Wednesday, February 14, 2018 Edition by Peoples Media Limited

Wednesday, February 14, 2018/ Jimadal Awwal 27, 1439AH Vol. 28 No. 028 N150

Senate probes scarcity of lower denomination currency

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S/Africa’s Zuma risks impeachment as ANC demands resignation

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. . . putting the people first

50 percent of Nigerian children engaged in child labour-NBS pAGE 7

Allow Nigeria move forward, Tinubu tells Obasanjo, IBB page 5

L-R: Governors Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State; Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano; Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi; Chairman, Code of Conduct Tribunal, Justice Danladi Umar; Gov Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa State; Gov Bindo Jibrilla of Adamawa State; Former Minister of Housing, Amal Pepple and the Representative of Bishop of Abuja Catholic Diocese, Rev Fr Cyril Nwafor during the launch of Integrity and Service Compendium at the Presidential Villa, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: NAN

Shekau flees Sambisia Forest, disguised as woman - Army >>>page 2

1399 Days after

The nation awaits rescue of the remaining abducted Chibok schoolgirls

Why Kwakwanso can’t control me -Ganduje >>>page 5

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PEOPLES DAILY, wednesday, february 14, 2018

News CONTENTS News 2-14 Editorial

Op.Ed

12-13

Politics 15-17 Stockwatch Business

18 19-20

Metro

World Analysis 22 Africa News

World News

Shekau flees Sambisa Forest, disguised as woman -Army By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

he Nigerian Army has said that Boko Haram factional leader, Abubakar Shekau is on the run and dressed in woman attire. Shekau has been the major force behind the Boko Haram onslaught in the northern part of the country. The Boko Haram arrow head fighting to impose Islamic caliphate in the country’s north, had in the past threatened various arms of government in the country accusing them of going against the “will of God”. Meanwhile, the military severally claimed to have killed him in raids of the insurgents camp.

But yesterday’s statement released by Director Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Sani Kukasheka Usman said the concerted efforts of troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, in the ongoing clearance of the Boko Haram terrorists through Operation Deep Punch II has been yielding tremendous results with insurgents on the run. It said troops have successfully been clearing Boko Haram camps in Sambisa forest including Camp Zairo. “They have also rescued civilians being held hostages by the terrorists, recovered arms, ammunition, Improvised Explosives Devices (IED) factories and making materials

as well as other equipment. Consequently, the terrorists are in disarray and scampering for safety while others were surrendering.” The statement added that credible information from arrested and surrendered insurgents indicated that “the purported Boko Haram terrorists group factional leader, Abubakar Shekau could not bear the heat anymore as he has abandoned his followers, he is running for his dear life. “He is desperately trying to escape the theatre disguised as a woman dressed in Hijab. We reliably gathered that to avoid detection Abubakar Shekau alternates between blue and black coloured hijabs. He was

last seen in a black hijab. “We therefore call on all those remaining Boko Haram terrorists to know that they are following a coward moving about in hijab disguised as a woman. We also request all the remaining Boko Haram members to come out from hiding and lay down their arms and be treated humanely. “While concerted efforts are ongoing to track and apprehend the fugitive terrorist leader, we implore also members of the public, especially the residents of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States to be more vigilant, security conscious and be on the look out of Abubakar Shekau and other terrorists that might disguise as women to escape.” L-R: Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, Permanent Secretary Federal, Ministry of Education, Ach Sunny Ochonu, Deputy Director, Statistic and NEMS, Mr Mathew Nganjiuzor and Director Planning Development of the Ministry, Dr, Chioma Nwadei, during the Flag-off of 2017/ 2018, annual school census exercise, held yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Late Yusuf Buratai

Late Yusuf Buratai fought for the unity of Nigeria - Maina Page 4

Property

Feature 26 Sports 29-31 Back Page

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Senate, minister disagree on $350m zero interest loan By Christiana Ekpa

he Senate Joint Committees on Public Account and Power yesterday queried the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun for authorizing zero loan interest from the stabilization account. This is just as Adeosun said she has the authority to administer the funds kept by Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, NSIA. The senators who took turns in asking questions, queried the Minister on why she gave lone at zero interest from the stabilization accounts to NSIA for a tenured of one year to private company. Senate had mandated its Committee on Public Accounts to ascertain the $650 million balance of Eurobond with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

The Upper Legislative Chamber also mandated the committee to invite the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, to render a detailed account of public funds spent on the Afam Fast Power Project. It also urged the committee to investigate and consider summoning the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and Nigerian Electricity Bulk Trading Company (NBET) to establish the status of the funds. The resolution was sequel to a motion sponsored by Dino Melaye (APC, Kogi State) on “Monumental Fraud in the Power Sector”. The Senate Public Account Committee (SPAC) had threatened to issue a warrant of arrest on the Minister of finance if she fails again to honour the Committee’s invitation to appear before it to explain her role in the billion dollars Euro bond, which

prompt the minster to appeared before the joint committee yesterday The Chairman of the Committee on Public Account, Mathew Urhoghide (PDP Edo Sourth) who asked for the background and the purpose of the bond equally queried why the details of recovery did not show as the money was not be paid once. He said “the $350million was suppose to be paid to NBET but the money was used to be paid for Afam fast power, why is it so? Also the Committee Chairman on power, Eyinnaya Abaribe questioned the minister on what gave her the right to authorized the zero lone interest Others senators who also raised objections Yusuf Abubakar Yusuf (Taraba Central), Bassey Akpan (Akwa Ibom North East) and minority leader of the senate, God’swill Akpabio (PDP Akwa Ibom)

But the Finance Minster in her response said the $350 million did not come from Eurobond. On the issue of the authorization of the zero loan interest, the minister disclosed that she has the authority to administer the funds kept by NSIA. “The ex minister decided to invest the funds to get interest. The money came from Abacha loot in Swiss Bank and the condition was that the project to be invested it will be approved by the world back and they approached them and asked for the fast power by GE, and they decided to use the stabilization fund to pay with the abacha loot, buy, they said it will be social projects and not the power projects. “That was why they gave it to them in zero interest and if not they will not be able to get a huge project to invest the money to avoid piecemeal payment.

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PEOPLES DAILY, wednesday, february 14, 2018

News

Northern govs can stop herders, farmers clashes – Masari

overnor Aminu Masari of Katsina State has asked the 19 Northern governors to marshal out strategies that would checkmate herders/farmers clashes which had resulted in loss of lives in the region. Mr. Masari stated this during a visit by the newly elected chairman of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Katsina Council, Abdulhamid Sabo. The governor spoke two days after his Kano State counterpart, Abdullahi Ganduje, invited Fulani herdsmen facing challenges in grazing their cattle in different parts of the country to come and establish themselves in the state. Mr. Ganduje said the recent killings linked to the farmersherders crisis were unwarranted especially since Kano had a wide expanse of land, including dedicated grazing reserves that remained largely underutilised. Mr. Masari the governors had the capacity to surmount the herders/farmers clashes which had caused the deaths of several people. He said the region had enough land that could contain the herders and their cattle in one place instead of roaming about. “With unity and understanding all the governors can stop the cattle rearers from roaming about. “We can settle them in one place and provide basic necessities of life, especially education for them in order to have peaceful coexistence in the region,” he said. Commenting on the Zik Foundation Award conferred on him for rural development, the governor said that his administation was determined to advance the living standards of his people through careful planning. “My administration is ready to make careful planning and implement policies and programmes that will improve the living standards of the common man in the state. “The state government is always ready to partner with media practitioners to discharge their duties effectively,” he said. (NAN)

News Editor, Ese Awhotu

Senate probes scarcity of lower denomination naira By Ikechukwu Okaforadi and Christiana Ekpa

•Alleges diversion of N634.8bn fed road maintenance fund

CBN. While lamenting that all developed economies operate with coins, a developing economy like Nigeria is not even using coins despite the glaring disadvantages from the absence of coins for routine transactions in the country, he warned that if the situation is not remedied urgently it may lead to total collapse of the economy. Earlier in his ruling, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the plenary, disclosed that in other countries they limit their currency to small denomination, regretting that in Nigeria, the economy encouraged more circulation of higher currency. “Fifty pounds is the highest to be seen in UK, in US it is hundred dollars, but in Nigeria it is one thousand note everywhere. It is something that the government should do something about”, he said. Similarly, Magnus Abe, said the government should withdraw the small denomination if it is expensive to produce, pointing out that there is no need to retain them as legal tenders when they are

enate yesterday mandated its committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions to investigate the causes of scarcity of the lower denomination currency and report back to the senate in two weeks on how the issue can be resolved. This senate resolution was sequel to a motion moved by Peter Nwobochi (Delta North), which he titled “Scarcity of lower denomination currency notes”, in which he raised concern over the scarcity of 5,10,20,50,100 and even 200 naira notes. In the motion, Nwobochi said the scarcity pose a severe threat to the economy of the country, which he recalled is recovering from recession, adding that the consequences are that they are worsening inflationary trends. “The nation’s currency is highly essential and critical in national development and if mismanaged the economy is doomed with adverse effect on the people and the nation”, said, even as he expressed worry that banks no longer dispense lower naira notes on the excuse that they hardly receive it from the

not available. He however said there is need to do everything to protect the economy and the currency, adding that this will protect the image of Nigeria. In his remarks, Bassey Akpan said CBN has a duty to ensure adequate supply of money, irrespective of the currency. He said even though those in the city may not need small denomination so much, but in the rural areas where the majority resides, they need the lower denomination than the higher ones hence CBN has to consider this. Samuel Anyanwu, in his contribution, said there are competent companies that can produce the polymer notes. According to him, the CBN had complained that the polymer notes are expensive, saying they are expensive because those notes are printed abroad. Senator Momamned Kurfi, said the motion touched everybody in the chamber, observing that even the ones in circulation are dirty and torn to be accepted as legal tender. Senator Gobir said the use of lower denomination is a function of the economy, saying

there is need to increased local production of goods and services to make the lower currencies useful. Meanwhile the Senate has alleged that percentage of fuel sales worth about N634.8 billion meant for the maintenance of federal roads was diverted to unknown account. The allegation of the diversion of the funds was made by the chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Road Maintaance Agency (FERMA), Senator Magnus Abe, who revealed that the money meant for maintenance of Federal Roads across the country has been diverted to unknown account. The chairman who vowed to use legislative means to unravel the diversion of the money meant for the maintenance of federal roads wondered how could a law be made to remit a certain percentage from sales of each of fuel and the money would be diverted to unknown account. He added that everybody gets their shares from sales of fuel but the fund meant to maintain Federal roads were diverted to unknown account.

L-R: Member of the Presidential Committee on Restructuring of National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Chief Albert Horsfall, Chairman of the Committee, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, Former Acting Director General of NIA, Ambassador Zakari Ibrahim and Director General of NIA, Ambassador Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, when members of the committee appear before the House of Representatives committee on National Security and Intelligence, at the National Assembly,yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

22 students die in Kano auto crash By Edwin Olofu Kano

wenty students of Government Secondary School Misau in Bauchi state yesterday lost their lives in a ghastly auto crash along Bauchi Kano road. Confirming the incident, the Public

Relations Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Kano state, Kabir Daura said the students died in a fatal accident. He said the incident occurred around 11am near Tsaida Village in Gaya Local Government Area of Kano state. According to him, the students were

coming to Kano for an excursion when the bus in which they were travelling had a head on collision with a DAF truck. He said 22 students and their driver lost their lives in the incident while three others sustained serious injuries. “Of the 22 students, 12 are males

while the remaining 10 are females. “Two of the injured were taken to Gaya General Hospital while the remaining one was referred to a Specialist Hospital in Kano,” he said. He said all the copses had been deposited at the Morgue in the General Hospital, Gaya.

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News By Ese Awhotu

he Federal Government has commenced a process to establish bilingual schools in states along Nigeria borders with Cameroon. Speaking at a stakeholders meeting organized by Federal Ministry of Education towards actualizing the project, the Director of Education Support Services in the ministry, Mrs. Justina Ibe stated that the meeting was convened mainly to enable the stakeholders discuss Nigeria – Cameroon TransBorder Cooperation: Challenges and Opportunities.

PEOPLES DAILY, wednesday, february 14, 2018

FG to build bilingual schools along Cameroon borders -Official According to her, the proposed schools along the borderline would bridge the communication difficulties for future generation and break language barriers between Nigeria and her neighbours especially Cameroon. The Director disclosed that the idea of the multilingual schools along Border States was muted in a communiqué

received from the National Boundaries Commission on the 3rd Nigeria – Cameroon TransBorder Cooperation which tasked Federal Ministry of Education to facilitate the project. She noted that the Ministry had in the past worked with some countries on French Language Development, adding that even though the National

Policy on Education provides for multilingual study which is the learning of a child’s language of the immediate community; teachers and learners have not taken the study with desired seriousness. According to a statement signed by Mrs C. P Ihuoma, Director(Press & PR) made available to Peoples Daily

yesterday, the bilingual school project will be a tripartite cooperation among the federal and state governments of Nigeria, she said. The meeting was well attended by relevant Federal Ministries, Agencies and international communities working on migration.

Late Yusuf Buratai fought for the unity of Nigeria - Maina

From: Femi Oyelola kaduna

he late father of the Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai Alhaji Yusuf Buratai has been described as few among Nigerians who believed in the unity of the country and fought gallantly for it. The former Chairman of the Presidential Taskforce on Pension Reform, Abdulrasheed Maina, stated this in a condolence statement made available to the media in Kaduna yesterday. According to the statement addressed to Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai, Maina said the late statesman will be greatly missed not only by his family, Biu Emirate, but the nation at Large. “Baba was a man of courage, wisdom and indeed a soldier with a difference. He was among the few Nigerians who believed in the unity of the country and fought gallantly for it,” Maina observed.

L-R: President Muhammadu Buhari receives former Head of State General Abduldsalami Abubakar, at the State House, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: State House

Gunmen abduct ex Kaduna state PDP chieftain From Femi Oyelola Kaduna

he former Treasurer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Kaduna state, Alhaji Musa Danbaba, has been abducted by yet to be identified gunmen who stormed his country home in Siya-Siya Village in Ikara Local Government Area of the state. Investigation revealed that the gunmen stormed his home and

started shooting randomly to scare off people before forcefully gaining access into the compound and took him away in their vehicle an unknown destination. Confirming the abduction, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Aliyu Mukhtar, said the gunmen numbering five raided the PDP chieftain’s home at about 1.20am yesterday, and zoomed off with him. “When we received the report

the Divisional Police Office in Ikara, led a team of policemen who gave the abductors a chase and were later supported by other units. “As I am speaking to you know, they are still on the trail on the abductors and manhunt has been intensified to rescue the victim and arrest the perpetrators,” he said. Alhaji Musa Danbaba is said to be a close associate of former Kaduna State Governor and National

Caretaker Chairman of PDP, Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi. When our reporter visited the state Secretariat of the PDP, a source who did not want his name in print described the abduction of Alh. Danbaba as unfortunate because he is a man that practice politics without bitterness. The source further said the major concern is that of his health because he is said to be hypertensive.

FG irrevocably committed to fight against graft -Osinbajo FROM Ahmad Ibrahim Lokoja

he Vice President of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osinbajo has given reasons why the present administration is irrevocably commitment to eradicating corruption since it assumed office about three years ago. Speaking at the first Kogi State Economic and Investment Summit in Lokoja yesterday, Vice President Osinbajo described corruption as a cankerworm that is seriously retarding the progress and development of the nation. He noted that corruption is holding the growth of the nation, despite her enormous human

and materials resources, saying concerted efforts must be geared towards fighting the menace for the overall transformation of the country. He disclosed that the Muhammadu Buhari led administration has achieved a lot in taking the country to another level of development, as giant strides have been recorded in various sectors of the economy, which are of immense benefits to the general well being of the people. The Vice President further disclosed that efforts are being intensified by the Federal Government to revive the Ajaokuta

Steel Company, saying the legal issues holding the revitalization of the project has been thrashed while the 110 mega watts power plant in the company is been revive, and would be added to the national grid. He revealed that technical audit of the company was on-going while work on Itakpe Warri rail project when completed, would ease movement of people and goods, even as concerted efforts are being made to make water ways navigable all year round. He stressed that the Federal Government, aside commitment to complete the Mambilla hydro project which has been abandoned

for 40 years, has equally intensified efforts in making the second Niger Bridge project a reality, among other laudable projects. He maintained that about N1.19 trillion got to the states including Paris Club refund, explaining that even though some of the funds are entitlements of states, no government has made such efforts in assisting the state govern,ents in time of need like the present administration. The Vice President expressed the commitment of the federal government in collaborating with the private sector so as to open up opportunities to boost the well being of the people particularly

the down trodden, more so that that the private sector is key to economic growth. He commended Governor Yahaya Bello for his foresight and commitment in putting the state on sound economic pedestal, describing Kogi State as confluence of culture, tradition and resources, in view of its rich potentials. Governor Yahaya Bello had earlier in a remark, expressed the commitment of his administration to put the state on sound economic pedestal, promising to harness the enormous resources in the state, to boost the well being of the people.

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PEOPLES DAILY, wednesday, february 14, 2018

News

Allow Nigeria move forward, Tinubu tells Obasanjo, IBB By Lawrence Olaoye

ational Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the newly appointed Chairman of the party’s Reconciliation Committee, Sen. Ahmed Bola Tinubu, has advised former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Military President Ibrahim Babangida to join retirees’ club and take pensions. Tinubu gave this counsel yesterday while briefing newsmen after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari alongside the former APC Interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, at the Presidential Villa. The former governor of Lagos also described President Buhari as a rare being both in Nigeria and Africa, having fought to keep the country one and again came into politics to save the nation. Asked to react to recent statements released by the former leaders wherein they counseled Buhari not to contest the 2019 Presidential election, Tinubu said: “I don’t address those shadows. We should let our former presidents join retirees’ club and take pensions; but they can participate in our politics if they are interested. It is a free world, but this freedom is not served a la carte; they should allow us to move our country forward. It is a challenge to every Nigerian.” Asked how he felt concerning

the task of reconciling aggrieved members of the party given to him by the President, Tinubu said: “Well, l feel greatly honoured with the mutual confidence that the president has reposed in me which is a very strong political challenge. We have started in earnest. He has given me free hand to put coercion, confidence and trust in the party. “Democracy is about conflict

resolution process. You can’t do it without resolving conflicts. We can’t build it without understanding the conflicts and sources where we are coming from. But we want to leave the country with a legacy. It’s not about Mr. President. That is what he’s telling the country. “It’s about our country and no other choice to democratic tenets than through political

party platforms. He’s one of those rare beings around the country, around Africa who had experienced both worlds: he fought a battle to save Nigeria and came to politics to save Nigeria. Very rare people have such an opportunity in their life time and that’s what we talk about legacy, and where we have all the challenges, do what we should do. “I’m enjoying the challenges

so far.” On the chances of the APC in the 2019 general elections, Tinubu said: “You are asking me an obvious question. I belong to this party. My commitment is to this party. We have a better chance and we are strongly determined to prosecute election in a most transparent and democratic manner and we will win.” Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara (middle) inspecting the Prototype of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited, with him are: Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello (2nd right), Minister for State Solid Mineral Development, Alhaji Abubakar Bawa Bwari (1st right ), Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon. Prince Mathew Kolawole (2nd left ) and General Manager of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited, Engr. B.O Suru when Speaker Dogara led a House Committee on Solid Mineral Development on an inspection tour of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited on Monday in Kogi State.

Why Kwakwanso can’t control me - Ganduje By Lawrence Olaoye and Ali Alkali

ano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, has told his predecessor, Senator Rabiu Kwakwanso that he would not tolerate his attempt to control him from outside. The governor, while fielding questions bordering on his relationship with his predecessor from State House Correspondents, after attending High-table Dialogue on Ethical Values and National Security held at the Aso Villa Conference Centre yesterday, said they were both well bonded in Kano politics. Ganduje said “Well, as you know we were very good friends. In fact my politics cannot be complete without Kwankwaso, and the history of Kwankwaso politics cannot be complete without me. But, somewhere, somehow, things went wrong. “But we believe in politics that you will get to a point you cannot rule and manage a state if you are being controlled from outside. You know that one is very difficult, if you look at the psychology of leaders.” It would be recalled that there have been no love lost between both leaders, as Ganduje was recently quoted to have said that his differences with Kwakwanso were irreconcilable. Ganduje, who was Kwakwanso’s deputy for eight years, fell apart with his former boss to the extent that the Police prevailed on the

Senator to cancel his planned mega rally in Kano when his event coincided with the one organized by the governor in January. Responding to Governor Ganduje’s remarks at the Villa, one of the notable figures in Kwankwasiyya movement, Honourable Aliyu Sani Madakin Gini, member representing Dala Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, told Peoples Daily in a telephone interview that as far everybody knows in Kano, “Senator Kwankwaso never tries to control Ganduje administration. That’s why he stayed away from the state for over a year. “Right from the beginning, Kwankwaso allowed the Governor to select and appoint his own commissioners and all his political appointees. So, how does Kwankwaso try to control the governor?” Ganduje, while responding to allegations that there was a general air of insecurity in Kano because of the disagreement between the two leaders, said “Well, we conducted local government elections precisely on Saturday, 10th February, and it was very peaceful. Independent observers were there; the result was 100 per cent APC. The election was free and fair. “So, you can see that the insecurity was publicized outside Kano. People believe here (in Abuja) that there is insecurity; but in Kano,

there is peace and stability.” He continued, “A month ago, we had inter-faith dialogue between the Christians and Muslim. The Ulama’as and the clergymen were all there. We had a resolution pertaining to the peace and stability in the state. And since I came into office, there has not been any outbreak of instability in the state. Nobody has been killed; nobody has been injured as a result of political activities. “So, you can see that the propaganda outside the state is that there is insecurity in the state; and we have been showing the world that it is false.” On the spiraling images of under-age voters in the social media, Governor Ganduje said, “That was propaganda. All those pictures were children from school assembly. It is not true; it is part of the propaganda. You can ask the national observers who went there. They held a press conference. “Let them go back to the state and ask the people, did they queue up and vote in the election? So, we don’t even need to respond to such falsehood. Ask those who are credible and who witnessed the election. I think that is most important rather than relying on the social media where things are crafted, and fake pictures that were prearranged posted. We don’t rely on that.” Governor of Bauchi State, Mohammed

Abubakar, who also spoke to newsmen allayed the fears that state police would be abused if allowed in the country. When asked, he said: “I do not think so. There will always be fears; but we should not think in terms of individuals in Nigeria. That is our bane. We should think in terms of developing institutions. When we develop institutions and the plain truth, they take care of the indiscretions of individuals.” He also explained that state police was necessary in a federation alluding to the practice in the United States of America (USA) after which Nigerian federalism was modeled. Commenting generally on the event, Gov Abubakar said: “We came for a dialogue on ethics and integrity of service and the launching of a compendium on the life and times of Mr. President and the service he has rendered to the nation, from the time he joined the army to date.” Asked whether the compendium was a prelude to activities for 2019 general election, the Bauchi governor said: “Well, this compendium was conceived well before the consideration for 2019 elections. It is a factual compendium not politics. The dialogue is the first thing in addressing the problems of the nation, the need for us to forge unity, to consider the challenges affecting the nation without unnecessarily overheating the nation.”

PEOPLES DAILY, wednesday, february 14, 2018

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News Police detain 2 over alleged murder of driver From Asaba

Osakhare

Erese

he Police in OgwashiUku, near Asaba Delta State have arrested, and detained two persons for alleged complicity in the murder of a

driver with Delta Line. The Delta Line Driver identified as Ationor (surname withheld) was said to have been murdered somewhere between Abah-Unor, and Adonte community in Ogwashi-Uku by suspected assailants who also

reportedly made away with his Hummer Bus. But sources said the victim was allegedly lured to the lonely community road where he was murdered in cold blood. Mr. Andrew Aniamaka, the Police Image in the State who

confirmed the arrest of the suspects, gave their names as follows: Augustine Uwafili 26, and Otonokpo Davis 32 years old, adding that they would be charged to court on completion of investigation. It was gathered that one of

the suspects, a spray painter was arrested, and upon interrogation took the police detectives to the house of his gang member where the police took both to Ogwashi-Uku Police Division, and detained them.

L-R: Counsel to Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN), Mr. J.Y. Musa (SAN), National Commandant, Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN), Mr. Dickson Akoh and Deputy National Commandant Admin of PCN, Dr. Edet Ekpeyong, during the public hearing on the Nigerian Peace Corps and Police Face off, at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Kaduna: Hunters decry arrest of members as thugs From Femi Oyelola Kaduna

unters in Kaduna North Local Government Area have called on Kaduna State Government to stop using their members to blackmail their political opponents in the state. The leader of the group, Usman Mohammed made the call while speaking to the media in Kaduna on Monday. According to him, they are only performing their legitimate work as hunters without affiliation to any group or political party. “We were invited to a meeting at the office of the Special Adviser to Governor El-Rufai on Islamic Matters, Namadi Musa not too long ago, and were told that the government is willing to partner with us especially in area of tackling Sara-Suka and to empower us to be self-realiance”, he said. Mohammed added that as a leader, he saw this as a development because the group

– Sara-suka is becoming a threat to peace and harmony in Kaduna metropolis. “So we mobilized our members for the meeting at the said office. After the discussion our contacts and phone numbers were collected and we were told to standby. “Surprisingly after some weeks have passed, we learnt that our members were being traced

to their homes and picked up by security agents where they were taken into custody, beaten black and blue. “After torturing our members they were asked to write a statement indicting some prominent politicians in the state especially those perceived to be enemies of the government in power. “As a leader, I went to the

Special Adviser to Governor ElRufai on Islamic Matters, Namadi Musa’s office to complain and inform him that all the people whose contacts and numbers were collected, some have been picked up. “It is then he revealed to me that those members who attended the meeting in his office were thugs working for opponents of the government. This is

surprising to me, because all of my life, I have been a local hunter selling my games to people. “Local hunters are not thugs. Let me say here categorically that we are not being sponsored by anybody to work against the State Government, therefore, our members still under custody should be released and allowed to practice their inherited trade without hindrance,” he said.:

Abuse of office: Court discharges ex-president Jonathan’s physician

n FCT High Court on Tuesday dismissed the sixcount charge bordering on abuse of office preferred against Fortune Feberesima, Chief Physician to former President Goodluck Jonathan. The EFCC accused Mr. Fiberesima of awarding contracts valued at N258.9 million and N36.9 million, respectively to a company where he had interests.

The contracts were reclamation of land at the State House Medical Centre for N358.9 million and supply of medical consumables at N36. 9 million. EFCC said the offence contravened sections 12 and 19 of Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000. Justice Peter Affen, in his ruling on the defendant’s no case submission, held that the

prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against the defendant. Mr. Affen said that the charges against the defendant was that he abused his office as a public servant and awarded contracts to companies he had interest in. He held that the prosecution did not establish the essential ingredients of the element of the offences he was charged.

“Mere suspicion alone without concrete evidence is not enough to prefer a charge against a defendant. “There was no evidence before the court showing the defendant’s appointment letter from the Civil Service Commission or anyone to demonstrate that he was a public servant,” the Judge held(Source: NAN)

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PEOPLES DAILY, wednesday, february 14, 2018

CRIME News Delta: Police allays fears over deployment of massive security to communities From Osakhare Erese Asaba

The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, Muhammad A. Mustafa, has enjoined the citizens and residents of Aruton, OdeUgborodo and other neighbouring communities in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State not to be alarmed over the deployment of many security operatives in the areas. The CP stated this while responding to intelligence report that youths in the areas were planning to protest the presence of security operatives and gunboats in their communities. The CP noted that the deployment of security operatives in the areas is a joint operation by the Police, the Military, and Department of State Security Services (DSS), et.al to rid the areas of hoodlums who use them as bases for various nefarious activities which include militancy, illegal oil bunkering and oil pipeline vandalism.

N11bn fraud: Court adjourns trail of Shema, 3 others to April 10 From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua Katsina

Katsina High Court 111, presided by Justice Maikaita Bako has shifted to April, 10th, 11th and 12th for the commencement of the trial of former Katsina State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Shema and three others over alleged N11 billion fraud. It could be recalled that the

ex-governor and three others have challenged the jurisdiction of the Katsina High Court over their trial where the Supreme Court asked them to return to the Katsina court to face trial. At the resume hearing, yesterday Justice Bako urged the prosecution to make available to the defendants all the necessary papers containing the charges against them before the next adjourned dates.

Earlier, the counsel to the EFCC, Barrister Sam Ogulobisi has told the court that the prosecution had added two more charges against the accused persons. However, the counsel to the accused persons, J.B Daudu has vowed that his client will fight for their rights in making sure that they were presented with the relevant papers containing the charges before the next sitting of

the court. Those standing trial with the former governor, Ibrahim Shema over the alleged N11 bn fraud include, Sani Hamisu Makana, former commissioner of local government and chieftaincy affairs, Lawal Rufa’I, former permanent secretary ministry of local government and Ibrahim Lawal Dankaba, former chairman ALGON.

Clashes: SOKAD decries exclusion of Kaduna from NEC visitation panel From Femi Oyelola Kaduna

he People of Southern Kaduna in Diaspora (SOKAD) has described as, “deficient of logic and reason” the non inclusion of Kaduna state by the sub-committee of the National Economic Council (NEC) set up to visit frontline States suffering from herdsmen versus farmers violence. This was contained in a statement signed in Gainsville, Florida, and made available to newsmen in Kaduna yesterday. While praising the Federal government for the initiative, SOKAD maintained that Southern Kaduna remains and epic centre of the violence in which it accused herdsmen of being the major perpetrators. The statement signed by the President of SOKAD – USA, Dr. Freeman Kamuru, its Secretary, Danlami Ngboze and Financial Secretary, Saidu John, noted that, “The decision of the National Economic Council (NEC) of the Federal Government of Nigeria to set up a Sub-Committee to visit the frontline States “involved in herdsmen/farmers conflict and hold consultations with the stakeholders and interested parties on how to end the conflicts is a good and welcome move that is long overdue.”

Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (5th L); National Security Adviser retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (5th R) and other stakeholders, during the presentation of Policy Framework and national action plan for preventing and counter violence extremism, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: NAN

50 percent of Nigerian children engaged in child labour – NBS

he National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) 2017 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) says about 50.8 per cent of Nigerian children, aged between five and 17, are involved in child labour. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NBS conducted the survey in conjunction with other partners, including the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF). NAN reports that child labour entails work that is mentally, physically, socially or morally dangerous and harmful to children and deprives them of opportunities for schooling and development. Maureen Zubie-Okolo, UNICEF’s Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, in an interview with NAN on Tuesday in Abuja, said the figure was alarming and worrisome in spite of all legislation. Mrs. Zubie-Okolo identified North-Central region as having the highest burden of child labour

of 56.8 per cent followed by NorthWest accounting for 55.1 per cent. South- South has 48.7 per cent; South-East 46.6 per cent, and South-West 38 per cent, respectively. She also frowned at the number of children working in hazardous conditions in the country and identified North Central as accounting for the highest number with 49.6 per cent. The UNICEF official also identified North West as accounting 41.9 per cent of children working in hard conditions, followed by South-South 37.9 per cent; SouthEast 36.1 per cent; North-East 34.1 per cent and South-West 25.4 per cent in that order. Mrs. Zubie-Okolo identified the major causes of child labour as poverty, rapid urbanisation, breakdown in extended family affiliations, rate of high school drop-out and lack of enforcement of legal instruments meant to protect children. She identified one of the most common practices of child labour as the use of children as child

domestics. Mrs. Zubie-Okolo, who described the 2017 MIC survey as fifth in the series, noted that it helped to espouse the country’s progress and lapses in key areas of development, among others. According to her, it provides opportunity for strengthening national statistical capacity, by providing technical guidance on data gathering. She emphasised that the survey also provided statistics to complement and assess the quality of data from recent national surveys such as National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) and Nigerian General Household Panel Survey (NGHPS) conducted by the National Population Commission (NPopC). “The high level of diverse and tedious jobs that children execute in dangerous circumstances is particularly worrying. “These jobs include being street vendors, beggars, car washers or watchers and shoe shiners. “Others work as apprentice mechanics, hairdressers and bus

conductors, while a large number work as domestic servants and farm hands. “Traditionally, children have worked with their families, but today children are forced to work for their own and their family’s survival. “The money earned by child family members has become a significant part of poor families’ income. “These children who work suffer from fatigue, irregular attendance at school, lack of comprehension and motivation, improper socialisation, exposure to risk of sexual abuse, high likelihood of being involved in crime. “These children which are mostly young girls, should be in school but instead, they are in the market hawking food items because their families need the extra income,” she said. According to her, there is urgent need for government to enforce laws on child labour in order to stem the tide and further reduce the burden.(NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, wednesday, february 14, 2018

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News

Melaye to AGF: Arraignment won’t stop my criticism By Christiana Ekpa Senator Dino Melaye ( APC Kogi West) yesterday disclosed that his planned arraignment by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN), for allegedly misleading the Nigeria Police in a case of alleged assassination attempt on his life, will not stop him from constructively criticising the Federal Government whenever

the need arises. Recall that the Federal Government through the AGF and the Minister of Justice, Malami, had on Sunday announced plan to arraing Melaye on Thursday, March 1, 2018 for allegedly giving false information to the Police and allegedly framing the Chief of Staff to the Kogi State governor, Edward Onoja, on the failed attempt on his life. Melaye who revealed this at the

plenary on Tuesday under personal explanation, noted that when the failed attempt on his life was made in 2017 at his country home in Kogi state, the Police naturally asked him who and who were the suspects, to which he gave the names of those who were apparently after his life given their previous utterances and the Police subsequently made some arrests and guns were recovered from the suspects. “If this arraignment is to stop

me from criticising the Federal government, they have committed a capital compound mistake. I shall continue to speak, I shall continue to ask questions, I shall continue to criticise any public officer including the President of Nigeria where he has gone wrong. “I have conquered fear and I am not afraid of the prison. The last administration arrested me 14 times. The Abacha and Babangida governments detained me. I am

IBBU Lapai signs N1bn medical college building contract -VC From Yakubu Minna

Young professional Soldiers marching during their Passingout ceremony at the Nigeria Army Training Centre in Kotangora, yesterday in Niger. Photo: NAN

Mustapha

he Vice Chancellor, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Professor Muhammad Nasir Maiturare has said that the Institution have signed a contract agreement worth over one billion naira for the construction of first phase of the long proposed Medical College. Professor Maiturare while speaking during the ceremony, stated that the University would attain a milestone considering the critical nature of the project to the life of the institution. He said the University was ready to provide the best possible environment in terms of medical practices, adding that it was hoped to be one of the best medical projects in Nigeria and so nothing short of high quality structures would be accepted from the contractors. Maiturare hinted that contract for the construction of Information Communication Technology Resource Centre was also being signed, with serious commitment needed from the contractors who should not only see themselves as working for the University, but as stakeholders who are ready to provide the best for the benefit of all.

Patience Jonathan wants out-of-court settlement with EFCC

ormer First Lady, Patience Jonathan, appears to be tired of fighting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in court and has asked for an out-of-court settlement. In a January 30, 2018 letter, titled “Proposal for out-of-Court Settlement of all cases related to Dame (Mrs.) Ibifaka Patience Jonathan,” Mr. Jonathan told the EFCC of her intention to settle the matter, the News Agency of Nigeria reported Tuesday. The letter, which was written by her counsel, Ifedayo Adedipe, is being considered by the EFCC. The letter said: “As senior counsel, representing Dame (Mrs.) Patience Jonathan (former

First Lady) and companies linked to her and some family members, associates, companies and NGOs, we have thought it fit to engage your commission in a discussion over all issues involving her and the commission with a view to having amicable resolution of all cases as stated above. “This will enable both sides create an atmosphere for mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence. We will therefore appreciate it, if you can give us an appointment at your earliest convenience to have a discussion over all matters involving her and members of her family. “We believe that an amicable settlement will be in the best interest of both your commission

and our client. “We assure you of our utmost commitment and sincerity of purpose in this connection, and we solicit your cooperation in this regard. Please, accept the assurances of our warm regards.” The news agency, NAN, said the letter came as EFCC stumbled on more startling information on how Mrs. Jonathan piled up dollar deposits in Skye and First banks, including how she lavished part of the money. The former first lady has been linked by investigators to huge amount of bank deposits and several choice properties across the country. According to NAN, assets

Osun govt to spend N13.7bn on water supply

he Osun State Government says it will spend N13.7 billion on the provision of potable water in the state this year. Olugbenga Owojuyigbe, the General Manager of the State Water Corporation, disclosed this during the corporation’s budget defence at the House of Assembly on Tuesday in Osogbo. Mr. Owojuyigbe also said that the corporation was targeting N450 million as revenue during

not afraid of the prison, it is built because of human beings but we will continue to speak the truth not minding whose ox is gored. “In an unjust society, silence is a crime. The battle to bring Nigeria back on track from these criminals in power is a battle of no retreat no surrender and I am ready to face the Federal Government on this matter, I will fight it with the last drop of my blood, no retreat no surrender,” Melaye said.

the year. He further said the corporation was working hard to ensure that all the dams in the state were in good condition to ensure provision of water to the people of the state. Mr. Owojuyigbe, however, said that non-payment of water rate by individuals and corporate organisations in the state was affecting the revenue generation drive of the agency. According to him, the agency is also being owed more than N200

million by consumers in the state. In his remarks, Kamil Oyedele, the House Committee Chairman on Finance and Appropriation, directed the General Manager to submit the lists of individuals and corporate organisations indebted to the corporation to the assembly. Mr. Oyedele said that necessary steps would be taken by the Assembly to recover all the debts. The lawmaker urged the corporation to ensure adequate

water supply in the state, noting that water is necessary for human survival. The State Ministry of Works and Transport also presented a budget estimate of N15.9 billion for 2018. The Commissioner for Works and Transport, Kazeem Salami, while presenting the budget, said that the ministry was targeting N28 billion as revenue and N15 billion for capital expenditure. (NAN).

linked to Mrs. Jonathan in Port Harcourt are: Former Customs Service officers mess; two duplexes at 2/3 Bauchi Street; landed property with blocks at Ambowei Street; 3 Luxury apartments of 4-bedroom each at Ambowei Street; and Grand View Hotel along airport road. In Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, are two marble duplexes at Otioko GRA by Isaac Boro Expressway; Glass House along Sani Abacha Expressway which is housing Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board; Akemfa Etie Plaza by AP filling Station, Melford Okilo Road; and Aridolf Resort, Wellness and Spa on Sani Abacha Expressway. On Monday, a Lagos Division of the Federal High Court adjourned till February 14 to hear a motion in a suit seeking forfeiture of funds linked to the former first lady. The EFCC had begun fresh moves to seize the funds, including $6.4 million and N7.4 billion, in 15 bank accounts linked to Mrs. Jonathan. The suit, which was fixed for hearing on Monday, was stalled following the absence of the judge, Mojisola Olatoregun, who was said to be attending a workshop.

PEOPLES DAILY, wednesday, february 14, 2018

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N EWS

FG restates commitment to ending violent extremism ByUmar Muhammad Puma

he Federal Government remains resolute in dismantling the structural conditions that make violent extremism to thrive in the country, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said. The Minister, who stated this in Abuja on Tuesday at the public presentation of the ‘Policy Framework and National Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism’, identified such structural conditions to include unemployment, poverty, lack of education, corruption, and other social-economic factors. He said the Federal Government has embarked on developmental programmes as

part of efforts to dismantle the conditions that feed into violent extremism. “For example, the Anchors Borrowers programme has created over 6.3 million jobs for farmers through rice farming. Equally significant, the Federal government has served no fewer than 246.4 million meals to Primary school pupils across 20 States under the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP) to encourage children enrolment in schools. ‘’According to a widely reported recent survey, no fewer than 10.27 million children have been enrolled in public primary schools in the North West and North Central Zones of the country in the last one year, representing an increase of 20% in some of the

states. This was attributed largely to the school feeding programme. Development programmes like the school feeding scheme are at the heart our effort to prevent violent extremism.,’’ Alhaji Mohammed said. He also said the N-Power programme of the Federal Government has engaged and deployed over 200,000 young Nigerian to public primary schools, primary healthcare centre, and in agriculture development project centres across local government areas in the country, adding: ‘’This is with a view to helping build community resilience against violent extremist group. That number is set to increase by 300,000 this year.” The Minister said the government is also taking a

bold step to address the issue of recharging the Lake Chad Basin, which has shrunk by 90% between 1963 and now, thereby impacting negatively on the livelihood of the people that depended on it for farming activities. He said that as part of its soft approach in tackling security challenges, the administration is equally engaging in dialogue with different key stakeholders in order to find possible and lasting solutions to the issue of herderfarmer conflicts, which is one of the security challenges confronting the nation. Alhaji Mohammed said the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture is committed to developing narratives and communication strategies that will completely dismantle and

neutralize Boko Haram ideology and messages. While applauding the critical role the media is playing the fight against terrorism, the Minister encouraged the media to sustain the momentum and deny extremist groups the oxygen of publicity which they badly crave. Alhaji Mohammed hailed the leadership and political will demonstrated by President Muhammadu Buhari, which has served as a morale booster for the military to decimate Boko Haram and put the terror group on the run. He said the Sambisa Forest, which used to be the fortress of Boko Haram, has become too hot for the terror group, which is now escaping to the neighbouring communities.

Groups want maternity leave extended to 6 months From Femi Oyelola Kaduna

ivil Society Scaling-Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CSSUNN) in collaboration with Alive and Thrive (A&T) has solicited the support of Trade Union Congress (TUC) to push for the extension of maternity leave to six months in Kaduna State. The CS-SUNN Coordinator in the state, Mr Silas Ideva, made the call during a visit to the TUC secretariat in Kaduna, yesterday. Ideva said that the move was necessary to support nursing mothers to exclusively breastfeed their children. saying that Nigeria currently occupies the second position in the area of child mortality in the world. He said that 50 per cent of infant mortality in the state was associated with poor nutrition. He said that the partnership with TUC was crucial to ensuring that the State House of Assembly enacts a law extending maternity leave for working class nursing mothers from the current three months to six months. According to him, the law will provide working class mothers the needed opportunity to practice exclusive breastfeeding required for optimal development of the child to adulthood, if enacted.

L-R: Chairman, Board of Directors of Nigerian Railway Corporation, Usman Abubakar; Director of Operations, Niyi Alli; Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi; and Manager of section one of the project, Cia Lijun, during inspection of Lagos-Ibadan Railway Modernisation Project, yesterday in Ibadan and Abeokuta axis by Amaechi. Photo: NAN

Court sentences man to death for killing wife

n Ikeja High Court on Tuesday sentenced one Katungi Phillips to death for stabbing his wife, Justina James, to death for allegedly infecting him with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Justice Raliatu Adebiyi, sentenced Mr. Phillips after finding him guilty of murder. “The prosecution was able to

prove by cogent circumstantial evidence that the defendant intended to kill the deceased. “I hereby find the defendant guilty of the murder of Justina James. “In view of the mandatory sentence for murder in Section 221 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011, the defendant, Katungi Phillips is hereby

sentenced to death, may the Lord have mercy on his soul,” Mrs. Adebiyi said. Mrs. Adebiyi, in her judgment rejected Mr. Phillips defence of provocation. The judge said that the multiple stab wounds inflicted on Justina by Phillips were excessive in comparison to the single stab wound the convict sustained.

She said that based on the evidence before her, the defence of provocation was not plausible and that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt According to the prosecution led by O. R Ahmed-Muili, the convict committed the offence at 3.21 a.m. on July 26, 2014 at his residence at Pako House, Oniru, Lagos.(NAN)

Scammers dupe UTME students of N1.5m in Delta From Osakhare Erese Asaba

ifficulties times have hit prospective students for 2018 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) in Ogwashi-Uku, Asaba and Ozoro communities in Delta State, leaving scammers to make and have allegedly rippedoff unsuspecting students of

N1.5million. While the students who spoke to our reporter have lamented the difficult times, they have appealed to the examination body to extend the deadline for payment to enable them meet the requirements. It was gathered that scammers positioned around UTME offices as unsuspecting agents, and in desperation to make

money allegedly hoodwink the students into assisting them in the registration; a process the students part away with N5, 000 each in most cases. Rita Osegboh, a prospective UTME student told our reporter, “I was willing to get registered when one of the agents approached me to give him N5, 000 and I gave, only for him to

disappear into the thin air”. But the Police Image Maker in the state, Mr. Andrew Aniamaka in a swift reaction, said the police were on the trait of the suspects, adding that six persons who claimed to be UTME officials, but were not upon investigation, were lasted Monday arrested, and are currently being interrogated. Another student, Ifeoma

Ezewanta who also spoke on the issue, lamented that the problem was compounded by the management of the Joint Admissions, and Matriculation Board (JAMB), saying that they should have allowed the old system herein any person can register at any CBT Center, but pay the registration fee into account.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, wednesday, february 14, 2018

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News

136 Nigerians evacuated from Libya arrive Port Harcourt

he fifth batch of 136 Nigerian returnees from Libya arrived Port Harcourt International Airport in the early hours of Tuesday, Martins Ejike, South-South Zonal Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has said. Mr. Ejike, represented by Ebhodaghe Eric, NEMA Chief Administrative Officer, received the returnees who arrived aboard Med-View Airline 5N-MAB at about 1.10 a.m. “They are all intact, except one

of them who we are taking to the hospital with the ambulance to find out why she is unstable,” he said. Mr. Ejike said few returnees in the fourth batch were still left at the centre, adding that they are from Osun and Ekiti states. He appealed to concerned state governments to hasten the process of picking their indigenes. Mr. Ejike said the agency would contact state governors for prompt evacuation of the returnees from the fifth batch in

the Port Harcourt centre. Joy Job, one of the returnees, thanked the Federal Government for rescuing them and fulfilling its promise of bringing Nigerians home. Ms. Job described her experience in Libya as “horrible, sorrowful and unforgettable.’’ She said that she was sold into slavery by a Nigerian who told her that he found a hair dressing work for her in Kano, not knowing that she had been sold into slavery to another Nigerian living in Libya.

“Nigerians are selling fellow Nigerians into slavery in Libya; we are sold from one person to another, Libya people will buy us from our people and use us for any kind of work they like. “I did not know that where I was in Kano was a boundary between Nigeria and another country until I saw myself surrounded with gun. “My abductors told me that if I did not agree to go to Libya, they will kill me, so I had no option than to agree with them.

Masari , 8 others bag 2017 Zik award

L-R: Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Banking and Currency, Hon. Jones Chukwudi, Representative of the Speaker, Hon. Chukwuka Onyema, Deputy Minority Whip, Hon. Binta Bello and Member of the Committee, Hon. Ayo Omidiran, during a two day public hearing on a bill for an act to Amend the banks and other financial institution acts, at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua Katsina

overnor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina state, along with eight others have been named as the winner of the prestigious Zik Leadership Award for 2017. A statement signed and made available to newsmen by Governor Masari’s spokesman, Alhaji Abdu Labaran Malumfashi said the governor and his Rivers state counterpart, Barrister Nyson Wike bagged the Good Governance category of the award. With the award, the statement added that he now joins the eminent company of former South African President, Nelson Mandela and former Ghana President, Jerry Rawlings, among other former African leaders who had won the award. Announcing the names of the winners in Lagos, the Chairman of the Award Committee, Professor Pat Utomi said the awardees were selected after a thorough and rigorous scrutiny of nominees, in an exercise which reflects the tradition of excellence with which the Annual Zik Award has come to be associated and identified with since it was established 24 years ago. It said the date for the formal presentation of the awards will be announced in due course.

”They gave us Nigerian account numbers to pay in the money they charged us before they freed us from their custody,” she said. Ms. Job advised Nigerian youth still nursing the idea of travelling out of the country illegally to drop it and manage life with whatever they see in the country. She appealed to the Federal Government to continue with the evacuation in order to save many Nigerians who were still in different prisons and camps in Libya. (NAN)

23 Kaduna LGAs to spend N55.9 bn in 2018

he 23 Local Government Areas of Kaduna State have proposed a budget of N55.9 billion for the 2018 fiscal year. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 23 local councils appeared before the State House of Assembly Committee on Appropriation to defend their area’s budget for the year. A total of N34.8 billion,

representing 62.24 percent of the budget, has been earmarked for recurrent while N21.1 billion which covers 37.7 percent of the total budget, would go to capital expenditure. Chairman of the committee, Ahmed Mohammed, told journalists after the budget defence that “the exercise was conducted smoothly and the total estimate of N55, 991,240,959.84 has been scrutinised

by the members. “I believe each and every items put in the budget is put for a purpose to serve the local government and the entire state.” NAN reports that the 23 local government Sole Administrators had earlier defended their budget before the committee, with Lere local council having the highest budget size of over N3 billion and Kudan with the

lowest budget of N1.5 billion. The ALGON Chairman, Yahaya Sale, who spoke with journalists after defending the budget of Giwa Local Government, said it was a zero basedbudget. Mr. Sale said, “We are looking at what we have presented; we have no problem because we have sat down with most members at individual local government level.

No herdsman convicted in Edo - Prisons By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

do state Comptroller of the Nigerian Prisons service(NPS), Mr. Amadi Osayande yesterday declared that no herdsman has been convicted

of any crime in the state. He made the submission at a symposium organized by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Edo State said his administration has stepped up

plans to address the menace of herdsmen/farmers attacks. Amadi, tasked authorities concern to probe into the source of light fie arms allegedly been wielded by herdsmen and sued for peaceful coexistence with one

another. He sued for robust collaboration and intelligence sharing among the security agencies to nip the herdsmen attacks and killings in Nigeria.

Benue killings: Group seeks NEMA’s help on IDPs flight From Uche Nnorom Makurdi

resident Muhammadu Buhari has been called upon to turn his fatherly care to the people of Benue State and immediately order the National Emergency Management

Agency, NEMA, to come to the aid of over 100,000 displaced persons in IDPs camps in the state. This call was made by a group known as Benue Arise Network at a press conference held in Makurdi.

Director of Media and Publicity Mr. Youghyough also urged the president to order the immediate disarming and arrest of Fulani herdsmen who allegedly move freely with AK 47 rifles. Benue Arise Network further expressed

displeasure at the attitude of the IGP Ibrahim Idris and the Force Public Relations Officer Jimoh Moshood over their uncomplimentary comments on Governor Samuel Ortom while demanding full explanation from the PRO who described the Governor as a drowning man.

PEOPLES DAILY, wednesday, february 14, 2018

PAGE 11

EDITORIAL

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

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 in the northeast, now in its 10th year, a mindset change on the part of leaders has lasted this long in spite of losing - to begin to see public office as an hundreds of fighters, because there is a Dare we say that the president of AfDB, opportunity to offer service, not steal reserve force spawned by mass poverty Dr. Adesina Adewunmi, is a Nigerian. from the public till. Plunder reduces to draw on. Before heading to the bank in 2015, the size of the proverbial national he was Nigeria’s agriculture minister. Some of these young men and women not cake, thereby denying millions access This makes him eminently qualified to to it. If it doesn’t stop, not even the attracted to the terror trenches are comment on the state of the Nigerian best job creation programmes can wooed by sex trade merchants with job economy. That said, however, we are grow the cake. prospects in Europe. However, many

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PAGE 12

Opinion

PEOPLES DAILY, wednesday, february 14, 2018

‘Our ordeal in the hands of Ikeja Electric Plc’ By Simbo Olorunfemi

ood corporate governance will ignite the conscience of an electricity business to first provide meters to its customers before seeking tariff increase, so that a metered consumer will at least have the ability to fairly measure from his meter how he is being billed” – Babatunde Fashola, Minister of Power, May, 2017. One of the most burdensome legacies of the Jonathan presidency is the transfer of ownership (60 percent of it, we are now told) of Nigeria’s power asset to the hands of an oligarchy on the strength of an opaque privatisation exercise that has predictably ushered in more of darkness into the sector, whereas Nigerians were promised light. Some would, in fact, say that exercise which gave birth to the DisCos which were supposed to invest in the entities handed out to them and manage them to deliver value to all concerned is the most audacious fraud perpetrated on the Nigerian people, given what was at stake, what was promised, and what has been delivered. Whereas the impression created at the point of privatisation was that the assets were being handed over to genuine investors who would leverage on their financial muscle to engineer a turn-around in the sector, what we got were portfolio investors plugged to oxygen tanks from the banks, who were soon gasping for breath, shortly after taking over the asset. Mr Babatunde Fashola, the Minister of Power confirms what had been widely speculated: “You would have heard that there are liquidity issues in the power sector that came from the way the privatisation itself was structured, essentially through bank loans. Most of the people who bought them had very little if any skin in the game in terms of their own private equity.” So, the real tragedy is about the faulty foundation laid which has been conveniently left unaddressed while DISCOs continue to hammer on cost-reflective tariffs, seeking to benchmark their outrage proposition around what Nigerians spend on their petrol and diesel-powered alternatives forced upon them. Nineteen months back, a 45% increase in tariff was slammed on Nigerians. The idea was to help with the liquidity squeeze in the chain. Obviously that has been to no avail. They are already beating the drum for yet another increase. Yet another intervention Fund, N700 Billion this time, is on the menu after the N213 billion Nigerian Electricity Market

Stabilisation Facility (NEMSF) disbursed in tranches since 2014 to support operators in the sector, to little or no effect. According to the Bureau of Public Enterprises, total proceeds from the sale of power assets between 2013 and 2015 amounted to N461.4 billion of which N374.8 billion was spent on the disengagement benefits of workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, N53 billion for the bulk companies, and N9.5 billion for transaction costs, leaving only N23.3 billion for the government, yet, these assets ended up in the hands of portfolio investors too addicted to baby milk and poop-cleaning by the government to know what to do with them. These were mostly ill-prepared, hurriedly cobbled together special purpose vehicles with doubtful financial and technical backbones for the task, yet it was to these ones that the serially violated consumers were handed over to. It was simply a case of a government-owned monopoly cannibalised into bits and parts with territories handed over to regional monopolies to do what they like with it, the interest of the customer hardly secured. In a partition akin to what was done with Africa in Berlin in 1885, customers got the short end of the stick, left at the mercy of DISCOs unable to fulfil their part of the bargain with metering customers, providing infrastructure and managing the assets in their care for optimal delivery, yet are supposed to pay bills without question. In spite of the terms of the MYTO the only aspect of it that the DISCOs seem to pay attention to is only that to do with increase in tariff increase. DISCOS have continued to bully the customers, blackmail and arm-twist the regulator and government into sanctioning increment in tariffs, claiming that as the one-fix for everything that ails the system, when everyone knows that that is only a part of the problem. Even as the Multi-Year Tariff Order allows for bi-annual minor reviews and major review no more than 5 years apart in its fifteen year tariff path, taking into consideration a number of variables, it seems to have been conveniently forgotten that the MYTO (2015-2024) envisages a tariff reduction for IKEDC R2 customers, for example, from the 2016 rate of N21.30 to N21.10 in 2017 and N18.15 by 2024, yet the ground is being prepared by the DISCOs for yet another increase. All that the operators are interested in is increased tariffs to service their loans and inflated contracts to relatives as we have seen in some Discos, as the Minister recently told us.

It happens to be our lot, the larger part of Lagos, which in the infamous scramble and partition of Nigerian power assets, our territory fell under the jurisdiction of Ikeja Electric Plc. I doubt that there is any difference between it and any other DISCO in terms of customer experience. Safe for a change of name, very little has changed from the antiquated mindset of the NEPA days in the way Ikeja Electric conducts its business. All the telling characteristics of a monopoly with no regard for anything else but its pocket is put on grand display by Ikeja Electric. The arrogance, impatience and unwillingness to take responsibility for its inefficiency are hallmarks of the age of NEPA that the new operator has upgraded under the new dispensation. It is a badge worn by the staffers, even many of those on the Customer Service Desk. The ‘We don’t give a damn’ attitude is evident for all to see. They have one plastic, impersonal response or the other for the ‘education’ of the Customer for every complaint lodged. It is an organisation that does no wrong and will never accept to any wrong. It is always about the customer, even when the inefficiency of the system and Staff is out in the open. It is almost unbelievable that such a broken system and colonial mindset is that of a privatised or private entity. The NERC says it is the customer’s right to transparent electricity billing and that unmetered customers should be issued with electricity bills STRICTLY BASED on NERC’s estimated billing methodology. Controversial and unfair as this NERC methodology is, on the face of it, the strange thing is that Ikeja Electric hardly billed customers on the basis of that methodology, from our experience. It operated on the basis of a voodoo methodology that enabled it to engage in arbitrary and crazy billing, likely aware that the regulator might not be able to do much about it immediately, even as it does appear that a review that has now led to a new regime under which unmetered customers on the basis of average consumption in its neighbourhood was prompted by the unfairness and abuse of the previous one. In fact, at the introduction of the new methodology and even with an increase in tariff, the bill initially dropped from as high as 1,050 units to as low as 56 units though the trend for recent months is already indicative that the dance into the familiar territory of arbitrariness might have begun. NERC insists that every DISCO has an obligation to file a report on estimated bills in every billing cycle, it is difficult to tell how much of that is being done and what

impact that has on regulation, the activities of the DISCOs, especially on the field. Since 2015, we have been engaged with Ikeja Electric over what we see as arbitrary, crazy estimated billing slammed on us. Even as it claimed to have been billing customers on the basis the NERC methodology, from our study of supply trend, we could not see evidence of it. From what we could see, there was obviously no correlation between supply and billing. As supply continued to dip, so did the billing increasingly go up. Even in the dark months around the 2015 elections, with supply at the lowest ever, the bill kept going up that by June we paid twice what we were charged in February. At that point, we had to escalate our complaints to the desk of the Managing Director of the company and the NERC. A letter finally came to us in August in response, promising an investigation. Two years after, we are still waiting for the result of that investigation promised by the Managing Director of Ikeja Electric. Since Ikeja Electric will not respond to a spate of reminders and NERC, the regulator, was in deep slumber, with its voice only heard once in a while and will not respond to a number of complaints and reminders sent to it, we had to take the complaint elsewhere. So, we finally get a chance for a meeting with Ikeja Electric. All the while, we have challenged the company to present the power availability report for our neighbourhood as basis for interrogating our claim that there was no correlation between supply and billing and the company has been playing hide and seek. Even with the intervention of the arbiter, rather than make the report available, it insisted on the red herring of conducting what it calls a load inventory at our premises as basis for estimating consumption made two years earlier, whereas the NERC methodology clearly lays out a formula for computing estimated billing. What is the link between a so-called load inventory in 2017, which does not take consideration the usage, functionality of appliances with the single issue for determination – whether supply is commensurate with the billing of 2015 and 2016? We might have to ask Ikeja Electric where the NERC methodology it claims to be applying provides for billing on the basis of load inventory. Simbo Olorunfemi works for Hoofbeatdotcom, a Nigerian Communications Consultancy and publisher of Africa Enterprise.

Boko Haram: Between oil and religion By Bukar Raheem

mam Abubakar Shekau (the Boko Haram leader prefers to be addressed as such) has always been in a desperate bid to be seen as a religious fanatic since he took the reins of an insurgency to demand the strict application of Islamic Sharia law across Nigeria. With the benefit of hindsight, there are a lot to question about this declared motive as each successive day and every additional outrage committed by the Shekau led terrorists add up to build the collage of a picture that tells a different story from the one he has been peddling. Perhaps if the founder of Boko Haram, Mohammed Yusuf had not been killed after his capture in 2009 the group might have been less virulent. Prior to the incidents that led to Yusuf taking on the state, his greater efforts were geared towards the theological bend, relying more proselytizing and coercion rather than industrial scale murder. The sacrilege that the Shekau’s version of Boko Haram has built on Yusuf’s grave is thus better appreciated against the backdrop that what might have been genuine religious extremism has been repurposed into an entirely sick enterprise that has no strand of belief in the divine left in it. When Shekau deranged attacks first start extending beyond drive-by shooting of local political figures it was to attack military formations, which was easily explained as retribution for Yusuf’s controversial death. Then the attacks moved to churches, which was put down as a fanatical zeal to purge the northeast Nigeria of Christians. The alarm bells should have jangled loudly when Boko Haram added mosques

and Islamic gatherings to its shopping list. That is when it should have been glaring that the carnage and wholesale destruction of an entire region has nothing to do with a desire to make a particular religion dominant; that Islam is as much the victim as any other thing or institution that Boko Haram has attacked. Something else that should have piqued curiosity was the reported airdrop of caches of weapons to Boko Haram in the areas immediately beyond the borders of Nigeria. The weapons were reportedly linked to France, which is ridiculous because it is ironic that Boko Haram would accept hardware from France or from that country’s proxies in spite of the anti-west rants that regularly spew forth from Shekau. This is as incongruous as the French nationals that have been arrested within the ranks of Boko Haram fighters, possibly providing instructions. The arrested French fighters highlight another disparate deal that Boko Haram is into. Each time the terror group is financially stretched along would come some French nationals who would be kidnapped and France would covertly hand over some cash to Boko Haram under the guise of paying ransom to free its citizens. First poser is how come some French nationals freely mingle with the terrorists while others are kidnapped for ransom? Second poser, why do other westerners avoid the terrorists infected areas like plague and the French treat the same are like a pilgrimage site only to get abducted? Furthermore, if the terror group has dedicatedly targeted its nationals on this scale why has France not increased its cooperation with and support for Nigeria to tackle the menace seeing that its partnership with Nigeria’s neigbours has

not yielded much result? The answer could be in Boko Haram’s latest interest that was revealed when it attacked a team that was prospecting for oil in the Lake Chad Basin area. Could it then be that the whole claim about a Jihad was a cover to make the entire area inhospitable to oil prospecting? It is a known fact that growing militant activities in Nigeria’s south-south will necessarily prompt the country to explore its other regions for the possibility of drilling oil elsewhere. What other foreign interests, being aware of the resources in the Lake Chad Basin, had put up some crackheads to pose as religious fanatics for the purpose of frustrating any meaningful exploration for petroleum in the region? It is remarkable that in the weeks preceding the attack on the Nigerian oil prospecting team not much has been heard about full implementation of Sharia as being the driving ideology behind the mindless savagery that is Boko Haram’s hallmark. Somehow, the tone of the insurgency is beginning to tend towards one that questions Nigeria’s interest in its own natural resources. This metamorphosis of Boko Haram from an extremist fanatical terror group into fightersfor-hire in an insurgency that is fast becoming an economic war should catalyze the Nigerian state into diversifying its existing approaches to containing the terrorists. It must further interrogate how much of the crisis in the northeast is influenced by a perverted understanding of Islam and how much of it is the doing of foreign interests that are interested in its natural resources. For one, those in charge of Nigeria’s affairs must focus on the wellbeing of the 180 million

lives that are in the crosshair of this apparently sponsored insurgency. This implies that its military response should take on more force. There should be no more soft handling of self professed killers irrespective of on whose behalf they are killing. They should be dealt double the blow they deal Nigerians. The military only needs to point to its repeated offer to Boko Haram members to surrender as proof that those who would be annihilated in a tougher operation against terrorism asked for it. The country must equally approach the International community to call any country that is meddling to order. A first step would be to ask France to clear itself of all the allegations that it is propping up Boko Haram in furtherance of its interest in Lake Chad Basin oil. Its interest in Libyan oil under the guise of supporting the so called Arab Spring was a fiasco that opened up Europe to a flood of Jihadis arriving with refugees. A Nigerian incursion would turn out even worse. Local politicians that had backed or sponsored Boko Haram fighters in pursuit of local political agenda and those sympathetic of its cause out of genuine fanaticism must reassess their position. The dabble into resource control places the terror group in a no go zone as its fighters would now turn on just anyone so long as a higher bidder ups the stake. When Shekau is to make his next rant video, he should be bold enough to transpose the word Crude Oil in every instance he would have uttered the revered name of God. That is until his capture anyway and that is a matter of time. Bukar Raheem writes from Kaduna, Kaduna State.

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PEOPLES DAILY, wednesday, february 14, 2018

Comment

A reversal of ‘African time’ concept

By Emmanuel Onwubiko

OR the specific purpose of informa tion, permit me to relate to you that the piece you are about to about to read was scripted about two decades ago when I was still a reporter with the Plateau State-owned Standard Newspapers. The newspaper was set up by the former Military administrator of Benue/Plateau, Joseph Gomwalk, who was then a police com missioner. Nigeria Standard Newspaper at a point became the cynosure of all eyes because it stood for equity and fairness and was feared by the feudal oligarchs in Northern Nigeria who saw it as a threat to the hegemonic hold on Northern Nigeria especially with the task of speaking for the Rights of the oppressed Northern tribal minorities. That’s that about when it was written and the media house I was working when it was scripted. Here is the story of how and why African time must be abolished. Mallam Sani Mohammed Abdulminimu is a Nigerian-born American-based management consultant. He has stayed in the United States of America for over four decades. In early 1997, when he lost his aged mother, he was compelled by customary obligations to come back home to attend his late mother’s forty days prayer. When he ar rived the country’s international Airport in Lagos, he intended to join one of the few available private airlines to fly to his home state of Adamawa in the Northern part of the country. He bought his ticket and got ready to board the plane. When he and other passengers boarded the plane, little did they know that they were going to wait for the next one hour before the plane could take off. This long delay at the airport made Mallam Abdulminimu very restive and sad. When he

went to find out why the plane could not keep to its scheduled time, he was decisively told by a highly placed staff of the Airport; Mallam… don’t you know that you are in Nigeria? In Nigeria ‘O’ we observe African time. This Airport scenario where the so-called African time was blamed as a factor that caused the unwarranted delay, is repeatedly experienced in all aspects of our socio-economic activities as Nigerians. The concept of African time has been elevated to the position of an acceptable ideology. Karl Mannheim rightly said, that, there is certainly some connection between the modern term “ideology” and the term as used by Bacon signifying a source of error. According to Mannheim, Bacon’s the ory of the ‘idolca’ may be regarded to a certain extent as a forerunner of the modern conception of ideology. Bacon’s idols were phantom or preconceptions, and these were, as we know, the idols of the tribe, of the cave, of the market, and of the theatre. All of these are sources of error derived sometimes from human nature itself, sometimes from particular individuals. They may also be attributed to society or to tradition. Bacon said that these idols or “false phantoms,” are distortions of the mind, like distortions of beams of light reflected from an uneven mirror: “from the nature of a clear and equal glass, wherein the beams of things should reflect according to their true incidence, it is rather like an enchanted glass, full of superstition and imposture…” The only way to correct this wayward mode of thought is through observation and experimentation, through the inductive method. These idols or “false opin ions,” “dogmas,” “superstitions,” and “errors,” distort knowledge

in many ways. Francis Bacon made what looked like a concise description of what African time represents in his theory of idol at the market place. Bacon wrote that the idol of the market place stands for the words men use in the commerce of daily life, words that are common comic in daily conversation… In Nigeria, whenever a public meeting starts long after the scheduled time, the conveners of such meetings will quickly blame “African time” for such lateness. One thing which these skeptics who tend to see Africans as people who don’t keep to time forget to know that among the many respected virtuous African cultural values, there is the one which recognizes the African sense of time and promptness. Oliver Onwubiko, a Catholic priest and scholar vast in African Philosophy wrote in one of his books that, the question of the African sense of time was arisen because of some dangerous conclusions some writers on Africa have drawn and strange enough some of them are Africans. Onwubiko said that in the African culture, time is polychromous in the sense that a person can do these or more things within a given period but simultaneously. Clock time thinks of them being done successively. For instance, a woman in a typical Igbo village could be doing her cooking, at the same time cracking her palm kernel, she may still within this period attend to her baby and would be prepared to attend to anything that may come up. The most disappointing factor is that most Nigerians have embraced lateness as an ideology which they prefer to call “African time.” The concept of African time has also given rise to the “fire brigade” approach which most Nigerians adopt and utilizes when carrying

out their legitimate duties. We must reverse this negative interpretation which we give to the concept of African time. This African time or fire-brigade approach has made us to suffer many devastations in the field of politics and sports in this country. It was the “fire brigade approach that made our national football, teams to miss out in the qualification playoffs to many global tournaments . It was also the fire brigade approach that made Nigerian students perform abysmally poorly in all the externally conducted examinations. African time neatly marred most electoral events in the political calender set by the Independent National Electoral Commis sion under the erstwhile chairman, Atta hiru Jega. We as Nigerians must accept prompt ness, dedication and hardwork as our national ideology. African time should mean promptness and decisiveness. The old negative interpretation of African time must henceforth remain destroyed perpetually. With the inauguration of the current administration headed by President Muhammadu Buhari renowned for instilling dis cipline especially in his first ‘missionary journey’ as a military Head of State with his well known War Against Indiscipline, it is expected that he would reorganise the National Orientation Agency to compel the staff to be up and doing in waging unrelenting science based and evidenced backed enlightenment programmes to mobilize Nigerians to embrace African Time to mean promptness and decisiveness in all their private and public businesses. Emmanuel Onwubiko is Public Affairs Analyst.

Resolving NHIS imbroglio and Buhari’s anti corruption stand

By Philip Agbese

he maxim that a man is presumed innocent until proven guilty is one of the universal rights of man documented by relevant international instrument and even our domestic law. It is, however, also a fact that is often overlooked – in most cases by power drink individuals that constitute themselves into judges and juries in cases for which they have vested interest. The reinstatement of the Executive Secretary the Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Professor Usman Yusuf by President Muhammadu Buhari is a clear indication that we are making progress as a nation towards becoming a society where a man would not be punished simply because he refused to obey his fellow man to do what is wrong. It is confirmation that the march is towards a society where law is supreme over all men - one in which corruption at all times succumbs to justice. To put things in perspective, there are fundamental questions in dire need of answers. Did the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole suspend Prof. Yusuf in public interest? Is there an ultraclandestine motive for suspending the NHIS boss? How much of the allegations against Professor Yusuf were trumped up? What did the Minister of Health stand to gain by contriving the crisis that almost ruined the sector he was meant to grow? Getting fair answers to these questions require that we look at the crux of the matter and to systematically establish possible subterranean motive(s) behind this whole fiasco. The Minister suspended Prof. Yusuf in June 2017, citing allegations of gross misconduct for which he was summarily found guilty of alleged offences that ranged from nepotism to theft of public funds.‎ However, a credible Nigerian Newspaper,

the Daily Trust, in an investigative piece published on its website on 10th of July 2017, titled “the suspension of NHIS Boss: the untold story” chronicled how the minister of health acted out of malice in the suspension of Prof Yusuf. The long and short of it is that the NHIS Boss was suspended because of his refusal to oblige to series of monetary requests from Professor Adewole using the Federal Ministry of Health as cover. One thing that has remained mute in most of the narratives of this sordid saga is the fact that Professor Yusuf would have breached several policy directives and few extant laws had he obliged. Specifics of the requests turned down by Professor Yusuf include demands for him to sponsor foreign events, hiring of aircrafts for the minister, paying other sundry travel costs for the minister and his lackeys in the ministry among others. His serial refusal to fund the junketing lifestyle of the minister and his subordinates angered the ministry officials, particularly Prof. Adewole. While one may be tempted to condemn the NHIS Executive Secretary for not acceding to the requests so made to his organization, one must also be alarmed that the agency had spent hundreds of millions of naira in sponsoring officials of the parent ministry of health despite a 2008 Federal Government circular that prohibited such spending vide document Ref.No.SGF.6/ VIII, dated May 8, 2008, entitled “Need for strict adherence to financial regulations in cooperation between MDAs and other arms of government and between MDAs an their parastatals”. Instead of being disrespected with the suspension order slammed on him, apparently because circumstances permitted the Minister of Health to get listening ears in some quarters at that time, Prof. Yusuf should rather be commended with some sort of award thrown in for his resoluteness in standing up against profligacy. He should be recognized for standing firm under pressure

having been under barrage of so many letters from the minister of health and his ministry requesting for sponsorship for trips of their officials to conferences abroad. The refusal of these cap in hand soliciting from the Executive Secretary of NIHS and his reaction to them was bound to have produced the kind of victimization that was unleashed against him. The ministry officials had run such racket with his predecessor hence the vehemence with which the minister of health wanted to unseat the incumbent and bring back in someone that would be pliant. Between September 2015 and November 2016, the NHIS’ former acting Executive Secretary had severally approved between N3 million to N15million for the ministry, far above his approval limit of N2.5million. This is the practice that Prof. Yusuf refused to comply with, his greatest sin. The intensity of the witch hunt is therefore not surprising since Professor Adewale was one of the beneficiaries of these illegal payments. For instance, Daily trust published that on November 19, 2015, the ministry via a letter with Ref.No.MH.8500/ TI, requested N5million from NHIS as support to attend WHO meeting in Chad. The Scheme also approved N5.1million on November 23, 2015 for the ministry, out of which N2million was paid directly to the personal account of the minister domiciled in Stanbic IBTC. The minister’s angst was first triggered when his request for N197 million from the scheme “intervention fund” to execute some projects located across seven Federal Medical Centres, which Prof. Yusuf promptly turned down. The fortunate thing is that justice has now been done now that it has been proven that the suspension of the NHIS boss could not hold water because it violated legal and civil service processes. What President Buhari has done has signaled the fact that even in fighting corruption, actions must be concrete, ethical and devoid of malice and other self-serving considerations.

The Minister of health and his panel, set up to probe the NHIS boss, stood as judges and juries in a case they have strong interest in. The solution to corruption in Nigeria is not implicating the innocent to settle scores. Solution to corruption comes from true justice - justice for the accused and for the accuser and that is the only way society can benefit from it. Reinstatement of Prof Yusuf is a testimony to President Buhari’s belief in due process overrides any other consideration. It is not just about taking people to Golgotha without first establishing their guilt and crime. Now that the NHIS boss has been reinstated, it is pertinent for anti-corruption agencies to now do their jobs and get to the bottom of the matter. The principle of real justice, which is the moral obligation to act on the basis of fair adjudication between competing claims should now take its course. From throve of evidence on ground, one would only expect that it is Prof. Adewole is the one to be axed as Minister of Health for gross misconduct and flagrant disregard for due process. I will rest my case with the words of George R. Martins, who said “The man who passes the sentence should swing the sword. If you would take a man’s life, you owe it to him to look into his eyes and hear his final words. And if you cannot bear to do that, then perhaps the man does not deserve to die.” Prof. Adewole got to a desperate extreme by suspending the NHIS boss who was only trying to insist on the right thing being done. To punish him for doing the right thing means those who perverted the process to victimize him must be doubly punished for abusing the system; only such principle of justice will deliver an impactful anticorruption fight to Nigeria. Agbese is a human rights law researcher based in the United Kingdom.

PEOPLES DAILY, wednesday, february 14, 2018

PAGE 14

News

Alleged illegal appointment: Court hears suit against Baru, NNPC March 28 By Vivian Okejeme Abuj

earing on a suit accusing President Muhammadu Buhari, of approving illegal appointments in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, comes up March 28. In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/ CS/990/2017, before Justice Ahmed Mohamed of a federal high court, the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, the NNPC and its Board of Directors were mentioned as co-defendants. The plaintiff, a constitutional lawyer, Mr. Johnmary Jideobi, is praying the court to declare that it was unconstitutional for President Buhari to unilaterally approve appointments or any form of re-organisation in the NNPC without input and consideration of its Board of Directors. In the instant suit, the Plaintiff is praying among other things

is asking the court to determine “Whether in view of section 2 subsection (1) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, as amended, read alongside Section 5(1) (a) of the amended 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, either of the 1st Defendant or the 4th Defendant (Baru and Buhari), is entitled in law to unilaterally make or approve appointments into any position within the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation [the 2nd Defendant herein] or any other form of reorganization in the 2nd Defendant, without the prior input, consideration and approval of the Board of Directors of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation [the 3rd Defendant herein? “Whether the purported appointment made by the 1st Defendant [on the 29th day of August, 2017] into various positions

within the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporations and the purported approval of same by the 4th Defendant, without the prior input, consideration and approval of the Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, [the 3rd Defendant herein] is not unlawful and therefore liable to be set aside? Also, “Whether in view of Section 13 of African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights [Ratification and Enforcement] Act Cap 10, Laws of the Federation (LFN), 1990, the Plaintiff herein is clothed with the requisite locus standi to prosecute this claim? Upon determining of the questions, the plaintiff urged the court to declare that in view of section 2 subsection (1) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Laws of the Federation of igeria, 2004 as amended, read alongside Section 5(1) (a) of the

amended 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, neither the 1st Defendant nor the 4th Defendant is entitled in law to unilaterally make appointments into any position within the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, or approve any form of reorganization in the 2nd Defendant without the prior input, consideration and approval of the Board of Directors of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation [the 2nd Defendant herein]. “A declaration that it is patently unconstitutional for the 4th Defendant to unilaterally approve of any appointments in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation or any other form of reorganization therein without the prior input, consideration and approval of the Board of Directors the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation as envisaged by the law establishing the 2nd Defendant.

L-R: Head , Public Interface Unit, EFCC, Mr. Tony Onilade, Executive Director , CLEEN Foundation, Mr. Benson Olugbuo, Head, Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit (PCRRU), ACP Abayomi Shogunle and the Webmaster officer, ICPC, Mustapha Hussain, during the “Project Launch and sensitization workshop on Voices Against Corruption in Nigeria”, held yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Pyeongchang Winter Olympic symbolic to world peace -KCCN By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

he Korean Cultural Center in Nigeria (KCCN) has said the Winter Olympics holding in Pyeongchang, South Korea, will go a long way to restore and strengthen peace in Korea peninsula and the world at large. The Director of the KCCN, Han Sungrea, who stated this in Abuja at an event to cheer Nigerian contingents to the country for the Olympic Games, expressed delight that both North and South Korea presented a joint contingents despite their frictions. He said the KCCN thought it should bring both Koreans and

Nigerians together to cheer the Nigerian athletes, especially as it was the first time Nigeria is participating in the Winter Olympic Games, observing that this will help them to have goodluck and impressive performance in the competition. He further described it as joyous moment for the opening ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympic Games to have been held in Pyeongchang very peacefully without any crisis, especially with the participation of the North Korea. According to him, “I am glad that South Korea had successfully and peacefully hosted the opening ceremony of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics despite the

strong tension earlier in the Korean Peninsula. “I hope that the Nigerian people enjoy the Pyeongchang Olympics alongside Team Nigeria”, he added, pointing out that the ceremony is symbolic towards enjoying peace in the world. While expressing hope that the games will help keep peace in the world, Sungrea said Nigeria and Korea has been having good relationship in areas of politics, economy and culture, adding that both countries will benefit more to extend the relationship to include areas of sports. Meanwhile, the three Nigerian contingents to participate

in the game are Seun Adigun, 31, Akuoma Omeoga, 25 and Ngozi Omwumere, 26. They are the first Nigerians and African athletes to take part in the Bobsleigh event during the winter Olympics. Also, Simidele Adegbo, 36 who started training in 2017 and had competed for University of Kentucky, U.S., is the only contingent from Nigeria to participate in the Skeleton event at the games. The sports event which will last for seventeen days, has fifteen discipline, one hundred and two medals, ninety five participating countries, with two thousand nine hundred athletes, including Nigeria.

“A solemn declaration of this honourable court that it is unlawful and therefore invalid for the 1st Defendant to unilaterally make appointments into any position(s) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation [the 2nd Defendant herein] without the prior input, consideration and approval of the Board of Directors of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation as envisaged by the law establishing the 2nd Defendant. “An order of this honourable court nullifying and setting aside the purported appointment unilaterally made by the 1st Defendant [on the 29th day of August, 2017 as shown by exhibit “NNPC1” into various positions in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation the 2nd Defendant herein] without the prior input, consideration and approval of the Board of the 2nd Defendant.”

Police arrest 2 armed robbers in Jigawa From Mika’il Tsoho Dutse

he Jigawa state Police Command has succeeded in arresting the two notorious arm robbers terrorising Birnin Kudu to Gwaram high-way. The Police spokesperson in the state, SP Abdul Jinjiri dropped the hint yesterday while speaking to news men in Dutse the state capital. He explained that, the two suspected arm robbers meet their waterloo when the police patrol team deployed to the area in an effort to ensure the security of properties and lives of the people in the area. According Jinjiri, the suspects whom were identified as Abdullahi Isyaku and Sulaiman Alhaji Yahaya are arrested on their motorcycle after robbing some people Tsamiyar Tarnaga area of Birnin Kudu local government Jigawa state. He maintained that, the two suspected armed robbers confessed for terrorising the people in the area adding that they are all from Nabordo village, Toro local government area of Bauchi state. The Police spokesperson also said, after the operation, locally made single Barrel Gun and Revolver pistol with seven rounds of cartridges were funded with suspects. SP Jinjiri added that, the suspects after the investigation will be charge to court for criminal conspiracy and unlawful possession fire arms. He then urged people in the state to cooperate with police and other security agencies in the state for a better and peaceful Jigawa state.

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PEOPLES DAILY, wednesday, february 14, 2018

Niger Assembly We are determined to sanitize nation’s electoral process -INEC Ibrahim missions, who are in no way under the “The Commission wishes to inform on Saturday. dissolves 25 LG By Lateef control or supervision of INEC. the public that the images do not relate “With regard to the ongoing Conhe Independent National ElecThe Commission assured the pub- in any way to any election organized, tinuous Voter Registration (CVR) extoral Commission, INEC, said on lic that it is doing all it could to ensure conducted or superintended by INEC. ercise, the Commission is not unaware councils for non Tuesday that it remains resolute a credible election as was once again As far as the Commission can ascer- of challenges some citizens have enin its commitment to sanitize the na- demonstrated in the Mashi/Dutsi Fed- tain, they relate to a Local Government countered in trying to get registered at performance tion’s electoral process and deliver free, eral Constituency election in Katsina election conducted at the weekend, and some of the centers. Steps have been fair and credible elections. State on Saturday. over which we have no legal control or taken to ameliorate these, including the

From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

he Niger state House of Assembly has dissolved the 25 local government councils in the state for non performance, misappropriation and have directed Governor Abubakar Sani Bello for the immediate implementation of the house resolutions to that effect. The in its plenary session yesterday however received the local government house committee report chaired by Hon. Abdulmalik Muhammad Kabir representing Paikoro in their resolution and a motion moved then directed the governor to conduct of fresh election within three months. The motion as seconded by Hon. John Paul Bahago representing Munya constituency had directed the chairmen to handover the affairs of the councils to their respective Director of Personnel Management (DPM). The Assembly unanimously accused the chairmen for their “failure to discharged their duties and functions under the Niger state Law, 2001 in a manner conducive to the welfare and wellbeing of the people of their area of authorities” They further said that the legislative councils have failed to hold meetings and sittings as required under Section 38; subsection (1) of Niger state local government Law, 2001 and not based on tenure for its dissolution. Furthermore, during the lawmaker’s contributions it was discovered that none of the Councils legislative had never seated for 50 times rather than 90 times per session hence the highest sitting was 47 times in two years hence it’s only the state assembly who has the powers to determined the structure and management of the councils. The legislators however expressed dismay over the Chairmen way of awarding contracts without due process and without approval of the legislative council enshrined under Section 75 subsection (1) of the Niger state local government law 2001 coupled with the several absences of the Chairmen from office. It could be recalled that last week a High Court sitting in New Bussa has ruled against the Niger state government and its state assembly in the suit filed by the Social Democratic Party 14 other registered political parties , and 5 local government councilors over the reduction of the tenure of local governments in state. The presided judge Justice Mohammed Mohammed however ruled that the state house of assembly in particular lacked the power to amend the local government (amendment ) law 2016 of Niger state published as Niger legal notice No1 as it did to which Governor Abubakar Sani Bello appended his signature to make it become law.

This is even as the Commission declared that it cannot be held directly or vicariously liable for an exercise outside its legal purview. The Prof Mahmood Yakubu - led INEC said this in reaction to videos and pictures showing some underage thumb printing ballot papers in last Saturday’s local government election in Kano State. The images have been circulating the social media since Saturday. The Commission, in a statement by its Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mr. Oluwole Osaze Uzzi, stated that it should be pointed out that Local Government elections are exclusively the constitutional responsibility of the respective State Electoral Com-

According to the statement, “The Commission wishes to inform the public that the images do not relate in any way to any election organized, conducted or superintended by INEC. As far as the Commission can ascertain, they relate to a Local Government election conducted at the weekend, and over which we have no legal control or responsibility whatsoever”, the Commission said. According to the INEC’s statement, “the attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been drawn to videos and pictures purportedly showing some underage thumb printing ballot papers in a recent election. These images have been circulating online since Saturday.

responsibility whatsoever. “While the Commission remains resolute in our commitment to sanitize the nation’s electoral process and deliver free, fair and credible elections, we cannot be held directly or vicariously liable for an exercise outside our legal purview. “It should be pointed out here that Local Government elections are exclusively the constitutional responsibility of the respective State Electoral Commissions, who are in no way under the control or supervision of INEC. On our part, INEC assures the public that we are doing all we can to ensure a credible election as was once again demonstrated in the Mashi/Dutsi Federal Constituency election in Katsina State

deployment of additional Direct Data Capture (DDC) machines for registration, with the more populated centers getting priority attention.“In addition, the number of registration centers has been increased to 1,446 nationwide. While thanking Nigerians for their patience and understanding, we believe that with the measures taken so far, the queues and other identified challenges will soon abate. “We once again appeal to those who registered in the previous exercises not to do so again. This is not a fresh registration exercise but an opportunity for those who turned 18 years and those who didn’t register in the past to register as voters”, the Commission maintained.

R-L; President Muhammadu Buhari (2nd Right), New Apostolic Nuncio of Holy See, H.E. Antonio Guido Filipazzi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Oyeama and Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari during the presentation of a letter of Credence at the State House, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: State House

IRI President harps on competitive, transparent, non-violent 2019 elections By Umar Muhammad Puma

he President of the International Republican Institute (IRI) Daniel Twining has called for competitive and transparent election in 2019 because the development and growth of Nigeria will help change the world. The IRI president, who led the Institute’s delegation to All Progressives Congress headquarters in Abuja, yesterday said: “Nigeria is really the most important country in sub Saharan Africa; it’s a leader. Its development and growth will change the world.” The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun received the

high-level delegation of the International Republican Institute (IRI. The IRI President, who said he was making his first trip to Africa as the Institute’s President, said his visit underscored the important and constructive relationship the Institute has with the APC. He called for competitive, credible, transparent, non-violent 2019 elections. Speaking to journalists after the close-door meeting, the IRI President said: “We are here to discuss how to strengthen the Nigerian democracy, help to support issue-based politics, inclusion of women, minorities and other groups in the country’s politics to make democracy stronger. “Democracy is never done. The

work needs to continue everyday to improve in America, Nigeria and every country. So, we are here to help and partner. ‘We want to be here working with our friends here to support that. We have a great partnership with the APC leadership. We have been working with them for years. So we are looking forwards to the next phase and working with them in many other states.” Odigie-Oyegun received the IRI delegation in company of party’s Deputy National Chairman (North), Sen. Lawali Shuaibu; National Secretary, Mai Mala Buni; National Vice Chairman (North East), Comrade Mustapha Salihu and National Disability Leader,

Misbahu Lawan Didi. The IRI delegation included the Institute’s Regional Director for Africa, John Tomaszewski; Country Director, Mr. Sentel Barnes; Resident Programme Officer, Husna Hassan and Programme Officer, Sunday Alao. The APC National Chairman thanked the IRI for its support for the party’s activities and strengthening democracy in the country. Odigie-Oyegun particularly referenced IRI’s support for the party which culminated in the capacitybuilding workshop for the Party’s state publicity secretaries and the Institute’s effort for the inclusion of marginalized groups in politics and party structures in the country.

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PEOPLES DAILY, wednesday, february 14, 2018

POLITICS

APC, PDP Reps divided over Okarche’s amnesty to suspected criminals By Umar Muhammad Puma

embers of the House of Representatives were sharply divided along party lines over a motion on the alleged grant of amnesty by Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha to some suspected criminals reportedly on the wanted list of Rivers State Security Council. The lawmakers are of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), who kicked against the motion and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who supported it. The motion which was sponsored by Rep Kingsley Chinda (PDP Rivers), and 11 other from Rivers State, condemn the grant of amnesty by Okorocha to the wanted criminals, urge the executive am of federal government not to recognize the amnesty, as well as mandate its committee on legislative compliance to ensure the expected resolution is adhered to. However, Speaker of the House, Hon. Yakubu Dogara who presided over plenary was forced to technically step the motion down, when the sitting degenerated into a rowdy session as conflicting pieces of constitutional opinion were raised on the matter, mostly divided on the party lines of PDP versus the ruling APC, and River and Imo lawmakers. Citing section 232 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Hon. Raphael Igbokwe argued against the motion to the effect that the House lacked legal capacity to address issues of disagreement between states of the federation, noting that anyone aggrieved should approach the Supreme Court for adjudication. Majority Leader of the House, Rep Femi Gbajabiamila while citing section 212 of the constitution, also argued that Governors are empowered to grant amnesty, but Rep Bashir Babale called for caution on the matter, describing it as “very sensitive”. On his part, Rep Johnson Agbonayima (APC Edo) also insisted that only an amendment can stop the Governors from granting amnesty. Rep Chinda while leading debate on the motion said the reported amnesty granted the wanted criminals “in concert with some ‘highly placed’ politicians to persons declared wanted by the security council, was in bad faith, unimaginable, preposterous a part of a wider campaign to reintegrate and arm these criminals ahead of the 2019 general elections”. Seeing that the atmosphere was becoming more tensed as the debate progressed, Dogara said the matter “is confusing”, and that more consultations needed to be done, and therefore directed the Committees on Justice, Ethics and Privileges, National Security and Intelligence to scrutinize the motion against the arguments, and advise the House.

Northern groups list how peace can be achieved in Nigeria Urge FG to declare state of emergency in Taraba, Kaduna, Benue, Zamfara

By Lateef Ibrahim

coalition of Northern groups, on Tuesday in Abuja, called for the proscription of all religious groups, political parties or ethnic and tribal organizations that are in the habit of undermining Nigeria’s security, and peaceful co-existence through unguarded utterances and deliberate actions aimed at fomenting unrest and engendering inter-religious and inter-communal conflicts.. This is even as the coalition warned that any further attack on the north from any section of the country will henceforth be met with vicious reaction. While addressing the media on behalf of the coalition, its spokesperson, Abdulazeez Suleiman equally warned against any attempts to re-write the history of the north to suit certain agendas that tend to portray the Northern Hausa/Fulani and Muslims in bad light and render

them as the culprit and the guilty entity. The coalition, while reeling out several other demands which must be met before peace can return to Nigeria, pointed out that the North will no longer remain passive under such deliberate and sustained attacks on its unity, integrity and dignity, and will henceforth be forced to react to every provocation and unwarranted interference in its affairs. The coalition of Northern groups called for the immediate proclamation of a Special Intervention Initiative through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Ministries of Finance, National Planning, Agriculture and Water Resources, for supporting special livestock development policies and the establishment of special funds to support pastoral communities along the lines of the Anchor Borrowers Programme and other types of Federal Government interventions.”

It demanded the immediate withdrawal of the quit orders separately issued to the Fulani in the South East by Ohanaeze and to the Northern communities in Delta state by the state government. The coalition declared that the South East governors, political and cultural leaders and their elders would be held responsible if any harm comes to northerners or their properties as a result. It pushed for restitution to be made where the pastoral communities are made to suffer losses as a result of the deliberate actions of perpetrators of crimes against them. According to the coalition’s spokesperson, “The detractors coming from outside the North to foment trouble and escalate tension among our people should be warned that their actions will not go unnoticed and in the fullness of time, they will be held accountable for their instigation to violence and

killings of innocent people on both sides involved in the herders and farmers conflicts. The coalition of Northern groups called on the Federal Government to declare state of emergency in the front line states of Taraba, Kaduna, Benue and Zamfara and also suspend the current political structures in those states and replace them with sole administrators until conditions improve. The coalition further demanded the proclamation of a National Policy on Grazing and Livestock Development (NPGLD) to cater for the needs of all the pastoral communities everywhere in the country. The coalition of Northern groups however reminded the elected representatives at all levels that their neglect to stand up and speak out for the truth in this circumstance will definitely form part of the burdens they would have to carry to the 2019 polls. L-R: Counsellor for Economic Affairs United States of America, Mrs, Susan Garro, Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Nigeria-USA FriendshipGroup/Inter-Parliamentary Relation, Hon, Johnson Agbonaiman, and US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. W. stuart Syimngton, during an Interactive session with the Committee, at the National Assembly yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Senate moves to establish NASS museum, archives to preserve nation’s history By Christiana Ekpa

enate yesterday moved for establishment of National Assembly legislative Mesuem and Archives to enhance preservation of the country’s heritage. The Upper Chamber noted that Nigeria has no archive where history of the country is documented and it is embarrasing when the it depend on foreign lands to acquire historical information. Senate is concerned that the Legislature serves as the only key symbol of democracy particularly in the Presidential System of Government but much has not been documented about the history of Nigerian Legislature due to long years of military rule.

Also, it noted that the few years of the existence of democracy in the country has been eventful for the Legislature in the areas of Executive-Legislative relationship and the challenges of the oversight performance by the Legislature without adequate documentation for the use of incoming generation. To proffer solution, the Senate in Collaboration with the House of Representatives has moved to establish a Joint Committee of Culture and Tourism on National Assembly Legislative Museum and Archives to ensure preservation of Nigeria’s history. Senate however, directed the Joint Committee on Culture and Tourism on National Assembly Legislative Museum and Archive to study the resolutions of the 7th Senate

and House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the report of the Ad hoc Committee on Immortalization for implementation and continuity to enrich the achievements of the National Assembly for the sake of posterity. The motion for the need for establishment of a National Assembly Legislative Museum and Archives was moved by Senator Fatimat Raji-Rasaki (Ekiti Central) and eight other senators. Leading the debate, Senator Matthew Urhoghide (Edo South) explained that section 60 of the same Constitution empowers the Senate and House of Representatives to regulate their own procedure. According to him, National Assembly Joint Committee would

facilitate the implementation of this unique initiative as an indelible legacy that the 8th National Assembly could bequeath the legislature and the Country at large, as well as generate revenue. Contributing, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce (Bayelsa East) concurred that the museum and archive is necessary because previous government do not have their legacies stored in libraries. He recalled how Nigeria paid huge sum of money to BBC, other international film agencies to acquire a recorded tape of the civil war. Senator Barnabas Gemade (Benue North-East) posited that the call for establishment of a history centre is a wake-up call to the executive and legislature to change the course of history.

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PEOPLES DAILY, wednesday, february 14, 2018

POLITICS

Nigeria must key into global changes or be left out -Dogara By Musa Adamu

peaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara has stressed the need for Nigeria to key into democratic changes taking place across the world in a way that better serves her citizens, secure their liberties, provides the needed protection and secures prosperity. Speaking when he received a delegation from Save Democracy Africa Group, led by Sen. Jonathan Zwingina, in his office, he said Nigeria must join in the experiment aimed at bettering the practice of democracy in order to deepen and protect it. The Speaker also accepted the invitation by the Save Democracy Africa to formally chair its 3rd poltical summit which will take place in Abuja later in the year. Hon Dogara also noted that whoever initiates change, dominates in any field whether in science and technology, agriculture or

any field of human endeavour and that the reason why Nigeria does not dominate and had always been dominated was because “we have not been able to initiate change.” “Even if certain principles of democracy were normal before, in this age of new normal, you have people questioning it. We live in an age where a man and a man want to get married, without even looking at consequences on a child that grows with them for 25 years, or 20 years. So, in other words, this is an age of experimentation; we want to experiment with everything, even democracy, people are experimenting with democracy and the ultimate evidence is the rise of the far right in Europe. “Even the home of presidential democracy in the world is not normal anymore, it won’t be charitable for me to run commentaries on what is going on in a friendly country but the truth is that we know that even democracy is taking a knock. “The challenge we face in this

era of new normal is how we initiate these changes, take control of these changes in a way that better serves our needs, for a government that secures our liberties first, give us the needed protection and then secures prosperity. “Democracy is just an idea that must be defended and when you lose those that will defend democracy, before long, democracy will become a casualty and that is the work you do, and even if you are not appreciated, promoting democracy is a work that we all must do.” He commended the group for the non-partisan work they were doing to preserve the entire democratic experience and preventing democracy from suffering grave dangers. “Partisan considerations do not matter and we are all working together as one in preserving the very fundamental ideas of democracy, of representative governance practice in Nigeria, in looking at our experience now and how we can

better it and that gives me hope that we will continue to maintain our lead in Africa.” Dogara also maintained that the legislature is the first institution of democracy, saying, “you can have any form of government but if that government does not consist of an independent legislature, then you don’t have a democracy, even if you call it, like most countries of the world will want to tag their governments, whether they are authoritarian, they call it Democratic Republic of so, so and so. “I thank you for the work you do for all of us, for all of us really. The truth is that we live in a world that makes change necessary, whether you prepare for it or not, you cannot stop change. Change has become like the north in a navigator’s compass; wherever he is able to find the north, it means that there is no way he can miss it, and whatever you do with a compass, you cannot stop it from pointing at the true nut. “So, change is like that true

Groups task Edo Assembly on ‘Not too Young to Run Bill’ By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

he leadership of African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) and the Forum of Nigerian women in politics (FONWIP) have tasked Edo State House of Assembly on the speedy passage of the ‘Not too Young to Run’ Bill. The Bill, among other things, is driven by the compelling needs to restructure the political system which advocates the reduction of age for seeking elective positions in Nigeria. Executive Director of ANEEJ, Rev. David Ugolor and the President of FONWIP, Mrs. Florence Igbinigie also pledged their commitment towards the Bill at a Media briefing by Edo State Coordinator of the initiative, Mr. Israel Orekha on Tuesday, in Benin City, Edo State Capital. Igbinigie, former Commissioner for Women Affairs and Youth Development, assured that Bill, when passed, would help to “curb youth restiveness and afford the Nigerian youth to bring their wealth of experience to bear in governance.” The state Coordinator of ‘Not too young to run Bill’, Mr. Israel Orekha, said a data obtained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) indicates that about 52 percent of registered voters in Nigeria are young people between 18 and 25 year. He said the ‘Not too young to run’ movement will continue to mobilize more young people across the Country to participate in the ongoing voters registration exercise and collection of their Permanent voters Cards (PVCs) as well as turn out to vote in all elections.

Chief of Ugboju, Chief Solomon Apochi (L); Chief of Onyagede, Chief Ogili Adamu (2nd L); Member, Benue State House of Assembly, representing Adoka/Ugboju Constituency, Mr Adams Okloho (4th L) and other traditional rulers during an inspection tour on Ogobia-Ugboju- Onyagede-Ankpa Road, yesterday in Benue State . Photo: NAN

north, but the way we become either managers of change or victims of change is how we react to it. The truth is that over time, right from the process of civilisation - as you know, they are compactmentalised into names - from that the dark ages, to the period of renaissance, to the modern age and then, post modernisation and to what we have today that we cannot even define but which they tagged new normal, which means a rejection of things that were normal before. “So, even if certain principles of democracy were normal before, in the age of new normal, you have people questioning it. We live in an age where a man and a man want to get married, without even looking at consequences on a child that grows with them for 25 years, or 20 years. So, in other words, this is an age of experimentation; we want to experiment with everything, even democracy, people are experimenting with democracy and the ultimate evidence is the rise of the far right in Europe. Even the home of presidential democracy in the world is not normal anymore, it won’t be charitable for me to run commentaries on what is going on in a friendly country but the truth is that we know that even democracy is taking a knock. “So the challenge we face in this era of new is how do we initiate these changes, take control of these changes in a way that better serves our needs. For a government that secures our liberties first, give us the needed protection and then secures prosperity, that is the challenge. “So, democracy is just an idea that must be defended and when you lose those that will defend democracy, before long, democracy will become a casualty and that is the work you do, and even if you are not appreciated, promoting democracy is a work that we all must do.” Speaking earlier, Senator Zwingina commended the Speaker for his consistent advocacy for enthronement of democracy, rule of law and human right in Nigeria. He said Speaker Dogara’s exemplary and sterling leadership qualities had helped in bringing about the much needed stability in the House of Representatives and that it was based on these accomplishment that the group endorsed him to chair the 3rd political summit.

Why I won’t dump PDP -Jimi Agbaje

former gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Lagos State in 2017 election, Jimi Agbaje, says he has not contemplated quitting the party because most parties lack ideology. Mr. Agbaje made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos while reflecting on his political aspiration. The one-time contestant for the National Chairman of PDP alluded that there were little differences in the political parties in Nigeria save the name given to them. “There is no need to cross carpet to other political party, what do I want there? In our country, there is

little difference in the political parties that we have. “You can only cross carpet if you are looking for power, but when you gain the power you are looking for, you will discover that it is not in your own terms. “The party you defected to will dictate to you what they want, then you are unable to deliver at your own terms. “Why changing party when you can still fulfill your aspiration where you are and make impact? The real change has thought us to be wiser,’’ he said. Mr. Agbaje said that he saw himself as an accomplished politician who can still fulfill the process of good governance which was more

satisfactory to him. “I have always seen myself as a fulfilled politician though I am still driving the process without recourse to many distractions that I have had. “I can achieve what I want at any day at any time, so, what am I looking for? Political aspiration is about service to the people which is more important. “If you are resilient and plan better, do things better, with patience, things will get better as days goes by, we can have a better country that is my belief,’’ he said. Agbaje, however, admonished the youth to be selfless in their service to the country, adding that it was the only way they could achieve greatness they were desirous of.

“Youth must realize that the first thing is that reason for going to the politics should be defined. It is very important. “It should be clear that service to the people should be paramount rather than self and they will find out that when they get to where they are going it will be easier to deliver. “The youth also need to be patient in their aspirations and not focus too much on money. Money is not everything, and should not also scare them away from politics. “If they are scared, they will not achieve anything; it is like someone who wants to build a house but considering all that it will take him, he will not want to build; it’s same thing with politics,’’ he said. (NAN)

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PEOPLES DAILY, wednesday, february 14, 2018

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1.67 1.67 1 1.67 1.67 JULI 0.00 0 0.50 0.50 0 0.50 0.50 LASACO 0.00 0 0.96 0.97 0 0.96 0.96 LAWUNION -0.01 0 0.95 0.92 0 0.96 0.96 LEARNAFRCA 0.04 0 0.80 0.80 0 0.80 0.80 LINKASSURE 0.00 0 1.01 1.04 0 1.03 1.09 LIVESTOCK -0.01 0 2.94 2.94 0 2.94 2.94 MANSARD 0.00 0 2.87 3.01 0 2.87 3.00 MAYBAKER -0.14 0 2.17 2.07 0 2.17 2.17 MEDVIEWAIR 0.10 0 0.61 0.61 0 0.61 0.61 MEYER 0.00 0 216.00 216.00 0 216.00 216.00 MOBIL 0.00 0 27.46 27.46 0 27.46 27.46 MRS 0.00 0 4.27 4.38 0 4.27 4.27 NAHCO -0.11 0 19.51 19.00 0 19.51 19.90 NASCON 0.51 0 142.00 142.19 0 143.00 143.00 NB 0.81 0 0.88 0.92 0 0.96 0.96 NEIMETH 0.04 0 1.82 1.83 0 1.92 1.92 NEM 0.09 0 1,470.00 1,500.00 0 1,470.00 1,470.00 NESTLE -30.00 0 5.70 5.70 0 5.70 5.70 NNFM 0.00 0 1.63 1.71 0 1.63 1.63 NPFMCRFBK -0.08 0 5.99 5.99 0 5.99 5.99 OANDO 0.00 0 71.62 71.62 0 71.62 71.62 OKOMUOIL 0.00 0 68.69 68.69 0 68.69 68.69 PRESCO 0.00 0 23.10 22.00 0 23.10 23.10 PZ 1.10 0 6.00 6.00 0 6.00 6.00 REDSTAREX 0.00 0 0.50 0.50 0 0.50 0.50 RTBRISCOE 0.00 0 675.01 675.01 0 675.01 675.01 SEPLAT 0.00 0 1.36 1.35 0 1.41 1.41 SKYEBANK 0.06 0 45.03 46.00 0 46.00 46.12 STANBIC 0.00 0 2.18 2.29 0 2.18 2.38 STERLNBANK -0.11 0 1.99 1.90 0 1.99 1.99 STUDPRESS 0.09 0 231.00 231.00 0 231.00 231.00 TOTAL 0.00 0 7.20 7.20 0 7.20 7.20 TRANSCOHOT 0.00 0 2.27 2.38 0 2.27 2.49 TRANSCORP -0.11 0 0.78 0.75 0 0.78 0.78 TRANSEXPR 0.03 0 17.10 17.70 0 17.10 17.10 UACN -0.60 0 3.00 3.00 0 3.00 3.01 UAC-PROP 0.00 0 12.50 12.99 0 12.89 13.10 UBA -0.10 0 7.65 8.00 0 8.00 8.00 UBN 0.00 0 3.93 3.93 0 4.12 4.12 UCAP 0.19 0 43.16 44.65 0 44.20 44.20 UNILEVER -0.45 0 1.18 1.24 0 1.30 1.30 UNITYBNK 0.06 0 2.38 2.50 0 2.40 2.40 UPL -0.10 0 9.09 9.09 0 9.09 9.09 VANLEER 0.00 0 10.33 10.41 0 10.33 10.33 VETGOODS -0.08 0 2.90 3.00 0 3.03 3.03 VITAFOAM 0.03 0 51.99 51.99 0 52.00 53.97 WAPCO 0.01 0 0.53 0.55 0 0.57 0.57 WAPIC 0.02 0 1.27 1.22 0 1.28 1.28 WEMABANK 0.06 0 32.00 32.00 0 32.75 33.00 ZENITHBANK 0.75 0 Copyright Â© 2018 NgTradeOnline

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PEOPLES DAILY, wednesday, february 14, 2018

Buhari, Jega, Sanusi to lead discussions at Lagos-Kano economic summit From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

resident Muhammadu Buhari is slated to lead other dignitaries at discussion sessions on the strategic importance of collaboration among key institutions to national development at the first Lagos-Kano Economic and Investment Summit. The summit, which is scheduled to hold at the Jubilee Chalets, Epe, Lagos, between February 28 and March 1, 2018, is to focus on thematic areas such as security, governance, ease of doing business, agriculture, tourism, internally

Power reform Act provides for three classes of power buyers, Fashola clarifies By Musa Adamu

inister of power, works and housing, Babatunde Fashola, has clarified that the Electricity Power Sector Reform Act, 2005, (EPSRA) provides for three classes of power to buy power directly from Generation Companies (GenCos). According to him, the Act provides that Generation Companies could be sell power to the bulk trader (NBET), the Distribution Companies or the eligible customer. He however said contrary to the larger window provided in the Act however, sale was only being to one of the classes which was the Bulk Trader. The minister made this clarification when he made the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN). He said the meeting was meant open the window for sales to the Eligible Customer (EC). He said there was no better time to explore the option of sale to the EC than now when there was the inventory of unsold power, with the clear promise of more to come. He restated that the market must open to all willing buyers. He said: “This access to power, for manufacturing and production, is the big bridge towards diversification of the Economy.” Clarifying further on why the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) had to declare the Eligible Customer Policy, he said the nation was expecting about 2000mw of unsold inventory. He said though, the DisCos had also increased their load taking capacity to 5,0000mw, there would be a gap of 2,000mw unsold inventory. Assuring that NERC had already made the rules to guide the implementation of EC policy, he said the new policy would ensure that bulk power consumers would purchase power from GenCos directly, even when the business of DisCos was protected. The nation is expecting more power from Azura, 459 MW; Afam III, 240 MW, Kaduna,215 MW, and a host of others this year. Against this backdrop, the minister said the unsold and increasing inventory was what the meeting offers to manufacturers as their critical Raw Material to reduce their cost of production.

generated revenue, education and infrastructure in key areas of power, transportation and urban waste management. Aside President Buhari, other lead discussants billed for the summit are the Emir of Kano, Malam Muhammadu Sanusi; Oba of Lagos, HRH Rilwan Akiolu; former National Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega; development expert, Professor Pat Utomi, among others. At s joint press briefing at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa on Tuesday, Chairman of the Steering Committee of the summit and Lagos State Commissioner for Finance, Mr Akinyemi Ashade said the summit was specially designed to create awareness on the investment climate and policy thrust of both Lagos and Kano State Governments, as well as create a platform for dialogue for potential investors, with the overall objectives of national development. He said the summit will also offer opportunity to share emerging investment ideas with the target audience and engage both states’ unutilised and under-utilised resources toward efficiency and prosperity. Ashade explained that “Globally, inter-state and regional partnerships are fast becoming benchmarks and leading practices for economic growth and development. Equipped with this

knowledge, the Governments of Lagos and Kano States, under the visionary and able leadership of their Excellences - Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje respectively decided to take a leading role towards maximizing the unique comparative and competitive economic and investment opportunities of both States.” Giving reasons for the summit, Ashade said it was common knowledge that both states share peculiar history and pedigree in demography, economic viability and leading roles within each of their respective geopolitical regions. “We both have the highest population and cosmopolitan spread in Nigeria, while I make bold to say that, the performances of the two States in areas of economic reforms, improved their business environments and contributed significantly in boosting Nigeria’s “Ease of Doing Business” Global Ranking from 169 to 145 for the year 2018 as measured in 2017. “This Summit, the first of its kind in subsaharan Africa, signals the first phase in the journey towards a long-lasting partnership between the two States and promises to help boost economic development and foster national unity amongst others. Hence, the choice of the theme “States Partnership as a tool for Sustainable Economic Development” for the Summit,” Ashade said.

He also disclosed that adequate measures have been firmed up to ensure that the summit is not another talk show, hence the decision to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two states during the summit, designed to seal and sustain the partnership. “The Governments of Lagos and Kano States are optimistic on the outcomes of this Summit in terms of Sustainable National Development and hope that the ensuing collaboration will offer a constructive case study for other States of the Federation to emulate by looking inwards and developing blueprints for their own inter-states collaborations that will propel them towards achieving economic sufficiency. Also speaking, Chairman of the Technical Committee for the summit from Kano, Dr Shamsudeen Usman said Lagos and Kano States had a lot of similarities and differences, and that the summit was designed to bring both to the fore with the overall objectives of learning from each to foster mutually beneficial positives. Usman, a former Minister of National Planning, said there have been instances in the past when Kano had understudied Lagos in areas such as governance and internally generated revenue, and that the summit would focus on such areas with the aim of playing them up for the people’s benefits.

L-R: Director, Legal Services, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Johnson Akinwunmi, Acting Director, Corporate Communication Department of CBN, Mr. Isaac Okorafor and Deputy Director, Financial Market, Department of CBN, Mr. Demenongu Yanfa, during a two day public hearing on a bill for an act to Amend the banks and other financial institution acts, at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

NNPC commences recovery of N100bn landed property By Etuka Sunday

he NNPC Properties Ltd (NPL), the real estate management company of the NNPC, yesterday said it has commenced the recovery of the corporation’s landed property worth N100b across the nation. This was disclosed by the NNPC Chief Operating Officer (COO) Ventures, Dr. Babatunde Victor Adeniran, at the maiden edition of NPL Property Festival which held at the NNPC Towers, Abuja. NNPC spokesman, Ndu Ughamadu in a statement quoted Dr. Adeniran to have stressed that the focus of the NNPC Properties Ltd had shifted from the initial lease administration of collecting rents from tenants of the NNPC Properties to “exploring all commercial opportunities available

in the real estate market to efficiently position itself as one of the key players of repute that fits the NNPC brand”. According to him, the current aggressive commercial drive by the NPL was yielding results as the company had recovered a number of the corporation’s landed property which had been lying idle across the country. He listed some of the recovered property to include: a 92-hectre parcel of land on Chevron Drive, Lekki, Lagos; Royal Grove Estate, Port-Harcourt, and others in Abuja and Kaduna. He said all the recovered property would be developed for the benefit of NNPC staff. Dr. Adeniran commended the Management of the NPL for developing the Third Party Home Ownership Scheme for staff with competitive

interest rates from reliable banks and affordable deals from credible developers. In his keynote address, the Managing Director of the NNPC Properties Ltd, Arch. O. D. Sokari-George maintained that the company under his watch was determined to deliver quality and affordable houses with the best funding options for staff, but cautioned staff member against frivolous spending to be able to acquire house with ease. The Managing Director said he was committed to turning the NPL into a revenue generating Strategic Business Unit (SBU) of the NNPC. Also speaking at the event, officials of Access Bank and Infinity Trust Mortgage Bank assured staff of friendly packages with low interest rates for property acquisition.

PEOPLES DAILY, wednesday,february 14, 2018

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business

PenCom struggles with micro pension initiative From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

n spite of huge funds expended on the micro pension initiative by the National Pension Commission (PenCom), there are indictions that the scheme which was conceived to capture about 250,000 workers from the informal sector, has ran into boisterous storm PenCom in a statement in October 2016 maintained that it would release the guidelines in mid-2017 and commence the scheme by end of the year. This, vision was halted by the new leadership in the commission. The assumption of leadership by the Acting Director-General, Mrs. Aisha DahiruUmar, seemed to have slowed down major initiatives conceived by her predecessors, especially the micro pension scheme which

was rigorously pursued during the tenure of the former Director General, Mrs Chinelo Anohu-Amazu. The new leadership of PenCom, which has been slow with little or no action, deflated the momentum already gained in the quest to entrenched the micro pension scheme by redeploying the Head of the department who has done great works on the initiative. Investigations revealed that staff who are not knowledgable on vital operations of the commission where assigned sensitive responsibilities leading to slowing down of activities in the commission. According to the Commission, the micro pension scheme is expected to help boost the pension contributors to 20 million Nigerians by 2019 and 30 million by the year 2024. It is also expected to generate about N3 trillion to

the pension assets, while mobilising about 12 million contributors within five years. The development is against the backdrop of efforts and huge funds deplored to the commencement of the scheme, setting up of micro pension department, among others. However, the implication of the scheme not taking off as planned is that Nigerian workers in the informal sector would continue to be susceptible to old age poverty. Micro pensions is a scheme targeted at self-employed people, especially those with irregular income, usually in the informal sector and are largely financially uninformed with limited or no access to financial services especially pension plan. This segment, which is estimated to be 70 per cent of the country’s population, largely exists in Nigeria as artisans and self-employed persons.

L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for Finance/Co-Chairman, Lagos-Kano Economic Summit 2018, Mr. Akinyemi Ashade; CoChairman/Chairman, Kano Economic Summit, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman; Commissioner for Transportation, Lagos State, Mr. Ladi Lawanson; Kano State Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Alhaji Aminu Mukhtar and Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Lagos Global, Prof. Ademola Abass during a joint media briefing on the forth coming Lagos-Kano Economic Summit 2018, yesterday at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja

AXA Mansard empowers NYSC members From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

XA Mansard, has expressed its commitment towards empowering Nigerian youths. According to firm, this gesture was demonstrated through an awareness campaign to youths at the National Youth Service Corps’ camps on different solutions available for their financial security, health and general well-being. It stated that employees of AXA Mansard visited the Lagos, Abuja and Rivers NYSC orientation camps to enlighten the 2017 Batch ‘B’ orientation course (stream II) corps members on solutions available from Axa Mansard. Some of the solutions include the right investment vehicles for them, insurance for their valuables and loved ones, pensions to start saving for their retirement, and health insurance for access to quality healthcare. In addition to the awareness drive at the camps, it added that AXA Mansard Health Insurance provided free basic medical services to corps members, such as medical consultation, basic medical check-up, BMI and blood pressure. Speaking on the initiative, the Group Head, Strategy and Marketing, AXA Mansard, Mr. Kola Oni, said, “Youth empowerment is important to us, because it affords us the opportunity to enable and propel youths to become effective drivers of change and societal transformation.” He added, “Nigeria’s total population in 2016 was projected to be 193,392,517 (NPC, July 2017). Youth population was estimated at 61,306,413 or 31.7 per cent of the total population. This is one of the highest percentages of youth in any country. In fact, Nigeria is said to have the largest youths population in the world within the framework of this definition.”

Sigma charges SMEs on pension From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

igma Pensions, has urged the Small and Medium Enterprises to open Retirement Savings Accounts under the Contributory Pension Scheme and embrace voluntary contribution. The Vice-President, Business Development (West), Sigma Pensions, Mrs. Mabel George, gave

the advice at the ConnectNigeria SMEs E-business fair 2018. Many representatives of the SMEs attended the event. According to her, “For the medium and smallscale enterprises, we are very aware that it is important that they are able to contribute to the scheme. As long as you have a registered business, even if it is not a limited liability company or an enterprise, once it is registered with the CAC, you

are able to come into pensions and do a voluntary contribution. “Because what the law states for paid employment is that you must have a minimum of three workers; but if you are an SME, you are coming in under the micro pensions which is just at the boarding stage and you will be able to make contributions at a voluntary rate to suit your income,” she added.

Her presentation, she explained issues affecting the SMEs from growth and proffered solutions to enhance their development. She stated, “What should be important to you is starting a business, have a health management scheme and most importantly, you must have a pension scheme. At Sigma Pensions, as a PFA for over 12 years, we want to see the SMEs, major firms and start-ups thrive in their businesses.”

‘You don’t have ability to transparently record debts owed by airlines’ From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

hairman, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Capt. Nogie Meggison has chided agencies of the aviation ministry for their inability to transparently record their revenues and document accurately the debts owed them by the airline operators. Meggison also accused the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria(AMCON) of competing with domestic airlines, adding that the is no level playing field. He said the Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika was wrong for saying that the N516 billion debts, which the Minister claimed domestic airlines owe aviation agencies and other organisations in Nigeria are questionable and cannot be proved. “We have always asked them to list the debts. It is easy to call numbers. Let those we owe bring their bills and explain the debts. Although government cannot be held responsible for the operation of privately

owned airlines, but the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) is competing with airlines, running two airlines with tax payers’ funds. So we don’t have a level playing ground because AMCON is a competitor, using the taxes we pay to compete with us. When are they going to leave the airline industry?” He pointed out that debt accrued in the aviation industry is a given because airline operation is a continuum as long as airlines render services they will incur debts from service providers, which are normally settled. In his words, “Talking about debts, airline business is not a cash business you accrue the charges you are presented a bill and you pay. No airline in this world that does not owe.” Speaking on Single African Air Transport Market(SAATM), the AON Scribe stated that for the new policy to work Africa Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) should provide a level playing field, adding that for SAATM to work every member country should charge the same amount from one country to another.

To buttress his point, he cited the case of Nigeria ,where an airline borrows money at 24 per cent interest rate, pay 5 per cent to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and also 5 per cent Value Added(VAT) but that these rates or charges are waived by government of other countries to support their own airlines. Also speaking, the former Vice-Chairman of Arik Air, Senator Anietie Okon argued that airlines do not owe that much and that if they are not doing well as alleged by the Minister, it is his responsibility and that of the government to ensure that airlines improve their operations. Senator Okon said the Minister should be able to calculate the value of the assets of an airline and calculate the percentage of debts to the airline before saying that an airline went under, when there was a preconceived plan to take over an airline. According to him, “If the total debts of an airline are just 10 percent of its assets how can you say that the company is insolvent?

Okon said that because of the critical role airlines play in the economy of every nation, sincere governments give support to airlines, whether government or privately owned. He cited airlines such as Jet Airways of India, Kenya Airways, South Africa Airways and even recently Emirates, who according to him at a point had financial issues that they were assisted by their governments to sustain their operations. “If all airlines in Nigeria are not doing well, what is the Minister doing about it? You are running the most nepotic administration, filling everyway with your people who are not even competent and you are running down those that committed their huge resources to run the airline industry. You know that the airlines are subjected to multiple taxation; you know that airlines cannot fly to over 18 airports in the country after 6:00 pm because there is no enough facilities and you are saying that government is not responsible for most of the problems of the airlines.”

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PEOPLES DAILY, wednesday, february 14, 2018

IGR: FCTA targets N3bn from outdoor advertising Stories by Stanley Onyekwere

he Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) looks to generate over three billion Naira annually through the Department of Outdoor Advertising and Signages ( DOAS) into the Administration’s coffer. The Deputy Director of DOAS, Mr. Hassan Abubakar, disclosed this to journalists during a tour of some Shopping Mall and sign poles within the territory. Mr Abubakar notedthat the project was initiated because of the disorderly of the Outdoor advertisement system in the FCT. He explained that with the compliance from the public in paying their taxes, the administration through the Outdoor Advertisement and Signage System has the capacity to generate over N3 to four billion naira annually as Internally Generated Revenue to the FCT administration yearly. While lamenting on the illegal mounted of billboards and Signages in some strategy position within the city, Mr Abubakar stressed that such act would litter the highways and streets of the territory with most lacking in aesthetics. According to him, the immediate consequences of these were severe danger to environment, traffic and pedestrians. “Long range visibility was impaired with resultant accidents at major junctions due to sight blockages by billboards and outdoor advertisement posts.’ ‘Painfully, we found that the existing administrative structure charged with the duty of regulating these practices was weak and in some cases there were multiple standards as well as conflicting administering agencies,” he added. He said that the development was unacceptable for a capital city that aspired to join the ranks of the best 20 capital cities in the world

by the year 2020, adding that the administration was therefore set to arrest the ugly trend. The Deputy Director also noted that the mandate of the body was to provide a standard for the control and regulation

of advertisement and signage practice in FCT by ensuring global best practice, improving internal revenue and stemming the observed chaos. He expressed delight for the collaboration of all stakeholders

especially the six area councils and the FCT business community, adding that the chairmen of the area councils had shown high level of cooperation to the FCT Administration throughout the conceptualization of the project.

Mr Abubakar further warned that, staff of the department must be honest, diligence and resourceful as the administration would not condone any act that ran contrary to the good intentions in setting up this department.

Gwagwalada Council restates resolve to curtail measles

uthorities of Gwagwalada Area Council have reiterated readiness to eradicate measles through Intensive and effective vaccination campaign in the area. According to him, Head, Department of Health in the Council, Dr. Adeyemi Adeniran, who made the disclosure, measles is a contagious preventable disease that responds to vaccination and called on parents to take advantage of the opportunity.

He noted that the vaccination is facility based but other people will be going from house to house to ensure that children within the ages of zero to five are immunised against measles. He warned that it can cause blindness, brain injury, cough and even death but these can be prevented through routine immunisation. Dr. Adeniran further explained that the vaccination is free of charge with no cost to the parents.

The HOD Health expressed hope that the measles campaign will success, noting that the team has put lessons learnt from the poliomyelitis immunisation exercise to avoid cases of rejection. He said as part of preparation, the team had done an advocacy visit to the chairman, had a social mobilisation meeting with all the committees involved, carried out education and entertainment activities twice at Gwagwalada market, Paiko market and

community dialogue and others to stem the tide of rejection. “We have trained our house to house mobilizers, recorders and vaccinators to ensure a comprehensive measles vaccination campaign,” he stressed. He further stated that the team has entered into a pact with heads of schools and health teachers to ensure that all stakeholders join hands to improve the health index of the council by immunising our children to meet the set target.

Security personnel deployed by FCT Police Command, after the Closure of Art and Crafts Village. yesterday in Abuja.

Lassa fever: HHSS takes awareness to Clinicians in private, public facilities

he FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat (HHSS), through its Public Health Department has taken sensitization exercise on Lassa fever to facility based Clinicians in the public and private health facilities in nation’s capital. Secretary, HHSS, Barr. Amanda Pam

made the disclosure during an emergency National Council on Health meeting with the theme: “State of Public Health in Nigeria” organized by the Federal Ministry of Health, in Abuja. Pam said the Department of Public Health has since embarked on sensitization exercise to all the six Area

Council, production and distribution and placement of banners, posters, and fliers. She added that the Department has conducted a sensitization exercise to the Association of Private Medical Doctors in the territory. The HHSS boss had earlier revealed that in FCT, 19 suspected lassa fever

cases were investigated, which include 10 men and 9 women, while 18 samples were collected. Secretary further explained that only one result was positive and presently 19 contact, and was followed up, the remaining 11 are negative with six pending results.

PEOPLES DAILY, wednesday, february 14, 2018

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world news

UK unveils extremism blocking tool

he UK government has unveiled a tool it says can accurately detect jihadist content and block it from being viewed. Home Secretary Amber Rudd told the BBC she would not rule out forcing technology companies to use it by law. Ms Rudd is visiting the US to meet tech companies to discuss the idea, as well as other efforts to tackle extremism. Thousands of hours of content posted by the Islamic State group was run past the tool, in order to “train” it to automatically spot extremist material. The government provided £600,000 of public funds towards the creation of the tool by an artificial intelligence company based in London. ASI Data Science said the software can be configured to detect 94% of IS video uploads. Anything the software identifies as potential IS material

would be flagged up for a human decision to be taken. The company said it typically flagged 0.005% of non-IS video uploads. On a site with five million daily uploads, it would flag 250 non-IS videos for review. It is intended to lighten the moderation burden faced by small companies that may not have the resources to effectively tackle extremist material being posted on their sites. Similar tools in the past have been heavily criticised by advocates of an “open” internet, saying such efforts can produce false positives - and that means content that is not particularly problematic ends up being taken down or blocked. In London, reporters were given an off-the-record briefing detailing how ASI’s software worked, but were asked not to share its precise methodology. However, in simple terms, it

is an algorithm that draws on characteristics typical of IS and its online activity. In Silicon Valley, the home secretary told the BBC the tool was made as a way to demonstrate that the government’s demand for a clampdown on extremist activity was not unreasonable. “It’s a very convincing example of the fact that you can have the information you need to make sure this material doesn’t go online in the first place,” she said. “The technology is there. There are tools out there that can do exactly what we’re asking for. For smaller companies, this could be ideal.” Silicon Valley giants such as Facebook and Google are pouring their own resources into solving this problem, but this tool is at first intended to be used by small companies, and they may one day be forced to

use it. “We’re not going to rule out taking legislative action if we need to do it,” the home secretary said. “But I remain convinced that the best way to take real action, to have the best outcomes, is to have an industry-led forum like the one we’ve got.” The Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism, launched last year, brings together several governments including the US and UK, and major internet firms like Facebook, Google, Twitter and others. However, the bigger challenge is predicting which parts of the internet that jihadis will use next. The Home Office estimates that between July and the end of 2017, extremist material appeared in almost 150 web services that had not been used for such propaganda before.

Uzbek man pleads guilty in Stockholm terror trial

n Uzbek man on trial in Sweden has pleaded guilty to carrying out a lorry attack which killed five people in Stockholm last April. Rakhmat Akilov, 39, admitted driving at high speed down a pedestrian street, the country’s worst terrorist attack. His asylum claim had been rejected in 2016. He had expressed sympathy for the Islamic State (IS) group. He appeared in an underground Stockholm court, in handcuffs and clad in a green

prison uniform. Survivors and relatives of victims can watch a live stream screened next door. Rakhmat Akilov fled the scene after crashing the stolen beer lorry and was arrested several hours later on the edge of Stockholm. He confessed during police interrogation. Under Swedish laws on terrorism, prosecutors must prove that he intended to harm the state. IS did not say it was behind the attack. Jihadists had used vehicles in

Police took this photo of Rakhmat Akilov when he was arrested

international_peoplesdailyng@yahoo.com

Portugal police ‘find cocaine in traveller’s padded pants’

Police said the man was carrying 1kg (2.2lb) of cocaine

olice in Portugal have detained a man at Lisbon’s international airport accused of carrying 1kg (2.2lb) of cocaine in fake buttocks. Local media said the Brazilian citizen had arrived on a flight from the city of Belém, in northern Brazil. It was not immediately clear how police discovered the case. A second man, suspected of being the recipient of the drug, was detained at the city’s train station. The

suspects are aged 32 and 40, police say. The drug seized would have been enough to make 5,000 individual doses of cocaine, police said in a statement (in Portuguese). They did not give an estimate of how much the quantity was worth. The men could face charges of drug trafficking. Last month, police in Portugal and Spain seized cocaine hidden inside fresh pineapples that had been transported from South America.

Julian Assange: Warrant for his arrest Trump’s infrastructure blueprint ‘a scam’ upheld by court

S President Donald Trump has unveiled his long-touted plan to revamp US infrastructure, but critics labelled it a “scam”. Mr Trump wants Congress to authorise $200bn (£144bn) over a decade to spend on roads, highways, ports and airports. The president hopes the US states and private sector will stimulate another $1.3tn in improvements. The plan was a Trump election promise, but it could entail Americans paying higher local taxes, fees and tolls. The blueprint is part of a $4.4tn budget proposal which abandons the long-held Republican goal of balancing the federal budget within a decade. “We have spent $7 trillion in the Middle East, $7 trillion. What a mistake,” Mr Trump said at the White House on Monday. “And we’re trying to build roads and bridges and fix bridges that are falling down and we have a hard time getting the money and its crazy.”

What’s in the blueprint? A senior administration official who briefed reporters over the weekend said the $200bn investment would be paid for “out of savings from other areas of the federal budget”. The plan calls for $50bn of public funding dedicated to modernising infrastructure in rural areas, many of which voted for Mr Trump in the 2016 elections. The proposal includes $100bn for an incentives programme “to spur additional dedicated funds from States, localities, and the private sector”. The administration also seeks $20bn in loans and bonds to finance projects including transportation and water. The blueprint allows states to add or increase tolls on interstate highways, and to charge fees to use highway rest areas. However, it bans states from charging for “essential services such as water or access to restrooms”. The plan also seeks to reduce

previous attacks - in the French city of Nice and in Berlin in 2016

and on Westminster Bridge in London in 2017.

the time required to obtain environmental permits. The Trump administration is planning to sell off Reagan National and Dulles International airports near Washington DC as part of the proposal. “The Federal Government owns and operates certain infrastructure that would be more appropriately owned by State, local, or private entities,” the plan says. A legislative bridge to nowhere? If there’s one thing politicians love, it’s infrastructure spending. It creates jobs, pleases businesses and gives officeholders something tangible to point to when constituents ask what they’ve done for them lately. So it’s quite a remarkable achievement for the Trump administration to have come up with an infrastructure plan that will likely be of limited popularity and difficult to pass in Congress. The main problem for the White House is that the

proposal allocates no new funds for bridges, railways, roads and tunnels. Instead, it recommends taking money out of other government programmes although it leaves to Congress the unenviable task of determining what gets the axe. In addition, the plan leans heavily on states and localities to pick up the tab for the projects. Their budgets are always tight, and recent cuts to federal deductions for state and local taxes will make it harder to raise revenue. Then there’s the private funding component of the proposal. While it seems attractive in theory, tolls and fees that line corporate pockets have long been unpopular with Americans. This doesn’t mean an infrastructure bill won’t happen. Chances are, however, what Congress passes will look very different from what was presented on Monday. What’s the response? The plan already faces stiff opposition.

n arrest warrant for the Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has been upheld by Westminster Magistrates’ Court. The warrant was issued when Mr Assange, 46, breached bail conditions in 2012 by seeking political refuge at the Ecuadorean embassy. He was facing sexual assault allegations in Sweden. The allegations were dropped in May 2017. Mr Assange has been staying at the embassy since 2012, claiming he fears extradition to the US. Judge Arbuthnot described Mr Assange as “a man who wants to impose his own terms on the course of justice, whether the course of justice is in this jurisdiction or Sweden. “He appears to consider himself above the normal rules of law and wants justice only if it goes in his favour.”

She added that she did not find Mr Assange’s fear that Swedish authorities would extradite him to the US “reasonable”. He fears that he may be charged by US authorities for publishing classified documents on his Wikileaks website. Mr Assange’s lawyers said his arrest for failing to answer bail was no longer in the public interest but the judge rejected that argument. “Defendants on bail up and down the country, and requested persons facing extradition, come to court to face the consequences of their own choices,” she said. “He should have the courage to do the same,” she added. A small group of supporters stood quietly outside the court after the ruling, holding banners reading “Free Assange” and “Assange Safe Passage”.

PEOPLES DAILY, wednesday, february 14, 2018

Page 23

N e w s F r o m A f r i c a South Africa: ANC decides Zuma must go ‘urgently’

outh Africa’s governing African National Congress (ANC) has formally asked President Jacob Zuma to resign for the sake of the country. But despite the ANC’s top leadership deciding to “recall” him “urgently”, the scandal-hit Mr Zuma was still in power on Tuesday. He is expected to respond to the request on Wednesday, an official said. He had already told them he was willing to stand down in the next three to six months, the official added. Mr Zuma, who has been in power since 2009, has been dogged by corruption allegations. But he has so far resisted increasing pressure to quit since December, when Cyril Ramaphosa replaced him as leader of the ANC. ‘No guillotine’ Ace Magashule, the ANC’s secretarygeneral, told reporters the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) decided the removal should be “treated with urgency”. “The NEC has noted South Africa is going through a period of uncertainty and anxiety as a result of unresolved matter of transition,” he said. Mr Magashule said the country needed to build on the “renewed hope” felt after the election of Mr Ramaphosa as ANC leader. “It is obvious we want Comrade Ramaphosa to come in as the president of South Africa,” he added. He said the president was expected to respond to the NEC’s decision on Wednesday, although they had given him no deadline. “When we recall our deployee, we expect our deployee to do as asked,” Mr Magashule said. ANC NEC member Lindiwe Zulu told the BBC the party will give Mr Zuma an opportunity to respond to its request. “There is no guillotine here. He is a comrade,” she said. South Africa’s opposition parties have already expressed reservations about the ANC’s confidence that Mr Zuma will step down. “The only way to remove Jacob Zuma as president of our country is for parliament to do so through a motion of no confidence,” the Democratic Alliance (DA) tweeted. It called the motion brought by another opposition party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), to be brought forward from 22 February so parliament can “remove Jacob Zuma”. Analysis: Going, going.... gone? Although it was hardly an unexpected announcement, there was still a sense of disbelief among the waiting journalists as Mr Magashule announced the NEC has asked Mr Zuma to step down. After such a long wait, we had half expected the ANC to say they had given

Jacob Zuma has been president of South Africa since 2009

Many in the ANC hope that removing Mr Zuma will boost the party’s chances in the 2019 elections him more time, or reached some sort of compromise. But surprise gave way to bemusement as Mr Magashule side-stepped repeated requests for clarification on what the ANC will do if President Zuma refuses to resign by Wednesday. As for whether the ANC would support an opposition motion of no confidence, Mr Magashule said he did not know. But when asked what Mr Zuma said when he was told of the NEC’s decision, Mr Magashule choice of words were pointed: the president had said he was “a disciplined member of the ANC”. It was a term repeated several times during the briefing. In other words, as far as the ANC is

concerned - it is done. What has Mr Zuma done wrong? Mr Zuma’s presidency has been overshadowed by allegations of corruption which he has always vehemently denied. In 2016, South Africa’s highest court ruled that Mr Zuma had violated the constitution when he failed to repay government money spent on his private home. Last year the Supreme Court of Appeal ruled that he must face 18 counts of corruption, fraud, racketeering and money-laundering relating to a 1999 arms deal. More recently, Mr Zuma’s 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. Is Mr Zuma legally obliged to quit? The formal request to resign is difficult to resist, but he is not legally obliged to do so and could technically carry on as president despite losing the support of his party. However, should he continue to defy his party, he would be expected to face a confidence vote in parliament. Mr Zuma has survived other such votes but he is not expected to pull it off again. A confidence vote would be considered a humiliating process for him and the party. In terms of the constitution, it will require the entire cabinet to resign and for the parliamentary speaker to serve as acting president until MPs elect a new president. Why is this happening now? The ANC was badly rattled by its performance at the 2016 local elections when it won its lowest share of the vote since coming to power under the late Nelson Mandela in 1994. It wants to project a fresh image for next year’s general election. Having served two terms in office (South African presidents are elected by parliament), Mr Zuma cannot legally return to power in any case. On Monday, opposition parties called for an early election. “Anyone from the ANC that wants to lead this country, must get their mandate from the people of South Africa,” DA leader Mmusi Maimane told reporters.

Chibok girls kidnapper Haruna Yahaya jailed in Nigeria

Nigerian court has jailed a Boko Haram militant involved in the 2014 kidnapping of the Chibok

girls. Haruna Yahaya, 35, is the first member of the group to be sentenced for playing a part in the mass abduction. The former trader, who confessed to his role in taking the 276 schoolgirls, argued he was made to act under duress.

But judges sitting at a military court in Kanji, who are hearing the cases of more than 1,000 suspected Boko Haram militants, dismissed his excuse. They were also unmoved by his pleas for leniency on the grounds of his disability, which has left him with a paralysed arm and deformed leg, BBC News’ Ishaq Khalid reports. Justice ministry spokesman Salihu

Isah confirmed to news agency AFP that Yahaya was given a 15-year jail sentence. Yahaya, who came from Potiskum, in Yobe state, north-east Nigeria, was captured by a vigilante group called Civilian JTF in 2015 - a year after the girls were snatched from Government Girls Secondary School in Borno state. Of the 276 girls taken in April 2014, 112 are still in captivity.

This week, some 700 of the suspected militants are due to appear before the judges in Kanji, according to sources at the court. On Monday, 20 were found guilty of crimes associated with Boko Haram, while two were discharged for lack of evidence. Source: BBC

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PEOPLES DAILY, wednesday, february 14, 2018

e w s F r o m A SI A Ahed Tamimi: Russia Saratov crash: Ice on sensors ‘may be the cause’ peed sensors that were iced over may half minutes after the plane took off, at an Flight-tracking site Flightradar24 said Palestinian have caused a passenger jet to crash altitude of around 1,300m (4,265ft), the it then descended at the rate of 1,000m (3,300ft) per minute. Moscow, killing all 71 people on committee said. viral slap video board,nearinvestigators Wreckage and body parts are strewn At that moment, the instruments began say. The faulty instruments could have displaying different speed readings. The over a large area - about 30 hectares (74 the pilots wrong speed data, Russia’s pilots turned off the autopilot and the plane acres) - and more than 700 people are teen goes on given involved in the search operation, struggling began to lose speed until it crashed. Interstate Aviation Committee said. through deep snow. What do we know so far? The Saratov Airlines jet went down trial The emergencies ministry is collecting Contact was lost at 14:27 (11:27 GMT), minutes after take-off from Moscow’s

Domodedovo airport on Sunday. No emergency call came from the plane. The Antonov An-148 was en route to Orsk in the Ural mountains. What are the investigators saying? A preliminary analysis of the flight recorder indicated problems two and a

The trial is being held behind closed doors at Ofer military court

hed Tamimi, 17, is charged with 12 offences, including assaulting security forces and incitement to violence. If convicted, she could face a lengthy jail term. For Palestinians, Ms Tamimi is a symbol of resistance to Israeli occupation, but many Israelis regard her as a violent troublemaker seeking publicity. Amnesty International has called for Ahed Tamimi’s release, accusing Israel of discriminatory treatment of Palestinian children. Viral video Ahed Tamimi, then 16, was filmed by her mother, Nariman, shouting at and shoving two soldiers in the driveway of her family home in Nabi Saleh in the occupied West Bank on 15 December 2017. The incident was streamed on Nariman Tamimi’s Facebook page and video of the confrontation went viral. In the footage she kicks one soldier and slaps his face, and threatens to punch the other. Ahed Tamimi was arrested in a night-time raid days later. Her mother has also been charged with incitement on social media and assault, and her cousin, Nour, who participated in the incident, has been charged with assault. The case sparked an outpouring of deeply opposing views between Israelis and Palestinians. Following the incident, Israel’s Education Minister Naftali Bennett said Ahed and Nour Tamimi deserved to “finish their lives in prison”. Many Israelis say Ahed Tamimi has long been exploited by her family, who they accuse of using her to try to provoke Israeli soldiers on film. Two years ago, the teenager was seen in a viral video biting the hand of an Israeli soldier who had detained her brother on suspicion of throwing stones. She was praised for her actions by then Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who presented her with a “courage” award. Ahed Tamimi first came to public prominence when, aged 11, she appeared in a video threatening to punch another soldier. For Palestinians, Ahed Tamimi has become a national icon for what they see as acts of bravery in standing up to armed soldiers on occupied land. Her face has appeared on street murals and posters, while an online petition organised by her father calling for her release has gathered 1.7m signatures. Special court Ahed Tamimi said she lashed out at the soldiers who she said she had seen in a video of her 15-year-old cousin being shot in the head with a rubber bullet that same day. The Israeli military said it had dispatched the soldiers to the Tamimis’ home where Palestinian youths had been throwing stones at troops sent to quell violent protests in the village. Human rights groups say Ahed Tamimi’s case highlights what they say is Israel’s harsh treatment of Palestinian minors. About 1,400 Palestinian minors have been prosecuted in special juvenile military courts over the past three years, the IDF says.

minutes after the plane took off. The plane crashed near the village of Argunovo, about 80km (50 miles) southeast of Moscow. Russia’s Investigative Committee said the plane was intact when it crashed and that the explosion happened on impact.

DNA samples from victims’ relatives as part of the identification process of the 65 passengers, including a child and two teenagers, and six crew. The jet, which was reportedly seven years old, was being flown by an experienced pilot who had 5,000 hours of flying time.

Winter Olympics: Kim Jong-un calls for further reconciliation

orth Korea’s leader has called for a “further livening up” of the “warm climate of reconciliation” with the South created by the Winter Olympics. Kim Jong-un, whose nuclear bomb and missile tests have stoked international tension, praised the South for hosting his state at the games in Pyeongchang. Kim’s apparent Games charm offensive was led by his sister Kim Yojong. South Korean President President Moon Jae-in has meanwhile said the US is open to talking with the North. He did not elaborate and may have been referring to a remark by US VicePresident Mike Pence on his flight back to Washington from the Games. “If you want to talk, we’ll talk,” Mr Pence was quoted as saying by the Washington Post. While the North’s attendance at the Games has been seen as marking a major warming in relations, there have also been concerns that it has allowed it to win a propaganda victory. What else did Mr Kim say? He thanked the South for “specially prioritising” the North’s attendance at the Games, North Korean state news agency KCNA reports. He also gave “important instructions” on how to “liven up” the “warm climate of reconciliation and dialogue”. A picture released by the agency shows Mr Kim flanked by his sister and the North’s ceremonial head of state, Kim Yong-nam, both linking arms with him. How big a propaganda coup has the North scored? Ms Kim and Mr Kim Yong-nam made up the most senior delegation from the North to visit the South since the Korean

This handout photo by KCNA shows Kim Jong-un, who appears to be supported by Ms Kim Yo-jong on his left and Mr Kim Yong-nam on his right

War in the 1950s. The two states have never signed a peace treaty and are in a constant state of mutual distrust. On Saturday, Ms Kim handed over a letter from her brother to President Moon, inviting him to visit Pyongyang. If the summit goes ahead, it will be the first meeting in more than a decade between Korean leaders. Ms Kim’s appearance at the Games has been widely criticised, as she is on a US sanctions list over alleged links to human rights abuses in North Korea. She headed the North’s delegation and has now returned home. The regime’s human face You could almost feel the ripple of excitement as Kim Yo-jong walked into the opening ceremony of the Winter

Ms Kim’s visit has been one of the most talked-about aspects of the Games

Olympic Games. Necks craned and mobile phones were held aloft to catch a glimpse. I found myself, along with others, leaning as far as I could over the balcony to try to see her in the VIP box below. The faces around the stadium all said one thing: she’s here, on South Korean soil. She has given the secretive regime a human face. Her country is subject to a raft of sanctions from the US, the UN and the EU over its weapons programmes and Japan has said it remains sceptical about the “charm offensive”. “I am aware that some people argue that because North Korea is engaging in dialogue we should reward them,” Foreign Minister Taro Kono said before the Games. “Frankly I think this view is too naive. I believe that North Korea wants to buy some time to continue their nuclear missile programme.” What does the US make of the North’s overtures? Mr Pence stressed the US would continue imposing sanctions and putting pressure on Pyongyang. “The point is, no pressure comes off until they are actually doing something that the alliance believes represents a meaningful step toward denuclearization,” Mr Pence told the Post. “So the maximum pressure campaign is going to continue and intensify.” Mr Pence came face to face with Ms Kim at the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics, but they did not interact.

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PEOPLES DAILY, wednesday, february 14, 2018

r o p e r t y

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

China dominates global city rankings for house price growth

hinese cities recorded the strongest mainstream house price growth in 2017 and seen the biggest rise in the prime property market, new research has found. Price grow by more than 10% in eight Chinese cities in the mainstream market, led by Chongqing with an increase of 58.9% and only two European cities, Amsterdam and Dublin, made the top 10 with rises of 20.9% and 12.3% respectively. Vancouver saw annual growth of 16%, New York was up 11.7% and Shanghai up

10.7%. Paris recorded growth of 8.3%, Sydney 5.8% and London just 2.3%, according to the report from international real estate advisor Savills. Prices were unchanged in Mumbai and Warsaw and fell in Rio de Janeiro by 4.4%, in Stockholm by 5.2%, in Shenzhen and Johannesburg by 6.3% and in Dubai by 7.9%. In the prime property markets there were more falls than growth, including long established markers such as London, New York, Stockholm and Moscow but values in

these cities are still higher than they were ten years ago. San Francisco was the only US city to feature in the top 10. Chongqing also saw the highest growth in the prime sector at 48.5%, followed by Tianjin at 39.4% and Wuhan at 25.5%. Vancouver, Dublin, San Francisco and Amsterdam also make the top 10 with growth of 16%, 12.6%, 12.3% and 10.7% respectively. Hong Kong remains world’s most expensive city for prime property at US$4,000 per square foot, followed by

FG sensitizes staff on danger of corruption By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

he Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing through its AntiCorruption Unit (ACTU) , said it will sensitize the staff of the ministry on dangers of corruption within the system. The disclosure was made during a workshop held at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja yesterday,with the theme: “Corruption as an Impediment to Sustainable Development’’ . The Director Human Resource Management, Mrs Morayo Alimi, who represented the Permanent Secretary Works & Housing, Alhaji Mohammed Bukar, who declared the workshop opened ,enjoined participants, including Directorate Cadre and officers to take advantage of the seminar and learn more about the negative effects of corruption in the public sector. “we can never stop talking about anticorruption judging by the posture of the present administration which has zero tolerance for corruption’’. According to Bukar “we need to keep sensitizing people about it to help them internalize the concept and as such cause a shift to a service free of corruption’’. A statement signed by the Principal Information Officer For: Director (Information) Olatunji John, said that anti-corruption crusade runs across every cadre . The ministry is determined to discourage it at all levels. Consequently,the Chairman of the Independent Corruption Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Mr Justine Kuatsea, also thanked the Permanent Secretary and the management of the Ministry for making the occasion a reality by facilitating the sensitization workshop. Kuatsea noted that ICPC is not relenting in sensitizing the public sector in adopting a systemic approach in tackling corruption in the country. He further explained that in working with the Federal Ministry of Power, Works & Housing, ‘’we shall together roll back the blanket of corruption in the public service and indeed in Nigeria for sustainable development’’. In his remarks, the Chairman of the AntiCorruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) of the Ministry, Barr. Sunday Inyang, noted that the purpose of organising the workshop is to basically share experiences, impart knowledge, broaden and deepen participants’ understanding of ACTU’s activities and programmes. Barr. Inyang who pointed out that “it is interesting to know that the theme of this sensitization seminar, which is ‘’Corruption as an Impediment to Sustainable Development’’ is not only apt, but also timely considering the fact that Corruption continues to be the bane of most African countries, Nigeria in particular” He urged the executive arm of

Government to push for the implementation of key anti-corruption protocols and good governance principles in public and private institutions. He also implored of the National Assembly, to expeditiously pass into law the two Executive Bills before them that

are considered critical in making the fight against corruption effective, these are the Special Criminal Courts Bill and Whistle Blowers and Witness Protection Bill, meant to protect whistle blowers and witnesses from injury, death, economic sabotage, job termination, among others.

Minister of Power works and Housing, Raji Fashola

Tokyo at US$3,280, London US$1,770 and New York US$1,570. ‘This outperformance by the mainstream housing markets across key world cities is part of a longer term global trend. Prime values rose first and fastest after the global financial crisis, but some are now hitting a high plateau. It’s now the turn of the mainstream markets to play catch up,’ said Yolande Barnes, head of Savills world research. ‘Prime residential markets around the world reacted quickly to quantitative easing by central banks and the consequent yield shift in line with low interest rates. This was a one off yield shift and expectations are that central banks are moving towards raising rates, reducing the potential for price growth,’ she explained. ‘Importantly, while some cities have recorded small falls, we generally don’t expect these to become significant, but we do expect prices to remain relatively stable, on a high plateau for some time, though we will continue to see volatility in oil dependent economies, for example,’ she added. According to the report cities such as Hong Kong, San Francisco, Sydney and Vancouver, which have now seen strong 10 year growth, are expected to hit a high plateau in the next year or two. European cities such as Amsterdam, Madrid, Paris and Dublin, where prime residential value growth ranged from 5.1% to 12.6% in 2017, are poised for further price growth, though they too are expected to hit a long term peak within the next five years. ‘With large amounts of capital pointed at Hong Kong from the mainland, and held at bay only by capital controls, it is difficult to see a scenario where capital values will fall significantly,’ Barnes pointed out. ‘Equally, unless capital flows from the mainland were dramatically relaxed, it’s hard to see scope for further significant value uplifts. Prime Hong Kong residential values look set to occupy the same high plateau as many other world markets for a while,’ she explained. Tokyo, where large, centrally-located, prime properties are rare, ranks as second most expensive for prime property, with values averaging US$3,280 per square foot after rising 10% in the year, more than five times the mainstream average of just US$630, and the biggest different between prime and mainstream across the Savills measures. ‘In future, investors will pay more attention to occupier fundamentals: not just the quantum but also the quality of demand. The biggest value differences will not be between world cities so much as between different neighbourhoods and different types of property within those cities. Tokyo is an early case in point,’ Barnes concluded. Source : propertywire

FG abandons plan to demolish 1,400 buildings

he Federal Government may have dumped the plan to demolish about 1,400 buildings in Abeokuta for the $1.5bn Lagos-Ibadan rail project, due to what it described as huge compensation cost. Speaking to newsmen recently in Ibadan after meeting with officials of the China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC), the Hon. Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi said the compensation cost to owners of properties in Abeokuta, which runs into N2.8bn, will overshoot the budget for the project. According to the Minister of Transportation, “what we have suggested today is that they should review the location of the train station in

Abeokuta to avoid the area where we have too many buildings. “If you observe, when we visited the area where we have so many buildings on the proposed station site of the Lagos-Ibadan rail project in Abeokuta, to the left of that area is a huge expanse of land that has fewer or no structures on it.” ” So we have told the contractor to look at the possible option of going towards the left instead of going through the MKO Abiola complex and running through buildings behind it. “It doesn’t involve any new engineering structure. All they need do is move towards the left of the MKO Abiola complex so that the path

of the standard gauge project will avoid the area where we have too many houses. “If we agree to go towards the left of the MKO Abiola complex, then we won’t be paying N2.8bn as compensation to property owners because we would have avoided were we have a concentration of too many houses, and that would have reduced the project cost eventually. And by that, we will allow the people to live in peace. “It is not yet a directive. It is an option I asked the contractor to study. “In Lagos, we have set up a committee to be chaired by the Chairman of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) with CCECC, the

PEOPLES DAILY, wednesday, february 14, 2018

PAGE 26

Healthy Living International Condom Day: Foundations shift activities to Valentine’s Day By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

s the world marks International Condom Day yesterday, foundations across the country have shifted their activities to Valentines Day to enable it champion advocacies across the country. Valentine’s Day, meant to strengthen relationship amongst couples has been hijacked by youths and teens to indulge in various sexual activities. This trend has made Organisations to cease the opportunity of the Valentine’s Day to intensify campaigns on the use of condoms to stop the spread of HIV. Already, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), said it will distribute 300,000 condoms and test 43,000 people for HIV on International Condom Day. Condom Day which is Celebrated on February 13th, just a day before valentine, will create more awareness about the use of condom. The foundation stated this in a statement issued recently in Abuja by its Advocacy & Marketing Manager, Steve Aborisade. The statement said the foundation which is the largest global AIDS organization operating in 39 countries, again observed in conjunction with Valentine’s Day - by promoting prevention of STDs, including HIV and unwanted pregnancies through free condom distribution, safer sex awareness events and HIV Testing Services (HTS). “AHF will activate over 50 ICD events worldwide including in six states of Nigeria: Anambra, Benue, Cross River, Kogi, Nasarawa and Abuja. “Across these states, AHF Nigeria shall conduct both static and mobile HIV testing as well as hold public ceremonies to provide condom education while free HIV brands of condoms shall be distributed to encourage safer sexual practices. “AHF notes the trend of early sexual debut in Nigeria, which according to UNICEF data begins at less than 15 years for 15% of Nigeria’s youth. This, coupled with the practice of having multiple sexual partners increases HIV vulnerability among the youth population alongside the very low HIV testing rates - only 17% of young people know their HIV status (UNAIDS 2017 Data Book). Whereas Nigeria accounts for almost half of all new HIV infections in sub-Saharan Africa every year according to UNAIDS”. The statement also quoted AHF Acting Country Program Manager, Mr. Greg Abiaziem, as saying, “it is important to reduce the trend of new HIV infection in Nigerian youth through preaching abstinence, and for those who cannot abstain to use condom, which prevents STDs

including HIV and unwanted pregnancies. It has become important to ensure condom option is made available as a preventive measure to youths who can’t abstain from sex, with new HIV infections highest among young people aged 1524 years and with the national data suggesting that about 4.2% of young people (ages 15-24) are living with HIV.” Also, AHF Chief of Global Policy, Advocacy and Marketing,, Terri Ford said “Condoms are under attack in the realm of global public health with governments and international agencies slashing funds. This will most likely lead to more infections worldwide - but thankfully, International Condom Day is a way to reinvigorate the message that condoms are a fun and fashionable way to protect oneself and one’s partner while reinforcing the tenet that condoms should be available for free to anyone who needs them.” AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, currently provides medical care and/or services to over 855,000 clients in 39 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/ Pacific Region and Eastern Europe. Also in Jos, the Plateau state capital, Fahariya Adolescent Development Network (FAANET) said the will also intensify its campaigns on the use of condom. FAANET Monitoring And Evaluation Officer, Tohomdet Solomon told Peoples Daily

PUBLIC NOTICE

DORCAS INTERVENTION GLOBAL FOUNDATION INT’L

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. PRINCE CHINAEMEZE CAIPHAS OBIJIAKU 2. DEACON EGWUATU CHIKE ADOLPHUS 3. EZEMBAMARA NNAEMEKA 4. OBI ANTHONY 5. MISS. UZOAGA UZOAMAKA GOSPEL 6. MISS. UGWUMBA OLUCHI SANDRA 7. GOZIE ANOINTING OBIJIAKU AIM AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PROVIDE SKILL ACQUISITION TO INDIGENT MEN AND WOMEN IN THE SOCIETY 2. TO ORGANIZE YOUTHS SPORT COMPETITION ACROSS THE COUNTRY 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

that the organization had in the past worked with different target groups most especially youths and women in different communities in Plateau, Nassarawa and Bauchi states. “We work mostly in areas of HIV prevention strategies, care and support, Family Planning and General Reproductive Education. Since most of our activity is with the youths, we emphasize on condom distribution and education as one of the most commonest means of preventing new HIV infection and other STIs, unwanted pregnancies and family planning for married couples. “FAANET implemented the PLACA/NACA HAF II project (World Bank assisted) from 2015 and extended to 2017 based on our high performance. Within the period of the project, FAANET undertook awareness creation and distribution of condom aimed at educating the various community members on this means of preventing HIV infection and other STIs. “In the past, there had been much of myths and misconceptions on the use of this strategy; but as a result of this project, the community members gained better understanding of this product, where we were able to receive and distributed a total of 58,980 male condoms and 2 cartons of female condoms. The organization is still distributing the material to its clients daily since our office is located in the heart of the city of Jos.” Speaking on the importance of condom, the

loss of Document

This is to infoem THE GENERAL PUBLIC OF THE LOSS OF DOCUMRNT BELONGING TO ASMA’U UMMI YABUBU IN RESPECT OF PLOT 2B BANK ROAD G.R.A TPO. 931 ZARIA KDL/260161 BEARING TO lawal samaila abdullahi. All effort made to trace the said document proved abortive. If found please return to the nearest police station. General public please take note. mustapha

I, formerly known as MUSTAPHA SABO now wish to be known and addressed as mustapha sabo YAHAYA. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

Northern Director of Rural Health Development Centre Nigeria, Oliver E. Nwodoh, said Condom is a medical rubber device that was manufactured to reduce the spread of STIs. “Condoms when used correctly are the best way to prevent HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as Gonorrhoea, chlamydia, candidiasis, trichomoniasis, gardnerella, chancroid, syphilis, lymphogranuloma, herpes genitalis etc. “Condoms of both male and females have a very low failure and effective for all sexual activities. However, one must not forget that condom as a medical rubber device must meet an essential standard by undergoing quality tests as I earlier stated. Condoms with European CE marks are always the best. And don’t forget to always check the expiry date before using.” As precaution, he advised on the use of new condom “each time you have sex. Put on the condom before any form of sexual contact. Avoid using an oil based lubricant or petroleum jelly on condoms to avoid splitting. Withdraw from your sex partner immediately after ejaculation. If condom splits during sex, discontinue the sexual activity immediately and clean up. Insert a new condom before you continue. It is the duty of every health worker, or medical practitioners to always educate the public on how to work towards disease and epidemic free society. Please learn to use condom today and stay safe.”

AUGUSTINE

I, formerly known as AUGUSTINE MAIGINI DANLAMI now wish to be known and addressed as AUGUSTINE DANLAMI. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

loss of Document

SPACE FOR SALE

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PEOPLES DAILY, wednesday, february 14, 2018

CLASSIFIED PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

Professor Seidu Onailo Mohammed Ogah Foundation

The old name: Association of Former Speakers of State Houses of Assembly in Nigeria. The New Name: Conference of Former speakers of State Houses of Assembly

THE OLD NAME - KINGDOM’S TORCH INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.Professor Seidu O. Mohammed - Chairman 2.Barr. Isah Yahaya _ Secretary 3.Dr. Spencer Onuh - Member 4.Professor John Enekele Onuminya - Member The aims and objectives: 1.To render Humanitarian/Charity based services and human capital development. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR CHANGE OF NAME, REMOVAL OF TRUSTEES, ADDITION OF TRUSTEES AND AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990. THE OLD TRUSTEES ARE : 1. RT. HON. ABDUSSALAM TAOFIQ OLAWOLE- REMOVED 2. RT. HON. ANAYO NNEBE - REMOVED 3. RT. HON. BASHIR ZUBAIRU USMAN- REMOVED 4. RT. HON. TERSEER TSUMBA- REMOVED 5. RT. HON. EDET IGNATIUS- REMOVED 6. RT. HON. GBANA ISTFANUS- RETAINED THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. SEN. MAMOR ADELEKE OLORUNIMBE- APPOINTED 2. RT. HON. STANLEY OHAJIRUKA- APPOINTED 3. H.E RT. HON. ROTIMI CHUBUIKE AMAECHI- APPOINTED 4. RT. HON. BARR. FRIDAY ITULAH, KSP - APPOINTED 5. H.E RT. HON. SIMON LALONG- APPOINTED 6. RT. HON. ANAO MOHAMMED - APPOINTED 7. RT. HON. GBANA. ISTFANUS- RETAINED 8. RT. HON. GAMBO SALLAU- APPOINTED 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 : RT. HON. BARR. FRIDAY ITULAH. LEGAL ADVISER 08055266686

THE NEW NAME -KINGDOM’S TORCH MINISTRY INTERNATIONAL THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR CHANGE OF NAME UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990. THE TRUSTEES REMAIN THE SAME. THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REMAIN THE SAME. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS APPLICATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : BARR KYRIAN UKAEGBU

PUBLIC NOTICE

MOUNTAINS OF BRASS PROPHETIC MINISTRY

SUPPORT CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE SOCIO-ECONOMY DEVELOPMENT OF NIGERIA.

LAIFA FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS

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. OKEREKE LILIAN CHINWENDU 2. OGBONNA JOSHUA UCHENNA 3. NWACHUWKU GODSPOWER UDOCHUKWU 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. TOM O. EGBELE

PUBLIC NOTICE

Adeoyomi charity 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- Aderemi A. olawole - President 2-Matilda olawole - Member 3-Monique olawole - Treasurer 4-Shade Olawoke - Auditor Gen. 5-Kofo Olawole - Member 6-Fola Olawole - Member 7- Seyi Olawole -Secretary Gen. BOARD OF TRUSTEE MEMBER 1. Olawole A. Poppola -Chairman 2. Fa’aiz Lawal -Member 3. Toheeb Jayola -Member 4. Olujimi olatani -Secretary THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1. TO HELP THE LESS PRIVILEGED. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. ABDULAZEEZ BALA ABUBAKAR 2. OMEKEDO SUNDAY OGHENEKARO 3. UMAR ZAINAB 4. ADENIRAN OLUSEGUN OSHOBU 5.CIROMA IBRAHIM LIMAN 6. HORNECKER JAN DEBORAH 7. OHIREIN CHRISTOPHER THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.TO HELP THE LESS PRIVILEGED THROUGH SKILL ACQUISITION. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : BARR. NNAGBO KINGSLEY 08037802665

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.OLUGBENGA CHRISTOPHER IHIDERO 2.ADEKUNLE SAMUEL AYENI THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1.TO PROVIDE VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR CREATIVE AND TALENTED YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE AREA OF MOTION PICTURES PRODUCTION 2.TO CONNECT CREATIVE YOUNG NIGERIANS WITH BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN AFRICA AND BEYOND. 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 : -OMENE PIUS EJEOBOGHENE 8c,BISKRA STREET, WUSE ZONE4,ABUJA 08086107260

PUBLIC NOTICE

God’s treasured people foundation

LET THY WILL BE DONE GARDEN OF GOD EVANGELICAL MINISTRY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.Akinleye Oluteju Michael 2.Oluwayemi Emmanuel A. 3.Adeyeye Roda Dupeola

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Ogunyemi Akinloye Abiodun- President. 2. Ogunyemi Funmilola Tinuola- Member 3. Ogunyemi Damilola Ibukun- Secretary Objectives: To be a living church of God where His will is done. THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To bring people into the vineyard of God.

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To cater for the less privileged. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

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

SIGNED : SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

FLEXTARS INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION

Spiritual healers’ association ekiti chapter

Mineral resources engineering staff welfare association, fed polytechnic ado ekiti

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. Chidi Onwuekweikpe 2. Kelechukwu Ozioma Ekwonye 3. Uchenna Ekwonye 4. Obinna Ekwonye 5. Horatius Uche Ugorji THE AIMAND OBJECTIVE : 1.To promote and harness young African talents in entertainment. 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 : Chidi Onwuekweikpe 08034015399

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. Alaketu abdulrahim 2. Lawal tijani . 3. Funmilayo oluyole . 4. Jamiu mistura THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To foster unity among members.

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To cater for the welfare of members. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED : Trustees

PEOPLES DAILY, wednesday, february 14, 2018

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CLASSIFIED PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

CLOUD OF FIRE REVIVAL MINISTRY INT’L.

Faith In God Own Land Ministry International

THE RECONCILIATION ARK OF GOD GLOBAL SANCTUARY

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.DICKSON EZEKIEL FRIDAY - CHAIRMAN. 2. DICKSON FRIDAY UDUAK - SECRETARY. 3. OKON NSISONG UDEME -MEMBER. 4. VICTOR AMBA -MEMBER. 5. GANA ALICE LAMI - MEMBER

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. JOHN PIUS EFFIONG-CHAIRMAN. 2. INIOBONG JOHN PIUS - SECRETARY. 3. SUNDAY WILLIE UMOH- MEMBER 4. JOHN SAMUEL AGBENU-MEMBER. 5. GRACE FIDELIS EKANEM- MEMBER. THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. To preach the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. 2. To preach and teach the word of God in all parts of the world. 3. To train, equip and ordain people for the propagation of the gospel. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : WILLIAMS SOSANWO ESQ. SOLICITOR.

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. To preach the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. 2. To preach and teach the word of God in all parts of the world. 3. To train, equip and ordain people for the propagation of the gospel.

DR. ANTHONY CHINEDU OKETAH 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. DR. IKENNA EZEIFEH- MEMBER 2. PROF. IFEOMA OKWO - TREASURER 3. PROF. LAWRENCE ENEJE- CHAIRMAN 4. DR. CHIKE ATTAH- MEMBER 5. DR. ONYINYECHUKWU OKETAH- MEMBER 6. REV. FELIX OKETAH- SECRETARY 7. DR. TUMISE BAMISILE- MEMBER THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. TO PROMOTE EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT TO HUMANITY 2. TO PROMOTE HEALTH INITIATIVE TO COMMUNITY ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : VICTOR BENISON MOMOH ESQ. RICH-BENISON LAW FIRM SUITE O4 1ST FLOOR PMT HEAD OFFICE, UTAKO, ABUJA FCT. 08066317649, 08127340620.

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. CHUKWUKA MIKE SUNDAY ----CHAIRMAN 2. EGBO MONDAY ---SECRETARY 3. CHUKWUKA EUNICE UDEKA-- TREASURER 4. CHUKUKWUKA GRACIOUS JOHN ---MEMBER 5. UHARA BENJAMIN --- MEMBER AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO WIN SOULS AND ESTABLISH THEM IN THE CHRISTIAN FAITH 2. TO PRAY AND SUPPORT THE CHURCH MOVEMENTS OF GOD AND FULFILL MINISTRY 3. TO PREACH TEACH 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 : CHAIRMAN

Eleojo

THE STORE HOUSE CHRISTIAN CENTRE 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.

I, formerly known as Eleojo Benedict Abdullahi now wish to be known and addressed as Eleojo Victoria Godabe. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. AJUFOH BEN IFEANYI 2. AJUFOH UCHE SILVA 3. ESEMENE CHARLES CHINEDU.

CHAPEL OF RIGHTEOUSNESS MISSION

The Aim And Objective : 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF GOD.

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. APOSTLE ALOYSIUS UJUNWA OKERE 2. ONYEAGHALA UDOKA BARTHOLOMEW 3. OKERE BENEDICTA ONYEKACHI 4. OGBONNIA ANDREW NDIBE 5. NWORISA UGOCHUKWU THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

SIGNED : AJUFOH BEN IFEANYI

PUBLIC NOTICE

Elevated Creation Evangelical Ministry.

ST THERESA ORPHANAGE AND WIDOWS HOME

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. OKOYE Chris Anayo 2. Offodile Rosemary Chinazom. 3. Ayolotu Muyiwa Augustine. 4. Offodile Samuel Ozoemena 5. Jeremiah EKENE ThankGod.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.AUGUSTINA .O. CHIKWELU 2.OKAFOR STEPHEN 3.ONOH IKENNA MICHAEL

loss of Document

SIGNED : CHRISTIAN ONYEMAONWU, ACA

This is to infoem THE GENERAL PUBLIC OF THE LOSS OF DOCUMRNT BELONGING TO ASMA’U UMMI YABUBU IN RESPECT OF PLOT 1B BANK ROAD G.R.A TPO. 931 ZARIA KDL/206156 BEARING TO SULEIMAN YUSUF. All effort made to trace the said document proved abortive. If found please return to the nearest police station. General public please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

LEAGUE OF PROFESSIONALS FOR ARTISANS EMPOWERMENT

FOUNDATION FOR THE PROMOTION & ADVANCEMENT OF AGRICULTURE ENERGY ENVIRONMENT EDUCATION & HEALTH

VOICE OF GOD INTERNATIONAL GOSPEL CENTRE (68184)

Aim and Objective: 1. To preach the word of God. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : President.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE : (1) DR OPARA BONIFACE CHINEDUM (2)MRS JOSEPHINE IFEOMA NWAOGU (3)AJUMOLE NDUBISI LOUIS (4)ISHAKU MAAJI (5)EZE EGERUO SIDNEY Aim and Objective: 1. TO PROTEST THE INTEREST OF MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION. 2. TO ENSURE THAT THE WELFARE OF MEMBERS ARE MADE A PRIORITY AND PROMPTLY ATTENDED TO. . 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

--- PRESIDENT ----- SECRETARY ------ MEMBER

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1. TO HELP THE LESS PRIVILEGED. 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 NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR CHANGE AND APPOINTING OF TRUSTEES UNDER THE PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990. TRUSTEES 1. AGUWA CLETUS NZE 2. AGUWA OKECHUKWU THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: TO PROMOTE AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION & HEALTH.

ENERGY

ENVIRONMENT

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION MAITAMA ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED :SECRETARY

This is to notify the general public that the above mentioned Ministry is in the process of applying for CERTIFIED TRUE COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION under PART C of the Companies and Allied matters Act 1990 The Reason of the Application for the certified true copy is due to the loss of the original certificate of the Registration with the commission by the General Overseer, BISHOP ANSELM ARUTERE. That sometime in October 2017 while in transit from Kagini to utako, Abuja, he discovered that some of his documents and items which included the original certificate of Registration of the Church NO 68184 on 21/3/14 which was sent to him by the Secretary were missing That all efforts made to trace it proved abortive Any objection to the proposed registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja within 28 days of the application Signed: Casmir C. Igwe Esq Pp IGWE & IGWE ATTORNEYS Legal Practitioners & Consultants. B Suite 91 (3rd Floor) BEFS Plaza, Opposite MFM, Utako, Abuja 08034536861, 07057995253

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PEOPLES DAILY, wednesday, february 14, 2018

CLASSIFIED PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

FORTE PLUS ESTATE RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION ABUJA

FEMALE GOSPEL MINISTER’S AND GOSPEL MINISTER’S WIVES FELLOWSHIP INT’L DELTA.

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) ERABOR KENNETH 2) OYELAMI SAHEED AYODEJI 3) WALTER CHIDOZIE EZINKWO 4) KELECHI OGWO EKPUIKE 5) AKANBI TAJUDEEN THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.TO PROMOTE AND PROTECT THE INTEREST OF MEMBERS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Rev Mrs Okoh Victoria Mbumeonye. 2. Bishop Okoh Prayer Charles Ifeanyichukwu. 3. Pastor mrs Uduma Roselyn Onyelokachukwu. 4. Odihomiwe Joy Chide. 5. Pastor Mrs Achonwu Love. 6. Evan. Mrs Iyamu Rosemary Onyekachukwu. 7. Evan. Mrs Ugbechie Stella Nkem. 8. Pastor Mrs Daniel Sarah Nwakaego THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.Unity Among Members. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

COMMUNITY HELPING HAND INITIATIVE

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE : a. JOHN JINJIRI GARBA, b. GOYIT STEPHEN WUDELWE c. MISBAHU KASIM ISA d. ZAINAB MUHAMMAD HASSAN. e. VICTORIA JUKUNDA. THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. Empowering the less privileged, communities selling groups in health, education and peaceful co-existence. 2. Assisting the less privileged. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

HEALTHY EATING INITIATIVE FOR COMMUNITY EDUCATION ON NUTRITION AND DIETETICS

ANSARUSSUNNAH ISLAMIC DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION, KADUNA

ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED PRINCIPALS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN OYO 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. Mustapha Musa Rabo 2. Aisha Sani Lawal 3. Khadijah Salihu 4. Hauwa Sada THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. To advancing Public health and Nutrition, utilising the expertise of Dietitian Nutritionist. 2. Elimination of all forms of Malnutrition in Northern Nigeria . ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

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. Umar bin Abdullahi. Chairman 2. Umar salisu. 3. Aminu Ali Kamale. Secretary 4. Ibrahim inuwa 5. Yakubu Abdullahi

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. SALAKO OLAKUNLE -- PRESIDENT 2. OYERINDE OLAOYE BOLAJI -- SECRETARY 3. ADEMOLA AYODEJI SINA 4. OLUJINI SUNDAY OLUSEGUN 5. OLADEJI OLUSEGUN BABATUNDE 6. AFOLABI KOLAPO ALBERT 7. AKINRINOLA ADEKUNLE SOLOMON THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To foster unity among members.

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.Propagate islam. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED : SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

DR. FELIX NICOLAS FOUNDATION

Centre for Health Education Economic Rehabilitation and Social Security (CHEERS)

NASARAWA WESTERN YOUTHS DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. SALIHU ILYASU 2. HUSAINAT AHMAD 3. FATIMA ADAM 4 . MUKHTAR ILYASU THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To promote unity and progress among members . ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. DR. NICOLAS Felix - Founder/President 2. BENITA Nicolas 3. Esechie Samuel Apostle - Secretary 4. Ademiluyi Temidayo Alexander THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1. To render support to the less privileged and physically challenged in the society. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

Wishes to inform the general public of the change in her Incorporated Trustees as Follows The under listed ceases to be members of the Board 1. Anyim Pius Anyim 2. Nkiru Onyekwusi The following is now added to the board 1. Theresa Nkechi Okoli The Board of Trustees is therefore recomposed as Follows 1. Dr. Gbolade Osinowo (Chairman) 2. Hon. Cosmas Agagbo Member 3. Mr. Chikelu Iloenyosi Member 4. Mrs. Theresa Okoli Member 5. Ajia C. Ogugua (Secretary of the board)

SIGNED : SECRETARY

Singed Ajia Ogugua Board Secretary

PUBLIC NOTICE

MAMMAN MARSHAL FOUNDATION

DYNAMITE MOUNTAIN OF DE LORD'S END TIME MINISTRY

SIGNED : BARR VERONICA ONOJA

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. Alhaji Lamis Shehu Dikko 2. Kadaria Mohammed Ahmed 3. Asia Ahmad El-Rufai THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1. To provide scholarship to promising students who find it difficult to pursue their educational ambitions due to their financial challenges 2. To encourage and enable indigent children to express and develop their potential for leadership, education and all their fields of endeavours ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE : (1) Prophet Emmanuel Uwadiegwu (2) Edet Emem (3) Charmaine Sauls.. THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : I. 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 : SECRETARY

GIVE HELP VISION 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. Ugha Nnaemeka Chisom.. Secretary 2. Okezie Ndubuisi .E 3. Ubah Osita Ifeanyi - patron 4. Okezie Chukwudi R. 5. Ozegbe Donatus Kainebi... Vice President 6. Stephen Kelechi Nwachukwu 7. Aninwike Chinonso Henry 8. Christopher C. Morah - financial /sec 9. Christian Agodi Umeh ... President 10. Kelvin Suleman 11. Madububa chibueze Gerald 12. Ogbonna Henry Ikemefuna. 13. Orokefe Kingsley THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : l. To give the poor, needy, orphans and widows a hope to live. 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 : UGHA NNAEMEKA CHISOM SECRETARY

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wednesday, february 14, 2018

FIBA World Cup qualifiers: Basketball fans express confidence in D’Tigers

D’Tigers

ome basketball fans have applauded the team that would play for the country at the 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifiers, saying they had the pedigree to do well. The fans who spoke with newsmen yesterday said that the team could pick up a ticket to the World Cup from the group that pits Nigeria against, Mali, Uganda and Rwanda. The nation’s senior national men’s team, D’Tigers, is expected to play against their Ugandan counterparts before playing Rwanda and Mali in the tournament starting on Feb. 23 in Bamako, Mali. The basketball enthusiasts added that the players selected have the pedigree to do well and qualify Nigeria for the World Cup.

The FIBA Zone 3 President, Col. Sam Ahmedu, said that no team would stop Nigeria from excelling, adding that logistics were on ground to ensure their success all through the qualifying series. “The players have been carefully selected; some are from the victorious 2015 Afrobasket winning team, while others are from the 2017 silver winning team and others home-based. “They have the capacity to do well because of their quality and level of competitive play time which sets them up as top-rated players in their own rights. “They are active players in their various clubs in Europe, Asia and the U.S., but with clarification from their clubs the team is set to assemble on Feb. 19 in Bamako,’’ Ahmedu said. Segun Ikuesan, the Chairman, Ondo

State Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), said that the calibre of players invited for the Games were toprated. According to him, they will have many challenges from the other oppositions. “We have a formidable team, and looking at the 18-man list put together, I am confident that they will not face any obstacle in picking the World Cup ticket. “The team list includes players who formed the nucleus of the team that came second at the 2017 Afrobasket Nations Cup in Tunisia and some players making a return after some years. “Ikechukwu Ikerogbu, a revelation at the 2017 silver winning Afrobasket team will provide the leadership role needed, while Ike Diogu and Ayodeji Akindele’s qualities are a great boost to the team.

“The duo of Micheal Gbinije and Ben Uzo who are coming back to the team will provide the quality that propelled Nigeria to secure her first ever Nations Cup glory in 2015 in Tunisia,’’ Ikuesan said. The SWAN leader said: “With the home-based players who have been preparing hard since January, the team looks set for a very comfortable run.’’ Abimbola Kayode, the proprietor Akofa Ivy Basketball League, said that the team list looked solid enough to help Nigeria secure the ticket and praised the selection by the coach. “The team list looks good enough, they are players who are not relatively new to the terrain and should be able to outplay their opponents when the qualifiers dunk off.

Zidane calms as Real faces PSG today

>>pg 31

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PEOPLES DAILY, wednesday, february 14, 2018

S p

Yusuf to handle Olympic team, as NFF reshuffle coaches

alisu Yusuf has been rewarded for overseeing Nigeria’s encouraging showing at the African Nations Championship after being appointed coach of the Super Eagles’ Olympic team during an NFF reshuffle. The only teams not included in the coaching reveal are the senior side, where Gernot Rohr has his team in place ahead of the 2018 World Cup, as well as the U-20 Women’s Team (the Falconets) and the U-17 Women’s Team (the Flamingoes). Yusuf, who guided Nigeria’s home-based side to the final of the recently concluded CHAN, has been given double duty, with the experienced coach retaining his job as chief of the B team while also taking on responsibility for overseeing the Olympic squad.

Nigeria won bronze at the 2016 Olympics in Brazil, having previously won silver in China in 2008 and gold, memorably, in the United States in 1996. Qualification will be decided during the 2019 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations, hosted by Egypt, at the end of next year. Yusuf will be joined by Imama Amapakabo, Kennedy Boboye, and Fidelis Ilechukwu, with Alloy Agu responsible for goalkeeper training. Elsewhere, Paul Aigbogun has been appointed head coach of the U-20 side, the Flying Eagles, while Manu Garba has been named manager of the U-17 team. Alala Danladi Nasidi and Jolomi Atune Ali take charge of the U-15 and U-13 teams respectively.

Salisu Yusuf

NFF moves to avert visa hitch ahead friendlies

ormer Watford star Odion Ighalo has not yet been contacted by the Nigerian Federation over a call-up to the national team for the international friendlies against Poland and Serbia in March. Only yesterday, Super Eagles Team Secretary, Dayo Enebi Achor, acting on behalf of the General Secretary of the Nigerian Federation dispatched letters to some of the invited players. This was done five weeks before the players are expected to begin training for the friendly against Poland to enable them process their travel documents. In Ighalo’s case, he is in the possession of an Italian passport, so is allowed visa-free entry and exit into Poland and England, where the national team will face Serbia on March 27. Foreign-born Eagles stars Tyronne Ebuehi, Leon Balogun, William Troost-Ekong and Ola Aina are not required to process visas for the two friendly matches and the

Fifa president to attend executive summit in Lagos

ianni Infantino, the President of the world football governing body, FIFA, will take part in the forthcoming FIFA Executive Football Summit to be held in Lagos on February 20-22. This has been confirmed by the Nigeria Football Federation boss Amaju Pinnick in an address to a section of press yesterday. “Gianni Infantino will be in Nigeria on Monday for the FIFA Executive Summit which will be a three-day event and this will bring all international media down to Nigeria,” Pinnick said. Representative of 25 associations are scheduled attend the meeting that will be held at Eko Hotel and Suites, where they will talk on shaping world football with discussions to focus on the FIFA Forward programme as well as youth and women’s competitions. CAF President , Ahmad Ahmad is among those expected to attended the meeting together with FIFA General Secretary, Fatima Samba Samoura, President of the Dutch FA, Michael Van Praag and Slavisa Ikokezia, who is current President of Serbia Federation. Twelve presidents from African nation six from Caribbean are scheduled to report on their experiences and country-specific issues and bring themselves up to date on the global game in the summit that will provides all of the delegates with an opportunity to share their knowledge and coordinate next steps. The series of summits was launched in Paris in November 2016 by Infantino, who

made it clear that the beautiful game can only develop successfully if FIFA cooperates closely and communicates regularly with its 211 member association.

Odion Ighalo

same goes for ex-England youthteamers Victor Moses and Alex Iwobi. The Nigeria Football Federation

have also lined up friendlies against England and Czech Republic in June to prepare the Super Eagles for their World Cup opener against Croatia.

Zidane calms as Real faces PSG today

inedine Zidane insists he is not letting the pressure get to him as he prepares his Real Madrid side for today’s huge Champions League last-16 clash with Paris Saint-Germain at the Santiago Bernabeu. Zidane has been going through the toughest period of his short managerial career, with Real fourth in La Liga, a huge 17 points behind leaders Barcelona, albeit with a game in hand. That has led to speculation that the Frenchman’s future as coach is on the line against a feared PSG side, with the two-time defending European champions putting all their hopes in the Champions League going into the first leg of this tie. The tie is a special one for the Marseille-born Zidane, as he faces a French club for the first time since being appointed Real coach in January 2016. The second leg will be in Paris on March 6. Zidane got the full backing of Real’s Brazilian left-back Marcelo, who said the former World Cup winner has a great relationship with the stars in the Madrid dressing room. Marcelo will be coming up against his international team-mate Neymar, who he claimed ahead of the game in an interview with Brazilian television would “one day play for Real Madrid”.

QUOTABLE QUOTE

. . . putting the people first

Wednesday, february 14, 2018

“Even the home of presidential democracy in the world is not normal anymore, it won’t be charitable for me to run commentaries on what is going on in a friendly country but the truth is that we know that even democracy is taking a knock.”

—Hon Yakubu Dogara, Speaker of the House of Representatives

SPORTS Herders/farmers tango: latest

Lacazette out for six weeks after knee operation

rsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette has been ruled out for four to six weeks after undergoing a minor procedure on his knee, limiting the club’s attacking options for their upcoming Europa League tie against Ostersund. Arsenal said yesterday that Lacazette “had an arthroscopy on his left knee in London” and that he “will now undergo a period of rehabilitation.” The injury comes at a particularly bad time for Lacazette and the team as the France international had been expected to start in both legs of the round-of-32 tie against Ostersund. Lacazette has lost his Premier League starting place to new signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but the former Borussia Dortmund forward is cup tied in the Europa League. Lacazette came on as a substitute at Wembley Stadium but missed the team’s best chance for an equaliser and has only scored one goal since Dec. 2.

Winter Olympics: Kim wins halfpipe gold medal for United States

merican snowboard sensation Chloe Kim produced a brilliant performance to take gold in the women’s halfpipe. The 17-year-old won with a score of 98.25 on her final run with China’s Jiayu Liu taking silver and United States’ Arielle Gold winning bronze. Kim had already secured gold with her first run score but improved to win by eight-anda-half points. She is one of the stars of the Games and a favourite with the home fans due to her South Korean parents. Taye Taiwo and Oduamadi

Advert: business: news: lagos:

From clapping to dancing T by he recent barbaric killing of seven (7) Fulani men in Gboko local government area of Benue state stands condemned. Hoodlums involved in the attack operating under any guise have committed a felony and must be handed the punishment they deserve according to the full measure of the law if found guilty. The mindless, senseless burning alive execution meted on the victims is the degeneration of law and order I have always prayed Nigeria will not cascade into. We have played so much politics of silence or worthless gibberish comments since killings by herders got to an alarming proportion in parts of the country with intense occurrence in some north-central states. Too much politics is breeding “blooditics” from both sides of the divide. Looking for who to blame for what happened in Benue is unfortunate and sadly characteristic behavior of how we find ourselves where we are today. The blame antics has trickled down from government to ordinary Nigerians who take pleasure in shifting responsibilities over stance they refused to undertake. Some people blame the mass media of information and communication for alleged skewed reports on the attacks by herders in communities across the country. Some blame the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for &over blowing& the herders, farmers clash. Few hours after the Gboko seven were burnt, some people took to social media platforms calling out CAN, insisting they instigated the execution. Same people trying to fan the flame into a religious crisis forgot how vehement they were in support of the mindless killings by herders either by maintaining silence or engaging in puerile arguments tacitly endorsing the barbaric onslaught against innocent Nigerians. The growing tension will definitely do no one any good and that is what the Gboko incident has made some who were clapping for the killers just realized. We must act fast towards bringing lasting solution to this horrible killing monster fast growing bigger than its cage. With the recent declaration by

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WEdnesDAY Column

Israel A. Ebije ebijeo5@gmail.com or @ebijeisrael.com

president of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Socio-cultural Association, Bello Abdullahi Bodejo declaring trouble if president Muhammadu Buhari is not re-elected in 2019, is indeed a big deal in the ugly situation the country has to peal through. The more many want to convince themselves the happenings across the country are isolated, positions of the association and some of their supporters suggests otherwise. Sadly, only a few are evil among the entire bunch. With a heavy stereotype hanging on their persons, who can decipher, as Fulanis have fast become people associated with terror. For those heaping the blame of the escalating situation between herders and host communities on the media, social platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc, convey a whole chunk shoveled out of the filthy drainage of information dumping ground where drivels are thrown to the public domain to satisfy interests far removed from intentions to douse the brewing tension. The platforms do not operate on their own except handlers feed it with content they want people to know about. Mainstream media organization’s have been able to enrich their stories by extracting comments from social platforms. A good example is the Mal Nasir El Rufai position on the Fulani, farmers fiasco where he stated that if you kill a Fulani, you owe a debt repayable. Nigerians should blame themselves for the monster they refused to kill. A gorgon they allowed to grow on account of ethno-religious interests. A monster they fed

“

with meals of encouragement either by saying nothing or singing praises. A monster they pampered with money despite the hideous crimes committed. A monster they have made so invisible, untouchable – even almighty. The Minster of Defense Mansur Dan-Ali and the Inspector General of Police in their separate submissions said the decision of some states to enact laws banning open grazing triggered the violence. The Chairman, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Plateau State, Mr. Nuru Abdullahi, said nobody could deprive Fulani herdsmen of their constitutional right of free movement. We may recall that President Buhari once begged host communities to live in harmony with herders, blaming the frequent clashes on “population” growth. From the descending narratives, there is no definite warning against using violence to secure “lost” cattle routes. It has been a medley of sweet showers of excuses for a violent trend capable of tearing the country asunder, as frustrated Nigerians are beginning to arm themselves to respond to each attack. Apparently desperate and frustrated, the National Council of Tiv Youths (NCTY) and the Middle Belt Youths Council (MBYC), have declared decision to defend their region against herders. The President of the National Council of Tiv Youths, Dr. John Akperashi, said his members are resolved to die while making sure further attacks by the dreaded herdsmen do

Almost all the proposed solutions to the frequent killing spree are politically based. Sadly, all the sabre rattling’s over cows, Nigeria is not on the top 20 cow producing countries in the world

not happen.Asake, the General Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, expressed concern over the rate of killings by herders. The association blamed the killings on alleged “government protection from counter attack, arrest or prosecution,” Whatever Asake statement meant, suggests the Christian based association is thinking the herders have gone beyond the tussle for routes to a religious warfare. That’s where the situation gets uglier, from the religious coloration between the alleged conquerors and vanquished. This leaves people in vulnerable areas with no alternative than to defend themselves.Almost all the proposed solutions to the frequent killing spree are politically based. Sadly, all the sabre rattling’s over cows, Nigeria is not on the top 20 cow producing countries in the world. With the United States of America leading in beef production, ranching has been their strategy and no violence has been recorded between farmers and cattle owners. The seriousness of our foolishness as a nation is reflected each time we seek subterfuge for criminals all because we seek to protect ethnic, religious or corporate interests instead of strengthening our corporate integrity. Even the criminals have realized our mediocre stance and they are basking in it as innocent Nigerians are slain on daily bases. The law of the jungle is setting in, as constitutional authorities begin to take the back seat.

DAN GAYE

Senate probes scarcity of lower denomination currency

Do they still spend them or just heard?

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