Thursday, January 28, 2021 Edition

Vol. 35 No. 093 N200

Thursday, January 28, 2021/ Jumada II 15, 1442 AH

2370 Days after Malam Wada Maida (1950-2020), founding Chairman, Board of the Peoples Media Limited

@pmlonline

peoplesdailyng

. . . putting the people first

The nation awaits rescue of the remaining abducted Chibok schoolgirls

Buhari tasks new Service Chiefs to raise officers’ morale PG 18

FEC okays Nat’l Quality policy, N10bn power, roads contracts PG 5

President Muhammadu Buhari (Middle), The New Service Chiefs:, Chief of Defence Staff, Maj Gen Lucky E. O Irabor (2nd Left) , Chief of Army Staff Maj Gen Ibrahim Attahiru (2nd Right), Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (1st Left) and Air Vice Marshal Ishiaka Oladayo Amao (Right) during a meeting with the President at the State House, Abuja. Wednesday.

PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

Insecurity: 300 female soldiers deployed to Kaduna-Abuja highway Southwest govs, Ooni of Ife meet Buhari over security matters PAGE 5

Benue Gov. Ortom tests positive for coronavirus PAGE 2

We’ll protect Nigerians in new PIB despite vested interests - Gbajabiamila PAGE 3

>>PG 4

70 shops destroyed by fire in Somolu Market – LASEMA PAGE 8

PAGE 2

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

NEWS CONTENTS News

2-14

Op.Ed

12-13

Politics

15-17

Stock Watch Business Metro

18 19-20 21

Benue Gov. Ortom tests positive for coronavirus From: Uche Makurdi

Nnorom,

B

enue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has said the latest result of his COVID-19 test returned positive.

This follows the test results of most of the Governor’s close aides who also returned positive in the

last few weeks.

Press Secretary to the Governor Terver Akase who stated this in a press statement yesterday, noted that his boss has not shown any symptoms of the disease, but has already commenced treatment as prescribed by medical personnel.

He advised those who have

come in contact with him in the last couple of days to go for test.

The Governor says it is equally important that those who came in contact with other persons who have tested positive for the virus should go for test to ascertain their COVID-19 status.

Governor Ortom urged Benue people to continue to observe the

protocol for the prevention of the virus such as wearing of face masks, use of sanitizers, regular hand washing and physical distancing.

He encouraged the people not to be afraid of going for COVID-19 test as it is only doing so would they help in containing the spread of the disease.

World Analysis 22 Africa News

23

World News

24

Benue Govt. raises alarm over large influx of cattle Page 4

Digest

25

Feature 26 Sports Back Page

30-31 32

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

Simulation exercise by the Nigerian Air Force Special Forces to entertain the visiting Nigerien Chief of the Air Staff Col. Amirou Abdulkader, who was in Kaduna to seek collaboration between Nigeria and Niger Republic, on Wednesday (27/1/21).

Safe School Declaration: Preparations are on top gear for conference - Ministry Maryam Abeeb, Abuja

The Peoples Daily wants to hear from you with any news and pictures you think we should publish.

You can send your news and pictures to: adverts@peoplesdailyng.com pictures@peoplesdailyng.com contact@peoplesdailyng.com

Phones for News: 08142929046 08024432099

T

he Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Arch. Sonny Echono, has revealed that preparations are being made to ensure that the country successfully hosts the forthcoming international conference on Safe Schools Declaration(SSD).

Echono disclosed this in Abuja while hosting a delegation of the Deputy Heads of Mission of Norway, Argentina and Spain who visited to ascertain the country’s level of preparedness for the conference scheduled for the 25th of October, 2021.

According to Arch. Echono, Committees have been set up with to handle specfic tasks in readiness for a successful 4th International conference on Safe Schools Declaration.

He said that the conference proposed to last for four days is expected to attract local and international stakeholders and publics of the education sector.

The Permanent Secretary revealed that stakeholders from the Ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs are expected to be in attendance, among other relevant publics.

Echono added that ideas are

expected to be shared on how the learning environment in schools all over the world will be made safer and more conducive.

Other issues to be discussed at the conference are accountability mechanisms, attack on educational facilities, among others.

The Permanent Secretary also disclosed that children from schools in the North East will make presentations at the event.

Echono told the representatives of Norway, Argentina and Spain, who are co-hosts of the conference that in observance of Covid 19 Protocols, the event will also be virtual.

He also informed the delagation that a progress report will be made available for them to add their inputs.

Echono expressed hope that more countries will key into the Safe School Declaration (SSD) at the end of the conference.

In her remarks, Leader of the delegation and Deputy Head of Mission, Norwegian Embassy, Ingrid Skjolaas commended the Ministry on its level of preparation for the event.

She said the delegation is keen on assisting the country in ensuring that the conference is successful as they have hosted previous editions.

PAGE 3

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

Ag. News Editor, Tobias Lengnam NEWS We’ll protect Nigerians in new PIB despite vested interests - Gbajabiamila

By Christiana Ekpa

T

he Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila has disclosed that the House will ensure that it protects the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which is being considered by the Green Chamber, Gbajabiamila said though the PIB has been in the National Assembly for decades without much success, the 9th Assembly would ensure that it passes it into law.

The Speaker, who expressed optimism about the process adopted by the House to engage all relevant stakeholders, said he was confident that the Ad-hoc Committee on PIB headed by Chief Whip, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, would do a thorough job.

Declaring open a 2-day public hearing organized by the ad-hoc committee, Gbajabiamila said the House would do all it can to pass the PIB in April.

He said though it was a national consensus that there should be a comprehensive reform of the oil and gas industry, he bemoaned a situation where “this critical national industry underperforms its potential and our national expectations.”

...Says House to pass Bill in April ...Promises thorough work, engagement of stakeholders “For the most part, we all agree on the need for legislative action to make improvements through statutory and regulatory reform.

Therefore, it is disappointing and frankly difficult to explain how successive governments have failed to deliver on the promise of reform despite this broad agreement. Ladies and gentlemen, we have an opportunity and an obligation to do better, and we will.”

“We are not oblivious to the fact of many contending interests in this sector. These contentions do not need to result in conflict, especially when we know the objective of national prosperity benefits us all. Therefore, the process of engaging with stakeholders will continue beyond this public hearing to accommodate the diversity of interests and ensure all critical views form part of the deliberations that inform the final legislation.

“Regardless of whatever other interests may exist, for this Ad-Hoc Committee and indeed the House of Representatives, Nigeria’s best interest is both our desired outcome and guiding

principle. It falls to this AdHoc Committee to engage in a necessary balancing act in the interests of our beloved nation.

The Speaker added that “This bill has been long coming as the chairman said. It has been upcoming in the last 20 years.

Because of contending and vested interests, we have not been able to reach the desired outcome over the years.

“A lot of work has gone into the preparation of this Bill, but it’s not strait-jacketed. The idea of a public hearing is to have interests that may have not been accommodated prior to the introduction of the Bill to lend their voices and to understand perhaps the bigger environment where they are coming from.

“So my charge to everyone that will be participating is not to close our minds or our ears to the views and the positions that may be advanced by various interest groups. We are in a world, an economic world, so there must be interest groups, they will be interest groups and we cannot deny that.

“But what should guide the outcome of what we do here as we

accommodate more views will be what will be in the best interest of the people.

“More importantly, we intend to pass this Bill by April. That is a commitment we have made. Some may call it a tall order, but we will do it, and we will do it with every sense of responsibility without compromising the thoroughness of the work that will be done,” the Speaker said.

He said the outcome of the Bill will determine a lot of things such as the diversification of the economy, saying “for you to diversify your economy, you have to invest money, and for you to invest money, the resources you would use to invest and develop your economy, as it is in Nigeria for now, comes from the petroleum industry.

“Whether you believe in the finite or infiniteness of the product, the point that needs to be made is that we need to derive as much profit for the time when the product is still available. We need to derive as much profit to be able to diversify into other areas.”

He said the bill would provide an opportunity for the country to “meet the obligations owed

to the communities that host oil and gas exploration and transportation activities and pay a high environmental price as a consequence.”

“There have been various prior attempts to meet this obligation. Let us remember those attempts and be motivated by the knowledge that we can now correct past mistakes and fulfil the responsibility we owe these communities once and for all.”

Also speaking, the Minister of State, Petroleum Timipriye Sylva, disclosed that the volatility of oil prices which crashed at the height of COVID-19 crisis underscores the need for the urgency in the passage of the bill.

This was just as the Nigeria Labour Congress made a case for the inclusion of oil workers’ unions on the board of the Commission to be created by the PIB. NLC President Ayuba Wabba while presenting his remark disclosed for governments stress the need for the development of host communities.

As Coalitions of women in the industry also canvassed a gender sensitive bill.

COVID-19: Maryam Abacha Varsity donates Luxurious bus to BUK From Kano

M

Mustapha

Adamu,

aryam Abacha American University (MAAUN), in collaboration with AAG-Foundation has donated a Sixty (60) Seater mercedesbenz luxurious Bus to Bayero University, Kano(BUK).

The Director Liason and International collaboration, Dr Bala Muhammad said the gesture is part of its the university’s Education SubSector Support Initiative in the West African (ECOWAS/ CEDEO) Sub-Region.

Presenting the vehicle to the Vice Chancellor of BUK, Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas yesterday, Dr Muhammad, who led the MAAUN delegation, also said the gesture was in line with the MAAUN and AAG vision of creating sustainable and smooth access to education for all.

He said the reason behind donating the bus was also aimed at boosting MAAUN effort towards ensuring a hitch-free transport system to aid effective learning and check congestion as of part renewed effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in Nigerian universities.

“The aim of the donation is to contribute to the University efforts in improving hitch free transport systems for effective learning and helps in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic by reducing congestion,” Muhammad said.

In his remarks, the Vice

Chancellor of BUK, Prof. Sagir Adamu Abbas commended Prof.

Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo for the gesture and his continued support to Bayero University Kano.

He assured that the University would make the best use of the vehicle as it would go along way in alleviating the sufferings of students in the area of transportation.

The occasion was attended by various Professors and Directors as well as other distinguished personalities from within and outside the BUK.

President Buhari receives in audience Oyo State Governor H.E. Seyi Makinde at the Presidential Villa Abuja yesterday

Okowa calls for inclusive governance to curb agitations

By Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

D

elta Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has called for an all-inclusive governance to curb the myriad of agitations rocking the country.

Okowa made the call on Wednesday when he received the Executive Chairman and Commissioners of Federal Character Commission who visited him at the Government House, Asaba.

He said that only fairness and equity could guarantee the loyalty of the people in terms of political appointments, projects and the civil service.

He stated that the rest of the country must understand that there was a special plight on the part of those residing in the creeks and riverside communities in the state.

According to the governor, once there is equity and fairness in political appointments, civil service, social amenities and the development of our nation, it will cause Nigerians to show loyalty to our nation.

“But, once there is a distortion in equity and fairness, you begin to see all manner of agitations. “ “Nigeria is a multi-ethnic nation and there are lots and lots of agitations and we believe that with your office and the people who represent various zones in the Federal Character Commission ,it is actually a well thought-out plan to ensure that there is inclusive governance in our country.

“I believe that is why the Commission was set up to ensure inclusive governance in the areas of appointment into the civil service, the political class and equity and

fairness in the distribution of social amenities in the development of our nation.

“An implementation of these strategies will cause Nigerians to show loyalty to the nation and if at any point in time there is a distortion in the process of ensuring equity and fairness you begin to see people agitate.

“Agitations at one point in time tend to weaken us as a nation and it creates an environment that will not encourage development.

“As a state rich in oil resources, there is the view of the people that we ought to have more than we have today beyond our 13 per cent oil derivation.

“If you have an opportunity of going into the creeks, you will see that 40 per cent of Delta is actually in the creeks and if you have the opportunity of ever going there,

you will see that there is a different Nigeria in them because where they live you will see that means of transportation are actually not there. ``It is imperative that as a nation we must work towards developing such places, this is important because it has become a huge task for the Delta Government in developing such places. ``Obviously, there is a lot more that needs to be done because it’s actually an expensive area to bring development to but we will continue to do the best we can,” he said.

Okowa charged the FCC chairman and her team to continue to raise their voices wherever they found out that things were not equitably distributed as it ought to be, saying that such a reaction would ensure that things worked for the good of the country.

PAGE 4

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

NEWS

4,000 to benefits from Cash Grant for Rural Women Project in Kaduna From:Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

F

ederal government said about 4,000 women across the 23 local government councils of kaduna state are to benefit from the on going Cash Grant for Rural Women Project.

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, disclosed this while flagging off the disbursement of the funds to the beneficiaries, in kaduna yesterday.

The Minister represented bythe Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Bashir Nura Alkali, said the federal government is committed to alleviating the plight of rural women in the country.

The Minister stated that the project was introduced in 2020 to sustain the social inclusion agenda of the President Buhari’s administration.

Sadiya Umar Farouq, added that the grant is expected to increase income and productive assets of target beneficiaries, saying, It is her hope that the beneficiaries of this programme will make good use of the grant to generally contribute towards improving their living standard.

She said the social intervention is part of the National Social Investment Programme of the ministry aimed at cushioning the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on the citizenry, particularly the most vulnerable in the country.

“A cash grant of N20,000 will be disbursed to about 125,000 poor women across the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory”,she added.

The Mmnister said the grant is expected to increase income and productive assets of target beneficiaries.

She urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the grant to generally contribute towards improving their living.

Insecurity: 300 female soldiers deploys to Kaduna /Abuja highway From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

I

n its bid to tackle manece of kidnappers and bandits along Kaduna-Abuja highway, Nigerian Army has deployed 300 female soldier to beef up security on the road.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division, Kaduna, Major-General Usman Mohammed disclosed this yesterday in Kaduna.

According to him, 300 female soldiers from the Nigeria Army Women Corps (N. A. W. C) have been redeployed to provide the

security on the highway.

However, he said that the first batch of 100 female soldiers are on ground and would start work before the arrival of the rest.

He added that the female soldiers were trained in combat and fully armed to man the highway which had become a nightmare to motorists plying the road.

General Mohammed remarked that the Kaduna /Abuja highway is now safe from what it used to be as the level of Kidnapping and banditry have reduced to the bearest level.

He thanked the state government for the accommodation provided to the female corps saying, since the commencement of military operations on the highway, the state had been supportive.

Speaking on the occasion, Governor Nasir El-rufai expressed hope that with the deployment of the female soldiers, the insecurity along the highway will soon be a thing of the past.

He expressed gratitude to the military for deploying the troops and assured them of the continued support of the Kaduna

State Government.

“The problem of AbujaKaduna road will be over with these female soldiers because what a man can do a woman can do better. We believe in the capability of women in this State.

“I am confident the road will be the safest in Nigeria. We will do everything possible to make this operation comfortable. We are very happy to have you. Your presence will inspire others girls to join the military.That is why we have female deputy governor to inspire other women”, El-rufai said.

L-R: Chairman, APC National Registration Committee/Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, Leaders of the House of Representatives, Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano state, Senator Kabiru Gaya and Senator Barau Jibrin, during the inauguration of APC states registration chairmen, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Benue Govt. raises alarm over large influx of cattle From: Uche Makurdi

Nnorom,

O

ver 376 cows and 6 suspected herdsmen have been apprehended by the Benue State Government.

The State Deputy Governor Engr. Benson Abounu who disclosed this at a Press briefing

yesterday in Makurdi, said the arrest followed the recent alarm raised by Governor Abdullahi Sule that members of the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents were regrouping along the Benue/ Nasarawa States Border.

He added that on receipt of the information, security agencies in the State swung into action to

ascertain the truth or otherwise of the declaration by the Nasarawa Governor and discovered that there is a massive deployment of herdsmen with their cattle on the brink of River Benue and Nasarawa state bank.

According to Abounu, the herdsmen are heavily armed with Ak47, intimating that the

herdsmen were arrested in Kaseyo, Guma local government area.

“On the 23rd January 2021,156 cows belonging to these herdsmen were apprehended and on 26th January, 220 cows were arrested in the same vicinity. There is also, massive deployment of cattle along River Benue on Agatu and

Gwer West local government areas.

While stressing that the antiopen grazing Law promulgated by the State government will not be abrogated, he further said many violators are have been convicted to correctional center while others are undergoing prosecution.

Wednesday, in Abuja.

He said that the South East had contributed immensely towards making Nigeria great.

“I think the South East presidency will be of immense benefit to the Nigerian nation because I can say that we have been contributing on how to make this nation great,”

Onuigbo said.

He said that the people of South East were blessed with entrepreneurial acumen which would help to release the nation’s capability in terms of entrepreneurial skill.

The lawmaker however, said that it would be impossible for the region to produce the president

without support from others regions.

“We cannot be president alone; we need the support from other nationalities to be able to produce the president,” he said.

The rep. also said that the South East people have played strategic roles towards reposition the country.

According to him, our people have always sought the stability of Nigeria on what they think should be done to ensure the nation is great.

“The defunct eastern region was the fastest growing region ahead of Singapore, Malaysia and others,” he said. (NAN)

Rep. renews call for President from South East in 2023

R

ep. Samuel Onuigbo (PDPAbia) has renewed calls for the South East to be allowed to produce Nigeria’s president in 2023.

Onuigbo, representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency in Abia, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on

PAGE 5

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

NEWS

FEC okays National Quality policy, M9.5bn contracts for power, roads

By Egena Sunday Ode

T

he Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the National Quality Policy.

Also, a total contact sum of about N9,334,210,910 was approval by Council for roads and power projects across the country.

Minister of Industry Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo, said the the policy is to ensure that goods exported from Nugeria are accepted by the importing countries.

He said: “For a long time, Nigerian exporters have been suffering because of lack of quality of their goods. We felt that it was high time we actually have a policy which will create a situation whereby standards of the Nigerian goods that are exported would be raised such that that rejection would stop.

This policy will create a situation whereby the government and the private sector will be able to collaborate to set up quality testing centers, testing labs which we hope will have accreditation with international centers, such that any good that has been approved to have met the standard, would be of international standard”.

Adebayo noted that council also approved the Nigerian/Hungarian Trade Agreement. He said the agreement between the two countries have now been ratified, adding that the whole essence is for Nigerian businessmen to have access to export their goods to Hungary and to further increase trade between the two countries.

The minister said council also approved a N50 million variation of power contract in the Kano Free Trade Zone.

Adebayo, explained that the contract was awarded in 2018 for underground cabling for power project within the Kano Free Trade Zone but unfortunately it was not completed before certain specification changes were made.

“So the contractor requested a variation of six percent increase of the initial contract sum, which amounted to about N50 million. Council has approved that variation and the job which has reached 93 percent completion will be completed within the next six months,” he said.

The Minister said, Council also approved another contract for Nigerian

Export Processing Zone Authority for the purchase of a property in Lagos to be used as their Lagos zonal office.

Also briefing correspondents on the outcome of the weekly FEC meeting, Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, disclosed that council approved the contract for the design and deployment of a contract performance and compliance for highway and road management system for N203,845,332.50.

He said: “This is an information and communication technology device being procured by the ministry in order to improve its capacity to monitor not only contract performance but also maintenance of its roads and to empower not only its 36 controllers in each of the state of the federation but also, the six zonal directors to improve our service delivery.

“The importance of deploying ICT now perhaps would be better appreciated when it is understood that we have over 13,000 kilometers of road networks at different stages of construction or rehabilitation as at the close of December 2020. And those 13,000 plus kilometers are manifest in over 700 different contracts. I continue

to explain this that some of our roads are so long that we have five different contractors. Like the Kano-Maiduguri road for example, we have five different contractors there, Benin to Lokoja, we have five different contractors there and so on and so forth.

“So we have different contacts to manage and so we are deploying ICT there. Upon full deployment, one of the things you will see is that, citizens will be expected to become army of reporters providing us with information so that we can respond more quickly because, this will be a web based reporting and monitoring system”, Fashola said.

The minister said council also approved the ratification of the emergency roads repair done in Zamfara State in 2016 caused by a heavy rainfall. The rain washed out Gumi bridge, Dakitawa, Kebbi to Sokoto State border, Gusau to Talata Mafara to Sokoto border.

He said “the contract was awarded under the public procurement act in emergency situations as provisional contracts. So we had to go through procurement process, file reports of completion and then come to seek ratification. So, the work had

since been completed but the paper work has now led us here. And the ratification was granted today by FEC for N792,370,6078.86.”

The minister of state for power, Goddy Jedi-Agba, said council approved two months extension and the the sum of N124.2 million for the variation of contract for the construction of sub-stations projects in Lanlate and Abeokuta.

He said: “The contract was awarded because of the typography of that area.

The typography is tricky and so there is a need to upgrade and make the facilities usable and accessible by the people.

So, if we have those two substations fixed, the transmission of power will be stepped up in that area and the whole of Ogun State and most of the South West will have improved power.”

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said council approved the sum of N1.146,659,500 billion for the award of contract for the installation of Solar street lighting for the Karshi-Jikwoyi dual carriage road in Abuja.

Ortom urges new Service Chiefs to tackle insecurity From: Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

B

enue State Governor Samuel Ortom has urged the new appointed Service Chiefs to confront the security challenges facing the country head on and restore confidence in Nigerians The Governor said the Service Chiefs have come at a time the security architecture of the country needs to be rejigged to cope with the 21st century challenges of fighting insecurity.

He averred that the current security situation has badly affected the socio-

economic and political facets of the country’s development, requiring only a well coordinated and resolute approach in tacking the problem.

Ortom expressed optimism that Nigerians will continue to pray to God to give the Service Chiefs the needed wisdom and will to succeed in their assignment.

He however said that while Nigerians will be supporting the new security heads, they will also be watching keenly and won’t hesitate to constructively criticize when things go wrong.

Restructuring: Former presidential candidate calls for compromise From:Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

B

usinessman and former Presidential candidate in the 2019 general election, Mr.Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim said time has come for all sides in the raging debate on the structure of the Nigerian Federation to compromise in the interest of unity,

By Egena Sunday Ode

O

yo State governor, Seyi Makinde, and his Ondo counterpart, Rotimi Akeredolu, as well as the Ooni of Ife, Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II, have met separately with President Muhammadu Buhari over the worrisome insecurity in the South West region.

The meeting by the two governors on Wednesday followed that of the royal father who was hosted by the president in his official residence on Tuesday night.

In an interview with State House correspondents after his meeting with the president, Makinde said he came to brief him in order to be sure that the president has accurate information on the Oyo insecurity situation given the amount of fake news flying about.

He said: “There has been a lot of fake news all around and I wanted to be sure that Mr. President clearly have first hand information from me, which I did. We also exchanged ideas on what we need to do better, some of the programmes we have put in place to ensure that this security issue is tackled.

So, that’s basically why I came here.”

The governor said he also told Mr. President that “Oyo State land mass is

peace, security and development of the Nation.

He stated this in a statement made available to media in kaduna yesterday.

Olawepo-Hashim explained that whilst the Federal Government cannot continue to do nothing about devolution of power especially on clear items that are practicable and achievable.

From Left: Minister of Industry Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo; Minister of FCT, Mohammed Bello and Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed during a virtual meeting of the Federal Executive Council at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday (27/1/2021)

Insecurity: Southwest govs, Ooni of Ife meet Buhari quite big, Oyo State is close to 29,000 square kilometers. If you take all the states in the south east geo-political zone of Nigeria, they are still not as big as Oyo State. And the state right now only has two Mobile Police Squadrons.

“So, I requested for more Mobile Police Squadrons to be deployed to Oyo State and also ask for support for the joint security outfit because, the underlying issue here also has to do with limited opportunities.

“The tension will definitely go down if a lot of our youths are gainfully employed. So, I briefed the president on what we are doing in that regard.”

On his disagreement with the activist, Sunday Igboho, over the ultimatum for Fulanis to leave Oyo State, the governor explained: “Well, we have an history of living together peacefully amongst all the ethnic groups that are present in Oyo State.

“For instance, what triggered all of this was that Dr. Aborede was brutally murdered, that is criminal, but on the other hand, Seriki, Alhaji Kabir has been staying in that same place for 40 years.

“So, quite frankly, the people we are

after are criminals. They are the bandits, hoodlums, armed robbers, kidnappers.

Those are the true enemy of the state and those are the people we will go after.

“The Constitution of Nigeria guarantees that you can live in any part of Nigeria, you just have to be law abiding, obey the local laws in such areas. That is what we are pushing and will continue to push as a government.”

But when approached by correspondents, Governor Akeredolu declined to speak on his mission to the presidential villa.

Recall that the Ondo governor had last week reportedly issued a seven day ultimatum to Fulani herders to leave the state on account of alleged criminal activities.

However, after his meeting earlier, the Ooni of Ife told State House correspondents that he came to the president to stress the need not to allow the issue of insecurity in the country to be politicized.

He admonished that politics should be separated from insecurity in order not to jeopardize the lives of citizens.

He added: “I am here particularly because of all the issues of security threat here and there and to get the

blessing of Mr. President, it won’t turn out to be very political because political parties might probably want to hijack it.

“And to the glory of God as the co-chairman of National Council of Traditional Rulers, it is our responsibility and our fiduciary duty to make sure that everything is right, all and sundry is in good shape.

“So, the take home here is the President has assured that it is not going to be a political thing because we all know the problem all over the country, we have a lot of bad eggs that mix across the entire country and we are having that issue again in the South West.

“So, I am here as the co-chairman of National Council of Traditional Rulers to get the assurance of Mr. President that either of the parties won’t turn it to be a political funfair for us to just risk the lives of our people, our innocent citizens not only in the South West but the entire country.

“I am happy he has told me that I should assure other traditional rulers that we must work with them now. It is very important for us to work very closely with the government so that we can separate the good, the bad and the

ugly.”

While stressing the need to separate “the corn from,the chaff,” he bemoaned the porosity of nation’s borders, noting with delight however, that the introduction of “e-border” would make policing the borders more efficient..

He further said: “Even our governors and other political rulers in different states, Mr. President have assured that they must work with the traditional rulers so that we can actually separate the good from the bad and get the right society in proper perspective .

“So, here, the objective is politics shouldn’t be mixed with the safety and the security concerns of our people.

Politics should be completely taken out of it and to the glory of God Mr. President said he is fully on board with us as traditional rulers.”

“Everybody in Nigeria will be very happy about it and we expect more of refreshments within the confines of this government because it is a legacy that he is building for himself and we will continue to support that legacy for the betterment of our country. So, it is a good thing that Mr. President has done.”

PAGE 6

NEWS Chief Mulade applauds appointment of Service Chiefs

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

A

Niger Delta born development activist and peace advocate, Chief (Comrade) Sheriff Mulade has applauded President Muhammadu Buhari, for the appointment of the new service chiefs in the country.

He said this will put an end to agitations from the people on the need to rejig the security apparatus.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja on the issue, Chief Mulade who is the National Coordinator of Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, an NGO, called for restructuring by politicians, religious and ethnic groups in Nigeria, especially this recent times.

He also joined other stakeholders in Nigeria to call for the urgent restructuring of the country following the mismanagement of the nation’s resources, as well as the endless marginalization of the SouthSouth Region of the country.

Speaking on the role of the Niger Delta in national development, Chief Mulade, the Ibe-Sorimowei of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Delta State, said the region is the main economic live wire of Nigeria by virtue of its crude oil and gas productions which earn the Nation huge financial incomes.

He, however, lamented the utter neglect of the oil and gas rich region in terms of infrastructure, health, road construction, economic and human empowerment, as well as security and education, amongst others.

Chief Mulade, a frontline development advocate politician in Warri South West LGA of Delta State, expressed sadness over the high level of political marginalization of the Niger Delta people, many of whom are qualified to work for the growth and development of Nigeria but are unfortunately not included in the present adminstration, and are rather ridiculed when making suggestions for nation building.

While commending President Muhammadu Buhari for his proactiveness towards tackling the Insecurity challenges, especially with the appointment of the new service chiefs, he however noted that restructuring is part of the developmental agenda of the All Progressive Congress ( APC ), as a party.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

Auto crash claims 4 in Kogi From Lokoja

Ahmad

Ibrahim,

F

our staff o\f BN Ceramics Company, in Ajaokuta, in the Central axis of Kogi State have lost their lives along Ajaokuta road, in the early hours of Wednesday.

Peoples Daily reliably gathered that the accident which involved a bus and Toyota car occured at about 9.45 am yesterday.

According to an eye witness account, the two vehiclesl had a head on collusion when the driver

of the bus over took another vehicle in a sharp bend.

The Kogi State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Mr. Solomon Agure while confirming the accident said three staff of the BN Ceramics company died out of nine staff in the company’s vehicle.

He disclosed that the staff worked over night and closed from work in the morning but unfortunately, when their staff bus was taking them to their various destinations, the vehicle

involved in a head on collusion with another vehicle and three persons died on the spot.

Those that were injured were rushed to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.

Meanwhile, the management of BN Ceramics in a statement issued on Wednesday, regrets the death of some of its staff who were involved in a ghastly auto accident.

According to a statement signed by Salihu Mohammed, Human Resources Manager, on behalf of the management, said

the accident took place within the steel complex on Wednesday morning around 10:00am, ldisclosing that BN Ceramics lost four of its staff.

“The Management condoled with the family of those who lost their lives, assuring that the management is making frantic efforts to rescue and pick up the medical bills of those injured.

It further called for calm amongst the staff, praying God to grant the deceased eternal rest and their families the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

The Gombe State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Mr Ishaku Ibrahim undergoing COVID-19 test in Gombe on Wednesday (27/1/21).

Niger Gov. hails appointment of Service Chiefs From Yakubu Minna

Mustapha,

T

he Chairman, NCGF Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State has hailed the appointment of new Service Chiefs by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Governor Sani Bello in a congratulatory statement said it is

a noble decision by the President to bring in new Service Chiefs.

The NCGF Chairman enjoined them to evolve new strategies that will adequately address the security challenges that have bedeviled the region and the country as a whole.

He particularly said Niger State as a boundary State to the North Western region of

the Country is suffering from banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling among other criminal activities which many lives have been loss and many displaced from their ancestral homes.

The situation he said if not curtailed, will breed an unimaginable humanitarian concern which will not be favourable to the society.

He urged the new Service Chiefs to deploy all that is needed to exceed the achievements of their predecessors for the benefits of all.

The Governor also appreciated the immediate past Service Chiefs for putting in their best in tackling the security challenges in the Country and wish them well in their future undertakings.

Buhari recieves Ooni of Ife in Aso Rock

By Egena Sunday Ode

P

resident Mohammadu Buhari Tuesday night received the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II, at his official residence in the State House, Abuja.

The meeting with the monarch held between 8-9 pm Tuesday, and there was no officail statement to explain the purpose of the meeting.

However, the President has on several meetings with monarchs in the State House, called for more support from the traditional

institutions in the fight against criminality and insecurity in the country generally.

The meeting may also not be unconnected to the general security situation in the country and the South West in general.

Photographs released by President Buhari’s Special Adviser

on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, on his Facebook page in the early hours of Wednesday showed images of the meeting held behind closed doors with the Aide-de-camp (ADC), Col ML Abubakar, as well as the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, in attendance.

PAGE 7

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

Residents flee Sapele community over killing of Military personnel

By Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

R

esidents of Oton Community in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State on Monday took to their heels for fear of brutality from the Nigerian Military that besieged the community.

Sequel to the killing of a military personel and a police officer over the weekend by unknown gunmen, soldiers were seen trooping into Sapele town yesterday and headed to Oton community.

Monday night, the community was sealed up by the military and nobody was allowed to come in or go out, to the end that residents had to make use of an old route that had long been abandon to escape in their numbers from the community.

It was gathered that the gunmen may have probably come for a kidnapping operation and deemed it fit to dislodged the army checkpoint at Oton before carrying out their operation but the strong resistance from security personnel forced them back, not after killing the military personnel and a police officer.

It was also gathered that the Oton Youth Chairman, as well as the vigilante chairman of the community had been apprehended and were undergoing interrogation, as it was also alleged that during the period of the attack, they did not mobilize youths and vigilantes to assist the security personnel at the checkpoint.

As at the time of filing this report, Oton community was still under seized, and residents remained indoor while many were fleeing with their valuables using the alternative route.

NEWS

Troops kill 8 BHT/ ISWAP in Borno, Yobe states

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

T

roops of Operation TURA TAKAIBANGO a subsidiary Operation of Operation LAFIYA DOLE in the North East killed 8 Boko Haram/Islamic State’s West Africa Province criminals in their enclaves at Chindila town in Yobe State and Mayankari in Borno state respectively.

The military in a statement issued on Tuesday by Brigadier General, Benard Onyeuko, Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, said the operation

was carried out on the 25 January 2021 at about 1pm.

He said the gallant troops of 233 Bn located at Babangida on an aggressive clearance patrol engaged the terrorists with fierce volume of fire and neutralized 5 of them in the process while some escaped with gunshots wounds.

Items recovered include; 3 x AK 47 Rifles, quantity 5 x Magazines,17 Rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.

The gallant troops are in pursuit of the enemies and have continued to dominate the general area.

“In another development, on 25 Jnauary 2021 at about 4pm troops of 151 Bn, 202 Bn and elements of Multinational Joint Task Force on fighting patrol made contact with some Boko Haram marauding criminals at Mayankari. In a swift and aggressive response engaged the terrorists with heavy gunfire and the process neutralized 3 Boko Haram criminals while others escaped with gunshot wounds. Items recovered include: 3 x AK 47 Rifles, 1 x Solar panel and 1 x Improvised Explosive Device

making equipment. The troops thereafter destroyed their hideout after the encounter and exploiting the general area in search of the escaped criminals.

“The continuous successes recorded by the gallant troops of Operation TURA TAKAIBANGO against the Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province main hideouts where they plot and carry out their evil acts against civilian targets is an indication of their capitulation and the end of all criminal elements within the North East.

Scene of an accident involving an articulated vehicle carrying some Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) plastic pipes by Zuma rock on the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway at Madalla in Niger on Wednesday (27/1/21).

CLO hails Buhari for appointing new service chiefs

T

he Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing new service chiefs to oversee the security of the country.

The chairman of the organisation in Anambra, Mr

Vincent Ezekwueme, gave the commendation in Enugu.

Ezekwueme noted that the appointments of new service chiefs were overdue but they were “a step in the right direction.

“It is also in tandem with aspirations of Nigerians.

“I commend President Buhari

for listening to the cries and demand for appointment of new service chiefs.

“There is no doubt that the new service chiefs would inject new ideals, energy, zeal and patriotism to improve security architecture of the country’’.

The CLO boss called on

the new service chiefs to device strategic plan to tame and decimate the activities of Boko Haram, kidnappers and insurgents.

“Doing this will definitely restore absolute peace and tranquility in the country,’’ he observed.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday approved the appointments of Maj.-Gen. Leo Irabor, Chief of Defence Staff, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral A. Z. Gambo, Chief of Naval Staff and AVM I.O. Amao, Chief of Air Staff.

he Police Command in Edo has confirmed the release of abducted Spokeswoman of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Edo Command, Mrs Bridget

Esene.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Edo, Mr Chidi Nwabuzor, confirmed her release to the News Agency of Nigeria

(NAN) on telephone in Benin on Tuesday.

The NIS spokeswoman, who was kidnapped by unknown gunmen in Benin on Sunday,

was released at about 4pm on Tuesday.

The police however, declined to comment on whether ransom was paid or not.

It would be recalled that Esene was abducted in Ikhueniro area of Benin on Sunday on her way to church. (NAN)

Kidnapped NIS spokesperson in Benin regains freedom T

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

PAGE 8

NEWS

Chairman, Plateau State Joint Traditional Council, Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang-Buba (3rd R); Chairman, Olamaboro Local Government Traditional Council of Kogi State/Ejeh of Olamaboro, Ujah Simon (2nd L), and other traditional rulers during the traditional council’s visit to the Gbong Gwom Jos on Wednesday (27/1/21).

NECO announced new date for 2020 SSCE From Yakubu Minna.

Mustapha,

T

he National Examinations Council (NECO) has fixed new dates for the examination following requests by candidates to be given more time to complete their registration process for the 2020 SSCE (External).

This was contained in a statement issued by Azeez Sani who is the Head, Information and Public Relations Division.

He advised all candidates to access the revised Examination Time Table on the Council’s website: www.neco.gov.ng “Thus, the examination which was earlier scheduled to commence on Monday 1st February, 2021 and end on Wednesday 3rd March, 2021, will now start on Monday 8th February, 2021 and ends on Wednesday 10th March, 2021.

“The Council hereby informs those candidates, who missed some papers during the 2020 SSCE (Internal) due to the ENDSARS protests in some states, to take note of these new dates and report for the examination accordingly at their various examination centers to be designated”.

70 shops destroyed by fire in Somolu Market – LASEMA

T

he Director-General Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Olufemi OkeOsanyintolu, says 70 lockup shops have been destroyed by fire in Alade Market in Somolu.

He added that goods worth millions of Naira were also damaged by the inferno.

According to him, the

Agency received distress calls on Tuesday at 1:05 a.m. concerning the fire outbreak in Alade Market.

“We commenced fire suppression activities immediately we arrived at Somolu market and investigation revealed that the fire was likely from a voltage surge when power supply was restored.

“LASEMA fire fighters with the Lagos State and Federal Fire Services worked tirelessly to put out the inferno.”

He called on members of the public to ensure that their appliances were switched off when not in use in order to prevent fire outbreak, He added that the extent of goods destroyed by the fire was

still being assessed.

However, Mr Tajudeen Aremu, an eye witness, who was sweeping the market, at the time of the incident, said the fire started few minutes to 1 a.m.

He said he saw the fire coming out from one particular shop and within few minutes it extended to many other shops.

(NAN)

NPA launches electric truck call-up system to end Apapa gridlock

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

I

n a bit to end Apapa tragic gridlocks, the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) has commenced the implementation of the electronic truck callup system designed for the management of trucks movement and access to and from the Lagos ports complex and the Tin Can Island ports, Apapa Lagos Called ETO. The NPA, announced the launch of Eto, an Electronic Truck call-up system designed for the

management of truck movement and access to and from the Lagos Ports Complex and the Tin Can Island Ports, Apapa, Lagos.

In a statement issued by the Assistant General Manager, cooperate and strategic communications, Ibrahim Nasiru said, all the trucks doing business at the ports will required to park at the approved truck parks until they are called up into the port through the Eto app. “The Eto app will be responsible for the scheduling, entry & exit of all trucks into the ports with effect

from 27th Feb 2021.

“The management of the Authority solicits the cooperation of transporters, truck drivers, cargo owners, clearing agents shipping companies and all port users in implementation of the project, which will bring border and sanity to ports access roads.”

The NPA urged all truck drivers and owners to download the app or sign up for the system online at https://eto.ttp.com.ng before the commencement date to enable them to register accordingly.

It warned that therefusal to comply with the implantation of Eto will result in denial of access into the ports, impounding of trucks and withdrawal of registration/operating license.

Similarly, the empty containers can only be returned to the ports through the approved holding bays of shipping companies using the ETO platform. Noncompliance to the use of ETO and its guidelines will result in denial of access into the ports, impounding of trucks and withdrawal of registration/ operating license.

BHCPF : 239 health facilities to receive over N390m in Jigawa From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

N

o fewer than 239 out of 279 heath facilities in Jigawa state are qualified to receive the sum of over N390 million as Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF).

This was announced by the

permanent secretary Jigawa state ministry of health Dr Salisu Mu’azu while delivering his speech during the stakeholders meeting on BHCPF held yesterday at Ahmadu Bello hall in state secretariat Dutse.

He explained that, the fund is approved for the last year

2020, would come from National primary healthcare development agency to the account of any qualified facility directly without any get.

According to him, each of the 239 facilities will received N601,500.00 as two months funds meant for the upgrading

the facilities adding that the funds will continue if it’s properly used.

Dr said, “this is the purpose of organising this meeting with all stakeholders including Media, CSOs, traditional and religious leaders local government chairmen, health workers among others to create awareness for

successful implementations of the program as only successful facility would qualify to get more funds” He then urged the media and CSOs to keep monitoring the program and ensure the successful implementations across the qualified facilities in the state.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

PAGE 9

NEWS

Draw initiative, new strategy to end insecurity - Reps tell new Service Chiefs T

By Christiana Ekpa

he House of Representatives committee on army, yesterday asked the new service chiefs to immediately draw a new and comprehensive strategy that would curb the growing insurgency and banditry in the country.

The Chairman of the

committee, Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas (APC, Adamawa) made the call on tuesday while reacting to the resignation of the former service chiefs.

While welcoming the new development, Namdas said “We urge the new service chiefs to come out with a new strategy to curb banditry and insurgency” He commended President

Muhammadu Buhari and the former service chiefs for harkening to the voice of the people as well as the advice of the parliament.

According to him, “The President and former service chiefs have responded to the call of the people. As you are aware, many well-meaning Nigerians and stakeholders had before now

called on the service chiefs to resign.

“Most notably is the Senate and the House of Representatives, which had at different times passed resolutions calling for a change in the service chiefs. Mr. President has just listened to the counsel of the Nigerian people.

“We thank the service chiefs for resigning and especially

President Muhammadu Buhari for accepting their resignation and promptly appointing new service chiefs to hit the ground running”, he stated.

Namdas said he expects that with the new appointments, the morale in the military will be boosted and there will be an improvement in the security of the country.

DG advises corps members on creativity, selfemployment

By Albert Akota

C

orps Members have been advised to develop their skills and embrace dignity of labour while striving towards self-employment.

The Director-General, NYSC, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim, gave this advice yesterday at the FCT Orientation Camp in Kubwa while addressing the 2020 Batch ‘B’ Corps Members deployed to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

He urged them to acquire skills that would make them wealth creators instead of seeking scarcely available white collar jobs.

The Director-General admonished the Corps Members to embrace the NYSC SKill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme that was introduced to make them self-reliant.

“Don’t wait for white collar jobs. Respect the dignity of labour, be focused and be committed.

Discover your talents and work towards harnessing them and the sky will be your limit”, he said.

Ibrahim also advised them to key into Federal Government’s Youth Investment Trust Fund and National Young Farmers’ Scheme, especially for those of them interested in agriculture.

While educating the Corps Members on the four cardinal programmes of the NYSC, the DG advised them to be patriotic and always be of good conduct adding, “As future leaders, you must be exemplary in your conduct and serve as role models.”

He also urged the Corps Members to avoid negative use of the social media, but use them for the promotion of national unity and integration.

“Shun religious intolerance and ethnic bigotry. Be in the vanguad for the promotion of national unity and integration” he said.

The Director-General also advised them to be security conscious, avoid social vices and any act capable of jeopardizing their future.

He warned the Corps Members against embarking on unauthorised journeys and movements at night.

“Please, don’t compromise your safety. Don’t travel at night, be COVID-19 safety compliant and use the opportunities of NYSC service year as a platform to excel in life”, the Director-General said.

L-R: General ABC Nweze Rtd,Barr MC Onoh,ElderDonaldOnyia(chairman council of Elders Etiti Ngwo community ,Barr Ewuzie(Representing the leading counsel),Engr Isaac Ogochukwu Ani(chairman Etiti General Assembly),General Blessing Uchenna Onyia Rtd,Ani Okechukwu(secretary Etiti General Assembly),Eze Chijioke(provost Etiti General Assembly),Barr CMO Nweze at the supreme court when the court dismissed the appeal of Umuakum Atakwu against Etiti community Ngwo concerning the land dispute, presided by justice Mary Odili jsc on Tuesday in Abuja

Govt urged to provide adequate protection for famers By Paul Abuja

T

Efiong,

he Lead Director, Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) , Mr. Eze Onyekpere has call on Govt at all level to find a way of protecting farmers in other to insure food security in Nigeria.

Speaking during the opening of a one day workshop on budget Analysis in various level of Government for Agric sector , Advocacy and Training for Small scale women farmers organization in Nigeria (SWOFON) organised by CSJ with support from the International Budget yesterday in Abuja.

According to him; “the security situation is worrisome where farmers cannot asses their farms without being attack so Govt most critically look at this problems so that we can have food security in our land , we must also look at the budget provision for women farmers and agricultural sector as a whole and after

budget are passed, the Finance authorities must insure the releases promptly, so as a people we have a lot to do in form of advocacy, Government also has to creat industries in conjuction with the private sector that will drive the value chains of what the farmers are producing”, Eze said.

The National President of SWOFON, Mrs Mary Ishaya call on govt to increase the budget allocation for women farmers which according to her has the highest numbers of small scall farmers.

“Women are ready and are able to feed the country even for export with assistant from government through mechanisation. many of our members also lost their produce because of Natural disasters like flood and we are calling on Authorities to come to our aids. she appreciated the effort of the Federal government in this regards and urge them to invest more in SWOFON”.

JIGAWASTATE GOVERNMENT MINISTRY OF HEALTH BLOCK B NEW SECRETARIAT COMPLEX, 3 ARM ZONE DUTSE.

ADVERTISEMENT

INVITATION FOR PREQUALIFICATION AND TENDER IN RESPECT OF PHASE II CONTRUCTION WORKS AT SPECIALIST HOSPITAL HADEJIA, SPECIALIST HOSPITAL KAZAURE, SCHOOL OF NURSING AND MIDWIFERY BABURA AND NEW GENERAL HOSPITAL GURI AND CONSTRUCTION OF 3 NEW GENERAL HOSPITALS AT GAGARAWA, GWIWA AND KIRIKASAMMA PROCUREMNET NO MOH/STB/01-09/2021 In Compliance with Jigawa State Procurement Process, Jigawa State Ministry of Health wishes to notify the interested bidders of its intention to carry out Phase II Construction Works at School of Nursing and Midwifery Babura, Specialist Hospital Kazaure, Specialist Hospital Hadejia, and New General Hospital Guri, and Construction of 3 New General Hospitals at Gagarawa, Gwiwa and Kirikasamma.

2 PROJECT SCOPE: The Projects to be carried out include: Lot 1: Construction of Additional Student’s Hostel (1 Block) and External Mechanical and Electrical Installation at School of Nursing and Midwifery Babura Lot 2: Construction of External Road Network and Drainages at School of Nursing and Midwifery Babura Lot 3: Phase II Construction works at Specialist Hospital Kazaure (Extension of Road Network, Drainages, Construction of Staff Quarters and Mechanical Installation for all the blocks) LOT 4: Construction of External Road Network and Drainages at Specialist Hospital Hadejia LOT 5: Construction of Staff Quarters and Mechanical Installation for all the blocks at Specialist Hospital Hadejia LOT 6: Construction of New General Hospital at Gagarawa LOT 7: Construction of New General Hospital at Gwiwa LOT 8: Construction of New General Hospital at Kirikasamma Lot 9: Construction External Road Network, Drainages and additional structures at New General Hospital Guri.

3 ELIGBILITY REQUIREMENTS Bidding document should be submitted along with following documents: I. Certificate of Incorporation with Corporate Affairs Commission II. Certified True Copy of Memorandum and Article of Association III. Evidence of registration with Jigawa State Works

Registration Board IV. Tax clearance certificate for the last three (3) years V. Audited Account for the Last One (1) Year VI. VAT Registration and Evidence of Past Remittance VII. Evidence of financial capability and banking support VIII. Company Average Annual Turn Over of not less than N500Million IX. That the Company have fulfilled all obligations to pay taxes, pensions, ITF Contribution and social security contributions X. Evidence of execution and completion of similar jobs at least 3 in the last 5 years (Letter of Award and Certificate of Practical Completion to be included).

XI. Verifiable evidence of Company profile and technical qualification of key personnel registered with relevant professional bodies (COREN, CORBON, QSRBN, ARCON etc.

XII. A sworn affidavit certifying as Follows: a) That the document submitted for the pre-qualification exercise bare not only genuine but correct b) That none of the directors of the Company has been convicted by any court of law c) That the Company is not bankrupt. d) That none of the officers of Jigawa State/Local Government is a present or former director of the Company.

XIII Any other relevant information that will help in determining the Company’s suitability for the work.

Any prospective Bidder that does not possess any of the above documents need not to apply.

4 COLLECTION OF TENDER DOCUMENT: Bidding Document Could be obtained from the office of the Director Planning, Research and Statistics, Ministry of Health Dutse at a non-refundable fee of Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N350,000.00) only by 9.00am to 5.00pm from Thursday 28th January ,2021.

Bid submission will close on Thursday, 11th February ,2021 by 12.00 noon. Bids will be opened on the same day by 12.00 noon. Prompt.

Signed: Dr Salisu B. Muazu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

PAGE 10

NEWS Natforce elects national leaders as late DG wife emerges DDG

By Paul Efiong, Abuja

N

ational Taskforce on the Prohibition of illegal Importation of Arms,Ammunition,Light Weapons,Chemical Weapons and Pine line Vandalism (Natforce) during the weekend elected His Royal Highness, Dr Baba Muhammed as its new Director General while late DG’, Chief Okereke’s wife, Barr. Mrs Lora Okereke emerged the Deputy Director General.

In a keenly neck to neck contested election, Baba Muhammed who was earlier nominated by the Akwa Ibom State Director, against Evangelist Martina Farinde who nominated her self for the election.

The election which was conducted in a transparent atmosphere and general glare of all in attendance saw Baba Muhammed through with 25 votes while Evangelist Martina Farinde had 3 votes cast.

The National Executive Council(NEC) of the Association had decided to conduct the election following the demise of the Pioneer Director General, Chief Osita Okereke as they insisted that there should be no vacuum.

In another development, the NEC had unanimously agreed to appoint the widow of late DG, Barr Mrs Lora Okereke as the Deputy Director General while the eldest son, Mr Obinna Okereke shall in due cause be given a position at national level.

The event also witness a formal pronouncement by the family that late Chief Osita Okereke was death and was done on behalf of the family by the eldest son Obinna Okereke though with a very deep emotion and tears.

Mean while the NEC had also used the opportunity to disband the so-call DG Special Squard through out the country charging members and security agencies to arrest and prosecute any person claiming to operate under such illegal body or group.

They also agreed to use all legal meas available at their disposal to retrieve documents, assets as well as liability of Natforce from the said unrepentant and splinter group as soon as possible.

In a interview with newsmen shortly after the election, the new Director General Alh Dr Baba Muhammed promised to work assiduously with all relevant security agencies in the country in order to move Natforce to it destination.

He also used the opportunity to plead with the members of the National Assembly and indeed the Executive Arms of government to expedite action on Natforce Bill which has scaled through 2nd reading in the floor of the senate promising to use his contact gained over years as a dynamic season administrator to push Natforce higher for the benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians.

Ondo, Oyo/herdsmen crisis: PDP BoT Chairman seeks dialogue in resolving matter

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

T

he Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Walid Jibrin has harped on the need for Nigerians, especially Governors of Ondo,Oyo, States, citizens of the two States, security outfits in the affected states and all Fulanis to adopt necessary reconciliations in resolving the ongoing crisis among them.

Senator Jibrin specifically advised the concerned people to rely on effective dialogue in solving all

...Hails Govs’ forum intervention misunderstandings between them.

The Chairman, BoT of the PDP gave the advice in a statement personally signed by him yesterday and made available to journalists in Abuja.

He expressed support for the various efforts State Governors are making to solve the problems between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in every state His words, “Yorubas, Igbos, Ijaws and Fulanis must live peacefully for

ever.

“I do not surport any one who says that all lands in Nigeria belong to Fulanis .

All lands belong to every state.

“I surport all Governors trying to solve these problems between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in every state.

“The order given to all Fulanis residing In Ondo to evacuate from the state immediately should be reversed and while the Elders and

Governors forum are allowed to handle this matter peacefully and amicably.

“As a prominent Fulani leader myself and responsible elder statesman, Iam making all efforts to invite all Fulani associations to come together for a truce that will solve this matter without any fight or war.

“We have been living peacefully in Nigeria since after the Biafran War.

L-R: National President, Small Scale Women Farmers Organization in Nigeria (SWOFON), Mrs Mary Ishaya, Executive Director, Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), Mr. Eze onyekpere and the Senior Programme Officer, international Budget Partnership (IBP), Mr. Atiku Samuel, during the Budget Analytical, Advocacy facilitation and Training for SWOFON members by CSJ with other development agencies powered by the IBP, held on Monday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Ikpeazu lifts ban on activities of NURTW in Abia

G

ov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia has lifted the proscription placed on the activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state.

Ikpeazu made this known on Tuesday when members of the National Executive Council of the union paid him a visit at the Government House, Umuahia.

The governor said that the decision to lift the ban was

informed by steps taken by the national leadership of the union to call its members to order.

He said that he had accepted the apology tendered by the union, adding that the state government and NURTW ought to be partners in progress.

Ikpeazu described the union as a very important sector and mainstay of Abia economy, noting that the union was a major

contributor to the growth of trade and commerce in the state.

He said that the state government had enjoyed a good working relationship with the union and all motor unions in Abia.

The governor however, added that the state government would not relent in evolving programmes and policies that would promote growth in the transport sector.

“We try to complement the efforts of the union here in providing services and welfare for road transport workers by investing a lot of money in road infrastructure and urban renewal.

“We also spend a lot of money in trying to maintain security, law and order.

“We are working in synergy with the motor unions to ensure security of lives and property in the state.”

Okowa congratulates new CDS, Gen. Irabor

By Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

D

elta Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has congratulated MajorGeneral Leo Irabor on his appointment as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) by President Muhammadu Buhari today.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, Okowa said that the sacrifices of the new Defence chief towards peace and progress of the nation, especially his acknowledged gallantry at assignments, were outstanding.

He thanked Buhari for appointing an illustrious son of

Delta into the exalted position of Chief of Defence Staff, and said that it was an elevated responsibility given to a deserving officer.

According to him, Irabor, who hails from Agbor in Delta, has the requisite experience for his new job having served as Theatre Commander “Operation Lafiya Doyle”, Force Commander of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), combating Boko Haram; Chief of Training and Operations, Defence Headquarters and Commander, Training and Doctrine Command of the Nigerian Army, TRADOC. Okowa urged Irabor to ensure

that under his watch, Nigeria would record improvement in military-civil relations and that he should continue to uphold the territorial integrity of the nation.

He lauded the new CDS for the successes recorded at the many army formations where he served across the country, which according to him, contributed in strengthening Nigerian Army’s capacity for its constitutional role.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I congratulate a fine military officer and gentleman, Maj.-Gen. Leo Irabor, on his appointment as Chief of Defence Staff.

“With his core competences in

strong leadership and professional skills, Gen. Irabor had brought his wealth of experience to bear on all his assignments in the Army, especially in the war against terrorism and insurgency.

“He has had remarkable impact, working very hard for the people of Nigeria, particularly in the Nigerian Army where he rose through the ranks to become a Major-General in 2014.

“Over the years, Irabor had by dint of hard work and discipline, established himself with an unblemished leadership style laced with team-player spirit and this has endeared him to the men and officers of the Nigerian Army.”

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

PAGE 11

Letter to the editor

EDITORIAL

Don’t abandon agric for crude search

G

overnor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed of Bauchi State had cause to celebrate last year that crude oil has been found in his state.

The find, Kolmani River Well 11, is in Alkaleri local government area. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) announced the discovery on Oct. 10, 2020. It explained that “at 18:02hours, one of the reservoirs was perforated and hydrocarbon started flowing to the well head at 21:20hours in which the gas component was flared to prevent air charge around the Rig. “Preliminary reports indicate that the discovery consists of gas, condensate and light sweet oil of API gravity, ranging from 38 to 41, found in stacked siliciclastic cretaceous reservoirs of Yolde, Bima sandstone and pre-Bima formations.

Computation of hydrocarbon volume is on-going and will be announced in due course”.

We at Peoples Daily understand governor Bala Mohammed’s euphoria over the oil find in his state. It demystifies the belief that Northern Nigeria survives only on the oil economy of the South. The region is a big parasite on the far more productive southern part of the country, is the lie that has been Peoples told time and time again.

“

We at Daily understand governor Bala Mohammed’s euphoria over the oil find in his state. It demystifies the belief that Northern Nigeria survives only on the oil economy of the South

Reacting to the fossil oil discovery, confirmed by Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Timipre Sylva, the Bauchi governor described it as “a giant stride in unlocking the well documented economic potentialities of the state”. In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Comrade Mukhtar Gidado in Bauchi, the governor said the discovery “will make the state a net contributor to the nation’s crude oil output”.

The statement added, “the occasion of striking of oil in Alkaleri Local Government of Area of the state by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation as a great moment, OUR MISSION

not only for the state but for Nigeria as a whole as it is a monumental opportunity for both the present generation and the future”. He advised, however, that “there is need to embrace the currents of time and global best practice by diversifying and keying into the digital age”.

However, this does not tell the whole story. And this is why it is not yet celebration time.

For one, it is as yet to be ascertained if the find is of commercial value.

Secondly, in not too distant future fossil fuel will cease to be popular because of huge production costs and pollution risk. Cleaner and less costly energy sources are fast emerging on the scene.

Therefore, the North should, and must, not be lulled into complacency by the crude oil strike in its heartlands. Plans to resuscitate its agrarian economy should continue apace the search for crude. Because the future of the region lies in agriculture which will ensure food security and provide jobs for its teeming youth population.

OUR PEOPLE

“To be the market Chief Operating Officer place of ideas and /Editor, the leading player Hameed M. Bello, PhD in the industry by putting the people first, upholding the Manager, administration Hassan Hammanyaji truth, maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards while HEAD, ADVERT delivering value to Patrick UGAMA our stakeholders”

OUR VISION

“To be a reputable, profitable, innovative and technologically reliant media company offering world class services and products”

The protracted KadunaZaria-Kano expressway

By Zayyad Muhammad

T

he delay in the completion of the Kaduna-Zaria-Kano expressway is a major topic in the northern part of Nigeria.

Recently, I witnessed a debate between two friends in JimetaYola, Adamawa state, on the completion of the KadunaZaria-Kano expressway.

That debate prompted this headline. The duo debated the role of Engineer Abubakar D. Aliyu, as Honourable Minister of State for Works and Housing in the delayed completion of the Kaduna-Zaria-Kano expressway, considering the fact that he is from the north.

Whenever the unpalatable tale of the delay of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing projects in the north is mentioned, Aliyu’s name often pops up. This may be due to no other reasons other than that he is from the north; a politician, an accomplished engineer, a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, a member of the Council of Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), and has the record of being the longestserving deputy governor in Nigeria, - 10 and a half years as the deputy governor of Yobe state. With aforementionedEngr. Aliyu cannot run away from being mentioned and looked-upon for criticism and some explanations.

When asked, the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing explained why the construction work on the Kaduna-ZariaKano expressway is taking long to complete.

They clarified that; the project did not begin early as planned because some members of the National Assembly demanded the expansion of the road from two lanes to three lanes, to which the executive obliged.

After the directive from the presidency, there was a need to redesign and accommodate the expansion.

The redesigning meant the realignment of 40 different bridges on the road and other technical readjustments. After undergoing all the processes of

procurement for redesigning to three lanes, the ministry received another instruction to revert to two lanes due to paucity of funds. These were the major reasons for the delay.

Apart from popping-up in debates on the state of federal roads, Engr. Aliyu’s name comes up frequently in Adamawa state. Though having Yobe state as state of origin, Engr. Abubakar and his late brother, former governor of Yobe State, senator Mamman Ali were born and raised in Jimeta-Yola, Adamawa. Many people in Jimeta pay attention to their affairs, as they are seen as indigenes of Jimeta and as role models. In his current position, Engr.

Abubakar has gone through the mills to contribute to the ministry’s policies and programs on highway construction and rehabilitation; infrastructural planning and design; and the monitoring and maintenance of federal roads and bridges, nationwide. Aliyu has been actively involved in driving initiatives aimed at improving the country’s infrastructure.

The Jimeta-raised technocrat was integral to the plans by the Federal Government to build 500 houses for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Zamfara, Borno, Adamawa and Katsina States, including the construct affordable housing for nationwide. He is also contributing in driving the federal government’s wider target to cut the housing deficit in the country by 20 million in 2033. As a seasoned engineer, Aliyu is a round peg in a round hole in the ministry of works and housing. With the bureaucracy of the Nigerian administrative system, which often delays achieving monumental projects like the KadunaZaria-Kano expressway, the country needs the expertise of technocrats like Aliyu to take its infrastructure development to the next level.

Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Jimeta, Adamawa State, zaymohd@ yahoo.com, 08036070980

PAGE 12

Opinion

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

Teachers and nation building

By Ezinwanne Onwuka

I

can vividly recall when I was asked to represent my class in an intra-school debate competition during my primary school days. The topic of the debate was: Teachers are more important than lawyers.

My class, primary 5 was to propose while Primary 6 was to oppose the motion. 9-year old me was not comfortable with supporting the motion because I felt lawyers were much more important in the society compared to teachers. I didn’t understand why anyone could think otherwise. It is stupid, I thought.

Nevertheless, I got to work. The points I was putting up, rather than sparking up an interest in me for the topic, made me see the ridiculousness of supporting the motion. At this juncture, it is pertinent that I mention that my childhood dream was to become a lawyer. Maybe, it was because of my love for the law profession that made me have a low regard for teachers and wouldn’t want to take the side of teachers in a debate. If I don’t defend lawyers, who will?

Well, I pulled out of the debate. I told my teacher that I was having difficulty getting interesting points for the debate to guarantee our success, as the chief speaker.

Of course, she didn’t believe me because she knew I was up to the task. She knew I was lying. And her efforts to know why I

was opting out of the competition proved futile. She had to choose another student.

On the day of the competition, I prayed that Primary 6 would win. Imagine that! At the end, my prayer was ‘answered’. I was jubilant. In fact, I celebrated the victory more than the victors.

Many years have gone, my opinion about teachers has changed. My opinion then as a 9-year old was clearly immature and unguided. Not that I looked down on them, though. I just couldn’t figure out any meaningful role they play in the society, compared to lawyers. As I grew older and met teachers like Mr. Steve, Mrs. Egbo, Dr. C.N Ogbozo, Prof. J.C.A Agbakoba, Dr. A.C Areji, Prof. F.O.C Njoku, Mrs. U.M Okoye, Mr. D.O Odo and so many others, I had a paradigm shift. However, this is not to imply that I disregarded my primary school teachers. No, I owe them a profound gratitude! And yes, an apology to Mrs. Igwe, my Primary 5 teacher, for my childish behavior back then (I hope she gets to read this somehow).

Remeniescing, I can’t help but get baffled to realize that every teacher who has taught me actually made me realize the unique role(s) of teachers in the society.

The pithy saying, ‘No Teacher, No Nation’ underscores how indispensable teachers are to the nation. Little wonder, the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) has the

slogan “If you can write your name, thank your teacher”. This also lends credence to highlight the importance of teachers.

Every profession is important and prestigious but permit me to say that the most important and most prestigious is the teaching profession because the teaching profession is the mother of all profession because, the future of every individual and nation lies in the hands of the teacher.

This view is somewhat shocking coming from someone who, as a child, regarded the law profession highly and the teaching profession lowly, right?

There is a popular saying that if a doctor makes a mistake, perhaps one person might die, if a lawyer makes a mistake, perhaps, one person might go to jail, if an engineer makes a mistake, may be a bridge might collapse, but if a teacher makes a mistake, generations yet unborn will come to suffer the effect of that mistake. This shows that teachers are the life-wire and mainstay of the nation.

Chanakya has rightly stated, “The teacher is the maker of a nation”. Hence, no teachers, no future. A nation without (competent) teachers is a nation heading for doom because the future of the nation is fashioned by him/her through the process of education. In other words, a teacher is a person who can either make or mar the future of a society, a person whose

importance cannot be over emphasized. It is a teacher who influences the immature minds of the youth. He/she treats and tries to mould the living stuff into various forms.

A teacher is a vessel for development.

A nation trying to march ahead on the roads to progress can leave the education of her sons and daughter in the hands of incompetent teachers only at its own risk.

“The world of tomorrow will be born from the schools of today” says M.L Jacks. In this way, teachers, indeed, can be rightly called nation builders.

A nation is built by its citizens and citizens are moulded by teachers. The role of the teacher in nation building cannot be over-emphasised. National development hinges inextricably on the contributions of the teacher. Indeed, teachers are great assets in any Nation, that is why the National Policy on Education (Revised 2004) recognized that “No educational system can rise above the quality of its teachers”.

Teachers are, undoubtedly, the pillar to the development and building of any nation. Teachers are the light bearers to development.

Ezinwanne Onwuka can be reached at ezinwanne.dominion@ gmail.com

Call war mongers to order, please!

By Isaac Asabor

A

ccording to an African proverb, “If the keg of palm-wine is not quickly snatched from the hands of an exuberant drunk, he may drink himself to stupor.” A similar proverb also says “If an overzealous child is not assisted by his elders when roasting yams in the farm, he may innocently set the farm and the hut ablaze”.

There is no denying the fact that the foregoing African proverbs succinctly illustrates the repercussion of the somewhat drums of war that are been beaten in the South Western States of the country, with particular reference to Oyo State where quit notice has being issued to Fulani herdsmen, and on the other hand the entire Eastern parts of the country where Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has been calling the shot for the creation of Biafra.

If warmongers are not brought under government searchlight, and called to order, it may create a hydra-headed security challenge that may make the challenges already posed by Boko Haram look like a child`s play. It is possible for some Nigerians to see this piece as the opinion of a coward, I will accept to be so seen as long as an African proverb has it that “Truth is the first victim of war”.

Apart from the need for the governments at all levels to closely watch war monger among us, and call them to order, it is expedient that traditional rulers, political leaders and even opinion leaders weigh in on the ongoing bickering over the quit notice given to Fulani Herdsmen to prevent the situation from exacerbating to what virtually all Nigerians do not bargained for. It is not as if this writing is wishing for another civil war to occur, God forbid! However, the fact remains that there have been rash, careless and voices being raised that predict and seem to encourage civil war.

Since the quit notice was issued to Fulani Herdsmen in Oyo State, I have being able to discernably see the threads of hatred that literarily run through the fabric of co-existence between the Fulani

Herdsmen and the rest of us. In fact, with some of the arguments that were informally demonstrated on the streets, offices, and other informal places, I was shocked to the marrows. While listening to some of the views, even from educated elites, it dawned on me that it is just a matter of time before the seemingly uncoordinated group of war mongers would embrace tribalism and religious bigotry that could leave disastrous consequences in its wake.

To me, I think we should be very careful on this matter of quit notice given to the herdsmen as some misguided youths have the predilection of becoming tribal warlords and religiously sentimental whenever they are mobilized to do so. To this end, leaders that have the ability to sway public opinion should endeavor to swing public opinion to the side of peace. The leaders should ensure that the call for Fulani Herdsmen to desist from the meadowlands in the western parts of Nigeria is not hijacked by unscrupulous people to achieve their selfish objectives or begin to use it as a platform for committing nefarious activities.

To the Ika-speaking people of the Midwestern part of the country, there is an aphorism that says “When a child witness war from the trenches amid the bang of guns and “Ogbunigwes”, he will call war “Aya” with spittle involuntarily dropping from his mouth like an imbecile and pronounce it as such, instead of calling it “Agha” as it is known to be called, and pronounced among the Ika-speaking people of Igbanke, Agbor, Abavo, Owa and the rest of them.

In fact, since war begun to rear its ugly head as a threat to peaceful co-existence among people of different ethnic and religious backgrounds, peacemakers have for the umpteenth time warned of its consequences. In fact, not few warmongers have foolhardily refused to heed advice.

To this end, they have, just as an African proverb says, like the stubborn fly, followed the corpse to the grave.

To stress how destructive war is, it has been acronymically defined as by an unknown author as “Waste All Resources (WAR)”.

In a similar vein, a folktale has it that there was a man that ran into a thick forest, abandoning his wife and children, due to the fear of a raging war. As the tale goes, he spent months in the forest oblivious of the fact that the war has ended. Having realized that he has overstayed in the forest, he decided to take the bull by the horns by deciding to go back to the village; without minding whether the war has ended or not, since he was emotionally down for abandoning his children and wife.

Laughably enough, he left the forest few weeks to Christmas, and on getting close to the village, he heard banging sounds from knock-outs being fired by playful children, and home-coming youths from the cities, but erroneously thought the sporadic sounds were fired by soldiers, and hurriedly ran back to the forest where he further stayed for months until the villagers organized search groups to fish him out from the forest. Without any iota of embellishment, the foregoing view has no doubt threw an insight to the impact of war and extreme stress on civilian populations. In the same, vein, I have personally interacted with an Easterner who had his eardrum ruptured as a result of the impact of bangs from gunshots and “Ogbunigwe” bombs during the civil war that took place from 1967 to 1970.

As gathered regarding the Nigerian Civil War that was fought more than fifty years ago, and captured the world’s attention, the war raged in Biafra, from 6 July 1967 to 15 January 1970. It was recorded by historians as the first modern civil war in sub-Saharan Africa after independence and one of the bloodiest with the death of about 1 to 3 million people, mostly from starvation. The war, no doubt, sparked a massive humanitarian crisis as it was said that the levels of starvation in Biafra were three times higher than the starvation reported during World War II in Stalingrad and Holland. It was also recorded that the War-induced food blockades that led to severe protein shortages in the entire eastern region and caused widespread malnutrition and devastation among adults

and children. Above all, war historians noted that the Biafra war ranks as one of the great nutritional disasters of modern times.

Also to be considered to have being of help, particularly in serving as a lesson to warmongers, is the Liberian Civil War that had at least 150,000 people killed, and hundreds of thousands becoming refugees throughout the region.

As of 2004, at least 200,000 Liberian refugees were living in surrounding countries, including Nigeria. Economic analysts were unanimous in their views that years of civil war destroyed the Liberian economy, which is now characterized by an extremely low growth rate, high foreign and domestic debt burdens, and an unemployment rate that in 2005 rose to an all-time high, and estimated be at 80 percent.

It would be recalled that prior to the outbreak of the civil war that Liberia was exporting raw timber, rubber and diamonds, but in 2001, the U.N. Security Council imposed an embargo on Liberian diamonds and timber, contending that the wrong people were profiting and that trade in these natural resources fueled further conflict.

As googled, an estimated 15,000 children fought in Liberia’s civil war.

Worse still, a Filipino policeman deployed by the United Nations to investigate Liberian war crimes, came back with gory facts that include the one that says that Taylor’s men would sometimes bet on the sex of an unborn child, then kill both the mother and the child to determine who the winner of the bet was.

Given the foregoing gory details about civil war, it is expedient to say that if anyone would have a knowledgeable perspective on the question of whether we are headed for civil war, it is warmongers among us as they have in the last one week been beating war drums. To my view, I think the government should with its constitutional power call this men to order as Nigeria cannot afford a second civil war.

Isaac Asabor is a Public Affairs Analyst.

PAGE 13

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

Comment

The necessity of teaching critical thinking in African schools

By Leo Igwe

T

he realization of a more critical thinking African society must start in the schools and with the schools because schools are spaces where values, skills, and competencies are nurtured.

Schools are places where the minds of children and youths are shaped and nourished. There have been propositions for young people to think critically, and to question ideas and beliefs. But propositions are mere words and empty rhetoric if they are not backed by actions and effective programs. Many have urged against blind faith and belief in received knowledge. They have stressed the importance of openness to new ideas and opposing viewpoints. But such urges have yet to translate into critical mindedness.

People have argued against a dogmatic approach to issues, to social and cultural norms. But those arguments usually end up as mere talks, and some armchair speculations.

The habit of questioning ideas has been widely acknowledged as important and necessary in navigating and making sense of the deluge of information that people encounter in their everyday life. Being critical has been lauded as a needed virtue in distinguishing truth from falsehood, fake from genuine news, credible information from misinformation and disinformation.

Having a critical mind has been identified as an asset, or a potent weapon against

deception, gullibility, and manipulation by con-artists and snake oil salesmen. Critical mindedness has been noted as the antidote to fanaticism and bigotry. Unfortunately, there are no programs devoted to teaching and inculcating critical thinking skills, especially in the primary and secondary schools. Critical thinking features too little too late in the course of education.

And there is little appetite to reform the educational system to reflect these values and sentiments. Critical thinking is taught only at the tertiary level. At this stage, the minds of students have been made up.

Many students are less open and seldom disposed to question and interrogate ideas in all areas of human endeavor. Simply put, at the tertiary level, students resist or are inclined to resist critical evaluations.

Such resistance happens because

“

religious indoctrination constitutes the first mode of instruction that children receive before they are sent to get a formal education in quasi-religious primary, secondary and university schools. So child upbringing leaves little room for critical inquiry. There are no programs to encourage children and young people to question ideas. That is why it is necessary to introduce critical thinking as a subject in primary and secondary schools. Teaching critical thinking in primary schools will enable children to learn very early to exercise their curiosity and inquisitiveness.

Children need to understand that learning is not only through memorization but also via interrogation of ideas. Teachers need to learn that teaching is not only about delivering content to students, who must regurgitate them during examinations but

The habit of questioning ideas has been widely acknowledged as important and necessary in navigating and making sense of the deluge of information that people encounter in their everyday life.

What I will do if I were a teacher

By Michael Omisore

I

am hooked. I have fallen in love with a thankless vocation. I have chosen a profession not so appreciated in my part of the world. Teaching, it is called. In other parts of the world, my fellow professionals are treated like gods, but here in Nigeria, we are several levels below such reality.

So trampled upon is the profession that it has lost its attraction. The discrimination against teaching has been right from my own school days. Students in the Faculty of Education are seen as low class compared to those of other faculties. Colleges of education are paid little attention, after all, they don’t produce doctors, lawyers and engineers. They produce graduates that are considered second or third rates though they are the ones that will teach the future professionals in all fields, as if that is nothing.

The remuneration attached to the teaching job for basic and secondary education is pathetically low. While I like what I do, I do not like what I get. The take home can barely take one home. Even our colleagues in the civil service get better pay and benefits than us teachers. Aside from remuneration, the value and worth that ought to accompany the job are no longer there. Teaching is at the bottom of the list of professions in terms of accrued rewards.

And some people will come around and say that the reward of teachers is in heaven.

What a malicious statement, a half-truth that rubs in the pain the more.

The worst deal is that one can barely see a career path. If I have given 10 years to teaching and I am still more or less at the same point I started, just working the routine of classroom duties from term to term, what makes me think I would have really advanced 10 years from now? This is really my fear, feeding my demotivation. I can hardly focus on this job. While some of my mates in other professions are already doing so well, I am yet to really find my bearing in career building and money-

making all because I chose teaching, or teaching chose me because of no other choice on my part.

What will I do? How can I really make it as a teacher? How can I on this job have both sides of the success coin, which are fulfilment and prosperity? Certain steps are necessary, but before then, I have to accept the existing realities: That I may not be rich or well to do overnight on the teaching job. That I may have to be contented with low pay while I am working at building my career. That I may have to find fulfilment in the value of my contribution rather than the value of my returns until the returns catch up later with the contribution as I commit to the steps to be highlighted. That I have to take personal responsibility for my success as a teacher rather than wait for my employer to perform magic.

The first step to be highlighted is building proficiency. Could it be that my current low esteem for myself and my job is a reflection of the little or no personal development I have made towards being an efficient professional as a teacher? Could it be that what I am getting is what I attract?

The fact is, excellence speaks. And it is all a matter of choice. I can join other teachers in trading blames about the system, but I can also albeit alone rise above mediocrity through training to learn, unlearn and relearn facts, building core competence

“

and adhering to best practices no matter what.

The parents of my students will begin to value me the more for my extra work and giving more attention to certain details that other teachers don’t give attention to.

As a result, I can get a well-paying home lesson job to augment my income or I can be recommended for a better paying job in teaching. Aside from my immediate environment, the world is a global village now and if I can’t find needed excellence around me, I can visit places I have never been through the internet to find out more about the discipline of teaching and derive applicable and adaptable knowledge for my current position and level.

As I gain proficiency and core competence, I definitely will have knowledge to share. And what a time to be born where that is concerned. I can, free of charge, be my own broadcaster and publisher reaching an audience far wider than my contact and reach through the social media. I will be strategic about this, choosing one or two social media platforms that work for me, and begin to pass across knowledge in the area of my built competence. Soon, if I keep at it, I begin to get noticed. I begin to gain and gather audience all over the world.

While this may not necessarily generate or translate to money in the short run, it is

The remuneration attached to the teaching job for basic and secondary education is pathetically low. While I like what I do, I do not like what I get. The take home can barely take one home.

Even our colleagues in the civil service get better pay and benefits than us teachers. Aside from remuneration

also providing opportunities for students to question contents that are delivered in the class. So schools need to have a subject that is strictly devoted to getting students to generate questions for questions’ sake. Incidentally, what goes on in the classrooms and schools at the moment is generating questions for answers’ sake.

Critical thinking is set to contribute to the improvement of teaching and learning in African schools. It will help deemphasize the traditional role of teachers as questionposers and generators. It will help change the impression that students as answersuppliers and providers.

In a critical thinking class, students are the generators of questions, and interrogators of ideas and answers.

The role of teachers is to stimulate the curiosity of students, and to provoke and nudge them to pose questions, not to provide answers. Any purported answer or solution is a material for questioning and interrogation. The subject of critical thinking is set to improve the quality of education in Africa. African countries must take necessary measures to introduce this subject starting from the primary school level.

Leo Igwe is a Public Affairs Analyst.

definitely a good capital for the long haul, one that is bound to yield ultimately. In the meantime, on the way to that yield, I can derive great fulfilment in the lives I am touching all over. Even my so-called mates that are doing so well in other fields seeing my efforts and results on social media will start according me honour and respect.

Being a teacher doesn’t mean my head should be down, does it?

As I continue to share knowledge, like excellent minds out of the general audience will start getting attracted to me and I will have opportunity to build a network. Who knows? I can end up teaming up with one or two proficient teachers like me to author the next great textbook on our subject, or start a tutorial class, while I am still faithful to my employer. I can together with such like minds form an advocacy group to tackle one of the ills regarding education in the country. I can work on projects on my field that may need to be supported here and there by my built network for it to come to fruition. Bottom line, opportunities will begin to open up due to my diligence in building proficiency and core competence, sharing knowledge and building network, and I will be there to take those opportunities.

If I am a teacher and I know I ought to be one because it is my line, I will do my best to shrug off all the discouragement of today because of low pay and appreciation.

I will begin to find fulfilment in my work and its results on my way to my handsome reward on earth here strategically targeted at. It may take a decade or two to fully arrive at such an enviable destination. It definitely will not happen overnight and things may not probably go exactly as highlighted in this piece, but there has to be a bright career path in teaching and I must be ready to beat the bushes to tread it.

Omisore, an education consultant, based in Lagos wrote in via mdomisore@yahoo.com

PAGE 14

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

News

Effium killings: Ebonyi indigenes demand urgent deployment of military personnel

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

T

he Association of Ebonyi State Indigenes in the Diaspora (AESID) has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately deploy military personnel to Effium community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi state where over 40 persons have been killed.

The indigenes said to forestall further break down of law and order and wanton killing of innocent lives by a prepared armed militia that have held the area to ransom in the past 72

hours.

In a statement released Wednesday in Abuja to newsmen by its President, Amb. Paschal Oluchukwu, said if nothing is urgently done to restore peace and order in Effium community, the defenceless citizens may have no option than to take up their own arms and defend themselves and their ancestral homes.

According to the statement, the security agencies that had been deployed to the area may have been compromised by some political leaders, hence the reason for the latest attacks on harmless locals whose confidence to stay back in their ancestral homes

had been boosted by the visit and meeting held by Governor Umahi yesterday.

“Again, while we strongly condemn these horrible attacks on defenceless Ebonyians, we urgently call on the Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to immediately deploy military personnel to the area to forestall further break down of law and order and wanton killing of innocent lives by a prepared armed militia that have held the area to ransom in the past 72 hours and yet counting.

“As we commend the Ebonyi State Governor for visiting the area to meet with the warring

parties, AESID still condemn the glaring indolent posture of the Umahi-led government towards holistically arresting the situation and returning peace to the troubled area. It is yet like the typical kids-glove approach of Umahi which is to stir public sentiments with open threats while turning mute in private.

“The Ebonyi state government must know that the eldest and most populous Ezza clan has endured too many attacks in the State beginning from the EzzaEzillo crises which claimed many lives of its citizens and those of other Ebonyians and Nigerians

who were caught in the crossfire under Elechi to this present onslaught against their people in Effium.

“Though we don’t pray the situation degenerates beyond its present escalation, but the state government in particular must have itself to blame if present trend persists and the Ezzas take measures to defend themselves from their attackers. We say so without bias because we strongly fear that the Umahi government hasn’t only failed to act swiftly but appear to be taking sides the attackers while pretending to be arresting and willing to prosecute them.”

3 Years After, First Bank Yet To Pay Coy N50m Damages

By Egena Sunday Ode

T

hree years after an Abuja High Court awarded N50 million damages against First Bank for fraud against Famag - Jal Nigeria Limited , the bank is yet to comply with the order .

Justice A. M. Talba had in November 2017 in his judgment awarded 50 million damages against First Bank in favour of the company.

The judgment followed a suit filed in the court by a director and shareholder in the company Tafida Isa Mafindi, accusing first Bank of fraud.

According to him the bank gave him a commercial loan instead of agricultural loan he sought for.

The judge in his judgement berated First Bank for acting negligently by conveying a wrong expiration date of 12 months with 6 months moratorium to Central Bank Of Nigeria instead of 46 months inclusive of 6 months moratorium which resulted in the recall of funds granted Famag- Jal Nigeria limited by the CBN offer letter dated January 27,2010.

He also stated that a declaration that the acts of the Bank for refusing to immediately disclose its negligence of conveying a wrong expiration date of 12 months with a six months moratorium to CBN instead of 46 months inclusive of 6 months moratorium to the company which resulted in the recall funds granted the company by the CBN has grossly affected the business of the plaintiff .

He equally declared that the bank fraudulently and knowingly sought to benefit from their negligent act of conveying a wrong expiration date of 12 months with a 6 months moratorium to CBN instead of 46 months inclusive of 6 months moratorium which resulted in the recall of funds granted by the CBN by offering the company another loan on different terms and conditions from that of the loan granted by the CBN aimed at bringing excessive gain to the Bank and causing untold hardship on the company .

L-R: Minister of state for Petroleum, Mr. Timprey Silver with Group Managing Director of NNPC, Malam Mele Kyari, during the two days public hearing on the PIB, at the national Assembly, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

GOMSACA begs government to release funds to curtail HIV/AIDS From David Hassan, Gombe

G

ombe state Agency for the control of AIDS (GOMSACA) has called on Gombe state government to do the needful by releasing funds to

curtail the scourge of HIV/AIDS. Project manager of the Agency Dr. Suraj Abdulkarim who made the appealed in an interview with our correspondent on Monday said the agency is facing a lot of challenge without release of funds

by the government to tackle the disease.

He however said that N160million was approved last year by the government to fight against the disease but only N5million was released.

Dr. Abdulkarim also explained that in this year’s budget government has approved a N180million for the agency to carry out their duty but no release of funds have been made to the agency.

Delta Nsukwa PDP youths protest alleged marginalization

By Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

H

undreds of peo\ples Democratic Party ( PDP) Youths in Nsukwa/Ashama clan in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State on Monday protested alleged marginalization among others to Government House in Asaba.

The protesters had during

their protest, alleged that they have been politically, and economically sidelined by successive administration since 1999, adding that they might be forced to abandon the party, PDP for APC if not attended to by the present administration that might not be insensitive like the past administrations.

The protest which lasted

hours before getting to the Government House, distrupted government activities at the entrance to the State House, while major roads were barricaded with vehicular movements restricted until security agents moved into them restore and peaceful coexistence.

The protesters carried

different placards with various inscpritions such as: “Nsukwa is long over due for appointments, Okowa end Nsukwa Political marginalization, Nsukwa is your maternal home”, among others, said PDP government had since 1999 ignored and denied them government appointments both at the State and local government levels.

PAGE 15

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

Omo-Agege commends Buhari over appointment of Irabor as CDS

By Musa Baba Adamu

T

he Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie OmoAgege is elated at the choice of Gen. Leo Irabor as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).

It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had on Tuesday approved the appointment of Irabor as the new CDS, alongside other service chiefs.

The General who hails from Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, was until his appointment the Chief of Defence, Training and Operations (CDTOP) at the Defence Headquarters.

He was formerly the Theatre Commander of ‘Operation Lafiya Dole’, North-East Nigeria as well as Force Commander Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Basin Area.

In his congratulatory message, Senator Omo-Agege expressed optimism that Irabor’s competence and decades of experience in tackling security challenges in the country will come to bear during his tenure.

The Delta Central lawmaker thanked President Buhari for appointing an illustrious son of the state into the exalted position.

“I join other Nigerians in congratulating you on your recent elevation as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).

“Without question, your towering achievements in the military from Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Force Commander Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Basin Area, Chief of Defence, Training and Operations (CDTOP) at the Defence Headquarters clearly justify your appointment as that which aptly fits the description of putting a round peg in a round hole,” he stated.

Truncate APC membership registration, revalidation exercise, face war - Gov Bello

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) membership/ registration revalidation committee, Abubakar Sani Bello, who is also the Governor of Niger State, has cautioned party stakeholders and leaders across all level, against truncating the ongoing nationwide registration and revalidation exercise for party members or face severe consequences.

While inaugurating the members of the committee at the state level in Abuja yesterday, Governor Bello, accompanied by the Governor of Kano State, Umar Ganduje, and some senators and House of Representatives members, said there must not be sabotage.

He charged members of the committee across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to always uphold equity, fairness and justice during the exercise,

warned against any attempt to dominate some members or group.

In his remarks, Bello said “please note that the objective of this exercise is to ensure that no one is left behind. It is to make sure that any interested person or group are free to join APC and this is out of our believe that people make party, the more the merrier.

“We should also note that commandeering or theft or hijacking registration materials will not be tolerated. You should also note that domination of registration process by an individual or group will also not be accepted. ”The whole intention of this exercise is to expand our membership base, for we believe that when this is done, it will increase our chances in the next coming election.

“I appeal to the chairman and secretaries of this committee to stand their ground and ensure that justice and fairness prevail”.

He said “please note that the last exercise was done in 2014 and since then we have members that have lost their lives, may their souls rest in perfect peace.

“We have very few members that have left the party, we have many members that have joined the party, we have young boys and girls who have turned 18 in between 2014 and today and we believe that they should be given the opportunity to register as members of our great party, the APC. “We also have numerous number of people that have decamped from various parties to APC, we also have numerous number of people that have come from other party and have joined us and overtime they have this feeling that they have not been fully accepted into the APC family.

“This provide for them an opportunity to be fully accepted or to feel at home during the evaluation exercise.”

Fielding questions from

journalists, the Kano State Governor, Abdulllahi Umar Ganduje, said Kano, considering its population, would be proven to be the largest democracy in Nigeria.

Ganduje said “Considering how people are eager to go for this registration because so many new entrants are in the party now but without registration. Also few ones that had left, their names are not yet deleted and there are many young men and women, whose ages have reached for them to be registered and they would be registered.

“So, I believe we are going to have a very effective and efficient registration process and we will end up with very high members that are registered.

“We (Kano) are the largest democracy in Nigeria through the registration exercise. We shall prove to all that we are indeed the largest democracy in the country”, he said.

NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim inspecting guard of honour mounted for him by 2020 Batch ‘B’ Prospective Corps Members during their swearing-in ceremony, on Monday at the FCT Orientation Camp Kubwa Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Crush terrorism, banditry, make Nigeria safe again - IPAC tells new Service Chiefs

By Christiana Ekpa

T

he Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has charged the new Service Chiefs appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari, to make haste and crush terrorism, banditry and kidnapping across the country and make Nigeria safe again.

In a congratulatory message issued yesterday by the National Chairman of IPAC, Leonard Nzenwa, the Council also commended President Buhari for heeding the calls by eminent Nigerians to rejig the security architecture, even as it urged him to do more.

“IPAC and patriotic Nigerians have severally called for the rejig of

the nation’s security architecture with a view to injecting fresh blood and ideas in fighting insurgents in the country.

“It is time to fight terrorism head-on and make Nigeria safe and secure again. The citizenry has confidence in the ability of the nation’s armed forces to rout, crush, subdue and conquer Boko Haram insurgents, the ubiquitous bandits and kidnappers that have terrorised the people for over a decade”, the statement said.

IPAC also charged the new Service Chiefs to be proactive and launch effective military offensives at all the criminals’ dens, camps and hideouts in the country and reclaim every part thereof they occupy and rescue their captives.

It said all captured terrorists, insurgents, bandits and kidnappers should be prosecuted along with their sponsors to serve as a deterrence to others who would contemplate such outrageous crimes against the country.

The statement said, “Council urges the Federal Government to provide the military with modern weapons, ammunition and fighter jets essential to defeat the insurgents and all criminal elements in the country.

The need for team work and intelligence sharing cannot be overemphasized.

To achieve this, the welfare of the rank and file should be a top priority so as to boost their morale in the battlefield.

“The era of fighting terrorism, insurgency and banditry with a kid’s glove is over. Nigerians expect total defeat of these outlaws and not the purported “technical defeat” in which the insurgents and bandits are pampered, rehabilitated and released to resume their onslaughts against fellow compatriots.

“The tasks ahead is enormous and expectation of Nigerians very high, IPAC therefore urges the new service chiefs to justify the confidence the nation reposed in them and adopt the best military strategies to defeat these gangsters and insurgents and seek foreign assistance where necessary.

“Our thoughts, prayers and support are with members of our armed forces, paramilitary

personnel and the police in the quest to make Nigeria safe and great again as the giant of Africa.

We are all in it together, and together we shall surmount all obstacles in building a strong, virile, progressive, prosperous, equitable and decent democratic nation.”

On this note, IPAC congratulated the new service chiefs, Chief of Defence Staff Major-General Leo Irabor, Chief of Army Staff - Major-General l. Attahiru, Chief of Naval Staff - Rear Admiral A. Z. Gambo and Chief of Air Staff - I. O. Amao, on their appointments to rescue the nation from elongated terrorism, insurgency, banditry and kidnapping, and safeguard its territorial integrity.

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

POLITICS 2023: FCT residents float contact group for Gov. Bello

By Ochiaka Ugwu

A

coalition of Abuja residents has organized a team to strategically strengthen the Presidential aspiration of the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

The group under the aegis of “Neighbour to Neighbour for Governor Yahaya Bello for 2023 Presidency”, who were mostly his neighbours in Abuja noted that Governor Bello was loved by his people and admired by Nigerians importantly by the youth.

The Patron of the Coalition, Chief Chris Madu, who spoke recently with selected journalists in Abuja, noted that Yahaya Bello represents the interest of the youth and that was what the initial agitations of the EndSARS protesters were calling for after the disbandment of the dreaded police unit SARS. “They called for accountability in governance and an end to corruption. These are the ideologies Gov. Bello stands for and that is why young people are urging him to run for the position of the President come 2023, and we his neighbours and those we have co-opted who believe in his ideology have formed this pressure group to throw our weight behind his aspirations.

“You know the population of young people in Nigeria is about 70 percent, with Yahaya Bello being the next president of Nigeria, come 2023, it goes in line with what the youths are asking for and they will reason with him and understand his language.

“It is good that he is already in leadership, so the experience that most people are saying the youths does not have he has it as a two term governor and judging from the grassroots experience, living close to him shows that he is accommodating.

“He is not amongst the older one who when they get into power move to Maitama or Asokoro. He has been our neighbour before he became Governor and is still our neighbour even now in his second term in office, he is a grassroots man”, he said.

NASS to pass new Electoral Bill February 9 - Joint C’ttee

By Musa Baba Adamu

T

he National Assembly will upon resumption of plenary on February 9, consider and pass the new Electoral Law, the Joint Committee on INEC and Electoral Matters of both Chambers has disclosed.

To this end, the Joint Committee is expected to adopt a final document this weekend, for onward presentation to both chambers for consideration and approval.

According to a statement issued yesterday by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Deputy Senate President, Yomi Odunuga, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege; Chairman of the Joint Committee, Senator Kabiru Gaya; co-chairman and his counterpart from the

House of Representatives, Hon. Aishatu Dukku, stated this at the presentation of the draft report in Abuja.

In his remarks, Omo-Agege, also a member of the committee, said though the process under the Eighth National Assembly was fraught with mutual suspicions and bitterness, electoral reform for the Ninth National Assembly remains a priority in its legislative agenda.

The bill, according to him, would cure specific mischief plaguing Nigeria’s elections and electoral processes when passed into law.

The Delta Central lawmaker applauded the cooperation of stakeholders for putting all hands on deck, with a view to having a new electoral legal framework ahead of the 2023 general election.

According to him, if this level of cooperation was in place in the Eighth National Assembly, the bill would have been assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari.

His words: “The cooperation that we have witnessed in this Joint Committee of the Ninth Assembly is unprecedented. I am sure if we had this in the Eighth Senate there is no way we would have gone into the 2019 elections without an approved amended Electoral Act. “Let me also acknowledge that, but for the cooperation of INEC and the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, this feat would not have been possible.

I recall the challenges that we faced then. As most of you know, I was very instrumental in drafting most of those provisions that we dealt with in the Eighth Senate.

If we had the benefit of the

cooperation of INEC at the outset like we are having right now and also cooperation of the AGF, I am sure we would have cleared this long ago.

In their separate remarks, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu; Executive Director, Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Clement Nwankwo, applauded the technical committee for working round the clock to produce the draft report.

They noted that the development is expected to lay the foundation for significant development in the country’s electoral system.

The bill seeks to repeal the Electoral Act 2010, and provide a more stable and progressive legal framework for elections in Nigeria.

President Muhammadu Buhari with Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi II during the visit of the Royal Father to the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday evening.

Sen. Ubah, Anambra Progressives to create 25,000 jobs through industrial park

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

S

enator Ifeanyi Ubah and the Anambra Progressives Development Union (APDU) kick-started the move to create over 25,000 jobs for the teaming unemployed youths in Anambra State, with the launch of an industrial park in Eziama, Amichi, in Nnewi South Local Government Area.

Amichi town in Anambra State, went agog yesterday as the foundation laying ceremony of the Anambra Progressives’s Industrial City and Inland Bonded Terminal took place amidst pomp and pageantry.

Residents of Eziama Amichi, a community in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State and its environs, could not hold their joy as the Anambra Progressives and Development Union (APDU) kicked off the construction of the proposed Industrial City and Inland/Bonded

terminal in the area.

The Union which is convened by the Senator representing Anambra South, Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, gathered in the community for the ground breaking and foundation laying ceremony of the project as they move to trigger the economic revival of the state through industrialisation and assimilation of the teeming jobless youths.

The Union also used the opportunity to reassure the community and Anambrarians in general that they would never relent in their commitment to better their welfare and develop various sectors of the state economy.

Speaking at the epic event, the group’s Convener, Senator Ubah, thanked the Progressives for their uncommon drive which would not only go a long way in attracting various developmental projects to the community, but also attract over twenty five thousand

employments to the communities in Anambra State, in particular and, by extension, the entire South East Region.

The Senator further informed the community that the project, which is the first of its kind in the South East, will promote their wellbeing and empower many of their indigenes, especially the youths.

He also revealed that the industrial city would have standard residential quarters/dormitories for the staff and workers in order to maintain good standard of living and increase the expected output of the workforce.

The Senator further stated that the inland terminal would minimize the challenges faced by many businesses and consequently, will reduce cost, increase turnover and promote the economic revival of the fortunes of the state. He also urged the community to protect the projects.

According to him, ”I wish to also give special thanks to the Progressive members who are great sons of Amichi, notable amongst whom are Chief Akai Egwuonwu (CEO Anambra Rice Mills Ltd and C.E.O Of Chisco Transport, Chief Chidi Anyaegbu (MFR), for their efforts in bringing this novel and life changing project.

In his remarks, the traditional ruler of the community, His Royal Highness, Barrister Dr. Ofobuike Alphonsus Ezeoke, thanked Senator Ubah and the Progressives for choosing the community as the site of the epic projects.

He further said that with the projects, Amichi would be opened to various investors, which will go a long way in maximizing employment opportunities and improving the welfare of the people.

The Igwe, who couldn’t hide his joy, also reassured the Progressives that the community would forever

remain grateful to them and also promised to protect the projects.

Also speaking during the event, the President-General of Eziama, Chief Cletus Igbokwe, thanked Senator Ubah and the Progressives for making the giant move.

Igbokwe also maintained that the projects would go a long way in easing the challenges of the community, especially its youths, as massive employment would be provided and various investors would be attracted to the area.

He also reassured the progressives that the community would ever remain grateful and urged them to keep up the good works.

The Anambra Progressives and Development Union (APDU) is a group of prominent citizens convened by Senator Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah to contribute towards the development of various sectors of the Anambra economy.

PAGE 17

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

Cross River Assembly to confirm Justice Akom Ikpeme as substantive Chief Judge

T

he Cross River State House of Assembly has scheduled to confirm Justice Akom Ikpeme as Substantive Chief Judge of the State during today’s plenary.

Sources said all measures have been put in place to confirm Justice Ikpeme, following the refusal of the National Judicial Council to extend the acting tenure of Justice Eyo Effiom.

Justice Eyo Effiom Ita acting capacity expired on Monday January 18th 2021.

Justice Akon B. Ikpeme has acted as Acting Chief Judge of the State for three months, followed by Justice Maurice O. Eneji, who acted for six months, while Justice Eyo Ita acted for three months.

A source from the Judiciary hinted that the National Judiciary Council (NJC) has declined extending the tenure of Justice Eyo Effiom Ita for another three months as they had earlier recommended Justice Akon Ikpeme for Substantive Chief Judge of the State.

But the State House of Assembly refused to affirm it, alleging a perceived security threat. It was gathered that the House had for several occasions refused to confirm Justice Akon Ikpeme based on perceived security threat. Justice Akon Ikpeme, though an indigene of Akwa Ibom State, married a Cross Riverian.

The House of Assembly member representing Calabar Municipality in Cross River State and former Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Petition, Public Service Matters and Conflict Resolution in the State House of Assembly, Hon Efa Nyong Esua, said on Wednesday that the House has received communication from the Governor, Prof Ben Ayade, to confirm Justice Akon Ikpeme.

“The House has received a communication from the Governor and we shall go ahead to confirm her as the substantive Chief Judge of the State Tomorrow”, Esua stated.

With the confirmation coming up on Thursday, the continuous face-off between the Cross River State Government and Judiciary will come to an end.

POLITICS

CNPP says ex Service Chiefs defeated Boko Haram on pages of newspapers

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

C

onference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has said the ex Service Chiefs defeated the Boko Haram insurgents on the pages of newspapers, even as it commended President Muhammadu Buhari for sacking the former Service Chiefs, saying he has done the right thing for the country.

The CNPP therefore congratulated the new security

Chiefs, urging them to inject fresh ideas into the war against insurgency and criminality in the country.

In a statement signed by its Secretary General, Willy Ezugwu, the CNPP added that though the replacement of the Service Chiefs came late “it is better done now than later.

Ezugwu said “The former security chiefs obviously failed to live up to their calling and preferred winning the war

against insurgency on pages of the newspapers than in the battle field.

“We also commend President Muhammadu Buhari for tilting towards a balance in the appointment and reflecting federal character in the new appointment.

“We urge the new security bosses to ensure that ordinary citizens, especially the farmers, can go about their lawful activities in all parts of the country without fear of insurgent or killer

herdsmen.

“The life of every Nigerian matters and should be accounted for at any time as it is the primary responsibility of government to protect lives and property of Nigerians.

“However, we are confident that fresh ideas and more encompassing strategies will be the order of the day as we expect a boost to the morale of the military personnel in the days ahead”, the CNPP stated.

Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa-Balarabe (L) and a beneficiary during the inauguration of the Rural Women Cash Grant Programme, organised by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, in Kaduna on Wednesday (27/1/21).

Appeal Court dismisses Olujimi’s caucus suit over Ekiti PDP Congresses

By Musa Baba Adamu with agency report

T

he Appeal Court sitting in Ado Ekiti Wednesday, dismissed the suit filed by the caucus loyal to the Senator representing Ekiti South senatorial district, Biodun Olujimi, over the congress that produced the present Ward Executive Committee members of the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) in the state.

Delivering judgment in the Appeal Number CA/EK/57/2020, the Appeal Court upheld the decision of the trial Court and resolved all issues against the Appellant, Oladimeji Samson Olalekan.

Olujimi, had through Oladimeji Samson Olalekan and others, filed a motion ex-parte, seeking an order of the court, restraining the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) from announcing, publishing, and recognizing any list as result of election of Ward Executives and three ad-hoc delegates held on March 7, 2020, as well as an order restraining the

party from acting on, or making use of the names of winners of the Congresses for the purpose of the Local Government, State and Zonal Congresses.

Justice Uche N. Agomoh of the Federal High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti had on Friday, July 17, 2020 dismissed the suit, describing it as undoubtedly not justiceable as it is within the internal affairs of the PDP, citing UKUT vs. APC. The court also awarded N200,000 cost against the plaintiff and their Counsel to be paid to the PDP, the 4th and 5th defendants on or before of September 1, 2020.

In upholding the lower court decision today, Justice T.N OrjiAbadua said the appellant’s case was not justifiable since it was centred on internal affairs of a political Party.

Reacting to the judgment, Fayose said “To all PDP members, please see this a victory for all.

No victor, no vanquished. We are in deep talks to reconcile all. We should refrain from provocative languages.”

The National Working

Committee (NWC) of the party had in a letter with ref no: PDP/ DOM/GF.V/VOL.2/20-387B dated April 25, 2020 and signed

by Col Austin Akobundu (rtd), National Organizing Secretary, ordered the state chairman of the party to inaugurate the 155 ward EXCO for the fourteen out of the sixteen local government areas of the State, where the remaining two local government areas contained 22 wards are yet to conduct their Congresses.

“After giving a careful consideration of the reports of the Electoral Committee and the Appeal Panel, has, on behalf of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party, approved the said Congresses and the Executive Committees emerging therefrom.

“You are, therefore, by this correspondence, directed to take necessary and appropriate steps to inaugurate the new Executive Officers in accordance with the provisions of Section 65 of our Party’s Constitution as amended in 2017” the letter stated.

“In doing this, you’re please

advised to also take into account the provisions of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Guidelines of Covid-19 as it concerns Social Distancing and the gathering of people in one place.

“This shall be the new Exco members at the expiration of the current Executives, i.e. April 30, 2020 for Ward, and shall hold office for a period of four (4) years pursuant to Section 47(1) of our Party’s Constitution as amended; (i.e. April 30, 2020 – April 30, 2024 for ward Executives).

“Accordingly, I hereby forward to you the authentic list of the Ward Executives for 155 out of the 177 wards of your State as contained in the attached lists of Names of Approved Ward Exco Members,” the statement added.

But the caucus loyal to Senator Biodun Olujimi today, suffered a major setback in its bid to grab the control of the party in the state, with the Appeal Court, dismissing its case challenging the inauguration of the Ward Executive Committee members of the party elected at the March 7, 2020 Ward Congresses in the state.

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

NEWS

Buhari to new service chiefs: Your loyalty is to country

By Egena Sunday Ode

P

resident Muhammad Buhari Wednesday afternoon met with the newly appointed Service Chiefs, charging them to be patriotic, and serve the country well.

His words: “We’re in a state of emergency. Be patriotic, serve the country well, as your loyalty is to the country.”

This was disclosed in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.

The President, the statement said, congratulated the Service Chiefs on heading their various services, adding: “There’s nothing I can tell you about the service, because you are in it. I was also in it, and I will pray for you. I also assure you that whatever I can do as Commanderin-Chief will be done, so that the people will appreciate your efforts.

“You know the stage we were in 2015, you know the stage we are now, and the undertakings we made. We promised to secure the country, revive the economy, and fight corruption. None has been easy, but we have certainly made progress.”

The President also charged the Service Chiefs to be concerned about the morale of their officers and men, saying they should be made to feel physically and professionally secure. He pledged that Government would do its

...Tasks them on officers’ morale best in terms of equipment and logistics.

The Service Chiefs, who were led to the meeting by the Minister of Defence, MajorGeneral Bashir Magashi (retd), are: Major-General LEO Irabor, Chief of Defence Staff; MajorGeneral I. Attahiru, Chief of

Army Staff; Rear Admiral AZ Gambo, Chief of Naval Staff; and Air Vice-Marshal IO Amao, Chief of Air Staff.

Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, Gen. Irabor said they would work to bring security to lives and properties.

“We have just seen Mr. President and we are mindful of the demands. We can only at this stage pledge our utmost best to bring safety and security to lives and properties across the country,” he said.

The CDS assured that they would ensure that value is added

to the lives of citizens, saying: “On behalf of the Service Chiefs, I am assuring the nation of peace and security. We believe there will be value that will be added to the security disposition of the nation.”

The new security top brass were appointed on Tuesday.

From left: Onisolu of SoluAlade Kingdom Ibeju Lekki, Oba Babatunde Balogun; Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Housing, Mr Bisi Yusuf; Deputy Speaker Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Wasiu Sanni-Esinlokun; Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat of Lagos State; Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State; Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing, Mrs Toke Benson; Commissioner for Housing, Mr Moruf Akinderu-Fatai and Oniru of Iru Land, Oba Gbolahan Lawal during the inauguration of Lagos Home-Ownership Mortgage Scheme (HOMS) Lekki Phase 2, in Lagos State on Wednesday (27/1/21).

The Valediction Forbidden Mourning As Justice Umaru Dikko Bows Out Of Service

By Amaechi Agbo

B

orrowing a leaf from John Donne’s classic poem, “A Valediction: Forbidden Mourning” written in the 17th century for his wife Anne before he left on a trip to Continental Europe, “As virtuous men pass mildly away, And whisper to their souls to go, Whilst some of their sad friends do say The breath goes now, and some say, No: So let us melt, and make no noise, No tear-floods, nor sightempests move;‘Twere profanation of our joys, To tell the laity our love.”

More often than not, the road leading to the exit path is filled with nostalgia. The entrance is not most as pronounced as the exit. Such that the pain and joy juxtapose to give a feeling of departure.

The pain and joy so expressed at the departure of a friend, colleague, mentor and an erudite doyen of the legal profession after concluding meritorious decades of years of service to the fatherland is such that leaves tears than joy but the reality must be faced.

In 1985, Hon. Justice Suleiman Umaru Dikko, as a young Nigeria youth, had his Bachelor’s degree in Law from University of Maiduguri, Borno state and finished his Law school in Lagos a year later.

He joined the Nasarawa state judiciary in 1988 as a high court judge where he rose to become the chief judge of the state from where he served the state and the Nigeria judiciary system until December 2020 when he bowed out in glamorous fanfare but not devoid of tears and nostalgia.

Regarded and described as a dogged and fearless judge, for the period of 32 solid years, Justice Suleiman Umaru Dikko established a personality, a legacy and a name so lasting to wish away in the Nasarawa State Judiciary.

He delivered astounding decisions in cases he handled and dared the untouchables in judgements he delivered.

It was not surprising therefore, that members of the bar and the bench of the Nasarawa State Judiciary in their numbers honoured Hon. Justice Suleiman Umaru Dikko, the former state Chief Judge as he retired from active service in December.

He diligently served the state and honourably retired after reaching his mandatory retirement age as stipulated in the 1999 Constitution (as amended), specified by the provision of section 291 (2), pegged the mandatory retirement age of a judiciary officer of a high court of a state at 65years.

The valedictory session held in his honour, witnessed large turnout of members of the Bar and the Bench, stakeholders in the judiciary as well as people within and outside the state. While bowing out, he also inadvertently made a new history as his retirement culminated in the truncation of the era of male dominance in the position of state chief judge in the state.

Shortly after the valedictory court session, a new female chief judge, Justice Aisha Muhammed Bashir was sworn in for the first time since the creation of the state, 24 years ago.

Dr Hassan M. Liman, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in his

goodwill message eulogised the sexagenarian and enumerated some judgments he delivered to include Ali Mohammed, and Jibrin Umar who were convicted and sentenced on the 30th June, 2015 by his lordship Hon. Justice Dikko in charge no. NSD/LE78C/2012 between state vs. Yusuf Sani and others for the offence of conspiracy and armed robbery.

The court of appeal Makurdi division in their separate appeals I.CA/MK/EP/160C/2015 between Jibrin Umar vs. state per Jummai Hanatu Sankey JCA delivered three separate judgments on the 21st December, 2016 dismissed the appeals and consequently affirmed the decision of Justice Dikko. Upon their further appeal to the Supreme Court, in appeal NO. SC/108/2018 between Jubrin Umar vs. state, the Supreme Court on the 18th December, 2020 further dismissed the appeal they filed and further affirmed the decision of the justice Dikko.

This and many more cases Dr Liman highlighted in the speech as he mentioned his personal experience on the rare occasion he had appeared as a counsel before his lordship Justice Dikko.

Describing the sexagenarian as patient and accommodating judge, Dr Liman posited that the position is no doubt the opinion of most lawyers who have practiced before the retired chief judge.

“The best of judges are the judges who listen more; his lordship is among this category.

As a chief judge, he is indisputably reputed as the most accessible chief judge in the history of the state,” he concluded.

Justice Dikko served in various

elections petitions tribunals across some states including Enugu, Ekiti, Ondo, Osun, Adamawa, Kogi and Imo between 2003 and 2006. In 2007, he was appointed chairman Election petition tribunal in Rivers state.

Justice Dikko haven performed wonderfully in his previous assignments, in 2009, he was appointed member of Re-run gubernatorial election tribunal in Ekiti state as well as serving as a member National Assembly Election Tribunal in Cross River state in 2011.

Two years later, precisely 2nd January, 2013, he was appointed acting chief judge Nasarawa State and subsequently confirmed as substantive chief judge on 18th Feb, 2013, he also doubled as chairman Judicial Service Commission Nasarawa State until his retirement on the 31st Dec, 2020.

No doubt Justice Dikko has recorded tremendous achievements since he became the leader of the judiciary arm of government in 2013, it is on record that his administration made provisions of vehicles computers and motorcycles to all magistrates in the state Implementation of annual increment to all judicial staffs as well as purchase of generators, photocopiers, building of ultramodern High Court complex, building of permanent site for the Judiciary Service Commission (JSC) were among his mileages.

Purchase of laptops for all head of sections, functioning scheme service for judiciary, functioning condition of service for judiciary, building of upper area courts in

Kwandere, Gudi and Toto, others are High Court 1, Mararaba Karu, High Court 2 Mararaba Karu.

He also embarked on renovation of the following court buildings: Chief magistrate Court 1, Lafia; High Court 4, Lafia; High Court 5, Lafia; Chief Magistrate Court Akwanga; Fencing of court in Wamba, Upper Area Court Keffi and all other courts in the state were either renovated or built during the era of Justice Dikko as the Chief Judge of Nasarawa State from 2013 to 2020.

Born on December 31, 1955 in Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa state, Hon. Justice Suleiman Umaru Dikko attended Junior Primary Ugya from 1961 to 1964; Senior Primary School, Toto, from 1965 to 1967. He went to another Senior Primary School in Nasarawa 1968 and completed in 1969.

Going further in his educational forage, he obtained his West African School Certificate in 1976 and General Certificate Examination in 1980 from the famous Government Secondary School Kagoro.

Still on the ladder of his educational voyage, in 1985, Justice Dikko had his Bachelor’s Degree in Law from the University of Maiduguri, Borno State and between 1985 and 1986, he finished his Law school in Lagos.

His jurisprudential experience with the department of Customs and Experience, Kaduna from 1977 to 1982 and did his one-year mandatory National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) with Atilade Ojo & Co. Ogbomosho Legal Practice from 1986 to 1987.

PAGE 19

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

TAPE Agenda: NNPC Bags Transparency Award

By Etuka Sunday

T

he efforts of the Mallam Mele Kyari-led Management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to entrench the culture of transparency in the system have begun to receive recognition with the Corporation named as the “Government Agency of the Year 2020 (Transparency)” by the New Telegraph Newspaper.

A statement by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, NNPC, Dr. Kennie Obateru said, the Award

was presented to the GMD at the NNPC Towers, Tuesday in Abuja.

TheFact Nigeria reports that the award came as a result of the Management’s resolve to drive the Corporation along the line of Transparency, Accountability & Perfomance Excellence (TAPE) agenda.

The statement quoted the Managing Director and Editor-inChief of the New Telegraph, Mr. Ayodele Aminu to have disclosed that the emergence of NNPC as the most transparent government agency in 2020 was based on the Corporation’s recent openness

and accountability to the public.

Aminu noted that the noticeable efforts to deepen transparency in NNPC as evidenced by the publication of its 2018 and 2019 audited financial statements was a major factor in considering the Corporation for the award by the Management and Board of the New Telegraph.

“Before now, the accounts of the NNPC had been shrouded in secrecy. But Mele Kyari was brave enough to say this is the way we are and let the public see that there is nothing hidden,” the newspaper boss stated.

In his remarks, the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari, said the Corporation has since realized that it pays to be transparent and accountable at all times.

He reiterated Management’s resolve to drive the Corporation along the line of Transparency, Accountability & Perfomance Excellence (TAPE) agenda, noting that the media interest in the activities of the Corporation and the oil and gas sector was a welcome development.

Kyari assured that given the value of the award, he would do

more to justify the trust.

“This award would be a major impetus towards our unflinching efforts to change the narrative around the NNPC brand, and will surely imbue us to take the transparency drive to new and enviable heights,” Kyari said.

Present at the award ceremony were: the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation, Mr. Umar Ajiya, Chief Operating Officer, Ventures and Business Development, Engr.

Adeyemi Adetunji, and the Group General Manager, Governance Risk & Compliance (GRC), Mr. Chris Akamiro.

L-R: Chairman Ad-Hoc Committee on Petroleum industry Bill (PIB), Hon. Mohammed Monguno, Speaker House of representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, and Member of the committee, Hon. Victor Nwokolo, during the two days public hearing on the PIB, at the national Assembly, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Danbatta Receives MoneyReport’s Man of the Year 2020 Award

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, has received the prestigious “Man of the Year 2020” award from the Publishers of MoneyReport Magazine.

The award was presented to Danbatta at the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja, on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 by the Board Chairman, MoneyReport and former Director-General of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Prof. Ndi OkerekeOnyiuke who was represented

by Dr. Eke Agbai, the Executive

Vice President at the Center for Policy and Foreign Engagement (CPFE) and Board member of MoneyReport Magazine.

Dr. Agbai acknowledged the impressive growth recorded in the telecoms sector over the years under the leadership of Danbatta.

He said the development in the telecom sector, have been duly acknowledged by the Editorial Board of MoneyReport Magazine, and has made the Commission and its leadership a model in telecommunications regulation in Africa.

“After an exhaustive Board examination, probe and investigation of the activities of the Nigerian Communications

Commission, under the current leadership of its Executive Vice Chairman, the MoneyReport Magazine concluded that the excellent combination of vision, character and capacity of Prof.

Umar Garba Danbatta, qualified him for the Publication’s ‘Man of the Year 2020’ Award,” OkerekeOnyiuke said.

He further stated that “the emphasis of the Commission’s 2015-2020 Strategic Vision Plan, which is anchored on an 8-Point Agenda, on transforming the Nigerian telecoms industry to meet up with 21st century standards and international best practices, has clearly defined the success recorded by the

Commission under the leadership of Danbatta and earned him this prestigious recognition.”

The Director, Public Affairs, NCC, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde in a statement said, while receiving the award, the Danbatta appreciated the management of MoneyReport Magazine for considering him worthy of the honour, adding that the success story recorded in the telecoms sector under his leadership, is a product of collective efforts of the board, management and every member of staff of the Commission, while expressing NCC’s commitment to deepen partnership with MoneyReport to the benefit of the country.

“The recognition by MoneyReport Magazine is a clarion call on the Commission to continue in discharging its duties in line with the statutory mandates, as enshrined in the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA), 2003 with a view to meeting the Federal Government’s targets to leverage the transformation in the telecommunications landscape to facilitate digital economy,” Danbatta said.

The award presentation was attended by other Advisory Board members of MoneyReport as well as directors and senior management staff of the Commission.

PAGE 20

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

BUSINESS

Why MPC voted to Retain Interest Rate at 11.5% -Emefiele

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele has hinted why the members of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the apex bank voted yesterday to retain interest rate at 11.5 percent.

Mr. Emefiele gave the hint why briefing newsmen shortly after the committee’s meeting at the CBN’s Headquarters in Abuja.

He said, the members unanimously voted to: I. Retain the MPR at 11.5 per cent; II. Retain the asymmetric corridor of +100/-700 basis points around the MPR; III. Retain the CRR at 27.5 per cent; and IV. Retain the Liquidity Ratio at 30 per cent.

The CBN’s Head said, MPC was confronted with a policy dilemma as to whether to aggressively combat the inflationary pressure or support measures currently aimed at stimulating growth and reversing the recession.

He said, although the economy was currently in a stagflation environment with simultaneous occurrence of inflationary pressures and contracting output, the MPC resolved to reverse both developments and continue pursuing price stability in growing the economy.

Emefiele noted that the MPC was of the view, that whereas there may be wisdom in loosening, given that the impact of the global Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in constrained activities, disruption to supply chain and suppress aggregate demand, an accommodative stance may be required to stimulate credit expansion and boost recovery in the short term.

He said, the Committee was also of the view that an expansionary policy would enable the monetary authorities convince the financial institutions to reduce loan pricing and defer interest and principal repayments to critically affected obligors in a sustainable manner.

On the flip side, he said, the MPC also opined that an aggressive expansionary stance may worsen both inflation and the negative real interest rate, thereby resulting in negative consequences on exchange rate. With regard to tightening, MPC concluded that this may run contrary to its objectives

of providing affordable credit to households, MSMEs, Agriculture, and other output growth and employment stimulating sectors of the economy.

He said, “the MPC was therefore of the view that it should pursue its current stance of systematic synchronization of monetary and fiscal policy accommodation through its developmental finance initiatives, aimed at mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Nigerians.

“While expressing understanding of the public health dilemma of the recent spike in infections, MPC encouraged Government not to consider a wholesome lockdown of the economy so as not to reverse the current gains of the stimulus earlier provided in 2020.

“It also encouraged the Central Bank of Nigeria Management to intensify its efforts in the targeted credit facility to household, SMEs, the Health Sector, as well as Agric and manufacturing sectors which would not only boost consumer spending but result in manufacturing output thereby positively impacting the GDP. Speaking on some of the committee’s consideration, Emefiele said, “the Committee noted the moderation in output contraction in the third quarter of 2020, associated with news of the discovery of COVID-19 vaccines and rising oil prices. The outlook for the recovery, however, appears to be dampened by the second wave of the pandemic considering its intensity.

“In the Committee’s consideration, it noted that the COVID-19 pandemic and the necessary measures put in place by the Government to forestall its public health impact, such as the lockdown and other associated restrictions, contributed to the Nigerian economy going into recession, much like almost every other country in the world.

“Members thus agreed that the Committee’s current priority remains to quicken the pace of the recovery through sustained and targeted spending by the fiscal authority supported by the Bank’s interventions,” he said.

“In this light, it was thought necessary to increase collaboration with the fiscal authority by providing complementary spending to

Godwin Emefiele, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria

finance productive ventures in a bid to improve aggregate supply and reduce prices. This is in addition to effectively collaborating with the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 through the existing private sector Coalition against COVID-19 (CACOVID) to procure and distribute vaccines to fast-track the pick-up of business activities and economic recovery.”

Members reiterated the adverse impact of insecurity on food production, stressing that the current uptick in inflationary pressure could not be solely associated to monetary factors, but due mainly to legacy structural factors across the economy, including major supply bottlenecks across the country. The Committee, thus called on the Government to redouble efforts at strengthening infrastructural efficiency and address the emerging security challenges in the country.

In addition to this, the Committee called on the Government to explore the option of effective partnership with the private sector to improve funding sources necessary to address the huge infrastructural financing deficit.

“

The Committee expressed concern over the rising public debt stock, as recurrent expenditure remained relatively high, compared with capital expenditure, thus, signalling future debt servicing challenges.

To improve Government revenue sources and investment in capital, the Committee called on the Government to take advantage of the take-off of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which could boost domestic production and generate sizeable revenues for Government, as well as improve domestic productivity and competitiveness.

The Committee commended the Bank’s effort of improving liquidity in the foreign exchange market, but noted the need to continue to explore avenues to improve inflow from sources such as the International Money Transfer Operators (IMTO), diaspora remittances and nonoil export promotion, given the current trajectory of crude oil prices. These sources, in the view of the Committee, would boost foreign exchange supply and ease the current exchange rate pressure.

The Committee noted the continued improvement in

The Committee commended the Bank’s effort of improving liquidity in the foreign exchange market, but noted the need to continue to explore avenues to improve inflow from sources such as the International Money

the equities market as a lead indicator of medium-term macroeconomic recovery, thus, urging the Bank to maintain its collaboration with the fiscal authority to improve the investment climate towards attracting sustainable Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

The Committee commended the Bank for maintaining a sound regulatory surveillance over the banking system by ensuring a reasonably low level of non-performing loans (NPLs), even with the aggressive credit expansion programme during this crisis period. Though, NPLs remained slightly above the prudential benchmark, members noted that the banking system remained stable, strong and resilient. Given the success recorded under the LDR policy, it thus urged the Bank to sustain its risk surveillance approach and ensure the continued soundness of the banking system.

In the Committee’s consideration, it noted the broad-based global stimulus packages, including expanded credit lines, asset purchase programme, corporate bond purchase, additional funding facilities for financial system, commercial paper purchases, special central bank lending, increase in the Ways and Means limits introduced by the central banks of different countries to support economic recovery in their various economies and to prevent further distortions to the economy caused by the devastating impact of the pandemic.

The Committee noted the large stimulus packages deployed by many countries to fast-track growth recovery and restore livelihoods across the world. For instance, Japan provided stimulus package valued at 66.9 per cent of its 2019 GDP; UK, 45.04 per cent; USA, 28.4 per cent; Brazil, 27.6 per cent; South Africa, 12.6 per cent; China, 11.5 per cent; India, 10.0 per cent; and Russia 7.1 per cent compared with Nigeria’s paltry 4.0%.

The MPC, therefore, urged the Bank to further expand its current stimulus packages to support the fiscal interventions to reflate and boost recovery in the economy.

Etuka Sunday Business Editor Peoples Daily Newspaper Abuja.

08066605655, 07011450553

METRO

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

PAGE 21

Taskforce to sustain clampdown on illegal car marts in Abuja

By Stanley Onyekwere

T

he FCT Administration has reiterated commitment to sustain removal of illegal car marts along corridors of major roads in Abuja, the nation’s capital city, so as to ensure seamless vehicular traffic outlook.

Officials drawn From the FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), Development Control Department, Parks and Recreation department and Security Services Department accompanied by security operatives had commenced intensive clampdown

on notorious illegal car marts within the city.

According to the leader of the joint Taskforce, Wadata Aliyu Bodinga, DRTS is working all the FCTA relevant departments and security agencies to rid the city of impediments to traffic in the Territory.

Bodinga, who is also the Director of DRTS, said the removal exercise followed the expiration of a vacation directive to the illegal car marts dealers in the city.

He noted that there were substantial compliance in some spots, where hitherto more than three hundred vehicles littered on

the corridors of the highway.

He however appealed to defaulters that the Taskforce is yet to visit their areas to equally remove the vehicles on their own volition. Let them remove their vehicles, warning that the refusal to comply with the FCTA order especially on the issue of illegal car marts will attract wrath of the law enforcement officers.

“This exercise is a continuous one , as we are going to continue to monitor these areas, any vehicle that is impounded will through the mobile court. We must make sure that this time around, people don’t get away with this kind of acts.

“The assignment is still in progress are taking the compounded cars to our facility in Wuye District, and we going to arraign in mobile court. “ It’s no more business as usual because most of these carmarts had been removed in the past, but they just decided to come back.

And this time around, we will be available to monitor them, and ensure that people don’t come back to those spots.

“At the moment they have Kubwa road, and we agreed that even though that one too is a temporary arrangement, the FCTA has given the concession that they can go there to do their

business”, he stressed.

Similarly, Chairman, FCT Traffic management Taskteam, Comrade Attah Ikharo, decried the situation where cars littered along the roads in the city centre paints Abuja in a very bad light.

“Vehicles are parked on the pedestrian walkways, and people who are supposed use the facility will now be forced to walk on the main carriage way thereby impeding vehicular traffic.

“The walkways have been turned into car parks, which in contravention with planning principles. And when all these are cleared people can easily move very freely”, he stated.

R-L: Speaker, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) RT. Hon. Isah Abubakar Baushe receiving women Icon award from the National President, Northern Women Assembly (NOWA) Aisha Husseini during the organization Executives courtesy call on the speaker, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Board seeks support to boost water supply in Jabi, others

By Stanley Onyekwere

T

he Jabi Area Manager, FCT Water Board, Alhaji Habib Ahmed Kiru has called on residents of Abuja, to always support ongoing efforts towards improving quality water supply across the city.

Kiru made this appeal during customers’ forum recently held for Jabi and Utako customers in the area.

He disclosed that the huge amount being invested on water project by the present FCT Administration led by Malam Muhammad Bello needs to be appreciated through steady payment of the bills.

According to him, “Customers have the right to demand for potable water, it is also government’s right to collect or ask for bills, this will

help in boosting the supply”.

Kiru assured customers that success will be achieved more in area of water supply if they continue to assist the government in prompt payment of bills as well as protecting of the equipment.

He opined that his office has done enough of sensitisation on the bills and there was no need for customers not to pay.

He adds that, “in production

term, we produce one cubic of water that is equivalent to 1,000 litres for over N500, but we sale it to demostic customers at the rate of N80 per cubic litre.

“And in cubic litre if translated to 1,000 litres is equivalent to 5 drums of water, the government has subsidized it, if it is in construction site we sale it N150.

“This subsidy is to give

customers relief from the economic hardship.

The present FCT Administration has invested a lot in terms of expanding water infrastructure to give way for many people to have potable water.”

The Area Manager therefore advised the residents to help government in protecting the equipment especially in hidden areas that there are no constant human activities.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

PAGE 22

world news

international_peoplesdailyng@yahoo.com

Coronavirus: EU demands UK-made AstraZeneca vaccine doses

T

he EU has urged pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca to supply it with more doses of its Covid-19 vaccine from UK plants, amid a row over shortages.

Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides said the company was wrong to say its agreement with the EU was non-binding.

She said UK factories, which have not experienced production problems, were part of the deal and had to deliver.

AstraZeneca reportedly said last week the EU would get 60% fewer doses than promised in the first quarter of 2021.

It cited production issues at a Belgian plant.

In an interview on Tuesday with Italian newspaper La Repubblica, CEO Pascal Soriot said the contract compelled it to make its “best effort”, rather than obliging it to meet a set deadline.

Ms Kyriakides said this characterisation of the deal was “not correct or acceptable”, and called on the company to be “open and transparent” about its production of vaccines.

A confidentiality clause binds AstraZeneca from releasing the details of its deal with the bloc.

The two sides are set to meet later for talks.

Earlier on Wednesday, an EU official said that AstraZeneca had pulled out of the meeting, but the company has since insisted it will attend.

Pfizer/BioNTech, which has an even bigger vaccineproduction deal with the EU, is also experiencing delays.

French drug maker Sanofi has announced that it will help produce 125 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech jab by the end of the year.

The company will allow Germany-based BioNTech to use its facilities in Frankfurt from July, Sanofi said in a statement, having delayed the development of its own vaccine.

Pfizer says its agreement with Sanofi is just one of several efforts it is making to increase supply by expanding manufacturing facilities, and adding suppliers and contract manufacturers to its supply chain.

What are the supply problems?

The EU signed a deal with AstraZeneca in August for 300 million doses, with an option for 100 million more, but the company has reported a production delays at two plants, one in the Netherlands and one in Belgium.

Mr Soriot said production was “basically two months behind where we wanted to be”.

Italy was among the countries threatening to sue over the delays.

The Anglo-Swedish company says it has been able to meet a separate deal with the UK because it was signed three months earlier.

The AstraZeneca vaccine has not yet been approved by the EU, although the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is expected to give it the green light at the end of this month.

The EU had hoped that, as soon

The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine has not yet been approved by the EU as approval was given, delivery would start straight away, with some 80 million doses arriving in the 27 nations by March.

Officials have not confirmed publicly how big the shortfall will be, but Reuters news agency reported that deliveries would be reduced to 31 million - a cut of 60% - in the first quarter of this year.

The EU has also ordered 600 million doses of the Pfizer/ BioNTech vaccine, but the company was not able to supply the 12.5 million vaccines it promised the EU by the end of 2020.

Pfizer said last week it was delaying shipments for the next few weeks because of work to increase capacity at its Belgian processing plant. media captionSofia Bettiza explains why some countries are far ahead of others in the vaccination race The EU has threatened to restrict the exports of vaccines made within the bloc to deal with the shortfall.

The head of BioNTech, Uğur Şahin, in an interview with Germany’s Der Spiegel magazine, explained the delay by saying the EU had wrongly assumed that several vaccines would be ready at once and therefore spread its orders. He also said his company was ramping up its manufacturing capacity.

The EU is desperate to boost its stuttering vaccination programme but there is no quick fix. Wednesday’s Sanofi-Pfizer deal doesn’t help in the short term.

Germany is urging Brussels to allow members states to block exports of EU-made jabs - to ensure that the continent gets its “fair share”.

But the EU trade commissioner, Valdis Dombrovskis, suggests it’s better, for now, to ask companies to provide more information about where they were sending jabs rather than blocking them.

This row with AstraZeneca is over a vaccine that the EU is yet to approve. That is likely to happen at the end of the week, but there are

signs it may not be approved for the over 65s because of a perceived lack of efficacy testing within this age group.

The challenge for the EU is to make sure any such decision doesn’t look like retaliation amid this increasingly bitter argument.

Which other vaccines is the EU buying?

The European Commission says it has reached agreements with four other pharmaceutical companies to purchase hundreds of millions of vaccines, once they pass clinical trials: • Sanofi-GSK: 300 million doses • Johnson & Johnson: 400 million doses • CureVac: 405 million doses • Moderna: 160 million doses The Commission also concluded initial talks with another company, Novavax, for up to 200 million doses.

What about the UK? The UK did not take part in the EU vaccine scheme although it could have done until the end of 2020, while it was still in the Brexit transition period.

At the time, the government said it was opting out because it felt it wouldn’t be allowed to continue its own negotiations with potential suppliers and wouldn’t have a say on the price, volume and date of possible deliveries.

The UK was the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer/ BioNTech vaccine (and rolled it out several weeks before the EU).

The UK has also approved the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine and the Moderna vaccine.

If you are reading this page and can’t see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or comment or you can email us at HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk.

Please include your name, age and location with any submission.

Biden to sign executive orders on environment US President Joe Biden will

sign a series of executive orders aimed to address climate change, including a new ban on some energy drilling.

The orders aim to freeze new oil and gas leases on public lands and double offshore wind-produced energy by 2030.

They are expected to meet stiff resistance from the energy industry and come as a sea change from Donald Trump, who cut environmental protections.

Mr Biden will also label climate change a “national security” priority.

The series of executive orders that Mr Biden is due to sign on Wednesday will establish a White House office of domestic climate policy and announce a summit of leaders in the movement to tackle climate change to be held in April.

Mr Biden will also call upon the US Director of National Intelligence to prepare an intelligence report on the security implications of climate change.

What will the orders do?

Mr Biden is using the power he has as president to make climate change a central issue of his administration.

The executive orders and memorandum - which cannot go as far as congressional legislation in combating climate change - can be undone by future presidents, as he is currently doing to Mr Trump.

According to a statement from the White House, Mr Biden will direct the Department of the Interior, which oversees federal public lands, to pause oil and gas drilling leases on federal lands and water “to the extent possible” and to launch a review of existing energy leases.

Mr Biden aims to conserve at least 30 percent of federal lands and oceans by 2030.

According to the New York Times, fossil fuel extraction on public lands accounts for almost a quarter of all US carbon dioxide emissions.

Public lands are controlled by the federal government. Mr

Biden’s order does not affect private property owners or stateheld public lands.

Mr Biden’s “whole-ofgovernment” approach, the White House says, will create the firstever National Climate Advisor who will lead the office of Domestic Climate Policy at the White House.

Later today, Mr Biden’s envoy for climate - another new position - will join the White House press briefing.

The orders also direct all federal agencies to develop plans for how climate change will affect their facilities and operations.

It also will require agencies to determine ways to help the public better access climate change forecasts and information.

Mr Biden is also making it clear his administration will make decisions based on the best science available.

He’s directed agencies to only make “evidence-based decisions guided by the best available science and data”.

Pausing the extraction of oil and gas from federal lands is the Biden administration’s tremulous first step onto the toes of the US oil and gas industry.

Federal drilling is a key part of their output - providing around 22% of US oil production and 12% of gas, according to the American Petroleum Institute (API).

The API is unhappy with the move, suggesting that any ban will lead to greater reliance on imports as the US economy recovers and needs more energy.

But experts reject that argument, pointing out that drilling on public lands will likely continue to expand even if a moratorium becomes a ban.

That’s because only half of applications for extraction approved between 2014 and 2019 have actually been used.

Moving towards a ban on future federal leases fulfils a campaign pledge and will reassure environmentalists that Joe Biden is the real deal when it comes to climate change.

But making significant inroads into US carbon output will require more than executive orders and new regulations.

It will probably need legislation put before the Congress.

That will be the true test of the Biden climate commitment.

What do the orders say about jobs?

Mr Biden’s fiercest critics say that his climate change initiatives will cut American jobs as the country already suffers from record unemployment numbers amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

He received a storm of criticism for last week’s executive order halting construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, that would have transported oil from Canada through the US. But the Biden White House is trying to get ahead of more criticism by addressing job creation in these new executive orders.

Source: bbc.com

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

N

e w s

F

r o m

PAGE 23

A

f r i c a

Rawlings funeral: Ghanaians bid farewell to ex-president The state funeral of Ghana’s longest serving leader, Jerry John Rawlings, has taken place in the capital, Accra.

During a turbulent career, he led two coups before twice being elected president in multiparty polls.

He died in November at the age of 73 of an undisclosed illness, but his funeral was delayed - in part by political squabbling.

The ceremony was held at Independence Square, with numbers attending limited by coronavirus restrictions.

But many Ghanaians headed to the square despite being asked by the government to watch the ceremony on TV in an effort to curb the spread of coronavirus, the BBC’s Thomas Naadi reports from Accra.

Mourners were wearing masks and hand sanitiser had been provided but it was proving difficult to practise social distancing, our reporter says.

Prominent mourners included Liberia’s President George Weah, Sierra Leonean leader Julius Maada Bio and representatives from the UN and African Union.

President Rawlings contributed to peace efforts in Liberia and Sierra Leone during the civil wars in the 1990s and most recently was an African Union envoy to Somalia. He also led campaigns against malaria across the continent.

‘A caring disciplinarian’ Tribute after tribute eulogised the late Ghanaian leader, most describing him as a selfless and committed leader who worked for the common good of his country, our reporter says.

International Conference Centre for three days Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo described Rawlings as a “charismatic and fearless leader”, reports the AFP news agency.

His widow Nana Konadu

Traditional funeral rites for the former president were performed

Many Ghanaians defied requests to stay at home Agyemang-Rawlings was quoted as saying: “Your gift of sharing knew no bounds. You never hesitated to help in the passing of laws to protect the vulnerable

in society. Jerry, I know that God created us for each other.”

Earlier, hundreds of people went to pay their respects to the former president as his body lay

in state for three days.

Many of them remember him as a disciplinarian but also as a leader who cared about ordinary people, our correspondent says.

After the funeral, Rawlings was laid to rest at the military cemetery in Accra.

Our correspondent reports that some people wanted him to be buried in his home region of Volta.

It is not the only row to dog events - the funeral was originally scheduled for 23 December.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC), a party Rawlings founded and which is now in opposition, wanted more involvement in organising the state funeral, which led to the delay.

One party leader even threatened to “steal his remains” following the funeral so that the party could bury him again.

Who was Jerry Rawlings?

The son of a Scottish farmer and a Ghanaian mother, Rawlings entered the Ghana Air Force, graduating in 1969.

John Rawlings spoke of his vision for Ghana and for Africa A decade later, as a senior officer in the air force, he overthrew a military government, handing over power to a civilian leader.

He oversaw the execution of several former heads of state and army generals for corruption, but expressed some regret about the killings. Later the execution by firing squad of Supreme Court judges also left a stain on his legacy.

In 1981, he led a second coup and was the head of a military junta until introducing multiparty elections in 1992, when he was first elected president.

This ushered in a long period of political stability.

In 2001, he stepped down after serving two terms but continued to wield a strong influence in the country.

In later years, Rawlings campaigned for African nations to have their international debts written off.

Hogging Covid vaccines endangers all nations, warns South Africa expert

A

s South Africa battles a highly infectious new mutation of Covid-19, the country’s leading expert on the pandemic has urged wealthier nations not to hoard vaccine supplies, describing the behaviour as “unconscionable” and warning that “no-one is safe until everyone is safe”.

“Fundamentally, there’s a mistaken belief by some countries that they can vaccinate their populations and they’ll be safe.

“It simply is not true. In this world that we live in, with this coronavirus, no-one is safe until everyone is safe,” said Prof Salim Abdool Karim, chair of the government’s coronavirus advisory panel.

He warned of the risk of a long, international “cat and mouse” chase to defeat Covid-19 with constantly updated vaccines if the pandemic was allowed to keep spreading in

countries which were unable to vaccinate their populations in good time.

“There’s no endgame that sees one country succeeding in controlling the virus while the rest of the world is dealing with rampant spread. For me, we all need to stand together. It’s in everyone’s interests.

“To me it would be unconscionable that a country like the US or UK to start vaccinating low risk young people, when we here in Africa haven’t even started vaccinating healthcare workers and the elderly.

“At the rate at which things are going, that is what’s going to happen,” he warned.

South African hospitals have been grappling with a huge second wave of infections caused by a variant of the virus, with 23 different mutations, first discovered here in

November.

“It took us aback. It suggests that if these kind of 23 mutations can occur just like that, it’s going to occur everywhere else, and it’s going to occur quite widely,” Prof Karim told the BBC. “The scenario that we could just inject people once and there would be life-long protection may not actually apply.”

‘Mutations are wake-up call’ The US and UK have introduced restrictions for travellers from southern Africa in response to the new variant, but the scientist who discovered the recent mutations has dismissed the move as ineffective.

“I find it almost like silly - this trying to block a country, because we know how fast this virus spreads and in how many places,” said Prof Tulio De Oliveira, a leading genetic scientist heading a surveillance

laboratory in South Africa’s coastal city of Durban.

He said governments should avoid virus “nationalism” and focus instead on broad quarantine rules applied equally to all international travellers.

Prof De Oliveira said the experience of discovering the virus mutations in South Africa was “basically a wake-up call to the whole world to treat the pandemic as a global problem, and that we work together… to stop transmission in the whole world otherwise these variants will keep appearing.”

Scientists in South Africa and other countries are currently analysing the 501Y.V2 variant discovered here to establish the extent to which it may be resistant both to current vaccines and to antibodies in people who have already been infected by earlier

variants of the coronavirus. Results are anticipated within the next few weeks.

“We’re going to have to ensure our vaccines are able to neutralise [new variants] because if they’re not that means we’re back to square one and then we’ve got to play this cat and mouse game,” said Prof Karim.

Although there is frustration in many poorer nations about the unequal roll out of vaccines, Prof Karim said he remained optimistic that, as new vaccines and new supply lines emerged, “then the demand and supply will be in a much better position.

“Then people will not have to scramble, hoard, behave abominably by trying to scoop up all the vaccines, because there’s many more available, they all work, and you just buy what you need and use what you need.”

PAGE 24

N

e w s

F

r o m

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

A SI A

Biden administration to restore aid to Palestinians

U

S President Joe Biden’s administration will restore aid to the Palestinians that was cut by his predecessor Donald Trump and reopen diplomatic missions.

The acting US envoy to the UN, Richard Mills, told the Security Council that Mr Biden supported a two-state solution to the IsraeliPalestinian conflict.

To help advance one, he said, the US would “restore credible engagement”.

Palestinians broke off contacts with Mr Trump’s administration and rejected his peace plan as biased towards Israel.

The plan, unveiled a year ago, envisaged recognising Israeli sovereignty over Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank and Jordan Valley, and Jerusalem remaining Israel’s “undivided capital”.

It also proposed the creation of a Palestinian state in about 70% of the West Bank, all of Gaza, and with its capital on the fringes of East Jerusalem.

Israel occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East war. Most of the international community considers the settlements illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this. media caption(January 2020) Why Trump’s Middle East plan is so divisive At a Security Council debate, Mr Mills said the Biden administration would “urge

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was a close ally of Donald Trump Israel’s government and the Palestinian Authority to avoid unilateral steps that make a twostate solution more difficult, such as annexation of territory, settlement activity, demolitions, incitement to violence, and providing compensation for individuals imprisoned for acts of terrorism”.

It also intended to renew US relations with the Palestinian leadership and Palestinian people, which had “atrophied over the last four years”, restore US assistance programmes and humanitarian aid, and take steps

to reopen diplomatic missions that were closed, he added.

“We do not view these steps as a favour to the Palestinian leadership,” Mr Mills stressed.

“US assistance benefits millions of ordinary Palestinians and helps to preserve a stable environment that benefits both Palestinians and Israelis.”

“At the same time, I must be clear, the US will maintain its steadfast support for Israel,” he added.

Mr Mills also said that while the Biden administration

welcomed deals establishing diplomatic relations between Israel and four Arab states that were brokered by Mr Trump, it recognised that “Arab-Israeli normalisation is not a substitute for Israeli-Palestinian peace”.

Before Mr Mills spoke, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad al-Maliki said: “We look forward to the reversal of the unlawful and hostile measures undertaken by the Trump administration and to working together for peace.”

Israel’s representative to the UN, Gilad Erdan, said “the only way to achieve real peace is through

direct, bilateral negotiations”, and that the Security Council should call on the Palestinians to begin talks based on Mr Trump’s plan, “which is a good starting point”.

Palestinian leaders broke off contacts with Mr Trump’s administration in 2017, after he decided to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and move the US embassy to the city from Tel Aviv.

In 2018, Mr Trump ended hundreds of millions of dollars of funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which provides assistance to 5.5 million people across the Middle East, calling it an “irredeemably flawed operation”.

The Trump administration also closed the office of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) - the internationally recognised representative of the Palestinian people - in Washington, saying its leaders had failed to engage with peace efforts.

And in 2019, the state department reversed a long-held US position by declaring that West Bank settlements were “not per se inconsistent with international law”.

Mr Biden is expected to reverse that decision, but Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said he will not undo Mr Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital or return the US embassy to Tel Aviv.

Red Fort violence: Delhi police detain 200 after farmer protests

P

olice have detained 200 protesters following Tuesday’s deadly violence in India’s capital Delhi during a massive protest against agricultural reforms.

Thousands of farmers clashed with police as protesters on the outskirts of the city forced their way in.

One protester died, and more than 300 police officers were injured.

Blaming the chaos on rogue elements among an otherwise peaceful march, most farmers’ leaders said they would not call off their protests.

Those detained are being held on charges of rioting, damaging public property, and attacking police personnel. So far, 22 police complaints have been registered.

“We are making arrests after conducting proper verification.

We are also looking into CCTVs near Red Fort, ITO, Nangloi and other areas where the violence erupted,” police officials told the Indian Express newspaper.

India’s government deployed 15 companies of paramilitaries to

boost security after the protests, which also saw some farmers storming the city’s historic Red Fort and occupying the ramparts until police drove them out.

The violence coincided with Republic Day - a national holiday that marks the anniversary of India officially adopting its constitution on 26 January 1950.

Samyukta Kisan Morcha, an umbrella group of protesting farmers, said in a statement that they “condemn and regret the undesirable and unacceptable events and dissociate ourselves from those indulging in such acts”.

Two farmers’ unions withdrew from the ongoing agitation on Wednesday, but most said they were determined to continue their protests against the new agricultural laws.

The government says its reforms will liberalise the sector, but farmers say they will be poorer as a result.

Tens of thousands of them have been striking on the outskirts of Delhi since November, demanding that the

laws be repealed. Last week they rejected a government offer to put the changes on hold.

How did the violence unfold?

The government had opposed the planned rally by farmers, but police allowed it on the condition that it would not interrupt the Republic Day parade in central Delhi.

Farmers were given specific routes for the tractor rally, which would largely be confined to the outskirts.

But shortly after the parade came to a close, convoys of tractors broke through police barricades and converged on the city centre.

One group of protesters burst through security at the historic Red Fort where they clambered on to the walls and domes of the fortress, even hoisting flags alongside the national flag.

By Tuesday afternoon, police said they had removed protesters from the complex.

Some of the most violent clashes took place near the ITO metro station junction - on the route to central Delhi. Footage showed farmers attacking police

with sticks and metal bars while officers used tear gas and batons.

Police said one protester died at the junction when his tractor overturned after hitting a barricade.

Police said in a statement that they had acted after farmers broke conditions for the rally and took “the path of violence and destruction”.

But one farmers’ union leader accused the police of provoking the violence.

“When you attack a peaceful protest, then difficulties for the government will surely increase,” Kawalpreet Singh Pannu told AFP news agency.

“This won’t stop here. Our movement and message have only become stronger.”

What is the Red Fort?

• The huge citadel, with its distinctive red sandstone walls, was built in the early 17th Century by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and was the seat of Mughal rule until 1857, when India began to be governed by the British • India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru

hoisted the national flag from the fort on 16 August 1947 - a day after independence from Britain was declared • The fort was designated a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2007 What do the new farming laws propose?

The laws loosen rules around the sale, pricing and storage of farm produce which have protected India’s farmers from the free market for decades.

Farmers fear that the new laws will threaten decades-old concessions - such as assured prices - and weaken their bargaining power, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation by private companies.

While Mr Modi has defended them, the laws have been likened to a “death warrant” by farmer groups.

Most economists and experts agree that Indian agriculture desperately needs reform. But critics of the government say it failed to consult farmers before passing the laws.

Source: BBC

Iran arrests US dual national on spying charges

I

ran says it has arrested a USIranian dual national facing spying charges who attempted to leave the country.

Judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili did not identify the man, but said he “had been free on bail”.

Iranian media reported last week that a US-Iranian businessman

named Emad Shargi had been arrested has he tried to cross a western border illegally.

It could complicate plans by new US President Joe Biden to re-engage diplomatically with Iran.

His predecessor Donald Trump subjected the Tehran government to a “maximum pressure” campaign of crippling economic sanctions.

Mr Trump wanted to compel Iranian leaders to renegotiate a 2015 nuclear deal that he abandoned, but they refused to do so and retaliated by violating a series of key commitments.

Mr Biden has said he is open to rejoining the accord and easing the sanctions if Iran returns to full compliance.

Iran has detained a number of

US-Iranian dual citizens and Iranians with US permanent residency in recent years, most of them on spying charges.

At a news conference on Tuesday, Mr Esmaili responded to a question about the reported arrest of an USIranian “defendant”.

He said Iranian law did not recognise dual nationality, but that

“the defendant had been free on bail... and was arrested as he tried to leave the country”. This person “faced charges from earlier in the area of spying and gathering information for foreign countries”, he added.

Earlier this month, Iran’s Young Journalists’ Club (YJC) news agency reported that Emad Shargi.

ENVIRONMENT

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

25

African Peoples Tribunal carpets transnationals operating in Africa

T

he African Peoples Tribunal organised in Lagos by Friends of the Earth Africa (FoEA) ended last week Friday with a call on governments of 10 African countries to urgently ensure that the human rights of freedom of speech, expression, and association of citizens and persons who brought cases of abuses before the tribunal are respected and protected.

The three-day event which started on November 25 witnessed testimonies on cases of human rights violations and environmental degradation connected with monoculture tree plantation expansion from 10 countries across Africa. It was attended by affected communities and civil society.

Among the accused companies are Socfin, Green Resources AS, Golden Veroleum Liberia (controlled by Golden Agri-Resources), SIAT SA, OLAM and PZ Wilmar.

The Tribunal received and reviewed 10 cases from 10 countries.

The companies found wanting are SOCAPALM (Cameroon), SIAT (Cote D’Ivoire), GOPDC – SIAT (Ghana), OLAM (Gabon), SOCFIN (Sierra Leone), and Golden Veroleum Limited, GVL (Liberia).

Others are Green Resources (Mozambique), Okomu Oil Palm PLC, PZ Wilmar, Green Resources, and Wilmar, Green Resources In all of the 10 cases, international financiers, including development banks, private banks, investment funds and pension funds from all corners of the world, are found to be controlling and financing controversial rubber, palm oil and timber plantation companies.

The jurors who heard the cases are Nnimmo Bassey, director of Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) from Nigeria; Ikal Angelei from Kenya who won the 2012 Goldman Environmental Prize for Africa and is involved in campaigns against dams; and Prof. Alfred Apau Oteng-Yeboah – a Professor of Botany at the University of Ghana. Makoma Lekalakala, a South African activist and Executive Director of Earthlife Africa who has long been active

in social movements tackling issues from gender and women’s rights, social, economic, and environmental justice issues was also one of the jurors.

On landgrabs perpetrated by the companies, the jurors concluded that in all the cases there was connivance between governments and transnational corporations to grab community lands. They cited Ministry of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency (of Ghana) which they alleged, allowed the complete destruction and conversion of 13 villages into an oil palm plantation. Destroyed along with the communities were schools, markets, churches, and other social facilities.

They noted that, in Cote d’Ivoire, government took community land, abandoned it after some years and then returned to hand the land over to a transnational corporation without recourse to the communities who had reclaimed their land. In the case of Sierra Leone, government leased land from the community and handed the land over to the transnational corporation, SOCFIN, on the same day.

On Violation of Rights, they said there is general reign of systemic oppression and use of state security forces against the affected peoples, in all cases brought before the APT. cases of threats, denial of labour rights and the right to protest, arrests, imprisonments and murders were heard.

The APT heard cases of labour exploitation with a high level of casualisation of labour. In the case of Wilmar (Nigeria) they said evidence showed that the company pays workers less than $2 for 12 hours work.

Inhuman and discriminatory work and housing conditions were recorded in most of the cases (Cameroon, Nigeria). It was also revealed that workers, including pregnant women, are ferried on tractors to work locations, with accidents and deaths recorded.

Injured workers are sacked without compensation and others are sacked for speaking up at public hearings

thus sending chilling signals to workers and organisers.

On Socio-Economic Dislocations they said that the grabbing and conversion of community lands into plantations directly deprive communities of fertile lands. Companies make false claims of using degraded and nonforested lands while they grab fertile lands and forests and valuable water sources that the communities depend on, they insisted.

“In Gabon, when the corporation (OLAM) designates forests and territories as having High Carbon Value (HCV), they effectively cut the communities off the use of such forests or resources. In this manner, community forests including sacred ones are now valued as carbon sinks for carbon credits in false climate marketization.”

The APT also received disturbing reports of industrial tree plantations building ditches as deep as 16 metres (50 feet) and with a width of 13 metres (40 feet) in the case of Wilmar (Nigeria) around the plantations. These ditches pose danger to humans and to wildlife, but significantly block communities from having access to their farms,

to forests, to fishing and water sources and forces them to only use roads policed by these companies.

Community members are required to obtain passes (visas) to gain entry to their communities and only within certain time slots (Gabon).

“These ditches or moats have damaged water bodies that communities depend on (as in the case of Gabon) thereby exposing them to avoidable stresses. Heavy burdens are placed on the women as the struggle for water, fishing and fuel woods”.

The use of harmful chemicals, including those made with glyphosate (a carcinogen) in the plantations have caused damage to soils, water sources and the health of both communities and workers who are often not provided with personal protection equipment (PPE).

The cases confirmed a lack of acceptable environmental impact assessments as well as a lack of social impact assessments.

The replacement of rich biodiversity of forest with foreign exotic trees have dramatically damaged the local environments.

Although the FAO recognises

industrial exotic tree plantations (including those with genetically engineered trees) as forests, communities reject such classifications.

They recommended among others, that governments in the relevant countries should immediately set up a mechanism to review existing arrangements with plantation corporations, openly and transparently engage with communities and revert wrongfully acquired lands and forests to the communities. They also stressed that governments should uphold and protect the dignity of communities and adequately sanction corporations that violate human rights or destroy the environment in their territories.

They also want governments to actively and constructively engage in the current negotiations for the elaboration of a UN Legally Binding Instrument to regulate, in international human rights law, the activities of transnational corporations and other business enterprises, and ensure this becomes a meaningful instrument to stop corporate impunity.

From left: Commissioner for Environment in Cross River, Mr Mfon Bassey; Director-General, Cross River State Waste Management Agency, Mr Sunday Oko; Chairman of Calabar Municipal Council, Mr Effefiong Nta-Eke; and Executive Secretary, Calabar Urban Development Authority, Mr JoeMary Ekeng, during the issuing of 7-day quit notice to traders selling on the driveway, at the Marian market in Calabar Municipal Council on Wednesday (27/1/21).

Environment ministers to meet on green stimulus plan for Africa

A

frican ministers of environment will meet in Nairobi, Kenya, from 30 November to 4 December to discuss a plan to effectively respond to environmental threats posed by the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, an official source said on Thursday.

The UN Environmental Programme (UNEP) Regional Office for Africa will host the virtual session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN).

The conference will discuss, among others, a plan by African ministers to engage with their counterparts from the rest of the world on pressing matters

concerning the environment, UNEPofficials said.

UNEP regional office for Africa Director, Juliette Biao Koudenoukpo, said the main focus of the ministerial meeting would be to enhance Africa’s efforts to respond to environmental threats and to work towards enhancing resilience from the impacts of climate change on the African population.

“Recovery from the pandemic is urgently needed since the climate, biodiversity and ecosystems are interdependent and fully integrated. There is need to enhance the society’s plan to deal with the green issues and the recovery from the climate shocks,” Koudenoukpo said in a

speech read by Mohamed Atani, an officer at the UNEP Regional Office for Africa, during a preAMCEN meeting in the Kenyan capital.

The African ministers of environment will also discuss programmes to respond to pressing environmental concerns already placed on the agenda of the UN Environment Assembly.

The assembly guides the world on matters such as the use of plastics and other chemicals and how they could be eradicated to ensure the world’s environment is free from pollutants.

The coronavirus pandemic has exposed some countries to an increased level of smuggling of wildlife, biodiversity and

forestry products, which is partly leading to an accelerated scale of environmental pollution, soil erosion and the loss of plants and forests.

According to the organisers of the meeting, which takes place every two years, most countries are unwilling to negotiate on crucial matters concerning the environment through online forums and have decided they might not participate.

The meeting is expected to take a decision to possibly back a plan to postpone the UNEA 5 and other major meetings which require face-to-face negotiations which also include the management meetings of the UN climate change summits.

The meeting will also discuss the most urgent issues concerning the environment in Africa, the future of the ongoing negotiations to preserve the climate during the pandemic and to decide on a programme of work for the UNEP and some of its bodies where faceto-face meetings are required, officials said.

The ministers will also develop a plan of action on how the UNEP Africa division might implement some of its key programmes during the pandemic, which include a plan to introduce an environmental stimulus package to help countries deal with the threats to the environment.(NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

26

Feature

Lebanon’s Coronavirus lockdown: ‘We can’t leave our homes day or night’ P eople in Lebanon are living under one of the world’s strictest lockdowns. Under the round-the-clock curfew, citizens who are not “essential workers” have been barred from leaving their homes since 14 January.

Here residents in the capital, Beirut, describe what it’s like.

‘I miss my friends’ A few days into the 24hour lockdown it had already got really hard as me and my family have to work in the same environment. Although it’s good to spend more time with the family, we all have our own work to do and when we have meetings we hear each other.

It can be a real distraction and stop you from finishing your work on time.

Sometimes I can’t study well because I get stressed with all the work they’re giving us. It is definitely not the same studying online as it is in the physical world where we can interact with the teacher and she can explain things one-on-one.

I miss my friends a lot even

Laila, 12, student

I own my shop but still I cannot afford it. I pay the workers’ salary so I am really broke.

This latest lockdown is making me very nervous, not because of money but where we

It is everything - economic meltdown, money evaporated in banks, prices are up and even now we can’t go out.

We don’t trust the government that if they bring a vaccine it will be safe to take it. We can only pray for God to protect us.

whole family got infected with coronavirus.

All our savings went on tests, medications and supplements to fight the disease. Staying at home is hard psychologically and economically.

I fled to Beirut in 2012 from

or taking mandatory Covid tests.

Some of the guests just don’t understand that this is for their own health and our own safety.

Lockdown is also very hard for us because hotel minibus transfers for staff have been suspended, so I feel really sorry for the hotel workers who have to walk home or stay at the place they work in.

Some of us have lost our jobs, others are struggling to get paid.

The management in this hotel are trying their best to keep us happy but when you’re working through a pandemic and when you get to deal with people that don’t understand how serious this is, you get frustrated and annoyed because you feel like you’re not safe.

At the end of the day you have to work to provide for your family so this is very sad and I just wish God could give us some strength and patience to handle it.

‘Education has been going down’ Personally I don’t mind being at home but it drags you away from social life, from social interaction, and I miss

‘I pray this will end soon’ Mouna Sleiman, 58, Syrian refugee This latest lockdown has been the hardest for me. Not only can I not go out to work and therefore not bring in any income, but me and my

“

Walid Kanaan, 45, hairdresser

though we talk online, and I try to fill my spare time by watching movies, playing the piano,

are now. People are now focused on how to eat, not how to live.

Who cares about their hair or how they look?

Rasha, 22, hotel receptionist

reading and dancing. I also paint at night.

‘It is hitting hard’ This year has been extremely difficult psychologically and economically.

It is hitting hard. You can’t go out at all or do anything. My wife works in a bank and she is also collapsing. She doesn’t know if she will still have her job or not.

We face problems with some of them, such as where they don’t want to obey the rules, like when it comes to wearing masks or taking mandatory Covid tests. Some of the guests just don’t understand that this is for their own health and our own safety.

Lockdown is also very hard for us because hotel minibus transfers for staff have been suspended, so I feel really sorry for the hotel workers who have to walk home or stay at the place they work in.

Roula Natour, instructor, Lebanese University

the war in Syria and I live here with my daughter, her husband and their two children. I work day in, day out to support them and support my son and his family who are still in Aleppo. I normally cook for many families - for lunch or dinner parties - so I can make ends meet, but if I miss a day, it makes it harder to cover expenses.

I pray to God that this will end soon and we can resume life as before. I have a family to look after.

‘You feel like you’re not safe’ It has been very hard on us, especially people in the hotel industry who have to work with guests [quarantined upon arrival in the country at government-approved hotels].

We face problems with some of them, such as where they don’t want to obey the rules, like when it comes to wearing masks

the formality of getting dressed to go out.

I’ve been teaching at the university for almost 20 years, and while it’s easier to give lessons online while sitting relaxed at home, it’s harder to prepare. We’re lucky that the sector of teaching has still been going on compared to other sectors, but the level of education has been going down in terms of not all students attending classes due to either lack of technology or lack of motivation.

Preparation-wise, it’s harder to prepare, and sometimes you feel as if you are talking to yourself when there is minimum interaction with students.

First Year students are also not benefiting from the experience of real interaction they get from being at university.

Interviews by Narinder Kalsi Source: BBC

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

PAGE 27

CLASSIFIED PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

DARUL-KHAIR CHARITY FOUNDATION

BROTHERS ACROSS NIGERIA (BAN) CAC/IT/NO: 14541

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE FOUNDATION HAVE REGISTERED WITH CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ABUBAKAR DAHIRU 2. ABDULLAHI ISMAILA ISA 3. YAKUBU MUSTAPHA ALHAJI 4. SALE BABALLE 5. HAMISU SHAIBU AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. ASSISTING ORPHANS AND LESS PRIVILEGED PEOPLE 2. PROVIDING SCHOLARSHIP FOR NEEDIEST CHILD ESPECIALLY GIRLS CHILD EDUCATION 3. GIVEN ASSISTANCE TO SICK PEOPLE 4. FEEDING THE NEEDIES 5. AWARENESS ON HOW TO ALLEVIATE POVERTY THROUGH SKILLS ACQUISITIONS ANY OBJECTIONS TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, MAITAMA ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

WINDING UP

PUBLIC NOTICE

HANAN BUHARI 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 ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. AISHA BUHARI MUHAMMADU - CHAIRMAN 2.MOHAMMAD TURAD SHA’ABAN - SECRETARY 3.SABEERAH MAHMUD 4.FADIMATU AHMED HALILU 5.HAUWA UMAR ALIYU 6.HAMZA AHMED HALILU 7.YUSUF MOHAMMADU BUHARI THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1.TO BECOME AN ACTION-DRIVEN TASK FORCE THAT PUSHES UP AND FAST TRACKING CASES FOR THE CONCLUSION OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE CASES ESPECIALLY RAPE BY ENSURING JUSTICE IS SERVED. 2• TO ADVOCATE FOR THE AMENDMENT WHERE NECESSARY, ALL LAWS REGARDING RAPE AND OTHER GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE. 3• TO ENGAGE OUR LAWMAKERS, LAW INFLUENCERS IN APPEALS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS TO ADVOCATE FOR STATES TO UNANIMOUSLY ADOPT THE CHANGED LAWS. 4• TO PUSH FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EXISTING LAWS THAT PROVIDE FOR A MAXIMUM LIFE SENTENCE. 5• TO ENGAGE AND SUPPORT WHERE NECESSARY OTHER ORGANISATIONS WORKING ON SIMILAR ISSUE IN ACHIEVING OUR DESIRED GOAL.

THIS IS TO NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION THAT AT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE ASSOCIATION WHICH HELD ON 16TH JANUARY 2021 AT UPRIGHT HOTELS, AGBELOBA, ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS WERE UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED BY MEMBERS: 1. WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO THE VALIDITY OF PREVIOUS RESOLUTIONS REMOVING THEM, THE FOLLOWING ARE REMOVED AS TRUSTEES: PATRICK EFFIONG ETIM, ABDULRUMAN BIODUN ALI, IHEME EZEKWESIRI MPI, ADEYEMI MOSHOOD, EDO AVURAKAOGHENE, ADEIYE ADESEGUN ABIODUN. 2. WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO THE VALIDITY OF PREVIOUS RESOLUTIONS APPOINTING THEM, THE FOLLOWING ARE APPOINTED AS TRUSTEES: BROTHER KEHINDE ABAYOMI SINA, BROTHER PAUL OTIS, BROTHER KENNETH AGALA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REMAIN THE SAME. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, MANAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

THIS IS TO NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC OF THE LOSS OF ORIGINAL COPY OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT LETTER OF RECERTIFICATION AND RE-ISSUANCE OF C OF O AND RIGHT OF OCCUPANCY ( R OF O ) FOR PLOT 2664, CADASTRAL ZONE AO4, ASOKORO DISTRICT, ABUJA, WITH OLD FILE NO. FCT 1142, NEW FILE NO. FCT 10038, BEARING SALEH AYUBA. THE DOCUMENT WAS LOST ON TRANSIT SOMETIME IN 2018, AND ALL EFFORTS TO TRACE THE SAID MISSING DOCUMENT PROVED ABORTIVE, HENCE THIS REPORT.

ELIZABETH I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS NWOKOCHA CHIDIMMA NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS NWOKOCHA ELIZABETH. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

WINDING UP

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

EDEH SYLVESTER CHISOM 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 ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.EDEH CHISOM SYLVESTER - CHAIRMAN 2.PALEMOTEL AUSTINE - MEMBER 3.AWALA MILCAH EBIERE. - SECRETARY 4.IGWEMBA AFAMEFUNA KLINT - MEMBER THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1.TO MINIMIZE AND TACKLE HUNGER AMONG CHILDREN IN NIGERIA. 2.TO ELIMINATE SET BACKS IN STANDARD OF EDUCATION. 3.TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL STATIONARIES FOR CHILDREN IN NIGERIA AND AFRICA AT LARGE. 4.FOR EMPOWERMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF YOUTHS. 5.TO PROTECT THE INTEREST OF THE LESS PRIVILEGED IN THE SOCIETY. 6.TO DEVELOP AND FOSTER COLLABORATION WITH RELEVANT NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROMOTING ITS OBJECTIVES.

BRIDE OF CHRIST CHURCH KADUNA THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. UMEOKEKE MAKUACHUKWU .E. 2. HYACINTH JOHN .T. 3. UMEOKEKE JOY 4. FRANCIS BLESSING 5. PETER GODFREY THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. TO BRING PEOPLE TO CHRIST AND HELP THEM TO GROW IN HIM. 2. TO BE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. 3. TO DEVELOP MEMBERS IN ALL WAYS THAT WILL MAKE THEM USEFUL TO THE SOCIETY AND THEMSELVES.

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.

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.

SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

HANAN BUHARI 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 ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.AISHA BUHARI MUHAMMAD. - CHAIRMAN 2.MOHAMMAD TURAD SHA’ABAN - SECRETARY 3.SABEERAH MAHMUD 4.FADIMATU AHMED HALILU 5.HAUWA UMAR ALIYU 6.HAMZA AHMED HALILU 7.YUSUF MOHAMMADU BUHARI THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1.TO BECOME AN ACTION-DRIVEN TASK FORCE THAT PUSHES UP AND FAST TRACKING CASES FOR THE CONCLUSION OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE CASES ESPECIALLY RAPE BY ENSURING JUSTICE IS SERVED. 2• TO ADVOCATE FOR THE AMENDMENT WHERE NECESSARY, ALL LAWS REGARDING RAPE AND OTHER GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE. 3• TO ENGAGE OUR LAWMAKERS, LAW INFLUENCERS IN APPEALS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS TO ADVOCATE FOR STATES TO UNANIMOUSLY ADOPT THE CHANGED LAWS. 4• TO PUSH FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EXISTING LAWS THAT PROVIDE FOR A MAXIMUM LIFE SENTENCE. 5• TO ENGAGE AND SUPPORT WHERE NECESSARY OTHER ORGANISATIONS WORKING ON SIMILAR ISSUE IN ACHIEVING OUR DESIRED GOAL.

EDEH SYLVESTER CHISOM 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 ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.EDEH CHISOM SYLVESTER - CHAIRMAN 2.PALEMOTEL AUSTINE - MEMBER 3.AWALA MILCAH EBIERE. - SECRETARY 4.IGWEMBA AFAMEFUNA KLINT - MEMBER THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1.TO MINIMIZE AND TACKLE HUNGER AMONG CHILDREN IN NIGERIA. 2.TO ELIMINATE SET BACKS IN STANDARD OF EDUCATION. 3.TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL STATIONARIES FOR CHILDREN IN NIGERIA AND AFRICA AT LARGE. 4.FOR EMPOWERMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF YOUTHS. 5.TO PROTECT THE INTEREST OF THE LESS PRIVILEGED IN THE SOCIETY. 6.TO DEVELOP AND FOSTER COLLABORATION WITH RELEVANT NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROMOTING ITS OBJECTIVES.

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.

SIR CHIKWE UDENSI 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 ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1 . UDENSI CHIKWENDU UKAOBASI - CHAIRMAN 2. OKEREKE EBERE MARY - SECRETARY THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1.TO ENGAGE IN CHARITY WORK AND CARE FOR THE LESS PRIVILEGE IN THE SOCIETY. 2. TO ASSIST THE NEEDY, ORPHANS AND THE DOWN TRODDEN 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 : AGUGOESI VICTOR 08035757908.

PAGE 28

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

CLASSIFIED PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PRINCESS VICTORIA FOUNDATION

LESS PRIVELEDGED WOMEN AND CHILDREN 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 ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.AIYEJINA VICTORIA PRINCESS (PRESIDENT) 2.BENJAMIN VIVIAN ROSE (SECRETARY) THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.TO RESTORE, REBUILD, RENEW SOCIETAL STRUCTURE AND ACHIEVE SUSTAINABILITY BY DELIVERING IMPACTFUL PROGRAMMES IN PEACE BUILDING, INTEGRATED EDUCATION AND CHILD PROTECTION.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. KHADIJA ABUBAKAR MUHAMMAD - CHAIRPERSON 2. ZULAIHAT MUHAMMAD AUWAL - SECRETARY 3 . ZAINAB ABDULKADIR MUSA THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1. TO EDUCATE WOMEN AND CHILDREN ON THEIR RIGHT TO EDUCATION.

PUBLIC NOTICE

VICTORYPOINT GOSPEL CENTRE

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. ONI MARY OYEYEMI 2. ONI JACOB OLUWAGBEMIGA 3. JESUWARE ESTHER OLUWAMAYOWA 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 : M.T.A. BADIRU ESQ 07039838769.

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

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

DANIEL, DANIELLE CHARITY FOUNDATION THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.UGWU CHARITY ONUWA 2.OKHAREDIA SYLVESTER OZEAGBE 3.DANIEL MERCY ODINAKA THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.TO EMPOWER GIRL-CHILD THROUGH SPONSORSHIP TO DEVELOP THEIR SKILLS AND CAREER. 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

SIR EDEHE 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 ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. EDEHE KUFRE CLEMENT - CHAIRMAN 2. EDEHE ANIETIE CLEMENT - SECRETARY 3. EDEHE CHINWE LUCY 4. NNAMSO EDEHE CLEMENT 5. AKPAN KAREN EKPENYONG 6. UMOH ROSEMARY ALPHONSUS THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.TO HELP THE LESS PRIVILEDGED 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.

SHIGABA FOUNDATION

CAYMAN ISLANDS 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 ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REMOVAL OF TRUSTEES (CHANGE OF TRUSTEES) UNDER PART ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : (1) JAMAL FAHD ALHASSAN (2) WHYTE FRANK, (3) JACK YAKUBU PAM.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.AYANNUGA TOMI OMOZUWA 2.ORETAN ADEBOWALE 3.UNUIGBOJE FITZGERALD OHIKHUARE 4.GBENEBITSE JOLOMI 5.ODEH RICHARD OSA 6.AKAEZE CHRISTIAN OZIOMA

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : (1) TO PROVIDE WELFARE PACKAGES TO INDIGENT STUDENTS THROUGH SCHOLARSHIP AND PROVISION OF LEARNING AND EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES FOR THE LESS PRIVILEGED. (2)TO ENCOURAGE, ENHANCE AND PROMOTE THE WELFARE OF THE LESS PRIVILEGED AND PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED IN THE SOCIETY. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

THE REMOVED TRUSTEES ARE : 1. IKOYO - EWETO KINGSLEY 2. MUHAMMED ADULRAZAK BELLO 3. OMOREGIE OSARO SAMUEL 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

KAVANAH 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 ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. NWANKWO CLEMENT C.D. 2. MWADA COMFORT 3. TARFA HABU GARBA 4. ONYE-AMAH EMMANUEL OBIOMA 5. MOSIMUA GREAT AMBALI 6. OLOGBENLA ADEBAMBO WAHAB THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.TO PREACH AND PROPAGATE THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR 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

CEL CARE 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 ‘F’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, ( CAMA 2020).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. CHIEF CHUKWUEMEKA LIVINUS OGUEJIOFOR - PRESIDENT 2.ONYEAKUSIOBI NGOZI GRACE - SECRETARY THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.TO IMPROVE THE LIVELIHOOD OF THE POOR AND NEEDY CHILDREN AND YOUTHS ACROSS AFRICA THROUGH BETTER EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES. 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.

DUMFAMA

PUBLIC NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS ASMA’U ABDULLAHI NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ASMA’U ABDULLAHI DUMFAMA. MY DATE OF BIRTH IS 06/12/1997. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAME HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT OF 1990.

UKE LIKE MINDS ASSOCIATION

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE PROBATE DIVISION BIRNIN KEBBI, KEBBI STATE

LOSS OF DOCUIMENT THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC OF THE LOST OF ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY (C OF O) WITH NO. 1681W1750D5659RC01CU10 AND RIGHT OF OCCUPANCY ( R OF O) WITH FILE NO. KG65191 IN RESPECT OF PLOT NO. 1792, A09 AT GUZAPE BELONGING TO ONE IBRAHIM IDRIS ‘M’, GOT LOST WHILE ON TRANSIT BETWEEN AIR PORT ROAD TO CITY GATE ON 12/09/2020 FCT ABUJA. ALL EFFORT MADE TO TRACE THE SAID DOCUMENTS PROVED ABORTIVE. IF FOUND PLEASE RETURN TO NEAREST POLICE STATION. AUTHORITY CONCERNED AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

THE TRUSTEES ARE 1. KPAJIE TOCHUKWU EMMANUEL - CHAIRMAN 2. OKOLO VICTOR CHIJIOKE 3. OBI BARTHOLOMEW UBABUNIKE 4. EZEPUE ALOUSIUS AZUBIKE - SECRETARY 5. OKOSA LAWRENCE IKECHUKWU AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO PROMOTE PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE BETWEEN MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION 2. TO CONTRIBUTE POSITIVELY TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF UKE TOWN ANY OBJECTIONS TO THIS SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: MUHAMMAD AHMAD GIRAGI

WHEREAS THE PERSON WHOSE NAME IS SET OUT IN THE FIRST COLUMN HERE UNDER DIED DATE AND PLACE STATED IN THE SAID COLUMN. WHEREAS THE PERSON WHOSE ADDRESS HAD CLAIMED RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SAID DECEASED IS SET IN THE SECOND COLUMN HERE UNDER HAS APPLIED TO THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE FOR GRANT OF LETTER OF ADMINISTRATION OF THE PERSONAL PROPERTY. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE SAID LETTER OF ADMINISTRATION WILL BE GRANTED TO SUCH PERSON UNLESS A NOTICE TO PROHIBIT THE GRANT THERE OF IS FILED IN THE PROBATE REGISTRY HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE BIRNIN KEBBI, WITHIN TWENTY ONE DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. SCHEDULE NAME AND ADDRESS OF DECEASED APPLICANT NAME AND ADDRESS ASP. BALA IBRAHIM MUBARAK BALA THE NIGERIA POLICE FORCE AWALA AREA, RIBAH DIVISION RIBAH KEBBI STATE. KEBBI STATE

WHO DIED ON THE 17TH OCTOBER, 2020 DATED AT BIRNIN KEBBI ON THE 26TH JANUARY, 2021 HUSSAINI ABDULLAHI PROBATE REGISTRAR

PEOPLES DAILY

Sports

PAGE

30

sports@peoplesdailyng.com, SMS- 08142929046

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

Unveiling Tokyo Olympic Nigeria medal hopefuls (1) - Divine Oduduru

By Amaechi Agbo s the global athletes gear up for the 32nd global sports fiesta, the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games scheduled to commence from July 23rd through August 8th, 2021, we take a look at the Nigeria athletes (track and field) hoping to get podium finish as the summer games draw nearer.

We commence this series with Nigerian national record holder in 200m, Divine Oduduru.

26 years Ejowvokoghene Divine Oduduru was born on 7 October 1996 in Ughelli, Delta State, South-South Nigeria.

He is Nigerian track and field sprinter specializing in the 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash events. He holds personal bests of 9.86 seconds for the 100 m and 19.73 seconds for the 200 m. The latter is a Nigerian national record.

In age category competitions, he was a twice-champion at the African Youth Athletics Championships, a five-time African Junior Champion in the sprints and the 200 m silver medallist at the 2014 World Junior Championships. He represented Nigeria as a senior athlete at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and 2014 African Championships in Athletics, before winning a 200 m silver medal at the 2015 African Games.

He is a two-time Nigerian national champion and is a four-time National Collegiate Athletic Association, NCAA champion in American collegiate competition, running for the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

He is sponsored by Puma Divine Ran Against Usain Bolt In 2016 Rio Olympics Running against Usain Bolt in his

A

Divine Oduduru (right) with Usain Bolt at Rio 2016 Olympics Olympic debut at Rio 2016, Divine Oduduru was inspired to a Personal Best (PB) of 20.34s in 2nd place behind the Jamaican and was in fact, the only Nigerian to make it into a semi-final across any of the men’s sprints.

He has however since then, made huge strides competing in the NCAA for Texas Tech, breaking multiple School Records (SR) and National Records (NR) in his three years at the institution before turning pro.

AFN President, Ibrahim Gusau and Sports Minister, Sunday Dare lie.

“The solution is for all of us like we said after the judgement of the Court of Appeal, where we said that there is no victor and there is no vanquished and then it is not about we winning, it’s a win for the whole family in court.

“We are all gentlemen. The minister of youth and sports is a gentleman and by his experience, I think the best thing to do is to be law-abiding. We are all law-abiding

citizens and he is our big brother up there who studied in the US and he knows about law.

“The simplest thing for him to do is to respect the rule of law and respect the judgement of the court as given. It is a family thing and I see no reason we should be pushing and dragging it because it is not in the interest of anybody. I am not the minister of sports, neither is Gusau (AFN President) but he (Dare) is the minister of sports. But if anything goes wrong in sports, he will be out there to give an account and I am sure anybody holding a public office would want his tenure prosperous and progressive.

“I believe he would not want history to have it that this whole thing ended this way in his own time,” he stated.

On the challenges facing the AFN, the technical director said that it was in a move to surmount the challenges in the federation they a Director-General was appointed to oversee the day-to-day activities or administration of the federation.

“A lot of challenges are out there.

The federation cannot run the way it is running right now where you have just about only six staff or five staffs coming from the ministry to say they are staffs of the federation.

“We have several departments; nobody

In his sophomore year, he shattered the Nigerian Indoor 200m Record held

by Francis Obikwelu with a 20.18s run, finishing 2nd at the NCAA Indoor Championships in 20.21s and then stunned a quality field to take the men’s 200m at the 2018 NCAA Outdoor Championships.

At the Big 12 Indoor Championships in 2019 he turned in a blazing 20.08s to win the 200m, the 3rd fastest time in history and won his first NCAA Indoor title a week after.

Outdoors at the Michael Johnson Invitational, he sped to a massive 9.94s run over 100m, becoming the first Nigerian man to dip under 10s in 12 years and then topped it off with the 200m, shattering one more of Obikwelu’s NRs with a stunning 19.76s clocking.

Oduduru would break the 10s barrier four more times, peaking at the NCAA Outdoor Championships with a PB & SR of 9.86s, moving up to joint 2nd on the African all-time list alongside Frankie Fredericks and 2nd on the NCAA all-time list.

He secured the double by defending his 200m title, even going better with an NR and Championship Record (CR) of 19.73s – 2nd all-time in NCAA history behind Walter Dix. He competed in a handful of meets in 2020 and now as one of the fastest men in the world, Oduduru will set his sights on a second Olympic appearance with strong chances of picking a medal.

It is hoped that in Divine Oduduru, Nigeria has a bright hope of a medal finish in 100m and 200m dash come Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan’s capital city in July.

Ministry Vs AFN: “We don’t have issues with sports ministry – AFN TD, Adeleye

By Amaechi Agbo ith the crisis raging between the ministry of sports and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, headed to Supreme Court of judgement, the Technical Director, AFN, Mr Sunday Adeleye has stated that the federation does not have issues with the ministry of youth and sports development.

Speaking in an interview in Abuja, Mr Adeleye noted that both the federation and the ministry are partners in progress and development of Nigeria athletics games.

Th technical director who said that the matter initially started as an in-house misunderstanding was blown out of proportion and given various colouration to achieve a certain projection outside what was the original issue.

“The matter here actually started as inhouse problem between us and members of the board and I think we don’t have issues with the ministry of youth and sports. We are partners in progress but it is shocking that now we are going to court with the ministry,” Mr Adeleye told Bestchoicesports.com.ng in an exclusive interview in Abuja Proffering solutions to the lingering quagmire, Mr Adeleye said the only way to go is for all the remain law abiding. To respect the court rulings ad let sleeping dog

W

is manning those departments. How do you want to compete with the other federations around the world? That is why we came up with the office of DirectorGeneral who is very active, prompt and swift in response.

“We looked at it again, we know we sign contracts but there is nobody to take care of those files. We came up again and said we need a legal adviser so that we don’t make mistakes. We have a lot of people and corporate organisations that want to do business with us. Now we have a legal person.

“We also said that we need a treasurer who is important for our accountability, we also moved for that.

“There are several more departments that are lying fallow. The way the ministry wants the whole thing to run, it will be very difficult and that is why we said that we are partners in progress.

“There is a staff that is posted as secretary to the federation, we said ‘ok, let’s work together and let him act as liaison officer. Let him take whatever we are doing in the federation back to the ministry and he brings back from the ministry to us’.

“With the system, they will be in the know of what we are doing because we want to carry them along as partners in progress, he concluded.

FIFA clears Pinnick to vie for Council membership >>>PG30

PAGE 30

S P

Chelsea appoints Tuchel as new manager on 18-month contract

By Amaechi Agbo

E

nglish Premiership giants, Chelsea have announced Thomas Tuchel as the new Head Coach for the next 18 months.

Tuchel move to Stamford Bridge following a two-and-a-half year spell at French champions Paris Saint-Germain, which came to an end last month.

He will be the first German to manage Chelsea and arrives having guided PSG to four major honours and the Champions League final during his time in the French capital.

Prior to that, he spent seven seasons coaching in the Bundesliga, first with Mainz, where he led them into the Europa League, and then a successful period with Borussia Dortmund where he won the German Cup. At Chelsea, he will be reunited with Christian Pulisic and Thiago Silva who he coached during his spells in Dortmund and Paris respectively.

Tuchel, who has signed an 18-month contract with the possibility of an extension, said: ‘I would like to thank Chelsea FC for their confidence in me and my staff.

‘We all have the greatest respect for Frank Lampard’s work and the legacy he created at Chelsea. At the same time, I cannot wait to meet my new team and compete in the most exciting league in football. I am grateful to now be part of the Chelsea family - it feels amazing!’

Director Marina Granovskaia added: ‘It is never easy to change Head Coach in the middle of the season but we are very happy to secure one of Europe’s best coaches in Thomas Tuchel. There is still much to play for and much to achieve, this season and beyond. We welcome Thomas to the Club.’

Tuchel will took his first training session Tuesday evening and will be in the dugout for Wednesday’s Premier League game against Wolves.

Chelsea sacked their former manager and club legend, Frank Lampard on Monday following series of poor results and well as division within the dressing room.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

R

T

FIFA clears Pinnick to vie for Council membership

By Amaechi Agbo

W

orld football governing body, FIF has cleared Nigeria Football Federation President, NFF to contest for the membership of the FIFA Council.

Pinnick, former first Vice President of the Confederation of Africa Football, CAF while announcing the clearance on Tuesday also stated what why he is ppushing to join the council.

The FIFA Council elections are scheduled for Morocco on 12 March 2021.

“As part of my commitment to keep pushing Nigerian and African football forwards and upwards, I would like to announce that I have now been cleared by the FIFA Review Committee to seek a position on the FIFA Council at the forthcoming elections scheduled for the 43rd Ordinary General Assembly of the Confederation of African Football; CAF, coming up in Rabat, Morocco on the 12th of March, later this year,” Pinnick announced.

In presenting his manifesto after the clearance was granted, the former Delta State Football, Association Chairman said he would continue to push for more representation of African continent in world football.

He reiterated that under his leadership of the NFF, the federation which was 100% dependent on government financing before he assumed office in 2014 has now become 60% self-sufficient.

“The FIFA Review Committee has extremely stringent integrity, eligibility and security checks, and it is the first major step in seeking a seat at World Football’s governing table.

“With that extremely important test passed, I can continue to push for more

representation of the African continent in world football.

“Since 2014, when I first got into the office of the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, I have always maintained that Nigeria and Africa deserves to be more visible in the administration of World Football and this is still part of that quest Before our board came, Nigeria football was almost 100% Govt.-dependent. Now, we have attained 60% self-sufficiency with our drive to be totally financially independent still in effect.

“Hopefully, the next President of the Federation will build on what we have done and are doing, while ensuring that the relationships we have nurtured with Corporate Nigeria over time continues.”

Pinnick pleaded for the support of his

friends and foes alike as well as the media to help he realise the dream of being a member of the FIFA Council.

“I have been a member of the Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football, and remain a member, while also becoming a member of the Organizing Committee for FIFA Competitions.

“The experience I have gathered over time has been truly invaluable and I know I can contribute a lot more to the World game while championing African interests as well.

“I’m hoping to get the support of my friends and critics alike, as I take the next inevitable step, while counting on the massive goodwill I have gotten over the years from the football press and public.”

Edo 2020: Lack of fund hit National Sports Festival ahead of commencement

T

here are indications that the 20th edition of the National Sports Festival, NSF may not after all hold as the host state, Edo has declared that it is facing financial setbacks to carry on with the hosting.

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki said the state is ready to host the Festival but expressed fear of lack of funds to host 11,500 athletes and officials at the 20th edition of the sports meet.

Obaseki disclosed this when he received members of the Main Organizing Committee (MOC) from the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development (FMYSD) and the Local Organising Committee who paid him a courtesy visit in Benin City.

The governor said COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on the finances of various states and countries across the globe and Edo State is not left out.

He noted that the impact of the virus might have a negative effect on hosting the game in the state.

Obaseki said: “Since March last year, you know the financial strength of most States, sub-nationals and countries. For us as a State, we are ready to host but don’t have the funds

Athletes in action in 2018 festival Abuja at this point in time to host the games; this is the plain truth.

“If the Federal Government however in its wisdom decides to bring the funding for the games, we will be too willing to host the country. We have to live with COVID-19 because it has come to stay; even with the vaccination, the virus will still be around.

Cancelling the game is not the solution to this issue, we have to sit down and look at all these issues critically before reaching a final decision.”

The governor continued: “Beyond the

game itself, which is an instrument of unity and a way of engaging the youths, there is the Tokyo Olympics to prepare for. But how do we prepare for the Olympics without Edo 2020? Can we afford to expose our young people to the dangers of COVID-19 or would there be other Olympics in the future? We have to balance these things.

“We have to make a decision whether we want to go to the Tokyo games. If we want to, how do we prepare Nigeria’s contingents, where are the trials?”

Earlier, the leader of delegation from FMYSD, Nebeolisa Anako, expressed delight with the facilities inspected by the committee for the games slated to commence from 14th to 28th February 2021.

He said the facilities show that the State is ready to host the Nation.

“We are here in the state to look at the preparedness of the state and determine how it would be hosted in a safe manner considering the pandemic. What we saw while inspecting the facilities for the game gladdens my heart. It shows that the state government is prepared to host the game. We are also looking at the funding for the game,” he said.

NBBF Considering Bubble Format For 2021 Domestic League Season

A

s Nigerians anticipate the calendar for the 2021 domestic basketball season, the NBBF is considering available options.

This is in light of the recent successes of the bubble format initiated by the National Basketball Association (NBA) as well as FIBA Africa during its last Afrobasket qualification series in Kigali, Rwanda.

The federation reasoned that due to the harsh reality of the covid-19 pandemic and the new normal, there is a need to quickly adapt to the situation.

The board said, “What we are trying to do most especially in basketball is to learn from the experience that we have had from the organisation of the NBA where they set up bubbles and people played as long as they were kept in one place with very limited contact with the outside world.”

The board is optimistic that the best decisions will be taken after due consultation with stakeholders and club owners ahead of the 2021 Zenith Women Premier League and the Total sponsored Men’s Division One and Two leagues.

Referencing the FIBA Afrobasket qualifiers held in November, 2020, the federation said, “The same thing happened in Kigali at the end of November with FIBA Africa showing it could organise the bubble also for the 2021 Afrobasket qualifiers. That was successful and we have another outing in February which will be held in similar fashion.”

With the NBBF currently in talks with Total Nigeria and Zenith Banks, the 2021 calendar is expected to be released soon as clubs have already been placed on alert.

PAGE 31

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

CLASSIFIED LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

YAMAWO

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE PROBATE DIVISION BIRNIN KEBBI, KEBBI STATE

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE PROBATE DIVISION BIRNIN KEBBI, KEBBI STATE

WHEREAS THE PERSON WHOSE NAME IS SET OUT IN THE FIRST COLUMN HERE UNDER DIED DATE AND PLACE STATED IN THE SAID COLUMN. WHEREAS THE PERSON WHOSE ADDRESS HAD CLAIMED RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SAID DECEASED IS SET IN THE SECOND COLUMN HERE UNDER HAS APPLIED TO THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE FOR GRANT OF LETTER OF ADMINISTRATION OF THE PERSONAL PROPERTY.

WHEREAS THE PERSON WHOSE NAME IS SET OUT IN THE FIRST COLUMN HERE UNDER DIED DATE AND PLACE STATED IN THE SAID COLUMN. WHEREAS THE PERSON WHOSE ADDRESS HAD CLAIMED RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SAID DECEASED IS SET IN THE SECOND COLUMN HERE UNDER HAS APPLIED TO THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE FOR GRANT OF LETTER OF ADMINISTRATION OF THE PERSONAL PROPERTY.

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS ABDULLAHI GALADIMA NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ABDULLAHI YAMAWO. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE SAID LETTER OF ADMINISTRATION WILL BE GRANTED TO SUCH PERSON UNLESS A NOTICE TO PROHIBIT THE GRANT THERE OF IS FILED IN THE PROBATE REGISTRY HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE BIRNIN KEBBI, WITHIN TWENTY ONE DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. SCHEDULE NAME AND ADDRESS OF DECEASED APPLICANT NAME AND ADDRESS SGT. MUSA ALIYU IBRAHIM ALIYU ZONE 10 TRANSPORT OFFICE UBAIDA ALIYU SOKOTO YEBO AREA SOKOTO STATE. YELWA-YAURI KEBBI STATE WHO DIED ON THE 09TH MARCH, 2009 DATED AT BIRNIN KEBBI ON THE 26TH JANUARY, 2021

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE SAID LETTER OF ADMINISTRATION WILL BE GRANTED TO SUCH PERSON UNLESS A NOTICE TO PROHIBIT THE GRANT THERE OF IS FILED IN THE PROBATE REGISTRY HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE BIRNIN KEBBI, WITHIN TWENTY ONE DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

HUSSAINI ABDULLAHI PROBATE REGISTRAR

HUSSAINI ABDULLAHI PROBATE REGISTRAR

WINDING UP

WINDING UP

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 2020 AGRO COMMODITIES TRADING AND INTEGRATED SERVICES LIMITED RC: 1393539 SPECIAL RESOLUTION AT THE EXTRA ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING OF THE ABOVE NAMED COMPANY HELD ON THE 22NDDAY OF JANUARY, 2021 AT THE REGISTERED OFFICE OF THE COMPANY THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WERE DULY PASSED, RESOLUTION TO WIND UP THAT AGRO COMMODITIES TRADING AND INTEGRATED SERVICES LIMITEDBE AND IS HEREBY VOLUNTARILY WOUND UP. APPOINTMENT OF LIQUIDATOR THAT KEHINDE BURAIMOH ESQOF 7TH FLOOR, MANDILAS, HOUSE 35, SIMPSON STREET, LAGOSBE AND IS HEREBY APPOINTED AS LIQUIDATOR FOR AGRO COMMODITES TRADING AND INTEGRATED SERVICES LIMITEDFOR THE PURPOSE OF WINDING UP THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY. DATED THIS 22ND DAY OF JANUARY, 2021 ______________________ GBEDEDO PAUL MIYONMIDE DIRECTOR

SCHEDULE NAME AND ADDRESS OF DECEASED APPLICANT NAME AND ADDRESS AP/NO. 162328 INSPR. IBRAHIM ISAH CHRISTIANA EZEKIEL THE NIGERIA POLICE FORCE THE NIGERIA POLICE BARRACK SHANGA DIVISION YAURI, KEBBI STATE. KEBBI STATE. WHO DIED ON THE 06TH DECEMBER, 2020 DATED AT BIRNIN KEBBI ON THE 25TH JANUARY, 2021

_____________________ UMOLU JOSEPH DIRECTOR

WINDING UP

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990 SUNFLAG SEEDS LIMITED RC: 1498398 SPECIAL RESOLUTION AT THE EXTRA ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING OF THE ABOVE NAMED COMPANY HELD ON THE 22ND JANUARY, DAY OF 2021 AT THE REGISTERED OFFICE OF THE COMPANY THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WERE DULY PASSED, 1. RESOLUTION TO WIND UP THAT SUNFLAG SEEDS LIMITEDBE AND IS HEREBY VOLUNTARILY WOUND UP. 2. APPOINTMENT OF LIQUIDATOR THAT KEHINDE BURAIMOH ESQ OF 7TH FLOOR, MANDILAS, HOUSE 35, SIMPSON STREET, LAGOS BE AND IS HEREBY APPOINTED AS LIQUIDATOR FOR SUNFLAG SEEDS LIMITED FOR THE PURPOSE OF WINDING UP THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY. DATED THIS 22ND.DAY OF JANUARY, 2021 ___________________ GBEDEDO PAUL MIYONMIDE DIRECTOR

_____________________ UMOLU JOSEPH ODION DIRECTOR

WINDING UP

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990 GOLDEN PENNY PROCESSORS LIMITED RC: 1421035 SPECIAL RESOLUTION AT THE EXTRA ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING OF THE ABOVE NAMED COMPANY HELD ON THE 22NDDAY OF JANUARY, 2021 AT THE REGISTERED OFFICE OF THE COMPANY THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WERE DULY PASSED, 1. RESOLUTION TO WIND UP THAT GOLDEN PENNY PROCESSORS LIMITED BE AND IS HEREBY VOLUNTARILY WOUND UP. 2. APPOINTMENT OF LIQUIDATOR THAT KEHINDE BURAIMOH ESQOF 7TH FLOOR, MANDILAS, HOUSE 35, SIMPSON STREET, LAGOSBE AND IS HEREBY APPOINTED AS LIQUIDATOR FOR GOLDEN PENNY PROCESSORS LIMITED FOR THE PURPOSE OF WINDING UP THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY. DATED THIS 22ND DAY OF JANUARY, 2021

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990 FOREMOST AGRO COMMODITIES LIMITED RC: 1421036 SPECIAL RESOLUTION AT THE EXTRA ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING OF THE ABOVE NAMED COMPANY HELD ON THE 22NDDAY OF JANUARY 2021 AT THE REGISTERED OFFICE OF THE COMPANY THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WERE DULY PASSED, 1. RESOLUTION TO WIND UP THAT FOREMOST AGRO COMMODITIES LIMITEDBE AND IS HEREBY VOLUNTARILY WOUND UP. 2. APPOINTMENT OF LIQUIDATOR THAT KEHINDE BURAIMOH ESQOF 7TH FLOOR, MANDILAS, HOUSE 35, SIMPSON STREET, LAGOSBE AND IS HEREBY APPOINTED AS LIQUIDATOR FOR FOREMOST AGRO COMMODITIES LIMITED FOR THE PURPOSE OF WINDING UP THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY.

_____________________________________________________ GBEDEDO PAUL MIYONMIDE UMOLU JOSEPH ODION DIRECTOR

DIRECTOR

_____________________________________________________ GBEDEDO PAUL MIYONMIDE UMOLU JOSEPH ODION DIRECTOR

DIRECTOR

WINDING UP

WINDING UP

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990 AGGREGATED HANDLING AND SERVICES LIMITED, RC: 1420961 SPECIAL RESOLUTION AT THE EXTRA ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING OF THE ABOVE NAMED COMPANY HELD ON THE 22NDDAY OF JANUARY 2021 AT THE REGISTERED OFFICE OF THE COMPANY THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WERE DULY PASSED, RESOLUTION TO WIND UP 1. THAT AGGREGATED HANDLING AND SERVICES LIMITEDBE AND IS HEREBY VOLUNTARILY WOUND UP. 2. APPOINTMENT OF LIQUIDATOR THAT KEHINDE BURAIMOH ESQ OF 7TH FLOOR, MANDILAS, HOUSE 35, SIMPSON STREET, LAGOSBE AND IS HEREBY APPOINTED AS LIQUIDATOR FOR AGGREGATED HANDLING AND SERVICES LIMITEDFOR THE PURPOSE OF WINDING UP THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY. DATED THIS 22ND DAY OF JANUARY, 2021

_____________________________________________________ GBEDEDO PAUL MIYONMIDE UMOLU JOSEPH ODION DIRECTOR

DIRECTOR

DATED THIS 22ND DAY OF JANUARY, 2021

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990 FEED RIGHT LIMITED, RC: 1421030 SPECIAL RESOLUTION AT THE EXTRA ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING OF THE ABOVE NAMED COMPANY HELD ON THE 22NDDAY OF JANUARY 2021 AT THE REGISTERED OFFICE OF THE COMPANY THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WERE DULY PASSED, RESOLUTION TO WIND UP 1. THAT FEED RIGHT LIMITED BE AND IS HEREBY VOLUNTARILY WOUND UP. 2. APPOINTMENT OF LIQUIDATOR THAT KEHINDE BURAIMOH ESQ OF 7TH FLOOR, MANDILAS, HOUSE 35, SIMPSON STREET, LAGOSBE AND IS HEREBY APPOINTED AS LIQUIDATOR FOR FEED RIGHT LIMITED FOR THE PURPOSE OF WINDING UP THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY. DATED THIS 22ND DAY OF JANUARY, 2021

_____________________________________________________ GBEDEDO PAUL MIYONMIDE UMOLU JOSEPH ODION DIRECTOR

DIRECTOR

LOSS OF DOCUIMENT

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC OF THE LOSS OF C OF O IN RESPECT OF A PIECE OF LAND BELONGING TO HABIB AGRO ALLIED SERVICES LTD AT JAJI IGABI LOCAL GOVERNMENT, KDL 30315 NC 19335 BEARING DR BASHIR BALARABE .

ALL EFFORTS TO TRACE THE SAID DECUMENT PROVES ABORTIVE.

WINDING UP FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990 AGRO ALLIED TERMINALS NIGERIA LTD RC: 1267764 SPECIAL RESOLUTION AT THE EXTRA ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING OF THE ABOVE NAMED COMPANY HELD ON THE 22ND.DAY OF JANUARY 2021 AT THE REGISTERED OFFICE OF THE COMPANY THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WERE DULY PASSED, 1. RESOLUTION TO WIND UP THAT AGRO ALLIED TERMINALS NIGERIA LIMITED BE AND IS HEREBY VOLUNTARILY WOUND UP. 2. APPOINTMENT OF LIQUIDATOR THAT KEHINDE BURAIMOH ESQ OF 7TH FLOOR, MANDILAS, HOUSE 35, SIMPSON STREET, LAGOS BE AND IS HEREBY APPOINTED AS LIQUIDATOR FOR AGRO ALLIED TERMINALS NIGERIA LTD FOR THE PURPOSE OF WINDING UP THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY. DATED THIS 22ND DAY OF JANUARY, 2021 ______________________ GBEDEDO PAUL MIYONMIDE DIRECTOR

_____________________ UMOLU JOSEPH ODION DIRECTOR

WINDING UP FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990 RELIANT AGRICULTURAL STORAGE AND HANDLING LIMITED, RC: 1421037 SPECIAL RESOLUTION AT THE EXTRA ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING OF THE ABOVE NAMED COMPANY HELD ON THE 22ND DAY OF JANUARY, 2021 AT THE REGISTERED OFFICE OF THE COMPANY THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WERE DULY PASSED, RESOLUTION TO WIND UP THAT RELIANT AGRICULTURAL STORAGE AND HANDLING LIMITEDBE AND IS HEREBY VOLUNTARILY WOUND UP. APPOINTMENT OF LIQUIDATOR THAT KEHINDE BURAIMOH ESQOF 7TH FLOOR, MANDILAS, HOUSE 35, SIMPSON STREET, LAGOSBE AND IS HEREBY APPOINTED AS LIQUIDATOR FOR RELIANT AGRICULTURAL STORAGE AND HANDLING LIMITEDFOR THE PURPOSE OF WINDING UP THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY. DATED THIS 22ND DAY OF JANUARY, 2021 _____________________________________________________ GBEDEDO PAUL MIYONMIDE UMOLU JOSEPH ODION DIRECTOR

DIRECTOR

ABBAS I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS MUHAMMED ABBAS SKIZON, DATE OF BIRTH 01/01/1987 NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MUHAMMAD ABBAS ABUBAKAR. DATE OF BIRTH 01/01/1999. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

DAHIRU I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS DAHIRU MAS’ UDU NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS DAHIRU ALHASSAN . ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

SPACE FOR SALE

. . . putting the people first

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

THIS SPACE IS FOR SALE

SPORTS Revisiting ‘Ranch, Ruga or LATEST Ramble’! (Published July 04 2019) Benitez wants Thursday W Premier League return

F

ormer Liverpool head coach Rafael Benitez wants a Premier League to return but is planning on waiting for the perfect club before choosing his next club.

Benitez left his role as the manager of Dalian Professional by mutual consent on Saturday last week. The former Liverpool and Newcastle boss has been contacted by a number of clubs both home and abroad in recent weeks, most recently Napoli, who have endured a frustrating campaign under current manager Gennaro Gattuso.

The 69-year-old remains hugely popular in Naples and still enjoys good relations with the club’s president Aurelio De Laurentiis.

Benitez’s family home remains on the Wirral, however, and privately the Spaniard has told friends that his next project will be in the Premier League.

For now, he will not be taking up any vacancy which may arise at Celtic, nor will he consider renewing his working partnership with Mike Ashley at Newcastle United.

Mesut Ozil’s took huge pay cut to join Fenerbahce

M

esut Ozil has taken a pay cut of more than £300,000-a-week to join Fenerbahce, it has been revealed.

Ozil reached an agreement with Arsenal to end his contract six months early and joined the Turkish side earlier this month.

It has been revealed that a seven-figure pay-out was reached between the two parties so he could leave in January.

The 32-year-old had been frozen out by Mikel Arteta as he was left out of both Arsenal’s Premier League and Europa League squads for this season.

Ozil has joined Fenerbahce, a club he’s supported since he was young, and his wages have taken somewhat a hit.

Taye Taiwo and of Oduamadi

ADVERT: NEWS: KANO: LAGOS:

hen Ibrahim Babangida’s Fulani Education Minister, Jibril Aminu, in 1989 proposed a compulsory ‘nomadic education’ policy for the children, mostly of nomadic herdsmen, a large section of the Media vehemently kicked. Not because we did not know that it was a good idea –to ingest, in good enough time, the anti-venom necessary to counteract the potential danger of nomadic pastoralism in a future when the herdsman’s anachronistic ways predictably could come in the way of agrarian and communal living.

Nor was the Media’s opposition to Jubril Aminu’s ‘Nomadic Education’ program informed by the fact that the nation could ill-afford such a reformative novelty. In truth nomadic education was not what many Nigerians, especially Southerners, had thought it was, namely some kind of ‘sop’ to the Saberus of geo-political or ethno-religious patronage intended to benefit only a particular people, the Fulanids. Rather these people were specially targeted because they were inseparably involved in the running of a vital sector with the potential to impact positively or negatively not only on the nation’s food security, but now as we are learning the hard way, also on the whole gamut of national security.

‘Nomadic Education’ was the proverbial ‘stitch in the womb of time’ that we needed and which, by now, would long have helped us ‘save nine’. Alas, here we are today all raggedy and patched-up because we have opted to be clad in a jaded, manifoldly-torn garment of inter-ethnic crisis occasioned by our refusal to ‘stitch in time’. Had the potential nuisance of nomadic herding been timeously preempted some 35 years ago, with educating the Fulani child, by now at least a first generation army of nomadism-shy, easily ranch-embracing, successorherders would’ve come of age to rest once-and-for-all, the drudgery of nomadism by accepting a sedentary life of herding through modern ranching by whatever name called.

And what with ranching’s proven multiple potentials for improving quality and quantity of meat and quality and quantity of milk production. But no! We have allowed to get the better of us, our usual trade-mark penchant for shooting down virtually every noble intention of Government on the altar of selfharming ethno-religious and geopolitical grudge. In fact the irony of it is that this same ranch-like option of Ruga, with its economic value chain and most importantly its potentials for ending the perennial farmersherders crisis, was once the sing-song narrative of the same anti-pastoralists who –for reasons again more political than pragmatic- are now vehemently in opposition to. Those who had opposed ‘open grazing’ in favor of a sedentary system of herding are now against ‘ranching’ merely because to entice a distrustful Fulanis to accept it, it has been given the name ‘ruga’ which they are familiar with.

0806 564 8620 0814 292 9046 0803 587 5846 08074420617

Column

with Mohammed Adamu dankande2@gmail.com And this is the irony of it all, that at the time media preachment on the virtue of ‘ranching’ once took the center-stage of our public discuss, Fulani herdsmen themselves, and particularly the Buhari Government then, were the anti-sedentarists that we all had to work on to accept ranching as the veritable solution to the farmers-herders crises. Antiopen-grazing and pro-ranching voices were especially all over the social media haranguing the government to do the needful –namely to rein in on Fulani herdsmen to accept the option of a ‘government-funded ranching system’.

And if memory serves right, two usually less than sincere state governments in this farmer-herder crisis, namely Benue and Taraba, had soon rushed to their various state assemblies to legislate to outlaw ‘open grazing’ even as they claimed to adopt, pretentiously now it seems, the ranching option as the minimum acceptable to them. But nothing exposes the hypocrisy especially of Benue’s Ortom more than the fact that although his was the first state to make a public show of legislating to adopt ranching, he was also the earliest thereafter to announce that Benue had no land to spare the Fulanis for ranching.

It was thus obvious that even those who had preached the virtue of ranching had not the virtue to keep their word to allow ranching because the promise to avail herders land for ranching was one big lie. The whole thing was a ploy first to get the Fulani herdsman accept a legislation ending his ancestral life of nomadic open grazing on the promise of a more modern sedentary system, and then second, to take him out thereafter by denying him the ‘promised land’ for ranching. Or isn’t it obvious also that even now that the Federal Government is contemplating lending federally-owned lands in the states, the same Ortom is also one of the stiffest oppositions. Ortom again would be the first to claim to expose a poorly-scripted contractual signpost which he alleged the Federal Government had mounted in some desolate Benue bush as proof that contracts had already been awarded to execute the Ruga project without consulting governors.

And although it is now clear that the Ruga option is optional (for states that may willfully desire it) and not an imposition (on states that may not), as has been mischievously alleged, yet the interventionist obligation of Government in such a critical sector

as cattle-raising is now becoming the new Aunt Sally or the whipping boy of this army of anti-Fulani herdsmen.

And they ask the question, ‘why should government federally-owned resources to help privately-owned businesses?’ But the question rather should be ‘why cannot Government, for the exigency of ending the farmers-herders crisis, not invest its time, energy and resources do so, when, even without as much demand of exigency, previous governments are known severally to intervene in many other privately-run businesses before now?

Even in the United States, the bastion of democratic capitalism, government occasionally subvents and whenever necessary, subsidizes agriculture. In order to keep its already-wealthy five percent farming population gainfully in business, the American government spends billions regularly to suck up and store-away glut in both strategic and emergency grains reserves all over the United States. That way, not only are prizes of farm produce kept stable so that farmers meet their expected annual profit margins and are able to fully reinvest, but food security is also guaranteed for the American citizen who benefits both from affordability and prize stability.

And you wonder, if there is a price to pay for peace and security in our land, and the Government can afford it, why should the government not pay to get it? Why should the ‘do-nothing’ prescriptions of the few among us who have a penchant for politicizing and ethnicizing every noble intention of Government be the yardstick by which to measure the legitimacy of solutions to the myriad of problems affecting Nigeria?

Let’s face it, our local herdsmen, with small holdings in cattle rearing, do not have the wherewithal to afford such capital-intensive venture like ranching. Audu Ogbe himself an Idoma from Benue, had been the butt of ridicule each time he spoke about some of the condition-precedent necessary for the transformation of the Fulani herdsmen from a nomadic to a sedentary form of living. We claim to desire an urgent end to the perennial circle of farmers-herdsmen crisis, but it appears that now that the Government is getting the hang of it, the mischief makers in our midst are obviously not happy about it.

Already to the nomadic herdsman –as well as to his particular species of cattle- even this proposed Government-funded Rugaranching system will initially come

at a great cost to his accustomed way of life –especially with all the attendant psychological, physical and social consequences. Nothing can be more uncertain than that, by the instantaneity of legislation, Government brings to a sudden halt the nomadic way of living of a people and impose on them a sedentary one, in a technologically-driven ranch, with all the uncertainty of growing enough pasture and providing water for their cattle.

Conversely nothing can be more hatemongering than to insist that this same herdsmen must, themselves, pay to be put to this uncertain future; -that they must cough out capital several hundreds of times the value of their small-time cattle-holding to buy into this bleakly uncertain future, or that if they will not, then they and their cattle may bloody well stay high, dry and die! But it does not work that way; no matter how much we hate the Fulanis. Yes, we may impose it on them and not care what happens to them thereafter. But can we ignore what they do thereafter to get by?

We did not give a hoot that ‘nomadic education’ succeeded or failed; but are we not now having to deal with the deviant errantry of the illiterate Fulani herdsman as he is gradually veering into crime? And in the last ten or fifteen years when, especially us the media, had looked the other way while the cattle of the Fulani herdsmen were repeatedly being rustled after we had set them up to be reviled and hated, are we not now having to deal especially with kidnapping as the newfound way of living by the deviant ones who must’ve lost their cattle to rustling?

We have been at this for ages; but our self-harming mutual grudges for each other will not allow us agree on a solution. As a matter of fact some believe that not finding a solution is the solution. It is obvious that we prefer to argue and argue; to bicker and bicker.

Well, since we’ll do neither ranching nor ruga, by God let’s continue to do what we always do best, -ramble!

DAN GAYE DANGAI

We gave COVID-19 palliatives to all govs, Minister tells Reps -News

Why were they hiding them?

Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza, Utako, Abuja. Kaduna office: K6 Ahmadu Bello Way, opposite Kontagora road, Kaduna. Tel: +234 814 292 9046. Cell: +234 802 443 2099; 803 7007 759. e-mail: contact@peoplesdailyng.com; pmlnewseditor@gmail.com ISSN: 2141– 6141