Tuesday, February 13, 2018 Edition

Tuesday, February 13, 2018/ Jumada Awwal 26, 1439 AH Vol. 28 No. 027 N150

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peoplesdailyng

. . . putting the people first

The nation awaits rescue of the remaining abducted Chibok schoolgirls

Doctors separate conjoined twins in Bauchi

Govs back Osinbajo on state police >>>page 5

Buhari declares war on illegal arms >>>page 4

page 5

•Vows to prosecute offenders

President Buhari presides over National Security Council (NSC) meeting attended by his Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and other council members, at the Presidential Villa, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: State House

NFF confirms new coaches for national teams

CBN injects additional $210m into forex market

JTF arrest 6 suspected oil thieves in Delta

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, february 13, 2018

News CONTENTS News 2-14 Op.Ed

12-13

Politics 15-17 Stockwatch Business Metro

18 19-20 21

World Analysis 22 Africa News

23

World News

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OPEC hikes its 2018 forecast for oil supply growth O PEC said Monday it expects demand for oil to grow faster than it originally expected in 2018, but the organization also sees supplies from beyond the producer group surging this year, driven by rising U.S. output.

A monthly report also showed OPEC’s production was little changed in January as the group continues to limit its output for a second year in order to balance an oversupplied market.

However, key members like Iraq raised their output in January.

The 14-member cartel said it now sees non-OPEC production growing by 1.4 million barrels per day, up 250,000 bpd from its estimate in its last monthly report. It expects nations outside OPEC to pump a total of 59.26 million bpd this year, 320,000 bpd higher than its last forecast.

The United States accounts for more than half of that upward

revision. OPEC raised its 2018 U.S. supply growth forecast by 150,000 barrels per day.

Recent U.S. government data showed that American drillers began pumping more than 10 million barrels of crude oil daily in November, more than top OPEC producer Saudi Arabia.

“According to the most recent assessment, the steady oil price recovery since summer 2017 and renewed interest in growth opportunities has led to oil majors catching up in terms of exploration activity this year, both in the shale industry and offshore deep water,” OPEC said.

Demand growth On the demand side, OPEC said it now expects the world’s appetite for oil to grow by 1.59 million barrels a day, up 60,000 bpd from last month’s forecast.

That would put total global oil consumption at 98.6 million bpd in 2018.

The drivers behind OPEC’s forecast include steadily rising economic activity around the world, strong demand for transportation fuels like gasoline and jet fuel and a growing petrochemical industry, which turns byproducts from oil and natural gas into chemicals.

OPEC’s latest reading for 2017 put worldwide demand at 97 million barrels a day, up 1.6 million bpd from the previous year.

“Cumulatively, between 2015 and 2017, the world has added around 5 mb/d of demand for oil products on the back of healthy economic conditions globally and a relatively steady product price environment,” OPEC said.

OPEC’s total production dipped by about 8,000 barrels a day in January to just over 32.3 million bpd, according to independent sources OPEC cites in the monthly report.

The group’s second biggest producer, Iraq, tacked on about 30,000 barrel a day, while Libya added roughly 21,000 barrels a day.

Saudi Arabia also increased its output by just over 23,000 million barrels, but continues to provide the lion’s share of output cuts.

OPEC, along with Russia and several other producer nations, is keeping 1.8 million barrels a day off the market through the end of the year in order to shrink global stockpiles of oil.

In December, global stockpiles were about 109 million barrels above the five-year average, which is OPEC’s target.

“In line with the existing overhang, the market is only expected to return to balance towards the end of this year,” OPEC said Monday. (Source: CNBC).

L-R: Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah; Permanent Secretary, Mr. Edeth Akpan; and Director of Human Resources FMITI, Mr. Mohammed Haruna, during the ministry budget Defence with the House Committee on Industry, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Police arrest 3 women over child theft in Delta Pgae 4

Feature 25 Sports 29-31 Back Page

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Ganduje condoles Buhari’s nephew, Mamman Daura over sister’s death From Mustapha Adamu Kano

G

overnor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano state has paid a condolence visit to the nephew of President Muhammadu Buhari, Alhaji Mamman Daura, in Daura town, over the death of his younger sister, Halima Dauda.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to Ganduje, Alhaji Abba Anwar, and made available to newsmen in Kano, yesterday.

According to the statement, late Halima, died at the age of

69, of an undisclosed ailment, leaving behind 10 children.

The statement added that, Ganduje told the bereaved family that he was in Daura because whatever affects the town, also affects Kano state, adding that he wanted to pay the condolence visit since yesterday, but could not make it because of the just concluded Local Governments elections, conducted by the state. “ Governor Ganduje, added that it is Allah Who gives life and Him Alone takes away life. After visiting the Daura’s residence, he then proceeded to the family

house of the second deceased Hajiya A’isha Mamman.

“When he condoled with the family of the second deceased, he went ahead on house-to-house and comissirated with some relatives of the deceased persons.

“Included in the delegation led by Governor Ganduje, were the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Usman Alhaji, Senators representing Kano South and Kano North Senatorial Districts, Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya and Barau Jibrin, Special Advisers to the Governor and other top government

functionaries.

“In his remarks, Daura commended the Kano State governor with his delegation for showing their deepest concern over the condolence visit.

“We feel honoured by your show of concern. She is our last born and she suffered for about 22 years with her ill-health,” he said.

“Immediately after the houseto-house visit the governor proceeded to the Palace of the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk, and commiserated with the Emir,” the statement said.

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, february 13, 2018

News

News Editor, Ese Awhotu

Lagos extends Oshodi Int’l Airport road construction From Lagos

T

Suleiman

Idris

he Lagos State Government on Monday approved the extension of the ongoing reconstruction of the International Airport Road to Ladipo International Market axis along Oshodi Apapa Expressway.

The government also announced plans to construct a pedestrian bridge at Toyota Bus Stop in response to demands from traders and residents of the area, while the contractor is expected to begin work on the bridge next week.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode disclosed this during an extensive inspection of ongoing projects across the state where said the extension was to complement the Airport Road reconstruction in line with the regeneration of the entire Oshodi axis.

“There is no point doing the Airport Road if we don’t extend that contract to where I am standing here and so I want to do it from Oshodi to Guardian Newspapers axis; I want to rehabilitate the road and turn it to a modern road.

The only way I can do it also is if you don’t do any trading on the road.

“I promise you I will also do a Pedestrian Bridge at Toyota Bus Stop. So, the contractor that is doing the Airport Road will commence work on the Pedestrian Bridge and this road next week if you allow me. That is why I have come here personally; I was here yesterday. I don’t want to inconvenience you but I have come to appeal to you; just be patience with us; we will bring growth and development to this place,” the Governor said.

Governor Ambode, who also inspected ongoing construction of roads around Ladipo International Auto Spare Parts Market, called on traders to leave the road to enable the contractor complete the projects.

Accompanied by key members of his cabinet, the governor expressed concern that the presence of traders displaying their wares on the road was hampering the construction work and delaying the completion on schedule.

Why farmers, herders clashes persist, by Akpabio

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, has said that the crisis between the Fulani herdsmen and farmers was because the grazing routs across the country has been overtaken by development and population growth.

Speaking to journalists yesterday after the second day of the Senate Security Summit held in the NAF Conference Center in Abuja, Akpabio said that the tradition of nomadic cattle

rearing is no longer practicable.

He said that the security challenges facing the country can only be resolved through state police, explaining that schools and hospitals, including private residences, have been built on most of the cattle grazing routs.

To this end, he said there is need to provide a package in the form of ranching in which all the basic facilities like water, farm houses, roads, light and other amenities will be made available to enable the cattle rearers settle one place for their business.

He emphasized the need to amend the constitution to move police from exclusive list to the concurrent lists so that states who can afford it can establish state police.

Speaking also to journalists, senator Adamu Aliero, raised concern over the ability some states who cannot pay salary to their civil servants to afford state police, saying capacity has to be critically considered by the senate before a legislation can be made regarding state police.

Speaking further, he lamented

the security breaches in Benue, Taraba, and other states, saying that the senate convened the security summit to find a lasting solution to the issues.

Besides, Victor Umeh said there is need for the All Progressives Congress (APC) to listen to the cries of marginalization being made by some geo political zones, warning that the issues of marginalization in local government and state creation against the South East has not been addressed.

L-R: Chairman, House Committee on Information, Mr Olusegun Odebunmi; Gov Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Director General, Nigerian Broadcasting Commission, Malam Modibo Kawu, during the launch of Digital Switch Over, yesterday in Enugu. Photo: NAN

Alleged N4.7bn laundering: Court resumes trial of Ladoja, ex-finance commissioner

T

he trial of former Governor of Oyo State, Rashidi Ladoja, charged with N4.7 billion money laundering, got underway on Monday in Lagos as the Defence began cross-examination of another witness at a Federal High Court.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Ladoja alongside a former State Commissioner for Finance, Waheed Akanbi.

The duo was arraigned on December 14, 2016 before Justice Mohammed Idris on eight counts of N4.7 billion money laundering.

Both had pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bails.

At the resumption of trial on Monday, the third prosecution witness, Gregory Otsu, who was still under oath, was cross-examined by the counsel to the second accused, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika.

He asked: “Are you aware of the circular dated April 21, 2016 by the Nigerian Stock Exchange, revoking your registration as an authorised dealing clerk?

The witness replied: “I am not

aware of any circular, but I was suspended as a stock broker in 2016.”

On whether he knew the second accused, the witness replied that he met him once at a meeting unofficially in Ibadan on April 4, 2007, adding that he was invited to the meeting by Deeptrust Stock Broker, Tafar Zibiri.

Mr. Olumide-Fusika further asked: “On November 17, 2017, you gave a testimony in this case that it was the second defendant who introduced you to the Managing Director of Fountain Securities, how do you reconcile these facts?

“I put it to you that it was Kola Daisi of Fountain Securities that took you to the meeting at Ibadan and not one Tafar Zibiri.

“I also put it to you that your story of the second defendant being the one that introduced you to Kola Daisi was invented by you. How do you react to this? ” “No reaction”, the witness replied.

Making reference to a previous case, Olumide-Fusika told the

court that Fountain Securities transferred some shares from Oyo State Government to the witness to sell at the best market price.

Olumide-Fusika asked the witness, “Which Ministry did the correspondence between you and Oyo State Government emanate from?”

He said: “Ministry of Commerce”, but added that he could not remember the position held by the second accused at the time.

After his questions, Mr. Olumide-Fusika told the court that he had more questions for the witness, but that time would not permit him.

Justice Idris has adjourned until February 14 and February 15 for continuation of cross-examination.

The duo were accused of conspiring to siphon and launder N4.7 billon from the coffers of Oyo State.

The EFCC accused them of converting a sum of N1.9 billion belonging to the state to personal use, using the account of a company

— Heritage Apartments Ltd. The anti-graft agency claimed that they retained the money sometime in 2007 despite their knowledge that it was proceeds of a criminal activity.

Mr. Ladoja was accused of removing a sum of 600,000 pounds from the state coffers in 2007 and sent same to Bimpe Ladoja, who was at the time in London.

In addition, the ex-governor was alleged to have converted the sum of N42 million belonging to the state to his use, and subsequently used same to purchase an armoured Land Cruiser jeep.

He was also accused of converting a sum of N728 million and another N77 million at separate times in 2007 to personal use.

The EFCC claimed that Mr. Ladoja transferred the sum to one Bistrum Investments which he nominated to help him purchase a property in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The offences contravened the provisions of Sections 14, 16, 17 (a) and 18 (1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibitions) Act, 2004.(NAN)

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, february 13, 2018

News

Doctors separate conjoined twins in Bauchi From Ahmad Bauchi

Mohammed

A

team of medical doctors have successfully separated conjoined twins through surgical operation sponsored by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara’s free medical care to patients The surgery took place yesterday at the Trauma Center of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi ATBUTH as part of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara’s annual medical outreach offering free medical services to over 50,000 patients in Bauchi State.

20 years old, mother of the conjoined twins Ikilima Shuaibu

delivered the conjoined girls at Primary Health Care in Chanka, Alkaleri Local Government Area in December 2017 but sadly one of the babies who came out without a head died few days later.

The Dogara free medical team performed a surgical operation at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital Bauchi to save the life of the surviving baby who is also a girl.

The conjoined twins were joined in the stomach but unfortunately one of them who was born without head later died, The surging baby has been named Ikilima after the mother.

Speaking to journalists at the ATBUTH, Ikilima who looks traumatized said she delivered the babies normal without

undergoing any Cesarean Section.

“I gave birth to my twins in clinic at Chanka but unfortunately the babies were joined together and we were refereed to Teaching Hospital. We have spent 2 months in the hospital receiving treatment until today when the doctors came and told us they want to perform surgery to separate the twins.

She said “When I delivered the twins, one was complete the other came out without head but was alive because I was feeling her movement but later died few days later.

Iklima said “This is my third delivery. I had two children before the coming of my twins and they were born normal, but the only problem I had while delivering

my second baby was that placenta stuck inside my womb but were referred to another PHC in Gar where it was later removed,” she said.

When asked if she attended antenatal care, Ikilima who said she got married at the age of 13 said “I attended antenatal only twice while I was pregnant and I didn’t undergo any scan throughout my pregnancy period.

The team leader of the Yakubu Dogaras’ medical outreach, Dr Joseph Kigbu said Yakubu Dogaras team doctors will perform the surgery to separate the twins.

He said “We are going to be separating conjoined twins today.

IKilima was born with her sister joined in the stomach and Dr

Kefas, a pediatric surgeon from this hospital and with a team of other doctors under the auspices of Yakubu Dogara free medical outreach, we will separate them.

We ask for the prayers of the pubic so that we have a successful surgery.

Our correspondent gathered that, the team of medical doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians and surgeons have continued attending to hundreds of patients who turned out for different medical needs Other services being provided include outpatient consultations, medical checkup with free drugs, ultrasound scanning, reading glasses and cataract operations, laboratory tests such as diabetes, hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, and gynecological surgeries and public health education on hygiene, malaria, TB, HIV/AIDS and Lassa fever among others.

Police arrest 3 women over child theft in Delta From Osakhare Erese Asaba

T L-R: Executive Director of Operations, Nigerian Police Force (NPF) Pensions Limited, Alhaji Abdulkareem Gezawa; Managing Director of NPF Pensions Limited, Dr Hamza Bokki; and Commissioner of Police in-charge of pensions, Mr Ibrahim Tarfa, during a pre-retirement seminar for police personnel, yesterday in Enugu. Photo: NAN

Criminal justice act: NBA takes sensitization campaign to Kano, Jigawa

By Vivian Okejeme Abuja

T

he Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has taken its sensitization campaign programme, on the implementation of Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 (ACJA) to Kano and Jigawa states.

This was contained in a press statement made available to jouirnalists, by the association’s 1st Vice-President, Caleb Dajan Esq., who represented the NBA President Abubakar Mahmoud, SAN. According to the statement, Danjan stressed the importance of the ACJA in the Criminal Justice System.

He further added that it is the Association’s desire that at the end of the day, the aim of the workshop will not only be achieved but contributions made will lead to a smooth

implementation of the Act in Kano State and Jigawa State.

The NBA-MAC ARTHUR project team appreciated the presence of officers of various security agencies, who are also key partners in the administration of criminal justice.

He later inaugurated the nine member state committee assigned with state level tasks to build partnership and work in collaboration with key stakeholders working in the area of domesticating and implementing the ACJA 2015. The Project Coordinator, Muritala Abdul-Rasheed Esq, gave the project overview.

He noted that, the uniform adoption of the ACJA in all 36 States of the Federation has been hindered by the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, which vests the States Houses of Assembly with the power to make laws for the peace, order and good

government of the State among other legislative provisions.

“The NBA identified the need to promote and advocate for the domestication and implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 across 28 States in Nigeria with the theme; Promoting the Domestication and implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Legislation across Nigeria.”

He added that, the ACJA is geared towards ensuring that the system of administration of criminal justice in Nigeria promotes efficient management of all criminal justice institutions, speedy dispensation of justice, and protection of the rights and interests of the suspects and the victim of crime.

“The ACJA will fall short of its potential, if it only remains a federal law. “In view of the

need for uniformity, clarity, and better administration of justice throughout the country, it is essential for States to adopt this Law,” he stressed.

He urge Jigawa state to join other states in the country in the passage of the ACJA bill to law.

He concluded by assuring participants and all stakeholders concerned that the NBAMacArthur project will intensify its effort on advocacy, training and retraining of judicial officers, lawyers and other stakeholders in the justice sector in Jigawa State, on the innovation introduced by the ACJA through its institute of Continue Legal Education (ICLE) with a view to making them friendlier with the users of the institutions of justice and consumers of legal services.

Some states are yet to adopt the ACJA as their procedural law for the administration of criminal justice in Nigeria.

he Police detectives in Agbor Police Division in Delta State, have arrested three women (names withheld) for allegedly stealing a 2-month old baby in the area.

The Police Image Maker in the state, Mr. Andrew Aniamaka who confirmed the arrest of the suspects, said they were arrested in their attempt to ferry their victim to Lagos where an already made buyer was waiting for them.

Mr. Aniamaka explained that nemesis caught up with the suspects when trouble on who among them will take the child to Lagos, adding that as argument lasted, neighbours informed the police who then swung into action to arrest them in their hideout.

The police maker disclosed that the suspects upon interrogation, confessed to the sin, claiming that they were looking for money to pay their outstanding bills, adding that they will be charged to court on completion of investigation.

Meanwhile, a middle aged woman (name withheld) who under unsuspecting operations as insane along DSC road Ovwian Junction, Udu Local Government of the state was on Thursday caught with human parts in her makeshift house in the area.

The Police Image Maker in the state, Mr. Andrew who confirmed the incident, said “area boys in collaboration with security agents arrested the suspect who currently is helping the police for investigation

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, february 13, 2018

By Lawrence Olaoye

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari had assured Nigerians of all support of the Federal Government needed by security agencies to bring lasting solution to the security challenges in the country.

After presiding over the Security Council meeting yesterday, President Muhammadu Buhari wrote in his Twitter handle: “Today I presided over a Meeting of the Security Council. We fully understand the seriousness & urgency of Nigeria’s security issues, and are determined to implement carefully considered solutions that will not only earn the confidence of Nigerians, but also stand the test of time.”

The President, in subsequent tweet, continued: “One of the resolutions from our Security Meeting today is that all our law enforcement agencies must take intelligence-gathering and sharing much more seriously. The Police and DSS especially have been charged to step up their efforts and capacity in this regard.

“Our law enforcement agencies must at all times stay ahead of bandits and criminals, wherever they are across the country, by efficiently gathering, sharing and acting on credible Intelligence. I am assuring that we will give them all the support needed to succeed.

“Let me also assure that all persons arrested so far, including those arrested for illegally possessing arms, will be duly prosecuted. I urge judicial officers to be alive to responsibilities in this regard, to enable the speedy dispensation of justice.”

Those in attendance at the meeting included the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary to the

News

Buhari declares war on illegal arms •Vows to prosecute offenders

Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, Minister of Interior, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama and National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen.

Babagana Monguno (retd).

Others were Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS); Lawal Daura, Director of the Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Abubakar and Inspector

General of Police, Ibrahim Idris.

The service chiefs at the meeting were Chief of Defence Staff; Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, Chief of Army Staff; Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas

and Chief of Air Staff, Sadique Abubakar.

Others in the enlarged meeting were the heads of Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Fire Service, Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigeria Prisons Service and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

Staff of National Health Insurance Scheme Protesting in support of the Executive Secretary, Prof. Usman Yusuf, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Govs back Osinbajo on creation of state police

By Christiana Ekpa and Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum and Zamfara State Governor, Alhaji Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari yesterday disclosed that the Forum has reiterated the position of the Vice President at the security summit held in August last year that there is a need for state police.

This was even as Senators, who added their voices, said that there was need for Nigeria to begin a healing process in view of the need to address the security challenges confronting the country.

Abubakar Yari, who revealed this at the National Security Summit organized by the Senate, said the Federal Police can no long meet the security needs of 180 million of Nigerians population presently.

“Today, we have reiterated the position of the Vice President on the security summit we held in August that there is a need for state police. And we can say it is only the answer.

“The police of today are inadequate, so if we look at the ratio, it is far below international standard. Therefore, we in the Forum agreed that we can find a way that we can fine-tune the issue of State police.”

According to him, those States that cannot afford state police will benefit from the Federal Government police that will redeploy.

“That is why we are saying that it is not all the states that are supposed to have state police but those that can afford it. For instance, Lagos

State, as rich as they are, can have state police.

The Federal police in Lagos, they can reduce the number to Osun, Ogun and other states that cannot do it.

“If Rivers State can afford it, the number of Federal police can be redeployed to Cross River and other neighboring states like Enugu that cannot do it. If Kano State can do it, they can take to my state that is not all that richer. It is something that we can’t take up at the same time and land at the same time.”

He said the first primary responsibility of government anywhere in the world is to ensure that the lives and properties of citizens are protected.

He noted that, “There has been so many challenges in Nigeria for the past 10 years, ranging from Boko Haram, cattle rustling, armed banditry, militancy in the Niger Delta, dwindling the economy and even threatening the unity of the nation.

“The take home from this summit is that the Vice President raised some of the key discussions on the 17th of August, about the issue of state police. The state police is something we have agreed on during the constitutional amendment, but at a later time when the Forum divided into two, some governors played to the gallery, which is unfortunate,” he stressed.

While expressing optimism that the summit would give Nigerians the result they want in terms of security, the lawmakers said that practical and verifiable option were crucial in tackling insecurity.

According to Senator Victor Umeh,

“Contributors continue to highlight the need for government to tackle the root causes of insecurity in the country.

“It is not enough when these things escalate we begin to adopt fire brigade approach and to ask questions why are these things happening.

Things start gradually and snowball into a big problem; and if you don’t tackle it from the beginning, it will continue to pose serious challenges to the country.

“There is need for the country to start a healing process by going back to those things that agitate the minds of the people; things that make people to protest.

There are all kinds of demands being made, some restructuring, some people talking about how they were left behind in the affairs of the country go to the people dialogue with them and bring the confidence in government back,” Umeh said.

According to him, when people don’t have confidence in the country, all kinds of challenges will continue. So we need to adopt holistic approach by going back to the people and finding why they are angry; and when people are complaining of any serious issue we should stop ignoring them.

“It’s good to take them on, anytime they raise their head. There are so many genuine grievances in the country; and from the positions being presented today people are thinking about what next to do.

“Do we go back to parliamentary system of government so everything centres on power sharing, and there is disaffection among

Nigerians? If Nigeria continues this way the future will be very bleak. There is need to make everybody have a sense of belonging, so that moving toward all of us will be acting as one nation, one people. It is true that we come from different ethnic nationalities, but the way we can do things can unite us,” he added.

On his part, a member, Senate Committee on Security and National Intelligence, Sen. Sam Egwu said that the issue of security required collaborative efforts by all.

According to him, everybody is in danger, and we don’t have to leave that to the executive alone.

“As an arm of government, we have to contribute our quota by trying to find out means to avert the serious dangers we find ourselves in as a country,” Egwu said.

He said that Committee was committed to practical solutions to the security challenges.

“We don’t intend to end with the summit because it may turn out to be a talk show.

“After hearing from the security chiefs and the stakeholders we want to return to the various geo political areas, meet with some critical stakeholders like the civil society groups and religious bodies and after getting the vital information go back to security chiefs one on one and will be able to make our own submission Sen.Ali Wakili (Bauchi-APC) said that equity and justice were crucial in addressing security issues in the country.

“Tropical issues have been brought up to help those of us in the senate to think when issues of insecurity crop up,” Wakili said.

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, february 13, 2018

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News

L-R: Director General, National Centre for Woman Development (NCWD), Mrs Mary Ekpere-Eta; Director of Extension Service, Federal Ministry of Agric and Rural Development, Mrs Karima Babangida and Director, Public Relations and Partnership, Quintessential Business Woman Association, Amb. Clara Okorie, during the opening ceremony of 5-Day ICT Skill Training for the Visually Impaired Persons and Project management training for female Entrepreneurs by NCWD, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: NAN

Sokoto govt partners W/Bank on execution of 500km rural roads

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he Sokoto State Government has signed an agreement with the World Bank for the construction of 500km rural roads across the state.

The Commissioner for Finance, Sa’idu Umar, made the disclosure in a statement in Sokoto on Monday.

The agreement, Mr. Umar said, spread across the three senatorial zones of Sokoto State.

He said the state government had released the counterpart fund adding that it was awaiting the arrival of the team from the World Bank to finalise other details of the agreement.

“We hope to identify the roads together with the team and agree on the time-frame for execution,” he said.

The commissioner said that Governor Aminu Tambuwal’s administration decided to key into the World Bank’s Rural Access Mobility Project (RAMP) to improve transportation in rural areas of the state.

He explained that one of the cardinal objectives of the Tambuwal-led administration was to provide projects and services that would stand the test of time.

“We hope to see to the execution of the project as soon as possible,” Mr. Umar added.

(NAN)

JTF arrests 6 suspected oil thieves in Delta From Osakhare Erese, Asaba

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he Joint Military Taskforce (JTF) operatives in Ugborhen community in Delta state has arrested six suspected oil thieves in the area, and warned the youths in the area against cultism and other related crimes.

The commander in charge of the Ugborhen-Elume axis, Captain Alex Arohus, who confirmed the arrest of the suspects, said the operatives acted on intelligence gathering on Sunday evening, adding that the suspects had been handed over to the police for further prosecution.

While urging the youths in the area to maintain peace and unity at all times, captain Arolu noted that anywhere there is crises, the

innocent people will suffer, and when the army steps in the story will be different.

He said: “for the purpose of peace and security which is our primary function as security agents, and to protect the lives and properties of the good people of Ugborhen community, henceforth, all illegal and unscrupulous activities such as cultism, stealing fighting by carrying weapons such as wood, cutlasses, knives, gun, battle axe, and bottles are hereby banned”.

Meanwhile, as part of efforts to curb indecent dressing by students of the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, the management of the university has banned every form of dressing considered irresponsible by students of the institution.

The university, in a memo by the its Registrar, Mr. Dan Urhibo, specifically banned “the wearing of twisted hairstyle by male students, and wearing of ear rings by male students. “Others are sagging of trousers and showing of underwear by male students, wearing of transparent dress by female students, and any other forms of dressing by students considered unsightly/ irresponsible.

“This circular, therefore, is to bring to the attention of staff and students the decision of management for implementation.

Defauting students will not be allowed entry into any of the university’s campuses, lecture rooms and examination venues”. it called on Deans of Faculties, Heads of Departments,

HOD’s, and security operatives within the university to ensure strict compliance, assuring that any student found wanting in this regard would be dealt with accordingly.

A top security source in the university, who spoke on the ground of anonymity, told our reporter that they have implemented the directive of the management as they have been restricting students found wanting from entering the university.

He said, inter-alia: “we have ensured strict compliance to this directive since February 7, 2018. Any student that is found to be poorly dressed is sent back home whether male or female. It is unfortunate that most of the students now dress indecently.

Emir Sanusi commends Air Peace

T

he Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, has commended Air Peace for extending its domestic flight operations to the state.

Mr. Sanusi made the commendation on Monday, after the airline’s inaugural flight from Lagos to Kano landed at the Aminu Kano International Airport at 8.26 a.m.

The emir, who was represented

by Ibrahim Sambo, the Jakanda Hausa (Hausa Ambassador), said the presence of Air Peace in the ancient centre of commerce was a welcome development.

“Today is a historic day. The people of Kano are very happy because this airline has started operating from Lagos to Kano and Abuja to Kano.

“Kano is the economic centre of the whole northern region, and

aviation is very key to attracting investment.

“So, it will boost the economy of Kano State because our people now have more options in terms of air travel, and increase competition among the airlines,” he said.

Mr. Sanusi charged Air Peace to sustain its policy of ontime departure and expressed optimism that the airline’s

services would be patronised by the people.

Also, the Regional Manager, Aminu Kano International Airport, Mohammed Bello, said the airport authorities would give the airline the support needed for a seamless operation in Kano.

Mr. Bello advised the airline to make its fares affordable to encourage more patronage.

(NAN)

Dogara gives free medical treatment to 50,000 patients in Bauchi

By Umar Muhammad Puma

S

peaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara has commenced his annual medical outreach offering free medical services to over 50,000 patients in Bauchi State.

A team of medical doctors,

nurses, laboratory technicians and surgeons have started attending to hundreds of patients who turn out for different medical needs.

The doctors successfully separated conjoined twins on Monday and the programme will continue for the next five days at the Trauma centre of Abubakar

Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi.

Other services being provided include outpatient consultations, medical check up with free drugs, ultrasound scanning, reading glasses and cataract operations, laboratory tests such as diabetes, hepatitis, HIV/ AIDS, and gynecological surgeries

and public health education on hygiene, malaria,TB,HIV/AIDS and Lassa fever among others.

This is third time in two years the Speaker is conducting free medical outreach in Bauchi which attracted people from neighboring Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Yobe, Gombe and Adamawa states.

PAGE 7

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, february 13, 2018

CRIME News

Oct 1st blast: Court fixes Feb 21 for adoption of addresses

By Vivian Okejeme Abuja

A

Federal High Court Abuja, yesterday, fixed February 21, for the parties in the trial of Charles Okah and Obi Nwabueze, the alleged masterminds of the October 1st, 2010, Independence Day Bomb blast, at the Eagles Square Abuja, to adopt their final addresses.

In the suit number, FHC/ ABJ/CR/186/2010, the federal government is prosecuting Okah, Nwabueze, Edmund Ebiware and Tiemkemfa Francis-Osvwo (aka General Gbokos) over their alleged involvement in the bomb blast

which left about 12 people dead and several others injured.

Ebiware is serving life sentence upon conviction on 2013, after been tried separately, while another defendant, Francis-Osvwo died in prison custody.

At the last adjourned date, the court fixed February 12, for the adoption of addresses by the parties.

However, when the matter came up yesterday, Monday, the adoption of addresses could not proceed because of an application brought by the prosecution Counsel, Alex Izinyon, SAN, seeking leave of court to regularise one of his documents.

According to Izinyon, the document is a list of items mentioned by the first prosecution witness, John Afolabi, in his testimony, which was tendered and later admitted in evidence, as exhibit 1.

Reacting to the development, Counsel to 1st and second defendants Emeka Okafor and Oghenovo Otemu, objected to the admissibility of the document.

They argued that the document was not stamped, and therefore, was invalid before the court.

Further in his argument, Okafor averted that allowing Izinyon to withdraw the document for the

purpose of stamping it would amount to stealing a match from behind.

Urging the court to dismiss the application, OkaforOkafor submitted that the application of the prosecution counsel “is alien and unknown to law and the criminal procedure of Nigeria.

“Granting the application upon presented facts, at this stage of trial, will amount to mistrial of the defendant and will orchestrate a serious miscarriage of justice, and abuse of court process”.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole had on 23 April, 2015, admitted the document, but gave the defence

counsel, window of opportunity to address the court on the weight to be attached to the document.

But, the prosecution counsel insisted that the court in its ruling on April 23, had permitted him to stamp the document out of time.

“The judgement has not been given, the prosecution may decide to even amend the charge at any stage of trial. We don’t want to leave any stone unturned” Izinyon said.

In a short ruling, Justice Kolawole adjourned till February 21, to rule on the prosecution’s application and adoption of addresses by parties.

Student confesses to breaking shop, stealing N680,000 goods

A

25-year-old student, Ayodeji Ogunrinde, has confessed to breaking into a shop and stealing goods worth N680,000 as he was hauled up before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Monday.

After the guilty plea, the Magistrate, Y.O. Ekogbulu, remanded the accused, who resides at Mushin, Lagos, in Kirikiri Prison pending sentence.

According to the prosecutor, Clement Okuoimose, the accused committed the offences on February 2 at 1.00 a.m. on Ajayi Road, Ogba, Lagos.

He said the accused conspired with others and burgled the shop of the complainant, Mrs Ansemen and stole goods valued at N680,000.

“The accused broke into the shop of the complainant and carted away a television set, recharge cards of different service providers, phones, memory cards, and speakers all valued at N680,000,” he said.

Mr. Okuoimose told the court that the complainant came to her shop and met the door flung open; she discovered that some of her goods had been stolen.

“The complainant came to her shop that morning to discover that thief or thieves had carted away her goods.

“She reported the case at the police station and few days later, the police caught the accused breaking into another shop to steal. “The accused was arrested while others escaped,” he said.

The accused, who confessed to the crime of conspiracy, burglary and stealing, attributed it to the handiwork of the devil and pleaded for mercy.

The offence contravened Sections 287, 307 (2) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 307 (2) prescribes seven years imprisonment for breaking into a house, while Section 411 stipulates two years for conspiracy.

The magistrate fixed February 15 to sentence the accused.

(NAN)

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (middle) with Newly Decorated Assistant Superintended of Police, ASP Evans Dibia; ASP Ohah Joseph; ASP Dogonyaro Danjuma; and ASP Damian Ashipu, after their decoration at the Presidential Villa, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: NAN

Security operatives recover 1,697 rustled cattle in Niger From Yakubu Minna

Mustapha

N

o fewer than 1,697 rustled cattle have been recovered in the last three months by the operatives of Operation ‘Karamin Goro’ in three local governments of Niger state.

The State Director General on Nomadic, Ardo Abdullahi Babayo made the disclosure yesterday in Minna while urging those whose cattle were rustled to come for

identification of their cattle for collection as directed by the state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello.

Babayo stated that the recovered cattle were from Zazzaga in Munya with 603 cows, 238 sheep, from Rafi with 606 cows, 206 sheep while from Bangi they recovered 69 cows last week and at Zara in Rafi they had further recovered 10 cows, 5 sheep and 27 goats from the rustlers.

He explained that the recovery

was made possible because of the joint security operatives put in place by the state government to ensure it curbs the challenges of rustling, kidnapping and robbery perpetuated by some criminals in the state.

The DG hinted that the operatives consisted of Nigerian Army, Air Force, State Security Service (SSS) and Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) while commending them for the massive recovery

within few weeks of its operation.

He applauded the surveillance put in place to checkmate all the sport places of crimes noting that a number of culprits were arrested in connection with exhibit to the crime who are been investigated by the police for prosecution soonest.

He appreciated the state Governor for the measures put in place to ensure security of lives and properties in the state charging for its sustenance

FG, Benue govt assure of end to herders, farmers clashes From Uche Nnorom Makurdi

C

hairman, Presidential Subcommittee on herders, farmers clashes and Governor of Ebonyi State David Umahi has assured that they will find a permanent solution to incessant clashes between the two groups.

Governor Umahi who gave this assurance at a stakeholders meeting held at Banquet Hall, Government House Sunday night, explained that for lasting peace to be actualized, the committee must understand the perception of the people.

He told the people that the committee was in the state on a

fact finding mission, adding that they have been mandated by the presidency to visit the most affected states and determine the peculiar nature of the situation and then, make recommendations to the National Economic Council, NEC to proffer solution to end the crisis.

“It takes two to tangle. We must

find those who offended you to know why they have offended you. So, perception of the herdsmen must be sought. We would interact with them security agencies and other groups in finding peace for our country. The situation is so tense not only in Benue State but across the nation,” Umahi said.

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, february 13, 2018

PAGE 8

News

Ex Defence Chief, Akirinade urges Buhari to kick-start Nigeria’s restructuring

By Our reporter Yenagoa

A

onetime Chief of Defence Staff, and Chief of Army Staff, Rtd General Alani Akirinade, has asked President Buhari to immediately commence the process of restructuring Nigeria by sending a bill to the National Assembly which should whittle down the powers at the centre.

The retired General who spoke when he delivered a lecture tilled: Restructuring and the Dawn of A new Nigeria”, to mark the 6th Anniversary Celebrations of Gov-

ernor Seriake Dickson administration in Bayelsa state, at the Banquet Hall Government House , Yenagoa Monday afternoon also commended Governor Dickson for sensitising the issue of restructuring which would make everyone concerned understand the issue at stake properly.

The retired Army General who went into historical background of restructuring, blamed President Buhari for keeping the 2014 National Conference report in the cooler when he came on board as President, urged him to immedi-

ately send a bill to the National Assembly to start the process.

His words: President Buhari should go immediately for the clusters of consensus and low hanging fruits by initiating a Bill for the structural unbundling of an overburdened centre through the removal of several agreed items from the current Exclusive List and their devolution to the constituting states in a way and manner that does not enfeeble or endanger the manifest destiny of the nation”.

Describing restructuring as a

constant and ceaseless self-invention, a precondition or sine qua non for survival, Akirinade noted that the struggle for restructuring has been with Nigeria since the period of amalgamation of the Southern and Northern protectorates of Nigeria. “.Ever since the amalgamation of the Southern and Northern protectorates into a unified country known as Nigeria. In fact in the Crown Colony of Lagos, restructuring has been going on since the naval bombardment of the city in 1862,” he said.

“The colonial authorities were constantly tinkering and searching for the most convenient mode of administration for their prized overseas possession. It briefly led to the anomaly of Lagos indigenes being regarded as British citizens while the rest of the country endured colonial subject hood,” He added.

According to him, the actions of the colonialists “ was the first major battle of restructuring and it led to the regional federalism that Nigerians enjoyed in the run up to independence and for the first five years after independence until the military put their dirty boot in.”

General Akinirade,however, after taking a cursory look at the issue of restructuring noted that : “ As a matter of fact, there ought not to have been a quarrel about restructuring in the first instance, saying “It is a just and fair portion for all sections of a multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation weld together by colonial fiat in the sense that it unleashes the genius, the creative spirit and the visionary energies of the people within the nation space without any discrimination.

Lalong mourns general Shagaya From Ado Abubakar Musa Jos Comptroller of Customs, Apapa Customs Area Command, Jibrin Musa (middle), with other officials of the command inspecting pharmaceutical products smuggled into the country in four containers, yesterday in Lagos.

Photo: NAN

Symposium blames herdsmen, farmers attacks on climate change

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

A

symposium has identified “climate change” as the cause of avoidable clashes between herdsmen and farmers in some parts of Nigeria”.

This consensus was reached at the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ Public lecture series with the theme ``Sus-

tainable Agriculture as panacea to the herdsmen attacks on Arable crop farmers in Nigeria” on Monday in Benin City.

It said the phenomena requires a scientific solution for sustainable arable cropping and the unity and survival of the nation.

A Communique that was jointly signed by the Chairman, Comrade Kelvin Okunzuwa and Comrade Ga-

briel Enogholase on behalf the Correspondents Chapel at the end of the lecture, resolved that rather than cattle colonies, cattle ranching, is the obvious way to go if the crisis is to be sustainably addressed.

It recommended that governments at all levels should provide appropriate infrastructural support to livestock farmers and arable crop farmers as incentives to practice

commercial large scale/ sustainable agriculture.

The Communique called on the federal government through live stock development centres in each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as a model of excellence instead of the cattle colony, grazing reserve or estate currently being proposed by the Minister of Agriculture.

Agric: FG begins African soil information service

By Eileen Ihemadu

T

he Federal Government has kick-started the African Soil Information Service (AFSIS) pilot project in order to address the lack of quality information and data on soil and agricultural landscape which would help boost sustainable agricultural productivity across the Nigerian agro- ecologies.

The project which is being funded

by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation builds technology innovations and services to fill one of the major

gaps in spatial Information in African soil, that is widely acknowledged to be hampering scientific progress in agrieconomic development.

It is for this reason that Bill and Melinda Gate Foundation and Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa initiated AFSIS projects in 5 countries namely Tanzania, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria.

Already, many international partners such as ICRAF, CIAT are supporting the initiative intended to last 4 years. The Project will take off in Ebonyi and Kebbi State; while the

new techniques/technologies will be used to build capacity through training of staff in Abuja, Kaduna and Ibadan over the next one week.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Bukar Hassan during his meeting with members of the Ministerial Steering Committee on the African Soil Information Service (AFSIS) and formal launching of the AfSIS pilot project in the Ministry yesterday, said he was impressed with the work AFSIS is doing to build technology innovations and services to drive the future of African Ag-

riculture, particularly Nigeria and expressed hope that, the technology would assist governments, farmers and relevant stakeholders in agriculture to pay more attention to soil development in moving the agricultural sector forward.

Represented by the Director, Plantation in the Department Of Agriculture, Mr Quadri Olalekan, declared; “Our farmers will no longer continue to shoot in the dark , the project is important and we will be able to maximize the duration of the project and get the best out of it”.

T

he Governor of Plateau State, Barrister Lalong has expressed deep sadness over the demise of General John Nanzip Shagaya who died as a result of a fatal motor accident which occurred on Sunday, on his way back from his home town Langtang to Jos. Governor Lalong made his condolence yesterday in statement signed by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Emmanuel Nanle, describing the death as a painful reality that the state would live to contend with.

He said, “ the vacuum it has created in the top Advisory echelon will rub the State and Nation of the wealth of his experience garnered over the years of his meritorious Professional Military, Public Service and Business career.

“The Governor in this moment of deep grief surrounding the Shagaya’s family, the Taroh Nation and the many friends and Associates of the Late General, wishes to extend his deepest condolences and assurances of prayers for God’s comforting grace, on behalf of his family, the Government and good people of Plateau State, praying that may the soul of the Distinguished Senator, rest in perfect peace with the Lord Almighty, “ it added.

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, february 13, 2018

Page 9

News

El-Rufai using fake groups to fight opponents, Shehu Sani’s aide alleges From Femi Oyelola Kaduna

T

he Senator representing Kaduna Central in the Upper Chambers, Shehu Sani has advised Governor Nasir El-Rufai to stop using fake groups to fight his presumed opponents because this will not buy him peace of mind.

Special Adviser on Political and Ideology to Senator Sani, Comrade Suleiman Ahmed, gave the advise while addressing the media in Kaduna yesterday.

Comrade Ahmed who was reacting to a press conference said to have been organized by a group whose identity is questionable call-

ing for the recall of Senator Shehu Sani, said the group is amorphous and fake which is nothing but Nasir El-Rufai’s errand boys doing his bidding.

He added that the sponsored goons, rabble rousers and El-Rufai’s foot soldiers are set to distract the senator from performing his legislative duties entrusted to him by the good people of Kaduna Central are all over the place making noise.

“El-Rufai is a coward who is afraid of Senator Shehu Sani in the upcoming 2019 election and is now resorting to recall through is boys.

“For close to 3 years, Governor

El-Rufai has been using these sorts of fake groups to fight his cause and all have failed.

“Governor El-Rufai has created jobs among youths in thuggery and fake press conferences, than empowering them in productive ways.

“When El-Rufai wrote a memo to President Buhari his errand boys were quiet. But when the Senator decided to advice the president that the matter at hand is not 2019 but how to stop the killings, insecurity and sufferings in the land; the Governor mobilized his errand boys to come out and said the Senator is disrespectful to President Muhammadu Buhari, but they forgot that

their sponsor’s memo is still creating confusion,” he said.

Earlier on, a group under the auspice of Concerned Indigenes of Kaduna Central Senatorial District, in a press conference in Kaduna stated that Senator Shehu Sani’s statement on state of the nation turned out to be what they called; ‘biting the fingers that fed him’, saying he became a senator today because of the popularity of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“We in Kaduna Central will understand if Senator Shehu Sani restricts his diatribe against Governor El-Rufai, considering the senator’s blind antagonism towards his state

governor. The governor has so far responded to Senator Sani’s insults with stoic silence, never allowing himself to be distracted as he put Kaduna State firmly on the path to sustainable progress and long-term prosperity.

“By working against the president and identifying with the enemies of the Buhari administration, Senator Shehu Sani has not only betrayed his constituents, he has declared war on them. Because we the people of Kaduna Central unanimously support President Buhari in his effort to fix the economy and rid Nigeria of corruption and insecurity”.

Gov. Ganduje purchases 2 houses for Qur’anic school

By Johnson John

K

ano state government has purchased two houses worth N10 million, at Madabo quarters in Dala local government area, for Madarastu Babban Malami Islamiyya School, in the domain, to enable it construct its permanent site.

In the same vein, Senator Kabiru Gaya, representing Kano South has pledge to construct four classes for the school while Senator Barau I. Jibrin, representing Kano North has promised to contribute N1 million towards completion of the work.

The state governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje

announced this during the weekend, at the graduation ceremony of 139 Qur’anic students of school during the weekend, in the state capital.

“This is intended to encourage our children to acquire sound religious education as I have noticed that the school, despite its teeming students, does not

Gov. Yari commends roads construction coy for quality job From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d Gusau

G

overnor Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar of Zamfara state has commended the level reached on the ongoing construction of 14.2 kilometer road in Talata Mafara local government area which was awarded to Mother Cat roads constructions company.

Yari, who made the commendation during inspection visit to the site yesterday said, the contractor has already been paid 40% down payment out of contractual sum of about four billion naira to facilitate speedy and qualita-

tive outcome within the agreed schedule for the completion of contract, adding that, the remaining 60% is ready to be paid.

The governor further charged the contractor to maintain unreserved respect on the agreements signed which comprised time frame and quality with a view to help his administration fulfill the promise made to the good people of the state.

Earlier, the Regional Manager, Mother Cat Limited, Mr Ziyad Karam assured that, the company would abide by all the specifications and will complete the project within the agreed date (before 29 May, 2018.

SON DG, Akanya honours ex chief executives From Abba-Eku Onyeka Abu

F

ormer Chief Executives of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Prof John Akanya and Dr Joseph Odumodu have been commended by the current Director General (DG), Mr Osita Aboloma for their commitment and selfless services in building a solid foundation for the organisation.

This commendation was given to the former DGs by Aboloma while welcoming them at the SON Headquarters in Abuja.

He stated that the various contributions of the former SON leaders to human capacity, structural and infrastructural developments as well as the enactment of the SON Act 14 of 2015 were worthy of special mention, even as he expressed the appreciation of his Management and staff to the former DGs and invited them to serve as Ambassadors of SON all over the world.

According to him, “their rich knowledge and experiences in standardisation

and quality assurance are invaluable to national, regional and continental economic growth and development.”

Responding, the two former Chief Executives of accepted the appointment as Ambassadors of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria with gratitude.They promised to provide necessary advice as may be required, towards the continual improvement of the SON and its positive impact in national, regional, continental and international standardisation. Prof. Akanya and Dr. Odumodu expressed pride at the visible and monumental strides being undertaken by the Aboloma led management and urged him to sustain the passion and momentum.

According to them, “the Nation and its people stand to benefit immensely from the positive impact of SON through standardisation and quality assurance initiatives and programmes.”

Mr. Aboloma then presented SON plaques to them as a token of their ambassadorial appointments.

have a permanent site”, he stated.

He noted that despite having a student population of about 3, 000 boys and girls who troop to the school daily where they were taught reading, writing and memorizing the Qur’anic text, at courtyard of houses in the neighborhood, making the acquisition of the knowledge stressful.

Describing the Madabo

School as the oldest center of Islamic education in Kano, Gov. Ganduje assured that his administration would continuously support the school and other initiatives aimed at consolidating the position of Kano as a leading center of learning.

The governor praised teachers of the school for their commitment and sacrifice, urging them to maintain the trend. He

also tasked the students to practice what they leant, to ensure a more wholesome society.

Earlier on, the patriarch of the Babban Malami na Madabo family, Malam Kabiru Babban Malami and the Head teacher of the school, Imam Mustafa Usman Ahmad implored the state government to support the school to acquire a permanent site in view of its teeming students.

MAI IDRIS ALOOMA POLYTECHNIC, P.M.B. 1020, GEIDAM, YOBE STATE, NIGERIA RE: INVITATION FOR TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL BIDS FOR EXECUTION OF 2015/2016 (MERGED) TETFund LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT INTERVENTION PROJECT

CORRIGENDUM TO ORIGINAL ADVERT With reference to our earlier advertisements placed in the Peoples Daily Newspaper of Monday 25th December, 2017 (page 9), The Authority Daily Newspaper of Friday 22nd December, 2017 (page 12) and Federal Tenders Journal of Monday December 25th , 2017 – Sunday January 7th , 2018 (page 14) in respect of the above subject matter.

The Polytechnic wishes to inform prospective bidders of the following amendments to some details of the advert: i.

Evidence of current Tax Clearance Certificate for the past three years 2014, 2015 and 2016; ii. Evidence of current Pension compliance Certificate (2017); iii. Evidence of current Industrial Training Fund (ITF)compliance Certificate (2017); iv. Verifiable documentary evidence of at least three (3) similar jobs in the last five (5) years including Letter of Awards, Valuation Certificates and Job completion Certificates; v. Evidence of registration on the National Database of Federal Contractors, Consultants and Service providers by submission of Interim Registration Report (IRR) expiring on 1/1/2018 or valid Certificate issued by Bureau of Public Procurement BPP; vi. Evidence of sworn Affidavit disclosing whether or not any officer of the relevant committees of Mai Idris Alooma polytechnic or the Bureau of Public Procurement is a former or present Director, shareholder or has any pecuniary interest in the bidder and to confirm that all information presented in its bid are true and correct in all particulars; vii. Company profile with Curriculum Vitae of key Staff and copies of their professional qualifications; viii. The tenders’ fee is hereby reduced from Forty Thousand Naira (40,000) only to Ten Thousand Naira (10,000) only per Lot; ix. Evidence of VAT registration and remittances for the last three years is hereby expunged Closing/Opening of Bid Documents Closing date for submission of tender documents/bids has been extended to Monday 19th February, 2018 by 12:00 noon. Opening of Technical submissions shall follow immediately after closing of submission at the Polytechnic Council chamber. Only prequalified bidder’s financial tender documents/bids will be opened at a later date; while the financial bids of the unsuccessful bidders should be returned to them un-opened. All relevant professional bodies, NGOs and general public are hereby invited to witness the exercise.

All other conditions and requirements in the original advert remain valid.

The Polytechnic regrets any inconveniences as a result of these adjustments.

Idrissa Mohammed Jajere Registrar

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, tuesday, february 13, 2018

PAGE 10

News

2019: Ex-CBN chief, Moghalu to run for president

A

former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Kingsley Moghalu, announced on Monday that he was consulting widely to run for the presidency in 2019.

Mr. Moghalu told political correspondents in Lagos that time had come for technocrats, intellectuals and experienced people to take power from Nigeria’s career politicians.

He said that he would not be deterred from joining the race, in spite of speculations that 2023 was the year slated for Igbos to have a shot at the presidency.

Mr. Moghalu argued that poli-

tics in Nigeria should be detribalised for Africa’s most populous nation to grow and take its rightful place in the comity of nations.

“It is the turn of any competent Nigerian to aspire for the post of presidency because career politicians have failed Nigeria.’’

He said that zoning, which had been used by the major political parties, might have been relevant in the past but that it was no longer necessary because competence should be placed above tribe in present day Nigeria.

“Zoning was an internal arrangement by political parties that was not constitutional. It

should no longer matter where the president comes from.

“The future of Nigeria rests in technocratic interventions. We need thinking people that will take Nigeria from the politics of stomach infrastructure to politics of mental infrastructure.’’

The former CBN chief said that the first part to progress for Nigeria was for the people to begin to think differently and beyond tribe in choosing those who would lead them.

Speaking on a second term for President Muhammadu Buhari, Mr. Moghalu said that the president had constitutional rights to

seek re-election.

“I don’t fathom how anyone can say the president should not run for a second term. It is his choice, the decision on who becomes Nigeria’s president in 2019 rests with Nigerians. ‘’ On the nation’s economy, the economist pointed out that “the economy was in a delicate situation before the present administration.

“The handling of the forex crisis though was misguided. The drop in oil prices actually affected the value of our currency but government should have simply allowed the naira to find its true value

which would have reduced the inflation rate.’’

He said that Nigeria must look beyond continued dependence on oil and encourage independent institutions to flourish.

Mr. Moghalu, however, advised Nigerians to eschew docility and become more forceful in demanding accountability from their leaders at all levels of governance.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Mr. Moghalu, who served as CBN deputy governor from 2009 to 2014, is a political economist, lawyer and a former United Nations official.

He was also a professor of prac-

Kogi set for hitch-free hajj, says Commission From Ahmad Ibrahim Lokoja

E

L-R: National President, National Association of President’s NYSC Honours Award, Jegede Suzane, National Secretary, Dr. Atwel Maduakulam, Welfare officer, Imafidon Franklin and the Publicity Secretary , Daniel Enoch, during the Association Media briefing on the disregard to the Presidential Directive for NYSC Scholarship Awardees, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Clashes: Miyetti Allah resolves to ensure lasting peace in Nigeria From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

M

iyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has resolved to work with the concerned stakeholders towards achieving lasting peace in the country especially in dealing with the unfortunate crisis between the herdsmen and crop farmers.

This was contained in a communiqué issued yesterday at the end of its National Executive Council Meeting of the association held in Minna. The association expressed satisfaction on the level of federal government engagements in proffering lasting solution.

The communiqué signed by the National Secretary, Baba

Othman Ngelzarma also called for an immediate action towards putting all the grazing reserves back to effective use by improving them for the pastoralists.

The communiqué further expressed worry that up till now, the perpetrators of violent attacks against herdsmen and other citizens especially in Mambilla, Numan, Kajura and other com-

munities in Benue and Nassarawa states were yet to be apprehended to face justice hence called for effective action to that effect.

Meanwhile, it called for National legislation to address the contending issues in the livestock subsector to relieve the tension already created by the draconian laws put in place against its members in some States.

NASENI emerges ‘best performing Agency’ under Science, Tech Ministry

By Stanley Onyekwere

T

he National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NAISENI) under the leadership of Professor Mohammed Sani Haruna has emerged as the best performing agency in the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology.

The Coalition of Civil Society for Good Governance and Change, said it undertook a systematic assessment of 17 agen-

cies under the federal ministry of science and technology using both qualitative and quantitative methodology and found NASENI worthy of the award.

In a statement jointly signed on behalf of the group by Dr. Ifure Ataifure, Team Leader and Patriot Sabo Odeh, National Coordinator said a sample of opinion was gathered from the various departments in the agencies.

The performance index of the agencies was analyzed, and in-

dices for a proactive workforce were also taken into consideration and NASENI emerged tops from all indications for its Interventions in National Development.

The Agency has achieved a remarkable milestone in areas of inventions, innovations and products development through multisector interventions.

The group listed the selected milestone between 2012 to 2017 to include capacity and human

resources development in areas of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies, Nano-technology, and Advanced Materials.

Others they said are the development of Virtual Manufacturing Laboratory which provides state of the art hardware, software and intellectual capacity for design, engineering simulation, and computer modeling of engineering processes, plants, machinery, and spares among others.

fforts are being intensified by the Kogi State Hajj Commission to improve on the successes recorded in last year’s holy pilgrimage to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Sheikh Luqman Abdullah has said.

Abdullah stated this when he led members of the commission on a courtesy visit to the state chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists at the secretariat of the council in Lokoja on Monday.

He disclosed that payment for this year’s Hajj fares which has since commenced, is expected to be closed by the 31st of March, 2018, adding that the sum of N1.540 million is expected to be deposited, pending when the National Hajj Commission takes final decision on the matter.

The executive chairman further disclosed that a befitting accommodation has been secured by the state Hajj commission in Makkah and Madinah, for the comfort of the pilgrims from the state, saying the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has directed that the welfare of the pilgrims must be accorded top priority.

While disclosing that 717 seats have been allocated to the state for this year’s pilgrimage as against 338 for last year, Sheikh Luqman further pointed out that discussions are ongoing for the slots of the state to be increased before the commencement of the Hajj operation.

He therefore appealed for support from the media, noting that the cooperation of the media is very vital in effectively discharging their duties.

Responding, the state Chairman of the Council, Alhaji Adeiza MomohJimoh assured that practising journalists in the state would continue to assist the commission in the area of enlightenment to enable them carry out their duties with ease.

While commending the commission for the successes recorded in last year’s holy pilgrimage, the NUJ chairman assured that they would continue to partner with the organization to enable them do their job effectively.

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, february 13, 2018

PAGE 11

EDITORIAL

T

The AfDB verdict on economy

he African Development Bank disappointed that the bank held back (AfDB) estimates that 80 percent from making a statement on the socioof Nigerians are “unacceptably” political implications of this poverty poor. According to the bank, 152 million hydra, one that is self inflicted out of Nigeria’s approximately 190 million population live on less than $2 First, let us look at the social consequences (600 naira) a day. This level of poverty of this mass poverty. It has created it says, is “unacceptably high”. a widening pool of jobless youth. It is ready army for criminal or terror The AfDB verdict is based on its Nigerian groups like Boko Haram, Niger Delta Economic Outlook 2018, part of Avengers and the proscribed IPOB in the a larger report, African Economic southeast. The Boko Haram insurgency Outlook 2018. It is an annual report.

On Nigeria, it says the country “still faces significant challenges, including foreign exchange shortages, disruptions in fuel supply, power shortages and insecurity in some parts of the country. Revenue mobilisation efforts are insufficient; at five per cent, Value Added Tax rates are among the lowest in the world, and revenue administration is inefficient.”

“

The bank notes that though government spending has remained high, 10-13 percent between 2014 and 2017, not many citizens have been lifted above the poverty level. It says, “At 14 per cent, unemployment remained high in 2017, the same as in 2016, and is expected to decline only slightly in 2018, to 13.5 per cent, as recovery eases production constraints in manufacturing and agriculture.”

Dare we say that the president of AfDB, Dr. Adesina Adewunmi, is a Nigerian. Before heading to the bank in 2015, he was Nigeria’s agriculture minister. This makes him eminently qualified to comment on the state of the Nigerian economy

in the northeast, now in its 10th year, has lasted this long in spite of losing hundreds of fighters, because there is a reserve force spawned by mass poverty to draw on.

Dare we say that the president of AfDB, Dr. Adesina Adewunmi, is a Nigerian.

Before heading to the bank in 2015, he was Nigeria’s agriculture minister. Some of these young men and women not This makes him eminently qualified to attracted to the terror trenches are comment on the state of the Nigerian wooed by sex trade merchants with job economy. That said, however, we are prospects in Europe. However, many

OUR MISSION “To be the market place of ideas and the leading player in the industry by putting the people first, upholding the truth, maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards while delivering value to our stakeholders”

OUR PEOPLE Chairman Malam Wada Maida, Oon, Fnge Chief Operating Officer (Ag) Editor, Daily

Hameed M. Bello Manager, administration Hassan Hammanyaji

die crossing the Sahara desert and the Medittrranean sea, without reaching their destinations. Still, there are those that have taken to kidnapping, armed banditry and other crimes, to earn a living. We cannot deny the jobless do not have a hand in the herdsmen/ farmers violence all over the country.

The political consequence of mass poverty is not immediately obvious.

But it won’t be long before it rears its own head. National elections are just a year ahead. Given that thuggery is second nature to elections in this country, an army of unemployed able-bodied youth is a real danger to national security.

This tragedy that stares us in the face is, lamentably, self inflicted. It is a result of several years of wanton plunder of the common wealth by persons in political high places.Even the so called recession that the country entered in 2016/2017 was the fallout of official corruption. We are glad the AfDB has confirmed what our leaders have been telling us: we are technically out of recession.

However, exiting recession will not automatically translate to a better life for the poor majority. This will require a mindset change on the part of leaders - to begin to see public office as an opportunity to offer service, not steal from the public till. Plunder reduces the size of the proverbial national cake, thereby denying millions access to it. If it doesn’t stop, not even the best job creation programmes can grow the cake.

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PAGE 12

Opinion

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, february 13, 2018

Nigeria Police, IGP Idris, need support not condemnation

By Mohammed Baba Busu

T

he recent wave of attacks, condemnation and name- calling against the Nigeria Police Force as an institution and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Alhaji Ibrahim Kpotun-Idris, as a person, has become a source of concern to well-meaning Nigerians.

It is even more worrisome to hear such attacks and condemnations coming from those who are supposed to know and understand the security dynamics and challenges of the country.

It is further more painful and in some cases, annoying to hear even law makers who should be solidly behind any move that will ensure the security of lives and oneness of the country, are the ones raining all manner of condemnations against the Police Force and the person of the IGP. The recent call by the House of Representatives for the replacement of the IGP over the herdsmen and farmers clashes in Benue State can best be described as a call done in bad faith considering the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force and, indeed the IGP in addressing the situation.

Since the recent killings of over 70 people by suspected herdsmen in Benue State, the IGP has remain restless and sleepless. He has, since then, been working both day and night to find lasting solution to the challenge. The Police Force under his watch has introduced various

strategies to ensure that the killings are stopped permanently.

In fact, to say that the IGP and the Nigeria Police Force is not doing enough on the Benue herdsmen/farmers clashes is to deliberately demoralise them and weaken their resolve to fight the situation to its dead end.

This is because, apart from the IGP relocating to Benue State as directed by the President during the heat of the crisis, the Police has also deployed more troops to the state to arrest the situation.

While relocating to Benue, IGP Idris moved with additional five units of Police Mobile Force (PMF). More Units of the Police Special Forces, Counter Terrorism Units, and Conventional Policemen were also deployed to the State.

The Aerial Surveillance by Police Helicopters has continued since then, while the Police Mobile Force Personnel, Police Special Forces and conventional Police Personnel, the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Police Explosive Ordinance Department (EOD) and Special Police Joint Intelligence and Investigation Teams were also deployed to Benue State.

This has led to the arrest of over 143 suspects in connection with the killings in Benue State. Of that number, a little over 100 have been charged to court within this shortest period. Apart from that, few days ago, the IGP directed that more troops be deployed to the trouble areas of Nasarawa and Benue states.

To show his commitment to the permanent

resolution of the crisis, when he was at Benue, the IGP visited and had interaction with the Tor Tiv, Prof James Ayatse and other 10 First Class paramount rulers in Makurdi. At the palace, the IGP advocated for closer cooperation between the police and the general public in order to ensure effective policing of the state.

Also, while in Benue, in order to boost confidence and also encourage the people of the areas directly affected by the killings, the IGP visited the hot and trouble spots of Gbajimba, headquarters of Guma local government area of the state.

In fact, three days ago, the IGP deployed 15 additional police units, Special Forces, technical and intelligence teams to contain further attacks in Benue State.

With all these efforts, it is worrisome for some members of the House of Representatives to call for the sack or replacement of the IGP over the killings in Benue.

The members of the House of Representatives and in fact, all Nigerians need to know that since coming in of the current leadership of the Nigeria Police Force under Ibrahim Idris, there has been remarkable visible achievements.

Despite the fact that the Force is working under a very tight budget, under personnel and ill-equipped which is well known by all members of the House and indeed, most Nigerians, it has, under IGP Idris performed excellently in the arrest of kidnappers, cattle

rustlers, armed robbers and other criminal elements in different parts of the country.

As at the last count, over 3000 suspected kidnappers, armed robbers and cattle rustlers have been arrested in different parts of the country. Most of them have since been charged to court.

There is no doubt, every life is very important and remains sacred, hence, should not be terminated unnecessarily. It is also important to note that the IGP and the entire Nigeria Police Force has been doing their best to protect the lives and property of all Nigerians, irrespective of their location in the country.

It is therefore necessary to call on all Nigerians to, rather than, condemn and malign the Nigeria Police Force and the IGP, they should do everything possible to support them to perform their constitutional roles better.

On the other hand, the members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, should, in their capacity as law makers, support the police through budgetary allocations and ensure its release to enable the police get more equipment.

This is indeed, not the best of times to trade blames and call for the sack of anyone. It is rather time for all of us to join hands together and also encourage the police for the interest of the country.

Mohammed Baba Busu, a public affairs analyst wrote from Abuja.

M.A Abubakar: Dogs bark, rogues twist facts, but the system marches to glory

By Sanusi Muhammad

W

hen M.A Abubakar took the oath of office, May 29, 2015 as the governor of Bauchi state, his change mantra, anchored on a relentless anti-corruption war, warmed the hearts of many who had, for years, from the sidelines, watched helplessly how their standard of living was merciless battered by the unpatriotic deeds of greedy elements that had stolen 4.6million people blind but still mustered courage and guts to shamelessly walk tall and even try to throw challenges.

The feeling goes on that if Bauchi indigenes do not subscribe to their governor’s relentless effort in tackling the monster of corruption as inherited, then it should be accepted that in no distance future the state would crumble. The governor has said that much in his tireless effort to return the state to the diverted path of glory.

The discovery of over 10,000 ghost workers, a fact thrown up by the tedious but life-saving Bank Verification Number (BVN) implementation drive, carried out in tandem with that of the Treasury Single Account (TSA), is a case in point as to how seriously committed the M.A Abubakar administration is to the execution of its anti-corruption war, largely the reason why he was elected.

When it took the governor a period of time that the people were not accustomed to, as far as replacing forming his dissolved cabinet, consideration was given to the need of getting round pegs to be in round holes. The short delay was misunderstood to mean incapacitation laced with confusion. Alas! It came to pass with jubilation.

Prior to the victory of the governor at the polls in 2015, his campaign train had stood the party, during its short formative period, in good stead, through edifying and conciliatory pronouncements that helped to fast-track cohesion and now threatened by rabble-rousers and turn-coats.

In his usual style of twisting facts to suit his ignorance, some morons in the national assembly quote wrong figures to paint the Bauchi administration black ostensibly to ridicule the person of the governor and the Buhari led federal government. It is no secret that the state’s economy was in dire straits, and the reason for that is not farfetched, given the narrative that far too many huge sums of public funds, denominated in local and foreign currencies, accruing to the treasury were either corruptly misappropriated, or in a bare-faced stance, stolen brazenly and Governor M.A Abubakar vowed to retrieve and channel to infrastructural development beneficial to all. That sent shivers to detractors as they tirelessly fight the vow under the cover of politics.

But Nigerians know that because of the perilous exposure of the economy to the antics of self-styled, ‘patriotic’ sons of the soil, along with their female counterparts, who took delight in dipping their long fingers into the till, and yet, are forever ‘begged’ to represent their ‘people’, it is foolhardy to expect the governor, and by extension, his aides to stop flogging the anti-corruption rhetoric.

Any person who has a case or may have a case to answer, as regards the state’s stolen funds and properties, must pluck the courage to get in touch with the appropriate authorities, and quickly return, in full, what was illegally acquired and stashed away, with a view to making amends, and bringing to a close, retributive justice that may arise from chastisement by an unrelenting guilty conscience. This is what most detractors and their co-travelers hate to hear and must be said and heard.

The ongoing efforts of Governor M.A Abubakar which tallies with the principle of change, is not restricted to APC members alone, and therefore, needs to be embraced by every patriot who is seriously interested in joining hands with the state government to smoking out those who looted the commonwealth, brazenly

displaying and, with impunity trying to resist being brought to book.

Any serious patriot who is sincerely interested to getting answers to burning questions agitating his mind as regards the governing style of M.A Abubakar led administration, has at his disposal unfettered access to authorized government officials without the know of the state governor or via the internet but not through waste of newspaper pages for an archaic motive.

Any resort to gossip, rumor mongering and subterfuge orchestration of pullhim down malicious campaigns amounts to cheap blackmail, an ill-wind that blows nobody any good including those detractors and their co-travelers on a dangerous ego mission targeted at 2019.

Although we all know their intellectual capacity which is akin to that of toddlers, the hired supporters engaged for the hatchet job are not helping the drowning neophytes for lack of facts.

Given the hallmarks of Governor Muhammed Abubakar that defines him as a leader of candour who, in all seasons is his own man, it is futile and suicidal for any toddler, jobber or publication to pretend to be second-guessing his body language because the governor is a sticker for excellence especially in areas of probity, integrity and discipline. He takes his time in arriving at conclusions, and far more time, making pronouncements.

So far from transparency in managing resources, the governor is saving for the raining day and expending part of it to execute roads construction totaling 390 kilometers apart from sinking of boreholes and Primary Healthcare centres in each of the 20 local government areas as well as 300 additional boreholes in each of the three senatorial zones of the state. This was possible from prudent and financial discipline. To put extra strength to his war against waste, he slashed Bauchi Government House monthly allocation to 50 percent as a starting point. What else?

Detractors may hate to hear such wonders

of progress. But let them hold their breath for a while.

Just for mild reference, in their heydays of futile attempt to diminish the rising profile of their anointed leader, they expressed bitterness for the Governor to have just hosted his fellow Muslim brothers to breaking their fast with him in Saudi Arabia during Umrah (lesser hajj).

To the myopic thinking of the detractors, it was a political not religious gathering.

Before Bauchi state is thrown in political battle, let state categorically and without fear of any consequence that should those detractors continue to fire other terrorist brand of publications, we shall start replying with superior force, we hate to join issues with day-light politicians for fear of equalization but, this is only a warning. We have their lowly-type to handle them appropriately to their understanding. Gone are the days when campaigns of calumny orchestrated by palace jesters result in the impeachment or hatred of personalities whose contributions are not proved to be unworthy of their high offices.

As a supposedly advocate of change, the people of Bauchi state and Nigerians expect those detractors’ fervent prayer for untainted success of the APC administration in Bauchi state in the discharge of its daunting duties, as they do their level best toward putting corruption and sleaze to death and, to bring the comatose economy of the state back to life for jubilation in celebration not baseless whistle blowing lacking substance and meaning than hatred and disunity in an impoverished clime wishfully heaped on the people over the years.

Behaving clownish to water hatred to flourish within APC and the polity will not and shall never bring succor to the inherited bastardized system. The pudding now lies in the eating.

Muhammad is the Editor-InChief of Pointblank Newspaper.

PAGE 13

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, february 13, 2018

Comment

Mallam Yusufu Buratai: A tribute to a veteran

By Gabriel Ikese

F

or all things under heavens, there is a time. A time to be born and a time to die. And in between is the time to live.

It is the wish of all mankind to live a worthy and accomplished live here on earth. Sextus Propertius quote “that death is best which comes appropriately at a ripe age”.

Before the passing away of Mallam Yusufu Buratai on Friday February, 9, 2018, many Nigerians are oblivious of the fact that the deceased was a veteran of World War II. The many tributes and eulogies on the life of Baba Buratai brought to the fore the great service he rendered to fatherland.

I never met him. But he was a WWII veteran, and that’s how I can honestly say I knew this great man of valour. Now I knew him because I knew his generation. Theirs was the WWII generation, and if you knew one of them, you pretty much knew them all. I say proudly, my grandfather was one of them. They were the “Greatest Generation”. There were that and much more.

Mallam Buratai’s generation was shaped by harsh forces that succeeding generations have escaped. They escaped, not by omission, but through selfless efforts to bequeath a better nation. When the call for service beckons, Baba Buratai did not hesitate. He joined the West African Frontier Force and was relied upon to save the world. But more importantly, Buratai and his collegues were willing to serve

and willing to sacrifice.

Although Elder Buratai succumbed to the call of Allah (SWT), the most merciful, he left an indelible mark in the annals of our history.

One valuable lesson we can learn from him is the SACRIFICE. We will never forget that he readily gave his tomorrow for us to enjoy peaceful co-existence in Nigeria and the world at large. He was 18 when he joined the military and subsequently deployed to fight in Burma. His courage never failed. He soldier on gallantly and conquered .

When Baba Buratai demobilized from the military, he went back to civilian life and did great things for our country. The thing that amazes me about these WWII veterans is how after achieving the greatest and most accomplishment in the course of human history, they returned home and settled into lives that were so ordinary and unassuming.

Baba Buratai joined the services of escorting ships from Lagos to Cotonou and Cape Town in South Africa. As a ship crew, he was committed and did his job so diligently and most humbly. You will never know he had cmmanded proceedings at battle fronts in foreign land.

Mallam Buratai retired into community service. He rededicated his life to the service of humanity. He is an embodiment of wisdom.

His counsels and advice are always apt. His kinsmen testified to his greatness. They said he was a jolly good fellow full of fun and laughter.

Education, he had not, but what he learned he

never forgot.

Baba is a great philanthropist who championed the cause of the underprivileged.

Out of the abundance of the heart, he gave generously to widows and the poor in the society. He contributed immensely to the development and upliftment of his community and humanity.

Baba Buratai trained his children to be God fearing, law abiding, humble and above all, truthful in life. He encouraged them to be hardworking and always look up to Allah (SWT) in times of trial and temptations.

A Lion will always beget a Lion. Mallam Yusufu Buratai passed on to glory, but left us a gem of an inestimable value. A Gentleman Officer, the Peoples’ General and erudite Commander – Lt.Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS). He is a brave General who has become the nemesis of Boko Haram terrorists and Shekau’s nightmare.

Gen. Buratai took over command of the Nigerian Army at a time troops morale was extremely low. At a period the Nigeria Army that was hitherto a dominant force in Africa was at the verge of being demystified. At a time the leadership of the Army seems clueless and the gallantry of troops was a fleeting illusion.

Muhammadu Buhari, our amiable President, on assumption of office, trained his eyes on the way of Gen. Buratai. PMB, himself, an experienced military tactician and hero of the Civil war, appointed the best of the best. An

Officer that could liberate the army from the grip of ineptitude. Gen. Buratai came to the rescue and he did not disappoint his admirers and troops .

He calibrated the army formations and unit commanders and remolded the army into a formidable fighting force. He led troops from the front and took the battle to the stronghold of the terrorists. And in record time, camp zero in the dreaded sambisa forest fell like a pack of cards. The terrorists were decimated and Shekau is faced with the reality of a total defeat.

For Gen. Buratai, the conventional knowledge of warfare could not have sufficed.

He garnered valuable experience from his father that guided most of his decisions. An experience you never can find even at the war college. And today, Buratai’s reputation precedes him.

Mallam Yusufu Buratai’s remain was lowered to mother earth on Friday February 9, 2018. A grateful nation mourns you. We thank you for the valuable services to country and humanity. We owe it to you and the “Greatest Generation” to make sure your accomplishments are never forgotten. And we owe it to you to order our lives to make us worthy of your legacy – whatever it takes.

A good man, like a candle, must keep cool and burn to light the way for others to see. May the light you have lite continue to blaze on.

Adieu Baba Yusuf Buratai.

Ikese is a public affairs analyst.

APC restructuring C’ttee’s recommendation not acceptable to us

By Mansir Lawal Kaware

B

eginning from the last ten days of January to the first week of February, 2018, the Nigerian political atmosphere has been charged, a pointer to the battle ahead for 2019 general elections.

Within the average of these two weeks, controversial statements, comments and actions filled the air to the hearing and seeing of not only Nigerians but all those keenly following political developments of Nigeria across the globe. Nigerian Press having accepted personality as its most important source of news was a gog with the stand taken by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, through his letter which attack the present leadership and suggested for a formation of third force by name Coalition of Nigeria (CN). The Kwankwaso planned visit to Kano, the House of Reps and Senate change of the order of elections, the submission of APC restructuring committee report and the reactions that followed to the Akpabio tug of war with his Akwa-Ibom successor and what have you, are all on the scene.

The NTA 9PM Network News of Thursday 1/2/2018 was really rich as it brought the registration of Obasanjo as the 1st registered member of the CN, there was the meeting of South-South leaders over APC committee restructuring report and the interview granted by Tanko Yakasai and some others also on the APC restructuring committee report.

From all indications something is wrong somewhere, because going by the outcome of the committee’s report the North was not properly represented in it.

It is surprising that with Nasir El-Rufa’i as the Chairman of the committee, it could come up with such recommendations.

The point is this it is generally believed that Nasir El-Rufa’i is an intelligent strong headed and critical kind of a person and wondered how a committee under his Chairmanship could come-up with such a report that throws the North into the dust.

Certainly, this could only happen under

three or four reasons. It is our thinking that Nasir El-Rufa’i might have either been intimidated, deceived, bought over or may be nursing political ambition in the future national political gamble and is preparing for that by trying to impress the South.

The fact that Tanko Yakasai said 80% of the APC restructuring committee report is in tandem with the 2014 confab report, it means the committee has not done any work but adopted the 2014 confab report resolutions in a different language. That makes it irrelevant to those of us from the North because the composition of that confab membership was lopsided in favour of the South and Christians. This is an open secret because the complaints were taken to the then President Jonathan but he refused to make amends. It is also important to remind the APC as a ruling party, our Southern brothers and those who concur with them that all the contents being talked about in the report are nothing but recommendations which are subject to acceptance or rejection and are not by any means a final decision.

Still on the restructuring, the South-South leaders under Edwin Clerk and Bayelsa Governor Sirieke Dickson met and resolved that only Presidential Candidate that accepts the APC restructuring committee report on true federalism is to be voted by the Ijaw nation.

This is an empty threat which cannot frighten us as far as election fortunes are concerned. Have they forgotten so soon that their refusal to vote for Buhari in 2015 did not stopped him from winning and their votes for Jonathan could not get him across, even with deliberate delay releasing election results from Delta State.

After all, they may only be bragging about unity but in practical terms they are not united because the bye-election in Rivers State and the elections in Bayelsa exposed them looking at the way they were falling over themselves killing one another in a do or die affairs of acquiring power.

Note that it is an election via party lines everyone has an interest to protect. Those

talking are PDP members and will not support anybody outside their party, the APC members in that zone must be careful against that deception.

Coming down to Obasanjo and his chameleon posture, we wish to state that his registration with CN, is sending signal to us that despite our consideration of his nationalists character, we may not rule out the possibility of some hidden powerful hands remote controlling him to act. However his action will now give Nigerians the opportunity to know his weight there by knowing how much he is worth politically by judging the score of the candidate he may decide to field under it for the 2019 general elections. In 2007, Atiku Abubakar got two million votes as sole candidate of AC out of about 35 million valid votes cast, while Buhari got 12 million votes in 2011 as sole candidate of CPC out of about 38 million valid votes cast. It is not clear if the statements made

by Obasanjo are the real reasons for his decision to go against Buhari and APC even though he is not expected to rejoin PDP because Atiku is already there. The hands of the Candido might have forced him to do so, and that may give the reason behind Kwankwaso’s trouble shooting in Kano.

One wonders what Rabi’u Kwankwaso wants to show by creating something out of nothing in Kano APC. Rabi’u Kwankwaso is only one Senator out of 108 Senators and even in Kano there are three Senators, why is it that he is the only one causing problems in the name visiting Kano. If it is about being a former Governor in the Senate, there are many former Governors in the Senate, if it is because he has problem with his successor similar running battle is going on between Akpabio and his successor in Akwa-Ibom, but he never made his visit to Uyo an impossibility and a source of controversy.

Be what it may, like a cobra, the masses who voted for Buhari in 2015 are there lying low for the election day who ever wants’ to contest under any platform could go ahead and do so. The

most important thing for the Government and INEC to do is to maintain the use of card reader and the present INEC order of election. Whoever failed to use card reader under any guise should have the election cancelled and that cancellation should not affect the election results.

There is no reason why some people would see themselves as being above the law and continue doing things in their own way.

The National Assembly members change of the order of election to enable them return to office is surprising. This order of election was not introduced by Buhari, all of them were elected through that system, then why are they not comfortable with it now.

If it is about scheming to stop Buhari the national assembly members and their sponsors should better stop wasting their time, if there is election today Nigerians will give Buhari majority votes and so will it be tomorrow. No matter the odds, he will get 25% of the total votes in no less than five to six out of the 17 southern states of the country. A similar episode is happening in Katsina, where the Governor Aminu Masari administration is being attacked by intra and external opposition members, but if we take statistics his performance has earned him the support of the people. The critics of Aminu Masari like those of Buhari are the same people using different amplifiers to deceive listeners as if they are many.

Therefore, President Buhari should ignore the threats over restructuring or third force and go ahead with his contest for the 2019, so also similar advice goes to Aminu Masari in Katsina. On the other hand the National Assembly members from the North must work to defeat the APC restructuring committee report because it is to the detriment of the North which they represents otherwise they will be among those to be consumed.

Mansir Lawal Kaware writes in from Katsina State.

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, february 13, 2018

PAGE 14

News

Niger: DPR seals 13 filling stations over hike in pump price From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

T

he Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has closed down 13 filling stations in Niger state for selling above approved pump price of N145 per litre of the federal government.

The State Controller on DPR

Engr. Abdullahi Isah Jankara stated this in Minna saying that the closed stations were discovered to be dispensing fuel at N205 to N250 per litre during inspection visit.

He explained that some of the stations were also involved in other form of sharp practices, adding that they have been sanctioned

appropriately.

Jankara said that the affected stations were required to pay fines ranging from N100,000 to N600,000 according to the numbers of pumps they were found using Represented by the Head of Operations, Sunday John Senchi who said that the sealed stations will have to pay the fines to

the TSA account of DPR before their stations will be opened hence the surveillance is a continues exercise and will not relent.

He warned marketers to desist from selling above approved pump price adding that the department will not relent in fishing out those involved in such acts.

Gombe govt solicits UNICEF support to end HIV scourge From David Hassan, Gombe

T

he Gombe state government has solicited support from the United Nation Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) to end the scourge of HIV in the country.

Secretary to Gombe State Government, SSG, Mr. James Pisagih represented by the Permanent Secretary of General Duties Usman Shamaki stated this yesterday in Gombe during a two- day programme of 2018 states engagement plant organized by UNICEF Bauchi Field Office.

He said UNICEF has withdrawn its support to HIV intervention in the state and therefore called on the organization to reconsider its stand in order to eradicate the scourge in the state.

According to the SSG, following the intervention of UNICEF “D” field office, through state coordinating office GOMSACA and other relevant partners, cases of HIV has reduced tremendously in the state from 8.2percent to 4.0percent.

Speaking at the occasion, officer in-charge UNICEF Bauchi Field Office Idrissa Yeo described the

first joint planning meeting held in Gombe which comprises participants from Taraba, Jigawa, Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states as timely.

He said the federal government and UNICEF have started a 5 year programme which will be implemented in 2018 to 2022 which according to him is the first time that UNICEF is bringing neighboring states to plan together is a result of good collaboration the organization has enjoyed and continue to enjoy with the Gombe state government.

While commending Gombe government for the launch of the

An accident scene at Doyin Bus Stop, yesterday in Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

End Violence Campaign in 2017 with the establishment of the Child Rights Act Domestication Committee, Yeo said this will lead to the passage of Child Rights Act in the state.

He explained that, the implementation of the 2017 work plans, UNICEF which is a member of the United Nations System in Nigeria engaged with federal government to develop the United Development Assistant Framework which forms the basis of the UNICEF Country Programme Development in Nigeria.

Photo: NAN

Al-Ameen College of Health Sciences matriculates 338 students From Femi Oyelola kaduna

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he Al-Ameen College of Health Sciences and Technology Kaduna has matriculated 338 students in various fields of study for the 2017/2018 academic session and awarded scholarship to eighty of the students.

75 of the matriculants are in Senior Community Health, 50 in Junior Community Health, 40 Medical Laboratory, 40 in Science, 30 in Dental Science, 20 in Health Information Managment, 21 in X-ray, 22 in Environmental Health, 20 in Health Education, 20 in Food Hygiene and 40 in Pharmacy.

In his keynote address, the

Chairman Governing Board of the College, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi said, the positive impact of health and education on national development can never be over emphasised, stressing that both health and education are enhanced in a society through the vital contributions of health institutions and colleges of health

sciences.

“It is in this respect that I key in the critical role of colleges of health sciences and technology in national development. The role of Al- Ameen college of health sciences and technology (ACHST) typifies the vital contributions of these health educational centres in societal developments, “ he said.

Censors board approves 44 new movies

By Miriam Humbe

T

he National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has verified and approved 44 movies for the month of January, 2018, for home and public viewing.

The board’s Directorate of Film Censorship and Classification (FCC) said in a statement yesterday that, 22 movies were in English language, 9 in Yoruba language, 12 in Hausa language, and 1 in Bini language

respectively.

The classification category ranges from PG – 18 and the breakdown is as follows: Two movies were classified PG (Parental Guidance) indicating for children with the Guidance of a parent or adult. The movies are “Painful Exit” (English), “Yan Gada Gada” (Hausa).

Twenty movies were classified “15” indicating for audience, 15 years and above.

The movies

are “Corner Stones” (English), “Orun Alakeji (Yoruba), “The winning mind” (English), “Sibebi “ (Yoruba), “Akaram Zakin Mata” (Hausa), “Mata Ko Agola” (Hausa), “Rudani” (Hausa), “This is the way” (Hausa), “Love Theraph” (English), “Ufuoma” (English), “Amazing Grace” (English), “Costly mistake” (English), “Flee” (English, “Athira Da Zare” (Hausa), “ATM Card” (Yoruba), “Aure Ibada Ne” (Hausa), “De’ Adure” (Hausa) and “Gidan

Boka” (Hausa).

Twenty two movies were classified “18” indicating for Matured Audience and they are: “Dangerous King” (English), “This life” (English), “Home Alone Reloaded” (English) “Snake and Lion Girl” (English), “Ajoke” (Yoruba), “Darasi” (Hausa), “Help from Above” (English, “Stolen” (English), “The Bishop’s Court” (English), “Village poison” (English), “Wild fire” (English), “Morayo” (Yoruba),

Int’l Islamic Varsity honours Senator Wamakko for service to humanity

By Ese Awhotu

T

he International Islamic University, Mbali, Uganda, has honoured Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, for his meritorious service to humanity, especially his penchant for the education of the youths.

This is contained in a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Bashir Rabe Mani and issued to newsmen in Sokoto on Sunday.

The statement said that, Senator Wamakko who is also the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education, was bestowed with the honour at the University’s 30th Anniversary and Convocation, held at Mbali city, 220 kilometers away from the Ugandan Capital, Kampala.

The statement quoted the Vice Chancellor of the Institution, Dr Ahmad Kawesa Ssengendo as appreciating the sustained support of Senator Wamakko to it, along side other notable individuals and some countries , globally.

Dr Ssengendo attributed the myriad of tangible achievements recorded by the University to such invaluable steady support and cooperation.

The Vice Chancellor averred that, the Institution had graduated no fewer than 25,000 students in the last thirty years.

Responding, Senator Wamakko commended the gesture of the University and pledged to do more to ensure that youths, women and other vulnerable groups continue to acquire education, at all levels.

The Marafan Hausa further described education as the only panacea to the majority of the problems plaguing societies, across the world.

Senator Wamakko further reiterated the commitment of the National Assembly, to ensure the adequate funding of education, at all levels.

“A minute Decision” (English), “Captains of the Night” (English), “Hear my cry” (English), “Ile Iku” (Yoruba), “Ruthless Desire” (English), “The Interview” (English), “Esohe” (Bini), “Oro mi” (Yoruba) and “Sunday Igboho” (Yoruba).

For the 44 verified and approved films, the consumer advice comprises of imitable Technique, Ritual, Violence, Fetish, Strong language, and use of Drug.

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, february 13, 2018

APC chieftain in Adamawa commends Buhari, cautions over cabals From Umar Dankano, Yola

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Yola based human right activist and chieftain of All progressives Congress, APC, Alhaji Suleiman Baba Jada has appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to be wary of some mischief makers working assiduously to bring his administration down by all means.

Baba Jada made his observation in an interview with journalists in Yola on Monday, stressing that president Buhari needs to be more firm and aggressive, especially in handling national issues, noting that the existence of pretenders and fifth columnists is contributing heavily in creation confusion and division in the country.

Jada commended Buhari administration for the ongoing road network projects and for removing the country out of economic recession; saying, the administration meant well for Nigerians.

He described the purported letters written by former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida as a calculated attempt to bring the government down.

He opined that the two former leaders (IBB and Obansanjo) were the causative agents of the present predicament be-devilling us as a country, accusing them of institutionalizing corruption and nepotism in governance for their selfish

reasons.

“President Buhari should not be discouraged with the blackmail of those two leaders (IBB and Obansanjo) which they exhibited in their separate letters to him because they were the ones who introduced and institutionalized corruption and nepotism in our governments.

“To me, these letters are purposely for their selfish interests, which all

meaning Nigerians must reject in the best interest of our country; while Buhari should focus on providing dividends of democracy to us.” Jada advised.

Commenting on the alleged cabal surrounding and frustrating President Buhari, Jada insisted that the president have to look inwards with a view to sending them packing from the presidency, so that their clandestine

activities can be addressed squarely.

“Buhari must dislodge this socalled cabal surrounding him in that presidency, because they are a serious damage to the administration which many Nigerians struggle to form, out of love and trust to him,” Jada decried.

Baba, who doubles as Uban Doma Jada, said even the appointment of Boss Mustapha as a replacement of Babachir David Lawan, as SGF, was

a mistake in its nature, explaining that there are many good hands from different tribes who should have been better.

“For fairness and justice, the appointment of Boss Mustapha, as SGF and replacement of Babachir, needs to be revisited because they are from the same tribe, while there are better and good Christians from different tribes in Adamawa,” Jada highlighted.

Team leader, Doctors on the Move Africa, Dr Joseph Kigbu, addressing newsmen during a free medical outreach provided by the Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara to patients at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, yesterday in Bauchi. Photo: NAN

Mass exodus of PDP chieftains to APC inevitable, says Senator Arise

F

ormer member of the National Assembly, Senator Ayo Arise, yesterday said the mass exodus of stalwarts from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State will happen after the governorship primary of the ruling party in the state.

Arise, who represented Ekiti North Senatorial District between 2007-2011 at the upper chamber of the National Assembly, spoke in Oye Ekiti, headquarters of Oye Local government on Sunday after

a thanksgiving service held in his honour at SS, Peter and Paul’s Catholic Pro- Cathedral Church to celebrate his release from kidnappers’ den.

The former federal lawmaker, however, said he would not meddle in the crisis rocking the state chapter of PDP occasioned by the adoption of the state deputy governor, Prof. kolapo Olusola despite the fact that his bosom friend and former Minister of Works, Prince Adedayo Adeyeye was directly involved.

Adeyeye, a governorship aspirant

has been having a running battle with Governor Ayodele Fayose for adopting his deputy as the party’s sole candidate.

“Adeyeye is my friend but I can’t dictate to him to return to APC. I am not in position to dictate to him that will have to be his decision.

“But after the PDP primary, if the party fails to do the right thing, then we can decide to talk to our friends in PDP to join us in APC. “I am certain quite a number of PDP chieftains will also join the APC before July 14 governorship election.”

Insisting that there was no zoning plan in APC ahead of the governorship election, the governorship aspirant said he stands a better chance to win the 2018 governorship poll for the party than former Governors Segun Oni and Kayode Fayemi.

Arise said the two former governors have contributed to the development of the state and that time has come for a fresh blood to be allowed to rule the state, saying “going by the mood in town, the people prefer a new person than those they have seen in the past”.

The trio off Oni, Fayemi and Arise were eyeing the state governorship seat on the platform of the APC. On the rising kidnapping and killings being allegedly perpetrated by herdsmen in the country, Arise said he agreed with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on the establishment of state police.

Arise was kidnapped last year along Lokoja –Abuja road while returning to the Federal Capital Territory after visiting Ekiti State and was held by his captors for six days.

(DAILY POST)

Kano: Replicate our programs in your areas, Ganduje tells new LG chairmen From Mustapha Adamu, Kano, with Agency report

K

ano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, Sunday night, swore in the 44 newly elected local government Chairmen newly elected in the state.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), had swept all the 44 chairmanship and 484 councillorship seats in the election, conducted on Saturday, February 10.

Speaking shortly after the swearing-in ceremony which was held at the Indoor Hall of the Sani Abacha stadium, Ganduje also called on the council chairmen to “fast track development at the

grassroots.”

He said the victory at the election was proof that the people of the state were solidly behind him and his party. He tasked the chairmen, “to replicate the programmes of the state government in your respective areas.”

The governor assured that the new council chairmen would be assisted by the state government to develop their councils and demanded prudent management of resources.

Ganduje further advised them to cooperate with judiciary, security, civil service and traditional rulers to transform their respective areas.

Attorney General of the state

and commissioner of Justice, Mr Ibrahim Muktar, administered the oath of office to the new chairmen.

A coalition of Civil Society Organisations, under the aegis of Domestic Election Observers Organisation, has described the just concluded Local Government election in Kano State as “internationally standard”.

Addressing journalists at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), secretariat in Kano, yesterday, the coordinator of the organization, Muhammad AlJamil Hashidu, said CSOs were satisfied with the conduct of the election.

According to him, the polls were free, fair and peaceful,

adding that all the voting materials were dispatched across all the 44 Local Government areas in the state.

He added that, the assessment of the observers saw at the respective polling stations, revealed that the exercise was conducted peacefully.

Hashidu further said that the election was greeted by large turnout of voters who reported to the polling stations for accreditation, since 8:00 am.

“Although, there was a late in the arrival of the sensitive materials, which was caused by the delay in the arrival of the cargo, the KANSIEC officials promptly dispatched the materials to every polling station

in the state.

“To the best of our observations, the election was free, fair, credible and violentfree.

“The security operatives helped a lot in making the election hitch-free. In everywhere our members were deployed, we witnessed the security operatives in patrol. This is very impressive and commendable.

“Also, we have to commend the chairman of KANSIEC, Prof.

Garba Ibrahim Sheka for his good performance.

“We also commend the Kano State governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, for his support towards the success of this election, “he said.

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, february 13, 2018

POLITICS PDP commiserates with Buhari over loss of relatives

R-L: Gov Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State congratulating the New President of Oyo State Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Solomon Akinteye during the inauguration, yesterday in Ibadan.

Photo: NAN

By Lateef Ibrahim

T

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has commiserated with President Muhammadu Buhari and his family on the loss of two close relatives, Hajiya Halima Dauda and Hajiya Aisha Alhaji Mamman, which occurred in quick succession.

The PDP, according to a statement yesterday, by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, said it has indeed been saddened by “this very sad loss for which our prayers and thoughts have since been with the first family”.

The party noted that the loss of a loved one at any point is always a painful experience and “the PDP shares in this pain”.

The party said it joins millions of other Nigerians in lifting President Buhari and his family in supplications, fervently praying the Almighty God in His mercies console them and give them the fortitude to bear the loss.

In the same vein the PDP prays to God to grant eternal repose to the souls of the faithful departed.

The full statement reads, “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) commiserates with President Muhammadu Buhari and his family on the loss of two close relatives, Hajiya Halima Dauda and Hajiya Aisha Alhaji Mamman, which occurred in quick succession.

“The PDP family has indeed been saddened by this very sad loss for which our prayers and thoughts have since been with the first family.

The loss of a loved one at any point is always a painful experience and the PDP shares in this pain.

“We join millions of other Nigerians in lifting President Buhari and his family in supplications, fervently praying the Almighty God in His mercies console them and give them the fortitude to bear the loss.

“In the same vein the PDP prays to God to grant eternal repose to the souls of the faithful departed,” it said.

Kogi: Green Party vows to dislodge Gov Bello From Ahmad Ibrahim, Lokoja

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leader of the Green Party of Nigeria in Kogi State, Citizen Goodman Umar Akwu has declared that the days of the present administration in the state are numbered, boasting that governor Yahaya Bello would be sent packing after the forthcoming gubernatorial election.

Speaking at the stakeholders’ meeting of the party in Lokoja, Akwu insisted that the fortunes of the state has nosedived under the current administration in the state, alleging that workers

are dying in droves due to nonpayment of salaries.

He noted that the leadership of the All Progressives Congress was not fair to the people of the state by imposing governor Bello on them after the death of late Prince Abubakar Audu, the candidate of the party in the last governorship poll, describing the action as wicked and most unfortunate.

Akwu, who was the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance in the 2015 election, further posited that the judiciary, rather than doing the needful, dashed the

hope of the people by endorsing the injustice done to them, declaring the emergence of the governor as legal.

He stressed that aside nonpayment of salaries, Governor Bello was busy chasing shadows rather than settling down to confront the challenges of governance, saying after two years in office, no meaningful development has taken place under the present administration.

The chieftain of GPN, therefore, expressed confidence in the ability of the electorates to put an end to the anti people government of Alhaji Yahaya

Bello which he alleged, has brought hunger, poverty and deaths to the people.

He emphasized the need for the people of the state to work together, irrespective of party leanings, so as to realize the Kogi of our dream, rather than pursuing selfish interests, noting that the ugly trend can still be turned around.

According to him, it is only when the state is delivered from the present set of leaders that things can change for the better, even as he advised those yet to collect their voter’s cards to do so in view of the challenges ahead.

Former governors’ pension packages outrageous, condemnable – Ogun ex-gov

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former governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba, says he has never benefited from the outrageous pension packages for former governors and their deputies across states in Nigeria.

Mr. Osoba, who is also a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), also disclosed that the only amount he receives monthly from the government of Ogun State since he left office in 2003 is N676, 000.

Speaking to journalists at his residence in Ikoyi, Lagos, at the weekend, Mr. Osoba said his monthly package is consistent with the provisions of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

During the administration of former governor Gbenga Daniel, Mr. Osoba disclosed that the state government did not pay his entitlement until some highly placed traditional rulers and other prominent people in the state intervened.

He said the N676, 000 pension does not even cover the cost of fuelling his car in a month.

“The tax that I pay to Ogun State yearly is in millions when you look at the balance sheet. I am putting more into the coffer of Ogun State than what I am taking from the state,” he said.

“I will only speak for myself. I cannot comment on others unless I have facts and figures indicating

what they are collecting with what they are collecting in their various appointive or elective offices now. If I am holding any appointive office, I will rather collect all my entitlements because the N676, 000 I am collecting from Ogun State cannot sustain me.”

Mr. Osoba argued that the RMAFC made provisions for changing cars of former governors and their deputies every three years.

“If the issue of car is covered under the law, it is their right and entitlement. Let us be honest with ourselves, in the 1999 Constitution, former presidents and governors are not by law allowed to hold any office with any multinational company or conglomerates.”

The former governor, therefore, noted that he was not against the regular change of vehicles for ex-governors, because, former governors are endangered because they must have stepped on a lot of toes with the decisions they took while in office.

Mr. Osoba, however, condemned ostentatious lifestyles of former governors and deputies, saying the government can change a car as recommended by the RMAFC, but not a fleet of cars.

He said, “That is too much (fleet of cars).

Changing a car once in a while is not too much, though I have never benefited from this provision.”

He explained that the only time the Ogun State government changed his car was when he turned 70 almost nine years ago, noting that the state government has not given him the privilege in the last 15 years.

He said, “I do not mind because the way any governor lays his bed today is the way he will sleep on it tomorrow. If they leave office and ask for what they do not give to me, I will raise the alarm and fault them.

“Like my medical treatment. I know how much I have spent, but nobody asked me. A lot of prominent Nigerians have asked me to demand it.

But I refused to make such demand. I do not want anything scandalous.

“For example, I had major health challenges last year, which led to my travelling to the United Kingdom for medical treatment. Between May and December, I was in and out of different hospitals.

“But I am happy that I had successful surgeries.

I do not use recommended glasses anymore, which has been part of me for over 70 years. I paid £20,000 deposit in one of the hospitals and by January 1 this year, I paid the £10,000 balance for the treatment.

“The total cost of my treatment was nearly £100,000, but I refused to put the burden on the neck of Ogun State. As a former governor my

health is part of their problem and if I die today, the state will bury me.

“But I just did not bother myself. Since the state government did not ask me about the medical procedure, when they knew what I went through, I did not bother them with the details. What I cannot afford in my private life I would not go for it in any public office I find myself.”

The issue of outrageous pension packages has been a source of outrage for many Nigerians, as Houses of Assembly across the nation often enact different pension laws, which award outrageous life pensions for the ex-governors in their states.

In July 2017, the Lagos State House of Assembly said it would amend the law awarding outrageous pension packages to its former governors.

Mudasiru Obasa, speaker of the House said, “The intendment of this bill is to save taxpayers money while addressing the cost implication of some parts of the law.

In many states, the law allows former governors and deputies to have a house each in Lagos and Abuja, with several vehicles each.

Lagos assembly said with the amendment, both governor and the deputy will be limited to a house in Lagos where they served as well as have three and two vehicles respectively. (PREMIUM TIMES)

PAGE 17

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, february 13, 2018

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi and Christiana Ekpa

F

ollowing the security summit organized by the Senate where there was an overwhelming call for creation of State Police as a measure to address the frequent clashes between farmers and herdsmen, the red chamber will commence legislation to move police from exclusive list to concurrent list.

Recall that before now, police had been placed on exclusive list by the Constitution, which makes it difficult to states who have the wherewithal to establish their own state police structure, in addition to the federal police.

Atiku mourns John Shagaya

POLITICS

Herdsmen crisis: Senate to move police to concurrent list However, with the riding cases of insecurity across the country, in which many lives were lost, the senate was at a security summit it held in Abuja, inundated with every required reasons and encouragement to amend the Act establishing the Nigeria Police Force, to enable states partake in ownership of state police.

According to the Chairman the Nigeria Governors Forum, Abubakar Yari, who briefed journalists after the summit, the issue of state police was agreed on by the governors during the constitutional amendment.

He said at a later time when the Forum divided into two, some governors played to the gallery, adding “Today, we have reiterated the position of the Vice President on the security summit we held in August that there is a need for state police.

“And we can say it is only the answer. The police of today are inadequate so if we look at the ratio, it is far below international standard. Therefore, we in the Forum agreed that we can find a way that we can fine-tune the issue of State police”, he said.

He said that the state police will not be compulsory but

optional for those states who can afford the cost, adding that those who cannot afford it will continue to rely on federal police, thereby freeing more personnel for the states that cannot afford the state police.

Meanwhile, in a communique issued at the end of the summit, the senate said Nigerians should expect more tighter security for their lives and property after the summit.

The communique signed by the Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan, said the senate looked to use the data and information from proceedings to improve the

security sector through legislative intervention and advocacy.

He also promised that Nigerians should expect positive collaboration of this kind between the executive and the legislature, even as he commended those who made contributions to the summit.

He said the essence of the summit was to assure Nigerians that all the arms of government are committed to addressing insecurity and working collaboratively to find lasting and immediate solution to the security threats in the country.

By Umar Muhammad Puma

F

ormer Vice President and Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has expressed sadness and disbelief at the death of Senator John Shagaya in a ghastly motor accident at the weekend.

In a statement released by his Media Office in Abuja, the former Vice President described the late military officer as one of the remarkable and distinguished Nigerians of his generation adding that he would be sorely missed.

Describing the late Shagaya as a wise and adaptable personality, Atiku Abubakar recalled the ease with which the late John Shagaya transformed from a military officer to a civilian and a democrat winning the confidence of his people to become an elected Senator.

He said Shagaya was a gentle and peaceful man stressing that his invaluable counsel would have been very useful at this time of crisis in many parts of the country.

Stating that the former Army general and Senator would be sorely missed by the entire country and specifically the people of Langtang and Plateau State, the former vice president called on the family to courageously accept the reality of his death.

Members of All Progressives Congress protesting against the imposition of candidates in the forthcoming Oyo State Local Government Area Election at the Party›s Secretariat, yesterday in Oke Ado, Ibadan. Photo: NAN

You won’t be Minister without Abe – Saraki taunts Amaechi

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resident of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki has called on leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Rivers state to respect Senator Magnus Abe. Senator Abe is in a running battle with the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi over the gubernatorial candidate ticket for the 2019 election in Rivers state.

Senator Abe’s ambition has strained the relationship between

leaders of the APC in the state who are now sharply divided.

Meanwhile, during a Thanksgiving reception organized

by Senator Abe, the Senate President said Amaechi would not have become a Minister without Abe’s influence.

Saraki who described Abe as a humble lawmaker said the Nigerian Senate is solidly behind the Rivers politician.

The Senate President also condemned the rally organized by

the Minister, saying it is uncalled for.

DAILY POST reports the Senate President saying, “Senator Magnus Abe is a humble man and he exhibits that in his way of life. He is a loyal party man and I can tell you he played a huge role in the formation of the APC. I say this because we were in the 7th Senate together when the merger process started.

“If you look around you will see Senators from all the 6 geo-Political zones of this country and as the

President of the Nigerian Senate I can tell you that this is the first time this is happening.

“Magnus Abe played a huge role during the selection of Ministers.

You will not be in the Federal Cabinet without Abe. I know what he did.

“To now hear that another rally is holding somewhere else is not good at all. What is bad is. I thank God the Chairman of Party (Chief Davies Ibyiamu Ikanya) is here. You have a lot of work to do.”

Plateau LG polls: Private coy not contracted to rig election - Group From Ado Abubakar Musa, Jos

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he Tudun-Wada Youth Leaders Forum has refuted the news making round that a construction company known as Jolex Construction Company was contracted to rig the recent postponement local government elections in the state claimed by

Plateau Youths Progressive for Transparency.

The group which made this known in a press statement signed by its Chairman and Secretary Nansak J-morries and Emmanuel S. Alim, yesterday in Jos also disputed a claim by PPYT that Jolex company had been paid 68% of the Tudun-Wada road contract,

adding that only 20% of the money was given to Jolex and even with that 20%, work had reached appreciable level.

The statement further read: “It is not true that Jolex had not incorporated the youth of the area.

Categorically, the company has employed 30-person across the community of Tudun-Wada area.

“It is unfortunate that the group claimed that Lalong has N600 million for compensation to houses affected, but our findings showed us that no kobo was made in that regard even though government is making effort to pay the compensation,” it added.

The group further debunked the allegation that governor

Lalong had never visited the site, saying the governor had with his entourage visited the site on two different occasions including the state ministry of Works and Housing.

It however called the state government to disregard the release by PPYT and continue with the good work it6 has started.

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, february 13, 2018

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1.30 1.30 10 1.30 1.30 ABBEYBDS 0.00 0.40 0.39 0 0.40 0.40 ABCTRANS 0.01 11.40 11.95 0 11.55 12.00 ACCESS -0.40 0.44 0.44 0 0.44 0.44 AFRINSURE 0.00 4.70 4.80 0 4.70 4.80 AFRIPRUD -0.10 0.57 0.57 0 0.57 0.57 AGLEVENT 0.00 0.67 0.70 0 0.67 0.70 AIICO -0.03 4.90 4.90 38 4.90 4.90 AIRSERVICE 0.00 9.00 9.00 0 9.00 9.00 BERGER 0.00 68.70 65.45 0 68.70 68.70 BETAGLAS 3.25 4.58 4.58 0 4.58 4.58 BOCGAS 0.00 14.80 14.80 0 14.80 14.80 CADBURY 0.00 38.85 38.85 0 38.85 38.85 CAP 0.00 3.15 3.15 10 3.15 3.15 CAPHOTEL 0.00 3.00 3.00 0 3.00 3.00 CAVERTON 0.00 18.15 18.15 0 18.15 18.15 CCNN 0.00 3.00 3.00 0 3.00 3.00 CHAMPION 0.00 1.90 1.90 0 1.90 1.90 CILEASING 0.00 39.30 39.30 0 39.30 39.30 CONOIL 0.00 1.62 1.62 0 1.62 1.62 CONTINSURE 0.00 0.46 0.46 10 0.46 0.46 COURTVILLE 0.00 4.00 4.00 0 4.00 4.17 CUSTODIAN 0.00 0.50 0.50 0 0.50 0.50 DAARCOMM 0.00 258.00 266.70 0 272.00 272.00 DANGCEM 5.30 15.55 15.95 0 15.85 15.95 DANGFLOUR -0.10 20.70 21.75 0 20.70 21.10 DANGSUGAR -1.05 2.82 2.96 0 2.82 2.86 DIAMONDBNK -0.14 0.44 0.46 0 0.44 0.44 EQUITYASUR -0.02 5.42 5.70 0 5.42 5.42 ETERNA -0.28 19.55 19.65 0 19.65 19.65 ETI 0.00 11.40 12.00 0 11.40 11.90 FBNH -0.60 2.71 2.85 0 2.71 2.79 FCMB -0.14 100.00 90.00 100 100.00 100.00 FGS201910 10.00 100.00 100.00 14 100.00 100.00 FGS202011 0.00 100.00 60.00 216 100.00 100.00 FGS202015 40.00 3.10 3.26 0 3.10 3.26 FIDELITYBK -0.16 4.70 4.70 0 4.70 4.70 FIDSON 0.00 0.46 0.46 0 0.46 0.46 FIRSTALUM 0.00 31.00 32.60 0 31.50 33.00 FLOURMILL -1.10 48.20 48.20 0 48.20 48.20 FO 0.00 21.20 20.20 0 21.20 21.20 GLAXOSMITH 1.00 6.35 6.35 600 6.35 6.35 GSPECPLC 0.00 45.60 48.00 0 45.60 48.00 GUARANTY -2.40 110.00 110.00 0 110.00 110.00 GUINNESS 0.00 0.33 0.34 0 0.33 0.34 HMARKINS -0.01 2.84 2.95 0 2.84 2.95 HONYFLOUR -0.11 59.05 61.95 0 60.00 63.00 INTBREW -1.95 1.00 1.05 0 1.09 1.10 JAIZBANK 0.04 0.40 0.42 0 0.40 0.40 JAPAULOIL -0.02 27.30 27.30 0 27.30 27.30 JBERGER 0.00 0.50 0.50 0 0.50 0.50 JOHNHOLT 0.00 0.34 0.35 0 0.35 0.36 LASACO 0.00 1.05 1.05 0 1.05 1.05 LEARNAFRCA 0.00 0.85 0.85 0 0.88 0.88 LINKASSURE 0.03 1.00 1.05 0 1.00 1.00 LIVESTOCK -0.05

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Stock Close Gain FGS202015 100.00 40.00 FGS201910 100.00 10.00 BETAGLAS 68.70 3.25 GLAXOSMITH 21.20 1.00 UNITYBNK 1.92 0.09

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

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2.57 2.57 0 2.57 2.57 MANSARD 0.00 0 2.71 2.85 0 2.71 2.72 MAYBAKER -0.14 0 0.48 0.48 0 0.48 0.48 MBENEFIT 0.00 0 1.20 1.20 0 1.20 1.20 MCNICHOLS 0.00 0 2.17 2.17 0 2.17 2.17 MEDVIEWAIR 0.00 0 199.50 199.50 0 199.50 199.50 MOBIL 0.00 0 0.53 0.53 420 0.53 0.53 MORISON 0.00 0 27.00 27.00 0 27.00 27.00 MRS 0.00 0 0.38 0.40 0 0.38 0.38 MULTIVERSE -0.02 0 3.71 3.88 0 3.71 3.71 NAHCO -0.17 0 21.00 21.00 0 21.00 21.00 NASCON 0.00 0 133.00 140.00 0 133.00 135.00 NB -7.00 0 0.90 0.90 500 0.90 0.90 NEIMETH 0.00 0 1.89 1.89 0 1.89 1.89 NEM 0.00 0 552.20 552.20 5 552.20 552.20 NESF 0.00 0 1,360.00 1,360.00 0 1,360.00 1,360.00 NESTLE 0.00 0 5.70 5.70 0 5.70 5.70 NNFM 0.00 0 1.95 1.95 0 1.95 1.95 NPFMCRFBK 0.00 0 5.99 5.99 0 5.99 5.99 OANDO 0.00 0 72.50 72.50 0 72.50 72.50 OKOMUOIL 0.00 0 70.00 70.00 0 70.00 70.00 PRESCO 0.00 0 0.56 0.58 0 0.56 0.56 PRESTIGE -0.02 0 24.00 24.80 0 25.40 25.40 PZ 0.60 0 5.80 6.00 0 5.80 5.80 REDSTAREX -0.20 0 0.50 0.50 0 0.50 0.50 REGALINS 0.00 0 0.40 0.40 0 0.40 0.40 ROYALEX 0.00 0 685.00 685.00 0 685.00 685.00 SEPLAT 0.00 0 1.07 1.12 0 1.07 1.16 SKYEBANK -0.05 0 100.00 100.00 190 100.00 100.00 SKYESHELT 0.00 0 0.48 0.48 10 0.48 0.48 SOVRENINS 0.00 0 0.50 0.50 10 0.50 0.50 STACO 0.00 0 45.10 46.00 0 45.45 45.45 STANBIC -0.55 0 2.25 2.36 0 2.25 2.37 STERLNBANK -0.11 0 230.00 230.00 0 230.00 230.00 TOTAL 0.00 0 2.04 2.14 0 2.04 2.14 TRANSCORP -0.10 0 0.92 0.92 0 0.92 0.92 TRIPPLEG 0.00 0 16.75 17.55 0 17.45 17.45 UACN -0.10 0 2.99 2.95 0 3.00 3.00 UAC-PROP 0.05 0 11.80 12.40 0 11.80 12.00 UBA -0.60 0 8.00 8.25 0 8.00 8.05 UBN -0.25 0 4.25 4.30 0 4.25 4.27 UCAP -0.05 0 49.00 49.45 0 49.00 49.00 UNILEVER -0.45 0 1.74 1.83 0 1.92 1.92 UNITYBNK 0.09 0 2.14 2.25 0 2.14 2.20 UPL -0.11 0 5.51 5.70 296 5.51 5.68 VETBANK -0.19 0 9.82 9.93 10 9.82 9.82 VETGOODS -0.11 0 19.55 20.41 250 19.55 20.43 VETGRIF30 -0.86 0 22.93 23.39 10 22.93 22.93 VETINDETF -0.46 0 3.11 3.27 0 3.19 3.19 VITAFOAM -0.08 0 50.00 52.00 0 50.00 52.00 WAPCO -2.00 0 0.61 0.64 0 0.61 0.67 WAPIC -0.03 0 1.29 1.35 0 1.32 1.41 WEMABANK -0.03 0 29.40 30.90 0 29.40 30.00 ZENITHBANK -1.50 0 Copyright © 2018 NgTradeOnline

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Stock Close Loss FBNH 11.40 -0.60 GUARANTY 45.60 -2.40 MULTIVERSE 0.38 -0.02 NB 133.00 -7.00 ETERNA 5.42 -0.28

Page 19

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, february 13, 2018

Adeosun addresses UN on Tax, Revenue Leakages Thursday

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, has been invited by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to speak at the Platform for Collaboration on Tax Conference on Thursday, February 15, at the United Nations in New York.

The Platform for Collaboration on Tax (PCT) Conference, which will hold between February 14 and 16, 2018, is a collaborative initiative of the United Nations, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group.

The Director of Centre for Tax Policy and Administration, OECD, Pascal Saint-Amans, who signed the invitation letter, said the Minister would also be in a panel to discuss “Revenue Leakages: Illicit Financial Flows”.

Saint-Amans, who noted that tackling illicit financial flows was a priority for most

countries, said the panelists would address the impact of the Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs), particularly those caused by tax evasion and corruption on sustainable development.

He said, “The Panel of discussants will discuss measures, both at the national and international level, which may help to reduce IIFs and identify opportunities to increase cooperation among range of actors tackling IFFs. “The measures should also cover policies and actions that may address the underlying behaviours that give raise to IFFs, as well as the challenges limiting progress and taking

into consideration fragile settings.

“We would therefore be honoured to have your presence on our programme, given the strong support Nigeria has shown for international cooperation on tax.”

Meanwhile, the Minister of Finance will have a private meeting with the Head of OECD Global Forum on Exchange of Information, Ms. Monica Bhatia, on the sideline of the Platform for Collaboration on Tax Conference.

The Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Finance, Oluyinka Akintunde in a statement said

the meeting will focus on Nigeria’s efforts for developing international networks and collaboration with other countries to secure tax payer information.

The inaugural PCT Conference, which has as theme “Taxation and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”, will focus on the opportunities and challenges for taxation and its role in supporting the SDGs. It covers practical aspects of tax policy and administration, as well as encourages an open change of experience and views on how to ensure taxation policy and practices can improve SDG outcomes.

Fuel Queues: petrol station Manager arrested for products diversion

By Etuka Sunday

A

petrol station manager has been arrested by the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for diverting 26,000 litres of petrol from New Nyanya to another location in Akwanga, Nasarawa State.

According to an official of the NSCDC, Yusuf O. Ayinde, a Chief Superintendent of the Corps, the manager with Lamido Petroleum, New Nyanya, Nasarawa State, Mr. Kasim Lamido, took delivery of 40,000 litres of petrol meant for his station but discharged only 13, 3000 litres, from one out of the three compartments in the truck and diverted the remaining 26,000litres to a station in Akwanga where it would be sold at a higher price.

NNPC spokesman, Ndu Ughamadu in a statement said, the suspect would be charged to court by the Civil Defence Corps after ongoing investigation.

The latest arrest validates NNPC’s position that the activities of a potent petroleum products smuggling and diversion syndicate contributed immensely to the shortage being experienced in some cities and which posed a challenge to the efforts by the Corporation to sanitize the fuel supply and distribution chain across the country.

The corporation urged motorists not to engage in panic buying as it was working in collaboration with major stakeholders to eliminate the distribution hiccups that have led to the emergence of fuel queues in some parts of the country.

Motorists are advised to report any marketer selling above N145 per litre of petrol or hoarding products to the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) which is statutorily empowered to deal with such issues.

Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu (r) addressing a News Conference on the Executive Order on policy guidelines, planning and execution of projects, programmes and contracts with science, engineering and technology components, recently in Abuja. With him is the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Amina Shamaki.

FG commissions 100MVA transformer at Abuja substation ...increases capacity from 120MVA to 220MVA

By Musa Adamu

F

ederal government yesterday in Katampe substation in Abuja commissioned a 1×100MVA capacity transformer, thereby increasing the capacity of the substation from 120MVA to 220MVA. A similar transformer was installed at Apo substation.

The transformer which is one of the two installed in Abuja, is a part of the Nigerian Electricity and Gas Improvement Project (NEGIC).

According to the Managing Director, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Usman Muhammed, the Katampe 330/132/33kv substation was commissioned in 2003 with initial installed capacity of 2×60MVA level but that in 2004, it was upgraded with 2×150MVA at 330kv level.

He said the commissioned transformer would enable the TCN to wheel more bulk electricity to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

He said: “With this development TCN has satisfied the redundancy requirement in line with N-1 reliability criterion at both Katampe and Apo substations.

“Much similar to the cases of Apo, Keffi,

Suleja and several other substations upgrades across the country, this is one of the NEGIP financed by the World Bank.”

Speaking at the commissioning of the project, minister of power, works and housing, Babatunde Fashola, represented by the minister of state II in the ministry, Suleiman Hassan Zarma, said with the commissioning of the two 100MVA, 132/33kV transformers Gwarinpa, Life Camp, Jabi, Kado, Wuye, Maitama, Mpape, Katempe 1 and II, Jahi, Mabushi Garki, Gudu, Guzape, Asokoro, Apo Resettlement, Wumba, Apo Mechanic Village and part of Lugbe and Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport all located within the FCT Abuja would experience remarkable improvement in power supply.

He said with this development, TCN had not only established adequate transformer capacity to serve these parts of Abuja but had also provided the necessary redundancy in line with the requirements of N-1 reliability criterion at both Katampe and Apo substations.

He said: “The installation of the two 100MVA, each at Apo and Katampe will also increase the total wheeling capacity of TCN, which was last simulated in the December 2017 to slightly above 7,000MW.”

He said the installation of the two 100MVA, each at Apo and Katampe would also increase the total wheeling capacity of TCN, which was last simulated in the December 2017 to slightly above 7,000MW. He disclosed that TCN had also advertised for upgrading the capacity of Central Area 132/33kV Substation, saying thw project was part of the Nigerian Electricity Transmission Project (NETAP) financed by the World Bank as a successor to NEGIP. “TCN is also implementing the Abuja Transmission Scheme (ATS) financed by Agence Francaise De Development (AFD).

The procurement process for the projects under the scheme has reached an advanced stage.

“Five new Substations and a the third 330kV transmission line into Abuja in addition to Shiroro-Abuja and AjaokutaAbuja 330kV transmission line will be constructed as part of ATS. Two of the new Stations 330/132/33kV Substations under ATS will be sited at the West Main (Lugbe) and New Apo, while the three new 132/33kV substations will be sited at Lokogoma, Kuje and Gwarinpa. They are expected to cater for the transmission needs of Abuja in a long while.”

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, february 13, 2018

Page 20

B u s i n e s s

Dangote lauds NBA on IDPs’ Legal Rights and Protection

By Etuka Sunday

P

resident, Dangote Foundation, Aliko Dangote, has lauded initiative of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), to train Lawyers to improve legal rights and protection of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs in North-east, Nigeria The 4-Day training workshop, in conjunction with a Bar organisation dedicated to International Human Rightsthe Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales (BHRC), commenced on 12, February, at the International Training Institute, Maitama, FCT, Abuja.

Dangote said the training will increase capacity of lawyers to promote the rule of

law in the country.

He said the foundation was partnering NBA in this effort to share its own values and objectives on humanitarian service in line with its Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives in improving the welfare of not only IDPs, but the generality of Nigerians, and the African continent.

The foundation had doled out billions of Naira to the displaced persons aside donations of foods, relief materials, provision of clothings, primary health centres, immunisations and their resettlement.

The role played by Dangote foundation in assisting IDPs had attracted tremendous global attention and partnership drive for

Kaduna Electric boosts power supply in cement coy with transformer

Director of Agricultural Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Obinna Opara (l), presenting to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh (r) the Inter-Ministerial Technical Committee report on Agro-Integrated Export Control Plan, recently in Abuja.

With them are Head of Trade and Economics/EU Delegation to Nigeria, Mr Filippo Amato (2nd, r) and Chief Technical Advisor, UNIDO, Dr Maulik Shaukat.

Photo: NAN

By Musa Adamu

K

aduna Electricity Distribution Company said it had dedicated a 30/40 MVA Power Transformer/ Feeder to Cement Company of Northern Nigeria (CCNN) in a bid to improve power supply.

The Distributions Engineer, Sokoto Area Office, Engr. Usman Abba, made this known in an interview in Sokoto.

He said though the transformer had been in existence, the Kaduna Electric only separated it from the township feeder to ensure constant power to the cement company.

He said: “I can confidently tell you that with the separation of the transformer from the township feeder, CCNN will now get constant power supply without any hitches.

“In fact, the feeder was energised yesterday and now is under observation and already picking load gradually.”

He said this was in addition to other facilities provided by the company which included Breaker, CTS, VTS, poles, among others to ensure separation of the transformer from the township feeder.

He noted that in the past, the Cement Company was facing power outage due to overload from the transformer.

Abba emphasised that with this gesture, there would be efficient supply of electricity to the cement company.

“CCNN is our major customer in Sokoto and our target is to ensure that our customers are satisfied through adequate provision of power supply.”

Mahmoud, SAN, who also signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the BHRC, represented by its Chairwoman, Kirsty Brimelow QC of the Doughty Street Chambers and Professor Muhammed Tabiu, SAN. A B. Mahmoud indicated that the legal rights and protection of IDPs is a call to duty for lawyers and urged participants to take advantage of the rare privilage.

The Foreword, of the training Manual, signed by Chairwoman of BHRC, Kirsty Brimelow said the BHRC’s core objective is to provide pro-bono legal support and remedies for judges, lawyers and human rights defenders as well as the vulnerable and disempowered members of the society.

the resusitation of the North-east region.

Dangote was represented by CEO Dangote foundation, Mrs. Zouera Youssoufou.

Dangote said NBA’s ‘Legal Rights and Protection’, strategy is certainly in the right direction and plight of the IDPs calls for critical strategies by the different sectors for their development.

Represented by Dangote Rep, Hashem Ahmed, Zouera said the training will enhance the Law profession and boost humanitarian responsibility of Nigerians. She called for critical strategies by the different sectors for development of the IDPs. The workshop was declared open by the NBA President, Abubakar Balarabe

Emir of Kano, Sanusi welcomes Air Peace flight into ancient city ...assures of support From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

T

he ancient city of Kano was agog yesterday with pomp and pageantry as the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammed Sanusi received Nigerian leading carrier Air Peace as the airline made it inaugural flight into the commercial nerve centre of Northern Nigeria.

The Emirate pledge it support to ensure the airline is a success story just as Air Peace said it is linking Kano with many parts of the country hitherto unexplored.

The former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), who was represented by Jakadan Hausa, Alhaji Ibrahim Sambo at a brief ceremony to mark the inaugural flight advised the airline not to delay its passengers but ensure it sustain it operation with good service at all times.

The paramount traditional ruler stated that there a very few airlines operating into Kano, adding that now that Air Peace is here , the people of Kano are very happy.

He said “All the necessary support will be given to Air Peace to succeed. When Air Peace came to express its interest to fly to Kano, we made it a matter of importance to give them accommodation. We hope you will have affordable fare and also sustain this route.

Also speaking, Chairman of Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema affirmed that the launch to Kano was a significant milestone in the Airline’s vision to unite Nigeria through air travel and lift the nation’s economy through trade facilitation and massive job creation.

Onyema said “Today’s historic event accords with our strategy to expand our operation in the North of Nigeria and connect other un-served or under-served cities of the nation. Kano has long been recognised as the economic capital of the Northern Nigeria. We are therefore hopeful that the extension of our flight services to the state will greatly and positively impact on the economy of the region.”

He disclosed that the Kano launch would be followed with the commencement of flight

operations to Yola in Adamawa State on February 15, and Freetown, Banjul and Dakar on February 19.

He added that last year, the airline hugely expanded its capacity to serve the flying public with the increase of its fleet to size of 24 airplanes.

The Air Peace Chairman also said that on January 31 and February 8 the airline took delivery of two of the six Embraer 145 aircraft it recently acquired to serve cities with air transport difficulties under its new subsidiary, Airy Peace Hoper.

The airline, he stated is more positioned to transform air travel experience in Nigeria, West Africa sub region and beyond.

In his words, “We are reputed for our time performance and uncompromising stand on matters of safety. We promise to leverage the experience of our skilled staff and excellent business model to end the era of endless delays on the Lagos–Kano-Lagos and Kano -AbujaKano routes.”

Forex Market gets $210m additional boost from CBN

By Etuka Sunday

T

he inter-bank Foreign Exchange Market has received the sum of $210million from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to meet customers’ requests in various segments of the market.

In its determination to meet the customers’ needs in the sundry segments of the market, the CBN offered $100million to authorized dealers in the wholesale

segment of the market, while the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) segment got the sum of $55 million, according to figures obtained from the Bank on Monday, February 12 2018.

The figures also indicated that customers needing foreign exchange for invisibles such as tuition fees, medical payments and Basic Travel Allowance (BTA), among others, were also allocated the sum of $55 million.

The Bank’s Acting Director, Corporate

Communications Department (CCD), Mr. Isaac Okorafor, assured Nigerians that the Bank will continue to intervene in the interbank foreign exchange market, in line with its pledge to sustain liquidity in the market and maintain stability.

According to Mr. Okorafor, the CBN will not renege on its promise to manage the forex with a view to reducing the country’s import bills and halting depletion of its foreign reserves.

It will be recalled that last Friday,

February 9, 2018, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had again intervened in the Retail Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS) to the tune of $325.64 million to cater for requests in the airlines, agricultural, petroleum products and raw materials and machinery sectors.

Meanwhile, the naira continued its stability in the FOREX market, exchanging at an average of N361/$1 in the BDC segment of the market on Monday, February 12, 2018.

Page 21

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, february 13, 2018

Bwari: Kogo community groans under armed banditry siege

By Stanley Onyekwere

A

pparently worried over the reoccurring and escalating insecurity, making life difficult for people in Kogo community, Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), prominent leaders there have cried out for swift intervention by relevant authorities, to prevent the settlement from becoming a ghost town.

Checks revealed that the security situation in Kogo community, under the Esu Bwari Chiefdom a monster that the inhabitants especially indigenousdigenous and non indigenousdigenous leaders have been battling with for many years.

It was gathered that despite the formation of a vigilante group to check the situation, yet everyday the people can no longer work and sleep with ease, as criminals have taken over the whole place, and they have been under siege of sort.

Narrating the nightmarish outlook of Kogo1,2 and 3, Chief of Kogo under Esu Bwari Chiefdom, Hon. Samuel F. Gimba, said criminals have been burgling their houses, cars, shops and depriving them of other things, thereby subjecting them to untold hardship.

According to the Monarch, most worrisome is the fact that cultism issue is now on the rise, daily unleashing terrible nightmares on the inhabitants, because those involved in the illicit act no longer allow people to sleep, due to the swelling nefarious activity in the area.

“In fact this insecurity issue has worsened, we are not sleeping with our both eyes closed; while one eye is closed, the other will remain open, because of the insecurity issue.

He said: “When I came to this seat since 2010, I called my people and told them that we can’t continue living like that.

“We held a meeting about the security matter, at end of which we agreed to form a vigilante group, and until today it is still functioning in the community. But still the bad ones are not allowing us to have rest. “ I can remember vividly that between

...We need functional police outpost-Monarch 2010, 2011 and 2012 as a councillor in the Bwari Legislative Council, we cried out to the government about what we are facing in the place, and authorities built a police Outpost in the community.

“And since then, we have been appealing to the government to put it into full use, but nothing has been done in this regard.

“I think the current Divisional Police Officer (DPO) is the third posted to area, and we have been complaining about the poor security situation.

“They should help us and open the place for full operations, because of what we are facing, but up to today is not being put into full use.

“The people in the community put their own effort to furnish the place, because it was only roofed and left like that.”

The Monarch continues: “ We need security personnel on a permanent basis in this security outpost, because there are facilities in the place for them to work with, and they are not being put into use.

“I particularly feels that having security personnel posted to work there on a permanent basis, I think work will be limited, and we will put heads together and move the community forward, in the aspect of security of lives and property here.

“We are therefore appealing to the government most especially the FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello to help us do something about the state of the Police Outpost.

“I’m also appealing to the FCT Commissioner of Police to help us reach the Inspector General of Police(IGP), so that they can do something swiftly for the community.

“And we feel if they can wipe away our tears, by giving us the Police personnel needed here, we will be happy.

“The community is ready to put its hands on the desk and work together with the authorities to secure the place.”

Engr. Fashina Rotimi, Chairman, Association of Non-indigenous tribes living in the community, narrating the ordeals of inhabitants of Kogo settlement.

On his part, Chairman, Kogo Community Elders Leader Association, Engr. Fashina Rotimi, recalled that sometimes around November and December 2010, the plight of the community came to limelight when armed bandits raided on several occasions, and it was published by this national daily.

He noted that with coming of the Police outpost in the area, criminal activities was reduced, but when there was no consistent action, everything went went back to worst.

He revealed that frequently, armed criminals entre our houses through windows at nights, and asked occupants not to make noise while carting all their valuables.

He added that criminals are engaged in raping women, snatching vehicles, smoking of Indian hemp cannabis, trafficking of illicit drugs and forcing young females and males to join cult groups.

According to him, “We were happy that we now have a police outpost in the community, which shows that the top police authorities are interested in saving lives and property here, but we have been expecting the personnel to start operating fully there.

“So, we want the Police authorities to urgently assign personnel especially intelligence officers to the security outpost, so that can work with community committee to expose hidden on wholesome activities in the community.”

“

The only Police Outpost operating skeletal services in the community.

I think the current Divisional Police Officer (DPO) is the third posted to area, and we have been complaining about the poor security situation.

“They should help us and open the place for full operations, because of what we are facing, but up to today is not being put into full use

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, february 13, 2018

Page 22

world news

international_peoplesdailyng@yahoo.com

Oxfam: Deputy resigns over sex claims, amid crisis talks

O

xfam’s deputy chief executive has resigned over the handling of a sex scandal involving aid workers.

The British charity is accused of concealing the findings of an inquiry into claims staff used prostitutes while delivering aid in Haiti in 2011.

Penny Lawrence said she was “ashamed” and takes full responsibility.

Oxfam - which denies a coverup - has met with the International Development Secretary in a bid to prevent its government funding from being cut.

Mark Goldring, chief executive of Oxfam GB, thanked Ms Lawrence for her service and said he “deeply respected” her decision to accept personal responsibility.

Ms Lawrence joined Oxfam GB in 2006 as international programmes director, leading teams across 60 countries, according to the charity’s website.

“Concerns were raised about the behaviour of staff in Chad as well as Haiti that we failed to adequately act upon,” she said in a statement.

“It is now clear that these allegations - involving the use of prostitutes and which related to behaviour of both the country director and members of his team in Chad - were raised before he moved to Haiti.”

Meanwhile the European Commission has said it expects full clarity and maximum transparency from Oxfam, adding that it is ready to “cease funding any partner not living up to high ethical standards”.

The charity’s programme in Haiti received €1.7m in EU funds in 2011.

The Innocent drinks company one of Oxfam’s corporate sponsors which donates around £100,000 per year- said it wants to see a clear plan “for how this could not ever happen again”.

Oxfam’s own investigation led to four people being sacked and

three others resigning, including the country director for Haiti.

International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt has said it must account for the way it handled the claims or it risks losing government funding, worth £32m in the last financial year.

Oxfam has since postponed a “Fashion Fighting Poverty” event, which had been due to take place as part of London Fashion Week on Thursday.

The charity told Radio 4’s World at One: “we don’t think it’s the right time for it at the moment”.

Michelle Russell, director of investigations at the Charity Commission - which will also be part of the talks - told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme officials had been “assured” Oxfam had investigated it “fully”.

However, she said the watchdog was not told the full story at the time of the investigation.

“Had the details of what has come out been told to us, we would have dealt with this very differently,” she added.

Oxfam said allegations that underage girls may have been involved were unproven.

Oxfam has faced growing criticism of the way it handled the allegations of misconduct by its staff in Haiti, where they were working in the aftermath of the huge earthquake that devastated the country in 2010.

Haiti’s ambassador in London Bocchit Edmond called the revelations “shocking”, “shameful”, and “unacceptable”.

On Sunday, Ms Mordaunt told the BBC’s Andrew Marr the charity did “absolutely the wrong thing” by not reporting details of the allegations.

She said no organisation could be a government partner if it did not “have the moral leadership to do the right thing”.

Ahead of the government meeting, Oxfam announced new measures for

the prevention and handling of sexual abuse cases.

Oxfam’s chairman of trustees, Caroline Thomson, said the charity’s board had appointed a consultant earlier this year to review its culture and working practices, which would now be extended.

The charity will also introduce tougher vetting of staff and mandatory safeguarding training for new recruits.

What happened when?

The allegations of misconduct by Oxfam staff in Haiti date from 2011 but came to light in a report in the Times on Friday.

It said the charity’s country director for Haiti, Roland van Hauwermeiren, was alleged to have used prostitutes at a villa rented for him by Oxfam in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake.

Oxfam knew about the allegations at the time and launched an internal investigation, as a result of which four members of staff were dismissed.

Three others, including Mr van Hauwermeiren, were allowed to resign before the end of the investigation.

Mr van Hauwermeiren went on to work elsewhere in the sector, but Oxfam said it would not have provided a positive reference.

The charity says at the time it made public a report, which said “serious misconduct” had taken place in Haiti and issued a press release - but did not give details of the allegations.

It told the Charity Commission it was investigating inappropriate sexual behaviour, bullying, harassment and staff intimidation - but again did not reveal the exact details.

Oxfam’s chief executive, Mark Goldring, told the BBC that describing details of the behaviour at the time could have drawn “extreme attention” to it, which he said would have been in no-one’s best interest.

The crash involved a single-engine DHC-2 Beaver Seaplane

Sydney seaplane: UK family members ‘drowned in crash’

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family from the UK who were killed in a seaplane crash near Sydney died from a combination of multiple injuries and drowning, an inquest heard.

Richard Cousins, 58, sons, Edward, 23 and William, 25, as well as Emma Bowden and her daughter Heather, 11, died when the plane crashed into a river.

At Reading Coroner’s Court, senior coroner Peter Bedford said the crash on New Year’s Eve was a “tragic incident”.

A full inquest has been suspended pending an investigation in Australia.

Mr Cousins, chief executive of Compass Group - one of the world’s largest catering companies - was travelling back to Sydney with his family reportedly from an exclusive waterfront restaurant in Jerusalem Bay. The crash, which also killed Sydney-based pilot Gareth Morgan,

44, happened in Hawkesbury River, near the suburb of Cowan.

Australian authorities recovered most of the wreckage of the plane in January.

The De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver - including its fuselage, floats and a wing - was retrieved from the river about 50km (30 miles) north of Sydney.

The coroner adjourned the inquests pending the investigation

by New South Wales police.

Mr Bedford added he was taking on jurisdiction of the inquest because Mr Cousins’ brother, and two of his children, now live in Bracknell, Berkshire.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigators have said they will release a preliminary report into the crash later this month.

Officials also said a crash involving the same plane in 1996 would form part of their wide-ranging investigation.

Unilever threatens to pull ads from Facebook and Google

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nilever has threatened to withdraw ads from platforms like Google and Facebook if they do not do enough to police extremist and illegal content.

Unilever said consumer trust in social media is now at a new low.

“We cannot have an environment where our consumers don’t trust what they see online,” said Unilever’s chief marketing officer Keith Weed.

He said it was in the interest of digital media firms to act before “advertisers stop advertising”.

Mr Weed said companies could not continue to support an online advertising industry where extremist material, fake news, child exploitation, political manipulation, racism and sexism were rife.

“It is acutely clear from the groundswell of consumer voices over recent months that people are becoming increasingly concerned about the impact

Facebook has been criticised for not doing enough to remove terror-related content of digital on wellbeing, on democracy and on truth itself,” Mr Weed said.

“This is not something that can brushed aside or ignored. “ Unilever has pledged to:

• Not invest in platforms that do not protect children or create division in society • Only invest in platforms that make a positive contribution to society

• Tackle gender stereotypes in advertising • Only partner with companies creating a responsible digital infrastructure According to research firm Pivotal, Facebook and Google accounted for 73% of all digital advertising in the US in 2017.

During 2017, Google brought in £4.4bn in revenue from online advertising, while Facebook collected £1.8bn, according to eMarketer.

Experts in digital media say that more buyers of advertising will have to join Unilever to spur change.

“The advertising ecosystem contains so many players, so for Facebook and Google to see any dent in the profits they make, there will need to be many companies that not only put their hat in the ring, but also follow through on these threats,” Sam Barker, a senior analyst at Juniper Research told the BBC. The discussion over how online

platforms tackle unsavoury and extremist content is not new - it has been rising in volume over the last few years.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos last month Prime Minister Theresa May called on investors to put pressure on tech firms to tackle the problem much more quickly.

In December, the European Commission warned the likes of Facebook, Google, YouTube, Twitter and other firms that it was considering legislation if self-regulation continued to fail.

For their part, in 2017 both Facebook and Google announced measures to improve the detection of illegal content.

Facebook said it was using artificial intelligence to spot images, videos and text related to terrorism, as well as clusters of fake accounts, while Google announced it would dedicate more than 10,000 staff to rooting out violent extremist content on YouTube in 2018.

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South Africa: ANC leaders expected to ask President Zuma to resign

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eaders of South Africa’s governing ANC party are meeting to decide the future of President Jacob Zuma.

The National Executive Committee (NEC) is likely to ask him to step down, says BBC Africa correspondent Andrew Harding.

ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged on Sunday that the issue was causing “disunity and discord”.

Mr Zuma, 75, faces a number of corruption charges after nine years in power.

There are 112 members of the NEC, and many may want to share their views during the meeting in Pretoria - meaning it they may not finish until late on Monday.

What did Mr Ramaphosa say?

“We know you want closure,” Mr Ramaphosa said on Sunday, addressing supporters who had gathered to mark 100 years since the birth of the country’s first black president, Nelson Mandela.

He told the crowd in Cape Town that “our people want this matter to be finalised” and that the African National Congress (ANC) would comply.

He acknowledged the ANC was going through “a period of difficulty, disunity and discord”, and said he was seeking “a new beginning”.

He pledged to tackle the corruption that has marred Mr Zuma’s time in office.

Mr Ramaphosa urged South Africans to restore the values that Mr Mandela - also known as Madiba - stood for, and said those

Many in the ANC hope that removing Mr Zuma will boost the party’s chances in the 2019 elections who had stolen state assets would be brought to justice.

“We must work together as Madiba taught us to push back the frontiers of poverty, unemployment and inequality,” he said.

An NEC meeting was called off last week following direct talks between Mr Zuma and Mr Ramaphosa, who is the deputy president as well as the new leader of the party.

Mr Zuma has resisted increasing

South African lions eat ‘poacher’, leaving just his head

Local police said the lions ate almost all of the man’s body (file picture)

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suspected big cat poacher has been eaten by lions near the Kruger National Park in South Africa, police say.

The animals left little behind, but some body parts were found over the weekend at a game park near Hoedspruit.

“It seems the victim was poaching in the game park when he was attacked and killed by lions,” Limpopo police spokesman Moatshe Ngoepe told AFP. “They ate his body, nearly all of it, and just left his head and some remains.”

Police have not yet established the victim’s identity. A loaded hunting rifle and ammunition

were found next to the body, South African website Eyewitness News reports.

Lion poaching has been on the rise in Limpopo province in recent years.

The big cats’ body parts are sometimes used in traditional medicine, both within Africa and beyond.

Wildlife charity the Born Free Foundation says lion bones and other body parts are increasingly sought-after in South East Asia, where they are sometimes used as a substitute for tiger bones.

In January 2017, three male lions were found poisoned in Limpopo with their paws and heads cut off.

pressure to quit since December, when Mr Ramaphosa replaced him as leader of the ANC. What has Mr Zuma done wrong?

Mr Zuma’s presidency has been overshadowed by allegations of corruption.

In recent years his links to the wealthy India-born Gupta family, who are alleged to have influenced the government, have caused his popularity to plummet.

Both Mr Zuma and the Guptas deny the allegations.

Why hasn’t the ANC sacked him before?

It is worth noting that Mr Zuma has not actually been found guilty of any of the accusations against him.

The allegations that there is a corrupt relationship between Mr Zuma and the Gupta family are just that, allegations. And 18 corruption charges, stemming from a 1990s

arms deal, were dropped before he became president and have not been reinstated.

On top of this, Mr Zuma is still very popular, particularly in rural areas and his home region of KwaZulu-Natal.

Mr Ramaphosa may want to make sure Mr Zuma’s supporters do not feel he has been treated badly - especially as an election is coming up next year.

What happens next?

Correspondents say that if the NEC agreed to recall Mr Zuma, it would be very difficult for him to resist.

But he is not legally obliged to step down if they ask him to.

If he so wishes, Mr Zuma could carry on as president of South Africa even if the NEC asked him to step down.

However, he would then be expected to face a confidence vote in parliament. The date for this has already been set - 22 February.

Mr Zuma has survived other such votes, but he would not be expected to pull it off again.

A confidence vote would be considered a humiliating process for him and the party.

South African media is calling President Zuma’s seemingly inevitable exit “Zexit”.

South Africa’s previous president, Thabo Mbeki, resigned in 2008. He also had a power struggle with his deputy.

The deputy in question was Jacob Zuma, who took over the presidency the following year.

Ibrahim prize: Liberia’s Sirleaf wins African leadership prize

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iberia’s ex-president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, has won the $5m (£3.6m) Ibrahim prize for African Leadership.

Mrs Sirleaf, who stepped down last month, became Africa’s first elected female president in 2006.

She was praised for her work rebuilding the nation after civil war and leading a process of reconciliation.

The prize committee admitted that while Ms Sirleaf was accused of tolerating corruption, she had shown exceptional leadership in difficult circumstances.

It added that Liberia was the only country out of 54 to improve in every category and sub-category of the Ibrahim Index of African Governance.

Mrs Sirleaf served two terms as president, but could not run again in recent polls, which were won by former footballer George Weah.

Her own party has expelled her, alleging she had campaigned for Mr Weah rather than her party’s

Mrs Sirleaf is the first woman Ibrahim Laureate

candidate.

She is the fifth recipient of the prize since 2007, which celebrates African leaders who governed well, raised living standards and then left office.

The $5m prize is spread over 10 years and is followed by $200,000 a year for life.

But it is not always awarded. On six occasions, no leader was considered worthy of it.

Ibrahim prize timeline: • 2007: Mozambique’s former President Joaquim Chissano

• 2008: Botswana’s former President Festus Mogae • 2009: No award given • 2010: No award given • 2011: Cape Verde’s former President Pedro Verona Pires • 2012: No award given • 2013: No award given • 2014: Namibia’s former President Hifikipunye Pohamba • 2015: No award given • 2016: No award given Source: BBC

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, february 13, 2018

Israel warns Russia Saratov crash: Investigators comb crash site near Moscow Iran after launching major raids in Syria

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sraeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu says his country will defend itself “against any attack” after carrying out what appear to be its largest strikes on sites in Syria in decades.

Israel launched raids against Iranian targets after saying it had intercepted an Iranian drone crossing the Syria-Israel border.

Iran denies the allegation.

During the offensive an Israeli F-16 fighter jet was shot down by Syria air defences, crashing in northern Israel.

Its pilots ejected from the plane and were taken to hospital.

It is believed to be the first time Israel has lost a jet in combat since 2006.

Mr Netanyahu warned that Israel’s policy to defend itself against “any attempt to harm our sovereignty” was “absolutely clear”.

“Iran brazenly violated Israel’s sovereignty,” he said, adding: “They dispatched an Iranian drone from Syrian territory into Israel...

Israel holds Iran and its Syrian hosts responsible.”

Mr Netanyahu said Israel would oppose any attempt by Iran to entrench itself militarily in Syria.

But he also said during a meeting with military chiefs that “Israel seeks peace”.

In other reaction: • The US state department said it supported Israel’s right to defend itself, blaming Iran for the confrontation • In a phone call with Mr Netanyahu, Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed the need to avoid a “dangerous escalation”.

He has been supporting President Assad’s government in Syria’s civil war • UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an immediate de-escalation in the actions that he said threaten a “dangerous spill-over” across Syria’s borders What caused the escalation?

Israel’s military says one of its combat helicopters downed an Iranian drone infiltrating Israel on Saturday. It tweeted footage of the incident.

In response, Israel said it attacked Syrian and Iranian targets in Syria, during which an F-16 jet was fired upon, Israel says, causing it to crash.

The two pilots were able to parachute to safety before it came down in an empty field near the town of Harduf in northern Israel.

Israel says it then carried out a second wave of strikes on both Syrian and Iranian military targets.

The Israeli military said it had inflicted huge damage on targets in Syria in the “most significant attack” of its kind against the country since the 1982 Lebanon war.

undreds of Russian investigators are searching snow-covered fields near Moscow, where a passenger jet crashed killing all 71 people on board.

The 65 passengers and six crew died when the Saratov Airlines jet went down minutes after take-off from Moscow’s Domodedovo airport on Sunday.

Bad weather, human error or technical failure are seen as possible causes.

Officials do not see terrorism as a likely cause.

According to Russia’s Investigative Committee, “when the plane crashed it was intact, there was no fire, and the explosion happened on impact”.

Earlier some eyewitnesses had reported seeing the jet ablaze as it plummeted.

This is the first commercial passenger jet crash for more than a year.

The Antonov An-148 was en route to Orsk in the Ural mountains.

It crashed near the village of Argunovo, about 80km (50 miles) south-east of Moscow. Wreckage and body parts are strewn over a large area - about 30 hectares (74 acres).

More than 700 people are involved in the search operation, struggling through deep snow, but aided by snowmobiles and nine drones.

Who are the victims?

Russia’s health minister said recovery of all of the victims’ remains could take up to a week. So far more than 200 body fragments have been recovered.

The emergencies ministry is collecting DNA samples from victims’ relatives - specialists have flown to Orsk to do that.

The search for debris and body parts is hard - in deep snow across a huge area The official list of passengers and crew has been published (in Russian) by the ministry.

A child and two teenagers were among the passengers, most of whom were from the Orenburg region where Orsk is located.

The list is still being updated.

Among those killed was a man from Switzerland and another from Azerbaijan.

At least 11 passengers were living in or near Moscow. Three were from the St Petersburg area.

At least eight passengers were from other parts of Russia, and four of the crew were from Saratov.

Details of some of the victims have emerged. They include Darya Tolmasova, 22, who was the girlfriend of an ice hockey player - Sergei Ilyin, of the Admiral team. Tributes to her were posted on Instagram.

President Vladimir Putin has expressed his condolences to the victims’ families. Both the US and the UK governments said they were “deeply saddened” by the tragedy.

This is the first commercial

passenger jet crash for more than a year - 2017 was the safest year on record for air travel.

What do we know so far about what happened?

The plane took off at 14:27 (11:27 GMT) on Sunday. Contact was lost minutes later.

Flight-tracking site Flightradar24 said it then descended at the rate of 1,000m (3,300ft) per minute.

No emergency call came from the plane, which was reportedly seven years old.

The jet was being flown by an experienced pilot who had 5,000 hours of flight time, the airline told Ria-Novosti news agency.

A criminal inquiry has been launched for “violation of the rules for the operation of air transport”.

On Monday, emergency workers confirmed they had recovered the jet’s second flight recorder.

What do we know about Saratov Airlines?

In 2015 the regional airline was banned from operating international flights, after inspectors found

someone other than the flight crew in a cockpit.

The airline appealed and changed its policy before resuming international charter flights in 2016.

Antonov aircraft were first developed in Ukraine, but are also made in Russia. The twin-engine model involved in Sunday’s crash had its first flight in 2004.

In 2011, one broke up midflight during a training flight in the Belgorod region in southern Russia, killing all six crew members on board.

Recent Russian air disasters The country has suffered two major plane crashes since 2015: • A Tu-154 military airliner crashed into the Black Sea with the loss of all 92 people aboard on 25 December 2016, with the disaster blamed on pilot error • A Russian Airbus A321 carrying tourists crashed in Sinai, Egypt, with the loss of all 224 people aboard on 31 October 2015; the Islamic State group said it had placed a bomb aboard.

Kavous Seyed-Emami: Iran environmentalist’s death was suicide, Iran says

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ran’s judiciary says a prominent Iranian environmentalist in a Tehran prison killed himself because of the evidence against him in a spying case.

Kavous Seyed-Emami, 63, a dual Canadian national, was arrested last month.

His son said he did not believe he had taken his own life. And one of his colleagues said Iran’s academic community was in shock.

Activists say there have been other suspicious deaths among detainees that have been labelled as suicide.

The Centre for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI), a New York-based lobby group, also told the BBC the Iranian authorities had increased their targeting of dual nationals in Iran.

Mr Seyed-Emami ran the Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation and was a sociology professor.

“He was one of the defendants in a spying case and unfortunately he committed suicide in prison since he knew that many had made confessions against him and because of his own confessions,” Tehran prosecutor Abbas Jafari-Dolatabadi told the ILNA news agency.

The Iranian authorities told Mr Seyed-Emami’s wife he had died in Evin prison on Friday, Mr SeyedEmami’s son Raam Emami said.

“The news of my father’s passing

Mr Seyed-Emami’s death has caused widespread shock in Iran is impossible to fathom,” he said in social media posts. “They say he committed suicide. I still can’t believe this.”

The Iran Sociology Association also questioned the official account of his death.

“The information published about

him is not believable and we expect officials to respond,” it said in a statement.

Meanwhile Ali Shakourirad, head of the reformist Islamic Union Party, tweeted that the death had “caused a wave of questions and concerns among the public”.

An academic who knew Mr SeyedEmami told AFP news agency the Iranian academic community was “in shock”.

“He was one of the best professors,” the academic said. “He was very profound, very composed, not at all political. He loved Iran and the environment.”

On Saturday the prosecutor said the Iranian authorities had arrested people who had been gathering classified information “under the coverage of scientific and environmental projects”.

Reports say at least seven people were arrested at the same time as Mr Seyed-Emami, including an IranianAmerican dual national, Morad Tahbaz.

The news of Mr Seyed-Emmi’s death comes after the Iranian authorities announced that two Iranians arrested during the recent wave of anti-government protests had killed themselves in prison.

Their families, activists and lawyers have rejected this explanation and called for an independent investigation.

Mr Seyed-Emami is the second Iranian-Canadian dual national to die in prison in Iran. In 2003 Zahra Kazemi, 54, was beaten to death after being arrested for taking photographs outside Evin prison.

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Motoring

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, february 13, 2018

Stairway to Heaven: New Range Rover plug-in hybrid proves electrified cars can tackle the toughest roads by taking on China’s deadly Tianmen Mountain

By Ray Massey

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n electric Range Rover Sport has climbed its own stairway to Heaven to become the first off-roader to ascend the deathdefyingly steep 99 hairpin turns and 999-steps of one of China’s most revered national landmarks.

A far cry from the school run, the showroom-standard five-seater British P400e plug-in hybrid 4X4 became the first SUV in the world to make the epic ascent to the top of the ‘Heaven’s Gate’ steps in Hunan Province at the climax of tackling one of China’s and the world’s most challenging and twisting highways.

The challenge began at the bottom of the legendary serpentine seven-mile Tianmen Mountain Road - known as the Dragon Road – with 99 treacherous hair-pin bends snaking like a dragon’s tail.

The epic finale was climbing the 45-degree angle staircase of 999 steps leading from the road the peak of China’s legendary Heaven’s Gate natural rock arch using a combination of petrol and electric battery power.

The epic climb – achieved in under 23 minutes - was made

by Panasonic Jaguar Formula-E electric car racing driver and test driver Ho-Pin Tung behind the wheel of a Range Rover Sport PHEV petrol-electric SUV. The Solihull-built 4X4 costs from £70,800 and can run on zeroemission electric power only for up to 31 miles and be fully charged from the mains in under three hours.

The driver was warned beforehand by colleagues that the feat was ‘crazy’ and ‘unheard of’, and more ominously by one Chinese official: ‘If he crashes, he will die.’

But as he emerged through mountain mist to land victorious on the the top of the peak after navigating the 99 hair-pin bends on the road plus the 999 steps to the summit of Heaven’s Gate in a total of 22 minutes and 41 seconds, he said: ’I’m still shaking. The adrenalin is something I’ve never experienced before. The mountain very generously gave us one shot to make it up here.’

He added: ‘I’ve experienced Formula E, Formula 1 and won at the 24 Hours of Le Mans but this was without doubt one of the most demanding driving challenges I’ve ever faced.

‘The Range Rover Sport PHEV performed brilliantly as it inspired real confidence on the mountain road and climbed the stairs up to Heaven’s Gate effortlessly.’

He said he combination of the petrol engine and electric motor helped make short work of the road section of the challenge before showing its uncompromised allterrain credentials by climbing the steep staircase to the natural rock arch.

Panasonic Jaguar Formula-E electric car racing driver and test driver Ho-Pin Tung took on the monumental feat

Once at the end of the hairpin road section, the driver set the Range Rover Sport’s Terrain Response system in dynamic mode to tackle the steep 999-step second stage of the challenge to conquer Heaven’s Gate.

Trying to navigate the steps in an enormous two-tonne off-roader with nothing but a view of the 432foot Tianmen cave - the natural hole in the mountain - and the sky sounds like a fairly unenviable task to us.

A spokesman for Land Rover said: ‘A dizzying 99 turns and 999 daunting steps didn’t stop the new Range Rover Sport PHEV from completing a world-first at one of China’s most famous landmarks.

‘The petrol-electric performance SUV has become the first vehicle to climb the stairs to the natural rock arch of Heaven’s Gate.’

The feat was carried out in China to celebrate the expansion of the UK car-maker – owned by India’s giant TATA industrial group - into the Chinese market in a joint venture with that country’s carmaker Chery.

Land Rover Experience expert Phil Jones said: ‘This was the hardest Range Rover Sport challenge I’ve ever been involved with because, until we reached the top, we couldn’t categorically say we would succeed.

‘By making it to the summit, we’ve proven the phenomenal capability of the Range Rover Sport plug-in hybrid like never before – with a genuine world first.’

The Dragon Challenge is the latest in a series of adventures completed by the Range Rover Sport including a record-setting hillclimb at Pikes Peak, USA, a record crossing of the Empty Quarter desert in the Arabian Peninsula and a 2,170m descent of the legendary Inferno downhill course in Mürren, Switzerland.

Source: Dailymail.com

Before the Range Rover and its driver attempted the challenge, Chinese officials had warned Land Rover staff that: ‘If he crashes, he will die’

Official figures say the mountain is 1,518.6 metres - or 4,982 feet - high

The new Range Rover Sport P400e is the first plug-in hybrid the brand has ever sold. You can place an order for one today

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, february 13, 2018

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THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. MOSES MATTHEW OGBU- GENERAL OVERSEER/CHAIRMAN 2. MOSES ELIZABETH - SECRETARY 3. OBETEN JOHN BROWN - CLERGY 4. AKPAH PATIENCE - MEMBER THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.TO PREACH AND PROMOTE THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED : BARR. NNUBIA CHIOMA JUSTINA 08035507002

SIGNED : BARR. NNUBIA CHIOMA JUSTINA 08035507002

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

SWORD BEARER PROPHETIC MINISTRY

GOD’S LIGHT REVIVAL OUTREACH WORLD-WIDE

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.Rev. Bennett Osita Ike - Chairman, 2.Pst (Barr) Francis Ugwu - Sec. 3.Evang. Ruth Ike, 4.Apostle Festus Ezike, 5.Mr David Ike THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

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 LOVE AND ONENESS FOUNDATION THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. LINDA OSIFO- CHAIRMAN 2. KATE OSIFO THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. TO CATER FOR THE POOR AND LESS PRIVILEGE. 2. TO ASSIST THE EDUCATION OF THE POOR 3. To help alleviate their problem by bringing the essentials needed for the educational aspect.

4. To improve the outlook of students who are facing limitations both physically and mentally.

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 :Abduljalil Musa, Esq

PUBLIC NOTICE

ZION ENCOUNTER EVANGELICAL MISSION. 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) REV. GODFREY EKE - CHAIRMAN. (2) PASTOR HELEN EKE (3) PRINCE CHIKA AHUCHAOGU (4) APOSTLE PROMISE THOMPSON.

SIGNED : ANDREW PIUS 08059830577

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. EMMANUEL ONYEDIKACHI EMMANUEL - PRESIDENT 2. ODUOCHA MICHAEL NDUBUISI 3. BARR. (MRS.) CHIOMA EUNICE EGEDEUZU OKEREKESECRETARY 4. OLUTAYO BOSEDE ADISA. THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : BARR. (MRS.) CHIOMA EUNICE EGEDEUZU OKEREKE. 08068158057

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

Holy blessed believers evangelical ministry. CAC/IT/RC/NO. 14055

MINISTRY OF PRAYER AND THE WORD INTERNATIONAL.

RAMADAN FEED THE NEEDY FOUNDATION

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

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REMOVAL AND APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEES UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Prophet aro oloruntayo Matthew - reappointed 2 PASTOR aro Eunice adunola - reappointed 3. Pastor Stephen mayowa - Removed 4. AYO ejio - removed THE APPOINTED TRUSTEES ARE : 1 . evangelist Matthew Emmanuel olaolu 2 . Joseph ehinmodu bamidele THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REMAIN THE SAME. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS APPLICATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : Mumini T A Badiru Esq. 07039838769.

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 ESAN DUYILEMI EMMANUEL- PRESIDENT 2. MISS. ADAMOLEKUN KEHINDE GRACE 3. MR. ESAN FEMI STEPHEN 4. MRS. ADEBAYO ADESOLA REGINA- SECRETARY 5. MISS OWOEYE OLUWABUNMI AYOYIMIKA 6. ALADELOKUN AYODEJI DAVIDS 7. OGUNKUADE BOSEDE TAYO THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. TO MAKE HEAVEN AND SPREAD THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST ABROAD THE HE IS THE LORD. TO SEEK THE EMPOWERMENT OF HOLY SPIRIT. 2. TO IGNITE THE FIRE OF REVIVAL TO THE BILLION OF LIVES AND PUT STUBBORN PURSUERS TO FLIGHT THROUGH HOLY GHOST FIRE. 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

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : (1) TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : BY THE CHAIRMAN.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR ADDITION OF TRUSTEE UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE OLD TRUSTEES ARE : 1.RAJIHA HADIZA MAHMOOD - RETAINED 2.ZAINAB MOHAMMED KASHIM - RETAINED 3.FATIMA SANI USMAN - RETAINED 4.ABDULLAHI MUSA - RETAINED THE NEW TRUSTEE : 1.FATIMA GALAUDU - APPOINTED THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REMAIN THE SAME. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS APPLICATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY

PAGE 27

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, february 13, 2018

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

LILYFORD FOUNDATION.

ZHONG-FEI MUTUAL ECONOMIC AID ASSOCIATION.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT OF 1990.

PUBLIC NOTICE

TRUEVINE RESTORATION ASSEMBLY 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.

ANY OBJECTIONS TO THIS 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.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE. 1. LIANG KEDONG. 2. GAO GUOCHAO. 3. WU SHUMIN. 4. ZENG WEIJIA. 5.ZHOU LIJUN .

6. RUFIA ALIYU AHMED 7.JOJI CAPTAIN MOHAMMED. 8. ABACHA MOHAMMED SANI. 9. DAZHIA YAKUBU LAZARU. 10.AHMED BALA KOFARSORO AIMS AND OBJECTIVES. 1.To mutually assist it’s members on economic and social development.

ANY OBJECTIONS TO THIS 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: NELSON ADOGAH, ESQ.

SIGNED: SECRETARY.

SIGNED : Barr. M. E. Otobrise

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

CHAPLAIN FOR CHRIST MINISTRY

WATCHMAN OF CHRIST LIBERATION CHURCH WORLDWIDE

THE TRUSTEE ARE: 1. MRS. UJU CATHERINE IFEJIKA (OFR).

2. MRS. ADA KIO AUSTIN CHINYELU. 3. MRS. CHINWE OJUKWU FLORENCE. 4. MRS. MAGARET ORAKWUSI NKEM. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES. 1. TO PROMOTE THE RELIEF OF POVERTY IN RURAL AREAS AND COMMUNITIES. 2. TO PROMOTE THE ADVANCEMENT OF EDUCATION IN RURAL COMMUNITIES AND AMONGST RESIDENTS THERE.

Nigeria association of petroleum Explorationists CAC/IT/RC/NO. 7599 THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR CERTIFIED TRUE COPY (CTC) UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

Reason : Request for CTC of certificate of incorporation by a third party (The Director, Lands Services, Lands Bureau, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos State)

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. LAWAL SEGUN M OKEWOLE -- Chairman/ General Overseer 2. LAWAL VICTORIA YEMISI- Vice chairman 3. EMMANUEL ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA -- Secretary 4. OGUNNIYI GBEMIGA -- Treasurer 5. CHAPLIAN LAWAL OKEWOLE MICHEAL -- Member Aims and Objectives To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and to win soul for Christ

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1) PASTOR BENJAMIN ADEKUNLE OLADOKUN 2) PASTOR (MRS) ELIZABETH ADEOLA OLADOKUN THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : TO TEACH/PREACH THE UNDILUTED WORD OF GOD TO ALL THE NATIONS ON EARTH. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED BODY HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. CHARLES AGWASINWA 2. BRO. KINGSLEY GODWIN 3. PROPHETESS TINA ISRAEL 4. SIS JUSTINA OKOYE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To preach the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ

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

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

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

Signed: Secretary

SIGNED : SECRETARY

SIGNED: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

DOMINION GLORY RESTORATION MINISTRY

GOD WITH US HIGHER LIFE MISSION WORLDWIDE

AVALANCHE OF THE TRUTH CHURCH

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED BODY HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PST. ARUA K.C. DESMOND RAPHAEL 2. ARUA CHINWENDU RAPHAEL 3. OMEJE EUGENE 4. CHIGEMEZU CHIMA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1.To preach the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED BODY HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. OLIVER CHINEMERE CHUKWU 2. CHUKWU BEATRICE 3. AHODINMA FRANCIS 4. CHILAKA MARGRET N. 5. ONU CHIZOBA .G. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To preach the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED BODY HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. DR CHARLES GHWELEKE 2. KING DAVID OJOMI 3. MRS BLESSING JUDE 4. PST. MRS COMFORT OJOMI AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To preach the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

SIGNED: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

POWER OF LOVE CHURCH INT’L

REJOICING LIFE BIBLE CHURCH WORLDWIDE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT

BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION TIME MINISTRY

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED BODY HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. APOSTLE EKEOMA JOSEPH 2. REV. DR. OKAH SAMPSON C. 3. PASTOR ERUADA N.P EMMANUEL 4. MRS GLORIA JOSEPH 5. BISHOP DR DESMOND E. IKEH AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To preach the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

THE THE ABOVE NAMED BODY HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To preach the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED BODY HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. REV. LUKA JOHN WANEYE 2. BARRISTER BUBA GODOBE 3. MRS ESTHER J. ALI 4. MR AMINU CHRISTOPHER USMAN AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To preach the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

SIGNED: SECRETARY

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. REV. DENNIS AMADIOGU 2. MRS GLORIA AMADI 3. KAZUYA BAKO ELIJAH

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, february 13, 2018

PAGE 28

CLASSIFIED Oshatogbe

QUDUS

ANI

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS Adeoye Increase Mercy Iyanuoluwa. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS Oshatogbe Increase Mercy Iyanuoluwa. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS QUDUS MUH AWWAL. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS QUDUS LAWAL. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I, formerly known as ANI FELIX UDI now wishes to be known as ANI FELIX. All formal documents remain valid. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

ONAH

ONYINYE

ADEBAYO

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS ONAH EJIOFOR .P. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS ONAH EJIOFOR UGOCHUKWU. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS ONYINYE CHUKWUEMEKA. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS ONYINYE VALENTINE NNAKWE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS ADEBAYO OJO. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS ADEBAYO OLORUNFEMI OJO. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

KEYS OF DESTINY ASSEMBLY INT’L

WELL-SPRING OF HAVEN FOUNDATION

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED BODY HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

This is to notify the general public that the above named, has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Ogwudile Vera Nneka - Chairman 2. Okeke Ifeoma Wendy - Secretary 3. Ogwudile Ikechukwu Harrison 4. Udoh Johnson Thompson AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To provide a welcoming and an accommodating atmosphere for the abused and under-privileged.

2. To re-design and initiative that will empower women and eradicate poverty in Nigeria.

3. To promote the significance of the girl-child and the girl-child education.

4. To bridge the gap between the under privileged and the society at large 5. To assist in promoting employment ideas and skill acquisition center 6. Aid in eradicating domestic violence in Africa Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission Maitama! Abuja within 28 days of this publication

MADAGALI LOCAL GOVERNMENT YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PST. CHIDIEBERE C. DURU - SNR. PASTOR 2. JULIET N. DURU 3. MATHEW AGU ELDER 4. BLESSING I. ELUE ELDER 5. ARINZE NNABUIFE - SECRETARY AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To preach the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

DAVID’S CHRISTIAN CHURCH INTERNATIONAL CAC/IT/NO: 21950

The general public is hereby notified that the above named Church has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Removal and Addition of Trustees and Amendment of Constitution under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Cap C20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The Old Trustees are: MR. OKONKWO KINGSLEY CHUKWUKA - REMOVED MR. EMEAGHARA PETER UDOJI - REMOVED AROGUNDADE OLASUPO OLUMUYIWA - RETAINED MR. ERIBENNE OBICHUKWU THOMAS - RETAINED The New Trustees are: ADEJANA GBADEBO OLUDARE - APPOINTED AMAKA TEMITOPE SAMUEL-ONYEANI - APPOINTED The aims and objectives remains the same Any objection to the application should be forwarded to the Registrar General of the Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja – FCT, within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Secretary

PUBLIC NOTICE

I want to draw the attention of the general public to a publication in DAILY TRUST newspaper OF FRIDAY JANUARY 19. 2018 PAGE 39 SIGNED BY BARR O. D. EMOLE. This publication is false and misleading. I wish to state that I am the beneficial owner of the aforementioned title and that the title is not missing. General public and authorities concerned pls take note.

Signed.

ALH. BELLO SULE. 080 3670 0895.

SIGNED: Nkana Comfort Sampson Esq

LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to informed the general public that I KABIRU HADI of MAIDUGURI BYE PASS BAUCHI, BAUCHI STATE. That on 15th/01/2016 while along Maiduguri bye pass Bauchi has been discovered that I lost the original Land Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) bearing MUSA SAMBO Esq, with Land No. BA/25178. That all efforts made to trace the missing document proved abortive.

If found should be taken to the nearest police station or ministry of land, Bauchi.

PUBLIC NOTICE

AGAPE A CHILD EVANGELICAL CENTRE This is to inform the general the 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. Mr. Judah Imoesemi Obadan 2. Mrs. Grace Eshe Obadan 3. Isoken Ogbeide AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.

To train less privileged children in school by paying their tuition fees.

2. To organize vocational trainings for children who are unable to attend school.

3. Providing home for the less privileged and orphaned children.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the registrar-general corporate affairs commission plot 420 Tigris Crescent Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

Signed: I. S YAHAYA ESQ

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. Ngararawa Philip Thliza 2. Adamu Ularamu Gulak 3. Edward Kutiju 4. Elias Birdling Vasco 5. Anthony Dauda 6. Chinda Yaro 7. Linus Ngararawa Thliza AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. To foster unity among it’s members 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

DR. VICTOR I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS IYABIFEBO PEDRO VICTOR. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS DR. VICTOR PEDRO. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. Ecobank and ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE. PUBLIC NOTICE

YOUNG PEOPLE GENERAL ASSEMBLY NIGERIA THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : (1) DANIEL FELIX EBRI. (CHAIRMAN) (2)IWARA IWARA UBI (SECRETARY) (3). OKOI OKORN OBETEN THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1. TO HELP BRING DEVELOPMENT AMONG YOUTHS .TO GALVANIZE NIGERIAN YOUTHS POTENTIALS FOR SOCIO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GROWTH .

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 : BEN EKEDEBE (PELICAN ATTORNEY)

HALADU I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS HALADU MUSA YARTOFA. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS HALADU MUSA SHAAIBU. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. Ecobank and ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

PAGE 29

PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, february 13, 2018

feature Who’s posting extreme ‘terror pranks’?

F

ake bombs, staged murders, stunts that resemble acid attacks - as competition for eyeballs on YouTube gets fiercer every day, popular vloggers are resorting to extreme pranks to get clicks.

Arya Mosallah’s video channel had more than 650,000 subscribers. But his YouTube career came skidding to a halt with a video titled “Throwing Water On Peoples Faces PT. 2”. In it, he approaches several people, and after a brief conversation, throws a cup of water in their faces.

Many viewers thought the prank in the video looked like an attempt by the British social media star to mimic an acid attack - amid a recent increase in such crimes in London and across the UK. YouTube deleted Mosallah’s channel - and then a second channel he set up. He told the BBC he had not meant to reference acid attacks - but that he would continue to produce prank videos.

But Arya Mosallah is certainly not the first YouTuber to get into trouble for prank videos. His story, along with the controversy over hugely popular Youtuber Logan Paul joking about a suicide victim to his young audience, have called attention to extreme content on YouTube.

But although it appears to be on the rise - and is getting more coverage from news outlets - extreme pranking is not an entirely new phenomenon. For some time, vloggers have been faking bomb attacks and murders, tricking and frightening friends and members of the public in an attempt to up their view counts.

Extreme prank history In 2016, four people involved in the YouTube channel Trollstation were jailed for staging a fake robbery at London’s National Portrait Gallery. They pleaded guilty to “threatening behaviour causing fear of unlawful violence.”

The previous year, British YouTuber Sam Pepper uploaded a video in which he pretended to kill another internet celebrity in front of an unsuspecting friend.

There was a huge backlash and Pepper later claimed the video had been staged, and that the apparently traumatised friend had been in on the stunt all along.

Perhaps the grandfather of extreme pranking is Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, whose YouTube channel gained notoriety in 2012 after he pretended to put a briefcase containing a bomb next to a stranger.

He was arrested for that and several other subsequent pranks and stunts. But YouTubers including Arya Mosallah, have been filming variations of his bomb prank ever since.

Speaking to Trending in 2015, Zdorovetskiy admitted pushing the boundaries of acceptable behaviour. He also seemed unclear about exactly where he would draw the line.

“I’m not going to take a gun on somebody point it and say ‘Give me your money, it’s a prank.’ I would not do anything illegal maybe just a little bit.”

Logan Paul isn’t primarily known as a pranker, but has done similar stunts. In one video he faked his own violent death in front of a crowd of fans.

On Friday, YouTube suspended advertising on his channel. In a statement the company said that Paul had exhibited

Security footage shows the panic caused by a prank at London’s National Portrait Gallery

Arya Mosallah says his stunt wasn’t intended to appear like a real acid attack “a pattern of behaviour in his videos that makes his channel not only unsuitable for advertisers, but also potentially damaging to the broader creator community.”

The question of whether the pranks are unleashed on unsuspecting members of the public or are instead sprung on actors or friends of the YouTube stars is a crucial

one. Mosallah refused to comment to BBC Trending about whether his pranks were unleashed on random strangers. But he hinted that they may have been staged.

“What if what if the videos were staged do I deserve to get my channel taken down?” he said. “What if it was a little short film -what if all this wasn’t real?”

In 2016, four people involved in the YouTube channel Trollstation were jailed for staging a fake robbery at London’s National Portrait Gallery. They pleaded guilty to “threatening behaviour causing fear of unlawful violence.”

The previous year, British YouTuber Sam Pepper uploaded a video in which he pretended to kill another internet celebrity in front of an unsuspecting friend.

There was a huge backlash and Pepper later claimed the video had been staged, and that the apparently traumatised friend had been in on the stunt all along.

Perhaps the grandfather of extreme pranking is Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, whose YouTube channel gained notoriety in 2012 after he pretended to put a briefcase containing a bomb next to a stranger.

‘Moment of shock’ Trending asked Judi James, a body language and behavioural expert, to examine the water-throwing video, and she said the clips “look as though they’ve been staged” “There’s usually the moment of shock… but in this case (the victims) almost straight away start running after him. One guy even leaves a large bag on a park bench which is probably counter-intuitive.

“I’m guessing they’re not all what they seem to be although some of them might be,” she says.

As YouTube becomes increasingly saturated with young people trying to make their name in on a rapidly developing platform, some have turned to extreme ways to get attention, rack up clicks, and - under YouTube’s advertising-reliant model - get paid. Extreme pranks are one way to cut through the noise.

“It’s probably the most sadistic form of comedy,” James says. “Every day we get bombarded with more and more graphic films of cars crashing, terrible events taking place, and even people dying. Once you start to break the barriers and look at those then the idea of seeing comedy that is actually quite sadistic becomes even more appealing.”

“A lot of it is schadenfreude - it’s a bit like bullying at school, you’re almost laughing tinged with a relief that ‘it’s not me.’”

“The other thing to think about is the fact that the pranksters themselves can actually suffer from doing the pranks,” James says. “Longer term. empathy has a way of catching up with us. Either you have no empathy at all which is quite unusual, or you are often going to get flashbacks about all those people you have upset.”

That seemed to be the case for at least one of the Trollstation prankers, Daniel Jarvis, who spoke to Stephen Nolan on BBC Radio 5live.

“I disliked it,” Jarvis said of the National Portrait Gallery robbery prank which landed him in jail. “It weren’t a nice feeling when I seen all these people scared… that’s not what I’m about.”

PEOPLES DAILY

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tuesday, february 13, 2018

FCT Perm. Sec. U13 championship gets date, fixtures released

By AmaechiAgbo

“We have various committees set aside that will monitor the competition to make sure it is being done according to plan. We know that we always achieve success when we target a particular competition but we don’t relent and that is why we involve capable hands so that we can improve more on the organisational plan. The various committees are in place to see to the success of the competition.

“This competition is for the Area Councils. We have various age competitions. We are all aware that apart from the Principals Cup Competition, we have Under 15 Competition. The Principals Cup is only for the boys but this year we intend to include the girls as well. We also have our league that is due to commence soon, not forgetting the Challenge Cup competitions and others that will come subsequently, the chairman explained.

The FCT Permanent Secretary Under13 competition will kick off on 27th of this month with the semi-finals schedule to hold on 1st March and the final on 3rd.

The finals will be for six teams with the local competitions taking place at the Area Council levels. The winner of each area council competition will come and represent each area council for the best of the bests.

According to the semi-final fixtures released after the meeting, Gwagwalada Area Council will take on Kwali Area Council in the first semi-final play-off match. Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC, will tackle Kuje Area Council in the second semi-final play-off. The winner of the match between Gwagwalada and Kwali will meet Abaji Area Council in the first semi-final on March 1st while the winner of the match between AMAC and Kuje in the second semi-final play-off will meet Bwari Area Council for the second semifinal match same March 1st.

in the Day-2 of the tournament.

In an interview after the match, the young coach said although his boys played well and was rewarded with the three points at stake, there are still lapses within the team adding that in their second match against Flomat FC today, he will work on the lapses to ensure victory.

The coach who stated that his team was the youngest amongst the participating clubs, added that his target was to play in the knockout stage.

According to him, “We played a good match against a strong team and the scoreline showed our reward and determination although the score could have been more but for the chances my boys missed.

“Clearly from all indications, we are the youngest team in the tournament, but the quality of football my young lads exhibited was amazing. I am elated by the performance and the result.

“We made some mistakes in our

defense and we have to do more work on our finishing. We will work on these to ensure we have a better outing against Flomat FC, another good side.

“Our Minimum target in this tournament is the knockout phase,” Coach Nnamdi added.

On how his team is motivated in achieving the target, Coach Onuigbo declared “The boys are highly motivated and rearing to go. While we are weary of the big lions in the group, we have confidence in our quality of work and talent to help us qualify from the group and go as far as possible. This competition would serve as a quality preparation for Sporting Dreams Football Club ahead of their FA Cup later in the year and the Bayern Cup National finals,” he concluded.

Sporting Dreams FC will have their hands handy today when they take on highflying side, Flomat FC who whitewashed their opponents, Super Lions of Suleja, 7-0 in the opener on Friday.

T

he FCT Permanent Secretary Under13 football competition will kick off on Thursday, February 27, 2018, the FCT Sports Council has disclosed.

According to the FCT Director of Sports, Chief MrsDilichukwuOnyedinma, the FCT Sports Council in collaboration with the FA are organizing the competition to discover talents in the grassroots and also as a means of encouraging the kids to embrace sports early particularly in their formative years.

Speaking to journalists after holding a meeting with the sports officers of the six area councils at the FCT Sports Department office on Thursday, Chief Dilichukwu further explained that the FCT Sports Council have gotten approval from the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to go ahead with the competition in view of its importance to the development of football in the country.

“The Permanent Secretary Under13 Competition is aimed at grassroots football development not just in the FCT but for the country at large. We had a meeting with the area council sports officers on the organisation of the Under13 football competition that is coming up later this month. These area council sports officers are our eyes in the Area Councils and we liaise with them whenever we want to work with the Area Councils. So there is need for us to call them for a meeting and brief them on what is on ground and what is expected of them.

“FCT Sport Department is the driving force for the competition. We got the approval from the Minister and Permanent Secretary. Their approval is already on ground so it is not like we don’t have sponsors. The FCT administration is sponsoring it and the approval is there and they are very responsive to what is happening. We are the ones that are providing the funds used to organise the programmes.

Also speaking, the FCT FA Chairman, Alhaji Musa Talle, said that the meeting was all about football development in the FCT. The chairman, who said that the FA used the meeting to thank the Director of FCT Sports for her steadfastness in supporting the FA’s programmes, said that the area councils have been given financial incentives as well as footballs, jerseys and stockings in order to motivate them ahead of the competition.

“The FCT FA felt, in our normal tradition, that there is the need for us to bring in another competition for the Under 13. We call it Permanent Secretary Under13 competition. The competition is starting on the 27th of this month and end on 3rd March.

“We also used the meeting to appreciate the Director of Sports for her usual cooperation she has been giving to the FA. Each time we call on her, she always answers us. When we briefed her about the competition, she accepted it and promised to help in seeing its success.

“We gave the area councils sports officers

incentive to motivate them. we bought some sets of jerseys and other sports kits like football and sucks to assist them in this competition. We also gave them some financial assistant so that they can go into all the various wards in the councils because they need to bring the kids in all the nooks and crannies of the FCT to the competition. We need to assist them financially for them to be able to carry out the work.

FCT preseason: Dreams FC targets knock out stage

By AmaechiAgbo The coach of Sporting Dreams Football Club has stated that the target of the team in the ongoing FCT preseason tournament is to play In knock out stage.

Coach of the side, NamadiOnuigbo, stated this on Saturday after his boys defeated their opponents, Conquerors, 2-1

NFF confirms new coaches for national teams

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PEOPLES DAILY, tuesday, february 13, 2018

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NFF confirms new coaches for national teams

By AmaechiAgbo

T

he Nigeria Football Federation on Monday confirmed the appointments of of coaching crews of all the National Teams, with the exception of the senior men team (Super Eagles), U20 Women (Falconets), U17 Women (Flamingos) as well as the Super Falcons whose contracts are currently running.

Chairman of the Technical and Development Committee, Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed ‘Fresh’ told reporters that the appointments are with immediate effect, and that his committee has done due diligence on all the names as approved by the constitution.

In a release yesterday, Yusuf ‘Fresh,’ who is also vice chairman of the NFF Strategy Committee, said: “All

the coaches will be unveiled at a later date, alongside the coaching crews of the U20 and U17 girls that were appointed earlier as a result of their World Cup qualifying campaigns.”

The appointed coaches and their portfolios include Salisu Yusuf (Head Coach) Under23 team. He will be assisted byImamaAmapakabo, Kennedy Boboye and Fidelis Ilechukwu while Alloy Agu will serve as goalkeepers’ trainer.

The U20 male team will be overseen

by Paul Aigbogunas head coach; AbdullahiMaikaba andAbubakarBala will work as his 1st and 2nd assistants, respectively.

Hassan Abdallah (Scouting) whereas SuleimanShuaibu is the goalkeepers’ trainer.

The Golden Eaglets, U17 will

be tutored by U17 Manu Garba as head coach. He will be assisted by NdukaUgbade and JolomiAtune Ali. BunmiHaruna is the scouting officer while AbideenBaruwaOlatunji is the goalkeepers’ trainer.

AlalaDanladiNasidiis entrusted with the responsibility of coach the U15 team (Futre Eagles) he will be assited by HarunaUsman ‘Ilerika’and Ahmed LawalDankoli as 1st and 2nd assistant coaches in that order.

Patrick Bassey (Scouting); and Ernest Salolome (goalkeepers’ Trainer) For the U13 male team,JolomiAtune Ali was appointed the head coach. He will be assisted by Jude Agada and Abdullahi Umar Tyabo.AdewaleLaloko is appointed scouting officers as the position of goalkeeper trainer went to AdeoyeOnigbinde.

Super Eagles Why Akwa United lost to Hawks of Banjul World Cup C hotel now a 3-star from a 4.5 star

R

eport has revealed that the Sanatorium Istochnik in Essentuki, where the Super Eagles are booked in for the World Cup has been downgraded to a threestar hotel, while Group D rivals Iceland and Croatia have secured 4-star hotels for the same tournament, according to scorenigeria.com.ng The Eagles hotel was previously a 4 and half star hotel, but it is now a 3-star hotel, meaning it offers less facilities and services than the hotels of rivals Iceland and Croatia.

Iceland have booked the Resort Nadezha in Gelendzhik, while Croatia will use the Woodland Rhapsody Resort in Leningrad as their base camp.

Argentina have secured the Training base Bronnitsy in the Moscow area as their main base for Russia 2018.

It would be recalled that Nigeria lost millions of Naira at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa on account of a breach of contract after they booked a hotel as their base camp only to later reject it.

oach Abdu Maikaba of Akwa United Football Club of Uyo said his players were disoriented psychologically following the 11thminute goal scored by the visiting Hawks FC of Banjul on Sunday.

Maikaba, while fielding questions from sports journalists during a post-match briefing, lamented that his boys were put under pressure even though he presented the best of his team.

The Uyo-based team lost 1-2 to the visiting team in the preliminary round of the 2018 Confederation Cup at the Akpabio International Stadium.

The coach said he was not surprised because of his knowledge of the kind of football played in Gambia.

“I treated them with respect. I know that they are a very good side, they play compact football, and they are always behind the ball.

“They are a highly tactical side, and we have learnt a very big lesson. We have to be mentally strong to meet them in the return leg in the Gambia,” Maikaba said.

The coach expressed optimism that his team can win in the away match in Gambia, promising to work hard to qualify in the CAF campaign.

Speaking in the same vein, the Akwa United FC captain, Ariwachukwu Emmanuel, told NAN that his team lost to the Hawks FC of Banjul gallantly.

Emmanuel said that the visiting team was very fortunate to beat his team at its home in Uyo. “Football is luck. We had this hard luck today.

I believe in fate, we can still win the away match in Gambia,” Emmanuel said.

His counterpart from Hawks FC of Banjul, Omar Sarr, attributed his team’s victory over Akwa United FC to luck.

Sarr, however said that though they were happy beating Akwa United FC at home, the competition was not yet over.

The Hawks FC coach, Ansumana Fatty, represented by the team manager, KebbaNjie, described Akwa United FC as a great team.

The coach said the host team had created a lot of chances but could not score because Hawks FC had a very good goalkeeper.

He said his team goalkeeper, Yankuba Colley, was the man of the match, having saved several shots from the host team.

“The game is not yet over. We will work hard and improve on our team when we get home.

“We’ve already taken the tie’s advantage.

We will have home advantage, but winning just away doesn’t mean it is over. Akwa United FC is a tactical team.

“We will work harder and train well to get to the next stage,” Fatty said.

He thanked the host team Akwa United FC of Uyo for their hospitality towards his team and the officials.

Referee awards five penalties in Asante Kotoko’s CAFCC win

I

t was drama on Sunday at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi where Ghanaian side Asante Kotoko faced Congolese side Cara Brazzaville in their 2018 CAF Confederation Cup first leg preliminary game.

Substitute Yakubu Mohammed scored the game’s only goal in second half stoppage time

from the penalty spot, the game’s fifth spot kick awarded by referee Issa Sly. Four of the five penalties were awarded to the host team, Kotoko by the Senegalese arbiter but the visitors also spurned their own chance when handed a penalty in the second half.

Mr Sly made his intentions of making it a day of penalties well known early on as he pointed to the spot in the fifth minute for a handball incident against a defender from the visiting team.

Striker Saddick Adams however fired wide from twelve yards.

Attacker Kwame Boahene then won two penalties for his side within ten second half minutes.

The first came on the hour but Kotoko captain Amos Frimpong’s tame effort was saved by Cara goalkeeper Chansel Massa before Massa once again denied Baba Mahama on seventy minutes.

Cara would then have a share of the penalty bonanza when goalkeeper Massa stepped up to take another spot kick but his opposite number, Felix Annan denied the Congolese side the chance to take a shock lead.

The final penalty of the game however came in stoppage time and substitute Mohammed delivered his side with an emphatic strike.

QUOTABLE QUOTE

. . . putting the people first

tuesday, february 13, 2018

“The police of today are inadequate, so if we look at the ratio, it is far below international standard. Therefore, we in the Forum agreed that we can find a way that we can fine-tune the issue of State police.”

—Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum and Zamfara State Governor, Alhaji Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari

SPORTS Critiquing Buhari’s visit to Nasarawa latest

I am a ‘disaster’ in convincing Chelsea to sign players – Conte

C

helsea manager Antonio Conte admits that he is “a bit of a disaster” when it comes to convincing the club’s board to sign new players.

The Premier League champions failed to make any big signings in the January transfer window. And the 48-year-old Italian says he needs to be more persuasive.

“I have to speak more with the managers who are very, very good at persuading their clubs to spend money to buy top players,” he said.

“I think I’m a bit of a disaster to convince the club to buy players.

I think in this aspect I can improve a lot.

“I have to learn a lot from the other coaches, the other managers, in that aspect.”

Conte said in January that he was “happy” at Chelsea, playing down reports that his relationship with owner Roman Abramovich had become strained.

Abramovich was reportedly angry that the Italian had said he did not choose the club’s signings this season.

Chelsea are facing a fight to qualify for next season’s Champions League after winning one of their past five Premier League matches.

Striker Alexis Sanchez and defender Virgil van Dijk were both linked with the club recently before going to Manchester United and Liverpool respectively.

But Conte said he can still get the best out of his squad.

“My task is to try and improve every single player, in every aspect in terms of their mentality also. For this, I’m very good,” he said.

Taye Taiwo and Oduamadi

Advert: business: news: lagos:

L

ady Victoria where in the world have you seen a president commissioning a market…?” That is one of the text messages I received about President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent state visit to Nasarawa State. Another asked, “The president was in Lafia and he did not go to Benue?” Also the critics maintained that what was commissioned by Mr. President are ‘petty’ projects.

Without exaggerating Nigerians are ‘born’ critics for whatever you do, say or conceptualise, you are sure to get dissenting voices from both the informed and the uninformed.

They are professional and armchair critics. We have them aplenty in Nigeria. And Nigerian leaders especially those in the public sphere must learn to live with them. You could argue that such is what makes the world interesting as hearing same sound bites or drumbeats all the time could become monotonous, could lure one to sleep and inertia so to speak rather than the alertness that always hearing something different engenders.

After all, variety is said to be the spice of life.

Any way the messages gingered me to probe further and what better place to get answers to these criticisms than the ministry of information headed by a former majority Leader of the State’s House of Assembly, Hon. Abdulhamid Yakubu Kwarra. Hon. Kwarra an eloquent speaker with a distinct diction is like a walking encyclopaedia on Nasarawa State as he reels out facts, figures, dates and names about the state off hand, on the spur of the moment.

On the opposition’s claim that the Karu International Market commissioned and named after the president is their baby because it was started by the PDP administration, available facts show that it was actually initiated some 22 years ago by its first governor, now deceased, Wing Commander Abdullahi Adamu.

Commander Ibrahim was appointed by the then military regime of the late General Sani Abacha when Nasarawa State was carved out of old Plateau State in 1996 as its administrator.

Other pioneer projects started by this pioneer governor is the Government House on Shendam Road and the Nasarawa Broadcasting Service (NBS).

Though started in 1996, the Karu International Market which is located literally a stone throw

0806 564 8620 0704 385 9705 0814 292 9046 08074420617

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VICTORIA NGOZI IKEANO vikeano@yahoo.co.uk 08033077519 from the federal capital territory, Abuja, had remained comatose for long. It was learnt that it took political will on part of the incumbent governor to complete and put to use this market which the government refers to as a “critical infrastructure”.

This is understandable because Nasarawa State being largely a civil service state with no industrial base relies majorly on establishment of markets to empower its people and generate revenue. Hence the government is now establishing modern markets such as the New Market and Neighbourhood Market, both in the state capital, Lafia, Akwanga Model Market and of course the Muhammadu Buhari International Market, Karu.

Regarding the labelling of projects commissioned by Mr. President as ‘petty’, the Information boss retorts, “Since the creation of Nasarawa State in 1996, did we have a market, since creation of Nasarawa State in 1996 did we have a Fire Service, since creation of Nasarawa State in 1996, did we have these ‘petty’ projects?”.

For the Comprehensive Health Centre in Kwandere, findings show that it is not just the usual village health centre where you have a permanent nurse and one solitary migrant medical doctor that breezes in three times in a week to see patients with just minor ailments in an outpatient setting, recommending drugs which they have to go buy outside. The Comprehensive Health Centre that was commissioned by President Buhari is a model, a full-fledged hospital that renders a full range of medical services, including harbouring in-patients ( patients

“

on admission), enabling rural dwellers to have access to quality healthcare like their counterparts in the cities. Findings also show this Comprehensive Health Centre is a project undertaken with the federal government under auspices of the National Primary Health Development Agency (NPHDA). And should this Comprehensive Health Care facility which is being done on a pilot basis be successful, then it is expected to be replicated in all electoral wards nationwide.

Should this eventually happen, it would drastically boost healthcare delivery in our rural areas nationwide.

The Lafia Comprehensive Special School is truly special in words and deed for it is a special institution meant to provide quality education for all children that suffer from various forms of physical deformities and other impairments from kindergarten to secondary level It is all free of charge and the children are drawn from all parts of the country. One dares to say that this is a bold and courageous initiative as it is geared at developing the innate abilities and skills of this apparently neglected class of citizens in our society who are often looked down upon with contempt and also treated shabbily by the society. By equipping them with quality education, they can compete favourably with their able bodied counterparts and also contribute their quota to our nation’s development. So far, from research, this is the first such comprehensive special school in the county. One cannot but doff one’s scarf (hat) to the governor, Tanko Almakura for this laudable project which apparently stems

Apparently Mr. President’s state visit had been fixed and his itinerary mapped out before the tensions generated by the clashes. Indeed President Buhari was originally supposed to spend two days in Nasarawa but because of pressing national issues on the part of the presidency

from his own experience. These vulnerable, disadvantaged, physically and mentally challenged groups of persons in our midst deserve all the attention they can get from all and sundry, including government. By setting up this exemplary school, the government is giving hope to these special kinds of children and brightening their future which ordinarily is often bleak.

Now concerning the vexed issue of Mr. President not visiting Benue that had in recent times been hit by the herdsmen/farmers crisis with concomitant toll on lives and properties and the border communities in Nasarawa who suffer similar fate with a high toll of internally displaced persons.

Apparently Mr. President’s state visit had been fixed and his itinerary mapped out before the tensions generated by the clashes.

Indeed President Buhari was originally supposed to spend two days in Nasarawa but because of pressing national issues on the part of the presidency, it was cut short to one day.

But Hon. Abdulhamid Kwarra responded to this criticism of the president not visiting the border communities that are suffering the aftermath of this crisis thus, ”The issue of refugees is the direct impact of the so-called antigrazing law from our neighbouring state of Benue and we are left to manage the consequences of an irresponsible political decision. It is the product of that that brought about the refugees. Mr. President has no business with that; we did not invite him for that.

“If there is anybody that should come and see the refugees, it should be the Benue state governor, to come and see what he has caused by his own action”.

DAN GAYE

Former governors’ pension packages outrageous, condemnable – Ogun ex-gov

Hope he is not collecting.

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