Wednesday, September 25, 2019 Edition

Wednesday, September 25, 2019/ Muharram 25, 1441 AH Vol. 32 No. 057 N150

1993 Days after

Keyamo redeployed to Labour as minister of state

>>>page 4

@pmlonline

peoplesdailyng

. . . putting the people first

The nation awaits rescue of the remaining abducted Chibok schoolgirls

$9.6b debt judgment: Senate summons Malami, others >>>page 5

Presidential poll:

Atiku challenges Buhari at Supreme Court >>>page 5

Says Appeal Court erred on 66 grounds

As PDP demands probe of N90b FIRS funds

L-R: Hadeel Ibrahim, Africa Centre Trustee; Aliko Dangote, Chief Executive, Dangote Industries Limited and Chairman Aliko Dangote Foundation; Mo Ibrahim, Founder of Mo Ibrahim Foundation; Bill Gates, Founder Microsoft Corporation and Chairman Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Halima Aliko Dangote, President of the Centre and Group Executive Director of Dangote Industries Limited cutting the cake at the inaugural forum of The African Centre, yesterday in New York.

Why I killed Jaji Command Secondary School commander-Suspect pAGE 3

Court orders UNGA 74: Steer clear of Sowore’s Nigeria, Buhari warns release int’l criminals pAGE 7

pAGE 2

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PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 25, 2019

News CONTENTS News

2-10, 14

Editorial

11

Op.Ed

12-13

Politics 15-17 Health

18

Business

19-20

Feature

21

World News

22

Africa News

23

World News

24

UNGA 74: Buhari warns intn’l criminals to steer clear of Nigeria

By Lawrence Olaoye

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari has warned international criminal gangs to stay clear of Nigeria as his administration will tackle corruption headlong.

As the fifth speaker at the ongoing 74th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA74) in New York, United States of America yesterday, the President said his government will vigorously prosecute a recent attempt by an international organisation, Process and Industrial Development Limited (P&ID), to obtain $9.6 billion from Nigeria as a judgement debt awarded it by a London court.

Already, senior government officials led by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami

are in London, United Kingdom to appeal the $9.6 billion P&ID judgement against Nigeria.

He said “Organised criminal networks, often acting with impunity across international borders present new challenges where only collective action can deliver genuine results.

“This is true in the battle against violent extremism, against trafficking in people and drugs and against corruption and money laundering. The present Nigerian government is facing the challenges of corruption head-on. We are giving notice to international criminal groups by the vigorous prosecution of the P&ID scam attempting to cheat Nigeria of billions of dollars.”

Holding social media outlets responsible for fuelling major crimes such as mass killings,

Buhari called on major technology companies to be alive to their responsibilities.

On the need for the developed world to assist African nations overcome poverty and underdevelopment, Buhari recalled that the United States of America collaborated with Europe and Japan to help them recover from the effects of the World War II. He suggested that such hand of fellowship should be extended to African countries so that they can overcome poverty and deprivation.

On efforts made by his administration to deal with poverty in Nigeria, the President said “In this regard, Nigeria has developed a National Social Investment Programme – a propoor scheme that targets the

poorest and most vulnerable households in the country.

Under this initiative easy access to financial services are facilitated to our traders, artisans, market women and co-operative societies. This type of initiative can help lessen and eventually eliminate mass poverty in Africa.

At the core of our efforts to build an inclusive society, our programmes are focused on youth and women empowerment. These programmes aim at ensuring women and youth participation in governance, industry, climate action and agriculture.”

The President lamented the ascendancy of conflicts and violence globally as he said “From Asia to the Middle East, Africa to South America, violence and the threat of conflict continue to blight the lives of too many people.

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PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 25, 2019

News

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

T

he suspect apprehended in respect of the gruesome murder of Commandant of Command Secondary School, Jaji near Kaduna, Commander Oluwayemisi Ogundana, has said he killed the victim over her refusal to give him N2.5m as promised. .The suspect named Simon Bernard,who happened to be a serving teacher and former PTA Chairman at AFCSC Commandant and Command Secondary School, Jaji was arrested after investigation.

Commander Oluwayemisi Ogundana was alleged murdered and her lifeless body found at Agwanloyo by the railway inside in an abondoned shallow well near the Deeper life Church in Jaji military cantonment.

NSCDC hands over 3 illicit drug dealers to NDLEA

News Editor, Ese Awhotu

Why I killed Jaji Command Secondary School commander -Suspect It was gathered that the corpse was dismembered and put inside a Ghana must go bag.

The suspect was said to have also confessed that he was having an extra marital affair with the late officer.

“There is controversies over the claim that he was dating her but the military believed the suspect is lying just to cover up his heinous crime,” a source said.

According to the source, the suspect is said to be angry with the deceased because she sacked him as the Chairman of the Parent Teachers Association of the school.

The source said: “On 16 Sept, 2019 at about 0900hrs, a civilian driver from Jaji packed a Toyota Highlander at Air Provost Squadron in Kaduna as a result of fuel shortage.

He went outside the Base to get fuel but returned the next day to pick up the Jeep.

“The Air Police on getting information that the Jeep belonged to the missing Commander in Jaji, arrested the driver and took him into custody.”

According to the source, the civilian driver during interrogations, confessed that, the Jeep was given to him to sell by someone in Jaji.

“On 22 Sept 19 at about 0230hrs after several days of laying different ambushes for the main suspect in Jaji, “One Mr Simon Bernard who happened to be a serving teacher and former PTA Chairman at AFCSC SEC SCH Jaji was apprehended.

“Bernardconfessed killing the

Commandant at Angwan Loya village in Jaji at about 0100hrs of 15 September 2019 “He confessed to have perpetrated the act because the Commandant promised him 2.5 million naira and failed.

“He also confessed to have picked fights with the Commandant because she sacked him as PTA Chairman alongside other staff.”

It was gathered that the recovered Toyota Highlander Jeep is currently parked at Air Police Gate in Nigerian Air Force Base, Kaduna while the team of Air Police and Naval Police have taken the suspects into custody as investigations continue.

However, security has been tightened at Jaji Cantonment as military interrogation of suspects.

Though, both Kaduna State

Police Command and AFCSC have remained silent, it was learnt that the suspects held in connection with the incident, had been under intense interrogation.

According to a source close to the cantonment, the authority took seriously the Commandant’s murder case which is the second in series of similar act in the AFCSC. The source told our reporter that currently one Simon Bernard, who was the PTA Chairman of the school where the Ogundana was Commandant and his accomplice were being seriously quizzed.

About two months ago, a Major who was on Senior Course at the AFCSC was also found dead in his room. The Major was suspected to have been murdered the day they were supposed to proceed on a foreign study tour.

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

K Edo: Three persons killed in Auchi clash -Police Page 4

Environment 25 Feature

26

Sports 30-31 Back Page

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President Muhammadu Buhari delivers Address at the General Debate of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, yesterday in New York. Photo: State House

Senate summons Dingyadi, Aregbesola over deteriorating state of police collages

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi and Musa Adamu

T

he Senate on Tuesday resolved to invite the Ministers of Police Affairs, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi and Interior Minister, Rauf Aregbesola, over the deteriorating conditions of police colleges across the country.

The resolution was reached after the consideration of a motion on the floor during

plenary that was sponsored by Senator Barinada Mpigi (PDP, Rivers South East) and nine others.

The Senate also urged the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to as a matter of urgent national security intervene in the deteriorating condition of the Police College in Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State.

It also urged the Police Service Commission to take

adequate measures and inventory of police colleges in the nation to ensure that the standard meets acceptable global limits for efficient policing.

In his motion, Senator Mpigi while highlighting the role of the police in the provision of security, noted that the establishment of police colleges was for the purpose of training effective police officers for the prevention and detection of crimes.

He said, “The Police College,

existing in Tai local government area of Rivers State, which serves for the training of police officers across the nation, has been virtually abandoned and at the brink of collapse. Poor staffing management and other facilities make the college unfit for habitation.”

The lawmaker warned that the poor state had made the college to become a dilapidated facility that lowers the morale of trainees.

aduna State Command Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has handed over three arrested suspected drug dealers to NDLEA for further investigation and appropriate sanctions.

Commandant of the corps in the state, Babangida Abdullahi Dutsinma, disclosed his while parading the suspects in Kaduna yesterday.

The suspects who gave their names as Shafiyu Lawal, 28 years, Zaharadeen Yakubu and Aminu Isa, 25 year have been indulged in the illicit act from four to eight years around Makera in Kawo area, Kaduna-North Local Government Area They were arrested by members of Civil Joint Taskforce on 22nd September, 2019 and handed over to the corps with exhibits such as Tramadol, Axzol 5, Valinex 5, and Diazapam.

The Commandant expressed worry on the menace stating that in spite of measures put in place by government and relevant agencies, some saboteurs still indulge in the crime unabated.

While calling on parents and guardians to ensure good upbringing of their children and wards, Dutsinma expressed optimism that with continuous efforts, the menace will become a thing of the past one day.

The offence for which the suspects were arrested as he said violates Section 268 of the Penal Code which prohibits sale of illicit drinks or banned substance in the state.

The Corps restated its commitment to rid the state of crimes, it is calling on the law abiding and good people of the state to furnish it with timely and useful information to success in its set goals.

L-R: Deputy Director Financial System Stability Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Joseph Nnanna, President Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN ) Dr, Uche Olowu, Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, 1st Vice President CIBN Mr. Bayo Olugbemi and Commissioner of Economic Budget and Planning, Mr. Sam Egube, during the 12th Annual Banking and Finance Conference, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Coalition: Cabals fighting Osinbajo not protecting Northern interest in presidency

From Idowu Abdullahi, Lagos

T

he Coalitions of Progressive Northern Movements have raised alarm over some elements set out to destabilize the country in the guise of ‘fighting’ the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.

This is coming as the groups also alerted Nigerians on plans by some powerful northern elements to cash out of the frenzy by sowing seed of discord in the presidency over the alleged crack in the seat of power.

The Coalitions Coordinator, Alhaji Abdulmalik Umar Usman, in a press statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday warned that those fighting the Vice President

are not protecting the interest of the Northern region.

“It rather surprising that some elements, both in the strata of the All Progressives Congress and other power thirst individuals could in their wildest imagination, dived into the pool of 2023 bitter politicking in 2019, by using the Vice President as the bait of their plans. It is however gratifying that the plan is dead on arrival because it threatens the unity of the country.

“One wonders if these political jobbers do not engage in selfreflection, to understand that every season comes with its unique purpose. The time for politics have since come and gone.

It is now the season of governance.

Those who are yet to heal from the shock of defeat handed to them by the joint ticket of progressiveness should do so in earnest and wake up to the reality of Next Level administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and VP Osinbajo.

“We therefore warn the fourth columnists to desist from their distracting, callous and insensitive seed of discord being planted which could destabilize the presidency and the country at large. 2023 is still far, cabals in the villa should allow the administration concentrate on consolidating the gains of the progressive government in the last

four years, Nigerians want more from the APC government.” the statement read.

Furthermore, the group assured Nigerians that Osibanjo would continue to render selfless services to the citizens in line with the Next Level agenda of the President to deliver a country where all the people can thrive in prosperity.

“It is imperative that the ‘cabals’ and other foot soldiers quickly departs from the destructive rumour mongering of a crack in the presidency and channel their talents and energy in the productive service of the nation instead of their failed political intrigue.”

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PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 25, 2019

News

The ‘Sergeant at Arms’ leads the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan and principal officers of the Senate into the upper chamber during the resumption of their plenary session.

Keyamo redeployed to Labour as minister of state

By Ese Awhotu

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari has redeployed the Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Festus Keyamo, to the ministry of labour as minister of state.

This was disclosed in a letter dated September 23, 2019 addressed to Festus Keyamo SAN signed by Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of

the Federation, made available to the Peoples Daily in Abuja on Tuesday.

The letter reads: “I write to convey the approval of his Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for your redeployment from the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment as Minister of State with effect from Tuesday 24 September, 2019.

“Please accept the assurance of my warm regards.”

The Director of Information at the Office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Willie Bassey had yesterday disclosed , disclosed in a statement that Keyamo would replace Tayo Alasoadura as the Minister of State at the labour ministry, while Alasoadura replaces him at the Niger Delta Affairs ministry.

The statement reads: “President

Muhammadu Buhari has approved the immediate redeployment of two Ministers of State as follows.

“Mr. Festus Keyamo, Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, is to move to Ministry of Labour and Employment as Minister of State.

“Senator Tayo Alasoadura is to move to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs as Minister of State. “This redeployment takes effect from today, Tuesday, 24th September, 2019.”

Poverty, hunger reduction, our priority, says Buhari

By Lawrence Olaoye

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari has said that “reducing extreme poverty and hunger is one of the cardinal objectives” of his administration.

Femi Adesina, his spokesman, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen yesterday.

Delivering the keynote address at the Nigeria High-Level Side-Event on “SDG Integration – Bridging the Policy Planning – Budgeting Gap for the Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals,” which held on the margins of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA74), the President noted: “It is for this reason that in May this year, we committed ourselves to lifting approximately 100 million Nigerians out of poverty within a 10-year period. This is a national development priority and in line with the aspirations of the SDGs. We have since established an ambitious National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) targeting the poor and vulnerable members of the Nigerian population.”

According to him, “Through the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), we are tackling and addressing the root causes of poverty in all its manifestations.

For example, the Home Grown School Feeding Programme (HGSF) component is feeding almost 10 Million school pupils daily and empowering over 90, 000 local catering staff across the country..”

Forex earnings: Accelerate economic diversification, Senate tells FG

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi and Musa Adamu

T

he Senate on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to accelerate its policies on the diversification of the economy to improve the country’s foreign exchange earnings.

The call was made in resolutions reached by the Senate following consideration of a motion titled “Urgent need to revive the Palm Oil industry in Nigeria”.

The motion was sponsored by Senator Francis Onyewuchi (PDP, Imo East) and cosponsored by 15 other senators.

The Senate, which resumed its plenary session on Tuesday, urged the Federal Government to support an improved palm oil production in order to meet the domestic needs of the market, as well as revive the moribund

Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) in Benin, Edo State.

The motion to revive NIFOR seeks to improve investment in research and production of quality oil palm seeds.

The upper chamber said that the discovery of crude oil in commercial quantity has resulted in the gradual neglect of agriculture by successive governments.

According to Senator Onyewuchi, “Nigeria spends $500 million on oil palm importation annually despite being the largest producer and exporter of the product in the 50’s and 60’s.”

He added, “The country is now the net importer of palm oil, importing 400,000 600,000 metric tonnes of palm oil in order to meet local demand.”

In his contribution to the debate, the Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, bemoaned the lack of discipline and implementation in the

agricultural sector.

Abdullahi said, “Until this is done, there can be no meaningful development to be achieved economically from the sector.”

In his remarks, President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, underscored the need and importance to finance the growth of the agricultural sector in Nigeria.

“In 2005, I was Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture. We funded the Institutes; 22 of them and they did very well. I agree completely that we have not been funding these institutes.

“So, if we need an economy that will work for everyone, then we must invest in the agricultural sector.

“Our committee should engage with the MDAs. So that at the end of the day, we can contribute meaningfully to take agriculture to the next level, the Senate President said.

Meanwhile, two bills passed their first reading in the Senate on Tuesday following the resumption of plenary session.

The two bills are: the Nigerian Transportation Accident Investigation Bureau (Est, etc) Bill, 2019 and Criminal Code (Amendment) Bill, 2019.

The Nigerian Transportation Accident Investigation Bureau (East, etc) Bill, 2019 (SB.1) was sponsored by Senator Na’allah Bala Ibn (Kebbi South) while the Criminal Code Act (Amendment) Bill, 2019 (SB,2) was sponsored

by Senator Tinubu Oluremi Shade (Lagos Central).

The Senate also received the report of the Ad-Hoc Committee on the investigation of the use of Avastin Injection for eye treatment by the National Eye Centre, Kaduna.

The report was presented by Senator Mathew Urhoghide (Edo south).

Kwankwaso offers foreign scholarship to 242 indigenous students

By Edwin Olufu Kano

K

wankwasiyya Development Foundation has sponsored the first batch of 242 indigenous students, who graduated with first-class degrees to study Masters degree in various universities in India and Sudan.

The beneficiaries, who were drawn from the 44 Local Government Areas of the state got the admissions at four universities

in India and one in Sudan.

Speaking at the send-off ceremony of the beneficiaries at his residence yesterday, the former governor of Kano State, Rabi’u Kwankwaso said 234 of the students would study Masters degree in science, technology and humanities in India, adding that 8 of them would study Islamic religion and Arabic in Sudan.

Kwankwaso, who is the leader of the Kwankwasiyya

political group, disclosed that the foundation had paid all the fees, including tuition, accommodation, feeding and insurance to the universities, adding that return ticket had already been secured for the beneficiaries for easy return back to their country after completion of the programmes.

“Today is a memorable day to me when we will witness the departure of the first batch

if 370 students sponsored by Kwankwasiyya Development Foundation to study abroad. “ Education is the cardinal principle of Kwankwasiyya, as it is the bedrock of development in a society. We have done so much to education when we were in power in Kano. Now we feel it right to sustain the tempo,” Mr Kwankwaso said The immediate past senator therefore urged the beneficiaries

for to be good ambassadors in their stay in the two countries, assuring that the foundation would soon commence preparation for the second batch.

Earlier in his remark, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Abba Kabiru Yusuf congratulated the beneficiaries, assuring to sustain the scholarship if he win his case at tribunal and become the state governor.

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PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 25, 2019

By Vivian Okejeme and Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

T

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its 2019 Presidential election candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, have approached the Supreme Court, challenging the outcome of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal judgement.

The tribunal had on September 11, 2019, upheld President Muhammadu Buhari’s reelection as the winner of February 23, presidential election.

Not satisfied with the decision of the tribunal, Atiku and his party, headed to the Apex court, premising on 66 grounds of appeal.

Specifically, the appellants are praying the Supreme court to hold that the tribunal erred in its decision and consequently set the tribunal’s judgment aside.

Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, disclosed that the appeal was predicated on 66 grounds, for which they believed justices of the tribunal erred in their verdict on Atiku and PDP’s petition against the election of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The five-member panel led

by Justice Mohammed Garba had in its judgment delivered on Sept. 11, dismissed the petition filed by Atiku and PDP for being incompetent and lacking in merit.

In a unanimous decision, the panel held that the petitioners did not produce relevant witnesses to convince them that Buhari did not possess necessary educational qualification for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

In the appeal before the Apex court, Atiku and his party premised on issues bordering around the qualification of Buhari in the election and the controversial Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC’s) server amongst others.

Among the grounds listed included claims that the judgement of the tribunal was not based on the issues canvassed by the petitioners, especially in relation to the respondent’s academic qualifications.

“Take, for instance, one of the respondent’s witnesses, rtd Maj.-Gen. Paul Tarfa, called by President Muhammadu Buhari’s lawyers said that they did not give their qualifications to the Military Board.

Tarfa’s testimony is against the claim by Buhari that the Nigeria military is in possession of his certificates.

“Secondly, Buhari said that he was recruited into the military in 1961 and Tarfa said in 1962, so what is the correct date of his recruitment into the army.

Somebody is not telling the truth.

“The issue in question is who entered the different grades for him from both the Cambridge and the West African School Certificate results.

News

Presidential poll: Atiku challenges Buhari at Supreme Court

*Says Appeal Court erred on 66 grounds *As PDP demands probe of N90b FIRS funds According Atiku, this is the first time that the court will say that the documents are admitted in the interest of justice. So, who entered the different grades for him and if he did it, why?

Another ground of appeal is that the President’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, brought the Cambridge documents dated July 18 and testified on July 20.

They claimed that the documents were not pleaded, thereby stating that in law, you don’t speak on documents not pleaded.

The appellants are also claiming that the WAEC documents contradicted the Cambridge documents, describing it as a case of forgery and inconsistency in documents.

“On the INEC server, the judgement of the PEPT said the INEC server was hacked and we then asked, which of the servers was hacked?

The tribunal judgment was

based on the Electoral Act section 52 (1) (B), but this aspect of the law has since been deleted in 2015. It is no longer in existence. This was the case in Wike Vs Peterside. ”If the judgment said INEC server was recklessly hacked, then, there is a server and, therefore, a criminal offence. Yet, INEC did not claim so or that its documents were stolen. ”How come the judge reached this scandalous decision?

They therefore, urged the apex court to go ahead to grant all the reliefs sought.

Atiku and his party, PDP had dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the tribunal for declaring Buhari as winner of the Feb. 23 presidential election.

They further alleged that Buhari at the time of contesting the poll was not qualified having not possessed requisite academic qualification and as such all votes credited to him in the election be

regarded as wasted votes.

They also cited Irregularities, rigging, substantial noncompliance with the electoral provisions amongst others.

PDP demands investigation of N90 Billion FIRS scandal Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded a system-wide investigation into the alleged siphoning of N90 billion from the coffers of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in which top members of the Buhari Presidency and All Progressives Congress (APC) have been mentioned.

The PDP made the demand in a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan in Abuja.

The party further demanded that the Buhari Presidency must not cover this humongous corruption involving highly placed officers in this administration, as it had done in the past.

Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite (middle), Minister of State, Dr. Uchechukwu Ogah (2nd right), Permanent Secretary, Dr. Abdulkadir Mu’azu ( left) and Managing Director, African Natural Resources & Mines Ltd, Mr. Alok Gupta, (right), when the latter paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry , yesterday in Abuja.

The party lamented that in the face of excruciating hardship being endured by citizens, a government, which came into office on the mantra of change and zero tolerance for corruption, has become enmeshed in atrocious acts of corruption.

The statement reads in part, “The PDP holds that it is pathetic and speaks volumes of the character of this administration that a top member of the cabinet is being fingered in this reprehensible siphoning of monies collected as taxes from millions of already impoverished Nigerians.

“Our party notes that this shocking allegation directly borders on gross misconduct and breach of public trust.

“The party therefore rejects the flimsy denials and threats being pushed through the FIRS as a belated attempt at cover-up by persons close to the Presidency.

“It is therefore held that the delay by the Buhari Presidency in applying established statutory processes and procedures of ordering an investigation into the issue only goes to confirm that the Buhari administration is a citadel of corruption.

“This is more so as reports are already in the public domain of how the money stolen from FIRS, was allegedly diverted to private purses and for other extraneous purposes including the 2019 extravagant campaigns of the APC. “Nigerians expect that all our national resources should always be used to ensure the welfare of the citizenry and must be accounted for at all times, it said.

$9.6b debt judgment: Senate summons Malami, others

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi and Musa Adamu

S

enate yesterday resolved to summon the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, to brief it on the $9.6 billion judgement delivered by a United Kingdom court against the Federal Government.

This was sequel to a debate on a motion brought before it under Matters of Urgent National Importance by Michael Bamidele (PDP, Ekiti).

Based on this, the lawmakers asked that Malami and officials of Ministry of Petroleum Resources, alongside professional arbitrators on behalf of the Federal Government to meet with the

Senate committees on Judiciary and Human Rights Matters, Petroleum Upstream and Gas Resources and Power.

Those to appear before the senate committee are to provide details of the 2010 contract, the reasons for the default, handling of resultant negotiations, court proceedings and steps being taken to resolve the matter.

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan said the case of the $9.6 billion judgment debt against Nigeria is “another reminder on why we should strengthen our processes and procedures so that questionable firms would not take advantage of us.”

In a related development, the Senate president yesterday said the resumption of the upper

chamber from its two months annual recess will be a time for action, even as he cautioned the federal government against dealing with foreign firms that have questionable reputation.

In his welcome address, Lawan told his colleagues that “this resumption is a time for action. It is time to proceed on key issues of governance. Our committees shall be our engine rooms. We will do all that is possible to improve their operational efficiency,” Lawan said.

Lawan urged senators to remain united with a view to succeed despite their political differences.

The Senate President also urged his colleagues to be ready to set the ball rolling on confronting

the nation’s challenges through diligent law making, effective representation and thorough oversight of Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government.

He added that the Senate will renew and redouble its efforts on the much awaited Petroleum Industry Bill and tackle the issues of youth unemployment, insecurity and agriculture.

Lawan reiterated an earlier resolve to pass the 2020 budget before the end of December to avoid delays in fiscal and governance processes.

The Senate President said the recent Xenophobic attack in South Africa was a sad development and urges a review and strengthening of the nation’s citizen diplomacy.

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 25, 2019

PAGE 6

News

Reps probe non implementation of plastic policy by FG

By Christiana Ekpa

T

he House of Representatives yesterday mandated its Committee on Environment to investigate the circumstances surrounding the non- implementation of plastic policy of the Federal Government with a view to ensuring the reduction of nylon and plastic pollution on the society.

The House equally urged the

Federal Ministry of Environment to carry out a sustainable campaign on the dangers of nylon and plastic wastes and to as a matter of urgency initiate a programme for collection and recycling of plastic wastes across the country.

The resolutions of the House followed the adoption of a motion titled: “Need to Curtail Nylon and Plastic Pollution” moved by Hon Chukwuka Umeoji (APGA,

Anambra) on the floor of the House.

Umeoji while debating the motion noted that over 15% of solid wastes generated in major cities across the country are from nylons and plastics He further noted that due to inadequate supply of drinking water in most homes, most households resort to sachet water thereby generating large volume of wastes.

He expressed concerns that the burning of nylons and plastics wastes cause air pollution due to the release of poisonous gases into the air which jeopardize public health and deplete ozone layer.

The lawmaker also noted and informed the House that organic wastet poses a lesser hazard to the environment due to its easy decomposition while organic wastes like nylon and plastics

Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State (left), receives award from the National President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Mr. Christopher Isiguzo during the Gala Night to mark the Press Week of the Katsina State NUJ Council, yesterday. With them are NUJ Vice President, North, Alhaji Yusuf Idris, 2nd right and NUJ Chairman, Katsina State Council, Alhaji Buhari Mamman Daura.

SERAP: Court ruling on Sowore’s release, victory for rule of law From Idowu Abdullahi, Lagos

S

ocio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) on Tuesday described the release of SaharaReporters Publisher, Omoyele Sowore, as victory for the rule of law, human rights and judicial independence.

Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Abuja Federal High Court had yesterday ordered the immediate release of Sowore, who is the convener of #RevolutionNow protest, and a Presidential candidate in the last election.

Taiwo also struck out the DSS application seeking to further detained the activist.

However, SERAP in a statement by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, said the judgement was a huge relief for the activist and other Nigerians.

“It’s a huge relief that Sowore will be freed and can finally return to his family and journalism work. He should never have been detained in the first place. The Nigerian authorities should now withdraw all the charges against him and allow freedom of expression and media freedom to flourish. It’s

good for everyone.”

“The Nigerian authorities now have to fully comply with this ruling by immediately releasing Sowore.

The decision is a timely reminder of Nigeria’s constitutional and international obligations to protect journalists, activists and Nigerians in general, and to put a stop to its current practice of restricting the civic space.”

The group also urged the governments at all levels to resist the temptation of cracking down on freedom of expression.

“We hope this decision will make

the Nigerian authorities and state governors stop and reflect on their ongoing crackdown on freedom of expression and media freedom including online, and also help to put an end to other human rights violations of journalists and citizens in general. Other journalists like Agba Jalingo and Ekanem Ekpo currently being detained, must be immediately and unconditionally released.” the statement said.

“If a court found it possible to release Sowore, we are sure that all the circumstances were studied, and an objective decision was made.”

Boko Haram must end now, no compromise, Theatre Commander warns From Uche Uche, Damaturu.

T

he new theater commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Olusegun Adeniyi has insisted that the end Boko Haram in the North East Nigeria must be now without any compromise.

He pointed out that no one would leave in peace as long as

there is one of the insurgents in the country.

He made the statement yesterday when he visited soldiers at the headquarters of Sector 11, Operation Lafiya Dole in Damaturu, Yobe State capital to encourage them, describing them as gallant and courageous men who have demonstrated their professionalism with full resilience.

He urged the soldiers to deal ruthlessly with the insurgents and anyone found to be supporting the insurgents in their destructive activities in the North East in particular and the country at large.

“Stand up, destroy Boko Haram now, there is no excuse and I know you can do it. Deal ruthlessly with Boko Haram and their supporters without any form of pity, kindness,

get Boko Haram out of Nigeria now,” he commanded the military.

He assured to give every needed support to the soldiers to ensure the destruction and erasing the name and presence of Boko Haram once and for all, adding that it is the military constitutional duty to ensure total eradication of all elements of the insurgency in the country.

constitutes serious environmental hazards because it takes more than 30 years for them to decompose.

Consequently, the House presided by the Deputy Speaker Hon. Idris Wase put it to a voice vote and it was unanimously adopted the lawmakers.

He thereafter mandated the Committee on Environment to investigate the matter and report back to the House in four weeks for further legislative actions.

Flood submerges houses in Delta From Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

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three -day ravaging flood in Aradhe community in Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State has destroyed property worth millions of naira, submerged several houses and sacked sixty three house owners in the area.

Investigation revealed that the heavy rainfall in the community had brought pains to its victims, especially those whose houses were destroyed and their farmlands, crops following non- existing water outlets in the community.

One of the residents, Mrs Rachel Ikelegbe who spoke to Journalists in the area on Tuesday, lamented her loss, stating that she kept an all-night vigil with her children because of the flood as had lost so many of her goods , including garri and other food items to the flood.

President of the Isoko National Youth Assembly ( INYA) , comrade Ovie Umuakpo who is an indigene of the Aradhe community attributed the flood not only to the unabated rain as earlier stated but to the absence of watershed in the community, emphasizing that the community was desperately in need of drainage systems to forestall future occurrences.

While calling on the state government to ensure Aradhe community drainage systems are put in place to avoid more disaster, Comrade Umuakpo regretted that the hovac wreaked by the rainfall, would be difficult to overcome, especially with those whose houses and farmlands crops were destroyed, adding that the situation had brought hunger to the area.

Some of the victims are currently taking refuge in neighbouring communities as they have lost virtually all they have in their houses.

Further investigation revealed that Aradhe community had suffered untold hardship and disaster following the perennial flood disaster that had ravaged and destroyed houses in the area.

PAGE 7

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 25, 2019

CRIME News

#RevolutionNow protest: Court orders Sowore’s release

By Vivian Okejeme Abuja

J

ustice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday, ordered the immediate release of the convener of #RevolutionNow protest, Mr. Omoyele Sowore, from the custody of the Department of State Service.

The judge who ordered the activist be released to his counsel, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), said Sowore must deposit his passport and other travel documents to guarantee his availability for trial.

At the resumed proceeding, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), informed the court that the order issued by the court on August 8, 2019 permitting the DSS to hold the activist for 45 days, had expired on September 21.

Therefore, he urged the court to issue a consequential order releasing the publisher of SaharaReporters from custody.

In his reaction, counsel to the DSS, G.O Agbadua, said that since the charges had been filed against the activist on September 20, it was lawful to continue to

keep until arraignment.

Responding, Falana said that filing of charges cannot metamorphose into a detention order, adding that a citizen cannot detain a citizen in anticipation of arraignment.”

Meanwhile, Agbadua, had earlier withdrew the DSS’ application asking for the extension of the period of the detention of Sowore for further 20 days.

Agbadua’s request for the withdrawal of the said application was based on the fact that charges had been filed against the

activist.

Falana also withdrew Sowore’s application for bail on the grounds that the application had become academic since the order of detention had expired.

Consequently, Falana prayed the court to grant his request and order the prosecution agency to release Sowore, premising on the grounds of the expiration of detention order and DSS withdrawal of request for further detention.

Justice Taiwo, in his ruling ordered the immediate release of Sowore from custody.

Edo: Three persons killed in Auchi clash -Police

T

he Edo Police Command has said that three persons were killed in a cult-related clash at Auchi in

Etsako West Local Government of the state.

Mohammed DanMallam, the state

Anti-Ambode protesters storm Lagos Assembly, demand ex-gov’s probe From Idowu Abdullahi, Lagos

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rotesters yesterday stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly to demand the probe of immediate past governor of the state, Akinwunmi Ambode.

The placards carrying protesters under the umbrella body of Lagos Youth Vanguard (LYV), called for probe of the ex-governor over alleged corrupt activities.

Some inscriptions on the placard read: “Ambode, submit yourself for probe,” “Ambode must be probed,” “EFCC do your job,” “Ambode is a thief,” “Ambode awarded fake contracts,” and “Ambode, return Lagos money,” among others.

Addressing journalists on the essence of the protest, the Patron of LYV, Mr. Rasak Olokooba, alleged that Ambode had been working discretely to disrupt the Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration.

He also accused Ambode of leaving behind what he termed as ‘rickety’ handing over note.

“For every government that is going out, you leave a template for the coming government to succeed.

“Ambode handed over a very rickety handing over note that cannot assist the current administration.

“If you go round the state today you will see that there is no governor that would inherit such state and the people of the state would be happy with him, but thank God the goodwill enjoyed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is still intact if not, by now the people of Lagos State would have been complaining bitterly.

“Put all these things together and add it to what the EFCC said recently that they were going to conduct an investigation into the activities of the former governor Akinwunmi Ambode, you would see that we are right,” he said.

Continuing, he said: “Also, the parliament has promised us that they

were going to look into the activities of the last administration, but we have not heard anything from them.

“I am a taxpayer, I pay education tax, I pay the salaries of the Governor from my tax and I must be concerned about how the money is being spent likewise other Nigerians.

“The former governor must be accountable for how he ran the affairs of the state in the last four years. We want him to clear his name. Gone are the days when people just hear of probe and you don’t take it up,” he said Furthemore, Olokooba added that the LYV were calling for Ambode’s probe following EFCC and the parliament discussion on it.

“We are the most populous black nation in the world and after Cairo it is Lagos among the most cosmopolitan cities in Africa.

“We don’t want anybody to mismanage Lagos. We want this to be a deterrent to others such as local governments chairmen, senators and others in public offices who might want to do what the last administration did.

“Look at the state of Lagos, people were complaining bitterly over the litters of refuse in the state though they are disappearing now. Look at Badagry Road, you would agree with me that you are also part of what we are doing today as journalists,” he said.

However, while addressing the protesters, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, commended the peaceful conduct of the protesters.

Obasa, who was represented by Hon. Rotimi Olowo stated that the protesters were exercising their constitutional right while assuring them that the House had commenced investigations into the government of Ambode and that they would look into the petition as a House and do the needful.

Commissioner of Police (CP), said this while responding to questions from journalists on Tuesday in Benin.

Mr DanMallam said some suspects had been arrested and calm had been restored to the town by the police.

He said the clash did not occur in The Polytechnic, Auchi.

The CP also said the command had arrested a key suspect in the killing of three policemen and the kidnap of the Managing Director of Ogba Zoo, Benin

in 2017.

He said the suspect had confessed to the crime and was helping the command in its investigation.

He said the command had also arrested a 53-year-old woman for allegedly operating an illegal hospital, where unwholesome medical practices, like abortion, were carried out.

He added that some implicating items and tools were recovered from the woman.(NAN)

CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA www.cbn.gov.ng

TENDER NOTICE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA ON BEHALF OF DMO OFFERS NIGERIAN TREASURY BILLS Notice is hereby given by the Central Bank of Nigeria on behalf of DMO that the Federal Government of Nigeria Treasury Bills of 91, 182 and 364-day tenors amounting to N10,000,000,000; N17,600,581,000; and N106,370,499,000 respectively would be issued by Dutch auction on Thursday, October 03, 2019.

authorized Money Market Dealers own account, non – Money Market Dealers or interested members of the public. The result of the auction would be announced by 11.30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 02, 2019.

The Bank reserves the right to reject any bid.

Each bid must be in multiple of N1,000 subject to a minimum of N50, 001, 000. Authorized Money Market Dealers can submit multiple bids. A bid may be for

The Bank reserves the right to vary the amount on offer in line with market realities prevailing as at the period of auction of the Nigerian Treasury Bills.

Allotment letters would be issued for successful bids on Thursday, All Money Market Dealers should October 03, 2019, while payment for submit bids through the CBN S4 the successful bids should be made WEB INTERFACE between 9.00 to your account with Central Bank a.m. and 11.00 a.m. on Wednesday, of Nigeria not later than 11.00 a.m.

October 02, 2019. on Thursday, October 03, 2019.

GOVERNMENT SECURITIES OFFICE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA ABUJA.

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 25, 2019

FG to encourage creativity in scientific innovation, says Minister

By Usman Shuaibu

T

he Minister of Science and Technology Dr.Ogbonnaya Onu has said the Ministry will continue to encourage Nigerians to develop their creativity and innovations in finding solutions too many problems confronting the nation.

He said this when Professor (Dr.) Dikeoha Okwu a mathematics innovator paid him a courtesy call in his office on Tuesday 2019 in Abuja.

Dr. Onu also said that every profession is important; likewise,

we need to make sure our children study and develop Aptitude for Mathematics.

Dr.Onu stressed that no nation in the history of humanity has ever become truly great without science, technology and innovation. Egypt, Rome, USA, and other countries that have been in the center of human civilization have all grown as a result of Science, Technology and Innovation, he added.

According to him, we need to begin the journey that would make our young people show interest in the study of Science

and Mathematics. He also said that the inventions displayed by the Innovator are very important which will draw the attention of our young people to be familiar with what they will meet in the field.

According to the Minister, the world is at the fourth Technological age, and Nigerians being some of the most intelligent people in the world cannot afford to lag behind.

He commended Prof.Okwu, for his research and creativity in the field of Mathematics, and also promised that the Ministry will

support him through a programme under one of the department.

Earlier, Professor (Dr.) Dikeoha Okwu demonstrated some of the mathematical instruments that can be used in schools. According to him, he said he has written over 10million mathematical games.

He also showcased some materials for entertainment in mathematics, which are in three categories; one-on-one, classroom, and the stadium types, which were all made in Nigeria and that he needs recognition from the government.

R-L: Chairman, House Committee on Pension, Hon. Kabiru Alhassan, Executive Secretary Pension Transitional Arrangements Directorate (PTAD), Dr. Chioma Ejikeme and Chairman, Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service, Sen. Ibrahim Shekarau interacting with some pensioners at the PTAD verification, yesterday in Kano. Photo: NAN

Gunmen abduct popular Sokoto businessman

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he Sokoto State Police Command on Tuesday confirmed the abduction of popular Sokoto businessman, Tukur Sabaru, by unknown gunmen.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Muhammad Sadiq, said the hoodlums raided

Sabaru community, a suburb of Sokoto on Monday night and kidnapped the business mogul.

Mr Sadiq said police received distress calls through Kwannawa police station on the incident and a team was dispatched and confronted the gang.

”Investigation revealed that armed hoodlums in their numbers attacked the residence of Sabaru, of Sabaru Village via Dange Shuni Local Government Area. ”Reports gathered that the hoodlums shot sporadically and abducted Sabaru.

”Two women were injured by stray bullets on their arms and they are responding to treatment in the hospital,” Sadiq said.

He said that efforts by police operatives are on top gear to bring the perpetrators of the act to book.

(NAN)

Encourage girl-child on science education, Okowa urges parents From Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

D

elta Governor, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has advised parents and guardians to encourage the girlchild to study science-related courses in school.

The governor gave the advice when he received members of Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) led by the National President, Mrs Felicia Agubata, in Asaba on Tuesday.

He said that the girl-child should be motivated to study competitive courses, especially the sciences, explaining that with science-based courses, more job opportunities would be created in the country.

The governor, who was presented with an award

by APWEN for being an “Inspirational Leader in Job Creation, Education, and Infrastructure Development”, said “your advocacy for the girlchild is encouraging. ``There is the need to ensure that more girl-children embrace the sciences and the competitive side of study.

“The more science-based courses we embrace, the more entrepreneurial skills that we can grow to check unemployment because unemployment makes it difficult to check insecurity.”

He emphasized that at primary and secondary school levels children should be given good education to lay a solid

foundation for their future endeavours, adding that the government had given attention to the recruitment of teachers.

“In Delta, we recently carried out employment of teachers with 90 per cent of them in the sciences, because we are emphasizing merit in the employment to ensure that we lay solid foundation for our children at primary and secondary levels.

“We are also doing a lot in technical education, because we believe that people can acquire skills in a secondary school system that is technologicallybased. ``We have revamped six technical colleges and we promised to construct 19 more

before the end of my tenure,” Okowa said.

He commended APWEN for choosing Asaba for its meeting and urged the members for their commitment to create awareness for the girl-child in science education.

Earlier, Agbubata had told the governor that they were in Delta for their meeting, disclosing that they were spurred to present the award to him based on the giant strides recorded by his administration in road construction, airport, education, job creation and others.

She commended the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Ebieri Otuaro, an engineer, for her commitment to the growth to engineering profession.

Dangote, Bill Gates, Mo Ibrahim raise concerns over stereotypes, climate change in Africa

By Ese Awhotu

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e n o w n e d philanthropists, Bill Gates, Mo Ibrahim and Aliko Dangote yesterday at the Africa Center, expressed concern over the effect of climate change and the stereotypes on Africa that have hindered business opportunities in the continent.

Deliberating on the Future Business in Africa, at The Africa Center, the three entrepreneurs said the climate change is an issue that must be confronted headlong to minimize its effect on the continent.

African heads of state, business leaders and celebrities, including supermodel Naomi Campbell, were in attendance.

Bill Gates brought up the challenge of climate change saying “Africa is where we are going to meet some of our toughest challenges. Sadly, the impact climate change, although Africa had the least to do to cause climate change.

The actual difficulties will first be felt by the farmers of Africa,” he said.

Aliko Dangote spoke about Africa’s rising wealth. He said: “Today when you look at it you are thinking about the five fastest-growing economies in the world - four are in Sub Saharan Africa.”

He said Africa has got potentials which if properly managed can lift the continent to an enviable height.

In his own view, Mo Ibrahim said the stereotype of African corruption is an issue.

“Let’s be frank, there is a lot of minds in the West here - people think Africa is a very corrupt place. Corruption is a problem a global problem.

I don’t think it is an African problem.

“It’s not just about more seats, and more schools and more (inaudible) or more whatever we are doing there it is about the quality of that and what are we teaching our kids”, he added.

The CEO of the Africa Center, Uzodinma Iweala stated “We are here right now facing a world on fire because some people could imagine how to function without fossil fuels, and we are here alone because a vast majority of us can’t imagine a life without mass consumption

www.cbn.gov.ng

News

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 25, 2019

CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA

PAGE 8

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PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 25, 2019

PAGE 10

News

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

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n Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has applauded the federal government for closing Nigeria’s borders.

The decision, MURIC reasoned, is capable of protecting the nation’s economic interest.

The right organization, in a press statement on Tuesday by its Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, noted that the decision was long overdue.

The group implored Nigerians, who are involved one way or the other in economic sabotage to seek other noble ways of survival by seizing

New Yobe CP assumes office, assures sustainable peace

MURIC lauds FG for closing borders one of the several windows of opportunities opened by the present administration for selfemployment.

The rights group appealed to the nation’s opposition figures and other critics to join hands with the federal government in strengthening the country’s economy.

While reasoning that Nigeria can survive without politics, the rights group added quickly that no nation can survive without a stable and virile economy.

According to the MURIC’s statement, “This decision is long overdue. Nigeria should not continue to be the economic fall guy of her neighbours.

“Anyone familiar with recent happenings in the global community will know that governments all over the world are taking economic decisions to

protect their citizens.

“Britain’s Brexit saga and the United State’s border conflict with Mexico are good instances.

The same America is engaged in cut-throat trade war with China.

“The fact that tiny Benin Republic, Nigeria’s closest neighbour to the West whose population is just 11.8 million, imports 936,522 tons of rice, which its population does not need, is astounding.

“How can Benin Republic be the sixth largest importer of rice in the world? Is it not at Nigeria’s expense?

“Yet, it is not Benin Republic alone. Burkina Faso, Chad, Cameroon, Mali and Niger are all milking Nigeria.

“It is also not about rice alone. Our porous borders have been hurting other products.

Petrol is a good example.

“The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA recently revealed that Nigeria was using 61 million liters daily before the closure but this has reduced to 50.22 since Nigeria closed its borders.

“This implies that daily supply of petrol for local consumption has drastically reduced by 10,078,000 liters.

“This reduction is a vehement testimony to the wisdom in FedeFG’s decision to close Nigeria’s borders.

“It is in this light that MURIC commends Federal Government for its foresight. We charge Nigerians to unite in their support for the programmes of the government.

“We have all seen that President Muhammadu Buhari means well for the country.

He is honest, transparent and

pragmatic.

“His Spartan way of life, despite the fact that he has had so many opportunities to enrich himself in the past and even now, is enough proof that he has no plan to enrich himself or his friends.

“Before we go on break, we implore Nigerians who are involved one way or the other in economic sabotage to seek other noble ways of survival and to sieze one of the several windows of opportunities opened by this administration for selfemployment.

“We invite opposition figures and other critics to join hands with FG in strengthening the country’s economy.

“We can survive without politics but no nation can survive without a stable and virile economy”, it said.

From Uche Uche, Damaturu.

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he new Commissioner of Police, Yahaya Abubakar deployed to take over the Police Command in Yobe State has assured to consolidate on the achievements made by his predecessor, CP Abdulmalik Sonomo in order to achieve enduring and sustainable peace in the state.

He gave the assurance yesterday while briefing newsmen in his office at the police headquarters along Gashua road in Damaturu, the state capital.

He expressed his deep appreciation to the Inspector General of Police, NPF, IGP. Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, for considering him worthy of being posted to the Command as the next Commissioner of Police after the statutory retirement of his immediate predecessor, CP. Abdul-Malik Sunmonu, who has served his country meritoriously, in the Nigeria Police Force for 35yrs.

“My posting to Yobe State as the new Commissioner of Police is a call for national service, which entails the responsibilities of providing dedicated strategic leadership; strengthening and refocusing the State Police Command in the discharge of its statutory mandate of crime prevention and public safety; as well as the maintenance of law and order in the State, among others.

I intend to exert myself to the achievement of these objectives, with zeal and commitment,” he stated.

To achieve this objective, he said he has already received proper briefings from his predecessor, Abdul-Malik Sunmonu as well as the Command’s operational and tactical commanders on the security situation in the State.

L-R: Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu; Patrick Smith of Africa Confidential; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Attorney General of the Federation/Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami (SAN) and Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele... During an interview on the P&ID issue, yesterday in London

FUT Minna alumni laments high rate female students dropout From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

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ormer students of Federal University of Technology (FUT) Minna, Alumni Association has decried the high rate of drop out amongst the female students due to lack of accommodation.

The National President of the Alumni, Ahmad Yahaya Alhassan disclosed this during the reunion and dinner of the association in Kaduna yesterday.

He said lack of accommodation within the campus has forced many female students to stay out of the school premises, which according to him affected their career.

He added that having identified the factor responsible for the drop out of students especially female students, we

have resolved to come to the aid of the institution in our own little way and build an edifice of 5,000 bed space hostels.

Information gathered revealed that the female students at times secured accommodation in their male counterparts house, and mostly they stay back to take care of the house while others are in school receiving lectures.

Alhassan, in his goodwill message commending the efforts of Kaduna branch for taking the lead saying the Association is ready and willing to lend a helping hand to FUT Minna for selfdevelopment.

He added that the vision of the institution to develop quality entrepreneurs to help the nation’s economy must always be supported by the alumni.

While promising that the

alumni would continue to play a mentorship role to the students of the institution, Alhassan says: “ we are ready to mentor them to get to higher heights of the economy”.

Earlier, in his lecture titled: Building New Realities, Establishing New Positions, Using Old Bond Of Friendship: Like Unto Technological Features, Yahaya Salleh Ibrahim said alumni is a symbol of authority, a symbol that makes various institution great just like the Cambridge university graduate, Awolowo university Ahmadu Bello university, University of Ibadan. “ What we are trying to do here today is to mobilise these realities to improve the institutions and improve the country.

“Today, we are in a a virtual

world, virtual reality.

“Quite a number of us are working in different places. I am a lecturer and quite a number of us are engineers. Some of them architects they can help by developing the institution,” he said.

In his remarks, Chairman, Kaduna State Chapter, Engr.

Muhyideen Alimi said the reunion entails celebrating the old students, adding that with crowd funding method, the alumni could be of help to the lives of the students.

Alimi who preview the hostels’ architectural plan during the dinner further explained that the alumni has decided to come up with laudable projects such as Students Hostels Development and Shea NUT industry among others.

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 25, 2019

PAGE 11

Letter to the Editor

EDITORIAL

Resolving the Kogi leadership deficit

Still on the $9.6bn order against Nigeria

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team of Nigerian government in stopping the enforcement of the officials will be in the UK entire award is proof of corrupt to contest a hefty $9.6bn practices as the basis for the arbitral damages award made to an Irish gas award. supply firm in August this year by a “So, we called for an investigation London commercial court. The order as to the relationship between the was in respect of a 2010 contract local partners component and the Process & Industrial Development international partners component.

Ltd claimed to have signed with And arising from the proof of the Nigerian federal government evidence that we have in support to build, “free of charge”, a “state- of the charges that were filed by of-the-art gas processing plant” in the EFCC, there is evidence that Calabar, Cross River state. money changed hands In return, P&ID would sell between international 15% of by-products of the partners and officials wet natural gas Nigeria of the Federal would supply to the plant Ministry of Petroleum We have at our on the international Resources influencing disposal proof that things that had to do market.

However, in 2012, the they sent money to with the agreement, agreement collapsed and Nigerian officials, influencing the P&ID blamed the Nigerian and in return for the formation of government for that. It agreement, money that was the first went to a tribunal influencing what sent to Nigerian which in 2017 entered officials, there was clauses should go a judgment against the into the agreement, compromise all federal government of influencing the through the creation officials to ensure Nigeria for failure to of a fraudulent meet its contractual the by-passing of and deceitful obligations. It said Nigeria the vetting by the must pay $6.6bn to P&ID. agreement. Some Federal Ministry of The commercial court of them have now Justice, influencing confirmed the order on pleaded guilty. So the by-passing of the Aug. 16 2019. Not only we are now armed presentation of the that, it raised the amount with an investigation agreement before the to $9.6b, including report establishing Federal Executive revenues the company corrupt practices. Council. would have earned over We are now armed “We have at our a 20-year period. But the disposal proof that with charges court did not grant P&ID’s they sent money to pending before demand that it could seize Nigerian officials, the court arising and in return for the Nigeria’s assets worth the amount anywhere in the from the fraudulent money that was sent agreement.” world. It insisted on taking to Nigerian officials, the submission of Nigeria there was compromise and fixed Sept. 26 for that. all through the creation of a The federal government fraudulent and deceitful agreement. delegation is led by the Attorney Some of them have now pleaded General of the Federation (AGF), guilty. So we are now armed with Abubakar Malami. The other an investigation report establishing members are the Inspector-General corrupt practices. We are now armed of Police (IGP), Mohammed with charges pending before the Adamu, and the Governor of court arising from the fraudulent Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), agreement.”

Godwin Emefiele. Others are We commend the Buhari the Minister of Information and administration for taking the bull Culture, Lai Mohammed, and the by the horns in this very serious acting Chairman of the Economic matter. The speed and thoroughness and Financial Crimes Commission of the inquiry is unprecedented. It is (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu. exactly what we urged in our editorial Speaking on the Sept. 26 court of Sept. 5 on the issue after it came appearance, Sunday, before flying to public light. Now that we have the out, Malami said: “We are going to evidence that corruption underlined the British court to argue that they the whole deal and P&ID was neck(P&ID) should not be granted the deep in it, let the court and the whole power to attach the assets. The only world see that Nigeria is the victim, thing that can be of help to Nigeria not P&ID.

“

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Chairman “To be the market Malam Wada Maida, place of ideas and Oon, Fnge the leading player in the industry by putting the people first, upholding the Chief Operating Officer Editor, Daily truth, maintaining the Hameed M. Bello, PhD highest professional and ethical standards while Manager, administration delivering value to Hassan Hammanyaji our stakeholders”

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By Musa Wada

T

oday, it is generally known that leadership is in huge deficit in Kogi state. The next election in our state is a plebiscite to answer a very simple but important question by the people of our dear state, who to me have the right to elect the type of leader that is a sum total of the qualities of the people of the state. The first question that is on the lips of every sincere Kogite is if we deserve the present set of leaders who have been lording over us or if we need a Moses to take us to the promised land?.

Kogi state is unique to us in many ways.

Among the thirty six states in our country, it is among the few states left behind by its peers in all indices of development. It is also one of the states where poverty is soaring rather than abating. There is malgovernance, failed projects, social strife and a beggarly attitude to other states. What is the problem of our dear Kogi state?.Many say that it is not lack of manpower, ideology or policy. Most people blame the Kogi crisis as it seems as that of the absence of functional leadership.

The leadership problem has five dimensions in Kogi state. First, there is authoritarian leadership in Kogi state. Second, the leadership is corrupt,third,the leadership is not accountable or as it is being called to account,and fourth,the leadership has no vision,and lastly, the leadership in Kogi state does not believe in the women and elderly advise. Let me elaborate my positions.

Although Kogi state has witnessed some spate of political transition since 1999,such transitions have not led to democracy but merely to civil rule of what i call democratism.

By democratism I mean a situation where democracy has not led to the widening or deepening of the democratic space but to the consolidation of authoritarian rule in Kogi state. The first attack line on democracy in Kogi state comes from elections. In Kogi state, elections have not been free and fair,.and as such they have created much disaffection than joy in the minds of our people. Political office holders in the state therefore do not have legitimacy and moral authority. Sensing their alienation from the people and lack of mandate, they decided to rule with the culture of impunity as is currently the order of the day in the state.

Even the legislature in our state that is to serve as check and restrain the arbitrary use of power are weaken because they serve as extension of the executive branch of government- extremely compromised.

As a result of this the Bello administration became insensitive to the yearnings and aspirations of the people.They are concerned not about the social security of the people but about regime security. They saw in the people, some sacks of potatoes-people that can be manipulated and instrumentalized at elections. Because their power was not derived from the people, such leaders like Bello became afraid of the people and insulated themselves from the people. In our state to them, elections became routinised rituals to ensure that such leaders returned to power by fraud or the use of force.

They were not accountable to anybody except themselves.They have no conscience and felt no cause to serve the public good.

They stole in the name of their grand children or store the cash in vault or trust fund in many banks in the country and abroad. Clientelism and patronage is now the hallmark of governance in kogi state.

Everything is done on the basis of personal loyalty to the government in power.

Falsehood and political chicanery rule in our state.Our leaders now only enjoy praise songs and deceits.

Tired with such leadership which have brought the state pain and underdevelopment, our people prayed for a Moses and God gave them one in Musa Wada, the candidate of the PDP in the next gubernatorial election by November,16,2019.

Musa Wada is the Moses of our time to take us to the promised land because he is a complete departure from our present crop of leaders described above. Musa did not set out to contest for power simply because he wants raw power and raw wealth. He has made sober reflections,introspection and soul searching decisions before he sets out to lead his people.He has heard the voice and the cry of our people,loud and clear.He has asked himself the main question: Do i have what it takes to rule kogi state?.He do not believe that it takes to rule his people is to organize a group of people including thugs and miscreants to snatch ballot boxes and use of guns to box himself into power or bribe the electorate with money in order to cajole them to vote for him.He is a visionary leader that has all it takes to rule kogi state.The present leaders in the state finds it difficult to admit that they do not have anything to give to the people and that is why they are still recontesting. We need to use our vote to give them a red card.

Musa as our Moses is coming to power prepared:he has clues about the problem of the state and the vision of where he wants the state to be.He is a leader that would not take a day -day approach to problems solving rather than a strategic approach with a well articulated and defined laid out plans for four years. Musa as a visionary leader has ideas and thinks ahead of our society and has the ability to project into the future.If kogi state needs a confident leader than can withstand the demands of leadership of the time,Musa is the man.

Today our women are being excluded from governance of the state but the moses of our time,musa wada with his policies of inclusion rather than exclusion would give them, a place and a voice in governance. Musa wada understands the necessity of affirmative actions in our state as its implementations would ensure equity and fairness in the state.

He will positively through deliberate policies cultivate the youth rather than allow them gravitate towards negative ones.

Musa wada wants to be a leader that has the mandate of his people and therefore is free from the toga of godfatherism.He also wants to be that leader that is sensitive to the yearnings and aspirations of his people.A leadership that is accountable and abide by due process.A leader that is visionary ,inspired and driven by ideas.A leadership that renews itself on those social categories such as workers,youth and women.

Unless we as kogites begins with this election to think the leadership questions,we may not be able to as a state meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Musa is a leader that would constantly remember that to make kogi state competitive nationally,he would have to put in place structures and infrastructures that would salvage the present generations. He knows that if leaders are unable to salvage the present generation of youth,there is no way they can secure the future of the next generation. To musa wada,the greatest challenges facing our state today is that of generational liability in the context of neglect of youth and women,lack of accountability and political mandates. With Musa Wada as governor,it is never too late to begin to properly focus on this challenges. After all politics is about the people and democracy is about how the people are empowered.

Comrade Musa Wada Lokoja

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Opinion

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 25, 2019

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PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 25, 2019

Comment

The surge of extreme hunger in Africa

Practical challenges for Economic Advisory Council

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By Agbaje Ayomide

t is no gainsaying the fact that there can be no sustainable reduction of hunger in Africa without the expedient need to ensure food security.

Over the past years, immense efforts have been made by the governments, stakeholders, non-governmental organizations and reputable international bodies to end hunger crisis and curtail food insecurity most African countries are confronted with. According to the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, about 153 million people suffered from severe food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa. Millions of people especially in the rural areas have died as a result of chronic starvation, and putting others at great risk of suffering from the famine in drought-prone areas while many have been displaced and become refugees in faraway regions in desperate search for food and to secure their livelihoods. This disaster has over time had its widespread effect to almost all African countries with an exponential increase, thereby requiring an exigent need for humanitarian intervention more than ever before.

developed and developing countries, the proportion can rise to one in three. In fact, in the most recent estimate, approximately 239 million people in sub-Saharan Africa were hungry. Out of those, 30 percent were undernourished.

These root causes create a vicious cycle that seems to be very difficult to break.

When conflicts endure, people would flee their homes and communities to others and are unable to plant crops and harvest the farm produces. Then less foods get harvested, prices nosedive, putting the survival prospects of families in abyss in the face of the closure of market avenues.

Conflicts, in most situations, worsen because humanitarian agencies often cannot access the affected communities to bring emergency aids and reliefs.

However, droughts have become more frequent and intense in recent years in Africa. These droughts affect foodproduction systems in fragile contexts in similar ways that conflict does. Less food and water also means vast numbers of dead livestock in affected areas. These devastate families’ source of income and food, and thus perpetuates the cycle of poverty and deprivation.

Root causes on a broader perspective However, different root causes can be linked to the disaster that has ravaged the continent; varying from poverty, conflicts, climate change (drought and adverse weather conditions), environmental degradation, high food prices and harsh economic realities. Children are often the worst affected, with their health and education largely and drastically impacted – mostly with disease outbreaks. 66 million primary school-age children attend classes in school hungry across the world, with 23 million in Africa alone. Poor nutrition causes nearly half (45 per cent) of deaths in children under five – 3.1 million children each year. One in four of the world’s children suffer stunted growth. In under-

Nigeria in context Nigeria, like in most African countries, has also had its own fair share of food crisis, plunging her into a perpetual state of poverty and as such more hunger. Hundreds of families particularly in the Northern part of the country survive on meager handouts for subsistence, thus making their children suffer from malnutrition and infectious diseases. Sadly, these malnourished children are always left in unkempt looks and torn clothes roaming the streets with small bowls in hands begging for money and food from passers-by, thereby making them vulnerable to the dangers and threats of the society. This has come to be their way of life due to the circumstances that bring about nutritional challenges, perhaps with no hope for an improved state of affairs

and a better future. For example, ‘Almajiri’ is one the phenomena the group of these children are often referred to. This system has grossly abused their right to quality education, proper nutrition, good health and security. This makes one wonder what becomes the fate of the commons and the future of these children.

This is not far from the case as it is with other African states. For instance, 6 million people in the East African region are displaced due to conflict and drought, making them heavily dependent on humanitarian assistance to meet their needs.

Also, communicable diseases threaten the lives of children. More than 131,000 cases of acute watery diarrhea or cholera were reported in Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya during 2017, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In recent times, NGOs are now springing up in heavy waves to fight for the rights and call for the social inclusion of the vulnerable children and hungry masses on the continent.

The way forward Organizations, like the Journalism for SDGs, should continue increasing the public awareness about the plights of those affected by hunger crises through media advocacy in a bid to project their untold stories and draw global attention. This will also be in pursuit of the much-needed policies and reforms through the strategic engagement of the government at all levels, policymakers and involved stakeholders to take decisive actions geared towards the attainment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2 for the world – `Zero Hunger.’ For an effective advocacy drive, aspects of visual documentary can be incorporated into campaigns to foster engagement and mobilization.

According to the United Nations, agriculture is the single largest employer in the world, providing livelihoods for 40 per cent of today’s global population. It is the largest source of income and jobs for poor rural households. 500 million small

farms worldwide provide up to 80% of food consumed in a large part of the developing world. The agriculture sector offers key solutions for sustainable development, and is central for hunger and poverty eradication. Therefore, more research projects in agriculture, as well as food processing and storage should be done in an effort to explore the realities surrounding the inadequacy of food in Africa, and as such recommend measures to address this pressing issue on the continent.

It is no gainsaying the fact that there can be no sustainable reduction of hunger in Africa without the expedient need to ensure food security. And one of the veritable ways this can be achieved is through massive, disruptive agrarian revolution hinged on the integration of an advanced level of technology into the agricultural sector.

If this strategy and model of modern technologies should be leveraged upon to improve the system of agricultural outputs and enable efficient storage, the seemingly vicious cycle of hunger is bound to intercept in the long term by making food accessible to the people.

The philanthropists, however, also have a crucial to play by making provision for emergency food aids, disaster reliefs, clean water, sanitation and healthcare services, and education to hungry children and families in African communities. Also, foreign investors should take a chance on investing funds in greenhouse farming and rural development schemes aimed at empowering impoverished families in the rural areas to take up small-scale farming and build sustainable business enterprises.

These will not only go a long way in alleviating hunger and fighting poverty by providing jobs and generate decent incomes as means of livelihood at the grassroots level, but also in achieving food security, improving nutrition and standard of living, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices on the continent.

Agbaje Ayomide is a board member at the Journalism for SDGs.

Surveyor-General’s Office and national security

By Abu I. Michael

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igeria is being thwacked by twisted situation of insecurity. For sure, the citizens have been hesitant of the enormous challenges confronting the Government of Muhammadu Buhari’s efforts geared to attain national reconstruction and sustainable socioeconomic growth and development.

The zeal and commitment of the President in tackling the socioeconomic ills of the country is apparent, his Political will has been demonstrated, but it needs the complementation of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Government for achievements manifestation. Despite the revilement properly induced by misconceptions, or communication gap, the Nigerian Military, the Police and other security agencies have apparently been putting up their best in dealing with the security challenges; the personnel should be appreciated for the sacrifices they make with their precious lives in a bid to enforce peace.

The situation of mutual suspicion and lack of comradeship among Nigerians is indeed fanning the embers of hostilities in the country because of mutual suspicion, misconception and wrong interpretations of actions of Government that are based on genuine intention of national interest.

The criminals threatening the good people of Nigeria feed largely on this situation to operate successfully and unleashing injuries on innocent lives - maiming, killing, and creating state of disorderliness.

Not just on the part of the Government, the challenge of addressing insecurity is everyone’s business and it lies at the domains of the elders, community and opinion leaders, as well as spiritual leaders from the 6 geopolitical zones of the country to deflate sentiments that are adverse to peaceful coexistence and national unity.

The responsibility on them is sacred, and they must therefore be conscious of the fact that posterity will judge their actions for the exultation of criminals and criminality in our fatherland.

Although, the narratives about the criminal elements and their modus operandi and modus vivendi are still opaque and need redefinition because of the colouration under which they operate. The knowledge and general understanding of enemies is necessary for successful prosecution.

Nigerians from every background must learn to strongly resist sociopolitical and ethno-religious sentiments which have been impacting on the configuration of the country negatively. To succeed in this, we need to appreciate the fact that Nigeria is a multi-plural state, and must also learn to appreciate the incontestability of the

notion that there is great strength in our rich sociocultural diversity. This shows that the country is either or almost adequate in terms of population, endowed human and material resources needed to make useful advancement.

While we continue to hold discourses and chew over the non-disposable idea of evolving a good frame for effective diversity management, let me quickly say that the criminals threatening the good people of this country are not spirits, and therefore can be tracked with appropriate deployment of intelligence and technology.

Let me also say that criminals operate and take refuge in locations. I believe that Nigeria has the capacity to adequately deal with the insecurity situation so that the length and breadth of the country may once again experience that relative peace that was hitherto our pride in Africa and the world as a whole. This brings us to the realization and the fact of the centrality of the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation (OSGOF) in boosting the country’s security network and effective war against criminality of whatever degree.

The Government through the OSGOF has acquired the latest Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) towards curtailing criminal activities with the aid of the Global Positioning System (GPS) and Continuously Operating Reference (COR)

stations in some states of the federation.

Moving objects, missing items and more importantly, crime scenes can be easily identified and vehicular movements monitored by the technology. With the use of the applications, surveyors can accurately track snatched vehicles and kidnapped victims. Nigeria is large; the technology can provide for places not covered adequately by the military and other security agencies because of their numbers, and this will shrink the ungoverned spaces for criminals.

There is no doubt that the OSGOF remains a reliable parastatal of generating the information required to advance our cause as a people.

Intelligence gathering is of great importance in combating crimes, and I think, strategic MDAs and other critical stakeholders in the Nigerian Project need to be in synergy with the OSGOF for the analysis of the information gathered so as to make them appropriately and timely available for policy and response options in a manner that will make security agents more proactive. It is not out of place if a suitable forum for this is created for a regular meet in rendering a more strategic support to the military and the security agencies that have already be doing much as regards their statutory functions.

Michael is the Head of Press and Public Relations, OSGOF

By Eze Onyekpere he news of the dissolution of the Economic Management Team chaired by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo alongside the empanelling of the Economic Advisory Council by President Muhammadu Buhari was one of the key issues in the economy in the outgone week. There have been various opinions and issues made out of this development.

Many see it as positive and even started the development of an agenda for the new team. Others have adopted a wait-and-see attitude. But what are the key issues and challenges for the new team?

It is imperative to acknowledge that the economy has been wobbling and fumbling from one avoidable headwind to another since the advent of the Buhari administration in 2015. Indeed, it may even be said that the economy appears rudderless, or at best, not to have capable managers as it keeps drifting like flotsam and jetsam in the high waves of the ocean.

The fiscal policies failed to complement monetary policies while indicators like high inflation, unemployment, low productivity, poor growth of gross domestic product, etc. have been the norm.

Security measures and government’s handling of security negated the drive for economic growth as agriculture suffered greatly from the herdsmen-farmers’ crisis.

Also, investor confidence has been at an all-time low.

The dissolved Economic Management Team seemed at a loss as to what to do to gain a proper handle on the economy.

But it was composed of the hands-on managers of the economy in fiscal and monetary policies and other managers

of the economy. They were ministers, advisers and others who had mandates backed by the constitution, statutes and by the fact that they were occupants of positions charged with the management of specific aspects of the economy.

Now, the new Economic Advisory Council is purely an advisory team which reports directly to the President and is composed of strangers to economic governance in the sense that beyond being members of the team, they hold no official positions as managers of either fiscal, monetary, trade, industrial, labour, etc. policy. Being an advisory team, the outcome of their sittings is not binding and is subject to being accepted or rejected by the President whom they advise. The truth is that it takes a good dose of knowledge for anyone including the President to be discerning to understand the advice that will lift the economy out of the woods.

This knowledge and discernment will also depend on the capacity of the kitchen cabinet, the presidential inner caucus who will review the advice for the President before accepting or rejecting the same.

The challenge flowing from the above is not in the calibre of men who are members of the advisory team as they are eminently qualified Nigerians with diverse experiences; the issue is about the capacity of the person advised to absorb the advice. The follow-up challenge is in the transmission mechanism that will see the advice of the team through, from the President’s table to the leadership of implementing agencies. How will this happen, especially for agencies that are autonomous and have been so granted autonomy by law? For instance, how will the team’s advice influence monetary

policy considering that the Central Bank of Nigeria is independent and autonomous by its enabling law and the autonomy of Central Banks is recognised worldwide as a fit and good practice?

One would have expected that if a team that includes the Vice President, the CBN governor, the Ministers of Trade, Finance, Budget and National Planning, etc. is not working or delivering the expected returns, the logical next step would not have been to dissolve the team. Dissolving the team is like a vote of no confidence in the membership of the team. But the flip side is that members of the team still retained their official and more powerful positions as ministers and key political appointees in charge of strategic economic sectors.

The logical follow-up would have been to strengthen the team with alternative voices and visions which the membership of the new Economic Advisory Council would have brought on board. Thus, the Economic Management Team would have been composed of key office holders and reputable economists like the members of the new team. This would have enriched Nigeria with a scenario where for instance, the Godwin Emefiele-led CBN’s policies would have had the benefit of a second opinion at the EMT championed by other economists including a Chukwuma Soludo who is a former CBN governor.

This second opinion would not have been coming from “total outsiders” deliberating at a forum that the CBN governor is not a member. But it would have come in a committee where he participates and gets the opportunity to make first hand submissions.

The foregoing raises the critical question; if the President found the

Vice President and key ministers and appointees, whom he placed in charge of the economy, incapable of managing the economy or being members of an Economic Management Team, why did he appoint them into those positions in the first instance? Should he not remove them from office where he is so constitutionally empowered? Is the new team a parallel governmental economic management team? Assuming the occupants of key offices decide to frustrate the implementation of the advice of the new team even if transmitted by the President to them, would the President relieve the appointees of their positions? Occupants of high office may frustrate proposed changes while at the same time swearing to the President and convincing him to believe that they are implementing the same.

Frustrating the recommendations from the committee may be a way to convince the President that the recommendations are not practicable and cannot work to produce the results envisaged by the new team.

It is the submission of this discourse that improving the Nigerian economy must involve the decisions and contributions of the occupants of the exalted offices of members of the former Economic Management Team. They ought to be part of any economic management or advisory team to ensure that sound policies and advice are fully implemented. The advice of the new team stands a chance of being sabotaged by members of the old team who occupy very important implementation positions.

Eze Onyekpere is an Abuja based Legal Practitioner.

Dr. Bala Usman: A legend remembered

By Sa’ad Abubakar Zongre

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n his lifetime, Dr. Yusuf Bala Usman epitomized the ideal scholar; hardworking, dedicated to scholarship, knowledgeable in other disciplines, uncompromising in standard and principles, progressive minded, nationalist to the core and strived to achieve excellence in whatever he was doing at all times.

He was simply a scholar per excellence, a fiery social critic, the most brilliant Prince ever produced by Katsina royal family and a model to aspiring scholars, nationalists and the progressives.

Today is exactly Fourteen (14) years since his demise on Saturday, 24th September, 2005; which has created a wide intellectual vacuum particularly in the Department of History, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Northern Nigeria, Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

Present and former senior History lecturers of the university such as Dr. Kabiru Tsafe (one-time Minister of State for Petroleum), Dr. Mustapha Gwadabe and Dr Alkassim Abba (Bala’s closest disciple and former Vice-Chancellor of Adamawa State University, Mubi) may be having the intellectual potentials to fill this vacuum, but matching his charisma, elegance, eloquence, oratory, work-rate, grace, courage and fearlessness appears unachievable.

Dr. Bala Usman’s impact and influence (deservedly earned on the basis of his towering intellectual achievements) particularly in the then famous Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences- FASS in the 1970s up to the mid-1990s when the faculty was split into two-Arts and Social Sciences respectively, were quite

unprecedented.

He was such a reference material and a hot-cake, whose presence in any intellectual meeting; be it in the faculty of Law, Social Sciences, Administration or Arts guarantees a full house as captured by Adagbo Onoja, while writing in the Daily Trust of 26th September, 2005, thus; “It is probably the boldness of his formulations that made him a natural choice for the lead paper in most of the seminars and functions, straddling Economics, Political Science, Sociology even when his own discipline was History”.

Throughout his teaching career, he was among the only few scholars in Nigeria who had remained faithful to their ideals till death. He was steadfast in championing the cause of the emasculated ‘‘talakawa’’ (masses) while putting off all sorts of attempts by successive governments (military regimes and civilian alike) and their apologists to lure him into the bandwagon.

Even when he briefly served as Secretary to the Kaduna State Government in 1981 under former Governor Balarabe Musa of the radical Peoples’ Redemption Party (PRP), he maintained the closeknitted link with the masses that elected them by initiating and implementing people-oriented programmes and not elite-oriented ones that alienates the masses as is mainly the practice nowadays. In the few months he served as SSG, transparency and accountabilityattributes of the Due-Process were truly adhered to as against the largely decorative status attached to them these days.

Likewise, in his books such as, ‘‘For the Liberation of Nigeria’’ (1979), “Nigeria against the IMF: The Home Market Strategy”, (1986), etc., and paper

presentations during seminars and debates such as the one at the Max and Africa Conference at A.B.U Zaria in 1983, the Nigerian Economic Crisis debate with Yusuf Bangura (a Political Scientist) in 1984, etc., Dr. Y. B. Usman was on the side of the oppressed masses within the context of a truly functioning Nigerian State.

He serially condemned incompetent and corrupt leadership and attacked procapitalist scholars for providing covers to imperial and colonial handover within independent African states like Nigeria.

His belief in the Nigerian State and the capacity of Nigerians to lift the nation from its under-developed status to a developed one is very clear and even his critics will not dispute this.

His respect for the Nationalists who gave in everything in the struggle for the achievement of independence, especially the “Zik” of Africa, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe (whom he regarded as the founder of modern Nigeria), Sir Michael Imoudu, Mal. Sa’adu Zungur etc, pointed to his Pan-Nigerian disposition.

His love for Nigeria and her people made him rejected lucrative offers from other reputable universities in other parts of the world to stay here in Nigeria despite all sorts of hazards and deprivations.

Interestingly, in spite of all his valuable contributions to knowledge and the development of Nigeria, he still felt he could have done more.

When i was his student during the 1999/2000 session, the renowned historian often told us in the course of tutorials in his office, how he wanted to do further research on this issue or that issue. At times, he went to the extent of enjoining us to come back after our first

degree in order to carry-out additional research on an issue he had already covered but which he felt needed to be updated.

He was, indeed, a man of many projects which were then co-ordinated by the Centre for Development, Democracy, Research and Training-CEDDERT, Zaria. A centre he spearheaded its establishment.

Sir, your demise had really robbed your immediate constituency-History Department, A.B.U, Zaria, the academia, Nigeria, Africa and the whole of mankind, a worthy representative and torch bearer in the struggle against oppression, injustice, corruption, gross opportunism, segregation, exploitation, tyranny, laziness, class domination and falsehood.

You had been and you will continue to be an inspiration to your former students, colleagues, family and associates.

You may not have produce a PhD holder like yourself in your 33 years of teaching, but in Bala Brought Ups (BBUs), you had given the nation a set of dynamic, productive, vibrant, purposeful, focus and patriotic minds capable of liberating it from the trauma of bad leadership and mis-governance.

You might have gone, but the echo of your resonate and resolute voice could still be heard murmuring, “Nigerian Risorgimento”!

May Allah continue to comfort you in your grave enroute guaranteeing your easy passage into Aljannatul Firdaus on the Day of Judgment, ameen!

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

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PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 25, 2019

News

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PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 25, 2019

Tragedy: Father of 3 electrocuted in Asaba From Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

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middle aged man identified as Chukwuemeka Brown was in the early hours of Tuesday in Asaba, the capital of Delta State electrocuted in his alleged attempt to vandalize electricity transformers.

While two others who accompanied him to the transformers’ alleged vandalization were reported to have been seriously Injured, and arrested by the Police

for theft.

Eyewitness John Osekwe said that the middle aged man instantly died around High Court road in Asaba.

Sources said that transformers within High Court road have been constantly vandalized by unknown thieves in the recent times and had plunged residents of the area into continued darkness and have resorted to the use of generators to power their business activities.

But the state Police

Commissioner, Adeleke Adeyinka who confirmed the incident to journalists in Asaba said that the father of three until his untimely death, was engaged in unskilled labour to cater for his family, especially his children who are still very young and cannot find for themselves yet .

Adeyinka disclosed that the body of the victim was deposited at the Federal Medical Center (.FMC,) Asaba while investigation was ongoing into the two arrested

and injured during their attempt to vandalize electricity transformers.

Onlookers at the scene questioned the efficiency of security agents in the area, stressing that given the circumstances the victim with his gang members had allegedly been vandalizing electricity transformers in the past before nemesis caught up with them and he as the leader was eletrocuted on the spot.

Meanwhile, the state government has embarked on various

Some pensioners eating lunch provided for them by the Pension Transitional Arrangements Directorate (PTAD) at the ongoin PTAD PaPD Verification Exercise, yesterday in Kano. Photo: NAN

UNGA: Buhari unfolds plans to reverse climate change

By Lawrence Olaoye

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resident Muhammadu Buhari on Monday in New York announced robust plans and initiatives by his administration to reverse the negative effects of climate change in Nigeria.

The plans were revealed in his address to the United Nations Climate Action Summit at the ongoing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) with the theme, “A Race We Can Win. A Race We Must Win.” According to a speech made available to newsmen yesterday by his spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, the President told the world gathering that was humanly induced and so there must be global collective action to combat the challenge.

He said “I share the sentiment expressed by the SecretaryGeneral that the world is on the verge of climate catastrophe.

Undeniably, Climate Change is a human-induced phenomenon.

“It is now imperative that we must step-up our collective climate actions in line with the request of the Secretary General.

It is in this regard that I wish to reiterate Nigeria’s commitment

to its obligation under the Paris Agreement, the aspirations enshrined in our Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and ensure a resilient future that mainstreams climate risks in our decision making.

“I want to announce that the Government of Nigeria will develop a more robust sectorial action plan, and expand the scope of our Sovereign Green Bonds in line with our intended upward review of Nigeria’s NDC’s towards the inclusion of the water and waste sectors by 2020.

“In the water sector, Nigeria will issue a Green Bond for irrigation and construct multipurpose dams for power, irrigation and water supply. We will strengthen solid and liquid waste management systems to attract more private sector investors.

“We will take concrete steps to harness climate innovative ideas by including youths in decision making processes as part of our over-all climate governance architecture. We will mobilize Nigerian youths towards planting 25 million trees to enhance Nigeria’s carbon sink.

“In the energy sector, Nigeria is presently diversifying its energy

sources from dependence on gas-powered system to hydro, solar, wind, biomass and nuclear sources. Specifically, Nigeria is progressively working to realize 30 percent energy efficiency and renewable energy mix by 2030.

This is envisaged to lead to 179 million tons of carbon dioxide reduction per annum by 2030.

“In addition, our Administration intends to develop a shelter belt across 11 States of the Federation spanning a distance of 1,500 km and 15km across through the Great Green Wall initiative. Furthermore, the Federal Government has commenced the implementation of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Programme in Ogoniland, to recover the carbon sink potential of the mangrove ecosystem of the one thousand square kilometers (1,000 KM2) polluted site in the affected area.

“I should also inform the summit that our Government has introduced Climate Smart Agricultural Practices to unlock Seventy-Four (74) Million tons of carbon dioxide per annum, through relevant technologies, advocacy and best practices.

“As you are aware, the Lake Chad Basin, which used to be

a region of productivity, food security and wealth for an estimated 40 million citizens living around the Chad Basin, has shrunk significantly from its original size due to Climate Change.

“We will continue to lead in efforts to have solid partnerships for the ecological restoration and recharge of the Lake. We are confident that this would improve the living conditions of the diverse nationals living in the area, promote inter-state cooperation, strengthen community resilience, as well as assist in addressing the environmental and security crisis that threaten the region, its resources and inhabitants.

“Finally, permit me to add that the forty million citizens in the Lake Chad area expect this Summit to take into consideration their concerns. They anticipate that the outcomes of this meeting would include solutions to address the Climate Change impact in the Lake Chad area.

I am glad that the Secretary General and some of the member states represented in this hall are partnering with us in this endeavor. We thank them for their cooperation and I look forward to deepening our partnership.”

sensitization to warn the public on the ills of vandalism, especially with electrical installations in the state.

The state Commissioner for Power and Energy, Mr Basil Ganagana who spoke to Journalists in Asaba on Tuesday however disclosed that the state government would ensure vandals are prosecuted and send to jail, adding that the state government had taken steps to ensure power supply steadily in the state, especially in Asaba.

No bridge collapsed along Jebba-MokwaBokani road – Official

By Usman Shuaibu

Katsina banditry: Senator Barkiya takes case to Senate, calls for NEMA’s intervention

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

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he Senator representing Katsina Central on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), Kabir Abdullahi Barkiya, yesterday took the rampant cases of banditry in his state to the Senate.

He urged the upper legislative chamber to mandate the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to intervene in ameliorating the plights of the victims of the banditry in the state.

Senator Barkiya, who moved a motion titled: “Incessant invasion of bandits in Katsina State, particularly Katsina Central”, lamented the recent and incessant trends of attacks, kidnapping and killings unleashed by bandits on the once peaceful Katsina

State.

This, he said, has brought commercial, religious and social activities in the state to a standstill, resulting in loss of lives, displacement of residents of towns and villages, destruction of livestock and crippling of businesses.

He particularly observed with dismay that these attacks occurred in the towns of Batsari, Rumar, Tsohuwa, among others, including Gobirawa and Sabawa in Safana local government, where he said more than seventeen persons have been killed.

He also said in Kurfi local government area, about forty nine people were kidnapped and all their belongings stolen, just as he said also in Mara Zanfarawa in Danmusa local government, people were kidnapped.

“In Shimfida village in Jibia local government, twenty people were killed, thirty people kidnapped and ten vehicles were burnt after looting all the belongings and goods of the victims”, he said, even as he recalled that the attacks have taken a new turn since February when a senior military officer and six others were killed in Kasai village.

“Despite the efforts of the state government to dialogue and negotiate with the bandits to bring a lasting solution to the problem, there are still cases of banditry in some local governments like Batsari and Kurfi, indicating that urgent action is needed to nip these attacks in the bud”, he said.

At this juncture, he commended the efforts of the federal government,

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he Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Monday, strongly dispelled as fake, news circulating in the social media speculating that some bridges along JebbaMokwa-Bokani Road, especially Tatabu Bridge, collapsed and advising motorists to avoid the route.

The ministry clarified that there is no bridge collapse along the route and urged members of the public to disregard any mischievous circulation of old pictures as a recent incident.

In a press release signed by the Deputy Director, Press, Stephen Kilebi, the ministry confirmed that all the bridges along the route are in good motorable condition pointing out that the route was very recently traversed to confirm the condition of the bridges.

Dispelling the news as unfounded, the press release noted that the Federal Controller of Works/Engineer’s Representative in Niger State, I.F. Umeh, who along with other officers travelled on the road up to the Kwara State border confirmed that, “All the bridges are in good and passable condition. There is no bridge that collapsed along the road. The Tatabu Bridge is intact and in perfect condition,” adding that there is also free vehicular movement along the entire stretch of the road.

While advising motorists to ignore any fake news of bridge collapse along the aforementioned road, the ministry stressed the need for caution, especially by those using the social platform for the dissemination of news pointing out that the circulation of such unconfirmed and fake news concerning an important public utility such as the Jebba-MokwaBokani Road could trigger off a situation that could have grave economic consequences to the nation.

which he said has instructed the security agencies to continue to engage the bandits in battles towards securing the lives and property in the state.

He said also that the state government has given the last window to the bandits to surrender their arms and embrace peace, which he said, if it fails, the state government will have to engage the bandits in a battle that must bring the crisis to an end.

Sequel to the debate on the motion by the senators, the upper chamber directed the NEMA to send relief materials to the victims of the banditry in Katsina state to address their challenges, even as it urged the federal government to strengthen the security agencies to gear up their activities in the state so as to forestall further attacks on the people.

L-R: Coordinator, Buhari Support Group Zamfara State, Alhaji Musa Zubairu; Zamfara North Zonal Vice Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Abdullahi Ja’o-Zurmi; Zamfara State APC, Alhaji Lawal Liman; APC Chairman State Elders Committee, Alhaji Lawal Abubakar and Zamfara Chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Alhaji Muhammad Umar, during a stakeholders meeting by Zamfara North APC in Kaura-Namoda, yesterday in Zamfara. Photo: NAN

I’ll ensure transparency in governance, Makinde vows From Idowu Abdullahi, Lagos

O

yo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has pledged that his administration’s watchword will remain openness and transparency throughit his tenure.

Governor Makinde, who stated this while receiving a delegation of the First City Monument Bank (FCMB) led by Mrs. Bukola Smith, who paid him a courtesy call in his Office, Secretariat, Ibadan said that

Oyo State was open to business that breeds development.

A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the Governor as saying that he would conduct the business of governance in the state in an open and transparent manner in order to bring the desired development to the State.

The Governor said: “Oyo State is open for business and we try to take a different trajectory from what we have been used to in the past. What

we are doing is very simple. It’s just to be open and transparent; these are our watchwords.

“We want to conduct government business in an open and transparent manner.”

He added that his administration was ready to partner with any organisation whose proposal would bring value to the Government and the people of the state.

Governor Makinde assured the FCMB team that his government would give equal opportunities

to all banks, urging the team to be comfortable in making their proposition.

He hinted further that the working proposal submitted by the team would be studied and acted on accordingly, saying: “You don’t have to lobby anybody if what you have in your proposal is good and is able to bring value to the Government and people of Oyo State. Of course, we will be open and discuss it with you.

If we have issues that we are not clear about, we will put them on the table.

Zamfara: Our loyalty to former Gov Yari still intact - LG Chairmen

From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

T

he 14 Zamfara state local government council Chairmen who were elected under All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last local government elections have unanimously reiterated their continued loyalty to immediate former Governor Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar.

Speaking at a zonal meeting in Gusau the state capital which was organised by the party leaders aimed at assessing the popularity of the party, the serving Gusau local government council Chairman, Alhaji Babangida Abdullahi stressed that, they are always politically all ears to what the former Governor would say.

“Although, we are serving under the ruling PDP at the state level but, that could not derail us from focusing on the good policies of our great party APC, and we shall remain wholeheartedly obedient members to the party and our trusted and patriotic elders”, the Chairman has said.

According to him, the turnout of the gathering was a crystal clear that, the APC is still on the ground in the state and ready to live through the first tenure of the party in power, adding that, “Majority of our party members are busy attending their sources of living as they were engaged into various businesses by our immediate past administration.

“With this development therefore, our teeming youths from the 14 local government areas can not be seen anywhere begging for living across the size of the present government led by the PDP, our plans were to continue to embark on empowering and encouraging our people to become productive quarters of the society”, Alhaji Babangida has stated.

Budget: Delayed presentation looms as Senate denies receiving MTEF/FSP

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi and Musa Adamu

I

ndications emerge Tuesday that proposals for the 2020 budget estimates may not be presented to the joint session of the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari next month as earlier expected .

This is as the Senate after an hour closed door session , announced that the 20202022 Medium Term Expenditure Framework ( MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper ( FSP) documents , are yet to be forwarded to it by the President .

The MTEF and FSP documents as stipulated in the relevant provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act , are proposals that must be presented first to the lawmakers by the President for required approval of paraneters upon which the budget estimates are based .

Specifically , section 11of the Act clearly stated that “not later than four months before the commencement of the next financial year, cause to be prepared a Medium-Term Expenditure Framework”.

The same Act in its section 18 stipulated that “the MTEF shall be the basis for the

preparation of the estimates of revenue and expenditure required to be prepared and laid before the National Assembly under section 81 (1) of the Constitution.”

It’s states that “The Medium-Term Expenditure Framework shall contain a Macro-economic Framework setting out the macro-economic projections, for the next three financial years, the underlying assumptions for those projections and an evaluation and analysis of the macroeconomic projections for the preceding three financial years; The Senate President had in anticipation

of a prompt submission of the document promised last Friday that the first major work of the Senate upon resumption would be the consideration and approval of the MTEF. He specifically declared then, that he was aware that the documents had been forwarded to the National Assembly by the executive.

But on Tuesday in plenary after the one hour executive session, Lawan made contrary pronouncement by saying “ the Senate at the closed door session , resolved to await transmission of the MTEF/FSP documents from the executive to it and by extension, the House of Representatives “.

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 25, 2019

PAGE 16

POLITICS

Appeal court reserves judgment in Melaye’s Suit

By Vivian Okejeme

T

he Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, yesterday, reserved judgment in three separate appeals filed by Senator Dino Melaye, challenging the decision of the National Assembly Petition Tribunal again him.

The three separate appeals were brought by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) and Dino Melaye.

The trio, in the appeal, are praying the appellate court to set aside the majority decision of the tribunal which voided the election and restored the victory of Melaye.

A three-man panel of justices, headed by Justice Abubakar Datti Yahaya, after hearing the three appeals, announced that the date for judgement delivery would be communicated to parties.

PDP, represented by Jubrin Okutepa (SAN) in his final argument prayed the appeal court to et aside the majority decision of the tribunal against Melaye on the ground of denial of fear hearing and refusal to evaluate evidence adduced during

the hearing.

The party claimed that the tribunal failed to evaluate the testimonies of its witnesses while no reference was made to all the documentary evidence it supplied before the tribunal came to a wrong conclusion of over voting, even when the petitioner did not tender voter register.

PDP further claimed that the tribunal turned the head of natural justice upside down when it based over voting used in cancelling the senatorial election on the number of collected permanent voter cards rather than voter register as required by law.

PDP therefore urged the threeman panel justices to invoke section 16 of the Court of Appeal Act and dismissed the petition for lacking in merit.

In the second appeal filed by INEC, through its lawyer, Kola

Olowookere, the Appeal Court was urged to dismiss the allegation of mutilation of election result and favouring a particular candidate as alleged by the petitioner, Senator Smart Adeyemi.

The electoral body argued that finding of over voting by the tribunal was wrong and baseless because the voter register and result of election in 2015 tallied with the result in the disputed area.

The electoral body alleged that the tribunal dir evaluate the exhibits it tendered to prove that there was no over voting and pleaded that appeal be allowed.

In the third appeal filed by Dino Melaye and argued by Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), the petitioner urged the Appeal Court to set aside the over voting decision of the tribunal because it was based on hearsay instead of polling units agents’ result.

He drew the attention of the

Justices to the fact that only three witnesses were called, adding that the evidence of the three witnesses based on hearsay cannot justify the cancellation of the senatorial election.

Melaye’s counsel further submitted that mutilation of result sheet was untenable because the final result of senatorial election was endorsed by agents of the candidates and the parties, and that the petitioners failed to establish that the alleged mutilated result substantially affected the final result collation.

However, Senator Adeyemi and the All Progressives Congress (APC) pleaded with the appellate court to dismiss the tree petitions because the petitioners were not denied fair hearing and that the tribunal based its findings on over voting on the report of INEC which comprehensively contained the number of collected voter cards unit by unit.

Adeyemi and APC through their

Representative of Niger Republic, Chairman of ECOWAS Authority, Dr Sintiki Tarfa Ugbe (4th L); Deputy Head of Delegation, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Jean-Francois Queguiner (3rd L); representative of Nigerian Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, Adeyemi Adewale (4th R), and other Stakeholders, during the ECOWAS/ICRC Annual Review Meeting on “Implementation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) West Africa”, yesterday in Abuja . Photo: NAN

Gbajabiamila leads NASS delegation to Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference

By Christiana Ekpa

T

he Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has a delegation of the National Assembly to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) holding in Kampala, Uganda.

The delegation comprises the Deputy Senate President, Sen Ovie Omo-Agege, some senators and Honourable Members of the House.

According to the statement by Lanre Lasisi Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, Abuja, the is expected to last until September 29, has the theme ‘Adaptation, engagement and evolution of parliaments in a rapidly changing Commonwealth.’

During the conference, the Nigerian delegation would join other parlimentarians to identify solutions to challenges that are commonly faced by member parliaments as well as enhance democratic values and practices.

The CPA flagship event will bring together over 500 parliamentarians, parliamentary staff and decision-makers from across the Commonwealth for this unique conference and networking opportunity.

The CPC offers the prospect of the coming together of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA’s) global membership of Parliamentarians and Parliamentary staff to address the critical issues facing today’s Parliaments.

counsel, Adekunle Otitoju, argued that INEC bridged an order of the federal high court to the effect that the senatorial election result must collated and announced in Kabba, the senatorial district headquarters and not in Lokoja as done by the electoral body.

The alleged that while their agents were in Kabba waiting for the collation, the INEC officials and agents of the appellants allegedly colluded and secretly moved the result collation to Lokoja where the result sheets were allegedly mutilated to favour Melaye.

They insisted that mutilation of results, dated February 25 instead of February 23, was so apparent and that over voting was so established that the petitioners won with over 48,000 votes.

They therefore urged the Appeal court to dismiss the petition and uphold the majority decision of the tribunal.

Reps probe utilization of local content by SEEPCO in Delta

By Christiana Ekpa

T

he House of Representatives yesterday mandated its committee on local content to investigate the level of utilization of the local community and the Nigerian human and material resources by the Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company (SEEPCO) in Ndokwa/Ukwuani federal constituency of Delta state.

The position of the House followed the adoption of a motion sponsored

by Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai (PDP, Delta) on the “need to investigate SEEPCO’s non-compliance with Nigeria local content act” Ossai while moving the motion, said the enactment of the Nigerian

Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act of 2010 was a milestone in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

The Lawmaker added that the local content act was enacted to provide a legal framework for increased Nigeria’s participation in all activities connected with exploration, exploitation, development, transportation and sale of crude oil and gas resources in the Nigerian oil industry.

According to him, the local content act specifies 70 percent use of indigenous labour, materials and resources in all oil and gas projects in the Nigerian oil and gas sector.

“Aware that Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited, an Indian

company with businesses in six continents and several countries such as India, USA, China, Japan, Europe, Middle East and South East Asia, ventured into Nigerian oil and gas market in 2005 and is presently, successfully producing crude oil in the Niger Delta” The lawmaker observed that most of the human and material resources and services being utilized

by SEEPCO in the Niger Delta region, particularly in Ndokwa/Ukwuani federal constituency are mostly Indians.

He informed that the local content act prescribes that the minimum Nigerian content requirement in any project, service or product specification to be executed in the

Nigerian oil and gas industry shall be consistent with the level set out in the schedule to the act.

“Congnisant that the neglect over the years by the Nigerian Content Monitoring Board that is saddled with responsibility to monitor, supervise and coordinate the local content act, has grossly defeated the purpose of the prescribed minimum thresholds for Nigerian participation in the activities within the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

“Also aware that section 16 (c) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 enjoins the federal government to manage and operate major sectors of its economy, thereby avoiding foreign domination of the economy.

PDP hails Govs. Ayade, Ihedioha over victory at tribunal

By Lateef Ibrahim

T

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has congratulated the Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade and Imo state Governor Emeka Ihedioha for their victories at the Governorship Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in the respective states.

The PDP said that the verdicts of the tribunals in upholding the elections of the two governors reestablish them as the choice of the people of their states as expressed in their comprehensive victories in the

March 2019 governorship election.

The party, in a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, held that the verdicts signified the triumph of justice and the will of the people over anti-people forces seeking to undermine the aspiration of the citizens of the states.

The party noted that the people of Cross River state were overjoyed by the verdict as it marks the consolidating of the giant strides already achieved by Governor Ayade in critical sectors particularly, industrialization, manufacturing,

education, agriculture, tourism, housing road infrastructure, job opportunities among others.

In the same vein, the PDP maintained that the verdict by the Imo state tribunal has reinforced the confidence of the people in their determination to salvage and reposition their state under Governor Emeka Ihedioha.

The party said that since his inauguration in May, Governor Emeka Ihedioha has rekindled the hope of the people for a better state with his effort towards order, accountability and transparency in

the polity.

This, it stressed further, is in addition to his established commitment towards revamping critical infrastructure in the state especially in the road, manufacturing, education, urban and rural development, security, healthcare among others.

The PDP therefore urged the governors as well as other public officials elected and appointed on its platform to continue in the spirit of selfless service to the people, in line with its manifesto and visions of our founding fathers.

PAGE 17

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 25, 2019

From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

J

igawa state Governor, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar Badaru has sent the list of eleven Commissioners nominees to the state House of Assembly for screening.

Reading the list before the members on the floor of the state Assembly yesterday, the Speaker, Honourable Idris Garba Kareka, said Governor Badaru’s action is in order, timely and in line with the provision of the constitution.

He said the list contained Abba Umar Zakari, Aminu Usman Yakubu, Ibrahim Baba Chaichai, Muhammad Alhassan and

Politics

Jigawa Assembly screens 11 Commissioners, as former leader, chief whip get suspension Muhammad Alhassan.

Others are Kabiru HASSAN Zugugun, Babangida Umar Gantsa, Yelwa Da’u Tijjani, Salisu Zakari Hadejia, Lawan Yunusa Danzomo and Musa Adamu Aliyu respectively.

Meanwhile, during the sitting

yesterday, the lawmakers announced the suspension of former Majority Leader, Alhaji Sani Isyaku Gumel, member representing Gumel constituency and former Chief Whip, Alhaji Aminu Sule Sankara, member representing Ringim constituency.

The Chairman House committee on Information, Alhaji Aminu Zakari Gwiwa said the two members are suspended for six months over illegal interference in the committee formed to investigate misappropriation of fund between 2017 to 2018 in the House.

SDP supporters storm INEC, protest over plot to disqualify guber candidate

By Lateef Ibrahim

H

undreds of supporters of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, on Tuesday, stormed the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Abuja, protesting the alleged move to disqualify the governorship candidate of the party, for the November 16 governorship election on Kogi State, Hajiya Natasha Hadiza Akpoti from contesting the election.

The protesters, who stormed the INEC office in Zambezi crescent, Mataima, Abuja, as early 8am, carrying placards with various inscriptions.

Some of the inscriptions on the placards read, “Natasha must contest, we no go gree’, “ Natasha is Kogi’s hope”, “Say No to intimidation, Natasha is our choice”, “We are for peace” and “It is Natasha or nobody” among others.

Checks by our correspondent revealed that the person whose name SDP initially submitted as it governorship running mate for the governorship election, Mr Muhammad Bashiru Yakubu is less than 35 years of age as prescribed by the electoral law, following which the party sought to replace him with Engr. Khalid Adam.

The letter written by SDP to INEC to that effect on Monday, which was the deadline set for replacement of names of candidates, was reportedly turned down by the Prof Mahmood Yakubu-led commission.

The development, which impliedly means that SDP will not field candidate for the election, it was gathered, was the reason why the protesters stormed the INEC office yesterday, to ensure that such thing did not happen.

The SDP protesters, who were similarly joined by some leaders of the Young Progressive Party, YPP, and Allied Peoples Movement, APM, vowed not to vacate the INEC premises until their issue was addressed formally.

Attempts by security personnel attached

to the INEC headquarters, made up of mobile and regular policemen as well as operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, to disperse the protesters however proved abortive , as they (the protesters) stood their ground.

While speaking with journalists at the venue, the SDP governorship candidate, Natasha declared that they will not sit back, fold their arms and allow INEC disenfranchise them.

According to her, “I am a bonafide Nigerian. We will not sit back and allow INEC to disenfranchise us and derail our democracy”.

She expressed dismay as to why the commission was making it difficult for SDP to make a replacement within the stipulated period set by the same INEC.

The National Chairman of the YPP, Mr. Bishop Amakiri , while also speaking at the venue, maintained that the judiciary should be allowed to interprete the law, stressing that it is not for INEC to do so.

In the words of Amakiri, “It is the judiciary that will interpret the law and not INEC that will Interpret the law for us.

“We are contesting this governorship election in Kogi and Bayelsa by the special grace of God, and we will win.

“INEC will be put into shame in Kogi and Bayelsa States”, he said.

Similarly, the governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, Mr Yusuf Dantale, accused INEC of acting the script of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. Dantale said that INEC was deliberately out

to disqualify parties and candidates who are considered as threat to the second term bid of Governor Yahaya Bello of the APC. The SDP candidate and two others, who were later allowed into the INEC office to meet some officials of the commission, were still holding talks with the commission as at the time of filling this report.

The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, in response to enquiries on the matter, said, “The Commission has not yet taken a decision on the disqualification or otherwise of Political Parties or their candidates”.

He added, “You cannot tell a political party that its nominated candidate has been rejected without valid reasons, if at all a letter was indeed written to that effect”.

The Governorship Candidate in the coming election in Kogi State under the Social Democratic Party [SDP] Hadisa Natasha Akpoti led a protest to the INEC Headquarters, yesterday in Abuja, over her alleged disqualification INEC.

Boko Haram: Reps want FG to create special security fund

By Christiana Ekpa

T

he House of Representatives yesterday urged the federal government to create a special security fund for security agencies outside of the national budget.

This was just as the House moved to investigate activities of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating in the country; as well as reintroduce the bill seeking for the monitoring of NGOs by an established commission of government.

These resolutions followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Hon. Mohammed Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno) titled “need for special intervention in the security situation in Nigeria” Leading debate on the motion, Monguno, who is the chief whip, noted that Nigeria in recent times has witnessed unprecedented level of insecurity, which has made national

security a major issue for the government.

He said the efforts of President Muhamadu Buhari towards curtailing insecurity in Nigeria as well as other measures aimed at deterring or disturbing potential attacks.

The lawmaker explained that he was aware of the interaction between the leadership of the House and security chiefs on the deteriorating security situation in Nigeria, appreciating the efforts of the security agencies in curbing the menace of insecurity despite the challenges they face.

“Cognisant of the need for new strategies and expedited action to ensure that insecurity in Nigeria is reduced to the barest minimum”, he stated.

Adopting the motion, the House also resolved that its leadership should interface with parliaments of other countries especially the United States of America’s (USA) Congress with a view to overcoming all regulations that bar Nigeria’s security

agencies from purchasing arms and ammunition from those countries and the US. Following an amendment proposed by the minority leader, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu (PDP, Delta), the House also agreed to investigate activities of all NGOs operating in the country and if possible reintroduce the NGO regulatory bill, which was sponsored by late former deputy House leader, Hon. Buba Jibril in the 8th Assembly.

Elumelu reasoned that “what we are discussing now has been captured in section 83. So, we should not over flog this matter. What we need to do is to inform the presidency that the security agencies need to be properly funded.

“I think that it is high time we investigated the NGOs operating in Nigeria, and they should be registered and we should know where they get their funding. Also,

we should resolve to visit our brothers in other Parliaments; we complained to the executive”.

Responding, the Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila said “we will in due course, have an executive session about the security meeting we had yesterday. Last time, late Hon. Buba Jibril tried to sponsor the NGO’s regulatory bill, there was a public outcry.

But after the revelation from the security chiefs yesterday, there is need to revisit that proposed legislation. We will also be meeting with some of the NGOs, because one rotten egg can spoil one basket of eggs”.

While shedding light on the motion, Gbajabiamila said “As you’re all aware, the leadership met with the security chiefs for upward of five hours yesterday, this motion

by Hon. Monguno is a part of the fallout from that meeting. More will be coming; and this motion is part of the ways to help them to do their job”

PAGE 18

Health

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 25, 2019

Page 19

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 25, 2019

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

When engraced ones pray for special needs children

NAMA acquires equipment to aid aircraft land in adverse weather conditions

L R: Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Abhay Thakur, Managing Director, Simba Group, Chief Vinay Grover and Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Sen. Omotayo Alasoadura, at the Unveiling of New Show Room of TVS, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

R

elief has come for air travellers in Nigeria especially during adverse weather conditions like harmattan that usually warrant flights cancellations with the delivery of consignments of equipment for category 3 Instrument Landing Systems/Distance Measuring Equipment (ILS/DME) for a pilot phase for Lagos and Abuja airports.

The equipment, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) said were cleared over the weekend from Apapa wharf and have arrived already the agency’s premises at the domestic wing of the Lagos airport.

Managing Director of NAMA, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu said, the new equipment are part of the agency’s effort to ensure that aircraft land in adverse weather condition especially during the harmattan.

He noted that the landing aids installation will commence soon.

He also revealed that the second phase of the project involving the installation of ILS/DME in Kano, Port Harcourt and Katsina airports will commence as soon as Lagos and Abuja installations are complete.

The NAMA helmsman stressed that the choice of these airports was informed by the severe weather conditions prevalent in them.

Members of the NGO and partners during Saturday’s prayer.

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

I

t started like chorus, but now it has stanzas, attracting voices across ocean.

The Engraced Ones prayer support group started with one person’s initiative, it later expanded to two, gradually the chain stretched and is currently accommodating many voices championing the advocacy for children with special needs.

In the prayer group, everyone is represented; the haves and the haves not.

In fact, chunk of the population rely on others and can’t provide for their children.

Despite these, the ‘khaki leader’ insist that everyone must show love to those in need regardless.

The group which comprises of mothers of special needs children always believe in the power of the Almighty God to handle all situations.

Interestingly, the NGO’s third quarterly prayer meeting saw many people who came to assist the organisation to attend spiritual heights.

Speaking at the weekend during the Prayer at its School of Grace, in JikwoyiAbuja, the Coordinator, Mrs. Bibora Yinkere harped on the dream, successes and challenges.

“This advocacy group for me is a call from God to address certain challenges that parents of children with special needs are passing through in the country. I

said it is a call from God because I didn’t start the group when my daughter was three years old, until recently when I am being compelled in my spirit to start something. When the inspiration came to me, I discussed with other parents who have children with special needs and they saw the need for us to come together as a group. When we started, all we do was to pray and encourage each other on how to handle the challenges.

“It is challenging running this programme but God has been faithful to us. Currently, we support one another; The Engraced Ones, care givers and lovers of children with special needs. We are all women and we support one another and share stories on our various challenges.

We pray together and encourage each other.

“We have prayer meeting in homes where we gather and pray for our children.

We also have sensitization programs where we go to the market, schools, churches and various communities to talk to people and tell them how they can identify these children and know the factors responsible.

While speaking on the need to involve stakeholders, the Coordinator said, “there are so many things that people don’t know about this kind of condition. We have gifted children who are classified under this special needs. If you have a child

that is a genius in a regular class room, it is a problem because he can’t fit where other children are assembled. There are also children with syndrome, children living with autism, etc are other various conditions we are fighting against.”

“For instance, autism is a major challenge and most people are not aware.

It is a mental condition, present from early childhood, characterized by great difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with other people and in using language and abstract concepts.”

Autism has been studied extensively and increasing research is indicating that nutrients like Glutathione and Vitamin C could be useful for supporting some of the problems associated with this complex condition.

Children with autism have low levels of glutathione, and often have impaired glutathione detox pathways. Some of the symptoms of autism include; Delayed learning of language, difficulty in making eye contact and difficulty in holding a conversation.

Others are; Lack of interest in making friendships, poor motor skills, repetitive mannerisms, fixation on objects and lack of spontaneous or make-believe play.

She called on parents of children with special needs to come out and not to give in to fear. “Unfortunately, some parents have not yet come to terms with certain

realities about their children. Some withdraw completely from society, and we try to talk to them and bring them out of the situation.

“Irrespective of the conditions, parents should know that the children are human beings, they should see it as an avenue to take care of them. The parents should be caring and observant so as to better take care of the children. There is a face of denial, but they need to come out of it. Some went through suicidal stage and blame themselves that probably they didn’t do certain things right during pregnancy, some feel like killing the child while some kill the child eventually.

Also speaking, a member of the NGO, Mrs. Gbemisola Alade, said prayer is the secrete weapon of the organisation.

“We always seem the face of God because we know He is the only one that can help us. No matter our challenges in life, when we turn to God, He will not abandon us. God is the only way out of any problem we face in life.”

She urged members of the public to always seek the face of God at all times.

“We can’t do anything on our own.

Whatever we do, it is God that completes it for us. Our human effort is never enough to address any problem unless if God wills it. We at this NGO understand the power of God that is why we call on him to intervene.”

UN, AfDB join forces to deliver Africa from extreme poverty, hunger

By Etuka Sunday

W

ith an estimated 390 million people living in extreme poverty, hunger and food insecurity, Africa is in a race against time to deliver on its regional and global development goals.

On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on Sunday, African heads of states and governments met to emphasize urgent collective action and the need for greater collaboration between the United Nations and the African Development Bank to fasttrack Africa’s development.

The meeting, convened by the African Development and the United Nations, is “the first of its kind” between the two institutions taking place at the UN Headquarters, UN Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed said.

Underscoring the strong convergence between the continent’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals and

the African Development Bank’s High 5s, Mohammed said it was time to join forces to deliver.

“We are entering into the decade of action to deliver the SDG’s…The investment requirements are vast,” Mohammed said. “The role of the African Development Bank is crucial… to help de-risk investments and attract investment flows……..Africa’s premier institution needs much more support” she added.

The leaders called for additional resources to drive the urgent task of Africa’s development.

Speaking at the meeting, the President of the African Development Bank said, “The clock is ticking, the seconds are passing very fast, yet we still have time left on the clock. We can still close the gap. I am fully convinced that with a change of pace, driven by a greater sense of urgency, and global collective responsibility, Africa can still achieve the SDGs”.

The two-hour meeting, moderated by the African Development Bank, was attended by seven African presidents

– from Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Ethiopia and Lesotho, in addition to representatives of some 30 governments.

The leaders spoke of what had worked in their countries - including mainstreaming development goals into national plans, scaling up initiatives, and the implications of harmonizing policies and strategic entry points for the implementation of development goals at national, regional and global levels.

Ambitious development initiatives undertaken by the Bank with regional collaboration are already showing success, such as Desert to Power, which aims to provide access to electricity for 250 million people across the 11 countries of the Sahel, 90 million of them through off-grid systems.

Vera Songwe, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa called the SDGs Africa’s “highest challenge.”

Stemming the tide of illicit financial flows, public debt and tax

evasion would be urgent measures to be taken by leaders if they meant to stay on track, she said.

Areas for potential collaboration include climate change in Africa, gender mainstreaming, promoting private sector investment, measures to utilize risk insurance to mitigate impact of natural disasters in Africa and appropriate security arrangements to support the Bank’s operations in fragile states in on the continent.

The African Continental Free Trade Area, which came into force this year and creates the world’s largest free trade zone, will be another major area for collaboration under the partnership.

An assessment by the United Nations Development Program has clearly shown that achieving the Bank’s High 5s will allow Africa to achieve about 90% of the SDGs. “So, the faster we deliver on the High 5s, the faster we will reach our goal and desired destination,” Adesina said.

NITDA investigates Truecaller over privacy rights breach of 7m Nigerians

By Etuka Sunday

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he National Information Technology Agency (NITDA) said it has commenced investigation into potential breach of privacy rights of Nigerians by the Truecaller Service.

The Director General/CEO, NITDA, Kashifu Abdullahi Inuwa in a statement said, the Agency, in accordance with Section 6(f) of the NITDA Act 2007, which empowers it to render advisory services in all information technology matters to the public and private sectors, wish to inform the public that it commences investigation of the potential breach.

The statement said, initial findings revealed that the Truecaller Privacy Policy is not in compliance with global laws on data protection and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) in particular.

It said, “the findings also revealed that there are over seven million Nigerians who are active users of the Service, hence the need to enlighten the public on some of the areas of noncompliance as well as guide those affected.

“Is made of two sets - one for those in the European Economic Area (EEA) and the other for those outside the EEA. Nigeria falls under the second category. Furthermore, every Nigerian user is contracting with Truecaller India.

“There are marked differences between both policies. Critical assessment of the policy

revealed non-compliance with the NDPR. Examples of these are outlined below: “Article 1.1 states that ‘Truecaller may supplement the information provided by You with information from third parties and add it to the information provided by You.’ “This provision contravenes Article 2.1(b) of the NDPR which requires data collection and processing to be accurate and Article 1.3(iii) which requires that valid consent must be specific.

“By supplementing the personal information of Nigerians without specific consent and accuracy, they are susceptible to serious invasion of their privacy.

“This has encouraged unscrupulous persons to continue using Nigerian identities to perpetuate fraud.

“Article 1.2 states that ‘When You install and use the Services, Truecaller will collect personal information from You and any devices You may use in Your interaction with our Services.

“This information may include e.g.: geo-location; Your IP address; device ID or unique identifier; device manufacturer and type; device and hardware settings; SIM card usage; applications installed on your device; ID for advertising; ad data, operating system; web browser; operator; IMSI; connection information; screen resolution; usage statistics; default communication applications; access to device address book; device log and event

information; logs, keywords and meta data of incoming and outgoing calls and messages; version of the Services You use and other information based on Your interaction with our Services such as how the Services are being accessed (via another service, web site or a search engine); the pages You visit and features you use on the Services; the services and websites You engage with from the Services; content viewed

by You, content You have commented on or sent to us and information about the ads You see and/or engage with; the search terms You use; order information and other usage activity and data logged by Truecaller’s servers from time to time’.

“The above provision of the Truecaller Privacy Policy is clearly excessive and invasive of the privacy of its users. Article 2.3(2)d of the NDPR provides - when assessing whether consent is freely given, utmost account shall be taken of whether the performance of a contract, including the provision of a service, is conditional on consent to the processing of Personal Data that is not necessary (or excessive) for the performance of that contract.

“Contrary to the expectation of many users, the Truecaller service collects far more information than it needs to provide its primary service.

“Article 3 states that ‘Truecaller may also share personal information with third party advertisers, agencies and networks. Such third

parties may use this information for analytical and marketing purposes.’

“It is global best practice for Users to be informed of the possible third-party processors’ information may be shared with and for what purpose. This Policy flaunts this rule which is also enunciated in the NDPR. “The foregoing are samples of the many illegitimate provisions found in the Truecaller Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. The implications of these are far-reaching. The provisions of the policy can be exploited to put many Nigerians in unsavoury conditions.

In view of this, we urge all Nigerians to take advantage of Article 4 of the Truecaller Privacy Policy which provides – “If any persons do not wish to have their names and phone numbers made available through the Enhanced Search or Name Search functionalities, they can exclude themselves from further queries by notifying Truecaller via its website at or as set forth in the contact details below…” Members of the public may also decide to delist themselves from the Truecaller Service completely.

“NITDA would like to assure Nigerians that it will continue to monitor the activities of digital service providers with a view to ensuring that the rights of Nigerians are not unduly breached while also improving the operational environment to support ethical players in their bid to get maximum benefit from Nigeria,” the statement said.

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 25, 2019

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News

Niger: Proprietress, director of Wisdom International School honoured

By Usman Shuaibu

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he Proprietress of Wisdom International school Kwankwashe in Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, Mrs. Elizabeth Okafor, has been conferred with the media award of “Astute Educator “ by the management of orator communications limited, the publishers of the Orator weekly newspaper based in Niger State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Also, the Director of the Institution, Engr.

Okafor Joseph Ugonna was conferred with the media award of “Visionary Youth Builder” by the Orator organisation.

Conferring the awards on the two personalities on Tuesday at the school premises, the managing editor of the Orator weekly newspaper, Mr Nasir Oseni, said the two awards were conferred on the proprietress and director based on their outstanding contributions towards the development of education in Suleja and Niger State at large.

Oseni commended the management of Wisdom International Schools for the steps being taken to put in place structures in the school to enhance learning.

Responding, the proprietress of the school, Mrs Elizabeth Okafor, expressed joy over the award conferred on her.

She said the award would ginger the management of the school to continue to provide quality education for the students/ pupils in the school, noting that teachers were doing humanitarian job in the society.

She thanked the management of the Orator Communications Limited for the honour done to the school.

On his part, the Director of the School, Engr. Okafor Joseph Ugonna, said the award came to him as a surprise.

Joseph Ugonna also said the award would give him more encouragement to move the school to the next level in the interest of the students / pupils.

Not left out, the Principal of the School, Ogbu Roselyn, said the award conferred on the proprietress and director by the Orator weekly newspaper was a step in the right direction.

METRO

Buhari committed to lifting 100m Nigerians out of poverty-Osinbajo

By Lawrence Olaoye

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ice President Yemi Osinbajo has said that President Muhammadu Buhari was committed to financial inclusion in other to actualize his promise of lifting 100 million people out of poverty.

In a statement made available to his spokesman, Laolu Akande, the Vice President stated this yesterday in Abuja at the opening session of the 2019 Annual Conference of Chartered Institute of Bankers.

According to the Vice President, “Financial inclusion of course is the key to realizing so much of what we expect as an economy and the President promised in his June 12 speech to lift 100 million people out of poverty in ten years, that is the

commitment of the government of Nigeria.

“We started that journey with our collaboration with the Bank of Industry to deliver the GEEP programme, better known as TraderMoni and MarketMoni by providing microcredit to almost 2 million petty traders. The Bank of Industry has now brought this huge bottom of the pyramid into the formal financial system and that has been recognized worldwide.

Recently the programme won the AfDB prize for financial inclusion because of the work that was done with TraderMoni. This is a huge task.

“Going forward, we now need to embark on financial training for all of those who have been brought into the net. As you know, when they’re given N10, 000 and they pay back, they are

given N15, 000, N20, 000 and it goes all the way. But at that point they’re given their BVNs, they’re formally included in the financial system, they’re formally included as formal traders, and so we are able to give them financial training and all that.”

He added “for very long, that bottom of the pyramid has been completely excluded and yet informal trade is a significant part of trading that is going on in our country.

“So, there’s a real need out there and we must devise the methods by which those at the bottom of the pyramid can be uplifted and we must look at how we can even resource the entire value chains. What we find is that the petty trader, who just has a trade, is usually selling little bits and pieces from many of the

manufacturers or fast-moving products and we found that just by giving them credit, we can resource the whole value chain all the way up.”

Speaking further on what the Federal Government intends to do in improving opportunities for those at the bottom of the pyramid, Osinbajo said “we’re working with the Bank of Industry, with several players in the market, especially the marketing services people to identify how to work through those value chains so that more of these people can move from petty trading, higher up in the value chain as they’re resourced”.

He urged stakeholders in the banking sector to support government’s efforts in resuscitating the MSMEs and real sectors.

L-R: Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, presenting souvenir to Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, during the Governor’s visit to the Air Force Headquarters, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: NAN

Bradford Varsity, IPCR in pact to end diversity mismanagement in Africa

By Ochiaka Ugwu

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he University of Bradford in United Kingdom (UK) in collaboration with Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) is addressing the challenges of diversity mismanagement in Africa through the promotion of education at all levels.

In a press statement released Tuesday in Abuja and signed by Head of Media of IPCR, Mr. Musa Mato, it noted that a Professor of Diversity in University of Bradford, Uduak Archibong made this known in Abuja on Wednesday 11 September, 2019 while speaking at the conference on “Peace, Diversity and Education” with the theme: “Achieving sustainable peace through diversity management and peace education in Africa.”

According to the statement, “Vice Chancellor of the University of Bradford, Prof. Brian Cantor,

noted that education is the key to address many challenges facing the countries of Africa, especially Nigeria, saying that Nigeria is rich in diversity, which should be a massive source of strength for nation-building and sustainable peacebuilding”.

He explained though the continent of Africa has continued to grapple with numerous challenges associated with diversity mismanagement; however education is a veritable tool for peace, security and development.

Also speaking, the DirectorGeneral of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Dr. Bakut T. Bakut explained that the conference is structured around critical issues of security and strategic interest not only for Nigeria but for Africa in general.

Bakut said it would also afford critical stakeholders the opportunity to review and reassess pathways for

constructive management of the continent’s rich diversity.

The objectives of conference, according to Dr. Bakut Bakut include “highlighting and examining the impact of diversity mismanagement to the peace, security and development of Africa.

Dr. Bakut, noted that the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, has continued to build bridges that would strengthen and foster internal cohesion within Nigeria and indeed across Africa through policies and programmes such as the Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corp (TAC) aimed at assisting other sister African countries with specialized manpower.

“Some of the Nigerians that were deployed to these locations have married our African brothers and sisters. Similarly, the National Youth Service Scheme of the Federal Government has been strengthened under the

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PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 25, 2019

current administration in order to encourage national cohesion, integration and unity,” he said.

Notable scholars such as Owen Green, Professor of International Security and Engobo Emeseh, Professor of Law at University of Bradford delivered papers at the conference.

The key speaker at the conference, Prof. Dakas C.J Dakas, said that diversity is something that could be celebrated; however, he said it could be a conflict trigger if it is not properly managed or when it is manipulated.

The best ways to manage diversity will be to give more attention to education and to diversify the economy so as to create employment for the teeming youth population in Africa.

“Education has the power to liberate and make people less susceptible to manipulation”, he said.

Some of the ransacked structures used for recreational and other business activities, during FCTA’s raid on Parks in Wuse, Abuja, yesterday. Photos: Stanley Onyekwere

By Stanley Onyekwere

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he Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) yesterday demolished shanties, nightclubs, beer parlours, car marts and other illegal structures in designated Parks and Gardens in Wuse Zone 6 area of Abuja, in continuation of its reinforced measures to mitigate abuse of such places.

Our correspondent reports that the FCTA through a joint team drawn from relevant departments and agencies under the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) carried raided and destroyed illegal structures within Surich Park, and two other Cluster Parks in Wuse Zone 6, for operating without approval or outside the designed land use.

It was observed that the FCTA officials, accompanied by a a joint security personnel carried out the demolition exercise, after the operators or occupiers of the affected structures were allowed

FCTA demolishes shanties, kiosks, nightclubs in Wuse Parks to salvage their valuable wares from the Parks.

Recall that called about two weeks ago, the AMMC officials went round identifying infraction within Parks, with the aim of sanitising them in line with the purposes for which they were allocated to their developers and operators.

Speaking during the exercise, Director, Development Control Department, Murktar Galadima, noted that it was a follow up to its ongoing sensitization campaign and enforcement of development standard,which the government will continue till it have achieve its goal.

Galadima said it’s going to be

all over Federal Capital City (FCC), wherever there are designated parks, to ensure prevailing activity is in line with what was approved for the development of such parks.

He also cautioned operators of Parks and Recreational Spots not to do any transaction with any person that is not officially assigned to do that kind of transaction.

According to him: “This administration have been up and doing in regards to implementation of our standard.

“I’ll like to caution them (operators of parks) not to deal with anybody not officially assigned to do that responsibility,

because sometimes some touts will claim that they’re working for the constituted authorities whereas it’s not true.

‘However if any of our staff is found wanting, we are going to apply the civil service rule.”

Similarly, Director, FCT Parks and Recreation Department, Arc. Ali Ukele, the affected parks are not designed for recreational purposes but supposed to be developed for basic Park form, which entails they should have green and park benches, and we are not supposed to have buildings in them, so that’s the infractions observed.

He said: “There are some park operators that have approved

allocations, but a lot of them don’t have, so if you don’t have and you are operating illigally this operation will also catch up with you.

“We have shanties where people are sleeping within the parks, and you can see all sort of things in the Parks, there are laundry services, and all sort of shanty related activities, so we can’t allow the trend to continue.

“Also, there are security threats, because people sleep in Parks, and we have complaints from residents, because people come from parks and then rob or disturb them in the night, then disappear into the parks, so this is the issue.”

AYA-Nyanya: Task Force begs military to ease traffic jam

By Stanley Onyekwere

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he Ministerial Task Force on decongestion of traffic gridlock on Abuja-Keffi Expressway Road has appealed to the military to consider adopting new approach to help ease the traffic on the ever ever busy route.

Speaking to newsmen, Chairman of the Team, Comrade Ikharo Attah said the team had just concluded a meeting with representatives of the military where ghey appealed to them to show understanding on the plight of road users on that axis.

He noted that the military check point in Kugbo area of that road has been said to be largely responsible for traffic build up, especially in the mornings.

Recall that the Abuja Keffi road has been notorious for traffic holdup in the recent time. In the mornings, a distance which ordinarily should take comutters 15 to 25 minutes to get to the city centre has stretched road users for hours, making workers get exhausted before reaching their work places.

Also, in the evenings, workers return exhausted and don’t get enough rest

before the next day’s job. It was against this background that the FCT Minister, Muhammad Musa Bello set up this Team last week.

In a related development, the Team early hours of Monday intercepted a top military officer, who drove against traffic and insisted that his convoy and all others who joined in the illegality turn back and do the right thing.

The incident, had sent a signal that it is no longer business as usual and that no illegality would be tolerated henceforth.

According to Comrade Attah, the team chairman said that all traders on the road

corridors and those encroaching on the roads have been removed.

However, some Abuja residents who commended the the FCT Minister for setting up the committee as the results are beginning to show, also called for sustainability of the programme.

Residents called on the Minister to adopt strategies that will sustain the strategy to keep the road open.

Equally, other commuters charged the minister to extend the committee job to other routes so that road users there too can enjoy free flow flow of traffic.

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 25, 2019

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world news

N international_peoplesdailyng@yahoo.com

Supreme Court: Suspending Parliament was unlawful, judges rule

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oris Johnson’s decision to suspend Parliament was unlawful, the Supreme Court has ruled.

Mr Johnson suspended - or prorogued Parliament for five weeks earlier this month, but judges said it was wrong to stop MPs carrying out duties in the run-up to Brexit on 31 October.

Supreme Court president Lady Hale said “the effect on the fundamentals of democracy was extreme.”

The PM says he “strongly disagrees” with the ruling but will “respect” it.

A raft of MPs have now called for the prime minister to resign and some have said they would attempt to force him out if he did not go of his accord.

‘Undeterred’ Mr Johnson argued he wanted to carry out the prorogation so he could outline his government’s new policies in a Queen’s Speech.

But critics said he was trying to stop MPs from scrutinising his Brexit plans and the suspension was far longer than necessary.

At a speech in New York, the PM said he “refused to be deterred” on getting on with “an exciting and dynamic domestic agenda”, and to do that he would need a Queen’s Speech.

The court ruling does not prevent him from proroguing again in order to hold one, as long as it does not stop Parliament from carrying out its duties “without reasonable justification”.

Live: Reaction to the Supreme Court ruling What just happened?

And what happens now?

Key lines: the judgement dissected Your questions answered Delivering its conclusions, the Supreme Court’s president, Lady Hale, said: “The decision to advise Her Majesty to prorogue

The Supreme Court declared “Parliament has not been prorogued”

Parliament was unlawful because it had the effect of frustrating or preventing the ability of Parliament to carry out its constitutional functions without reasonable justification.”

Lady Hale said the unanimous decision of the 11 justices meant Parliament had effectively not been prorogued - the decision was null and of no effect.

She added that it was important to emphasise the case was “not about when and on what terms” the UK left the EU, but about the decision to suspend Parliament.

Speaker of the Commons John Bercow said MPs needed to return “in light of the explicit judgement”, and he had “instructed the House of Commons authorities to prepare... for the resumption of business” from 11:30 BST on Wednesday.

He said prime minister’s questions would not go ahead, but there would be “full scope” for urgent questions, ministerial statements and applications for emergency debates.

Black panther stolen from zoo after being Venezuela denounces US threats of domination at UN rescued from rooftops in French town

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nited Nations, Sep 24 (Prensa Latina) During his speech at the 74th session of the UN General Assembly, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza assured that his country has the right to build its own political system, which does not imitate any other.

‘We have our challenges, but it is a model created by our people,’ he emphasized as part of a meeting to defend the UN Charter, a document signed on June 26, 1945, at the end of the United Nations Conference on International Organization, which entered into force on October 24 of the same year.

Arreaza reiterated that Venezuela’s commitment has always been to peace.

Since his arrival in New York (United States) on Monday to join the UN General Assembly, the Venezuelan minister has held

bilateral meetings with authorities from countries such as Portugal and Equatorial Guinea.

He also signed a Memorandum of Understanding for future collaboration with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet.

As part of the document, the possibility of an agreement that would allow the establishment of a UN office in Venezuela was evaluated.

The memorandum includes the strengthening of national mechanisms for the protection of human rights and access to justice, while facilitating possible visits by UN special rapporteurs over the next two years.

The details of these activities will be agreed in a work plan to be defined between the government of the South American nation and the UN Human Rights Office within 30 days of signature.

Magnitude 5.8 quake rocks Pakistani Kashmir, kills 19

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n earthquake of magnitude 5.8 shook northern Pakistan on Tuesday, killing 19 people and injuring 100, government and police officials said.

Photos and video carried by local media showed a collapsed building and cracks in roads large enough to swallow cars in Mirpur, a town on Pakistan’s side of the disputed territory of Kashmir near India.

District commissioner Mohammad Tayyab said 19 people were killed, including three children. District police chief Irfan Saleem said more than 100 more suffered injuries.

“I am in the hospital right now and I am being told that several of the injured people are in a critical condition,” Saleem told Reuters by phone.

Major General Asif Ghafoor, a spokesman for the Pakistan Armed Forces, tweeted that army troops with aviation and medical support teams were dispatched.

“Thank God, the damage is confined to one particular area, and this one is pretty accessible from all sides,” the chief of Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority, Lieutenant General Mohammad Afzal, told ARY News TV. “I can tell you right now that there is not a fear of a very big death toll.”

The rescue operation looked to be complete by Wednesday evening, Afzal said.

“Our whole concentration right now is to accelerate the rescue operation,” Raja Farooq Haider, prime minister of Pakistan’s Azad Kashmir region, told GNN TV. “There are people who are stuck there and who need immediate help. We are putting in all our resources to get people the best of our help.”

The quake struck 14 miles (23 km) north of Jhelum, Pakistan, at a relatively shallow depth of 10 km, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported.

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black panther which caused panic after escaping in a northern French town last week has been stolen from the zoo it was taken to after being recaptured.

The animal was kept as a pet by a resident in Armentieres, a town close to the Belgian border.

It escaped out of an open window and was seen prowling across the town’s rooftops on Friday.

Eventually the animal was captured and tranquillised by the fire brigade.

Staff at the zoo arrived on Tuesday to discover the animal had been stolen.

Its pen had been forced open by intruders.

“The animal was the only target,” said Arnaud Decagny, the town’s

The Black Panther mayor, according to the AFP news agency.

Mr Decagny added that “considerable efforts” were made to force locks and avoid security systems.

Police officers are checking

footage from the zoo’s CCTV system.

A local animal protection organisation said the panther was a six month old female.

During its initial escape, the animal attracted a crowd of residents as it prowled across the town’s roofs.

Dozens of people ringed the row of houses to watch the panther explore the rooftops, forcing emergency workers to erect a cordon.

“She is beautiful, wonderful to see in real life,” one resident told La Voix du Nord newspaper.

The zoo’s staff are concerned about the young animal’s health, as it lacks strength.

The animal’s owner is on the run and is wanted by detectives for keeping a dangerous animal in a private residence.

UN Releases ‘Unprecedented’ Report Linking Antisemitism to BDS Movement

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sraeli, Jewish and pro-Israel groups all applauded the publication of an ‘unprecedented’ United Nations report on antisemitism, that, among other issues, links antisemitism to criticism of Israel and the BDS movement.

“This report marks one of the first times the UN has addressed the issue of antisemitism in any detail,” said Anne Herzberg, Legal Advisor and UN Liaison at NGO Monitor.

“The Special Rapporteur condemned the use of antisemitic tropes and denial of Israel’s right to exist by BDS activists.

Importantly, the Rapporteur also recommends the IHRA definition as a useful tool in combating antisemitism.

Hopefully, UN bodies, particularly the Human Rights Council, will follow the Rapporteur’s lead by adopting IHRA and ending their promotion of antisemitic tropes and attacks on Israel’s legitimacy.”

The report, “Combatting Antisemitism to Eliminate Discrimination and Intolerance Based on Religion or Belief,” that was released by the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Ahmed Shaheed, defines antisemitism as a global phenomenon—not one largely confined to the United States and Europe—as has been the case in many previous UN reports. The Special Rapporteur recognizes that the sources of antisemitism are varied, coming from the far right, from members of radical Islamist groups and from the political left.

The report identifies violence, discrimination and expressions of hostility motivated by Jew-hatred as a serious obstacle to the enjoyment of the right to freedom of religion or belief. It expresses “serious concern that the frequency of antisemitic incidents appears to be increasing in magnitude and that the prevalence of antisemitic attitudes and the risk of violence against Jewish individuals and sites appears to be significant, including in countries with little or no Jewish population.”

Additionally, the report “notes claims that the objectives, activities and effects of the Boycott Divestment Sanctions (BDS) movement are fundamentally antisemitic.”

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 25, 2019

The report recommends that all UN member states adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism. So far, 18 of them have done so.

“The Special Rapporteur recognizes that the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism can offer valuable guidance for identifying antisemitism in its various forms, and therefore encourages States to adopt it for use in education, awareness-raising, and for monitoring and responding to manifestations of antisemitism,” stated the report.

Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, commented that “we welcome the release of this unprecedented report on the subject of antisemitism. The report reflects the organizational change towards Israel. The assertion that the BDS movement encourages antisemitism is an important UN statement. As I have said many times, antisemitism has no place in our society, and must be denounced everywhere and from every platform.”

“Thanks to Ahmed Shaheed’s methodical and determined leadership, the UN finally is recognizing the severity of this ages-old hatred against Jews, and offering constructive guidance to member states on how to combat antisemitism effectively in their own countries and globally,” said Felice Gaer, director of the American Jewish Committee’s Jacob Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights.

The World Jewish Congress also applauded the report’s release.

“We hope that this report serves as an eye-opener to the United Nations and its member states and that they finally take concrete action to stem the surge of antisemitism across the globe,” said World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder. “We are grateful to have been able to take part in the facilitation of this research to ensure that the very real concerns facing our communities on a daily basis were not only taken into consideration, but also addressed as areas deserving of serious and direct attention.”

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Official: Luxembourg firms consider morocco a gateway to africa

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eputy Prime Minister of Luxembourg Etienne Schneider said that companies from Luxembourg, which are active in the African market, see Morocco as a real investment hub.

Schneider, who is also Luxembourg’s Economy Minister, met with Morocco’s Minister of Industry Moulay Hafid Elalamy on Monday, September 23. The meeting is part of the visit of

the Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg, Prince Guillaume, and his wife Princess Stephanie de Lannoy to Morocco for an official visit.

Schneider reaffirmed that Luxembourg is determined to further develop its economic relations with Morocco.

He added that his country “aspires to make the port of Tangier Med its hub on the African continent.”

Sudan’s army denies reports that S. Sudan rebels occupies area in Southern Kordofan

Chairman of Sudan’s Transitional Military Council (TMC), General Abdel Fatah al-Burhan (File/ Supplied/Nyamilepedia)

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outh Sudan army denied on Monday reports that South Sudan rebels are occupying an area in the country’s Southern Kordofan state.

Between Sunday and Monday, some Sudanese media houses alleged that South Sudan rebel forces loyal to General Johnson Olony were occupying an area in Sudan’s Southern Kordofan state.

The reports alleged that the rebel soldiers was collecting illegal taxes from residents of Abu Nawara of Abu Jabaiha locality in Southern Kordofan state.

However, the Sudanese army rubbished in a statement on Monday the news saying the reports are untrue and it was in control of the whole country and was protecting the sovereignty of Sudan.

“Some newspapers and social media [users] reported on Sunday of attacks by rebel forces belonging to state of South Sudan and that they occupied large areas in Southern Kordofan states and assaulting the citizens of the region such as farmers and herdsmen and robbed their money,” the statement seen by the Nyamilepedia partly read.

“The Armed Forces is hereby making it very clear that this news is untrue and unbalanced and affirms its commitment to protecting the lives of the citizens and its ability to deter anyone working to destabilize the nation,” the statement added.

The statement further urged the “citizens not to pay attention to such rumors and the Armed Forces will continue to do their duty to fulfill the promises and secure the homeland.”

Police, army battle FDC supporters in Hoima

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usiness came to stand still for several hours in Hoima town as police and the army battled opposition supporters led

by Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine, the Kyadondo East member of parliament.

Kyagulanyi emerged from nowhere to the middle of Hoima town at around 2 pm causing commotion in the town centre. Flanked by Asinansi Nyakato alias Kamanda, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) candidate in the Hoima Municipality parliamentary race, Kyagulanyi moved through Wright road amidst tight security.

But as they approached Bujumbura road, police and army personnel, led by Christopher Katumba, the Hoima district police commander intercepted the crowd directing them to head to Duhaga roundabout, where the FDC offices are located.

An argument ensued and after several minutes, Kyagulanyi

was driven to Duhaga where they proceeded to Dwoli primary school for a public rally, the official last campaign ahead of polls to be held on Thursday. Police had earlier on issued directives against processions in the town centre.

Meanwhile, President Museveni addressed his first rally at Mbarara village, Kitoba Sub County where he challenged Ugandans to use the prevailing peace to cause development.

He rallied the people of Hoima to vote for Harriet Businge Mugenyi, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate in the race, saying NRM is the only party with a vision of transforming this country. He is set to address another rally at Hoima Boma grounds this afternoon.

The Hoima Woman MP seat fell vacant after Tophace Kaahwa, the former woman MP opted to represent the people of the newly created Kikuube district that was carved out of Hoima and became operational on July 1, 2018.

The Electoral Commission has set September 26 as the polling day for the by-election. This is the first-ever hotly contested election in Hoima with an opposition candidate competing with the NRM candidate.

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Middle east and North Africa demonstrations

Prominent human rights lawyer and activist, Mahienour el-Masry was seized by men in plainclothes at around 7pm on 22 September and bundled into a minivan after she left the SSSP building where she had been representing a detained human rights lawyer. She was later questioned by an SSSP prosecutor on the unfounded charges including “aiding a terrorist group in achieving its goals” and “spreading false news” in a case that dates back to protests that took place in March 2019, before ordering her detention pending investigations.

At least three people have been also arrested from their homes in Suez, including Rashad Mohammed

Egypt: World leaders must act to stop President al-Sisi’s repressive crackdown

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head of further protests expected on Friday, world leaders must confront President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and utterly condemn the crackdown he has waged to counter the outbreak of protests in recent days, said Amnesty International as heads of state meet at the UN General Assembly in New York this week.

Amnesty International has documented how the Egyptian security forces have carried out sweeping arrests of protesters, rounded up journalists, human rights lawyers, activists, protesters and political figures in a bid to silence critics and deter further protests from taking place. The government has also added the BBC and Alhurra news to the list of 513 other websites already blocked in Egypt and disrupted online messaging applications to thwart further protests.

“The government of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is clearly shaken to its core by the outbreak of protests and has launched a full-throttle clampdown to crush demonstrations and intimidate activists, journalists and others into silence,” said Najia Bounaim, North Africa Campaigns Director at Amnesty International.

“The world must not stand silently by as President al-Sisi tramples all over Egyptians’ rights to peaceful protest and freedom of expression.

Instead of escalating this repressive backlash, the Egyptian authorities must immediately release all those detained for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression and assembly and allow further protests on Friday to go ahead.”

Amnesty International has documented the arrests of at least 59 people from five cities across Egypt during protests that took place on the nights of 20 and 21 September.

Local human rights organizations have reported hundreds of arrests all over Egypt. The Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights reported that 964 individuals have been arrested in relation to the protests between 19 and 24 September.

President al-Sisi responded to questions from media in New York yesterday claiming that the protests were instigated by “political Islam”, however Amnesty International found that in fact the protesters came from an extremely diverse range of age, socioeconomic, gender and religious backgrounds, including non-political backgrounds. All those detained faced the same “terrorism”- related charges.

Police violence In scenes that have not been witnessed in Egypt for years, crowds of protesters gathered in Cairo’s iconic Tahrir square, as well as in Alexandria, Dumyat, Mahala, and in Suez chanting slogans against President al-Sisi’s rule and decrying corruption and detention. The response from the authorities was swift.

Amnesty International has verified three videos showing police officers

beating protesters taken into custody and firing birdshot and tear gas to disperse crowds of peaceful protesters.

One of the videos shows police officers beating an unarmed protester before dragging him into an armoured vehicle, while another policeman opened fire with birdshot on people running away from vehicles.

Using verified video footage showing Egyptian security forces, Amnesty International has identified the vehicles as French-made MIDS and Italian-made IVECO armoured vehicles. Amnesty International has previously documented the use of French MIDS in repressing protests in Egypt.

“These protests came as a shock because the authorities thought they had permanently intimidated protesters through the heavy-handed tactics of the past six years including arbitrary arrests and the use of excessive force, including lethal force.

The fact that protesters risked their lives and liberty to protest against President al-Sisi’s rule suggests his ruthless tactics have garnered frustration and anger,” said Najia Bounaim.

Sweeping arrests Hundreds of detainees have been held in Central Security Forces camps without access to their lawyers or families. Some were later released, but at least 274 were brought before the Supreme State Security Prosecution (SSSP), and at least 146 in front of local prosecution offices in Cairo, which was seconded by the SSSP to keep up with the numbers arrested, according to the Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights and lawyers.

According to lawyers, prosecutors questioned suspects about their participation in the protests and told them they were being investigated on charges that include “aiding a terrorist group in achieving its goals”, “spreading false news”, “participating in unauthorized protests” and “ “misusing social media” to disseminate information of a “terrorist group,” a term used to describe the Muslim Brotherhood, before ordering their detention for 15 days.

Politicians, journalists, activists rounded up In the aftermath of the protests, Egypt’s security forces have continued with a campaign of repression rounding up lawyers, journalists, activists and politicians.

Amnesty International has also documented the arrest of five journalists. Sayed Abdellah, who had been sharing news about the protest in Suez on his Facebook account, was arrested at home on 22 September; and Mohammed Ibrahim, founder of the well-known blog “Oxygen Egypt”, was arrested for posting videos about the protests when he attended a police station in Cairo on 21 September as part of his probation conditions.

Kamal, a labour leader who also took part in the protests. The authorities have also continued with arrests across in Egypt, with at least seven party leaders and lawyers arrested in the early hours of 24 September.

Other politicians arrested include Abed Aziz Husseini, the vice president of the Karama party, following a statement issued by the party announcing it was suspending its activities in response to unprecedented repression and AbdelNasser Ismail, vice president of the Popular Socialist Coalition Party.

“President al-Sisi will face a crucial test over the coming days. The world will be watching his response to the protests and if his repressive crackdown continues to intensify, Egypt’s international allies must send a clear message that the ruthless crushing of peaceful dissent will not be tolerated,” said Najia Bounaim.

Media censorship and internet disruption Amnesty International has observed and verified ongoing network disruption activities targeting web content and media platforms, such as BBC News, and web services including communication apps, such as Wire. These have either been blocked or restricted making it harder to communicate or access information. Amnesty also received alerts of temporary service disruptions on WhatApp and Signal.

“It seems the authorities are trying out new network interference tactics to restrict people’s ability to access information, communicate securely and organize. They are keeping an eye on how people are adapting and learning to develop counter measures,” said Ramy Raoof, Tactical Technologist at Amnesty Tech.

The Supreme Council for Media Regulation confirmed that BBC News’ website had been blocked due to “inaccurate” coverage of the demonstrations. Egypt’s State Information Service also warned foreign correspondents that they should “abide by internationally recognised professional standards in their coverage of Egyptian affairs and news”.

Background: Scattered protests first broke out in cities across Egypt on 20 and 21 September, calling on President al-Sisi to resign. The protests are believed to have been sparked by corruption allegations shared by former army contractor Mohamad Ali accusing army leaders and the president of wasting public money on building luxury properties.

The day before the protests began, police arrested the brother of USbased Egyptian activist Wael Ghonim, Hazem, because of videos Wael had posted in which he criticizes the Egyptian authorities and President al-Sisi. Both were later accused of “aiding terrorist groups” by the SSSP.

PAGE 24

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 25, 2019

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e w s F r o m A SI A China to show off indigenous advanced weapons in military parade on Oct 1

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hina will put on a massive parade of its most advanced weapons next week in a display of its indigenous military capabilities, the Defence Ministry said on Tuesday (Sept 24).

The People’s Republic is celebrating 70 years of its founding on Oct 1 and the parade, the largest ever to be staged, will take place in the heart of Beijing.

The Defence Ministry revealed more details about the show of military technology on Tuesday in a briefing, pointing out that the weapons on display would be “made in China” and already in service.

“They will include some new types of weapons in use in the Chinese military...

They will reflect China’s ability to independently research and develop weapon systems,” said Major-General Tan Min, executive deputy director of the military parade joint command office.

About 15,000 military personnel, 160 aircraft and 580 different pieces of military hardware would make up the 59 formations of the 80-minute long parade, the Defence Ministry said.

For the past three weekends, during full dress rehearsals, tanks and other military hardware were seen rolling down Chang’an Avenue, the main boulevard that passes through the centre of the capital.

Military observers are watching closely the hardware that China will trot out on Oct 1 for signs of how the country’s military is

developing.

China has embarked on reforming its armed forces in recent years in an effort to turn the People’s Liberation Army into a modern fighting force - a strong military is a key part of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s “Chinese dream”.

Mr James Char, a Chinese military expert at Nanyang Technological University, said Beijing is now trying to “play down how its military industries continue to exploit foreign technologies” for some of its more advanced defence technology.

Defence Ministry spokesman, Senior Colonel Wu Qian, noted that China only had 17 aircraft at the military parade held to celebrate the founding of the People’s Republic 70 years ago. This led then Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai to order each aircraft to fly twice over Chang’an Avenue.

Crowds were sparse in Beijing’s posh shopping district Wangfujing on Sept 22, after shops and malls were made to close at 2.30pm ahead of a rehearsal for the military parade on Oct 1, 2019.

Senior Colonel Wu also took aim at criticism that China was using the opportunity to flex its military muscles at a time when it is grappling with external challenges, in particular deteriorating ties with the United States.

Col Wu said: “When we show to the public our armaments they will say we are flexing our muscles, otherwise they

Real estate agency transactions need Estate Surveyors -ESV.Oradiegwu

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

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ESV. Chinwe Oradiegwu.

In a photo taken on Sept 21, a military vehicle passes along a street in Beijing which was closed off for a rehearsal of the military parade on Oct 1 to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.PHOTO: REUTERS would blame us for not being transparent.

In response to this strange logic, the thing to do is to stay committed to our own development.”

But plans for a grand show of China’s military prowess could be overshadowed.

The environment ministry warned in a

Indonesia protests over sex before marriage bill

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olice have fired tear gas and water cannons at protesters demonstrating outside the Indonesian parliament over a proposed new criminal code that would ban sex before marriage.

Protests against the bill also took place in other cities in the country.

The bill would outlaw most abortions and make insulting the president illegal.

The bill has been delayed, but protesters are concerned it could still eventually pass through parliament.

What’s in the controversial bill?

The proposed new criminal code includes the following: Sex before marriage would be criminalised and could result in a one-year prison term Living together outside marriage could lead to a six-month prison sentence Insulting the president, vice president, religion, state institutions and symbols such as

the flag and national anthem would be illegal Abortion would carry a maximum four-year prison term if there were no circumstances of a medical emergency or rap The bill was initially scheduled for a vote on Tuesday - however, President Joko Widodo postponed the vote on Friday, stating that that new laws needed more consideration.

Why are people protesting?

Despite the delay, many Indonesians are concerned that the bill could still be pushed through parliament.

Police were pelted with rocks and retaliated with tear gas There is also anger over the passing of a new law that has weakened the Corruption Eradication Commission, an important arm in rooting out corruption.

What happened on Tuesday?

Thousands of protesters, many of which were students, took to the

streets in cities across Indonesia.

The main clashes took place in the capital Jakarta as demonstrators demanded to meet parliament speaker Bambang Soesatyo.

Protesters pelted police with rocks, who responded with tear gas and water cannons.

Students tend their injured friends during protests in Jakarta One placard held by a woman said: “My crotch does not belong to the government”.

Protests in other areas, including Yogyakarta and Makassar on Sulawesi island, continued for a second day.

“We’re going to parliament to oppose the new law for the anticorruption agency that are not propeople but are pro-corruptors,” Fuad Wahyudin, 21-year-old student from an Islamic university in West Java, told Reuters.

More than 5,000 police have reportedly been deployed to maintain security in Jakarta.

statement published late on Monday that adverse weather conditions are expected to lead to heavy smog building up around Beijing over the next two weeks.

It urged local governments to pay close attention to

Pakistan earthquake: Houses collapse in 5.8 tremor

n Estate Surveyor and Valuer, ESV. Chinwe Oradiegwu, said the need to involve an Estate Surveyor in real estate agency transactions has become very critical in Nigeria.

Oradiegwu stated this, yesterday in Abuja, while speaking to Peoples Daily.

She explained that a typical agency transaction has to do with the middle man that

links a prospective buyer of a property to the owner of a property or the prospective tenant to the landlord.

According to her, the middle man brokers the transaction till payment is made, paper work is done and property is handed over to the buyer or tenant.

She added that “These days, people see everyone into property transactions as agents including touts and security men”.

She pointed out that “the way to differentiate

BUK honours COREN President for quality leadership

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

T

he management of Bayero University Kano (BUK), recently organized a grand reception for the president of Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Engr. Aliyu A. Rabiu, for his exceptional and leadership quality at the University Senate Chamber.

The Vice Chancellor of BUK,Prof.

Muhammad Bello,said that honoring Engr. Aliyu Rabiu, COREN President, was due to his quality leadership over time. “When we heard that he was elected as the council’s president, We felt that as an Alumnus of BUK, it was necessary to honour him.

According to him, the COREN President had

made the University proud in view of his sterling contributions to engineering profession in particular and national development in general.

“You are a true and good ambassador of this University and we wish you a successful tenure.

On his part, COREN President said he was overwhelmed by the infrastructural development of the university in the last twenty years, and other ones I had seen. I am really proud to be associated with BUK,” he declared.

Engr. Rabiu advised Nigerian Universities to concentrate on programmes relevant to their environment especially in the area of science,technology and innovation.

He reaffirmed his commitment in ensuring standards and quality in engineering program across the nations’ tertiary institutions.

S

A

5.8 magnitude earthquake has struck eastern Pakistan, killing at least 19 people and injuring more than 300, local officials say.

The quake’s epicentre was close to the city of Mirpur, in Pakistanadministered Kashmir.

Photos circulating on social media show a huge crack on a main road in the area, and partially destroyed houses.

The full extent of the damage is not yet known. Thousands of people died in a powerful quake in the area in 2005.

Kashmir’s 2005 earthquake: Broken city, broken promises

“The quake was 10km (six miles) deep... The worst hit was Mirpur,” Pakistan’s chief meteorologist, Muhammad Riaz, told the AFP news agency.

Children are among the dead, reports say.

Many Mirpur residents left their offices after the quake, fearing aftershocks Pakistan’s military said “aviation and medical support” teams had been dispatched to the area.

After Tuesday’s earthquake, tremors were felt as far away as the capitals of Pakistan and India, Islamabad and Delhi respectively.

Are you making plans to extend such to other FHA 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.

How do you intend to sustain the programme?

We intend to sustain it with the collaboration of all the stakeholders’ 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

Arc.Onjefu Ochoche Ag.General Manager Quality Control, Federal Housing Authorty(FHA). 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.

What are your plans to address illegal Conversion?

Let me say this; originally, when the estate was developed, we had a plan on ground, but as always said, planning is 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

between a quack from an Estate Surveyor and Valuer when it comes to real estate transactions in Nigeria is professionalism”.

“The certificate the professionals have, has set the difference between the Estate Surveyor and the quacks. Estate Surveyors have offices while quacks sit under trees in Abuja so you can not trust them with transactions” ESV. Oradiegwu, said.

She further explained that there can be sanctions on the Estate Surveyor if anything goes wrong in any transaction done because there is a regulatory body which is The Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors & Valuers (NIESV), that regulates the surveyor and protects the clients, while quacks do not have such professional body.

Fashola call for collaboration with National Assembly on project completion

T President of Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Engr. Aliyu A. Rabiu

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 authority is collaborating with relevant stakeholders to address Gwarinpa estate traffic situation. He also advised residents to always obey traffic laws. Ochoche also spoke on other sundry issues. Excerpts:

ir, 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.

Page 25

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

FHA, stakeholders’ addressing Gwarinpa traffic situation - Arc. Ochoche

Many Mirpur residents left their offices after the quake, fearing aftershocks

Protesters clashed with police outside parliament in Jakarta

Property

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 25, 2019

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.

Addressing illegal conversion 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.

he Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has called for a stronger collaboration with the National Assembly for the completion of all on-going projects, pointing out that there was no abandoned project in the sector.

Speaking during an interactive session with the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on abandoned Federal Government’s Projects (Works) from 1999 till date, the Minister said that one of the mandates of President MuhammaduBuhari was to complete all projects inherited from the previous administrations.

He stated, “It is the government policy to ensure that we complete as many projects as possible. Unlike in the past, this government has focused on completing projects.”

Fashola said: “No project has been abandoned, but we have some projects where works is delayed due to contractors having issues with the local communities as well as payment of outstanding debt.”

He also noted security, contracts review cost due to time lapse and weather as some of the factor responsible for the delay in the completion of on-going projects.

This was contained in press statement signed by Stephen Kilebi Deputy Director (Press), said the minister disclosed that on the issues of funding,the Ministry got only N18bn when he first assumed office in 2015 which was not enough to complete one major road in Nigeria.“Now there is a distinction, we have increased the budget to roughly about N300bn, but we still can’t fund the N300bn,”he said.

Accordingly, Fashola therefore called for adequate budget appropriation, releases and collaboration with the National Assembly in the areas of funding and prioritization of projects for implementation. “Our revenue is not growing with the same size as our projects, so we need to prioritize our projects by laying emphasis on the A1- A4 projects that would be of benefits to our people,” he said.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Honourable Francis Uduyok stated that the essence of the interaction was not to witch-hunt any ministry or person but to investigate Federal Government abandoned projects from 1999 till date.

He also explained that they were to evaluate and determine the cost of completion of the projects, make appropriate recommendations for their completion in the annual budgets, adding that they were also to access the viability of the projects and their benefits to Nigerians.

The Chairman commended the Minister for his elaborate presentation to the Committee.

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesday, September 25, 2019

26

feature

CLASSIFIED

Snopes: How do you survive 25 years debunking fake news?

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ow do you survive 25 years in the factchecking business?

Snopes began as a forum for sharing and investigating urban legends and cool folklore.

But in a world where “fake news” dominates, where disinformation is a part of the political sphere and misinformation touches every single corner of the internet, what is it about this online encyclopaedia which has made it become the go-to bible for many fact-checkers?

And how is it evolving to deal with the current landscape?

The Snopes website and social feeds have become a reservoir of bizarre facts, political nuggets, investigative journalism into hardhitting subjects - as well as the most weird stories you can imagine.

From questions around President Donald Trump’s tweeted policy suggestions to queries around Disney’s Goofy and whether he is actually a cow, there seems to be very little that the fact-checkers haven’t had to cast a sceptical eye over.

News events keep the trending list of top 50 rumours current with a question over the veracity of images emerging as a result of Hurricane Dorian popping up. But often older debunks turn up again and again such as ones focusing on a story about ‘dangerous cosmic rays passing close by the earth’ and viral ‘deathbed warnings’ by Apple co-founder Steve Jobs.

David Mikkelson, the co-founder of Snopes, says: “People come to look up things they’ve encountered on the internet and find out whether they are true or not.

Snopes looks at a wide manner of stories “We’re hoping that the site doesn’t end up like this permanently but that’s the niche we’re in right now. We’re like a number of other sites that fact-check mostly political items. But we still look at the sort of odd things people post on Facebook and elsewhere and examine the sorts

of urban legends we started out with years ago.”

Of course there are regular debunks his team come across again and again. Mr Mikkelson says: “There are certain stories that never go away. There’s a note that says if you are using an ATM and someone pulls out a gun on you, then if you enter your PIN (personal identity number) in reverse it will summon the police. That comes back again and again.

“And there’s that message that is always circulating on Facebook that states that Facebook is about to make all your private messages public or urging people to assert copyright over everything they have ever posted. It doesn’t matter how long ago these rumours started or how frequently they’ve been debunked - they come back time and time again.”

Mr Mikkelson, who is based in Tacoma, Washington, says that he’s no longer surprised by the variety of topics that his team of 15 spread out across the country now end up covering but they do have rules about what they will cover.

“The standards we use for fact-checking are about going after what most people are questioning or asking about.

“We don’t make any judgments about what’s too silly or obvious or frivolous or not important enough.”

However he added that sometimes he found it disconcerting what the audience considered to be important and how it was sometimes very different to what his team would consider reporting.

“There may be rumours of a chemical attack against civilians in Syria and all sorts of rumours about whether that happened and who was involved. There are questions around did the government do it; was it an outside force etc and that doesn’t get much interest.

“But then you might have a ridiculous story about something like a woman giving birth in an elevator and it gets millions of views.”

He said the team got their ideas from a variety of sources from emails to queries posted

If Nigerians got angry enough at the Beninese today and attack a few in Lagos, the world would shout xenophobia; but what about the continuous, perennial behaviour of Benin Republic and its citizens that has over the years jeopardized their country’s economic development. I am not raising a defence for xenophobic attacks anywhere in the globe.

It is barbaric, uncivilized and nations and individuals must come to terms that it must be stopped in totality in all its form.

However, we must set in place conducive environment for people to live together anywhere on the continent. Those in positions of authority must be compelled to create enabling environment for all to thrive socially and economically. Nations must respect nations and relate symbiotically and reduce parasitic relationships. Immigrants must live strictly by the rules of their host nations and we must altogether seek and protect the welfare of each other.

INTERNAL REFLECTION Xenophobia is a child of hatred. We complain about South Africans hating and

killing our brothers and sisters in their country while all what we manifest toward ourselves as Nigerians is hatred along every demarcating line. How much do we preach split-up of our common entity? We may not be killing nonindigenes on our streets now, but we know what hatred is capable of breeding and so many of our people wish they could do. How many Nigerians have been killed by fellow Nigerians because they belong to a different religious group, different ethnicity or different political affiliation? We preach separation; we preach hatred openly so much that the unity of our nation seemed threatened beyond repair, yet like the true hypocrites we all are, we still have the audacity to condemn others who are just the mirror image of what we are.

Just as our continent cannot grow on hatred so also will our nation not grow on the bitterness we create, breed and nurture within our system. Up North, the Boko Haram and armed bandits are busy killing and maiming innocent citizens; in the east, MASOB, IPOB, BIM are non-relentlessly agitating for separation of the country, with many lives lost already and still counting. Some criminally minded people never stop sabotaging the

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

Bliss Robot Education HUB foundation

UMUNWANNE DI NA MBA SOCIAL CLUB OF NIGERIA

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

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.Ahamefule Michael Chimezie 2.Ugwoha Iheukwumere Chioma Cecilia.

3. Alakwe Chinonye Joy

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. UTOWHO BLESSING OGALI 2.OGBUNEZU IKECHUKWU 3. MGBAKO JOAKIN OKWUDIRI 4. EZEAKO JUSTIN CHIKE

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To cater for the education of the less privileged.

David Mikkelson by his computer monitor with a doctored photo in the early days of Snopes on Facebook to tools showing them what was Facebook alone - it has had a bumpy few years.

Snopes pulled out of a fact-checking trending across Google, Twitter and Reddit.

Some articles could take just several partnership with Facebook earlier this year, minutes to pull together and stamped as “fake” choosing not to renew its contract.

Mr Mikkelson had co-founded Snopes with as the source from which they came would be his then wife Barbara. The couple divorced a site known for pumping out misinformation.

“Other things can take days or weeks and and Barbara sold her share of Snopes’ parent we have to track down stories, locate various company Bardev Inc to five individuals in experts, wait for people to get back to us or in 2016 who at that point were all associated extreme cases try to get access to records using with a company called Proper Media. But Mr Mikkelson is now locked in a litigation tools like the Freedom of Information Act.” The site has a section dedicated to debunking battle with a number of ex-business associates fake images - describing it as fauxtography - from the company regarding the commercial and most recently, it’s come out stating that it’s interests of the site with numerous court dates trying to avoid using the term ‘fake news’ with called.

Snopes has been fundraising for money to Mr Mikkelson preferring to use the label ‘junk news’ instead. In August, Snopes revealed a help with its costs.

While Mr Mikkelson is optimistic that new rating system including identifying content Snopes will survive, he says that he doesn’t which its creators have described as satire.

In a note published on the Snopes site, know exactly what the site’s future will look like Mikkelson states that it’s important to cover until the dispute is resolved.

The site also comes under attack over the humour and satire and highlight the viral stories that fall under this label - such as a dog stories it covers and is regularly accused of pictured with a slice of ham on its face with a being biased but Mr Mikkelson states this is “an occupational hazard” when a company is note stating it had been badly burned.

“Our mission is to service that audience as involved in fact-checking: “It doesn’t matter best we can by providing them with accurate how impartial you were, there is always some and helpful information. It’s not our job subset of the audience that is determined to to disparage them for being confused by believe what they want to believe.”

“We’re an element of pop culture now and something that appears ridiculous to others, or to disdain them because it’s their “own fault” for we’re a vital part of the journalistic world. But misunderstanding the “obvious,” or to ignore we’re also a business with multiple employees them because they’re puzzled by something that now and it’s a very different challenge to be heading up a business to operating a hobby site. wasn’t deliberately created to fool them.”

“We’ve lasted this long and it’s a pretty good David Mikkelson believes Snopes will bet that we are resourceful. We are always going continue to have a future While Snopes remains a valuable resource to be here one way or another.” for fact-checkers - it has more than 235,000 Source: BBC followers on Twitter and 690,000 followers on

Xenophobic attacks and the wider picture Cont. from page 32

economy of the country. The Tiv and Junkus killing each other denotes ingrained hatred beyond the one exhibited by the South Africans.

A good number of states in Nigeria have, in the recent past, mulled the possibility of sending off non indigenes from their states; if that is not xenophobia, what is it?

Oneness has since become a rare attribute of our society, religion that should be used as a rallying point for preaching peace has become the most deadly front for preaching hatred.

Without restraint or consideration for national cohesion, revered men of God openly preach religious animosity. Today, we suffer from ethno phobia, religious discrimination, racism and even hatred for one’s own country.

We must find a way to wriggle ourselves out of the cluster of hatred we are currently enmeshed. We cannot and we will not progress this way. We must rediscover the factors that bind us together. We must discover the elements and factors sowing the seeds of discord and separation in our country, these we must weed off.

Nigerians want to remain Nigerians and are still very happy being Nigerians; the individuals who have sold their souls to the

PAGE 27

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 25, 2019

devil and would not care if the nation breaks as long as they can achieve their selfish evil plans are the ones we must fish out and treat as the enemy of our commonwealth which they are.

I was equally in tears when I read of Nigerians returning from South Africa reciting the National Anthem in the joy of returning home. Some of these people would be wrongly called IPOB members, who don’t believe in Nigeria any longer, but that is wrong. Today over 95% of Nigerians of south-eastern origin still believe wholly in Nigeria and would not give the country up for anything.

The manifestation of this love for the country must begin to be the force that drives all of us. That is the only way we can overcome the seed of hatred already sown by our enemies.

When, like Mr. Allen Onyema said, we all manifest open love for the fatherland, hatred would become a thing of the past.

It is a fact that posterity will tell the story of Peace Airline which volunteered to airlift Nigerians from South Africa without recourse to their tribal affiliations. My central message is this: Let us love and treat one another right at home, so that no one dares hate us or maltreat us outside.

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.Vera.

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.TO CREATE SENSE CORPORATION, UNITY, PEACE AND PROGRESS AMONGST MEMBERS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

DELTA-NORTH PEOPLE APEX 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.NWANZE AMAECHI PATRICK -- 2.PROF. EMMANUEL ACHUENU, -- SECRETARY 3.DR. IFEANYICHUKWU OWA 4.ONWUEMENE JUDE IFECHUKWUDE 5.PROF JULIE NWABOGO EFEMENA UMUKORO, 6.ENGR DR. ANAZIA ANINYE EMMANUEL 7.DR. HENRY EMEKA OBIDI 8.MEJU VICTOR ONYEAYANA

CHAIRMAN

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To bring together all sons and daughters of like minds of Ibo extraction from ANIOMA irrespective of their places of abode to collectively and harmoniously work towards the common good of themselves and the entity called ANIOMA (Aniocha, Ika, Oshimil and Ndokwa).

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. TAUNU ESEOGHENE

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BOBBOI BALA KAIGAMA FOUNDATION

GET-INVOLVED INITIATIVE FOR TRANSFORMATION

THE OLD NAME : ELF PETROLEUM PENSIONERS ASSOCIATION OF NI

GERIA THE NEW NAME : TOTAL (E&P) PETROLEUM PENSIONERS

ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. BABBOI BALA KAIGAMA 2.SENATOR IBIKUNLE AMOSUN 3. PETER ESELE 4. RAKIYA BOBBOI BALA 5. MARYAM BOBBOI BALA 6.ABUBAKAR BOBBOI BALA

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED BODY HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. MR AGAMALAFIYA JAMES MUSA PRESIDENT 2. MRS AGAMALAFIYA MARY IKHALELU VICE PRESIDENT 3. MISS UDUAK SAMSON UWAH - TREASURER 4. MOPSI JOSHUA NENKAT - SECRETARY

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1. TO PROMOTE GLOBAL BEST PRACTICE AS IT PERTAIN TO HUMAN RIGHTS DEMOCRACY AND JUSTICES.

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1. To create awareness about governance to the citizens.

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

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

SIGNED : SECRETARY

SIGNED : SECRETARY

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. MR. MICHAEL ANWANKUO - RETAINED 2. MRS. ELIZABETH OYEFESO - REMOVED 3. MR. MAMMED YUSUF - REMOVED 4. MR. ABIODUN AKINRODOYE - RETAINED 5. MR. GABRIEL ABULUDE - RETAINED 6. MR. SAMUEL AJAYI - RETAINED 7. PAUL UGWE JOEL - APPOINTED 8. OKORO PATRICK EVWIELERHEMURE ARE - APPOINTED. THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REMAIN THE SAME. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS APPLICATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

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PUBLIC NOTICE

BAYELSA GOSPEL ELDERS PRAYER FELLOWSHIP

THE GIDEONITE INTERNATIONAL GOSPEL CHURCH

Reformed Christian Deliverance and Healing ministry

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

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.

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. Elder (Rev) AMADA, Robert Sokari - Chairman.

2. Elder (Prof) TAWARI, Commander Charles - Vice Chairman.

3. Elder (Pst) ANGAYE, Bibo David - Secretary.

4. Elder (Rev) BOLOUPREMO, College Weridonghe - Treasurer.

5. Elder (Dr.) DENENU, Emmanuel Oweilakeme - PRO.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. ONWELIKWU ISAAC CHIDI(CHAIRMAN) 2. ISAAC HENRIETTA UJUKA(VICE CHAIRMAN).

3. CHIDI NWABUEZE PETER(SECRETARY) 4. UKPOR CHIKA BRIGHT(MEMBER) 5. CHIDI EMMANUEL SUCCESS(MEMBER).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.OFIME JOHN EDWARD, 2.OFIME ANGELA NWAYIBUIFE .

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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

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

SIGNED : SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

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THE HELP PROVIDER INITIATIVE

AFRICAN SOCIETY FOR DISASTER RISK MANAGERS

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) Abosede Adeniyi sakariyah 2) Toyin Adewole 3) Oyinkansola Odebo 4) Togun Iyabo bola THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To help the less privileges and the needy.

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) PROF. NGBOAWAJI DANIEL NTE; 2) DR. ADAM ABDULLAHI; 3) SHEHU AHMED; 4) EDWIN OCHAGWUBA; 5) MOHAMMED TAHIR; 6) ASABE TUMBA, THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To manage environmental and disaster as well as involve in risk management 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

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1) AHMED SHEHU; 2) EDWIN OCHAGWUBA; 3) MUSA UMAR; 4) YESIR SHEHU AHMAD; 5) MOHAMMED AUDU, THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To empower women and youths 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

PAGE 28

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 25, 2019

LEGAL NOTICE

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Winding up

MAIZE RICE GROWERS AND TRADERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA

The Arm of the Lord Prayer Altar

Iyoros Foundation for Peace

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.Jamilu Yusuf 2.Tasiu mohammed 3.Zayyad mohammed THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To promote welfare of members.

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

By Barr. Segun Ajayi

PUBLIC NOTICE

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

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Pastor ANGAYE, Bibo David Agorowei. Coordinator.

2. Pastor AMGBARE, Geoffrey Dick.

3. Brother OGBOGENE, Agah Tuku.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Ajube-Jula Bliss Tam Peter 2. Ajube Pouwe Happy 3. Ajube Blessing Layefa

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1. TO HELP THE LESS PRIVILEGED.

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

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

SIGNED : SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

LIGHT OF GOD BRETHREN FELLOWSHIP 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. Adams Peter 2. Oguche Gabriel Godson 3. Philip Jeremiah Hassan 4. Abah Daniel - SECRETARY 5. Ejiga Jeremiah Eleojo 6. Adams Joseph Imidowojo 7. Idoko Martha 8. Onoja Ruth Deko 9. Jeremiah Monday Precious 10. Israel Ojochogwu Elisha 11. Amodu Agada Isaiah.

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.

- CHAIRMAN

Winding up

BINI OIL AND GAS CONTRACTORS INITIATIVE

RAISING FORWARD MINDS 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.

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. OSAGIE ANDREW EGHAREVBA 2. LAWANI OSABUOHIEN 3. KARO BROWN 4. ALEXANDER OJO 5. DANIEL AIVINHENYO

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.Etimbuk Archibong Udofia 2.Ekamma Unyime Udofia THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To provide education for the less privileged.

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To preach the gospel of our lord Jesus Christ.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1.TO CREATE A FORUM FOR THE EDUCATION OF MEMBERS ON CONTRACT TRENDS IN THE OIL AND GAS BUSINESS. 2. TO PROVIDE SENSITIZATION SECRETARIAT FOR MEMBERS ON STANDARDS AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS IN THE OIL AND GAS CONTRACTS.

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

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

SIGNED : SECRETARY

SIGNED : LAWANI OSABUOHIEN.

SIGNED : SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

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PUBLIC NOTICE

BENSON AND ELIZABETH ENWEREONU FOUNDATION

PEACE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION RESOURCE CENTRE CAC/I.T/NO. 81314.

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) IHEDIOHA, Ebere Cordelia Akunna Chioma.

(2) ENWERONU-LARYEA, Chika Christabel.

(3) ENWERONU, Victoria.

(4) ENWERONU, Betsy.

(5) ENWEREONU, Kester Chukwudi.

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To promote the lending of helping hands to the indigent people 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

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

THE RETAINED TRUSTEES ARE : (1) KINGSLEY ACHIBONG UMOH. (2) DERA NNADI (3) EMMANUEL MONDAY ADENIYI. (4) FRANK. MBA. (5) OLABISI WEY. THE APPOINTED TRUSTEES ARE : (1) MALA JESUTOMIPE OLOLADE. (2)FAMUYIWA AYODELE KESHINRO. (3) BADA KEHINDE MARY. THE REMOVED TRUSTEES ARE : (1) HOSEA CHIBUEZE IGWE. (2) STEVE AZUKA OKONMAH. (3) CHRIS CHIDI OSUNKWO. THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REMAIN THE SAME. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS APPLICATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

LOSS OF DOCUMENTS

GLOBAL CYBER CRIME PREVENTION AND LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION

MERCY AND GRACE INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY ARK OF FIRE

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THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.ANIETIE EYOH - CHAIRMAN 2.Festus Elume - SECRETARY 3. Dr Omakara Ufuoma Samson THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1.To monitor cyberspace activities 2.To enlighten the society about the effects of cybercrime 3.To educate the public on the dangers of cybercrime 4.To empower the youths and the less privileged 5.To partner with the security operatives to fight against cybercrime etc 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 OF THE LOSS OF ORIGINAL LETTER OF INTENT FOR GRANT OF A PLOT FOR RELOCATION OF SQUATTER SETTLEMENT AT KUCHIKO VILLAGE IN RESPECT OF PLOT NO D12 IN KUCHIKO MEASURING ABOUT 370SQM ,BEARING CHRISTY LUKA WHICH BELONGS TO CHRISTY LUKA WHICH IS MISSING AND ALL EFFORTS MADE TO TRACE THE MISSING ORIGINAL LAND DOCUMENTS HAVE PROVED ABORTIVE, IF FOUND PLEASE RETURN TO THE NEAREST POLICE STATION OR TO THE ABOVE MENTIONED OWNER. GENERAL PUBLIC AND AUTHORITIES CONCERNED PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

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.

ASABA PROGRESSIVE’ 16 CLUB 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. ODICHI CHINEDU COLLINS - CHAIRMAN 2. ODUAH FREDERICK CHIWETA. - SECRETARY. 3. ONWUKA OKECHUKWU BENJAMINE 4. ONIANWA FUMNANYA ANSELM THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE: 1. TO PROMOTE PEACE AND UNITY AMONGST MEMBERS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : ODICHI CHINEDU COLLINS CHAIRMAN.

PUBLIC NOTICE Yadah Christian center 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. Oki Kingsley chinedu 2. Oki-oloja Beatrice onyeche 3. Agada levi THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To preach the gospel of Jesus christ.

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

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Wednesay September 25, 2019

WAFU Nations Cup: I don’t want artificial victory -Imama Amapakabo A

head of Saturday’s match with Togo in the 2019 West Africa Football Union championship, Super Eagles B team coach, Imama Amapakabo has disclosed that while he aspires to win the trophy with the home-based Eagles, the victory would make no meaning to him if the players did not go ahead to develop and become better players.

Amapakabo who spoke with ESPN said he would not like to achieve what he referred to as “artificial victory”, added that any victory achieved in a tournament without two or three players from the team going on to become better players within three days, is a “selfish success.”

Of the four finals played, the Super Eagles have contested three, winning one; Ghana and Senegal are tied on two each. The only final that Nigeria missed was in 2013, when they failed to attend the tournament. Incidentally, one of their final losses was to Togo, their opening-day opponents at this year’s tournament in Senegal; but we will return to that later.

Nigerian coaches always go into tournaments, especially in Africa, with ambitions of returning home with the whole caboodle. They should. Because that is what the fans and officials expect.

This year is no different. Especially for a team with the record that the Super Eagles boast at the competition. But Imama Amapakabo, who will coach the team to this year’s tournament, tells ESPN that his objectives are broader than just winning “As a coach, every time I win a trophy it adds to my CV,” Amapakabo said, “But I don’t like artificial victories. If I have success with the team and two to three years down the line the players don’t develop, it becomes a selfish success and that is not the type of success I want to talk about.”

Amapakabo’s goal, instead, is to build a team that produces personnel who will serve the country for years down the line “I want to look at my team holistically where after winning trophies I have about nine or 10 of them doing well in Europe.

Then it would be my joy that as a coach I was able to build a team that was successful. I don’t just want artificial success but I want to be able to create players that make an impact.”

Amapakabo is right.

Ahmed Musa, who helped Nigeria win the title in 2010, while he was playing for Kano Pillars, is the only player to have represented Nigeria at the WAFU Cup of Nations who has gone on to make a successful career in Europe and with the national team. Victor Ezeji, Ejike Uzoenyi, Ekigho Ehiosun, Gege Soriola and Gbolahan Salami are Nigeria’s standouts from the other WAFU players but none of the quintet went on to have an

Imama Amapakabo Super Eagles B team coach international career of note.

Amapakabo says it comes down to a mindset issue that afflicts local-based players - Watch the WAFU Cup of Nations from Sept. 28 to Oct. 12 exclusively on ESPN. “Our biggest challenge has been with character and attitude, not in terms of quality,” he said “Our players here need to change their orientation and mentality about the game, and act like professionals.

“A bit of a challenge also is that our players here don’t interpret and understand tactics in a short while. But we are beginning to teach them.”

As a corollary to that, Amapakabo also wants Nigerians to flip a mental switch in terms of their expectations for tournaments like the WAFU Cup of Nations and the African Nations Championship (CHAN).

“In the mind of Nigerians, every trophy is very important; but it’s about time that we understand that we need to put competitions in proper perspective.”

As a member of the team that won the inaugural FIFA World Under-17 Championship in 1985, the coach says that title may have ultimately turned out to be more curse than blessing “The orientation and the mentality of every Nigerian is very wrong. I’ll start with the maiden edition of the under-16

tournament. Till today I feel some regret that we did so great because everybody feels that all that matters is winning, but we forget that these competitions are developmental.

“We won it about five times but where has that taken our football? The last tournament of WAFU and CHAN, I was present at both and we came second in both competitions, But where did that leave us? Where did it leave our league?

These competitions are supposed to reflect our league; that is what we should be looking at.”

Like CHAN, the WAFU Cup of Nations is restricted to players playing for clubs in their home country.

This means Amapakabo faces an additional hurdle in his attempt to both win the tournament and develop players.

The Nigerian league has been in hiatus for the better part of three months, and it is unlikely to restart before the tournament kicks off.

A workaround is required, and Amapakabo, the man who found a way to mastermind a first league title in more than three decades for Enugu Rangers, in 2016, says he has found a workable solution. For the Olympic qualifiers, he picked players for Nigeria’s under-23 team -- which he also manages -- who could also play in the WAFU team.

“That was a challenge because the

league isn’t on, so my team and I decided to use the Under-23 team as a foundation.

“It is our own unique way of making our own confusion work for us. But even that is a failure on its own because when confusion helps us get the result sometimes, we think there’s been progress or growth when there is none.”

This sort of deep thinking is typical of Amapakabo, who has a reputation for being a very cerebral coach. He not only reads poetry but also writes his own verses and studies the game as deeply as he can. As a former goalkeeper, he tends to look at the game with a wider lens than others, and he is determined to reboot the mentality of Nigeria-based players to bring them up to speed with their Europe-based counterparts But for now, his priority is to prepare the team for a “grudge match” against their 2011 conquerors Togo. He admits that he knows little about the opposition, so his strategy has been to channel his brain power into focusing on his team instead “We are trying to gather all we need to know, but it is not much. So we are working on every bit of information that we have about them, and we have clips from the game we’ve played against Sudan so we can focus on our game and play to our abilities.”

It should be interesting to see how that approach works against Togo in two weeks.

Minister Charges Federations To Commence 2020 Olympic Preparations In Earnest Page 30

PAGE 30

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PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 25, 2019

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By Amaechi Agbo

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he Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development Mr. Sunday Dare has charged federations to commence preparation for the Olympic Games coming up in 2020 in Tokyo Japan in earnest.

The minister gave the charge in his office Tuesday during a courtesy visit by the President and Board Members of the Nigerian Badminton Federation, NBF, delegation.

The minister who has been holding various meetings with federations in the country with a view to repositioning sports in the country ahead the implementation of his new vision in the ministry, assured the Federation that the Ministry will create an Athlete Funds Grant for athletes, stressing that athletes should be constantly trained to enable them compete with their counterparts in the world.

Dare assured that the Lottery Trust Fund will be open for preparation towards Tokyo 2020 Olympics. He appreciated the Nigerian Badminton Federation in Abuja for making Nigeria proud in winning medals at the African Games in Morocco.

Mr. Dare said he will work with the Nigeria Badminton Federation,

NBF to ensure that all athletes and their coaches are constantly trained to prepare them for the 2020 Olympics.

In a release signed by the Principal Information Officer of the ministry, Patricia Okaja Nnandi it noted that the minister expressed satisfaction with the recently concluded 5th Edition of the National Youth Games, NYG in Ilorin, adding that he was impressed with a twelve year old boy playing Badminton with so much passion, “there is need for Government to start catching them young, to prepare them for future performance he admonished,’’ he said.

In his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olusade Adesola expressed satisfaction with the medals won by the BFN, which he said grew from grass to grace.

Mr. Adesola commended their efforts and praised them for their bond which has kept them together without rancour which is the secret of their success.

In his response, President Nigerian Badminton Federation, Mr. Francis Orbih thanked the Honourable Minister for the audience granted them. He intimated the Minister of the

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achievements of the federation so far, noting that when they came on

board the Badminton players had no competitions but with much

trainings, many have competed especially in the 4th Edition National Badminton Championship this year, the biggest Badminton event in Nigeria which hosted 16 countries from the first edition, and in the last edition had twenty nine countries in attendance.

Mr. Orbih said Nigeria hosted the National Badminton Championship in Port Harcourt this year 2019 and 4 gold medals, 4 silver and 4 bronze were won, adding that it was amazing at the rebirth of Badminton in Nigeria, he said.

He commended the Ministry for the support they got during the 12th African Games in Morocco, where they had two gold medals, three silver and three bronze. In order to keep the pace, he recommended that players be sent for trainings abroad so that they can march with their counterparts all over the world.

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Minister Charges Federations To Commence 2020 Olympic Preparations In Earnest

Hon. Minister of Youth and Sports Sunday Dare receiving a badminton racket from the President of NBF Mr Francis Orbih in Abuja yesterday

PAGE 31

PEOPLES DAILY, Wednesay September 25, 2019

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. . . putting the people first

Wednesay September 25, 2019

SPACE FOR SALE

SPORTS Xenophobic attacks and the wider picture latest

Golden Eaglets thrash Guatemala 5-1 in UEFA/ CAF Tourney

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verwhelming attacking football was on display when five-time world champions, Golden Eaglets of Nigeria scored four goals within 25 minutes of play and one more in the second half to ensure 5-1 victory over Guatemala on Matchday 2 of the UEFA/CAF U17 Tournament in Turkey on Tuesday morning A 5th minute goal by Olakunle Olusegun unsettled Guatemala and as they were still trying to gather themselves together, Abdullahi Fawaz rattled them further with his goal in the 10th minute. Eaglets continued their attacking forays into the vital area of Guatemela and it was another goal seven minutes later when David Oduko, a left full back registered his name on the scoresheet.

Mercurial left footed attacking midfielder, Akinwunmi Amoo made it goal number four for the Eaglets in the 24th minute. There was no doubt that the record champions of the world were in dominant control of the game, but Guatemala got a goal in the 30th minute as the game went into the break with Nigeria leading 4-1.

The second half witnessed Nigeria missing some goal-scorong opportunities. However, Ibraheem Jabaar was very clinical with his sublime goal in the 84th minute to make it 5-1 against the hapless Guatemalans.

Speaking to thenff.com after the game, Samson Tijani, captain of the Eaglets said that the players only implemented the instructions of the coaching crew of the team in line with their coaching philosophy of how a team should play and the players were happy with the number of goals scored.

“We are glad that we played well according to the formation that the coaches wanted us to play and followed their instructions on the pitch. It was not that easy against Guatemala, but we followed our game plan and it worked well with the team scoring five goals.”

Nigeria will be play her last game on Thursday against West African rivals, Senegal.

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enophobia is the expression of antipathy and fear against people from other countries. This discrimination which sometimes proves to be deadly and unholy is a phenomenon that the global community must prioritise its energy and resources towards bringing to a halt.

Xenophobic attitude is not new to the Republic of South Africa as a nation; hatred and violence toward perceived foreigners began in the pre-1990s. The existence of antiimmigrant policies that favoured the white immigrants of labour at the expense of black immigrant workers from Lesotho and the Mozambique with the mine and farm workers of that time bearing the brunt of the race driven policy is one of the roots.

The concept of targeting and denoting others as being different and parasitic became ingrained in the fabric of the people notwithstanding the post-1994 opening of South Africa’s borders to the world for the very first time. The country was free from the apartheid rule; the “slaves” were free to enjoy the freedom of lords as lords without proper re-orientation and withdrawal of the etched mentality of hatred for foreigners. The need for addressing the entrenched mentality of the oncebesieged people, who feel threatened and naturally become instinctively offensive to prevent a return to “slavery”, was never addressed.

Nelson Mandela’s imposing charisma subdued the deadly virus long enough to create a temporal sense of internal unity, friendliness and acceptance of foreigners, but the great Mandela is gone and the bottled Leopard broke free. That is majorly why the incidences of xenophobia were on the increase after the majority rule of 1994.

On the record, between 2000 and March 2008, above 67 people were killed in various attacks identified as xenophobic. Only in May 2008, 46 foreigners were killed across the country in yet another xenophobic raid.

In its various forms, Africans have, over time, manifest disdain for themselves on several fronts.

According to the International Organization for Migration and Refugees, Libyans did not only kill and loot migrants from other Africa nations, but turn them to slaves.

The report of Amnesty International states the horrific cruelties faced by women and children trapped in Libya with no way out. Since the onset of the crises in Libya, Nigeria had to forcefully bring back hundreds of Nigerians from the country.

The reflection of racism, ethnicity and xenophobia in Cameroon was recently discussed. In 1983, the Nigerian government had reason to turn its back on Ghanaian citizens living in the country and forced them out of the country. Early this year, the federal government of Nigeria

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WEDNESDAY COLUMN By

USSIJU MEDANER info@medaner.com, justme4justice@yahoo.com decried the increasing attacks on Nigerians across West African countries including Ghana and Togo.

This is excluding the Republic of South Africa which has been heating up. Nwagbara, a Nigerian Professor of English at the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana was relieved of his job earlier this year in a situation which had the semblance of xenophobic attack. The list is endless; we have shown much more unfriendliness for ourselves on the continent than friendliness.

It may be South Africans who are manifesting racial intolerance openly today, but the disposing factor is not limited to the country. These happenings are a wakeup call to the African continent that all is not well.

The continent has over the years failed woefully in efficient service delivery to its people as well as in effective continental and regional coordination. Today, the socioeconomic conflicts in South Africa has widen the gap between the haves and have-nots and has exposed the government’s inability to dutifully serve the people which has turned its citizens to unreasonable thoughtless animals rampaging the streets looking for who to blame for their woes.

We should attempt naming one country in Africa where the citizens are not grumbling under the heavy weight economic woes and social development insensitivity of its leadership: very rare. Our continent is a help-seeking beggar where the leaders ignore or mismanage our unparalleled endowments at the expense of the citizens who become predominantly impoverished.

Imagine the Nigerian scenario where two per cent of the population controls more than 90% of the nation’s wealth. That is the symbolic representation of our continent, Africa.

We are a continent that prides itself in producing leaders who consciously strategize the use of public funds to enrich themselves and roam the globe without developing their home states. They continuously stock the wealth of the continent in foreign private accounts.

Home is the place to a struggling population romancing poor standards of living which the states do little to ameliorate. It is the place where there are cries for sustenance in the midst of plenty with the youth roaming about unproductive streets in search of non-existing

jobs birthing an angry population set. A typical South African youth, like his counterparts across the continent is filled with anger against the perceived sources of his travails from one perspective he berates his government, but what can he do beyond getting angry? From another perspective he vents his anger on the man next door, accessible and defenceless; he must be the reason for his unemployment. Why is he sharing the limited resources with his neighbour? If he were not there, perchance things would have been better?

A case study of the Africa continent, great black populations of African descent are so submissive, lazy, full of inferiority complex and would ironically choose to tow the path of mediocrity, jealousy and barbarism rather than venting their bottled anger on their leaders and real oppressors, attacking the lowly who, like them, are equally subject of societal deprivation.

We fail to recognize what and who our oppressors are. We fail to recognize that our problems are our ruling class and those who have used their positions of authority to loot our national resources dry. We fail to realize the people that deny us job opportunities are the policy makers who would rather line up their bank account with state money than create industries and enabling environment for commerce. These are the oppressors who took the jobs: they are the people who deserve our anger. Perhaps the fear of our oppressors has drowned us to the level of disdain for our fellow men; our fellow African brothers.

There is nothing that breeds the hatred we have for ourselves: whether xenophobic, racial, interethnic or inter-religious, as much as corruption. The poor African is in desperate search for a way out of poverty, yet they only dream of the good life and affluence around them.

In South Africa, apartheid did so much damage to their psyche and like the majority of Nigerians, continue to hope on government promises.

When these promises fail to come, they turn to the person next door for way out. If the help does not come, hatred and crime develop; looting, robbery, pickpocketing and other societal crimes. The fact is, most time, what we christen xenophobia is majorly an economic problem and no amount of diplomatic “Jargon” can resolve it.

Another factor predisposing our continent to what we are experiencing now is the unscrupulous behaviour of African nations towards one another as well as that of African citizens in the diaspora. If we had responded accordingly to certain abnormalities within the AU when necessary, so much of the bottled anger would have been dissolved without getting to the point we are now.

At what time has the government of both Nigeria and South Africa made any serious concerted move to address the menace of few Nigerians (in partnership with South Africans) who were turning the streets of the country to a drug market? The African Union has equally failed in its mandate of coordinating the economic, social and physical integration of the continent: rather the union ignores nations taking advantage of other nations within the union and citizens abusing their freedom in another man’s land within the union.

When, for decades the government of Benin Republic and other immediate neighbouring countries to Nigeria intentionally allow their systems to continuously damage the economy of Nigeria by encouraging mass smuggling both into, and out of Nigeria (to their countries) via their borders; when Benin Republic became the 6th highest importer of rice in the world only to smuggle over 80% of the same into the Nigerian market at the expense of Nigerian local rice production; when the same country literally encouraged the smuggling of refined petroleum products that the Nigerian government has already subsidized (for Nigerians) illegally into their countries and are as such surviving on the dilapidating consequences of their sabotage on Nigeria, we didn’t anticipate the possibility of Nigerian government and citizens’ reprisal response, and maybe it would not just end at border closure.

Cont. on page 26

DAN Dan GAYE gaYE

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No plea bargain please!

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