Tuesday, September 18, 2019 Edition

Wednesday, September 18, 2019/ Muharram 18, 1441 AH Vol. 32 No. 052 N150

1986 Days after

Xenophobia: S/Africa grants landing permit to Air Peace, after hiccup —Mission >>>page 9

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The nation awaits rescue of the remaining abducted Chibok schoolgirls

Buhari sacks Obono-Obla, calls for probe report >>>page 5

ICPC chair heads FG panel to recover N5tr AMCON debt >>>page 5

The New President of United Nations General Assembly, Nigeria’s Amb Tijjani Mohammed Bande (Middle) flanked by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres and the immediate past president of the United Nations General Assembly, Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés during the handing over, yesterday in New York.

Photo: State House

FG directs NCC, Reps want FEC to CJN charges judges on process national speedy dispensation NIGCOMSAT,NIPOST to get ISO certification budget electronically of justice pAGE 3

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PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 18, 2019

News CONTENTS News

2-10, 14

Editorial

11

Op.Ed

12-13

Politics 15-17 Health Business

18 19-20

Feature

21

World News

22

Africa News

23

World News

24

CJN charges judges on speedy dispensation of justice

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

T

he Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammad, has called on Judges, to double their efforts in the discharge of their judicial functions, so as to decongest their courts.

Speaking at the 35th Annual Conference of the Judges of the Federal High Court, Justice Tanko said that much is being expected from the Judges because of the nature of their courts.

Represented by Court of Appeal Justice, Mohammed Lawal Shuaibu, the CJN congratulated the federal high court judges for witnessing another conference and urged them to use the occasion to sharpen their skills in other to ensure quick dispensation of

Justice.

While declaring the conference open, the CJN reiterated for judges to be transparent and live above board and be guided by their oath of office.

In his opening remarks, the Acting Chief Judge of the Federal high court, Justice John Terhemba Tsoho renewed his appeal for more Judges for the court to enable them coupe with the work load of cases pending before the court.

The acting Chief Judge said that while awaiting the appointment of new Judges, those presently on the bench should endeavour to put their best yo reduce the burden that the shortfall would have caused the court in terms of speedy adjudication.

Justice Tsoho praised the Judges of the court on thr ways and

manners most of the preelection cases were handled, noting that it is a thing of joy to the judiciary that most of the cases were adjudicated upon without rancour.

The acting Chief Judge specifically commended his immediate predecessor, Justice Adamu Abdul Kafarati for his directive that no injunctive relief must be granted exparte, adding that the directive and adherence to it by Judges helped in no small measure to remove them from the critical eyes of the public.

Further in his speech, Justice Tsoho disclosed that the court has engaged experts in various fields to interface with judges and to bring them up to date in certain areas of their chosen profession.

According to him, the conference attended by retired

judges of the court as well as eminent lawyers in the country, have experts who will counsel Judges on health issues.

He maintained that the lordships keeping healthy lifestyles are of paramount importance to all heads of courts.

The CJ further expressed gratitude to President Muhammad Buhari for considering him worthy of been appointed as the acting Chief Judge and the CJN for his exemplary support to the Federal High court.

In conclusion, he promised the National Judicial Council (NJC), the Federal Judicial Service Commission and his colleagues on the bench not to let them down, adding that he will not for anything that will make them regret their support for him.

L-R: General Officer Commanding, I Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya presenting an award to the Director of Land Warfare, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Brig.Gen. Abdulrahman Kulya, during a study tour with students of Senior Course 42 of the College, yesterday in Kaduna.

Photo: NAN

Nasarawa Assembly nullifies creation of village, district areas

News

By Christiana Ekpa

By Albert Akota

T

he President of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Comrade Eriyo Osakpamwan has warned the general public not to deal with the dissolved Lagos State executives led

by Alhaji Musa Mohammed.

Comrade Eriyo Osakpamwan said the executives stands dissolved following the expiration of their tenure.

In a press release he personally signed yesterday made available to newsmen in Abuja , the RTEAN boss said a committee has been put in place to conduct election within 60 days, adding that” Every members of Union has right to contest including the dissolved Lagos state Executive members”.

On the claimed that the dissolution, which was not ratified

by RTEAN’s National Executive Council (NEC), the president referred them to Article 9(I) of the union constitution as amended in 2013 , which gives power to the Executive National President to dissolved any state Executives that the tenure elapses.

“When president, secretary general, financial secretary, Treasurer, Deputy President, operations, and some state chairmen and Secretary seating, NEC is conveyed.

“We also have members of the National Executives Council on ground in Lagos state. So, what are they talking about?

“Overall, we advise the general public not to do any dealings with the dissolved Lagos State executives led by Alhaji Musa Mohammed.”

Environment 25

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Sports 30-31 Back Page

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he House of Representatives yesterday asked the Federal Executive Council to automate national budget formulation, execution and reporting process.

The House equally mandated the Committees on Finance, Appropriations and Justice to convene a legislative submit with relevant stakeholders to improve the budget process in Nigeria.

The resolutions of the House Barrow was reached during plenary on Tuesday following a motion on need to improve the budget process in Nigeria sponsored by

Mansur Soro (APC, Bauchi).

Presenting the motion, he said the House notes that the annual the budget plays a crucial role in economic management and development policies of the nation and it is the main mechanism of fiscal policy and the tool through which government could stabilize and influence the economic direction of a country.

According to him, the House, “notes that standard global public sector budgetary practice requires the implementation of a defined budgetary framework synchronized with timelines or a standardize budgetary calendar to reduce uncertainties, pro mote

compliance and coordination.

“Aware that the Federal Government’s budget process perennially experiences delays despite the best efforts of all the relevant entities involved in the budgeting process. Also aware that budget delay impacts negatively on economic growth, as 2018 study shows that a 100 days delay in the budget implementation tends to depress the economy by at least 2.5 percent.

“Further aware that Nigeria’s experience of prolonged budget process has imposed substantial economic costs on the public and private sectors of the economy.

Concerned that such delay leads

to poor budget implementation which has a direct correlation to poor service delivery in public service; “Worried that delay introduces opacity into the budget process leading to induced diversion of public funds and resources, corruption, scourge of the society. Also worried that foreign and domestic private sector investment is adversely affected due to uncertainty on the strategic direction of the government.”

The motion was unanimously adopted without previous debates when put to voice vote by Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila who presided over the plenary.

President Muhammadu Buhari (3rd right) Chairman Police Commission Alh. Musiliu Smith IGP (Rtd) (2nd left) Mr Austin Braimoh (left) Justice Clara Ogunbiyi (3rd left); AIG Lawal Bawa (Rtd) (2nd right) and Barrister Rommy Mom during the submission of Annual Report of Police Service Commission to the president at the State House Abuja. Photo: State House

Gov. Bello decries bad federal roads, insecurity, flooding in Niger From Minna

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News Editor, Ese Awhotu

Lagos RTEAN Reps want FEC to process national budget electronically crisis worsens

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Feature

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PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 18, 2019

Gates Foundation report spotlights new data on global inequality

By Ese Awhotu

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he Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation yesterday launched its third annual Goalkeepers Data Report, which features new data showing that while progress on health and development continues unabated, global inequality remains a major barrier to achieving the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (Global Goals).

It was noted that even in the worst-off parts of low- and lowmiddle-income countries, more than 99 percent of communities have seen an improvement in child mortality and schooling.

“Yet despite this progress, persistent gaps in opportunity mean that nearly half a billion people—about one in 15—still do not have access to basic health and

education.

“Gaps between countries, districts, and boys and girls prove that the world’s investments in development aren’t reaching everyone. Using new sub-national data, the report uncovers the vast inequalities within countries that are masked by averages.

“Where you’re born is still the biggest predictor of your future, and no matter where you’re born, life is harder if you’re a girl. Despite gains in female educational attainment, opportunities for girls are limited by social norms, discriminatory laws and policies, and gender-based violence.

“As we write, billions of people are projected to miss the targets that we all agreed represent a decent life,” Bill and Melinda Gates write in the Goalkeepers Data Report, “Examining Inequality

2019,” which they co-authored.

“We believe that seeing where the world is succeeding will inspire leaders to do more, and seeing where the world is falling short will focus their attention.”

To address persistent inequality, Bill and Melinda Gates are calling for a new approach to development, targeting the poorest people in the countries and districts that need to make up the most ground.

Gates said that “Governments should prioritize primary health care to deliver a health system that works for the poorest, digital governance to ensure that governments are responsive to their least-empowered citizens, and more support for farmers to help them adapt to climate change’s worst effects.”

Bill and Melinda Gates said they

will produce a Goalkeepers Data Report every year through 2030, timing it to the annual gathering of world leaders in New York City for the U.N. General Assembly.

The report they said is designed to track progress in achieving the Global Goals, highlight examples of success, and inspire leaders around the world to accelerate their efforts.

The goal is to identify both what’s working and where we’re falling short.

As in past years, in conjunction with the report, Bill and Melinda Gates will co-host the third annual Goalkeepers events in New York City during the U.N. General Assembly, convening global leaders to celebrate progress in global health and development and highlight the critical importance of closing the global inequality gap to achieve the Global Goals.

Yakubu

Mustapha

overnor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State has lamented over the deplorable state of federal roads in the state despite the several intervention of the state government on the roads.

He also raised alarm on the current flooding in different parts of the state increasing the number of Internal Displaced People,

IDPs, in addition with those who are displaced due to attacks from bandits.

The governor made the lamentation yesterday in Minna at an organized ‘Critical Stakeholders Meeting on the State of Affairs in Niger State’ to share ideas on the way forward on the key state challenges like insecurity, flooding and infrastructural decay especially roads.

He said, “it is true that issues

of kidnapping, armed robbery/ banditry, incessant flooding and deteriorating critical infrastructure has become a thing of concern to all, government consider it necessary to reassess its commitments and reconsider its strategies through stakeholders round table discussion.”

According to him, “Niger State shares boundary with some North-Western States that are neck-deep in insecurity challenges, this has made policing

very cumbersome due to the influx of some criminal elements taking advantage of the large expanse of forests in our state covering over 10% of the country’s total land mass. I must commend our security agencies for living up to their responsibilities of protecting our people”.

Bello assured of sustaining its monthly logistics support to all Security Agencies in strategic locations across the state as well as the LGA level and have given

instructions for regular interactive sessions with all stakeholders, enforce proper documentation of Hotels, Lodges and Motor Parks and regulate the operations of Motorcycle/Car Dealers across the state.

He further restated the commitment of his administration to transparency, accountability and good governance to ensure the delivery of sustainable dividends of democracy to all residents of the state.

Patients’ safety: WHO pledges support for strong health system

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

T

he World Health Organisation yesterday pledged to support countries that are committed in strengthening their health systems.

“WHO is committed to support countries in determining the status of patient safety, development and implementation of national policies, guidelines and protocols for enhancing patient safety, as well as facilitating patient safety networks and partnerships.”

WHO Regional Director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti stated this in Abuja during a press briefing to

mark the first “World Patient Safety Day”.

Represented by WHO Officer -In Charge, Clement Peter, the Regional Office for Africa said the organization recognizes and places high importance on patient safety to ensure that it has the rightful prominence within health care in the region.

“Patient safety is an essential component of health care that should be given immediate attention. The campaign brings all key stakeholders together and allows providers, seekers, and managers of health care services to express solidarity and commitment

to make health care safer. The fundamental principle is to do no harm.

“The theme for the first World Patient Safety Day is “Patient Safety: a global health priority.”, calling upon all to give patient safety high priority. It also calls for promotion of open communication for learning from errors and to emphasize the importance of patient safety, as well as increasing the voice of the patient, hence the slogan “Speak up for patient safety”!

“I call upon all stakeholders to make strong commitments, prioritize and take early action,

and support the implementation of strategies for ensuring patient safety, managing risks and fostering supportive, learning cultures.”

The Regional Officer also worry that “there are many challenges in strengthening health systems to ensure patient safety in the region: (1) there is a lack of national policies, strategies, standards, guidelines and tools on safe health-care practices, and ineffective implementation where they exist; (2) inadequate funding; (3) inadequate human resources for health, weak health-care delivery systems with suboptimal infrastructure, poor management

capacity and under-equipped health facilities; and (4) ineffective mechanisms for forging strong partnerships to adequately involve patients and civil society in the improvement of patient safety.

“Half of the global disease burden from patient harm originates at primary and ambulatory care levels. The good news is that up to 80% of harm in these settings is preventable.

For example, improving diagnosis, prescription and the use of medicines, responsible for most detrimental errors, would significantly reduce the risk of harm.”

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PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 18, 2019

News

Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief Whip, Mohammed Monguno and other Members proceeding to the chamber for plenary sitting on resumption from annual recess, at the National Assembly, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Nasarawa Assembly nullifies creation of village, district areas From Gambo Ahmed, Lafia

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asarawa State House of Assembly, yesterday nullified the purported creation of additional village and district areas in the state with a call on the state government to set up an investigative panel to carry out probe on the matter in the interest of peace.

The Speaker of the House, Rt.Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi who read the House resolutions after Hon Mohammed Alkali, Chairman, House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs who informed the House on the purported creation of additional District Areas in

the state during the matter of public interest in Lafia.

Balarabe-Abdullahi also urged the people of the state, especially communities to disregard the purported gazette in circulation for the creation of additional districts in Nasarawa State.

According him “First and foremost, I want to appreciate Hon Mohammed Alkali and the entire members for your contribution on this issue. It is very sad that somebody will just sit in the comfort of his office to come up with this document.

If you will come out with a law for the creation of village and district areas, who makes the law? It is the House and why

should somebody sit down and do the job of the legislator?”

He continued, “I have agreed with your various contributions that this document is criminal and unacceptable and should be condemned. It is in view of this that our resolutions are to the effect that, the purported Gazette creating additional district and village areas in Nasarawa State stands nullified”.

“Secondly, the purported gazette should be retrieved from circulation and no value should be attached to such document henceforth. Thirdly, the list of additional district and village areas should be forwarded to the Nasarawa State House of Assembly in line with the

powers conferred on Nasarawa State House of Assembly by the 1999 constitution as amended”.

The Speaker added “If the Executive arm of government is desirous of creating more district areas and in doing so, there should be fairness and justice in their action. And finally, government must constitute an investigative panel to carry out an investigation with a view to unravel those involved in this criminal act and punitive measures should be taken against those involved”, he said.

Earlier, the House unanimously supported the nullification of such document in the interest of peace.

CBN: Implementation of cash-less policy begins March 2020

By Etuka Sunday

I

n furtherance of an effort to promote a cash-less economy and enhance the collection of applicable government revenues, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced a review of the process for merchant settlement.

With effect from September 17, 2019, the CBN has approved for banks to unbundle merchant settlement amounts and charge

applicable taxes and duties on individual transactions as stipulated by regulations.

A statement signed by the Director, Payments System Management Department at the Bank, Sam Okojere, also announced a downward review of the Merchant Service Charge (MSC) from 0.75% capped at N1,200 to 0.50% capped at N1,000.

Meanwhile, the CBN, in a circular to all deposit money

bank (DMBs), also announced the commencement of charges on deposits in addition to already existing charges on withdrawals.

According to the circular, the charges, which take effect from Wednesday, September 18, 2019, will attract 3% processing fees for withdrawals and 2% processing fees for lodgments of amounts above N500,000 for individual accounts.

Similarly, corporate accounts will attract 5% processing fees for

withdrawals and 3% processing fee for lodgments of amounts above N3,000,000.

The statement, however, disclosed that the charge on deposits shall apply in Lagos, Ogun, Kano, Abia, Anambra, and Rivers States as well as the Federal Capital Territory.

It added that the implementation of the cash-less policy would take effect from March 31, 2020.

Ebonyi governor appoints 800 new aides

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overnor David Umahi of Ebonyi has announced his plan to appoint 800 aides, in addition to the 4,000 appointments already made by his administration.

Mr Umahi said this on Monday in Abakaliki when he met with members of the state executive council (EXCO), state House of Assembly, Local Government

Area (LGA) chairpersons and all the new appointees, among other stakeholders.

The governor said that, in spite of an initial 185 Executive Assistants (EAs), Senior Technical Assistants (STAs) and Technical Assistants (TAs), he made an additional 200 similar appointments on Monday.

He said: “We would be getting about 800 EAs, STAs and TAs by

the end of this meeting and from this moment, the task of making similar appointments is taken from me and given to the people from the ward level.

“This means that we will appoint three more TAs from each ward of the state and the stakeholders will sit and nominate two, while the party – the Peoples Democratic Party – (PDP) will nominate one.

“The criterion used was that not all the past appointees returned but 80 per cent of the appointments included former appointees, especially those who did well,” Mr Umahi said.

He said that the EXCO met on Monday to approve the remuneration of the new appointees because it was in its power to do so.

NAN

Lawyer petitions minister over alleged Illegalities by FCDA officials

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

T

he Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Alhaji Mohammed Bello, has been asked to look into the alleged illegal activities of some officials of the Federal Capital Development Authority, particularly, the Development Control Department.

A lawyer, Onyeka Ikenta, Esq., in a petition dated 12th of September, 2019 urged the minister to intervene over the threat by FCDA officials to demolish Peka Garden and Parks, located in Wuse Zone 3, Abuja.

According to the lawyer, the threat is in flagrant disobedience of a subsisting court order, restraining them from going ahead with any form of demolition of the garden.

He said in the petition, ‘’It is also remarkable that the management of our client also had physical discussion with your officers on this matter. We are therefore, perplexed to notify you on the latest incursion by officials of the FCDA on our client’s garden which took place today, 12th September, 2019. ‘’At about 12.48pm, some persons numbering about 25, escorted by some policemen, stormed our client’s garden and started marking the structures with demolition notice. Despite being notified, of the subsisting court order restraining them from doing so, they boasted that they must do what they wanted to do and are ready for court action. ‘’This led to pandemonium and serious breach of peace in the area as our client and some persons, who witnessed the oppression and lawlessness were highly infuriated.

We consider it expedient also to notify your office of the pendency of a contempt proceeding resulting from the earlier demolition’’.

While the case over the demolition of the garden shifted to court, Ikenta said Justice U.P. Kekemeke of a federal capital territory high court had granted an order restraining the FCDA from going ahead with the demolition of the garden.

Justice Kekemeke, in a copy of the court order made available to journalists, the judge said, ‘’An order of interlocutory injunction is hereby issued restraining the defendants/ respondents, their heirs, privies, representatives, assigns, agents, officials, staffs, foremen or by whatever name called from taking possession of, developing, encroaching, erecting, constructing or building any structure or, changing the topography of or in any way disturbing, dealing, interfering or tampering with or continuing any of the above action on Plot 1353 Cadastral Zone AO2 Wise 1, Abuja, pending the determination of the substantive suit’’.

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PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 18, 2019

By Lawrence Olaoye

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orried by the continued default by debtors owing Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) the sum of N5 trillion, the federal government has set up a new task force for the recovery of the debt.

In a statement made available to newsmen yesterday by Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, the panel to be chaired by the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, was inaugurated on Monday.

The panel was charged to devise means to speedily recover the debts majorly owed by just twenty individuals and entities in the country.

Osinbajo tasked the

News

ICPC chair heads FG panel to recover N5tr AMCON debt committee to turn the tide in what has become a rather difficult process where debtors have continued to default in their payment obligations.

About 67 per cent of the outstanding N5tn debt is said to be owed by just 20 individuals/ entities.

“One of the Terms of Reference is for the Committee to prepare a report, giving us a sense of what the timelines would be,” the VP noted.

Following the challenges encountered from the debt-

recovery processes and the very limited results so far, the Committee is expected to consider other options, including taking enforcement measures in actually recovering the debts.

Charging the Committee on performance, the VP expressed confidence in the expertise of the team to carry out the task ahead.

“I congratulate you on the very onerous task that has been set, to render this service. I know that, given the

kind of individuals here, you will definitely turn this whole narrative around. So, I wish you all very well,” he said.

Members of the Committee include heads and representatives of agencies such as AMCON, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), the ICPC, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), and the Federal Ministry of Justice.

The Committee, among other related tasks, is expected to review the status of debts owed to AMCON, deliberate on practical, legal and other strategies for the recovery of the outstanding debts, and prepare a report, which will include a debt recovery work plan with specific timelines for completion.

The Chairman of the interagency Committee thanked the Vice President for the confidence reposed in the group, stating that members would do their best to recover most of the debts.

Buhari sacks Obono-Obla, calls for probe report

By Lawrence Olaoye

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resident Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) to submit reports of its investigational of the sacked Chairman of the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property (SPIP), Mr. Okoi Obono-Obla.

In a statement made available to newsmen yesterday by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, the President also ordered the dissolution of the SPIP board.

The panel was established in August 2017 by the then Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, to investigate specifically mandated cases of corruption, abuse of office and similar offences by public officers.

Obono-Obla was thereafter sacked on the strength of ICPC reports which indicted him for fraudulently acquiring a Law Degree from the University of Jos with a forged West African Examination Certificate (WASC).

Since his sack, the ICPC progressed into investigations of his activities while serving as the head of the graft recovery body.

The President directed

the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to immediately take over all outstanding investigations

and other activities of the SPIP. He thanked all members of the dissolved panel for their services.

The statement read in part “The President looks forward to receiving the final Independent Corrupt Practices and other

related offences Commission (ICPC) report on the ongoing investigations of the dissolved panel’s Chairman.”

Commander, Operation Safe Haven, Maj.-Gen. Augustine Agundu (2nd, R) leading Plateau Peace Road Walk, yesterday in Jos. Photo: NAN

Kogi guber: INEC worried about likely violence -Official

T

he INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Kogi, Prof.

James Apam, on Tuesday expressed worries over possible violence during the November 16 governorship election in the state.

Apam disclosed this at the unveiling of “Get Out The Vote, Voter Education and Stop Violence Against Women In Politics” campaign projects and multistakeholders’ meeting, in Lokoja.

He said that INEC had, on several occasions, prepared to

conduct credible elections and always puts necessary machinery in place to ensure free, fair and acceptable elections, only for such elections to be disrupted by violence.

The REC said that the commission intends to correct the flaws identified in past elections during the forthcoming election, saying “we intend to correct them and make this one a test case for elections in this country.

“INEC is doing everything

possible to organise free, fair and credible governorship election in November. We have met with traditional rulers and other stakeholders in the state on the way forward.

“People always blame INEC when there is problem, but the truth of the matter is that in most cases, the electorate and politicians are responsible for the problems.

“Yes, on our part, we normally encounter some problems but I can assure you that some of

these problems will be solved before, during and after election.

Our main worry has always been violence.

“You spent a lot of time to prepare for elections, putting resources together, training men and women for the exercise.

“You send them to the field for the exercise and all of a sudden, someone with a gun appears and starts shooting and before you know what is happening, everything has been disrupted,”

Apam lamented.

Apam, therefore, enjoined parents, especially women, to help talk to their children and wards on the need to eschew violence, adding that with absence of violence, there would be massive turnout during the election and the exercise would be hitch-free.

The REC also urged the electorate to conduct themselves in an orderly manner before and during the election to enhance smooth exercise.(NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 18, 2019

PAGE 6

News

By Albert Akota

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hristian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) has tasked members of the Federal Medical Committee to strive at zero mortality for 2019 Christian Pilgrimage exercise.

The director in charge of the commission, Mrs. Esther kwaghe gave the charge yesterday in Abuja while inaugurating members of the Federal Medical Committee.

According to her, “my expectations are high, we must ensure to maintain zero mortality

2019 Christian pilgrimage: Commission tasks medical C’ttee on zero mortality in this year’s pilgrimage exercise”.

Mrs. kwaghe stressed that this year’s operation would be tasking for the committee because there are numerous activities ranging from selection of proper drugs, coordinating of medical screening at various state level during the departure of intending pilgrims and coordinating of health Exercise during the pilgrimage activities.

The director urged members of the Medical Committee to put

in their best while attending to pilgrims.

According to her, “this assignment are tasking but with God‘s enablement, I trust you will carry out this assignment effectively”.

She explained that the members of the committee were appointed based on merit and competence.

In her words: “this year’s selection was distinguished by merits.”

The Chairman of the Committee, Dr. David Atuwo represented by the Vice Chairman, Dr. Francis Alu in his response, thanked the Director in Charge for considering the committee worthy to participate in this 2019 Pilgrimage exercise.

He assured that the committee would do their best to ensure that pilgrims are given adequate and effective medical care during their pilgrimage exercise.

The 10 man Federal Medical

Committee would coordinate all the medical activities for the 2019 Christian Pilgrimage.

They are to conduct selection examinations for the medical team and organize orientation for both the Federal and Zonal Medical Personnel.

Members of the Federal Medical Committee are made up of seasoned doctors, nurses and pharmacist with great wealth of experience in the medical profession.

From Ibrahim Gusau

Universal Peace Federation, Africa Region, Reverend George Ogurie during a courtesy visit in his Abuja residence.

The Governor said his administration is determined to explore more economic development programmes that will consolidate the peace process of the administration with a view to engage the repentant bandits through various economic ventures especially under agricultural means.

Matawalle also informed the regional representative that, his administration has commenced the construction of three Ruga

settlements in the State aimed at engaging the Fulani herders and providing a direction for them by stocking the settlements with Western and Islamic schools among other basic facilities.

He also promised to engage the expertise of the Peace Federation in the area of peace for it to be sustained in the state, adding that, “Efforts for peace restoration in the state was my priority, and that must be achieved in order to pave ways for subsequent meaningful developments”.

Earlier, the Regional Representative of the Universal

Peace Federation, UPF Africa Region, Rev George Ogurie said, they were at the Governor’s residence in order to congratulate him for the positive changes he brought to Zamfara State security wise in particular and in order to encourage him and identify the noble feat with their organisation.

He also commended the Governor’s foresight for initiating a Peace Process that has yielded positive results and is being accepted and commended by both the counterpart governments across the region and the government at the center as well.

Service delivery: Matawalle, UPF in pact to consolidate peace in Zamfara Ortom bemoans G rot in LGAs From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

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enue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has lamented over the rot in the local government service.

He made the lamentation yesterday while swearingin the Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, Mr. Bem Melladu, urging the new Commission to change the narrative in service delivery in the local government system.

He also, charged the newly appointed members of the commission to discharge their duties without fear or favor.

Ortom also mandated the members to correct the rots in the local government, stressing that the third tier of government was riddled with ghost workers and over bloated staff.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Commission, Bem Melabu promised that the members would not disappoint the people of the state but appealed to the governor to give the members the necessary support to succeed.

In a another vein, Governor Ortom announced that local government election in the state would hold on November, 30 2019.

According to him, the State Independent Electoral Commission Chairman, Dr Joseph Loko had informed him of the date.

The governor further said that the cost of prosecuting the election would be jointly funded by the state and local government.

He said, “ the SIEC chairman had informed me that the commission had slated November, 30 this year to conduct local government election.

“And the process of funding the election will be borne by both the state and local governments.

“So state government will provide 40 percent and local government areas are to provide 60 per cent of the funds,” Ortom said.

Sidi

Muh’d,

overnor Bello Muhammad Matawalle of Zamfara State has reiterated his determination to explore more developmental programmes capable of consolidating Peace Process initiated by his administration in the state.

In a statement by Director General Press Affairs Government House, Yusuf Idris Gusau, Matawalle made this known yesterday when he received the Regional Representative of the

L-R; A Public Health Advocates, Hajiya Hauwa Abbas, Chairman, Board of Advisors Hepatitis Zero Nigerian Commission, Prof. Rotimi Jaiyesimi; President, Nigerian Commission, Dr. Mike Omotosho; Project Consultant, Hepatitis Zero, Dr. Dave Nwedu and Member Rotary International Laison, Mr.Oye Oyewo, during the Press Conference on Hepatitis Zero World Eradication Project, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Urhobo youths back Okumagba as NDDC Managing Director From Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

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he host communities of Nigeria Producing Oil &Gas HOSTCOM, Urhobo Ethnic Nationality Youth Wing Delta State chapter have backed the appointment of Chief Bernard Okumagba as the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commissin,NDDC. Comrade Sweet Otiotio, the Youth Chairman of HOSTCOM Urhobo Nation who spoke in a stakeholders meeting at the Conference Centre of the Petroleum Training Institute PTI Effurun over the weekend, said that President Muhammadu Buhari saw the stellar

quality in Bernard Okumagba before selecting him to man NDDC as the MD. Comrade Sweet Otiotio noted during the interactive session that the agitations by some people against this laudable appointment is diversionary and headlong against national interest in general and the Niger Delta in particular.

Comrade Otiotio, the Urhobo HOSTCOM Youth leader asserted in his speech that Bernard Okumagba is a man with good track record vested with the requisite knowledge to handle the affairs of the Agency for the betterment of all stakeholders irrespective of their ethnic affiliations.

The HOSTCOM Youth leader emphasised that “there is need for us to be our brother’s keeper to maintain peace without which the dream of accelerated development of the Niger Delta Will be in fiasco. “ Comrade Evuarherhe Prosper, the Assistant Youth Leader of HOSTCOM Delta Central Urhobo Nation, Comrade Kenneth Emakpor Coordinator Okpe LGA, Comrade Endurance Onisuru ,Coordinator Sapele LGA and Comrade William Oyibode Coordinator Udu LGA, HOSTCOM Urhobo Youth Wing who also spoke in defense of Chief Bernard Okumagba remarked in their observations that the new MD is indeed the choice of the people

and imminently qualified to do the job.

Comrade Ese Gregory , Coordinator of Urhobos of Patani LGA, Comrade James Idiowa Coordinator Ughelli North LGA , and Comrade Happy Gbeke Coordinator Ughelli South in their own contributions averred that they are ready to do everything possible within their power to ensure that Okumagba succeed in office.

Comrade Otiotio the Group Chairman called on all persons who are disillusioned to shift ground and tow the path of honour by joining hands with the new MD of NDDC to build the Niger Delta to enviable heights.

PAGE 7

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 18, 2019

CRIME News

Abductors of Delta lawyer demand N50m ransom From Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

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bductors of the Delta State legal practitioner and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Barr Chike Onyemenem have established contact with his family members to demand for N50million as ransom.

Chike Onyemenem was abducted last Saturday around Utulu Junction along Asaba Benin Express way by a group of armed gang men believed to be kidnappers who were said to have forced him into their waiting and drove away to an unknown destination.

But the Police Commissioner in the state, Adeleke Adeyinka who confirmed the abduction of the lawyer to journalists in Asaba, said that the Police were on top of the situation adding that the Police will ensure his release unhurt.

In the early hours of Tuesday,

family members of the victim who did not want their names in the print said that the abductors established a contact with them, demanding for N50million ransom, adding that negotiations were still ongoing.

In the last few days, no fewer people six persons were kidnapped across the state and subsequently I after ransom paid by their relations

to secure their release.

It was gathered that Utulu Junction along Asaba Benin Express way had remained a flash point for kidnappings and robbery as most of the kidnapped and robbed victims were done on the spot leading to six other communites in the state Police sources said that the abandoned vehicle of the victim was recovered the following Sunday

morning inside the bush with the windscreen heavily damaged by unknown persons in the area.

Meanwhile, the Delta State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of three suspected Kidnappers in Asaba and its environs, adding that the suspects were currently being detained at the state CID for further investigation.

Adeyinka Adeleke,Police

Commissioner in the state confirmed that the suspects were arrested on Monday morning on intelligence gathering by Officers and men of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the state Police Command.

He said that the police was committed to the protection of lives and property in the state, warning that it will no longer be business as usual for criminals in the state.

Police confirm death of ACP in Sokoto

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he Police Command in Sokoto State has confirmed the sudden death of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Sulaiman Zubairu on Sunday.

The Police Public Relation Officer, Muhammad Sadiq, confirmed the death to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto on Monday.

Mr Sadiq said ACP Zabairu

was in the state to supervise the screening of candidates for the on-going recruitment into Nigeria Police Force.

“He finished his assignment on Sunday and was planning to

depart for Abuja on Monday,’’ he said.

He said the deceased would be buried on Tuesday in Sokoto and prayed that the soul rests in peace. (NAN)

Gunmen kill Plateau village head From Ado Abubakar Musa, Jos

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nknown gunmen have killed the Village Head of Kadunu village in Langai District of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The police spokesperson in the state, Tyopev Terna, who confirmed the incident on Monday gave the name of the deceased as Mamman Bayero.

Tge police said , “ On 15/09/2019 at about 1945hrs the Mangu Police Division, Plateau State Command received a distress call to the effect that unknown gunmen attacked one Mamman Bayaro ‘m’ 54yrs old of Kadunu Village in Mangu LGA. “ As a result of the attack, the victim was shot on his chest. He was rushed to Allah Na Kowa Hospital Mangu for treatment where was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.

“Also, one Muhammadu Ibrahim ‘m’ of the same address was shot on his left leg during the incident and is receiving treatment at the same hospital, “ the police added.

Our correspondence reports that Bayero has been buried on Monday.

Terna, however, said efforts were ongoing to arrest the perpetrators of this dastardly act to face Justice.

L-R: Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mustapha Dandaura; Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operation, Adamu Abubakar and Assistant Commissioner of Police, Olumese Valentine, during a news conference on measures taken by the Rivers State Police Command to checkmate the activity of a serial killer, yesterday in Port Harcourt. Photo: NAN

Police arrest notorious armed robbers in Lagos

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team of detectives led by the Divisional Police Officer, Igando, CSP Taiwo Kasumu, have arrested three notorious armed robbery suspects.

This is contained in a statement by the Police Public Relation Officer, DSP Bala Elkana in Lagos on Tuesday.

“The armed robbery gang terrorises the Igando/Egan residential neighbourhood mostly at night time.

“They arrived the

neighbourhood on three motorcycles with intent to rob along Ikotun-Igando road but the attempt was foiled by the police,” Elkana said.

He said that one Mr Oseni Waheed, 32, was arrested at the scene with one locally made pistol while the rest escaped.

“Waheed led detectives to Aribisala Street in Egan where three of his fleeing accomplices were arrested,” he said.

Elkana said that the suspects were also on the wanted list of

the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba for series of robberies and murders.

He said that they were wanted for the murder of a Policeman under Amukoko Division during one of their robbery operations.

“Investigation is ongoing and the suspects will be charged to court,” the DSP said.

Elkana also said that detectives from Ilemba Hausa Division, arrested two suspects, one Mr Gidion Amuzie, 25, and Godspower Imafidion, 25, of

Satellite Town, Lagos.

He said that one black Honda Accord 2007 which they hid at Jemilugba Street, Ilogbo Lagos had been recovered.

“The suspects specialised in snatching vehicles from the owners or stealing the vehicles from where they are parked.

“They confessed that they stole the vehicle at a car wash in Satellite Town. Investigation is ongoing and the suspects will be charged to court,” Elkana said.

(NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 18, 2019

PAGE 8

News

NUP wants govs to review, settle gratuities From Ahmad Bauchi

Mohammed,

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he Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has appealed to state governors to settle outstanding gratuities owed to its members and to review pension after every five years or where there is increase in the salaries of civil servants with a view to improving their plight.

National Vice President, North East zone of the Union, Alhaji Muhammad Inuwa Ahmad made the appeal in a press release issued to journalists Monday in Bauchi State.

He said that pensioners who rendered selfless services to their states and country need to be well treated by the government. “ As elderly citizens, pensioners remained focused on the major political promises done by their respective leaders most especially governors during the recent general elections. Though, it is our civic right to be part of the juicy democratic system, we emanate confidence on major of their promises, as known to all and sundry, our prayers are settlement of all gratuity and pension arrears and upward review of monthly pension every five years or where there is

Shun corruption, group tasks Kaduna school mgt. C’ttee From Kaduna

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Femi

Oyelola

group, Legal Awareness for Nigerian Women (LANW/LEADS-Nigeria) has tasked the School Based Management Committees (SBMCs) in Kaduna State to shun corruption but strive harder to work for their respective communities.

The Executive Director of the organisation, Barrister Rebecca Sako-John handed down the warning on yesterday during training of SBMCs in Chikun, Kaura and Soba local government areas of Kaduna State with regards to monitoring of MacArthur Foundation supported universal basic education projects in the selected local government areas and Schools Improvement Programme (SIP) fund.

The whole essence of the engagement she said, was to improve quality of education in Kaduna State through the SBMCs who are the closest to the facilities.

increase in salary and wages to civil servants whichever comes earlier.”

“The issue of gratuity and pension arrears has started to move a step forward in many of the north eastern states, as the Bauchi state government under Bala Mohammed has placed his positive giant strides on the Bauchi state pensioners, 100 million naira was duly paid on august and subsequently 200 million naira was also paid on September 2019 to both local government and state pensioners with confined expectations of getting higher than the previous

payments every month”.

“Governor Babagana Umar Zulum of Borno State has also made good attempt by paying one billion naira on july/ August to the Borno state pensioners , thus, this implies his kind acts toward addressing pensioners’ plight.” “ In the same vein, Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has paid one billion and one hundred Million to state pensioners which we hope the same to the local government pensioners, and there is a reliable hope that more will be paid in subsequent months which we find embraced and thankful.”

“In another development, Governor Mai- Mala Buni of yobe state has paid six hundred Million to settle the backlog of gratuity, hence he has been a good succesor of Governor Gaidam which Nigerian pensioners recommend him to be their most friendly governor,” the statement reads.

While thanking the aforementioned governors for reducing gratuity debts in their state, Ahmad however lamented that Adamawa and Taraba States pensioners were still not paid their gratuities hoping that the governors would act on that soonest.

“Lastly, we are calling on government at all levels to frame a reliable blueprint for the development of the teeming Nigerian pensioners. Thus, this will be done by upward review of monthly pension as many pensioners in Nigeria receive as low as N3,000 , hence we will not remain on our toes until section 173(3) and section 210 of the 1999 constitution as amended which states that “pension must be reviewed every five years or together with any increase in civil servants salary whichever comes earlier” is being immediately put in place,” he said.

R-L: Minister of Youth and Sport Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and the Minister of state for Education, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, during Governor El-Rufai and the Minister of Sports courtesy visit to the Ministers of Education, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imoowo

Minister assures workers of industrial harmony, inclusive leadership

By Ese Awhotu

T

he Minister of State for Science and Technology, Barrister Mohammed Abdullahi has assured workers of the Ministry and its agencies of inclusive leadership so as to ensure industrial harmony in the Ministry.

He stated this while receiving in audience the executives of NASU/NASENI in Abuja when they paid a courtesy call on him on Tuesday in Abuja, according to a statement by Abdulganiyu Aminu,

Head(Press and Publicity) to the minister yesterday.

Barrister Abdullahi added that the leadership of the Ministry will bring innovation to the governance of the Ministry in order to promote open administration that would lead to amicable resolution of Labour issues.

According to him, it is only through this that the core mandate of the Ministry could be actualized.

Abdullahi said he was pleased with the spirit with which the workers embraced him, ‘’it is very gratifying to hear from you

directly welcoming me an outsider into your midst, this will spur me to do more for the Ministry and agencies,’’ he added.

He, therefore, assured them of his resolve to work with them to take the Ministry to greater heights in order to add value, creativity and innovations to the Nigerian Economy.

Barrister Abdullahi declared that, with the support of Honourable Minister, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, ‘’we will carry the Ministry beyond where it is now for the benefits of the Nation in

line with the President’s directives that value should be added to the lives of Nigerians ensuring that innovations will drive the Nation to a knowledge-based economy’’.

He also promised to personally, attend the forthcoming NASU Day on 8th October in Abuja to parley with their members.

The chairman of the Union Comrade Engr. Tijani Wakili had earlier commended the Minister for his hospitality and urged him to keep it up. He assured him of their resolve to partner the Ministry to ensure industrial harmony.

Okowa hails team Delta for winning 5th NYG From Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

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elta Governor, Sen. Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, on Tuesday congratulated the victorious Team Delta for winning the 5th National Youth Games (NYG).

Okowa praised the team for doggedness and determination which culminated in its back-toback victory at the 5th edition of the games, which ended in Ilorin, Kwara, on Tuesday.

With this victory, Team Delta has won the games for the fifth consecutive time.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, on Tuesday, the governor particularly expressed delight that the team surpassed last year’s record in winning the competition.

He congratulated the athletes, their handlers and the management of Delta State Sports Commission on the record, which

he described as “resounding “.

Okowa attributed the successes of the team to the huge investment of the state government in sports.

He assured that the talents discovered at this year’s games would be nurtured and mentored to become future stars for the state, country and the world.

He commended the Federal Ministry of Sports for organizing the Games and called for more stakeholders involvement in funding sports development in the

country.

The 2019 National Youth Games began on Sept. 10 and ended on last Tuesday, with Delta finishing first with a total of 104 medals.

It garnered 41 gold, 32 silver and 31 bronze, while Lagos State emerged second with a total of 72 medals 22 gold, 36 silver and 14 bronze.

Bayelsa finished third, winning 45 medals - 17 gold, six silver and 22 bronze.

PAGE 9

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 18, 2019

News

Xenophobia: South Africa grants landing permit to Air Peace, after hiccup

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outh African authorities have granted landing permit to Air Peace Flight B777 to enable it to evacuate some 320 Nigerians escaping from xenophobia in that country, a Nigerian consular officer has confirmed.

Godwin Adama, Nigeria’s Consul-General in Johannesburg, made the confirmation in a telephone interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday.

Mfr Adama spoke against the background of a complaint by the Managing Director of Air Peace, Allen Onyema.

Mr Onyema had said that the refusal of South Africa to grant

the permit made it impossible for the flight to leave Lagos at 1 a.m. for Johannesburg to convey the second batch of returnees.

But Mr Adama said the permit had been granted the airline and that the flight would be late in the night of Tuesday.

Mr Adama said, “They want Nigerians to arrive during the week, they are taking-off from here midnight.

“I do not know the exact time but they will be leaving (South Africa) midnight.

“I do not know why they were denied the landing permit. I think

it is an airline operational issue.

They did not get it yesterday but they told me that it came late yesterday (Monday).

“It was weekend and they were going to get it this morning; the airline did not tell me it was deliberate, but they explained to me that they have gotten it.

“Our manifest arrived last night towards the close of work and they were to take-off 1a.m. Nigerian time yesterday (Monday) but they did not because it was late.

“I have gotten it now so they will be able to make me know the

time of their arrival here so that we can know when to take-off.”

Mr Adama said buses provided to convey Nigerians wanting to return home were still at the mission premises and everyone was there.

“We are still really working on the number (320) to see how we can fill up the airline capacity with anyone that is readily available.

“We have more than enough, we are even trying to ensure that the aircraft is filled up that is why we are readily taking people who are on ground now.

“We have more than enough to fill the aircraft, the delay has also helped us because as we call names to board we see some people cleared at the last minute.

“The truth is they are people who have not been cleared, those who are ready to go are all here and we are trying to queue them up.

“We may not even be able to take all of them who are hopeful,” he added.

Mr Adama said the next batch of evacuation would be based on the Federal Government’s directives.(NAN)

Kogi, Bayelsa guber: Our victory unstoppable, says PDP

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

T

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said yesterday that it is poised for sweeping victory in the November 16 Kogi and Bayelsa State Governorship elections, pointing out that its grassroots structures have been activated in the two states ahead of the elections.

The PDP made it clear that its members and supporters have nothing to fear as reconciliatory efforts in the aftermath of the governorship primary elections in the two states are yielding immense results and further strengthening its structures and formation as one big, united and formidable family.

The party said this in a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan in Abuja.

The PDP assured that it is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that all aggrieved members are appeased so that our party faces the elections as a family.

The party commended the understanding and the spirit of sportsmanship being exhibited by critical stakeholders in the two states as well as their commitment towards the success of the party at the elections.

The PDP noted that it has already galvanized all segments of the voting population across the two states, which are known strongholds of the party, adding that no shenanigan by the violence-prone All Progressives Congress (APC) can stop its coast to victory in the elections.

L-R: Acting Chief Judge of Federal High of Nigeria, Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, Representative of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Muhammed Lawal Shuaibu, Former Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Mustapha Abdullahi, Justice Binta Nyako and DIG Taiwo Lakanu, during the 35th Annual Judges conference, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Lagos, China to partner on skills exchange From Idowu Abdullahi, Lagos

L

agos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said his administration’s development agenda was aimed at leveraging the population of the State for sustainable socioeconomic development.

The Governor said although the State was facing the challenges of growing population, his administration was prepared to turn the burden to opportunities by training people and equipping them with life skills.

Sanwo-Olu, in a statement by his spokesman, Gboyega Akosile, disclosed this while hosting the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Chu Maoming, in Alausa on a courtesy visit.

The Governor said his

administration would be expanding the state government’s relationship with the Chinese government to build human capital by exposing young population in the State to training opportunities in diverse areas, including technology, agriculture, manufacturing, construction and cultural exchange.

“Lagos and China can learn from each other, because we share similarities in several areas.

Both entities are both hugely populated, with Lagos being the most populous city in Africa.

China has a huge population not only in Asia, but also in the world.

Based on these similarities, we can promote value exchange that would lead to improved human capital development on both sides, Sanwo-Olu said.

“Lagos is growing by the day and

we are faced with the challenges of catering for this population. We initiated a development agenda that is aimed at harnessing the potential of residents. We are looking forward to a mutually beneficial partnership with China, which would explore opportunity of technology transfer to build the skills of our young people.

Also, there are many exchange opportunities in Chinese manufacturing sector, agriculture, construction and culture. Our people need to take advantage of this opportunity for employment generation.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu observed that Lagos and China shared long history of collaborations, but added that his government would deepen the relationship.

Maoming said the Chinese private sector investors had

concluded to increase the volume of trade with Lagos to the tune of billions of dollars, stressing that the investment would result in job creation and knowledge transfer.

He said: “I arrived Nigeria in May and I have visited a lot of Chinese businesses operating across the country, including Lagos. Todiay, there is good news.

Chinese business community has concluded the plan to increase their size of investments in Lagos.

The presence of Vice Chairperson of the China’s biggest oil company, National Offshore Oil Corporation, here today is an indication of the readiness of the Chinese business community to inject billions of dollars in the Lagos economy.

We are exploring other areas of opportunity in which China and Lagos can cooperate to sustain our bilateral partnership.”

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 18, 2019

PAGE 10

N ews

By Ese Awhotu

T

he United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said it was committed to the rebuilding of the three most-affected Boko Haram (BH) States of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states, just as the Minister of State for Budget and

Niger govt adopts solution 17 of SDGs for devt From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

T

he Niger state government has adopted the solution 17 for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to link the state potentials with United Nations, UN, for its development plans through partnership to actualize its agendas.

Governor Abubakar Sani Bello gave the assurance yesterday in Minna on “United Nations Global Week with Niger State as Action Partner to ACT4 SDGs to promote the State in the Global SDG Map” He explained that this would make Niger State No 1 investment friendly state in Nigeria by providing of basic infrastructural development of the state and elimination of extreme poverty through agriculture targeted at the youths, women and down trodden in the society.

Governor Bello assured to continue to inculcate the SDG goals towards utilizing the state potentials as an agrarian state and food basket of the nation.

He reiterated the commitment of his administration in embarking on the policy of upgrading the PHC in each of the 274 wards across the state in addition with the provision of safe and clean drinking water in all the communities in the state.

The Secretary to the Stats Government SSG, Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Matane in his remarks said that 2030 SDGs is attainment of the global agenda hence the actualization needs allainment with the agenda which required proper data and more determination to attained the goals as MDAs to key into the agenda properly.

B/Haram: We’re committed to rebuilding infrastructure in Adamawa, Yobe, Borno-UNDP National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba, commended the programme’s commitment in that regard.

UNDP’s Resident Representative in Nigeria, Mr Mohammed Yahya, told the Minister during a courtesy visit to the Ministry in Abuja that there was a stabilisation facility to take care of the affected states in the areas of infrastructure development including roads, houses, clinics and police stations, among others.

Yahya disclosed that the UNDP had already resource mobilized $64 million for the

region in a period of eighteen months with 50 percent coming to Nigeria.

According to him, “the Stabilisation facility is a byproduct of the Regional Stabilisation Strategy adopted last year with approval for Nigeria as the largest contributor.

“We were able to launch it in Berlin where your predecessor, former Minister of State, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, represented Nigeria and committed that Nigeria would support the implementation of the facility in the country.”

He said the effort through

the stabilisation facility was to convince the community that governments at the federal and state levels were very much interested in ensuring their development and moving them from the concept of crisis to getting the entire region back on its footing.

“So, we hope to show our commitment to Nigeria and see how Nigeria herself is able to contribute to the budget of the programme,” Yahya stated.

The minister expressed appreciation to the UNDP on the stabilisation facility and stressed the need to bring back the broken

down infrastructure in the three states.

According to him, “That will bring a lot of succor to our people; give them meaning to life and a new hope. We will work with you to ensure that those projects come in very quickly.”

He said that the Ministry would be interested in how the UNDP could deploy technology and capacity building in assisting it to develop the new national development plan that would succeed the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) in 2021. The ERGP will come to an end in December 2020.

L-R: Director General , National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr. Kashifu Abdullahi; Minister of Communications, Dr. Isa Ali Pantami; Managing Director, Digital Jewels, Mrs. Adedoyin Odunfa and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communications, Mr. Musa Istifanus, during the NITDA ISO 27001;2013 Certificate presentation ceremony, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imoowo

Delta govt. assures stable power in tertiary education institutions

By Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

D

etermined to address electricity deficit in tertiary institutions across Delta State, the state government has indicated its intent to ensure 24- hour power supply in the state owned tertiary educational institutions through solar energy within six months.

The state Commissioner for

Higher Education, Professor Patrick Muoboghare who disclosed this to journalists in Asaba on Tuesday, said that in line with the plans, a pilot scheme will be installed at the Delta state Polytechnic Ozoro, while Delta state Polytechnic Oghara will follow suit after two months, adding that the project would be financed through Public Private Partnership (.PPP) model as the solar project would be built and

commissioned by Private investors, while government would offset the financial commitments monthly after three years Muoboghare said that the proposal was the right steps in the right direction, disclosing that its delivery would generate enormous benefits for the institutions and Considerably reposition them to deepen their Commitment to deliver on the mandate as enunciated in the

legal instruments that established them, regretting that the current scenario of tertiary schools in the state and the country at large, was one of pity as they could contend with poor supply of electricity which also permeates the larger society.

He said, “It’s this singular advantage that has continually made solar powered electricity one of the most attractive and innovative across the world”

Army court martials former GOC over alleged stolen N400m

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he Nigerian Army has commenced the trial of the former General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division, Sokoto, Hakeem Otiki, a major general, over alleged stolen N400 million by some soldiers under his command.

The Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, while inaugurating the General Court Martial on Tuesday in Abuja, said the trial was in line with the Armed Forces Act Cap A20 Laws of the Federation 2014.

The General Court Martial is to be presided over by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Nigerian Army Headquarters, Lamidi Adeosun, a major general, as the president of the court.

Members of the court are A.A Tarfa

from the Headquarters Training and Doctrine Nigerian Army, F.O Agugo from Department of Army Transformation and Innovation and J.S Malu from the Headquarters Nigerian Army Engineers.

Others are M.A. Muhammed from the Headquarters Nigerian Army Signal, C.T Olukuju from Land Forces Stimulation Centre while C.C Okonkwo will serve as a waiting member. All the members are of the rank of major general.

Mr Buratai, a lieutenant general, also appointed A. Muhammed, a major, from the Headquarters Directorate of Army Legal Services as the Judge Advocate of the court.

The prosecuting officers are J.A Orumo,

J,A Obot, from the Office of the National Security Adviser, I.A Suleman from Guards Brigade. They are all majors.

According to the convening order issued by Mr Buratai, the General Court Martial as composed is to assemble at Army Headquarters Command Mess Abuja for the purpose of trying the accuse person.

“The charges are to be served on the accused person or his counsel not later than 24 hours before arraignment.

“The prosecuting and defence counsels will respectively call witnesses to prove their cases in accordance with the law.

“The accused person is entitled to a defence counsel of his choice and accused person is to inform the convening officer of

his counsel not later than 24 hours before the commencement of the trial.

“Recommended books to be used are the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended; Armed Forces Act Cap A20 Laws of the Federation 2004; Evidence Act number 18 of 2011; Rules of Procedures, Army 1972; the Holy Bible; the Holy Quran and any other relevant document,’’ he said.

The army authorities had in July begun the interrogation of the former GOC over the missing N400 million.

Five soldiers had been confirmed to have carted away a consignment containing the money, while on an escort duty from Sokoto to Kaduna States in July.(NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 18, 2019

PAGE 11

EDITORIAL

Re-branding of Buharinomics

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resident Muhammadu The new team is made up of Buhari, Monday, replaced technocrats, experts in various his first term Economic fields that are related to the Management Team (EMT) with economy. Soludu, for instance, a more independent minded is an Economics professor and 8-member Economic Advisory one-time governor of CBN. Council (EAC) that will report He is a member of the British directly to him. Vice President Department for International Yemi Osinbajo who Development’s headed the old team International is not even a member Advisory Group. of this new one. It is He is only The presidential headed by Prof. Doyin 59 years old. statement said the Salami.

Bismark Rewane A statement by EAC “will advise is the Managing Buhari’s Special the President on D i r e c t o r / C h i e f Adviser on Media, economic policy Executive Officer Femi Adesina, named matters, including of Financial fiscal analysis, Dr. Mohammed Sagagi Derivatives as vice-chairman. economic growth Company Limited and a range The secretary is Dr. in Lagos. He has of internal and more than 30 years Mohammed Adams Salisu. He is the global economic experience as an President’s Senior issues working economist, banker Special Assistant on with the relevant and financial cabinet members Development Policy. analyst. He is a and heads of A former governor chartered member monetary and of Central Bank of of the Institute fiscal agencies Nigeria (CBN), Prof. of Bankers of Chukwuma Soludo, England and Wales is a member. The others are and a Fellow of The Nigerian Professor Ode Ojowu, Dr. Shehu Institute of Bankers.

Yahaya, Dr. Iyabo Masha and The preponderance of Mr. Bismark Rewane. experts, particularly economists The presidential statement and financial analysts is what said the EAC “will advise the distinguishes this new team President on economic policy from the old one. It was made matters, including fiscal made up of politicians and analysis, economic growth and bureaucrats. Many Nigerians a range of internal and global wrote it off as no economic economic issues working with team at all. That Buhari has the relevant cabinet members dispensed with it shows he has and heads of monetary and listening ears. It also means fiscal agencies. The EAC will that his government will this have monthly technical sessions time pay more attention to the as well as scheduled quarterly economy. Yes, the war against meetings with the President. corruption will still be on the The Chairman may, however, front burner but the priority will request for unscheduled be how to return the economy meetings if the need arises”. to the path of growth.

“

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Letter to the Editor

Musa Bello: One good term deserves another

By Jamila Musa

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he long wait is over. The residents of Abuja heaved a sigh of relief with the re-appointment of the former minister of the FCT, Muhammed Musa Bello for a second term in office.

If performance is the yardstick for the reappointment of a minister into the cabinet of the president, then president Muhammadu Buhari got it right in the choice of the reappointment of Muhammadu Bello as the minister of the federal capital territtory.

The joy and excitement of the news of the reappointment of Musa Bello in the territtory stem from his performance in his first term as minister of the territtory.

There is a popular adage that one good term deserves another.We are proud to say that the minister has really done a good term in office.

In his first term as minister, a new dawn was witnessed in the administration of the FCT as never witnessed before in the territtory. He concentrated on four cardinal policies, sorting out of issues of double allocation, social investments, infrastructural development and education. His appointment as the minister in the first term by the president then signalled the end of an era and end of an error in which the residents of the territtory witnessed during the PDP led administration.

Through the visionary leadership of the minister, the city is changing slowly but evolving. Agreed, the Abuja city has its challenges ranging from some appalling slums, housing deficit, ubiquitious traffic congestions that are factors still bedevilling her, we believe in his second term as minister, he will face this challenges and find a way of solving it once and for all.

Not minding the fact that the story of Abuja is tightly knit to that of Nigeria, the economic downturn of the early 70’s and 80’s itself gave rise to a massive migration to urban cities including Abuja.This led to a huge overstretching of the city to what it is today.

Today,this overstretching of Abuja has reached a point of elasticity - the city and its leadership needs to reinvent itself before it reached a point of huge decline.This is the challenges the minister Mohammadu Bello has been confronting in his first term and it is hopeful he shall continue along that line in his second term.

Within a short time of his appointment as the minister to oversee the territtory garbage dumps turned into gardens. One example is the ubiquitious traffic gridlock of a place like the Asokoro district :this area was transformed by demolishing illegal structures and the eviction of squartters from that area.This is an enviable stride by the minister in his first term that needs to be continued and he must see his reappointment as a sign of the approval of his developmental activities by the president.The task of building the Abuja city is in the hands of the minister and he must be supported by all residents and the present administration because this task also comes with a huge price tag.

The ministers infrastructural plans are excellent because the existing infrastructures are inadequate and

overstretched.The minister in his first term has been very innovative in the financing of this infrastructural and development plans in the development of Abuja,s urban spaces.The minister has been very innovative also in the sourcing of funds to meet the infrastructural needs of the city:for example lands sale by the fct.administration is also being used in the development of the Abuja new infrastructures.

The minister in his first term also tried in putting in place measures to enhance Abuja city,s housing deficits.The numbers in the Abuja housing deficit was enough in scarring the minister to take urgent measures to address this housing deficits.There are no finishing line in this journey,it is a continuous desire to make things better than we could ever imagine.

Today the grinding and the burstling of Abuja goes on from dawn to dawn,and the minister has been able to walk his talk in his first term that Abuja’s must outgrow its slumification and finally become the city that its people would be proud of.That is the vision of the minister.

It is advisable that in this second coming of the minister,he must work towards making the city of Abuja a widely cited example of effective African city governance from the long held notion of Abuja as a city of urban disorder.This is a legacy that must work toward bequeathing for posterity.The minister must also work towards multiplying its tax revenue and using this resources in restoring basic infrastructure, public services and law enforcements.Some of his reforms initiatives such as the review of the waste collection and tax collection system which serves both political and mega city goals must be continued. Progress in this areas would be achieved through increased bureaucratic resources,managerial reforms,public outreach,and cooperation’s with organised social groups.

Other reforms efforts,such as those regulating buses and curtailing extortions from miscreants-which entails more difficult political challenges must be looked into by the minister. This will help in advancing public services and megacity goals even though it will in the short term threatened crucial political constituency’s.The minister must have the courage to take this crucial decisions for the good of the city and fail to reverse and admit it if his decisions are not working. governance progress in the FCT.must not be partial and should not be rellying on crucial political compromises between the government and social groups.

Mohammadu Bello must be seen to continue to invest in the improvement of infrastructure in Abuja.Today it is generally accepted that he is shaping Abuja.He has already started the process of reconciling the city’s wealthiest and vast population of urban poor. He must also see to it that the rebuilding of the new Abuja of our dream is not built only for the rich.

We believe the minister will make Abuja better and we commend our president for his choice of Mohammadu Bello as minister of the FCT. His vision for this city is being realised.

Jamila Musa, Abuja

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Opinion

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 18, 2019

South Africa as unequalled society

By Tayo Oke

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he world has witnessed a spate of attacks on “foreign” workers in South Africa almost since the day after the end of apartheid in that country, in 1994. It has become particularly acute in the last few years as levels of unemployment and deprivation have reached new heights amidst allegations of corruption and “state capture” levelled against the former President, Jacob Zuma. The media, both in Nigeria and elsewhere, have portrayed dreadful scenes of “black-on-black violence” taking place at regular intervals especially in Johannesburg and Pretoria as a uniquely black African phenomenon. Nigerians have been especially singled out for direct attacks and lynching, in some cases, even more inhumane than the white minority regime used to mete out to the blacks under apartheid. Some say it is because Nigerians and other fellow Africans have come to “steal” local jobs; others claim it is because of the involvement of Nigerians in criminality that they are being targeted. Others, still, claim it is a combination of both. My contention, in this piece, is that the widespread account of blacks turning on other (“foreign”) blacks in a frenzied “xenophobic” attacks in South Africa appears true on the surface, but it is a fundamentally flawed logic. Here is why.

There is no hate blood flowing from the veins of one set of blacks onto another in South Africa. The root cause of the violent attacks lies in economic inequality, not xenophobia.

South Africa’s economy grew by 1.3% in 2017, and a dismal 0.8% in 2018. Growth projection for 2019 is 1.3%, nudging up to 1.7% in 2020, according to the World Bank. Per capita (income per head of the population) growth has come to a screeching halt since 2014, leaving little or no room for poverty reduction in the wider sense.

More than 25 years after the end of apartheid, South Africa has become the most unequal society in the world. The country is followed in the league of inequality, by Namibia, Botswana, and Zambia. South Africa is at 30 places above Nigeria on this particular score. The nation’s wealth remains ensconced and unabashed in the hands of a very few, super-connected elite.

The top one per cent of the population owns and controls over 70% of the net assets, leaving the bottom 60% in control of seven per cent of the remnants. High inequality is perpetuated by a legacy of exclusion, and the nature of the antipeople, lopsided economic policy spearheaded by the ruling African National Congress; not some “foreigners”. Intergenerational mobility in South Africa is abysmally low, meaning, the poverty disease is passed down through the generations with little change in that condition on the horizon anytime soon.

This scale of mass economic deprivation could only be rationalised if examined through the prisms of apartheid, when the majority blacks were kept in bondage by the minority whites. The greatest achievement of the postapartheid settlement, from the point of view of the whites, has been the preservation of the old structures of power in the hands of a tiny few, of which a significant number of blacks have now been invited to join. It is these urban black nouveau rich who are now being thrust forward as the modern faces of domination and oppression. Income inequality has worsened on the watch of the new black landlords, as oppression is no longer associated with race, but class. To buttress this point, in the last decade alone, the white middle class grew by only 15%, while black middle class grew by a whopping 78%. The latter now constitutes the privileged few occupying the citadels of power and influence; once the exclusive preserve

of the white minority regime. The radicals of yesteryears have now become the reactionaries of today, united in their determination to maintain the status quo by force and propaganda. They are the ones with significant influence over the media, culture and other means of communication spreading falsehoods (like a bushfire), about “foreign invasion” and “foreign criminality” as a way of tapering down on the people’s revolutionary impulse against the inherited oppressive system the black elite are now using to keep them down.

With their access to, and control of the media, they spread the poisonous idea of “otherness” and “territoriality” in the minds of the poor, unemployed and ‘wretched of the society’ who, in turn, move against their brethren in what appears to be spontaneous attacks provoked by joblessness and criminality. In all, it is the poor being whipped up to fight the poor in a mad scramble for crumbs at the feet of the elite.

Have you ever wondered why, despite the overwhelming presence of Nigerian bankers, professors, scientists, doctors, lawyers and other top business executives thriving in the same South African economy, there is no simultaneous uprising against them, and other white-collar “foreigners”? How many poor people even understand the word “xenophobia” anyway? The black elite roaming the corridors of power in South Africa clearly do not wish to amplify the message of economic inequality too loudly for fear of a reprisal and a mass uprising against their own privileged lifestyles. So, what better way to divert the people’s frustration than towards the bogey “foreigners” in their midst? In a way, what we are witnessing in South Africa is not really different from what happened elsewhere in Africa in the 1960s when most of the continent achieved independence.

The elite who took over the reins of power in

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nyone that wishes Nigeria, as a nation, well will not for one minute entertain support for groups or activities aimed at fracturing the nation. Breaking up the nation would in the case be most outrageous.

As of the time of writing this piece, groups like the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) Biafra Independence Movement (BIM) are the leading ones among groups that are agitating for not just a break up of the country but a rancorous division that is bent on making enemies out of neigbours and brothers.

Further south of the south-east Nigeria, where these agitations are launched from are militant groups, which while making similar demands are actually using such activities as bargaining chips for rent seeking.

In the past, a group like the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) pursued a not too similar agenda as an ethnic militia. A President of Yoruba extraction in the person of Olusegun Obasanjo decisively taught those making such ill informed demands that the unity of Nigeria is superior to ethnic interest any day.

It is interesting that the loud demand for a break up coming from the south-east today was largely mute when Goodluck Jonathan, a south-southerner was in the saddle as president. This underscores the warped ideology driving this insistence of balkanizing a promising country.

Curiously, all the bases that the separatists are citing for demanding a destruction of the country are laughable when viewed against the background of available facts. For instance, the claim of marginalization eventually become hollow when reviewed statistically –

persons of Igbo ethnicity are then seen to be heading major federal government agencies or commissions just as they have the statutory number of ministerial appointments and seats in parliament as prescribed by the constitution. This is not forgetting that there is no state in the south-east whose governor hails from another state – if the Igbo people fail to demand good governance from their own sons who are governors why would they make the resulting parlous infrastructural situation in their homeland appear like the result of the wickedness of the other ethnic groups?

As far as federal presence goes, the Igbo people that have ever been in power at the centre and those that currently in office should be able to explain what they did wrong to not attract projects to their homeland when other officials always place their own town and villages in the scheme of things. There have been stories about how people waive the rights of their geo-political zones to have projects for personal gains but that is a topic for another day.

When it comes to true fiscal federalism, there is no evidence that any state has been actively denied by either the other states or the federal government from pursuing economic policies that would serve the interests of its people. Same has not been heard of any geo-political zone. The separatist groups can therefore not blame others for the failures of the ruling Igbo elites to chart the course that would have confirmed them as the manufacturing or commerce hub of Nigeria. The perverse argument of presenting the 1914 amalgamation of Nigeria as artificial and forced is laughable of course. It has been a century and even some of our indigenous communities are products of human

intervention that endured the course of time to give us the stable entities that run smoothly today.

On the practicality of their demands, which includes being allowed to secede from Nigeria, holding a plebiscite to formalize their breakaway, or ordering a referendum to decide the future unity of Nigeria’s unity are all inelastic concept that are not likely to ever shift under the current arrangement.

One, no government would willingly parcel out a country entrusted to it to run, if it were possible then this demand should have been pushed during the Jonathan presidency since he showed such unrivalled ethnic accommodation for the south-east but because these same persons screaming blue murder today were feeding fat from the government at that time or because they are intelligent enough to know such idea is dead on arrival, they never bothered Jonathan with such failed demand. Secondly, nothing in our current laws have provisions for plebiscite or referendum. This consequently takes them off the table for now on the list of options available to those who feel they are suffocating in the current union.

The path open to them in this regard is to build the necessary consensus that would make it possible to first amend the constitution to include secession from the country using plebiscite or referendum.

Where these are included in the constitution, pro-separatist agitators would still have to contend with the mess they have made of their demands. They have largely been confrontational, abusive of other ethnicities, engaged in propaganda that is damaging to the entire country and have been largely inconsiderate of others. Even where they are able to make remediation in these

Comment

The Forex debate various African countries devoted much of their energy into consolidating their hold on power at the expense of the poor and downtrodden. They entrenched inequality rather than embarked upon a radical transformation of society. They did this by turning villagers against villagers, ethnic groups against ethnic groups and communities against communities. The South Africa elite are doing exactly the same thing, this time, by diverting attention away from their own shortcomings as self-centred egoistic rulers, and instead focusing the peoples’ mind on the “foreigners” taking over their jobs.

In the final analysis, though when we live in a world that insists on “trickledown economics” as the only means of organising society, a majority of the citizens are bound to be kept at bay violently, it appears, as they wait for the fruits of the elusive economic growth to manifest in their communities. Despite being the most advanced economy in Africa, South Africa (alone and by herself), cannot and will never be able to secure the liberation of her citizens from perpetual economic bondage and the internecine warfare that flows from that. Concomitantly, despite being the largest economy on the continent, Nigeria too will never secure the liberation of her citizens from poverty and hunger singularly. The two countries will only be able to achieve this through economic and political union with the rest of the continent. This, without doubt, is the only viable option in the long term. Let us remember one of the sayings of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo: “Wherever there are only two bones for three dogs, there can never be peace in the kernel”. What a salutary, if not ominous lesson, and a timely reminder that Africans must either hang together, or hang separately.

Tayo Oke is a Public Affairs Analyst.

Nigeria: Unity and inelasticity of nationhood

By Charles Ibekwe

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PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 18, 2019

areas, there is no guarantee that they would win a breakaway vote as demonstrated by the Scottish independence vote in the United Kingdom – oftentimes, the agitation for a breakup appear popular only because a vocal minority is using propaganda to drive the agenda, the real vote in a referendum would show that the larger population of those concerned are happy with the existing union.

If we ever get to the point where a referendum becomes possible, IPOB, MASSOB, BIM and any other separatist group pushing for this option must be committed to accepting any outcome that prove them to be a vocal minority. But knowing that such a time is nowhere near, we must all acknowledge at this point that Biafra, IPOB, MASSOB, OPC, Niger Delta militancy and the other divisive agenda are the least form of patriotism and that building a great nation requires every hand to be on deck.

The giant of Africa only exists when we are united as one family, one nation and one people. The Igbos or the Hausa or the Yoruba cannot earn the position of the best in isolation from other ethnicities as what makes us great is that united, one, indivisible Nigeria. The challenges we face today, we face collectively as a people, as a nation and not as ethnic partitions.

The promoters of MASSOB, IPOB and any other outfit that are provoking a break up of Nigeria therefore owe the rest of the population unreserved apologies for the needless distractions they have constituted themselves into. They should further be remorseful that they have abused God and humanity in their imagination that they can divide the people united by God Almighty.

Ibekwe writes in from Enugu, Enugu State.

By Theophilus Opaleye

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n underlying economic principle that is often lost in translation in public discourse on the operations of the foreign exchange market in Nigeria is the dynamic relationship between demand, supply and pricing. The technical terms often used by economic and financial analysts in explaining the forex situation has robbed most Nigerians of a real understanding of the true state of the economy and the impacts on everyday life.

Nigeria depends on revenue from crude oil sales for 90 percent of its dollar earnings. Consequently, the higher the price of crude oil, the more dollars the Nigerian government has at its disposal to meet demands for manufacturing, medical tourism, services, education, etc.

This scenario played out to Nigeria’s advantage from 2010 to 2014 when crude oil sold for between $88 and $102 per barrel and production stabled at above 2 million barrels per day. During the same period, the forex demands grew exponentially but the official exchange rate managed to stay just below N200 to a dollar as a result of Nigeria’s bumper dollar earnings from crude oil sales.

By 2015 oil crashed to $48 and in 2016 it went further down to $36, coupled with a drastic reduction in production as a result of renewed uprising in the Niger Delta region. Nigeria could no longer meet the demand for dollars within its economy and the attendant economic principles kicked in. The exchange rate has witnessed unprecedented turbulence as a result, going as high as N500/$ until the recent intervention by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Nigeria is not the only country that has had to deal with this experience in the last couple of years. Countries like Egypt, Argentina and Russia have all had to devalue, or fully float their currencies since 2015 to cope with the pressure of declining crude prices at the global market. Nigeria

has also devalued the naira once but the question about a full float persists.

Unlike in many countries, the interactions within the foreign exchange market in Nigeria, as well as the relationship between the exchange rate and the overall macroeconomy is atypical and unconventional. This reflects the sentiments, abuse and rent-seeking behaviours that drive foreign exchange related pricing within the Nigerian economy.

For instance, round tripping is rife both among corporate entities and individuals, while businesses that have been privileged to execute critical imports via forex from the interbank market, price their goods for local consumers at parallel market rates. This does not only exacerbate domestic inflation, it also encumbers the comprehensive understanding of the exchange rate pass-through in Nigeria.

HRH Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Emir of Kano and a former governor of the Central Bank attested to the fact in a recent interview. As such, while the CBN is dealing with the effects of dollar scarcity brought about by reduced foreign exchange earnings from crude oil sales, the bank also has upon its shoulders the responsibility of dealing with corruption and currency manipulation perpetuated through hoarding and round tripping.

The clamour for a complete liberalisation of the foreign exchange market and the argument against the continued presence

of CBN in the forex market does not take the second factor mentioned above into cognisance. Indeed, the need to liberalise the market and fully float the naira cannot be denied and the CBN understands this.

However, a “cold-turkey” approach to floating the naira may have adverse longterm implications on the economy.

This is where the argument within the financial analysis community in Nigeria runs at a tangent. While there is a consensus on what the CBN must and should do, thoughts on the methodology and timeframe for such moves differ widely. A cobweb analysis of the impact of a complete and sudden withdrawal of the CBN from the market suggests, for instance, that given the relativity of the elasticities of forex demand vis-a-vis its supply, the exchange rate may explode rather than converge.

This is because the demand for dollar in Nigeria is presently relatively more inelastic than our dollar supply. The indeterminate equilibrium that ensues means that value of the naira will plummet exponentially and very quickly too; even in the long-run.

This angle is often completely ignored by the CBN’s most vocal critics who just want the naira floated and without recourse to the implications.

So, the strategy of the CBN at eventually attaining an equilibrium exchange rate is a gradual fine-tuning of the forex market to rebalance the relative elasticities of forex demand and supply, with a view to

“

For instance, round tripping is rife both among corporate entities and individuals, while businesses that have been privileged to execute critical imports via forex from the interbank market, price their goods for local consumers at parallel market rates

ensuring that a cobweb analysis leads to a rate convergence in the long-run.

When scarce supplies are met with limitless demands, allocation of resources in the most judicious ways are employed to ensure prices don’t spiral out of control.

While in the long-term, demands are either managed or supplies increased. This is essentially what the CBN has been doing over the last 18 months to ensure Nigeria does not witness a total collapse of the naira.

This explains the countervailing actions taken by the CBN to gradually fine-tune the outturns at the forex market. These actions in many respects involve the steady but deliberate build-up of official reserves, while providing the available but highly limited foreign exchange to meet the most critical needs of the economy.

The introduction of a flexible interbank exchange rate system and priority forex allocation to the importation of raw materials, plants, and equipment have significantly reduced rent-seeking and arbitrage abuses. So also, the 60:40 rule which allows for 60 percent of forex allocation to critical manufacturing ventures and 40 percent to others has resulted in a spike in the volume of locally made goods.

The CBN has also ensured the availability of the highly limited foreign exchange to meet critical demands for payment of school fees, medical expenses, business and personal travel allowances and related expenses. Without these moves, the recent injection of dollars by the CBN would have had little to zero effect on the exchange rate.

Such steady injections will hold the naira closer to its true value in the forex market while the CBN continues with longterm reforms to tackle corruption rentseeking and round tripping that has been the order of the day for several years.

Theophilus Opaleye, a public finance analyst, is based in Lagos.

Curbing hazards of electricity

By Reuben Bassey

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he rising incidents of electricityrelated accidents and electrocutions have exposed yet another aspect of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry’s dilemma.The recent case of electrocution in Tudun Wada area of Lugbe in the Federal Capital Territory wherein three persons lost their lives while some were injured has once again called for a closer look at the reasons for these accidents. Are these accidents occurring due to the fault of the electricity distribution companies (DisCos)? Are they a function of the level of awareness of the customers or outright carelessness on the part of the customers or is it that the network the DisCos inherited is so obsolete that they may be required to shut down some networks? Is it a case of contributory negligence of bad urban planning? It is important to ask these salient questions because, by finding answers to these question, all relevant stakeholders would have become aware of what each party ought to do to avoid these accidents.

It is common knowledge that various unwholesome practices such as deployment of faulty electrical equipment by consumers and rampant recourse to unlicensed and quack “electricians” are among the malaise has too often led to avoidable deaths and serious injuries

as well as destruction of property from electricity-related accidents.

These practices seemed to have been condoned if not encouraged under the previous era of government ownership of the entire power sector by a combination of laxities in preventing influx and use of sub-standard electrical equipment, active surveillance, apprehension and prosecution of culprits.

Nowadays, however, it has been observed that there is an unusual eagerness to shift the burden of responsibility to the DisCos and demand compensation. The task of sensitizing the public to the clear and present dangers of carelessness and sharp practices in the use of electricity, which is the more effective lasting panacea, has also become the exclusive responsibility of the regulatory bodies and the DisCos who also grapple with the disruptive impact on the power distribution systems.

Nevertheless, the DisCos in particular have responded to the situation positively by identifying the major types of carelessness and use of substandard electrical materials that plague the distribution networks and embarked on frequent sensitization campaigns in communities to draw attention of consumers to the hazards of the abuses and the need for greater awareness and a change in attitude. Ignorance of thedangers of electricity is widespreadand takes the form of residential buildings under or close

to high tension lines, careless mounting of TV antennas close to electricity distribution wires and even unprotected handling of live wires, among others, all of which have led to electrocutions. It is clear from the array of unwholesome practices affecting the distribution networks that what is required is an all-inclusive concerted effort involving not just DisCos but also government agencies dealing with imports and standards as well as law enforcement agencies and community leaders and associations.

But the DisCos have been up and doing in raising awareness even as their massive investments in new modern infrastructure and equipment significantly improved safety of the electricity environment. The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), for example, traversed its franchise area sensitizing electricity users on the need to observe the basic principles in the design and use of electricity and electrical materials after discovering that the issue of safety was tenuously managed, with no laid down policy. Among areas visited by AEDC for the Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) sensitisation campaigns since 2014 included Jiwa District, Lugbe area of the FCT, Lokoja, theKogi State capital, Minnain Niger State and Lafia in Nasarawa State.

At AEDC, adhering to Safety, Health & Environment (HSE) rules and regulations

is strictly observed even within the Head Office where workmen wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety hats, boots, etc. Customers are constantly educated on the lethal nature of electricity with a caveat not to toy with it and advised toalways take safety steps while fixing electrical appliances such as bulbs, plugs, avoid having contact with naked wire, to promptly draw the company’s attention to detected faults and to stop engaging unlicensed electricians as AEDC would not take responsibility for disasters caused by consumers’ illegal actions.

Despite the frequency of electricityrelated accidents across the nation, it must be emphasized that they are mostly avoidable and it is expected that heightened enlightenment/sensitization campaigns by various stakeholders like the AEDC, and such agencies of government like the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), whose responsibility it is to enforce the use of standard materials by both the service providers and customers, will go a long way to stemming the tide. However,this cannot obviate the need for all inclusive concerted effortsby other relevant government agencies, law enforcement agencies and community leaders and associations to comprehensively address the hydraheaded problem.

Reuben Bassey lives in Lokoja.

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N ews

‘Naija Wives’ renovate toilet, water facilities in Kaduna Special School From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

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group, Association of Foreign Women Married to Nigerians “ “Naija Wives”has renovated toilet and water facilities in Kaduna State Special Education School, Independent Way, Kaduna.

Speaking while conducting the State Commissioner of Education, Dr Usman Shehu Muhammad Makarfi round the renovated sites, Chairman Board of Trustees of the Naija Wives Association, Mrs Stephanie Mohammed said the projects cost over three million and five hundred thousand naira She added, that it is part of the

association’s efforts to sympathize with the less privileged in the society Mrs Stephanie Mohammed explained that the Association selected the school as beneficiaries of the project to give the physically challenged students a sense of belonging.

She emphasized that, for disabled children to make positive impact in the society, there is need for all stakeholders in the education sector to provide all necessary support towards their educational pursuit.

Mrs Mohammed therefore appealed to Kaduna State Government to ensure maintenance

of the renovated facilities as well as provide additional health personnel that will render effective medical assistance to the physically challenged students.

In his remark, Kaduna State Commissioner of Education, Dr Usman Shehu Muhammad Makarfi commended the association for the kind gesture and pledged the state government’s readiness to partner any organization working towards the development of the state.

“I have seen the contribution they have made, they have done a lot of cleaning work, they have repaired toilets, drainages boreholes and water pumps.

“Their commitment is very encouraging and I will use this opportunity to thank Naija Wives and promise to work together with any organization towards ensuring our children get quality education.”

“I will also encourage others to emulate so as to compliment government’s efforts in that direction,” he said.

He added that, the state government, in its drive to ensure every child acquires quality education, the state government will continue to give priority to children with special needs to make them productive members o the society.

Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (Middle), Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, President of Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) (4th Right), Sir Emeka Offor, Chairman/Founder of Emeka Offor Foundation (5th Left), Vice President of ACCI, Prof. Adesoji Adesugba (4th Left) and others pose with Malaysian investors from the Datasonic Group, during their visit on the Minister, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Nutrition: ACF trains Yobe, Jigawa non state actors From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

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nongovernmental organisation, Action Against Hunger has organised a five days training workshop for nonstate actors from Jigawa and Yobe State stakeholders.

Speaking shortly at the event, the Jigawa State ACF Advocacy and Communication Manager, Sabi’u Suleiman Shehu said, ACF is working to improve nutrition in Northern Nigeria with aim to

improve maternal, new-born and child nutrition in Jigawa and Yobe States.

He explained that, the training is in line with the programme objective of empowering non-state actors such as the media, CSOs, traditional and religious leaders to represent the most deprived and facilitate community participation in policy formulation, budget tracking and programme implementation.

While making his remarks,

the Chairman Collation of Civil Societies in Jigawa State, Comrade Shu’aibu Kafin Gana said the training will improve the habit of exclusive breast feeding in the state.

According to him, on their part as Civil Societies organisations (CSOs) promised to organise community engagement advocacy particularly the Ulama’s and council of imam on the position of exclusive breastfeeding in Islam.

However, another participant

and also a renowned scholar, Dr. Adam Jaktawi of Yobe state University teaching hospital, urged Ulamas to apply five islamic decision on legality of exclusive breastfeeding.

Also, the Chairman Ward Development Committee (WTC) of Guri PHC, Comrade Sulaiman Hamid Guri promised that their committee will visit the traditional leaders and alert them on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding religiously.

Abians in FCT make case for Umuahia, Aba in appointments

By Abba Onyeka

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hough he hailed Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of his state for performance so far, but the President General,PG, of Abia Development Organisation, ADO, in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory FCT, Stanley Okebugwu said Umuahia and Aba deserve special attention in appointments.

This is even as he advised the governor to take the issues of security and infrastructures very serious.

As a newly retired senior civil servant, he advised the youth to go for professional courses in high institutions so as to be self-employed, instead of going into civil service which does not have brighter future for them.

He dropped this hints while speaking with journalists in his office in Abuja.

The PG said he has observed that it takes an experienced leader to use the little resources from Aba, being the commercial city of the state to develop and maintain the commercial city, as well as Umuahia, the capital city. Calling on those who have been critisizing the governor for poor performance within his 100 years in office.

He told them not to compare Abia State whose administrative city is different from commercial one with Bayelsa, Ebonyi and Rivers States that have only one developed city each that serves as capital and administrative ones.

He advised Abia indigenes in Abuja not only to elect those who have all it takes to serve the people selflessly, but also those who have something doing.

IPAC pledges support to Bauchi govt From Ahmad Muhammad,Bauchi

T

he Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Bauchi State chapter, has commended the state governor Senator Bala Mohammed, over what it described as his remarkable achievements within the first 100 days in office and pledged to support the government in its effort to develop the State.

This was contained in a press release signed

by Umar Abubakar and Muhammed Haruna, the state Chairman and Secretary respectively, made available to newsmen in Bauchi, on Tuesday, on behalf of the 72 registered political

parties in the state.

It praised the governor’s template for the development of the state and urged citizens of the state to support the administration to implement people oriented programmes.

It noted that the calibre and composition of the governor’s political appointees , especially Commissioners have the professor requirements and competenc to move the state to greater heights.

The statement observed that no sooner had the governor assumed office than he flagged off the construction of rural, urban roads and improvement of water supply as well as reforms

in the health and education sectors.

“The projects have been evenly distributed in all the senatorial districts of the state to ensure to ensure that all sections of the state are given democratic dividends.

“Apart from roads being constructed, the issue of serious water shortage facing the state addressed capital for long is being by the administration through the execution of a multi-billion naira World Bank Gubi Dam Treatment plant,” the release said.

It also expressed joy over the administration’s establishment of a Petroleum Studies and Skills Acqusation Institute in

PAGE 15

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 18, 2019

Politicians using farmers-herders crisis to discredit Buhari - Ebute

By Stanley Onyekwere

T

hird Republic Senate President, Chief Ameh Ebute, has accused some politicians and elder statesmen of leveraging on the reoccurring famers-herders’ clashes to discredit President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

The ex-lawmaker made this known in a paper presented at a One Day International Conference on Good Governance and Accountability in Government organised by the Coalition for Civil Society Organizations for Change and Good Governance yesterday, in Abuja.

In his piece titled: “Appraising 100 Days of President Buhari on the

saddle and building a nation where justice shall reign”, Chief Ebute gave an assessment of the president’s second term thus far.

According to him, out of desperation for power, certain wellknown politicians have either taken to sponsoring violence or simply turned blind eyes to clashes around them for their selfish gains.

He also fingered the opposition of fuelling the wave of violence, going as far as allegedly sponsoring the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) – thus keeping to their vow to make the country ungovernable for Buhari.

While admitting that the positive signs points towards path to greatness for the country, the ex-Senate

President urged Nigerians to embrace the excellent governance philosophy of Buhari.

“It is no longer a secret that the various security challenges facing Nigeria predate the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

It is on the heels that before 2015, there has been insinuation in certain quarters about the sponsorship of violence as a means of achieving political, religious, and ethnic goals by elite politicians.

“These politicians whom in some instances are referred to as senior citizens or elderly political leaders have exploited ethnic and religious clashes to their advantage. A good example suffices in Taraba state

where a former minister of Defence is silent over the killings in Taraba state because those being killed are not from his ethnicity.

“The Taraba state killings raise the question as regards the sincerity of heart and of the purpose of supposed elderly political leaders in Nigeria who have been exploiting situations for their personal and selfish gains.

“They turn a deaf ear if the victims of such nefarious activities are not from their ethnicity and also feign ignorance if their kin perpetrated acts of violence. When factions of political elites compete for political power at the national level based on identity, groups emerge at the subnational level in Defence of these identities.

President of the 74th Session of the UN General Assembly, Amb. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande (M), Former INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega (2nd L); Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu (3rd R), and other dignitaries at the handing over to the 74th President of UNGA at the UN Headquarters, yesterday in New York.

Photo: State House

We’re comfortable with APC leadership in Kogi - Stakeholders

By Stanley Onyekwere

A

head of the governorship elections in Kogi State, stakeholders from Lokoja, Koton-Karfe Local Government Areas of the state have declared that they are comfortable with the leadership of Governor Yahaya Bello of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

The stakeholders made this declaration in Abuja when a delegation of local government

Chairmen, Administrators and other political appointees of the governor led by Hon. Abdul Kareem Usman Isah, paid a solidarity visit to FCT Minister of State, Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, in her office.

Isah, maintained that with the appointment of FCT Minister of State from Kogi by President Muhammadu Buhari, there is no better ways to appreciate the government at the center other than to vote massively for APC led government at the state level.

He said, “We came to pledge our unalloyed support to you in carrying out the task of piloting the affairs of FCT with your elder brother, the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello. We are indeed grateful for your elevation to the position of Minister of State for FCT. “We want to use this opportunity to assure you that we are comfortable with the leadership of APC in the state led by Governor Yahaya Bello, and we will vote massively for him come November 26, 2019.”

In her response, the FCT Minister of State, who thanked the delegation for the recognition also acknowledged that Kogi people have demonstrated that they will never abandon their own.

According to her, “the time has come in our beautiful state for one of your own to be appointed as Minister of State. There is no doubt, power belongs to God because not that some of us worked harder than others, but God chooses me to represent you.

North West PDP Youth Vanguard lauds Makinde’S achievements From: Femi Oyelola, kaduna

T

he Youth Vanguard of Peoples Democratic Party, Northwest Zone has commended Oyo State Governor, Saye Makinde for his achievements, calling on other Governors to emulate his giant strides.

The Zonal Coordinator, Ibrahim Ahmadu, made the assertion during a press conference held in kaduna yesterday.

According to him governance in Nigeria was gradually becoming an all comer’s affairs as those with powerful godfathers have continuously bastardized the nation’s resources with impunity.

He added that Governor Makinde has unveiled a master piece for Governance and should be supported by all well meaning Nigerians.

“My Governor Makinde appointed the first-ever female Secretary to the State Government, a woman of class and distinction, Olubamiwo Adeosun.

“In the same vein, his Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Seun Fakorede, at 27, has the versatility and charisma to turn around the fortunes of Shooting Stars Sports Club, and move the state from the relegation zone to making a mark in the professional league. Other members of Makinde’s cabinet are technocrats who have proved their mettle in various fields.

“He ensured upward review of the education budgetary allocation from about three per cent by his predecessor to 10% in the 2019 budget cycle; “In the area of security, the strategic fulcrum for growth, hosted the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria Commission Security Summit to advocate a regional approach to security challenges in South-West Nigeria; procurement of 100 vehicles for use by the security agencies in Oyo State”, he said.

Gbajabiamila ends accreditation rift between ABU, NMCN Alkaleri local government area to train and produce professionals to serve oil industry.

“Perhaps the greatest achievement of Governor Bala Mohammed within the period under review is the remarkable effort in bringing an end to the lingering crisis in the State House of Assembly.

“We wish to admonish members of the state assembly to work collectively and harmoniously with the executive arm of government to advance the cause of citizenry through enactment of laws and passage of resolutions and motions geared towards the advancement of the state and its people,” it stated.

By Christiana Ekpa

F

ollowing the intervention of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, the full accreditation status of the School of Nursing Sciences of the College of Medical Sciences of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria has been restored.

The Speaker had mandated the House Committee on Healthcare Services, chaired by Hon. Tanko Sununu, to intervene and ensure the accreditation, which was withdrawn in May 2019 by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, is restored.

At the stakeholders’ meeting on Monday at the House of Representatives, hon. Sununu in his opening remarks said Speaker Gbajabiamila became worried over the withdrawal of the accreditation of the Nursing School as a result of the negative impact it has on the academic pursuit of the students, manpower and the provision of healthcare service to the Nigerian society.

The controversy that began in 2015 eventually led to the withdrawal of the School’s full accreditation status granted to the Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSC) programme by the Council on May 27th, 2019 following the renewal of the appointment of the School’s Head of Department,

Prof. Hayat Gommaa According to the lawmaker, the Committee had reached out to students, the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), the Vice-Chancellor and the Provost of the College of Medical Sciences of the Ahmadu Bello University as well as other stakeholders.

In his presentation, NMCN’s Registrar/ Secretary General, Faruk Abubakar said the withdrawal of the accreditation became necessary following the breach of the law that makes it mandatory that any person seeking to train nurses in Nigeria to be registered by the Council.

The Council said despite its repeated

observations, ABU and the Head of the Department of the Nursing School, Gommaa failed to comply with the law as she refused to register with the Council.

As such, the Council said it was left with no option than to withdraw the school’s accreditation, and stop Prof. Gommaa from practising nursing in Nigeria in compliance with the law.

On his part, the Provost of the College of Medical Sciences, ABU, Prof Abdulahi Randawa said the withdrawal of the accreditation was regretted but that Gommaa, whose appointment was the subject of the controversy has resigned and Muhammad Ladan appointed as the new HOD.

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 18, 2019

PAGE 16

POLITICS

Kebbi APC suspends state House of Assembly member for anti party From: Ahmed Kebbi

Idris,

Birnin

K

ebbi State chapter of All Progressive Congress Party (APC) has suspended one of its members in the State House of Assembly representing Gwandu Constituency, Hon. Habibu Labbo Gwandu.

A statement issue and signed by the state party secretary, Ahmed

Musa Jega and made available to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi, said that the suspension became necessary due to the complaint against the member for anti party activities.

“You see the member who is representing Gwandu local government area has been found engaging in anti party activities”, he added.

Also addressing journalists, the State Publicity Secretary of the

party, Sani Dododo, confirmed this to newsmen that Honourable Habibu Labbo was deliberately frustrating the efforts of the party in trying to reconcile and negotiate with aspirants to jointly sit and come out with an acceptable candidate who will contest as the Chairman under the platform of APC in the forthcoming local government election.

“When we come to Gwandu

local government, the executives of the party, stakeholders and the aspirants all agreed to cooperate and abide by the party’s rules to have a soft landing on the issue of who will be the party’s Chairmanship candidate.

“Out of the 9 stakeholders in the area, he is the only one who became adamant, disrespected the constitution of the party and disrespected the elders”, he said.

Dododo further explained that Gwandu plotted meetings with some EXCOs of the party and some aspirants both in Sokoto and Argungu in order to create problem for the party and make the issue of Local Government Chairmanship in Gwandu chaotic.

He warned that the party cannot condone any act of indiscipline from any member no matter how highly placed.

Oshiomhole envious of Obaseki’s achievements - APC leader

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

A

leader of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Edo State, Charles Idahosa has accused the National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole of being envious of the State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, over his achievements in office.

He said the move by the former governor of the State, was to give the people of Edo South Senatorial district, which account for 60 per cent of the voting population in the State, a bad name.

Idahosa, former Special Adviser on political matters to Adams Oshiomhole said this while briefing newsmen on Monday in Benin City, the State Capital.

He assured however that the crisis will not affect the fortunes of APC in the 2020 Governorship election in the State.

“How can Oshiomhole who is superintending over 36 States including Abuja have business in Edo? My worry is that journalists have not been able to interrogate Oshiomhole on the issue between him and Governor Obaseki.

“The answer is envy and jealousy.

And no two friends can open up to admit that he or she is jealous of his friend’s achievements. He (Oshiomhole) came when 35 per cent was a pass mark. “Then he now move from 35 per cent to 45 per cent

“But, Obaseki within three years have moved to 85 per cent. He (Oshiomhole) is worried in order for his successor not to outshine him because he wants to give Edo South people a bad name”.

He urged Oshiomhole to take responsibility for governor Obaseki’s action and inaction in office, adding that the duo should stop indicting

politicians for feeding fat from the crisis.

The APC leader, who urged Oshiomhole to tow the path of reconciliation with the incumbent governor, stated however that Governor Godwin Obaseki can win his re-election without the support of the national Chairman of the party.

According to Idahosa,

Oshiomhole did worse things than Obaseki during his tenure as governor of the State, including the ordering of removal of Edo State House of Assembly roof and using eight out of the 24 members of the Assembly to pass the budget during his tenure as governor.

“I just believe that they are able to settle this matter from my angle. It

is clearly a case of jealousy and envy.

This is what is happening now and everybody is running away from it.

Obaseki has performed.

He also said Obaseki has performed very well and that his personal investigation, the popularity rating of the governor has not dropped, contrary to the rumour mill by a fifth Columnist.

L-R: Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun (l) and Chief Judge of the State; Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu at the Church service marking the commencement of the new legal year, yesterday in Ogun.

Wase takes oath of office as first Deputy Speaker, ECOWAS Parliament

By Christiana Ekpa

T

he Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Ahmed Idris Wase has been sworn in as the first Deputy Speaker of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS Parliament.

The event was performed by the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Hon. Moustapha Cisse Lo at the opening ceremony of the second extra Ordinary session of the Parliament in Monrovia, the Republic of Liberia.

Wase replaced the former Deputy Speaker, Hon. Yusuf Sulaimon Lasun, who did not seek reelection back to the Nigerian House of Representatives after the end of his tenure.

The choice of Wase as successor to Lasun was unanimously adopted by the Nigeria Delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, as well as other members of the regional legislative body.

In his response after the swearing in, Wase promised to join hand with

his colleagues in the Parliament to work towards the integration of the region.

He thanked his colleagues for the confidence reposed in him by raising him to the office of first Deputy Speaker assuring that he will

bring his wealth of experience in the Nigerian House of Representatives to bear on the regional parliament.

“I am grateful to my honourable colleagues for unanimously adopting me as the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament.

“My priority is to work harmoniously with my colleagues especially the honorable speaker, Moustapha Cisse Lo to advance the integration of the West African sub region.

“I hope to bring my years

of experience in the Nigerian Legislature to bear on the ECOWAS Parliament”, he stated.

The second ordinary session of the Parliament is due to hold between November and December, 2019, in Abuja, Nigeria.

Xenophobic attacks: Reps criticize Onyenma over refusal to honour invitation

By Christiana Ekpa

T

he House of Representatives yesterday slammed the Foreign Affairs Minister, Godfrey Onyenma for his failure to honour the invitations extended to him to brief the House on the Xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other foreigners living in South Africa.

The Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajaiamila who spoke on a motion on the attack on Nigerians in South Africa, moved by Hon Dachung Musa Bagos (PDP, Plateau), decried the attitude of the Minister for his flagrant disobedience of the Parliament.

He lamented that the Minister

refused to honour the invitations extended to him by the House Ad-hoc Committee and the leadership of the House on the need for him to brief the Parliament about the matter.

According to him, “respect is reciprocal, this is not only for the Minister of Foreign Affairs but to all other Ministers, we are here working towards a common goal which is the interest of Nigerians, as such they should try and obey such invitations in future, this is one government.

He said, “This is a nagging problem over which so many questions have been asked, but it is only when the facts are seen that we can address the problem.

The Minister (Onyeama) has not

responded to the Chairman’s invitation. I want to use this platform to send a message to the Minister that he is very important in this.

Presenting the motion earlier, Dachung prayed the House for a resolution to mandate relevant committees to interface with the executive arm, with an urgent view to reviewing Nigeria’s treaties with South Africa and other countries, as well as investigate the remote and immediate causes of the renewed attacks.

In their various contributions supporting the motions, members condemned the attacks, called for lasting measures to forestall reoccurrence and commended the

Federal government response to the xenophobic attacks.

Yusuf Gadji (APC, Plateau) said the attacks were condemnable while the approach by South African government was not understandable as apology is not enough and charged Nigerian government to take drastic diplomatic actions against South Africa saying they should not have taken such action on Nigerians.

While Nicholas Ossai (PDP, Delta) called for addressing freedom of investment, issues of restriction and compensation, Chief Whip of the House, Tahir Monguno recommended a paradigm shift in Nigeria’s foreign policy to make it more citizens-centered.

PAGE 17

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 18, 2019

P

rof ABC Nwosu, who is a former Minister of Health, has said he will quit politics if the Peoples Democratic Party fails to win the governorship seat of Anambra State in 2021.

Nwosu, a Board of Trustees member of the PDP stated this during a South -East Stakeholders’ meeting held in Awka, the Anambra State.

Speaking at the meeting with the theme, “Putting Anambra State into political track of the South- East States”, Nwosu said the PDP had been denying itself the opportunity of taking over the state because of selfishness, greed, and bickering.

He said “Oseloka Obaze did not become governor of Anambra in 2017

Politics

Prof ABC Nwosu says – I’ll quit politics if PDP fails to capture Anambra in 2021 because of betrayal from party members.

“If PDP does not win Anambra state in 2021, I will leave politics and PDP. And that will mean PDP will never come to power in Anambra again”.

He urged party members in the state to be united and work towards winning the 2021 governorship election in the state.

Speaking, the Anambra State chairman of the part, Ndubuisi Nwobu, said the party would not “do any form of

merchandising in its primaries”.

He urged those interested in contesting the governorship election to go and seek the support of the people and not hoping that they could induce the party to hand them the ticket on a silver platter.

“Our zonal chairman, may I tell you that Anambra PDP is very easy people to govern. I found this out since I became the state chairman of the party.

“All you need to cage an Anambra man

is to keep telling him the truth. As elections approach, I want to say that there will not be any form of merchandising during this election. The primary election of the party will be very transparent.

“If you tell Anambra people the truth, they are very easy to handle. Do not listen to people who will come with money because they need the ticket. What Anambra man does not like is asking him, ‘what can you do?”

9th Assembly to surmount obstacles to PIB - Gbajaiamila

By Christiana Ekpa

T

he Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila has disclosed that the 9th Assembly is ideally suited to surmount the obstacles that have militated against passage of essential reform legislation such as Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) to properly address the structural, operational and policy challenges in the Nigerian petroleum industry.

This was just as the Speaker gave all Ad-hoc committee deadline to wind up and handover to standing committees by September 30th.

The Speaker who revealed this yesterday while reading his resumption speech at the plenary said the House of Representatives will consider important legislation such as PIB and other important legislations like power industry bills.

He said “before we adjourned the House on 25th July 2019, a significant amount of work had already started. We had begun legislative action through the consideration of 13 bills including Electric Power Sector Reform Act (Amendment) Bill 2019, Physically Challenged (Empowerment) Bill 2019 and Student Loan (Access to Higher Education) Bill 2019.

“We had also in that time received and debated 57 number of motions on a range of issues including the non Remittance of Contribution into the NSIFT by the Federal, States, Local Government and Some Public and Private Organisations.

“I fully expect that in this session, the House of Representatives will consider important legislation such as the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), I believe that we in this 9th Assembly are ideally suited to surmount the obstacles that have mitigated against passage of this essential reform legislation which is important if

we are to properly address the structural, operational and policy challenges and inefficiencies in the Nigerian petroleum industry, and position the industry to best serve the interests of all the Nigerian people.

“In addition to the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), we will see the reintroduction of the of Bill prohibiting Estimated Billing in the power industry, intended to put a

permanent end to the wastefulness and unfairness created by an unreliable and arbitrary system that imposes unforeseen costs on individuals and businesses alike, the Education Bank Bill, designed to ensure that no child in this 21st century is unable to get a quality tertiary education in Nigeria dues to a lack of means and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Bill which will serve to broaden the Local

Content Act and ensure the original intent of the Act is made real in the lives of our people “ he said.

According to him, “We had also before the recess, taken action to prevent the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) from embarking on a strike action that would have had an extremely deleterious effect on the delivery of healthcare services across the country.

Director National Christian Pilgrimage Commission Esther Kwagihe ( left ) , Vice Chairman Federal medical Committee for the 2019 Christian Pilgrimage, Stephen Akan Kache, ( middle ) and Member of the Committee, Akiyahyel Auta Ndahi during the inauguration of Federal medical Committee for the 2019 Christian Pilgrimage, yesterdat in Abuja

New Economic Team should tell Buhari how he mismanaged economy - Ezekwesili

F

ormer Minister of Education and 2019 presidential aspirant, Oby Ezekwesili, has reacted to the constitution of an Economic Team by President Muhammadu Buhari.

President Buhari, on Monday, announced the constitution of an eight-man Economic Advisory Council (EAC), with Adedoyin Rasaq Salami as Chairman.

Reacting to the development, the former Minister expressed optimism that the Council would tell the President “how he mismanaged the economy in the last four years”.

Ezekwesili, who acknowledged that the new Council has strong membership, however, said the development was not new in the American system which Nigeria “copied” She described the just disbanded Economic Management Team (EMT) led

by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as ‘figure head’, alleging that the VP was not directly in charge.

“The setting up a Council of Economic Advisors is in itself one of the features of the American Presidential system which we copied. Strong membership and that is really great.

“I hope the first thing they do is tell the President how he mismanaged the Economy in the last 4 years.

“For those who will jump on this timeline to say, “it was not the President that was in charge of the Economy. It was the VP chairing the Economic Team” please don’t bother. The President was managing the economy. All those BAD Monetary Policy decisions were made by him.

“Two, the President was managing the Economy. All those strange Fiscal Policy

decisions were made by him.

“Both the CBN Governor and the Ministers of Finance were not acting based on any Economic Management Team decisions.

For WIA. Now at least the pretense is over about Economy.

“The EMT was in reality chaired by the VP who had no power over Core Economic Policy decisions. The other side of the Presidency did not mind having him be the cannon fodder for all the extremely Bad Economic Policy decisions.

“A President, not VP runs the Economy.

I know that. The remit of the Council of Economic Advisers seems to suggest it rightly as “External Visitors” who meet monthly and then meet the President Quarterly. If so, setting it up as a full replacement of the EMT which should remain as the Technical Team that it should be is a mistake.

“The proper structure of that their EMT should have had is two levels of hierarchical control: An EMT Meeting chaired by the President with his VP as Vice Chair. An EMT Technical Meeting chaired by the Minister of Finance with CORE Technical Members.

“Structure is everything. When people say the VP during our time in government “was in charge of the Economy”, I always correct them.

The VP was simply Chair of the National Council on Privatization and also the National Econonic Council (a meeting of Federal Government & States (Governors).

Not EMT. “A combination of a Two-Layered Structure of the EMT plus Council of Economic Advisers of the calibre of minds just appointed would be brilliant. It would bring 3 things together:

PAGE 18

Health

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 18, 2019

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

Why Kebbi govs wife commits to health, skills, education

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

T

he wife of the Kebbi State Governor, Hajiya Aisha Bagudu is a humanitarian per excellence. She dedicate her office to support youth and women in various areas ranging from; health, skills, education and empowerment.

Presently across the 21 Local government areas of the state, there are different skills training programme and the promotion of nomadic education championed by her.

Our Kebbi state Correspondent, Ahmed Idris, who is familiar with her activities, examine the success of the programme.

When Senator Atiku Abubakar Bagudu first emerged Governor of Kebbi State, and subsequently sworn in on May 29th, 2015, his wife Hajiya Aisha Bagudu came up with her NGO programme called; MALPAI Foundation, with the aim of assisting the less privilege and also curb the activities of Alimajari in the State.

She did not leave anyone in doubt that her policies and programmes were marked for greater good, considering the way the last administration viewed such projects with jaundiced eyes and only paid lip service to them.

The wife of the governor, told women and youths in the state that her husband is on a rescue mission and she will assist him to ensure the people of the state are back on track. She added that her husband’s administration will focus on transformation and assisting the less privileged.

Speaking at the flag off ceremony of the first kebbi technical vocational training skills held at the Technology Incubation Center, Birnin Kebbi, she said that the aim of the skills acquisition programme was to train a lot of people in various areas.

At the programme which saw 300 participants, the First Lady said, “this is just the beginning. Many more good things are in the offing for you. I told you that this administration will give you the best, but we also want you to assist us by learning and practicing all the skills.

“Any individual that is willing to be trained can become an expert and get paid for his or her services. The programme was designed to complement the efforts and commitment of the State Government in promoting technical vocational education.

With this training, we want to encourage the youths and women to acquire creative and innovative entrepreneurial skills for self development, employment and job creation.

“We are living in a day and age that require people with skills. We want our youths to be self reliant and not to take in to drugs and other heinous crimes. We want them to be responsible in the society.”

“The vocational training Expo is to help in sensitizing and training the youth in areas such as; yoghurt, fish/ poultry farming, plumbing, shear butter training, flour food and lots more.”

Also, the First Lady did not leave anyone behind during the commemoration of the International Day, as she distributed educational materials to support over 210 Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVCs)

FG directs NCC, NIGCOMSAT, NIPOST to get ISO Certification

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Minister of Communications, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami yesterday directed all the agencies and parastatals under the ministry, especially, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Limited and Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) to immediately start the process of being certified.

Dr. Pantami gave the directive at an Award Ceremony organised by the National Information Technologgy Development Agency (NITDA) to celebrate its ISO 27001 Certification in Abuja.

Speaking in a Keynote Address, the minister said, “NITDA happens to be the first mainstream public

CBN reschedules September 2019 MPC meeting

By Etuka Sunday

T

The wife of Kebbi State Governor, Hajiya Aisha Bagudu, giving instruction to some health officials recently during her outreach programme. which she identified and enrolled across the 21 Local Government areas of the State.

To register the presence of her Pet Projects, she recently visited over 44 communities across the 21 Local Government areas of the State and also the four emirates to promote nomadic education in those areas.

During her visit to Arugungu Emirate, she visited Ruga Badariya, Ruga Janare, Ruga Tshare, DanBuguli where she donated education materials to the new settlement occupied by Fulanis.

In Birnin Kebbi Local Government, under Gwandu emirate, she visited Tatseda Handier, Gesse Bayaro and Kalgo Ruggar Karu Gage with a team of Veterinary doctors, who vaccinated animals and other lives stock.

She said the gesture was to create awareness to the herders on the need to constantly vaccinate their livestocks. “Most people are not aware of how to take care of their animals. We are here to sensitize them and give them the necessary knowledge for them to know how to look after their livestocks.

While in Kangiwa and Bunza, the First Lady constructed new nomadic school to address the challenges faced by young girls in the community.

She said her husband placed premium on education which she described as the necessary ingredient of life. “ Everyone needs education. We want to ensure that

our young girls are in school and not the streets. As First Lady, I will do my best to ensure that the people of this state get the best that they desire.

From Bunza, she moved to Yauri and Zuru emirate, where she empowered women and youths on various skills acquisition programmes.

She said, “the people of this community must also benefit from what we are offering. When I came here, I saw the need for youths and women of this community to learn various skills so as to expand and be employers of labour. Those of you learning fish farming should be able to employ others as time goes on. This charge goes to all of you; we must start doing things differently from today”.

In Dakingari, she dialogued with the Fulani herdsmen and farmer. She urged them to tolerate one another and learn to live in peace. “We all need each other. No society can develop if it refused to open its doors to other people. We should also learn to lean on one another to succeed. To ensure sustainability of all these, education is key. We should send our children and wards to school. Parents should ensure their children get the necessary education needed for them to interact with other people in the larger society.

Some of the beneficiaries told our reporter that the First Lady deserves commendation for initiating various programmes aimed at helping youths and

women in the communities.

One of the beneficiaries, Zainab Dillo, said the wife of the governor is coming at a time when women in the state are in dire need of skills.

“We thank her for the knowledge we now have on tailoring. I will try my best to expand and help other people. It is not easy to have this opportunity. I would ensure that I make use of it effectively to impact on the society.”

Also speaking, Amina Bahlata Zuru, said, “this is the the most important thing that is happening to us in this community.

We thank God for this regime and the gesture extended to us the the wife of the governor. This training that we have received will enable us to eke a living and provide effectively for our family and help those in need.”

On his part, the village head of Bunza Local Government, Alhaji Mohammed Bunza, commended the effort of the wife of the Governor. He said the empowerment will liberate a lot of youths from crimes.

“I am grateful because we will witness reduction in crimes. Most of our youths who enjoyed crimes because of idleness will now have something reasonable to do.

“On our part, we will ensure they sustain this project and expand it to benefit others. We are very proud of our First Lady and we will continue to pray for her so that she will continue to impact on the society.”

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PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 18, 2019

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has rescheduled its September 2019 Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) Meeting.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Director, Corporate Communications, CBN, Mr Isaac Okorafor.

The reason(s) why the meeting was rescheduled was not stated in the statement.

The statement said, “this to inform all our stakeholders and the general public that the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting No. 269, earlier scheduled for Monday, September 23 and Tuesday, September 24, 2019, will now hold on Thursday, September 19 and Friday, September 20, 2019.

“All inconveniences caused by this change are highly regretted,” the statement said.

... celebrates NITDA’s certification institution, most importantly in the IT circle to be certified. This tells you that this achievement is an unprecedented on in some regards.

“Am using this opportunity to direct NITDA to come up with regulatory instruments that will make it mandatory for some selected public Institutions to be certified in that regard.

“I also use the opportunity to direct other agencies and parastatals like NCC, NIGCOMSAT and NIPOST to start the process immediately and make sure they are certified and I also use this opportunity to urge all the heads of agencies/parastatals to work in synergy. The mandate is a bit interwoven, the earlier the agencies come together the better for the ministry to supervise,” he said.

He noted that “certification of other agencies is essential because it is a global standards. We are an IT, ICT ministry, with ICT Parastatals and leadership is by example.

Government Parastatals are being inclined to ICT today. Alot have been achieved in CAC, FIRS, NDIC, CBN, NNPC and many more. Being the regulators, and ministry of ICT, we are supposed to be in the forefront of doing all these activities.

“Secondly, safely and security are

very critical. This ISO 27001 is all about improving security and safety.

Improving security in the area of Cyber-security, improving security when it comes to physical security and safety as well is also part of it.

We should be more concerned about our security and safety because the challenges are multifaceted. The only way is to have some standards we can comply with,” he said.

On timeline, Pantami said, “it all depend on budgetary provision, because without budgetary provision, certain things are beyond what you can handle through overhead. That is why I will not give timeline, but if we know it is in the budget, then we will give you timeline and baseline to make sure you comply with it.”

He said, “getting the certification is one thing and retaining it is another. As I said earlier Galaxy Backbone was certified with an effective date of 6th September 2017 and they need to be recertified again on 5th September 2020. In less than a year they need to be recertified again. This is same with NITDA; let us not go back to the status quo.

“Sustaining and retaining success is much more difficult than attaining success itself. Retaining this certification, maintaining that

performance and that compliance is much much difficult than that certification by following all the processes,” he said.

Pantami explained that government activities are being automated to save cost, time, reduces corruption, improves accuracy and precision and digital literacy, adding that digitisation depends on individual government Parastatals, “so if they comply with our directives, when we have power to direct then, definitely, that can be achieved even before the 2023 set time.”

Also speaking, the Director General/CEO, NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi said, the ISO 27001 is an International Globally Accepted Standard and best practices for managing information technology.

“It has three key areas: Availability, Confidentiality and Integrity of the information.

So, when you are talking about e-governmental digital services is about these three things. You need to make the information or the services available to the citizens.

You need to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of the service,” he said.

The DG said, the certification

which took almost a year to earn has put the agency on the world map of organizations that follows international best practices.

“I called it best practices because it is specific, it is about information security and it is comprehensive, and it was independently verified by an external auditor to confirm that we earned it and not that the certificate was just issued to us,” he said.

The NITDA boss said, “the agency passed through about seven milestones to earn the certification: envisioning; by examining our own culture and behaviour, planning; we looked for the consultant and worked with our staff to investigate, catigorise, prioritise potential risk within the agency. Then the paper work.

“After all that we documented, all our policies, processes and procedures on how we do our work.

“Then the cost; it cost a lot to earn the certification because after the documentation we identified so many gaps which has to be filled.

“Then the efforts that helped us and it embedded the right organizational culture within the agency.

“It changed our perspective on how we do our work. It eliminates and controls individual risk within the agency,” he said.

L-R: Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Nigeria, Mr Mohammed Yahya, in the minister’s office yesterday in Abuja.

KEDCO set to inaugurate Task Force Tribunal

T

he task force tribunal which is to investigate and prosecute cases of energy theft, meter by-pass and associated offences for the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) will soon be inaugurated to prosecute errant customers with regard to cases of energy theft, meter by-pass and other offences.

A statement by KEDCO said, the team has already arrived Kano and are making assessment exercises which after, the task force tribunal will be inaugurated and the tribunal is to be set up by the Director of Public Prosecution

of the Federation.

The statement said, the main activities will be to strictly prosecute after investigation, all cases of energy theft and related offences that are perpetuated to cause any economic loss to KEDCO. “Similar tribunal has been operating in other discos franchise and it’s now time for Kano and Kaduna DisCos. The team which has arrived Kano has already been interacting with staff and officers of KEDCO in preparatory for the commencement of activities in that regard.

“We are herewith calling on

all customers that have formed the habits of not paying their bills to desist from such to avoid the tribunal hammer. It is our wish that customers regularly pay their bills and not pile up debts that may become difficult to pay which the tribunal frowns at.

“It is better to pay and avoid having issues to be treated by the tribunal task force as this will compel the concerned customer(s) to run around to pay all the debts at once which may be too burdening financially. So, it is advised that customers should desist from piling up debts by refusing to pay their monthly bills.

“As for those sabotaging KEDCO with regard to energy theft, meter by-pass and other activities that result to economic losses for KEDCO, should know that the days or eras of unholy businesses have ended as anybody found wanting in that regard will have himself or herself to blame before the tribunal as the law is not a respecter of human.

“Those who do these sabotaging businesses and think they have been living in a lawless world should know that with the coming of the tribunal it is either they turn a new leaf or leave the tribunal with no option than

to send them to wherever they belong in line with the penalties of their offences.

“This move is a genuine attempt to protect both KEDCO and the customers. Some of the meter by-pass and cases of energy theft are done without the consent of some genuine customers which means they will be paying for the energy that others who tap from them illegally are using which is an extra burden on them and KEDCO frowns at this. So, the tribunal will protect the customers as well as KEDCO in order for KEDCO to serve their customers better,” the statement said.

Page 20

Pension /Insurance

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 18, 2019

METRO

IEI Anchor Pension assets hit N92bn

From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

T

he Pension Assets Under Management(AUM) of IEI Anchor Pension Managers Limited has risen to N92 billion in its 2018 financial year end, rising by 35 per cent from N68.2 billion it was in the 2017 year end.

Speaking at the 2018 Annual General Meeting(AGM) of the company in Abuja, the Chairman, Senator Jonathan Zwingina , said, the company maintained its growth trajectory, as its Retirement Savings Accounts also grew from 117,031 in 2017 to 131,047 in 2018.

Operations of the company, he added, ran smoothly, thereby, leading to a general growth in the company.

According to him, “Our Assets Under Management with a 34.96%

increase from N68, 231, 022, 724 Billion to N92, 081, 663, 564 Billion between January 2018 and December 2018. Operations of the company ran smoothly thereby leading to a general growth in the company. However, our Retirement Savings Accounts grew from 117,031 in 2017 to 131,047 in 2018.”

Saying the management of its PFA is committed to ensuring that strategies put in place are driven to continually grow the company, he promised customers constant engagement and satisfaction as well as working tirelessly on delivering to its shareholders and stakeholders.

Similarly, Its Managing Director/ CEO, Mr. Glory Etaduovie, said its Fees earned increased from N661million in 2017 to N774million in 2018, representing a 17 percentage growth.

To him, “RSA Fund Unit price (now Fund II) grew from N2.21 in 2017 to N2.42 billion in 2018, a growth of 9.62 per cent as Retiree Fund Unit price (now Fund IV) grew to N2.85 billion, a growth of 11.44% during the year under review. Profit after Tax, he said, increased to from N1.4million in 2017 to N34.01 million – a growth of 2329% in 2018.”

Stating that 2018 performance was targeted at driving and ensuring customer satisfaction, he added that, the Customer service center at its head office was given a major face lift to make it more welcoming and comfortable to its clients, among other initiatives.

In 2019, he said the Pension Fund Administrator(PFA) intends to continue in its quest to satisfy its numerous customers with a wider

market base, while increasing the use of technology to reach and serve them.

“Hence, our theme for 2019 is Inclusion and Digitisation. We intend to bring everybody on board by reaching out to every segment of the economy. We will be relying more on technology to achieve this goal,” he stressed.

On the outlook of the company in the current year, Etaduovie said, his PFA intends to key into this expected growth opportunity in the economy, by enhancing its digital reach, deepening its market and increase its physical presence in key locations.

“We expect lots of new initiatives in the industry in 2019, as there were quite a number of such the previous year, some of which would have a resounding effect in 2019. We will continue in our strive to meet all of

such demands, by deploying measures to meet them, while improving on our capacity and strategies that would help us to become pace setters in the industry,” he pointed out.

Saying, though, the Data Recapturing exercise of pension contributors is challenging, he said, the exercise is intended to clean up and standardise client’s data in the pension industry, while ensuring congruence with the National Identity Number (NIN) and Bank verification number (BVN), among others, to avoid identify theft and ensure greater contributor security.

This, he stressed, essentially, would create a veritable platform for the transfer window which will test the satisfaction of each pension operator, promising that its firm will work assiduously on this.

Jean Baptiste now AIO Secretary General From Lagos

Ngozi

Onyeakusi,

A

frican Insurance Organisation, AIO has approved the appointment of Ntukamazina Jean Baptiste as its new Secretary General.

He was appointed recently by the AIO’s General Assembly during the 46th Conference and Annual General Assembly of the Organisation which took place in Johannesburg, South Africa from the 9th to 13th June, 2019.

Mr. Ntukamazina has previously served as President of the African Insurance Organisation in 2014-2015, as well as an Executive Committee member between 2012 and 2015.

He is a seasoned professional in the insurance and financial services industry with over two decades experience in top management positions.

He served as Financial Security Advisor for OPTIMA Insurance Services Inc., Canada, Chief Executive Officer of Batco Invest Co. Ltd, Rwanda, Chief Executive Officer of Prime Insurance Company Ltd, Chief Executive Officer of COGEAR Insurance Company Ltd. Rwanda, Secretary General, IT Manager and later General Manager of BICOR S.A, Burundi. He is a past president of the Association of Insurance

Companies of Rwanda.

Mr. Jean Baptiste Ntukamazina holds a Master of Science in Business Administration (MBA) with specialization in Project Management, Master of Science (Engineer) in Computer Engineering and is a Certified Life Insurance Professional. He is fluent in English, French and Russian. His immediate task will be to implement the AIO’s new Strategic Plan of Action.

He takes over from Ms. Prisca Soares whose mandate at the helm of the African Insurance Organisation ended in June 2019 but was retained as a Consultant for the AIO till June 2020. Ms. Soares has piloted the affairs of the AIO for the past twelve years and brought the Organisation to limelight with a consequent increase in membership not only in Africa but Europe and the Middle East.

The African Insurance Organisation (AIO), recognised by many African governments, is a non-governmental organisation established in 1972 with the objective of developing a healthy insurance and reinsurance industry in Africa and promoting inter-African co-operation in Insurance.

Following the headquarters agreement, the government of Cameroon signed with the

N1.03trn pension assets invested in banks –PenCom From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

N

ational Pension Commission (PenCom) has disclosed that the Pension Fund Operators (PFO) have invested over N1.03 billion out of the N9.37 trillion total fund assets in banks in the country.

According to the commission banking sector seemed to be enjoying investment from pension operators as N940.68 billion was invested as at June 30, 2019, which moved up to N1.03 trillion to July.

PenCom in the summary of pension fund assets as at July 31, 2019, published on its website, stated that Pension Fund Operators (PFOs) invested N6.63 trillion, which is 70.77 per cent of the N9.37 trillion pension assets in Federal Government’s securities.

The pension industry regulator noted that investments in FGN securities include: N4.49 trillion amounting to 47.93 per cent in Bonds; N2.04 trillion in Treasury Bills (21.82 per cent); N10.10 billion in Agency Bonds (NMRC

& FMBN), (0.11 per cent); N75.34 billion in Sukuk (0.80 per cent) and N9.88 billion in Green bonds, (0.11 per cent).

PenCom noted that in line the the Multi-fund structure, Retirement Saving Account (RSA) Fund 1, N16.73 billion was invested; RSA Fund 11, N4.12 trillion; RSA Fund 111, N2.29 trillion and RSA Fund IV, N757.62 billion.

It stated that N482.51 billion, which was 5.15 per cent of the funds, was invested in domestic ordinary shares; while N65.24

billion, amounting to 0.70 per cent in foreign ordinary shares.

The pension industry regulator maintained that pension operators invested N130.22 billion (1.39 per cent) in State Government’s Securities; Corporate bonds got N515.64 billion (5.50 per cent); Corporate debt securities, N534.37 billion, (5.70 per cent); Corporate Infrastructure bonds, received N5.34 billion, (0.50 per cent); Corporate Green Bonds, N13.40 billion, (0.14 per cent); Supra-National Bonds got N5.87 billion (0.06 per cent);

By Stanley Onyekwere

T

he FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has explained why the Administration will over the next few years focus a lot of attention on developing the educational, health, water and rural sectors of the Territory.

He opined that these areas of top priority have the greatest impact on the largest number of FCT residents.

The Minister made the assertion in Abuja at a gala event organised by the China General Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding fathers of the People’s Republic of China.

Bello, who was represented

organisation, the Permanent Secretariat of the AIO was set up in that country.

The AIO has 358 members, 342 of them from 47 countries in Africa and 16 associate international members from 9 countries. Membership is open to the Insurance industry, Regulatory/supervisory authorities, Insurance Training centers and national/regional insurance associations.

L-R: Kaduna Electric’s Chief Compliance Officer, Engr. Lawal Lawal, Head, Strategy and Business Excellence, Dr. Mahmud Suleiman and Head, Corporate Communication, Abdulazeez Abdullahi, at the Performance Improvement Plan customer engagement forum for Manufacturers Association of Nigeria members, yesterday in Kaduna

commercial papers, N104.58 billion (0.1.12 per cent); Banks, N1.03 trillion (11.03 per cent).

Others are, Open/Closeend funds, N11.20 billion, (0.12 per cent); Reits, N11.79 billion, (0.13 per cent) Foreign Money Market Securities, N7.20 billion, (0.08 per cent); private equity fund, N33.33 billion, (0.36 per cent), Real Estate Properties, N241.11 billion, (2.57 per cent); infrastructure funds, N30.14 billion, (0.32 per cent) and cash & other assets, N46.76 billion, (0.50 per cent).

Page 21

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 18, 2019

Why educaion, health, water, rural dev’t remain FCTA’s top priority -Bello by the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, noted that over the years, the influence of China on the global stage has continued to grow in no small measure to great advancements in the areas of science and technology, ICT, heavy industry, agriculture, construction and above all, international trade.

He pecifically noted that the road initiative which is the Chinese Government’s development strategy involving

infrastructure development and investments in several countries will no doubt bridge the investment, technological and economic gaps between developed and developing nations across the world.

“This initiative will ultimately create wealth between and within nations and create an overall better standard of living for people around the world; all thanks to the government and people of China.

“We seek the cooperation and collaboration of the Chinese government and the China General Chamber of Commerce, Nigeria in order for us to meet our objectives in these areas,” Bello was quoted in a statement from Special Assistant (Media) to FCT Minister of State, Austine Elemue.

He further noted that in the FCT, bilateral cooperation between the FCT Administration and the People’s Republic of China has seen to

huge developmental strides in the areas of infrastructural development, education, trade and investment.

He equally used the occasion to express the Administration’s gratitude for the construction and donation of the China Model Primary School in Nyanya and the outstanding construction work on the Abuja light Rail project carried out by the CCECC, a Chinese firm and funded in part by the EXIM Bank of China.

L-R: Director General, Quantity Survey Academy Abuja, Femi Balogun; Past President, Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), Mercy Iyortyer; and FCT Chairman of NIQS, Otaru Omokhagbo, during a workshop on the adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM), for project delivering in Nigeria, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: NAN

Proudly Nigerian Expo harps on harnessing grassroot innovation

By Stanley Onyekwere

T

he organisers of the forthcoming 2019 Proudly Nigerian Expo has called on governments at all levels to harness grassroots innovation for speedy economic development, aimed at discouraging the importation of products that can be locally sourced.

Convener of Proudly Nigeria Expo and founder of Helpline Foundation for the Needy Abuja, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu, told journalists in a world press conference in Abuja, that such move will save millions of naira and by extension boost indigenous technology at the grassroots level.

Ahmadu, revealed that the foundation has concluded plans to stage this year 2019 Proudly Nigeria Expo between

October 28 to November 2, 2019, with the theme: “Harnessing Nigeria’s Grassroots Innovation for Economic Diversification”.

She noted that the objectives of the 2019 Proudly Nigeria Expo is to among other things promote and advocate made in Nigeria goods and services, to promote entrepreneurship development and revitalisation and diversification of the Nigerian economy.

Other objectives according to the organisers include to accelerate development of commerce and industry, to promote direct attention to the role of private sector in the Nigerian economy and prospects for foreign and local investments in strategic areas.

According to her, “Helpline Foundation for the Needy Abuja, shares the same

mission as that of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment which is to build a better playing field for commerce in the entire nation.

“We believe that made in Nigeria goods and services can flourish even in the international community if small scale entrepreneurs, investors and innovators are given enabling environment.

“We at Helpline Foundation for the Needy, are assured that partnering with us in the 2019 Proudly Nigeria Expo will build exhibitor’s confidence in their Madein-Nigeria goods and their services will be boosted.”

While fielding questions from journalists on the outcome of 2016 Proudly Nigeria Expo, Ahmadu said, “we are passionate about the growth and

development of indigenous technology.

Since last edition, we have followed up progress reports of some of our exhibitors during the expo especially those young inventors.

“And it is our considered view that if we harnessed Nigeria’s grassroots innovation for economic diversification, it will speed economic development, and by extension reduce the pressure on the naira.”

Our correspondent gathered that FCT Administration through its Social Development Secretariat (SDS), Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA), Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), are principal partners in the forthcoming 2019 Expo

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 18, 2019

Page 22

world news

N international_peoplesdailyng@yahoo.com

Spain in shock as children witness family’s triple murder

A

man has been arrested in Spain after confessing to fatally shooting his ex-wife, mother-in-law and sister-in-law in front of the couple’s two children.

The killings took place as the children, aged four and seven, were preparing for school on Monday morning.

The 45-year-old man called police after fleeing the scene in Valga, in north-western Spain, and handed himself in.

There had been no prior complaints of violence against the victims, police said. The couple divorced last year.

Local media reported that José Luis Abet Lafuente had recently sent messages to his exwife accusing her of blocking his access to the two children.

“You go and ask me for a divorce and on top of that you don’t let me see the children,” he wrote in a Facebook post, Spanish newspaper El Mundo reported (in Spanish).

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said it was a “terrible” tragedy, describing the deaths as “gender violence”. “We will not stop until the slaughter of women ends,” he wrote on Twitter.

At about 08:00 (06:00 GMT) on Monday, the 39-year-old mother placed her two children in a car at their home in Valga, in the region of Galicia, officials said.

According to information obtained by police from Mr Abet, as she began to drive away from the house, he approached her vehicle clutching a small firearm.

The woman then called members of her family to ask for help.

But within minutes Mr Abet had shot her, despite the children being in the vehicle to witness the murder, officials said.

They added that when his former sisterin-law and mother-in-law arrived shortly afterwards, he shot them too.

Neighbours told police they heard “several bursts” of shots.

Mr Abet reportedly threw the firearm into a nearby river and returned to the house where he lived with his mother and sister, some 20km (12 miles) away, from where he called the police.

The handgun, along with ammunition, was later retrieved by police. The suspect is due to appear at a local court on Tuesday under heavy

launched a final bid to overturn his convictions in Australia for child sexual abuse.

Pell was jailed for six years in March after being convicted of abusing two boys in Melbourne in the 1990s.

The former Vatican treasurer is the most senior Catholic cleric to be convicted of such crimes, but he has consistently maintained his innocence.

After losing an earlier appeal, Pell now hopes his case will be heard

by Australia’s top court.

However, there is no guarantee that the High Court of Australia will agree to review it.

Last December, a jury unanimously convicted Pell of sexually abusing the 13-year-old boys inside Melbourne’s St Patrick’s Cathedral. The convictions included one count of sexual penetration and four counts of committing indecent

The verdict was kept secret from the public until February, when additional charges of sexual offences against Pell were withdrawn by prosecutors.

The Australian cleric filed his application in the High Court of Australia on Tuesday.

In his failed first appeal, Pell asserted that the guilty verdict had relied unreasonably on the testimony of one victim. His second victim died of a drug overdose in 2014.

The grounds for his latest appeal bid have not been made public.

Pell’s conviction has rocked the Catholic Church, where he had been one of Pope Francis’s closest advisers.

He was demoted from the Pope’s inner circle last year, but the Vatican continues to face calls for Pell to be defrocked.

Pell will be eligible for parole in October 2022.

Shane Gillis: Saturday Night Live’s new hire fired for slurs

U

S comedy sketch show Saturday Night Live has dropped a new cast member after videos surfaced online of him making slurs about Chinese people.

Shane Gillis, 31, came under fire soon after his casting was announced when footage resurfaced from a podcast featuring the comic.

“After talking with Shane Gillis, we have decided that he will not be joining SNL,” said an SNL spokesman.

Gillis wrote on Twitter that he respected the show’s decision.

“Of course I wanted an opportunity to prove myself at SNL, but I understand it would be too much of a distraction,” he said, just a week after it was announced he would join the NBC show.

The SNL spokesman said in Monday’s statement that the decision to fire Gillis followed a discussion

with the comic. “We want SNL to have a variety of voices and points of view within the show, and we hired Shane on the strength of his talent as comedian and his impressive audition for SNL,” he said.

“We were not aware of his prior remarks that have surfaced over the past few days. The language he used is offensive, hurtful and unacceptable.

“We are sorry that we did not see these clips earlier, and that our vetting process was not up to our standard.”

Gillis’ casting came under scrutiny just hours after SNL announced he would be one of three new hires for the show’s 45th season.

A podcast from September 2018 was circulated in which Mr Gillis mocked Chinese people and described his remarks as “nice racism”.

e w s

F

r o m

Zimbabwe holds candle-lit vigil for ‘abducted doctor’

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rowds of Zimbabweans lit candles at the main hospital in the capital, Harare, on Monday night at a vigil held to condemn the alleged abduction of Peter Magombeyi, the leader of a doctors’ union.

Clips of the doctors and nurses singing hymns outside Parirenyatwa Hospital and calling for Dr Magombeyi’s safe return were shared on social media: These are scenes of the prayer

Page 23

A

f r i c a

vigil for disappeared Dr Peter Magombeyi held at Pari Hospital in Harare #Zimbabwe this evening.

ZANUPF propaganda put out the lie earlier that he had been found at an “MDC safe house”. Dr Magombeyi is still missing. We all need to pray for him.

The medics believe Dr Magombeyi was abducted by the security forces because of his role in organising recent strike action over poor pay and working conditions.

Driving instructor ‘proud of his Somali team performance’

Evidence is collected from the scene of the shooting Local authorities have announced three security.

The couple had lived together at the days of mourning in the city of Valga over the property in Valga prior to their divorce in triple murders. The children are being cared for by an uncle.

January 2018.

Cardinal Pell makes final attempt Supreme Court: Parliament suspended ‘to to quash sexual abuse convictions stop MPs frustrating PM’, judges told ardinal George Pell has acts.

C

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 18, 2019

B

oris Johnson sought to suspend Parliament to avoid the risk of MPs “frustrating or damaging” his Brexit plans, the Supreme Court has heard.

Lawyers for campaigners challenging the suspension said there was “strong evidence” the PM saw MPs “as an obstacle” and wanted to “silence” them.

But a government lawyer said the PM was “entitled” to suspend Parliament, and it was not a matter for the courts.

The judges are hearing two challenges relating to the five-week prorogation.

Lady Hale, President of the Court, stressed the landmark case would have no bearing on the timing of Brexit.

In her opening statement, the most senior judge in the UK said she and her 10 colleagues would endeavour to address the “serious and difficult questions of law” raised by the case, but would not determine “wider political questions” relating to the Brexit process.

Could the Supreme Court overrule the government?

Who is Gina Miller?

Mr Johnson maintains it was right and proper to terminate the last session of Parliament in order to pave the way for a Queen’s Speech on 14 October, in which his new government will outline its legislative plans for the year ahead.

He insisted the move had nothing to do with Brexit and his “do or die” pledge to take the UK out of the EU on 31 October, if necessary without a deal.

But last week, Edinburgh’s Court of Session found in favour of a crossparty group of politicians challenging the PM’s move, ruling the shutdown was unlawful and “of no effect”.

Scotland’s highest civil court found Mr Johnson’s actions were motivated by the “improper purpose of stymieing

M

ohamud Ali, a driving instructor in the UK and Somalia’s star player in their 2022 World Cup qualifying heroics, has told the BBC he is proud of the team’s performance despite their dramatic elimination

by Zimbabwe.

Somalia took a famous 1-0 lead in the first leg qualifier, but last week Zimbabwe won the second leg 3-1 to qualify for the second round of the World Cup qualifiers.

The 25-year-old Somalia centre-back was born in Netherlands and plays for Curzon Ashton FC, a semi-professional English club in Manchester.

In between matches he runs a

driving school business.

He told BBC Newsday that “it was a great experience to represent my country on such a big stage”.

“I think we did very well considering we played one of the bigger teams in Africa, it’s something definitely to look back and to be very proud of,” he said.

He reckons that returning to his driving school business will prove busy, if the number of phone calls he has been receiving is anything to go by.

He hopes the Ocean Stars - the lowest-ranked team in African football - will mount a stronger campaign in the next round of international matches.

Hardliners put South Sudan ‘at risk of full-scale war’ The court case is expected to last three days Parliament”, and he had effectively like this was seen as “improper”, misled the Queen in the sovereign’s the decision would still stay within Parliament, not the courts, and it exercise of prerogative powers. would be up to MPs to pass new laws Could MPs return to Parliament?

SNP MP Joanna Cherry - who was to change that.

In a separate case earlier this also one of the lawyers on the case - told the BBC she was “cautiously month, London’s High Court rejected a optimistic” the Supreme Court would challenge brought by businesswoman and campaigner Gina Miller, ruling uphold the Scottish court’s ruling.

But, she added: “If they don’t, that the suspension of Parliament then they will be accepting that it’s was a “purely political” move and was possible under the British constitution therefore “not a matter for the courts”.

Appealing against that ruling in for the prime minister of a minority government to shut down Parliament the same hearing on Tuesday, Lord if it is getting in his way, and that just Pannick - the crossbench peer and QC representing Ms Miller - told the can’t be right.”

The Advocate General for Supreme Court he had “no quarrel” Scotland, Lord Keen QC, is now with a prime minister’s right to appealing against the ruling, but prorogue Parliament in order to told the Supreme Court that if it was present a Queen’s Speech.

However, he said the “exceptional upheld, the prime minister would take length” of this suspension was “strong “all necessary steps” to comply.

However, after being pushed evidence the prime minister’s motive by the judges, he said he would not was to silence Parliament because he comment on whether Mr Johnson sees Parliament as an obstacle”. might subsequently try to prorogue The facts, he said, showed the PM Parliament again. had advised the Queen to suspend Lord Keen said previous Parliament for five weeks “because prorogations of Parliament had he wishes to avoid what he saw as “clearly been employed” when the risk that Parliament, during governments wanted to “pursue a that period, would take action to particular political objective”, adding: frustrate or damage the policies of his “They are entitled to do so.” government”.

He added that even if an action Source: BBC

Charles Kinuthia's lawyer says police stopped the event because of the overwhelming number of people who turned up

Kenyan sentenced to two years for conning Rwandans

A

court in Rwanda has sentenced a Kenyan man to two years in jail for conning young Rwandans into paying a registration fee for a wealth and fitness conference that never happened.

Thousands of young people showed up in the capital, Kigali, for the conference, organised by Charles Kinuthia, at the Kigali Convention Centre on 25 June.

Some told the BBC they had paid

a $5 (£4) online registration fee and had been promised $197 if they attended.

Kinuthia’s lawyer, Evode Kayitana, told the BBC that the sentence was unfair as the conference would have gone ahead had the police not intervened because of a security risk.

He said officers stopped the event because the venue became overwhelmed by delegates who had

misunderstood that the $197 was not a cash bonus for them to take home but represented the value of the day’s training.

Three of Kinuthia’s employees two Kenyan women and a Rwandan man - were acquitted by the court in Kigali.

Mr Kayitana said his client was going to approach the Kenyan government to see if it could intervene in the case.

Zimbabwe church leaders denounce abductions

C

hurch leaders in Zimbabwe have written to President Emmerson Mnangagwa to denounce what they call the deteriorating human rights situation in the country.

The letter refers to at least 20 recent abductions and says there The UN experts welcomed a recent meeting between President has not been a single arrest.

Kiir (R) and his rival Mr Machar (L) The church leaders also express concern about what they refer to as outh Sudan risks being strategy on the part of the warring divisions within the security sector plunged back into full-scale parties to target civilians in acts that following the overthrow of Robert conflict if hardliners are may amount to war crimes... There Mugabe and the economic crisis. allowed to sabotage last year’s is no doubt that the responsibility This week doctors have been peace agreement, a group of UN for the enduring humanitarian protesting about the apparent catastrophe in South Sudan rests experts has warned. abduction of their union leader, “South Sudan’s political elites firmly with the country’s warring Peter Magombeyi. are strangely able to live oblivious politicians.”

His colleagues fear he was She said that the commission to the intense suffering of millions abducted by state security agents of their own people,” said Yasmin welcomed a recent meeting because he had organised a Sooka, chairperson of the UN between President Salva Kiir and doctors’ strike.

Commission on Human Rights in opposition leader Riek Machar, who committed to comply with South Sudan.

In a statement to a session of a November deadline to set up a the UN Human Rights Council, she unity government.

But Ms Sooka added that said that she and her colleagues t least four people have died had recently returned from a trip there were still hardliners who off the coast of Senegal’s to South Sudan, where they found were unwilling to compromise on capital, Dakar, after a boat that most citizens went hungry key issues such as “the number capsized in a storm on Monday night, of states, their boundaries, and every day. the emergency services told the BBC. “The starvation in South Sudan security arrangements”.

They said the boat had left for These people “might sabotage is neither random, nor accidental. an excursion to Madeleine Island It has been part of a deliberate progress towards implementation

S

Mr Magombeyi has not been seen since Saturday

Four dead after tourist boat capsizes off Senegal

A

despite warnings of bad weather.

Lt Col Pape Ange Michel Diatta could not confirm the exact cause of the accident but said the boat was likely caught up in heavy rain and strong waves.

Some 35 people have been taken

to hospital – including six French people, two Germans, two Swedes and and one person from Guinea Bissau.

The nationalities of the four who died have not been confirmed.

Source: BBC

PAGE 24

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 18, 2019

N e w s F r o m A SI A Afghanistan war: Deadly bomb attack hits election rally

A

suicide bomb attack at an election rally in Afghanistan has killed at least 26 people.

The meeting in Parwan province, north of the capital Kabul, was about to be addressed by President Ashraf Ghani.

Another blast in central Kabul, near the US embassy, has killed at least three people.

The Taliban said they were behind both attacks. The group has continued a concerted bombing campaign while at the same time taking part in peace talks.

But US President Donald Trump described the negotiations with the Taliban as “dead” earlier this month.

What could peace in Afghanistan look like?

‘We embraced... but I’d still kill him’ The Taliban refuse to talk to the Afghan government and have vowed to disrupt the presidential election in the country on 28

September.

What is known about the explosions?

Forty-two people are reported to have been injured in the election rally blast in Charikar, the capital of Parwan province.

Children were among the casualties, medical staff said. The bomber, on a motorbike, triggered the blast at a checkpoint at the venue.

Mr Ghani, who hopes for a second fiveyear term, was not hurt.

Details about the Kabul blast are still emerging. It was near the busy Massood Square, the site of government ministries and Nato compounds.

What is the security situation in Afghanistan?

An average of 74 people were killed every day in the country in August, according to data collected by the BBC. Most of the casualties were those involved in combat, such as Taliban

President Ashraf Ghani at an earlier election rally fighters, but a fifth were civilians, including children.

The worst day for civilians was 18 August, when 112 were killed, including 92 at a wedding in Kabul.

The Taliban are estimated to be openly active across 70% of Afghanistan.

In June 2019, the country was named the least peaceful place in the world by the Global Peace Index report.

Hong Kong tries and fails to hire PR firms to rebuild image

H

ong Kong’s government contacted eight public relations firms to try and rebuild the embattled city’s image, but all of them declined the contract.

The city has seen months of unrest sparked by a proposed extradition bill that has since been withdrawn.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam and her government have been widely criticised for their response to protesters.

The PR firms said that “the time is not right” to restore the territory’s reputation, Ms Lam told reporters.

“At one point in time, we did have that idea of approaching some international PR firms to provide some advice,” she told a press conference on Tuesday.

“The advice we have been given is the time is not right, because we are still in this sort of social unrest, disturbance and violent acts and vandalism on such a regular basis.

“It would perhaps not be the most cost-effective way to use the

There have been violent clashes on the streets of Hong Kong since June government resources to launch any campaign to rebuild Hong Kong’s reputation. But sooner or later we will have to do it, because I have every confidence in Hong Kong’s fundamentals.”

What happened?

In a leaked transcript of an

August address to businesspeople, published by Reuters news agency, Ms Lam said that four of the eight firms had turned the job down straightaway.

The other four firms were then invited to a briefing with the government.

According to the brief, published in the PR industry paper The Holmes Report, the government wanted a firm to “address negative perceptions in key markets overseas to maintain confidence in Hong Kong”, and to “underscore the strengths and

attributes that differentiate Hong Kong from other cities in the region and bring out the success of one country, two systems”.

None of the four remaining firms bid for the contract.

Speaking to the publication, a representative for one of these firms criticised the government for trying to develop a PR strategy “while the streets are on fire”.

What is the situation in Hong Kong?

The protests began in June in opposition to a proposed bill, which would have made it possible for people in Hong Kong to be extradited to mainland China.

Critics said they could have faced human rights abuses.

The bill was initially shelved, and later withdrawn completely, but this has failed to quell the protesters’ anger.

Now, protesters are calling for full democracy and an investigation into allegations of police brutality during the protests, among other demands.

Israel election: Netanyahu in tough fight in this year’s second vote

I

srael’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is fighting to hold on to power, as voters go to the polls in one of its closest election races in years.

He called the snap election after failing to form a governing coalition in the wake of an election in April.

Polls forecast his right-wing Likud party to tie with its main challenger, the centrist Blue and White party led by former military chief Benny Gantz.

Smaller parties could therefore have a big say in the final outcome.

Negotiations on the formation of a new coalition are expected to start as soon as voting ends at 22:00 (19:00 GMT) and exit polls are published.

What happened last time?

Likud and Blue and White came away with 35 seats each in the 120seat Knesset.

Mr Netanyahu declared victory and it appeared that he would be able to secure a majority with the

backing of smaller right-wing and religious parties. But after several chaotic weeks the attempted coalition-building collapsed into recriminations.

On the surface was a dispute over Israel’s secular versus its religious character, says the BBC’s Tom Bateman in Jerusalem.

But ultimately, our correspondent adds, Mr Netanyahu’s problems stemmed from a narrowing range of options to build a governing bloc, weakened as he is by the charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust he faces in three corruption cases, pending a final hearing.

Mr Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing. He refuses to rule out seeking parliamentary immunity should he stay in power.

What is Netanyahu’s pitch to voters this time?

Throughout the campaign Mr Netanyahu, the longest serving prime minister, has made ever

more strident appeals to the right wing as he seeks a record fifth term.

Last week, Mr Netanyahu declared he would “apply Israeli sovereignty” in the Jordan Valley if he won. The announcement amounted to a promise to effectively annex 30% of the occupied West Bank, which Palestinians want to be part of a future state.

Amid international condemnation, the Palestinian leadership called the move a war crime which would bury any prospects for peace.

Mr Netanyahu also reiterated a pledge from the last election to annex Jewish settlements in the West Bank. The settlements are considered illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this.

Can Jewish settlement issue be resolved?

“We find ourselves at the high point of an historic change in the history of the Jewish people and

Polls suggest no clear route to government for Benjamin Netanyahu or Benny Gantz (right) the State of Israel,” Mr Netanyahu wrote in the Hebrew-language daily newspaper Maariv on Monday.

“I am asking now for your confidence in order to complete the historic task and fortify the State of Israel’s borders and security forever.”

US President Donald Trump’s long-awaited plan for a peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians is expected to be

published soon after the election.

What has Benny Gantz promised?

Mr Netanyahu faces an emergent centrist alliance studded with retired generals, who say they will end Israel’s increasing divisions. Blue and White was founded in February by Mr Gantz and Yair Lapid, a former finance minister and leader of the Yesh Atid party. Source: BBC

Property

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 18, 2019

Arc.Onjefu Ochoche is the Ag.General Manager Quality Control, Federal Housing Authorty(FHA). In this interview with Mashe Umaru Gwamna, he spoke on how the agency is working to address Gwarinpa estate traffic situation. He also urged the residents to always obey traffic laws. Ochoche also spoke on other sundry issues. Excerpts: Sir, why are you embarking on this traffic sensitization?

Over the years, Gwarinpa was built as a residential neighborhood in Abuja with provisions for the highest level of comfort and convenience. When we talk about this comfort, we are talking about comfort of the estate that includes the traffic and all other pleasures that a well designed Estate has.

But with time we discovered that traffic build up have become common place and with this development, the original quality of the estate has been heavily comprised and we felt the need to restore it to its original status . We have decided to call all the stakeholders’ together to address it and to bring to everyone’s attention the role they need to play so that we can sanitize the system.

How do you intend to sustain the programme?

We intend to sustain it with the collaboration of all the stakeholders’

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

M

inister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola has commended the United Nations Human Settlements Programmes (UN-Habitat) for its commitment towards addressing the global challenges of urbanization.

Fashola spoke yesterday in his office while receiving a delegation of the UNHabitat Mission who paid him a courtesy visit to brief him on the outcomes of the validation workshop on the evaluation of the memorandum of understanding between the Federal Government of Nigeria and UNHabitat which was held in Abuja.

The Minister who requested the UN body to supply more information on the areas of intended collaboration, also told the delegation that, as a conscious national strategy, Nigeria would look out for how investment would grow our economy and develop our people A statement signed by Boade Akionla (Mrs) Director (Press & Public Relations),said Fashola noted that the challenges of housing needs were more pronounced in urban cities than in rural communities, adding that there was the need to get data on where people want houses, the type of houses and affordability.

He added that there was the need to work out a strategy on housing to meet the interest of all stakeholders.

The Minister assured the delegation that the Federal Government of Nigeria would continue to collaborate and work with the UN body to achieve the clear mandate of the UNHabit Programme The head of the UN-Habitat delegation

Page 25

How we are addressing Gwarinpa traffic situation -Arc. Ochoche

that are here. We will continue to meet with them to ensure that the programme is a success. We would also like to acknowledge different agencies and people playing different roles to ensure safety in Gwarinpa roads. The roles of the police and road safety is very important.

We are bringing them together to ensure the need for synergy and not individual agency approach to the situation. Already, the various agencies have pledged their support and have given us officers that can deliver the best services needed to address the various challenges that is beclouding the estate. It is our prayer that the estate will reflect what we want it to be.

Are you making plans to extend such to other estates?

Yes, we are. But for now, Gwarinpa estate is our flagship estate in FHA and whatever we establish here will be replicated in all other estate in the country.

We have different estates in Nigeria with various challenges. Festac in Lagos is one of the closest example with what we are experiencing. But I assure you that we will get to those places. We have started here, very soon we will be making Gwarinpa our reference point.

What are your plans towards addressing illegal acquisition of building?

Let me say this; originally, when the estate was developed, we had a plan on ground, but as always said, planning is

Arc.Onjefu Ochoche Ag.General Manager Quality Control, Federal Housing Authorty(FHA). dynamic. With time, we will definitely accommodate some changes. Though we don’t agree with anything illegal, but at times there could be room for conversion.

We may have a residential unit that we want to use for school,clinic or shop. We look at their premises and on its own merit, we could give approval for conversion if we discover you meet the requirement.

Also, one should not expect that the Gwarinpa that was developed 20 years will remain like that without any changes.

As emerging news came up, we address them and where conversion are confirmed appropriately, we make approval for that.

And this is a global concept in planning that with development and emerging trends, we move along with the trend.

What are your plans to address illegal conservation?

Addressing illegal conversions with this forum is necessary. This is just addressing one aspect of the challenge that we have in the estate which is traffic. Other issues like illegal conversion, maintenance of the estate and bad roads are there. We have been addressing some of these challenges.

But now we want to have them head on.

The same thing with illegal conversion and other challenges of our estate. We will address them but one at a time.

We give attention to the issue that we find to be really pressing at a particular time . Of course,all these issues are pressing but we have to think on the available resources, available personnel and then we prioritize our programmes.

What advice do you have for the residents?

Advice for the residents is to respect the traffic by showing some level of patience.

Some challenges we are facing are more man made than the physical condition of the road. Many at times, there is little holdup, you only need to wait for two to three seconds but because you are not patient to wait for that period, you leave your lane and go to the other lane and by so doing, you have blocked the person coming from there, he can’t go, you can’t go. So let’s be a little patient and respect traffic regulation. We should also consider other people and be law abiding at all times.

Fashola commends UN-Habitat’s Commitment in addressing global challenges of Urbanisation Dr. Naison Mutizwa- Mangiza, earlier told the Minister about some key outcomes of the validation workshop which include among others; review of the MOU between UNHabitat and Nigeria, setting up technical committee to review the MOU, data collection on housing infrastructure, project conceptualization and management and knowledge and technology transfer.

He also told the Minister about the forthcoming Conference of Ministers’ of Housing scheduled for Abu Dhabi next year 2020 and extend invitation to Nigeria to attend Earlier at the opening of the Workshop, the Minister of State Works and Housing, Engineer Abubakar Aliyu, expressed satisfaction with the level of cooperation and harmonious working relationship between the Federal Government and the UN-Habitat in the implementation of the various sustainable human settlements programmes in Nigeria.

He recalled that the Federal Government of Nigeria signed the Memorandum of Understanding with the UN Human settlement Programme Support (UN-Habitat) in 2001 to establish a UN-Habitat Programme Support Office (HAPSO) in Abuja, Nigeria, explaining that the mandate of HAPSO was derived from the UN-Habitat’s United Nations General Assembly global mandate to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of

providing adequate shelter for all.

Engineer Aliyu further explained that, the 2014-2015 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) specifically mandates HAPSO to “assist interested Governments at Federal, State and Local levels in Nigeria through, Technical Cooperation, field projects, provision and exchange of expertise, networking, public information, capacity building and consulting services” under the guidance of UN-Habitat’s Regional Office for Africa.

The Validation Workshop was organised by the UN-Habitat in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, to

give opportunity to stakeholders to review the operations of UN-Habitat Programme Support office (HAPSO) in Nigeria. The HAPSO office became operational in October 2003 in Abuja, Nigeria.

“We believe the urbanization challenges in Africa require African solutions. For this reason, Nigeria has been at the fore front of championing the African Urban Agenda which is aimed at mobilizing nations to unite in its quest for ‘home made’ solutions to her urbanization challenges and to contribute in unison to the global urbanization debate” Aliyu said

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesday, September 18, 2019

26

feature

CLASSIFIED winding up

Saudi oil attacks: Why does the US hide oil underground?

I

n the wake of the attacks on key Saudi Arabian oil infrastructure, American officials have been talking about drawing on a huge emergency stash of oil kept in the United States.

As oil prices spiked, President Donald Trump tweeted they could use the oil “to keep the markets well-supplied”.

The oil he was referring to amounts to more than 640 million barrels which are stored in salt caverns beneath the states of Texas and Louisiana. The idea of holding these “strategic reserves” dates back to the 1970s.

All members of the International Energy Agency have to hold the equivalent of 90 days’ worth of petroleum imports, but the US stockpile is the largest emergency store in the world.

Why was it set up?

US politicians first came up with the idea of an oil stockpile in the early 1970s, after an oil embargo by Middle East nations caused prices to skyrocket around the world.

Members of the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries - including Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia - refused to export oil to the US because it supported Israel in the 1973 Arab-Israeli War The embargo came as a result of the ArabIsraeli War of 1973, also called the Yom Kippur War The war lasted just three weeks in October that year. But the embargo - which also targeted other countries - lasted until March 1974, causing prices to quadruple worldwide from about $3 to nearly $12 per barrel.

Pictures of cars queuing up at petrol pumps

in affected nations became some of the defining images of the crisis.

The US Congress passed the Energy Policy and Conservation Act in 1975. It established the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in the event of another major supply problem.

What is the reserve?

At present, there are four sites where oil is stored: near Freeport and Winnie in Texas, and outside Lake Charles and Baton Rouge in Louisiana.

Each site has several man-made salt caverns up to a kilometre (3,300ft) underground where the oil is stored. This is far cheaper than keeping it in tanks above ground, and safer - the chemical composition of the salt and the geological pressure prevents any oil from leaking out.

The largest site at Bryan Mound near Freeport has a storage capacity equivalent to 254 million barrels of oil.

The reserve’s website says that on 13 September there were 644.8 million barrels of oil held in these caves.

According to the US Energy Information Administration, Americans used 20.5 million barrels of petroleum a day on average in 2018 meaning there’s enough oil to keep the country going for about 31 days.

How does it work?

Under the 1975 law signed by Gerald Ford, the president can only authorise the release of oil reserves if there is a “severe energy supply interruption”.

Physical constraints mean only a small amount of oil can be moved from the caves

conclusion were based on information from an insecure third party site belonging to another witness whose identity remain hidden; another witness who did not remember the date of the election and another who was actually seeing the affidavit he deposed for the very first time in court. No wonder INEC and the APC saw no need to call any witnesses after the drama played by the petitioner’s witnesses, who had scored several own goals. INEC and APC said there is no need to waste the tribunal time any more as the petitioners’ witnesses had already supported their case.

Then the time for the tribunal to deliver its final submission and judgement came; in its entirety, the tribunal rejected all of Atiku’s and PDP claims that the presidential election was marred by irregularities; that President Muhammadu Buhari was not academically qualified to contest for the office of president; that the election results were electronically transmitted and that the ruling party used the security agencies to clamp down on oppositions.

On electronic transmission of results, the tribunal reminded Atiku and the PDP that the process is alien to the nation’s existing electoral law even though there were attempts to amend the law but the intended amendment did not go through. So it would not only be illegal for INEC to transmit results electronically but also untenable because the infrastructure for that is not readily available. The tribunal concur with INEC that the election results were manually collated.

On the allegation of certain security outfits interference in the election to favour the candidate of the ruling party, the court ruled that it can only consider it if the security agencies had been joined as parties to the suit.

On the claim that the opposition agents in various polling units were harassed, the court

berated PDP for not calling any of the units’ agents to testify to the fact of their harassment.

On President Buhari’s qualification and perjury claim by the petitioner, the tribunal asserts that the PDP did not adequately challenge the army’s claim that Buhari enlisted into the force with his WASSCE: relying on newspaper reports instead of summoning the army secretary as witness watered down the allegation.

In summary, the tribunal threw out the entire petition of Atiku and PDP and affirms the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari as the winner of the February 23, 2019 election. The entirety of Atiku Abubakar and PDP petition against the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari at the February 23, 2019 poll was hinged on two major grounds: the existence of a hidden INEC server and the non-qualification of the president to run for the office because he did not sit for WAEC which is considered as the minimum educational requirement for the position.

Atiku’s legal team came to court to play sentiment forgetting that sentiment does not have a place in our jurisprudence, and brilliance would never make up for lack of hard evidential facts to support a case. Atiku’s team chose to forget that cases are decided on facts and evidences, and won on merits but never on public opinions. The petitioner did more job on the social media than in the court room: they appealed more to the sentimental emotion of Nigerians in an attempt to sway the decision of the tribunal but failed.

We were encumbered with the rhetorics; “we have more than enough evidence to floor the APC and Buhari” on the social media but those hard evidences were not brought to court.

It is therefore surprising to hear literate Nigerians making disparaging remarks about the ruling of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT). My advice: take a look at Atiku’s petition and the record of the proceedings of the tribunal and then listen once again to the final ruling before you take side or criticize the

winding up

LEX HABITAE. SOLICITORS , ADVOCATES & LEGAL CONSULTANTS. 36, Osun Crescent, Maitama, Abuja. lexhabitae@yahoo.com. 08032167288

A huge volume of oil is stored in caverns beneath Louisiana and Texas each day, meaning even if there is presidential authority to release oil it would take nearly two weeks to hit the markets.

Moreover, the oil is all unrefined. It would need to be processed into fuel before it would be useful for cars, ships and airplanes.

US energy secretary Rick Perry told broadcaster CNBC on Monday it was “a little premature” to talk about breaking into the reserve yet in the wake of the attacks in Saudi Arabia.

Has it been used often?

It was last used in 2011, when disruption caused by the Arab Spring uprisings prompted IEA member states to release a combined total of 60 million barrels of oil to reduce disruption to energy supplies.

The US has millions of barrels of oil stored in underground salt caverns near the Gulf of Mexico However, the US has sold off large numbers

of barrels on a few occasions. President George H W Bush authorised its use during the Gulf War in 1991, while his son George W Bush allowed the sale of 11 million barrels in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

But the usefulness of keeping such a huge reserve at a time when US energy production is booming has been questioned. Some in Washington have even recommended getting rid of it completely.

A report by the Government Accountability Office suggested just that in 2014, saying it could lower prices at the pump for US consumers. In 2017 the Trump administration mooted selling off half the stockpile to help tackle the federal deficit.

Under President Bill Clinton, 28 million barrels were sold off in 1997 as part of a move to reduce the deficit.

Source: BBC

final decision of the court.

In my opinion, it is acutely disrespectful and a castigation of the tallness of the nation; an insult to all reasonable citizens for anyone to insinuate that the president of Nigeria is not qualified to be the president of Nigeria because he is not educationally qualified. It is equally fraudulent and a shame to our legal system for a Nigerian lawyer to come to court on behalf of a client that the president who was once an army general has no WASSCE certificate to contest to be president of Nigeria.

When the drama began in 2014, we thought it was merely an exposure of political act of desperation to prevent the candidacy of Muhammadu Buhari but it soon dawned on us that it is a consistent narrative which the political species among us chose to upset the national progress. I found it extremely difficult to understand why PDP and all its sympathisers would decide to ignore the attested result from WAEC and Cambridge and still indulge in propagating their self-serving but nationally insulting slogan of no WAEC result.

There were a lot of talks about the Dubai strategy before the election. I reiterated the fact that from the onset, Atiku and his team had no plan to win the election at the polls which best explains their approach to the campaign when they visited less than 20 states without being bothered. The Dubai strategy was water tight; the Saraki-led Senate was to make sure the amended electoral law was passed before the election to allow for electronic transmission of result and provide legal backing for declaring units results without counting. Breaking into the server and planting their doctored result would have been like a child’s play.

The card reader as was deployed and used during the Nigeria 2015 and 2019 elections can only be construed by twisted minds to have the capacity to transmit voting results to a server somewhere; the card readers were deployed for

voters’ accreditation. We did not cast our votes via the devices, so how would it produce voting figures to transmit? We shouldn’t be discussing this; it makes us all look injudicious.

The almighty Onnoghen had been positioned to be battle ready at the Supreme Court to finish the work. Things went awry when President Buhari refused to append his signature on the electoral law as amended and the almighty Onnoghen is excused from the Supreme Court via Code of Conduct Tribunal Order.

Too late to back out, the Atiku’s team decided to continue acting in denial of reality. INEC should have transmitted results electronically according to the botched coup of the electoral law amendment, “so INEC transmitted result electronically”. Nothing else is sensible: Onnoghen is no more to act god so the delusional upholding of non-existing and an unknown-tothe-law “server” is maintained.

The bulk of Atiku’ legal team and their witnesses’ submissions were on accounts of hearsay that could not stand in the face of the law. You claimed your polling unit agents were harassed but you brought ward agents to the court to testify for the harassments of the polling unit agents; you levelled grave allegations of misconduct against the police and the military yet you did not see it necessary to join them as parties to your suit. How did you plan to establish all your allegations and how can you turn around to blame the tribunal for your expected woes?

I can imagine the height of hopes the deluded minds imagined as we all awaited the tribunal’s final ruling. Money failed and reality has dawned on everyone; President Muhammadu Buhari is eminently qualified to be and he already has.

Anyone who still believes there is an INEC server that received electronically transmitted result of the February 23, 2019 presidential election would need to urgently visit a physician.

God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

PUBLIC NOTICE

AREWA LAWYERS FORUM 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 ABDULLAHI IBRAHIM, SAN - CHAIRMAN 2. NASSER ABDU DANGIRI, SAN - SECRETARY: 3. JOSEPH BODUNRIN DAUDU, SAN

- MEMBER 4. CHIEF JOE-KYARI GADZAMA, SAN - MEMBER 5. ABUBAKAR B. MAHMOUD, SAN - MEMBER 6. MAMMAN M. OSUMAN, SAN

- MEMBER 7. MARKUS Y. SALEH, SAN

- MEMBER 8. GARBA S. PWUL, SAN

- MEMBER 9. HASSAN M. LIMAN, SAN - MEMBER 10. ALHAJI ALIYU UMAR , SAN - MEMBER 11. HAJIA FATIMA KWAKU - MEMBER 12. H.E MOHAMMED ABDULLAHI ABUBAKAR, ESQ - MEMBER 13. MOHAMMED D. AUDI, ESQ. - MEMBER THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. The promotion of active participation of members in the affairs and activities of the NBA, the promoting of the ideals of the rule of law, professional ethics and uphold the spirit of tolerance, co-operation and respect between the Bar, branches and other stakeholders in the administration of justice.

2. The promotion of unity between branches of the Bar Association in northern Nigeria and elsewhere.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : BARR. MOHAMMED MONGUNO, ESQ PLOT 1805, DAMATURU CRESCENT, GARKI 2, ABUJA.

The Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja.

16th September 2019.

$9.6 bn Judgment debt: Need for urgent legislative action Cont. from page 32

PAGE 27

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 18, 2019

Dear Sir, NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF MR. OGHAYEI SUNDAY AS LIQUIDATOR IN RESPECT OF VOLUNTARY WINDING UP OF THE PILLOWS HOSPITALITY LIMITED Kindly accept this letter as proper notice of my appointment as liquidator in the voluntary winding up of THE PILLOWS HOSPITALITY LIMITED. Please find attached a copy of the resolution passed for my appointment for your records.

Thank you for your usual cooperation.

Yours faithfully, Oghayei Sunday, ACIArb. Liquidator to THE PILLOWS HOSPITALITY LIMITED.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

FULL- LIFE EVANGELICAL MISSION INTERNATIONAL

THE LIFE BEARERS MISSION INTERNATIONAL

UGO UMUAHIA DAUGHTERS’ INTERNATIONAL 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 OLOYEDE PAUL ADELANI - GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT. (2).PASTOR (MRS) OLOYEDE DEBORAH MODUPEOLA. (3).APOSTLE OLATUNJI EMMANUEL TUNDE (4).BRO.OGUNMOLA LAWRENCE OPEYEMI : GENERAL SECRETARY. (5).BRO.OLOYEDE GOODNESS OLUWATIMILEHIN. THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. To preach the gospel of Christ across the globe, to those who have not heard about Him 2. To disciple new converts into maturity through systematic teachings of the word of God. 3. To spread the word of God through publishing and distribution of Christian literatures, tracts and magazines etc to all nations.

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

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE : (1). PASTOR ADELUGBA AYOTUNDE JOSHUA - GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT. (2) PASTOR(MRS) ADELUGBA ADENIKE ESTHER. (3) PASTOR OLOYEDE PAUL ADELANI - GENERAL SECRETARY.

SIGNED : The Trustees.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. To make Jesus Christ known to all people across the globe through the preaching of the gospel.

2. To build believers up and make them grow into maturity through the teaching of the undiluted word of God. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : The Trustees.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

MORGAN SMART DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

MODERN GARMENT MAKERS ASSOCIATION

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

Names of Old Trustees : 1. Dr. Emmanuel Urhobo 2. Mrs Grace Urhobo 3. Ms Omawumi Evelyn Urhobo 4. Mrs Mercy Ukubeyinje 5. Engr Felix Obioru 6. Dr (Mrs) Joyce Ugochukwu 7. Dr Felix Methoho Eke. Names of New Trustees : 1) Dr Omawumi Evelyn Atsiangbe -Urhobo, 2) Miss Shirley Toritseju Umo Urhobo -Enebong.

3) Benny Oghenetega Oritsetimeyin Odeka 4) Mrs Mercy Misan Ukubeyinje 5) Fejiro Evelyn Ugute 6) Omasanjuwa Claire Eyikimighan 7) Dr Matthew Dore 8. Prince Roland Eghare Atsiangbe.

Aims and objectives remain the same ANY OBJECTION TO THIS SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. 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. ONWUKWE INNOCENT ORJI - CHAIRMAN 2. UKAEGBU VICTOR MARTHIAS - SECRETARY 3.EZE JUDE IKECHUKWU - TREASURER 4. OKORO SAMUEL UCHE 5. OCHIEZE ANNE OLUCHI 6. JACOB ARESA OKOCHA 7. OBIKE CHIDIEBERE FELIX 8. ONWUKA ORJI 9. UCHE EBENEZER CHIBUZOR 10. ONWUCHEKWA OGADINMA MICHAEL THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1. TO BUILD AN INNOVATIVE FASHION BRAND THAT PROMOTES LOCALLY MADE WEARS. 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 : EZEJI GLORIA 08038769236.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE EUNICE-SEUN INITIATIVE

Triumphant marriage ministry 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.Mr. Farinre Dare Akinsheye 2.Ms. Hephzibah Olubusayo Olaleye 3.Mr. Adeyinka Elijah Oyinlade THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : The aims and objectives of the Initiative shall be to: 1.To promote educational, social and economic empowerment to the less privileged in Nigeria through provision of scholarships, seminars and workshops.

2.To empower the youths, women, less privileged in Nigeria through educational and human development initiatives.

To promote the nurturing and monitoring of literacy among the youths in 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.

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. OLADIPO, Clara Morolayo 2. ALADE, Deborah Ezenwanyi 3. JOHN, Balaraba Ubanyero THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To promote the pathways to triumphant and hitchfree marriage by the word and faith in God through 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 ASSOCIATION 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) EZEBUIRO EUNICE IFEOMA - CHAIRMAN (2) OLUJIE NANCY .R. - SECRETARY (3) NJOKU NWANYIEZE REGINA (4) UHUEGBU ELIZABETH ODAWAI (5) OKEY ONYEMAUNA THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : (1) To provide charity, welfare of indigent youths and children.

(2) To care for the less privilege, widows and children in the society.

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

PUBLIC NOTICE

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.Ogunsakin Fehintola. - Chairman 2.Ogunsakin Olusesan. - Member 3.Fasuan Olasunkanmi Christopher. - Secretary THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To help the less privileged improve quality of life and reduce mortality rates of preventable deaths all over the world.

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

PUBLIC NOTICE AL-ARSHEEYATUL KHAIRIYYAH FOUNDATION This is to inform the general public that the above named INITIATIVE has applied for Registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. LAWAL JAKADA 2. MUHAMMAD HASSAN ADAMU 3. USMAN BABA YAKUBU 4. MUHAMMAD YAHAYA ALHASSAN 5. MUHAMMAD YUSUF ALI THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To render assistance to the orphans and less privileged in the society.

2. To care for the needy and empower the orphans in the society.

Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar general, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: ADAMU HASSAN ESQ.

PAGE 28

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 18, 2019

LEGAL NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE PROBATE DIVISION BIRNIN KEBBI, KEBBI STATE

CONNECTED INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF AGULU IN DIASPORA

PROFESSIONAL VOLUNTEERS WORK INITIATIVE

Whereas the person whose name is set out in the first column here under died date and place stated in the said column. Whereas the person whose address had claimed relationship with the said deceased is set in the second column here under has applied to the High Court of Justice for GRANT OF LETTER OF ADMINISTRATION of the personal property.

Notice is hereby given that the said LETTER OF ADMINISTRATION will be granted to such person unless a notice to prohibit the grant there of is filed in the Probate Registry High Court of Justice Birnin Kebbi, within TWENTY ONE DAYS from the date of publication of this notice.

SCHEDULE Name and Address of Deceased Applicant Name and Address BALKISU AMINU

AHMED IDRIS NIGER STATE TELEVISION PRESS CENTRE MINNA, GOVERNMENT HOUSE NIGER STATE BIRNIN KEBBI KEBBI STATE

Who died on the 026TH SEPTEMBER, 2014 Dated at Birnin Kebbi on 05TH day of SEPTEMBER, 2019

This is to inform the general public that the above named ASSOCIATION has applied for Registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. OSITA JUDE OKOYE

- CHAIRMAN 2. JIBUIKE LAWRENCE C. 3. NWANKWO ONYEKWELU CHRISTIAN 4. OKOYE IKECHUKWU FRANCIS 5. ANYANWO CHUKWUMA MAXWELL 6. CHIEKILIM ROWLAND ROY 7. ANTHONY EZEKUNIE 8. NKECHI OGBUEFI 9. JUDE NWOLISE 10. OLUOGU CHRIS CHUKWUDI 11. OKONKWO EMEKA 12. NATHANIEL CHINWE SABINA THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To promote the welfare of members and the less privileged in Agulu community.

2. To promote and encourage education, science and technology development in Agulu community.

Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar general, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

HUSSAINI ABDULLAHI Probate Registrar

Signed: Asiegbu Okey Obasi Esq. Solicitor

winding up

PUBLIC NOTICE

This is to inform the general public that the above named INITIATIVE has applied for Registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. IDOWU OLUWAROTIMI AKINYEMI 2. BIGILA ANTHONY JOHNSON 3. SOBOWALE MORUF ADENIYI 4. ALLY DAVID ADE

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To build human capacities and prepare youths for professional work life.

2. To provide educational and professional work readiness gap for school leavers.

Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar general, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Secretary

PUBLIC NOTICE LOSS OF DOCUMENTS

This is to inform the general public of the lost of the Original Right of Occupancy (R of O) measuring 1.2pHA situated at plot 477 Cadastral Zone AOO, FCT Abuja.

File name: babatunde iluyemi .m. of plot 477 central business district, Abuja . All efforts made to trace the missing documents prove abortive.

IF FOUND PLEASE, KINDLY RETURN TO THE NEAREST POLICE STATION or to the owner . ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE. Winding up

PUBLIC NOTICE

COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 2004 PRIVATE COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE COALITION FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT LTD/GTE (RC: 814261) (MEMBERS VOLUNTARY WINDING-UP) NOTICE OF FINAL GENERAL MEETING

GODS GRACE SOLUTION & REVIVAL INT'L CHURCH

KABIR SOJA FOUNDATION

This is to inform the general public that the above named INITIATIVE has applied for Registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

This is to inform the general public that the above named INITIATIVE has applied for Registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: (1)Chukwu Owoma Gift Jacob (2)Emmanuel Chinwendu (3)Imenwo Fortune

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, pursuant to Section 468 (2) of the Company and Allied Matters Act, 2004, the Final General Meeting of the above Company will be held at No.1, Beach Road, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria on the 23rd October 2019 at 10:00 a.m. for the purposes of laying before such meeting the Final Accounts of the Company and giving explanation thereof.

PUBLIC NOTICE

DATED this 16th September 2019

By Order of the Liquidator

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To preach the word of God.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. KABIR RABIU 2. ZAINAB KABIR RABIU 3. BATURE RABIU THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To create a sense of cooperation, integration and unity among the people

Signed Abduljalil Musa Liquidator Note: A member entitled to attend and vote at the Meeting may appoint a Proxy to attend and vote in his stead, by completing and sending a Proxy Form in the usual form to the Liquidator at No.1, Beach Road, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria at least 48 hours before the Meeting. A Proxy need not be a Member of the Company.

Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar general, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar general, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Secretary

Signed: Secretary

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

IRHENBHATA

ROYAL GEM YOUTHS INITIATIVE

MERCY AND GRACE INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY ARK OF FIRE

I, formerly known as KEN EDDY ENO IREN now wish to be known and addressed as IRHENBHATA KENNETH. All former documents remain valid.

Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

This is to inform the general public that the above named INITIATIVE has applied for Registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1 Bishop Victor Ekayawhe - President 2.Pastor Pius Akpojivi 3 Chief Felix Omogaga 4 Elder Sunday Ubogu 5 Mrs Philomina Ekonye Omonoge 6. Ekurume oboaghware Victoria - Secretary THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To help control crowd and car lots in religious gatherings and other places.

This is to inform the general public that the above named INITIATIVE has applied for Registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1) Ariwaodo Justina (2)Enyiukwu Kingscy Okechukwu (3)Diome Khouredia (4)Obasi Emeka John (5)Ariwaodo Henry Chigozie 6)Ettoh kelechi Charles.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To preach the word of God

Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar general, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar general, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Secretary

Signed: Secretary

Sports

PEOPLES DAILY

CLASSIFIED

Wednesay September 18, 2019

NFF secures Eagles, Brazil friendly match, ponders African opposition

29

sports@peoplesdailyng.com, SMS- 08142929046

By Albert Akota

T

he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced yesterday that the three –time African champions will play Brazil in Singapore on Sunday, October 13 as well pondering an African team for the Super Eagles, The Super Eagles will face five-time world champions Brazil in the at the Singapore National Stadium, Kallang in the October FIFA international window.

The Selecao defeated the West Africans 3-0 the last time both teams met in a friendly match in 2003 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

Gernot Rohr’s men were held to a

Brazil against Nigeria 2-2 draw by Ukraine in their last friendly last week Tuesday at the Dnipro Arena.

Rohr stated in an interview after the game that he will like his team to face an African team in the next FIFA window ahead of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures set to commence in November.

The Super Eagles will face the Squirrels of Benin on November 14 in

their first game of the AFCON 2021 qualifiers, then will fly to Maseru for a matchday-2 encounter with the Crocodiles of Lesotho on November 19.

“We are happy to have sealed this encounter with Brazil, the five-time champions of the world. It is not everyday that you get to play Brazil, and I think it is very good for our young team,” general secretary of the NFF, Mohammed

Sanusi, told the Federation’s website.

“The Nigeria Football Federation must also commend Eurodata Sport, our FIFA –licensed Match Agent, for pulling this off. Having said that, the focus now is on getting an African team for the Super Eagles as a second match for the FIFA window in October, ahead of their 2021 AFCON qualifying matches in November.

16 teams qualify for Zenith Bank Conference Playoffs

By Albert Akota

1

SARAH I, formerly known as SARAH OJOCHIDE ABDULSALAM now wish to be known and addressed as SARAH OJOCHIDE ADAMS. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and the general public should please take note.

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

Page

Women Basketball

6 teams have qualified for the National Conference Phase of the 2019 Zenith Women Basketball League after the conclusion of the group games across four venues.

Nigerian Army Amazons who remained unbeaten after 12 games in the North West Division booked a place in the Savannah Conference alongside Kaduna Angels who finished with 22 points.

Taraba Hurricanes with 7 wins out of 12 games also qualified with Adamawa Flames who managed 6 wins.

In the North Central Division held in Abuja, Air Warriors with 13 wins from 14 games topped the group to book a conference playoff ticket.

2018 Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League bronze medalist, Nigerian Customs finished second with 13 wins after losing out to Air Warriors on head to head points.

Others include Plateau Rocks and Black Gold Queens of Abuja who won 10 and 8 games respectively.

In the South West Division in Ibadan, unbeaten First Bank of Lagos who won all their eight games to finish 1st ahead of rivals, Dolphins who won 6 games

both qualified.

Ogun Babes and Oluyole Babes also booked places in the Atlantic Conference.

In Akure, MFM of Lagos were unstoppable as they won all their 10 games to qualify for the Conference phase of the 2019 Zenith Bank sponsored Women’s Basketball League.

It was a fierce battle between Sunshine Angels of Akure and Delta Force as they both won six games and lost four each to finish on 16 points.

Sunshine Angels however edged out their Asaba counterparts on superior head to head indices to finish on the 2ndspot.

Lagos based IGP Queens finished 4th to pick the last ticket from the zone ahead of 2017 league finalists First Deep Waters.

The new format which was recently introduced by the Nigeria Basketball Federation is targeted at increasing the number of games to be played per season.

Dates and venues for the Savannah and Atlantic Conferences of the 2019 Zenith Bank sponsored Women’s Basketball League will be announced in the coming days.

CHAN: Amapakabo to lead Eagles to Lome on Friday

Page 30

PAGE 30

S

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 18, 2019

p

Felix in US World Athletics Championships for nine consecutive times

r

By Albert Akota

T

Allyson Felix

S

ix-time Olympic champion Allyson Felix has been selected in the USA team for the World Athletics Championships for a record ninth consecutive time.

Felix, 33, only returned to competitive racing at the Great North City Games last week, just 10 months after giving birth to her first child by emergency caesarean.

She has been named in the 4x400m relay squad.

Doha hosts the championships, which run from 27 September to 6 October.

The 141-member US team features eight world champions, including sprinter Justin Gatlin.

Gatlin, 37, pulled up clutching his hamstring following a 100m race in

Zagreb on 3 September but later said it was not a serious.

The controversial athlete, who has twice served a doping ban, won gold in the 100m at the championships in London in 2017, and was booed throughout his medal ceremony.

Gatlin’s fellow sprinters, including world silver medallist Christian Coleman and 200m Diamond League champion Noah Lyles are selected, as is women’s 400m hurdles world record holder Dalilah Muhammad.

Also among those set to compete in Qatar are Olympic triple jump champion Christian Taylor along with longer jumper Jeff Henderson, middle distance runner Matthew Centrowitz and shot put thrower Ryan Crouser, who all won gold at Rio 2016.

he head coach of the U23 National Team Imama Amapakabo, will lead the Home-based Super Eagles, known as Eagles B, to Lome on Friday for the first leg of a 2020 African Nations Championship qualifying fixture against the Sparrow Hawks coming up on Sunday.

As a way of preparing the U23 boys for the 3rd U23 AFCON finals holding in Egypt 8th – 22nd November (for which the team qualified after defeating Libya and Sudan in qualifiers), the Nigeria Football Federation has decided that the U23 squad, without the overseas –based professionals but with a number of home –based Trojans added, prosecute the CHAN qualifying fixture.

Amapakabo’s charges have another ample pre-AFCON preparatory platform awaiting at the 2nd WAFU Cup of Nations, holding in Thies, Senegal as from 28th September.

The Federation Togolese de Football (FTF) has scheduled Sunday’s encounter for the Stade de Kegue in the country’s capital city, starting from 4pm.

Also, the Confederation of African Football has selected officials from Benin Republic to superintend the match, with Adissa Abdou Raphiou Ligali as

Minister intervenes in NFF, Dennerby dispute

By Albert Akota

inister of Youth and Sports Sunday Dare has waded in the crisis between the Nigeria Football Federation and Super Falcons head coach, Thomas Dennerb.

There were reports that the Swede had threatened to resign from his position over several issues that have boiled over in recent weeks.

The 60-year-old was said to have returned to his home country after his team defeated Algeria 1-0 in the Olympics qualifiers and has failed to return.

The coach reportedly complained

M

Imama Amapakabo the referee.

His compatriots Eric Ayimavo Ayamr Ulrich, Kodjori Sylvain Ogoudedji and Seraphin Sourou Adounsi Sourou will serve as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively.

Mr. Frederick Eric Crentsil from Ghana will be the match

commissioner.

Nigeria finished as runners-up of the last edition of the African Nations Championship held in Morocco early last year, having also picked up the bronze medals in South Africa in 2014.

Cameroon will host the 6th African Nations Championship in June 2020.

Rose aims to be fit for Wentworth for BMW PGA Championship

about the decision of the NFF to allow some of his players feature at the African Games in Egypt last month without informing him.

“I have personally stepped into the matter of Thomas Dennerby, the coach of Super Falcons. I received a brief this morning and will proceed to seek a quick resolution to ensure he continues to Coach Nigeria’s female team,” he tweeted. ”An hour ago I had a constructive conversation on the telephone with Super Falcons Coach Dennerby in Sweden. I have also spoken with the NFF leadership.

We are working to resolve the issues in the interest of football development.”

PUBLIC NOTICE PATHFINDERS AMBASSADOR FOR PEACE ADVOCACY AND DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION

E

ngland’s Justin Rose is aiming to be fit in time to compete at this week’s BMW PGA Championship after suffering a knee injury in the build-up to the Wentworth tournament.

The world number four has been receiving treatment since jarring his knee after slipping last week.

“Unfortunately, I have had to withdraw from Wednesday’s pro-am as a precaution,”

Rose said.

“I have been getting treatment on the injury and I have been working hard with [European Tour medical team member] Justin Buckthorp and my medical team away from the course in order to ensure I am able to play,” he added.

Rose, a two-time runner-up at what is a flagship event for the European Tour, last played at Wentworth in 2017 when he finished 12th.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

TUSCO AFRICA CHAPLAIN ORGANIZATION

THE KNEEL AND THE GLORY OF ZION MINISTRY

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To care for les privileged in the society

This is to inform the general public that the above named INITIATIVE has applied for Registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: (1) OMO-OSAGIE JEFFREY OSAZUWA -PRESIDENT (2) FIANU CURTIS KWAKU (3) OMO-OSAGIE PATIENCE ACHOLONU (4) AROGUNDADE LYDIA FOLASHADE (5) UZIEWE CHRISTOPHER OGHENEOVO - SECRETARY. THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES (1) Developing constructive liaison with churches, local communities, law enforcement and governmental organizations for the purpose of providing spiritual guidance to those in need and in crisis.

This is to inform the general public that the above named INITIATIVE has applied for Registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: (1) BROTHER AYODELE JOHN OLUWATOBA - CHAIRMAN (2) MRS AYODELE FISAYO OMOLARA (3) PASTOR SUNDAY PAUL OGOOLUWA (4) PASTOR AKINYEDE BENEDICT (5) BROTHER AYODELE ILESAMIN ABRAHAM. THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES (1) To bring back lost Christians to the lord's fold (2) To propagate the second coming of our lord Jesus Christ throughout the world (3) To reconcile sinners back to God for physical and eternal and resurrection.

Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar general, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar general, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar general, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Secretary

Signed: Secretary

Signed: Secretary

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

Elum

CAREGIVING ADVOCACY INITIATIVE

PANAF DRIVE DUTSE/DAWAKI NEW LAYOUT RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION ABUJA

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS Okafor Chinezelum Blessing. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS Elum Chinezelum Blessing. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

This is to inform the general public that the above named INITIATIVE has applied for Registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. WEALTH HADASSAH OYEBIMPE. 2. OLUNIYI SOLOMON OLUSEGUN. 3. OLUNIYI GRACE BAMIKE 4. OLUKOYA AYODELE OLUWASEUN. 5. AKPOJOTOR MERCY. 6. LAWAL UMAR FARUK

This is to inform the general public that the above named INITIATIVE has applied for Registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: (1) ODIWE EVELYN CHINYERE - CHAIRMAN (2) OLUBUKOLA LINDA FAMUDITIMI (3) UDEOCHU-ABODUNRIN LYDIA -SECRETARY THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES (1) Drive changes in the health system to ensure patient rights are preserved and considered.

(2) increase the awareness and importance of patient advocacy by health professionals.

(3) improve and defend good practice in the health sector (4) increase the knowledge and remind health professionals on patient advocacy Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar general, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

This is to inform the general public that the above named INITIATIVE has applied for Registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: (1) OMODENDE AYOTUNDE - CHAIRMAN (2) FAGBEMI AYOKUNLE OLANREWAJU -SECRETARY (3) AIMUELIMOBOR AKHE TUAMEN ABRAHAM -TREASURER (4) UGWUOKE HUMPHREY ONYEBUCHI -MEMBER (5) MARIAN IBIYEMI OMOYELE - MEMBER (6) OMIRIGWE TONY OGORO - MEMBER (7) AROME WADA EMMANUEL - MEMBER (8) ALI EKENI OGUFURUKUMOR. - MEMBER (9) SALIHU MOHAMMED ALIYU - MEMBER THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES (1) To render service to Humanity (2) To share ideas and careter for members and the society e. t. c Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar general, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: ERIAMIANTOE OSASU TINA 07062433867.

Signed: STEPHEN JAMES UCHOLA ESQ 08034926348.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

NVOSI YOUTH DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

Awuwokpemi Youth Development Association, Buke Shonga

This is to inform the general public that the above named INITIATIVE has applied for Registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1)Comrade Uwakwe Smart Kelechi 2)Sir Onyii Wamah 3)Dr Akwuruoha Emmanuel Maduabuchi 4)Prof Ugbogu Ositadinma Chinyere 5)Mr Ogbonna Lawrence Chimenka 6)High Chief Otuonye Emmanuel Okezie 7)Mr Nnabugwu Ufomba Michael 8) Mr Okechi Anucha 9)Mr Onyema Kennedy Okechukwu 10)Mr Uwakwe Shandy Ihesieike THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To bring the youth and people of Nvosi clan together for a common goal.

Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar general, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Secretary

Justin Rose

Thomas Dennerb

CLASSIFIED

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CHAN: Amapakabo to lead Eagles to Lome on Friday

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PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 18, 2019

This is to inform the general public that the above named INITIATIVE has applied for Registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Mohammed Yahaya -President.

2. Jubril Haruna-Secretary.

3. Abubakar Idrisu -Assistant Secretary.

4. Mohammed Abdullahi -Member.

5. Ishiaku Jubril - Member.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To promote Unity amongst of members of the Association.

Any objection to the Registration should be forwarded to the Registrar general, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Secretary

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SPORTS Presidential Tribunal Verdict: latest

ANOCA president visit sports minister in Abuja

M

ustapha Berraf, President of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa, ANOCA paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare at his office yesterday in preparation for the visit of the International Olympic Committee, IOC President Thomas Bach in November, 2019.

Engr Habu Gumel, President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC and Treasurer of ANOCA while introducing the the ANOCA President to the Honourable Minister hinted that this visit is very important to Nigeria at this period because primarily, we are looking at the visit of the IOC President to Nigeria and all that it entails.

While welcoming the ANOCA President, Mr Sunday Dare, Minister of Youth and Sports thanked the NOC for bringing the ANOCA team for this great visit, saying there is no better place for ANOCA Headquarters if not Nigeria having won the bid 10 years ago in a keenly contested election in Kenya.

Dare stated that the IOC Presidents visit will be a big event for us as a nation as over 50 Presidents will part of his protocol. Meaning Nigeria, will be looking forward to hosting a mini olympics before the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games and aside that, our focus will be to complete the ANOCA secretariat before the date.

Stone out of fivemonth action over muscle injury

M

anchester City and England defender John Stones will be out for between four and five weeks after suffering a muscle injury in training.

Stones suffered the injury in Ukraine yesterday, where City is preparing for Wednesday’s Champions League group game with Shakhtar Donetsk.

The injury is a setback for City, who are also without Aymeric Laporte until January or February because of injury.

It leaves City with one established central defender in Nicolas Otamendi.

The injury comes as City prepare for a busy period of games in the Premier League, Champions League and Carabao Cup.

Advert: business: news: lagos:

The Journey to victory, defeat THE PETITION he 2019 presidential election in Nigeria was monumental to the history of Nigeria as a nation.

The extent to which participants were desperate to win the elections and the atrocities they were willing to commit against individuals and the nation were without precedence. The nature and the ungainly form of falsified propaganda and lies that some individuals weaponized to unseat the incumbent president did not only deepen the fractures in the fabric of the nation but also detonate delicate bombs across the walls of ethnoreligious boundaries of the nation.

However, the election has come and gone.

On February 27, 2019, INEC declared President Muhammadu Buhari as winner of the election with 15,191,847 votes to defeat his closest rival and candidate of the main opposition party, Mr. Atiku Abubakar, who had 11,262,978 votes. Nigerians have no problem with Atiku and his party’s decision to challenge the presidential election result in court; it is a fundamental right which they cannot be denied; each of the times President Buhari lost elections in the past, he went to court in attempt to legally reclaim his mandate.

For the decision of Atiku to abort his earlier plan of heating up the country by instigating the masses to violence; for the acceptable electoral litigation process, we all must first give him thumbs up. We are also grateful to all who prevailed on him to take the path of law and peace.

So, Atiku Abubakar and his party filed a petition to the election petition tribunal with claims that, contrary to the final result announced by INEC and the declaration of President Muhammadu Buhari as the winner of the February 23, 2019 election, backdoor access to a certain result tagged as the “original INEC server result” shows that the candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar won the election convincingly with a total vote margin of about 1.6million. The petition, which sought to rely on 50 sets of documents, was filed before the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal in Abuja against INEC, Mr. Muhammadu Buhari and the APC respectively. But also, the petitioners stated in their 139-page petition that “from the data in the 1st respondent’s (INEC’s) server…the true, actual and correct results” from “state to state computation” showed that Mr. Abubakar polled a total of 18,356,732 votes to defeat Mr. Buhari whom they claimed had 16,741,430 votes.

The petition of Mr. Atiku and his party sought the tribunal to nullify the victory of President Muhammadu

T

0806 564 8620 0704 385 9705 0814 292 9046 08074420617

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USSIJU MEDANER info@medaner.com, justme4justice@yahoo.com Buhari on a five count ground as listed in the 139-page document. The grounds of Atiku and PDP petition against the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari and his party APC are thus listed: That Muhammadu Buhari was not duly elected by majority of lawful votes cast during the election.

That the election of Muhammadu Buhari is invalid by reason of corrupt practices.

That the election of Muhammadu Buhari is invalid by reason of noncompliance to the provision of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended).

That Muhammadu Buhari was at the time of the election not qualified to contest the said election.

That Muhammadu Buhari submitted to INEC an affidavit containing false information of a fundamental nature in aid of his qualification for the said election.The explanation of some of the facts on the grounds of the petition as submitted

by Atiku and the PDP include: President Muhammadu Buhari was not duly elected by majority of lawful votes cast during the February 23, 2019 presidential election. That he, Muhammadu Buhari did not score one-quarter of the lawful votes cast at the election in each of at least twothirds of all states in the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

But that contrary to the result declared by INEC, Atiku Abubakar and PDP indeed won majority of the lawful votes cast and satisfied the mandatory constitutional threshold and spread across the federation and ought to have been declared winner and returned as duly elected president of Nigeria at the said election to the office of president which held on 23rd February 2019.

That INEC wrongly and unlawfully credited Muhammadu Buhari and his party with votes which were not valid or lawful at various stages of the election. Atiku and the PDP presented as exhibits, at the tribunal, a copy of the result they claimed to be the authentic result of the February 23, 2019 presidential election and which they claimed to have retrieved from the INEC server to which all election results were transmitted.

Atiku and his party informed the

Tribunal that they shall give evidence to show that the results as declared

by INEC in respect to each state of the federation are invalid. They assured the tribunal that they shall rely on expert evidence of statisticians, forensic examiners and other experts to analyse and expose the invalidity of the result as declared by INEC in favour of Muhammadu Buhari and the APC. The PDP and its flag bearer in the presidential election claimed that the smart card readers deployed by INEC transmitted electronically, the results of voting from polling units directly to the INEC server. That the presiding officers of INEC directly inputted the results from the polling units at the end of voting and transmitted the same directly to the server.

Atiku Abubakar and his party took the tribunal round the figures from each state of the federation giving the basis for the invalidation of the INEC declared result. For instance, PDP had earlier cried foul over the INEC declared result for the APC candidate in Borno State (836,496), citing insecurity as a factor that could not allow such number to come out to vote; but the PDP server result from the same state even went higher, giving APC 849,599 votes in the state while the total votes from the state was raised by 223,212. This seems to make the server result immune to insecurity.

The server result however became a laughing stock when it was discovered that, according to the result, there are no invalid votes; all the accredited voters successfully voted without any error, a condition that is strange to manual voting system globally. Also the entire voting population voted for only two parties, the APC and PDP; as all other parties that participated got exactly zero vote, aside several other funny, laughable errors unbecoming of a party that has ruled the most populous black nation for good 16 years.

The petitioners claimed they could take the tribunal through the burden of proving, beyond reasonable doubt, that President Muhammadu Buhari was not qualified to run for the office of the president based on the “fact” that he did not sit for WASSCE nor possess a secondary school certificate. They

claimed that the candidate of APC had committed perjury by lying in his submitted form to INEC and as such should be disqualified.

Atiku Abubakar and his party had also accused the APC and its candidate for excessive use of incumbency power and control on the security agencies to suppress the opposition during the polls; opposition agents were alleged to have been harassed while the voting process were compromised by the ruling party.

So Atiku Abubakar prayed the court, among several things, to allow them access to all electoral materials, the claimed INEC server and to ultimately declare the PDP candidate winner of the February 23, 2019 presidential election. During the prehearing, the tribunal rejected the call for access to the supposed INEC server and Atiku Abubakar proceeded to the Supreme Court which also threw the appeal out.

THE WITNESSES AND FINAL JUDGEMENT After the initial submission of all parties to the suit, the time to call for witnesses came. The PDP and Atiku had claimed an assemblage of 400 witnesses but over the course of the 10 days given to them, they were able to call only few witnesses. It was a caricature of scenes as witness after witness did more damage to the cause of their petition. Buba Galadima for instance, came to tell the story of his relationship with the president and how they fell apart, as if he forgot he was in court and what was at stake at that moment was to give evidence discrediting Buhari’s qualification to contest election; the “expert” from Kenya told the court his analysis and

Cont. on page 26

DAN Dan GAYE gaYE

ICPC chair heads FG panel to recover N5tr AMCON debt - News

No plea bargain please!

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