Monday, September 16, 2019 Edition

Monday, September 16, 2019/ Muharram 16, 1441 AH Vol. 32 No. 050 N150

1977 Days after

30 kidnap victims released in Katsina >>>page 3

@pmlonline

peoplesdailyng

. . . putting the people first

The nation awaits rescue of the remaining abducted Chibok schoolgirls

Kano set to implement Ruga, as C’ttee identifies forest for takeoff

>>>page 5

$9.6b judgment: Again, FG vows to protect nation’s interest >>>page 5

Tasks Nigerians to ask PDP questions Raises fresh posers on contract, litigation

L-R: NDIC Board Members: Alh. Mudashiru Mustapha; Alh. Garba Bello; Executive Director (Corporate Services), Omolola Abiola-Edewor; Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs and former NDIC Board Member, Festus Keyamo (SAN); NDIC MD/CE, Umaru Ibrahim; Board Chairman, Ronke Sokefun; Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio; NDIC Board Member, Gen. Josef Okoloagu (Rtd.); and Executive Director (Operations) Prince Aghatise Erediauwa at the send forth ceremony organized by NDIC for the Minister of State, Niger Delta Affairs in Abuja.

Nigeria’s UN rep., Muhammad-Bande assumes office as UNGA’s chair pAGE 9

50 shops razed in Jos market fire pAGE 3

Niger APC primaries: Police arrest 62 suspected thugs pAGE 4

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 16, 2019

News

CONTENTS News 2-14 Editorial Op.Ed

11 12-13

Politics 15-17 Feature Business Metro

18 19-20 21

World Analysis 22 Africa News

23

World News

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Former Women Affairs Minister, ‘Mama Taraba,’ returns to PDP F ormer women affairs minister Aisha Alhassan, who suffered defeat in the 2019 Governorship election in Taraba says she has completed arrangements to return to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Mrs Alhassan was the gubernatorial flag bearer of United Democratic Party (UDP) in the 2019 elections in which she scored only 14, 651 votes.

‘Mama Taraba,’ as she’s fondly known, joined the UDP on the eve of the polls after she failed to secure the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket, a party she contested under in 2015 and was able to secure 275,966 votes to come second in the governorship polls.

Mrs Alhassan was subsequently made the minister of women

affairs and social development by President Muhammadu Buhari, but had to resign amidst doubts over her political loyalty.

Mrs Alhassan told journalists on Sunday after a UDP stakeholders’ meeting in Jalingo that majority of her supporters in the 168 wards of Taraba had encouraged her to shift base to the PDP. She said the stakeholders meeting, which lasted till midnight on Saturday, drew participation from all those who contested for various political offices under the platform of the UDP, executive members of the party from the ward to state levels and other respected elders.

Mrs Alhassan added that more than 80 per cent of respondents in an opinion poll conducted

by a committee headed Alhaji Abdulmumini Vaki, a former PDP chairman in the state, which covered the 16 LGAs, suggested that she should move to PDP. The former minister said, based on the outcome of the opinion poll, she had no option than to go by the decision of majority members of the UDP. According to the former minister, “I cannot go against the decision of the popular opinions of my supporters”, adding that she was glad that the committee did not suggest the APC as an option.

A communiqué issued at the end of the stakeholders meeting, a copy of which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jalingo on Saturday night, recommended that two committees be set up immediately

to fast track the defection process.

According to the communiqué which was signed by the state UDP Chairman, Hassan Chul, the first committee is to visit the national leadership of the UDP in Abuja to express the appreciation of supporters of the former minister for providing her the platform to run for the 2019 governorship election.

The communique added that the second committee is to arrange a meeting with PDP leadership in Taraba to work out modalities for the former minister’s official return to the PDP. NAN reports that Mrs Alhassan contested and won the election for the senatorial seat of Taraba North in 2011 under the PDP before defecting to APC in 2015.(NAN)

Emir of Zazzau charges FG on stable power Page 6

Digest

25

Feature

26

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50 shops razed in Jos market fire

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o fewer than fifty timber shades and carpentry workshops were burnt down on Saturday in a market midnight fire in Jos, capital of Plateau State.

Yusuf Aliyu, chairman of the Timber ‘B’ Hausa Line Association, on Sunday, narrated how the incident occurred at Katarko Market.

“I was at home at about 1 a.m. midnight when I received calls from different individuals that our market was on fire. In no time, I arrived at the market to see various timber shades and carpentry workshops on fire. Luckily enough the firefighters had already been informed and arrived on the scene on time. They were able to put down the fire around 4 a.m.

“About fifty timber shades and workshops were affected and properties worth millions of naira destroyed,” he said.

He said the cause of the fire was yet to be known but he suspected an electrical fault.

Mr Aliyu said many poles and other electrical appliances in the market were dilapidated and needed to be replaced for safe power supply.

He called on state government and the Jos Electricity Distribution Company to come to their aid.

In 2018, the same market got burnt following an electrical fault. In that incident too, properties worth millions of naira were lost.(Agency report)

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32

We want to hear from you

News

News Editor, Ese Awhotu

30 kidnap victims released in Katsina From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

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overnor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State, weekend, received 30 kidnap victims from leaders of suspected bandits.

Masari was told by the suspected bandits that eight victims were from Kankara while 18 came from Shimfida in Jibiya Local Government Area.

One of the bandits leader explained that the kidnapped people were hidden at Damsadau

forest in Zamfara State.

He said their abductor hail from Zurmi in neighboring Zamfara and was picking his victims from Katsina State.

Addressing the returnees, Governor Aminu Masari assured that government would continue to persuade the suspected bandits to release more of the kidnapped people, until there were none in their possession.

He directed for the returnees to be taken to the hospital for check up on their health before uniting them with their families.

One Zinatu Sani from Kankara narrated their ordeal stressing that she was picked from her matrimonial home with two of her children where the bandits demanded for a ransom of twenty million naira before they will be released .

Zinatu Sani explained that the ransom demand, however, was reduced to six million naira and still, their families could not pay..

She said the suspected bandits used to give them raw rice to cook with only water and salt.

For 55 days, Zinatu Sani said

they have been sleeping without a roof on their head, no matter the rains or heat during the day.

She expressed appreciation to the Governor for securing their release, adding that they have left several others that needed similar attention for their release from the Forests.

Highlight of the reception for the returnees was their handover to the transition committee chairmen of kankara and Jibiya local governments for medical check-up and reuniting with their families.

President Muhammadu Buhari (3rd right) with other Heads of Government and ECOWAS officials during the Extra Ordinary ECOWAS Summit on Counter Terrorism, at the weekend in Ouagadougou Burkina Faso.

Photo: State House

NYSC denies posting corps members to churches

Sports 30-31 Back Page

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 16, 2019

Minister of Special Duties, Sen. George Akume with His Royal Highness Issa Abubakar Umar11, Emir of Awe , yesterday during the Minister’s courtesy visit .

Akume lauds Buhari for North Central projects

By Ese Awhotu

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he Minister of Special Duties and Inter Governmental Affairs, Senator George Akume has called on the people of the North Central geo-political zone to support the government of President Muhamad Buhari.

Speaking on Sunday when the Emir of Awe, His Royal Highness Issa Abubakar Umar 11 led a powerful delegation to pay him a courtesy visit, Senator Akume said the President had executed a lot of projects in the North Central to demonstrate his love for the people of the zone.

“The President is currently constructing a broad dual carriage highway from Abuja to link up with Lafia in Nassarawa state and Makurdi in Benue state. The railway line is coming also to link up the North Central. Apart from this, we must appreciate the Social Investment Program (SIP) of the President. The President loves us and we must support him,” Akume told the Emir.

He similarly commended the President for the top priority given to security since he assumed duty in 2015 by degrading Boko Haram and tackling other security issues like herder farmers clashes which

had for long unsettled inhabitants of North Central Zone.

He also spoke of the wonderful relationship between the Tiv people and the people of Awe Emirate saying they have lived together as one people since time immemorial. He observed that many people from Awe Emirate were living peacefully in Benue as farmers, traders and civil servants.

He further reminded the Emir that the Tiv people had in the past relied on Awe Emirate for the high quality salt found in the Emirate.

Speaking earlier, the Emir of Awe gave two basic reasons for leading a high powered delegation

to the Minister.

He said the Minister was the political icon of the North Central and his people mandated him and his entourage to come and rejoice with him over his appointment as a Minister.

He said the visit was to further cement the historical times between the Tiv people and the people of Awe. “If you come to Awe today, you will not know the difference between a Tiv man and an Awe man. We want to build on this excellent relationship so as to live a legacy of peace for the coming generation”, the Emir stated.

he National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Ondo State has described as fake the news that it posted corps members to religious organisations, especially churches.

Bankole Simeone, the state NYSC Public Relations Officer, made the clarification in a statement on Sunday in Akure.

Mr Simeone said the NYSC secretariat in the state decided to respond to the trending ”fake story” on the social media so as to

clear the name of the secretariat in the public eye.

The spokesperson added that the secretariat would not go against the established policy of the scheme.

“The NYSC in Ondo State has observed with dismay, fake news trending on the social media about a purported allegation that the secretariat has posted some corps members to religious organisations especially churches.

“Ordinarily, one would have

ignored the report as a figment of the writer’s imagination but as a responsible corporate citizen, we do not treat any matter regarding or relating to our esteemed and patriotic corps members with levity.

“The story is not only untrue but mischievous, misleading and contained fallacies capable of tarnishing the good image the secretariat is enjoying in the public eye.”

Mr Simeone said Ondo State

cannot work at crossroads with the directives or policy of the NYSC Scheme which clearly states that no corps member should be posted to religious organisations.

“We have never done so and we do not intend to compromise on this very sensitive posting policy. ”I wish to state categorically that apart from the four key areas which the policy is clear and unambiguous about, other

areas we service because of their voluntary nature of assignment are Non-Governmental and Cultural Organisations. ”I wish to add that any posting done in error or contrary to the established policy is reversed immediately it is brought to the notice of the management. ”The general public is hereby advised to disregard the purported allegations contained in the said report,” he said.(NAN)

Regular exercise panacea for healthy living -WHO

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

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he World Health Organisation (WHO), has called on Nigerians to ensure regular exercises in order to live healthy lives.

Speaking during the second edition of the Abuja Walk the Talk with the theme: “The Health for All Challenge”, WHO Officer in –Charge, Nigeria, Dr Clement Lugala Peter,

said the Abuja Walk the Talk was organised with the main aim of raising awareness about Universal Health Coverage.

The Walk the Talk is also part of the activities leading to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) high-level meeting on UHC to be held in New York on the 23 September 2019.

The first edition of the Walk the Talk which took place on May 18, 2018, attracted over 2 000

participants.

Clement said; “The walk today is successful. We have achieved a lot. The participation from the government, UN agencies and the private sector is very high.

“What we need to do is to make sure that we sustain this walk and make sure that it is something that we can do monthly. This will make us to live healthy in this country.”

He, however, applauded those

who participated in the walk including those who contributed one thing or the other to make it a success.

Speaking, the wife of the former Senate President, Toyin Saraki, challenged Nigerians to imbibe the habit of walking at least 35 minutes three times in a week.

She noted that the benefits of regular exercises to the health of individuals are numerous.

“It curbs diabetes, it curbs heart disease, it curbs obesity and it generally makes you feel much better, she stressed.

Mrs Saraki further noted that: “I am really happy to be here for the second edition of Abuja walk the talk in conjunction with the WHO, the federal ministry of health and the Wellbeing Foundation Africa.

“This has been an extremely successful edition.”

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 16, 2019

News

Niger APC primaries: Police arrest 62 suspected thugs From Yakubu Minna

Mustapha,

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he Niger State Police Command has arrested 62 suspects over political violence experienced during the just concluded All Progressive Congress, APC, primaries in the state.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) DSP Mohammed Abubakar made the disclosure yesterday in a press statement issued in Minna.

He said, “consequent upon pocket of political violence by some irate youths in the conduct of primary election across the State, the Police Command has so far arrested a total number of 62 suspects for violence from five local governments of Katcha, Rafi,Tafa, Paikoro and Rijau”.

He listed the number of arrest per local government area to include 2 suspects from Katcha, 10 from Rafi and 44 thugs from Tafa Local Government Area.

Others include three suspects from Paikoro while three suspects were picked from Rijau DSP Abubakar said a Toyota vehicle laden with dangerous weapons such as machetes, daggers and knives were recovered from the suspects.

He said that the suspects have been charged to court for unlawful assembly, disturbance of public peace, being in possession of dangerous weapons and for sponsoring thurggery in accordance with the Niger State Anti-Thurggery law.

According to him, “The Commissioner of Police Niger State Command, CP Adamu Usman advises any one with intention of formenting trouble in the forth coming Local Government elections to have a rethink, for the arrest of the suspects is just a tip of an ice berge .”

He, however, advised anyone with any grievances in the conduct of the primary election to seek redress in the court of law rather than resorting to violence.

“The Commissioner of Police wishes to assure members of the public that the Police will continue to improve on the security of live and property in the State and at the same time solicits the support of Nigerlites in giving useful and timely information to the Police”, he said.

Buhari will deliver stable power supply, Minster assures

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

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he Minister of Power, Engr.

Sale Mamman has said the President Muhammadu Buhari next level administration will deliver uninterrupted power supply to Nigerians when all major power projects are completed before the end of its tenure.

Mamman stated this after inspection of the 215 MW Kaduna Power Plant, 132/33KV Kudenda Substation and Mando Transmission Line in Kaduna, yesterday.

The minister was in company

of the Minister of State, Mr. Goddy Jedy Agba,said aside from increasing generation capacity, the Kudenda substation would be providing voltage support to Kaduna, Kano and Jos which would improve the quality of electricity distributed to the public.

Mamman who expressed satisfaction with the level and quality of work done on the projects, warned contractors against any delay in completion of the projects.

“We are here to inspect the level of work done on the project and i can tell you that i am very

sure Nigerians, particularly those in Kaduna, Kano, Jos and environment would begin to enjoy not only stable but quality power supply, when these projects are fully completed and put into use“.

He reiterated the commitment of the Buhari led Administration to achieve its mandate of economic growth and development, as well as job creation in the country.

The Minister of State, Jeddy Agba on his part said they are taking stock of the progress of all power projects across the country, stressing their commitment in ensuring that all projects are

delivered according to its contracts timeline.

The Ministers were told that the Kaduna Power project which is 95 percent completed would reduce power outage and reduce system losses thereby increasing economic and social activities in Kaduna.

The project would harness power generation from Kaduna Power Plant, Gurara Hydro Power Plant and the Mando Grid at 135 KV in order to supply industrial and domestic consumers of Kaduna from 132/33KV Kudenda substation.

-L-R, Executive Director Technical, Nigeria IncentiveBased Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) Babajide Arowosafe; Managing Director/ CEO Jaiz Bank Plc Hassan Usman; Managing Director/ CEO, NIRSAL Aliyu Abdulhameed; and Deputy Managing Director Jaiz Bank Plc Mahe Abubakar during a meeting of the two institutions on the ways forward on Agric-business financing held in Abuja

NTI DG applauds Commonwealth of Learning for support From Mohammed Ibrahim, Kaduna

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rof. Garba Dahuwa Azare, the Director-General and Chief Executive of the National Teachers’ Institute, Kaduna has applauded the support the institute has being enjoying from the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), Vancouver, Canada .

Azare made the disclosure during the opening of the workshop on Gender Analysis organised by the Institute in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Learning, under the Green

Teacher programme, recently at the Institute’s headquarters in Kaduna.

Represented by the Institute’s Director of Examinations, Mal. Bashir Mamman , said the Institute is very grateful to the Commonwealth of Learning for the tremendous support it enjoys from the organisation over the years.

He said the Institute will continue to provide the enabling environment for the success of the workshop.

He challenged the participants and promised to hold the

Institute’s staff responsible for the dissemination of new ideas and knowledge they acquired from the workshops within and outside the country.

Earlier on, the workshop lead facilitator, Dr. Pamella Were Kogogo, who is a senior lecturer of Environmental Ecology , Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology , Bondo ,Kenya , disclosed that the objectives of the workshop are the extent to which gender concepts and responsiveness is reflected in the content.

Pamella disclosed further

that the intention is to make the programme gender sensitive.

In his remark, the Chairman of the Institute’s Green Teacher programme , Ndem Y. Ndem , said environmental education is a process that allows individuals to explore environmental issues.

He said such engages in problem solving and taking actions to improve the environment.

He appreciated the Commonwealth of Learning for the collaboration with the Institute and urged participants to ensure that gender issue is assimilated into the programme.

Insurgency: Coalition charges politicians to back military strategy

By Stanley Onyekwere

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he Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism (CATE) has applauded the Nigerian Army’s Super Camp strategy, describing it as a “masterstroke” and the longawaited catalyst to flush out the remnants of Boko Haram from the troubled North-Eastern Nigeria.

The group, however, urged political leaders in Borno, Yobe and

Adamawa States to lend their support to the military’s effort.

The group made this position known at a press conference held yesterday in Abuja by the National Coordinator, Gabriel Onoja .

It was gathered that the latest military strategy entails the concentration of fighting forces in strongholds called Super Camps with capacity to respond swiftly to the adversary.

This move, according to CATE, has been a huge success, encouraging the leadership of the Nigerian Military not to relent in its efforts to get rid of the already decimated, fleeing Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists.

CATE further called on traditional and religious leaders to back the exercise while ensuring that their subjects do not act as spies for Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist and against the interest of the military.

“The Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism having monitored the successes recorded by the Nigerian Military in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria also wishes to state that indeed the leadership of the Nigerian Military has displayed a high sense of patriotism and a burning desire to see to the end of terrorist activities in Nigeria.

“It is against this backdrop that CATE is driving awareness on the

need for all and sundry to lend their support to the Nigerian Military in the final push against terrorists and terrorism in Nigeria.

“The Coalition wishes to also call on the political leaders in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States to lend their support to the efforts of the Nigerian Military towards the final onslaught against Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in NorthEast Nigeria.”

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 16, 2019

News

$9.6b judgment: Again, FG vows to protect nation’s interest

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

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he Federal Government, on Sunday, vowed to protect the interest of the country and its citizens on all matters, including the contract saga with Process and Industrial Developments Limited (P&ID), which has led to the huge sum of $9.6 billion awarded against Nigeria in favour of the company.

The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami made the vow at a media interactive session in Abuja.

Malami concretely assured that the Nigerian Government will not sell out the interest of the country and the Nigerian people in order to satisfy some elements who are consciously out to extort the Nigerian people for their selfish aggrandisement.

The AGF and Minister of Justice advised that those who are clapping for P&ID and blaming him (Abubakar Malami) and the Buhari administration for the huge $9.6 billion slammed on the country as a result of the so-called Gas Supply and Processing Contract awarded the firm on January 11, 2010, five years before President Buhari came to power and he (Malami) became minister, should be kind enough to ask those who awarded the contract what it was all about.

He further enjoined those people to find out why there was no attempt by either those who awarded the contract and the contractor to implement even an aspect of it.

The Minister further tasked Nigerians to ask the PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) government that awarded the contract why it was given to a company, whose address is C/O of a lawyer’s office: Trident Chambers, P.O Box 146, Tortola, British Virgin Island, which means the company does not have an office of its own and has no record of executing any project of any kind close to what it was awarded in Nigeria.

He stressed that while the government is willing and ready to negotiate and meet the terms of agreements reached with all genuine investors which have done business or are still doing business with Nigeria on mutually beneficial terms, it will not allow fraudulent local and foreign collaborators to rip off the resources of Nigeria for

•Tasks Nigerians to ask PDP questions •Raises fresh posers on contract, litigation

no just cause in order to be seen as being nice or ‘investor-friendly”.

The AGF said, “I know each of you will be itching to know more about the current case that Nigeria has on hand - the $9.6 billion awarded against us in favour of Process and Industrial Developments Limited.

“I have decided not to speak too much on this matter since it is still within the domain of the courts in the UK and the U.S. “However, suffice it to say that at a joint world press conference in Abuja two weeks ago, the Central Bank Governor, Finance Minister, Information Minister and I all spoke on the matter and I, at a point, issued press releases and press

engagements, which I believe many of you used effectively last week and I really want to thank you for that. “ I want to say that while I don’t wish to say so much on the P&ID matter, I want to state clearly that the Nigerian Government will not sell out the interest of the country and the Nigerian people in order to satisfy some elements who are consciously out to extort the Nigerian people for their selfish aggrandisement”, he said.

The AGF added, “It is to be noted that while we are willing and ready to negotiate and meet the terms of agreements reached with all genuine investors which have done business or are still doing business

with Nigeria on mutually beneficial terms, we will not allow fraudulent local and foreign collaborators to rip off the resources of Nigeria for no just cause in order to be seen as being nice or ‘investor-friendly”.

The Minister, who raised some posers, said that the questions to further ask are: *In whose interest was the critical contract awarded and what was it to achieve? *Why was the centre of arbitration taken to London, and not Nigeria, a sovereign nation? *Why was the contract not passed unto the Federal Ministry of Justice for vetting? *Why was the Federal Executive

Council’s approval not sought for in the execution of the agreement? *Was there any Direct Capital Inflow arising from the contract? *Was NNPC, NPDC and IOC’s who were to have supplied the gas component of the agreement not made parties to it?”

The AGF added, “it is clear from all indications that the socalled contract was a well organised scam consciously, deliberately and intentionally orchestrated by some dubious and well-placed Nigerian government officials at the time with some shrewd foreign collaborators to defraud Nigeria and inflict heavy economic and financial loss on Nigeria and its people.”

Section of the Non-Governmental Association for Literacy Support Services (NOGALSS), Board of Trustees (BOT) Members , from left: Chief, Owojuwa Fawole, Mrs Olubunmi Akinjolure, Mrs Saadat Ibrahim, Mr. Jibrin Paiko , Dr. Boniface Odeh and others, taking oath of office, during the inauguration of the boards recently in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Kano set to implement Ruga, as C’ttee identifies forest for takeoff

From Mustapha Adamu

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he committee for the establishment of Ruga and Milk Market in Kano State has submitted its report to the governor of the state, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

The committee which was inaugurated on 18th August this year submitted the report after six weeks of the assignment.

Our correspondent reports that the committee has 26 members, comprising of professionals, administrators, Fulani herders, security agents, veterinary doctors, academics, among others.

Speaking at the presentation, which took place at the Government

House yesterday, the Chairman of the Committee, Dr Jibrilla Mohammed disclosed that the state was the first in the country to embrace the Ruga proposal.

Commending Governor Ganduje for taking the bull by the horn, the chairman said, “While some of your colleagues did ponticate and derided the livestock transformation plan, you saw its socio-economic benefit and refused to be swayed by the negative propaganda that erupted against the project. The setting up of this committee, is but an affirmative demonstration of your commitment to the project.”

Dr Mohammed revealed that they visited 5 forests in the state before finally resolving to use Dansoshiya

Forest in Kiru Local Government Area, adding that other forests visited were Panyabo in Doguwa Local Government Area, Duddrum Gaya in Ajingi Local Government, Area and Dunawa in Makoda and Bichi Local Government Areas.

“After deliberations, careful analysis and assessment in consideration of the aims and objectives of government in the project, the committee settled for Dansoshiya forest in Kiru local government for the initial take-off of the project,” he revealed.

According to the chairman, Dansoshiya forest has the advantage of being very large with a sizeable number of Fulani settlements, with a good arable land for the cultivation

of grass.

“Most importantly, the two streams flowing through the forest and the availability of underground water, makes the forest an obvious preference for the take-off model. We then felt that, it is the best choice,” he explained.

In his response, Governor Ganduje said apart from the issue of insecurity, which he described as simply a product, his main aim for the establishment of RUGA settlement is to change the narrative from socio-cultural to socio-economic, for the advancement of Fulani themselves, the state and the nation in general.

He emphasised that, “Don’t bother yourself with RUGA or

whatever name it is called, the fact remains that Fulani must be settled and enjoy basic social amenities like any other citizen.”

“They need to be educated, education is key. So they need to have that, simple. We are thinking of establishing modern Abbatoir also.

That haulage of cattle from North to South should be replaced with transportation of processed meat,” Ganduje emphasised.

Ganduje revealed that his administration is in serious talks with Islamic Development Bank on the issue, assuring that, the talk reached an advanced stage, “We are now at the implementation stage of our collaboration. To tell you how serious we are,” he said

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 16, 2019

PAGE 6

News FUOYE protest: Fayemi sends delegation to families of slain students From Lagos

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Idowu

Abdullahi,

he Ekiti State government has commiserated with the families of Joseph Okunofua and Kehinde Dada, students of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE) who lost their lives during Tuesday’s protest in OyeEkiti.

The government delegation comprising the Secretary to the State Government, Hon Biodun Oyebanji; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon Biodun Omoleye; Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social development, Chief (Mrs) Moji Fafure; Commissioner for Environment, Hon Gbenga Ageyo; lawmaker representing Ido/Osi 1 at the State Assembly, Hon. Abiodun Fawekun, and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Dr (Mrs) Enuice Oladimeji, visited the two families in Ido-Ekiti and Usi –Ekiti on Friday afternoon.

The delegation led by Hon. Oyebanji visited Mrs Esther Okunofua, mother of Joseph, who was a 300 level student of Biology Education in Ido -Ekiti and Mr and Mrs Adedayo Dada, parents of Kehinde Dada in Usi Ekiti.

Oyebanji said the visit was at the instance the State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; who was saddened by the unfortunate incident, adding that the visit was to demonstrate that the state government share in their grief and to encourage them during the trying period.

“On the instruction of the governor, delegation of the government is here to condole with the families that lost their loved ones during the unfortunate incident that happened in Oye Ekiti. We are here to commiserate, encourage them to take heart and to assure them that government is with them in this trying period”, Oyebanji was quoted as saying in a statement by Fayemi’s spokesman, Yinka Oyebode.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Chief (Mrs) Moji Fafure who also spoke with the parents in Yoruba language urged the parents of the deceased to take solace in the word of God as no amount of counselling can fill the vacuum created by the irreparable loss.

She also prayed for the families.

“The Governor and his wife sent their condolence messages.

They share in your grief over the unfortunate incident and they prayed that God in His mercies will not allow a reoccurrence. The loss is painful but it is our prayer that the Almighty God will keep your remaining children safe.

Never again will you bury any of your children”, she said.

At the resident of the late Kehinde Dada, the deceased’s elder brother, Bankole Dada thanked the government delegation for sharing in their grief.

Xenophobic attacks, Obiano lauds Air Peace free evacuation flights From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

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he Anambra State government has joined the list of organizations and individuals who have commended the management of Nigerian carrier, Air Peace for its humanitarian gesture to offer free flights to Nigerians in South Africa following the Xenophobic attacks across cities in the country.

The state Governor, Mr. Willy Obiano commended the airline Chairman, Mr. Allen Onyema, for what he called the unprecedented patriotic gesture in bringing back a batch of 187 Nigerians from South Africa threatened by the ongoing xenophobic attacks against

African and Asian immigrants in the rainbow nation.

The commendation was contained in a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C. Don Adinuba.

Adinuba explained that Onyema’s “huge humanitarian gesture is the latest in a series of philanthropic activities by the Air Peace Chairman which Governor Obiano recognised in his public declaration last July 2, 2019 when he stated that Mr Onyema was driven by sheer patriotism rather than profit by starting direct flights into Dubai via Sharja in the United Arab Emirates at less than

50 per cent of the tariffs charged by foreign carriers”.

The Anambra State government noted that “no persons, not even our suffering and frightened people in South Africa, sought free flights when Chief Onyema decided to offer one of his planes to the former apartheid country to bring our distressed people home at no charge to them.

The flight must have cost him at least 280 million in view of the fact that the machine spent an additional two nights in at Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, causing the airline to pay more to the South African aviation authorities.

“We also note that Chief Onyema didn’t know any of the persons he lifted all the way from Johannesburg free. He was only moved by sheer patriotism and love of humanity, especially the downtrodden and the distressed.

The Anambra State government, while encouraging the federal government to do everything within its power to bring back as soon as possible over 700 Nigerians who have signified interest in leaving South Africa immediately, thanked all Nigerians for supporting the federal government’s robust response to the latest wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 16, 2019

News

Police confirm 6 killed in fresh Kaduna attack

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

K

aduna State Police Command has confirmed the killing of six persons in a fresh attack on Fadaman Rimi village in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Kaduna State Police Command spokesman, DSP Yakubu Sabo, confirmed the incident in a statement made available to the media in Kaduna yesterday.

He gave the name of the victims as:Saminu, Wosha, Isiya, Titus, Madami and Tanko.

The statement added that the attackers also rustled cattle

during the incident.

The police spokesperson further said that detectives have been mobilised to the area on general search mission for possible arrest of the killers.

“Today 14/9/19 at about 0700hrs, the Command received an information that, some suspected Armed Bandits attacked Fadaman Rimi hamlet, a remote settlement from Udawa village in Chukun L G A, shot and killed the following persons; Saminu, Wosha, Isiya, Titus, Madami and Tanko (surnames not yet ascertained) all of the same Village while, one Ikoniya sustained

gunshot injury.

“The hoodlums were said have rustled some unknown number of cattle and escaped.

“On receipt of the information, teams of detectives have been mobilised to the area on general search mission for possible arrest of the culprits and recovery of the rustled cattle.

“The Commissioner of Police CP Ali Aji Janga psc is saddened with this ugly incident and wishes to commiserate with the families of the deceased persons.

“The CP assures the good people of Kaduna State that the perpetrators will be apprehended

and be brought to justice.”

Meanwhile, Kaduna State Government has called the residents to disregard a fake 46-second audio message warning citizens to avoid the Kaduna-Abuja road because of purported ethnic cleansing .

The Commissioner, of Internal Security and Home Affairs Kaduna State, Samuel Aruwan, disclosed this in a statement dated September 14, 2019.

“It should be disregarded as a deliberate ploy to incite unrest in Kaduna State,” it stated.

In the statement titled, ‘Fake audio of killings along Kaduna-

Abuja circulating, says Security Council’ it explained that security agencies are investigating the source of the malicious audio message.

“Anyone found culpable will be prosecuted accordingly,” it assured. The Kaduna State Security Council appealed to all citizens, especially those plying the Kaduna-Abuja Road, to disregard the fake audio message and go about their business.

“Citizens with useful information about the criminals behind the fake audio are encouraged to contact the security agencies.”

Shi’ites bury 4 members allegedly killed by police in Bauchi From Ahmad Mohammed, Bauchi

M

L-R: Company Secretary AtlasJet Nigeria , John Okopi, Chairman Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission ( NCPC ) ,Yomi Kasali, Executive Director AtlasJet Nigeria ,Ercument Fitiz and Acting Executive Director NCPC, Esther Kwaghe during the signing of contracts agreement with air carriers and ground handlers for the 2019 general pilgrimage exercise in Abuja on Friday.

Emir of Zazzau charges FG on stable power From: Femi Oyelola,Kaduna

E

mir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris has called on the Federal Government to do more in its current efforts

to deliver stable electricity to Nigerians.

The Emir made the call yesterday, when Minister of Power, Engineer Sale Mamman and the Minister of State for

Power, Goddy Jedi-Agba paid him a visit at the Palace in Zaria The Ministers were in Zaria to commission an upgraded 2×7.5MVA power substation sited inside the Ahmadu Bello

University (ABU).

The Emir commended the efforts of the Federal Government and the ministry towards ensuring that, all power projects across the country are completed.

VP’s wife admonishes youth against social ills From Uche Nnorom Makurdi

W

ife of the Vice President of Nigeria, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo has implored Nigerian youths to retrace their steps and refrain from social ills.

Mrs. Osinbajo made the call yesterday in Makurdi during Benue Youth Town Hall meeting held at the new Banquet Hall, Government House.

The Vice President’s wife lamented over the high rate of societal ills associated with the youths especially drug abuse, also, frowning also, at the damage done

by the Internet on youths.

“What as a youth are you doing messing yourself up with drugs?

What are you also, doing messing yourself with the Internet? The Internet is an illusion. It is a mirage. It is like a cartoon. Not everything you see in it is real”, she said.

While describing Nigerian Youths as Princesses and Princes, she reminded them that their country possess a rich heritage and is blessed with a lot of potentials waiting to be explored and harnessed by them.

“This land(Nigeria)is fruitful.

The land is beautiful with accommodating people. It belongs to you. We have enough for our own market. It is time for you to take authority of the land. You are royalty. You have responsibility.

You cannot be abused. You have a good background and history. Do not eat up your tomorrow today.

Do not give up on your ideals”, she urged.

In her remark, wife of Benue State Governor, Mrs. Eunice Ortom decried the high rate of rape on a daily basis and drug abuse amongst the youths, noting that the unfortunate situation portend

a dangerous precedent.

She said youths must do sober reflection on certain acts they engage in, maintaining that they must take ownership of their thoughts and actions.

“Youths must take their destiny in their own hands. They must do sober reflection on what rules their purpose. Knowing yourself is the beginning of wisdom.

Your emotions must be put to check. Reflect on your passion as young people. We must choose to do we will be proud of. Youths should prepare themselves for life challenges”, Mrs. Ortom advised.

embers of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) led by Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zazaky otherwise known as ‘Shi’ites’ have buried four of their members that were allegedly killed by the police on Tuesday in Bauchi State capital during the ‘Ashura’ procession.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the funeral prayer for the deceased held at Kobi football field, Bauchi, State leader of the sect Malam Ahmad Yusuf Yashi represented by his disciple Malam Zulqarnayni Aliyu said that the slain members were; Uzaifa Adamu, Hussaini Haruna, Uzaifa Sunusi and Ahmed.

He said their members were staging a peaceful rally when police allegedly attacked them shooting and stabbing the demonstrators with dangerous weapons around Bauchi Central market which resulted to the death of four persons aged between 15 to 20years.

Yashi lamented that if other Muslims sects and faithful of other religions could be allowed to practice their faiths without hindrance, Shi’ites should also not be persecuted because the Constitution of Nigeria guarantee the freedom of worship.

He said that they have been conducting rallies for over 20 years without violence saying the attack on the members was uncalled for.

Police Public Relations Officer DSP Kamal Datti Abubakar denied the killings of IMN members by the Police but they prohibited them from going on with the rally as it’s ban by the law.

The Nigerian police has proscribed the sect and banned all street prorests by them in recent time.

L-R: Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Plateau Command, Dr Solomon Olasupo; former Assistant Governor, Rotary Club of Nigeria, Abdulaziz Haruna and Secretary to the Board of NSCDC, Correctional, Fire Fervice and Nigeria Immigration Services Boards, Mallam Alhassan Yakmut, during the inauguration of 35th President of Rotary Club of Naraguta, yesterday in Jos, Photo: NAN

Nigeria, China agree on tough measures to end wildlife crime

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

N

igeria and China have concluded plans to implement tougher measures against illegal trade in endangered species of wildlife.

This decision was reached when a crack team from AntiSmuggling Bureau (ASB) of General Administration of China Customs (GACC) and Economics Criminal Investigation Department of Ministry of Public Security China visited Nigeria to work out modalities with the Nigerian government to end transnational wildlife crimes.

The team, led by Sun Zhijie, was at the headquarters of

the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, NESREA where they were received by the Director General, Professor Aliyu Jauro and the management team of the Agency.

The Director-General took the opportunity, in his welcome remarks, to brief the team on the achievements recorded so far in wildlife enforcement. He said NESREA has developed and operationalized regulations to control International Trade in Endangered Species and was highly scored by the CITES secretariat. One of them, the National Environmental, (Protection of Endangered Species in International Trade)

Regulations S.I. No.16 has been ranked as Category 1 by CITES Secretariat.

The Director-General disclosed further that the Agency also facilitated the establishment of Inter-agency Committee on CITES Enforcement , which comprises all regulatory agencies in Nigeria , adding that effective collaboration with other agencies to combat wildlife crimes was yielding the desired result.

Prof Jauro expressed concern that several Chinese nationals had been implicated in the illicit trade, he said he was confident that working together would bring the wildlife crimes to an end.

Leader of the Chinese

delegation, Sun Zhijie, said the team was a special task force and was in Nigeria to work with the Federal Government to track down those behind the wildlife trade.

He also added that the country had strict laws against the illegal trade and its officials were up to task in putting an end to the menace.

NESREA is the designated Enforcement Authority for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in Nigeria. The country domesticated the convention through the enactment of Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1985 which has been reviewed.

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 16, 2019

News

Oil depots: Sanwo-Olu, DPR meet over relief plan for Ijegun residents From Lagos

Idowu

Abdullahi,

L

agos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has met with the leadership of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to discuss measures being taken towards alleviating hardship faced by Ijegun residents over the activities of cluster oil depots in the area.

The meeting, held at the Lagos House in Marina, was aimed at bringing lasting relief to residents living around the vulnerable areas hosting oil tank farms and depots belonging to the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

The discussion was a follow-up to an informal meeting between the State Government and the DPR leadership, following bitter agitations by Ijegun residents whose livelihoods were affected

perennial traffic gridlock resulting from the operations of the oil tank farms.

The Governor said the need to assuage the hardship faced by agitated residents led to the move to spearhead a joint action by the State Government, DPR and operators of the oil tank farms, which must focus on bringing about lasting relief in the area.

Sanwo-Olu said meetings would not be enough assurance to convince the Ijegun residents on the planned efforts to bring succour to the area.

The Governor, in a statement by his spokesman, Gboyega Akosile, said the State Government and DPR leadership needed to prevent more agitation by physically visiting and meeting the residents to make definitive commitment.

He said: “It is important for us

to organise a meeting between us and the tank farm owners to bring out a cohesive plan that would comprehensively address the issues. We should be able to have a walk-through permanent solution that would be sustainable.

“We also need to fix a date and time for a visit to the place and meet the people. Before then, we must have discussed the measures we are bringing up, so that we can make definitive statement and residents can begin to feel the relief they have been expecting.”

The Governor praised the DPR for responding to the concerns raised by the State Government in response to the residents’ agitation, noting that the collaboration between Lagos and the agency was in the interest of the people.

DPR Acting Director, Mr.

Ahmad Shakur, said the agency had addressed some of the issues leading to the residents’ agitations, but added that other measures being taken required the support of the Lagos Government.

After the first meeting with the Governor, Shakur said DPR met with the owners of the tank farms and came up with recommendations aimed at addressing the situation at Ijegun.

He said: “In the course of analysing the issues causing the agitations, we discovered that the residents are concerned about two key problems. One is the deplorable state of roads in the area close to the tank farms. The residents complained that if they don’t get out of their house by 4am, most of them would not get to their places of work on time.

And they also rush back home by 5pm to escape the gridlock

Niger gov. congratulates Etsu Nupe @ 67 From Yakubu Minna.

L-R: Technical Adviser, Seed Enterprises Association of Nigeria (SEEDAN), Prof. Johnson Onyibe; Director General, National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC), Dr Philip Ojo; Board Member of NASC, Comrade Alberto Agedah; and National President, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Alhaji Kabiru Ibrahim, at the sensitization and unveiling of the Seed Codex Technology

by Director-General of NASC, at the weekend in Abuja .

Mustapha,

T

he Niger state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has felicitated with the Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar on his 67th birthday and the attainment of 16 years on the throne.

This was contained in a congratulatory message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mrs. Mary Noel Berje, Governor Sani Bello described the Etsu’s reign as a blessing to the entire Nupe kingdom having engendered peaceful coexistence, growth and development in the area.

The Governor eulogised the Etsu Nupe describing him as an exemplary and philanthropic leader who has brought to bare his vast, years of experience in the public service in the management and leadership of his subjects.

Governor Bello, while felicitating with the Etsu Nupe, also urged him not to relent but continue to work for the socio-cultural and economic prosperity as well as peaceful coexistence of the people within his domain and beyond.

He described the Etsu’s 16 years reign on the throne as momentous adding that his efforts in education, particularly on the girl-child, uniting his people and the promotion of rich cultural heritage are legendary.

While acknowledging the existing cordial relationship and collaborative efforts between the government and the traditional institution in the state, Governor Sani Bello urged him to reawaken and reposition the traditional Institution in the renewed efforts to curb growing insecurity in the state.

The Governor prayed Alan to give the Etsu Nupe sound health, bless his new age and grant him long successful reign with peace, unity and development.

occasioned by movement of oil tankers.

“The traffic gridlock, especially on Marwa Road is horrendous.

What DPR did was to invite the depot owners to take up some responsibilities to improve their community relationship. The tank farms’ owners coughed out about N1 billion to award a contract leading to the depot from Marwa Road. They also constructed drainage to drain water from the Depot Road to the lagoon.”

Shakur said the residents demanded for more actions, including building a hospital that could treat accident and burns.

The agency, he said, believed further engagement with residents should involve the State Government for greater impacts and also to build confidence around the plans taken by the owners of the tank farms.

Photo: NAN

UNICEF trains Katsina teachers on record keeping From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

P

rincipals and Head teachers of public and private schools across Katsina state are currently undergoing a three day workshop on record keeping organized by UNICEF. The Executive Chairman, Katsina State Universal Basic Education Board SUBEB, Alhaji

Lawal Buhari Daura made this assertion shortly after monitoring the conduct of the exercise in Daura.

He explained that, the exercise was in preparation for the forthcoming annual school census to ensure accurate pupil’s data in the state.

The SUBEB boss however charged participants to remain steadfast during the training, as

they would be expected to impact same to their colleagues not in attendance.

Alhaji Isah Musa Kankara, the Board’s Director Planning Research and Statistics, in his remarks, revealed that, over one thousand participants were selected from over two hundred secondary schools as well as 595 public and private primary schools across the state.

According to him, private and community schools were selected to get the overall accurate data of students and pupils enrollment for the development of education in the state.

He however maintained that, henceforth private and community schools would be selected to participate in all organized educational programmes in the state.

Sokoto officials arrested for diverting N10m workers’ salaries – EFCC

T

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Sokoto Zonal Office, says it has arrested Abdullahi Sa’idu, the DirectorGeneral of Sokoto Marshall Agency, over alleged diversion of workers’ salaries to the tune of N10 million.

A statement issued by EFCC

spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, made available to newsmen by the commission’s Sokoto Zonal Office, on Saturday in Sokoto, said that the director-general was arrested alongside the agency’s accountant, Bashar Dodo-Iya, on September 13.

The statement said that the arrest was as a result of a petition

jointly signed and presented to the commission by 39 workers of the agency, alleging that their three months salaries are being withheld without any reason.

“They further alleged that the suspects refused to pay their salaries and diverted the money for their personal use, and all efforts made to get their salaries

paid, proved abortive.

However, a preliminary investigation revealed that the two conspired and diverted about N10 million funds meant for the Marshalls’ salaries,” it said.

It added that the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations were concluded.

(NAN)

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 16, 2019

SRRBDA applauds Buhari over reward of honesty, dedication to service

By Stanley Onyekwere

S

okoto Rima River Basin Development Authority (SRRBDA), has described President Muhammadu Buhari as a leader who recognizes and rewards honesty, hardwork, and dedication in service to humanity.

The Authority stated this in Abuja when its Board members led by the Managing Director, Engr. Buhari Muhamed, paid a congratulatory visit to the Chairman of the Board, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu.

Speaking on behalf of the Board, Hon. Godwin Bazari, commended President Muhammadu Buhari over the appointment of the Board chairman, as FCT Minister of State.

A statement signed by Special Assistant (Media) to FCT Minister of State, Austine Elemue, said Bazari, who noted the enormous contributions of Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, also described her as a skilled mobilizer and a nation builder.

According to him, “We are here on behalf of Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority to celebrate you for your tenacity and to commend President Muhammadu Buhari for your well deserved appointment as Minister of State for FCT. “To us, your appointment means a lot because it goes to show that there is reward for every hardwork and your dedication in service to humanity speaks volume. We must thank Mr. President for the honour done to one of our own.

“Your appointment is not just well deserved, but a demonstration that President Muhammadu Buhari is a rewarder of honesty and hardwork”.

Responding, the FCT Minister of State, thanked the Board members for the honour done to her, just as she pledged to keep the flag flying.

News

Nigeria’s UN representative, MuhammadBande assumes office as UNGA’s Chair

By Lawrence Olaoye

N

igeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Professor Tijjani Muhammad-Bande will today take office as the President of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

In a statement made available to newsmen by a spokesman to President Muhammadu Buhari, Mallam Garba Shehu, yesterday Muhammad-Bande is resuming with great hopes for the actualization of the major priorities of Nigeria and the African

continent.

The ceremonies will take place at the UN New York headquarters today and tomorrow ahead of the High-Level week of the UNGA when leaders of the nations of the world take turns to address the General Assembly.

According to him a Nigerian government team to the historic event which will be led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama will include the DirectorGeneral of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ahmed Rufa’i Abubakar and the Senior Special Assistant, Media and

Publicity, Garba Shehu.

Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN was elected President of the 74th session of the General Assembly by acclamation on Tuesday, June 4, to serve the one-year role with a strong mandate from his home government, that nominated him, endorsed by the Group of African States and adopted unanimously by the member-states.

The Muhammad-Bande presidency, coming 30 years after this country’s first, presents Nigeria and Africa a unique opportunity to ensure the implementation

of the existing mandates for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with particular focus on peace and security, poverty eradication, zero hunger, quality education, climate action and inclusion.

The General Assembly under Muhammad-Bande will also play a role in bridging the gaps and promoting collective action to address all international issues that deserve attention, in close coordination and collaboration with the Secretary-General, the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council.

Minister of state for Science and Technology, Barr.

Mohammed H. Abdullahi (middle), Wife of Executive Governor Nasarawa State Hajiya Silifat Abdullahi Sule (3rd right) Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Science and Technology Mr. Bitrus Bako Nabasu (2nd left), and other dignitaries in group photograph during their Courtesy visit to the Hon. Minister in his Office, recently in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imoowo

Homosexuality, Edo community rules out return of banished youth

From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

A

community in Oredo local government area of Edo state, Iyekogba has ruled out the possibility of a return to it youth who were banished for engaging in homosexual activities except they appease the gods of the land and obtain pardon from the king.

Following the plea of the affected youth to allow them return to their ancestral home, leaders of lyekogba have warned the people of the area to avoid associating with anyone banished from the community in order to avoid the wrath of the land.

Secretary of the community, Prince Okaigben Ojenebo told

journalists that according to the tradition of the land, those sent on exile were not expected to associate with the community unless they were pardoned by the king after some sacrifices.

Ojenebo explained that the community has since 2013 excommunicated some group of boys involved in aborminable act of gay practice, a relationship alien

to the hitherto quiet community since inception.

The affected men include Fredrick Ise, Prince Clifford, Oscar Osagie just as he said Clifford and others have been at large since 2013.

Ojenebo added that the community vigilante groups has been asked to apprehend anyone of them seen within it boundaries.

Monarch commends security operatives for rescuing kidnapped Offa travelers From: Kaduna

T

Femi

Oyelola,

he Chairman Yoruba Traditional Council of Obas and Chiefs in the 19 Northern states and Abuja Ambassador Muhammadu Arigbabuwo has commended the security agents for their swift actions that led to the rescue of kidnapped Offa

travelers along Kaduna-Abuja highway.

He gave the commendation while speaking to the media in Kaduna yesterday.

The royal father said as the leader of the Yoruba in the region,he appealed to the government at all levels and security agents to secure the release of the victims and to God be the glory they were

released and reunited with their families.

He lauded the doggedness of the troops who secured their released Ambassador Muhammadu Arigbabuwo also appreciated Kaduna State Government who received the seven victims.

He added that the victims were taken to hospital for

medical checkup before handing them over to the leadership of Offa descendants Union, Kaduna State chapter, by the state government which is commended.

He advised the federal government to ensure the welfare of all security Agents are taken care of to encourage them to be more proactive.

Meanwhile, while receiving

the travelers, the Chairman of Offa Descendants Union in Kaduna, Prof. Tijjani Olanisimi, thanked the state government and the Nigerian military for rescuing the victims.

He said the family members of the kidnapped victims had sleepless nights and suffered psychological trauma since the incident was reported.

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 16, 2019

news

Power: Businesses paralysed, as Delta communities protest 2 years blackout From Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

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rotest over two years back out by angry youths in Ughelli Agbarhotor in Delta State at the weekend paralyzed business activities in the area including vehicular movement The protesters had accused the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) of sabotaging their business efforts and had allegedly plunged the communities into total darkness in the last two years.

It was gathered that the protesters with the inscription on

their placards demanded:” Delta State government, our children are suffering and we want your immediate intervention, we have not had light now in two years, we will shut up oil Manifold because Agbarhotor has the largest Oil Manifold in Africa Producing oil but we don’t have light here in the community” The protesters, alleged that BEDC has intentionally kept the communities in darkness for the past two years and threatened that they will continue in the protest on daily basis until their demans are met.

Speaking to journalists, the Coordinator, Concerned Indigenes of Agbarhotor, Mr Emmanuel Aregbor said” for over two years now, BEDC has not giving us light and we are appealing to the state government to urgently come to our aid because our our economic has crumbled and nothing for us” Meanwhile, residents of Afiesere community in Ughelli have condemned the bulk billing system introduced by BEDC where a prepaid metre is attracted to all the transformers in the community.

According to them,it was wicked on the part of BEDC to insist on the bulk billing system instead of providing prepaid metre for individuals , stressing that it was difficult to access individual consumption and collection of light bills and appealed to the state government to prevail on BEDC to as a matter of urgency provide prepaid metre for individuals living in the community to avoid break down of law and order in the area.

Earlier, Henry Esosuota, resident of the community condemned the attitude of the

management of BEDC for keeping deaf ears to their cries , adding that they spend a lot of money in buying fuel to run their business and other domestic activities and appealed to the management of BEDC to come to their aid and provide with light.

But the Public Relations Manager,. Edo/Delta state, Mrs Esther Okolie however promised that the management of BEDC would look into their grievances and make amends, and warned against taking laws into their hands by destroying BEDC equipment.

Buhari greets Etsy Nupe on 16th coronation anniversary

By Lawrence Olaoye

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with government and people of Niger State, and all sons and daughters of Nupe Kingdom as the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, marks 16 years on the throne, and celebrates 67th birthday.

According to a statement made available to newsmen yesterday by his spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, Buhari rejoiced with all family members of the royal house, friends and associates of the traditional ruler, whose legacy of hard work, discipline and honesty in public service continues to resonate.

He extoled the nobility, maturity and visionary leadership of the Etsu Nupe as he sits on the throne of his fathers, upholding the historically strong culture and arts of the people and maintaining peace and good neighbourliness with other traditional stools and cultures.

As Chairman of the State Traditional Council, the President affirmes that the culture of acceptance that pervades the state and the versatility in promoting communal living, entrepreneurship, agriculture and education deserves commendation.

He prayed that the Almighty God will grant Etsu Nupe longer life, more peaceful years on the throne and wisdom to keep guiding his people in the right direction.

L-R: Executives Members , Board of trustees, Patrons and Matrons of the Non-Governmental Association for Literacy Support Services (NOGALSS), during the inauguration ceremony of NOGALSS BOT, Patrons and Matrons, held recently in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Experts call for IT solutions in Nigeria health sector

From Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

M

r Gideon Iranloye, Managing Director, Calm Global Information Technology Limited, said that adopting electronic health management in Nigeria health sector would save lives, build data base and reduce financial losses in hospitals.

He stated this during an interview with newsmen at the 62nd National Council on Health (NCH) which held meeting in Asaba, Delta state.

He said that many patients, particularly accident victims die daily in the country’s hospitals due to lack of medical information.

According to him, only an electronic health management system can provide a centrally coordinated data base of patients in the country’s health sector.

“Why electronic health management? The governing principle is that patients, care givers and other relevant stakeholders are linked together to ensure a progressively better outcome in a model that continuously learns and improves.

“The traditional health care system is complex; hospitals and healthcare services involve many actors and span many sectors and employes hundreds of staff working in professional, functional and geographical groups,” he said.

He said that with a coordinated electronic system, patients information could be centrally managed and monitored for effective and efficient service delivery by all stakeholders to ensure timely intervention to save lives.

“We are here in Asaba to present

this technology to the NCH, the highest decision making organ in the health sector in Nigeria, where I delivered a paper on the proposal for an electronic health management solutions.

“We have developed ‘Kokomdapp’ a bespoke electronic health system that unlocks a unified healthcare monitoring, interaction and communication between patients, healthcare practitioners and industry stakeholders.

“Our solution is a web-based application built according to global standards and technology that allows vertical and horizontal scaling, enabling the provision of the right care at the right time in the right place by the right resources with the right skill sets.

“Koko has gone from being a

concept, to a mature and constantly evolving enterprise solution that is proven to save lives, monies and strengthening healthcare,” he said.

He noted that government partnership would not only ensure saving of lives but strengthen the progress in consolidating the achievement of the universal health coverage in the country.

Another expert, Mrs Grace Niniola, Northern Operations Manager, said that Kokomdapp remains a smart health solutions to the stakeholders in the Nigeria health industry.

She said, though there are challenges of inadequate funding and the people expression of fear of job loss, the system remains the best for the government and the people.

According to her, some public

hospitals in the Northern Nigeria already keyed into the electronic health management system, though not without challenges.

Mr Patrick Emije, Staff in the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, said that the decisions reached by this NCH would greatly impact the country’s health sector.

According to him, the NCH decisions will take the health sector to the next level in line with the current administrations’ agenda towards achieving the universal health coverage in the country.

He said that IT solutions would fast track delivery of information in the health sector and could provide for a timely and prompt intervention to save lives.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 16, 2019

PAGE 11

EDITORIAL

Presidential election tribunal’s decision

A

5-man presidential election Supreme Court”. tribunal, Wednesday, It must be said that in our nation September 11, unanimously every election result has been upheld President Muhammadu contested in court since Nigeria Buhari’s victory in the Feb. 23 returned to democratic rule in presidential election. He had won 1999. Buhari himself challenged the election with over 5 million the outcomes of three presidential votes, about 56% of the vote, elections in 2003, 2007 and enough to avoid a runoff. His 2011. The only exception was the main contender, Atiku Abubakar, 2015 election in which he ran the candidate of the opposition against an incumbent, President Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Goodluck Jonathan and won. received 41% on a Goodluck conceded turnout of only 35.6%. defeat.

That an He disputed the outcome election outcome and asked the tribunal will almost always to declare him the victor However, after be decided in court instead. than through nearly a month of rather the ballot box does However, after nearly sitting to take the not speak well of a month of sitting to submissions of our democracy. It take the submissions both parties, the should be people’s of both parties, the votes that count tribunal, headed by tribunal, headed ultimately, not the

by Justice Justice Mohammed decision of a court Lawal Garba, rejected all made up of a half a Mohammed three of Atiku’s claims: Lawal Garba, dozen judges. Our that the election was democracy, after, marred by irregularities, rejected all three 25 years, is not that he received more of Atiku’s claims: maturing, we dare votes than Buhari and that the election say. that the President did was marred by not have a secondary However, we irregularities, applaud Atiku’s faith school certificate, a basic requirement to run in the that he received in the nation’s justice election. “This petition is system, warts and more votes hereby dismissed in its all. He did not resort entirety”, Justice Garba to self help, thereby said in announcing the ruling of helping the nation avoid the post the tribunal that took him all of 8 election bloodbath of 2007. He hours to read. said he did not accept the court’s ruling on his petition challenging There was, expectedly, great the outcome of the February rejoicing in the Buhari camp. “It election. His disappointment is time for the country to move notwithstanding, he has preferred forward as one cohesive body, to head to the Supreme Court, the putting behind us all bickering highest and last court in the land. and potential distractions over This too is commendable. an election in which Nigerians spoke clearly and resoundingly”, On the part of the justices that said the President in a statement decided the outcome of Atiku’s following the tribunal’s ruling. On petition, we salute their courage in its part, the PDP said in a tweet the face of a vocal opposition Press that it “completely rejects the that had already decided in favour judgment” which it described as a of one party. The eye of the justices “direct assault on the integrity of for detail left no one in doubt that our nation’s justice system”. It said they did a nice job. Kudos to them in another tweet, “Our lawyers are in particular the Nigerian judiciary upbeat in obtaining justice at the in general.

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Letter to the Editor

Budgeting, national planning and the road least traveled

By Sufuyan Ojeifo

A

nyone who sets out on a journey must endeavor to get a faint idea of the trajectory to the destination from his or her starting point. Thus, it is essential to gather all requisite information such as location for boarding a taxi, the approximate distance, condition of the road network, traffic volume on the road and average travel distance.

Without these data, there are many scary possibilities for our uniformed traveler: one, he or she may not get to her or his proposed destination or simply find her or himself in another city. Imagine setting out for Ibadan only to end up in Okitipupa! The second possibility is to get to a proposed destination in days instead of hours.

In any case, if our journeywoman or man is on her or his way to Abuja from Lagos, say by road, she or he can decide to go through Ibadan, Ife, Ilesha, Owo, Okene, Lokoja and then approach Abuja. Alternatively, she or he can choose to travel through Ijebu-Ode, Ore, Benin City, Agbor, Auchi, Okene, Lokoja and then hit Abuja.

Again, she or he can even decide to travel to Abuja from Lagos through Ijebu-Ode, Benin, Onitsha, Enugu, Obolo Afor, Nsukka, Ejule, Ajaokuta, Lokoja. In truth, whichever route our friend chooses, she or he will arrive in Abuja– if she or he does not run into the arms of kidnappers! In reality, again, the travel time for each chosen route varies as it should, even if all the roads are in perfect condition. Now, this is where planning comes in.

If time means anything to our friend, she or he will almost certainly plan to travel via the first route which guarantees the shortest travel time. The last route would only make any sense except our dear friend is on sightseeing across Nigeria and not interested in when she or he arrives at her or his destination. Sadly, this had partially been our lot in Nigeria because those who had been in the driver’s seat of the nation’s vehicle since independence were not in any hurry to get to the desired destination or, indeed, did not have any destination in mind at all.

In fact, some of our drivers had been driving in the wrong directions with the reverse gear and ended up offloading everyone into the river of hopelessness. “Na back the country dey go before soldiers come put everybody for reverse”, was how the legendary Fela Anikulapo-Kuti captured our plan-less conundrum as a nation.

For the leaders who appeared to be on the right trajectory, either they did not get off the first gear or they were driving with the handbrake on. Really, there had not been any sense of time and urgency with our past leaders in a fast-moving new world of knowledge, technology and unimaginable possibilities.

Yet, in truth, development does not just happen or come upon a nation. It is neither accidental nor a matter of historical chance but the result of deliberate and rational policy choices made by leaders on behalf of citizens at particular intersections. In other words, no nation can develop no matter the amount of resources buried in the womb of its earth without rational plans set out to achieve certain desired objectives and targets.

From 1962-1968, the First National Development Plan was launched. On the heels of the Civil War (from 1970-1974) came the Second National Development Plan; from 1975-1980 came the Third National Development Plan; from 1981-1985, there was the Fourth Development Plan. And from 1986, under General Ibrahim Babangida, there was a two-year period of emergency and Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) after which successive military regimes discarded the fiveyear plan for rolling plans.

President Olusegun Obasanjo, during his time, resorted to medium-term plans.

Perhaps the best way to evaluate the efficacy of those plans is to take a picture of the state of the national economy today. But with the appointment of Mrs. Zainab Ahmed as

Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning and Prince Clem Ikanade Agba as Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, it is writ-large that President Buhari is ready to tackle headlong our longunattended issue of national development with planning at the centre of it.

While Ahmed’s proficiency had been tested in the saddle at the Ministries of Budget and National Planning, and Finance in the first tenure of Buhari’s presidency before the merger of both ministries, obviously the foundation and engine room of Nigeria, Agba’s know-how is prepped to be both complementary and salutary in the achievement of the overarching goal of national development. Coming with a rich private sector background (in Chevron), underlined by integrity, frugality and rational decision-making process, et al, encapsulated in the Chevron Way, the new minister is rearing to go.

Significantly, Ahmed had farmed out the schedule of putting together a new National Development Plan to Agba. That is a good team spirit and efficacious working understanding.

Agba understands there is no time. He knows that too much time had been lost already doing the wrong things repeatedly over the years. At independence in 1960, Nigeria was at par with and shared similar experiences with countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, India and South Korea for examples. Today, our country has been left behind because of decisions not taken and the roads either least traveled or not at all traveled by the minders of the national economy in the past.

Agba is aware of paucity of information for national planning: what is a fair assessment of the Nigerian population? What are the various characteristics of this population? How can we plan for country without the exact knowledge of the number of young people of working age, how many elderly people, how many children, including those in and out of school, how many women, etc., there are?

Indeed, it is problematic that different figures are being bandied around as the size of Nigeria’s population. The new economic visioning team in the saddle under the leadership of Buhari is working round the clock to come up with an organic National Development Plan that will respond to the deployment of available technology in today’s world in essential updates through the conduct of a credible national census that is devoid of political manipulations and ethnic imprints.

Besides, while it has been a crying shame that after two decades of return to democracy that government still finds it difficult to return to the disciplined JanuaryDecember budgeting cycle, this government is committed, in its second term, to achieve this.

Ahmed and Agba know that time is already ticking and have consistently reassured cynical Nigerians that the 2020 budget would get to the National Assembly at the end of September, 2019. The federal legislature had also assured Nigerians that it would pass the fiscal estimates before the end of December.

If the expeditious passage of the 2020 budget is all the Ahmed-Agba team would achieve this year, on behalf of the administration, it would have started out with the right foot. The credit, overall, will be Buhari’s. Certainly, a disciplined budget process is an integral part of national planning. It could well mean that the road to a robust national development plan would be well constructed by them.

With Ahmed and Agba, coming from a background of accountability and due process, who were duly searched out by the President for this responsibility, it is not wrong to expect a clean budgetary process, this time round, going forward. Nigerians should, thus, rest assured that the hitherto salacious and mindboggling stories of illegal insertions into the budget by what were clearly some notorious syndicates in government have become a thing of the past.

Ojeifo contributed this piece from Abuja viaojwonderngr@yahoo.com

PAGE 12

Opinion

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 16, 2019

Nigerian politicians, why do they write books?

By Abimbola Adelakun

A

nother politician, this time, the former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, has a new book out titled, “Burden of Service: Reminiscences of Nigeria’s former Attorney General.” Typical of these publications, the media houses get advance copies and publish some of their most controversial contents to stimulate audience interest ahead of the public presentations.

Given that what was excerpted from Adoke’s book so far has not as been provocative as previous similar publications, I doubt it will generate the heated exchanges one has come to expect of this growing body of political literature. One thing, however, Adoke joins the list of other politicians who contribute to one of the curious paradoxes of Nigeria: a leadership class that frequently publishes books amidst the staggering reality of overwhelming illiteracy.

Think about it; Nigeria is one of the countries with the highest number of illiterates in the world.

Even where people can get an education, there is a high likelihood that the knowledge imparted in them lacks quality and its contents cannot engender social transformation. Despite that gloomy reality, Nigeria has so many schools; every other house or uncompleted building is either a school or will soon become one. Nigeria also has a growing number of universities, both private and public, but still contends with an abundance of uneducated and the poorly educated. Many of the private universities are undersubscribed because of their costs, thus making the enterprise of tertiary education an oversupplied one. Just the other day, the National Youth Service Corps Director-General, Brig. Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, claimed some graduates could not recite the alphabet. Virtually nobody disputed with him over the plausibility of that shocking claim. We have come to terms with the reality of having more schools yet sinking into the atrocious depths of illiteracy and miseducation.

Given all those, one wonders why the political

class churns out books. Who is their reading public?

Relative to our nation’s potential, there is not much going on by way of a reading culture. The same leadership class that loves to publish books is also the one that has actively overseen the deprecation of the education sector, sabotaged intellectualism, and banalised the acada culture by publicly using PhD holders and professors to run their errands.

To be a culture where people pick up books by their leaders to read, you must at least have a flourishing intellectual culture, an educated and economically empowered citizenry who care enough about governance to want to read their leaders’ memoirs.

Where is the labour they engage in to cultivate a reading culture among the people for whom they are producing books?

While in office, many of them do not as much as betray a hint of erudition in their governance conduct but when they leave, they write a book!

So, what is it about books that fascinates Nigerian leaders that producing them is taken as an imperative? Or, what is it about the trappings of book publication and the subsequent public presentation carnival that compel them to want to publish one? Many of these books are hardly ever available after they are publicly presented with fanfare, and it is reasonable to conclude that they were produced for reasons other than public consumption. The unfortunate thing is that the scholarship that tackles topical Nigerian issues, written by academics and public intellectuals hardly get as much press as these vanity publications.

After a politician is ousted out of the political game and they do not have many moves left on the political chessboard, they write a book. They claim they are giving an account of their “stewardship” (a word that vain Nigerian politicians have battered into meaninglessness) whereas the book is just an embellished account of their achievements while in office. The books are mostly the same in their content, all their writers professing their undying love for Nigeria and stating the hard work they put into public service. If they had been accused of corruption, they use the book to burnish their

image by either responding to critics or giving a hagiographic slant to their activities while in service.

None of them ever admits to stealing money, making corrupt deals, or undermining Nigeria in any way. Yet, whenever they leave office, Nigeria is almost always worse off. A politician serves under a corrupt government, leaves and writes about becoming “An Accidental Public Servant” or tells us that “Fighting Corruption is Dangerous.” Some others manage to publish theirs with funny titles such as “Conscience and History” or “Burden of Service.” Some narcissist even titled his book after a self-awarded appellation, “Founder of Modern Yobe.” One of them, in the bid to sanitise his public image as the politician that muzzled democracy in his state and repressed the people he pretended to serve gave his book a corny title, “Triumph of Destiny.”

That is how we end up with volumes of book that frequently look back at where we have been; politicians trying to refurbish their inglorious roles in our history but do not offer much by way of looking forward. Some of the books are an exercise in self-obsession, an observation you can make from their titles that are screaming, Not My Will!

My Command! My Watch! My Story! My Life Story!

They leave office, but it is all still about them. Even those who deservedly lose an election write on “My Transition Hours.” They spend more effort in the book registering their bitterness at being rejected than critically reflecting on why they lost.

In Nigeria, some politicians write their own books, some have their books ghostwritten, while others hire someone to write a book about then.

For the last category, the art of biography is an exercise in image-making; nothing else is on offer.

Elsewhere, biographers at least attempt a rigorous study and critical analysis of their subjects. In Nigeria, not quite. Biographies are almost always a celebratory affair, and that is why they come off as hardly insightful. You smell the agenda of a book titled, “Excellence in Governance and Creativity: Legal Essays in Honour of His Excellency Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON, GSSRS, POS”, from a distance.

When the Chief of Army Staff goes to a public presentation of a supposed fictional book in his honour that labels him a “legend,” you know better than expect to find something worth ruminating over in such writing.

In 2016, while President Muhammadu Buhari’s body language was still healing the sick, they launched two books about him in quick succession. One was a vanity project. The other book, “Muhammadu Buhari: The Challenges of Leadership,” was an authorised biography that described Buhari as “a major ally of the West in the fight against terrorism, poverty, and corruption.”

His leadership mettle had barely been tested, but the book had jumped ahead of itself. Today, there are a few people left who can convincingly argue Buhari is fighting anything other than shadows. Aisha Buhari too joined the train when she published a book on “Essentials of Beauty Therapy.” Its public presentation was an occasion for politicians to gather and play the politics of I-remain-loyal before the leader with the power to make or break their political destinies. On such occasions, the book itself is a side attraction.

Outside religious materials, the reading culture in Nigeria is quite poor. The fetish of publishing by our politicians does not mean there is an intellectual culture fuelling their production. Like many good things, the book is just another tool serving their ends because it is totemic of erudition and intelligence. If the Nigerian leadership class had actual veneration for books, they would be more concerned about the social and economic mechanisms that sponsor the production and circulation of books. They would invest more in the education sector to increase literacy level and rejuvenate the flagging reading culture by providing relevant resources for millions of Nigerians who will love to read but can barely afford the luxury.

For now, it is safe to conclude that for our leaders, a book is no more just another souvenir to distribute at their vanity parties.

Abimbola Adelakun is a Public Affairs Analyst.

Tears of my grieving pen flows for Professor Sa’ad Abubakar

By Sa’ad Abubakar Zongre

P

rofessor (Ambassador) Sa’ad Abubakar was deservedly rewarded with the revered Nigerian National Honours Award (NNHA) of the “Order of the Federal Republic” (OFR) by former President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GCFR) in 2010 in recognition and appreciation of his sterling contributions to the growth, development and advancement of Nigeria both locally and internationally in the field of education, administration, diplomacy, community service and politics.

He was a renowned Nigerian Professor of History and an outstanding product of the famed school of History of the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria whose PhD thesis titled, “Lamibe Fombina” (Emirs of the East) later emerged as the most authoritative, comprehensive, compelling and best-selling book on the political history of Adamawa Emirate.

He was an intellectual Prince from the intellectual dynasty of his equally intellectuallygifted father, the immediate-past “Waziri” of Muri (traditional Prime Minister), late Modibbo Sa’ad Abubakar, popularly known as “Waziri Sa’ad”. To the best of my knowledge, the Waziri Sa’ad family remain the only family in the whole of Muri/Northern Taraba State, Taraba State and probably, North-Eastern Nigeria that produced two (2) professors (Professor Sa’ad himself and his younger brother, Professor Abdulmimini Sa’ad Abubakar)!

His deeply saddening demise yesterday, Saturday, 7th September, 2019, sorrowfully marked an end to a remarkable chapter in the life of an illustrious son of Nigeria that contained sentences written in gold, paragraphs written in diamonds and punctuation marks written in silver detailing his struggles and successes as a pillar of hope and progress for his people/community in Jalingo Local Government Area (LGA), Greater

Muri Emirate/Northern Taraba State, Taraba State, Northeastern Nigeria, Nigeria, Africa and mankind as a whole.

He reportedly graduated with an “A” (First Class) in the highly demanding and stressful Department of History of ABU, Zaria (where I also graduated from decades after he left) despite the seeming impossibility of making such an “elitist” grade in a Department in which, “A” is said to be for Allah only and “B” (Second Class Upper) for Bala Usman (late) only, with “C” (Second Class Lower) as the best grade that the best among the undergraduates can make.

He subsequently served three (3) university communities (ABU, Zaria, University of MaiduguriUNIMAID and University of Abuja-UNIAB) with distinction at different times as Graduate Assistant, Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC), Head of Consultancy Unit/Post Graduate Studies and Director of Remedial Studies.

Similarly, he meritoriously served the defunct Gongola State as pioneer Commissioner of Education; during which, he facilitated the establishment of Colleges of Education and Agriculture in Jalingo.

Furthermore, the defunct state benefited immensely from his administrative acumen when he served as Secretary to the Military Government (SMG) under the then Military Governor, Major General Muhammadu Jega (retd), CON as he ensured the smooth running of government business through improved productivity and excellent service delivery.

He equally served Greater Muri Emirate excellently as “Ubandoman Muri” (a high profile traditional tittle) through which, he contributed massively in the overall development of Muri as a member of the Muri Emirate Council (MEC) under the glorious reign of the immediate-past Emir of Muri, His Royal Highness, late Alhaji Umaru Abba Tukur (OFR).

In acknowledgement of his impressive credentials as a public and community servant,

former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (retd), GCFR, appointed him as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Switzerland in the late 1980s and accomplished the international assignment with high marks to the satisfaction of the then Federal Military Government and generality of Nigerians.

In his patriotic quest to directly enhance good governance through people-focused policy and programmes, he sought for political power in Taraba State as the gubernatorial candidate of the then All Nigeria Peoples’ Party (ANPP) in 2003 where he performed creditably well in the polls but lost gallantly with the slightest of margins to the eventual winner, former Governor, Reverend Jolly Tavorou Nyame (CON).

The tourism/cultural industry in Taraba State received a massive boost through exposure to international level when he held sway as the pioneer Chairman of the then newly-established Taraba State Tourism Development Board (TSTDB) with the likes of Ambassador Idris Adamu Waziri, Chief (Mrs) Salome Audu Jankada (OON), Ambassador Sulaiman Zubairu, Alhaji Umaru Baba (OFR), Alhaji Ibrahim Tumba and Right Honourable Simon Yunusa Dogari as members, with my humble self as the Administrative officer through which, I was privileged to learn a lot under him.

He was still serving Taraba State as Chairman, Governing Council of Taraba State University (TSU) until he breathed his last.

Indeed, a true servant of Muri/Northern Taraba State, Taraba State, Northeastern Nigeria, Nigeria, Africa and the world is, painfully, gone!

Few months ago (sometime in April this year2019) he called me on phone and told me of a historical book he has being working on for some years now alongside other prominent intellectuals of Muri on the individual history of the twelve (12) Emirs of Muri titled, “Lamibe Muri” (Emirs of Muri) and I pledged to meet him when next I am in Abuja. Sadly, the meeting was destined not to hold following his demise. It is my firm believe therefore,

that the other prominent intellectuals working with him on the historical book will continue from where he stopped as part of honouring his blessed memory.

Allah Sarki, our amiable, humble, hardworking and loving Prof!!!

He was a professor of professors, historian of historians, academician of academicians, author of authors, ambassador of ambassadors, administrator of administrators, leader of leaders, commissioner of commissioners, SMG of SMGs, politician of politicians, chairman of chairmen, son of sons, brother of brothers, husband of husbands, father of fathers, uncle of uncles, in-law of in-laws and unbandoman of ubandomans (if it is linguistically permissible)!

My condolences to Muri Emirate for losing a brilliant mind, Adamawa Emirate for losing the loudest voice on their history, the academia for losing a star, Jalingo LGA for losing a remarkable son, Taraba State for losing a founding father and an elder statesman, Nigeria for losing an intellectual giant, Waziri Sa’ad family for losing the Head of their intellectual dynasty, his immediate family for losing a dependable flag/namebearer and hero, his extended family for losing a nationally-celerated relation, political allies for losing a principled leader, his friends for losing a long-standing trustee and myself for losing a teacher, a mentor, a model and a namesake.

Oh Allah, You are the most high, most powerful, most compassionate, most loving, most forgiving, most lenient and most comforting; may You bestow Your infinite mercy on our Prof, overlook his human frailties and warmly comfort him in his grave preparatory to raising him under the shade of “Al’arsh” (divine umbrella) on the Day of Judgement enroute entrance into Aljannatul Firdaus in a professorial way, ameen!

Zongre wrote from Yerima Bappa Sanda Road, Turaki “A” Ward, Jalingo

PAGE 13

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 16, 2019

Comment

Political apathy among Tunisian voters is fuelling dangerous populism

By Haythem Guesmi

T

unisians will head to the polls on September 15 to elect a new president in the second such vote since the country’s 2011 revolution. The upcoming election, however, is unlikely to cure the Tunisian population’s growing sense of disenchantment with the democratic process.

In the eight years since the end of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali‘s authoritarian rule, Tunisia has achieved several democratic milestones, including the election of a constituent assembly, the drafting of a new constitution, and the organisation of several successful general and local elections.

However, all these achievements have been overshadowed by growing concerns over ideological polarisation, insecurity, terrorism, and a severe economic crisis.

Despite the efforts of successive governments, in recent years Tunisia’s national debt has reached 70 percent of the national GDP, inflation has risen to 6.7 percent, and the official unemployment rate has remained high, at 15.5 percent, reaching as much as 30 percent in the country’s interior.

Meanwhile, repeated terror attacks on popular tourist destinations have devastated the all-important tourism sector, causing further deterioration of the country’s already struggling economy. The drastic austerity measures that have been adopted by the Tunisia central banks and other government financial institutions have increased economic pressure on ordinary people and have fed into their resentment of the political elite.

As a result, Tunisians, whose mass mobilisation against unemployment and poverty set off the Arab Spring and inspired revolutionary and democratic change across the region less than a decade ago, have gradually become more and more disillusioned with the democratic process and its ability to

resolve their most pressing socioeconomic problems.

A 2018 Afrobarometer survey found that only 46 percent of Tunisians believe that democracy is the most preferable form of government, down from 70 percent in 2013.

And, perhaps more tellingly, the turnout of the last vote in 2018 in which Tunisians elected freely city mayors for the first time in their recent history, was remarkably low – at 36 percent. By comparison, the first postrevolution parliamentary election drew some 69 percent of the voters to the polls.

By all indications, this Sunday’s presidential election is only going to increase the Tunisian population’s alienation from the electoral process.

Twenty-six candidates, including a number of prominent figures, are running for president. Among them are Prime Minister Youssef Chahed, Defence Minister Abdelkarim Zbidi, jailed media mogul Nabil Karoui and Abdelfattah Mourou, the presidential candidate of the Islamist Ennahdha party.

Nevertheless, none of these candidates appears competent, experienced and trustworthy enough to reignite the flame of democracy in Tunisia and deliver muchawaited social and economic reforms that would solve the country’s many enduring problems.

Most of them made their personality, rather than their political and economic programmes, the focus of their presidential campaigns.

During the highly-anticipated presidential debates, which were broadcast on national TV and watched by more than three million Tunisians, most of the candidates talked about themselves rather than their policy plans and struggled to answer even the most basic and predictable questions on national security, foreign relations and political policy reform.

The bad performance of the majority of

the candidates and their failure to convince the viewers that they are prepared for the job caused the population to lose interest in the presidential election even more. Many Tunisians expressed their disappointment at the debates by taking to social media to poke fun at the candidates.

Analysts are already predicting low voter turnout on Sunday which could play into the hands of Nabil Karoui, a 56-year-old media tycoon who is running on a right-wing populist platform. He has managed to present himself as an anti-establishment strongman who can deliver change and improve the lives of ordinary Tunisians. He opposes the abolition of capital punishment, gender equality in inheritance, and calls for the amendment of the constitution to give more power to the elected president.

Karoui, who is the owner Nessma TV channel, was arrested three weeks ago on suspicion of tax evasion and money laundering.

His party, Qalb Tounes (the Heart of Tunisia), claim that his arrest was politically motivated.

Although he lacks any political experience and had to campaign remotely from a prison cell, he is leading in the polls and given the widespread rejection of the Islamist and secularist camps that have so far dominated the political debates in the country, he actually stands a chance of becoming Tunisia’s next president.

He is popular not because he has presented a detailed economic plan to save the country from the ongoing crisis and improve the lives of ordinary people, but because he has cultivated the image of a successful businessman and generous philanthropist who dedicates much of his time to charity work through his Khalil Tounes Foundation and by giving away fridges and televisions on his TV channel.

He did not participate in any presidential debates and it is still unclear whether he will be released from prison if he makes it to the

runoff. Since Thursday he has been on hunger strike demanding to be allowed to vote in Sunday’s election and on Friday, he was denied release from prison after an appeal was again turned down.

The popularity of Karoui is the result of the frustration of the Tunisian people with what they see as the failed politics of the mainstream parties which regularly engage in meaningless ideological quarrels instead of fixing high unemployment levels, inflation and insecurity.

For many Tunisians, the moral integrity of politicians no longer seems important; many believe that “all politicians are frauds anyway”.

This discouraged attitude towards politics has resulted not only in the rise of populism but also in the gradual deterioration of the Tunisian democracy itself. While many Tunisians are happy that their country has fared better than other Arab Spring states, there is a growing conviction among them that their democracy in its present form is not working. An increasing number of them believe that putting stability above personal freedoms and opting for a more authoritative government could resolve the pressing problems Tunisia is facing today.

This state of political cynicism and discontent is leading to gradual disengagement from the democratic process, which the upcoming election will likely register.

Given the inability of the Tunisian political elite to provide for the needs of the people and mobilise them politically, it is unlikely to find a solution to the growing sense of disenchantment among Tunisians any time soon. Restoring faith in the tenets of a healthy democracy such as good governance, accountability, and transparency seems for now to be a distant dream.

Haythem Guesmi is an Int’l Affairs Analyst.

To curb xenophobic attacks, tell the truth

By Adewale Kupoluyi

T

he recurring decimal of xenophobic attacks in South Africa would have been nipped in the bud if the truth had been allowed to prevail. Since the end of apartheid rule in 1994, South Africa had experienced escalating xenophobia because of the failure by the governments to be decisive in nipping the crisis in the bud by sitting on the fence.

Many deaths and uprising could have been averted had the appropriate authorities acted promptly and honestly.

Over the years, the assault and hostilities had continued as black South Africans continue to kill fellow black Africans. In 2017, South African security agents were openly blamed for looking the other way as a Nigerian was molested while the police were implicated in extrajudicial killings. Two years earlier, the Zulu king, Goodwill Swelithini had derogatorily described foreigners in a hate speech as ‘lice’ that ‘should be plucked out and left in the sun’ and ‘requesting those who came from outside to please go back to their countries.’

The Chief Executive Officer of newlyestablished Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri said that in 2016 alone, 118 Nigerians were killed extrajudicially in South Africa. Some of the celebrated murder cases include that of a former Deputy Director-General of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, Elizabeth Ndubuisi-Chukwu, who was mysteriously found dead in her hotel room.

Before Ndubusi-Chukwu’s attack was the killing of Dennis Obiaju, a 17-year-old high school student, who was fatally shot dead.

Life of black foreigners had become so cheap that they are being slaughtered like animals in South Africa. Many casualties are not recorded officially.

Even though, the South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa and other African leaders of having condemned the mayhem, what cannot be wished away is the fact that the unending attacks can be said to represent a monumental failure to stop the maltreatment

of Africans by Africans. Ramaphosa and other South African leaders never agreed that their citizens were doing the wrong thing by killing and looting shops and business interests of other nationals. They are sitting on the fence and not telling the bitter truth by condemning the violence and the perpetrators.

The Nigerian government has equally been accused of being slow or failing to provide enough protection for its citizens whenever they are unjustly treated abroad, using all available diplomatic weapons. To counter the criticism, the Nigerian government, this time around, took swift action by boycotting the last World Economic Forum on Africa, sending a special envoy to the South African leader and summoning the country’s High Commissioner to Nigeria. There have also been intensified calls by individuals and corporate interests suggesting that South African businesses should be nationalised in the country. Despite the big-brother role Nigeria had played in the past, as a frontline country, to end racial segregation and bring down the white-minority apartheid regime in South Africa, it is curious and unacceptable that Nigerians are now targets of attacks from its benefactor.

No amount of diplomatic rigmarole can abate the carnage until and unless parties agree to stop sitting on the fence and tell each other the truth that xenophobia is evil. The South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Bobby Monroe had denied reports of any xenophobic attacks in his country. The envoy simply described the attacks as “sporadic acts of violence,” adding that businesses belonging to other South Africans were also affected in the violence. In the usual manner, the import of Monroe’s statement is that there is nothing special or spectacular about the tragedy against Nigerians. This is being economical with the truth and would end nowhere other than worsening the problem.

Telling the truth is what would bring about justice. Denials, passing-the-buck, and trading blame would not yield anything positive.

Doing the needful, Catholic Bishops of South Africa have boldly disclosed that the claim

by South African authorities, suggesting that the attacks on Nigerians and other foreigners were not xenophobic, was mischievous, incorrect and misleading. Archbishop Buti Tigagale of the Southern African Catholic Bishop’s Conference Office for Migrants and Refugees had boldly admitted stated that what happened was xenophobic. Acting as the voice of the voiceless, Tigagale said the bishops were dismayed and condemned the violence.

“Once again, we receive reports of the authorities doing very little to protect the victims. We received the report of police standing by idly in Pretoria while shops were looted and people attacked. Not a single arrest was made on that day. The authorities resort to the old explanation that this is not xenophobia, but the work of criminal elements. Let us be absolutely clear; this is not an attempt by concerned South Africans to rid our cities of drug dealers. And this is not the work of a few criminal elements. It is xenophobia, plain and simple. If it was about drugs, why are South African drug dealers not being targeted as well? Are we really to believe that there are none? And why are drug addicts, who rob people in our city centres to get money to buy drugs, not being targeted? If it is the work of a few criminal elements, why are South African owned businesses not being looted as well?”, the bishops said.

The move by the Federal Government in the evacuation of stranded Nigerians and the rare show of patriotism and generosity

by Mr. Allen Onyeama, who fully sponsored the airlifting of stranded Nigerians, is commendable. The South African government must address the unending hostility fueling the deprivation of its citizens such as insecurity, education, hunger, unemployment, and housing. The reality is that the restive youths expect succour from the state, following the end of apartheid, but were neglected. Rather than looking inwards, they became envious of fellow black African foreigners that were doing well in business and more prosperous through hard work, thereby appealing to female suitors. African

governments should be up-and-doing by improving their economic fortunes that is fuelling illegal migration of their citizens from home in the quest for greener pastures. For the huge loss, the government of South Africa should be made to pay compensations for the losses and killings while culprits should not be shielded, but apprehended and punished.

The government needs to go a step further by enforcing a state of emergency and red alerts whenever foreigners are being attacked. They should stop sitting on the fence, tell the truth and face the issues squarely. Our continent would continue to lag as long as governments continue to sit on the fence; a situation deplored in Lenrie Peters’ poem titled, The Fence, “Where the body ages relentlessly and only the feeble mind can wander back there I lie in open-souled amasement”. According to Peters, there is an endless battle between the ‘truth and untruth’ because human beings are naturally inclined to tell lies when only the truth is called for, especially if truth-speaking would not be to their advantage. That is where the role of Catholic bishops everywhere becomes indispensable as the real voice of the voiceless.

By always telling the truth and avoiding sitting on the fence in promoting good governance, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) admits that Nigeria and Nigerians are deeply sorry for the wrong use of divine and naturally endowed gifts and blessing through acts of injustice, bribery, and corruption, as a result of which many of our people are hungry, sick ignorant and defenseless. Not only that, it is trite that we are weighed down not only by uncertainties but also by moral, economic and political problems that spur many people to flee our dear country. Getting xenophobia behind us requires one strong thing; stop sitting on the fence and telling the truth!

Kupoluyi writes from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), adewalekupoluyi@yahoo. co.uk,@AdewaleKupoluyi

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 16, 2019

PAGE 14

news

FG set to take mining, steel sector to greater heightAdegbite

By Usman Shuaibu

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here is need to promote the mining and steel sector so as to generate more revenue for the government’.

‘There is need to add value that will attract investors to the sector’. These were the words of the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite when he received a conglomeration of associations involved in mining led by the past Governor of Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda in his office in Abuja.

The Minister said that gone are the days when people will erroneously think that mining is meant for miscreants.

According to him, with the caliber of people in Nigeria venturing into mining, there is hope that in no distance time mining in Nigeria will metamorphosised from artisanal level to mechanized level. He thanked leaders of various mining –related associations for keeping faith in the sector believing that collaboration is inevitable to the growth of the industry. Adegbite assured them of his open-door policy especially in areas of driving the sector to a more productive height.

In his own remarks, the Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah said that it is high time mining took its pride of place in Nigeria, stressing that before the discovery of oil in Nigeria, mining was already contributing its quota to the revenue of the country. He challenged the various mining groups to take the industry with passion especially now that the federal government has earmarked the sector as a veritable too for the diversification of the economy.

Earlier the leader of the team and former governor of Bauchi State Isa Yuguda said from all indication mining is the way forward considering the imminent demise of oil in the global market. He enumerated the associations that were represented in the visit to include viz Small Scale Artisanal Miners Association, Gold Dealers Association, Miners for Buhari and Osibanjo Support Group, Quarrying Association and Women in Mining in Nigeria.

Yuguda said that their main purpose of coming was to welcome the ministers and reaffirm their commitment in partnering with the ministry in its developmental strides.

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 16, 2019

UNICEF to hype partnership with Kebbi govt. on maternal mortality From Ahmed Idris Birnin Kebbi

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he United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has assured the Kebbi State Government that despite the challenges facing the state on high rate case of the maternal mortality, UNICEF and other donor agencies will continue to partner and support the state in order to reduce the cases.

Delivering his speech at the lunching of ‘Alibishirinku’ programme meaning Breakthrough Action Nigeria social behavior change health held at the Presidential Lodge Birnin

Kebbi, UNICEF State Project Coordinator, Dr. Abdulhafiz Ishowo lamented over the high rate of death of pregnant women in some part of the state.

He explained further that UNICEF will continue to support the Kebbi State in order to promote the healthcare service delivery in the state, urged the participants to be commitment to the programme towards achieving the aims and objectives.

In her remark, the Wife of the Kebbi State Governor Dr. Zainab Bagudu shankafi, thanked all the donor agencies, most especially the USAID for supporting the programme which was been implemented in the state by

Breakthrough Action Nigeria.

She described the lunching of ‘Alibishirniku’ as a social behavior change health and value driven concept focused on the mother and child called geared towards creating demand for maternal and child health services through the use of different communication strategies.

Dr. Zainab added that since the inception of this present administration, and based on her profession, the present Government has organised medical outreach aimed at providing free medical services to all and has embarks on herculean task of revamping the primary healthcare delivery system by

signing the Law establishing the State primary Healthcare Development Agency.

“Strengthening the PHC system and making robust provisions to actualize PHC under one roof and payment of the State counterpart funding for health care provisions funds” she added.

She said that the lunching of the programme signifies the dawn of a new era, it mirrors hope and symbolizes the empowerment of women and well-being of the family, adding that the campaigned will also provide a new opportunity to advance the cause of maternal, newborn and child health at all levels of the society.

Kogi guber: Wada DSS, INEC to probe PVCs purchase

By Lateef Ibrahim

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he Engr Musa Wada Gubernatorial Campaign Organisation in Kogi State has tasked the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to begin investigation into the reports that the state government has activated a desperate deception to dispossess voters of their Permanents Voters Card (PVC) using some dubious Five Thousand Naira (N5,000) “loan” as bait.

Such plot, according to the Engr Musa Wada campaign organisation, is clearly a treasonable crime against the people and the state.

Engr Musa Wada is the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for the November 16 election in

Kogi State.

The campaign organisation made the call at the weekend in a statement by its Spokesman and Head of Communications and Strategy, Faruk Adejoh-Audu.

The statement reads “We have received reports that the outgoing government in Kogi State has activated a desperate deception to dispossess voters of their Permanents Voters Card (PVC) using some dubious Five Thousand Naira (N5,000) “loan” as bait.

“Right now we are informed the agents have been unleashed across the state particularly in rural areas to offer the said cash to poor and indigent people willing to submit their PVC as collateral for the scam.

“These agents of evil are said to be targeting communities with large voter populations across the state and were sighted in many

areas of Kogi East Senatorial District to execute the agenda of disenfranchising as many persons as possible.

“Reports from the other senatorial districts equally indicate a similar ongoing fraudulent scheme.

“Our findings indicate that this evil con is designed by the outgoing government as one last impetuous chicanery to stop as many people as possible from besieging the polling units on November 16 to massively evict it from the seat of power it has abused and desecrated for close to four years.

“The PVC stolen from the people using this decoy will be given to rogue elements to use in voting or to compromised adhoc electoral staff to use in hiking accreditation figures in polling units with the ultimate aim of writing results.

“We are advising the expiring regime in our state to please restrict itself to playing by the rules so as to get the consolation votes it can muster because we are resolved to resist any attempt at manipulating and rigging the imminent elections using every legitimate means at our disposal.

“It should really be a matter of concern that after almost four years in power, the outgoing regime cannot call in any goodwill or favour from the citizens of the state rather they are busy inventing and devising means of swindling the people of their right to determine who rules them.

“This Campaign organisation hereby demands that the Directorate of State Services (DSS), the independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) immediately commence an investigation into this evil plot which is clearly a treasonable

crime against the people and the state.

“We hereby call on the good people of Kogi State, the labour unions, religious organisations, market women, youth groups, students, community associations and all lovers of the liberty of our dear state to immediately alarm the masses of the ongoing scam using Five Thousand Naira (N5,000) as decoy to rob them of their right to vote.

“People should be enlightened to immediately raise alarm and call in the police or community leaders if anyone approaches them to submit their PVCs for any reasons whatsoever.

“The task of liberating Kogi State from the grip of hunger, lack of development and unfocused and cluelessness government, thuggery and violence belongs to all. We must all rise to defeat this desperate scam”, it said.

Omo-Agege decries violence in politics

By Musa Adamu

D Managing Director/CEO Lagos Waste Management Authority, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin (m) addressing some residents at Orile bus stop, during the LAWMA road show, to sensitize residents on the need to keep Orile to Badagry expressway and its environs clean; tagged zerowaste. With him are fmr. Managing Director, LAWMA, Mr. Ola Oresanya (2nd left); convener, Children for Cleaner Lagos, Ohekwuru Tony-Iji (3rd left); a LAWMA ambassador and renowned actor, Mr. Funso Adeolu (L) and the LAWMA family, recently in Lagos

Air Peace: Evacuation of more returnees at behest of Nigeria High Commission in S/Africa From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

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he slow pace of evacuation of Nigerians from South Africa following the xenophobic attacks is consequent on the inability of the Nigerian High Commission in the country to process the returnees documents, it has emerged.

The management of Nigeria’s major carrier, Air Peace, had also debunked the report that it has suspended the evacuation of Nigerians from South Africa Investigation reveals that the South Africa authorities that were supposed to expedite actions to ensure that the troubled Nigerians are airlifted out of country are frustrating the works of the High Commission.

A pointer to the hurdles

mounted by the hostile SA agencies was the half filled Air Peace Boeing 777-200 that brought the first batch of Nigerian returnees into the country last Wednesday, the management of the airline had planned to ferry 320 Nigerians in a swoop in the inaugural flight but for the South African Immigration services.

The airline aircraft conveying the first batch of Nigerian returnees had arrived the Nahco hajj and cargo ramp section of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos at 9.33 pm last Wednesday into the arms of anxious family members, government officials and agencies who profiled them before they began the journey to their respective states of origin.

The Chairman and CEO of

the airline, Allen Onyema said that Air Peace has not suspended the evacuation exercise but it is waiting for the Nigerian High Commission to get ready the next batch of Nigerians that would be taken out of the country that has become hostile to Africans.

He said that the airline would continue to bring back Nigerians who are willing to return to their country until the last evacuee is taken out of that country.

Onyema disclosed that indications from the Nigerian High Commission showed that about 1,000 Nigerians are still willing to return home but the airlift would start after the Commission has finished with paper work to prepare them for the flight home.

“I said it earlier that Air Peace

will bring back to our country all those Nigerians who are willing to return and we will continue to bring them back until the last evacuee is taken out of South Africa.

“I learnt from the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa that about 1000 Nigerians are willing to return home. So what Air Peace has agreed with the Commission is that when it finishes with documentation, settled with Immigration then the High Commission will notify Air Peace which will deploy aircraft to bring them back.

“This is to avoid what happened last time when 320 passengers were expected to be airlifted but South Africa authorities allowed 187 to make the flight,” Onyema told journalists in Lagos.

eputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege has decried the use of violence in politics, stressing that the police and all political parties in Nigeria should further ensure measures to tackle the menace.

Omo-Agege even condemned what he described as the barbaric stabbing of an All Progressives Congress (APC) loyalist in Delta State for allegedly celebrating President Muhammadu Buhari’s electoral victory at the Electoral Tribunal on Thursday.

The Deputy President of the Senate noted that such vicious resort to self-help can never reverse the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) electoral and judicial losses to the ruling APC. He emphatically stated the PDP supporter’s alleged vicious stabbing of a Buhari loyalist is condemnable and must be thoroughly investigated by the police.

The Deputy Senate President expressed shock and dismay over wide media reports that a PDP member allegedly stabbed an APC member who was celebrating President Buhari’s Thursday judicial victory in Effurun, Delta state.

Senator Omo-Agege decried the use of violence in politics, stressing that the police and all political parties in Nigeria should further ensure measures to tackle the menace.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and

Publicity, Yomi Odunuga, Senator Omo-Agege noted that reports of the ugly incident indicated that the police have already started looking into the matter and urged his constituents in Delta Central Senatorial district to keep calm and cooperate with the law enforcement agents investigating the matter.

According to him, “Even though our party, APC and President Muhammadu Buhari had a decisive populist electoral victory, as respecters of the law and democracy, we submitted ourselves to the judicial process and again, achieved incontrovertible victory.

“It is alarming to hear that, last Thursday when all Nigerians who respect the laws of the land were applauding the judicial triumph, someone from the other party took the loss so badly and allegedly took the laws into his own hands in such barbaric manner by attacking an APC loyalist with a broken bottle and almost snuffed out a life in the process.

“Again, I urge the police to ensure thorough investigation and prosecution as deemed necessary in the eyes of the law; our society must not condone such violence and all political parties have a duty to help give their members the orientation of due respect for the law”, he said.

Continuing, Omo-Agege, “It is futile for anyone to hope that such barbaric reaction can help reverse an overwhelming electoral and judicial loss”.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila chats with the team leader of PERL-ECP, a DFID project, Dr Adiya Ode, as the chairman House Committee on Defence, Hon. Babajimi Benson (left) looks on, after the opening ceremony of the retreat organised for aides of the Speaker, recently in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Kogi elections: FCT Minister preaches peace, unity

By Stanley Onyekwere

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he Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory, Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, has declared that the unity and peaceful coexistence of Kogi State is not negotiable, even as she called for a united force in the forthcoming governorship elections.

She made the call when a delegation of Kogi Political Triangle, led by the coordinator, Hon. Adamu Shuiabu, paid her a visit in her office.

The Minister, who emphasized the need to build bridges among the different ethnic groups in the state, also acknowledged that peace is a daunting task but achievable, stressing that the state will achieve more under one united body.

Aliyu however, called on the people of the state to support the government at the center in order to realize the dreams of the state,

observing that Kogi is blessed with ingenious and competent hands.

She also described women as devotees in nation’s building, while calling on them to use their numerical strength to vote massively for Governor Yahaya Bello, in the forthcoming Kogi governorship race.

“There is nothing we can achieve without peace. Kogi state is blessed with ingenious and competent men and women. We are doing well in building the nation, and nation building is a collective responsibility.

“I sincerely believe that Kogi State will be a hub of activities after the second tenure of Governor Yahaya Bello. Kogi State unity is not negotiable. It is not about a political party or ethnicity anymore.

“We must follow the government at the center to get the dividends of democracy in order to realize the Kogi of our dream. We

are stronger in unity. However, I know unity is a daunting task but achievable. Kogi State at this point of our political era needs continuity and consolidation.

“The Governor is an Ebira man, but serving other ethnic groups without discrimination. It is painful that in recent past, the state suddenly became a shopping center for other political bigwigs to decide who becomes Governor of the state,” she stressed.

On his part, the leader of delegation, Hon. Adamu Shuiabu, said that Kogi Political Triangle came into existence to ensure that ethic and senatorial politics come to a halt, while calling on other groups to promote peace and unity in the state.

The highpoint of the event was the conferment of matron of Kogi Political Triangle on the Minister of State for FCT by the group.

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 16, 2019

politics Tribunal upholds Gov Abiodun’s election

By Musa Adamu with agency report

INEC clears 52 candidates for Bayelsa guber

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he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that 52 political parties and its candidates are ready to participate in the Bayelsa State governorship election on November 16.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

reports that the form to that effect was displayed at INEC office in Yenagoa, the state capital on Friday.

The political parties are Accord, ANRP, ADP, APP and DPP, APGA, BNPP, CAP, PDP, APC, FJPN, Fresh Democratic Party and GPN, among others.

Some of the candidates are David Lyon, APC; Douye Diri, PDP; Azibataram Cameron, ANRP; Helen Okorodas, ACD. INEC Head of Department, Voter Education and Publicity in the state, Wilfred Ifogah, told NAN that a total of 52 parties were able to

provide candidates for the election.

Mr Ifogah said the candidates include 46 males and six females.

“Well, there are other parties but only these 52 parties met the qualifications and are able to provide candidates,” he explained.

T

he Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abeokuta at the weekend upheld the electoral victory of the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun.

The tribunal declared that the petition of the main opposition, Allied People’s Movement (APM) and its candidate, Adekunle Akinlade, challenging the victory of All Progressives Congress (APC) lacked merit.

Akinlade was supported by the immediate past governor of the state, Ibikunle Amosun, but he lost the election.

The chairman of the threemember panel, Yusuf Aliu, in a judgement read over four hours at High Court 8, in Isabo, Abeokuta, dismissed the APM’s petition seeking the disqualification of Abiodun on grounds of submitting false academic qualification.

The Tribunal ruled that the issue of academic qualification in Mr Abiodun’s affidavit had been laid to rest by the Appeal Court, and so, petitioner could not be allowed to reopen the same matter.

The Appeal Court had deemed it “statue barred.”

The Tribunal also said that opposition party filed the application challenging Mr Abiodun’s qualification outside the window of time allowed.

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

A

former factional chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Peter Odike, has said his faction has closed ranks with other aggrieved members of the party in the state.

He also said his faction will work with the recently inaugurated five-member executive caretaker committee by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

The executive caretaker committee chaired by Isaac Abbot was set up to oversee the affairs of the party’s branch in Rivers State.

It would be recalled that the Rivers chapter of the party lost

L-R: Former Ogun State Governor, Senator, lbikunle Amusu, Former Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; APC National Leader, Asiwsju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; former Interim Chairman of APC and Ex-Osun State Governor, Chief Bisi Akande; former National Vice Chairman of APC, South-west, Chief Pius Akinyelure; Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and his wife Mrs Betty AnyanmuAkeredolu, during traditional wedding ceremony of Governor Akeredolu daughter, at his residence Owo Ondo state at the weekend.

Rivers APC factions close ranks out of an opportunity to present a candidate in the governorship election due to the disunity within the party.

This granted the incumbent governor, Nyesom Wike, easy reelection.

Odike during a meeting at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja at the weekend said the party is no longer in factions in the state.

He called on the national leaders and the executive caretaker committee to ensure transparency so “as to prevent the reoccurrence of what happened in 2018 before the 2019 governorship election in the state.”

“We embrace the caretaker committee that has been set up by the party because we don’t want what happened in 2018 towards 2019 election to happen again.

“I told my people that I want to consult all the leaders of the party, I want to live with total peace in Rivers State. We are no longer factional.

“Hence, I am calling on the party’s national leadership to ensure that the caretaker committee that has been set should be transparent in all their dealings and ensure that everybody is carried along. Let people obtain their forms – those

people who want to contest positions from the ward, LGA to the State levels.

“We don’t want a situation whereby the ruling party will become opposition due to the fact that there have been quarrels…

I call on the party caretaker to remain politically unbiased,” Odike stated.

Victor Giadom, the acting National Secretary of the party, who received the factional leader, assured the members of the party in Rivers of a fair election process.

He said the party will ensure a “level playing ground for all to participate in the forthcoming

congresses to elect new leadership for the party in the state.”

APC NWC had approved the order of activities towards the conduct of ward, local government and state congresses for the state.

The official, however, advised other members and leaders of the party in the state to follow suit and embrace unity so as to avoid “unfortunate events of the last general election in the state.”

“If we are together if we are in cohesion, we have a good chance of winning Rivers State.

If you (Odike) are successful in bringing unity to the party in the state, your name will be written in

Ex Minister ‘Mama Taraba’ to join PDP

By Christiana Ekpa

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ormer Women Affairs Minister in President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure, Aisha Alhassan, who suffered defeat in the 2019 Governorship election in Taraba has said she has completed arrangements to return to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Alhassan was the gubernatorial flag bearer of United Democratic Party (UDP) in the 2019 elections in which she scored only 14, 651 votes.

‘Mama Taraba,’ as she’s fondly known, joined the UDP on the eve of the polls after she failed to secure the All Progressives Congress (APC)

ticket, a party she contested under in 2015 and was able to secure 275,966 votes to come second in the governorship polls.

Alhassan was subsequently made the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development by President Muhammadu Buhari, but had to resign amidst doubts over her political loyalty.

Alhassan told journalists on Sunday after a UDP stakeholders’ meeting in Jalingo that majority of her supporters in the 168 wards of Taraba had encouraged her to shift base to the PDP. She said the stakeholders meeting, which lasted till midnight

on Saturday, drew participation from all those who contested for various political offices under the platform of the UDP, executive members of the party from the ward to state levels and other respected elders.

Alhassan added that more than 80 per cent of respondents in an opinion poll conducted by a committee headed Alhaji Abdulmumini Vaki, a former PDP chairman in the state, which covered the 16 LGAs, suggested that she should move to PDP. The former minister said, based on the outcome of the opinion poll, she had no option than to go by the

decision of majority members of the UDP. According to the former minister, “I cannot go against the decision of the popular opinions of my supporters”, adding that she was glad that the committee did not suggest the APC as an option.

A communiqué issued at the end of the stakeholders meeting, a copy of which was made available to journalists in Jalingo on Saturday night, recommended that two committees be set up immediately to fast track the defection process.

According to the communiqué which was signed by the state UDP

Chairman, Hassan Chul, the first committee is to visit the national leadership of the UDP in Abuja to express the appreciation of supporters of the former minister for providing her the platform to run for the 2019 governorship election.

The communiqué added that the second committee is to arrange a meeting with PDP leadership in Taraba to work out modalities for the former minister’s official return to the PDP. Alhassan contested and won the election for the senatorial seat of Taraba North in 2011 under the PDP before defecting to APC in 2015.

PAGE 17

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 16, 2019

politics

…As Diri seeks truce with Alaibe, says PDP must unite

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overnorship candidate the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, at the weekend in Abuja disclosed that he was already reaching out to Timi Alaibe and the other aspirants whom he defeated at the party’s primaries.

Diri, a serving Senator and former member of the House of Representatives, maintained that PDP in Bayelsa cannot afford to go into the November 17, this year’s governorship election without being united.

Pointing out that Bayelsa is predominantly a PDP state, Diri said he emerged the candidate of the party as a result of wide consultations with all stakeholders in the state, including former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The Senator specifically said that he and his arch rival for the ticket and former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Timi Alaibe, remain brothers.

Senator Diri, who emerged victorious by defeating 20 other contestants, including Alaibe in the September 4 gubernatorial primary of the PDP, said he was already reaching out to Alaibe and others so that the party can present a formidable front ahead of the November 16 governorship election in the state.

Speaking at a media interaction in Abuja, he said “For clarity, a lot of people saw me as a staff of NDDC but I wasn’t. I was a political ally and a close person to Chief Timi Alaibe, believing that we were going to enthrone a government in Bayelsa that would be more responsive to the people.

“I was with Chief Alaibe for about 10 years. One thing or the other happened in each election we attempted. Then he would return to NDDC. A few of us didn’t feel very comfortable with that.

“Just to let you know, we hail from the same local government area, which is Kolokuma Opokuma.

So he is my brother. I see him as a brother and I believe that he too sees me as one.”

He revealed that they parted ways when he (Diri) accepted to join Governor Seriake Dickson’s campaign before the 2012 election

in the state.

According to him, “Being a former colleague, he (Dickson) invited me to be a part of the campaigns. In fact, when I accepted the offer and informed Chief Alaibe, my political ally at that time, he didn’t take it kindly. That was how we parted ways. So, I joined Governor Dickson, we campaigned, went into the election and he won in 2012.”

Saying that Bayelsa is predominantly a PDP state, Diri pointed out that he emerged the candidate of the party as a result of wide consultation with all stakeholders in the state, including former President Goodluck Jonathan and his pedigree.

In the words of Senator Diri: “The former President (Goodluck

Jonathan) was my governor. I worked under him as commissioner and that tells you the relationship that I had with him.

“Before then, even while I was the Executive Secretary of the Bayelsa Youth Development Centre, he was deputy governor under Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha. So we had known ourselves for a long while before he became president.

“While I was in the House of Representatives, there was a probe panel to investigate the former president. It was myself and Boma Goodhead from Rivers State, who kicked against a decision by the committee to invite the former president to appear before the panel and not even the floor of the house. I found that very ridiculous

and that brought about a serious disagreement between myself and a colleague from Kwara State, who was chairman of the committee.

“I saw in the national dailies the next day that I almost beat up the chairman. There was nothing like that. But I was visibly angry with what they were doing because I believe that no other former president had been so humiliated the way they wanted to humiliate him.

“So, I have a very cordial relationship with the former president and he was one of the key persons I consulted. I went to his house. He received me, and, in fact, took me to his wife. The wife was like our mother at that time he was governor. So, he gave me his blessings.

“I consulted very many other leaders before I finally went into the race.”

Diri described himself as a principled person and that he is neither a stooge nor an underdog in the governorship race.

He said he would shock those who underestimate him.

His words, “From my short profile I spoke about, it will be very clear to anyone in doubt about who I am, what I stand for and why I even accepted to work with the current governor.

‘I told you that Sylva was in power for five years and I didn’t get into Bayelsa State. That tells you I am a man of principles. I choose my friends and those I want to work with.

.Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau state (middle); receiving an award from former Speaker of Anambra stste Hon. Princess Chinwe Nwaebili (left), with them is former Speaker of Edo state Hon. Bright Omokhodia, during the dinner reception and award organized for the elected Governors and appointed Ministers who are the members of the Conference of Former Speakers of State Houses of Assembly (COFSSHA), at the weekend in Abuja.

Bayelsa guber: Alaibe heads to court, seeks justice

By Lateef Ibrahim

F

ormer Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Ndutimi Alaibe has approached the Federal High Court in Yenegoa Judicial Division, Bayelsa State with an application for cancellation of the result of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries held on September 4, this year.

Alaibe, in the suit, cited procedural flaws for his prayer.

The suit filed pursuant to Order 3(9) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019, seeks answers to questions bordering on obvious nonadherence to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act 2010, the Peoples Democratic Party Constitution and Election Guidelines, by the State Chapter of the party in the

conduct of the Ward Congresses, inclusion of local government council officials in the delegates list and the procedure for inclusion of three ad-hoc delegates.

Citing specific sections of relevant laws and guidelines, Alaibe is asking the court to examine the entire processes that resulted in the primaries and rule in his favour in the light of violations committed in a desperate move to impose a pre-determined candidate on the people out of 21 aspirants.

It would be recalled that the Timi Alaibe Campaign Organisation had raised objections against what it described as crass disrespect for legal procedures and party guidelines in the build-up to the conduct of the governorship primary election by the State Chapter of the PDP. The objection covered open disobedience to the party

constitution and electoral guidelines and the manner in which Ward Congresses were conducted; among others.

Specifically, the Campaign Organisation had protested the inclusion of the newly elected council chairmen, vice chairmen and councillors in the delegates list contrary to the provisions of the PDP Constitution.

The manner in which electoral and returning officers were picked to favour aspirants endorsed by the already biased leadership of the party in the state; the manner in which the 315 ad-hoc delegates were directed to vote contrary to already established judicial precedents; among other issues.

The suit, with reference number FHC/YNG/ CS/99/2019,has as defendants: the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Douye Diri, the Independent National Electoral

Commission (INEC), and Embeleakpo Alale for himself and representing the elected local government chairmen, vice chairmen and councillors of the PDP allowed to be delegates at the elective State Congress of the PDP in Bayelsa State held on September 3, 2019.

Also joined in the suit as defendant is Doubra Kumokou, for himself and on behalf of the Three Ad-Hoc Delegates allowed to be delegates at the elective State Congress.

The former Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs wants the court to determine whether the preelection actions and inactions of the defendants satisfied conditions specified in relevant sections of Nigeria’s Constitution, the Electoral Acts and certain sections of the PDP Constitution.

It is Alaibe’s prayers that

the entire processes be declared unconstitutional and the declaration of Senator Diri as the winner be declared invalid having failed to comply with relevant sections of the laws governing such processes.

He is also seeking an order setting aside the purported submission of Senator Diri’s name to INEC by the PDP as its candidate in the governorship election coming up on November 16, 2019 in view of the several legal and procedural infractions cited.

In view of this, he wants the court to order the conduct of fresh primary elections for the nomination and sponsorship of the candidate for the governorship election in Bayelsa State.

No date has yet been fixed for hearing in the case.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 16, 2019

PAGE 18

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 16, 2019

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SON, MAN sign 5-year deal on industrial growth, economic devt

By Miriam Humbe

A

s part of efforts to further promote economic and industrial growth through manufacturing in Nigeria and to provide a greater enabling environment for the ease of doing business, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) in Lagos.

The MoU which covers the operations of the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme for the certification of all locally manufactured products as well as the offshore conformity assessment programme (SONCAP) for imported products will be in force for 5years according to the document.

Speaking after the signing, SON Director General, Osita Aboloma Esq. stated that the mandate of his organization is primarily to promote local manufacturers in order to ensure rapid industrial growth, describing MAN as a formidable partner in progress.

He described the signing of the MoU as another milestone in the existing mutual collaboration between SON and MAN for the overall benefit of the nation’s economy and the welfare of its people.

According to him, the document took particular note of the interests of micro, small and medium enterprises as the fulcrum of industrial development and provides concessions for genuine manufacturers under the ambit of MAN. Aboloma urged the MAN leadership to put in place mechanisms against the abuse of the concessions granted, promote self-regulation amongst its members and join the SON quality vanguard by providing necessary information to aid the fight against the influx and distribution of substandard and life-endangering products.

Responding, MAN Director General, Mr. Segun Ajayi Kadiri described the signing as a necessary response to a lot of concerns by the association’s members, stressing that SON through the MoU has further demonstrated its avowed commitment to the development of the manufacturing sector in Nigeria.

He acknowledged the concessions to MAN members with particular reference to the importation of raw materials and machinery and promised to put necessary machinery in place to optimize the gains from the MoU. Mr. Kadiri stated that the timing of the MoU couldn’tbe better in view of the imminent implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and its likely implications for the manufacturing sector in Nigeria.

He urged other regulatory authorities in Nigeria to follow the example of SON as business facilitators to further provide a better enabling environment for the ease of doing business, in furtherance of the federal government’s initiative.

AfDB launches $2bn Global Benchmark bond due 16 September 2022

By Etuka Sunday

T

he African Development Bank has launched and priced a US$ 2 billion 3-year Global Benchmark bond due 16 September 2022, its first US$ benchmark of the year.

Launched on September 11, the bond issue is the Bank’s second Global Benchmark of 2019, following a EUR 1 billion 10-year priced in March 2019.

With this transaction, the Bank has now raised US$ 4.4 billion in 2019 to date and executed 61% of its borrowing program for the year. The transaction received strong support from investors globally, with order

books reaching US$ 2.8 billion and 53 investors participating.

The high quality of the order book is illustrated by the strong participation of Central Banks and Official Institutions, taking 64% of the allocations.

The African Development Bank decided to take advantage of favorable investor sentiment post summer break to access the 3-year tenor, in spite of volatile market conditions ahead of the Fed Meeting the following week.

The mandate was announced on Tuesday, September 10, at 12:00 London time with Initial Pricing Thoughts of Mid-Swaps + 13 basis points (bps) area.

The transaction met strong

interest from the outset, with Indications of Interest in excess of US$ 1.8 billion (excluding JointLead Managers interest) when order books officially opened at 08:00 London time the following morning, with initial price guidance of Mid-Swaps + 13bps area.

Momentum continued throughout the European morning, with orders in excess of US$ 2.5 billion around 11:20 London time. At this time, final pricing was set at Mid-Swaps + 13bps. Following the close of the order book in the US, the size of the transaction was set at US$ 2 billion by 14:20 London time.

The transaction was priced at

16:24 London time with a re-offer yield of 1.679%, equivalent to a spread of 8.75bps vs UST 1.5% 15 September 2022, the issuer’s tightest print vs US Treasuries to date.

“We are delighted with this successful dollar Global Benchmark, and particularly pleased by both the very high quality of the order book and the solid participation of African Central Banks. The African Development Bank achieved its tightest ever spread to US Treasuries, and we are grateful to our investors across the world for this outcome, and the financing it will bring to the African continent”.

L-R Minister State for Power, Mr. Goddy JediAgba, Emir of Zazzau, Dr. Shehu Idris and Minister of Power, Engr.

Sale Mamman, during a courtesy visit to the Emir’s palace in Zaria before commissioning a 33/11KV substation upgraded from 17.5MVA to 27.5MVA 33/11KV at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, at the Weekend in Kaduna State.

$17bn NLNG Train 7 Project ‘ll create 40,000 jobs -Engr. Wabote

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Wabote has said that the execution of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Train 7 project will at its peak create over 40,000 direct and indirect jobs.

He stated this in Abuja during the signing of the Letter of Intent (LoI) for the Train-7 Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) Contract between NLNG and the preferred consortium- SCD, which is constituted by three entities - Saipem, Chiyoda and Daewoo.

The Managing Director of NLNG, Engr. Tony Attah said at the event ”that Train-7 will move from Front End Engineering Design (FEED) to detailed design, construction, commission and delivery and this phase will attract almost $7bn with an addition of the upstream scope of $10bn which will boost the foreign direct investment profile of Nigeria.”

He pledged the company’s commitment to achieve the project within four to five-year period and hoped that it would sign the Final Investment Decision (FID) by the end of October 2019.

Dwelling further on the

opportunities, Wabote said “the NLNG Train-7 will deliver 100 percent engineering of all noncryogenic areas in-country. The total in-country engineering man-hours is set at 55 percent which exceeds the minimum level stipulated in the NOGICD Act, in line with our resolve to push beyond the boundary of limitations.”

The schedule of the NOGICD Act set the minimum engineering man-hours for FEED and Detailed Engineering on LNG Facility at 50 percent.

He stated further that the benefits of the Train 7 project will extend to site civil works on roads, piling, and jetties, 100 percent local procurement of all LV and HV cables, non-cryogenic valves, protective paints and coatings, sacrificial anodes and many other direct procurements from our local manufacturing plants.

The target, according to the Executive Secretary, is to assemble over 70 percent of all non-cryogenic pumps and control valves in-country, while other spin-off opportunities include logistics, equipment leasing, insurance, hotels, office supplies, aviation, haulage and many more.

He confirmed that the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva has charged stakeholders

connected with the NLNG Train-7 project to fast track actions related to it.

According to him, “the Minister has this project as one of his focus areas to put an end to the drought of FID’s in the oil and gas industry in the last few years”.

Apart from the job opportunities and the accruable revenues from this multi-billion dollars Train-7 project, the Minister also sees the additional tonnage of LPG to be produced from Train-7 as a key benefit to reduce importation of LPG into the country, he added. ”He is also excited that Train-7 project attracts other upstream gas supply projects required to keep the LNG train busy. The project opens up other development opportunities for some gas fields in the shallow and deep offshore acreages such as HI, HA, HK, and Opoukunou-Tuomo fields” the local content boss stated.

Wabote charged the SCD consortium to fully implement the agreed Nigerian Content levels as contained in the approved Nigerian Content Plan for Train-7 project, covering engineering, fabrication, civil works, local procurement, project services, logistics, equipment leasing, insurance, hotels, office supplies, aviation, haulage, human capacity development and jobs.

As part his remarks, MD of NLNG, Engr. Tony Attah commended NCDMB for completing its review of the commercial evaluation report of Train 7 in 48 hours, noting that it took the natural gas company about three months to produce the commercial evaluation summary.

While confirming that NCDMB had kept to its commitment of reducing its approval cycle on projects, the NLNG boss also thanked the Federal Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari and the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva for the support they provide for the project.

He lauded the three entities that constituted the SCD consortium Saipem of Italy, Japan’s Chiyoda and Daewoo of South Korea for delivering the FEED and participating in the EPC tendering.

He confirmed that the issuance of the LoI moved the NLNG even closer to the Final Investment Decision (FID) as the ceremony is the declaration of intent and commitment to the contractors who will go forward with the project.

Train 7 will move the company from 22-million-tons capacity from its six trains currently to 30 million tons, essentially about 35 percent increase in capacity.

Page 20

BU$IN€SS Beware of fraudsters masquerading as corporation’s officials -NNPC

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has advised that individuals and corporate bodies, locally and internationally, should be wary of unscrupulous elements parading themselves as officials of the corporation.

A release today in Abuja by NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, said the warning came in the wake of the claim by a group of dubious individuals to be representing “a Gas and Power Committee” of the corporation, hosting a chief executive of a United Kingdom based company in a purported “office of NNPC” in Abuja recently.

The release said one of the miscreants had claimed the identity of NNPC Chief Operation Officer (COO), Gas and Power, Engr. Yusuf Usman, all in an attempt to swindle the unsuspecting company based in Salehurst, Robertsbridge, East Sussex, UK. Mr. Ughamadu said the unsuspecting UK entity was saved from an ordeal when it reached out to the corporation’s London Office to authenticate the swindlers’ identity, following the difficulties the company had experienced in reconnecting with the conmen on telephone.

The release said one of the miscreants had given the unsuspecting UK company a fake call card of NNPC COO, Gas and Power, Engr. Usman.

The NNPC spokesperson advised individuals and corporate bodies, in their own interest, to verify the identity of any officials of NNPC from relevant units of the corporation before making commitments to avoid falling into the trap of swindlers.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 16, 2019

Nigeria records steady growth in Domestic LPG Utilisation -PPPRA

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) has said that the efforts of government, industry Operators and Regulators in deepening LPG Penetration is paying off as the nation continues to record rapid growth in the Utilisation of LPG in the country.

The Executive Secretary, PPPRA, Abdulkadir Saidu made

this disclosure in Abuja during an interactive session with the press.

The Executive Secretary added that while domestic utilization ranged between Forty thousand (40,000) MT and Fifty-four thousand (54, 000) MT from January to April 2018, July 2019 monthly utilization hit Seventyeight (78,000) MT. This figure is expected to increase in the months ahead as

some of government and industry initiatives take root.

Correspondingly, there has been a steady decrease in Kerosene utilization within the same period indicating that Nigerians are increasingly finding value in the switch to LPG from House Hold kerosene for cooking and other domestic purposes.

The rapid growth in LPG utilization is in fulfillment of the vision of the Government on

deepening LPG utilization in the country as encapsulated in the National Gas Policy 2017.

The Executive Secretary assures Nigerians that government, regulators, operators and other stakeholders will remain focused on the formulation and implementation of a stream of policies that will see to the actualisation of the 5 Million Metric Tons cumulative target by the year 2022.

T

he Minister of Power, Engr.

Sale Mamman has said, the Muhammadu Buhari next level administration will deliver uninterrupted power supply to Nigeria when all major power projects are completed before the end of its tenure.

He stated this after inspection of the 215 MW Kaduna Power Plant, 132/33KV Kudenda Substation and Mando

A

s part of its investor education programme, the Securiites and Exchnage Commission, SEC is to organize public enlightenment program for the Nigerian Army Ordinance Corps.

This was disclosed by the Head, Lagos Zonal office of the SEC, Mr. Stephen Falomo during a meeting between the Commission and Corps Commander, Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps, Major General O. A. Akintade and his team in his office in Lagos, weekend.

METRO

AMMC moves to mitigate abuse of recreational parks in Abuja

By Stanley Onyekwere

W

orried by the proliferation of nefarious activities within recreational parks in the nation’s capital city, the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) has revealed advanced plans to mitigate the menace.

Accordingly, the Council declared strong resolve to embark on intensive raid and removal exercise to address all infractions on such approved land use especially noise pollutions and all sorts of illegal activities around parks and gardens in the Territory.

To this end, AMMC officials last week commenced

comprehensive tour and marking of activities and structures within parks and gardens in the nation’s capital city.

Our correspondent reports that the AMMC team led by its Director of Administration and Finance (DAF), Mallam Suleiman Abdurameed and other heads of departments such as; Parks and Recreation, Development Control, Urban and Regional Planning, visited the busy Millennium park in Maitama, Surich Park and Covenant Park in Wuse Zone 6.

Also, the team visited Peka Parks and Garden, Wuse Zone 3 and Unique World Guarden, Wuse Zone 5, respectively, during which abatement and removal notices were served on operators of activities outside of approved

for gardens.

Speaking with newsmen during the exercise, Mallam Abdurameed, who is overseeing the affairs of AMMC, said the assessment and warning tour followed a directive by the FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, as the FCT Administration will not condone the infractions any longer.

He decried increasing illegal structures and activities within approved FCT Parks and Gardens, as they are not in conformity with their original land use plan.

According to him, this time around, the Council through its relevant departments will not only stop and remove operators of illegal activities within designated Parks and Gardens, but prosecute

them to serve as deterrent to others.

“For instance, this place is supposed to be a garden,the other part there is supposed to be a residential area . They have converted it to entertainment spot.

“You can see loudspeakers everywhere, booming loudspeakers and there is always music in the night depriving the residents in this area from having a good night rest and so on. So, the minister has directed that FCT Administration will not condone this type of behaviours any longer.

“They had notices before that they should revert to original land use. We are just coming round now, taking the final stock of what is happening here, we are

definitely not going to allow this to happen.

“So, we are coming round/ again to remark and we are telling them (Parks operators) to revert to the original land use for which these places are meant for,” he stressed.

However, when pressed to disclose timeframe for actual removal exercise, the AMMC boss said: “We are not giving any definite time. We have to come and enforce them to reverse back to original land use.

“We have our plans, to make sure that these places are developed to their original use.

And I cannot come to a place and start disclosing our strategy for somebody to pick up and start to sabotage.”

By Stanley Onyekwere Founder, Eloquent Impulse International Foundation, Oluwatosin Itunu addressing the crowd, during the free medical test and free skill acquisition programme, recent.ly in Lagos

transmission line in Kaduna at the weekend.

Engr. Saleh Mamman who was in company of the Minister of State, Mr. Goddy Jedy Agba,said aside from increasing generation capacity, the Kudenda Substation would be providing voltage support to Kaduna, Kano and Jos which would improve the quality of electricity distributed to the public.

Mamman who expressed satisfaction with the level and

quality of work done on the projects, warns contractors against any delay in completion of the projects.

“We are here to inspect the level of work done on the project and i can tell you that i am very sure Nigerians, particularly those in Kaduna, Kano, Jos and environment would begin to enjoy not only stable but quality power supply, when these projects are fully completed and put into use“.

He reiterated the commitment

of the Muhammadu Buhari led Administration to achieve its mandate of economic growth and development, as well as job creation in the country.

The Minister of State, Jeddy Agba on his part said they are taking stock of the progress of all power projects across the country, stressing their commitment in ensuring that all projects are delivered according to its contracts timeline.

The Ministers were told that

the Kaduna Power project which is 95 percent completed would reduce power outage and reduce system losses thereby increasing economic and social activities in Kaduna.

The project would harness power generation from Kaduna Power Plant, Gurara Hydro Power Plant and the Mando Grid at 135 KV in order to supply industrial and domestic conumers of Kaduna from 132/33KV Kudenda Substation.

SEC to organise outreach program for Nigerian Army Ordinance Corps

By Etuka Sunday

Page 21

FCT Minister condoles Media Aide over loss of wife

Power Ministers inspect Projects in Kaduna, Assures of Steady, Quality Supply

By Etuka Sunday

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 16, 2019

According to Falomo, the SEC would organise one outreach program at the Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps headquarters in Ojuelegba, with an expected participation of about one hundred (100) officers.

“One outreach program will also be held at the Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps training institute in Ojo with an expected participation of about three hundred (300) officers.

“It is hoped that these programs will become a continuous feature in the officers’ training program organized every quarter” he said.

He reiterated the commitment of the Commission to educate all stakeholders in order to encourage participation by local investors in the Capital Market currently dominated by foreign investors.

Falomo stated that the request made by the Corps Commander was in line with the market development plan of the Lagos Zonal office and would be executed swiftly.

He said some initiatives introduced by the Commission were to ensure an investorfriendly and attractive system such as e-DMMS, regularisation

of multiple accounts, Direct cash settlement, transmission of shares, among others.

Speaking earlier, the Corps Commander Major General O. A. Akintade explained that the aim of the visit was to establish a cordial working relationship with stakeholders upon his resumption of office about a month ago through a series of visits which commenced with the visit to the Commission.

Major General Akinlade expressed the hope that the Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps would benefit in full from the

Commission’s investor education program.

“We are also here to discover other more profitable investment options available to the Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps apart from the staff contribution scheme currently in place”.

Recall that the SEC had recently organised a one Day enlightenment outreach for officers of the Armed Forces, Police, and other Para-military and other agencies on the investment initiatives in the Capital Market, and how to protect their sundry investments in Abuja.

M

inister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, on behalf of the FCT Administration condoled with the family of his Special Assistant on Media Alhaji Abubakar Sani over the death of his wife, Hajia Sa’adatu Abubakar.

Bello, who was one of the earliest callers at the residence of the bereaved in the early hours of Friday, joined members of the family in prayers and laid supplications to God for the repose of the soul of the deceased.

A statement from the Chief Press Secretary to the FCT Minister, Anthony Ogunleye stated that other visitors at the residence of Alhaji Sani include the Chief of Staff to the Minister, Mallam Bashir Mai-Borno, members of the FCT Press Corps, FCT-based journalists as well as several heads of agencies and departments of the FCTA. Abubakar Sani was the Chairman of the FCT Press Corps until his appointment as the Special Assistant (Media) by Mallam Bello in 2015. He was re-appointed in August 2019.

Sympathizers trying to put off fire on a burning car at of Government Senior Secondary School Garki, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: NAN

FCTA set to takeover KOICA school, hails Korean Gov’t

By Stanley Onyekwere

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he Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has commended the Republic of Korea in promoting quality education in the Territory, thereby enhancing educational development of the nation’s capital.

This appreciation came

as FCTA awaits the official handover/takeover of a model school established by Korea and International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

Giving the commendation, FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, noted that best educational equipment are installed in the model school.

Aliyu made this point when

the Korea Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E In-Tea Lee, paid the FCT Administration a courtesy visit.

She used the occasion to task the Government of the Republic of Korea to replicate the quality of the model school established in Abuja in other states of the federation.

She described the

establishment of Nigeria/Model school as a proof of fruitful and beneficial bilateral relationship that exists between both countries.

Earlier, the Korea Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E Major General In-Tea Lee, informed the Minister that the Korea Government has tentatively fixed September

26, 2019, as handover date of the school to FCTA, just as he expressed happiness on the level of work done.

He revealed that high quality equipment have been installed in the school for teaching and learning comparable to any school in the world, while commending the FCT Administration for the maintenance culture.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 16, 2019

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Saudi oil attacks: Iran condemns US ‘deceit’ after accusation

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ran has accused the US of “deceit” after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Tehran was behind damaging drone attacks on two Saudi oil facilities.

Mr Pompeo had rejected claims by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels that they had carried out the attacks.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said that “blaming Iran won’t end the disaster” in Yemen.

Saudi Arabia said Saturday’s strikes had halved its crude oil production to 5.7 million barrels a day.

All eyes will be on the markets when they reopen on Monday, with experts expecting a significant rise in price.

Since ousting Yemen’s president in 2015, the Houthis have been fighting a Saudi-led and Western-backed coalition.

They said they had deployed 10 drones to attack the Abqaiq processing plant and the Khurais oilfield early on Saturday.

But Mr Pompeo said there was “no evidence” the drones came from Yemen and instead accused Iran.

The US has blamed Iran for other attacks on oil supplies in the region this year, amid continuing tension following President Donald Trump’s decision to reinstate sanctions after abandoning the landmark international deal which limited Tehran’s nuclear activities.

What has Iran said about the US accusations?

Mr Zarif took to Twitter to deride the US secretary of state, saying that “having failed at max pressure, Sec Pompeo’s turning to max deceit”.

He was referring to the Trump administration’s stated “maximum pressure campaign” which has targeted Iran with sanctions.

A Nasa satellite image shows smoke from fires following the drone attacks Mr Zarif said the US and its allies were “stuck in Yemen because of the illusion that weapon superiority will lead to military victory”.

“What is happening in the region today, which has also worried the world, is in fact because of the wrong policies adopted by the US and the plots hatched by the country,” he said.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has said prevention of US “aggression” is the only way to ensure regional security.

What’s behind Mr Pompeo’s claims?

The US secretary of state gave no specific evidence to back up his accusations, simply saying: “We call on all nations to publicly and unequivocally condemn Iran’s attacks.”

The US would work with its allies to ensure “Iran is held accountable for its aggression”, he said.

The US has previously accused Iran of attacks on two oil tankers in the Gulf in June and July, as well as on another four in May. Tehran rejected the allegations in both cases.

If the Houthi rebels had deployed the drones from Yemen, they would have to have flown them hundreds of miles.

However, one element of the Houthi statement on the attacks

A Nasa satellite image shows smoke from fires following the drone attacks did thank “co-operation with the honourable people inside the kingdom”.

The distance from the nearest point on the Yemen border to the closest target, the Khurais oilfield, is about 770km, well beyond the range of the normal Houthi attack drone, the Qatef-1.

However, UN investigators have highlighted the existence of a new Houthi drone, the UAV-X, which could reach up to 1,500km.

The Wall Street Journal has said experts are also investigating whether the attacks could have

been carried out from the north - either by Iran or its Shia allies in Iraq - using cruise missiles rather than drones. If so, it seems unlikely they would have escaped detection.

On Sunday, Iraq’s Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi denied “what is circulated on social media networks that its territory was used to attack Saudi oil facilities with drones”.

The Washington Post newspaper said the US government believed that 15 buildings at Abqaiq had been

damaged on the west-northwest sides, not the southern sides facing Yemen.

What is Saudi Arabia doing about supplies?

The Saudis have not gone into any detail about the attacks, barring saying there were no casualties, but have given a few more indications about oil production.

Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said some of the fall in production would be made up by tapping huge storage facilities.

Lib Dems pledge to cancel Brexit if they win general election

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he Liberal Democrats have pledged to cancel Brexit if they come to power at the next general election.

Members voted for the new policy at their party conference in Bournemouth by an overwhelming majority.

Previously, the party has backed another referendum or “People’s Vote”, saying they would campaign to Remain.

After the vote, their leader Jo Swinson, said: “We will do all we can to fight for our place in Europe, and to stop Brexit altogether.”

The commitment only comes into force if the party wins the election as a majority government.

Ms Swinson also confirmed that before an election is called, the Lib Dems would continue to work with other opposition

parties to campaign for a further referendum, and to prevent a “dangerous” no-deal Brexit.

In his first speech at conference as a Lib Dem MP, Chuka Umunna - who left Labour over its Brexit stance - said it would give the party a “clear, unequivocal position”.

He said: “This [policy] will stop this national embarrassment and enable us to focus on the things that really matter.”

But former Lib Dem MP Simon Hughes had called on members to reject the policy, saying it would “take the focus away” from getting another referendum.

He said that as the first referendum was a decision made by the people, “it can only be the people who can reverse [it]”.

The government says it is trying to get a deal with the EU

so it can leave on 31 October - the current deadline agreed with the EU. Home Secretary Priti Patel said the “entire machinery of government” was focused on securing that deal.

The PM is due to meet European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker in Luxembourg this week, as negotiations aimed at securing a deal continue.

MPs passed a new law earlier this month that forces Boris Johnson to ask the EU for an extension to the deadline if a deal isn’t agreed by 19 October - two days after a key EU summit.

But the prime minister has said he would rather be “dead in a ditch” than ask for a delay, and the UK will leave the EU at the end of next month “whatever happens”.

The Lib Dems’ motion said that if the party became the government at the next general election, it would revoke Article 50 - the law that ensures the UK leaves the EU. Earlier, Ms Swinson told the BBC’s Andrew Marr show: “If people put [the Lib Dems] into government... the stop Brexit party, then stopping Brexit is exactly what people will get.

“Everybody can see we are stuck, that Brexit is in a mess.

There needs to be a way out of that.”

Moving the motion in Bournemouth, Sir Vince said: “Brexit will make us poorer and risks breaking up our United Kingdom.

“We must stop it and we will.”

He added: “Jo [Swinson] is ready to steer us back into

government as our new captain.

“And now, I am full of confidence and hope for our party and for our country.”

The all important ‘if’ Analysis by BBC political correspondent Jonathan Blake In Brexit terms, revoking Article 50 could be considered the nuclear option, stopping dead the process of leaving the EU. It’s just what the Liberal Democrats want and now they’ve adopted a policy to do exactly that - if they win a general election.

But the most important word in the last sentence is “if”.

If they don’t find themselves in government they will, we can assume, revert to campaigning for a further referendum as the best way to reverse the result of the last one.

So, this policy allows the party

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Tunisia holds second free presidential election T

unisia is holding its second free presidential poll since the 2011 uprising that toppled ex-president Ben Ali and sparked the Arab Spring.

It was brought forward from November after the death in July of Beji Caid Essebsi, the first democratically elected president, who took office in 2014.

Twenty-six candidates, including two women, are running in the election.

It is widely viewed as a test of one of the world’s youngest democracies.

Mr Essebsi won Tunisia’s first free presidential elections in 2014 and was credited with largely maintaining stability in the country during his almost five-year rule.

At 92, he was the oldest sitting president in the world at the time of his death. Mr Essebsi had previously confirmed that he was not planning to run for reelection. His wife, Chadlia Saida Farhat, died on Sunday morning, aged 83, their son announced on Facebook as voting was getting under way.

Parliament speaker Mohamed Ennaceur is currently acting as interim president.

How does the vote work?

A candidate needs a majority of votes to win the election. If no-one gets a majority in the first round, the two candidates with most votes will face a second, decisive round.

Presidential candidates have held campaign events across the country The winning candidate will be appointed to office for a five-year term.

The constitution states that Tunisia’s president has control over defence, foreign policy and national security. The prime minister, chosen by parliament, is responsible for other portfolios.

Parliamentary elections are scheduled to take place in October.

Why is this election significant?

The country has won praise as the only democracy to emerge from the Arab Spring uprisings that began in Tunisia, before spreading across the Middle East and North Africa.

In what was hailed as a sign of its successful democratic transition, Tunisia this month held its first-ever televised debate of presidential candidates.

The campaign period featured the first ever televised debate of presidential candidates However, it has not all been smooth sailing. In recent years, the country has suffered attacks

by Islamists and economic problems, with unemployment a persistent issue In 2018, protesters across the country took to the streets to oppose the government’s austerity measures.

Seven million voters are expected to head to the ballot box Prime Minister Youssef Chahed told Reuters news agency that economic opportunities must improve “if Tunisia is to join the club of strong democracy”.

How did we get here?

Tunisia is the birthplace of what has become known as the Arab Spring uprisings.

Widespread discontent at economic hardship, decades of

autocratic rule and corruption erupted into mass demonstrations in December 2010 after a street vendor set himself on fire when officials confiscated his cart.

The unrest led to the ousting in 2011 of President Ben Ali, who had been in power for 23 years.

Three years later, Tunisia’s parliament approved a new constitution, which detailed how

the new democracy would be run.

The text was hailed by the United Nations as a “historic milestone”. Significant aspects included the recognition of equality between men and women, guaranteeing personal freedoms and splitting power between the president and prime minister.

Stadium three-quarters empty

By Andrew Harding, BBC Africa correspondent

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right sunshine, enthusiastic crowds, and a fond, emotional farewell to Robert Mugabe at the National Sports Stadium here in Harare. True. But only up to a point.

As the coffin carrying Zimbabwe’s founding father was wheeled into the stadium, it was immediately and uncomfortably clear that only a few thousand members of the public had bothered to show up for this funeral service.

African leaders, past and present, filed into the stadium to applause, alongside veterans of the continent’s liberation struggles. Mr Mnangagwa - the man who overthrew Mr Mugabe two years ago - sat just two seats away from Mr Mugabe’s widow, Grace.

The public tributes to Mugabe’s role as a liberation hero - paid by a succession of speakers including Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta - came in sharp contrast to the final words of the Mugabe family’s own representative, Walter Chidhakwa, whose voice cracked as he spoke of his uncle’s final years after he’d been removed from office.

“He was a sad man. A sad, sad, sad

man. It was a hard and excruciating journey.”

It was a powerful reference to the clear tensions that still exist between the current government and the Mugabe family.

More than a dozen current and former African leaders attended the funeral, hailing Mr Mugabe as a panAfricanist who had dedicated his life to the people of Zimbabwe.

Mr Kenyatta said he was unwavering in his insistence that Africa’s problems demanded African solutions.

Later the crowds booed and jeered at South African President Cyril Ramaphosa - which appeared to be a reaction to the xenophobic violence across South Africa in the last month.

He acknowledged the boos by

saying “in the past two weeks, we as South Africans have been going through a challenging period. We have had acts of violence erupting in some parts of our country… This has led, as I can hear you’re responding to, to the deaths and injuries of a number of people”.

But he insisted: “We as South Africans are not xenophobic”.

When and where will Mugabe be buried?

The funeral follows a row between the Mugabe family and the government over his burial.

It has now been agreed that he will be buried in the National Heroes’ Acre monument in Harare, his family says.

Family spokesman and nephew Leo Mugabe says this should be in about a month, when the new shrine

to Mugabe will be built at the existing Heroes’ Acre.

Earlier plans to have a burial on Sunday appear to have been cancelled.

Mugabe, who was 95, died last week while being treated in Singapore.

Who was Robert Mugabe?

Mugabe was Zimbabwe’s first leader after the country became independent in 1980. He held on to power for almost four decades before being ousted in the 2017 coup.

During his early years, he was praised for broadening access to health and education for the black majority.

However his later years were marked by violent repression of his political opponents and Zimbabwe’s economic ruin. An increasing number of critics labelled him a dictator.

He seized land from white owners

in 2000.

Mugabe famously declared that only God could remove him from office.

In 2017 he was placed under house arrest and, four days later, replaced as the leader of his party Zanu-PF by his former vice president, Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Mugabe initially refused to resign.

But, on 21 November, as a motion to impeach him was being debated in the Zimbabwean parliament, the speaker of the House of Assembly announced that he had finally left office.

Mugabe negotiated a deal which protected him and his family from the risk of future prosecution and enabled him to retain his various business interests. He was also granted a house, servants, vehicles and full diplomatic status.

Mugabe funeral: Leader’s body kept in hometown after state funeral

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he body of Zimbabwe’s former president Robert Mugabe is being kept in his birthplace, after a sparsely-attended state funeral in the capital Harare.

African leaders hailed Mr Mugabe as a liberation hero, while current Zimbabwean president

Emmerson Mnangagwa said “our motherland is in tears”.

But most seats in the 60,000-capacity stadium were empty.

Many Zimbabweans said they would shun the ceremony because of the repression that marked Mr

Mugabe’s later rule.

The country’s economy is in crisis, with soaring inflation and unemployment, and some blame this on the former leader.

“We are happier now that he is gone. Why should I go to his funeral? I don’t have fuel,” a

Harare resident told AFP. “We don’t want to hear anything about him anymore. He is the cause of our problems.”

Mr Mugabe’s body will be viewed by the public in his rural hometown, Kutama, on Sunday, local media report.

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Malaysia queen denounces arrest of online critics T

he Raja Permaisuri Agong said she and the king had not asked the police to act and she was very upset at the news.

This followed Friday’s arrest of an activist in the western city of Klang for allegedly posting insults.

The Raja Permaisuri Agong is thought to have first deleted her account on Wednesday.

It prompted thousands of Malaysians to urge her to reconsider and continue posting updates.

The Raja Permaisuri Agong full name Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Sultan Iskandar - is the wife of Malaysia’s current head of state.

Malaysia has an unusual constitutional monarchy, where the top job rotates between nine hereditary state rulers every five years.

What did the queen say?

In a series of tweets that have now been deleted, the Raja Permaisuri Agong said she had originally left Twitter for personal reasons.

“I am truly upset that the police have detained those people.

Through the years, my husband and I have never made any police report on bad things said about us,” she wrote, according to the Straits Times newspaper.

“It’s a free country,” she added.

She said she had reactivated her Twitter account after hearing about the arrest because she was “angry and upset”.

“I myself told the Pihak Istana to inform the police to not take any action. I repeat again, I did not deactivate my account because of them,” she said.

“My husband and I have never made police reports, and I have never been sad (when I read comments about me); instead I laugh because Allah knows who I am!” she added.

What happened to the activist?

Late on Friday evening Khalid Ismath, a member of the Parti Socialis Malaysia (PSM) party, was arrested for allegedly posting offensive messages about the queen.

He was arrested under a 1948 sedition law - which has long been criticised by the political opposition and rights groups and subsequently spent the night in a police station before being released on bail on Saturday.

Lawyers and local rights groups criticised Mr Ismath’s arrest. Sevan Doraisamy, head of local rights group Suaram, said it amounted to “nothing more than intimidation” by police.

PSM deputy chairman S

New Zealand: Man brings clown to redundancy meeting

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hen copy writer Josh Thompson received an ominous email from his bosses asking to discuss his role at the company, he knew he was facing redundancy.

The human resources department at FCB New Zealand encouraged him to bring a “support person” to help cushion the blow, an option that is legally required in New Zealand.

But rather than bring a family member, a friend or even a pet, the part-time standup comedian decided to splash out NZ$200 (£100) on a clown called “Joe”.

“I was working - because I had a job back then - and I got an email and the email said: ‘Hi Josh we’d like to meet with you to discuss some matters in regards to your role,’” he told the BBC from Australia, where he has been “making the most of not having a job”.

“Basically I sensed that this was going to be a redundancy ... so I thought I might as well try to make the best out of this

situation,” he added.

“Joe” accompanied Josh for the redundancy meeting, where the clown made balloon animals, although he had to be told to stop a few times as it was difficult to hear above the screeching of plastic.

“Boy, oh, boy, are they noisy,” Josh said.

When Josh was finally delivered the hammer blow that he was to lose his job, the clown reacted accordingly.

“He nodded his head along when I received the bad news as if he was also receiving the bad news,” Josh said.

“Professionalism at its finest, really.”

Josh said he’d highly recommend hiring a clown as support for any suspected redundancy meeting.

“If you’ve got family, friends, step mums, step dads, step kids, bring them by all means,” he said.

“But if there’s a clown available, especially Joe, I’d definitely recommend it.”

education T

Arutchelvan told the Straits Times that the arrest had been unnecessary and said Mr Ismath had denied insulting the queen.

Why did the queen leave Twitter in the first place?

Before briefly reappearing on Twitter, she posted on Instagram that she had left Twitter for

personal reasons and not because she was offended at what people were writing about her. She also urged people against reporting posts to the police.

Her Instagram post was shared on Twitter by her daughter.

The Raja Permaisuri Agong had been criticised on social media

during Malaysia’s Independence Day celebrations on 31 August for taking lots of photographs, with some saying she had “behaved like a small child”, according to the Malaysia Star newspaper.

But she responded that the king had asked her to take the pictures.

Four Indian men drown in Italian farm manure tank near Pavia

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our Sikh men from Punjab have drowned in a slurry tank on a dairy farm near Pavia in northern Italy.

Investigators suspect that the four were overcome by carbon dioxide fumes from the cow manure. They believe that three died after jumping in to rescue a worker who had been emptying the tank.

Two owned the farm and two were employees. All were Indian citizens. The two brothers Prem and Tarsem Singh registered their farm in 2017.

It is about 45km (28 miles)

from Milan.

Italian media report that the Singhs’ farm at Arena Po, producing milk and veal cattle, is one of the biggest in the Pavia region.

The victims were named as: Prem and Tarsem Singh, aged 48 and 45 respectively, Arminder Singh (29) and Majinder Singh (28).

The manure was being collected for use as fertiliser on the farm’s fields.

The victims’ wives raised the alarm when the men failed to turn up for lunch on Thursday. They rushed to the scene and spotted one

body in the sewage.

The wives then called in firefighters, who donned masks and emptied the tank to recover all the bodies.

Italy’s public broadcaster Rai says the Arena Po tragedy brings to 486 the total of deaths in work accidents in Italy this year - the highest toll since 2016.

The new agriculture minister, Teresa Bellanova, tweeted condolences and said “safety at work is an inalienable right and we must make every effort to ensure it is respected”. She was a farm labourer herself as a teenager.

Indian man, 32, caught impersonating 81-year-old to board US flight

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n Indian man disguised as an 81-year-old was caught trying to board a plane to New York with a fake passport, authorities say.

The man, named as 32-yearold Jayesh Patel, was arrested at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Sunday.

With a dyed white beard and large spectacles, Mr Patel passed through initial security and immigration checks in a wheelchair, local media report.

But not all officials were fooled.

“He was definitely not 80 years old. His skin was of a younger person,” a spokesperson for the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) told CNN. During a later security check, suspicions were raised when Mr Patel refused to be searched, claiming he was too old to stand.

When asked for documentation, he handed over a passport bearing the name of Amrik Singh, born on 1 February 1938 in Delhi.

“The appearance and skin texture of the passenger seemed to be much younger than mentioned in the passport,” the CISF spokesperson said.

Under questioning, Mr Patel confessed that he was impersonating an old man, and that the passport was not legitimate.

Mr Patel was detained and handed over to immigration authorities while an investigation takes place.

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Kaduna govt. enrolls 587,000 pupils, students into public schools From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Malaysia’s queen has briefly returned to Twitter to express disappointment at police arresting people for allegedly insulting her on social media.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, September 16, 2019

he Kaduna State Government has said that it is set to enroll not less than 587,000 pupils and students into its public primary and junior secondary schools in the 2019/2020 academic year.

The Commissioner for Education, Dr Shehu Makarfi, disclosed this during an unscheduled visit to monitor an ongoing construction and renovation of public schools at Rigasa yesterday in Kaduna.

Makarfi said that the state’s Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), had begun sensitising and mobilising communities to enroll about 145,000 out-ofschool children into primary schools across the state.

According to him, about 300,000 pupils are also expected to be enrolled into the Junior Secondary Schools, majority of which will be public schools.

He added that 142,000 other students would be moved to the Senior Secondary Schools.

Makarfi said that the government was making consistent efforts to upgrade infrastructure in schools in a bid to accommodate the huge number of children yearning for sound and quality education in the state.

“We have awarded several contracts for the construction of additional classrooms and renovation of existing ones to increase access to primary and post primary education and

provide conducive learning environment.

“For example, over 170 classrooms are being constructed in Rigasa community alone.

“This is why we are going round to see the progress of work and the performance of the contractors with a view to ensure quality and timely completion of the projects.

“Also, contract will soon be

awarded for the conversion of 13 Government Day Secondary Schools to boarding schools as part of measures to increase access,” he said.

The commissioner, who expressed satisfaction with the quality and performance of some of the contractors, urged others to sit up and do the needful.

He said that the ministry had met with some of the contractors

about two week ago and looked at the challenges hindering the execution of about N6.4 billion worth of contracts awarded.

“The government has since commenced payments to contracts because we want these projects to be completed. We are therefore, urging all contractors to mobilise back to site.

“However, we will also blacklist under-performing contractors

and work with only those who are ready to deliver quality projects within the stipulated time,” he added.

Makarfi also said that teachers were also undergoing various forms of training to improve their capacity to deliver quality teaching and improve learning outcomes of pupils and students in all public schools.

Some Heads of Departments and Parastals of the Federal Ministry of Education briefing the Minister, recently in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Intervene in our case, sacked LASU lecturers beg Sanwo-Olu

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he embattled Secretary of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Lagos State University chapter, Dr. Tony Dansu, has pleaded with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene in the case of the dismissed executive members of the union.

Dansu, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos, made the plea following the dismissal of three executive members of the union and five other lecturers sacked by the university’s Governing Council.

NAN reports that the council had, at its 122nd meeting on September 12, promoted 31 academic staff and 346 non-academic staff.

The council also approved the dismissal of eight academic staff and three non-academic staff.

Their offences bordered on allegations of absconding from duty, certificate falsification, theft of confidential documents, sale of marks, among others.

“We have written several letters to the governor and we know that he will come to our aid, because he does not support impartiality.

“Our dismissal was a struggle between the truth and falsehood, which

is quite unfortunate that we found ourselves in this university system.

“The leadership of the university is actually doing the direct opposite of what the university stands for, by killing voices in the system.

“This is what the union is trying to check, because we are the watchdog in the system and conscience of the nation,” he said.

The ASUU leader explained that the Lagos State House of Assembly had, three weeks ago, invited the union and the university management to address the issues.

The union leader advised that the two parties should sheath their swords and settle.

“The House asked the vicechancellor to come up with a committee, with the hope of achieving three things, including the recall of the erstwhile chairman and vice-chairman of the union that were dismissed in 2017.

“It also involves the restoration of the checkup dues that was illegally stopped by the management and stopping the panel committee,” he said.

According to him, the House had directed that all the parties reconvene,

after three months, to assess the achievements, “but the [LASU] management has now broken the agreement.

Dansu recalled that the union had expected that the vice-chancellor, on his appointment, would hold firmly unto the rule of law, being a professor of law.

“When he got here, we discovered that he continued with the trend which others have been doing before him.

“This nepotism does not pay a university; we insisted on transparency, which he saw clearly, that union was going to give him a problem, so they decided to kill the union.

“That was the reason they came up with so many charges against the chairman and vice-chairman of our union in 2017 and also dismissed them, ” he said.

Dansu said the union had also demanded for an investigation on why the VC’s promotion was backdated from 2014 to 2008, because there was no Governing Council document to support it.

“Instead of the university management to address the issue, they queried me and the Assistant Secretary of the union, that we stole confidential

documents.

Dansu said that the affected union officials had approached the court to seek redress on the matter, and the court in its ruling also said that they have right to official documents as unionists.

In his reaction, the university spokesman, Mr. Ademola Adekoya, said the university proceeded with the disciplinary process following a court judgment that permitted it to do so.

Adekoya said the court also ruled that following the decision of the university on the matter, the union could still approach the court for a redress if they were not satisfied.

“They can either appeal, which is the procedure of the university, or go back to the court.

“The only body that can stop the process is the court.

“The Lagos State House of Assembly cannot tell us what to do, because that is an interference,” he said.

Adekoya, however, noted that the decision on the dismissal was reached by more than a body, as it started with the Investigative Panel, Joint Committee of Heads and Council,

before the Governing Council made its final decision.

NAN also reports that the sacked staff were: Dr. Henry Gbelee of the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Clinical Sciences; Dr. Oluwakemi Aboderin-Shonibare, Department of African Languages, Literature and Communication Arts and Treasurer, ASUU-LASU. Others include: Dr. Adeolu Oyekan, Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts, also Assistant Secretary ASUU-LASU; and Dr. Anthony Dansu, Department of Human Kinetics, Sports and Health Education, also Secretary, ASUU-LASU. The rest were: Mr. Kehinde Coker of the Department of Religions and Peace Studies, Faculty of Arts; Mr. Oladapo Akinyemi, Pupil Engineer, Works and Physical Planning Unit; Mrs. Alaba Odu, Faculty of Science; and Mr. Wasiu Busari, Security Unit, among others.

NAN recalled that LASU had, in September 2017, sacked Dr. Isaac Oyewunmi, the erstwhile chairman ASUU-LASU; and Dr. Adebowale Adeyemi-Suenu, erstwhile vicechairman, ASUU-LASU and 15 others.

(NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, September 16, 2019

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Feature

Battling for survival on the frontier of climate change

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hen the rains stopped coming two years ago, transforming Denise Reid’s once flourishing banana fields into an expanse of desiccated wasteland, she was bewildered at first.

Here in rural Portland, Jamaica’s wettest parish for as long as anyone can remember, farmers like Mrs Reid are battling for survival on the frontier of climate change.

“I couldn’t understand why it was so dry. We used to have lovely seasons; now everything has changed,” she says.

Evolving weather patterns are making their impact felt across the Caribbean in prolonged droughts, incessant bush fires and worsening storms.

And Jamaica’s reliance on rain-fed farming, with many smallholdings set on mountain slopes prone to landslides, has left the sector particularly vulnerable.

In a nation where one in six working people earns a living from agriculture, the losses are far-reaching and sorely felt.

Smart tools Now, experts behind a trailblazing venture with innovative technology at its core hope to give islanders the tools to fight back.

A climate-smart project is being implemented and funded by the Netherlands-based Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) in three parishes in the east of Jamaica, which is most susceptible to extreme weather.

Working closely with government agencies, the aim is to boost productivity and food security, while improving planters’ resilience and income.

Data is gleaned from weather satellites, combined with local met offices’ predictions and delivered to farmers via sophisticated weather apps. The free apps, downloaded onto smartphones, are capable of forecasting three months ahead.

Farmers can also sign up for planting tips via text message and early warning alerts for hazards like flash floods and fires.

The work has seen 5,000 farmers across Portland, St Mary and St Thomas digitally profiled for the first time. Storing their personal details, plus information about their farms and produce, onto a national database means they can receive location-specific advice.

Coupled with savvy land management training and the development of drought-resistant seeds by the Jamaican government, farmers are expected to see up to a 40% increase in output within two to three years.

CTA’s senior programme coordinator Oluyede Ajayi, who heads similar work in Mali and Ethiopia, says the weather apps boast an impressive 88% reliability.

Mrs Reid may have lost hope for her beloved bananas but expects to reap thousands of pounds of hardier pineapples this year instead.

“I started with just 17 plants,” she says proudly, surveying the abundance of fruit thriving again at her Belle Castle orchard.

Mulching to retain moisture is just

CLASSIFIED PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

VALETINE NWABUEZE FOUNDATION

SOCIETY OF HUMANITARIAN AND DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONALS IN NIGERIA

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. NWABUEZE VALETINE 2. NWABUEZE ROSE 3. NWABUEZE IFECHUKWU THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1. TO PROMOTE CHARITY AND EDUCATIONAL EMPOWERMENT TO LESS PRIVILEGE. 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.

one of the techniques she was taught by attending local farmer forums. The regular gatherings are also used to share information from the apps to growers with limited internet connectivity.

‘The river took it’ In neighbouring St Mary, parts of the Pagee River, used for irrigation by farmers for decades, have been bone dry since March.

Vultures soar above a former coconut plantation destroyed by one of hundreds

“

of fires that have plagued the parish this summer.

Howard White lost his previous farm to intense floods.

“The river came and took it by night,” he recalls with a shudder. “My two feet trembled when I saw that but I knew I had to stay strong and replant.”

It is not just erratic rainfall giving him headaches but crucifying heat too, he continues, wiping his brow.

June was the hottest month ever

Now, experts behind a trailblazing venture with innovative technology at its core hope to give islanders the tools to fight back.

A climate-smart project is being implemented and funded by the Netherlands-based Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA)

Source: BBC

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

SONS OF GLORY INTERNATIONAL

ZETRON AND COURTH DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION

Community leaders Association of Nigeria

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The bed of the Pagee River has been dry for months

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. OGUNRINDE OMONIYI YEMI 2. OGUNRINDE REBECCA ADEBISI 3. OLA TEMITOPE AYODELE THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1. TO ENHANCE SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE OF MEMBERS THROUGH CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

PILLARS OF TRUTH BIBLE CHURCH INT’L The above named Church has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (C.A.C) for registration in accordance with the provisions of the Companies and Allied Matter Act. 1990 THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. PASTOR TARI GABRIEL MIEBAI 2. PASTOR NORAH LILIAN MIEBAI 3. ELDER MANUEL MPAKA 4. PASTOR TIMIPA KENNETH THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. Teach men and women the whole Bible Truth, with the primary aim of making them pillars in the Kingdom of our GOD. 2. Teach every member to be a witness for CHRISTand a Potential Soul winner EACH MONTH; WIN ONE SOUL. 3. Instill absolute discipline and commitment in every member and sphere of the Ministry. Which are the Sole essence of the enhancement and the existence of the Ministry.

Any objection therefore should be addressed to the Registrargeneral Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B 198, Garki, Abuja within 28 days of this publication SIGNED : Omonuwa Ogiemudia Esq Solicitor.

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.Daniel P Wakawa 2.LAGANG JONATHAN NANSEL 3.NANCHAK MATHIAS LAGANG 4.Falmata Haruna Bwala,

recorded in Jamaica with temperatures topping 39C. Still, thanks to the weather apps which tell him precisely how much rain he can expect for the next five days, along with wind direction and speed, temperature and humidity, his new farm higher up the hillside is thriving.

Mr White now plans to extend beyond plantain and coca plants and plant scotch bonnet peppers too.

He has also been taught to create contours in the sloped land, fringed with log barriers to prevent soil erosion.

‘Leaps and bounds ahead’ CTA’s involvement has taken government efforts to help farmers to a new dimension, says Dwayne Henry, of Jamaica’s Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA).

“We are leaps and bounds ahead of where we were,” he tells the BBC. “Some of the older folk take longer to warm up to the apps but they get there and are now relying on us to send out the information.”

The user-friendly, interactive design with brief, pithy text helps accommodate all literacy levels, Mr Henry explains.

Since the project began in June 2018, it has proved so popular the government now hopes to roll it out nationwide.

CTA’s Bertil Videt hopes the initiative will reap the rewards seen in Africa.

“We’ve seen vast differences in the yields of farmers in Mali using the project, compared to those who did not,” he explains.

Success cannot come soon enough for planters like Elaine Reid who says drought has reduced the size of her onions, slashing the income from her half-acre Belle Castle holding by half.

Her neighbour Kofi Mendes agrees.

“We see climate change first-hand; we live it each day,” he says. “It makes me angry, sad, confused. Knowing how to adapt to it is crucial.”

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.

PUBLIC NOTICE

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

Denise Reid is growing pineapples after her banana crop failed

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 16, 2019

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 : a. EZEAFULUKWE CHRISTOPHER ONUABUCHI b. CHRIS-MONEKE CHIKA TOCHI c. MONEKE CHRISTIAN CHIJIOKE THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : A. To work towards creating a better Nigeria which provides basic health, education and empowerment to any indegent citizen.

B. To be a Knowledge, Execution Partner of Schools, NGOs, Corporates, and Government agencies for development programmes across Nigeria.

C. To work towards restoring basic rights to underprivileged children in Nigeria.

D. To improve the situation of underprivileged children in Nigeria with the main focus on feeding , education , health and youth engagement , empowerment of women and girls from poor and marginalized communities.

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 : INTERGENERATION SOLICITORS SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

HILLTOP OF PRAISE CHURCH INT’L.

Kogawa Unity and Development Association

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. PASTOR JOHNSON IDARA MONDAY(CHAIRMAN) 2. PASTOR ADEBISI MATTHEW ADEKUNLE. 3. DEACONESS ADEJUMO OLAYINKA MUBO. 4. MRS. OSIME MAGDALENE OSASELE. 5. ENGR. JACKSON UKEME EMMANUEL. 6. BARR. OSHOMA JOHNSON AFEMALIOKHAI. 7.MRS. MONDAY LAURA IDARA (SECRETARY).

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To preach the gospel of Jesus christ.

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

PUBLIC NOTICE

FOUNTAIN OF GRACE AND REVIVAL POWER MINISTRY INT’L

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 Dr James Mozeh - - 2. Rev Mrs Dupe Okori khuni 3. pastor Godspiwer okee - -

President Secretary

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To preach the Gospel of Jesus.

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. Alhaji Bello Ibrahim Kogo 2. Alhaji salmanu saminu Faskari 3. Alhaji Abdulkadir Idris 4. Alhaji Kabir Ibrahim 5. Alhaji Mohammed Nasir Umar THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. To engage in intellectual discourse on the socioeconomic needs and aspirations of host communities.

2. To promote and embark on community developmental projects.

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.Iyamu Edobor Richard, 2.Bello Osaretin Godspower, 3.Victor Kalu,Innocent ldemudia THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To promote peace and 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.

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Bibiana Nguemo Asiemo (President) 2. Christian Mbasen Ogusanya (vice president) 3. Juliet Abari- King (Secretary) 4. Doofan Josephine Enamudu (Financial secretary) 5. Benedicta Kpamkwase Mgbe 6. Ngodoo Atetan 7.Mercy Mlumon Tuga 8. Tersoo Stephanie Peter.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. To be a social club promoting the welfare of members 2. To be catalysts for community development 3. To be a cooperative society to support members 4. To support the community by carrying out charity activities.

5. To grow and sustain an effective organisation for members to reach their full potential through support from the organisation.

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

PUBLIC NOTICE

FORUM OF MAKURDI FRIENDS

GOD’S LIGHT REVIVAL CHURCH INTERNATIONAL

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. Ogah, John Eyimoga 2. Adejo Osayi - - Chairman 3. Charlse Erukaa 4. Veronica Enan 5. Iveren Enang Eno 6. Ora Na’omi Ataguba 7. Rose o Mande - - Secretary THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1.To create a dynamic environment for research To sensitize the communities on capacity building and to promote development of the communities. To promote gender equality, create awareness and any of such related issues. To establish libraries1.

To create an atmosphere for friendship and socializing among members of the association 2. To create a dynamic environment for research on thematic issues as regards the locality.

3. To organize and sponsor events that promote peace and conviviality among members of the association and their neighbours.

4. To promote gender equality, create awareness on female circumcision and victimization of the girl child and any of such related issues.

5. To establish libraries and reading rooms in needy communities to encourage reading habits and memory collection.

6. To provide help/establish shelter for the displaced and the aged.

7. To create awareness on exploitation and injustice within the community.

8. To liaise with other NGO and MDAs to promote development of the communities and maintenance of basic facilities such as Health, Sanitation, Education among other things.

9. To promote good norms of a good citizenship and to inculcate ideals of national unity.

10. To establish programmers where young men and women will be trained on self empowerment and educate others to promote adult education by volunteering as teachers.

11. To provide medical assistance to the communities through outreaches and the likes.

12. To organize forums, seminars and camps for spreading good living habit, moral habits and development of self confidence 13. To give scholarships to the less privilege in the communities 14. To create awareness on drugs dependency and harmful behavior amongst the youth in the communities.

15. To assist and train young men and women on skills acquisition and employment opportunities.

16. To create a sense of cooperation /mutual harmony and affection amongst member of the association.

17. To raise funds through donation, collection or subscription and other legal means and to invest it to promote the aims and objectives of the association.

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

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. PRINCE CHIDIEBERE ONUOHA 2.MRS PRINCE CAROLINE CHIDIEBERE THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.TO PROPAGATE THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 16, 2019

CLASSIFIED PUBLIC NOTICE

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PUBLIC NOTICE

LOVE EXCHANGE OUTREACH

ENUGWU UMUAWULU IMPROVEMENT UNION LAGOS BRANCH

COMMUNITY THROUGH THE LENS 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 THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE 1. pastor Rotimi olanrewaju oyekunle 2. Pastor Modupe Temitope Oyekunle 3. Miss Adedotun Anike Adeoye A AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To assist 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 28 DAYS 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 THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

THE Trustees ARE 1. NWOSU, NICHOLAS - CHAIRMAN 2. UNAKEJE, HARFORD - SECRETARY 3. OKPALA, REGINALD CHIDOZIE AZUBUIKE 4. NWEKE, IFEANYI JONATHAN 5. OGBO, PATRICK 6. OKPANDUKA, SAM CHUKS 7. OKPALA, JOHN CHUKWUNWEOGO Aim and Objective a) To foster unity, peace, stability and solidarity among the people of Enugwu Umuawulu. b) To work for the development and progress of Enugwu Umuawulu. c) To cater for the general welfare and interest of all the indigenes of Enugwu Umuawulu..

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. Signed AUGUSTINE OKPALA, ESQ. 08065707222

AKUNWATA

MERCy

I, formerly known as ADIBE PATRICK AKUWATA now wish to be known and addressed as AKUNWATA PATRICK OkWUDIRICHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

I, formerly known as AKPUS MERCY now wish to be known and addressed as MERCy AKPUS MAMMAN. All former documents remain valid.

Authorities concerned, FCMB, and the general public should please take note.

leo

ABBA

I, formerly known as victor Kingsley Jackson now wish to be known and addressed as leo Kingsley ebhodaghe. All former documents remain valid.

Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

I, formerly known as ABBA M GARU AUWALU now wish to be known and addressed as ABBA AUWALU. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

Muhammad I, former known as Muhammed Fatima Now wish to be known and addressed as Muhammad Fatima Yakubu. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

loss of document This is to inform the general public of the loss of original offer letter (R of O) in respect of plot No. 2154 Measuring about 515.58sqm with file No. BY60098 located at Apo District, Abuja. Bearing ADO SANI MUHAMMED. The said documents got missing while on transit from LIFE CAMP, ABUJA to KADO ESTATE. All efforts made to trace the said documents proved abortive, if found, kindly return to the nearest police station or AGIS. The general public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE THE PREVAILING TRUTH GOSPEL CHURCH INTERNATIONAL 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. Dr. Dominic Offiong Araga - Chairman 2. Rev. Mrs. Paulina Offiong Dominic 3. Barr. Emmanuel Okang 4. Chief Uche Uregbulam 5. Hon.Barr Frank Agbor 6. Hon. Anthony Okaba.

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1. To propagate the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the entire universe.

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 : AKINTOYE OLAWALE ESQ.

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ABUBAKAR I, formerly known as ABUBAKAR SHUAIBU now wish to be known and addressed as ABUBAKAR SHUAIBU ABDULLAHI. All former documents remain valid.

Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

FATIMA

This is to inform the general public that the above named ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) Abuja, for remover Trustee under part “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

Trustees are: (1) JOHNPETERS ANYANWU (2) NNAMDI ANYANWU Aims and objectives.

(1) To build a community of young storytellers through our community training and mentorship program.

(2) To share stories of poor communities with development patterns.

(3) To produce advocacy through our films.

(4) To assist non-government organization and community.

Any objection to this remover should be forward to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

Sports monday, September 16, 2019

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sports@peoplesdailyng.com, SMS- 08142929046

ICPC seals NFF president Pinnick, Dikko, houses over corruption

PUBLIC NOTICE Rafasal charity foundation This is to inform the general public that the above named ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) Abuja, for remover Trustee under part “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990.

Trustees are: 1. Bashir Ibrahim Mohammed 2. Aminu Adamu 3. Mustapha Abdulsalam 4. Zahraddeen Adamu Aims and objectives.

To care for the less priviledged in the society.

Any objection to this remover should be forward to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

I, formerly known as FATIMA AMINU MUSA now wish to be known and addressed as FATIMA MURTALA YAHAYA. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE NEW FACE OF AFRICA CENTRE FOR PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT 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. ONIFADE BAMIDELE -- CHAIRMAN 2. ONIFADE OMOLABAKE AMIRAT -- SECRETARY 3. ONIFADE SHERIFF OPEYEMI -- MEMBER THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To promote advocacy on peace and development all over the world especially 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. SIGNED : SECRETARY

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PUBLIC NOTICE

Eagles in happy mood

By Albert Akota

T

he anti-graft agency, ICPC, has confirmed that it has sealed the houses of two top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

In separate statements via its official Twitter handle over weekend, the antigraft agency said it has sealed the Lagos residence of the NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, as well as the Abuja residence of the second Vice President, Shehu Dikko.

The Commission has also placed a mansion in Maitama, Abuja, belonging to Shehu Dikko, 2nd Vice President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Chairman of League Management Company of Nigeria,

under investigation.

Messrs Pinnick and Dikko, as well as other NFF officials, are already being tried for alleged corrupt practices at the NFF. That trial is by the presidential anticorruption panel.

The NFF has also been under probe by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The latest investigation is looking into fraud allegations over how sponsorship money meant for the development of football in the country has been stolen.

“What I can confirm is that officials of the Nigeria Football Federation are being investigated by the agency,” EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, told BBC

Sport.

The allegations against the NFF officials include mismanaging funds secured from official sponsors, domestic league’s television sponsorship and payments from a former kit supplier for all the national teams.

It also focuses on funds provided by federal and state governments for friendly matches involving the Super Eagles and the misappropriation of about $2.7 million from the Financial Assistance Programme of football’s world governing body, FIFA. Investigation earlier in the year revealed how Nigerian football officials are hiding behind the Federation of International

Football Association (FIFA) regulation that prohibits government’s interference in football matters to divert grants and funds from sponsorship deals.

The weeks-long investigation showed that the Amaju Pinnick-led Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) exploited this independence to mismanage funds at its disposal, which include allocations from the public treasury.

Investigation involved reviews of official documents from the NFF, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), the Presidency, the Ministry of Youth and Sports as well as testimonies of people familiar with the operations of the football federation.

NBBF assures sponsors of maximum mileage

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National Youth Games: Kaduna, Kwara state picks gold in Volleyball

By Albert Akota

K

aduna state thrashed Lagos state 3-0 (25-21, 25-22, 2512) to win gold in the boy’s volleyball event at the ongoing National Youth Games in Ilorin.

The game was played at the outdoor court of the University of Ilorin, Kwara state.

Osun state against all odds defeated highflying Akwa Ibom 3-2 (21-25, 25-20, 22-25, 26-24, 15-13) to win bronze medal in the boy’s U15 volleyball.

In the girl’s category, host Kwara state beat Lagos state 3-1 (25-22, 25-9, 22-25, 25-19) to win gold medal in the girls volleyball event while Delta state defeated Kaduna state 3-2 (25-16, 25-20, 12-25, 20-25, 15-11) to win bronze medal.

The President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Engineer Musa Nimord commended the athletes for their fine display at the Youth Games in Ilorin.

He said the future of volleyball in the country is bright adding that the exceptional players stand a chance making the team for the next African Youth Games in Lesotho.

Nimrod said, “I am happy with what I saw at the National Youth Games; the players played with passion and zeal. The Youth Games has set a standard and I hope we maintain it.

“Some of the players I am seeing here will definitely make it to the next Youth Games in Lesotho because they are still young and have volleyball running in their blood. The federation is ready to support any state that does the right thing by presenting the correct age bracket”.

The President donated ball to various state that participated in the volleyball event at the Youth Games.

t

NBBF assures sponsors of maximum mileage

By Albert Akota

T

he officials of Team FCT at the ongoing 2019 National Youth Games in Ilorin may be held hostage as they are unable to offset the balance for their accommodation fees.

The officials including the coaches and the sports association secretaries have not received a dime since their arrival at the University of Ilorin, the venue for the 5th National Youth Games.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) had promised to get funds available for the annual Games which gave them the confidence to leave on credit but till yesterday, 15th September, 2019 a dime has not been paid to the coaches and athletes who represent

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

Mercy Healthcare Foundation

Better Child Rights Awareness Initiative.

UMU EZIOGOLI PROGRESSIVE UNION

aims and objective of Mercy Healthcare Foundation 1.To provide digital health care solutions to developing countries .

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Basketballers in action one of the fastest growing sports in Nigeria.”

Sequel to the new found status of basketball on the global stage, the NBBF believes private investors have a lot to gain in terms of media exposure if they partner with the federation.

“All eyes are on our national teams while the global media buzz around the teams have continued to increase. Investors, partners and sponsors have a lot to gain.”

“We have so many grassroots

programs, Men’s Divisions one and two, the Zenith Women League and the Men’s Premier League that are in need of attention.”, Ogunade said.

In his response, Ighoudala who has won three NBA titles with the Golden State Warriors as well as the 2010 FIBA World Championship and the 2012 Summer Olympics titles with USA praised the performance of the D’Tigers at the World Cup. “Congratulations on the

qualification for the Olympics. I monitored the performance of the team in China and I was impressed by this amazing team. I also heard about the women’s team which also won the 2019 title. These achievements are commendable.”

Currently on the books of Memphis Grizzlies, the Silicon Valley investor and Jumia Nigeria, Ighoudala assured the federation that he will look at possible ways to partner the federation in growing basketball in Nigeria.

Fury, Wilder rematch might push forward over cuts

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Tyson Fury has won 29 and drawn one of his 30 professional fights, while Otto Wallin lost for the first time in his 21-bout career

FCT at the Youth Games.

Some of the officials who rented an apartment inside the school campus will not be released by the hostel staff as they are yet to pay for their accommodation. The hostel staffs have threatened not to allow them move out of their apartment unless their money is paid today.

Hoping that money will flow in from Abuja, Team FCT on Tuesday are on top of the overall medals table at the 2019 National Youth Games but their hope of getting their allowances diminishes by the day and that affects their performances which in turn drops Team FCT to 10th position on the log.

Investigation revealed that the FCT minister, Malam Muhammed Bello who has been returning unspent yearly budgeted funds

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THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Pharmacist VERNATIUS OHAYA --President 2. DR. JUDE OHAYA -- Secretary 3.Pharmacist KENNETH ONUEGBU 4. Dr. NICHOLAS OHAYA.

yson Fury’s proposed rematch with Deontay Wilder could be delayed as a result of the cuts the Briton suffered in beating Otto Wallin on points in Las Vegas, says promoter Frank Warren.

Fury, 31, boxed for over nine rounds with cuts around his right eye and was later taken to hospital for surgery.

Warren said Fury’s recovery timescale could impact the Wilder bout, which has a provisional date of 22 February.

“If it doesn’t heal well the fight may have to be pushed back,” Warren said.

“Hopefully that will not be the case. It depends how it heals. If it’s OK it won’t be a problem.”

NYG: Team FCT officials face hostage in Ilorin over inability to pay bills

By Albert Akota

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he Nigeria Basketball Federation has assured prospective sponsors of media mileage and global business exposure as it continued successes of National Teams on the international scene.

The federation, through its Vice President, Babatunde Ogunade said this on Friday during a meeting with Afro-American basketball superstar, Andre Ighoudala who is on an official trip to Nigeria.

According to Ogunade, the Nigeria Basketball Federation is leaving no stone unturned in boosting its financial capacity as relying on government as its sole financier is not sustainable in the long term.

Ogunade who in the company of fellow board members, Felix Awogu and Oni Afolabi said it was high time sponsors identified basketball as one of the key federations capable of positively exposing their brands to the global market.

“Since we took over in 2017, we have continued to enjoy unimaginable successes on the global stage. D’Tigress have won two Afrobasket titles, gotten to the quarter final of the World Cup while the men won silver medal at the 2017 Afrobasket, first country in the world to qualify for the World Cup as well as finishing as the best African team at the just concluded World Cup to pick the 2020 Olympics ticket.”

“The 3x3 teams have conquered Africa, been to the World Cup and are a strong force to reckon with.

Today, I can boldly say basketball is

back to the treasury in the last few years led to the cutting down of FCT budget by the national assembly.

Muhamed Bello has benefited from the action as he emerged best minister on two occasions.

The reduction in the annual budget forced FCT Administration to cut down every sector’s budget as the decision affected the funding of the 2019 National Youth Games.

Information reaching us has it that the fund has been released but the Department of Treasury has not disbursed the fund to Social Development Secretariat (SDS).

As at the time of filing this report, the athletes are confused and have lost focus as their hope of receiving their entitlement hang in the balance while other states have paid their athletes and allowance.

Team FCT

PAGE 31

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, September 16, 2019

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2.To help abused and neglected children.

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THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. GODBLESS CHIOMA IJEOMA 2.OKUDIBIE ADDISON ETIFWAM 3 . HENRY ENWELIKU NWACHUKWU 4.CLETUS CHIDI OZUEM THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To provide education and provide skilled jobs for our youth in our community.

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SPORTS Just let it be – Atiku Abubakar latest

Fati scores on first start at Barcelona against Valencia

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arcelona’s 16-year-old forward Ansu Fati marked his first senior start with a second-minute goal as the La Liga champions cruised past Valencia.

The teenager burst on to Frenkie de Jong’s square ball to score the opener with a firm strike at the Nou Camp.

Fati then returned the favour five minutes later when he cut the ball back for De Jong to double the hosts’ lead.

Kevin Gameiro hit back but Gerard Pique and a Luis Suarez double sealed victory before Maxi Gomez’s late consolation.

Hazard makes debut as Real Madrid beat Levante

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den Hazard made his Real Madrid debut as Karim Benzema scored twice in a nervy La Liga win over Levante.

Hazard, a summer signing from Chelsea, has recovered from a muscle injury and came on after 60 minutes at 3-1.

Real had led 3-0, with Benzema scoring a header and slotting home a James Rodriguez pass, before Casemiro Taye Taiwonetted. and Oduamadi

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I

have never hidden my admiration for the former Vice President, Waziri Atiku Abubakar.

It all started in 1982 when Abba Dabo my Editor at the New Nigerian who liked giving me tough assignments again picked on me to cover an investiture ceremony in Yola, then capital of Gongola State.

Alhaji Ali Bababa, the Minister of State for Internal Affairs was to be installed the Dan Madami of Adamawa while Atiku Abubakar an Assistant Controller of Customs was to be made the Turaki of Adamawa.

As a Minister, even a junior one, Ali Baba was a big name nationwide. But Atiku Abubakar hardly had name recognition even for me who had left Yola that same 1982 as a reporter of the News Agency of Nigeria to join the New Nigerian.

I bought my ticket for a scheduled Nigeria Airways flight from Kaduna to Yola. On getting to the airport, I discovered the flight was overbooked and I could not secure a seat. I returned to the office dejected but my Editor was determined that I must travel to Yola for the event which was to hold on the morning of the next day. He arranged an official vehicle and I hit the road. Nigeria was a safe country in those days so I travelled all night with my driver and arrived early enough for the event.

I was happy and have always been happy that I covered that event. The whole of Yola was turned into one huge carnival, a type I had never seen before. They came by air. Yola airport, the oldest airport in Nigeria was flooded with Nigeria Airways aircraft and private jets. They came by road, in cars, buses, horses, donkeys; they came trekking to witness the event. The rich, the poor, the young, the old, the invited and the uninvited were all in Yola.

It was understandable that a Minister’s investiture would attract such a crowd. Even then, not all who trooped there did so for him.

Atiku Abubakar, the underdog, also had his own share of the crowd. I took mental note of that promising to watch this man in the years to come.

I was recalled on two different occasions from my newspaper jobs to come home to Gongola and help out in government. By the end of the 80’s while I was still with the Gongola State government, Atiku’s career in the Customs was cut short. Just when he expected an elevation to the pinnacle office of the Customs Service, he was made to step aside. It was typical Gongola style politics and as an operative of the Military Governor’s Office, I had a fair knowledge of what happened in his case and the dynamics of my

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states local politics since I was also a victim some times.

When the road closed for Atiku at the Customs, another one opened in politics. He became General Yar’ Adua’s point man in Gongola as the tactful politician schemed his way to the presidency under Babangida’s transition program.

Atiku himself was plotting his way to become the Governor of Gongola.

The duo invented the political machine known as the Peoples Front. But Babangida’s transition was a laborious project with twists, turns and hiccups always at the next corner. When Babangida banned all political associations and legislated the SDP and NRC into existence, the two political collaborators found home in the SDP. General Yar’adua took the country by the storm, politically.

He was set to win the presidential primaries in the SDP, defeating all other big names and old timers.

In Gongola, my eyes were on Atiku Abubakar who engaged Bala Takaya in a gruesome match. Then came the Maradona – General Yar’adua, Atiku Abubakar and Bala Takaya were all banned (among many others) from taking part in the transition. That decision threw the SDP in Gongola into political convulsion.

Boss Mustapha, the current Secretary to the Government of the Federation picked the challenge and contested on the ticket of the party. He narrowly lost to Saleh Michika of the NRC. My eyes were still on Atiku.

With the creation of Taraba out of Gongola, he picked one of his campaign workers, the little known Reverend Jolly Nyame and funded him to contest for the gubernatorial

“

seat in Taraba. Nyame coasted home to victory and became a serial governor of Taraba. I felt touched.

Atiku is a Fulani and a Muslim. There were Fulani’s and Muslims from Taraba on his campaign entourage. His choice was a minority, a Christian and an ordained priest at that. In a region of Nigeria that is very sensitive to tribe and religion, Atiku came as something of a surprise.

The Babangida transition came to grief with June 12 and the sacking of the Sonekan government. My eyes were still on Atiku as he kept faith General Yar’adua who was hunted down by Genral Abacha, thrown into jail and murdered there.

But the Abacha tyranny did not last forever. His government came to a ghastly end and Atiku returned to his old turf, trying to emerge as governor of Adamawa. This time he succeeded, almost. But just before he was sworn in, Olusegun Obasanjo, the presidential flag bearer of the PDP picked him as his Vice Presidential running mate.

They went on to win the presidency.

Meanwhile, Boni Haruna who was Atiku’s running mate in the gubernatorial race had to face a challenge to his stepping into the gubernatorial chair. It was a tough fight with Atiku supporting his erstwhile deputy all the way to the apex court where he won. I took note of that too. Boni Haruna was a minority man and a Christian.

Atiku stood by him in a state awash with Muslims and Fulani ambitious politicians.

Are you still asking why I should admire Atiku?

Midway into his presidency with Obasanjo, the old wily Uncle Sege

It was understandable that a Minister’s investiture would attract such a crowd. Even then, not all who trooped there did so for him. Atiku Abubakar, the underdog, also had his own share of the crowd.

alias Baba Iyabo started scheming to amend the Constitution and make himself a perpetual president.

Atiku Abubakar led the assault against that scheme at the risk of his career and life. His performance in that fight was stellar. He looked like the boxing legend Mohammed Ali – flying like a butterfly and stinging like a bee; his boss Obasanjo was panting and grunting like a Japanese sumo wrestler. Atiku did not only win in the court of public opinion, he deepened democratic practice in Nigeria by the various pronouncements he secured at the Supreme Court.

Preparatory to this year’s election, I reflected on his political future and in an article captioned, “Atiku Abubakar, a man of the future” published by this newspaper on 28th August 2017, I endorsed him as my preferred candidate. He was still in the APC then.

After wandering from one political party to another, I thought Atiku would finally find home in the APC. When there was rumour that he intended to jump ship from the APC, I led a delegation of Arewa Media Forum to plead with him not to move. It was evident from his body language that he did not like our suggestion. He eventually left regardless.

Today, he has contested the presidency under the PDP ticket and lost.

Having spent my most productive years in Yola, I can claim to know Atiku Abubakar. He is a man of modest background.

His rise to fame, power and wealth is almost a miracle. I visit the educational institutions he has established from the nursery, primary, secondary and the American University anytime I am in Yola. He is a great man. But this presidency thing – e get as e be.

My candid advice to a man I admire very much is “do not go to court”. Just let it be.

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Charge them to court!

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