assembly Committees to display their outputs

and interface with stakeholders via cluster units to be created from both chambers for ease of access. “The benefits of the Open Week are numerous and have direct bearing on democratic governance in Nigeria. “Through the Open Week, the National Assembly is fostering public participation in the democratic process. “Giving the public access to legislative information, activities and policies are substantial steps towards empowering them to take part in political dialogue and decisionmaking processes. “Allowing public access to the legislature allows stakeholders to scrutinise our actions as an institution, such public engagement can lead to greater trust in government. “We have nothing to hide; being able to access this information significantly reduces suspicion and generates trust,’’ the lawmaker said. (NAN)

PAGE 15

PEOPLES DAILY, Thursday, APRIL 12, 2018

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi and Musa Adamu

enate yesterday decried yearly dwindling budgetary allocations for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT, Abuja). This was even as the upper legislative chamber wondered why out of the N30bn allocation appropriated for the FCT as capital votes, only N12.19bn was released by the Ministry of Finance. This were revelations at the 2018 budget defence Session the FCT Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Musa Bello had with the Senate Committee on

Senate decries dwindling budget allocation to FCT FCT. The Minister said out of the N30bn given to FCT in the 2017 fiscal year, only N12.19bn was released, representing 40.1% budget performance as far as execution of capital projects are concerned. He however disclosed that the 2018 budgetary allocation for FCT is N40billion which

according to him, is not enough for the execution of proposed critical infrastructural projects across the territory. He however explained that 27 of the projects are being prioritised based on projected allocations. Worried by the submission of the Minister, the Chairman of the committee, Senator

Dino Melaye (APC Kogi West), decried the situation whereby only about 41% of the current 2017 capital budget has so far been implemented. He therefore urged the federal government to prioritize the FCT budget saying it occupies a strategic position and plays important role as far the image and development of

the country is concerned. “Available records show that from 2008 when N109bn was allocated to FCT to the current 2017 budget which was N30bn, budgetary allocations for development of the capital city of the most populous black Nation in the world have been reducing on yearly basis. “This is unacceptable. This committee will get the senate informed to as a matter of urgency, prevail on both the Ministers of Finance and that of Budget and National Planning, to prioritize budgetary allocations to FCT and effect 100% releases of its capital votes”, he said.

2019: Atiku Group reacts to Buhari’s declaration

political group, Atiku Abubakar Grassroots Ambassadors of Nigeria has said there is nothing strange about President Mohammadu Buhari’s decision to run for a second term in office. The group’s National President, Mr. Ferguson Okpala, made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka. Okpala said the Atiku movement was not worried by the announcement and noted that the opposition must nominate the right candidate if it wished to have a robust contest in the next election. “For us, the decision of President Buhari to seek re-election is a good one, it is his personal decision and right; nobody should deny him that. “But we are not worried about that, it is even good for us because we know one of our likely opponents. “Nigerians are wise enough to elect the leader they want. “What we are asking for now is that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should do the right thing by giving Atiku the party’s presidential ticket because he is the only one that has the reach, credibility and capacity to face Buhari,” he said. (NAN)

Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara signing condolence register in honour of late Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Umar Buba Jibril at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

APC begins process to elect new leadership

he All Progressives Congress (APC) has started the process to elect a new leadership. Information emerged that the party has submitted a 21-day notice to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a requirement for the conduct of congresses and national convention. Time table for ward, local

government and states congresses, as well as the national convention might be rolled out before the end of the week. According to DAILY POST report, the list of the convention committee would also be announced soon and Governor Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa State might be named as chairman.

Ward congresses are expected to hold in the first week of May, while local government, state and finally the national convention would follow, including opportunities for objections and petitions as the elections progresses. National Secretary of the party, Alhaji Maimala Buni, said the party had executed the first most important

Saraki assures NASS support for women in 2019 By Ali Alkali

resident of the Senate, Bukola Saraki on Wednesday lamented the low level of women’s participation in politics and governance in the country, promising to ensure that a greater number of women are given the opportunity to vie and occupy elective offices during the 2019 general elections. Saraki, gave the pledge when the Conference of Nigeria Female Parliamentarians paid him a courtesy visit at the National Assembly. He lamented that the present statistics of women in governance

in the country was not encouraging urging that something must be done to change the tide. In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Sanni Onogu, in Abuja, Saraki said: “Anybody in this country today will agree that from the statistics you have given out here today, it is clear that definitely, we are not doing enough in the inclusion of women in politics and governance. “We must change and turn the tide in this direction. We cannot continue with this low level of participation. “What I want to assure you is that you have my full support and the full support of the National Assembly to

see what we can do to ensure that as we go into 2019, it will be a year that we will change the level of participation of women in politics in this country. “The challenge we have is that such an action is something that must be done collectively. We will champion it but it is something that requires all of us to work very hard for it to happen. “I believe that what we will do is to make it clear that it must happen. It has to happen and it is in the interest of this country for it to happen. “We want to reassure those that have fears about it that there is noting to worry about. It will only strengthen our democracy and make our country

better. “I am convinced that your visit is timely that in this 2019, we must make a difference. We must see a real change in this area,” he stated. He commended the group for their advocacy and commitment to ensure that more women are voted into offices and said it is imperative to support women groups to push for greater political inclusion. He said: “Political parties are now gearing up for election, this is the right time we must begin to demand from political parties and candidates that they must tell Nigerians what their policy is on gender affirmation.

step towards conducting the elections, which is giving INEC 21 day ultimatum. On the exact day the time table would be released, Maimala said, “I can’t talk on that now but we are definitely working on it. It would be released soon.” Meanwhile, the outgoing leadership headed by John OdigieOyegun requires a waiver to re-contest.

“You have the votes, at least you have 46 – 48 per cent, let your votes do the work and if your votes do the work, then you will make the work easier for all of us. “It is time for you to mobilize and work for it because it is important. A lot of us who have had the experience have found out, without any bias, that generally female politicians/ parliamentarians are very committed, hardworking and more importantly very consistent and loyal. “I think when you build a country and you build a political space, what is important is consistency and sometimes loyalty.”

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PEOPLES DAILY, Thursday, APRIL 12, 2018

POLITICS

Kaduna LG Poll: APC aspirants protest alleged manipulation of primaries

L-R: Aspirant for 2018 Ekiti State Guber Election, Dr. Opeyemi Bamidele receiving his nomination Form from Director of Organisation, All progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Abubakar Kyari, during the collection of Forms, at Party Headquarters, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

ome councillorship aspirants in the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday staged a peaceful protest in Kaduna over alleged manipulation of the party’s local government primary elections in the state. Alleging that the primary elections held on March 29 were marred by irregularities, the protesters took over Lord Lugard roundabout, a stone throw from the APC state secretariat, waving placards with inscriptions such as “Injustice is a crime against humanity”, “We have worked well for our great party APC so we need justice”, “Correct the fraud in APC Primary Elections”, “We all know elections were not conducted,” and “We need internal democracy in Kaduna APC.” Addressing journalists at the venue of the protest, chairman of the Congress for Councillorship Aspirants, Kaduna North Local Government, Aminu Adam, said the aggrieved aspirants had sent petitions to Governor Nasir El-Rufai and the party’s state executive committee on their grievances. He said the state government’s statement that it was neutral made many aspirants to present themselves for the elections, which they expected to be devoid of interference from government officials. Mr Adam said contrary to the guarantee of neutrality given by Mr El-Rufai, some top government officials interfered with the processes of the elections. “The interference was so widespread and glaring as not to allow the elections to hold in nine of the 12 wards that make up Kaduna North Local Government Area,” he stated. “The silence of the state government and all relevant authorities bordering on complicity is what informed our civil protest today, as part of our resolve to press for the conclusive resolution of the matter which potentially threatens the cohesion of the party.”‘ Mr Adam said unless the matter was judiciously handled, the party stands the risk of suffering electoral losses in the state in view of the growing public discontent with the alleged deliberate disruption of the polls in the affected wards. He said their petitions articulated the alleged irregularities, which included non-availability of voting materials such as ballot boxes and comprehensive register of party members. He called on the governor and party leaders in the state to take steps to urgently address the issue in line with the party’s internal principles. When contacted on the development, the state’s APC Acting Secretary, Yahaya Pate, said as far as the party is concerned the primaries were free and fair in all the 23 local government area of the state. (PREMIUM TIMES)

NASS valedictory sessions: Eulogies echo in Senate for late Sen. Bukar • To set up endowment fund for late members families By Ikechukwu Okaforadi and Musa Adamu

enate yesterday extolled the rare virtues of its late member, Mustapha Bukar, who until his death on April 4, represented Katsina North Senatorial Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The red chamber also reinforced its earlier resolution to set up an endowment fund that could be used to support families of deceased members of the National Assembly. The Senators, who dedicated the day to pay last respect to their late colleague, took turn to extol the virtues of the departed lawmaker, with all the politicians saying that Senator Bukar lived a life committed to service of humanity. The Leader of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan (APC, Yobe North), who read the biography of the late legislator, urged the Chamber to expeditiously pass all the bills being sponsored by Senator Bukar before he died, as one of the ways to appreciate

his contributions to the Senate and the country in general. He also requested the Upper Chamber to conclude its earlier plans to immortalise deceased former members of the National Assembly to reward their efforts and to further encourage serving members to be dedicated to their legislative responsibilities. The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, while making contribution, described the death of the Senator as a heavy blow to the Senate and the entire nation, noting that it was a grave loss and big blow not only to the Senate and the National Assembly but to the entire nation. He observed that Senator Bukar was committed to providing education to Nigerian children, pointing out that the last bill the lawmaker sponsored before his death was on the establishment of federal polytechnic, Daura in Katsina State. Ekweremadu also pointed out that the late lawmaker was a gentleman, humane, diligent, perceptive, and humble, saying, “he was a pan-

Nigerian and a pro-masses lawmaker, who showed great interest in finding lasting solution to the nation’s perennial energy problem. Also, the Senate minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio (PDP, Akwa Ibom), in his contribution, described the late Bukar as a peace builder, lamenting that his death was very painful. Deputy Leader of the Senate, Senator Bala Na’Allah (APC, Kebbi), noted that Senator Bukar never had problems with anybody throughout his stay in the Red Chamber, saying, “it is a painful day for us. I am diminished by his death”. Senators Philip Aduda, Francis Alimikhena, Abu Ibrahim and Kwankwaso, all described their deceased colleague as a good, gentle and hardworking lawmaker, who committed himself to the unity of the Senate and Nigerians in general. Senator John Enoh (APC, Cross River), noted that late Bukar did not speak all the time in the Senate but when he spoke, he did it with a lot of sense and wisdom.

He pointed out that even though Senator Bukar represented President Muhammadu Buhari, he never showed off or demonstrated that he had connection with the highest authorities in the land. Senator Jonah Jang (PDP, Plateau), while contributing, enjoined lawmakers to be going for medical check-ups at least once a year to avoid falling victims of certain latent but dangerous killer diseases, stressing that lives could be saved if parliamentarians check their state of health from time to time. The President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, in his remarks, noted that though Senator Bukar was a first time lawmaker in the Red Chamber, he stood out for the quality of his contributions on the floor, his pragmatism and his work towards strengthening the institution of the legislature. He lamented that the apex legislative chamber and indeed Nigerians in general would greatly miss the deceased politician as a result of his vibrancy in legislative business.

House. Before joining national politics, Jubrin had also served as the Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly. Amid other legislative functions he performed at the House, Jibrin famous with his bill on the Nongovernmental Organizations, NGOs, which later became a controversial issue with churches and mosques alleging a clampdown on them via taxations. Paying tribute at a valedictory session in honour of the deceased, the Speaker of the House, Hon. Yakubu Dogara described Jubrin as a man of relentless vision. “He was a man of relentless vision. His passion of courage drove him to adopt principles position in issues. One area he stood his ground was on the Billi on NGOs he sponsored on the floor of the house. I had appealed to him to reconsider

his position on the bill in view of the appeals from diverse organization”, Dogara said. The Speaker particularly lamented the news of unfortunate incident of deaths that had greeted the 8th Assembly, praying God to intervene. “It is unfortunate that in this particular assembly, we have had to bury a lot of members. It has never happened in the history of legislature in Nigeria. It is our sincere prayers that God will stay the hands of death upon this institution. “But as it is , these are wonderful people, exceptional legislators from the tributes that flooded the House and I believe on the floor of the Senate as well, you can attest to the fact that these are quite impactful individuals who impacted the lives of their constituents.” Also in their respective tributes,

the Deputy Speaker and Majority Leader of the House, Hons. Yusuf Lasun and Femi Gbajabiamila hailed the worthy contributions of Jubrin. For Gbajabiamila, the seat occupied by his deputy would remain empty even though it might be reoccupied in the nearest future. “Today we gather to say goodbye. I have heard a lot of anecdotes this afternoon. We are celebrating and mourning a legislator for the people and by the people. This seat right here next to me, it may be filled physically may be in the nearest future but this seat is gonna remain empty for me,” Gbaja said. Among a host of lawmakers who also spoke at the session included Hons Mohammed Monguno (Borno), Nnenna Ukaeje (Abia), Nicholas Ossai (Delta), Chike Okafor( Imo), Tajudeen Yusuf (Kogi) and Sani Abdul (Bauchi).

…As Reps vow to consider NGOs bill in honor of Jibrin By Christiana Ekpa

ember of the House of Representatives also, yesterday, took turns to extol the virtues and legacies of their fallen colleague, Hon. Buba Jibrin. This was even as the lawmakers said, they may consider the Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) bill which was instituted by late Jibrin as a mark of honor to him. The lawmakers had upon resumption of plenary on Tuesday adjourned in his honor and slated Wednesday for tributes. Late Buba Jibrin died 30th of last month after a brief illness, when the House was on Easter holiday. Until his demise, the three terms lawmaker who hitherto represented the Lokoja/Kotonkarifi federal constituency of Kogi State was the Deputy Majority Leader of the

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PEOPLES DAILY, Thursday, APRIL 12, 2018

PDP insists anti-graft war must be fought credibly By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

he Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said yesterday that it is not opposed to the fight against corruption in the country, through the establishment of credible anticorruption institutions, by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government. The opposition party however demanded that prosecutions must be done in a credible, transparent, legitimate and constitutional manner. The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, while addressing the media yesterday in Abuja, pointed out that the party will not allow the persecution of its members under the guise of the fight against corruption. The PDP alleged that a Presidential Committee set up by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has commenced onslaught on its leaders including some of its serving governors and presidential aspirants ahead of the 2019 general elections. The opposition party disclosed that no fewer than 28 cases have been filed based on trumped up charges against its leaders, claiming it was aware of “clandestine meetings between agents of the APC and some compromised judicial officers to get conviction at all cost.” The PDP National Publicity Secretary, who did not give details of the presidential aspirants involved, however, urged the judiciary and all security agencies not to compromise their independence. According to Ologbondiyan, “Currently, the APC has fully commenced a major onslaught on leaders and key voices in the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), particularly our state governors, opposition leaders in the National Assembly as well as our presidential hopefuls. “We have also been made aware of a special presidential committee put up by the APC federal government to persecute our leaders. Already, no fewer than 28 cases have been filed based on trumped up charges. “In the same vein, we are in the know of plots to embarrass credible individuals, particularly in the PDP, known or perceived to be interested in contesting the 2019 presidential election, having realized that their party, the APC, is finally stuck with a very unpopular and rejected Presidential candidate, who can no longer command the support of Nigerians. “We also want to bring to the attention of the international Community that in its desperate attempt to win election, the APCled federal government is stopping at nothing, including resort to undemocratic proclivities. “We are not opposed to the fight against corruption, which, of course, was started by our party, through the establishment of credible anticorruption institutions. We however, demand that prosecutions must be done in a credible, transparent, legitimate and constitutional manner,” the party said. The opposition party further alleged that there is a dangerous plot to arrest and detain members of the civil society, opinion leaders, the media and other professionals on trumped up charges of alleged politicization of security issues in the country, using compromised security and judicial officers.

POLITICS

Why youths below 35 years may not dominate Nigeria’s political space -Jonathan

ormer President Goodluck Jonathan has said he does not envision a situation where youths below 35 years would dominate political space in Nigeria. He spoke while receiving the New Nigeria 2019, NN-2019 group and the Young Professionals of Nigeria, YPN, led by Chima Nwafor and Moses Siasia, in Yenogoa, the Bayelsa State capital. He lamented that youths were being used for social vices like “cultism, kidnapping, hired killers.”

Jonathan, however, encouraged youths to play key roles in governance. According to Jonathan, “I am not envisioning a government that every actor will be below thirty-five years old, but I share the aspiration of those who want young people to be fully involved in governance. “I remember when Alfred Diette Spiff was the military governor of the then old Rivers State, most of the members of his cabinet were older than him and even referred to him as ‘my son,’ but together they achieved much in infrastructure

and human development.” “Before I leave, let me charge the young people in two areas: the young must reform the old for us to grow positively. At the same time most of the challenges we are having in the society; it is not that the young people created them, but they are being used negatively. We talk about cultism, hired killers, terror, kidnapping, the elderly cannot enter the bush to go and stay for days. “A group like yours constituting of CEOs, how do you create platforms to re-orientate the

thinking of our young peopl?. I am glad that you mentioned setting up similar bodies, across the country. “At least, even if you start from the universities and secondary schools, to change the mindset of the youths. Youth movements like Boys Scout, Boys Brigade and Girls Guide, developed from this kind of thinking. “The growth of society should not be marked by flashy cars, sky scrapers and beautiful roads but by the people, the way they think and the way they do things.” (DAILY POST)

L-R: Former Student Union Government (SUG), Lagos State College of Health Technology (LASCOHET), Mustapha Adeniyi; Former SUG Speaker, Hamzah Adewunmi; SUG President, Gbenle Boluwatife; Speaker Student Parliamentary Council, Oluwaremilekun Ogunbanwo and Former SUG President, Moses Onaolapo, at the appreciation and endorsement of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for 2019 by the Alumni and LASCOHET SUG, yesterday in Lagos. Photo: NAN

2nd term declaration: Group urged Nigerians to support President Buhari From Gambo Ahmed, Lafia

group, Christians and Muslims for Peace, Progressive Change and Unity Initiative, (CMPPCUI), has urged Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buhari in his bid to re-contest in order to move the country forward. The Association’s National President, Ambassador Blessing Sunday, who made the call while speaking with newsmen in Mararaba, Karu Local

Government Area of Nasarawa State, said , “We are calling on Nigerians to support President Buhari in 2019 general election. I urged all Nigerians both women, young and old to rally round Buhari’s ambition to re-contest, so as to enable him continue with the good work he has been doing in the interest of peace and development of this nation”. According to her, “This NGO was formed in order to preach peace, unity among Nigerians

and to let people know that peace is priceless and nonnegotiable. Peace is the necessary requirements for the development of any nation.” “We are commending APCled government of President Buhari and Governor Al-makura’s administration in the state for embarking on projects that have direct bearing on the lives of the people” Mrs. Sunday maintained. She added that President Buhari deserved second term considering his achievements in

the area of security, corruption, agriculture, youths and women empowerment among others. The national president also urged the people of the state and Nigerians to respect constituted authorities and shun all social vices by living in peace with one another irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliations. She restated the commitment of the association to the promotion of peace and other programmes aimed at improving the living condition of Nigerians.

2019: Tinubu’s aide joins Delta governorship race By Osaigbovo Iguobaro

harles Nwadiani, former Special Adviser to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Lagos state governor, has joined the governorship race in Delta state ahead of 2019 general elections. The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant promised to replicate the economic blueprint in Lagos state

in Delta state and make poverty history if given the mandate. Nwadiani disclosed this while fielding questions from newsmen yesterday at the Benin airport. He said his decision to run for the plum job, was to bring progressive governance, expand the frontiers of governance and rescue Deltans from oppressive governance. He also listed youth empowerment, security and agriculture as critical areas of

intervention elected. “We will rebuild our industries, our moribund factories through adequate funding and putting competent hands and then, we can begin to look at revenue generation in the next one year. “The most important thing is bringing the culture of good governance and expanding its frontiers to the Niger Delta,

making Delta State, the root of great developmental strides. “We have limited our action plans to four years and we will implement in these four years and successive governments will build on it and secure the trust of investors. We also will employ a lot of youths into the Agricultural sector. We have vast land in the state that can be converted for agricultural purpose and this, we intend to do,” he said.

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PEOPLES DAILY, Thursday, APRIL 12, 2018

Stock Watch: Wednesday, April 11, 2018 Low

OPEN Volume Close High

Symbol

CHANGE

Trades Low

1.30 1.30 0 1.30 1.30 ABBEYBDS 0.00 0.50 0.50 0 0.50 0.50 ABCTRANS 0.00 11.20 11.45 0 11.80 12.00 ACCESS 0.35 0.23 0.22 0 0.23 0.23 AFRINSURE 0.01 3.85 3.85 0 4.04 4.04 AFRIPRUD 0.19 0.67 0.67 600 0.67 0.67 AGLEVENT 0.00 0.63 0.62 0 0.63 0.63 AIICO 0.01 4.90 4.90 0 4.90 4.90 AIRSERVICE 0.00 9.85 9.85 0 9.85 9.85 BERGER 0.00 14.50 14.50 0 14.50 14.50 CADBURY 0.00 38.75 38.75 0 38.75 38.75 CAP 0.00 2.77 2.91 0 2.77 3.05 CAVERTON -0.14 18.70 18.70 0 18.70 18.70 CCNN 0.00 2.40 2.40 0 2.40 2.40 CHAMPION 0.00 0.48 0.48 250 0.48 0.48 CHAMS 0.00 3.08 3.08 0 3.08 3.08 CHELLARAM 0.00 1.72 1.72 0 1.72 1.72 CILEASING 0.00 33.45 33.45 0 33.45 33.45 CONOIL 0.00 1.79 1.79 0 1.79 1.79 CONTINSURE 0.00 0.37 0.37 250 0.37 0.37 CORNERST 0.00 0.24 0.24 0 0.24 0.24 COURTVILLE 0.00 4.96 4.96 0 4.96 4.96 CUSTODIAN 0.00 2.81 2.81 0 2.81 2.81 CUTIX 0.00 2.54 2.54 500 2.54 2.54 CWG 0.00 251.00 251.00 0 251.00 251.00 DANGCEM 0.00 13.75 14.45 0 13.75 13.75 DANGFLOUR -0.70 21.00 21.00 0 21.00 21.00 DANGSUGAR 0.00 1.91 2.01 0 1.91 1.95 DIAMONDBNK -0.10 0.32 0.32 0 0.32 0.32 EQUITYASUR 0.00 6.01 6.32 0 6.01 6.01 ETERNA -0.31 16.35 17.00 0 16.35 16.35 ETI -0.65 4.75 4.75 0 4.75 4.75 ETRANZACT 0.00 12.15 12.30 0 12.15 12.25 FBNH -0.15 2.27 2.38 0 2.38 2.46 FCMB 0.00 92.20 92.20 0 92.20 92.20 FG112034S2 0.00 100.00 100.00 9 100.00 100.00 FGS201912 0.00 2.37 2.48 0 2.57 2.58 FIDELITYBK 0.09 0.53 0.55 0 0.53 0.53 FIRSTALUM -0.02 36.60 37.30 0 36.80 36.85 FLOURMILL -0.50 40.80 40.80 0 41.90 41.90 FO 1.10 0.20 0.20 0 0.20 0.20 FTNCOCOA 0.00 34.85 34.85 0 34.85 34.85 GLAXOSMITH 0.00 43.20 43.40 0 44.30 44.30 GUARANTY 0.90 104.00 104.00 0 104.00 104.00 GUINNESS 0.00 0.31 0.32 0 0.31 0.31 HMARKINS -0.01 2.30 2.39 0 2.30 2.37 HONYFLOUR -0.09 54.40 54.40 0 54.40 54.40 INTBREW 0.00 3.61 3.61 10 3.61 3.61 INTERLINK 0.00 0.74 0.77 0 0.74 0.74 JAIZBANK -0.03 0.53 0.55 0 0.53 0.53 JAPAULOIL -0.02 25.90 25.90 0 25.90 25.90 JBERGER 0.00 0.54 0.54 0 0.54 0.54 JOHNHOLT 0.00 0.36 0.35 0 0.36 0.36 LASACO 0.01 0.76 0.76 0 0.79 0.79 LAWUNION 0.03 0.82 0.79 0 0.82 0.82 LINKASSURE 0.03 0.86 0.90 0 0.86 0.87 LIVESTOCK -0.04 2.40 2.40 0 2.40 2.40 MANSARD 0.00 2.79 2.66 0 2.79 2.79 MAYBAKER 0.13

Top Gainers Stock Close Gain AFRIPRUD 4.04 0.19 MAYBAKER 2.79 0.13 AFRINSURE 0.23 0.01 LAWUNION 0.79 0.03 LINKASSURE 0.82 0.03

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

OPEN Volume Close High

Symbol

CHANGE

Trades

0.34 0.34 0 0.34 0.34 MBENEFIT 0.00 0 0.98 0.98 0 0.98 0.98 MCNICHOLS 0.00 0 0.68 0.68 0 0.68 0.68 MEYER 0.00 0 183.00 185.00 0 183.00 183.00 MOBIL -2.00 0 28.35 28.35 0 28.35 28.35 MRS 0.00 0 0.20 0.21 0 0.20 0.20 MULTIVERSE -0.01 0 3.92 4.09 0 3.92 3.92 NAHCO -0.17 0 21.00 21.50 0 21.00 21.00 NASCON -0.50 0 128.90 128.90 0 129.00 129.00 NB 0.10 0 6.30 6.30 0 6.30 6.30 NCR 0.00 0 2.72 2.86 0 2.72 2.76 NEM -0.14 0 552.20 552.20 190 552.20 552.20 NESF 0.00 0 1,380.00 1,380.00 0 1,380.00 1,380.00 NESTLE 0.00 0 4,500.00 4,500.00 1 4,500.00 4,500.00 NEWGOLD 0.00 0 0.34 0.34 0 0.34 0.34 NIGERINS 0.00 0 6.25 6.25 0 6.25 6.25 NNFM 0.00 0 2.12 2.12 0 2.12 2.12 NPFMCRFBK 0.00 0 5.99 5.99 0 5.99 5.99 OANDO 0.00 0 72.70 72.70 0 72.70 72.70 OKOMUOIL 0.00 0 2.25 2.25 220 2.25 2.25 PHARMDEKO 0.00 0 72.00 72.00 0 72.00 72.00 PRESCO 0.00 0 0.43 0.43 0 0.43 0.43 PRESTIGE 0.00 0 23.45 23.45 0 23.45 23.45 PZ 0.00 0 6.00 6.00 0 6.00 6.00 REDSTAREX 0.00 0 0.28 0.29 0 0.28 0.30 REGALINS -0.01 0 0.32 0.32 0 0.32 0.32 ROYALEX 0.00 0 665.10 665.10 0 665.10 665.10 SEPLAT 0.00 0 0.71 0.74 0 0.71 0.74 SKYEBANK -0.03 0 0.20 0.21 0 0.20 0.20 SOVRENINS -0.01 0 48.50 48.00 0 49.00 49.00 STANBIC 1.00 0 1.74 1.74 0 1.74 1.74 STERLNBANK 0.00 0 0.37 0.37 200 0.37 0.37 TANTALIZER 0.00 0 0.37 0.37 0 0.37 0.37 THOMASWY 0.00 0 249.00 249.00 0 249.00 249.00 TOTAL 0.00 0 7.45 7.45 0 7.45 7.45 TRANSCOHOT 0.00 0 1.60 1.68 0 1.65 1.69 TRANSCORP -0.03 0 17.15 17.50 0 17.20 17.30 UACN -0.30 0 3.00 3.00 0 3.00 3.00 UAC-PROP 0.00 0 11.60 11.65 0 11.75 11.75 UBA 0.10 0 6.40 6.70 0 6.95 6.95 UBN 0.25 0 3.28 3.18 0 3.30 3.30 UCAP 0.12 0 0.20 0.20 0 0.20 0.20 UNIC 0.00 0 55.00 55.00 0 55.00 55.00 UNILEVER 0.00 0 13.45 13.45 0 13.45 13.45 UNIONDICON 0.00 0 1.11 1.16 0 1.11 1.19 UNITYBNK -0.05 0 0.25 0.25 0 0.25 0.25 UNITYKAP 0.00 0 2.18 2.18 0 2.18 2.18 UPL 0.00 0 9.10 9.10 666 9.10 9.10 VANLEER 0.00 0 9.70 9.74 0 9.70 9.70 VETGOODS -0.04 0 3.20 3.15 0 3.20 3.20 VITAFOAM 0.05 0 44.00 43.45 0 44.00 44.00 WAPCO 0.55 0 0.53 0.55 0 0.53 0.53 WAPIC -0.02 0 0.92 0.96 0 0.92 0.96 WEMABANK -0.04 0 27.00 27.35 0 27.35 27.40 ZENITHBANK 0.00 0 Copyright Â© 2018 NgTradeOnline

Top Losers Stock Close Loss DIAMONDBNK 1.91 -0.10 ETERNA 6.01 -0.31 NEM 2.72 -0.14 DANGFLOUR 13.75 -0.70 CAVERTON 2.77 -0.14

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PEOPLES DAILY, Thursday, APRIL 12, 2018

L-R: European Union (EU) Trade Advisor, Fillipo Amato, Executive Director , Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. Olusegun Awolowo and New Head of EU Delegation in Nigeria Amb. Ketil Karlsen ,during the envoy courtesy visit to the NEPC boss, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

FIRS, EFCC to go after tax defaulters By Etuka Sunday

he Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have agreed to beam their searchlight on tax defaulters of the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration. Both agencies have also agreed to deepen and strengthen their collaboration to track both individuals and organisations who refuse to pay the right taxes. Already, the FIRS-EFCC partnership, according to the FIRS, has led to the recovery of the sum N29bn Withholding Tax from banks and other financial institutions in the country. The amount was recovered between November 2017 and March 2018.

The Executive Chairman of FIRS, Tunde Fowler on Tuesday said this during a meeting with the Acting EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu. He said that just like other countries across the world, the Federal Government is looking inwards to raise revenue from taxes and as such would would not tolerate tax defaulters. He said, “There are some issues of non-remittance of Withholding Tax, Value Added Tax and Personal Income Tax. “The EFCC has shown support before. When tax defaulters are invited to your office (EFCC), we see result. I don’t know how you do it but we see result. “Recently, two banks came forward to comply on their own. I think that they must have heard words. We want joint

assistance with the EFCC, especially now that VAIDS is over, to make sure that all tax defaulters get the lawful treatment.” Fowler said the government would deploy all powers within its disposal to ensure that tax defaulters are prosecuted in line with the tax laws. “I want to let every taxable person in Nigeria know that we are ready to deploy all powers within our disposal to ensure that every tax defaulter is punished according to the law,” he said. Magu, according to the FIRS statement said the EFCC is ready to do more to bring tax defaulters to book. Magu said, “People are in a hurry to collect taxes but are reluctant to remit them. It is very distressing. We may put a team together to ensure that whatever taxes collected by anybody is remitted

and on time. “I also want to congratulate you (FIRS) because of the change in the narrative. There is no doubt that there is a real improvement in our tax system. “We will collaborate. We had done this in the past when we had a joint training in Kaduna. We will make sure that we do anything you ask us to do as far as it is lawful.” The EFCC boss urged every Nigerian to join in the fight against corruption, saying everyone has a role to play. “Everyone has the responsibility to fight corruption. You may not do it the way Magu does his own. the best approach is for us to agree that corruption is bad. “I appeal to everyone to fight corruption even at home. Tell the children that corruption is bad”, he said.

Medview Airline debunks reports of debts From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

igeria leading carrier Medview Airline yesterday debunked reports making the rounds on online media which indicates that the airline’s operations are in jeopardy saying such reports were fraught with falsehood. A statement by the Chief Operating Officer, Michael Ajigbotosho clarified that

the airline’s four aircraft in its fleet are wholly owned by Medview Airline Plc, and not leased as being reported. In setting the records straight, the aircraft being referred to were acquired at various time from Aercap, and not from Thai Airways, the statement said He said there was a lot of misinformation about the airline indebtedness to vendors, affirming that anyone who wants to know

the truth should reach out to the concerned agencies including FAAN amongst others. The statement said in an ongoing business, it is normal to have agreements with service providers to give line of credit, which is a standard industry practice. “The suspension of operations into some of our international routes has to do with our two aircraft- B767-300ER for cabin reconfiguration and B737-500 undergoing

maintenance. They have nothing to do with threats or any debt burden.” The statement said as soon as the aircraft return to service, the airline will restore operations to those routes. “We frown at “Copy and Paste Journalism” and we encourage those who want to reflect the truth to balance their reports by reaching out to us as well as appropriate agencies, Ajigbotosho noted.

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BUSINESS

PEOPLES DAILY, Thursday, APRIL 12, 2018

Ecobank Group partners MTN to deepen Boss Mustapha financial inclusion across Africa to declare M open ACI conference

r. Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) would declare open the forthcoming Airport Council International (ACI) to be hosted by Nigeria. The forthcoming ACI Africa conference, according to the General Manager of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Mrs. Herientta Yakubu would serve as an opportunity to open up the aviation sector to internal and external investors. She explained that Mustapha would declare open the conference while Sen. Hadi Sirika, Minister of State for Aviation, Dr. Bernard Aliu, President of Council, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), and Ms. Angela Gittens, Director-General li Tounsi, ACI World would also be in attendant. Others are Mr. Ali Tounsi, Secretary General of ACI Africa, Mr. Abderahmane Berthe, Secretary General of African Airlines Association (AFRAA), Mr. Bongani Maseko, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Airports Company, South Africa, Mr. Romesh Bhoyroo, CEO, Mauritius Airport, Ms. Isabel Zarza, Managing Director, Africa, Dufry, Mr. Sidi Gueye, Regional Director, Africa, International Air Transport Association (IATA) and a lot of other experts in the aviation industry. She added: “We are expecting experts to come with their wealth of ideas that will help us to move our airports from just being a government entity to more viable airports and the ones that can declare profit. “The Ease of Doing business too has helped us to move forward as we showcase our potential and activities. The ease of doing business has helped us to collapse several formalities in checking the passengers, we don’t have too many checks at the airports any longer, but that does not stop us from still doing the security check.”

TN has announced a collaboration with Africa’s leading independent banking group, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), enabling both companies to leverage each other’s assets that will ultimately offer more value to their respective customers across the continent. MTN’s large subscriber base, comprehensive distribution, innovative digital products and drive for mobile financial services are being linked with Ecobank’s trail blazing digital banking products to provide instant bank accounts and remittances through Africa’s largest bank by network. The two entities, with

an extensive footprint on the continent, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop this partnership agreement, which will allow them to innovate and enhance access to affordable financial services via MTN Mobile Money and Ecobank Banking services. This includes; Enabling Ecobank and MTN Mobile Money customers to transfer money between mobile money wallets and bank accounts. Leveraging of Ecobank and MTN’s assets to digitise international remittance, foster product innovation in the field of mobile saving and lending, and offer digital payment solutions to consumers, merchants and

corporates. Ade Ayeyemi, Group CEO of Ecobank said: “The changing landscape of digital banking and mobile telephony is creating unique opportunities in the way and manner customers are served.Africa will need to digitise financial services to rapidly scale up client acquisition and patronage. MTN and Ecobank are taking the big step today at this grand event to support this agenda” Further he reiterated that “Ecobank’s digital strategy has long been committed to ensuring transaction convenience for the market. We have made giant strides in our mission to ensure financial inclusion and today’s

agreement with MTN will greatly accelerate the easy availability of banking services to the previously unbanked.” Commenting on the collaboration, MTN Group President and CEO, Rob Shuter said: “Partnerships between banks and mobile money operators are fundamental in the mobile money ecosystem, hence our long-standing partnership with Ecobank in many of our markets aimed at driving financial inclusion. We are excited to be taking this partnership to the next level as this latest development will spearhead innovative initiatives which will deepen financial access on the continent.”

L-R: Chairman of La Fayette Micro Finance Bank, Mr Steven Duchatelle; Director, Other Financial Institutions Supervision Depatment (OFISD), Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN), Mrs Tokunbo Martins; and Managing Director, La Fayette Microfinance Bank, Mr Guillaume Valence, at the 5th anniversary of La Fayette Micro Finance Bank, yesterday in Ibadan. Photo: NAN

Ministry embarks on capacity building for members

n keeping with its promise to develop capacity of members towards effective entrepreneurship the Federal Ministry of Transport, FAAN, NCAA, NAMA, AIB and other Organizations Staff Cooperative Multipurpose Society (FMT&A) has organized an enrichment seminar for its members. Anchored by the Centre for Cooperative Training, Research and Development of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, the two-day seminar which held at

the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) Badagry focused on critical areas of empowerment such as Financial Intelligence, Taxation of Income of Public Servants, Utilization of Cooperative Fund, Health Tips for Healthy Living among others. Speaking on the training workshop, the President of the Cooperative Society, Mr Babatunde Sotin said the quest to build capacity of members particularly in entrepreneurship derives from the determination

of his administration to invest in human development. According to him, “you are aware that in the past couple of years we have invested in building structures for the society-guest house, offices, etc. Going from there, we now want to encourage and assist members who have business ideas to go into agriculture or any other business that can bring in additional income. Soft loans will be provided for members after feasibility studies and other

legalities are conducted, but before they do that, they need to be equipped with the necessary skills and know-how, hence this programme.” Sotin said this new direction became imperative as “it would ensure that members do not retire into penury as several cases have shown in the past.” He also revealed that more training programmes have been lined up to accommodate as many members as possible in the near future.

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PEOPLES DAILY, Thursday, APRIL 12, 2018

Integrate us into Abuja master plan, Natives tell FCT Minister Stories by Onyekwere

Stanley

ndigenes of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under the aegis of Garki Kingdom Elite Forum has called on the FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello to integrate all settlements of the original inhabitants of the FCT into the master plan, in line with the Global Resettlement Policy. Chairman of the Forum, Elder John Bawa, who spoke on behalf of the natives in a press briefing yesterday, demanded that the FCT Administration, in conjunction with all stakeholders should come up with a template on the settlements of the original inhabitants of the FCT. They called for the revocation of all allocations touching the settlements of the natives and allowing a perimeter to enable expansion of their communities. The natives also requested that on the interim, all ongoing projects within their settlements should be put on hold while the template is being designed and adopted. Furthermore, they demanded that this action must be communicated to all stakeholders and must be published in both electronic and print media. According to the natives, all road designed to pass through all indigenous settlements should be redesigned, that the FCDA should comply with compensation and planning regulations enshrined in the Constitution and in accordance

with global best practices before allocation and acquisition of lands. The natives who explained that the global resettlement policy gave option to the original inhabitants to be settled or resettled within or outside of the territory depending on their choice, advised that the policy be adopted and implemented where all settlements of indigenes of the FCT should be integrated into the

master plan. “The current rate and method of assessment of economic trees and crops for compensation should be reviewed, where compensation shall be in accordance with the constitution and global best practices. “We are waiting for the action of the FCT minister, our patience has run out and if prompt action is not taken as demanded or by any better acceptable approach,

we will not have any other option, but to stand up in defense of our homes, farms, business premises and more importantly our lives and future of our children. “All the security agencies and the FCDA department of development control should be restrained from being used by developers to forcefully enter into our lands without due regard to due processes of law as it pertains to compensation, and

arbitral arrest and detention of our traditional rulers and youth must stop. “The private property developers should be restrained from unlawful invasion and interference with our existence as a community enjoying all the rights and benefits inherent thereto. “This is more so as we do not have any other place to lay claim to as our land,” John said.

Newly elected executive members of Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Chapel, taking oath of office before the Chairman, NUJ, FCT Council, Comrade Paul Abechi (r), at NAN headquarters, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: NAN

Opeifa explains delay in Abuja rail take off

or the umpteenth time, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), says the long awaiting FCT light rail is yet to be commission due to some sundry issues, which include the non completion of the rail terminal at Nnamdi Azikwe Airport road, in Abuja. But, this time around, it was Secretary for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, who gave the reason for the lingering delay take off of the project in Abuja, while briefing journalists on the stage of work and likely when the project would be commission for public use. Opeifa added that necessary arrangements are being put in place to ensure the completion of the project which is already ninety nine percent completed. The Secretary said the 45 kilometre

stretch rail is ready, with twenty one buildings, sixty convents and thirteen bridges are all ready. According to him, the Administration is on course in its commitment to deliver on the FCT Light Rail project, saying that the light rail will soon be ready for use. While commenting on the delivery of three coaches meant for the trial operations of the railway services, Opeifa commended the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello for the passion and energy he invested in driving the project to success story. The Secretary noted that the coached has the capacity to move between three hundred to five hundred people on one direction at a time. He stressed that the Abuja light

rail when commissioned for use public consumption might not be cheap but would help on the social economic development along the rail corridor. The Secretary hinted that it would also reduce traffic gridlock, provide employment opportunity and boost the internally generated revenue profile in the FCT. He said: “These are all technical requirements in rail transportation projects and are in compliance with international due diligence and professional standards. “The rail services on full operation would convey between 120,000 and 200,000 passengers daily in the 20 coaches planned in the loop.” Furthermore, Opeifa reiterated that work on Phase 2 of the Abuja Light Rail

Project which begins at Gwagwa and ends in Area 1 will be completed this year. This, he said is because the first phase of the project is as good as “a done deal.” He equally revealed that the rail lines, would pass from Gwagwa across Jabi, Gwarimpa, Utako, Wuse Hospital and Garki before ending at the Area 1 Park, located behind the former FCT NYSC Secretariat. He disclosed that the Phase 2 rolling stock would run on Electric Motor Units (EMUs) unlike the present rolling stocks which run on diesel. With this development, the Secretary pointed out that it would make it the most modern in West Africa and would bring about a major relief to the transportation needs and economic potentials of the FCT.

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world news

international_peoplesdailyng@yahoo.com

Facebook’s Zuckerberg says his data was harvested

acebook’s chief executive has revealed that his data was among that harvested in a privacy scandal. Mark Zuckerberg made the disclosure during his second day of being questioned in Washington. In a related development, the political consultancy at the heart of the affair has announced its acting chief executive is stepping down. He also revealed that his firm was exploring whether to take action against the University of Cambridge. The institution is where the researcher Aleksandr Kogan, who had collected and sold personal data to Cambridge Analytica, was based. “What we found now is that there’s a whole programme associated with Cambridge University where... there were a number of other researchers building similar apps,” Mr Zuckerberg said. “So, we do need to understand whether there was something bad going on at Cambridge University overall that will require a stronger reaction from us.” The university has reacted by saying it would be “surprised” if Mr Zuckerberg was only now aware of the work. “Our researchers have been publishing such research since 2013 in major peer-reviewed scientific journals, and these studies have been reported widely in international media,” it added. “These have included one study in 2015 led by Dr Aleksandr Spectre (Kogan) and co-authored by two Facebook employees.” Mr Zuckerberg had earlier apologised for having failed to check in 2015 that Cambridge Analytica had deleted information gathered about millions of Facebook users. Instead Facebook let the political consultancy self-certify that it had destroyed the records, which it said had been acquired in violation of the social network’s rules. “We have a responsibility to make sure what happened with [app developer] Kogan and Cambridge Analytica doesn’t happen again,” Mr Zuckerberg said.

In his opening remarks Mr Zuckerberg said that Facebook was an “idealistic” company The 33-year-old added that Facebook’s audit of other apps would take many months to complete. But he said that the firm had seen no evidence as yet that Russia or China had attempted to scrape people’s information. Cambridge Analytica has denied breaking the law and said it did indeed delete the data. The company has also announced that its acting chief executive Dr Alexander Tayler is stepping down from the post to resume his previous position as its chief data officer. Alexander Nix, who had been in charge until March, remains suspended. Mr Zuckerberg’s appearance before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce follows a five hour session in front of two Senate committees yesterday. During a testy early exchange, he declined to give a commitment to change all users’ default privacy settings to collect the minimum amount of personal information. “This is a complex issue,” Mr Zuckerberg said.

“That’s disappointing to me,” responded Democratic congressman Frank Pallone. Elsewhere in the hearing, Mr Zuckerberg acknowledged that he believed it was “inevitable” that the internet would need new regulations. “My position is not that there should be no regulation, but I also think you have to be careful about what regulation you put in place,” he said. The Facebook chief also faced fresh accusations from Republican congressman Steve Scalise that the News Feed’s algorithm was discriminating against conservative news and content in favour of liberal posts. “There is absolutely no directive in any of the changes that we make to have a bias,” responded Mr Zuckerberg. “To the contrary our goal is to be a platform for all ideas.” Another Republican pulled a surprise by displaying photos of illegal adverts for opioid drugs that he said had been live on Facebook yesterday. “Facebook is actually enabling an illegal

activity and in so doing you hurting people,” said congressman David McKinley. “There are a number of areas of content that we need to do a better job of policing,” Mr Zuckerberg replied, adding that he believed artificial intelligence tools would make this possible in the future. In another combative exchange, the business leader was questioned about the data his firm collected on people who had never signed up to his service. Mr Zuckerberg said this was done for security purposes. But he professed not to be familiar with the term “shadow profiles” despite it having been used widely by the media during a past Facebook data privacy controversy. And he was unable to say how many types of data were being gathered about non-members. “You said everyone controls their data,” said Democratic congressman Ben Ray Lujan. “But you are collecting data on people that are not even Facebook users, that have never signed a consent or privacy agreement. “When you go to Facebook’s ‘I don’t have a Facebook account page and would like to request all my personal data stored by Facebook’, it takes you to a form that says go to your Facebook page and then on your account settings you can download your data. “We’ve got to fix that” Other developments over the past day include: • The European Commissioner for consumers and justice has told the Guardian she may propose new regulations to tackle a “loss of trust” in Facebook, and would raise the matter with the tech firm’s chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg later this week • Cambridge Analytica has sent letters to publishers including the BBC warning that it will treat any misleading or inaccurate reports about itself with the “utmost seriousness” • The UK Culture Secretary Matt Hancock has met with Facebook officials in London

Syria war: Trump says missiles ‘will be coming’

S President Donald Trump has tweeted that Russia should “get ready” for missiles to be fired at its ally Syria, in response to an alleged chemical attack near Damascus on Saturday. “Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and ‘smart!’” Mr Trump said in his tweet. Senior Russian figures have threatened to meet any US strikes with a response. President Bashar al-Assad’s government denies mounting a chemical attack on the rebel-held town of Douma. In one his tweets on Wednesday, Mr Trump called the Syrian leader a “gas killing animal”. In another, he painted a dark picture of US-Russia relations but said it did not have to be that way. The US, UK and France have agreed to work together and are believed to be preparing for a military strike in response to the alleged chemical attack at the weekend. What happened in Douma? Opposition activists and rescuers say government aircraft dropped bombs filled with toxic chemicals on Douma. The Syrian-American Medical Society (Sams), which operates in rebel-held areas, and local aid workers said more than 500 people had been treated for symptoms “indicative of exposure to a chemical

agent”. On Wednesday, the UN’s World Health Organization demanded access to verify reports from its partners, which include Sams, that 70 people had died - including 43 who showed “symptoms consistent with exposure to highly toxic chemicals”. A team from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is due to deploy to Syria “shortly” to determine whether banned weapons were used. Douma, the last major rebel stronghold near the capital Damascus, was under renewed assault from Syrian and Russian forces last week. Rebels have now been evacuating the town under an agreement involving the Russian military. What is Russia’s position? It has described the reports of the chemical attack as a “provocation” designed to justify Western intervention against its ally. It said on Wednesday that samples taken from the site had not revealed any chemical substances. Russia also said it would deploy military police to Douma on Thursday and that the situation there had stabilised. Several senior Russian figures have warned of a Russian response to a US

attack, with Alexander Zasypkin, Moscow’s ambassador to Lebanon, repeating on Wednesday a warning by the head of the military that missiles would be shot down and their launch sites targeted if they threatened the lives of Russian personnel. Also on Wednesday, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova asked whether the aim of Western strikes might be “to quickly remove the traces of the provocation... [so] international inspectors will have nothing to look for in terms of evidence”. Addressing new ambassadors in Moscow, President Vladimir Putin said the world was becoming more chaotic. He said he hoped common sense would prevail and that the situation would stabilise. Mr Putin said Russia would “keep all its international obligations in full”. What happens next? On Tuesday, Mr Trump cancelled his first official trip to Latin America so he could focus on Syria. That decision suggests the US response may involve a larger military operation than a limited strike, says the BBC’s Barbara Plett Usher in Washington. On Wednesday, Defence Secretary James Mattis said the US was still assessing the chemical attack and that the US military stood ready “to provide military options

if they are appropriate as the president determines”. French President Emmanuel Macron said any strikes would “not target allies of the [Syrian] regime or attack anyone, but rather attack the regime’s chemical capabilities”. But The Times newspaper reports that the UK’s Prime Minister Theresa May has urged Mr Trump to provide more evidence of the suspected chemical attack. A US Navy guided-missile destroyer, the USS Donald Cook, is in the Mediterranean Sea. There are reports that Russia has withdrawn battleships from its naval base in the Syrian port city of Tartus: What is the UN doing? On Tuesday the UN Security Council failed to approve moves to set up an inquiry into the alleged attack on Douma. As permanent members of the council, Russia and the US vetoed each other’s proposals to set up independent investigations. The US-drafted resolution would have allowed investigators to apportion blame for the suspected attack, while Russia’s version would have left that to the Security Council. The OPCW’s fact-finding mission will not seek to establish who was responsible for the attack. Source: BBC

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N e w s F r o m A f r i c a Algeria military plane crash: 257 dead near Algiers

Wednesday’s plane crash is the deadliest in the world since July 2014, when all 298 people on board Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 died when it was shot down over eastern Ukraine. It is also the second-deadliest plane crash since 2003. Four years ago a plane carrying military personnel and family members crashed in Algeria, killing 77 people. The deadliest crashes of the past 15 years • 17 July 2014: Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 crashes near Grabove in eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board, 193 of them Dutch. Pro-Russian rebels are widely accused of shooting the plane down using a surface-to-air missile - they deny responsibility • 19 February 2003: An Iranian military transport aircraft carrying 276

people crashes in the south of the country, killing all on board • 1 June 2009: An Air France Airbus 330 travelling from Rio de Janeiro to Paris crashes into the Atlantic with 228 people on board. Search teams later recover some 50 bodies • 31 October 2015: An Airbus A321, operated by Russian airline Kogalymavia, crashes over central Sinai some 22 minutes after taking off from Sharm el-Sheikh, killing all 224 people on board. The Islamic State group’s local affiliate later says it brought down the plane in response to Russian intervention in Syria • 7 July 2007: A TAM Airlines jet crashes on landing at Congonhas airport in Sao Paulo, in Brazil’s worst-ever air disaster. A total of 199 people are killed all 186 on board and 13 on the ground

n Algerian military plane has crashed near the capital killing 257 people on board, officials say. The aircraft came down just after taking off from Boufarik military airport, west of Algiers. An inquiry is under way into the cause of the crash - Algeria’s worst-ever air disaster. The government has declared three days of national mourning. Most of the dead are army personnel and their families, the defence ministry says. Ten crew members also died. Passengers from Western Sahara, a disputed territory annexed by Morocco after Spain withdrew in 1975, were among the fatalities. The Polisario Front, which is seeking independence for the territory and is backed by Algeria, says 30 Western Saharans, including women and children,

died. A senior member of Algeria’s ruling FLN party said those killed included 26 Polisario members. The plane, an Ilyushin Il-76, was travelling to Bechar and Tindouf in the south-west of the country. The Tindouf region, which borders Western Sahara, is home to refugee camps and serves as a base for the Polisario Front. Witnesses say they saw a wing catch fire as the plane took off. It then went down, avoiding a highway and crashing into a field. Dozens of firefighters and rescuers worked around the smouldering wreckage. One eyewitness told local television: “We saw bodies burned. It is a real disaster”. There are no reports of survivors. The authorities are working to identify remains of those killed.

Ethiopia PM asks protesters for patience

Central African Republic protesters lay corpses at UN’s door after clashes

thiopia’s new Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has visited the hotbed of recent anti-government protests, promising that change will come if people are patient. Speaking to a crowd of thousands at a stadium in the town of Ambo, the 42-yearold said the country was “on the path of change and love”, the AFP news agency reports. After blessings from traditional leaders and a moment of silence in memory of those who died in protests, Reuters quotes Mr Abiy as saying: You have expressed your grievances and have made demands. We give you our unwavering commitment to resolving them. But for us to succeed, we also need your unwavering support.” Police struggled to keep the crowd from bandstand while he was speaking, AFP reports. Men in traditional Oromo clothing also performed during the rally: The new prime minister, a former army officer, is from the country’s largest ethnic group, the Oromo, and his appointment was seen as a move to appease the protesters. Demonstrations calling for political and economic reforms have lasted almost three years and have seen thousands arrested.

A local official says 21 people were shot dead including two children

rotesters have put at least 16 corpses in front of the headquarters of the UN in the Central African Republic (CAR). They called for an end to violence, saying the corpses were of civilians killed on Tuesday in clashes between UN troops and armed groups in a neighbourhood of the capital, Bangui. The UN mission in CAR has not yet commented on the protest. Its troops began an operation on Sunday to disarm vigilantes in the PK5 neighbourhood of the capital Bangui. A self-styled Muslim militia is based there, purporting to protect residents. CAR was plunged into turmoil in 2013 when Muslim rebels from the Seleka umbrella group seized power in the majority-Christian country. A band of mostly Christian militias, called the

UN troops and Red Cross workers removed corpses left by the demonstrators

anti-balaka, rose up to counter the Seleka. A new government elected in 2016 has failed to bring peace to the mineral-rich nation which has been unstable since its independence from France in 1960. Why did the clashes erupt? The UN mission, known by the acronym Minusca, says it launched the military operation after residents complained about extortion and violence by the armed group. It said in a statement on Tuesday that its soldiers had been attacked: “For four hours, the Minusca force had to push back heavily armed elements of criminal gangs who deliberately opened fire on the international forces, who fired back. A demonstrator told Reuters news agency the UN forces had shot at civilians during

Tuesday’s operation. “We, ourselves, no longer understand anything,” he said. “Does their mission consist of shooting at civilians?” Mayor Atahirou Balla Dodo of the Bangui district in which the PK5 neighbourhood is located told Reuters a total of 21 people had been killed in the clashes. He said protesters had taken 17 bodies from the morgue but had left four others, two women and two children. UN troops and the local Red Cross team later removed the bodies. Medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), which operates one of the main hospitals in Bangui, said it had treated more than 40 people for gunshot wounds on Tuesday.

Buhari: Nigeria will be able to feed itself soon

resident Muhammadu Buhari, who is in the UK on an official visit, has defended his decision to seek re-election next year, saying he wanted to end speculation so he could concentrate on his job. We have many things to focus on, like security, agriculture, economy, anti-corruption… We needed to concentrate on them, and politics should not be a distraction.”

He made the comments to the Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who called on Mr Buhari earlier today, a presidential statement said. He also defended his record, saying his administration had cut “the importation of rice by about 90%, saving billions of dollars in the process”. The 75-year-old added:

Nigeria should be able to feed itself comfortably soon.” President Buhari blamed the recent herders crisis on the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, who he said trained and armed them. When he was killed, the gunmen escaped with their arms. We encountered some of them fighting with Boko Haram. Herdsmen that we used to know carried only sticks and maybe a

Trump lifts travel ban on Chad

S President Donald Trump has lifted the controversial travel ban his administration imposed on Chad about six months ago. The central African state had improved the sharing of information about “suspected terrorists”, and had taken steps to make

its passports more secure, a White House statement said. Chad had criticised the ban, saying it was being unfairly targeted. Citizens from seven other countries are still banned from entering the US. They include Somalia, Libya, Iran,

Syria, Yemen, North Korea and Venezuela. Chad’s inclusion on a revamped list in September caused surprise, as it is a key Western ally and a major contributor of troops in the fight against militant Islamists in the region. Its foreign minister, Cherif Mahamat

cutlass to clear the way, but these ones now carry sophisticated weapons. The problem is not religious, but sociological and economic. But we are working on solutions.” A rights group in Nigeria said this week that more than 2,000 people had been killed in recent violence between farmers and nomadic herdsmen. Source: BBC

Zene, welcomed the lifting of the ban. “Chad is pleased to be removed from the list of countries whose nationals are banned from entering the United States, and hopes to further strengthen the strategic partnership and cooperation between the two countries,” he said in a tweet.

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PEOPLES DAILY, Thursday, APRIL 12, 2018

Yulia Skripal: No-one speaks for me Y

ulia Skripal, poisoned daughter of Russian ex-spy Sergei, has rejected assistance from the Russian embassy “at the moment”. The 33-year-old, who was discharged from hospital on Monday, said her father is “still seriously ill”. In a statement issued through police, she said she was not yet strong enough to give a full media interview but “no-one speaks for me, or for my father”. The Skripals were found slumped on a park bench in Salisbury on 4 March. Ms Skripal and her 66-year-old father, who remains at Salisbury District Hospital, were exposed to the toxic nerve agent Novichok. In her statement she said she found herself in “a totally different life than the ordinary one I left just over a month ago”. What happened to Sergei and Yulia Skripal? Poisoned ex-spy’s daughter leaves hospital Who is Sergei Skripal? Ms Skripal, who has been taken to a secure location, added: “I have specially trained officers available to me, who are helping to take care of me and to explain the investigative processes that are being undertaken.” After Ms Skripal’s release from hospital,

Yulia Skripal was treated in Salisbury District Hospital for more than a month after being exposed to a nerve agent

the Russian embassy said: “We need urgent proof that what is being done to her is done on her own free will.” Skip Twitter post by @RussianEmbassy We congratulate Yulia Skripal on her recovery. Yet we need urgent proof that what is being done to her is done on her own free will. — Russian Embassy, UK (@ RussianEmbassy) April 10, 2018 Report End of Twitter post by @RussianEmbassy In her latest statement, Ms Skripal said: “I

have access to friends and family, and I have been made aware of my specific contacts at the Russian embassy who have kindly offered me their assistance in any way they can. “At the moment I do not wish to avail myself of their services, but, if I change my mind I know how to contact them.” The UK government says Russia was behind the poisoning, which has led to a diplomatic crisis between Moscow and the West. The Russian government has denied any involvement and accused the British of

inventing a “fake story”. More than 20 countries are expelling Russian envoys in solidarity with the UK. Tests on the nerve agent used on the Skripals have been conducted by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). A report from the OPCW has been received by the Cabinet Office and an executive summary will be published on Thursday. While Yulia and Sergei were both being treated in hospital, her cousin Viktoria Skripal, who lives in Russia, gave interviews to Russian news agencies and international outlets. Following Ms Skripal’s discharge from Salisbury District Hospital on Monday, her cousin told Russian news agency Interfax that Ms Skripal planned to ask for political asylum - although she did not know in which country. But in her most recent statement, Ms Skripal clarified that Viktoria’s “opinions and assertions are not mine and they are not my father’s”. She said: “I am not yet strong enough to give a full interview to the media, as I one day hope to do. Until that time, I want to stress that no one speaks for me, or for my father, but ourselves. “I thank my cousin Viktoria for her concern for us, but ask that she does not visit me or try to contact me for the time being.”

Syria war: WHO demands access to ‘chemical attack site’

he World Health Organization (WHO) has demanded “unhindered access” to Douma in Syria to check reports from its partners that 500 people were affected by a chemical attack there. The Syrian government denies being behind any use of chemical weapons. The US has threatened a “forceful” response to the reported attack but Russia has called it a pretext to attack its ally, Syria. The WHO cited reports that 70 people had been killed. It said its “health cluster” partners reported that 500 people had suffered symptoms consistent with exposure to toxic chemicals, including difficulty breathing, irritation of mucous membranes, and disruption to the central nervous system. “Two health facilities were US ambassador Nikki Haley and Russian ambassador Vasily Nebenzia clashed at the UN also reportedly affected by these attacks,” the WHO statement Washington has also been in discussion and “the emission of chlorine-like odour”. continued. The estimates of how many people died with France and the UK, raising the prospect “We should all be outraged at these in the suspected chemical attack range from of co-ordinated Western military action. horrific reports and images from Douma,” 42 to more than 60 people. French President Emmanuel Macron said Dr Peter Salama of the WHO. “WHO The French representative at the UN said any strikes would target Syrian demands immediate unhindered access to Security Council said poison gas had government chemical facilities. the area to provide care to those affected, to deliberately been used as it could seep down But The Times reports that the UK’s assess the health impacts, and to deliver a into basements. Prime Minister Theresa May has urged Mr comprehensive public health response.” Following the alleged attack, Syria and Trump to provide more evidence of the What happened in Douma? Russia reached an evacuation deal with the suspected chemical attack. Syrian opposition activists, rescue Jaysh al-Islam rebels, who up until now A US Navy guided-missile destroyer, the workers and medics allege that an attack on have been holding Douma. USS Donald Cook, is in the Mediterranean, Douma in the Eastern Ghouta region near and the European air traffic control agency, What will happen next? Damascus on Saturday was carried out by It seems the US and its allies may be Eurocontrol, has warned airlines to take government forces using bombs filled with preparing for a military strike. “due consideration” while in the eastern toxic chemicals. US President Donald Trump cancelled Mediterranean over the next few days, The Syrian-American Medical Society his first official trip to Latin America so he because of the possible launch of missiles said more than 500 people had been found could focus on Syria. into Syria. with symptoms “indicative of exposure to a Several senior Russian figures have That decision suggests the US response chemical agent”. may involve a larger military operation than warned of a Russian response to a US attack. It said this included breathing difficulties, a limited strike, says the BBC’s Barbara Plett Alexander Zasypkin, Moscow’s bluish skin, foaming mouths, corneal burns Usher in Washington. ambassador to Lebanon, was the latest,

repeating a warning by the head of the military that missiles would be shot down and their launch sites targeted. Moscow’s UN ambassador warned Washington that it would “bear responsibility” for any “illegal military adventure” it carried out. What is the UN doing? On Tuesday the UN Security Council failed to pass any measures to set up an inquiry into the alleged attack. As permanent members of the council, Russia and the US both have the power to veto. They both blocked each other’s proposals to set up independent investigations. The US-drafted resolution would have allowed investigators to apportion blame for the suspected attack, while Russia’s version would have left that to the Security Council. A team from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is due to deploy to Syria “shortly” to determine whether banned weapons were used in Douma. But the OPCW will not seek to establish who was responsible for the attack. The UN session was the latest in a series of showdowns between Russia and the US and saw harsh words exchanged between the countries. Russian ambassador Vasily Nebenzia accused the US of “planting” a resolution” as a justification for military action. “We could find ourselves on the threshold of some very sad and serious events,” he said. US envoy Nikki Haley responded by calling the vote a “travesty”. “Russia has trashed the credibility of the council,” she said. “Whenever we propose anything meaningful on Syria, Russia vetoes it.”

ENVIRONMENT

PAGE 25

PEOPLES DAILY, Thursday, APRIL 12, 2018

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

Unilag’s biodiversity conservation centre to ensure ecosystems

T Flooded parts of Suleja

NEMA issues flood warning to communities living close to rivers in South-East

he National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has issued a flood warning to communities living close to rivers and low land areas within the SouthEast NEMA’s Zonal Co-ordinator, Mr Walson Brandon, issued the warning while briefing journalists in Enugu recently. Brandon also advised residents of the zone to immediately contact the agency in case of any flood occurrence. According to him, top on the flood risk communities and areas in the South-East are within Enugu, Ebonyi and Anamra states. He said the warning arose from annual flood outlook from the National Meteorological

Agency (NiMet) and the National Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA). “From the annual flood outlook, the risk areas in Enugu State are Enugu South, Enugu East and Oji River council areas. “In Ebonyi, it includes Afikpo North, Ezea South, Ohaukwu and Ebonyi council areas. “While in Anambra State, includes Orumba North, Orumba South, Anaocha, Oyi, Dunukofia and Njikoka council areas. “I urge the people in the affected areas not to fall back and wait for government at the state and local levels, they should be on alert and contact appropriate federal agencies in case of any flood incident,’’ he said. Brandon, who is an Assistant

Director in the agency, urged people in the affected areas to immediately contact NEMA through its emergency line 07084561972, if the need arises. On the issue of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the zone, the co-ordinator said NEMA cannot do it alone. He noted that the agency was reaching out to the local governments to sensitise them on camp management, particularly how to put together and manage IDPs. Brandon noted that the mandate of NEMA includes disaster prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. S o u r c EnvironewsNigeria

Waste evacuation: Plateau to sanction erring operator

he Plateau State Government has threatened to sanction private waste operators who failed to honour the terms of agreement they had with the government to dispose refuse in Mr Abdullahi Abbas, the state’s Commissioner for Environment, gave the warning in Jos, the state capital, yesterday a meeting with the waste operators operating in the state. It will be recalled that the government had in the last two years contracted the evacuation of waste in the state to private waste operators.

The commissioner stated that the government’s aim of contracting the collection of waste in the state was to ensure a clean and hygienic environment for the citizens. He, however, expressed disappointment that for over two months none of the waste operators kept to the terms of agreement, as dirt litters major streets of Jos and Bukuru towns. “The essence of contracting the evacuation of waste in the state is to ensure high performance and you have a clean and hygienic environment

for our people. “But I must say that I am disappointed on the low performance of the water operators because for the last two months waste continued to pile at dumpsites with nobody coming to evacuate them. “If things continue this way, we will have no option but to revoke the contracts,” he said. Abbas called on residents of the state to be patient, adding that all dumpsites piled with refuse would soon be cleared. S o u r c EnvironewsNigeria

he Executive Director, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund), Dr Abdullahi Baffa, says there is need for continued defence and extension of existing environmental protection provisions by promoting skills, technology, market access and innovation. University of Lagos, Akoka Baffa said this at the inauguration of the Centre For Biodiversity Conservation and Ecosystem Management (CEBCEM) in the University of Lagos, Akoka yesterday. The inauguration had the theme: “Biodiversity Conservation and Environmental Sustainability; Road Maps Towards Economic Empowerment”. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that CEBCEM is to focus on management of biodiversity, conservation and sustainable ecosystem monitoring through collaborative research. It will use scientific findings to advance environmental awareness campaigns and inform decision makers. It will also provide a platform for education and researches of undergraduates and graduate students as well as faculties in the related fields of science, social sciences arts, and science-based education courses. According to Baffa, who was the keynote speaker at the event, governments also need to continue to champion sustainable farming, livestock and food production through huge investments. ’’In Nigeria and globally, biodiversity is under threat and plants and animals species seem to be more precarious to this threat. “The action of especially anthropogeny is believed to have some serious negative impacts on biodiversity, leading to genetic erosion and consequent extinction of valuable plants. “Biodiversity and conservation are important concepts to achieve environmental sustainability. “While biological diversity includes all living organisms (both individuals and groups) and their relationship with one another, conservation is the protection and/or management of such resources,” he explained. Baffa added that biodiversity also had to do with the degree of variation of life forms within a given specie, ecosystem or an entire planet. He said that it was also a measure of the health of ecosystems. ‘’Environmental sustainability is one of eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) declared in the year 2000. ‘’Nigeria has taken lots of initiatives to achieve all the eight goals, but for goal number seven (ensuring environmental sustainability), the rate of implementation has been slow,

especially with respect to reversing the loss of environmental resources; ensuring sustainable access to safe drinking water for all, and reducing biodiversity loss,’’ he said. Baffa said that challenges to achieving the goal included population growth, high incidence of poverty and policy inconsistency. The official said that complementarity should be encouraged for environmental sustainability and economic empowerment. ‘’The establishment of CEBCEM should, therefore, be seen as one major contribution of the University of Lagos toward protecting the planet,’’ he said. He said that researchers at CEBCEM would have opportunities to make global impacts by proposing local solutions to challenges of biodiversity conservation. He called for solutions to “wicked water” problems, and urged increase in the resilience of people and ecosystem. The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, told NAN on the sidelines of the inauguration that the centre was aimed at mitigating critical threats to local, regional and global biological, physical and cultural diversity by advancing scientific research in diverse ecosystem. Ogundipe said that the centre had the goal of strengthening application of science to conservation practice and public policy formulation, among others. “Biodiversity is about our life; it is about our environment; it is about us. “It is about how we can make maximum use of our environment. “When you talk about environment, you talk about plants and animals and, of course, our usage. “One of our main goals is achievement of demand-driven research to help our community and nation as a whole on food security as well as lead us to see the potential of our environment,” he said. Ogundipe said that TETfund had offered the institution research grant on allergy. According to him, it is no longer new that sometimes people react to certain pollen grains in the atmosphere. He said that the university had already begun a research on the issue. In his good will message, the Dean, School of Postgraduate of the university, Prof. Solomon Akingboye, said that the inauguration was a step in the right direction. Akingboye said that the centre would assist in the production of quality PhD holders and thesis. He remarked that poverty alleviation was key to environmental sustainability.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2018

Feature

By Ochiaka Ugwu

‘I paid $90,000 to free my family from IS’

halid Taalo Khudhur al-Ali fled with his wife and children as Islamic State militants attacked their town in Iraq in 2014, but 19 other members of his family were captured. Over the last four years he has paid $90,000 for the release of 10 of them. But now, after the defeat of IS, he fears that any survivors may be beyond his reach. On 26 September last year, a red pickup truck pulled into Sharya in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq. Inside sat 16-year-old Shaima. As the vehicle drew into the small, dusty village, friends and family crowded around and she fell into their arms. This was Shaima’s return after more than three years in the captivity of Islamic State, during which she was sold from one fighter to another and moved between their strongholds in Iraq and Syria. Now her uncle, Khalid Taalo Khudhur al-Ali, had bought her back for the sum of $16,000 (£11,000). Khalid remembers the day IS militants came to the town of Sinjar. On the night of 2 August 2014, no-one was able to sleep. “Many battles started to the south, on the outskirts. We were afraid,” says Khalid, sitting cross-legged on a patterned cushion on the floor of his makeshift home. “The next morning, before breakfast, we heard screaming and voices outside. I opened the door and asked some people who were running in the street: ‘What happened?’ They told me: ‘IS is here.’ Everyone was afraid, and those who had cars escaped to the mountains. But I did not have a car.” Khalid took four litres of petrol from his electricity generator, and gave it to a neighbour who agreed to give Khalid, his pregnant wife and six children a lift to safety. But on reaching Mount Sinjar, he realised that in the rush to leave, he had forgotten his laptop, some personal documents, and some cash. So they got out of the car and discussed how to go back for them. Khalid’s wife would not allow him to return but gave her consent for one of their sons to go. En route, he met Khalid’s brother, Dakheel, who was belatedly joining the exodus from Sinjar, and one of Dakheel’s sons joined him on the perilous journey. In fact it saved them: IS soon picked up Dakheel and the rest of his family, while the two young men stayed out of sight and eventually got away. “Everyone who stayed at the foot of the mountain was arrested by IS. Only those who went up survived,” Khalid says. He kept calling his brother. “Finally, one person answered and said: ‘We are the Islamic State,’ and hung up,” he remembers. Rejoined by his son and nephew, Khalid eventually found a tractor to take the family towards the Syrian border, passing through settlements that IS was rapidly claiming as its own. Under occasional mortar and sniper fire, they followed the frontier north-east until, 24 hours after fleeing their homes in Sinjar, they arrived in the village of Sharya in Iraqi Kurdistan. Khalid agonised over the fate of his brother’s family. Like the other residents of Sinjar, all were members of the Yazidi religious minority, whom IS considers devilworshippers. Slavery or death seemed the most likely outcome. In May the following year, Khalid received information from smugglers that IS had moved the children and women captives to Syria. But then the militants started trading them on messaging apps,

Khalid Taalo Khudhur al-Ali with nephews and nieces who also made it to safety in August 2014 with photos and asking prices for sale. Khalid, by now working as a biology teacher in a camp for internally displaced persons, realised that it might be a way to see his family returned and began to forge relationships with a series of smugglers. The years to come would bring many sleepless nights, dealings with a host of unsavoury characters, and financial worries. But by the time IS collapsed last year he had raised $90,000 and succeeded in releasing 10 members of his family. Shaima was the last, smuggled out of the eastern Syrian city of Deir Ezzor days before IS was expelled. Khalid says he managed to free his family without speaking to the militants directly, working instead through a complex network of intermediaries. Often, several such individuals were involved, with different agents working in Iraq and Syria, each taking a fee. It was dangerous work. IS would most likely have killed any smugglers caught removing captives from their territory. It took Khalid more than three months to secure Shaima’s release. Yazidis in captivity • Of 6,500 Yazidis seized by IS in 2014, 3,150 are still missing, according to Yazidi activist Mirza Dinnayi - he believes that IS is still selling Yazidis online • There are no confirmed figures on how many have been killed in captivity • Mass graves have been found in Sinjar district - as a biologist, Khalid Taalo Khudhur al-Ali is encouraging Yazidis to overcome their reluctance to provide samples for DNA matching • Most of those rescued have been brought back in operations similar to those carried out by Khalid

Shaima was tattooed by her captors With the help of two mediators he sent her WhatsApp messages, including photographs of family members, to reassure her that she would soon be taken to safety. He gathered the $16,000 he needed for the deal and waited. Then things went quiet. For three days he heard nothing. “We found out that the mediators were ambushed and IS put them in jail and tortured them,” he says. After that, another group of smugglers was engaged to complete the rescue operation. “The Iraqi mediator asked me to go to Dohuk to withdraw my money. After one week, the same person called me and told me that the operation would be seven days later. I did not sleep for one week,” Khalid says. Gathering the necessary funds has been among the most taxing parts of Khalid’s campaign to free his relatives.

“

Khalid says he managed to free his family without speaking to the militants directly, working instead through a complex network of intermediaries. Often, several such individuals were involved, with different agents working in Iraq and Syria, each taking a fee. It was dangerous work. IS would most likely have killed any smugglers caught removing captives from their territory.

For example, he had to find $38,500 to buy back his sister-in-law, his sister Laila, and her children. Then he had to pay $29,000 to free his son’s wife. But where was this money going to come from? “I had no money so I borrowed from my friends. Some of them gave me $50, others $100,” Khalid says. “A friend who is a deputy in the parliament gave me $3,000. [My sister-in-law’s] brothers also sent me money from Germany. Finally, I collected the money.” In all, he has raised $90,000 and bought back 10 members of his family - all women and girls, except for one young boy, his sister Laila’s young son. Although Khalid risks accusations of having funded terrorism by dealing with mediators who ultimately handed money to IS, he saw the task of buying back his family as non-negotiable. But the local authorities knew what he and other Yazidi families were doing. If they needed to transfer money to Syria, they had to get a permit from the security forces. Some of the money Khalid paid was refunded by an office set up for this purpose by the authorities in northern Iraq. Although it was IS who kidnapped his relatives, the group’s defeat paradoxically makes even harder the task of recovering the other missing members of his family. They are his brother, Dakheel, and four of Dakheel’s sons; the wife of one of these sons and their two children; and the husband of Khalid’s sister, Laila. There is a chance that they were killed by IS or in coalition air strikes, he thinks, though some could still be with their IS captors in camps for internally displaced people, in jails or in isolated areas where the groups of militants have taken refuge. Khalid says it is impossible to know anything for certain. “These are all possibilities, but nothing is 100% sure,” he says. “Even if they are dead, we should confirm that by DNA test. “When a kidnapped person dies, we know nothing about him and that is really hard. I wish to see them even if they died, I want to make sure that they really are dead.” Source: BBC

PAGE 27

PEOPLES DAILY, Thursday, APRIL 12, 2018

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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. THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Fatima Ibrahim Muhammed 2. Bola Adefila 3. Halima Yunusa THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. To help women by empowering them, financially and intellectually, towards achieving their life goals. 2. To support women owned businesses. 3. To emphasize love amongst women by reaching out to each other. 4. To mentor young women on career paths or goals. 5. To become a link for women in various careers and backgrounds. 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, Thursday, APRIL 12, 2018

PAGE 28

CLASSIFIED PUBLIC NOTICE

Leadership & Calvary Initiative For Community Development

PUBLIC NOTICE

DAGAMAS COLLEGE OF APPLIED SCIENCE

EVANGELICAL VOLUNTARY CARE 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. THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. To Promote Peace and Unity through distribution of printed materials, organising seminars and workshops for community and religious leaders. 2. To Promote Good Governance and Development through organized interface with political and other influential leaders. 3. To Promote Positive Behavioral Change amongst Young People and Aspiring Political and Religious Leaders, through organized settings like the Schools, Churches etc. 4. To Promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ. THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. Chibuzo Donatus Okudoh 2. Edward C. Francis 3. Obidike Emeka UC Uchenna. Correction of Trustees Names: 2. Edward Chiemezie Francis. 3.Obidike Emeka Uchenna. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : Secretary

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990. TRUSTEES: 1. MICHAEL DAGAMA 2. OBARO JANE 3. DEBORAH M. DAGAMA 4. MARTHA ONYECHE DAGAMA 5. DAGAMA SARAH AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO ESTABLISH, RUN, AND TO CARRY ON THE BUSINESS AS PROPRIETORS OF SCHOOLS, PRE-TERTIARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS. 2. TO PROVIDE AP PROPRIATE TUITION, ORGANIZE AND PROVIDE DESIRABLE EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, AWARD TO DESERVING CANDIDATES SUCH BURSARIES, PRIZES, CERTIFICATES, TESTIMONIAL, BENEFITS AND CONFERMENT AS MAY BE APPROPRIATE. 3. TO PROVIDE PLAYGROUNDS, SPORTS FIELDS, AND ALL DESIRABLE SPORT IN ALL RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN THE SCHOOL AND TO PROVIDE ALL INFRASTRUCTURE, APPURTENANCES, FACILITIES AND AMENITIES REQUIRED TO CARRY OUT THE AFORESAID OBJECTS INCLUDING CLASSROOMS, ASSEMBLY HALLS, LIBRARIES, LABORATORIES, WORKSHOPS AND ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES. 4. TO ESTABLISH MANAGE ORGANIZE AND RUN TRAINING PROGRAMMES, WORKSHOPS, CONFERENCE AND SEMINARS. Any objection to the above registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission plot 420 Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Street Maitama P.M.B. 198, Abuja within 28 days of this publication Sign: Secretary

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THE MIGHTY IN BATTLE FELLOWSHIP INTERNATIONAL

THIS IS TO NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. EVANGELIST MICHAEL NNADI 2. MRS. THERESA NNADI 3. AVURA JOSHUA AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. TO PROVIDE CARE FOR THE LESS PRIVILEGED 2. TO PROMOTE EVANGELIZATION OF NATIONS OF THE WORLD. 3. TO PROMOTE PRAYER RETREATS, REVIVALS AND PROVIDE NETWORK FOR THE SICK IN HOSPITALS, PRISONS AND DESTITUTE GENERALLY. 4. TO PROVIDE CLOTHING, DRUGS, HONOURING/SHELTER, MEDICAL BILLS TO THE LESS PRIVILEGED 5. TO PROMOTE DEVELOPMENT AND EMPOWERMENT OF PEOPLE IN THE BODY OF CHRIST. 6. TO PROMOTE HIV/AIDS AWARENESS AND PROVIDE FREE DRUGS FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH AIDS. 7. TO COLLABORATE WITH CHURCHES, EVANGELISTIC OUTREACH, ASSOCIATION WITH SIMILAR OBJECTIVES ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: MRS. THERESA NNADI. SECRETARY.

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ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED : BARR.KAY ODE LAWANI

SIGNED : Secretary

This is to notify the general public that the above named, has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Adeyemo Samuel Louse gun 2. Sam-Adeyemo Faith Olabisi 3. Omoregie Adesuwa Ivie 4. Suberu Dan Adavize 5. Adeyemo Esther Folashade AIM AND OBJECTIVES: 1.To bring joy into the heart and hope into the eyes of the less privileged in our society via different means of humanitarian services.y 2.To promote the harboured intellects in our children and the youth of this country and Africa in general for efficiency, that will aid positive development in this region. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this publication. SIGNED: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

hassan

IMAM-ELESHIN-NLA

THE PROPAETIC DIVINE HEALING AND DELIVERANCE MINISTRY

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS tinimu hassan. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS hassan tanimu hassan. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS ELESHINLA IMAM ISSA. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS IMAM-ELESHIN-NLA ISSA KAYODE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

JAMILA

Onoja

I, formerly known as JAMILA AHMED. Now wish to be known and called JAMILA SIDI BABA. All former documents remain valid .ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED and the general public should please take note.

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS Okparaodimbu Rosecollete Okwuchi Onoja Rose. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS Onoja Rosecollete Okwuchi Okparaodimbu. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

iliboku

mustapha

I, formerly known as iliboku emmanuel. Now wish to be known and called iliboku emmanuel oghenekaro. All former documents remain valid . all financial institutions, such as banks, fed. poly. nasarawa and the general public should please take note.

I, formerly known as salihu muhammad. Now wish to be known and called mustapha muhammad dikko. All former documents remain valid . ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED and the general public should please take note.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE : (1) OKPIABHELE BOSE OMOKOSHI --PRESIDENT (2) ARIFALO ADEDOTUN OLUWATOSIN VICE PRESIDENT (3) ONOCHIE-MORDI PRUDENCE ISIKPEAGBOR NEHIMATU --SECRETARY THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : TO PROMOTE WELFARE OF VULNERABLE CHILDREN.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE : I. PR0PHETESS NWACHUKWU MARTHA ADANNE 2. MR CHUBA PETER ANACHUNA 3. MR DANIELS DICKSON MBASEKEI 4. NWACHUKWU EUPHEMIA CHIDI 5. NNAMUAH AZUKA FIDELIA 6. UCHE GRACE NKIRUKA THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : I. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. 2. TO PREACH GOD'S LOVE, DELIVERANCE AND TO PROCLAIM LIBERTY T0 THE CAPTIVES. 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 SUNDAY NWAOLIE 0KONTA

PUBLIC NOTICE

Sharada Small Scale Industrialist And Entrepreneurs THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1, Ibrahim Rabi'u Maishuni 2, Ibrahim Bashir Nasambo, 3, Ibrahim Mahmud Umar, 4, Ibrahim Umar THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1, To bring Unity and progress among members. 2, Providing the exchange of information and business opportunities for the benefit of our members through our platform. 3, To assist in developing awareness quality conviction and sales beyond region. 4, To develop public private partnership for the benefit of members. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : Chairman, Baita Suleiman, Secretary: Bello Ado Hussain.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE : (1) PASTOR SILAS ONUWA (2) AWAZIE MERCY (3) DIVINE ONUWA (4) PAUL EBUBE CHUKWUKADIBIA O THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : To preach the gospel of our lord Jesus Christ.

PUBLIC NOTICE

AMINA

AMORJI AMA-AGU DEVELOPMENT UNION, ADU

I, formerly known as AMINA ABDULLAHI GWAZAWA Now wish to be known and addressed as MUHAMMAD AMINA ABUBAKAR. All former documents remain valid. authorities concerned and the general public should please.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. HIGH CHIEF ENGR. EMMA IROH. (PRESIDENT GENERAL) 2. LINUS NWACHUKWU. (CHAIRMAN). 3. SURV. C.O.C CHIKWE (MNIAS) (SECRETARY) 4. EZEJI ALOYSIUS OSUAGWU 5. EZINNA ANTHONY A. ANYANWU 6. CHIEF C.O MBAGWU 7. NICHOLAS A. IWUAGWU 8. NZE INNOCENT N. EKPO 9. ELDER HYACINTH OGBEDELELO. THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : TO CATER FOR THE WELFARE OF THE MEMBERS IN THE UNION .. 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

Abubakar I, formerly known as Abubakar Umar now wish to be known and addressed as Abubakar Garba Bissala. All former documents remain valid. All relevant authorities and general public please take note.

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PEOPLES DAILY, Thursday, APRIL 12, 2018

Healthy Living New compound that repairs cancer cells found

iologists from St. Petersburg have created a compound that causes cancer cells to repair their DNA or self-destruct after fatal genome damage occurs. The efficacy of the new compound is much higher than that of the most powerful drugs developed in the U.S. and Europe, TASS reported, quoting Alexander Garabagiu, professor of St. Petersburg State Technological Institute. It could be a new step toward more effective and safer chemotherapy. A large number of cancerous tumours are caused by the breakdown of the “p53

gene”, which is responsible for DNA repair and self-destruction in case of fatal genome damage. This is often caused by the increased activity of a protein called MDM2, which neutralises the molecules of“ p53”. Scientists have been trying to create or find a molecule that will neutralise the protein and help cells fight against small mutations and larger breakdowns in DNA. During their experiments, the compound created by Russian researchers was able to kill about 40 per cent of cancer cells.

Older adults grow just as many new brain cells as young people

esearchers showed for the first time that healthy older men and women can generate just as many new brain cells as younger people. There has been controversy over whether adult humans grow new neurons, and some research has previously suggested that the adult brain was hardwired and that adults did not grow new neurons. This study, to appear in the journal Cell Stem Cell on April 5, counters that notion. Lead author Maura Boldrini, associate professor of neurobiology at Columbia University, says the findings may suggest that many senior citizens remain more cognitively and emotionally intact than commonly believed. “We found that older people have similar ability to make thousands of hippocampal new neurons from progenitor cells as younger people do,” Boldrini says. “We also found equivalent volumes of the hippocampus (a brain structure used for emotion and cognition) across ages. Nevertheless, older individuals had less vascularization and

maybe less ability of new neurons to make connections.” The researchers autopsied hippocampi from 28 previously healthy individuals aged 14-79 who had died suddenly. This is the first time researchers looked at newly formed neurons and the state of blood vessels within the entire human hippocampus soon after death. (The researchers had determined that study subjects were not cognitively impaired and had not suffered from depression or taken antidepressants, which Boldrini and colleagues had previously found could impact the production of new brain cells.) In rodents and primates, the ability to generate new hippocampal cells declines with age. Waning production of neurons and an overall shrinking of the dentate gyrus, part of the hippocampus thought to help form new episodic memories, was believed to occur in aging humans as well. The researchers from Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute found that even the oldest brains they studied produced new

brain cells. “We found similar numbers of intermediate neural progenitors and thousands of immature neurons,” they wrote. Nevertheless, older individuals form fewer new blood vessels within brain structures and possess a smaller pool of progenitor cells -- descendants of stem cells that are more constrained in their capacity to differentiate and self-renew. Boldrini surmised that reduced cognitive-emotional resilience in old age may be caused by this smaller pool of neural stem cells, the decline in vascularization, and reduced cell-to-cell connectivity within the hippocampus. “It is possible that ongoing hippocampal neurogenesis sustains human-specific cognitive function throughout life and that declines may be linked to compromised cognitive-emotional resilience,” she says. Boldrini says that future research on the aging brain will continue to explore how neural cell proliferation, maturation, and survival are regulated by hormones, transcription factors, and other intercellular pathways.

Food allergy linked to skin exposure and genetics, study reveals

nfant and childhood food allergy, whose cause has long been a mystery, has now been linked to a mix of environmental and genetic factors that must coexist to trigger the allergy, reports a new Northwestern Medicine study. The factors contributing to food allergy include the genetics that alter skin absorbency, use of infant cleansing wipes that leave soap on the skin, skin exposure to allergens in dust and skin exposure to food from those providing infant care. Food allergy is triggered when these factors occur together. “This is a recipe for developing food allergy,” said lead study author Joan Cook-

Mills, a professor of allergy-immunology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. “It’s a major advance in our understanding of how food allergy starts early in life.” The paper will be published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology on April 6. Food allergies are on the rise and affect an estimated 4 to 6 percent of children in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The prevalence of reported food allergy increased 18 percent among children under age 18 years from 1997 to 2007. Recent data also show hospitalizations

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

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with diagnoses related to food allergies have increased among children. Food allergy risk factors can be modified at home The good news is factors leading to food allergy can be modified in the home environment, Cook-Mills said. “Reduce baby’s skin exposure to the food allergens by washing your hands before handling the baby,” Cook-Mills said. “Limit use of infant wipes that leave soap on the skin. Rinse soap off with water like we used to do years ago. “ Scientist discovers the ‘perfect storm’ triggering food allergy

LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to inform the general public of the loss of original copy of the offer of terms of Grant/ Conveyance of Approval with Ref No. MFCT/LA/No. 1868 dated 15/3/1999 belonging to Ibrahim A. Zukogi ‘m’ of FBIR, PMB 33 Garki, Abuja in respect of Plot No. 478 of about 1607 24 m2 within Sabon Lugbe South East District. All efforts made to trace it proved abortive. If found, please contact Alh Ibrahim A. Zukogi, NEIC Federal Secretariat Phase III or the nearest police station.

Cook-Mills made the discovery by using clinical evidence about food allergy in humans, the effects of food allergen and environmental allergen exposures and neonatal mice with genetic mutations that occur in humans. Clinical evidence shows up to 35 percent of children with food allergies have atopic dermatitis and much of that is explained by at least three different gene mutations that reduce the skin barrier. Cook-Mills used a neonatal mouse model with skin barrier mutations and tried exposing its skin to food allergens like peanuts. The peanuts alone had no effect.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC OF THE LOSS OF ORIGINAL LAND TITTLE DOCUMENT NAMED REGULARISATION OF LAND TITTLE AND DOCUMENTS OF FCT AREA COUNCILS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT IN RESPECT OF PLOT NUMBER 613, CADASTRAL ZONE BO7 OF KATAMPE, ABUJA,, FCT DATED 31/03/2003 WITH NEW FILE NO. PL 11210 BELONGING TO AMINA SHUAIBU WITH APPLICANT NAME MOHAMMED BABAYO. THE SAID GOT MISSING SOMETIMES IN NOVEMBER, 2017 WHILE ON TRANSIT FROM SULEJA TO ABUJA. ALL EFFORTS MADE TO TRACE THE SAID DOCUMENT PROVED ABORTIVE, IF FOUND, KINDLY RETURN TO THE NEAREST POLICE STATION OR AGIS. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE. SIGNED. KABIRU BABAYO.

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FG rewards Commonwealth Games medal-winning athletes

Nigeria Para-athletes By Amaechi Agbo

he federal government has redeemed its pledge in rewarding the medal-winning athletes at the ongoing ongoing 2018 Commonwealth Games. The federal government, through the Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, yesterday rewarded the Team Nigeria that is currently participating at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Australia. It was all smiles as the medal-winning athletes were rewarded by the federal government for their heroics in the XXI Commonwealth for winning gold or silver so far for the Nigeria contingents. The cash presentation was presided by the Minister. Speaking at the brief event, Dalung said the bonus presentation should not be seen as adequate reward for the selfless determination, hard work and resilience of their sterling performances but as an incentive

for them to do more. Dalung said the gesture was just a token of appreciation to the athletes and coaches who have worked tirelessly in putting Nigeria’s name on the medals table. The sum of $5,000, $3000 and $2,000 were presented to gold, silver and bronze medal winners, respectively. Coaches of victorious athletes also got $5,000 each while team sports medalists (more than 2 participants such as Silver winning Table Tennis team) were also handsomely rewarded for their heroics. Dalung charged them to go back to the Games Village and tell other athletes about the FG’s new resolution to keep its own side of the bargain made before the games, adding that “The payment of winning bonuses is expected to be an ongoing exercise for medal-winning athletes at the 21st Commonwealth Games.” On her part, the President of the Powerlifting Federation, Mrs Queen Oboh

also presented cash prize of N100, 000 each to all the gold winning powerifters and their coaches while silver medal-winning athletes got N50, 000 each. As at the time of this report, Team Nigeria are occupying the ninth position in the medal table thanks to the para powerlifters who won four gold and two silver medals. Following their feat, Team Nigeria now has four gold and four silver medals to bring their total medal haul to eight, making them Africa’s second highest placed team. South Africa is Africa’s highest placed team as they are fifth with nine gold, six silver and six bronze, with a total of 21 medals. Uganda is placed in the 14th position with two gold and one bronze and Botswana with one gold and one silver are in 17th. Other African countries are Kenya in 23rd with two silver, two bronze, Mauritius with one silver are 25th and Cameroon with one bronze are 29th.

Hosts Australia lead the medal standing with 50 gold, 38 silver and 42 bronze to bring their total medals to 130. In second position is England with 24 gold, 29 silver, 21 bronze and a total of 74 medals. India is third after amassing 21 medals overall which comprise 11 gold, four silver and six bronze and New Zealand are fourth on nine gild, 10 silver and seven bronze and a total of 26 medals. The 2018 Commonwealth Games, officially known as the XXI Commonwealth Games and commonly known as Gold Coast 2018, kicked off on 4April and will end on the 15. There are 71 nations competing at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Maldives were scheduled to participate, but in October 2016 they withdrew from the Games while The Gambia returned to the Commonwealth Games after being readmitted as a Commonwealth Games Federation member on 31 March 2018.

Real Madrid through after stunning finale against Juventus

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PEOPLES DAILY, Thursday, APRIL 12, 2018

Missing Cameroonian athletes rise to 8 at Commonwealth Games

Falcons to face Gambia in AWCON qualifiers

he number of Cameroonian athletes missing at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games rose from three to eight yesterday, as officials expressed concern over their safety. “The Cameroon Commonwealth team is sad to announce that eight athletes are missing from their respective rooms in the Games village,’’ Team’s Chef de mission Victor Agbor Nso said in a statement in Sydney. Nso said the athletes were three weightlifters and five boxers, adding that they left the athletes’ village in three waves over the past days. Cameroonian officials had said that the previous day that five of their athletes were missing. The African nation has 42 athletes at the Games who will to run until Sunday.

Super Falcons

Cameroonians at commonwealth games

Missing 1994 World Cup forced him into drugs - Etim Esin reveals

ormer Super Eagles player, Etim ‘Maradona’ Esin has opened up on the many controversies that dogged his once promising career – from going into drugs after he did not make the 1994 World Cup to the rape case that forced him to flee Belgium. The former Nigeria international said on a radio station interview yesterday that he did everything to make the 1994 World Cup. “I got many people, MKO Abiola, (Augustus) Aikhomu to get Westerhof to pick me, but he said no because he didn’t pick the squad,” Esin said. “Keshi, may his soul rest in peace, picked the team and he had beef with me, so I was out. “If I had made the squad, I would have been captain.” He also revealed his failure to feature at Nigeria’s World Cup debut in 1994 forced him into drugs. He blamed youth exuberance and naivety for the rape case which bagged him a suspended sentence in Belgium. “The girl looked like 18, but she was 16. I accepted I had an affair with her,” he said. I was too young and naïve.” However, he was also philosophical about what he has had to battle. “I’m lucky to be alive, God had a purpose to slow me down, (that may be why) I didn’t fulfill my potentials.” He plans to put out an autobiography of his rather colourful, short-lived career before the World Cup in Russia.

Former Nigerian internastional, Etim Esin

uper Falcons will face Gambia in the second round of Ghana 2018 African Women’s Cup of Nations qualifiers. Super Falcons, the defending champions of the AWC were given a first round bye alongside Equatorial Guinea, South Africa and Cameroon. Falcon’s opponent Gambia lost

2-1 to Burkina Faso in their first leg encounter at the 4 Août Stadium, Ouagadougou on 7th of April. A 2-1 win by the Gambians in Bakau on Tuesday, forced the game to penalties where they won 5-3 on aggregate. Gambia and the Super Falcons will face each other in June. Meanwhile, 2016 AWCON

runners-up Cameroon will take on Congo who defeated Central African Republic 3-1 on aggregate in the first round. The seven winners of the second round will join hosts Ghana in the final tournament scheduled for 17 November to 1 December 2018. The three top nations in the

continental competition will qualify for the 2019 World Cup in France. AWCON Second round qualifiers fixtures Algeria vs Ethiopia, Côte d’Ivoire vs Mali, Gambia vs Nigeria, Congo vs Cameroon, Kenya vs Equatorial Guinea, Lesotho vs South Africa and Zambia vs Zimbabwe.

Heartland signs Turkish coach By Amaechi Agbo

H New Heartland coach, Mehmet Tayfun arrived training yesterday

eartland FC of Owerri has engaged the services of a Turkish tactician, Mehmet Tayfun as new coach of the Owerribased club in order to stabilize the team ahead of the second stanza of the Nigeria Professional Premier League, NPFL. In a release signed by the Media Officer, Heartland FC, Henry Echefu, the club notes that the involvement of the technical adviser “was as a

result of the need to better the club’s performance in the on-going Nigeria Professional Football League particularly as the second stanza approaches. “This lofty Idea was possible because of the already existing partnership between the Naze milloniars and a Turkish based Football Club, Boluspur FC, which Memorandum of Understanding was signed last year as Heartland played at the Nigerian National League, the NNL.” The statement added that it was in fulfillment of part

of the MoU that Boluspur FC provided the club with services of Mr Mehmet Tayfun. It will be recalled that Heartland Football Club recently sacked its technical crew led by Coach Ramson Madu and put his assistant Eziekel Onyegbulem in charge on interim basis. However the club did not disclose the duration of the contract. Mr Mehmet Tayfun has since resumed duties with the club on Wednesday.

CAF to investigate Plateau United v USM Alger match over bribery

fficials have said the Confederation of African Football (CAF) are investigating allegations of matchfixing during a Confederation Cup playoff between Plateau United of Nigeria and USM Alger of Algeria. Reports in the South African media allege that one of its referees, Victor Gomes rejected a $30,000 (about N10.8 million) bribe to fix the CAF Confederation Cup match between Plateau United and Algeria’s USM Alger. Plateau United won the first leg second round fixture played in Lagos on Saturday by 2-1. But according to TimesLIVE, Gomes was approached to fix the result of the tie, but rebuffed those advances and has reported the matter to the Confederation of African Football (CAF). TimesLIVE reports that it has verified the incident from two independent sources‚ though which‚ if any‚ of the clubs is involved remains a closely guarded

secret while the matter is under investigation by CAF. Gomes was in Lagos along with his assistants Johannes Moshidi and Athenkosi Ndongeni‚ and regular South African Premier Soccer League referee, Thando Ndzandzeka‚ who acted as the fourth official. The report added that they were approached before the game on Saturday with an offer of US$30‚000 (R362‚822) to fix the result‚ but immediately turned down the approach and reported the matter to CAF. It is unclear at this stage who were the parties involved in trying to initiate the fix‚ one of the clubs or betting syndicates‚ details that will likely come out when CAF release their findings into the incident. Plateau United won the game 2-1‚ but now face a difficult away trip in the second leg on April 17‚ which will be officiated by Maguette N’Diaye from Senegal. The attempted manipulation

of referees is a longstanding problem on the African continent and just recently South Africa fell foul of this. Ghana referee Joseph Lamptey was found guilty of matchfixing in South Africa’s 2-1 FIFA World Cup Victor Gomes officiated Plateau qualifier victory over Senegal in November United v USM Ager match on Saturday 2016. He manipulated the outcome on behalf of betting have issued a press release in which syndicates and when the match was they claimed the allegations were forced to be replayed by FIFA‚ South merely a smear campaign against them. Africa lost 2-0. There is no official statement One of South Africa’s top former referees‚ Jerome Damon‚ who has from Plateau United yet. South African referee Victor also previously headed refereeing in SAFA confirmed the incident to Gomes takes charge during the journalists and said CAF are now CHAN Group C match between Nigeria and Rwanda on 15 January investigating it. “Let us give CAF time and space 2018 at Grand Stade de Tanger, to finish their investigations,” he Tanger Morocco. Image: Sydney Mahlangu/ was quoted. In the meantime, USM Ager BackpagePix

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Thursday, APRIL 12, 2018

“We have cut the importation of rice by about 90%, saving billions of dollars in the process. People who rushed into petrol money have now gone back to agriculture. Even professionals have gone back to the land. Nigeria should be able to feed itself comfortably soon. I am so pleased.” —President Muhammadu Buhari

SPORTS Of apology, forgiveness and penitence latest

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Gritty Bayern hold on to see off Sevilla

ayern Munich ground out a 0-0 draw to see off Sevilla’s spirited challenge and reach the Champions League semifinals with a 2-1 aggregate win. The newly crowned Bundesliga champions, who won their past two home games 6-0, needed defensive grit to match their usual attacking flair at a sold-out Allianz Arena. Sevilla defender Joaquin Correa, who was sent off in added time, hit the bar with a header and midfielder Pablo Sarabia, who scored in the first leg, wasted a glorious first-half chance. But Bayern top-scorer Robert Lewandowski had a header pushed over the crossbar by goalkeeper David Soria and a brilliant block from Sevilla’s Jesus Navas denied Franck Ribery. It was the first time in 22 home Champions League matches that Bayern had failedTaiwo to score. Taye and Oduamadi

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“The stupid neither forgive nor forget; the naive forgive and forget; the wise forgive but do not forget”. -Thomas Szasz, Hungarian-born U.S. psychiatrist.

sister of mine once –against all counsel- ended her 25-year old, mutually-consensual marriage, -a victory at last, for her unmarried high society female friends who had always wanted her out. Not that my dear sister’s middle-income-earning husband was failing in his matrimonial duties. On the contrary, given his modest earnings, he seemed providentially over-capacitated, especially considering his indulgence of her every vain demand. In fact a second wife that her conjugal belligerence once forced him to marry, had to leave because she could not bear the ‘servitude’ she said, of having to cook separately, often, for each of my sister’s six children -depending on the whims of their varied culinary preferences. This was how superfluously provident my sister’s husband was. Yet her out-of-wedlock, fair weather friends were able to convinced her he was not good enough. At the peak of her intransigent demand for divorce, my dear sister rebuffed the wise counsel even of the oldest members of the family, insisting it was her life and her prerogative to live it. And even as her husband dithered over what to do, my impatient sister abandoned her six children and left, leaving word that whenever he decided to write a divorce letter he should do her the favor of dropping it with the family. Us. She excommunicated every one of us and for months we had no idea where she was. Said William Shakespeare “what we have we prize not to the worth whiles we enjoy it, but being lacked and lost… then we rack the value, then we find the virtue that possession would not show us whiles it was ours.” After a period of failed expectation, my dear freedom-seeking sister suddenly returned home to her husband. And although she now seemed freshly determined to keep her marriage, yet she would not back down from her usual grandstanding. Instead of being chastened by the humbling anti-climax of ‘the vulture returning to her home on the tamarind’ my sister was egging herself unto more and more defiant tantrums. She gave the impression she was doing both her husband and us a favor by coming back; so that even as we expected remorse, apology and possibly repentance from her, to our chagrin, she was the one expecting gratitude, patronage and some kind of doting forbearance from us. In fact my sister had thrown word around meant especially for us, that she was the proverbial ‘bante’ (girdle), adequate, she said, for

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dankande2@gmail.com every ‘qugu’ (waist); preemptively warding off any attempt to go to reprimand her. I should say that my sister overestimated our filial adoration even as she underestimated our kinship pride. She had excommunicated and blacklisted us. She did not know that the family had virtually disowned her. And as we maintained a dignified family silence over my sister’s unrepentant return, her arrogance of unrighteousness only grew more and more. Until when –least expectedly- her cautiously receptive husband now handed her the divorce letter she had always asked for. Perfect time you would say. Just when she was ‘racking the value’ and ‘finding the virtue’ of her marriage, my sister, at last, lost it. Yet without shame she now came to us ‘remorsefully’ and ‘apologetically’ in search of: kindred shoulders to cry on, a family sanctuary to live in and the benevolence of sibling provision to live by. And since blood is thicker than water, we all resolved to forgive my willfully errant sister. Or as others said: ‘to forgive and to forget’ what she had done. But I was only ready to ‘forgive’ her. Because I did not know when I will ‘forget’ what she did. Whereas I can control my capacity for ‘forgiveness’ I do not have the capacity to restrain myself from ‘remembering’. And I cannot pretend that the thought of her brings pleasant memories when truly what it brings are horrible reminiscences. And so, soon when I sent round some finance to our sisters in matrimony – which I often do as a token of reward for their conjugal forbearance naturally I ‘remembered’ to omit my divorced sister because I cannot ‘forget’ that being no longer in wedlock, she was not eligible. But

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everyone in the family said that this was proof that I had not ‘forgiven’ her. And I wondered whether it was ‘forgiveness’ that my willfully erring sister had sought from us or it was the benevolence of our filial gratuity to cushion the effect of her conjugal daredevilry? Why can’t we ‘forgive’ her and still decide whether or not to finance her willful destitution? Or why must bearing the burden of her self-inflicted depravation be the only proof that we ‘forgave’ her? If my sister was ‘remorseful’ and ‘apologetic’ only after she had fallen into the ditch, how genuine then was that ‘remorse’? Or how true was that ‘apology’? And where was the ‘penitence’? God alone ‘forgives’ and exercises the prerogative not to punish. But He has instructed ‘man’ even after punishing, to ‘forgive’; or to ‘forgive’ even as he prepares to punish in order to deter. Because, what manner of ‘remorse’ is there without ‘repentance’? What manner of ‘apology’ without ‘confession’? What manner of ‘forgiveness’ without ‘penitence’? And what manner of ‘transgression’ without ‘retribution’? Only the PDP will commit such high crimes and misdemeanors against the people and without ‘remorse’, without ‘repentance’, without ‘confession’, without ‘penitence’, will be asking us to ‘forgive’ and to ‘forget’; to not ‘recall’ and to not ever ‘remember’; and to ‘restore’ a willfully erring party to power without ‘restitution’ and without ‘retribution’. Should ‘forgiveness’ not be only to the ‘remorseful’, the ‘repentant’, the ‘contrite’ and the ‘penitent’?. You have to realize the ‘wrong’ first (be truthful); then have a feeling of ‘guilt’ and ‘regret’ (be remorseful); and then be ‘ashamed’ and ‘sorry’ (be contrite); and be ‘ready’ to ‘remedy’

If my sister was ‘remorseful’ and ‘apologetic’ only after she had fallen into the ditch, how genuine then was that ‘remorse’? Or how true was that ‘apology’?

(restitute and return what is wrongly possessed); and to be penitent, (crave justice, bear the rigors of the law, atone); and finally to resolve never to do it again (be repentant). Ironically PDP’s ‘apology’ is coming not only when they have an imminent need of our PVCs, but it is coming even before the expression of genuine ‘remorse’; and before the making of true ‘confession’. They are asking us to ‘forget’ the ‘wrongs’ that they are not ready to ‘confess’; they are asking us not to ‘remember’ the ‘transgressions’ that they are not prepared to ‘restitute’ for; and they want us to forgo ‘stolen items’ that we see culpably in their possession. They confirm the saying that ‘a thief is only sorry that he is caught, not that he has stolen’ An African proverb says: “The axe forgets, but the cut log does not”. And which is the equivalent of what the Hausas say: “Idan maye ya manta, uwar diya bata mantaba”. (‘if the witch does not remember, the mother of the victim child will seldom forget’). ‘ You forgive the one who has learned from his mistakes. But what has PDP learned? Nothing. They are, in fact, still in denial. Until they go through purgatory, they have ‘learned nothing’, and until they learn something, they have ‘forgotten nothing’. By the way, having ‘forgiven’ them –although we know their ‘apology’ to be fake- we are not the ones to be put to purgatory in order to ‘forget’ or so that we do not ‘remember’. But having sought our ‘forgiveness’, they are the ones to be put to purgatory –in order to be expiated- and not back into political office, to be further corrupted. Genuine ‘regret’ is not a pretentiously apologetic PDP asking for ‘political power’ after it had just ‘abused’ it. Genuine ‘regret’ must be as deep as Albert Einstein, after realizing that his ‘splitting of the atom’ had given rise to the atomic bomb, said “If only I had known, I would have become a watchmaker”.

DAN GAYE

Why youths below 35 years may not dominate Nigeria’s political space – Jonathan

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